Cardinal Points Issue fall 2020 1 (Sept. 4, 2020)

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FRIDAY, SEPT. 4, 2020

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VOLUME 103 - ISSUE 1

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Campus life reshaped by COVID-19

BY LISETTE LINARES Staff Writer

2020 has been a very hectic academic year. Schools were shutting down, and students were adjusting to distance learning via virtual platforms such as Zoom amidst the coronavirus pandemic. In March, the New York State and SUNY system wound up in the dark with no contingency plan in place in

regards to the upcoming fall 2020 semester. Forced to adapt to this new reality, the pandemic sparked confusion and left several people wondering if and when universities were going to reopen.

SUNY Plattsburgh President Alexander Enyedi said the SUNY system created the proper guidelines prioritizing both safety and education.

“By May 15, we wrote a preliminary summary

that was submitted to the SUNY system for feedback. Once we got through that plan, we submitted it to SUNY, and SUNY worked with the State of New York to certify our plan. Our plan was certified July 3rd,” Enyedi said.

The college spent various weeks formulating a plan that was “COVID appropriate” as President Enyedi phrased. State and school leadership organizations prioritized

the ability to social distance, the use of personal protection equipment, screening and testing, hygiene, cleaning and disinfection in order to secure academic continuity.

The draft was thoroughly reviewed and composed through Enyedi’s cabinet and the Policy Management Group. This 15-person group is able to meet these requirements and pass them down to others to ensure all of them are

met, as well as a smooth and safe transition is ensured for both the students and the faculty.

Enyedi, along with other faculty and officials, developed five separate working groups in the SUNY Plattsburgh Fall 2020 Restart Plan. These included:

social distancing and an optional aggressive COVID pooled testing

Academics and Instructional Continuity This group observes and records which particular classrooms would open this fall semester, like measuring and removing furniture to ensure social Health, Safety and distancing capacity across Continuity Operation campus This group ensures safety REOPENING l A2 protocols are met such as

Wahab fills VP of enrollment, Herzog named new SUNY student success vacancy Plattsburgh provost, VP

BY MARY MASSAQUOI Staff Writer

Rehnuma Lizzie Wahab, who normally goes by her middle name, has been named SUNY Plattsburgh’s new vice president of enrollment and student success.

Wahab is originally from Bangladesh. At the age of 17, she came to the United States to attend an all-women’s college in Macon, Georgia.

“It was interesting coming from a Catholic institution that was co-ed to a single gender college in the United States, but it was phenomenal. I had great professors, wonderful peers and great mentors,” Wahab said.

After finishing her undergraduate years, she attended the University of Buffalo for a masters in pharmacology. During that time, she realized that invasive research wasn’t something she wanted to do for the rest of her life. She worked

with radioactive isotopes and animals.

“I realized quickly that even in research it’s not pure academics,” she said. “There’s a lot of politics involved when you work with big pharmaceutical companies, the big farmers or big organizations.”

Wahab said she learned a lot from those years.

“I learned statistical analysis, how to put together research programs, how to follow through, how to get peer evaluated,” she said. “I learned some essential skills in terms of academics.”

Soon after that, Wahab applied to Coca-Cola to be one of their minority grant writers. Her focus was minority students in areas of professional studies like medicine or law finding ways to not only support them financially but to help them go all the way with their professions.

“I was dealing with

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funds for 16 million dollars and recruiting from inner city Atlanta to give opportunities for women to go into the sciences and go into those big professional programs with full support from the Coca-Cola Foundation, she said.

Wahab describes this experience as eye-opening.

“When you are a student, you have one perspective of how the world operates, and when you start working on the other side, you realize very quickly that there are so many opportunities but no pathways.”

This experience created the grounds on training for Wahab’s career in enrollment management. While working in Georgia with small women’s institutions, Wahab participated in a program for four years called Spectacles.

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ter, Massachusetts.

“It was amazing, eyeStaff Writer opening, exciting, all the Dr. Anne F. Herzog things I was learning.”

By the end of her unhas been named dergraduate years, SUNY Plattsshe was not sure burgh’s new what she wanted Provost and Vice to do. For a couple President of Acayears, she taught demic Affairs, seventh and and she’s here eighth grade.

This to educate and Anne Herzog clarified for her experience the that she wanted North Country to be a faculty member during this challenging which led to her deciding time.

Herzog grew up north to go to graduate school. of Boston into a large She received her doctorate in English at Rutgers family of five kids.

“I didn’t come from a in New Brunswick, New home with a lot of books Jersey, and started teachor a lot of experience ing. Herzog taught literawith higher education,” ture and writing classes for 18 years at WestchesHerzog said.

Her mother, the daugh- ter University in Pennsylter of Irish immigrants, vania. There, she became believed that education a chairman.

“I realized the imporwas very important in tance of good, academic terms of living a fuller leadership,” Herzog said. life and having more opThen, she applied and portunities. Growing up was hired as dean of arts on those morals, she atand sciences at Springtended and graduated field College where she from the College of the spent the next 9 years.

Holy Cross from Worces-

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BY MARY MASSAQUOI

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But then she was ready for one more move.

“I learned everything and accomplished all I could, I looked for another challenge and provost was the next level,” she said.

In search of a new obstacle, a key element she deemed necessary was being close to her family in the northeast. When the opportunity came up at SUNY Plattsburgh, not knowing much, she applied.

“One thing that stood out was the size was right,” she said. “The values of the community were exciting.”

Another thing that excited Herzog was that there was a new president.

“I thought that would be wonderful to work with somebody new who came in with a lot of energy and was ready to bring the institution forward,” she said.

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Weekly Cartoon

REOPENING Continued from page one Housing and Campus Life This aspect of the reopening plan is includes no visitors, mandated masks and event restrictions Student Support and Equity Faculty and staff will continue to run critical programs for students including, social events such as celebrations (online and otherwise), counseling and assisting with peer-to-peer networks. In addition to this, students will have the ability to access emergency grants through the Plattsburgh College Foundation if need be Communications, Ad-

missions, and Recruitment Through the use of a variety of groups and organizations such as but not limited to Student Recruitment Marketing, University Policy, Local Businesses as well as community leaders or influencers, communications between faculty and students will be prioritized The five separate working groups included all the possible situations and corresponding precedents to ensure any unanticipated events that may occur shall be covered in the restart plan.

Meeting all the New York State and SUNY requirements and receiving the proper certifications, the Communications working group rolled out the plan and its guidelines to all stu-

PROVOST Continued from page one

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Campus COVID-19 Tracker

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NEWS

News Editor Emma Vallelunga

Another thing that excited Herzog was that there was a new president.

“I thought that would be wonderful to work with somebody new who came in with a lot of energy and was ready to bring the institution forward,” she said.

Her position went into effect July 13. Starting the job, her first goal was to get to know SUNY Plattsburgh.

“First thing I needed to do was understand more about the institution, culture, and history. I don’t think you can impose a plan on a community without knowing the people,” she said.

Herzog experiences weren’t ideal.

Interviews took place on Zoom, she couldn’t visit the campus or meet people in-person due to the coronavirus pandemic. She now spends time walking to academic buildings to see different departments and chatting with faculty. Herzog’s focus was clear.

“I’m student-centered and a faculty advocate. I want to do every-

dents and faculty through various means from emails to equally important subordinates.

The Community Advocates are responsible for keeping students safe every day. Xavier Merced is a seasoned third semester CA at SUNY Plattsburgh, and said the changes and the precautions taken by the administration have been very strict. Interpolated in the pandemic, people’s lives at risk and loosening protocols may prevent someone from going back to loved ones.

“At the end of the day, we just want to ensure all students have the fair chance to experience college for what it is but also stay safe,” Merced said. The guidelines proposed in the

thing possible that I can to make sure that the students who enroll here have a good experience and also support the faculty so that they feel that their work is valued and they have resources they need to do their work,” she said.

As a result of COVID-19, Herzog’s typical day looks different. She’s in the office early in the morning.

“I have a very heavy email volume, I am trying to figure out a way to reduce it,” she said.

She is still getting comfortable with working electronically though she doesn’t enjoy working on a screen.

“It is not an effective way to go about designing my own goals and moving forward on them,” she said.

Every Monday and Wednesday, the first hour of Herzog’s day is dedicated to a meeting with President Alexander Enyedi, his cabinet, deans, Student Health Center director and other key people who will be involved with COVID-19 adjustments or changes to plan overall goals and protecting the safety and welfare of the entire campus, as well as the Plattsburgh community.

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Friday, Sept. 4, 2020

original plan are straightforward to ensure safety of one’s self and others, only requiring “higher responsibility” as well as constantly being aware to ensure safety on campus.

Enyedi mentioned what students should take away from the policies that were implemented with a specific metaphor.

“I think about seat belts,” he said. “Seat belts weren’t invented to save people who were involved with accidents in the past. Seat belts were created to protect people in the future.

And so for me, my goal is to protect everyone on our campus.”

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shooting. Meetings are important to get to know people, get to know basic beliefs about what’s inplace, what could be improved, important next steps, and playing catch up,” she said.

Herzog reads a lot of reports that focus on the awareness about what’s happening nationally, on other campuses and in the SUNY system. Herzog plans to keep students feeling safe and engaged on campus during these times through teamwork and empathy.

“Being [a] part of the COVID planning team, I am not singly involved in this plan or responsibility, but it’s a really important responsibility. I have two children myself and across my career whenever I was put in a difficult situation where I was thinking how I should respond to something I would often think about if my own son or daughter were in this situation. Would it be OK? That’s been the highest guidance for me. If it’s not good for my own child it’s not good for anybody else’s.”

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Number of active COVID-19 cases within SUNY Plattsburgh community:

0 Number of recovered COVID-19 cases within SUNY Plattsburgh community:

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At least 43 students, who were mostly freshmen, attended a party at Sailor Beach Aug. 21. President Alexander Enyedi issued interim suspensions Wednesday to the students.

Enyedi issues suspensions to 43 students

2 CP Corrections There are no errors to report this week.

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BY FERNANDO ALBA Editor-in-Chief

Forty-three students were issued interim suspensions by President Alexander Enyedi last Wednesday for gathering at a party at Sailor Beach Aug. 21. The students were suspended because they allegedly broke campus health and safety protocols such as not wearing masks or socially distancing, which are outlined in the Cardinal Pledge.

After their suspensions were given, the 43 students were required to leave their dorm hall rooms and were told they aren’t permitted to come back on campus until further notice. They also cannot attend classes physically or use campus facilities.

Plattsburgh city police first responded to the party Friday night, when they observed students not wearing masks or socially distancing, which is required for a gathering of that size on public property under New York’s phase four of its reopening plan.

University Police were then informed about the gathering and arrived to conduct interviews with the students. After UP conducted its inter-

views, it recommended interim suspensions as the appropriate response to the Student Conduct Office, Enyedi said.

Enyedi said interim suspensions were the appropriate response based on how the students violated multiple health protocols that were required by both the college and the state of New York.

“One of the commitments that I made to the campus when we began the restart is that our No. 1 priority is going to be health and wellness, and there is a high level of expectation that we will honor that commitment,” Enyedi said.

Enyedi would not confirm or deny whether any of the suspended students were tested for COVID-19 following the gathering at Sailor Beach.

He reiterated SUNY Plattsburgh’s testing protocol that states only individuals on campus exhibiting symptoms would be individually tested.

SUNY Plattsburgh’s pool testing, which can test up to 25 individuals per test and began Wednesday, is the campus’ solution to wide-spread testing.

Enyedi did say that if a student were to test positive for COVID-19, he would inform the student body like he did

for the two off-campus students who tested positive earlier in the semester.

If a student tests positive for COVID-19, SUNY Plattsburgh’s protocol states that contact tracing would be pursued and the student would go into isolation in select dorm halls on campus. Individuals identified from the contact tracing with known contact with the student who tested positive would be placed into precautionary quarantine.

“We want to ensure that we’re providing a high level of care for the person who is positive in case there is a change in their health,” Enyedi said.

“In the case of the [precautionary] quarantine, we are basically taking that particular individual out of circulation as a precautionary measure in case they do have COVID.” The two students who tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this semester have gone through the health protocol fully, have recovered from the virus and are now now back on campus, Enyedi said.

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Friday, Sept. 4, 2020

Rachel Duff, Sydney Stone, Kiersten Janis and Maajeek Flores socialize outside.

Students are allowed to remove their masks when eating or drinking on campus.

This Week in Photos: Changes Photos by Audrey Lapinski

Signs advising students to stop the spread of germs can be found in the Angell College Center and throughout campus.

The coronavirus pandemic has brought many changes to the world we will live in now, especially for college students. Different locations on SUNY Plattsburgh’s campus paint a picture of our new normal, like students wearing masks, extra signage and furniture stacked up and locked away.

Dozens of chairs and couches have been moved and closed off in the Blue Room of the ACC. Less seating allows for students to sit socially distanced or more than six feet apart.

In many high-touch and highly-populated areas on campus, large pumps of hand sanitizers are available for students, faculty and staff to use.

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Friday, Sept. 4, 2020

Provided Photo

President Alexander Eneyedi and SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras walk past Hawkins Pond during the chancellors’s visit to SUNY Plattsburgh’s campus Aug. 21.

SUNY chancellor comes to Plattsburgh STAFF REPORT Cardinal Points

Newly appointed State University of New York Chancellor Jim Malatras visited SUNY Plattsburgh last Tuesday for the first time as chancellor. President Alexander Enyedi accompanied Malatras as they announced the launch of pooled surveillance testing for COVID-19 on the SUNY Plattsburgh campus.

Malatras was appointed as the 14th SUNY chancellor Aug. 21. Malatras, who earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in political science and a Ph.D degree from the University of Albany, is the first SUNY

graduate to become chancellor of SUNY. Before his appointment by the SUNY Board of Trustees, Malatras was serving as head of SUNY Empire State College, a mostly online institution, before his appointment as chancellor.

Malatras’ appointment drew dissent from two members of the board of trustees, who felt that SUNY should have conducted a national search to fill the position. Shortly after being named chancellor, faculty representatives from SUNY’s universities and community colleges announced a vote of no confidence on the part of the trustees who decided to forego the na-

VICE PRESIDENT Continued from page one They helped to spread the knowledge to universities about opportunities at corporations that were opening up to pair students with the perfect programs.

Wahab managed to help 580 students get scholarships. After this, many institutions reached out to her. Wahab recalls the time she was contacted by a college in North Carolina and asked to be the dean of admissions. She had never obtained such a position. It was very new for her.

“I was able to turn around this college, increasing their applicants from 100 to 600 students,” she said.

Later in her life she started to realize how fascinated she was with all-women colleges.

“It played an important role in supporting women and positioning women for success,” she said.

After seven years of ongoing growth of applicants, which 45% were minorities taking top internships, she was ready for a new obstacle.

“When that partnership was solidified, I thought I was in a good position to apply for vice-presidency,” she said.

She then moved to Rosemont College in Philadelphia. Here, they faced the same challenges other institutions she worked with faced.

“What you need is an advocate to go and ask for pathways,” Wahab said.

Wahab has had a long streak of jobs in many places. She’s worked at The University of New Haven in Connecticut where she was given a 38-million-dollar grant to aid female students. One of Wahab’s last moves was Russell Sage College. When she arrived, the college had a first year enrollment of 320 students.

One year later, it became 780. Wahab has helped many students move forward throughout all four years who struggled with paying for college.

“Please don’t let policies dictate what you can or can’t do in terms of persistence,” she said. “We were a high-minor-

tional search. Dissenters also pointed to Malatras’ close ties to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who also picks the trustees on the board.

“You look at the circumstances and this is bad, this is bad, this is not the way things are supposed to operate within the SUNY system,” Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara said after Malatras’ appointment.

Malatras succeeds Kristina Johnson, who served as SUNY’s chancellor from Sept. 2017 to June 2020.

Johnson left the position to become the 16th president of Ohio State University earlier this year.

In Malatras’ visit to SUNY Plattsburgh’s cam-

ity serving students. We needed to keep students on campus.”

Before SUNY Plattsburgh, Wahab worked at the University of Maine, where she worked with refugee students. She lended a helping hand to many students whose parents struggled financially. Wahab wanted to continue her work there but being away from family took a toll.

When a position at SUNY Plattsburgh opened up, she admired the clean air, scenery and the fact it was away from many epicenters.

“I was one of the last applicants. It worked out. I could do the same tactics I was doing for the past 20 years,” she said. “I came to Plattsburgh with a lot of hope to shuffle the institution into a more diverse one.”

Like many administrators, Wahab’s main focus is the students and their needs.

“Instead of saying I’m student-centered, I like to say I’m a student,” she said.

The COVID-19 pandemic threw Wahab a major curveball.

“There will be many colleges that won’t make it,” she said. “Those that will make it should.”

Wahab believes the pandemic is exercising a university’s ability to adapt to obstacles. COVID-19 was a way to prepare for future situations that no one could have expected.

“The best to serve the institution and the best at taking care of people’s children are the ones that will move forward,” she said.

Wahab started her work July 1. A typical day for her starts at 7 a.m. and could end at 10 p.m.

“We are all on call,” she said. “We are all ready to serve at a moment’s notice.”

Though her days are filled, she doesn’t mind. It’s all about the students.

“Our students need us, and we need to be the one leading by example,” she said. “We keep each other safe. We let people know we are here. I advise all to help one another.”

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pus, the new chancellor reviewed SUNY Plattsburgh’s reopening plan, which was approved earlier in the summer, with Enyedi and Student Association President Rudaba Ahmed.

“As SUNY Plattsburgh resumes in-person classes this week, it is crucial that we have the most advanced and aggressive testing program at our disposal in place,” Malatras said. “By launching pooled surveillance testing, we can run up to 25 samples as part of one test, giving SUNY Plattsburgh the ability to identify, trace, isolate and treat cases much faster and ensure the safety of our stu-

dents, which is always our No. 1 priority.”

Malatras’ visit to the campus also included stops at Hawkins Pond, Hawkins Hall, the Angell College center, the Student Health and Counseling Center, Clinton Dining Hall and other locations to see the steps SUNY Plattsburgh is taking to enforce health and safety protocols.

Enyedi first met Malatras during the summer while he was still president of SUNY Empire State College as he announced a partnership with Clinton Community College. Enyedi was left with the impression that Malatras is someone well-

suited to navigate SUNY as it grapples with how it should continue to educate students through a pandemic. “[He’s] someone who’s really astute and is a very stats and data-driven person,” Enyedi said. “He’s got a long history with the system. Not only was he president [of SUNY Empire State], but a decade ago, he worked as a vice chancellor in the chancellor’s office in Albany. He’s also been working closely with Gov. Coumo’s team as we gone through COVID here.”

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Title IX Office implements programs

BY EMMA VALLELUNGA News Editor

SUNY Plattsburgh’s Title IX Office wants to hear from you. They see you, you matter and they are here because of you. This semester, the Title IX office is planning to increase collaboration between campus departments and expand their educational outreach with two new initiatives.

The new regulations established by the Title IX organization went into effect Aug. 14. Title IX Coordinator Butterfly Blaise Boire said three key changes to their sexual and interpersonal violence policy include establishing a stand-alone policy, maintaining a 60-day timeline for responding to reports and maintaining the standard of preponderance.

The stand-alone policy allows the Title IX Office to respond and investigate any reports of sexual or interpersonal violence both on- and off-campus.

“We want to be able to act no matter where the incident occurs,” Blaise Boire said.

The office also decided not to increase the timeline of responding to reports from 60 to 90 days like the national organization recommended.

“From a trauma-informed perspective, the sooner that you can give all parties involved a resolution, the better,” Blaise Boire said. “We are always trying to have a resolution before 60 days, so we don’t want people to worry that we’re going to extend these processes.”

And despite the option to increase the burden of proof from more likely than not to clear and convincing, the Title IX office will continue to maintain their standard of preponderance of evidence. “[It] brings us into a situation, from my perspective, where we’re starting to require evidence at the level of a courtroom, and we aren’t courtrooms,” Blaise Boire said. “The consequences and the sanctions are much different, so to raise that level of burden of proof doesn’t seem to meet the standards of the system that we’re functioning in or the consequences.”

Blaise Boire said some students, faculty and staff don’t understand the roles that Title IX plays on campus, so in addition to these regulations, the office is implementing two new education and

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SUNY Plattsburgh’s Title IX Office has implemented two new program initiatives this semester to increase communication about sexual and interpersonal violence prevention. outreach programs to increase communication and awareness.

“It takes more than one office to be responding or working on prevention in regards to sexual and interpersonal violence,” Blaise Boire said. “Our goal as a team and as a campus is to change the culture. You need all hands on deck.”

Violence Prevention Education and Outreach Coordinator Zyaijah Nadler is launching a new liaison program through the Title IX Office. Individuals within different departments on campus would be trained on the Title IX office’s policies, procedures and expectations and be identified as trusted resources for students.

“Students can see all these individuals who are involved with [the Title IX office] and really just build the trust that people with our office and the things that we do,” Nadler said.

The second program is a type of peer education program called PEDAL, which stands for Prevent, Engage, Dismantle, Awareness and Legacy. A similar peer education program at SUNY Plattsburgh

involved students who were trained to provide workshops and educational opportunities with other students, but it’s now getting a rebranding with Nadler at the helm.

“Peers will engage more with peers,” Blaise Boire said. “This is a program that we’ve had, but what Zyaijah’s going to be doing now is revamping it.”

Nadler said the program’s ultimate goal is to dismantle the culture of violence, even though it’s not something that can be done overnight.

“A lot of times, people think that we can just eradicate it on campus, but it’s just so ingrained in society and everything we see that it’s beyond campus,” Nadler said.

Blaise Boire also said new initiatives like the liaison program help the Title IX Office understand how the campus community changes semester to semester.

“It’s a way to also know what the climate is like,” she said. “For us, as professionals in these jobs, we’re here for the long term, but students cycle in and out.

This gives us a chance to really connect with people who are on the ground and even more closely with students, faculty and staff.”

The Title IX Office held two virtual resource panels Wednesday and yesterday in order to give students, faculty and staff access to campus community resources.

Nadler said she’s hopeful the office will continue to advocate for students despite the need for more virtual and remote methods due to the coronavirus pandemic. She said more than 400 students virtually attended the office’s mandatory training session for first-year and transfer students at the beginning of the semester.

“We’re always doing education, outreach and awareness,” Nadler said.

“Many of them probably weren’t that happy to be there, but that’s still a large number of students who virtually were still with us, showed up and understood that this conversation was for them.”

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FRIDAY, SEPT. 4, 2020

BLM Movement calls for justice against murderous police

BY RIVER ASHE MAYNARD Contributor

May 25 marked a turning point in the prolonged and evident struggle against police brutality and racism. That day, a black man named George Floyd was suffocated to death by Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, who kneeled on Floyd’s neck for nearly eight minutes — over a counterfeit $20 bill.

His last words called out for air, and for his mother.

His death sparked international outrage, with protests from all U.S. states and other countries such as France, Germany and more, according to CNN. Just over three months later, the protests have not died down, but instead growing in strength and intensity across the U.S., despite reduced or completely absent media coverage.

The response to the unifying outrage from the state and federal governments has been underwhelming, compared to the scale of the demand for change.

On May 29, President Donald Trump took to Twitter several times as the protests grew in size, calling minority protesters “thugs” and insinuating that a continuation of the supposed violence would be met with the armed forces — specifically, “When the looting starts, the shooting starts”.

What violence?

Surely he isn’t speaking of the violence, instigated and perpetuated by the overzealous police departments committing war crimes, against peaceful citizens utilizing their Constitutional right to protest. Or the

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deaths, disabilities and grievous wounds caused by whitesupremacized police, in their efforts to prove that they aren’t the brutal, unnecessarily aggressive and overprotected force that the protesters claim they are.

Someone like Linda Tirado, a freelance reporter from Tennessee, can attest to their aggression, since one of their rubber bullets cost her an eye at a protest May 29, according to The New York Times. The use of “less than lethal force” such as rubber bullets and tear gas against peaceful protesters — some of whom are teenagers and children — is unnecessarily terrible in itself, but aggression against reporters and legal observers is an act against freedom of the press.

The President insists that the violence is the fault of the protesters who smashed windows and looted buildings in June. Interestingly, he conveniently ignores the fact that those people, by video documentation and admissions, were proven to actually be undercover cops and white supremacists hijacking the true purpose of the movement — to give a voice to those who demand justice.

In spite of, or perhaps in sympathy with, a disastrously ignorant and racist President, state governments have been slow to respond to and act on the demands of the hundreds of thousands of protesters, leaving the budgets of police departments as overinflated as usual and

keeping qualified immunity for the officers in place.

However, some states like Colorado have taken appropriate measures to begin the reconstruction of the inherently racist police systems, such as passing a bill to end qualified immunity in relation to state constitutional claims, according to Forbes.

Other states like Virginia have bills being considered to do the same, and to end no-knock police raids — one of which caused the senseless and horrific murder of 26-year-old EMT Breonna Taylor, while she slept in her home, in March.

Major cities such as Portland are still in the midst of major protests and clashes with the police, protestors unwavered by the passing of time or pressures

from opposing groups. Donations to the Black Lives Matter cause, the GoFundMe fundraisers for the funerals of people killed by police or wounded in the protests, and collected funds for protesters facing prosecution are highly encouraged in this time, as well as the support and patronage of blackowned businesses.

Writing letters to government officials is also a great way to help. Letters and calls from activists expressing indignance that the killers of Breonna Taylor are still walking free and enjoying their lives can be directed to the office of Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron. Officers John Mattingly, Brett Hankison, Joshua Jaynes, and Myles Cosgrove — all but Hankinson still employed.

The easiest way to protest without going out and participating in a rally, is to be vocal and not just a performative ally.

Call out racist relatives, friends and neighbors, sign petitions, pen letters, listen to the black leaders and voices of this movement, examine subtle racist behavior in your personal life, and show support openly and brazenly if it is safe to do so.

The protests across the country have been going strong for months, and with COVID-19 restrictions limiting how many people can go back to work, there has never been more of an opportunity for people to join the movement, both in person and online, to help mark this historic and turbulent point in United States history.

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Spears’ voice silenced one more time

BY OLIVIA BOUSQUET Staff Writer

Oops… she did it again. Britney Spears has been making headlines recently after fans showed concern for her mental and physical well-being. Spears’ social media platforms, like TikTok and Instagram, are filled with comments containing the ‘#FreeBritney,’ while pleading for updates on her fully parental-controlled living situation.

“If this is a secret message show us a rose,” commented celebrity, Vanessa Hudgens, on Spears’ Aug. 6 Instagram post. “And let us know it’s your favorite flower.”

Fans believe the 38-year-old pop star is sending coded messages on Instagram and TikTok for help. At her age, she should be focusing on her career and children, but she legally can’t decide who’s allowed to visit her.

In 2008, Spears had multiple public mental-breakdowns, some where paparazzi had captured her freshly shaved head, as she yielded an umbrella to a car. She evidently overdosed on amphetamines before being strapped down to a stretcher and brought to a psychiatric facility. Spears’ breakdown led to a conservatorship, a legal agreement issued by an LA court, which gave her father, Jamie Spears, complete control of her finances

and her life. Spears’ accounts currently have comments asking her to “go live”, a feature on social media platforms that would create an active link of her in real time. This even extended to fans asking her, in the TikTok comment section June 26, to wear yellow in her next post to indicate she needs help.

And she did.

On July 2, Britney Spears posted her most liked and seen TikTok video wearing a yellow crop-top. She has not posted any videos since.

Britney Spears music career took off in 1998, leading to her current large and supportive fan base. Why would she be afraid to speak out against the mass

control over her life?

To be blunt, the music industry isn’t known for protecting female artists.

In 2014, well-known singer songwriter, Kesha, spoke out against her music producer, Lukas Gottwald, for sexually, verbally and physically abusing her. Kesha’s fans rallied behind her, trending #FreeKesha on multiple platforms for months, to show support in breaking the contract.

However, their support was not enough.

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Friday, Sept. 4, 2020

Virgos show true colors this fall

BY ABIGAIL AZADIAN Contributor

Naturally, Leo suns are the attention seekers of the zodiac, but all eyes are on you this season Virgos.

Throughout the season, this time at least, all Virgo suns shouldn’t try and transform their lives every two weeks. The latest workout routine or miracle diet won’t cure your perfectionism — your true fatal flaw. This might be a shock to brutal egos, but having a superiority complex doesn’t make anyone look competent — it makes Virgos seem arrogant. This zodiac is quick to give everyone unsolicited advice, but solemnly never take their own. Another challenge: stop fixing everyone’s problems , as our own troubles NGHI TO/Cardinal Points should be enough for us.

A lover’s problems are not necessarily our problems to fix, and on the flip side, Virgos love to mold them into becoming their own issues. Virgo’s savior complex, plus a superiority complex, is a recipe for godly outcomes.

However, Virgos are no miracle workers.

Trying to be god-like creates a dangerous routine for a Virgo, although one may think routine is the key to success. One cannot go through life saving people, despite how kind we may think it makes us, and how the World may reward us in return. Kindness is not being a doormat for people; kindness is being considerate. And Virgos, are simply not considerate of another person’s point of view. Also, stop telling us Beyonce is a Virgo — we know, and that

doesn’t mean you Virgo, are Beyonce.

Virgo moons: your anger is calculated and intimidating even though you appear shy at first. Once a Virgo is fed up, there’s no holding back. This wouldn’t be an issue though, if Virgos didn’t bottle up their feelings in the first place. Now that is one useful solution for you Virgo! You naturally possess a sharp ability to cut people with words. A Virgo’s tongue can be too quick at explosive times, and may evidently end up regretting how things were said, but never the substance behind the words.

Calculated anger can be productive if Virgos knew how to keep a handle on their emotions.

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Empire built from ground up seen in ‘Boys State’

BY CAMERON KAERCHER Staff Writer

Since Apple TV+ launched in November 2019, the streaming service has been focusing more on their TV shows; with Emmy Award nominations for “The Morning Show” and “Central Park.” As they have tried to transition into the film business, Apple purchased a feature after it won the U.S. Documentary Competition Grand Jury Prize from the Sundance Film Festival.

“Boys State” is named after an annual summer camp in Texas. During this tumultuous week, a thousand 17-yearold boys are brought together to build a democratic government from the ground up. Over the course of the movie, we see the groups form platforms of political beliefs and electoral nominations of candidates, cultimating in the election for the governor of the state.

The 2018 Boys State was filmed for the documentary.

Directors Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss selected a few participating teenagers to focus the story on. Steven Garza is the closest thing to a protagonist, as he grows from a soft-spoken and earnest moderate to a prominent leader. Robert MacDougall is the photo negative of Steven, acting as a politician who loves shaking hands and pushing his slogans. Ben Feinstein completes the political intrigue triangle who is gifted at political strategy, and less gifted in public speaking.

The first act of the story has an interesting atmosphere. Everyone is on edge, trying to figure out where each other

stands politically, and who the noncandidates should hitch their cart to. If you pay close enough attention, you can see some kids voice contradictory opinions throughout the week to fall in line with the rest of the group. The uncertain political stances are then juxtaposed with grand wide shots of them chanting “U.S.A.” together. They are also wearing matching white t-shirts and red lanyards, emphasizing the flock mentality. It isn’t too far of a stretch to think of “Lord of the Flies” in these scenes, but in this case — Governor of the Flies.

When the campaigning for governor starts up, the ages of the candidates start to fade away, as they begin to act like any other politician we know. There is mudslinging, digging into people’s pasts, and having to decide between extreme divisiveness or attempting to play both sides. The documentary seems to ask; are these philosophies naturally inherent in working with politics, or have they just been witnessed on the national level through the years, now being adapted into this narrative?

For the most part, Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss maintain a direct, cinematic approach by just using talking-head interviews and footage from that week. There is no voice-over narration to guide the audience, which takes away a layer of perception that could be seen as bias. Everyone is given equal legitimacy by McBaine and Moss, which gives the viewer the opportunity to form their own opinions on these candidates.

In my opinion, “Boys State” is a good

ZOE NGUYEN/Cardinal Points

documentary, but not worth getting an- it might be more shocking to tune into other streaming service for. It offers up any news station. a unique instance of teenagers actively participating in an election, but with anEmail Cameron Kaercher other election a couple of months away, cp@cardinalpointsonline.com

‘If You Could Be Mine’ paints realities of mistreated LGBTQ+ youth

BY MAHPHARAH KHAN Contributor

Sara Farizan’s 2013 novel If You Could Be Mine has given the young adult genre new insight into how LGBTQ+ individuals are treated outside of the United States — at least for its American readers.

Farizan’s novel highlights the violent and hidden parts of Iranian culture as the story follows a love story of two women, Sahar and Nasrin. Their entire relationship is kept in secret because if anyone finds out about them, they could be beaten, imprisoned or executed.

Although they are willing to carry their relationship out in private, it’s threatened when Nasrin’s par-

ents announce that she is getting married.

Sahar is determined to find a way to be with Nasrin. When she thinks she has come to a dead-end, she discovers a new way to be with her: become a man. Sex re-assignment surgery is legal and attainable in Middle-Eastern countries like Iran, but same-sex relationships are not. In fact, sex re-assignment surgeries are partially financed by the state. The novel raises the question: how far is one willing to go to erase their identity in order to love someone freely?

Much was celebrated June 26, 2015, as this date signifies the day the Supreme Court ruled samesex marriage legal across the U.S. Although the

HANNAH DOWNS/Cardinal Points

world has never been free of its homophobia and transphobia, this ruling seemed like a gateway towards a more free and happy life for LGBTQ+ individuals. However, this has become increasingly hard since Donald Trump was elected President in 2016. Stated by the New

York Times, In July, the Department of Housing and Urban Development allowed singlesex homeless shelters to exclude transgender people. It was argued this ruling would make women’s homeless shelters safer by not allowing men to seek them out to

attack them. However, if one comes to a women’s homeless shelter, they identify as a woman.

The Trump administration’s rulings keep homophobia and transphobia alive, therefore allowing more violence to occur. Are transgender people really causing the violence? Or is it the racist, misogynistic and sexist man who is currently President of the United States?

Conservative governments inflict more harm than they believe they do — instead of their supposed care for their people, they are instrumental in their suffering and their death, as is the case with LGBTQ+ individuals. Homosexuality is considered illegal in ten of the eighteen countries

that make up the Middle East, and in six of these countries, it is punishable by death. The only country where LGBTQ+ individuals are protected by law is in Israel; any act of violence targeted towards them is considered a hate crime. Some of the extreme countries include Saudi Arabia and Syria.

In Saudi Arabia, one can be sentenced to life in prison, be subjected to public whippings, beatings, chemical castrations, and death.

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FIGHTING Continued from page six New York Supreme Court Judge Shirley Kornreich wouldn’t allow Kesha to break her contract, and her music label did not support her. Instead, Kesha paid a $374,000 settlement for royalty of the breached contract this Feb. 4.

Gottwald walked free.

“Survivors of violence continue to be depicted as responsible for the violence committed against them,” Dr. Kollen Duley, a SUNY Plattsburgh Gender and Women’s Studies professor, said about the effects of victim-blaming within the media. “The media and law courts focus on blaming women, which leads women to blaming themselves and staying quiet.”

Kesha is still financially paying for opening up about Gottwald. And Spears could face serious repercussions to her personal life and her career,

such as losing custody of her children again. On October 1, 2007, Spears lost custody of her two children to her ex-husband, Kevin Federline, after refusing Federline parental guardianship of their children, and failing to show up in court.

Later that month, Spears was granted supervised visitation three times a week.

Celebrity women try to balance their maternal role with the demanding expectations of stardom. Spears, all women alike, are constantly working for a safe environment to create.

Videos and songs sexualize women , but to be a woman producing in an objectified field can create a double standard. Sexual women are too promiscuous, but being too reserved could cost a contract. In reality, men in music are pushed and applauded for being a womanizer.

Music is a male dominated industry, where abusers are given an opportunity to

ZODIAC Continued from page one E-M-O-T-I-O-N-S! Yes, Virgo moons, they exist even when you pretend they aren’t there. Ironically, in Virgo’s attempts to be realistic, a Virgo moon may write off others feelings, which only makes them seem pessimistic in return. You don’t have to be cold to be practical.

Virgo moons find validation in helping people because they value usefulness. Naturally, and stupidly, this zodiac tends to gravitate towards chaotic people. Virgo moons’ innate need to bring order to their surroundings drives themselves, and others around them, crazy. Oh Virgo moons, wouldn’t it be useful if you could simply stop trying to

SOCIETY Continued from page one However, it seems to be less severe in Syria.

In Article 520 of Syria’s Penal Code, it criminalizes “unnatural sexual intercourse,” and Article 517 states that any crime “against public decency” will be punished with a prison sentence that could be up to 3 months — or as long as 3 years.

If You Could Be Mine paints this picture clearly, as Sahar describes within the novel the punishment for gay people in Iran: “She keeps thinking about the two boys who were hung after being accused of raping a thirteen-year-old boy, but most people think the two were lovers who got caught. Whatever crime they committed, I didn’t want a part of it. I wanted to stop loving Nasrin, but how do you stop doing something you know you are supposed to do?”

The most common and prevelant, insulting misconception conservatives have is that gay rights is a “trend” or a “phase”.

It is actually common belief among Arabs and Muslims that homosexuality is solely a Western creation. Gay relationships have always existed, whether in secret or not, so it is actually foolish that our world has evolved to such a homophobic and transphobic state.

Even though this is a negative part of our society worldwide, there is still progress. People have felt more comfortable to accept themselves while also sharing this part with others — essentially what was harder for

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Opinions Editor Jess Johnson

thrive. Well-known musical artist, Chris Brown, pleaded guilty to the assault of his now ex-girlfriend and popstar, Rihanna, in 2009.

Rihanna was hospitalized with contusions to her face, a split lip, bloodied nose, and bites and bruises on her arms and fingers.

Brown has since been accused of several cases of sexual assault, stalking and violent threats. Yet, he remains a prominent figure in today’s music.

“Victim-blaming plays a pivotal role in sustaining a ‘rape culture’,” said Duley.

Rape culture is the normalization of sexual violence against women perpetrated in the media and popular culture. Society, through social media and print publications, has taught women to believe the way they dress, act and speak is the reason violence is acted upon them through systemic oppression.

The voices of women being silenced is no new virtue.

control things out of your control?

By the way, everyone can see your eyerolls in class — you’re not subtle.

Stop believing any Virgos can hide their emotions. They’re obvious to the rest of us.

All of this also applies to Virgo risings! Plus, these Virgos have a lot of stomach and digestive problems. Being ruled by Mercury, Virgo risings are versatile, yet, fixed on certain ideas at the same time.

Virgo risings are quiet at first, but won’t stay quiet regarding an opinion they may oppose, even when people are losing interest. Virgo risings are the type of people who have one conversation with you, and then will spend the next hour profiling you to determine if you’re worthy of another conversation. As always, if Virgos think it’s important to talk about it, then there is a

older generations to do.

Elaine Ostry is an English professor at SUNY Plattsburgh and has taught this book before in order to raise awareness of how LGBT+ people are treated outside the US. “In my generation, no one came out until high school or college,” Ostry said. “I think of how certain kids in my school were teased for being preceived as gay or bi.”

There is more freedom to come out among young people, which is a drastic improvement because it allows them to live a longer life being authentically themselves.

“I know there is still progress that has to be made,” Ostry said. “But someone of my generation can see a hopeful trajectory based on how things were when we were young.”

Sahar carries this false sense of optimism throughout the novel; first when she believes they can find a way to be together, and second, when she believes she can force herself to become a man in order to be with Nasrin. This can be an easy mindset to fall into for teens in the same situation as Sahar in the Middle East because when one experiences so many restrictions, it is excruciating to always think of the torture and the impossible nature of their situation.

Sahar notes, “Homosexuality is dangerous, but adulterers can be stoned to death. We can’t continue if she goes through with marrying him. Both of us are afraid to bring it up.”

Either way, Sahar and Nasrin lose, because they can die if they keep seeing each other, and Sahar cannot force herself to become someone she knows she is

Friday, Sept. 4, 2020

Spears currently has a net worth of $60 million, which can make her vulnerable to manipulation from those around her. Her mental health and drug problems have been headlined, but her fame cannot be forgotten. Her father has control over every last penny, so why would he allow her freedom?

Music stars are left silently fighting against an industry working against them. Britney Spears could continue battling alone against her control over her life, but she could risk losing everything she’s worked for in the process.

Fans can help by joining anti-violence movements, such as ‘#FreeBritney,’ by peacefully protesting against violence against women in the music industry, and advocating to stop popular culture from shunning survivors.

Email Olivia Bousquet cp@cardinalpointsonline.com

clear projection of priorities on to everyone. People surrounding Virgos shouldn’t be subjective to endless attempts of finding existential meaning. Virgos are meticulous and obsessive, so they often don’t put an idea down until they have analyzed each and every aspect of it. A Virgo may get so lost in theory, one doesn’t take into account other’s behavior around them. Virgo risings’ imagination runs wild with so many visions of perfecting life for future endeavors, they don’t pay attention to the current world around them.

Virgo risings are always looking for meaning behind everything — it’s really not that deep.

not. Both cases produce Sahar’s literal and spiritual death.

Sahar’s line of thinking is a result of her internalized homophobia; she wants to stop loving Nasrin, but she is unable to.

The fear that is instilled in Sahar perpetuates the worldwide problem of the abuse of the LGBTQ+ community. In the US, Donald Trump has been instrumental in the abuse of the LGBTQ+ community. He refuses to acknowledge Pride month and has generated the trans military ban. There has been a rollback of health care protections by the Department of Health and Human services, The NYT states. There is also no protection currently required for transgender people in federal prisons, evidently enacted by the Justice Department.

Trump’s homophobia and transphobia is loud and clear. He clings to practical conservative ideals, even though he does not practice any of these ideals. He is only enthralled by the idea of Christianity, because truthfully he is in no way religious himself. He claims we are protected

by God. This religious language is part of his abuse towards LGBTQ+ people.

His cult followers listen to him, and then act upon what he says because they believe he’s right.

Trump uses these traditional ideals to perpetuate and excuse his passive aggressive behavior towards LGBTQ+ people. He is the embodiment of everything offensive, and he has no care in the world to change — he does not have the empathy to.

Even though some American young adult readers may not be gay or trans themselves, or live in Iran or other parts

Email Abigail Azadian cp@cardinalpointsonline.com

of the Middle East, it is still important for them to read stories like If You Could Be Mine.

“We really should read books from other countries or set in other countries. Even if getting hung for being gay is not something I think would happen here, I think it’s important for teenagers to know that it is something that does happen in the world,” Ostry said. “Gay rights is a global issue and a global movement.”

It is crucial for teenagers to be aware of these issues because society’s treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals signifies if their government truly cares about everyone. Any government, that excludes LGBTQ+ individuals from their society, is fully responsible for the violence and ridicule they experience.

The United States is no exception.

Although there is much disconcert to be had concerning the protection of the LGBTQ+ community, it would be foolish to ignore the revolutionary optimism Gen Z has.

If You Could Be Mine is one YA novel of many in which more LGBTQ+ teens are being represented. This encourages teens to fully embrace whoever they want to be, especially in a shifting, ever changing world at this moment. And while these stories are for us to reflect and relate to, it also exists to educate us not only on our domestic issues, but our worldwide ones as well.

Email Mahpharaha Khan cp@cardinalpointsonline.com

Editorial Board Editor-in-Chief Fernando Alba Opinions Editor Jess Johnson

News Editor Emma Vallelunga

Graphics Editor Nghi To

FUSE Editor Alana Penny

Multimedia Editor Sareem Jabbar

Photo Editor Audrey Lapinski

Associate Graphics Editor Sareem Jabbar Managing Editor Jess Johnson Faculty Adviser Shawn Murphy

Contact CP 118 Ward Hall SUNY Plattsburgh Plattsburgh, NY 12901

Editorial Board: 518.564.2174 Advertising: 518.564.3173 Fax: 518.564.6397

cp@cardinalpointsonline.com

Award Winning

Cardinal Points has received the following awards from the Associated Collegiate Press (ACP): ACP Hall of Fame Inducted in Fall 2010 All American Spring 2018, four Marks of Distinction Spring 2016, five Marks of Distinction Spring 2014, four Marks of Distinction Spring 2012, four Marks of Distinction Spring 2011, four Marks of Distinction Fall 2010, five Marks of Distinction Fall 2009, four Marks of Distinction Spring 2009, four Marks of Distinction Fall 2008, four Marks of Distinction Spring 2005, four Marks of Distinction Spring 2004, four Marks of Distinction Fall 2003, four Marks of Distinction Fall 2002, four Marks of Distinction Pacemaker Recognition Fall 2010, Honorable Mention 2006-2007, Newspaper Finalist

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Friday, Sept. 4, 2020

Forcino works to manifest dreams

BY MATAEO SMITH Contributor

SUNY Plattsburgh marketing and entrepreneurship double major Olivia Forcino dreamed of owning an establishment since middle school. By high school, her vision matured into a concrete idea for a salon which she would name Liv or Dye. Forcino enrolled in cosmetology school and earned a certificate from Eastern Suffolk Board of Cooperative Educational Services as a barber/styling and nail instructor two years later. The next step was to earn a bachelor’s in entrepreneurship, so Liv or Dye could become a reality.

Relatives, who were SUNY Plattsburgh alumni advised her to look into the college.

The school of business and economics was accredited by AACSB-International and not many colleges offered an entrepreneurship program. Getting accepted into SUNY Plattsburgh was the next step for success in the business world . However, Forcino discovered merging entrepreneurship with marketing paves a richer path to prosperity.

Last semester, Forcino began interning for Dr. Rowena Ortiz-Walters, dean of SBE. She created the SBE newsletter, Business Essentials, with the help of a former intern for the SBE dean.

Business Essentials gathers business stories through SUNY plattsburgh alumni and the college’s branch campus in Queensbury, NY. and covers such topics like the re-branding of the hospitality management program.

“I had never done something like that before,” Forcino said.

DAKOTA GILBERT/Cardinal Points

Olivia Forcino plans to open a salon called “Liv or Dye” after she works in marketing, preferebly in the beauty industry, to make connections and get more experience with social media and branding.

Her internship with the SBE dean requires a lot of leg work. Forcino’s responsibilities include running SBE social media, presenting to the college president as a student ambassador of SBE at faculty meetings and seminars, which are deemed faculty only, creating newsletters, she is currently working on a second, and essentially being OrtizWalters’ “right-hand man.”

One of her presentations pertained to SBE curriculum from a student’s perspective with the focus being handson learning. Her work with the dean alone has brought her closer to the SBE faculty whom she considers to be more than mentors.

“I’m definitely grateful for that,” Forcino said. “They

are definitely family over there in Ausable.”

Entrepreneurship Department Chair Laurent Joisen met Forcino in his Entre 320 introductory course.

Her willingness to ask questions in order to understand the material struck him.

She yearned for the knowledge he was offering, so she could apply it later on and be successful.

“She had the willingness to work long hours and put in the time and effort,” Joisen said.

Joisen has given Forcino scholarship opportunities throughout her college career which she said has saved her a lot of tuition money. While speaking at an open-house seminar during the fall 2019 semes-

ter, Joisen gave a speech about awarding deserving students with scholarships.

He then surprised Forcino with the Sean Mabey Excellence in Entrepreneurship scholarship in the amount of $2,500 in front of faculty and visitors.

“It was such a special moment, I actually started to cry in front of all those strangers, as well as the faculty,” Forcino said.

With accommodations from Joisen, and other SBE faculty, Forcino became a part of the SBE honor society Sigma Nu Tau. After adding the marketing major, Forcino has created a more feasible plan for post graduation. She acknowledges the birth of “Liv or Dye” couldn’t hap-

pen right out of college, so she wants to use marketing and entrepreneurship to get into the beauty industry. By landing a marketing job, preferably within the beauty industry, Forcino could create connections with brands like L’oreal and Estee Lauder. The salon would open later after she has experience with their social media and branding.

Forcino is also certified as a social behavioral research investigator by the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative Program, a division of the Biomedical Research Alliance of NY by going to Canada to study marketing differences between itself and the United States for her international marketing class. She ob-

served social behaviors of buyers in terms of high-end shopping in different locations.

“I tried on a $72,000 ring when I was in Vermont,” Forcino said. “I literally took a picture of it. It was sick.”

Responsibilities don’t interfere with Forcino’s social life. The former SUNY Plattsburgh kickline club captain made an impact on her teammates at every sporting event.

“When I first met her, I noticed her personality,” senior Siobhan Flanagan said. “ She would help everyone who was having trouble with formations and boosted team morale.”

Flanagan bonded with Forcino over their shared hometown of Long Island.

The two often watched movies together, which Flanagan recalls as the best memories.

“I’m going to be sad when she graduates,” Flanagan said. “ I’m excited to see where she’s going.”

Entering the world of entrepreneurship means starting from scratch. Despite the common fear most graduating seniors have, which is no novelty to her, Forcino intends to get her name out there and impact anyone who hears it. SUNY Plattsburgh was her first victim.

“When I leave SUNY Plattsburgh this year, I hope there is a little legacy of me in the school of business,” Forcino said. “Hopefully the dean, maybe next year when she has a new intern, will say ‘I had Olivia last year.’ I just want to leave my mark.”

Email MATAEO SMITH cp@cardinalpointsonline.com

Ives looks to connect with community despite challenges

BY ANGELICA MELARA Staff Writer

Second year criminal justice major, Hayden Ives has added onto his schedule this Fall semester by becoming an active member, and new Chapter Treasurer of the Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity at SUNY Plattsburgh.

Originally from Ogdensburgh, New York, Ives played football and basketball. He also played baseball all four years of high school, which led his team to win the sectional championship four times.

In the Spring 2020 semester, Ives became a part of SUNY Plattsburgh’s baseball team. While on the team, Ives said he participated in food drives and bottle drives, along with fundraisers for people with disabilities.

His fundraising experience came in handy when he became a member of Sigma Tau Gamma.

“For our philanthropy [for Sigma Tau Gamma], we have Journey Into Reading where we read to younger kids around the Plattsburgh area, and we also do AUDREY LAPINSKI/Cardinal Points fundraisers for the Special Hayden Ives plays baseball for SUNY Plattsburgh but also played football and bas- Olympics of New York,” ketball in high school. He also enjoys outdoor sports like hiking, fishing and hunting. Ives said.

Ives continues to make great progress with all of the community service projects he is involved in.

Many people have inspired Ives, and have pushed him further along in his successes.

“I can’t name enough guys that are an inspiration to me because they keep pushing me to do what I want to do, and keep encouraging me, and wanting me to bring out the best in myself.” Ives said.

Someone that Ives considers and inspiration is his big in Sigma Tau Gamma, Michael Buono, said “his [Ives’] charisma, caring and kind nature, and level headedness” are what make him stand out as an individual.

Buono also mentioned that Ives, being a well rounded individual, would represent his tree very well, and would leave his [Buono’s] trees legacy in good hands when it comes time for Buono to graduate.

Having been around the brothers of Sigma Tau Gamma from the beginning of his college career, “he always came with a smile on his face and was always a good and welcomed guest in our house” said Buono.

Ives’ positive attitude, and personality is what

made the brothers think he would be an excellent addition to the organization.

With everyone on campus helping him to become a better person, the people that have helped him most in life are his parents.

“They’ve always been there for me no matter what, and they constantly push me to be the best person I can be,” Ives said.

When he’s not participating in fundraisers, or hanging with the brothers of his fraternity, Ives likes to explore the outdoors.

“I like hiking, fishing, hunting, all that kind of stuff, and hanging out with friends,” Ives said.

This fun-loving individual is still able to connect with members of the community along with his friends amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Ives said that although COVID-19 has changed life for everyone completely, he will continue to do his part in trying to raise money for multiple organizations, and will continue to look at the positives in his life, which he encourages other people to do as well.

Email ANGELICA MELARA cp@cardinalpointsonline.com

Jade Nguyen: My name is Jade Nguyen. I am a senior BFA in photography and graphic design. I am from Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam. My works are deeply connected to my roots and my culture. I hope that, through my art, people will start to recognize and appreciate the beauty of Vietnamese culture.

Student Art Spotlight

Winosha Steele: My name is Winosha Steele, and I am a senior majoring in art with a concentration in painting and a complement in drawing. I am from the beautiful island of Antigua, located in the Caribbean. My vision as an artist is to expand my artistic horizon, where I as an individual is concerned, where my race is concerned and where my tiny country of Antigua can be acknowledged. My inspiration is driven by the constant longing to be heard. Heard through any form or topic of art that I wish to portray. My motivation being this black woman from a small island, is to use these hands and mind that were given to me, to force the viewer to notice me and capture whatever my art will convey.

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Friday, Sept. 4, 2020

ACT Continued from page six Auditions, rehearsals and shows being done virtually has also allowed students who live in the U.S. and internationally, who weren’t able to physically return to campus, still be a part of productions.

Distance not being an obstacle has also made it possible to host far away guests. The department started off the season by hosting a workshop over zoom with Broadway actress Ashley Blanchet. They also plan to host Michael J. Bobbitt from the New Repertory Theatre located in Watertown, Massachusetts.

On the weekend of Oct. 16, they will be celebrating the Hartman Theatre’s 50th anniversary. They will share memories of past shows, and current students will perform a staged reading, a way of performing a play in which actors read directly from the script without worrying about the scenery, costumes, rehearsals and memorizing lines. That same weekend they will have a “where are they now” alumni panel and social.

Auditions were held yesterday for the next play, “Hands Up,” a series of monologues about the Black experience with law enforcement and a part of the New Black Play festival, a movement that celebrates and showcases Black actors. Auditions were held in a zoom call in which students waited in the waiting area until it was their turn and then were able to perform their prepared monologue in front of the organizers They also had the option to turn in a recording of themselves.

Before students were sent home last spring, the theatre department planned on performing the “Importance of Being Earnest.” They will be doing it this semester instead through zoom or another streaming platform. They are looking at releasing it in chunks over a few weeks.

They weren’t able to record their performances in the past because of the guidelines given to them when they purchased the rights to the plays. However, COVID-19 has caused them to loosen some of these restrictions.

“It’s a new experience,” Guay said. “Depending on the show, we can record it and put it online and then people can watch it forever. We almost never record but some of the new rights holders are very open to people recording and being able to post it forever and ever.”

Guay says she has watched theater performances on zoom all summer, and describes it as a combination between seeing a play in a theatre and watching a movie.

“It’s a whole new art form,” she said. “It’s very exciting. It’s all brand new, and it’s different depending on where you’re watching from.”

As of right now, the department doesn’t plan on charging students for tickets to these shows.

“As college students, money is always tight,”Associate Professor of theatre Shawna Mefferd Kelty said. “But in this economic crisis, to be able to offer some theater, thought provoking theater, for our students with little or no charge is optimal.”

Affinity group provides processing space

BY ALANA PENNY FUSE Editor

Last May, following the murders of Breonna Taylor Ahmaud Arbery and Gorge Floyd, the SUNY Plattsburgh Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion held a solidarity night where they shared with community members their commitment to supporting Black students, faculty and staff and to holding community members accountable and engaging in conversations that educate and empower. Be About It Act Now, a virtual affinity space for students, faculty, staff and alumni, was created to fuel these anti-racist conversations.

The affinity space is separated into three groups: Email ALANA PENNY Black bodies, non-Black cp@cardinalpointsonline.com people of color and people of whiteness.

ARIES

March 21 - April 19

TAURUS

April 20 - May 20

GEMINI

May 21 - June 20

CANCER

June 21 - July 22

You’ve been going through an identity crisis for the last couple of months and this week you’ll feel like you have finally made a decision— a divisive one about who you are.

LEO

There’s been more attention drawn to your professional life and you’ve recently been placed in higher roles with more responsibilities. While you know you can accomplish the tasks at hand, you desperately need rest.

VIRGO

Lately, you feel like you’ve been through hell and other significant people in your life have also been through hell. Altogether, you will start to look at the emotionality behind what has been occurring to your lives.

Like Capricorn, you’ll be drawn toward a journey of deeper meaning this week. However, love is more on your mind than anything else. You’ll possibly feel a strain in your love life or like nothing you’ve been working towards is coming to fruition.

Writing will help figure out your emotions.

July 23 - August 22

August 23 - September 22

LIBRA

September 23 - October 22

SCORPIO

October 23 - November 21

“To be able to have intentional conversations, it’s important to have these respective spaces so that folks don’t perpetuate or continue to do behaviors that could harm, traumatize or put marginalized groups in danger,” Jenny Vernet, staff assistant and program coordinator, said.

There have been four affinity space meetings so far.

The most recent one took place last Wednesday with the intention of providing a space for participants to process the shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man who was shot seven times in the back, by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Vernet says the Black bodies space has allowed her to open about her experiences and hear from others who have similar ones, making her feel more connected to the community.

Expect a strong focus on your material goods and finances this week.

You might feel like spending more than usual (which is hard to beat for Leos) plus other significant people in your life might grant you gifts.

There will be a strong desire to express yourself and what you say might be divisive especially around other people who support you.

Rather than being hypercritical of them, try to have some empathy for them.

There’s been issues building up in relationships or in your lover’s lives.

Lean on your friends for coping with this as you’ll find more comfort with them than you significant other.

Productivity has been a keyword for you lately. Specifically, there’s been a draw for you to be productive in preventative measures for your physical health. You also feel like your hard work is starting to be recognized.

“This space has been incredibly affirming and incredibly supportive,” Vernet said. “Especially being a dark-skinned Black woman, there is so much messaging I myself have received from peers, adults, teachers, even my parents and family members. Some messages were positive but a lot of messages were negative, and that has shaped and things continues to shape how I perceive myself and people that look like me.”

Michelle Bonati, assistant professor of education and co-facilitator for the people of whiteness affinity group, said during their discussions they aim to create a space where they challenge ideas, not people.

“I want to encourage people to participate and if you feel like, ‘Oh I don’t know enough about this topic,’ we encourage you to join

SAGITTARIUS

November 22 - December 21

CAPRICORN

December 22 - January 19

AQUARIUS

January 20 - February 18

PISCES

February 19 - March 20

anyhow and start learning,” Bonati said. “It’s really there to provide this space for faculty, staff, students and alumni to challenge white supremacy and to be able to have conversations about race, which are very difficult things for people to do.”

The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion plans to continue providing these affinity spaces throughout the semester. They hope to hold them once a month.

“First and foremost our responsibility is to make sure that our students feel and are protected, feel safe, feel you belong,” Vernet said. “ “Being able to see this space being that support for students has been so wonderful.”

Email ALANA PENNY

cp@cardinalpointsonline.com

You feel limited which is the most dreadful feeling for Sagittarians.

Limits aren’t stop signs— they’re roadblocks. Limits give you the opportunity to bring the creative side necessary to problem-solve.

You feel like you’re on a mission to attach deep meaning to your surroundings. Now is the time to ask yourself if your actions have been aligned with your values?

Are your values outdated? This may also come with suffering, but work through it and you’ll be rewarded.

There are forces at work designed to help you that you can’t see right now. Try to have more faith in the world and what you have been working towards will be manifested.

You feel conflicted about who you are and the people in your life.

You may feel a need to change social groups and go somewhere you are supported. Take the time to figure out what you really want.

Student art spotlight, B4

Theatre department pivots to virtual shows

BY ALANA PENNY FUSE Editor

The SUNY Plattsburgh Theatre department is adapting to coronavirus restrictions this semester by holding all auditions, rehearsals and shows, virtually.

Although the adjustment to virtual theater brings up some inconveniences, it also opens doors that would not usually be possible. They have been communicating with the SUNY Potsdam theatre department about collaborating on a show.

“When you’re working on a virtual platform there’s opportunity for cross collaboration,” Kelty said. “It’s kind of a wild time, who knows what we could do.”

See ACT, B5

Bella Friedman/Cardinal Points