The Oswego State field hockey team fell to Cortland by a score of 7-2 for their first loss in SUNYAC play. With the loss, the Lakers drop to 5-4 on the season while the Red Dragons move to 10-3.

Cortland opened the scoring in the first half thanks to goals from four different Red Dragons. They would take that lead into halftime and added two additional scores early in the second half including Jess Gibaldi’s second of the game. It was not until the 68th minute that Oswego would get on the board. However, for freshman Theresa Glynn, it will be one that she remembers as it was the first of her career. Kathleen Little would also put one in the back of the net for the Lakers to go along with her assist.

Oswego will look to get back into the win column on Saturday when they travel to Geneseo to take on the Knights in another SUNYAC matchup.

The Oswego State volleyball team split a doubleheader at Max Ziel Gymnasium this afternoon as they defeated Oneonta 3-1 and then fell to Fredonia by the same score. After today’s games, Oswego is now 9-11 on the season and 3-3 in conference play. Conference foe, Oneonta, falls to 8-14 overall and 2-3 in the SUNYAC with Fredonia moving to 13-7 and 5-1 in the conference.

Against Oneonta, Allison Sullivan and Lauren Fie each had seven kills by the end of the second set to give the Lakers a 2-0 lead. While they struggled in the third set, largely due to a 10-2 run by the Red Dragons, Oswego regained their rhythm to win the contest. Leading the Lakers on the court were Alison Berger with 15 assists and Sarah Braddon with 15 digs on defense.

With momentum from their last match on their side, Oswego jumped out to a 1-0 lead against Fredonia. That would be the only set that they would come out on top in though, as crucial runs by the Blue Devils led to wins by scores of 25-12, 25-23, and 25-17. On the offensive side, Allison Sullivan and Laura Finn led the Lakers with eight kills apiece while Julia Flohr contributed eighteen assists as well as six digs on defense.

Oswego’s will be back in action in Canton next Saturday for a doubleheader where they will take on the ‘Roos and Maine Fort-Kent.

The Oswego State field hockey team’s four game winning streak came to an end after a 5-1 loss to William Smith.

The Herons opened the scoring with two goals early in the first half to give themselves a 2-0 lead going into halftime. In the 40th minute, the Lakers were able to get on the board thanks to Katie Reynolds’ team leading seventh goal of the season. That would be all for Oswego though as William Smith responded with three more scores.

Lakers goalkeeper Sarita Charap made 11 stops after playing the entire game with her teammate, Brianna Ciganek also contributing two defensive saves. Emily King played a majority of the game at the goalkeeping position for the Herons, notching three saves.

Oswego, now 4-3, will go on the road to face conference foe, Brockport, on Saturday.

The Oswego State women’s soccer team suffered a tough 1-0 loss against Potsdam on Saturday. With the defeat, the Lakers drop to 4-4-1 on the season while the Bears are now 8-2-2.

Both teams were held scoreless in the first half but not before Oswego had their chances to score. Within the 41st minute alone, the Lakers took three shots including a header by Taylor Harrington. They would go on to outshoot Potsdam in the half 9-3, and 17-5 in total. The Bears scored the game’s lone goal early in the second half.

The Lakers will look to end their three-game losing streak when they face Buffalo State on Friday at 3 pm.

The Oswego State men’s soccer team opened up SUNYAC play with a 1-0 win over New Paltz. Oswego’s victory marked the first time since this day in 2006 that the program won its conference opener.

The first and only score of the game came in the 59th minute as Lakers’ forward, Hassan Musa, netted his team-leading seventh goal of the season.

On the defensive side of the ball, Oswego held the Hawks to just three shots on goal. Goalkeeper, Brian Terra, improved his record to 4-1-0 after notching his second consecutive shutout.

Oswego, now 6-1-1 on the season will look to extend their winning streak to three games as they take on Oneonta tomorrow at 1:00 pm at Laker Turf Stadium.

The Oswego State volleyball team performed a clean sweep of its opponents at Max Ziel Gymnasium on Friday night.

In their opening game, the Lakers dominated the Hilbert Hawks in every major statistical category. They would go on to win three sets to none by scores of 25-5, 25-10 and 25-12. Laura Finn starred for Oswego State, finishing with eleven digs, seven kills and two aces while Julia Flohr contributed 28 assists.

Against SUNY Canton, Oswego State won by narrower margins, 25-18, 25-20 and 26-24. Alison Sullivan was a force to be reckoned with on both the offensive and defensive ends for the Lakers as she had eight kills and a team-leading seven blocks. Also contributing was Shauna O’Flaherty with 17 digs and two aces.

Oswego, now 4-6 on the year, will face Utica College at 11 a.m tomorrow followed by Elmira College at 1 p.m.

OSWEGO, N.Y. – Students and faculty gathered Monday to hear about the professional journalism experiences of Oswego State alumnus Quindell Williams (‘11) in the Marano Campus Center Auditorium.

Williams works for Syracuse based TV station CNYCentral as a photojournalist and video editor. During his five years at the station, he was part of the team that won a regional Emmy award for best Daytime Newscast. Williams also holds other awards from the Syracuse Press Club and New York State Associated Press.

“I love what I do, I love my job,” he said.

His motivation in life comes from his child. “Every time I look at my son I have to do better, doesn’t matter what it is,” he said.

Williams began his career in broadcasting at CNYCentral as a master control operator for one year, a job he got right out of college. A career fair at Oswego State presented him with the opportunity. He did work to get himself to the point of getting hired as master control.

“Things I did (in college) helped mold and shape me to what I am now,” Williams said.

He spoke to the audience about his time in college, at both Oswego State and Onondaga County Community College. He was involved with several clubs on campus at Oswego State such as the Black Student Union, African Latino Asian and Native Americans (ALANA), WNYO 88.9 FM, and WTOP-TV.

His advice for students, was simple. “Be prepared to seize the moment,” Williams said. “Try to surround yourself with people trying to reach the next level.”
The program was put on by Voices of Diversity, currently in their sixth year of holding events like this one to encourage diversity.

by Reggie Debrah

Oswego, NY- Oswego State had their annual Iron Pour on Apr. 14. Iron Pour is an event that takes place once a semester by students in Oswego State’s Technology 205 (Materials Precision Production) course. The event took place in the pit behind Tyler Hall.

Professors and students collected recycled pieces of metal from around campus and heated it up to 3000 degrees. After the metal has melted, it is poured into plastic molds in order to create iron molds.

The event was organized by professor Benjamin Entner and other Technology 205 professors. Entner says the event is a spectacle.

“Everyone likes fire,” he said. “There’s an element of danger although it’s quite safe. It’s a unique experience not every college campus does.”

Students in the course were excited because of how much they prepared for this event throughout the semester. Those who came to watch were allowed to design plastics molds and have iron poured into it. After waiting for the iron to cool, everyone who carved out a mold was allowed to leave with the iron plate that they designed.

Oswego State student Lawrence Chiappone is currently in the Technology 205 class and says the Iron Pour is a great event for people to get involved with.

“Not many colleges do an Iron Pour,” he said. “You have a chance to make a sculpture. I think the professors in the community are really good about it.”

Oswego State student Michael Gambro took the Technology 205 class last year and was excited to come back to see the work done to this year’s event.
“I think it’s a cool way to get people involved,” he said. “It seems like something a little bit different around campus.”

by Ilyssa Weiner

OSWEGO, NY — Governor Andrew Cuomo’s recent Excelsior Scholarship is the first program in the United States to offer free tuition to four year public colleges. The program, however, has its setbacks, critics say.

SUNY Oswego Financial Aid Director Mark Humbert says the hard part for students who receive the scholarship will be keeping it.

“You have to successfully complete 30 credit hours per year and most of our students don’t do that,” he said.

SUNY Oswego currently has a 48% acceptance rate. Humbert says the Excelsior Scholarship will cause the rate of all SUNY schools to decrease.

“It’s going to make SUNY more selective, which in some way goes against our mission which is affordability and access,” he said.

The initial cap for students who qualify will be an annual family income of $100,000. By 2019, the cap will rise to $125,000. Humbert says many students will still need loans despite the qualification.

”The cost of college is more than just tuition,” he said. “The same students that might be eligible for this still are going to need their loans to help pay for room and board.”

Students eligible for the program must stay in New York State for four years after they graduate. If they move out, the free tuition turns into a loan.

SUNY Oswego student Asha Bey is a broadcasting major and is concerned if she ends up with a job outside of New York.

“I know there’s plenty of job opportunities in other states other than New York,” Bey said.

While she is hopeful about the scholarship, Bey believes the kinks need to be worked out.

“I just want a group of people to just go through it so we can see what is there or what we can expect,” she said.

The Excelsior Scholarship program will take effect Fall 2017.

by Stefanie Sciolaro

OSWEGO, NY- – On April 8th, Governor Cuomo announced that all public 2 and 4 year universities in the state of New York will offer a tuition free scholarship. The Excelsior Scholarship will allow middle class families, who qualify, to be exempt from paying for college tuition.

In order to qualify, a family’s adjusted gross income must be under $100,000 in 2017. By 2018 that number will go up to $110,000, and by 2019 the amount will increase to $125,000. These incomes will include all student, parent, or spouse incomes within the family.

Students must be enrolled full-time, already have 30 college credits, and continue to complete 30 credits per year, which includes summer sessions, while in college. Transfer students will be eligible if they, or once, they’ve met the 30 credit requirement. If the student loses the scholarship, for now, they will be unable to regain it, though there is an appeal process being put in place.

Once students who are receiving the scholarship graduate, they will be required to stay New York residents for the same amount of time they had received the scholarship in college. Christopher Britts, an education major at SUNY Oswego, is apprehensive of where the state’s getting the money to fund this and what the resident restriction entitles.

“Are my taxes or other college expenses going to go up?… Will they decrease the PELL or TAP grants we get? Because if so and I don’t qualify where does that leave me?… What if I get a job in Cali or Jersey, I have to say no? If so, I’d rather have the loans, then at least I’m free.” says Christopher.

Graduate students are not eligible for the scholarship, nor are students who have already completed an undergraduate degree and are pursuing a second.

Families will still be responsible for other expenses such as room and board, meal plans, and books, but the hope is for the Excelsior Scholarship to help relieve some of the burdens that families face in trying to pay for student’s college education. Financial aid will not be effected if a student receives the scholarship.

Christopher is also a team leader for Mentor Scholar, an after school program helping children with homework, and says this scholarship is good for younger children as well.

“Yes the scholarship needs adjustments and clarification but it really does give them a future to look forward to. Many of these kids come from low income families who before now, college was probably never an option…well now it is. As a future educator and current college student thats a beautiful thing to see.” Chris said.

This scholarship will go into effect and be available to students for the Fall 2017 semester. For more on the Excelsior Scholarship visit http://www.ny.gov, for SUNY (State University of New York) information visit https://www.suny.edu, and for CUNY (City University of New York) information visit http://www2.cuny.edu.

by Michael Reilly

Oswego, NY- The Oswego State theater department’s production of Jon Jory’s adaptation of the Jane Austen novel Pride and Prejudice, directed by theater professor Mya Brown, begins this weekend. Alexandra Matsu stars as Elizabeth Bennet, a woman looking to break away from the strict social norms she’s expected to follow in 19th century England. Matsu says the play’s message is about staying true to your feelings.    

 “Open your heart and to keep your heart open and don’t allow yourself to be affected by the noise of outside life,” she said.

Stage Director Emily Stott says giving the show a more modern feel makes it more powerful.

“To incorporate a contemporary heartbeat allows us to revitalize the show,” she said. “It provides a relatability to the audience, a modern feel.”

Also starring in the production is Cadi Hannold as Mrs. Bennet, Evan Debevec-McKenney as Mr. Bennet, Logan Colby-Rowe as Jane Bennet, Marisa Miner as Mary Bennet, Kayla Bonesera as Kitty Bennet, and Sean Ryan as Mr. Darcy.

Pride and Prejudice’s first preview performance will be on Apr. 20 at 7:30PM at the Waterman Theater in Tyler Hall, with opening night on Apr. 21. Performances will continue on Apr. 22 and 29 at 7:30PM and Apr. 30 at 2:30PM. Tickets are $15 to the general public and $7 for Oswego State students with ID.

by Jamie Aranoff

Oswego, NY- Students in Oswego State’s MBA program volunteered their time to do free income tax reports for both students and members of the Oswego community.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) has been a part of the Oswego State campus for over ten years. The VITA program assists students who are new to doing taxes on their own as well as community members.   

According to a press release, the Oswego VITA program received a score of 100 percent in quality site requirements in its IRS field audit.

VITA on-site program coordinator Kevin Kania says tax forms are sent by the students to the IRS electronically. If there are any questions or concerns about a form, the IRS will contact them.

“Last year we had over a 99 percent approval rating, which means over 99 percent of the returns we prepare were accepted by the IRS which means we did them correctly and there were no issues or questions for us,” he said.

According to City-Data, the median household income in Oswego was $39,632 in 2015. Many residents fit the requirement for VITA’s minimum income, bringing in many tax forms for student volunteers to file.

“Last year we preformed over 400 returns and this year we’re on track to get over 400 returns throughout the whole semester,” Kania said.

The last day to file taxes is Apr. 18.

by Jihad Yarber

Oswego, NY- April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention month.

According to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN), 11% of college students experience rape or sexual assault on campus. Oswego State educates those on campus about how to assess these situations through Title IX training.

Title IX is a section of the federal Education Amendments Act of 1972 that prevents sexual discrimination in colleges.  Discrimination includes sexual harassment, assault, and rape.

Title IX training is required for many clubs, organizations, and employers on campus. It goes through the basics of sexual harassment training and how to avoid being a bystander.

Oswego State student Alyssa Barrett says the Title IX training provided on campus is beneficial.

“I feel like it was beneficial, not just for organizations or jobs. I think the video they show was effective. I think it’s important just to know about it in general,” she said.

Fraternities and sororities on campus must also go through the Title IX training in order to spread awareness about sexual harassment and assault to incoming members.

“Greek life honestly has a bad reputation,” Kappa Sigma president Steven Gerencser said. “People just think that we’re drinking clubs and all we do is take advantage of girls and do all that stuff, but I think it’s good because it shows we don’t just do that, it’s not the stereotypes. We care about people and it’s good we’re teaching our pledges that.”

Both Barrett and Gerencser feel the training is an excellent step to assure their wellbeing.