BUILDING YOUR CREDIT IN COLLEGE A5
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Friday, April 20, 2018 • Volume 98, Issue 9 • cardinalpointsonline.com • 50 cents
Photo provided by Franchesca Parra
By John Peralta staff writer
Thank You. No words can describe the impact and importance that Kyla Relaford played in my life and in others. Tragically this past Sunday, Equal Opportunity Program Director Kyla Relaford passed away at the age of 37. The details of her sudden passing are still unknown, but what’s not is the love she had for her family, friends and the entire EOP community. A mother. A wife. An activist. An icon. She wore many hats during her tenure at Plattsburgh State, from being a member on the newly established social justice task force to educate on the importance of diversity, she did everything with pride and a smile. Her warm and affectionate attitude rubbed off on everyone. She was the mom away from home, and for some, the mother they never had. She’d show up for graduations, probates and if you needed a shoulder to cry on, you can bet Kyla would be there. Growing up black in America is one of the most difficult things to do. Your life is seen as a statistic; if we’re killed, we’re just another statistic. The world wasn’t built for us to succeed, but to keep us in the same cycle of abuse and poverty. Since day one, she made us feel different and wanted, and she worked her hardest to make sure we got what we needed. She gave an opportunity to hundreds of children like me who come from broken homes and education systems to receive a higher education. Through that opportunity, we gained a mentor and a mother. Kyla would remember the name and face of every single student who walked into her office. My fondest memory of Kyla was formed after months of not visiting the EOP office and growing out a full beard. I was not the same baby-faced young man she met in 2014, and I decided to drop by for a visit. No one in the office recognized me expect for Kyla. “You thought I wouldn’t recognize you with all that hair on your face,” Kyla said with a smile, her arms open for a hug. “John, I am extremely proud of you. You’ve made it this far and will be graduating soon. I don’t want you to ever think that anything is impossible. What you’re achieving is what I strive for all my students to achieve. It’s more than a job; we’re all one loving family.” I owe Kyla everything. She was my mom away from home, and she made it easier to live in an environment where some genuinely do not want to see you succeed. She was tough on us when our grades started slipping and took it personally when we failed her. Kyla loved hard and cared for everyone whether she knew you or not. It’s a shame that with little under a month left to go, Mom won’t be at graduation like we all knew she would have been. Kyla has done everything and anything possible to give us EOP students the best years of college. Words will never be able to describe the amount of gratitude that I have for Kyla Relaford. Without her, I would not be here writing this article. I wouldn’t have the bright future that I have built for myself. For that, I thank you, Kyla, and everyone else in EOP thanks you.
“Good Kids” wonders: Are the kids all right? By Kody Mashtare staff writer
When Shelby Klemann learned how many students were auditioning for the PSUC theater department’s production of Naomi Iizuka’s “Good Kids,” she jumped out of her seat and ran to talk with the show’s faculty director, Shawna Mefferd Kelty. “I was like, ‘please let me be the assistant director,’” Klemann said. “I knew immediately who deserved to be those parts and who would be able to fulfill them.” The theater department’s four-day run of the show took place April 12 to April 15 in Hartman Theater. “Good Kids” is based on the 2012 Steubenville, Ohio, rape in which a high school girl was assaulted by a group of boys on the Steubenville High School football team after a house party. In Iizuka’s play, the boys are referred to as the Mustangs, a crew of friends on a fictional high
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school football team. “The main thing [the play] touches on is sexual assault,” said theater major Peter Konsevitch, who played the insecure and conflicted character of Tanner, a member of the Mustangs. But it also focuses on many of the issues that surround sexual assault, he said. Theater major Brett Hughes played Connor, star quarterback for the Mustangs and leader of the crew. “I think it shows us as a modern society, like things we deal with as kids in high school and college,” he said. The play and the production process served as a powerful learning experience for those involved. “I think there’s a big difference between being against sexual assault and understanding sexual assault,” said theater and broadcast journalism major Arin Cotel-Altman. “This play has really bridged that gap for me.” Cotel-Altman played Chloe, a fun-loving high school student who, after a night of drinking, wakes up in a basement un-
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clothed, in pain and clueless as to what happened. The theater department began the audition process last fall, and by early November, the cast list was set. When the spring semester commenced late this January, “We came back and hit the ground running with rehearsals,” Konsevitch said. For most of this semester, the cast rehearsed five times a week — often for three to four hours at a time. As the opening day approached, Hughes said, “We were in there all week.” “Seven days,” Konsevitch added. At first, some of the cast tried to distance themselves from their characters by wearing masks during rehearsals. “If their character was a bad guy, they would make it a really goofy one,” assistant director Klemann said.
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PSUC News Cardinal Points takes home two New York Press Association awards The New York Press Association announced the winners of the 2017 Better Newspaper Contest April 13 and 14, and two members of the Cardinal Points staff each received a win in a solo category. News Editor Rebecca Natale won first place in the category for best college news story for “Behind the Pi Alpha Nu Hazing,” her detailed and thorough report on the hazing scandal that racked local fraternity Pi Alpha Nu last semester. Natale, along with former editor-in-chief Kavita Singh, worked tirelessly on the story to sort through court documents, witness testimony and interviews to create a rich account of the cruelty performed on pledges. Sports and Associate Photo Editor Nathanael LePage won second place in photography for the leading picture of issue three’s sports section last semester. The men’s soccer photo was described by the organization as, “the strongest of the sports images by a wide margin.”
GWS presents socialist feminist workshop
The gender women’s studies department will be hosting a workshop to “revitalize the feminist movement” on Saturday, April 21, in Hawkins room 229. The workshop will focus on the concept of how racism and sexism are byproduct of a capitalist society, and the discussion will take place through the scope of feminist frameworks. Workshops will take place: 11:25 a.m. - 12:10 p.m., 12:15 p.m. - 1:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. and 2:20 p.m. - 3:05 p.m.
Ferry ticket price to increase Thursday Starting Thursday, April 19, ferry tickets for the Cumberland Head - Grand Isle crossing, available at the information desk at the PSUC Angell Center, will be $8.75 for drivers and $4.25 for passengers.
YDSA to host panel on Cuba May 1
The Young Democratic Socialist club at PSUC will be discussing the US embargo placed on Cuba in a panel on Tuesday, May 1 from 7 - 8 p.m. The panel will focus on the history of Cuba from Colonization to Revolution and how the embargo affects progression, equality and sustainability in Cuba. The location of this panel is still to be determined.
Poetry slam will feature acclaimed spoken word poet tonight In the 12th annual poetry slam hosted by the sisters of Alpha Epsilon Chapter of Sigma Lambda Upsilon/ Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc. The event will take place tonight from 6-8 p.m. in the Alumni Conference Room in the PSUC Angell Center. The event will be a safe and open space for students and faculty who have submitted their work to express themselves and be heard. The event will feature spoken word artist from North Carolina, Rhonda Sekhmet Ra. One student or faculty member will be chosen to win a prize at the end of the slam.
Gospel Choir to host GOSPELFEST 2018 PSUC gospel choir will host GOSPELFEST 2018 featuring “Voices of Victory from SUNY Potsdam” at 6 p.m. - 8 p.m., Saturday, April 28, at Giltz Auditorium in Hawkins Hall. The concert will feature contemporary gospel, traditional gospel, negro spirituals and inspirational ballads.
Music department to present symMusic director and adjunct, Lori Salamando-Porter, will conduct PSUC’s symphonic band in a musical event featuring numbers from the The Beach Boys, Chick Corea and Andrew Lloyd Webber on Tuesday, April 24, at 7:30 p.m. in the Giltz Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.
Photo provided by Thomas Wolosz
The cast of “Good Kids” explored themes of sexual assault and date rape in its drama performances over April 12 to April 15 in Hartman Theater.
PLAY: Drama explores trauma From Page One
She told them: “If you want it to be believable and honest, you actually have to be that asshole; you have to say the R-word. They were pushing themselves away, and once they had to accept it, it weighed on the entire cast.” Konsevitch, having acted in a number of productions, said he went into this performance thinking it was simply another play. He was just out to do his best. “But what I’ve found is I learned a lot about what it means to be human,” he said. The cast and crew have all become more educated on the topics the play addresses, he added. “It’s impacted us in different ways.” Cotel-Altman said she wanted to do everything she could to better understand the issue. During the course of the semester, even as she spent hours each night re-
hearsing, she found time to talk with friends who have experienced sexual assault. She went to forums about it on campus. She spoke with counselors. “Not by doing all that, but just shaping this character has helped me understand what so many women go through,” she said. “It’s amazing that theater can do that.” Theater major Danielle Houck played Madison, a mean-spirited and outspoken character. “Playing her has kind of brought me out of my shell in everyday life rather than just on stage,” Houck said. “I’ve been a lot more confident in the things I do.” Hughes had challenges to face as well. At first, he was a stage manager and was not acting before taking on the part of Connor. “Having to build a character and find all these connections, it was tough,” he said. “I feel like doing the show made me stronger.” Klemann said “Good Kids” shows
the effects of our society on our youth. And for her, the play and production process reinforced many things she had already learned. “It was relearning how our body and mind process traumatic events and how society has given us this spectrum of perspectives on things like rape culture,” she said. “It was reaffirming some of the things I found out through my own experience of being a woman.” Cotel-Altman said she thinks the point of the play is to spark conversation about sexual assault and to not let the conversation die out. Konsevitch said: “Hopefully this small step on top of many other small steps will lead to a grand step in making people feel safe and secure in themselves. And through the conversation not dying out, people won’t feel alone.” Email Kody Mashtare at news@cardinalpointsonline.com
“Night of the Living Dead” turns 50 By Mataeo Smith associate news editor
The 1968 horror film “Night of the Living Dead” celebrated its 50th anniversary this year, and in honor of this, Plattsburgh State alumnus Andy Macdougall, ‘84, hosted showings of the film at several locations through the Friday the 13th weekend. The first showing was held in downtown Plattsburgh Friday, then at Under One Roof Video the following day and closed out last Sunday in Yokum 208. Fans got a dose of nostalgia as each screening was through a 16mm celluloid projection. The last time PSUC experienced something like this was in 1979 when the Student Association put on Halloween-themed shows in Yokum 200. Macdougall has taken it upon himself to keep celluloid production alive in what he calls “the digital era” by hosting events where he shows classic films on their original formats.
“It’s a very hard sell,” Macdougall said. “I’m the only still publicly exhibiting celluloid in this area.” It might seem as though millennials have no interest in this kind of movie production, but PSUC students show genuine interest in the productions. “We often don’t appreciate films like we used to,” sophomore Nick Von Rosk said. “Throw me back into a different time so I can have a unique [movie] experience.” Macdougall loves retro productions of movies, but also tries to connect with modern-day zombie fans and educate them on zombie history. “Celluloid is the original native habitat of zombie movies,” Macdougall said. “Before video tape, before DVDs and before streaming, the only way for zombie fans to access their pride and joy was through actual film showings of those movies.” Senior double major in computer science and philosophy James Reubold
agrees with what Macdougall stands for and even owns a celluloid projector of his own. “I’m a film fan,” Reubold said. “I really enjoy watching films on their original media.” Reubold describes movies today as simple commodities that do not have as much value as an original celluloid projection. Reubold attended all three showings because of his love for both the movie and the classic format. “To me, it puts a movie in its original context, and I really get the essence of things as opposed to watching it on a phone,” Reubold said. Being a philosophy major, Reubold compares the field to his love for retro films. “Just seeing the epistemology of film, by what modes we encounter, is interesting,” Reubold said. “It allows everyone to see what they have been missing while watching digital forms of films. It’s like there’s something extra there, but the digital form
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is only a sample, whereas celluloid film is the real thing — a record of reality.” Macdougall acknowledged some hardships he’s dealt with in promoting celluloid projection from individuals who he’d expect to provide encouragement. “There is a real condescending attitude toward this even from people who should know better because they are considerably older than me,” Macdougall said. “[Some audience members] were making comments that were unbecoming to this age group.” Despite the comments Macdougall heard at the last screening, he’s grateful he could celebrate 50 years of “The Night of The Living Dead.” “My passion is the preservation of celluloid projection and I will continue to do it no matter what.” Email Mataeo Smith at news@cardinalpointsonline. com
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At Wednesday night’s SA meeting, senators voted to raise the mandatory SA fee included in students’ tuitions from $97 to $110 in order to continue funding more than 100 campus organizations.
SA votes increase to students’ mandatory fee By Mataeo Smith associate news editor
The Plattsburgh State Student Association held its 10th session of the semester in the Cardinal Lounge of the Angell College Center Wednesday night. SA President Jessica Falace announced she will contact the SUNY Board of Trustees to see if they have reviewed the proposal for the change in the SUNY Display of the Flag policy on April 19. The current policy has not been updated since Nov. 14, 1984. Accounting and finance double major Shiyineeim Nartey-Tokoli succeeded in persuading the board to vote to raise the mandatory SA fee included in students’ tuitions from $97 to $110 for next semester. “I’m ecstatic,” Nartey-Tokoli said. “It was deserved, and in order for us to continue supporting our students, as a college, the fee was needed.” Nartey-Tokoli fought hard for the budget to be raised to exactly $110 to support the organizations on campus. Only about five organizations, out of more than 100, receive travel grants, which permit members to attend and fund trips and events. He believes the raise will provide each organization with an equal chance. “According to HEPI [higher education price index], we have to raise the mandatory SA fee by 2.6 percent every year, so with HEPI, our fee would have been $100 in the fall semester,” he said. Nartey-Tokoli was driven to get his proposal passed because of budget cuts that PSUC has taken this year. “This year we had a big budget cut,” Nartey-Tokoli said. “We are planning to do a lot more on campus for diversity.” Vice President of Student Affairs Bryan Hartman spoke before the senate to inform students how the budget and enrollment figures can affect the SA.
“If we don’t budget for the correct number of students who will be billed the SA fee, no matter what the fee is, and build a budget to match that expected revenue, the health of the organization from a financial perspective could change,” Hartman said. Hartman explained how PSUC has adjusted the budget in order to match the current enrollment for the fall. “These last couple years we’ve just discovered we were budgeting assuming more students would be paying the SA fee than actually did, and so we reduced,” Hartman said. “Unfortunately, we still don’t have a process that is 100 percent certain. It’s always a moving target because we never know how many students will end up being here.” Additionally, the PSUC Chemical Society was approved for up to $150 for shirts to promote their club during open house later this month. The Comic Book Club was approved for $155 to purchase 10 copies of the graphic novel “Persepolis.” The Anthropology Club was approved for up to $210 for an educational trip to Burlington,Vermont, on May 5. The National Association of Black Accountants was approved for $700 for its third annual banquet and fashion show, as well as two conference trips in October and during the summer. Black Onyx was approved for up to $1,770 to fund their upcoming week of events including “It’s a Stereotype,” an event in which participants address various stereotypes pertaining to different races by fulfilling them. Email Mataeo Smith at news@cardinalpointsonline.com
A4 • Friday, April 20, 2018 • cardinalpointsonline.com/opinions • opinions editor hilly nguyen
What songs are on your playlist? By Teresa Acierno staff writer
Music is such an important aspect of everyone’s life— especially college students. Whether it’s partying to Cardi B or studying to smooth jazz, the tunes we listen to play a big part in our lives. Since the days of burning CDs with illegallydownloaded nusic from Limewire, making playlists has always been the best way to organize songs. I’m a big fan of Spotify Premium, which allows me to listen to and download premade playlists or make my own. There’s a playlist for all my moods. Some of my favorites are “Songs to Sing in the Shower,” “Dad Rock,” “Day Drinking,” “Happy Tunes,” “Frat House Anthems,” “I Miss the Old Kanye,” and “Girl Power Anthems.” Out of all my playlists, the best is my “Commute” playlist. “Commute” has a mix of songs from my other playlists, and I listen to it basically anytime I go anywhere. I love this mix because it encompasses the
range of my music taste. Here’s some of my favorite songs from my “Commute” playlist. “Africa” by Toto: Besides being one of my all-time favorite songs, this tune never fails to put me in a good mood. If I’m in public and this song comes on my queue, it’s a real struggle not to sing along. “God’s Plan” by Drake: No matter how many times I listen to this song, it never gets old. It’s physically impossible not to rap along to the beat drop of this song. “Seven Days” by Craig David: A solid throwback, this song is super catchy and takes me back to fourth grade when it came out. “Praying” by Kesha: This song is so beautiful yet powerful and inspires me and anyone else who listens to it. “Angels” by Chance the Rapper: I absolutely love Chance the Rapper with a burning passion, and I wish more of his work was on Spotify. This song is just so good and uplifting, and it makes me want to run around and dance. “Cabin by the Sea” by the Dirty Heads: On cold win-
On-campus vs. Off-campus By Tracey Fox staff writer
The end of the semester comes with a lot of decisions. If you are a sophomore or older an important decision you have to make is choosing whether to stay on campus or move off campus. Living on campus can be the best choice for some students. Laundry is included and it’s in your building. You don’t have to look through couch cushions for coins, and you don’t have to go to the bank and exchange precious cash for quarters. If you’re a person that needs structure there are more rules in dorms. You are being watched by a resident assistant so you’re less likely to engage in reckless behavior and more likely to focus on work. Senior computer science major Max Delavalle recognized homework has been harder to complete since he moved off campus. “Instead of having one roommate to distract me, I now have nine,” Delavalle said. “It’s hard to have time alone with so many roommates constantly coming in and out of my room.” One big perk to living on campus is free food events. Trust me when I say
there is no free pizza and wings when you live off campus. Free events also help you socialize and meet everyone in your building. There are downfalls to living on campus: One being you have less space. You share one room and only half the room is yours; when you live off campus, you get your own room and your own space for your stuff. “It[Living off campus] just feels more like home,” junior communication science
and disorder major Randi Strike said. “I can finally personalize my room the way I’ve always wanted without wondering whether my roommate likes it.” Living off campus can you help you to get the full-college experience. You have full independence. You can blast music in the shower, be as loud as you want(as long as your roommates are OK with it) and you can have more than four people in your room, and it’s not considered a party. There is also better food off campus. This is because you get to choose what food you want to eat, and you have a full-size fridge to keep everything in. You can still purchase an off-campus meal plan. They come with more Cardinal Cash and can allow you to experience all the amazing food that Plattsburgh city has to offer like Sawatdee and Hungry Bear. Off-campus living means more money out of your wallet. You have to pay for utilities, WiFi, laundry and groceries. They might seem like little things, but they add up. Public relations major and junior, Ryann Senzon hates spending money. “It really sucks spending my own money,” Senzon said. “Especially when I open my bank account and re-
ter days in Plattsburgh, it’s nice to be able to imagine I’m on a beach somewhere and not walking through the blistering cold with six layers on. “American Girl” by Tom Petty: I have an almost shameful amount of Tom Petty on my phone. This classic always puts me in a good mood and makes me think of being outside in the warm weather with lots of friends. “Wagon Wheel” by Old Crow Medicine Show: Although I’m not a country fan, this song is undeniably catchy and makes me want to sing along every time I hear it. These songs and the other music I listen to can make me feel so many different emotions and makes my 9 a.m. walk to class that much better. Like so many others, the music on my playlist can enhance anything I do. Email Teresa Acierno at cp@cardinalpointsonline. com
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Editorial
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opinions editor hilly nguyen
EOP loses integral leader The Educational Opportunity Program at Plattsburgh State has helped thousands of students since its establishment in 1969, but lost one of its most important leaders Sunday. As director of the EOP, Kyla Relaford helped numerous students obtain a higher education at PSUC while always encouraging them to passionately pursue their goals and dreams.
When the campus has been in crisis, like this past February during protests surrounding’s the racist Snapchat post, Relaford was vocal in supporting the diverse students of PSUC. Her loss will undoubtedly be felt by numerous EOP students and the campus as a whole. The next issue of Cardinal Points will feature a collage of letters and statements from members of the PSUC commu-
nity whose lives were touched by Relaford. If you would like to submit one of your own, send it to cp@cardinalpointsonline. com. While there is no guarantee that your letter will make it into the print edition as there is limited space, we will include as many as possible in a longer version on our website, cardinalpointsonline. com.
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the First electron micro78 scopeyearswasagodemonstrated by RCA.
manned lunar module 66 fromyearsApolloago the16 landed on the moon.
ago FM stereo broadcasting 57 wasyearsapproved by the FCC. years ago scientist announced the 29 successful testing of high-definition TV.
SA President clarifies call for Whiteface dorm name change
There has been some confusion and concern about the possible name change of Whiteface Hall. This idea was brought forward at the Student Association Senate meeting on April 11. A bill was brought forward by the Vice President for Student Affairs and Diversity, Daniel Khoshkehpazi, that would assist in the name changing process. To start off, one of the main reasons this is the chosen building for the pos-
sible name change is because it is being renovated. Whiteface Hall is named after the mountain. When a building is named after a person, it is much more difficult to change the name. I would like to make it clear to the campus community that the building being named “WHITEface” has absolutely nothing to do with the idea for the name change. Ultimately, the possible name change is occurring due to the fact
that Whiteface Hall is getting renovated, and it does not currently hold the name of a person. The student bill that was brought forward at last week’s Senate meeting was for the creation of an ad-hoc committee that will be responsible for making the collective campus recommendation of the new name for Whiteface Hall after its renovation. These will strictly be recommendations. The adhoc committee does
not have the power to actually change the building name. Representatives from the Student Association, the faculty senate, the College Council, and the Residence Life Office will hold seats on this ad-hoc committee. Each group will be able to recommend one name for the building’s name change. Collectively, this would be a total of four recommendations. Once there are four recommendations, a forum will be
held so that the campus community can express their opinions in regard to the final four names. I am hoping this can clear up any confusion or concern some may be having. If anyone has further questions or suggestions, please feel free to reach out to me at jfala001@ plattsburgh.edu. Jess Falace, Student Association President
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How to build good credit in college By Tamiyha Carter associate fuse & opinions editor
College is often a time for you to live your life and party. It is also a time to get a higher education and think about the future. Talking about the future, you might think about what kind of career you want to have and where you’ll live when you graduate. However, we don’t think about credit and simple things we can do to enhance our credit score before we graduate. There are many events on campus that we attend, and we always need a new outfit for it. We shop so much without thinking how shopping can improve our credit score. Many stores offer the option for you to get a credit card for the store. This can give you the opportunity to shop
at your favorite stores while increasing your credit score. You can buy the items you want with the credit card and then pay off the credit card as the months go by. However, you need to keep up with the payment and stay on time to get those points added to your credit score. You won’t have to pay the amount all at once so don’t feel guilty buying those shoes you don’t really need because you won’t break the bank all at once. However, be sure to keep the balance on the card low because you don’t want to be paying off high amounts each month. It will make it harder to maintain the payment, resulting in a lower credit score. Paying off student debt while you’re still in college can make all the difference when you graduate. You won’t have to worry about
paying off as many loans when you leave college, and as you can guess, it will improve your credit. You don’t even have to pay them monthly. When you have the money, you can pay it off dime by dime. If you are one of those college students who has a job or a way of making a living, a way to work on your credit score is by paying your own phone bill if you don’t already. It sounds so simple, right? Some phone companies like T-mobile increase your credit score after a year of on-time payments. Something so simple but so independent can lead to a better future in the long run. Some students are fortunate enough to have a car while they’re at college. If you are one of those fortunate students, you can help your credit score by pay-
ing the insurance or the car note. Doing this can help you get a feel of what it’s like to pay bills and what it’s going to be like when you’re really on your own. Good credit is something that can take you a long way. College is prime time for students to think about the future and how far they’re able to go. Why not get a head start in life by doing these simple tasks to make your post-graduate life a little easier? If you don’t have a car, but you partake in the other tips, you’ll have an easier time getting a car because your credit score will have progressed. Email Tamiyha Carter at fuse@cardinalpointsonline. com
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Award Winning
Cardinal Points has received the following awards from the Associated Collegiate Press (ACP): ACP Hall of Fame Inducted in Fall 2010 All American Spring 2016, five Marks of Distinction Spring 2014, four Marks of Distinction Spring 2012, four Marks of Distinction Spring 2011, four Marks of Distinction Fall 2010, five Marks of Distinction Fall 2009, four Marks of Distinction Spring 2009, four Marks of Distinction Fall 2008, four Marks of Distinction Spring 2005, four Marks of Distinction Spring 2004, four Marks of Distinction Fall 2003, four Marks of Distinction Fall 2002, four Marks of Distinction Fall 2001, four Marks of Distinction Spring 2001, four Marks of Distinction Pacemaker Recognition Fall 2010, Honorable Mention 2006-2007, Newspaper Finalist
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I.C.E. gets colorful with traditional Holi festival By Emma Vallelunga associate news editor
At 1 p.m. tomorrow afternoon, Plattsburgh State will play with color when the Indian Culture and Entertainment Club hosts its third annual Holi Festival of Colors on Memorial Field. Holi, or the Festival of Colors, is a traditional Indian festival celebrated across India, signifying the end of winter and the beginning of spring. For many, it’s a time to play, laugh, sing, dance, forget, forgive and heal. I.C.E. vice president and junior biology and medical technology major Devangi Patodiya likes to participate in the festival for its feeling of unity. “It brings all the people together,” Patodiya said. “Even if I don’t like someone, I’ll still go and wish them Happy Holi.” Vasu Govani, PSUC junior environmental science major and I.C.E. public relations manager, said Holi is celebrated differently in other regions of India, but most practices aren’t shy with the use of color. “People who are passing by Memorial that day see colors splashing in the air and they’re like ‘This is interesting,’” Govani said. I.C.E. president and sophomore geology major Shafik Vadsariya participated in the last year’s Holi before he became a member of the club’s e-board. “I loved it,” Vadsariya said, explaining the fun he had playing with colors. “It was the reason I wanted to continue that tradition as president.” Traditionally, Holi is celebrated during March. Because North Country weather limits springtime activities during that month, I.C.E. decided to host the event in April. In past years, the club collaborated with the South Asian Student Association to host the festival; however, SASA was disbanded as of last semester. Since their departure, I.C.E. decided to take over and continue the Holi traditions. Now, Vadsariya said Holi is one of three big events that I.C.E. hosts during the spring semester, the other two being International Women’s Day and the Bollywood Fashion Show. “We didn’t want to let such a beautiful event go,” Vadsariya said, explaining how he feels the festival is the most exciting event out of the three. “People were really enthusiastic about this one.” Last year, the club purchased enough supplies for about 80 to 90 people, but Vadsariya said at least 120 people showed up, and organizers quickly ran out of colors. “It wasn’t just people from India,” Vadsariya said. “People from other international communities also joined in.” For tomorrow’s festivities, I.C.E. has ordered roughly 140 pounds of color powder. Music and snacks will also be pro-
Photo provided by Shafik Vadsariya
Participants got colorful at last year’s Holi celebration on Memorial Field. This year’s event will take place tomorrow at 1 p.m. at the same place. vided, and the event is free and open to the public. In India, Holi lasts one night and one day. People gather around a bonfire called the Holika Dahan the night before Holi and perform religious rituals, praying the gods destroy their internal evils. The next morning, the festival of colors begins, where the people drench themselves in rainbows. Although I.C.E. will not start a bonfire, they still plan to celebrate with plenty of color for anyone at PSUC to enjoy. Patodiya said she enjoys the festival because it’s a chance to see her friends and simply celebrate culture despite busy student schedules. “It’s when I can see everyone on campus,” she said. “It’s such a joyful day.” Govani said the festival creates unity across all cultural backgrounds.
“We feel bonded when we’re together,” Govani said. “Holi just unites all the [diversity] on campus.” Despite being a small club, Vadsariya hopes that hosting fun events like Holi will not only advertise I.C.E. but also lift international boundaries. “It feels beautiful that we’re hosting something that’s part of such a grand scale event,” he said. “It feels like we’re a part of something bigger than our own culture.” Email Emma Vallelunga at news@cardinalpointsonline.com
Club Sports
Scoreboard
Rugby set to host TNT Tournament Page B3
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B Weather wreaks havoc for sports Friday, April 20, 2018
cardinalpointsonline.com
Softball
Schedule congestion builds up in final week By Fernando Alba associate sports editor
Cardinal Points/Nathanael LePage
Junior first baseman Patrick Bryant watches the ball fly to the outfield against Brockport in warmer weather.
Baseball games cancelled, postponed and relocated By Lexus Gomez staff writer
The Plattsburgh State baseball team will compete a doubleheader at home against No. 21/24 SUNY Oswego tomorrow at noon before completing the series against the Lakers Sunday at noon. PSUC head coach Kris Doorey noted the toll conference games, like the upcoming series with Oswego (18-8, 9-3) take on his team. “Every conference game is mentally and physically fatiguing for these guys,” Doorey said. “It’s a battle all weekend.” Doorey also acknowledged the advantages the opposing teams have over the Cardinals (7-18, 1-11) of having a majority of upper-class
Men’s Lacrosse
level players. “We’re right on the fringe,” Doorey said. “We’re just competing against teams that are upper-class heavy whereas we start six sophomores and freshman.” The team is in their last rebuilding year, Doorey said, but still need to find a way to turn the odds in their favor. PSUC left its return to the conference schedule with three losses against SUNY New Paltz (13-12, 6-5). “The New Paltz series was tough,” Doorey said, who felt the Cards just didn’t get enough clutch hitting. “I think we were 0-for-11 or 1-for11 with runners in the scoring position,” Doorey said. “So, our situation on hitting continues to struggle.” Last Friday’s first half of the game saw a great pitching performance
from PSUC junior Matt Fox who only allowed one run in the first five innings. Fox’s performance took a turn, however, allowing New Paltz seven runs and ending the game at the top of the ninth inning with an 8-5 victory for the Hawks. PSUC junior Jon Craft acknowledged that the skill of New Paltz’s hitters outmatched Fox’s pitching. “They were very strong and very aggressive,” Craft said. “I honestly think [Fox] was just getting a little tired at the end.” Doorey recognized PSUC junior Patrick Bryant’s good pitching performance in last Saturday’s game even though the team lost. Doorey said it was the “little things” that led to the defeat.
Three rescheduled series from earlier this month have left the Plattsburgh State softball team with 14 games within the next week and a road trip that will see the team travel over 900 miles throughout New York. The Cardinals have dropped from their leading position in the SUNYAC standings to sixth place in a week in what was no fault of their own, as they were unable to play any games due to poor playing conditions. Inclement weather postponed two road doubleheaders in Fredonia and Cortland, leaving PSUC to travel to Buffalo tomorrow, Fredonia the next day, Cortland Monday and then finally back to Plattsburgh, where the Cards will play the rest of their season. “Right now we have to be as mentally patient as we possibly can be and just be ready when given the opportunity to play,” said Stephanie Conroy, head coach. “For us, it’s trying to go into games as if we just played two days ago.” Conroy looks at the team’s upcoming strenuous schedule in a positive light to help mentally prepare the team. “Going on the road can almost be easier because you can just show up and play,” she said, “You don’t have to put in the work to get the field ready. You also don’t have the distraction of going to classes on the Friday before the games.” PSUC’s road doubleheader at Buffalo State tomorrow marks the second time since returning from Florida this season the team will be facing a SUNYAC opponent away from Cardinal Park. The team’s pitching staff will likely be the most taxed in the final stretch of the season, but senior right-handed pitcher Katie Pitkin isn’t overly concerned about the upcoming schedule. See SOFT , B2
Brockport test after a week off By Nathanael LePage sports editor
“Senior Day,” said Joe May, head coach of Plattsburgh State’s men’s lacrosse team. “Weather looks decent. Home game against an emerging rival. They are going to be fired up.” The Cardinals (3-8, 2-1) suit up tomorrow at 1 p.m. against the College at Brockport (5-6, 3-1) at the Field House Soccer/Lacrosse Complex with a share of the lead in SUNYAC standings on the line. The Saturday-afternoon contest will be PSUC’s first action since an April 11 victory at SUNY Potsdam. “The break has been good,” said Michael Van Bommel, a junior defenseman. “We’re just coming in every day looking to get better. We know we’ve got a big game coming up, and if we take that one, we’re sitting pretty in the SUNYAC.” Prior to the break, the Cards earned their first two victories in conference play. May felt going into the off week on a winning streak was good for the team. “Coming off two wins, we
were feeling good,” May said. “So the energy was high, but we were also humble in knowing that we did not play two perfect games. We focused on the things that we can improve on.” May identified clearing the ball from the defensive zone, shooting at a higher percentage, faceoffs and invert defense as areas his team worked on during the week. PSUC is prepared for a tough battle against the Golden Eagles, who are coming off a 10-8 win over conferenceleading No. 16 SUNY Cortland last weekend. “They’re going to play us tough,” May said. “We have to be ready for whatever they throw at us, but we really have to be ready to be the best version of us.” Among the things the Cards practiced in the latter part of their break was man-down defense, with an emphasis on scouting reports of Brockport’s previous games. Despite devoting practice time to this in order to give his players a “sense of ease,” May believes the specific plays are less important than being aware of the opponent’s strengths. “Every has those guys that
Cardinal Points/Nathanael LePage
Junior long-stick midfielder Christopher Weider and senior goalie Donald Tesoriero keep their eyes on the ball during practice Wednesday. The Cards had 10 days off ahead of tomorrow’s game against Brockport. really make the engine purr,” May said. “Some teams have an excellent crease guy who works really hard, and when he catches it her puts it in the back of the net. Other teams have shooters. Other teams have excellent feeders that can throw skip passes twenty yards on somebody’s ear for a shot.” May said that, because man-up units tend to be the same few plays, the defenders can focus on identifying and “neutralizing” their op-
ponents’ strengths. May named Brockport’s senior goalkeeper Dallas Meyers, senior faceoff specialist Michael Caternolo and senior defenseman Steven Gurin as key players to watch for on the Golden Eagles’ roster. Overall, PSUC’s players are confident that they know the keys to victory in this game. “Honestly, it’s just playing with confidence and playing with pace,” said junior Stephen Kane. “We’ve just got to move the ball fast, keep our
feet going and just play hard.” After taking on Brockport Saturday, the Cards play SUNY Oneonta (4-7, 1-2) in their final home of the regular season Wednesday at 4 p.m. The game has special meaning for several players, as it is what May describes as a “bragging-rights-allsummer-long kind of game” due to familiarity between the players. “We recruit against each other a lot,” May said. “If you look at the rosters, there are
a lot of the same high schools there. It’s very much a rivalry, in terms of the guys knowing their buddies on the other team.” High schools represented on both rosters include Niskayuna, Miller Place, Sayville and Ward Melville. In terms of on-the-field play, May is relishing the challenge of facing off against a Oneonta’s new coaching staff. See MLAX, B2
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sports editor nathanael lepage
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Cards run at Delhi, Bucknell By Ben Watson editor in chief
The Plattsburgh State track and field team ran with the changes last weekend as one of its planned meets was cancelled due to inclement weather. The Cardinals sent athletes to the Bronco Classic at SUNY Delhi Saturday following the cancellation of the team’s meet in Middlebury, before sending runners to the Bison Outdoor Classic at Bucknell University Sunday as planned. Head coach Nicholas Jones was happy that his team finally got a chance to see some decent weather. “The athletes were excited to compete with the sun shining a bit,” Jones said. “We had some improvements since our first meet, which is what we were looking for, so I think it went pretty well.” The Broncos classic was kind to PSUC, with strong finishers coming from both the men and women. The women saw numerous underclassmen finish well, with some veterans added into the mix. Seniors Lindsey Davenport and Stephanie Boucher ran sixth place in the 1500-meter and second place in the 400-meter dash respectively to earn the Cards nine points between them. “Everyone dealt with [the schedule change] really well,” Davenport said. “We saw some really good performances.” Sophomores Kristina Watrobski, Elisabeth Plympton and Taylor Canet and freshmen Jasmine Roberts and Janyll Barber all scored points in their respective events Watrobski finished first in the 1500-meters and ninth in the 800-meters for 11 total points, Plymptom ran a 12.48-second time in the 100-meter dash for second place and eight points,
and Canet hurdled her way to six points and a thirdplace finish in the 400-meter hurdles. Roberts earned PSUC eight points with a secondplace finish in the five-kilometer race, while Barber leaped to a second-place finish in the triple-jump for eight points. For the men, junior John Weed won the 3000-meter steeplechase for 10 points while classmate William Lindau took seventh and senior Stephen Schnalzer earned four points, finishing in fourth. The quartet of junior Brian Fabian, freshman Jordan Kane, sophomore Anthony Ciccarelli and senior Sobaan Ayub won the 4x100-meter relay to earn 10 points for the Cards. Kane also finished second in the 110-meter hurdles to snag PSUC eight points. “I was pretty excited because I knew the weather was going to be better at SUNY Delhi, and we made the best of what we got,” Kane said. Ciccarelli took fourth in the 110-meter hurdles, while Fabian ran second in the 400-meter dash. Jones was happy that the team saw the competition at Delhi instead of Middlebury. “There was probably a little more depth because there was only really going to be four teams at Middlebury, and we had about three or four times that at Delhi, so it worked out pretty well,” Jones said. The Cards sent a small allfemale contingent to the Bison Outdoor Classic Sunday. Boucher and Davenport finished 11th and 65th respectively in the 800-meter event out of a pool of 128 runners. Boucher’s time qualified her for the All-Atlantic Region Track and Field Conference meet. Plympton finished 11th out of 62 runners in the 100-meter dash, Barber
finished 19th out of 36 runners in the 400-meter hurdles and senior Ashlee Estes finished 35th out of 49 runners in the 400-meter. Jones was pleased with the results his runners got at a meet that included numerous Division I and II opponents. “The few athletes we brought to that meet did very well,” Jones said. Boucher’s efforts earned her SUNYAC Female Track Athlete of the Week honors, with her 800-meter time standing as the best Division III time at the event, as well as the top current time in the SUNYAC. Davenport also received her own accolade April 11, being one of three PSUC students who earned the State University of New York Chancellor’s Award For Student Excellence. The award is given to students that maintain a high level of academic performance while balancing it with other aspects of their lives like athletics, campus involvement and community leadership. Davenport was honored to receive the award last Tuesday. “It meant a lot,” Davenport said. “I felt like I was representing the team and the school of Plattsburgh as a whole.” Next the Cards will compete in the Cortland Classic tomorrow and Sunday at SUNY Cortland where they will have to once again deal with less than desirable weather with high temperatures forecasted in the 40s both days. “It’s what it always is,” Jones said. “There’s not much we can do about it. Hopefully it clears up by SUNYAC time.”
Lacrosse Sat vs Brockport @ 1 p.m. Wed vs Oneonta @ 4 p.m.
Baseball Sat vs Oswego @ noon, 3 p.m. Sun vs Oswego @ noon Tue vs St. Michael’s @ 3 p.m. Wed vs Middlebury @ 3:30 p.m.
Softball Sat at Buffalo @ noon, 2 p.m. Sun at Fredonia @ 3, 5 p.m. Mon at Cortland @ 1, 3 p.m. Tue vs Potsdam @ 3, 5 p.m. Wed vs Clarkson @ 3, 5 p.m.
Track and Field Sat - Sun at SUNY Cortland Cortland Classic
Softball
Goals
Batting Avg. (min. 10 AB)
32 16 11 4
Jennifer Groat Bella Spadinger Amanda Tantillo
.562 .370 .365
ERA (min. 10 innings)
Assists
Jake Carroll Billy Moller Connor Wolff Ryan Hubbard
Katie Pitkin Taylor Smith Rhea Pitkin
10 7 5 4
Ground Balls Travis Mauro Kyle Smith Ryan Hubbard Sean Hayes
Save Percentage Donald Tesoriero Austin Graham Kyle Dodge
2.88 2.98 6.21
Baseball Patrick Bryant Anthony Maag Jon Craft
.397 .350 .333
ERA (min. 10 innings) Jacob Stein PJ Weeks Connor Lyons
.553 .500 .500
School Cortland Brockport Plattsburgh Geneseo Oneonta Potsdam Oswego
Record SUNYAC 8-6 3-1 5-6 3-1 3-8 2-1 6-5 1-2 4-7 1-2 4-8 1-2 8-4 1-3
School Record SUNYAC Geneseo 18-4 7-1 Cortland 13-14 6-2 Oneonta 12-10 6-4 New Paltz 12-13-1 6-4 Oswego 12-10 5-5 Plattsburgh 12-11 4-2 Buffalo State 6-13 4-4 Brockport 11-11 1-5 Fredonia 7-18-1 1-9 Potsdam 3-15 0-4
Baseball
Batting Avg. (min. 10 AB)
46 41 30 26
Lacrosse
Softball
Lacrosse Ryan Hubbard Billy Moller Kevin Litchauer Jake Carroll
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3.24 3.52 4.30
School Cortland Oswego Brockport New Paltz Oneonta Fredonia Plattsburgh
Record SUNYAC 28-6 11-1 18-8 9-3 14-14 8-6 12-11 5-4 9-17 5-9 11-10 2-7 1-11 1-11
“We’re also excited to just take advantage of the opportunity to play in good weather.” PSUC softball head coach Stephanie Conroy describing the Cards’ mindset heading into road games
Email Ben Watson at cp@cardinal pointsonline.com
MLAX: PSUC to face Oneonta From Page One May acknowledged that Oneonta has a talented team, despite the Red Dragons’ record. While he does not yet know many specifics about what Oneonta’s coaches will bring to the game, May knows the general style of play to expect. “They are an aggressive team,” May said. “They like to go to goal, and they play a style similar to Plattsburgh.” May knows PSUC will have to execute well to get wins in either of the upcoming contests. “It’s going to come down like the Potsdam game, where we just played tougher,” May said. “We executed the tougher plays, and that’s why we won. Game plan helped. Those 50/50 balls came up Plattsburgh.” The Cards echoed their coaches recognition that Oneonta will present a challenging game and they will need to
play well to earn the win “It will be another dog fight,” Van Bommel said. “It’s a SUNYAC team. You can never count anyone out.” For PSUC, these final two home games are another step toward a larger objective that is still within reach. “Nothing is going to deter us from what our goal is,” Van Bommel said. “We just look to go out, do what we do, not worry about those guys and defend our title at the end of the day.” Overall, the Cards are optimistic heading into the last regular-season home games. “It is pretty high,” Kane said of the team’s confidence level. “We’ve been playing really f---ing good.” Email Nathanael LePage at sports@cardinal pointsonline.com
Cardinal Points/Nathanael LePage
Junio Anna Fisher follows through on a swing in a win over St. Lawrence April 11.
SOFT : Cards set for 14 games From Page One “We’ve done it before,” she said. While the Cards did play 14 games, or just over 25 percent of their schedule, in Kissimmee, Florida, on one complex of fields, PSUC will have to play just under 50 percent of its schedule over the course of a week at four fields across New York State. For the team to succeed on its upcoming road trip, it’ll likely need good performances throughout from its number one offensive option and a .562 batter on the season, junior catcher Jennifer Groat. Groat isn’t entering Buffalo State with 100 percent confidence, though. “I feel like I’ve been feeling off lately,” she
said. “I’m just hoping we can head into Buffalo and I get comfortable in the box.“ The team’s upcoming week is vital for the Cards. Performing well can clinch a postseason spot in the SUNYAC tournament for the team, but a poor showing can mean elimination for PSUC - all in one week. “We’re excited to go on the road, because it’s only our second time doing that this season,” Conroy said. “And we’re also excited to just take advantage of the opportunity to play in good weather.” Email Fernando Alba at sports@cardinal pointsonline.com
BALL: PSUC swept by Hawks From Page One
“Even in the last inning, we have two runner on base, and there’s a ball in the dirt, and we don’t advance,” Doorey said. “It just changed the complexion of the game. If we advance, the ground ball that Stephen [Bryant] hit to [shortstop] ends up being a single to left, and we probably score the tying runs.” Initially, last Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s games against Norwich University and Union College (18-5), respectively, were cancelled and not postponed due to rain and snow. Later, the contest with Union was rescheduled for last Wednes-
day on a neutral field in Amsterdam, New York. PSUC lost the rescheduled game against Union 13-8. Doorey was disappointed the Cards lost the chance to play against Norwich at home for his team that wants to play more games. The coach believes that, while PSUC already has a great facility, discussions about upgrading the field to artificial turf need to happen. “Weather in the northeast is tough,” Doorey said. “If we had an artificial turf field, we would’ve played a home game yesterday and a home game today.” Craft is excited for tomorrow’s games against Oswego,
who he said will have new players in their lineup. “They’re one of our best competitors in our conference, Craft said. “It’s going to be tough games, but we just have to bounce back from our last losses.” Doorey believes the Cards have shown their ability to play well and get wins, citing individual efforts by Craft and Patrick Bryant, but they still need to put the finishing touches on their execution. “We’re doing some good things,” Doorey said. “We’re just not able to put it all together right now.” Email Lexus Gomez at sports@cardinal
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CP Sports
sports editor nathanael lepage
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Ciccarelli improves on and off track By Fernando Alba associate sports editor
When Anthony Ciccarelli isn’t hurling metal shots or himself in the air for Plattsburgh State’s track and field team, you can find him helping organizing events like Around the World for Yeardley as a SUNYAC Representative for PSUC’s StudentAthlete Advisory Committee or enjoying one of his more recent past times — eating at Griddles. The sophomore criminal justice major has been making waves on the track team this year by winning the heptathlon at the All-Atlantic Region Track and Field Championship in Ithaca last month. It took a personal-best in the 60-meter dash of 7.20 seconds and 4,477 total points for Ciccarelli to end up on top. Ciccarelli has been running track since his freshman year in high school and has stuck with it since. “I love the team aspect,” he said. “I love how I have to work together with my teammates. It is partially individual, so I have to work hard on my own but then also you get your teammates to cheer you on. It’s an awesome atmosphere.” Ciccarelli initially paid no attention to PSUC as a possible candidate for college in high school; he had his sights set toward schools like Central Con-
Photo provided by Will Costello
Anthony Ciccarelli runs up for the pole vault as teammates look on. Ciccarelli won the heptathlon at the All-Atlantic Region Track and Field Championship. necticut State University and other SUNY schools like Cobleskill. “I remember thinking, ‘That’s too far away; I’m not even gonna look,” the Long Island native said, “but then my parents encouraged me to come look. I took a campus tour, and every-
one always says about college that there’s that one thing that just clicks.” For Ciccarelli, the combination of the campus’ beauty and sense of independence that came from being farther away from home than he has been in the past started to change his
Rugby teams current and past gather for TNT By Ken Bates staff writer
opinion toward PSUC. “And then I spoke with coach [Nick] Jones, and he said I had a spot on the team, and that just sealed the deal for me,” he said. Ciccarelli has found one of his biggest supporters since becoming a college student in assistant track and field coach
Sarah Bechtel. “She always has my back, always supportive and motivating,” Ciccarelli said. “Through thick and thin, she gives you a reason to keep going and keep working hard.” Ciccarelli initially struggled academically his freshman year but has since scheduled time for himself to do class work before practice. Bechtel started helping coach the track and field team last August and was made aware of his past problems with classes and made an effort to check on him often. “His marks has really improved from what I heard of him last year,” Bechtel said. “ He wasn’t all up to par, but I think a lot of freshmen have trouble their first year in college. I check on him time to time, but now I just get out of his hair.” Bechtel has been most impressed by Ciccarelli’s sense of leadership with the team. “He’s been stepping up big,” she said. “He’s still a sophomore, but you can really count on him to help out.” Whether it’s helping carry out equipment for the team to use before practice or helping out his teammates, Bechtel says Ciccarelli can be counted on as a helpful presence. Email Fernando Alba at sports@cardinal pointsonline.com
ers have banded together to support the current club by fundraising for a new sled, team apparel and providing food Every spring, both the men and wom- after several matchups. en rugby clubs lace up for the TnT TourFor recent graduates who were with nament in remembrance of fallen rug- Anderson when the team won a state gers Tony Santandrea and Trevor Green, championship and were ranked in the who died as Plattsburgh State students, top five nationally, he feels like he has and Billy Erwin, who was killed on 9/11. something to prove. “It’s all about remem“Seeing the people bering those guys and evthat I used to play with eryone that has unfortuon the other side of the nately passed in 50 years bench makes me hungry Cardinal Points/Max Traa of rugby at Plattsburgh,” to beat them,” Anderson said Kiel Kyer, captain. said. “It makes me want Plattsburgh rugby runs forward with the ball. PSUC men’s and women’s rugby will Near three towering to prove that my team as host the annual TNT tournament tomorrow. pine trees by the rugby it is right now is better pitch behind Sibley Hall, than the team we had in a plaque commemorates the past.” the fallen players. Money Rugby is among few raised through the toursports to be identical nament goes to the Tony between men and wom-PSUC rugby alumna en — same rules, same Santandrea Scholarship, which is awarded every sized pitch, same equipBridget Doherty year to an environmental ment and the same restudies student who shared Santandrea’s spect and camaraderie between players love for the Adirondacks and the outdoors. and alumnae. For alumna Bridget Doherty, The women start off at 10 a.m. Satur- rugby is the way she still feels connected day against Clarkson University. One of to Plattsburgh. the most anticipated matchups of the “We have such a tightly knit network of day is at 11:30 a.m. between the current alumni from both the men’s and women’s PSUC men’s team and an alumni side — a teams,” Doherty said. “When you can cry, motley crue of players from the seven- bleed and hit each other on the pitch and ties through last semester’s graduates. then get to know each other over a bar“Come out with a W,” Kyer said about becue afterwards, you gain a sense of rethe team’s expectations for the tourna- spect for other people that is unlike what ment with a laugh. “Hang out with the you experience with any other sport.” alumni, build that family aspect and For Anderson and Kyer, the next time have a good time for a good cause.” they suit up for TnT will be as alumni. “It’s about bringing back past alumni,” “It’s pretty bittersweet,” Anderson said Phil Anderson, club treasurer. The said. “You look at everything we’ve acsenior has built friendships with many complished and seeing that whole history of the alumni who return every year and that we built up and now, stepping onto praises the tournament for bringing to- the other side of the field and being like, gether over 50 years of rugby players. ‘that’s the past now’; It’s just bittersweet.” Not only have current players and Email Ken Bates at alumni built friendships, but a longstanding circle of giving has helped kept sports@cardinal the club achieve funding. Former playpointsonline.com
“When you can cry, bleed and hit each other on the pitch and then get to know each other over a barbecue afterwards, you gain a sense of respect for other people.”
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CP Fuse
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Baez seeks women empowerment at PSUC By Abby Talcott staff writer
“My mom was a single mother who came from another country,” said Fabiani Baez, Plattsburgh State senior. “And she was able to put me, her first child, through college. If she can do that, then a women can do anything.” Fabiani Baez is a criminal justice major and resident assistant for deFredenburgh Hall, a highrise dorm building on campus. “My initial reasoning for becoming an RA was to just be there for someone,” Baez said. “I just wanted to have an impact on at least one person.” Along with her duties as an RA, Baez’s schedule is also filled with her sorority responsibilities. “I am a member of Sigma Lambda Upsilon/ Senoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority Inc.” says Baez, “I am the vice president of my organization and the community service and philanthropy chair and the secretary and the academic coordinator.” “One of the reasons I was drawn to my sorority is because of their focus of literacy,” said Baez. “With such a broad topic, we don’t have to change our philanthropy every few years we can talk about almost every issue as long as it has to do with educating people. We can talk about body positivity, and then we can talk about gun control or abortion laws and it lets us teach the community.” The main organizations Sigma Lambda Upsilon raises money for are Better World Books and First World Books, which both give books to children in third world countries and the U.S. and help them get materials for school. Last semester the sorority raised $11,000 for the organizations. The sorority also does com-
Cardinal Points/Max Traa
Senior Fabiani Baez uses her position as an RA and roles within her sorority, Sigma Lambda Upsilon, to stand up for women. Her sorority’s main philanthropies Better World Books and First World Books both focus on providing books to underpriveleged people in need. munity service out at the literacy program in Hawkins Hall to help adults who want to learn English learn how to read. “I’m the president for the organization of ethnicity,” Baez said. “And I believe that it is extremely important for us to speak about the issues we face and unite,” PSUC criminal justice professor Breea Willingham said Baez is a “fiercely driven young women
who works hard to achieve her goals and who is a fearless leader on campus who stands up for the rights of women and marginalized groups.” “The reason I stand up for women is because I am a woman and I am part of an underrepresented group,” Baez said. “It’s my duty to use my voice so other people who are like me, or have the same mentality as me, feel comfortable
enough to also speak.” Baez wants to empower people to stand up for what they believe is right ,just as she does, but she feels that it is important that everyone uses a tone that shows their opinions are being heard, so they can reach a happy medium. “I’m not just fighting for myself. I’m fighting for the younger generation and whomever next door who feels like they are stuck
in a box,” Baez said. “I want to let them know that that box is not that hard, you just have to break it. You have to use your voice because your voice is one of the most powerful things that you can use.” “A women is just as strong as whomever else,” Baez said. Email Abby Talcott at fuse@ cardinalpointsonline.com
Club Spotlight: Club Caribbean shares culture By Lexus Gomez staff writer
Players, two groups of adolescents trained in stilt walking and band playing respectively, were two groups that performed at the pageant. Stilt walkers are known as moko jumbies in the Caribbean where the activity originated. Despite this hardship, the board was happy with the pageant’s turnout. “[The audience] got to know the contestants more,” Sukhu said. “their countries and how their countries influenced them as people.” She noted the contestants, whom were all freshmen, were able to break out of their shells and grow as people. “Club Games” is the club’s final event for the semester taking place May 6 on Memorial field. The event will have an olympics theme and each team will represent a country in the Caribbean. Cunningham, Sukhu, and Vice President Levar Francis all joined and have remained a part of Club Caribbean because it acts as a safe haven for themselves and all other Caribbean students. Photo provided by Club Caribbean Francis said Club Caribbean is Club Caribbean poses for a group shot after their annual pageant on April 7. all about educating the campus community on Caribbean culture. “It gives us a chance to bring a mon misconception about the health, said most people are more nancially as they wanted to invite little bit of home here and let peopageant is that it’s seen as a com- focused on guessing which woman third party performers, but were ple experience what it is that we petition of talents between the will win the pageant. The real pur- working with a tight budget from call home,” Francis said. performers rather than as a dis- pose, she said, is to educate Platts- the Student Association.
Founded in 1992, Club Caribbean will be enjoying its 26th year as a club at Plattsburgh State next month. Since then, the club’s mission remains to represent Caribbean culture and provide diversity to campus. PSUC sophomore Raven Cunningham, president of Club Caribbean, feels as though diversity on this campus is lacking. “I want my culture and other Caribbean cultures to show out on this campus,” Cunningham said. “For an institution that embraces and promotes diversity, I feel that there’s no true culture here.” PSUC senior Reshma Sukhu, the club’s treasurer, added that the club serves as a space for people of color at a primarily caucasian university. In the fall 2017 semester, of 4,894 undergraduate students, 3,078 were white and 455 were black, according to SUNY Plattsburgh’s Undergrad & Grad Headcount Summaries. “We need a home at Plattsburgh because this is a predominantly white institution,” Sukhu said. “That’s why majority of people who attend our meetings come. It’s a way for us to bond and just be comfortable while being here.” Club Caribbean held its annual play of different Caribbean islands burgh’s campus on what each Ca“It was kind of hard with the pageant show April 7, an event and their cultures. ribbean island is famous for. money they gave us but we made that serves as one way to meet the This year’s show was particu- it work,” Sukhu said. Sukhu, a double major in bioclub’s mission. medical sciences and public larly difficult for the board fiThe Stilt Walkers and Steel Pan Sukhu acknowledged a com-
Email Lexus Gomez at fuse@ cardinalpointsonline.com
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Strand Center to host “Day of Art” By Emma Vallelunga associate news editor
At the Strand Center for the Arts in downtown Plattsburgh, one public relations class behind the campaign behind the organization’s Day of Art this Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. The Day of Art is designed to bring children and families together through the arts and their potential creativity. The Strand currently offers classes for youth and adults in drawing, pottery, photography, theater and dance for all community members. “We gathered a bunch of research about the Strand and [we found] they were experiencing some membership problems,” said senior public relations major and journalism and marketing minor Kyle Barall. “We took on that role and decided to create an event so their brand could become more aware in the community.” Event coordinator and senior hotel restaurant tourism management major Valerie Smith commends the PR Campaign Planning and Development course for their cooperative class dynamic. The students said their professor, Maiko Barcomb, picked the Strand as their client. “I like giving students practical experience where they engage in the community,” Barcomb said in a press release. “We tried to structure the class to be as close as possible to
turing] what the event looks like, what problems might come up and what you need to have showing up to the Day of Art,” Richardson said. PSUC senior PR major Victoria Dowers hopes the Day of Art will allow the kids to have a stronger interest in arts education. “It helps them be more creative,” Dowers said. “Art can build future leaders.” Although the Strand coordinators are expecting a turn-out of roughly 100 people, Smith said the students are only anticipating half. Although the campaign is designed to give the students professional experience, Dowers thinks the event is a chance to bring more people downtown, to visit the Strand and revitalize downtown Plattsburgh. “It’ll be nice to have the Plattsburgh community connect more,” Dowers said. “It’s finally nice to be able to work with the community as a student,” Smith said. “It’s really the only chance I’ve gotten to work with them,” As a result of the Day of Art, Richardson hopes to raise awareness Cardinal Points/Max Traa about the arts education through The Day of Art will take place at the Strand Center on April 22 at 1 p.m. the children of Plattsburgh. “Art opportunities aren’t working in a real PR firm. Help- ardson feels the class is the most crafts like face painting, mak- very fruitful all the time [for ing the community in terms of interactive in the PR department. ing balloon animals and creat- children],” Richardson said. “I “This is the class where it all ing paper-bag puppets. Tickets just hope kids do show up.” arts educations and children is an a bonus because they’re things I care comes together,” Richardson said. are $5 per child to cover the cost Eight booths will give chil- of materials, free ice cream and about.” Student media relations manager dren and their families the op- raffle tickets for each visitor. Email Emma Vallelunga at and senior PR major Taylor Rich- portunity to be creative with “A lot of what we do is [pic- fuse@cardinalpointsonline.com
SMOKE: Vaping spreads to medicinal marijuana From Page six
“I quit smoking and never looked back,” Dahl said. “[switching] certainly made my wife happy. E-cigarettes are a better, healthier alternative.” Dahl remembers a time years ago when he could barely walk because of how smoking cigarettes affected his personal health. As Dahl currently prepares for an upcoming 4K marathon, he attributes the change of inhaling vapor instead of cigarette smoke as a huge fac-
tor in his health journey. Plattsburgh Vape Co. is one of the many vaping companies in the U.S. that contains a wide variety of customization for customers and their vaping needs and desires. “There are so many different flavors and devices that it applies to everybody,” Dahl said. “There’s even vape hookahs now. There’s an attachment for vape instead of shisha. There’s something for everyone.” Curaleaf also has various options for
Inconsistent condom use in college students By Nate Mundt staff writer
According to a survey of 2,000 current and former college students conducted by CollegeStats. org and DrEd.com, only 38 percent of college students consistently use a condom during sex. The study also concluded a direct relationship between the number of sexual partners and how likely someone is to use a condom. Additionally, men are more likely to not use a condom, with 75 percent of men saying they only use a condom when their partner asks them to. A multitude of reasons answer why condom use among college students is low. Adirondack Hall Residential Director of at Plattsburgh State Nick Kelley believes that college students often underestimate the risks of contracting sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy. “They probably think that they won’t get anything, or if they do get something, it would be a quick fix,” Kelley said. Director of the Student Health and Counseling center at PSUC Kathleen Camelo believes improvements in treating HIV, a viral infection contracted during sex that impairs a
human body’s ability to fight infections, may play a role in college students using condoms less. “Condom use became much more popular when we were really worried about HIV,” Camelo said. “And now, you don’t hear as much about HIV because now the medications are getting better in terms of treatment, and students aren’t as afraid.” Camelo also added that students may become complacent with their sexual partners after a few months and students not thinking clearly while under the influence of drugs or alcohol as other possible reasons for a decrease in condom use. Kelley believes sexual education plays a vital role in increasing condom use among college students. Having conversations with residents about contraceptive methods and STI’s in Adirondack Hall and working with the Student Health and Counseling Center are two educational ideas Kelley wants to implement more as an RA. Last semester, Kelley held a safer-sex program inside Adirondack Hall. “I showed how to properly put on a condom using a hair curler,” Kelley said. Camelo said students might not know about certain programs through the Student Health Center
that are meant for them to have safe sex. The Student Health Center receives condoms from a New York state condom program that are free for students to take. “We want to give them out,” Camelo said. “We’re not here to save them. We want them where they need to be.” Camelo said students will be more aware of sexual education programs the Student Health Center runs once their own website is live. PSUC shouldn’t force students to take a sexual education class to inform them about STDs and contraceptive methods, but it should be strongly encouraged, Kelley said. Some students may feel uncomfortable taking a sex-ed class and a sexed class may intrude on someone’s cultural beliefs. Kelley and Camelo both agree that more can be done at PSUC to combat the decreased use of condoms among students. “A lot of sex-education topics and work has gone by the wayside, and we need to refocus our efforts,” Kelley said. Email Nate Mundt at fuse@cardinalpointsonline.com
customers who desire a treatment style other than vaping like capsules and eventually edibles in the forms of gummies and lozenges. Curaleaf opened its doors on Thursday but will continue to have an irregular schedule until the renovations to the building are completed. The dispensary will then have a normal 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. schedule Tuesday through Saturday. Plattsburgh Vape Co. has many returning customers that possess a pride and accomplishment for leaving cigarettes
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behind them according to Dahl. “Quitting smoking is breaking an addiction,” Dahl said. “A lot of people fear quitting. Returning customers are accomplished that they switched over. I have a lot of customers that have said that they don’t know what they would do if they hadn’t [switched].” Email Windsor Burkland at fuse@cardinalpointsonline.com
Summer Session • Catch up or get ahead • Online and on-campus courses • Three different sessions to choose from • Meet Excelsior Scholarship credit requirements • $164* per credit
518-381-1348 sunysccc.edu/summer * $164 per credit, New York state residents, Summer 2018
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By Windsor Burkland fuse editor
lthough vaporization has been around for years, the increasingly popular trend of vaping continues to grow and change: Plattsburgh is gaining a new branch of vaping through the opening of Curaleaf, the new medical marijuana dispensary, this weekend.
Vaping is defined by the National Center for Addiction and Substance Abuse as “the act of inhaling and exhaling the aerosol, often referred to as vapor, which is produced by an ecigarette or similar device.”
CASA reported that although vaping devices commonly use liquids composed of propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin-based liquid with nicotine, flavoring and other chemicals and metals; vapes or e-cigarettes can also be used for medical marijuana.
Dispensary manager of the Plattsburgh Curaleaf Craig Bozek said that once customers are granted a prescription and have a mandatory consultation, one of the main products they supply is a vape pen for cannabis oils that release the THC from the vapors under the user’s tongue. Bozek said that purity and quality control is the biggest difference between recreational and medicinal marijuana usage because all the final products, from the growth plants to packaging, are continually tested for quality, consistency and safety.
“What’s on the label is what you get,” Bozek said. “Leaves and twigs are sold on the street, compared to products that are in their pharmacological active form. What you get from a dealer is always very questionable. Who knows what’s in there?”
Although medicinal marijuana continues to have an ever-growing presence in our country and the vaping industry, nicotine products still reign supreme as an alternative to smoking cigarettes.
Earl Dahl, owner of Plattsburgh Vape Co., was a “two-pack-a-day” smoker before he began vaping as an alternative. After seven years in the vaping industry and one year of owning his own business, Dahl said converting to vaping was a turning point in his life and health.
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Illustration by Windsor Burkland