September 28, 2023

PILING UP

By Kyle Chouinard managing editor

While driving to main campus, Syracuse University junior Jack Cavanagh has spent mornings circling Walnut Park looking for a place to park. It’s a short commute from S. Beech Street, so he’ll only drive if he’s running late to class. Recently, while going up and down Walnut Avenue and Walnut Place, his passenger started to shake his head.

I’ve got to find a reasonable spot. I can’t just park illegally,” Cavanagh recalled telling them.

In August 2020, the Syracuse Common Council approved an increase in parking ticket fees. City estimates at the time suggested that Syracuse could raise about $1.1 million in revenue from the price hikes, something the city desperately needed facing a pandemic-induced budget deficit and millions of dollars in unpaid

parking tickets. So far, the change in pricing has disproportionately impacted parking around SU.

After the legislation was passed, alternate side parking violations rose from being a $25 fine to $40 from April to October. The fines increased from $30 to $75 in the winter.

The Syracuse Police Department issued approximately $3.7 million in parking ticket fines in 2021 and 2022, according to data from OpenData Syracuse. Over those two years, SPD issued 37% fewer tickets while also increasing the amount of fines by 8.5% compared to 2018 and 2019. But, the increase wasn’t delved out evenly across the city.

In the area around SU and ESF’s campus, SPD issued $137,245 in fines in 2019 – the last full year of the city’s previous ticket pricing. In 2021, the department issued $213,960 in fines, a 55.9% increase. In 2022, the amount of fines lowered slightly to $211,225.

Common Councilor Latoya Allen, whose district represents most of SU and ESF, did not respond to The D.O.’s request for an interview. see parking page 4

BWSSU holds Red-Zone vigil for sexual violence awareness

By Kendall Luther asst. copy editor

The Hall of Languages was lit up with red lights as Syracuse University students and faculty gathered with LED candles and posters to raise awareness of the Red-Zone on Wednesday night.

Be With Survivors SU held the vigil — the organization’s first event of the year — in recognition of the spike in sexual violence on college campuses from the beginning of

the fall semesters until Thanksgiving, a time period known as the Red-Zone.

“It’s about the Red-Zone, but it’s also a way to support survivors,” BWSSU President Jessica Rosen said.

Rosen said she wanted to make the vigil a “safe space” for survivors to talk about and share their stories with no judgment. Attendees were invited to share their experiences freely.

BWSSU executive board members and other students were joined by members of the Chancellor’s Task Force on Sexual and

Relationship Violence and other faculty members, including Senior Vice President and Chief Student Experience O cer Allen Groves and Vice President of Student Transition, Access and Inclusion Dawn Singleton.

During the vigil, the approximately 20 attendees sat and stood on the steps of the Hall of Languages.

Rosen opened the vigil by speaking about the RedZone and its consequences on college campuses.

Fifty percent of college sexual assaults occur during the Red-Zone period, according to the American Psychological Association.

“It is heartbreaking to hear and even possibly bear witness of as it could be happening at parties,” Rosen said.

Rosen also shared her own experiences being sexually assaulted. She said that no one should ever go through sexual assault, especially at a young age or during their college years.

“It is why I take this so personally to heart and have become so passionate about this — my activism — because it has been a part of my healing journey,” Rosen said. see vigil

While the number of parking tickets near SU has decreased since 2019, there’s been a sharp increase in the total amount of fines

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INSIDE

The best quotes from sources in today’s paper.

NEWS

“It’s weighing the benefi ts of getting to class on time … versus the probability of getting a ticket.” - Jack Cavanagh, Syracuse University junior

Page 4

CULTURE

“We have to be aware that just like cancer could be in remission for a loved one and come back years later, it’s the same for substance use disorder.” - Barry Weiss, artist and doctoral candidate in literacy studies

Page 7

OPINION

“It feels as if we’ve fi ltered critical issues with a cultureshaped strainer, which is nothing more than a distraction.”

- Jonah Weintraub, columnist

Page 9

SPORTS

“I think he really enjoyed (coaching professionally) but at the same time, he just missed college coaching.” - Martin Hehir, former Syracuse runner

Page 12

COMING UP

Noteworthy events this week.

WHAT: Tennity Ice Skating Pavilion: Open Skate

WHEN: Sept. 28, 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.

WHERE: Tennity Ice Skating Pavilion

WHAT: Sports Journalism: Issues Beyond the Event

WHEN: Sept. 29, 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

WHERE: Newhouse 3, Joyce Hergenhan Auditorium

WHAT: The Border is a Weapon

WHEN: Sept. 29, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

WHERE: Nancy Cantor Warehouse, Point of Contact Gallery

Ritter announces updates to admissions at USen meeting

By Samantha Olander asst. digital editor

The University Senate discussed new changes to Syracuse University’s admissions process, including revised application questions and refocused student outreach, at their first meeting of the academic year on Wednesday. It was the first time the Senate met since the Supreme Court banned affirmative action from college admissions in June.

Gretchen Ritter, SU’s vice chancellor, provost and chief academic officer, said that prospective students applying to SU will now be directed to explain how they’ll contribute to a university community that is “welcoming to all” through a new revised admissions essay question.

The new question aims to maintain a diverse student body, and is one of several steps taken by a working group SU formed in anticipation of the affirmative action ruling. Ritter leads the group along with Senior Vice President and Chief Student Experience Officer Allen Groves.

“The work of this group will continue over the coming years to chart the path forward,” Ritter said. “We are taking numerous steps to ensure students from all backgrounds continue to apply and enroll.”

Going forward, the university will focus its undergraduate admissions and student outreach efforts on diverse populations by expanding its community-based organizations and recruitment of first-generation and low-income applicants, Ritter said.

The working group also examined SU’s legacy admissions policy and determined that no changes needed to be made to the policy as the university does not “simply admit” on the basis of legacy or family connection.

“Unlike the legacy practices of many elite universities, there is no set size or scale tipping in the admissions process at Syracuse,” Ritter said.

Ritter said legacy admissions are important in continuing a culture of diversity because stu-

dents of color with alumni relatives have a “deep sense of connection” to the SU community that can drive strong interest in attending SU.

At the Senate meeting, Chancellor Kent Syverud said SU welcomed 22,948 students for the fall 2023 semester, the largest undergraduate enrollment in the university’s history. Syverud said the university was “more selective in our undergraduate admissions” than it had been over the last 25 years.

Ritter also addressed SU’s recent drop in the US News & World Report college ranking. SU fell to 67th overall, down five spots compared to last year.

Ritter cited new changes made to the ranking’s algorithm — including the removal, addition and reweighting of factors like class size, first-generation student outcomes and social mobility — as key reasons for SU’s drop. Many other private universities like The University of Chicago, Dartmouth and Washington University in St. Louis also declined in this year’s U.S. News and World Report ranking.

“We will be judged on the success of our students expressed in terms of retention and graduation rates, especially for students from less privileged backgrounds,” Ritter said. “And regardless of US News and World Report, student success is a top priority for this university.”

As part of SU’s new Academic Strategic Plan, the university outlined goals to improve its national ranking among peer higher education institutions by 2028, among other long-term academic benchmarks.

To solidify the university’s commitment to student success, the Senate announced it will expand student success programs in SU’s Office of Academic Affairs. Ritter added that student success is and should be a top priority of the university.

Syverud also addressed the recent addition of Stanford University, Southern Methodist University and University of California, Berkeley to the Atlantic Coast Conference. He said the new additions will provide stability in the short term but require SU to develop a strategy in the long term.

“Given the continuing change coming in intercollegiate athletics, I think we as a university need to be prepared for whatever comes and we need to be strongly positioned to be prominent in sports, including academically,” Syverud said.

At the meeting, Syverud also affirmed that SU’s new Sustainability Oversight Council will ensure the university is on track each year to meet its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2032, eight years earlier than its original target. In April, SU moved its net-zero goal from 2040 to 2032.

The university replaced the John A. Lally Athletics Complex’s arena lighting, which will reduce carbon emissions by 141 metric tons a year, Syverud said. The exterior lighting in front of Smith Hall, the Hall of Languages and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs were also updated over the summer.

The university has plans to update lighting in the Shaw Quadrangle and main parking lots on North Campus. SU also plans to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions from SU’s science buildings.

Senators acknowledged throughout the meeting that SU faces significant challenges for the fall 2023 semester, including dealing with the SCOTUS affirmative action decision.

“There are issues facing our institution, such as the recent Supreme Court decision to not allow the consideration of race in admissions, other legislative efforts to constrain what and how faculty teach topics related to diversity and inclusion and the general antagonistic political discourse.” Agenda Committee Chair Kira Reed said.

Despite these issues, Syverud said he sees the challenges as an opportunity for SU to step up and lead in the face of adversity.

“This is a chance to really show the world, and certainly the higher education world, that Syracuse University really is a different place than others,” Syverud said. saolande@syr.edu

New addiction treatment center expands options in CNY

By Delia Rangel contributing writer

In an effort to combat the opioid epidemic and expand services for residents of central New York, New York state’s Office of Addiction Services and Supports opened an opioid treatment program in Auburn to provide “medical assessments, medication for addiction including methadone, counseling, and peer services.”

The new program is operated by Farnham Family Services, a private nonprofit organization that offers treatment services and education to combat alcohol and drug addiction. Doctors, licensed therapists, counselors and engagement staff work with the center.

The August opening marks progress in the state’s initiative to increase opioid treatment programs. The initiative hopes to address the ever-expanding need for treatment options in central New York, where individuals with substance use disorder routinely have to drive at least an hour to find care.

“We’ve only been open about a month and already I’ve had stories from people whose time to receive care went from two hours to 10 minutes,” said Mark Raymond, the medical services director of Farnham Family Services.

According to the Cayuga County Overdose Data Dashboard, 77.8% of suspected overdoses in Cayuga County occurred within the limits of the city of Auburn in August 2023. In Onondaga County, 1,663 overdoses have been reported so far in 2023, according to county government data.

This program is the first in Cayuga County to offer methadone, a treatment for opioid addiction that prevents intense withdrawal symptoms that often hinder individuals ability to recover

Prior to the treatment center’s opening, the closest methadone providers were in Syracuse at Helio Health Inc and Crouse Health Hospital Inc, said Dessa Bergen-Cico, a professor in Syracuse University’s department of public health and coordinator of SU’s addiction studies program. Farnham Family Services offers treatment including methadone, which was previously unavailable in Cayuga County. courtesy of new york state oasas

announces new statewide actions to combat antisemitism

By Stephanie Wright news editor

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a new slate of executive actions to combat antisemitism on Sept. 19. The new actions, which are in response to President Joe Biden’s national strategy to counter antisemitism released in May, include initiatives for education, discussion and services for victims of antisemitic hate incidents.

Under the new legislation, Hochul’s office is set to create the New York State Anti-Hate Education Center, establish Annual Convenings, improve bias incident data collection and fund victim compensation services, according to a press release from Hochul’s announcement.

“As Governor of the State with the largest Jewish population outside the State of Israel, I feel a solemn responsibility to protect and uplift New York’s vibrant, diverse Jewish communities,” Gov. Hochul said in the release. “We will continue taking action to fight antisemitism and use every tool at our disposal to eliminate hate and bias from our communities.”

The Anti-Hate Education Center will work with officials from CUNY and SUNY, as well as the New York State Education Department and the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities, which Syracuse University is a member of. Through the education center, the state will host annual convenings to discuss matters of hate, with its inaugural convening in summer 2024 set to focus on antisemitism.

The center, through research and discussions, will develop curricula and training as well as provide policy recommendations to institutions across the state, according to the release.

Ken Frieden, the B.G. Rudolph professor of Judaic studies at SU, said it’s important to focus education initiatives on a holistic scope of Jewish culture rather than just targeting antisemitic incidents. While many education curricula include the Holocaust and materials about it, like the novel “Night” by Elie Wiesel, Frieden said, he wants to give less attention to acts of hate and instead focus on cultural and linguistic elements

In response to the affirmative action ruling, the Syracuse University Senate announced a new application essay question. cassandra roshu photo editor

Lieutenant Matthew Malinowski, SPD’s public information officer, said parking checkers are civilian workers who typically work in different “zones” across the city. Malinowski confirmed in an email to The D.O. that some of the city’s parking zones are “around the university property.”

Outside of the zones, SPD checks specific streets with a high rate of violations. The police department can also use a mobile unit to respond to parking violation complaints outside of areas that typically have parking infractions. Malinowski said that most cities will have limited parking based purely on space, but that the neighborhoods around the university have specific challenges of their own.

“The streets generally have to have (alternate side) parking because they’re not wide enough to accommodate parking on both sides yearround,” he said. “If vehicles are parked on both sides, it’s a challenge for us with emergency vehicles getting through and especially in the winter with snow plows clearing the streets.”

Daniella Le, a professional staff member at the Barnes Center at The Arch, said she had trouble figuring out how odd-even parking worked when she lived on Euclid Avenue as an SU student. Over two years, she said she received 20

from page 1 vigil

Craig Stone, SU’s associate vice president and chief of campus safety and emergency management services, said that he and Department of Public Safety Officer George Wazen recently spoke with fraternity and sorority presidents to provide them with safety information on how to keep their events, and their attendees, safe.

“We want to be proactive in sharing crime prevention education information because those things can help prevent things from happening,” Stone said.

Stone said the university has officers and traumainformed investigators to help prevent victims who share their stories from feeling traumatized again.

Some attendees shared their frustrations with how DPS has handled cases of sexual violence on campus.

“There is a very deep structural problem within the way that DPS is managing these assaults,” a member of BWSSU said after sharing her story. She called for DPS to implement better response procedures to help victims of sexual assault.

Attendees also discussed how the structures of powers, like DPS, can enable sexual assault perpetrators to take advantage of survivors.

“You still are going to be punished for coming forward or you’re going to be punished by the fact that you have to see your perpetrator walk down the Quad,” another attendee said. “You’re punished every day that you walk around with having something like that happen to you.”

Emma Herrero, a senior studying chemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences, said that the vigil was the first BWSSU event she’s attended.

“This is something that’s more real … because people are sharing obviously personal stories,” Herrero said. “It’s beautiful what they do.”

The vigil concluded with a moment of silence for survivors.

“For me, having these vigils is such a safe space in a way to make sure survivors feel comfortable telling their truth,” Rosen said. kaluther@syr.edu @kendallaluther

parking tickets between parking around SU and in the city.

In 2022, 47.6% of the tickets SPD issued near SU’s campus were related to odd/even parking violations.

There are legitimate reasons why people will purposefully violate parking signage, however, said Dr. Nazanin Ghaffari, an assistant professor in ESF’s Department of Landscape Architecture. Some could park illegally to reduce the amount of time walking to their home because they feel uncomfortable; someone else could do the same just to get their groceries inside quicker.

Outside of different types of travel, there’s also more overall travel happening in places like SU, Ghaffari said. She said universities tend to closely resemble small cities, filled with concert halls, religious centers, medical centers, restaurants, housing and stores.

“In terms of the number of trips that happen every day on campus, as opposed to the number of trips that happen every day in any part of Syracuse, I can assume there’s a potential for more violations, and then, as a result, citations,” Ghaffari said.

SU also acts as a hub of events that are not just for students, faculty and staff. The JMA Wireless Dome holds just over 49,000 people and hosts A-list celebrities like Elton John as well as SU’s football, basketball and lacrosse teams.

The sudden influx of people who don’t

normally park around campus can disrupt typical patterns of traffic and parking, Ghaffari said. SPD issued an average of 31.4 tickets a day near campus on days when Syracuse football played at home in the Dome last year, compared to 8.2 when the team was away for the weekend.

To solve issues with parking, Ghaffari said many college campuses work with local governments to make public transit more easily accessible for students.

SU currently has a partnership with Centro, the city of Syracuse’s bussing provider, that enables students to ride certain sections of Centro’s routes for free when they present their student ID. SU also has worked with Centro to enable the university’s employees to purchase bus passes “pre-tax.”

United Syracuse, a coalition of labor unions working on SU’s campus, created a petition at the beginning of the semester to address issues of parking on campus for students, faculty and staff.

The petition called on SU Chancellor Kent Syverud and Parking Director Joseph Carfi to rescind the 2023-24 staff and faculty parking fees and create a new committee to address campus-wide parking issues. The coalition also called on Syverud and Carfi to increase shuttle service on campus.

Roger Rosena, a member of Syracuse Graduate Employees United’s bargaining committee, said that while he can’t give an

exact number of signatures collected so far, the petition has been successful.

Both Malinowski and Ghaffari said the university area has a high population with not a lot of parking. Malinowski suggested that due to a lack of space, people may be more willing to take a risk and park illegally. However, he reiterated the importance of the regulations in place. Each bit of regulation, from odd/even parking to no parking areas, has a reason for being where it is, Malinowski said.

Malinowski added other factors, such as driver inexperience, could contribute to the high rate of parking tickets in the university area.

“A lot of people think, ‘what’s the harm in stopping from here to (the) corner?’ Well, that really prevents certain types of vehicles from making a turn on that street,” he said.

Brenna Stewart, a first-year graduate student at SU, said she was in a situation where she had to park in a spot where she knew it was illegal. She still risked it.

“I felt like I really didn’t have a choice or else I would be late to class,” she said.

While he said he tries to find a legal spot, Cavanagh said he’s been in the same position.

“It’s weighing the benefits of getting to class on time … versus the probability of getting a ticket,” he said.

kschouin@syr.edu @Kyle_Chouinard

“(The location) gives them more time with their family, gives them more access to treatment and increases the likelihood that they can get back to work and get back to their normal life,” Bergen-Cico said.

FFS has five locations in New York, including Oswego, Fulton, Mexico, Pulaski and now Auburn. The new center is located at 13 Chapel Street in Auburn, the same building as Nick’s Ride 4 Friends, a nonprofit organization with a similar mission.

from page 3 treatment from page 3 hochul

Nick’s Ride 4 Friends was founded in

honor of Nick Campagnola, a 20-year-old who died after a struggle with substance use disorder, according to the program’s website. The group takes a “boots-on-the-ground” approach for effective treatment, according to its website. The use of their “clubhouse” model allows individuals in recovery to be surrounded by peers and a support system as the organization concentrates on treatment, wellness and employment.

Nick’s Ride 4 Friends is non-clinical and does not provide methadone, according to executive director Ashley Moench. She said the probability of overdose is much higher when people don’t have access to methadone.

“It’s taken once a day so when people take methadone for the treatment of pain…they’re stacking it,” Moench said. The amount of misinformation about methadone and addiction treatment centers in general have prevented more of these programs from opening, Moench added.

Bergen-Cico said access to medications is crucial to overcoming opioid addiction. One of her studies, “Psychophysiological Sensing to Enhance Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Self-Regulation of Opioid Cravings,” focused on opioid use disorders and the behaviors associated with them.

“What it shows is how important this access to this type of medication is for keeping people

physically stable… and able to do the difficult work on recovery without being distracted,” Bergen-Cico said.

Raymond said FFS offers more than just medication — providers there also help with job searches, school enrollment and offer Narcan training, he said. The center prioritizes providing its patients with the individualized care they need to address different specific needs, according to its website.

“We’re all in this together, we’re trying to take care of people… the entire city is benefitting because folks are getting the treatment they need,” Raymond said.

dsrangel@syr.edu

of Jewish history.

“I think that you got funds to devote to help the situation of ethnic groups, emphasize the positive,” Frieden said. “Money gets money, invest the money in positive representation of ethnic groups.”

Asher Kriegel, an SU junior and member of Syracuse Hillel Center for Jewish Life, said he was gratified to see such state-level action taken against antisemitism.

Hochul’s actions also included investments in the state’s Division of Human Rights, Office of Victim Services, Division of Criminal Justice Services, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, State Police and Office of Mental Health. The investments target improving data collection of bias incidents and improving services and resources for those impacted by antisemitic bias incidents.

Within the Division of Criminal Justice Services, a total of $51.6 million will go to security measure improvements at places like community and civic centers, childcare centers,

cultural museums and other locations that could be vulnerable to acts of hate.

“Antisemitism continues to be an ongoing issue that often goes unaddressed in the US and to see a political figure take notice is a great step in the right direction,” Kriegel wrote in a statement to The Daily Orange. “51 million is a lot of money and hopefully it is all used in a meaningful way. However, money doesn’t often change the way people view the world.”

SU’s Department of Public Safety has reported two antisemitic bias incidents so far this academic year, including a report of

antisemitic graffiti found by a student on the 10th floor of Brewster Hall on Sept. 17. Five antisemitic bias incidents total have been reported to DPS dating back to the start of the 2020-2021 academic year, according to DPS’ bias incident tracker.

Asst. News Editor Faith Bolduc and Asst. Copy Editor Kendall Luther contributed reporting to this story.

Be With Survivors SU created a safe space for sexual assault survivors during its candle-lit vigil, which was held to raise awareness about the spike of sexual violence on campuses in the fall. isabella flores asst. photo editor

‘Every Person, Every Family, Every Community’

By Sophie Szydlik digital managing editor

On their 28th birthday, Ashley Dickson was shocked. It wasn’t because they received an unexpected present or because a surprise party caught them o guard. It was because they were alive, and didn’t believe they’d be able to say that.

Dickson battled substance use disorder for many years and began their recovery journey when they turned 28. After dropping out of college at 18 due to excessive drinking, Dickson elevated her drug use from marijuana to harder drugs. Eventually, she developed an opioid dependency.

They recalled not caring if they lived or died and how, before dropping out of school, there was no one there calling them on their “bullsh*t.” More importantly, there was no one there to help.

“I had no concept of ‘after.’ There was no ‘after.’ There was death, and I was fine with that. And for a young person, that is such a profound

loss, to not have an idea of yourself beyond this moment,” Dickson said. “No one was there to tell me, ‘You don’t have to live like this.’”

Today, nearly nine years sober, Dickson strives to be the person they never had in college as the Collegiate Recovery Program Coordinator at Tompkins Cortland Community College and embody the ideals of National Recovery Month.

Since 1989, the month of September has been recognized as National Recovery Month. With the tagline, “Every Person, Every Family, Every Community,” the National Recovery Month organization raises awareness for the prevalence of addiction across the U.S. and how, in cities like Syracuse and beyond, recovery is possible.

For Dickson, spreading that message begins by talking. Funded by a special populations grant from New York state’s O ce of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), Dickson works with high-risk LGBTQ+ youth through the Collegiate Recovery Program.

“Recovery is for everybody but we are focusing on them because they are marginalized,” Dickson said. “They have higher risks associated

with having substance use problems, with access to care, all of these things tie in together.”

But instead of employing the rhetoric of the “War on Drugs” with their students, Dickson embraces a harm reduction model. With shame and stigma surrounding substance use, Dickson believes that merely telling students that drugs are dangerous doesn’t solve any problems — it just makes them more afraid to ask for help because they’re ashamed.

Raw stories and experiences are a more powerful teaching tool, Dickson said, and provide an authentic glimpse into the current risks within the substance use community.

“If there’s one thing we know, it’s that fearmongering and being like ‘if you try it once you might die’ is ine ective,” Dickson said. “I listen to the people … If you say you’ve seen fentanyl in your weed, then I believe you. Because not believing you doesn’t do anything other than put people at risk.”

For Barry Weiss, teaching undergraduates in the Renee Crown Honors Program at Syracuse University helps him educate students about treatment and prevention.

Syracuse native uses love for food to boost local businesses

By Olivia Boyer asst. culture editor

What started as an obsession with cooking shows and birthday cakes turned into a business for Syracuse local Julia Freeman.

After graduating from Niagara University, Freeman moved to downtown Syracuse with her now husband, Daniel Ostaszewski. When the pair went out to eat, Freeman shared photos of her meal on her Instagram. Before either of them knew it, those pictures

sparked a business, and SavorCuse was born.

“I like to cook a lot. I bake a lot. I watch Food Network. It makes sense that I was like, you know what, this is so alluring to me. I want to learn more and work with these people,” Freeman said. “I wanted to work in the industry without being an actual chef.”

Since 2021, SavorCuse has frequently highlighted local stores and restaurants in Syracuse. Freeman works with businesses by coming up with collaboration products and promoting their businesses while getting paid in exchange.

“It’s all mutually beneficial,” Freeman said. “I always say I need a T-shirt that says that. I use (that phrase) so much when I talk to businesses.”

SavorCuse started in 2021 through a collaboration with Hope Cafe, a nonprofit Peruvian fusion restaurant with several locations around Syracuse. Freeman worked with them to create a series of piethemed lattes that are still served today.

Many local restaurants, both in Syracuse and otherwise, are run by a small group of people. In these “oneman operations,” the fi rst thing to get deprioritized is typically social

media, Freeman said. She aims to fi x this issue, especially because Instagram is incredibly important when it comes to marketing.

Freeman works in marketing in downtown Syracuse full-time. She describes SavorCuse as a “passion project” that has become more influential than she originally thought.

Many of the businesses she’s worked with have emphasized what a giver Freeman is, and how much SavorCuse impacted their business. Azella Alvarez, owner of the Filipino fusion restaurant Oompa

Loompyas, has worked with Freeman multiple times.

“What makes me want to work with her is her willingness to help other people succeed. It’s not just about her. She’s always looking to promote that person and get to know them,” Alvarez said. Their most recent collaboration with Oompa Loompyas was based on ube, a purple root vegetable from the Philippines. Freeman went on a trip to Hawaii and became obsessed with the fl avor, pitching the idea of an ube milkshake to Alvarez.

nora benko illustration editor

After dealing with substance use disorder for many years, Ashley Dickson works to raise awareness for others who are struggling

Celebrate SU alumni weekend at these 7 events

By Nate Lechner culture editor

Through this weekend, Syracuse University’s alumni will return for alumni weekend, also known as “Orange Central.” Alumni will have the opportunity to attend events ranging from receptions in each home college to meetings with various oncampus organizations and a highly-anticipated SU football game against Clemson.

With a packed weekend, there are sure to be plenty of moments for SU’s past and present to connect this weekend. Here are six events to look out for during Orange Central:

50th and 60th Reunion Welcome Reception

Members of the class of 1963 and 1973 are invited to Chancellor Kent Syverud’s house to reconnect with their classmates.

Guests will be picked up from the Courtyard Carrier Circle, the Courtyard Syracuse Downtown at Armory Square and Residence Inn Syracuse Downtown at Armory Square at 4:30 p.m. Alumni staying at the Crowne Plaza will be picked up at 4:35 p.m. and Sheraton Hotel at 4:40 p.m.

Those who choose to drive should park in the University Avenue Garage and be picked up by a 4:50 shuttle to the Chancellor’s House. Business casual attire is encouraged and there is no price for the event.

WHERE: Chancellor’s House, 300 Comstock Ave.

WHEN: Sept 28 from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Senior Alumni Lunch

SU will host a lunch for those who graduated at least 50 years ago. Reconnect with old classmates, look at yearbooks and pose for fun photos with Otto. Special tables will be available for the milestone reunion classes of 1963 and 1973, as well as other classes returning to SU. There is a $10 cost for the event which includes a light lunch and desserts, co ee, tea and soft drinks.

WHERE: Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel & Conference Center, Regency Ballroom

WHEN: Sept. 29 from 12 to 2:30 p.m.

Art Museum Open House

Stop by the SU Art Museum and check out newly installed galleries along with selections from the museum’s collection of global art. Guests are encouraged to walk through the museum’s special exhibitions featuring the work of Peter B. Jones. Museum curators hold a pop-up tour at 3:30 p.m. There is no charge for the program.

WHERE: Sha er Art Building, First Floor, Art Museum

WHEN: Sept. 29 from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

CONCERTS THIS WEEKEND

Redgate

After taking their show on the road to The Lost Horizon last weekend, Redgate is back at the house this Friday. This show will feature a DJ set from Heathey J + Sammy J, then a set from Punk Musket followed by The Accountant and All-Thumbs. Message their Instagram for presale and address information.

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 29 at 10 p.m.

PRICE: $7 presale and $10 at the door

Syracuse Samplings

Stop by The Whitman School of Management to sample o erings from alumni entrepreneurs as well as local food and beverage vendors. From local brewers to barbecue joints, there is something for everyone to enjoy from many di erent alumnifounded businesses. There is a $10 admission fee for the event which includes food, beverages and a JMA Wireless Dome-approved game day tote bag.

WHERE: Martin J. Whitman School of Management, First Floor Flaum Grand Hall

WHEN: Sept. 29 from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

Forever Orange Friday

Head down to the Shaw Quadrangle for a casual evening of lawn games, a photo booth, caricature and balloon artists and more. Reconnect with your classmates to celebrate and create your reunion table. Guests are encouraged to dress as they did during their time at SU and be prepared to dance through the decades as a DJ will be playing songs for many di erent generations of SU. There is a $25 entry fee for adults who are attending and a $10 fee for those under 21. This includes dinner, desserts, drinks and an exclusive giveaway.

WHERE: Shaw Quadrangle

WHEN: Sept. 29 from 6:30 to 10 p.m.

Generation Orange Celebration

For those who graduated in the last 10 years, join

fellow alumni and the Generation Orange Leadership Council for a night of local snacks, drinks and a special photo opportunity with Otto. Those who attend will receive a special “Gen O” button and gift. Head in through Gate A of the JMA Wireless Dome to celebrate with your classmates.

A shuttle will depart from the Quad between Steele Hall and Heroy Geology Building to take you to your exclusive event at 8:15 p.m. Shuttles will depart from Gate A at 10:30 p.m. to take you back to your Orange Central hotel or the University Avenue Garage. Members of the class of 2023 can pay $5 to attend and everyone else must pay $11. This includes two drinks, an appetizer, desserts and an exclusive giveaway.

WHERE: JMA Wireless Dome, Club 44

WHEN: Sept. 29 from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Orange Central Tailgate

Get ready for the football game against Clemson at this family-friendly tailgate. Enjoy delicious food, lawn games, giveaways and a photo booth. Be sure to check out a performance by the marching band and a special appearance from Otto. Wear your best gameday attire and be ready to cheer on the Orange against the Tigers. There is a $20 entry fee for adults who are attending and a $10 fee for those under 21. This includes food stations, soft drinks, two drink tickets and an exclusive giveaway.

WHERE: Shaw Quadrangle

WHEN: Sept. 30 from 10 to 12 p.m.

Here’s what to watch at the 20th annual SIFF

By Teddy Hudson asst. copy editor

The Syracuse International Film Festival (SIFF) begins on Thursday, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The festival’s opening day will feature screenings of “The Cookbook,” a short fi lm set in central New York, and “Inside the Iranian Uprising,” a documentary.

SIFF will host a range of feature fi lms, documentaries and shorts across seven screening days over two weeks. The festival’s final event is on Oct. 7. The festival will also include appearances from notable figures like stand-up comedian Lisa Lampanelli as well as fi lmmakers Devanny Pinn and Michelle Romano. Actor Alec Baldwin will make an appearance on Sept. 30.

Ahead of SIFF’s opening day, here is a rundown of what not to miss on each of the festival’s seven days.

Thursday, Sept. 28

“The Cookbook” tells the story of a young man who takes over his family’s Lebanese restaurant in central New York after his father has a stroke. The fi lm will be followed by “Inside the Iranian Uprising,” which uses footage of Iranian protests to investigate the political upheaval in the wake of the death of Mahsa Amini, a woman who died in police custody after she was arrested for not wearing a hijab. “Inside the Iranian Uprising” previously appeared on PBS’s Frontline.

WHERE: The Tasting Room

WHEN: 5 to 7:30 p.m.

PRICE: $10

Friday, Sept. 29

Friday will feature a series of screenings and two Q&A sessions at the Redhouse Art Center. The festival will show “Aurora’s Sunrise,” a partially animated documentary about Aurora Mardiganian, a survivor of the Armenian geno-

cide who became a silent movie star. Attendees can also watch “Miles to Go Before She Sleeps,” a documentary that follows a retired teacher who fights back against a dog theft ring in China. The fi rst Q&A will focus on music and fi lm distribution with a panel that includes distributors Rob Schwartz, Tom Malloy and Ron Bonk. The second session will feature comedian-turned-life-coach Lisa Lampanelli in a discussion about her life in standup comedy.

WHERE: The Red House

WHEN: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

PRICE: $45 for GA or $75 for VIP

Saturday, Sept. 30

Join Alec Baldwin at Mohegan Manor in Baldwinsville for a Q&A session about his career in the entertainment industry. Baldwin will receive the festival’s annual Sophia Award, which honors outstanding creative achievement in independent cinema. His brother, Daniel Baldwin, is a past recipient of the see film festival page 7

Funk ‘N Wa es

A Syracuse staple since 2014, Funk ‘n Wa es hosts several performances this weekend. On Friday, guests can see rock bands Fowls, Professional Victims and Sound Discard. Come back on Saturday for Nathan Graham and special guest Ryan Holweger.

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 29, and Saturday, Sept. 30 at 8 p.m.

PRICE: $10

The Mudpit

Bandier students Nancy Dunkle and Bella Fiske will perform at student venue Mudpit this Saturday night. The event is pink-themed and guests are encouraged to dress for the occasion.

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 30 at 10 p.m.

PRICE: $7 presale and $10 at door

The 443

Head down to the 443 this Friday for a performance by Mike Powell and the Echosound. Returning to the venue for the first time since 2022, they will perform their American rock albums.

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 30 at 7 p.m.

PRICE: Starts at $28.67

Westcott Street Cultural Fair

Westcott Street’s annual cultural fair hosts local artists, food, music and more. Among the many artists performing at the fair are Joe Driscoll, The Blacklites and Quatro. From 12:30 to 6 p.m., artist performances will happen nonstop at all six stages at the fair.

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 1 at 12 p.m.

PRICE: Free

SU alumni retun to campus this weekend for ‘Orange Central.’ Events include dinner at the chancellor’s house and a tailgate. cassandra roshu photo editor

Weiss, who is the administrative officer for the Onondaga County District Attorney’s office and the vice chair of the Onondaga County Drug Task Force (DTF), uses his platform as a part-time professor in the School of Law to redefine the way substance use is viewed from a moral shortcoming to a disease worthy of treatment.

“When we (DTF) started in 2012, harm reduction wasn’t a concept. If a person went to seek help, they were told to go cold turkey, to quit,” Weiss said. “What people need to understand is that this is a disease, a lifelong battle … and brain waves are altered with opiates. They can’t go cold turkey.”

But, Weiss said that because of decades of stigmatized, failed recovery efforts, it’s going to take consistent, committed efforts to transform how our society views substance use disorder.

“We do have the resources here in Onondaga County to help people,” Weiss said. “But do we have enough? No.”

That’s why programs like the Collegiate Recovery Program and his class at SU on the opioid crisis in America are vital, Weiss said. The power of education and real, human stories from people in recovery are the strongest catalysts for evidence-based recovery, he said.

“Two years ago, many of my classes had about 15 students. Most of those students … knew someone who had been dealing with substance use disorder or had a loved one OD,” Weiss said. “Most of the students I see know it exists, but they don’t know to what level. That’s why we need to educate.”

That need for education exists beyond the bounds of Syracuse University and central New York, Weiss said.

Overdosing is the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18-49.

That places college students in a uniquely vulnerable position, Dickson said, because of the social culture on college campuses that celebrates recreational substance use. To assume students will never drink or use drugs because it’s “bad” is an unrealistic expectation. Young people need to be met where they are, they said.

“I never tell students, ‘You shouldn’t do this.’ Obviously, I wish you’d wait until you’re 25 to smoke weed so that your brain can finish developing. If you’re under 21, I don’t want you drinking,” Dickson said. “The reality of it is, college students are in the age range of experimentation. So a lot of the work I do is around making better choices.”

That requires a vernacular shift as well, Dickson said. Professors on campus should refrain from making jokes about students getting “wasted” at parties over the weekend and be more aware of the impact of their words, they said.

ing lasting change takes time, Weiss said. The stigma associated with substance use disorder can only be chipped away through stories of recovery and by viewing addiction as a treatable disease.

Onondaga County may be making strides to achieve this in Syracuse and beyond, but Weiss said there is still a long way to go and he will continue to work to support prevention efforts to save lives.

“I think we’ve only licked the surface of what we can do with harm reduction,” Weiss said. “We have to be aware that just like cancer could be in remission for a loved one and come back years later, it’s the same for substance use disorder. We need to support people without judging them.”

But beyond the public health considerations and treatment options, and behind each overdose statistic, is a person, Dickson said. A parent, child or friend who no matter what, deserves to live.

Alvarez and Freeman don’t just work together, they’re also friends, a common thread between Freeman and the businesses she works with. What makes Freeman such a likable sensation, both online and in person, is her dedication to her community. Freeman is truly a Syracuse local, and a supporter of the city.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 46 million Americans struggle with some form of addiction, yet only one in 10 people who need help ever receive it. With illicit fentanyl dominating the drug supply, overdose rates have reached record highs in recent years.

owners are some of the most invested in the local community you can get.”

Freeman has loved wild flavor combinations since she was young, frequently baking for her family. She claims that baking allows more freedom with flavors than cooking does.

“I started making all my siblings’ birthday cakes on their birthdays. I’d be like, ‘what do you want?’ And they’d tell me and I’d make something crazy,” Freeman said. “I still do that.”

Freeman’s currently working with the Syracuse food bank on a campaign where they create new food combinations for every month of 2023. This is just one example of Freeman giving back.

What began as a hobby is now an inspiration, both for Freeman and all the people around her.

“Some people are very negative about Syracuse, and I’m like you could be negative about Syracuse but why?” Freeman said. “It’s a huge up-and-coming city … we have a lot to offer and I feel like people need that reminder sometimes.”

SavorCuse has gone from pictures of food on Instagram to a business dedicated to uplifting the Syracuse community. From shopping locally to doing a cooking demo at the New York State Fair, Freeman is becoming a hometown celebrity by sharing her goodness.

“There’s this warped perception that if you can’t drink responsibly, then you can’t handle your liquor. And that’s like, something you should be embarrassed about,” Dickson said. “It’s like, you should get better at drinking, not that you should stop.”

But, similar to the AIDS epidemic, creat-

“The whole point of growing up is to have dreams and a future and what you want to do with your life … But when I was using, there was no dream. It was today and maybe tomorrow,” Dickson said. “I believe prevention and recovery is this idea for you to live, to dream. Dead people don’t recover. That’s why it’s important.”

sophieszyd@dailyorange.com

“There’s so many organizations that are working to try to help, I find it uplifting that there’s so many people that are so invested in Syracuse,” Freeman said. “Small business

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film festival

award. Film icons Albert Maysles, Rob Reiner and Syracuse University alumnus Jerry Stiller have also received the award. There will not be a film screening due to the ongoing Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists strike.

WHERE: Mohegan Manor

WHEN: 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (cocktail reception)

6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (Q&A and Sophia Award)

PRICE: $30 for general admission, $45 for extra legroom or $60 for cocktail reception

Wednesday, Oct. 4

“The Black Mass,” filmmaker Devanny Pinn’s directorial debut, will be screened at Funk ‘n Waffles on Wednesday. The film is a horror movie set in Florida during the 1970s.

“The Black Mass” will be preceded by a Q&A with Pinn, who also co-produced the film and received story credit, and Michelle Romano, who co-produced and starred in the film.

WHERE: Funk n’ Waffles

WHEN: 6 to 8 p.m. (cocktail reception) 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. (Q&A and screening)

PRICE: $25 for general admission or $60 for cocktail reception

Thursday, Oct. 5

The festival will showcase two films that focus on the LGBTQ community at The Tasting Room on Oct. 5. The first is a short called “Identity,” which touches on cyberbullying and gender exploration. “Identity” was filmed in collaboration with real middle and high school students to tell their stories. The second, “This is Not Me,” follows two trans people who must navigate the Iranian court system to begin their transition.

WHERE: The Tasting Room

WHEN: 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

“She definitely bought me a lot of business.” Alvarez said. “I was lacking on the instagram page. She actually helped me build that so I’m over 2,000 followers, which for me is fabulous.”

oliviaboyer@dailyorange.com

PRICE: $5 (on sale from $10 until the day of the event)

Friday, Oct. 6

Buried Acorn Brewery will host a variety of screenings on Oct. 6. Titles include “Hope En Route,” a documentary short about a trucker during the COVID-19 pandemic, surreal animated short “Yellow Dove Aftermath” and “Are We There YET,” a short documentary about Christianity in modern America. The festival will also screen “The Nana Project,” the directorial debut of actress Robin Givens.

WHERE: Buried Acorn Brewery

WHEN:: TBD

PRICE: $30

Saturday, Oct. 7

The festival will wrap up with Horror Day. From 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., the festival will screen six Halloween-season classics like “Twilight” and “I Am Legend” at the Palace Theatre. Reckless Cinema, a film screening program curated by the Buffalo-based entertainment company After Dark Presents, will host the event.

WHERE: Palace Theatre

WHEN: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

PRICE: $25

Sharkey’s Banquets & Events will also host the festival’s high school film competition from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Former Syracuse University basketball player Mookie Jones will appear as a special guest. Mike Marano, a telecommunications professor at Cayuga College, will serve as the guest speaker. Local artist Mira Grimm will perform.

WHERE: Sharkey’s Banquets and Events

WHEN: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

PRICE: $10

ehudson@syr.edu

julia freeman started SavorCuse by putting pictures of food she ate at restaraunts on Instagram. She began posting in 2021. courtesy of julia freeman

There’s so many organizations that are working to try to help, I find it uplifting that there’s so many people that are so invested in Syracuse.

Julia Freeman owner of savorcuse

scribble

We do have enough resources in Onondaga County to help people. But do we have enough? No. Barry Weiss administrative officer for the onondaga county district attorney s office

By Jonah Weintraub columnist

It’s no secret that the United States is more or less defined by its own culture war, and has been for quite some time. Conflict between conservatives and progressives is rampant, but what gets lost in the endless game of tug-of-war between America’s two dominant ideologies is pop culture’s role in influencing political climates.

All forms of pop culture — from social media posts to new songs on the radio — can bypass the political messaging that so often eludes skeptical voters. With more simple delivery and less negative perception, pop culture figures are more easily able to speak to their supporters. In recent years, pop culture has been relatively progressive. Hollywood, major league sports, musical artists and more have been rejected by conservatives for their (candidly bare-minimum) progressiveness, but we’ve never seen those sides flip until now.

In the past year, conservatives started investing energy in making their culture a part of pop culture. Largely built out of contempt for the assumed chokehold liberals have on most major forms of media, right-wingers are finally having their moment in 2023. After years of grievances within their own social spheres, conservatives are exploring the agenda-pushing frontier that liberals have come to dominate.

It started with Bud Light. Back as early as April, conservatives boycotted the Anheuser-Busch beverage after transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney partnered with the company for promotions.

From there, the right-wingers went nuclear. There’s no way to pinpoint when, but somewhere along this timeline, conservatives realized that the very mainstream culture they mistrust could become their means of mobilization. With an army of online campaigners, Bud Light lost its spot as the best-selling beer nationwide – a position it had held for roughly two decades.

As the summer went on, this full-fledged boycott proved to be less and less of a fluke. When “The

Sound of Freedom,” a film with ties to QAnon about combating child-tra cking, hit theaters in July, it suddenly became one of the biggest flicks of the summer. It’s also worth noting that the film implemented a ticket-sharing technique that allowed buyers to give tickets to strangers.

The movie not only grossly misrepresented the “true story” it was based on, but used childtra cking as a way to easily deflect any criticisms of its bigoted roots into “not caring about children.”

The film got its target audience to unify behind its ideals en route to being the 10th highest-grossing project of 2023.

Similarly successful was country singer Jason Aldean’s track “Try That In A Small Town”: a rural anthem with not-so subtle anti-Black Lives Matter subtext and a threatening tone toward those who disagree. To double down, the song’s music video features footage from BLM protests. In the video, Aldean and his band perform in front of a courthouse in Columbia, Tenn., the site of a 1946 protest surrounding the lynching of a Black teen.

The track garnered little noise in May, but when the aforementioned video was put out, Aldean’s track skyrocketed to become his first number one song ever. That being said, this track still played second fiddle to one other.

Around early August, Oliver Anthony went viral for his acoustic, anti-government “Rich Men North of Richmond.” The track may have had the most unlikely ascension into a Billboard top hit ever, as Anthony had never released a charting song before then. The track was even an opening subject at the first Republican presidential debate. Anthony had fans convinced his track was a soulful plea for rural support. But instead, the song makes modern references to “welfare queens” and shockingly hilarious demands for the U.S. to protect miners and not just “minors on an island somewhere.”

“Rich Men North of Richmond” is the culmination of this summer’s conservative ambush into pop-culture – a phenomenon that was statistically quite successful. But with this change, we have to remember that it’s a facade. The same way “woke”

By Kaitlyn Paige columnist

New York City is romanticized like no other, and it’s easy to see why. Who wouldn’t want to work the job of their dreams like Carrie Bradshaw, spend their time hanging out with a group reminiscent of the “Friends” cast or dress like they’re Blair Waldorf sitting on the steps of The Metropolitan Museum of Art?

At Syracuse University, NYC is one of the most desirable places for students to move to after graduating. The reality of the city is that it’s only achievable by giving up a huge portion of your starting salary.

With rent prices at an all-time high and inflation rates rising, NYC is ranked the No. 1 most expensive city in the world with the highest cost of living. Kinara Orozco, a senior at SU who spent most of her life living in Manhattan, recently moved to California. The uptick in the cost of living was a main reason why her family moved.

“I liked the independence and responsibility of living in the city as a kid, but the rent prices became abnormally high for no reason, especially in downtown Manhattan, ” she said. She would see hundreds of people lined up outside to see studio apartments for thousands of dollars just for the chance to experience living in NYC, no matter the price.

The starting salary for recent college graduates in NYC is $55,100, while the median rental price for studios in the city is just under $3,300. With an average salary of $51,008, native New Yorkers are struggling to keep up with rent, forcing them to leave the city and retreat to places with a lower cost of living. More and more native

New Yorkers are being pushed out due to the high cost of living.

Tia Poquette, a junior policy studies major, has lived in di erent parts of the city throughout her life, from the Upper West Side to Brooklyn. She’s seen NYC change immensely.

“As prices are rising, I’m curious to see whether or not these family owned businesses I’ve known for years will still be standing in 10 years,” Poquette said.

Senior animation major, Luiz Guiterrez, prides himself on being a native New Yorker from the Bronx. He’s worried about how gentrification will impact the culture and people of the place he loves so much.

“In Brooklyn and Manhattan, it’s already happening. It hasn’t quite happened in the Bronx, but it’s getting there. I mean, they just started gentrifying chopped cheese,” he said.

NYC is an alluring post-grad destination for many reasons, and the plethora of job opportunities only makes the city more appealing to us students. But when considering a move, we should first seriously consider how draining the cost of living may be.

SU students who want to move to New York City should serve as an ally to its already existing communities. Supporting family-owned businesses rather than large corporations or taking time to get to know your neighbors’ culture and learn from their lived experiences are just a few ways to live out your NYC dream while being respectful to those who have been there all their life.

Kaitlyn Paige is a junior Public Relations major. Her column appears bi-weekly. She can be reached at kipaige@syr.edu.

media is criticized by the left for performative actions, this spike in conservative media is no more than a mission to pander to its audience. Most of pop-culture’s assets are solely intended to line pockets anyway, after all.

The real catastrophe here is that, so far, nonconservatives have been just as captivated by the fireworks. These types of trends can’t happen without the content escaping the echo chambers in which they were cultivated – which is what we see right now. Conservatives have always been sidetracked by the “liberal media,” but now we’re in the midst of a mutual rubbernecking that has us more

focused on winning the “culture war” than we are with discussing real political topics.

It feels as if we’ve filtered critical issues with a culture-shaped strainer, which is nothing more than a distraction.

It sounds stupid to say the key is simply to stop caring, but that’s ultimately what we must do. By directing our gripes towards low-hanging messages, the higher-up figureheads and promoters of the conservative ideology get heat o their backs. Jonah Weintraub is a junior broadcast and digital journalism major. His column appears biweekly. He can be reached at jsweintr@syr.edu.

Pieke van de Pas’ sharp offensive skillset fits in perfectly at SU

By David Jacobs staff writer

When Pieke van de Pas was named the best player in the ICC tournament — a local indoor field hockey circuit — her club head coach at HV Weert, Jules Smolenaars, wasn’t surprised. As a focal point of the team’s offense, van de Pas led her team to a final four finish.

Though van de Pas was used to playing on outdoor fields in the Netherlands, her offensive prowess adapted to the court seamlessly. She showcased the same smooth transition when moving from the Netherlands to Syracuse for her first year of collegiate competition.

So far in her freshman season at SU, van de Pas has averaged nearly a goal per game. She’s made an instant impact as a ball-dominant attacking midfielder equipped with a strong first-time shot. Her eight goals are tied for best on the team lead and rank second in the Atlantic Coast Conference. She’s played a pivotal role in helping SU earn the No. 10 spot through nine games.

At HV Weert, Smolenaars said he quickly identified van de Pas’ skills. Her former coach said van de Pas was “very aggressive and dynamic,” working hard to win possession. The pair also continuously worked on her backhand, one of van de Pas’ strengths. Smolenaars harped on the importance of timing and taught van de Pas to clean up her footwork.

“The more opportunities you have to shoot come off the backhand. If you use your time in your training with great efficiency, you can individualize shooting,” Smolenaars said.

Alongside her ICC tournament success, van de Pas performed well on the outdoor circuit with HV Weert. In 2021, HV Weert won the Royal Dutch Hockey Association First Division C title and earned promotion to the Promotieklasse — the second division of Dutch field hockey.

After her time with HV Weert, Van de Pas spent three years with VHMC MOP Dames 1. She emerged as a key member on the squad, said Mark Dekker, Dames 1’s head coach. Van de Pas was a consistent threat to opposing defenses, showcasing her signature backhand, he said.

“She can be a real killing machine with her backhand,” Dekker said.

Van de Pas also has the physicality to win 1v1s, Dekker said. Defensively, he said she worked well in systems that implemented a high press. Dekker also said van de Pas’ careful footwork

from page 12 fox

a 2:28:43 marathon to place seventh. Stoner’s finish set an American record, becoming the fastest female marathon runner under the age of 25.

“Everybody that (Fox and I) met with every day were on the cusp of something pretty cool at the national level,” Smith said.

In August 2021, Authentic Brands Group (ABG) bought Reebok from Adidas. Several months later in 2022, Fox and Smith, now an assistant at Ole Miss, chose to leave after Reebok’s leadership change. Given the team’s upward trajectory, both coaches were disap -

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rauch

that I had to adapt to, like playing with different girls every year.”

One of Rauch’s top moments in youth soccer came in May 2018 while playing at the DA Cup. Rauch received the ball at midfield and dribbled past five defenders, bursting toward the net. As the goalie lunged forward, she sent a rolling, right-footed shot that trickled in for a goal. Users on X, formerly known as Twitter, voted the goal as the best play of the tournament.

“One of Ashley’s best characteristics is her ability with the ball. She is skillful and able to make good decisions and solve problems when under pressure,” Puppione said.

Once she arrived at SU, Rauch played both midfielder and forward. Rauch said she isn’t physical, instead using her soccer IQ to focus on positioning and connecting with teammates.

Syracuse head coach Nicky Thrasher Adams said Rauch is a player who can attack off the dribble and set up teammates with her distribution.

Rauch only played three games due to a midfoot sprain her freshman year. Sitting on the bench with a boot, Rauch observed the difference in intensity and physicality between the club and the college levels. The injury gave her a better understanding of her teammates’ playstyle and Adams’ tactics.

“It was a surreal moment being able to just step on the field to help the team in that aspect,

helped with her positioning.

“Her aggressiveness suits outdoors better because indoors are a little more strict,” Smolenaars said. “You can use speed, power, and aggressiveness outside. She has extra capacity outside because she’s so fast.”

Despite spending her entire life in the Netherlands, Syracuse was a good fit for van de Pas. SU head coach Lynn Farquhar’s emphasis on

pointed with the abrupt ending.

“Honestly, we were rolling,” Smith said. “And I think if Reebok wouldn’t have gotten bought, we’d still be rolling.”

All of a sudden, Fox was available. And Syracuse had an opening. In August, former SU assistant Griff Graves departed for Pittsburgh. So, Bell hired Fox — the man he had worked under for 13 years.

Hehir described Fox and Bell’s relationship as “yin and yang.” Fox is more laid back while Bell was always the guy enforcing the head coach’s message.

During the spring of Bennie’s final season at Syracuse in 2017, he went through a slump. After experiencing the highs of winning a national title a

transition offense creates thriving opportunities. In the U.S. collegiate game, one that is far less passing oriented and more individualized, van de Pas’ shooting power and skills have been amplified.

Marielle Coolen, van de Pas’ daughter, said moving to the U.S. for college helped her daughter focus strictly on improving at the sport. When van de Pas was still in the Netherlands,

few years prior, Bennie said that he started doubting himself when races weren’t going his way.

Fox recognized Bennie needed to tweak his training. He let Bennie personalize his schedule. Bennie took things slower, skipping workouts when he needed and going on recovery runs during practice. Bennie said Fox’s willingness to adapt and listen helped him get back to where he wanted to be physically and mentally.

“I owe the entire development of my running career to coach Fox,” Bennie said. “You don’t always find that in a coach.”

For 13 years, Fox and Bell worked together, transforming SU’s program. Now, the two have switched roles. But their former players said their relationship won’t change.

she used to practice ballet and work jobs as a waitress and accountant. Coolen said the quality of hockey at HV Weert wasn’t as strong and that the U.S. is a strong place to develop.

“She fits perfectly in university sports because everything is so competitive between top teams,” Smolenaars said. “They play as if their lives are at stake.”

davidjacobs0247@gmail.com

Hehir has visited Syracuse multiple times since graduating. He’s caught up with Bell and met with players. He noticed the culture Fox implemented is “the same” as Bell’s. Bennie shared Hehir’s sentiment, citing his time with the program as to why Fox and Bell will maintain an unbreakable partnership.

“When coach Fox was (head coach), there was always more of a partnership as opposed to anything,” Bennie said. “There was not any kind of hierarchy to it. I feel like it’s going to be the exact same dynamic between the two of them.”people, so we do try to get them in when we can allow it,” Borth said.

ccandrew@syr.edu @cooper_andrews

but watching from the sideline was actually very helpful.” Rauch said.

Rauch returned to the team in 2022. She started in 15 of 17 games, helping the Orange achieve their best performance since joining the ACC.

“Getting injured at Syracuse three games into her first year was challenging,” Stewart and Kelsey said. “But it only increased her desire to get back in the field and contribute to the team.”

In her first full season, Rauch displayed her ability to find space and finish in the attacking third. Against Merrimack on Sept. 4, 2022, Rauch was first to a cross from former Syracuse player Koby Commandant, registering her first goal of the season. The second goal came in a 3-1 triumph over Miami three weeks later. Rauch found space while rushing toward the 18-yard box, receiving a through ball from Chelsea Domond, before scoring on a lob finish.

In 2023, Rauch has continued her strong offensive play. Rauch scored the first goal of the game on Aug. 27 in a 2-1 win over Binghamton. In the eighth minute, she received a pass from Erin Flurey and chipped the ball that went in the right side of the goal to give the Orange a 1-0 lead.

“Ashley is really good in space,” Adams said after Syracuse defeated Binghamton. “I feel like we can play her in multiple roles and she’s definitely an x-factor for us.”

jlu124@syr.edu

@kevlu0288

Ashley Rauch was overlooked because of her size while playing club soccer. With Syracuse, her IQ and technical skills are on display. joe zhao asst. photo editor

Pieke van de Pas honed her skills at multiple Dutch clubs over her teenage years. Now, at Syracuse, she’s utilized a deadly backhand to lead the Orange in goals. aidan groeling contributing photographer

Unforced errors, inexperience headline SU offensive struggles

By Dhani Joseph staff writer

Syracuse began its third set against Louisville on Sep. 22 with four straight attacking errors. Later in the set, Cherlin Antonio — SU’s kills leader — committed four attack errors in a row. They resulted in a season low eight points in the set. The Orange finished with 25 errors while losing in straight sets to the Cardinals.

In the following matchup against Notre Dame, offensive struggles continued to plague the Orange. Multiple times, they had two or more consecutive possessions with errors. They finished with 16 errors, recording nine points in the second set.

Syracuse’s (2-10, 0-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) offensive struggles have hurt its chances through the first 12 games. SU ranks at the bottom of the ACC in points (446), kills (348), assists (324) and hitting percentage (.101). It also has 235 attack errors on the season.

“It is something we’re working on as a team, reducing our unforced errors,” Syracuse head coach Bakeer Ganesharatnam said. “Because if we can keep our unforced errors minimal, we’re always going to be in the game. Because that means the other areas are stable.”

Syracuse has registered double-digit errors in every single contest this year, finishing with more than 20 in six. In its only two wins, SU still tallied more errors than its opponent.

With many injuries, Ganesharatnam has been forced to play people out of position. Ganesharatnam feels health has played a big part in SU’s miscues.

“If you have the same players playing out of positions, possibly from with injuries or coming out of injuries, to keep that mental stability throughout an entire match is a very difficult task,” Ganesharatnam said. “But I think overall, our players and our team is getting better with that.”

Greta Schlicter has been forced to play as an outside hitter, away from her regular libero

position. Standing at 5-foot-6, Schlicter is undersized for the new role. She’s found some success, managing nine kills against Iowa.

Antonio has helped carry the offensive burden as the injuries mount. Against Louisville, there were stretches where the ball was constantly fed to Antonio. She ended the contest with 11 kills on 34 attempts — a third of SU’s total attempts.

During a two-game absence for Antonio, Ari-

ana Joubert stepped up as a possible second option for Syracuse. Against Iowa and Morgan State, Joubert recorded 10 and 16 kills, respectively. The sophomore showed flashes, but in the following two games, Joubert didn’t record a kill.

Syracuse has struggled with its consistency.

In the third set against Morgan State, Syracuse went on a 3-0 run off back-to-back spikes by Joubert and a service ace by Mira Ledermueller.

The run put them up 8-4, but the Bears followed with a 5-0 run fueled by three SU attack errors.

The Orange won that match, but lapses in concentration have been a common theme in 2023. Syracuse still has 16 games left in the season. Once the Orange get healthy, Ganesharatnam expects pressure to be alleviated off the current roster, stopping the mistakes.

dhjoseph@syr.edu

Opponent Preview: What to know about the Clemson Tigers

By Anthony Alandt senior staff writer

Syracuse faces Clemson as an undefeated team for the second straight season. After rolling through nonconference play with a +134 scoring differential, the Orange enter Atlantic Coast Conference play just outside the AP Top 25. Head coach Dino Babers said on Monday that his team is ready, and that he’d been watching film since 2:25 a.m. that day.

SU is looking for its first win over Clemson since 2017, losing its last two matchups by a combined nine points. The Tigers enter the matchup with their worst start since 2014. Quarterback Cade Klubnik, who’s playing time last season forced out former top recruit DJ Uiagalelei, has thrown for 976 yards and nine touchdowns.

A win likely lands Syracuse in the Top 25 heading into a three straight road games — two of which look to be against top 15 teams — while a loss would bring the Orange’s losing streak against Clemson to six games.

Here’s everything you need to know about the SU and Clemson game on Saturday:

All time series Clemson leads 9-2.

Last time they played Syracuse entered Death Valley last year 6-0 and ranked as the No. 14 team in the country. It held a lead heading into the fourth quarter, 15 minutes away from snapping what was the longest home winning streak in the Football Bowl Subdivision at the time. In a move that caught the Orange off guard, the Tigers’ head coach Dabo Swinney benched Uiagalelei in favor of Klubnik. The No. 1 overall recruit in the 2022 class orchestrated a 15-play, 80-yard touchdown drive that took six minutes off the clock.

It was part of 17 unanswered points for Clemson, while the Orange’s offense went scoreless in the second half, ultimately falling 27-21.

“I guess we have to sacrifice a billy goat or something next time we play Syracuse,” Swinney said after the close win. “Crazy stuff happens when we play these dudes.”

In Babers’ eyes, though, Syracuse committed two costly penalties, including a late hit call on Caleb Okechukwu that allowed Clemson to continue its comeback.

The loss would kickstart a five-game skid for the Orange that landed them at 7-5. Garrett Shrader got banged up after rushing for a team-

high 102 yards and taking five sacks, leading to persisting injuries and absences throughout the rest of the season.

The Tigers report Clemson started its season with a stunning loss to Duke on Labor Day, kickstarting what has been a puzzling season for the Tigers. After easily handling Charleston Southern and Florida Atlantic, the Tigers welcomed No. 4 Florida State to Memorial Stadium. There was a chance for Clemson to correct its course and pull off a seismic upset. But the Tigers couldn’t convert in overtime.

They allowed a quick touchdown to the Seminoles, then failed to convert a wide receiver screen on 3rd-and-1. Klubnik had a man open on 4th-and-1, but his pass was tipped at the line, dropping Clemson to 2-2. Clemson still has two rushers that combined for 527 yards in Will Shipley and Phil Mafah, both of whom torched Syracuse last year.

“We don’t sit around acting like we’re the top team,” Swinney told reporters after the Tigers’ loss to Florida State.

The Tigers are certainly in a vulnerable position, but are relatively healthy and have hung tremendous wins on their nonconference opponents. They’ve also hung tight with two of the top teams in the ACC in the early stretch this season.

How Syracuse beats Clemson

Syracuse now has the entire week to gameplan for Klubnik. Shutting down Clemson starts with making Klubnik uncomfortable. He has the 39th-best completion percentage in the FBS this season, connecting on 66.2% of passes. He’s completed 25 or more passes at above a 60% clip in three games this season. SU’s defense has become the talk of the ACC, and despite staying healthy so far, it needs to make sure it doesn’t get exposed.

Though Purdue’s Hudson Card struggled throughout the Boilermakers’ loss to Syracuse, he made some quality throws to hit receivers who were wide open. Klubnik, and a talented crop of receivers, are going to find those holes more frequently. First-year offensive coordinator Garrett Riley is also going to have an astute game plan against Rocky Long’s defense.

Offensively, the Orange need to get their run game going early, unlike what they’ve done thus far this season. Becoming one dimensional at any point against Clemson is going to cost

Syracuse and lead to the Tigers exploiting what a weak nonconference schedule couldn’t. LeQuint Allen Jr. needs consistent carries and must be more of a factor in the passing game.

Stat to know: 4

Clemson’s defense has forced four interceptions through its first four games. Garrett Shrader has now thrown an interception in the last two games, including one of his worst throws at the end of the first half in Saturday’s win over Army. He’s also seen much more pressure and his sacks increase as Orange are down two potential starting offensive linemen.

If Clemson is going to shut down the Orange on offense, forcing bad throws from Shrader is going to be part of the equation. Without Oronde

Gadsden II, Isaiah Jones and possibly Trebor Pena, Syracuse is entering its toughest game of the season with a thin receiving core.

Player to watch: Beaux Collins, receiver, No. 80

In his third season with Clemson, Collins has quickly emerged as one of Klubnik’s top receiving options. Swinney said after the loss to FSU that Antonio Williams, who has 145 receiving yards and two touchdowns, is going to be dayto-day. Collins has a team-leading 226 yards and 17 receptions with a touchdown, and he’ll likely see the bulk of the targets outside of the Tigers’ running backs.

Syracuse has committed 235 offensive errors this season, while recording only 348 kills, which ranks 13th in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Through 12 games this season, the Orange are 2-10. jacob halsema staff photographer

volleyball

Though Syracuse hasn’t beaten Clemson since 2017, SU heads into Saturday’s matchup a perfect 4-0 while the Tigers sit at 2-2. aidan groeling contributing photographer

football

RUN IT BACK

In 2018, Chris Fox left for the Reebok Boston Track Club after 13 seasons and a national championship triumph with Syracuse. Five years later, he’s back home.

By Cooper Andrews asst. sports editor

Chris Fox isn’t one to give speeches. One of his former runners, Philo Germano, said stories need to be “pried” out of him. Yet, a day before the 2015 cross country National Championship, Fox fired up his team.

Syracuse’s men’s squad was packed inside a bus after taking a practice run. Then-sophomore Colin Bennie said Fox started talking about playing little league baseball. Fox explained how his mother used to shout profanities at the kids to get them to play better. Bennie remembered Fox ended the speech on a punchline “laced with expletives.”

“It was one of the only times I feel like we got that from coach Fox,” Bennie said. “It caught us all off guard, but got us so excited and so ready to just rip it the next day.”

That next day, Syracuse won its first-ever cross country National Championship, culminating Fox’s worst-to-first turnaround of the program. In 13 seasons, Fox developed 67 AllAmericans between cross country and track & field. In the 2018 offseason, he retired to lead the Reebok Boston Track Club after the company revived its running programs. He spent five years coaching with Reebok before the company cut back on its running shoe line. Then, on Sept. 14, Fox returned to Syracuse as an assistant coach. He’s now working alongside his former assistant, and current head coach, Brien Bell.

“I think for him, it’s like his dream come true all over again,” said former SU runner Martin Hehir. “I think he really enjoyed (coaching professionally) but at the same time, he just missed college coaching.”

Reebok pushed for both Fox and former Syracuse standout Justyn Knight to help kick-start the program. Fox accepted the position with Reebok Boston in July 2018 and was allowed to hire an assistant of his choice. He extended the offer to Adam Smith, an assistant coach with Fox at Syracuse for six seasons.

“We took the same attitude that we took in college. We wanted to be the best in the world,” Smith said. “When we first started, it looked like we had the resources and firepower (to do so).”

Fox and Smith utilized their SU connection to build Reebok Boston’s roster. Knight, Bennie, Hehir and Germano all signed with the club. While at Syracuse, Germano likened Fox’s coaching style to that of the professional environment at Reebok Boston.

“The fact that he was going to be somewhere running a program, that’s the only place that we wanted to be,” Germano said. “It was really the only option because once you’re around him, you feel the presence of someone who’s an incredible coach, incredible person. So, it’s just really hard to get away from.”

While running is more individualized professionally, Fox focused on implementing a cohesive atmosphere in Boston. Bennie said at Syracuse, Fox emphasized the team over each individual performance.

“(Fox) had a really good approach to just making sure that everyone felt like they were a part of something bigger than themselves,” Bennie said. “Everyone was in it together, working toward a team goal.”

At Reebok, Fox and Smith’s athletes competed in events “all over the world,” from the United States to Europe and Qatar, Smith said. He and Fox went to as many races as they could.

Fox’s experience made it an easy decision for all of them to join. Germano said it’s hard to “break the barrier” of post-collegiate running without a mentor like Fox.

Midway into Fox’s tenure, Smith said Reebok Boston took off. A few runners traveled to Chandler, Arizona, in December 2020 to compete in The Marathon Project. On the men’s side, Hehir and Bennie took home first and third place, respectively. On the women’s side, Syracuse graduate

see fox page 10

women’s soccer

While undersized, Ashley Rauch brings finishing skills to SU

By Kevin Lu asst. copy editor

Ashley Rauch was one of St. James Football Club Virginia’s smallest players. Her parents, Stewart and Kelsey, said their daughter was overlooked because of her size.

But in 10 years with FC Virginia (2011-21), her improvement was apparent. Rauch became a five-time Development Academy weekly

standout. She played in high-level tournaments for organizations like American Youth Soccer and the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. The events garnered the attention of college scouts, helping Rauch showcase her skills.

“Ashley stood out on the field with her ability to create goal scoring chances for herself and others,” said Bobby Puppione, FC Virginia’s Girls Academy Director. “She was always

very skillful with the ball, hard working without the ball, and was committed to both attacking and defending.”

Rauch worked her way from being undersized in her youth career to becoming a regular starter for Syracuse. She suffered a season-ending foot injury her freshman year, and came back strong in 2022, tallying two goals and two assists as a redshirt freshman. Now, she’s started in each of SU’s first 11 games in 2023, with aspirations of

making an impact in the nation’s top women’s soccer conference.

“Once I knew I wanted to play college soccer, ACC is known as the best conference,” Rauch said. “So I knew that obviously that was what I was going to strive for.”

Her club soccer career began at the age of 8 with the Southwestern Youth Association (SYA). But Rauch’s coach, Christian Cziommer, moved to FC Virginia after her first year on the team.

She followed him to the new squad. When Rauch started with FC Virginia, she said she didn’t know anyone on the team. She had to adapt to her new surroundings, learning different play styles and developing her soccer IQ.

“It was definitely a good experience and it helped me a lot,” Rauch said. “Because that’s what you do like you see in college, but growing up that was definitely something

chris fox (left) and adam smith (right) left Syracuse to helm the inception of Reebok Boston Track Club. Now, Fox has returned to SU as an assistant coach. courtesy of adam smith

I owe the entire development of my running career to coach Fox. You don’t always find that in a coach.

Colin Bennie former syracuse runner