Volume 88, Issue 12

NEW PALTZ ORACLE THE

Volume 88, Issue XII

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Thursday, February 4 , 2016

READY

PHOTO BY HOLLY LIPKA

AT THE University Police & Surrounding Departments Train for Active Shooter Situations STORY ON PAGE 3 - EDITORIAL ON PAGE 9

INSIDE THIS WEEK’S ISSUE OF THE NEW PALTZ ORACLE

•Town and Village Consider Joint Government Center ......Pg 4 •Black Studies Department Introduces New Hire ...................Pg 6 • Community Concern Over Pilgrim Pipeline ....................Pg 5 •Senate Discusses Taking Group Retreat ................................Pg 7

Kristen Warfield EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Nate Sheidlower

NEW PALTZ ORACLE THE

MANAGING EDITOR _________________

Melanie Zerah NEWS EDITOR

Karl Evers-Hillstrom FEATURES EDITOR

Russell Hartman

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Melissa Kramer SPORTS EDITOR

_________________

Holly Lipka David Khorassani PHOTOGRAPHY EDITORS

Stefanie Diers CARTOONIST

_________________

Sam Manzella Jonathan Perry Michael Rosen Jack O’Brien Jess Napp Monique Tranchina Anthony Orza Rachael Purtell Kintura Williams COPY EDITORS

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About The New Paltz Oracle

The New Paltz Oracle is the official student newspaper of SUNY New Paltz. Our circulation is 2,500. The New Paltz Oracle is sponsored by the Student Association and partially funded by the student activity fee.

The New Paltz Oracle is located in the Student Union (SU) Room 417. Deadline for all submissions is 5 p.m. on Sundays in The New Paltz Oracle office and by email at oracle@hawkmail. newpaltz.edu.

All advertisements must be turned in by 5 p.m. on Fridays, unless otherwise specified by the business manager. Community announcements are published gratuitously, but are subject to restriction due to space limitations.There is no guarantee of publication. Contents of this paper cannot be reproduced without the written permission of the Editor-in-Chief.

The New Paltz Oracle is published weekly throughout the fall and spring semesters on Thursdays. It is available in all residence halls and academic buildings, in the New Paltz community and online at oracle.newpaltz.edu. For more information, call 845-257-3030. The fax line is 845-257-3031.

Volume 88 Issue Index NEWS THE DEEP END

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EDITORIAL

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COLUMNS

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STAFF

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FOLLOW THE ORACLE

Sage Higgins, Matthew D’Onofrio, Nick Tantillo, Otto Kratky, Jake Berkowitz, Sarah Eames

Incident: Petit Larceny Date: 1/21/2016 Location: Scudder Hall Repoprt of missing items. Pending further investigation.

Icident: Drugs Date: 1/20/16 Location: Hasbrouck Quad Odor of marijuana detected. Subject could not explain odor. Appeared to be under the influence.

No marijuana evidence found at scene. Matter reffered to campus judicial.

SUNY New Paltz University Police Department Emergencies: 845-257-2222

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Local Police Forces Train for Active Shooter Scenario

PHOTO COURTESY OF UPD

Participants of the Active Shooter Program running drills.

By Nate Shiedlower

Managing Editor | Sheidlon1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

While students were home over winter break working, relaxing and catching up on sleep, SUNY New Paltz’s University Police Department (UPD) went to school to learn how to defuse an active shooter incident.

Joined by other local law enforcement, UPD occupied Esopus Hall on Jan. 7, 8, 10 and 11 for active shooter training that covered a wide array of situations officers may encounter.

“We try to do this training about once a year,” said UPD Chief David Dugatkin, adding that these days were planned about six months ago.

Most of the New Paltz Police Department (NPPD) and some officers from the Ulster County Sheriff’s Department (UCSD), New York State Troopers, Town of Lloyd Police Department and Town of Rosendale Police Department also participated. Certified instructors from UPD, NPPD and UCSD refreshed the offi-

cers on standard procedures and even taught a few new ones to keep officers ready to act if the time comes.

While this is not the first time UPD has hosted other departments for this training, January’s training did see the largest turnout from the most departments.

Dugatkin said the exercises varied from single-officer breaches of a room to larger group activities. During the training, the groups consisted of officers from multiple departments because in an actual event they would have to work together efficiently. Officers also used their standard issue firearms modified to shoot simunitions or small high-velocity paintballs ― this meant someone strapping on body armor and taking a few heavy hits.

“Scenario-based firearms training where we are not just shooting at a target is important because when it happens for real, a target is not what officers will encounter,” NPPD Lt.

Rob Lucchesi said.

Esopus Hall was used because it was empty over the break, and UPD wanted to disturb as few people as possible. Dugatkin said it offered the right landscape with many rooms and narrow hallways. He said if an active shooter incident actually took place on campus, UPD will respond proactively to neutralize the shooter(s) as quickly as possible.

According to Lucchesi, while there are many, the initial procedures for an active shooter are universal.

He said the geography of a location may call for situation specific adjustments.

“We are well-equipped to handle an on-campus active shooter incident,” Dugatkin said. “The college makes it a priority to ensure we have the equipment we need to protect everyone on campus; students, faculty and visitors.”

According to Dugatkin, there has not been an active shooter incident

Thursday, February 4, 2016

on the SUNY New Paltz campus in recent history. There have however been quite a few instances of oncampus active shooter incidents at public colleges in the past couple of years. In the last six months alone, Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina, Tennessee State University in Nashville, Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Umpqua Community College in Oregon, Sacramento City College in California and Savannah State University in Georgia all had an active shooter incident on campus that resulted in at least one death.

Dugatkin said that this training was routinely scheduled and not in response to these horrible events.

The school also has an Emergency Response Plan posted on newpaltz. edu along with instructions on what to do if one is on campus during an active shooter incident.

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Joint Town and Village Board Muncipality Explored

US ZIKA CASE SPARKS QUESTIONS ABOUT SEX AND MOSQUITO GERMS A sexually transmitted case of Zika in Texas has scientists scrambling to understand how much of a risk infection through sex is for the usually mosquito-spread illness.

Experts still stress that mosquitoes are the main culprit in the Zika epidemic menacing Latin America and looming over the United States.

AFTER 2 DAYS, SYRIAN PEACE TALKS TO TAKE A ‘TEMPORARY PAUSE’ The peace talks in the Syrian civil war are taking a break. The fighting is not.

U.N. Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura announced Wednesday there would be a “temporary pause” in the indirect peace talks between the government and opposition, saying the process will resume Feb. 25.

UN ENVOY ANNOUNCES ‘TEMPORARY PAUSE’ TO SYRIA PEACE TALKS The U.N. envoy for Syria has announced a “temporary pause” in peace talks in Geneva amid intensified fighting, saying the process will resume later this month. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with opposition leaders, Staffan de Mistura insisted “this is not the end, and it is not the failure of the talks.”

PHOTO BY HOLLY LIPKA

New Paltz Village Hall on 25 Plattekill Ave.

By Melanie Zerah

News Editor | Zerahm1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

The New Paltz Town Board and Village Board are currently examining the possibility of building a joint government SOUTH KOREA WARNS NORTH KO- municipality on Route 32 and Veterans REA NOT TO LAUNCH SATELLITE Drive. The building is proposed to be a Hundreds of rebels and their families on four story, 30,000-square-foot facility Wednesday left the last opposition-held where both the town and village board neighborhood of Homs as part of a local truce would work closely yet maintain themthat will bolster government control of the selves as separate governments. city, while opposition groups met in Saudi “I am a big proponent of brainstormArabia to forge a united front ahead of pro- ing,” said New Paltz Village Mayor Tim posed peace talks.

Rogers. “If we are working in the same building, the ability to speak everyday in THE LATEST: BRAZIL’S PRESI- person will increase the efficiency of purDENT SAYS ZIKA A ‘REAL THREAT’ suing various projects for the community.

Brazil’s president says Zika virus has gone This will also potentially lead to shared from a “distant nightmare” to a “real threat” services and reduced government costs.” against the Brazilian people. In a pre-recordRogers said there is an ambition for ed, prime time television address Wednesday, the possible facility to add additional govDilma Rousseff calls on citizens to unite to ernment offices. These would include the combat the mosquito that transmits the virus, New Paltz Police Department and New which researchers in Brazil have linked to a Paltz Justice Courts. Rogers also added rare birth defect that Albany is in favor of collaborative governmental facilities because of cost efficiencies in combining many office and Compiled from the AP Newswire building costs.

Town employees currently operate in rented trailers at the town Highway Department site on Clearwater Road since black mold was found in the Town Hall in November 2014. New Paltz Town Supervisor Neil Bettez said that these trailers are an additional cost to the New Paltz government and taxpayers that could be cut down if a new municipality were to exist.

Although the estimated cost of construction for the proposed project amounts to $10 million, Bettez explained that there is a number of costs for maintaining two buildings that would be decreased if one building were to exist. Possible shared service costs that have potential to save the New Paltz government money include a shared Internet Wi-Fi contractor, copier machines and building maintenance.

According to Bettez, possible grants from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) could be received if the new municipality made movements towards running on green energy. Grants could amount up to approximately $50,000 from the NYSERDA Commercial New

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Construction Program, which encourages green energized construction in New York towns and villages. This program provides financial incentive and technical support to local governments to move towards energy efficient improvements in their infrastructure.

The three acre property of which New Paltz Village Hall is located on is jointly owned by the town and village. 2.8 acres are owned by the village, including Peace Park, and .2 acres are owned by the town, which includes the court house.

If this new government building came to fruition, the village hall property and municipality would be sold for commercial or residential purposes. The decision to sell the property as commercial or resident would be a decision made by the village and town collaboratively, according to Rogers.

“Right now this is only a dream,” Bettez said. “We will be working collaboratively [with village board] to see what we want and what we can afford.”

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Pilgrim Pipeline Stirs Local Controversy

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NEWS BRIEFS NATIONAL

Presidential Race 2016 SPECIAL Winners of the Iowa Caucas Democratic Hilary Clinton 49.9% of votes

Republican Ted Cruz 27.6% of votes

RIVALS NOW TARGET RUBIO; TRUMP CALLS FOR AN IOWA DO-OVER

PHOTO COURTESY OF PIXABAY.COM

By Jack O’Brien

Copy Editor | Obrienj2@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

A controversial pipeline proposal is pitting New Paltz against the vaunted forces of the fossil fuel industry once again.

Pilgrim Pipeline is in the process of getting approval for its 178-mile pipeline project from Albany, New York to Linden, New Jersey. The company’s website states that the project “consists of two separate, parallel underground lines running between supply and distribution terminals.” The pipelines would be used to transport Bakken crude oil for cities up and down the East Coast.

On Jan. 20, the New Paltz Town Board unanimously passed a resolution urging the New York State Thruway Authority to “reject use of its right-of-way for the purpose of transporting oil or gasoline by pipeline.”

Deputy Town Supervisor Dan Torres, who co-authored the resolution, cited fears that the pipeline proposal would pose public safety risks to the people of New Paltz.

“The real danger is the fact that the New Paltz Fire Department is not ready to deal with potential explosions that could come with this pipeline,” Torres said. “The largest element of my opposition is the safety argument, which is a compelling narrative.”

Opponents to the proposed pipeline cite three major risks: leaks, water contamina-

tion and explosions. In the resolution, Torres highlighted concerns that there would not be 24/7 monitoring of the pipeline. He also said that the town, which has a ban on hydrofracking, has a moral opposition to the project.

“They’re only in this to profit off of outdated fuel sources,” Torres said. “The town board’s role is to represent people’s best interests and I think we’re doing that.”

Several towns and communities along the proposed pipeline route have vocalized opposition. Rosendale and New Paltz have recently taken an active role among Hudson Valley communities in standing against the project.

Paul Nathanson, a spokesperson for Pilgrim Pipeline, said that since the project is in the early phases of the state-led process there are certain parameters that are likely to change by the time construction starts.

“Any time there’s a new energy infrastructure, whether it’s wind, oil pipeline, solar panel, etc., people are always going to be concerned,” Nathanson said. “There is a defined process to get approved in New York and there will be public hearings and information sessions in the future. If people are curious or have questions, they can read the application on our website. We will also continue to meet with local officials.”

A statistic cited in the resolution stated that between 2003 and 2013, there were oil spills from pipelines nearly every other day, according to information provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Safety Materials Administration (PHSMA).

Nathanson disputed this statistic by claiming that these spills are likely due to older models of pipelines, including some that are reliant on 19th century technology.

The new pipeline models that Pilgrim would use for this project are currently the safest mode to transport energy resources, according to Nathanson. He also countered that there were more water contamination risks from the current barging projects in the Hudson Valley than from Pilgrim’s proposal.

Torres said that the company has not been forthright in their handling of this project, going as far to describe their actions as “corporate bullying.” Regardless, Torres was optimistic that New Paltz and the coalition of communities opposed to the plan would be able to defeat the proposal.

“They look at this as a by-any-means measure, they’re only in this for a profit,” Torres said. “There’s a lot of money on the line for them. This is our first opportunity to voice our opposition to the plan and I am going to do everything I can to stop it.”

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Trump took to Twitter to vent his frustration with the Iowa results that landed him in second and gave fresh hope to Republicans hoping for a Trump-less race. Among those is Rubio, who seized on his third-place finish to cast himself as the sole “unifier” in a deeply fractured party and the man best positioned to beat a Democrat in November. Rand Paul announced he was dropping out, and put a new crop of voters up for grabs for the other contenders.

WHY VOTERS SHOULD TAKE NH POLLS WITH A GRAIN OF ROAD SALT

The Iowa caucuses showed that surveytakers had a tough time pinning down the state’s fickle electorate, and pollsters face of the same challenges in next-up New Hampshire.

Most poll-takers took it on the chin when Donald Trump’s lead in pre-election polls ended with a Ted Cruz victory at the Iowa caucuses. Marco Rubio’s strong thirdplace showing among Republicans seemed to sneak up on pollsters, too.

They did better at capturing a tight race on the Democratic side that favored Hillary Clinton. Ultimately, she squeaked out only the slimmest of victories over Bernie Sanders.

BUSH TO NH AUDIENCE: ‘PLEASE CLAP’

Bush delivered a speech in Hanover, N.H., in which he said the next president “needs to be a lot quieter, but send a signal that we’re prepared...” As he paused, one woman behind him appeared to start clapping. To everyone else, he urged: “Please clap.”

Compiled from the AP Newswire

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NEWS

Black Studies Hires New Professor

By Nate Shiedlower

Managing Editor| Sheidlon1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

The SUNY New Paltz Black Studies department has hired a new visiting assistant professor. Cruz Bueno, Ph. D, began her temporary position this Spring semester teaching three courses: Blacks in the Caribbean, 1492-Present and two sections of Race and Racism in U.S. History.

Bueno works as an assistant professor of Economics at Siena College and has taken an 18-month leave of absence to teach here.

“I am so excited to be at SUNY New Paltz in general, and in the historic Black Studies department in particular,” Bueno said. “Although I have only been here a couple of weeks my students have impressed me with the questions they ask and the comments they share; lots of intellectual curiosity in the classroom and that’s great!”

Department Chair Professor Major Coleman said he is delighted to have Bueno join the department.

“First, she is an economist, which is closely related to my field,” Coleman said. “But Cruz brings far more than just economics: she adds the gender speciality which we are lacking, and also fills the Latin American courses, which we also badly needed to have covered.”

Bueno said she is very dedicated to her field and her students, adding that she will add to the campus and department by mentoring and helping students inside and outside of the classroom.

“The best thing that I bring to the Black Studies De-

PHOTO COURTESY OF NEWPALTZ.EDU

partment and the campus in general is my ability to create organic bridges between departments and programs,” Bueno said.

This is the first hire for the department since they lost four faculty members last year for various and legitimate reasons. Coleman says the new hire will not be the department’s last as they intend to hire two tenure-track faculty members by the upcoming fall 2016 semester.

SUNY Raises Minimum Wage For Students

By Kristen Warfield

Editor-in-Chief | Warfielk@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

Student employees at SUNY New Paltz have a bit more cash coming their way following a new SUNYwide raise to its minimum wage.

Effective Jan. 28, students employed by the Work Study and Student Assistant programs on campus will receive an increased pay rate of $9.75 per hour – 75 cents more than the statewide minimum. According to Vice President of Budget Julie Walsh, this change affects 524 student workers on campus and is expected to cost the college $77,000 for the 2015-16 fiscal year.

This change comes as Gov. Andrew Cuomo continues to push for a $15 minimum wage for all New York workers. At a Jan. 4 rally in Midtown, Cuomo reinforced this idea as a positive change to the lives of New Yorkers.

“This state thrives when every New Yorker has the opportunity and the ability to succeed. Yet the truth is that today’s minimum wage still leaves far too many people behind,” Cuomo said at the rally. “This year, we are going to change that. We are going to raise the minimum wage to bring economic opportunity back to millions of hardworking New Yorkers and lead the nation

in the fight for fair pay.”

These notions prompted the SUNY Board of Trustees to pass a resolution at the end of January that would increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour for all nonunion public university workers by July 2021. The first step toward this was the most recent increase to $9.75.

This SUNY-wide wage increase affects over 28,000 workers among the state university system – 1,188 of which are in the Mid-Hudson Valley. SUNY officials project a near $28 million price tag for the public university system to meet a $15 minimum wage for its workers by 2021.

In a press release, SUNY Board Chairman H. Carl McCall said that this step toward higher wages for SUNY workers is an accomplishment for the public university system.

“The State University of New York is proud to ensure that anyone working on a state-operated SUNY campus continues to be paid at least minimum wage, including all full-time staff as well as students participating in work study programs,” McCall said. “We look forward to joining Governor Cuomo in setting a model for state entities and public university systems across the country.”

Thursday, February 4, 2016

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Village Awarded Grant to Improve Nature Preserve

By Nick Tantillo

Staff Writer | Tantilln1@hawkmail.newpaltz.

Hudson River Valley Greenway has awarded the Village of New Paltz a $5,000 grant for improvements to the Millbrook Preserve. Mayor Tim Rogers announced the grant on Wednesday, Jan. 13 during a Village board meeting.

The grant will fund improvements related to access of the Millbrook Preserve at North Manheim Street. Construction began in December 2015, and is expected to finish in December 2017.

The village originally applied for an $11,000 grant from Greenway. The $5,000 grant is closer in value to a modified award the Village suggested, and will go towards one of the Preserve’s several trailheads.

The grant from Greenway comes at a time when the village is seeking funds from a variety of sources.

The village had applied for a $200,000 grant from the New York office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, but did not receive the award, said Mayor Rogers during the village board meeting.

In an effort to continue raising money, the village has selected Peter Bienstock to lead a fundraising campaign that is expected to run the remainder of the year.

Bienstock is a resident of Princeton, New Jersey and Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. He currently fulfills various roles in the Open Space Institute, Storm King Art Center, Huguenot Historical Society and others.

Bienstock is also the former property owner of land that now belongs to the Millbrook Preserve. Forty years ago Bienstock, purchased the property from the

Bank of North America that acquired the land through a foreclosure. Ninety of the 150 acres Bienstock purchased were sold to the Woodland Pond retirement community.

Working alongside Bienstock is the group Friends of Millbrook Preserve. The group’s director, New Paltz Town Board Councilwoman Julie Seyfert Lillis, says the first item on their agenda is to draw up a budget of $200,000-$250,000.

The funds are likely to go towards signage, parking lots, trailheads and a nature classroom housed in a cabin. The Mohonk Preserve has already granted $2,000 for items such as magnifying glasses and dip nets. Bienstock is confident his campaign will raise the necessary funds, but recognizes the donor fatigue that hinder fundraising. In addition to monetary donations, he hopes families and contractors will give their time and resources to complete the project. A not-for-profit in the Hudson Valley has already agreed to provide signage for the preserve, Bienstock said.

Half of the money raised will be placed in an endowment for a preserve curator. This individual would be knowledgeable of animals and plants, and would take responsibility for the maintenance of the preserve.

Bienstock’s enthusiasm for the preserve is justified. It will offer New Paltz residents greater access to a natural preserve that is a short walk from Main Street.

Furthermore, Bienstock hopes to structure the campaign so the preserve will be financially self-sufficient. The result: residents won’t be charged for admisPHOTO COURTESY OF TOWNOFNEWPALTZ.ORG sion, nor will tax money be used for preserve mainteA lakeview of the Millbrook Preserve. nance.

Renovated Library Unveiled to the Public

By Holly Lipka

Photo Editor| Lipkah1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

After an eager anticipation of renovations, the Sojourner Truth Library finally opened its shiny, glass doors to the public on Saturday, Jan. 2.

The upgraded main floor includes 80 computers and multiple new group study rooms.

Students can rent out the new group study rooms for two hours at a time. The rooms hold four-six people and contain screens with software similar to a smart board where students can broadcast work and view it together.

Mark Colvson, dean of the library, said the group study rooms are tremendously successful so far and they’re “one of the best features of the new library.”

Students are already taking advantage of the new seating arrangements. Inviting

warm-colored soft seating, a combination of large booths and even a few designer Eames chairs fill the spacious floor. Power outlets are also set into the furniture so no matter where you are, laptops and phones can stay charged.

With the addition of more than twice the number of windows, an abundance of natural light brightens the space. The west-opened windows display a priceless view of the Gunks which can be seen from any spot a student decides to work.

“When we surveyed students they asked for two things: more available light and a variety of seating,” Morgan Gwenwald, the special collections librarian, said. “I believe we delivered on that very well.”

Additionally the front desk on the main floor now serves as a combined service desk.

Research and Education Librarian

Mandy Babirad believes the librarians are more accessible to the students and that makes it easier to help them.

While hanging out in the library’s entranceway, students can grab a delicious drink from Peet’s Coffee and Tea café and view the 12 glass display cases that will be used to share creative academic work from students, faculties and departments are doing on campus.

Throughout this semester, a variety of events will be held to celebrate the library’s grand re-opening. The library launched their opening events with a film screening and panel discussion about Sojourner Truth last Thursday, Jan. 28.

“We wanted to lead with a display on Sojourner Truth because many students don’t know much about her,” Gwenwald said. “She was an amazing person and we’re lucky to be named after her.”

Raj Pandya, director of the John R.

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Kirk Planetarium at SUNY New Paltz, will be hosting an upcoming event on Feb. 4 about the song, “Follow The Drinking Gourd,” and will explain how to navigate using the stars.

A lecture by Ken Nystrom of the Anthropology department will be held on Feb. 17. The lecture will discuss structural violence, specifically in regards to race, inequality, poverty and medical education in the 19th century.

Library users can also look forward to performances from the Kings and Queens of New Paltz club and Urban Lyrics. Gwenwald also hopes to have performances from the theater and music departments.

Colvson said the general public is raving about the space, according to feedback from the suggestion box and online form on the school website.

The official ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening will be in April.

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Your Student Senate Brief

By Sarah Eames

Contributing Writer | Eamess1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

The 61st Student Senate met on Wednesday to discuss plans for the upcoming semester.

According to Mike Patterson, director of Student Activities and Union Services (SAUS) and advisor to the Student Association (SA), only eight of the 25 senators have had prior experience serving on the body. In an effort to offer perspective to the newest members of the body, Senate Chair Paul Brown asked veteran senators to discuss issues that the Senate had addressed in the past.

Senator Maria Iskaros discussed her involvement with the Ban the Box initiative, which seeks to eliminate the requirement for prospective students to disclose certain aspects of their criminal history on their college applications. Iskaros, who is currently serving her fourth term as a senator, also has experience serving

on the Campus Auxiliary Services (CAS) board and as co-chair of the Social Justice Coalition (SJC).

Adriana Dulmage, a veteran senator with five semesters of experience, outlined the importance of building and maintaining the institutional memory of the body, arguing that remembering the progress that has been made in the past is imperative to moving forward in the future. She illustrated her point using a string of racial incidents on campus, including the anonymous note “Emmett Till deserved to die” that was scrawled on a whiteboard in a residence hall in 2013 and the labelling of a water fountain in the Humanities building as “coloreds only” in 2011. “This didn’t happen all that long ago, but most of you weren’t here to remember it,” she pointed out.

Senator Iskaros proposed that mem-

bers of the Senate attend a retreat. She emphasized the importance of bonding and establishing solid working relationships early on in the semester so as to better facilitate any future discussions or actions.

Senator Dulmage also came forward in favor of holding a retreat. “It really gives new senators a chance to get to know the people who have similar interests or support similar causes,” she said.

Iskaros pointed out that the 60th Student Senate did not hold a retreat last semester, and that most of its members did not continue on in the spring semester.

Senator Oren Koralashvili proposed that the Senate reinvest its funds back into the campus, holding events that reach out to the broader student community. “What this body needs is to bolster its political presence,” Koralashvili argued. “Only

then can we start making substantial change.”

According to Senate Chair Paul Brown, the Senate typically has $5,000 available in its discretionary fund every semester. Brown quoted that a retreat may cost an upwards of $3,000. Koralashvili argued that this leaves very little funding for delegates to attend SUNY Assembly, the semi-annual statewide conference of student government associations in which legislation is passed for implementation throughout the entire SUNY system.

Mike Patterson suggested that the body hold off on making a decision until firm numbers were available for both a retreat and a campus-wide program. Iskaros asked that Senate Chair Paul Brown compile a proposal for a retreat. The discussion was scheduled to be continued at the next meeting.

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Float on Story on page 2B

Thursday, February 4th, 2016 PHOTO COURTESY OF ARIUS PHOTOGRAPHY

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FEATURES

Stressful Day, Float Away

SPA BRINGS RELAXATION

& HEALING

TO HUDSON VALLEY

By Kristen Warfield

Editor-in-Chief | Warfielk1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

“Sensory deprivation therapy.”

At first thought, this experience may sound a bit intense, or even scary.

But in spas across the nation, it’s become the ultimate form of relaxation – and for New Paltz residents Joey and Grace La Penna, it’s become a rewarding way to make a living.

Originally opened in October of 2014, Mountain Float Spa on Main Street has brought this homeopathic self-care service to people of all walks of life: nurses, firefighters, expectant mothers, athletes, veterans and even children as young as nine. This husband-andwife duo of Joey, a class of ‘94 SUNY New Paltz alum and Grace, a Rochester native, currently operate the only float spa in the Hudson Valley.

The process all starts with a large tub inside an enclosed float cabin. A foot of water inside the light-proof, sound-proof space is heated to skin temperature, around 94 degrees, and 800 pounds of epsom salts are dissolved within. The density of the water allows a person of any size to float like a cork, easing sore muscles and giving an overall sensation of weightlessness. Since the temperatures between the body, the air and the water surrounding feel relatively the same, all senses of body boundaries fade during the float experience, the couple said.

“Once the lights and music are shut off and you’re floating, all external stimuli are cut out – giving your nervous system a really good break,” Grace said. “Your body feels like it just disappears into the water.”

Reasons to float are far and wide, reaching anywhere from easing aching joints, chronic pain and migraines to helping with concentration, motivation and sleeping issues. The spa offers both 60 and 90 minute float sessions, which boil down to the feeling of around four hours of restorative sleep. According to the spa’s brochure, flotation therapy is used regularly among Olympic and professional athletes

PHOTO BY KRISTEN WARFIELD

PHOTO COURTESY OF ARIUS PHOTOGRAPHY

– even noting that the two teams who played in last year’s Super Bowl, the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots, were the only

teams in the NFL that utilized float therapy that year.

Like other groundbreaking trends, float

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therapy emerged from an academic with a simple question: What effect does depriving a person of their senses have on the brain? In 1954, American neuropsychiatrist John Lilly set out to experiment the sensory deprivation experience, building a flotation chamber to study participants’ reaction to this type of environment – one absent of all sound, light and overall body awareness. Lilly found that many emerging from the tanks described deep states of meditative-like relaxation, soon sparking a movement from laboratory tanks to commercial ones.

Currently a craze in cities like Los Angeles and Portland, the floating industry has seen a renaissance from its initial popularity in the ‘70s and ‘80s that was cut short in the wake of the AIDs epidemic. Time Magazine reports that in 2011, America only had 85 float centers – but as of November 2015, that number climbed to over 250.

With New Paltz being synonymous with open-mindedness and relaxed living, the couple has grown a loyal clientele among this small mountainside town that has come to love floating as much as they do.

“We really love floating, and love seeing that we are able to help so many people by sharing this experience with them,” Joey said.

“We often joke that we’re in the business of getting hugs,” Grace added. “So many people finish and just want to hug us for the relief they felt.”

Among Mountain Float’s clients, Joey said his most rewarding experiences are with those who just can not relax on a day-to-day basis. These include those with chronic pain from fibromyalgia, muscle pain from an injury and even veterans coping with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

“One of the most humbling feelings I had at work was with a client, a veteran, with PTSD,” Joey said. “He came out of the float cabin almost in tears – because for the first time in a very long time, he was able to turn off his brain and just relax. To know you’re able to do that for someone is amazing.”

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College Dining on a Dime

CAFE MIO WOWS AS A LOCAL WONDER

By Sage Higgins Staff Writer | Higginss1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu Looking for a cozy place to relax and eat a meal that won’t stress out your wallet? Café Mio, located on Route 44/55 in Gardiner is the place to go for a cozy atmosphere with delicious food at an affordable price. The owner, Mike Bernardo, gave me the inside scoop on his love for food and everything local.

“My love of food and farms led to wanting to have my own place where I could showcase the greatness of the Hudson Valley,” Bernardo said. “Gardiner is a great small town within a great proximity of many farms.”

Working with local farms creates a sense of teamwork and community between restaurateurs and local farms. But how does this sense of community benefit the customers who are eating what is presented to them?

“More and more people want to know where their food is coming from and are becoming more educated on how it’s produced,”

Bernardino said. “We try to go about what we do as a local restaurant and use the best quality products we can.”

Café Mio works with several local farms and coffee roasters including Full Moon Farms, located in Gardiner, which according to their website, “proudly offers grass fed beef, pastured pork, lamb, goat and free range chicken.”

For their local coffee, Café Mio works with Phillies Bridge Coffee Company, which is located in New Paltz. According to their website, they’re a “specialty coffee micro-roaster” and their coffee is sold throughout the Hudson Valley at stores like Adams in Kingston and served at eateries like Moxie Cup (ask for the specialty option!).

And Café Mio doesn’t just respect the aspect of teamwork/community; they’re also extremely environmentally conscious.

“We try to use as much local and sustainable products as we can, we compost, recycle fryer oil, use biodegradable Togo containers,”

Bernardo said. “Also, our coffee is fair trade and many other things.”

I’m a lover of all types of grilled cheeses so whenever I get the chance to try one I have never had before, I go for it. For only $8 (and for $1 extra served along with their delicious thin cut fries), I decided to get a classic grilled cheese with a twist: grilled cheese with tomato and avocado.

On crusty bread, with ripe tomato and avocado and the cheese bringing the whole sandwich together, it was a perfect lunch to enjoy either with your favorite book or your favorite people. The fries are salty and crispy (the best type of fry) and went along beautifully with this cheesy sandwich.

Since it is also located very close to the Rail Trail, it’s also a nice place to cool down with a very delicious iced coffee that only costs $1.75.

Café Mio can be found on their website miogardiner.com or on Facebook as Cafe Mio. PHOTO BY SAGE HIGGINS

Suspense on River Road

PROFESSOR RELEASES NEW NOVEL

By Jonathan Perry Copy Editor | Perryj1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu SUNY New Paltz creative writing professor Carol Goodman released a new novel Jan. 16 called “River Road.” Unlike the several mystery and gothic-based works she has written before, this thrilling suspense story derives its dark content from the consequences of poor human behavior.

The idea for the story came straight from Goodman’s dark imagination, which she said is what got her into writing mystery and gothic fantasy works since she began her career. Having written over 14 books ranging from fantasy to mystery, “River Road” is the first mystery novel she has written in five years.

“I wouldn’t say the writing is gloomy or pessimistic, these are just the types of stories that appeal to me the most,” Goodman said.

Goodman said she makes each novel different from the last, having taken breaks from certain

genres to avoid developing patterns in her writing.

“River Road” is meant to have less gothic imagery and a little more psychological fascination. She said this will distract readers from their own worries to focus on the main character’s worries.

Readers recognize and sometimes identify with a character or writer’s worries or fears. Goodman likes to write stories about the things that keep her up at night. She said it is common for writers to cope with their fears by making them into something else, like a story. This method gives a means for people to deal with unpleasant and scary things in a productive way.

Incorporating this strategy into her writing allowed Goodman to base some of her book’s settings off real life. One of those places includes River Road, a real place in the Hudson Valley near where Goodman lives. She said by including common places she knows and that other people can recognize, she can give her stories a sense of realism even though they are fictional.

“Incorporating real places into my books gives the immediacy to the reader that bad things could happen at any moment wherever you are,” Goodman said.

Taking what she has learned from writing novels into her teachings, Goodman has said to her students that a writer should always be growing and revising their work. She said becoming a good writer means treating learning like a process instead of an end product to rush for. That also means taking constructive criticism and absorbing it.

Goodman wants her students to learn how to accept feedback when showing other people their work. Taking newfound knowledge and reconstructing their own writing to be better than before gives them the desire to keep writing and improving. She said this will get writers in the habit of being criticized by editors in their future jobs, so they don’t get discouraged.

After graduating from school, some of Good-

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man’s students went on to write novels of their own. She has heard back from some of her students and exchanged some of their works with her own. Like these students who came before, she said that writing is something someone should continue to do if they feel a desire for it.

As for Goodman’s future writing desires, she is currently deciding between writing either young adult and middle grade novels, or more mystery suspense stories. She said she wants to continue writing what she wants and to pursue writings about the Hudson Valley and all of its physical, fruitful beauty.

“I think I just want to keep going,” Goodman sad. “All any writer wants to do is keep on going.”

To further showcase her work, Goodman will be one of three authors giving a fiction reading and book signing on Thursday, Feb. 11, at 5 p.m. in the New Paltz Honors Center.

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Saving Studley Barn EXPLORING THE FUTURE OF A LOCAL LANDMARK

By Monique Tranchina Copy Editor | Tranchim1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu Renovating an 18th-19th century barn wouldn’t be a cheap and easy task for any owner, and the same goes for the Open Space Institute of New York State. Currently, they are the owners of the Studley Barn, located on Butterville Road in New Paltz. Ultimately, they will have the choice of whether to demolish or renovate it. They await research from the Historic Preservation Commission to determine whether the building would be considered a historical landmark, to be protected under federal government.

The Breezy Lawn Farm, located on 122 Butterville Road, is considered a designated historical landmark, according to the Town of New Paltz Historical Commission. This plot of land, which contains the Gatehouse off of Route 299, may include the Studley Barn.

Even as a historical landmark, the barn’s level of significance to the community may affect the OSI’s decision to repair structural damage.

Using local laws to determine whether

property is considered a historical landmark is integral to determining if the barn should be saved.

Joe Orfetelli, Chair of the Historical Preservation Commission, said he “will check records ... to make sure that the property that is being discussed is in our jurisdiction. I’ve looked at maps, which aren’t clear enough; I’ll go to the Mohonk archives to see whether it is in our boundary.”

“We don’t know if it’s in the National Registrar territory. But I don’t think it is,” Orfetelli said.

The OSI were hopeful that they could save the barn and repurpose it.

“As we began this process and at the time of our meeting in September, it was fully our intent to repurpose the building,” said Eileen Larrabee, Associate Director for the Alliance for New York State Parks. “This will include making minor structural improvements, to support OSI management of our properties between the Wallkill River and Butterville Road including the River-to-Ridge Trail.”

However, upon hearing the NYS engi-

neering report, Larrabee learned of conditions that may alter their ability to repurpose the barn.

“Although it’s tough to notice from the road, the building is leaning significantly to the east and is shifting off of its foundation,” she said. “According to our consulting structural engineer, the integrity of the barn is severely compromised, including inadequate wall and column foundations, leaning structural columns on both barn levels, and weak roof framing. We were advised that the barn is in the process of failing and to not use the structure for any purpose.”

The condition of the barn, whether built in the 1800s or 1900s, is deteriorating due to age.

Larrabee realizes that time and weather conditions can damage structures considerably, and to repurpose the building may be more painstaking than to demolish it and build a new one.

Caryl Sobel of the Historic Preservation Commission says that “The age of the barn has not been verified as historically accurate (as far as available records), but the State is estimating the date of construction as of 1920.”

“We are currently weighing a range of options including letting nature and gravity take their course, embarking on an extensive stabilization project and replacing the barn with a new barn that is similar in size and location,” Larrabee said. “We are also in the process of securing additional studies and analyses for each option that will inform our decision making regarding the future of the barn.”

Though the final decision rests in the OSI’s hands, Sobel said that “The Town Historic Preservation Commission welcomes input from the community on any property which they feel has preservation merit. We are also available to discuss historic preservation law, policy and procedures and our meetings are open to the public.”

Their contact information is at townofnewpaltz.org/boards.

Determining the future of the Studley building will take about two months, after options are cleared with informed analyses and studies of the barn’s safety and worth as a local landmark.

Govt. in the Third Dimension

COUNTY EXECUTIVE GETS MODEL OF OFFICE BULDING

By Matthew D’Onofrio Copy Editor | Donofrim1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu Last Monday, Jan. 24, County Executive Mike Hein was presented with a 3D-printed model of the Ulster County Office Building, created by one of SUNY New Paltz’s own students.

Olivia Privitera, the artist, is involved in the Painting and Drawing program here and dabbles in sculpture, ceramics and other similar arts, as well as math and science.

“I gravitated towards art because it gave me opportunities to synthesize a lot of my interest and express them in new, creative ways,” Privitera said in a press release. “My experience with 3D printing at SUNY New Paltz has been more wonderful than I ever thought it would be, and I’m really

excited to apply these skills creatively and continue working across the disciplines as I move forward with my career.”

Also present at the event was Hudson Valley Advanced Manufacturing Center (HVAMC) Director and Dean of the School of Science & Engineering Daniel Freedman, HVAMC Assistant Director Kat Wilson and President Donald P. Christian.

“Our students from art, engineering and business working on these projects have tremendous applied learning opportunities that challenge them and prepare them for the workforce,” Christian said. “We take pride in the initiative’s many accomplishments and are privileged to be an anchor for additive manufacturing in the state.”

The model will be on display in the lobby of the Ulster County Office Building. Hein sees great importance and futures with 3D printing, supporting the educational opportunities, as well as economical, that advanced technology such as 3D printing provides.

“SUNY New Paltz continues to be a leader in providing outstanding educational opportunities to students while simultaneously assisting businesses and entrepreneurs throughout our region with this incredible technology,” Hein said. “I want to especially thank Olivia Privitera for creating this amazing 3D Model of the Ulster County Office Building.”

The Ulster County Office Building, containing Privitera’s model, is located on 244 Fair St. in Kingston.

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PHOTO BY LIZZIE NIMETZ

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Spring 2016 Dorsky Preview THE ORACLE EXAMINES THE NEW EXHIBITS AT THE DORSKY

By Sam Manzella

Copy Editor | Manzells1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

With one new exhibition open to the public and three additional exhibitions in the works, it’s safe to say that the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art’s gallery walls will have a little something for everyone.

The Oracle staff spoke to Daniel Belasco, art curator at the Dorsky, to get a first look at the museum’s major exhibitions opening during the spring 2016 semester. According to Belasco, the museum’s two-fold mission was the driving force behind this semester’s art selections: the Dorsky aims to display art from the Hudson Valley and the surrounding community while enriching the courses and material available to New Paltz students on campus. The museum’s location outside of New York City means that the Dorsky can spotlight local artists who don’t always receive the attention they deserve, Belasco said.

The Dorsky will hold its opening reception for the following exhibitions on Saturday, Feb. 6 at 5 p.m.

Andrew Lyght: Full Circle Curated by Tumelo Mosaka, “Full Circle” features four decades worth of multimedia artwork and installations

by Guyanese artist Andrew Lyght. The gallery is full of vibrant, geometric paintings and installations reminiscent of a cubist painting or child’s playroom. Lyght is based locally: according to Belasco, he’s lived in Kingston for over 10 years.

“Full Circle” includes a selection

of some of his older works installed in other art galleries alongside newer works. This exhibition opened to the public in the Dorsky’s Alice and Horace Chandler and North Galleries on Wednesday, Jan. 20 and will remain open until Sunday, April 20.

Made For You: New Directions in Contemporary Design If you’re a do-it-yourself expert or Etsy enthusiast, “Made For You” will be right up your alley. The exhibition, curated by contemporary design expert and independent curator and art writer Jennifer Scanlan, features design works from contemporary artists and designers in the Hudson Valley who specialize in custom,

to the museum, Belasco said.

“On the Street and in the Studio” is a small slice of his donated photographs, comprised of about 70 images hand-picked

by Belasco. Shot entirely with film cameras, the images depict the lives and times of New Yorkers on the city streets, with some photographs dating as far back as the 1940s. The first part of this two-part exhibition opens on Saturday, Feb. 6 in the Howard Greenberg Family Gallery and closes on Sunday, July 10. The second part, which will include portraits selected from Greenberg’s donations, will open on Wednesday, Aug. 31.

The Floating World: Holograms by Rudie Berkhout Also curated by Belasco, PHOTO COURTESY OF SUNY NEW PALTZ “The Floating World” highlights a medium of a one-of-a-kind pieces. Works in bygone era: holography, which the gallery range from kitchen had its heyday in the art world utensils, to furniture, to fashion during the 1970s. The late artist, garments. Also featured in the Rudie Berkhout, specialized gallery are designers who work in holograms and his works with 3D printers to conceptualize were featured in museums their artistic visions. In fact, and galleries across the globe installed alongside the artwork during his lifetime. According will be two to three small 3D to Belasco, Berkhout’s work is printers in action, Belasco said. quite unlike anything else. The The curator himself dubbed holograms themselves operate them the technology of the with light fixtures positioned future. “Made For You” opens on behind small screened panels.

Saturday, Feb. 6 in the Morgan As the viewer moves throughout Anderson and Corridor Galleries the gallery, different shapes, lines and forms jump out and closes on Sunday, July 10. different holographic On the Street and in the from Studio: Photographs Donated panels, creating a unique and distinctly dynamic experience.

by Howard Greenberg One of the Dorsky’s biggest “The Floating World” opens donors, Howard Greenberg has on Saturday, Feb. 6 in the Sara donated over 1,000 photographs Bedrick Gallery and closes on Sunday, July 10.

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oracle.newpaltz.edu COME JAM WITH SAM!

By Sam Manzella Manzells1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

There’s a million things I haven’t covered in “Come Jam With Sam,” but just you wait. This week, I’m reviewing the soundtrack of the one and only “Hamilton,” Broadway’s latest musical hit courtesy of writer, composer and starring actor Lin-Manuel Miranda.

“Hamilton” tells the story of everyone’s favorite founding father without a father, Alexander Hamilton.

But this musical’s storyline isn’t the dry narrative you learned in high school. Miranda uses hip-hop and musical theater to delve deep into Hamilton’s struggles, relationships and personality, basing his historical record off of historian Ron Chernow’s 800-page biography of the American hero himself.

Miranda, a Puerto Rican-American who grew up in a poor immigrant family in Manhattan, underscores Hamilton’s rise to fame and success despite every odd he must defy as a poor, orphaned immigrant to Britain’s colonies.

Didn’t know our good ol’ 10-dollar founding father had a tragic backstory? Me neither. Miranda

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Hamilton Reigns lays it all out in the musical’s opening number, appropriately titled “Alexander Hamilton”: (“How does a bastard, orphan, son of a whore and a / Scotsman, dropped in the middle of a forgotten spot in the Caribbean by providence / impoverished, in squalor / grow up to be a hero and a scholar?”)

The drama and tragedy doesn’t end there.

“Hamilton” takes us through the whirlwind ride of Hamilton’s life, including his prestige in the American Revolution, his messy marriage to Ms. Elizabeth Schuyler and his infamous and dramatic demise at the hand of his dearest frenemy, Sir Aaron Burr. Amazingly, Miranda’s stage play and lyrics contain few factual errors — something crucial to the playwright and lyricist, according to an article from The New York Times. Miranda, who grew up without seeing people of color represented in classic Broadway hits, made the conscious decision to hire a cast almost entirely of people of color to play America’s founding fathers. The sole exception is actor Jonathan Groff, who plays King George III

in an ironic and hilarious twist on the token enemy minority trope often found in media.

The soundtrack to “Hamilton” is a poignant thrill of a ride. Songs like “The Story of Tonight” and “History Has Its Eyes On You” capture the conflicting sentiments of excitement and fear our founding fathers felt during their rebellion against the world’s biggest imperial power. “My Shot,” the third song on the recording, depicts Chernow and Miranda’s Hamilton as the ambitious, non-stop scholar and soldier he was, with his determination to “not throw away his shot” often clouding his better judgment. “Wait For It,” Burr’s signature track, positions Burr — also an orphan with passion and ambition abound — as Hamilton’s wealthier and more cautious foil, creating a duality that runs throughout Miranda’s lyrics.

All the while, theatergoers and listeners get a glimpse into the lives of the Schuyler sisters, Angelica, Eliza and Peggy. Elizabeth “Eliza” Schuyler marries Hamilton, but not without unspoken conflict from Angelica, who harbors her own feelings for our

favorite founding father. Songs like “Helpless” and “That Would Be Enough” play with the motif of a narrative, with Eliza wanting more than anything to be part of her husband’s story. When things go sour, Eliza’s solo track, “Burn,” escalates the tension in the best way possible. Eliza strengthens in her moment of crisis ... but an unimaginable tragedy brings her character arc full-circle. Peggy takes a backseat role in the Schuyler sisters’ story, but actress Jasmine Cephas-Jones is dual casted as Maria Reynolds, Hamilton’s sultry-voiced mistress. Reynolds has her moment in “Say No To This,” a sexy and heartstopping track.

The soundtrack culminates in a heartbreaking finale ... but I won’t spoil the ending, in case you weren’t paying attention in U.S. History. “Hamilton” is a clever, emotional and inventive take on musical theater. There’s nothing else quite like Miranda’s masterpiece. It’s easy to see why “Hamilton” has topped the charts and become Broadway’s biggest hit of the moment.

Top Ten Films of 2015

By Jake Berkowitz

Staff Writer | Berkowij3@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

With a flood of award-bait movies behind us, and The Oscars directly ahead, we find ourselves firmly entrenched in the shlock filled month of January. But fret not, 2015 left us with a lot of great films to catch up on. Here’s a top ten list to help you pick something good.

10. “The Big Short:” Educational, witty, and wildly entertaining. A dramatization of the housing crisis of 2008 shouldn’t be any of those things, but in the hands of Adam McKay, that’s what we get.

Thanks to a great ensemble cast led by the likes of Christian Bale, Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling, this movie runs along with a vibrant energy, but the facts might leave you wondering if this is the scariest movie of the year.

9. “45 Years:” I would never have thought that a film about the week leading up to a couple’s forty-fifth wedding anniversary could be so tense.

Charlotte Rampling delivers the best performance of the year, regardless of gender; she’ll leave you devastated. The script is entirely truthful, and Andrew Haigh’s direction rewards patience.

“45 Years” is a brisk hour and a half, so if you’re willing to invest in a small, quiet film, look no further.

8. “Mad Max: Fury Road:” Leave it to

septuagenarian George Miller to create the most lively, thrilling action film of the year. A nonstop, pedal to the metal film, where even the down beats might leave you feeling exhilarated, “Fury Road” gives you everything you want in a summer blockbuster: beautiful explosions, gritty fistfights, and impressive stunts. It might not be revolutionary, but it is formula filmmaking at its finest.

7. “The End of the Tour:” If David Foster Wallace’s “Infinite Jest” ever intrigued you, but the massive page count intimidated you, here’s your portal into the man’s mind. Like the best Woody Allen films of the ‘80s, there’s enormous truth, humor, and melancholy in this not so conventional road trip movie. Jason Segel nails Wallace’s wit and subtle charm, while Jesse Eisenberg counters with an equally impressive performance as the jealous David Lipsky. Enjoy this feature length film version of the deepest all-night conversation you ever had.

6. “Creed:” While I don’t like to get swept up in the #OscarsSoWhite movement, there’s one man I’d like to stand up for. Ryan Coogler, who directed and helped write the screenplay for this film, is absolutely deserving of Academy recognition. His control over the camera is awe inspiring, and the performances he’s able to

coax out of his actors, especially a never better Sylvester Stallone, are top notch. Creed is the best soft reboot this year, “Force Awakens” be damned.

5. “Steve Jobs:” Scripts written by Aaron Sorkin are tough to handle, but when put in the mouths of the right actors, like Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet and Seth Rogen, and put in the hands of the right director, like Danny Boyle, you get something great. Whip-smart, taut, and totally compelling, this film is a biopic done right. A delight for Apple and Microsoft fans alike.

4. “Love & Mercy:” Another unconventional biopic, “Love & Mercy” is about the life of troubled Beach Boys frontman and songwriter Brian Wilson. Paul Dano and John Cusack both play Wilson at different times in his life, and both turn in different, yet equally honest portrayals of the man. Paul Giamatti is also remarkable as the deranged doctor Eugene Landy and if you don’t leave the theater whistling “Good Vibrations,” you might need to check your pulse.

3. “Inside Out:” After three consecutive subpar Pixar releases, I went into “Inside Out” skeptically, but boy, if this movie doesn’t win you over in the end. The story is pinpoint specific and wholly universal, accessible for children, and engaging for adults. Like the best Pixar films, “Inside Out” will pull at your heartstrings, in

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between fits of laughter, all interwoven into a thoughtful, emotionally fascinating story. The movie deserves its seat next to the likes of “Up” and the “Toy Story” trilogy.

2. “Ex Machina:” The best science-fiction film of the decade, “Ex Machina” is about a Turing test that takes place over the course of a week.

Sounds bland, but it couldn’t be more thrilling.

Writer/director Alex Garland creates a gorgeous flick that’s just as packed beneath the surface as it is above, and “Force Awakens” cast mates Domhnall Gleeson and Oscar Isaac are stellar. The real star of the show, though, is Alicia Vikander.

Sexy, mysterious and vaguely creepy, she is the real driving force behind this breathtaking film.

1. “Son of Saul:” With the most ancillary of plots, Son of Saul is the most overwhelming film I’ve ever seen.

Creator László Nemes dares the audience to shuffle along with our protagonist as he faces two average days during the holocaust. Speaking of faces, for the most part, the movie focuses entirely on Géza Röhrig’s face, and the rookie actor more than lives up to the task, articulating a sense of sheer confusion and emotional wreckage, all while exuding an indescribably captivating energy. “Son of Saul” isn’t a fun film, but it is an important film.

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Seeking the Truth

UNVEILING THE LEGEND OF SOJOURNER TRUTH

By Jess Napp

Copy Editor | Nappj1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

Every day at SUNY New Paltz, a passerby will hear these common phrases: “I’m headed to the library,” “Are you going to the STL?” “Oh man, sorry I can’t go out tonight. I’ll be spending happy hour in the library.”

The Sojourner Truth Library (STL) is the on-campus hub for a lifestyle centered around the quest for knowledge. Hundreds of eager academics enter this sacred space daily, but how many people actually know the name behind the recently renovated building?

On Thursday, Jan. 28, the STL commemorated the opening of their shiny new first floor by paying homage to an incredibly important woman, Sojourner Truth. Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Lynn Spangler presented her documentary “The Life and Legend of

Sojourner Truth” followed by a panel discussion.

“We were concerned with finding things that we could do specifically regarding Sojourner Truth, since she is the namesake,” Morgan Gwenwald, head of special collections, said.

The 16-year-old film ran for 57 minutes and the hodgepodge audience of faculty members, community members and students watched with earnest interest as they learned about the once famous Hudson Valley native.

Gwenwald said that Truth lived for 30 years as a slave and when she became emancipated her life changed.

She transformed into a notable speaker and traveler; she spoke about abolitionism and women’s rights.

According to Gwenwald this program came into fruition when she discovered that Spangler had made a film about Truth. Gwenwald approached Spangler with the idea of showing the documentary on campus.

Then Spangler spoke with some other faculty members and decided to conduct a panel discussion after the screening.

“When I chose to do this documentary on Sojourner Truth guess where my inspiration came from – the library!” Spangler exclaimed.

The panelists of professors included: Susan Lewis, Pat Sullivan, Major Coleman and Ciesta Quinn.

Their topics ranged from “Truth as Historical Figure” (Lewis) to “Truth as Christian” (Coleman). Quinn also spoke about her experience acting as the voice of Sojourner Truth in Spangler’s production.

“I’m going to talk about how she was very aware of her image,” Sullivan said before the event commenced.

According to Sullivan, Truth possessed ownership of her own image through her strategic marketing. Truth had a series of photographs taken of her by unknown photographers so

her name remained the only famous signature on the prints.

The documentary depicted Truth as a strong spiritual activist with a sharp wit. Originally named Isabella, she renamed herself in 1843 after the holy spirits said that her name was no longer Isabella but rather Sojourner Truth.

“I can’t read, but I can hear,” Truth said.

She remained illiterate throughout her life, never learning to read or write.

Yet, she continued to inspire crowds and became one of the first black women to dispute a white man in court and win.

“Almost no one can be unimpressed with Sojourner Truth as a social and political activist,” Coleman said.

Display cases on Sojourner Truth

by Gwenwald and SUNY New Paltz graduate Sandy Marsh will reside at the main entrance of the library awaiting enthusiastic scholars until Feb. 9.

Album Needs “Work” RIHANNA’S NEWEST ALBUM FALLS FLAT

By Jackson Shrout

Contributing Writer | Shroutj1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

It’s hard to believe it’s been over 10 years since Rihanna first burst onto the mainstream music scene with “Pon de Replay,” a slick, punchy dance anthem that seemed to nestle itself into the set lists of every Top 40 radio station in America. “Pon de Replay” was generic, but harmless and in the following decade, Rihanna managed to find her unique sound over the course of six more platinum-selling albums, asserting herself as music’s number one alpha female. It’s been a little over three years since Rihanna’s last album and while that doesn’t seem like a huge amount of time, it’s important to keep in mind that the Barbadian pop star has never allowed more than two years to pass between releases.

“Anti,” her seventh album, brings with it a lot of hype. That “Anti” is Rihanna’s least-mainstream

release yet may explain the lengthened time gap, but unfortunately, the quality does not: this is Rihanna’s weakest effort yet.

In the year leading up to “Anti’s” release, Rihanna dropped four singles: “FourFiveSeconds” (featuring Kanye West and Paul McCartney), “Towards the Sun” (from the movie “Home”), “Bitch Better Have My Money” and “American Oxygen,” none of which earned spots in this new album’s thirteen-track list. Perhaps they weren’t grating or derivative enough for “Anti’s” standards, because just about every song on this album falls into at least one of these two categories. The album’s third track, “Kiss It Better,” is embedded squarely in both, with its generic ‘80s guitars and synths backing obnoxiously loud vocals.

When Rihanna does depart from her trademark vocal style, it’s usually in the service of sounding like one rapper or another. “Desperado”

and “Needed Me” both see Rihanna performing her best Drake impression; Drake himself is on the album, but his feature spot in “Work” consists of a relatively boring sung verse. One of the weakest tracks is “Woo,” in which Rihanna’s voice is slathered in a shrill, heavy autotune a la Travis Scott as it scrapes over an instrumental that sounds like it’s being played from a broken speaker. None of those songs, however, hold a candle to the penultimate track, “Higher,” ironically the lowest point on the album. Rihanna bites off more than she can chew with this track, and the end result is a vocal performance that had me laughing the first time I heard it.

There are a few good tracks on here, including “James Joint” with its rubbery bass, and the more traditional R&B track “Love on the Brain.” Still, it’s a bit disheartening when the best song on an album is a cover song that makes minimal changes to the original; “Same

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Ol’ Mistakes,” a cover of Tame Impala’s “New Person, Same Old Mistakes,” features identical instrumentals and vocal effects. It’s more karaoke than cover song and there’s no reason to listen to it so long as the excellent original is available. Maybe one day, some cataclysmic event will render the original song unplayable; then, and only then, will Rihanna’s version be worth anything.

Here’s the bottom line: I subscribed to a free trial on Tidal to listen to this, and frankly, I’m upset about that. “Anti” has a few good tracks, but they don’t do much to save the album, nor do they justify any sort of membership towards Tidal. It’s hard not to respect Rihanna’s attempt at a more industrial sound, but it clearly didn’t pay off, and in this, “Anti” is much like Rihanna’s version of “Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz:” proof that she should stick to harmless Top 40 tracks about bondage.

8B

The Deep End

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The New Paltz Oracle

THIS WEEK IN

THE DEEP END M E L I S S A

Major: Photography

A L D R I D G E

Year: Third

Inspriation: Gregory Crewdson, Adam Lloyd “I have always had an interest in traveling the world, to see the various ways of life. As a photographer, I desire to share the things I have seen with those at home and those I have met along the way.�

Photos courtesy of Melissa Aldridge| Captioning by David Khorassani

The New Paltz Oracle

Editorial

P r ep a r e d

to

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Protect

CARTOON BY STEFANIE DIERS

In the nation we live in, it has unfortunately become a regular occurrence to turn on the news and hear of yet another school shooting. In the past six months, the death count credited to shootings at public universities alone has risen to 17.

With more and more of these incidents happening on public college campuses like ours, we at The New Paltz Oracle are thankful to hear that the number of officers involved in January’s active shooter training at SUNY New Paltz was the highest it has been in years.

Last month’s training, our own University Police Department (UPD) and the New Paltz Police Department along with some officers from the Ulster County Sheriff’s Department, New York State Troopers, Town of

Lloyd Police Department and Town of Rosendale Police Department came together to simulate plans of action in a shooter situation.

On our campus, we are equipped with a police force of 23 officers, along with the nearby New Paltz Police Department that has worked closely with our own department on multiple occasions. We have no doubt that the two would come together at a time of crisis to safely defuse the situation and protect the community.

Outside of the SUNY New Paltz campus, multiple schools for grades K-12 exist in the area. If an incident took place at any educational establishment in New Paltz, or anywhere in the town for that matter, we are glad that our law enforcement is trained across the board in these protocols.

Furthermore, we find it important to mention that our college offers virtual training for immediate action upon encountering a shooter situation on campus. As a staff, we came upon this online training just this week. After looking through it and watching the instructional video, we strongly encourage everyone to take a few minutes and educate yourself. Hey, it could save your life. This guide can be found at newpaltz.edu/police/active_shooter.html.

In the video, our police chief details a few simple tips that may prove effective if confronted with an active shooter. First and foremost, protect yourself. If you can run and get out then do it. If you can’t, find somewhere to hide and lock yourself inside a room if possible. As a last resort,

Thursday, February 4, 2016

fight back. And as soon as possible, call 911.

We appreciate that our local law enforcement officers take the initiative to stay up to date on procedures that keep themselves ready for anything through routine training. Let us.hope they never have to use it.

Editorials represent the views of the majority of the editorial board.

Columns, op-eds and letters, excluding editorials, are solely those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the views of The New Paltz Oracle, its staff members, the campus and university or the Town or Village of New Paltz.

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Rachael Purtell Asst. Copy Editor

Purtellr@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

Everybody has a favorite Disney movie; for me, “Aladdin” has always taken the cake.

When I started seeing television commercials advertising that it had been turned into a Broadway musical, I knew it was only a matter of time before I would be sitting in the New Amsterdam Theater.

I owe my huge “thank you” to my roommate and her incredibly generous family for granting my wish. In celebration of our birthdays, my roommate and I travelled to New York City with her parents on a Saturday morning to see the show later that night. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect birthday present … I mean, a musical filled with shirtless, dancing men that were absolutely “hotter than hot in a rather good way,” the show was practically made for me.

The show was cast incredibly well, especially the male characters. The sets were beautiful and incredibly ornate and the special effects were very impressive. The show was enthralling and I probably looked like a little kid at their first basketball game throughout the show. Luckily, the man sitting next to me thought it was hilarious so I did not annoy any of my fellow audience members!

I was immediately launched into nostalgia with the opening number “Arabian Nights.” Although they decided to do away with the traditional peddler, the tune still felt so classic and segued nicely into “One Jump Ahead.” It was during this number that I too became a “one [wo]man rise in crime” as I took a total of 18 Snapchat videos throughout the night. Yes, I broke the law 18 times during my final 24 hours of being 18 years old.

One element that Broadway added to this classic Disney story was Aladdin’s mourning over his deceased mother. Not appearing in the original film, “Proud of Your Boy,” described this dynamic perfectly and let Adam Jacobs (Aladdin) showcase his vocal talent.

Frequent Broadway-goers will recognize his vocal style from his performance as Simba in the Broadway musical “The Lion King.”

In the next scene, we finally meet Jasmine, played by Courtney Reed, a name you

Opinion

Column

The New Paltz Oracle

Shining, Shimmering, Splendid may recognize from “Law & Order: SVU” and “CSI: NY.” Unfortunately, she was one of the few characters who did not live up to my unrealistically high expectations from the original animated film. However, she is still a Broadway actress and performed excellently, particularly in “These Palace Walls,” her only focus number of the night.

Another interesting curve Broadway threw at the neo-traditionalist “Aladdin” fans, such as myself, was the riddance of all of the animal characters in the movie. Iago, the parrot, was replaced by a person posing as Jafar’s assistant. Abu, the monkey, and Raja, the tiger, were replaced by three new male characters and three ensemble members respectively.

The female ensemble members did not play a major role in the performance as a whole, but the others had significant stage time. I was a little salty about such a major change at first, but Aladdin’s three best friends Kassim (played by Steel Burkhardt), Babkak (played by Brian Gonzalez), and Omar (played by Jonathan Schwartz) quickly won me over. The number “Babkak, Omar, Aladdin, Kassim” worked well to give the three new characters some personality in the first act.

Next, Jasmine and Aladdin meet in the marketplace and, after narrowly dodging the guards, perform “A Million Miles Away.”

This number was dominated by the typical Broadway style and optimistic theme of selfdiscovery.

When we left the theater, my roommate, her family and I kept talking about how impressed we were with the actor who played Jafar and how well he fit his character. Well, no wonder, Jonathan Freeman played this part and was also the voice of Jafar in the original Disney animated feature film. In my opinion, his versatility as an actor being able to perform live and be the voice over for an animated character is pretty remarkable.

In the next scene, Jafar and Iago (played

by Don Darryl Rivera) finally track down Aladdin and convince him to do their dirty work with the performance of “Diamond in the Rough.” This number reinforced my pre-

existing view of Jafar as the most suave Disney villain in my childhood lineup of films.

Rivera also had the opportunity to show off his very unique and interesting vocal style, not too bad for a Broadway debut!

The stage was next transformed into the infamous cave of wonders and the set was breathtaking and incredibly ornate. Jacobs finally got ahold of the lamp and after what seemed like “10,000 years” the Genie and 2014 Tony Award winner, James Monroe Iglehart was welcomed onto the stage.

I think it is safe to say that Iglehart did my childhood hero Robin Williams proud in his performance of “Friend Like Me.” His voice and theatrics were incredibly impressive and his stage presence was overwhelming. Also, Broadway pulled in lines from several other classic Disney songs when composing this number including “Tale As Old As Time,” “Part of Your World” and “Colors of the Wind,” which was very exciting for all of the grown up children in the audience, including us.

The “Act One Finale” was great and featured Aladdin’s first wish… to be turned into a prince! Yes, I cheered out loud at his costume change and promptly went to buy my eight dollar, flat soda just for the stupid cup as the curtain fell.

The second act opened with “Prince Ali,” my personal favorite song from the original movie, and it was the perfect way to start the show back up.

Up next, the moment everyone was anticipating, Aladdin and Jasmine took their magic carpet ride and performed “A Whole New World.” This scene’s set was by far the most impressive of the show. The backdrop was a beautiful night sky, Jacobs and Reed floated around on their carpet, surrounded by stars and the vocal chemistry of the pair was undeniable.

It wasn’t until the second act that I fell in love with Babkak, Omar and Kassim, but their performance of “High Adventure” had me completely bought in. This number is hilarious and features slow-motion running and lyrics such as “they’re playing music while we’re fighting” and “someone’s out

Thursday, February 4, 2016

there guys, someone BAD.” Need I say more?

The next number “Somebody’s Got Your Back” cutely emphasized Aladdin’s friendships with the rest of the characters onstage including Babkak, Omar, Kassim and the Genie. This number was followed promptly by the reprise of “Proud of Your Boy” and tears in my eyes.

One of my few complaints of the show was that we did not see enough of the Sultan, played by Clifton Davis, who has appeared in seven Broadway shows including “Wicked.” Although his stage time was limited, he definitely left a mark in mind, especially after his impressive performance in his reprise of “Prince Ali.” Shortly after was the reprise by Jafar of “Prince Ali” during which he exposed Aladdin’s true self and gained power of the Genie.

Despite the fact that Jafar is supposed to be the bad guy, I can’t not love him after such an incredible performance!

The finale of the show definitely had the adrenaline pumping through my body and brought the theater to a standing ovation when all the singing and dancing stopped. I particularly liked the fact that the number acknowledged the show’s audience-engaging modern flare that was so prevalent as Iglehart sang, “it’s the plot that you knew with a small twist or two, but the changes we made were slight.”

Now, I’ve seen several Broadway shows and always donated to Broadway Cares after each performance, but I have never been as tempted to donate $60 to receive an autographed poster as I was that night. Aladdin is definitely my favorite Broadway musical that I have seen and I recommend it to audience members of all ages. You are never too old for a little wishful thinking.

Rachael is a first-year communications major with a potential triple minor in psychology, computer science and Arabic. Rachael is also a member of the women’s soccer and lacrosse teams ... she has no free time.

SPORTS

The New Paltz Oracle

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SPORTS The New Paltz Oracle

FOUR SCORE

PHOTO BY HOLLY LIPKA

Hawks fourth-year co-captain Goldie Harrison sets up a play.

By Rachael Purtell

Assistant Copy Editor | Purtell1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

The women’s basketball team split their previous weekend at home with a tough loss against SUNY Fredonia and a win against Buffalo State.

Although the Hawks were able to out-rebound the Blue Devils and score 20 points off of turnovers, Fredonia was able to seal the 60-57 victory when third-year guard Alexis Cheatham made four-consecutive free throws in the final minutes of the game. Cheatham ended up with 13 points on the night.

“The loss against Fredonia was very disappointing because many of the things we worked on all week still were not executed properly and cost us significantly,” Hawks Head Coach Jamie Seward said. “Most obviously was the number of turnovers we had, particularly the travels due to poor footwork.

Also, we did a very poor job of finishing quarters, and that is something we spend so much time on because it is so important psychologically.”

The score remained close through-

out the third quarter, which ended with the Hawks leading 49-48 after a steal and fast break layup by third-year guard/ forward Morgan Roessler with 43 seconds remaining followed by two made free throws by Cheatham on the next possession.

Down the stretch in the fourth quarter, Hawks third-year co-captain Kit Small hit a three and a free throw to give the Hawks back the lead; but with two minutes and 30 seconds remaining, the score was tied by Blue Devils first-year forward Sarah Sweazy. Hawks thirdyear co-Ccptain Courtney Irby would hit a jumper to take back the lead, but unfortunately the Hawks were unable to keep Cheatham off the charity line.

Irby recorded a double-double with 10 points and 16 rebounds while also adding five steals to the stats sheet.

Small would finish with a game total of 18 points.

Small said the team has struggled with finishing quarters strong and pushing their lead even more when they possess one.

“We have been doing specific things in practice to help us improve in this and other things that have been giving us trouble,” she said.

On Saturday, Jan. 23, the Hawks defeated Buffalo State by over 30 points with a final score of 92-61, with 32 of their points coming off of turnovers.

Hawks fourth-year co-captain Goldie Harrison scored a career-high of 20 points shooting 8-of-10 from the field and 4-of-4 from the free throw line.

“Goldie [Harrison] played outstanding with such high energy and most of all played with heart and seeing that as a team really made us want to play with just as much heart as she did,” Irby said.

“She scored her career-high because of her mentality and effort. She put in 100 percent the whole game.”

Other key players for the Hawks were Irby with her seventh double-double of the season with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Small also added 12 points, making six out of eight free throws and second-year guard Jasmine Bryant added 11 points to the team total.

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Seward said during the game, the team had a much better overall focus, intensity and played with greater urgency.

Much of this can be attributed to a passionate speech Harrison delivered during shootaround that morning, he said.

In the second half, the Hawks scored a total of 58 points shooting 56.76 percent (21-of-37) from the floor.

On Friday, Jan. 29, the Hawks defeated the Oswego State Lakers 64-48.

Key players for the Hawks were Irby with 11 points and nine rebounds and Small, first-year guard Bettke and second-year guard/forward Laura Stuart each with nine points.

The following day against SUNY Cortland the Hawks won 73-63 and Irby netted a career-high of 22 points. Bryant also contributed 19 points to the victory.

On Tuesday, Feb. 2, the Hawks defeated SUNY Oneonta with a score of 70-59. Their record is now 13-5 overall and 8-3 in conference play.

The Hawks will next travel to Potsdam and Plattsburgh to play conference matchups on Feb. 5 and 6, respectively.

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Sports

The New Paltz Oracle

Men’s Volleyball Prepares For Home Opener

By Anthony Mitthauer-Orza

Copy Editor | Mitthaua1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

The men’s volleyball team is off to a 6-2 start, as they have won five consecutive games after splitting four games on their Puerto Rico trip that took place on Thursday, Jan. 14 through Saturday, Jan. 16.

As of Tuesday, Feb. 2, the Hawks maintained the No. 2 spot in the week two edition of the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division III Men’s Coaches Top 15 Week Poll after earning 240 points; falling just short of first-place Springfield College.

The two wins in Puerto Rico came in their season opener against University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon on Thursday, Jan. 14 and University of Puerto Rico-Carolina on Saturday, Jan. 16, both of which were 3-0 wins.

Hawks fourth-year co-captain Christian Smith said that even though the team did not get off to the ideal start they desired, it was a good test for the team as they go about their season. “[Puerto Rico] was a great experience for this team because we were able to play the best competition and really learn about where we are as a team and where we need to be,” Smith said. “We learned that it’s going to take more than us just showing up to play in order to be successful this year and that we can’t take any teams lightly.”

The Hawks also swept the 2016 Granite Challenge tournament hosted by Rivier College from Friday, Jan. 22 to Saturday, Jan 23. In the process, New Paltz recorded wins over Daniel Webster College, Rivier College and Mount Ida College to give Hawks 10th-year Head Coach, Radu Petrus, his 200th career coaching win.

Although Petrus achieved a big milestone in his career, it does not change the fact that he wants his team to have a successful season.

“We expect to win,” Petrus said. “I think we have good physical abilities and a good roster size and the bench can probably help us. The more competitive situations our team faces, the better we will perform as the season progresses.”

Throughout Petrus’ tenure, he has guided his team to a United Volleyball Conference (UVC) Championship in 2014 and has qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 2014 and 2015. In his career, he

has twice had a student-athlete named the AVCA NCAA Division III Newcomer of the Year, and he has had three different student-athletes combine for five All-America honors. Petrus has placed 15 studentathletes on All-Conference teams and has coached a conference Rookie of the Year on four occasions. In addition, three of his student-athletes have been tabbed as AllUVC Honorable Mention honorees.

Smith also achieved a milestone in the Granite Challenge, notching his 2,000th career assist. This is the fourth highest mark in school history. He said the team’s success in all areas has contributed to him reaching this milestone.

“I think we have served well so far and our passing has been very good these first couple of games,” Smith said. “Our game relies on serve and serve receive in order to be successful. Our blocking has also been better this year which has helped our overall defense and allowed us to score more points on our serve.”

Other notable performers include second-year outside hitter Anthony Bonilla and fourth-year libero Kevin Nardone.

Both put up nine digs apiece, while Bonilla also added 12 kills in the 3-1 win against Rivier.

In the game against Mount Ida College, the Hawks dominated all three sets to grab their second win of the day. Thirdyear opposite Joe Norman paced the Hawks with nine kills, three services aces, three blocks and four digs to finish with a .750 hitting percentage. Second-year setter Mitchell Kennedy recorded 23 assists for New Paltz.

In their most recent game, New Paltz defeated Div. I Sacred Heart University 3-0 for the first time in school history after falling just short of a win last season.

Hawks fourth-year outside hitter, Andy Fishman recorded a career-high five service aces in the win. The Pioneers fought hard to tie the game, but came up short as third-year middle blocker Steven Woessner secured New Paltz the set win and the match victory with a kill. This win not only increased the team’s win streak to five games, but also boosted the confidence of the players.

“We are starting to gel more and more as a team,” Smith said. “This was another great accomplishment because Sacred

Hawks third-year middle blocker Steven Woessner prepares for a play.

Heart is a Div. I team and New Paltz had never beaten them in a regular season match. The win helped our confidence greatly in terms of knowing we could play with any team especially when we play our game.”

The Hawks are next scheduled to play their home-opener against SUNY Polytechnic Institute on Friday, Feb. 5.

Petrus said this is a change for the team but believes it will give “all of the players a chance to play,” and it will also give their new addition, Norman more experience.

Norman is a transfer student that can bolster the team’s dynamic offense with his physical power, he said.

“Norman just transferred here and hopefully in the end he could help the team

Thursday, February 4, 2016

PHOTO BY HOLLY LIPKA

significantly,” Petrus said. “He has good movement on the court and great potential.

Once he gets familiar with his surroundings, he will add more physical power to our team.”

Although the team has gotten off to a solid start, Smith believes the team has many challenges to face but they are looking forward to gaining momentum from their home-opener before their next few games.

“We are having a good week of practice so far and want to continue building and keep getting better everyday,” Smith said. “It’s been a long time coming for us.

We have been looking forward to Friday night for a while now and hopefully we can put on a good show for the crowd.”

The New Paltz Oracle

SPORTS

Men’s Basketball Earns Conference Wins

By Rachael Purtell

Assistant Copy Editor | Purtellr1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

Like their female counterparts, the SUNY New Paltz men’s basketball team split last weekend 1-1 at home with a twopoint loss against Fredonia and an exciting four-point victory over Buffalo State.

On Friday, Jan. 22, the Hawks went on a 12-2 run midway through the first quarter. The run was punctuated with a layup by Hawks third-year forward Brandon Guest with about seven minutes remaining in the first half, bringing their lead to 28-17.

The Blue Devils managed to cut the deficit down to four points toward the end of the half. However, after shooting 70 percent from beyond the arc, the Hawks went into the locker room leading 40-33.

The Hawks and the Devils went pointfor-point down the stretch until Fredonia went on another short run to set the score 6055 in their favor.

Later in the second half after layups by Hawks third-year forward Andrew Seniuk and Guest, the score was tied at 62. Fredonia’s second-year forward Ian Helps sunk two free throws and Guest had another layup shortly after to tie the score at 64.

Helps made another layup and New Paltz was unable to answer on the following possession. Guest would block Helps to regain possession with about 23 seconds to go, but unfortunately the Hawks were unable to capitalize and the final score of the game stayed at 66-64.

Both Hawks fourth-year co-captain R.J. Rosa and Guest would stuff the stats sheet for the Hawks; Rosa with 10 points, five assists, four steals, and one block and Guest recorded nine points, four rebounds and three blocks.

Rosa said he is starting to find his new role, something that many of his teammates have struggled to do as well this season.

“Part of the reason we were struggling so early was because a lot of us were having trouble finding their role and were trying to do things outside of those roles,” Rosa said.

“I’m finding mine as a facilitator, hustle guy and I’m embracing that more now.”

Seniuk said the team needed to do a better job distributing the basketball during the game against Fredonia.

“We need to do a better job limiting the turnovers so we have to take care of the ball more,” Seniuk said.

The next day, the Hawks snapped their 12-game losing streak with their first conference win against Buffalo State with a final score of 81-77.

“I think that’s the best thing about backto-back games, you can’t think about it at all, you have to have amnesia,” Hawks Head Coach Mike Rejniak said. “If you get too down on a loss or too high on a win then it can get you on Saturday, so you have to hit the reset button and teams that are able to most effectively, tend to be the best teams in the league.”

The opening minutes of the game were a see-saw battle.

Both teams continued to go back and forth for the remainder of the first half until a mid-range jumper just before the buzzer by the Bengals’ third-year guard Jordan Glover tied the score at 36-all at the half.

The Bengals scored off the first possession of the second half and held their lead until Seniuk put the Hawks ahead with an old-fashioned three point play with 8:57 remaining in the game.

Seniuk would finish the night with a total of 24 points, four rebounds, two blocks, one steal and one assist.

Rosa said that Seniuk is the most underrated fundamental basketball player he has ever seen.

“This weekend he finally reaped the rewards,” Rosa said. “He always puts a lot of work in and he’s the most consistent player we have, it’s about time he had a game like that.”

Other impact players were Hawks firstyear guard and forward Nick Paquette tied his previous career-high with 16 points, Guest with several key points late in the game with a total of 11 and Rosa with seven points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals.

“We just really focused on winning,” Seniuk said. “We knew we couldn’t go 0-2 in a home weekend against SUNYAC opponents.”

The Hawks and the Bengals traded points until New Paltz led by as many as seven points, the last of which came off of a layup by Seniuk with 3:48 left in the game.

After a dunk by Bengals’ third-year

forward Leon Moise, the Bengals forced a turnover and took the lead. On the next possession, the Hawks drew a charge on a fastbreak and got the ball back with 34 seconds to go. Hawks first-year guard Matt Misser was fouled on the next play and made the two subsequent bonus free throws.

Guest would then rebound a Bengal miss and get fouled immediately with seven seconds remaining and made both free throws to give the Hawks a five-point cushion. Buffalo State’s third-year guard Nico McLean was fouled on a three-point attempt on the next possession and would make the first two free throws and the miss on the third shot was rebounded by Rosa. Rosa was fouled immediately and made one of his two free throw attempts to bring the final score to 81-77.

“One of our mantras this year has been ‘unfinished business’ and it’s because of what happened last year; we lost in a buzzer beater to Buffalo State,” Rosa said. “We kind of used that as a springboard in the beginning of the game and remembered what they did to us last year on our home court and knocked us out of playoffs so that was definitely a way to motivate ourselves.”

On Friday, Jan. 29 the Hawks fell to SUNY Oswego 75-59. Seniuk tallied 13 points, four rebounds, an assist and a block, Misser had 12 points, four rebounds and two assists, and Rosa recorded 10 points, four rebounds, four steals and two assists.

The following day the Hawks slayed the SUNY Cortland Red Dragons with a score of 80-74 at SUNY Cortland. Paquette netted a career-high of 21 points and Hawks fourthyear guard Keegan Donovan tossed in 20 points and five assists coming off the bench.

On Tuesday, Feb. 2 the Hawks were defeated by SUNY Oneonta 81-59.

Their record is now is now 3-14 overall and 2-9 in conference play.

The Hawks will continue their fivegame conference road trip and travel to Potsdam and Plattsburgh this weekend.

“A game’s a game no matter where you play it no matter if it’s home or on the road,” Rejniak said. “Every team has to do it, every team has to travel to us, every team has road stretches and this is just our’s. In the end, it’s just mental prep, mental focus and making sure we’re ready to rock and roll when we step off that bus.”

Thursday, February 4, 2016

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13

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Dariah Duncan SPORT: Basketball YEAR: Fourth Year MAJOR: Economics HOMETOWN: Harlem

HOW DID YOU FIRST START PLAYING BASKETBALL? I was 6 years old. I joined the local YMCA and did skill camps there. As I got older, I continued to play and joined AAU teams. I played in high school and was captain of the varsity team my junior and senior year.

OUTSIDE OF YOUR SPORT WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO?

Outside of basketball, I enjoy listening to music and hanging out with my friends. I like to watch movies (DVDs or Netflix), shop and try out new restaurants.

WHO ARE YOUR BIGGEST ROLE MODELS? My two biggest role models would have to be my mother and my oldest brother, Darren.

ARE YOU A FAN OF ANY TEAMS? I‘m a huge Knicks fan, no matter if we’re having a winning or losing season. I am also a fan of the Los Angeles Clippers and Chicago Bulls.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SUPERSTITIONS? No, I don’t have any superstitions.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORE SPORTS MEMORY? When I was in high school in a playoff game, I scored 23 points and hit the game winning 3-pointer. It was a great feeling, and I was so glad to help my team win the game.

DO YOU WANT TO BE...

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK? Contact Melissa Kramer or Michael Rosen at Kramerm2@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu or Rosenm2@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

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Sports

The New Paltz Oracle

Swimming Prepares for SUNYAC Championships

By Michael Rosen

Copy Editor | Rosenm2@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

The men’s and women’s swimming teams finished off their regular seasons with a losses at home at the hands of SUNY Geneseo.

The losses dropped the men’s and women’s records to 4-3 and 5-2 in dual-meets, respectively.

On the men’s side, the Hawks were defeated by a 151-106 margin. New Paltz won three individual events on the day. Fourth-year co-captain Will Koenig won both the 50 freestyle (22.00) and 100 freestyle (49.32), while second-year Barrett Celecki took home the gold in the 1,650 freestyle (17:29.66).

The Hawks also scored first-place points in the 400 individual medley and the 400 freestyle relay by virtue of Geneseo marking its entries as exhibition. First-year Joe Galante scored first-place points in the 400 individual medley (4:40.22). The 400 freestyle relay team of third-year Austin Kowalsky, second-year Caleb Treadwell, fourth-year co-captain Ethan Cooke and Koenig scored first-place points in the 400 freestyle relay (3:15.56).

Second place finishes for the Hawks include fourth-year co-captain Ryan Lindgren in the 100 breaststroke (1:02.54) and the 200 breaststroke (2:18.43), while third-year Rob Cahn finished second in the 500 freestyle (5:04.39). Secondyear Nick Wills scored second-place points in the 400 individual medley (4:47.34) by virtue of Geneseo marking its entries as exhibition.

“We had some very good swims, including my senior captain Will Koenig winning the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle events,” Hawks Head Coach Scott Whitbeck said. “Our men’s 400 free relay had our best dual-meet swim to date (3:15.66) and should compete with Geneseo and Cortland for the conference title in that event.

Celecki had a tremendous individual performance in winning the 1650 freestyle. Although we lost the meet, we put up a great effort.”

The men conclude their season with the same mark they posted last season. The Hawks went 1-3 at home, but an undefeated 3-0 on the road.

For the women, they lost by a score of 142115. The Hawks took home the gold in five individual events. Fourth-year co-captain Cassidy Griger led the way by winning the 200 freestyle (1:56.78) and the 100 freestyle (54.37). Secondyear Megan Joseph won the 100 breaststroke (1:11.81), first-year Katie Donlevy finished first

in the 200 breaststroke (2:34.57) and first-year Jaimie Kaefer won the 400 individual medley (4:42.64). Kaefer’s time set a new pool-record.

New Paltz also scored first-place points in the 400 freestyle relay by virtue of Geneseo entering the event as exhibition. Donlevy, third-year Aimee Del Favero, first-year Kaleigh O’Halloran and Griger posted a time of 3:40.52.

Second-place finishes came from secondyear Molly McCulloch in the 50 freestyle (25.56) and Griger in the 500 freestyle (5:17.18). Fourthyear co-captain Ella Graffin scored second-place points in the 400 individual medley (5:07.08) by virtue of Geneseo marking its entries in the event as exhibition.

Despite the loss, Griger was impressed with how her team competed against the top team in the conference.

“Geneseo is the toughest competition in the SUNYAC conference and one of the fastest teams we’ve swam against all year,” she said. “The meet was a good opportunity to get us ready for swimming fast at the SUNYAC Championships.

We had a lot of close races and posted some fast times for this point in the season.”

The women finished their season with a 5-2 record, a slight drop off from their 6-1 record last season. The team went 3-1 at home and 2-1 on the road.

Both teams will next compete in the 2016 State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Championships from Thursday, Feb. 18 to Saturday, Feb. 20 at Erie Community College’s Burt Flickinger Aquatic Center in Buffalo, New York. Last season the men finished fourth out of nine teams, while the women finished third out of nine teams.

Whitbeck says the team could use some rest over the course of these next few weeks, but they will also continue to work out during the break.

“We are in the beginning stages of tapering,” he said. “This is the time of year where we progressively rest and recover from a long season of training. We are looking to sharpen up on little things and be ready to go in just over two weeks.”

Swimming three days in a row at the SUNYAC Championship will be challenging for the team, but Griger believes they are up to the task.

“SUNYACs is a preliminary finals style meet so we will be swimming two sessions a day for three days, which is very physically and mentally demanding,” she said. “However we’ve had practice with these type of meets earlier in the season, against NYU and at the MIT Invitational.”

The swimming teams seek strong finishes in postseason play.

Thursday, February 4, 2016

PHOTOS BY HOLLY LIPKA

The New Paltz Oracle

Home Isles Advantage Kramerm2@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

We have reached the halfway point of the NHL season.

After entering the NHL All-Star break with a 4-2 loss against the Detroit Red Wings, the New York Islanders will need to pick up the pace in order to seal a quality playoff seed. The second half of the season is always crucial in a team’s run to the playoffs and every point counts. Entering the break, the Isles stood in third place in the Metropolitan Division and seventh in the Eastern Conference.

At 25-16-6 (56 points) the Islanders were seven points behind their pace from last season, when they were 31-14-1 (63 points) at the All-Star break. For the Islanders, this means performing well as they will be playing 35 games in 68 days, 16 against divisional opponents. During this time, they will have to fit in their makeup game against the Philadelphia Flyers on April 10.

Coming off of the All-Star break, the New York Islanders need to be one thing, consistent.

For me, game highlights of the first half include beating arch-rival New York Rangers twice on home ice at the Barclays Center and a 5-2 win at home against the Anaheim Ducks on Dec. 21. The worst game of the first half was the 4-0 shutout loss against the Flyers on Jan. 9.

Individually, with 30 points (20 goals, 10 assists) in 48 games, Brock Nelson deserved consideration to be on the All-Star Game roster. Without his productivity on the ice, the Islanders would not have nearly as much scoring as they have had the first half of the season. He really showed the league what he is made of when he netted his first career hat-trick against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Jan. 12.

Coming off the break, Nelson has tallied 20 goals — tying his careerhigh and it is only the halfway point of the season. Nelson is really developing into a solid forward.

With Captain John Tavares in a slump for a good part of the season, Frans Nielsen has also picked up his team contributing 15 goals and 16 as-

SPORTS

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15

Isles Seek Strong Second Half

Calvin de Haan looks on during a 2015-16 game.

sists for a total of 31 points. For the first time in a while, scoring is coming from all four lines and Tavares is not the lone man responsible for lighting the lamp.

It was nice to see the Captain representing his team as the lone Islanders All-Star. He even took home the “Shooting Accuracy Contest” title in the skills competition. Tavares needed just five shots and just over 12 seconds to break the four targets at the four corners of the goal, earning the Eastern Conference a point en route to a 29-12 victory. Competing against other top All-Stars in the league for a victory like that of Tavares’ is not easy. It is nice to see JT bring home an award and put the Islanders on the national map.

Another key to success in the second half is getting veteran defenseman Johnny Boychuk healthy and back on the ice. Boychuk has been out of action since Jan. 2. The 32-year-old defense-

PHOTO COURTESY OF FLICKR USER DINUR

man has the third-most minutes among Islanders skaters this season and has been a crucial component of the powerplay.

Other injuries have occurred with the defensive core. Travis Hamonic missed some time in January. As a result, 21-year-old Adam Pelech was called-up to replace “Hammer.” He performed well in his absence and was opening the eyes of Islanders fans. Unfortunately, Pelech caught the injury-bug as well and is now believed to have sustained a season-ending injury.

This injury came after taking Derek Stepan’s skate blade to the face on a clip while diving to prevent him from scoring during the game against the Rangers on Jan. 14. Staying in the game after having his right cheek stitched up, Pelech was unable to play another game for the Isles. He finished his season recording two points in sev-

Thursday, February 4, 2016

en games.

On the positive side, Hamonic has returned to the blue-line and getting much-needed rest during the AllStar break only can do good to the hurting blue-liners. However, Hamonic has been on the trading block for a while after announcing his request to play closer to home with a team in western Canada. As the trade deadline approaches, Hamonic’s wishes will most likely be granted, leaving the Islanders short a valuable defensive presence.

Now the question is, will the Isles bring up 21-year-old defenseman Ryan Pulock for some more power on the blue-line? Scott Mayfield has been a replacement, but despite that, a seventh defenseman will need to be called-up regardless because of the banged-up defensive core. Pulock has been one of the Isles most promising prospects for a while now and has a wicked slapshot. Even if it is only for a couple of weeks, the young defenseman will be able to gain some experience at the NHL level, just as his fellow Bridgeport Sound Tiger teammates Pelech and Mayfield have.

Pulock was the Isles first-round draft pick in 2013. He has six goals and 13 assists in 43 games for Bridgeport after scoring 17 goals in 54 games last season and deserves to get a chance at the NHL level — something the fans have been waiting to see for a long time.

In their first game back from the break, the Islanders earned a big 5-3 win against the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday, Feb. 2. This was yet another game where multiple lines, including forward Anders Lee. Up next, the Islanders will be facing the red-hot Washington Capitals on Thursday, Feb. 4. This is a huge game, especially on the road. Any time the Isles can beat the Caps shows they can face anyone in the league. Also, any Islanders fan wants to get revenge on the team that knocked them out of the first round of the playoffs last season.

Hopefully the All-Star break will bring in some fresh legs to take this team far into the playoffs.

Sports

WHAT’S INSIDE

Men’s Volleyball Remains Ranked At No. 2 PAGE 12

Men’s Basketball Snaps Losing Streak PAGE 13

LEADING LADIES WOMEN’S BASKETBALL WINS FOUR STRAIGHT : PAGE 11

ALL PHOTOS BY HOLLY LIPKA

The New Paltz Oracle