A man who forcibly raped a woman in the Village of Phoenix in July of 2005 has been convicted.  Joseph A. Stefanovich was sentenced to 20 years in state  prison by Oswego County Court Judge James Metcalf, for Rape in the First Degree.  Stefanovich will also receive five years’ post-release supervision.  The conviction pertains to an allegation that Stefanovich grabbed the victim from behind, put her in a chokehold, and dragged her into a wooded area where the offense was committed.

Stefanovich was linked to the case due to a DNA sample from a 2006 case.  The DNA was on profile due to a prior sexual offense conviction.

At trial, Stefanovich claimed that his DNA appeared in the rape kit because he had a consensual encounter with the victim on the day of the offense.  He told the jury that another person must have raped her later that same day.

The victim testified that she did not know Stefanovich and had never engaged in consensual intercourse with him.

District Attorney Gregory Oakes, the prosecutor of the case, stated that he wanted to commend the victim for having the “strength to come forward and the courage to testify at trial. Our community is now safe from this predator because of her bravery and fortitude. It was an honor to stand up and fight for her in court.”

Located in the heart of campus, just steps away from the Marano Campus Center and Cooper Fitness and Dining, lies the nine floor building Funnelle Hall.

Built in 1965, Funnelle is home to over 400 SUNY Oswego students.

SUNY Oswego announced they will be doing major renovations to the building, starting at the beginning of the Spring 2020 semester. Students living in Funnelle Hall will need to relocate once construction is started.

Renovations will be finished for the 2020 Fall semester.

According to Funnelle Hall RA Charlie Chapman, he doesn’t see the construction being an issue for students. 

“I don’t think it will be too hard on them. They’ll probably just move out, they’ll probably have the same roommate. They’ll just be somewhere else, depending on where they have classes it might be a further walk but it should be fine,” said Chapman.

Student Jason Lin has aspirations about what the renovations will consist of.

“I think for Funnelle Hall they should renovate the kitchen area, and the lounges to make them more modern and more spacious for people to hang out in,” said Lin.

For the students moving to new dorms, once the renovations are done they will likely be able to relocate back to Funnelle, and enjoy its updates.

This project is expected to be a great improvement for SUNY Oswego, and will surely put the “fun” in Funnelle.