thursday, september 25, 2025
celebrating 122 years
free
O • Neglecting humanities
C • Shifting seasons
S • ‘Win at all costs’
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SU’s pause of 20 humanities programs perpetuates a cycle of undervaluing. Arts and languages gives students vital perspectives.
Syracuse University’s grounds crew works through all seasons and inclement weather to maintain 969 acres of campus.
Ian McIntyre’s legendary tenure was cemented in SU history after he notched his 142nd win as head men’s soccer coach on Tuesday.
on campus
SU students charged with hate crime
Adjusting to AI
By Delia Sara Rangel news editor
By Madeline Goodheart
P
asst. digital editor
SU professors rethink policies as generative AI tools spread in classrooms
rofessor Adam Peruta doesn’t just encourage the use of artificial intelligence in the classroom — he requires it. The Newhouse School of Public Communications professor, who directs the Advanced Media Management graduate program, said he sees AI as “transformative.” In his classroom, Peruta said AI can be effective for brainstorming ideas and testing headlines for search engine optimization. His goal is to effectively teach his students how to use AI “responsibly and ethically,” he said. In Syracuse University’s required syllabus language — first introduced for the fall 2024 semester — professors set explicit expectations on AI between three categories: banning AI see ai page 4
maria masek contributing illustrator
football
Rickie Collins takes QB reigns after Angeli injury By Aiden Stepansky senior staff writer
Rickie Collins’ Syracuse football career began in 2023 on a basketball court in Baton Rouge. Before his freshman campaign at LSU, Collins connected with upperclassman Duce Chestnut away from the football facility. Playing oneon-one, Collins and Chestnut both proclaimed themselves as the victor. When the two teamed up, Chestnut compared them to NBA stars Russell Westbrook and James Harden in their primes.
So over a year later, with Chestnut at Syracuse and the Orange needing to replace Kyle McCord following the 2024 season, Chestnut looked to his former backcourt partner. “As soon as I heard he was entering the (transfer) portal, I hit up Fran (Brown) the very next moment, and was like, ‘We need to go get him,’” Chestnut said. While forming a bond with Chestnut at LSU, Collins also developed in a quarterback factory. The Baton Rouge native initially elected to stay home for college, learning under Heisman Trophy winner
Jayden Daniels and top 2026 NFL Draft prospect Garrett Nussmeier. Collins then jumped into the transfer portal after his sophomore campaign in December. He chose the Orange and was named the starter entering fall camp. Though he lost the starting role to Notre Dame transfer Steve Angeli to begin the year, Collins will be thrust into the spotlight as Syracuse’s starting quarterback for the foreseeable future after Angeli suffered a torn Achilles in SU’s win over Clemson. Collins described getting the start as bittersweet after Angeli’s injury.
Nevertheless, he has the keys to the Orange’s kingdom. “It’s been a long road. It’s something I prayed for,” Collins said of earning the starting role. As Collins navigated the transfer portal, his mother, Precious Collins, said they didn’t want location to affect his decision. After spending the first 20 years of his life in Baton Rouge, Collins made his move. Precious saw her son visibly nervous when they went on his official visit to Syracuse in December.
see collins page 11
The two students involved in a Tuesday night incident at Syracuse University’s Zeta Beta Tau fraternity were charged with burglary as a hate crime in the second degree and criminal nuisance in the second degree, the Syracuse Police Department said Wednesday. The SU students — identified as 18-year-olds Kyle Anderson and Samuel Patten — are currently lodged at the Onondaga County Justice Center and pending arraignment, according to the release. One of the students entered ZBT at around 5:54 p.m. and threw a clear plastic bag containing pork at a wall, according to the release. The student ran from the fraternity house and into a Jeep Wrangler the second student was driving. The car had a Connecticut license plate, SPD said. Department of Public Safety officers identified the suspects, who were detained by SPD. “This type of behavior is disheartening, especially as it targeted a Jewish fraternity during a significant religious holiday,” Police Chief Joe Cecile said in the release. “Acts of bias or hate have no place in our community, and we will continue to work with our partners at Syracuse University and the District Attorney’s Office to hold those responsible accountable.” A burglary in the second degree conviction, the act of illegally entering a residence with the intent to commit a crime, can carry a one to 15-year conviction in New York state prison. The added hate crime is an “enhancement” to the sentence, deeming the offense one category higher than the specified offense, according to New York state Penal Law. In this case, if convicted, the students would be charged with burglary in the first degree, which carries up to a 25-year sentence. Criminal nuisance in the second degree is when someone knowingly or recklessly creates or maintains a condition that endangers the safety or health of a “considerable” number of people. It is also considered knowingly conducting or maintaining a place where people gather to engage in unlawful conduct. If convicted, the charge carries a potential fine, community service hours, mandatory state surcharge, probation, order of protection or incarceration in local county or city jail for up to 90 days. In a Wednesday afternoon post on its Instagram story, the fraternity wrote that it’s “heartbroken and outraged” by the incident. “This was an attack on our home, our values, and our safety, as well as every Jewish student on campus,” see zbt page 4