By Savannah Malerba

OSWEGO, N.Y.– SUNY Oswego has many clubs that students can join on campus, but some are harder to find than others. The Oswego Odyssey is a small club of writers who write blogs focusing on topics that appeal to college students and the Oswego community.

The Odyssey is a national online platform where contributors across the United States write long form articles and create videos. The content that shows up for each reader is tailored to their interests.

Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Oswego Odyssey Brooke Lehr said she has been writing for Odyssey since her freshman year; two years ago. She said the reason why she loves the Odyssey is because it is an outlet for her to share her opinions with people and she is happy to help people share their ideas as Co-Editor-in-Chief.

Oswego Odyssey contribuer Corey Cesare said she joined the club at the start of the semester because she loved writing. Cesare said since joining, she has found success on the platform with one of her articles getting over 3,000 views which according to Cesare is “a big deal!”

Lehr said that the Odyssey looks great on a resume because it shows writers persuasion skills by trying to persuade readers with their views and also shows commitment by posting consistent weekly articles for a national platform.
If you are interested in joining the Oswego Odyssey writers or interested in more info, please email odysseyatoswego@gmail.com.

This year’s cold in Oswego is not only breaking records, but apparently water lines as well.

Mayor Thomas W. Gillen said the below zero temperatures have caused water lines in some neighborhoods to freeze, leaving the residents of those areas without water.

“It’s possible people will be without utilities, specifically water, for an extended period of time, potentially for several days,” the mayor said.

Oswego is currently working with the American Red Cross of Central New York to house impacted people in Laker Hall, a building on the SUNY Oswego Campus.

Mayor Gillen declared a state of emergency in the city to address the situation as quickly as possible.

He advises all residents to check on their neighbors, especially the elderly or disabled, to make sure they are okay.

If you know anyone who needs help, call 911, or (315) 343-1212 for other assistance.

The Student Association held their eleventh meeting of the Senate for the semester on Tuesday evening, The meeting got off to an exciting start when SA President, Emily Nassir, was officially sworn in as the President of the Student Association for the 2016-2017 year. Following the swearing in of the new president, roll call was taken which indicated quorum was met. The meeting minutes and agenda were then approved which allowed the meeting to officially begin.

The first and only guest to the Senate for the evening was President of SUNY Oswego, Deborah Stanley. Stanley tries to attend at least one Senate meeting per semester to discuss with students the new things happening on our campus. At this meeting, President Stanley took the time to inform the Senate of the student demographics on campus, budget updates, and some of SUNY Oswego’s policies. SUNY Oswego students both undergraduate and graduate, come from all over New York state and beyond. SUNY Oswego has spent more time and resources recently, to recruit more students from downstate, which President Stanley feels they have been very successful in doing so. This past year’s group of first year students totaled to 1,500. Of those students, 30.5 percent of them identified as being culturally diverse. Stanley mentioned this to the Senate because she feels it is a very important part of our campus’s atmosphere. The number of students who identify as being  culturally diverse, has increased in the past few years, but Stanley wants and expects that number to grow. In fact,  in the group of 2016 first year students, 49.5 percent of students have identified as being culturally diverse. These statistics Stanley said, have not been and are not discussed much with students, but she feels students should be aware of these important facts that impact the dynamic of our campus. President Stanley also revealed some measure SUNY Oswego is taking to help better represent the diverse population of students on campus. Stanley is currently looking for a Chief Diversity/Inclusion Officer, who will make sure that all voices on campus are heard and that all students are represented. Students also expressed their concerns on increasing the diversity amongst the staff and faculty at SUNY Oswego and President Stanley said these concerns have been and are being  addressed as the search for new faculty is underway. The President also mentioned the college wide commitment SUNY Oswego has taken to improve student success. Student surveys have indicated that students feel the college could improve on advisement for students. Stanley has been and will continue to review academic advisement planning for students to help provide them with all the tools and resources they need to ensure their success as students here at SUNY Oswego. Closing her presentation, Stanley mentioned some changes that are beginning to happen on campus. Tyler Hall will finally be reopening in the fall and renovations are expected to come to an end soon. Scales Hall is the next renovation taking place on campus which will be completed by August 2017.  

Public comment was next on the meeting agenda following the special guest to the Senate, President Deborah Stanley. Senators were reminded that Miss-A-Meal is taking place tomorrow, Thursday April 14th. Students are encouraged to give up their meal at dinner time and doing so will help fund the SUNY Oswego food pantry that will soon be located on campus.

Emily Nassir, SA President was the first to deliver her executive report for the evening. Nassir announced that Director Position applications have been reopened and will stay open until April 15th. Nassir will be traveling to Syracuse to advertise OzFest on the radio station “Hot 107.9”. Nassir also reminded senator to encourage their peers and friends to purchase OzFest tickets, seeing as they are only $15 per student. Nassir stated that instead of focusing on the lineup/performer, students should see it as an opportunity to spend time with their friends for one of the last times before finals week begins and before going separate ways as summer vacation begins.

Director of Finance Matthew Peters, delivered the final executive report for the evening, Peters discussed the sales of OzFest tickets and his concern on the current number of tickets sold. He made it a major point that more tickets need to be sold in order for this to be not only a successful event, but also a financial success. Peters also mentioned his new project which is working on training sessions for the executive positions that are held in the various clubs and organizations on campus. Training sessions will be held and the executives from similar clubs such as sports and academics will meet separately and will be given training so they are prepared for the 2016-2017 year.

Following executive reports, the meeting moved swiftly to Committee Reports. Rules and Judiciary stated that folders containing records and guidance for senators and clubs are being designed. Involvement Committee revealed that the Student Assocation comment cards have been printed. They will available to students at the Welcome Desk in Marano and students can find the cards with responses posted outside the Point.

Senator Research Forum was next on the agenda. The Senate is looking to create a position for an Organization Liaison. One or two people would be available for student leaders of organizations and clubs, to talk to and seek advice from in many areas such as forming a proposal for a budget, how to request funding for their organization or what organizations can and cannot do in terms of funding events. The Liaison would be the point person for all things organizations.

The meeting came to an end following Senator Research Forum seeing as there were no general or special orders on the agenda for the evening. The Student Association holds their weekly meeting of the Senate Tuesdays in Lanigan 106 and 6pm. All meeting are open to the public and students are encouraged to attend to express any concerns or opinions they may have.