The
TANGERINE
FRIDAY, FEB. 26 2021
UCTANGERINE.COM
Southern storms and the future climate
The Beginning of 2021: Meme Review
Women’s hockey wins weekend against Manhattanville, men’s team splits opening games with Wilkes
NEWS | PG. 6
FEATURES | PG. 14
SPORTS | PG. 16
Breaking: UC suspends athletic activity due to uptick in COVID-19 cases NICK MCADAM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF All athletic activity has been paused due to the college’s increase in positive COVID-19 cases among studentathletes, President Laura Casamento announced this morning in an emailed letter. According to the letter, contact tracing by the College has indicated that the positive cases have resulted from social interactions away from all forms of athletic activity, including practice and competition. “Instead, we have reason to suspect that members of a small number of our teams have hosted or attended off-campus parties in violation of College health and safety protocols as well as local health orders,” Casamento said. As a result, the Office of Campus Safety and Emergency Management will launch an investigation into the matter, reporting their findings directly to the President’s Office. Students found in violation of the College’s COVID-19 safety protocols will be moved to remote learning with the possibility of additional sanctions. Responsible teams could face a potential suspension for the entire
season. “Let me be clear: I understand that the type of behavior we are investigating, in normal times and under normal circumstances, is part of the fabric of team chemistry,” the letter stated. “But these are not normal times, and right now this behavior is irresponsible, selfish, cavalier, and, most of all, dangerous.” According to the college’s coronavirus dashboard, there are currently 27 positive cases from students with eight currently in quarantines and 14 in isolation. The number, at the moment, remains higher in terms of positive cases than the uptick in positive cases seen in residence halls toward the end of the last semester. The news comes after a quiet fall semester in school sports which limited all sports to practice. The latest reported instance of COVID-19 violations due to parties was back in August, as 12 students from South Hall were sent home after a gathering, prompting a petition from students to bring the 12 back on campus. Later last semester, multiple teams, including football and volleyball, faced a mandatory two-week
Photo: utica.edu quarantine after a sharp rise in positive cases. “We will continue to ask all of our students and student-athletes to practice the protocols that have been put in place to keep everyone safe during the pandemic,” Athletic Director David Fontaine said. “Wearing masks, not having or attending parties, distancing when appropriate and so on. We have specifically communicated to our student-athletes in many ways such as written communication, large WebEx meetings, individual team meetings and consistent messaging to teams through their coaches. We have also communicated regularly with the Student Athlete Advisory Committee to provide updates and reminders.” The only Empire 8 competitions to resume this semester included both men’s and women’s hockey, along with track and field, which began with its opening meet at Colgate University,
placing first in the competition. Both hockey teams began UCHC play this weekend, with the men’s team splitting its two games against Wilkes University, and the women’s team capturing all 4 points in the standings against Manhattanville College.
interest of their seasons continuing,” he said. “It’s because of this and the fact that Utica College chose to announce it this way that doesn’t sit well with me. I dislike that this may turn teams against each other. In these times, it’s unity, not division, that is needed most.”
“If they did it, it was because someone informed them about it,” Senior Joram Stephenson said, referring to information being passed to the President’s Office. “It’s most likely that a ‘concerned citizen’ brought whatever they know to their attention.”
Senior Jayme Connolly, a former student-athlete, said her reason for not returning to athletics this semester was due to the possible inconsistency of sports being started and paused.
Stephenson, however, understands the need to remain safe during these times, though he also understands the need for students to find ways to socialize, especially after being quarantined all of last year. “Many student-athletes are playing their final seasons in the sport they love, and this may turn some informant in the
“I feel like our priorities should be to keep all of the students on campus and safe,” she said. “Sports shouldn’t be as big of a priority as they made it out to be.” According to Fontaine, the college will continue to monitor COVID-19 cases through regular testing, with the hopes of resuming play in the safest way as soon as possible.
STAFF PAGE 2
FRIDAY, FEB. 26 2021
SPRING 2021 STAFF
UCTANGERINE.COM
Editor-In-Chief - Nick McAdam Layout Editor - Stephen Clark Managing Editor - Bailey Hryb Assistant News Editor - Hannah Steyn Features Editor - Rebekah Hedeen Assistant Features Editor - Hope Russo Sports Editor - Abin Boris Assistant Sports Editor - Matt Breault Special Assignments Reporter - Isabella Hudziak General Assignments Reporter - Robert Stevens Photographer - Alexandria Leland Social Media Manager - Alyssa McKenna Cartoonist - Alyssa McKenna YouTube - Brooke Riscica Copy Editor - Gianna Cognetti Tangerine Clerk - Jama Joseph Advisor - Mary Christopher
About The Tangerine is published weekly during the academic year by and for Utica College students. To reach a member of the staff, email tangerine@utica.edu or call 315-792-3065. All material printed in The Tangerine is copyrighted. The Tangerine was first published as the Utica College News on Nov. 6, 1946. Submission Policy Letters to the editor are welcomed from all members of the Utica College community. Letters must meet fair and accurate publishing standards and contain no libelous material. Anonymous letters to the editor will not be printed. All letters and editorials must meet the print deadline of 5 p.m. on Mondays. Please send all submissions to tangerine@utica.edu. Takeback requests are a form of censorship and therefore not accepted. Advertising Information The Tangerine accepts paid advertisements. Advertising copy is subject to the same professional publishing standards as content. The Tangerine reserves the right to reject advertising that does not meet the standards established, is libelous, is in poor taste or violates discrimination laws. Please direct all inquiries to tanger@ utica.edu. The deadline for publication is 10 a.m. on Tuesdays.
NEWS
PAGE 3 FRIDAY, FEB. 26 2021
UCTANGERINE.COM
CAMPUS SAFETY BLOTTER Date of Incident
Time of Incident
Incident Description
Incident Location
2/17/2021
11:45 PM
Fire Alarm
North Hall
2/17/2021
12:55 PM
Reckless Driving
Parking Lot
2/17/2021
3:00 PM
Student of Concern
North Hall
2/18/2021
9:15 AM
Student of Concern
2/20/2021
6:40 PM
Confiscated Item
South Hall
2/21/2021
1:15 PM
Area Check/ Informational
Burrstone House
2/21/2021
5:09 PM
Fire Alarm
North Hall
2/21/2021
5:30 PM
Phone Harrassment
North Hall
2/23/2021
7:43 PM
Marijuana Violation
Pioneer Village C
2/23/2021
10:50 PM
Odor of Cigarette Smoke
North Hall
The opinions and columns expressed in The Tangerine are those of the individual writers and do not represent the views of The Tangerine or Utica College.
News Tips? Opinions? Contact The Tangerine! Tangerine!
TANGER@UTICA.EDU
NEWS PAGE 4
FRIDAY, FEB. 26 2021
UCTANGERINE.COM
Former President Donald Trump acquitted at impeachment hearing, Utica College reacts
NEWS
PAGE 5 FRIDAY, FEB. 26 2021
UCTANGERINE.COM
COVID-19 Vaccine: Information you need to know REBEKAH HEDEEN FEATURES EDITOR With COVID-19 emerging from a second peak, Utica College’s students face many uncertainties. To ease the unknown, information regarding vaccine sites, eligibility, side effects and personal encounters have been provided. There are four steps to obtaining the COVID-19 vaccine according to New York State guidelines:
Photo: ABC News and Anne Flaherty HANNAH STEYN ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR Former President Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial ended in his acquittal by the Senate on Saturday, Feb. 13. According to The New York Times, the vote fell short of the two-thirds required for a conviction by ten votes, with a result of 57-43. All 50 Democrats voted to convict Trump of incitement of insurrection, with seven Republicans voting with them. This is the biggest bipartisan vote in the history of all four presidential impeachments – during Trump’s first impeachment trial, only one Republican voted in favor of impeachment. The trial took place from Feb. 9–13, and the charge Trump faced was that of incitement of insurrection following his involvement
in the Jan. 6 riots at the Capitol. During the trial, more details on the riots surfaced than had previously been reported. Deborah Wilson-Allam, executive director at the Utica College Office of International Education, said she was disappointed in the Senate’s acquittal of Trump, but not at all surprised. “Senate Republicans have demonstrated over and over again during the past four years that they will support Trump no matter what he does,” Wilson-Allam said. “The pictures of the security on the Capitol steps during last year’s peaceful BLM marches in Washington, D.C. compared to the pictures of the lack of security on the Capitol steps on Jan. 6 tell the true story of Republican politicians priorities.” Sen. Mitch McConnell, despite voting to acquit
Trump, still pinned all the blame for the Jan. 6 riots directly on Trump. Many other Republican leaders have also expressed their disapproval of Trump’s actions. “There is no question that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day,” McConnell said. Junior Emily Hill said she believed there should have been a conviction. “I’m upset because there was so much evidence showing that [Trump] was responsible for the riots,” Hill said. “Even if he wasn’t out there with them, he was actively encouraging the rioters.” Despite his condemnation of Trump, McConnell said impeachment was intended to remove a president from office, rather than convict one
after their presidency.
supporting since 2015.”
The main reason the acquittal was granted was the complexity of the laws surrounding the conviction of a former president.
Hill said that right now it’s hard to envision unity, as it seems like the two sides are moving farther and farther apart rather than closer together.
The result of this trial brings to light the extreme separation of the two parties, where many hope for political unification.
“I do feel like the younger generation is more open though, so there is hope,” Hill said. “But it might take a while to reach a compromise or something that everyone is happy with.”
“I do believe that eventually, the American people will find ways to come together and restore bipartisan compromise,” WilsonAllam said. “Dissent is an important part of the democratic process, and should not be silenced. But the events of Jan. 6 suggest that we need to be much more vigilant in protecting free and truthful speech. Opinions can vary – facts cannot. The sparks that lit the fire on Jan. 6 were the lies that Trump has been telling and his party has been
Wilson-Allam said that both parties need to work hard to regain the trust of the American people. “Both parties need to lead with their values and explain more clearly how their policies are driven by their values,” Wilson-Allam said. “And Americans need to take responsibility for critically examining what they read and hear in the media and from politicians.”
Step 1: Determine eligibility and schedule an appointment Step 2: Complete vaccine form Step 3: Bring proof of eligibility to your appointment Step 4: Your second dose appointment will be scheduled automatically when you receive your first vaccine dose. In order to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, students and faculty must follow the above steps. The steps are only for obtaining vaccine eligibility and scheduling appointments, it does not include information regarding testing sites. “One of those reasons is because I have been volunteering to help with pool testing students, but under the newly revised NYS guidelines, in-person college instructors are also now eligible, too,” Doug Croft, director of UC’s college radio station, WPNR said. “So, either way, I would have been considered acceptable by NYS guidelines. There are also a few extended health reasons that unfortunately make me eligible, too. I jumped on
Photo: Canva the chance as soon as I was eligible, but would have gladly waited my turn if that weren’t the case.” New York State guidelines allow for a majority of individuals with underlying health conditions to register for an appointment providing the patient can provide identification and proof of said condition. All information regarding specific illnesses and cases can be found in the “am I eligible app”. “Only a sore and achy shoulder in the arm the vaccine was administered for the first time around,” Croft said. “After about 24 hours the soreness faded pretty quickly. It was not much different than the flu vaccine for me. However, the second dose packs a punch. I guess I am glad it does because that means
the vaccine and your immune system are both working. Not only was my shoulder much more sore the second time around; I simply felt worn out and in a bit of a fog. I had a mild headache overnight and my body felt sore but it subsided pretty quickly with Tylenol and some rest.”
but my second dose is scheduled for this week.” In addition to individuals who have underlying health conditions, grocery store workers who are in close contact with customers can also seek eligibility for the vaccine.
Croft went on to say that he woke up with chills the next night but felt well overall in the morning. Croft advises that anyone planning on receiving the vaccine prepares to take the following day off if possible.
“I did not get the vaccine but my grandma did and after she felt very sick and fatigued,” Sophomore Kyla Crawford said. “Dark, almost black blotches were starting to cover her skin. Luckily it went away after a few hours but I don’t think the vaccine should be recommended.”
“I was able to receive the COVID vaccine by being an essential worker in a grocery store throughout the pandemic,” Sophomore Ally Greif said. “So far, I have only received the first dose,
The side effects of the vaccine can be intimidating but they are fleeting. The side effects mean that the immune system of the patient is working and fighting to create a defense against
the virus. Sites and availability for the COVID-19 vaccine can be found on the “am I eligible” app in addition to those recently listed. Some drug stores also have limited doses available depending on the location of the pharmacy. “The vast majority of people are getting appointments through NYS and the most local site is at SUNY Poly,” Croft said. “However, it has been tricky to get a spot there due to the volume of people now eligible. There is an MVHS pod at Burrstone House, but I believe that usually requires specific eligibility locally. Many people I know are now taking appointments at places like the NYS fairgrounds in Syracuse.”
NEWS PAGE 6
FRIDAY, FEB. 26 2021
UCTANGERINE.COM
NEWS
PAGE 7 FRIDAY, FEB. 26 2021
UCTANGERINE.COM
STORMS FROM PG. 6
Southern storms and the future climate
of the Earth’s atmosphere, while opposers stand firm that no such thing exists.
Photo: IPCC
Every four years, climate models are published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that present predictions for future climatic events. These reports culminate in summaries that are given to policymakers and insurance companies. Despite policymakers and insurance companies alike being privy to environmental threats and global climatic change, change has been slow.
Photo: The New York Times ISABELLA HUDZIAK SPECIAL ASSIGNMENTS REPORTER The Situation in South
the
The second week of February has proved to be a change from the norm as severe winter storms blanket Southern states, including Texas. Record-breaking low temperatures have resulted in seethes of ice slicking the roads and seeping into the Texas state electric grid operator. As a result, over 4 million residents were without electricity and several million more without access to tap water. The severe weather has caused the deaths of over
58 people as of Feb. 20, with several related to the outage of power, carbon monoxide poisoning, house fires, hypothermia and drowning.
have been damaged, citizens killed and bare necessities being rationed out. Power companies are still working to repair the shorted lines.
Transportation of over 6 million COVID-19 vaccines, which were pushed out early winter, have been stalled due to hazardous conditions.
The Political Decisions
With several households out of power and in need the basic necessities, water distribution sites and food banks have been utilized. Even so, the number of water emergencies have climbed in larger cities, overwhelming distribution sites. Even a week later, the repercussions of such a devastating storm are being felt. Buildings
Under the direction of former President Donald Trump, the United States left the Paris Agreement in 2019. During his first day in office, President Joe Biden’s signature was penned on an executive order to the United Nations declaring that the United States will be rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement. The Paris Climate Agreement is an international treaty with a goal to limit global warming that was set
in motion during 2016. In December of 2015, a 32-page document was released by the UN that solidified a skeleton for climate action on a global scale. “I think it’s critical,” said Dr. Sharon Kanfoush, a professor of geology at Utica College, about the decision. “We are still a world leader and have been responsible for a large portion of the change in the climate. We need to take part in this global effort because it affects not only producers but the entire globe.” Across the internet, there has been discontent with Texan Sen. Ted Cruz. Just as the winter disaster started creeping into his home state, Cruz boarded a plane to Cancún, Mexico for vacation. He
cites the reason being that his daughters had asked for a trip after their school canceled classes in advance of the storm. In a retweet from the Daily Caller, Cruz admits that his trip was “obviously a mistake” and that “In hindsight, I wouldn’t have done it.” He has since returned to Texas and given many interviews about the situation blustering his home state. The Culprit: Climate Change Over the years, the concept of climate change has been largely disputed. Defenders suggest that fossil fuels and manmade technologies have promoted a depreciation SEE STORMS PG. 7
“Unfortunately, even though it’s known to policymakers, two things are a problem,” Kanfoush said. “One is it’s nonetheless difficult to shift allocations of tax dollars from where they have been traditionally spent to the added expense of beefing up infrastructure. The second issue is that this topic has become highly politicized, which is really a shame because, in the scientific community, it is an extremely supported conclusion.” As evidenced by the wreckage in Texas, infrastructure is a key target for extreme weather situations. States pour money into the type of architecture associated with documented normal conditions and are left unprepared when rare weather conditions occur. “What we have seen in Texas is a perfect example of that: they chose not to have the added expense of winterizing their power grid system, and they’re paying a hefty price,” Kanfoush said. “We’re seeing it in our area as well in the summertime rainfall changes where our rainfall is in shorter
duration and more intense. We’re starting to have more flooding events more frequently that our infrastructure can’t handle.” During 2019, the local areas surrounding Utica encountered vast floods from heavy rainfall. According to Kanfoush, it is likely that these types of events will become more frequent as time progresses. Heavy rainfall in the North, increasing frequency of tornadoes in the Midwest, and climbing strength of hurricanes along the coastlines are expected to build as a result of climate change. Impacts of Climate Change Climate encompasses
change several
parts of life that are often overlooked. Economic factors, such as tax dollars, are paid to the Federal Emergency Management Agency that is required to act when natural disasters occur.
the boat for minimizing climate change as much as we could have if we started 15 or so years ago,” Kanfoush said. “At this point, we are committed to a certain amount of climate change.”
Due to an average increasing global temperature, once thought eradicated diseases are likely to make a reappearance. Conditions from climate disasters may cause diseases to fester and medicinal transportation, such as the case with COVID-19 vaccines, to be stunted. Currently known diseases that are considered “contained” are also expected to travel along the latitude and altitude lines.
What Can We Do?
“I will say we’ve missed
There are several ways that climate change threats can be decreased. Citizens can make minor changes to their daily routines that can culminate to combat the emission of greenhouse gasses. Over the years, there have been a number of electric vehicles pushed into the market. Energy-efficient models of transportation, adequately insulated homes, reduction of water waste and unplugging
appliances when they are not in use are a few ways anyone can fight climate change. Simpler methods of ‘going green’ include cutting back on meat intake, preparing lunches with reusable containers and investing in plants to exercise your own green thumb. United States citizens have another tool at their disposal to combat the climate crisis: their voice. “The biggest things individuals can do to help this issue is to consider it a priority issue when you go to vote,” Kanfoush said. “We have so many pressing issues, and so it’s easy for an issue like climate change to fall out of people’s line of sight.”
NEWS PAGE 8
FRIDAY, FEB. 26 2021
UCTANGERINE.COM
NEDA’s 2021 Eating Disorder Awareness Week is struggling to surround themselves with a supportive community online or in person.
HOPE RUSSO ASSISTANT FEATURES EDITOR The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) is celebrating this year’s NEDAwareness Week (#NEDAwareness) by inviting Every Body to Have a Seat at the Table. NEDA is the largest nonprofit organization that is dedicated to individuals and families who have been affected by eating disorders. The goal of the NEDAwareness Week is to shed light on eating disorders by educating and providing resources to those in need. “Eating disorders are serious but treatable mental and physical illnesses that can affect people of all genders, ages, races, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, body shapes and weights,” a statement from the NEDA website read. “National surveys estimate that 20 million women and 10 million men in America will have an eating disorder at some point in their lives.” Proven data to show what it is exactly that causes eating disorders has not yet been found. It is suggested that eating disorders develop due to a range of biological, psychological and sociocultural factors. There are specific diagnostic criteria to diagnose each eating disorder. Warning signs and symptoms can result in severe health consequences and will require stages of recovery. Utica College Counselor Amanda Leanard noted that amongst college students, bulimia and
“It is so brave to reach out for help,” Manion said. “You are worth the help and deserve to feel better.”
Photo: University of Idaho anorexia are the most common eating disorders. “Individuals between the ages of 14-25 are at higher risk to develop eating disorders,” Leonard said. “The increased stress of academics, athletic pressures, peer acceptance, social relationships and identity are factors that may contribute to the collegeage population being at risk.” It is important that college students understand what these disorders are and look like, for themselves or their loved ones. Some common warning signs of an individual who may be suffering from an eating disorder include but are not limited to: • Behaviors and attitudes highlighting dieting, weight loss, and control of food are primary concerns to the individual. • Preoccupation with weight, food, calories, carbohydrates, fat grams and dieting. • Restrictions on foods and intake amount; skipping meals or smaller portions. • Discomfort eating around others or avoiding eating around others. • Frequent dieting • Excessive exercise • Excessive concern
with body appearance. • Withdrawal from friends and activities once enjoyed. • Extreme mood swings Pressures to look perfect from the internet and social media also influence college students and young individuals. Social media platforms can be a toxic and dangerous place to spend time on even if you are not struggling with an eating disorder. These platforms are one big highlight reel for people to post their best moments, because who would want to show themselves at their worst? Lexie Manion, NEDA supporter, has been sharing her personal experiences with eating disorders and mental health on social media since 2015. She shared her story with freshman health classes and was given the opportunity to write for the NEDA blog. Some of the blog requirements include not sharing before and after photos, as well as sharing numbers such as weight, size or caloric intake. To which, she created the hashtag #BoycottTheBefore. #BoycottTheBefore is a campaign discouraging
the sharing of “before” eating disorder recovery photos, which have been popularized over the years and in many cases depict a thinner, sometimes underweight, person in the first image along with the person in recovery in the second image. “Before” photos can trigger many people in the recovery community. “I have had many people reach out to me saying that seeing such photos caused them to engage in eating disorder behaviors because people compare photos and feel as though they are ‘not sick enough’ or thin enough,’” Manion said. “I personally have compared my ‘before’ photo to others’ and it made me feel like my struggle didn’t matter as much, which is not true. #BoycottTheBefore focuses on the internal change rather than focusing on external change.” While it is slowly getting better, there is still a stigma attached to eating disorders and mental health. Through sharing her story online, Manion has found a community that is full of inspiring people who are speaking on these topics and working towards ending the stigma. She encourages anyone who
Leanard also believes we have to continue to spread awareness to send the message that mental health is just as important and physical health in order to end the stigma. At UC, the Health and Wellness Center provides mental health treatment and support to students. They are composed of licensed clinical professionals, nurses and contracted medical providers. They provide therapy and medical services. In addition, they provide psychoeducation and case management that can assist students in accessing proper treatment for eating disorders. “When it comes to eating disorders, treatment requires a multidisciplinary team to provide integrated care as it is not only a mental health concern but a medical concern,” Leanard stated. She would like anyone who is struggling with an ED or mental health that is too embarrassed or ashamed to reach out to know that the mental health professionals in the counseling center are not there to pass judgment. “We are here to help you and provide the support needed to recover,” Leonard said. “Recovery is possible and we are in a safe place.”
FEATURES PAGE 9 FRIDAY, FEB. 26 2021
UCTANGERINE.COM
A college student’s duty to fight climate change REBEKAH HEDEEN FEATURES EDITOR
can use those same tactics to advocate for greening up the college and reducing our institution’s carbon footprint.”
Paul Crutzen, a Dutch scientist, passed away on Jan. 28. Crutzen was known for the coining of the word “Anthropocene” meaning “relating to the current age, viewed as the period during which human activity has had the greatest influence on climate and the environment” from the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary. Crutzen informed the public of the dangers that aerosol products produced for the ozone layer and his work has exceeded his life. Climate change on UC’s campus has been an underlying topic for years among students and staff, with some members of the community prompting the college to promote green alternatives. Committees such as the Sustainability Committee have sparked from the Student Government Association, while Sodexo had a “Better Tomorrow Commitment” a few years ago. Dr. Rachel Wolfe, Assistant Professor of Theatre, has given some suggestions for the student body and the administration to implement in order to continue Crutzen’s legacy and create a healthier campus. • Replacing collegeowned vehicles (security vehicles, field trip busses, etc.) with electric models • Adding dedicated EV charging stations to some of the parking spots in campus parking lots
Wolfe herself has set individual goals to reduce individual emissions, specifically in terms of her vehicle.
Photo: “Climate Change is Everybody’s Business” and Harry Blutstein • Putting pressure on our dining services partner, Sodexo, to completely abandon disposable plates/ cutlery/cups for events, which are a major culprit in emissions from landfills • Updating the heating systems in our buildings to zero-emissions alternatives • installing solar arrays on the roofs of college buildings to generate our own clean energy in-house • Converting wide swaths of lawn to pesticide-free native plant landscaping (In case you don’t know: lawns do not sequester carbon, because each time they are mowed-usually by gaspowered riding mowers--the carbon in the blades of grass gets re-released into the atmosphere as they are cut. Biodiverse gardens of native plants not
only strengthen local ecosystems but also sequester carbon in the soil at much higher rates and, if not subjected to pesticides, support pollinator populations that ensure the success of our nearby farms. We already have a budget for landscaping, used to pay the people who ride the gas mowers and swap out our continuouslyrotating non-native flowerbeds. Why not pay them to convert greenhousegas-emitting lawns to native gardens, instead?) Wolfe is not the only member from the UC community who cares about the well-being of the environment and creating a safe place for future generations, Junior Aaron Barsham also has strong feelings about the prosperity of the environment. “Climate change, to me,
is extremely important: it is a constantly threatening crisis that is affecting low-income communities hardest right now and threatens to change the entire world for the worse,” Barsham said. “Getting rid of it, and by all means stopping it, is extremely important to me as someone involved in politics locally and nationally.” To invoke change on campus for the wellbeing of the environment, students should consider using the tactics that they have used for racial injustice awareness in the past to muster a response from the college for a happier and healthier environment. “In recent years, our UC students have come together to demand the college focus on issues of iniquity and racial justice, which has led directly to policy changes and the creation of a DEI office within the college president’s cabinet,” Wolfe said. “UC students
“When I moved to Utica two years ago to start my new job at UC, I set myself a specific goal of using my new salary to get off oil, which I have now done,” she said. “I swapped out the oil tank that was formerly used to heat my home for a zero-emissions air-source heat pump and traded in my gas car for a Tesla, which I am now very proud to drive to campus.” Though electric cars may be a switch for some individuals, they are greener than oil. Students and faculty alike could create a better alternative for the future by switching to electric cars, using recycled materials, and avoiding aerosol products. A change for the better will only occur if everyone takes action and with an increase in pollutants, action must be taken before the damage made is irreversible. “My dearest hope for the future is that this reality will sink in, and every single person will start making serious changes to their own lifestyle; not just reducing but eliminating oil use, not just abandoning plastic bags but abandoning plastic, not just supporting the conservation of wild areas but restoring habitat to their own yards, and so forth,” Wolfe said. “Because this problem will only be solved if we literally all pitch in, and pitch in 100%.”
FEATURES PAGE 10 FRIDAY, FEB. 26 2021
Op-Ed: Olivia Rodrigo and her number one song on Billboard
UCTANGERINE.COM
From the page to the stage
FEATURES PAGE 11 FRIDAY, FEB. 26 2021 MUSICAL FROM PG. 10 of the biggest ones we had ever done,” Salvaggio said. “It was fun and very engaging for everyone who was a part of it.”
UCTANGERINE.COM
Life doesn’t stop: Shane Archer Reed’s artistic journey of “Jekyll and Hyde.” UC theatre had recently opened its doors to the public.
For something like “Cabaret” or any type of play, there is a process that truly helps take it from the page to on the stage in terms of performing.
Photo: UC Theatre CHARLES BUCKLEY STAFF WRITER
Photo: NME GIANNA COGNETTI COPY EDITOR Olivia Rodrigo, an 18-year-old singer from Temecula, CA, has made it to number one on Billboard’s Top 100 List with her new song Driver’s License. There is a simple reason for this, the song has and will always be relatable to a wide range of people. “Driver’s License is a deeply emotional song, in my opinion,” UC student Luke Minerva said. “It will be one of my favorite songs of all time for the foreseeable future.” In the song, Rodrigo tells a story about her now ex-boyfriend. She had passed her driver’s test and was able to drive to see him for the first time, but unfortunately, he was not around. The drama deepens as it is later found out Rodrigo’s exboyfriend cheated on her with another well-known star, Sabrina Carpenter. Rodrigo has sought therapy for her personal life, and her therapist recommended she write and perform a song sharing how she feels. As the public was able to listen and understand
Rodrigo’s side of the story, the song gained much popularity. Fans figured out who and what the song was pertaining to and gave their input on the situation. Since the song was one-sided, it then inspired Carpenter to then write a song based on her own perspective. And so the “battle of the bands” started. Although popular mostly with females, it is also a song many males tend to enjoy as well. Everyone can and will go through some type of heartbreak in their life, and the song captures it in a very relatable and catchy way. “I think the subject addressed in her song strikes a chord with a lot of people,” Utica College Music Professor Lynn Ferrara said Heartbreak is not easy for anyone to go through but sometimes when a prominent figure sings or shares about their experiences, it makes it easier to go through. It does not make people feel alone, it shows that everyone goes through these types of situations. Sometimes people are blinded by reality when they compare their
timeline to someone else’s highlight reel. It also shows a human side of her, the person many do not see when she is acting in Disney’s High School Musical re-make. The drama behind the song is creating controversy. Where others find nothing wrong with the song, some have called Rodrigo “dramatic.” Some believe the personal drama in each star’s life is the result of the Driver’s License song to be very well known. “I do not think it is overrated at all,” Minerva said. “I think this song is just a sample of what is to come for the young singer as she seems to be pretty talented.” Despite the drama that may or may not helped make the song become more popular, it is evident that Rodrigo obtains the talent necessary to perform such a song. There is emotion in her voice throughout the whole song, and the lyrics “hit home” for many. “I think if she has a vision of what she wants to do with her music in the future she will go far,” Ferrara said.
There are many places where people can go on campus to enjoy extracurriculars. One of these places is the theater. The UC Theatre Department has put on many shows for people to enjoy over the years, the latest one, “Something Rotten!” has begun its rehearsal phase even while the pandemic is going on. The department is run by Professor of Theater Laura Salvaggio. With the help of directors, stagehands and loyal actors she has successfully put on many plays and musicals over the last few years. “I love the ability to shake everyone’s emotional response in the room and have everyone feeling the same way while watching a scene be performed,” Salvaggio said. Many people, especially the actors, also enjoy the theater because it gives them a chance to be creative and let their imagination run wild as they recreate scenes either fictional or historical. “My favorite thing about the theater is being able to play another character and see things through their point of view,” Justin
Jones said, a senior business major who acted for the theater during his time at Utica College. “It’s very exciting.” One of the most recent productions was the radio play “War Of The Worlds,” which was performed over the campus radio station, WPNR, last semester. Along with the actors, A lot of people who do crew enjoy working on sets. Especially when it comes to making a set that helps enhance the performance. “A lot of time and consideration goes into building the sets,” Salvaggio said. “The crew usually has to work on creating a full-scale set from a not-to-scale model.” Musicals have seen some success for the department as well, such as “Urinetown,” which was the last live musical performed in the Strebel Auditorium before the COVID pandemic began. However, one musical that many actors and viewers enjoyed the most and still talk about was “Cabaret,” which the department did back in 2018. “That musical was one SEE MUSICAL PG. 11
“What truly brings a piece of theatre from page to stage is a collaborative art,” said Hannah DeStefano, a junior and communications and media major. “Of course, you have the most visible part, the actors playing their roles, but you also have a working collaboration of artists in every facet. From set to costumes to orchestrations to lights and so much more. This transformation happens as each part of the working body comes alive and plays its role well.” Another major element brought from the page to stage in terms of a theater performance is everyone coming together. “The magic of the musicals here is thanks to the collaborative spirit of the cast and crew,” said Jason Francey, the assistant director for college engagement and the director of this year’s musical “Something Rotten!”. There are so many moving pieces and so many people involved that it’s hard to pinpoint just one thing. It is truly thanks to the efforts of everyone that the show comes together and wows the audience.” The theater is always looking for people to help out in many different ways. If interested, send an email to Laura Salvaggio at lmsalvag@ utica.edu.
Reed found that the immense amount of talent from UC and the community was combined beautifully. Some of the best theatrical experiences he has ever been a part of took place at Utica College, and that was mostly due to the people he was able to connect with.
Photo from the 2017 Utica College Production of Jekyll and Hyde ALEXANDRIA LELAND STAFF WRITER Central New York musical artist and theatrical performer, Shane Archer Reed, compared his experience in the music and theatre world to a snowball effect. The more new music and theatre he found, the more he wanted to uncover. Except unlike snow, this isn’t something he wanted to shake off. “I have no idea if I can do this, but I’m going to try,” he thought to himself when he decided to try out for a solo in his elementary school choir. The reaction to Reed’s audition from his teacher was more than astonishing, and they encouraged him to keep singing. From then on, Reed’s teachers continued to be a big influence on his journey as an artist. Middle school acted as the catalyst for his love story with musicals. “I just want to sing,” he said to Victoria Buda, director of the upcoming school play. He sang in the junior version of “Bugsy Malone,” and received his
first standing ovation at 13 years old. In the midst of falling in love with playing characters, Reed joined his first band as an 8th grader. It started out as a punk rock cover band, covering everything from Green Day to Black Sabbath. American Idiot was Reed’s first album he listened to the whole way through. He was fascinated that they were able to create a rock opera, and he started to wonder what was going through their minds. Could he do something like that? Halfway through high school, a downtown cafe in Oneida became his place to explore these questions. Every Friday night, Reed and his friends gathered at La Vie Boheme to support and play for each other. They created an environment that helped shape all of them as artists by allowing them to find their sound. The moment everything clicked for Reed was when he found some of his grandfather’s unfinished lyrics. He found the right words and
a melody to put them to that would eventually become “I Doubt It,” from his first album I Defy You, Stars. His first sources of inspiration for his music came from personal experiences. While writing he began to understand emotions he couldn’t say out loud. He was struggling with voices internally and externally that said “You’re doing something wrong.” Reed combatted these thoughts with hope, saying, “You’re going to get through this.” Reed wanted to keep moving forward not just for himself but for his listeners. “Life doesn’t stop,” he said. His love for theatre didn’t stop either. In 2017, he played William Barfée in The Players of Utica’s production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” The director of this production was Nick Abounder, former adjunct professor at Utica College. Abounder invited Reed to audition for the upcoming production
“Utica College’s theatre department is not divided between the people behind the scenes and the people on stage,” he said. “Everyone works well together and they take opportunities to become everyone’s friend.” Reed continued to support the Utica College Theatre Department even when he was not performing. He went to see the productions, You’re in Town, Arcadia and Ghost Stories at Yotsuya. People he cared about were involved in these productions and he knew they would come together to create something great. Reed’s ongoing curiosity and passion has been the vehicle between his first audition for a solo in his elementary school choir to his most recent single, “Moving Mountains (Dammit I’m Trying.)” Reed’s artistic expression has paved the way for inspiration to travel between himself and others. Moving mountains and living through a snowball effect are treacherous tasks, and Reed has faced them head-on.
FEATURES PAGE 12 FRIDAY, FEB. 26 2021
UCTANGERINE.COM
FEATURES PAGE 13 FRIDAY, FEB. 26 2021
NICK MCADAM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF The Background CD Projekt Red is a Polish game developer that was founded in 1994. Based on Andrezj Sapkowski’s Wiezmen, a series of popular books in Poland, the game developer proposed a new set of games based on the books, primarily to launch the company’s core game foundation, an offer which Sapkowski accepted. After acquiring the rights to the franchise in 2002, CD Projekt Red began crafting this new title with 15 people working on the project. Over the course of time, the team quickly expanded to about 100 people to produce the game at a cost of 20 million zlotych, which translates to just over $5 million USD. After 5 years of development, the game was complete. For international audiences, the game was titled The Witcher, a single game that eventually turned into an entertainment p h e n o m e n o n , encapsulating millions of sales and generally positive reviews. Shortly after The Witcher’s release, CD Projekt Red quickly began turning this title into a series of games, a set of different projects over the course of 8 years. The recent AAA release, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, currently sits as the thirdbest video game of all time, according to IMDb. Occupying the best video game of all time is the game’s DLC, Blood
•
• •
Photo: Venture Beat and Wine, while Hearts of Stone is the fifth-best video game according to the ranking platform. The success of The Witcher series was immense and something that turned into a television series that premiered on Netflix in 2019. The core of The Witcher series is simple, yet innovative. In short, it was one of the first franchises to attempt the open-world concept in video games. The locations of the game were rich, thoroughly developed and filled with different missions and sidequests that sometimes amounted to hours of total gameplay. In fact, it was reported that Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt could take over 150 hours to fully complete. With hundreds of missions, the amount of work put into the game’s development to create the environment, recording dialogue for characters’ voices, animate each and every single element of the game and develop gameplay mechanics cost CD Projekt Red years of time.
In the end, the company sought out to complete its original purpose: to create a video game to give the company a foundation to build on for many years to come. With this in place, somewhere near what is reported to be 2011, CD Projekt Red announced the development of Cyberpunk 2077.
video game titles such as Deus Ex (2000).
The Promise
Staffing began with what was reported to be 50 people at an estimated cost of 1.2 billion zlotych, or $313 million USD, making it one of the most expensive video games created, even past Grand Theft Auto V and Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2.
Cyberpunk 2077 was promised to offer the same mechanics, openworld environment and interactive story as that of The Witcher series. The game follows the main character V through the future-based megalopolis Night City, a city like any other that is obsessed with power. V, a mercenary, attempts to go through this city riddled with crime to get an implant that would be the key to immortality. Cyberpunk 2077 follows titles such as Cyberpunk 2013 and Cyberpunk 2020; games that were meant, in a sense, to predict everything of future societies. The series takes inspiration from films such as Blade Runner (1982) and other
A few years removed from the announcement of Cyberpunk 2077 around 2011, pre-production for the game began a few years later after CD Projekt Red finished The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt in 2016.
In 2017, the Polish government even became involved with the project granting about $7 million to the studio to help the game with elements such as city creation and cinematic feel. The game was now loaded with promise and money and over the next few years, CD Projekt Red completed the following: • Partnered with several different companies including Digital Scapes, Qvidia, QLOC and
•
•
•
Jail Research for elements such as real-time ray tracing, lip-synching, quality assurance and language translation. Decided that the game should be in first-person and animated each and every single movement and style around this function. Created a script for the story of the game in several languages. Hired a team of urban planners and architects to develop Night City in the style of Brutalism, a style that began in Great Britain in 1950 in the post-war era that encompassed minimalist designs over decorative buildings. Modeled the game’s car design after Italian creator Marcello Gandini, offering a sporty look to future vehicles that can operate as we know them to operate, but can also fly. Hired actor Keanu Reeves to play the character of Johnny Silverhand in the game, but to also be a huge marketing figure in both presentations of the game and in trailers. Brought back composer Marcin Przybylowicz, who composed the score for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, to create 7 and a half hours worth of music for Cyberpunk 2077.
“This may be a set of bold statements,” CD Projekt Red Co-Founder Marcin Iwinski said in a presentation of the game in 2012 delivering the SEE CYBERPUNK PG. 13
company’s promises of the game. “If you don’t believe me, look at our Witcher games. We will deliver a truly outstanding futuristic RPG, setting a totally new standard for the genre.” Years later, primarily in 2018, Cyberpunk 2077 was set for marketing and pre-launch gameplay for influencers and game reviewers. At E3 2019, the game was announced for PC, Xbox One, Playstation 4 and Stadia. During this time, Collectors Edition games were announced, which, at an extra price with pre-ordering the game, gave gamers varieties of memorabilia including comics, art books, wallpapers and action figures. The reception for this title was near flawless. At E3 2018, the game won over 100 awards including Best Game and Best RPG. The Hell To start 2020, CD Projekt Red had just a few months left to release its new project. An original launch date was set for April 16, 2020 to coincide with other AAA releases such as The Last of Us Part 2, Ghost of Tsushima and Animal Crossing: New Horizons which all came out within the general time of Cyberpunk’s expected launch date. In crunch time, however, the coronavirus peaked in Europe (and across the world), causing much delay amongst the developer to add finishing touches to the game. To add to this, CD Projekt Red announced a port for next-generation consoles set to come out in the latter half of 2020, including the Playstation 5 and the Xbox One Series X. It was a lot to complete in a short amount of
UCTANGERINE.COM
map not rendering. Players sometimes would fall through the map. If players explored different parts of the city, they were locked out. • Invisible enemies • The police not reacting to crimes taking place right in front of them.
CYBERPUNK FROM PG. 12
Cyberpunk 2077: 9 years of development, 8 days of hell
This is just a brief synopsis of some of the core functions missing from the game and it did not take long for the community to react.
Photo: NME time, especially since the 500-person team now had to complete all operations from home.
the game would crash altogether. Several of the performance errors within the game include:
And in the final weeks leading up to the game, a statement from the developer indicated a delay in the game’s release, pushing the launch date to Sept. 17. It didn’t stop there. The game was delayed on two other occasions; first to Nov. 19 and finally to Dec. 10. It was a 9-month wait for fans from the game’s original launch timeline.
• Characters left in T-poses, a marker set by actors of the game in order for animators to know when to cut the sequence of events in a certain event or occassion. • Faceless characters. • Characters getting stuck or moving through physical objects such as cars and walls. • Shot enemies in the game would either not die or the bullets wouldn’t register to hit the enemies. • Physics within the game did not add up. For example, when diving out of a speeding car as the driver, the car would come to a complete stop instead of maintaining its original speed before slowing down. • The game’s massive
Upon an eager fanbase willing to finally get their hands on the new title and the pressure that likely existed between investors and the developer, the build-up for Dec. 10 was immense. It was the explosion that a rushed CD Projekt Red felt, but also could’ve expected. The game was finally released. Its massive amount of pre-orders hit the libraries of gamers across the world, and within the first few hours of release, it became obvious to critics and fans alike that this could not be the final release of the game. Simply put, the was riddled with glitches, or for PC and PS4
game bugs, most users,
Photo: cyberpunk.net
In the span of a few hours of release, the game was trending on social media platforms such as Reddit. In the Cyberpunk community on the website, one of which holds close to one million followers, the top posts of all time quickly filled up to performance issues and problems individuals were having with the game. Instead of a community meant to promote and be excited about the game, it turned into a stream of complaints about the game and CD Projekt Red; a PR nightmare for the game developer. It didn’t take long for critics to catch on, either. The New York Times called Cyberpunk 2077 a “...conspicuous disaster in the company’s history.” The Guardian added on, simply calling the release “shambles.” It was also a nightmare for CD Projekt Red in terms of investment. The CD Projekt SA stock reportedly fell up to 9.4%
after a few days of the initial release. Due to the transparency of marketers from the company before the release of the game, class-action lawsuits were filed against them one week after the release due to misleading investors. Poland’s Office of Competition and Consumer Protection launched an investigation of the company, in hopes of receiving communication regarding the problems of the games and the actions that will be taken to fix them. In just 8 days, both CD Projekt Red and the game’s reputation completely flipped. A game filled with one of the highest expectations of the year, while also being one of the most expensive games to develop of alltime, was quickly pulled from the Playstation Store. Refunds were issued to customers on platforms such as PC and Xbox. GameStop even accepted returns of the game even if the box was opened, which usually went against the company’s policy. The Future The Cyberpunk team has since launched a commitment portion to its website. On this website, the developer has listed an FAQ and a video promising fans to fix the game and to offer a series of patching updates to those who may still own the game. Although this may be the case, the team has not specified its fifth release date for the game, and the last release from the company came on Jan. 29, which reiterated the company’s commitment to making a quality game.
FEATURES PAGE 14 FRIDAY, FEB. 26 2021
UCTANGERINE.COM
FEATURES PAGE 15 FRIDAY, FEB. 26 2021
UCTANGERINE.COM platform based on the concept of murder, imposters and detective skills-- in a space station. This game was initially released in June 2018, but gained popularity during quarantine and beyond. While it sounds violent on paper, it acts as a fun group activity with a healthy amount of suspicion directed at each other.
The Beginning of 2021: Meme Review The verdict: 5/10. Flex your vocal pipes and learn some sea shanties, because creativity is definitely an element here. Driver’s License TikTok Trend
Photo: Isabella Hudziak/Canva ISABELLA HUDZIAK SPECIAL ASSIGNMENTS REPORTER The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many things to the world. Whether it is being unable to smile at others because a mask now sits over the bottom half of your face or the scent of hand sanitizer wafting through the air, the pandemic’s impact has stretched far. Quarantine increased the amount of internet usage, a sentiment that can still be found in 2021. January was a month rife with action. On Jan. 6, there was a riot at the Capitol building in Washington D.C. Later, the Presidential inauguration welcomed President Joe Biden and VP Kamala Harris to office. Also
Photo: Twitter
during the month, several trends and games such as Among Us grew in popularity. All of these events spurred an influx of media attention, which mainly took the form of memes. When COVID is over... We’ve all had dreams that may seem outrageous. When I was five years old I wanted to learn how to fly because I heard the phrase “when pigs fly” and thought that if pigs could do it, so could I. That did not pan out, but nothing captures the essence of an out-of-reach dream than the “When COVID is over...” memes. This meme gained traction during the middle of January when people began to realize that it has almost been a complete
year since the pandemic began. Despite vaccines being in the works and starting distribution, areas around the world are still in quarantine and wanted to find some levity in the situation. Some have equated the chances of “when COVID is over” to One Direction making a comeback, finally wanting to do the dishes, and even finding the sock your dog stole from you. As THV11 reporter and journalist Jade Jackson said on Twitter, “‘Once COVID is over’ is starting to sound about as confident as ‘When I win the lotto.’” In the same vein as the “when COVID is over” memes, there was a brief intermission of the “2020+” memes. Twitter users took the early events of January 2021, such as the Capitol riot, as a sign that 2020 did not end with Jan. 1. Renditions of this sentiment included a photo of The Shining twins as 2020 and 2021 alike and the Joker giving Pennywise a tour as 2020 showing 2021 around the workplace.
The verdict: These memes more exemplary templates, but they are nice to laugh at!
4/10. are than sure
The Sea Shanty TikTok Trend On Dec. 27 last year, TikTok user Nathan Evans published a video of himself singing a sea shanty entitled “The Wellerman.” The monochrome filter, arranged with several snaps and beats from Evans as he sang, gained instant popularity. Throughout January, quite a few accounts started dueting with Evans and others took a more creative approach. One user imitated Kermit the Frog while dueting with the original TikTok. Several TikTokers have created sea shanty versions of popular songs. This meme is more of a trend, but it popularized the melodic, acapella artform of sea shanties. Instead of eliciting a deep belly-laugh, it moves you to bop your head and go “yeah” several times at varying degrees of loudness.
Ashley Trinh lip-synced the lyrics of Olivia Rodrigo’s “Driver’s License” before falling back on her bed at the chorus drop, which inspired the TikTok trend. This trend was inspired by a moment in Rodrigo’s music video where the camera focuses on her falling backwards before switching to a shot of her lying on the hood of a car. This TikTok trend became so popular that a commercial for TikTok, guest-starring Olivia Rodrigo herself, presented the audience with several versions of it. While this is another trend, I believe that is a feel-good moment for TikTokers. The drop of the chorus often cuts to the user dressed up and enjoying themselves, which I think is definitely necessary as we reach a full year of the pandemic. No giggles found here, but how can I not include a trend of people making themselves feel good? The verdict: 5/10. This is more of a feel-yourself moment, and honestly, there should be more of that going around.
Photo: dictionary.com MEMES FROM PG. 14 this statement, an intentional misspelling of “stocks”, was the figure Meme Man with his arms crossed and looking quite proud. Several users, myself included, were bewildered by the sudden skyrocketing profit of GameStop stocks, but also quite confused. This image originated from a Facebook meme group. “Stonks” first entered the recent media sphere in March 2020 when Animal Crossing hit the Nintendo eShop. During January, the GameStop shares reached extreme heights because of Reddit investors. If this sounds confusing to you, several other people felt the same way. To embody the spirit of the situation with a lack of knowledge, Twitter users began to share the “Stonks” meme accompanying phrases like “When you sell a game back to GameStop for more money than you got it for”. The verdict: 8/10. This
meme can be applied to several situations, and that is the best part of a meme: versatility. Bernie Sanders Meme The best way to describe January 2021 is a pair of brown patterned mittens. Bernie Sanders made a physical appearance at Biden’s and Harris’s Inauguration. The pandemic did not prevent Sanders from making an appearance, so why would the cold weather? The cameras of Jan. 20 focused on Sanders sitting cross-legged, adorning a medical mask and arms crossed with those chunky gloves fullon display. Bernie Sanders infiltrated several images following the Inauguration. In fact, Utica College organizations like WPNR took this meme and posted the caption: “Watch out Doug Croft! We may have found ourselves a new advisor!” This meme inspired charity t-shirts, renditions
Photo: Isabella Hudziak of movie posters, and even crochet patterns. The election rendered several citizens nervous and uneasy. Jan. 6 witnessed the storming of the Capitol building by protestors. Several Americans were glued to the television screen in fear and confusion. When Jan. 20 took over the airwaves instead and we witnessed a man in his oversized mittens, we all could finally let our shoulders relax and laugh. The verdict: 10/10. What makes an image better than a man sitting with his chunky mittens? He adds wholesome hilarity to almost everything. This is one I would definitely give a try. Drake Pointing Meme Some memes decided to make a reappearance during January 2021. The Drake pointing meme, which takes two screencaps from the
“Hotline Bling” music video from 2015, shows two distinct emotions. In the first image, Drake is caught putting a hand barrier up with a face of disgust. The second image, meant to represent the better option, shows him happily pointing. Over the years, this meme has come and gone into the media. I remember my Spanish teacher having a version that had to do with the pronunciation of “l”s in Spanish. Recently, Drake can be spotted lurking through Twitter and Instagram. The verdict: 10/10. This meme is timeless. This template opens up several doors to creativity. Among Us The popular game Among Us is an online multiplayer
Stonks I am not an economics major, but I do enjoy video games. Imagine my shock when GameStop began trending on Twitter along with the word “Stonks.” Accompanying SEE MEMES PG. 15
Photo: Isabella Hudziak
Photo: Twitter
Some versions of this meme have the Among Us characters in certain situations or other memes representing moments of Among Us. However, there is a mechanic in the game that stands to be the most memeified: the imposter conversation. After a murder has occurred, the players are thrown into a chat room to discuss who the imposter is. Whoever gets the most votes is kicked off the spaceship. A key example of this that made me laugh was a scene in Toy Story represented by the imposter trial. The verdict: 8/10. The imposter hunt template can be the spot of several amusing conversations, but the chat format lacks the amount that can be done. The majority of amusement needs to be derived from the text, which is possible but creatively limiting.
SPORTS
PAGE 16 FRIDAY, FEB. 26 2021
UCTANGERINE.COM
Women’s hockey wins weekend against Manhattanville, men’s team splits opening games with Wilkes ABIN BORIS SPORTS EDITOR
throughout the year just like any hockey team does, I want us to grow and develop as a team and that should lead us in the right direction.”
Plenty of hockey was played this weekend as both the men and women’s hit the ice to play back-to-back games against their respective opponents. The women’s team opened their two-game set with the Valiants of Manhattanville on Friday night that ended in a blowout score of 5-0 in the Pioneer’s favor. Utica put its foot on the gas pedal and never looked back. A total of 11 pioneers were able to tally points for the squad on their way to the dominating win. Sophomore forward Carolyn Whitney led the team with 2 points on the night setting her up for Saturday when she also shined for the team in their tight 3-2 victory over the same Valiants. She was able to post 2 more points giving her 4 on the weekend and a teamleading 7 (2G,5A) on the season. Whitney in the first 4 games of the season
Photo: ucpioneers.com has been nothing short of spectacular but she cannot take all of the credit for her early success on the season. “Playing with skilled players like Lexi Staniszewski and Alexa Carlon has been really helpful,” she said. “We all bring something different to the ice which has allowed us to elevate our game and have offensive success.” The team is off to a great start, sitting at 3-1 on the season with their only loss being their season opener where they were held off by Castleton in a close 2-1 game. Where the Pioneers sit right now is a place they found
themselves last year. The team started 3-1 as well last year but were not able to keep the momentum up as they finished the season with a 9-16-1 record. Head coach Dave Clausen would like to win every game and find his team in a better position at the end of the season than they were at the end of the last season, but he also understands that the team is incredibly young and needs to develop and grow; something he wants just as much as winning. “We have eleven players that are sophomores or younger,” he said. “We are going to make mistakes
The men’s team played its first regular-season game of the weekend, which did not end with the outcome they were hoping for. The men’s team traveled to play Wilkes College on Friday night which resulted in a 3-2 loss. The difference in the game ended up being the penalties as Utica, a very disciplined team, for the most part, found themselves in the penalty box 7 times. After traveling back home the night of, Utica was then hosts of the same Colonels teams at the Memorial Auditorium. The team started slowly as Wilkes at one point of the second period were up by 2 scores. Utica answered back, however, as they went on to score a total of eleven goals in the game to come away with an 11-5 victory and even their season record to 1-1. Jamie Bucell, a senior
After losing to St. John Fisher in the first round of the Empire 8 Conference Tournament nearly an entire year ago, head coach Sean Coffey and the men’s basketball team are ready to step back on the court for a long-awaited season. The Pioneers will begin their 2021 regular season Monday, March 1 against
Elmira before the team hosts St. John Fisher on March 7. Now beginning his fifth season with UC and coming off his most successful season yet, Coach Coffey is looking forward to how well his talented team will perform. The Pioneers had three all-conference selections last year - all of whom are returning this season.
Even yet, coach Coffey is always looking to improve and build off of last season.
“There are always areas that I am excited for us to improve and continue to work on for the future through our mistakes and
Lauren Havill joins Pioneers as the assistant volleyball coach
Both teams now prepare to handle another set of back to back games as the women’s team gets ready to square off with Elmira, a team that has consistently dominated in the standings while the men’s team gets set to face Nazareth College, as the team hopes to continue its solid play from Saturday. “We need to focus on playing our best hockey, the way that we all know how to play,” Bucell said. “When we play our style of hockey, it will clearly show.”
With such a unique season underway, Coffey admits to the uncertainty of how much of the season the team will be able to complete; a pertinent concern as the team’s original home opener against Alfred on March 5 has already been postponed. SEE 2021 PG. 17
UCTANGERINE.COM
2021 FROM PG. 16 Despite these varying delays that the team is likely to face throughout the remainder of the season, Coffey believes that the team will be very competitive this year, and they are prepared to return to the Empire 8 tournament with expectations to finish on top.
“What helped us propel over Wilkes on Saturday night included getting back to ‘Utica Hockey,’” Bucell said. “Playing strong, heavy and fast. Also, keeping in mind that penalties tend to hurt us, we had to focus on staying out of the box.”
where we may fall short,” he said.
Photo: ucpioneers.com
PAGE 17 FRIDAY, FEB. 26 2021
forward for the team was able to help lead the Pioneers as he came away with 4 points in the tilt Saturday after the team was able to get back on its feet.
2021 Men’s Basketball Season Preview EMILY JOSS STAFF WRITER
SPORTS
“The players have a mentality of either we win a championship or it is an ultimately disappointing season,” Coffey said.
Photo: Utica College Athletics ROBERT STEVENS GENERAL ASSIGNMENTS REPORTER Lauren Havill became the newest addition to the Pioneer family in January as the new assistant volleyball coach alongside Head Coach Aris Bird. Havill arrives directly from graduating in December of last year from Northern Vermont University-Johnson. She served as a student assistant coach for the SVU-Johnson’s men’s volleyball team, while also leading the North Atlantic Conference in kills on the women’s volleyball team. “My passion is to provide students with the opportunity to grow their sense of self through the sport of volleyball,” Havill said. “I want players to have a college experience that was as incredible as my own. When I joined the program, I already felt as
if I was part of the family. The girls are hardworking and eager to learn and Coach Bird has welcomed me with open arms.” The volleyball team went 2-25 back in 2019 and finished last in hitting percentage in the Empire 8 Conference with a .067. The Pioneers are looking to get back on track with the help of Havill who dominated the North Atlantic Conference. In her junior year, she was at the top of the conference in kills with 161, second in kills per set, fourth in points earned and 13th in aces per set. According to Bird, it is not the fact that Havill stands out by finishing 7th all-time in kills in just one season at the Northern Vermont UniversityJohnson, instead, it is her knowledge of recruiting athletes. “Coach Renn is going to be an incredible asset to our program, and we are
fortunate to have her,” Bird said. “Her experience playing volleyball paired with her experience working in athletics gives her an all-around approach to recruiting and coaching.” This season, the volleyball team brought in six freshmen that will make up over one-third of the 15 women roster. Going forward, the team plans to put a heavy emphasis on recruiting. Despite the emphasis placed on the future for this program, this shortened season is still a priority for Renn. As the team works on breaking down defensive reads at the moment, the goal is still high; the playoffs. “Ultimately, our goal is to be in the top six teams within the Empire 8 and compete in the playoffs,” Havill said. “I am confident in our athletes and know we have serious potential on our roster.”
This season, Coffey is working with a wellexperienced team composed of seven upperclassmen. Two seniors, Kemedrick Murphy and Kobe Lufkin, are showing promise in preseason practice, with Murphy displaying confidence and comfort at both ends of the floor and Lufkin proving how well he has matured and developed during his time at UC. Of the remaining players, Coffey also has two returning members who received distinguished honors last season. Junior Darius Hopkins is a returning 1st Team AllLeague player who Coffey believes will be making a run for Player of the Year this season. “I intend on being a powerful asset to this team by making sure that I continue to put in the necessary amount of hours to stay sharp,” said Hopkins. “I’ve made a personal goal to get better each day and buy into the process.”
Hopkins knows that a successful season will require a team effort, and he believes that he and his team are up for the task. “I also feel like we are a complete team, and everyone has a skill set that compliments each other. I hope we can win the conference this year and use that momentum going forward.” One of the team’s keystone players is Sophomore Tommy Morreale. In his rookie season, Morreale was honored as the league’s Rookie of the Year. Although he is proud of this accomplishment, he is aware that there is still much work to be done to improve himself and benefit the team. All his focus is on this season. Morreale also echoed much of Hopkins’ and coach Coffey’s expectations for the season. “Our team’s expectations are to win and win as a team,” he said. “I know the pandemic has interrupted our season, but we still intend to pick up where we left off last year.” Morreale is looking forward to a successful season. “We fell short last year and we are now more motivated than ever to get there and win,” he said. “We have a great group of guys and lots of talent and I am very confident in what we can do. We have a great opportunity and we intend to make the best of it.”
SPORTS
PAGE 18 FRIDAY, FEB. 26 2021
UCTANGERINE.COM
A student’s guide: Everything that happened in the NBA over break MATTHEW ROBINSON STAFF WRITER The 2020 NBA season was one that will be remembered forever. Locked in a bubble, with no friends and family is nearly impossible for such a long period of time, but the players and the league were going to do anything they could to get a start on the 2021 season. On Nov. 9, the NBA and the Nation Basketball Players Association pushed the 2020-21 season start date to late December, with Christmas Day games being played the opening weekend. At the end of the day, the start of the season came down to finances. According to Sports News, the NBA feared a January start could cost the league up to $1 billion in revenue losses. With basketball being a top sport to tune into, it was definitely the biggest priority of them all. NBA schedule for 202021 • Dec. 11-19: Preseason games • Dec. 22- March 4: First half of regular season • March 5-10: All-Star break • March 11- May 16: Second half of regular season • May 18- 21: Play- In tournaments • May 22- July 22: Playoffs Each team will play a total of three times against conference opponents while playing teams from opposite conferences only twice. There will be only 72 games, down from the typical 82. Much
Photo: NBA.com like baseball, the teams will play a “series” against opponents with two games in the same city. On Thursday, league Commissioner Adam Silver told ESPN that the All-Star game will take place on March 7. All games will be squeezed into one night. The skills challenge 3-point contest and slam dunk contest on Saturday night. The game will take place at 8 p.m with the dunk contest at halftime. With only two months into the season, and no workouts during the offseason, rookies and new players are searching for their team chemistry as the second half of the season is only less than months away. What happens if and when a player tests positive? Just like everyone else, players, coaches, and team personnel who test positive will have to go through a series of steps before being able to play again. Silver spoke about the concern about staying safe while playing during
a pandemic, but he was more than confident after having a long discussion with White House coronavirus advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci. “There is still a lot that we need to learn in terms of rapid testing, for example, getting fans into the arena, it will only be a matter of time until that can happen,” he said. Trades This off-season didn’t go as planned for some teams including the Brooklyn Nets and Houston Rockets. The blockbuster trade included the Rockets, Indiana Pacers, and Cleveland Cavaliers. James Harden, Victor Oladipo, Chris LeVert, Jarret Allen were the top players in each of the trades. Some benefited, and others are still in the process of searching for players. The Milwaukee Bucks extending MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo was easily the biggest move, while Lebron James, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Rudy Gobert all stayed on their respective teams. James
Harden was the biggest move of them all, teaming up with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. At the start of the season, the Houston Rockets were having trouble dealing with Harden and his off-court behavior such as not following the NBA’s health and safety protocols. It wasn’t long until he requested a trade to Brooklyn, and it was only a matter of time until that went through. Fast forward to this week, Brooklyn is playing some of their best basketball. “It’s going to be difficult for a team to beat us four times in a best of seven,” Harden said. Top Rookies Entering the league, there’s only been one name when considering the Rookie of the Year Award. Lamelo Ball of the Charlotte Hornets is playing his best basketball, and he’s only going to progress into a star player sooner or later trying to be better than his two older brothers LeAngelo and Lonzo. He is averaging 13.6 points,
8.3 rebounds, and 7.4 assists and 28.3 minutes per game off the bench. James Wiseman is a player not many people were able to watch a play in the 2020 season because of eligibility issues, except for one game. As a top 5 pick, he is averaging 11.4 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Having veteran Draymond Green playing alongside him will only make him a more dynamic player. Current Standings The playoffs are still a little ways away, but with a shortened season it will feel like they are right around the corner. The Philadelphia 76ers currently lead in the Eastern Conference, Brooklyn is right behind with a big game Thursday against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Western Conference is tight as usual with the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Lakers, and Los Angeles Clippers in a tight race for the 1 spot. The race for the one seed will be something to keep an eye on.