Cardinal Points Issue 8 Spring 2024

SA finalizes most election candidates, extends deadline

Elections for the 63rd legislation of the Student Association will be held Thursday, April 25. The deadline for students wanting to run in the Student Association’s general elections was April 15, but has since been extended to noon today, April 19.

Candidates were required to submit packets containing their information and signatures from peers in order for their name to appear on the ballot. The following is the list of students who have submitted packets by 5 p.m. April 18.

PRESIDENT Kalema Gooding

Chaun’J Ramos

Jonanthony Tarlen

VICE PRESIDENT

Naomi Adebayo

TREASURER Sydney Wise

COORDINATOR OF STUDENT AFFAIRS AND DIVERSITY

Nekaybaw Ross

COORDINATOR OF ARTS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS

Cameron Greaves Abraham Nunez

COORDINATOR OF ACADEMICS Kacia Coke Arshita Pandey

SENATORS

Charmi Asodariya

John Carguello

Romita Chakraborty

Tasmayee Jagtap Shahad Monir

Student creates peer support group for student caregivers

In her final semester, a student started a support group she wished she had as a first-year.

Human development and family relations major Hannah Schmeelke knows firsthand the challenges of attending college while taking care of a relative with Alzheimer’s, dementia or other form of memory loss.

Later on, Schmeelke learned about some of the support resources available on campus, but said she wishes she’d used them sooner.

In her first year, Schmeelke had to balance two totally new experiences — college and caregiving. She found the responsibilities on both ends difficult to balance as she went home to Whitehall, New York, every weekend to care for her relative.

“It was just really special to do something like this for students,” Schmeelke said. “That’s why I was so excited to start this, if I could help somebody else through it. I would have loved a group like this, you know?”

Professor Christy tells tale of two totalities

BY ANDREW CHRISTY Assistant Professor of Psychology

Andrew Christy wrote this guest essay from a first-person perspective to reflect on his experiences viewing two total solar eclipses.

After the April 8 total eclipse darkened our skies, I can now say that I have witnessed two of these unique celestial events.

Almost seven years earlier (though the memory feels fresher than that), some grad-school friends and I traveled from Texas to Wyoming to put ourselves in the path of the last “Great American Eclipse.” I’d like to reflect on these two experiences and the similarities and differences between them.

2017: TEXAS TO WYOMING

The total eclipse in 2017 occurred August 21, which happens to be my birthday. I was in grad school at Texas A&M University at the time, between the fourth and fifth years of my PhD studies in social and personality psychology. College Station, Texas, was nowhere near the path of the eclipse. However, my close friend and classmate Anna suggested that we might travel to her home state of Wyoming, where the total eclipse would be passing through the northwest corner of the state.

My summer calendar in 2017 was already pretty jam-packed. I would be helping my partner, McKay, move from Texas to Rochester, New York, in June, then attending back-to-back academic workshops in July in Chi-

cago and Los Angeles, but the opportunity to see a total eclipse on my birthday was too special to pass up. I was motivated to claim a small piece of this busy summer “just for me” before my final year of grad school.

Anna and I drove the roughly 1,400 miles from College Station to the Bridger-Teton National Forest in northwestern Wyoming, picking up our friend Jane along the way and meeting up with Anna’s family. Her folks had a big camper, and we all pulled our vehicles out onto a big open field by the Green River and set up camp for the weekend.

We arrived early and spent the days leading up to the eclipse exploring our scenic surroundings — on foot, by car and by river raft — and enjoying our quite luxurious campsite. Anna’s father-in-law made moose burgers one night, which both tasted good and made me feel like I was getting the genuine Wyoming experience.

Eclipse day came, and we simply walked up a low hill immediately adjacent to our campsite. We had seen more and more people arriving in the area over the preceding days, but there was plenty of space for everyone and no other groups were very close to us. This allowed us to spread out a bit within our group: Each of us set up a camp chair and we settled in to await the eclipse, sipping our morning coffee.

The partial eclipse began shortly after 10 a.m., and through our eclipse glasses we watched the moon steadily cover up more and more of the sun’s face for the

next hour and change. The quality of the sunlight didn’t change noticeably until the sun was almost completely obscured, at which point the light dimmed to a golden pre-sunset glow.

The total eclipse began at 11:36 a.m., when the moon blocked out the last tiny sliver of the sun’s face. Darkness fell, stars shone in the cloudless sky and it got chilly — my most vivid memory is of how quickly the temperature dropped. Each of us gazed rapturously up at the sun’s corona, an otherworldly ring of silvery light in the darkened sky. I don’t remember what anyone said, if indeed anyone said anything at all.

The total eclipse lasted about two and a half minutes, but it felt longer than that. In that time, I experienced a complex set of physical and mental reactions: I felt giddy and thrilled with joy and excitement; chills ran down my spine. I was overwhelmed by the vast scale of what I was seeing and afraid at a primal level.

Even though I knew intellectually that the sun would return, part of me was worried that it wouldn’t. Tears filled my eyes as I thought about how I was sharing an experience with untold numbers of people and other creatures — not only those viewing this eclipse, but all those who had ever seen an eclipse at any previous time in our planet’s history.

After the intense transcendence of the total eclipse passed, we were all in quite a state. We hugged, laughed and struggled to express what we were feeling (the word “wow” was used a lot).

We continued to watch the partial eclipse until it concluded, though less attentively than we had watched its beginning. After that, it was time to pack up camp and begin our journey back to Texas, joining the long, slow-moving lines of cars exiting the National Forest.

Car trouble required us to stay with Anna’s folks in Rock Springs, Wyoming, for a couple of extra days. Under ordinary circumstances this might have been a stressful inconvenience, but after the experience we had shared we were glad to have a reason to prolong the trip and delay our return to “normal life.”

2024: ADIRONDACK

ADVENTURE

This time around, the solar eclipse came to me.

McKay and I

several guests at our home in Plattsburgh, including Jane, who had been on the Wyoming trip with me. I had started planning for this eclipse quite a while beforehand, scouting out several possible viewing spots in the summer of 2023.

If possible, I wanted to see it from a wilderness location again because that was part of what had made my previous experience so special. I also wanted to be on a mountain or other elevated viewpoint, in hopes of seeing the eclipse shadow approach and recede more fully than we had been able to in Wyoming. These considerations led me to select Catamount Mountain, about 40 miles southwest of Plattsburgh and close to the center of the total eclipse’s path.

hosted

Provided by Andrew Christy Andrew Christy and his group view the 2017 eclipse in its totality while set up in the Bridger-Teton National Forest in northwestern Wyoming.

March 30

The glass wall in Whiteface Hall’s study lounge was reported damaged. The case was closed by investigation.

April 5

A student in Wilson Hall reported that his Discord account was hacked. Investigation is still pending.

Stalking

University Police updated two reports of stalking — one from Nov. 15, 2023 and one that occurred Feb. 22 but was reported March 4. Both were referred to Title IX.

April 10

University Police reported aggravated harassment, which is still being investigated.

Student Association

Clubs turn to alternative sources for event funding

BY ALEKSANDRA SIDOROVA

The Student Association Senate approved the club African Unity’s event funding request at its meeting April 9. The amount is the least the club has requested from the SA this semester as clubs turn to alternative means of funding events.

African Unity requested $892 for its 11th annual King & Queen of Africa pageant — the least it has requested this semester, Senator Naomi Adebayo said.

In addition to SA additional allocations, African Unity received funding from College Auxiliary Services and the Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

As a member of the Finance Board, Senator Arshita Pandey encouraged senators to approve the request in order to use up the remaining funds for the semester. At the start of the meeting, the SA had $5,461 left in additional allocations for the semester. “We have a good amount of additional

allocations, and I don’t think we will have a lot of requests from here on, so why not just go ahead with this?” Pandey said.

The request was unanimously approved. Adebayo abstained from

voting because she is a member of African Unity.

In previous meetings, Adebayo noted that several prominent clubs’ use of alternative funding sources may mean less club support for the SA.

The SA’s current primary focus is campaigning for the SA fee to pass in the upcoming referendum April 25, Executive Council and Board of Election members have said at meetings.

The SA fee referendum is a vote that happens every two years, in which students decide whether to keep the SA fee mandatory. The fee supports clubs, the shuttle, on-campus events, trips, peer tutoring services and extended library hours.

Student takes comedy stage

when you are a kid and people say, ‘You’re not supposed to say that’ — I like to go up on stage and say those things, to an extent.”

A student in SUNY Plattsburgh’s teaching program is taking a break from studying and teaching to make people laugh.

Jordan Perna, a graduate student studying childhood education and special ed, will perform their comedy special — “John Deere 3:16” — at Olive Ridley’s 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 24. Comedian Franky Jebb from Ticonderoga, New York, will open for the show. Perna performed their first show at the venue almost exactly a year ago.

Perna describes their humor as dark but silly.

“My job is to be able to make you laugh at something that you’re probably not going to laugh at,” Perna said.

Perna bases their material on personal experiences, such as their upbringing in a Catholic Italian family and stories from the classroom that preserve their students’ privacy. Perna also discusses their mental health on-stage.

“I talk about therapy, I talk about how some people have dark thoughts,” Perna said. “You don’t, obviously, act upon them, you have them. You say stuff

LOTS

Continued from page 1

Joking about mental health can be healing — Perna said that sometimes, audience members talk to them after a show to exchange experiences with mental health. It becomes something to laugh about rather than dwell on, Perna said.

“Helping someone out and connecting with people, I love to do that,” Perna said.

Although Perna’s jokes can stem from deeply personal experiences, not every word they say is a reflection of their off-stage character. Perna said they got a “Drama King” award in high school for their tendency to exaggerate and dramatize. Sometimes, this trait upsets audiences, but Perna sees it as a fun exercise in the boundaries of free speech and the art of comedy.

“I get to try to see, can I cross the line with these jokes? How far can I cross? I’ve gotten offended at jokes, and it’s hard for me to do that now, as a comedian, because I try to guess the punchline,” Perna said. “I do not apologize about jokes because they’re jokes. They’re just

Reconfiguration will provide more parking spaces, chargers for electric vehicles and new sidewalks and curbs.

Lot 27 makes up 148 of the 584 parking spaces designated for off-campus students, according to Parking Manager Gail Recore. There are 1,008 active permits for off-campus student parking.

Lots 9 and 28 make up 169 of the 796 lots for faculty and staff parking that serve the 958 faculty and staff with active permits. However, neither all off-campus students nor all faculty and staff are parking on campus at any given time, Recore wrote over email.

words. I put the work in, and if somebody says that something’s not funny, well, these other people

In addition to parking lots marked for certain groups, there are 342 additional parking spaces at Sibley Hall available for all permit holders, which can help make up for the 317 total parking spaces that will be temporarily unavailable.

Lots 9 and 10 will be closed until April 26 for testing. If testing is completed earlier, the lots will open sooner, Trombley and Boal wrote. The two lots will later close again May 20 for construction to commence. The project’s timing may be inconvenient for students and staff, but it is the best for construction considering the local climate. “Living in the North Country, it is important for outside projects to take advantage of an early break in the weather to help maximize their efforts to complete the proj-

ect in a timely manner,” Trombley and Boal wrote. “Later starts often lead to the project running into the colder months and would cause a delay in completing the work.” Further information will be communicated to the campus when the contractor supplies a detailed schedule of the work, according to Trombley’s notice posted in the Student Digest. “We understand the inconvenience these closures may cause and appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to make improvements to campus,” Trombley wrote in a Student Digest listing.

laughed at it, so that’s obviously your perspective.”

Provided by Jordan Perna Jordan Perna performs stand-up at an open mic night hosted by Radio Bean in Burlington, Vermont.

JOKES

Continued from page 2

Besides social norms, Perna also navigates societal expectations of teachers. “I know there is an expectation to (the job of a teacher), and I understand that expectation, but at the end of the day, they’re just jokes,” Perna said. “These aren’t my actual thoughts that I feel about the world.

… I just try to make some funny things about the world that I live in — that’s all that I try to do.”

If anything, comedy helps Perna engage students in the classroom while they teach, they said.

Perna is from Broadalbin, New York, and said they came from a funny family. They had always wanted to tell jokes, but didn’t have the courage to do so to large audiences until, coping with a dark time in their life, they went to an open mic event at the Vermont Comedy Club, Perna said.

“I did three minutes and I did a really good job,” Perna said. “I’ve been addicted ever since.”

Perna first proposed the idea of filming a comedy special to Olive Ridley’s in August 2023 and spent the time since perfecting the set. They rewrote the setlist to start off gently and gradually turn dark, testing the material on audiences in Vermont and Massachusetts. Then, Perna bought the equipment — lighting, a microphone and cameras to capture multiple angles.

The special will be available on Perna’s YouTube (@Perna703) and Spotify by July. Perna will post further updates and content on their Instagram (@jpernacomedy).

TALE

Continued from page 1

This choice of destination did pose some challenges. Getting there would require traveling on the day of the eclipse, and I wasn’t sure how feasible that would be given the levels of traffic.

Early April is also a strange season in the Adirondacks, with a mix of spring and winter conditions. The heavy snowfall the week before the eclipse made me question whether our group would be able to get up there, and even if we did, we would need to be prepared to keep ourselves warm and comfortable for several hours on an exposed mountainside.

Our Plan B was to view the eclipse from a field across the street from our home in Plattsburgh. But after a final recon trip with a friend the Saturday before the eclipse, we decided we’d go for it Monday and make the best of it.

Overall, the plan worked out well. We didn’t hit any traffic on our way to the trailhead, and our entire group got up to the viewing spot we had selected by about 1 p.m., well before the partial eclipse began.

That is not to say we had zero challenges. The conditions required us to start out in snowshoes, which we removed once we reached the steeper sections of the trail that feature some fairly difficult rock scrambles, but we all made it up, and the creature comforts we had hauled up in our heavy packs came in handy.

We got quite comfortable on the open rock ledge with our pads and blankets and enjoyed a little picnic lunch as we waited for the eclipse to begin. We were not the only people who had the idea of going to Catamount — there were a couple of other groups up there when we arrived and more came up afterward.

I had anticipated this and selected Catamount in part because its abundance of open rock offered space to spread out. So while nobody else was right on top of us, we were closer to other groups than we had been in Wyoming, and our own group was clustered together more tightly.

This made for a bit more chattiness as the partial eclipse began and progressed. We had a lot of

PEER

Continued from page 1

To form a group, Schmeelke, an intern at Student Support Services, reached out to Megan Monica, regional care manager for the Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiver Support Initiativel.

Within a day or two after meeting, Schmeelke and Monica decided on a schedule for the peer support group to meet.

“We thought, let’s start up with students being able to talk to other students because their journey in caregiving is going to look much different than a wife at age 65 going through caregiving,” Monica said.

Ashley Durocher, associate director of Student Support Services and adviser to the Student Mental Health Initiative, said eight to 10 students of her caseload of 100 are caregivers for family members with memory loss, which made it harder to adjust to a college environment.

“They were noticing the changes and not really feeling like it was something that’s openly talked about on campus, or just in general with their friends and peers,” Durocher said.

Durocher and Schmeelke were both caregivers in college, so the support group is a “passion project” for them, Schmeelke said. Student caregivers might have to call the family member, send them reminders and help them cook or clean on top of balancing

fun commenting on the changing shape of the obscured sun — from “Pac-Man” to “croissant” to “fat banana” to “regular banana” to “thumbnail.” The light began to change and it grew noticeably colder during the final 15 minutes before the total eclipse. As I had hoped, we could see the approaching total eclipse on the horizon to the southwest. It looked like an incoming storm or a patch of night’s shadow drawing ever closer. When totality set in, the wind died down, which helped offset the further dip in temperature.

For a second time, I saw the otherworldly silver ring of the sun’s corona. From our elevated vantage point, we could more clearly see parts of the so-called “360-degree sunset” that accompanies a total eclipse — warm orange-yellow light could be seen on every visible horizon.

Again I felt that mix of exhilaration and fear and a degree of sadness or wistfulness, which was not unpleasant. McKay and I held each other’s hands tightly and pulled closer together. I was so happy to be sharing the experience with her this time around and it was delightful to see her excitement and wonder.

Being up on a mountain meant that we had to get ourselves out of there once the eclipse ended. The conditions made what is always a somewhat challenging descent even more difficult. The steep, rocky trail was full of slushy melting snow that made some parts a bit treacherous, but just as we had made it up, we all made it out safe and sound (though not without some grumbling and some less-than-graceful sliding on our butts).

academics, work and a social life, Monica said.

“That’s a lot of pressure on its own, and not having an outlet if you’re struggling with this back at home can probably make it feel like your world is getting pretty small or pretty overloaded,” Monica said.

The meetings aim to provide an environment to freely chat with peers with similar experiences. Schmeelke or Monica also attend and can help start, guide or redirect conversations.

“I don’t put the pressure on people of ‘Let’s go around the room introducing yourself’ — that type of setting, because not everybody feels comfortable sharing,” Monica said. “Some people come to listen because that’s what they’re comfortable with at this time, and that’s fine, too.”

Snacks, such as chips, are also available, along with a goodie bag featuring brochures with support resources, materials containing general information about memory loss and care and activities both the caregiver and care recipient can enjoy, including a coloring book and a recipe book.

“I think this was a really cool packet to get,” Schmeelke said.

A successful Young Caregiver Support Group would create a network of student caregivers by connecting them to each other directly. No students have come to the meetings so far.

“I think it’s going to connect them with others on campus kind of going through the same things that they are, which is oh so great, because can I share

COMPARING, CONTRASTING

More than anything else, I feel deeply fortunate to have witnessed two total eclipses at this point in my life. These experiences have sharpened my love for nature and my understanding of the vast scale of our universe, in which our Earth floats like “a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam,” to quote the astronomer Carl Sagan. These reminders of our world’s smallness can be scary, but recognizing that we and all that we hold dear are small, temporary and fragile parts of this inconceivably huge cosmos can also make us appreciate and cherish them more.

I also find some comfort in the knowledge that most things in the universe do not depend on me. I may royally screw some things up in my own small life, but all of that cosmic clockwork will continue its elegant movements no matter how dramatic my failures. I think we can find a certain kind of acceptance in the universe’s indifference — the cosmos does not insist that we must be anything other than what we already are. Both experiences also brought me closer to people, deepening my bonds with the friends and family I directly shared them with and making me feel more connected to all humanity — indeed, to all living things. From that perspective, the things that we share with each other as human beings and even as lifeforms on Earth start to become more prominent than the things that divide and differentiate us.

When we begin to understand the size of the universe, the differences in culture, ideology, and identity that loom so large in

our everyday lives start to seem a bit trivial by comparison. We are all small parts of this larger cosmos, and we all share equally in the fate of our planet. I wouldn’t say the cosmic perspective completely erases or negates our differences, but it contextualizes them in a way that makes the gaps between us seem smaller and more possible to bridge.

Some of the main differences between my two eclipse experiences stemmed from my social role in each. In particular, I was more of a passenger “along for the ride” on the Wyoming trip, whereas I was playing host and doing much of the planning for the New York eclipse. This made the Wyoming eclipse a bit more carefree — I was able to go with the flow and didn’t have to work very hard to make anything happen.

In contrast, there was a bit more stress involved in the New York eclipse: We had to make sure our guests were comfortable and I had some reservations about making everybody scramble up a difficult trail when we could have just stayed home and viewed the eclipse from here. My greater responsibility may have made it a bit harder for me to just be “in the moment” during the New York eclipse, and the need to hike in and out also made it a bit less leisurely than the Wyoming trip had been.

The closer proximity of other people during the New York eclipse also made it somewhat different from my Wyoming experience — in particular, it was less private and personal. I was not as alone with my own thoughts and feelings as I had been during the first eclipse. This didn’t make the New York eclipse worse, just different. While my inner experience may have been less intense as a result, it was also fun and rewarding to hear and see other people’s reactions (“Wow, look at the sky over there!”), particularly McKay’s. Certainly, sharing this second eclipse with my beloved was a special and unique aspect that had not been part of the Wyoming experience!

Continue reading Andrew Christy’s guest essay online at cardinalpointsonline.com.

two people’s phone numbers?

Absolutely not, but if they meet up naturally at support group and end up exchanging information so they can talk more … they can talk through that together,” Monica said.

The Young Caregiver Support Group meets at noon the fourth Wednesday of every month.

Its next meeting is April 24 in Sibley 514, located in the Center for Neurobehavioral Health and Science, which can be accessed only from the outside, through the door on the back of the building, closest to Plattsburgh High School.

Students can also attend general meetings and events held regularly at various locations in the six counties the Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiver Support Initiative serves. All meetings and events are free. Learn more at wehelpcaregivers.com.

Provided by Andrew Christy

Andrew Christy’s group views this year’s solar eclipse in totality from the top of Catamount Mountain in New York.

Colorful celebration: Happiness in Holi

BY CINARA MARQUIS Arts & Culture Editor

Known for its colorful powders, or gulal, water balloons and joy, Holi is a popular Hindu festival that marks the coming of spring. Also known as the Festival of Color, the occasion is marked by coloring family and friends in gulal and drenching people with water.

Holi is usually celebrated in March, on the day of the last full moon of the Hindu lunisolar calendar month, Phalguna. It typically lasts for two days.

SUNY Plattsburgh’s Holi celebration was a collaboration between Club International and Community Advocates. It was hosted April 14 outside of Kent Hall.

“It’s a joyful festival known for its vibrant colors, lively music and delicious food,” Sumeet Vish -

wakarma, president of Club International, wrote over email. “During Holi, people come together irrespective of caste, creed or social status and celebrate with joy and enthusiasm. Holi promotes unity, brotherhood and the spirit of togetherness among people, making it one of the most beloved and widely celebrated festivals in India.”

ORIGINS

People celebrate Holi for many reasons, as the festival’s origins are found in a variety of stories. One such story is that of the triumph of good over evil — the legend of Prahlad and Holika.

Prahlad, a devotee of Vishnu, was saved from his aunt Holika, who tried to burn him alive. Instead of burning him she ended up burning herself.

Lost in translation,

retired SUNY prof.

finds second act

BY ROBIN CAUDELL Press-Republican

Translating Persian literature to English is the second act of retired SUNY University Distinguished Professor Emerita Patricia Higgins, PhD, of Plattsburgh. Her trajectory began inauspiciously enough when Higgins wanted to learn Persian better.

“Because Persian was my field language as an anthropologist,” she said.

“I was conversational, and I could read and write a little bit but not very well. I wasn’t very sophisticated in the language. So, I got in touch with Islamic Studies Institute at McGill and asked if I could audit their Persian classes. They were extremely welcoming.”

At McGill University in Montreal, the Intermediate Persian class was taught by Pouneh Shabani-Jadidi, PhD, who is now at the University of Chicago.

“She was very welcoming that I could come

in and sit in the classes,” Higgins said. “So, I did that for a couple of years. I took basically all of her classes. After that, she was trying to translate this book, the political commentary. She especially wanted to translate it because it was written by her father. I offered to edit it or take a look at it. She shared a chapter with me. Because I knew Persian or I could kind of read the Persian too, and I had done a fair amount of editing in English, she was so pleased with what I did she said, ‘Well, why don’t you be my co-translator. It sort of started from there.

“We enjoy working with each other. So, when we finished this one book, then we started thinking about what other projects we could do. So, that got us into the other three and now the fourth one we’re working on.”

Voices unbound in healing circle

Consistently serving as a platform for students to celebrate their diversity, embrace cultural identities and promote inclusivity on the SUNY Plattsburgh campus, FUERZA: the BIPOC Student Union and Truth, Racial, Healing & Transformation presented a TRHT circle April 4 in the H.U.B.

The TRHT circle provides students with the opportunity to recognize and value each other’s cultural backgrounds and languages every month. Participants were encouraged to celebrate their heritage, connect with their roots and strengthen their sense of belonging within the community.

The event commenced with a circle opening where attendees introduced themselves by sharing their names, pronouns and greetings in their first languages.

Guided by the TRHT touchstones, participants agreed to uphold group agreements that emphasized authenticity, mindfulness, compassion and respect for diverse perspectives.

The theme for this circle was multicultural healing.

Throughout the session, attendees engaged in meaningful discussions in pairs, reflecting on the significance of multilingualism and the experiences of living in a multicultural campus or community.

Rebuilding safety awareness, resources

BY PHILO YUNRUI WANG Contributor

In a joint effort to prioritize student physical safety and empowerment, the Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the University Police Department hosted a discussion centered around dating safety relationship red flags and situational awareness. The Tuesday, April 9 event also focused on advocacy and finding one’s voice within the LGBTQ+ community.

The discussion aimed to provide valuable insights and resources on how to improve campus safety and resource support systems. The LGBTQ+ committee recognized that college students may feel helpless when facing challenges like this.

University Police Investigator Jessica Facteau spoke at the event, explaining what happened on her side.

“When someone comes to the police and tells us, ‘I didn’t know where else to go,’ I know that it must be terrifying because somehow they made their way to the last place they would have ever found themselves,” Facteau

said. “So I’m thankful for people for being here, because I think a lot of it is going to transition so people know where to go, feel seen and are heard.”

One focus of the discussion was the LGBTQ+ Resource Committee, which is tasked with overseeing the situation on campus to ensure no student falls through the cracks. The members of this committee would collaborate closely with students to identify potential issues and ensure that they receive the best and most adequate resources.

Lindsey Bradley, cochair of the LGBTQ+ Resource Committee, talked about their job and the future of the committee.

“We are building the LGBTQ+ Resource Committee up and it’s very important for us to have the student principal. We always want to make sure that you’re safe talking about your authentic selves being here,” Bradley said.

Another important issue is how to increase students’ awareness of and access to campus resources. Some students in the discussion pointed

out that despite receiving campus safety training, they still lack awareness of available resources.

“A lot of people have come to the UPD when they probably never would have before, they just didn’t really know where to go,” Facteau said. “So we heard a lot of different stories and feedback. It was an interesting time for us because people were coming to us, even the general public, faculty and staff. It helped us grow in the sense of this work.”

JAYNE SMITH/Cardinal Points

Students playfully shower eachother in colorful powders, known as gulal, outside of Kent Hall at noon, April 14.

JAYNE SMITH/Cardinal Points

Jana Bar enjoys the Holi festivities covered in green and purple.

HOLI > 5

BY PHILO YUNRUI WANG Contributor

SAFE

Continued from page 4

These reports raised the UP’s awareness of the problems on campus, Facteau said, but they could not handle everything.

To address this issue, committee leaders planned to strengthen students’ awareness of resources by providing more face-to-face training and workshops. They also plan to use digital content and online platforms to convey important information to students so they can access help and support whenever needed.

In addition to increasing resource awareness, the discussion also emphasized the importance of campus culture and community consciousness. Some students expressed feeling unsafe or discriminated against on

HEAL

Continued from page 4

campus, so they hope to see more educational and awareness-raising activities to promote inclusivity and understanding.

Committee leaders said they will strive to create an inclusive and supportive environment while ensuring everyone can freely express themselves on campus without fear of discrimination or attack.

“I remember when I was on campus, there were a lot of student-driven discussions about LGBTQ+ needs. We had a committee called RADIUS, which organized events for the queer community, giving voice to different identities and subgroups. COVID disrupted things, but each student’s input will drive our rebuilding efforts,” Facteau said.

The discussion was a call to action for attendees to utilize the resources and support networks available to them on campus, including coun-

Throughout the session, attendees engaged in meaningful discussions in pairs, reflecting on the significance of multilingualism and the experiences of living in a multicultural campus or community.

Participants shared personal anecdotes about moments when others had preconceived expectations about their identities, exploring how such encounters impacted their cultural sense of self. In the closing segment, the group collectively reflected on the insights gained from the discussions and proposed changes they would like to see in their campus or community. Ideas for fostering greater inclusivity, understanding and connection were shared, underscoring the collective commitment to building a more welcoming and supportive environment for all.

For more information about Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation Campus Center, visit https://www.plattsburgh.edu/ about/centers/trht/index.html.

BOOKS

Continued from page 4

Books published to date are: - 2023: The Bewildered Cameleer by Simin Daneshvar. Mazda.

- 2022: Island of Bewilderment: A Novel of Modern Iran, by Simin Daneshvar. Syracuse University Press.

- 2021: Hafez in Love: A Novel, by Iraj Pezeshkzad. Syracuse University Press. (Winner of the Lois Roth Prize in Literary Translation from Persian.)

- 2018: The Thousand Families: Commentary on Leading Political Figures of Nineteenth Century Iran, by Ali

seling services, Title IX assistance and UP.

“Hearing from another student is going to be much more powerful and impactful. We can co-facilitate these workshops and discussions.

This April is my first opportunity to create a calendar of events around sexual assault awareness and prevention,” Title IX Coordinator Kim Irland said. “We can do so much more and have an impact when we focus on prevention rather than reacting to harm that’s already happened.”

By fostering a culture of support and solidarity, committee leaders plan to work further with students’ endeavors to create a campus community where every individual feels valued, heard and empowered to thrive.

Shabani. From Antiquity to Modernity: Studies on Middle Eastern Society Series. Peter Lang Publishing Inc. NY.

“We’ve been translating mostly novels, three novels, and we’ve translated also political commentary that was our first one,” Higgins said.

“We actually have another one that we’re sending out to publishers right now. We kind of got into this translating project and enjoy doing it.”

“Hafez in Love” is about the Persian lyric poet Hafiz, born Khwāja Šamsu d-Dīn Mu’ammad Hāfez-e Šīrāzī), who grew up in Shiraz and is one of the most celebrated of the Persian poets, and his influence can

HOLI

Continued from page 4

The tale is about the power of devotion over malice and encourages those celebrating the Festival of Color to mend what is broken and forgive what is passed. The story is celebrated with commemorative bonfires.

Another legend linked to Holi is the legend of Krishna and Radha, which is where Holi’s other name, the Festival of Love comes from.

“According to Hindu mythology, Lord Krishna, the playful deity, used to celebrate Holi with his beloved Radha and other gopis, or cowherd girls, in the region of Vrindavan. Their playful throwing of colored powders and water became the inspiration for the colorful celebrations of Holi,” Vishwakarma wrote.

CELEBRATIONS

“The event was successful even though the weather was not good. It was a little cold and raining outside, but more than 100 people showed up for the event,” wrote Sandesh Poudel, DeFredenburgh CA and SA Senator, over email.

At the event, people played with gulal and splashed each other with

water balloons and water guns. A DJ played music and South Asian refreshments were provided. The hosts also provided complimentary T-shirts to those who bought a ticket for the dinner event.

“We ordered food from Chartwells, but it was delicious because some members from Club International and Nepalese at Plattsburgh volunteered for several hours to prepare the food for the event, and we truly appreciate them.” Vishwakarma wrote.

There was a variety of unique, delicious dishes from South Asian cultures connecting attendees further to Holi.

“One attendee even gave us feedback, saying, ‘In the span of four years, this is the best food we’ve had at an event,’” Vish-

be felt to this day, according to poetryfoundation.org.

As the author of numerous ghazals expressing love, spirituality, and protest, he and his work continue to be important to Iranians, and many of his poems are used as proverbs or sayings.

“It’s kind of a historical novel based somewhat on the poet Hafez who lived in Iran in the 14th century,” Higgins said.

“Hafez is still an extremely famous and read and recited every day all over the Persian speaking world, but very little is known about him except for his poetry. The author of this book imagines Hafez as a young man and he puts him in a setting,

what actually was going on in the cities that he lived in in 1354.

“Everything else is kind of imagined events of his. The imagination is also based on the poetry, and the novel includes a lot of Hafez’s poetry. The story imagines him sitting around with his friends quoting things. That’s kind of an unusual thing for a novel to have so much poetry interspersed in it.”

“The Island of Bewilderment” is set in Tehran with a college-educated young woman, who is trying to be independent and make her own choices in life from the pressures of her society.

“One of the reasons that I really enjoyed doing it is it’s set in the 1970s, which is when I was in Iran,” Higgins said.

wakarma wrote.

“It was gorgeous but cold,” said attendee Isabella Johnston. “I felt like it was a great event to get the Plattsburgh community immersed in Hindu culture.”

Vishwakarma wrote that he wanted to spread awareness and understanding about South Asia through the event. He also wanted to advocate for inclusivity.

“Think of festivals like the Festival of Colors, where people put colors on each other regardless of gender, and when covered in colors, there’s no difference between individuals,” Vishwakarma wrote.

“Through events like this, you can learn a lot about origins, history, and significance out of curiosity.”

Not only did the event introduce some people to Holi, it also gave South Asian international and non-international students a feel from home.

Vishwakarma explained that he was one of the happiest people at the festival.

“Seeing everyone enjoying themselves, indulging in the delicious food, calling their friends to join and running around, I was speechless. The sight of people attending the event, the whole ground filled with colors and happiness — it was truly a remarkable moment.” Vishwakarma wrote.

“We did her two later novels that are kind of connective with one another. It’s kind of a sequel. Those were fun books to work on.”

“I could almost hear my friends talking in this book. So, it had a very kind of a personal connection for me. I enjoyed doing those for that reason.” Daneshvar is known as the first woman to have a novel published in Persian. “That first one was published in 1969 and became a bestseller,” Higgins said.

For Higgins, translation has been a pleasure. “It keeps my mind active, and I sort of have this entertaining thing to do,” she said. “It usually doesn’t have a deadline. When we have a publisher and their editing is done and they want us to proof pages or whatever, then there’s deadline. So, you have to kind of work hard on it. For me, it’s very compatible with retirement because basically I have my own schedule.”

With Shabani-Jadidi in Chicago, the translators collaborate now primarily by Skype and email. “We enjoy working together, and we’ve become really good friends through the process,” Higgins said.

ALEKSANDRA SIDROVA/Cardinal Points DEI hosts housewarming at the H.U.B. in 2023.

JAYNE SMITH/Cardinal Points

A family plays with colorful powders together.

JAYNE SMITH/Cardinal Points

Colorful powder fills the air outside of Kent Hall.

CARDINAL CALENDAR: April 19 to 26

the Black Student Union club

Featuring elements such as music, dancing, socializing, and educational components that highlight the significance of Freaknik within Black culture.

Outside of Kent Café from 3 to 7 p.m.

Aries (March 21 – April 19)

The Seven of Cups card signifies opportunities. You may find yourself in a situation where you have to decide something important this week. Daydream, imagine and contemplate your thoughts —then decide.

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

The Five of Wands card refers to conflict. Inner struggles may be plaguing you, so embrace honesty. With self-reflection, you can begin to strive for personal growth.

Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22)

The reversed Queen of Swords card is about apathy. It will only lead to bitterness if you allow your emotions to control you. Set boundaries with individuals that you disagree with in order to prevent isolating yourself.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19)

The Seven of Wands card refers to a challenge. Push through this week with enthusiasm, because your skills will be put to the test. You know you’ve got it.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)

The Six of Swords card depicts transitions. This week there will be lots of movement, be sure to release your previous baggage so that progress is smooth.

Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22)

The High Priestess card signifies intuition. Trust your instincts and dig deeper to access wisdom within and outside of yourself. Ask questions, especially about what you find uncomfortable.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21)

The Knight of Swords card is about ambition. Trade impulsivity and foolishness for confidence. Be assertive about your values, your perseverance will pay off.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18)

The Emperor card depicts sovereignty. Confront difficult authorities in your life and act with confidence and competence against their potential mistreatment.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)

The Nine of Pentacles card refers to abundance. Your journey to self-reliance and financial independence is finally being rewarded. Treat yourself this week and (mindfully) splurge.

Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22)

The reversed King of Swords card represents manipulation. Do not misuse your authority for personal gain, so instead, listen to others and learn to create a balance between self-assertion and understanding.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21)

The reversed Three of Cups card entails vindictiveness. You may have a tendency to let your emotions control you so do not let yourself manifest malicious motives this week.

Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20)

The Seven of Swords card signifies contemplation. Take this week to think about how to manage interpersonal conflicts without betraying your own happiness. You need to strategize to get what you want.

Sunday, April 14 in front of Kent Hall.

This week in photos: Holi celebration

Photos by Jayne Smith

Read more about the festival on page 4.

Isabella Johnston and Graphics Editor Cameron Greaves smile. Sumeet Vishwakarma has his face smeared with pink-colored powder.

Attendees dance in a cloud of purple dye. The tradition of throwing colored powders celebrates the coming of spring.

Attendees enjoyed South Asian snacks, including samosas.

Yuki Ouchi squirts at Dhir Jain, Anshika Sharma and Ankita Mane.

Manhattan wins Battle of the Boroughs

BY KAMIKO CHAMBLE Staff Writer

The Battle of the Boroughs tournament featured students representing boroughs in New York City in a basketball bracket for the title of best borough. Plattsburgh’s Fuerza: The BIPOC Student Union hosted its eighth annual tournament — which it’s hosted since 2016 — in Memorial Hall on April 12. The history of the tournament has seen several boroughs win. No team won more than once until 2023, when Brooklyn won both 2022 and 2023’s tournaments.

Five teams competed: Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island. Each was coached by a member of Fuerza. Games were 15 minutes long and teams who lost in the first round were given a second chance through a losers bracket, where they would need to beat the reigning champs Brooklyn.

The first game of the night was Manhattan against the Bronx, which was quick as Manhattan took the win 28-12.

Playing on Manhattan were returning players from previous years Ethan, Siri Thom-

as, Damian Hunter, Darren Wright and Franklin Infante. There were two new players in Willard Anderson Jr. and Bely, with Ashley Rufino coaching. Wright, Infante and Anderson play for the Plattsburgh men’s basketball team, making the Manhattan squad an intimidating matchup. Playing on the Bronx were returning players Koree, Rah Irving and Francisco Lautere. Making their first appearance for the team was Jaiden Butts, Wykeem Brown, Kam and Daniel, with Isabella Rozon coaching.

UPCOMING

MICHAEL PURTELL/Cardinal Points

Ladan Graves shoots a free

Athletes host Special Olympics

BY MICHAEL PURTELL Sports Editor

SUNY Plattsburgh’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is a steady presence throughout the lives of campus’ student athletes.

The student-run committee hosts events in support of the community, teaches athletes important organizational and leadership skills, pushes for new initiatives to improve the lives of student athletes and brings Plattsburgh Athletics to new demographics.

Most recently SAAC paired with Special Olympics North America and hosted two events on campus in celebration of Unified Championship Week. SAAC invited special olympics athletes to participate in sports activities for the Unified Field Day April 6. The second Unified Championship Week event was a friendly basketball game between two teams made up of SAAC members and members of Peru High School’s unified basketball team April 11. The field day consisted of activities ranging from team sports such

as basketball and soccer to backyard games such as cornhole, all hosted in the Plattsburgh State Field House. Burghy made an appearance as well, hosting an impromptu penalty kick shootout with special olympics athletes.

“The environment was just so positive,” SAAC Co-President Michaela Schaffer said.

The goal of the event was to include all athletes in the sports which SAAC members participated in on campus, SAAC Co-President Lily White said. The day was free of a schedule or rigid structure, and was focused on simply hanging out and having fun.

“The greatest success was seeing all of our

athletes intermingling with the special olympics athletes and seeing how much fun everyone had,” White said.

The basketball game the following Thursday continued the “good vibes,” White said. No matter which team scored, the competing athletes had bright faces and the crowd erupted into cheers.

The game took place in Memorial Hall, and the spectators — composed of Cardinal athletes and unified athlete family members — filled the entire half of the gym’s bleachers end-to-end.

“It was awesome and really, really cool to see,” SAAC Adviser Kelci Henn said. “6 o’clock at night on a

Thursday and our athletes showed up in numbers.”

The events were brought to campus by

White and SUNYAC NCAA Division III National SAAC Representative Amanda Cohen. The inspiration came when the duo had attended the NCAA SAAC convention and the SUNYAC SAAC retreat, both of which stressed the importance of celebrating the Special Olympics.

“We knew that it was achievable on our campus,” White said.

The success of the event led White and Henn to hope the celebration of Unified Championship Week will become an annual event for SAAC, who hosts several other annual events for the sake of building community through Plattsburgh State Athletics.

Other communityfocused events that SAAC holds annually include Trunk-or-Treat for Halloween, an egg hunt for Easter and a leaf-raking day for Plattsburgh residents in need of a helping hand in the fall.

BY COLLIN BOLEBRUCH Editor in Chief

an official ambassador for Morgan’s Message, a national organization dedicated to raising awareness for mental health in sports. Rachel has worked with multiple teams on campus to host Morgan’s Message dedication games. Her team will play theirs at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 20.

Rachel is an avid outdoor enthusiast, and can often be found on the slopes or trails of the Adirondacks. Rachel has reach all across athletics, as she is a former member of Plattsburgh State’s women’s soccer team. She can also play a mean flute.

This question and answer was conducted with Rachel over text April 16.

Question: What is the coolest place you’ve seen Morgan’s Message reach on campus?

Answer: Honestly just spotting people in my classes who I’ve never met wearing Morgan’s message bracelets feels super rewarding. It’s been really cool seeing the lacrosse team in their new apparel too. Getting the men’s teams involved has been a goal of ours for a while now, their input in the mental health conversation on campus is so crucial.

Q: You have a free Saturday — where are you going on a hike?

A: There’s a ton of beautiful places up here but my favorite day hikes would have to be flume falls and cobble lookout in Wilmington. Poke-o-moonshine is always a good one too. Especially in the fall, you can’t beat the workout or the views!

Q: What song could you play best on the flute right now? Do you miss your wind ensemble days?

A: Wow really exposing me here but I played a lot of songs from popular movies for my wind ensemble, like Star Wars, Moana, etc. The Harry Potter theme song I could probably nail. I do miss it and actually looked into joining the symphonic

band here, but it just wouldn’t fit into my schedule.

Q: What’s a responsibility captains have that most people wouldn’t think of?

A: I think there’s a few unspoken responsibilities that I didn’t realize right away, mostly having to do with communication off the field. For example, having to be very accessible throughout the day when questions and other things come up from Coach or my teammates last minute. I’ve also found myself having to lead some difficult and sometimes uncomfortable conversations in order to keep the team on track and moving in the right direction together.

COLLIN BOLEBRUCH/Cardinal Points

Rachel LaMar during halftime against the Fredonia Blue Devils on March 30.

Provided by Mae Olshansky

Members of both teams share a moment during halftime of the Unified Championship week basketball game April 11.

Provided by Mae Olshansky Burghy’s penalty kick shootout at Unified field Day April 6.

SAAC > 11

Continued from page 8

CLARKSON Plattsburgh played strongly on both ends of the diamond against the Golden Knights. The Cardinals’ offense came alive after two scoreless innings, scoring seven runs through the game.

With a critical SUNYAC matchup against Fredonia on the horizon, the Cardinals wanted to ensure that all of their pitchers were well rested and ready for the series, leading them to use multiple pitchers throughout the contest.

“We have a very good pitching staff. When we get up on a team, it makes it very hard for them to come back,” Quinn-Loeb said.

The Cardinals used six different pitchers over the nine innings. Plattsburgh’s pitching staff pitched eight runless innings, with the only run from Clarkson coming in the third inning.

FREDONIA GAME ONE

Plattsburgh started its threegame series against the Blue Devils with a doubleheader on Saturday, April 12.

Junior Kolby Mordecki took the mound as the starter pitcher for the first game of the series. Mordecki pitched seven strong innings against the Blue Devils, allowing only one run in the top

BATTLE

Continued from page 8

of the seventh inning before Plattsburgh turned to its bullpen in the top of the eighth inning. The pitcher also struck out six batters along the way.

“I try to focus on one batter at a time and not think about anything else,” Mordecki said.

The start earned him SUNYAC pitcher of the week, his second of the season, and lowered his season ERA to 3.60, the fourth-best mark in the SUNYAC.

Leading up to its matchup against Fredonia, the Cardinals wanted to focus on improving their situational hitting and translating that into game scenarios, graduate student Conner Gonzalski said.

“At any point during the game, we know that we can score runs if we stick to our batting approach and try not to do too much,” Gonzalski said.

After a scoreless first inning, the Cardinals got the bats rolling in the top of the second and third innings, scoring a run off of an RBI double in the second and a solo shot over the wall from Gonzalski in the third.

Fredonia struck back in the eighth inning and scored two runs. One run came off of Mordecki, spoiling his scoreless outing, and the other came from reliever Dylan Bass after the Cardinals went to its bullpen to finish the game.

Both teams went scoreless to finish the game, giving Plattsburgh the 5-2 win in game one of the doubleheader.

FREDONIA GAME TWO

“To go out and win two games in a row can be a tough task,” Mordecki said.

The Cardinals were up for the challenge and beat the Blue Devils 6-5.

“I expected (my teammates) to play better. I felt like I was the only one out there trying to do anything,” Lautere said. “We all thought it was going to go a different way but when it came down to it they got scared because they saw a couple of basketball players on the other team.”

The next game was Staten Island against Queens, which ended with a 29-24 Staten Island win. This game was competitive, but Staten Island pushed through and took the victory.

Coaching Staten Island was Fuerza member Zaniah Smalls. Returning players included Levi Delaney, Justin Blanchett, Laden Graves, Mussa Kone, Nathan and Orlando Dawkins, with one new addition to the team in Jeremy Jolly. Jolly, Dawkins and Graves are all rostered on the Cardinals basketball team.

“Preparing for the game, I workout everyday regardless, that was non negotiable for me. Mentally preparing, I just came home from work and relaxed, drank water and ate right,” Jolly said.

Ivonne Diaz coached Queens team. Returning players included Khanye Liggan, Jonah Baker-Flora and George Brito. New players joining the team were Damien, Anu, Timothy and Joseph.

The first game of the losers bracket was the Bronx against Queens. Queens took a close win 22-20 and eliminated the Bronx.

In the fourth game, Staten Island faced Manhattan. Manhattan took another dominant win 37-24.

“I feel like we played a lot of oneon-one basketball and we should’ve never tried to play at their speed. We took a lot of shots, a lot of contested midrange and threes — it just wasn’t worth it,” Jolly said.

Manhattan punched its ticket to the final game with the win. The team’s success came from every one of its members, Thomas said.

In the fifth game, Queens competed against the reigning cham-

Plattsburgh got on the scoreboard in dramatic fashion, as Alex Kornblau stole home to put the Cards up 1-0 in the first inning. Plattsburgh scored again, putting them up 2-0. Starting pitcher Chris Santic allowed zero runs while striking the last two batters out to round out the inning.

“When the pitchers are doing their job and doing it well it makes it much easier for us hitters to score runs for them,” Gonzalski said.

Fredonia responded, and scored a run off of an SAC RBI in the bottom of the third inning. The Blue Devils also kept the Cardinals from scoring, cutting Plattsburgh’s lead to one.

Both teams cooled down, not scoring until the top of the seventh, where Plattsburgh notched a run. The Blue Devils didn’t match.

“With the good pitchers we have in our bullpen, we knew it would be very hard for them to come back,” Quinn-Loeb said.

Plattsburgh came out hot in the eighth inning, scoring

four runs thanks to good situational hitting and sound baserunning. The Cardinals bullpen allowed two runs, making the score 7-3. With the game seemingly out of reach, the Blue Devils did not accept defeat easily. It started its ninth inning by shutting down Plattsburgh’s offense. Fredonia scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth, almost completing the comeback. The game ended with a 7-6 Cardinal victory.

FREDONIA GAME THREE

Sunday’s final game of the series went in Plattsburgh’s favor. The team earned a massive 16-2 win and finished their sweep of Fredonia. The Cardinals’ bats were hot right from the start, scoring three runs in the first inning,

pions Brooklyn. Brooklyn, coming off of a first round bye due to their status as reigning champs, won the game 35-23. Brooklyn was coached by Nekaybaw Ross. Matt Kone-Bradshaw and Anthony Williams Jr. returned from last year’s winning team. New additions to the team were Ant, Jeremiah LoveSmith, Irwayne Connell, Anthon Brown, and Ike Ezike. Williams, Love-Smith, Kone-Bradshaw and Ezike also play for Plattsburgh’s men’s basketball team.

The crowd was amped up to see the returning champs in action, creating an electric environment.

Onlookers filled the overlook, the balcony in the rec gym, and the sidelines of the court. Hundreds of students attended the event.

The championship game was the two-time champions Brooklyn against a rolling Manhattan. Man-

hattan completed their day of dominance with a 32-22 win.

Manhattan won every game they played by double digits.

Brooklyn was shocked to have lost, unable to complete the Battle of the Boroughs three-peat.

Manhattan knew it had what it took to upset Brooklyn.

“I did expect to win. I felt confident, I liked my team, and I liked what we were going against. So I was really confident,” Thomas said.

The large crowd kept the energy up throughout the event with cheers, keeping the games fun even in a loss.

“I feel like we could’ve done better,” Love-Smith said. “It was still fun though, there were a lot of people.”

two runs in the second, one run in the third, and three runs in the fourth.

Andrew Veit took the mound for the start of game three. The pitcher went six innings, allowing two runs and seven hits. Plattsburgh’s reliever Nick Goldberg pitched one inning to close out the game, with the Cardinals winning by mercy rule in the seventh inning.

Plattsburgh is in third place in the SUNYAC, and looking to clinch a playoff berth this season. Their next few SUNYAC series against Oneonta and Oswego are crucial for securing their spot.

“We’re in a good spot where we can control everything,” Quinn-Loeb said.

Plattsburgh’s home series against Oneonta will begin with one game Friday, April 19. The teams will then face off in a doubleheader Saturday, April 20.

3

T&F - Charles Cypress leads the SUNYAC in three events: the 100-meter dash, the 200-meter dash and the 400-meter dash.

15

BASE - The Cardinals have scored 15 or more runs in three conference games this season.

13/54

WLAX - Lillian Gilroy set the Plattsburgh State high for draw controls in a game with 13 and in a season with 54.

11

MLAX - The Cardinals will be celebrating 11 seniors for Senior Day on Saturday, April 20.

COLLIN BOLEBRUCH/Cardinal Points

Junior pitcher Logan Avin throws a ball in the game against Clarkson at home April 11.

MICHAEL PURTELL/Cardinal Points

Siri Thomas throws down a transition dunk against the Bronx on April 12.

Catron follows uncle’s lead to Plattsburgh

BY COLLIN BOLEBRUCH Editor in Chief

A young man from Delaware finds himself in Plattsburgh. Aaron Catron has been trained to play his whole life and his future is bright. He’s now with one of the most prestigious Division III programs ever — the Plattsburgh Cardinals.

In 1984, 40 years ago, another young man from Delaware lived in the same city. Mark Catron was naive and hungry to prove himself in the harsh world of junior ice hockey. He fought to be noticed on the worst juniors team of all time — the Plattsburgh Pioneers.

The sport of hockey brought a man and his nephew to the same city, 400 miles from home, to become not just professionals, but men.

“You have to not only figure out hockey, but now it’s the first time you’re on your own,” Mark said.

MARK North Country hockey first joined the national stage in the early 1980s.

Team USA defeated the USSR in the greatest game of hockey ever played for the gold medal in Lake Placid in 1980. Plattsburgh State’s fledgling program earned its first NCAA Championship berths in 1981 and 1982.

The sport lit the region on fire.

Simultaneously, the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League, a Canadian juniors league, was eying its first expansion into the United States. Plattsburgh, just 60 miles from Montréal, was a top candidate.

Mark was playing U18 hockey for the Seattle Breakers when he got wind of the news.

The league introduced the Plattsburgh Pioneers in 1984, made up completely of American players. Without an expansion draft, the Pioneers could sign

players from a few different states, not including Mark’s home state of Delaware, he recalled. That didn’t stop him — Mark tried out under his friend’s New Jersey address.

He was one of the first to sign on. The team struggled to find talent beyond the first few signees.

“Most expansion teams aren’t very good, but at least it would get publicity as an allAmerican team,” Mark said. “It seemed like a real hard thing of getting quality players.”

Mark, just 18 years old, was relocating without a billet. The area was completely new to him, and the locals were already attached to the Cardinals. He was immediately welcomed by the city.

“The guys loved Plattsburgh. The people were awesome,” Mark said. “We had a lot of fun there — not so much in the rink, but out of the rink, getting along with people and making a lot of friends.”

Mark lived with his teammates, now comparing the situation to a college dorm. In a house full of teenagers, Mark had to learn how to live on his own.

“You were thrown into a living situation where you have to cook for yourself, do your laundry,” Mark said.

The Pioneers first hit the ice at Plattsburgh State’s Field House — now named Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena — because Crete Memorial Civic Center, its intended home, wasn’t ready yet.

The team’s debut game ended in overtime, losing 6-7 to the Hull Olympiques on September 15, 1984.

The matchup featured a bench-clearing brawl that included Mark at the bottom of a dogpile.

“That first game we played was really a fun one,” Mark said. “I wish

SAAC

Continued from page 9

These events help articulate to the community what SAAC — and the student-athletes of Plattsburgh State as a whole — are all about, Henn said. Since her time as a student SAAC member, “It has always been about the service aspects.”

“(SAAC) shows the community that they’re more

we were that competitive all the way through.”

Plattsburgh lost the next 16 games by a combined score of 49178, moved rinks and folded before November. The team has since been hailed as the worst ever.

The Pioneers and Mark faced plenty of future NHL talent, including Jimmy Carson, Claude Lemieux and Stéphane Richer.

Mark notched one of his two goals of the season against the Granby Bisons at the Ronnie B. on October 11. It was a score he never forgot — the victim was future Hockey Hall of Famer and greatest goalie of all time Patrick Roy.

“He was really good then, but you never knew he was going to be what he was,” Mark said.

Mark, like his teammates, was playing to be recognized. When the team folded, he signed with the Virginia Lancers of the Atlantic Coast Hockey League.

“I told Aaron, ‘We were the worst junior team in the history of junior teams,’” Mark said. “‘But there were still four of us that got out of there and made a living out of it.’”

AARON

Aaron first hit the ice away from home in Indiana.

“I don’t remember putting on my skates for the first time,” Aaron said.

There, Mark, and his father, Matt, owned a rink

than just athletes that go to practice or play in games. They do a lot for their communities and are active on their playing fields and outside of their playing fields,” Henn said.

SAAC has had a busy year. In addition to hosting community events, the committee has made strides in improving the lives of present and future Cardinal athletes through the Athletes Supporting Athletes initiative and a push to get SUNY Plattsburgh to adopt

that hosted Indiana Jr. Ice. “Aaron would literally spend his day on the ice. That was our babysitter. Threw him on the ice,” Mark said. “That’s all he did. He was that obsessed.”

When Aaron was growing up, Mark landed a job as the head coach and general manager of the Philadelphia Little Flyers of the Eastern Hockey League. Aaron found himself in Mark’s camps both as a volunteer and participant.

“His coaching was greatly extended to me,” Aaron said.

Eventually, Aaron landed a roster spot with the Little Flyers, playing in two games for the club in 2021. He then signed with the Boston Jr. Bruins of the National Collegiate Development Conference in the United States Premier Hockey League. Aaron played 96 games with the Junior Bruins. When his second season in Boston ended in 2023, he was brought on by Philadelphia for the playoffs.

“It was fun for me to coach him in his last games of youth hockey,” Mark said. “I loved coaching him, having grown up from a baby and then the whole way up.” Mark made some calls and reached Plattsburgh Head Coach Steve Moffat, trying to put him on to Aaron, knowing Steve liked players like Aaron — fast and skillful.

priority registration for student athletes.

The Athletes Supporting Athletes initiative has been a response to the smaller crowds from the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative asks a percentage of each sports team on campus to attend as many of their peers’ games as possible for points.

The result of the initiative was a deeper appreciation among athletes and team culture building, Schaffer said.

Steve and Aaron communicated, and there was a time when Aaron was ready to move on from Plattsburgh as an option. Both sides ultimately decided Aaron would be a Cardinal.

“(Mark) never told me he played in Plattsburgh until right before I committed,” Aaron said. “I actually never visited.”

Mark thought Plattsburgh was Aaron’s best choice — a storied program and a great community. Aaron would be a first-year for the 2023-24 season.

Though Aaron, now 22 years old, was a little older than his uncle when Mark arrived at Plattsburgh, this was the first time he’d be on his own. Aaron is spending this season on-campus with his teammates.

“The guys really made me comfortable,” Aaron said. “It’s such a nice area.”

Adopting priority registration at Plattsburgh was another result of the SUNYAC SAAC retreat. When Cohen and White saw other SUNYAC schools allowing priority registration, they knew it was something they wanted to push for at Plattsburgh State, White said. Talks are still ongoing, but SAAC has worked hard to bring the proposal in front of the school president and get it considered, Henn said.

Steve likes to play his first-years, and Aaron took advantage of his opportunities. In 28 games, Aaron scored six goals and six assists for 12 total points. His future as a Cardinal is bright.

Off the ice, Aaron’s come to like Plattsburgh and the fanbase. The 2,188 fans recorded in the Cardinals’ SUNYAC Championship Final loss is a far cry from the 800 in the Pioneers’ finale.

During Aaron’s first season, the old Crete Center was demolished. Mark is still trying to find the time to return to the North Country and watch Aaron play on the same ice he played on, at the Ronnie B. “You’re far north,” Mark said. “But the town is awesome.”

SAAC’s role in encouraging student athletes to better their communities is made evident through Cohen and White’s push to plan the Unified Field Day and the priority registration initiative, Henn said.

“It is really awesome to see your students be passionate about things and take the initiative to set it up,” Henn said.

COLLIN BOLEBRUCH/Cardinal Points

Aaron Catron sports a replica of his uncle, Mark Catron’s, Plattsburgh Pioneers hockey sweater.

COLLIN BOLEBRUCH/Cardinal Points

Aaron Catron celebrates his goal against Cortland during the Casella Teddy Bear Toss on Dec. 1, 2023.

Female role models changed over time

BY NADIA PASCHAL

Pop culture is constantly evolving, and it can be hard to keep up with what or who is in or out. However, one thing has remained constant, and that is the importance of role models. It’s especially important for there to be women to fill these roles, so that young girls, or women of any age, can look up to them.

There are various definitions of what exactly a role model is, but there are a few common features that they possess. Ambition, confidence and a positive attitude are just a few attributes that they have to offer.

Kaitlynn Lehr, a junior at SUNY Plattsburgh, was involved in competitive dancing as a child and found most of her role models within that field. She looked up to the professionals in that field, and in terms of celebrities found herself relating to some of the stars of the television show “Dance Moms,” such as Maddie Ziegler and Chloe Lukasiak.

“It was nice to see someone going through the same thing,” Lehr said. “Their pro -

fessionalism at that age and how amazing they were at dancing (was inspiring).”

The status and image of the ideal role model has changed drastically over the last decade or so, especially for women. Many female idols, such as Britney Spears and Miley Cyrus, had whole brands that revolved around being wholesome, family-friendly and just overall being “America’s sweetheart.”

Studios and managers pushed them to fit a certain mold so that they would fit an image they could sell. It was all about what made them the most money. Famous women were held to different standards than famous men were.

“People are very careful about the way that they present themselves to people now versus back then. Now we are all about being inclusive and celebrities really want to make sure they’re not hindering that inclusivity in any way shape or form,” Lehr said. “So they’re very cautious and careful about what they like, what they comment on and what they share on their platforms. Back then they would just like whatever.

They did not really think about the inclusivity as much as they do now.”

With that in mind, female role models of past generations should not be completely denounced. They paved the way for those who are currently considered role models, and worked hard to get to where they were, inspiring young girls to also pursue their dreams. This showed that women could achieve anything that they set their mind to.

One thing that many look for in a role model today is authenticity. Individuality and nonconformity appeal to Gen Z, and many look for women who emulate those traits. We’re in a time that’s focusing heavily on female empowerment but in a more genuine sense than we’ve seen in the past.

Lehr said she feels there is authenticity among idols and role models, but in a way that can be considered carefully crafted.

“There is a sense of fake authenticity, but they are standing up for what they believe in at the same time. Not necessarily that they’re fake in everything that they do is fake, but they go

about it in careful ways to make sure everyone is included and they aren’t harming anyone,” Lehr said. Lehr said that female role models and new celebrities these days can be found on TikTok, YouTube and in the music industry rather than traditional forms of media such as television shows. However, the status of these icons is ever changing, as people move from trend to trend and are drawn to the newest and hottest thing.

Although the amount of media we consume on a daily basis can be overwhelming, many modern role models can actually be found online.

The rise of social media offers a whole new breed of idols that are easier to connect with and more relatable than the typical celebrity. Their images may also be carefully crafted, but you can still get a sense of their values and their personality, as they connect directly with their audience.

There are still celebrities who are considered timeless, setting good examples for a long time. Women such as Taylor Swift and Beyonce have been in the

public eye for many years and continue to be revered.

It was inspiring to talk to other women about who they considered role models, and what qualities they find important. It made me reevaluate who I look up to and what I find important.

Personally, I look up to women who fight against injustice no matter the cost, such as Jane Fonda, Angelina Jolie and Audrey Hepburn. They are not afraid to use their platforms or upset people in order to speak up and defend what’s right and get involved directly with the causes they fought or fight against.

Women have been fighting to express themselves for years, and it seems like progress has been made rapidly over the past few years.

There are many great examples of women across multiple industries for girls of any age to look up to and see themselves in. No matter what field or interest you look into, there are women who push boundaries and make change.

Greek life on resume affects hiring process

BY VICTORIA CAMPBELL Staff Writer

Greek life in the media is often portrayed as being superficial and full of partying. It can offer a more fulfilling college experience. However, college students may be hesitant to include Greek life on their resume because it can leave an impression that is not always positive.

Putting a fraternity on a resume is debatable, depending on what you put into the experience, according to Jason Lynch, SUNY Plattsburgh alumnus and brother of Delta Sigma Phi.

For Lynch, being in a fraternity and putting it on his resume did not affect his ability to get a job.

“I think it definitely can be (good) for some people as it shows your ability to balance school work and fraternity obligations while building connections,” Lynch said. Being in a fraternity has several positives in regards to getting a job, including attending conferences and networking.

An employer’s perspective is essential, especially if you want to win them over with your resume and experience.

“I don’t think they necessarily would be impressed, but it does not hurt to have on a resume to show you were involved in the community,” Lynch said. However, some employers can easily overlook the experience and focus on the stereotypes of Greek life. This can easily ruin one’s chance in an inter-

view or cause them to move on to the next potential employee quickly.

Someone can potentially overlook hiring someone affiliated with Greek life, Lynch said, as some people have a negative stigma about Greek life, but he does not think it is the make or break of a resume.

Lynch does not think being in a fraternity is a deciding factor in getting a job, especially if there is no relation to the career.

Most employers want more job-related experience, which, depending on the position, can be beneficial. For example, being the treasurer of your organization can be an advantage if you were going into a financial related job. Everyone who went to college or has had an experience with Greek life will have their own opinion about whether they like it.

An employer should not step away from hiring someone if they see it on a resume, but they could potentially ask more complex, more detailed interview questions. This could allow the company to see what someone got out of their experience in Greek life as well as any skills they may have developed.

A resume should include every related experience that could help one’s career. Still, without a role within the fraternity or sorority, it could be more beneficial to mention during the interview if it relates to the position.

‘Immaculate’ slow, boring

BY KOLIN KRINER Staff Writer

After watching the disappointment that was “Imaginary,” I was set on watching a movie that I assumed I would enjoy. “Immaculate,” directed by Michael Mohan, did not deliver, despite its misleading name.

A very slow burn with very little reward, the film offers 20 minutes of immaculate imagery being the icing on an incredibly dry, tasteless cake that is the remainder of the film. Hollywood is overusing the nun religious horror, and it’s frankly getting boring.

Oh, where to start on the problems with this film? How about the lead actress? After watching the worst superhero flick I’ve seen — aka “Madame Web,” — I was hoping this movie would shed better light on Sydney Sweeney’s apparent acting abilities. Yet, this movie left me questioning whether those abilities are there.

The entire movie is just Sweeney (Cecilia) running around screaming while other irrelevant characters do uninteresting things.

The screaming felt so forced I genuinely laughed at how ridiculous it sounded and looked. The camera held long shots of her face as she essentially takes the role of a banshee. A boring main character doing nothing for the boring, predictable plot.

The plot on paper feels like an interesting concept, paying homage to 1968’s “Rosemary’s Baby.” That film, however, is a masterpiece. This movie decided to give a weak attempt at this amazing idea and failed miserably in producing a movie that is immaculate.

The movie is genuinely good for about 20 minutes, mostly thanks to the gore, which felt splattered in to disguise how messy the plot is. It was confusing while simultaneously being so boring I could barely stay awake to pay any attention to it.

ror. The trend is getting old and is really showing the downfall of originality in modern movies.

The film also uses the most cliche and cheap jumpscares that weren’t scary. This movie isn’t even frightening, honestly, it’s a comedy because it’s laughably bad.

Don’t waste your time watching this boring movie lost in the uproar that is the current trend of nun hor-

The movie tried to be a psychological thriller but lost the “thrill” part of that and just left me psychologically distressed that I wasted 89 minutes of my life watching it.

Remember, you’re trying to watch a psychological THRILLER, not a psychological snooze fest — which is all “Immaculate” is.

Online dating apps are growing in popularity in the college environment.

Convenience has become a primary reason why several people use apps like Tinder and Bumble.

With so many profiles available, it seems guaranteed that someone would find a connection amongst them. However, the risks of using these apps may outweigh the benefits.

Hailee Jennette, a sophomore at SUNY Plattsburgh, uses both Tinder and Bumble.

In Jennette’s experience, these apps tend to have a negative feel because they are not natural, as you’re swiping based on someone’s appearance rather than meeting in-person based on personality.

“I think these apps can harm the dating culture just

because people are starting to think that life revolves around hookups and no relationship will come out of it,” Jennette said. “It’s a one-and-done deal.”

The dating culture has the potential to become unemotional and impact the definition of a relationship. Online dating can ruin the dynamics of a relationship and expectations.

Online dating may also cause side effects, such as depression, rejection issues and anxiety, it can negatively cause low self-esteem, according to Embark Behavioral Health, an organization that offers mental health services.

While several college students use these apps, there are precautions one should take. Catfishing has increasingly been a problem for Jennette.

“I have been catfished and sexually assaulted by someone I met there,

which leaves a traumatic experience,” Jennette said.

This experience has impacted Jennette’s habits of using online dating. A report done by UK Finance reported that roughly 27% of users experienced being catfished within the last year.

Jennette said using dating apps is not a good idea if looking for a longterm relationship.

Not only can it impact one’s self-worth, but it is socially unhealthy. People get used to talking over a screen, and when meeting face-to-face, it can cause anxiety and awkwardness because it is not the traditional way to meet someone.

“People are starting to feel unworthy, and online dating does not allow you to get out of your comfort zone and talk face-toface,” Jennette said.

People tend to be much harsher over a screen, which can impact one’s confidence,

especially since these dating apps have become increasingly used for hookups.

Unless you are looking for a hookup, these apps are unsuccessful, Jennette said.

Meeting friends or significant others can be difficult, especially if you get used to talking through text or social media.

Online dating might not be successful because people want different things, whether a relationship, hookup or fling. It can be easy to give off the wrong impression, and people are more likely to swipe on people they are physically attracted to over personality or things they might have in common.

Online dating will continue to give college students a false sense of what