Our Second Annual Enemies List
Who's that girl?
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An Exclusive Interview with SA President-Elect Laurie Quinlan Two of our best and brightest say their farewells Check out what's wrong with the BU mascot
BINGHAMTON REvIEW May 1997
Volume X Nwnber 8
Departments
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Editorial: We come out against coming out, and for stealing home.
4 5
Campus pftlSwatcb: Cassandra's nonsense. and pipe dream' s perspective page.
In.tlgatlon. looks at Marriott, the Constitution and Bylaw Commit1ee, and E-Z Pass.
12 18
Letters: Jeff Golant battles the Administration. Again.
22 23
The RIght Side: Surprising movie reviews and comics.
BlN<iHAMTON bvJEW Personals: Learn what your friends are saying about you in our populist department. The people speak.
Quibble. & Bits: Even more strange but true quotes, stories, and facts.
Features
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Nathan Wurtzel interviews SA President-<llcct Laurie Quinlan to see what's in store for next year. For get about Division n. Josepb Rosentbal captures a scene of utter confusion relating to the future of the Binghwnton Colonials.
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Nina Dadlaul sticks it to the OCC bosses, explaining why the Student Association cut their stipends.
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Barry Friedman investigates who stole feminism, and discovers it was the Women's Studies Program.
Alex Galltsky says good-bye to the bvJEW and Binghrunlon Univcristy after four great years.
Ihe staff of the REvIEW presents it's second annual enemies list.
Bonus cartoons to get you through finals week.
MAv1997
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EDITORIAL
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Steal away and stay away Education in a closing world once calledfree.
C
oming out is all the rage. Posbnodemism, a fancy word for life at the close of the century, might even be defined as the cult of coming out, whether in the philosophy of Nietzsche, in the endless babble of talk television or in the Sappho confessions of sometime comedian Ellen DeGeneris. We hurdle toward the millennium with a warped confessional ideology that dictates we detail our every past romantic encOlUlter to every future romantic encounter in the name of physiological health, and admit to our inevitable victimization for the sake of psychological health. Who isn't either abused or an abuser these days? We are consoled by the proposition that all men and women are created dysfunctional. Our guilt dissolves in the widening pool of fellow degenerates. Petty infidelities, white lies, small thefts, and everyday dishonesties disappear when mixed with vices of our neighbors and their neighbors and their neighbors. Our national motto has become: I cheated two friends, and they cheated two friends, and they cheated two friends. None of which is very shocking, continning the age old saying that their is no honor among thieves. In another era we might have sensed that the rising tide was becoming a flood. A university priding itself on ~'inclusionn while driving out all dissent would have been labeled a hypocrisy. The ways of sin and error now declared rights by our ruling elite might, at the very least, elicited protests from the more balanced intellectuals. Envy, the desire of the shiftless to gain at the expense of the productive, would not be celebrated as a moral virtue by our leaders. We would recognize the cruelty of a coarsened culture that cares nothing for the voiceless, the powerless,
the helpless. I see a bad tide rising at Binghamton University. Trouble is not only on the way, it is here. Liberal education, education into civilization, is all but gone. In its place is multicultural education, education against civilization. Multiculturalism has declared open season on our inherited wisdom, proclaiming its obvious dedication to anti-American politics as a virtue. In this mixed-up world bias is neutrality, while objectivity is tyranny. John Gardener once descnDed this~. the theory that life itself was "sin and error. n We should all be trembling af the threat.
W
e have known the danger of miseducation since Plato, who railed against instructing the young in the ways of the wicked in his Republic. H.L. Mencken wore out his copies of Nietzsche, translating them from Gennan in such a way as to draw out the terrible implications of foolish and kooky education. Albert Jay Nock counseled against one response to this education: a constant preaching to the mob would never prevail. As the flood-tide rises, Noah must board the boat without his neighbors. "We're always too much out or too much in," Robert Frost told the graduating class at Columbia some sixty or so years ago. Our education reaches out to the far corners of the world, but somehow misses the work of Confucius or the great Muslim philosophers. Instead we are asked to become internationals, even before we have become nationals. The situation mirrors the break-up of the family, which springs from our inability to become interpersonal because we have lost our grip on the personal. When everything is in the state Frost called "cosmical dila-
tion"-which is to say, when we're all out and loud and proud-well, then, "We're so much out that the odds are againstJ Our ever getting inside again." We've become latchkey kids who have lost the keys to our own lives, our own country, our own civilization. The effort to make good neighbors by tearing down the fences has instead created an isolated, alienated, disaffected generation whose connection with it's heritage is almost entirely severed. While Faulkner could write that in the South of the early twentieth century the past was not dead, in fact it wasn't even past, an honest writer of these times would say that the past has been aborted. My years as a conservative student will come to a close before the month is done. Not a week bas passed since I left home that sam€>one bas not said tbat the only choice fucing yotmg rightists is to tum away from our love and loyalty to the virtues of fiUth, hope, and charity, in fawr of a newer and more popular dogma. Join the debate on its contemporary tenns; find relevancy; gain credibility: thus spake Noah's neighbors as the flood tide rose.
I
propose a different course. "We're too unseparate out among each other," Frost wrote. "Steal away and stay away." Those making haste, joining the latest revolution, haste on the latest dissolution. We need not despise them, but we need not join them. I bid you to a revolt against revolt. This magazine is, first and foremost, a place where corruption is not mandatory, where young conservatives can gather and form the sort of friendships that are becoming nearly impossible in the lives of persons and nations pied. It comes down to what W.B. Yeats wrote of Jonathan Swift: our cause is human liberty.
-John Carney
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MAy 1997
CAMPUS
PRESS\'IATCH
BllfCiAHAMTON RIVI ... offensive is be-
pipe dream April 29, 1997
cause she has not taken a course in woments studies. »
What would you do if you had $40,000 to spare? Perhaps you would payfor your college education, or repair thaI elevator in the Bartle library or maybe you would/allow Jesse Benjamin:S suggestion ...
Hmm ... Maybe we need another requirement. This way not only afew females, but all women on campus will have a chance to think of themselves as victims.
"If the GSa does not get 8 seal on the IOCCTj board, it will put the $40,000 in a legal fund to investigate the board's policies ....
Cassandra Spring 1997 We 've been saying for the longest time that so-called cultural organizations on campus are more political than cultural. These organizations are simply divisive by nature and inherently political. We also have always realized that these organizations carry a lot a/weight in the SA and the campus political scene. A pparently someone else finally realized this, as Sonia Gilkes writes in Cassandra ...
pipe dream April 29,1997
In response to Alex Galilsky s perspective "Dora Silberstein Abuses Her Power, " Heidi Lloyd, a member a/the Women s Center, writes the following passage. Can you count the number of the factual mistakes in these three sentences?
" You say that Silberstein' s actions are
"The Women 's Committee intends to address many of the issues that relate to women and educate the campus community on understanding the asymmetries of power that are involved in our relations with one another. For this reason the Women's Committee will develop into a cultural organization in order to extend the power we have tried to create for the organization."
probably illegal. She happens to special-
ize in Jaw and I'm sure she is perfectly within legal bounds. Furthermore. even though there' s all this ta lk about the REVlIW being a campus publication. it is not funded by the university." The correct answer is four. Silberstein s actions are not ''probably illegal;" they are illegal. Silberstein is not within her legal bounds. The RWIIW is a campus publication, recognized by the university (There is a sign made by the university next to the door ofpublications wing that says "UU-J64 BIN<iIIAMTON Rwl .... ") Finally, we are funded by the university. but we voluntarily choose not to use the mandatory activity fee that pays for all other publications on this campus. Good luck in your journalism career Heidi.
Cus8ndra Spring 1997 We wonder what Jesse Benjamin imagines himself to be. Apparently he is neither Democrat nor Republican. May we suggest he is an extremist .. .
" What caught many diversity proponents by surprise was the suddenness and completeness ofthe alliance forged between conservative and liberal (progressive) white heterosexuals. Clearly, what they had in common (their whiteness and heteronormativity) was stron-
pipe dream May 2,1997
In response 10 Nina Dadlani s perspective "Silberstein Doesn ~ Reflect Us" Keridiana Ch~z writes the following ... ''"lbe reason that Dadlani does not find the
cover of the flashing women in the
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Number of Signed articli!s: 3
ger by far than their difference s (Demo-
crats versus Republicans)."
MAyl9CTl
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R
ecently, Instigations became aware of President DeFleur's approximately $11,000 Presidential discretionary fund. DeFleur receives this money as per the contract Marriot holds with the university. There it calls for Marriot to provide the President of Binghamton University with a Presidential discretionary fund. According to SA Hillside Representative Marc Eagle, a member of the Martiot committee, money from the Presidential discretionary fund could be used to keep the cost of food in the dining halls down. Instead, what is it doing? Well, we don't kno~ and we doubt anyone from Marriott or the Administration would be willing to tell us what it is used for on the record. Regardless, DeFleur's discretionary fund is raised off the backs of every student who purchased a meal plan from Marriott. As if they had a choice. In case you haven't noticed, when you buy food from any dining hall or cafe on campus, who sells it to you? Marriott does. They have the monopoly on BU's meals. What Instigations finds most disconcerting with this monopoly, as with all monopolies, is the simple yet crucial freedom of choice that we as students don't have. While we realize that having two or three competing dining services on campus at any single time would ultimately lead to confusion, perhaps letting the students decide which service to use every five years or so would be for the best. More importantly, Instigations would like to know why residents of Newing, Dickinson, CIW, and Hinman are forced to buy a meal plan. The University Housing License states that these students " ...are required to contract for the dining program unless specifically exempted by the University's food service vendor.» We wonder if the meal plans are required for these students because, if they weren't, Marriott would lose a lot business, and maybe, just maybe, DeFleur's pet fund would decrease as well. Sounds a bit too much like state capitalism, (you can also call it communism, if you wish). The presence of a so-called ~'discretion my fund" does not surprise us at Instigations. Instead, we see this only as the tip of
INSTIGATIONS an iceberg. This campus is littered with these type of financial loopholes, and until students pressure the Administration to eliminate these, the education we receive here, and BU's academic reputation, will continue to go down.
M
att Biscuiti and the SA Constitution and Bylaw Review Committee should be congratulated for a job well done this year. In the span of only one month, they analyzed the entire SA constitution, and proceeded to make much-needed changes to the document that runs our SA. Some of these changes weren't necessary, such as the restructuring of I-Board, some were vital to student rights, such as the Student Activity Voucher System, but most of the committee's recommended changes were small, minor fixes. For example, Hillside Community is not in the Constitution at all, and some obsolete and soon to be obsolete residential communities, such as Colonial and Hayes, are included. These constitutional tweaks were processed, and soon, the students will have an updated Constitution, right? No, they won't. At least not this year. The Committee's changes were recommended to the Student Assembly, and that is as far as they will go this year. The Assembly needs to pass the changes by a two thirds margin, and then the student body must pass them by a two thirds vote in a referendwn. Unfortunately, the Assembly failed to pass any of the changes. At the SA meeting where these changes were formally introduced, about one quarter of them were passed, before the Assembly took back their votes and iabled the entire resolution. That is where it now stands. With the last few meetings of the year not reaching quorum, constitutional changes that could have made BU a better place for students will stand on the sidelines.
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le many motorists either already have, or will discover the benefits of the E-Z Pass system, many Americans will be quick to notice an ominous new evil lurking in the purple and neon clad toll booths. This new evil
is just now only a seed, but will undoubtedly grow, just as Albert J. Nock said of the New Deal, ies silly talk of whether E-Z Pass is here to stay, of course it is here to stay. No essential changes will come to pass, perhaps only superficial ones. The evil of which we speak lies in the fact, that one's travels will now be on file and readily accessible to state officials. The E-Z Pass system employs a registration process through which each E-Z Pass is particular to each individual. Each Pass holder draws from an account with their name on it, each time they pay a toll. There is no compelling reason which justifies why the system needs to operate in this manner, but it conveniently places infonnation pertaining to our travels on record with the computers of the state's highway authorities. Who payed, when, and where, are now all kept on record when using your E-Z Pass. This essentially makes the toll booth serve double duty of presenting one's identification and location while paying with the E-Z Pass. As in The Hunt for Red October, it has been noted that in America, of all countries, and especially in contrast to the fonner Soviet empire, every individual is allowed to "travel from state to state," without papers. It is ironic that for the frrst time, like cracks in the face of the levee, we see the first foreboding signs of the eventual demise of our liberties. Heaven forbid the state's roads, or for that matter our nation's roads, should one day mutate into some nightmarish dream of mandatory E-Z Pass toll booths. On that day the history books will have to be rewritten, with the Soviets winning the Cold War. Too late, many will realize the USSR didn't die in the Cold War, but only appeared to fade away. Too late, many will realize the Soviet empire appeared to become more like America, because it was America that approached the USSR's state of being. And on that day the toll booth will be a checkpoint that now is shrouded by the face of fraud. What more will it be than one more tentacle of our government that will have strangled our liberty?
MAy 1997
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LAURIE QUINLAN
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"I'm. here for the students" An interview with the new Student Association President.
Interview by Nathan L.Wurtzel
F
ew students bad ever heard of Laurie Quinlan when the school year began and even fewer would have pre>dicted that it would end with her as President of the Student Association. The 19year-old sophomore from Johnson, New York, ran an inspired, but largely issue-free campaign geared towards regaining students' trust in the SA as a governing body. Quinlan finished second in a five-person field in the SA general election in March, but came from behind to edge Matt Biscuiti by three percent in the runoff' election last month.
What are your m.or polley goals for the comlDg year? BINGHAMTON REVIEW:
Laurie Quinlan: One thing I want to do is save the Pub. Another thing I would really like to do is get the common student more involved. I want to foster school spirit a little bit more-we're having a Greek Week at Homecoming next fall. Hopefully, that will tum out really well. We want to promote Spring Fling a little bit more. I want to show people that by being involved in the SA, they can do fun things and not just be involved in politics.
Quinlan's meteoric rise from College
in the Woods Treasurer to Judicial Board
II: It seems that you 8ft determlDed to
Member to SA President in three short months capped an election year in which students seemed to exchange ideology for tranquillity. Her promise to promote progress over partisanship won over enough students tired of petty bickering to send her to the President's chair. Quinlan must now clear the hurdle which has tripped up many student leaders-discovering the appropriate process to tum campaign promises into tangible results.
steer dear of any poUtlcaJ poBey_.
Quinlan has recently announced plans to switch her major from biology to philosophy, politics, and law in the pursuit of an eventual career in government or health litigation. She reveals few vices, save the tattoo she claims is located "in a pretty good spot." BINGHAMTON RIIVIEW recently conducted the first at-length interview with Laurie Quinlan since her election. The following are excerpts from the interview:
LQ: Absolutely.
BR: _.yet these issues are stIU golDg to come up. For Instance, the proposed implementation of a v01lcher system for disbursement of some of the student activity fee Is likely to be discussed. Bow do you feel about that? LQ: There are two different aspects to this issue. The first thing that I am concerned about is actually implementing that-the administrative work involved, the bookkeeping. I need to talk with [SA Financial Vice President] Tammy [Chi] about that. The E-Board already had one meeting, but the vouchers dido't come up. The other thing is that I would like to set up a committee to explore the voucher system.. I personally don't think it will work, but that's not what I want the committee to find out I want to the committee to find out if the voucher system will work or not. I think I
would like Jason [Kovacs, of the SA Constitution and Bylaw Review Committee] to chair that committee, because he seems the most interested in the voucher system. I do plan to find out whether it will work or not. It's not something I just want to do without having a good background.
BR: What Is your feeIIDg 80 the state of diversity issues on campus right DOW? LQ: There seems to be a lull on campus right now. I think that with the reinstatement of the VPMA, hopefully, you're going to see a lot more inter-cultural activities. We're talking about having some sort of infonnal gathering dwing Homecoming in the gym next fall where people ftom. all countries will be represented. I think that would be a great way of unifYing our campus. They talked about having a cultural banquet, but I feel that these events are normally aimed at the cultural groups and I think that you have to incorporate everyone on this campus.
BR: In the past, the VPMA bas been used as a poUtlcal, rather than caltural, office. If that starts to happen again, what are you golDg to do about It? LQ: I wasn't involved in the SA the last time the VPMA had an office, so I'm not sure how that works. I think I would be able to prevent that from happening through my position, but I don't see any tension happening with this E-Boardwe've met and we all get along really well.
BR: What do you tblDk about the recent story In pipe dream cODcel'lllng lalt
MAy 1997
••••••••••••••••••••••• year's SA elections?
LQ: If that's really what happened, then I'm glad it was printed because students have a right to know. I assume that they will be following up on the story and that more penple will come forward. BR: What will happen to the memben of the J-Board who
LAURIE QUINLAN BR: You mentioned that ODe of your goals I. 10 save Ihe Pub. How will you do Ihis?
LQ: I'd like to meet with the administration. Marriott, and our student auxiliary representatives. I'd also like to have some graduate students, so this becomes a campus effort rather than an Wldergraduate student effort. I'm not sure the Pub even needs
may be impUcated?
LQ: I don't know. The only way a member of the J-Board can be removed is through impeachment by a majority vote of the Assembly and then a hearing by the Executive Board. If what was printed in the story were completely proven true, they have no place on our JBoard, because they are supposed to be impartial and honest.
I respect that, but I'd like to have a relationship \Ybere r can say, "This is how the students fecI and I'd really hope you take that into account" I'd like her to real ize tbat we pay for her to be there. She's there for us and I think a lot of times that gets overlooked. I'd also like her to get out on campus a little bit more next year. 'There was good twnout in the few places she went this year, but J think she needs to be more visible. BR: you· ... golug 10 have 10 deal wllh the ougolng OCCT controversy next year. What are your thougbts about Ihal?
BR: What are you goIng to he looking for when you appoint your own J-Board members next year? LQ: I am going to look at the appl ications with a completely unbiased view a nd Ta tc them. I want to make thi s process as fair as possible . What J would reall y like is people who have not been too involved in the SA. people who have not been outspoken . Then you have people with an agenda . I want to look for people who are less outspoken, but who still have an interest in the SA and know OUT constitution. Additionally, I want people who can look beyond the constitution and understand the effects rulings have on student s . I don ' t think we ' ve had that in the past.
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" to be moved in the first place, so we need to sit down and talk about that. If it turns out that it does need to be moved, I want to be absolutely sure that it does come back in four years. BR: What kind of a relatlon,hlp do you expect to have wllh Ihe admlnlslratlon and Unlvenlty Presldenl LoIs DeFleur? LQ: I work really well with adults, so I don 't think there's going to be any problems there. DeFleur has the final say on everything and
LQ: I'm not sure I have all the facts aoout that. I've never sat on the board or been to a meeting. I have heard that tbe GSa wants a seat on this board without paying their fair share into OCCT. I think that's wrongwithout question-so I'm surprised there's even a controversy. But I need to meet with [SA Financial Vice-President] Erik [Kopelman] and go over the financial aspects oroccr before I fonn a complete opinion. BR: Whal one thing do you wanl .tudents to know about tbell' new President? LQ: I work really hard and my door is always open. Any time there is a problem, 1 want students to come fmd me. I really like to help penple and I don 't think there's anything too trivial to ask. I want peeple to know that I am definitely, 100 percent. here for them.
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Mw 1997
BlNCiHAMTON
JOIN
US!
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"I was addicted to liberalism" "It started as a high school thing. Campaigning for Clinton in '92. All my friends were doing it. I heard the rumors about him, but I didn't believe them. Soon, I was supporting other Democrats. Before long, it became a habit.
A filthy habit. I got to college, and it became worse. I thought 'the memo' was real, and that minorities couldn 't be racists, and Fair Use wasn't such a terrible magazine. I wondered what was so wrong with multiculturalism. I told myselfI could quit anytime.
I was wrong. I saw the riot outside the SA meeting, and thought it was police brutality. I voted to impeach Anthony, but I didn't know why. Diversity was repealed, and I felt bad.
I was headed for a crash. A real bad
crash. Then I picked up the REVIEW."
BINCiHAMTON REVIEW THE
STUDENT MAGAZINE AT BINGAMTON UNIVERSITY Meetings every Thursday -
8:00 PM - UU 103
Defending the Truth Since 1987
BI_MTON REvEw
MAy 1997
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COLONIALS?
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What's in a Name? by Joseph Rosenthal A committee o/three people, Alan, Paula, and Charles are meeting to discuss changing the name of the sports team at Binghamton University. Let us listen in on part of their discZlssion. A1ao: I never Wlderstood what was so bad about Colonials. Irs not the catchiest name, and maybe Colonials doesn't stir up much excitemen~ but what's wrong with it?
machine. We might as well call our teams the Flying Penises and be honest about it. Alan: rm about ready to give up. How about just calling our tearns the Big Green? Chartes: That would be considered discriminatory against the differently visually abled.
Alan: I know a name you might go for. In honor of our leaders in the Kingdom Above the Union, let's name the team the Kings. Paula: But they're in the Student Association, and we can't name our team after an
outdated, patriarchal system of government. Alan: I give up-What do you suggest? Charte" Paula and I were thinking of call-
Paola: Use your brain, Alan. The name Colonials celebrates Western cultural imperialism.
ing the teams, "Diverse Members of a Multicultural, Politically Correct Universi ty Community," the DMMPCUC's for short .
Alan: I thought it just referred to the people who built up this area. They lived in the colonies, therefore they were colonials.
Alan: We won't win a game with a name like that!
Chules: But Alan, the people that bui It up this area were Native Americans. Let's name our team for them.
Paula: Who wants to win? We sbould encourage our teams to play for a tie, that way nobody loses.
Alan: Okay, well, I love the tomahawk cbop. Let's name the team the Braves.
Alan: And nobody wins? How do we reward excellence?
Paola: That would be insulting! Charte.: How do you define excellence? Excellence is subjective. If I think the Binghamton Mets are better than the New York Mets, that's a valid opinion.
Chartes: It neglects the nurturing side of their personality in favor of the war-mongering stereotype. Alan: How about something completely apolitical, like the Cougars? Alan: The differently visually abled? Paula: Apolitical!? Using a cougar as mascot is the ultimate in specieism. Cougars don't use humans as mascots.
Charte" Yes, those who non-PC people would call color-blind.
Alao: Well, we could name our teams after an inanimate object. rYe always like the
Alan: Why would that be considered discimination?
Alan: But the New York Mets are a Major League team, and the Binghamton Mets are 8 Minor League team! Chartes: That's your truth. My truth can tell me the Binghamton Mets are better. Truth, like excellence, is subjective. Alan: I can't win!
Jets, and we have the same colors. How about the Jets? Paola: The Colonials is bad enough. We
don't have to name our teams after the phallic toys of the American imperialist war
Paula: Because the differently visually abled might be traumatized if everyone calls the team Big Green, but they see the uniforms as orange. Who's to say that the way most of us see colors is the correct way?
Paula: Nor should you try. But feel free to agree with us.
This article original(v appeared in the bYlBW
in 1991 .
MAy 1997
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MONEY
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Den of Thieves The Reform ofthe oee Budget by Nina Dadlani
T:
ere is no reason at all why 52o/00f the funds OCC receives as an or ganization should go towards personal stipends." Bernadette Malone's observation raked straight through the muck surrounding Off Campus College, exposing the petty greed behind the OCC budget. It also shows that the need for reform at OCC is long overdue: Malone wrote those words back in 1994. For three years the Student Association, which oversees the OCC budget, ignored this ugly rip-off of student money. This year things changed. I served on the 1997 Student Association budget committee that recommended reducing the stipends of OCC bosses and eliminating one position completely. Not surprisingly, this recommendation was met with howls of outrage from the select few who profit from the stipends. Student Assembly representatives voted twice to accept the budget committee recommendation on oce. First, the Assembly voted against an OCC proposal to raise the stipends. Second, the Assembly voted to accept the new, reduced stipend levels. Both votes emerged from the Assembly's concern with fmancial responsibility and fairness. It was simply unfair to allow oce bosses to continue to use their positions to enrich themselves with money taken from the bank accounts of every undergraduate at Binghamton University. OCC's inability to present it's case with any measure of civility, honesty or rationality made
the reformer's case even easier. The OCC's presentation to the budget committee was an appalling show of charlatanery. At first glance, the stipends presented by oec did not look outrageous. The facilitator and treasurer were scheduled to receive $187.50. This seems like a fair amount for the semester. But a closer'look at oce budget reveals that this is the monthly stipend. ace bosses proposed to give themselves stipends eight hundred percent higher than listed on their budget, and attempted to conceal this by breaking the stipends into monthly disbursements. I guess after reading through student leases from avaricious landlords, OCC has learned a thing or two about profiting from the hidden charges in the fine print. What's worse, OCC requested an increased for the editor of it's newsletter, OFF!, that would have brought the stipend up $25 from the current $75 a month. Also profiting from OFF! are a Graphics Coordinator and a Public Relations Officer, costing students $162 a month. It's hard to see how a paper published once' or twice a semester is worth hundreds of dollars each month. Even when it is published, OFF! does nothing for students, off-campus or oncampus. The current issue is eightpages long, and features three ads asking people to run for stipended positions at OCC. There are no notices about OCC's housing lists or legal clinics.
Useful information for off-campus students such as restaurant reviews, movie listings, the best places to buy gasoline or do your laundry are nowhere to be found. Instead the OFFI editor has decided to print a letter from the oec bosses expressing their outrage at the budget reform. It's hard to see how offcampus students benefit from a paper that only has ads about oce and a letter pleading for more money for the OCC bosses. The truth is that OFFI serves the interests of the ace bosses, who neglect off.campus students while profiting from the mandatory student activity fee. When oce presented their proposal to the budget committee they focused on the stipends of the Librarian and the Darkroom Manager, dodging questions about the other positions. Nothing they said, however, justified their proposal to give $100 a month to the oce Librarian. For those of you who have never been to the oce library-I wonder how many students even know there is an OCC library; OFFI certainly isn't letting the secret out-the proposed salary amounted to more dollars per month than there are books. If the university employed a similar pay scale, the librarians would be earning millions. Likewise, the Darkroom manager's stipend was severely out of proportion with the services rendered to off-campus students. Also undermining the case for the increased OCC stipends was the role of
••••••••••••••••••••••• state employees in the ace ollice. Several workers are paid by the state to manage the OCC office, indicating that the stipended students do not even perfonn all of OCC's work themselves. Thi s means students arc paying twice for oce, once as New York State taxpayers and a second time through the activity fee . If OCC has a paid staff of professionals who are paid by the state, why should students have to pony-up thousands for stipends for OCC bosses? It would make far more sense to stop funding the greed of the OCC bosses, and aHow students to run OCC in a spirit of cooperation and charity_ Eac h oncampus residence community has a president, vicepresident and treasurer. Not a single community stipends these positions. Why does OCC insist tha t they are more important than the rest of these communities? Each on-campus communi ty council sponsors comm uni ty building events such as tbe Graduate Communities picnic, Dickinson' s Mutant Mania and Newing Navy. OCC, on the otber band, bas repeatedly refused to sponsor events that did nol fit the political agendas ofthe OCC bosses. At times they have even proclaimed a policy of funding only "cultural" events, as if the OCC budget exists to pour cash into the well-flUlded and hightly politicized cultural unions, rather than benefit ofT-campus students. There is no doubt we would be better off with a volunteer ace, rather than a cadre of we ll-paid political operatives who treat ace like their ow n private club. To change around a familiar phrase, money corrupts, and fat-cat stipends corrupt absolutely. The most disturbing element of OCC rhetoric is it's elitism. These students actually believe they are more valuable to their fel10w students than almost anyone else on campus. Like dozens of other students at
REvEw ....................... . BIt~IAMTON
MAY 1997
MATTERS Binghamton University. 1 devote an enormous amount of time to serving the students. And I do it without a stipend. For two years I have been editor-inchief of the yearbook. never once being paid for my service. Jay Jaffe receives no stipend as editor of the Student Ad-
vocate. The editor of BIN<iHAMTON RaVIIiW, John Carney, does not take a penny for his work. In addition to the editors, these publications have statTs that include graphics coordinators and public relations staff. Needless to say, the staffs of Pegasus, the Student Advocate, and BINGHAMTON RSVI&W receive no stipend s. Somehow, OCC bosses fi gure they deservc privileges afforded to none of these other students. In their April letter to OFF!, the OCC bosses wrote, " We arc outraged that [the budget committee members] have not given us a real explicit reason for these cuts. " Clearly, the people who serve their fellow students without a stipend is reason enough.
II
Not surpri singly, the OCC bosses j ust don 't seem to get it, and go as far as threatening the students who pay their stipends in retaliation for the budget refonn . " What this cut means for the general student population is that there will be a substantial drop in the qualit y and expertise of service offered , or serviccs will have to be cut altogether," they wrote. As far as I can see. the positions on campus that are not stipended continue to produce qualit y re sult s. The nonstipended officers ofCIW ran a fanta stic casino, providing an enjoyable evening fo r students and raising money for charity. The Stud ent Advocate has not missed a week of news. BINCiHAMTON RIVI&W is published every month and Pega sus has been producing a yearbook each and every year. H doesn 'l take a stipend to serve the students, but it seem s that stipend s have resulted in a takeover of OCC by hacks who 8rc only in it for the money and are willing to hurt their fellow students in order to keep getting a fat check. The OCC budget refonn was a long time in coming, and the reaction of ace only proves the wisdom of keeping paychecks out of the mi x of student services. Outrage and indignation are not argwnents for taking money out of the pockets of students and handing it over to the greedy bosses of OCC, who abuse their positions by utilizing them for personal gain. With any luck, this round of refonn marks the end the era of the bosses. It 's time to start putting money and power back into the hands of students. Nina Dad/ani, a senior majoring in economics, is the advisor to the Pega.m.r yearbook. She is a candidate to chair the Women's S tudies Program.
I~
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BiNCiHAMTON REvEw ....................... .
Mw 1997
RIGHT SIDE
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Ui4 ... S IR , T~E~E'S A GROUP ~ERE DEMANDING T~AT WE ~INC> 'A NEW MASCOT.. .
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C~ICAGO J.~
I BEARS/ ....-/ :
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The BU Instant Protest Hey, Hey, Ho, Ho, (add your cause here) has got to go. Repeat until President DeFIeur caves in. WWf DON'T M'EN
" It's been a long time since women's voices have been bold and definite. Feminism has become nothing more than group complaining, hand-holding, whining, and blaming men for all human problems." -Camille Paglia, Binghamton Alumnus
SEE SEXUAL
HARASSMENT ASAPROBLEM i~E
I HUN. t.l.OW WOULD 'IOU LlI(E IT IF I MADE LEWD REMARKS TO YOU, OESCRIBED SCENES FROM PORNO MOVieS, OR PATTED YOUR ~HIND?
WA'f WOMEN
DO?
HOW
"'UCH~JC
ALL THREE?
MAy 1997
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13
RIGHT
SIDE
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T()p Ten ,"()~e~ that neve... played at I3U 1. Other People's Money
••••
Rated X, for explicit financial misconduct. Starring: Jeff Golant and Erik Kopelman Jeff Golant stars in the title role as a student leader who makes money the old-fashioned way. The flick is a must see for anyone pursuing a B.S. in Political Science. 2. Indecent Proposal •• Rated R, for strong language and violence. Starring: Jessica Flores, Jesse Benjamin, and Michael Dunckley
5. Multi-plicity Rated G, for garbage. Starring: Jessica Flores, Jesse Benjamin, and Sbawanda Weems
•
A stol)' about a group ofanachronistic young revolutionaries, a.k.a. the Binghamton Coalition. This flick proves that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. If you have anything better to do with your life, don't bother watching this movie.
dom Fighters. In the end, the force is with theRanEW.
7.Independence Day
••••
Rated PG, for insensitivity. Starring: Golant and the Reactionaries and Jesse Benjamin, with a special appearance by Anthony J. Benardello Forget about aliens. The students at BU rejoice as the diversity requirement goes to hell without a single shot fired. 8. Liar Liar •••• Rated R, for explicit lies and misinformation. Starring Steve "Half" Nelson
In the style of Goodfellas, a local mob at BU tries to extort a multicultural cornucopia from a university president. This movie is 7200 minutes long. Bring a pillow. 3. Up Close and Personal •••• Rated R, for extreme violence and brutality. Starring: Rafael Landron, Michael Dunckley, and Luis Rodriguez
Steve "Half' Nelson, director ofjudicial at: &irs, stars as himself in this hilarious c0medy in which he plays the prosecutor, the judge~ and the jury. Many viewers will be SUIprised to find out that the movie is silent Because oftbe Buckley Amendment, "Half' Nelson cannot speak on any topic, ever.
Forget Robocop and Police Academy, this in-your-face action-packed thriller is based on a true story of an SA meeting confrontation between the University Law Enforcement and a multicultural mob. Viewer discretion is advised.
9. You Only Vote Twice Unrated. Starring: James Vaughn, and an anonymous cast.
4. Psycho • Rated PG-13. Not intended for those with IQs more than 13. Starring: Jesse Benjamin
In a modern version of Alfred Hitchcock's original hit, Benjamin stars as himself in this horrific movie. You'Ulaugh, you'll cry, you'll rule him out of order. If you don't like the beginning, walk out, because you don't want to see the final scene, as Benjamin tortures Harpur College Council.
••••
6. The Nutty Professor No Stars-This movie is currently censored, and is not playing anywhere. Rated NC-17, for sexual harassment, a hostile environment, and partial nUdity. Starring: Dam SiIberstien and the staff of
BlNGHAMTON RwuIw The plot revolves around a marginal socalled academic program's interim director who tries to get into someone else's business. Surprisingly, she encounters a strong opposition from the First Amendment Free-
This modem adaptation of Ian Fleming's famous book stars James Vaughn as secret agent 007~ who is determined to uncover the plot of the "resistance."
1o. Dumb and Dumber •••• Rated C, for stupidity. starring: Jesse Beqjamin, Kai LundgrenWtlliams, and Kai's dandruff. This exciting comedy is about two BU clowns who try to convince the campus community to take them seriously. You decide who is dumb, and who is dumber.
MAy 1997
14
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OPEN
LETTER
Who Stole Feminism?
D
by Bany Friedman ear Editor.
The following is an assessment of femiform)~ Women's Studies Programs, and all of those involved in the increasingly inflammatory debate stemming from Dam Silberstien's condemnation of BINGHAMroN ·RllviEW. In an attempt to subvert my naive dismissal due to the fallacious assumption that rm criticizing predominate feminist ideology solely beCause I'm some patriarchal misogynistic conservative, I'd rather like to begin with the following disclaimer: Jam a male, I am a libertarian, I am a humanist, and hence I am a devout (equity) feminist. To quote Camille Paglia,"We can criticize the present phase without necessarily criticiz-. ing feminism. I want to save feminism from the feminists."
nism (in its predominant
1beProblem I simply have one elementary question: If mainstream feminism is so right for all women, why isn't (virtually) woman behind it? An innocent enough question.
every
It's a shame the answer reeks of guilt in the most surpnslng of places. Feminism Pretty simple concept: a quest for· the political, economic~ and social equality of the sexes. It follows that those who are the recipients of this inequality (most all women) would most certainly want to remedy the situati~ via feminism. Ye~ all too many women have opted to reject feminism as their panacea. There are mainly two logical reasons for this: 1) these women don~t perceive the injustices that they're subjected to, and therefore feminism is extraneous; 2) feminism itself is not the solution, but rather perpetuates the problem. In regards to reason one, though there are undoubtedly some naive women who choose not to see the inequalities inherent in American society~ l fail to believe that this ignorant fraction accounts for the
large majority of women who rebuff the 'feminist' label. I lament that reason two, feminism itself, better explains the lack of female participation in the movement I fear that the cure is worse than the disease. This so-called cure~ predominate feminism, is perceived by those who reject it is being saturated with a hostile, bitter, misandric, hopelessly idealistic, uninclusive~ dogmatic, and closed-minded agenda. This brand of feminism leaves many women and most men alienated and with a justifiable reluctance to bear the 'feminist' tag. Moreover, they're left with seemingly nowhere to tum; the predominate feminist platform has little room for dissenters. There is however, an alternative - a place under the feminist tent for all to play nicely. Christina Sommers, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Clark University, distinguished between two brands of femiriism, 'equity feminism', and 'gender feminism~, in her 1994 book Who Stole Feminism?: How Women Have Betrayed Women. In short, equity feminism arises out ofthe classical liberal belief that all people should enjoy simple equality under and before the law.. An even-playing field is the primary goal- no filvors. Women's empowennent is stressed; male degradation is not In stark contrast, gender feminism, the predominant sect of the feminist movement, suffers from a self-preoccupied, elitist, divisive, gynocentric, and misandric nature. Unfortunately, gender feminism and it's adherents have a SvengaIi-like grip in feminist discourse that constrains the acceptance, growth, and maturity of the movement. Equity feminists like Camille Paglia, Christina Sommers, and Katie Roiphe are drowned out by the oppressive and debilitating voices of Andrea Dworkin, Catherine MacKinn~ and Naomi Wolf. The curriculum of many Women's Studies Programs (WSP) often reflect this injustice in the onesided picture of femiirlsm that's painted with an accordingly narrow brush (see for
••••••••••••••••••••••••• example, Daphne Patai and Noretta Koertge's Professing Feminism, Cautionary Tales from the Strange World of Women's Studies, 1994). In truth, gender feminism's dogmatic party platform inherently forbids the open flow of ideas and practices. One either adheres to the established ideologue or is a sympathizer of the patriarchy and therefore an impediment to the cause. les high time that this narrowminded authoritarian oppression (dare I say fascism) comes to its well overdue termination.
'!be Solution Equity feminism must be taught to our nation's students as an alternative to the predominant feminist status quo. On this campus in particular~ the relative exclusion of Paglia's' realistic brand of feminism is an inexcusable act of omission. Paglia was valedictorian from Hmpur College in 1968, and is now a Professor of Humanities a mere four hours away at the University of the Arts of Philadelphia, and has written two New York Times Bestsellers relating to feminism. I've spoken with both Dam Silberstein and Lois DeFleur about Paglia's lack of 'inclusion' (a word with which both our Interim Women~s Studies Director and University President enjoy interjecting into a host of conversations) in the Women's Studies curriculum. I've failed to find any evidence of implementation. Furthermore, I've conversed with too many students who have taken courses that fall under the realm of Women's Studies yet who cannot distinguish between Susan Faludi and Susan Bright. Moreover~ the disheartening inability of WSP majors to understand that one can criticize liberalism and feminism without being a conservative misogynist is indicative of the close-minded nature of their tutelage. In its inception, feminism was simply about choice; about opening up arenas and options previously impervious to women. The simple freedom to live one's life in accordance with one's own wishes-with a particular emphasis on gaining the privileges and choices that only men were allotted. Nowadays, mainstream feminism's main attachment with 'choice' centers on a no-win decision to either confonn to the established doctrine or suffer banishment
MAY 1997 •••••••••••••••••••••••
to and complicity with patriarchy. You're either a part of their solution or a part of the problem (the patriarchy). There's little room under feminism's exclusive umbrella for those who are pm-life, sex positive, pmpornography. conservative. or nonmisandric. So much for choice. Feminism is imploding on itself. Implementation
That being said, the solution does not, however, lie in the abolishment of the Women's Studies Program here at SUNY Binghamton. The current resolution to do so is a lame attempt to punish Silberstien and her closed minded actions. I don't par-
15
OPEN
LETTER
is fine; compromise and solution are di-
vine. Stop taking the easy way out. In closing, with regards to the title of thi s piece, "Who Stole Feminism?", it 's
appallingly apparent that none other than femini sts themselves have stolen the movement. This statement needs to be qualified though. In truth, femini sm is still out there, albeit in critical condition. It's in critical condition because its exists for an astonishingly infinitesimal fraction of those who would like to embrace it. It's not feminism that's been stolen, but rather thc dissenting voices that would like to reform it. When such blatant oppression is institu-
• •••••••••••••••••••••••
tionalized by so-called femini sts, I, and any soul with the slightest bit of concern for the plight of our nation's women, should fear the day when we are subjected to an interim director of any program who's an outright misogynist.
Barry Friedman Feminist and Future Evolutionary Psychologist
ticularly enjoy paraphras ing our Com-
mander in Chief, but a true solution to the egregious indoctrination disguised as an education of oW" Women's Studies students calls for a severe ' mending of the program, not an ending of it' . As a means to that ends, I offer the following three step procedure to a more palatable and educationaUy honest WSP. Step I: fortunatel y, Silberstein is merely an interim director, and hence a hard-target search for an openminded educator and administrator is of uUDost import (attn. Paglia: It's time to come back home). Step 2: a complete reevaluation of the current propaganda/curriculum that we force-feed our WSP students. Step 3: the most important element; the introduction and maintenance of productive debate by us, the students. The current 'discussion' of these issues in both the pipe dream and the RwJI/W has been childish at its best, hostile at its worst. Though Top Ten Lists ribbing Silberstein may be humorous, they solve nothing; in truth they merely detract from the underlying problems themselves by muddying the debating field. I implore the likes of Paul Torres (your charade during Take Back the Night was particularly counterproductive; I too, have problems with the format of the march, but agitating those present did little to facilitate change) Alex Galitsky, Heather De Land, the IlaNcitcAMTON RwJI/W on the whole, and any others who throw their opinions into the ring to focus on seeking an inclusive feminism and Women's Studies Program. Witty barbs and over-generalizations, while often quite sidesplitting, detract from the issues at hand. Criticism
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Mw 1997
16
FAREWELL
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A Bridge Unburned The last words ofour esteemed Distribution Manager
by Alex Galitsky
lJ
ife is a series of hellos and good-byes. I believe it's time for good-bye again." Four years of college new like a whining bullet by the temple. It is time for me to move on. I came to the United States in early 199L I often joke that I flew here on the airline that ceased to exist (pan Am) from the country that ceased to exist (USSR), and therefore all bridges are bwned. I hope that this joke goes no further 85 far as Binghamton University is concerned. That's why I joined BINGHAMTON bvlEW. My first article was published in the 1995 summer issue. It was titled "An A+ to the Professor." ] wrote it after taking two courses in p~ litical Science with professor Andrew Milnor. Initially I submitted it to pipe dream whic h refused to publish it. oddly stating that it was done in the style of reporting instead of a perspective. I was very upset and decided to submit it to BINGHAMTON bvlliW. 1 put a hard copy of the article in the IbVIEW mailbox with a brief note stating why it deserved to be published. Later I got a call from Nate Wurtzel who at the time was editor in chief-elee!. He said that the IbVlIiW was going to publish the story and
invited
me to come to the
RMaw meeting.
Well, the rest is history. During the last two years I wrote a number of articles and investigative reports, and I'd like to think that I made a difference on this campus. I leave BU in a different state than I found it four years ago. The diversity requirement is gone. The position of
VPMA, though still divisive and uonccessary, is now popularly elected. The voucher systero of allocating the student activity fee is being discussed and gaining popularity wnong students. Although Binghamton waso ' t my first choice, now, after four years I realize that it was a good choice. I can hardly imagine spending my college years better anywhere but here. I made many good friends and met many interesting people. I have enjoyed midnight runs to Denny's (too bad there is no more nachos on the menu there) and the Spot Diner. There is no better place for
I'd like to thank my favorite professors; Allan Arkush, Andrew Milnor, and W. Warren Wagar, for their excellence in teaching and dedication to work. You played a big part in my college education. Jim Koval, director of the University Union-thanks for giving me a part-time job which was better than anything I could wish for after working for Marrio!. John Carney, Nate Wurtzel, Paul Torres and the rcst of the RIVIIW crew-thanks for the meroories that will last forever. Without them my BU experience would not be haIf as complete. Hiram Fuchs, Morgan Fuchs, Sypria Sanyal my friends since my fir st day in college, thanks for everythi ng. Those numerous trips to Canada, Niagara Falls , DC,andNewOrleans were fantastic. Next stop
dinner than Tony's. The Rall, Uncle Tony's and the Sports Bar-thanks for giving me something to do on weekend nights. I did many things right and made decisions which I do not regret. Yet, I made tons of mistakes while in Binghamton, besides the ones on the muHiple-choice tests. Perhaps the most significant one is 1 lived for tomorrow I always looked forward. I did not cherish every passing day. Now, when 1 look back at my four years in Binghamton I realize that 1could have done so much morc. My advice to the remaining students: Stop and look around more often and say to yourself, " What can I do this very minute, thls very moment, so that later I won't have any regrets?"
Tarra Christoff, Dana Bulkenstein-you are a living proof that different points of view do not have to stand in the way of good friendship. Laurie Quinlan-good luck next year. Outsiders always do a better job than campus politicians. Smile. I'm in no position to judge whether your college years are the best four years of your life. But if that's true, all I have to say is that my college years were great, and I would not take them back. Good-bye Binghamton, and good luck
IS
California.
Alex Galitsky ;s a senior majoring in history and ;s an adjunct in SOM. He ;s the Distribution Manager ofBlNCaUlMTON IbVlIW.
MAy 1997
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SPONSORS
IlINCiIIAMI'ON REvEw 17 • •••••••••••••••••••••••
Have You Been Written Up By Your RA? If so, call a Student Association Ombudsperson for free adv i ce on university legal proceedings An Ombudsperson will ensure that
your rights are respected
x2020
Visit the New SA Web Page http://www.sa.binghamton.edu
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All groups can obtain space on the SA Web Server, including a web page and e-mail accounts.
\;:==:;1 For information on the SA Web Page, Jaron Rubenstein at x6503 or ... contact email satech@server.sa.binghamton.edu
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18 •••••••••••••••••••••••••
MAy 1997
LETTERS
•••••••••••••••••••••••••
~~f!) 1i'~ 111®@rJl:1
~U1f~ W®®ooo An Open Letter to President DeFleur
However, whenever anyone conftonted you about them you could have done what all accomplished politicians do: lie, after all, this is a skill you have repeatedly proven The State University of New York at yourself quite good at. You know, it is not Binghamton (which, by the way, is the too late; you could quit right now and still name of the school you work for) has been make a run at something. If you don't completely destroyed and it is all because think you have quite mastered the art of ofyou. The corruption and ineptitude which the lie, bring Katie Ellis and Roger Smnhave characterized your reign of terror have mers along, they both have it down cold. You see Lois, I am about to graduate from culminated in the death of our university. Binghamton no longer even has the will to this institution. NOJma1ly, a person in my position would not bother to take the time try to save itseH: The decision makers of this University, to explain the myriad failing of their alma (that is you and that cadre of simple minded mater, but I have come to a terrible realyes-men called the senior staft) have made ization. Unlike members of the faculty and several disturbing things abundantly clear. staff who can leave at any time, when we First not one of you would be in the posi- students leave Binghamton we become tions you cwnmtlY occupy were it not for Binghamton almnni, a designation we carry your political connections and/or the State for the rest of our lives. This is really unof New York's hOITelldously misguided af- fortunate given the embarrassment you firmative action policies. Second: none of have made this school into. In the interests you have the slightest idea what a of reversing the damage you have done, I university's purpose is. While virtually ev- would like to leave a written record of how ery graduate of third grade knows that col- and where you went wrong. leges and universities exist for the purpose Normally alumni are among the most of education, you and your fellow bureau- ardent advocates of an academic institution. cratic hacks make it clear by your actions I am sure you have noticed that this is far and communications that you believe the from true at Binghamton. Ever wonder university has three pmposes. Apparently why? Perhaps its is because alumni rememthese are, public relations, social engineer- ber the monstrous bureaucratic hassles ing, and budget lobbying. which confronted them at every tum while If these are the areas of human endeavor they were here. Or perhaps that is because you are truly interested in, you should have they found upon their arrival that the much gone into politics, instead of trying to make touted Binghamton education is highly over Binghamton into some kind of warped Po- rated and not especially useful after gradualitically Correct nirvana. I realize that tion. Since most college graduates's fondhardly anyone would vote for you given est memories of their alma mater relate to your twisted world view and insane ideas. enjoyable experiences on campus rather
than academic endeavors, the dearth of campus life is also a contributing factor in lack of alumni satisfaction. This too is your fault. Part of the lack of campus life, is attributable to the lack of community at Binghamton. This appears to be based in part on lack of interaction among campus groups and commtmities. As I am sure you are aware the very "diversityn you and your public relations team tout so much is a misnomer. While there are many students of different racial and ethnic backgrolUld at Binghamton, the extent of the interaction among students of such backgrounds is appallingly low. This is one inevitable consequence of the identity politics you and your underlings have made it a point of fostering through your racialized approach to campus activities, scholarships and awards, and faculty recruiting/retention. It is all well and good to bring students of diverse background to the same campus, but the institutional insistence on accentuating difference, which prevails at Binghamton, undermines the very notion of diversity and is responsible for the low level of interaction on campus. This is worsened by your administration's refusal to discipline those who willfully violate the law in the course of trying to use this circumstance to further their own personal agendas. Of course I am refening to the 1994 Administration Building take over, the "Hate" Memo Incident, and last semester's riot (where most of those students who most flagrantly violated the law were not even charged). While I hate Binghamton for all the same
MAv1997
••••••••••••••••••••••• reasons attributed to alumni above, I also have my own unique reasons. Again, all of these are either directly or indirectly your fault Believe it or not, I once really liked Binghamton. During my senior year of high school, Binghamton was my first choice college, and I was rejected. I was so interested in attending Binghamton, that I started elsewhere and transferred in the second semester of my freshmen year. My enthusiasm for this school motivated me to get involved in campus life and an 0pportunity soon presented itself when I became a member of the Harpur College Council during my second semester, during the height of the controversy surrounding the "Diversity" requirement My service on HCC provided me with my first glimpse into how decisions were made at this school and how controversy was bandIed. I continue to be baftled by the sheer ineptitude that I was (and continue to be) exposed to. I found the spectacle of an inane Gramscite graduate student with a bad attitude, and small contingent ofilliterate undergraduates making demands about how the undergraduate curriculwn was to be structured amusing. The fact that they were taken seriously by the members of that body and the behind the scenes puppet master (again that's you), I found to be appalling. Natmally, the Diversity Debacle was not the only example of absurdity at this university. The next year when I had become Academic Vice President of the Student Association and was victimized by the malicious slander and harassment campaign known as the "Hate Memo Incident" I truly learned the depths you and your followers were capable of sinking to. I was aware that you were less then fond of me. This was made all the more clear by the accidental discovery of Dr. Tricomi's Email message to you, which admonished that "Golant and the reactionaries bear watching". Of course, I was also aware of you and your sycophant's penchant for tolerating criminal behavior when it was perpetrated in the name of "multiculturalism". Still, I never could have imagined that senior members of the university staff would actually order the destruction of critical evidence-a video tape which showed the identity of the individual who sent the E-
]9
LETTERS majl message which accompanied the Memo's distribution. As astounding as this is, it is eclipsed only by the fact that a student who had repeatedly threatened me in front of more then a dozen witnesses was never arrested because of intervention on the part of the university administration. Evil of this magnitude cannot be accounted for based on idiocy alone. As we all remember, this year presented your administration with nwnerous challenges and naturally you bumbled them all. If you seriously believe that you convinced anyone you have a backbone by
Why not just
acknowledge that you are the reason for Binghamton's sorry state ofaffairs?
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said that this decision was motivated by an annual audit. Naturally, all my experiences at Binghamton were not negative. I have met many terrific people and was fortunate to take several excellent classes. Binghamton has also endowed me with a healthy dose of cynicism and contempt for government bureaucracy. Although I realize that the tone of this letter is confrontational, I hope that you (not your designated apologist) will read it and take it to heart. You see, I have noticed that the campus as a whole is very reluctant to give your inane perfonnance proper criticism. Indeed, you have established quite an atmosphere of intimidation at this campus. But there is nothing you can do to me. I am about to leave and obtain employment in the private sector. I realize that should I ever decide to pursue postgraduate education, it may be possible for you to prevent my admission to some institutions where you have connections. Do not be encouraged, if I were ever foolish enough to apply to any institution where you have any clout, I would be better off if I didn't get in. So now here we are. The exodus of faculty from campus is in full swing. Class sizes are growing and the only thing that we have enough of is academic requirements. By the way, I want to compliment your wisdom and timing on the General Education program. At this difficult time we truly need a banal and costly cunicular initiative that will add extra time to students' careers and restrict their ability to take classes they could actually use. So who are you going to pass the buck to next? You have blamed George Pataki for enough by now. I have a suggestion: why do you not just acknowledge that you are the reason for Binghamton's sony state of a1fairs, resign and find employment within the scope of your ability. I understand that McDonald is now accepting applications. Oh, and please-take Roger with you.
scapegoating a few students who were peripherally involved in October's riot, you are wrong. Furthennore, your inane attempts to pass blame for the negative public relations consequences along to the Student Association are overshadowed only by the absmdity demonstrated in your hasty and ill-conceived construction ofthe "Campus Review Board." Come on Lois, you don"t even realize that this transparent atSincerely, tempt to gloss over your much deserved emJetfOolant barrassment arising from the Memo incident, only made you the unwitting pawn of Jeff Golant is the Student Association Anthony J. Benardello-the buffoon behind Academic J;ice President. the whole event. You really insulted the campus' collective intelligence when you
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MAy 1997
20
ENEMIES
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The Check and see ifyou 've been denounced ..
E
ight years ago, libertarian humorist P.J. O'Rourke suggested the in
thyism -
Honorable Mention, 1996-97
stitu ti on of a modern McCarone which would expose the
"fuzzy-minded one-worlders, pasty-faeed
peace creeps and bleeding-heart bed wetters" in our midst. BlN<iMAMTON REYmf is happy to implement O'Rourke's vision at BU - minus the censorship. of course. We constructed our list in the venerable tradition of a complicated equation handed down to us by former REviEIW member and BU alumnus, Joshua Trapani. Only he understands it and only his Cray supercomputer could perfonn the complex calculations. A few of the faclors that go into this method include inherent loath-
someness, individual misdeeds, media overexposure, positions of power, slickenss. aod mitigating factors. Now for the fun part - the list:
Jesse Benjamin The Unahomber look alike came off an
Jesse Benjamin: N umber one with a bullet ably because of the advise of his lawyers.
Jessica Flores Played a vital role in creating campus disturbances in the fall semester. Flores did not score high in the official power category, though one cannot overlook her ability to pull some strings when it counts.
impressive year. Participation in the nonstop riots, rallies, and building takeovers as well as out of this world moronic speeches sealed Jesse's position at the top. In addition there were no mitigating factors whatsoever. Dara Silberstein Silberstein came up high in the power category, though not as high as she would like us to believe. O utrageous censorship and open threats seeured her position high on the list.
Errol Schweizer A s trong late-yea r surge helped Schweizer to make his way to the top half ofti,e list. As a chicf duck of the QUACK gang he must take blame for polluting campus with lies and propaganda. His achievement is mitigated by quick death of the loony liberal publication Fair Use.
Kal Lundgren-WilHam. Would score higher if taken seriously.
Felipe Ayala Rafael Landron Last year Landron was predicted by the RMIIW to be the prime candidate for the top spot. Landron started the year on a high note getting in serious trouble before midsemester. However, he could not hold on to the top spot for the rest of the year-prob-
See Kai-Lundren Williams.
Nicole Johnson Ditto FritL Laoture
See Tom Bruckner for explanation.
Lois B. DeFleur Mary Ann Swain Shawanda Weems Michael Dunckley Luis Rodriguez Erik Kopelman Kingston, N. Y Nude women in pipe dream Christain Klossner Roger Swnrners OFF! Univeristy Bookstore Mandatory Activity Fee 'The weather in Binghamton Division II Jermaine Leonard Tiffany Patterson Remona Phillips Heidi Lloyd The deer that hit Paco's car David Hagerbaurner The Residence Inn Penthouse Suite Yusef Daughtry The Roaring Fork Jennifer Toth Marc Bloch Everyone who voted to impeach AJB Joe Scaduto Sari Krosinsky Ralph Nader Nature Preserve Kai Lundgrcn-Williams' dandruff Jeff Golant's hairline Rich and Charles Barley Eric Morton Dick B. Small The late Fair Use The Women's Center Natalie Bledman Yvonne Henry Dickinson SA Reps (except for J.Vaughn) College Democmts College Republicans
MAy 1997
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BINGHAMTON
CARTOONS
ItIVIiW
21
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" .IN :SUMMARY, INDIANS ARE GOOD,
BLACKS ARE GOOD, LATINOS ARE GOOD, WOMEN ARE. GOOD,
GAYS ARE GOOD, WHITE MALES ARE BAD, AND ASIANS WE'RE: STILL NOT :JURE ABOUT. ..
"Advocates of diversity in an race or gender sense are often quite hostile to ideological diversity, when it includes traditional or 'conservative' values and beliefs." - Thomas Sowell
"Suppose you were an idiot and suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself." -Mark Twain
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MAy 1997
BlNCiHAMTON
SWF looking for SWF into public nudity and right-wing pornography. Call me@ 555-WMYN. Luis, I hope you got my message. I hope you liked it Someday, rlI tell you.
You were at Newark AiIport on January 7 being detained by Customs Officials. Then I saw you again on February 21 in Alexandria, Virginia, when you almost ran a red light, nearly hitting a cop. You were pulled over. ] saw you again on March 21 in Roscoe, NY when your car hit a deer. Incredibly. I saw you once more in Roscoe on March 31. when you were stuck in a snowstonn. Tbis is weird, but I saw you again thr~ weeks later when you missed the exit and dmve half way to Albany on your way to Binghamton. You are a moron. I feel reaJ/y had for you. Hope everything worked out okay.
PERSONALS
Corpomlions are the root of Satanism. We should kill everyone involved . ---<2UACKs A cure for feminism, multiculturalism, and Political Correctness-IliNGIIAMT_ R.VIIW. One issue provides fast effective relief from the aforementioned symptoms. Use as directed. To the three little pledges at Jay Jaffe's party: I like one of you. Guess which one. Later on... J .K. Come on, tty a little, nothing is forever, There's got to be something better than in the middle .. . -Inc Wallflowers Join the right on campus.
Congratulations to Cleveland Hall, the 1997 Hinman Hysteria Champions. From all of the current and fonnerCleveland residents on the staff of IIINC.OIAMT_ 1bM1W.
Lads and lasses- All will be well. In hard times fall hack on these three lessons: One brave man makes a majority; love and loyaltyarc all that matters; a good drink is the best cure for a bad day. -John
Carlos, we were only kidding. Hinman resident and 2 RAs.
Would you buy a used diversity requirement from Jesse Benjamin?
Fonner
••••••••••••••••••••••••• To the hundreds of friends I made here during the last four years-Thanks for the intimacy, the discourse, and the beer. Thanks for aJ/ the times you laughed at my columns when they weren't funny. May you achieve great status and great fortune and may God bless your every step. -Nate Nate- Words are just words. They mean anything. - A source.
don~
Hey, Jesse. Ever thought of renaming your Cassandra? Try BINciMAMtoN IbvtIW Review. It makes more sense that way. Some who call themselves "conservative" tried to destroy the integrity of the movement and think they got away with it. I know the truth and I have a long memory. -Nate To the 415 who voted against the mandatory activity fee, keep in touch. -n. Review Looking for a girl whose heritage goes hack to when the Anglos met the Saxons. Blond bair, blue eyed Protestants n plus. Must enj oy romantic walks on the beach, candlelight dinners, and hierarchical relations of dominance. If you match this description, call Tom Bruckner at 723-3171
r-.~~ -----.,I :Free Personals: I
FOOIl ~S OF SWEAT, FOUlI 'tEARS OF DILIGENT TOIL
: Instructions: Write your message clearly on the lines provided. Clip and I send to: Binghamton Review, Personlals Department, P.O . Box 6000, I Binghamton, NY 13902-6000. You may also drop off the coupon at UU- I64.
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MAv1997 ,
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QUIBBLES
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Good one, Bm
Ooh, she's bad
Electing Clinton
President Clinton's State of the Union speech contained much, uh, wisdom. But nothing matches this gem: "The United States must look not only to west, to Europe, but also east, to Asia." Next time, Bill, look at a map before speaking. Reason, May 1997
It. is illegal in Washington to work more than 40 hours a week without overtime. Helen Stansell found that out the hard way. The 23-year-veteran park ranger was suspended for six days after she worked after hours without pay helping a historical s0ciety find a local site. Reason, May 1997
It was three years ago that career CIA officer Aldrich Ames was arrested in the agency's worst spying scandal. These days the KGB mole, who was paid $2.Smillion for passing CIA secrets to Moscow, is passing time in a tiny solitary isolation cell in a high security prison in Pennsylvania, where he is known as No.40087-083. But we can't help but recall, considering all of the questionable foreign contributions to the Democratic National Committee of late, that it was Ames himselfwho once donated a whole lot of cash to the Democratic Party. In 1991 and 1992, he made three contributions to the DNC, totaling $5,000, accoriding to Federal Election Commission records obtained by this colwnn April 23. "What's the DNC going to do?" asks Mark R. Levin, director of legal policy at Landmark Legal FOlmdation. "Retwn the money to the KGB?" The Washington Times, May 4, 1997
The air up theft
Mile High Adventurers is an airline with a twist. The California firm is a charter service that allows people to, ah, fulfill their romantic fantasies in the air. It operates out of the Van Nuys airport, and some folks who live near that airport are appalled. ''This is the last straw-people fornicating in the skies over' our community," says Gerald Silver, president of Homeowners of Encino. "What people do in their bedroom is their business. What they do over our heads is the oommWlity's business." Reason, May 1997 McCartbylsms Former Sen. Eugene McCarthy,. who was elected to the House in 1948 and 1958, and who subsequently ran for the presidency as a Democrat or' an independent, reflected on the 'nation's highest office at a luncheon April 23 with reporters and editors at the Washington Times. He was particularly outspoken with regard to the direction President Clinton has carried the Democratic Party. "There wasn't much there," Mr. McCarthy opined of the party . when Mr. Clinton first assumed power. "Jimmy Carter sort of started the destruction and Clinton is just fmishing up." Could you elaborate on that? "Roosevelt proved that you could be President forever," Mr. McCarthy explained. "Truman proved anybody could be president.! proved you didn't need one. Kennedy and Johnson proved it's better not to have one. Nixon killed the presidency. Ford embalmed it. Jimmy Carter buried it. And Clinton is just starting over. I think he's the first governor of the United States." The Washington Times, May 4, 1997
Pas. the cigarette, I mean eggs ''It is somewhat ironic that the government discourages smoking and dririking through taxation, yet when it comes to the major cause of death-heart disease-and its spiraling costs, politicians let us eat with impunity... [W]e believe it is time to rethink the extent to which we allow people to impose their negative behavior on those of us who watch our weight, exercise, and tJy to be as healthy as possible. "-Jack A. Chambless, a professor of economics at Valencia Community College, and Sarah C. McAlister, an economics major at the University of Central Florida, in the Orlando Sentinel, December 22, 1996 Reason, May 1997
Red, yellow, and blue A Canadian art student has embarked on an ambitious project. Jubal Brown plans to vomit-in a primary color-on at least three famous paintings. Reason, May 1997
LONG LOST TwiNS? Do campus personalities resemble celebrities?
National Horror Unsbomber
Hair Grower Sincad O'Connor BlNCiIIAMTON
REvIEw
Binghamton University P.O. Box 6000 Binghamton, N.Y. 13902-6000
Campus Horror Jesse Benjamin
Hair Loser Jeff Golant
Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit 6 1 Binghamton, NY