Friday, September 8, 2023 Print Edition

TANGERINE

MICKALE THOMPSON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

EDITOR’S NOTE: The majority of this article was written on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, the day of the announcement while Laura Casamento was still president of Utica University.

Utica University and former President Laura Casamento on June 13, discontinued men’s and women’s swimming and diving, women’s water polo and men’s tennis as varsity sports.

The letter stated that in conjunction with the decision, a committee of trustees, staff, coaches and student-athletes will formulate plans to repurpose the pool area as part of extensive renovations that will take place within the Clark Athletic Center.

“We understand that this is difficult news for the current studentathletes who are directly affected as well as their coaches and the alumni who have represented Utica in these four sports over the years,” Casamento said. “The decision to discontinue these programs follows many years of thorough

analysis, including indepth consultation with Title IX experts, and is based on a combination of multiple factors.”

‘Still Shocked’

The decision came months after the university announced the addition of women’s gymnastics and men’s and women’s wrestling to its athletics along with the previous elimination of 13 academic programs.

In 2020, a reported 97 sports were cut from colleges and universities during the pandemic. The university joins Division 3 counterparts SUNY Buffalo State — who in May announced their decision to cut their

swimming and diving programs.

Utica’s Head Women’s Swimming and Diving Coach Erin Knight had a surprised reaction to news of the program’s discontinuation.

“I was shocked. I’m still shocked,” Knight said. “I was notified [the week before] then notifisZed my athletic assistant and diving coach.”

John Nigro, who started the men’s and women’s tennis programs at Utica in 1987, now in his 37th season as head coach said he was notified of the decision before the players on the team but admitted he saw it coming.

“The sports [have] a food chain,” Nigro said. “... [And] we’re at the bottom.”

The letter also stated a continuous decline in student interest. Despite new recruiting strategies, the programs did not generate enough enrollment to field a competitive NCAA roster. “This is a trend that is not unique to Utica University,” Casamento said. “[It] has spanned many years, and is reflective of decreasing participation in these sports at the high school and junior college levels, especially in the Northeast.”

Musco Millner: Assistant Professor

Women’s soccer season opener

A Utica tennis player looks down during a tennis match.. //Photo: Kayleigh Sturtevant

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‘I’m still shocked’: Utica discontinues four varsity sports

Fall 2023 STAFF

@UticaTangerine

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Editor-In-Chief - Mickale Thompson

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Staff Photographer - Luke Reed

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Administration must work with faculty and students to move forward

◊ MICKALE THOMPSON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

As more than 450 new faces entered the campus community amid a presidential change, a protest to save the liberal arts took center stage. In the end, the Class of Covid walked across the stage after listening to a commencement speaker — who brought a golf club to graduation.

Yes! The 2022-2023 school year at Utica University was not just unpredictable and unprecedented — but packed many punches.

However, as the new school year gets underway — time calls for a deep reflection on the events of last year because someone needs to talk about it — so let’s give it a try.

After almost two decades at Utica University, President Laura Casameto’s retirement announcement came as a surprise to the campus. The confidential presidential

search stained the belief students and faculty had in their administration to not only nurture the idea of shared governance but also administer comfort and reassurance to a community grappling with the sudden change in leadership at the highest level.

Still, the Board of Trustees kept the students and faculty in the shadows despite concerns surrounding the search, missing the opportunity to create any excitement or positive reaction to whoever would be selected.

With President Todd Pfannenstiel a new administration begins, and though wanting everyone to have fun again is a proactive approach, the administration’s decisions during the past school year lacked comradery and collaboration.

Now the new president finds himself in a tough position because how

much further he can take this institution currently under scrutiny will depend on his willingness to include the campus community in the decision-making process to earn back the trust and confidence its leadership lost last year.

Remember the Academic Program Review?

That caused more uncertainty, anxiety, and instability within the campus community especially for the students. Now, not knowing that the sport they loved would be discontinued two months before the semester started, the incoming athletes of those programs were left uncertain about what the future has in store for them — Would you call that a lack of transparency?

As a university, decisions can’t be made based on competitiveness and marketing. There needs to be structure and logical answers given to the students and the campus

body when questions are asked; before not after.

And to top it all off, we can’t lose to the University of New England at home again. Twice in a row is bad enough!

Long story short Utica needs, and should, become more empathetic when it comes to campuschanging decisions and actively listen to the campus body and their concerns. However, despite all of last year’s turmoil, it’s still a school that has made decisions that changed the direction of the university— both historically and structurally.

Disagreements will happen and just like a marriage faculty and administration made a vow — for better or for worse. At the moment things aren’t perfect, it’s a work in progress. Finding common ground will be the key as the academic year moves forward.

Campus safety Blotter

CON. FROM PAGE 1 ‘An insulting excuse’

In a Zoom meeting held the night before the announcement the players were told that the reason for the aquatics program discontinuation was not due to the “continuous decline in student interest” as the letter states but because the pool had fallen into “disrepair” conditions and became expensive to repair.

The university in 2022 spent $5,314,467 combined for all sports teams in the latest EADA report. A year prior the school added a new track and field multipurpose turf — a project which cost $3.5 million to complete.

According to the letter, continuing aquatic sports would require major renovations to the 50-year-old pool. This investment, the former president said, would cost several million dollars along with additional operational costs.

The discontinuation of the programs leaves the athletes heartbroken.

“This is an insulting excuse for reasoning when the institution is spending millions on brand new programs,” said Annabelle Workman, a diver on the swimming and diving team. “… Aquatic sports don’t get the attention that many of these other teams do and therefore would be the first choice to go.”

The players in the meeting made suggestions that the program could be continued without the use of the university’s on-campus pool citing examples that the gymnastics

team would be practicing at an offcampus location and proposed a similar arrangement could be made for the swimmers.

“This [idea] was immediately dismissed,” Workman said. “And a concrete answer was avoided.”

The athletes were told that they would be able to keep their status as student-athletes — for Workman that’s still not enough.

“I end my college athletics career feeling utterly disposed of, disregarded, and neglected by an institution that promised to value my talent and made a promise to provide me with the means to cultivate it further,” she said.

The letter added that the university cannot offer a competitive experience for the programs being discontinued and intends to focus resources in ways that reflect student interest.

“I strongly believe that this decision honors our longstanding commitment to supporting a strong intercollegiate athletics program and will help fuel our continued success and growth across a broad range of sports in the years to come,” Casamento said.

Apart from the discontinued sports, the institution has more than 600 student-athletes who compete across 29 other varsity sports. With 10 committed swimmers, the largest recruiting class since the pandemic, it’s still hard to wrap heads around the decision, said senior Kim Serio.

“This past year our team took tremendous positive steps,” Serio said. “Both the men’s and women’s

swim teams had winning seasons and fast individual races. So I would even argue that there is an incline in interest.”

Disbelieved by the news, Serio, a member of each women’s aquatic teams started a petition to keep the program alive for one more season, which received 2,339 signatures, 161 shy from its 2,500 goals. The petition got the attention of parents, faculty and the athletes themselves who were scheduled to attend the university.

“There have been so many people supporting the campaign,” Serio said. “… I think it will be impactful when needed discussions are had.” The university said it met with the approximate 15 student-athletes who were impacted by the decision and assured them they will continue to support them however they can. As for the coaches of the respective programs, they will remain members of the athletic department.

Knight, also the Aquatics Director, now hopes to keep the players involved and said the seniors will also be honored at the Hall of Fame dinner in the spring. However, as emotions continue to run high the likelihood of athletes leaving is a possibility.

“The student-athletes are angry and sad, among a variety of other emotions, and rightly so,” she said. “The younger ones could transfer if they so desire but the upperclassmen are kind of stuck, especially since so many are in physical therapy and occupational therapy or premed.”

Comeford named new Director of Campus Safety

SELMA DIZDAREVIC NEWS EDITOR

After a nationwide search, Roberta Comeford has been appointed the new Director of Campus Safety at Utica University. Former Director of Campus Safety Musco Millner stepped down from the role after four years to pursue his Ph.D. Comeford’s first day at the helm was on June 15.

Comeford brings in an extensive background in the military and campus safety. She currently holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and most recently worked as the Director of Campus Safety at Cazenovia College before its closure. Comeford is no stranger to Utica, having begun her military career at the Parkway East Armory in East Utica.

“I have the privilege of serving our country for over 29 years in the New York Army National Guard,” she said. “I started my military career right here in Utica as a Specialist up to my current rank as a Lieutenant Colonel. As a combat veteran, I have been deployed three times, and also have served our state during state emergencies.”

Upon leaving Cazenovia College, Comeford was looking for a new place to call home. The faculty and students at Utica University answered that call.

“I was looking for a new family. I had a family at Cazenovia College and

was looking for a place where I felt like I would be part of a family team again in higher education, which I have found here at Utica University,” Comeford said. “From the time I started the interview process through present, overall, I have been treated well by employees and students.”

Students were part of the interview panel, Comeford added, and appreciated the opportunity to meet with some of them prior to starting here.

Shad Crowe, Vice President for Facilities and Emergency Management at Utica University who chaired the search committee for the Director of Campus Safety position, said having prior experience in campus safety and a “relatable personality” is crucial to the role.

“That office [Campus Safety] is the hub of the entire campus,” said Crowe. “So that individual, the Director of Campus Safety, must be compassionate, empathetic,

understanding and also able to provide people with the right resources to help them.”

Crowe said Comeford’s professional experience combined with her likable personality is what made her the right fit for the Utica University Campus Safety team.

“She clearly has a work ethic, that’s undeniable. She also has a relatability,” Crowe said. “We talked to students at Cazenovia and the students really liked her and got along with her. I think she’s really going to do a great job here.”

Comeford listed learning more about Utica’s students and what their concerns as a top priority for this academic year. She hopes to not only listen to students but also to educate them on the resources that Utica University has to offer, such as Safer U.

Safer U is Utica University’s safety app, which provides a multitude of resources for faculty, students and parents. It allows users to

receive important safety alerts, review emergency plans and locate and contact resources on campus. The app even has a “friend walk” feature.

“A friend walk is when you can share your location with a friend for the duration of your walk around campus and you can end your sharing of location at any time,” Comeford explained.

The app provides added security to individuals on campus and is available for download on the Apple and Google app stores.

QR codes with a direct link to the app are posted all over campus, and students are encouraged to join the platform.

As the new school year unfolds, Comeford reminds students to remain vigilant, present and to seek assistance when they need it

“Take notice of your surroundings. If you notice something that concerns you let Campus Safety know,” she said. “[The] Bottom line is, Campus Safety is here to help.”

The Utica University flag hangs on a pole. // Courtesy of Alex Leland

Credit scored: UU Educator Prep is now AAQEP-accredited

◊ KAYDEN LAMPHERE SPECIAL ASSIGMENTS REPORTER

With the changing of the seasons from summer to fall, and the reintroduction of students back to campus, renewal and continuation is a major theme currently at Utica University.

Coinciding with that motion is the recertification of the Utica University Educator Preparation Program, though this time under a brand new organization, that being the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).

According to Ahmed Radwan, dean of health professions and education at Utica University, while the particular program may be new, that does not mean the high standards of the program have changed.

“When we hear that a program is accredited nationally, that is a sign of it being trustworthy,” Radwan said. “It means the program graduates quality and operates with evident quality.”

Radwan describes the process of gaining accreditation from a new organization as a “period of reflection for staff and all those involved.”

“We needed to submit to the accreditor an intense

document known as a self-study report,” Radwan explained, “Where we truthfully assessed ourselves and what we accomplished over the past 10 years. The accreditor then reads and studies that report, and they come back to us for a site visit in order to make sure what was written is accurate, interviewing all of us all the way to the president.”

After the lengthy process, which occurs every seven years, a final decision was made on whether the program is up to the standards of the accreditor, which Radwan was proud to report as an emphatic approval from AAQEP.

Kyle Riecker, coordinator of education partnerships and clinical practice at Utica University, said the program has been adapting over this process.

“We passed accreditation with flying colors,” Riecker said. “But we definitely have our marching orders moving forward in terms of what we need to improve on in the future.”

As for the future goals of the program, both Radwan and Reicker noted the major accomplishments and strides they have already taken, such as the addition of education as a major program. In addition, Radwan also pointed out

that the apprenticeship program for education at Utica University is receiving a lot of attention and development.

“The apprenticeship program, also referred to as the transitional program, is for those who do not have an education background yet, but do have a degree in a content area that is found in schools,” Radwan said. “Schools in need will recommend people, and we help teach them to be teachers.”

This is a great time for students going through the education program, Reicker noted, and that isn’t going to slow down.

“We are anticipating 180,000 teacher vacancies in New York State coming up in the next five years, which is a great opportunity for teacher candidates, as there will be so many job opportunities,” Riecker said.

For more information about the Utica University Educator Preparation Program, contact Kyle Reicker (kyriecke@utica. edu), Ahmed Radwan (aradwan@utica.edu), Chair of the Educator Preparation Program Laurence Zoeckler (lzoeckler@utica.edu) or stop by the Office of the School of Health Professions and Education at 252 White Hall.

Kyle Riecker holding the AAQEP Certificate of National Accreditation for the Utica University Educator Preparation Program. //Photo: Kayden Lamphere

Pfannestiel ready for inauguration at the end of the month

◊ DIANA SIDOREVICH MANAGING EDITOR

Utica University’s annual Homecoming Weekend will take place at the end of the month, from Sept. 29 - Oct. 1. The threeday weekend is packed with events and activities for students, staff and faculty, alumni and families to attend.

On Friday, Sept. 29 at 3 p.m. President-elect Todd Pfannestiel will be officially installed as Utica’s tenth president by Chairperson of the Board of Trustees Jeremy Thurston at the Charles A. Gaetano Stadium. Although he has been acting president since Aug. 1, the ceremony will mark the beginning of his presidency at Utica University after serving as Provost and Sr. Vice President for Academic Affairs at Utica for five years.

The ceremony will include a procession of alumni delegates, elected officials, Board of Trustees and Emeriti Trustees and Foundation Board members, the Utica Alumni Council, delegates from other academic institutions, members of President’s and Provost’s Cabinets and faculty who will all march into the stadium dressed in academic regalia showing their support.

Former President Laura Casamento will present Pfannestiel with the presidential medallion and Robert Brevnik,

former Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, will be presenting the University Charter.

Pfannestiel’s wife, Dr. Aimee Zellers, who currently serves as Associate Provost at Carlow University, will be in attendance as he described his presidency as “a partnership between the two.”

He and Zellers both attended national workshops in preparation for the role, Pfannestiel said, as spouse or partner plays an important role in supporting, meeting students and donors and attending events.

Pfannestiel says although his wife doesn’t believe him, he is sure she will be a president of an academic institution in her future as well.

“I look forward to the day I can support and sacrifice for her the same way she does for us,” he said.

Chair of the Inauguration Planning Committee Amy Lindner said the ceremony will follow a traditional format to “establish tradition and honor what has been done in the past.”

Utica University is a younger university compared to other academic institutions and wants to establish tradition that will become a fabric of the institution, Lindner said.

Pfannestiel hopes the ceremony taking place during Homecoming

weekend will bring in more people — students, parents and alumni — making the moment “extra special.’’

Lindler hopes to see lots of students get involved and for faculty and staff to attend as well and show support for Pfannestiel.

“He always adds a bit of a twist of humor and fun so I think it would be great for the students to see that and get an understanding of what his presidency will be like,” Lindner said.

Some students are looking forward to Pfannestiel’s term as president.

“I think he’s going to do a lot to get more donations from different alumni,” health science and physical therapy major Priya Katawala said.

She hopes more money will be allocated towards student oriented things, like ice machines in dorm rooms.

Dr. Todd Pfannestiel displays his green doctoral robe from the College of William and Mary. Three stripes on the sleeves represent a Doctorate degree, the blue piping represents his PhD in Arts and Sciences, the W and M script seal, a Utica seal, a Clarion pin, a Phi Beta Kappa pin and a Utica moose.

Katwala, a senior, believes it’s important for students to attend the presidential inauguration.

“I think this is one of those things in history where it’s important to your school and stuff that you value,” Katawala said.

There is a formal reception scheduled for external constituents after the ceremony, but Pfannestiel and Zellers want to see the students first. After changing out of their ceremonial regalia, they’ll go to the dining hall which will be serving a menu mirroring the Beatles-themed menu at the reception.

“I’m going to go where my students are first,” Pfannestiel said. “Our true north is the students. You are the institution.”

Katawala said with special events like this, “the dining hall kicks into gear” to serve food that reflects how special an event is.

Photo: Diana Sidorevich

Changing Gears: Musco Millner now Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice

◊ CHARLIE BUCKLEY FEATURES EDITOR

Utica’s former Director of Campus Safety Musco Millner has become a full-time professor at Utica University. Millner served as the Director of Campus Safety for four years in addition to being a Mathematics professor at the university.

Millner said his ultimate goal was to someday teach in a full time capacity.

“I’m grateful for the journey with the Office of Campus Safety and truly believe that, as a team, with the help of students, faculty and staff, we accomplished some wonderful things in the past four years,” he said.

Millner has not only assumed the role of a full-time Professor of Mathematics, but also for criminal justice as well. His new role is Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice. However, Millner says that his journey with teaching began with Mathematics.

“My teaching journey began as a substitute Mathematics teacher and tutor for the Rome City School District some twenty plus years ago,” said Millner.

After serving the New York Police Department for 26 years, he was given the opportunity to have a “set” schedule and have more free time on his hands.

“As a result, I made myself available to the Rome City School District

on those days,” Millner said.

In 2011, after he returned to the area from his previous position as Case Management Senior Investigator for the New York State Police Crime Laboratory System in Albany, he became adjunct professor at Mohawk Valley Community College where he taught courses in mathematics and Forensic Science.

Millner also said one of the best parts of being a professor is the continual engagement with students.

“The opportunity to present material that I am passionate about to the hungry minds and thirsty spirits of these future leaders of the world is something that I do not take lightly,” Millner

said. “One can’t place a dollar value on the feeling one gets when one observes moments of comprehension and understanding; i.e., those ‘ah ha’ moments, that present their beauty in the learning environment.”

Along with this new change, Millner is still furthering his education and is pursuing a doctoral degree at University of Albany.

“My potential research idea involves an examination of statistical enrollments of students in mathematics courses, disaggregating the data by race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status to assist me in developing a problem statement,” he said. “My interest remains in answering the question: How do black undergraduates feel

about studying math”?

Some students who are familiar with Millner were quick to show their support for his new endeavors as a full-time professor.

“I believe that Musco becoming a full time professor here at Utica University is a very good thing,” said Freddie Pinto, a Cybersecurity major in his sophomore year. “As he teaches his classes, he wants the students to take in the information that he has stated in them and hopes that they take it with them on a day to day basis and hopes the information will make a positive impact for them.”

Musco Millner assumed a new postion at Utica University as an Assistant Professor. //Courtesy of Utica.edu

Career Closet accepts large donation of professional clothing for students

The Career Closet debuted in October 2022 to provide students with professional work attire for job interviews and prevent a lack of clothing from being the reason why someone does not receive employment. Since opening, Utica University students have successfully utilized the Career Closet to prepare for job interviews.

“It’s rewarding to know we’re making an impact,” Utica University’s Director of the Center for Career and Professional Development Kailea Murray said.

Career Closet will relocate to a larger space. The closet required a small space when it first opened and has been moved to several different locations due to its rapid growth. As a result, they are pausing their focus on taking in donations and have been more focused on organizing and relocating the Career Closet.

◊ ELEANOR BERKHOUDT CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Utica University’s Center for Career Readiness held a successful clothing drive on July 12. More than 1,000 articles of clothing were added to the Career Closet as a result of generous donations.

There was a larger turnout than expected with a total of 91 cars stopping by the Addison Miller White Hall Circle to drop off clothing. The Career Readiness Center was delighted to receive so many donations for students and quickly got to work organizing the clothing after the event.

“The Career Closet was a way for us to address inequity on our campus,” said Nina Nguyen, Utica University’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Project Manager.

As a division of Utica University’s DEI Office, the Center for Career and Professional Development aims at providing an equal opportunity for all students to receive employment and strives to prepare students for a successful career by helping them to achieve their full potential.

“We realize not every student came to the University with what they’d consider ‘professional’ clothing or have the funds to purchase new items, which can get expensive,” said Jennifer Rubino, Utica’s Associate Director of Transitions.

“We never want our students to miss out on an opportunity to network, go to an interview or start their first day of the job or internship because they aren’t confident in how they dress.”

The summer clothing drive is just one example of the ways the Career Closet is expanding its clothing selection through donations. Some local businesses have also volunteered to gather donations.

“We are grateful to our campus and community partners who have helped make these items accessible to our students, completely free of charge,” Jennifer Rubino said.

In addition to the clothing drive, the Career Center is anticipating another large donation from Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield of the Utica region. The insurance company selected the Career Closet and their donation is expected to be dropped off at Utica University this week.

With an increase in the number of clothing articles donated, the

Since more time is needed to relocate all of the articles of clothing and there is not a set open time for the Career Closet, work attire is still available on a case-by-case basis to students preparing for an interview.

Any students who are interested in picking up clothing from the Career Closet may do so by contacting The Center For Career Readiness ahead of time. The Career Closet’s new location should be determined by the end of the semester.

Kailea Murray helps sort career closet donations.

//Photo: Mary Christopher

Women’s soccer wins season opener against Morrisville

◊ NICK PHILLIPS SPORTS REPORTER

MORRISVILLE, N.Y. — Rylee Lamphere’s goal and two assists in Utica’s Sept. 1 season opener got the Pioneers off to a thrilling start with a convincing 6-1 win over Morrisville State College.

The Pioneers started the scoring early when Kaela Mochak netted the first goal of the game just shy of the two-minute mark in the opening period from an assist by Lamphere. The Pioneers then upped the lead when midfielder Gabriela Daumant converted in the 23rd minute off the back of a Kayla Giovingo assist.

The Pioneers built on their 2-0 lead with goals from senior Mikayla Kelley assisted by

Lamphere, her second of the match, and forward Julianna Beaulieu in the 47th and 48th minute of the final period.

“I think this team is something extremely special. The chemistry is amazing and we all want to win,” Beaulieu said. “We want to come out of every game proud of our performance and with a [win] under our sleeves.”

Lamphere got her first goal of the season in the 52nd minute to pair with her double assist 5-0 It was before Callie Laforntaine’s 73rdminute consolation goal for Morrisville was canceled out by Jazmyn Gillette’s 24 seconds later to make it 6-1.

Goalkeepers Courtney

Connolly and Karen Troche both appeared in goal for the Pioneers conceding only one among the two. Troche, a junior, allowed the only goal of the game after a 23-minute appearance.

Connolly on the other hand kept a clean sheet throughout her 63 minutes of play, ceiling the Pioneer’s 1-0 start to the season.

“We did a great job of connecting passes and finding each other’s feet. We were able to move the ball up the field as a team and create many scoring opportunities,” Connolly said. “We had some six different people score against Morrisville which shows the diversity we have on offense this season.”

With 20 shots on goal compared to Morriville’s two compiled with a four-point performance by Lamphere the 20232024 campaign is off to a quick start for last year’s Empire 8 runners-up. At press time, the Pioneers (1-0, 0-0 Empire 8) were back in action on Sept. 6 in an away matchup against SUNY Poly (11, 1-0 North Atlantic Conference) as they look to extend to two games unbeaten.

The Pioneers will play in the Blue Devil Clarion Classic at Fredonia State this weekend, facing Oswego State (1-0, 0-0 SUNYAC) at 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8, and Fredonia at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9.

Field Hockey home opener photographed by Kayleigh Sturtevant