SEPTEMBER 2020VOLUME 58 ISSUE 1

THE SLATENEW BEGINNINGSNEW BEGINNINGS::

Welcome to the Class of 2024Welcome to the Class of 2024

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2 SEPTEMBER 2020 | THE SLATE

THE SLATETeam

Mary H. Pelkowski

Kevin Horton

Joy Ahmed

Brandon Mariana

Interim Dean of Students

Adjunct Professor

Layout Editor

Copy Editor

Copyright © 2020 The Campus Slate.All Campus Slate articles, photographs, and graphics are the property of The Campus Slate unless where credit is given and may not be reproduced without expressed written consent.

New York Institute of TechnologyOld Westbury, NY 11568Contact Us: slate@nyit.edu (516) 686-7646

Editor In Chief: Jordan Vallone

jvallo01@nyit.edu

Faculty Advisor: John Hanc

jhanc@nyit.edu

John HancFaculty Advisor

Contributors

Mary RobertsSenior Staff Writer

Mechanical Engineering

Jordan ValloneEditor In Chief

Global & Electronic Journalism

Brendan SmollerSenior Staff Writer

Digital Film & Television Production

3SEPTEMBER 2020 | THE SLATECOVER PHOTO - NYITBEARS.COMTHIS PAGE - NYIT.EDU

VOLUME 58 ISSUE 1SEPTEMBER 2020THE SLATE

A Closer Look: The Incoming Freshman Class vs. The Inaugural Freshman Class

Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone: Joining The Campus Slate as Non-Traditional

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A Welcome Message from Mary H. Pelkowski, Interim Dean of Students

A Message From a Former Campus Slate Editor In Chief

Letter from the EditorTo the New York Tech Community:

It is hard to believe that it is already September and that the final days of summer are behind us. 2020 has been a tumultuous year, and not easy for anyone, especially college students. Last semester, the switchover from in person classes to online learning was not ideal, but we understood that it had to be done. As we venture into this school year, many of us will again be taking classes entirely online, while others may be on campus, socially distanced and in masks. This school year, much like the previous one, will be anything but normal.

My name is Jordan Vallone, and I am the newly-appointed editor in chief of The Campus Slate. I am entering my second year here at New York Tech where I am majoring in Global and Electronic Journalism. Being a part of our writing staff last year was a wonderful experience and I am excited to begin my new position as editor-in-chief. Despite the unprecedented challenges we will be facing throughout the semester, I am committed to upholding the values of The Campus Slate and delivering the New York Tech community a quality newspaper that, for the time being, will be largely distributed via email directly to you. This semester, stay tuned for two exciting issues.

I know that this school year will be an experience like no other. There is so much uncertainty and confusion, and perhaps a little fear. As a fellow student, I understand that while our studies are the top priority, we also like to hang out with friends, go to events on campus, and attend large social gatherings. Summers are a time to relax and go out, maybe to concerts or sporting events. The habitual activities that we all enjoy are either not possible anymore or frowned upon. It is hard to navigate and cope with our new reality, but it is one that we are facing together. Staying informed is now more important than ever. This is why I personally feel that The Campus Slate, in many ways, will help our community get through this. We are dedicated to providing our readers the latest news from our school, country and the world. As returning readers will be aware, our scope is broad. We cover trends, topics and stories that affect colleges and college students in general, but NY Tech students in particular.

First published in 1966, the year after the opening of New York Tech’s Long Island campus, The Campus Slate has been published for over 50 years, and we take so much pride in the production and publication of our paper. We are always looking for new writers as well as students who are interested in photography or layout and design. If you are interested, I strongly recommend that you take a look at our information page, where you can learn how to join. Please do not hesitate to contact us as we would love to hear from you and see our paper grow.

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you back to another unprecedented school year at New York Tech. That being said, it is my hope that The Campus Slate can help in keeping everyone connected and better informed along the way.

Thank you for your readership, and I wish you all the best of luck this semester!

Best regards,

Editor In Chiefjvallo01@nyit.edu

4 SEPTEMBER 2020 | THE SLATE

5SEPTEMBER 2020 | THE SLATENYIT.EDU

Welcome to the new semester! Or should I say the “New Normal” semester?

As a long-time student affairs professional, I always try to communicate honestly to the students we serve—and I’d be less than honest if I said to you that there was anything routine or “same-old” about this semester. We all know it’s going to be challenging: for you, your professors, your families, for all of us here on campus. And on campus is of course where we’d like to be. But for most of us, it’s a place we’ll be visiting a little less this semester. Though you may be taking some or all of your classes on Zoom or Canvas, you can still engage with New York Tech and your fellow students to enjoy a full college experience. One of those ways to be engaged at New York Tech is through campus life. There are lots of benefits to being involved in student clubs and organizations. You’ll learn some things you might not in the classroom; you’ll be adding something to your résumé that could help you secure a great internship or job down the road. But above all, you’ll meet fellow students with like-minded interests. And all interests are represented, as we have a full slate of clubs and activities (for more information on these, check our social media - @nytechtoday).

Speaking of the Slate—with a capital “S”—I’m so happy to be addressing you through the pages of New York Tech’s student publication. Founded in 1966, the year after this campus opened, The Campus Slate has been the independent student voice here for almost 55 years! For their hard work over the summer in preparing this special Back-to-School issue for you, I thank student editor Jordan Vallone, senior writers Brendan Smollers and Mary Roberts, former Slate editor (and current New York Tech faculty member) Prof. Kevin Horton, and faculty advisor Prof. John Hanc. Like a lot of other things happening now, this special edition of the Slate is unprecedented. While I’m told they’ve had Back-to-School issues before, never was one distributed solely via email and PDF; and never was one published at the beginning of a school year in which actually setting foot on school grounds—our campus—must be done judiciously, occasionally, and with great care, if at all, by many of our students. That’s life in the New Normal! I’m confident we’ll eventually get back to something resembling the old normal—at least when it comes to the college experience at New York Tech. But for right now here’s something that’s not going to change: the great community we have here at Tech. Our institution was founded on the principles of community, opportunity, diversity and inclusion in pursuit of knowledge in all forms. We are devoted to educating, aiding and supporting all students to become not only respected and trusted leaders, but also change leaders—individuals ready to reinvent the future through advocacy and to invoke new outcomes and opportunities for all. We’re proud of our tradition - and proud to welcome you as part of our community. Please continue to find ways for you and your loved ones to stay healthy during this time, including wearing face coverings and practicing safe physical distancing measures. Your safety and well-being is our top concern. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me if I can be of any service to you!Sincerely yours, Mary H. Pelkowski Interim Dean of Students Office of Student Life mpelkows@nyit.edu

A Welcome Message from

Mary H. Pelkowski, Interim Dean

of StudentsBY Mary H. Pelkowski

Interim Dean of Students

BY

Mary H. PelkowskiInterim Dean of Students

PHOTO COURTESY OF KEVIN HORTON6 SEPTEMBER 2020 | THE SLATE

A Message From a Former Campus Slate

Editor In ChiefBY Kevin Horton

“Hey, what are you doing free hour?” said Peter, the Architecture major who just happened to sit next to me in the first day of history class at New York Tech. “Free hour? What’s free hour?” Thankfully he continued, ignoring my blank stare. “I’m going to check out the school newspaper, I hear they need staff writers and stuff… I can’t write for crap,” he said looking away, “but I hear they need artists and photographers too. I could handle that.” “Newspaper?” I said, imagining myself behind a typewriter at a desk. “Me? On the school newspaper? No, I’m not into that, that would be nuts.” Well, on second thought, maybe not so nuts. My mother, Patricia, was a journalist; she had even published a monthly newspaper in my hometown when I was a kid. She seemed to love it. But still… My mind squashed the invitation-- “I don’t want to go involved in the newspaper”—but my mouth felt different. “Oh yeah?” I replied to Peter. “Okay, sure I’ll tag along.”

Perhaps it was just my subconscious wanting to experience everything New York Tech had to offer. Or perhaps, somehow, I knew that this was where I would find my calling at my new school. You see, I came to New York Tech after having attended Nassau Community College for two years. I was going to be an actor, or so I had initially thought, but the realization that I was painfully shy and an introvert had me later reassessing that career path. I decided perhaps I might try something behind the camera instead.I was now a Communication Arts major at Tech, with the dream of being a cameraman working for CBS TV or NBC TV. “Cool,” said Peter. “We’ll head over right after class, they

have their own office in the basement of Balding House.” Basement? What kind of student activity meets in a basement? My mind was annoyed that it had been overruled by my mouth and was leaning towards a firm “no.” But once again, I spoke instead. “Ok,” I said to Peter. “I’ll check it out with you.” Well, as they say, “the rest is history.” That invitation and my decision to attend The Campus Slate meeting that day changed my life—not only at New York Tech—but beyond. I ended up focusing on journalism throughout my college career, becoming the editor. After I graduated, my mom and I founded a weekly newspaper on the North Shore of Long Island that I would run for 25 years. After I sold it in 2016, I started a book publishing business, and oh by the way,

I came back to New York Tech as an adjunct professor, where one of my roles has been advisor for The Campus Slate—the very same Campus Slate that I joined, somewhat reluctantly, 28 years earlier; the very same Campus Slate you’re now reading. In retrospect, yes, it was a great move to attend that free hour meeting, but I’ve jumped ahead too fast. Let me tell you a bit about the amazing experience I had as a staff writer of the Slate, and later editor-in-chief for three years. My story includes the amazing friendships, career enhancing events and extra-curricular activities that were out of the ordinary. The Slate staff I met that first free hour were warm and welcoming, and Peter and I were quickly given assignments. To me, the Editor-in-Chief Roni said, “Hey, you want to cover the sexologist coming next week?” “Do I want to do what?” my mind raced. “Cover? Sexologist? What’s that?” But again, my mouth opened and said something completely different. “Uhhh, yeah, sure,” I said, again without brain-engagement. “Good, he’ll be in the Dairy Barn on Thursday during free hour.” (yes, in the early 1990s, building names and some of the buildings themselves still harkened back to our campus’s rural origins. Today that building is called the Student Activities Center.)

Adjunct Professor

Matthew Schure (left), President of New York Tech from 1982 until 2000, presenting Kevin Horton with the Presidential Service Award, “for his outstanding record of long term service and devotion to the NYIT community.”

7SEPTEMBER 2020 | THE SLATE

So, that was my first journalistic piece: reporting on a sexologist/comedian/comic talking to students during free hour with a dummy on his lap. Confused? So was I, but it was the late 80’s, and there was a lot of leftover craziness from the ‘60’s and ‘70’s. The piece ran in the following week’s Campus Slate (we were weekly back then). I got a rave review from the editor-in-chief and even a few readers. I was hooked! I loved the club atmosphere, having a place to go during free hours, people to hang out with… and being on the “news” beat was a lot of fun. I got to interview and meet many interesting people. My passion became journalism, and although I enjoyed working the cameras in my studio classes and manning the sound board, I realized that writing and journalism was in my blood. That school year came to an end and Roni, as well as the managing editor, sports editor, and entertainment editor were all graduating. “Peter, Kevin,” Roni said, “it’s all going to be yours next semester.” And from that point on, for three years, I was the editor-in-chief of The Campus Slate, which was an amazing ride. As stated before, we were weekly back then and had it printed at a printer in Westbury on Mondays… So, Sundays (yes, every Sunday!) the entire staff would meet at our office in the basement of Balding House, our “club house,” starting at 2pm. Back then, in order to get the paper printed and distributed around campus on time, the entire staff would assemble in that basement (thankfully, the Slate has its own building on campus now). We physically printed out the copy in strips and placed the type on flats… Okay, I know, digital natives, I’ve lost you again. Let me put it this way, it wasn’t a PDF file and it wasn’t stone and chisel, but somewhere in between and it took a long time. From the early afternoon until sometimes past sunrise, we’d be in the basement cranking out the school news. Now I’ll admit, it wasn’t all work for those many, many hours. There was a lot of fun involved. Pizza runs, runs to the 24-hour supermarket and of course a dinner break at 7 at Roy Rodgers (another name you’ll have to ask your parents about). Yes, we had a lot of fun. Sometimes too much. “Hey, Chief,” Russell, would say around 3 a.m. (and yes, they called me ‘Chief ’). “Four wheeling at four?” Russell was the new freshman. He started at the Slate saying he wanted to be a news reporter and he embraced the job, earning the nickname “The Hawk.” “Stop playing Tetris and finish your story and maybe,” I’d snap back (Tetris was a video game that was a lot of fun, again ask your parents!). As for four wheeling at four, it was… Well, let me put it this way. I had a four-wheel drive Subaru at the time. New York

Tech, at the time, had a lot of undiscovered parts of campus—which in those days, stretched all the way south to Wheatley Road. We, therefore, did a lot of investigation of said parts… at 4am (note to any of my friends in law enforcement reading this: NYS trespassing law CPLR 214 (4) statute of limitations is three years--- I looked it up! Note to my current students: in retrospect I realize that driving my car around the campus trails was a dumb idea. I know most of my students today are far smarter, and would never do something ridiculous like this… again it was the late ‘80’s). Yes, we had some good times, some interesting times. There was the time a raccoon came wandering down the stairs and into the office in the wee hours of the night. Perhaps looking for some of our Oreo cookies or a jolt from the orange soda. “Aggghhh,” screamed Kathy, our proofreader, “Do something.” Trying to be brave we poked it with broom handles, threw cookies out the door and prayed it didn’t tear up the flats. Yes, my tenure with the Campus Slate was a fantastic one. It afforded me many friendships, adventures, laugh, experiences and a successful career that has come full circle, bringing me back to New York Tech as an adjunct professor sharing my love of journalism and writing to the next generation of students. I am so glad I agreed to that initial invitation… an invitation to join the Slate and “check it out,” it truly changed my life.

Now, I would like to extend an invitation to you.

Reach out to one of the Slate staff members or the slate’s new Editor In Chief Jordan, or the faculty advisor (Professor John Hanc, jhanc@nyit.edu) and join the slate in some capacity and perhaps create, or at least enhance, your future. At the risk of sounding like a commercial, you can even get class credit for it!Granted, the experience will be different in the new COVID world—you won’t be working in a basement, for example, and you never have to worry about flats, (again, not stone and chisel, but close to it) but writing, interacting with the staff, covering the news during this…shall we say?...unusual time, can certainly enhance your school experience as it did mine those many years ago.

NYIT.EDU8 SEPTEMBER 2020 | THE SLATE

We all knowWe all know what 2020 has been like. We’re all still living through it. This year the world has endured a devastating global pandemic, eye-opening increased racial tension, as well as the lead up to the most polarizing election since the last election; and we’re only a little over halfway through the year. As we embark on the back half of 2020, we here at New York Tech actually have something to look forward to: a new school year with a new class of Bears that come with it. However, it must be mentioned that this incoming class of freshmen are facing a college environment unlike any incoming class before them.

This upcoming semester of online classes and social distance restrictions is intimidating on its own, but when it’s paired with the previously mentioned stresses of 2020 and the expected transition period associated with starting college, it can be downright overwhelming. Despite these factors, the incoming freshman should take solace in the fact that not only is NYIT a supportive community that wants the best for them, but they aren’t the first New York Tech class to be faced with an entirely unprecedented freshman year. In 1955, NYIT’s incoming freshmen were also wading into uncharted waters. That’s because they were the university’s first freshman class. They were under a lot of pressure. That year, the New York State Board of Regents granted NYIT a provisional charter. The founders of the school were dedicated to being a career-oriented university with a focus on training students to be successful in their chosen careers. While this may seem all well and good, it was a controversial concept in the higher education community at the time.

A Closer Look: The Incoming Freshman Class vs. The Inaugural Freshman Class

BY Brendan Smoller

BY

Brendan Smoller

9SEPTEMBER 2020 | THE SLATETHE BOX

Data collected by the Association of American College & Universities shows that through the 1940s and the beginning of the 1950s, the humanities accounted for about 10 percent of undergraduate degrees. While this is a relatively low amount, the number had begun to slowly and steadily rise. However, with the new trend of these employability focused technical institutes emerging, it raised the question of whether or not universities like New York Tech’s emphasis on engineering and sciences would overshadow humanities studies. Suffice to say, NYIT’s first president, Alexander Schure, and the inaugural class of 9 students had a lot of pressure on them. The success of the entire university was in their hands. On top of that, 1955 was a stressful year already. The Vietnam War began that November, and while America wouldn’t enter the fray for another 10 years, the world was still facing extreme turmoil. Racial tensions were at a high back then as well, as the equal rights movement was in full force. This was the year that Claudette Colvin and Rosa Parks refused to give up their bus seats. It was also the year of Emmett Till’s tragic murder, of which his murderers were acquitted. The world seemed like it was imploding, but, of no surprise to anyone reading this in the 21st century, it didn’t. The Vietnam war ended. The Equal Rights Amendment passed. The New York Institute of Technology managed to

find a balance between career oriented and liberal arts education, and went on to grow into an amazing and respected university. While the well-being of our little private university may seem relatively small next to global trials and tribulations, there is a connection. New York Tech has weathered decades of the world’s hardships and still managed to be a place where young people can work towards their future for 65 years. The ebb and flow of history has many highs and lows. The world seemed like it was ending in 1955, but it didn’t. For many, the world seems like it’s ending now, but it won’t. There will undoubtedly be a point in the future when the end seems imminent once again, but thanks to the work of great people like the students of New York Tech, it won’t. It is our pleasure to welcome the freshman class of 2020 to our NY Tech family. The world may seem scary right now, but we’ll get through it together, and then we’ll work together to make the world a better place.

At New York Tech’s first Founders Dinner in 1958, New York City Mayor Robert Wagner Jr. proclaimed the day “New York Institute of Technology Day.” Wagner’s official proclamation is held by Lyndon B. Johnson (center), a senator from Texas at the time and future 36th president of the United States. To Johnson’s left is Alexander Schure, Ph.D., Ed.D., New York Tech’s first president, and to his right is former New York Tech trustee Michael Grace.(From New York Tech’s The Box)

NYIT.EDU10 SEPTEMBER 2020 | THE SLATE

As a new student at New York Tech, your first few weeks are filled with a lot of decisions. Should you drop that class that gave a quiz on the second day? Should you spend the extra $10 on snacks at Salten (if you even find yourself on campus this semester)? And maybe most importantly, what clubs should you join? When deciding on what student activities to sign up for, a lot of students think they should stick to clubs related to their major. As a mechanical engineering student, the obvious choice for me was to join the various engineering related groups and stay fully focussed on my field. While clubs in your academic discipline can be great, joining student activities from outside of your field is the best way to get outside your comfort zone. Certain majors that are math and logic based can get repetitive. Between classes and studying, it’s easy to get burnt out. Participating in something more creative, like The Campus

Slate, can help you exercise your creativity and get you out of that rut. Even if you don’t think of yourself as a writer, this is a collaborative effort between all sorts of talented people. There’s everything from designing and formatting to advertising and editing. There’s really something for everyone. And, if you are curious about dipping into the writing side, this is a great place to start. Plenty of people from all academic concentrations have produced some of the paper’s best work even without a lot of writing experience. One of the best things about being a writer here is the unique perspective you can bring to the paper. The majority of the group is composed of communication majors, which makes sense considering the work being done. But this can really limit the perspective of our students when it comes to our school as a whole. In a school that has five undergraduate schools and a vast range of studies, we’d be lost only representing the arts and communication school. Having people from all sorts of groups, backgrounds and majors helps keep the paper stay diverse and balanced. As a current student, I can honestly say that some of the best opportunities during your school career can come from student activities. Branching outside your major can be both a relief and an exciting new experience. The Campus Slate is amazing and well rounded, as are the students who help create it.

BY

Mary Roberts

Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone: Joining The Campus Slate as Non-Traditional

HOT HANDS

Zoom ID: 223 744 9569 | 5pm -6pm

Hot hands is a virtual trivia event for prizes!

*Zoom Passcode: Creative28

GRAB N' GO

Academic Quad | 8am - 11am

Stop by for some free breakfast and school

supplies! #NewYorkTechReturns

WELCOME BACK BASH

SAC Field | 12:45pm - 2pm

Free lunch, music and pickup your very own

teddy bear Tech mascot!

Tuesday, September 14th

STUDENT INVOLVEMENT FAIR

See nyit.edu/events for details | 12:45pm - 2pm

Join us for a chance to virtually meet all student

organizations and learn about involvement

opportunities on campus!

Tuesday, September 14th

CPB BINGO

Zoom ID: 987 2125 7566 | 6pm - 8pm

Join the Campus Programming Board as we

kick off the year with monthly Bingo!

Tuesday, September 14th

CONSTITUTION DAY

Zoom ID: 975 0542 2310 | 12:45pm - 2pm

Constitution Day is focused on educating the

community on the U.S. Constitution. The topic

of discussion will be about voting rights.

*Zoom Passcode: VOTE2020

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9/11 MEMORIAL

@nytechtoday instagram | all day

Please join Veteran Affairs to pay tribute to

the victims and honor the survivors of 9/11.

IFSC Q&A and Meet the Greeks

See @nytech.ifsc for details | 6pm - 8pm

Join Fraternity and Sorority Life organizations

to learn more about the community!

GRAD STUDENT MEET & GREET

Meeting ID:934 0126 5300 | 4pm - 5pm

Join the Graduate Student Association in

welcoming all graduate students.

*Zoom Passcode: GSA2020

DRIVE-IN MOVIE (TENTATIVE)

Riland Parking Lot | 6pm

For updates, please see nyit.edu/event.

WEEK OF

Wednesday, September 9th

SAC, 2nd Floor

516.686.7635

studentengagementli@nyit.edu

Friday, September 11th

Thursday , September 10th

Tuesday, September 15th

Wednesday, September 16th

Monday, September 14th

Thursday, September 17th

@nytechtoday

Copyright © 2020 The Campus Slate.All Campus Slate articles,

photographs, and graphics are theproperty of The Campus Slate

unless where credit is given and may not be reproduced without

expressed written consent.

the slate New York Institute of TechnologyOld Westbury, NY 11568

Contact Us: slate@nyit.edu (516) 686-7646

NYIT.EDU

@campusslate @campusslate