SUNY Plattsburgh’s independent student newspaper since 1997
FRIDAY, SEPT. 18, 2020
CARDINALPOINTSONLINE.COM
VOLUME 103 - ISSUE 3
SA Executive Council speaks with SUNY SA BY ADEEB CHOWDHURY Staff Writer
ISAIAH REED/Cardinal Points
Two SUNY Plattsburgh University Police officers are on patrol. Officers must wear a mask at all times when interacting with individuals on campus.
Campus crime continues for UP lation and quarantine, helping students move into isolation and quarintine and assisting students who need medical help.” But despite their new responsibilities, UP is still dealing with campus crime. An official report from UP’s crime log stated a fire was started inside of a dumpster outside Moffitt Hall Aug. 29. The fire department and city police were called to respond. “It was around 10:15 at night,” said sophomore Olivia Parrillio. Parrillo lives in a seventh floor suite in de-
BY DREW WEMPLE Staff Writer
COVID-19 has reshaped SUNY Plattsburgh’s campus, but it’s also changed its University Police. UP Chief Pat Rascoe believes he and his team have been critical for the reopening of campus. “We’ve been wearing a lot of hats,” Rascoe said in regards to what the duties of UP have been since students returned. “We’re assisting in the management of the campus’ iso-
Fredenburgh Hall. Her and many of her suitemates had a perfect view of the fire from their suite window. “We first heard some yelling and screaming, and then we smelled something burning,” added Parrillo. UP has launched an investigation into who or what started the fire. “It appears it was intentionally lit by somebody,” said University Police Chief Patrick Rascoe.
POLICE l A2
Leadership and its accompanying responsibilities were a common theme in the Student Association Executive Council’s meeting Sept. 15. The council discussed the upcoming SUNY Student Assembly elections, spoke with an eager candidate, and contemplated opportunities for greater student involvement. James Kinney was a candidate for the role of secretary of the Student Assembly. This organization is composed of students from all 64 campuses of the SUNY system, representing almost one and a half million students. Their upcoming elections are scheduled to be held online at 5 p.m. on Sept. 25. Kinney is a human development major from SUNY Albany and strives to “uplift student voices from all corners” of the university system through commitment and leadership. His previous roles include serving as the student body president and associate director of academic affairs, as well as the deputy director of engagement for the SUNY SA. “In unprecedented times like these, we must unite our voices. And when we are united, we become truly unstoppable,” Kinney said.
Kinney outlined his 10-point advocacy plan, which SUNY Plattsburgh is the first institution to be officially introduced to. He promised to promote system-wide accountability and hold the SUNY administration responsible for tending to students’ needs. The plan also advocated for greater support for minority students through mandatory implicit bias and cultural sensitivity training. “There are no if ’s and but’s about it,” he said. Kinney then emphasized the need to support students through the pandemic, noting that not everyone has access to a safe, healthy location to take part in remote learning. Next on the plan was the prevention of on-campus sexual harassment and abuse. Kinney noted that 11.2% of all college students experience sexual assault, and that only 24 of the total 64 SUNY campuses have necessary evidence-based prevention programs. Kinney also emphasized encouraging more accessibility within the Student Assembly, promoting statewide diversity and inclusion, supporting non-traditional students such as adult learners and transfer students, expanding upon and properly carrying out the duties of the secretary and advocating for higher funding for the SUNY and CUNY systems.
COUNCIL l A2
Learning Center tutors students with Zoom BY NATALIE ST. DENIS Staff Writer
Since its start in 1989, The Claude J. Clark Learning Center has remained focused on serving the students of SUNY Plattsburgh through numerous services. These services were discussed Wednesday at a Zoom informational session put on by The H.U.B. (Honoring, Uniting, and Belonging). Claude J. Clark was a highly respected SUNY Plattsburgh College Council member and attorney. The Claude J. Clark Learning Center was named in his memory. Tutoring is the main service offered at The Learning Center and many students take advantage of it to better themselves academically. All peer tutors are SUNY Plattsburgh students. Training and other requirements vary depending on the course and tutoring type. The staff are always well trained in the area in which they tutor. The Learning Center tries
to match students with a tutor who they pair well with. They make sure to be open to feedback from students that utilize their services. Content tutoring is for assistance in specific courses. Whether it’s preparing for a test, reviewing a certain chapter in the textbook, or just having someone other than a professor explain the content in different words, The Learning Center will provide a tutor to fit students’ needs. A session may be with one or two other students who also expressed a need for assistance in the same course. If students need to do any sort of writing for a class, writing tutoring is readily available regardless of skill level. An appointment could be used to brainstorm ideas, work on citations, research, or simply understand the assignment. AUDREY LAPINSKI/Cardinal Points
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LEARN l A4
Despite the pandemic, the Claude J. Clark Learning Center in the Angell College Center continues to tutor students this semester.
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