THE SLATE

VOLUME 56 ISSUE 1 OCTOBER 2019

President Foley
Envisions New
Changes for
New York Tech
 THE SLATE
Team
Kevin Horton Faculty Advisor
Robert Callaghan Editor In Chief
Joy Ahmed Layout Editor

Writers
Ayse Bebek
Christine Kemp
Emily Koerick
Philmore Parkes
Brenden Smoller
Jordan Vallone

New York Institute of Technology Editor In Chief:

Old Westbury, NY 11568 Robert Callaghan
Contact Us: rcallagh@nyit.edu
slate@nyit.edu (516) 686-7646 Faculty Advisor:
Kevin Horton
khorton@nyit.edu
Copyright © 2019 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.

2 OCTOBER 2019 | THE SLATE

THE SLATE OCTOBER 2019
VOLUME 56 ISSUE 1

NYIT News Entertainment

5 - What is Theatre Performance Workshop? 16 - Rambo: Last Blood - A Review

6 - This Year In History: A Century Ago Technology

17 - Apple’s September 2019 Event Releases
7- Step Forwards, Step Up, Girl Up

Tech Sports
8 - Relay for Life
22 - New York Tech Launches New Athletics Logo
10 - President Hank Foley Has Exciting Projects for Future of
New York Tech 23 - Tech Ultimate Frisbee

News
24 - Katie Apostolopoulos Looking for More in Sophomore Campaign
12 - Jeffrey Epstein Dead in Jail After Being Accused of Sex Trafficking

13 - Hurricane Dorian’s Aftermath

14 - Why the Amazon Rainforest Fire is More Detrimental to the World

Than You Think

COVER PHOTO - NYIT.EDU OCTOBER 2019 | THE SLATE 3

THIS PAGE - NYIT.EDU
 Letter from the Editor
As we all return to school mode, it’s time for the start of the Fall 2019 semester. That
means fresh starts and new beginnings await. This fall, our staff is looking forward to
delivering NYIT Long Island the latest news and updates from around campus, the
country, and globe! I’m Robert Callaghan, the Editor In Chief of The Campus Slate.
I’ve been a part of the team since I was a freshman in 2016, and have worked my way
up from writer, to Sports Editor, to Editor In Chief. My staff and I take a lot of pride
in the production and publishing of our paper, which will include three issues this fall.
The Campus Slate has been a proud tradition for over 50 years, and we will continue
to keep that tradition going. If you have any interest in contributing or joining, contact
me at rcallagh@nyit.edu or our Faculty Advisor khorton@nyit.edu. Thanks for your
readership, and have a successful semester!

Best,

4 OCTOBER 2019 | THE SLATE NYIT.EDU

 NYIT News
What is
Theatre Performance
Workshop?
BY Christine Kemp
Many students here at NYIT are involved in one of the many
clubs or sports we have to offer on campus, such as the Black
Student Union or the Music Club. However, very few of
the students even know about the existence of the Theatre
Performance Workshop. A lot of people would question its
presence at the school in general - we are a technology school,
after all. But with the passionate students involved, the
commitment of the staff, and a whole lot of dedication makes
every performance something truly amazing.
The NYIT Theatre Workshop is run by Professor Scott
E. Jarvis, an actor and a longtime lover of the art of theatre
as well as an English professor here at NYIT and at Hofstra
University. He is the director of all the plays being put on, and
he does a fantastic job. There is a performance every semester,
with a series of one-act plays put on in the fall semester
and a longer piece, usually a classic such as Shakespere or
classical Greek works, are put on during the spring semester.
Auditions are held every semester in Salten Hall, which is
where the plays are shown. The divider between the rooms
is opened up and turned into a stage, where the students
involved take their audiences to ancient Rome, a marketplace
in the middle east, ancient Greece, an island off the coast of
Mexico, or a lighthouse off the coast of Canada. With a little
bit of time and a lot of effort, the classrooms are transported
anywhere on Earth during any time.
The shows are basically run by the students, save the
expert direction of Professor Jarvis and a hand from a few
caring theatre veterans. The students help to gather the
costumes, assisted by the costume specialist Susan Blake,
SHUTTERGIRL: THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF ERICA KUCIW
everyone helps to assemble and gather the
sets, and Russ Simon helps the students with
lighting. The students are responsible for the
props, taking care and keeping track of their
costumes, moving the sets, and of course, putting
on the performances. They perform three shows
after weeks of hard work, all culminating in an
amazing weekend of entertainment for everyone
involved.
Many of the students in the workshop have
been there for most of their time at college,
including myself. I was first introduced to the
program through a friend, and before that I
had no idea we even had a theater workshop. It
seemed strange to me that a technology school
would have any art programs, let alone one that
I would find myself falling in love with. I have
acted in three shows so far: Euripides’ The
Trojan Women, SubText: A Series of One-Act
Plays and Shakespere’s Julius Caesar. Every
single performance has drawn me further and
further in, and I find myself loving it more every
semester.
This past spring semester the workshop put
on an amazing performance of Shakespere’s
Julius Caesar, which was one of the most
popular shows to date. The performances
for this fall semester is titled MESSAGES
IN THE DARK and is advertised as an
enthralling evening of mystery and suspense. The
performances are set for November 21, 22 and 23,
so be sure to mark it on your calendars and come
out for a night of fun!
OCTOBER 2019 | THE SLATE 5
NYIT News

This Year In History: A Century Ago

BY Brenden Smoller
The release of this issue of The Slate marks the Believe It or Not Museums, in the vein of Ripley’s original
beginning of an exciting new year of collegiate Odditorium, to this day.
journalism. The importance of a school Robert Ripley died in 1949, the same year a Ripley’s Believe
newspaper can not be understated, as it gives It or Not television show began airing. Nonetheless, Ripley’s
all of us associated with New York Tech an easy legacy lives on.
avenue to stay informed with what is happening, The books, television shows, and even the original comic
and in some cases what will happen, in the world panel still exist in some iteration.
around us. For over 50 years, The Campus Slate There is a lot we can learn from revisiting the past. There
has delivered news to New York Tech. A new is also a lot we can learn from Robert Ripley. Not only does
theme our readers will now be able to read in his story show us the potential the press has to bring people
each issue this semester is a this year in history. together, it also shows us the potential that the smallest ideas
Let’s begin; On this year in history: 1919 have to flourish into something greater. When Robert Ridley
The New York Globe was a newspaper and wrote his first factoid caption under a cartoon doodle, there is
state institution that ran from 1904 until 1923. no way he knew the lasting effect it would have.
They published a column in 1919, the four word
The first “Believe It or Not” Cartoon, “Champs and Chumps,” was published
title of which has remained ingrained in pop on December 19, 1918.
culture to this day.
Robert L. Ripley began working as a sports
cartoonist at in 1913. He ran his sports cartoon
panel for many years but one day, strapped for
ideas, he decide to doodle sports factoids that he
had picked up here and there and accompanied
them with captions explaining them. He titled
this new panel Champs & Chumps, and it was
published on December 19, 1918. The panel was
very successful with The Globe’s readers, but
as it branched out from strictly sports related
facts, an executive decision was made that Ripley
would have to change the panel’s name. On
October 16, 1919, Ripley’s Believe It or Not was
born.
For nearly a decade, Believe It or Not
continued its success at The New York Globe,
until the paper ceased publication in 1923. The
panel’s popularity was so great that reprints of
the panel were published in books. The book
were also hugely successful, and Ripley’s Believe
It or Not became a phenomenon.
In 193o the panel became a popular radio
show. The following year, in addition to a second
book collection being published (with many
editions to come), Warner Bros. Studios turned
the concept into a series of short films. In 1993,
after returning from a global trek searching for
oddities to write about, Ripley opened his first
Odditorium in Chicago, where he displayed
some of his findings. Many major cities sport

6 OCTOBER 2019 | THE SLATE RIPLEYS.COM

 NYIT News
Step Forwards, Step
Up, Girl Up
BY Ayse Bebek
The world sometimes is an unequal playing field, but
here at New York Tech, students are given so many equal
opportunities for a bright future. The world moves at the
same speed for everybody, and we aren’t in a race to see who
can finish first. That’s where we come to help; Welcome to
Girl Up!
The United Nations Foundation founded Girl Up in
2010 to achieve equal rights for every girl. It supports girls in
developing countries and gives them new opportunities that,
without the organization, would seem possible. The club
empowers young women by educating them, tending to their
healthy and safe growth into future female leaders. Two years
ago in the Spring of 2017, the idea was brought to NYIT by
a young woman looking for a place. Simran Kaur, the current
president, searched for some extracurricular activities when
she was a freshman. She couldn’t find a club that supported
her interests so what was the next best thing?
“I started my own club to have a place for me where I felt
comfortable and I could work with my community,” said Kaur.
GIRLUP.ORG
Over the course of two years at NYIT, Girl
Up has reached outstanding goals and recorded
numerous achievements. The club has completed
many fun and successful fundraisers such as
a Moe’s fundraiser, a bake sale with Martha’s
Country Bakery and a spooky movie night.
“With these funds, we were able to fundraise
$500 to send 20 girls to school for the first time in
Uganda,” Kaur mentioned.
As it grows further, so will the charitable
impacts we have. After all, if $500 can give
a world of experience to a class’s worth of
underprivileged girls, how many more may they
support as our support grows at NYIT? You
could be apart of something greater! The NYIT
club also reached a milestone last semester of 1oo
members.
The future looks bright for NYIT Girl Up as
Simran and her elected board members continue
to set new goals. From expanding branding
to thinking of new ways to fundraise, Simran’s
day is never done. She wants to try and bring
other clubs together to take part in the Breast
Cancer walk at Jones Beach. New merchandise,
promotional items and social media expansion all
play into the end goal of helping send more girls
to school.
Follow NYIT Girl Up on Instagram, @girlup.
nyit, to see upcoming events. On Instagram
you’ll also find “Women Wednesdays” where
they honor a woman for her work, a rather lovely
feature for our female NYIT students.
”If you’re on the fence about joining Girl
Up, I’d tell you to sign up and join and attend
whatever events catch your attention. I’d like to
think we have many different kinds of events,
everything from bake sales to discussions to walk
for a good cause!” To find more about the club,
visit www.girlup.org.
The club helps adolescent women across the
globe rise and better themselves. Offering bake
sales, open discussions, and other public events,
they’ll continue to aid girls internationally while
offering you something fun too! Even if you
can’t find the time for the club or it really isn’t
something you can put your heart into, consider
donating to the organization at www.girlup.org.
It’s time to step up and girl up!
OCTOBER 2019 | THE SLATE 7
NYIT News

Relay for Life

BY Jordan Vallone

cancer, and to improve the life

of current cancer patients, as
well as their doctors and other
caretakers.
New York Tech’s Relay For
Life event will take place on
Friday, April 24, 2o2o. The
event will start around 6:oo pm.
Though it is months away, there
will be plenty of prep work
and fundraising during the
months leading up to the event
that will require the help and
commitment of everyone in the
New York Tech community.
For those who are interested,
feel free to visit connect.
relayforlife.org for more
information regarding Relay
For Life in general. To directly
join New York Tech’s fight, visit
relayforlife.org/nyitny, where
you can donate money, join
the relay team or dedicate a
Dr. Gordon Klatt once walked more than 83 luminaria.
miles over a 24 hour period around a track in It’s likely that
Tacoma, Washington. His friends, family and almost everyone
patients, came out to support his effort, as he was can say that
walking for an important cause. Klatt wished to they have been
contribute to the funds of the American Cancer touched by
Society, who fight against cancer. cancer in some
Alone, Klatt raised nearly $27,ooo and received way, probably
media attention for his remarkable pursuit. As because they
remarkable as this was, it wasn’t enough, as he know someone
couldn’t help but think about the bigger picture. who has it, they
He wanted more people to join the fight. know someone
After this walk in May 1985, 19 teams who has died
participated in the first Relay For Life event a from it, or
year later, and a movement was born. Today, because they
there are more than 5,ooo Relay for Life events know someone
worldwide that have collectively raised an who has survived it. No one likes talking about cancer, because
estimated $5 billion since their launch. of the fact that is has caused so much sadness, struggle and
Relay For Life is a community-based pain in a world where most people want to focus on the good,
fundraising event for the American Cancer rather than the bad. This being said, there is nothing we can
Society. Their missions are to raise funds to do to make cancer a positive thing, but there is something that
help those who are currently fighting cancer, we can do to fight it, and get one step closer to seeing a world
decrease the number of people who get sick with without it.

8 OCTOBER 2019 | THE SLATE NYIT.EDU

 News
Hurricane Dorian’s Aftermath
BY Ayse Bebek
Another danger raised from the ocean and caused major
damage to the Bahamas and southern states. Hurricane
Dorian stormed to coast on August 24th eventually
strengthening to a category five within a week. Winds were
whipping at 185mph as the cyclone finds itself tied with
the Labor Day hurricane of 1935 for the highest winds of
an Atlantic hurricane ever recorded. Dorian trekked its
way through Puerto Rico, The Bahamas, the east coast of
the United States, Eastern Canada and Greenland. The
Bahamas are left in shambles as it took a cataclysmic amount
of damage.
The Bahamas actually suffered one of the worst hurricanes
of it’s time. Dorian had reached its peak intensity during
landfall on the Great Abaco Islands and for three days,
pummeled the Islands as it made its way over to the United
States. According to CNN, “the future is uncertain for people
in the Bahamas after the Category 5 Hurricane devastated the
islands. At least 50 people were killed and officials expect that
number to rise dramatically and at least 70,000 people are
homeless on Grand Bahama and Abaco Islands, according to
the United Nations.”
Insurance Journal suggests the damages will cost up to 7
billion for those areas in the Bahamas that saw the 21omph
winds at landfall.
A photo taken from a U.S. Coast Guard
helicopter flying over the Bahamas.
SEAMAN ERIK VILLA RODRIGUEZ/U.S. COAST GUARD
The first lash on the United States took from
Dorian was met by Florida who experienced
winds up to 50mph with one reported casualty
that day. The Carolinas were next, with flooding
homes causing power outages in over 160,000
buildings. More than 190,000 people in North
Carolina experienced power outages caused by
the spawning of over 25 tornadoes, according
to Insurance Journal. “Everyone in the state
I believe is breathing a sigh of relief,” South
Carolina Director of Insurance Raymond Farmer
said in an interview. “The eye of the storm got
real close to our coast and the bands on that
western side took up about half the state, but the
eye never got on land here in South Carolina.
The damage is somewhat lighter than everyone
thought.”
For some of the United States, they dodged
a major bullet. In the midst of hurricane
season, the country needs to come together in
supporting and helping those in major need of
supplies and shelter.
OCTOBER 2019 | THE SLATE 9
NYIT News

President square foot hang out building with an outside area. The design
has it right in the center of campus, as well as new buildings

Hank Foley Has

for Architecture, Communication Arts, and Science Health
Professions and redesigning current buildings on campus
within the Quad.

Exciting Projects
“The next big thing we’re going to do is build the Campus
Commons,” Pres. Foley said. “It’s for the students. We want
to see them come together here, like it becomes a home away

for Future of
from home. When you come on campus, you instantly realize
that’s the place for the students. It becomes their home away
from home. It’s vital to start to bring the campus together and

New York Tech
BY Robert Callaghan
From the day Hank Foley stepped into the
President role at New York Tech, his first order
of business was to improve and prioritize student
experiences in and out of the classroom.
“It’s all about the student experience first,”
President Foley said.
To back that up, he engineered a blueprint for
the future to modernize the campus. Current and
incoming students could expect to see a state-of-
the-art “Campus Commons Grounds,” an 85,ooo
it starts with architecture and communication arts students
that are isolated on a completely other side of campus. That’s
where faculty and administrators like us should be.”
One of students most asked questions is when are dorms
going to be on campus. Pres. Foley said there are no current
plans in the works yet to transition or build dorms on campus,
as it’s mostly a commuter school, For now, it’s about making
a newer and more complete campus for overall student
experiences. Both academically and spiritually.
Student initial reaction to places for students to gather was
met with enthusiasm. “I usually come to class in the morning,
go home for my break, and then come back in the afternoon
because I don’t bother sitting around campus,” one freshman
said. “If there was a place that big for all of us to hang out and
give us that sort of environment, I’d be here more often.”
Pres. Foley’s plan is to invest and spread out about 150
million over the next five years on the Long Island campus.
The expansion and updates doesn’t stop on Long Island.
Foley’s plan for the Manhattan campus is to move to a more
affordable area that will benefit students financially and
academically. “Right now, we’re in the process of trying to sell
the property in Columbus Circle, we think that will happen
and if we’re able; it will allow us to use a portion of that money
towards our reserves,” Foley stated. “It’s a big deal in terms of
being able to provide more aid for students, keeping the price
[of tuition] low. We’ll look for space in Lower Manhattan or
Long Island City where prices are much lower, so we can
provide a better student experience while connecting the two
campuses. Make them interact better, as a unit. That’s the
strategy.”
Recently, the abandoned campus in Central Islip, which
was last used in 2oo5, sold 106 acres, and the money was used
to invest into the Long Island campus as well, according to
Newsday.
“It’s exciting to witness and be a part of the change at
New York Tech. The most important thing for an incoming
and current college students, getting the most out of your
education while saving as much as you can, but also enjoy
going to school and being proud to go here.” Hank Foley and
New York Tech will continue to strive for that goal and passion
with each individual student.

10 OCTOBER 2019 | THE SLATE NYIT.EDU


Lil Yachty recently headlined at
Farmingdale State College’s RAMChella
Concert & Carnival. Cheat Codes was the
opening act.
According to the NYIT student handbook,
which was revised in the Fall of 2015, the Student
Government Association (SGA) works with the
university to help arrange for concerts at the
college. Getting a comedian or artist to perform
here would be a popular event.
The NYIT student body would undoubtedly
attend and enjoy an event like this. With proper
planning, recruiting and communicating to the
students and school, a concert on campus could
be a major step forward for the SGA and NYIT as
a whole!

Jay Sean performed

at Nassau Community
College’s Concert & BBQ
on May 7.

NYIT look
“We’ll Should Host
for space in Lower
Concerts
Manhattan or Long Island City
BY Brittany Vonknsky

where prices are much lower, so

Every year, Long Island campuses like Adelphi University,
Farmingdale State College, Nassau Community College, and

we can provide a better student

Stony Brook University have musicians such as 21 Savage and
A$AP Ferg come to perform for students and alumni at their
school for discounted, reasonable prices. So why can’t NYIT

experience while connecting

do the same here in Old Westbury?
“Our school needs to be more involved,” NYIT student
Camille Fuentes said. “People from other universities can

the two campuses. Make them

come too because we’re not that big.”
The Long Island campus has many events throughout
the semester, but most of them are for communities of the
university like building robots, virtual reality, blood drives,
interact better, as a unit. That’s the
Relay for Life, the recent Big Give and seminars for the
medical department.
It does not just have to be musicians or rappers that could
strategy.”
perform for the university. Another student, Chiara Bushati,
suggest the school should also invest in getting comedians like Mold on the shoes of

- President Hank Foley

Ali Wong and Amy Schumer pay the school a visit for a show.
a SUNY Old Westbury
student.

ANTON MAK MAY 2019 | THE SLATE 11

News
Jeffrey Epstein Dead in Jail After Being
Accused of Sex Trafficking
BY Philmore Parkes
Jeffrey Epstein, American financier and
convicted sex offender, died in jail after being
charged of sex trafficking and conspiracy to
engage in sex trafficking. The New York City
medical examiner ruled the 66-year-old’s death as
a suicide. Manhattan’s Metropolitan Correctional
Center (MCC) allowed a high-profile inmate
to die a day after unsettling court documents
were made public giving information about his
alleged abuse of dozens of mostly underage girls,
and some that participated in the abuse and
documents that might implicate many rich and
powerful men from the elite circles Epstein was
apart of before he died. Several of his alleged
victims are attempting to sue his estate.
Epstein had a history with sexual abuse and
prostitution. Epstein was convicted of and
pleaded guilty to soliciting and of procuring an
underage girl for prostitution by Florida court
state in 2oo8. He only received thirteen months
as part of a plea deal and 36 girls, some as young
as 14 years old, were identified in the case whom
Epstein sexually abused. This was an unusually
low sentence for that type of crime. Epstein was
recently arrested again on July 6, 2o19, on federal
charges for sex trafficking of minors in Florida
and New York. On July 8, federal prosecutors
charged Epstein with one count of sex trafficking
of a minor and one count of conspiracy to
commit sex trafficking. The indictment stated
that Epstein sexually exploited and abused many
women, and minors at his homes in New York,
Florida, and other locations. He was denied bail
before his trial. The indictment also said that “in
12 OCTOBER 2019 | THE SLATE
order to maintain and increase his supply of victims, Epstein
also paid certain of his victims to recruit additional girls to
be similarly abused.” After the indictment, Epstein pleaded
not guilty on both charges, and on August 1o, media outlets
confirmed that Epstein had died by apparent suicide in jail.
The Departmner of Justice released this statement: “On
Saturday, August 1o, 2o19, at approximately 6:3o a.m., inmate
Jeffrey Edward Epstein was found unresponsive in his cell
in the Special Housing Unit from an apparent suicide at the
MCC in New York, New York. Life-saving measures were
initiated immediately by responding staff. Staff requested
emergency medical services (EMS) and life-saving efforts
continued. Mr. Epstein was transported by EMS to a
local hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries, and
subsequently pronounced dead by hospital staff. The FBI is
investigating the incident.”
The New York Post reported that there is not any
surveillance video of Epstein’s death. There were video
cameras in the section of the MCC where Epstein was
housed but none showed the inside or outside of the cells.
MCC personnel also failed to follow procedures. Guards
are supposed to check on inmates in the special housing unit
every 3o minutes, but failed to do so on the night Epstein
hung himself. The New York Times reported that two guards
in Epstein’s jail unit fell asleep and failed to check on him for
about three hours. In an attempt to cover up their mistakes
they falsified the records.
Throughout Epstein’s professional life, he developed an
elite social circle, and allegedly acquired women and underage
girls for sexual services for himself and some of his former
associates. That includes Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, and
Queen Elizabeth’s son, Prince Andrew, all of which denied
being in recent contact with Epstein.
Epstein was known to associate with many celebrities,
and other people in the public spotlight. This is why it was
suspected that his death may have been a homicide. Even
though Epstein seemed to be wealthy, living in expensive
properties and donating large sums of money to many causes,
the way he got his money was obscure. “Federal prosecutors
have estimated Epstein’s wealth at over $500 million, but it still
remains a mystery how much he really had or how he earned
it.”
If convicted of the charges, it is said that Epstein would
have faced a maximum prison sentence of 45 years.
SHUTTERSTOCK
 News
Hurricane Dorian’s Aftermath
BY Ayse Bebek
Another danger raised from the ocean and caused major
damage to the Bahamas and southern states. Hurricane
Dorian stormed to coast on August 24th eventually
strengthening to a category five within a week. Winds were
whipping at 185mph as the cyclone finds itself tied with
the Labor Day hurricane of 1935 for the highest winds of
an Atlantic hurricane ever recorded. Dorian trekked its
way through Puerto Rico, The Bahamas, the east coast of
the United States, Eastern Canada and Greenland. The
Bahamas are left in shambles as it took a cataclysmic amount
of damage.
The Bahamas actually suffered one of the worst hurricanes
of it’s time. Dorian had reached its peak intensity during
landfall on the Great Abaco Islands and for three days,
pummeled the Islands as it made its way over to the United
States. According to CNN, “the future is uncertain for people
in the Bahamas after the Category 5 Hurricane devastated
the islands. At least 5o people were killed and officials expect
that number to rise dramatically and at least 7o,ooo people are
homeless on Grand Bahama and Abaco Islands, according to
the United Nations.”
Insurance Journal suggests the damages will cost up to 7
billion for those areas in the Bahamas that saw the 21omph
winds at landfall.
A photo taken from a U.S. Coast Guard
helicopter flying over the Bahamas.
SEAMAN ERIK VILLA RODRIGUEZ/U.S. COAST GUARD
The first lash on the United States took from
Dorian was met by Florida who experienced
winds up to 50mph with one reported casualty
that day. The Carolinas were next, with flooding
homes causing power outages in over 16o,ooo
buildings. More than 19o,ooo people in North
Carolina experienced power outages caused by
the spawning of over 25 tornadoes, according
to Insurance Journal. “Everyone in the state
I believe is breathing a sigh of relief,” South
Carolina Director of Insurance Raymond Farmer
said in an interview. “The eye of the storm got
real close to our coast and the bands on that
western side took up about half the state, but the
eye never got on land here in South Carolina.
The damage is somewhat lighter than everyone
thought.”
For some of the United States, they dodged
a major bullet. In the midst of hurricane
season, the country needs to come together in
supporting and helping those in major need of
supplies and shelter.
OCTOBER 2019 | THE SLATE 13
News
Why the Amazon Rainforest Fire is More
Detrimental to the World Than You Think
BY Ayse Bebek
A plot of deforested land at the Amazon Rainforest
near Porto Velho.
“The lungs of the world,” more commonly
known as the Amazon Rainforest, is
slowly diminishing due to man made fires.
Deforestation of this ecosystem could be
disastrous to planet Earth as we know it. The
Amazon is home to 10 million species of animals,
and this rainforest is much more crucial than you
may think. If lost, climate change will worsen;
the Amazon helps maintain and cool our planet.
390 billion individual trees and 50 natives
tribes call the Amazon Rainforest home. 20%
of the world’s oxygen is produced there, and is
something we should all fear losing. Considering
the Amazon Rainforest is known as a global
cooling system, it is suspicious as to how these
fires began to occur. It’s out of the ordinary for it
to catch into a wildfire, even when temperatures
do get hot enough.
However, under Jair Bolsonaro’s presidency,
it makes a bit more sense. According to Time
Magazine, in April 2o19, Bolsonaro cut Brazil’s
14 OCTOBER 2019 | THE SLATE
environmental agency budget by 24%. After these budget
cuts were made, the agency was no longer able to provide
environmental patrol and enforcement.
According to the Washington Post, “Studies show the
2.2 million-square mile rainforest in the Amazon is nearing
a tipping point, at which large fragmented portions of the
rainforest could transform into an entirely different, drier
ecosystem, leading to the acceleration of climate change,
the loss of countless species and disaster for the indigenous
populations that call the tropical rainforest home.”
The Amazon rainforest has been “fire-resistant” for much
of its history because of its natural environment, according
to Global News and National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, but can go through hot spells.
One of the most important and crucial ecosystems in the
world is being burned down by farmers and ranchers for their
own use, including new roads and population. However, other
countries, including Germany and France, environmental
groups, and many others are fighting to stop this tragic
destruction of the Amazon Rainforest.
UESLEI MARCELINO/REUTERS
Entertainment
Rambo: Last Blood - A Review
BY Brenden Smoller
There is likely no film series in the history of
American cinema as forthrightly political as the
saga of John Rambo. Since the early 80s the
Rambo movies have addressed and reflected
what the filmmakers at that time viewed as
America’s attitude towards war, conflict, and
violence.
Rambo: Last Blood picks up with our hero
living on a ranch in Texas with his friend Maria
(Adriana Barraza), who takes on a maternal role
for the old vet despite her actress being ten years
younger than Stallone, who is now 73. However,
his life has really come to focus on Gabriela,
(Yvette Monreal) Maria’s granddaughter who
Rambo has been a father figure for since her
16 OCTOBER 2019 | THE SLATE
mother died and her father abandoned her. In the beginning of
this movie, watching Stallone break horses and ooze paternal
chemistry with his two female co-stars, you can see genuine
pathos in his performance. It truly seems as though Rambo
has found peace. Once the viewer is introduced to the weapon
loaded catacombs that he has dug beneath his ranch, the
audience can immediately predict the mindless gorefest that
will be this film’s third act.
At age 73, Stallone still has it. He turns in a great
performance in a bad movie and manages to still be
intimidating. Overall, the movie wasn’t my personal favorite
of them all, but the part of me that loved the first four movies
wants this one to make enough money to justify a sequel.
Because if John Rambo rides into the sunset with this stinker,
that would be truly tragic.
YANA BLAJEVA/LIONSGATE
Technology
Apple’s September 2o19 Event Releases
BY Philmore Parkes
Every September, Apple hosts a keynote event announcing
what they’ve been working on and what’s releasing in the
near future. The Apple event “By Innovation Only,” officially
announced the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max,
and the Apple Watch Series 5 along with Apple Arcade and
Apple TV+.
iPhone 11
The iPhone 11 is Apple’s new followup to the iPhone XR.
It features a dual-camera setup. The camera lenses on the
iPhone 11 range from a wide and ultra-wide lens. Both lenses
are 12-megapixel lenses, one of which is an ultra-wide-angle
lens to provide for beautiful landscape shots. Battery life has
seen a significant upgrade with Apple claiming the iPhone 11
will exceed the iPhone XR’s battery life by an hour, and that
the iPhone 11 Pro will last up to four hours longer than the
iPhone XS.
iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max
APPLE.COM
Along with the iPhone 11, Apple made a pro
lineup called the iPhone 11 Pro. The Pro has
two sizes just like last year’s iPhone XS and XS
Max. The only real difference between the two
phones rest in the display size. The iPhone 11 Pro
comes with a 5.8-inch display, while the iPhone
11 Pro Max has a 6.5-inch display. Both have new
displays use Apple’s new Super Retina XDR
technology. The pro line features a triple-camera
setup on the back, with both models including
12-megapixel lenses, comprised of a telephoto
lens, a wide-angle lens, and the new ultra-wide-
angle lens. Apple is introducing software for
the pro models camera called Deep Fusion,
which uses machine learning to blend together
a number of long- and short-exposure photos to
create one perfect image. It will have the same
general design of last years iPhone X including a
stainless steel frame with a glass body, but with a
new matte finish unlike the 11’s glossy finish. The
iPhone 11 Pro range is available in four colors,
including space gray, silver, gold, and a brand
new midnight green.
The iPhone 11 Pro Max should last for five
hours longer than the iPhone XS Max. The
Pro models will ship with a 15-watt fast charger,
making this the first time an iPhone has shipped
with a fast charger.
Apple Watch Series 5
Apple has seen much success with the Apple
Watch Series 4. Many people gave testimonies
during the Apple event showing off the health
OCTOBER 2019 | THE SLATE 17
Technology
benefits of the watch. People claimed it has saved
them from heart attacks and other cardiovascular
ailments from the ECG (electrocardiogram)
detecting irregular heart rate and keeping people
fit. Apple stressed how much their watch is
helping with health research, and revealed the
Apple Watch Series 5 afterwards.The new watch
will feature an always-on Retina display. This
new display means you can easily glance down
at your watch at any time, without having to lift
your arm to activate the display. This new display
also uses more power-efficient technology, so
it draws less energy than the Series 4, which
will help the new Apple Watch have an 18-hour
battery life. The series 5 is a little thinner with an
added compass application. It also comes with
international emergency calling, so you can call
for help away from home and phone. The Apple
Watch Series 5 starts from $399, and $499 for
LTE models.
Apple Arcade and TV+
Apple unveiled the seventh generation iPad at
the event with a larger 10.2-inch retina display
and a price tag starting at $329. The previous
model had a 9.7-inch screen. The new iPad’s
increase of half an inch will allow more content
on screen than before, which makes it better
18 OCTOBER 2019 | THE SLATE
for using the new iPad OS and its multitasking features. The
new iPad has a more powerful A10 processor, and is the first
basic iPad to come with support for Apple’s smart keyboard.
Prices for the new iPad start at $329.Along with all of Apple’s
hardware announcements, Apple presented two subscription
services, Apple Arcade and Apple TV +. Apple Arcade will
launch on September 19th for $4.99 per month with a one-
month free trial. The service gathers all the games you want for
iOS, MacOS, and Apple TV in one place, and it’s launching
with more than 100 games from different developers. Apple
promises to add new games every month and to have all the
games become accessible to you as soon as you sign up for the
service.
Apple TV+ will launch on November 1st, also for $4.99 per
month with a one-week free trial. If you buy an iPhone, iPad,
Mac, or Apple TV within the next year, you get a free year of
Apple TV+. The first Apple TV+ shows will be available on
November 1, with new programs added every month. It will be
available in more than 100 countries on launch, and will cost
just $5 a month. You’ll also get a year’s worth of Apple TV+
included when you buy a new Apple device.
APPLE.COM
 NYIT Sports
NYIT Baseball
Posts First 30-Win
Season Since 2006
BY Brandon Alberto
For the first time since the 2oo6 season, the NYIT
baseball program has posted a 30-plus win season.
The Bears concluded their regular season with a 31-12
record (21-7 in ECC). They will enter the East Coast
Conference Tournament as the No. 2 seed.
It’s been quite a turnaround for this squad. This
comes one year after a 13-25-1 record, more than
double the amount of wins this season.
“It’s crazy to say we have more than doubled our
win total from last year to be one of the few 30 win
clubs in the region.” Captain Ben McNeill said. “The
coaching staff demands the most out of us day in
and out, and the group of guys we have here are a big
reason why we are where we’re at. We’re not done yet,
30 plus wins means nothing… we are going full speed
ahead for a conference championship and more.”
On top of the ECC Playoffs, NYIT is almost assured
a spot in the Regional for a chance to go to the College
World Series. The Bears enter the postseason ranked
fourth in the East Region by the National Collegiate
Baseball Writers Association.
There have been countless ECC weekly and
monthly awards handed out to the Bears throughout
ADAM RUBIN/NYIT ATHLETICS
the course of the season, but one of the biggest stories
of the season has been redshirt freshman EJ Cumbo,
who enters the tournament on a team-high 14-game
hitting streak. He also enters the postseason within
striking distance of the program record for batting
average in a season as well as the national batting title,
according to NYITBears.com.
“It’s playoff time now,” Cumbo said. “That’s what
matters. The guys top to bottom are bought in and
it’s a completely different vibe from last year,” Cumbo
said. “The coaches have went all in and have done a
good job demanding a culture change. I’m just out
here doing my best to help this team win and capture
our goal.”
The ECC Player of the Year hit .460 (57-for-124)
with five homers and 35 RBIs in 36 games this season.
He is also batted second in batting average in all of
Division II, trailing Angelo State’s Josh Elvir, who hit
.477.
This teams success will be no fluke. The Bears
already have been ranked as high as number 26 in the
country. With a big recruiting class coming in and
the team only graduates four players, (Jake Lebel, Matt
DeAngelis, Nic Lombardi and Elvin Ramos Jr.) NYIT
will be reloaded and ready to maintain success.
MAY 2019 | THE SLATE 19
SLATE
SPORTS

22 - New York Tech Launches New

Athletics Logo

23 - Tech Ultimate Frisbee

24 - Katie Apostolopoulos Looking

for More in Sophomore Campaign

20 OCTOBER 2019 | THE SLATE ADAM RUBIN/NEW YORK TECH ATHLETICS

 NYIT Sports
NYIT Athletics Year
in Review
BY Robbie Callaghan
NYIT takes pride in its athletics. With an overall
goal to strive and produce the best student-athletes
possible. That equates to winning championships
and being the best you can in the classroom as well
as in the community. NYIT finished eighth in all of
Division II in community service for the period from
September to November, with 87 percent of NYIT’s
student-athletes participating in volunteer activity
during the semester and have combined to log more
than 2,300 hours of community service this academic
year.
Baseball
It was quite the turnaround for NYIT Baseball team.
Not only were they paid visits by two former New York
MLB legends in David Wright and Hideki Matsui, they
also managed to capture their first 30-win season since
2006 under new head coach Frank Catalanotto and
were second place in the ECC. The Bears almost made
the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1983.
EJ Cumbo was named the ECC Player of the Year after
batting .460, No. 2 in NCAA Division II, while eight
other Bears earned all-league honors. John LaRocca
and pitcher DJ Masuck we’re honored first-team
All-ECC selections. Catcher Ryan Kuskowski, first
baseman Jake Lebel, shortstop Ben McNeill, pitcher
Joseph Murphy and closer Ariel Taveras received
second-team All-ECC honors. Ben McNeill was
honored student athlete of the year and LaRocca even
made SportsCenter with a web gem in the postseason.
ADAM RUBIN/NYIT ATHLETICS
The team graduated seniors Brandon Alberto, Matt
Bartnik, Matt DeAngelis, Jake Lebel, Nic Lombardi,
Mott, Elvin Ramos Jr. and Nick Tedesco.
*Scores & Results for NYIT Baseball are NOT fully
updated. Please visit NYITBears.com for the latest
results and scores on NYIT Baseball’s 2019 Postseason
run!*
Softball
The Bears posted a 19-24 record in 2019 under new
head coach Katie Apostolopoulos. Catcher Kylie
Lacerte and first baseman Brooke Scherer have been
named second-team All-ECC selections. NYIT
overcame a six-run deficit in the seventh inning of
an 10-6 eight-inning win against Mercy to keep their
playoff hopes Alice’s in a game for the ages. Carissa
Della Vecchia anchored the staff and tossed a no-hitter
last week against Molloy and was recognized for that
achievement by claiming the East Coast Conference
Pitcher of the Week award. The team graduates
Mikea Lewis, Leandra Lopez, Sophia Medina, Ruth
Rodriguez and Mary Tom.
Women’s Tennis
With a 17-4 record heading into the NCAA
tournament. The fourth-seeded Bears defeated fifth-
seeded Wilmington, 4-2, in the opening round NYIT
now faces host and top-seeded Queens for the right to
advance to the Sweet 16. The doubles tandem of Barbie
Quagliardi and Diana Baumgartnere, who reached the
ITA Oracle Cup national finals in the fall, are ranked
MAY 2019 | THE SLATE 21
 Tech Sports
New York Tech Launches
New Athletics Logo
BY Robert
Out with the old and in with the new, the New York
Tech Bears have launched a new logo and color design
for athletics this season and going forward!
With a rebrand happening all around campus, the
athletic department decided to join.
The old logo featured a brown bear mid-road with
sky blue lettering “NYIT” which has represented the
school since the 199os.
This updated bear has a way more “fierce and
modern design to it.” The color scheme transitions
to a navy blue along with a darker gold, which were
“the colors were worn by New York Tech student-
athletes for much of the school’s history, before the blue
migrated to a lighter shade.”
“New York Tech is synonymous with success in our
athletic department,” athletic director Dan Vélez said.
“When we launched this process, it was important to
all of us that while we were looking forward with this
new brand identity we also made sure that we honored
our successful history. We truly believe these new marks
will continue to bring out the pride that all New York
Tech alums share. With the university going through its
own rebrand, we knew that we in athletics also needed
22 OCTOBER 2019 | THE SLATE
Callaghan
to do the same. We recognized that we needed to stand
out quickly and distinctly. What better way to do that
than by using New York Tech as our primary athletic
identity and adjusting our blue and gold to better
reflect where we are from … New York?”
As part of the rebrand, Recreation Hall’s basketball
arena was redone as well, implementing the new logo
and color scheme surrounding the court. The baskets
were raised two inches because of the thickness of the
new wood flooring and replaces a rubber surface that
had been used since the 1970s.
“We understand that in order for our students and
our student-athletes to be successful and to have the
opportunity to achieve greatness, we must invest in
them,” director of athletics Dan Vélez said. “The laying
of a wood playing surface in Recreation Hall shows a
commitment to student and student-athlete success
and excellence. We must provide the best experience
possible. Projects such as this ensure Tech students and
student-athletes have access to a top-notch experience.”
The court will be ready for men’s and women’s
basketball season in the fall, as all teams are already
showing off their new gear around campus.
ADAM RUBIN/NEW YORK TECH ATHLETICS
 Tech Sports
Tech Ultimate Frisbee
BY Christine
Every sports team, especially here at NYIT, has a
reputation for building a strong sense of community
and collaborative team work. A team is a lot like a
family, and when a good deal of the students on the
team are a long way from home the atmosphere of
intimacy and warmth is one of the most important
things in their day to day lives. An excellent example of
this extended family would be the frisbee team.
The Ultimate Frisbee team is considered a club
sport, and the recruitment process is a bit more lax than
most of the other NYIT sports such as basketball or
baseball. It runs during the fall and spring semesters,
and the team is always looking for new recruits at the
beginning of the seasons. While the tryout period
has ended for the fall, come out to support the team
to see if it’s something you’re interested in trying.
They practice nearly every day outside of the Student
Activities Center on campus and new faces are always
welcome.
The team’s dedication and hard work really shine
through when you attend one of the tournaments or the
numerous practices, as I did myself this past week. I
am by no means a sports person, but the amount of fun
I had at just one practice was immeasurable. It was a
long three hours of stretching, running, falling, catching
and throwing, and yet I was still having the time of my
life.
The coaches as well as all of the members of
the team were experts at guiding me in my clumsy
throwing skills or encouraging me to keep it up while
ARNO WIPUTRA
Kemp
doing drills that I had never heard of. The team
basically teaches itself, with the veteran members taking
the new teammates under their wings to give them a
rundown of the way to play the game. Jan Iglesias and
Chris Mannino, the captain and co captain respectively,
are clear on the drills and the rules of the game, always
guiding everyone at the beginning of the practice.
Then the coach, Ryan O’Rourke, who everyone calls
“Giggles,” swoops in to perfect and give pointers on the
skills you slowly develop.
A lot of the new recruits share the same sentiment
as I do. The team is welcoming and supportive, even
though it’s a hard game to get the hang of. Nick Meyer,
a senior, and Claire Grove, a sophmore, are two of
the new team members, and their thoughts on the
team speak for themselves. “The frisbee team is great
because everyone is treated like family.” Nick Meyer
says. “It’s a very welcoming environment, especially
for a sport, and it definitely helps people stick around
and strive to improve.” This seems to be the feeling of
anyone I spoke to. “I have blisters all over my feet and
my legs are burning, but I’m always having fun when
I’m on the field, says Claire Grove.”
In short, the frisbee team is much more like a family
than anything else. It’s an extremely fun sport to learn
to play, and having a great team makes it that much
more amazing. Everyone is there to have fun and to be
a part of the community, which is always growing and
welcoming.
OCTOBER 2019 | THE SLATE 23
 Tech Sports
Katie Apostolopoulos Looking for More in
Sophomore Campaign
BY Emily
Katie Apostolopoulos made her New York Tech head
coaching debut last year, anchoring the Bears to a
19-24 record and earning themselves a spot in the 2o19
East Coast Conference Championship tournament.
She was faced with a tough turn around after the team
came off an unsatisfying 10-26 season in 2018. “The
most important things I learned last year as the head
coach was how to manage different personalities as
well as manage what was here before me and the legacy
that was at Tech,” Apostolopoulos said.
There are different aspects that contribute to a
winning tradition on the diamond; Pitching, crisp
fielding, coaching, timely hitting, health. But the
biggest focus Apostolopoulos wants to engrave in her
players attitudes is team chemistry. “We want to create
a good team culture an atmosphere every day, and what
our team believes is a good team culture; building a
different environment where the players enjoy coming
to practice and enjoy being around one another.”
She believes it’s something that needs to be
improved on from last season, even after a nine win
improvement. “Building team cohesiveness and
trust, something we struggled with last year. Team
cohesiveness and chemistry is a crucial element to
a winning team, and something we’ll focus on this
24 OCTOBER 2019 | THE SLATE
Koerick
year, plan on doing different team bonding and team
building.”
That’s not the only coaching strategy she plans on
changing. With a stronger and faster group of girls to
work with, expectations are higher. A winning record
is where it starts, and getting back into the ECC
tournament and then going deep. Expect practices to
be harder, higher intensity, and increased conditioning.
“Some things I plan on doing differently is a different
dynamic in practice, more focus on live situations and
putting more pressure on the defense to make the
plays.”
My team expectations for this year is to get better
every time we are out there,” Apostolopoulos said. “The
pitching staff last year was mostly made up of rookies
without collegiate experience, who all logged a lot of
innings. We will be more cautious while using it to our
advantage this year. All of our pitchers bring different
qualities and roles to the table and I want to surround
them with a team that will be impactful.”
With the season quickly approaching and fall
practices already in full action, these daily focuses
becomes implemented on a daily basis now. With an
emphasis on fundamentals, position specific drills, and
team dynamic, the Bears are eager to get their season
underway.
ADAM RUBIN/NEW YORK TECH ATHLETICS
 Join Us!
Writers, Photographers, & Illustrators Wanted!

Contact us at:
slate@nyit.edu
rcallagh@nyit.edu
jahmed05@nyit.edu
khorton@nyit.edu
@nyitcampusslate

@NYITCampusSlate

NYIT Campus Slate

The Campus Slate is published monthly throughout the academic year by students of New York Institute of
Technology’s Long Island Campus. Our office is located opposite Balding House. Opinions expressed in signed
columns as well as Letters to The Editor are not necessarily the opinions of the Editorial Board.The Campus Slate
retains the rights to edit content/ information that does not meet the standards for publication in a student run college
magazine. The Campus Slate also retains the right to withold publication of articles, letters, columns, advertisements
or other information as deemed appropriate. All advertisements and “Happenings” submissions must be received five
days prior to publication.

ADAM RUBIN/NYIT ATHLETICS MAY 2019 | THE SLATE 25

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

Copyright © 2019 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
ADAM RUBIN/NEW YORK TECH ATHLETICS expressed written consent.