Concordiensis 1/25/24

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 C O L L E G E S I N C E 1 8 7 7

Volume CLIII Issue XI

Thursday, January 25, 2024

concordiensis.com

How Can U Get Involved?

Student Leadership Fair Advertises Leadership Opportunities on Campus Allyson Bennett News Editor

On Wednesday, January 17th in the Nott Memorial, a variety of campus offices hosted the yearly Student Leadership Fair. The event advertised a variety of campus programs and organizations that are currently accepting applications for leadership positions. The Concordiensis has compiled a list of all of the applications that are currently open and contact information for each of them.

Career Center The Career Center is currently accepting applications for the Peer Career Advisor (PCA) program, where students work with other students on resumes, cover letters, networking, and other career preparation guidance. This is only available to work study students, and eligible students can apply on Handshake. Students can contact the career center at careercenter@ union.edu for more information.

Admissions Office For current Juniors, the admissions office is accepting applications for the Admissions Senior Internship, where senior students

would interview prospective students for the admissions office. The application closes on January 28th, and students are also required to attend an information session.

For all students, you can also apply to the Moses-Viney Partnership program, which aims to recruit underrepresented students to Union. Interested students can fill out an interest form.

For both programs, students can contact admissions@union.edu for more information.

Kenney Center The Kenney Community Center recruits volunteers year round, and students can get involved in a variety of programs such as: STEP (Science and Technology Entry Program), Community Clean Ups, Pen Pals, Junior Science, Hunger Prevention, Discovery Academy, and more. Students can contact volunteer@union.edu for more details.

Minervas This term, students are able to run for a variety of positions within their Minerva councils. Students can contact their individual Minervas or minervaprogram@union.edu to inquire about their options.

Community Advisor (CA) Program The Community Advisor Program, previously known as the Residential Advisor Program, is accepting applications for the 2024-2025 academic year. Students would oversee students on their residence hall floor and serve as an advisor to the community. Applications are due on January 28th, with interviews scheduled for the following week.

Students can contact housing@ union.edu to inquire about the program.

Writing Center The writing center is recruiting students for the Writing Center Peer Mentor program, where students would work with other students to improve essays and other writing assignments. Students can contact Joe Johnson at johnsonj@union.edu for more information.

Orientation Leader Positions On February 1st, applications for Pre-O, Global Orientation, First Year Orientation, and Transfer Orientation leaders will open. The applications will be due on February 14th and there will be information sessions in Karp 105 on January 31st and February 12th at 12:50 p.m. Students can also contact

firstyearexperience@union.edu more information.

for

ACE (Association for Campus Events) ACE is recruiting new members to help plan and run their late night events. They meet on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. in Reamer 406. Interested students can contact ace@union.edu for more information.

Student Forum Student Forum’s Executive Board and Class Officer elections will take place in the Spring term, and students can run for Junior Trustee, President, VP of Intercultural Affairs, VP of Finance, VP of Academics, VP of Campus Life, VP of Sustainability, VP of Administration, Class President, Class Vice President, and Class Treasurer/ Secretary. Students can contact student-forum@union.edu to inquire about these positions.

Cocoa House Cocoa House is a program where members of the Schenectady Community can provide academic enrichment and sustainable life skills to inner city Schenectady youth. Students can contact cocoahouse@gmail.com to inquire about volunteering opportunities.

SENIOR INTERNSHIP Scan the QR code to learn about opportunities with the admissions senior internship!

MOSES VINEY Scan the QR code to inquire about this program with the admissions office!

COMMUNITY CENTER Scan the QR code to learn about the Kenney Center’s programs!

WRITING CENTER Scan the QR code to learn more about the writing center!

The 411 on Battling Sickness at Union Allyson Bennett News Editor

It is inevitable that people will get sick in college. However, you’re not with your parents and have to handle being sick on your own. The Concordiensis has compiled this guide to help you when you get sick

on campus.

“The first thing when you’re feeling sick is to call and make an appointment to be seen here at Wicker because we can test for certain things like strep or flu,” Angela Stefanatos, the Wicker Wellness Center’s Psychiatric and Family Nurse Practitioner, said. “We can give you things to manage your

symptoms, even if it’s a viral illness and doesn’t need an antibiotic.”

“I suggest that you call to make the appointment as opposed to walking over to Wicker,” Stefanatos continued. “Because if there isn’t an appointment available, you have to sit in the waiting room and you may have to wait a while. At the end of the appointment, we’ll discuss any

follow up that’s needed.”

Students must call 518-3886120 to make an appointment. If it is after hours, students can contact FoneMed at 888-409-1063 to inquire about their medical options around campus. In addition, students can schedule appointments within a 6 block radius of campus and be transported to them by cam-

pus safety. The phone number for campus safety is 518-388-6911.

The wellness center does not charge for visits, but they do charge a $30 no show fee and for tests or medications from their laboratory.

The costs for tests and medications vary, but can be found in exam rooms at the wellness center.

See SICK on page 2

Sci-Tech. page 5 Future Unveiled: Japan and Robots

807 Onion. page 7 “Something Else” Art Exhibit

We’re beautiful on the inside, too

News. page 2 M’s and W’s Basketball Recap

Opinions. page 3 Club Spotlight: Side Project

World. page 4 Rough Waters between India and Maldives

02

NEWS

Thursday, January 25, 2024 | concordiensis.com

ALLYSON BENNETT, NEWS EDITOR benneta2@union.edu

SICK

Continued from page 1 In addition, there are a variety of over the counter medications available at the bookstore in Reamer, such as NyQuil and Robitussin.

There is also a CVS Pharmacy on State Street, a few blocks away from campus, where there are more over the counter medications available.

If you have to miss classes, you should contact your professors about missed work and how to make it up. “[Wicker Wellness Center Staff] do not give notes,

and that’s part of how we’re trying to teach you how to navigate health care for yourself,” Stefanatos explained. “We still do notifications if a student has COVID because they have to isolate, but we don’t tell the professors that you have COVID. We just say you’re out for a certain number of days. Sometimes if it’s the flu with a high fever, we’ll send a notice saying the student is out until their symptoms improve. But those are the only times we do any kind of notification for that.”

Four years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are also still guidelines in place for students who contract the virus. “The CDC has not changed their guidelines,

so it’s still five days of isolation. Your first day of symptoms, or the day you test positive, is day zero. You’re finished with isolation at 11:59 PM on that sixth day, technically midnight the next day,” Stefanatos said.

“You’re expected to wear a mask for the five days after that, and you are no longer required to be quarantined for being exposed,” Stefanatos continued. “You no longer are sent to an isolated place.

You treat your roommate as your family as you would in your home if you were home with your parents.”

In general, “There is not a mask mandate, but it is a request to wear a mask if you’re not feeling well,” Stefanatos said.

If anyone in your living space is sick, there are still measures you can take to prevent illness from spreading. The New York State department of Health recommends that you wash your hands with soap and water, and disinfect surfaces around your living space. One way to disinfect surfaces is to mix 1 gallon of water with ¼ cup of bleach and use a towel to clean switches, handles, countertops, and other surfaces that you frequently use.

In addition, avoid sharing anything from school supplies to towels.

The Concordiensis wishes that anyone who is currently sick feels better in a timely manner. Stay healthy and safe, Garnet Chargers!

WICKER Check out the wellness center’s website to learn more about your options!

CVS DIRECTIONS Scan the QR code to get walking directions to the CVS on State Street!

Men’s Basketball Dominates Vassar, Women’s Basketball Falls Allyson Bennett News Editor

On Friday, January 19th, Union’s Women’s and Men’s Basketball teams played against Vassar College in the Viniar Athletic Center.

While the men won their game 86 (Union) - 76 (Vassar), the women fell to Vassar 60 (Union) - 70 (Vassar).

The women began balling on the court at 5:30 p.m., with #22 Jelena Perovic ‘26 completing the first two scores for Union. #14 Grace Enselek ‘24, #2 Emma Riley ‘25, and #35 Maddy Mandalicini ‘24 also scored in the first period, but the women were unable to outscore Vassar and were 12 (Union ) to 16 (Vassar) at the end of the first quarter.

Going into the second quarter, the women continued to fall behind Vassar, scoring on 5 out of 17 attempts and going into halftime 23 (Union) to 37 (Vassar). However, the Garnet Chargers turned their game around going into the second half. #32 Jenna Forman ‘25 made the first score of the second half 1 minute and 30 seconds into the third quarter, and the women improved their scoring percentage, scoring on 10 out of 22 attempts.

In the 4th and final quarter, the women continued to improve their scoring percentage, scoring on 7 out of 13 total attempts. In the final minute of gameplay, the Women Garnet Chargers blocked the Vassar Women’s Brewers from scoring, but in the end, they could not overcome the team and lost 60 (Union) - 70 (Vassar). The Garnet Chargers hope to improve their gameplay throughout the season.

The men began balling on the court at 7:30 p.m., with #22 Edward Baptiste ‘24 making the first score of the game 25 seconds into play. Throughout the first half of the game, the Men’s Garnet Chargers scored at a lower ratio than the Vassar Men’s Brewers, but as the game progressed, Union improved their ratio of scoring attempts to scores.

Rowan Ziegler | Concordiensis

Women’s #22 Jelena Perovic ‘26 shoots her shot at the hoop.

At halftime, the Garnet Chargers brought the score to 34 (Union) to 35 (Vassar), completing 17 scores out of 32 attempts.

Coming out of the locker room, the men were determined to overcome Vassar. #23 Aren Cummings ‘26 made three successful scores for the Garnet Chargers within the first 2 minutes and 30 seconds of the second half, with the entire team completing 6 scores out of 7 attempts in the first 5 minutes of the half. As the half progressed, the men continued to score ahead of Vassar. But in the last 5 minutes of gameplay, the Vassar Men’s Brewers upped their game, which in turn caused multiple fouls against the Men’s Garnet Chargers. This allowed for #3 Lemar Fulmore Jr. ‘26, #24 Christian Dufort ‘26 to score on bonus points, with Dufort making 5 successful shots. In the end, the Men’s Garnet Chargers won 86 - 76 and completed 26 out of 37 scoring attempts in the second half.

The Garnet Chargers look forward to continuing their season in the Viniar Athletic Center. Both teams play Skidmore College in Viniar on Friday, January 26th, with the women at 5:30 and the men at 7:30. Come out to support the teamscheering them on at the court!

Rowan Ziegler | Concordiensis

Women’s #4 Kennedy Clark ‘24 preparing to pass the ball to a teammate.

Rowan Ziegler | Concordiensis

Women’s #31 Grace Arcoleo ‘26 preparing to dribble the ball down the court.

Kavita Trivedi | Concordiensis

Men’s #23 Aren Cummings ‘26 dribbles the ball on the court.

Kavita Trivedi | Concordiensis

The crowd cheers on at the men’s basketball game.

03

OPINIONS

Thursday, January 25, 2024 | concordiensis.com SOPHIA GLAZIER, OPINIONS EDITOR glaziers@union.edu

“Side Project” or Main Attraction: A Look at Union’s Newest Visual Arts Club Sophia Glazier Opinions Editor

Winter term is pretty difficult for everyone, as I’ve come to find out in my first months at Union. I talked about this in length in last week’s issue, but as temperatures have only gotten colder and snow remains unmelted on the ground everywhere on campus, I’d say it’s just as relevant this week. All across campus, winter term has taken a toll on motivation, mental health, and overall activity for myself and others.

The longest I’ll walk on campus is to my farthest class this term, in Bailey Hall, and even that route has been modified with indoor passages. Any extracurriculars beyond that, count me out. Even walking to Reamer for something to eat seems impossible at times (you’re welcome Rathskellar for the business).

Needless to say, no one really wants to do anything right now. That is, no one except Union’s own “Side Project,” the student-run visual arts club committed to integrating the sciences and the arts and allowing all students of Union to express their creativity through the fine arts.

This past Saturday, January 20, Side Project embarked on their biggest project yet—a mural of Schenectady in West Dining Hall.

Speaking from experience, this mural is humungous, and I sincerely applaud every member who is committed to this project and who came together to work on it this weekend,

I was not able to explore the arts while taking classes in S.T.E.M., and I realized that’s a thing for a lot of kids Andrea Mullen ’24

despite the sub-zero (℉) feels-like temperatures. Hearing about this mural and seeing the creative process in action, I couldn’t help myself from taking a journalistic approach and interviewing Side Project’s two co-curators Sam Crowley ‘24 and Andrea Mullen ‘24.

As a first-year here at Union, I hardly know anything about being in clubs, let alone starting one, so that was my first area of interest when talking to Sam and Andrea.

Both shared in the sentiment that it is quite difficult to start a club from the ground up—coordinating with various leaders across campus, building an identity for the club, and reigning in participants— but they both consider it a worthwhile endeavor and are proud of the community they’ve created so far.

One of Side Project’s main goals is to provide a place for all artists to create; not just those involved in artistic/humanities-based majors.

Both Andrea and Sam started their

Union journey as S.T.E.M. majors, focusing on Biomedical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, respectively. After taking some painting and photography classes they really connected with, Andrea and Sam found their true passions and decided to not only change their majors, both to Visual Arts, but also to create a club with the same focus. “I wanted to start the club because I was not able to explore the arts while taking classes in S.T.E.M., and I realized that’s a thing for a lot of kids,” Andrea noted.

Conceptualized in Spring of 2023, and officially named a club in Fall of 2023, their Schenectady mural is Side Project’s biggest piece yet; Sam estimating about six to seven weeks for the entirety of the project. As I stood in awe of the scope of the project, I had to question how this idea came about. Inspired by a previous painting class, Sam drew upon some mural projects he participated in at downtown charities and our very own Reamer Campus Center.

“I thought it would be a good first group project because it’s not too crazy. [I]t’s also very collaborative,” Sam remarked, “so people have a good chance to work together on something.” The two described the design process with lots of communication and collaboration, rolling out a massive blueprint and inviting everyone to draw, sketch, and create at the same time.

The idea to create the mural specifically of Schenectady came from Sam and Andrea reflecting on their experience as first-years.

Taking inspiration from West Dining Hall’s reputation as a majority-underclassman common area, the two sought out to create a map of the

Courtesy of @sideproject95 on Instagram

Side Project members worked together on the beginning stages of the mural, picture taken January 20, 2024.

Sophia Glazier | Concordiensis

The projected city of Schenectady for students to sketch out the mural, which is expected to be completed by the end of Winter Term.

surrounding town in which Union lies, commenting that when they were first-years, they knew very little about Schenectady and wanted to learn more. Sam described Union as its own bubble, to which Andrea followed, “We’re trying to break out of that.”

Side Project sees the Schenectady mural as a way for students and members of the community at all ages to learn about life right outside of Union and intertwine it with Union’s ecosystem as well. Sam describe his hopes for the mural: “Your first year, you come downstairs, and the first thing you see is a map of the

Your first year, you come downstairs, and the first thing you see is a map of the town.

Sophia Glazier | Concordiensis

Side Project’s current exhibition up at Union’s Feigenbaum Center for Visual Arts.

Sam Crowley ’24

town. [It] makes it a lot more accessible, familiar, and less scary.”

Aside from the monumental task that is their Schenectady mural, Sam and Andrea have some big things planned for Side Project, namely professor demos and workshops, introducing students to various branches of the fine arts.

The first item on their agenda is a printmaking demonstration led by one of the many talented Visual Arts professors, to teach students about etching and screen printing.

Another hopeful project Andrea and Sam have in mind is an arts market, where students can display their recent work and potentially make network connections for those interested in a career in the visual arts.

Drawing back to this idea of inclusivity, Side Project also highlights their recently curated “Side Works” exhibition on the second floor of the Feigenbaum Center for Visual Arts.

Curator Andrea hopes that the exhibition can serve to show non-arts students that their work can, too, be displayed and appreciated, without having a direct, declared link to the fine arts.

04

WORLD/BUSINESS NEWS

Thursday, January 25, 2024 | concordiensis.com

SIENNA CHAMBIAL, WORLD/BUSINESS EDITOR chambias@union.edu

Rough Waters: Rising Tensions Between India and Maldives The previous President had an India-First policy; the current one wants to diversify Maldives’ foreign policy.

Sienna Chambial World/Business Editor

Adobe Stock | Concordiensis

Boom in US Remittances to Mexico Kshitij Agrawal Sci-Tech Editor

This article has originally been written for the purpose of the class ECO 243: MacroEconomics, being taught by Professor Prateek Arora this winter term. As a part of this class, students are required to submit papers summarizing articles from the Financial Times in their own words, hence indulging them to delve deeper into the subject matter and understand its implication in the real world. Students are hence able to deepen their understanding of real-world economics while also enhancing their writing skills.

Remittances, funds sent by individuals working abroad to their home countries, do not directly contribute to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) but have significant indirect effects. In the case of Mexico, where remittances from the U.S. have reached $63.2 billion, these funds primarily provide financial support to families and communities.

Although not counted as part of GDP, which measures the value of goods and services produced within a country, remittances can boost consumption and investment.

When recipients in Mexico spend this money, it stimulates local businesses and can lead to in-

creased production of goods and services, thereby indirectly contributing to Mexico’s GDP. Remittances, amounting to 20% of the federal government’s budget in Mexico, underscore their economic significance. This inflow of foreign currency strengthens the Mexican peso by increasing its demand relative to other currencies.

A stronger currency can make imports cheaper, potentially impacting the trade balance in Mexico.

The growth in remittances, despite a decline in the number of Mexican-born migrants in the U.S., raises questions about their sources. Factors such as improved earnings in sectors where Mexicans are predominantly employed, like hospitality and food services, could explain this increase. However, concerns about a portion of these remittances being sourced from illicit activities like drug trafficking also exist.

The strength of cartels and the illicit economy can inversely affect the country’s overall economic stability and the strength of its currency. The strengthening of the Mexican peso reflects a positive aspect of these remittances, but it also brings forward the complexities of managing foreign currency inflows.

Adapted from The darker side of Mexico’s $63bn remittances boom (Financial Times).

Tensions between the South Asian countries of India and Maldives have been on the rise ever since the change in the ruling party of Maldives after Mohamed Muizzu of the People’s National Congress took over as president in November last year, hitting rock bottom over the course of the past few months.

The main promise of Muizzu’s campaign was his ‘no India’ policy, aiming to decrease Indian influence on the country by reducing its dependence on the country for food, education, and healthcare, among other things. Despite the huge strategic relevance of Indian influence on the nation, Muizzu’s pro-China policies led him to his historic win in the elections. “We are not a country that is in the backyard of another country. We are an independent nation,” said Muizzu in a statement recently after his return from a state trip to Beijing, China.

The timeline of events that have added to the increasing rift between the two countries is as follows: •

•

•

November 17, 2023: Mohamed Muizzu wins elections to take over as the president of Maldives.

January 4, 2024: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shares photos from his visit to Lakshadweep on his social media.

The purpose of the visit was to promote tourism in the small island territory of India.

Three Senior Maldives Politicians see this as an attempt to draw tourists away from their country. They react to his posts by calling him a “clown” and a “terrorist” among other things.

Ashlesha Bhagat ’26

• •

• •

•

• •

January 8, 2024: Muzzu leaves for China for a state visit, acting upon his pro-China policy.

On the same day, Indian ticket-booking site EaseMyTrip announces the suspension of all flight bookings from India to Maldives. #BoycottMaldives goes viral in India.

Maldives Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer called the officials’ remarks “unacceptable,” and said his country is committed to “fostering a positive and constructive dialogue with our partners.”

Soon after, the Maldives government suspends all three ministers for their comments on Modi, stating that the comments did not in any way reflect national sentiment or government views on the matter. Maldives Tourism also “strongly condemns” the actions of the three junior ministers.

January 12, 2024: Muizzu returns from China amidst all this unrest.

January 14, 2024: Maldives orders India to remove its military troops from the archipelago

by March 15. According to the Indian government, the troop, which consists of a small team of military officials, is stationed there to operate and take care of aircraft provided by India to the country for medical assis-

tance.

Ashlesha Bhagat ’26, a Computer Science major who is an international student from India, commented on this situation. “The events in Maldives and India have been building up for a long time with the change of political power. The previous President had an India-First policy; the current one wants to diversify Maldives’ foreign policy and is working towards that.

In a way, what happened over social media was a tipping point and it will be very interesting to see how India-Maldives ties go from here.

Not only does Maldives’ economy benefit from Indian tourists, but Indian airlines also have a lot of flights that run to Maldives. Depending on how the ties and the air clearance work, a lot of things might change. It would also be interesting to see how other countries play into the new foreign policy,” said Bhagat.

Other countries have already started playing this rift to their benefit, particularly China. Recognising Muizzu’s interest in strengthening the Chinese-Maldivian foreign relations, Chinese President Xi Jinping invited his counterpart for a fiveday high-profile state visit, which is where Muizzu was when things took a sharp turn for the worse. Moreover, Muizzu has also announced plans to import food from Turkey and medicines from Europe and the US. In light of this, things look tricky for Indio-Maldivian relations

Violent Standoff in Mexico, 12 Suspected Criminals Shot Brian Hernandez Contributing Writer

On January 20th, 2024, a violent standoff occurred in northern Mexico in the city of Hermosillo, Sonora that, according to SDP Noticias, involved the local police force, the National Guard, and army troops, and resulted in the death of at least twelve suspected criminals, along with seven that escaped. In addition, two security officers were

injured in the crossfire but were quickly transferred to a nearby hospital and are now in stable condition. Shortly after, rumor spread that Ivan Archivaldo Guzman, son of the infamous “Chapo” Guzman, was detained in the standoff.

Sonoran authorities quickly dispelled that rumor, however, and assured the public that the confrontation occurred due to the armed group trying to rescue Isaias Valentin (also known as Comanche or Cardenal) from prison, although

it is still not entirely clear who the group was intending to rescue.

What is clear, however, was the amount of contraband that was found linked to the armed group.

Sonoran authorities were able to recover multiple assault rifles, six trucks, and an overwhelming amount of ammunition. There is also video footage of the confrontation currently circulating online, recorded by the people unfortunate enough to get caught in the crossfire on the fateful Saturday.

SCI -TECH

Thursday, January 25, 2024 | concordiensis.com

05

KSHITIJ AGARWAL, SCI-TECH EDITOR agarwak2@union.edu

Future Unveiled: Japan Tackles Labor Shortage with Robots Kshitij Agarwal Sci-Tech Editor

In the vast landscape of technological advancements, Japan emerges as a visionary, weaving a compelling narrative of innovation to combat labor shortages and navigate the challenges posed by its rapidly aging population. This time, the stage is set for a revolutionary solution – the deployment of self-driving delivery robots, seamlessly blending the futuristic with the practical to transform Japan’s streets.

At the heart of this narrative is a demographic puzzle that Japan confronts – with nearly 30% of its citizens aged over 65, the looming specter of labor shortages, especially in the transport sector, demands a creative and sustainable solution.

The ingenious response comes in the form of autonomous delivery robots navigating streets, not only bridging the gaps in labor supply but also providing essential services, particularly in depopulated rural areas.

This technological venture gains momentum against the backdrop of challenges in maintaining delivery demands, exacerbated by new rules limiting overtime for truck drivers.

Panasonic, a stalwart in the electronics industry, takes the lead in this transformative journey by trialing delivery robots in Tokyo and nearby Fujisawa, aiming to alleviate the strain on the transport workforce.

Dai Fujikawa, an engineer at Panasonic, envisions the transformative impact of these robots, stating, “The shortage of workers in transport will be a challenge in the future.

I hope our robots will be used to take over where needed and help

ease the labor crunch.”

Among the robotic wonders capturing public attention is the ‘DeliRo’ robot, a creation of Japanese robotics company ZMP in collaboration with Japan Post Holdings. DeliRo navigates busy streets, adeptly avoiding pedestrians while delivering snacks. Notably, it even expresses a teary eye when obstructed by passers-by, infusing a touch of empathy into its autonomous functionality.

The public response to this technological shift is overwhelmingly positive, indicating a willingness to embrace change. Naoko Kamimura, a resident, applauds the idea, stating, “I think it’s a great idea. Human store clerks might feel more reassuring, but with robots, you can shop more casually.”

However, authorities are mindful of responsible implementation, ensuring a gradual adoption to protect human employment. Regulations, including a maximum speed limit of 6 km/h for the robots, aim to mitigate collision risks and ensure safety.

“We don’t expect drastic change right away because there are jobs at stake,” explains Hiroki Kanda, an official from the trade ministry. The adoption of self-driving delivery robots is not merely a technological feat; it’s a strategic maneuver to navigate Japan’s evolving workforce landscape.

As the country pioneers this robotic revolution, it stands as a beacon for nations grappling with similar demographic challenges, showcasing the transformative potential of technology in addressing labor shortages and reshaping the future of work.

In conclusion, Japan’s foray into self-driving delivery robots symbolizes a harmonious fusion of tradition and innovation, highlighting its adaptability to societal shifts. As these robots gracefully traverse the

In a brief yet enlightening seminar, Dr. Hannen Wolfe of Colby College unveiled groundbreaking research on generating emotive sounds for non-verbal robots. The study focuses on Non-Linguistic Utterances (NLUs), essential for human-robot interactions.

Wolfe’s research introduces a novel mapping of musical and prosodic parameters to emotions, allowing robots to express a diverse range of feelings. The “Touching Affectivity” project showcased a robot’s conductive fur signal sonified based on emotive vocal communication and music research, based on haptic sonification.

Hitoshi Yamada | NurPhoto | Getty Images Pepper, a humanoid robot developed by SoftBank Group Corp., moves around on its own to guide passengers at sushi shop in Tokyo, Japan.

The shortage of workers in transport will be a challenge in the future. I hope our robots will be used to take over where needed and help ease the labor crunch.

Dai Fujikawa, Panasonic

streets, they carry not just parcels but the promise of a technologically empowered future for a nation on the brink of transformation. Japan, once again, orchestrates a symphony of innovation to redefine the narrative of its workforce and inspire the world with the limitless possibilities of a robotic era.

SCI-TECH ONLINE Scan the QR code to access our website concordiensis.com to see previous Sci-Tech articles.

The seminar delved into how robots communicate, emphasizing the importance of non-linguistic elements. The research suggests potential applications beyond non-linguistic communication, with correlations between high-pitched sounds and positive emotions.

Dr. Wolfe’s research provided valuable insights into designing emotionally expressive non-verbal robots, promising a new era of harmonious human-robot interactions.

Microsoft’s Senior Leader’s Email Accounts attacked

by Russian Hacking Group Midnight Blizzard aka Nobelium , a notorious Russian hacking group, infiltrated a percentage of Microsoft’s employee’s accounts, include those of those having a senior leadership position. This hacking group is known for the SolarWinds incident in 2020. Microsoft emphasizes the evolving threats in the cyber-security landscape, highlighting an urgent need for accelerated security measures.

KA

Blockchain Emerges as a Game-Changer for AI Bias Mitigation Blockchain could offer a ‘killer‘ use case, in the fight against AI bias by ensuring transparent and accountable AI trainign data. Executives at the World Economic Forum in Davos discussed this very potential of Blockchain to track and verify AI data, preventing any bias and misinformation.

KA

ADNOC aims to boost Decarbonization Investment to $23 Billion by 2023

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@concordiensis

China’s Green Tech Revolution Accelerated Climate Action Chna’s robust investments in green tech and renewable energy, doubling solar and expanding wind capacity, place it as a potential leader in global decarbonization. As the country surges ahead, the rest of the world watches for the impact, if any, on climate policitcs and the possibility of a race towards a zero carbon future KA

CS Seminar: Generating emotive sounds for non-verbal robots Kshitij Agarwal Sci-Tech Editor

60-SECOND SCI-TECH

Courtesy of Adobe Stock

UAE energy Giant ADNOC is set to elevate spending on decarbonization projects to $23 billion by 2030 from the previous $15 billion.

This move aligns with its commitments to transforming is business diversifying into clean energy and contributing to a lower carbon future. Perhaps the coming years could see a drastic shift in the world carbon levels.

KA

06

NOTICES

Thursday, January 11, 2024 | concordiensis.com

ASHLESHA BHAGAT, CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF bhagata@union.edu

Concordiensis Editors-in-Chief Ashlesha Bhagat ’26 Zahra Khan ’25 News Editor Allyson Bennett ’26 Opinions Editor Sophia Glazier ’27

CRIME & FIRE LOG

OUR EVENT PICKS FOR U Hot Yoga!

Thursday, January 25, 3:40 p.m.

Organizer: Yoga and Meditation Location: Bus Pick Up in West Parking Lot Dinner for Environmental Groups Thursday, January 25, 5:45 p.m.

Organizer: Kelly Adirondack Center Location: Kelly Adirondack Center

Sci/Tech Editor Kshitij Agarwal ’27 World/Business Editor Sienna Chambial ’27 807 Editor Adithi Chellappan ’27 Photo Editor Kavita Trivedi ’27 Contributing Writer Brian Hernandez ’27

Arts Open House Thursday, January 25, 6:00 p.m.

Organizer: ARTS House Location: ARTS House - 201 Seward Place Taylor Swift Friendship Bracelet Making Thursday, January 25, 7:30 p.m.

Organizer: Davidson and Webster Houses Location: Davidson Lobby Celebrate Queer Authors Friday, January 26, 4:00 p.m.

Organizer: Iris House Location: Iris House

Photographer Rowan Ziegler ’27

Board Game Night Friday, January 26, 8:00 p.m.

Organizer: Gaming4U Location: Reamer 406

Secretary Aaradhya Sharma ’27 Social Media Veer Kundalia ’27 Finance Chair Candice Nguyen ’25

Mt. Snow Ski Trip Saturday, January 27, 6:30 a.m.

Organizer: Ski and Snowboard Club Location: Bus Pick Up at Reamer Circle Slow + Restorative Vinyasa Sunday, January 28, 6:00 p.m.

Organizer: Yoga and Meditation Club Location: Lower Aerobics Room (Alumni Gym) Building Bridges Monday, January 29, 5:00 p.m.

Organizer: Office of Intercultural Affairs Location: Old Chapel De-Stress Tuesday, January 30, 6:00 p.m.

Organizer: Fox House Location: Fox South Back Lounge

Concordiensis is the official student newspaper of Union College since 1877 and is published on Thursdays; weeks 2-9 during Fall, Winter and Spring terms.

Website: concordiensis.com Email: concordy@union.edu

Building Bridges Monday, January 29, 5:00 p.m.

Organizer: Office of Intercultural Affairs Location: Old Chapel Mat Pilates Tuesday, January 30, 6:00 p.m.

Organizer: Yoga and Meditation Club Location: Lower Aerobics Room (Alumni Gym)

MEETING TIMES Mail: Concordiensis Box 2577 807 Union Street Schenectady, NY 12309 Letters to the editor: concordy@union.edu Listing submissions: concordy@union.edu For Advertising Opportunities: concordy@union.edu Concordiensis is printed by School Paper Express, Wappingers Falls, NY

Breazzano Council Meeting Thursday, 12:50 p.m..

Location: Breazzano Seminar Room

Wold Council Meeting Monday, 1:00 p.m.

Location: Wold Meeting

Beuth Council Meeting Monday, 1:00 p.m.

Location: Beuth House

Baja General Meeting Monday, 5:30 p.m Location: ISEC 187

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11/18/23, 4:47 a.m. / Achilles Center Burglary reported - college property taken - incident occurred at 2:20 am on 11/18/23 Closed. Referred to Police.

11/19/23, 9:20 a.m. / Bailey Field Vandalism to college property window on door damaged - date/ time of occurrence unknown.

Closed. No suspects or witnesses.

11/19/23, 7:20 a.m. / South Terrace Lane Trespass - suspect was previously warned off earlier in the morning on 5/19/23.

Closed. Referred to Police.

11/19/23, 11:40 a.m. / College Park Hall Drug violation - paraphernalia recovered while securing room for winter break.

Closed. Referred to Campus Judicial.

11/28/23, 12:15 p.m. / Bailey Field Vandalism to college property exit sign damaged - date/time of occurrence unknown.

Closed. No suspects or witnesses.

11/30/23, 8:34 a.m. / Davidson North Vandalism to college property closet door damaged.

Closed. Referred to Campus Judicial.

12/1/23, 2:!2 p.m. / 1501 Devine Street Vandalism to college property - graffiti spray painted on walls date/time of occurrence unknown.

Closed. No suspects or witnesses.

12/11/23, 8:32 a.m. / Sigma Phi Vandalism to college property - composite photo frame found damaged - date and time of occurrence unknown.

Closed. No suspects or witnesses.

12/17/23, 9:44 a.m./ 236 Park Place Theft of personal property - holiday lights taken from the front yard occurred on 12/17/21 at 1:21 am.

Open Investigation.

12/19/23, 5:02 p.m.. / North College Theft of personal property Unsecured stolen from front of building - occurred at 4:16 pm on 12/19/23.

Open Investigation.

12/23/2311/13/23, 10:03 a.m. / 1501 Devine Street Vandalism to college property graffiti spray painted on exterior wall- date/time of occurrence unknown.

Closed. No suspects or witnesses

Talk to us!

THIS WEEK IN SPORTS W BASKETBALL

60 U ni on

5

45

R e nsse l ae r

M HOCKEY

U ni on

4

H a r va r d

M BASKETBALL

91 U ni on

86

R e nsse l ae r

M SWIM

87 U ni on

135 R e nsse l a e r

W SWIM

63 U ni on

139 R e nsse l a e r

NEXT WEEK IN SPORTS M and W Swim vs.

Vassar January 27, 1:00 p.m.

At Union

W Basketball vs.

Ithaca January 27, 3:00 p.m.

At Union

Mayor’s Cup: W Hockey vs Rensselaer

January 27, 3:00 p.m.

MVP Arena, Albany

Mayor’s Cup: M Hockey vs Rensselaer

January 27, 6:00 p.m.

MVP Arena, Albany

W Hockey vs.

Harvard

January 31, 6:00 p.m.

At Union

Concordiensis welcomes letters to the editor on its coverage and schoolrelated issues. Submissions are selected by the editor (including from comments posted to our social media pages) to provide a variety of opinions and voices and all are subject to editing for accuracy, clarity and length and to remove personal attacks. Letters may be emailed to concordy@union.edu. The writer’s full name, class year and e-mail or phone number must be included, but only the name and class year will be published.

807 UNION ST.

Thursday, January 25, 2024 | concordiensis.com

07

ADITHI CHELLAPPAN, 807 EDITOR chellapa@union.edu

“Something Else” Exhibit

Something Else Indeed

SONGS OF THE WEEK Check out our top song picks from this week! Be sure to suggest songs by emailing chellapa@union.edu.

Adithi Chellappan 807 Editor

“Something Else” is an art exhibition which includes works by William Fillmore, David Henry Nobody Jr., and Steve Seeley, all curated by Professor Fernando Orellana. The works in the exhibit harmonize to explore various mediums, including canvas, sculpture, and screen usage. The exhibit is hosted at the Crowell and West Galleries and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until March 29. The exhibit challenges conventional expectations and subverts them to evoke visceral reactions. Each work is striking and disturbing, yet inviting in its own way—almost impossible to look away from. The works challenge norms and incorporate elements of incredulity, creating a level of discomfort that keeps the viewer engaged.

MORE INFORMATION Scan the QR code to learn more about the exhibit!

Adithi Chellappan | Concordiensis

David Henry Nobody Jr.’s ‘Superrare Matrix Array Of Nine Artworks’.

This artpiece was a nine channel video made using Variable in 2023.

Adithi Chellappan | Concordiensis

David Henry Nobody Jr.’s ‘Living Rorschach Ink Bot’, a single channel video made using Variable in 2021 was on display. He also came to campus on January 12 for an artist talk. David Henry Brown Jr. is an Interventionist/immersionist performance artist and sculptor who works in diverse mediums, often placing his physical body into the work.

Adithi Chellappan | Concordiensis

Steve Seeley’s ‘Breakfast by Campfire’, an acrylic on die-cut MDF panel was on display.

Kahoot Mania at Union - PHS x MAPS & ASU! Adithi Chellappan 807 Editor

Union College experienced a Kahoot! takeover this week, as the PreHealth Society collaborated with the Minority Association for Premedical Students to host a Kahoot! focused on medicine—covering biology, neuroscience, and chemistry. The collaborative Kahoot! was created to have a playful recap of topics covered on the pre-med track and better prepare students interested in pursuing medicine. Prizes, including Airpods for the first-place winner and 3D anatomical models for runners-up, added excitement to the event. Additionally, the Asian Student Union also organized an Asian-themed Kahoot! featuring geography, history, pop culture, and miscellaneous questions, with prizes such as a Pusheen plush, lightsaber chopsticks, and an Asian snack basket. The Kahoot! was created as a way to learn about and celebrate Asian culture and drill some fun facts in a fast-paced at-

mosphere.

Both events took place on Friday, January 19, creating a lively atmosphere in the crowd eager to win the coveted prizes. Kahoot! games, though different in theme, were both incredibly successful in terms of turnout, fostering a fun and friendly competition within the Union College community. Despite occasional stress and the urge to hit the right answer in time, the high stakes and the familiar Kahoot! music contributed to a tense yet engaging atmosphere, encouraging connections and learning within the Union community.

Adithi Chellappan | Concordiensis

Students enjoyed Kahoot at the event.

PRE HEALTH Scan the QR code to go to the pre health society’s Instagram!

Adithi Chellappan | Concordiensis

Students eagerly participating in the Kahoot by ASU.

1. all of me - 21 Savage 2. Angelina - Pinegrove 3. once in a moon - Sarah Kang 4. Summers Over Interlude Drake & Majid Jordan 5. AEAO - Dynamicduo & DJ Premier All Images Courtesy of YoutubeMusic

08

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

Thursday, January 25, 2024 | concordiensis.com

KAVITA TRIVEDI, PHOTO EDITOR trivedik@union.edu

Milkshake Mania at Beuth Beuth House organizes a custom ‘Custom Milkshake’ event for students on January 21

Kavita Trivedi | Concordiensis

The milkshake making area ran by the stuidents.

Kavita Trivedi | Concordiensis

The milkshake making area was blocked off to the students except for people who were running it. Special care was taken for food allergies.

Kavita Trivedi | Concordiensis

Cherries were one of the most popular ingredients among students.

Kavita Trivedi | Concordiensis Kavita Trivedi | Concordiensis

The event was so popular among students that there was a long wait line and the ingredients ran out almost within the first hour. The event will be run again on Janaury 28 due to high demand.

Some of the various ingredients that were available for students to put in their milkshake.