INDEPENDENT SINCE 1880
The Corne¬ Daily Sun Vol. 139, No. 19
8 Pages – Free
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2022 n ITHACA, NEW YORK
News
Arts
Sports
Weather
REALTalk
Grey's Anatomy
Ivy League Victory
Partly Cloudy
The Women's Resource Center held its annual REALtalk to discuss mental health concerns. | Page 3
Illi Pecullan ’26 expresses disappointment with the drama's 19th season.
Cornell football triumphs over Brown, adding to their list of victories.
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HIGH: 72º LOW: 60º
Cornellians Rally for ‘FreeCAT’ By SOFIA RUBINSON Sun News Editor
As families filled Ho Plaza for the start of Family Weekend on Friday, around 45 students, employees and alumni from groups including Do Better Cornell, Ithaca Democratic Socialists of America, Climate Justice Cornell and the Basic Needs Coalition gathered to rally for free public transportation for Cornell students and staff, more resources for low-income students and environmental justice. FreeCAT is an initiative supported by the IDSA, Cornell Progressives, Sunrise Ithaca and Climate Justice Cornell calling for a fare-free and expanded transit system in Tompkins County, funded by Cornell University. Students stood together with signs reading, “Free and expanded TCAT 4 all,” “Need-based aid does not meet basic needs,” “Climate justice now” and other slogans advocating for progressive goals on campus. As they stood across from a “Welcome Families” sign at the entrance of Willard Straight Hall, University President Martha Pollack was inside for a family weekend reception event. Multiple tour groups and Cornell families had con-
gregated on Ho Plaza when the ralliers began their chanting: “Any person, any study? Empty promise,” “Martha, Martha, you can’t hide, we can see your ugly side,” ''Pay your fair share, we’re not going anywhere” and “One, two, three, four, Cornell needs to feed us more.” Ralliers also passed out sheets addressed to the “Cornell Family” with information on the FreeCAT
“A transit system is a public good... [Public services] are made to serve people, not profits.” Jorge DeFendini ’22 JULIA NAGEL / SUN PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
initiative and the goals of the Basic Needs Coalition to students and families passing Ho Plaza. To continue reading this article, please visit cornellsun.com. Sofia Rubinson can be reached at srubinson@cornellsun.com.
Willard Straight's poppin' | Free popcorn is back at Willard Straight on Tuesdays and Thursdays, as is the Student Union Board.
Student Union Board Back in Full Swing By CAMDEN WEHRLE Sun Staff Writer
JASON WU / SUN ASSISTANT PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
FreeCAT | Dozens of students, alumni and employees gathered in front of Willard Straight Hall, holding signs and advocating for free public transportation, basic resources for low income students and environmental justice.
Fans of the famous Willard Straight free popcorn can rejoice — the Willard Straight Student Union Board brought back the cherished tradition this semester, along with several other events. Willard Straight Hall has a long history as a hub of student activities, serving as a place where students can gather and relax outside of classes. However, during the COVID pandemic, many changes were made in the historic building including the browsing library being transformed into a testing center and a lack of in-person community events. According to Ansel Asch ’23, president of the SUB, it was difficult for the board to plan activities and organize large events last year due
to COVID restrictions and a lack of active board members. “Our primary responsibility is planning in-person, large-scale events and it’s very difficult to recruit people when you can’t do that,” Asch said, also commenting on how many experienced members graduated during the pandemic, leaving a knowledge gap of how to organize events. The club has seen a large increase in participation this semester. According to Kevin Lu ’25, SUB treasurer, there are now over twenty general body members that attend weekly meetings, and a strong sense of community has developed among the members. To continue reading this article, please visit cornellsun.com. Camden Wehrle can be reached at cwehrle@cornellsun.com.
Sixth Annual Fall Fest Held on Arts Quad Cornellians and their families celebrate the season and University organizations By ISABELA PEREZ Sun Contributor
This past weekend, Cornell was booming with activity as families from across the country and the world traveled to Ithaca for Family Weekend, and Fall Fest proved to be one of the main attractions occupying the Arts Quad on Saturday afternoon as hundreds of individuals gathered to participate in the fun activities. A multitude of tables lining the paved paths of the Quad gave passing students and families the option to join in on the event celebrating the fall season and the Cornell community. Booths handed out
free Cornell merch such as flashy key chains while others offered various types of games, crafts and information about different clubs at the University. Some parents, like Anuj Vaish, expressed excitement at spending time with their students at the Fest. Though Vaish worried over his Freshman student’s spirits being in a new environment, he felt more reassured by being able to spend this quality time with her. “We are coming from [New] Jersey, so this is the best time to come and bond with our kids,” Vaish said. “Sometimes they get homesick so it is better to come here and spend some time with them.” Vaish’s young son, Raynesh Vaish,
also came to campus to visit his sister and said he was amused by all of the activities available to the families. “I really enjoy the good weather, and my favorite part about Fall Fest was definitely the pumpkin painting,” Raynesh Vaish said. “There is really much to enjoy.” The aforementioned pumpkin activities were a crowd favorite set up by the freshmen members of the Class Council. To continue reading this article, please visit cornellsun.com. Isabela Perez can be reached at iap32@cornell.edu.
JEENA JHAVERI / SUN CONTRIBUTOR
Outdoor fun | This year, Fall Fest and Family Weekend overlapped giving students and their families a chance to celebrate the festival together.