SUNY Plattsburgh’s independent student newspaper since 1997
FRIDAY, OCT. 16, 2020
CARDINALPOINTSONLINE.COM
VOLUME 103 - ISSUE 7
Women’s March set for tomorrow BY FERNANDO ALBA Editor in Chief
More than 300 marches and demonstrations across the country are set to voice their opposition against President Donald Trump’s agenda: his attempt to fill Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s seat with a presidential election underway, and the freedoms that could be lost if Ginsburg’s seat is filled with a justice like Amy Coney Barrett. Nicole Berlingeri Nelson, a SUNY Plattsburgh graduate student pursuing her MBA in data analytics, is co-organizing Plattsburgh’s “Women’s March” at the US Oval tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. Plattsburgh’s march will start with speakers Kimberly Davis, a New York State Senate candidate, and Hannah Provost, a financial planner and United Way of the Adirondacks member. The march will start from the Oval to downtown and back again. For people who want to participate in the march but can’t, organizers are encouraging them to sit in public benches along the march’s route to represent “benchwarmers,” or people against filling Ginsburg’s seat before the election. MARCH l A2
AUDREY LAPINSKI/Cardinal Points
Students Hafsah Abdourahaman, Keanny Taveras and Alexandra Arenas sit and eat lunch in Kent Cafe during its first week of opening.
Kent Cafe holds grand opening BY DREW WEMPLE Staff Writer
Freshly made deli sandwiches are back on campus in a new location. This Monday, SUNY Plattsburgh opened Kent Cafe in Kent Hall, the newest on-campus dining venue. After College Auxiliary Services elected to close Subway and Little Al’s this semester, students flocked to Kent to get a taste of a new, yet nostalgic campus flavor. The cafe is built alongside
the Saranac River Trail that runs behind campus, with seats inside facing the river. But the view isn’t the only thing Kent has to offer. Smells of baked bread, ground coffee beans and fresh veggies filled the air, a large black “Kent” bicycle stood on the counter as part of a raffle and brightly colored smoothies were blended in rapid suspension. Kent Cafe’s grand opening was filled with surprises and new tastes for students. The grand opening started at 11 a.m. Upon entry through the
side double doors of Kent leading to the cafe, students were stopped before getting in line for their meal. Luis Guevara, a senior fitness and wellness major, was standing just before the start of the line, informing students how the new cafe was set up and how it would work. Guevara was there as a part of his internship for the nutrition department. “Whoever comes in, I tell them their options that they can choose from on a meal swipe,” Guevara said. Guevara also directed stu-
dents toward Kent Cafe’s grand opening raffle. Students dropped a piece of paper with their name and phone number on it into a ballot box for a chance to win a free meal, an Instax mini camera, a bluetooth speaker or a full-sized matte black mountain bicycle. “Students can either make their own sandwich or choose one of the six trademark sandwiches and can grab two sides and a drink on the meal swipe,” Guevara said.
CAC fundraises for awareness with ducks BY CHANNING PRINS Staff Writer
SUNY Plattsburgh’s College Against Cancer club once again held its annual event with rubber ducks afloat. Its fourth annual “Quack For a Cure’’ raised about $250 for breast cancer awareness and research. Pink rubber ducks were sold, one for $2 and three for $5. Then, participants were able to throw their ducks into Hawkins Pond to float around “to kind of show the collective effort to help support breast cancer awareness and research,” Emily South, president of Colleges Against Cancer, said. In the past, the event had a larger turnout. However, because of COVID-19, there are many new restrictions with on-campus events. “It’s pretty similar but different with social distancing, masks and maximum 50 people,” South said. “This year, we kind of have to stagger everything. Hawkins Pond is a great space to be outdoors and spread out, so it’s a good place for us to have the event.” Some students participated in the event for the first time this year. Senior Amy Macaluso, dual majoring in expeditionary studies and
CAFE l A5
SA plans new campus artwork for BLM BY ADEEB CHOWDHURY Staff Writer
DAKOTA GILBERT/Cardinal Points
Two pink rubber ducks rest comfortably on a rock by Hawkins Pond during College Against Cancer’s Quack for a Cure event Wednesday evening. business with a minor in accounting, said it was her first time coming to “Quack for a Cure.” “I just joined Theta Phi Alpha last semester, so I didn’t really know about it before then,” Macaluso said. Everyone was encouraged to buy a rubber duck to place in Hawkins Pond even the first time students. The Colleges Against Can-
facebook.com/ cardinalpts
cer is a club devoted to raising money and awareness to all cancers. “I do like the cause that it stands for. I think that it’s very important.” sophomore nursing major Penelope Crawford said. “Usually our big event for Colleges Against Cancer is ‘Relay For Life’ that’s held every spring. Typically, it’s in person, we’re at the field
house, clubs and organizations create teams and we raise money. This year it’s going to look a little different because it has to be socially distant and less than 50 people, so we are looking to do a virtual ‘Relay For Life.’” When it comes to being able to host events like “Quack for a Cure” for CAC, Macaluso said she sup-
@cardinalpointsnews
ports advocating for breast cancer awareness. “I have had relatives who had breast cancer and have gone through the whole process, so anything to support that [is important],” Macaluso said.
Email CHANNING PRINS cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
@CardPointsNews
SUNY Plattsburgh’s Student Association has set its sights on organizing the creation of new artwork highlighting and celebrating Black lives. The executive council meeting Oct. 12 began with a discussion of creating a new mural on campus dedicated to the Black Lives Matter movement, created by various artists from within the SUNY Plattsburgh community. Some members pointed out that such murals already exist in the downtown area, but the school having its own would elevate the artistic message and make it more meaningful to students. EXECUTIVE l A2
@CardinalPoints
A2 ▪
▪
NEWS
News Editor Emma Vallelunga
Friday, Oct. 16, 2020
Oct. 8
An individual called University Police to report a stolen backpack. The caller said it was stolen from where they left it on the Blue Trail behind the Field House by a male on a dirt bike. The investigation is pending.
Oct. 10
An on-campus student under the age of 21 was found drinking an alcoholic beverage in Wilson Hall. Student Conduct charges have been filed.
Oct. 12
A student in Wilson Hall was found in possession of marijuana and a sploof, a device that someone blows air into in order to hide the smell of marijuaAUDREY LAPINSKI/Cardinal Points File Photo na smoke. Student Conduct charges have been filed. The Night of Nations committee this year is working hard to still host the event as safely as possible during the pandemic.
Campus COVID-19 Tracker Number of active COVID-19 cases within SUNY Plattsburgh community: Number of recovered COVID-19 cases within SUNY Plattsburgh community:
8 2
Committee continues plan for annual Night of Nations BY EMMA VALLELUNGA News Editor
Performances at SUNY Plattsburgh aren’t happening the same way they used to this semester, and Night of Nations is no different. The annual event’s student-run committee is collaborating with on-campus offices and student organizations to keep this year’s performance alive during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hosting a live show this year like NON isn’t a reality right now. SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras established an emergency directive Sept. 25 to address violations of COVID-19 safety protocols across all SUNY campuses. Students found in viola-
tion of hosting or attending an on or off-campus event of any size could risk academic suspension, housing eviction or permanent dismissal from the institution. But the NON committee is working to host the event as safely as possible. This year, NON will be a prerecorded event, and auditions for interested clubs are happening today via Zoom. Each group is expected to present its idea for its performance to the committee and come up with a plan for how that performance will later be rehearsed and recorded. Co-Director of Logistics Pilar Balader Herrero said the committee is hoping to hire a videographer to film
EXECUTIVE
Number of asymptomatic COVID-19 cases in quarantine on-campus and within SUNY Plattsburgh community. Number of asymptomatic COVID-19 cases in quarantine off-campus and within SUNY Plattsburgh community.
Continued from page one
19 30
CP Corrections There are no errors to report this week. If you see an error in Cardinal Points, email cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
“Such a project would be incredibly important for the times we’re in,” Coordinator of the Arts Rickell Larose said. “We have to turn these core ideas into actual, substantial things that everyone can see.” Larose mentioned that creating a canvas opposed to a mural was suggested to her, given that it would be more convenient to take down and repair over time. Both the ideas of making a mural or canvas are on the table for the time being. Coordinator of Public Relations Naomi Tegybelu has also reached out to other SUNY institutes that have their own murals and road paintings in order to better understand how to handle obstacles that may present themselves in the process of making and maintaining such artwork. For instance, Tegybelu specifically mentioned the
and edit the performances together to create one NON show available to everyone. “What we don’t know is if we want to livestream that video or post it somewhere for people to see,” Balader Herrero said. “We still have to figure that out.” In year’s past, NON was a showcase of different cultures, where each club that performed showcased what made them unique. There was music, dancing, comedy and more. Now, students might be discouraged from participating in an event where all of those things are a potential risk to their health and safety. So in order to make those clubs feel safe, Balader Herrero said the committee
possibility of vandals defacing the artwork and how to combat such a problem. However, Coordinator of Clubs and Organizations Ivanna Menezes pointed out that simply creating artwork without taking substantial steps to educate students on racial injustice would be a hollow gesture. “This can be turned into an annual event, where people come every year to repaint and add to it, followed by an educational session or program focused on systemic racism and how it affects communities of color,” Menezes said. SA President Rudaba Ahmed agreed, stating that any such project should be a consistent effort that stands the test of time. Ahmed also mentioned the recognition of Black Solidarity Day and a teach-in focusing on Black empowerment and leadership. Following the conversation regarding the Black Lives Matter artwork, members discussed ongoing plans for opportunities they
MARCH Continued from page one To get the event cleared, the Clinton County Department of Health is requiring masks and social distancing among the participants. Organizers are also asking participants to bring hand sanitizer. “We don’t want to get anyone sick. We just want our voices to be heard,” Nelson said. The annual Women’s March has been held nationwide for the past three years in January, but with a critical election looming, it was scheduled earlier for a greater effect. When Nelson realized the closest march in New York would be held in Albany, she was confused. “That surprised me because in Plattsburgh we’ve been so good about organizing these kinds of things,” she said. “So I took it upon myself to get something going.” That was Oct. 2. With just a little more than two weeks
is in the process of gathering a budget to provide clubs with masks, hand sanitizer and bottled water for the days each group is scheduled to record. “We’re still figuring out the budget, but we do have some money set aside for that,” Balader Herrero said. “We want to show that despite everything, we still care about COVID. We want to do everything right, make the people feel like we care and [know] that we’re not just doing this because it’s done every year. We’re doing this because we want to.” PERFORM l A4
are putting together for the SUNY Plattsburgh community. Ahmed announced she was making progress on the mentorship program that will be made available to students as a resource to help them advance in the professional world. The mentorship program will involve collaboration between various offices on campus and is currently seeking programmers to handle the technical aspects of building the program. Coordinator of Academics Ahmed Metwaly is in the process of launching a digital learning campaign aimed at promoting digital literacy and resourcefulness in the age of online education. Meanwhile, Coordinator of Activities Lauren Safford is working to organize a series of events for the student body in the days leading up to Halloween.
Email ADEEB CHOWDHURY
cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
to plan the march, she was quick to get help. After consulting with Chris Rosenquest, the Democratic mayoral candidate for Plattsburgh, she was able to link with others to smooth out the process. “I knew that something needed to get done and that I needed to get guidance,” she said. For Nelson and for many other parents across the country, the future their children will grow up in is on the ballot in November’s elections. “That’s where the main thing started for me. The government shouldn’t decide what my daughter can or can’t do with A, her body and B, eventually if she decides she loves another woman, they shouldn’t have a say in who she loves and how she loves,” she said. “So it’s more of a motherly thing for me, but also it affects my friends. It affects my family members. It affects the people I care about.” Email FERNANDO ALBA
CARDINALPOINTSONLINE.COM
cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
A3 ▪
▪
NEWS
News Editor Emma Vallelunga
Friday, Oct. 16, 2020
Senior public relations major Semhar Solomon has been working at the Information Desk in the Angell College Center for three years.
DAKOTA GILBERT/Cardinal Points
This Week in Photos: Workers Photos by Isaiah Reed & Dakota Gilbert Whether they’re students, faculty or staff, essential workers at SUNY Plattsburgh are crucial in keeping campus life alive. We rely on them for so many things that it’s hard to imagine our campus without them.
ISAIAH REED/Cardinal Points
ISAIAH REED/Cardinal Points
Workers in Clinton Dining Hall are essential to ensuring students on campus get meals in one of the few remaining dining venues on campus.
ISAIAH REED/Cardinal Points
A4 ▪
PERFORM Continued from page two The committee hopes to work with each group on a case-by-case basis during auditions today. “We need to know how many dancers they want, and if they want to use the auditorium, or if they want to have more people [performing], they can obviously do it outdoors, and then they’d have to be in contact with our videographer for them to go and record it,” Balader Herrero said. NON is traditionally held in Giltz Auditorium in Hawkins Hall every year, so the committee had to go through the Event Management Office to see whether having the stage this year was even a possibility for groups that wanted to use it for their performances. “We all just kind of bounced ideas off of each other,” Assistant Events Manager Leah Sweeney said about how the committee came to her office. “At the time, we had an idea of most of the regulations, but we were still trying to confirm some [things].” Due to the general size of the Giltz stage, and in order to comply with COVID-19 safety protocols, only six people are allowed on the stage at any given time for one group’s scheduled performance, established by the col-
lege’s Maintenance and Operations Office. “Because the stage has moving components to be considered, they determined that [number]. I just happened to be the messenger,” Sweeney said. At first, Sweeney said she was concerned about how the committee would promote an event like NON live due to the risk of attracting a large crowd, but limiting the event to a recording is the best and safest way to do so, especially in a location like Giltz. “Normally, Giltz can hold 789 people, but socially distant, it can hold 118, but by New York state guidelines, no event or gathering can be over 50 people,” Sweeney said. “If they were trying to do it live, Giltz has very bad WiFi reception, even though it’s been updated recently. If everyone in the auditorium was on the WiFi, the live streaming service would crash or be delayed. But because of the experiences we had at past events, [we knew] it wasn’t the greatest idea.” While the committee is hoping students will still want to participate in NON like they had in the past, there is some confusion and uncertainty around the show. An informational session was held last week where the committee answered many questions from interested clubs.
▪
NEWS
News Editor Emma Vallelunga
Friday, Oct. 16, 2020
AUDREY LAPINSKI/Cardinal Points File Photo Last year’s Night of Nations showcased cultures from different clubs on campus live in Giltz Auditorium, but this year will be a little different.
“We know that most clubs don’t really know what’s happening right now,” Balader Herrero said. “We’re all a little lost, honestly. The eboard and I still have a lot of things to figure out.” Sweeney said the good thing about working with the NON committee every year is its ability to educate and adapt. “Night of Nations has the fortune of having that great support network
and knowing the different offices on campus, and they’re really good at teaching the students who participate in it into using different resources to make something happen,” Sweeney said. Balader Herrero said the committee is dedicated to promoting the safety of the event on social media as much as possible, especially for the students who don’t know how it’s going to work or why it still matters to
those who are passionate about showcasing their culture. This year’s NON theme is Back in Time, a tribute to different cultures from different decades with a retro touch. If everything goes as planned, the committee hopes to have a NON video ready to share with the student body Nov. 6. “Every year, we get to see the amazing work that clubs are doing [at NON], and this year, it’s even harder to do that,”
Balader Herrero said. “We still want to put in that work to do something great for everyone to enjoy. I think it’s a message of how strong we can be if we work together, and it represents how we still want to move forward with life. Culture is something that doesn’t stop just because of a virus.”
Email EMMA VALLELUNGA
cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
Virtual Homecoming kicks off this week BY ASHLEY ST. JOHN Staff Writer
SUNY Plattsburgh’s Homecoming weekend is usually seen as an exciting time for alumni to come back to Plattsburgh and reconnect with other alumni and current students. But with COVID-19 concerns still restricting large social gatherings, the activities planned will all be held virtually on Zoom to adhere to these guidelines. Even though Homecoming is going to look different this year, organizers are challenging themselves to create a fun and engaging experience to replicate that Homecoming feel. “We are excited about keeping Homecoming engagement alive virtually for SUNY Plattsburgh alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends,” Kerry Chapin-Lavigne, director of alumni relations, said. Although there are a few mainstays missing from the virtual Homecoming experience, such as not being able to host any athletic games or the annual bonfire, there is hope that hosting Zoom events can increase accessibility for more alumni, who might not have
been previously able to attend in the past. “You can join us from almost anywhere. Whether it is from your home, office or favorite coffee shop, we encourage you to attend.” Chapin-Lavinge said. There are a total of 17 Zoom events over the four days, which includes the Welcome and Reflections, hosted by President Alexander Enyedi yesterday at noon, the Alumni Speak hosted today at 5:30 p.m. and a virtual 5K run tomorrow at 8 a.m. For the virtual 5K run, alumni, students and faculty are encouraged to register online, print their SUNY Plattsburgh Homecoming 5K race bib, complete their chosen 5K route and then take photos of themselves to post them on social media or email them to the Alumni Relations Office. “Our Homecoming format may have changed this year, but that hasn’t changed the spirit of the SUNY Plattsburgh community,” Chapin-Lavinge said. She said that while Homecoming won’t be the same with alumni strolling through campus, the health and well-being of the community is the top priority.
JASON PARENT/Cardinal Points
Among the regular Homecoming weekend activities, the many fraternities and sororities on campus have also had to change up their normally scheduled events. Vice President of Marketing of Alpha Phi Emma Ryan said that even though alumni aren’t allowed to visit this year, she’s confident it will still be a great time. Ryan oversees and
helps the director of parent and alumni relations in her sorority to plan out the upcoming events. She said that the few events they have planned are all on Zoom to keep up with the school and state regulations of no large gatherings “It’s kind of sad that we can’t have in-person events like normal, but I do understand why,” she said.
Ryan also said Alpha Phi is being proactive and set clear boundaries for the sisters currently in Plattsburgh. She said that she is excited to be able to connect with all the Alpha Phi alumni no matter how that happens. Email ASHLEY ST. JOHN cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
A5 ▪
News Editor Emma Vallelunga
▪
NEWS
Friday, Oct. 16, 2020
EVELYN MASSAQUOI/Cardinal Points
Students stand in line at Kent Cafe. The cafe serves freshly made sandwiches, sides, smoothies, coffee and more. Its renovation in the basement of Kent Hall allows students to sit inside and have a view of the Saranac River.
CAFE Continued from page one The signature sandwiches at Kent Cafe offer students a variety of combinations of different breads, meats, vegetables and cheeses. From the AuSable Club with shaved turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion and basil mayonnaise on white bread to the Hawkins Pond
Tuna, a tuna melt sandwich with choice of cheese on wheat bread, all of the sandwiches are named after recognizable parts of SUNY Plattsburgh, like the Italian Angell or the Burghy. The sandwiches themselves are also made with a twist. All of the bread for Kent Cafe is made on-site. The cafe offers a choice of sub roll, white, wheat or artisan bread. Sophomore Elliot Howard stopped by Kent for the
opening after one of his morning classes. Howard ordered a toasted buffalo chicken sandwich with bacon, lettuce, onion and pepper jack cheese on white bread. “It didn’t taste like a premade sandwich you could find somewhere else on campus,” Howard said. “You could tell the bread was fresh.” Howard ordered a fruit salad and bag of chips for his side and a tea to drink, all on one meal swipe. The
side selection consists of both veggie and fruit salads, yogurt, pudding cups, soup, chips and cookies. For drinks, the cafe is offering a choice of bottled water, canned soda, standard and specialty coffees and smoothies. The smoothies and specialty coffees can only be purchased with Cardinal Cash. The menu was put together by Mark Brothers, the director of operations for Chartwells, and Chartwells Executive Chef Sam
Ramer. Ramer transferred to SUNY Plattsburgh last year and arrived right at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March. He started off at the Sundowner in the Angell College Center and now oversees and works with all campus dining locations. “I’ve been working with the whole team to get this menu and location ready for today,” Ramer said on the day of the grand opening. “We see this as like
CARDINALPOINTSONLINE.COM
a Little Al’s 2.0 but still fresh, clean and new.” Kent Cafe has more ties than just its menu to the former on-campus deli Little Al’s. Much of the staff that were working at the sandwich counter used to be stationed at Little Al’s. “We have our veteran team intact doing what they did at Little Al’s,” Ramer said. Email DREW WEMPLE cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
CARDINALPOINTSONLINE.COM
FRIDAY, OCT. 16, 2020
Hiking helps cope with COVID BY OLIVIA BOUSQUET Staff Writer
Green is no longer the color vibrantly swaying through the trees. The soft reds, oranges and yellows of autumn have overtaken the Adirondack Mountains. Instagram, Facebook and TikTok are being flooded with smiling faces of new and experienced hikers taking to the trails. SUNY Plattsburgh students have limited on-campus activities, so many have taken to appreciating nature around them in the great outdoors. For newer hikers, there are plenty of amazing mountains and trails with stunning views. Point Au Roche State Park offers a combination of forest overlooking the lake with several trails. There are four main trail options: the Philip C. Walker Memorial trail, Connor Bay, Long Point and Rams Head. Each varies in lengths from 1.4 miles to 4.1 miles for a hiker’s preferred challenge. While Point Au Roche isn’t a mountain, it’s a great place to get off campus. The views from the trails don’t compare to the high views on top of a mountain, where the visibility of the Adirondacks expand far into the distance. It’s like looking at a Bob Ross painting. Rattlesnake Mountain is a heavily-trafficked 2.6 –mile hike in Willsboro. The mountain eases hikers up the trail while gradually inclining before reaching a steeper climb. The trail is well marked and offers hikers variety, from the little creek that flows after heavy rain to rocks scrambling near the peak. The quick hike is worth the view. Hikers can see the expansive horizon of Vermont’s mountain range over Lake Champlain, while still having impressive cell phone service. “I’ve always liked nature, but I’ve never gotten the chance to hike mountains. Being up here, and
being so close — is definitely where it’s at,” new hiker and SUNY Plattsburgh sophomore Maddy Taylor said. Taylor hiked Rattlesnake and Poke-O-Moonshine mountains. PokO-Moonshine has two trails for hikers to choose from: the Rangers Trail or the Observers Path. The Rangers Trail takes hikers up a steep, rock staircase gaining over 1,200 feet in elevation. This trail is shorter but much more challenging than the Observers Path, which zig-zags around the backside of the mountain for a more gradual climb. Poke-O-Moonshine also has an old fire tower at the top, which is open occasionally to hikers. For moderate or difficult hikes, Cascade and Porter Mountains offer a 6.5–mile round–trip hike near Keene. Cascade has 360–degree views at the top, but with winter approaching, warm layers are needed with the 2,290 foot elevation gain. A waterfall and easy rock scrambles are fun variations for hikers on their way to the peak. “My favorite part [about hiking] would be the view at the top, the smell of the woods because I love that smell and the company of who I hike with and probably all the dogs I see on the trails along the way,” SUNY Plattsburgh junior Kristen Boerke said. “It’s the views, the fresh air and the good vibes.” The joy of hiking new mountains was finding one more challenging than the last. You’re able to take on new adventures with friends while embracing the beauty of the world. There is no rush to see how fast you can hike the mountain, so take your time and enjoy your surroundings. Walking, hiking or biking is just a healthier alternative than spending all day staring at a screen watching TikToks. COVID-19 quarantine had Boerke itching to be outside. Boerke grew up in Orange County, where hiking was limited and
the views were not as expansive as the Adirondacks. She said being nature–deprived in quarantine made her appreciate going outside. Hurricane Mountain is another great hike in Keene for those looking for a challenge. Hurricane offers two options: the northern approach and the southern approach. The northern trail loops 5.6 miles round trip while the southern trail loops 6.6 miles. Kate Robbins, a SUNY Plattsburgh senior, works on hiker education and regulations for the Adirondack Mountain Reserve. She said rangers and the Department of Environmental Conservation are asking hikers to stay away from the high peaks region because of overcrowding and a lack of resources. But Robbins recommends hiking in the southern and northern regions of the high peaks like Lyon Mountain. “We’re seeing a huge spike in millennial hikers, and that is primarily due to [hiking] becoming a social fab,” Robbins said about the rise of people posting their hikes on social media. With the influx of new hikers, it’s important to know hiking etiquettes and tips in order for everyone on the trail to have a good time. Leave no trace! As simple as it seems, leaving no trace is essential for the Adirondacks’ ecosystem to stay healthy. This means take out what is brought in and do not take away from the environment. Hikers should have proper footwear like specified boots for ankle support and traction. Bring a bag with water, snacks and extra layers. It’s safer to pack extra and not need it than being stuck dehydrated, hungry and cold in the woods.
ELIZABETH KOCIENDA/Cardinal Points
Olivia Bousquet, a junior multimedia Journalism and public relations major at SUNY Plattsburgh, poses on a rock, 1,571 ft. up Catamount Mountain after hiking up its 3.9–mile trail to one of its peaks.
OLIVIA BOUSQUET/Cardinal Points
OUTDOORS l A8
Olga Muka, a junior Psychology major at SUNY Plattsburgh, sits and enjoys a vast view of nature, right on the 1, 292 ft. peak of Poke-O-Moonshine Mountain., a 3.8 –mile round trip up the Ranger’s Trail.
Body-shaming online gets out of control BY JESSICA JOHNSON Opinions Editor
It’s 2020 — stop body shaming anyone, celebrity or not. Men and women are often the target of body-shaming. As social media users continue to rise, the pressure on women continues to increase. This pressure was, and shouldn’t have, been placed on Billie Eilish, following leaked photos on Twitter of her in public wearing tight clothing Oct. 12. Since the beginning of her music career, Eilish has worn baggy clothes, a staple of her neon and 90s look. However, as she told TeenVogue in an interview, surrounding her part in the Calvin Klein ad dubbed “I Speak My Truth In #MyCalvins,” May 11, 2019, the real reason behind the look is that “nobody can have an opinion, because they haven’t seen what’s underneath.” Eilish had also explained that she does not want the world to know everything about her, so she relies on fashion to protect herself. “Nobody can be like, ‘she’s slim-thick,’ ‘she’s not slim-thick,’ ‘she’s got a flat ass,’ ‘she’s got a fat ass,’’ Eilish said. “No one can say any of that because they don’t know.” This way, she feels comfortable and
NGHI TO/Cardinal Points
confident, and no one has the room to comment on her body. But an 18-year old shouldn’t have to hide herself — this is the problem. Men believe women should be ‘‘thick’’ but they can’t have tiger stripes. Women can have a larger butt but can’t have ‘‘thunder’’ thighs. Women should have an hourglass figure, but need a snatched waist and
smaller hips. But don’t show off your body too much, or else you’re considered a ‘‘hoe’’ or a “slut.” On social media, if you post too much of your body, you’re an attention seeker — if you don’t, it’s dumb because men will not notice you. Men believe if you’re too thin, gain some weight and if you’re too thick,
lose it. Natural hair is boring, but don’t change it too much, or you’re just seeking attention. Wear a mini-skirt but not too short, and if you’re thinking about wearing leggings, it’s only OK if you have an ass to fill it. Don’t ever wear baggy clothes. What are you, a man? This is the problem. No matter what anyone wears, what body shape one has, their weight, their hairstyle, their skin tone, their battle scars left from puberty that they can’t control, their clothes — you are beautiful. Celebrities are human. We are human. Breaking women down who feel comfortable in their own skin needs to come to an end. We need to empower one another and ourselves, not only in life around us, but in the social media we post. Everyone individually is uniquely beautiful, and celebrity or not, do not deserve to be told: “In 10 months, Billie Eilish has developed a mid-30’s wine mom body.”
Email JESSICA JOHNSON
cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
A7 ▪
▪
CARDINAL VOICE
Opinions Editor Jess Johnson
Friday, Oct. 16, 2020
Pisces shows vulnerability BY ABIGAIL AZADIAN Contributor
Pisces, please take a break from staring at a wall, thinking about your most recent delusional thought to read this. Come back down to Earth for a second. Pisces, putting this gently, but your heart is going to break either way. The bar is below sea level for Pisces. Pisces love and trust people too much in detriment to themselves. They like to keep their rose-colored glasses on, which makes them gullible a lot. Their sister sign Virgo is the opposite in that way; they reserve their love, trust and sympathy for the important people in their JASON PARENT/Cardinal Points life. Pisces abandon judge-
ment completely, and Virgos hold onto judgement to protect themselves and their loved ones. Pisces find God in people and then follow them like a cult — typically Taureans. Pisces are literally sluts for Taureans. Taureans bring the romantic, sensual side we love while also giving us stability that Earth signs bring. Aquarius is adjacent to Pisces, meaning that they have the same ideals but just convey them differently. Aquarius are often deemed as aloof and detached — this is far from true. Aquarians are a fixed sign after all. When they love, they love deeply and become attached quickly. For Pisces, they are the same. Pisces bathe in illusions and romantic notions, which make them
a highly emotionally charged sign. Aquarius’ are able to adopt an outside perspective of their emotions, which makes them levelheaded and able to make clear-headed decisions. Pisces and Gemini are a hurricane. Pisces’ imaginative spirit feeds Gemini’s tendencies to go everywhere physically and mentally. This can be great for world-building but also disastrous. Pisces and Libras both want the same things: to unify everyone. But Pisces will want it so much, they’re able to forgive and forget too easily (so are Libras).
ZODIAC l A8
Styles’ beliefs portrayed inaccurately in ‘After’ BY MAHPHARAH KHAN Contributor
“After” by Anna Todd is a comedy first, romance second. “After” was published in October 2014 after receiving much praise from its readers when it was posted on Wattpad, a site where fans can post their own fanfiction. The story follows Tessa, who is a freshman in college and meets Hardin, whom she falls in love with. Hardin’s name was originally Harry, after Harry Styles. In 2013, the most popular fan fiction, were those written about Styles. In their stories, they all described Harry to be rude, mysterious and misunderstood. He has a troubled past, therefore adopting an indifferent attitude because he has a heart of steel — nothing and no one can hurt him. He mistreats his love interest and others around him. Everything is OK, though. He is ultimately forgiven because he is sexy, handsome and a sad boy who just needs a little love. It doesn’t matter if he was abusive and took advantage of girls. “After” encourages us to feel bad for Hardin, even after all of the harm he has caused. This is obviously a major problem. The description on Wattpad reads:
NGHI TO/Cardinal Points
“Tessa Young is an 18-year-old college student with a simple life, excellent grades and a sweet boyfriend. She always has things planned out ahead of time, until she meets a rude boy named Harry with too many tattoos and piercings who shatters her plans.” It is the traditional bad boy/good girl trope. This trope can be written well, but Todd fails to do so. Not only do we get to read all about Hardin and Tessa’s s—y and toxic rela-
tionship, we get to watch it, too! “After” was adapted into a movie and released in April 2019. We first meet Hardin when Tessa returns to her dorm room after a shower. After she tells him to leave, he refuses to: “Don’t flatter yourself, it’s not like I’m going to look at you,’ he scoffs and rolls over, his hands covering his face.” Tessa actually gets dressed while Hardin turns away. This scene is written as
if their interaction is funny. We are supposed to jokingly scoff and say, “Men, amiright?” However, it’s not funny — it’s annoying and disrespectful. This is the first time Hardin shows that he does not respect Tessa’s boundaries — and it doesn’t stop. He believes he is entitled to whatever and whoever he wants. Tessa then meets Hardin again at a party she goes to after her first week of college. She plays a game of truth or dare with her roommate and her friends, and Hardin happens to be a part of her friend group. Tessa is asked if she’s a virgin, and when she says she is, she’s judged harshly for it. Not only are boundaries disregarded, cheating is, too. Tessa has a boyfriend, Noah, when she starts college. However, when she meets Hardin and begins to fall in love with him, she has no problem cheating on Noah. Tessa’s and Hardin’s actions are reckless, yet Todd condones this behavior. She has a large following as well — this means that teen girls believe that mistreatment and cheating can be excused because Tessa and Hardin are “in love” — they are soulmates. This is not only reckless by Todd — it is irresponsible of her. TOXIC l A8
‘American Utopia’ brings Broadway to television BY CAMERON KAERCHER Staff Writer
Although David Byrne is a musician, he has made many notable contributions to the silver screen. His 1984 concert film “Stop Making Sense,” directed by future “Silence of the Lambs” helmer Johnathan Demme, is considered to be one of the greatest musical movies of all time by critics such as Leonard Maltin and Robert Christgau. A couple of years later in 1986, Byrne stepped behind the camera to write and direct “True Stories;” not a blockbuster smash at the time, but it has since found its cult following. Byrne has returned to the concert film platform under the direction of Spike Lee. “David Byrne’s American Utopia” is a cinematic adaptation of Byrne’s 2019 broadway show. The core of the show is adapted from his 2018 solo
album, also titled “American Utopia,” with songs lifted from his time with his rock band Talking Heads. Throughout the film, Byrne takes the audience through a tour of his incredible discography. He knows fans would freak out if he forgot to perform “Burning Down the House” or “Once in a Lifetime.” Byrne seems to replicate the little bit of structure that “Stop Making Sense” had. Both films start off with just Byrne on stage with a single prop. This time, he trades in his acoustic guitar for a plastic toy brain. He gives a monologue about how as babies, we have thousands of more neurological connections than as we do as adults. Why is that so? He hopes to find those connections by bringing out his incredible band. He does so slowly, just like “Stop Making Sense,” it takes five songs to get everyone together, and then it is off to the races. No songs feel like they have
ZOE NGUYEN/Cardinal Points
been done and redone for the past decades because of Byrne’s revolutionary staging. The entire drum kit is broken down into single instruments that are worn by percussionists. The single drummer is replaced
with six musicians that each focus on a specific beat. That group is added with the keyboardist, guitarist, bass player, two vocalists and Byrne himself to create a marching band practically on acid. The icing
on top is all the instruments and microphones are wireless, which in turn allow everyone to move freely throughout the stage. BROADWAY l A8
A8 ▪
▪
CARDINAL VOICE
Opinions Editor Jess Johnson
Friday, Oct, 16, 2020
Editorial
BREATHE Act will provide vast change “Black Lives Matter” is not just a phrase for Black Americans. It is not something to only say that the only lives that matter are Black peoples’; it’s a cry to say that Black lives matter too, no matter the color of skin. It is a movement to end the over 400 years of suppression, blatant discrimination and ignorance whites practice. It is a movement for silenced voices to be heard. And for white supremacists to realize that incidents of police brutality and all racially motivated violence against Black people is not okay. After many Black Americans have been brutally and unjustly murdered this past year, from police officers who acted upon their privilege — who have not received proper conviction, including in countless murderous cases such as Daniel Prude, Elijah McClain and Breonna Taylor, a modern Civil Rights movement has begun once again with the introduction of the BREATHE Act. This legislation is making an intervention within the U.S. system’s elongated, racist project of criminalization. Introduced by The Movement for Black Lives coalition in July, the pro-
OUTDOORS Continued from page six Step to the side of the trail if you’re passing another group of hikers, or if hikers need to pass you. Social distance is still important to maintain when hiking and certain parts of the trials get narrow, so still bring a mask. “AllTrails is a really good app for hiking and seeing how long a trail is and how hard it is,” Expeditionary studies senior Sierra McGivney said. “And always check the weather before you go because you know
posed federal legislation is a bill that would “divest our taxpayer dollars from brutal and discriminatory policing and invests in a new vision of public safety— a vision that answers the call to defund the police and allows all communities to finally BREATHE free.” With the four main goals: allotting funds to rebuilding communities, diverting federal resources from jails and police, investing in other methods of it might be sunny now, but in the Adirondacks that can change in two seconds and can start down pouring on you, and I’ve definitely experienced it.” However, with winter weather approaching, SUNY Plattsburgh students are going to lose their hiking options. Snow-covered mountains can be dangerous to hike for inexperienced and unprepared hikers. As a solution, hikers can buy microspikes for better grip in the snow and ice. There are other alternatives, however. Renting snowshoes is a fun and easy option to experience Upstate during the winter. Skiing can be a great activity for fresh air, but it’s an expensive recreation. Students can go ice skating, which was offered
ZODIAC Continued from page seven Pisces absorb the emotions of others around them unknowingly; they find it difficult to accept that suffering will always exist in some form. In their perfect world, they would love to see everybody happy: in love and thriving. When a Pisces sees their friends unhappy or upset, they will comfort them and provide them with words of encouragement. Earth signs say, “Haha! If you were right then why are you a failure in life?” Being a water sign, they have similarities to fire signs but it manifests differently. Water and flames are ever-changing like their
BROADWAY Continued from page seven The examples of free-flowing choreography are too many to fully get into; the impossibly electrifying “I, Zimbra” produces a relentless drum circle, “Bullet” grooves smoothly, as the whole band marches around the perimeter of the stage with Byrne serving as the focal point of the action, and the gleeful prancing of “Every Day is a Miracle” matches the full of praise lyrics. All of the musicians are identically dressed in gray suits and bare feet. In a profile with The New York Times, Byrne said of the suits, “I thought plain but elegant suits would unify us and help reveal us as a tribe, a community.” It is a fun contradictory wardrobe as it is both formal and casual. The lack of shoes also lends a sense of tactility to the choreography, as the cameras watch the performers jump up and down every once in a while. Speaking of which, the camera work, directed by Spike Lee, puts this summer’s “Hamilton” recording to shame. He runs the camera through the stage, around it, and at times above it in a clear homage to the classic Busby Burkley musicals. It becomes perfectly clear why Lee took up this project during the performance of Janelle
TOXIC Continued from page seven In the movie version, there is a montage of Tess depressed and sad because she cheated on Noah and in consequence, they broke up. But all is well! Tessa receives zero consequences for her behavior; her cheating is handled as a trivial matter. Five minutes after they break up, there is a montage of Tessa and Hardin having good times together. They laugh, talk all the time, and seem to have entered a relationship. This is ridiculous because Tessa and Hardin believe that their actions can be excused. They get a little slap on the wrist and cry a little. Then, all is well. One of the most abhorrent scenes in the novel is when Tessa discovers that her relationship with Hardin has been an entire joke. After the game of truth or dare in the beginning of the novel, Hardin makes a bet with his friends to see if he could take Tessa’s virginity. This perpetuates the constant struggle women have when dealing with men. For centuries, women’s bodies have only been seen as objects for men’s pleasure. This is exhausting, hurtful and scary, and it does not seem to end, even in 2020.
“We are rising up against all the ways that the criminal-legal system has harmed and failed to protect Black communities,” The Movement for Black Lives mission states. “The current moment requires a solution that fundamentally shifts how we envision community-care and invest in our society. History is clear that we cannot achieve genuine safety and liberation until we abandon police, prisons, and all punishment paradigms.” For too long, Black people have been forced to hold their breath. This is a valid cry for political and social change. The BREATHE Act has the NGHI TO/Cardinal Points potential to make it possible for Black people to live freely, and for commucommunity safety, and holding law en- nities to not be stuck in the same sysforcement officials accountable for civil tematic, systemic oppression they have rights violations, the act would enable been succumbed to. We need to pay atgovernment institutions to invest fund- tention to the need to implement this act ing into building a new model of public into our system, and that can only hapsafety that doesn’t rely on jails, prisons pen if we choose to listen and educate and punishment of minorities. More ourselves. If we push for change, if we than six million people are not allowed choose to fight back, and if we choose to vote today due to a felony conviction, to speak up to push Congress to take acsomething the BREATHE Act would im- tion in implementing the BREATHE Act. mediately change if passed, CNN stated. for free with students’ I.D. card at the SUNY Plattsburgh Field House last year. Lake Placid would be ideal for a quick shopping trip with friends, and there are opportunities to get pictures by Mirror Lake, which is covered in snow backed by white mountains. The Cloudsplitter gondola ride is about 20 minutes from Lake Placid, which brings passengers to the top of Little Whiteface. Hiking is free and the Adirondacks have amazing views with hiking trails for all levels of experience. Take advantage of it. Just remember, leave no trace and enjoy the journey. Email OLIVIA BOUSQUET
emotions. This makes Pisces bring out the emotional side with every fire sign, but they might regret afterwards. Leos and Pisces can be great friends, but Pisces can be too sensitive for Leo’s flame. Pisces and Sagittarius love the world and their freedom, but Pisces also love love. This makes Pisces willing to put up with any kind of treatment and call it love. Pisces need to stop romanticizing suffering if they ever want to be truly happy. It’s okay to leave your lover. Pisces and Aries are neighboring signs therefore share some qualities. Both share childlike qualities for better and for worse. Aries can be bold and Pisces need to learn to be bold. It can keep people from stepping on you. Email ABIGAIL AZADIAN cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
Monáe’s protest song, “Hell You Talmbout.” Monáe’s lyrics have two components; the names of people who were killed by police brutality, and the mantra “say their name.” It is an overwhelming piece of music that Lee transforms as he edits in shots of photos of those who were killed being held by their relatives. The song was contemporary during the 2019 performance, and it became even more important during the editing process. At the end of the song, Lee includes Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and Ahmaud Arbery. A strong, and contemporary theme in the show is voting. Before performing “Toe Jam,” Byrne speaks about voter turnout rates in America. In local elections, he notes that it is only 20% and visually shows that by lighting up a sliver of the audience with a spotlight. It is a phenomenal visual that reminds the viewer of one way we are far away from a utopia. The power of “David Byrne’s American Utopia” is addictive. After the credits roll, you will be hearing the songs repeat in your head rent-free. One could experience involuntary, uncontrollable spasms as they keep tapping their toes to a silent beat. It proves that sometimes the best movies do not need a story, but just strong emotion throughout, to make the audience feel something real.
The most disgusting part: Hardin shows his friends the bloody sheets and used condom from the first time they had sex. He manipulated Tessa and played with her like a doll. This conveys men’s consistent and common disrespect toward women. And it is honestly ridiculous that Hardin’s character was based on Harry Styles. Styles is nothing of the sort. He is kind, compassionate and cares for others. He respects women and acknowledges his privilege as a white man. He understands that he does not face the oppression and severe criticism women have experienced for centuries. He is the epitome of who humanity should strive to be. In a Rolling Stone interview from August of 2019, Styles said: “I think ultimately feminism is thinking that men and women should be equal, right? People think that if you say ‘I’m a feminist,’ it means you think men should burn in hell and women should trample on their necks. No, you think women should be equal.” Styles has taken the time to understand the kind of position women are in –– this is a display of his empathy. Hardin has not thought about any of this. Like Harry, he has been granted every privilege life can offer –– being a white man. Hardin does not
93%
7%
cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
Email CAMERON KAERCHER cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
reflect on this at all. Harry does; this is why Hardin is not an accurate representation of Harry. Not only does Styles acknowledge his privilege, he denounces hate of any kind toward women, people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, and other marginalized groups. “Of course men and women should be equal. I don’t want a lot of credit for being a feminist. It’s pretty simple. I think the ideals of feminism are pretty straightforward.” Hardin undermines Tessa by playing a game, which ultimately means he believes women are the pawns in his games. Styles understands that women are human beings and don’t deserve to be treated that way. He has a largely female audience and when asked about it, he does not discredit us; he knows we are credible and intelligent individuals. “’Young girls like the Beatles. You gonna tell me they’re not serious? How can you say young girls don’t get it? They’re our future. Our future doctors, lawyers, mothers, presidents, they kind of keep the world going. Teenage-girl fans – they don’t lie. If they like you, they’re there. They don’t act ‘too cool.’ They like you, and they tell you. Which is sick.’” Email MAHPHARAH KHAN cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
Taken from 100 participants
Editorial Board Editor-in-Chief Fernando Alba
Managing Editor Jess Johnson
Opinions Editor Jess Johnson
News Editor Emma Vallelunga
Graphics Editor Nghi To
FUSE Editor Alana Penny
Multimedia Editor Sareem Jabbar
Photo Editor Audrey Lapinski
Web Editor Mataeo Smith Faculty Adviser Shawn Murphy Advertising: Maureen Provost Peter Taylor Luka Tsiklauri
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
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
A9 ▪
FUSE Editor Alana Penny
▪
FUSE
Friday, Oct. 16, 2020
Monette embraces change, new goals BY ALANA PENNY FUSE Editor
Senior marketing major Makayla Monette came to SUNY Plattsburgh to study nursing, but her passion changed while working at American Eagle. Monette grew up in Plattsburgh and attended Clinton Community College for two years to complete her general education courses. She then transferred to SUNY Plattsburgh. She originally planned to study nursing, but decided to pursue marketing instead. She said one of her biggest accomplishments was being able to pursue an unexpected path. “I really wanted to do nursing and that was my biggest goal,” Monette said. “I never thought I would be able to do this.” Although she isn’t sure exactly what she wants to do with her degree, she hopes to work in green marketing for a company that is organic and good for the environment. She also enjoys the analytical side of marketing. Monette said her significant other is one of her biggest inspirations. “I wasn’t really exposed to that much
P
PROIVDED PHOTO
Makayla Monette is working to raise her GPA and build relationships with her professors before she graduates next semester. She believes these are important for her resume and will open more doors for her in the future. [growing up] but my significant other is from a different state, he was born in a different country, so it really opened me up to different opportunities,” Monette said.
“He’s a very analytical thinker so I think that has helped me a lot with getting to enjoy marketing.” Her significant other is from Costa Rica, she
hopes to be able to go there once it is safe to travel. She just signed up to get a passport. Her biggest goal at the moment is to raise her grade point average and
create relationships with her professors. She has been working hard at both of these goals, especially the last two semesters. “I think that’s very im-
portant for resumes and future opportunities,” Monette said. Nithya Shankar, assistant professor of marketing, has Monette in three of her courses this semester. “Although I haven’t known her for as many semesters as I’ve known some of my students, she definitely stands out as someone who is very determined,” Shankar said. “Sometimes when you interact with someone for the first time you can tell they will go the distance.” Shankar said Monette is very active in class and gives good insight. “She’s someone who’s not afraid to communicate with me and that is something I really like about her,” Shankar said. Although she isn’t involved in any organizations on campus, Monette hopes to join the American Marketing Association next semester. In her free time, when she isn’t doing school work, Monette enjoys spending time with family and friends and getting outside. Email ALANA PENNY cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
Conference aims to help online anxiety during COVID BY ALEXA DUMAS Contributor
Last Friday, SUNY Plattsburgh at Queensbury and SUNY Adirondack hosted the Anxiety and Learning: From Research to Practice Conference via Zoom. This annual conference was designed for students, educators, faculty, administrators, service providers and members of the Plattsburgh and Queensbury communities. Each conference the Queensbury campus plans has a theme connected to growing concerns in the community. Previous conferences have included the opioid crisis, climate change, veteran career opportunities and nursing. “We select topics that are going to best serve our community, students, residents in the region, faculty and staff,” Stephen Danna, dean of the SUNY Plattsburgh at Queensbury campus said. “Our goal is to put research into practice, and that is in the title of the conference.” Although the organizers originally planned the conference’s anxiety theme last October, it became a pressing issue amongst students with the pandemic. “Within the last few years, we’ve had more students reach out with concerns of anxiety, which is in line with the growing national trend of mental illness among young adults,” Emma Bartscherer, academic adviser at the Queensbury campus said. “We wanted to cover this topic on a larger scale with a larger audience.” The conference covered how learning affects anxiety and trauma in students. A wide range of sessions regarding managing anxiety to learning about brain research regarding anxiety, and even guided practice yoga and meditation were offered. “I think the more we can expose people to those techniques and understandings, the better it is for everyone,” Danna said. “To learn strategies for dealing with anxiety because they feel that it’s a problem that is not dealt [with] well.” With students, educators and service providers in mind, the welcome address by Danna asked attendees to write three personal goals to accomplish during the conference. The goal for students was to become more grounded, whole and empowered, while also fueling growth, learning methods to allow the mind to relax, become calm and be at peace. “The conference can be used as a part of a personal journey as it relates to one’s anxiety and learning, or of a professional tool to be more mindful in addressing anxiety in the classroom,” Bartscherer said. The goal for educators was to learn how to connect with students who have increased mental health con-
BELLA FRIEDMAN/Cardinal Points
cerns and attend to their difficulties with virtual learning. “If they are an educator looking for ways to connect with their fifth grade students, I’m hoping they leave with strategies and understanding with how to lower the stress level in the classroom,” Danna said. “To connect with students at a deeper level, to let them know it’s OK, and to bring some joy into the classroom.” The conference had 155 registrants, including the 23 presenters, and keynote speaker, Dr. Nancy Rappaport. Her keynote address was titled, “Dancing with Prolonged Pandemic Anxiety: Strategies for Supporting Students & Families.” Rappaport discussed many aspects of anxiety such as ambiguous loss, growth out of trauma or post-traumatic growth, and how the pandemic is challenging the ways people cope. “She’s a child and adolescent psychiatrist. She’s got an amazing background, and I think she will be able to address both anxiety that is going on with the pandemic and how that has impacted learning, as well as tools to build resilience,” Bartscherer added. The conference was another way to bring attention to mental health and the stigma still surrounding people
who suffer from these afflictions. The Queensbury campus’ main goal for the conference was to promote resources and services that can benefit community members who may have anxiety. The Anxiety and Learning conference was also planned before World Mental Health Day, which was Oct. 10. Money raised from the $5 registration fee went to support the Northern Rivers Family Services in Albany. This organization serves more than 18,000 citizens in the Capital Region who struggle with mental health challenges such as anxiety, neglect, abuse and trauma. “I think that you know until mental health is talked about as publically and as regularly as our physical health, then there is an on-going incredible need to continue to promote mental health resources, services and our shared experiences,” Bartsherer said.
CARDINALPOINTSONLINE.COM
Email ALEXA DUMAS
cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
A10 ▪
FUSE Editor Alana Penny
FUSE
▪
Friday, Oct. 16, 2020
Student Art Spotlight Brian Menia Senior fine arts major with a concentration in graphic design
Johnny Cash poster, inkjet print, 11 x 17 in
“I’m a senior pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in graphic design. My love for design came naturally, posters, album covers, and signs have always held a special place in my heart. My inspiration comes from classic western folk music and psychedelic rock. I also make sculptures from found objects that focus on American life from days gone by.”
Allman Brothers Band poster, inkjet print, 11 x 17 in
Frank, found objects, steel, 39 x 32 in
A11 ▪
▪
FUSE
FUSE Editor Alana Penny
Friday, Oct. 16, 2020
First part of play performed over zoom BY NATALIE ST. DENIS Staff Writer
COVID-19 has hindered many events on campus. But in the case of theater, the show must go on. “The Importance of Being Earnest” is a play by Oscar Wilde about two characters, Algernon and Jack Worthing. Jack creates a character for himself called Ernest whom he plays while in the city with the rich folk. But in the country, he goes by Jack. He starts to fall in love with a girl who knows him as Ernest. This story of mistaken identity is a classic play in the public domain. The adaptation SUNY Plattsburgh decided to create demonstrated the big farce about mistaken identity and gender expression of male and female roles in society. The play was divided into three parts, each with a different student director who took a different direction with each act. “We took a different direction with the adaptation that we’re doing, where we took out the gender bias that we’re having conversations about in today’s world. So it’s important to still have that conversation,” said student director, Caleb Eugley, who directed the first act. The SUNY Plattsburgh adaptation was originally supposed to be performed last semester in-person, but COVID-19 forced the production team to come up with a new plan after already having rehearsed for a few weeks. The first couple weeks of this semester were spent trying to figure out this new plan. By the time they decided, there were only about two weeks before the first performance was to be broadcast on Zoom. Grace Ewing, an actress in the first and second act, was the only freshman in the play. She participated in theater in high school and was used to having a few months of preparing for the productions. Ewing also mentioned that getting to know the rest of the cast was different than usual. “In rehearsals we’d all, like, get to know each other more and it was different because we were all over a screen,” Ewing said. One of the bigger challenges among the cast was adapting to being in their own world when performing, no other cast members or audience surrounding them. Some of the cast members performed the first act in their own practice room on campus. Mason Barber, the student director of the second act and also an actor in acts one and three, said this seclusion made it difficult from an actor’s standpoint. “Acting, it was very weird because usually when you’re in a show and you’re onstage
B.R.A.V.E Continued from page twelve The core values of the campus include critical inquiry, community engagement, but specifically freedom to speak, think and write. Jonathan Slater, the chair of SUNY Plattsburgh’s journalism and public relations department, thought the first space was fantastic. He said he thought there was a nice mix of the theoretical and practical aspects of voting, and it was informative for the attending students, community members and faculty. He said he thinks B.R.A.V.E. Spaces will be evolving activity. He feels the purpose of the event is to support and propagate free speech on campus, tackle issues
with other people, you give and receive energy. It’s like a give and a take, and your energy needed to be at one hundred percent whenever you were on camera because no one was there to interact with you,” Barber said. Not only did the actors miss being surrounded by their fellow peers, not being able to see the audience was difficult too. “There’s a rush when you’re acting, you know, because you’re on the stage, you see your audience, you engage the reaction,” Performing Arts Coordinator Dwayne Butchino said. “When you’re performing on Zoom, you don’t see anything. You only see each other.” Barber said although this is the case, it makes you commit to the character more because you don’t have the ability to take applause from the audience. You just have to remain in character the whole time and hope they are reacting as you hoped. Additionally, many members of the creative team were hindered by COVID-19, and they weren’t able to accomplish what they hoped to. For example, those who normally worked on set construction ended up taking on other roles like press and putting up posters around campus. “It feels so off kilter being in my own room doing the show and not being in a costume, in my stage make-up with the light on me and the big set that we were gonna have,” Jill Chase, an actress in the show and an assistant costume designer said. For Caleb Eugley’s act, he decided to give his actors suggestions of costumes to put together from their own closets. This was deemed the safest way to combat COVID-19. He explained how every time clothing was handed out to the cast members and then handed back it would have had to be quarantined. So if a costume was handed out to an actor and it didn’t fit they would have to hand it back and quarantine it before the costume designer could even begin to work on it. The timing of it all wouldn’t have worked efficiently with the allotted time. Eugley also relied on the actors to create a neutral background in their personal area they performed in. He wanted to stray away from using online backgrounds, as he found them distracting. All these adaptations and more relate back to original storytelling and theater. As Eugley puts it, “telling stories as bare as they can be.” Despite all the modifications, the first performance Oct. 2 was a success, they said. Act one was portrayed as a professional stage reading of the script, almost like a conference call. “It’s very commendable for someone to kind of break out of their comfort zone, or for example, a lot of the people in the pro-
that need to be addressed in the campus community, talk about important issues of public life and bring people together in a community of conversation. These events will happen twice a month up until March 3. Cromwell said that when choosing the first topic of conversation, context and time were the main factors. Due to the election coming soon, they wanted to make sure the conversations being held are relevant to what community members want to talk about and are interested in. The first space was centered around various questions community members may have about the upcoming election, and information they might like to know. Specifically, information some of the students would like to know regarding getting ballots, absentee ballots and voting in general.
ARIES
TAURUS
April 20 - May 20
This week you might feel like to express who you truly are requires a confession or secret coming to surface. Sometimes to actually be who you are, you are going to have a transformation. Despite whatever chaos it brings, it will be for the better.
CANCER
Similar to the past few weeks, it will bring stress and exhaustion. You’ll be able to weather the storm even if it doesn’t seem like it.
LEO
July 23 - August 22
You’ll feel at odds with your personality and your emotions. You like to remain bubbly and the life of the party. However, this week will have you feeling in a funk.
VIRGO
August 23 - September 22
This week will bring tension and anger to the surface. Everybody gets angry at times, but never lose your cool. Stay calm during frustrating situations.
You’ll feel more emotional than usual. You’ll want to express your feelings and it would be best to do it through writing. Emotions, even good ones, can be a lot to handle.
Email Natalie St. Denis
cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
Buddhist, they always talk about having conversations that are courageous and compassionate. They feel that because the SUNY Plattsburgh community has almost 6,000 students, if conversations are not being held in a way that people can be courageous and compassionate then they are not doing their job. “My job is not to fix anything,” Cromwell said. “My job is to invite people in to look at some of the things that are not working, examine the things that are working, and for us to come together. Together, making the changes that we need to.”
Email Nickie Hayes
cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
CAPRICORN
December 22 - January 19
by Abigail Azadian
June 21 - July 22
at noon. Students must register to watch. The link to register is in the Student Digest or on the Plattsburgh Theatre Department Facebook page. Each act is recorded and will be posted on YouTube until Dec. 11. This was the first virtual performance done at SUNY Plattsburgh. This experience opens the door to the future possibilities of online theater. “This is a bigger conversation of where is theater now going to go and how do we make that fully successful for people around the world because it is a worldwide conversation that’s happening right now,” said Erica Guay, who was the technical host during the Zoom performance.
conversation did it in a positive way. He said that he had heard a lot of different answers to the questions, but the same message was being sent to go out and vote, and share what you believe in. “So what if we do not agree with other people, that is a part of being critical, and that’s a part of being human. We are not always going to agree with people,” Cromwell said. Fuller said he thinks the events are a good addition to the school, and feels it is important that the student body, faculty and staff have a space where they can be heard and respected. “The main takeaway for me was that not only do we have the right and freedom to vote, but I think it is also our moral obligation, if we want to see change,” Fuller said. Cromwell said as a practicing
In the Stars
GEMINI
May 21 - June 20
duction are upperclassmen who have had productions in the past be held in-person,” said Lindsey Connor, who watched the first act on Zoom. Autumn Knight, another student who attended the virtual show, mentioned how she missed the intimate setting that an inperson show provides. But she enjoyed the adaptation of the play. “It was again, a little different because it’s virtual, so like, I didn’t know, what to expect with the set up, but I really thought they did a good job,” Knight said. The team hopes to see the same success in the other two virtual acts to come. The second act directed by Barber takes a more overtly dramatic approach and is very character driven, while also incorporating comedy. The final act of the production is directed by Jhada-Ann Walker, who portrayed her episode like a film. The next act premieres on Zoom on Thursday at noon. The final act premieres Oct. 30
“This first one was not partisan, so regardless of whether you are a Republican, Democrat, independent or Libertarian, regardless of where your political persuasion is, you can have a conversation about why you want to vote,” Cromwell said. Members of the college community with experience in the topic were invited to add their voices to the conversation. “We have so many people on campus that have talents and treasures, and those talents and treasures we can tap into. I think at the end of the day, that is what an inclusive campus community looks like,” Cromwell said. Carson Fuller, a senior, political science major with a minor in history, said he did not know what to expect from the space, but thought everyone who chimed into the
March 21 - April 19
Your patience is going to be tested more than usual. You may feel hot headed more easily, but that doesn’t mean you have to confront everyone. Sometimes it’s better to remove yourself from a situation and return to it later.
PROVIDED PHOTO
Mason Barber, the director of the second act of The Importance of Being Earnest, in costume as Lady Bracknell. His costume was designed by assistant costume designer Jill Chase.
LIBRA
September 23 - October 22
Unlike your typical social butterfly self, this week will make you feel at odds with those around you. Have patience with yourself and everyone around you.
SCORPIO
October 23 - November 21
This week will bring expression on your mind but you won’t find the words yet. Take time to unpack your emotions and thoughts slowly and carefully.
This week will drive you crazy, but don’t let it get the best of you. You’ll feel frustration and helplessness which is your least favorite feeling. Do the best you can at each given moment.
AQUARIUS
January 20 - February 18
There will be lots of walls you’re running into, or at least, it will feel that way. Remember that problems don’t have to be solved immediately.
PISCES
SAGITTARIUS
February 19 - March 20
Even though this week will be hard and difficult, you’ll be able to survive. Try not to let your head be full of anger and tensions when there’s a lot more in the world.
Take time to relax and not be caught up in your emotions. This week will be rough and you need to remove yourself from people who negatively affect you.
November 22 - December 21
B.R.A.V.E. event promotes free speech, voting SUNY Plattsburgh’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion department has added a student-centered initiative called B.R.A.V.E. conversations to the campus community. B.R.A.V.E. stands for Brave, Resilient, Amplified voices for Equity-mindedness. These spaces are a way to hold conversations, requiring an open mind, and the ability to listen to different perspectives not everyone would agree with. The first event was held Oct. 7. The theme of conversation at the first B.R.A.V.E. Space was “Why Vote? Free Speech and Responsibility.” Michelle Cromwell, the vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion, a member of the President’s Inclusive Excellence Council, and the chief diversity officer, is the mind behind the B.R.A.V.E. Spaces. They looked to SUNY Plattsburgh’s mission statement to explain the purpose of the events.
B.R.A.V.E. l A11
Sareem Jabbar/Cardinal Points