“I Love Female Orgasm” educates students on sexual acceptance

In the world of mass media—a world where sex stands front and center—it is odd that “sex” remains a taboo topic, particularly in sexual education. Geneseo Campus Activities Board held an event called “I Love Female Orgasm” in Wadsworth Auditorium on Friday Sept. 9 that addressed these issues, focusing on the lack of female sexual empowerment in society. It should never come to someone seeing Cosmopolitan’s “23 Things You Don’t Know About Sex” and wondering, “What don’t I know? What did the widely spread sex education way of abstinence fail to teach me?” Well, it often fails to teach that sex—especially for women—isn’t shameful.

Many women face the stigma of being labeled a ‘slut’ for enjoying sex, or find it difficult to speak about what they want when it comes to being intimate with their partner because they feel ashamed to acknowledge their own sexual needs.

The night conveyed to first timers a new and improved view of intimacy, while also bringing the returners food for thought. The talk not only addressed the importance of sexual education, but it also promoted the empowerment frequently found from being sexual.

Co-founder of Sex Discussed Here! Dorian Solot took the attendees through an educational and interactive journey. Solot used the two-hour presentation to discuss the female anatomy in depth.

In most high school sexual education classes, students are educated on the basic parts of the human reproductive system. During her speaking event, however, Solot took the time to teach what makes the reproductive system fun. She also encouraged attendees to have their significant other listen up so that they, too, could learn where the intimate parts of the human body are—that way the couple can have a closer connection next time they get “closer.” Moreover, Solot’s safe sex education encouraged couples to explore what works best for them.

A large part of the talk discussed how many people feel discouraged about their sex life and feel they must hide it. Solot’s gender-inclusive program not only encouraged women to feel proud about their sexuality and desires, but also all genders and sexualities. The Female Orgasm may sound exclusive, but it works to help the LGBTQ+ community gain pride in their sexuality, as well.

Solot understood that the title might scare some away. She explained that the title of the talk can be catered to any school they go to. For example, Solot provides schools with a more conservative population a less aggressive title because alternative titles have gotten better publicity from more reserved populations of students. Overall, the name of the event shouldn’t deter you from checking it out and seeing if it benefits you. It might help you to improve your sex life with your partner or to become a guru among friends.

The “I Love Female Orgasm” event continuously takes the campus by storm. The intriguing conversations that follow—from being eager to enlighten others with the information Orgasm taught them to feeling empowered even against the pressures of media—always brightens the mood and confidence of the campus.

Dorm decor: tips to make a dreary room feel like home

Many students find themselves overwhelmed when it comes to moving in and adapting to their new living situations for the semester or new chapter in their lives. There always seems to be an insufficient amount of space for organization in the close confines of a dorm room. It can feel nearly impossible to keep a room looking fresh and welcoming. No need to fear—there are ways to combat the drab process of organizing a dorm room before the semester gets in full swing. Start with the basic under-the-bed storage. Instead of strategically placing boxes or laundry hampers under a bed, try putting a plastic set of drawers on wheels or large totes beneath a box spring. The totes can be used as extra storage for out-of-season clothing, linens and towels—things a student doesn’t need daily.

To spruce up the drawers, use scrapbook paper on the front facing panel. With this, you can customize and label what is inside. The decorated paper adds a classy and effortless look to any project. As Monroe resident assistants said, “Scrapbook paper makes it look like you have your life together.”

When in a pinch for cash and suffeing from bland wall colors, use paint sample chips to make a design or mosaic of sorts on the barren white walls. This brings a bright and lively feel to any room, all at a minimal cost.

This project can be taken to the next level by using the paint chips as reminders. For example, when something pops up, jot it down on a paint chip on the wall. For the ultimate level of artistic organization, create a calendar with the chips. It can be crafty, cute and practical.

Furthermore, combat that messy closet and desk with simple $1 finds from the Dollar Tree. Although many keep far away from this store or forget its convenience, it can be exactly what a college student with shallow pockets needs when searching for something cheap and resourceful. The Dollar Tree stocks an assortment of baskets for storage, which are great for separating one’s socks from their undergarments. Not to mention, the store carries sweet seasonal decorations to be the envy of the hall—all while not breaking the bank.

So when you need ideas for decorating and organizing your minimal space without spending a pretty penny, reference these simple, clever tips to brighten up your dorm.

Spice up your sex life this semester

It seems that many college students mark the new semester as a fresh start to a clean slate. Students promise themselves that they’ll make the Dean’s List, go to the gym more than twice a week or try new things when it comes to sex. It’s not actually a bad idea to safely experiment—not only can it relieve stress, but it also can be fun. Many students find that they are intrigued by the idea of trying novel sexual concepts, but have no idea where to start. One of the easier ways to experiment sexually is to bring new flavors to the bedroom. Changing up condoms can actually spice up one’s love life, in addition to promoting safe sex.

From texture to taste, a large variety of condoms exist. Partners can try different flavors together—maybe vanilla is the flavor for you when it comes to sex. One can also try different styles of the condoms, as ribbed condoms may bring a fresh sensation to that ‘same old same old’ vibe one gets from regular condoms. Spend a little more time in the condom aisle next time and see what strikes your fancy.

Furthermore, students should look at other things that interest them when brainstorming for new ideas. For example, roleplaying is widely recommended around campuses. When it comes to roleplay, find something that both you and your significant other like, and work from there. Many people might find the idea childish, weird or outside their comfort zone, but who knows, you might learn something about yourself or even gain a new level of trust in a relationship through roleplaying.

Defining your comfort zone before you start is vital so that your partner is keenly aware of how far you are comfortable going. Always remember to take your partner’s comfort level into consideration when trying new things in the bedroom, as well.

Another way students can spice up things sexually is through Kama Sutra. Despite the relative popularity of Kama Sutra, which has been around for years, many people have yet to use it. The practice brings sex and yoga together to make the activities more interesting. And hey, you can even burn a few calories while you’re at it.

Students can research Kama Sutra online to find the inspiration they’re looking for. Cosmopolitan published multiple articles regarding the topic, which also includes links to great lists. To add even more variety, you and your partner can both initiate a few new poses to try.

Don’t forget that Kama Sutra can be very strenuous. It’s important to remain aware of your limits when giving it an attempt. Don’t attempt to try a position that makes you worry that you may hurt yourself and regret stepping out of your comfort zone in the morning. There can be too much of a great thing.

Overall, when experimenting and starting this semester off with a “bang,” keep in mind that it’s OK to be open to trying new things—all while never forgetting to establish you and your partner’s comfort zones and to stay safe.

Healthy midterm munchies

Spring break is right around the corner, but this also means that midterms are looming near. For many college student, “stress eating” is a go-to when managing challenging situations like handling the sudden onslaught of draining exams.

To make matters worse, stress eating usually consists of junk food, which can lead to weight gain, acne and sluggish behavior. These results only make your stress levels increase. But have no fear, there are ways to beat unhealthy midterm cravings.

When you’re craving the ever-so popular, deliciously greasy pizza, switch it up a bit with this veggie pizza bites recipe that will leave you full and satisfied without feeling sluggish and bloated.

Zucchini Pizza Bites:

Ingredients:

One small zucchini

1/2 cup of goat cheese

1/4 cup of basil, minced

One cup of arugula or kale (shredded if desired)

1/4 shredded carrots

One tomato

One tablespoon olive oil

Instructions:

1. Peel zucchini and slice to 1/4 inch rounds. Set aside.

2. Dice tomato to 1/4 inch pieces.

3. In a bowl, coat and toss diced tomato with olive oil, minced basil and salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

4. Spread goat cheese on zucchini rounds.

5. Place arugula or kale on the zucchini rounds, then seasoned tomatoes and top it all off with shredded carrots. Add pepper to taste.

Valentine’s Day event brings warmth despite freezing temperatures

Over Valentine’s Day weekend from Saturday Feb. 13–Sunday Feb. 14, temperatures reached a brutal -11 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite nature casting an icy chill over campus, Geneseo Late Knight’s “Love Bites” event was more than able to provide enough love-themed gifts and goodies to warm up any frostbitten heart.

Held on Saturday Feb. 13 in the MacVittie College Union Lobby, “Love Bites” featured delicious hot chocolate, pink and red frosted cupcakes—which could be mistaken as a bed of roses from far away—and a wide variety of candies for its participants.

At the front desk, students were given wooden hearts that could be decorated with an assortment of colorful paints, heart-shaped gems and small mosaic tiles. Some students made these wooden Valentines for their partners, but the majority of the crafters made them for friends or themselves.

Freshman Dimitri Wing-Paul explained that despite social constructs, singles should still be able to go out and have just as much fun on Valentine’s Day. “I feel like people put so much emphasis on having a Valentine; just because you don’t have a Valentine doesn’t mean you are lonely or should feel that you should have a Valentine,” he said.

Wing-Paul was one of the individuals who decided to make a decorated heart for himself. “I’m [making this] for myself because we have to take a moment and really celebrate loving ourselves first before we love others,” he said.

GLK also had a cup designing station where students could go and create their own unique design which could then be printed on a cup. By far, the cup station was the most popular attraction at the event—the line to participate extended from under the second floor staircase to the stairs on the other side of the lobby. Members of GLK attempted to make the wait more manageable by scaling the lines with jars filled with candies.

The designs ranged from inspirational quotes to personal shout outs. For instance, junior Dyamond Slater had lyrics from her favorite song “Hey Angel” by One Direction printed onto her own cup. Some students made these cups as gifts for parents, emblazoning their cups with sweet words like, “I love you, Mom.” Most cups, however, seemed to be made for the creator’s own personal enjoyment.

In the end, GLK’s “Love Bites” event was a success for being open to all students—whether or not they were celebrating Valentine’s Day with a partner, friends or alone.

“You have to celebrate yourself,” Wing-Paul said. “You deserve to be celebrated and you deserve to be loved, so you deserve to love yourself.” 

Hippies for Hope and Fair Trade Club promote activism with engaging event

Hippies for Hope and Geneseo’s Fair Trade Club worked together with Geneseo Late Knight to put together a tie dye and chocolate-filled night on Friday Feb. 12.

The MacVittie College Union’s foyer was filled with laughter and chatter as people participated in the event and learned more about the clubs hosting it. The first 100 students at the event were provided with a shirt to tie dye and the clubs offered an array of dyes in various colors. As the attendees waited, they could try some fair trade chocolate from Divine. This sweet treat came in a variety of flavors, ranging from subtle hints of mint to a kick of orange. Fair Trade Club also offered temporary tattoos with the Divine brand logo.

“The club works to better the education of fair trade on the campus,” Fair Trade Club president senior Ben Conard said. Although the club is only two years old, the members have high goals to reach. Conard explained that through Fair Trade’s mission of “empower[ing] family farmers and workers around the world, while enriching the lives of those struggling in poverty,” Geneseo students and faculty can become more socially and eco-conscious consumers.  The group provided chocolate not only for its delicious taste, but because chocolate is a very common fair trade product.

Hippies for Hope president senior Michelle Lindner explained more about her group’s objectives for the “Tie Dye & Chocolate Tasting” event. Similar to events the group has put on in the past, this one allowed attendees to tie dye shirts and to learn more about the group.

This preview of sorts allows those who are interested to see how the group raises funds for their two major charity organizations. Hippies for Hope makes and then sells tie dye socks, shirts, bandanas and more. The funds are raised for Strong Memorial Hospital and also provide Nicaraguan women with financial support to help them pay for schooling to become nurses.

The two groups have worked together before and found this collaboration very beneficial due to both groups’ goals. The two deal with helping others through education and volunteerism. “[Both groups] think locally and globally,” Lindner said.

This is the second year the groups have put on an event like this together and they hope to make it an annual occurrence. They also expressed their enjoyment working with GLK.

“[GLK] can support us in ways we couldn’t do on our own, like through funding, their group’s coordination and they also have access to large media resources that help bring people out,” Conard said.

The event lightened the chilly Friday night with bright colors, colorful flavors and a warm and welcoming atmosphere for all who attended.

Frugal Foodie: Stay energized with dining hall smoothie

Five weeks into the semester, exams become a common occurrence. During this draining time, you might find it difficult to squeeze in a meal during the day or to stay on a daily eating schedule. If you skip meals, though, you might be missing out on the nutrients you need to stay healthy—or you also might be feeling exhausted more often. While trying to fill this void with caffeine may seem like the smartest choice, it will only lead you to crash later. Luckily, you can find all the foods you need to stay energized and healthy in the dining halls at Geneseo.

Turning to your fruits and vegetables is also a good way to beat the drowsy blues. From Fusion alone, you can buy both bananas and avocados—both of which are great for an energy boost. You can get a few more ingredients from the dining halls around campus to make a smoothie to carry along with you to class, boosting your energy along the way if you can’t make it to Letchworth Dining Hall. With a couple of kiwis—which are great to keep a healthy immune system during cold season—spinach and some whole milk, you’re well on your way to having a healthy pick me up.

Dining Hall Energy Smoothie:

Ingredients:

Two bananas

Two kiwis

1/2 avocado

Two cups of spinach/kale

1/3 cup Greek vanilla yogurt

1/3 cup of whole milk

Honey (to taste)

Directions:

Combine in blender until smooth. You could also try some apples instead of the avocado if you want something sweeter.

Finding fun on V-Day, your way

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. It’s time for candy hearts, Valentine’s Day cards, roses and sappy movies. For some, this is also a time for being with the one they love. For others living the single life, this holiday may be somewhat dreaded. Single individuals can feel a mixture of loneliness or pressure to compensate for not having someone special during this day of love.

With all the romance movies on Netflix, gaudy love-drenched displays in stores and endless Valentine’s-themed advertisements and television specials, February 14 can seem daunting to the average single person. It’s understandable to feel the need to fill this desire for love, but can casual sex on Valentine’s Day actually fill that void?

Many students hookup out of pressure to find a sexual partner because of social media’s inevitable influence, they feel left out by their peers who are in relationships or simply because they are lonely. Some do so under the influence—sometimes not even remembering the sexual encounter—and are likely left to deal with an awkward morning-after experience. Students may also find that they were left feeling insecure or ashamed after the one-night stand—not to mention the chance of having an awkward run-in with past partners later on. 

Don’t expect too much from casual sex. It can be fun, but having a one-night stand on Valentine’s Day doesn’t necessarily make it more special than any other hookup. Even though there’s a possible chance that this could result into something more, those with past experience would most likely recommend not to expect anything going into it. You might have fun or catch feelings on Valentine’s Day, but that does not mean that your partner sees it as anything more than just sex.

Moreover, if you do spend your Valentine’s Day having a casual hookup, remember to keep it safe—especially if you do not know about your partner’s past sexual history. Always make sure to use protection. The worst Valentine’s Day gifts to give or receive are sexually transmitted infections.

Additionally, remember that there are others things to do on Valentine’s Day—don’t feel as if you absolutely have to get laid or you’ll feel like a lonely loser. You could find some other single friends and have a movie or video game marathon. Maybe you and your friends could even take out some stress with an interactive activity like laser tag or bowling. Another good option is to have a “treat yo self” day by doing something you love or catching up on some much needed sleep that you missed out on earlier in the weekend.

Whatever you choose to do this Valentine’s Day, remember to be safe and to do what you feel most comfortable with—even if your peers don’t do the same.

Dodgeball event combines fun, charity

Geneseo Campus Activities Board Special Events teamed up with Colleges Against Cancer to host a Snowball Dodgeball Tournament on Wednesday Feb. 3. Although Geneseo was lacking the much anticipated “snow” for the event, it continued with a game of fun and charitable dodgeball. Despite the event being free—funded by mandatory student activity fees—participants could donate an optional $5 per team which would go directly to Relay for Life.

The event started with GCAB’s own members playing a game of dodgeball. Laughter soon filled the windy Onondaga Field on the spring-like day. The field was rather muddy from the recent weather, which added a challenging obstacle for the players running around the field, but it didn’t deter them from putting in their all. As more students joined, the donations accumulated along with laughter.

There were four matches in total. The GCAB team proved to be a challenging opponent, winning the first game against other students. After mixing up the teams, however, it was hard to place a bet on who would be victorious. At the end of the third game, the losing team had to embarrassingly walk the field in a humorous “crab walk,” creating a lively and light-hearted atmosphere for the event. After all the matches ended, the players were rewarded with hot cocoa and coffee.

The dodgeball tournament is a part of GCAB’s Winter Week, which takes place this year during the first week of February. Winter Week is an annual occurrence; however, this is the first time the group has tried out Snowball Dodgeball.

“Each day [of Winter Week], Special Events has planned and hosted a different event for the school,” e-board member junior Molly Downey said. “We really try to host new events that we hope students will enjoy and make them exciting with fresh ideas.”

GCAB Special Events will be hosting Battle of the Bands with GCAB Valley Entertainment on Thursday Feb. 4 as part of this week of fun. GCAB will also collaborate with Geneseo Late Knight for “Frozen Friday” on Friday Feb. 5—the final day of Winter Week. Downey explained that the event will include “hot chocolate, roasting marshmallows, a live ice sculpting and winter hat decorating.”

Downey emphasized that working together with other campus groups is generally a very successful and rewarding endeavor. “I know how important of a cause [Colleges Against Cancer] is for so many students at Geneseo and I am really interested in GCAB collaborating more on events with other student organizations,” she said. “Our purpose is to benefit students, so that's what I always strive to do.”

Even though the first two events of this year’s Winter Week went very well, Downey admitted that she was skeptical on how the dodgeball event would go.

“When we do brand new events, we can never be quite sure, but it's a good way to gauge where students’ interests lie,” Downey said. After the final match came to an end, however, Downey noted that she was delighted by the success of the event.

“Even though there was no snow, I think [the Snowball Dodgeball] was a success,” she said. “The goal was for everyone to have a good time and I really think that happened.”

Attendees seemed to agree that the event was an overall success and a fun event as well. The laughter and friendly competition of the GCAB event turned an otherwise bland Wednesday afternoon into a great time.

Quick tips for navigating Rush Week

Rush officially begins this week. For some individuals, this is very exciting, but for others, this might be very confusing. In the simplest terms, rush is recruitment week for fraternities and sororities.

Some frats and sororities have already hosted some events for interested students to get to know the organizations better, including Wednesday Jan. 27’s Student Organization Expo in the MacVittie College Union. The big starting event of the rush season, however, is the Round Robin on Saturday Jan. 30 at the College MacVittie Union. Here, Greek organizations can come together to show students what they offer.

“Greek life is very prominent on campus here in Geneseo,” Phi Lambda Chi junior Alexa Baviello said. Baviello joined Phi Lamb sorority in her sophomore year and has since become the recruitment chair for her sorority and is the Inter Sorority Council president on the Inter-Greek Council e-board.

Approximately 26 percent of students at Geneseo take part in Greek life and this number is swiftly increasing. With this, the competition to become a Greek member only grows. IGC e-board member and Sigma Alpha Mu brother sophomore Eric Martin stressed that this should not discourage anyone who is interested, though. “Rush around, weigh all your options and check out others,” he said.

Martin added that Greek life is especially popular at Geneseo because of the large presence of local fraternities and sororities. “[Greek life is about] joining something more unique, a much tighter-knit community,” he said.

Geneseo is unique because not many other colleges—particularly when compared to southern schools where Greek life looms large—offer so many local options. Most tend to have more national fraternities and sororities.

When rushing, it is important for a student to stay on top of their grades. The grade waiver and eligibility necessary to begin the rushing process allows the Greek organization access to students’ academic history—also allowing them to see if they meet proper grade requirements. Because of this aspect, grades are very competitive when it comes to narrowing down students during recruitment.

Alpha Delta Epsilon sisters suggest getting to know the organization’s members through attending as many rush events as possible. “Even if it’s for 10 minutes,” ADE sister junior Sydney Klainberg said. Forming a connection with the members betters one’s chance and helps narrow down which sorority or fraternity is the best fit for them.

Some students interested in Greek life may find that social sororities and fraternities may not be the best fit for them. Instead, they may find that an academic or service fraternity is a better fit. For example, Alpha Phi Omega is a well known national co-ed organization that offers students brotherhood and sisterhood. In addition, APO provides service opportunities for members.

“APO is a great experience to meet new people and it’s really fun,” APO member freshman Hannah Zimmer said. “You get to meet kind and genuine people while doing service.” Moreover, APO accepts all that undergo the pleading process.

Overall, Greek life can offer many opportunities for students. Not only does it provide a chance to, as Martin noted, “interact with people from different years and backgrounds,” but it also allows for the opportunity to aid the community with philanthropy and service.

Geneseo’s declassified school survival guide

For the many seniors, this spring semester is their last at Geneseo. For many other students, however, it is their first. For those transfer or wait-listed students, Welcome to Genny! As a new member of the Geneseo student body, there are some important “need to know” tips to get by—assuming you haven’t already figured them out in your first two weeks.

One of the biggest things to remember on the Geneseo campus is that walking to class can be a hassle—especially when dealing with the incredibly unpredictable Geneseo weather. If you’re living on South Side, be warned that the townhouses act as a makeshift wind tunnel; be careful not to be blown away. It’s not a bad idea to have an umbrella on hand, either. Even if the forecast says it’ll be sunny, there’s always a chance for a sudden shift to a downpour or 30 mile-per-hour winds.

Finally, the infamous hill will not get better. This landscape can be overlooked or underestimated at first glance, but even a tri-sport athlete can feel the burn on the trek to their 8:30 a.m. class. Luckily, with practice and an openness to explore, it’s easy to find a route that suits you and makes the commute less intense. Learning to navigate the “tunnels” between buildings like South, Welles and Fraser Hall can help you avoid both the hill and bad weather.

You may also encounter certain culinary issues here. For the first month adjusting to a new school and dining halls, home-cooked meals or familiar fast-food will be a constant craving. But since both transfers and freshmen are required to have the Gold or Platinum meal plan, be sure to take advantage of those dollars while you still live on campus.

Another thing to note is that the Geneseo meal plan is set up differently than many other colleges, with items or buffets having monetary value instead of “swipe” value. “[The meal plan format] takes some getting used to,” freshman transfer Mary Pezzimenti said.

Try to follow the “Balance Sheet” posted online and at registers; it’s easy to lose track without rationed meals. Depending on the student’s appetite, it’s likely they will either have no meal plan or too much when the end of the semester comes around. And never forget, food truck Chow Hound is the pinnacle of fried foods here; their mac-n-cheese bites can brighten any day.  

You may just be missing the feeling of home in general. Geneseo is definitely different from Long Island or New York City—we’re in the middle of rural nowhere. The campus can be unearthly quiet at times, unlike the hustle and bustle of the city. “If you drive five minutes any directions, you will find yourself in a cornfield,” freshman Marc Lattanzi said.

The small-town feel of Geneseo does come with perks, however. Nature will always be around the corner, whether you drive out to the nationally-acclaimed Letchworth State Park or simply take a walk in the Arboretum. In addition, you will grow to become keenly aware of the unusual myriad of stray cats, seagulls and squirrels that frequent the campus.

No matter if you’re from the city or a small town like Geneseo, you will be able to make friends here—Geneseo has a warm and friendly student body. It’s not too hard to start up a conversation in one of the dining halls or at a sporting event. Moreover, sports are a big part of Geneseo culture. People from all different majors and clubs come together to watch an ice hockey game or a game under the lights—especially if it’s against our rival SUNY Cortland.

Geneseo will be a home away from home in no time. It will become a place where you will not only learn, but you will also make connections and memories that will last forever.

WAC dinner hosts progressive speaker

Geneseo’s Women’s Action Coalition held the their annual Cultural Dinner with the theme of “Winter Wonderland” on Saturday Dec. 5. The occasion not only provided attendees with a delicious holiday meal, but also an educational talk from guest speaker and President of Rochester’s chapter of National Organization for Women Jaclyn Richards.

The festively decorated MacVittie College Union Ballroom was buzzing with conversation as seasonal music played. WAC president junior Maya Lucyshyn took the stage to introduce the start of the event and thank all who attended. The night progressed as dinner was served, which consisted of salad, turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and a choice of apple or pecan pie for dessert.

After the meal, Richards began her talk on the importance of reproductive rights, especially in a college environment. She explained how NOW is a volunteer-based healthcare organization for women that focuses on six core issues: reproductive rights and justice, ending violence against women, economic justice, Constitutional equality, rights of the LGBTQ+ community and racial justice. Richards explained that the basic premise behind reproductive rights is to have legal access to information and assistance concerning reproductive health.  

Richards emphasized that women’s reproductive rights are dismally represented in government because of the lack of female figures in office and the small number of voters supporting equal reproductive rights.

“We must take a stand, or else who will stand up for us?” she said. Richards added that without this representation, women will no longer have the choice of reproductive health. She specifically cited the example of Texas’ recent threat to cut Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood.

There has been recent controversy over Planned Parenthood because of its abortion services among other claims. Planned Parenthood offers many other services, however, such as contraceptive help, cancer screenings, sexually transmitted infection testing and other resources for healthful improvement and support. Nevertheless, many still see it as an unjustifiable use of government funding. A number of these individuals are also strong supporters of abstinence—an idea with which Richards expressed her disagreement.

“Abstinence isn’t real,” she said. “[Abstinence] may be the best birth control, but we are all sexual beings.” She explained that she encourages women to be proactive with their sexual health and to seek the assistance of a health facility like Planned Parenthood for safe contraceptives.

Once Richards finished her speech, she sat down for a question and answer session with audience members. Each table had slips of paper with a set of questions dealing with the ideas of feminism, reproductive rights and other women’s health issues which helped spark conversation.

Richards expanded on one of the slips’ questions about the many misconceptions about women’s reproductive rights. She discussed the notion that girls believe they do not have rights if they are under the age of 18—which is not always true. These adolescents can find medical help and support without parent permission depending on their situation. For some, they can receive court permission if below state age requirements.

She continued on to add that many people fail to realize that technology has vastly improved from past generations. For example, intrauterine devices have become much more hygienic and the resulting risks from use have been minimized.

Richards described her experience with joining the NOW community as a positive thing because it gave her the chance to help others by providing support and education. “We can’t judge each other; we have to love, teach and help everyone,” she said. “Do a positive thing, send love into the universe.”

When asked what motivated her involvement, Richards responded, “Being a woman.”

Pride, Gamma donate clothes, provide unique student service

Geneseo Pride Alliance and Gamma Chi Epsilon teamed up to host a clothing swap in the MacVittie College Union’s Fireside Lounge on Thursday Dec. 3. The swap did provide students with the opportunity to trade clothes, but the main purpose of the event was to donate any leftover clothes to the LGBTQ+ Homeless Shelter in Rochester—a part of the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley.

Pride Alliance vice president and Gamma member sophomore Michael Carlin noted that many Americans face situations where they need to seek help from shelters like the shelter in Rochester.

“It’s good for us to reach out because we’re privileged enough where we are able to help out others,” Gamma member junior Chris Ramsey added.

Gamma Chi Epsilon member sophomore Brendan Cullen noted that that the clothing swap was largely successful due to the large presence of active and engaged students on campus.  “[Geneseo has] a strong community,” he said. 

As a member of both organizations, Carlin was able to get the two groups together to put on the event. While Coleman came up with the idea of the charitable swap, he emphasized that the volunteers responsible for helping to plan and implement the event were ultimately what helped make it so successful.

Although this is not the first clothing swap in Geneseo, it is the first one in which Pride and Gamma have collaborated. Carlin expressed his hopes that the event will be a reoccurring one; hoping to host the event again next semester or next year in order to help students change up their style with the changing weather.

At the beginning of the event, members of both organizations sorted piles of clothing throughout the lounge. All students that attended were warmly welcomed and urged to mingle, trade and grab a snack. After a volunteer took the donations, they awarded each student with tickets for every article of clothing they donated. Students could take a piece of clothing and trade the tickets they were rewarded for donating or they could simply drop off their donations.

There was a large range of donated goods with an assortment of bottoms and tops. Carlin noted that clothing swaps are great not only because of the charitable element, but because they provide students with the opportunity to expand their style and to appreciate others’ tastes in fashion. “You might like a sweater someone’s wearing around campus and, if you come to the swap, you might be able to get that exact sweater,” he said.

Overall, the event seemed to be a charitable triumph. It not only brought students together to help give back to the local community and assist those who seek support in a rough time in their lives, but it also acted as a reminder of the good character that the Geneseo student body typically exemplifies every day. The clothing swap was another step to allow students to be part of a supportive and caring school that fosters strong community and service values.

Cricket’s serves up tasty treats, cozy atmosphere

The fairly new Cricket’s Coffee Company on Main Street is a cozy, indie paradise. The outside of the cafe has a welcoming glow, especially on a typical overcast Western New York day which takes over in November and stays until April.

When I first walked in, the smell of roasted coffee and delicious baked goods was overwhelming. Looking around, I noticed the atmosphere was like a combination of Central Perk Café from “Friends” and a café from the hipster capital of Portland—in the best way possible. Cricket’s has antique pieces that give a vintage and rustic feel with a mix of modern aspects like steel panels. These two combine to give the small shop a fantastic aesthetic balance.

As I walked up the steps to order, the warm ambiance with the friendly staff felt like my own personal welcome. Looking up at the large black boards that cover the wall behind the counter, it’s understandable that the friendly staff is accustomed to the ever-so-common indecisive customer. Nevertheless, within minutes of ordering one’s drink or bite to eat, it is prepared and ready to be consumed.  

I ordered the orange raspberry scone and it proved to be a delicious choice. A couple other recommendations are Cricket’s steamers, which are unique, latte-like drinks that are available in a wide variety of flavors. For a chocolate lover, I would recommend trying their scrumptious mochas—because you can never go wrong with coffee and chocolate. If these don’t sound appealing to you, you could always go for a sweeter treat like I did and try the café’s scones or baked goods.

Finding an open seat in the lounge may be tough—the café is generally crowded with students busy with homework—but the chairs are all comfortable and worthy of a long stay. It’s a great place to eat and stay focused, especially with the added benefit of free Wi-Fi. With the end of the semester rapidly approaching, I propose Cricket’s as an ideal place to try to study. The café has a sense of serenity for both students and locals.

And if you need a break from all that studying or working on assignments, there are several board games for customers to enjoy on a bookshelf. Cricket’s is also a place for the occasional night outing—listening to local musicians at open mic night could be a blast.

Cricket’s took over from the beloved Muddy Waters Café within the past year. Local high school student Sahara Hühn explained how she had been a longtime customer of Muddy Waters, but the coffee shop’s renovation was a nice surprise.

“When I heard Muddy’s closed down, I was so disappointed. I loved going there after class and hanging with my friends,” Hühn said. “But when Cricket’s opened up in its place, I was happily relieved—it’s an adorable coffee shop for the town.”

Despite the transformed vibe of Cricket’s, Muddy’s character still remains apparent in the new cafe, with a similar menu perfect for breakfast, lunch or a quick snack. Cricket’s even kept a few favorite pieces on the menu.

Cricket’s offers a contemporary-style cafe experience. Moreover, it seems to be involved in the community by supporting local events such as the famous Geneseo Sidewalk Sales and the Holiday Cookie Walk.

Cricket’s turned out to be a great place to grab a warm drink with the cold weather coming and it will continue to be a great place to look forward to when it warms up next semester for a cool drink.

With a diversified menu that is accommodating to tea drinkers, coffee lovers, smoothie junkies and all those in between, I think it’s a place where anyone can find their niche.

Cricket’s Coffee Company opened in the old location of Muddy Waters Café. It’s renovated atmosphere and accommodating menu have attracted students and locals alike since its opening during spring 2015.

Center for Languages & Cultures opens for students, faculty

The Center for Languages & Cultures held its Inauguration Ceremony on Wednesday Nov. 11 in Welles 2 at 2:30 p.m. The event embraced students and faculty alike, inviting anyone interested to see what the center has to offer. The affair offered not only delicious cultural snacks, but also time to personally chat with professors, too.

Adjunct Spanish instructor Rocio Vallejo warmly welcomed all to the event. In its duration, the event buzzed with a myriad of conversations, all in a variety of languages—Spanish, French, Russian and more. People bustled around the wide assortment of foods the buffet held.

The opening menu began with the two appetizers: Tortilla de patata from Spain and Republic of Togo’s Amadan. The main courses were from the cultures of Mexico and Spain; they were “Enmoladas” and “Empanada Gallega.” The large sweet assortment came from Latin-America, Poland, Italy and Algeria.

Each intriguing dish was delicious in taste and rich in cultural personality. Menus were placed around the center to give each dish’s name, cultural connection and origin. Some treats ranged from traditional dishes to favorites from “roadside restaurants.”   

As the event went on, the humor and enthusiasm that the department of languages and literatures exuded became prominent through their connected conversations and laughter.

“[The Languages and Literatures Department] is the coolest! Everyone’s middle name here is ‘cool!’” assistant professor of Francophone studies Kodjo Adabra exclaimed. In just one conversation, one could learn about and be introduced to everyone in the department—the encouraging community the center provides is phenomenal.

“Monday through Thursday, the center provides tutoring and help for students if they need it,” lecturer in Spanish Elizabeth Adams said. She discussed how the center helps with tutoring and translation services, along with how the center reaches out to the community by helping in Geneseo High School and other communal facilities.

Adams added that the center is always trying to reach out to create an interactive way of connecting with the student body. The center interacts with students in a number of ways, such as round circle chats and book talks.

Adjunct lecturer in Spanish Felisa Brea explained that the book talks allow students of various levels to participate. “You just read the book, then come and talk about it,” Brea said. “You can speak in Spanish or if you need or want, English.” The next book talk is on Dec. 2.

The Inauguration Ceremony not only allowed students to ask questions about their language studies, but it also facilitated student connections with the inspiring and heartening department. The Inauguration Ceremony was a great time that helped students get to know the professors of the languages and literatures department and to explore the Center for Languages & Cultures. Moreover, the celebration allowed students to immerse themselves in a cultural experience.

IRC event encourages student mixing

With the cold weather coming in oddly hot and heavy, Geneseo students have found inspiration from this seasonal transition. The residence halls Monroe, Livingston, Genesee, Allegany, Wyoming and Erie recently put on the 2015 Fall Fest to help relieve students from the generally cold and drab weather change.

Monroe Inter-Residence representative sophomore Zachary Berube discussed his experience working on making the event possible. He explained that the event was envisioned during an IRC meeting when representative sophomore Zachariah Barfield brought up the idea for the Fall Fest. According to Berube, Barfield’s suggestion was to create an affair that would help students “de-stress and celebrate the glorious fall we have here.”

Barfield’s proposal became a reality on the Letchworth Green on Sunday Nov. 8. With the help of IRC, Hall Council members, Campus Auxiliary Services and other volunteers, Fall Fest helped the campus start off the month of November in a festive and fun way. The green bustled with yard games like KanJam, horseshoes, tug-of-war, burlap sack races, scavenger hunts and more.

These interactive games seemed to be not only fun for participants—they also appeared to be exceedingly entertaining for passersby. Those onlookers watched with amusement as the students floundered about in burlap sacks or as they pulled each other across the green during tug-of-war. Other activities included a scavenger hunt, which consisted of snapping pictures of completed tasks at various stations. This scavenger hunt—put on by the IRC representatives—proved a fantastic way to encourage students to work together and introduce themselves to new people.

The event also supplied several festive fall activities such as pumpkin carving, as well as a plethora of food consisting of a buffet of picnic food, candy and the popular s’mores station. The fest appeared to bring students together with its entertaining atmosphere, turning the initially bland November Sunday into an animated scene.

“Fall Fest is the best fest,” event attendee freshman Sarah Mandanas said.

Berube explained that he thought the event was great because it provided students with a way not only to relax, but also to meet new people. It brought all the different residence hall communities together.

“Getting to put on the event with other halls was an exciting event. It is nice to see all the halls work together,” Berube said. “I’d like to see it happen again next year—or maybe a winter fest.”