OSWEGO N.Y.— Beyond Cyber Awareness Month, online scams continue to threaten identities. A cyber attack happens every 39 seconds in the United States alone, according to a study by the University of Maryland.
Young adults appear to be a primary target. A report from the Federal Trade Commissions says that young adults are 20 percent more likely to lose money in an online scam than their senior citizen counterparts, who more often fall victim to telemarketing scams.
SUNY Oswego’s Campus Technology Officer Sean Moriarity warned students to take precautions and explained how hackers can use your identity at any time, even decades from now.
“Young people are young,” Moriarity said, “Some day they’re going to be more wealthy than they are right now, so it is important to stay vigilant.”
In light of Cyber Awareness Month, Oswego’s Campus Technology Services hosted a variety of events to educate students about cybersecurity, including an email-phishing quiz, two-factor verification contest, and a phishing derby.
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SUNY Oswego updates students on new guidelines due to COVID-19
[et_pb_section][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text]BY: TOMAS RODRIGUEZ
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, SUNY Oswego will be transitioning all summer courses to distance learning, with some facing possible cancellations. A full updated schedule was made available to students May 1.
As a New York state institution and a member of the SUNY system, Oswego’s campus will have to comply with any mandates issued by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
“While there are still many unknowns at this time, the leadership team and I are hard at work and vetting several possible plans for SUNY Oswego for the Fall 2020 semester, including face-to-face should government and health guidelines allow,” SUNY Oswego president Deborah Stanley said. “We will also institute all necessary health and safety measures.”
Due to the constant changing nature of the virus, Mary Walker Health Center will maintain its current appointment-only policy until the COVID-19 pandemic comes to a close, allowing for proper screening of students and added safety for both students and personnel.
Telehealth will also remain available until the current threat is no longer existent.
Students will still be required to complete COVID-19 questionnaires and will be screened by a nurse prior to their appointment.
“There will be a separation of sick and healthy students in the waiting area for those students that are seen face-to-face,” Director of Student Health Services Angie Brown said.
Additional precautions will include requiring students to wear a mask or covering while present at Health Services.
Currently, Oswego Health has made a mobile testing site available, although Health Services may have the ability to test under some circumstances should test kits become more readily available.
Penfield Library has been impacted by the epidemic as well, providing about 95 percent of its services online.
“As we plan for the fall, we will continue to provide all appropriate services to our students, faculty and staff, and adapt library operations and use of the facilities in concert with the guidelines from the Governor on social distancing and limiting human density in our academic buildings,” Provost Scott Furlong said. “As an example, we may need to limit the number of students sitting at individual tables or in small group study rooms.”
Orientation for both first-year and transfer students, which were scheduled to stretch between the months of June and August, will become available online, still requiring incoming students to activate their email and complete their academic and health history information.
Summer orientation has been broken into two different steps. A portion of the information made available during the orientation programs will be moved to the online world, while the remaining information will be delivered face-to-face during the Fall Opening.
“In addition to online summer modules we are building, we are in the process of developing ways to engage new students with Laker Leaders through videoconferencing, social media and other platforms,” college Vice President Jerri Howland said.
While aiming to build a quality first-year class this fall, the safety and health of the campus community remains the top priority, college officials say.
“Residence Life and Housing will adapt based on how many students are allowed back on campus following future guidelines received from the Governor on social distancing and limiting human density in our residential buildings,” Howland said.
In terms of sanitizing, SUNY Oswego has custodial coverage seven days a week that routinely disinfects residence halls, all rooms, offices and any spaces utilized.
Daily cleaning protocols also include door handles, light switches, faucets and door knobs, among others.
Dining halls will remain take-out or delivery only, pursuant to Gov. Cuomo’s Executive Orders.
Concerning study abroad programs, SUNY has canceled student study abroad for the summer session.
“SUNY Oswego and SUNY leadership are closely monitoring the evolving situation and have not yet made a determination about the Fall,” Furlong said.
When it comes to the Fall semester, SUNY Oswego plans on welcoming new and returning international students.
“We are proceeding as we normally would to recruit, enroll and retain our international student population and will continue to work within any new guidelines received from the state and SUNY,” Associate Provost for International Education and Programs Josh McKeown said. “It’s an uncertain time but staff in the Office of International Education and Programs is prepared, like the rest of the Oswego campus, to be flexible and adjust as the situation demands.”
In the event that SUNY Oswego returns to normalcy in the Fall, the college will have to adhere to CDC guidelines and in some cases those applying to the state of New York to ensure students’ safety.
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Study Abroad May See an Increase in Support
by Eoin Gallagher
Oswego, NY- Oswego State’s faculty led study abroad courses will have the opportunity to expand. The school has announced they will be accepting new proposals from faculty who wish to expand the program. Oswego State is already considered to have one of the top study abroad programs in the country.
Director of Global and International Studies Lisa Glidden has taught multiple study abroad courses including “Sustainable Cuba,” a program where students were able to travel to Cuba over winter break. She says she enjoys teaching these courses and that they can even lead to potential internships.
“I teach another course that goes to Ecuador… I actually have a student going and doing an internship in the fall semester,” Glidden said.
With the efforts of Oswego State’s faculty and administrators, more courses may be available in the future. -
SUNY Oswego’s “Story Tellers’ Guild” celebrates friendship
By William Corsi
OSWEGO, N.Y.– SyFy and fantasy fanatics at SUNY Oswego have a unique outlet to make friends on campus. Once a month, the Story Teller’s Guild rents out four rooms in the Marano Campus Center in order to hang out and play games together. If that sounds like a typical Saturday between friends it’s because at the heart of the Story Teller’s Guild, there’s a community of people who enjoy spending time together.Vice President Tiffany Baez said the Story Tellers Guild is close knit group of people like a family. Baez said that although not everyone might be interested in the club because it is what she calls ‘nerdy’, the members of the club really enjoy it.
Story Tellers’ Guild Member Jessica Miller said the Story Tellers Guild was the first club she joined on campus.
“Most of my friends on campus are in the club. It gives me stuff to do so I don’t sit in my dorm all night which is fantastic,” Miller said. Miller said she wrote a game for the club this past week which she said is something she never thought she’d do.
For more information on the Story Tellers’ Guild visit http://www.oswego.edu/orgs/stg/index.html.
