Friday, November 4, 2022 Print Edition

Jamaican national flag removed from Strebel Student Center

MICKALE THOMPSON FEATURES EDITOR

The removal of the Jamaican flag in the Ralph F. Strebel Student Center has caused a string of confusion and concerns among students on campus. In the student center, a wide variety of national flags are showcased throughout the walls of the Strebel to commemorate those from different cultural backgrounds. However, the recent removal of the Jamaican flag has raised questions for many on campus.

Utica University has 39 national flags that represent students who come from different countries. Before the flags are hung up, a ceremony is held for the students in which their flags are then displayed on the wall. The flags in the Strebel Student Center also represent countries that Utica University has study abroad connections with.

The Jamaican flag was removed last spring and was replaced with the Egyptian National Flag. The fact that the flag was there then was removed is a concern for students.

Rijah Judah is a junior who comes from a Cuban-Jewish background. Her step-father was born in Jamaica and has lived in America for 10 years while her two teenage brothers who were also born in Jamaica immigrated to the United States in 2019. Judah felt let down by the removal.

“I felt a sense of betrayal and confusion as to what the exact reason could possibly be for the removal of the flag,” Judah said. “Removing the Jamaican flag will for sure have a negative impact on individuals who come from Jamaica and Caribbean backgrounds because it is setting a very negative image and tone.”

Director of Academic Business Development

Elizabeth Nassar, who was recently asked to take over some additional responsibilities in the Office of International Education, said that the issue of the flags and what goes up and doesn’t should be student driven.

“One of the things that always impressed me about Utica was the range of cultures that were here and how welcoming everyone was,” Nassar said “What was told to me was that there is a policy

at the school that because we only have certain number of space that we put up the flags of countries of people that are [currently] here.”

Nassar said students are making a compelling case that these are not good policies and are not data driven.

“These are all things that I’m trying to figure out as I’m investigating this ,” Nassar said. “If any student comes and says that this flag means something to me, we should just put it up. I don’t understand why there is any issue about it. Maybe we should figure out a different way to arrange these so more flags can go up.”

Samantha Barrett, a ‘22 graduate, grew up solely around Jamaican culture as her entire family besides her migrated to the United States. After coming to Utica, she was surprised by the population

of minorities and was happy to find others of Caribbean descent to whom she could relate.

According to Barrett, Jamaican and Caribbean culture has a significant impact on campus.

“Speaking from a minority point of view and from a Jamaican American perspective, I feel Jamaican and Caribbean culture has a big impact on campus,” Barrett said. “COVID ruined a lot of campus activity resulting in lots of organizations dying, including Caribbean Connections Association, where a lot of minorities Caribbean and non-Caribbean gathered to immerse in the culture and share it with the campus.”

Barrett was shocked to hear that the flag was removed and viewed it as a slap in the face for students of Jamaican culture, but to her that didn’t come as a surprise.

“I think the flag was taken down because the people in charge of representing the different cultures on campus are not paying attention,” Barrett said. “If everyone else can have their flag up there, why does ours have to be taken down? I think they think that nobody on this campus represents Jamaican culture. If they think that about the Jamaican flag, what will happen to the other flags in the Caribbean diaspora?”

According to Judah, living in a multicultural home

Courtesy of Utica University website showing some of the National Flags that are on display in the Strebel Student Center

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has both benefited her and given her the opportunity to make connections with others who are from Jamaica and learn about different cultural aspects.

When Judah first saw the flags hung up in Strebel, it created a sense of pride and unity because of the wide variety of flags.

“Attending a university that has a campus of predominantly white individuals, as a person from a different walk of life, I can speak for the majority of non-caucasian people that we seek out any little symbol, poster or event that dedicates some support to our culture,”

Judah said.

Acknowledging the different cultures on campus is important, especially for students who are underrepresented and come from minority backgrounds.

“This removal will definitely cause the opinions of individuals to shift toward a feeling of being unsupported and unseen, not valued as a Caribbean person within the university community,’’ Judah said. “Recognition and acknowledgment to all cultures on campus because the ratio to whites and non-whites is already so disproportionate that any little recognition, such as a flag being hung, may not

be something meaningful for some but it’s a huge illustration of care and value for caribbean students, faculty and staff.”

The removal of the Jamaican flag has had a significant impact on those from the Caribbean and Jamaican backgrounds causing many to believe that the institution should put plans in place to better understand and acknowledge those of different ethnicities and cultural backgrounds.

“I don’t think the flag should have been taken down in the first place because it is not fair to us that other students can look up and see their flag,’’ Barrett said. “We’re from a small

community that represents home, something that we were used to. This school preaches diversity but does not uphold its words with actions. This school is far from the diverse community it preaches itself to be. The minorities on this campus stick together in a sense. I think people need to look at it from our perspective and see how it feels to be alone because nobody around you comes from your background nor acknowledges it.”

Updates will follow as soon as they become available.

Campus safety Blotter

America’s fentanyl crisis: a growing epidemic

◊ EMILY ANDERSON CONTRIBUTING WRITER

America is experiencing a drug epidemic involving the synthetic opioid fentanyl that has affected all 50 states and is only expected to worsen, according to the Center for Disease Control. A few grains can be lethal, making it the most potent opioid ever created, 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine and heroin.

The number of deaths involving fentanyl increased by 56% between 2019 and 2020, according to the CDC. This drug could be laced in heroin, meth, cocaine or even disguised as prescription drugs such as Adderall.

The Drug Enforcement Administration stated in a press release, “Every color, shape, and size of fentanyl should be considered extremely dangerous.”

Since the COVID pandemic, a record number of Americans have died from drug overdoses with fentanyl accounting for more than half of those deaths.

Many of those who died thought they were taking another drug, but it was tainted with a lethal amount of fentanyl.

The only antidote that can reverse the effects of a fentanyl overdose is Naloxone, also known as Narcan. This epidemic has begun to affect children and young adults and in some counties Narcan is being distributed in schools K-12.

Additional resources, such as testing strips, have become accessible as more people have become aware of this problem. The use of fentanyl testing strips, which are a relatively inexpensive method of drug testing, could contribute to a reduction in the number of injuries and fatalities.

When fentanyl is added, users experience a faster withdrawal from their highs than with other

opioids. As a result, they are more likely to return to the dealer, increasing the dealer’s profits. In some of the fatal cases, the dealer claimed they were unaware that fentanyl had been added.

Fentanyl was originally used to alleviate severe pain during or after surgery, but it is now being sold on the streets. According to US border control, fentanyl is now being seized more frequently than in the past. In 2021, 11,000 pounds of the drug were seized at the Mexican border; since then, the number has risen to 20,000 pounds.

This year, the Riverside County of California seized enough fentanyl to kill its entire county and the entire population of California, twice.

“Please don’t be naive to the fact that fentanyl lives in almost every drug out there and its powerful effects do not discriminate,” Riverside County Sheriff, Chad Bianco, said in a press conference.

Photo of Rainbow Fentanyl courtesy of NPR.org

Bull Hall fundraising for renovations underway

◊ JACK BODNAR CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Lauren and Cora Bull Hall, Utica University’s cyber security and criminal justice building, will be undergoing renovations meant to provide more resources to students on campus.

The renovations include a new Crime Scene Lab, Cyber Range and Cybersecurity Lab. There will also be four faculty offices on the second floor of Bull Hall to replace the current offices on the first floor.

“Adding the Crime Scene Lab, the Cyber Range and the Cybersecurity Lab will give our students and the local community great spaces for hands-on learning opportunities,” Dean of Business and Justice, Stephanie Nesbitt said.

The new Crime Scene Lab will give space to develop and stage crime scenes for various criminal justice classes. The open floor plan is designed to be partitioned so multiple crime scenes can be staged simultaneously and left undisturbed for extended periods of time. This currently can not happen in regular classrooms because of the constant use by many classes.

The new Cyber Range will provide students with a space to practice defending and responding to

cybersecurity events. It is a controlled and interactive technology environment where students can learn how to detect, and recover from cyber-attacks. This allows participants to practice not just the technical skills but also the teamwork, communication and leadership skills needed to succeed in the cybersecurity field.

The Cyber Range will serve as a location for local companies to provide educational opportunities for their cybersecurity professionals. This will

then give students a chance to work with practicing professionals during educational exercises.

According to Nesbitt, significant progress is being made in accumulating the necessary $1.5 million estimated cost for these renovations.

“To date, we know that Congressperson Claudia Tenney, Senator Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand have submitted the Crime Scene Lab as one of their Community Project Funding Requests for the fiscal year 2023,”

Nesbitt said. “This will cover about half the costs of the projects. President Casamento, the Advancement team and I are working with several other foundations and potential donors to raise the rest of the funds needed to help complete the projects, and we are gaining a lot of interest and positive responses.”

The Crime Scene Lab is aiming to open in the Fall of 2023. The Cyber Range and Cybersecurity Lab should soon follow in the Spring of 2024.

Lauren and Cora Bull Hall, formerly known as the Economic, Crime and Justice building.

/Photo: Alex Leland

Memorial for Jim Scannell photographed by Alex Leland

Family, friends, colleagues and students of James Scannell gathered in the library concourse on October 28, 2022 at 5:30pm in celebration of his life. Remarks were given by Jason Denman, Paul Scannell, Adam Pack, Linda Zee, and Gary Leising among others. They remembered Scannell as being one who encouraged the understanding of motivation, the playful argument that brings light to new ways of thought, and reading for detail.

“His teaching will go on,” Gary Leising, Distinguished Professor of English, and friend of Scannell said.

How Utica University’s athletic mascots have changed

◊ MICKALE THOMPSON FEATURES EDITOR

The history behind Utica University’s mascot is a story that some in the campus community are familiar with. Over the years since the birth of the university, the process of choosing the right mascot to represent the school created a task that had its ups and downs.

At one time Utica was known as Utica College of Syracuse University, with Syracuse University hovering over the institution the need for Utica to create its own path and come into its own was significantly important.

Paul Lehmann, the Director of Campus Activities from 2000 to 2012, was responsible for coordinating all the events on campus. He also played a key role in the mascot development at Utica College and said one of the things Utica struggled with early on was searching for its identity and how to define itself in relation to Syracuse.

“Syracuse was a behemoth and it can just totally overshadow who you are,” Lehmann said. “There were some parts of it, especially in the beginning that were important to the Utica College students. They would pride themselves that they had a Syracuse University diploma because it was recognized and people know what that was. So how do you maintain that and at the same time create this identity of who you are as your own campus.”

Read the full story at uticatangerine.com

The Pioneer mascot debuted when Bill Michik handed former City of Utica Mayor Boyd Golder the ball to start Utica’s opening basketball game of the season In 1951.

Photo courtesy of Utica Archives

◊ GRACE MONACO CONTRIBUTING WRITER

In the Spring 2023 semester, Utica University will be offering “Fashioning Identity: Fashion, Society, and the Self.” This class will explore the interaction between society and beauty standards, along with the history of fashion.

This is the first time this course will be made available and can be found through the Liberal Studies department. Students will be able to enroll regardless of major and year. It will be taught by Professor Katherine Landers.

FEATURES

New Fashion Course coming to Utica

“The course was inspired in part by my own research, which thinks about fashion as a form of political speech in seventeenth-century English women’s writing,” Landers said.

The goal of the course is to cover fashion, cosmetics, history and ideals regarding beauty over time. It will dive into the representations of fashion regarding text and images, as well as reflect and shape ideals about our own identities and societies. The course will explore literary, historical, sociological and art

historical texts.

The historical aspect of the course will have students examine fashion and cosmetics from various time periods, including pieces that date back to the Renaissance. Along with historical pieces, there will also be garments from current fashion trends and pop culture today. Cosmetics will cover a wide range of history, from the time period of Queen Elizabeth I all the way up to the Met Gala. This is to show the abundance of changes that have happened in the makeup

OP-ED: Leadership Weekend 2022

◊ CHARLES BUCKLEY CLERK

On October 21, I attended the Leadership Weekend Retreat. The leadership weekend retreat is an annual yearly event meant to help students learn leadership skills and give them a chance to step outside their comfort zone, all while learning how to make a difference on campus.

The retreat took me and other students to a small summer camp just outside of Lowville, NY named Beaver Camp. Upon arriving at the camp, we were all split up into different cabins and moved our stuff in. Shortly after, we learned what the schedule was going to be like for the weekend.

I quickly found out that this weekend was not only a chance for developing leadership skills and breaking our comfort zones, but we had a real chance to have our voices heard. Part of leadership weekend was coming up with a proposal for something we want to change on campus.

That first night, we were told we would be doing trust exercises with other facilitators for the leadership weekend as we would be testing our communication and teamwork skills through

the use of rope courses they had in the open field area across from the camp. The trust exercises consisted of trust falls, lifting people up with cloth bands and general icebreakers that made us all interact with one another. This definitely made the experience more interesting as people began to interact more with one another and find out that all of us had some common interests.

The next morning, our group headed across from the camp and hiked up a hill toward the open field for about seven minutes. When we finally reached the open field, we were greeted by the facilitators as well as a log to walk across as a way to test

our balance. After the log, our group was split into two smaller groups and we all were taken to do different activities available around the area. Activities included a low hanging rope course, a puzzle involving getting across nine platforms using only three wooden boards and trying to balance your entire team evenly on a log so that it isn’t dipping one way or the other. These small activities helped my team solidify how to properly communicate with one another and work as a team, it made for a very great and fun time.

After the smaller activities, it was finally time for the high rope courses they had mentioned the previous night.

world.

“...We will think about fashion as identity-formation, political speech, self-expression and more,” Landers said.

The class will meet Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 2:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. Further details are to come in the future regarding location.

The course is available to all students on campus. Students who are interested in learning more about this course can email Professor Landers at kelander@utica.edu.

The high rope courses were definitely high– the courses were perched along the tops of telephone poles. The three high rope courses they offered were a rope bridge, a two rope tightrope walk, and a log suspended tightly and steadily by ropes, it was tied up so tightly that it wouldn’t move when you walked on it. Due to how still it was, it was no different walking on that log then it was walking on the one that was on the ground earlier that morning.

For the safety of all participants, everyone wore helmets and harnesses that were clipped to ropes so if anyone fell, they would be caught. We even had an experienced high ropes course person in our group attempt and succeed at going across the log blindfolded. It was one of the most astonishing sights I had ever seen.

That night, our group spent time by a campfire making s’mores, cracking jokes, and just overall enjoying each other’s company. Overall, this was a very pleasant experience and I encourage anyone to try this at least once while they can.

For more information on how to join Leadership weekend, contact Bethany VanBenschoten at her email bavanben@utica.edu.

On the lake at Beaver Camp. /Photo: Charles Buckley

FEATURES

Group Review: WuKong

◊ DIANA SIDOREVICH CONTRIBUTING WRITER

This past Tuesday, a group of eight of us ordered $120 worth of food from WuKong Asian Restaurant, not all pictured above. Some were trying it for the first time, while others had come back for more.

On the menu: Crab rangoons, sesame chicken, General Tso’s chicken, sweet and sour chicken, a salad sampler of spicy kani, seaweed, and squid salad, house fried noodles, veggie lo mein, hot and and sour soup, and miso soup.

Some qualities considered in rating Chinese food was meat-to-breading ratio, tender and colorful vegetables, flavor levels and mouth feel in noodles, and the perfect level of crisp in a crab rangoon. After all, a bite of a crab rangoon sets the stage for the rest of the meal at any Chinese restaurant.

“Some crab rangoons make the mistake of being too crunchy all over so they hurt your mouth,” said Woo, a self-proclaimed food critic, “Some get too soft, so they’re not good anymore. This one has made neither of those mistakes.”

“They slap,” Mary Sidorevich agreed.

Glazed with sweet and sour sauce, this was undoubtedly a top-tier rangoon.

Over the sound of cracking chopsticks and muffled speech over mouthfuls of noodles, we gathered our reviews for the readers.

The three types of chicken were not overly breaded, but quite large. One reviewer called them “too damn meaty.” Whether that is a problem is for you to decide.

Although General Tso’s chicken was not much better than other places General Tso’s, the balance between sweet and spicy made it a winner among the chicken dishes. In my opinion though, sesame chicken is always a classic.

Between the two noodle dishes, the house fried noodle and lo mein were tied—the ramen had a nice texture but the lo mein’s structure and flavor won for me. Another reviewer said this lo mein “far outshines average lo mein.”

On a prior visit to WuKong, the hot and sour soup left an overly black-peppery taste, but this one was pleasantly enjoyed by another reviewer.

Because of the amount and vibrancy of vegetables and a more chicken-tobreading ratio, the general consensus was these dishes felt like a “healthy” Chinese dining experience where the eater didn’t feel “heavy” afterwards.

At the end of the meal, only the sweet and fishy-tasting squid salad remained.

New to the Utica area, WuKong celebrated its birthday month this October. They boast 4.8 stars with 178 Google reviews and as your local food reviewer, and I can say that they’ve earned those stars with both their dine-in and takeout experience.

Find them on Instagram at wukongasian2021 or via a five-minute drive from campus

ALUM COLUMN DOUG CROFT ‘03

Most students and even many colleagues on campus call me Professor Croft. That’s fine, and I am proud to be in a position where I have earned being called that. Although if you have happened to take one of my classes, you might recall that on the first day of class I ask and prefer to be called Doug. I prefer to be called by my first name on campus because I used to be a student here too, and frankly most days I still feel like I am learning new things.

Despite being in my 16th year holding the title of Chief Operator at WPNR-FM, I clearly remember my first days of being an awkward first year student living in North Hall. I took classes with many Professors who are still here on campus. Not even once have any of them made me feel anything other than respected for my own knowledge and ability, but there’s a part of me that still feels like maybe I owe them an assignment. My point is, I like being called Doug because it makes me feel more connected to the campus and reminds me I still have things to learn; and that includes occasionally learning things from students too.

I am an alumnus from the class of 2003 of our beloved institution. I originally found my way to Utica due to a love of music and the hope of being a broadcaster. WPNR-FM gave me an opportunity as a student to try my hand at being on the airwaves the day before my first ever class on campus and I have never forgotten that when recruiting students to this university or when they join the radio station.

I spent time as the student General Manager at WPNRFM, including dealing with the aftermath of 9-11 as a student broadcaster. After commencement I learned the ropes of many professional athletics operations in the American Hockey League with the Rochester Americans and spent most of my time completing my Masters in Communication Studies at SUNY Brockport.

I was back here by 2006 in my current role getting WPNRFM back in shape as the Chief Operator in the same semester that I graduated. A big reason that our campus radio station is so engaged in training students to broadcast athletics is because I was able to take what I learned in the professional world and bring it back to Utica in the hopes of creating stronger co-curricular and experiential learning opportunities at WPNR-FM.

It is my hope that many of you follow my example. Maybe radio isn’t for you (although if you’d like to try it we welcome all majors and even staff), but follow your interests and get engaged while here on campus. This all sounds very cliché, but the truth is that a large part of your purpose here is to learn how to be stronger and informed members of our society, and we could really use more of those people right now. It’s a rare opportunity to be surrounded by a diverse group of peers, mostly in a similar age bracket, going through many of the same trials and tribulations. Take advantage of learning from the people around you right now and try something new while you are at it.

Once out of school, follow your gut and bet on yourself. For some of you it’s a job you might not want at first that leads to something greater and teaches you a few things (even about you). For some it’s grad school. More education has never hurt anyone because once you have it you’ll never lose it and it can’t be taken away from you. Hopefully, you’ll land the career of your dreams right away; but even if it takes a while, try to land on doing something you love. Once you are there, or even before then, don’t forget that there will certainly be people here on campus that were exactly where you were. They may not call you Professor, but helping them will also be valuable.

2022 Unity Walk photographed by Alex Leland

2022 Unity Walk photographed by Alex Leland

SPORTS

Utica Men’s Hockey Team Back in Action After Historic Season

◊ SHANE TINNEY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Utica University’s Men’s Hockey team coming off the back of matching the single season win record with a 25-31 record and also earning new program high 17 conference wins return to the ice once again for this season. The Pioneers were ranked second nationally with 5.66 goals per game, while holding their opponents to 1.38 goals per game, which was the best in the Division The Pioneers last year also set new season records for goals (164), assists (312), points (476), power play goals (49), goals against average (1.4), and shutouts (seven).

The Pioneers welcome back five nationally best AllAmericans, senior Captain Dante Zapata who was named a finalist for the Sid Watson award, given to the

best NCAA Division II-III men’s hockey player in the country. Zapata finished last season with 43 points on 16 goals, and 27 assists. Graduate student Regen Cavanagh had a career season last year, earning himself first team AllAmerican honors. Cavanagh had 46 points which tied the team lead, (20 goals, 26 assists). Cavanagh is now tied for first place in Utica’s singleseason record for points and is second in goals (20). Graduate student Justin Allen also earned first team AllAmerican honors. Allen is the highest scoring defensemen in program history, with his 32 assists last season setting a new single-season program record.

Earning second team honors was defensemen Jayson Dobay, the programs first sophomore All-American. Last season Dobay had 35 points and averaged one assist per

game which ranked eighth nationally. Buster Larsson also joined Dobay on the All-American second team. Larsson alongside Cavanagh led the team with 46 points and had 30 assists last season, which is tied for second for a single season in program history.

The Pioneers welcome in two transfer defensemen from Division I programs this season. Senior Connor Fedorek joins the team after three years at Ferris State University. In 67 games with the Bulldogs, Fedorek had one goal and seven assists. Kimball Johnson, a junior who spent the last two seasons playing for St. Thomas during their transition from Division III to Division I, played in 31 games and two along with six assists during the team’s first Division I season.

According to a poll by the US College Hockey Online Men’s

Top 15 that was taken on October 31, Utica is ranked #5 on the nation’s best Division III team’s, with Adrian College being #1 on the list. The team faced off against the #1 Adrian this past weekend, dropping both games to put the Pioneers at 0-2 to start the season.

“We’re just ready to go, especially after two tough games at Adrian, it’s just fuel for the rest of the season going forward,” said Remy Parker, senior left wing. “We really feel like we have the pieces this year and we believe that we can get it done.”

The Pioneers head to Maryland this weekend to take on Stevenson University with game one at 7 p.m. on Saturday November 12, with the home opener to follow next weekend on Friday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. against Wilkes University.

Women’s Soccer Team honors Team IMPACT member

BRADY BARNARD CONTRIBUTING WRITER

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On October 15, Utica Women’s soccer honored their team IMPACT teammate, Anna LaBella with a 3-0 win over Elmira.

According to a Tangerine article written by Emily Joss in October 2021, “the nationally recognized Team IMPACT program is a non-profit group that works to combat the emotional trauma and social isolation experienced by children facing serious and chronic illnesses by matching them with a college athletic team.”

LaBella had a significant impact on the soccer team.

“Anna Labella was very special to our team,” Senior Defender Jenna Keeman said. “She was always smiling and happy when we had zoom calls. She loved our team and we loved her. Unfortunately, she passed away before this season started.”

According to Keeman, the soccer team dedicated the current season to LaBella because of how much she loved the sport and the team.

“Being able to dedicate a single game to her was amazing, especially because her parents were able to attend,” Keeman said. “Anna made an impact on our program, and we are so proud to be able to carry on her legacy and love for the game.”

The Pioneers outshot Elmira 9-2 in the first half. The first goal of the game came from junior Julianna Beaulieu in the 36th minute, which would be her fourth goal of the season. The goal was assisted by junior Gabriela Daumont.

The first half almost ended 2-0, but the halftime buzzer went off right before a shot from senior Ro Hernandez found its way to the back of the net.

Nearly 10 minutes into the

second half, Hernandez would find her eighth goal of the year with another assist coming from Daumont, putting the Pioneers in the lead by 2 with 35 minutes left to go.

With only 4 minutes left to go in the second half, freshman Julianna Colavita netted her first career collegiate goal with the assist coming from sophomore Noella Burlette.

Courtney Connolly, junior

and goalkeeper, registered her third shutout of the season with two saves.

The win gave Utica their fourth of the season as they pushed to make the playoffs for the second year in a row. The Pioneers now sit at 7-7-4 in the Empire 8.

Photo of Anna LaBella, a member of Team IMPACT at Utica.

/Photo: uticapioneers.com