INDEPENDENT SINCE 1880
The Corne¬ Daily Sun Vol. 131, No. 80
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2015
!
ITHACA, NEW YORK
12 Pages – Free
News
Arts
Sports
Weather
Honest Abe
Funny Bones
On a Roll
Snow HIGH: 27º LOW: 5º
A copy of the 13th Amendment, which turned 150 years old Saturday, will go on display in Kroch. | Page 3
Julia Moser ’15 interviews Jessica Williams after her performance at the Statler Auditorium on Friday. | Page 8
Wrestling sweeps a weekend homestand against Princeton and Lock Haven. | Page 12
Student Assembly Opens Referenda Process to Students By CHRISTOPHER BYRNS Sun Staff Writer
Any student will be able to submit a question for a student-wide referendum after collecting enough signatures, under a new Student Assembly resolution that S.A. representatives called “the most important resolution” passed this year. The S.A. will create online forms enabling any student to submit a referendum on any topic of student interest, as set forth in the resolution, which was passed Thursday. In order for the S.A. to approve the referendum, the student must collect online or paper signatures from at least three percent of the registered undergraduate student body — roughly 450 signatures. Once the referendum reaches the three percent threshold, the S.A. will vote whether to bring the referendum under the vote of the entire student body, according to the resolution. If a simple majority of the S.A. votes to consider the referendum, it will be included on the same form that students use to vote for S.A. representatives during elections. However, if the S.A. votes by simple majority to decline to consider the referendum, the student who originally submitted the referendum can overturn the S.A.’s decision by obtaining signatures from 10 percent of undergraduate student body. If the referendum receives a majority of “yes” votes from the student body, then the president of the S.A. will send the referendum See REFERENDUM page 4
MICHAELA BREW / SUN SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Clubbin’ | Above: The Pixel Lounge will close in June when construction on 327 Eddy St. begins. Inset: A rendering shows the proposed redevelopment of 327 Eddy St. that will displace Pixel and Club Sudz.
COURTESY OF CITY OF ITHACA
New Complex to Displace Pixel,Club Sudz 327 Eddy St.development to break ground this summer By JONATHAN DAWSON Sun Staff Writer
Both the Pixel Lounge and Club Sudz will be demolished this summer once construction begins for a new development, which will house residential and commercial space, at 327 Eddy Street.
The new building, which will consist of three connected buildings each six stories high, is set to begin construction in June and be completed by August 2016, according to Steve Fontana, the landlord and proprietor of the redevelopment. See EDDY STREET page 5
Psi Upsilon Fraternity Suspended Mistrial Declared After Jury Split By SOFIA HU Sun Senior Writer
Following an alleged incident involving “alcohol and an illicit substance,” the Psi Upsilon fraternity suspended all social and new member education activities Friday, the University announced Friday. The suspension was made in a mutual agreement between the national association, the Cornell Chi Chapter and the University, according to Joel Malina, vice president for university relations. “The purpose of the suspension is to prevent activities that could jeopardize the safety of the members and their guests, and to allow an investigation of the incident to proceed without the potential of further incidents,” Malina said in a statement. In spring 2011, the fraternity was placed on a year of disciplinary probation and four weeks of social probation after the Greek Judicial Board found the chapter in violation of the University Anti-Hazing Policy.
The fraternity was also deactivated by its alumni board in the summer of 2008, following concerns about the prosperity of the fraternity and the safety of its members, The Sun previously reported. The University had no additional comment Friday. The last disciplinary action taken against a fraternity was in
May, when the University revoked recognition of the Chi Psi fraternity for hazing. Sofia Hu can be reached at shu@cornellsun.com. BRITTANY CHEW / SUN STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Brotherhood | The Psi Upsilon fraternity stands on West Campus.
On Peter Mesko’13 Rape Charge
By SOFIA HU
March 27 for sentencing, according to The Journal. Mesko could be sentenced from A mistrial has been declared on the three-and-a-half to fifteen years in prison first-degree rape count in the trial of Peter for the second-degree burglary convicMesko ’13 after the jury failed to reach a tion. Additionally, Mesko could serve consensus Friday. two to seven years for the first-degree sexMesko, who was convicted of first- ual assualt conviction. The maximum degree sexual abuse and secsentences are seven and 15 ond-degree burglary Thursyears, respectively. If the disday, was freed after posting trict attorney’s office retries bail of $50,000 cash or Mesko, he could serve an $250,000 bond, according to additional five to 25 years. The Ithaca Journal. According to District The former student and Attorney Gwen Wilkinson, wrestler broke into a Mesko will have to register as Collegetown residence on a sex offender, The Journal MESKO ’13 March 30, 2013, and allegedreported. ly raped a female student while she was The trial began on Jan. 20 after sleeping. Mesko rejected a plea deal, according to Judge Joseph Cassidy released the jury court documents. In April 2013, Mesko and declared a mistrial after the jury of plead not guilty to his rape charge. eight men and four women were unable Mesko’s trial was initially scheduled to to come to a decision following several begin in August after his indictment last days of deliberation, The Journal report- February, but the trial was delayed ed. Tompkins County Assistant District because another case used up time set Attorney Wendy Franklin has until Feb. aside for the Mesko trial. 20 to decide whether to pursue a second trial on the rape charge. Sofia Hu can be reached at Mesko is scheduled to return to court shu@cornellsun.com.
Sun Senior Writer