4 4 29 14 cayuga collegian vol 60 issue 18 final

Collegian Cayuga Community College Auburn & Fulton, New York

cayugacollegian@gmail.com

Vol. 60 Issue 18

April 29, 2014

CAYUGABRIEFS Flowers for

Commencement

PHOTO PROVIDED BY SUE WITMER

For the first time parents and guests of graduates will be able to purchase flowers prior to CCC’s commencement ceremony outside Spartan Hall. A table will be set up with the following choices: • ½ Dozen roses $20 • 1 Dozen roses $25 • Open Faced Presentation Graduation Bouquet $30

Commencement Instructions ATTENTION GRADUATES ATTENDING THE CEREMONY ON MAY 18TH, 2014: Caps and gowns may be picked up at either bookstore between 9 am and 4 pm starting May 12 -May 15 or on May 16th following rehearsal. Hoods, cords, etc. will be given to students on the day of Commencement when they check in.

NEW myCayuga and Banner go live on May 27th!

Beginning on May 27th, the MyCayuga portal and SSB will both become one and will have a new, modern, enhanced look and feel!

The improvements include better navigation, powerful search capabilities, and improved aesthetics to enhance usability. The core functionalities that exist in both myCayuga and SSB will still remain the same, but all users will enjoy the benefits of the improved interface.

Cayuga Community College’s Fulton Campus in Oswego County recently celebrated 20 years!

MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE THREE

Cayuga CC adopts a new vision for future

By Kelsey Mclean, associate editor

The past two years have been a turbulent one for CCC. Financial windfall, political turmoil, even a bonfire of our one and only dorm has plagued our school in this past year alone. But with a new outlook on life and a new president, albeit interim, Cayuga’s staff has high hopes for the future.

Cayuga 20/20 is the premier end event for staff as they look toward the future and work on team building, bonding, and various other exercises meant to be bring the community together. The keynote was given by Gregory DeClinique, the new interim president, who acknowledged the turmoil of the

past years but also gave an optimistic outlook on the next. The addressed, which was attended by both the Cayuga and Fulton campus, vis a vis video chat, focused on creating more positive and proactive, building solidarity between staff, and working on improving attendance and graduation rates.

The last two are especially important, as the budget crisis had demanded sudden cuts in employment, which pitted unions against each other in hopes of keeping their heads off thee chopping block. Cayuga’s graduation rates have also been startlingly low, with a 26% graduation rate and

a 50% retention rate. That’s 11% below the state average and a point of contention in the administration.

Unfortunately, said budget crisis had put many of the plans to bolster this on the wayside.

But with a new president and a new game plan, complete with a new ‘super’ union to keep the staff on an united front, CCC is feeling fine and fancy free about the coming year. The tension has lifted, the air is cleared, and anything is possible.

Will the new dorm plans come to fruition? Will we finally get the football field we’ve always wanted?

Only time will tell.

Cayuga CC still working on 2014-15 budget

By James Granger, staff writer The 2014 spring semester is almost finished and the Cayuga Community College budget for 2014-2015 is reportedly also close to being finished. Interim President Dr. Gregory DeCinque says the 2014-2015 budget has already been submitted to the college board of trustees finance committee for review.

“The College will receive less state aid per student this year and the funding from Cayuga County will remain flat for next year’s budget,” said Dr. DeCinque. He says tuition is projected to increase by 2.8 percent or $110 for the next

academic year. He also says no cuts have been made and the overall budget should remain flat.

Dr. DeCinque says CCC operates from two different budgets. The first budget is called the operational budget which funds the colleges day-to-day functions. The second budget is the capital budget, which is the budget for buildings and maintenance. Despite a lack of state funding, Dr. DeCinque confirmed New York State has added $3-million dollars to the College’s capital budget to help with building improvements and new athletic fields.

“The College has received $3million dollars in its capital budget, but if the money in the budget is spent, the College needs to match the specific amount,” said Dr. DeCinque.

He says the total amount will not be spent all at once. The College has received a gift from Dr. Joseph Karpinski in the amount of $500,000.

This gift will go toward much needed athletic facilities. CCC’s men’s lacrosse team is forced to play their home games at Corcoran High School in Syracuse.

Future projects that will be looked CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER OF CAYUGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Hold your family close no matter what

By Danielle Skowron, editor-on-chief

OPINIONS Here’s how I see it!

Danielle Skowron

I took a small break from the paper this semester. I had written an article early in the semester about holding your family close and not taking them for granted because you never know. Moments after my plane home from Florida landed, I found out that my Grandma had been diagnosed with stage 4 lung, spinal and kidney cancer. I just had the most amazing spring break to have my whole world crash down around me. It’s been a long ride since that Monday afternoon. But one thing I’ve honestly learned is how valuable your family is and how much love one family can give.

My Grandma is a very loving woman and this shone through every day that I was up in the

The Collegian staff would like to encourage students to thank faculty and staff for their hard work this semester!

hospital with her. Even though she is in so much pain and has so much going on with her, every time I walked into her hospital room, she said to me “Hey Danielle, How is your day going?” My Grandma was in the hospital, fighting for her life and she still asked me how my day went. I spent many overnights with her and plan on to keep doing so while she is in the Matthew House.

I guess what I’m trying to portray to you is how valuable family is. I always thought my Grandma was going to be here. I never expected to watch cancer destroy her life.

My Grandma is the reason I love baseball, the reason why Christmas was always so special and the reason why my family has grown closer in

Cayuga CC 2014-15 budget CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE

at are new dorms since all the surrounding community colleges have student housing.

“Student housing will be funded through issuing bonds, which are the same way roads, bridges and other projects that are built; then the rent will go to pay the cost of the bonds that are sold,” said Dr. DeCinque. He stressed that student housing will be a future project, but the fiscal health of the College needs to improve.

When asked about the situation with funding from Oswego County toward the Fulton Campus, Dr. DeCinque said Oswego County is billed and pays for each student enrolled. He says what Oswego County does not contribute to is the capital budget.

Dr. DeCinque says talks are starting with Oswego and Cayuga County Legislators about changes in costs and revenues. The current lease on the old Fulton Campus still being paid until the lease is done April 1, 2016.

While New York State Aid and Cayuga County aid remains flat, the College has to contend with a unique problem that four year SUNY schools do not have to deal with.

“Four Year SUNY schools have employee costs covered by New York State, while community colleges

JAMES GRANGER - STAFF WRITER

PAGE TWO

the past three weeks. Our time on this world is short and limited. You have one shot to make it all count.

It’s scary to think about but this is exactly what has been thrown on my lap in the last three weeks. My eyes have really been opened. My family, your family, they are not going to be here forever. We should never take them for granted, like I did. I always felt like I would have many more days to visit my Grandma. My time is ticking down with her, but it’s not too late for you to take your grandma, grandpa or whomever out to lunch. Hold your family close, because in the end, they are always going to be the ones that love you no matter what you are doing and no matter what you are going through.

in the SUNY system have to pay their own employee costs,” said Dr. DeCinque. He says with the decrease in state aid and flat budgets, the College will have tight budgets for the next two years. He says he hopes in the future some regular full-time positions will be created for faculty, but adjunct instructors will still be called upon.

Dr. DeCinque says the College does have several goals to help increase revenue, enrollment, and improve the College’s fiscal health. Only nine percent of Oswego County students attend CCC while 28 percent of Cayuga County students attend CCC. Dr. DeCinque said he is planning to increase recruitment of students from Oswego County who attend CCC. This will include outreach to Oswego County High Schools.

On another note, Dr. DeCinque says vehicle leases have been renegotiated and the registrar office has assumed responsibility of a project, both of which he says will save the College money. Dr. DeCinque said the most important thing he wants to stress about the budget is, “I want to tell people the truth and not hide anything. If people know what is happening and support the college, then they will become invested in seeing the college return to financial health and prosper.”

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CCC’s Fulton Campus in Oswego County celebrates 20 years!

Cayuga County Legislature Chairman Michael Chapman addressing the audience. On the stage – Sue Witmer, Pat McCurdy, Maggie Killoran, Michael Chapman, Terry Wilbur, and President Dr. Greg DeCinque.

Fulton Campus 20 year anniversary committee members – Judy Campanella, Sue Witmer, Michael Fochtman (helper), Pat McCurdy, Joyce Crandall, and Louise Wilson.

Committee members – JoAnn Harris & Sue Witmer with the CCC Fulton ‘Center’ sign from the Holy Family campus.

Students and staff enjoyed a luncheon to celebrate Cayuga Community College’s Fulton Campus’ 20th Anniversary.

Thanks to Fulton’s Sue Witmer for providing the photos.

SERVING THE STUDENTS OF CAYUGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOR MORE THAN 60 YEARS!

PAGE THREE

Heroin overdose ends bright future for a college student

By K.C. MYERS, Cape Cod Times On a steamy July night last year, Lori Gonsalves watched a priest administer last rites to her son.

“It was like I was watching a scene from a movie,” Gonsalves said.

Later she called in a group of about 30 from Cory Palazzi’s Narcotics Anonymous meeting, who were holding a vigil outside Falmouth Hospital.

They stood in a circle around his bed.

“I wanted them to see this is what can happen if you go back to drugs,” she said.

Palazzi, 26, of Taunton, didn’t die.

He woke from a coma after almost a week. But he would never be the same.

Palazzi, former captain of the Taunton High School varsity baseball team and National Honor Society member, suffered brain damage from a heroin overdose on July 15.

Today the young man, who was once accepted into the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth’s selective nursing program, has trouble making decisions. He is legally blind because of cognitive impairment, and can barely grip a baseball because of compromised motor skills.

He walks with a limp, and speaks slowly, as if each word requires a moment of thought. All because of heroin.

“We want people who are using to know you cannot always be shot with Narcan and be OK,” said Gonsalves, referring to the overdose reversal medication. “You can overdose and have disabilities that will be there for the rest of your life.”

Palazzi lives with his mother and stepfather in Taunton, where the U.S. “drug czar” R. Gil Kerlikowske spoke recently about the need to stop the number of fatal opiate overdoses, which have exceeded 185 statewide between November and February not including Springfield, Worcester and Boston.

For every fatal overdose, there are an estimated 47 who survive, according to a 2007 report by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

No statistics exist on how many suffer a brain injury related to an overdose, said Rob Traister, director of communications at the Brain Injury Association of America.

Total U.S. emergency room visits related to drug use between 2004 and 2011 have risen 52 percent, or by about 844,000 visits, according to the U.S. Drug Abuse Warning Network, or DAWN. Alcohol, cigarettes and drugs cost America $510 billion in resources and lost productivity, according to a 1999 study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Lost productivity — that is, lifetime wages lost because of early death or acute and chronic illness or injury — made up two-thirds of these costs.

Palazzi falls into this category. He cannot work.

PAGE FOUR

Gonsalves said she avoids thinking of what her son could have been.

“I don’t look back; I just look forward.”

‘I WAS SICK ALL THE TIME’ Palazzi began using Percocet when he was 17. A doctor prescribed it after surgery on his shoulder.

“After the surgery, I couldn’t throw,” he said. Palazzi grieved the sudden end to his baseball future.

At college, he drank a lot.

“I was sick all the time from drinking, and so I took oxycodone to help me feel better,” Palazzi said. “It made me feel invincible.”

At one point, Palazzi said he would take up to 20 oxycodone pills a day, which cost several hundred dollars.

The need for money infected every part of Palazzi’s being.

“I stole my grandfather’s wedding ring and pawned it,” he said.

“He hurt the people he loved the most,” Gonsalves added.

Palazzi began using heroin when he was 21. By the time he was 25, he had been to 10 to 15 detoxification hospitals.

His stepfather is a middle school teacher, and his mother works for a home and auto insurance company.

Their health insurance paid only for five to seven days of treatment, Gonsalves said.

Now, however, insurance pays nearly all his medical bills, which easily have exceeded $500,000, Gonsalves said.

After each detox, Palazzi would come home to the same triggers and drug dealers. Last year the family decided to spend $7,000 out of pocket to send Palazzi to longterm residential care for 30 days at the Miller House, run by Gosnold on Cape Cod in Falmouth.

At first, it appeared the treatment worked, Gonsalves said. After the Miller House, Palazzi moved into a new sober home in Falmouth. But then neighbors complained about the sober home, and it closed abruptly, scattering Palazzi and other residents.

He landed at another sober house, this one in East Falmouth.

He relapsed once the night he left the first sober home, but because he was on Vivitrol, an opiate blocker medication, he could not get high and instead became violently ill, he said.

“That was the beginning of the end,” his mother said.

FROM REJOICING TO REHAB The second sober house had less strict rules than the first. About six weeks after getting out of the Miller House, Palazzi traveled to Taunton to visit his family.

He also bought heroin.

Back in his sober home, he locked his door.

“I don’t know why I used. I cannot remember,” he said.

“I remember waking up in the hospital with a ventilator down my throat.”

“His roommates knew he was up to something because the door was locked,” Gonsalves said.

They could hear him making

noise, like gurgling. Friends broke down the door and dragged him outside.

Because he was choking on vomit, someone turned him on his side and cleared his airway.

No one knows how long Palazzi went without breathing, but by the time Falmouth paramedics gave him Narcan, which displaces the narcotics from the opiate receptors in the brain, damage had already set in, Gonsalves said.

It generally takes five minutes without oxygen for permanent brain damage to occur.

“I got a call from his roommate,” Gonsalves said. “He said he was bad, not breathing.”

This was followed by another call, 10 to 15 minutes later, from Falmouth Hospital.

“They asked my religion,” she recalled.

For four or five days Palazzi lay in a medically induced coma.

Falmouth Hospital nurses and doctors were incredible, Gonsalves said.

They saved his life by icing down his body to reduce the swelling in his brain.

Gonsalves sat by his bed for days. She read him the book that was once his childhood favorite, “Love You Forever” by Robert Munsch.

“I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always, As long as I’m living My baby

you’ll be,” it begins.

One day Palazzi opened his eyes.

His family rejoiced.

He slowly regained some of his skills after another week in the hospital and months of rehabilitation.

Palazzi’s days are now spent going from speech to physical and occupational therapy, as well as substance abuse counseling.

Though his speech, vision and motor skills have improved, no one knows how much he will recover.

Palazzi still dreams about drugs “all the time. It’s in my unconscious,” he said.

He has not seen any of his dealers since July. But if he did, Palazzi would have one concise statement.

“Look what you did to me.

Addict?: CHAD will help you

By Chris Taber Allen, contributing writer If you know somebody that has been arrested on DWI or gotten a drug charge, hen you have probably heard of CHAD, an acronym for confidential help with alcohol and drugs. It is an outpatient facility with state and federal grant funding.

It is not just a court-mandated punishment for people who had a few too many before driving home from the bar.

This organization not only gives people an opportunity to become free from active addictions from heroin to cigarettes, it saves the lives of some hopeless addicts that otherwise could have easily died.

“We lose some every year,” said one counselor at the CHAD agency.

“Every time somebody that was in the program comes back and tells

me about all their successes, makes all the rest worth it. It happens more often than you might think,” said Dave H. another CHAD counselor.

Clients say they feel like they’re getting something out of the program. “I didn’t want to quit, but I knew something was wrong because I kept going to jail. I got clean over four years ago and I haven’t went to jail since,” said one CHAD participant.

If you or somebody you know is having a problem with alcohol or drugs, you can call the Cayuga County CHAD agency at (315) 2529786 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. They accept most insurance plans and bill on a sliding scale.

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Lady Spartans struggle with the bats SPORTS

Libby Marsden

The Lady Spartans struggled at the plate against the Lady Cougars of Genesee Community College on Sunday. The Lady Spartans lost the first game 10-0, and the second game 8-6. Katie Byrnes (Jordan, NY) went 2-4 with 2 walks, 2 stolen bases, and a triple, while Sydney Patzke (Phoenix, NY) went 2-6 with 1 walk, 1 stolen base, a triple, and 3 RBI’s.

SPARTANS DROP HEARTBREAKER TO JEFFERSON The Lady Spartans lost two heartbreaking games on Monday to Jefferson 7-8 and 11-14. Katie Byrnes (Jordan, NY) went 4-7 with a double and 2 triples, Libby Marsden also went 4-7 with a double and Meghan Feocco had a team high 4 rbi. This was the best hitting the Lady Spartans have had offensively and unfortunately they were unable to keep the lead against Jefferson.

LADY SPARTANS DROP DOUBLE HEADER TO NATIONALLY RANKED CORNING RED BARONS The Lady Spartans struggled offensively against the #5 team in the Nation who only allowed 1 hit in the first game which was a single

by Katie Byrnes (Jordan, NY) which became the only run after 3 walks in a row. Libby Marsden (Weedsport, NY) added a double in the second game while Sydney Patzke (Phoenix, NY) and Nikki Loveless (Port Byron, NY) scored the only 2 runs in the second game.

LADY LAZERS TOO TOUGH FOR LADY SPARTANS The Lady Spartans struggled offensively and were unable to hit off of Onondaga’s starting pitcher Brit Sears, giving Sears her first career no hitter in the first game with a 12-0 victory. The second game proved to be a much better match up for the

SERVING THE STUDENTS OF CAYUGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOR MORE THAN 60 YEARS!

Sydney Patzke

Ali Short Lady Spartans were they were able to score 6 runs, although losing 146. Ali Short (Port Byron, NY) had 2 doubles, and Sam Shaheen (Union Springs, NY) added another double.

PAGE FIVE

Cayuga Community College is pleased to announce the selection of three staff members as “Campus Angels”

by On Point for College. Nicole Adsitt, coordinator of transitional studies, Judith Miladin, recently-retired financial aid director, and Jeffrey Rosenthal, Cayuga’s vice president for student affairs, were honored as a top-three team from the organization’s network of 216 universities and colleges for their dedication and service to low-income and first generation students.

On Point for College Founder and Executive Director Ginny Donohue commends Adsitt, Miladin and Rosenthal for their service to and compassion for these underserved students, saying they “have been a consistent and dedicated liaison to On Point’s counseling staff, helping to resolve issues that impede the success of students.”

On Point for College was founded in 1999 from the trunk of Donohue’s car with the objectives of opening the door to higher education for the inner city youth; breaking down the barriers that hinder potential students from entering college; and providing support that empowers them to succeed. Today, the organization has 22 employees and 188 volunteers and counts more than 5,000 students among its clients — 2,254 of those are currently enrolled in college.

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“The foundation of community colleges is the commitment to access for all students who wish to pursue an education and expand their career possibilities,” said Dr. Gregory T. DeCinque, Cayuga’s interim president.

“That commitment aligns with the mission of On Point for College, and I am pleased this invaluable community organization has recognized three of our staff members for their collaborative efforts and support of students who wish to better their quality of life.”

On Point helps youth to get into college, stay there and succeed afterwards. Staff and volunteers help students complete forms and secure financial aid. They transport them to college, visit them as needed to help keep them on track, attend their graduations and assist with job searches. Campus Angels help On Point representatives to effectively assist these students as they work to overcome obstacles to obtain higher education.

Tiffany Rush, an On Point program director, describe the Cayuga team as being “instrumental in removing barriers that may be in place for these students and always lending extra effort to help work out the challenges our students face.”

Adsitt, Miladin and Rosenthal will receive their award at On Point’s 2014 Celebration on May 2 in Syracuse, N.Y.

PHOTO BY KELSEY MCLEAN

Three CCC Staff Members Named ‘Campus Angels’

Law enforcers visit CCC The Criminal Justice Club and CCC’s Criminal Justice Department recently hosted a job fair with Central New York agencies. This was just one of a variety of events planned for Criminal Justice Month by the CJ Club and its faculty.

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Students celebrate Earth Day by planting trees CCC students clear the Nature Trail located on the Auburn campus of old trees and brush, and then plant new trees in as part of Earth Day. Even interim president, Dr. DeCinque, helped plant.

SERVING THE STUDENTS OF CAYUGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOR MORE THAN 60 YEARS!

PAGE SEVEN

Shhhh! It’s a secret menu!

By Brittany Glassey, associate editor

ENTERTAINMENT

Album Review

The Martin James band recently released their EP, On Wounded Me.

By M. Seaman, contributing writer

Beat of a Different Drum...

Barely one year after entering the studio for his debut EP Born to Play, Martin James has emerged from the studio with his sophomore EP, On Wounded Me. It has a sacred remorseful tone of folk and blues. James says that this is due to both the things going on right now in his life and Eric Baldwin’s organ and keyboard skills.

Robert “Tim” Powers returns once again on bass guitar and Tim Brown sits in on drums.

“The band fits really well in the studio,” Powers said. “This sounds like an average studio cut but those who are in the know, it was a challenge and a rebirth in many aspects of the word.”

Over a decade ago, Powers was paralyzed from the waist down in an automobile accident that almost ended his music career. He learned to play an electronic drum set and now plays in four bands.

This recording was a challenge because the track required him

Here’s the Dish with Brittany Glassey Back In January when I was lucky enough to attend the Intersession trip to London.

I discovered an amazing store called Primark while out shopping in Oxford Circus.

The best way to describe Primark is that it is similar to Forever 21 but bigger and better. Primark offers fashion, accessories, home goods and pretty much everything a fashionista on a budget could want, for very affordable prices and good quality, too.

While I was in London I must have made at least three stops in Primark, it was our go to destination when we needed an outfit for our big nights out, our

to play acoustic drums. After a few moments of planning studio engineer and keyboard player Eric Baldwin rigged a modified set and recording area for Powers to play the drum tracks.

“The hardest part was making it all work right and remaining completely wheelchair accessible,” said Baldwin.

Using only the electronic kick mounted to an acoustic kit, Powers returned triumphant to the world of acoustic percussion.

“It opens up so many doors for me after ten years, now I have so many more choices,” said Powers.

On Wounded Me is to be released early summer 2014 as the follow up to Martin’s Cayuga Records 2013 EP release Born to Play and is currently in the process of finding a distributer. For more information on Martin James or to hear tracks from the new album go to http:// martinjames.webs.com and also visit www.fandalism.com/martinjames

day trips or even just when we needed to cure our need to go shopping. Not once in those two weeks did I walk out of this store empty handed. They were great with keeping the racks full and with all the latest trends on them, as well.

Now you may be wondering why I am telling you so much about a store that is so many miles away, well, last week it was announced that Primark will be opening their first store in the States. The newest addition to the Primark family will be located in Boston and is due to open sometime in 2015. The Boston store will be added to a long list of 250 Primark stores located in some of the greatest cities throughout the UK, Ireland, and Europe. While the wait might seem forever for the opening of Primark, it is sure to be a hit hopefully leading to an expansion throughout the States. Primark will be competing with the likes of Forever 21, H&M, Zara, and Top Shop but will have no problem doing well once Americans discover the amazing finds that can be found inside. While Boston isn’t in our backyard, I know I will for sure be taking a road trip when Primark opens next year. Until then though, while you can not make purchases online, unfortunately, you can hop on to Primark.com and see what they have to offer.

M a n y of us will pull up to a drive- thru look at the menu and order, but most of us are missing something, the secret menus.

The latest fast food chain to have their secret menu hit the web is Taco Bell and it includes some things you probably would never think to order.

Spice up a normal burrito with a chili cheese burrito, it is exactly what it sounds like. Next up on the secret menu is the Superman. The Superman is a burrito with normal,

cheesy double beef and adds potatoes, sour cream, guacamole and crispy tortilla strips.

To go along with the Superman they also have the Incredible Hulk, which is a five layer burrito with guacamole instead of the usual cheese sauce.

Next up is a Cheesy Gordita Crunch, while it can be found at some Taco Bell locations, it is still a secret item at most.

The Crunch consists of a hard shell placed inside a gordita shell with cheese in between topped with cheese and lettuce.

Also, not so secret any more is their new breakfast menu. So next time you visit taco bell try ordering one of the secret items.

E-surfers: avoid ‘Heartbleed’

By Kelsey Mclean, associate editor

We often forget that the Internet isn’t nearly as safe as we like it to be. Everything we upload onto the Internet, whether private or public, is permanent. Even if we delete it, that information will always be floating in cyberspace somewhere, just waiting to be cracked open by some ambitious and aspiring hacker looking for the jackpot. But it’s fine, right? Most Internet providers and services take great care in protecting their client’s identities. Sure, a glitch might happen here and there, but the server is usually airtight. Completely impenetrable. So it’s safe, right? Right?

Enter, the ‘Heartbleed’. The Internet’s worst nightmare.

The ‘Heartbleed’ bug is an exploit in OpenSSL that allows third parties to ‘trick’ the server into showing decryption keys in their data -important information that can reveal your personal information. Everything from your IP address to your credit card number can be uncovered with just a few quick keystrokes. Nothing is safe. It can even be used to steal your entire identity.

OpenSSL is a system used by many popular servers, such as Nginx and Apache, which are used in nearly every operating machine in the country.

More importantly, it’s used in many of the Internet giants-- Google, Facebook, the like -- that hold millions upon millions of their users’ personal data.

The amount of damage this tiny little bug could cause could be devastating...

if it isn’t already.

Perhaps most concerning, however, are the claims that the National Security Agency -- or NSA -- may have already known about this bug for months... and made no attempt to inform the providers or the public about it. While the NSA vehemently denies these accusations, Bloomberg claims to have been informed by two sources, who have chosen to stay anonymous, that say the NSA was fully aware of ‘Heartbleed’ long before it broke out to the public. The fact that they’ve lied before in similar circumstances doesn’t help their claim. However, it still remains to be seen if these accusations are entirely truthful, and thus should be treated with a grain of salt. For now, it’s just something to keep in mind.

At the moment, Heartbleed has been mostly taken care of. Programmers have created a fix to the bug and have closed the easily exploitable loophole for good. The internet, for now, can rest easy. It is still highly recommended, however, that you change all your passwords immediately. Someone out there, someone you might’ve never met, still might be clinging onto your old passwords. It’s not an easy pill to swallow, the idea that someone could so easily break into the system and steal every aspect of our lives, but it’s a fact of life in our information age. We can only hope that another ‘Heartbleed’ won’t come up again any time soon.

Fulton students in Dan Leo’s art class painted a beautiful mural.

PAGE EIGHT

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