Luke-Ciarelli
2017-09-21T07:33:34.413Z
Former men’s basketball forward Luke Petrasek, CC ’17, will realize his NBA dreams after signing a free agent deal with the Charlotte Hornets on Monday.
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2014-08-25T12:00:02Z
In an effort to erase the stigma of "being CAVA'd," Columbia University Emergency Medical Service is working to educate students about its extensive services and the positive resource it wants to be.
CU-EMS members are looking to increase their accessibility to other students and—when they aren't responding to emergencies—encouraging the community to reach out to them as peers.
An impressive number of students applied to be CU-EMS volunteers this year, and 12 new members were accepted, group leaders said. CU-EMS also saw a huge interest in the training course it will offer over the summer. The group held a number of well-attended information sessions in which it tried to rebrand the organization, and group leaders say they hope interest will continue to grow as much as it has recently.
Despite the fact that less than 20 percent of the calls it receives are for intoxicated students, CU-EMS—previously known as Columbia Area Volunteer Ambulance, or CAVA—is often associated first and foremost with late-night emergencies and parties gone wrong.
"A lot of people see us when we're most visible on campus, on a Friday or Saturday night," CU-EMS director Daniel McConnell, CC '14, said. "That's not the only thing we do."
Trained as emergency medical technicians by the state of New York, the CU-EMS volunteers handle everything from flu shot fairs to sports injuries on the field. But CU-EMS captain Liz Day, SEAS '14, said that most students don't know about these services.
Eliza Pelrine, BC '14 and personnel officer for CU-EMS, said the biggest problem with the way students view the medical service is that many will only call for cases related to intoxication, thinking that their minor injuries don't require attention or that CU-EMS is not responsible for providing that kind of service.
"We'd rather have you take advantage of it and have us help you than for something to get worse if you don't get help," Pelrine said.
"They can call us when they're having chest pains. They can call us when they're feeling sick," McConnell said. "It helps us to do our job if people are more educated about what we do here on the campus."
McConnell, Pelrine, and Day believe that a number of factors contribute to students' hesitation to call CU-EMS, one being a misguided fear of potential fees.
"I've heard that it's expensive," Jordan Kalms, CC '14, said, adding that in the event of an emergency, he would most likely call the police instead.
However, students are not charged extra for the services that CU-EMS provides—funding for the organization is provided by the University and is included in the student life fee.
In addition, board members said that CU-EMS is accessible to students in a way that city services are not.
"We know the campus a lot better than FDNY," McConnell said. "When a student says Furnald Hall,' the fire department's not going to know where Furnald Hall is."
The "Good Samaritan" policy, which Columbia adopted in 2011 and Barnard adopted this semester, is one way the service tries to alleviate any fears associated with calling. The policy stipulates that if a student needs to call CU-EMS to help a friend in need but is in violation of the University's drug or alcohol policy, all students involved will not be punished.
But not all students are aware of the good samaritan policy. Michelle Lee, SEAS '16, said that she felt the organization was "associated with authority" and that students might refrain from calling if they think doing so would result in punishment or public embarrassment.
"People are going to find out," Lee said. "People are always going to care what people think."
Part of the reason the group is associated with the Columbia administration is that public safety officers are usually the first to receive emergency calls and get to the scene. They then inform CU-EMS of the details of the situation so that the volunteers know what equipment to bring.
Michaelangelo Borghi, CC '13, recounted a time when he was with an overly intoxicated friend and a nearby public safety officer took charge and called CU-EMS.
"A lot of times when people get CAVA'd, it's because of a security guard. They didn't ask for it," Borghi said. However, he added that the CU-EMS members were helpful and that his friend "was in a really bad state."
CU-EMS also makes an effort to be a resource for the larger New York community. As part of an initiative called the Mutual Aid Response System, student volunteers are ready to respond in extreme events when the city's services have been exhausted. Following Hurricane Sandy, the group donated its ambulance to help transport food to affected New York residents, and 11 years ago it responded to a call for help at the World Trade Center.
As they prepare to take on a new year and welcome new members, the CU-EMS leaders stressed that they are normal students.
"A lot of people think that we're not necessarily real' EMTs," Day said.
"We are EMTs first and students second when we're on call," Pelrine said.
Due to an editing error, an earlier version of this article misattributed the last quote in the story to Liz Day, SEAS '14, instead of Eliza Pelrine, BC '14. Spectator regrets the error.
news@columbiaspectator.com | @ColumbiaSpec
... CU-EMS members are looking to increase their accessibility to other students and—when they aren't responding to emergencies—encouraging the community to reach out to them as peers.
An impressive number of students applied to be CU-EMS volunteers this year, and 12 new members were accepted, group leaders said. CU-EMS also saw a huge interest in the training course it will offer over the summer. The group held a number of well-attended information sessions in which it tried to rebrand the organization, and group leaders say they hope interest will continue to grow as much as it has recently.
Despite the fact that less than 20 percent of the calls it receives are for intoxicated students, CU-EMS—previously known as Columbia Area Volunteer Ambulance, or CAVA—is often associated first and foremost with late-night emergencies and parties gone wrong.
"A lot of people see us when we're most visible on campus, on a Friday or Saturday night," CU-EMS director Daniel McConnell, CC '14, said. "That's not the only thing we do."
Trained as emergency medical technicians by the state of New York, the CU-EMS volunteers handle everything from flu shot fairs to sports injuries on the field. But CU-EMS captain Liz Day, SEAS '14, said that most students don't know about these services.
Eliza Pelrine, BC '14 and personnel officer for CU-EMS, said the biggest problem with the way students view the medical service is that many will only call for cases related to intoxication, thinking that their minor injuries don't require attention or that CU-EMS is not responsible for providing that kind of service.
"We'd rather have you take advantage of it and have us help you than for something to get worse if you don't get help," Pelrine said.
"They can call us when they're having chest pains. They can call us when they're feeling sick," McConnell said. "It helps us to do our job if people are more educated about what we do here on the campus."
McConnell, Pelrine, and Day believe that a number of factors contribute to students' hesitation to call CU-EMS, one being a misguided fear of potential fees.
"I've heard that it's expensive," Jordan Kalms, CC '14, said, adding that in the event of an emergency, he would most likely call the police instead.
However, students are not charged extra for the services that CU-EMS provides—funding for the organization is provided by the University and is included in the student life fee.
In addition, board members said that CU-EMS is accessible to students in a way that city services are not.
"We know the campus a lot better than FDNY," McConnell said. "When a student says Furnald Hall,' the fire department's not going to know where Furnald Hall is."
The "Good Samaritan" policy, which Columbia adopted in 2011 and Barnard adopted this semester, is one way the service tries to alleviate any fears associated with calling. The policy stipulates that if a student needs to call CU-EMS to help a friend in need but is in violation of the University's drug or alcohol policy, all students involved will not be punished.
But not all students are aware of the good samaritan policy. Michelle Lee, SEAS '16, said that she felt the organization was "associated with authority" and that students might refrain from calling if they think doing so would result in punishment or public embarrassment.
"People are going to find out," Lee said. "People are always going to care what people think."
Part of the reason the group is associated with the Columbia administration is that public safety officers are usually the first to receive emergency calls and get to the scene. They then inform CU-EMS of the details of the situation so that the volunteers know what equipment to bring.
Michaelangelo Borghi, CC '13, recounted a time when he was with an overly intoxicated friend and a nearby public safety officer took charge and called CU-EMS.
"A lot of times when people get CAVA'd, it's because of a security guard. They didn't ask for it," Borghi said. However, he added that the CU-EMS members were helpful and that his friend "was in a really bad state."
CU-EMS also makes an effort to be a resource for the larger New York community. As part of an initiative called the Mutual Aid Response System, student volunteers are ready to respond in extreme events when the city's services have been exhausted. Following Hurricane Sandy, the group donated its ambulance to help transport food to affected New York residents, and 11 years ago it responded to a call for help at the World Trade Center.
As they prepare to take on a new year and welcome new members, the CU-EMS leaders stressed that they are normal students.
"A lot of people think that we're not necessarily real' EMTs," Day said.
"We are EMTs first and students second when we're on call," Pelrine said.
Due to an editing error, an earlier version of this article misattributed the last quote in the story to Liz Day, SEAS '14, instead of Eliza Pelrine, BC '14. Spectator regrets the error.
news@columbiaspectator.com | @ColumbiaSpec
2014-08-24T13:34:56Z
The death of a high school basketball star in General Grant Houses left residents shaken in September. Tayshana Murphy, whom ESPN ranked the #16 point guard in the country, was gunned down at W. 122nd Street and Broadway. In December, the 26th and 28th precincts—which cover Morningside Heights and West and Central Harlem, respectively—held public forums to address locals' concerns. The News Desk's Luke Barnes covered the 28th Precinct meeting, focusing on the problem of "youth crews," which many blame in Murphy's death and ongoing disputes between local public housing projects. More after the jump, and read the story here.more From the story:
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2013-10-19T03:00:02Z
With little time off after Wednesday's loss to Lafayette, the Light Blue lacrosse team (1-1, 0-0 Ivy) will once again hit the road to face Brown (1-0, 0-0 Ivy) in each team's first Ivy League game of the season.
Head coach Liz Kittleman Jackson is adamant about remaining focused on the future despite yesterday's loss, noting the passion with which the team played in spite of playing from behind for the majority of the match. "When you have a team that plays with that kind of heart, then you really have something to work with as a coaching staff," Jackson said.
In fact, despite going into its third game in seven days, the team remains focused on preparing for the Bears. One major adjustment Jackson hopes the team makes is its communication within the game, particularly when the other team is on the offensive. "If you can make the adjustments that are necessary and you can vocalize that during play, you can stop some of those runs," Jackson said.
That will be especially important against a Brown team that likes to push the pace, as evidenced by its 15-10 win over George Mason, in which seven players got on the board. The Bears were led by the strong offensive play of midfielder Abby Bunting, who put up four goals, and attacker Bre Hudgins, who added three goals and three of the team's five assists.
Though Jackson noted that they don't prepare for conference games any differently, she has no doubts the Lions are motivated to win their Ivy opener. "I think our kids are going into this game with a ton of fire," Jackson said. "I think they really want this win and they're ready for it."
The Lions are set to face off against the Bears at 1 p.m. this Saturday in Providence.
sports@columbiaspectator.com | @CUSpecSports
... Head coach Liz Kittleman Jackson is adamant about remaining focused on the future despite yesterday's loss, noting the passion with which the team played in spite of playing from behind for the majority of the match. "When you have a team that plays with that kind of heart, then you really have something to work with as a coaching staff," Jackson said.
In fact, despite going into its third game in seven days, the team remains focused on preparing for the Bears. One major adjustment Jackson hopes the team makes is its communication within the game, particularly when the other team is on the offensive. "If you can make the adjustments that are necessary and you can vocalize that during play, you can stop some of those runs," Jackson said.
That will be especially important against a Brown team that likes to push the pace, as evidenced by its 15-10 win over George Mason, in which seven players got on the board. The Bears were led by the strong offensive play of midfielder Abby Bunting, who put up four goals, and attacker Bre Hudgins, who added three goals and three of the team's five assists.
Though Jackson noted that they don't prepare for conference games any differently, she has no doubts the Lions are motivated to win their Ivy opener. "I think our kids are going into this game with a ton of fire," Jackson said. "I think they really want this win and they're ready for it."
The Lions are set to face off against the Bears at 1 p.m. this Saturday in Providence.
sports@columbiaspectator.com | @CUSpecSports
2013-04-04T06:44:42Z
Last year, Princeton stunned the sporting world as it almost took out national powerhouse Kentucky in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Then-sophomore forward Ian Hummer led the Tigers by hauling in eight rebounds and scoring 11 points to help keep Princeton's March Madness hopes alive until the final seconds. "We were only a few seconds away from knocking off Kentucky. With the loss of three key seniors, we knew we would have a lot of work to do this season," Hummer said. In the first part of the season it looked like Princeton (13-10, 4-3 Ivy) wouldn't be able to replicate its 2010-2011 magic, but Princeton turned heads again last Saturday by taking out another national powerhouse, No. 25 Harvard, 70-62. "We didn't go in thinking we had to beat a top 25 team—instead we came in thinking we had to beat Harvard, one of our biggest rivals," Hummer said. "Even though we have dropped a few games, we know there is still a chance to make a run in the league. It is going to be hard, but I think we are playing the kind of basketball that can make that possible." Not only did Princeton play one of its best games of the season against Harvard, but Hummer also surpassed his performance against Kentucky and established himself as one of the top big men in the league. After being limited to just four points against Dartmouth the day before, the 6-foot-7 forward bounced back quickly by scoring 20 points and snagging nine rebounds against the Crimson. "While leading the game in scoring was just icing on the cake, the fact that we were able to beat Harvard was by far the biggest accomplishment of the night," Hummer said. Even though Hummer does not stand as the tallest member of the Princeton squad, he may be one of the most physical players that the Lions will face as he leads the Tigers in both scoring (16.7 points per game) and rebounding (7.7 rebounds per game). "He's a physical beast. If you are not ready to fight, he will take your heart," Columbia men's basketball head coach Kyle Smith said. However, Hummer has developed a new move to complement his already impressive inside game. In his first two years playing for the Tigers, Hummer attempted no three-point shots. This year, Hummer has gone 15-48 from beyond the arc, putting up a respectable 31.3 field goal percentage for the season. While his newfound sharpshooting has not and will not replace his inside game, it offers an extra layer of stress for the Lions in Friday's game. "Any time you can add something to your array of moves and skills is always a plus. Adding a three-pointer this season has opened up a lot of other things," Hummer said. "It has opened up driving lanes as well as passing lanes. This has made it easier for me to score and get my teammates involved." The Tigers will hope that Hummer's game opens up more so that he can improve on his 11-point performance in their first matchup against the Lions this season. "I think the biggest thing that I need to improve is the amount of personal fouls. In our first game against [Columbia] this season, fouls limited my play and I had a hard time getting into the flow of the game," Hummer said. Hummer has shown that he can play against national-caliber talent, and as the Lions look to win their rematch against the Tigers, Hummer will present a unique challenge for the Light Blue. "You can try to wipe out the rest of the team, but then he'll get 40 points," Smith said.
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