The Delphian October 30, 2017 The Voice of the Students Volume 73, Issue 4 Panther Pride on National Coming Out Day I Am an Adelphi Student and a DACA Recipient. Here’s What That Means. Working with the DACA, Inter- national and Immigration Task Force on campus, our editors were able to find a DACA student willing to share his/her perspective on President Trump’s decision to end the program. To protect the iden- tity of the vulnerable student, this edito- rial has been published without a byline. Adelphi community supports LGBTQ+ students on National Coming Out Day. The Deferred Action for Child- hood Arrival (DACA) program estab- lished by former President Barack Obama members. shall. “But it can serve as a safe space for provided me with a sense of comfort, BY VICTORIA GRINTHAL These events for National Com- people questioning their gender and sexu- security and hope. Trump’s administra- ing Out Day included a pronoun button ality or people who want to be involved in tion announcement that it plans to scrap pick-up at the Panthertainment booth, LGBTQ+ life on campus but cannot come Every year on Oct. 11, National the DACA program by March, unless which shows the wearer’s preferred gender out or join LGBTQ+ groups for safety Coming Out Day is celebrated across the Congress intervenes, has now left me pronouns, like “he,” “she” or “they.” This reasons.” nation to embrace the LGBTQ+ communi- with a sense of anxiety and fear of not is vital to society as it informs others of The events also included a pho- ty and its allies. With the rainbow balloons knowing what path my life will take. the wearer’s desired pronouns and allows to-op of LGBTQ+ Panthers and allies to adorning the entrance of the University My parents brought me to the United them to be respected as who they really are showcase the diversity of the campus, as Center, Adelphi was no exception. States at the age of nine. We came to this rather than what they appear to be. well as a Safe Zone Training event. The As the idea of gender equality is country legally, but once our visa ex- Later on, a Coming Out Panel was Safe Zone Training, which was done lat- becoming more relevant than ever in our pired, we immediately became labeled moderated by the CSI’s assistant director er in the day, set out to identify Adelphi society, the Panther population strives to “illegal immigrants.” In fourth grade I Jason Spradley and featured students Mon- students and staff as advocates and allies welcome and create a safe space for any- got left back due to the language barrier. roe Marshall, Lauren Boldeau and Tatesh to the LGBTQ+ community and support one regardless of their gender and sexual- It took me one full year to adopt the new Sookdeo, as well as Dr. Carol Sussal, an them in their cause. ity. Since the actual act of “coming out” or language; this was my first obstacle as a associate professor in social work, and There are numerous places on opening up publicly about one’s gender or new immigrant. Throughout my child- Protestant Chaplain Rev. Michael Delaney. campus to participate as a supporter sexuality is not embraced in all cultures hood, both of my parents worked very The participants, all part of Adelphi’s LG- and advocate for this community. Many and areas, this day was created to showcase hard and had no choice other than work- BTQ+ and Allies Committee, each shared groups like the Gender and Sexual- the importance of being true to yourself ing in unacceptable situations because their experiences with religion and sexuali- ity Association (GSA) and the Breaking and learning by the example of others who of their undocumented status. They were ty, along with advice and empathy towards Boundaries group are open to all, as well have experienced similar issues. In cel- underpaid for the long hours and some- those who have yet to come out. as the events and services provided by ebration, Adelphi University’s LGBTQ+ times disrespected because employers “This is an important event be- CSI, LGBTQ+ Committee and LGBTQ+ and ally population sponsored a wide ar- knew they were vulnerable. While my par- cause not only is it allowing people to be Task Force. ray of events led by the Center for Student ents withstood hard times to provide for educated on LGBTQ+ issues,” said Mar- (continued on page 3) Involvement (CSI) and open to all campus our family, I focused on my schoolwork and excelled in my classes with the goal of making my family and myself proud. As a senior in high school, I Spirit Weekend Unites Undergrads and Alumni began the college application process. The majority of the applications, includ- a year to plan and organize. However, it caricatures and balloon art. Attendees ing those for scholarships, required a BY GABRIELLE DEONATH made for an event larger than any Family could also zipline across the parking lot Social Security number. As an “illegal Weekend or Alumni Weekend from previ- and pet and feed goats and chickens, all immigrant,” I did not have a Social Se- From Oct. 13-15, Adelphi Uni- ous years. while enjoying live music. Campus or- curity number, and that is when I re- versity celebrated its first Spirit Weekend, “You could feel the campus come ganizations and Greek Life, including alized the full extent of our struggle. encompassing over 20 different events alive with spirit,” said Lauren Purcaro, FOCUS, ASL, Delta Sigma Pi, Student On June 15, 2012, President Obama creat- with the collaboration of several depart- associate director of CSI. “There were so Activities Board, CSO, Future Teachers ed the DACA program for certain undoc- ments within the university. many different events for so many groups Association, Physics Club, UN-Adelphi umented young people who came to the According to the Center for Stu- of people. It was great to see alumni inter- University, AU GAMES Club, Alpha Ep- United States as children. This announce- dent Involvement (CSI), the celebration acting with current students and families silon Phi, CALIBER, Circle K Interna- ment gave me a renewed sense of hope. was a combination of Family Weekend, while all enjoying themselves.” tional, SGA, Delta Phi Epsilon and Swing Even though I was not able to attain any which has traditionally catered to under- The Panther Carnival, just one of Phi Swing, created and worked the game federal financial aid, I was given the oppor- graduates, their families and employees the various installments of the weekend, booths at the carnival. and Alumni Weekend. Over 1,900 people took over the parking lot behind Post Hall attended Spirit Weekend, which took the with carnival rides, games, a Ferris wheel, (continued on page 3) (continued on page 10) Adelphi Spirit Weekend Committee almost food trucks and booths for face painting, 2 • October 30, 2017 NEWS The Delphian A Word from the Editor Happy Hallow’s Eve! We are now a little bit past the midpoint of the semester, which seems to be whizzing by. While the work probably has begun piling up for many of Editor-in-Chief Volume 73 you, we have a fun issue of The Delphian to help you de-stress this week. Gabrielle Deonath Issue 4 We have a spread with everything you need to know to fulfill all of your Hal- loween needs from pumpkin beer to costumes and spooky ways to spend the holiday. You News Editor Earle Hall Media Center can put your Halloween event knowledge to the test with our crossword and win a prize if Jess Winans One South Avenue you answer all the clues correctly. One of my goals this year has been to bring national events to the Adelphi Garden City, NY 11530 community through a relevant lens. Earlier this semester, we covered Trump’s decision Editorials Editor to remove the DACA program and the university’s response to the announcement. As a Matthew Schroh HOW TO REACH US follow-up, one of our editorials is written by a DACA recipient pursuing a master’s degree Main Office: 516-877-6935 here at Adelphi. When this opportunity presented itself, I jumped at the chance to further Features & Entertainment Editor E-mail: [email protected] humanize the DACA decision for our campus because I think some of us who are not Danielle McDougall affected by such decisions often forget when we should still care. It is editorials like these LETTERS TO THE EDITOR that can begin to make us care again, as it is affecting those on our own campus where we Sports Editor Letters to the editor must be less than spend so much of our time. Nicoletta Cuccio 400 words and include the author’s In the last issue, I explained why Breast Cancer Awareness month is important name, as well as affiliation to the to many others and me, and recently the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Production Artists college. Letters may be edited for the Support Program hosted their annual Celebration of Survivorship event, providing hope Valerie Buonaiuto purposes of space and clarity. and encouragement to those in attendance. Valentina Garcia Letters should be sent to Also giving hope to others are the baseball and softball teams who are hosting Lauren Tew [email protected] a homerun derby at 3 pm on Oct. 31. All proceeds will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation to help to fulfill a child’s wish. Staff Writers ORIGINAL ART Colin Beavan, author of the 2017 AU Community Reads book, “No Impact Samuel Ajewole Original drawings, photographs, Man,” gave a talk recently about the process of writing the book where he and his family Phillip Buchan and political cartoons can be sent to attempt to live environmentally consciously, leaving “zero impact” on the Earth for a Tara Cassidy [email protected].