Former NBA player Etan Thomas visited SUNY Oswego last Monday to lead a panel discussion and q&a about activism and media exposure within professional sports. The discussion was held at the Marano Campus Center auditorium as a part of the “I am Oz” Diversity Series.
“There’s this new surge of athletes using their voices and speaking out.” Thomas said.
Since Thomas’ retirement he has become a writer and a commentator, with a life devotion to advocating for social change on and off the court.
“I grew up admiring the athletes of the past,” Thomas said. “like Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Bill Russell, Muhammad Ali. Those were the athletes I have always admired (because of) the way they used their positions and platforms to be able to speak on different issues and create change.”
Several students attended the panel with many questions of discussion including players taking a knee during the national anthem, how athletes present themselves in the media, media criticism, and the evolution of social media use by players.
After the panel, students had an opportunity to purchase an autographed copy of Thomas’ book entitled “We Matter- Athletes and Activism.”
“I want them to read the stories of these different athletes who they admire seeing on the court or the field,” Thomas said, “by seeing the courage that they have and the passion that they speak with, and become inspired themselves to become activists in their own way.”
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Mr Phi. Significant
Oswego, N.Y- An annual male beauty pageant, originally hosted by sorority Delta Phi Epsilon, was given to Phi Sigma Sigma this year for undisclosed reasons. The official name of event was changed to “Mr. Phi Significant.”
The event’s message remains the same each year. It honors former Oswego State student Jennifer Knighton, a sister of Delta Phi Epsilon who passed away in an alcohol related accident on Jul. 19, 2009. Her father, Joe LaPoint, organized the event in her honor.
“This is the way I make peace and make sense of it, and to keep her legacy alive so that all the huge enormous promise and potential that she had didn’t just end when she left us,” he said.
Phi Sigma Sigma sister Morgan Rumpf co-hosted the event and says she’s honored to have LaPoint’s support year after year.
“The strength that it takes for him to get up on stage and continue year after year to be here in support and fly across the country for this event is just anything we could ask for in him,” she said.
Eight contestants competed in four categories; swimwear, evening attire, talent and questions. Delta Sigma Phi brother Rich Yonkers was the overall winner and crowned “Mr Phi. Significant.”
All proceeds for the event will go towards the Jennifer Knighton Scholarship Fund and the Kids In Need Foundation. -
Student Association Update: February 23rd
SUNY OSWEGO, N.Y. – Tuesday evening marked the 5th Student Association Legislative Session of the spring semester. The number of senators required to begin the meeting was met and following the approval of the minutes and agenda, the meeting promptly began.
The Hip Hop Dance team was the first and only guest to the Senate for the evening. The new dance team, Adrenaline, was just started by students on campus here at SUNY Oswego and they presented to the Senate to request funding for next year. Adrenaline is a dance team dedicated to performing at campus events and eventually they wish to compete in competitions within the state. Their budget currently only supports the new club with advertising funds. Adrenaline turned to the Senate to propose that they receive more funds in the upcoming budget term in order to support the organization. They believe the Senate’s help will allow them to grow in number and allow them to get the word out about what Adrenaline is and the goals of the new organization. The funds request from the Senate are to help with advertising costs and bringing in choreographers to work with the members of the organization. Two senators offered to write a bill for the requested funds which will be voted on at a later date.
In executive reports Student Association President Emily Nassir, shared with senators that new applications are currently being accepted for executive positions within the cabinet on the Student Association Programming Board. Nassir encouraged anyone interested to apply, but also reminded them that they would be required to give up their seat on the Senate if and when accepted for the position. To finish her executive report Nassir also revealed that as of now, it appears that 4 students will be given the opportunity to travel to Saratoga for the SUNY SA conference. This number however does depend on budgeting, which she will keep senators updated as she receives new information. Following Nassir’s report, Matthew Peters, Director of Finance a short report in which he reminded senators that budget proposals for clubs and organizations on campus are due Monday.
In public comment, former senator Jillian Kranz spoke on behalf of SA and their goal to inform as many students as possible about the referendum coming up. This referendum gives students the chance to determine whether the student activity fee should mandatory or voluntary. SA will be tabling in the Marano Campus center for two weeks encouraging students to vote yes for a mandatory student fee, seeing as the student fee funds a great deal on campus. Kranz encouraged all senators to sign up for at least one tabeling time slot to help spread the word about the upcoming voting process for the referendum.
Committee reports followed public comment and The Involvement committee gave an update on Miss-A-Meal for this spring. Students have the opportunity to give up one of their meals for the day (lunch or dinner), and that meal will be donated to help those less fortunate in Oswego. They are currently contacting local businesses in order to gain sponsors for the event.
The meeting then moved swiftly on to Hall Council reports, where senators updated the Senate on events and programs taking place in their halls. Johnson just created and put in place a new constitutional committee who will be present during their Eboard and hall council meeting to ensure that the code is being followed. Waterbury held a “Pie Your RA” event to help raise money to fund programs and events for the hall. Cayuga will now be hosting movie night on a weekly basis, the first one being this Thursday at 7:30pm in the main lounge where they will be showing “Straight outta Compton”. Funnelle updated the Senate on their Male Beauty Pageant event which received an official date and will be held on Thursday April 28th. Closing out hall council reports, Riggs also revealed their plans to host a male beauty pageant called “Mr. Riggs”. The date and time for this event, along with it’s details will be revealed as planning progresses.
General orders for the meeting included four different budgets and bills to be voted on by the Senate. Men’s Rugby Club was the first general order of the evening and their proposed budget included funds for entry fees that are mandatory in order for them to play in competitions and for the tournament they will be hosting here at SUNY Oswego, with the help of the Women’s Rugby team. The original budget also included funds for new jerseys and equipment, but was later taken out, seeing as the club can request funds for it, in the upcoming budget year. The proposed bill passed by general consent and the Men’s Rugby team will be receiving their requested funds.
The second general order for the evening was the National Broadcast Society, who requested funds to help them send three members to a convention in LA this month. They requested funds from the Senate to help with the travel and hotel costs for the students attending the event. While in debate on the bill, many senators expressed concerns with the budget in the proposed bill. Many senators felt that the amount of funds being asked for was too high considering only three students were attending the conference and those three students have already attended the conference last year. The goal of helping organizations with funds is to impact as many students as possible, yet the funds for the National Broadcast Society would only be helping three students. Other senators expressed concerns over the need to be mindful over the budget SA has to help fund organizations and many felt that due to the fact that the National Broadcast Society had stated that they would attend the conference whether they received the funding or not, was off putting since there are other organizations who don’t have the ability to fund their own events. Following the debate of the bill, the voting process began and revealed that the bill had failed, therefore the National Broadcast Society will not be receiving the funds they requested.
American Sign Language Club’s proposed bill and budget was the third general order. ASL Club requested funding to help with an event taking place in April, featuring a comedy show by comedian Keith Wann, the son of two deaf parents. The goal of this event is to teach students about the deaf culture in a fun and friendly way. ASL Club requested funds to help with ticket costs to ensure that event is not overbooked, and interpreters for the event to ensure that each audience member has the same experience. The proposed bill and budget passed by general consent and the club will be receiving the funds to help with the event.
The fourth and final general order for the evening was the proposed bill and budget for PRSSA, Public Relations Society of America. PRSSA requested funds to help purchase shirts and tie-dyeing supplies for their event taking place during “Comm Week”. Students will be given the chance to tie-dye their own tee shirt, in hopes to encourage more student involvement and promote the School of Communication. The bill also passed by general consent and they will receive their funds to help with their tie-dyeing event.
The meeting came to a close following the passing of three out of the four proposed bills and budgets. SA meets every Tuesday evening at 6pm, in Lanigan 106. All meetings are open to the public and students are encouraged to attend to express their views and concerns.
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Travel Ban Response
by Ilyssa Weiner
Oswego, NY – Oswego State President Deborah Stanley sent students and faculty members an email on Sunday morning in response to President Donald Trump’s recent executive order banning travel into the United States from seven Muslim majority countries including Iraq, Syria, and Iran for 90 days.
The ban affects both non-immigrants and immigrants as well as those with a student or scholar visa. Green card holders were originally affected by the ban. However, according the New York Times, that decision has been reversed.
“There is considerable uncertainty about its implications,” Stanley wrote. “We advise great caution on the part of our international students, faculty and staff to consider carefully any travel outside the country or consider deferring travel until there is more clarity about how the Executive Order will affect us.”
Oswego State does not have a study abroad or international education program in any of the seven countries. Stanley advises those who are from any of those countries and are either planning to travel or are currently outside of the United States to seek the advice of an immigration lawyer before making travel plans.
“SUNY Oswego has always been a welcome and hospitable home for international students and visitors since our founding over 150 years ago,” she wrote. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to international students, scholars and programs for the creativity, intellectual rigor and cultural diversity you bring to our campus.”
According to the New York Times, a federal judge partially blocked Trump’s ban on refugees and other foreign nationals who were being held at U.S. airports on Saturday night. Protests against the ban continue across the country.
If there are any questions or concerns, contact the Office of International Education and Programs at isss@oswego.edu or by calling 315-312-2118.
Hart Hall is home to many international students and some of the students may be affected by the ban.
