The Student News Site of Ithaca College

The Ithacan
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The Student News Site of Ithaca College

The Ithacan
The Student News Site of Ithaca College

The Ithacan
Kaeleigh Banda

Kaeleigh Banda, News Editor

Formerly:

Photo Editor – Fall 2024

Assistant Photo Editor – Spring 2024

Free watermelon was offered at the rally by an Ithaca community member. Watermelon has long been a symbol of Palestinian liberation due to the similarity of it's colors to the Palestinian flag.

IC Students for Palestine receive noise complaint at protest over canceled Policy Breakfast

By Ryan Johnson, Senior Writer
August 29, 2025
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In addition to receiving a portion of the $1.5 million settlement, eligible students will also receive a one-time tuition credit of $800 for graduate school at the college.

IC students enrolled in Spring 2020 eligible for financial compensation

By Kaeleigh Banda, News Editor
August 28, 2025
The AI Ready program will provide AI education to Ithaca College faculty and staff. The program offers monthly virtual session on AI in private education. (Photos via Pexels)

New educational program helps faculty and staff become AI Ready

By Kaeleigh Banda, News Editor
August 27, 2025
Huron helped Ithaca College administrators decrease the college's first-year student enrollment target student body size to 4,500 students to make more accurate revenue projections.

Ithaca College restructures amid budget deficit

August 28, 2025
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The position of Vice President for Marketing Communications has been held by Mark Eyerly since its formation in July 2023 and will be cut Aug. 31.

IC cuts Vice President for Marketing Communications position as part of cost-reduction efforts

By Kaeleigh Banda, News Editor
August 18, 2025
On Aug. 2, Adam Turck ’11 was fatally shot after stopping to help a woman involved in a domestic dispute in Richmond, Virginia.

Alum killed in Richmond after attempting to stop domestic dispute

By Kaeleigh Banda, News Editor
August 7, 2025
Ithaca College released its response to the claims made by IC professor Brad Hougham on June 27 in which a motion for dismissal was requested. (Illustration by Kaiden Chandler/The Ithacan; photo by Mikhail Nilov/Pexels)

Ithaca College professor files response opposing college’s motion to dismiss Title IX case

By Kaeleigh Banda, Eamon Corbo, and Julian DeLucia
June 30, 2025
Tim Downs, chief financial officer and vice president of Finance and Administration, shared the projected FY 2025 budget summary and compared it to the FY 2025 forecast.

Ithaca College to lower discount rate by 2028 as part of plan to decrease deficit

By Kaeleigh Banda, News Editor
June 5, 2025
In the complaint, Brad Hougham, a professor in the Department of Music Performance, accused some members of the president’s cabinet of fostering a toxic educational environment. (Julian DeLucia/The Ithacan, File Photo by Abby Brady/The Ithacan).

Ithaca College professor files Title IX lawsuit claiming anti-LGBTQ+ environment

By Prakriti Panwar and Kaeleigh Banda
May 9, 2025
The Title IX court case against Ithaca College and Bryan Roberts, former associate dean of the Roy H. Park School of Communications, has closed after a stipulation of voluntary dismissal with prejudice was filed May 3.

Title IX case against Ithaca College and former associate dean closes over a year since filed

By Kaeleigh Banda, News Editor
May 4, 2025
Senior English major Riley Rhoder has explored a wide range of coursework and extracurriculars throughout her time in the Department of Literatures in English and has been committed to highlighting inclusive and often contended literature.

English major works toward promoting diversity in literature

By Kaeleigh Banda, News Editor
May 3, 2025
On April 30, a petition titled, “Oppose the Pause on Deaf Studies,” was started to help stop the Ithaca College Deaf studies minor and courses from being paused.

Petition gathers community support for Ithaca College Deaf studies program

By Kaeleigh Banda, News Editor
May 3, 2025

Q&A: President La Jerne Cornish discusses financial challenges and issues with the federal government

By Lorien Tyne and Kaeleigh Banda
May 1, 2025
At the Sciencenter, there are interactive exhibits that allow visitors to create and have tactile experiences. At the weather exhibit, a child drew a photo of their family.

Ithaca Sciencenter hit by Institute of Museum and Library Services federal grant funding cuts

By Kaeleigh Banda, News Editor
May 1, 2025

The Ithacan sits down with Ithaca College President La Jerne Cornish

By Ava Suffredini, Lorien Tyne, Kaeleigh Banda, and Julia Hargreaves
April 30, 2025
President La Jerne Cornish told The Ithacan in an exclusive interview that Bob Iger ’73, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, will be attending the 2025 Ithaca College Commencement ceremony to receive a Doctor of Letters.

Bob Iger to return to South Hill for the 2025 Ithaca College Commencement ceremony

By Kaeleigh Banda, News Editor
April 29, 2025
Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff announced in an April 23 statement that the university dropped Kehlani as the headlining performer for its annual Slope Day concert over expressing pro-Palestinian and alleged antisemitic sentiments.

Students organize Community Slope Day to protest Cornell canceling Kehlani performance

April 30, 2025
Eisenstadt has been working as a journalist since she received her degree in print journalism from Ithaca College.

Q&A: Marnie Eisenstadt ’97 wins 2025 Bill Carey Award for Journalist of the Year

By Kaeleigh Banda, News Editor
April 24, 2025
The “Hands Off Higher Ed!” rally was part of the National Day of Action for Higher Education organized by the Coalition for Action in Higher Education. There were 192 events scheduled across the United States on college and university campuses to support the day of action.

Cornell rally speaks out against federal funding cuts for the National Day of Action for Higher Education

By Kaeleigh Banda, News Editor
April 19, 2025
Laura Estroff, chair of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Cornell, said she and her colleagues — Republicans and Democrats alike — are ready to stand up to the Trump administration to protect the future of science research.

People at the rally brought posters to support the efforts of the event.

The meeting opened with a report from Melanie Stein, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, who said the March 22 Experience Ithaca event saw a 55% increase in attendees from the same event last year.

Faculty Council discusses proposed questions for student statement surveys

By Kaeleigh Banda and Eamon Corbo
April 7, 2025
Ithaca College sophomore Reese Schenkel, communications, management and design major with a concentration in corporate communications and a double minor in sociology and politics, has been hired as the managing editor of The Ithacan for the 2025-26 academic year.

Reese Schenkel named next managing editor of The Ithacan

By Kaeleigh Banda, News Editor
April 7, 2025
Ithaca College junior Prakriti Panwar, a journalism and economics double major, has been appointed editor-in-chief of The Ithacan for the 2025-26 academic year. Panwar was the only candidate interviewed for the role by the Board of Publications on March 31.

Prakriti Panwar named next editor in chief of The Ithacan

March 31, 2025
Following a complaint by William Jacobson’s Equal Protection Projection, the U.S. Department of Education is investigation IC for alleged impermissible race-based scholarships.

Ithaca College investigated for alleged racial discrimination in scholarships

By Kaeleigh Banda and Eamon Corbo
March 27, 2025
On Jan. 30, Ithaca College Dining Services announced South Hill Sweets will be temporarily closed until further notice due to unexpected maintenance repairs. The shop remains gated with a sign specifying its closure. 

South Hill Sweets set to reopen in Fall 2025 after repairs

March 26, 2025
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights announced in a March 14 press release that it will be investigating over 50 colleges and universities across the country, including Ithaca College, for alleged racial discrimination.

IC among six schools under investigation for alleged impermissible race-based scholarships

By Eamon Corbo and Kaeleigh Banda
March 14, 2025
Ithaca City School District is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights after the Equal Protection Project filed a complaint against ICSD for allegedly intentionally excluding white students from a DEI event.

Ithaca City School District under investigation for diversity event

By Kaeleigh Banda, News Editor
March 5, 2025
Luke Keller, professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and member of Presidential Working Group on AI, said the working group had many discussions about how the college can be conscious of the environmental impact of AI and be able to recognize when AI use violates the college’s core values.

AI working group visits Faculty Council

March 5, 2025
In November 2023, a civil lawsuit against Bryan Roberts, former associate dean of the Roy H. Park School of Communications, and the college was filed by a now-graduated IC student.

Title IX lawsuit against Ithaca College and former associate dean settles after mediation

By Kaeleigh Banda, News Editor
March 1, 2025
On Feb. 5, Trump signed an executive order, “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” which interprets Title IX as prohibiting transgender women from participating in women’s sports.

Return to Trump-era Title IX rules raises alarm for transgender protections

By Eamon Corbo, Assistant News Editor
February 19, 2025
An alert from the Ithaca College Alert Emergency Notification System sent at 7:55 p.m. Feb. 16 informed the campus community that the Office of Facilities’ crews are treating roadways and walkways on campus.

Extreme ice and snow prompt emergency weather alerts for Tompkins County

By Kaeleigh Banda, News Editor
February 16, 2025
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At the event, attendees had the opportunity to buy a copy of “King: A Life” from Odyssey Bookstore. Eig signed copies of the book after the event.

Pulitzer Prize winner Jonathan Eig speaks at Tompkins County Public Library

By Isabel Alasio and Kaeleigh Banda
February 12, 2025
Angela Davis –– an author, political activist and professor –– and Ithaca College President La Jerne Cornish spoke Feb. 4 in Ford Hall for a conversation event.

Angela Davis speaks to IC about social justice

By Kaeleigh Banda and Julian DeLucia
February 6, 2025
Ithaca community members gather on The Commons to protest the presence of ICE in Ithaca.

Blog: ICE conducts operations in Ithaca, community rallies in support of sanctuary status

By Julian DeLucia, Eamon Corbo, Kaeleigh Banda, and Noa Ran-Ressler
February 5, 2025
Cornell University students Emily Cavanaugh and Will Hooker started a petition to save the Museum of the Earth on Jan. 20. As of Feb. 5, it has 3,817 signatures.

Museum of the Earth faces closure

By Kaeleigh Banda, News Editor
February 5, 2025
Outside of teaching, Jonathan Laskowitz said Euell loved to cook and garden. Laskowitz said he often talked with Euell about recipes because they both cooked in their respective households.

IC community remembers former professor Julian Euell

By Kaeleigh Banda, News Editor
February 5, 2025
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On Jan. 1, Cliff-Simon Vital became the interim director of the center. As part of his new promotion, Vital now oversees the MLK Scholar Program, First-Generation Program and Ithaca Achievement Program.

IC BIPOC Unity Center continues expanding services despite staffing changes

By Kaeleigh Banda, News Editor
February 4, 2025
The brick building owned by Ithaca College located at 929 Danby Road was demolished beginning Jan. 9 after receiving a demolition permit Jan. 8.

IC building on Danby is torn down after 50 years of music lessons

By Kaeleigh Banda, News Editor
January 22, 2025
Alex Reed, professor in Integrative Studies, Honors and the Department of Music at Ithaca College, was interviewed by CNN about his research on the stereotypes surrounding rock and gothic music.

Q&A: Professor works to debunk harmful myths about music

By Kaeleigh Banda, News Editor
January 22, 2025
David Gondek, chair of the council and associate professor in the Department of Biology, brought up potentially reducing the number of committees faculty are required to serve on, and the required number of participants on each committee.

Faculty council discusses benefits survey

January 22, 2025
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Senior running back Jake Williams runs down the field with multiple blockers in front of him.

Cortland claims the 65th Cortaca Jug through dominant ground game performance

By Rory Mastine and Flynn Hynes
November 16, 2024
Members of the Ithaca community gathered Nov. 8 to participate in a “Unity Against Facism” rally to discuss what is at stake after the election. President-elect Donald Trump won the electoral and popular vote in the 2024 presidential election.

Community expresses concerns about local issues under Trump administration

November 14, 2024
On July 29, the college’s athletics department announced the addition of women’s wrestling to the varsity sport agenda. The team will begin competition in the 2025–26 season and will mark the 14th women’s sport offered on campus.

Newest varsity team expands field of women's sports

November 13, 2024

On The Same Page – Winter Sports Preview

By Kaeleigh Banda and Mei Dennison
November 7, 2024
After seven close losses in 2024, the Ithaca College gymnastics team is determined to rebound. With added depth and veteran leadership, the Bombers aim to strengthen their standings in upcoming competitions.

Gymnastics balances depth and tough competition

November 7, 2024
From left, sophomore forward Alex Penders and sophomore guard Evan Cabral were key contributors for the Ithaca College men's basketball team last season. Although the Bombers struggled toward the end of the season, Cabral and Penders said the team is determined to bounce back.

Men's basketball ready for action despite injuries

November 7, 2024
From left, sophomore Jake Jones and Jackson Gray. After sending five athletes to nationals last season, the Ithaca College men's wrestling team is pushing for a long-awaited NCAA Division III Championship title, led by experienced returners and talented newcomers.

Men's wrestling aims to pin down a national championship

November 7, 2024

On The Same Page – Top Stories of Week 10

By Kaeleigh Banda and Mei Dennison
October 31, 2024
Tim Downs

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From left, Lily Stevens and Ashna Kalvani, fourth-year Clinical Health Studies majors, tabled for Ithaca College's Physical Therapy Student Association at Longview's 25-year anniversary celebration. Liz Miller, clinical assistant professor and clinic director in the Department of Speech Language Pathology And Audiology, was also in attendance at the celebration.

Ithaca College and Longview partnership celebrates 25 years

October 30, 2024
Tavern on the Commons has taken over 130 E. Seneca St., the retail space previously occupied by Kilpatrick's Publick House. The restaurant opened Oct. 2.

Local entrepreneurs reinvent bar space

October 30, 2024
"Stupid F##king Bird" is one of the two rotating student-run productions being presented at the Hangar Theatre by Ithaca College's Department of Theatre Arts for their season running from Oct. 24 to Nov. 2.

IC soars into the Hangar Theatre

October 30, 2024
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"Stupid F##king Bird" is one of the two rotating student-run productions being presented at the Hangar Theatre by Ithaca College's Department of Theatre Arts for their season running from Oct. 24 to Nov. 2.

IC soars into the Hangar Theatre

By Georgie Gassaro, Staff Writer
October 30, 2024
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On The Same Page – Sophomores in Volleyball, BAU Live Jazz Fundraiser

By Kaeleigh Banda and Mei Dennison
October 10, 2024
Anne Hogan, former dean of the School of Music, Theater, and Dance left the college in Spring 2024. The school is now looking for a new dean to help students feel more united.

MTD orchestrates search for permanent dean amid concerns over leadership consistency

By Kaeleigh Banda, News Editor
October 9, 2024
The National Labor Relations Board recognized Ithaca College's only staff union in 2003. The union was recognized as an official collective bargaining unit associated with the UGSOA as local chapter 507.

Ithaca College's only staff union promotes OPS advocacy and community engagement

October 30, 2024
From left, junior José Rojas, a mathematics/physics major, and sophomore Fiona Lorenzen, an applied physics major, study colloidal particles, microscopic particles that are held in water, with optical tweezers.

CNS students combine diverse skills in ongoing research project

October 29, 2024
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The Tompkins County Board of Elections has worked to make voting more accessible through accessible voting machines and in-person events in senior living homes.

Tompkins County works to make voting more accessible for marginalized communities

October 9, 2024

On The Same Page – The Election Edition

By Kaeleigh Banda and Mei Dennison
October 3, 2024
2024 General Election Special Edition: ballot breakdown and voter guide

2024 General Election Special Edition: ballot breakdown and voter guide

November 5, 2024
From left, Cathy Michael, communications librarian, junior Maria Lesser and Doreen Hettich-Atkins, executive director of the Office of Student Affairs and Campus Life.

Task force leads voting registration initiative at Ithaca College

October 2, 2024
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First-year student Marley Soleil is voting for the first time.

Commentary: Campus community shares thoughts on 2024 elections

By Chloe Johnston, Opinion Editor
October 2, 2024

On The Same Page – Field Hockey, Reproductive Rights Film Festival, Admissions Strategy

By Kaeleigh Banda and Mei Dennison
September 26, 2024
Junior Rishabh Sen, president of the student body, plans to encourage students to become more engaged with the Student Governance Council.

Q&A: Student Governance Council president discusses advocacy and student engagement

September 25, 2024
Associate professor Chris Holmes was selected to be a contributing writer of the Playbill for "Never Let Me Go," a play that premiered in London on Sept. 25

Q&A: IC professor gets call to write Playbill essay

September 25, 2024
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From top left, Stanley Bazile, Shadayvia Wallace, Luca Maurer, Erin Foster, McKenzie Murray and Cliff-Simon Vital. The BIPOC Unity Center has paused the search for a director.

BIPOC Unity Center pauses search for director, focuses on fortifying existing leadership

September 11, 2024
Deanne Poitras was hired as the new health insurance navigator at the Ithaca College Hammond Health Center. The health insurance navigator is available by appointment for any students or parents with questions about their health insurance plan.

IC hires new health insurance navigator

By Kaeleigh Banda, News Editor
September 5, 2024
Senior Kathi Hodel writes about her experiences as a member of student government and the importance of creating community on campus.

Fostering a supportive community is an essential aspect of college life

September 4, 2024
Some examples of student employees who will be subject to these checks include resident assistants and anyone who has designated responsibilities, like holding a master key to important locations on campus.

IC to initiate background checks for some student employees starting in January

September 3, 2024
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