Issue 2 (9/24/21)

SUNY Plattsburgh’s independent student newspaper since 1997

FRIDAY, SEPT. 24, 2021

VOLUME 105 - ISSUE 2

CARDINALPOINTSONLINE.COM

SA budget updated

BY KATIE KALLAMNI Staff Writer

OLGA MUKA/Cardinal Points The Wilson parking lot, designated for on-campus students, quickly fills each day as students go about day-to-day life.

Students struggle for parking

BY MATTHEW WENDLER Contributor

With the number of students that arrived on campus at the beginning of the semester, parking spaces have been filling up quickly with each passing day.

Last year, there was less of a struggle with parking since there were not as many people living on campus. The recent influx of students this semester; however, has resulted in a greater difficulty for those who drive. Many students have found there are barely ever sports available in SUNY Plattsburgh lots.

“There is no parking whatsoever sometimes,” senior business administration major Jack Baroch said. “You will leave for

about an hour and come back and one lot will be completely filled up. Then, another lot will be half filled up, but there’s not that much.”

Parking near classes has been the main problem for many students. Spaces located near the class halls are limited, and can be challenging to obtain. Often, students who can’t find a spot will have to park on another part of campus farther from the building they need to be in. Depending on the time, this could result in students showing up late to class.

Freshman nursing major, Alexis Staves, once had to run to class from the other side of campus after failing to find a spot.

“There was one day I was coming home from a weekend, and I came back on Monday morning,”

Staves said. “I couldn’t find an on-campus spot near my classroom, so I had to park all the way over by Wilson Hall and then run to Hudson for my class.”

Freshman cyber security major Sarah Stolfi said she won’t even use her car to get to classes because she doesn’t believe she would be able to get a spot.

“I don’t drive to classes because I’m not guaranteed to have a parking spot, and it would just make me late,” Stolfi said. “So, I just keep my car parked, and I just walk to classes.”

One question on the minds of some students is whether something can be done about this parking situation. There are a couple people on campus who believe some of the off-campus parking spots should be reduced

to on-campus spots. Freshman history major Quinn Pasquale is one of those few.

“I think it could be improved easily by just changing some offcampus parking spots to on-campus parking lots because the offcampus ones are never full, even during the day,” Pasquale said.

For others, the spots in these locations seem to be either nearly or completely filled up.

Even though parking seems bad this year, it may be no different than the parking from prior years. In a past Cardinal Points article titled “Campus Parking Nightmares,” written by Kara Bennoth on Feb. 2, 1983, parking still proved to be a prevalent issue.

PARKING l A5

The new budget upgrade to $1.2 million for the Student Association is set to enhance on-campus living with talks of reforms for on-campus dining. The prior budget was set at just over $1 million. The Student Association plans events, sponsors clubs and organizations, and advocates for students.

At the SA meeting on Sept. 15, Jacob Claypool was unanimously voted in as new chief justice.

Claypool takes the position from past chief justice D y l a n Spencer.

Claypool said his main priority as chief justice “is to make sure that the senators, coordinators, president, vice president are held accountable for their job, make sure everyone is following the guidelines and to weigh in when there seems to be issues between members of the board.”

Cases of impeachment are also brought to him for ruling.

With the addition of two new sushi chefs in the Sundowner kitchen and the new variety of food, SUNY Plattsburgh hopes to better the dining experience for students.

BUDGET l A2

Celebrating the effort to end global hunger

BY ALEKSANDRA SIDOROVA

Contributor

Every year, the second week of September is celebrated as “Feed the Future Week,” a time to acknowledge the progress made toward ending world hunger. It is for this reason world hunger is the first topic discussed in Professor Wanda Haby’s Cardinal Foundation Seminar (CFS) class, “Amelioration: Your Impact on Your Community.”

The purpose of the class is to learn and gain awareness of how issues like hunger are prevalent first on a local scale – Clinton County – then on national and global scales. Recently, students researched hunger in a variety of countries, such as Bangladesh, Ethiopia and Guatemala, and found that in each of them, the problem of hunger manifests in a variety of ways.

For example, one country may not be able to grow

enough food to feed its people, but another may grow enough, but lack the means to distribute it.

According to Haby, the research was eye-opening to students, who are all freshmen.

“One of [the students] said, ‘I didn’t realize people were going hungry,’” Haby said.

Another project the CFS students are working on is growing their own plants, including kale, lettuce, arugula, cilantro, lemon balm and rosemary, and documenting their growth. Once the plants are harvested, they will be used in salads, meat dishes, bread and tea to enjoy as a class. Haby refers to these plants as “botanical miracles.” The “miracle” property of the plants stems from the fact that “some of them are going to die – we know this.”

Student feedback on the project has been overwhelmingly positive. Some have grown so attached to their “miracles” that they

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have given them names.

“It’s awesome, because a lot of people have never done it. It feels good growing your own plants,” Dhruv Shah, a psychology major, said. “I get to say this is my plant, I have grown it from scratch.

It’s a whole different feeling. It’s a very unusual class. It feels new.

It feels different.”

The purpose of growing “botanical miracles” is “seeing just how difficult it is to grow crops,” and understanding the importance of being selfsustaining. But for some students, like Shah, it’s also a calming activity.

“I never thought I would grow plants and feel so happy. It can definitely help you get peace in the future,” Shah said.

“They’re first-year students, so they’re getting a fresh look,” Haby said.

PLANTS l A2

Provided by Wanda Haby As a part of Professor Wanda Haby’s class, students work closely with plants starting from the seed. The students can be seen potting and marking the types of plants they will be growing.

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BUDGET Continued from page A1

Detective Burghy has nothing to report this week.

Weekly Meme

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NEWS

News Editor Olivia Bousquet

Coffee House in Burghy’s Lounge will be returning Sept. 29. Coffee House is looking to hire and for people to play live music or other forms of performance.

SA President Ahmed Metwaly and SA Vice President Kathleen Gill advocate for the students of SUNY Plattsburgh trying to get on campus dining hours extended. The SA board raised concerns with the loss of Subway, Kent not being open on the weekends, and Clinton’s and Sundowner’s limited hours. “[College Auxiliary Services] communication is very shotty to say the least,” Metwaly said. She said there have been instances of upcharging.

Metwaly and Gill’s main priority is to have a more open line of and communication with the College Auxiliary Services. Metwaly brought attention to their lack of communica-

tion stating how, “dropping people out of emails, I don’t want to say is intentional because I don’t know”, yet Gill chimes in how, “it keeps happening by accident.” Metwaly pointed out that he is supposed to be a VP on the board of directors for CAS, yet they are failing to communicate with him on many notions. However, in regards to concerns raised about CAS, Metwaly said he is trying his best, and he is not going to let it go so easily. Tim Hortons is now open until 6 p.m.

The Street Jam Sept.

25 was unanimously financially approved with a budget of $350. With Halloween around the corner, the SA plans to host a few Halloweenthemed events, including a trip to Lake Placid, NY and Salem, MA. Both of these events are still being planned so more information on that will be mentioned later on.

Friday, Sept. 24, 2021

Provided by Wanda Haby

PLANTS Continued from page A1

Sean Lukas, a 2012 SUNY Plattsburgh alumnus with a degree in Environmental Planning and Management and current general manager at Casella Waste Systems, said, “I think a key part of the college experience includes not only learning about new topics but seeing things from a new view.”

He is just one of several guest speakers to talk to the CFS students, among representatives from other local organizations, such as soup kitchens Email KATIE KALLAMNI and food pantries. cp@cardinalpointsonline.com As the three-week-

long unit on world hunger comes to an end this week, the class will progress to the topic of community outreach, where they will be working on projects together with the senior residents of Plattsburgh, such as knitting blankets to be donated to a nursing home.

Although the class activities are limited solely to enrolled students, Haby encourages all those interested in volunteering to email her at haby001@ plattsburgh.edu. If there is enough interest, the campus may see more community-driven events for students and faculty to participate in.

Email ALEKSANDRA SIDOROVA cp@cardinalpointsonline.com

KAYLA LESTER/Cardinal Points

Late Night for the Planet host Clarice Knelly speaks with special guests, Andrew McGill, Amy Guglielmo and Julia Devine.

Late Night returns live

BY MIA MORGILLO ALEXA DUMAS/Cardinal Points

Campus COVID-19 Tracker Number of positive COVID-19 cases within SUNY Plattsburgh community:

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

If you see an error in Cardinal Points, email cp@cardinalpointsonline.com

Associate News Editor

There is a place for students, faculty and community members to come together off campus. It’s called Late Night for the Planet.

This student-driven talk show hosts interviewees every third Wednesday of the month at Olive Ridley’s. At 8 p.m., the games and questions began as these students, faculty and community members came together as an audience. The team consists of seniors Clarice Knelly, Hadar Pepperstone and Emma Stewart. Associate Professor Curt Gervich from the Center for Earth and Environmental Sciences is the advisor for this talk show, which was established in the spring of 2019.

Due to COVID-19, Late Night had been virtual for more than a year. Wednesday, Sept. 15, for the first time since the spring of 2020, the show was back in person.

The show was hosted by Knelly, who interviewed Julia Devine and Amy Guglielmo, the directors of Outside Art. Outside Art works to bring art into the City of Plattsburgh, and is responsible for the new murals that have sprung up over the recent years. Also interviewed was Andrew McGill, one of the creators whose sculptures are featured in the new Betty Little Art

Park located downtown.

“I just wanted everyone to feel comfortable, being back in the bar,” Knelly said about her apprehensions with getting back to inperson interviews.

Gervich’s only fear when going into these shows is the thought that no one will show up. However, this was certainly not the case for this show.

“We had a great crowd and it was awesome. We had a great show, and these were great guests to have,” Gervich said.

With over 35 guests in attendance, people certainly showed up. The stage area was packed with people enjoying food and drinks, creating art of their own on tables lined with paper, eager to watch the show unfold. During the interview, between sets of questions, the hosts facilitated a couple of games. One of which had the three artists paint the hosts in three minutes with obstacles, including kaleidoscope goggles and painting with a snapper.

“It’s enjoyable to highlight different people in our community and what they do,” Knelly said.

Late Night for the Planet hosted a variety of interviewees over the last two and a half years, from city council members to local writers.

Last semester, the Late Night team even interviewed Plattsburgh’s city

planners. There was great participation from the audience as they asked questions and relayed their opinions on upcoming changes in the city.

“I just want people to come and talk about cool stuff in our community and celebrate small victories,” Gervich said. “The mission is to help local folks understand that we live in a beautiful place that people care about and are doing neat things in.”

Late Night ties together the environment and seemingly unrelated events, jobs and people. Originally, the talk show set out to center around the environment, but as time has gone on, it has evolved into a middle ground between community and the environment. “[Interviewees] may not have thought of their work as environmental work, and so to hear your [interviewers’] questions and questions from the audience about how it connects to the environment might help them think of their work differently,” Gervich said.

Their next show will be Oct. 20, discussing the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s report, and facilitate a well-rounded discussion about climate change.

Email MIA MORGILLO cp@cardinalpointsonline.com

CARDINALPOINTSONLINE.COM

FRIDAY, SEPT. 24, 2021

‘Malignant’ difficult to diagnose

BY CAMERON KAERCHER Contributor

James Wan, the Malaysianborn writer-director, has been one of the most vital horror filmmakers of the century so far. In 2004, he created a new horror movement with “Saw” that would spawn lesser sequels and even worse rip-offs.

These films filled the screen with as much blood and gore as one can stomach. While these films aren’t for everyone, money talks and there are seven sequels in the franchise. The latest of which was released during the pandemic, “Spiral: From the Book of Saw.” Wan would continue to make successful horror franchises as he helmed “Insidious” in 2010 and “The Conjuring” in 2013.

After taking a break from horror with the blockbuster success of “Aquaman,” Wan returned to his favorite genre with “Malignant.”

“Malignant” stars Annabelle Wallis, as Madison, a young nurse in Seattle, trapped in an abusive relationship. One night after a brutal confrontation, she is stricken with nightmares of her husband, played

by Jake Abel, being murdered.

She wakes up to realize those premonitions were more reality than fantasy, and even worse, she is the prime suspect. The waking dreams don’t stop there, and the body count grows, as Madison tries to figure out what is at the heart of her visions.

In writing, the film seems par for the course. It is all material that Wan has worked with throughout his career; dreams,

ZOE NGUYEN /Cardinal Points

murder and maybe some demonic possession. However, he summed it up best in a recent Instagram post, “Don’t go in expecting The Conjuring, this is a different beast.”

The whole film feels like an inside joke about corporatedriven filmmaking.

The twists and turns that are best learned about throughout the runtime feel sleazy and not suitable for a big-budget horror film. The casting of Zoë Bell shows b-movie fans that Wan

wants to have fun with this film.

Bell is best known as the star of Quentin Tarantino’s grindhouse homage, “Death Proof.”

Her admittedly not great acting always lets audiences know that the film shouldn’t be taken seriously. By the time she does show up in the film, the story has let its guard down and shown the audience it’s bizarre bloody beating heart.

The twist might be fairly obvious to well-seasoned horror film fans, but the details of the

twist set the film apart from plenty of other horror thrillers.

It is difficult to imagine seeing this film in a full theater. Half of the audience would look away in shame, while the other half would probably revel in Wan’s grotesque horror flick.

The gore from “Saw” is more than present here and it is accentuated by the phenomenal stunt team. Buckets of blood are spilled and the kills are a dime a dozen.

The audience score for “Ma-

lignant” on Rotten Tomatoes currently sits at 53% approval.

Let this be a pre-operation disclosure. The film is truly bizarre, and the last 30 minutes might be one of the funniest comedies this year. Here’s to hoping the latest trend Wan starts is for mainstream horror movies to become more committed to bizarre stories.

Email CAMERON KAERCHER

cp@cardinalpointsonline.com

‘Stand with Her,’ a promise for survivors of domestic violence

BY SERENA GANESAN Contributor

Globally, almost one-in-three women experience abuse and violence in their relationships, whether it is sexual, physical, verbal, or mental. It is crucial that as a community, a platform is created for women to feel enough to share their stories. A space where they are heard, seen and believed. The Sigma chapter of the Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated is creating one such space.

The Sigma chapter laid its roots in SUNY Plattsburgh in 2001. Deeply rooted in sisterhood, leadership and guidance, the sorority was already a safe haven for Gissela Sosa when she started the annual “Stand With Her” in fall 2018. The event is a tool to create awareness for violence against women. Undergraduate members of the sorority, accompanied by alumni and friends if available, sleep outside the Angell College Center for 48 hours every year around the 3rd or 4th week of September. They plan the event starting from summer and collect donations in the form of money, food and blankets. The money directly goes to the Ray of Hope Walk to End Violence Against Women (ROHW), a part of the Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated’s national philanthropy of Raising Awareness of Violence Against Women.

The main goal of the Ray of Hope Walk and by extension, Stand With Her is to help women change the narrative from victims to survivors, create a space to share their stories, and end this global epidemic. ROHW has donated more than $55,000 toward empowering women subjugated to violence and abuse.

This year undergraduate members of the sorority, Elizabett Baez and Charlin Peguero along with alumnae Isabel Espino sat outside the ACC for 48 hours from 4 p.m. Sept. 17 to 4 p.m. Sept. 19.

Baez stressed the importance of shedding light on women’s troubles and ac-

OLGA MUKA /Cardinal Points Charlin Peguero, Elizabett Baez and Isabel Espino sat outside the ACC for 48 hours to stand in solidarity with survivors of domestic violence.

knowledging the commonality of the issue. She believed that being believed and heard can result in compartmentalizing their trauma and moving on from it. The change in narrative removes the blame from the survivor and onto the perpetrator. It also makes it known to the male-dominated society that survivors of violence will be believed, and there is

a community that will support them.

Unfortunately, the patriarchy has succeeded in creating an unsafe environment for survivors of violence to speak up and if they dare to do so, having them met with threats and more violence. Every woman deserves to live a life free from intimidation and the threat of violence looming over her throughout

her life. So, it is crucial, now more than ever, as a society, to support and amplify women’s voices through events like Stand With Her and make the end of violence towards women an urgent goal.

Email SERENA GANESAN

cp@cardinalpointsonline.com

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CARDINAL VOICE

Opinions Editor Alexa Dumas

Friday, Sept. 24, 2021

Editorial

Lawmakers must stop limiting reproductive rights Abortion access and women’s healthcare is under siege in Texas. The state has become a battleground over a basic women’s reproductive right; the right to choose when to become a mother.

Texas’ new law prohibits abortions after cardiac activity is detected, which usually occurs after the sixth week of pregnancy.

This is fairly early in the pregnancy, which is why limiting abortion access for women can be detrimental for their health and safety. The law also does not have any space for pregnancies that are a result from rape and incest. That means if a woman gets pregnant by a rapist or someone in their family, they are forced to birth the child. This notion is beyond disturbing, it’s truly barbaric.

Women who face the decision whether to continue a pregnancy due to physical risk do not have the right to an abortion in Texas. These women who face a higher risk of carrying a stillborn child could go without the trauma of going into labor knowing their child won’t be alive when they are delivered. Lawmakers seem not to care.

Would it be too difficult for lawmakers to care about the women they think they are

NGHI TO / Cardinal Points

“defending,” or is it just a political ploy to push their religious agenda?

Texas isn’t the only state in recent years to introduce “heartbeat” laws limiting abortion. States like Georgia, Mississippi, Kentucky and Ohio all have similar bills. The window that women can obtain an abortion is about the same, which contradicts what Roe v. Wade set as the legal limit for

abortion. That limit is at 24 weeks.

In response to the ban, which went into effect Sept. 1, protestors took to the streets. Signs reading the infamous moniker, “my body, my choice,” littered the state capitol in Austin. This called for the Women’s March organization to plan a march for Oct. 2. The march will take place all around the United States in hopes to stand up for women’s reproductive rights.

The United States Supreme Court got involved as a response to the outcry of public hate, but they refused to block the abortion law. Four of the chief justices dissented the decision, while five claimed the majority vote. Without Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, women’s reproductive rights are diminishing with more conservative views on the court.

Abortion will forever divide the already divided nation. Women deserve to have reproductive freedom in the United States.

No one should be forced to start a family, no matter the reason. Women’s reproductive rights are human rights. If you don’t have a uterus, you don’t deserve an opinion.

‘Godzilla Destroy All Monsters Melee’ allows for control

BY JONAS WARD Staff Writer

“Godzilla Destroy All Monsters Melee” for the Nintendo Gamecube debuted in 2002 and was produced by Pipeworks Software. It was a monstrous fighting game that showed players the fun in destroying a city and saving a planet. Similar to other fighting games produced during the time, “Godzilla Destroy All Monsters Melee” offered players a palette cleansing action fighting experience.

The plot for this game shuttled players into a story that involved an alien race called “Voortak” taking over earth’s giant monster defenders. During the story, players go through a series of challenges fighting different monsters and unlocking them simultaneously. This gave players the feeling of being rewarded for their actions after challenging battles. The story for this game is not the longest, but the fighting sequences allowed players to switch between different monsters they unlocked while keeping the story interesting.

Gameplay is where this title shines.

Every monster a player encounters has their own unique fighting techniques.

This game establishes a vast amount of combos players can learn to maximize their monsters fighting capabilities during a battle. This leads to extremely heated fights, hurling buildings, unleashing atomic shockwaves, breathing nuclear fire, flying and bloody hand-to-hand combat. There are multiple game modes to keep the game interesting. There is the campaign, and then there is split screen multiplayer so a player won’t miss out on the action. There is also a challenge mode where players must destroy a whole city as fast as they can with their friend.

City locations are real like London, Taiwan, Sydney and so on. Fighting friends

Taken from 100 participants

Editorial Board Editor in Chief Alana Penny

Managing Editor Olivia Bousquet

News Editor Olivia Bousquet

Opinions Editor Alexa Dumas

Sports Editor Garrett Collins

FUSE Editor Adeeb Chowdhury

Graphics Editor Nghi To

Photo Editor Olga Muka

Associate News Editor Mia Morgillo

Associate Opinions Editor Carly Newton

Associate Graphics Editor Zoe Nguyen

Web Editor Alexa Dumas

Public Relations Chair Erica Haley Faculty Adviser Shawn Murphy

Contact CP: Editorial Board: 518.564.2174 Advertising: 518.564.3173 Fax: 518.564.6397 118 Ward Hall SUNY Plattsburgh Plattsburgh, NY 12901 cp@cardinalpointsonline.com NGHI TO /Cardinal Points

is when the game really excels in the fun factor. Players can use their surroundings against their friends to get the upperhand in a fight. Hurling Big Ben across London into another monster never gets old.

Some monsters in the game include Godzilla, Motra, Rodan, Anguris, Gigan, Destroya, Megladon, Orga and a few others. The graphics in this game were great for 2002. Each monster has their own unique look, and they all walk differently across the map. Each monster also has different sounds and special abilities that explode across the screen which really adds to the graphics appeal for this game. The maps are not static, which means players can destroy their surroundings, keeping it as realistic as possible. The monsters have great details up close. Their facial expressions change, and they all have their own body language. This was not

budgeted game in 2002, and the graphics were totally up to par compared to different games from the time.

If gamers want an experience that will introduce them to the world of Godzilla, “Godzilla Destroy all Monsters Melee” is a fantastic game that really forces the player to learn the controls. The game is a great fighting platform that allows players the option to choose their favorite monster to save the world. “Godzilla Destroy all Monsters Melee” is a great classic fighting game that catapults players into the world of Godzilla allowing them to learn about the different monsters while having fun.

This vintage fighting game is a blast from the past and is sure to keep players entertained throughout the game experience.

Award Winning

Cardinal Points has received the following awards from the Associated Collegiate Press (ACP):

Email JONAS WARD

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

cp@cardinalpointsonline.com

Giants see second loss to Washington

BY CARLY NEWTON Associate Opinions Editor

For anyone looking to distract themselves from college for a few hours, look no further than Thursday Night Football. Get lost in the game and forget about that quiz in the morning.

On Sept. 16, the New York Giants took on the Washington Football Team and what a game it was.

Football fans everywhere should have enjoyed every minute of the matchup between two division rivals that ended with Washington winning 30-29.

The Thursday night game kicked off week two of the NFL regular season. It was both entertaining and exciting to watch until the last second.

New York and Washington both came into this game looking to bounce back from losing their season openers Sept. 11, and while the game started out slow, the pace picked up quickly.

Giants Quarterback Daniel Jones began his night with a

ROLDNARDY NORELUS /Cardinal Points

rushing touchdown in the first quarter to make it 7-0 Giants.

From there, he continued to make good throws and did not have an interception or a fumble. Jones was without a doubt the best and most passionate Giants football player on the field. He finished the night with 249 passing yards and one passing touchdown.

Jones could have had more impressive stats if it weren’t for a crucial touchdown drop by a wideopen Darius Slayton. This drop was partially the reason the Giants lost the game, and if they cannot

learn to clean up their mistakes, they are in for a long, disappointing losing season yet again.

The Giants future’s looking bleak and even though they still have time to turn their season around. It does not look good for them. They are a undisciplined team and need to quickly improve if they want any chance at success in the next few months.

The Giants defense could not stop Washington’s quarterback Taylor Heinicke, who was making his first regular season start.

Heinicke was impressive and

threw for 336 yards, two touchdown passes and one interception. While Washington’s offense played well, their defense, which is supposed to be the strongest part of their team, looked pretty bad at times. They were able to get four sacks on Jones, but their cornerbacks often looked lost and left Giants receivers wide-open time and time again.

If Washington’s defense improves, they have the potential to be really good this season. Their quarterback does limit them from

being a Super Bowl contender, but they should easily make the playoffs in their weak division.

The wild ending to this game began with Washington down 29-27 with two minutes left to score. Heinicke was able to drive the offense all the way down the field to get into field-goal range. This impressive drive ended with Washington’s kicker Dustin Hopkins missing the game-winner, or so it seemed. Luck was on Washington’s side when an offsides penalty gave them another chance to kick the field goal. This time, Hopkins made it. Washington was able to win the game as time expired.

The crazy ending will be memorable for a long time. For Giants fans, this loss will sting for a while, especially if this game determines playoff rankings at the end of the season. As of now, the Giants sit at 0-2 on the season and the Washington Football Teams moves to 1-1.

Email CARLY NEWTON

cp@cardinalpointsonline.com

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News Editor Olivia Bousquet

NEWS

▪ Friday, Sept. 24, 2021

OLGA MUKA/Cardinal Points

Upcoming cemetery tour from Town of Clinton

BY SYDNEY HAKES Staff Writer

The Clinton County Historical Society will kick off October by hosting a tour of three local cemeteries.

The tour will start at Immaculate Heart of Mary cemetery and finish at the Frontier Cemetery. Frontier is the first ever cemetery in Plattsburgh, and where the original settlers are buried.

After the cemeteries, the tour concludes at Dicks Country Store, which Rebecca LeClair, the town historian of Clinton, describes as “the most historically significant business in the town of Clinton.” Bought by Dick Decosse in the 1970s, the combination grocery, gas station, gun and guitar shop has hosted numerous musical acts over the years.

LeClair was approached about doing a type of event by the Historical Society, and agreed it would be a great idea to share small town history in an interactive way.

“A lot of people brush over small town history, but it’s in so much of all of us,” LeClair said. “When we brush over those details the story gets lost.”

LeClair, a SUNY Plattsburgh alumna, will provide information about the cemetery’s history, historical figures who are buried in them and the town itself. There will also be handouts provided with key historical information, along with instructions on safely cleaning headstones.

Rose Wise, a history major specializing in Cold War history, said an event like this

PARKING Continued from page A1 Kara wrote about how 3,675 students registered their cars at the university with only 963 available spots in September of 1982. She also added that only 528 spaces were available for 1,900 on-campus students and that 475 spaces were available for 2,075 off campus students. The limited number of spaces led to more complaints among the campus population and

can create a greater appreciation for one’s surroundings.

“There’s a uniqueness to this place, it’s not just any town,” Wise said.

Wise recommends students attend the cemetery tour. “Living on campus in the dorms is isolating,” Wise said. “A college campus is a bubble that could exist anywhere on earth.”

The tour is a few hours of a student’s time that can connect them to the city that is their home for a few years.

Rachel Boyer, a resident of Plattsburgh whose family has lived in Clinton County for generations, never knew too much about her history until she got into genealogy. From that initial exploration, she began to question her older relatives about their history.

“It’s important to me to know things about my past, because it helps me learn things about myself,” Boyer said. “I knew of events like the Battle of Plattsburgh, but there are smaller stories I’m sure most of us will never know that are just important.”

LeClair hopes students from SUNY Plattsburgh will attend the event, stressing the value of having the new generation interested and knowledgeable about local history.

The tour will start Oct. 2, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The registration fee for the tour is $15 and includes lunch and the handouts. Students interested in registering can mail director@clintoncountyhistorical.org to register.

more parking violations. The problem seems to still be prevelant to this day.

Seth Silver, an investigator for the university police, has been working for the campus since 1991. Over the years, he’s had his fair share of experience with campus parking. This issue is nothing new to him; however, there isn’t really a lot that can be done to relieve it.

“There’s only so much that can be done about parking,” Silver said. “People have to know where they’re going, know where the parking lots are, where they’re available, and plan accordingly. There’s plenty of parking on campus, it just may not be convenient to you.”

One thing that could possibly resolve parts of the is-

Email SYDNEY HAKES cp@cardinalpointsonline.com

sue students are having is the addition of more parking lots. This action, however, would come with a price.

More parking lots would lead to less nice, open and recreational spaces on campus for people to enjoy.

“There’s a balance between parking spaces and nice areas on campus,” Silver said. “Do we want a nice green field out here or do we want a parking lot?

You have to, you know, pick and choose. Do you want tennis courts to play on or parking lots? There’s a balance to it where you have to have some greenery and some other features of campus besides parking.”

Email MATTHEW WENDLER cp@cardinalpointsonline.com

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NEWS

News Editor Olivia Bousquet

Friday, Sept. 24, 2021

This Week in Photos: Late Night Photos By Kayla Lester

To the right: Julia Devine, Amy Guglielmo and Andrew McGill were special guests for the Late Night event last week.

Late Night for the Planet occurs every Wednesday at 8 p.m. at Olive Ridley’s.

Attendees can expect a fun evening with special guests, food and games.

CARDINALPOINTSONLINE.COM

FRIDAY, SEPT. 24, 2021

Provided by BRIAN SAVARD

Junior Alyana Leqandry lines up to take on the Hartwick Hawks.

Women’s tennis drops two in Oneonta

BY GARRETT COLLINS Sports Editor

Women’s tennis took a roadtrip last week to Oneonta to take on the Hawks Saturday Sept. 10.

SUNY Plattsburgh went 1-2 in doubles and 2-4 in singles. Senior Bri Miller went 2-0, winning with partner Jacquline Svantner over Jessica Best and Jess Sexton, and winning her singles game over Sexton.

Sarah Hoffner won her singles match against Victoria Wilson.

The day started with 3 doubles matches. The first match saw Hartwick win by three points with a final

score of 8-5. The second set was mostly the same, with Plattsburgh only scoring 3 compared to the 5 from the last match. The third and final match of doubles proved to be the one where the Cardinals would finally prevail, as the combination of Miller and Sophomore Jacquline Savantaner would win the final match where they would double their opponents Jessica Best and Jess Sexton’s scores winning 8-4. This doubles win is the fourth doubles win on the season keeping her undefeated doubles record intact with an impressive 4-0 record. For Svantner this was also her fourth

win of the season also The third and final set keeping her undefeated re- saw Hoffner push back cord safe at 4-0 where she would rip Wilson 10-5. Singles match Women’s tennis would number four was a disaplose their first single match pointing two set loss for of the day with Plattsburgh Plattsburgh. The Cardilosing the first set 6-7 and nals would make their way would drop the second set back into the win section 6-1. Plattsburgh clocked 2 after Miller notched her and 4 points in set one and second singles win of the two, losing both sets in the season over Jess Sexton second match. The third winning both sets 6-1, putsingles match saw Platts- ting her total at 2-2 on the burgh get their first singles season for singles. Hartwin of the day. That wind wick would ultimately win would come from senior the game 3-6 putting the Sarah Hoffner who won Cardinals record at 1-3 puther first set over Victoria ting them 2 games under Wilson 6-4. The second set where they need to have a was a different story how- winning record. The team ever, when Victoria Wilson hopes the future slate of crushed Hoffner 6-1. games against Oneonta

and Farmingdale can turn things around.

On Sept. 18, tennis once again found themselves in the town of Oneonta not to play Hartwick But to play their crosstown neighbors, the SUNY Oneonta Red Dragons. The Duo of Nicole and Samantha Svantner won the finals doubles match of the day against Ariel Loucks and Brianna Harmon. Bri Miller would clock the only Singles Victory of the day beating Ariel Loucks.

The first matches of the day were doubles and Plattsburgh once again was able to clock one win during the whole section.

In the first match the Red

Dragons beat Plattsburgh 8-1. The second match was a lot of the same with Plattsburgh once again losing 8-1. The third set of doubles saw the Cardinals flip the script entirely, with the sophomore duo of Nicole and Samantha Svantner getting a big win over Ariel Loucks and her partner brianna Harmon by the score of 8-2. This win for Nicole and Samantha is both their second doubles win of the season keeping their record for the season at an even 2-2 record.

Email GARRETT COLLINS cp@cardinalpointsonline.com

Women’s Soccer has first loss of season

BY LIAM SAMPLE Contributor

The Plattsburgh Women’s Soccer Team (2-1-2) fell on the road to the Middlebury Panthers (3-1-0) 3-0 Wednesday afternoon for their first loss of the season.

An aggressive start to the game led Middlebury forwards, Eliza Van Voorrhis and Simone Ameer, to each score in the first 20 minutes of the game. At the 59 minute mark, Elizabeth Peebles buried one top-shelf for her second of the season. This Produced a 3-0 lead that would be held for the remainder of play.

The Cardinals, reputable for their high offensive power causing eight goals in their first four games, were contained to a season- low of twelve shots. Starting goalkeeper Julia Ennis said. “Middlebury has always been one of our tougher opponents. I think weh;ed them on the defensive side and were unlucky on the attacking end.”

She played just over 72 minutes stopping two and allowing three. Freshman Payton Couture, making her first appearance of her collegiate career, saved two and played 17:45 shoutout minutes.

Plattsburgh had their fair share of chances. Senior kirsten Villemaire attempted seven shots, adding to her team leading twenty-five on the year. This included big shots in “crunch time;” tallying two within the last five minutes of the first half and the final shot of the second.

This loss ends the Cardinals four game undefeated streak to start the season. This setback comes at a turning point of the season, with 9 of their next 11 being SUNY conference games. “Overall I think matchups like Midlebury give us a good sense of where we stand heading into the conference games and I am optimistic about how we will [perform] in SUNYAC play, ‘’ the netminder said.

“We know that the key to being successful this season will be looking to work as a unit both offensively and defensively. I think we lost sight of that briefly against Middlebury.”

The team hopes to work as a unit as they travel to face Saratoga to face the 3-1 Skidmore Thoroughbreds in a non conference match Saturday at 1 p.m.

Email LIAM SAMPLE Provided By DAKOTA GIBERT Junior Midfeilder Anna McDuffie dribbles the ball looking for an oppertunity.

cp@cardinalpointsonline.com

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CARDINAL SPORTS

Sports Editor Garrett Collins

Men’s Soccer Tennis Tues. at Russell Sage @ 4p.m. Tue. vs Northern Vermont @ 4 p.m Fri vsOswego @ 4p.m.

Fri. Northern vermont Johnson @ 10 a.m

Women’s Soccer Volleyball Fri. at Oswego @4 p.m Wed vs SUNYNew Paltz @ 6,p.m.

Sat at Cortland @ 1 p.m Sat Oneonta @1.pm

Friday, Sept. 24, 2021

Men’s Soccer School Oneonta Buffalo State Cortand Brockport Fredonia New Paultz Geneso Plattsburgh Potsdam Oswego

Record SUNYAC 4-0-1 0-0 6-1-0 0-0 6-1-1 0-0 4-1-1 0-0 5-2-0 0-0 5-2-0 0-0 3-2-2 0-0 3-3-0 0-0 2-3-2 0-0 1-2-3 0-0

Women’s Soccer

Men’s Soccer Goals

Mens soccer team celebrates a goal.

Brian Coughlan Dylan Shalvey Yusif Okine DAKOTA GILBERT/Cardinal Points Assists Brian Coughlan Dylan Shalvey Yusif Okine

Save Percentage teddy Healy

Women’s Soccer 4 3 2

Goals

3 2 2

Emiy froydma Avery Durgan Allison Seidman

Assists Emily Froydma Allison Seidman kristen Villemaire

4 3 1

.583

Save Percentage Julia Ennis .791

2 1 1

Volleyball Kills

Payton Zophy Megan O’Brien Jenn Braun

Assists

DAKOTA GILBERT/Cardinal Points

Mathew Heimowitz had 3 saves vs Vassar

Emma Rivers DAKOTA GILBERT/Cardinal Points Olga Muka Valasquez, Garner, and Okine, stratagize.

Alexys Hawks

Digs 80 76 76

151 90 43

Payton Zophy Shannon Fitzpatrick maddy Zophy

Aces

Emma Rivers Meghan O’Brian Ann Beauchamp

School Brockport Buffalo State Cortland Fredonia Geneseo New Paltz Oneonta Oswego Plattsburgh Potsdam

Record SUNYAC 3-1-1 0-0 2-4-0 0-0 1-3-1 0-0 5-0-1 0-0 4-1-0 0-0 1-2-1 0-0 0-4-0 0-0 2-0-0 0-0 2-1-2 0-0 4-2-0 0-0

Tennis

School Record SUNYAC New Platz 2-1 2-0 Cortland 3-1 3-1 Plattsburgh 1-1 1-3 Oswego 1-2 1-2 Brockport 0-1 0-1 Fredonia 0-2 0-3 Geneso 0-0 1-0 Oneonta 0-0 2-0

Volleyball

154 111 64

20 18 11

School Cortland Geneseo New Paltz Plattsburgh Brockport Buffalo State Fredonia Oneonta Oswego Potsdam

Record SUNYAC6-2 1-0 3-5 1-0 4-5 1-0 5-3 1-0 8-2 0-1 2-4 0-0 3-4 0-0 1-6 0-1 4-5 0-1 2-3 0-1

Cardinals fall one game under .500

BY GARRETT COLLINS Sports Editor

Men’s soccer looked to rebound after a 5-1 loss vs RPI Sept. 11 in Troy, NY, taking a road trip to Middlebury Vermont to take on the Panthers last tuesday. Middlebury was posting a 2-0 record going into the game, winning their first two games pretty handley winning 6-0 and 3-1. Plattsburgh seemed to be one of the first teams that was able to slow down

the offence of Middlebury holding them only to one goal for the entire 90 minute match and holding them to only two shots on goal.

The game started a bit slow for the Cardinals offense, only having one shot in the entire first half compared to the Panthers’ six shots in the first half. The defense of the Cardinals was a factor in the first half not allowing a single goal in the first half despite the shots flying from Middlebury.

The second half of the game would prove to be a different story as the Cardinals clocked six shots in the second half only being outshot by the Panther’s by two. As the waning minutes of the game checked down on the scoreboard the Cardinals were still locked in with their opponent tied at 0-0, until the 85th minute when Middlebury’s Micheal McFarline kicked a free kick from the left side of the field and the ball found its way into the 18 yard box where Ethan Coomber landed the head-

er allowing the Panther’s to squeeze past Plattsburgh 1-0.

Later that week the Cardinals welcomed the Vassar College Brewers.

Plattsburgh would come out stronger in the first half then they did earlier in the week putting up 3 shots compared to Vassar’s 5. The first half was close, tied 0-0 until ten seconds left in the half where once again a late goal would break a scoreless tie. A corner kick from the left side from Austin Lukasik was headed at the box by Ethan

Snyder which was passed ning the game. over to Naten Logan who The Cardinals now fall scored the first goal of the to 2-3 and are looking forgame at 44:49. ward to the slate of games next week versus Russell Plattsburgh pushed the Sage and Oswgo, where pedal to the metal in the they hope to get a win and second half where they move to .500 on the seaclocked 8 goals in the sec- son, after learning from ond half. Unfortunately, these games against tough Vassar still scored more opponents and using that than Plattsburgh 9-8. The momentum to get back to game continued to run on winning. with Vassar still holding the upperhand 1-0. Late in the second half in minute 76 scored off a pass from Email GARRETT COLLINS Ryan Lane. Putting the cp@cardinalpointsonline.com Brewers up 2-0 and win-

Volleyball wins 2 of 3 games, record becomes 6-4

BY Drew Wemple Staff Writer

SUNY Plattsburgh’s Women’s Volleyball team put a solid week together, winning two out of three games. The team’s record moves to 6-4, including their first conference play win they picked up Wednesday at home versus Potsdam. This week’s results were a much needed bump for the team after going 1-3 in the North Country Classic volleyball tournament.

This past week’s games started on Wednesday, at Memorial hall in Plattsburgh, versus the Potsdam Bears. It was the team’s second home win of the season, and it was decided by a final score of three sets to one. This was the first win against Potsdam since 2016, and first win over the bears at Memorial since 2004. The match started with Plattsburgh State taking the first two sets, 25-11 and 25-17, before Potsdam was able to take the third, 25-20.

“We were just at a point where, after the first two sets, we kind of got sloppy and wanted to show off, and that’s when we got in our heads and then when we lost a point,” senior middle hitter Alicia Fisher said, “It really brings our energy down.”

But the Lady Cardinals were able to ring their energy back up and it certainly helped being Provided By BRIAN SAVARD at home. The game was Olga Muka Setting a ball in a game vs. Potsdam where they won 3-1. surrounded by a raucous crowd that started filing in at 5 and stayed for al- most the entirety of the 4 sets. They kept the energy and noise up for all of it.

“It was 90 degrees in that gym but we didn’t care. It felt like the whole fanbase knew they needed our support,” senior and attending fan Brendan Whalen said.

“It makes us feel so much better because other teams came on to support us, our friends and family came out, but knowing that other people on campus actually came out to see us feels so much better,” Fisher said.

That added support proved crucial, in the 4th set Plattsburgh traded points with the Bears for a while, but eventually pulled away to win the set 25-18, and took the match 3-1. Thanks to huge contributions from several players, including Sophomore outside hitter and defensive specialist Payton Zophy who led the team in digs with 15.

“It was just kind of crazy. It was nice having fans too and I think everyone was just really getting into it. I know I was getting into it,” Zophy said.

It was a quick turnaround for the Lady Cardinals after that, having to travel to Union College in Schenectady, to play in the Russell Sage/ Union Crosstown Classic tournament. The ladies got up to be on the bus down there at 8 a.m. to play 2 games last Saturday, the first versus Hartwick College at Noon, then second at 2 p.m. versus Russell Sage College.

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Sports Editor Garrett Collins

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CARDINAL SPORTS

Friday, Sept. 24, 2021

Svantner smashes first year playing

BY GARRETT COLLINS Editor

After a year of COVID sports are finally coming back to campus after a long awaited hiatus. One team that was able to find some sort of silver lining was plattsburghs women’s tennis team, because the sport was considered low risk and took place outdoors.

The Cardinals last season however, were missing one of their cheerleaders and top performers on the team. Nicole Svantner, sophomore majoring in fitness and wellness leadership and is one of three triplets, who are also teammates Jacquline and Samantha Savantner. All three sophomores,have been playing tennis all through highschool. Svantner actually didn’t start by playing tennis but actually started out playing soccer.

“I actually played soccer, like travel soccer and then I tore my ACL, and then I kind of moved over to tennis.” Svantner said “We played a lot growing up like every summer. We would go to camp, and then go and focus on soccer, but once I got injured I moved back over to soccer, so we’ve been playing for quite a while.”

Svantner did not compete last season because she was taking remote classes and missed the spring season.

“Last year in the spring

WTENN

DAKOTA GILBERT/Cardinal Points

Nicole Svantner plays her match against Farmingdale on Sept. 19. She and her sisiter Samantha won 8-7.

I was remote. I’m glad to be back. It’s nice to have a season too,” she said Currently, she is 4-2 with her sister, Samantha, and is on a three game winning streak with her after starting the season 1-2.

“We were actually doubles partners in highschool so we know how to play,” Svantner said. “It’s actually nice because I feel like if I was with someone I don’t know how they play exactly it would be tough, but it’s definitely easier that I

know how she hits and we can read each other. “ Being a wellness and fitness leadership major allowsSvantner to have a better idea on how to prepare herself for games and how to keep her body safe and at tip-top shape.

“The stuff I learned in my fitness class carried on to the court about my body and just movements and stuff.” she said.

In her major, she has found a lot of support from her classmates and pro-

fessors, who are there to help her manage her busy schedule as a student athlete. “ [Professors] are all pretty accommodating.

I’ve only taken my first two major classes so I don’t know that many people.

Malissa LaMerewho is also head of recreation and she is extremely accommodating. They all are. They are all really understanding, especially in this major. “ Her coach described her as a team player that brings

the energy at all times and is always asking questions on how to better her craft.

“I always cheer people on when I’m not Playing and yea i like bringing the good energy. I’m always finding ways to improve and doing things that could make me a better player. “ “Everyone on the team we just push each other, we want the best version of ourselves on the court and I guess a motivation would be since this is a team sport, you need to

play your part because in tennis the win kind of goes by like each player and you know if you don’t win…..

You know you got to do your part for the team.” she said.

Email GARRETT COLLINS

cp@cardinalpointsonline.com

Continued from page B1

Looking to translate the momentum of the final doubles win into singles the Cardinals would come into this part of the day hoping to leave with a win. Unfortunately the singles match didn’t go as well as they hoped, dropping the 1st game where the Cardinals were only able to score one point in the second set and in the 2nd game where the Cardinals were only able to clock one point in the first set. The Cardinals scored one point in each set of their third game and would only score two points in the first set in the 4th game. It wasn’t until the 5th game, the Cardinals were able to break through and get the first singles win of the day. The win came once again from Bri Miller who got her 3rd singles win of the season putting her at 3-2 on the year for singles. The win had her taking both sets over opponent Ariel Loucks 7-5, 6-3. Trying to find consistency the Cardinals looked to leave singles with two wins but unfortunately that didn’t happen. The final singles game saw the Cardinals score 3 points in each set losing both 3-6.

The Cardinals now sit at a 1-4 record and pins Plattsburgh’s back against the wall making these next couple games v.s. Farmingdale and Castleton are even more important.

If the Cardinals want to make this year’s SUNYAC Tournament they need to win these next couple games.

Email GARRETT COLLINS cp@cardinalpointsonline.com

VOLLEY Continued from page B2 “Once we got to the gym and started playing the first team,it was kind of like a little shock at first because I think they were better than we thought they were going to be. We did end up losing the first game,” Zophy said about the first game versus Hartwick. “But we did learn something from that and it allowed us to push and try harder in our second game to make sure that we came out with one win on that weekend.” Zophy said.

The Lady Cardinals did drop the first game of the two, losing in four sets by a tally of 3-1.

“I personally think we probably could have beat them or at least taken them to five sets. But we just got off to a slow start,” Sophomore Defensive Specialist Shannon Fitzpatrick said, “They were just really tall and had a really good defense.”

But their day wasn’t done, immediately having to turn around and battle Russell Sage college. However, this match finished much better than the last, as the Lady Cardinals were able to defeat the Gators in four sets by a tally of 3-1.

“I think as a team we really got together and talked about what we need to work on, talked to coach [Healis] and all regrouped,” Zophy said, “we had a new mindset going into the game [vs. Russell Sage] of really trying to push every point and come out, winning.”

That change in mindset seemed to work as the Cardinals led in almost every major stat, tied for blocks with 8 and had a disadvantage in blocks 82-67.

“The game was really close the whole time, but that’s good. That shows that we were really trying to compete against them,” Fitzpatrick said. “So I think it was a better game overall because we’re all just playing way better and I think we woke up a little bit.”

Email DREW WEMPLE

cp@cardinalpointsonline.com

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FUSE Editor Adeeb Chowdhury

FUSE

Friday, Sept. 24, 2021

Exchange student advocates for mental health

BY ADEEB CHOWDHURY FUSE Editor

When asked about his arrival to the United States, Fernando Diaz responds by playing the opening scene from the 1983 Hollywood gangster film “Scarface.”

The movie opened with the Cuban refugee-turneddrug-lord Tony Montana, played by Al Pacino, being questioned by U.S. border patrol agents. The aggressive and defiant Montana explained how he used classic Hollywood films to improve his English, railed against corruption in his hometown, and proudly flaunted a scar on his face from an eventful childhood in Latin America.

“I know I’m not Tony Montana,” Diaz said, laughing. “I’m not a gangster or a drug lord. But I feel a certain kinship with him—I watched movies to learn English better, I have a pretty cool scar on my face, and one of my main missions in life is to fight against corruption back home.”

Diaz was born and raised in Chitre Herrera, a town located on a peninsula in Panama. The town’s sunny coasts boast classic Mediterranean architecture and bustling, energetic crowds of people. Diaz compares Chitre Herrera to the big cities of Panama — there’s always something for people to do, but with none of the frustrating traffic of Panama City. Everything and everyone is close to each other.

A strong sense of family was present in Diaz’s upbringing, and for good reason: he has two sisters, one brother, 30 cousins, and more than 20 aunts and uncles. However, many of his memories from his childhood are made unclear by a defining event in his life when he was four years old. He recalls that it was a warm, happy day at a water park when he slipped off a slide and slammed his head on the concrete almost seven feet down below.

“Ever since that event until I was around 14, I had serious issues remembering things. So most of my memories before 14are really blurry,” Diaz said.

“I also remember certain

OLGA MUKA/Cardinal Points

Diaz combines his communication skills with his passion for mental health. things differently from what people around me tell me. So what’s the truth?

What I remember, or what people told me is true?”

Throughout his teenage years, Diaz was guided by a strong disbelief in the education system he found himself in. He was a responsible and successful student, but only because he was taught to be that way from a young age. He found little motivation to study as he did not see the value and relevance of the information being given to students. In addition, he found that most of his teachers lacked passion and were only recycling outdated, useless materials to students for a paycheck.

“I was arguing with teachers all the time,” Diaz said. “I was asking them why we were being taught what we were being taught.

I kept asking them ques-

tions until some of them even hated me. It helped me gain the respect of my classmates, though.”

Diaz’s classmate and friend, Roberto Poveda, compared him to a Socrates-type figure, constantly asking questions and challenging authority.

“He wasn’t afraid of speaking out about issues that matter to him,” Poveda said. “He really cared about the quality of the education we got and whether it was useful or not.”

These arguments about what kind of education was truly helpful were what inspired Diaz to enter a new chapter in his life. Following a passionate discussion about the relevance of classroom materials, an English teacher angrily commented that maybe Diaz should learn English himself as she could not change the syllabus just for him. Rising to the chal-

lenge, Diaz participated in extracurricular courses to improve his English skills.

In addition, he watched American movies and listened to English music, particularly hip-hop. He found rap music to be the most lyrical genre and made sure to closely read the lyrics while listening to songs in order to truly understand the message being communicated. Diaz’s favorite artists include some of the most lyrical hip-hop musicians: J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Mos Def, Mac Miller, among others.

In 2018, he enrolled in an English course at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, UK, on a government scholarship. This was a formative period in his life. It was his first time by himself in a new place, which allowed him to discover his natural talents of communication and navigating new environments.

In 2019, finding himself stuck at home due to COVID-19, Diaz put himself to work. He moved alone to Playa Venao, a popular white-sand beach in southern Panama, where he worked at a local school as a teacher, translator and computer technician. He also played a role in local businesses, advising entrepreneurs about launching their own brands.

Jose Luis Carcamo, one of Diaz’s clients, operates a skateboard company in Panama.

“I turned to Diaz for help because he’s renowned for his business intuition, strategic thinking, and ability to communicate with people in such a charismatic way,” Carcamo said. “He really helped my brand take off. He’s kind of a local legend here.”

This year, Diaz had the opportunity to study at SUNY Plattsburgh as an exchange student on a full scholarship. He plans to use his one semester at SUNY Plattsburgh to the fullest, continuing his mission in Panama of empowering his community and helping those around him.

“I don’t consider myself a ‘community leader’,” Diaz said. “But I think I can empower people to understand their own decisions and give them a broader perspective. I’m definitely going to try to do that here as well.”

One of his primary goals here at SUNY Plattsburgh and throughout his life is to understand how to better approach mental health and help raise awareness about issues surrounding it. Diaz explained that in Panama, until recently there was absolutely no space to discuss mental health with confidentiality and without judgement.

Suicide hotlines were nonexistent.

“Two months before coming to Plattsburgh, I went to a mental health counseling service, but I knew that if people found out, they would assume I’m going crazy,” Diaz said.

“So I pretended that going to counselling was a requirement for the scholarship program I’m in.”

However, the last five to six years have seen some progress in Panama. More professionals have become

available to assist those who need it. It has also generally become more socially acceptable to seek help. Diaz seeks to better understand what social forces brought about such change and how those forces can be harnessed for further progress in the future.

Pointing out that much of the developing world still treats mental health issues as a stigma, Diaz hopes that it becomes more normal to discuss such topics in public and reduce the negative connotations attached with them.

“We tend to minimize our feelings due to the fear of what others may think,” Diaz said. “That keeps us from being true to ourselves. We swallow our feelings and bottle up our emotions, and that just makes everything worse.”

Furthermore, Diaz advises those who hope to be better friends and support systems for those struggling with mental health issues.

“Firstly, be there. Don’t minimize other people’s experiences and feelings.

Telling someone they don’t have it that bad will accomplish nothing except making them regret telling you anything,” Diaz said. “Secondly, it’s free to be kind.

It costs nothing to be nice to people and say uplifting things. Compliment someone’s outfit. It’ll change their whole day.”

He sums up his philosophy by saying, “If you want to change the world, you have to change yourself.”

Diaz hopes to use his career as a vehicle for manifesting his vision of what the future of mental health should be. He sees himself working as an ambassador serving in public affairs, and he is confident that mental health will be fundamental to his message to his community. Whether it be education regarding such issues or the availability of more resources for those who need help, Diaz hopes he will embody the changes he dreams of and be the person that he himself needed in his youth.

Email ADEEB CHOWDHURY cp@cardinalpointsonline.com

Animation Club welcomes various tastes

BY BRAD PROCITA Staff Writer

The Animation Club provides members with a judgment-free zone to discuss and watch their favorite animated shows. Instead of focusing on creating animation, which is a lengthy process, members share their appreciation of their favorite shows.

However, if members want to create their own animation and use the club to spotlight their work, that is welcome and encouraged.

“We want to harbor a higher appreciation for animation,” Club President John Lynch said. “We see it as an art form that doesn’t get talked about as much.”

Clubs at other schools choose to focus solely on anime, which is a subset focusing solely on Japanese animation, but Lynch wants the club to be broader.

“People have different tastes,” Lynch said. “They want to show stuff that’s completely different than what I’m into.”

Elin O’Hara, the faculty advisor, emphasized the fact that all types of animation are welcome to be discussed in the club.

“There’s a little something for everyone,” O’Hara said.

At a typical meeting, members will watch episodes of an animated show. Group members voted to watch “Infinity Train” for their weekly show. They will watch at least one episode of it every meeting. Lynch, along with other board members, will choose a theme for the week and select other shows to watch during meetings that he allows members to vote on.

The voting occurs via polls on the club’s Facebook page SUNY Plattsburgh Animation Club (2021-2022). There’s even an opportunity for members to add their own poll options. Although he is the president of the club, Lynch prioritizes choice and creativity because he believes that they should function as a team and wants all members to have a say in club activities.

Some of the show’s on the ballot last week were “Bojack Horseman,” Englishdubbed “Ghost Stories,” “Rick and Morty,” and “The Regular Show.” A member also suggested watching “Invincible” in a conversation with Lynch.

Some animated shows choose to focus on action, drama or comedy, others choose

to tackle a more serious subject. “Welcome to the N.H.K,” one of Lynch’s personal favorites, has a heavy focus on the stigma surrounding mental health.

The club is looking into traveling to animation conventions, but with COVID-19 and its emerging variants still being an active threat, this is proving to be challenging. In the past, the Student Association has provided grants to make it more accessible for students to attend these types of events.

“Those SA grants really helped increase access for students to go who may not have necessarily been able to afford it previously,” O’Hara said.

Bakuretsu Con, the convention club members usually attend, hasn’t posted a date for when it will be held, but members are keeping their hopes up. According to the conventions Facebook page, Bakuretsu Con, they have their sights set on operating in 2022.

It’s unclear whether class will still be in session when the event is held but Lynch is keeping his hopes up that the group will be able to attend. The event typically attracts around 600 fans and it is sponsored by The Anime Society of Vermont, a non-profit organization whose chief mission is to “promote cultural awareness and diversity through the celebration of anime and manga.”

Lynch discussed the possibility of the club attending Tora-Con if Bakuretsu Con turns out to be a no-go. Tora-Con, hosted by the Rochester Institute of Technology, has set a day for their convention. It will be held March 19, 2022. The event is described on their website, https://toracon.org, as “a two-day convention for fans of anime, cosplay, and nerd culture.”

For Lynch, that “nerd culture” is a winning way of life. Lynch said he’s met all his friends here through the club and seemed enthused about meeting new like-minded people and bringing the club back face-to-face after a year-long hiatus.

Animation Club meets on Wednesdays, 7 to 9 p.m. in Hudson 106.

Email BRAD PROCITA cp@cardinalpointsonline.com

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FUSE

FUSE Editor Adeeb Chowdhury

Friday, Sept. 24, 2021

VINYL

Continued from page B6

Sex and the SUNY collects stories about funny, gross, and just plain memorable juicy experiences on campus. If you want your story to be featured, submit it anonymously at cardinalpoints.com!

The second week of the semester, I (f 19) decided to add a friend’s (f 17) crush (m 18) on Snapchat. He invited me and a different friend (f 18) to his dorm. We showed up at 1 AM and it was obvious this was a big mistake on our part. He brought us to his room and started making all of the sexual advances — the suggestive smile, flexing his (lack of) muscles, having us sit on his bed, holding us, man-spreading, asking if we are dominant, and my personal favorite, complaining his balls hurt. Then, “Jesus”, our savior, hottest man we have ever seen shows up and tells us to leave. We booked it. The first guy was really trying to fuck us both and it was a little pathetic. But Jesus is welcome to have a threesome any night.

So I started talking to this guy I met over tinder during quarantine. We lived relatively close to each other and we snapped back and forth for a few months. It didn’t really get anywhere so we kinda fell off and I forgot all about it. He was a transfer to platts the upcoming semester so I lowkey forgot about him since he lived off campus and I hadn’t seen him around at all. Around November of last year he hits me up after months of not talking. We decide to meet up one night after I was drinking with my roommates. I walk over there and he meets me at the door. He takes me to his living room and suggests putting on Netflix. The movie he picks is fucking Adam Sandler’s “Mr. Deed”.

Great mood setter obviously. So after 45 mins of absolutely nothing but Sandler, he finally kissed me and sets the scene. He then asks me if I wanna hookup and then we go to his room. Within 30 seconds of the conversation homie is butt ass naked in his room, door open, overhead light on, putting a condom on. I still have my shoes on at this point. He looks at me still fully clothed since there was literally no mood going at all and asks “oh are you a virgin?”

I was like “uh…no, are you?” Thinking this man is obviously inexperienced because he is literally completely naked and we have barely even kissed. So naturally I start to take my clothes off and stuff and he just starts going for it.

Light still on, door still open. He can’t figure where to stick it in, and after a minute I’m obviously very awkward as this is a awkward situation. We tried to figure it out and I tried to kinda guide him a little at first by suggesting to start with missionary position and he asks “what’s that?” I tried to help him after that too but after a few minutes too many it starts to hurt and I was over it so I said I wanted to go home. As I’m putting my clothes on, trying not to laugh because of the awkwardness of all of that, he asks me one more question. After all of that he looks me in the eyes and says “do you like sucking dick?” I said “I’m good, man” and walked out of his house.

I have a few stories regarding sex on campus, but I’ll just skip to the main points… when a guy says he’s down for anything.. be careful cause he’ll slap you and spit in your mouth right when he walks into the room. if a guy wants to hang out but doesn’t want to bring a condom… he’s going to cum 10 seconds into head and he knows it. and if a guy says he likes it raw… it’s cause he’s going to cum the second he puts on a condom…

My gf and I skinny dipped then made some ‘motion in the ocean’ in a nearby river.

It’s taken me four years to realize that sex in relationships isn’t the main focus. I think a lot of people feel that they need to have sex with someone to get them to like them. Throughout college I always had the mindset that in order to get the guy I wanted I had to have sex with them. But it isn’t true, there is so much more then just sex. Talk to your partner about boundaries and consent. Building a safe space to communicate what makes you feel comfortable or uncomfortable, is more important then the act itself. And if they aren’t willing to do that, then they ain’t the one sis.

TRIGGER WARNING: the following contains mention of sexual assult After getting raped and assaulted on campus UP did literally nothing. In fact in the second incident I had mentioned drinking at a school function and got put on probation, then asked to transfer schools. Plattsburgh is one of the most unsafe environments you can put yourself in.

A small variety of shops around Plattsburgh offer an extensive selection to choose from, with genres ranging anywhere from somber, melancholic blues and hearty folk to groovy funk and bewildering hair metal. Local music enthusiasts Eli Moore and Jon Templin have dove deep into the realm of record collecting and are both fond of buying from one place in particular: Lake Shore Candy & Licks (formerly known as Jensen’s Vinyl Garage) located in the Skyway Plaza, owned by Mike and Elizabeth Jensen. “[It’s] really a hidden gem around here,” said Templin. It was there Templin purchased Primus’ debut album “Frizzle Fry,” which features an all-time favorite tune of his: “John the Fisherman. Overall, it’s filled with bangers on the A-side and B-side. “It’s boiling with psychedelic punk energy and astonishing bass playing,” said Templin.

As for the shop itself, the concept of combining candy and records is the neatest concept to Templin. Jensen’s created a welcoming environment with heavenly chocolate and heavenly sound.

Moore’s been a customer of Jensen for roughly a couple years now. One recent score of his was an early copy of The Velvet Underground & Nico. Jensen, hesitant to sell it, offered the album to him for a reasonable price.

Though it was scratched and had a fair amount of skips when he played it, that didn’t matter.

“It was about being able to be truly transported through an era-specific artifact,” Moore said, “Warts and all, it’s part of the previous owner’s history with the album.”

To him, this particular record serves as a reminder that the sound quality isn’t the entirety of collecting vinyl.

“I was grateful that Mike thought of me and continues to keep me in mind when he thinks I might be interested in something,” Moore said.

Other places to shop for records in Plattsburgh include Old Soul. At Old Soul, located at City Hall Place, owner Kt Teaney features vinyl street sales on First Friday, an event that takes place on the first Friday of every month that showcases downtown businesses and a sense of community.

Meanwhile, the branch of the Antique & Variety Mall on Margaret Street keeps their record selection down in the basement of the building. Anywhere from six to eight bins chock full of fine selections ranging from old school country to late-eighties pop are a treat for all ears.

Overall, collecting records can be more than a trend.

It can be about the experience of stepping into a shop, ogling the milk crates or shelves stocked with these fine artifacts and selecting that next lick to bring home. It’s a passion of the past continuing on. It’s an iconic way of searching and listening.

Email HALES PASSINO

cp@cardinalpointsonline.com

ARIES

Strength. Your negativity and lack of selfcontrol are your real enemies. If you are finding certain addictions in your life are taking a hold, be it smoking or drinking for example, look inward for your heart’s true strength and self-belief. Change your attitude and be positive and you will reap great rewards.

SAGITTARIUS

VIRGO

The Chariot. Conflicts ending in victory!

Keep charging ahead - this is a time of change, travel and success if you stay committed to achieving your goals. A journey relating to work is imminent and if you’ve had your eye on that new car it will soon be yours.

CAPRICORN

Death. A time of absolute endings and brand new beginnings, your life is going through a period of great transformation.

Whilst change may be difficult, or even painful, you will pull through. You will be free for a brand new phase in your life.

LIBRA

The Hierophant You feel a need for advice or wise council or perhaps spiritual consolation. Someone, or perhaps immediate events, will provide moral and practical guidance. You desire the tried and tested traditional values, so when considering your options, this approach will prove wiser than adopting an unconventional novel approach.

AQUARIUS

The Hermit. You are at risk of doing something hasty out of impatience and rage.

This is not a time for irrational and impulsive behaviour - don’t be cantankerous (if closer to old than young!) or arrogant and resentful (if closer to young than old!) Try and remain calm and let the rage go. Take time to make a cool and collected decision.

The Hermit signals a warning not to make hasty decisions.

PISCES

The Hanged Man. You will in time know what decision to make about who or what must be given up. If you look for truth and integrity and don’t be too materialistic or hang onto things or people for all the wrong reasons.

The Hermit. You may be feeling lonely at this time or going through a period of introspection. If you are struggling to find answers to your questions, give it time.

They will come. This is a time for prudence and patience. If you have been unwell this is a time for rest and recuperation.

LEO

TAURUS

The Moon. At this time you desire clarity and less of those confused emotions that leave you fearful and vulnerable. You want to know the outcome because you are so unsure about how you feel. Use your intuition to guide you away from deception and ride this out - it will turn out alright in the end. The Moon is also a good omen if you are in a clandestine affair.

GEMINI

The Fool. You are afraid of making the wrong decisions. There is a warning here that foolhardy, impetuous actions could lead to major problems. Perhaps you feel that you don’t have control over a situation, either personal or professional. Perhaps you know deep down that what you want isn’t really such a good thing.

CANCER

The Hierophant. There is help at hand. Just SCORPIO ask for it. You can receive Wise counsel and October 23 November 21 honest advice from a teacher, priest or parent, or just someone you have a lot of respect for. They are more than willing to help.

March 21 - April 19

April 20 - May 20

May 21 - June 20

June 21 - July 22

July 23 - August 22

August 23 September 22

September 23 October 22

The Emperor. The Emperor in this position suggests that what you most want at this time is success and achievement, and the support and influence of perhaps your father, husband/partner who you believe could help.

The World. You are afraid of taking action

November 22 - December 21 and lack confidence and willpower, but

this is a time to be positive and proactive to prevent loss of momentum, delays and stagnation. Completion and success are only a step away. Don’t give up, lose heart or change direction when you are so close to the finish line.

December 22 January 19

January 20 February 18

February 19 March 20

Cardinal Watch B4

Plattsburgh’s vinyl revival

BY HALES PASSINO Staff Writer

Collecting records dates back as far as the early 1900s. When we think of records, we think of the golden ages of music anywhere from the 1950s to 1980s. It was, or still is, the pastime of our parents and grandparents. (continued on B4)

ZAHWA SHAMIR AHMED/Cardinal Points