Rising editor-in-chief shows passion, talent for journalism

Sophomore Annie Renaud is a multitalented student that excels in her two main passions: journalism and Russian language and culture. As she transitions as next year’s editor-in-chief, she plans on improving the newspaper’s website by including videos to correspond with stories. (Ash Dean/Photo Editor)

Communication major and Central and Eastern European studies minor sophomore Annie Renaud has a passion for journalism. As the rising editor-in-chief of The Lamron, she is not only prepared, but eager for the challenges ahead.

Renaud is a rare out-of-state student here at Geneseo, hailing from Glastonbury, Connecticut. 

“A lot of times, people will ask, ‘How did you end up at Geneseo?” she said. “My brother was applying to schools and was looking at Binghamton … and that’s how I found out about the SUNY system.” 

After a visit, the “small-town feel” and all the opportunities Geneseo provides had her hooked. 

Now an Erie Hall resident assistant, a member of the improv troupe Currently Known As and the current news editor of The Lamron, Renaud is versatile in personality and talent. These talents expand beyond extracurriculars and into academics, where she excels in the study of Russian language and culture. 

Her skills made her eligible for the United States Department of State Critical Language Scholarship program, and this summer Renaud will be traveling to Nizhny Novgorod in western Russia, fully-funded. 

“I’ve been taking Russian since middle school and I really lacked that immersive experience,” she said. “You stay with a host family who are supposed to not know any English, so you can really use your language at home.” 

Nizhny Novgorod is a historically imporant city, according to Renaud. In addition to her experiences there, the students accepted into the CLS program will attend cultural excursions across the region.

“I’m definitely nervous … but I’m excited at the same time,” Renaud said. “I’m excited to pick up the language more and travel to a country that I’ve studied for so many years … to be surrounded by the buildings and paintings that we’ve talked about.” 

After her return from Russia, Renaud will begin preparing for her position as the paper’s editor-in-chief. Her long list of goals can be narrowed to a few big projects: featuring video clips and print-issue PDFs on The Lamron website and preserving archived The Lamron issues in book format. 

“My big project is to get videos on the website,” she said. “I’ve looked at other college student newspapers and sometimes they have a video to correspond with the article … I’ll be in a television production class next semester, so hopefully that will serve to help.” 

Renaud will be running a team of 14 other e-board members alongside rising managing editor English and communication double major Alexandra Ciarcia. Both Renaud and Ciarcia are veterans when it comes to late nights in the office during production, but those long hours are some of Renaud’s favorite memories from this past year.

“I love that we have a quote board where we write the funny and crazy things we say late at night,” she said. “And when we watched the Cubs winning the World Series … We were so excited about the Cubs winning, but I don’t think any of us are really into sports that much.” 

Although Renaud still has two years left here at Geneseo, and many more late nights in The Lamron office, she hopes to pursue journalism after graduation. 

“I love journalism,” she said. “It’s where my heart is.” 

Business at Kelly’s Saloon thrives after reopening

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Kelly’s Saloon reopened on March 17 after being closed since July 2015. Owner Sarah Dieter (left) commented that the saloon’s business has been flourishing after the bar opened its doors. Kelly’s Saloon is currently hosting its “T.C. Challenge,” in which students who are of legal age are challenged to drink a Tom Collins each day from the Monday after spring break until graduation. (Annalee Bainnson/Assoc. Photo Editor)

The renowned Kelly’s Saloon reopened its doors to an eager public on March 17—St. Patrick’s Day—after approximately 11 months dedicated to restoration. 

The bar, established by Jack Carr in 1978, suffered extensive fire, smoke and water damage on July 29, 2015 after old electrical wires caught fire during what owner Sarah Dieter ‘11 remembers to be “the hottest day of the year.”

Business from students and the local community has surged since the bar’s revival, according to Dieter, who described the support from the village and Small Business Development Center on campus as “great.”   

“It’s been awesome, but it’s been crazy,” she said. “We’ve been understaffed a little bit because we didn’t know what to plan for, but the students have been really understanding and cool about that.”

Nestled between Touch of Grayce and the Genesee Sun on Main Street, Kelly’s has become an iconic feature of the Geneseo community over the years it has been in business. Acquired by her grandparents Kathy and Mike Roome in 1980, Dieter—who began working at the bar during her sophomore year at Geneseo—said she always planned to take the business over. 

This process was fast-tracked when the building’s owner contacted her a few months after the fire, asking if she’d like to purchase it—to which she said yes—and she has been rebuilding since, according to Dieter. 

“It was really difficult in the construction process because you can never replicate a place like that,” she said. “I always had a plan, but … the people made Kelly’s what it was, and that will come back.”

The building’s interior mimics its predecessor with writing from customers spread across the white walls facing the bar, and the business still uses its original cooler and an ice machine recycled from the now-closed In Between. 

“Everyone kept asking me, ‘Are you sure that you want people to write on your new building?’” Dieter said. “I’m going to feel so much more at home when there is writing. That’s what Kelly’s is.” 

Lining the upper green walls behind the bar are tin ceiling tiles salvaged from the original space; one reads, “Jack Carr, ’89,” the establishment’s first owner.

New additions include an increase in total square footage—as Dieter acquired the space previously held by HoneyGirl Gourmet—and a basement, rather than the former crawl space. Dieter hopes to incorporate a booth into the bar’s interior layout in the future and to finish the outdoor portion behind the business, making it more homey and comfortable, she said. 

“It feels like it’s still the old Geneseo,” political science and international relations double major senior Elodie Jacobson said. “There is so much tradition behind it.”

Jacobson spearheaded this year’s “T.C. Challenge,” which challenges of-age students to drink a Tom Collins at Kelly’s every day beginning the Monday following spring break until graduation—53 days in total. The challenge has given Dieter an opportunity to meet students that were too young to experience Kelly’s before the business burned down. 

“My favorite part is already establishing relationships with the locals, as well as the students that come in for the T.C. challenge,” she said. “It’s a beautiful thing.”

Geneseo ends partnership with Finger Lakes Opera

President Denise Battles announced in an email sent to the campus community on Friday Nov. 11 that the college has decided to cease funding operations for the Finger Lakes Opera—effective that day—peaking frustrations from participants and professors alike. The decision came in response to financial challenges Battles had initially addressed in her 2016 opening convocation address, which include, but are not limited to, the college’s frozen tuition and a modest decrease in state funding relative to the prior year.

“SUNY Geneseo agreed to provide some initial support during FLO’s startup phase, and we have done so,” she wrote in the email. “However, producing high-quality professional opera is a very costly endeavor, and a feasible pathway toward financial sustainability has not materialized.”

The idea behind FLO originated in 2011 when plans for a summer festival between FLO Artistic Director and professor of music Gerard Floriano and President Emeritus Christopher Dahl were made to elevate the college’s status within the community, according to Floriano. The project expanded under a five-year financial plan developed by Floriano and Dahl, and the organization put on its first official performance during the summer of 2013: a small scale concert with the FLO orchestra and professional opera singers presenting “Opera’s Greatest Hits.”

The performance was a success, according to Floriano, and FLO subsequently conducted three summer seasons, each including a professional opera and—in 2015-16—an additional musical review. The audience for this past summer’s performance of “La Traviata” was nearly sold-out, comprising of individuals who traveled specifically to Geneseo from 24 states for the event.

Faced with financial limitations, Battles observed the organization’s budget and determined that—despite its popularity—it would be in the college’s interest to stop subsidizing the opera.

“While we expected to provide some support in the initial stages, we’ve been unable to avoid funding gaps—and looking behind that—we didn’t see them closing,” she said. “We saw the likelihood that they would be expanding. That was the worry from our perspective.”

These funding gaps are the difference between FLO’s revenue and the funds required to cover expenses associated with FLO—which exceeded the former—according to Battles. In addition, the college’s infrastructure remodel will “result in significant disruption to central campus, including the primary venue for FLO, Wadsworth Auditorium,” according to Battles’ email.

“What we projected is we would have a certain amount of deficient for the first couple of years,” Floriano said, referring to his and Dahl’s initial five-year plan. “We met and exceeded our financial projections for this budget year.”

Battles’ decision to halt all funding from the college will most likely have the greatest impact on the student participants, according to Floriano. FLO has provided students with an opportunity to work firsthand with a professional opera company, including internships in performance, stagecraft, stage crew, ticket sales, marketing and social media. In addition, students can apply to be an assistant director or assistant stage manager.

“This is professional experience that people and students in the performing arts gleaned with great results with a professional company—which they couldn’t do anywhere else on campus, or anywhere else near here, actually,” Floriano said.

Vocal performance and communication double major sophomore Nicole Rizzo will be conducting a directed study next semester alongside Floriano to discover more about the process behind FLO.

“As someone who is a voice student and who frequently looks at other young artist programs throughout the country, usually when you are starting off—especially as an undergraduate—they are ‘pay-to-sing,’ which means you have to pay them thousands of dollars just to get this experience in order to kick start your career,” Rizzo said. “Whereas not only is Finger Lakes Opera not a ‘pay-to-sing,’ there are also paid internships available and you can get college credit.”

FLO can operate as an independent organization, but without the additional funding from the college, these student internships could be in jeopardy.

“The group that I feel most worried about are the students; we were just starting to get this whole thing cranking, and students from other campuses were starting to come to Geneseo knowing about it,” Floriano said.

Students from college campuses across western New York—such as Nazareth College and the Eastman School of Music—have approached FLO interested in its internship opportunities. Rizzo was one of many students who provided a testimonial to Battles emphasizing FLO’s importance.

“The pulling of this funding—if FLO can’t continue—I’ve already started looking at other programs to transfer into,” she said.

“It’ll hurt the college and it’ll hurt the Geneseo students. But actually, I have to say that I’m extremely grateful to the college and I’m extremely grateful to Chris Dahl, Carol Long and everyone at Geneseo—staff, volunteers and our generous donors—who supported this organization and allowed it to become a really viable, respected and quite well-known professional arts organization in the region,” Floriano said. “Because of that … we have found a venue for next summer, we are planning to do a full slate of performances … which will be forthcoming. Without the past support of the college, we wouldn’t have been able to achieve such high artistic successes.”

SPOTLIGHT ON: Emma Belson

Roslyn Heights, Long Island may be far from Geneseo, but that doesn’t make it any less of an inspiration to Geneseo Campus Activities Board Arts & Exhibits Coordinator Emma Belson. The childhood with special education and English double major has an artistic eye that reaches homeward in her own work, but outward in others’. The Long Island native—a sophomore here at Geneseo—has taken over the MacVittie College Union Kinetic Gallery this year and is determined to bring all students a bit of color, whether it’s local, regional or nationwide.

“I want [the Kinetic Gallery] to be colorful—not that art can’t be black and white and can’t still be beautiful,” Belson said. She instead referred to the many gray months that accompany Geneseo’s traditionally harsh winters as her motivation.

“If it was up to me, I’d probably have one of those artists come in and just repaint the whole gallery in one of their installations,” she said.

A former GCAB general member, Belson decided to put her passion for the arts to good use and run for the position of arts and exhibits coordinator. She began sketching in art classes long before her college years, however, developing an appreciation for her home and family that influenced the evolution of her style.

“One of the biggest things I usually try and get right—but I never do—is my house. I take a lot of inspiration from that because it’s my home and I just love it,” she said. “There’s a big green tree out front, and my dog playing or something.”

Transcendent of her creative drawing ability, Belson’s dorm room walls are adorned with delicate Barbie sketches by Robert Best, which give an elegant interpretation of the plastic figurine. “They always remind me of something … it brings back memories,” she said.

Belson finds the greatest connection with a different medium, however. Photography has given an additional lens through which she fully immerses herself in the versatility that art can offer.

Her soft-spoken nature perhaps enhances her skill behind the camera, quietly capturing landscapes as Monet—her favorite artist—would do with a paintbrush.

“If we were to go outside Sturges right now, I’d look for all the bright colored leaves,” she said. “It makes you so happy … it could just be an old building or a piece of granite or cement that cracked in a certain way that you like.”

This harmony between photography and architecture fascinates Belson. Her travels across Europe’s most paramount cities—from Paris to Barcelona—have only heightened this curiosity, camera clicking to catch Notre Dame or the Sagrada Familia.

“If I had the skills in math, I’d probably be an architect,” Belson said.

The position of arts and exhibits coordinator for GCAB is a responsibility as large as the famous structures Belson admires. She finds and contacts potential artists, drafts their contracts, organizes their exhibits, controls advertisement, executes the opening ceremonies—down to the refreshments—and cleans it all up afterword.

“I basically do everything,” she said. “One of the biggest things is finding the artist. They can either be student artists from campus or they can be someone that I pick out at random from Google, but I usually have an idea in mind of where I want to go.”

The gallery is currently showcasing Suzanne Anker’s collection, “Blue Eggs and Spam,” which incorporates biology into its aesthetic. Belson hoped to integrate the interests of Geneseo’s large population of biology majors in the exhibit, an achievement in her objective to inspire students across all disciplines.

“Art has a lot of influence on people. It’s a way for people to release tension,” she said. “So many people are worried about college students and their depression, how they are handling things, but art is a way of releasing that.”

Each exhibit runs for approximately four weeks. The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming—a not-for-profit organization servicing the developmentally disabled—will display photographs taken by the students it supports in the gallery beginning Nov. 15, according to Belson.

At the heart of campus in the Union’s center, this particular exhibition embodies Belson’s theme of accessibility, expression and inclusion.

“You look around, everything is a piece of art. But some things are popping out a little bit more than other things would,” she said. “I think when you have a chance to look at things, you should.”

Voter Engagement Task Force hosts candidates forum, raises awareness about local politics

With the election season looming closer, the Geneseo Voter Engagement Task Force has been working to educate students across disciplines about the candidate selection this November. The Task Force cosponsored the 2016 Candidates Forum in the MacVittie College Union Ballroom on Thursday Oct. 13 alongside Geneseo Opportunities for Leadership Development, the Center for Community and the Livingston County News. The event addressed a combination of national, regional and local politics in three segments of remarks, made by candidates for the New York State Supreme Court seventh Judicial District Charles Schiano, Jr. and Tonia Ettinger; candidates for New York State legislative offices Diana Kastenbaum for the 27th Congressional District; Thomas Casey for the 59th New York State Senate District; Barbara Baer and Joe Errigo for the 133rd New York State Assembly District and candidates for the Livingston County District Attorney Greg McCaffrey and Raymond Sciarrino.

“This campus is now predominately registered here in Livingston County … If you’re registered in Livingston County, you are allowed to vote for local candidates,” Task Force leader senior Katelyn Tzavelis said. “It’s really important to be engaged in any election. This, coincidently, is a presidential election year, but local elections and smaller elections are equally as important—sometimes even more important because the issues are closer to home.”

Moderated by Associate Provost for Personnel and Diversity Kenneth Kallio, the first segment—featuring candidates for the New York State Supreme Court—allowed Schiano and Ettinger time to give brief introductions and explanations of their platforms, while the following two segments provided an additional question and answer session.

Members of the student body, faculty, administration and local community had the opportunity to submit questions prior to each segment. Questions focused mainly on policy, and many referred to issues relevant within Livingston County and on the Geneseo campus.

Kallio asked the candidates for regional legislative offices about their positions on the minimum wage. Democrats Kastenbaum, Casey and Baer spoke in mutual agreement with New York State’s General Minimum Wage Rate Schedule to annually raise the minimum wage until it meets a $15 minimum. Errigo—a Republican—disagreed.

“I must be under some illusion, because I always thought that minimum wage was not meant to be a full time job,” he said. “It’s going to cost Farmers $500 million more in labor costs. They’re not going to do it … They estimate that at least 200,000 jobs will be gone if that happens.”

Other questions encompassed topics including labor rights and the presidential election.

The third and final segment assessed the differing stances between District Attorney candidates incumbent McCaffrey and Sciarrino. A Q&A was also conducted, raising questions about local prosecution policy.

Kallio inquired about how the District Attorney candidates would prosecute the Social Host Law.

McCaffrey and Sciarrino elaborated on their views, although the latter said, “The Social Host Law … I believe there’s many, many statutes on the books under the Alcohol Beverage Control Act that already would allow people to be prosecuted for those types of crimes. I don’t believe it’s something that needed to be defined separately because there are already laws on the books.”

McCaffrey refuted this argument, saying, “Prior to the Social Host Law, kids were being charged with providing alcohol to a minor as a Class A misdemeanor punishable by jail. Under the Social Host Law, you can do jail time—but it won’t happen. It is punishable by a fine.”

The questions evoked a positive response from biology major senior Luke Slate, who attended the forum.

“I’m glad I came. It was very informative,” he said. “I hadn’t really known anything about the candidates previously. I thought the questions were good and relevant to us as college students.”

“It’s a wonderful thing that so many students have registered [to vote] this year,” attendee Livingston County Democratic Chair Judith A. Hunter said. “Of course, all the oxygen is getting sucked up by the presidential race, but we’ve got an entire ballot. In terms of what affects students locally on campus, it’s the local candidates … I hope students will read about this event if they weren’t here tonight, find out a little more about these candidates and get comfortable voting the whole ballot, because it’s crucial.”

Italian earthquake destroys countless historical structures

Italy and the international community are in mourning after a 6.2-magnitude earthquake destroyed villages throughout the central part of the country on the morning of Aug. 24, leaving at least 247 people dead and many others injured. In addition to the loss of life, Italy experienced heartbreaking damages to its historical architecture—including famous churches and monuments—serving as an agonizing defeat for artists and historians across the world. The quake hit hardest in the mountainous regions of Umbria, Lazio and Marche, where the towns of Amatrice, Accumoli and Arquata del Tronto are situated, respectively. Tremors and over 200 aftershocks were felt throughout the country and in Rome, which sits almost 100 miles from the most devastated areas. Villagers in San Pellegrino di Norcia remain in tented camps due to leveled ground, a recent New York Times article on Norcia’s cuisine reported.

According to The Guardian, Amatrice is considered one of the most beautiful towns in Italy, with le cento chiese—“the 100 churches”—and countless historical frescos, mosaics and sculptures.

The Amatrice town center suffered serious damage. “Half the facade of the 15th century church of Sant’Agostino has collapsed, taking with it the beautiful rose window,” Guardian writer Maev Kennedy described. “The courtyard of one of the town’s Renaissance palaces has been turned into a temporary morgue.”

Additional damages span from shattered stained glass windows to fallen frescos; the extent of repair necessary for many medieval churches and basilicas is still unknown. These ornate structures are not easily replaceable. Having been built hundreds, if not thousands of years ago, their structures held timeless memories that have now been destroyed.

As an art enthusiast, this destruction of historical architecture and the ruin of artwork is painful. Although not preserved in a museum, these buildings and works in various media stood as a reminder of Italy’s past; their demolition means the loss of crucial pieces in the country’s historical framework.

This tragedy should resonate with more than just artists, historians and architects. The importance of studying art history lies not only in what it can teach us about the past, but in reflection of the present and as a gaze into the future. The New York Times published an article in 2013 titled “Art Makes You Smart,” which unveiled research proving that visiting an art museum “exposes students to a diversity of ideas that challenge that with different perspectives on the human condition.”

The Umbria region of Italy may not be a feasible field trip, but the significance of The New York Times article is beyond just visiting a local museum and in the overall benefits of studying art history.

Hopefully we can turn such a tragedy into something positive after all. Perhaps an earthquake that destroyed so many precious artifacts is enough to start a conversation about the importance of historical architecture and the necessity for art appreciation.

Remembering the life of Donald Lackey

Former Geneseo Assistant Vice President for Human Resources Donald Lackey died in a car accident on Sunday Sept. 11 at the age of 74. Lackey worked in the college’s human resources department from 1973 until his retirement in 2002. He not only held positions as HR director and assistant vice president, but also served as both member and advisor for the Roundtable Athletic Association and—following his retirement—a member and chairman for the Interfaith Board of Directors and an active and organizing participant of Geneseo’s Emeriti Group and the SUNY-wide Retirees Service Corps.

As an HR professional, Lackey was described as not only good at his job, but as a worker who genuinely enjoyed it. “He was really very concerned with the well-being of people,” distinguished teaching professor of English Ron Herzman said. “He was the ‘HR guy,’ and that’s a position where it’s really easy to get caught up in the rules and bureaucratic demands. It’s very easy to lose that human dimension … to remind yourself that the point of it is to do [the] job so our lives can be better. I think he never forgot that. He was just a very good person to have for all those years in the position.”

Assistant Vice President for Human Resources Julie Briggs and Secretary in Human Resources Elaine Anderson described him as a tenacious and inclusive individual.

“I really looked up to Don; he was one of my mentors. He helped me learn the ropes on how HR works on a SUNY campus, and I would call him constantly with questions,” Briggs said. “He cared tremendously about employees, making sure that they felt valued, that they had what they needed to be successful, that they were cared about.”

Lackey was a member of the SUNY Human Resources Association during his career and served as president of the organization between 1985 and 1987. He was later the recipient of the SUNY Human Resources Association Ted Barber Distinguished Human Resources Award in 1992 for his work as an HR professional at Geneseo. He also received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service, the highest award a professional employee can earn in the SUNY system.

“He was highly valued all the way at the top of SUNY through the [Geneseo] campus,” Briggs said.

After his retirement, Lackey stayed actively involved in organizations and events across campus. According to Anderson, he reinvigorated the college’s Emeriti Group, helping to coordinate not only their annual lunches, but tours of the college and additional gatherings.

“He set up trips,” Anderson said. “They went on a boat trip in Rochester, and he set the whole thing up. He was constantly coordinating things, not just coming to campus for the luncheons, but also doing other things as a group.”

Briggs speculates that Geneseo has one of the more successful Emeriti Groups in SUNY “because of Don.”

In addition to Lackey’s passion for the college community, he was described to have deep family values. “He and his wife were largely inseparable. If you saw one, you were bound to see the other,” Herzman said. “That, I think, was the most important thing in his life: his family and his kids.”

Lackey is survived by his wife Nancy O’Laughlin Lackey, his sons Kevin Patrick Lackey and Michael Lackey, grandchildren Riley Elizabeth Lackey, Ryan Patrick Lackey, Trevor James Lackey, Megan Katherine Lackey and sisters Patricia Corcoran and Mavorneen Smith.

Apartment One Gallery exhibits unconventional shapes, colors

Livingston Arts introduced two out-of-the-box exhibits—“Thinking Out Loud” and “Imagination Creation”—on Thursday Sept. 1, which showcase the work of Geneseo associate professor of studio art Patrice Case and regional artist Terry Finch, respectively. The work is presented in the center’s Apartment One Gallery, located in Mount Morris, New York. Although differing in style and medium, both artists display similar fundamental values through their unique alterations of traditional objects or photographs.

In “Thinking Out Loud,” Case uses materials such as metal and clay to create what might be thought of as kitchenware, but with a twist. In her statement, she explains, “Every little crack in the pavement, texture of gravel or pile of pebbles becomes inspiration for [my] art.” She describes the exhibit as a spontaneous and expressive process, where form and material go hand-in-hand.

Pieces resembling spoons are displayed in frames on the Gallery walls; “Scoop and Shake,” which is pierced and formed out of silver, suggests a type of strainer with a long, angular and abstract handle. “Pea Server,” described as “fabricated domes [of silver] with edge,” imitates a spoon, but includes several delicately carved domes in which peas may settle when scooping.

Case’s elusive designs show an appreciation for the subtle beauty of what is often considered an ordinary object. Her theme translates from one medium to the next, where clay replaces metal in a series entitled “Long Legs, Stubby Legs, Little Feet.”

The name accurately represents Case’s brightly hued pottery, all of which stand on either long, stubby or little legs. One musty-blue sculpture resembles a jellyfish, with a crowd of finger-like tentacles supporting a simple, lipped dish. Another emulates a flower with a petal-shaped rim standing on tiny leaf legs. The warm pinks and greens of the floral presentation insinuate a spring bloom.

Case’s diversity of color and shape highlights her ability to push the boundaries of the ordinary in an attempt to make one think. The bright shades are loud and add a dramatic flair, an attribute similar to the work of fellow regional artist Terry Finch.

The Gallery’s adjacent exhibit, “Imagination Creation,” displays Finch’s digitally enhanced photography of destinations throughout western New York. A Wayland native, his work demonstrates a deep connection with local beauty through the manipulation of color and contrast.

The canvas entitled “Black Moon” shows an image taken from the bank of Canadice Lake, yet Finch alters the original photo to appear “negative,” turning the tree-lined shores white and the lake an inky black. This contrast is accentuated by a dark sky, hence, “Black Moon.”

This theme of high-contrast and reverse-color is reflected in many more of Finch’s photographs. “Midnight Hollow” captures an unidentified glow between trees in a parting forest; again, the trees are illuminated in white against a deep black sky. “Tiger in the Moonlight” is another snapshot of Canadice Lake, this time with a faint yet distinct feline figure—a white tiger—resting on an icy embankment.

In addition, a few of the photographs, such as “Pure White,” feature words and poems written by the artist himself.

Finch’s work plays not only with contrast, but color as well, especially in his pieces “Sandbar” and “Sunrise on the Marsh.” “Sandbar” illuminates the room with a purple hue, a storm approaching a line of beachy grasses. “Sunrise on the Marsh” provides a splash of red and pink against a mossy backdrop. Rather than attribute these more abstract images to a specific location, he simply puts that they’re from “Imagination Creation.”

Through the unusual manipulation of color and shape in their respective mediums, both Case and Finch undoubtedly encourage their audience to think outside of the box. The presence of imagination in each exhibit gives Apartment One, at the very least, a special take on what it means to “create.”

Misconceptions surround Social Host Law

The Board of Trustees for the Village of Geneseo adopted the Social Host Law on April 20, 2015. One year later, at least two students have been subjected to the fine associated with the ordinance. Although there has been consistent conversation surrounding the law, frequent misinformation has led to confusion behind what actually constitutes an arrest. Upon violation of the Social Host Law, those who are found guilty are subject to a $250 fine and/or imprisonment of up to 15 days, along with successful completion of a court-approved alcohol and drug awareness program. In subsequent violations, fines are raised to $500 in addition to potential imprisonment.

In a press release on Nov. 9, the Geneseo Police Department reported the arrests of three students. The students’ arrests were a consequence of unlawfully dealing with a child, not the Social Host Law. Although two students were also fined, they were arrested under a different charge—providing alcohol to a minor.

Additional misconceptions revolve around the absence of a Good Samaritan clause within the legislation—New York State developed the 911 Good Samaritan Law in Sept. 2011.

According to a Drug Policy Alliance release, “This policy seeks to encourage people to call 911 when witnessing or experiencing an alcohol or other drug overdose by providing a limited shield from charge and prosecution for possession of narcotics, marijuana, and, for minors, alcohol. The policy also provides limited immunity from arrest when the witness(es) who call 911 or the overdoes victim possess residual or very small amounts of drugs.”

The clause does not provide immunity for hosts who allow minors to consume alcohol or narcotics on their property, meaning the Good Samaritan Law would still allow for a Social Host Law violation.

“I would say that ... and this was [a misconception I had] myself, that instituting a Good Samaritan clause would affect the Social Host Law ... because New York State is a Good Samaritan state,” Village Trustee junior Matthew Cook said. “It doesn’t affect the person calling and it doesn’t affect the fact that they’re having a party where people are drinking … it just depends on the fact that those people are safe.”

Geneseo has a similar policy to that of New York. According to college’s website, “Students who contact College authorities or emergency medical responders for their own personal medical needs may be exempt from student conduct sanctions for the possession and consumption of alcohol or drugs.”

Students will be evaluated under the Good Samaritan clause if they remain where they are or with the person who requires emergency care. It is also necessary for them to identify themselves and to cooperate with responders to the emergency.

In addition to clearing up misconceptions regarding the Social Host Law, Cook hopes to make it more transparent and “black and white” while in office. “It comes from both sides of the argument I feel … one was why this was really implemented, but I know great answers haven’t been given from Village police and from other institutions that had a hand in implementing the law,” he said. “There was a forum last semester and great answers weren’t given.”

G.R.E.A.T. Day commends students across disciplines

Geneseo held its 10th annual Geneseo Recognizing Excellence, Achievement & Talent Day on Tuesday April 19, giving students the opportunity to showcase an area of directed study through presentation or performance. According to the event’s program, the purpose of G.R.E.A.T. Day is to “help foster academic excellence, encourage professional development and build connections within the community.” Presentations represented a myriad of academic subjects including—but not limited to—psychology, English, theater and dance, science, international relations and mathematics.

Four concurrent presentation sessions lasting an hour and 15 minutes each comprised most of the day’s schedule, while other segments—including the keynote address, the “G.R.E.A.T. Battle of the Artists,” the Chamber Music Festival, two poster sessions and dance performances—were held intermittently. Events began at 8:30 a.m. and concluded with Insomnia Film Festival screenings at 7 p.m. in Wadsworth Auditorium.

Psychology majors junior Jessica Goldstein and freshman Christopher Weber presented “How to Be a Happier Person” with support from faculty sponsor and associate professor of psychology Jim Allen in Bailey Hall 102. Both students took PSYC 278: Psychology of Happiness—taught by Allen—this semester.

The interactive presentation encouraged students to express gratitude, to stop overthinking and to find an outlet to let the mind “flow” in order to enhance their happiness. The project—which took approximately 100 hours to complete—was inspired by an assignment Goldstein and Weber did for their class.

“For our class [Allen] has us reading books by Sonja Lyubomirsky—she is a great author and an amazing psychologist—and it’s easy reading … [Goldstein] came up with the idea to do a G.R.E.A.T. Day project on it,” Weber said. “This isn’t even for our class.”

Across from Bailey in Brodie Hall, theater and dance presentation “Dance Composition: Senior Choreographic Projects” took place, featuring senior Kristen Czerwinski’s “From the Beginning,” senior Antonia Maric’s “Lotus” and senior Nicole Bergamo’s “Serendipity” during the first morning session, as well. Assistant professor of theater and dance Mark Broomfield was the faculty sponsor and chair.

Psychology major and dance and human development double minor junior Laura Dolan—who performed in “Lotus”—was also presenting for her research lab psychology group in a later poster session and commented on the significance of featuring a wide variety of disciplines in the annual event.

“I think that the arts are just as important as the sciences … just because they go so well together. You need both, you can’t just focus on science—you need to have something to kind of bring all of that knowledge into it,” she said. “The arts, they’re more than just academic; there’s critical thinking skills and all of that as well. I think at G.R.E.A.T. Day it’s important to show all that we do on campus.”

Dolan added that this year’s G.R.E.A.T. Day had its first dance history presentation: “Tai Chi in a College Setting: Educating and Benefiting Undergraduate Students” from senior Sierra Bouchard, sophomore Emily Ellmann and junior Alex Sherry.

“We do more than just dance in the dance studies program,” Dolan said. “We also do dance history and kinesiology and a bunch of different classes. It’s pretty exciting.”

The subsequent presentation session included projects from multiple international exchange students in “International Linguistic and Cultural Exchange” and Edgar Fellows “Ethnic Prejudice in Dutch Counterterrorism: Exploring the Histories of and Interactions Between Immigration Policy, Security Strategy, and Xenophobia,” presentation by international relations major senior Yaela Collins.

Following the two concurrent sessions, the poster sessions allowed students from a variety of disciplines to display their work throughout the MacVittie College Union’s Ballroom, third floor and Starbucks stage.

English and communication double major senior Leandra Griffith exhibited her project “Can Given Names Give Empowerment? The Effects of Non-Conventional Names on Women,” which—according to her abstract—“[examined] the function of non-conventional first names on women based on the perceptions of the individual who holds the name, the parent that gives the names and the authors of baby-name media that advise expecting parents in name selection.” The poster was selected for presentation at the Eastern Communication Association Undergraduate Scholar’s Conference in Baltimore.

“I started last semester in [associate professor of communication Atsushi] Tajima’s research class … I was working on it for that entire semester and then I presented it in-conference this semester,” Griffith said. “Last semester, [this project] was basically my life … It was a lot of work but, in the end, I got such good results and I’m really happy with it.”

After a Student Association-sponsored buffet luncheon and performances from Geneseo String Band and Slainte Irish Dance Performance, keynote speaker President of the Vatican Observatory Foundation Brother Guy Consolmagno gave his presentation “Why Do We Do Science?”

Consolmagno spoke in Wadsworth Auditorium about why individuals search for pure knowledge, how the choices of both individuals and society impact scientific discoveries and the manner in which individuals think of themselves.

In his speech, Consolmagno argued for the crossover between science and religion. “There’s a temptation to divide our experience into separate categories: faith versus science, emotion versus logic. It’s a false division,” he said. “Real people are not just Kirk or just Spock. Heck, even Kirk and Spock were not just Kirk and just Spock. It’s on the basis of both reason and gut feeling that we make all decisions of our life.”

According to Consolmagno, science and religion can coexist because both are ever-changing. Consolmagno also stressed the necessity for scientific research to be explored as a community.

“Science is done as a part of a big community. If you don’t have a community of people around you, it’s not going to happen,” he said. “You won’t learn science from somebody else, you won’t have anybody to pass it on to … And that’s why it makes a difference whether the society thinks that science is worth doing.”

Physics major junior Ash Dean found Consolmagno’s outlook on religion and science to be thought-provoking and he believes such a crossover is viable.

“I have friends who are religious who are physics majors and they can accept physics as real and something that we can study even though they’re religious,” he said. “It just depends on what part of science you’re talking about and how you interpret your religion.”

Two final presentation sessions succeeded the keynote and commenced in a similar fashion to those that occurred earlier in the day.

Juniors physics and mathematics major Jessica Steidle and physics major Ryan Ward presented “Radiochromic Film Sensitivity Calibrations Using Ion Beams from a Pelletron Accelerator,” sponsored by physics department chair professor Charlie Freeman. RCF is a transparent film that changes color after being exposed to ions. In their study, Ward and Steidle tested the sensitivity of multiple types of RCF to various energy levels of ions.

Ward said that he gathered this data as part of a paid research program over the summer. He added that performing this presentation was challenging, as such concepts can be difficult to explain.

“It was a little stressful getting the whole PowerPoint together because we wanted it to be as perfect as possible—hopefully, as understandable as possible—which is kind of hard for us because it’s not straightforward or easy to explain,” he said.

Freeman noted mentoring students is a rewarding experience.

“It’s what Geneseo’s really all about: getting students involved in research and real world applications and extending their learning beyond the classroom,” he said. “The creativity and scientific inquiry that they bring into the process is really rewarding for me as a faculty member to see.”

International relations major junior Maria Gershuni, childhood and special education major senior Tatianna Flores and history major senior Thomas O’ Hara participated in the final session of presentations with “Defining the Panoptican: Three Perspectives,” sponsored by adjunct lecturer in history Todd Goehle.

Gershuni examined the popular social media platform Yik Yak and the role it has in how people choose to represent themselves. “The point [of Yik Yak] is not who you are or what you look like, it’s what you’re talking about that matters,” she said. “There is a culture of confession without repercussion.”

O’Hara discussed what he called the “remixed folk art” of the 21st century, where the appreciation or analysis of art can be its own media field in and of itself. “The remixing culture has a wide range, from fanfiction and criticism to ‘Let’s Play’ videos and discussions,” O’ Hara said. Flores rounded out the trio by exploring how people construct their identities on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram using a personal context.

“I subconsciously police my actions to be accepted into the social fabric, and the nature of social media allows me to construct a social identity,” she noted. “The accurate parts of my identity become indistinguishable from the projected parts of my identity.”

G.R.E.A.T. Day concluded with a Geneseo Bhangra performance and final round of poster presentations in the MacVittie College Union. The Geneseo Insomnia Film Festival reception and screenings were the last events of the day.

Freshman chemistry major Meghana Kakarla noted that she thought G.R.E.A.T. Day’s diversity in student projects was astonishing.

“I thought it was amazing to see the student body’s projects coming together and how far they’ve come since the beginning of their endeavors,” she said in a phone interview.

Editor-in-chief Taylor Frank, managing editor Megan Tomaszewski, associate News editor Annie Renaud and assistant News editor Malachy Dempsey contributed reporting to this article.

Norovirus spreads at U of R

The University of Rochester has reported an outbreak of Norovirus that had infected up to 141 students as of Monday April 18. The news comes concurrent to an influx of viral and respiratory infections in Geneseo that has left the Lauderdale Center for Student Health and Counseling backed up with appointments until Monday April 25.

According to Lauderdale Medical Director Dr. Steve Radi, Norovirus is well known to doctors and public health professionals. Highly contagious, it is the same virus that causes large outbreaks on cruise ships and in hotels. The virus is spread when people are living and interacting within close proximity of one another—such as in campus dorms or dining halls—touching contaminated surfaces.

Norovirus began to spread on the University of Rochester’s campus at the beginning of April; 20 cases were reported as of April 9. It has infected over 120 students living on the River Campus or attending the Eastman School of Music since.

“[Norovirus is] no stranger to us,” Radi said. “It is easy to get on campus. We try to reinforce good hand washing—nothing is better than washing your hands with warm water and soap.”

Radi noted that the virus usually “makes people feel miserable” for 48 hours—but results in a relatively short recovery. “We always see it on campus; we have this year in small clusters—but not outbreaks,” he                                                                                                                                         said.

Radi accredited the recent spark in sickness on campus to a late influenza peak, along with a variety of other factors including the cold weather—which lasted well into March and April. Traditionally, influenza experiences its greatest peak during the winter months of December, January and February, panning off in the spring. Radi reported approximately 11 cases of influenza to the Center for Disease Control last week.   

“We are experiencing the busiest three weeks in April that I’ve ever seen,” Radi said. Radi has worked at the Lauderdale Center for 14 years. According to Radi, the first eight weeks of the spring semester are usually the busiest.

Radi recommended that students unable to find availability for a triage nursing appointment either call the center for medical advice or use the self-service stations located in Lauderdale’s main complex or its center in Onondaga Residence Hall.

Geneseo fails as true liberal arts college

As an institution, Geneseo holds itself to a series of standards considered liberal arts. Its mission statement describes Geneseo as a public liberal arts college that combines a “rigorous curriculum, transformational learning experiences, and a rich co-curricular life to create a learning-centered environment.” In recent years, however, Geneseo has strayed from these values to disproportionately emphasize science, technology, engineering and mathematics—ultimately discouraging students from engaging in a variety of disciplines.

According to the Association of American Colleges and Universities, a “liberal education” must provide students with broad knowledge, helping them “develop a sense of social responsibility … strong and transferable intellectual and practical skills such as communication, analytical and problem-solving skills and a demonstrated ability to apply knowledge and skills in real-world settings.” Although the general education and Geneseo breadth requirements—which include both natural and social sciences, arts and humanities—establish the university as technically liberal arts, recent actions have indicated otherwise.

Geneseo’s speech-language pathology department closed in May 2014 due to budget cuts from a decrease in state funding. The computer science and studio art departments also closed, but a recent approval of $249,000 in funds will allow a revival of faculty with experience in integrative computational analysis. Assistant Director and Manager for Systems and Networking and Research Technologist Kirk Anne told The Lamron that focusing funds on this program would offset the loss of that computer science major.

No recent funding has supported any restoration of speech-language pathology or studio art, however. The creation of a Critical Language Consortium, funded by a grant from the State University of New York Investment and Performance Fund, looks promising, but the program—which was a collaboration between Geneseo, SUNY Brockport and Monroe Community College—was piloted this semester by Brockport and MCC, not Geneseo.

Geneseo’s increasing distance from the arts and humanities is evident not only by the allocation of funds, but also the general disparity of building space and quality across campus. The Integrative Science Center—an addition to what was once Greene Hall—provides students and faculty with extensive classroom and laboratory space. Bailey Hall—which finished renovations in 2014—also offers brand new facilities to departments in the social sciences—such as sociology and geography.

I am not saying these buildings are unnecessary or excessive—they allow for meaningful growth within those departments—but the difference in quality between these facilities and those of political science, for example, are astounding.

The political science and international relations departments congregate in the basement of Welles Hall—a former elementary school—or the single hallway of Fraser; two entirely different buildings with little more than a doorway connecting them. Classes in English, communication, foreign language and humanities are also held in these buildings.

“It’s like a hand-me down,” international relations and sociology major junior Sana Ansari said. “Welles is the worst. It’s pathetic because we’re paying for this, but my high school was nicer. It makes it harder to learn.”

Ansari questioned the funding behind the new College Stadium when the conditions of a student’s learning environment appear so neglected.

With Geneseo Recognizing Excellence, Achievement & Talent Day approaching, it is crucial to understand the importance behind an emphasis on and appreciation for all fields of study, not just those in STEM.

Geneseo administration and faculty must actively fund and support the arts and humanities or the university’s mission statement will become illegitimate.

CAS to introduce three new meal plans in fall 2016

In response to student criticism at forums held in February, Campus Auxiliary Services will introduce two off-campus meal plans and one “price lock” plan beginning in fall 2016. The new options include a $500 premium plan, a $150 trial plan and a $2,085 price lock plan, which guarantees students interested in having a meal plan for all four years one set price.

This brings the total number of off-campus meal plans to four; there are currently two in place: a $375 plan and a $250 express plan.

“We noticed that, a lot of times, students will purchase the off-campus plan—which is $375—and will increment it several times. There was a need for something to start off a little higher than that [as well as something lower than $250],” CAS Marketing Manager Becky Stewart ‘04 said. “We met as a team and developed the two new meal plans.”

These plans have been approved by the CAS Board of Directors and will be implemented next year. They are geared toward students as a whole, but were specially considered in regard to the needs of transfer students or those living off-campus for the first time—specifically with the $150 trial plan.

“We see this as being ideal for students who want to ‘try out’ an off-campus plan. It is minimal commitment, so more money can always be added on later if they decide it fits their lifestyle,” Stewart said. “This allows students to purchase a meal plan that is tax exempt and provides a discount on the pay-one-price meals—which is $3 less than paying out of pocket. That is significant savings right there.”

Junior Dayner Hackshaw—who currently uses campus cash—expressed interest in the availability of a smaller off-campus meal plan. “I would try the trial plan since I eat on campus more than I eat on Main Street,” she said. “If you’re going to pull out your debit card, you might as well sign up for it—especially with the tax exemption.”

Hackshaw noted that even though there are discounts available through these plans, the food is still expensive. “Students have to think strategically when off-campus … you’re not getting a lot of meals,” she said.

Protest CAS Facebook page administrator junior Kimberly Ward said she is pleased with the availability of more options and hopes that CAS will advertise all four next semester. “I like the $150 plan, since I tried the $250 one and it was too much,” she said. “$150 is a good amount for people who need a quick coffee or bagel once in a while.”

Although it does charge a fee if canceled, the price lock plan gives students an opportunity to ensure one annual price for a meal plan over their four years at Geneseo. Stewart and Assistant Director of Account and Finance Pam Connor stressed the importance of this plan with the goal to keep college affordable and financially consistent.

Ward questioned the plan’s efficiency, however, noting that “freshman don’t really know what they want to do for all four years. They could mature and potentially want to start cooking, [but may have the price lock plan].”

In addition to the new meal plans, those in place will face a change to the dollar amount allotted to “flex,” which can be used for campus vending machines. The $375 plan will automatically put $75 toward flex—instead of the usual $25—and the $250 off-campus express will allot flex $50. 

SA President strives for inclusive college campus

Although most widely known for his term serving as Student Association President, senior Andrew Hayes has an interest beyond student government; one that shapes a unique, well-rounded post-Geneseo résumé. His impact on the college, however, resounds in his terms on SA.

After a failed election attempt his sophomore year, Hayes—motivated to win—was appointed SA President following a successful campaign his junior year, a reflection of his years in high school government and freshman and sophomore terms as the president of the class of 2016 at Geneseo. A student keen on campus issues and engaged in a variety of activities, he believed in himself as an ideal candidate to make a difference.

“I’ve always been the type of person to see things that were wrong or not getting done and try to do something about it,” Hayes said. “I thought that I could be a student who recognizes things that people have a problem with or really want to see a difference in—that I could represent our student body well and make student life better.”

Hayes acted on his desire for campus change early on in his time at Geneseo, serving on the Student Affairs Committee through the Student Senate and focusing on grassroots issues such as freedom for students and accessibility of facilities. He continued to pursue these issues as SA President, helping clubs and teams better utilize the space around campus.

“It’s sometimes a struggle that our clubs and sports have—finding a place to practice,” he said. “Space accessibility is an important issue. Athletics charges $15 an hour to use turf fields. We are trying to accommodate for that … to see what we can and can’t change.”

Although SA was unable to change the fee for using the fields, they were able to develop a mission to help clubs use that space with SA funds.

Hayes believes his biggest achievement as President has been engaging the student body and providing a transparent and approachable SA executive board. This is evident in their events such as the Social Host Law panel, which allowed for a conversation between students and the Geneseo community about concerns regarding the law.

In addition to his involvement in student government, Hayes has jumped from club to team to association, as he ran on the track and field team his freshman year and participated in mock trial. He recently picked up rugby, joining the team the second semester of his junior year.

“I always wanted to play football, but in high school I ran track and cross country. So I figured why not? I’ll try something new,” he said. “I went to the first practice and it was exciting.”

As an Eagle Scout, Hayes also enjoys the outdoors and is a frequenter of Geneseo’s hidden gem—Fallbrook—and Letchworth State Park. He likes discovering parts of the surrounding area with his girlfriend, senior Breann Coffaro—who is president of Geneseo’s Outing Club—and his friends.

“Geneseo is such a great area, I love getting out and exploring,” he said.

Hayes is also a lover of literature, admitting that he attended every midnight book release for the Harry Potter series. His favorite Geneseo professor—distinguished teaching professor of English Ron Herzman—extended Hayes’ love of reading as his professor for HUMN 220: Western Humanities I.

Although Hayes has contributed greatly to Geneseo’s student government, he has no plans to get involved in politics. He is currently applying to law school, where he hopes to pursue a career in criminal defense, representing a variety clients and “giving everyone a fair chance.”

As for next year, Hayes is excited for the newly elected SA President junior Michael Baranowski to take his place and to further address the issues at hand from the present semester. “I’m happy Mike is taking over. It allows for a continuity within the association,” he said. “We’ll be moving forward with momentum.”

Student arrested with controlled substance, other charges pending

The Livingston County Drug Task Force arrested a Geneseo student on Monday March 28 at 3 Center St. Apt. 201 after a search warrant led to the discovery of narcotics, drug paraphernalia and over $2,800 cash.

Junior Thomas H. Troge of Oyster Bay, New York faces charges for criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree—a class B felony. Troge was arraigned and held in the Livingston County jail on $25,000 bail or $50,000 bond.

According to Geneseo Police Chief Eric Osganian ’91, it is “more than likely” that a tip given to the Livingston County Drug Task Force jumpstarted the investigation, although Osganian said he does no know case details. “The task force applied for a search warrant because they had information that there was drug activity at the address,” he said. “The County Court Judge Robert Wiggins signed the search warrant and while effecting it, they located the drugs.”

Various quantities of Adderall, Xanax, marijuana and  tetrahydrocannabinol food items were discovered during the search. In addition, the task force seized upwards of $2,800 also present in the vicinity.

“We believe that he was selling these pills to other people,” Osganian said, although he emphasized that Troge has not yet been charged for selling prescription drugs. Rather, his arrest focused on his possession of a controlled substance—an alleged hallucinogen. The district attorney’s office may opt for a grand jury to see if there are other charges that might be applicable.   

The Livingston County Drug Task Force monitors Geneseo and the surrounding towns for the uses of illegal substances including, but not limited to, marijuana, heroin and cocaine. Osganian said he believes the county has seen a rise in the use of class A drugs resulting from a greater accessibility and cheaper prices. Last year, the Village Police dealt with two cases of heroin overdoses.

“Heroin is cheap to get and the prescription pills are increasing,” Osganian said. He added, however, that he does not see prevalent use of the drug in the student population.

Village Trustee-elect junior Matthew Cook said he believes the rise in drugs around Livingston County is reflective of a bigger issue. “It’s something that hasn’t been given due attention. One case is too much,” Cook said. “When dealing with it, it should be pointed toward rehabilitation rather than flat out punishment.”

Cook pushed for students to educate themselves about the effects of hard drugs—and more so to just avoid them entirely. “I can’t think of any cases where they have made someone’s life better,” he said.

Cook did not seem worried about the use of drugs around campus, even with Troge’s arrest and the rise in use in the surrounding community. “I think Geneseo students are smart to stay away from them,” Cook said.

The felony hearing for Troge’s arrest is scheduled for Friday April 1—unless he decides to waive the hearing, in which case an adjournment will lead to a new court date. Due to the severity of a class B felony and potential additional charges, this case could be lifted from Geneseo and passed to the County Court.

Two additional students present at the time of Troge’s arrest received unlawful possession of marijuana tickets and will appear in court.

Geneseo advisement lacks guidance, structure

As a spring semester junior, I am very aware of the stress from registration and class selection. I have one more year to complete the required classes to qualify for graduation and, as is the case with many of my peers, staying an extra semester would not be ideal. And as a double major, time is tight to fit the essential courses into two looming semesters and one last summer session.

After three long, eventful years, I have encountered a myriad of problems with Geneseo’s advisement process. Advisement has driven me to feel an anxiety not proportionate to the actual work necessary for a successful registration period. These problems revolve around a lack of communication between adviser and student, which, instead of creating independence, leaves students unsure of how to combat confusions on registration requisites.   

As part of this fundamental knowledge, the general education requirement is rooted in the college’s liberal arts background. The general education requirement is valuable to students looking to receive a globally conscious education—yet the implementation of these requirements can frequently be misleading, resulting in mistakes in a student’s selection of classes.

As a victim of this confusion, I took two science classes—one each semester of my freshman year—expecting both to cover the science general education requirement. I did not find out until second semester junior year that, because both classes were under the same “GSCI” prefix, I would still need to take another class to cover the extent of the requirement.

Although I take responsibility for missing this policy in the requirement, I find it surprising that no one stepped forward to mention that I should take a science under a different prefix, especially since I was still a first semester freshman at the time of this registration. It was only after the implementation of DegreeWorks two years later that I noticed I was walking into my senior year with an extra requirement.

Business administration major junior Courteney Bengen misunderstood the fine arts general education requirements and felt unaided by her adviser. “My adviser signed me up freshman year for an art history class but never mentioned anything about taking a class with a different prefix to fulfill the requirement,” she said. “I signed up for another art history only to find out two weeks into class that it wouldn’t count toward my gen-ed requirement. I had to withdraw and it set me behind.”

These simple mistakes could be avoided with a more attentive, interactive advisement staff, yet students consistently feel they are on their own when it comes to registration.

The problem seems to originate with the insufficient and irregular communication between student and adviser. Either the professor has little time, the student has little time or neither fully grasps the necessity of discussing in detail and in person the scheduling process each semester. This lack of open discussion allows for mistakes to be overlooked. Additionally, students may feel abandoned or uncomfortable when asking for additional help we should be doing it all on our own, right?

It is important to note that not all students fall victim to neglect. Political science and sociology double major senior Aimee Bacher expressed that her adviser treats each advisee at an individual level with respect. “She always asks about my goals and helps me map out a plan to try to reach them,” Bacher said.

The disparity between dedicated faculty and those not so dedicated leaves many confused as to why their adviser seems to lack the attentive nature that their neighbor may receive elsewhere.

Although it is a two-way street and students need to actively participate in the conversation, appointments for advisement ceaselessly feel like little more than removing a hold on an account an act that advisers frequently dismiss over email. Whether the solution is changing our attitudes or physically hiring actual advisement administrators, a solution must be found in order to contest the issue.

It can all be summarized by my peer’s response to my question on her experience with Geneseo’s advisement: “What advisement?”

SPOTLIGHT ON: Michael Carlin

During his appearance in Geneseo Pride Alliance’s Drag Ball last year, business administration major sophomore Michael Carlin discovered a hidden talent: his expertise in makeup. Known to many by the pseudonym “Kai Vanguard,” Carlin has embraced his ability to create his unique artwork, using cosmetics to contour cheeks instead of carving clay and using powder instead of paint. An advocate for social justice, he has combined art and activism to produce works rooted in cultural diversity. Carlin explained that his interest in makeup developed when he was a child, foreshadowing the natural skill that emerged during his freshman year of college. “I remember times when I would sneak into my mom’s makeup bag and play with the products,” he said. “I had a natural inclination for it.”

His connection with the craft, however, did not spark until his participation in Drag Ball. With encouragement from friends, Carlin transformed his look using cosmetics, fully experiencing the power of makeup for the first time and discovering another side of himself that had yet to be seen.

“I fell in love right then and there,” he said.

A self-proclaimed “self-portrait artist,” Carlin’s style centers on androgyny. Although he gathers inspiration from a variety of sources such as New York City photographer Ryan Burke and YouTube vlogger Patrick Simondac—also known as PatrickStarrr—Carlin strives for originality in all of his creations. He emphasized his pride in being self-taught, with his creative eye acting as an intrinsic gift.

“Some of the best advice that I’ve heard is that you can’t take someone else’s ideas and thoughts and incorporate them into your own because then it will never actually be your own art,” he said. “I want people to perceive me as I perceive me.”

Carlin added that he thoroughly appreciates the work done by Burke and Simondac, complimenting their thought-provoking, “over-the-top” designs. These artists have inspired him to push boundaries, specifically those regarding gender fluidity.

“Kai Vanguard” is an emulation of this androgyny, providing Carlin with a persona that is even more extravagant than “Michael”—a persona that does not have to align with a gender.

Alongside juniors Sarah Simon and Thomas Magnus, Carlin is currently working on a studio project in Sturges Hall that will exemplify his advocacy for social justice and gender equality. The project will be a series of photographed looks that represent different diverse cultures and minority groups on campus, such as blacks, Hispanics, Asian-Americans and LGBTQ+ students.

In addition to creative projects and artistic looks, Carlin does simpler makeup across campus for people attending date parties or special occasions. “Simplicity can be so amazing,” he said. “My favorite thing is seeing all the little things add up and the confidence I can instill.”

Carlin explained that he hopes to pursue a career in makeup artistry by attending the New York City campus of Make-Up Designory following his graduation from Geneseo, aspiring to enter the nightlife entertainment industry or to become a potential business owner.

“I would like to be an artist; not in the sense that I’m going around doing wedding makeup, but that I’m going around doing what I like to do,” Carlin said.

RICC supports ride-sharing initiative

The Rochester Intercollegiate Council released an open letter on Feb. 12 urging lawmakers to pass two bills that would eliminate restrictions on ridesharing companies such as Lyft and Uber in order to increase avenues of transportation for students and young professionals. According to the New York State Assembly, Assembly Bill A.6090 and New York State Senate Bill S.4280 have a purpose to “establish, regulate and provide proper insurance for transportation network companies and drivers” as well as “amend the insurance law, the vehicle and traffic law, the general municipal law and the transportation law, in relation to transportation network companies” respectively. Drafted in March 2015, the bills have yet to be voted on by the New York State legislature.

Described as a coalition of nine colleges and universities in the Rochester area—including Geneseo—the RICC stated in the letter, “The implementation of Assembly Bill A.6090 (Cahill) and Senate Bill S.4280 (Seward) will benefit the students enrolled in institutions of higher education in a variety of ways, and create an avenue for mobility and long-term investment for young professionals in the Rochester community.”

Spearheading the initiative is Rochester Institute of Technology Student Government President senior Nick Giordano. “There is a lack of transportation that is keeping young professionals from staying in Rochester,” he said in a phone interview.

Giordano expanded on his reasoning by describing the safety benefits for students who do not rely on local bus transportation. As stated in the letter, “A ridesharing study conducted by Temple University found a 3.6-5.6 percent decrease in drunk driving incidents within nine–15 months of introducing transportation network companies in various United States cities.”

In addition to accessibility and safety benefits, the RICC stressed the economic growth that permitting ridesharing would spur for both students and residents of Rochester and upstate New York. According to an article published in October 2015 by The New York Times, Uber NY general manager Josh Mohrer believes that the company could provide the area with approximately 13,000 freelance driving jobs.

Student Association President senior Andrew Hayes expressed similar hopes in regard to employment for Geneseo students. “I can see this creating opportunities for students to make some money, as well as provide a pretty convenient service,” he said.

Hayes also addressed the lack of transportation to and from Rochester available for Geneseo students in particular. “Right now, the shuttle only runs to the city on Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” he said. “An Uber ride could be a cheaper alternative for someone who needs to get to Rochester.”

Giordano estimated that the bills will undergo voting within a few months, but they need more public support to be passed. The RICC plans to reach out to a variety of colleges throughout New York State to create a “unified campaign across many campuses.”

“Although it’s not specifically our initiative, we recognize what it could do for our campus and we are on board,” Hayes said. “We want to strengthen our relationship with other student governments.” He added that he sees this coalition as an opportunity to do so.

Geneseo ranks 18th in Peace Corps volunteers

Geneseo has been ranked 18th out of medium-sized schools across the United States for producing Peace Corps volunteers after graduation in 2015. This is the second consecutive year that the university has placed in the top 25, with 15 alumni currently working with the organization. Tied for 18th place with Fordham University, Geneseo stands alongside institutions such as George Washington University and The College of William and Mary and also ranks above universities such as Boston College and Johns Hopkins University.

Associate Director for Internship Opportunities Rob DiCarlo has served as a liaison between the Peace Corps and the Geneseo student body since his arrival at Geneseo from SUNY Brockport approximately three years ago. DiCarlo spent time as an AmeriCorps Vista volunteer—the domestic equivalent of the Peace Corps—in Rochester. He works closely with Peace Corps regional recruiter Anne Tatarsky to provide a connection between the organization and interested students, coordinating exchanges through Geneseo’s biannual volunteer fair.

“The cool thing about having a regional recruiter is that they are based in Rochester, so they can come out a lot more frequently,” DiCarlo said. “They are generally on campus two to three times a semester.”

Coordinator of Student Leadership, Volunteerism and Service Samantha Hebel—an AmeriCorps alumna—hopes to coordinate with the Department of Career Development to ensure that the faculty is providing students with available information about opportunities such as the Peace Corps.

“Students that are attracted to this campus are the ones who would be motivated to pursue these types of experiences ... Geneseo is a unique community,” she said. “Students focus on the bigger picture and larger concepts. That’s what the Peace Corps looks at … People who go into the Peace Corps are focused on a holistic view of social change. Geneseo fosters that ideology and development in students.”

Hebel also referenced the Study Abroad Department as a major factor in Geneseo’s commitment to service, since many programs have a service component.

“It helps students think beyond this little town we are in; beyond New York and beyond the U.S.,” she said.

DiCarlo credited the recent influx in volunteers to a combination of an updated application process and the personality of an average Geneseo student. “I believe students recognize that there is a lot of value in having some type of experience between undergraduate and graduate school,” he said “I think these programs fit that really nicely.”

The updated application process provides students with the opportunity to apply their senior year of college in preparation for a gap year. The original process, which required applicants to apply a year in advance, had a long response period and was therefore not feasible for many students.

“Two years ago, if you came to me as a senior interested in the Peace Corps, I’d say you can apply, but it’s not going work for an immediate gap year,” DiCarlo said. “You would have to find something else to do for a year and a half.”

These changes have spiraled into a record-breaking number of applicants for 2015.

Anthropology major senior Kaitlyn Morgan will serve in the Peace Corps after graduation as a maternal and child health volunteer in Rwanda. Morgan, who said she considered leaving Geneseo her sophomore year in order to pursue volunteerism in the Peace Corps, credited assistant professor of anthropology Melanie A. Medeiros as a large influence in her decision. Medeiros was a Peace Corps volunteer herself and will be leading a new study abroad program to Brazil this summer.

Morgan will depart between May 31 and June 7 to embark on a three-month training program before officially starting work in Rwanda. She acknowledged Geneseo and her professors for their support in the process.

“I think it’s important that I went to liberal arts college that promotes a worldly view on things. I might have done something more local had I not gone here,” she said. “The whole thing has been scary in an exciting way … Geneseo was the perfect environment to prepare me.”

Study abroad costs, applicants fluctuate depending on program

The Geneseo Study Abroad department has been the topic of recent discussion in regard to its cost and application numbers for a variety of semester exchange and faculty-led summer programs. In particular, summer programs have caused speculation as to why those shorter trips tend to be higher in price in relation to time spent overseas than those that extend over an entire semester.

Estimated program costs provided by the Study Abroad department show that for an in-state student studying at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, the grand total of expenses comes to approximately $13,612.50 for one semester, while taking Humanities I in Rome costs around $8,114.40 for one month in the summer. The cost per day of studying in Rome is drastically higher than that in the Netherlands.

According to study abroad advisor Emily Froome, these differences in price are derived from the all-inclusive nature of the programs during the summer term.

“When you go on a faculty-led program, you go on a bundled experience,” she said in a phone interview. “It puts together as many activities as possible in a short amount of time.”

Froome described this inclusion as things such as travel expenses, airfare, accommodation, entrance fees and some meals; many of these expenses are not included in semester-long exchange programs. Weekend excursions included in many of the faculty-led itineraries also raise prices for programs taking place during summer term—another aspect of travel excluded from a semester exchange.

While Froome acknowledged that these trips can be “hard on the wallet,” she also emphasized that they make it “easier on the schedule,” referring to the opportunity they provide to eliminate a course usually taken during the school year. Receiving an estimated 300 applicants for summer programs each year, the department sends a portion of these students on trips offering general education requirements such as Humanities I and II.

Associate professor of German and faculty advisor to the summer study abroad program for Humanities II in Prague, Czech Republic and Vienna, Austria Cynthia Klima reported a decrease in approximately 25 applicants from those who applied in 2015 to those who applied for summer 2016. Although a similar number of students accepted their invitation to the program—18 for 2015 and 19 for 2016—neither Klima nor Froome had an explanation for the difference in application numbers for this particular program.

Klima expressed her belief that this decrease may stem from students’ desire to work over the summer, especially if they are unemployed during the semester.

“Students can’t find jobs,” she said. “Geneseo is a small community and there isn’t always enough opportunity for employment.”

Putnam Hall residence assistant and psychology major junior Eve Huttner reiterated Klima’s sentiment, noting that she chose not to study abroad during the summer for similar reasons.

“I had to work my job at home that I’ve been at for five years,” she said. “It’s also more expensive because I can’t use my financial aid without taking it away from the academic year.”

Geneseo does not offer financial aid specifically for summer programs. Instead, students can choose to use a portion of what they are allotted during the school year for the weeks they study abroad in the summer.   

According to Froome, pricesacross programs generally stay the same and the spikes or decreases in application numbers occur randomly.

“Last year, our trip to Athens had 26 applicants and now it has 10,” she said. “But Rome, which was low last year, has now spiked upward again. In the overall aggregate of applicants, the number stays pretty consistent.”