SINCE 1916
AS
ALBANY STUDENT
XY
PRESS
TUESDAY,
NEW SCOREBOARD
BEARS STEAL
HOMECOMING Pe. 1
—— Sa
OCTOBER 24, 2017
ISSUE 5
OPINION: Does the U.S. Need
Stricter Gun Laws? PG. 5
CAMPUS:
Mailroom Employee Shares
Friendly Personality PG. 7
LIFESTYLE: Halloween Treats
and Costumes PG. 8
ALBANYSTUDENTPRESS.NET
RELOCATION
RELIGIOUS GROUPS SET TO EXIT
INTERFAITH CENTER BY JUNE
By ELISE COOMBS & TYLER A. MCNEIL
A student pleaded with God to “save”
the Interfaith Center in a closing prayer
during Cornerstone Campus Ministry’s
weekly worship.
Aileen Eagleton, a senior, prayed mo-
ments after Rev. Sandy Damhof stood
at the pulpit. At that point, Oct.15, the
reverend had for several days heard word
ofa push from University at Albany ad-
ministration to move interfaith services out
of the IFC. Alarmed, Damhof urged the
congregation to speak out.
But despite concerns, Student Affairs on
Friday announced that interfaith programs
will move into the Campus Center by
June. It will be the first time campus inter-
faith services have been provided outside
of the Center in nearly three decades.
With IFC renovation and repairs
expected ahead, the spring move-in was
set to “minimize disruption” for interfaith
programming next academic year.
Ina letter to Capital Area Council of
Churches, Jewish Federation of North-
eastern New York, and Roman Catholic
Diocese of Albany, Michael Christakis,
the university is looking to locate interfaith
programming in the Campus Center.
“This location, in the heart of the Up-
town campus, is convenient for students
to access and allows the University to
provide appropriate support services,”
wrote Christakis.
The coming transition is the result of a
sale last fall that brought the Center under
the university’s control. An occupancy
agreement allowed the faith groups to stay
last year, but they will be moved after this
school year.
THE REACTION
Administration came under fire after a
map, which included a “Potential Temp.
Interfaith heritage suite” in Campus Center
Room 326, surfaced to campus chaplains.
‘The document was from a Sept. 28 meeting
between Student Affairs and Facilities Man-
agement over proposed third-floor student
office shifts.
The IFC was set to go offline, a Student
Affairs official reportedly told chaplains
TYLER A. MCNEIL / ASP
A Cornerstone Campus Ministry congregation of about 20 people inside the Interfaith Center chapel room on Oct. 15.
about two weeks after.
Startled, chaplains
took to social media with
#savetheinterfaithcenter,
launched a petition, and
encouraged community
members to send letters
to UAlbany President
Havidan Rodriguez in
protest.
“I think it’s a great
This location,
in the heart of
the Uptown campus, is
convenient for students
to access and allows
the University to provide
ment who are clearly clueless about this
building,” said Damhof
last Monday.
“And in some ways,
even students. I think
there are a lot of students
who may not know what
goes on here and so this
could be an opportunity
for everybody to know.”
Emma Benz, president
feral creconle. for @PPropriate support i
administration that maybe Services.” Student Association sena-
doesn’t completely under-
stand what we do, for Facilities Manage-
tors Mitchell Rybak and
Subha Tasnim to piece together a resolution
against the move. It passed unanimously.
Jarrett Altilio, senate chair, likened plans
to vacate the IFC to SA’s office changeup
over the summer. SA leaders last year were
disappointed by the lack of private offices
within the west addition. Both decisions,
Altilio believes, lacked student input.
“It’s a little upsetting,” he said. “I don’t
think the proper amount of student input
was ever sought after—not only for SA, but
also for this,” he said.
Hillel could be impacted by other Cam-
pus Center changes beyond the IFC move.
The Jewish organization, the only faith
See INTERFAITH page 3
CELEBRITY
Famed
Actress
Takes
Series
Spotlight
By KATY DARA
Critically-acclaimed actress Octa-
via Spencer visited the University at
Albany on Saturday.
She spoke as
a part of UAI-
bany’s speaker
series, highlight-
ing Homecom-
ing Family and
Reunion weekend.
Past speakers have
included Barbara
Walters, Justice
Sonia Sotomayor,
President Bill SPENCER
Clinton, Bill Nye, and Magic Johnson.
Spencer answered questions posed
to her by Paul Grondhal, director of
the Writer’s Institute and spoke about
See SPENCER page 2
PRINTE
DINING
Western New York Pubs Scraps
Campus Center Plans in ‘11th Hour’
By JOE HOFFMAN
‘The restaurant area under con-
struction in the Campus Center is
expected to be completed by January,
but it will not be Tully’s Good Times
due to currently unknown disagree-
ments between the restaurant and
Sodexo which surfaced last week.
Sodexo, the food service conglom-
erate which University Auxiliary
Services contracts for retail and
student dining, had planned since
2015 that Tully’s would run a sports-
pub-style, sit-down restaurant which
served alcohol on campus. Tully’s
currently partners with Sodexo in
an on-campus restaurant at SUNY
Binghamton.
“They couldn’t come to a middle
ground in terms of establishing a
partnership,” said UAS Executive Di-
rector Stephen Pearse. “It’s extremely
unfortunate because we all wanted
Tully’s to be here.”
Sodexo spoke to Pearse last week about
the problems with the partnership, but Pearse
did not give details to The ASP in an effort
to be sensitive to Sodexo and Tully’s’ private
conversations. UAlbany’s Sodexo leadership
did not provide a comment to The ASP, in-
stead directing this reporter back to Stephen
D BY THE TIMES UNION, ALBANY,
BRITTANY GREGORY / ASP
The former future site of Tully's Good Times in the Campus Center. The pub space is still under construction.
Pearse for information. Tully’s leadership
did not return The ASP’s calls for comment.
In an email obtained by The ASP, Pearse
said to UAS board members,: “This is really
in the 11th hour, but things like this happen
occasionally. Trying to partner with outside
vendors can be extremely challenging. We
are fortunate that Cusato’s is the exception,
not the rule.”
The area Tully’s was meant to occupy
will continue to be constructed and outfitted,
and a sports pub boasting 39 televisions is
hoped to open January of next year. Sodexo
is exploring multiple options to determine
See TULLY’S page 2
NEW YORK — A HEARST CORPORATION NEWSPAPER
NEWS EDITOR: JOE HOFFMAN
THEASPNEWS@GMAIL.COM
NEWS
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2017
ALBANY STUDENT PRESS
SEFCU ARENA
Stuyvesant Plaza Donates $1M to New Scoreboard
By CHAD ARNOLD
SEFCU Arena has received a $1 million
facelift in the form of a new state-of-the-art
videoboard.
The new board, which was installed above
center court earlier this semester and unveiled
Oct. 16 was made possible by a $1 million dona-
tion by Stuyvesant Plaza President, Ed Swyer.
“As a longtime supporter of the University at
Albany, Stuyvesant Plaza is honored to under-
write this new state-of-the-art equipment for the
school’s outstanding athletic programs,” said
Swyer ina statement. “The SEFCU Arena is one
of the premier sporting venues in the Capital
Region, and now fans, student-athletes and ad-
ministrators have a top-of-the-line scoreboard to
enjoy at each home game.”
Swyer’s donation, made specifically for the
scoreboard upgrade, effectively paid for the new
videoboard and necessary software, and estab-
lished an endowment for future servicing needs.
“This is an example of the kind of philan-
thropy that is critical to everything we want
to achieve,” said UAlbany President Havidén
Rodriguez of Swyer’s donation. “Whether for
athletics, facilities, or student scholarships, major
gifts — like this state-of-the-art scoreboard — are
transformative.”
Created by Daktronics ~ the same company
responsible for the videoboards found in the newly opened
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home to the Atlanta Falcons ~ the
new board has a total of 10 LED display screens, the largest
measuring seven feet high by 12-feet-wide, and features
high-definition instant replay and in-game statistics capa
bilities.
The new videoboard takes the place of the arena’s origi-
nal 1992 scoreboard.
“The Stuyvesant Plaza scoreboard will greatly enhance
the fan experience in the SEFCU Arena, especially for our
students and season-ticket holders,” said Director of Athlet-
ics Mark Benson in a statement.
“Lf you've seen the old scoreboard, you know it didn’t
have nearly the amount of capabilities that this one has,”
said Assistant Athletic Director for Media, Pete lorizzo,
who went on to explain that the new videoboard will allow
the athletic department to better advertise its corporate
sponsors, leading to increased revenue for the arena.
As of writing, projected revenue from the new score-
board has yet to be determined.
“The new scoreboard is a welcome addition to the SE-
FCU Arena,” said men’s basketball coach Will Brown in
a statement, before noting the new videoboard will “really
help” in recruiting efforts.
Echoing similar sentiments, women’s basketball coach
Joanna Bernabi-McNamee called the new videoboard
“amazing.”
Albany Communications & Marketing
The $1 million scoreboard in its first week fully in effect.
“It [the videoboard] gives SEFCU that big time arena
feel that our recruits are looking for when we bring them to
campus,” said Bernabi- McNamee.
“The SEFCU Arena is a tremendous resource for the
University at Albany and the entire Capital Region com-
munity,” said University at Albany Foundation President
George R. Hearst III in a statement. “This generous gift
from Ed Swyer and Stuyvesant Plaza is an investment that
will make Great Dane basketball games even more exciting
for UAlbany students and fans for years to come.”
‘The new videoboard will make its debut when the men’s
basketball team faces off against Iona in the Danes home
opener on Friday, Nov. 10. The women’s team plays their
first home game against Fordham on Sunday, Nov. 19.
TULLY’S
Continued from Page 1
who will run the business, with a preference
towards national brands that already have Sodexo
partnerships.
UAS’ Board of Directors had long envisioned
creating an area which would feel “upscale” to
students and faculty. Pearse confirmed that the
restaurant will serve wine and beer. As recorded
in board minutes and university assessments, the
cost of obtaining and hosting events with alcohol
on campus was an irritant to several academic
departments.
Minutes from a UAS Board meeting in March
noted, “The Board discussed the benefits and
dvantages of having a location that serves
wine and beer and the consensus of the Board is
that it is time to have something like this on cam-
pus. There are different departments that bring
groups on campus that would appreciate having
this option available without having to go through
UAlbany Catering.”
Ina February assessment of Finance and
Administration contracted out to Campus Strate-
gies, LLC, catering issues were also emphasized.
“Sodexho Catering received major and consistent
criticism,” the document reads.
“We just wanted to offer a place where
somebody could go and have a casual beer with
a meal, and be mature about it,” said Pearse. “It’s
not a Rathskellers; it’s not a place to go to and
pound pitchers, because there aren’t going to be
pitchers.”
Pearse said that the establishment would
not ‘promote’ alcohol with practices likes beer
specials or happy hours. He also noted that the
restaurant’s seating area is designed for groups to
reserve, such as faculty or alumni who may want
to entertain guests or hold receptions.
Sodexo has not yet applied for a New York
liquor license, according to Michael Ramella,
Associate Executive Director of Operations for
UAS. Ramella said the wait for such a license
takes 45 days, though sources point to the process
taking anywhere from two to six months.
Comfort food like chicken tenders and special-
ty burgers are hoped to be served at the new res-
taurant when it opens in January. Stephen Pearse
indicated that chicken tenders may be taken off
Fountain Grill’s menu to encourage uniqueness in
the Campus Center.
BRITTANY GREGORY / ASP
The pub construction zone around where Tully's was originally supposed to be. The pub was orginally
intended to open on Oct. 15.
SPENCER
Continued from Page 1
a variety of topics including act-
ing, politics, race, gender, and how
they all relate to the film industry.
She revealed that she majored
in English with a minor in theater
when she attended Auburn Uni-
versity. Still, she always wanted to
pursue acting.
“It’s a part of my DNA. I have
six siblings, so I always fought for
attention,” she explained. “Later, it
became less about seeking attention
and more about artistic expression.”
Spencer’s work as an actress
has typically been compelling
and thought-provoking. Her role
as Minny Jackson in “The Help”
earned her an Academy Award and
Golden Globe in 2012. In addition,
her portrayal of Dorothy Vaughan
in “Hidden Figures” earned her an-
other Academy Award nomination
earlier this year.
Both films helped Spencer rise
in the ranks of Hollywood. “Hidden
Figures” garnered attention because
it told the true story of African
American mathematicians who
helped NASA launch the first man
into outer space during the Space
Race. The film helped bring an
inspiring yet untold story to life ina
way it hadn’t before.
“It’s very humbling when I’m out
and about and someone says, ‘My
daughter wants to be involved in
STEM programs because of you,”
and that’s the best we can hope for,”
the award-winning actress said.
When it came to “The Help,”
Spencer revealed that she had a
long history with the story and her
character. She met the author of the
novel, Kathryn Stockett, years be-
fore the book was written. Stockett
based the character of Minny off her
brief encounter with Spencer.
Later, Spencer performed read-
ings of the book across the country
and eventually recorded the official
audiobook. She believes that the au-
diobook actually helped her land the
role which would eventually win her
an Oscar. She said, “If it weren’t for
“The Help,’ [ wouldn’t have been
approached for Hidden Figures.”
‘As for her Oscar win, Spencer ex-
plained the utter fear she felt when
it happened. She wasn’t sure if her
name had even been called at first,
and then her knees locked up as she
walked towards the stage.
“It’s very hard to describe, it’s a
surreal moment when your friends
and colleagues welcome you to this
club you always wanted to be a part
of,” she said.
She also joked that the red carpet
is her least favorite part of stardom:
“It’s just not normal. A lot of people
think it’s glamorous. It’s not.”
Beyond acting, she also wants to
pursue producing.
“| want to create opportunities for
people who wouldn’t normally have
those opportunities, particularly if
those are compelling.”
She also had a few nuggets for
UAlbany students in the audience.
“You only get this one shot at
life, so get your college education
first...try things, and then settle
down... You have to invest in you.”
CRIME BLOTTER
TITLE IX REFERRAL
10/13/17
Other- Off Campus
Report of a possible
Assisted subjects in a
domestic dispute. An
arrest was made.
assault. MEDICAL INCIDENT
10/15/17
ASSIST OTHER PD Roadways- Western
10/14/17 Avenue
Roadways Western Reports of a male
Avenue student having a panic
Assisted Guilderland PD. _ attack. Transported to
hospital by 5 Quad.
MEDICAL INCIDENT
10/14/17 RAPE 3:VICTIM INCA-
State Quad- SQ Grounds PABLE OF CONSENT-
Report of a male stu- FACTOR OTHER
dent with a laceration. THAN<17 YRS
Transported to hospital 10/16/2017
by 5 Quad.
CRIMINAL MIS INTENT
DAMAGE PROPERTY
Indian Quad- IQ Office
Female reported being
sexually assaulted. UPD
investigated and an ar-
10/14/17 rest was made.
Freedom Quad- FQ A-
Truth Hall GRAND LARCENY 4
CREDIT CARD
10/16/17
Liberty Terrace- LT South
Report of a stolen debit
Report of odor of mari-
juana. Marijuana and
Marijuana paraphernalia
were found. Referrals
card. were made.
FIRE ALARM UNLAWFUL POSSES-
10/16/17 SION OF MARIJUANA
Dutch Quad- Stuyvesant 10/17/17
Tower Dutch Quad- Stuyvesant
Accidentally set off by Tower
Plant Department. Report of female stu-
dent in possession of
PETIT LARCENY marijuana and marijuana
10/16/17 paraphernalia.
Colonial Quad- CQ Com-
mons MEDICAL INCIDENT
Report of stolen clothing 10/17/17
from a dryer. Empire Commons- EC F
Cluster
UNLAWFUL POSSES- —_—Report of a female
SION OF MARJUANA _ student fainting. Trans-
10/17/17 ported to hospital by 5
State Quad- Eastman Quad.
Tower
DOMESTIC INCIDENT —_for same.
10/17/17
Empire Commons-ECC FIRE ALARM
Cluster 10/18/17
Assisted subjects in a
domestic dispute.
Indian Quad- Cayuga Hall
Caused by shower
of harming herself.
Transported to hospital
by 5 Quad.
PERSONS ANNOYING
10/19/17
steam. PE Complex. Stadium
DRUG COMPLAINT Persons annoying.
10/18/17 911/BLUE LIGHT
Alumni Quad: Pierce Hall HANGUP UNLAWFUL POSSES-
Fire alarm set off due to 10/18/17 SION OF MARIJUANA
marijuana use by female Dutch Quad- Stuyvesant 10/19/17
student. Referred for Tower Dutch Quad- Stuyvesant
same. Reports of individual Tower
trapped in elevator,
Power Plant notified,
POSSESS FORGED
Reports of odor of
marijuana. Referral was
INSTRUMENT - 3RD gone on arrival. made.
10/18/17
Indian Quad- Montauk MEDICAL INCIDENT FIRE ALARM
Hall 10/19/17 and 10/19/17
A male student was 10/20/17 State Quad- Whitman
found to be in posses-
sion of marijuana and Hall
marijuana paraphernalia.
Referred and arrested
Indian Quad- Adirondack Hall
Caused by cooking.
Reports of a female
student with thoughts
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2017
ALBANY STUDENT PRESS
EDITOR: ELISE COOMBS
THEASP.EIC@GMAIL.COM
3
INTERFAITH
Continued from Page 1
group with a student office in the Cam-
pus Center, appealed for office space at the
end of last semester.
It did not have a proposed office space on
the map. According to Facilities Manage-
ment, the group’s future placement is still in
the works,
The possibility of moving to a collabora-
tive space has been derided by Hillel of-
ficials for over a year. Former president of
Hillel’s UAlbany chapter, Austin Ostro, last
fall argued such action would be disruptive
to the organization’s programming.
Ryan Fox, president of the Hillel’s UAI-
bany chapter, fears fewer students would
be attracted to the organization without
a student office. Events like Tuesday
Schmoozeday, he believes, would appear
less welcoming to students in a reserved
space.
“It’s a big threat for how we function,”
said Fox.
Rabbi Nomi Manon, executive director
of UAlbany’s Hillel chapter, is concerned
about about the future of both spaces. The
Hillel office is used as a storage space and
gathering space for students. Meanwhile,
the IFC is used by Hillel for some larger
events such as the annual shabbat dinner
and interfaith cookout.
Last week, Manon was determined
pushback from the IFC move would prompt
administration to adjust plans to put the
building offline.
“That is part of the survival mechanism,”
she said. “If they know that all these people
are rallying behind the Interfaith Center,
then they’re likely apt to try to do some-
thing down the road because they know
how it’s going to go.”
Speaking at the beginning
of last week, sophomore and
secretary for Newman Catholic
Association, John Ziolkowski
id, “The university hasn’t said
yes or no about anything.”
Ziolkowski stepped intohis Center will and only included the
position for Newman Catholic gontinue to notion of analyzing
‘Association at UAlbany under space needs. The Albany
chaplain Cathy Reid intending be used for Student Press met with
to track data that showed how Interfaith Nolan and Christakis
many people used the centerand ge Friday morning and
why they used it.
“A huge motivation was
keeping the Center working,” the
student secretary said.
Abigail Stramm, a graduate student and
Newman member, referred to officials in
Student Affairs as she said, “I don’t know
that they have a strong impression of what’s
going on with the students.”
ADMINISTRATION’S
RESPONSE
On the UAlbany website, a frequently
asked questions page addresses that the
the Interfaith
Proposed
Temp
Potential
Temp. Inter |
faith heritage
suite
Proposed temp.
Asian Heritage
| Suite
ke
| Possible
placements:
Albany TV
& AS.P. or
S.A. Lawyer
| and support
| personnel
343-349
& 3§2
support or ATV.
ELISE COOMBS / ASP
A map of proposed changes to the third floor of the Campus Center from last month. The map shows a “Proposed Temp. Interfaith heritage suite”
in Room 326.
university is staunch on communicating
openly between those involved with the
IFC, including student organizations.
The website was last updated on Friday.
Last November, the webpage ad-
dressed that the building’s future would
rest on a university analysis of space
needs, and included the phrase “of pro-
grams and/or offices cur-
We rently located elsewhere
on campus.”
hope Early last week, the
FAQs page showed the
last portion was deleted,
received a print copy of
the FAQs page. By the
afternoon, the FAQs page
was updated.
‘The updates address that interfaith
Source: Albany Student Press Archives
programming will be in the Campus Center The Interfaith Center, informally known as the Chapel House, pictured upon completion in 1988. For
three years, services were scattered across campus.
by June | and will continue through the
Office of Intercultural Student Engage-
ment. Chaplains are assigned as university
volunteers, and were copied on a followup
letter Christakis sent to previous faith group
owners regarding the shift.
‘The letter was written after Student Af
fairs met last week with local heads of the
three faith groups for the IFC: Deborah Rii-
IA UNIVERSITYATALBANY
State University of New York
October 20, 2017
Ms. Deborah Riitano
Executive Director
Capital Area Council of Churches
1580 Central Avenue
Albany, NY 12205
Robert R. Kovach
President and CEO
184 Washington Ave. Ext.
Albany, NY 12203
Rev. Donald Rutherford
Chancellor
Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany
40 North Main Avenue
Albany, NY 12203
needs of our campus community.
University’s Uptown Campus.
www.albany.edu/news/74997.1
The Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York
Dear Ms. Riitano, Mr. Kovach and Fr. Rutherford:
Thank you for meeting with me earlier this week to discuss interfaith programming at the
University at Albany. We appreciate your commitment to partner with the University to serve the
| am writing to review the information that | shared with you, and to ask for your help in assuring
that the appropriate stakeholders are aware of these facts.
As you know, the Albany Collegiate interfaith Center, Inc. (ACIC) is a private not-for-profit
organization that was formed over 50 years ago to provide interfaith programming for students,
faculty and staff of the University at Albany. ACIC, which has always been independent of the
University, provided these services in a building it owned immediately adjacent to the
In the spring of 2016, ACIC approached the University proposing to sell the building. A sale was
negotiated with the University at Albany Foundation (UAF); the transaction closed in November
2016. At that time the University published an FAQ on its website:
University Hall 206
1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12222
pw: 518-956-8140 rx 518-956-8141
wwwalbany.edu
Vice President for Student Affairs
Source: Albany.edu
A letter from Michael Christakis, vice president of Student Affairs, to IFC organizations on
Friday. See the remainder of the letter on page six.
HAVE A NEWS TIP? EMAIL US
tano, Robert Kovach, and Rev. Donald
Rutherford.
“Now, as the new president, I’m very
happy with where this process is work-
ing,” said UAlbany President Havidan
Rodriguez on Wednesday. “We're com-
municating with the Interfaith Board and
addressing this issue with them and pro-
posing or talking about what our strategy
is moving forward.”
Rodriguez said the recent response
to the IFC shift has been plagued with
misinformation, making the topic more
challenging for the community to under-
stand.
Some of those affiliated with the IFC
didn’t know what was happening to the
interfaith programs last week. Thomas
Simcoe, president of the IFC Board, said
on Thursday that the board wasn’t aware
of university plans for the space.
The board, part of the corporation
that previously owned the IFC building,
approved the transfer to the University at
Albany Foundation last fall.
“We hope the Interfaith Center will
continue to be used for Interfaith Center
purposes,” said Simcoe.
Christakis, Student Affairs vice presi-
dent, made clear that the IFC building
transition was a “business transaction.”
“A hope is a hope. He can hope all he
wants,” said Christakis, speaking to Sim-
coe’s concel
With the sale, the building is now part of
the university’s space inventory. Allocating
that space is part of the long-term planning,
but it was not included in Campus Center
reconstruction plans because the IFC Board
didn’t approach the university about the
sale until midway through construction.
Rumors spread over the IFC being va-
cated last spring. Reid claimed that Chris-
takis assured her the space would remain
for interfaith purposes moving forward.
Christakis said that the university assured
the Interfaith Board that there would be
programming space, especially for chap-
lains.
Under the coming changes, chaplains
fear that lack of access to a permanent
kitchen, meditation room, chapel, library,
and private office for spiritual counseling
could hurt interfaith services ahead.
Addressing this concern, Christakis said,
“The kitchen space I can’t give a good
answer to because it’s not something that’s
within the realm of possibility.”
Using the kitchen space, the faith groups
have community meals each week. Partici-
pants in Cornerstone and Newman push six
tables together to make one table that seats
AT THEASP.EIC@GMAIL.COM
TYLER A. MCNEIL / ASP
Havidan Rodriguez said at a Hispanic Heri-
tage Month event at Albany City Hall that much
misinformation has been spread about interfaith
programming within the last week.
roughly 20 people.
Junior Emma Thrasher sought out the
IFC her first Sunday as a freshman. Sharing
a meal around a table and seeing everyone's
expressions symbolizes her Christian faith,
Thrasher said.
In terms of where groups can go for
these meals when the IFC closes to the faith
groups, Christakis pointed to the Campus
Center’s Assembly Hall, Boardroom, and
Ballroom.
As university volunteers, the chaplains
can receive office space. Christakis indi-
cated that the three chaplains would likely
be in the same location.
However, the lack of sanctuary space
that may accompany such rooms is not
something that the university can address.
According to Communications & Market-
ing, the institution cannot provide religious
sanctuary space.
THE SALE
Future use of the I.4-acre property is up
in the air. The UAlbany Foundation, which
bought the IFC last November, plans on
donating it to the university through SUNY
Central procedures.
See INTERFAITH page 6
EDITOR: DANIEL RUSSELL
OPINIONS.ASP@GMAIL.COM
4
OPINIONS
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2017
ALBANY STUDENT PRESS.
HALLOWEEN
Costumes Don’t Have to be Politically Correct,
But be Conscious of the Statement You Make
By MEGHAN MAHAR
Whether a Halloween costume should be
politically correct is a difficult question to
answer. It can be hard to distinguish what is
politically correct these days, and everyone
seems offended by something. When I think
of political correctness, I think of how I act
at work, in school, and even on social media.
I would never purposely act or speak in a
way that offends a specific group of people
or encourages hate groups. When it com
to Halloween costumes, I think that political
correctness can put some limitations on
expression and creativity, which probably
sounds clich
Halloween as a child was always fun,
because my parents always let me pick
out my costumes. I have been a witch, a
Power Ranger, Barbie, a vampire, and just
about every Disney princess. In today’s
government, being politically correct
probably means something different to
each party. For example, someone wearing
a Spider-Man costume may be considered
politically incorrect to someone while
seeming appropriate to another.
Ifa young woman di ina costume
considered revealing, some may accuse her
of going against feminism unless she adds
some dragged-on political statement. There
are too many “rules” for what is appropriate
and what isn’t in a world where everything
seems offensive.
I think it would be highly inappropriate to
dress up as a terrorist or any other notorious
person like Adolf Hitler. However, I do not
find it inappropriate for someone to dress up
as Pocahontas. Her story was turned into a
Disney movie and people, especially young
children, love it. | look at is the same way as
any other Disney princess costume.
Mic published an article titled “7 Offensive
Halloween Costumes It’s Time to Retire-and
What to Try Instead.” One of the suggestions
was a fortune teller gypsy. The costumes
look fun and are in no way offensive or
discriminatory so no, I do not agree that they
should not be worn.
Another article titled “Infographic: Is
Halloween Costume Offensive?” published
by Refinery29 makes some good and bad
points. At the bottom of the article, there
is an infographic that readers can follow to
determine if their costume is appropriate. The
graph argues that one should not dress up as
a China doll. I disagree. If the person wearing
the costume is not disrespectfully mocking
the culture, I don’t see the problem. There is a
difference between expressing creativity and
discriminating.
For example, it would be inappropriate
for someone to dress up as a member of the
Ku Klux Klan for obvious reasons. Some
costumes may come off as offensive when
the person wearing it meant no harm at all
(like dressing up as a China doll or a gypsy).
However, it is well known on the actions
of the KKK. Costume ideas like this are the
claim that it’s just a costume.
Recently in the news w:
was pulled off the shelves. People argued that
it closely resembled Anne Frank. Anne Frank
is known for her diary she kept during WWII
while being imprisoned in a concentration
camp, and those who have read her diary
know that she never made it out. The costume
did not have her name labeled on it but it was
labeled as “WW2 Costume for Girls.” This is
another exception to not remaining politically
correct, because dressing up as someone who
tragically died such as her is inappropriate.
Offensive Halloween costumes take the
fun out of Halloween and so does always
being politically correct. Everything seems
costume that
offensive these days and sometimes we can’t
do anything to help that, but sometimes we
can, Think of it like this: if there is a picture
of you in your Halloween costume, would
you be okay with it being all over social
media? Would you feel good about it if your
parents saw it? Or your boss? If not, consider
something else.
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Earn up to 8 credits in 4 weeks
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OPINIONS
EDITOR: DANIEL RUSSELL
OPINIONS.ASP@GMAIL.COM
5
DEBATE
Should the United States Implement
Stricter Gun Control Laws?
YES
By M. FRANCIS MIRRO
Fifty-eight people are dead, hundreds more
injured. The largest mass shooting in United
States history. Events in Las Vegas have
once more brought the debate on gun control
to the forefront of the American political
conversation. It shouldn’t be this hard to
see that something needs to be done, and it
should have been done a long time ago.
Columbine. Sandy Hook. Orlando. On
and on it goes. Senseless, violent and, most
painfully, entirely preventable. One after
the other we have felt outrage and grief and
tweeted our sorrows only to move on once
something new grabbed our attention. We’ve
failed to make any change that could save
lives, changes that could have stopped Las
Vegas.
motivated group that is only ramping up their
efforts. By June of this year, the NRA had
already outspent their expenditure for all of
2016. The great majority of this funding goes
to Republicans, and in return, Republicans
are major opponents of gun control.
This is why I write this with a heavy heart,
knowing that our GOP-controlled Congress
will never allow a proper, necessary and
lifesaving policy to see the light of day.
‘The Second Amendment is antiquated and
needs to, somehow, be remedied to reflect
the times we live in. When the Bill of Rights
was written in 1789, the standard firearm
of the day was the musket which was only
capable of firing about two to three rounds
per minute. Today, a standard semi-automatic
rifle can fire between 45 and 60 rounds per
minute. That is weaponry that even the most
The Las Vegas
massacre hi
conservatives in
a quandary. The
shooter, Stephen
Paddock, wasn’t
aradical Islamic
militant who
immigrated to
the United States
illegally to kill
Americans. He was
64 years old, white,
ahighly successful
born-and-raised
American with no
political or religious
affiliations. He
doesn’t fit the
Republican Party’s
black and white concept of good and evil, so
the only matter illuminated by yet another
mass shooting is that this country’s gun laws
are a joke.
Background checks have proven
ineffective. Psychological examinations are
nonexistent. The Clinton-era Assault Rifle
Ban has been expired since 2004. People on
the terrorist watchlist can legally purchase
firearms and there is no federal statute
regarding licensing for owners. These are
serious problems that we have long been
aware of and yet have done nothing to
remedy. The reason? Greed. The incessant
intrusion of corporate money that has seeped
so heavily into Capitol Hill and forced the
inaction of our elected representatives.
The National Rifle Association spends
millions of dollars a year to influence
legislation that pushes for gun-friendly
policy. They are a highly effective and
brilliant of our
Founding Fathers
could not possibly
imagine.
Tam not and will
not advocate for a
complete ban on
firearms. However,
I believe that may
do more harm
than good. But we
need some level of
management, some
way to ensure that
unstable or ill-
intentioned people
cannot simply
walk into a Dicks
Sporting Goods
and walk out with a
device that can snuff out a human life.
How many more? How many have to die
before we care, before we’re finally willing
to do something about a problem that has
plagued us for far too long? Since Sandy
Hook, on average, there has been one mass.
shooting for every single day, amounting to
a total loss of 1,700 lives. The overwhelming
majority of these are not acts committed
by foreign intruders looking to topple the
American system. By and large, these
murders have been perpetrated by Americans
— sick or disgruntled citizens who have too
easy an at to weapons of war.
It is becoming harder and harder to
be shocked at the atrocities that man can
commit. But it’s the government and people’s
job to ensure the welfare of man. We have,
thus far, failed to do so, and we simply cannot
afford to ignore it any longer.
NO
By MATTHEW NOYES
Criminals do not obey laws.
Stricter gun control will neither make
people safer nor alleviate the culture of
violence in the United States. There are
already extensive firearm laws on the books
at the federal level. However, the notion that
more gun control will protect Americans,
or that more firearms in the hands of law
abiding citizens results in more crime doesn’t
hold up to scrutiny.
The majority of deaths from firearms
in the U.S. are not homicides. Statistician
Leah Libresco found that, “Two-thirds of
gun deaths in the United States every year
are suicides.” Suicide tal problem;
reduced access to a firearm will not prevent
suicides. In fact, other
that banning automatic rifles will make a
difference ignores the fact that a majority of
homicides committed with firearms are by
handguns, according to the FBI.
Other common gun control measures
that are advocated for and implemented at
the state level include restricting magazine
capacity, restricting citizen’s ability to carry a
firearm concealed or in the open, and limiting
where law abiding citizens can carry (gun
free zones
Such measures only impact law-abiding
citizens, Stricter gun control laws will restrict
the freedom of responsible citizens. The
tragic shooting that took place at an Orlando
nightclub last year occurred in a gun-free
zone.
Making gun control laws stricter will not
reduce gun
countries such as
Japan have virtually
no privately owned
firearms, yet have a
higher suicide rate
according to the
OECD.
The notion that
reducing the number
of firearms owned
by responsible
citizens will reduce
gun violence is also
false. According
to a Congressional
Research Survey, the
number of firearms in
the U.S. has gone from
192 million in 1994 to
around 310 million in
2009. According to the
Pew Research Center, the U.S. gun homicide
rate has dropped down by 49 percent during
those decades.
The “gun show loophole” is the premise
that people can purchase firearms at
gun shows and private venues without a
background check. In law and in practice,
there is no loophole. When firearms are sold
at gun shows and in private transactions, you
are still required to have a background check.
If this is overlooked, it’s a federal offense.
Those with criminal records and those who
are known to be mentally ill are already
barred from purchasing and owning firearms
under current law.
“Assault weapons” have been effectively
banned in the U.S. for decades. It is
impossible to obtain things like automatic
rifles without going through an extensive
screening process. Regardless, the notion
violence: they
will unarm
innocent
citizens.
Imposing
stricter gun
control gives
criminals a
comparative
advantage over
innocent men,
women, and
their children.
Because
criminals by
definition
break the
law, having a
gun-free zone,
magazine ban,
or restrictions
on certain firearms will not prevent them
from breaching those measures. People will
always find a way to inflict harm, whether it
be driving a car into a crowd or flying a plane
into a building. People should allow law
abiding citizens to defend themselves and try
to help those with mental health problems to
combat the problem.
Human beings have the right to bear arms.
Self-defense is an inalienable basic human
right. No one can justifiably restrict another's
ability to live free and protect themselves.
Attempting to restrict freedom for a false
sense of security does not make anyone safer,
except the criminals. For the preservation
of oneself from those who attempt to harm
them, individuals have the right to defend
themselves and the right to possess the means
with which to do it.
NOYES
SEXUAL ASSAULT
Current Stigma Prevents Women From
Speaking Openly About Sexual Assault
By BAYLEE WEST
Violence against women has become
more prevalent in the media surrounding
us. We can see this through the actions of
Harvey Weinstein, an extremely prevalent
Hollywood producer and co-owner of The
Weinstein Company who has been accused of
sexually harassing and assaulting women in
the movie industry. Though these allegations
are not new, the misconduct has allegedly
spanned almost three decades, a New York
Times article explains. Many of the people
who worked for him claimed they knew of
his inappropriate conduct while working for
him, but almost no one confronted him about
it, the article continues.
Many of Weinstein’s
clients, and now-famous actre:
revealing the sexual assaults perpetrated
against them by Weinstein. So why has this
been allowed to carry on for so long? Is i
due to Weinstein’s presence in the movie
industry, or something more sinister? In the
past, Weinstein was getting away with his
assaults by reaching settlements with some of
the women on the condition that they remain
anonymous. But now, women that Weinstein
have wronged aren’t backing down. Other
allegations by women against prominent
male figures in our society, like actor Bill
Cosby or news host Bill OReilly, may have
prompted tl
sexual violence perpetrators will walk free,
according to data collected from the Federal
Bureau of Justice by the Huffington Post.
And according to
The Bureau of
Justice’s 2015 criminal
victimization survey
reports that over | million
people experienced
what they call a “serious
violent victimization”
crime, which includes
rape and sexual assault.
But only 32 percent of
rape or sexual assaults
were reported to police.
This means that there are
millions of women who
aren’t reporting assaults
they are experiencing for
many reasons.
And while these
numbers are from a
report dated two years ago, women who
report sexual assault still often feel that they
won’t be taken seriously or that nothing will
be properly done to rectify the situation.
Therefore, most of them won’t report it.
This is most likely because 99 percent of
the same article,
someone in the
U.S. is sexually
ulted every 9}
an
Why has this been
allowed to stand in
the U.S.?
Some
attribute the more
trings of
sexual assault
allegations to the
2016 Presidential
election, according
to another New
York Times article,
as our president
has been found to perpetuate this type of
behavior. Since the November election, many
women have feared that “progress for women
has stalled.” If a man who has been captured
on video wrongly discussing women, with
the same vulgarity as Weinstein, can become
WEST
the President of the United States, how can
anyone expect women to seek any sort of
justice through their legal system? Because of
this lack of trust in the system, many women
have been turning to social media to reveal
the moral corruption of some men in power
in America.
The #MeToo campaign sweeping
Twitter and Facebook exploded, with the tag
being used more than 500,000 times in its
first 24 hours. But this is not a new campaign.
Tarana Burke explained to CBS news that
she started the campaign back in 2007, to “let
young women of color who survive sexual
assault know that they are not alone.” In
2017, actress Alyssa Milano, who also credits
Burke as the creator, revived the campaign to
allow for women a voice amid the Weinstein
scandal. This campaign urged women to
speak out about their terrifying experiences
with sexual assault and rape, and brought to
light the gravity of the problem yet again. But
knowing that Burke created the campaign
10 years ago, and knowing that most of the
expansive allegations against Weinstein are
not by any means recent, will this revelation
be enough to finally get women the j
they deserve? If not, what will it take?
Have an opinion on an issue? Share it with us!
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EDITOR: JOE HOFFMAN
NEWS
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2017
THEASPNEWS@GMAIL.COM ALBANY STUDENT PRESS
the time started a fundraising organi-
INTERFAITH tebe cia inking
Assisting Chapel House.
Continued from Page 3 ‘After three years, the building was
Interfaith, pg. 2
The Albany Collegiate Interfaith Center reached out to
the university with the idea of selling the building in March
2016. After cight months of negotiations, the board closed a
sale with the UAlbany Foundation for $250,000.
‘The ACIC is the tax-exempt corporation that previ-
ously owned the center and now has no role with the IFC
property. Operating under that corporation, the IFC Board
approved the transaction.
Board president Thomas Simcoe said the sale’s cost
followed an assessment based on necessary repairs the
university recognized.
For years, IFC officials struggled to maintain the build-
ing. The IFC’s condition posed a financial threat as non-
profit revenue streams slid over time.
“If you have a boiler that fails, a roof that fails, you have
pipes that freeze—you’re just a couple of building emer-
gencies away from not having any money in the bank,” said
Simcoe.
ach faith group contributed $10,000 each year to keep
the building afloat. Over time, the IFC relied more heavily
on the university for support, according to an article from
iversity media relations on Oct. 16.
s is the first year the IFC has been overseen by
university staff. Long-time IFC director, Donna Crisafulli,
retired last year. Since then, Ekow King, director of
Intercultural Engagement, has taken reigns with interfaith
programming.
THE LAST SHIFT
For most of its history, the IFC has been run off cam-
pus grounds. Founded in 1965 as the Albany Collegiate
Interfaith Center, the IFC operated out of a half-century old
lodge for two decades.
The lodge was damaged by a fire in 1985. Prayer books
and office supplies were destroyed. Staff were relocated to
the Campus Center for two years. Religious s
tered across campus.
University officials thereafter proposed grabbing the
property to build a fieldhouse. In exchange, the IFC staff
would gain land near Fuller Rd.
Lewis Welch, vice president of the University Affairs at
the time, told the Albany Student Press that the proposed
Fuller Rd. site would attract more students to the IFC, with
a future residence hall (Freedom Quad) expected nearby.
‘The idea never came into fruition. Instead, the new IFC
was constructed further down East University Drive.
According to former chair of the IFC board, Gary
Kriss, in a 1987 ASP article, said the building’s design was
intended to be more accessible. The previous building was
situated on a hill.
The building cost over $500,000. Its construction was
supported by contributions from across the area. Students at
completed.
Father Bob Longobucco of the
Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany,
a 1987 graduate of UAlbany, was
involved in the IFC as a student during
the last shift.
Longobucco was an IFC chaplain
from 2001 to 2006. For him, the build-
ing promotes diversity and inclusion.
“Can any place in the world have a
place where Catholics, Protestants, and
Jews worship together?” he said.
BEYOND CAMPUS
Aileen Eagleton, vice president of
Cornerstone Campus Ministry, has
regularly visited Damhof’s office for
spiritual counseling since her freshman
year.
“Counseling is a big part of it as well
as just having a place that’s kind of like
a home,” she said. “I consider this like
a home.”
Last week, Newman focused on
mental health at their Thursday night
service, bringing in a representative
from Middle Earth.
A similar focus was evident at SUNY
Oneonta last week.
Chaplains.
Sincerely,
e, Oneonta’s
Newman Catholic Association held a
discussion on self-care as part of their
October mental health focus
Peter Derway, the catholic cam-
pus minister at Oneonta, said that the
group’s focus each month is based on
what students are interested in. Der-
The process of transferring ownership from UAF to the State of New York (for use by the
University at Albany) is currently under way. In the interim, UAF has allowed the University to
continue using the fa
programs. The future use of the building is yet to be determined and will be based on an analysis
by the University ofits space needs.
When ACIC’s executive director retired in December 2016, concurrent with ACIC’s decisions to
discontinue providing interfaith services to the campus community and to sell its property, the
University committed to continuing this important service by establishing its own interfaith
program as part of the University's Office of intercultural Student Engagement and by assigning
the former ACIC clergy (Chaplains) as offcial University volunteers.
Moving forward, the University seeks to locate interfaith programming in the Campus Center.
This location, in the heart of the Uptown Campus, is convenient for students to access and allows
‘the University to provide appropriate support services. In anticipation of renovation and repairs
to the former Interfaith Center building, the University will move its interfaith programs into the
Campus Center by June 1, 2018. This date was chosen to minimize disruption to these important
programs during the academic year.
In addition, as noted above, the University will continue to provide interfaith programming to the
‘campus community through its Office of intercultural Student Engagement. The staff of
Intercultural Student Engagement will continue to serve as the primary point of contact with the
‘Throughout this transition the University remains committed to maintaining open and
constructive channels of communication with the Chaplains, the faith groups, and our student
organizations. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.
CC: Jordan Carleo-Evangelist, Office of Government & Community Relations
Rev. Sandra Damhof
Rabbi Nomi Manon:
Ms. Catherine Reid
/, and the University has chosen to use the facility to house its interfaith
way, employed by the Roman Catholic
Diocese of Albany, is the leader at both
Oneonta and Hartwick College.
However, Derway doesn’t have a
Source: Albany.edu
The second part of a letter from Michael Christakis, vice president of
Student Affairs, to IFC organizations on Friday.
designated space at either Hartwick or
Oneonta. Currently, no students are en-
rolled in Newman at Hartwick, so the campus minister does
his programming at Oneonta.
Previously, Newman had a building off campus, New-
man House, but it closed last spring because of low student
turnout and costly repairs, Derway said.
Back in December 2015, Derway created a Go Fund Me
to address the cost of repairs and operational costs but only
raised $760 of the $15,000 goal.
These costs prompted the parish at St. Mary’s Church to
take back the house last spring.
Derway said his thinking at the time was
have a ministry because I don’t have a hous
“Okay, do I not
oe
The campus minister said he'd still be able to do his job
despite not having a designated worship space. He now re-
serves a room in Oneonta’s campus center for this purpose,
but he has his own office in that building to give spiritual
direction.
Faith groups at Oneonta do not share the same space like
groups at UAlbany have done with the IFC.
“T wish we had a center kind of like UAlbany has,” Der-
way said, indicating his desire to have a designated space
that facilitates interfaith discussions.
Matthew Noyes contributed to this reporting.
WRITER’S INSTITUTE
Times’ Bestselling Author Makes Campus Return
By KATY DARA
New York Times bestselling author
Claire Messud visited the University
at Albany to discuss and read passages
from her new novel, “The Burning
Girl.”
Messud had visited UAlbany twice
before, once in 1999 and again in 2006.
Last Tuesday, over ten years later, the
celebrated author returned to the As-
sembly Hall in the Campus Center
a part of the New York State Writers
Institute.
She is most well-known for her 2006
novel “The Emperor’s Children,” for
which the New York Times called her
“...a writer of near miraculous perfec-
tion.” Messud’s latest work, “The Burn-
ing Girl,” explores the idea of female
rage and the complexities of friendship
between two young women.
She emphasizes the idea of rage,
which is different from anger altogether.
Messud spoke about how women often
can’t publicly express rage the same
way men do. According to her, women
are not generally “allowed” to express
true anger in everyday life.
In literature, she always enjoyed
reading the rants and thoughts of raging
characters, but raging females didn’t
exist.
“So I made one up,” she said.
This rage is what makes the central
character of “The Burning Girl” burn.
The protagonist is only 17-years-old,
but she deals with her complex experi-
ences through her intense anger. N
Messud explained, “This book is
about two girls... they’re burning to
become themselves, they’re burning to R
tell this story, they’re burning for love.”
Messud also emphasized the impor-
tance of contributing new literature to the
world to change it. Considering that many
KATY DARA / ASP
Claire Massud signs books in Assembly Hall.
of her books relate to emotional complexity
and female-centric stories, many view her
I wanted to do that.”
as a progressive writer.
“There was this dark decade or two
where ‘feminism,’ while not a dirty word,
was obsolete,” she said.
She stressed the importance of contribut-
ing new work in order to have your voice
heard.
“We’re the sum of all the places we’ve
been and all the things we’ve done and all
the texts we’ve internalized,” she explained.
“The more stories that are out there, that
changes the narrative.”
When asked about when she first wanted
to become a writer, she said that it w:
something she wanted to be as long as she
knew she could. “My parents gave me a
little kids’ typewriter for my sixth birth-
day... As soon as I learned that people
made stori
s, that they didn’t just preexist...
Claire Messud received her education at
Yale University and Cambridge University.
‘The American Academy of Arts and Letters
has recognized her talent with both an Ad-
dison Metcalf Award and a Strauss Living
Award. She has also taught creative writing
at various colleges around the country.
Today, she balances being a successful
writer with being a mother to two children.
MISS THE SHOW? READ ABOUT IT ONLINE AT ALBANYSTUDENTPRESS.NET
She is married to James Wood, an esteemed
literary critic. She spoke about how she
manages to manage a busy life. In fact, she
said that her full life has made her more
motivated to write in some ways.She of-
fered this piece of advice to young, aspiring
writers:
“More life is more life. More experience
is more experience.”
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2017
ALBANY STUDENT PRESS CAM PUS
EMPLOYEE
e
Mailroom Employee Cares for Students
By KAYLA NASH dé yy y
Mike, as his friends and family have learned to call him, has huge hands cov- ny i, §
ered with ink and other signs that point to his career in mail services. His lively A
smile is only second to his bright lime green colored University at Albany polo y ro
shirt, which he pairs his polo with black business pants and shoes. :
Mike has moved up the ranks during his 25 years at UAlbany, and as a Senior
Staff Assistant he likes to keep a friendly tone in the mailroom.
“Tt seems like my whole career is based around a mailroom. When I . ae .
moved to Albany I got a job at the Department of Motor Vehicle in their
mailroom, then I started working at a Cerebral Palsy Center in their mail-
room. Through a friend I heard of a job at SUNY working in the mailroom
so I applied. I started as a clerk and throughout the years I worked my way
up to a manager.
It’s a great thing moving from New York City to Albany. We didn’t have —
a car back then so we took the train to the Albany area a lot but I was from
the south Bronx and it was a bad area, a lot of gangs and shootings. The Ma
movie, Fort Apache The Bronx, was based on my neighborhood, a lot of oe Mer
killings and a lot of death. We were financially destitute growing up; I knew bi SoD
I did not want that for my family. I’m glad I got out.
A few months after I moved up here I met my wife and we have been q |
together for 40 years. I knew I did not want that for my family. I worked
hard to make sure I didn’t end up like how I grew up. I have three children
and you always got to think about your family. I have amazing benefits at
SUNY; to know my family will have medical benefits is a huge plus.
1992 mail services was drastically different than today’s mail service:
When I first started working here, letter mail was bigger than packages,
now it’s the other way around. Now we get more packages than letter mail.
Students used to just show up asking for their packages when I first started
working here.
Actually let’s back up a minute. When I first started working here pack-
ages were delivered to the dorms. In time there were concerns about secu-
rity risks so we started logging the packages here and basically the whole
system was born. It was a struggle trying to find student’s packages. It was
not alphabetized and it was a mess.
My staff likes to mess with students. We always want to know how are
students doing. There is a lot of pressure on students. We know the lines
could get long when waiting for packages so we try to lighten the mood. We
ask them how are classes going, we tell them I am sure you are going to get
an A not to worry. Students seem to like when we tell them to keep ordering KAYLA NASH / ASP
packages, that we need the business. That makes them laugh. I love that; I Uleve nea ure form ine siden is
love hearing from the students.
Freshmen and transfers are away from home; I want them to feel com- money and answer the questions associated with the rapid copy center.
fortable. I take students into my office and we talk. A few times a student You got to be passionate, especially when you have been doing it
has been short on cash and I lay it out and their parents call me and thank for a while. My staff is like a family, our oldest employee is 90 and our
me and say check is in the mail. I don’t have a problem talking to students. 1 Youngest is 24. We like to hire work-study students and EOP students;
enjoy talking to them. the students really help us out a lot.
My dad passed away when I was young and I lost my brother to the city With having passionate people on the (aon it makes me feel com-
so my mother told me I had to go so I hopped on the train and never looked fortable knowing when I leave I’m leaving it in good hands. Right now
back. T have a few years before I retire I’m just going to hang here. I am train-
When the mailroom has orientation we give our cards to parents and stu- ing my replacement now and I know when I leave the mailroom, it will
dents because we want them to feel comfortable. Yesterday, a parent called be in good hands. We aren’t just the mailroom; we have to take care the
me looking for a lost package, I found the package and called her back and University.”
we got it sorted. The package contained very important information like
cash and a social security card.
We go out of our way to make everyone feel comfortable. We give out
gift cards, pens, frisbees, and more! It comes out of our own pocket. We
never ask for reimbursement. If the mailroom can help out anyway, the staff
is willing to help.
Our responsibility does not just lie in mailroom; we are apart of the rapid
copy center, where we help students and professors learn how to use the
rapid copy center. We print every exam that professors administer, handle
4 If you act right, you are
right. That’s for certain.
— DOROTHY VAUGHAN, ‘HIDDEN FIGURES’
2008 Honda Accord $2000
Perfect Mechanical Condition 240,000 miles
Yes, it’s a lot of miles (weekly business trips to SUNY campuses), but | have}
taken very good care of the car, replacing anything at the recommendation
lof my mechanic.
Geoff Hamburg 518 894 2945 ghamburg@Albany.edu
MISS THE SHOW? READ ABOUT IT ONLINE AT ALBANYSTUDENTPRESS.NET
EDITOR: KATIE GIBSON
LIFESTYLE.ASP@GMAIL.COM
LIFESTYLE
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2017
ALBANY STUDENT PRESS.
DIY
Last-Minute
Halloween
Costumes
By AVA O’DEA
Halloween is fast approaching and college students
everywhere are facing the same dilemma. Whether it’s
because they got invited to a last-minute party, they forgot
to prepare, or they’re just too broke, countless people are
scrambling to find a cute and easy costume. Find yourself
in a similar predicament? Well, don’t worry. There are a
number of simple, DIY costumes you can whip up with
things you already have in your closet.
SKUNK
Use your classic little
black dress or a black t-shirt
and top for the base. Cut
up an old, white t-shirt
or scraps of felt into long
stripes to glue on your
front and back, and you’re
askunk! Just take your
eyeliner and give yourself a
little black nose, and you’re
all set. Make sure you
shower beforehand, though.
Looking like a skunk is
cute. Smelling like one is
not.
ROBBER
What about that black-and-white striped shirt you have?
Pair it with the same black pants from the skunk costume
to become a classic bank robber. This one can function as
a couples costume as well! Get your best friend to be a cop
and prove to Instagram how adorable you two really are.
The only way this costume can go wrong is if you actually
get arrested.
TOURIST
Want to get some use out of the Hawaiian shirt you
bought at Goodwill? Break out your cargo shorts or jeans,
throw on sandals or sneakers, and you’re a tourist. Bonus
points if you bring a disposable camera (do they even sell
those anymore?), take selfies with everything, and ask for
directions
—
Don’t forget about
that classic little black
dress. Find a cheap
witch hat and you’re
ready to cast spells
all night. If you can’t
find or don’t want
to buy the signature
pointy hat, do dark
makeup and draw
“blood” dripping from
your mouth with red
lipstick. Nobody can
hate a classic vampire
costume.
PHOTOS BY AVA O'DEA / ASP
BONUS
Are you looking at your closet and still feeling
uninspired? You could always take a plain t-shirt and just
write “COSTUME” on it with black marker. Sure, it may
be lame, but it'll get you through the holiday, which is all
we can really hope for.
FOOD
Treats To Make You
Feel Like A Kid Again
By KATIE GIBSON
You can make festive and tasty Halloween treats in your
dorm room. It’s easy to miss the Halloween traditions from
childhood while at college. You miss trick-or-treating and
munching on spooky themed sweets. But if you have a
microwave you can make an array of ghosts and ghouls.
It’s easier than you think.
Photos from Flickr
EYE BALLS
Start by putting a bow! full of marshmallows in the
microwave for 30 seconds. Take it out, stir, and repeat
until it makes a smooth paste. Mix in a cup and a half of
rice krispie cereal. Once the mix is cool enough to touch,
scoop out half a handful and roll it into a ball in the palm
of your hand. Put the balls on a plate or wax paper to
set. While the balls are setting, melt a bowl full of white
chocolate. Put the chocolate in the microwave for 30
seconds at a time, stirring between each heating. Once the
chocolate is melted, set aside a tablespoon. Add red food
the excess and put the balls back on the plate/wax paper
to set. While they are setting, drizzle red chocolate over
the balls to make them appear bloodshot. Add an M&M in
the center of each eye as a pupil. Place the eyeballs in the
refrigerator to finish setting. In 30 minutes take them out
and enjoy biting into an eyeball!
BANANA GHOSTS
Cut a banana in half. Near the pointy end press a small
chocolate chip into the banana as a mouth. Cut another
chocolate chip in half and press each half above the mouth
to create eyes. If you want to make this more of a dessert,
dip the bananas in white chocolate, let them set in the
freezer for 15 minutes, and then add the eyes and mouth.
PUMPKINS
Chop up celery into thin, half-inch pieces. Peel a
clementine. Push the celery piece into the clementine like
astem.
Now enjoy your spooky sweets!
coloring to the tablespoon mixture.
Dip the cereal balls into the white chocolate, shake off
HEALTH
Breast Cancer Awareness
Reaches Washington Park
0. Makin ss
B
By HELOISA CAMPOS
October is Breast Cancer
Awareness Month. On Oct. 15,
thousands of people lined up to walk
in Washington Park to support cancer
research. Making Strides Against
Breast Cancer in Albany, hosted by
the American Cancer Society, is a
noncompetitive 3-mile walk that
fundraises to support cancer victims.
According to American Cancer
Society, cancer is the second leading
cause of death in women. And in
2017, more than 40,000 women
will die from it. However, there are
more than 3.1 million breast cancer
survivors in the United States.
One walker, 52-year-old Chanel
Brown, said, “The event means
everything to me, because I’m a six-
year survivor.”
When asked about what she would
say to someone who is suffering from
cancer today, she replied, “Just keep
hope, pray, and everything will be
Teast Cancer _
alright.”
The event raised $770,000 to help
save lives from breast cancer. The
cancer society uses the proceeds
to provide services and support for
patients and families
“We really are just there for all-
around cancer care,” says Elizabeth
Hunter, a staff partner of the cancer
society.
According to American Cancer
Society, more than 200,000 cases
of invasive breast cancer will be
diagnosed this year. Approximately
2.7 percent of women will die from
breast cancer.
The color pink represents this form
of cancer and Washington Park went
against the dis
The American Cancer Society was
founded in May of 1913. “We have a
1-800 number and they can help you
with anything and everything as 24
hours a day 7 days a week. They are
HELOISA CAMPOS / ASP
cancer specialists, so they will answer
the phone...I think having they there if
you just need to cry, if you’re scared
or you want to talk with someone in
the morning or if you need help...I’d
say that’s definitely one of the most
beneficial things we have,” said
Elizabeth Hunter.
The event also had an opening
ceremony, a food court, and activities
such as Zumba and Yoga, and
vendor tables in the Pink Promenade.
In addition, there were pink hair
extensions, an activity area for kids
with cookie decorating, a tent for
dogs, and the Making Strides Store.
People came to the event to
celebrate, support, and remember
loved-ones.
“I do the walk every year. And I
have been doing it for 15 years in
memory of my baby sister Kathy and
I miss her so much. It means a lot to
me. I hope they find a cure someday,”
said walker Karen Wittemayer.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2017
ALBANY STUDENT PRESS
SPORTS
SPORTS EDITOR: JOHN C. LONGTON Ill
SPORTS.ASP@GMAIL.COM
MEN’S SOCCER
Danes Outshoot Hartford, Break Losing Streak
By ELUAH CASPER
ALBANY, N.Y. — UAIbany’s Daniel Krutzen’s lone
free kick goal in the 34th minute put the Great Danes over
Hartford 1-0 on Friday night.
After controlling much of the first half, the Great Danes
finally had their chance in the 34th minute after a Hartford
foul right outside the penalty box.
Krutzen stepped up to take the shot from 24 yards out
and curled the ball around the wall into the upper corner of
the goal to put the Danes ahead, providing the only goal that
UAlbany would need as they held Hartford to only one shot
on goal.
“T think that is the first time this season we got a free kick
from that spot. I was kinda waiting for it since I have been
practicing a lot from there too,” Krutzen said. “It was the
right spot, I didn’t think about it, I just hit it.”
With the win, UAlbany improves to 10-4 on the year and
3-2 in the America East Conference. The win also snapped
a two match losing streak for the Danes. The loss dropped
Hartford to 4-9-3 on the year and 0-4-1 in the America East
Conference.
“I thought we played well, especially in the first half,
controlled the tempo, controlled the game, created a lot of
good chances,” Coach Trevor Gorman said. “Hartford came
back at us, good team, fought hard the whole way through
and we maybe made it a little difficult on ourselves in the
second half for a few moments, but overall we have to be
pleased with the shutout, the win and three points in the
league.”
Ina rematch of last year’s America East Championship
game, the Great Danes controlled the game from start to
finish. The Danes outshot Hartford 13-6 within six shots
on goal compared to Hartford’s one. Much of that can be
attributed to UAlbany’s defense who had their sixth clean
ELIJAH CASPER / ASP
sheet of the year.
“It’s [the defense] been pretty good, it all starts with our
forwards, when they need me I try to be there to help them
out, they help me out when I make mistakes,” goalie Danny
Vitiello said, who has five shutouts on the year. “We stepped
up tonight getting another shutout and that’s all we need to
do really.”
The win also improved the Great Danes’ home record to
6-1 on the year.
“We’ve had success here the last couple of years and
success brings confidence and hopefully the fans keep
turning out and we enjoy playing in this environment,”
Coach Gorman said of the team’s performances at home this
year.
Up next the Great Danes are home to Hartwick on
Tuesday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. in another America East
Conference matchup — their final home match of the 2017
regular season.
HOMECOMING
PHOTOS BY BRITTANY GREGORY / ASP
Almost 9,000 people showed at Casey Stadium on Saturday for Homecoming.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2017
ALBANY STUDENT PRESS
SPORTS
SPORTS EDITOR: JOHN C. LONGTON Ill
SPORTS.ASP@GMAIL.COM
10
FOOTBALL
BLACK BEARS RUIN HOMECOMING
By JOHN C. LONGTON III
ALBANY, N.Y. — The University at Albany football
team’s playoff hopes are slim after a 12-10 defeat to the
Maine Black Bears at the homecoming game on Saturday
with a crowd of 8,919 at Casey Stadium.
The Danes have now lost their last three games in a row
by a combined 11 points. UAlbany hasn’t been able to get
in the win column since upsetting #6 Villanova on Sept.
23. This year has been the tail of two seasons. Right after
that win it looked as if the sky was the limit for these Great
Danes. Saturday’s loss put their playoff hopes in jeopardy if
I didn’t eradicate them all together.
“It’s a shame,” said UAlbany head coach Greg Gattuso
after the game. “We played three of these in a row and were
we'd been right there to win it. We couldn’t pull it out and
it was very frustrating.”
Will Brunson and company never got into a rhythm as
the offense only accounted for a field goal in the game. The
other points came off'a fumble recovery for a touchdown
when the Danes had the Black Bears back up on the 12-
yard line.
From there Eli Mencer broke through the line and
stripped the Maine ball carrier. Antoine White picked up
the ball on the 5-yard line and pranced into the end zone.
That gave the Danes an early 7-0 lead and it looked as if
they were going to give the just under 9,000 fans on hand a
show. Unfortunately for UAlbany, that was about the only
positive note for the game.
The Great Dane offense went only 1-12 on 3rd downs
making it tough on their defense, who were on the field for
more than half of the game. Quarterback Will Brunson had
PHOTOS BY BRITTANY GREGORY/ ASP
The Great Danes suffered a close defeat to Maine on Saturday in the homecoming game.
an abysmal first half only being able to muster 33 passing
yards. 90 of his 163 passing yards came in the 4th quarter.
“We've got to be better,” said Brunson. “I’ve got to be
better. There’s no
question that our
defense played
great, but I have
to play better.”
On UAI-
bany’s final drive
Brunson hooked
up with Dono-
van McDonald
for two 41-yard
reception setting
the Danes up
nicely to win the
game. They got
the ball all the
way down to the
Maine 13-yard
line. It should
have set up an
easy field goal by
Ethan Stark at the
very least, but the
Danes shot them-
selves in the foot.
Brunson took an
8-yard sack on
third down.
Then, UAlbany
BRITTANY GREGORY/ ASP
Eli Mencer.
had a false start on a would-be Stark 39-yard field goal at-
tempt, but instead they were pushed back and his kick went
wide left.
The Danes racked up nine penalties for 70
yards and at times were their own worst enemy.
“Penalties were really bad. We were undisci-
plined and got penalties at time,” said Gattuso.
After the missed field goal Maine got the ball
with just over four minutes to play. The Black
Bears dialed up #34 Josh Mack who pounded
the ball between the tackles and picked up just
enough first downs to lay on the ball and run
out the clock.
“We've played good teams we just need to
get back on track,” said Gattuso.
The Danes need to now run the table if they
have any hope at making the post season. They
will try to get back in the win column this
Saturday as they play host to Rhode Island at
Casey Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. So
far the Rams are 1-6 on the season and Danes
won their last meeting 35-7 last year at Rhode
Island.
The Danes have four games left on their
schedule including a game on the road at 25th-
ranked Stony Brook and they host #18 New
Hampshire for their season finale. If they some-
how put together four wins in a row against
those teams there still might be a chance that
the committee puts them in the post season.
FOLLOW JOHN: @LongshotLongton
WOMEN’S SOCCER
3 Victories in a Row Secure Women’s
Spot in America East Conference
Source: UAlbany Sports
Caroline Kopp scored the only goal against Stony Brook.
By ROBERT LEPELSTAT
UAlbany women’s soccer secures berth in the America
East Conference tournament with 1-0 shutout victory over
rival Stony Brook
With a 2-1 loss to UMass Lowell on Oct. 8, the Uni-
versity at Albany women’s soccer team fell to 3-10-1 on
the season while also extending their losing streak to four
straight matches.
Two weeks later and three straight victories for the
Purple and Gold, the Great Danes are back into the America
East tournament looking to repeat as conference champions
for the third consecutive year.
It’s something that just 13 days earlier would’ve been
hard for those not inside the locker room at Casey Stadium
to believe.
UAlbany women’s soccer defeated rival Stony Brook 1-0
behind Caroline Kopp’s first goal of the season in the 35th
minute and a shutout performance by goalkeeper Andrea
Leitner with nine saves in net for their third straight win to
close out the 2017 regular season.
“It was a huge victory especially here on the road vs.
Stony Brook,” Kopp said. “It’s always a great game here.
Being conference champions, we have a target on our back
and we want to repeat again.”
The lone goal in the match came with 10 minutes re-
maining in the first half when Kopp passed the ball off to
freshman midfielder Sophia Eiffer and then gave it back
to Kopp who ripped a long-range shot over the arms of the
outreached goalkeeper Shannon Robinson
Leitner saved three long-range shots in a span of fifteen
minutes to give the Danes a 1-0 lead heading into the locker
room.
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @SPORTS_ASP!
Stony Brook had their opportunities in the second half,
including in the opening minutes off a cross over the head
of Leitner. But they failed to put the ball into the back of
the net, missing right on the shot.
The Seawolves outshot UAlbany 15-13 in the match
and had five corner kick opportunities versus three for the
Danes.
Despite a rollercoaster season that included three sepa-
rate winless streaks of three or more matches, UAlbany
women’s soccer is back in the tournament finishing the
regular on with a 4-3-1 record in America East confer-
ence play and 6-10-1 overall.
“The character this team has shown in the last few
weeks, I’m not only proud, I’m impressed,” head coach
Nick Bochette said. “I could not be happier for this group
and we are looking forward to what is next. We have talked
about building and progressing all year, and we want to
keep progressing.”
Playoff berths/seeding is determined solely by confer-
ence record, meaning despite a below .500 2017 campaign,
the Danes currently sit as the #4 seed before the final seed-
ing is determined Sunday afternoon with the conclusion of
the regular season.
This is the first win for UAlbany women’s soccer at
Stony Brook since 2011. Stony Brook falls to 8-9 on the
season and will close out their 2017 campaign Sunday.
The Great Danes (6-10-1) will find out their seeding for
the America East tournament after the league games con-
clude on Sunday. They are set to play in the Quarterfinals
on Thursday, Oct. 26.
FOLLOW ROB: @RobLep23
