Cayuga Community College Auburn & Fulton, New York
Collegian cayugacollegian@gmail.com
VOL. 67 ISSUE 25 MAY 4, 2021
CAYUGABRIEFS
CAYUGA SOFTBALL SEASON STOPPED
CAP AND GOWN PICK UP - AUBURN
SUNY ADOPTS CDC GUIDANCE; EASES OUTDOOR MASKS
State University of New York Chancellor Jim Malatras announced SUNY campuses will adopt the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance to ease outdoor mask requirements for vaccinated individuals. Students, faculty, and staff on SUNY’s campuses who are fully vaccinated (two weeks following the final dose of any vaccine regimen) may now gather or conduct activities outdoors without wearing a mask, except in certain crowded settings and venues. The guidance is effective immediately for the final weeks of the spring semester and any upcoming summer classes on campus. Malatras says people who are not yet fully vaccinated must continue to mask up on campus with exceptions. Individuals not yet fully vaccinated are allowed not to wear a mask when they are in private residential or personal spaces; when eating meals on campus while seated; and when social distancing is appropriately enforced; and when by themselves. Masking is still required for all classroom settings.
GOVERNOR CUOMO TO RE-OPEN STATE FAIR; BUT REIMAGINED Governor Cuomo announced plans for the 2021 Reimagined New York State Fair. He says it a special end-of-summer celebration at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse from August 20 to September 6. Cuomo says the Fair will feature New York’s best food and drink, live music and entertainment, rides, and more in four different concurrent festivals that will take place exclusively in the outdoor areas of the fairgrounds. “I hope it can serve as a unique celebration for New Yorkers who have made so many sacrifices during this pandemic, while allowing visitors from across the state and the country to enjoy some of the best attractions the Fair has to offer with all necessary safety guidelines in place,” he said.
The Cayuga women’s softball team season has suddenly come to an abrupt end.
Caleb Roden STAFF WRITER
THANK YOU, LT. SCOTT SHAFT By Corinne Stevens, staff writer
“Like his father, law enforcement is in Shaft’s bones,” Professor of History and Criminal Justice, John Lamphere said of his colleague and friend.
Corinne Stevens STAFF WRITER “It is with mixed emotions that I announce the retirement of Lieutenant Scott Shaft,” announced Douglas A. Kinney, Director of Facility Services and Public Safety/Chief of Campus Police at Cayuga Community College in a campus-wide email. “While I am happy that Scott has decided to relax and enjoy his family and friends more often, he will be very missed by members of the Office of Public Safety and the entire Cayuga family.” Kinney says Lt. Shaft began his employment with Cayuga in 1990. At that time, Auburn Police Officers were contracted by Cayuga to perform security functions on campus. As most of you know, Scott began his career in law enforcement with the Auburn Police. “As the years progressed and safety issues became more prominent on college campuses, Cayuga decided to hire
their own Public Safety Officers to assist in their campus safety program. Lt. Shaft was one of the officers chosen to make the transition from contracted employee to a Cayuga employee of the Office of Public Safety.” “He epitomized what a true professional is. Scott did a yeoman’s effort, never seeking glory - just to do his duty.” said Lamphere. Lamphere says when he was a Cayuga County Deputy, he worked many years with Lt. Shaft during his tenure with the Auburn Police Department. “As a matter of fact, I also worked with his father, the late Carl Shaft of the New York State Police, and later a Town of Brutus Town Justice.” He said. Kinney says over the years, Lt. Shaft served the College and the Public Safety Office in many capacities including multiple levels of supervisor. He also says Lt. Shaft served as the Interim Director of the Office of Public Safety from 2012 until 2015 after which he worked to support many of the “behind the scenes things” required of a college Public Safety agency. “Scott, it was a pleasure working with you at APD and now at the College,” said colleague Marilyn Bergerstock. “Enjoy your retirement as it is well deserved!” Lt. Shaft will officially retire at the end of this semester. “If you see Scott around campus over the next few weeks, please wish him the best and thank him for his outstanding service to campus community,” said Kinney.
The Cayuga Softball Team was scheduled to take on Mohawk Valley Community College for two days of double-headers, first at home and then on the road. All games are canceled and considered forfeits.
PLUG IN YOUR LAPTOPS; PAY THE WIFI BILL — COMMENCEMENT IS LIVE MAY 23RD
By Michael Perry, editor-in-chief
Cayuga administrators have announced they are collaborating with an outside web company to present the Commencement ceremony meant to celebrate all graduates from the Classes of 2020 and 2021 with a virtual ceremony coming to you at 11 AM on Sunday, May 23, 2021.
Michael Perry EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
CAYUGA SPLITS FINAL HOME DOUBLE-HEADER By Caleb Roden, Collegian sports reporter and writer
LAST EPISODE FOR SEMESTER TAPES ON TUESDAY, MAY 4TH
“Our softball team started the season with nine players, and we always knew that if the team lost a player to injury, academics, eligibility, or any other reason, they would not be able to continue,” said Cayuga Sports Information Director Andrew Poole. Poole says due to privacy issues, he can not discuss the individual involved or the situation surrounding it.
PHOTO BY CALEB RODEN
This year students had to preorder their Cap & Gown bundles. Auburn Book Store Manager Julie Dyson says all students who are picking up have already ordered and there are no extras this year. The pick up dates this week are Monday, May 3 through Thursday, May 6. The hours are Monday and Wednesday, 10 AM to noon and Tuesday and Thursday, noon to 2 PM. The Bookstore is not open on Fridays and there will be no pick up hours. Tables are set up inside the cafeteria by the outside door immediately to the right of the Bookstore (facing the Bookstore). Students can walk up to the door and do not have to enter the building in order to pick up their bundle Dyson says the Fulton Campus staff are coordinating pick up on that campus.
By Caleb Roden, sports reporter and writer
The Cayuga Spartans baseball team split a double header with Mohawk Valley Sunday. Cayuga winning 6 to 0 in the first game and pounding 11 hits. With a lights out pitching outing from Brendan Williams for his second straight shut out only allowing two hits. The second game Cayuga came out scoring in the first inning but fell short after a valiant effort in the bottom of the 7th that produced
four runs before Mohawk closed out the game resulting in a 8-5 loss. As there Offence benefited from two errors quickly scoring runs to put pressure on Cayuga. The Spartans Are 12-14 overall and 11-7 in division play as they wait other contests to find out who they play for the first round of playoffs. Cayuga is sitting pretty in second place of division.
They say leading up to the ceremony on anyone can visit this virtual platform to sign a guestbook celebrating our graduates. Everyone is encouraged to share congratulations and well wishes with graduating students. On May 23, all guestbook entries will be live for graduates to see. In addition to the guestbook, there will be a live stream of the recordings on May 23rd at 11 A.M. The college will stream videos of Commencement speakers and the reading of the graduates’ names, giving you the opportunity to virtually attend Commencement. They says this will be an opportunity to connect and engage with graduates to make this ceremony as special for them as possible. Additional information about accessing the live stream will be shared as soon as possible. Email Cathy Dotterer or Elizabeth Gallo with questions.
THE OFFICIAL STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER OF CAYUGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE