Category: News

Categories
News

Grant Enables KPAC Kids Zone

By Elise Koebl (’22)

Houghton College has had its doors open to many different kinds of visitors. Whether they are prospective students, families, or friends, many have enjoyed what the college has to offer. Now, Houghton College is opening the doors wider to young children who visit with their families. Amanda Zambrano and the college have been working with the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation and KABOOM! over the past few years. “The idea grows out of the Play Everywhere Challenge through the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and KABOOM! The challenge is to transform places where children naturally gather and help them incorporate play into their everyday lives,” said Zambrano. The KPAC KidsZone is planned to open in the triangular grassy area behind the bleachers at Burke Field during the summer alumni weekend, July 31st-August 1st. 

Their first priority is, of course, safety. Zambrano stated that they plan to install fencing around the underside of the bleachers, keeping kids from playing in a dangerous space with little visibility for supervision. Zambrano also mentioned they intend to put up a “natural border”  to deter kids from wandering into the parking lot.

“While I have personal interest in this project because I have little ones of my own, there were a number of factors that played into Houghton’s pursuit of this funding opportunity. Until the playground opened by the Field of Dreams, there were only two public playgrounds in Allegany County (data courtesy of the Wilson Foundation’s State of Play report), making Allegany County children some of the most underserved children in Western New York as regards to places to play. Our children also don’t get enough outdoor play time or physical activity. Houghton providing this kind of access is an important way for us to benefit our community and the children who live here,” Zabrano said. This interest to create a playspace for children is so that children have a space to use their imaginations and play within an area their parents and families can watch them safely. ★

Categories
News

Houghton Holds Mental Health Awareness Weeks

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, approximately 4 in 10 adults have reported having anxiety and depressive disorder symptoms during the COVID-19 Pandemic. This is more than the 1 in 10 adults who reported these symptoms from the months of January to June in 2019. Adults have also reported having difficulties sleeping or eating, as well as an increase in the use of alcohol or other substances, due to the pandemic. 

Nuk Kongkaw, the director of the Mosaic Center, values mental health and sees how it “simultaneously impacts individuals and the relationships around us.” She also feels that “mental health is something people are realizing they can’t ignore as we’ve spent months in isolation or limited contact with others.” The Mosaic Center, along with Residence Life, Chapel and the Center for Student Success thus held Mental Health Awareness Weeks at Houghton College from March 15th to 25th.

Several different events were  held, including a talk-back on BIPOC mental health with Nuk Kongkaw, Nerissa Jones and Pierre Durant, a discussion with the Center for Student Success on how to support friends who are in crisis, a chapel talk with Dr. Mike Lastoria entitled “Leaving Home: Right of Passage in a Virtual World,” and an introduction to the Enneagram and some other tools to help grow your self-awareness and spiritual disciplines. 

Earlier in this event, a stand-up for your brother and sister event was held, along with a roundtable discussion with Rebecca Rowley, Ann Vazquez and JL Miller entitled “Am I a Bad Christian if I Struggle with Mental Health?,” a chapel talk with Pierre Durant entitled “And He Will be Called Wonderful Counselor: A Conversation on Faith, and Race” and a “Be Kind to Your Mind” workshop. 

There were also a number of opportunities to win prizes throughout the event. Several students have won a free yearlong subscription to the meditation app Headspace, and a weighted blanket has also been given away. There is also a grand prize to be won later in the event of a mental health basket. 

One of the hopes Kongkaw mentions she has for this event is that “in helping others care for themselves well, they would then be able to look around them, connect with others, and engage with caring for others”, further adding that “People are best equipped to help others when they have grown in their own self-awareness, know their triggers, and are willing to see their own areas of growth.” ★

Categories
Campus News

Optimism for the Future: Breaking Down Houghton’s 2021-2022 Budget

By Justice Newell (’23)

While 2021 still carries much of the baggage from its predecessor, it is time to look forward to what next year will bring. Fingers crossed, it will be better than last year. With that being said, Houghton’s 2021-2022 budget shows signs that it certainly will be! 

In terms of what the budget looks like for the upcoming academic year, Mr. Dale Wright, the Vice President for Finance at Houghton, reports that 29% of the budget goes toward financial aid to students; 35% is allocated to paying Houghton’s personnel; 15% goes toward maintaining the campus and paying utilities; and the remaining 21% is distributed amongst smaller budgets, such as those for the academic departments.  

As for where the money comes from to create the budget, together, tuition, fees, and room and board account for approximately 85%, with contributions, grants, and endowments garnering the rest of the budget.   

In planning for the upcoming school year, Houghton’s budget reflects the unique situation that COVID-19 has presented, all while holding true to the enduring goal of providing a high-quality Christian education for an affordable price. To that end, Mr. Wright attributes the college’s success during these times to three important factors affecting its financial situation. 

 Firstly, Houghton has historically been “careful planning and manag[ing] expenses,” creating what Dean Marc Smithers referred to as a “balanced budget.” Essentially, a balanced budget just means that the expenses do not outweigh the revenue, or, the money earned. Secondly, though many colleges run on a tight budget, Mr. Wright explained that through the assistance of generous alumni and friends of Houghton, much of the financial burden placed on the college is offset. Likewise, the third factor for Houghton’s continued success is the relief provided by the federal government. Especially during times in which special precautions need to be taken to slow the spread of a pandemic, any financial support to help pay for personal protective equipment, like masks or disinfectants, helps keep the budget in check. 

Though the world now knows how to combat the spread of COVID-19, this often means that institutions can expect a considerable financial burden to help with that mission. For Houghton and other colleges, this means that more funding is required in the upcoming year to help keep with current health and safety standards. In a joint statement from President Mullen and Mr. Wright, they said, “We have allocated increased funding towards technology, cleaning protocols, personnel and testing, to name a few areas. [And while it is a significant feature of the budget,] it is not a large percentage of the overall college budget. Further, a portion of these expenses have been partially offset by federal assistance.”  

Aside from being records of Houghton’s financial history, the budget’s purpose is to provide students the best overall experience during their college years. From resetting the tuition to a 20-year low, to creating 90 new scholarships, to funding Division III athletics, and paying for residential life programming and student engagement opportunities, the budget is ultimately student-centered.  

According to Dean Smithers, in his experience heading the Residential Life Office, Houghton would allot approximately “$10 per resident for residence life programming.” Moreover, part of the Residential Life funding comes from the clubs and organizations fee that students pay at the beginning of each semester, combined with additional money from the budget. So, it can be assumed that the same can be said for the 2021-2022 school year.

 Though the configuration of Houghton’s budget has been relatively similar year after year, on occasion large changes are made, and their effects are felt throughout the campus and community. The most recent example of this is the decision to cut the lacrosse program at Houghton. While this change may dishearten many students and community members, Mr. Wright suggests that the reallocation of these funds toward “track and field, cross country and intramural programs [will] benefit a wider range of students” than before.  

Though life has not yet returned to normal, the college’s financial situation indicates that things are looking up. In spite of all of these changes, students can expect a “normal-looking” semester – you know, all things considered.★

Categories
Campus News

Meet Houghton’s New Rainbow Alliance Cooperative

The RAC team. Courtesy of @hcrainbowallliance on Instagram

By Vanessa Bray (’21)

Houghton’s newly formed Rainbow Alliance Cooperative (RAC) is a student-led organization with the goal of helping to further Houghton’s invitation of community to reach everyone. RAC is not a subgroup of “We Are All Houghton.” These two groups have developed separately, with “We Are All Houghton” being made up primarily of Alumni, and RAC consisting of current students. Although these groups are unaffiliated, RAC Event Manager, Emily Warner (‘21) says they “plan to listen well to all members of the Houghton community, including alumni, so that we can heal past hurt and avoid future harm.” 

 Warner states, “the unifying purpose of RAC is to love people well.” RAC Student Networker Sarah Halvorson (‘22) adds that the cooperative exists to “create a space for loving, healthy, Christ-centered relationships amongst all peoples of any sexuality, gender, religious background, political or religious stance on the matter. To create a space where conversations can be had and people can connect with each other and support each other…it exists to advocate for the continued inclusion of LGBTQ+ students and to increase visibility for the community at Houghton.” 

The RAC is not an LGBTQ+ advocacy group aiming to change the college’s stance on LGBTQ+ issues. Neither is the group intended to subvert any beliefs or convictions that community members may have regarding LGBTQ+ matters.  “This isn’t some kind of progressive agenda…” says Halvorson, “this is how can we make a college that talks a lot about community, a real community for all people coming from all backgrounds, because at this point not everyone feels super accepted into the community. So, how do we get those people to connect and to feel loved and safe?”

Talk of developing a space dedicated to welcoming this dialogue began last semester. Inspired by the events that took place surrounding the painting and repainting of the Spirit Rock, RAC Coordinator Chelsea Wood (‘22) explains “We saw a need for something to be created on campus for support… after that people were like ‘we need to have a more official thing that’s dealing with topics like this on campus.’ So, we formed a cabinet and went through the process of trying to make it a club and realized that that wasn’t really what we were trying to make…Then [we] went a different route of being something similar to the Mosaic Center.” The Rainbow Alliance Cooperative falls under the direction of the Dean of the Chapel’s Office and has been described by Dean Jordan as a support group.

The cooperative has worked closely with Dean Jordan to ensure that RAC continues to exist in concord with the values held by the college. Both Wood and Halvorson emphasized RAC’s desire to “work with the school.” They expressed gratitude for the positive reception and opportunity granted by Houghton’s faculty and staff towards instituting RAC. Dean Jordan said he is “…So thankful for the current groups of students involved with this because they have great ideas that are consistent with our mission.”  

One main goal for the RAC is to establish longevity. “What can come from this being on campus is so big,” says Wood, “and being able to lay down the groundwork for something that can last after us is incredible.”  

The RAC does not intend for their cooperative to foster an exclusive dialogic space. Their objective is to provide opportunities for students who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community, and those who do not respectively, to share in equal engagement. RAC’s advisor Michael Green is hopeful that the Rainbow Alliance Cooperative’s presence will help to “demystify LGBTQ+ people on campus and lead to a stronger and more inclusive Houghton community overall.”

So far, the RAC held a well-received meet-and-greet on March 4th and led LGBTQ+ sensitivity RA training. They have a variety of upcoming events planned to offer different ways for anyone on campus to be involved and engage with the topic. 

You can follow them on Instagram: @hcrainbowalliance & Facebook: Rainbow Alliance Cooperative. The RAC invites you to email them any questions you may have at hcrainbowalliance@gmail.com ★

Categories
Campus News

SGA to be Replaced With SEC

The new logo for the SEC, a variation of the familiar SGA symbol. Courtesy of AC Taylor

By Josiah Wiedenheft (’22)

On Wednesday, March 10, the Student Government Association passed a motion that confirmed the end of SGA as we currently know it, with something new to take its place: the SEC. Known fully as the “Student Experience Committee,” this organization aims to preserve the purpose of SGA, while refining its structure and clarifying its responsibilities. Director of Student Engagement AC Taylor explains this revised body as a group of students “[who] represent various student experiences and student groups and [do] so by representing student needs and concerns to the institution directly,” and in the words of the organization’s own constitution: “The Student Experience Council (SEC)… shall be charged with [representing] the student body to the college administration, faculty, and staff in order to promote student interests and ensure activities and services make the student experience at Houghton the best it can be.”

Why do away with SGA though? Why SEC instead? While AC mentioned that the changes have been considered for a few years, the final decision came from “a common feeling among many executive officers of not really knowing what they were supposed to do.” The changes focus around clearing this up. Even though “government” was in the name, SGA in recent years had not been serving any real governing role among the student body, at least not in the usual sense of the term. The name of “Student Experience Council,” on the other hand, is meant to clarify their function: to represent the experiences and needs of students to the school’s administration.

Most of the changes that have been made have the purpose of making more clear the “how?” and “why?” of the organization. While the number of roles in the executive council (renamed from executive cabinet as a part of the “de-govermentalizing” of these changes) has increased, adding specific representatives for athletics, residence life, student organizations and academics, the purpose and responsibilities of each of these positions has been made more clear. The focus, as suggested by the names, is very clearly on representation: the various positions each represent an aspect of student life and activity here on the campus, so that the concerns specific to that area can be heard and made known. AC states that the hope is that these more clearly defined roles “will increase their effectiveness in supporting the student body.”

One question that might be on student’s minds amidst all this is what will become of the class cabinets? Formerly, the class of each year had their own mini-executive cabinet, who generally represented that class in the SGA’s public meetings and who would also plan events for the other students of their year. Within the structure of the SEC, class cabinets have been done away with in name, though their purpose has been morphed to a different form. The role of representing the needs and concerns of a given academic year will now be taken on by four class representatives who will be a part of the executive council. These four positions have acquired additional responsibilities beyond merely representing their class, however: the senior class representative takes on a role similar to that formerly fulfilled by the SGA vice president, acting in the place of the president in their absence; the junior class representative fulfills a scribe roll, taking the minutes for SGA meetings; and the sophomore representative helps to organize the election of the first-year representative each year. The representatives of the first-year and senior classes also take part in coordinating traditions and events for first-years and graduation respectively.

The “class cabinets” will also continue to exist, though they too will be shaped slightly differently. Going forward they’ll take the form of dedicated clubs, which AC says will be able to “work to increase connections and comradery amongst classes while also still having a connection to the concerns/advocacy part [of the SEC’s function].”

While the decision was formalized last week by the current Executive and Class cabinets, SGA is still open to hearing student thoughts and feedback. You can make your voice heard by talking with your class cabinet representative or members of the Executive Cabinet, or by attending one of the weekly public SGA meetings. All students are also invited to get involved by running for a SEC position for next academic year! You can find out more information about that process in the all-campus email sent out last week. ★

Categories
News

“Archive” Page Now Available!

We now have an archive page on the site to host PDFs of STAR print issues! Currently, we only have a limited number of issues from this semester available, but we’ll work on building up our collection here as time goes on. Further back-issues of the STAR are also available on the school’s print publication archives if you need them in the meantime!

Categories
Campus News

Impending Revisions to College Constitution

By Hannah Fraser (’23)


In a changing world, clarity and trust are vital for functioning organizations. The Houghton College Constitution outlines the roles of decision-making parties at the college and is currently being revised by a committee which the president organizes every ten years. The constitution is a document that summarizes the “shared governance” of the college, which “is the language that higher education uses to indicate the desire that all stakeholder voices are properly consulted and heard in the process of decision making,” said President Mullen. 

The committee is organized by the president and typically involves two members of the Board of Trustees, two members of the Administration, and two members of the Faculty. As the president is preparing to step away, there is an urgency in ensuring that all is clarified, and nothing is left ambiguous. 

The Board, Faculty, and Administration are the groups who are most directly involved in decision making. They each play a different role, and according to Professor Brandon Bate, “the Board of Trustees is charged with managing the financial aspects of the college, the Faculty with the academic aspects, and the Administration with seeing that these, and other constituencies within the college, work together in cooperative ways.” A revised, up to date constitution allows for a governance system that is “nimble enough to make decisions swiftly,” said Professor Benjamin Lipscomb. He added that trust is fundamental to this process so that all three groups are able to communicate and speak into the areas where they have expertise, but decisions can still be made in a timely manner. 

The document should aim at a spirit of collaboration and give clarity of authority, which the committee works to achieve. Professor Bate said, “The committee that is meeting right now is charged with recommending changes to the constitution that we hope will improve the functioning of the college and ensuring compatibility with other foundational, legally binding documents.” The recommendations will go to SGA, faculty, and staff for comments, and then to the Board of Trustees for final approval.  

The document clarifies the importance of students’ voices, and President Mullen said, “The college believes that it is important that students have a voice in the governance of the college both because the college exists to serve students well, and because it is an educational opportunity for students to know how shared governance works.” While these revisions have little impact on current students, they determine how decisions are made and who makes what decision, and students are invited to have a voice in this process through representatives in SGA. 

Ken Schenk, who represents the Administration on the committee, said, “Students will be glad to know that the new Compact clearly states that you are the reason we exist. All the details of structure, all the clarifications of roles are to provide you with an academically excellent, Christ-centered education that equips you to lead and serve in a changing world.” As the higher education world changes rapidly due to demographic downturns and COVID-19, a flexible constitution will benefit the college as it makes decisions and prepares for a change of presidency. ★

Categories
Campus News

Dr. Clem Appointed Dean of School of Music

By Collin Zehr (’22)


Dr. David Clem, assistant professor of Music History and previous Houghton graduate, was announced as the new Dean of the Greatbatch School of Music at Houghton College beginning in June of 2021. 

Over the past academic year, the search for a new Dean for the Greatbatch School of Music has been underway since Dr. Armenio Suzano stepped away from the position at the end of the 2020 Academic year. Since Dr. Suzano’s departure, Dr. Timothy McGarvey, Professor of Conducting and Director of Instrumental Music Activities, has served as the interim Dean of the School of Music. 

The Dean of the Greatbatch School of Music runs the school, including tasks concerning, “budget, overseeing a faculty/staff of 30 people, curriculum, policy, liaison with all other Houghton entities and our outside constituents, and the day to day administrative work.” as described by Dr. McGarvey. 

While serving in this position, Dr. McGarvey has worked alongside Dr. Sara Massey, assistant professor of Music Education. Dr. Massey described the search for a new Dean along-side a revisioning process for the Greatbatch School of Music. As liberal arts colleges all across the country deal with financial struggles, Houghton is alongside them in recognizing the need to adapt in order to remain viable as an institution of higher education. In order to confront this challenge head on, Dr. Clem became the apparent choice to serve as Dean due to his creativity, intelligence, integrity, and forward thinking. “No one else could do it,” described Dr. Massey.

Since his first experience with Houghton College as a Music Composition undergraduate student about 20 years ago, Dr. Clem could tell that God had a hand in bringing the right people to Houghton and the School of Music. Dr. Clem described how the “great communities” fostered at Houghton were something that he wanted to contribute to.  “The faculty are invested in students on a somewhat personal level” describes Dr. Clem, “[they] are preparing students for whatever is down the road” and “how to live and practice a Christian lifestyle in the world of music.” Dr. Clem was among one of the first groups of Graduate students to earn his Master’s Degree from the Greatbatch School of Music as well. 

Though Dr. Clem never necessarily sought an administrative role, he notes that he has “ended up in leadership positions throughout his life” and this is a role he is equipped to fill. Before accepting this position, Dr. Clem described his thought process as determining three things. As someone who often says “yes” to things asked of him, he has “had to learn to stop and think before saying yes. This means stopping and talking to God about things. Is this an obligation? Is this something I want? is this what God wants?” After considering this, he said yes willingly. Since Dr. Clem is a current faculty member at the school of music and is already serving on the committee to re-envision the school of music, he has been working closely with Dr. McGarvey, resulting in a more gradual transition. So, Dr. Clem has already begun learning about the administrative role that the Dean will fulfill. 

The general consensus among other students in the Greatbatch School of Music is one of excitement for Dr. Clem to assume the role of Dean. Current Junior Education Major, Caleb Durant, described his excitement “because [Dr. Clem]  knows the students really well and has a great rapport with the rest of the faculty. He is a great choice to represent the interests of the school and students.” 

The Greatbatch School of Music’s mission statement expresses the goal to develop “musical excellence” in order to be “effective musical practitioners” and advocate “in the Christian community and in the broader world.” When asked about his goals during his tenure as Dean, Dr. Clem described how “faith is a journey, not a destination. Excellence is the same. The bar is constantly moving” and we must treat it as such. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Houghton College and the Greatbatch School of Music have had to embrace the importance of maximizing the resources available in order to maintain the high standards we seek to achieve. 

Dr. Clem hopes to implement an array of summer programs within the Greatbatch School of Music including a summer music camp for highschool students. The graduate program will also expand to an online Music Education Masters Degree that will contain a summer intensive in-person component. The School of Music will be adding a new Worship Arts degree program that will hopefully benefit from summer songwriting classes with a workshop. Dr. Clem hopes that this summer program will allow students to learn and work with named CCM artists. Beyond the addition of summer programming, Dr. Clem wants to embrace the expertise within the School of Music to partner with local schools and churches to provide opportunities for those not directly involved with Houghton College. ★

Categories
News

Houghton Welcomes New Program in Collaboration with Ithaca College

By Anna Catherman (’24)

An innovative new Mayterm will bring 15 lucky Houghton students an opportunity to develop communications and relationship skills that will help them better relate to people with different religious, political, and social views.

“Bridging the Gap” is a nationwide initiative which pairs students from Christian and secular colleges and trains them on how to better listen to those with other worldviews. “People often focus on how they don’t feel heard, but there’s not a lot of time taken to then focus on hearing other people,” noted Nuk Kongkaw, director of the Mosaic Center.

For Mayterm, Houghton students will be teamed up with students from nearby Ithaca College. Ithaca College’s Executive Director for Student Equity and Belonging, Herald Osorto, is enthusiastic about the partnership. When asked what he is looking forward to most, he told the STAR that he’s excited to bring together two Higher Ed institutions that most people don’t think could come together. “[Y]ou have an institution like ours that is a non-sectarian secular institution. There is no religious affiliation from our onset. That’s not part of our history, necessarily. And then you have an institution like Houghton that has a particular religious identity that has rooted who it is and its values in the world. And to…unpack that and then see what it looks like to bring our students together, I just think that’s an incredible opportunity. Oftentimes, we’re not seen as being able to come together. And here we are, through this course,” he explained.

Founded by Simon Greer, “Bridging the Gap” began as a partnership between conservative Christian college Spring Arbor University and Oberlin College, a liberal secular institution. In January 2020, 15 students – 10 from Oberland, 5 from Spring Arbor – got together for a winter term program of “courageous conversations.” Since then, a total of five schools have participated in “Bridging the Gap,” with four more hosting the program in May.

“Bridging the Gap” alum Kristina Grace was enthusiastic in her correspondence with the STAR. “My experience in the original program was life changing. It was a program that exceeded my expectations and something I will cherish for a lifetime.” She graduated from Spring Arbor University in May 2020 and has since joined Bridging the Gap as their partnership coordinator, a job in which she puts the skills she learned in the program to use every day. 

Like everything else this school year, “Bridging the Gap” will look a little different than it would under normal circumstances. Students from Houghton and Ithaca will most likely be working in groups at their respective schools and utilizing Zoom for interschool interactions. Kongkaw noted that activity boxes have been put together so students have tangible activities they can do even through distance learning. The program’s main topic will be immigration, an issue that impacts both schools heavily. There will be a panel of experts on hand to learn from. Students will then discuss amongst themselves, utilizing the conversational skills taught.

Registration for “Bridging the Gap” runs from Monday, Feb. 22 until the program is full. Those interested are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible. The course will run from May 24 – June 11, and the fee is the normal Mayterm class rate. ★

Categories
Campus News Sports

The Return of Sports

Houghton defends against Elmira's offense in March 2 matchup. Photo courtesy of Houghton College Athletics

By Erin Maggio (’21)

With the women’s basketball team taking the court against Elmira College on March 6, the 357 day streak of no Houghton Highlander teams competing will be snapped. With the spring 2020 season being halted due to COVID-19 and the fall 2020 seasons being pushed to this spring, no teams have competed since March 10, 2020, when the men’s lacrosse team came away with a 21-12 defeat over the Keystone Giants and the women’s lacrosse team bested the Hilbert Hawks 23-4. 

With fall teams having their seasons pushed to the spring, many of them have not hit the field in well over a year, including the men’s and women’s soccer teams and women’s field hockey team, who have not played a game  in well over 450 days, since their last competitions on November 2, 2019.  

However long the drought of competition riddled with uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Houghton’s athletic conference, the Empire 8, has unrolled plans for all 23 Empire 8 sponsored sports to hold competition per their Instagram post on March 1. This arrangement includes fall, winter, and spring sports all playing in the next few months. 

“The approach to the spring seasons for all our sports has been very unique to say the least!” Houghton’s Athletic Director Matthew Webb commented. 

Some of this uniqueness comes from the fact that fall and winter team sports will be having abbreviated schedules, most playing just fellow conference teams. While normal seasons in the fall typically span nine to 10 weeks, the seasons this spring will be about four to five weeks in length. 

Another aspect of the season which differs from the past is the “opt-out” process which the Empire 8 has created because of the unique impact that the pandemic has on many teams and institutions. Teams from across the conference have had to opt out due to roster size implications, whether because of dual-sport athletes, students not returning to campuses this spring, or actual COVID related issues like positive cases and quarantine.

In terms of Houghton specifically, two teams have opted out of competition this spring. The first of these is the men’s lacrosse team, who, according to Webb, “actually initiated this response as they came to the [athletic department] with their preference to just compete internally this spring.” Webb added that there were many factors which led to this. Though they won’t be playing a full Empire 8 schedule, it is possible that they may play a few games. 

The other Houghton team opting out is the women’s basketball team. This decision rests on the fact that the team has a small roster with many dual sport athletes which makes choices limited. Rather than a full conference schedule, they will be hitting the court for three competitions, the first of which will be the aforementioned contest against the Elmira Soaring Eagles. The other two will be on March 4 and 9, against Alfred University and a rematch with Elmira College, respectively. 

More than 230 student athletes will compete for Houghton this spring. But with this opportunity comes the responsibility of strict adherence to COVID protocols to keep themselves, their teams, opponents, faculty, staff, fellow students, and community members safe. These include wearing a mask at all required times, social distancing, attending all scheduled COVID-19 tests, and participating in any necessary contact tracing. 

Along with such protocol, the conference and Houghton’s Athletic Department have taken increased measures to protect all involved. On February 16 the conference announced their plans to proceed with spring competition, along with information concerning safety measures. “The Empire 8 has adopted more robust testing standards than the NCAA guidelines for intermediate and low risk sports in the interest of student-athlete health and safety,” the press release shared. 

Chuck Mitrano, the Empire 8’s Commissioner celebrated the resumption of conference competition on Instagram; “Nothing great is achieved without persistence and teamwork. The return to athletics competition has been challenging but we are thrilled to have preserved opportunity for many of our fall and winter student-athletes. Thanks to the energy and collaborative leadership of our presidents, directors of athletics, senior woman administrators, athletic trainers, sports information directors and coaches, the day has arrived! This is truly a statement about our commitment to the Empire 8 student-athletes!” he remarked.

While no in-person attendance is allowed at intercollegiate events as per New York State guidelines, fans can follow along with most home contests through Stretch Internet and be on the lookout for live streams from opponents in the case of away games. ★