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8-24-23 entire issue hi res

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INDEPENDENT SINCE 1880

The Corne¬ Daily Sun Vol. 140, No. 2

8 Pages – Free

THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2023 n ITHACA, NEW YORK

News

Dining

Science

Weather

Independent Minded

Culinary Autonomy

Mpox and HIV

Showers

Pat Sewell, a local college professor, is running as an independent for Ithaca's Third Ward. | Page 3

Kyle Roth '25 describes the ins and outs of cooking for yourself in college. | Page 5

A new drug study found no adverse effects for Mpox patients with HIV, a potential breakthrough. | Page 8

HIGH: 70º LOW: 67º

Circus to Swing Into Ithaca The Hupstate Circus Festival returns Sept. 1 to Sept 4. By GABRIEL MUÑOZ Sun Assistant News Editor

JULIA NAGEL / SUN PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR

Convenient contraception | The Ho Plaza entrance of Cornell Health is now home to a self-care vending machine.

Plan B Vending Machines Now at Cornell Health By JULIA SENZON and MARISA CEFOLA Sun News Editor and Sun Assistant News Editor

This semester, students will be able to get not only soda and chips from vending machines on campus, but also pharmaceutical products including Plan B, pregnancy tests and condoms. The Cornell Health lobby now hosts a 24/7 pharmaceutical supplies vending machine, which opened on July 21.

“Access to care is key in supporting all dimensions of student health and well-being." Chris Payne “24/7 access to self-care supplies, including sexual health products, can help prevent and treat infection and illness and reduce the likelihood of unplanned pregnancy,” Chris Payne, senior director of Cornell Health wrote in an email to The Sun. “Access to care is key in supporting all dimensions of student health and well-being.” The machine is located just inside the Ho Plaza entrance of Cornell Health and provides 24/7 access to emergency contraception and self-care supplies such as hand sanitizer, tissues and various non-prescription medications. Free COVID-19 antigen tests are also available for students. A “Read Before You Buy” information sheet posted on the

machine includes two QR codes which provide users with information about the different types of emergency contraceptives. The supplies are available to Cornell students, faculty, staff and visitors. In the near future, Cornell Health plans to also add various self-care products to existing “Vengo” machines located in residential spaces across campus and managed by the Cornell Store. Prices Credit cards, debit cards and Apple Pay are all accepted forms of payment for the machine. Product prices range from free to $45. Each item in the vending machine has been selected based on the likelihood of sale or utilization among the Cornell community, according to the Cornell Health website. Cornell Health offers a survey for community members to offer suggestions or feedback regarding the products available. Background At least 39 colleges in 17 states have enacted emergency contraception vending machines on campuses, according to a USA Today report from July 22. Mary Levy ’24, a member of the Cornell chapter of Planned Parenthood Generation Action at Cornell first got the idea for Plan B vending machines from the machines installed at Boston University. PPGA decided to advocate for Plan See PLAN B page

With thousands of sometimes-unruly students, cyclists who trek unfathomable hills and buses that buzz around half-paved roads, the city of Ithaca can sometimes feel like a circus. But during the first week of September, Ithaca will actually be a circus. Circus troupes from all over the world will make Ithaca their stage, featuring shows, outdoor performances and interactive workshops. The Hupstate Circus Festival, which runs from Sept. 1 to Sept. 4, started three years ago when three arts groups coincidentally performed in Ithaca at the same time. “I have a lot of love for producing festivals that bring people together. It's fun to be able to do that in this local place,” said Amy Cohen, founder of Ithaca’s Circus Culture and the Hupstate Circus Festival. Cohen explored the idea of making a bigger, recurring event, allowing one of the headlining shows titled “Stars Above” from Hideaway Circus to return in 2022. See CIRCUS page 4

COURTESY OF AVI PRYNTZ NADWORNY

A juggling act | This September, the circus will be coming to town when Hupstate Circus Festival makes Ithaca their stage.

Sen. Webb Opens Ithaca Office By ERIC REILLY Sun News Editor

With a bright smile and a pair of oversized silver scissors, New York State Sen. Lea Webb (D) cut through a purple ribbon outside of her new office in downtown Ithaca on Monday, August 21. “It has been far too long since the residents of Tompkins County have had local access to their New York State Senate representative,” Webb said at the grand opening. “I am thrilled to open our doors here in Ithaca and look forward to welcoming the community to our office.” Located in the Crescent Building at 217 North Aurora St., the new State Senate office is the first in Tompkins County in over a decade, increasing accessibility to constituents in Ithaca. Webb’s District Office in Binghamton has been open to the

public since January, according to Chief of Staff Stacey Dimas. Alongside her team, Webb has been reachable at community office hours throughout New York’s 52nd district, which includes Tompkins County, Cortland County, and some of Broome County. Webb and her team said they hope to bring a similar openness to Ithaca. Staffing the office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, Webb’s constituent team will be available to assist community members with various issues, including unemployment, health insurance, Home Energy Assistance Program, WIC, SNAP and more. “Having a physical presence in a community as a public servant is a game changer,” said Assemblymember Anna Kelles. “It allows a representative to see firsthand day after day the life and expe-

JULIA NAGEL / SUN PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR

All moved in | State Sen. Lea Webb opened her first Ithaca office on Monday, giving constituents local access.

rience of the community.” Kelles further acknowledged Webb’s commitment to community, noting that despite overseeing a large district, Webb still manages to attend events in Ithaca. “She shows up, she listens and she acts on our behalf to fight for the things that we need,” Kelles said. Other members of the Ithaca community helped celebrate the office’s opening, including City of Ithaca Alderperson Robert Cantelmo. “The City of Ithaca appreciates Webb as a partner who works with us to improve the lives of those working, learning, and playing in our community," said City of Ithaca alderperson Robert Cantelmo. Also at the grand opening, Ithaca Mayor Laura Lewis commended Webb’s legislative accomplishments. In her first year in office, Webb introduced 54 bills, 32 of which passed through the Senate and 23 of which passed through both houses before arriving on the Governor’s desk, where they await her signature. Webb serves as the Chair of the Senate’s Committee on Women’s Issues. She is also a member of the Committees on Agriculture, Health, Higher Education, Procurement & Contracts, Mental Health, and Cities. Webb’s office offers internships for high school, undergraduate and graduate students. Interested students are welcome to apply. Eric Reilly can be reached at ereilly@cornellsun.com.


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