Tor Echo Newspaper of the Pioneers

By Jordyn Riethmiller

In the Fall coming semester, Alfred State will be of-

fering a new choice in on campus housing. Gender

inclusive housing will be available in two suites in

Main Gate B. This housing is a bit unique. Why? Gen-

der inclusive housing is intended for individuals who

would like to live together regardless of the way that

they may identify themselves. Until recently, college

communities have had a tendency to overlook the

LGBT+ community. However, Residence Director

Vincent Gravanda has made it his mission to bring

the LGBT+ community to the attention of the col-

lege. In most cases, males are comfortable rooming

with males and females are comfortable rooming

with females, but what about the LGBT+ community,

shouldn’t these individuals be comfortable as well?

This is Mr. Gravanda’s goal to achieve. Gender inclu-

sive housing will be sure to provide a comfortable

living environment for those who would like to re-

side in the two designated suites in Main Gate B.

Comfort is key, especially in college. For example,

the bathrooms in these suites will have a moveable

letter “E” on the door, and the individual using the

restroom at a given time will be able to choose who

they are comfortable sharing the bathroom with. In

example if that being women, E on its side, men, E

upside down, or everyone, E as itself. This will pro-

vide upmost comfort within the suites.

We all would love to come back to a room that feels

like home, right? Everyone will now have this oppor-

tunity. Including gender inclusive housing as a choice

in on campus living is truly a step forward for Alfred

State College. The signing up for this housing will be

painless and simple. Students will simply request this

type of housing, and residential life will do their best

to place students where they would like to be.

If you are interested in this type of housing, or if you

have any questions regarding gender inclusive hous-

ing, please contact RD Vincent Gravanda at

GravanVJ@alfredstate.edu.

Gender Inclusive Housing Available Fall 2016

Tor Echo

Report, Encourage, Engage

Issue 3, Spring 2015

Editor-in-Chief: Lynnette Lockwood / Associate Editor: Jordyn Riethmiller / Sports Editor: Morgan Franchina

Treasurer / Student Senate Representative: Daniel David

Reporters: Lee Button, Karla Chun, James Cummings, Christy Dodd, Katie Dussing, Grace Franklin,

Brianna Freeman, Anthony Grande, Ashley Kennedy Nichole Meehan, Don Schrader, Breanna Smith, Angel Torres

© Tor Echo, 2015

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How exactly did the villagers man-

age to piss off the Village of Alfred

Board this year? The villagers must

have done something horrible and

nasty to have their part of Hot Dog

Day stripped from them. Now the

families, the vendors, and the art-

ists lose out in the

chance to connect

with one another. The

snakes that run this

town have successfully

removed the single

redeeming factor of

Hot Dog Day. Did the

children who love the

jewelry, the students

who love the pottery,

or the mother and fa-

ther who can grab a

quick meal really deserve this? I

think not. Why then, does the

town knowingly take away the

lightest part of Hot Dog Day?

The townsfolk are the ones

who lose out, not the students.

Perhaps this a political campaign to

make the town the least livable

they can, by taking family activities

out under the “guise” of being ben-

eficial to the town. It starts with

the vendors during Hot Dog Day,

then moves to the vendors at the

farmers market, then the commu-

nal tai chi and yoga sessions. Our

decision makers sure are doing a

great job at making their decisions.

Hot Dog Day is tradition in Al-

fred, this is true not just for the

students who will experience it for

maybe four years max, but for the

people who live here. They go year

after year, and bring their family, to

check out the long stretch of oddi-

ties and trinkets. Teenagers meet

up with their crush on this road,

hoping to have a day of connection.

Husbands buy jewelry for their

wives and daughters. We donate to

multiple charities in what is un-

doubtedly the most charitable even

this town sees. The community

comes together, on the same

stretch of land, one time a year.

This daytime event may be fol-

lowed by shenanigans, but is not

the shenanigans itself.

Effectively the town has banned

everything good about Hot Dog

Day in a feeble attempt to curb the

student nonsense. But the students

are not the ones who lose out, be-

cause the town takes the blow, and

the charities take the blow, and the

traveling vendors who rely on that

money to live take the blow. Hurt-

ing an entire econo-

my of vendors, hurt-

ing the community

of townspeople and

students, is all the

town is essentially

doing. The students

are not going to

stop doing what

they do, this revolu-

tionary decision of

the Village of Alfred

is counterproduc-

tive. The reasoning behind the re-

voking of Hot Dog Day was to stop

the students, yet, the town is who

is being stopped.

So I ask again, what exactly did

the town do to deserve their part

of Hot Dog Day removed? Were

they unruly heathens who broke

the law? Were the townsfolk par-

taking in a mass disruption of the

village akin to the 1968 Chicago

Riots? Or was this just another bad

decision on the towns part?

- Cheers from a Guest Editor!

Fear and Self-Loathing in Alfred Village

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ERGO is funded by the Student Senate and is freely distributed each semester and is also

available to view online at http://issuu.com/alfredstatecollege/docs/ergos14. We are now ac-

cepting new submissions for the spring 2015 Ergo publication if you would like to contrib-

ute. Students, faculty, and staff are invited to submit their original works of art, poetry, and

prose by sending them to ergo@alfredstate.edu. Dr. Aniko Constantine (SDC Bldg., 3rd Fl.),

is the Faculty Adviser for ERGO. She can be reached at constaav@alfredstate.edu. If you

wish, your submission could be published anonymously or under a pseudonym. Take a mo-

ment and review one of our previous publications located in several of the buildings around

campus or online.

Ergo Accepting Submissions

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March 17-22 space is available for an Alternative Spring Break trip to Brooklyn, NY serving

alongside All Hands Volunteers and the American Red Cross. The cost is $150. A $50 de-

posit will be required to hold your place on the team after you are invited to join. Our

work will include minor framing, drywall hanging, installing doors, widows, kitchens and bath-

rooms of homes impacted by SuperStorm Sandy. We will depart from Alfred early Tuesday

and volunteer on-site by Tuesday afternoon. Wednesday through Saturday volunteer from

8:00-4:00. Travel back Sunday morning.

Apply at https://pioneerlink.alfredstate.edu/

form/start/58766 or contact civicengage-

ment@alfredstate.edu

Alternative Spring Break Trip

Brooklyn NY

A grouping of oil and watercolor paintings will be on display

this month at Alfred State’s Hinkle Memorial Library for an

exhibit titled “Inspired by Nature: Paintings by Bridget

Bossart van Otterloo.”The

exhibit, which runs from

February 2 until February

27, features the work of

Bridget Bossart van Otter-

loo, who paints and teach-

es art in Corning. Van Ot-

terloo has a degree in stu-

dio art from Houghton

College, works in her natu-

rally lit studio, where she paints a variety of subjects, including still life,

flowers, plants, and landscapes in both oils and watercolors. She says her work has been influenced by Italian and Spanish still life painters and that

her paintings are about the beauty in nature. “I believe that the beauty

found in nature enriches our existence. Natural forms, elegant lines, bold

colors, and the intrinsic details found in nature are the themes in my

work. My most recent paintings explore the interaction between humans and the natural world. Nature is

incredibly resilient as it continues to persevere in the face of man-made threats.”

An active participant in the Corning art community, she has taught art classes at area youth centers, mu-

seums, and Corning Community College, and currently teaches watercolor and oil painting classes at 171

Cedar Arts Center.

Oil and Watercolor Art Exhibit on Display at

Hinkle Memorial Library

By Lynnette Lockwood

The ARC artworks is an

annual event that began

about 5 years ago. The

participants of Alleghany

ARC services have en-

tered their works of art

for display at the Wells-

ville Creative Arts Cen-

ter. This year they will be displayed from Feb 28th - April 14th. Af-

terwards the paintings will be sold as a benefit for VOICE - Alle-

ghany ARC’s Self-advocacy Group. Silas Michael Vossler wrote a

poem entitled The Forest Poem too.

Rise Program Students Create Art for ARC Display

Alhadj Diallo poses for photo of artwork.

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By Daniel David

This year on February 21, 2015

marks the 50th anniversary of the as-

sassination of civil rights leader Mal-

colm X. A few other Civil Rights

leaders who come to mind when

someone thinks of the Civil Right

Movement is Dr. Martin Luther King,

Rosa Parks, and Muhammad Ali, and

John Lewis. These Leaders are recog-

nized and honored as the main sup-

porters of the Civil Rights Movement.

The reason why is because they were

major supporters of non-violence to

earn human rights as U.S citizens,

regardless of someone’s race, ethnici-

ty, gender, or sexuality. Although Mu-

hammad Ali was a professional boxer,

he was strongly against violence out-

side the ring towards people who

were not his opponents. The two

biggest Civil Rights Leaders who are

always compared to each other is

Malcolm X and Martin Luther King.

More people honor Dr. King because

he always emphasized the direction

of the Civil Rights Movement to be

peaceful at all times. After Dr. King

himself was assassinated in the year

1968, years later he received his own

national holiday known as Martin Lu-

ther King Day. Malcolm X did not

receive the same honor. When peo-

ple speak or mention Malcolm X,

many people first thoughts are “He’s

a racist”; “He supported violence”;

and “He demanded control and pow-

er for all African-Americans.” How-

ever, not many people understood

why he had no remorse for using vio-

lence or why his mindset was the way

it was.

In 1931, when Malcolm X was six

years old, his house was set on fire

by the Ku Klux Klan. Once the police

arrived they made absolutely no ef-

fort to help his family out because

they were Black. Then his father was

murdered by the Ku Klux Klan a few

weeks later. This resulted his mother

being a single provider for eight kids.

Seven years later his mother was ad-

mitted into a mental asylum. After

experiencing all of the unjust treat-

ment that happened to his family, a

dark heavy hatred towards whites

formed inside the young Malcolm X.

Once he joined the Nation of Islam,

he viewed white people being

“Devils.” In his life, many southern

whites were devils.

After he resigned from the nation

of Islam he flew to Mecca. During his

trip to Mecca he saw not only black

Muslims, but white Muslims who

treated him with respect and hospi-

tality. He met people who he could

call his brothers and sisters. He no

longer believed that whites were dev-

ils, and had a new outlook on race. In

other words he experienced what he

called “enlightenment.”

Before this event he strongly be-

lieved that blacks should live sepa-

rately from whites. However, after

witnessing the harmony of all differ-

ent ethnicities coming together as

one in Mecca, he strongly felt as

though that America was more than

capable of doing the same. Although

his new outlook on race happened

only a few months before his death,

many people today don’t understand

why he enforced the famous state-

ment “By any means necessary”.

Mostly this was due to the press and

media portraying him as a dangerous

leader. In the very end Malcolm X

was a not only an important civil

rights Leader, but a man who was

greatly misunderstood.

A Special Look of Civil Rights Leader Malcolm X

Alfred State is offering an online accelerated spring session. Get ahead on your studies or increase your GPA!

Courses run from March 2- April 24. Choose from the following:

CHEM 1013 – Introductory Chemistry (Professor Flint)

HIST 1143 – Survey of American History I (Professor Krezenski)

MATH 1034 – College Algebra of Functions (Professor Haskins)

MEDR 1133 – Medical Terminology (Professor Green)

PSYC 1013 – General Psychology (Professor Foreman)

SPECH 1083 – Effective Speaking (Professor Johnston)

Accelerated Spring Session

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The Writing Center- SDC 203- Spring 2015

*professional writing tutor

On Sundays, writing assistance is available in the library! Nate Cimo will be there from 3:00-7:00.

Look for the “I’m here to help” sign at his table upstairs.

Online writing assistance is available on Sun-Thurs nights from 7:00-midnight.

Go to www.alfredstate.edu/tutoring-services and follow the “After hours TLC” link!

MON TUES WED THURS FRI

8-9 Dawn Butts*

8-9

Dawn Butts*

8-9

Dawn Butts*

8-9

Dawn Butts*

8-9

Dawn Butts*

8:00-10:00

9-10

Carol Geiselmann*

9-4

Janelle

Scrivener

9-11

Carol

Geiselmann*

9-4

Kyle Helfrich

9-11

10-11

Nate Cimo

10:00-12:00

11-12

11-3:30

Kate Stiffler*

11-3:30

Kate Stiffler*

12-1

CLOSED AT

NOON 1-2

2-3

3-4 Janelle Scrive-

ner

4:00-6:00

Kyle

Helfrich

4-6

Kyle

Helfrich

3:30-6:00

Janelle

Scrivener

3:30-6:00 4-5

5-6

The residence halls will close for Spring break on Saturday, March. 14, 2015, at 12 noon. The Office of Resi-

dential Life recognizes the need for some students to remain on campus over scheduled breaks.

In light of this need, we have created Extended Stay areas in MacKenzie South, Peet Hall, Burdick Hall, Shults

Hall, Main Gate B, and Robinson Champlin Hall for students who hold an F1 student status.

Non-F1 students in extended stay areas are not permitted to stay over break without prior approval through

completion of the Extended Stay application by Sunday, March 8, 2015 at 4p.m.

Students with extenuating circumstances must also complete the Extended Stay application. The application

can be found at http://bit.ly/ASCSpringbreak2015

Applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by Residential Life personnel; approval will be based on

need and space availability. Space is limited so please investigate alternative means and locations for break

since no services will be provided on campus for the break.

Extended Stay Area Notice

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Getting to Know Cultures Spotlight

Saraf Sampritee

By Lynnette Lockwood

Where are you from? Bangledash.

Why did you choose Alfred State? I was supposed to go to Canada

but my Visa wouldn’t work there because my country and Canada

are not on good terms.

Do you like Alfred State? Yes I do.

What do you like about it? The people are very friendly.

What is the hardest thing about moving here? The weather.

Do you find it difficult to keep up with the culture of your

home country alive while trying to assimilate into American

culture? No. I have traveled a lot around the world so I know

how to keep up with it.

Do you feel discriminated against? No.

What do you think are the biggest misperceptions of your

people to Americans? Everyone in my country thinks that

Americans are druggies but they are not.

Do you plan on staying in America once you graduate? No I

don’t. I want to take over my dad’s business.

Join Tor Echo

We are looking for interested students to write for us, draw cartoons, take

pictures, or even something new. We are open to your suggestions.

If interested contact Lynnette Lockwood (editor-in-chief)

Email lockwoln@alfredstate.edu

Phone 920-276-1144

Or contact Brian Quinn (advisor)

Email QuinnB@alfredstate.edu

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Haiti Relief

By Jordyn Riethmiller

Over this past winter break, Alfred State Veterinary Tech-

nology students journeyed to Haiti in order to help with dis-

aster relief and animal care. During their time spent in Haiti,

students provided training and medical care for local live

sock. The students traveled with Dr. Pearson, a professor

here at Alfred State, as he and his family lived in Haiti for a

year. They were able to stay in a mission house, and also had

the opportunity to do a little sight-seeing. Dr. Pearson

showed them around a few cities and took them shopping at

local markets.

While interviewing Vet Tech. student, Cheyanne

Doty, she stated that “this was a great experience to get ex-

posed to large animals.” Since taking care of animals of all

sizes is a huge part of their major, the students were pleased to aid the people of Haiti in taking care of

their animals. The students were also involved with the set-ting up of two medical clinics, and were able to gather sup-

plies for them. Aside from their services to the medical

fields, students also participated in community service for a

sports camp”.

As civic engagement is a huge part of our mission here at

Alfred State, we at Tor Echo would like to thank the group

of students that gave their time and services in Haiti this

winter break! Cheyanne Doty, Megan George, Joshua Bridge,

and Chelsea Clark.

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WETD 90.7 FM is looking for students interested in becoming the sta-

tion’s secretary or program director, as we are seeking to fill both posi-

tions as soon as possible. As our secretary you'll be responsible for tak-

ing notes during weekly board meetings, helping to write and send e-

mails to DJs, and performing other administrative tasks. The Program

Director will be responsible for managing the music, syndicated shows, and other programming heard on

WETD when no live DJ is on air. The only requirement for both positions is that you are able to attend our

weekly BOD meetings on Thursdays from 6-7:30 PM. If you are interested or have any questions please

contact Logan Merrill, WETD General Manager, at merrill@alfredstate.edu.

WETD is Looking for a Secretary and Program

Director

The Alfred State

baseball team

spent Valentine's

Day morning

helping the Red

Cross in Wells-

ville. Thirty-five

players and

coaches helped

clean out and

organize storage

areas.

The main

task the team

performed was cleaning a large

storage area and

moving the items to a different area of the offices for two hours.

Chuck Marra, executive director of the Western New York Chapter of the Red Cross was appreciative

of the effort put forth by the team. "Thank you so much to you Coach Cronin and the Alfred State team for

cleaning out the Red Cross 2nd floor office in Wellsville. We could not have done it without all of you. Like

the old saying goes, many hands make light work and your team certainly epitomized that saying."

This is the second service project the team has performed this school year. The team participated in the

Day of Service by helping at Gil's Hill and a portion of the team recently went to assist the Alfred Box of

Books with some snow removal.

Baseball Team Civic Engagement

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Casey Bills and Victoire Kothor led the way as the Alfred

State track and field team competed at the Brockport

Golden Eagle Invitational. Bills was 2nd in the 500 (1:21.92)

to qualify for the ECAC Championships and move into 3rd

place all-time in Pioneer indoor history. Bills was also part

of the 4x200 relay team teaming with Maddi McDon-

ald, Angel Bresnahan, and Diane Sill.

Victoire continued her solid freshmen campaign with a 2nd

place finish in the shot put, 12.28 meters and was 6th in

the weight throw, 13.85 meters.

Other top performances on the women's side included: Bresnahan registered the 7th fastest time in

school history in the 60, 8.58, and the 8th longest jump, 4.82 m, in the long jump. The women's Distance

Medley Relay team of Cassandra Ryan, Katherine Gelser, Mikaela Shaw, and Kelly Healy, finished 4th in

15:21.09. Ryan was also 7th in the 500. John Adewumi was 6th in the 60 meters, 7.21, to lead the men's team. The Pioneers are back in action on Friday at the NYS Championships. The two day event will be

held at RIT.

Bills and Kothor Lead Pioneers