Concordiensis
T H E S T U D E N T N E W S PA P E R O F U N I O N COLLEGE SINCE 1877 Thursday, October 29, 2020
Volume. CXLIX, Issue VII
concordiensis.com
Civic Engagement Initiative works to promote voting in 2020 election By Daniel Wilcox Editor-In-Chief
With the 2020 Presidential Election fast approaching, and with early voting having been taking place for many weeks, Union College has been working to increase the voter turnout of the college community. One of the ways that the college has been doing this is through the nonpartisan Civic Engagement Initiative, a joint effort between Academic Affairs and Student Affairs. The main goals of this campaign are to promote civic engagement, as well as to increase student voter participation in the 2020 election. The co-Chairs of this initiative are Lauren Dougherty, the Director of Student Activ-
ities, as well as Robyn Reed, the Head of Access Services Librarian. Discussing why the CEI was formed, they explained that the college had taken part in the National Study of Learning, Voting and Engagement during the 2014 and 2018 election periods, they found that “while approximately 75% of Union students register to vote,” there is a big disparity between this and the number that actually vote, with Dougherty and Reed evidencing that “only a mere 25% and 35%, respectively, actually voted.” The membership of the committee is made up of eleven members of the Union community, with students, faculty and staff. According to Dougherty and Reed, they were chosen by the Vice Presidents of Academic and Student Affairs, who also chose
Voting on Election Day? Here is everything you need to Where to vote in Schenectady, NY Polls are open from 6:00AM- 9:00PM on election day, Tuesday November 3. You must vote at a poll site within the election district you are registered under
The polling site open for day of voting in Schenectady, NY is: St. John the Evangelist School, 806 Union st Schenectady, NY 12305 Here are some voting locations open in Schenectady County for Early Voting: Hon. Karen B. Johnson Library, Central Branch, 99 Clinton Street South Schenectady Fire Department 6 Old Mariaville Road Rotterdam, NY 12306
Here is a link for more information on where to vote and how to find the nearest polling station to you in NY State: https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov
other members from the Political Science department, Minerva Programs, Office of Intercultural Affairs, as well as student representatives. The first event held through the initiative was the impeachment discussion in January 2020, however the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and subsequent move to remote learning for the Spring 2020 term, did limit the scope of activities that the initiative could carry out. Dougherty and Reed commented that many of the events planned such as “tabling for voter registration and bringing a voting booth to campus,” needed to be replaced “creatively and innovatively.” With many students returning to a COVID-adapted campus in the fall, Continued on page 3
Photo courtesy of Pi Sigma Alpha A poster showing a voter registration event by Pi Sigma Alpha
Why should students use their votes? By Emma Lee Contributing Writer
*Note: the following is an opinion piece* Growing up in America means having inalienable rights, such as freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly and petition. No other right might be as symbolic and important as our right to vote. We live in a democracy in which our representation relies on us voicing our opinions through our vote. While it feels like a divisive moment in our country’s history, this right and responsibility is not a partisan one and it is essential that our voices as college students, no matter what our political affiliation, is heard. We represent a unique demographic which is not reflected by the makeup of our elected officials, therefore it is up to us to use our vote to represent ourselves and the issues we find most important. Generation Z, those born after 1996, is the most
racially and ethnically diverse generation in America yet. According to NPR, nearly half of Gen Z identifies as being a person of color; by simply looking at a photo of the US House and Senate it is clear that this is anything but the case- nearly 80% of congress is white. According to Quorum and Bloomberg, 48 senators are above the age of 65 and 147 Representatives in the House are above the age of 65. While this number skews lower as you look at governors and more locally-elected officials, it is startling to think that our congress does not look remotely close to our generation’s demographic. Even including millennials in the count, 1/3 of representatives are over 60 and represent districts with a median age of 35 or less. While older politicians can still be effective and successful leaders, it is unrealistic to think that an elected official of such contrasting age would be as aware of the issues which concern us, which is why it is pertinent we represent ourselves and voice our opinion through our votes. Not only do the policies of our elected officials affect us now,Continued on page 3
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C NEWS
Megan Brown & Sydney Lewis
Thursday, October 29, 2019 | Concordiensis
brownm3@union.edu, lewiss4@union.edu
Three new positive COVID-19 cases, 72 students quarantined By Akriti Dhasmana Editor-in-Chief
On October 28, the Union COVID-19 dashboard was updated to reflect that 72 students have been placed under quarantine and there are three students who have tested positive for the virus on campus. According to an email sent by the Union College’s Director of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Elizabeth Dobson-Davis, one of the students who tested positive had visited the Alumni Gym / Breazzano Fitness Center. Anyone who has been to the gym on Thursday, October 22 between the hours of 6:30-9:30 p.m is therefore at the risk of having been exposed to the virus, according to Davis. It’s important to note
that 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on the weekdays are the peak hours for the Alumni gym and students need to preregister to have access to the gym facilities. College spokesperson Phil Wajda told Concordiensis that within the aforementioned timespan 41 students had been inside the building. This rise in cases comes just a few days after Dean of Students, Fran’Cee Brown-McClure had informed the campus community via email, of “two large parties”, one off-campus and another on-campus, that took place at Union putting the larger campus community at risk. She had also mentioned that a student who traveled to a restricted state, did not inform Union and resumed campus activities without the mandatory 14-day quarantining. “Students found to be in violation of
Courtesy of Union College dashboard Update on the Covid-19 cases & isolation status on campus
Union’s health and safety protocols are referred to the student conduct process, which can result in consequences up to and including dismissal from the College,” Wajda told
Concordiensis. FranCee mentioned that these situations are being “addressed properly.” She further warned students that this behaviour can be detrimental to the health of
the entire community and can lead to superspreader events. Meanwhile, Davis has asked all the students who had visited the gym on October 22 between the hours of 6:30 - 9:30 continue to keep monitoring their health and contact the Schenectady County Public Health Services at 518-3862824 in case of any health emergencies. In addition, she said “all community members engaging with campus should be completing the daily health screening in emocha and reporting any symptoms.” With Halloween weekend just around the corner, the Office of Community Standards also reminded students in an email that “all policies within the Student Conduct Code and the COVID-19 Policy Agreement are in effect during Halloween.”
U-Program hosts actor Josh Peck for dicussion around his career By Sydney Lewis News Editor
On Saturday October 24, UProgram hosted a moderated discussion with Josh Peck. Peck is an actor, comedian and now YouTuber who is often associated with the Nickelodeon television series, Drake & Josh. Currently Peck is residing in Vancouver with his family while he films Turner and Hooch, a reboot television series. He expressed excitement about the ability to spend time with his family while filming during the Zoom discussion. Michele-Lane Detouche ’22 and Rebecca Clayman ’23 represented UProgram as moderators for the Q&A. Three reveal posts were featured on the UProgram Instagram page several days leading up to the event. They had hints at a Nickelodeon theme as the background was a dark blue and then the orange paint splatter logo
had the time and date of the event penciled in as well. The posts were designed to create excitement and suspense surrounding the event, and eventually a picture of Josh was revealed with trivia questions about his career. Throughout the discussion Clayman and Detouche honed in on his acting career and what the process to discovery was like for him. Peck has recently been using YouTube as a platform for his work, allowing him to expand his creativity and freedom. He has been able to explore Drake & Josh in a new light because there is an entirely new generation of kids who get to know him and his career through YouTube rather than on television as the Backstage photo of Peck with U-Program members before event older generation has. Many actors and actresses can be personality who initially found Highlights from his channel inseen using different social fame on the app Vine. Peck clude videos titled “I BOUGHT media platforms to adhere to and Dobrick have collabo- MY FIRST HOUSE” and a the changing trends of me- rated and worked together video where David Dobrick dia access and popularity. through YouTube videos and reveals his “new workout.” Questions were also asked The Vlog Squad. On YouTube The Vlog Squad is essenabout his relationship with Da- Peck is verified and currently tially a group of vloggers who vid Dobrick, a Slovak YouTube has 3.76 million subscribers. work with Dobrick to produce
Courtesy of Katie Davin
videos and content that will be featured on his channel. Clayman was extremely pleased with how the event ran overall and has received positive feedback from those who have attended.
News
Thursday, October 29, 2020 | Concordiensis
CIVIC Continued from page 1
the CEI held an outdoor sign making event on September 22, in order to “recognize National Voter Registration Day.” During this event, students were provided with the prompt of “I vote because…”, and were encouraged to write their responses on lawn signs that were subsequently displayed on the lawn in front of Schaffer Library and the Nott Memorial. Virtual events have also been utilized by the Initiative, with three debate-watching parties
VOTE Continued from page 1
but certain policies will have reverberating effects as we enter the workforce, namely economic policies. It is unlikely a 65-year-old senator is thinking as much about student loan rates or debt from higher education as much as you are. If you haven’t thought much about
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being held. Dougherty and Reed explained that Professors Bradley Hays, Deidre Hill Butler and Guillermina Seri, along with other faculty members, provided live commentary during the viewings. They were “well attended”, with students asking “good questions” about the candidates and their platforms. Regarding the importance of college students voting during Presidential Elections, Dougherty and Reed proclaimed that it is “every citizen’s right and duty to vote,” elaborating that there have been people who have “sacrificed their safety and even died,” in order that this right exists. The role of student’s
Union experiences were also mentioned, with it being explained that at Union students get an education that will “prepare them for life,” and learn how to “become informed citizens.” Discussing Union’s strategic plan, The Power of Union, Dougherty and Reed pinpoint the focus on “experiential learning,” that enables students to understand their impact outside of the classroom. In the context of voting, the co-Chairs explain that this means understanding how a student’s individual vote is an important part of the democratic process, to “elect representatives who will best support their interests.”A student member of the Initiative,
Hannah Hoyt ’22, who is also the co-President of the Union College Activist Network, discussed how college students have consistently voted at a “lower rate than the older population,” meaning that the group has been unable to “influence the outcome of elections.” She reasons why the CEI is important, describing how “college students are the future of the country,” and why they should be voting in much larger numbers. Starting to vote early is also seen as important for Hoyt, as she explains her belief that if college students do not vote, it is “unlikely they will vote ever.” Some of the other groups that have worked with the
Civic Engagement Initiative include the aforementioned UCAN, as well as the Political Science department and Pi Sigma Alpha, the political science honor society. The Civic Engagement Initiative will be holding a Union Votes event on election day, November 3, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. outside of Reamer. They will be using this opportunity to “celebrate election day,” as well as to celebrate the community “upholding our civic duty,” according to Dougherty and Reed. Moreover, the co-Chairs explained, funding is available at the mailroom for students who “need postage to mail in their ballots.”
healthcare before, it’s time you start thinking about it, because if Obamacare is repealed it is unlikely you will be able to stay on your parent’s insurance until you are 26. If you’ve never listened to the pharmacist when picking up a script or going to the doctor when paying, let me tell you know that the price of medical care before copay is expensive, and I mean expensive. Within our lifetime we have seen temperatures rise, storms increase in frequency,
with growing numbers of people already forced to leave their homes due to environmental disaster. It is scientifically proven and an unavoidable truth that climate change is altering our planet and the consequences are going to be bequeathed to us. If we want a world that our children and future generations can safely grow up in, we need to do something now. While individual and collective action does make a difference, we need the force of sweeping
national policy and regulation to curb emissions and put in place sustainable practices. If you’ve ever heard or thought that your vote doesn’t matter, think again- President George W. Bush beat Al Gore by a total of 537 votes, that margin is so small, that if only one quarter of the Union’s student body went out and voted, the results could have been much different. Historically, younger voters are un-
derrepresented. In 2012 voters between 18-29 made up 15.4% of the voting population even though they represented 21.2% of the eligible population. If you feel disillusioned just remember that you are voting for your future, nothing will change unless we make it happen. Go out and vote, no one is going to represent your voice like you, it is your right, and it matters.
Number of enrolled international students drops in Fall 2020 By Daniel Wilcox Editor-in-Chief The number of currently-enrolled international students has fallen significantly this term, with the current tally for the fall totalling 167 students. This is down from a previous high of 247 in the 2019-2020 academic year. This is the first drop in the number of international students at Union since 2017, when the number fell to 178 from the previous year’s 203. This drop has been discussed as being due to the increased political uncertainty surrounding immigration after the election of President Donald Trump in 2016, and was evidenced by a 6.6 percent drop in new college enrollments in 2017-2018, compared to the previous year, according to Reuters. According to Michelle
Graph of enrolled international students over the years
Pawlowski, the Assistant Director of International Advising, this year the drop is “due to COVID-19,” with some students withdrawing from their studies, and some members of the first year class deciding to “defer until January or Fall 2021.” Pawlowski also confirmed that first year students who had been unable to apply for and receive their visas
were “still able to enroll and take classes online,” if they chose to do so. This term, with the college campus open to those that were able and desired to return, a majority of the current international students are studying online, with 93 taking their classes remotely, and 74 returning to campus. Regarding the support that
Daniel Wilcox | Concordiensis
international students were given, Pawlowski explained that the “Making U Possible persistence funds” allowed many students to afford their flights home during the campus evacuation in March, with services such as DormRoomMovers being used to “help with storage fees.” Moreover, Pawlowski continued, saying that there were “many town
halls and info sessions available” during the spring and summer, with the International Advising Office providing “information on USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) regulations.” Although more international students are expected to return for the Winter term, Pawlowski explained that she has spoken to many students who have “expressed the desire to remain home until the virus is under control.” When international students, or students from certain states, return to New York State, they will be required to quarantine for two weeks, identical to this past term. Pawlowski spoke of the provisions made for students at the beginning of the fall, describing the “paid hotel rooms” and “food allowance through GrubHub,” that students could take advantage
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C OPINIONS
Kelsey Delaney
Thursday, October 29, 2020 | Concordiensis
delaneyk@union.edu
Highlights from the second Presidential debate By Sarah Davenport Contributing Writer
On October 22, 2020 the second and final Presidential Debate took place. Although a little more civil, there were still plenty of disrespectful accusations and remarks between the two candidates. I was interested to see how the muting of President Trump and former Vice President Biden’s mics would make the debate run differently from last time. The intention behind the muting was to allow for more civilized debate and clear argumentation, however it seemed to me that the claims made by both men were still
as jumbled and ambiguous as before. A lack of explicit explanation and poor articulation made listening to the debate feel like trying to figure out a scrambled word puzzle. Again, false and misleading statements flooded the debate room, to which the New York Times began to respond with fact checks. Trump’s claim that he has done more for the black community since President Abraham Lincoln along with Biden’s statement that the deficit with China under the Trump Administration has gone up were just two examples of statements proven to be completely false. In reality, historians agree that among modern presidents, Lyndon B. Johnson had the most sig-
nificant and mobilizing legislative achievements to aid the Black Community, and in regards to the deficit with China, its trajectory goes both up and down depending on how you calculate the numbers. This spewing of false and inaccurate information from both men made me realize that our country’s Presidential Debates have become a source of entertainment, rather than one of trustworthy information. It makes me disheartened to see that our country’s institution of debate has veered so far off the path into absurdity that it no longer is respected or trusted by American citizens. Although the purpose of debate is to influence voters, I feel that at this point,
Courtesy of 270towin and FiveThirtyEight Trump/Biden matchup using recent polling from FiveThirtyEight
many have made up their minds and that watching the contention between the candidates is just seen as a comedic and amusing gimmick. In the eloquent words of CNN’s Jake Tapper regarding the first debate, this election as a whole has been a “hot mess
inside a dumpster fire inside a train wreck.” There is no denying that it has been an embarrassing and excruciating process for the United States. However, November 3 is coming soon, and will maybe put an end to this painful wait.
My take on the current state of American politics By Jack Adams Contributing Writer
Resilience, integrity, spirit and freedom are just a few of the attributes that come to my mind when thinking about what I believe to be the greatest experiment known to humankind; the United States of America. This great nation was founded on freedom and acceptance, opportunity and resilience. Each and every day we are seeing those ideals stripped from this amazing country. I was raised to abide by the principles of God, family and country. Observing the current state of American politics hurts me. And I’m not the only one. We are living in a period where there is a rapid increase in political and ideological partisan-
ship, a scenario that is terrifying for us, our children and our grandchildren. We have seen social injustice, cities burning down to the ground and a divisive political arena that is arguably entertainment at this point. For what? It seems as though we are losing the soul of the nation, and this divide is creating a troubling future for all of us. Of course, there is an election coming. Whether your preferred candidate wins or not, there needs to be a period of reflection following November 3. Was it worth it? Was it worth it to forget who we are to win an election? I’ll let you all decide. Mitt Romney recently stated that “Politics has moved away from spirited debate to a vile, vituperative, hate-filled morass that is unbecoming of any free nation.” Collectively, we all need to renew our vows
as a nation. And most importantly, we need to elect leaders who are in love with the core values of America, not those who are trying to recreate it. Cherish the opportunity to be an outsider and have opposing views to the rest of the group. Our Founding Fathers established this country on the idea of freedom and individual liberty. My dad has always told me, “you can not live your life to please people you do not know.” And politics is no different. Those who attack or “cancel” you for who you vote for are the exact opposite of what America is all about- freedom. America has always evolved and overcome obstacles in its way, and it will this time too. Only we can do it, but if we put our trust in God and hold each other accountable to abide by the core principles of this American dream, then
hopefully we can get back to living as not Republicans and Democrats, but rather as a people who embrace the values upon which this nation was founded. Resilience,
integrity, spirit and freedom. May we all put a candle on this land of the free, and allow God to light up this beautiful country once again.
Concordiensis Vol. CXLIX, Issue VII, October 15, 2020 Akriti Dhasmana and Daniel Wilcox Editors-in-Chief
Mitchell Famulare, Managing Editor and Arts Editor
Megan Brown, News Editor Sydney Lewis, News Editor Dante Sasso, 807 Editor Isabelle Yee, Sports Editor Kari Kimball, Sci/Tech Editor
concordiensis.com Email: concordiensis@gmail.com Office: 406 Reamer Campus Center
Matt Farr, Managing Editor Kelsey Delaney, Opinions Editor Chris Doyle, World/Business Editor Stephen Nadler , Photo Editor Mail: Concordiensis Box 2577 807 Union Street
Do you have something you want to say? The Concordiensis is now accepting Letters to the Editor. Share your thoughts about campus, news, trends, or anything you want to write about! All letters should be sent to dhasmana@union.edu or wilcoxd@union.edu. They should be less than 250 words in length and must include the writers full name and email address. Any letters longer than 250 words may be edited for length, word choice and accuracy.
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C NOTICES
Dear Students:
On behalf of the staff of Schaffer Library, we are so pleased to see you back on campus -we missed you very much last Spring and we do not want to repeat those lonely and dark days. We’ve been working hard to keep the library open and to get you the books, articles and films you need. Now we need your help. The library is a communal space- shared by all students. We need you to protect us and your fellow students. It is important that you wear your mask and keep it on at all times while using the library. We know it is uncomfortable- we have to wear them too. Masks prevent COVID aerosols in the air and droplets on tables, keyboards and library materials. We are seeing too many students not wearing mask, sitting too closely and more than one student in a group study. We’ve closed the group studies once to sanitize them and we may have to again. We don’t want to ban food and drink, so please take no more that 15 minutes to consume your food and beverages and then please wipe the area down. As an appreciation for the students who are diligently following the rules, we will be giving out coupons for a free cup of coffee or tea at the Starbucks in Wold. With thanks, Frances Maloy College Librarian
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C PICTURES OF THE WEEK
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Courtesy of Trey Everett Student playing with a frisbee in front of the Schaffer library (U-L), students in the Jackson’s Gardens (U-R), students outside Henle Dance Studio (L-L) and Roger Hull Street (L-R).
CRIME & FIRE LOG 10/22/20 - 10/28/20
10/24/20 4:43 p.m. Alcohol violation - underage. Referred to Campus Judicial. Roger Hull Place. 10/25/20 3:14 a.m. Theft of golf cart - suspects abandoned cart and fled. Open Investigation. Reamer Campus Center. 10/25/20 8:22 a.m. Vandalism to building wall - time of occurrence unknown. Open Investigation. College Park Hall. 10/26/20 1:24 PM Vandalism to building reported - occurred since 10/23. Open Investigation. Davidson House.
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Chris Doyle
World / Business
Thursday, October 29, 2020 | Concordiensis
doylec@union.edu
Condé’s victory in Guinea brings discontent and uprising By Chris Doyle World/Business Editor
On October 18, the people of Guinea participated in their presidential election, and the votes were counted by October 24 to show that the incumbent, President Alpha Condé, will hold onto power, according to the BBC. This has generated widespread discontent and rioting in the streets of the capital Conakry. Condé has been in power since 2010, and the Constitution had previously prevented him from seeking further time in office. This was changed in March of 2020 when amendments added included one that expanded his ability to seek a new term. His main opposition, former Prime Minister Dalein Diallo, will contest the results, claiming fraud, according to the BBC
quoting Diallo’s message to Agence France-Presse. The vote must be ratified by the country’s Constitutional Court. “Unfortunately, the Constitutional Court is full of Alpha’s people,” said Aissata Diallo, a 2020 Union College graduate from Guinea who lives in France and grew up in the Bronx. “Just like the CENI [Independent National Electoral Commision], the general public cannot trust a single soul in the CC [Constitutional Court].” The Concordiensis got the chance to speak with Diallo and learn about some of the issues facing her home country. While she’s been able to communicate with her family, she stated that “communication has been very limited.” The BBC has reported that due to the unrest following the result of the election, internet and phone access has been severely restricted. “His [Condé] time is over and he
should have understood that before changing the constitution. Alpha just did what the past two presidents have done, which is staying in power until their last breath. As a democratic state, this should not be an option, but we are filled with corrupt leaders.” Guinea was the first of France’s African colonies to declare independence. In response, Charles de Gualle initiated a scorched Earth policy that involved rooting out the infrastructure, equipment, tools, and medicine that the French had built during their occupation. Since independence, their luck hasn’t changed. Their first president, Ahmed Sékou Touré, centralized power around himself and remained in office until, as Diallo puts it, “his last breath” in 1984. He was succeeded by Lansana Conté, who remained in power until 2008 when he was ousted by a military
coup. The military eventually allowed multiparty democratic elections, which resulted in Condé’s first victory in 2010. Al Jazeera reported on October 20 that monitors from the African Union declared the election was conducted on a free and fair basis. France has also been silent since the riots began. Diallo points out that “Alpha Condé has built some
strong relationships in the past years with the AU, EU, and the UN.” She believes that as long as the outside world is getting what they want from Guinea, they will be satisfied with Condé. Guinea is one of the world’s largest suppliers of diamonds and bauxite, the ore used to produce aluminum. . ”
Courtesy of WikiCommons President Alpha Condé of the Republic of Guinea
Protests in Nigeria Continue over Secret Police Activity By Chris Doyle World/Business Editor
On October 23, the BBC reported that 69 people have been killed since protests began in early October. Eleven people killed were police officers and seven people were soldiers. The uprising is called End SARS, relating to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigerian National Police. The Human Rights Watch has reported that there has
been an oppressive response by security forces on nonviolent protesters. HRW reports that the movement was sparked by viral footage of a young man being shot by a SARS officer in the Delta State of Nigeria. By October 11, the government disbanded thatwing of the police service. SARS was formed in 1992 to combat major crimes such as robbery, murder and kidnapping. But a report by Amnesty International in 2016 reveals that the organization has indulged in extrajudicial methods of persecution including
torture, unacceptable conditions of detention, extortion, and murder. The AI report details that members of SARS have justified their methods using a policy known as Force Order 237.” These regulations permit officers to shoot suspects and detainees who attempt to escape or avoid arrest, whether or not the detainee poses a threat to life. This is a violation of the right to life, Article 17 and of international standards on the use of force”, according to the AI report. The report lists stories of many people who disap-
peared while in SARS custody. On October 25, President Muhammadu Buhari tweeted his support for the judicial inquiry into the shootings committed by the security apparatus and has encouraged calm amongst the peaceful protesters. The BBC reported that this independent review of incidents was one of their demands. However, the review being done is only within the scope of the State of Lagos, and not the whole of the country. The BBC reported on October 26 that the Lagos State
has commenced its independent studies into the deaths that have taken place within the state borders. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos has taken decisive action in ensuring action against police brutality. On October 23, he tweeted that 21 police officers were indicted for charges including murder, manslatuer, armed robbery and conspiracy.
60-Second News
On October 25, Chile voted for a new Constitution made up of a directly elected constitutional convention. Delegates shall be elected April 11, 2021
Judge Amy Coney Barrett confirmed as the newest Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, succeeding the late Justice Ginsburg
Russian air strikes in northern Syria have killed more than 50 Turkish-backed militia fighters in the mainly rebel-held province of Idlib
Kari Kimball
Sci/Tech
Thursday, October 29, 2020 | Concordiensis
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kimballk@union.edu
OSIRIS-REx survives mission to get sample from asteroid By Kari Kimball Sci/Tech Editor
The NASA spacecraft, OSIRISREx, will return to Earth in 2023 with samples from asteroid Bennu. This news comes from mission control at 6:12 pm Eastern Standard Time on October 20, after a successful mission involving the gentle “nudging” and grabbing of some rocks to return to Earth from the asteroid Bennu. According to Science News, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft was specifically designed to be a cosmic rock collector. The entire mission was carried out autonomously by OSIRIS-REx because signals from Earth would have taken eighteen and a half minutes to reach the spacecraft. NASA’s mission control
employees were excited by the news and cheers even erupted when they discovered the news. Dante Lauretta, mission’s principal investigator of the University of Arizona in Tucson, stated, “The spacecraft did everything it was supposed to do,” he continued on, stating, “I can’t believe we actually pulled this off.” This mission was a long time coming, OSIRIS-REx arrived at the asteroid Bennu in December 2018. The spacecraft has spent almost two years making detailed maps of the 500-meter-wide asteroid, including details of its surface features and composition. Before the spacecraft arrived at the asteroid, scientists have been relying on observations made from Earth. These Earth observations included the belief that the asteroid should be smooth
and sandy. However, the observations made by OSIRISREx show that the asteroid’s surface is in fact treacherous and rocky. This emphasizes the importance of exploring space instead of making observations from Earth in order to get more accurate data. The mission control team working on this project selected a relatively smooth patch in a crater they chose to name “Nightingale” for the sample extraction. The surface was very rocky and this area still posed some dangers with a large rock nearby that they named “Mount Doom.” The project manager Rich Burns of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center says if the spacecraft goes back to the asteroid Bennu for a second sample, it will not return to the Nightingale crater. Instead, OSIRISREx will touch down in a
backup site named Osprey in January for a second attempt. Thankfully, OSIRIS-REx did not need to fully land on the asteroid and was able to hover just above the surface, minimizing the dangers. The spacecraft reached out a robotic arm with a Touch-AndGo Sample Acquisition Mechanism tool. The arm tapped to the asteroid with the instrument for six seconds and released a burst of nitrogen gas to disturb the surface dust and pebbles. Scientists are optimistic that some of the debris was blown into the sample collector. Upon analysis, the team discovered that the device pushed down into the dust of the asteroid’s surface a few centimeters. Lauretta said that this is good news as it increases the likelihood of a sample being obtained. OSIRIS-REx is not the first
spacecraft to obtain samples from an asteroid. In 2010, Japan’s Hayabusa mission brought back grains of the asteroid Itokawa, earning the distinction of being the first spacecraft to grab samples from an asteroid. Hayabusa2, an encore to this mission, collected samples of asteroid Ryugu last year and is on track to land in Australia in December. However, OSIRIS-REx has a higher capacity of sample collection, aiming for a minimum of 60 grams which is slightly more than two ounces. Whereas, Hayabusa2 hoped to collect only a 100-milligram sample. Scientists will analyze the rocks when OSIRIS-REx returns to Earth in 2023. They are hoping to use these rocks to uncover details of the history of the solar system and the origins of water and life on Earth.
Endangered Species Series: ferocious Great White Shark By Kari Kimball Sci/Tech Editor
Carcharodon carcharias, more commonly known as great white sharks, are the world’s largest known predatory fish. Being at the top of the marine food chain does not make them immune to depleting populations, landing them on the endangered species list as vulnerable. According to the World Wildlife Foundation website, their depleting population is believed to be caused by being hunted by humans for their fins and teeth
as well as a trophy for sport fishing. Great white sharks are also commonly caught accidentally as a bycatch by commercial fisheries and often become entangled in meshes used to protect beaches. A great white shark has 300 teeth, but still does not chew its food. Instead, the sharks use their teeth to rip their prey into mouth-sized pieces and swallow those pieces whole. The shark has a heavy, torpedo-shaped body that allows it to cruise very efficiently for long periods of time. This torpedo-shaped body also allows the shark to suddenly switch to high speed burst in pursuit of prey, and even
leap out of the water. Adult great white sharks weigh an average of four to seven thousand pounds and reach sixteen to twenty feet in length. Great white sharks reside in oceans and are primarily seen in the Gulf of California, Southern Chile, the Galápagos and Coastal East Africa. Since they live in oceans, they feed on a wide variety of aquatic prey such as small fish like halibut to large seals and even dolphins. Sharks are crucial for the health of our planet. They help combat climate change by scaring off marine creatures such as turtles or dugongs that feed on seagrass. Sea-
grass is important in combating climate change because it absorbs carbon from the atmosphere thirty-five times faster than tropical rainforests. Sharks also help phytoplankton grow by cruising between ocean depths and the shallows, carrying essential nutrients the phytoplankton need. Phytoplankton forms the foundation of many oceanic food chains, making the help from the sharks very important. Sharks are also viewed as a star of marine ecotourism which brings revenue all around the world. Every year around 600,000 shark divers travel the world to witness sharks in their natural habitat,
bringing in over 65 million dollars to local economies in 2016. Even after death, sharks remain important to the ocean’s ecosystem, serving as food for deep-sea scavengers. The World Wildlife Foundation and other organizations are putting in efforts to save the great white sharks by funding research and monitoring of these sharks as they migrate. The World Wildlife Foundation is focusing on tracking sharks migrating to and from the Gulf of California by tagging them, allowing for satellite tracking.
There is no sound in space because particles are too far apart to transmit sound.
The observable universe has an estimated 2 trillion galaxies.
60-Second Sci/Tech
Space is the area beyond the upper limits of Earth’s atmosphere.
Space is a vacuum, meaning it contains almost nothing, but is not completely empty.
The temperature in the void areas of space is about -270 degrees Celcius.
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Dante Sasso Jr.
Thursday, October 29. 2020 | Concordiensis
sassod@union.edu
Golub Minerva hosts hybrid Oktoberfest celebration By Akriti Dhasmana Editor-In-Chief
On October 24, Golub Minerva House organized its traditional Oktoberfest event with the same level of enthusiasm, albeit under different circumstances. With both in-person and online options, students were able to experience and participate in this
traditional German folk festival. A pop-up tent was set up on the Golub House Lawn where students could pick up authentic German food like Kielbasa, Perogies, Schnitzel and pretzel bites provided by Union College Hospitality. Students could also participate in an interactive virtual getaway tour to explore Oktoberfest traditions in Germany led by German expert, Alex Peterson through EF Tours.
Courtesy of Clara Iodice Students showing their Emocha badges to enter the popup tent.
“The experience was unique from previous years, given that in the past we were able to have a live oompah band, we were able to gather inside of Golub House, and eat and drink in a more communal setting. This year, due to health and safety restrictions, we did not feel we could offer an in-person gathering, but we still wanted to provide students with an engaging experience,” Dean of Minerva Programs, Michelle Osborn told Concordiensis. 175 students attended the event in person at the popup tent, according to Osborn. While waiting for their food at the pop-up station, the students could participate in the Oktoberfest quiz created by the organizers and listen to authentic German music. The tent was decorated with interesting facts about Germany. The President of the German Club, Dave Hillman ’21 also greeted students in German as they arrived, according to Osborn.
Akriti Dhasmana | Concordiensis A still shot from the virtual Oktoberfest Escape. 14 students attended the online event. “Our tour guide from EF Tours, Alex Peterson, was wonderfully engaging and shared the history of Oktoberfest and also walked us through what it would be like to attend in person,” Osborn said. Peterson shared information highlights of the festivities that take place in Germany every year. He also encouraged participants to visit Ger-
many once its safe to travel. “There were wonderful e-board members from Golub’s House Council who planned this year’s Oktoberfest, both remotely and in-person. I would say that we had an excellent team of first-year students who helped to set-up for the event,” Osborn said.
Women’s Union Woman of the Week: Deidre Hill Butler By Marcy Forti Staff Writer
Role: Professor of Sociology, member of the Diversity Leadership team Nomination 1: Professor Hill Butler is an incredible teacher and scholar of sociology, African American culture, and gender, sexuality and women’s studies. She skillfully prompts students to think critically about societal issues and encourages constructive classroom discussion. Her class, SOC 208/BIO 060: Social Identities and Science (which she taught with Professor Danowski) provided me with an informed perspective on the construction of race, which is crucial in this time of prevalent racial injustice. In SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology, she introduces
students to intersectionality and inspires them to challenge social norms. She is a true example of an empowered woman who has made a positive difference in the Union community. Nomination 2: Professor Hill Butler is an incredibly supportive and engaging professor. She makes her classes into a safe space for students to explore academically and contribute their ideas. She cares about her students lives, especially their mental health. Professor Hill Butler even made a document full of activities to help students relax during this stressful time. She truly goes above and beyond for this school. Nominated by: Emma Mahoney ’21, Haley Kresch ’23 What are your proudest accomplishments? Introducing Dr. Maya Angelou to the Union Commu-
nity in 2007,and hugging and chatting with the late Congressman and Civil Rights Icon John Lewis during one of the campus-sponsored receptions before his commencement address. Meeting Dr. Cornel West when he spoke on campus and my then 11-year-old son asked a question unprovoked from me. I also thrived while working with Professor Barbara Danowski crafting and teaching our “Social Identities in the Genomic Age” course with the support of the Mellon Our Shared Humanities Grant and the administration. What are you passionate about? I am passionate about equity and inclusion. My curiosity stems from learning more and sharing Black women’s strategies of resilience and for far too long our stories have not been equitably shared or
Professor Deidre Hill Butler included. From that passion, I have grown to thrive with learning more about the human condition. Who do you look up to? I’m a woman of faith so I look up to God and I also revered my ancestors for without whom I would not be thriving in my career and personal life. Plus, anything written by
Courtesy of Women’s Union Zora Neale Hurston. What does being a woman at Union mean to you? Being a woman at Union means striving to make our community a better place for all and continuing to learn from every person and encounter I have.
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Mitchell Famulare
Thursday, October 29, 2020 | Concordiensis
famularm@union.edu
Future leaders of WRUC 89.7FM discuss 100 year anniversary By Alexandra O’Rourke Staff Writer
Neila Watson ’22 and Hana Young ’22 have been involved in Union College’s radio station, WRUC 89.7FM since they started their show together in the fall of their first year. Watson is the current Junior General Manager and Young is the current Music Director for WRUC. Watson said that she was immediately drawn to the club as she saw it as a way to get involved on campus in a fun way that incorporated her love of music. When asked what WRUC means to her, Watson said “It is really important to me. The shows are just an hour every week where I can relax and share and listen to music I love. Joining E-board has allowed me to take on more responsibility to expand the club and get more students involved and grow the name in general by planning and coordinating events.”
In terms of what WRUC means to the campus community, Watson says the weekly shows mean a lot not only to those who DJ them but also to those who are in Reamer enjoying the music or recognizing friends in the fishbowl. When asked what WRUC means to Young, she said that it is so much more than a club to her, “I have always been passionate about music, from listening to it constantly, to talking about new albums with friends, to attending concerts and so much more. Joining WRUC was the perfect outlet for me in the fall of my first year, where I was able to be with others that were just as passionate about music as I am.” Young also said that she is incredibly grateful for the opportunities the club has offered her such as her ability to host her show with Watson and attending on-campus concerts with up-and-coming artists. She further adds, “Even just seeing someone enjoying the song we play in
Reamer during our show just makes my day. I think that WRUC is a historical club to have on campus, and without it, it would seem like something was missing from the Union culture.” 2020 has certainly been a big year for music. Young’s favorite album of 2020 is Taylor Swift’s “folklore,” which stems from “an unhealthy Taylor obsession” she has had since she was eight. She explained, “It’s a little embarrassing for sure but there’s no denying that this album is a masterpiece.” Young also really enjoyed Dominic Fike’s first studio album, “What Could Possibly Go Wrong,” and Gus Dapperton’s second studio album, “Orca.” Watson explained that it is difficult to pick just one favorite album from 2020 but said that this has definitely been a great year for female artists. She was however able to list a few favorites, “An album that I have loved is The Chick’s (formerly the Dixie Chicks), Gaslighter. This album was defi-
nitely empowering for women everywhere and brought out nostalgia from a band I have loved my whole life. Other albums I have loved are Phoebe Bridgers’ “Punisher” which brings out all the feels, as well as The Strokes’ “The New Normal,” and Joji’s long-awaited album “Nectar”.” A shorter-term goal of Watson is to try to get back to “normal” in terms of the weekly DJ shows which have been unable to run this term in the wake of COVID-19. Long term, Watson can’t wait to get back to hosting concerts at Union as she explained it is an important aspect of WRUC. She also agrees with Young in terms of spreading the word and getting more people involved, “While our show schedule is pretty packed, it would be awesome to have more DJs come to E-board meetings and just have more meetings where all the DJs can get together and just talk about new music or what we have been listening to lately!” Watson and Young mod-
erated an event this past Thursday, October 22nd, to celebrate WRUC’s 100 year anniversary. In terms of how the event went, Watson said, “While we might be a bit biased, I think the panel went really well! Neither Hana nor I have ever moderated or even attended a webinar on Zoom, or even in person, so we were both nervous and unsure of how much work it would be, especially in the moment. However, we had a lot of help from Student Activities and Alumni Relations both planning the event and during. We were able to ask the questions we had prepared and some submitted from the audience. However, we only had an hour to get through 100 years of history! That said, all of our panelists were able to contribute a lot of information and anecdotes from their time in WRUC and since graduating.” The event was inspiring as alumni of all different decades came together, like Watson and Young do, to share their love of music and WRUC.
“The Trial of the Chicago 7” shows just and not-so-‘just’ politics By Augustus D’Amore Contributing Writer
If there is anything to take away from screenwriter/director Aaron Sorkin’s 2020 film, it’s that context means everything in the political sphere, especially when revolutionaries take on the Establishment. The sharp screenplay and several standout performances do justice to a story about what it means to support a cause. “The Trial of the Chicago 7” follows the well documented 1969 court case that charged eight political activists with conspiracy and inciting riot after the events of the 1968 Democratic convention. Students for Democratic Society leaders Tom Hayden (Eddie Redmayne) and Rennie Da-
vis (Alex Sharp), Youth International Party founders Abbie Hoffman (Sacha Baron Cohen) and Jerry Rubin (Jeremy Strong), leader of Mobilization to End the War on Vietnam David Dellinger (John Carroll Lynch) and two civilian protestors Lee Weiner and John Froines (Noah Robbins and Daniel Flaherty) make up the trial’s namesake. Leader of the Black Panthers Bobby Seale (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) was the eighth defendant, represented separately before he was excused as a mistrial. The film makes it apparent just how different each of their ideologies were, despite the commonality of what they support, which was an end to the Vietnam War. In fact, the most compelling conflict comes from within their own ranks, as they bicker about what the trial represents, what their message is and how they should
be seen. Representing them is level-headed defense attorney William Kunstler (Mark Rylance), who navigates through every obstacle put up by Judge Julius Hoffman (Frank Langelia). Sorkin’s screenplay keeps the plot moving at a quick pace and does an incredible job of capturing a wide range of political beliefs among the characters. Abbie Hoffman represents the far left, Tom Hayden the middle left, lead prosecutor Richard Schultz (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is the middle right, and Judge Hoffman is the far-right Establishment. Cohen and Redmayne steal the show portraying two people who want complete social reform yet strive to achieve it in two different ways. The quick dialogue is reflected in quick edits back in time to when the riots occurred, as various witnesses
give their testimony. Under cross examination, a police officer recounts his biased perspective of the protest, while Abbie Hoffman tells the story from the protestors point of view in front of a college audience. Both perspectives are further cut by flashbacks to the actual protest, giving the audience the true story. This style of storytelling keeps the courtroom fresh and exciting, while simultaneously exposing the gross exaggerations of the Establishment and the honest desires of the protestors. Although the events of the film occurred fifty years ago, it couldn’t have been released at a more apt time. There is a saying that history repeats itself, and nowhere is this more evident than today. There may not be a large anti-war movement these days, but Black Lives Matter and Women’s Marches certainly stand for
the same equal human rights. “The Trial of the Chicago 7” shows just how difficult it is to fight the Establishment, no matter how just the cause is. Revolution is messy, yet entirely worthwhile. In one of the most triumphant moments of the film, Cohen says, “You can do anything to anything by taking it out of context,” referring to much of the prosecution’s attempts at painting the defendants as disrespectful anarchists. In reality, all the revolutionaries want is for the government to stop ignoring human rights. The film is a must watch as an allegory for our own social movements and can help in understanding various liberal and conservative motivations, whether completely just or unjust. Fifty years later, today’s social activists want the same things that the Chicago 7 did.
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Isabelle Yee
Thursday, October 29 | Concordiensis
yeei@union.edu
Former Men’s Hockey Team Member Sign NHL Contracts By Isabelle Yee Sports Editor
Earlier this month, four former Union College Hockey players signed professional contracts with the National Hockey League. Mike Vecchione ’17 signed with The Colorado Avalanche to a one-year contract. Vecchione spent the 2019-20 season with the American Hockey League’s San Antonio Rampage where he ended the season with 21 goals and 15 assists, leading the club in goals and finishing second in points. Prior to that, he was signed by the Philadelphia Flyers as a free agent in March 2017. Vecchione also had an extensive career during his time at Union. Some of his highlights include: a four-year member of the ECAC Hockey All-Academic Team, ranked ninth nationally in rookie scoring, recipient of Union Athletics Harold R. Moore Sophomore Athletic Prize, NCAA statistical champion for short-handed goals during the 2014-15 sea-
son, Union’s fastest Division 1 100-point scorer, recipient of the Hobey Baker Memorial Award Finalist, William M. Jaffe Award recipient for Union’s outstanding male student-athlete, ECAC player of the year (2016-17), and All-time leading scorer in program history. Daniel Carr ’14 signed with the Washington Capitals to a one-year two-way contract. Carr currently plays in the Swiss Hockey League with the HC Lugano. He has played for multiple teams in the American Hockey League with Hamilton Bulldogs, St. John’s IceCaps, the Laval Rockets, Chicago Wolves, and Milwaukee Admirals. Carr has also played in several NHL games with the Montreal Canadiens, the Vegas Golden Knights, and Nashville. At Union, Carr was named to the ECAC Hockey All-Rookie Team leading the Dutchmen in goals-scoring and power play goals in his freshman year. During his junior season, he became Union’s all-team leader in power play goals and became the 10th member of Union’s Century Club (100
points). Carr had an explosive senior season where he was ranked ninth in NCAA scoring, averaging 1.28 points per game, recorded the first 50-point season in Union’s history, and was named to the Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athlete Honor Society and Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society. Keith Kinkaid (2009-11) signed a two-year contract with the New York Rangers. Kinkaid has played in 157 career NHL games over a time span of seven seasons with New Jersey and Montreal. Within the past year he split his time with the NHL and AHL. He appeared in 17 AHL games with the Laval Rocket and Charlotte Checkers and was in six NHL games with Montreal. Kinkaid’s ended his freshman season at Union ranking sixth in school history with a 2.48 goals-against average, recorded a .912 save percentage tying for seventh in program history. Troy Gorsenick (20102013) signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Kings. Last season Grosenick
Courtesy of Union Athletics Left to right: Grosenick, Vecchione ’17, Carr ’14, Kinkaid. played with the Milwaukee Admirals and earned the Hap Holmes Memorial Award for the team and winner of the Yanick Dupre Memorial Award as AHL Man of the Year. Grosenick’s three years at Union were very successful. In his sophomore campaign he was Union’s first Hobey Baker Award finalist, awarded the Ken Dryden Award as ECAC Hockey Goaltender of the Year, and was ranked first in conference action in
goals-against average, save percentage and win percentage. In his junior year, Grosenick had a 3.829 GPA which was the highest GPA of any returning student-athlete on the men’s ice hockey team, a economics department tutor, a member of SAAC and the student conduct judicial board. He was inducted to the Omicron Delta Kappa society and received the junio-scholar athlete of the year award.
Union Baseball team deals with Coronavirus curveball By Tyler Mar Staff Writer
COVID-19 has thrown a curve ball at the Union College Baseball team. Last season, the Dutchmen managed to only play eight games before having their season prematurely ended due to the pandemic. The Dutchmen are more optimistic this season and have begun actively practicing multiple times a week on and off-campus. The baseball team’s practice has involved lifting with Coach Gabelman twice a week and general batting and throwing practice three times a week with their Coaches Paul Mound and Art McDonald. Concordiensis sat down and spoke with one of the baseball team’s captains and got the scoop on how they are
coping with the difficult situations and COVID practices. Jack Koch ’21, is a two-year captain for the baseball team and has had a very sucessful career at Union thus far. He has recieved many honors such as being the recipient of the Freshman Athletic Prize (2017-2018), a two-time member of the Liberty League All-Academic Team, CoSIDA All-District First Team (2020), Liberty League Rookie of the Year, All-ECAC Second Team (2018), and so much more. Last season Koch started in all eight games in the outfield. He hit .276 with three runs batted in and foru runs scored. He also went 2-for-3 with a run scored and two stolen bases against Purchase and scored twice against Alma. Koch spoke about several difficulties the team has been dealing with and trying to overcome this Fall training season, “Not having access
to our home field—Shuttleworth Park—has definitely hampered our ability to practice. Without our homefield, coupled with COVID practice regulations, we haven’t been able to conduct a full, inter-squad scrimmage and unfortunately haven’t been able to bond with the freshmen as much as we’d like.” Another hurdle encountered this season, occurred during the last, most-recent storm that blew down and crushed the team’s batting cage. When asked about what he thinks of the upcoming season, Jack Koch responded with, “I’m optimistic about this year’s season. Come Spring we’ll be all set and ready to resume play.” Union Athletics has been very proactive and involved on how best to regulate and conduct practices in this period of heightened public health awareness. As such, they’ve limited
Courtesy of Amanda Lopez ’21 Jack Koch ‘21, spoke with us about COVID and baseball. the number of student-athletes who can practice together in a given time, this includes weight lifting and day-to-day practices. While the efficacy of such policies can be appreciat-
ed, many student-athletes, including members of the baseball team miss being able to practice as a whole. Bonding together as a team, a unit, is a big part of being part of a team in college.