Fall 2018 Issue 15

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Voice of BU

competition amplifies the University Union See page 7 Monday, October 22, 2018 | Vol. XCIV, Issue 15 | Binghamton University | bupipedream.com

The Free Word on Campus Since 1946

SUNY chancellor speaks at University Kristina Johnson discusses diversity, online programs Lakhsmi Chatterjee contributing writer

Addressing sustainability, diversity and attracting new students in the SUNY system, SUNY Chancellor Kristina Johnson spoke to a panel of about 70 educators at Binghamton University in the Mandela Room on Friday morning. At the address, which was part of the monthly University Faculty Senate meeting, Johnson discussed multiple concerns within the SUNY system, including attracting new students, strengthening online education and

increasing diversity in faculty. Appointed last April by the SUNY Board of Trustees, Johnson has visited all 64 state-operated SUNY campuses and discussed SUNY’s emphasis on collaboration through systems of shared governance, a model of leadership that includes boards such as the University Faculty Senate, the SUNY Student Assembly and the Faculty Council of Community Colleges. Johnson said her goals for the SUNY system value are student-centered, keeping a system of shared governance and promoting diversity, collaboration, community engagement, integrity and collegiality. “We have a vision of high education

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anastasia figuera contribuing photographer The University Counseling Center added three new full-time counselors for the 2018-19 academic year, bringing the total number of professional counselors at the center to 15. The UCC serves more than 16,000 students and saw more than 1,900 students last year.

Lecturer talks stress, UCC increases staff, resources increased productivity More than 1,900 students visited center last year Amy Donovan

assistant news editor

On a campus with more than 13,000 undergraduate students, Binghamton University currently has 15 counselors working at the University Counseling Center (UCC). Since fall 2017, the UCC has added four new counseling positions, approximately 30 percent of the current counseling staff. According to Johann Fiore-Conte, the head of counseling and student support committee and assistant vice president for health and wellness, the UCC has been working on expanding its services

over the past two years in response to students’ concerns about the office’s ability to adequately provide mental health services on campus. The expansion was hastened by the University’s safety initiative, which was implemented by the University administration following the murders of two students last semester and established the counseling and student support committee. Following the murders, BU administration pledged to fund increased mental health services on campus. Along with staff increases, the UCC also hired three new counselors with experience in multicultural counseling and counseling for the LGBTQ+ community for the 2018-19 academic year. According to Noel Feik, director of health and counseling at the UCC,

the center is aiming to diversify staff and has created a liaison with the Multicultural Resource Center and the Student Association’s vice president for multicultural affairs office. “The UCC has been working to diversify staff and to be responsive to student concerns about diversity,” Feik wrote. “Students have expressed support for the new positions and initiatives, especially students who are aware of the recent increase in demand for services. There has also been support and appreciation for the addition of staff with multicultural experience and interest.” In addition to employing full-time, professional counselors, the UCC traditionally hires interns, usually

see ucc page 3

Jennifer Wegmann discusses research on stress benefits Valerie Puma news intern

While most people may think of stress as a bad thing, Jennifer Wegmann, lecturer of health and wellness studies at Binghamton University, focused on the benefits of stress during her talk on Thursday. More than 150 students gathered to listen to Wegmann’s lecture and learn how to stop stressing about being stressed. The lecture was part of the BU First Year Experience (FYE) program, and Wegmann’s presentation discussed

her research on what it means to be stressed and how students can use the stress in their daily lives to help them be more productive and healthy. Each fall, FYE offers first-year students the chance to take UNIV 101, a two-credit course that aims to have students explore and discuss academic topics, utilize campus resources, develop critical thinking and writing skills and improve their time management. The program also offers a lecture series. Christian Howles, a graduate assistant for FYE and a firstyear graduate student studying student affairs administration, said the program is a good opportunity for students to find

see stress page 3

Financial BU hosts northeast archaeology conference literacy club comes to University Academics discuss South American research Jacob Kerr news intern

GenFKD aims to educate students on self-sufficiency Laura D’Angelo

contributing writer

According to the College Board, the average amount of debt college graduates face is $28,400, a reality that leaves many students feeling pressured about financials and the economy after graduation. In an effort to combat this issue, Generation: Financial Knowledge Development (GenFKD), a national nonprofit organization established in 2013, aims to educate millennials who are pursuing their undergraduate degrees on how to be financially literate. The club is coming to Binghamton University. According to its new president, Phoebe Clark, a junior majoring in integrative neuroscience, she hopes to get the new chapter chartered by the Student Association. Clark wrote in an email that GenFKD’s fundamental belief

see club page 4

Archaeologists from around the world came to Binghamton University this weekend to present and listen to researchers discuss their work in South America. The 37th annual Northeast Conference on Andean and Amazonian Archaeology and Ethnohistory hosted researchers from BU, San Cristóbal of Huamanga National University in Peru, Yale University, the University of Toronto and others. All of the presentations, including both lectures and posters, were based on recent archaeological research done in the Andean and Amazonian regions of South America. It’s been 20 years since the event, which is hosted at a different school each year, was held at BU. The conference was co-organized by BrieAnna Langlie, assistant professor of anthropology, and William Isbell, distinguished professor emeritus of archeology. Langlie said the conference was her first time hosting a major research event as lead Andean archeologist at BU. According to Langlie, the conference not only brings researchers to BU, but also allows graduate and undergraduate students to learn from them. “[Hosting] brings world-class researchers to Binghamton University for students to see research and to experience what it feels like to be an

ARTS & CULTURE

rose coschignano staff photographer Isabelle Druc, an archaeology professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, presents her research at the 37th annual Northeast Conference on Andean and Amazonian Archaeology and Ethnohistory on Saturday.

archaeologist by traveling with them to their field sites through their powerpoint lectures,” Langlie said. “It also gives us a platform to show international scholars what Binghamton has to offer.” The keynote speaker, Sergio Chávez, a professor from Central Michigan University, spoke on his research of the Copacabana Peninsula in Bolivia. Chàvez said he attended this conference because of the proliferation of Andean research being done on the east coast of the United States. “There is far more archaeologists

specializing in the Andes here on the eastern side,” Chávez said. “The big museums are here, like the Smithsonian has an art collection from the Andes.” Starting on Friday evening with a meet and greet in Downtown Binghamton, the conference also held several informal events. There was a dinner Saturday night, hosted by Isbell at his house, and a barbecue Sunday afternoon hosted by Langlie. These events, according to Langlie, are a product of the close relationships that often develop between researchers in

OPINIONS

the field. “These conferences in general are so wonderful because it is a chance for us not only to see cutting-edge research, but [also to] get together with our colleagues, which are actually friends,” Langlie said. “We lived together in the field in South America, and so it actually feels like a big reunion as well when everyone comes together from near and far.” Zachary Critchley, a fifth-year

see research page 3

SPORTS

“24 Frames” connects photography and the arts through animation,

Binghamton University Symphony Orchestra debuts “Great Music from Great Cities,”

Georgia Kerkezis discusses the potential implementation of a carbon tax,

Women’s soccer season ends in heart-wrenching fashion,

Swimming and diving sweeps Siena and Niagara in season opener,

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Fall 2018 Issue 15 by Pipe Dream - Issuu