College students that are also volunteer firefighters have the ability to receive tuition reimbursements in New York State. Assemblyman Will Barclay calls this a “relatively new program” offered through the Fireman’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY).
The National Fire Prevention Association has estimated that roughly one hundred thirty nine billion dollars annually are saved by volunteer firefighters stepping up.
Barclay hopes that this program will encourage more students to become volunteers. The deadline for this semester’s program was recently extended to Oct. 16.
Volunteer firefighters attending college can apply online at http://www.fasny.com/index.php/resources/fasny-help/ or by emailing HELP@fasny.com, Attn: John D’Alessandro, Deputy Volunteer Programs Coordinator. Students can also call FASNY toll free at (855) 367-6933.
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Oz Speaks Series: ‘Blue Lives Matter’
by Ilyssa Weiner, WTOP10-TV
Moderated speak-out series “Oz Speaks” held the most recent talk in their series on Oct. 25. The topic was on the issue about Blue Lives Matter.
Students, faculty and members of the community were encouraged to speak about their thoughts and feelings about the situation without it being a debate. Some participants shared stories of family members in law enforcement while others discussed the impact of both the Blue Lives Matter and Black Lives Matter movements on their personal lives.
Sophomore Keonna Wren was one of the participants of the event. One of the issues she spoke about was her identity as a black woman and how the two movements, [Black Lives Matter and Blue Lives Matter] shaped her life.
“I absolutely love events like this because it’s not a debate,” said Wren. “I’m happy I got to spoke my truth and that’s what I came here for.”
Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students Jerri Howland is one of the organizers for “Oz Speaks.” She says this speak out is different from the others because of the structure for how Blue Lives Matter came about and how this movement contrasts to Black Lives Matter.
“It’s not only important for students, but it’s important for everyone in our society to make sure we listen to all points of views,” Howland said. “I think it’s when we don’t listen to others and don’t understand their point of view that we don’t really get to the heart of what diversity is.”
Howland says the goal of the “Oz Speaks” series is to create a space for the SUNY Oswego community to freely speak about their thoughts on issues. She believes the series has successfully done that so far.
The next “Oz Speaks” talk will be Nov. 1 at 6:30 PM in the Campus Center Auditorium.
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Potterwatch Hosts Quidditch!
Tired of being an average everyday student? Potterwatch is the gateway to a bright new magical world for you. Potterwatch is the newly founded club on campus that specializes in various fun-filled events inspired by the works of J.K Rowling.
The club is run by the headmaster, Marianna Butera. Activities this club specializes in are debates, trivia nights, pot locks, viewing parties and quidditch.
On October 12, the first big event for Potterwatch is quidditch, which will occur outside of Lee Hall between the two softball diamonds from 10 am to 3 pm.
The game quidditch consists of nine people on each team: one seeker, three chasers, two beaters, one keeper, and two substitutes who can sub in for any players wanting to have a break except for the seeker.
The point of the game is for the chasers to score through one of three hoops as many times as possible with a quaffle (volleyball) while the beaters throw bludgers (dodgeballs) at them. If a chaser gets hit by a beater, they must drop their quaffle and run to the end of the field. The keeper’s job is to defend the goals and the seeker is responsible for chasing the snitch. The snitch in this case is a person who runs around in yellow and if he is caught, the team receives thirty points. Remember this is all done by riding on brooms.
The first place team for the tournament receives a pizza party, the second place team receives a dozen doughnuts, and the third place team earns candy bars for each team member.
Money proceeds from events like this get sent to a charity called Lumos which was cofounded by J.K Rowling. Lumos works to help the millions of children in institutions worldwide regain their right to a family.
So what are you waiting for? Get out there and show off some magic!
Contact Potterwatch – potterwatch@oswego.edu
Donate a gallon – https://wearelumos.org
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Focus on Faculty Series: Rob Auler
On October 21st, Award winning and international pianist takes the stage as he plays multiple of well known classical melodies from impactful pianists/musicians such as Mozart, Bach Busoni, Carter Pann and much more.
Rob Auler, currently professor of music and chairperson of Oswego’s Department of Music, explains the significance of classical piano music in today’s society and the importance of the focus on faculty series in the community.
“I have to explain to my own two children that classical piano is terrific, it’s something that we should celebrate, we should listen to. I’ve designed these five pieces to be highly accessible for audiences who have never heard classical piano playing and in fact, I’ve actually got some of my soccer team kids coming to the show and I particularly want kids like that to come to a recital, see classical piano music that they have never seen before and leave with a very great experience.” Auler said.
“One of the neat things that the music department does we provide public recitals. Not only for the college community, not only for our student, not only for our faculty, but just for the community at large. And not only we are an educational provider but we also provide cultural offerings for the entire community.” Auler also said.
For the students who are trying to get into the profession of music, Auler simply said “persistence and keep on trying new things.” Being in a profession like this isn’t easy but it requires practice and perseverance. Students who attended his concert simply said it was “incredible.” Later this year, the series will continue bringing in other musicians.
For more information, you can visit their website. https://www.oswego.edu/music/music-department-0.
