%f)e Crier
Fall 2014, Issue #6
The Crier Is Sponsored, In Part, By Student Association
December 15, 2014
YikYak Bites Perry Hall
By: Sherry Sheehy
On December 3, while the resident students at Perry Hall were studying for finals, administration, resident staff, public safety and the New York State police were alerted to the a possible bomb threat to Perry Hall. As the probe alarms sounded throughout the residence hall at Coming Community College resident staff and authorities guided students to the safety of the gymnasium at CCC. As some students continued playing basketball, Dr. Douglas, President of Corning Community College climbed up the bleachers on the basketball court to announce that Perry Hall was being searched for a bomb. Dr. Douglas explained in detail the seriousness of this threat as she stood at the top of the bleachers assuring the safety of students in her socks as her shoes lay on the floor of the gymnasium.
The bomb threat stems from a social media website known as Yik Yak. This social media site proclaims to be an untraceable site for identification of the poster at the other end of the communication device used. However, according to the involvement of the FBI in this investigation that is one-hundred percent false. According to federal and state laws the bomb threat to Perry Hall constitutes a class D felony.
According to the New York State Penal Law in Criminal Procedure Law rules of evidence in terrorism
are under sub section 490 A Smith and “A person is guilty of making a terroristic threat when with intent to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, influence the policy of a unit of government by intimidation or coercion, or affect the conduct of the unit of government by murder, arson or kidnapping, he/she is used to extinction e threatens to commit or cause to be committed a specified offense and thereby causes a reasonable expectation of fear of the imminent commission of such funds”. Also found in the New York State Penal Law and Criminal Procedure Law: Criminal possession of chemical weapon or biological weapon may result in a class A-I felony depending on whether it falls under the first second or third degree.
Basic social media is often seen as good in the sense that it can be positive; in one instance the very same social media website stopped a student from committing suicide. However ,in many cases the use of social media can often lead to criminal mischief: a crime against property; the willful damage of property of another. Criminal mischief is punishable in criminal court but may also be dealt with as a civil tort. Such offenses may include throwing rocks through windows, spray painting graffiti, slashing car tires, or other acts of vandalism. Adding the element of personal ill will or hatred such as defacing a Jewish cemetery with symbols of anti-Semitism raises the act to a
hate or bias crime, which has significantly higher levels of punishment. In many ways the events which occurred on the night of December 3, 2014 are terroristic act(s).
The students and resident staff remained in the gymnasium for the duration of the lockdown. During this time, the residents of Perry Hall worked in the library of the gymnasium completing final assignments, continued to shoot hoops, offer companionship to each other in a time of worry and grew closer as a family community here at CCC. The Resident Staff of Perry Hall and Public Safety of Coming Community College are to be commended for their due diligence should ensuring the safety of the student residents residing in Perry Hall.
While nothing was found in the residence hall, there is much speculation as to who made the initial bomb threat, the reasons why, and more so did the unknown suspect really intend to bomb Perry Hall? Public safety and resident staff continued countless sweeps of Perry Hall all night long.
Continued on Page 7
In reaction to this event, Dr. Doug-
PAGE 2
Oh No, Finals Week
By Traci Goins
It that time of year for college students that we have dreaded all semester. It is a scary time—so stressful we want to pull our hair out. Yes I am talking about finals. We are happy when they are over but the week before we get anxieties. We handle them in different ways like not worrying or being so stressed it is hard to be around us. But we are going to do what college students our known for—we are going to put on a facade and make everyone else think we have it together when in actuality we are one brake down away from total destruction. Finals are the time
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we get tested on what we learned. But while you are freaking out remember you are not the only one. I walked around the cafe and asked a couple of people how they were feeling and what advice they would give to freshmen next semester and the jist of answers I got were that finals are always very stressful. A lot of the students gave this advice: do not procrastinate and do not wait until the last minute! I did, on the other hand, get two very strange answers; the first answer would be that one girl is not stressing and she is enjoying finals week and the other would be
FALL 2014, ISSUE #6
that she said to just let things relax and they will even out before finals week. Finals is the same week for all of us but the way it comes at is so very different. The one thing we have to remember is that everyone is feeling it. So during finals week be kind to your fellow student and know that we are all a little on edge. On behalf of myself and the Crier staff we wish you all good luck on finals. We also would like to say Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all of the members of our campus community!
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FALL 2014, ISSUE #6
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PAGE 3
Meet Another Culture Day
By Keithe M Mitchell
Dear Crier,
As a fellow student and alumnist, I have a concern about diversity on campus. Suppose we were to have students meet someone different from them in order to learn one thing about that person’s culture to help knock down racial profiling and judgment? I believe this would diminish the fear of meeting new people.
When we all graduate we will be in the fast lanes of society and will be employed . We will likely have to
meet people from all walks of life. Since we have already helped to dispel the stereotypes about other people and cultures, we aren't going to be so prejudiced. If we continue to be opinionated and fail to learn other cultures, we will not see individuals for who they are and realize that they struggle with the same things in their life. Let us start something new that will spread across great campus and the county. We
will be able to find the interests of other cultures as well as our own. We can break down our own prejudices and the entire worlds’ prejudices.
Look Book: Justin Blaker
By Crier Staff
Crier: That sweater looks great! How did you get the blinking lights on it?
Justin: First I bought the sweater at Salvos. Then I bought the lights and pushed the bulbs through the sweater. There is a battery pack attached to the back of the sweater.
Crier: How have people responded to the sweater?
Justin: I went to a party at RIT last weekend. Everyone thought it was really creative!
PAGE 4	THE CRIER	FALL 2014, ISSUE #6
Channeling History: Old Music New Ears
By: Nick Curreri
Music can define an era, a country, a culture, and individuals. But, when did modern American music become defined, who defined it, and how did it grow? Many reference The King, Elvis Presley, or even early blues musicians like B.B. King. Although American rock music, and perhaps all American music can trace its roots back to southern blues, modem rock began in the 1960s. The ‘60s saw a blend of blues, folk, early rock, country, and soul steamroll into a sound never heard before in music history.
The 1950s had an amazing music scene with Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash, Elvis, and Chuck Berry to name a few. Performers such as these started pushing the envelope of rockabilly. Even Hank Williams made traditional country spring to life like it never had before. I am hesitant to state that an American identity had been created yet. Although “our” sound was developing it had not built a full head of steam. American acts became popular around the world and it seemed like an amazing golden era, which it was, but it would only grow bigger. The 1950s music stopped just short of blowing the roof off social traditions and acceptable behavior.
In the 1960s a major revolution in music occurred. The influence of blues and traditional music was still strong, but it popularity with new listeners declined. Young audiences in Europe began listening to American blues, while Bob Dylan and others began to change the culture of pop music in America. The ‘60s also saw the “British Invasion,” this brought us the Rolling Stones and the Beatles. The combination of blues influenced British music and the
changing culture in America gave rise to Psychedelic Rock. Only a few more “traditional” American bands could compete with the “hippies.” The 1960s is where rock and guitar music became mainstream. While avoiding the political, social, technological, and economic reasons for this change, it is easy to imagine and do research to supplement this article. The only focus here is a brief history on the changing of music over time and how what is considered American music was established. The 1960s gave berth to a completely new type of music, which would splinter at the end of the decade.
Although more folk based songwriters like James Taylor and John Denver dominated the early 1970s, metal and its subgenres began to grow in popularity. Another, seemingly unheard of genre grew in the 70s as well. This genre was disco. In the 1970s an amazing mix and rise in many types of music precipitated from growing lyrical complexity and maturity of listeners. More European band like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath brought on a metal revolution. Arena rock was also growing with the help of mainstream bands like Styx. Bruce Springsteen also started to gain popularity. All of these were influenced by a combination of rock, blues, and folk. Even country went through a revolution with the advent of the “Outlaw Country” movement lead my Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings. Punk also began to develop out the distain for growing greed in the American music scene. The 1970s were one of the best, if not the best for modern music development in the United States. There were many mainstream rock bands and arena rockers that would develop into the 1980s. Heavier rock music really took shape and developed a significant following. Even
salsa and the beginnings of hip-hop took shape. No matter what type of music someone liked, they could easily find it in the 1970s.
The 1980s seemed poised to become an ultimate era in music, but it did not turn out that way. Although hard rock and metal continued to develop nicely, the rise of glam and hair rock tarnished the earlier successful years. The 1980s did produce many rock heroes and guitar legends, but many bands are stuck behind the “hair/glam” wall. On a positive note, pop began to take form in the 1980s. Michael Jackson and others took over the 1980s. Pop took over for rock as America’s music for the most part. Obviously rock and metal stayed popular, but the charts showed a love for newer pop music. Some of the most popular music in the 1970s was of course actually British, so it is understandable that pop would take over American music. Outlaw country continued as well as a return of more traditional and “honky county.” Although disco had almost completely died it really transformed into electronic dance music. Another notable development was the continued development of hip-hop. Rap music, breakdancing, a fashion trends most associated with hip-hop culture came rose to a more popular status. The 1980s were not a bad decade, but they seemed to burn out. Washed up glam bands and struggling rock musician dwindled out itoward the end of the 1980s. Even pop had become more mainstream in the ‘80s, destroying its real roots. It seemed as though pop would continue to dominate, but something was changing in America. Much like the changes of the 1960s, the 1990s were different from any music every seen before.
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FALL 2014, ISSUE #6
Channeling History Continued
By Nick Curreri
The 1990s saw the return of rock, although it was a much different incarnation then previous music. Alternative rock bands like Alice in Chains and The Red Hot Chili Peppers combined a hard rock sound with heavy lyrics. East and West Coast rap also developed during the 1990s. The 1990s had a weird mix of popular groups and individuals. The early 1990s had some hair groups hanging on, while grunge and alternative rock took over. Hardcore rap, something America never had developed and grew in popularity. Of
course the King of Pop and others continued to be successful. Sublime also rose to prominence. At the end of the 1990s the direction music was heading was unclear. Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys became popular as well as some garage rock bands that wanted to return to rock roots. Hip-Hop had come to dominate the mainstream music channels in the 2000s.
Perhaps the only thing this brief his-
tory of music in America shows is that the U.S. has become known for a wide variety of music genres. Each decade has combined an odd mix of musical styles that appears to change regularly. Often music is driven by environment changes. This is likely to be true in America as well, but it is hard find definitive breaks. Music has seemed to flow and change overtime without forgetting the music of the past. This molting of musical style is what defines American music.
C.C.C. Holiday Tea 2014
On Wednesday, December 10th the C.C.C. Social Welfare Committee hosted a Holiday Tea for all staff and faculty members. The annual tea is a time for colleagues to eat homemade cookies, drink punch, and enjoy one another’s company before the semester break!
PAGE 6	THE CRIER	FALL 2014, ISSUE #6
President’s Corner
By Dr. Kate Douglas
On Wednesday, December 3, 2014, a bomb threat was made to Perry Hall, Corning Community College’s residence hall, via a social media application called Yik Yak. Ultimately, the threat was determined to be unfounded, everyone involved is safe, and the building is secure. Currently, CCC is cooperating with an investigation that is progressing.
CCC is a caring and inclusive community, and this philosophy extends to cyberspace. I considered banning the social media application from campus, but I will not allow the poor judgment of one to curtail the civil liberties of all. Instead, the incident presented us with a timely opportunity to educate the CCC community about the power - and myths — of social media. To launch the effort, I hosted an open session for students on Tuesday, December 9, where we discussed the good, the bad, and the myths of social media. I am hosting a second venue of the conversation on Friday, December 12, during my monthly Friday Forum. Given the influence social media can have on lives, I would like to continue the discussion and invite comments to the following thoughts.
Social media is a powerful tool when used for good. It allows us to communicate quickly and broadly with people from around the world. In an instant, we can express ideas and learn from the ideas expressed by others. Social media has enhanced our ability to develop and push the boundaries of our world views and to connect in ways that are not possible otherwise.
Social media also has a dark side. When poor judgment prevails, that quick and broad communication can be used to hurt people and express prejudices. Posts can taunt; posts can hate; posts can rant; and posts can
defame, all of which result in a disenfranchised society.
I suspect at least part of the reason that people post these hurtful comments is because they believe they are hidden. Cowering behind the veil of technology, they believe they are anonymous, especially with applications like Yik Yak, which lead users to believe they are.
This is a myth that perpetuates a second myth: “anything goes; I can say what I want.” The United States federal law 18 U.S. Code Section— 875(C) prohibits the transmission of any communication that threatens to injure a person or persons. Our legal system will intervene when threats are posed, requiring the involved parties to provide access to information that will identify those making threats. When a law is broken, anonymity is gone. With freedom of speech comes responsibility and accountability.
I would also like to dispel the myth that posts - yaks, tweets, pins, snaps, likes, photos, videos — are private. They are not. While you may intend to send your comment to only your closest friends, social media is based on sharing. If you post it, expect it to be shared with people, including potential employers, who you do not know and did not intend to communicate with in that fashion or venue.
The final myth I ask you to consider is that no one is hurt by negative posts. With just a few simple words and a handful of “likes,” lives can and have been ru-
ined. We have all heard the stories of people who have taken their lives because of cyberbullying. Those who threaten via the internet are ruining their lives as well. For example:
In October, the individual who posted the threat against SUNY Canton’s campus via social media has been apprehended and faces five years in federal prison. And, in November, an 18-year-old student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was Eirrested for making a false bomb report via social media.
Whether you are using Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or sending an email - anything you post is potential evidence and law enforcement is taking notice. I urge all of us to harness the power of social media and use it for good.
To continue this discussion, please email me at president@corning-cc.edu.
Cordially,
Dr. Katherine P. Douglas President, Coming Community College
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FALL 2014, ISSUE #6
YikYak Continued
By Sherry Sheehy
las conducted a presentation on December 9 at noon in the Triangle Lounge. Dr. Douglas alluded to the various ways social media can be helpful and hurtful to us as students, faculty, and more so to us as an individual with a future at stake. The message Dr. Douglas hoped would be heeded in the presentation given was to be responsible with social media, know what you're putting out there for everyone to see, and know it is not anonymous!
In an interview with President Douglas she was unable to allude to any real suspects at this time. However she was fully confident saying, “Great progress has been made within the last few days.” Dr. Douglas has no hope whatsoever to close down Yik Yak, only to promote respectful, positive and responsible use of the site and other social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook,
and MySpace, ,n addition to the new trending websites. Dr. Douglas stated, “It is our role as educators to teach people both as students and employees to understand the positive power of social media is what we want to encourage, but there are consequences if used irresponsibly.”
Corning Community College, state officials and federal officials are working in correspondence with each other on an investigation to bring closure to students, staff, faculty, and families as a result of the bomb threat to Perry Hall.
When asked what was running through her head as she climbed up the bleachers at the gymnasium to speak Dr. Douglas stated, “There are hundreds of students here who had no idea what' was going on and they needed to hear that their safety is first and foremost. They need-
ed to know what we knew. “ In humor Dr. Douglas stated, “One of the things I learned from this, is that not everyone knows how to open the bleachers, there is an electronic thing that opens the bleachers; not like the old days when you just had four people pull them out. So while we were busy trying to contact the athletic director to learn how to open the bleachers for the students to sit down; I said well I'm not waiting I have to speak to all these hundreds of students because they had no idea what was going on.” Dr. Douglas also stated in the interview, “I taught outdoor education (rock climbing) at Greenfield Community College in Greenfield, Massachusetts. I have a few tricks up my sleeve and when need be I can pull them out!”
A Laughable Juxtaposition
By Crier Staff
eoMo oiL,A£f*oM$, SPBfiRGf HOSTILE PEOPLE., CoLP WEATHER. ..IT'SFIWCOLQUE?
FALL 2014. ISSUE #6	THE CRIER	PAGE 8
Lives Matter
By Tim LeRoyer
Ferguson. Garner. Martin. These are names that ring in our ears, which echo out from our TVs, from YouTube, and stream on our social media. These names cause everything from interest to great emotion to pour through us. However, this reporter often wonders whether the larger picture, the larger issue, is lost to the clanging immediacy of the moment. These occasions of racial profiling, stereotyping, and violence against individuals of color by individuals of a lighter color have inflamed us a nation. They continue to highlight our failings, our failing at true liberty, true equality, true opportunity and compassion for all. They make us look at ourselves, at those around us and think about how we are treated, how those around us treat others, and how they are treated. They force us, and in the cases of the Ferguson and Garner cases in sometimes violent and poignant ways, to face the reality of racial disparity that still exists in this nation, the land of the free and the brave. But how free are we truly, does everyone have the same amount of freedom and why don’t they?
The larger issue isn’t about police brutality, or racial profiling, or even the overall violence that plagues the communities of the poor and racial minorities. It is an issue that dates back to the founding of our nation. An issue that revolves around the subjugation, impoverishment, and elimination of the poor and people of color who dwell in this nation. As a nation we have been taught in class, in our homes, that racial equality began with Lincoln’s Gettysburg address and ended with the Civil Rights Movement, and resultant Constitutional Amendments.
However, then we enter the real world. A nation where a majority of crimes are perpetrated by people of color, where our prisons are filled with a majority of minorities, where people of color are often viewed with
suspicion, fear, anger, and/or aggression. We are constantly told through the media, through our peers, through our culture that people of color, especially those who dress, act, and speak in a certain manner, are dangerous, untrustworthy, second-class citizens at best.
Here are some facts. According to www.census.gov, the average rate of abortions for every 1,000 black women was significantly higher than it was for whites. For example in 2007, the rate for white Americans was 13.8 per 1,000, and for black Americans was 48.2 per 1,000. Now while the issue of abortion itself is neither here nor there, what is on point is the fact that there are less, to be precise since 1973 13 million less African Americans in this nation then there would have been. This is opposed to 306 thousand deaths of African Americans due to violent crimes, which we all know far outweighs the deaths of blacks at the hands of police officers, though those are by no means small
(U.S. Center of Disease Control). Now we mustn’t forget the overwhelming amount of incarcerated minority adults, which as of 2009 was over 300, 000.
(www.census.gov). But it does not end there, for most ethnicities there is also a large disparity in the poverty index, most range near or above 20% except for those of Asian or Caucasian descent which range near 10%.
Now while the reasons behind, or moral/ethical implications of these facts can be endlessly debated, the truth remains that there are forces at work, of various natures, that seek to subjugate, impoverish, and eliminate ethnic minorities. Racism exists, profiling exists, and the human race may always have prejudic-
es against those who are different from the ‘accepted norms’. And, as students, faculty, and staff it may seem that these forces are too big for us, too hard for us to change or make any real kind of difference. However, this is but a fallacy of the senses. We can make a difference, and it can begin right here on our campus, and in the larger Corning community. We recently have heard reports of racist comments and bullying here on campus, and rumors of similar behavior in the larger Coming area has been heard as well. What can we then do to alleviate these problems, to truly make a difference and change hearts and minds? It is simple, what we all know to be best and just, to treat others based on their character, their actions and words, rather than their dress, their cultural background, their race, or their religion. We need to, through our lives and the simple things we say and do every day, realize and actuate Reverend King’s dream that still has yet to come true. That one day we won’t be judged because we are white, or black, or Hispanic, or dress a certain way, or are poor or rich, or Christian, Muslim, or even Atheist. That we are judged, and judge others based on who they are, and that they are our brother and sister human beings, worthy of love and respect. Let us rise up as a campus to become a leader for this issue, rather than a possible case study. Let us use social media, our friends, our words, and our refusal to be silent, to transform our college and community and know that our life made a difference. #LivesMatter
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Keeping the Pounds off During the Holidays
By Morgan Ace
The holidays are upon us, as we enter into finals week, we are beginning to be surrounded by mountains of yummy treats. No wonder the average American packs on a total of 7-10 lbs during the short period between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Bring on the sweat pants! If this is something that has entered your mind, don't fret since there are ways to help combat weight gain during this time and still be able to enjoy the holidays. Here are some tips to help you stay out of those sweat pants:
Give your favorite treats a makeover- Find recipes that are healthier versions of foods that you like to eat over the holidays, and bring these treats to events so that not only are you sharing something with others, but you have also given yourself a low-fat option to enjoy when you are at a gathering.
Eat before you go out to holiday parties- by eating before you attend a party you are less likely to be tempted by the many tantalizing goodies that you may encounter.
Keep treats out of your space- If you find yourself being gifted a box of love-filled yummy goodness, spread the love by sharing it with others. By not having it in the house you are less likely to find yourself on a cookie binge.
Move it!-1 know, curling up on the couch, wrapped in a blanket singing along to movies like “Frozen”, or playing “skyrim” all day sound like more enjoyable ways to spend your days over holiday break, but by taking the time to work out you can help bum off some of those extra calories, while also toning. Here is a quick workout for anyone to try over the break.
Give your metabolism a boost- by including certain foods into your diet you can help to boost your metabolism, to help you bum those extra calories faster.
Apples	Beans
Berries	Citrus fruits
Garlic	Green tea
Oats	Water
Stick to these tips and you might find yourself avoiding the after Christmas “sweat pants fad”, and maybe even find yourself being more fit then before break. Wishing every a very merry Christmas, and happy holidays!
Enjoy the Classics
By Crier Staff
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FALL 2014, ISSUE #6
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