Volume 89, Issue 3 by The New Paltz Oracle

NEW PALTZ ORACLE THE

Volume 89, Issue III

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Thursday, September 29, 2016

PHOTO BY JACK O’BRIEN

COMMENCEMENT SPLIT

2017 Spring Commencement to be Divided Between Two Days - STORY ON PAGE 7 - EDITORIAL ON PAGE 9 -

INSIDE THIS WEEK’S ISSUE OF THE NEW PALTZ ORACLE

• SUNY New Paltz Reacts to Trump-Clinton Debate .....Pg 3 • New Black Studies Professor Introduced ................Pg 6 • Local Leaders Discuss CVS/Five Guys Plaza ...............Pg 4 • Gov. Cuomo Signs “Brunch Bill” Into Law ..........Pg 7

Kristen Warﬁeld EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Jack O’Brien

MANAGING EDITOR

NEW PALTZ ORACLE THE

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Melanie Zerah NEWS EDITOR

Amanda Copkov FEATURES EDITOR

Sam Manzella

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Melissa Kramer SPORTS EDITOR

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Holly Lipka PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR

Luke Benicase CARTOONIST

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Michael Rosen Jackson Shrout Jess Napp Erica Ascher Briana Bonﬁglio Anthony Orza Rachael Purtell Matt Apuzzo COPY EDITORS

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Jackie Quaranto WEB CHIEF

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Mario Prainito

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER _________________

FEATURES

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About The New Paltz Oracle

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The New Paltz Oracle is the official student newspaper of SUNY New Paltz. Our circulation is 2,500. The New Paltz Oracle is sponsored by the Student Association and partially funded by the student activity fee. The New Paltz Oracle is located in the Student Union (SU) Room 417. Deadline for all submissions is 5 p.m. on Sundays in The New Paltz Oracle office and by email at oracle@hawkmail. newpaltz.edu. All advertisements must be turned in by 5 p.m. on Fridays, unless otherwise specified by the business manager. Community announcements are published gratuitously, but are subject to restriction due to space limitations.There is no guarantee of publication. Contents of this paper cannot be reproduced without the written permission of the Editor-in-Chief. The New Paltz Oracle is published weekly throughout the fall and spring semesters on Thursdays. It is available in all residence halls and academic buildings, in the New Paltz community and online at oracle.newpaltz.edu. For more information, call 845-257-3030. The fax line is 845-257-3031.

Volume 89 Issue III Index NEWS THE DEEP END

EDITORIAL

STUDENT VOICE

COLUMN

Melanie Zerah

SPORTS

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Date: 9/19/16 Location: Pond Incident: Subject with unlawful possession of marijuana. Appearance ticket issued for New Paltz Town Court. Date: 9/18/16 Location: Old Main Incident: Subject intentionally breaks gate. Appearance ticket issued for New Paltz Town Court. SUNY New Paltz University Police Department Emergencies: 845-257-2222

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Fiery First Presidential Debate Makes History

By Melanie Zerah

News Editor | Zerahm1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

Characterized by viewers as entertaining yet frightening, the first 2016 Presidential debate was a showdown unlike any other, breaking the record of most-watched televised debate in U.S. history. On Monday, Sept. 26, moderator Lester Holt sat down to conduct the highly anticipated verbal clash between Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump. Topics addressed fell under the umbrella of the country’s direction and prosperity, gun control, racial profiling and economic solutions. Multiple media giants including CNN and The New Yorker have decisively dubbed Clinton as coming out on top victoriously. Contrastly, Trump’s usual fiery bullying tactics were received by many as frantic and defeatist. While Clinton rides on a high of postdebate confidence, many of her softer, less enthusiastic supporters remain delicate in terms of loyalty to her vote. Nonetheless, Clinton’s firm stance in the debate in avoiding Trump’s landmines of insults have improved perceptions of her potential as president. “As someone who doesn’t want to see Trump elected, I was relieved,” said SUNY New Paltz Political Science and International Relations Chair and Professor Jeffrey Miller. “Historically, I don’t think debates move the needle that much, but in this case Clinton is going to get a bump out of this, which I didn’t expect.” Miller’s debate expectations were for Clinton to hold her own and Trump to contain himself. Although Trump did appear placid during opening statements, he very quickly lost the facade and returned to his usual demeanor. “He just looked wild,” Miller said. “Even just kind of silly things are important on television. While Clinton is cool and calm, he’s making these gestures all over the place which is characteristic of him, but when you are on a split screen and you see both of them, it’s a poor image for him.” Although humorous to watch, Miller said Trump’s ridiculous dispositions and viewpoints are no longer laughable because he is at the potential cusp of becoming president. Miller describes Trump’s possibility of election as an issue beyond partisan agreements because he would so severely test the basic constraints and mechanisms that function in a democracy.

PHOTO COURTESY OF EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG According to the New York Times, 84 million viewers tuned in to bear witness to this historical event.

Miller expressed his concern of whether or not Trump can be constrained and contained. Despite the loss of support from countervailing powers in House, Senate and military, the question arises: how long will they reject Trump if he is elected? “It is true that the leadership of the House and Senate are not truly on board with Trump to say the least,” Miller said. “But if he is elected and they get a president in office, it becomes in their interest to be in his corner and side with him.” Miller questions if the pushback Trump is receiving from those in his own party will last if he becomes President. What Trump can’t do with a stroke of a pen, he can do legislatively. Miller said in the worst case scenario, the House and Senate remain Republican and Trump appoints a few Justices, gaining the majority of the court. Here, he could do some serious damage to the basic fundamental institutions that uphold this democracy. Even with widespread Trump fear and Clinton being considered clearly the “lesser of two evils,” this election remains unpredictable in terms of how voters will be swayed in the next few weeks.

Harvard University Professor and Director of the Institute for Quantitative Social Science at Harvard Gary King said that political analysts have historically been able to make predictions on the outcomes of elections based on past trends and viewpoints. King has taken part presidential forecasting in past elections. “Forecasting is something we political scientists do very well, it’s actually not hard,” King said. “People are not flighty, they tend to vote their interests.” King said that this year the dividing line between parties has shifted, making it more complicated for analysts to make predictions indicative of past trends. “It may be that Trump pulls all the traditional Republicans’ support, and Clinton pulls all the traditional Democratic support,” said King. “But it doesn’t look like that’s going to be the case, and we don’t know. This race is predictably unpredictable.” For fourth-year political science major Peter Enia, also president of the Political Science Club, Clinton was the the clear winner of the debate. Students like Enia remain fascinated on how Trump responded

Thursday, September 29, 2016

toward his questions. “When it came to being questioned about racial inequality issues, Trump replied by saying he has ‘nothing to say’ about the issue,” Enia said. “This is only hurting his relationship with minority communities – something he desperately needs.” Enia said that although he recognizes both candidates may be considered hawks, Trump’s view on global affairs is a clear reflection of core neo-conservatism. According to Enia, if Trump does end up becomming President, the country would have to hope other nations won’t verbally insult , if they do Trump will “blow them out of the water,” as he said he would have done to those Iranian vessels. Shocking slip-ups by Trump including his casual admission of not paying taxes being “the smart thing to do,” have sent supporters scrambling for some kind of justification to what many have called his idiocy. This can only be the tip of the iceberg. Be sure to tune into the next debate on Oct. 9 for further disappointment and excitement.

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NEWS BRIEFS WORLD

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Village Reps Weigh Impacts of CVS Plaza

SAUDI ARABIA HAS WAYS TO HIT BACK AT 9/11 LAWSUIT EFFORT Saudi Arabia and its allies are warning that U.S. legislation allowing the kingdom to be sued for the 9/11 attacks will have negative repercussions. The kingdom maintains an arsenal of tools to retaliate with, including curtailing official contacts, pulling billions of dollars from the U.S. economy, and persuading its close allies in the Gulf Cooperation Council to scale back counterterrorism cooperation, investments and U.S. access to important regional air bases. ARABS GREET PERES DEATH WITH SILENCE AND ANIMOSITY Israel’s Shimon Peres was widely admired around the world as a peacemaker and visionary, but the view in the Arab world was more complex: memories linger of another Peres, who built up Israel’s military might, waged war in Lebanon and promoted policies seen as harmful to the Palestinians. In a reflection of this sentiment, Peres’ death on Wednesday was greeted with official silence across the Arab world - in sharp contrast to the emotional tributes that poured in from the West. ISRAEL MOURNS AS PREPARATIONS BEGIN FOR PERES’ FUNERAL Israel on Wednesday mourned the death of Shimon Peres, a former president and prime minister whose life story mirrored that of the Jewish state, as the government began preparations for a funeral that is expected to bring together world leaders and dignitaries. Peres, celebrated around the world as a Nobel Prize-winning visionary who pushed his country toward peace during a remarkable sevendecade career, died early Wednesday from complications from a stroke. He was 93. SYRIAN GOVERNMENT ATTACKS 2 HOSPITALS, BREAD LINE IN ALEPPO Government shelling and airstrikes in Syria’s Aleppo landed near a bread distribution center and two hospitals Wednesday, killing seven people and putting at least one of the medical facilities completely out of service, activists and medics said. Compiled from the AP Newswire

PHOTO BY HOLLY LIPKA

Intersection between New York State Route 299 and North Putt Corners Road remains potential construction location for CVS Pharmacy and Five Guys.

By Jackson Shrout

Copy Editor | Shroutj1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

New CVS Pharmacy and Five Guys locations planned for the intersection between New York State Route 299 and North Putt Corners Road have stirred up controversy due to their potential lack of compatibility with plans for an upgraded emergency operations center and a bicycle trail in the same vicinity. The emergency operations center would replace the fire station on Plattekill Avenue, a location that Village of New Paltz Mayor Tim Rogers described as “difficult for volunteers to arrive at and respond to incidents when there is downtown congestion.” The center would be funded by part of a $6 million grant provided by the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery. The proposed emergency operations center—located on the corner of Henry W. Dubois Drive and North Putt Corners Road—was one of three major projects for which a majority of the funds will be allocated, as per a decision by Ulster NYRCR planning committees. NYRCR, or “New York Rising Community Reconstruction,” is an initiative pushed by the Office of Storm Recovery to bolster the resiliency of vari-

ous New York communities in the wake of storms like Hurricane Irene and Hurricane Sandy. David Gilmour, planning consultant for the Village of New Paltz, does not have any direct oversight on the projects due to their being right outside of village lines, but still offered some insight into the process. “Because [the emergency operations center] is a critical facility, if there’s going to be vehicular loading from the Trans-Hudson CVS project, there need to be assurances that the transportation impact assessment has really considered the turning movements and how people are going to be accessing and egressing the property,” Gilmour said. “And that we’re not creating overloads and conflicts at the Henry W. Dubois Drive intersection with North Putt Corners Road.” The bicycle path, meanwhile, would connect NY 299 with Henry W. Dubois Drive and provide a safer method for bicyclists to cross between the two roads without having to ride on North Putt Corners Road. The 2011 Walkill Valley Rail Trail and Hudson Valley Rail Trail Link Feasibility Study written by planning firm Barton & Loguidice recommended 12-foot-wide “asphalt paved shared-use path” with a guardrail and

Thursday, September 29, 2016

two-foot shoulders alongside the 0.3-mile segment of North Putt Corners Road connecting Henry W. Dubois Drive with NY 299. One of the major roadblocks, Gilmour described, has to do with the specifics of the trail itself. “Currently, what’s being proposed by CVS developer Trans-Hudson is for there to be an easement provided along North Putt Corners Road, ten feet from the curb line into the property,” he said. “There is a little bit of a discrepancy between that and what the link study prescribes in terms of an area needed for a separated bike path that isn’t part of the road itself.” Despite conflicts, Rogers expects construction to begin in 2017 and is hopeful that the projects can be completed to everyone’s satisfaction. “I think with smart planning and good landscape architecture, a project can be designed for the corner of NY 299 and North Putt Corners Road,” he said. “The emergency operations center at Henry W. Dubois Drive and North Putt Corners Road can be sited there, and we can have a bike trail that goes up North Putt Corners Road and then down Henry W. Dubois Drive.”

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BRIEFS Cuomo Calls for Water Regulation at Public Schools NEWS NATIONAL AFTER 170 YEARS, REMAINS OF US TROOPS RETURN FROM MEXICO Remains thought to be those of U.S. troops who died in the Mexican-American War have been flown to a military mortuary in Delaware in an effort to determine whether they belonged to militia members of a Tennessee regiment known as “The Bloody First.” An Army twin-engine turbotrop bearing two aluminum cases topped by American flags arrived Wednesday afternoon at Dover Air Force Base, home to the nation’s largest military mortuary. CALIFORNIA OFFICER GUNS DOWN REFUGEE IN ‘SHOOTING STANCE’

PHOTO COURTESY OF FORBES In accordance to the bill, all New York public schools must have water samples tested by Oct. 30, 2016.

By Matt Apuzzo

Copy Editor | Apuzzom2@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

On Sept. 6, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill into law requiring all public schools in the state to test their water for lead every five years. The legislation takes action in the wake of a nationwide scramble to test and ensure public water safety, and these fears have hit closer to home following the discovery of lead contamination in school districts located in New York City and New Rochelle. New Paltz Central School District superintendent Maria Rice, however, is confident that her students’ water is safe, and outlined the district’s response to the issue in an email interview with The Oracle. According to Rice, the district tested water from all of its locations in April 2016, in cooperation with Ulster BOCES’ Health, Safety and Risk Management division. These tests showed no detectable levels of lead at any location, Rice said, adding that during her tenure of over 10 years, “the water has never tested unsafe.” Most of the district schools are connected to the municipal source provided by the Village of New Paltz. Public water

is routinely tested for contaminants by the New York State Department of Health, but schools must test their faucets to ensure their plumbing is safe. “We routinely check Lenape Elementary School because it is on a well,” Rice said. “All schools except the Lenape Elementary School are on municipal water. The school does not share its well water with anyone.” Rice added that the district filters that school’s water. Private wells are protected less by federal, state and local government than municipal water, and, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, can suffer contamination from sources like landfills, septic tanks and agriculture. Filtration is a common fix. The legislation Cuomo signed into law affects the New Paltz Central School District, so Rice explained its new requirements under the law. The district must test water from any school built before 1986 and collect samples every five years. Elementary schools’ testing deadline is Sept. 30 and all other schools must test by Oct. 31. Any faucet with lead levels exceeding 15 parts per billion must be shut off; the district must fix faulty faucets while provid-

ing safe alternatives. The district must notify local health departments, parents and staff within 10 days of an unsafe result. Rice emphasized that all results from district water testing, safe or unsafe, must be made available to the public and posted on the district website within six weeks. She added, “We are working with our BOCES Safety Coordinator, Dr. Michael O’Rourke, to ensure we comply with all required testing.” Rice mentioned that districts can be waived from the new regulations if they had been testing for lead after Jan. 1, 2015, but did not say whether New Paltz qualified for the waiver. The district appears safe from lead contamination, but Rice says that the schools have a plan for the worst-case scenario anyway. Should a test prove the district’s water to be unsafe, “the plan includes using water coolers and bottles of purchased water until such time as the situation is fixed,” Rice said. “Along with providing clean water to cook with and drink, the water fountains will be turned off and staff and students would be instructed not to drink the water.”

Thursday, September 29, 2016

The fatal police shooting of a Ugandan refugee who drew something from his pocket and extended his hands in a “shooting stance” happened about a minute after officers in a San Diego suburb arrived at the scene where a mentally unstable man was reportedly walking in traffic, a police spokesman said Wednesday. It took police more than hour to respond because of other calls, El Cajon Lt. Rob Ransweiler said. Officers arrived at a parking lot next to a Mexican fast-food restaurant at about 2:10 p.m. and the man was shot about a minute later. MICHELLE OBAMA SAYS AMERICA ‘NEEDS AN ADULT’ IN WHITE HOUSE Michelle Obama told supporters in Philadelphia on Wednesday that candidates don’t change once they become president and that America “needs an adult in the White House.” The first lady never mentioned Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump during the rally at LaSalle University. But there was no question that she was warning voters that President Trump would be the same as candidate Trump. MAN RESCUED AT SEA WAS SUSPECTED IN GRANDFATHER’S SLAYING A 22-year-old man rescued from a life raft after a fishing trip that left his mother missing and presumed dead had been a suspect in the still-unsolved 2013 slaying of his rich grandfather, adding to the multitude of questions swirling around him and what happened at sea. Compiled from the AP Newswire

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Black Studies Welcomes New Professor By Rachael Purtell

Copy Editor | Purtellr1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

In addition to two new tenure-track assistant professors, Cruz Bueno and Nicole Carr, visiting lecturer Bula Wayessa is the third faculty member added to the Black Studies department for this coming year. Wayessa will be joining the staff for one year as the effort to rebuild faculty ranks continues after an unprecedented amount of retirements and departures 18 months ago. Wayessa is an Ethiopian citizen who moved to Canada in 2009 with his wife and two children. He earned his Ph.D. in archaeology at the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada and he earned his graduate diploma as a certified graduate teacher from Jimma University in Ethiopia. He has a Master’s in archaeology, a Bachelor’s in history and a minor in geography from Addis Abba University in Ethiopia. Wayessa was a sessional instructor of anthropology at the University of Calgary,

Destiny Travel Industry College in Ethiopia and Ethiopia Adventist College. He has also lectured history and heritage at Jimma University. The courses Wayessa will be teaching this year will rely on his expertise in history and archaeology. He teaches Intro to Africa and Black History I. Third-year psychology major Emi Lewis is taking Intro to Africa with Wayessa this semester and believes that he meshes well with the Black Studies department. “Because it’s an Intro to Africa course, personally I feel it’s more authentic considering that he is from Ethiopia,” she said. When Wayessa lectures, he wants to hear what students have to say and encourages class participation because he believes that it sharpens the students’ minds. “Whenever I teach, I try to get the class to participate because to simply learn from teacher to student is not fully effective,” he said.

Lewis said that although students do not always participate as much as Wayessa encourages them to, it is clear that he believes it is impactful . “He definitely does want us to participate in the lectures so that we can understand the information to the best of our ability and also to check in that he’s doing a relatively good job in teaching it to us,” she said. Wayessa’s book “Ethnographic Study of Traditional Pottery-Making Artisan Women and Tuber Crop Consumption Technology in Wallaga, Oromia, Ethiopia” was published by Lambert Academic Publishing. African Diaspora Archaeology Network has also published a report he conducted. Wayessa is a recipient of numerous fellowships and grants from organizations such as the National Geographic Society and the National Geographic Foundation. According to Wayessa’s curriculum vitae, his teaching interests include courses “that examine the interplay among gender, religion and identity as well as

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race, racism and marginalization.” He is passionate about population migration and interactions, putting specific focus on continental and international population movement. “I have interest in general in teaching courses that deal with Africa and Africa’s interaction with other people all over the world,” he said.

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Graduation Divide Met with Split Opinion

By Kristen Warfield

Editor-in-Chief | Warfielk1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

With the 2017 undergraduate commencement just eight months away, SUNY New Paltz administration has announced that the college will now host two main undergraduate ceremonies instead of one. The two ceremonies will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2017 at 10 a.m. and Sunday, May 21, 2017 at 10 a.m., as annnounced in a campus-wide email by college president Donald Christian. The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences will graduate at the Saturday ceremony, while the Schools of Science & Engineering; Business; Education and Fine & Performing Arts will take the Sunday slot. Both ceremonies will be held on the Old Main Quad. This news comes as administration and campus facilities face record attendance on commencement day— Christian said the 2016 ceremony brought between 9,000 and 10,000 people to campus, resulting in major roadway congestion and stand-still traffic in and around the college. “The additional participating graduates and their families and friends have added to the celebratory atmosphere of the event, but peak participation has also brought new logistical challenges,”

Christian said in the email. “This is the largest single gathering of the campus community and guests, and the safety and security of the event continue to be among our top priorities.” In addition to meeting with numerous campus stakeholders, including University Police and senior campus leaders, Christian said administrators also met with local community leaders over the summer to discuss the change, including New Paltz Police and Fire departments, Village Mayor Tim Rogers and Town Supervisor Neil Bettez. “These external stakeholders expressed support for this change and agreed that two busy mornings on a May weekend was a much better approach than one congested and overcrowded day,” Christian said. Despite the assumed lighter traffic forecast for graduation weekend, the change has been a source of major disappointment for some seniors wishing to spend the ceremony next to their friends. This was the case for fourth-year biology major Cassandra Goldman , who will now be split up from many of her friends during the ceremony due to having different majors. “I think they [administration] believe they are doing something to help us, but they’re forgetting how the celebration is

PHOTO COURTESY OF FLICKR Approximately 2,000 students graduate each spring, with 1400-1600 in attendance.

as much about graduating academically as it is graduating from four years of relationships and friendships,” Goldman said. Fourth-year English major Nicole Simonelli said she felt similarly when hearing about the change. “When I found out I wouldn’t be walking with [my best friend] just be-

cause we didn’t decide on the same major four years back, you can bet I hysterically cried,” Simonelli said. “I haven’t asked much from this school, but for them to take away the last thing they could have given me: my friends on graduation... I am not happy.” For more information on these changes, visit newpaltz.edu/commencement.

Hogan Popkess, the beverage manager at Main Course Catering, supports the decision to update the law after nearly 80 years. He said that their Sunday brunch crowd typically only orders mimosas or Bloody Marys, adding that for some, it was difficult having to “watch the clock and wait until noon to buy alcohol.” Popkess said that while the effects of the legislation might not make a huge difference for their sit-down business, it will pay dividends for their catering services. Popkess said that they would likely apply for the handful of 8 a.m. alcohol permits to boost their catering business. He explained how most customers end up renting a property and ordering their catering, only to have to supply their own alcohol for the morning hours. Now, Main Course and other

caterers will be able to supply a larger portion of the alcohol. “We plan on taking advantage of that, especially for weddings and brunches,” Popkess said. “It doesn’t really affect our other days but it certainly helps on Sunday.” Popkess speculated that there would be more changes to come in the world of alcohol sales in the state. He added that this legislation is just the latest in a series of moves by the Cuomo administration to ease burdensome regulations on restaurants around the state. “I think it definitely has the potential to increase revenues,” Popkess said. “Currently, people can get [alcohol] in the morning in New York City. Now the same opportunity will expand and be available for the state and the community here in New Paltz.”

Brunch Bill Breaks Ban on Breakfast Booze By Jack O’Brien

Managing Editor | Obrienj2@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

The mimosas will flow a little earlier at Sunday morning brunches in New York state. On June 14, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie announced the passage of the legislation nicknamed. “Brunch Bill” that aimed to modernize the Alcohol Beverage Control Law. The law revised consumption regulations to allow restaurants and bars to begin serving alcohol starting at 10 a.m. on Sundays. In addition, restaurants can apply for up to 12 permits a year that will allow them to serve alcohol as early as 8 a.m. On Sept. 7, Cuomo signed the law, which will become effective in November. According to the New York State Li-

quor Authority’s website, New York first enacted the Alcohol Beverage Control Law in 1934, mere months after President Franklin D. Roosevelt repealed the 18th Amendment. The passage of the legislation has enthused many who see it as an overdue repeal of Prohibition-era policy. “We’ve worked hard to cut red tape, lower costs and roll back burdensome regulations to help New York’s craft beverage industry thrive and create jobs, as well as some of the best beer, wine, cider and distilled spirits in the world,” Cuomo said in a press release on June 14. “This agreement to overhaul this state’s archaic blue laws will build upon these ongoing efforts by knocking down artificial barriers for restaurants and small businesses and helping this industry grow even stronger.”

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Who Walks?

LOCAL PARKOUR CLASS PRACTICES ON CAMPUS By Erica Ascher Copy Editor | Aschere1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu Despite the bumps and bruises, Dylan Johanson continued to train himself in parkour, an artform he adored from the start. Johanson, founder and head coach of Innate Movement Parkour in Kingston, describes parkour as “natural movement and exercise that’s fun and engaging.” Johanson became interested in parkour in 2013 after watching videos online. He started out training and experimenting by himself; he searched for locations and obstacles to practice on, such as banks that were closed on Sundays. “It was cool and it was very free, but I was getting banged up and didn’t have any guidance,” Johanson said. “I reached out for resources in the area to have coaches, community or people to train with.” Johanson eventually found an organization called Parkour Generations and traveled to their location in Boston to train and learn how to coach. He went for coaching certifications in June 2014, built up a community and made it into his business. Johanson’s goal was to provide people interested in the activity with a safe environment for education and fun. He comes to class with a specific lesson, or “route” plan in mind, but sometimes it changes. He organizes his classes with a

theme based on what the class is looking to develop. During his last class on Sept. 8, the themes were safety bailing, which is learning how to make smart decisions and prevent injury, as well as route setting, or creating a path for running and jumping from a ledge, railing or otherwise. The outdoor class on Thursdays at 6 p.m. meets in Hasbrouck Park for warm up, stretching and intense conditioning. They jogged to the Sojourner Truth Library staircase and timed themselves while crawling backwards up the stairs. Then they used the lawn outside of Capen Hall to practice bailing by pushing each other, tumbling on the ground and getting back up. From there, they practiced overshooting by jumping from a bench, swinging on a tree branch and landing safely on the ground. Afterwards, they timed themselves doing leg-ups on the ledge outside the Student Union and practiced more bailing by bouncing forwards and backwards off of a bench. Lastly, the class learned about route setting and each student created their own course, using trees, railings and steps outside the Atrium. If there’s enough time, Johanson will have the class do an “Escape the Pit” challenge between Smiley Art and Coykendall Science Buildings. “People have this idea of parkour that it’s this adrenaline-seeking thing or to run

from the cops, but it couldn’t be further from that at all,” Johanson said. “Risk management and making smart decisions is a huge part of it.” Omar Aquino, a third-year business major at SUNY Empire State College, became fascinated by parkour after watching YouTube videos. He attended a class at Innate Movement Parkour when he saw an ad in Cafeteria on Main St. in New Paltz. He and Johanson kept in touch and a few months later they hosted their first adult class. Before immersing himself in parkour, Aquino was involved in martial arts, basketball, tennis and track and field. Since then, he hasn’t had the need or desire to do any other physical activity. “[Parkour] is every possible type of movement in one art or sport, so there’s nothing that you can’t work on to improve your body health and mental state,” Aquino said. Johanson is finishing up his masters in general business administration at SUNY New Paltz and enjoys being able to apply what he’s studied to his own company. “It’s been years since I first became interested and started messing around, but [parkour] has become the most important thing in my life that I’ve completely immersed myself in,” Johanson said.

PHOTOS BY ERICA ASCHER Members of Innate Parkour deviate from typical pedestrian paths on the SUNY New Paltz campus.

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Communication Without Borders SUNY NEW PALTZ STUDENTS HELP DEAF CHILDREN IN ETHIOPIA

By Erica Ascher Copy Editor | Aschere1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

The influence of the SUNY New Paltz communications disorders department is so widespread that even deaf students in eastern Africa can attest to it. This past summer, nine students from SUNY New Paltz had the chance to work hands-on with the deaf community in three Ethiopian cities. Communications disorders lecturer Rebecca Swenson helped create this study abroad trip with Visions Global Empowerment (Visions) after a SUNY New Paltz alum came back from a previous trip to the country and raved about the program. Visions is an organization that recognizes the need for educators to help the deaf communities in countries such as Ethiopia, Sri Lanka and India. According to their website, their mission is “to change patterns of inequality by supporting educational initiatives for youth affected by poverty, conflict, and disability.” The research trip centered around analyzing the deaf community as well

as Ethiopian culture. They visited Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, worked in Bahir Dar at the Bahir Dar University, and visited Lalibela, a town in northern Ethiopia. Maria Gillin, a SUNY New Paltz alum and a graduate student at Hunter College, kept in touch with Visions after her initial trip in 2015 and was able to stay an extra two weeks, assisting on work in Addis Ababa with the Ethiopian Women with Disabilities National Association (EWDNA), an organization that provides training and support to help women become independent. “Most disabled women in Ethiopia are discriminated against and not given any sort of representation, so EWDNA holds bi-weekly coffee programs to give them a forum to discuss their problems openly,” Gillin said. “Then, when possible, EWDNA uses the topics of those discussions to start new projects that support the women.” While Gillin was there, she was working on deaf empowerment efforts through

their livelihood program with Visions. She interviewed deaf women about their lives and how they would benefit through the program. Gillin said her favorite part was being immersed in their culture and living like an Ethiopian person when she wasn’t with the rest of the students. She learned the native language, how to communicate with the locals in Amharic and take public transportation and sampled local cuisine. “Being there with EWDNA was really eye-opening because it made me realize how many systems we have in place in America to help people with disabilities that don’t exist there,” Gillin said. Jayde Ragimierski, a fourth-year communication disorders major with a minor in deaf studies, felt she gained the most experience while working with the deaf community in Bahir Dar. While at the university, students worked with deaf children of all ages, often being paired up and asked to create a lesson plan. Ragimerski and her partner Juliette Lefebvre, a third-year communi-

cations disorders major, crafted a lesson plan where they had the students write their names in English and Amharic and then draw something they loved. “It was interesting to see what the children drew in comparison to what we would expect children in America to draw,” Ragimerski said. “Their pictures revolved around their family and animals.” Ragimierski is a member of Pi Phi Delta sorority and has planned fundraising events to keep her connected to the deaf community and the children she bonded with in Ethiopia. She hopes to help diversify the sources of funding for the Kal Center for Special Needs, a nonprofit organization based in Bahir Dar “committed to promoting the development and overall welfare of the differently-abled in Ethiopia.” “My time spent abroad allowed me to form unforgettable friendships, learn and appreciate Ethiopian culture, as well as have the opportunity to grow as an individual,” Ragimierski said.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JAYDE RAGIMIERSKI

Ethiopian children and students from the Visions program show off their art.

SUNY New Paltz students and Ethiopian students share a photo.

By Amanda Copkov Features Editor | Copkova1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu Academy Award-winning filmmaker and author Michael Moore lectured on the SUNY New Paltz campus to talk about the importance of the youth vote in the 2016 presidential election. On Tuesday, Sept. 20, Moore delivered his lecture entitled “The Youth Vote and the 2016 Election.” Lecture Center 100 filled up to capacity, needing additional rooms to be opened due to the influx of people eager to see the acclaimed docu-

percent among people aging from 18- to 34-years-old. Moore informed the audience that the youth demographic, ranging from ages 18 to 29, have the smallest percentage of active voters, yet they have the power to make a choice and impact change. A historical example of this would be during the 2008 presidential election, when Barack Obama was elected as the first African-American president in United States history. Obama lost the white demographic in every age group except for those between the ages of 18- to 29-years-old, Moore said. According to a report from the

Michael Moore Urges Students to Vote mentarian speak. He urged youthful students and older community members alike to vote against GOP nominee Donald Trump, referring to him as a “human hand grenade,” including that Trump already has a headstart “because he is on TV,” citing his reality television show, “The Apprentice.” He also mentioned, with much fervency, that Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton lost 17 points in the polls since last month, bringing her down to 31

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Pew Research Center in 2008, 66 percent of people under the age of 30 voted for Obama during that year’s election cycle. The problem with Hillary supporters, Moore pointed out, is that they are not “rabid” to vote for her as Bernie Sanders supporters would have been to vote for him, or as passionate as Trump supporters are to vote for him come Nov. 8. Moore informed the audience that only 50 to 60 percent of Americans actually vote. “It’s all about voter turnout in this country,” he said. “And the young vote could determine who wins, easily.”

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SK E D Y COP KOFF: COO

Cheesecake Pops! By Rachael Purtell Purtellr1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

One of the members of The Oracle shares their culinary chops with you. Bon appetit!

Hello Hawks.

I’m feeling like stepping out of my comfort zone for a minute here, so I’m diving into a realm of dessert in which I rarely indulge: cheesecake. Not my favorite, I know! It’s blasphemy, but recently my incredibly convincing roommate offered some of her sister’s homemade cheesecake pops and now, there is a form of this dessert I enjoy. Here is what you will need:

Three (eight ounce) packages of cream cheese, softened ¾ cups of sugar 1/3 cup of sour cream Three tablespoons of all-purpose ﬂour One teaspoon of vanilla ¼ teaspoon of salt Three eggs 24 lollipop sticks 10 ounces of white confectioner’s coating Miniature semi-sweet chocolate chips Toasted coconut Step One: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Step Two: Beat cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl until smooth as a politician’s lies. Mix in the sour cream and blend thoroughly, scraping down the sides of the bowl. Add the ﬂour, vanilla and salt and mix well. Add the eggs one at a time, blending thoroughly before adding the next egg, but do not overbeat. Pour batter into a 9-inch spring form pan.

Step Three: Bake for 50 minutes or until the edges of the cake just begin to turn golden. Cool on a wire rack for one hour, then refrigerate for three hours or overnight. Step Four: Use a small cookie scoop to scoop out round balls of cheesecake. Roll them into 1½ inch balls and place on the cookie sheet lined with waxed paper. Push a lollipop stick into each cheesecake ball. Place the tray in the freezer until ﬁrm, usually about 30 minutes.

Step Five: Melt either the white confectioner’s coating or the semi-sweet chocolate. Dip each cheesecake pop into the melted coating, and then dip into one of the toppings. Place on waxed paper until coating is set. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Step Six: Pop, lock and drop it in your mouth and enjoy.

Features

The New Paltz Oracle

The Hushed Road to Recovery FORMER HASIDIC WOMAN RECOUNTS TRAUMA

By Briana Bonfiglio Copy Editor | Bonfiglb1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu In ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities, the terms “sexual abuse” and “sexual assault” are forbidden. However, the topic was deeply discussed during Judy Brown’s visit to SUNY New Paltz on Sept. 14. Unfortunately, in the deeply religious world in which she grew up, child molestation runs rampant. Brown is a woman who left her Hasidic community in Brooklyn after writing “Hush,” a fiction novel based on true experiences of sexual abuse and suicide written from the perspective of a child. The writer was burdened with stories of suffering from those whom she referred to as “the children of the underworld.” Among them was a young girl expelled from school for reporting molestation. She began releasing these stories onto the page as a form of therapy after her peers confided in her about horrific sexual abuse they had endured. But Brown said writing the novel “quickly became a nightmare.” In 2010, she published “Hush” under a pseudonym, Eishes Chayil, out of guilt for carrying these harsh truths with her. Brown received major backlash from the community when she revealed her identity in a Huffington Post article in 2011. “Writing wasn’t a gift; it was a betrayal. It violated the rules of what you are not allowed to know,” she said of the Hasidic community. Being ignorant of the repercussions of leaving, wanting a better life for her children and feeling shunned by her community, Brown felt she had no choice but to leave. “I don’t encourage women to [leave like I did]. Some don’t survive it,” she said. Brown spoke in front of a packed Lecture Center Room

104 as part of the Resnick Lecture series, “Jews and Modern Memoir.” She was the second speaker in the series, following a man, Shulem Deen, who also spoke about leaving the Hasidic world. “It is a coincidence that the first three speakers are people who have left the world of ultraorthodox Judaism,” series director and emeritus professor, Gerald Sorin said. Sorin chose Brown to speak at New Paltz because he was very impressed by her novel, and found it important for others to engage with her on it. “[The series is about] people learning about other people’s lives and culture, and people who have made very consequent changes in their lives,” he said. “It’s important to hear that.” Brown is a survivor. She wrote a heart-wrenching novel, faced threats from the community that raised her, won custody of her children and now continues to speak about it at lectures such as this one. But as far as she is concerned, her experiences have not made her stronger. “I don’t buy into that,” she said. “I appreciate the person I am but I am broken.” She explained that it is very difficult for women to leave the Hasidic world. They live under a “dome” for 20 years, get married and often have two or three children by the time they are in their early 20s. Leaving alone is one thing, but leaving with your three children is another. Brown left when she was 30 years old and spent three years “battling for her life.” Although her children are better off now, she is traumatized by a past of living in poverty, having tensions with her family, fighting a custody battle for her children and ultimately, for her life. “In the Hasidic community, children are seen as community property,” she said. “It took me several years, and you’re always

Thursday, September 29, 2016

still a little tangled in it.” An in-depth Q&A followed Brown’s solemn, forthright speech about how “Hush” came to be. The conversation focused on the cultural implications that allow such horriﬁc and widespread sexual abuse to continue in this religious community. Brown’s message was that change must come from within and is doubtful, going by the utter lack of changes in the community to this day. Many attendees wanted to know what the secular world has done to help. Brown pointed to an organization called Footsteps that, according to their website, “provides a range of services, including social and emotional support, educational and vocational guidance, workshops and social activities, and access to resources” for those entering the secular world from ultra-Orthodox communities. “I was barely scratching through [leaving and being in poverty] but I was lucky in little ways,” Brown said. “On the other side, I’m happy I did it. My children are different kinds of people so it paid off, but I don’t think I’ll get over it. You recover for the rest of your days.”

Photo courtesy of Walker Books for Young Readers

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The New Paltz Oracle

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT THE WORLD OF GRAFFITI GRRLZ!

WOMEN’S STUDIES PROFESSOR EXPLORES FEMINISM IN GRAFFITI CULTURE

By Jackson Shrout

Copy Editor | Shroutj1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

“A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle.” — Irina Dunn Dr. Jessica Pabón opened her 2012 TEDxWomen talk with the assertion that the Australian writer first scrawled her famous quote on a bathroom wall. Performative feminism through the lens of graffiti has been a topic of study for Pabón for many years. Her upcoming book, “Graffiti Grrlz: Performing Feminism in the Hip-Hop Diaspora,” is a culmination of her work, an “ethnographic study of women who write hip-hop graffiti,” according to Pabón. These “graffiti girls” include the likes of Renone, Claw, 7Teen, Lady Pink, ABBY106 and Donia, graffiti writers from various decades and locations, whose names may not be known by many, but whose tags have been seen countless times. For many of them, a male-centric graffiti subculture presents them with difficulties in establishing themselves the way a man might. “Women haven’t been taken seriously as producers of graffiti,” Pabón explained. “They’re often talked about as the girlfriend or the groupie, or their bodies are hypersexualized, or they’re tokenized for being ‘different’ than other girls. Their graffiti is ‘actually good’ even though they’re a girl.” A graffiti girl might want to make her gender clear in her work as a statement, or she may want to remain anonymous enough to not open herself up to gender-based scrutiny, despite the fact that the women graffiti writers

PHOTO FROM PIXABAY.COM

who hide their gender are often found out anyway. “Women who are putting their gender out there … are taking a risk with their subcultural respectability and recognition,” Pabón said. “I can’t tell you how many stories of writers who are now in their 40s and 50s who were like, ‘When I started writing, everyone thought I was this guy, and it shocked them that I was a girl.’” Those that display their gender in their work put themselves at an inherent disadvantage, so it may be surprising to find out that many of them don’t consider themselves to be feminists at all. It matters little to Pabón, who argues that they are performing feminism — fighting sexism, uplifting

women and raising social consciousness — despite not accepting the title of feminist. For her, the very act of a woman writing graffiti, openly, in a subculture that “even still today is considered a boys’ club,” is feminism in action. “It’s more important to pay attention to people’s actions than their words,” she said. “You can call yourself a feminist but do things that are totally misogynistic.” Instead, Pabón chooses to look at actions that aren’t being associated with feminism. She says that because graffiti girls aren’t “taking to the streets with bullhorns,” their actions aren’t seen as practiced feminism, but argues that the effects of an action are

Thursday, September 29, 2016

far more important. At one point during our interview, Pabón stood up and walked over to the bookshelf in the corner of her office. “These are my books on graffiti,” she said while filing through the texts on her top shelf, “and this is the only one that’s specifically about women, not produced by the women.” The single book Pabón handed to me was noticeably light. If someone devoting her career to exploring this subculture can only find one book on female graffiti artists, what hope does a young graffiti girl in the making have? It was, perhaps, that notion that more than anything showed me why “Graffiti Grrlz” matters in the annals of the graffiti counterculture movement.

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Arts & Entertainment

The New Paltz Oracle

MY TOP 10: FICTIONAL LEADERS AND POLITICIANS By Matt Apuzzo

Copy Editor | Apuzzom2@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

As election season approaches its end, much of the political discussion on campus has taken on a bitter and disillusioned tone. In particular, some students are dissatisfied in the selection of candidates, and feel that their first vote is a decision between “the lesser of two evils.” In hopes of renewing campus faith in future elections, this week’s issue of The Oracle presents 10 fictional politicians and leaders sure to keep standards high. 10. President Richard Nixon’s Head, “Futurama” The resuscitated head of Richard Milhous Nixon, 37th President of the United States. Nixon’s head was revived sometime before the year 3000 and placed in the Hall of Presidents, where he shared wisdom and stories with visitors. As nobody could become President more than twice, Nixon purchased Bender’s body to legally run for President of Earth, winning by one vote. Nixon’s résumé includes staging the moon landing (on Venus), rigging the 3004 presidential election, incriminating himself in the Watergate Hotel again and playing the electric guitar. 9. Maj. Gen. Olivier Mira Armstrong, “Fullmetal Alchemist” (manga) A one-star general officer in charge of Fort Briggs, a stronghold at Amestris’ northern border. Major General Armstrong led her troops with a harsh “survival of the fittest” policy, leading to teamwork and skill that she could count on even without commanding it. After several Briggs soldiers died exploring a strange tunnel linked to a military conspiracy, Armstrong decided to investigate in hopes of protecting her men. Major General Armstrong’s background in politics includes laying siege to her nation’s capital, successfully negotiating with soldiers

sent to kill her, executing a corrupt superior to have a shot at taking his position, and accepting her subordinates regardless of history. 8. President David Palmer, “24” Winner of 2002’s presidential election and the first African-American president of the United States. Before entering office, he campaigned as the Democratic nominee, despite being targeted by assassins. As President Palmer started his career in office, he worked to keep his administration honest and trustworthy despite the duplicity and dishonesty of his supporters. President Palmer’s platform is built upon being difficult to assassinate, solving problems by communicating clearly, trusting Jack Bauer despite having absolutely no good reason to and generally doing the right thing. 7. Marquis de Lafayette, “Hamilton” A French aristocrat, politician and military general who allied himself with colonial America during the Revolutionary War. After his arrival, Lafayette quickly befriended American leaders like George Washington and Alexander Hamilton. He provided indispensible aid to the Continental Army, including manpower, guns and ships, and even today is recognized as a national hero in America. Lafayette’s strategic decisions consist of negotiating down America’s debt to France, blockading harbors to limit British backup, persuading American forces to avoid invading Canada during the winter, and rapping at six words per second while jumping all over the stage. 6. Mycroft Holmes, “Sherlock” A British official of unknown position and authority. Mycroft claimed to hold a low position in the government, yet his power and information resources suggested otherwise. He introduced himself as Sherlock’s “archenemy,” but later clarified that he is actually his older brother. Mycroft often assisted Sherlock’s investigations with the full resources of the British government – when he could swallow his pride

Album Review: Against Me! By Sam Manzella

A&E Editor | Manzells1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

“Shape Shift With Me,” Against Me!’s newest studio album, picks up right where 2014’s “Transgender Dysphoria Blues” left off. Lead singer, lyricist and guitarist Laura Jane Grace, a veritable LGBTQIA+ icon and rockstar extraordinaire, shreds and screams with the passion and angst of someone who has experienced true anguish and pain. A

transwoman herself, Grace writes lyrics that ring true to the experiences of beaten and battered transgender youth. “Transgender Dysphoria Blues” sat somewhere on the border between punk rock and queercore, detailing Grace’s journey of love, loss and self-acceptance as she grappled with her identity as a transwoman. “Shape Shift With Me” takes the band in a decidedly harder direction, incorporating brash drum solos and rapid-

enough to ask for Mycroft’s help. Mycroft’s policies encompass abusing government surveillance to look cool, kidnapping people he wants to introduce himself to, caring about his brother and trying to avoid seeing “Les Misérables” with his parents. 5. Senator Steven Armstrong, “Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance” A Colorado congressman and a contender for the 2020 presidential election. Armstrong’s public service began when he joined the US Navy. After an honorable discharge, he founded military companies that provided employment to veterans and led a project to give third-world children job skills. Armstrong’s motivation ironically stemmed from his dislike for “war as a business,” and he ran for President in hopes of ending it. Armstrong’s qualifications include providing advanced prosthetics to disabled veterans, hiring diverse applicants at high-level positions, turning down an NFL career to work with the military, and being honest about the problems he saw in his country. 4. Théoden, “The Lord of the Rings” Rohan’s 17th king. Théoden had fallen under Saruman’s toxic influence before regaining resolve with help from Gandalf. Tragedy and terror had struck Rohan in his absence, but Théoden felt that his people still needed a king to believe in. After defeating Saruman’s forces at Helm’s Deep, Théoden mustered 6,000 riders from across Rohan to defend Gondor against Sauron’s army. Théoden’s ruling style involves being scared to death but saddling up anyway, winning fights against impossible odds, leading soldiers from the front and having really cool horses. 3. Prince Ling Yao, “Fullmetal Alchemist” (manga) The 12th son of Xing’s emperor. Ling traveled to Amestris in search of immortality, hoping to use it to convince the dying emperor to

fire guitar riffs to play off of Grace’s trials and tribulations as she navigates life. At its core, “Shape Shift With Me” is an album about fighting the good fight as a marginalized person in a cruel, bigoted world. Grace sums it up best: in punk number “12:03,” she sings, “Well if I’ve got a leg to stand on / Then I’m pretty sure that I can work myself up into a run / And I’ll keep heading your direction.” Highlights of the new release include “12:03,” “Delicate, Petite & Other Things I’ll Never Be” and “Norse Truth.”

Thursday, September 29, 2016

name him as his successor. Ling soon found himself involved in Amestris’ own, far more complicated problems, but never lost sight of his belief that “a king exists for his people” and never forgot the subjects depending on him. Ling’s treasured values consist of using greed to provide for his people, fighting dirty to deal with assassins, refusing to see his subjects as expendable and collapsing in the street to get free meals from bystanders. 2. Professor Minerva McGonagall, “Harry Potter” Deputy Headmistress and Transfiguration professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. McGonagall was responsible for Gryffindor House, and provided stern guidance to her students while refusing to tolerate rulebreaking, however noble its purpose. Her experience with structure proved vital to organizing the school’s defenders in the Battle of Hogwarts. McGonagall’s curriculum includes undermining government tyrants, instructing poltergeists on the proper way to drop chandeliers, getting really worked up watching Quidditch matches, and triple-teaming Lord Voldemort in magical combat. 1. Darth Vader, “Star Wars (original trilogy)” A Sith Lord and Supreme Commander of the Galactic Empire. After Vader failed to prevent rebels from stealing blueprints to an Imperial space station, he worked tirelessly to protect it. He fought on the front lines to defend the facility, but the rebels exploited a structural flaw to detonate its core, killing everyone onboard. Despite his failures, Vader continued to strive for galactic order while trying to reconcile with his estranged children. Vader’s conduct entails personally handling termination of disrespectful workers, arguing convincingly in defense of his faith, peacefully disarming violent gunmen and standing up to his superior in defense of his son.

PHOTO FROM WIKIPEDIA.ORG

The New Paltz Oracle

Arts & Entertainment

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Collaging With Sound

MUSIC DEPARTMENT FACULTY GIVES HODGEPODGE CONCERT By Jess Napp

Copy Editor | Nappj1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines collage as “a work of art that is made by attaching pieces of different materials (such as paper, cloth, or wood) to a flat surface.” On Tuesday, Sept. 20 at Studley Theatre, Deputy Chair of the Department of Music Joel Evans, lecturer Susan Seligman and adjunct faculty member Ruthanne Schempf performed in the faculty recital, titled “Collage.” The performance coincided with the annual fall concert series and featured three pieces from distinct times periods. Seligman opened the program on cello, Evans eerily enchanted on oboe and Schempf dazzled through black and white keys. “The assortment of pieces really have no relationship to each other. We thought we’d just pick three diverse pieces of music,” Evans said. “Such as you would do with a collage — different types of color, design and material all presented on the same background.”

According to Evans, he and Schempf started captivating crowds in 1984. The two are musically inseparable and decided to perform a piece that would feature the pianist in a role beyond that of an accompanist. They chose Maurice Ravel’s “Le Tombeau de Couperin,” which highlights the pair’s separate solo abilities. “His playing inspires my playing,” Schempf said. The 18th-century suite “Sonata in A minor” by Georg Philipp Telemann opened the recital, and the more modern 20th-century “Fantasistykker op.2” by Carl Nielson lay in the middle. Ravel’s Baroque suite closed the show. The bookend pieces were done in the style of a Baroque suite. The evening erupted with a quiet bang as the three musicians resumed the powerful position of a trio. A hush fell over the congregation while the lights dimmed. Seligman steadied the base of her cello by thrusting it into the smooth wooden floorboards on-

stage. Telemann’s work consisted of beautiful sweeping strings, poignant oboe puffs and subtle piano movements. Applause echoed throughout the theatre. Three musicians walked off stage. Only two returned. Evans admitted that it was customary to add a bass line instrument during the Baroque period. He provided a brief introduction and the duo moved on to Nielson’s Danish folk melodies. And then the showstopper commenced. “This piece requires an explanation,” Evans acknowledged. Ravel wrote it in memory of the French Baroque composer François Couperin, but also every dance suite serves as a tribute to dear friends Ravel lost in WWI. “Prelude” acted like an introduction. Schempf took over for “Fugue,” and this rotation continued until “Toccata” emerged from nowhere, only a movement later. The audience, accustomed to the routine, witnessed Evans sit on the bench beside Schempf. She bulldozed into

the song. Evans flipped page after page for her. She touched each key for a second in a staccato motion all the while shifting between a build and release of organized chaos. Bombastic notes bounced around the arena walls, all of which were played by the mad scientist known as Schempf, whom the crowd later showered in ovation. “The problem with that ‘Toccata’ is there’s no place to stop,” Schempf said. “It’s a continual motion. It’s a subliminal experience.” “Menuet” and “Rigaudon” further exemplified Evans ability to dig deep within his soul to produce bright and often mysterious music. First-year computer science major Ethan Massa attended the concert for his Introduction to Music class. He found the event to be a refreshing experience of new music. “My favorite piece was definitely the ‘Toccata’ when she was going ham on the keys,” Massa said, smiling.

A Record Renaissance VINYL ALBUMS REGAIN POPULARITY, BUSINESS OWNERS SAY By Melanie Zerah

News Editor | Zerahm1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

Although digital streaming is the quicker and more convenient way to listen to music, many music fans are making a gradual switch back to vinyl and CDs. Gaining attractiveness to a younger generation of college and high school-aged students, local record stores in New Paltz are beginning to see an increase of vinyl sales. Tom Whalen, manager of Rhino Records in New Paltz, said the ages of their regular buyers now span across all generations. Regulars can help in assessing the music tastes and trends of consumers which aides the store in purchasing the right records. Whalen said people are always interested in the cheaper, older albums of ‘60s and ‘70s punk, classic and jazz rock. These albums usually cost less for the store to acquire. However, putting expensive records of newer music on the shelf is taking a gam-

ble on whether people will spend the money or not. “Sometimes it is kind of like throwing darts,” Whalen said. “We want to try and predict what people are going to want to buy based on trends. It is hit or miss, and if we guess wrong the album kind of just sits.” While people ages 30 or older are more likely to buy CDs and vinyl, Whalen said that college-aged or high school-aged kids mostly stick with purchasing vinyl. It appears that CD purchasing is not in the same vein as vinyl when keeping with the new trend. Jack’s Rhythms record store owner John Lefsky said that his regulars come from all over the Hudson Valley. These music fanatics visit a variety of record stores when searching for a certain album. Lefsky said he will often redirect customers to another store if he does not have what they are searching for. Lefsky said his influx of younger buyers is most dense when school begins, and

eventually becomes a little slower. He attested this to college students running out of money for records as the year goes on. “I also get a lot of people from the city or Long Island when the weather gets nice, or ‘leaf peepers’ as they are called,” Lefsky said. Jack’s Rhythms purchases records from wholesale distributors like Matador Records, a company that represents many indie artists such as Perfume Genius and Cat Power. Pricing is dependent on certain factors, such as the rarity or nuance of the album, according to Lefsky. Albums from Nick Drake, an artist who did not become popular until he passed away, will sell for $50-$60 because of their scarcity and uniqueness. “Sometimes LPs are more valuable because of their limited sales,” Lefsky said. “The misconception is that every Beatles LP is worth a mint, but they are pretty common.” Many records are sold with a vinyl

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code on the inside of the album. These codes can be used to download the album for online storage. Lefsky interpreted this as helpful to the trend of younger customers buying albums since it is a middle path between solely using vinyl or solely using digital streaming. “I personally don’t have Wi-Fi or an iPod device,” Lefsky said. “I’m here in the store six days a week using my laptop. When I’m home, its kind of the last thing I want to do.” Although record collecting is an expensive hobby, Whalen said that embracing the culture of music with a physical vinyl liberates listeners from the “unmagical,” invisible characteristic of digital streaming. “People are yearning for some kind of connection to their music,” Whalen said. “A change from the sterile, intangible nature of listening to a [digital song] will make you feel like you are hearing your favorite song for the first time, it is something to believe in.”

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Editorial

L et ’ s S tay T ogether

Graduation day is the celebration of everything we have done in college. Every day leading up to it requires diligence, courage, poise and even some elbow grease; it is everything we look forward to as undergraduates. On Wednesday, Sept. 21, President Donald P. Christian sent out a campus-wide email notifying students and faculty of the recent changes that will be made to the spring 2017 graduation ceremony. Rather than have a single two-hour-and-15-minute-long ceremony, graduation will be divided by school and covered over two days: Saturday, May 20 and Sunday, May 21. Christian said that the change was made because “more students and more families have added to the complexities of traffic control, safe ingress/egress, crowd control, and general security both for the campus and the New Paltz community,” and that the “benefits became quite clear: two ceremonies will shorten the program to approximately 90 minutes each, very reasonable for this occasion.” The benefits might be clear in one aspect, but they are equally as frustrating in another sense. We at The New Paltz Oracle understand the intentions of the SUNY New Paltz administration, but are very disappointed with their decision and how they arrived at it. We understand that the goal is to ease congestion in town on the days of and leading up to graduation. We don’t, however, feel that the student body was given a say in the decision. Christian said that “a number of campus and external stakeholders were consulted before finalizing this decision.” We, however, were not aware that this was a topic of discussion until the decision had been made and the email was sent. Much like updates regarding the library renovations last academic year, we don’t feel that students were appropriately informed on potential changes to graduation, either. Later in the email, Christian stated that “We are one of the last campuses of our size in SUNY to move away from one large ceremony that announces the individual names of graduates as they

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Cartoon by Luke Benicase

cross the stage. Others hold a single ceremony but do not announce names; most have multiple ceremonies.” Additional research puts that claim into dispute. Yes, SUNY Geneseo has separate graduation ceremonies, but they are held on the same day at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., respectively. SUNY Fredonia, Potsdam and Plattsburgh do this as well, splitting up graduation ceremonies by mere hours, rather than by a day. Even SUNY Oswego, Cortland and Oneonta have their graduations split into three ceremonies, but they all still happen on the same day. We found no SUNY schools that have separate ceremonies on separate days. According to data from Christian’s email, there were approximately 9,00010,000 people at the 2016 commencement. At first glance, that might seem like an outrageous amount of people to fit on one single quadrant of our campus. Residents of New Paltz know that it is

one of the year’s busiest days of traffic, no small feat to be sure. But that is exactly what graduation day is all about. It is about having everyone’s friends and families there to congratulate them as they step on the stage and into the next chapter of their lives. It is a bittersweet moment of transitioning that students have been working toward since their first day on campus. And it’s about putting up with the madness of traffic and crowds for one day out of the entire year to celebrate the end of our undergraduate careers. It takes the average student mere seconds to name friends they have outside of their designated major or school within the university. As a staff of students who all intend to participate in graduation when our time arises, we at The Oracle feel that the separation of graduation days by school will simply cause frustration among peers. As cliché as it might be, our friends

Thursday, September 29, 2016

are the ones who have been there through all of the late-night-turned-early-morning study sessions, the nerves and anxiety of getting an assignment in on time or a passing grade on an exam and through all the meaningful, non-academic, bonding moments in between classes and extracurricular activities that brought us all together as life-long friends and as a graduating class. Being able to sit next to the friends we’ve made here at New Paltz on graduation day is something that seems so small, but means so much. Editorials represent the views of the majority of the editorial board. Columns, op-eds and letters, excluding editorials, are solely those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the views of The New Paltz Oracle, its staff members, the campus and university or the Town or Village of New Paltz.

OPINION

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COLUMN

Summer Camp Distraction

MELANIE ZERAH News Editor

Zerahm1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

I’m nose-deep in a dish of chocolatepudding graham cracker with a crowd of kids cheering me on alongside four other pie-eating contestants. I’m standing in a shallow pool of water, most of which is airborne from ceaseless splashing. I’m reloading 20 dollars I don’t have onto my Dunkin’ Donuts app to support my intensifying coffee habit. I’m a camp counselor. “I don’t like kids.” I can hear my past self saying this as I clock into my eight-week, 9-to-5 near-minimum wage summer camp job. Seasonal gigs are difficult to come by as a college student. No one wants to hire some 19-year-old kid for two weeks of training and three weeks of actual work for them to just flee back to college as soon as they can. If you aren’t doing an internship or returning to a parttime job you had back in high school, camp counselor jobs are pretty attractive. I was going to stay in New Paltz this past summer. Getting a job around here would have been simpler than back at home since I could keep it as the school year went on. However, in the wake of Tom O’Rourke’s

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tragic death on campus last semester, many of my friends and I who were planning on staying felt we needed to go home for a few months. I love New Paltz—even back then I really still did. But after spending the last month of the spring semester cooped up in the dorms grieving, this vibrant kaleidoscope hippie town didn’t feel so colorful anymore. I felt almost uncomfortable to even be here. Plan A: My once novel cashier job at Spencer’s from the summer before. Due to the low traffic of weed paraphernalia and whoopie cushion consumers, I had too much time to sit around and think about the past semester. I soon left the neon, lava lamp world of Sasha Grey-molded fleshlights in search of something more fulfilling. Fast forward a few weeks, and I’m getting existential about my life in the middle of a less- than-voluntary dance contest featuring me soloing in the middle of a gym full of children and counselors. Through awkward, camp-appropriate movements, I hear the confused applause of the 8-year-

old kids in my age-division and I see my group leader’s makeshift “I <3 Mel” sign. There I am, doing the good ol’ side step to some pop song, looking around wondering how the hell I got here. Being silly and smiley while still harping on a painful loss for the sake of some kid’s day at camp sounds awful. It was frustrating and difficult to reason with third and fourth graders on subjects such as fair turn-taking with go-carts. Leading a pack of wandering children through the depths of the Bronx Zoo on a hot day was stressful. And mediating fights between kids on the grounds of “he/she started it” just seemed so arbitrary. But it wasn’t awful. It was a distraction, an interruption. An incredible interference from the constant questions in my brain asking why Tom had to go. The frivolous wants and worries of a little kid helped reminded me of the many lighthearted interactions in life. You can make kids’ days by sitting next to them on the bus or appointing them the special task of collecting cones on the field after a game of “sharks and min-

nows.” Of course, these kids have no idea how they affect the counselors. They just know whether they are having fun or not. But they do form bonds with their counselors—they remember kindness and attentiveness in a place they thought they might not receive it. Innocence and silliness helped me dodge a potential summer filled with only heartache and painful contemplation. Many of these kids I will never forget, and the awesome people I worked with made this difficult job easier and just plain funny at times. I actually don’t dislike it now. Being a camp counselor was a weird experience, and I won’t be doing it again. But it was exactly what I needed and I am so happy I didn’t spend the summer any other way.

Melanie is a limited-edition, one time only camp counselor. SPF 100 sunscreen and ill-fitting baseball cap sold seperately.

LETTERS The

environment and education. These two things have some of the largest impacts on human culture, society, history, and yet, both seem to be completely disregarded by some politicians. Instead, money and power make their world spin. My desire to protect the environment, restructure America’s education, and end corruption is what pushed me to come work for Pramilla Malick. Pramilla Malick is the Democratic candidate running for State Senate in New York’s 42nd District. Her name is probably not too familiar, but that is because she is not a decades-old incumbent or nationally endorsed candidate. She is a mother of four from Minisink, who became an environmental activist first and politician second, after seeing a com-

pany drop their compressor station in the middle of her community. The facility’s release of formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, into the air led to families being forced from their homes suffering from lung damage, headaches and bloody noses. Pramilla Malick fought this facility using irrefutable scientific data and notifying government officials, including the current state senator, and her opponent, John Bonacic. Yet, she was met with closed ears and indifferent excuses. Pramilla Malick’s fight for enviormental protection, justice, ethics reform and more is a fight that I am willingly volunteering for, and I hope I can inspire you to do the same. Chris John Groutkas SUNY New Paltz Student

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Reach the masses all at once! Advertise in The Oracle Address inquiries to: Oracle@hawkmail.newpaltz. edu attn: Business Manager

SPORTS

The New Paltz Oracle

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PHOTOS BY HOLLY LIPKA

CALMLY

SPORTS CONFIDENT The New Paltz Oracle

The women’s volleyball team is currently off to an undefeated 3-0 record in conference play.

By Anthony Mitthauer-Orza

Copy Editor | Mitthaua1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

The women’s volleyball team has won six of their last seven matches and 11 of their past 12 regular season conference matchups dating back to last season after sweeping conference rivals this past weekend. After a tough start to the season, Hawks head coach Matt Giufre says the team has demonstrated consistent play with a sense of “calm confidence” over the past few games. “I thought we played with a lot of confidence,” he said. “A lot of self-confidence and team-confidence and that really helped us play well. A lot of energy, enthusiasm and a relaxed core presence allowed everyone to play at their best ability. This was the first weekend that we played with a calm confidence.” Roadrunner Invitational New Paltz won three of four nonconference matches during the Roadrunner Invitational, including wins against Mount Saint Mary College, Fairleigh

Dickinson University-Florham, and Hunter College from Sept. 16 to 17. In the process, Hawks fourth-year outside hitter Morgan Roessler recorded her 1,000th career kill on the ﬁnal day of the Roadrunner Invitational as New Paltz defeated Hunter 3-0 (25-23, 25-15, 2523) and got swept by host Ramapo 3-0 (25-18, 25-18, 25-23). With her 1,000th career kill, Roessler became the ninth student-athlete in program history to reach the impressive career milestone. Other noteable performances came from Hawks third-year setter Maddie Zwickl who compiled 128 assists and 37 digs throughout the tournament and thirdyear libero Veronica Matedero, who had 43 digs total in the four matches. “After the Ramapo Tournament, we had some conversations and the team was fed up with not performing well and letting frustrations get to them,” Giufre said after being swept by the Roadrunners. “We just decided to embrace the fact that we’re going to make mistakes sometimes and we can make less of them

if we understand that they’re gonna happen and just play the game just to play.” SUNYAC Dominance After a commanding 8-1 record in conference play last season, the Hawks continued their winning ways against State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) foes. New Paltz kicked off SUNYAC Pool Play this past weekend with a 3-0 (2515, 25-21, 25-19) win against a SUNY Potsdam team that was 9-1 entering the matchup. Roessler led the way with 12 kills and Zwickl dished out a game-high 43 assists, ﬁnishing with three blocks and two aces of her own. The following day, New Paltz went up against SUNY Oswego and SUNY Fredonia. The Hawks lost their only set of the weekend in their 3-1 (25-17, 2521, 23-25, 25-21) win against Oswego and swept Fredonia 3-0 (25-6, 25-14, 2521). After leading the team to a 3-0 weekend with 40 kills, 13 digs, eight aces and eight blocks, Roessler was named SUNYAC Volleyball Player of the Week for

Thursday, September 29, 2016

the second time this month. She previously took home the title on Sept. 6. “There’s that cliche in sports that if someone makes a mistake, somebody has to pick them up,” Giufre said. “However, in reality, it’s not the other person’s problem. The other person’s just gotta do their job the next time and we just have to play the next point to the best of our ability and I think that mentality put us in a better place.” Upcoming games New Paltz will ﬁnish their ninematch road trip against Williams College on Tuesday, Oct. 4 before coming home for SUNYAC Pool Play on Friday, Oct. 7 and Saturday, Oct. 8 against SUNY Geneseo, The College at Brockport and SUNY Plattsburgh. “This past weekend of conference play is a new foundation we’re going to build off of,” Giufre said. “I think we’re deﬁnitely good enough to make a big run and make the national tournament. It’s not going to be easy but if we can learn to repeat what we just did, I like our chances.”

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Sports

The New Paltz Oracle

Men’s Soccer Builds Chemistry By Melissa Kramer

Sports Editor | Kramerm2@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

The letters “NP” have been the Hawks mantra and have held symbolic meaning, representing their dominance through the first 10 games of the season. The Hawks’ only loss came at the hands of SUNY Cortland last weekend. At the 10game mark, they are ranked eighth in Div. III with a .36 goals against average, allowing only four total goals during this stretch. Fourth-year midfielder Sam Wasser said part of the Hawks’ success this season is a result of each individual player caring more about the next person. As a result, the team has a few mottos, that they call their image. With the letters of each word in “New Paltz”, the squad contrived slogans with the letters “NP.” “One of them is “next person,” which means if you’re the next guy coming off the bench, the intensity doesn’t drop, you don’t try less,” Wasser said. “You’re the next person, you go as hard as you can. Another one is “next play” which means if you mess up a pass, don’t worry about it, you go on to the next play, the next one’s going to be better. “Never-ending potential” is another, because we’re just looking so bright this year that really, it is never-ending potential for us.” With the support of their families and fans behind them, the Hawks opened their home schedule last Tuesday. With only six of 18 regular season matches at home, the team made sure to enjoy every moment of their three-game stay on South Turf Field. A battle of two undefeated teams resulted in a scoreless tie after two overtime periods on Sept. 20. The Hawks outshot nonconference Bard College 12-5 on the day and held a 6-1 advantage in corner kicks. Right out of the gate, the Hawks came out firing, putting up four straight shots to start the match. In the first overtime period, Hawks fourth-year goalkeeper Mark Nowak prevented the game-winning goal from crossing the line, making a save on Bard’s third-year co-captain Nick Shenberger during the 98th minute. The Hawks next opened their State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) season with a 3-0 shutout win over SUNY Oswego on Sept. 23. Hawks fourth-year midfielder Charlie Versen broke open the scoring in the 31st minute off an assist from first-year forward Luke

Dole. Dole would score a goal of his own off a give-and-go through the box from fourth-year defender Arthur Angst in the 82nd minute to increase the Hawks’ lead to 2-0. After the goal was counted, Dole ran into the corner by the flag, where all of the Hawks’ friends and fans were located. “We all celebrated together and that feeling was just amazing,” Hawks fourth-year midfielder Sam Wasser said. “You want that feeling more. I was on the field and I ran and I met him at the corner flag and we celebrated his goal. It was great.” For Hawks head coach Kyle Clancy, Dole’s goal gave the team more breathing room. “When you’re up 1-0, one good strike or one bad break can get you,” Clancy said. “At that point, I thought with that goal, you just saw Oswego deflate. That was a big moment for us in that game.” Versen would tally his second of the contest in the 87th minute, his third of the season. Hawks third-year goalkeeper John Guzzo recorded the shutout between the pipes with two saves. The following day, the tides would turn for the Hawks as they would lose their first match of the season, falling 1-0 to SUNY Cortland. The Red Dragons put home the gamewinner in the 80th minute with a cross from the end line into the box. To start off their four-game road trip, the Hawks beat Union (N.Y.) College 2-1 in double overtime on Tuesday, Sept. 27. Hawks fourth-year midfielder Sam Spring netted both goals for the team, in the 11th and then the game-winner in the 106th minute. Both goals were assisted by Dole. Spring took over the team lead with five goals to this point this season. “When you step on the field during a conference game, it’s just a whole different level of intensity,” Wasser said. “It’s almost like taking a quiz and taking a test, there’s just no comparison. Everybody on the field is going as hard as they can for 90 minutes, and there’s just nothing like it. The atmosphere is electric and it’s so much fun.” The Hawks (5-1-4 overall, 1-1-0, SUNYAC) will continue their four-game road trip with conference games against The College of Brockport (1-5-1, overall, 0-2-0, SUNYAC) and SUNY Geneseo (5-3-1 overall, 1-1 SUNYAC), Friday, Sept. 30 at 3 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 1 at 1 p.m., respectively.

PHOTO BY HOLLY LIPKA

Hawks’ third-year midfielder Ben Zilka dribbles upfield in the Hawks’ scoreless tie against Bard College.

PHOTO BY HOLLY LIPKA

Hawks’ fourth-year defender Arthur Angst looks for a pass against Bard on Sept. 20.

Thursday, September 29, 2016

The New Paltz Oracle

SPORTS

Field Hockey Unscathed in SUNYAC Play By Michael Rosen

Copy Editor | Rosenm2@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

The field hockey team started State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) play with a perfect 3-0 record. Four of the team’s last five games have been SUNYAC matches, and during this time, the Hawks outscored their conference foes 16-2. New Paltz also dropped a nonconference match against No. 16 Skidmore College on Sunday, Sept. 18, by a score of 2-0. Despite the loss, the Hawks hung tough against a very strong opponent. The team also showed their resilience as they bounced back from that loss with a pair of conference wins this past weekend over The College at Brockport and SUNY Geneseo. “This weekend our defense was extremely big and strong and our attack was explosive and hungry for the ball,” Hawks second-year midfielder Samantha Ackerman said. “We did not let either team outwork us. Composure and confidence was the key to our success this weekend.” It should come as no surprise that the fourtime SUNYAC Champion Hawks have gotten

off to such a quick start in conference play. Their offense has been solid this season, as New Paltz ranks second in the SUNYAC in goals with 30 and goals per game with 3.3. The team just barely trails SUNY Cortland, who ranks ﬁrst with 32 goals and 3.6 goals per game. Even with the team’s success, Hawks fourth-year back Colleen Roemer understands that there is still work to be done and room for improvement. “We are working on playing more disciplined defense and taking more chances on attack,” Roemer said. “We have to continue building on our communication and passing game because those are the simple things that make a huge difference on the ﬁeld.” On Monday, Sept. 26 it was announced that Roemer and fourth-year forward Kayla McKeveny were named SUNYAC Defensive and Offensive Player of the Week, respectively. Over the weekend, McKeveny notched her 36th career goal, which puts her into second place on the program’s all-time goal scorers list behind Dani Ackerman. She will likely pass Ackerman, a current assistant coach who scored 39 goals in her career, as the all-time leader in goals scored before the end of this season.

On Wednesday, Sept. 28 the Hawks beat SUNY Oneonta 2-0. Fourth-year forward Erin Landy scored both goals, one of which was off an assist from third-year forward Justine O’Reilly. Their record now stands at 7-2 overall and 4-0 in conference play. New Paltz will not play another conference match until Friday, Oct. 21 when they take on SUNY Oswego. Even with a big gap between SUNYAC matches, Hawks head coach Shanna Vitale expects her team to remain focused and keep working hard. “We need to keep improving and continue to get better,” Vitale said. “So when we are at that point, we’re ready to compete.”

Upcoming games

Copy Editor | Rosenm2@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

The women’s soccer team started State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) play over the weekend and lost both matches. Despite the losses, there were a few positives that the team displayed. The Hawks have had trouble scoring this season, but against SUNY Oswego on Friday, Sept. 23, third-year midfielder Gabriela Cabello found the back of the net at the 29:14 mark off an assist from first-year midfielder Jessica Fox. That goal gave New Paltz a 1-0 lead, but the Lakers tied the game 29 seconds later and Oswego went on to score three more goals in the second half and win the game 4-1. Third-year midfielder Emma Geyer tallied a hat trick for the Lakers. “We scored a goal on Friday, and we were actually playing really well,” Hawks head coach Collen Bruley said. “Then they scored right away, I don’t even know if our heads went down, but we finished that half pretty well. Then we just lost it in the second half.” The following day against SUNY Cortland the

Hawks allowed two first half goals to the Red Dragons, but held them scoreless in the second half. This was an accomplishment against a Cortland team that scored 24 goals in eight games played. New Paltz still has plenty of time to rebound from their first two conference losses, as the team’s remaining seven games in the season are all SUNYAC matches. “In order to improve our performance in SUNYAC games we need to work specifically on finishing in the offensive third,” Hawks fourth-year captain Sloane Lipshie said. “You can’t win a game by playing beautiful soccer. We need to find the net.” The Hawks will next play The College at Brockport, (4-2-1), and SUNY Geneseo (3-1-3). Geneseo will face SUNY Oneonta before coming to New Paltz this weekend. Both are solid teams, but they are beatable. Lipshie explained that this is a very important weekend coming up and the team has been working hard in practice to prepare for these upcoming games. “This week we have been focusing on shooting and fitness to make sure that we can capitalize

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: John Guzzo SPORT: Soccer YEAR: Third MAJOR: Sociology HOMETOWN: Carle Place, NY

H OW DID YOU FIRST START PLAYING SOCCER? I ﬁrst started playing soccer when I was about 6 or 7 years old when my parents signed me up to play in my town’s local intramural league. After playing for a while, I realized the passion I had for the game of soccer. I am still friends with many of the kids that I have played with over the years. OUTSIDE OF SOCCER WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO?

• Saturday, Oct. 1 vs. No. 9 University of Rochester at north turf field, 1 p.m. • Wednesday, Oct. 5 vs. Stevens Institute of Technology AT n. turf field, 4 p.m.

Slow Start at SUNYACs By Michael Rosen

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on the chances we get during the games,” Lipshie said. “This is a huge weekend for us. We need the points. We have been playing every practice this week as game-like as possible.” Bruley believes that the team is capable of being successful; they may just need a different mental approach. “This team is very talented,” Bruley said. “What they need to work on is their mental toughness. Their ability to be strong when they’re facing adversity. Right now they’re losing, and it’s tough and that’s something they mentally have to just get over and start believing that they can win.”

Upcoming games • Friday, Sept. 30 Vs. The College at Brockport, At South Turf Field, 3 p.m. • Saturday, Oct. 1 vs. Suny Geneseo, At South Turf field 4 p.m.

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Outside of soccer I enjoy hanging out with friends and playing other sports. I play a lot of pick-up basketball, football and baseball. I also have a house in the Catskill Mountains where I snowboard, ride quads and go hunting and ﬁshing.

WHO ARE YOUR BIGGEST ROLE MODELS? My parents are my biggest role models. My parents have always had my back, and they always will. They have given me anything I could ask for and more. My parents have made every effort to see me play when they can.

ARE YOU A FAN OF ANY PROFESSONAL TEAMS? I am a fan of many professional teams. I am a huge fan of Arsenal FC, a soccer team based out of London, England. I am also a fan of the New York Rangers, Giants and Mets. Let’s Go Mets!

DO YOU HAVE ANY SUPERSTITIONS? I do not have any sports related superstitions, but before every game I try to keep my routine the same.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SPORTS MEMORY? My favorite sports memory has to be when I won the state championship for men’s soccer my senior year of high school. It was my high school’s ﬁrst state championship for soccer. Getting to spend the weekend with my teammates upstate was an unreal experience.

DO YOU WANT TO BE ...

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK? Contact Michael Rosen at

Rosenm2@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

Sports

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The New Paltz Oracle

Tennis Motivated for Success By Anthony Mitthauer-Orza

Copy Editor | Mitthaua1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

The women’s tennis team dropped their past two matches after a 4-0 start, but they have demonstrated signs of a championship-caliber team this year. After losing against SUNY Geneseo on Sept. 23, the Hawks scored their first points against the Knights since the 2014-15 season where they were shutout 9-0 by them during the regular season and 5-0 in last year’s State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Tournament finals. Geneseo matchup Despite what Hawks head coach Rob Bruley describes as a “heartbreaking” 5-4 loss against Geneseo, the Hawks managed to bring four of the matches to a deciding third set. The Hawks won three of four of the close sets. In singles action, Hawks fourth-year cocaptain Olivia Ammirati won a close first flight match 7-5, 4-6, 6-2. Third-year Brittany Grandville also won a tight contest at flight two 6-1, 1-6, 6-2. Second-year Lindsay Haley recorded the Hawks’ other singles win at flight five 7-6, 0-6, 6-3. “That was a heartbreaker,” Bruley said. “We’ve gone over it, looked at it, talked about it until we were blue in the face. That was one that got away from us. I think their coach said that we should not have lost to them, but we finally got a team that can match up against Geneseo.”

The Hawks will look to snap their two-match losing streak against The College at Brockport on Oct. 1. The Hawks dropped two of the three doubles matchups despite their recent success in doubles play. Bruley emphasized the importance of getting extra points to win close games. “Our players are more motivated now than they were before the match,” Bruley said. “I think they were nervous going into the matchup, but now they got over that. They know what’s in front of them, and they know what’s required if we’re going to win it. You look at the scores and a point here and there can be the difference between winning and losing.”

ITA Tournament Ammirati, Grandville, third-years Emi Lewis and co-captain Carol Tyson represented New Paltz in the ITA Tournament on Saturday, Sept. 24 and Sunday, Sept. 25. In the first round of singles play, Ammirati fell to her opponent from St. Lawrence in three sets, Grandville fell to her foe from Hamilton 4-6, 2-6 and Tyson dropped a 4-6, 3-6 decision to her William Smith opponent. Ammirati picked up an 8-2 consolation win against Scranton and Grandville won

Cross Country Makes Program History

by walkover against SUNY Geneseo. Tyson dropped a 6-8 decision to her Scranton foe. In doubles play, Ammirati and Lewis won 8-5 against Scranton in the first round. The duo made it to the second round against The College of New Jersey, but lost in a close 9-8 tiebreaker against New Jersey. With their win, The College of New Jersey went on to win the tournament. The Hawks demonstrated themselves to be top-tier competition after being the only team to keep up to the pace of New Jersey. “The draws were good and again you’re playing the best players in the Northeast,” Bruley said. “It’s always good to play in these because it helps build credibility for our program.” What’s ahead The Hawks will finish up the regular season at home against The College at Brockport on Saturday, Oct. 1 before the SUNYAC Tournament begins on Friday, Oct. 7 in Binghamton. First-year Brockport star Sarah Mensah is a force to be reckoned with. The Berlin, Germany native proved her dominance at the ITA Tournament with a second-place finish and being the only unseeded athlete to reach the semifinals. “We’re in a good place, I’m very happy with the way the team is performing,” Bruley said. “We’re going to give it everything we have again and hopefully bring home the trophy.”

In Loving Memory Of

By Melissa Kramer | Sports Editor | Kramerm2@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu The women’s cross country team placed first out of 17 teams during the Bill Fritz Invitational hosted by Rowan University on Sept. 17. Hawks first-year Sherri Metcalfe finished with the top time of 22:59.97 in the six-kilometer course. Also finishing in the top 10 was first-year Emily Cavanagh, who placed third (23:11.48), fourthyear Rebecca Verrone who came in fourth (23:20.40) and first-year Amanda Engrassia recorded a ninthplace finish (23:39.15). The Hawks’ first-place finish

was their second of the season. This marks the first time in program history this feat was accomplished. During their first meet of the season, the Hawks recorded a first-place finish out of three teams against Vassar College on Sept. 1. The men’s team finished sixth out of 17 teams. Fourth-year Galo Vasquez was the top finisher on the men’s side, placing 12th with a time of 25:57.98. The Hawks will next race in the Saratoga Invitational on Oct. 1 at 11 a.m.

Thursday, September 29, 2016

PHOTO COURTESY OF FLICKR USER KEITH ALLISON

The New Paltz Oracle

Home Isles Advantage Kramerm2@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

SPORTS

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The “New” York Islanders

Hockey is back. The New York Islanders opened their preseason schedule on Monday with a 3-0 shutout win over the Philadelphia Flyers. If you are still grieving their second round elimination in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, you are not alone. But a new season means a new start, and a new path for the Isles to hoist their first Cup since 1982-83. Here is preview of the departures and arrivals for the 2016-17 season: For years, this Isles team grew up together, into the team that made it past the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 1993. After many painstaking miserable years in the 90s and early 2000s, it looked like everything was finally coming together as a collective group for the core who has played together for the last seven years. Many times, this scenario leads to a deep Stanley Cup run. For last year’s Islanders, it meant history. However, the Isles fan base always expects more than only a second round appearance. If the Isles roster from last season only saw minimal changes, who knows what heights they could have hit this season and on? With back-to-back playoff appearances the last two years and if you count the 2012-13 playoff appearance, three trips to the postseason in the last five seasons is impressive.

After an offseason of several drastic changes, it will be interesting to see how the new-look Islanders will assimilate as a group. Yes, the Islanders still have their captain and leader John Tavares, but the departure of guys who were also the backbone of the team in their own ways is a big blow. It will take a signiﬁcant amount of time to adjust to not having those crucial pieces in place anymore. These key subtractions are Kyle Okposo, Frans Nielsen and Matt Martin. All three were grown and raised in the Isles organization and made their NHL debut for the blue and orange. Each brought attributes that developed and reached their peak in recent years. Okposo was just starting to shine as an offensive powerhouse, tallying at least 50 points the last three seasons. Nielsen had been mentioned as a contender for the Frank J. Selke Trophy, awarded to the league’s best defensive forward and for the Lady Byng Trophy, given to the player who exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability. He also carried a lethal backhand in his toolbox on breakaways and shootouts, earning the Isles many much-needed extra points. Since 200607, he converted 42 for 82 shootout attempts, a 51.2 percent clip. Of those 42 goals, 17 have been the game-deciding

goal. “Fransy” will be missed on all units, including the penalty kill. Martin was a powerhouse, leading the league in hits the last two seasons. The Isles line consisting of Martin, Casey Cizikas and Cal Clutterbuck was considered to be the best fourth line in the NHL by many analysts around the league. They brought an electric energy whenever their numbers were called. That is something that cannot be replaced because all three are no longer together. However, the past is the past and the Isles are focused on the upcoming season. Here are the newcomers that were signed this offseason. The Isles signed Andrew Ladd, 30, a two-time Stanley Cup winner with 64 postseason games under his belt. Ladd will bring a scoring presence to the lineup if he can stay consistent. P.A. Parenteau, 33, has returned to the Isles, after previously being a member from 2010-12. Parenteau tied his careerhigh of 20 goals last season as a Toronto Maple Leaf, a feat he ﬁrst accomplished during the 2010-11 season with the blue and orange. It is nice to see a former Islander return to the team. Parenteau has an exuberant personality and will ﬁt right in with the rest of the guys. He is a proven playmaker who can only contribute. The other newcomer, Jason Chimera, who has spent the last seven seasons with

the Washington Capitals, has the potential to put up 20 goals. The 37-year-old versatile winger netted 20 goals last season in Washington—tying a career high. Chimera has made appearances in 69 playoff games during his 16-year NHL career. Projections are he will be playing on the third line. He will be giving the Isles speed, a strong forechecking game and come up strong during penalty kill situations. Defensively, the Isles added former Boston Bruin Dennis Seidenberg, 35, to bring blue-line depth on Wednesday. With Tavares playing alongside new linemates in Ladd and Parenteau, it will be a challenge, but a player like Tavares can play with anyone and still succeed. Ladd has a solid two-way game and is a winger the team needs. He will compliment Tavares well on the wing. Through all of the rough seasons and struggles, this group of guys stuck with the Isles the entire way, until this year. There will always be speculation to where the team would go if they remained, but the NHL is a business, and Tavares and this Isles crew will be all business as well, with or without them. The Isles fans will be welcoming Ladd, Parenteau, Chimera and Seidenberg with open arms to bring their talents toward the ultimate goal.

Andrew Ladd, #16

Jason Chimera, #25

P.A. Parenteau, #17

Dennis Seidenberg, #TBA

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Photos courtesy of Wikimedia.org

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