the Racquette
SUNY Potsdam’s Student-run Newspaper since 1927
Happy Birthday SUNY Potsdam Flagg Hall commemorates the Bicentennial with banners of pictures from past clubs and events throughout the years.
Rebecca Augustine
Potsdam Bicentennial What the Flint? Birthday Bash Today Kevin Agyakwa Staff Writer
Ellen Ricks Staff Writer
On March 25, SUNY Potsdam will be turning the big two hundred. Help our two-centuryold school ring in another year by attending the Bicentennial Birthday Bash, held in the Union MPR room from 1-3 p.m. on Friday March 25. The Bicentennial Birthday Bash, or “Charter Day” as it is called, is the anniversary of the signing of the St. Lawrence Charter — St. Lawrence being SUNY Potsdam’s original name. The signing of the charter meant that the academy was allowed to be built. “As a staff member at the college, and as the chair of the bicentennial committee, I am incredibly proud to be part of a college that has been educating students and serving the region and the state of New York for 200 years,” said Emily Hutchinson, SUNY Potsdam’s Director of Development and College Advancement. “To me, the bicentennial provides
an opportunity for all of us to unabashedly brag about our history — the pioneering spirit of generations of students and faculty; our legacy in education, the arts and the sciences; the vibrancy we bring to the North Country community; and the amazing impact our alumni have had world-wide.” According to the Potsdam Bicentennial page under “Potsdam Stories,” the construction of the institution involved a lot of hard work and stress for both the trustees and the community. The year of 1816 is known as “the year without a summer,” making already cold Potsdam even colder. Many farmers lose their land and their crops in this trying time. However, through the strain of the elements and hard ecumenic times, St. Lawrence Academy was built, and, after a couple of name changes, grew to become the SUNY Potsdam that is known and loved today. The Birthday Bash will have many fun and engaging activities. According to the SUNY
Potsdam website, activities will include customizing bicentennial felt pennants and creating bicentennial-themed buttons. Students can have their photos taken in front of a cool historical backdrop that can be shared on social media or printed out to be taken home. They will also be able to learn the history of twenty oncampus clubs who will be guests at this event. Partygoers will be given confetti cannons to pop at this event while singing “Happy Birthday.” “I don’t think I can pick just one,” said Hutchinson, when asked about her favorite element of the celebration. “More importantly, I love that we are able to use every possible excuse to celebrate our history.” The event will also have live music by the Latin American music group, “Caramelo Trio,” featuring SUNY Potsdam own Dr. Oscar Sarmiento, a professor of the Department of Modern Languages. — Continued on page 2 —
What if I were to tell you that the water you use on a daily basis to brush your teeth, wash your dishes and even drink could no longer be used due to extreme levels of contamination how would you feel?. What if I told you that this particular area had for some period of time had either been threatened with, or had dealt with unsustainable water system. Subconsciously, prior to this, you would think I am talking about a third-world county. Unfortunately, this is not a Third-world country, this place that is being discussed is right here in our very own backyard. Flint, Michigan to be exact. Governor Rick Snyder made a financial decision to switch Flint’s water source from Lake Huron to the Flint River as means to cut costs, according to an article on the MLive website. The Flint River has a reputation for being unsanitary. Since the change, many people within the Flint area have complained that their water looked, smelled and tasted funny. As
a result of the action of the government, many families have been deprived of clean water and children are at risk of severe brain damage due to high contents of lead. In analyzing the issue, many have wondered why it took so long for this issue to get picked up by major news outlets. On the other hand, through the power of the youth and social media, the water crisis was able to garner national attention. Many students in college campuses have, in response to the crisis in Flint, have established campaigns in the form of water drives to provide aid and assistance to those affected by the contamination in Flint. Sophmore Jake Frostic, a Political Science Major here at Potsdam and also the treasurer for the College Democrats, sad that he in particular had close ties to Flint, being that his father is from the Michigan area. “A lot of the media attention has been focused on doing damage control for Rick Snyder and not focusing on getting the water clean and replacing the pips,” Frostic said. — Continued on page 4 —
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