Friday, October 20, 2023 Print Edition

The

TANGERINE

VOL. LXXVIl, ISSUE 4

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2023

UTICATANGERINE.COM

Electric vehicle charging stations

Traveling Tails Ragamuffin

Women’s wrestling set for first season

NEWS | PG. 11

FEATURES | PG. 12

SPORTS| PG. 16

‘This is crimes against humanity’: Faculty and students discuss war in Israel ◊ MICKALE THOMPSON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faculty members from Utica University and Bar-IIan University, one of the largest research universities in Israel, led a PioTalk discussion on Friday, Oct. 13 to address the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, a terrorist militant group.

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Collaborative hosted the event, which drew about 60 attendees, and was held at the Francis A. Wilcox Intercultural and Student Organization Center.

Alon Levkowitz, a senior lecturer and chair of the Social Science and Civics department at Bar-IIan, said what happened on Oct. 7, when Hamas launched its surprise, violent attack on Israel, from the Israeli point of view links to “a nation that needs psychology therapy” to overcome its current crisis.

“If you attack military bases one would expect that this would be some kind of a legitimate act,” Levkowitz said. “But when you attack… civilians

On Oct.13 faculty and students gathered in the Francis A. Wilcox Intercultural and Student Organization Center to discuss the ongoing war in Israel. //Photo: Luke Reed

this is unacceptable — this is crimes against humanity.”

According to Levkowitz, because military bases were not attacked the ongoing threats to civilians have created severe trauma for Israelis.

“If we’re talking about a war against military sides this is one would say a legitimate war,” Levkowitz said.

“But when you attack civilian cities that’s a different war game.”

Israel began an operation against Hamas and Jihad military sites, facilities and infrastructure, Levkowitz said, but faces a common problem much like other democracies fighting against terrorist organizations because they are using civilian sites to hide missiles in areas like classrooms and hospitals. “[It] is a very problematic issue to intercept these launchers and we face a huge problem,”

Levkowitz said.

“It’s gonna be a dirty war and civilians [will be] hurt in this war.”

Levkowitz said Israel has told civilians occupying areas in the Gaza Strip to evacuate to allow the military to attack. Hamas on the other hand, Levkowitz said, is telling civilians to stay.

“This is a very problematic issue [and] becomes more complicated,” Levkowitz

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PAGE 2

STAFF

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2023

Fall 2023 STAFF

@UticaTangerine @Utica_Tangerine @Utica_Tangerine

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Editor-In-Chief - Mickale Thompson Managing Editor - Diana Sidorevich Layout Editor - Chakradhar Palli News Editor - Selma Dizdarevic Features Editor - Charlie Buckley Online Editor - Emma Goodspeed Multimedia Editor - Kayleigh Sturtevant Special Assigments - Kayden Lamphere Sports Reporter - Nick Phillips Enterprise Reporter - Mariami Kentchadze Staff Photographer - Luke Reed Circulation Manager - Juan Garcia Circulation Manager - Michael Campbell Adviser - Mary Christopher

About The Tangerine is published biweekly during the academic year by and for Utica University students. To reach a member of the staff, email tanger@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 University 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 tanger@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.

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 University.

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EDITORIAL

PAGE 3 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2023

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Acts of premeditated violence have become ‘traumatic’ ◊ MICKALE THOMPSON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF EDITOR’S NOTE: This article contains references to death and violence.

When the four students at the University of Idaho were tragically killed last November one of the victim’s mothers said “Stop everything, everybody in the whole world stop.”

On Aug. 28, the start of the school year, the University of North Carolina went into lockdown and later mourned the loss of one of its professors following another active school shooting, one of more than 500 mass shootings in America since the start of 2023.

The world doesn’t stop, does it?

The acts of violence we see locally and across the

globe are happening at high frequencies; despite every death and every tear shed the cycle continues and gets much worse.

In Israel, the death toll has surpassed 2,000 following the unprecedented Oct.7 attack by Hamas, a militant group dubbed a terrorist organization by the United States. As for Ukraine, their fight for sovereignty against Russian forces is far from over but whether gun violence hits close to home or not, the mother was right — the world should stop and address its issues because people are dying, and families are left distraught due to acts of senseless, premeditated killings.

Since the attacks, the Biden Administration has continued to support both countries with military aid and is set to approach

Congress with a $100 billion funding package, according to the Wall Street Journal. As a community seeing innocent families torn apart — images and videos of civilians in fear for their lives can be hard for anyone to comprehend.

But through it, we’re able to grasp the seriousness of this war and how it can affect individuals with or without ties to Israel.

“People in Gaza and people in Israel will have a traumatic memory from this event,” said Alon Levkowitz, senior lecturer and chair of the Social Science and Civics department at BarIIan University, one of the largest research universities in Israel. He spoke at a PioTalk event held at Utica University on Oct. 13. “Just think about the trauma the United States had from 9/11. From the Israeli point

of view this Gaza attack — slaughtering of kids — for some of us this is 9/11.

[And] we want to find ways to prevent the next 9/11 that will occur in Gaza.”

The recent discussions among students and faculty showed that what’s happening in Israel or Ukraine isn’t their trauma alone to bear. Despite those in Gaza and across Israel losing loved ones and being without necessities, they have continued to show great courage in the mids of tragedy.

However, as we continue to emphasize and realize the implications of this ongoing crisis — know that crimes against humanity aren’t indifferent to any country or society. And we must denounce hatred in all its forms and take of ourselves and each other.

Campus Safety Blotter Date Of Incident Time Of Incident

Short Description

Building

10/10/2023

11:43 AM

Vehicle driving on grass

Parking Lot

10/10/2023

10:18 PM

Fire Alarm

North Hall

10/11/2023

10:55 AM

Fire Alarm

North Hall

10/11/2023

11:00 AM

Confiscated Item

North Hall

10/11/2023

10:10 AM

Vehicle Parking Violations

10/12/2023

8:45 AM

Motor Vehicle Damage

Parking Lot

10/13/2023

12:10 PM

Roommate Conflict

North Hall

10/13/2023

9:45 PM

Alcohol Violation

10/13/2023

11:30 PM

Room Damage

Boehlert Hall

10/13/2023

11:45 PM

Suspicious Activity

Boehlert Hall

10/15/2023

12:12 AM

Prohibited Activity

Francis A. Wilcox Intercultural

10/16/2023

12:00 PM

Vehicle Traffic Violation

Roadway

10/16/2023

1:23 PM

Vehicle Traffic Violation

Roadway

PAGE 4

NEWS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2023

CON. FROM PAGE 1

ball game.”

said. “Because other militant organizations from [the] northern part of Israel and other militant organizations in Syria might decide to join the war.”

Since the attack, over 2,000 people have been killed, according to The Wall Street Journal. USA Today reported that though individuals with or without ties to Israel might not be affected directly by the ongoing violence — the traumatic images and news coverage — mental health experts say can still cause traumatic stress.

Levkowitz said the money Hamas invested into building facilities — money given by states and organizations to build civilian infrastructure in Gaza — was wasted on building their “military might.”

“If all this money [billions],” Levkowitz said.

“Would have been used for civilian use; it would have been a different

Kaylee Seddio, assistant professor of psychology, said what motivates someone to engage in extremist behavior is the idea of being left out. This creates an in-group out-

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group mindset resulting in a compromised selffeeling and identity.

“Sometimes [the] response is to become radicalized,” said Seddio, who has worked with people who’ve expressed trauma ranging from refugees in the European region to sex trafficking victims. “[And] to engage in some of these extreme behaviors… the motivation behind that is often this feeling of yourself being minimized in some way.”

Ariel Gratch, assistant professor of Communication and Media who conducted

research in Israel and studied how Jews and Israelis explained their cultural identities, said discussion events are important for college campuses and the pursuit of knowledge.

“Rarely in life do we find ourselves in situations like this, where we can share diverse stories, opinions, and ideas, some of which might be difficult to hear,” Gratch said.

“If we can do this in an ethical way and with the goal of understanding and empathy, I think it’s one of the most important things we can do at a university.”

An estimsted 60 people attended the Pio Talk in person on Oct. 13. //Photo: Luke Reed

NEWS

PAGE 5 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2023

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Utica University to bring back three previously chartered Greek organizations organizations on campus is how they select their members.

“They’re really looking for the person that’s going to embody what they’re organization stands for, and I think that’s really unique,” Daley said.

“They’re not just picking anybody to be a part of it, they’re really engaging with the community and figuring out how they can best support the student academically, socially, emotionally, whatever it may be and providing them with the right resources.”

Alpha Phi Alpha Greek letters on display. //Courtesy of Dr. Anthony Baird ◊ SELMA DIZDAREVIC NEWS EDITOR Work is underway in the Utica University campus community to reinstate 3 multicultural Greek organizations, including Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated, Omega Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated.

The three at one point in time were all chartered organizations at the university. The thought behind the revitalization of Greek life on campus is to expand culture, excitement, vibrancy within campus life and to accommodate the needs of the evergrowing diversity in the student population.

Devlin Daley, assistant director of campus engagement, oversees all functions of Greek life and said her department,

Student Living and Campus Engagement (SLCE), looks to increase the diversity in student involvement with Greek life.

According to Daley, the revitalization process will allow students to engage with alumni who are affiliated with these Greek organizations.

“We have such a diverse student population that trying to find a Greek life home for as many students as possible is our aim and goal in my area, but then also allowing our undergraduate students to connect with alumni in this way,” Daley said.

“They’re gonna have this shared experience, it’s super unique and something that we’re really excited about.”

What makes these multicultural organizations different from the larger and more social Greek

One of the organizations the university will bring back is Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, a historically African American fraternity, first established in 1906 at Cornell University.

Utica University’s Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Dr. Anthony Baird is a “longstanding member” of the organization, having pledged when he was a student at Utica University, then Utica College of Syracuse.

Baird noted that initiating the “reclamation or the bringing back of Black Greek organizations” at Utica University was driven by the growing diversity on campus, which is now at 27%.

The work to bring back these organizations has brought a number of successes to the university, especially in the realm of student and alumni relations.

“It’s with that effort that we’re winning on a number

of fronts,” Baird said. “We are reconnecting with our alumni, generating revenue to create scholarships [and] our students are being able to connect back with alumni for networking opportunities.”

“We’re bringing alumni back to the campus to be part of the fabric, part of the culture, part of the climate and we think it’s been an amazing alignment born out of need and convenience and desire.”

The “need” and “desire” for multicultural Greek organizations is especially pertinent to students of color who are tasked with navigating predominantly white spaces.

“The [Black Student Union] and Greek life help so many of us persist while surviving a predominantly white college campus,” Baird said, speaking from his own experience.

“That’s not an indictment, that’s recognizing that when you’re one of a few in an environment of many,” he said. “Then you start to wonder how do you fit in, and so creating a balance of people in the community is really important to student survival.”

Mark Kovacs, the executive director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and coordinator for community relations, who first began his career at Utica as the director of residence life in 1989 said there was a very strong presence of Greek life on campus.

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NEWS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2023

CON. FROM PAGE 5 “Greek Life has always been a part of our institution,” Kovacs said. “Some being local organizations and others national. What is also unique about our Greek Life at Utica University is that members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, also known as the Divine Nine, have been a rich part of our history.”

Kovacs recalled watching Baird interact with his Alpha Phi Alpha brothers as a student and noted the closeness shared between them.

“Watching him with his brothers, there was a certain bond and a certain tie that did not just excel academically but also excelled culturally on campus and had lots of offerings for others to belong to and attend and join in,” Kovacs said.

Daley, Baird and Kovacs all admitted that the current revitalization of Greek life is hard work.

“You need a certain amount of members to be recognized as a chapter. We got to get the support of the institution, whoever’s coming in to be interested [and] they have to be

aware of what it is,” Baird said. “There [are] students of this generation that have no real idea of what Black Greek organizations or what Greek life is supposed to be about.”

The work has become considerably harder with the lingering impact of COVID-19 on student involvement rates, according to Daley.

However, SLCE has introduced a new policy this semester to help with engagement levels by allowing first-year students to join Greek organizations during their first semester on campus rather than in their second.

“COVID really hurt Greek life,” Daley said.

“It hurt a lot of clubs and organizations and student engagement overall but now being able to market in the first few weeks just like another club or organization would be able to has spurred their excitement.”

Students involved in Greek organizations are required by the university to have at least a 2.0 GPA and first year students in their first semester are required to sign a contract agreeing to maintain that GPA, risking academic probation if they fail to.

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The results of this new student engagement model have worked well overall, according to Daley, who hopes “that trend continues.”

Terry Kirabo Nagginda, a cybersecurity major and sister of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated, joined the sorority at the end of her sophomore year, which happened to be when the Utica chapter was reactivated.

“Actually, last semester we just had a reactivation of the chapter, which is myself,” Nagginda said. “I came in as a solo which is a class of one. Right now it’s just myself. It’s [only] been a semester since the reactivation but it’s definitely the chapter’s number one goal to grow the chapter back to the way that it was on campus.”

Despite being in the company of one in her sorority, she communicates regularly with other sisters of Sigma Gamma Rho sisters from other institutions.

“I’m the only chapter member on campus right now, but I do not feel alone at all,” Nagginda said. “We have chapters in Syracuse, SUNY Albany, SUNY Binghamton, Cornell

[and] SUNY Cortland.”

A major value of Sigma Gamma Rho, which is a part of the Divine Nine, is education.

According to Nagginda, many individuals outside of Greek life fail to recognize the purpose of Greek organizations which, contrary to popular belief, extends beyond socialization.

“I do realize that many people do not get the proper idea of sororities,” she said. “It might look like it’s just for friendships and all of that, but I think I’m living proof that I did not join just for friendships because I’m the only one here.”

Nagginda is working to revitalize Sigma Gamma Rho on campus, which she likes to think of as a “comeback” rather than a reinstatement. She steps and strolls at events and helps people gain a sense of what her sorority stands for.

“I’d hate for people to have no idea of what this looks like,” she said. “[Greek life] is definitely something you have to give time to read about and research and understand properly.”

NEWS

PAGE 7 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2023

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Applied Ethics Institution partners with VICTR ◊ KAYDEN LAMPHERE SPECIAL ASSIGMENTS REPORTER

The Applied Ethics Institute at Utica University is partnering with the Virtual International Consortium for Truth Research (VICTR) in hopes of spreading more information about the way people think.

Associate Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Applied Ethics Institute Douglas Edwards is excited about the partnership and said it is a new way for students to experience philosophical thinking.

“One of the main mission statements of VICTR is to share work on truth,” Edwards said. “We want to push it beyond the regular academic formats.

VICTR was initially set up as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Edward said, as a way for philosophers and students alike to continue speaking on major issues.

“It offers a virtual environment for people who work on truth,” Edwards said. “It allows us to communicate our ideas and present research. We’ve been able to organize a lot of conferences and talks over the past few years through it.”

According to Edwards, the partnership is a much-needed step forward for the philosophy program at Utica University since the

Professor Edwards stands in his office located in the Faculty Center. // Photo: Kayden Lamphere

university announced it is sunsetting the philosophy major.

“There was of course the academic portfolio review, which led to some questions about the role of philosophy at Utica,” Edwards said.

“In a time where people believe disciplines and humanities, like philosophy, don’t have much relevance, it’s important to show how significant they actually are to everyday life.”

On Oct. 2, the first talk broadcasted to Utica University titled “Tricky truths: How should alethic pluralism accommodate racial truths” was held,

aimed at examining how race is handled socially.

Ragnar Van Der Merwe, a post-doctoral research fellow at the University of Johannesburg and speaker during the talk, hopes that participants took away the message of truths not being divisible.

“They cannot be separated into realist versus anti-realist,” Van Der Merwe said.

According to Van Der Merwe, the VICTR system is one that affords the luxury of accessibility, allowing philosophers and researchers to spread their ideas.

“The online platform means that anyone can attend,” Van Der Merwe said. “The discussions can be interactive and productive [that way].”

This partnership is something that students and staff should look forward to, according to Edwards, as it will allow everyone the chance to think critically about the world they live in.

“It’s an opportunity to bring what we are doing in VICTR to Utica,” Edwards said. “We can give students a chance to engage with work on truth, morals and social issues.”

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NEWS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2023

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Utica Promise brings Proctor’s top students to campus ◊ DIANA SIDOREVICH MANAGING EDITOR Young Scholars was established in 1993, partnering Utica University with the Utica City School District (UCSD), and is designed to motivate students to stay in school, earn a New York State Regents diploma with Advanced Designation and pursue a college education.

Around 79% of Young Scholars are from minority or refugee backgrounds and at least 90% are first-generation college students.

The Utica Promise is a package Young Scholars (YS) graduates receive if they earn an Advanced Regents Diploma from Proctor High School. Students with an Advanced Regents Diploma receive financial help consisting of scholarships, grants, loans and work-study positions.

Assistant Director of Young Scholars Dorentina Binaku is a Young Scholars graduate. As a child of refugee parents, she said the program opened up college as an option for her future because it wouldn’t be financially feasible without the help.

“Once Young Scholars came along, our motto is ‘grow big dreams,’ and it truly allowed me to grow mine,” Binaku said.

She went on to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree without accruing financial debt.

“That’s the thing that

Young Scholars students on campus for the Autism Awareness Walk. //Courtesy of Utica’s Young Scholars office

12-year-old me would have never seen in the future,” Binaku said.

Binaku’s job at Young Scholars “truly fulfills a purpose” for her. She was inspired by the program’s commitment to helping the students succeed by spending weekends with them helping to do community service events and networking with people in the community. “...That’s something that I want to give back to the program…because this community has done so much for me,” Binaku said.

Student Government Association President Kathi Jabe is a Young Scholar alum, as are the president and vice president of the sophomore classes Eh Moo Serr and Genesis

Campbell respectively.

Although the additional financial assistance gives some students an incentive to attend Utica University, students are not obligated to attend Utica. Young Scholars takes high school YS students on college visits through their education, and out of the 43 Proctor YS students, 39 are enrolled in college and 13 are attending Utica.

Students are offered tutoring by Utica University students, summer programming, enrichment activities like college and career exploration, mentorship and SAT exam preparation.

Students also have opportunities to be placed in paid internships at businesses throughout the Mohawk Valley to prepare them

for a successful college experience.

Binaku said she loves going to the YS sites at the schools every week and talking to students about their college aspirations and the majors they want to pursue. She said the Utica Promise is a big motivational booster for students because of the support system the program becomes for students. Finances play a large role in whether students decide to go to college and which college they’ll choose.

The Utica Promise helps them realize that college is possible for them, Binaku said.

“I think I wouldn’t be where I am without the Young Scholars program,”Jabe said.

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NEWS

PAGE 9 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2023 CON. FROM PAGE 8 Jabe is a biochemistry major and a firstgeneration college student.

Understanding how to prepare for college and applying for colleges was a difficult process for her to understand when she was in high school, she said.

She took summer classes at then Utica College in the STEAM program, the STEM program combined with arts, along with other high school students. Utica professors taught the classes, assisted by mostly

Utica students as TAs. Having someone already in college be there to answer questions and talk about their experience helps prospective college students, Jabe said. She now works in the Young Scholars office as an office assistant, tutors high school and middle school scholars and assists high school students who come into labs on campus to do experiments.

“I’m very grateful to still be a part of it,” Jabe said. “It wasn’t all about academics.

Young

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Scholars was really a place where I met my best friend. We felt like we were making a difference.

We got to connect on a deeper level than just classmates.”

Education major Ju Mi La made some of her closest friends and was prepared for leadership roles in Young Scholars. Being a leader and setting an example is a strong message in the program; you have to think about who and what you represent, La said.

Ju Mi La salutatorian

was of

the her

graduating class.

A number of Young Scholars have made it in the top ten graduating students at Proctor, including math major Andrew Nu who graduated ninth in a class of over 600 students.

“Everything that we do makes other people [students in middle school] want to be a Young Scholar,” La said. “Being a Young Scholar, seeing that because of what you’re doing and the image you represent, the younger kids also want to be like you, you’re automatically set as a role model.”

Tangerine Grove extends, offers more accessibility to students rely on staffing through volunteer availability like the B23 Hubbard Hall location and is now open to all members of the university community.

Pantry coordinator Erin Kelly said the original location at Hubbard Hall is currently stocked with more food and the extension is stocked with more hygiene products, but the supply of food and hygiene products will be determined based on how often the extension is utilized and what the need is.

Jenn Rubino restocking pantry shelves. // Photo: Diana Sidorevich

◊ DIANA SIDOREVICH MANAGING EDITOR

The Tangerine Grove, Utica’s campus food pantry, opened an extension in Strebel 204 with 24/7 access.

The offshoot branch was implemented last spring to offer more accessibility to students because of its central location on the campus. The extension also doesn’t

Currently, the pantry is focused on keeping enough food available to meet the students’ needs.

“We’ve run out of food a lot,” Kelly said.

“The need seems to be growing and more people know about us.

It’s hard sometimes to keep enough food on the shelves.”

The pantry is stocked

through mostly faculty and staff donations, leftover packaged foods from events on campus and food purchased from a grant from Swipe Out Hunger, an organization that supports campus food pantries.

According to Kelly, there’s a stigma surrounding the use of food pantries.

“It’s something that we fight and we try to tell people, we don’t ask for proof of financial need,” Kelly said.

The need varies from occasional to consistent needs. The pantry is either visited by commuters who forget their lunch or wallet and need a snack to students with more consistent needs who sometimes bring food to their homes.

Kelly’s dream would be to have a bigger space CON. ON PAGE 10

NEWS

PAGE 10 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2023 CON. FROM PAGE 9 and add a thrift store or clothing exchange component to the Tangerine Grove.

“If we had an environment that was open to anyone, that wasn’t just a ‘food pantry,’ that would go a little ways towards reducing that stigma,” Kelly said.

Volunteer Rhiana Wojcik said fellow students may not think she has a need because she has several campus jobs, including working at the dining

hall, but she benefits from the pantry as well.

“I personally go down there all the time so I want to make it a place that everyone would want to go and not feel ashamed,” Wojcik said.

“A lot of students feel like if they go down to the pantry it’s because they’re poor…but if you just need a quick snack to grab or make new friends, you can go down there.”

The pantry is looking to stock more ethnic food products. Wojcik, who

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also donates specific items like curly hair products for students who need more specialized products, said she refers commuter students who come to the dining hall to the pantry to pick up food for the weekend.

and, as a staff member, has a more predictable schedule than students do. Racioppa used to be a teacher in an area that was a food desert and saw the impact hunger had on kids’ energy and ability to focus.

“I ask people what they would like to see and if I can, I’ll go out and buy it,” Wojcik said.

She said the extension will serve students who aren’t able to come to the Hubbard location between classes because of the varying hours of the locations and students who have night classes, can’t make it to the dining hall at a reasonable time or

Alexis Racioppa, a career coach at the Center for Career Readiness, said she volunteers at the pantry because she cares about food access and equity

NEWS

PAGE 11 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2023

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Utica University adds electric charging stations to campus parking lots ◊ ELEANOR BERKHOUDT CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Electric vehicle (EV) owners on Utica University’s campus will not have to travel far for a charge. Fourteen EV charging stations are being installed on campus.

The stations are utilized through quick response (QR) codes that users can scan through the app EVoke. Users pay for the service through the app, which includes a base fee and a charge for the amount of power the vehicle consumes.

There is an additional fee if the user does not unplug their vehicle within 30 minutes after it is finished charging.

Utica University Vice President for Facilities and Emergency Management Shad Crowe said the charging stations are available to EV owners on campus as well as those in the surrounding area.

Phase one of two consisted of installing two EV charging stands, each with two ports, in Parking Lot A behind the Welcome Center.

Phase two is currently in progress where five more EV charging stands are being installed in Parking Lot B across from F. Eugene Romano Hall.

Crowe said the project began a few years ago and the decision to install EV charging stations was prompted by an increase in electric vehicles on

campus in recent years.

Approval came after New York State and National Grid offered incentives to install the stations and then make them available to the general public.

Utica carefully selected the location of the EV charging stations based on safety, accessibility and convenience.

The university took traffic patterns into consideration as well as the availability of a power supply and the presence of light sources. The Welcome Center lent itself as a direct power source for the EV charging stations in Parking Lot A. For safety purposes, another light post will be added in Parking Lot B during phase two of the installation process to make the area better lit.

commute to work and back without using any gas.

is always pushing the envelope to be “greener with every opportunity.”

“I have a plug-in hybrid so the batteries only hold about 50 miles worth,” Schoonmaker said. “I live about 35 miles away, so when I drive here I’ve mostly used them and in three hours I can charge them back up to full, which gets me back home again so it works perfectly.”

“We’re looking at solar right now and different applications for solar use on campus,” Crowe said. “It’s just a matter of trying to figure out from a fiscally responsible standpoint, but also an energy responsible standpoint, what can we do to push our campus to become more and more green.”

Crowe said the university

The university faced some challenges regarding the software used to access the charging stations but the program is now working properly after faculty and staff with EVs tested the software and helped work out the initial glitches.

Professor of Geology Adam Schoonmaker said the EVoke app works better than other charging station apps he used in the past. He also uses the charging stations every day since they were installed, allowing him to recharge the battery of his plugin hybrid so that he can

EV charging station located on campus. // Photo: Eleanor Berkhoudt

FEATURES

PAGE 12 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2023

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Animal Rescue inspired by travels: Traveling Tails and Ragamuffin ◊ CHARLIE BUCKLEY FEATURES EDITOR After completing an internship in California, grad student Jordyn Bucci-Mooney began her cross country drive back home. She drove through the Navajo reservation, located in the four corners area of the country, a spot where the states of Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado meet.

Bucci-Mooney was shocked as she watched a dog run across the road in the rural desert through which she drove. After turning around, she was surprised to find about 8 to 9 stray dogs wandering around a gas station. It was in this moment she found her inspiration for creating Traveling Tails and Ragamuffin Rescue, an animal rescue nonprofit that helps rehome stray dogs and cats in the upstate New York area.

“If you’re from the northeast, this is a very odd scene to come across. It’s definitely not something we’d ever witness here,” Bucci-Mooney said.

“I soon found out it was very common on the Navajo reservation for dogs to be left at gas stations because there are so few sources available for vet care and shelter access.”

She had returned to California again the following year, and planned ahead to intentionally go through the Navajo reservation on her way back to New York.

She picked up a mother dog and two pups at the reservation.

The bond she had with one of the puppies solidified her idea to begin the animal

Jordyn Mooney (left) pets a dog accompanied by two others. // Courtesy of ttrrescue offical Instagram account rescue. In November 2022, Bucci-Mooney and some friends founded Traveling Tails and Ragamuffin Rescue.

“I realized there needed to be a more formal way to go about this, both in getting vet care for the animals and screening for properly matching people with dogs or cats that are going to fit their family,” Bucci-Mooney said.

After starting the animal rescue, Bucci-Mooney wanted to take it a step further, certifying it as a nonprofit, so the rescue would be tax exempt.

“We began the process and wrote down our visions, our goals and brought another board member on, and in July of 2023 we received our 501c3 nonprofit status,” Bucci-Mooney said.

Since the start of the animal rescue, they’ve facilitated 31 animal adoptions. The rescue looked for help with fostering the animals until their adoptions were finalized. Students from Utica took them in and have become volunteer members of the organization since. Two students are currently on the executive board for the organization as well.

Chipotle will benefit the animal rescue by covering veterinary appointments and other animal needs.

Jessilyn Pereira, a junior communications major, is part of the executive board but wanted to do more.

“My friend Sam had ordered a burrito from Chipotle for delivery and heard a sound at the door, she assumed it was her food and opened the door to find a cat sitting there,” Pereira said. “Shortly after, the cat just waltzed into the house and relaxed on the floor so we got a call from Sam saying that we had a new cat at the house for the rescue.”

Pereira helped with fundraising and event coordinating which led to her becoming the treasurer of the rescue. Pereira is currently coordinating a Chipotle fundraiser on Nov. 6, where 33% of the money spent that day at

Pereira said she loved all the animals that have been adopted since the start of the organization, especially ones that had funny stories behind how they were taken in. One of her personal favorites was how they got a cat they named Burrito.

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Saranac Brewery expands with outdoor Biergarten ◊ MICKALE THOMPSON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Founded in Utica in 1888 by German immigrant Francis Matt, FX Matt Brewing Company, known as Saranac Brewery 135 years later, unveiled a new outdoor 18,000-square-foot space in downtown Utica capable of hosting up to 1,300 people.

In 2016, the company opened the 1888 Tavern to the public which for years just served samples on tours.

Now its new outdoor space, the Biergarten, is focused on creating an immersive family experience with its pet-friendly environment, outside seating, games and food such as hibachi and the “Big Matt Burger.”

“We really try to focus on appealing to everyone,” said Mark Equinozzi, marketing director and brand manager at FX Matt Brewery Company.

“Whether you want to come grab lunch Thursday or Friday while you’re leaving work or it’s a weekend [and] you want to come out with the family, bring your pets. We try to make it so it’s something where it’s extremely inclusive and there’s something there for everybody.”

Throughout its history, the brewery has survived prohibition and expanded its product line with its most recent acquisition being the Flying Dog, a brewery located in Maryland. That paired with the Flying Bison Brewery in Buffalo, Lake Placid Brewery, Mckenzie Cider and Kingfisher, an Indian lager beer, the company owns and distributes a wide variety

The Biergraden is located at 830 Varick Street and is opened three days a week. // Courtesy of Mark Equinozzi

of beverages across the United States all while acquiring zero debt and remaining family-owned and operated through four generations.

“We have a beverage for every drinking occasion and every drinker,” FX Matt’s Chief Sales Office Dave Mevoli said. “We can cover cider, craft beer to really approachable pale ale or lager. So it’s a really unique portfolio to have and to represent.”

Currently, the company is run by brothers Nick and Fred Matt. And over the past three years, the brewery has seen a $56 million expansion and has become well known

for its award-winning IPA “Clouded Dream” which went on to win four gold medals and receive national awards.

Though the Biergarten will operate on a seasonal basis, the brewery can take advantage of experiential marketing by testing out products on consumers directly to increase creativity.

“Our brewers like to be creative and we’re always looking to try out something new,” Mevoli said. “And the great thing that this affords us is we can brew… some other style that we’re not necessarily known for and we can test it out amongst consumers…

and if something is a hit we bring that out to the commercial public.”

Equinozzi said the brewery will continue to stick to the roots that were established at the start to continually give customers a quality crafted beer.

“We will definitely stick with that same mindset and always make sure that we’re making good beer that is going to be drunk by good people,” he said. “And we always will make sure to do it in a very inclusive way.”

“We don’t want to ever be known for anything else besides good beer, good people and inclusivity.”

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Utica University holds first annual Coming Out Day ◊ JESSILYN PEREIRA CONTRIBUTING WRITER Utica University celebrated National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11 by creating a mural and telling the stories of LGBTQIA+ Pioneers across campus.

The office of Academic Affairs and Interim Provost Stephanie Nesbitt organized the event in Strebel Center where students, faculty and staff participated in the creation of the Coming Out Day mural covered with painted handprints of different colors. The office of Academic Affairs plans to display the handprint mural somewhere on campus.

Tables were set up with information and LQBTQ+ themed snacks. To cap off the celebration, Nesbitt told her coming out story and encouraged anyone who wanted to to share their own stories. Many did.

“I had a great time, they gave me cookies and stickers,” said Julia Tyrel, a childhood education major. “You get to see just how expansive this specific community is on campus.”

Many students passing through Strebel enjoyed the event.

LGBTQIA+ stickers, bracelets, pins and pamphlets were available to passerbyers.

Queer and allied students found support in one another.

Sully Walker, co-vice president of the Gender Sexuality Alliance, said as a queer person in the community, he wants others to experience a supportive environment.

“I’m glad we’re taking steps in a more inclusive direction,” Walker said.

“Coming out it’s a very tough time that makes a lot of people feel

excluded or isolated and I think showing you are not alone with a community that has often felt ignored is important.”

According to Walker, it can be hard for members of the LQBTQIA+ community to feel safe in today’s political climate.

States throughout the country are pushing anti-trans and anti-gay bills, but Utica University has shown support to its students and faculty by giving them a space to come out and be themselves.

“I’ve never experienced anything but a welcoming campus here,” Nesbitt said.

One of the reasons Nesbitt wanted to organize this event was in response to student surveys revealing they felt the LGBTQIA+

community wasn’t visible around campus.

“I think it’s important when you’re in a leadership role to lead authentically, and that means I lead as who I am and I’m open about it so that students know that it’s OK to be yourself,” Nesbitt said. “One of the things that’s been sad for me as an individual within the community is in June, when it’s Pride Month, the students aren’t here. So I think it’s really important to me to have more events and to make sure that we’re embracing those members of our community.”

Since the event was a success, Academic Affairs is looking forward to holding another Coming Out Day event next year, she said.

The spirit of pura vida: Gaining a different perspective in Costa Rica ◊ BREANNAN O’HARA GUEST WRITER One expression I fell in love with in Costa Rica is pura vida. The term translates to “pure life,” but I have learned that it’s much more than that. It’s an attitude towards life that emphasizes gratitude about the simple things and the idea that life is what you make it out to be. This atmosphere can be sensed all around Costa Rica and brings feelings of calmness and bliss.

Most places I go to are in the same vicinity as my homestay so I do a lot of walking. Whether I am going to class or downtown, I feel secure. During my

walks, I engage all my senses to experience my new surroundings.

I hear the melodies of the tropical songbirds.

I smell the crisp air and fresh orichids. I see joyful smiles all around. I stop and taste the rich foods at local sodas. I pet the neighborhood dogs and cats which always makes my day. All together, these observations relate to pura vida, to notice and appreciate the small things.

In my first few weeks of courses, I noticed the atmosphere of the university facilitates an eagerness to learn

because of its positive emotional and physical space. It’s full of natural light and views of the vast mountain range.

The study areas are surrounded by unique indoor landscapes with open ceilings that allow fresh air in. Students and professors are welcoming and carry a stress free attitude. Positive energy radiates throughout the campus.

One aspect of the learning system here that’s different from home is that there are no course exams.This eases the stress that students experience from exams.

Each of my courses has a weekend and a few day field trips to nature preserves where we conduct research.

According to the professors, the field trips serve as a teaching tool, a natural lab setting and a wellness center.

On the weekends, I explore areas outside of the city. The diverse and unique geography of Costa Rica is seen as one of earth’s greatest wonders. I’ve witnessed the beauty of an enormous volcano surrounded by lush

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PAGE 15 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2023 CON FROM PAGE 14 rainforests and white sand beaches with crystal clear waters on the Caribbean sea. I experienced pura vida during these trips. Why be worried or stressed when you are living in a tropical paradise, Costa Ricans say.

My excursion to the town of La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano was unforgettable.

The volcano is the

centerpiece of the area and the town is full of history, hidden waterfalls, natural hot springs and dense rainforests surrounded by dense rainforests.

At the bottom of a 500step trail laid a majestic waterfall surrounded by dense greenery and hanging vines. The water formed into a stream that flowed through rigid rock formations. Fish swam gracefully against the current and sloths

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lazed in the trees above.

The 500 steps were worth it. We relaxed in the water heated naturally by the volcano, gazing at a breathtaking view.

Smoke gently oozed out of the top of the volcano and imprints of old lava and ash eruptions made a unique pattern on the sides. I really took the time to soak in this tranquil environment.

The pura vida attitude has shown me a different perspective on life. It is

a way to connect with people and share a common appreciation for life and all that it brings.

These past weeks, I have grown accustomed to this attitude and it has significantly impacted my gratitude and contentment.

Breannan O’Hara is a junior majoring in animal behavior with a minor in journalism and is studying aboard in Costa Rica for the Fall 2023 semester.

Beach and mountain view in Costa Rica. // Courtesy of Breannan O’Hara

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Women’s Wrestling looks forward to program’s first season Fontaine said. “We’re looking for positive growth in all three of our programs for years to come, but we also want them to have the best experience that they possibly can at Utica University.”

Connor Lapresi is the first women’s wrestling head coach. // Courtesy of Uticapioneers.com

◊ NICK PHILLIPS SPORTS REPORTER Shortly after Utica University announced in September 2022 the addition of women’s gymnastics along with men’s and women’s wrestling, Connor Lapresi was named Utica’s firstever women’s wrestling head coach.

Now one year later, Lapresi said he is focused on laying the foundation of the wrestling program.

“From the basics of the sport to the basics of what makes a team, we are having these discussions early and are building what we want to become,” Lapresi said.

“We’re also focusing on the little things such as doing breathing exercises with the athletic counselor on campus, Allison Matlak.”

Lapresi spent last year coaching women’s wrestling at Ferrum College in Ferrum, Virginia. Before that, he was an assistant coach for two seasons at SUNY

Cortland where he taught a variety of classes in physical education.

While in college, Lapresi started his journey at Bucknell University before he transferred to Cornell University where he graduated in 2018.

A two-time All-American in wrestling at Lansing High, Lapresi served as the team’s captain for two seasons and said he wants to hit the ground running this season, not necessarily in records, but in the overall decorum.

“There’s no reason why,” Lapresi said. “ We can’t carry ourselves as if it’s our fifth or tenth year as a program.”

Freshman wrestler Gillian Mills said the university adding men’s and women’s wrestling not only offers new opportunities for wrestlers in New York State but is a great opportunity for Utica to participate in the sport.

Like Lapresi, Mills said even as a first-year program, the wrestlers

aim to make an impact.

“My hopes for the upcoming season is to build a foundation for the start of the women’s team,” Mills said. “I also hope that our team can qualify for nationals because as a first-year program that means we are on the right track in making the program successful.”

Utica University Athletic Director David Fontaine said he is excited about the university adding women’s wrestling, along with men’s wrestling and women’s gymnastics.

“I’m happy Connor [Lapresi] is aboard. He’s led a couple of teams and he’s in the wrestling world,” Fontaine said.

“I’m looking forward to him producing on the recruiting side of things.”

Fontaine hopes that the new athletes have a good experience at Utica and are setting in academically at the university.

“If they need anything we’re here to help them,”

Whenever a new sport is added at Utica all players, coaches and stats are added to uticapioneers. com. Adam Ziobrowski, director of sports information, is charged with overseeing the website operation.

Ziobrowski said the website is powered by Sidearm. Through what he calls the “backend of the website,” he is able to create and edit rosters with all of the coaches and athletes for each sport.

From there, Ziobrowski creates a roster in the stat programs with the same names that are on the website. When a game ends he uploads the XML files to the backend and the website takes those files and produces what is on Uticapioneers.com.

When asked how he will keep track of wrestling, Ziobrowski said it will be a learning experience for his department.

“Wrestling [much like golf, cross country, track & field] isn’t a sport where you sit and stat a game,” Ziobrowksi said.

“Thus, there is no XML for the website to pull from.

It sounds like we will be keeping a running list of stats until hopefully there becomes a cleaner way in the future.”