INDEPENDENT SINCE 1880
The Corne¬ Daily Sun Vol. 132, No. 133
MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016
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ITHACA, NEW YORK
12 Pages – Free
News
Arts
Sports
Weather
Military Mandates
Going Bananas
Kept in Check
Showers HIGH: 53º LOW: 41º
Two Israeli military refusers discuss the glorification of service in Israeli society.
Ailis Clyne ’17 reviews Guerilla Toss’s performance at Cayuga Lodge.
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The Quakers’ powerful defense proved too much for Emily Tripodi and women’s lacrosse. | Page 12
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CUPD InvestigateVandalism Of Arts Quad Flag Display By STEPHANIE YAN Sun Assistant News Editor
Cornell police are currently investigating an incident of vandalism on the Arts Quad in which nearly 200 of 250 flags in an Cornell Amnesty International display were stolen and scattered around North Campus, as recounted in a statement by the club. The exhibit was part of the Week of Action — which aims to raise awareness about the obstacles refugees face — and was erected on the quad Wednesday, featuring flags from Palestine, Syria, Sudan, Iraq and Somalia. The vandalism likely took place Wednesday night, according to Christopher Hanna ’18, co-president of
Amnesty International. Hanna added that most of the flags removed were from Palestine, Iraq and Syria. “I don’t know if it was a coincidence, but the countries that were targeted were the three ‘Arab’ countries in the ‘Middle East,” he said. “[These countries] are the same ones whose residents and expatriates often bear the brunt of racist sentiment in the U.S., which leads me to believe that there is a connection between this incident and the larger atmosphere of xenophobia accompanying the refugee crisis. ” Hanna said he believes the vandalism was motivated by a desire “to obstruct and silence political dialogue” at Cornell. “In light of toxic anti-refugee sentiment See FLAG DISPLAY page 5
INSET: COURTESY OF CHRISTOPHER HANNA ’18; MAIN PHOTO: MICHAELA BREW / SUN SENIOR EDITOR
Flag it down | Vandals removed nearly 200 flags from Amnesty International’s Arts Quad display Wednesday night. The main photo was taken before the incident, and the inset photo after.
Committee Considers Presidential Criteria
Will hold two open meetings this week, seek broad input
By STEPHANIE YAN and JOSH GIRSKY Sun Assistant News Editor and News Editor
Cornell’s presidential search committee is still determining the criteria for its candidates, according to committee member Prof. Emeritus Isaac Kramnick, government. Two open meetings — which will be held on May 4 — will allow Cornellians to provide feedback on the search, according to a University press release.
“The committee wants to hear what students, faculty and staff are hoping for in a president and will be on campus this week to listen,” Kramnick said. Kramnick added that he, personally, is seeking a president who “will be an inspirational champion for learning.” “I am hoping that the new president [defends] the academy against those who attack [it], such as science-deniers, humanitiesbashers and state legislatures who
are defunding the great public universities,” he said. Kramnick has held positions from vice provost for undergraduate education to associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell, according to the University. He has taught English and American political thought and history at the University since 1972 and was voted “favorite professor of the year” in 1996, in a See COMMITTEE page 4
Happy Holi-days
Cornell Police Respond To Reported Altercation on Campus Cornell Police responded to reports of an ongoing fight at approximately at 2:20 a.m. on Sunday. The exchange left one male Cornellian with “substantial injuries.” When the officers arrived to the scene they found a male Cornell student who had been injured during the dispute that had just taken place on College Avenue near Myron Taylor Hall, according to a CUPD crime alert. The injured student reported that he was trying to diffuse a fight between a friend — who was not a Cornellian — and several Asian males and an Asian female, the release said. The victim then reported that he was assaulted by additional Asian people who joined the group after the altercation had started. The cause or nature of this altercation are currently unknown to the CUPD. Immediately after the fight all suspects fled the area, heading southbound on College Avenue. Despite incurring serious injuries, the student victim refused medical treatment at the scene. CUPD’s investigation of this incident is open and ongoing. — Compiled by Madeline Cohen
Gala Supports Syrian Refugees Aims to raise funds,boost ‘awareness of crisis’ By JOSH GIRSKY Sun News Editor
SISI YU / SUN STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Students throw colored powder at each other on the Arts Quad Saturday in celebration of Holi, the Hindu spring festival.
Hundreds attended the Cornell for Syrian Refugee Gala on Saturday, designed to “not just raise funds for Syrian refugees, but also to raise awareness of the crisis,” according to President of the Arab Student Association Salma Shitia ’18. The gala featured music from the Cornell Middle-Eastern Music Ensemble, spoken word poetry, a testimony from a Syrian whose cousin is a refugee and an auction, Shitia said. Although most know of the
war in Syria, not many Cornellians are aware of “who the Syrians are,” according to ASA Treasurer Ahmad Sabbagh ’17. “[Saturday] night we helped establish familiarity with the Syrian people and restore their forgotten humanity by sharing their names, faces, feelings and culture,” Sabbagh said. “I hope that after this event, people will recognize refugees for the beauty that stems from their human lives rather than the taints of war.” Shitia said she was excited to see how the Cornell and Ithaca See GALA page 5