ROSEMARIE RAPISARDA
Staff Writer
After more than 100 years, SUNY Fredonia will once again experience a solar eclipse in the path of totality.
“Totality is an awe-inspiring phenomenon that includes darkness in the middle of the day,… [an] effect that only can be witnessed during totality,” said Dr. Michael Dunham, associate professor of physics.
He explained that when a solar eclipse occurs, most locations on Earth are outside the strip and will only experience a partial eclipse. Luckily, this year, Fredonia is right along the strip, meaning that the campus will experience totality.
“Our totality will be just under four minutes,” said Dunham.
He calculated the totality when the sun is completely blocked over the campus. It will start approximately at 3:17:29 p.m. and end at 3:21:14 p.m.
According to Dunham, the next time our campus will experience this is in another 100 years into the future. “It is truly a once-in-a-lifetime event,” he said.
This past November, the 2024 Eclipse Event Planning Committee was formed.
Dunham is a co-chair of the committee.
The purpose of this committee is to plan for the solar eclipse that is taking place on Monday, April 8, 2024.
This day provides a unique opportunity for the committee to hold a full day of events that would be impossible if students and faculty were in classes.
“The committee brought the idea of canceling classes to the Fredonia administration and they wholeheartedly supported their recommendation,” said Dunham.
The Fredonia administration acknowledged the desire to view this event. They considered how most people won’t experience another total solar eclipse unless they travel during future eclipses.
In response to the cancellation of classes, students have shared their thoughts.
Michela Crescimanno-Dominguez, a senior voice major, said, “The solar eclipse is a beautiful event of nature that does not happen very often. I’m glad the school decided to cancel classes to let us experience such beauty and rarity.”
Jude Chiarella, a sophomore music education major, said, “Of course, it’s a good idea… students are probably gonna skip class anyway.”
The event has the potential to bring in prospective students and surrounding community members by showcasing all that Fredonia has to offer.
There are hopes to “provide a fun and engaging environment to witness this once-in-a-lifetime event,” said Dunham. “Eclipse glasses will be provided to all students, staff and faculty, so nobody should feel that they need to go out and purchase their own,” he added.
There will be designated viewing areas for the eclipse at the University Stadium, athletic fields and parking lots. A portion of Ring Road will likely be closed so that people can walk around.
According to Mark Suida, the director of Campus Life, there are many events being planned.
Some ideas are to host an “activity maker fair” to showcase student organizations, arts and crafts, pep rallies, student performances, food trucks, telescope viewing and stargazing.
“We envision clubs working together on [putting together] things if they’d like… Please reach out to Campus Life with any questions,” said Suida.
He noted that clubs should look out for an email that will contain a form for clubs to sign up to participate in the activity maker fair or performances. In addition, once events are officially scheduled, all activities will be listed on the Campus Life website.
Campus Life and the Student Association (SA) wish to include events designed for all to have a fun-filled day that is enjoyable and memorable.
This would not be possible without the help of student-run organizations.
Bethany Anderson, Chief Justice of the SA, said, “I’m excited to see how our clubs on campus get involved and participate in the fun.”
In anticipation of what the event will bring to campus and the community, students have already expressed their excitement.
“I think this event can boost attraction for the campus,” said Sangai Keita, a senior political science major.
“What I think is exciting about this event is that it’s fresh and a bit different from what we usually see on campus,” said Keita.
She also added, “This would give students [the opportunity] to volunteer or help around for this event to be fulfilling for all, and also bring the students and community together to mingle.”
Dakota Richter, a junior biology major also thinks that this event can boost attraction to our campus.
“If we do a community outreach and plan events during that day, not only will we have students involved but the community members who support the college,” Richter said.
Richter also added, “I think this is what’s best for our community here at Fredonia. We need to connect…so we can all enjoy this event.”
Hopefully, the eclipse will boost recognition of what SUNY Fredonia has to offer to not only students but also community members.