Intermissions Bar and Grill reopens after seven-month long closure

Intermissions Bar and Grill (pictured above) is located at 8.5 Center Street, next to the Alley Cat Boutique and across from The Idle Hour bar (Emma Boskovski/News Editor).

Intermissions Bar and Grill, found at 8 Center Street, reopened on March 5 and is now open five days a week following a seven-month closure prompted by an electrical kitchen fire in August 2020. 

Bar manager Margaret King said that navigating insurance claims and building renovations caused by the fire was a lengthy, difficult process.

“It brought me back to writing my senior thesis in college … it was a lot of work,” King said. “It was very difficult because [the insurance company] asked for every little thing you could think of … what liquor bottles were in the bar, how many napkins were in the bar, how many straws … that kind of thing.”  

According to King, once the insurance process was finished and repairs to the building began, much of the bar had to be replaced or refurbished due to smoke and water damage. He said that furniture was reupholstered, walls were repainted, and the bar top was replaced.

“We’ve had a steady stream of customers here and we’re really thankful that when we finally reopened, the Geneseo community kind of rallied,” King said. 

Geneseo students make up a significant portion of Intermissions’ patronage, King said, and the bar plans on hosting weekly events like Greek nights and other special offers on food and drink to attract Geneseo students. 

“I’m so glad to hear that Intermissions reopened. I was nervous that they would close down for good after the fire since it happened during the pandemic … a lot of other local businesses have not been receiving enough support to sustain operations, like [the Geneseo Family Restaurant],” political science major senior Ariana Barone said, referencing the recent closure of GFR. 

The grand reopening on March 5 was “packed full” and “looked even better than before,” according to sociomedical sciences major senior Angel Alejandro.

“I was so excited when I heard Intermissions was opening back up,” Alejandro said. “I saw their Facebook announcement that they were reopening, and a bunch of my friends and I went right at 5:00 p.m. It was great to see people there again … I always enjoyed going there.”

King said that she is optimistic about future business as the bar reestablishes itself in the Geneseo community, and as more New York residents receive COVID-19 vaccinations, he believes social bar life will return to normal soon. 

According to a press release made by Gov. Cuomo, vaccine eligibility has been extended to all New York residents who are 16 years and older, and “universal eligibility for the vaccine is set to go into effect [the week of April 4].” Cuomo said that one in five New Yorkers are now fully vaccinated. 

“Since the pandemic, Geneseo social life has been so different … The bars here are always a great going-out option because they’re safe and reliable. Even though social life here is more expensive, I’m happy to spend the money on a local business like Intermissions,” Alejandro said. 

Expansion of SNAP resources and initiatives of Food Security Advocates work to ensure more students food security

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has recently expanded resources for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to students who were previously ineligible for these benefits. These temporary expansions came about in mid-January and are meant to provide simplicity to families and individuals who were affected by COVID. Geneseo’s Food Security Advocates (FSA) are collaborating with the administration to create an on-campus food pantry. 

According to the USDA website, there are two main exceptions for students who go to school at least part time. SNAP will now be providing food security to students who are either “eligible to participate in state or federally financed work study” or “have an expected family contribution of zero.” 

In an article written by The Lamron on Dec. 5, 2019, the SUNY Food Insecurity Task Force had recently published the results of a survey conducted in 2018 that reached students SUNY-wide regarding their experiences with hunger. Five-hundred twenty Geneseo students responded to the survey.

According to the survey results, approximately 40 percent of Geneseo students said they didn’t eat when they were hungry because they couldn’t afford it, one in four students were unable to focus as a result of their hunger and 20 percent of students actually know how they could receive food assistance if they needed it. 

“The 2019 study by SUNY food insecurity task force showed that two out of five [students] said that they skipped meals because they couldn't afford them,” Director of Student Volunteerism and Community Engagement Garth Freeman said. “While the 520 [survey-participating students] aren’t necessarily representative of the 5,500 students that were attending Geneseo, it does show that there's a decent need at the college.” 

Food Security Advocates is a student organization associated with the Office of Student Volunteerism and Community Engagement created to increase food security and hunger relief efforts on campus. 

Co-chair of FSA Robbie Economou said that he interpreted the survey results to reveal that 30 to 40 percent of Geneseo students face some degree of food insecurity. Since 2019, FSA has been working towards breaking down the stigmas that may prevent food insecure students from seeking resources. 

“Something that we used to do was help students get signed up for SNAP. That's not something that we've been able to do recently, especially with COVID, but we're working to create an on-campus food pantry for the fall,” Economou said. “A fundamental part of that would be having trained volunteers there who would help students get signed up for SNAP, because SNAP is definitely the key part of solving food insecurity in our country, especially at this point.”

According to Economou, FSA has a good relationship with SNAP, and he stated that the program is the key in promoting food security.

“We just hope that our state continues to expand access because it is really just essential that all students are able to get food assistance when they need it in any form that that comes, especially with SNAP, which is an essential part of it,” Economou said.

The food pantry FSA is proposing is not a guarantee, but Economou said the group is hopeful that it will be, since it would serve as an on-campus satellite location for the Geneseo-Groveland Emergency Food Pantry, a location that FSA already works with to deliver food to all accessible students.

Freeman said that he is working closely with Vice President for Student and Campus Life Michael Taberski and Executive Director of Campus Auxiliary Services Mat Felthousen to pilot this pantry by fall 2021. 

“Everybody is on board with, you know, trying to find solutions that meet everybody's needs and accommodate all the folks that might need the support,” Freeman said. 

Hillel at Geneseo frustrated with Passover Kosher menu communication, lack of offerings.

Campus Auxiliary Services prepared a menu of Kosher dishes that were served at each dining during Passover the day before it began on March 27 through the final day of Passover on April 4. The details of the menu were sent in an email from CAS to the campus community the afternoon of March 30. 

The Jewish community and student representatives from Hillel at Geneseo requested that CAS send out an email to inform the community of the Passover menu available to students before Passover began. 

Hillel president and history adolescent education major junior Lara Goodman expressed, on behalf of Hillel at Geneseo, that the menu was sent out after Passover began, describing their miscommunications with CAS as “frustrating.” 

Jonna Anne, managing director of restaurants and cafes of CAS, said she realizes that the system does not function perfectly to serve the Geneseo Kosher community.

“What I’m asking for is communication,” Anne said. “Unfortunately, what I want isn’t always the same as what everyone else wants, so I’m really open to ideas.” 

Besides the lack of communication that occurred between Hillel at Geneseo and CAS, Goodman also said she is generally disappointed in CAS in regard to the availability of matza at the dining halls during Passover and the lack of signage and education on how to eat matza with their dinners at the dining halls where the option is being served. 

According to the email, all stations at Mary Jemison, Letchworth and Red Jacket dining halls began offering matzo to be ordered at the kiosks or registers beginning on March 27. Until April 4, each dining hall had matzo substitutes for normal offerings, like sandwiches and wraps, flatbread pizzas and breakfast platters. 

An attachment of the email titled “Where can I eat during Passover” establishes a timeline for the Kosher options available at Nabali located at Food Studio North in Letchworth where students can regularly access Kosher offerings from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

The specialized Passover menu begins on March 27, offering “cold cuts, matzos, cookies and chips” on March 27 and 28 and on April 2 and 3. For the days in between, Nabali had offerings of dishes like “Aloo Gobi, Matzo Brei, Falafel,” among other cultural dishes on March 29 through 31 and April 1 and 4, according to the email attachment.

The attached timeline of Kosher options distinguishes which offerings are vegetarian and vegan, concluding to make an additional reference to those Matzo substitutes that were available at each dining hall during hours of operation. 

The email notes that although all the Passover offerings are Kosher, the only all Kosher kitchen on campus is Nabali at Food Studio North in Letchworth. 

Goodman also expressed her dissatisfaction within the Geneseo community in the overall Kosher options provided by CAS, citing her belief that those who prepare the food do not have enough situational awareness of its preparation and dietary restrictions. 

“In terms of Nabali itself ... it’s never really something we’re worrying about. But I’d say in terms of things being marked [Kosher, vegan, vegetarian] when then they’re actually not, that’s kind of where the problems will come,” Goodman said. 

Goodman said that she and other members of Hillel at Geneseo often suspect human error when certain foods are marked as Kosher, vegan or vegetarian when they are prepared in non-Kosher or non-vegetarian kitchens. She alleges multiple instances where she has come across food that is labeled incorrectly. But Goodman said she recognizes the blame of these happenings do not fall on CAS alone.

“We’re at a public school, and I know only so much blame can be placed on CAS … the funding is simply not there,” she said. 

Anne described how the new grab and go feature at Nabali has not been utilized much, and that she would like to hear from students if and how it can be improved. 

“What I would love to know is what people are looking for, because we may not have the right options out there,” Anne said. 

Despite the frustrations Goodman expressed on behalf of the Hillel community, she said she has hopes for the future. 

“I have another meeting with [CAS] to go over all of this stuff … I think we’re working towards a better solution and I am hopeful that we can establish one,” Goodman said. 

Anyone interested in providing suggestions to CAS in regard to their Kosher, vegan, vegetarian, or other dietary restricting options and labeling is encouraged to contact cas@geneseo.edu. Anyone with general questions, concerns or suggestions relating to CAS’s food and service offerings is encouraged to reach out as well. 

English Honor Society, Sigma Tau Delta, works to diversify Humanities requirements

On Monday, March 1, a petition to diversify the Humanities requirement was posted on Geneseo Speaks by Sigma Tau Delta, the English Honors Society. From its submission to its expiration date on March 31, the petition received 190 signatures, passing the 75 signatures required for the Student Association to look further into the petition.

The petition was put forth by Sigma Tau Delta's E-board with the ultimate goal of restructuring the Western Humanities courses, HUMN 220 and HUMN 221. The idea to draft up this petition came up over the summer, after viral demonstrations of police brutality against BIPOC sparked massive protests in the Black Lives Matter movement.

"A lot of students [wondered], what can we do?" said English literature and psychology double major senior Isabella Higgins, the Public Relations Chair of Sigma Tau Delta. "Especially being remote … what can we do to change our campus?"

Sigma Tau Delta looked to restructuring academics at Geneseo to affect change. This change was directed towards the Humanities requirement as it is one of the only General Education requirements that students are unable to opt-out of through credits earned outside of college.

"It's one course that everyone has to take, so it's an opportunity to really be able to reach a lot of people," Higgins said.

In diversifying the Humanities requirement, the representatives of Sigma Tau Delta hope to expand the perspectives of Geneseo's student body. Through offering readings that do not conform to traditional white male narratives, or through applying these readings to broader cultural communities and takeaways in modern society, students would be exposed to multiple perspectives.

Broadening the perspectives offered in the Western Humanities courses serves to challenge the academic standard of this white male narrative as a foundation of American learning.

"Our ways of learning, our ways of thinking, are all heavily influenced by the white majority," Higgins said. "It's evident that this institution was not built for perspectives outside of specifically white male perspectives."

While the college currently offers a Black Humanities course, HUMN 222, to fulfill the Humanities requirement, Sigma Tau Delta wishes to offer diversification within the Western Humanities course specifically to expose all students to varying perspectives, rather than only students who opt to take courses focusing on these perspectives.

"[HUMN 222] is a great model to kind of base the change we want off of," Higgins said. "Having labels in front of the Humanities courses could easily deter the people who don't want to take those courses. If you are someone who has no interest in hearing about the Black experience … you don't have to, because you can just see the [other] courses."

Sigma Tau Delta is additionally hoping to address the support of the faculty and staff who would be teaching these courses if the Western Humanities requirement were to be diversified.

"You can't control the way that professors are going to teach their course and the perspectives that they're going to bring in," Higgins said. "It's tough … I would love for humanities to be diverse, but I would love for every single field at the college to be diversified—but there are certain professors who don't agree with that and who you probably don't want teaching that."

As the Student Association continues to look into the petition, it will likely be passed along to the Humanities Review Board, whose approval would be needed in order for the changes to go into effect. The Curriculum Design Working Group is additionally addressing this request in looking at Humanities requirements moving forward.

Beyond the goal of acknowledgment from SA, the petition was posted to inform the student body about the goals of Sigma Tau Delta.

"We just wanted a platform that all Geneseo students had access to," Higgins said.

Kappa Sigma fraternity faces interim suspension while College investigates alleged hazing

Note: This is a developing story pending the completion of the College’s hazing allegation investigation of Kappa Sigma. 

The Geneseo fraternity Kappa Sigma has been temporarily suspended pending the completion of a College investigation, following allegations of hazing that took place at 21 Orchard St. in early March.

The allegations were reported to the University Police Department in a Silent Witness Form. Village of Geneseo Police Chief Eric Osganian said that the anonymous tips alleged that the new members of the Kappa Sigma Spring 2020 pledge class were engaging in a “pledging process” whereby the “pledges were sleep deprived, mentally harassed, and were being called to the fraternity house at night between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m.” The Silent Witness Form, according to Osganian, did not specify how the new members were being “mentally harassed.”

“We do not believe that there is any evidence to establish the hazing allegations made in the Silent Witness Form as fact. Kappa Sigma does not condone hazing and we are taking these accusations very seriously,” the President of Kappa Sigma, who prefers to remain anonymous, said, citing the ongoing nature of the College’s investigation into the validity of the accusations. 

Those sought for comment by The Lamron who assume leadership positions at the college, including University Chief of Police Christopher Prusak, Coordinator for Fraternal Life and Off Campus Services Bethany Hettinger and Dean of Students Leonard Sancilio declined to participate in a formal interview. Their comments were provided via email to The Lamron and should be regarded as email statements. 

Prusak said that if a silent witness does not elect to leave contact information or identify themselves through the information provided, the department would not “even be able to readily identify them. However, if the person provides information or evidence that would readily identify them as the reporter, it would be difficult to conduct any investigation without making their identity obvious to the persons under investigation. If a person elects not to leave contact information there would be no way to follow-up to provide resources.”

He said that it would be irresponsible and illegal to proceed to investigate “secret evidence” against an accused party. 

The Lamron was unable to confirm whether or not the silent witness who provided the tip alleging hazing at Kappa Sigma is actively participating in the College’s investigation. The Lamron also attempted to identify the individual who silently reported the allegations and confirm how many anonymous reports were filed, but was unsuccessful in doing so, thus, the allegations cannot be confirmed nor regarded as fact. 

“It would not be appropriate for us to comment on the specifics of an active investigation that is being handled by another agency or College office,” Prusak said. 

According to University Police, when hazing concerns are reported to the department, the accusations are evaluated based on associated evidence to determine whether or not they are criminal in nature and if they occurred within the College’s jurisdiction. 

“Not all anonymous complaints are relayed to the Village Police, only those that are alleged to occur in their jurisdiction, as is the case in this matter,” Prusak said. 

UPD forwarded the Silent Witness Form report to the Village Police on March 9, according to Osganian, consistent with what Prusak called the “Village-College Memorandum of Understanding.”

“Most of the allegations made by the anonymous person who filed the report against the organizational group appear in violation with the College’s Anti-Hazing policies, and not in violation with the definition of hazing in the Penal law that would require action within our jurisdiction,” Osganian said. 

Osganian explained that in order for the Village Police to conduct a formal hazing investigation on their department’s behalf, the Silent Witness Form report’s tip would have to be in violation of the penal law definition of hazing. 

“The penal law describes hazing to be a reckless or intentional series of acts that cause substantial risk of injury to a person or a third person. The report states that the Silent Witness Form alleges a clear violation of the COVID and Hazing College policies enforced by the College. Although it seems like more of a violation of College rules, UPD gives us the complaint so that we can follow up to see if the complaint aligns with our jurisdiction” Osganian said.

According to Osganian, the Village Police did speak to an individual at the fraternity and conduct two follow-ups later that night to gauge if there was any hazing-related activity going on. The Village Police Department’s investigation was then closed because they could not “substantiate a hazing incident,” and their results were forwarded to UPD, said Osganian.

Prusak said that when hazing concerns are brought to the attention of UPD, along with their forward to the Village Police Department, the “appropriate College officers are notified for a parallel investigation to occur” in regard to the potential violation of College policy.

The College defines hazing as “any act, explicit or implicit, committed by a person, whether individually or in concert with others, against a student in connection with pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization or team and which is intended to have the effect of, or should reasonably be expected to have the effect of, humiliating, intimidating or demeaning the student or endangering the mental or physical health of the student, regardless of the person's willingness to participate,” according to the policies and procedures page.

Hettinger said that Geneseo has more than 25 Greek organizations amounting to over 1,000 students. The Office of Fraternal Life requires all these students to complete online hazing prevention programs, such as “Hazing Prevention 101” and “Fraternity & Sorority Life.” 

Hettinger further explained that presidents and new member educators receive additional education about hazing policy each semester prior to taking new members. 

“[They] are required to sign the form as a demonstration that they understand both the college’s hazing policy, New York State hazing legislature and the consequences for violating either,” Hettinger said. “This form also holds organization presidents and new member educators responsible for sharing this information with their active members, new members, and ensuring their compliance.”

Hazing investigative procedures commence as a joint effort on behalf of the Office of Student Life and the Office of Fraternal Life. Both Hettinger and Sancilio said that they could not speak to the specifics of the allegations against or interim suspension of Kappa Sigma, citing the ongoing nature of the College’s investigation.

Sancilio said that, in general, the nature of the investigation depends on whether the fraternal organization in question is nationally affiliated. Kappa Sigma is a nationally recognized fraternity.

“When possible, we involve the national and they assist in the investigation, and we expect information to be shared,” Sancilio said. “If the organization is not national, more falls on the campus to investigate … either through the conduct office or fraternal life. We have also engaged the services of an outside investigator in the past.”

Hettinger further explained that an organization’s inter/national headquarters could also investigate depending on the allegations and evidence.

“An I/HQ may launch an investigation independently of the college, or they may just defer to the outcome of the college’s process,” Hettinger said. “Ultimately, an investigation may lead to an organization appearing before a student conduct board—a student, a staff member, and a faculty member, all of whom are impartial to those involved in the case. The board reviews the case and determines whether or not the organization is responsible for the violation, and if necessary, assigns sanctions.”

The President of Kappa Sigma said that their national headquarters is “finishing up” their investigation of the allegations. Speaking on behalf of their organization, they added, “We have complied with the Village Police Department investigation and are currently complying with the investigation being hosted by both the College and our national headquarters.”

Sancilio said that at this point, there have been no charges levied against the group. In light of “concerning” information being shared with the Office of Student Life, interim suspension measures were put into place to “ensure the health and well-being while the concerns are investigated.” 

“If an organization is placed on interim suspension during its new member education process, then its process is paused—along with all other organizational activities and operations—until the investigation is complete and an outcome is reached. Their new member status is simply put on hold,” Hettinger said. 

Sancilio referred The Lamron to the “Conduct Procedures for Registered Student Groups” for the process, trial and possible consequences if a student organization is found guilty. 

According to the page, a student organization is an “integral part of the co-curricular life on the Geneseo campus” and must follow the responsibilities set forth form the College, including the Student Code of Conduct. In the event of a violation, action will be taken. 

The policy explains that the Dean of Students or someone appointed by them investigates all complaints unless it falls under Title IX. The dean and a Conduct Administrator will decide if charges will be dropped based on “mutual consent of all parties involved” or if it will be brought to the Student Conduct Board.

The misconduct will then be judged if it has been committed by an individual and/or the group, and separate trials will proceed accordingly. Any individuals charged will be tried by the Student Conduct Board in a separate trial. The Student Conduct Board is composed of three members of the Geneseo community: faculty, administrative staff and students, respectively. 

According to the policy, the charges will be brought to a representative of the organization and the organization's advisor, who can attend the trial if they choose to. No more than two members from the organization can speak at the hearing and present all evidence. Just like a normal trial, the organization can call witnesses and question anyone or anything brought forth by the college unless a written testimony is approved by the group prior to the trial. 

The policy states that “if the majority find the organization has violated the standards of conduct, the Board will, by majority vote, determine the conduct action to be taken against the organization.” The group can face consequences anywhere from a written warning or conduct probation with sanctions, such as performing community service, fundraising for a designated organization, paying the injured party, being banned from College facilities and activities, or writing a public apology.

Sancilio explained that most silent witnesses will remain anonymous unless evidence shown during the trial reveals something regarding who the individual is.

“Any retaliation against someone presenting information to the College for review would be a violation of the Code of Conduct and would be handled separately,” Sancilio said. “All witnesses are welcome to discuss their options and resources (e.g., police, no contact letters, counseling, Title IX, etc.) with the Dean or Assistant Dean.”