9 29 2020 CAYUGA COLLEGIAN

A CONVERSATION WITH DR. BRIAN DURANT

By Michael Perry STAFF WRITER SEE PAGE THREE

Collegian Cayuga Community College Auburn & Fulton, New York

cayugacollegian@gmail.com

Vol. 67 Issue 3 September 29, 2020

CAYUGABRIEFS

CCC TO BEGIN SALIVA TESTING FOR COVID-19

SPARTANS IN PAUSE Spartan athletics has been put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic since last March 2020. The NJCAA and Region III has rolled out plans to play all of our varsity sports, (including ones that traditionally play in the fall and over the fall & winter), all during the Spring 2021 semester.

Coaches are working to maintain connection and engagement with their current student-athletes in our mostly remote environment while also recruiting for the 2021-22 class. There is a possibility that the Spartans will get to practice during this Fall 2020 semester once College administration approves them to do so.

We have several projects and plans to be completed during this pause…and we look forward to again represent Cayuga Community College on the courts and fields once it is safe to do so. We will also make attempts to keep you connected during this pause!

SPARTANS wear masks, wash their hands and socially distance as much as humanly possibly…GO SPARTANS…STAY STRONG & BE SAFE! —Pete Liddell, Director of Athletics

TESTING IS SET TO START THIS WEEK

By Jenna Fields, Associate Editor

PHOTO BY MARY G. MERRITT

Cayuga Community College administration announced recently they will begin surveillance testing for all staff, student workers, Lattimore Hall residents, and students who have at least one in person class on campus.

PRACTICING SOCIAL DISTANCING WHILE PRODUCING AN EPISODE OF NEED ONLINE HELP? THE NEW MEDIA SHOW: CAYUGA BYTES Students, still figuring out those online courses? Let us help! Join us at 11 A.M. Tuesday, Sept. 29, for Navigating Online Courses, an information session designed to help you succeed in the new online course format. Email leen@cayuga-cc.edu to register.

DIVERSITY DISCUSSION On Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 11 a.m. we’re hosting “Diversity Among Us,” a virtual conversation about diversity and how to improve your communication skills.

This will be an inspiring, friendly discussion about diversity in our communities. Email leen@cayuga-cc.edu to register.

Members of Assistant Professor Mary G. Merritt’s Broadcast Journalism class meet on Wednesdays in room T109 on the Auburn campus for instruction and then hands-on production work on reporter news packages as well as shooting on-camera material for the off-shoot of the student-run newspaper, The Cayuga Collegian, called CAYUGA BYTES. Left to right: Josh Hart, Pat Mahunik, Michael Perry, and working with the camera, Jenna Fields. The new episode of CAYUGA BYTES is up on YouTube featuring Michael Perry’s conversation with CCC President Durant. The Cayuga Collegian and CAYUGA BYTES staffs are looking for contributions from all Cayuga Students, faculty, and staff.

Join a production of CAYUGA BYTES! We record most Wednesdays often beginning at 3:30 P.M. Email the staff at cayugabytes@gmail.com.

DEADLINE EXTENDED

Cayuga Community College extended the deadline to apply to its Young Entrepreneurs Academy until Sept. 30!

This is a tremendous program that helps middle and high school students start their own businesses! Visit http:// ow.ly/LXNp50BsFUZ to apply, and email apoole4@cayuga-cc.edu with any questions.

WE WANT YOU! GET INVOLVED! WE TAPE MOST WEDNESDAYS IN T109 @ 3:30 PM, AUBURN

NO NEW INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE AT PRESS TIME.

Jenna Fields CO-EDITOR “Testing will help protect our campus community, monitor infection rates and help identify asymptomatic COVID-19 cases,” an emailed update from CCC President Durant read.

The email also reported that the pooled testing will be conducted just one day per week at each campus with the goal of testing half of the on-campus population.

There is some information you need to know before being tested. Individuals who are designated as ‘on-campus’ will be emailed instructions and a testing date and time.

Chief among these instruction is the importance of creating a COVID-19 surveillance account on-line. The registration of each individual tested will help identify each saliva sample. This account should be set up at least two days before your test date.

On the day of your test date you are required to bring a student ID and a smartphone to the testing site.

There are also some restrictions to know about before showing up. You must not eat or drink; including chewing gum, mints, or lozenges 30 minutes prior to testing. Do not smoke, vape, or use smokeless tobacco items 30 minutes before testing and lastly, do not brush your teeth three hours prior to testing.

To experience how testing will be done you can check out this on-line video at https:// vimeo.com/447268833/5229da41b6.

As results come in from the saliva pool testing, individuals who test positive will be notified and the proper actions will be taken. If there are any questions or concerns, feel free to email Cathleen Dottreer at cdottere@cayuga-cc.edu. As the college continues to conduct testing, The Collegian staff will follow along and continue to write about it. If anyone would like to share their feelings or thoughts about the subject feel free to contact us.

THE THE OFFICIAL OFFICIAL STUDENT-RUN STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER NEWSPAPER OF OF CAYUGA CAYUGA COMMUNITY COMMUNITY COLLEGE COLLEGE

CCC GRADS WIN EMMY AWARDS MAY I GO HIKING?

OPINIONS

HOW I SEE IT...

The Presidential election is fast approaching, and unless you live under a rock, you’re more than likely aware that it is Joe Biden (Democrat) vs Donald Trump (Republican). I’m not writing this to try and convince you to vote for one or the other. I’m writing this because in previous Presidential elections I have heard people say things belittling voting, as if it does not matter.

This could not be more untrue.

Obviously, different candidates have different policies and stances. For example, Biden is trying to expand health care and make it more affordable, while Trump is trying to remove the Affordable Care Act. So voting does matter because depending on who wins the election people’s health care will be directly affected.

A common saying I hear is ‘’all politicians are the same’’. While they certainly have similar mannerisms and characteristics, they are not all inherently evil, and to think so is extremely narrow-minded.

That is as if to say that all athletes are dumb jocks. Humans nature varies greatly no matter what profession or way of life someone chooses.

So, not all politicians are the same and whichever candidate is elected differ greatly.

The way I see it, more young people need to vote. Talking to your friends and colleagues about why they should vote is a great way to get people out there.

Registering people to vote is only part of the battle, as most people work on election day or have some other conflict that makes it difficult to get their vote in. It’s going to take a collective effort from people of all ages, but we need to work toward making voting something that everyone does, regardless of age or background.

—Michael Perry, staff writer

HAVE AN OPINION YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE? Send your submission to cayugacollegian@ gmail.com. Your submission must include the writer’s full name, college year and home town. Anonymous letters and letters written under pseudonyms will not be published.

For verification purposes, submissions must also include the writer’s home address, e-mail address and telephone number.

CAYUGA CLUBS! FULTON AND AUBURN CLUBS Please share your meeting times, events, and fund-raisers with The Cayuga Collegian We want to publish your news!

A graduate of the CCC Telcom Program in 1992, Pete Clark has been honored with an EMMY Award for his work as a senior audio engineer for the CBS Network’s television broadcast of the 2019 Master’s golf tournament.

Clark came to Cayuga through an articulation agreement with Cortland High School. He worked as Senior Tech Assistant in the Telcom Dept as a student and played for Cayuga’s basketball team. Clark has also served for many years as a valued member of the Telcom Department’s Advisory Board.

Another Telcom graduate, Jeff Stier of ESPN, another valued member of the Telcom Department’s Advisory Board, was honored with an EMMY Award last year for his work as Electronic Camera Person on ESPN’s broadcast of the 2018 US Open Tennis Championship.

By Michael Perry, staff writer Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic struck we have been told to stay home and only go out for necessities (groceries, medical emergencies, etc.). While this is true, spending at least 10 minutes out-

“Both Pete and Jeff work at the highest levels of their professions and are diligent and dedicated supporters of the Telcom Dept and its students,” said Steve Keeler, CCC Telcom Department Chairperson.

2 0 2 0 GRADUATE SIGHTINGS WHERE ARE THEY NOW? We want your help to find out how CCC 2020 graduates are doing and what they are doing! Please email photos and information to cayugacollegian@gmail.com

MEET THE COLLEGIAN STAFF Jenna Fields

Marc Baan

CO-EDITOR

CO-EDITOR FEATURE WRITER

Jenna Fields graduated last spring with a video production degree. Due to the pandemic, she decided to continue to take course at CCC until she transfers to a four-year college. Currently, she is involved in the college radio station, The Rat Guild, The Cayuga Collegian and its media show, CAYUGA BYTES. Jenna was the Neila Biden Journalism Scholarship winner for 2020.

Michael Perry

Marc Baan is a non-traditional student studying hard to begin a new career as a voice-over artist.

He spent the spring in Japan recording a multi-part documentary series on Anime called Anime in the Real World. You can find his series on YouTube. He attributes his success with the series’ production to many of the broadcast skills he learned in Mary Merritt’s Broadcast Journalism class.

STAFF WRITER

doors every day is an excellent way to take care of your mental and physical health, per the American Hiking society. So how does one social distance while hiking, and what other measures should we take while outdoors to help prevent the spread of COVID? For starters, check with your local government to see what restrictions they have in place, some areas are stricter about going out than others. At the very least you should be able to take your dog for a walk or go for a jog.

If possible, you should stick to hiking in your local area. When traveling to nature trails and parks that are not close by, try and make sure you are only traveling with members of your family or household. You are highly unlikely to catch the virus from simply walking, running, or biking past someone at a 6 foot distance (even if the person gets closer to you for a second) you’re not in contact with the person for long enough. So, there is not necessarily any need to wear a mask when going for a walk/run/bike ride if you stay 6 feet from people and are not stopping to chat. If you are going to stay in one place for more than 10 minutes with other people around, then you should be wearing a mask (even if the risk is lower outside than in an enclosed space).

Look for parks and trails that are not usually crowded or find times to go when crowding is minimal. Not only does crowding make it nearly impossible to follow social distancing, but it puts wear and tear on trails at a time when volunteer crews cannot be operating. Remember, trails do not magically appear and stay hikeable, that requires a lot of human labor.

Rather than getting upset that you cannot travel to anywhere you like, use this time to appreciate your local nature.

Upstate New York is beautiful this time of year. If you follow guidelines, the outdoors is a great place to be right now.

THE CAYUGA COLLEGIAN LOVES ITS READERS!

Email: cayugacollegian@gmail.com

The Cayuga Collegian welcomes letters from its readers. Submissions must be emailed to cayugacollegian@gmail.com.

Submissions must include your name, address and daytime phone number. All letters to the editor do not reflect the viewpoint of the Collegian office, its staff or advisor. All letters are simply the opinions of the writers themselves. All letters may be edited for content or length.

PAGE TWO

Marc Baan Jenna Fields Michael Perry Emily Lane Joshua Hart Patrick Mahunik Mary G. Merritt

CO-EDITOR CO-EDITOR STAFF WRITER PHOTOGRAPHER CONTRIBUTOR CONTRIBUTOR FACULTY ADVISOR

THE DROP OFF IS NEAR THE GLASS DISPLAY CASE NEAR T19 & T22

We are looking for more staff members!

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK AT WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CAYUGACOLLEGIAN

UNIFORM SUNY-WIDE SAFETY RULES DICTATE STRONGER PENALTIES FOR RECKLESS BEHAVIOR State University of New York Chancellor Jim Malatras announced stronger penalties SUNYwide for violators of COVID-19 safety protocols to for reckless behavior and non-compliance. Student violators now face immediate academic and housing suspension, as well as possible dismissal, and student organizations in non-compliance face a permanent campus ban.

“Intentional or otherwise, there continues to be some individuals violating these critical measures on campuses, increasing the chances of spreading the coronavirus and shutting down on-campus activity,” said Chancellor Malatras.

The new policy becomes effective on campuses no later than October 1, 2020 and remain in place until further action by the SUNY Chancellor.

INTENTIONAL VIOLATIONS OF COVIDPOSITIVE STUDENTS: For students who know that they have tested positive for COVID-19 or know they have had close contact to someone who has tested positive or been treated or is symptomatic for COVID-19, and then intentionally expose other students.

FAILURE TO SELF-ISOLATE: For students who fail to self-isolate (because they are COVID-19 positive) as directed by their SUNY campus or the State or local Department of Health.

FAILURE TO QUARANTINE: For students who have been directed by the institution or the State or local Department of Health to complete a quarantine (potentially positive because of a close contact with someone who is positive) period, on or off campus, and then engage in any conduct that would violate such quarantine order.

PROHIBITED ON-CAMPUS OR OFF-CAMPUS GATHERING (HOSTS): For students who host an on-campus or off-campus gathering of any size, whether indoor or outdoor, that violates campus policy and/or exceeds the current limitation published by the SUNY campus, Executive Order, or the State or local Department of Health.

PROHIBITED ON-CAMPUS OR OFF-CAMPUS GATHERING (ATTENDEES): For students who attend a gathering of any size (but not as host), whether indoor or outdoor, that violates campus policy and/or exceeds the current limitation published by the SUNY campus, Executive Order, or the State or local Department of Health.

VIOLATIONS OF FACE MASK AND SOCIAL DISTANCING REQUIREMENTS: For students found to have committed repeated and/or intentional violations of face mask/covering or social distancing requirements of the campus, Executive Order, or the State or local Department of Health.

CONTACT TRACING: For students who repeatedly fail to comply, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH CAMPUS HEALTH PROTOCOLS: For students who fail to attend at least two scheduled appointments, without sufficient excuse, to obtain diagnostic or surveillance COVID-19 testing under the campus’s published protocol, or for students who fail to submit their daily health screening via the campus’s portal for at least three consecutive days, the college shall undertake disciplinary action to enforce compliance, including interim suspension, or administrative measures to electronically deactivate card access and restrict access to any buildings with the exception of access required to obtain health care services pursuant to campus policy.

SUNY CAMPUSES SURPASS 100,000 CAMPUS-ADMINISTERED COVID TESTS THIS FALL State University of New York Chancellor Jim Malatras today announced that SUNY colleges and universities have eclipsed 100,000 total campus-administered COVID-19 tests for the fall semester.

Mirroring New York’s State’s success in stabilizing the virus, SUNY’s current overall positivity rate stands at 0.75%. Over the past week, just 0.4% of tests have come back positive.

Chancellor Malatras announced the testing milestone and updated positivity rate during a visit to SUNY Cobleskill—where aggressive testing, decisive, data-driven action, and widespread student safety compliance prevented a COVID-19 surge this week after elevated levels of the virus were detected through wastewater testing.

A CONVERSATION WITH CCC DR. BRIAN DURANT

By Michael Perry, staff writer

I recently got to have a conversation with Dr Brian Durant, president of Cayuga Community College. We spoke about why he loves being in Upstate NY, his thoughts on remote learning, and what makes CCC so great.

Michael Perry STAFF WRITER

For your entire life you have been living in Upstate, NY. What makes this such a great area to live in and what made you stick around?

‘Tm actually from Northern New York, closer to Clarkson and Potsdam, and I did my undergrad at SUNY Plattsburgh. After that I went to Grad School near the Capital Region in Albany where I was in higher education for years. So, it’s most of what I’ve known. It’s always nice to be near friends and family. I like being in the SUNY system as it has given me the opportunity to see different parts of the state.”

What makes CCC more connected to their local community compared to most colleges and universities? ‘’The beauty of community college is that

it has roots within its cities and towns that have become ingrained as part of the fabric of both education training and generally serve as a cultural hub as well. That’s one of the aspects of community college that I am most passionate about. Each of the colleges I have been at have their own identity. The reason being many of their students, programs, and services are organized and dedicated to regional need and interest. Cayuga for one has very strong roots in their community. Ultimately, the integration within aspirational goals of the workforce, arts community, and tourism community, leads me to believe the college has a role in collective visioning.”

If I told you 20 years ago that we would all be learning on a camera on a computer, what would you say?

“20 years ago, I myself was in college! I was at SUNY Plattsburgh in my 2nd year. So, what I would have told you then is that the use of computers and social media, in the early stages, was rea!ly taking off during that time.

Looking ahead, I would’ve probably said that I wouldn’t anticipate such a dramatic evolution.

However, not to long after, I myself was taking many graduate courses on-line and remotely, and using interactive video and technologies to engage in learning. So, for me, I feel very fortunate to have been both an educator and student, to have the experience of remote learning from both sides. I think this gives me an important perspective and I am continua Uy mindful of the responsibility that we have to support students. Not only with the educational process, but in the student support

Cayuga Community College President Dr. Brian Durant services process remotely as we!l. One of the things I am most proud of over the last 6 months, as the world has been evolving, is the innovation of our faculty and staff to support students in educational support services. We are continually committed to getting better, and working with students to figure out what is working and what needs to improve.”

FUTURE CCC STAFF CHANGES CCC leaders in several college areas are retiring over the next year. These well-deserved retirements leave us in a position to creatively reorganize administrative and leadership responsibilities in a fiscally sound manner that ensures the continued operation of all college areas. The impending retirements, and the effective retirement dates are: • As of November 1, 2020, Carla DeShaw will retire as Executive Dean of Community Education and Workforce Development.

• As of September 1, 2021, Jeff Rosenthal will retire as Vice President of Student Affairs.

In light of these impending retirements and the recent departure of Title IX Officer and Executive Assistant to the President Pam Heleen, the College will temporarily restructure several administrative positions. The following temporary restructure is effective immediately: • Dr. Cathy Dotterer will serve as interim

Dean for College Advancement and as Chief Diversity Officer. In this role, Dr. Dotterer will coordinate institutional planning and compliance with our COVID-19 response, continue overseeing Health Services, oversee public relations and marketing, and assist the Board of Trustees as needed. She will also assist the Office of the President in advocacy, government relations, resource development, and institutional compliance.

The Dean of Students position will be temporarily eliminated. Jeff Rosenthal will assume the duties vacated by Dr. Dotterer during this interim time prior to his retirement.

• Charles Romer has been promoted to Assistant Director of Human Resources and Title IX Coordinator. In this new capacity, he will act as Title IX officer for Cayuga and will expand his leadership roles within the Office of Human Resources.

— Dr. Brian Durant, College President

HANDY CCC RESOURCE LIST MEET CCC STUDENT

RESOURCE LIST (FULTON)

HOMELESSNESS, RENTAL ASSISTANCE, FOOD, SHELTERS: • Department of Social Services: 315-963-5000 • OCO Homeless Services, 315-342-7618 (24 hour hotline) • Catholic Charities: 315-598-3980 • Salvation Army: 315-593-8442 • Oswego County Schools are handing out free meals for your children: please look on your school’s website or contact them for distribution locations and times.

• Community Economic Relief Fund (United Way COVID-19 help with bills, rent and food) 1-866-211-9966 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (SHELTER, COUNSELING, GROUPS, AND HOTLINE): SAF: 315-342-1600 MENTAL HEALTH: • Oswego Behavioral Health: 315-326-4100 • Counseling & Healing Arts: 315-207-5438 • Integrative Counseling: 315-402-2946 • Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-597-8481 • NAMI Helpline: 1-800-950-6264 SUBSTANCE ABUSE HELP: • Syracuse Behavioral Health: 315-391-1691 (for immediate help w/inpatient) • Farnham: 315-593-0796 • COCOAA: 315-598-6707 • Harbor Lights: 315-963-0777 • SAMHSA (Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administrations) Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 HEALTHCARE NEEDS: • Urgent care: 315-592-3500 • Oswego ER: 315-349-5522

TRANSPORTATION: • MAS: 315-412-1340 (medical) • OCO: 315-598-1514 • Centro: students ride for free with I.D. • Fulton Taxi: 315-598-4797

RESOURCE LIST (AUBURN)

HOMELESSNESS, RENTAL ASSISTANCE, FOOD, SHELTERS: • Department of Social Services: (315) 253-1011 • Catholic Charities: (315) 253-2222 • Salvation Army: (315) 253-0319 • Community Economic Relief Fund (United Way COVID-19 help with bills, rent and food) 1-866-211-9966 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: 800-253-3358 or (315) 283-2030 MENTAL HEALTH: • Cayuga County Mental Health Center: (315) 253-0341 or (315)2 53-2746 • Cayuga Counseling Services/Sexual Assault Victims Advocate Resource: (315) 252-2112 or 315-253-9795 • Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-597-8481 • NAMI Helpline: 1-800-950-6264 SUBSTANCE ABUSE HELP: • Confidential Help for Alcohol and Drugs: (315) 253-9786 HEALTHCARE NEEDS: • Auburn Community Hospital ER: (315) 2557011 • East Hill Medical: (315) 253-8477 Close to Lattimore Hall TRANSPORTATION: • Centro of Cayuga: (315) 253-5765

SERVING THE STUDENTS OF CAYUGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOR MORE THAN 66 YEARS!

GREGORY KIESZNOWSKI

Telcom Music Production major Gregory Kiesznowski was on the Auburn campus last week and says so far his semester is going well. He says he is already in his second year at CCC. “It’s weird how times flies,” he said.

“Despite COVID, I have some good things happening for me.”

— Gregory Kiesznowski, CCC student

Kiesznowski says studying music hashsome limitations from a distance. “I can still get my music lecture classes on-line,” explained Kiesznowski. “Unfortunately I can’t be part of a Jazz Ensemble or play the guitar or anything like that.”

Despite COVID-19, Kiesznowski says there are some good things happening for him, “I have time to enjoy and really listen to music.”

He is hoping COVID-19 resolves itself soon so he can get back to playing gigs to live audiences.

Kiesznowski says his ultimate career goal is to own and operate a music studio.

He says he plans to transfer to a fouryear school once he graduates from CCC next spring.

PAGE THREE

PHOTO BY MARY G. MERRITT

CAYUGABRIEFS

What are you afraid of ?

What are you afraid of? Perhaps a bad grade on your mid-tem? The cop driving closely behind you?

Your parents when you get home late? All valid things to be afraid of, but all tangible things—all things you can see coming.

Marc Baan CO-EDITOR FEATURE WRITER

Now think of the things you can’t see. Things that move in the comers of your eyes. Sounds that come from nowhere. The touch on your arm from the shadows ... HOW AFRAID ARE YOU NOW?

If you’re brave enough, read this weekly installment of OUR SHADOW WORLD. We will explore the myths and urban legends of our planet. From the creatures your grandparents told you they saw in the war, to the things found on an abandoned VHS tape on the side of the road.

Nothing will be held back as we discover what people are afraid of in countries from all four corners of this world.

Remember, all myths and legends start with some strand of the truth. Now let’s see if they stay are true or just turn out to be a good story!

OUR SHADOW WORLD

SOMETHING FUNNY

SUBMITTED BY CCC STUDENT JOSH HART

SHARE YOUR FUNNY MEMES WITH US: CAYUGACOLLEGIAN@GMAIL.COM

For close to a decade, derelict boats have been washing up on the shores of Japan. There have been countless reports of ships of all sizes and in all conditions just appearing abandoned with no known explanation. Some of them have been found completely empty, while others have held the remains of their crew. What could be happening to cause so many ships to be abandoned in the deep ocean?

This phenomenon has been named the North Korean Ghost Ships. Since 2011, the Japanese Cost Guard has been reporting a surprising discovery on the coastlines of the nation.

Every year since, between 30 and 120 ships have been reported.

These ships seem to have been washing up before 2011, but the Japanese Government does not or is not willing to release any data.

Ships washing up is not a new thing, so what makes this so strange? First is the amount of wrecked ships. Since 2011, over 700 reported boats have appeared. That is an astronomical amount of wrecked ships under any circumstances. Second is where these ships apparently came from. Japan’s closest neighbors are Russia, China, South Korea, and North Korea. Every ghost ship that has been found has come from North Korea and only North Korea.

So, you might be wondering why are only North Korean ships washing up? That is where this mystery begins. As all of you are aware, North Korea is ruled under a Communist dictatorship. The rule of law of the Kims is so iron strong that many people of the nation do not have any freedoms.

This has caused much starvation and many deaths, and this might be a cause for the ghost ships.

Many believe that the amount of ships found may indicate they could be refuge ships. Almost all the ships were reported to be fishing crafts and many in the Japanese Government believe that the fishing boats were chartered to take people to freedom.

It makes a lot of sense unless you look at the Japanese stance on refugees. Although Japan is a UN head nation, Japan’s stance on refugees is not the most open. Now, since North Korea is a closed nation, those seeking freedom might not know that, but word always get around. Are the ghost ships refuge ships? It is not looking likely.

Then what about them being lost fishing boats? This has a lot more credence since many of them are fishing boats, but there are a few issues with this theory as well. Again, we must look at the amount. There is no way that many fishing ships were lost. The numbers ranging from 30 to 100 a year would have sparked some recognition on North Korean television, but as of this date North Koran has not recognized any missing ships. This might just be a propaganda ploy to show the world that nothing is wrong, but we will never get the truth out of the Kim regime.

What really is causing so many ghost ships to wash up in Japan might never be known but what is known is what has been found in those ships. Most ships have been found empty. No people, no crew, no nothing. Many ships still have equipment in them, but everything from the engine to the GPS is damaged and even destroyed.

Then there are some ships in which bodies have been found. This is where things get weird. Some of the bodies have been found in such a state of decay that there is no known way to recover a cause of death or any DNA. Then there are the ships that look like they have been in the water for years, but the bodies look like they have just died.

When a person dies at sea there are signs that show on the body. According to the Japanese Cost Guard reports, only a handful of bodies found in the ghost ships show those signs and the rest of the dead have been classified as ‘death unknown.’

This is a strange world with new discoveries made every day.

What is causing so many ships from North Korea to wash up on the shores of Japan might never be known. My advice to you is this, never walk alone on the cost line when there is a newly abandoned ship sitting in the sand. You just might become a member of its lost.

Filbert...

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER OF CAYUGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE