Category: 2021
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Students and Faculty Speak Out Against Sexual Violence at First New Paltz Accountability Forum
Emotions ran high at the first New Paltz Accountability public forum. Held Friday, November 18, in the Student Union Building, the room was packed with listeners engaged in conversations told by students and faculty about sexual violence in and around the SUNY New Paltz campus. As an organization, New Paltz Accountability believes the conversation surrounding…
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Photo Essay: Revival of Long Island’s Huntington Fall Festival
The Huntington Fall Festival is a classic Long Island event. Every year on Columbus Day weekend, the four-day festival takes up Hecksher Park and the surrounding roads. The family-friendly event includes rides, games, food, live music and more. This year, for the first time since COVID-19, the fair took place and those who were vaccinated…
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How ‘Unnatural Acts: Harvard’s Secret Court of 1920’ Was Collaboratively Written
Tony Speciale, a playwright who is the founder of Plastic Theater, has been intrigued by the true events surrounding Harvard’s Secret Court of 1920 for almost 18 years. In 1920, Harvard formed a secret court to handle accusations of “homosexual activity” following the suicide of one student. Men both connected and unconnected to Harvard were…
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Governor Opens 10 Mass Vaccination Sites for Children Ages 5 and Older
Select mass vaccination sites across New York State are now administering COVID-19 vaccines to children ages 5 to 11. “Parents have been waiting for the ability to protect their young children from COVID-19, and we are doing everything we can to make that possible,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said. Following the U.S. Center for Disease Control…
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Mobile Sports Betting Leads to Increase in New York State Gambling Rates
Betting by phone was legalized in New York State this past April, which means people don’t have to go to the track or gamble through an illegal bookie to place their bets. But for some, easier access to gambling could be a genuine danger. According to the North American Foundation for Gambling Addiction Help, as…
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Education Majors Fear Unpreparedness for In-person Instruction Will Lead to Disconnect in the Classroom
Learners of all ages are experiencing a massive upheaval in our education system. From remote classes held on Zoom to socially distanced classrooms, nobody is learning the same way—and some students have checked out entirely. For college students majoring in primary education, this drastic change is more than just a tweak in curriculum. Education majors…
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Historic Housing Decisions Await New Paltz Preservation Commission
The New Paltz Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) board held a public meeting via Zoom on September 21 to discuss recent updates and upcoming plans for the board and town. This meeting was hosted by Chair John Orfitelli and attended by Commissioner Susan DeMark and Commissioner Matt Maley. There was discussion of a new information packet,…
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NYCLU Argues the Second Amendment Can Infringe Upon the First in New Gun Law Case
This story has been published in collaboration with the Legislative Gazette The Supreme Court heard oral arguments for the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. (NYSRPA) v. Bruen case regarding Americans’ ability to carry concealed loaded firearms in public spaces with no “proper cause” requirements on November 3. Although difficult to predict the…
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Majority of New Yorkers Support Bill for Hospice Patients to Receive Aid in Dying
This story has been republished with permission from the Legislative Gazette. A Marist College poll shows that 58% of New Yorkers support legislation that would allow terminally ill patients to end their own lives if they choose. In contrast, 37% oppose medical aid-in-dying, and 5% say they are unsure. A survey of 822 New York…
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Replicable Solutions to Homelessness in the Mid-Hudson Valley
Despite the fact that the United States is among the wealthiest nations on the planet, it is still home to one of the largest homeless populations in the world. According to an annual point-in-time count by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, approximately 580,466 people experienced homelessness in 2020. Since the onset of COVID-19…
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Ballot Proposal 1 Set to Address NY Redistricting Processes
This story has been republished with permission from The Legislative Gazette. The most polarizing—and perhaps confusing—ballot proposal before voters on Nov. 2 is the first one: a proposed constitutional amendment that would change the process of counting voters and drawing new election districts in New York State. Voters will see the following question, among others,…
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Prop 5 Raises Claims Limit for NYC Civil Courts, Lightening Load for State Supreme Court
This story has been republished with permission from The Legislative Gazette. This upcoming Election Day, New Yorkers will be voting on several propositions that would amend the New York State Constitution, including Proposal 5, which would expand the jurisdiction of New York City civil courts. Voters on Tuesday will see the following question: “The proposed…
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Ballot Proposal 3 Would Allow for Same-Day Voter Registration
This story has been republished with permission from The Legislative Gazette. New York State voters will have an opportunity to vote on state Ballot Proposal 3 during the Nov. 2 General Election. If approved, it will give the Legislature the ability to pass future laws that would enact same-day voter registration. Voters will see the…
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Prop 4 Would Authorize Wider Use of Absentee Ballots
This story has been republished with permission from The Legislative Gazette. On Nov. 2, New Yorkers will have the opportunity to vote on five proposed changes to the New York State Constitution. Proposals three and four specifically focus on making voting easier and more accessible in New York. Ballot Proposal 3 would eliminate the 10-day-advance…
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Leadership and Social Activism Creating Change in Newburgh
Ali Muhammad, leader of Melanin Unchained, is no stranger to local activism, from participating in community cleanup events and clothing drives to leading Melanin Unchained, a Newburgh-based non-profit organization. Community development and enrichment are at the center of Muhammad’s goals, stating in an interview, “a city that supports one another grows together.” Melanin Unchained focuses…
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How SUNYAC Baseball Returned After Pandemic Hiatus
At any level, athletics provide participants with a baseline to develop positive work habits, discipline, camaraderie, and teamwork. In some cases at the college level, especially at the Division-1 level, players have an opportunity to get to the professional ranks, so showcasing your ability as much as possible is a necessity as much as it…
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SUNY Achieves 99.5% Vaccination Rate for Students Across All Campuses
This story was republished with permission from the Legislative Gazette State University of New York Chancellor Jim Malatras announced that SUNY students are nearing full compliance with the state’s vaccine mandate, reaching a 99.5% vaccination rate across the system’s 64 campuses. The high vaccination rate has allowed for SUNY students to return to a more…
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Students and Faculty Strive to Stay Safe During the Coronavirus Pandemic
As SUNY New Paltz returns to primarily in-person classes for the first time in over a year, members of the campus community recount their experiences dealing with the new health and safety measures against the coronavirus pandemic. A Caring Campus Community Life on campus has taken a toll on many students, including Jillian Saffioti, a…