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 concordiensis.com
Thursday, October 22, 2020
Volume. CXLIX, Issue VI
William Seward’s sculpted portrait rejected from Union’s Permanent Collections By Akriti Dhasmana Editor-in-Chief
On October 1, a sculpted portrait of William Seward (Union Class of 1820) was rejected as an addition to Union’s Permanent Collection according to Emeritus Professor Frank Wicks. William Seward served as the US Secretary of State under Abraham Lincoln’s administration from 1861-69 and is known for his abolitionist views and purchasing Alaska in 1867. The portrait in question is a gift commissioned by Wicks with pledges and support from Emeritus Professor Twitty Styles, Emeritus Professor Carl George, Dr Gustave Davis ’59, Duncan Crary ’00, Calvert Crary ’00 and President Emeritus Roger Hull. According to Wicks, the decision came after a Zoom conference he had with President David Harris, Dean of Faculty Strom Thacker,
Courtesy of Frank Wicks Dr Jeff Ludwig of the Seward Home Museum with the Sculpted Portrait of William Seward (Class of 1820) with the sculptor Dexter Benedict in the background.
18 cases of Giardiasis on campus By Daniel Wilcox Editor-in-Chief
As of October 16, eighteen cases of giardiasis have been reported on campus. Following the announcement on October 14 that cases of giardiasis, a parasitic disease, had been reported at Union, This update, sent by Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, Fran’Cee Brown-McClure, explained that at least 18 students have been “confirmed” as having the disease. These cases were being found in on-campus and off-campus students. Union’s drinking water, which it was explained is supplied by the City of Schenectady, had been tested, with it containing the “proper
level of chlorine,” as well as it being “free from bacteria.” The email advised that there is no concern of drinking water as being a source of the infection, and that students do not need to resort to using bottled water for everyday tasks. Additionally, it was announced that Union College Hospitality has “reviewed their protocols and procedures,” but again that there is little likelihood of the source of the disease being from college food. The email proclaimed that the college is working with the Schenectady County Department of Health, in order to ascertain the source of the infection, and that students and others who are experiencing giardiasis symptoms follow the college’s health guidelines.
Director and Curator of Art Collections Julie Lohnes and Professor Styles on September 15 wherein the criteria for an addition to the Permanent Collection was discussed. Despite meeting all the requirements, according to Wicks, the gift was rejected because, “if someone wants to talk about Seward they can go down to Schenectady Public Library where there is a statue of William Seward and Harriet Tubman.” The statue of Seward alongside Harriet Tubman that stands in front of the Schenectady Public Library was first offered to Union College as a gift by Wicks along See SEWARD on page 2
Student Forum Referendum Vote By Sydney Lewis News Editor
On October 14 the Elections Committee of the Student Forum announced the results of the Referendum to Institute Changes to the Student Forum Constitution as a “YES” at 93.88 % of those who voted. The call to action began on September 29 when Union’s Student Forum unanimously approved changes to the Student Forum Constitution to be put up for referendum in front of the Student Body. The amendment changes the current election process to a “Ranked Choice Voting” system. The Elections Committee Senior Trustee, Brian Huang ’21, has been thinking about how he could make
a change to how elections are run since his freshman year at Union. He says, “Because our voting system is laid out in our student forum constitution, you can’t just change it randomly, the entire school has to vote for it as a constitutional amendment.” This change was monumental for the Elections Committee as it has been 15 years since a constitutional amendment has passed in a standalone election. All other changes have been a joint effort with representative elections. The process began with Huang bringing the idea to the Elections Committee. The group then voted to approve the referendum, which then brought it to a Student Forum vote. The Student Forum voted unanimously in favor which began the process to hold a Union College school-wide See VOTE on page 2
We’re beautiful on the inside, too
News, page 2 Union Housing shortens Spring Break
Opinions, page 4 California fires and climate change
Sci Tech, page 7 What is Giardiasis? A closer look.
Arts, page 9 Contemporary art made accessible virtually
World, page 6 Chile to vote on a new constitution