by Jamie Aranoff, WTOP-10 TV

German Virtual Reality Company, Crytek has announced a sponsorship with Oswego State providing virtual reality research opportunities and human-computer interaction graduate programs.

VR [Virtual Reality] First is an initiative to integrate virtual reality and create labs in higher education institutions nationwide.  The aim of VR First is to link schools to a global network of virtual knowledge and research.

The need for jobs in the virtual reality market is rapidly opening, said Dr. Jolanda Tromp, a visiting professor at Oswego State. “Experts are needed to help with improvements to the hardware and there are a multitude of application areas opening up, such as big data visualization, explorations of the microbiology world, medical training, health & safety training for hazardous environments, college education programs of all sorts, fashion, journalism, marketing, to name a few,” said Tromp.

Oswego has joined a partnership of schools including Purdue University, Oklahoma State University, University of Florida and many others spanning six countries.

The Academic initiative with Crytek has allowed for the creation of a virtual reality lab in the Shineman center, with five state of the art virtual reality headphones. In addition, all headsets will be complete with Crytek’s software development, CryEngine.  

Virtual reality is a computer-generated program that is viewed from specific headgear with a screen securely placed in front of users’ eyes. Virtual reality’s specific draw is that the program allows for users to feel as though they are in a three dimensional location, which is a dynamic shot allowing the image in front of a users eyes to move in sync with a user.  

“It’s becoming affordable, the technology is improving and the headsets are smaller and more comfortable to wear,” Tromp said in a press release.

Last Spring, students in Tromp’s graduate virtual reality course divulged into the myriad of opportunities that are presented with the technology.  It is applicable not only to the science and technology fields but medical, marketing, psychotherapy, space travel, journalism and more.

“There is a need for software development talent in this field,” said Tromp.

Many students of varying majors and studies are provoked by the new technologies, and their opportunities in the job field.  

“It’s becoming cheaper and more common to produce headsets and I really feel as though the ideology of being able to interact with interact with virtual technology paves a way to new technologies I can not even begin to fathom,” said Sophomore computer science student, Joseph McGee.

In addition to the practicalities among many different fields, one Oswego student has taken the technology and applied it to pain management.

Second-year graduate student, Ryan Kikta is using virtual reality to bring patients undergoing medical treatments to feel as though they were in a non-medical location.

“It’s a green technology, it saves resources and time. Its flexibility is incomparable” said Tromp on the ability to use the technologies in different settings.  

For students interested in the vast world of virtual reality technology, Tromp is teaching a graduate level virtual reality course again in the upcoming spring semester. The virtual reality lab is available for students to propose projects for, and to collaborate with companies off campus, some even providing opportunities for internships.

by Annie Flaherty, WTOP-10 TV

OSWEGO, N.Y. – October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and SUNY Oswego is taking action on campus through a variety of events. The One Love Foundation and SUNY Oswego teamed up to share the story of Yeardley Love.  Yeardley was killed in 2010 due to a domestic violence altercation with her ex-boyfriend.

Yeardley’s mother, Sharon Love, aims to spread awareness through college campuses.

As a mother, Mrs. Love says, “my biggest concern was that she may be injured on the lacrosse field or, even worse, be hurt in a car accident. Relationship violence was never on my radar screen.”

SUNY Oswego “It’s On Oz” campaign held events this month.  Lisa Evaneski, the Title IX coordinator at SUNY Oswego set up workshops this past week addressing sexual and domestic violence, specifically in college relationships, and how to make Oswego’s campus a safer one.  Evaneski says these workshops are not just for students who have experienced domestic violence, but for everyone else on campus as well, so that they can recognize it.

This Thursday, October 20, SUNY Oswego students will be encouraged to “turn the campus purple” in honor of victims of relationship abuse and also to “shine a light” on the cause.  

Other events will be taking place on campus throughout October as well, such as the “SUNY’s Got Your Back” event, where volunteers will put together comfort kits for victims and survivors of interpersonal violence.

If you are interested in getting involved with It’s On Oz campaign, contact Lisa Evaneski by email at Lisa.evaneski@oswego.edu.

Reported by: Abigail Buttacavoli, WTOP-10 TV 

What’s better than the aroma of freshly popped popcorn and the boom of a new blockbuster film? To the people of Oswego, one little movie theater has been a family favorite for almost a century.

This year Oswego Cinema is celebrating 75 years in business since its grand opening on January 22, 1941. Originally located on the corner of Bridge Street and Second Street where the current theater stands was the Hippodrome Theater which opened its doors around 1910.

The Oswego Cinema,  referred to as the Oswego 7 Cinemas for its seven screen rooms, was built in 1940 for M. Shapiro and Sons and designed in the art deco style by noted architect of his time John Ebberson. The old time charm and the movement of the lights give an appearance of going back in time and that attracts Oswego moviegoers.

Vinny Ruggio, a lifelong Oswego resident, brought his grandchildren to the movies and explained his memories and his love of the theater. “It’s the best gig in town, even now for me,” he said, “and I want my grandchildren to enjoy the same experience and I hope this place always stays open.”

“I like the art deco atmosphere of the place, it just has a lot of history, being almost 75 years old,” said Cole Smith, the general manager. He believes the theater is a great part of the town.

Each and every person who comes through the doors of the cinema is witnessing a unique piece of history. Here’s to 75 more years!

The expression “Going Green” is not new to students at SUNY Oswego. The campus has been rated as being one of the top green colleges in the nation for another year in a row by “The Princeton Review’s Guide to 361 Green Colleges.”

A variety of environmentally friendly and energy efficient utilities are very much visible when walking around campus. The presence of facilities for bike commuters: bike storage/racks or lockers can been found near almost every building.

“I think the accessibility of the bike racks are a great part of the campus,” said senior Christopher Britts. “This year I live off campus and don’t want to waste my gas driving here everyday, like who wouldn’t want to be outside, it’s beautiful out this time of year here.”

Shuttle buses, sharing service cars: Zip-cars, and car charging stations on campus have tremendously helped the school, not only become more environmentally responsible, but give more mobile opportunities to students and faculty.

“The shuttle bus saved me from a lot of trouble during the winter when I had to travel from Seneca Hall to Shineman,” said junior Matthew Upright.

Oswego State is also one of few colleges that has a formal sustainability committee and a sustainability officer. The college also spends 13 percent of its food budget on locally grown or organic products for students.
SUNY Oswego also offers a minor in sustainability studies, and in recent years constructed buildings such as Richard Richard S. Shineman Center for Science, Engineering and Innovation; Rice Creek Field Station; and the Village has achieved LEED Gold certification: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). The college has been designing their new facilities to meet this LEED standard since 2005, have definitely succeeded, and continues to do so.

OSWEGO, N.Y. -If you’ve walked through the quad lately, you’ve seen that Oswego has new sculptures on campus. The set of sculptures were a response to renovation work that was being done on Tyler Hall. The sculptures range from large red spikes representing connection or lack thereof with earth, to a sculpture that animals can live in blurring the lines between humans and nature.

The six pieces aren’t just local art, two of them hail from North Carolina and the other four from all across New York state. The Lifestyles Center will be co-hosting an event with the Student Art Exhibit Committee on October 19. #CelebrateSculpture will be held in the quad featuring the artists who built the sculptures, who will answer questions and talk about their experiences.

The large red piece is titled Prince, by Fredrick Douglas Schatz. This work is meant to be a self portrait. He said that it was a comment on the harmony and lack of harmony between each person and the earth that we inhabit.

You can find more information about this event on the SUNY Oswego events calendar at http://bit.ly/2dWoBEv.

OSWEGO, N.Y. – A fight across the street from the Shineman Center early Sunday morning resulted in a man being sent to Upstate Medical University Hospital. When University Police arrived at the scene they found an 18-year-old man had been assaulted and stabbed four times in the shoulder.

     Witnesses say that four males in dark clothing with hoodies pulled over their heads, came out of a dark colored 4-door Honda before attacking the freshman. A female was driving the car, and it was last seen heading east on Washington Boulevard.

     The argument is believed to have begun earlier in the night in front of the American Legion on Bridge Street.  The victim’s injuries are not life threatening and he is in stable condition.

     The incident is currently under investigation by State University Police and is asking anyone with information to contact them at 315-312-5555.

Reported by: Annie Flaherty

Two SUNY Oswego students have contracted the mumps this semester.  Vaccinations at the college are required for all students, but there is a 30-day period in the beginning of the semester before students have to provide the records of their immunizations.  The first case of the mumps appeared on campus during this period, whereas the second case appeared this past week.

School health officials took the proper precautions once they were notified the virus was on campus.

“We notified administration […] the student was placed in isolation, and isolation is just a private room on campus, and the student went home until results and symptoms resolved,” said Angie Brown, Director of Health Service at Mary Walker Health Center at SUNY Oswego.

Other students on campus had mixed reactions to hearing the diagnosis of the mumps in their community.

“I was going to get everything and do everything I could to keep myself healthy and safe,” said senior Joe Governale.

Since the school is taking precautions, other students had different things to say.

“I was kind of worried at first, but I don’t think it is as serious as some people think it is,” said student Lauren Nevil.
Officials at Mary Walker say that the symptoms of the mumps start out similar to the common cold, but the distinguishing symptom between the two are very swollen cheeks and glands under the ears.  If anyone is experiencing any of these symptoms, contact Mary Walker Health Center at (315) 312- 4100 or online at Oswego.edu/walker-health-center.

Reported by: Ilyssa Weiner

Scales Hall residents will be forced to move out at the end of the semester due to the hall’s renovation. Scales is the last residence hall in the Lakeside Community to be renovated after Waterbury reopened last fall.

Resident Assistant Gabby Green lived in Waterbury before it was renovated. She was initially worried about where she was going to live when Waterbury closed. However, she enjoyed the experience she had with it.

“That’s why I came here, to help people move out of this building and do it all again,” said Green.

The renovations to Scales will include new lounges, a new front desk and an elevator. Scales Hall Director Myles Clendenin is excited for the changes, but also believes the community aspect is what will stand out the most.

“It’s not just about how the building looks in the renovation. It’s about building that community, at the end of the day the students who make the make the community,” said Clendenin

Scales is currently home to about 150 students, consisting of international students only staying for the semester, new students and students who’ve lived in Scales for more than a year.

Senior Anthony Salvador has lived in Scales since his freshman year and will greatly miss the atmosphere of the old hall.

“I will definitely miss the old Scales to the point where I’m going to leave on the last day at ten A.M. when they kick me out,” said Salvador.

Those who are currently living in Scales since the beginning of the semester will priority in picking what dorm they want to stay in during the spring semester.

Scales Hall will reopen Fall 2017.