Volume 88, Issue 22

NEW PALTZ ORACLE THE

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TTThursday, May 5, 2016

OIL OBJECTIONS

PHOTO COURTESY OF MATTHEW NASH

Volume 88, Issue XXII

Activists Speak Out Against Pilgrim Pipeline Project STORY ON PAGE

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INSIDE THIS WEEK’S ISSUE OF THE NEW PALTZ ORACLE

•Campus Counseling Center Offers Aid to Students ...........Pg 3 •Potential Closing of Stop & Shop Brings Questions .........Pg 4

•Locals Discuss Opioid Epidemic in Ulster County .............Pg 7 •Campus Appoints Chief Diversity Officer ...........................Pg 8

Kristen Warfield EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Nate Sheidlower

NEW PALTZ ORACLE THE

MANAGING EDITOR _________________

Melanie Zerah NEWS EDITOR

Jack O’Brien FEATURES EDITOR

Sam Manzella

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Melissa Kramer SPORTS EDITOR

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Holly Lipka David Khorassani PHOTOGRAPHY EDITORS

Stefanie Diers CARTOONIST

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Michael Rosen Jonathan Perry Jess Napp Monique Tranchina Anthony Orza Rachael Purtell Kintura Williams COPY EDITORS

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Jackie Quaranto WEB CHIEF

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Cam Collichio BUSINESS MANAGER _________________

Marisa Losciale

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER _________________

STAFF Sage Higgins, Matthew D’Onofrio, Nick Tantillo, Otto Kratky, Jake Berkowitz, Erica Ascher, Briana Bonfiglio, Jackson Shrout, Liam Baker

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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.

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Counseling Center Urges Students to Seek Support

By Melanie Zerah

News Editor | Zerahm1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

Mental illness and suicide rates in young adults have become a rising national epidemic in the past five years, and universities are vying to keep up with providing effective resources to increase suicide prevention for students.

For SUNY New Paltz, annual spending for the counseling center has jumped from $300,000 in 2010 to $400,000 in 2015. With five full-time counselors and a consulting psychiatrist operating Monday through Friday until 5 p.m. at the campus Psychological Counseling Center (PCC) with individual and group sessions, the expansion of resources and help for students in need is a constant search.

Many students who have tried to use PCC have reported frustration with the inability to make appointments as a new patient in the near future. Upon calling the PCC, it is not uncommon to have a wait period of a week or two before seeing a counselor.

“There is a backlog across the nation for student counseling,” said Director of Student Counseling Gweneth Lloyd. “When a student calls and their first request is ‘I would like to make an appointment,’ the first question we ask is ‘is it urgent, are you having a crisis?’ We have never turned anyone away saying that we are too busy if they are in crisis.”

Lloyd said the secretaries at PCC are trained well enough to detect the particular tone in the voice of a caller and determine if they are in distress, even if they say otherwise.

If a student is having a crisis and must be seen right away, they may have to sit in PCC and wait for a counselor to be available, but they will be seen that day and they are also a safe environment under the watch of those at the center.

“The other day I walked in and all three of my crisis staff were dealing with a crisis, one for each of them,” Lloyd said. “I walked in from a meeting, and another student in distress was in the waiting room so I went outside and had a conversation with her, telling her she has to wait but we will see her today.”

According to Lloyd, the conversation over the phone and in-person to a student who feels they are in crisis begins with the defining of “urgency” to see a counselor. “Are you concerned about your personal safety or the safety of someone else?” goes along with this definition as well as being an important question for the student to address.

“We have never turned anyone away saying that we are too busy. I know people say that, but that is not the case,” Lloyd said. “There is a large backlog at time just around critical periods such as midterms and finals to make an ap-

pointment, so it doesn’t exist at the beginning of every semester. That being said, there is no student crisis walk-in where we say they can’t be seen that day.

According to Vice President of Student Affairs David Rooney, the college is always looking for new ways to address the flood of students at PCC. Additionally, various areas of the administration including department vice presidents, senior counselors and the chief of police, attend SUNY-wide meetings where ways to improve college operations are discussed.

Rooney said at these meetings, campus officials are able to hear about the practices in which other colleges are operating. An example of this is “Let’s Talk,” a service adopted from Syracuse University. This service offers free mental health consultation and support to undergraduate and graduate students at the college with no previous appointment made.

“Let’s Talk” is available on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. each week with one of the five counselors in the Student Union Building room 209.

“We are always looking for ways to maximize our means of meeting demands,” Rooney said. “‘Let’s Talk’ not only acts as an informal outlet for students who just need to talk about minor social issues or stress, it also addresses the students who believe there is a stigma attached to visiting counseling center.”

Counseling services at SUNY New Paltz work in conjunction with consulting psychiatrist Dr. Charlotte Murphy for students who are in need of psychiatric medication.

According to Lloyd, the criteria for the engagement of full-time psychiatrist is that the student must be actively engaged in therapy.

Medication management refers to the required psychological counseling that is necessary for the consumption of medication. A student must be undergoing therapy in order to be prescribed medication.

Additionally, students who are already being prescribed medication from a psychiatrist at their home can go to the psychiatrist for assistance if they are caught in a bind with attempting to refill their prescription.

“The prescribing psychiatrist takes on a lot of responsibility for someone that they are not seeing they don’t know what kind of reaction they are having or what have you,” Rooney said.

“But it is a tool for us to make sure that we can maintain a student’s treatment while they are away from home and while they may be away from their regular therapist.”

Rooney and Lloyd expressed that they treat students who seek out counseling as independent adults, therefore they can be entrusted to

take medication. However, if a student is a minor they will need parental consent.

“It creates conflict because we recognize their rights to privacy and sometimes their parents might see things differently,” Rooney said.

Lloyd said the consultant psychiatrist has been selected upon her values extra conservative with medication. These values are consistent with the philosophy and practice treatment models of the counseling center.

Controlled psychotropic substances such as Adderall or Xanax are prescribed only after a student has undergone extensive counseling with one of the five counselors and primary therapy with Murphy.

According to Rooney, many students who present a need for psychotropic medications for mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder already have a psychiatrist at home. Murphy will be in constant contact with their regular therapist and psychiatrist from home to ensure that the student is not playing one doctor off another for extra medication or to attempt in getting off of medication when they should not be.

Students must be subjected to lengthy assessment in order to root out if a student is simply “drug seeking.” If a student is found to be this way, PCC will offer them other alternatives to dealing with their symptoms.

Such a hesitation to take psychotropic drugs lends itself to students wanting to preserve a certain lifestyle that medication might interfere. These concerns center around a possible jeopardization of lifestyle choices that include drinking, drugs and/or sexual performance.

Rooney also said the cyclical nature of psychotropic medication where a student may get off medication because “they feel better” and then sink back into their mental illness is a common situation.

“That is why it is important for the psychiatrist to understand the developmental population of the college,” Lloyd said. “Everything about a student must be taken into consideration. A student’s primary therapist knows them very well and can provide information to the psychiatrist about the student’s mental progress and lifestyle.”

A system exists between Residence Life, the University Police Department (UPD) and PCC that is available to respond in the case of an emergency where a student’s life may be in danger. According to Lloyd, this is a protocol for how students can access mental help past 5 p.m. in an emergency.

Each night a different counselor is the emergency contact for the night. It allows 24 hour responders, like the police, to have access to psychological consult. This allows for some-

Thursday, May 5, 2016

one in a UPD position with no psychological training to have access to a therapeutic resource to help a student in mental distress.

“It’s used a lot, any crisis would begin there at any time,” Rooney said. “The distress of a student may come to the attention of a residences assistant (RA) or a residence director (RD), and they can call the counselor on call UPD if the student is in danger.”

The counselor is brought to the scene via the phone and they do a risk assessment over the phone with the student immediately to determine the level of risk and self-harm.

Counselors can only make recommendations for a student who may be putting themselves in danger to be transported to the hospital for further assessment, they cannot mandate it as counselors are not medical doctors.

“We make an assessment to if a person needs a higher level of care, at the point that we do that, we have a team approach,” Lloyd said. “The student is transported to the hospital for further assessment, and we stay in line with them due to the wonderful memorandum of understanding with have with UPD and the hospital.”

Lloyd said they are able to follow up all the way until doctors see the student and this may take several hours. The hospital workers will inform of the counselors if the student will be ok to come back to the dorm or their home or if they need hospitalization.

“We don’t believe that the RA or roommate should be entrusted to keep an eye on the student,” Lloyd said. “I firmly believe that if a student needs to be ‘kept an eye on,’ they need to be in a safe environment with a professional.”

Rooney said however, 25-30 years ago, the standard procedure was to have the RA or roomate keep an eye on the distressed student.

Rooney and Lloyd made it clear that when students say that they are upset that they get sent to the hospital by PCC, it happens because the student was not making rational decisions and needed to be hospitalized.

“Nine times out of 10 a student who gets sent to the hospital will have to stay overnight,” Rooney said.

The goal, according to Lloyd and Rooney, is to keep the student safe and aid them in recovering from such a traumatic night where they were so distressed they had to be sent to the hospital.

“We don’t send them unless we have to, no one wants to be out at 3 a.m. seeing a student in such crisis,” Rooney said. “This is not a situation to be taken lightly people have rights to not go, but I cannot remember an involuntary transport that didn’t result in a hospitalization.”

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NEWS BRIEFS WORLD

REUTERSWARD, SWEDISH SCULPTOR OF TWISTED GUN BARREL, DIES

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Future of Stop & Shop Unclear, Employees Fear Job Loss

Carl Fredrik Reutersward, one of Sweden’s best-known modern artists and the creator of the iconic statue of a revolver barrel tied in a knot, has died at the age of 81. The artist, who was a major influence in the modern Swedish art scene, died in a hospital in Helsingborg, southwestern Sweden, on Tuesday evening, Thomas Millroth, from the Carl Fredrik Reutersward Art Foundation, said. He gave no cause of death, but Reutersward, who suffered a stroke in 1980, was known to have been unwell for some time.

US DECLARES ALEPPO CEASE-FIRE, SYRIA SAYS ONLY FOR 48 HOURS

Sporadic violence persisted in Aleppo on Wednesday as U.S. officials announced an agreement had been reached with Russia to extend Syria’s fragile cease-fire to the deeply contested northern city. The Syrian military said the truce would last only 48 hours. Restoration of a partial truce would bring relief to residents on both sides of Syria’s largest city after two weeks of relentless violence that has killed nearly 300 people, destroyed hospitals and brought it to the brink of humanitarian disaster.

RESIDENTS EVACUATED AS FIRES \ THREATEN CANADA OIL SANDS TOWN A raging wildfire emptied Canada’s main oil sands city, destroying entire neighborhoods of Fort McMurray, Alberta, where officials warned Wednesday that all efforts to suppress the fire have failed. About 88,000 residents successfully evacuated as flames moved into the city surrounded by wilderness in the heart of Canada’s oil sands. No injuries have been reported.

BRAZIL PRESIDENT IMPEACHMENT RECOMMENDED IN SENATE A senator selected as a fact-finder by a special Senate commission considering the impeachment of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff recommended Wednesday that she be put on trial for possible removal from office. The Senate’s website said Sen. Antonio Anastasia made the recommendation for a Senate trial in a 126page report he presented to the 21-member commission.

Compiled from the AP Newswire

PHOTO BY HOLLY LIPKA

Stop & Shop on Main St.

By Rachael Purtell

Copy Editor | Purtellr1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

It is likely that the Stop & Shop in the plaza on Main Street will be sold as a result of an ongoing merger between its parent company, Royal Ahold NV, and that of Hanaford’s Supermarket, Delhaize Group.

“These are big multi-national companies just trying to merge and gain efficiency in size and buying power and we end up suffering on the local level,” said Town Supervisor Neil Bettez.

The store is part of the economic fiber of New Paltz. Stop & Shop adds shopping choices for consumers and provides jobs to many members of the community. Before Stop & Shop, the empty husk of Ames stood in its place, and many citizens fear that if Stop & Shop closes, it will become another derelict structure.

Third-year psychology major Sal Mazzella currently maintains a job as a closer in the Dairy department at Stop & Shop. He

and his fellow employees are not well informed about the current state of the merger or the future of their jobs.

“There are so many people that work in the store that are in limbo right now including myself,” Mazzella said. “We all don’t know whether we should abandon ship or stick around and hope for the best. There is no guarantee that any of us will have jobs when all is said and done.”

The process of negotiation with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has been highly secretive according to Bettez.

“We’ve tried to call the Federal Trade Commission, both the mayor and I, because it’s going to have such a big impact on our community,” Mazzella said. “We’re just getting voicemails, but we’re reaching out to other people who may have contacts with the Federal Trade Commission to try to get a person on the phone.”

Through the offices of the Kemper Group, the corporate landlord for the entire plaza, Bettez has come to understand that

Thursday, May 5, 2016

the lease will be sold to another supermarket chain and another grocery store has to open in that location.

“What they were able to tell me was that the Federal Trade Commission will have a say in the next store that could go in there,” Bettez said. “Because Hanaford has so many locations nearby, the Federal Trade Commission is worried that there will be too many of these stores and will result in an advantage for Hanaford’s, so they are not allowing them to open up a Hanaford’s where Stop & Shop was.”

Representatives from neither Royal Ahold NV or Dehlaize Group could be reached for comment and a manager of Stop & Shop also declined to comment over the phone.

In addition to the Stop & Shop in New Paltz, two other stores in the 19th congressional district will also be affected similarly by this merger. The other locations are in Rhinebeck and Wappingers Falls.

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Protestors Fight Proposed Pilgrim Pipeline

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NEWS BRIEFS NATIONAL

Presidential Race 2016 SPECIAL TRUMPS OPEN PATH TO NOMINATION CAUSES AGONY FOR SOME IN GOP Donald Trump’s last Republican foe, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, ended his quixotic presidential campaign Wednesday, cementing Trump’s remarkable triumph as his party’s presumptive nominee and launching him toward a likely fall battle with Hillary Clinton. Some Republican leaders began reluctantly rallying around Trump, but others agonized over their party’s future.

PHOTO BY MATTHEW NASH

By Melanie Zerah

News Editor | Zerahm1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

Waves and honks of encouragement kept the morale of 50 New Paltz Pilgrim Pipeline protestors high and bright on a rainy cold day at the New York Authority Thruway, New Paltz Exit 18.

On May 1, activists from the New Paltz Climate Coalition (NPCC) and the Coalition Against the Pilgrim Pipelines held their “Mayday! Mayday!” protests at three different locations in New York including New Paltz, Catskill and Saugerties to demonstrate against the proposed twin crude oil and petroleum pipeline.

The pipeline has yet to be approved.

The pipeline would run 178-miles underground from Albany to various points of distributions before turning east at I-287 to reach refineries at Petroleum Administration for Defense Districts (East Coast region PADD 1), according to Pilgrim Pipeline Holdings, LLC. Protesters held their demonstrations at the Thruway Authority Exits at their individual towns to symbolize that the pipelines will be running beneath major roads and cities.

On Jan. 20, 2016 the New Paltz Town Board unanimously passed a resolution publicly opposing the Pilgrim Pipeline. The resolution warns of possible negative outcomes the pipeline implementation may cause, including the jeopardization of the groundwater which the New Paltz community relies on.

All protesters at the demonstration ex-

pressed gratitude to the board for their leadership against the pipeline.

The resolution urges the New York State Thruway Authority to “reject use of its right-ofway for the purpose of transporting oil or gasoline by pipeline.”

According to NPCC protestors, the pipeline raises concern over the maintainence of drinking water quality, overall safety, threats to climate and regional economic well-being and public health.

Barbara Kidney of Shawangunk participated in the protest and expressed her disgust toward Gov. Andrew Cuomo, saying that he is a political animal adhering to billionaires in the fossil fuel business who would profit off of such a project.

“A pipe burst would cause complete contamination to the underground municipal water these towns rely on,” said Jurgen Wekerle of the Sierra Club, a grassroots environmental organization. “Such a spill could cause water depletion, toxic air emissions and methane release.”

Protester Ed Haffmanas explained his ideology that there should not even be a reinvestment in fossil fuels at this point. Many public subways and buses are run successful on electricity, according to Haffmanas.

“It moves us toward a more sustainable future,” Haffmanas said. “It is bound to happen eventually.”

Haffmanas himself drives an old mercedes that runs on vegetable oil. Cars like these are

considered “grease cars” and are becoming popular with those who know how to change their engine to take grease as fuel.

NPCC member Dan Guenther said the protest had very little interaction with state troopers concerning their presence on the thruway.

Guenther said the New York Department of Transportation (DOT) helped them get permission to use the sidewalk and that the coalitions’ good relationship with the police also aided in the ease of the protest.

“We let the police know whenever we would be having a demonstration,” Guenther said.

Guenther said that as a longtime protester, going through the process of speaking with officials and representatives of organizations to get a point across doesn’t always work out, which is why protesters take to the streets. In past protests, Guenther said this has been a successful method that receives a lot of attention and can really make a difference when done right.

First-year political science major Isabelle Hayes described her experience at this protest as encouraging due to the amount of honks and “thumbs up” they received by passerbys. Hayes said that even if just a few of passerbyers decided to go home and research the issue, the protest is warranted successful.

“We are spreading awareness,” Hayes said.

“This is my first protest and I am absolutely loving it.”

Thursday, May 5, 2016

SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL CALLS ON TRUMP TO UNITE PARTY Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says Donald Trump, as the Republican Party’s presumptive presidential nominee, has the “opportunity and the obligation” to unite the GOP. In a statement, McConnell says he committed to supporting the nominee chosen by Republican voters and noted that Trump is on the verge of clinching that nomination. But McConnell’s statement was hardly a full-throated endorsement.

CLINTON, SANDERS FIGHT FOR LAST BIG PRIZE: CALIFORNIA Hillary Clinton is looking confidently ahead to the general election, but taking nothing for granted as California’s mega-primary approaches, reaching out to Hispanic and black voters in the hope of waging a final knockout against rival Bernie Sanders. Clinton’s visit to the Golden State Thursday coincides with Cinco de Mayo, the annual celebration of Mexican culture and heritage.

TED CRUZ ENDS HIS BID FOR REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION Texas Sen. Ted Cruz ended his presidential campaign Tuesday, eliminating the biggest impediment to Donald Trump’s march to the Republican nomination. The conservative tea party firebrand who cast himself as the only viable alternative to Trump announced his exit after a stinging defeat in Indiana’s Republican primary.

Compiled from the AP Newswire

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The New Paltz Oracle

Open Space Institute Seeks to Expand Pathways

By Monique Tranchina

Copy Editor | Tranchim1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

The Shawangunk Ridge will have an additional plot of land to be used as a public recreational pathway that connects downtown New Paltz to the Shawangunk Ridge. The Open Space Institute (OSI), New Paltz Planning Board and Mohonk Preserve are in the process of planning the placement of the trail and overseeing other important issues, such as what materials to use for the new construction.

Eileen Larabee, associate director of the alliance for New York State Parks, said the not-for-profit “has a long tradition of building state parks.”

Typically, the OSI will buy plots of property and transfer the land to the New York Office of State Parks when they have enough funding to purchase the land from the OSI. For example, the OSI bought property that is now part of the Walkway Over the Hudson, and held it until the state had

the resources to make the purchase.

The OSI receives funding from fundraisers that provide spending money.

They usually sell to State Parks, but occasionally they sell to other entities, such as farms. Part of their agreement towards land conservation is to ensure that the land will be used for farming activity only.

This subdivision that was once a part of the Mohonk Preserve will still be of use to the public, and Larabee is hopeful that the plans to make a new trail will offer aesthetic appeal and a great outdoors experience.

“The River to Ridge will be a wonderful community asset... it will improve safety along Route 299 for hikers and bicyclists who ride on the shoulder of Route 299 to the Ridge. It will also provide a great recreational aspect for the community,” Larabee said.

Since about 2015, the subdivision plans have been discussed and reviewed by the OSI, the Mohonk Preserve, the

New Paltz Town Planning Board and the New Paltz Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee. So far they are working with town officials on issues such as avoiding wetlands, distancing the trail from agricultural activity nearby and creating the trail a safe distance from main roads.

Larabee states the organizations are open to the public and will allow them to weigh in on decisions.

Once the trail gets public input and is approved by the New Paltz Planning Board, the OSI will begin construction of the trail and footbridges, kiosks and culverts.

When the construction is nearly finished, hopefully by next year, the Shawangunk region will have more public access for those who enjoy traversing through natural settings.

The OSI are working on additional trails that will connect to a 116 mile network that includes the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, O&W Rail Trail and the Catskill Mountain Rail Trail.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIPEDIA

All trail projects are funded by the OSI and will place no financial burden on the town or county, and the OSI will continue to pay property taxes on the approximately 350 acres it owns between the river and the ridge where the trail will be.

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Ulster County Looks to Tackle Heroin Problem

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By Matthew D’Onofrio

Staff Writer | Donofrim1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

On April 28, a countywide community forum held by a handful of Ulster County agencies and human services organizations met at the Ulster BOCES Conference Center to address the serious heroin epidemic here in Ulster County.

“We have one goal in mind and that is to help our community,” said Walkill Central School District Superintendent Kevin Castle at the start of the conference, explaining that the intention of the congregation was to offer information and advice to the community, connect with each other and recognize the problem.

Though banned in the States in 1905, the States continues to prescribe opium to eligible patients with complications such as cancer or a pain-related illness.

In America, 207 million prescriptions were written in 2013, the most in the world. Studies also show that nine out of 10 people addicted to heroin started before age 18 and half were first prescribed opium, said Smith, bringing up that in 2014 about 19,000 people died from prescribed opium overdose and almost 11,000 from heroin.

From 2001 to 2014, heroin-related deaths have increased six-fold in the United States. Every day in 2014, two New Yorkers died from heroin overdose sand it was recorded that half of overdose deaths between 2009 and 2014 were people under the age of 35.

Fortunately, Kasandra Quednau was not one of those people. Quednau, who’s been sober since 2014 now, first started drinking and smoking marijuana in seventh grade and then experimented with harder drugs at age 16.

By age 21, she dropped out of school, lost her job and was shooting up heroin every day. “I’d get high, vomit, and then scream that I was done… but then the drug dealer would call and I was high again.” In order to acquire enough funds to keep shooting up, Quednau started burglarizing houses and was eventually arrested and put in jail.

It was then in jail that she forgave herself, reevaluated her life, was let out in 2014 and turned her life around. Today, she is back in school, has a job and is also a drug counselor in the Rt. 212

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIPEDIA

Coatlion, a community based organization bridging the gap in substance abuse services throughout Ulster County.

“I don’t want a pat on my back,” Quednau said to the audience. “I just want one person out there to realize the pain, loss and suffering isn’t worth it and for my story to change theirs.” She struggles daily with her addiction still.

“Don’t give up,” said Quednau, directed at not only those that share her addiction, but parents of those as well.

One parent in particular, Lilyan Spool, also spoke. Spool is a mother of a son who is now recovering from heroin abuse. Her son started using heroin at 16 and was addicted by age 17.

“Fear pulses in my veins as heroin pulses through yours,” Spool said in a letter to her son while he was still abusing the drug until he was imprisoned for

driving a car that did not belong to him, a car that belonged to his parents. Spool and her husband called the cops on their son in an attempt to get him the help he needed. He is now clean and sober for 15 months as of a few days ago.

“He’s been slowly getting his life back, I’ve been slowly getting my son back, and I’ve been slowly getting my life back,” Spool said, bringing up her own recovery through programs, classes, meditating and conferences like this.

She instilled hope in the audience advising parents like her to not give up on their children as well.

While hope is indeed helpful, Ulster County has been successful in their response effort through the Department of Health Opioid Prevention Program, to those who do overdose. In 2015, 33 percent of 911 calls in Ulster County

Thursday, May 5, 2016

were due to drug overdose. Responders are prepared with Narcan kits, a prescription medicine that reverses an opioid overdose. It cannot be used to get high and is not addictive. Narcan kits are also available without a prescription at CVS as of January.

Additional efforts to combat the heroin epidemic include organizations like Talk2Prevent and HOPENY. On April 30, National Prescription Drug Take Back Day was held and residents of the area were encouraged to dispose empty medical containers, used to abuse prescription opium, in bins dubbed “take back boxes” to be collected by law enforcement. It is their mission to get Bill A09883/S7404 passed, which would create disposal sites with take back boxes, operated by local pharmacies.

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The New Paltz Oracle

Diversity Leader Named New Masters Program Introduced

By Rachael Purtell

Copy Editor | Purtelr1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

On Wednesday, May 4, President Donald P. Christian announced that a Diversity & Inclusion Plan Task Force that will lead in the development of the SUNY New Paltz Diversity & Inclusion Plan. The plan is to be submitted to SUNY administration before Nov. 1, 2016.

Executive Director of Compliance and Campus Climate and Title IX Coordinator Tanhena Pacheco Dunn has been appointed as Chief Diversity Officer. She has already been successful in increasing applicant diversity by revamping search processes and helping search committee members think more broadly in terms of candidate strengths.

Pacheco Dunn’s past efforts include the LGBTQ task force in 2013, her lead in the development of a SUNY-wide policy later turned state law addressing proper response and support to victims of sexual violence and responded to issues this year in the Black Studies Department.

Pacheco Dunn’s official start date as Chief Diversity Officer will be Aug. 1, 2016.

The 21 member task force is comprised mostly of volunteers including students, faculty, staff, administrators and alumni.The co-chairs are Rita Celariste (Assistant Director of the Educational Opportunity Program) and Professor Reynolds Scott-Childress (History); their research and teaching has largely focused on the history of race as a social construction and dealing with the difficult issues that students face as a result.

The task force plans to meet before the end of the semester, to begin working over the summer and gather input via the campus community in September regarding essential elements of the plan. The draft plan for administrative review will be completed by Oct. 15, 2016 and will be discussed with the task force and revised as warranted following the review.

After final approval by Christian, the plan will be submitted for SUNY review by the Nov. 1 deadline this year.

Christian encourages those interested to reach out and said in a press release on Wednesday that the plan will be strongest if it is built on community involvement and input.

More information on the charge to the task force including background and timeline, SUNY requirements for Diversity & Inclusion plans, Christian’s expectations for the process, the SUNY Campus Guide for Strategic Diversity and Inclusion Plan Development and some additional resources will be available on the Campus Diversity website.

Photo courtesy of SUNY New Paltz

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA

By Jack O’Brien

Features Editor | Obrienj2@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

The national and statewide push to promote STEM education has taken a critical step forward on the SUNY New Paltz campus.

The college has developed a fiveyear master’s program which will act as a hybrid between the School of Science and Engineering and the School of Education. The project has been described as “a program of study that enables students to earn a BA in geology or chemistry and an MAT in adolescence education in just five years.”

The program has revised the process for obtaining a Masters of Arts and Teaching, (MAT), and Masters of Science in Education, (MSEd), streamlining it for those seeking to teach STEMrelated courses in 7-12 grade schools. In the five-year program, the MAT requirements go from 46 to 30 credits due to the overlap between graduate and undergraduate courses.

Rosemary Millham, Ph.D., an assistant professor of secondary education, has been the leading advocate on the proposal, retooling the specifics numerous times in the past few years.

Millham, who began teaching at SUNY New Paltz in 2008, has been pushing for the implementation of a five-year hybrid master’s program since day one.

Dealing with low enrollment in the department due to a disinterest in the lab work and the effects of the Great Recession, Millham led an uphill battle to revise the curricular system.

“When we went through the initial steps of the process, we had to meet with every department in the School of Science and Engineering, with [the administration], and address state regulations,” Millham said. “We finally finished last spring and got the approval for chemistry in December of 2015 and shortly thereafter got the approval for geology and earth science in January of 2016.”

Millham said that the program for physics was still in development but would be ready for approval in the coming years. Millham has been encouraged by the administration’s enthusiasm behind the project, commenting that their marketing plan has the potential to entice students to the ambitious program.

Three students already signed up for the five-year program before there was even concrete documentation, a sign of progress in Millham’s opinion.

Aside from providing a smooth transition for students to graduate school, Millham also said that the savings amount to roughly $4,500. The overlap between the two education and science tracks allows for students to

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pursue their studies while also having a practical backup plan as a science teacher, according to Millham.

“Why wouldn’t you want both?”

Millham asked. “The programs are very strong and our students leave New Paltz with a very strong background in both teaching and science.”

According to Millham, through this revamped program students can become “dual threats” in both biology and chemistry, which in turn makes them more attractive prospects to schools when seeking employment.

Millham, who spent 16 years working and teaching at NASA before coming to campus, said that when she first arrived she was asked constantly about a five-year master’s program for STEM education by prospective students and parents. Since the college didn’t have one, she decided to create one.

According to Millham, the science departments embraced the concept, with the broader scientific community off-campus promoting the idea as well.

Both the National Association of Geological Teachers and the National Earth Science Teacher’s Association have begun handing out electronic copies of the brochures for the program, as well as the Mid-Hudson Teacher Center.

“It’s been a long process, but it’s been well worth it,” Millham said.

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OPINION

REFLECTION

KINTURA WILLIAMS News Copy-Editor

N2684069@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

With less than two weeks left until graduation and a whole slew of stressful things I need to accomplish before then, I find that my time with my fellow Oracle staff members has always created a neutral space. This year, my senior year, I inquired about The Oracle to professors and classmates. I wanted to know who put it together and how to be a part of it — I knew it would help me to hone my skills as a writer, but I never knew what I was really in for when I began those long hours of production nights.

The first article I ever wrote for was one of the most nerve racking things I’ve ever done. It was my tryout, my audition piece, to see if I was good enough to sit around a table with a number of other amazing student journalists and work on an award-winning college newspaper. I got an early start, contacting my sources the day after the story meeting and sat

MONIQUE TRANCHINA Features Copy-Editor

Tranchm1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

Working at the SUNY New Paltz Oracle has been one of the most challenging and rewarding organizations I have been a part of during my college career. Being a part of a club that is similar to theater groups, with high levels of work on production night, characters with comedy club sense of humor, and results that are worth the stress, I think we fulfill our audience expectation with a little behind the scenes fun.

Kristen, thank you for your patience during times when I wasn’t on top of my game. You brought a peaceful energy to the room, which is probably unheard of in the journalism business. I admire your writing skills, and I hope you continue to grow when you pursue your career. Give Ruby a bone from me.

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with my laptop going over my writing for hours, making sure I was clear, concise and detailed. I made my roommates read it, and my siblings read it, I even sent it to a previous professor, and after sending it in, I held my breath. I beamed when I finally got the email detailing my new writing and copy editing position.

My first production night was a really strange experience for me as I had never been in a real newsroom, and I barely knew any of the staff that surrounded the table sharing laughs and talking comfortably. I sat in a chair in the corner and put my headphones in that night as I edited story after story.

I was not sure what to expect, only that I had to keep working. As heavy rain sounds pounded through my earbuds, I observed everyone’s interactions and they weren’t just working on the paper.

Melissa popped out of her sports corner giggling with laughter to show any number of people all the new memes she’d found on her phone. Melanie was stunning as she leaned over the table asking questions about various news stories. I remember admiring her jet black hair with its effortless curls. Russell watched

YouTube videos of Ranger games as he shouted over Monique — silent, with eyes trained on ITe Illiad — across the newsroom to Karl, who’s computer screen flashed with battle debris from a Super Smash Brothers video. Sam sat comfortably in tie-dyed harem pants and a beanie crying laughing at one of Rachael’s latest one-liners, as Jess and Amanda quietly giggled and smiled coyly behind their glaring laptop screens.

Anthony had the most beautiful damn eyelashes I had ever seen and I couldn’t for the life of me stop staring at them, I know he thought I was nuts. Jack and Michael were either arguing over baseball teams and statistics, relentlessly insulting each other, or falling deeper and deeper into their long, passionate bromance. Nate ignored most of it, like a father at a children’s birthday barbeque and Kristen, watched on in brightly colored lipstick, poised and focused, periodically breaking up the chaos and keeping everyone focused on the task at hand.

After that, I quickly learned how the newsroom ran and eased my way into this group of insane but admirable

people. I spent many late nights coming to appreciate all kinds of music I had never heard before, and getting to know all of the characters that surrounded me.

We worked together for long hours, we laughed together for even longer hours and we became better people because of the time that we spent together. In even the smallest of ways, each of the people I have spent my time with while working on The Oracle has truly embraced me.

While working for the paper allowed me to improve my writing and prepare to work in a real newsroom, my greatest lessons came from getting to know my staff — talking, thinking and most of the time oversharing. Seriously, what is a filter? We HAVE NO IDEA. As outrageous as I can be sometimes, I was welcomed by a very close group of human beans that I respect and admire for their authenticity, and ability to genuinely be themselves 100 percent of the time. As I leave, I only hope that I have had even a fraction of the impact that they have had on me. Even though I had more than enough before, I hope I retain some of the cool I picked up in that room, those kids kill it.

Nate, thank you also for your patience. I saw you were also laid back during production nights and other meetings, and I always looked forward to reading your articles on Wednesday nights; you are a talented writer and storyteller! Best wishes for Berkeley.

Sam, you are so talented in the arts!

Your writing sounds professional and I enjoy reading about the arts. Your gentle spirit is great to be around, and I hope to get to know you better.

Jack, Thanks for being a great Features Editor! Your dedication to being a great leader was evident when you reminded us of deadlines and utilized our ideas for new features sections. Your sense of humor is absolutely hilarious and a great energizer for everyone.

Melissa, you are so cute! Sports is like calculus to me, I cannot figure it out.

Regardless, I think you are a great writer and you understand all the ins and outs of sport terminologies. I hope you continue to grow and find people who appreciate what you have to offer.

Jess, you are a quiet presence in the room but it complements the rowdiness! I liked talking to you and I hope we keep in contact. I still have the Secret Santa gifts you gave me, and I love them!

Mike, thank you for being a fellow Long Islander who reminds me of the hustle and bustle within your voice. It was a pleasure being around you because I love the high energy you bring to each meeting and the humor you bring out in people.

Jon, your attention to detail is uncanny. Thank you for being a great features worker and taking on the brunt of many jokes. I wish you the best for your future career and life of writing.

Anthony, I hope you continue to branch out and seek relationships that will benefit you in your writing career and elsewhere. Thanks for being a great sports writer and best wishes for the future!

Kintura, it was great to get to know you during meetings. Your sense of humor blossomed and I think you have an

ability to persuade based on what you believe is right for a group.

Holly, it was nice to get to know you from bits of conversation, and I hope you continue to find your path in journalism and elsewhere. You are also reserved but that only adds to the diversity!

Dave, thank you for taking great pictures for the Oracle. Best for your photography future and the rest of your SUNY New Paltz career.

Amanda, I’m upset I won’t be there to catch up with you when you return from France, but I hope to see each other anyway. Your bravery to study for an entire semester is incredible, and I wish you the best coming back and reflecting on your amazing experience. Au revoir!

Melanie, you are another great source of laughs! Thanks for being a great news editor. Your go-getter personality will work great for your future endeavors.

Rachael, last but not least, thanks for breaking the ice so many times about hush-hush topics. Your ability to speak your mind is a great asset!

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THE GUNK

Thursday, May 5th, 2016

SpringFest 2016 Story on page 3B

PHOTO BY MELISSA KRAMER

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FEATURES

A Festive Culture

EXCHANGE STUDENTS EXCHANGE BACKGROUNDS

By Melanie Zerah

News Editor | Zerahm1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

Food, friendship and a shared curiosity for one another’s culture was cause for the widely popular semesterly event hosted by the International Students Union (ISU), welcoming exchange students and international students from 23 countries to share their lifestyle.

“The connections ISU makes does not only contribute to the local community, but to the world as well,” said Cindy Cullen, coordinator of ISU services. “It is not only a celebration of our differences, but our similarities as well as people with similar morals and values.”

According to Cullen, SUNY New Paltz has seen 1,700 international students from over 77 countries this school year. Founding members of ISU like Masooma Rahmaty, a fourth-year international relations major from Afghanistan described the organization as an outlet for foreign students to feel welcome in a new country and way to make longlasting friendships with other students from around the world.

The Multicultural Festival on Thursday, April 28 filled the Student Union Multipurpose Room with 23 booth setups of different countries, hosted by students native to the area to share information to attendees. Also featured at the event were three live performances: an acoustic/vocal duo, an Eastern European dance and a Spanish bagpipe performance.

Upon arriving at the event, each attendee is given a “passport” with a flag of each of the countries present pictured. In order to enjoy the delicious food catered in from New Paltz local Jamaican Choice, Asian Fusion, Mexican Kitchen, Tzatziki and Indian Restaurant, the attendee had to acquire 10 signatures from different representatives at each booth, and present

their “passport” to the “customs” stand in front of the banquet of cultural food.

Second-semester India exchange student Uday Kiran Sarrki wore a traditional royal blue Sherwani while sharing his experiences and knowledge from his homecountry at the India booth.

Sarrki’s beautifully designed tri-fold board displayed colorful photos of various Indian festivals such as Diwali, the five-day festival of light and Holi, a Hindu spring festival of colors celebrated in India and Nepal.

In India, the four most prominent religions are Hinduism, Muslim, Sikh and Christianity. As a Hindu man from the city of Hyderabad in Southern India, Sarrki spoke of the fights he has seen between Hindu and Muslim people in India in his lifetime.

Sarrki also explained that the caste system among Hindus in past centuries which dictated one’s social and financial standing without chance of mobility no longer restricts people from living the life they want.

“You can be a part of the lowest caste system and still become a doctor or a teacher if you want,” Sarrki said. “It no longer matters.”

Patricia Lopez, an architecture and fine arts major exchange student from Ecuador shared that her home country is not just one culture, but a mixture of many from Columbia to Chile. Lopez pointed out pictures on her colorful tri-fold board of the beautiful beaches of Ecuador on the coasts of the Pacific Ocean.

Lopez cheerfully described the artistic and heavily cultural Galapagos Islands of Ecuador, home to some extremely large tortoises who can live up to 200 years. However, Lopez could not keep her entire presentation as lighthearted as she wished.

As an Ecuadorian woman, Lopez

feels great despair for those affected by the April 16 earthquake which devastated Regions of Manta, Pedernales and Portoviejo. The earthquake had a major magnitude of 7.8, a severe number on the Earthquake Magnitude Scale that killed 654, left over 2,600 injured and caused 58 people to go missing.

Lopez and her family do not live in the region affected by the calamitous 45-second disaster, however they are still grieving and doing their best to help those in need.

“My whole family reacted and brought food, water and help to the area the day it happened,” Lopez said. “The entire country reacted as well as those surrounding us.”

Lopez said the struggle facing the af-

Thursday, May 5, 2016

fected regions are a shortage of medicine, doctors and water. Next to her tri-fold exhibiting the wonders of Ecuador was a smaller board with statistics of the damage the earthquake caused, and a small donation box for attendees to extend their help and concern to those in need.

The hashtag #PrayForEcuador is encouraged to be used to spread awareness and to reach out for help from kind people around the world.

For many of ISU members, the Spring 2016 Multicultural Festival will be their last. Founding member Patricia Backman, a fourth-year double-major in French and public relations said the festival is the largest international event to take place semesterly in the Hudson Valley, a feat she is extremely proud of.

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2016 ISU Multicultural Festival

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PHOTOS BY MELANIE ZERAH

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A Showcase Solely for Seniors ART THESIS EXHIBITION AND DEDICATION IMPRESSES

By Jonathan Perry

Copy Editor | Perryj1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

In a brightly lit room where art is the only thing that can be seen, future artists stand tall as their work is viewed in the open. Musicians were playing, refreshments were served and people were present to both admire and critique their work.

This building is none other than the Fine Arts Building at SUNY New Paltz and the artists are none other than the fourth-years who are presenting their art. This presentation is meant to be their final exhibition before they graduate this May. The Bachelor of Science and Visual Arts Thesis Exhibition took place Friday, April 29, showcasing the culmination of all the undergraduate’s four years of work at SUNY New Paltz. Thirty students took part in the event, showing their work to the people of New Paltz.

“The art was presented in all ways that could be,” said organizer and SUNY New Paltz fine arts professor Suzanne Stokes. “There are arts on pedestals, walls and even the ceiling.”

The event presented the art in a traditional style with two floors presenting different dimensions. The 2D exhibitions included drawings, paintings, print makings and graphic designs. The 3D exhibitions included ceramics, metals and sculptures.

The students, having prepared for the exhibition, have developed artist statements describing their work, short bios describing themselves and developed labels to show their work and explain specific details about it such as its name or canvas.

One of the students named Tamara DelBoccio, a fourth-year visual arts major, presented her water paintings which utilized watercolor, colored pencils and acrylic paint. Each painting took six hours to complete and each one is different.

Bone paintings were her choice of

PHOTO BY DAVID KHORASSANI

presentation, which she referred to as “Skelescapes.” These paintings are an experiment by DelBoccio to rid herself of some of her anxieties and fears by projecting them onto the canvas.

She said she is able to relax and paint away any fears.

“Ironically, I was always afraid of skeletons as a young child,” DelBoccio said. “These paintings have given me a way to express myself and to help rid myself of my current fears and anxieties that I deal with today.”

Another student named Gratia Taft, a fourth-year graphic design major, specializes in corporate design and utilizes design making through programs such as InDesign, Photoshop or Illustrator. Her illustrations and minimalistic style allow her strong type of skills to show through her work.

Taft presented her graphic designs she made with Photoshop, a digital media-illustrator and InVision to make ‘adopt me’ posters, event advertisements and iPad apps that focus on her love for animals and the community.

She hopes one day to run her own company.

“I want to take on a nonprofit job back home that supports the needs of animals,” Taft said. “I want to become a corporate designer so I can focus on branding and advertisements.”

Travis Fishman, a fourth-year visual arts major, is another student who is evolving the landscape of art by exploring the intrinsic and esoteric values of jewelry. He investigates points of views surrounding history, materiality and artistry.

The designs of jewelry from unique looking necklaces are made

Thursday, May 5, 2016

from silver bands, copper rings made with enriched naval brass and rough cut stones made out of jade, carrara marble and aquapros. He said these pieces of art inform of the perceived monetary value and provenance an item has.

“How does a raw material become a coveted object,” Fishman said. “How do the ideas of ownership, authorship and branding account for its history and worth?”

It is the creativity of these fourthyears that have spurred them to explore their skins past college. As they go on to graduate from college, they will explore their new lives that will allow them to further express themselves and to achieve new heights.

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2016 Visual Arts Thesis Exhibition

PHOTOS BY DAVID KHORASSANI

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The Revolution Will Be Streamed YOUTUBE CBO AND NEW PALTZ ALUM SPEAKS

By Jack O’Brien Features Editor | Obrienj2@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu At YouTube, there are two kinds of days.

There are days when they celebrate the viral popularity of superhero parody videos that register millions of views. Then there are days when they deal with legal challenges to their policies from governments around the world. Robert Kyncl calls these ‘sugar and broccoli’ days, respectively.

Kyncl, class of ‘95, serves as the chief business officer for the Google-owned company.

On Thursday, April 28, Kyncl spoke in the eighth annual SUNY New Paltz Distinguished Speaker Series, delivering a lecture entitled, “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised,” in Lecture Center rooms 100 and 102.

SUNY New Paltz President Donald P. Christian introduced Kyncl to an audience comprised of faculty, students and distinguished alumni. Christian spoke highly of Kyncl’s involvement with SUNY New Paltz, praising the alumni get-together he hosted at his home in Los

Angeles last fall.

“People ask me if I succeeded because of New Paltz or in spite of it,” Kyncl said. “It’s an intriguing question and I would have to say the answer is probably both.”

Speaking about how he views the constantly changing job market, Kyncl said he gains perspective through his 16-year-old daughter, who is beginning the college search. While admitting that education is important, Kyncl does not view it as a prerequisite to success, listing many technology icons who have had little to no formal education. He said that the combination of passion and education served as his personal path to success.

“Growing up in Czechoslovakia, I have spent one half of my life under communist rule and one half in a capitalist system,” Kyncl said.

“For me, New Paltz was my way to America.

I’m proud to work for a company that spreads information across the world. It goes beyond our role as an entertainment company.”

Kyncl also highlighted YouTube’s role in the evolving media market, stating that his prior work at Netflix prepared him for YouTube’s mission to “encourage production and aggregate audiences.”

Analogizing the flattening of the media market to a train ride from Switzerland to India, Kyncl stated that unlimited noise helps brands stand out as consumers are attracted to a solid commodity.

“The move from small and organized to large and chaotic depends on each industry,” Kyncl said. “Music went there quick and the TV and movie industries are going there soon, too. The noise level is only increasing. Right now, only a small fraction of TV is Internet programming, but the diversity of content is amazing.”

Kyncl compared Hollywood to Microsoft, arguing that both were crafted in a disconnected world and have struggled to build outside of their skillset. YouTube, meanwhile, has cultivated a new audience who have actually benefitted financially alongside the company. The account Cute Girl’s Hairstyles, which began when a

middle class mother started making simple howto videos now has over 4 million followers. Kyncl cited this as an example of how regular people become self-empowered by the platform they offer and make significant advertisement money by partnering with YouTube.

Additionally, Kyncl praised YouTube’s integrity in the face of constant legal action and political opposition around the world. In 2012, in the wake of the deadly attacks on the U.S. embassy in Benghazi, the U.S. government asked YouTube to remove a video entitled, “Innocence of Muslims,” claiming that it incited the violence.

YouTube refused to do so and were later vindicated after multiple investigations revealed that the video had nothing to do with the attacks.

“If something we do is against the law, then we will change our ways to comply with the law,” Kyncl said. “However, if it isn’t then we won’t do anything about it. Scaling openness is difficult but we have to contend with the downside of our business.”

Maternity Madness

PANEL EXPLORES PROBLEMS IN LEAVE LAWS

By Monique Tranchina Copy Editor | Tranchim1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

The United States can boast about being a highly developed country in terms of technology and wealth. With an average median household income of $51,939 according to the U.S. Census Bureau, outsiders may think we also have a high level of economic equality and opportunity.

However, this is not the case regarding family leave across the country. New York family leave laws do not protect the public sector workers, which means most new mothers have few options when it comes to paid leave.

According to Kiersten Greene, assistant professor of literacy in the elementary education

put in long hours and in turn will benefit a large

for an infant. She states she is “very lucky to have

enforced in businesses, this will pose excess stress

corporate business. Americans are known to

her baby arrive in the spring,” because she was

on employees who have dual responsibilities as

be high-energy workers in search of financial

able to have the summer off in order to spend

parents and workers.

success, and large companies may puppet

time parenting. Because SUNY New Paltz does

“What we are asking of parents (not just

employees with little pay and long hours for

not have a maternity leave policy, Greene had

women) is to have children and reproduce citizens

small promotions. Another major drawback with

to use the limited number of sick days she had

with an absolutely unacceptable social support

the American dream is business responsibilities

accumulated to take time off for the arrival of her

structure, so that having a family is considered

taking precedence over maintaining a stable,

son. The alternative was to go unpaid.

a personal choice rather than a political and

enjoyable family life.

Others face the same challenge and still

economic (and thus social) issue,” Pabón said.

“The need to accumulate more and more in

aren’t as lucky. Jessica Pabón, a professor of

Mandating a minimal time period for leave

this country has been put ahead of taking care of

Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies, states

as directed by state and federal governments

human beings. It’s a special brand of capitalism in

that mothers will face obstacles that are currently

addresses women’s as well as human rights.

this country that has put employers ahead instead

being addressed by activists, such as paid leave

If women procreate the future generations and

of taking care of employees,” Greene said.

and excused time off. According to Pabón, access

provide a significant amount of the current

department, a major reason why the United States

Greene knows firsthand what it is like to

to adequate time off will only serve our economy

workforce, this stands as everyone’s issue. The

law does not protect family leave is because of

experience the disadvantage of working in a

better, since taking time to raise children who will

panel urged citizens to spread awareness and

capitalist interest. Greene said that as a culture,

facility that doesn’t have set practices laid out for

become future workers is essential for a strong

promote better paid family leave in order to

Americans value the hardworking people who

women who need to take time off while caring

economy. Also, if the pressure to return quickly is

sustain the future health of the community.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT oracle.newpaltz.edu

Street Art With Spirit WORLD-RENOWN MURALIST VISITS FOR “WITHOUT LIMITS” SERIES

By Sam Manzella

A&E Editor | Manzells1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

World-renowned street artist and activist Pau Quintanajornet, more commonly known as PAU, added her artistic touch to the walls of SUNY New Paltz last week.

The street artist visited New Paltz to paint and speak at a panel with professors Dr. Jessica Pabón and Dr. César Barros for the college’s annual “Without Limits” series, which celebrates interdisciplinary liberal arts education.

The theme for this year’s rendition of “Without Limits?”

Screens and Scenes, said Pabón, who orchestrated PAU’s participation in the event. This was ideal for Pabón, whose academic research focuses on communities of street artists and “graffiti grrlz” around the world. Many women graffiti artists use the Web to organize and communicate, Pabón said.

According to Pabón, PAU’s on-campus creation, located outside on a wall between the Fine Arts Building and Sojourner Truth Library, is 12 feet tall by 12 feet wide. The mural took four days to finish, with the second day of painting postponed due to poor weather conditions.

PAU’s visit to campus has been in the works since November 2015, Pabón said. The pro-

fessor submitted her proposal for PAU to paint on campus to the college’s Art and Aesthetics Committee, who then submitted the document to the school’s administrative cabinet. Administration approved Pabón’s plan with one stipulation: PAU couldn’t paint directly on the campus’s cement walls.

To work around this, Pabón and the administration agreed to drill a canvas into the wall as a surface for the artist to use. There

Berlin, Germany, PAU has decorated the walls of cities all across Europe, Africa and the Americas. The artist described her colorful signature style as symbolic: women are her subjects of choice since women personify creation and “the origin of the universe,” PAU said. Other motifs like birds, tattoos and stars often appear in her murals, which she attributed to her love of nature, travel and the cosmos.

For PAU, creating murals is more than an artistic endeavor: it’s a means for communication and social change. The artist believes that street art can change perspectives, which was the key idea behind the creation of Project Wallflowers. Project Wallflowers uses art as a means of “empowerment and self-reflection,” according to PAU’s website. The artist made it her goal to PHOTO BY SAM MANZELLA establish a network of beautiful, are plans in the works to create a colorful street art projects around rotating gallery on the same wall the globe, which passersby can with more art panels from other interact with during and after their completion. visiting artists, Pabón said.

The project has become bigThe professor was happy that PAU’s work was the first to ger than herself, PAU said, with christen the gallery wall: accord- other street artists around the ing to Pabón, she and PAU have world adopting her mission to worked together online since foster community and build rela2009. It was only when the street tionships.

“We have a huge network artist came to campus to paint and participate in the panel that where we can actually create and change something as street artthe two finally met in person.

Born in Chile and based in ists and muralistas,” PAU said.

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Arts & Entertainment

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Springfest 2016 YOUR OFFICIAL BREAKDOWN OF THE SPRING CONCERT

VP of Programming Goldie Harrison takes the stage with volunteers.

Photos and Story By Melissa Kramer Sports Editor | Kramerm2@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

Strobe and black lights were flashing throughout the crowded, sweaty and energized room.

On Saturday, April 30 in Elting Gym, SUNY New Paltz held its annual “Springfest” concert.

From the start of the evening with Long Island-native DJ Cozy Craig hyping up the crowd, the acts that followed did not fail to impress.

New York natives NYCK Caution, Joey Bada$$ and A$AP Ferg all took the stage during the course of the night. There was even a surprise appearance from Kirk Knight.

Audience members were invited up on stage during Joey

Bada$$’s set.

For some, this was a once-in-alifetime opportunity.

Vice President of Programming at SUNY New Paltz Student Association Programming (SAP) Goldie Harrison said, in her opinion, the concert was one of the best New Paltz has ever seen.

“The show was really special and set the bar for what is to come for the New Paltz Springfest,” Harrison said. “In the future, it is going to get bigger, better and the momentum is going to continue.

It’s really going to become a part of New Paltz culture. New Paltz is going to be known for its Springfest.”

With the chemistry between the

The crowd assembles for DJ Cozy Craig’s performance.

artists and crowd, and after seeing tickets sell out in three hours, Harrison said it was clear that everyone was eager from the very beginning. The energy was going to be there, and it was proven, she said.

This chemistry was obvious when some of the performers, such as NYCK Caution, stagedove right into the crowd.

“Seeing the crowd and energy just proved that it was all worth it,” Harrison said. “That’s the feeling that I look forward to. The sigh of relief that everyone enjoyed. The crowd’s energy was out of control. It was a really great experience for everyone inNYCK Caution performs in Elting Gym. volved.”

Thursday, May 5, 2016

The New Paltz Oracle

Arts & Entertainment

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9B

Springfest 2016

Joey Bada$$ performs for the crowd.

A$AP Ferg enters the stage.

“The crowd was amazing. I felt like I had the crowd in the palm of my hands ... A lot of people I went to high school with are in the crowd, [and] this was one of the schools I considered going to, so just being here and performing was ver y inspirational. I’m on the right path.” - NYCK Caution

“The crowd was amazing and responsive. I could tell that there [were] a lot of true, day one fans out there, and I appreciate the whole New Paltz community for having me here.” Joey Bada$$

Thursday, May 5, 2016

10B

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Arts & Entertainment

The New Paltz Oracle

The Healing Power of Music

MUSIC THERAPY ENSEMBLE CLASS HOLDS DEBUT PERFORMANCE

By Jess Napp

Copy Editor | Nappj1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

People often turn to music in times of happiness, despair, loneliness or anger. We find solace in beautiful melodies. For many individuals, music is a form of therapeutic expression.

On Thursday, April 28 the Music Therapy Ensemble class taught by John Mahoney debuted a concert in Max & Nadia Shepard Recital Hall. The graduate course spent the entire spring semester creating these unique arrangements. Each student selected a piece of music that resonated with them. They then deconstructed the songs and gingerly put them back together again.

“The point of the class was not the performance,” Mahoney said. “That’s kind of the byproduct.”

According to Mahoney, the importance of the class is the process. These students are training to become music therapists. Through this course they learned how to arrange pieces with clinical instruments in mind. The therapist’s job is to accompany their clients on guitar, piano or vocals while the client plays various percussion instruments.

Mahoney said that musical instruments like the drums provide less of an opportunity for failure when played in the right place. Throughout the concert, the band of 10 students played their main instruments while some stuck to the electric xy-

lophone, egg shakers or even a cynlindrical rainstick.

“Music therapy is the clinical use of music and the relationships that develop with music to promote health,” Mahoney said.

The evening began with an introduction from Mahoney.

Immediately following their leader’s speech, the space swelled with soft vocals that repeated “take me to your river.”

After “River” ended, “Twin Flames” permeated every inch of the room, as a sweeping violin conversed with a flautist and a pianist.

The third song, “Gymnopedie,” took audience members on an emotional journey. Kimberly Williams arranged and led the performance. She faced her fellow musicians and slowly pointed her flute one by one at all of them making the artists come to life. It started off peaceful and then claustrophobic chaos ensued as everyone played at once. The shaking and rattling built until it burst and returned to the original tranquility.

Fourth-year music therapy major Rachel Hardy arranged “Affirmation Medley.” She said that the performance consisted of songs by Eric Hutchinson and A Great Big World. According to Hardy, the theme of her mashup was positive affirmation and she chose various lyrics from the three pieces that fit this objective. Hardy cited her classmates as being helpful in mixing and matching the verses.

PHOTO FROM COMMONS.WIKIPEDIA.ORG

“For me personally, it started with a song that has really spoken to me lately,” Hardy said.

Ten pieces in total delighted the crowd. The show ended with a tribute to David Bowie.

Within the mashup, mournful Bowie fans could hear “Changes” and “Life on Mars?” At the end, the backup singers danced down the aisle that parted the masses.

Third-year music major with

Thursday, May 5, 2016

a concentration in classical performance David Frankle attended the event to support Hardy, but also to witness his first Music Therapy Ensemble recital.

Frankle wanted to watch music therapy graduate students apply their musical skills into performance.

“It gave me some energy, probably due to its overall upbeat and positive vibe,” Frankle said.

The New Paltz Oracle

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Arts & Entertainment

11B

A Night With Cameron Avery

KRAMER ATTENDS RARE SOLO SHOW WITH TAME IMPALA BASSIST

By Melissa Kramer

Sports Editor | Kramerm2@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

The influence of Elvis Presley on his work was imminent the minute he opened his mouth.

Fans know him as the bassist of Tame Impala, but Cameron Avery took to the road to show the world his individualistic style. Solo shows are a rarity for the Australian-born rockstar, but on April 13, he concluded his four-gig tour with an intimate performance at the Berlin Club, on Avenue A in New York City. Avery promoted his upcoming solo album, which will be released in the coming weeks.

The crowd of 50 people was eager with excitement to watch someone of his caliber perform right in front of them. Couches on one side of the stage, and a bar to the rear, the crowd became anxious, listening to the club’s stereo system playing throwback tunes. Soon after 9:30 p.m., the opener, Simon O’Connor, of the New York-based band Simon Doom, took the minuscule and circular stage. O’Connor, with his blond locks, plugged in his iPhone and started tuning his electric-acoustic guitar.

“Cam wanted me to play alone because the band is too loud,” he said. “The band is on my phone.”

It sounded like the band was present as O’Connor pressed play.

As he played his reverb-sounding guitar along with the backing instrumentals, the audience got into it and started dancing along to his poppunk-sounding songs off of their upcoming album, “Simon Doom EP.” The set consisted of songs such as

Avery, middle, performs with Tame Impala.

“My Baby’s A Baby,” “Punk Problems” and “Psychedelic Privilege.”

A few minutes after O’Connor left the stage, with the ruby-tinted lights turned down low, Avery took his place and picked up his ebonycolored Epiphone guitar. Little did the crowd know, Avery was not about to rock out. His band consisted of two female background singers, a drummer and a keyboardist. The lights contributed to the mood of Avery’s performance.

Halfway through the set, Avery invited O’Connor to the stage to sing a duet. The pair simultaneously put on matching sunglasses, as well as the keyboardist. Both singers shared the same microphone. Throughout the show, the harmonies between

PHOTO BY FLICKR USER ABBY GILLARDI

Avery and his two female background singers really added to the soulful experience. The outfits of the background singers were similar to those of choir singers. Avery added in a spoken-word song that he wrote a couple of weeks prior called “Whoever Said Gamblin’s For Suckers.”

“You guys can come along for the ride if you would like,” he told the audience.

This was something different for Avery’s repertoire. Along the way, the Australian-born rockstar joked with the audience and kept them engaged.

To close the show, Avery gave a shout out to a male fan, Alex, who spoke to him before the show about an old collaborative album he put

Thursday, May 5, 2016

out. “This song is for Alex, thank you for listening to my old songs.”

A harmonica exited his blazer pocket as he started to begin the old classic, “John the Revelator.” The bluesy sound of the instrument echoed throughout the room. The united audience recognized the classic and sang along in a call-and-response to “Who’s out there writin’?” (“John the Revelator!”)

As a whole, the audience left with a look of awe on their faces.

They were thrilled to see someone as famous as Avery up close and personal. After the show, it was exciting to see Avery take the time to chat with fans who wanted to meet one of their musical idols. At the end of the day, rockstars are people, too.

12B oracle.newpaltz.edu

THE DEEP END

The New Paltz Oracle

THIS WEEK IN

THE DEEP END

S T E F A N I E

D I E R S

Major: Drawing and Painting Year: Fourth Inspriation: Odd Nerdrum, Jenny Saville, Henrik Uldalen “Life and death have been constant themes within my artwork. I use energetic marks and painterly strokes to incorporate a presence of spirit and liveliness to decay. Color and translucency become important in my practice as they allow me to bring a certain life and luminosity to my work that would otherwise be lost through the application of layers. When representing characters or other life forms, I treat them as icons to be remembered and immortalized; still allowing them to evoke a mysterious, eerie quality that tends to naturally find its way into my work. I feel a personal and somewhat spiritual connection with my work, and although I’m not sure what each work of art means, I hope to keep exploring through painting and drawing to continue to learning about myself and what I enjoy to make.”

Photos by David Khorassani

The New Paltz Oracle

Editorial

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Sharpening The Soul

Mental illness. It’s something that affects many of us: according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in every five Americans suffer from mental health issues at one point in their life. But it’s also something shrouded in stigma and misinformation, which forces many people living with mental illness into silence or shame.

High-stress, fast-paced environments like college or university campuses often foster mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression. The sheer amount of responsibilities young adults must juggle — classes, jobs, extracurriculars, sports, social interactions and relationships — can add to this stress.

For many people with mental illness, symptoms first manifest between ages 18-22, according to NAMI. This increases the likelihood of us or one of our peers experiencing mental illness during our time at college.

For most of us, finals week is a major source of stress and anxiety. However, it is important to realize that what

may be a temporary struggle for most of us could very well be an everyday reality for people who live with mental illness.

In honor of May being Mental Health Awareness Month, we at The New Paltz Oracle would like to extend our support to everyone whose life has been touched by mental health issues.

Mental illness manifests in many different ways, but for many who experience mental health issues, symptoms include panic attacks, overwhelming anxiety or feelings of hopelessness. We urge anyone who experiences any of these symptoms to reach out to loved ones, friends or counseling professionals for guidance and support.

We encourage our readers to seek healthy, safe methods of coping with mental illness, such as therapy, counseling or prescribed medication, instead of dangerous coping tools like alcohol or drugs. We also urge our audience to remember that there is always time for self-care, rest and relaxation, no matter the situation. Our health — mental,

physical and emotional — should be the utmost priority.

There is no shame in struggling with mental health issues. Overwhelmingly negative portrayals of people with mental illnesses are widespread across the media, which contributes to shame and stigma surrounding mental health issues. Unfortunately, people who feel shame about grappling with mental illness may feel forced into silence and unable to confide in those close to them.

We at The New Paltz Oracle would also like to emphasize the importance of starting a healthy, supportive dialogue about mental illness. Open and honest conversations about mental illness can help destigmatize mental health issues. Someone in your life — be it your friend, your professor or a family member — cares about your wellbeing.

Of course, those fighting mental illness should only talk about their struggles when they feel safe and ready to do so.

Opening up to people we trust about our struggles can be extremely validating and helpful.

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11

CARTOON BY STEFANIE DIERS

On the receiving end, people whose loved ones turn to them in their time of need should be receptive and willing to help. Confiding in a friend about such a sensitive topic can be scary, so no one should feel slighted or offended if a friend chooses not to open up about any experiences with mental health issues.

Students at SUNY New Paltz can reach out to the Psychological Counseling Center at 845-257-2920 for help coping with mental illness. For students who grapple with mental illness and have disabilities, resources are available at the Disability Resource Center (845-257-3020).

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.

12 oracle.newpaltz.edu

NATE SHEIDLOWER Managing Editor

Sheidlon1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

I guess they call it a tarmac. I don’t know. Looks more like a drag strip to me.

That said, the fastest things moving out there are the fumes rapidly escaping through the jet’s asshole, and they don’t even touch the pavement.

I wonder how many parked planes it would take to cause a warm front? They talk about global warming because of China’s giant industrial districts; New York sure looks to be playing it’s own role.

Flight’s delayed for some broken computer. Laptop died. Forgot notebook at home …

They say they’ll give us the movies for free because of how long we’re waiting. As if free entertainment is going to get me there on time. Then again, I’m not in a rush. Why would I be? I don’t have to be on campus until morning. It is morning.

Now they say they’re going to turn off the plane while they replace the computer and the lights will go off for a few minutes. “How will we see?” It’s the middle of the damn day, open a window! Some people, man.

Pilot waving his big hands everywhere but can’t seem to make them fix the computer.

Paid good money to defy the laws of gravity, ruin my sense of time and space and help pollute the ozone. Let’s get on with it! It’s such an American thing to value my own time. It helps no one but me, therefore it harms no one but me. So why do I care when it’s wasted?

Someone forgot their lighter in the lavatory. It’s white. Bet it was that girl who went in there with the water bottle and came out looking scared. Drugs these days.

Ever cut a piece of clay in half

OPINION

REFLECTION

The New Paltz Oracle

Defined by Nate Sheidlower as a dive into the sea of deep consciousness for the sole purpose of planting a mirror into the sands of time ... using a piano wire? I feel like that is what would happen to me if this plane fell out of the sky and I still had my seatbelt on. Apparently some NAVY helicopters are falling out of the sky. But they catch fire first. Gotta warn everyone down below. You know how it is, “Heads up!”

Could there be live music on a plane? They got TVs. Sid didn’t even play on the damn album. Still makes it to the merch. As if one ink stain wasn’t enough.

Now I’ll miss you all, but since I’d get yelled at: Lief, you gave me the job and for that I’m forever grateful. Abbott, I hope that one day I get a job and when I walk in on my first day some shmuck is giving me the lay of the land and when he introduces me to the “scary” boss, it’s you. Until then, peace out.

Jen, you always let me write what I wanted and re-write some questionable ledes. I guess saying you believed in me is too gushy, but thanks.

Anthony (DeRosa), if ever I had a question, you had an answer. And thank you for making it so I wasn’t the only one to sit in the back row and slack off at the computer. Looks like so much less of a crime when you’re not alone.

Zameena, I think I can honestly say you’ve given me more advice outside of the newsroom than in it.

But that’s ok because it was all good and now I am off to grad school as well. Muchas gracias y buena suerte en sus aventuras.

Karl, I don’t know how but you were always in my class and I’m not complaining. You even made TLR tolerable cause you’re a funny guy and a good friend. Same goes to you Russell, you and I will always be on

defense not because we can’t attack but because we work well together and sometimes that’s the most important thing. I’m gonna miss you guys but I know this ain’t the end.

Melanie, you’ve gotten mad good at cheating and it’s not ok. But no, I really will miss our card games and while I may be going deep, but that doesn’t mean I’m leaving so don’t try to make djank a thing or I’ll know. Oh, and uh, Part Four, line VIII. Sam, you’ve been in it with me from the very start and in that time you’ve taught me more than I even realize. I’m sure over time that will become more and more true.

Melissa, you are one of the most dedicated people I know. Don’t ever lose that because there already aren’t enough of you out there to keep slackers like me from making a mess. I’ll see you on ESPN. Amanda, you are just the best as I’m sure many others will agree.

May your mattress always be soft and your sight always set towards the future.

Jack, you know what you gotta do which is more than I can say for most folks including myself. Keep having your ideas, maybe one day you’ll have one so brilliant the water will go back into the shower head.

Mike, when I set the record for getting five hits in three at bats I want you writing my profile for Sports Illustrated. No questions asked. As much shit as I may give you, you really are a good journalist and I know you’ll go very far.

Jon Perry, you are the best ringer there is. I know you were only on staff a semester but you’ve proved you’re reliable and hard-working.

Gotta get that cheating down though.

Thursday, May 5, 2016

Ask Mel. Kintura, we made it. Let’s keep on making it until it’s made, then we’ll argue about whether or not to break it and start again. But you’ll win cause you always do and I love you for it.

Anthony (Orza), I know you were going to find us anyway but I still take credit for recruiting you. I’m glad I remembered to go to Bosch’s class that day, and I hope you stick with this very unreliable profession of ours.

Monique, I know we haven’t really gotten to know each other too well but I feel like you’ve gotten more free with your writing and that’s made it all the better. If I call you one day with the craziest grammar question ever conceived by man, know that whatever answer you give me, I will trust.

Jess, just keep doing what you’re doing and you’ll be great where ever you are. Oh and keep questioning things, it’s just generally a good idea, you never know what you’ll hear.

Rachael, I’m glad you’re in news now because you’re very good at it.

Not that you can’t do sports too, but you have a good work ethic for news and it shows. I hope you can see it too.

Kristen, thank you for giving me the opportunity to let you stop all of my radical ideas. But more importantly thank you for letting some through. If we ever con our way into these jobs again, I promise to have a whole new batch for you. And stand in that corner once before you go, it changes your whole perspective.

For those of you who didn’t stop after your line, I’m here to tell you that you should have because I got nothing more to say. Goodnight.

The New Paltz Oracle

Jonathan Perry Copy Editor

Perryj1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

I had served my internship in Kingston and was about to graduate with my bachelor’s in journalism when Karl EversHillstrom brought the opening of a position in The Oracle newspaper to my attention.

I thought: “I could graduate now and look for a job and be thrown into a world I am still not comfortable with, or I could gain even more experience and be more comfortable with myself in the long run.”

Being on The Oracle now, my choice was obvious.

In my short time on the Oracle, I have learned many things: how to open up more, write better and even develop a sense of humor. I came into the Oracle high strung and nervous, not knowing what to expect from the experience or the people. What I got though was unexpected.

Everyone on the Oracle was welcoming and supportive of me as if I had been with them my entire life. Joining the Oracle was the best decision I have ever made for my journalism career, learning more than I could have ever hoped for.

My writing skills improved dramatically, even after my internship. I learned so much about AP Style and the inner workings of different writing styles that I have incorporated into myself. In terms of personal experience, I developed a second family.

Opinion

Reflection Every day I went to the Oracle was like a new day with people that made me welcome and happy to be there. I felt instantly comfortable, which was something I did not get in my internship that prevented me from opening up more.

This environment allowed me to be the journalist I had always hoped to be.

Jack: My second father figure, not really but I can’t think of a proper title for you that sounds less awkward. You have pushed me in directions that have always helped instead of hindered, and have a sense of humor that could light up anyone’s day. I will always be your Germaine (no homo).

Monique: My partner in crime, who was easy to work with and a pleasure to talk to.

Even though your time with the Oracle will end soon as well, I was happy to be on the Features section with you.

May you succeed at whatever you pursue.

Melissa: An individual who can understand as many sports facts as she can Internet memes. I don’t think I have met anyone as light hearted as you are, and I hope to see you around in a successful paper sometime soon. Keep trying and never give up.

Mike: A sense of humor of George Lopez and a screaming voice that could rival Green Day covers in cutting glass.

Whenever we talk, your face lights up while always having something to say. You were a key factor in easing me into the Oracle gang and I couldn’t be more thankful.

Anthony: We don’t speak to each other often, but when we do ….. we still don’t really talk at all. But! Those odd something days when we finally get a one liner with each other, that’s the moments I will look forward to in my future adventures.

Sam: You were such a delight to be around. It was almost as if there wasn’t such a thing as mean in your bones.

We could talk to each other for hours I think, and I will miss your smile while I hand you a copy desk story and you hand me my Dunkin Coffee.

Jess: We never spoke much either, but I could always tell the gentle soul that you had while having some tea from your Beatles coffee mug.

Good! Keep that gentleness secret, keep it safe, and don’t change for the world!

Mel: My second sister, always striking up conversations out of nowhere and making interesting discussions when they were impossible for anyone else to pull off. Your confidence is stunning to me, and that will take you far in the world, not just journalism.

It’s been real.

Kintura: The life of the party. The room doesn’t feel like a true party without you, rather that half-baked middle school prom that nobody went to. When you leave this year, remember the liveliness you brought to the gang and never lose that.

Rachael: I have never met anyone who can balance your workload and have not ceased to be amazed yet. No mat-

Thursday, May 5, 2015

oracle.newpaltz.edu

13

ter what troubles you face or whatever doubts you have that could stop you, don’t listen to those, they’re mean.

David and Holly: You guys take great photos and are always fun to be around. David, you know just what to say to make evryone smile. Holly, you enjoy life, which reflects in your work and personality.

When you guys get to a professional paper or photo organization, send me some photos because I would love to see them.

Kristen and Nate: My metaphorical parents. Whatever issues the paper faced was solved with a simple “we’ll do this” by Kristen, followed by “yes dear” from Nate. You guys couldn’t have been better for the job because you got things done. The work felt efficient, it felt necessary and it felt right. Not to mention the fact that you guys were a pleasure to be around: Nate’s teachings of how to cheat at card games and his improved,lyrical raps, and Kristen’s gentle spirit and her talk about nanner’ bread recipes.

Everyone played a part in how I am what I am, even if it was a small role to play. So in the future, just know that you played a part in manifesting the mass amalgamation of confusion and serendipity that is Jonathan Perry. I will look back to these times as some of my best times and will always remember the goodwill and joy that I felt coming back every day.

Thank you all, I will miss you.

14 oracle.newpaltz.edu OVERHEARD IN THE OFFICE

The New Paltz Oracle Staff The New Paltz Oracle Spring 2016 E-Board

“When I was courting her, when I was wooing her with my jiggle” - JACK (About Amanda) “It looks like they are having a blowjob negotiation.”

- KINTURA (In reference to the top portion of this issue’s cartoon)

“Keep an eye on my eyes while I’m not seeing.”

- NATE “Tyler Perry’s House of Jon Perry’s Pain” - MELANIE “You have a shirt with Tupac throwing up two middle fingers! My scariest shirt has a banana on it.”

From top-left to right: Jack O’Brien, Kristen Warfield, Anthony Mitthauer-Orza, David Khorassani, Melanie Zerah, Nate Sheidlower, Jonathan Perry, Sam Manzella, Rachael Purtell, Kintura Williams, Jess Napp, Stefanie Diers, Holly Lipka. Front row (LR): Michael Rosen, Melissa Kramer, Monique Tranchina.

- JACK (to Kintura) “If he wanted to buy her something nice it should have been a frickin’ necklace, not a dog.”

- KRISTEN

“Yeah it’s lit.” - MELISSA “I thought you meant ‘lit’ like literature.” - MONIQUE

“I’ll call up Dan Torres like ‘Yo DT it’s Nate from the O!” - NATE

“I don’t give a fuck ... just in general.”

- JON PERRY

Thursday, May 5, 2016

SPORTS

The New Paltz Oracle

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15

SPORTS The New Paltz Oracle

THEY’RE

Hawks third-year center fielder Fallon Spriggs takes a lead.

By Melissa Kramer

Sports Editor | Kramerm2@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

The softball team has clinched a playoff berth in the 2016 State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Tournament.

New Paltz has secured the No. 5 seed in the double-elimination tournament and will face SUNY Plattsburgh, the No. 2 seed, Thursday, May 5 at 11 a.m. in Cortland.

The Hawks finished their regular season with an overall record of 18-17 and 9-9 tally in SUNYAC play.

Hawks head coach Brittany Robinson said the team is better when they play away, so being the road team will be beneficial against Plattsburgh.

“When we play at home, especially playing defense first, we just lose a lot of focus hitting-wise,” she said. “Being on offense first really helps us. Being a lower seed going into the tournament is not a disadvantage for us.

It’s actually to our advantage.”

The Cardinals hold an advantage over the Hawks in the offensive category of batting average. Plattsburgh holds a .287 average com-

SAFE

PHOTO BY HOLLY LIPKA

pared to New Paltz’s .266. On the basepaths, the Hawks hold a 66-51 stolen base lead.

On the defensive side, the Hawks edge the Cardinals with a .948 fielding percentage to a .944. On the mound, New Paltz holds the upper hand in ERA (3.62 to 3.77).

Going into the final day of the season, the Hawks were a game ahead of both Buffalo State and SUNY Oswego.

In the first of two home doubleheaders to end the season, the Hawks split against SUNY Oswego on Friday, April 29.

During the first game, Hawks fourth-year pitcher Katie Rutcofsky struck out a careerhigh-tying 10 batters, but her counterpart, Oswego third-year pitcher Brittney Sears, ended up throwing a four-hit shutout with nine strikeouts to give the Lakers the 2-0 victory.

Rutcofsky struck out 10 once previously this season during the March 30 nonconference win against The Sage Colleges.

The Lakers tallied a run in both the third and fifth inning. First-year shortstop Erin Sweeney knocked in both runs for her team, giving Oswego the 2-0 win.

In the nightcap, Hawks second-year right

fielder Danielle Bruno singled to right field and plated both third-year center fielder Fallon Spriggs and Rutcofsky in the home half of the first inning. That would be the only runs the Hawks needed to earn the 2-0 shutout victory.

Hawks third-year pitcher Taylor Corwin recorded the complete-game win on the mound, throwing seven shutout innings, allowing three hits and striking out three on 68 pitches.

The Hawks dropped both games of a doubleheader to SUNY Cortland, the No. 1 seed in the conference, the next day.

In the first game, Cortland put up four runs in the first inning. New Paltz retaliated with a run of their own with an RBI single in their half of the inning, as Spriggs singled up the middle. This scored Hawks second-year left fielder Julia Perhacs and was Spriggs’ team-leading 22nd RBI. The Hawks would bring the score to 4-3 in the fourth.

The Red Dragons would record runs in the fifth and sixth innings and take the 6-3 victory. Later that day, the Hawks only mustered three hits as they were shutout by the Red Dragons 3-0.

After taking a 1-0 lead in the fifth inning,

Thursday, May 5, 2016

the Red Dragons hit solo home runs in the sixth and seventh innings, respectively from fourth-year co-captain Erin Wolstenhome and fourth-year co-captain Diane Cork. Cork hit her team-leading sixth home run.

To prepare for the playoffs, Robinson said to win, the team needs timely hitting, that they have not gotten all season long, in playoffs.

“The real issue is not us getting on base, the issue is us scoring runners once they are on base,” she said. “If we can get over that mental block of scoring runners, than we are going to win some ballgames.”

Last season, the Hawks needed to win one of their final games of the season against The College at Brockport during a doubleheader to make the postseason. However, they dropped both during the last weekend of the season.

Robinson said earning a playoff spot this season is a better feeling because of last year’s results.

“We have just as good a chance winning the tournament as anybody,” she said. “We are in a good spot to win a bunch of games in the tournament and if we get back to playing Cortland again they should probably watch out.”

Sports

16oracle.newpaltz.edu

The New Paltz Oracle

Three Cheers for Army All-Star

Natalie Stewart poses with the Reach the Beach National Cheer Championship trophy.

By Michael Rosen

Copy Editor | Rosenm2@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

As a young girl, Natalie Stewart trained in gymnastics in hopes of becoming a cheerleader. Years later as a cheerleader, she trained at Fort Jackson, South Carolina in hopes of serving her country.

The second-year political science major splits her time between her school work at SUNY New Paltz, being a member of New Paltz Cheer and hiking in the mountains. All the while she is preparing to leave the U.S. Army reserves and join her fellow troops in active duty upon graduation.

After earning her associate’s degree in criminal justice from Dutchess Community College in 2014, Stewart made the decision to join the U.S. Army.

“I just always wanted to be a soldier,” Stewart said. “I wanted to be strong and do something I was proud of.”

Stewart stands in front of a tank.

Shortly thereafter, Stewart participated in basic training at Fort Jackson for two months. She then went to Fort Gordon, Georgia for five months for advanced individual training. She is currently in the reserves until she is done with her bachelor’s.

Stewart, who just transferred to SUNY New Paltz this semester, has also played a key role in New Paltz Cheer’s recent success.

The team took home first place at the Reach the Beach National Cheer Championships that took place in Ocean City, Maryland from April 2-3. More recently, the team finished in first at the Epic Brand’s Six Flags Spring Extravaganza on Saturday, April 30 to conclude their season.

Stewart serves as both a main base and a tumbler for the team. New Paltz Cheer coach Kayla Paine said that she brings both energy and leadership to New Paltz Cheer, despite only joining recently.

“Natalie brings a lot of energy to the team,” Paine said. “She is always on the move at practice; working on tumbling or the dance on her water breaks.”

Stewart does not see many similarities between being a soldier and being a cheerleader, although she said both keep her in shape. However, she did note one thing that she has learned from both the military and her cheerleading.

“Teamwork,” Stewart said.

“Fighting through the ups and the downs with the team beside you.”

Paine has noticed how much of a team player Stewart is, and her experience with the military has added to that.

“I think her all around dedication is a trait she brings to cheer and her commitment to the military,” Paine said. “She’s always willing to jump into a new spot to do whatever is best for the team and our overall success.”

Thursday, May 5, 2016

PHOTOS COURTESY OF NATALIE STEWART

Once Stewart has earned her bachelor’s degree from SUNY New Paltz, she plans to go into active duty.

She will be stationed at a military base and will be ready to be deployed overseas if called up. Stewart is currently ranked as a Specialist (SPC).

Although this may seem like a crazy lifestyle for most of us, Stewart does not view it that way.

“It’s just military service as a full time job, like a 9 to 5 in camo,” she said.

When the day comes that Stewart will be stationed at a base, Paine has full confidence that her cheerleader will excel with the army.

“Natalie is definitely a leader,” Paine said. “Her cheerleading career isn’t as long as some of the other team members, but you can see that people look up to Natalie. She is very mature for her age and it shows when she performs at every practice, game and competition.”

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The New Paltz Oracle

Baseball Closes out Season

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17

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK:

Nick Paquette SPORT: Basketball YEAR: First MAJOR: General Business HOMETOWN: Smithtown, New York

H OW DID YOU FIRST START PLAYING BASKETBALL? My dad played in college, and he was my inspiration to start playing. I started in kindergarten, that’s when everyone starts just playing intramurals and CYO and all that. That’s actually when me and my current teammate Matt [Misser] started playing together.

OUTSIDE OF BASKETBALL WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO?

Hawks second-year pitcher Conor Donachie hurls a pitch.

By Anthony Mitthauer-Orza

Copy Editor | Mitthaua1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

After a strong showing this season, the baseball team was unable to clinch a playoff berth after losing their final three State Univeristy of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) games to The College at Brockport.

Though it was not the finish many expected, there is a lot of optimism for the team heading into next season. With a team that had 17 underclassmen, the Hawks were able to reach the 20-win plateau for the first time since 2011 and a series win against top-seeded Cortland for the first time in program history.

In the first game against Brockport on Friday, April 29, the Hawks were limited to six hits after losing by a score of 6-0. The first five innings of the game were scoreless, but the Golden Eagles started to drive in runs in the last half of the game.

Brockport fourth-year infielder Brett Sanders came home on a wild pitch in the top half of the sixth inning to make it a 1-0 game. Shortly after, fourth-year infielder Wesley Burghardt drove in another run after hitting a single up the middle.

Another run was scored in the eighth and the Golden Eagles sealed the win after adding three more in the ninth.

In addition to the shutout in the first game of the series, Hawks second-year right fielder Nick DePietro suffered a broken thumb sliding into third base and was unable to play the second game.

Despite the injury, Hawks head coach Matt Righter said the team found a way to get DePietro to play the third game. He was successful on one of two bunts, got a base hit and walked, all playing left-handed.

PHOTO BY HOLLY LIPKA

“[DePietro] is a right-handed hitter so before game three, we practiced hitting left-handed,” Righter said. “Not only did he play, he got two bunts down, got a base hit left-handed and walked left-handed. It’s something unheard of.”

This adds another moment to DePietro’s first season as a Hawk, where he hit .342 with 19 RBI. He also recently hit a walk-off home run against Elmira College on Saturday, April 23.

Other notable Hawk performers from this season include second-year second baseman Anthony Pantano, second-year center fielder Jake Williams and first-year shortstop Ryan Frost.

Pantano hit .339 for the season with two home runs and 17 RBI, which is 14 more than last season’s total. Williams batted .307 with 18 RBI, while Frost led the conference with 13 doubles.

Hawks fourth-year co-captain Brett Wisner is one of many that are expecting a lot out of next year’s team, and said that he may potentially return next year despite graduating.

“This team is headed in the right direction,” Wisner said. “I will actually be attending graduate school here and since I did not play my freshman year, I could potentially come back. I expect big things from the team next year whether I play or not.”

In the next two games of the series against Brockport in a doubleheader the following day, the Hawks were held scoreless in the first game on the day after losing 9-0 and suffered a 4-2 extrainnings loss in the nightcap. This loss eliminated the Hawks from playoff contention.

In game two, Brockport only needed their five-run third inning to defeat the Hawks.

Burghardt and fourth-year outfielder Josh Martin hit a pair of two-run home runs in the third

for the Golden Eagles. Later in the inning, Brockport added to their lead after a balk. Brockport scored one run in the fifth and two more runs in the seventh to win 9-0.

The third game of the weekend saw strong pitching and defense by both teams.

Pantano broke open the scoring with an RBI single in the third inning. Brockport responded in the fifth after scoring on a groundout. The Hawks responded with another run in the home half of the inning before Golden Eagles fourth-year infielder Chris Davis tied the game at two after a solo home run in the sixth.

There was no scoring until six innings later, as both teams headed to extras. Davis came up clutch for Brockport again in the 12th inning — hitting a two-run double with two outs. The Golden Eagles retired the home half of the inning to prevent the Hawks from making the playoffs.

The Hawks finished their season with an overall record of 20-16-2 and 8-10 conference tally.

New Paltz finished fifth place in the SUNYAC where only the top four teams make the SUNYAC Tournament.

Despite the disappointing finish, Righter said there is still plenty of room for player development and New Paltz may eventually be up in the standings with top-seeded teams like SUNY Cortland and SUNY Oswego.

“I’m proud of our guys and I’m proud of our team,” Righter said. “It’s disappointing to lose the way we did. Give these guys another year and put them in the same situations we were in, we would get the job done. But I think everyone can agree that these next two years are going to be pretty darn good.”

Thursday, May 5, 2016

I just enjoy hanging out with friends, having a good time and enjoying life. I like playing any sport, I enjoy all sports. I just took basketball more seriously than the others.

WHO ARE YOUR BIGGEST ROLE MODELS? My biggest role models are obviously my parents. My dad played college basketball, so I kind of wanted to follow in his footsteps and my mom also was a pretty good athlete. All their hard work inspires me and pushes me.

ARE YOU A FAN OF ANY PROFESSIONAL TEAMS? Yes, the Boston Celtics. My dad grew up in Massachusetts and growing up I had no team to follow besides the Knicks, and he didn’t like them so I was a Boston fan.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SUPERSTITIONS? Every time the Celtics are in a Game 7, I always wear a jersey all day long. Just, you know, gotta rep.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SPORTS MEMORY? Junior year of high school, I played against my teammate Brandon Tolliver, and Coach Rejniak was actually recruiting Tolliver at the time. I had a really good game and that’s when he started recruiting me, so that’s something I just won’t forget.

DO YOU WANT TO BE ...

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK? Contact Michael Rosen at

Rosenm2@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

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The New Paltz Oracle

Lacrosse Preparing for Next Season

By Melissa Kramer

Sports Editor | Kramerm2@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

The lacrosse team finished their 2016 season with a 3-13 overall record and a 0-8 State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) tally.

With the trio of wins, the Hawks tied their victory total from last season.

New Paltz finished their schedule with a 21-1 loss against No. 1 SUNY Cortland on Saturday, April 30.

This was the second nationallyranked opponent the Hawks faced this season. The first was a conference loss against No. 11 The College at Brockport on Saturday, April 23.

Hawks head coach Liz Student said even though the season did not go as planned, the team dynamic itself was the best it has been in a while.

“It’s no secret that this season didn’t go how we all wanted it to,” she said. “We were a more skilled team this year. There was no urgency and that really hurt us.”

Individually, third-year co-captain Nicole Gottschalk led the Hawks

with 29 points (23 goals, six assists) and shots (60) in 15 games played and started.

Gottschalk said there were positives throughout the season despite the losing record.

“A positive was definitely the fact that we were able to deal with adversity and maintain a positive attitude,” she said. “We learned from our mistakes and are already looking forward to next season.”

First-year midfielder Rachael Purtell netted 11 goals to lead all freshmen. In addition, she controlled a team-high 32 draws. Purtell also contributed two assists in 16 games started.

In her first year between the posts for the Hawks, third-year goalkeeper Colleen Roemer played in all 16 games. She ranked third in the SUNYAC scooping up 2.88 ground balls per game. Furthermore, she finished the season fourth in the conference with 8.50 saves per game.

Student said throughout everything, the team stayed focused.

“They kept working hard,” she said. “Through the adversity they

continued to push and push and push.

That is something where it is really frustrating as a team when you’re not getting the results you want and it’s a lot easier to quit than to keep pushing forward. They kept pushing forward.”

Looking ahead to next season, the team is already working to prepare. Student said the team will be the first where they have a fully-recruited team.

Previous to the start of the season, there were not any recruits in the program’s database. As a result of previous recruits graduating early and dealing with injuries, the Hawks did not have a senior class this season.

Next season, the Hawks will have recruits from every year class, Student said.

“That will be great for the program, but we will also have more competition at practice and for spots on the team, which is what you want,” she said. “You can either let it really get you down or make it motivate you and push you harder and that is the route that the team is going.”

Hawks third-year co-captain Melissa Wagner rides the opponent.

PHOTO BY HOLLY LIPKA

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The New Paltz Oracle

Home Isles Advantage Kramerm2@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

Yes! Yes! Yes! The New York Islanders have advanced to the Eastern Conference second round of the playoffs for the first time since 1993.

They took the best-of-seven game Eastern Conference first round series against the Florida Panthers 4-2.

This first-round series was arguably the most competitive of the entire league. The physicality between both teams also added to the excitement.

One thing that was evident about the Panthers was their ability to jump on every puck and win battles on the boards. The moment the Isles took possession, there was always a Panther ready to pounce. They didn’t give the Isles any space.

Despite everything, the Isles found a way to win. They will be looking to advance to the Conference Finals for the first time since that same season of ‘93.

What’s Next?

Next up for the Islanders will be continuing an Eastern Conference second round matchup with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Islanders won two of three from the Lightning in the regular season as they split a pair of games at Amalie Arena before defeating the Bolts at Barclays Center in early April.

Game 1 was total domination by the Islanders, who took the opener 5-3. The Islanders put up three goals in the first period alone. Another goal forced the Lightning to switch goaltender Ben Bishop with Andrei Vasilevsky. If the Isles continue to bring the pressure the way they did in Game 1 and hold their leads, they could completely take over the series.

Game 2 saw the opposite scenario for the Islanders. They were completely outplayed by a dominant and fast Lightning team. The Islanders seemed lethargic compared to the home team which took a 4-1 win to even the best-of-seven game series at one game apiece. They were limited to three shots in the third period. This showed that the Isles really need to clean up their game and push for second and third chances rather than just sitting back and watching. No wins are going to come easy in the playoffs.

While on the powerplay, the Isles need to shoot the puck. As the old saying goes, “You can’t score if you don’t shoot.”

The series returned home to Brook-

SPORTS

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1993 No More

Islanders forward Josh Bailey focuses.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

lyn after two games on the road. Game 3 showed why a team can never let up in the playoffs. With less than a minute remaining in the third period, the Isles held a 4-3 lead. The Lightning tied the game with 38.4 seconds left and sent the game to overtime.

Less than five minutes into the extra period, the Bolts took the win, with a goal from forward Brian Boyle. Before scoring the gamewinner, Boyle hit Isles defenseman Thomas Hickey and targeted his head. This was in retaliation for a hard hit Hickey layed upon Lightning forward Jonathan Drouin earlier in the game.

It is hard to say “what if?” but if there was a penalty called on Boyle, the goal would have never happened. If Hickey wasn’t down on the ground in pain, he would have been at the spot by the goal crease to defend Boyle, and stop the game-winning goal from going past Isles’ goaltender Thomas Greiss.

For the first time in this year’s playoffs, the Isles are trailing in a series. An overtime loss at home is tough to swallow, but the Isles need to move on from it. They need to continue to be resilient, an attribute they have shown all season and during the playoffs.

Next up will be a crucial Game 4 in Brooklyn on Friday night.

It is a great thing to see that Islanders captain John Tavares currently is second in the league in playoff points with 11 (six goals, five assists). He netted his sixth goal with a spot-on wrist shot in Game 1.

His game-tying goal with less than a minute remaining in the third period and gamewinner in double-overtime in Game 6 of the first round is what got his team here in the first place.

Newcomer Shane Prince has also been very clutch for the Isles, as he tallied two

Thursday, May 5, 2016

19

goals during the first period of the Game 1 win, increasing his playoff total to three.

Looking ahead at the rest of the series, the Lightning found a way to win and take their first-round series against the Detroit Red Wings, without their prolific goalscoring captain Steven Stamkos. Stamkos is pending return as he recovers from surgery to remove a blood clot near his right collarbone. The Lightning are also without defenseman Anton Stralman, a key part to their blueline. He is considered day-to-day with a fibula injury.

The goaltending matchup should continue to be another great one with Greiss squaring off against Bishop. Bishop owns a 19-13 record in 33 career postseason games, including four shutouts.

Tampa has a team that has done well in the playoffs in recent years, including an emotional run and trip to the Stanley Cup Finals last season. This season, depth could become an issue with many players banged up. Their powerplay has been silent, as they went 4-23 in their first round series. On the other hand, their penalty kill was dominant with a 24-25 success rate. The Bolts have had several legitimate scoring opportunities while shorthanded in all three games thus far. They just may run out of gas this time.

Not many are predicting the Isles to win the series, but this was the case for the Panthers series as well. This series will go at least six games, with the Isles coming out on top. Knowing the Isles are more than capable of beating the Bolts and Bishop is a huge momentum builder.

Winning the first series is only one step of a humongous mountain left to still climb.

The Stanley Cup is the hardest trophy to win in all of sports.

With the momentum the Isles had going into the second round, they could steam ahead and take this series as well. However, they cannot get caught up in the moment, take their foot off the gas pedal and only be satisfied with only taking the first-round series. With the desire to finally succeed in the playoffs and ability to pull off three overtime victories in the first round alone, the Isles can certainly go far with their pesky crew. Their determination and passion needs to continue against an opponent with more postseason experience. This is something the fans have been waiting for for a long, long time.

Sports The New Paltz Oracle

WHAT’S INSIDE

PLAYOFF PREP

Sophomore Doubles as Cheerleader and Soldier

MAIN AND LOWER PHOTOS BY HOLLY LIPKA UPPER PHOTO COURTESY OF NATALIE STEWART

PAGE 12

Baseball Finishes Season on Heartbreaker PAGE 13

SOFTBALL CLINCHES PLAYOFF BERTH IN 2016 SUNYAC TOURNAMENT : PAGE 11