College Life: Spring 2023

Spring 2023

college life

IT’S OFFICIAL: SUNY OSWEGO NOW RECOGNIZED AS A UNIVERSITY As of Jan. 1, SUNY Oswego is now formally recognized as a university.

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OswegoCollegeLife.com

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Deborah F. Stanley Gets Title of President Emeritus

The honorary title recognizes the 45-year career of Deborah Stanley‚ who served as SUNY Oswego president for for 26 years

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HAVE A JOB INTERVIEW COMING UP? Career coach and Oswego alum shares what you need to know

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STUDY: TEENS ARE DITCHING ALCOHOL FOR MARIJUANA A 20-year national US study shows a 245% increase in use of marijuana

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NEW PROF. AT OSWEGO: RONALD ALEXANDER Career of new department of technology professor is in high gear

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We’re actively looking writers interested in producing compelling pieces for local publications. Interested? editor@OswegoCountyBusiness.com.

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Courtesy of SUNY Oswego.

6 SCAMS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS TO AVOID P. 6

College Life is published twice a year by Local News, Inc., publisher of Oswego County Business Magazine. You can find us at 185 E. Seneca St., P.O. Box 276, Oswegoar, NY 13126. Copyright © 2023 Local News, Inc. All rights reserved.

Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto • Writers: Deborah J. Sergeant, Ken Sturtz , Steve Yablonski, Eva Briggs, David Nadelle, Mary Beth Roach • Advertising: Peggy Kain, Kim Micca • Art and Design: Kris Adams • Office Manager: Loni Zardus

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college life

• Spring 2023

Student Loans Forgiveness Still in Limbo

Supreme Court expected to hear arguments on the case Feb. 28

By David Nadelle

W

hile the fate of borrowers’ loan repayments remains in limbo until the end of February, experts are waiting with apprehension of what an upheld Supreme Court ruling will mean, not only for federal student loan cancellation, but for future

legal arguments on federal policy.

The Supreme Court will hear arguments on the legitimacy of President Biden’s plan to forgive up to $20,000 in student debt for federal borrowers making under $125,000 on Feb. 28. On Jan. 4, the Department of Justice (DOJ) submitted a filing to justify the legality of Biden’s program.

According to Business Insider, as part of its 86-page brief, the DOJ expressed concern that if the Supreme Court decides to stand by the 8th Circuit’s November ruling and invalidate Biden’s debt forgiveness program, it will set a bad precedent for future legal judgments.

The federal student loan forgiveness plan has been delayed since October due to

two lawsuits filed by GOP-endorsed groups.

The suits — one led by six Republican-led states arguing relief would hurt their states’ tax revenues and diminish the value of investments tied to student loans, and another by two student loan borrowers who did not qualify for the full $20,000 amount of relief — have been refuted by the Biden administration as baseless and politically motivated.

Complicating the state-led lawsuit — pursued by Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and South Carolina — is the involvement of a third party, St. Louis-based student loan company MOHELA, which has been dragged into the legal challenge by the state of Missouri. MOHELA, one of America’s largest student loan servicers, currently has a contract with the federal government to service student loans.

Missouri contends that MOHELA will lose money under Biden’s relief program because it will have fewer student loan accounts to manage, make less money and “will make it more difficult for MOHELA to make required payments to a state fund that helps its public colleges and universities,” according to Politico.

If the Supreme Court quashes this particular cancellation program and rules in favor of the plaintiffs in the two cases it is hearing in

February, it could have “startling implications” for future claims, according to the filing.

“Virtually all federal action — from law enforcement to collecting taxes to managing property — has some side effect on government finances,” the filing read. “If such side effects were enough to stand, then every state would have the right to challenge almost any federal policy.”

“Banks could sue anyone who causes financial harm to their borrowers, credit card companies could sue anyone who causes financial harm to their customers, and governments could sue anyone who causes financial harm to their taxpayers,” it adds.

The current student loan pause extension runs through 60 days after June 30, 2023, or whenever the lawsuits are resolved — whichever happens first.

If the Supreme Court decrees Biden’s loan forgiveness plan to be legal, the Department of Education can begin to process the 26 million applications it has already received and will re-open the application process, per Forbes.

More than 40 million borrowers are eligible to cancel up to $20,000 in federal student loan debt under President Joe Biden’s , according to an NBC report.

Story was reprinted with permission from the editors at www.gobankrates.com.

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college life

• Spring 2023

Former Interim SUNY Chancellor Deborah F. Stanley is surrounded by SUNY board of trustees after she was honored and appointed president emeritus of SUNY Oswego at the trustees Dec. 13 meeting in Albany.

Deborah Stanley Gets Title of SUNY Oswego’s President Emeritus

Stanley’s Achievements Highlighted

Several accomplishments have been included in the memorandum indicating Deborah F. Stanley to the title of president emeritus, SUNY Oswego. Among these accomplishments are:

The honorary title recognizes the 45-year career (26 years as president)of retired SUNY Oswego President Deborah F. Stanley

T

he State University of New York (SUNY) board of trustees adopted a resolution at its Dec. 13 meeting, bestowing retired SUNY Oswego President Deborah F. Stanley with the honorary title of president emeritus.

After serving as interim president from 1995-1997, President Stanley was appointed the 10th president of SUNY Oswego in 1997. She has served as a remarkable leader and transformative president for the past 26 years.

Prior to becoming president, she taught and earned tenure in the school of business and served as the vice president for academic affairs and provost, making her service to the institution span over 44 years. She retired in December 2021, before serving as interim chancellor for SUNY over the past year.

SUNY Oswego Officer in Charge Mary C. Toale said, “President Stanley›s legacy is ingrained in the tapestry of

SUNY Oswego. It is evident on campus, in the region, state and at the national level. It is also reflected in her strategic

Her leadership has influenced and uplifted many sectors beyond education including economic, political and social.

and thoughtful leadership as well as in her profound commitment to the power of education to transform lives.

She led the university with

passion and purpose, and her insight and vision laid a foundation for SUNY Oswego and future generations of Lakers to thrive well into the future.

Recognition of President Stanley’s steadfast commitment to higher education as president emeritus is a befitting honor.

We are proud to call President Stanley president emeritus of SUNY Oswego.”

James McMahon, SUNY Oswego College Council chairman added, “President Stanley has been an extraordinary and truly transformational leader for SUNY Oswego and its extended community. Her leadership has influenced and uplifted many sectors beyond education including economic, political and social. Receiving the distinction of president emeritus from the State University of New York board of trustees is a deserving capstone to her exceptional career and visionary, dynamic and highly impactful service to public higher education.”

• President Stanley served successfully for 23 years in her role as president, president, two years as interim president, and one year as interim chancellor of the State University of New York, contributing a total of 25 years of her career to the success and reputation of SUNY Oswego, 26 overall to the SUNY System as a steadfast and transformative leader, and more than 45 years of her career in service to SUNY and higher education in total.

• President Stanley further transformed the student experience on campus by establishing the Presidential Scholarship Program for outstanding academic achievers, the Possibility Scholarship Program for disadvantaged students in the sciences, and the pioneering Oswego Guarantee that promises necessary classes will be available for students to complete a degree within four consecutive years, enhanced in 2013 with the graduation ROI. • President Stanley led the creation of the School of Communication, Media, and the Arts and established the college’s original MBA program, alongside the creation of new, innovative, interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs instituted across the curriculum, while also launching the SUNY system›s first multiple-major co-op program and creating a WACE Merit Co-op Scholarship Program for SUNY Oswego students.

• President Stanley obtained the largest philanthropic gifts in SUNY Oswego’s history with a $5 million naming gift and a $7.5 million realized bequest, which was used to create the Marano Scholarship, now providing scholarships to 90 first-generation students per year, to further support deserving students’ access to SUNY Oswego, President Stanley launched and achieved SUNY Oswego’s Path Forward campaign from 2019-2020 to double the amount of need-based privately funded scholarships available annually from 220 to 440.

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Local Economy Needs Workers

Experts: It’s a great time to look for jobs in Central New York

replaced. In addition, manufacturing workers are needed locally, especially within computer and electronic products manufacturing.

STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) occupations are also growing locally.”

through MACNY which Wolken said are in big demand, especially in light of Micron coming to CNY. Wolken also said that quality control, electromechanical technicians, tool makers, maintenance mechanics, welders, and soft-

college life

5

examples include electricians, mechanics, and similar positions.

Pierce added that new apprenticeships include the IT and healthcare fields, plus there are vocational training opportunities in healthcare, transportation, and various industry-specific certifications.

Careers in healthcare at any level continue to be in high demand as the pandemic stretched thin an already understaffed industry. From LPNs to MDs offering specialty care, anything in the medical field needs more workers and will continue to for decades to come as the baby boomers continue to both retire from the healthcare industry and in general require more medical care as they age.

Michelle Jevis, co-owner of CR Fletcher Temps and CR Fletcher Industrials, both in Syracuse, said that this shortage extends to administrative workers in healthcare as well, including “general business support, accountants, and payroll within the business side,” she said. “Accountants

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

W

hether you plan to look for a summer job or launch your career, the Central New York job market is hot.

“Currently, it is a very strong job market for jobseekers in the Syracuse metro area,” said Karen Knapik-Scalzo, associate economist with the New York State Department of Labor Division of Research & Statistics in Syracuse. “The local economy is showing robust job growth across most of its industries and occupations.”

She noted that the Syracuse metro area added 9,500 non-farm jobs over the year ending in November 2022, which represents a 3.1% growth rate, and that the Syracuse metropolitan statistical area unemployment rate was only 2.5% as of October 2022.

“There is especially strong

HOTTEST SECTORS IN CNY ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD SERVICES HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL ASSISTANCE TRANSPORTATION AND WAREHOUSING PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS SERVICE MANUFACTURING STEM OCCUPATIONS

job growth in accommodation and food services; health care and social assistance; transportation and warehousing; and professional and business services,” Knapik-Scalzo said.

“There is also a growing need for construction workers, especially within heavy and civil engineering construction as aging infrastructure is

L TO R: Karen Knapik-Scalzo, associate economist with the New York State Department of Labor Division of Research & Statistics in Syracuse: “The local economy is showing robust job growth.”; Randy Wolken, president and CEO of the Manufacturers Association of Central New York: “Manufacturing and high tech are growing and point to a future with apprenticeship opportunities.”; Rachel Pierce, executive director of Workforce Development Board of Oswego County: “There are many opportunities in the trades in our local area.”; Michelle Jevis, co-owner of CR Fletcher Temps: “Companies are still trying to be flexible but more of them need people to come into the office.”

Randy Wolken, president and CEO of the Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY) in Syracuse, said that these opportunities “are increasing significantly as industries are looking to hire then train. Manufacturing and high tech are growing and point to a future with apprenticeship opportunities.”

Ju s t t h e t e ch s e c t o r alone offers about 20 different apprenticeship pathways

ware developers are in demand—and that these jobs will continue to need workers.

“There are many opportunities in the trades in our local area with options to join unions, municipalities, small construction companies, or large corporations,” said Rachel Pierce, executive director of Workforce Development Board of Oswego County in Fulton.

A few in-demand career

in any industry are always in high demand. Recent graduates tend to have good opportunities available.”

Although flexible and hybrid working arrangements grew in popularity during the pandemic, Jevis said that new applicants should remain open to in-person work.

“Companies are still trying to be flexible but more of them need people to come into the office,” Jevis said.

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college life

• Spring 2023

By Mary Beth Roach

T

hose who are fascinated by the skies won’t want to miss the shows being offered at the Shineman Planetarium, located at the Shineman Center on the SUNY Oswego campus.

Every Tuesday and Friday at 6 p.m., the planetarium staff offers free shows, each one ranging from 45 to 60 minutes with a question-and-answer session afterward, as time allows.

The Tuesday shows have a different theme each week, and the subject matter for the Friday programs changes each month, according to Natalia Lewandowska, planetarium director and assistant professor of physics at SUNY Oswego.

These programs will run for the duration of the Spring 2023 semester (Jan. 27 to May 12.)

It’s that Q&A session that Lewandowska finds especially enjoyable. “ The community has great questions about what’s happening in the sky,” she said, but sometimes they might be little intimidated to ask. However, she has found that after the shows, that trepidation breaks “After the shows, you see so many smiles,” she said.

The planetarium pro-

Planet Jupiter (with stripes); its moon Io (the small orb) and another moon, Europa (foreground).

Shineman Planetarium Offers Programs During Winter, Spring grams are very popular, she believes, because they help people understand what’s going on in the universe and answer many questions, including whether there other life forms out there and how humans evolved on this planet.

“I think a planetarium attracts so many people because it helps them with the

power of visualization to understand seemingly complex processes that are happening in space,” she said. Astronomy is actually physics, and physics is “highly stigmatized as being hard to understand,” she explained further, and a planetarium helps people to better comprehend.

The planetarium is located on the second floor of the

One tactic that has been used to get a student’s personal information is a phishing email that claims to be from the school’s “financial department.”

➊ FAKE CREDIT CARDS. Offers to apply

for the first credit card are tempting to many students. Not only could this create credit problems down the road due to unchecked spending, but some of the deals could be phony offers designed to access personal information. Research the offers from the credit card flyers and the banking institutions before applying.

➋ TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE APARTMENTS. It’s hard not to

jump on a convenient apartment so close to campus, especially if it advertises affordable rent. It’s tempting to hand over credit card information online to lock in a great spot, but it’s always worth seeing the apartment in person before a money transfer. This also applies to Craigslist and social media ads from other students looking for roommates.

Shineman Center and opened with the rest of the facility in 2013. The shows are projected onto its dome, which measures 24 feet in diameter and about 12 feet high. The facility has 39 very comfortable chairs that recline to a certain angle, allowing guests to truly appreciate the full effect of the shows. Additional floor space is available.

Admission is on a firstcome, first-served basis, and because the programs are popular, guests should plan on getting there a little early.

Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Shineman Center is located next to the Marano Campus Center, and parking is available at the C8 lot off of Washington Boulevard.

SCAM ALERT: 6 Scams for College Students to Avoid

C

ollege students spend money on tuition payments and school supplies as they prepare for the new semester.

However, scammers are taking this opportunity to try to steal some of that money through various schemes and scams.

One tactic that has been used to get a student’s personal information is a phishing email that claims to be from the school’s “financial department.”

Messages via text or email may appear, instructing the student to click on a link provided in the email and log in with a student username and password. Don’t do it; doing so could give the username, password or other personal information to scammers, possibly downloading malware onto the device.

The Better Business Bureau recommends watching out for these financial scams before heading into the new semester.

➌ ID THEFT. It’s a good idea to start

➎ ONLINE SHOPPING

➍ SCHOLARSHIP AND GRANT

➏ AWARENESS OF CURRENT

practicing healthy money habits, and one such habit is regularly checking your credit report for unusual activity and possible ID fraud. The official government website to do this for free is annualcreditreport.com.

SCAMS. Be wary of phone calls guaranteeing

help to reduce loan payments or offering a hefty grant. Search the company’s name online for scam alerts or negative reviews from other consumers. Read reviews and complaints about the company at BBB.org and contact the school’s financial aid office for advice and help regarding financing your education.

SCAMS. Online purchase scams can be especially effective when set up through social media platforms and apps. Be careful when it comes to too-good-to-be-true offers.

SCAMS. As tech-savvy as current college students can be, a surprising number of scams reported to BBB’s ScamTracker are from students who learned their lesson too late.

Use BBB’s scam tips to learn the latest trends and read local reports of specific incidents.

OswegoCollegeLife.com •

Have a Job Interview Coming Up?

Career coach and Oswego alum shares what you need to know

By Ken Sturtz

I

n t e r v i ew i n g f o r j o b s can be a confusing and nerve-wracking experience, especially if you don’t have much experience with interviews.

But with practice and preparation, you can put yourself in a much better position, said Mary Buske, a career coach with Suits You Coaching.

Buske, a SUNY Oswego alumna who regularly works with college students and recent graduates, offered the following advice:

Realize that expectations are changing It used to be that most employers insisted you to wear your Sunday best to an interview. The expectations regarding interview attire were already evolving, but the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated those changes.

Buske suggests finding out how people dress at the company you’re interviewing with and using that as a reference point. Different industries also have different expectations. A financial institution is likely to expect formal attire while a tech startup might be fine with casual dress.

“The more you can tailor yourself to who you’re interviewing with the better, even how you dress,” she said. “You want to make them see that you fit with their culture.”

When in doubt, business casual is usually appropriate. Dress pants with a blouse or sweater could work.

Be sure your clothing is clean and wrinkle free, and leave jeans and hooded sweatshirts at home.

“You’d rather be slightly overdressed rather than underdressed,” Buske said.

Expectations about piercings, tattoos and hair styles are also changing.

Ideally, you want your personal style to match the company ’s culture. Sometimes a company’s dress code will vary depending on whether a position is customer-facing, which is something to research.

Ultimately, if you feel like you have to hide something about your appearance to get the job, you may want to consider if you really want to work for the company long-term.

Use the job description to give yourself an advantage When scouring job listings, many people only glance at the lengthy job descriptions. But for college students especially, those detailed descriptions can be useful when preparing for an interview. If you think of the job description like a grading rubric for a college class, it can help make you feel more confident of success. “ Those are the topics that are most likely to show up in the interview,” Buske said.

R e a d through the job responsibilities in the job description and treat them like

Mary Buske

a roadmap to the job. Think of examples you can use to demonstrate that you have the skills or quali t i es t h ey ’r e looking for.

That preparation will automatically give you an edge and will show the employer you’re taking their hiring process seriously.

And it’ll mean you’re much less likely to be tripped up by an unexpected interview question. And don’t be intimidated if your experience doesn’t match up perfectly with a job description.

“A job description is, realistically, a company saying what their most ideal candidate would be,” Buske said.

“So, you don’t need to meet every single component of a job description.”

Remember that the employer needs to fill the position It’s easy to be intimidated going into a job interview. The

employer is the one setting up your interview and you’ll likely meet with several of their people.

“But they need to fill the job,” Buske said.

“The employer is not the only person who has power in the interview.”

It’s not just about a company deciding if they like you, she said. The interviewee has value and is an important part of the process. A better way to think of the interview is as a learning experience for you to find out more and decide if you like the company and the position.

It’s also important to realize that if an employer offers you a job, accepting the offer isn’t always the right decision. For college students in particular, getting a job offer can be extremely exciting and the temptation is often to say yes to the first offer that comes along.

“Just because you interview somewhere, and maybe you interview and get a job offer, it doesn’t mean you have to say yes,” Buske said.

Ask thoughtful questions during the interview Employers are often wary of someone in an interview who doesn’t have any questions. They might see it as a sign of disinterest or that you haven’t done your homework.

Asking thoughtful questions is a great way to show a company that you’re interested in them, Buske said, and it will help you make an informed decision. She recommends giving some thought to the things that are important to you and asking about them during the interview.

Suggestions include asking about the company’s longterm plans and, for college graduates, asking how they plan to train you for the posi-

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tion and help you grow in your new role.

Salary is an important consideration, but the time to talk about salary is generally when there’s a job offer on the table, Buske said. Asking about salary right off the bat could give an employer the impression that you’re only there for the money.

“You want them to really like you before you put your foot down on salary,” Buske said. “At that point they’re already envisioning you in their company.”

End on a positive note and be persistent Ending an interview can be awkward. A handshake is common but don’t worry if your interviewers skip it. The most important thing when leaving an interview is to thank everyone for their time.

A l s o , r emember that looking for a job is a process and getting a no doesn’t mean you’ve failed.

“Because you could have been candidate number two and they’re not going to tell you that,” Buske said. “You could have done everything right.”

People get better at interviewing with experience. If you find yourself continuing to struggle, practice as much as possible. Some people like to write out questions and answers, others prefer to talk things through with family members.

Buske said a career coach can be a tremendous resource and provide better feedback during mock interviews. Most colleges also make a career services center available to students. Take advantage of that resource. And don’t give up.

“Getting a job is a journey,” Buske said. “You’ve got to keep going even when it’s hard.”

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college life

• Spring 2023

The Value of a College Education

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

R

ack up thousands of dollars in college loan debt or get paid to take an apprenticeship?

On the surface, it appears a simple consideration; however, numerous factors play into the decision.

Many consider the college degree as a means of becom-

ing a well-rounded person, since the bachelor’s degree includes a general education core.

Of course, your aptitude, ability and interest play into what career you choose, and your career choice typically dictates what type of education you will need. But within those choices lies a myriad of possibilities. For some careers options, a bachelor’s or beyond is the industry standard.

But you have another option: apprenticeships.

“Apprenticeship or vocational training can provide the essential basis of knowledge and certification to obtain a meaningful career that can provide stability and self-sufficiency for the individual and their family, without incurring the financial often associated with college degree programs,” said Rachel Pierce, executive director of Work-

force Development Board of Oswego County in Fulton.

Oswego County Workforce New York Career Center offers programs and assistance for people who want to further or begin their career, including scholarships for eligible individuals seeking training for an in-demand occupation.

“One of the key advantages of apprenticeships is you’re paid for learning while you’re earning,” said Randy Wolken president and CEO of the Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY).

“It’s not learn-then-earn. It’s appealing for those who find great values in their careers.”

The high-tech manufacturing sector is a big part of apprenticeship programs.

Wolken said that opportunities abound for these positions.

“The tech sector has about 20 different apprenticeship pathways,” he added.

Many of these offer pay increases every six months while students learn and after 18 to 48 months, graduates typically can work anywhere they want with a nationally recognized credential. Along with their working experience, students complete 140 hours of classroom time, often in a partnership with a local college virtually or in-person or hybrid.

Oftentimes, some of the

credits can count towards a degree.

“We have plenty of individuals who go on to get a bachelor’s or Ph.D.,” Wolken said.

Many people assume apprenticeships involve only things such as pipefitting and plumbing. Although the demand for workers in these trades is high and the pay lucrative, these aren’t the only types of trades in apprenticeships.

“New York state has expanded the apprenticeships to different trades,” said Emily Cameron, assistant director of community education and workforce development for Cayuga Community College.

How about titles such as chef, dental assistant, counseling aide, financial services representative, software developer, junior accountant, library assistant, scenic artist, or visual and graphic arts associate?

“One of the things I love about Cayuga is we have a path for everyone,” Cameron said. “We are thrilled to have a variety of short-term training programs.”

The school also offers multi-year apprenticeship programs.

Apprenticeships are open to people of any age who have a high school diploma or GED.

Flexibility, Faculty Key to New SUNY Oswego IPS DFegree

W

hen SUNY Oswego introduced a new integrative professional studies (IPS) degree option in 2022, the opportunity to provide flexibility to working professionals as well as connections with helpful and knowledgeable faculty were two key points.

One of the first students in the IPS program, Emily Spath, can attest to those strengths.

Spath has worked the past four years as a teaching assistant in a middle school, but saw furthering her education as an opportunity to focus on a specific passion and purpose.

“I absolutely love my job, but have decided I would be a better fit in the counseling office than the classroom,” Spath said. “I want to be able to focus more on the kids than the curriculum.”

The flexibility of the IPS program was the biggest reason for her transferring into it.

“I work full time and have a part-time job, so I ran into some roadblocks with my oth-

er degree program, needing to take in-person classes,” Spath said. “However, once I looked at the program specifics, I became interested in the content as well.”

The program spanning disciplines and providing a customized experience mean “each student can tailor coursework to their needs and interests with the ultimate goal of being a more effective employee and colleague,” Spath explained.

Caring professors Working with top-flight and caring professors has also proven valuable, Spath said.

“I have found the professors to be very available and helpful,” she noted. “The program is new and the fact that professors are willing to find solutions to challenges in these early stages has been so helpful. I really appreciate the flexibility I have been offered.”

When Spath encountered some challenges in the fall

semester, faculty members were very understanding and accommodating.

“As an educator, I know how important it is to adhere to deadlines and hand things in on time, but I also know how important it is to be flexible and understanding that your students have lives and sometimes things happen,” Spath said.

The program acknowledges that many students bring knowledge and skillsets into their studies, but can help hone and expand upon these abilities to make students more prepared and well-rounded as they pursue their ambitions.

“Not everything I am learning is new to me because I have spent the past four years working in a professional environment, so I’m familiar with some professional practices,” Spath said. “However, it helps to have them reinforced. I appreciate being able to bring my personal experience and background into assignments and discussions.”

Emily Spath hopes to earn her IPS degree in December 2023, then continue into the SUNY Oswego master’s in school counseling program to ultimately realize the dream of becoming a school counselor.

Spath hopes to earn her IPS degree in December 2023, then continue into the SUNY Oswego school counseling master's degree program to ultimately realize the dream of becoming a school counselor.

About the IPS degree The IPS degree allows students like Spath to focus on topics that best align with their personal or professional journeys. It can bridge the gap for transfer students and professionals looking to finish their higher education by maximizing transfer credits and providing enhanced flexibility in how students take classes.

Particularly aimed at adult and working professional students, the degree is highly customizable with five main areas of study: communication skills; data analysis and project management; digital skills, self-management; and social structure and systems. Due to the wide variety of transfer credits allowed, SUNY Oswego offers both a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science degree.

The new IPS degree is also offered in an online delivery mode. Some in-person classes may be taken at the college’s Syracuse campus.

For more information about integrative professional studies, visit oswego.edu/ips.

college life

OswegoCollegeLife.com •

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

I

f you’re approaching your graduation, you may be considering a question facing many graduates: Do I pursue more education or start working?

If continuing your education means racking up more debt, working to pay it off may seem wiser; however, the more you learn, the more you’ll earn longterm.

“On average, the more skills, training or education someone receives, their wages tend to increase and their likelihood of being unemployed decreases,” said K a r e n K n ap i kScalzo, associate economist with the New York State Department of Labor Division of Research & Statistics in Syracuse.

This is because the additional education, particularly if it means specialization, can make your skills more valuable since fewer people have that expertise.

According to the New York Department of Labor, people with a high school

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More Education or Start Working?

Getting a higher degree may yield a higher salary but also a higher student debt. Is it worth it?

STUDENT WITH SALARY

diploma or GED earn a median weekly income of $820. Compare that baseline with that of people with an associate degree who receive $981.

That goes up to $1,400 for a bachelor’s degree and $1,731 for a master’s or higher.

These figures make it clear that more education means more money; however, students have to pay for acquiring that education. Unless you’re one of the rare students who receives a full scholarship (and only 0.3% of students do, according

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to the book "Secrets of Winning a Scholarship" by Mark Kantrowitz), you’ll have to pay a hefty amount for tuition.

The consideration of finances and acquiring additional college loan debt “is a definite reality for students,” said Keiko Kimura, vice president for workforce development and partnerships and head of the Cayuga Community College Fulton campus. “For us, we want to promote the idea that it doesn’t have to be an either or proposition.”

In workforce development, the school promotes flexible training so students can work full-time while furthering their education. Online and hybrid classes and evening classes often provide the flexibility students need.

“It doesn’t require giving up a whole lot of your free time,” Kimura said. “It’s designed to address this issue of having to choose between one or the other. As

an institution, we’re making great strides in providing flexibility for students to do both.”

Cayuga is also working with many entities in the community to cover fees and tuition for those who qualify and obtain grants to help with expenses. Kimura does not want to see finances as a barrier to students who want more training.

For those who decide to pursue their careers right away, the employment openings abound, according to Michelle Jevis, co-owner of CR Fletcher Temps and CR Fletcher Industrials, both in Syracuse.

“Recent graduates have good opportunities available,” she said.

Many companies offer tuition reimbursement as a means to attract new talent. Whether a certificate or credit-bearing classes, these opportunities add value to your resume.

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Officer’s Life-saving Work Honored

The quick, life-saving work of SUNY Oswego University Police Officer Eric Martin (center) earned honors during the 2022 University Police Awards, the highest recognition by the SUNY Police Chiefs Association, on Nov. 15.

Martin was one of six recipients of Life Saving Awards, dating back to heroic work on March 8, 2022. That afternoon, he was the first on the scene of a two-car accident at the intersection of Route 104 and Fifth Avenue near campus.

“The most seriously injured occupant was a 65-year-old male who was unresponsive with very shallow, labored breathing,” SUNY Oswego University Police Chief Scott Swayze (left) wrote in the nomination letter, praising Martin’s “swift and decisive actions” in saving the life of the man, who made a full recovery. On the right is retired chief Kevin Velzy.

Pastor John Parkhurst

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college life

• Spring 2023

As of Jan. 1, SUNY Oswego is now formally recognized as a university. This designation follows New York State Board of Regents’ new guidelines for what constitutes a university that require institutions of higher education institution to “offer a range of registered undergraduate and graduate curricula in the liberal arts and sciences, including graduate programs registered in at least three of the following discipline areas: agriculture, biological sciences, business, education, engineering, fine arts, health professions, humanities, physical sciences, and social sciences.”

Aerial shot of SUNY Oswego camput taken by videographer Jim Kearns.

Courtesy of SUNY Oswego.

OswegoCollegeLife.com •

college life

11

IT’S OFFICIAL: SUNY Oswego Now Recognized as a University

S

UNY Oswego is now formally recognized as a university.

The university will continue to be known as SUNY Oswego, but its official state education title will change from “State University of New York College at Oswego” to “State University of New York at Oswego.”

This legal name change, effective Jan. 1, was approved by last year by then-Interim SUNY Chancellor Deborah F. Stanley, who was delegated authority by the State University of New York board of trustees to take all actions necessary and appropriate to effectuate a university designation for eligible institutions.

“This formal designation appropriately represents who SUNY Oswego is today—a premier institution proud of its shared commitment to excellence and unwavering efforts to place student success at the center of all we do,” said Officer in Charge Mary C. Toale.

“Recognized officially as a university reinforces our institutional priorities; spotlights our high-quality, high-impact practices inside and outside the classroom; and underpins our mission to sustain our university and build a better world for future generations.”

This designation follows New York State Board of Regents’ new guidelines for what constitutes a university

Aerial shots taken by videographer Jim Kearns.

Photos provided by SUNY Oswego.

that require institutions of higher education institution to “offer a range of registered undergraduate and graduate curricula in the liberal arts and sciences, including graduate programs registered in at least three of the following discipline areas: agriculture, biological sciences, business, education, engineering, fine arts, health professions, humanities, physical sciences, and social sciences.”

SUNY Oswego’s College Council Chairman James McMahon said, “This designation speaks directly to SUNY Oswego’s vision to transcend traditional higher-education boundaries and serve students wherever they are in their personal journeys. It raises the SUNY Oswego reputation of quality and access to new heights and positions us to further grow our footprint; create and strengthen mutually beneficial public-private partnerships; and serve the wider community and regional workforce.”

In November 2022, SUNY provided official documentation to the New York State Education Department to change its institutional name to the State University of New York at Oswego (SUNY Oswego). The name change was formally acknowledged by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) in December.

“We are excited about the positive impact this designation will have on enrollment, our highly touted academic programs, and future undergraduate and graduate offerings,” said Scott Furlong,

provost and vice president for academic affairs and enrollment management. “Being recognized as a university will signal to prospective students and their families that SUNY Oswego is a forward-thinking, progressive university that continues to strengthen its curriculum and add innovative programs that align with industry and societal demand.”

Elizabeth Dunne Schmitt, professor of economics and faculty assembly chairwoman, said, “The faculty are excited to move forward with this university designation and as we continue to design and facilitate rigorous and engaging educational experiences at SUNY Oswego, including our support for applied learning in many forms (internships, coops, service learning, student teaching, civic engagement, and undergraduate research).

We remain committed to preparing students for continued success as professionals and or with further education after their graduation from SUNY Oswego.”

“Recognition as a university will continue to add to our global reputation,” said Joshua McKeown, associate provost for international education and programs. “SUNY Oswego is already a sought-after higher education destination for students and research partners around the world.

This designation and our proven track record for serving, supporting and advancing the international student population will help us grow our international presence at SUNY Oswego.”

college life

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• Spring 2023

FACES YOU'LL SEE International Student from Nepal: Oswego is ‘Accepting,’ ‘Supportive’

By Stefan Yablonski

S

UNY Oswego student Kaushal Joshi, 22, is from Nepal — he’s happy to call Oswego his new home.

He completed high school at St. Xavier’s College, Maitighar, Nepal, with a focus in biological sciences.

“I found out about SUNY Oswego while searching to apply for colleges as an international student from N ep a l ,” h e said. “Moreover, it was one of the five picks I had made regarding colleges application in New York state. I really liked how smoothly the whole application process went with Oswego as compared to other universities.

T h a t s ea l e d the deal for me.”

He came to Oswego in August 2019.

He is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree with a double major in anthropology and global and international studies.

He also works in the International Education and Programs Office, Admissions Office and is a previous Laker leader for orientation.

“I live on campus, as a Village community assistant, in the Village Townhouses,” he said.

“Based on my personal lived experience, I believe that most of the American students, faculty and staff I’ve met on campus have been pretty accepting and eager to help and support me,” he continued.

He recalled the very first group of friends he made in Hart Hall on campus —“they wanted to pronounce and say my name correctly, which I found pretty respectful and inclusive,” he added.

Positive experience

“Have I experienced some form of microaggression or felt uncomfortable at times with my identity of being an international student?

Yes!” he said, quickly adding, “However, for me at the end of the day, it is the holistic experience that counts and holistically it has been a pretty positive experience here at SUNY Oswego as an international student.”

enjoyed working in higher education here at SUNY Oswego as a student worker in various levels,” he said. “As an international student, after I graduate I get to do a hands-on work experience in a company or institution of my liking that also relates to my major for a year. And after being certain about the sort of professional path I am headed toward, I plan on joining a graduate program based on international relations or higher education.”

Memories “My favorite memory at SUNY Oswego will always be the time I was chosen as the international student representative to say all the countries’ names that are represented in some form within the student, faculty and staff community at SUNY Oswego at the Flags of NaKAUSHAL JOSHI tions Opening Ceremony this At Oswego, he has a mul- past fall ‘22 semester,” he titude of different friends added.

He is fluent in English, who come from different backgrounds and walks of life. Nepali and Hindi.

“I also have intermediate “The first time I got here, I got close to the group of fluency in German, he said.

“At first coming to the US, new Nepali students who had come the same year as I was really shy and nervous me. However, as time pro- while speaking in English gressed and different classes with the English speakers and events happened, I start- here at Oswego because of ed being friends with some my insecurities regarding my of my American and other tone, accent and so on,” he international classmates,” he admitted. “However, spendexplained. “Moreover, living ing more time here at SUNY on campus in Hart Hall, which Oswego and making friends is the main community geared from different backgrounds — toward international students, having English as a commonly I had made so many friends spoken language — has really from different cultures and helped me gain confidence backgrounds by the end of my and comfort in my speaking skills.” first year.”

“Mostly, all international students speak in English After Oswego while communicating, espe“For now, my plan is to cially with their classmates find a job in higher education and professors. However, if or somewhere that caters they are within their own culto international education tural friend groups, they can and the students’ community also be seen speaking their because of how much I have native languages,” he said.

ROCIO TRANSANCOS GONZALEZ

From Caracas to Oswego: Home Away From Home

By Stefan Yablonski

R

ocio Trasancos Gonzalez, 23, was born in Caracas, Venezuela.

She moved to Madrid, Spain, with her Spanish family. She moved to Oswego — and now has a new family.

“Universidad Rey Juan Carlos has an exchange program in which you can study for a semester at SUNY Oswego,” she said. “I applied to this program and got accepted.”

She is double majoring in audiovisual communication and business administration.

“I transferred to Oswego as a broadcasting and mass communication Major,” she explained. “Currently, I live off campus.”

She said she’s very happy and felt very welcomed by the Oswego community.

“Since I arrived, I felt at home. Faculty, classmates and the campus community work very hard to create an amazing environment where students can enjoy college life, pursue their academic goals and create long-lasting friendships,” she said.

In her second semester in Oswego, she met her best friends — “I can count on them every day,” she said.

“Through the Newman Center, Catholic Campus Ministry in SUNY Oswego, I met some of my closest friends that became my family away from home,” she added. “They are a part of my support system and have encouraged me to be confident that I can accomplish my goals.”

Greek life “I have also found my sorority for life, Alpha Epsilon Phi. That is a great support system and brings happiness and joy to my life,” she said. “I can always count on my sisters. They are always present for me and I feel very honored to be part of Greek Life that extends during and after college. They made my experience in Oswego very meaningful to a sisterhood I never expected back home.”

College life in the United States is completely different than in Spain, according to Gonzalez.

“I am very grateful to the State University of New York at Oswego for all the effort they do to have students involved in many organizations, sports and clubs. Campus involvement is very important to develop key skills for your professional career,” she said.

Sad to leave “I am graduating this May — which makes me feel a bit sad as I’ve made such incredible memories during these two years and I am sure I will always go back to Oswego as it became part of my home in the United States,” she said.

She plans to enroll in internships and entry level jobs in the broadcasting and film fields in a variety of states after graduating, she added.

Following graduation, she will leave with many life-long memories.

“Mike Huynh is a great campus minister, mentor

OswegoCollegeLife.com •

and friend that I would recommend to any student that wants to be involved in the Catholic community. Tim Nekritz and Alex Dukat are great mentors in the marketing and communications department. I did an internship during the spring semester which was very meaningful and got great knowledge from this experience,” she said.

She is currently working in the education abroad office at SUNY Oswego as a study abroad mentor.

“I love my job as I can advise and help other students that want to study abroad,” she said.

She cited several others who’ve shaped her Oswego experience.

Hanna Lee, international service coordinator; Kris Adams, marketing manager and program coordinator; Lizette Alvarado, associate director of education abroad and the team at the international student and scholar services office — “made my experience easier and I have learned a lot about studying abroad opportunities and how to help others live the experience I had,” she said. “For teachers, I’ll always have great memories from most of my classes.”

She is fluent in Spanish and English. “I am looking forward to learning more languages in the future,” she added. “At the beginning it may be challenging to understand some parts of American slang, but with help of friends, I’m getting used to it. I do know many exchange students improve their English during the stay — it is an experience you have to live to improve your skills and learn about a new country!”

Meet Molly Duffy

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

E

arly childhood major Molly Duffy is a little more than a semester away from her graduation from Cayuga Community College. Before she goes, take a minute and “meet” her—if you haven’t done so in person already.

Duffy grew up in Romulus, Seneca County, until age 15. Though she and her family moved away to Indiana, where she graduated from high school in 2008, she returned to the area and selected Cayuga Community College for her education “because it offered a one-year certificate in the program I was interested in, and it made me

pates in Cayuga’s work study program and works in the admissions office. Finding employment on-campus proved a wise choice for her while she is a student.

“This has been a lifesaver when trying to complete my degree while still working at a job part-time that will work around my class schedule,” Duffy said.

In addition, these roles have helped her gain more experience in the administrative side of the education field. She hopes to obtain more experience in her chosen field this summer before returning in the fall to finish her associate’s degree in early childhood. The 62-credit hour program equips people to work in settings such as

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Festive celebrations “In Spain, we are very festive regarding Catholic celebrations with Christmas, Three Kings Day (Jan. 6) and Holy Week, which are celebrated differently in both countries. We do have some parties as well for Halloween.

But I would say the college celebrations in the United States for Thanksgiving, 4th of July and many others are incredible!” she said.

“Sports are way more different as Europe is specialized in great soccer teams, tennis and Olympic sports; while in the United States it is known for sports such as football, hockey, baseball and others that I do enjoy watching here,” she continued. “As sports-related, I love surfing and I appreciate the support the United States has for female surfer athletes. I am currently working and surfing in Oahu, Hawaii.”

“Overall, my experience has been excellent and I am very grateful for being in a welcoming and supportive university,” she said.

college life

MOLLY DUFFY

feel more comfortable about starting school again after so many years.”

Returning to school years after high school intimidates many young adults. In fact, a UCLA study states that only 3% of Americans who pursue higher education do not do so directly after high school.

Often, students worry about whether they will keep up with younger students. Or if they will stick with it. But Duffy knew that seeking further education would help her future.

Another reason she selected Cayuga was its cost and approachability.

“It felt very affordable compared to other schools, and someone was always there to answer my questions,” Duffy added.

A place like Cayuga puts the “community” in “community college” compared with larger schools with a low teacher-to-student ratio.

Duffy currently partici-

childcare, preschool and early childhood education.

After she turns her tassel later in 2023, Duffy hopes to obtain a full-time job in education and continue taking classes online to earn her bachelor’s degree.

Duffy has her sights set on two dream jobs with soaring potential. Someday, she wants to work with young children as a crisis counselor or a play therapist.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for crisis counselors is expected to increase 22% between 2021 and 2031, “much faster than average.”

The outlook for play therapists is 27%, “also much faster than average.” Considering the shortages in any career in academia, the Bureau’s projection sounds spot-on.

When not working or pursuing her studies, Duffy enjoys reading, camping and drawing.

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college life

• Spring 2023

HEALTH ISSUES

College Gets You Down?

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By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

S

tress will always be a part of life. In fact, you wouldn’t want to get rid of all stress.

Some stress comes from positive changes, such as an internship opportunity or a promotion at work. Other stressors are not positive.

“Emotional stress in college can come from many different angles — school work, friends, romantic relationships and learning how to be independent,” said Renee L. Hagar-Smith, owner and founder of Renee Hagar Smith Wellness in Manlius.

“Most of the time stress is present because we are either recalling something that has already happened or worrying about something that might happen.”

How you deal with stress can affect physical and emotional health. Of course, methods like substance use, overeating, risk taking, lashing out or avoiding others causes harm. Instead, try these healthful ways to cope with stress: • Take a break.

Overstressing over grades can hurt you. Take a few minutes’ break every hour.

“Bringing yourself into the present moment by intentionally pausing and checking in with your breath, is a great way to keep from letting the stress overwhelm you,” HagarSmith said. “Ask yourself: where do you feel the stress in your body? Is it tight shoulders or chest? Taking a few moments to soften and stretch the areas of physical tension, while still breathing with conscious awareness.”

This calms the nervous system to improve focus.

Cody Bowser, senior staff clinician at Paths to Recovery Mental Health Counseling in Syracuse and Oswego alumnus, said that after acquiring a first job, no one will likely ever look at your GPA again anyway.

• Talk it out.

• Venting to a trusted friend helps.

• Seek campus resources.

Bowser said that many students do not know about these.

Cody Bowser, senior staff clinician at Paths to Recovery Mental Health Counseling in Syracuse and Oswego alumnus.

“Explore the college web page so you know where to go and who to contact,” he said.

“Speak with your adviser as often as possible, not just for academic purposes.”

• Seek spiritual enrichment.

Whether through prayer, m ed i t a t i o n o n p o s i t i v e thoughts or an organized religious practice, engaging in spiritual life helps mitigate

out mind, body, and spirit, the art of coping requires all three components.”

Plan ahead so you don’t have to cram and miss sleep.

Stock up on whole food snacks, like nuts, seeds, whole grain crackers, fruits and vegetables. Drink plenty of water.

“Watching alcohol intake; it’s a depressant,” said Dan Reidenberg, executive director for Suicide Awareness

L TO R: Ashley Williams, licensed mental health counselor with Cardinal Hope Mental Health Counseling Services, PLLC in Syracuse; Renee L. Hagar-Smith, owner and founder of Renee Hagar Smith Wellness in Manlius.

stress. A gratitude list can help you realize that many things are going right in your life.

“The biggest thing is to find what helps you as an individual,” said Ashley Williams, licensed mental health counselor with Cardinal Hope Mental Health Counseling Services, PLLC in Syracuse.

She also recommends following uplifting social media. Avoid negative, gossipy posters.

• Perform self-care.

“Taking care of yourself through sleep, movement and no or low processed food choices is a place to start,” said Jodi Mullen PhD, licensed mental health counselor and director of Integrative Counseling Services in Oswego.

“Although Western medicine and culture tend to separate

Voices of Education, which also has a Central New York chapter. “It’s part of college life but pay attention to how much you’re drinking.

• Ask for help.

Most health insurance plans cover mental health counseling. Reidenberg encourages students to speak up and ask for help.

“Too often, we hear that students are afraid if they say something about mental health, the school will send them home or their parents will be disappointed in them,” he said. “The more we can make it okay for students to say things are tough and they need some time help or advice, the better off they’ll be.”

In case of a mental health emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

OswegoCollegeLife.com •

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Communication Matters Beyond texts, emails, and video chats: how personal interactions can be helpful

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

G

eneration Z lacks in one of the most important “soft” skills used in the workplace: verbal communication, according to the National Society of Leadership and Suc-

cess.

Face-to-face communication is a big part of what Lekia K. Hill does as owner and founder of the Powerful Voices app as she builds her company. She also consults on diversity, equity and inclusion and works as the community outreach and diversity coordinator for Hueber-Breuer Construction Co., Inc. in Syracuse.

“The pandemic interrupted where they’d normally learn these skills,” Hill said.

“Interpersonal skills are important for getting a job and for leveling up your career.

Many students do not learn speaking skills at school.”

A lifetime of texting and the most recent years’ isolation have stunted verbal abilities. Although you may

feel most comfortable communicating through text or video chats, in-person communication involves so much more, such as eye contact, estimating appropriate personal space, conversational pauses, subject transitions, and more.

So, what can you do to improve your communication skills?

• Practice on your parents.

Of anyone, your parents will likely offer more support for this issue and help you practice small talk and interview questions. Unlike your peers, they grew up using mostly oral communication.

• Practice on other adults.

“Set up mock interviews with your parents’ friends,” Hill said. “Most young adults don’t like talking with their parents in this context. And it can be hard to receive constructive criticism from your parents.”

Their impartial friends’ viewpoint and feedback can likely help you improve more than your parents’ input.

• Set aside your phones.

While socializing, don’t just scroll through your phone to

share reels and memes. Actually talk with your friends.

• Talk with strangers.

Strike up small talk with a store clerk, hair stylist, or anyone else you encounter.

Talking with people older than yourself, as they likely are savvier at verbal communication, can help.

• Improve your knowledge on speaking. “There are lots of articles and videos online that are free,” Hill said. “Be honest with yourself about what you don’t know.”

• Join a group. Business groups related to your future career or a general young businessperson’s group can help you improve your communication skills. Or try ToastMasters International. “It’s a friendly environment,” said Edward Parmenter, member of Syracuse chapter. “When someone gives a speech, we tell them what they did well along with a suggestion for improvement. It boosts your confidence. No one ever gets a bad evaluation. It’s honest but positive.”

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college life

• Spring 2023

HEALTH ISSUES

Meet Tranq, the ‘New Kid’ in Town. He Doesn’t Play Nice It’s making street drugs even more dangerous

By Eva Briggs, MD

T

here’s a new kid in town and he doesn’t play nice. His street name is tranq. That’s short for xylazine.

This veterinar y h o rs e t ra n q u i l i z e r causes drowsiness and amnesia. It depresses breathing, slows the heart rate and lowers blood pressure. Combined with other central nervous depressants like alcohol, benzodiazepines and opioids, tranq spells disaster.

Xylazine was developed in the 1960s as an anesthetic for veterinary procedures.

It was tried in human trials but caused severe respiratory depression and dangerously lowered blood pressure. So it was not approved for human use. It’s not a controlled sub-

stance; therefore it has not been monitored closely by the FDA. It was first used as a recreational drug in Puerto Rico in the 2000s. It began to take off as a cheap filler for drugs in 2018.

Drug dealers are adulterating opioids such as fentanyl and heroin with tranq.

This lengthens the euphoric effect.

But the depressive effects make it easier for users to overdose. Especially if other substances such as alcohol, cocaine, heroin, benzodiazepines, gabapentin, methadone and prescription opioids are also on board.

The prolonged period of stupor renders users helpless to fight off crimes like rape or robbery. When a user does wake up, they often emerge craving narcotics because

Study: Teens Are Ditching Alcohol for Marijuana A 20-year national US study shows a 245% increase in use of marijuana

A

dolescent cannabis abuse has increased 245% since 2000 in the U.S., while alcohol abuse has steadily declined over the same period.

That’s according to a national, peer-reviewed study tracking intentional misuse and abuse reported to the National Poison Data System (NPDS) up until 2020.

Findings, published in December in the peer-reviewed journal Clinical Toxicology, find over 338,000 instances of intentional abuse or misuse among American children aged 6-18.

The majority of ingestions occurred in males (58.3%), and more than 80% of all reported exposure cases occurred in young people aged 13 to 18.

In total, over 32% of instances resulted in “worse than minor clinical outcomes”.

The new report demonstrates a change in patterns over time. For instance, in 2000 the largest number of abuse cases involved exposure

to ethanol, yet since then child alcohol abuse has steadily declined over the years.

In contrast, marijuana exposure cases remained relatively stable from 2000 to 2009, then steadily rose from 2011, with an even more dramatic rise in cases from 2017 to 2020.

Experts analyzing the data attribute the rise in marijuana use to the increased popularity of edible cannabis products, now widely available across the country.

“Ethanol abuse cases exceeded the number of marijuana cases every year from 2000 until 2013,” says physician Adrienne Hughes, assistant professor at Oregon Health & Science University, one of the authors of the study.

However, by 2014 this trend had reversed.

“Since 2014, marijuana exposure cases have exceeded ethanol cases

It has been detected in 36 states and the District of Columbia.

In Philadelphia, more than 90% of street drugs test positive. In New York City, the number is 25%. And if it’s NYC, you know it’s coming to Central New York.

every year, and by a greater amount each year than the prior,” says Hughes.

While rates of all marijuana abuse increased, edible marijuana showed the highest average monthly increase compared with all other forms, suggesting that adolescents have moved away from smoking weed onto alternative modes of consumption. Marijuana extracts, such as those used in cannabis vaping products, were also increasingly popular.

“These edible and vaping products are often marketed in ways that are attractive to young people, and they are considered more discrete and convenient,” says Hughes.

However, although they may be perceived as less harmful, studies show this is not the case.

“Compared to smoking cannabis, which typically results in

their opioids have already worn off. Another “benefit” of cutting drugs with tranq is that it’s cheaper, allowing dealers to sell at a lower price.

Tranq is not reversed by naloxone. In case of an overdose, naloxone should still be administered to reverse the effect of any opioids also on board.

This drug can be injected, snorted, inhaled or swallowed.

Injected tranq can lead to skin ulcers and abscesses.

These skin infections are often worse than the run-ofthe-mill MRSA (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infections, which are already pretty bad.

Tranq wounds develop thick black crusts called eschars and the underlying tissue turns dead (necrotic).

These infections are tough to treat and sometimes lead to amputation. A Google search for “tranq skin infections” images will reveal some of the horror if you need a visual.

How common is tranq? It has been detected in 36 states and the District of Columbia.

In Philadelphia, more than 90% of street drugs test positive. In New York City, the number is 25%. And if it’s NYC, you know it’s coming to Upstate New York.

I don’t have the answer to the opioid epidemic. But I hope this article raises awareness of this new threat.

an immediate high, intoxication from edible forms of marijuana usually takes several hours, which may lead some individuals to consume greater amounts and experience unexpected and unpredictable highs,” says Hughes.

The dramatic increase in child cannabis use since 2017 coincides with a wave of decriminalization legislation in the US. As of 2022, cannabis is legal for adult recreational use in 19 states and for medical use in 36 states.

While cannabis is only legal for adults and not children, the authors of the study argue that it has rendered the drug more accessible to children and adolescents and contributed to a perception that the drug is safe.

“Our study describes an upward trend in marijuana abuse exposures among youth, especially

those involving edible products,” says Hughes.

“These findings highlight an ongoing concern about the impact of rapidly evolving cannabis legalization on this vulnerable population.”

As well as cannabis, the study reveals high levels of over-the-counter medication abuse among teenagers. Between 2001- 2016, the highest number of drug abuse cases related to dextromethorphan, an over-the-counter cold and cough medicine. Oral antihistamines were also among the most commonly misused substances in this study.

Deaths from drug abuse were rare, occurring in 450 young people (0.1% of cases).

Deaths were more common in males, and in older teens aged 16-18. They were also most likely to occur after abusing opioids.

And, although there were 57,488 incidents involving children aged just 6 to 12, these cases did not usually include ‘traditional’ drugs but rather vitamins, plants, melatonin, hand sanitizers and other objects.

Eva Briggs is a retired medical doctor who practiced in the Syracuse area for several decades.

She lives in Marcellus.

OswegoCollegeLife.com •

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

A

lthough you rely on your phone and laptop for entertainment, organization and research, it’s healthy to “unplug” occasionally.

“For some students, unplugging is needed,” said Cody Bowser, senior staff clinician and licensed mental health counselor at Paths to Recovery Mental Health Counseling in Syracuse and an Oswego alumnus.

By socializing off-screen, “you’re interacting with others directly instead of through technology,” Bowser said.

He recommended finding a sense of community with other students through Greek life, clubs and athletics.

“You’re not consistently relying on technology to interact, even if you’re getting together to play video games. It’s more about the interaction with others than the interaction with the technology.”

Checking the news and social media can help you stay up to date; however, this can become overwhelming.

Ashley Williams licensed mental health counselor with Cardinal Hope Mental Health Counseling Services, PLLC in Syracuse, encourages students to create a “space to unplug from social media and focus on your personal well-being and self-care.”

Screens stimulate our minds and bodies in unnatural ways with their limited sensory input and instant gratification. Going full-on Luddite won’t work longterm—nor would it be desirable to do so for most people—but turning off your notifications and taking a screen break can help recharge your mental health.

Shinrin-yoku is the Japanese practice of forest bathing. It began in the 1980s when the technology industry began taking hold in Japan.

Forest bathing involves step-

ping away from technology to relax in the ambiance of nature. Anytime you can enjoy the outdoors when you unplug, do so.

“In Upstate NY we have such nice scenery,” Williams said. “Take those walks. Tap into the senses. It ties into mindfulness and can be very stress reducing for a lot of people.”

Remain mindful as you note the sights, sounds, scents and textures of your surround-

ings while hiking or even just sitting in a park.

You could also unplug by trying a hands-on hobby or recreational activity. Getting your body moving sans tech helps you engage different parts of your brain and body left dormant when you’re using a screen. Make a craft (without a YouTube tutorial) or play a board game or sport with friends.

Go to the library or bookstore to select a physical book or periodical to read for pleasure. The tactile qualities of

hardcopy reading material is different than reading from a screen. Plus, you’ll need to go mingle a bit to find something to read. Instead of searching for just what you want to read, you may discover something new. Novel experiences can help shake off the screen doldrums.

Get out and socialize in person. It takes more time than shooting texts to friends but doing so can rejuvenate your brain.

It’s not easy to step away from screens but try it and see how much better you feel.

“Mindfully taking a break from electronics can help productivity because it can improve focus and clarity, by allowing the mind to become less cluttered,” said Renee L. Hagar-Smith, owner and founder of Renee Hagar Smith Wellness in Manlius.

“It helps bring students back to the present moment, as well as the people and places around him or her, where they can cultivate real world experiences, instead of virtual ones. Plus, it encourages the student to move their body more, and physical activity helps to promote overall health and wellbeing.”

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• Spring 2023

is from Latin with a definition listed as “to brighten with stars.” The motivation behind the merger was clear as both companies wanted to generate a larger fan base, build greater EV motors and technology.)

“I work out of the Rochester training center, which is where I use to work years and years ago — been doing that on and off for like 30 years now. I started teaching for Chrysler in ’93 and did that until 2003. Now, I teach for them part-time basically in the same location. So, between those two businesses we’ve been very busy,” he said.

Back in the day when you popped open the hood, you could identify most things.

Today’s cars are more challenging, he noted.

“Now, the best part for me is the shorter commute,” he laughed. “But I will tell you, we have a very tight knit group of faculty in the technology education department. That was my biggest fear starting a new job. We have a group of people that work very, very well together. I can’t say enough about that. We have some seasoned professionals, nothing but open door policy — anything thing I need they’ve helped me.”

“I find myself at school more and at school longer,” he continued. “It’s closer so I can get there and stay there longer. It also allows me to engage more with students which is great. I am also the Auto Club adviser, work with the students a couple hours each week. I feel more a part of the college community.”

New Prof at Oswego:

Ronald Alexander Career of new department of technology professor is in high gear

By Stefan Yablonski

R

onald Alexander, assistant professor in the department of technology, is revving up his career at SUNY Oswego.

“I graduated from SUNY Morrisville with an associate’s degree in automotive technology. I basically spent my entire career working in the automotive industry,” he said.

He got a job with Chrysler Corporation as a training instructor (for 30 years) “and I worked part-time while I received my bachelor’s degree in education and eventually my master’s degree in education,” he said. “Taught for a short time at BOCES in Auburn, motorcycle repair and then I transferred to SUNY Morrisville, teaching in the automotive technology department.

I did that for about 16 years.”

The road to Oswego “I got the opportunity to teach at the BOCES in Auburn.

It was a small engines program. I changed the name of the program, it was unpopular — kids in high school thought it was about fixing lawn mowers. I changed the name to Power Sports Technology.

Brought in a couple snowmobiles and an ATV, a jet ski and all of a sudden my classroom was full,” he recalled. “So I kind of turned the program around in Auburn. It’s a very successful program now and one of my students is running it now.”

Morrisville reached out to him and asked if he would be interested in teaching there.

“I took that job and never really thought about the mileage factor. For 16 years it was in a car three to four hour drive — if the weather was good — every day,” he said.

An eye to the future

TOP: Ronald Alexander, assistant professor in the department of technology at SUNY Oswego; BOTTOM: Alexander’s class at the department of technology at SUNY Oswego.

His family settled in Fair Haven.

“So, the drive from Fair Haven to Morrisville was a little taxing over the past 16 years, he said with a laugh.

“I got tired of the long drive. I reached out to Mr. Bush. My daughter and son graduated a couple years ago from the tech ed program, so I got to know the department well. My daughter took it as a minor; she really enjoyed the tech classes. I got to know the professors and their philosophy and I really liked the fact my kids were coming home and their hands were dirty — they were doing things in the lab, building things,” he explained.

“I said, ‘Mr. Bush if you ever have a position that’s open and you think I would be qualified for, let me know.’

He contacted me a while later …. Transportation …. Well I’ve done that for30 years, I’m qualified. So it’s worked out well. I’ve had a great first semester. I am looking forward to a career here.”

His son, a 2020 tech education grad teaches at Penn Yan Middle School; his daughter,

a studio art and tech minor, is a 2018 grad now working at Red Creek Elementary and War Horse Production — a national company that does medieval jousting at the Ren Fest in Sterling.

“I’m in Park Hall — the lab with the airplane (a Cessna) tied to the ceiling,” he said.

Alexander currently teaches introduction to materials technologies, transportation systems and energy and power technology “The transportation class is kind of like cars, trains and airplanes — all means of transportation. It’s teaching the technology, but also how do you teach the technology (since many students are in education tracks),” he explained. “It’s kind of cool for me since I’ve been teaching for 30 years to pass on some of the experience I have had over the years.”

The energy class is anything that has to do with energy — storage, heating sources, renewable energy, from wind turbines to clean hydrogen, stuff like that, he added.

“The third class is basically raw materials and how you

use them in manufacturing.

It’s a neat class; a lot of handson lab work. It’s a fun class,” he said.

Summer business “I have a business I run in the summer time, Fair Haven Kayak, it’s a rental companywe’ve done it like four years now. We do short trips — take people down Sterling Creek, rent kayaks to people camping. It’s a family business; my kids help me run it,” he said.

They purchased a cottage in 2018 in Fair Haven, on the bay. That sparked his interest in the kayak business.

“It’s taken off from there.

I’m one of the few guys that actually delivers,” he said. “If you need a kayak or standup paddle board, I’ll bring them to you.”

He also runs Automotive Educational Services.

“I do contracted training for independent shops, local NAPA stores and recently I’ve been doing a lot of training for Stellantis, basically Chrysler’s new company,” he said.

(Stellantis name origin

“Change will be the electricfation of our passenger cars. It’s not a matter of if it’s going to happen — it’s when it is going to happen,” he said. “All the manufacturers are releasing products now, better products, longer range charging times, more reasonably priced vehicles.”

People who traditionally build components for internal combustion are starting to see a definite slowdown in production and research and development on future engine technologies because they are switching to electric, he added.

“The cars are so much simpler — you’re eliminating the transmission the internal combustion fuel storage, the exhaust — all that stuff ’s going away. You’ll have a much simpler vehicle,” he said.

“Definitely a transition; I think from gas to hybrid, from hybrid to full electric.”

“The batteries in your cell phones have significantly improved over the years — car batteries will also,” he said.

“The technology continues to improve every day. We’ll see a decrease in size.”

OswegoCollegeLife.com •

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Catching Up with Dr. Keiko Kimura Head of Cayuga Community College in Fulton brings diverse background to the job

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

K

eiko Kimura, head of the CCC Fulton campus and vice president for Workforce Development and Partnerships, experienced an unexpected route to her current position, which she assumed five years ago.

She helps the school generate partnerships in the community that can develop trained workforce for local openings.

As a member of both the Oswego County and Cayuga-Cortland Workforce Development boards, Kimura is instrumental in helping CCC provide the programs that equip locals with the skills and education they need for “family-sustaining wages,” she said. “That’s transformational for the individual and community.”

She also works to ensure that CCC’s educational offerings do no duplicate those of schools like SUNY Oswego. She also partners with BOCES in Cayuga and Onondaga counties, along with K-12 schools.

Kimura received her doctorate in education at Northern Illinois University, her master’s in teaching English to speakers of other languages at Teachers College at Columbia University, and her bachelor’s in biology at McGill University in Canada.

It took her a while to figure out what she wanted to do when she grew up. She thought she would work in STEM as a young person but working in a research lab proved it wasn’t for her.

Her next step was education. Her parents had emigrated to Canada as adults.

After graduation from McGill, Kimura wanted to learn more about her Japanese heritage.

To make this more affordable, she took a job teaching English in Japan and eventually in New York City. She realized she enjoyed teaching. To continue educating, she earned her master’s.

She taught at a large accounting firm in Chile for three years to satisfy her desire to explore a Latin American country. This experience helped her learn about administering programs.

Kimura started working at a community college in Illinois directing an ESL program.

“I really enjoyed interacting with a diverse group of students,” she said. “When teaching English as a second language, you’re guaranteed to meet people from different cultures.”

The experience also ex-

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posed her to the career-building mission of community colleges.

Now at CCC, she wants to position the school as a preferred training provider for the region and as an effective partner in the workforce ecosystem.

In 2023, the Workforce Development Center in the former Cornell Cooperative Extension office on Grant Street in Auburn will bring together resources from CCC, Cornell Cooperative Extension and Cayuga Works under one roof to provide essential workforce training for job seekers. Kimura also hopes to establish a manufacturing consortium in Cayuga County.

“The college values the partnership we have with SUNY Oswego, and we continue to work collaboratively to promote pathways from Cayuga to Oswego and vice versa,” she said.

In her spare time, Kimura enjoys hiking and cycling.

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RICE CREEK:

Trails, Birdwatching, Nature Education and More The field station provides public programs in nature education for groups and individuals, school-aged to adult.

Rice Creek: SUNY Oswego’s Outdoor Lab

S

UNY Oswego is a wellknown Port City landmark, but the bulk of the campus is actually located in the town of Oswego.

Probably lesser known is a key part of university located less than two miles south of the main campus.

The Rice Creek Field Station is located on Thompson Road off of Route 104, about 1.5-miles south of the college campus’ main entrance. It opened in 1966.

The current building was inaugurated in 2013 as part of the science renovations at the college.

The original Rice Creek facilities were torn down in 2012.

“To see the hundreds of species that are supported on this property is hopeful,” Kristen Haynes, assistant director, said. “Obviously it is great when you can persevere a pristine piece of property that has never been plowed, never been cut. But that is so rare.”

The building is open year round for the public to explore natural history and art displays and view wildlife.

Also offered are things like: after-school birdwatching, guided nature walks and nature art activities.

The field station’s namesake, Asa Rice, was the first settler to the Oswego area. Setting down in what today is part of the town of Oswego, Rice arrived from Connecticut in 1797.

WHILE VISITING

Please: • Stay on designated trails and do not remove or disturb wildlife or vegetation • Leave no trace: carry out any trash you create or find • Respect the property rights of neighbors and adjacent landowners and stay on Rice Creek property

Outdoor lab “We are an outdoor laboratory for the students,” she explained. “Rice Creek promotes the integration of environmental and ecological awareness into every aspect of undergraduate education.”

Along the front wall dozens of specimens are on display —from myriad birds to furry foxes and squirrels to snakes and a variety of bugs as well as fish and other critters.

The 7,640 square foot building provides facilities for the research and teaching of biological and earth science, Haynes explained.

Four nature trails, open to the public, provide opportunities for hiking, snowshoeing and crosscountry skiing.

Rice Creek Field Station is dedicated to the support of academic instruction, research and public service in all aspects of natural history, especially the natural sciences and environmental education.

Rive Creek’s year-round facilities provide opportunities for field-oriented biological and earth science teaching and research.

It was built to achieve LEED Gold cer tif ication (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards.

It was designed and built

in a way that improves energy savings, water efficiency indoor environmental quality and co2 emissions reductions.

Its spacious interior features wide windows, lecture rooms, two labs, a collection room, offices and more.

The grounds also provide nature trails, as well as forests, ponds, and streams.

Just a few yards from the main building is an observatory with a 16-inch reflecting telescope. It’s managed by the physics department, Haynes noted.

At various times during

CENTER: Kristen Haynes, Rice Creek Field Station’s assistant director; TOP: The current Rice Creek building was inaugurated in 2013 as part of the science renovations at the college.

The original facilities were torn down in 2012.

the year, the general public is invited to join astronomers John Zielinski, Shashi Kanbur and Natalia Lewandowska for an evening at the station’s observatory.

Please no: • Camping • Boating, kayaking, canoeing • Swimming • Hunting, trapping or fishing • Smoking RICE CREEK 193 Thompson Road Oswego, NY 13126 Phone: 315-312-6677 Fax: 315-312-6680 Email: rcfs@oswego.edu Building Hours: Mon.–Fri. 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Sat. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Trail Hours: Dawn to dusk