The Vermont
Students and alumni aim to bring America’s Pastime back to UVM
CYNIC
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Feuds, blood and fans Emma Oyomba Staff Writer
ERIN LUCEY The Vermont Cynic
Protestors play music prior to the People’s Climate March in New York City Sept. 21. More than 1,000 Vermonters participated in the event.
Students hold sit-in for crisis Connor Brustofski Cynic Correspondent More than 400,000 protestors packed together and marched through the humid streets of New York City this past Sunday to raise awareness about climate change. Sophomore Simon McIntosh, captain of the bus of UVM students that attended the protest, said that the demonstration was “more than just a march.” “It’s a launching point for students like us to get active in our communities and join up with people to make the Earth
a better place,”McIntosh said. David Sasson, a resident of Pelham, New York also commented on the event. “[It was a] total mix of ages,” Sasson said. “It’s pretty symbolic of what everyone’s needs are.” The marchers were packed into fenced-off areas by the New York Police Department and forced to wait around while the smell of sweat and excitement filled the air. The march was set for an 11:30 a.m. start at Central Park West, however it was delayed until 1 p.m. due to issues involving the large crowd. Groups of protestors were
forced to wait in place for almost two hours in order to control congestion. The march concluded with a block party near Penn Station, between 33rd avenue and 31st street. More than 60 UVM students participated in the movement, 37 that took a bus to New York City together, leaving from the Davis Center Saturday morning. Prior to their departure, UVM participants were asked to attend a meeting where they were instructed not to talk to the press, some of the participants said. Among the UVM crowd was first-year Colin Graf, who rode
the UVM bus to the event. Graf said the amount of people that showed up “amazed him.” “The environment is an important topic on-campus,” first-year Matt Stevens said. “It goes with what the schools stands for,” Stevens said. “It’s students not doing what was expected, but doing what they feel responsible for.” Senator Bernie Sanders “applauded” the more than 1,000 Vermonters who participated in the movement, according to his press release Sept. 22.
See CLIMATE MARCH on page 3
Residents overcharged millions for electric Jill Vaglica Staff Writer Both UVM and Burlington residents have been overcharged millions of dollars for electricity for more than a decade. Burlington Electric Department recently announced that they discovered billing errors that resulted in overcharging UVM and the city of Burlington over a 10 year span, according a memo from Neale F. Lunderville, Burlington Electric’s interim general manager. However, the ECHO Center
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had been continuously undercharged by the department. Ultimately, the city of Burlington, as a whole, has overpaid electric bills by $1,799,201 since 2006, while UVM overpaid a total of $357,794 since 2003, the memo stated. The error began in January 2003, when Burlington Electric decided to “sub-meter,” or bill individual usuages. This separated ECHO’s electric usage from that of the Rubenstein Lab’s main service with Burlington Electric, as a result, UVM was billed for the
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JENNIFER RAMIREZ The Vermont Cynic
Communications coordinator at Burlington Electric Mary Sullivan poses for a photo in the media office at Burlington Electric Sept. 22.
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Heckling got physical Saturday night as an altercation between a UVM student and a visiting football player, left the student, the Cynic has identified as junior Nate Frieberg, bloodied and seeking medical attention. The fight broke out within minutes of student arrival to club football’s home opener against Central Connecticut State University. Prior to kickoff some fans lined up outside the portable toilets. A Connecticut football player joined the line and was met with taunts from some UVM students. Other Vermont fans tried to calm the situation. “Just let him pee,” they said. When the player entered the portable toilet a UVM fan banged on the door and attempted to tip it over. When the player exited, he and Frieberg exchanged comments. Within seconds the player grabbed Frieberg’s shirt and proceeded to headbutt the junior twice, still wearing his helmet. Frieberg gave a different recount of the event, stating that he was “jumped from behind.” Senior Sarah Richardson witnessed the event. Despite words that were exchanged, she said the actions of the Connecticut player were “unwarranted.” “I couldn’t believe it,” Richardson said. The player fled the scene, leaving Frieberg bleeding. Friends escorted the senior to the hospital with a concussion and in need of stiches. Witnesses said the athlete was in “full gear,” helmet included, when he “head-butted” Frieberg. Central Connecticut State University’s assistant recreation director, Elizabeth Urcinas, declined to comment. Leon Lifschutz, UVM’s club sports coordinator commented. “We plan to have additional security at football games in hopes of deterring such an incident and improving safety of fans and players,” he said.
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