Issue 13

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Special Oversight Committee on Sexual Misconduct Releases Report Ethan Corey ’15 Managing News Editor

Alissa Rothman’15 Managing News Editor

Last Wednesday, Jan. 30, the Special Oversight Committee on Sexual Misconduct released a report to the College community analyzing the problem of sexual misconduct on campus and reviewing policies and procedures for handling cases of sexual misconduct. The report, titled “Towards a Culture of Respect,� concluded with a list of over 60 recommendations aimed at improving the College’s ability to prevent sexual violence and build a culture of respect on campus. President Carolyn “Biddy� Martin formed the Oversight Committee this past October in response to public accounts of sexual assault at the College and pressure from students, faculty, staff and alumni. The committee was campus environment, resources for student affairs, sexual education, recent history and College policy throughout the school, including report to be presented to the Board of Trustees report, over 50 pages long, was divided into four sections: an introduction, a comparison of sexual misconduct at the College with other campuses across the nation, a review and analysis of the current state of affairs at the College and a diverse list of recommendations for changes in College policies and procedures. In the introduction, the report examined the College’s response to reports of sexual misconduct in recent years and concluded that although the College did not appear to be ‘sweeping cases under the rug,’ it had failed on a systemic level to provide adequate resources and due process for victims. “Though a support structure of caring individuals has long been in place for responding to cases of sexual assault it does not always quencing process for complainants was often unclear, emergency services ill-coordinated, mental health and other support services were unreliable, some personnel were poorly trained in how to deal with this problem, and the composition of the Hearing Board may have deterred victims of assault from bringing cases forward,� the report read. Although the report highlighted the fact that many of the issues related to the disciplinary process had been resolved by the Title IX Committee’s push for compliance with the April 2011 Dear Colleague Letter from the Rights, the committee noted that there were still many ways in which the College could improve its response to cases of sexual assault, the resources it provides for survivors and the atmosphere and attitude of the College towards sexual respect in general. Sexual Misconduct at the College To gain a more accurate picture of sexual assault at the College, the committee used statistics from the biannual National College Health Assessment (NCHA), which collects information about student health and wellbeing from 141 colleges and universities nation-

College Hosts Fifth Annual Fink Bioscience Symposium

Olivia Tarantino ’15 Photographer

President Carolyn Martin speaks at the open meeting to discuss the report put forward by the Special Oversight Committee on Sexual Misconduct. wide, to compare the College with other institutions. Based on the statistics, the committee ly differ from other elite residential colleges in its frequency of sexual violence. “In the most recent NCHA survey (2012),

one had been raped while attending a prefrosh event. This comports with national surveys of sexual assault on college campuses which show that freshwomen are the group at highest In addition, the report highlighted the

cent of Amherst men reported being penetrated without their consent in the previous year. In addition, nine percent of women and one percent of men reported that someone had attempted penetration without their consent, 13 percent of women and seven percent of men reported having been sexually touched without their consent, and three percent of women and two percent of men reported being in a sexually abusive intimate relationship. Several of these measures were a couple of percentage points higher or lower than the aggregate norm from 2010 of a comparison group of schools similar to Amherst, but these slight differences

sexual assault, estimating that alcohol was involved in as many as 90 percent of assaults that occurred at the College. Moreover, the report noted that a large proportion of assault

sonably conclude from these data that the incidence of sexual assault at Amherst is at or very close to the norm for elite co-educational four-year colleges in the NCHA cohort,� the report said. However, the members of the committee emphasized that the College still needed to strive to minimize the incidence of sexual misconduct as much as possible. “The best evidence available to us, therefore, suggests that the incidence of sexual misconduct at Amherst is no worse than at our peer institutions; it is also no better. Our committee feels strongly that this is not good enough. We should aim to do much better than the norm,� the report said. The report also attempted to characterize

sexual assault, but cautioned against laying the blame on one group or another. “Our committee spent a considerable amount of time researching and debating the question of who was perpetrating sexual assault and rapes on campus. One often hears that athletes are the ones responsible, or legacy admits or members of secret fraternities. Certainly individual members of all of these groups have been implicated in sexual

demanded a sex act that the other was unwilling to perform and forced it on them anyways. However, the report emphasized that most students who consume alcohol and have sexual relationships with other students do so without becoming victims or perpetrators of sexual assault. The committee also investigated trends in

cases suggests a fairly complex picture, and it will probably not serve us as a college to try to pin the problem on a narrow demographic,� the report read. However, the report did note that many sexual assaults involved male upper-class students in leadership positions or prominent roles in extracurricular groups, organizations and teams, speculating that these individuals used

en, and anecdotal reports suggest that they are crossed the line into sexual assault. The report semester of their freshman year and at least

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After a record number of registrations, the College recently held the fifth annual Gerald R. Fink ’62 Bioscience Symposium last Thursday. Held in the Cole Assembly Room, the symposium discussed “Current Issues Facing Science and Health Care,� which ranged from talks on genetically personalized medicine to how environmental factors affect the health of disadvantaged populations. The event is sponsored by the class of 1962 as part of their 50th reunion gift to the College. “When putting together this event we wanted to create an opportunity for alumni distinguished in their fields to return to the College and speak to students about their interests,� said George Carmany ’62, who along with Gerald R. Fink ’62, is one of the founders and organizers of the event. Dr. Fink, a professor of genetics at MIT and founding member of the Whitehead Institute, agreed. “The Class of ’62 decided to support this because they wanted to give back something to Amherst. Many in my class felt their success was due in a large part to the educations they received here,� Fink said. “What better way to give back than to come back and talk to students about how their careers unfolded?� After opening remarks by Mr. Carmany, an investor in health care in Boston, the former chairman of the Tufts Medical Center and a member of the Advisory Committee on Education at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Fink began his talk. During the talk entitled “The Genome and Health Care,� Dr. Fink discussed developments in the field of “personalized medicine,� which proposes the customization of healthcare being tailored to in individual patient by the use of genetic information. He also offered advice for students interested in science as a career. “Passion along with curiosity drives science. Without passion for what you’re doing you won’t be able to tolerate the large amount of hard work and struggles that science entails,� Fink said. The second speaker was Dr. Paula Rauch ’77, a college trustee and child psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital, who discussed treating and counseling children in military families and families with seriously medically ill parents. The third speaker was Dr. Rajiv Desai ’84, director of the Neuroscience Institute at the Maine Medical Center, who discussed the development of his career and the evolving relationship between patients in physicians and the effect the increasing role technology is having on that relationship. He encouraged students to explore their options and not get too set on one view of their future. “Don’t feel like you have to be on one track,� Desai said. “You don’t have to be at a big name university to do research.� Continued on Page 2

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News Entries from Jan. 31 to Feb. 3, 2013 >>Jan. 31, 2013 5:56 p.m., Off-Campus Locations A student reported fraudulent charges to his credit card. Case open. 9:03 p.m., James Dormitory Officers responded to a complaint about the odor of marijuana smoke and traced it to a second-floor room. Underage people with alcohol were present in the room. The non-residents were cleared from the room, and the alcohol was confiscated. The matter was referred to the Dean’s Office. 9:04 p.m., James Officers responded to a complaint about the odor of marijuana smoke and traced it to a second floor room. A group of people were discovered in the room along with a grinder used to grind marijuana. The non-residents were cleared from the room and the grinder was confiscated. The matter was referred to the Dean’s Office. >>Feb. 1, 2013 12:13 a.m., King Dormitory While in the building, an officer detected the odor of marijuana and traced it to a third-floor room. The officer spoke to the resident who admitted to having smoked in his room. He was fined $100, and the matter was referred to the Dean’s Office. 1:43 a.m., Garman House Officers responded to a noise complaint and traced it to a third-floor room. A strong presence of marijuana smoke was found in the room and the smoke detector was covered with plastic. Nine people, who were not residents, were directed to leave the room. The resident was fined $100 for a smoking violation and $100 for tampering with fire equipment. The matter was referred to the Dean’s Office. 4:40 p.m., Alumni Gym A student reported $20 was stolen from his wallet while it was left unattended on a bench in the Fitness Center. 6:25 p.m., Cohan Dormitory An officer investigated a smoke detector sounding in a first-floor room and discovered it was accidentally set off when a hair dryer was used too close to it. The system was reset. 11:37 p.m., Hitchcock House An officer encountered a group of students with alcohol and a beer pong table. The students were of legal age but they were advised to stop using the beer pong table. The officer left and returned a short time later to find the group had increased in size and alcohol was being left unattended. The alcohol was confiscated, and the group was dispersed. >>Feb. 2, 2013 12:11 a.m., Wieland Dormitory Officers responded to a complaint of a loud party in the second-floor common room and discovered approximately 30 people gathered with alcohol and a beer pong table. The event was shut down, and the alcohol was confiscated.

12:32 a.m., Crossett Dormitory An officer discovered an unauthorized party in the basement with approximately 65 people. Alcohol and a beer pong table were present. The event was shut down, and the alcohol was confiscated. 12:44 a.m., Crossett An officer discovered a party in a first-floor suite which involved over 100 people crowded into the suite and in the stairwell. The event was shut down, and non-residents were directed to leave. 11:10 p.m., King Dormitory Officers responded to a complaint about a loud party in the fourth floor common room. A small group of students was found engaged in a drinking games. The alcohol was disposed of, and they were warned about the noise level. 11:31 p.m., Lipton House An officer responded to a complaint of loud music and issued a warning at a second-floor suite. 11:57 p.m., Morris Pratt Dormitory An officer encountered a group of students in the first-floor common room where a bottle of hard alcohol was present. The alcohol was confiscated. >>Feb. 3, 2013 12:24 a.m., Pond Dormitory Officers responded to a noise complaint about found approximately 80 people in a second-floor suite, and in the stairway. No residents were present. Everyone was cleared from the suite. 12:56 a.m., Morrow Dormitory An officer investigated a smoke detector sounding in a third-floor room but could find no reason for the activation. The system was reset. 1:55 a.m., South Dormitory Officers responded to a report of a resident who was upset and causing a disturbance. Assistance was provided, and no further action was necessary.

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Record Numbers Attend Fink Symposium Continued from Page 1 The final speaker before dinner was Dr. Kimberlee Wyche-Etheridge ’87, the medical services director for Family, Youth and Infant Care for the City of Nashville, who discussed public health and the way in which environmental factors influence the long-term health and well-being of disadvantaged populations. She encouraged students to consider pursuing public health. “Terras Irradient, let them give light to the world. That is your charge,” WycheEtheridge said. “It is a privilege to go here, so go out and help others benefit from it.” After a forum in which Dr. Fink and Dr. George Daley, a nationally distinguished stem cell research scientist, investigator for

Association of Amherst Student Elections Candidate Statements CLASS OF 2014 Kasope Aleshinloye ’14 Salutations! I am an Interdisciplinary major from Nigeria and a candidate for Senate for the Class of 2014. As senator, I will push for the creation of accessible and providing more resources for the integration of students who that we need an annual evaluation process for individual senators — reelection is simply not enough — to improve their productivity and increase student engagement

Jared Price ’14 As a Senator for the class of 2014, I will commit myself to representing

committed to preserving everything positive that sets our school apart,

9:01 a.m., Waldorf-Astoria An employee reported that a ceiling tile, an emergency light and a fire extinguisher mount were found damaged. Facilities was notified. 1:02 p.m., Morris Pratt A caller complained about the odor of marijuana smoke in a stairway near the third floor. An officer checked but the origin of the odor could not be located.

the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Harvard professor, discussed the relative merits of the M.D. track versus the M.D./ Ph. D. track, dinner was served in Lewis Sebring. There, students dined with the speakers, allowing them to ask questions, listen to anecdotes and get to know the speakers more intimately. After dinner, the final talk of the night was given by Dr. Daley, who discussed the current state of stem cell research. Overall, the night was viewed as a success by the speakers and students. “It is so heartening so many of you have come to this event,” Carmany said. “This is the most people we’ve had in these five years, and it has been the best.”

JUDICIARY COUNCIL CHAIR Servet Bayimli ’16 Chair, a position that oversees club recognition petitions and complaints

5:58 p.m., James Dormitory While in the building, an officer discovered the elevator had been vandalized. The Facilities department was notified. 6:14 p.m., Bike Path A caller reported seeing a camera and bait secured to a tree near the bike path in the southeast section of the College. The items were confiscated. The matter is under investigation.

o: d o T

Enkhnasan Enkhbold ’15 fully abide by and enforce the Constitution, to heed the advice of my fellow Council members, and to lead the Council to become a stronger force within the student body. I promise to address whatever issues will arise in the future, as the Council will not be judged or succeed by the plans it

CM Randall ’15 I am still somewhat new to Amherst College. I am a second semester

way of leading. At my community college, I was part of a two-semester

Oluwatomi Williams ’16

Apply to the accelerated Master of Public Policy program at UMass Amherst. Earn a master’s just one year after finishing your bachelor’s.

Center for Public Policy & Administration www.masspolicy.org

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Board of Education member, in addition to my commitment to continue to grow my understanding of the Amherst constitution, qualify me to serve

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News

SMOC Report Offers Insights, Recommendations Targets Orientation, AAS, Off-Campus Fraternities for Reforms

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it said was far more widespread at the College than commonly thought. “Even the smallest group or netoppressive structures of power. The hazing or quasi-hazing practices that govern the social lives of too many student organizations and friendclear pathways to degrading and disrespectful behavior, including sexual misconduct. There certainly are student organizations that do not engage in this behavior, which is clearly prohibited by the College’s Code of Conduct. But these practices are more widespread than many people realize and are by no means limited to the usual suspects. Our committee’s recommendations including the Association of Amabout the way that they understand and demonstrate respect for others,” the report said. The report also noted the complex relationship between race and sexual assault, noting that many students of color feel that the College enforces sexual misconduct policies in a discriminatory manner, giving out more severe penalties to nonwhite perpetrators, especially if the victim is white. “According to this view, white perpetrators pay for expensive lawyers to get them off, or get the College to intervene on their behalf and are never expelled or even particularly severely sanctioned. Students of color or international students, them.’ It is impossible at this remove and the records that would tell us are closed or have been destroyed. But it lives on in the collective memory, presumably fueled by present-day racial disparities in criminal justice procedures and sentencing nationally, of which most of our students of color are well aware,” the report read. The report found a similar sentiment among LGBT students, who seemed to be more reluctant report sexual misconduct because of the perceived homophobia of the Hearing Board. To deal with these perceptions, the committee urged the College to ensure that “all procedures relating to sexual assault and misconduct are fair, consistent, and equitable, and seen to be so by the whole community.” Education, Student Affairs and the Campus Environment The committee also considered the limitations of the College’s current efforts at sexual education and

are especially vulnerable to sexual assault, the report emphasized the need to improve programs for new students. Liya Rechtman ’14, one of two students serving on the commitmittee’s holistic approach to combatting sexual misconduct. “Sexual misconduct doesn’t just happen between a man and a woman; it happens within a community, and

We found that a lot of the issues had to do with community cohesion starting with freshman year,” Rechtman said. “When you come in as a freshman you feel really lost a lot of the time, and especially freshman girls at that time are really vulnerupperclassman men. A huge amount of sexual assault on campus hapof them arriving here. We spent a lot how to create structures and safe environments for upper-class students as well.” The committee also emphasized the importance of continuing education on sexual respect throughout the time that students are at the College, noting that many older students develop a cynical attitude towards sexual respect policies. However, ties of administering that education, since most voluntary events are only attended by students who already care about the issue, meaning that adequate education. Thus, the committee decided to recommend that some education be made mandatory at some point during students’ time sexual education courses count for credit and be required for graduation. In addition, the committee felt that the separation between the Health and Counseling Centers, both in purview and physical distance, created obstacles to providing victims of assault with adequate support. To address this issue, the report recommended creating an integrated Wellness Center that served students in a holistic fashion. “The community health center model we advocate offers more systematically coordinated mental health care, physical health care and health education clearly integrated and into the cocurricular and academic life of the College. This approach endeavors to understand and care for the individual as a member of a community, while still preservsafely expressed in a therapy session. Amherst College prides itself in a liberal arts residential college, in an integrated approach to physical, emotional, and academic wellbeing,” the report said. The report also considered the role that student groups and leaders play in building a safe and respectful community, again emphasizing the pernicious effects of hazing and other obstacles to broader inclusion of students in the campus community. Additionally, the report raised concerns about the role played by the Association of Amherst Students (AAS) in student life on campus. tiatives, from club sports to social activities, pass through the student government, and it is thus imperative that this group foster a culture of trust and legitimacy. If the Association of Amherst Students is to con-

tinue in its capacity as the administrative center of student life, then it must be held to a high standard of transparency, equal access, fairness, port said. issue with underground fraternities’ status as unregulated, ‘juridically invisible’ organizations. “Our committee believes that it is time for the faculty, administration, and Board of Trustees to come to a decision regarding fraternities at Amherst. We do not intend to demonize young men who join fraternities. In particular (given the context of this discussion) it is important to note that we are not saying they are disproportionately guilty of sexual assault; we have no evidence that this is the case. However we do community, regardless of where they may physically reside or socialize, must be held to the same standards of good conduct, community support, nondiscrimination and respect for others. As long as the fraternities exist but simultaneously do not exist, they will be a problem,” the report read. Also under the heading of student affairs, the report addressed the impact of alcohol on student life. The committee noted the limitations of students at the College and encouraged the development of a social life that does not depend on excessive consumption of alcohol. In addition, the committee noted the relationship between the so-called ‘Amherst the creation of more inclusive social spaces that emphasized community and student engagement over alcohol consumption, suggesting, for instance, the creation of a seasonally permanent oversized tent on the and activities for the entire student body. Recommendations and Implementation In addition to the recommendations listed above, the report offered a wide variety of recommendations ranging from changes to orientation, restructuring the Dean of Students cation to reconsidering the role of fraternities, tightening controls on alcohol and increasing the number of women in the AAS. Recommendations related to Title IX and other legal obligations of the College have already been implemented, and the remaining recommendations will be according to President Martin. “Some of them will become part of the larger strategic planning proappoint the members of a Student groups have already been formed,, other with developing an assessment of our options for development of the physical campus. After the able a chart that outlines a possible sequence and time frame for consid-

eration of the various recommendations. I hope this will help answer inevitable questions about how we go about responding to the many recommendations in the report,” Martin said. Some of the more contentious recommendations to be discussed include a reorganization of the AAS in the amount of funds allocated to the AAS and increased oversight of funding practices by the College. According to Rechtman, such changes may be necessary to ensure that all students are adequately represented in the fund-allocation process. “The committee commended Tania Dias and really stood behind her, but they also felt that the Senate was a very easy place for one student population to gain control over the rest of the student population. That has historically happened with very male-dominated and fraternity-dominated Senates, and it could conceivably happen again in the future. Basically, we’re saying Senate, which is meant to be a symbol and a body effectively representative of the student population, doesn’t always function that way. Often it has not been a place that is accessible to everyone, particularly female students who are interested in holding leadership positions,” Rechtman said. In addition, the report strongly recommends the reconsideration of the role of fraternities on campus, including the possibility of baning students found to be members go through the disciplinary hearing process. “The committee is recommendand for all what the fraternities’ role should be. Either they should be regularized or they should go entirely. Most, though not all, of our Committee members favored banning membership in fraternities. But that will be something the Administration and Board of Trustees must decide,” said, Professor Margaret Hunt, chair of the Oversight Committee and Professor of History and Women’s and Gender Studies. The report also recommends a reconsideration of the school’s al-

cohol policy, calling for the College to eliminate ambiguities and investigate the effectiveness of stricter controls on alcohol, including more stringent enforcement of open container policies and tighter regulations on hard alcohol and liquor. However, the report also recommends the creation of at least one bar on campus, arguing that outlets more responsible behavior among students. “Alcohol policy is discussed in the report because of the overlap of conduct/assault. It is not clear that any college or university has the answer to the problem of alcohol abuse. Nonetheless, we will continue the due diligence that the committee began, identifying the most successful approaches and drawing on faculty, staff, and students so we can develop policies and practices that are best-suited to Amherst,” Martin said. On Tuesday, President Martin held a public meeting in Johnson Chapel with Professor Hunt and Gina Smith of Ballard Spahr LLP to discuss the committee’s report with the broader campus community. Stution and shared comments about the report and the committee’s recommendations. President Martin emphasized that she and the adminisstudents, faculty and staff to implement the policy changes in a manner that best meets the needs of the College community. “The report reinforces the perception that many of us share, that it is time for student life to have a higher priority at the College. We have acted and will continue to act on changes in policy, procedure and protocol that ensure an effective and equitable approach to sexual assault on campus. We will provide opportunities for input from the community as we begin the process of tions. Some recommendations will become part of our strategic planto 18 months to complete,” Martin said.

Opinion

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Editorial

Students Desire Clarity on Direction of Alcohol Policy Working with administrators, the students of Amherst have successfully finalized a plan to move ahead with bringing a liquor license to Schwemm’s in Keefe. The liquor license promises to convert Schwemm’s into an on-campus bar one day of the week, allowing for a closely regulated public drinking space on campus. Given the manner in which the public discussion has implicated College alcohol policy in sexual assault and other problems on campus, the Schwemm’s proposal promises to provide the tolerance and level of respect that a safe, on-campus drinking atmosphere requires. The Student sees encouraging open and responsible social drinking on campus with projects like the Schwemm’s liquor license as the most effective step the College can take to reduce irresponsible binge drinking while respecting the privacy and choices of adult students. While the strict requirements of a Schwemm’s liquor license stipulates that alcohol can only be served one day a week, this student-led proposal is a step in the right direction and should be expanded until any student of legal age may drink in a public social space. As we move into the hiring period for a permanent Dean of Students, the question of the College’s alcohol policy weighs heavily on the minds of students. The new Dean of Students, once ze assumes the position,

will enter a highly charged situation with an alcohol policy still somewhat in flux — this leaves much space for new policies from the deans to take shape. Therefore, the College community ought to pay close attention to the attitudes of potential candidates for the Dean of Students on this front, and demand clarity about what actions they would take specifically while at Amherst. The current alcohol policy, as it is effectively enforced, still continues to confuse students, and students hope to eliminate the ambiguity. The reality of the policy on the ground is that it seems to differ by case. Just in the last week, the College has responded to the use of beer pong tables with a heavy hand ranging from outright table confiscation to subtle warnings. The Student feels that, while such ambiguity may be ideal for the administration, which seeks to balance competing legal and student interests, it poses significant problems for students to organize social life on campus, especially if the College also targets 21+ events. While we are pleased to see that the College is moving in the right direction, we would still hope for some clarity to be found in the haze surrounding the College’s alcohol policy, so students and the community at large can better comply with the rules and weigh in on the merits of such rules.

To Fund Club Soccer

+BNFT -JV Managing Editor

Writing as an AAS Senator, I believe that college is a holistic experience. Just as students ought to fulfill their intellectual curiosity, wherever it may lead them, students ought to pursue their extracurricular passions, however different or difficult they may be. The most enriching college experience is one that allows students the liberty to grow in all directions they may choose — of course, within reasonable constraints. It is worth discussing what does not constitute a reasonable constraint, specifically in regards to the issue at hand, i.e. the decision of the AAS to fund the Amherst Women’s Club Soccer team against existing policy. First, legal liabilities are not a valid restraint. To presuppose that legal liabilities would prevent the establishment of a club soccer team at Amherst, despite the existence of an Amherst club fencing team, a mixed martial arts team, an equestrian team, etc., is absurd. Soccer is no more inherently dangerous than any of these sports, and club soccer is commonplace at all of Amherst’s peer institutions. The archaic rule denying the establishment of a club team of a sport in which there already exists a varsity team is not the status quo, but rather a bizarre idiosyncrasy unique to Amherst. Second, limited facilities are not an actual problem in this specific situation. Varsity teams

E X E C U T I V E B OA R D Editor-in-Chief Brianda Reyes Managing News Ethan Corey, Alissa Rothman Managing Opinion Erik Christianson, James Liu, Meghna Sridhar Managing Arts and Living Nicole Chi, Annalise Nurme , Clara Yoon Managing Sports Emmett Knowlton, Karl Greenblatt

should obviously reserve the prerogative to use campus fields and facilities. However, the Women’s Soccer Club has planned to practice on an off-campus facility and hence in no way interferes with the usage or upkeep of the field or facilities on which a varsity team relies. It is therefore difficult to understand why an activity such as club soccer is so unique that it would warrant the inertia demonstrated by the administration. Whatever the administration’s rationale may be, the result remains the same. We should recognize what a tremendous failure it is on the part of the College that a group of students would take it upon their own initiative to pursue something they were truly passionate about, only to find no open avenues to express that passion. The decision of the AAS to vote to fund the Women’s Club Soccer team, in spite of the codified policy and in front of visiting administrators, may seem brash, uncouth and extreme. Perhaps, it was, but it was only commensurate to the degree of our conviction. When a gap in communication exists between administrative policy and student sentiments, it is the responsibility of the AAS to bridge that gap. We choose to convey in the most decisive manner possible that the existing policy is misguided, detrimental to the students and must be changed. Therefore, we voted yes to fund. Continued on Page 5

Letters to the Editor

Keturah Williams, a sophomore at Smith writes with the support of Smith College Students Against Sexual Assault (SASA) concerning sexual violence.

As students of the Five College community, we are writing to express our rage, grief, sorrow and sympathy for Angie Epifano and all students who have been sexually assaulted or raped at Amherst College. We are appalled, but not surprised, by the response of the Amherst administration to Angie Epifano’s assault and those of other students who have been subject to sexual crime and abuse. Amherst College sets the standard for many institutions of higher learning, and in light of that fact, we express deep disappointment at the ongoing displays of sexual violence on campus. To the students, and especially to survivors of rape and assault, we understand your grief and anger, and we want to stand in solidarity with you as you recover and rebuild your community. For some time, Smith students have been aware of a frat culture at Amherst that accepts and encourages violence against others, especially women. We now appeal not just to principles of individual autonomy, but to human compassion. We expect members of our community to hold themselves accountable and display exceptional respect for others. Smithies wish to cultivate such an attitude in our community, and we believe the principle of respect is absolutely essential for protecting survivors of sexual violence. Though it is not often acknowledged, sexual violence has happened on our campus too, and we are actively working to

Let’s Get Real 5JN (BVSB Contributing Writer Amherst College is a place of learning and opportunity. As a lower income transfer student, I am well aware that chances of my application being accepted by the College eight years ago were next to nothing. I am grateful that the College was willing to be challenged and changed. I am a student at Amherst because of that change. Although I have only been at Amherst for a semester, I have seen every level of it shaken by recent events: swastikas spray-painted on the Keefe Health Center; the sacred menorah and a Chanukah sign desecrated and defaced outside Fayerweather Hall; the word “nigger” written in the snow; a beloved professor disgraced by plagiarism; letters of alleged sexual assault and suicide published and proclaimed locally and nationally. Reactions to these events were both positive and negative, emancipating and enslaving, collegial and paternal. Now we face a new semester with new challenges while also wrestling with lingering questions of respect, equality and honesty. It’s time to get real: respectful of the stories and beliefs of others, empathic towards the complex emotions of others, aware of the difficulties some have in finding their voices in our community. It is time to work towards cultivating appreciation and love for those

around us — not only our friends and classmates but also the wider campus community within our globally interconnected world. I am a white, Christian male from a lower income family. By lower income, I mean that I remember a month during which the total income of the family was $27.00; twenty-seven dollars to pay the bills and feed a family of six; I remember opening bare cupboards and waiting in dreadful anticipation for the man who would come to shut off the electricity or water. I have lived in a largely African-American neighborhood in Miami, Florida, a city that was cited in 2004 as having the highest rate of violent crime in the United States. I have also lived on a Navajo reservation and have heard about horrors perpetrated by those of my race on those who were becoming my friends and my family. But I, too, have endured racism — stopped at a door at an event because the color of my skin made me inadmissible. I speak not in anger or resentment but rather in sorrow because I understand that, under different circumstances, I might have responded similarly. I am descended from Welsh, Scottish and Polish families that were oppressed as well as from some English and German families that were oppressors. I am, thus, both oppressed and the oppressor. Most of us are. I say these things because my heart aches for our campus. We struggle to be transparent, honest and respectful. It is easier to

Letters Policy

S TA F F Design Editor Brendan Hsu Opinion Section Editors Diana Babineau, Julia Milmed Sports Section Editors Varun Iyengar Arts and Living Section Editors Jeffrey Feldman Publishers Mary Byrne, Chris Friend, Nazir Khan, Mike Osorio, David Walchak

eradicate it. We have to encourage the development of a survivor-supportive, trauma-aware culture among the Five Colleges, a culture that supports and protects students. To the administration, we expect Amherst College, as a leading liberal arts institution, to immediately reform its policies and practices concerning rape and sexual assault. No community should allow sexual violence and victim blaming, yet these actions have been condoned by Amherst authorities, who seem to see grey areas around the definition of rape. Let us be very clear: lack of resistance does not equal consent nor does a previous relationship with the perpetrator. We as Smithies highly value sexual agency, and we will be aggressive in protecting this basic human right. We know the problem of rape and sexual assault did not begin with Amherst, and we know it will not end there. Sexual violence is everywhere. We believe, however, that we can change the culture around us, and we are committed to supporting the efforts of all colleges and universities towards building communities free of sexual violence. We as students have a right to be safe in our communities, and security is possible only when students and administrators cooperate in cultivating appropriate resources for survivors as well as a healthy campus environment. It is our hope that the publication of this letter, set at the start of a new semester, will prevent further silence about sexual assault and rape on college campuses. The semester of Angie Epifano may be over, but the struggle against sexual violence is only beginning.

Copy Editors Marisa Dolmatch Photographers Janita Chalam, Jennifer Lee, Peter Mack, Olivia Tarantino Senior Editor Amro El-Adle

The opinion pages of The Amherst Student are intended as an open forum for the Amherst community. The Student will print letters under 450 words in length if they are submitted to The Student offices in the Campus Center or to the paper’s e-mail account (astudent@amherst.edu) by 12 p.m. on Sunday, after which they will not be accepted. The editors reserve the right to edit any letters exceeding the 450-word limit or to withhold any letter because of considerations of space or content. Letters must bear the names of all contributors and a phone number where the author or authors may be reached. Letters and columns may be edited for clarity and Student style. The Student will not print personal or group defamation.

Publication Standards

The Amherst Student is published weekly except during College vacations. The subscription rate is $75 per year or $40 per semester. Subscription requests and address changes should be sent to: Subscriptions, The Amherst Student; Box 1912, Amherst College: Amherst, MA 01002-5000. The offices of The Student are located on the second floor of the Keefe Campus Center, Amherst College. Phone: (413) 542-2304. All contents copyright © 2011 by The Amherst Student, Inc. All rights reserved. The Amherst Student logo is a trademark of The Amherst Student, Inc. Additionally, The Amherst Student does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation or age. The views expressed in this publication do not reflect the views of The Amherst Student.

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Opinion

Discussion of Compassion Thoughts from Senators Continued from “Real�

identify as a victim than to accept any personal responsibility for supporting the victimization through our ignorance, inconvenience or silence. I believe that this has twisted our perspective and how we view ourselves. It has made us apathetic and, when finally stirred to action, quicker to judge others than to look at ourselves. Amherst has a convoluted legacy: education is empowerment, and we have passed graduates through our doors of learning who, at times, have marginalized minority peoples by exploiting their labor, knowledge and resources. As an institution, Amherst has empowered and, at times, encouraged such forms of oppression. Through the pain many of us experienced last semester, we have learned that Amherst continues to have a mixed and complex identity — some members of our community bolster their own power by willfully hurting others. Honesty can be frightening and disillusioning but it is also the beginning of real transformation. I am learning about a process through open conversations with friends, my sisters and my brothers who are all across the spectrum of oppression, a process summarized by the phrase “we don’t need retribution; we need restoration.� Even if a person is culpable of an act of wrongdoing, he or she is still a human with stories and dreams of his or her own. In this way, we are more similar than different. Unfortunately, it is easy to violate the rights of the socially condemned, forgetting their humanity in the process. If we are to achieve a better, fairer, less painful and less oppressive future, we should take an honest look at ourselves. We need to be accountable and face the consequences our actions deserve while also being

merciful towards others. True justice and restoration is only achieved through humility and transparency. All of us have our own stories. Each of us has done good and bad; we have both helped and hurt others. We have been given a unique gift here at Amherst to share our story, and to learn from the shared stories of others. Diversity means nothing without the willingness to respectfully listen and learn from one another. I have never lived in an affluent family — I know nothing of the struggles within such places. Therefore, I value my affluent friends who can provide me with a different perspective. Perhaps they have also gained another perspective from my life. The older I become, the more I realize that life is never simple, never one-dimensional, never fully easy for anyone. We need to get real. There is a lot of talking going on about certain issues (while others get pushed aside), but little listening and even less respectful sharing. I am writing this article in the hope that it compels the sharing of real discussions among differently located members of our community. Amherst can become a place that heals hurts between cultures, nations, religions and races. Hurtful words said from unpretentious ignorance can be cured by education. Whereas unspoken, bigoted thoughts, festering into injustice and tragic oppression, are less easily confronted. I believe real conversations can restore us as individuals, and as a community. In the days and weeks to come, I pray for us to be real in our conversations and through them to be transformed as individuals (and as a community), not only into the stellar intellectuals for which Amherst is known, but also into the compassionate humanitarians the world needs for the 21st century.

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Continued from “Soccer�

4BNVFM ,FBTFS Contributing Writer This Monday the AAS met with Mr. Billy McBride, the Assistant Athletics Director, and Dean Hannah Fatemi, to discuss the Athletic Department’s policy of preventing the formation of club sports with varsity analogues, specifically club soccer. Although the issue was discussed at length, few answers were provided as to why this policy was created and, further, why it is still in place. The issue of liability was brought up over and over but was never fully warranted. Why club sports such as rugby, crew, and ultimate Frisbee are not liability issues while club soccer is was explained as being due to the, undefined, “layers� of policy surrounding club sports. At other times, lack of athletic facility space was cited as a reason. When the availability of space, or lack thereof, for current club sports was brought up, the argument reverted to the policy itself — we cannot have club sports if a varsity equivalent exists because we have a policy that states we cannot have club sports if a varsity equivalent exists. Admittedly, that may have been a decent reason as to why, administratively, we currently cannot; yet, it did not address why the policy is in place, or how to repeal it going forward. This being said, when the AAS voted to give funding to students looking to participate in a soccer tournament, I voted against the measure; it passed with a vote of 14 to 11. The measure itself being entirely symbolic (if a check is written, it will be voided), I did not feel that it was the right time to make this move. Although I fully support the students looking to create the club soccer team(s), I hoped that the AAS would give the administration time to consider implementing a policy change before we made the gesture that we did. I feared then, and still do, that in showing our support of these students we might alienate those with the power to repeal the policy. Still, I cannot say that I am unhappy with the outcome. For months, students have been attempting to open a dialogue with the Athletic Department regarding club soccer, and for months little to no progress has been made. I wish all the best to those students working to repeal this policy and will assist them in anyway that I can.

4FSWFU #BZJNMJ Contributing Writer

It was no doubt a heated discussion that filled the Red Room last Monday night. The issue regarded the AAS approving funding for Women’s Club Soccer. Apparently, there is policy and certain “layers� that need to be met in order to get funding for club sports at the College that the Senate was not aware of. To familiarize ourselves with this policy, we were called upon to meet with Mr. McBride, the Assistant Athletics Director, in his office and discuss the packet, located in his desk, which contained that policy. As I understand it, this policy is not available anywhere else. It’s not online, nor is it on the Five College Risk Management Team’s website. In any case, there seemed to have been two concerns that were mentioned by the administration at the Monday meeting. One issue was liability and the other issue was facilities. I’d like to talk about liability first. Club teams have been going on at Amherst for years and if liability was such a significant concern, as I see it, it should have been raised back when club teams first emerged. Besides, often times when club teams sign up for events they sign a risk waiver absolving the school and the organization sponsoring it of any liability. The school could have even done that, as one varsity soccer player suggested. When asked to explain the liability, I do not believe the response was adequate. There was nothing discussed as far as any statements made by the College’s Legal Counsel or the Five College Risk Management Team. Regarding facilities, AAS has funded off campus facilities for certain club teams. Either way, often club teams are able to make things work given what they could negotiate with Athletics and the size of the College. Therefore, I cannot understand, after yesterday’s meeting, why this is now an issue? The timing is very suspicious. A colleague, who is also on the soccer team, expressed concern about how this was not an issue with men’s club soccer and that the timeliness, given the specific “recommendations� the Sexual Misconduct Committee’s report made regarding AAS funding practices, was also suspicious. These are funding practices that have existed for years, and now they are being questioned without any legitimate reason. While some argue that we should give the administration more time to explain these rules and promote dialogue, I would submit that we had ample time to do that dating all the way back to when the first club team was established. I wholeheartedly support Senate’s vote on Monday. We are a representation of the student body and of the people that got us here, and we must not lose sight of that.

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#WAASUP

AAS Senate weekly updates, in 140 characters or fewer

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Arts&Living

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The World, Seen: On Beauty & the Movies

Image courtesy of pegasusnews.com

-FT .JTFSBCMFT DPNCJOBUJPO PG IJHIMZ EFWFMPQFE DIBSBDUFST BOE UIF TVD DFTTGVM DPIFTJPO PG NVMUJQMF QMPUMJOFT QSPWJEFT DPODFQUVBM CFBVUZ ;BDI #MFFNFS Staff Writer Why would a person say that they like a movie? Answers to this question come in two flavors: social and personal. On the one hand, one might say that she likes a movie to try to get other people to go see the movie (e.g. if a family member directed the movie). Or she might say it to prove that she is the kind of person who would like that kind of movie (e.g. if the person is self-conscious about her hipster identity). However, these explanations offer little insight into what about a movie the person likes, but rather largely illuminates what a person wants others to think that she likes. On the other hand, one might say that she likes a movie because there is something about the movie that she appreciates, values or desires to experience another time. This personal liking of the movie might be broken into two broad

categories: liking the movie visually or liking the movie conceptually. Each of these requires some development. Think of Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit.� Although Jackson’s decision to limit the movie to only the first third of the titular novel brought mixed reviews of the movie’s plot and development, the film was lauded for its breathtaking use of New Zealand’s landscapes. One might like “The Hobbit,� then, for nothing more than what I call its resplendence: the look of the things that the movie shows us. This is not to say that there are no other reasons to like “The Hobbit;� nevertheless, the movie’s resplendence would be sufficient reason to express liking. However, there is also a second way to like a movie visually, in liking not what the movie shows, but the way in which the movie shows it. An excellent example of such a movie is Benh Zeitlin’s “Beasts of the Southern Wild,� by far the smallest-budget film nominated for the Academy

Award for Best Picture this year. The movie is set in a ramshackle town deep in the Louisiana bayou, where there is no resplendence to be seen, and yet Zeitlin’s sharp presentation, his quick-moving camera panning over the bayou floor, displays a technical rigor that demands its viewers’ respect. Resplendence might describe what we see in a movie, but artistic mastery describes how we see it. Liking a movie visually might constitute liking the movie’s resplendence, or might constitute liking the movie’s mastery (or even both). A similar division distinguishes two ways to like a movie conceptually. Just as one might like “The Hobbit� for its resplendent views, one might like Wes Anderson’s “Moonrise Kingdom� for the perceived importance or originality of its theme. Anderson is clearly trying to communicate some message through his curious story of childhood love prevailing against the countervailing forces of the adult world, and one might think that this message is really good or true or powerful. In all of these cases, the movie’s concept could be called meaningful, and we might like the movie for giving its meaning to us. Finally, one might like a movie conceptually not for the meaning presented, but for the way in which the movie presents that meaning. Though it also deserves accolades in many of the other categories listed above, Tom Hooper’s “Les Miserables� is a good example of what I call a cohesive movie. Like most of the great plots of 19th century fiction, “Les Miserables� is a carefully constructed story of a small set of highly developed characters, each contributing as well-oiled gears to the greater machinery of the plot. Although the movie comprises two distinct plots — Javert’s hunt for Jean Valjean and the blossoming love of Marius and Cosette — a web of relationships, politics and happenstance intricately ties the two together, and one could never be extricated from the other. This cohesive structure provides the fourth and last ground for liking a movie, exhausting the possi-

bilities of both visual and conceptual experience. There is a surprisingly close parallel between these reasons to like a movie and one’s reasons for liking another person. Just as one might like a movie for its resplendence, one might like a person for his or her looks. The mastery of movies corresponds to a person’s self-presentation, be it fashion sense, cosmetic prowess or general style. To find a movie meaningful is very similar to liking a person’s personality, the Emersonian self that he manifests in their words or actions, be it liking him for his originality, importance, ethic or overarching message. And a movie’s cohesiveness matches closely with a person’s character, the melding of all of his decision mechanisms and beliefs and past experiences into a unified, comprehensive whole. Looks, presentation, personality and character neatly identify those characteristics of a person that one might like, whether the liking is sexual, friendly, respectful or awe-inspired. Note too that one might be talking about any of these four characteristics of people when she calls a person beautiful. A person might be beautiful in sheer looks, in style and presentation, in being the kind of person that you think that people ought to be (original, say, or moral) or in having a perfect balance of character traits, each of which is harmonic with all the others. Calling a person beautiful is, in part, stating that you value them in at least one of these respects. Our experiences with movies may not be as interactive as our experiences with other people, but we value each for just the same reasons. Movies can remind us of the physical resplendence of the world, besiege us with the meaningful and grand ideas of humankind and awe us with technical mastery and conceptual harmony, just as friendship can do the same. To say that you like a movie, then, is but to treat that movie as a fellow person, to value it accordingly and to desire that it be passed on to others, so that they might share in your valuing.

Castle Crashers Will Capture Your Heart

Mike Buckler ’13 Staff Writer

Personally, I find it difficult to select a video game to review. Do I choose the latest and greatest AAA titles? On the one hand, you’ve probably heard of them and are eager to learn more. On the other hand, you’ve almost definitely read a review by a more eloquent, professional and studly reviewer already. Plus, brand new big-name titles are expensive, and I’m a college student. So instead, each game I choose to review is one that I think will surprise you, defying your expectations and treating you to something you’ve not seen before. Of course, they’ve had that very effect on me. One such title is Castle Crashers, a hand-drawn 2-D beat-’em-up. Castle Crashers puts you in control of one of four brightly colored, elemental-themed knights to lay siege on castles and lay waste to the bad guys, and it is set in a quirky world that is never quite what it seems. The Behemoth, the independent developer of Castle Crashers, started as the collaborative duo of programmer Tom Fulp and artist Dan Paladin, who began creating Flash animations and games and worked their way up to their own development studio. As a fully-fledged title, Castle Crashers exceeds its humble roots and impresses with its colorful art style and surprisingly fluid animations. The hand-drawn nature

gives the game charm, yet doesn’t lose any of its slickness or depth. Paladin’s style is relatively simple, but injects tons of humor and personality into every character and setting. The aforementioned colorful knights all brandish oversized weaponry and angry scowls, while their enemies include everything from standard fantasy fare — barbarians, thieves and evil knights — to the outlandish — rain-dancing panda bears, boxing beetles and even aliens. These enemies inhabit all kinds of settings that are just as colorful and captivatingly rendered. Once again, there’s a juxtaposition of standard settings — a battlefield, a forest, a desert — and the bizarre — a knight’s wedding or a ninja-pirate-ship. Little details such as villages in the backgrounds and destructible furniture really bring these settings to life, and you get the impression that there’s more to this world than just the linear levels we’re shown. The soundtrack, which is crisp and professional, perfectly evokes the appropriate feeling for each level, with details such as a chaotic blaring of horns on a battlefield or a dreamy sitar plucking in the desert. The core gameplay in Castle Crashers follows a simple but addictive formula; fighting swarms of enemies, you can alternate melee and magical attacks to chain combos and overcome particular resistances. You start off with a limited number of

techniques and magical abilities, but leveling up unlocks new techniques and allows you to distribute points to improve your health, damage, magic or speed. It’s not a terribly complex or deeply customizable system, but it doesn’t feel like an after-thought to the combat. In fact, it does a very good job of pacing your progress through the game and each new technique feels like your character has actually improved. Each knight has a unique elemental magic that distinguishes him. For instance, the Ice knight can freeze enemies, while the Electric knight can zap a whole chain of them. One disappointment is that even as they advance, the knights are awfully similar to one another, using the same melee techniques and similar magic attacks. On the other hand, the differences feel more pronounced and satisfying when you play with another person and can see each knight’s strengths in action. In fact, the game as a whole is more satisfying with another player — multiplayer is easily its strongest suit. I played the game by myself for a while, but it took on a whole new life when a friend plugged in his controller and joined me. I must note that as an X-Box Live port, the controls are awful without a controller, though intuitive and satisfying with one. The game makes multiplayer easy, as players can join in at any time, and you all play on the same level rather than a split-screen. It’s simply

Image courtesy of www.castlecrashers.com

" IBOE ESBXO % CFBU FN VQ $BTUMF $SBTIFST IBT B TJNQMF BEEJDUJWF GPSNVMB CVU NBOZ PQUJPOT UP FYQMPSF more fun having a friend tossing fireballs and slaying demons with you, showing off maneuvers and having each other’s back. Moreover, having a friend makes it easier to discover the ridiculous amount of unlockable content in the game. In addition to the original four knights, you can unlock up to 24 more characters, each with their own magic and items, as well as over a hundred different weapons, and pets that offer minor bonuses. The collectable aspect really increases the lifespan of the game and offers you more options to play the more often you play. The story in Castle Crashers boils

down to rescuing four kidnapped princesses from the evil wizard (who is even simply named Evil Wizard). A few issues ago, I wrote an article covering the history of narrative and story-telling in games. After writing it, I considered that maybe I should push myself to explore games with greater narrative depth, those that use the medium to pose deep questions in new ways. Yet time and again I find myself treating myself to video game candy. I’ll find that magnum opus of video game storytelling one day, but for now there is the addictive gameplay, captivating artwork and sheer fun of Castle Crashers.

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"SUT -JWJOH 7

Then And Now: A Lasting Relationship -JOETBZ &XJOH Contributing Writer After four years at Amherst, most students leave campus with an education, enduring friendships and an inordinate amount of purple clothing. It’s decidedly less common for a recent graduate to leave with a new sibling — but that’s exactly what Jack Angiolillo ’08 did. During his first year at Amherst, Angiolillo became a Big Brother in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County Program. By the time he left the College, however, it was clear his relationship with his “little brother,� Joe, was only beginning. Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) facilitates one-to-one mentoring relationships between responsible adults and local children. Collegiate volunteers spend between three and five hours each week with a child for at least three semesters of their time at Amherst. From tours of the Amherst fire station to trips to Valentine Hall and BBBS-sponsored events to private chemistry demonstrations in Merrill, Angiolillo and Joe formed a mutually enriching connection. When the two met, Angiolillo was a shy, modest undergraduate and Joe a rambunctious nine-yearold. Eight years later, Angiolillo is a medical student at Columbia Univ. Joe is 17, a junior in high school receiving honor grades in Advanced Placement classes and taking a Japanese course at Amherst College. The two still talk weekly and see each

Image courtesy of +BDL "OHJPMJMMP

5ISPVHI 4LZQF CVT UJDLFUT BOE QIPOF DBMMT +BDL "OHJPMJMMP A BOE +PF IBWF NBJO UBJOFE B #JH #SPUIFS GSJFOETIJQ UIBU IBT CFOFm UFE CPUI UIFJS MJWFT other three to four times each year. While “bigsâ€? often exceed the three semester minimum when volunteering with BBBS, it is rare that big-little relationships survive graduations, or, in Angiolillo’s case, years studying in Germany and a move to a different state. Despite these obstacles, through Skype, bus tickets and phone calls, the two have stayed close. “I don’t think Jack expected to get quite so attached,â€? remarked Ruth Harms, the Hampshire County BBBS Case Management Supervisor. “They are lifelong friends. I have no doubt about that.â€? In regard to the duration of their bond Jack said simply, “If there is not a huge problem‌in any part-

nership in my life‌it is hard for me to contemplate any reason for a relationship to come to an end.â€? The bond between Angiolillo and Joe had life-changing implications for both parties. Deb, Joe’s mother, saw a noticeable transformation in her son — socially and emotionally. “At the end of Jack’s graduation, Joe, then a struggling sixth grader, turned to me and announced he wanted to go to Amherst College,â€? she shared. “Through the next couple of years he worked his way out of Special Education services and remedial reading and writing support, always with Jack’s constant support and encouragement. When he entered Amherst Regional High

Five College Events Thursday, February 7

“Jazz Composers,� UMass, 8:00 p.m. Works by Graduate Composition/Arranging majors Emily Duff, Ben Falkoff, Kevin Grudecki, Micah Maurio, Jeff Schneider and Jared Trace performed by Graduate Chamber Jazz Ensemble & Jazz Ensemble I. Bezanson Recital Hall. “Five-College Photography Exhibit,� Smith College, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. This show contains work from Five College upper-level photography students and the UMass graduate program. Opening on Feb. 5, the exhibit will feature a lecture by Thomas Roma at 5:30 p.m. in Graham Hall.

Friday, February 8

“Upright Citizens Brigade Touring Com-

pany,� UMass, 8:00 p.m. and 10 p.m. From the improv theatre that brought you comedy greats Amy Poehler, Rob Corddry, and Ed Helms. All seats $20; Five College, GCC, STCC and 17 and under $10. For tickets call 545-2511, toll-free at 800-999-UMAS or purchase online at www. fineartscenter.com. “Distinguished Lecture by Dr. Nicholas Penny,� Amherst College, 4:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m. Dr. Nicholas Penny, director of the London National Gallery, will deliver the lecture “How Museums Influence Artists: Some Curious Examples� in Pruyne Lecture Hall, followed by a reception at the Mead Art Museum. by Annalise Nurme ’15

School he was able to sign up for Honor courses. As a single mom, having an active male role model in my son’s life has made an immeasurable difference.� “[Jack] is a very kind person who really cares about my future and pushes me to be the best I can be,� Joe said. “He is very giving of his time and money for this reason. He himself is a very hard working student of medicine who is very devoted to his studies, yet still has time for me.� Joe also contributed much to Angiolillo’s life, challenging him with endless questions, boundless energy and a desire to bring others together. “My ability to make connections and pick up on people’s

sensitivities came in large part from my experience with Joe and Big Brothers Big Sisters,� Angiolillo reflected. Today, Angiolillo continues to apply these skills to his schooling and new community projects. He started a program called Young Docs that operates three to four times each semester, where Columbia Univ. medical students travel to local schools and educate children about the medical professions. He feels strongly that anyone and everyone can benefit from community engagement. “People don’t have enough faith that they are going to help,� he said. “Just start small and build up incrementally. Everybody involved can always be bettered.� After all, to leave college with new little brother and an improved self is far more lasting than a purple hoodie or a dusty collection of posters and dorm room furniture. If you are interested in becoming involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters at Amherst, contact one of the BBBS partnership Community Engagement Leaders to find out more about info sessions: Gina Gringelberg ’13 (ggringelberg13@amherst. edu) or Lindsay Gruskay ’13 (lgruskay13@amherst.edu). If your team has recently completed a community engagement event, contact Lindsay Ewing ’15 at lewing15@amherst.edu to share your story and lead others to get involved.

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When Terror and Torture Cross Paths

+BLF 8BMUFST Staff Writer

In the past few months, much has been written about “Zero Dark Thirty,� Kathryn Bigelow’s dramatization of the hunt for Osama bin Laden through the eyes of fictional CIA officer Maya (Jessica Chastain). By a wide margin, it’s the best-reviewed film in what was generally a pretty good year for films. It’s been praised as a more than worthy follow-up to director Bigelow’s and screenwriter Mark Boal’s Oscar-winning previous release, “The Hurt Locker,� and

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Thirty� is unfortunate not because the film’s depiction of torture isn’t worth discussing, but because it grossly oversimplifies the issue in a way the film does not. The film does depict several instances of grisly torture inflicted by the U.S. government on an individual believed to hold ties to Osama bin Laden, which many assume implies an endorsement of U.S. actions. It seems to me that the individuals in question aren’t comfortable admitting that U.S. operatives likely did engage in torture and that this may very well have led to useful information in the hunt for bin Laden. They don’t want to believe that torture can procure useful evidence or that the U.S. would engage in such actions. This isn’t to say that torture is necessarily the most efficient means of procuring information

for the film’s capacity to raise discussion. Had it been any other film, I likely wouldn’t have cared. However, “Zero Dark Thirty� is a film of uncommon intelligence that serves above all else to raise questions and leave the viewers to decide the answer for themselves. It is ruthlessly complex, yet shockingly straightforward; stark, yet full of life; immediate, yet distant; elusive, yet obvious; and unnerving, yet all too comfortable in an age of desensitized violence in fictional media and 24-hour media coverage of real-world events. This mass of contradictions doesn’t really do justice to a film as deceptive as Bigelow’s portrait of war and the men and women who fight them, and no one word or person really could do justice to it. That is the point, without which the film would lose

Directed by Kathryn Bigelow Written by Mark Boal Starring: Jessica Chastain, Joel Edgerton and Chris Pratt

was at one point all but assured to win throughout the year’s round of awards. “Zero Dark Thirty� deftly raises questions about the morality of torture and its use in the War on Terror, leading many to consider it the preeminent docu-drama on America’s role in the global sphere. Whatever your opinion about that may be, the film deals with weighty material, and more than one person has claimed that “Zero Dark Thirty� will stand the test of history as a companion piece to the numerous books, documentaries and journal articles written about America’s involvement in the Middle East. However, the film has also been the victim of some unfortunately simplistic but pressing complaints about its treatment of torture. Perhaps due to these complaints, it’s rapidly fallen off the Academy’s list of favorites. Kathryn Bigelow was robbed of a deserving Best Director nod — the last film to win Best Picture without a director nomination was released in 1989. That, added to the fact that “Zero Dark Thirty� hasn’t gone on to win any other major award so far this year, all but spells defeat for the movie. “Zero Dark Thirty� is a controversial film, and that’s likely exactly what it wants to be; while the largest outcry against the film is simplistic and poorly informed, this film more than any other this year is one that merits careful attention and debate. People should feel uncomfortable about “Zero Dark Thirty� precisely because the material it depicts is uncomfortable. However, that doesn’t make it a bad film; it is exactly why the film is both important and memorable. The discussion surrounding “Zero Dark

Image courtesy of http://collider.com/

#JHFMPX T BNCJWBMFOU QPSUSBZBM PG UPSUVSF JO i;FSP %BSL 5IJSUZw IBT HBS OFSFE GFSWFOU DSJUJDJTN UIBU NBZ IBWF DPTU UIF mMN )PMMZXPPE BDDPMBEFT — however, it very well could have led to information, something the film depicts starkly, brutally and perhaps all too honestly. The question, to these people, seems simply to be whether torture can lead to useful information, and not the more pertinent and difficult question that the film raises but which few viewers are debating: whether that information, even if useful, is worth procuring and using if it means having to engage in torture in the first place. It’s almost heresy to directly state that killing Osama bin Laden wasn’t a total and complete good for the world, but this really is an important question that needs to be asked. If killing a mass murderer requires engaging in morally questionable acts, are the ends worth the means? It is a difficult question with no easy answers, and one which the film does not avoid. I have devoted much time to the complaints raised against the film — not out of respect for those complaints, but out of respect

its mystery. It is a film that exists to promote discussion, not to make a statement. Bigelow knows this too, letting the material speak for itself and purposefully hyper-realizing it by straying away from cinematic tricks and flashy cinematography. Above all, this is what lends the film an almost documentary-like feel, and it is what makes the film both enrapturing and difficult to sit through. Even when Bigelow resorts to bolder techniques, she always presents them in a manner that is contradictory to our expectations. Take, for example, the film’s treatment of the climactic events of the night of May 2, 2011, when a group of US soldiers stormed a compound they believed could hold their target and shot a person whom they believed to be Osama bin Laden. The scene is shockingly subdued and silent when most filmmakers would present it with all the bombast they could muster. Bigelow never gives us any one character to truly connect to or

follow and keeps us at an arm’s length. Simultaneously, she paints the scene in the green light of night vision, the vision of the soldiers themselves, and frequently cuts to first person viewpoints of the mostly nameless soldiers, thereby giving us the personal view of a stranger who doesn’t understand exactly what he’s going to

“

“Zero Dark Thirty� is a film of uncommon intelligence.

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find. Of course, we do, and that’s what makes it all the more unnerving. The scene takes its time but unfolds with almost ruthless efficiency, and Bigelow’s ability to throw us into the mix through first person shots while still keeping us at arm’s length gives the film a unique and uncompromising feel. I would say fascinating, but that sounds almost too intellectual and doesn’t quite capture the immediate punch to the gut that the film gives us despite its quiet, somber nature. It captures that feeling of, “So what now?� all too well, recalling the 10 years which millions of people spent wondering, actively or passively, what happened to the man who bombed the World Trade Center, as well as the mixed emotions of realizing there was no more looking and coming to terms with whether anything had truly been accomplished over those ten years. No scene epitomizes this feeling more than the final shot of Maya waiting on a plane after the raid and being asked, “Where do you want to go now?� In one of the finest reaction shots ever committed to celluloid she gives us too many emotions to list, encapsulating 10 years of searching now gone and no foreseeable future and leaving us wondering that exact under- yet overwhelming feeling of, “So what now?� For all its grand ambitions, “Zero Dark Thirty� is Maya’s story as much as it is the story of the hunt for Bin Laden, and in the final scene we realize that, to her, there is little difference between these two. “Zero Dark Thirty� harrowingly raises many questions about the effectiveness and ethical nature of the distinctive U.S. brand of counter-terrorism. Above all, however, the question it most profoundly leaves us with is what it is like to spend ten years of your life with only one goal when that goal is to find and kill a man, regardless of his past actions. Is “Zero Dark Thirty,� as many have claimed, fascist? Is it the best film of the year? Or is both? Perhaps that’s not for me to say. The simple answer, though, and the most important one, is that you should watch it and decide for yourself.

Comic by &JSFOF 8BOH

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Sports 9

Surf & Turf

Swimming Men

Men

The men’s swimming and diving team competed at the Middlebury Invitational last weekend, posting strong showings as they gear up for championship meets in the coming weeks. Led by

weekend marked by several stellar individual performances.

primed for a run at the NESCAC championship — a title that in recent years has remained just out of reach and in the possession of nemesis Williams. On top of winning the 200 IM in 1:56.13, back (51.87) and the 400 medley relay (3:32.04).

Track

its only NESCAC competitor in the event, Trinity, by a decisive 44 points. It was Matt Melton ’14 who stole the show in the short more than two seconds ahead of his closest competitor.

Sholtis ’15, who won the 100 free in 46.96, and took home the 800-meter event with sophomore Matt Woop ’15 coming in third. But the meter run, where Andrew Erskine ’13 and dive. Colin White ’14 (489.95), Asher Lichtig ’16 (486.05) and Mark Idleman ’15 (483.65), who First-year swimming Rishi Kowalski won three events at the Middlebury Invitational, the 200 IM, the 200 back and the 400 medley relay.

.JEEMFCVSZ Invitational Women (7-1): Individual Results Men (6-2): Individual Results

Top Finishers

season and an important piece in the overall team’s success, securing vital diving points that add to the team’s cumulative score. After a busy Friday night and Saturday at Middlebury, the men’s team had little time to rest, with the Pride in a dual meet. Wrapping up its regular season with its sixth win of the season, the

Connor Sholtis ’15 Rishi Kowalski ’16 Sam Stewart ’16 Matt Heise ’16 Colin White ’14

Women 100 back 200 back

Sabrina Lee ’15 Lee Stevens ’16

Next Meet NESCAC Championship @ Bowdoin

pack. Next weekend will be a big one for the the Valentine Classic at Boston Univ. and the Tufts Invitational, both taking place on Saturday, Feb. 9.

Women While it was a solid weekend for the men, it was a downright exceptional weekend for the

Women

Naomi Bates ’14 led the Lady Jeffs, winning three individual events, the 60-meter dash, 200-meter dash and long jump.

Springfield Invitational II Men and Women Top Finishers

Not to be outdone by their male counterparts, the women’s swimming and diving team also excelled over the weekend, topping Springclosest competitor. Not surprisingly, senior 7-1 after competing in the women’s half of the Middlebury Invitational. The women, who also

Men 100 free 200 IM, 200 back 100 back 200 back 1-m dive

in the Distance Medley, where Woop, Melton,

seem to be hitting their stride as they prepare for their championship meets. At Middlebury, Lulu Belak ’14 swam on three winning relay teams (200, 400 and 800 free) and also took third individually in the 100 free. Sabrina Lee ’15, who swam on two of Belak’s winning relay teams, also took home gold Stevens won the 200 back in a time of 2:12.30. On the board, junior Lizzy Linsmayer continued to shine, winning the 1-meter dive with a score of 468.65. Both the men’s and women’s teams return to the pool on Feb. 15-17 at Bowdoin for the NESCAC Championships. — Emmett Knowlton ’15

tory, posting the nation’s fourth-lowest time of the year en route to a win in the 5000-meter event. Perhaps even more impressive, however, was the performance of Naomi Bates ’14, who won three events: the 60-meter dash, the 200-meter dash and the long jump, where she managed to break her own school record. were Lauren Almeida ’13 in the 800-meter dash, Sarah Daly ’13 in the 3000-meter event, distance medley team (Almeida, Amy Dao ’14, Sarah Foster ’16 and Betsy Black ’16).

Men 500 800 3000

Matt Melton ’14 Romey Sklar ’15 Andrew Erskine ’13

Women 5000 60, 200 long jump

Keri Lambert ’13 Naomi Bates ’14

Next Meet Valentine Invitational @ Boston Univ.

tum into next weekend’s meets at Boston Univ. and Tufts. — Karl Greenblatt ’15

Women’s Hockey Tops Williams At Pink in the Rink Maggie Law ’14 Staff Writer The atmosphere was electric in Orr Rink on Saturday afternoon as the Amherst Women’s Hockey team topped Williams, 4-2, in the team’s inaugural Pink in the Rink game to raise money for the fight against breast cancer. The Jeffs scored a decisive victory on Friday evening as well, downing the Ephs, 7-2. The weekend sweep marked Amherst’s 14th consecutive win against their rival. Amherst (10-7-1, 8-3-1 NESCAC) had an explosive first period on Friday night, tallying their first goal just four minutes into the game on close-range shot from Anne Gillard ’15. Five minutes later, sophomore Tori Salmon gave the Jeffs a twogoal lead on an unassisted goal from the outside. The Jeffs kept up the pressure on a power-play opportunity just two minutes after Salmon’s goal as Megan Doyen ’13 finished off a shot from fellow captain Geneva Lloyd ’13 to put Amherst ahead, 3-0. The goal marked Doyen’s ninth of the year and Lloyd’s 11th assist. With 4:31 left to play in the first, Gillard rounded out the Jeff ’s explosive opening with her second goal of the night and third of the year. A breakaway attempt from Salmon was saved by Eph goalie Chloe Billadeau ’15, but sophomore Madeline Tank took advantage of the rebound to find Gillard in close range. Billadeau stalled the Jeffs in the opening minutes of the sec-

ond period with several impressive saves, but a slap shot from Barrett McBride ’14 gave Amherst a comfortable 5-0 lead with 13 minutes left in the frame. With just over a minute remaining in the second, Emily Flom ’15 added her fourth goal of the year on an unassisted dangle from the left side. Amherst entered the third with a six-goal advantage, but Williams managed to score on a power play in the first two minutes to end the shutout. Trying to regain momentum, the Ephs added another power play goal with just over three minutes left in the game to cut the Jeffs’ lead to four. Amherst had the last word, however, as Lloyd tallied a power-play goal with help from Salmon with just 1:17 remaining. The goal marked Lloyd’s 10th of the season and Salmon’s 14th assist, each topping the list in their respective stats. Salmon’s helper capped off a four-point performance on the night, as the sophomore finished with one goal and three assists. Kerri Stuart ’14 had an impressive night in goal, stopping 24 shots in the Jeffs’ decisive 7-2 victory. On Saturday afternoon Amherst kicked off its first-ever Pink in the Rink game to support the fight against breast cancer, raising more than $1,500 for the American Cancer Society through a raffle, bake sale and other donations. The Jeffs showed their support with pink tape, pink laces and even pink hair ties as they brought down rival Williams, 4-2, to complete the weekend sweep. Amherst came out strong again in the first period, notching

back-to-back short-handed goals within two minutes of each other. Courtney Baranek ’14 struck first on the heels of a Williams 5-on-3, picking off a pass for an unassisted breakaway goal. Two minutes later the Jeffs were down another skater, but a fast-paced give-and-go from Lloyd and McBride gave the home team a two-goal lead and Lloyd her 11th goal of the season. Entering the second period on a power play, the Jeffs capitalized on the opportunity just 48 seconds into the frame with their third goal of the contest. Lloyd started the play by sending one in to Salmon on the left post, who then fired a quick pass to Doyen to help her notch the game-winner. Williams broke the shutout at the 11:15 mark with a goal from Samantha Cutts ’15 to stay within striking distance. The Ephs looked threatening to start third period, eventually drawing within one with just over eight minutes remaining. Looking for an equalizer, Williams pulled goalie Rachel Nguyen ’14 with 1:18 left in the game, but an empty-net goal from Baranek solidified the Amherst victory. The Jeffs are now tied with No. 8-ranked Bowdoin for second in the NESCAC league, following behind No. 6-ranked Middlebury. On Wednesday, Amherst will seek revenge against No. 4 Norwich at home in a rare mid-week, non-conference match-up. When the two teams met in January, Norwich pulled away with a close 2-1 win. Start time is set for 7 p.m. in Orr Rink.

10 Sports

5IF "NIFSTU 4UVEFOU t 'FCSVBSZ

Schedule

WEDNESDAY Women’s Squash @ Mt. Holyoke, 6 p.m. Women’s Hockey vs. Norwich, 7 p.m. FRIDAY Women’s Track & Field Valentine Invitational (@ Boston Univ.), 2:30 p.m. Men’s Basketball @ Williams, 6 p.m. Men’s Hockey @ Tufts, 7 p.m. Women’s Basketball @ Williams, 8 p.m. Men’s & Women’s Squash Div. III Invitational (@ Bowdoin, Day 1 of 3), TBD

SATURDAY Men’s Track & Field Valentine Invitational (@ Boston Univ.), 11 a.m. Men’s & Women’s Track & Field @ Tufts Invitational, 11 a.m. Men’s Basketball @ Middlebury, 2 p.m. Men’s Hockey @ Conn. College, 3 p.m. Women’s Basketball @ Middlebury, 4 p.m. Women’s Hockey @ Trinity, 7 p.m. SUNDAY Women’s Hockey @ Trinity, 3 p.m.

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Alejandro Sucre ’13 achieved every collegiate soccer player’s dream a fortnight ago when the Vancouver Whitecaps selected him with the 67th overall pick in the MLS draft. In 2011, Sucre was an All-NESCAC and second team All-New England pick, grabbing the attention of scouts and raising the possibility of a professional career. When an ankle injury sidelined him after just nine games this fall, his dream looked to be in jeopardy, but the Venezuelan native never lost hope. For now, Sucre is focusing on the rehab of his ankle, hoping to return to 100 percent by May. —Karl Greenblatt

Game of the Week WOMEN’S BASKETBALL @ WILLIAMS When and Where: Friday, Feb. 8 Williams 8 p.m. Thus far, there has been little that the women’s basketball team hasn’t been able to accomplish. The Lady Jeffs are a staggering 22-0 and 8-0 in NESCAC play, and their most recent win proved them to be the real deal. Facing previously undefeated, fifth-ranked Tufts, the Lady Jeffs got a double-double from sophomore Megan Robertson and a clutch late three from Marcia Voigt ’13.

That was enough: the Amherst squad claimed sole possession of first place in the NESCAC with a 54-48 win. The No. 4 Lady Jeffs are now only the third undefeated team in the nation along with No. 1 DePauw and No. 8 Montclair State. The Ephs, too, have had a strong season: they are 18-4 overall and 7-1 in the NESCAC (the one loss coming to Amherst in a close game on Jan. 23). The Ephs, who have won two in a row on the road, have been led by Claire Baecher, who averages 12.5 points and nearly seven rebounds a game. Seeing the Jeffs for the second time, the Ephs will know what they’re in for, but count on the Jeffs to rise to the occasion. —Karl Greenblatt ‘15

For the second time this season, basketball standout Megan Robertson ’15 was named the NESCAC Player of the Week, adding to the sophomore’s already impressive list of accolades. Robertson notched two double-doubles in the Lady Jeffs’ three NESCAC wins, the first of which saw her shred Bates for 18 points and 12 boards. Against previously undefeated Tufts, Robertson scored 13, grabbed 10 rebounds and added four blocks as her team cemented the No. 1 spot in the NESCAC with a 54-48 win. This season, Robertson averages 12 points and nine rebounds a game. —Karl Greenblatt ’15

Men’s Hockey Wins, Ties in Two Maine Match-Ups After Stunning Bowdoin, Jeffs Collapse at Colby

#SFOUPO "SOBCPMEJ Staff Writer Propelled by an early four-goal outburst and a virtuoso 37-save performance from goaltender Nathan Corey ’13, the men’s hockey team skated to an impressive 6-3 win at Bowdoin last Friday. The Jeffs (12-5-3, 8-4-2 NESCAC, No. 11 in the country) matched a season-high by scoring six goals against the No. 2 Polar Bears (17-2-1, 11-2-1 NESCAC). In an extreme turn of events, however, the Jeffs followed the statement win at Bowdoin with a disappointing 3-3 tie at Colby (4-13-3, 2-10-2 NESCAC). The Jeffs squandered a 3-0 lead in the third period, blowing an opportunity to grab two points in the tight race for NESCAC playoff positioning. Despite the collapse at Colby, players and coaches were optimistic heading into the final two weeks of the regular season. Although the talentladen Jeffs have struggled with erratic play this season, the road victory over top-seeded Bowdoin has strengthened the team’s confidence in its quest to recapture the NESCAC trophy. “We’ve won some nice road games (Bowdoin, Plattsburgh, Middlebury) in rinks where it isn’t easy to win,� head coach Jack Arena said. “I like the fact that we are comfortable in and competitively tough enough to succeed in those situations.� “We continue to work on improving every day and have shown we have much to work with,� Arena said. “Different teams gel at different times and I think we’re getting close.� “It’s certainly frustrating, but we’re not that far off from being where we want to be going into playoffs,� co-captain Brandon Hew ’13 said. The Jeffs skated to a flying start at Bowdoin, netting four goals in the first period to silence the raucous crowd of 1,750. Amherst took a 1-0 lead 3:30 into the game, as co-captain Mike Moher ’13 flipped the puck over the goaltender’s shoulder just outside the crease. Less than five minutes later, the Jeffs doubled their advantage to 2-0 on their first power-play opportunity. Mike Rowbotham ’15 slid a pass across to slot to Elliot Bostrom, who buried the one-timer against the left post. After the Polar Bears scored a power-play tally of their own (off a deflection), the Jeffs restored their two-goal cushion after a fantastic individual effort from Conor Brown ’16. The first-year for-

ward sped past a Bowdoin defender on the left side before cutting into the slot and ripping a wrist shot into the upper-left corner with 2:40 remaining in the first period. Amherst capped the firstperiod scoring barrage with a Nick Brunette ’13 rebound goal with 55 seconds on the clock. Bowdoin goaltender Steve Messina was yanked after allowing four goals on just seven shots. On the other end of the ice, Amherst goaltender Nathan Corey delivered a spectacular performance between the pipes, stopping 37 of 40 shots to anchor the Jeffs to victory. “Corey played probably his best game of the year on Friday. There were some highlight-reel saves made at crucial times,� Hew said. “If one of those goes in, it could have been a completely different game.� “I’d say without a doubt that Corey was our best player. Not only did he make a lot of great saves, but he made big saves at key moments and Bowdoin couldn’t seem to solve him,� Moher said. After Bowdoin cut the lead to 4-2 in the second period, the Jeffs wasted no time in the third period, as Brown scored his second goal just 15 seconds after the opening faceoff to put Amherst ahead 5-2. The Polar Bears closed the gap to 5-3 with 2:50 remaining, but Rowbotham iced the result with an empty-net goal. The Polar Bears outshot Amherst by a 40-24 margin, as Bowdoin’s dangerous attack forced the Jeffs to adopt a defensive mindset in the later stages of the contest. “We played very disciplined defensively and capitalized on our opportunities offensively,� Hew said. “They generated a lot of shots, but Nate stood on his head and made numerous clutch saves.� After a resounding win over Bowdoin, the Jeffs stumbled to a 3-3 tie at Colby. Amherst opened a 3-0 lead after two periods — despite mustering only 13 shots — but the Mules exploded for three goals in a 3:15 span to stun the Jeffs. For most of the afternoon, the Jeffs appeared to be cruising to a comfortable — if uninspiring — victory. Brown continued his torrid scoring streak, netting two more goals to give the Jeffs a 2-0 lead by the 4:30 mark of the second period. Amherst’s top line of Brown, Moher and Johnny Van Siclen ’13 factored into four of the team’s six even-strength goals this weekend. “He’s an easy guy to play with because he’s a big kid that skates very well,� Moher said about Brown. “His goals came in variety, beating guys

with speed or going to the high traffic areas to score; he’s a versatile player.� “Getting four goals is obviously a good weekend statistically, but I thought he along with his line mates really created some quality, sustained offensive pressure throughout the weekend,� Hew said. Brian Safstrom ’14 stretched the lead to 3-0 off an assist from Rowbotham at the 5:50 mark of the second period, as the Jeffs seemed to have full control over proceedings. The Mules, however, rallied in stunning fashion in the third period, scoring two goals in a span of five seconds (at 6:22 and 6:27) to wrestle control of momentum. Three minutes later, Colby’s Spike Smigelski scored his second deflection goal of the game to knot the contest at 3-3, forcing Arena to use his lone timeout to stem the bleeding. “We weren’t playing that well in the first or second against Colby but managed to finish some opportunities and grab a three goal lead,� Moher said. “To let a three goal lead slip away, especially

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on the road, should never happen.� “To say the third period was a disappointment is an understatement. They got a lucky bounce on their first goal, and then gained some momentum scoring the second right after that,� Hew said. “But either way, we should have been able to weather the storm and get the game going back in our favor.� The third-period meltdown at Colby underscored several disturbing trends plaguing Amherst this season. Since coming back from interterm, the Jeffs have played considerably worse in the second leg of weekend doubleheaders. Over the past three NESCAC weekends, the Jeffs have outscored opponents 15-6 in Friday contests, but have a negative goal differential (9-12) in Saturday games. “Our lackluster Saturdays are definitely not coincidence. It is worrisome, but it’s not a talent issue,� Hew said. “We just need to work on being more consistent in our energy, compete level and sense of urgency.� The Jeffs have also struggled tremendously in the third period this season. While Amherst has excelled in first and second periods (outscoring NESCAC foes 18-6 and 14-9), the Jeffs have generally floundered in the final 20 minutes, getting outscored 13-7 in the third period. “We need to be better in the third no doubt,� Hew said. “But we have a lot of guys who have experience playing in important situations in big games. So it’s nothing new to us. It just comes back to the consistency issue: bearing down, making good, smart plays, and having the sense of urgency to bury teams when we have them down. Looking ahead, the Jeffs will hit the road again this weekend, facing Tufts (1-11-2) on Friday and Conn. College (3-8-3) on Saturday. While the games look like easy wins on paper, the Jeffs realize — particularly after last weekend — that they cannot afford to underestimate any NESCAC opponent. With four regular season games left on the calendar, the Jeffs currently sit in fifth place in the NESCAC standings, sniping at the heels of Trinity (8-3-3), Williams (9-3-2) and Middlebury (9-3-2). The top four teams receive home-ice advantage in the NESCAC quarterfinals. Given the steep drop-off in the NESCAC standings below the top five (Wesleyan is in sixth place at 5-6-3), the Jeffs have extra incentive to secure a top-three finish before the playoffs begin.

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Lord Jeffs Basketball Tops Bates, Tufts

7BSVO *ZFOHBS Sports Section Editor

In the midst of an 11-game winning streak, the men’s basketball team certainly had a target on their back coming into this week. Since suffering their second loss of the season on Dec. 4, the Jeffs have been practically untouchable, inviting the extra attention of opponents seeking a big upset. Yet, Amherst has not been deterred, beating their opponents by an average of 16.5 points per game en route to one of the most impressive stretches in program history. Looking to build on this success, the Jeffs were back in action this week, and with three wins in as many games, were able to keep their winning streak alive. Amherst began the week traveling to Rhode Island College for a non-conference battle on Tuesday night. The No. 18-ranked Anchormen had suffered only two losses on the season and were looking for a statement win against a top tier opponent. However, the upset was not to be. Behind a career-high tying 34 points from junior Aaron Toomey, the Jeffs managed to hold off a scrappy Rhode Island squad, pulling away in the last few minutes of regulation for a 74-65 victory. Catching fire in the second half, Toomey made nearly all the big plays for Amherst on this night, scoring 20 of his points in the second half. Every bucket was hugely important, as Rhode Island refused to go away, keeping the game close till the very end. With Amherst nursing a three point lead with under three minutes to play, it was Toomey who connected on a clutch jumper, before icing the game with four free throws down the stretch. He finished the contest 9-for-12 from the field, including an incredible five-for-six from distance, also contributing eight rebounds and a pair of assists. After a couple days off, the Jeffs faced an important back-to-back set over the weekend. Hosting two conference opponents, Bates on Saturday and Tufts on Sunday, the Jeffs were looking to stay undefeated in NESCAC play and keep pace with highly-ranked Williams and Middlebury. Seemingly at home in LeFrak Gymnasium, Bates got off to a torrid start, scoring on seven of their first nine possessions to jump out to a 15-4 lead. The hot shooting would not last, however, as the Bobcats soon lost their touch, succumbing to a three-minute scoreless drought that brought the Jeffs back into the contest. Behind a Toomey trey with 7:46 to play in the half, Amherst finally took their first lead of the game at 25-23. Unable to stretch that lead much further, Amherst was caught in a backand-forth affair until halftime with Bates taking a one-

point advantage into the intermission, 38-37. Following the break, Amherst finally gained some traction with a pair of big runs. A 17-9 burst near the beginning of the half gave the Jeffs a slight edge, but the Bobcats did not go away, fighting back to retake a 58-57 advantage. However, that was the last lead Bates would get. Amherst responded with a 12-0 run and never looked back, running away with the contest down the stretch to win, 86-69. On the evening, Amherst was again led by an impressive performance from Toomey, who shot lightsout en route to a game-high 27 points, in addition to five assists and four rebounds. Willy Workman ’13 chipped in 18 as well and, with those points, became the 26th player in program history to reach the 1,000-point plateau for his collegiate career. However, even with the big victory and personal accolade, any celebration would have to be put on hold, as Jeffs returned to action the following afternoon against Tufts. Once again, this contest would prove to be a hardfought battle. Although the Jeffs had chances to pull away, the Jumbos would not relent, finding an answer for every Amherst push. Facing an 11-point deficit in the second half, a 15-6 Tufts run quickly flipped the momentum around, setting the stage for another close finish. This time turning to Peter Kaasila ’13, Amherst managed to pull away, as the big man scoring seven consecutive points to give the Jeffs a little cushion. Coupled with a Toomey jumper, the Purple & White finally stretched their lead to a comfortable margin, squeezing out a 100-89 win. With another spectacular performance, Toomey led the Jeffs in scoring for the third consecutive game. The guard put together a line of 27 points, seven assists, six rebounds and five steals, outclassing the Jumbos on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. However, equally impressive on the afternoon was Kaasila, who turned in a career-high 26 points on 11-of-13 shooting. He controlled the interior for the Jeffs, staking the team to a 48-42 points-in-the-paint advantage, a big factor in the victory. With three more wins under their belt, Amherst’s record now sits at 20-2 (8-0 NESCAC). The team has stretched their winning streak to 14 games. That momentum will be vitally important, as the Jeffs finish out their regular season this coming weekend. Playing away at Williams and Middlebury, these will likely be the two toughest games of the year. With NESCAC seeding on the line, these games have huge playoff implications and will be a true test of how well the Jeffs stack up against the best competition in the conference.

Men’s, Women’s Squash Take Fifth at NESCAC Tournament

"OESFX ,VS[XFJM Senior Staff Writer

The men’s and women’s squash teams both went 3-1 on the weekend to finish fifth at the NESCAC Championships. For the men, who came in seeded seventh in the conference, it was an impressive finish that included upsets of Wesleyan and Bowdoin. For the women, it was an expected result as they were seeded fifth in the NESCAC coming into the tournament. While the women did not play on Friday night, the men began their tournament with a 7-2 defeat over Conn. College, an easier affair than the teams’ previous matchup that the Jeffs squeaked out, 5-4. The following day, both the men’s and women’s teams fell. The men, facing No. 2-ranked Williams, were swept 9-0 while the women, facing No. 4-ranked Bates, fell 8-1. First-year sensation Taryn Clary continuted her impressive rookie season, tallying the only win for her team. Both teams were able to regroup in the consolation round. The fifth-seeded women, who beat Hamilton 8-1 in the regular season, easily handled the eight-seeded Continentals 7-2 to advance to the fifth/sixth place match. The men, who had previously fallen twice to Wesleyan in the regular season, recorded their marquee win of the season by defeating Wesleyan 5-4 in a hotly contested match. Noah Browne’ 16 pulled out a much needed win at no. 1 for the Jeffs. Alex Southmayd ’15, Max Kardon ’15, Steve Cacouris ’16 and Jake Albert ’15 all tallied victories as well. Scott DeSantis ’15 was “elated” with the victory and

called it the “best win of the season.” Captain Nick Sorrentino ’13 agreed. “This weekend was a great success for us,” he said. The men and women kept it rolling in their respective fifth-place matches on Sunday. The men upset fifth-ranked Bowdoin 7-2 to take fifth in the conference, especially noteworthy as the Polar Bears had previously defeated the Jeffs 8-1 in the regular season. The women downed Wesleyan, 8-1, to finish fifth as well. “This past weekend, we had a good showing at NESCAC’s, finishing fifth, which is what we were ranked entering into the tournament,” captain Mary Katherine McNeill ’13 said. “After suffering a tough loss to Bates in the quarterfinals, we had two solid wins over Hamilton and Wesleyan who are ranked only a few spots below us.” The teams next will compete in the Div. III Invitational at Bowdoin. It will be a high level as play as each Div. III team sends their three top players to the tournament. For the Jeffs, Browne, captain Charles Loesch-Quentin ’13 and DeSantis will represent the men’s team while Chandler Lusardi ’13, Anne Piper ’13 and Arielle Lehman ’15 will travel for the women. Closing out the season, both teams will compete in their respective national postseason tournaments. “We are looking forward to training over the next two weeks for the final national tournament, and we believe our success will carry over from this NESCAC success and lead us to further success there,” Sorrentino said. McNeill also sounds confident heading into the postseason. “We’re looking to continue to improve our ranking,” she said.

Sports 11

An American Love Story 'PVM 5SPVCMF (BMFO .VTLBU In a year in which violence in American society has come under much scrutiny, Galen examines the role of violence in football at all levels, and asks whether it’s time for a cultural overhaul.

There’s a history of non-violence in my family: my paternal grandfather grew up in a quaker household, my parents put the kibosh on arguments between me and my brother before they were anywhere near physical and contact sports — excluding elementary school basketball and the physicality that sometimes accompanies it (i.e., when one kid trips over another) — were never allowed. This sat well with me, and I learned to love baseball, cross country running and Nordic skiing, but there was a brief period when I wanted to play high school football. Admittedly, I think it was only because the football players were the “pretty ones” who attracted all the girls. On some level, I hoped, in the early throes of high school, to have a girlfriend as a distraction from my problems of fitting in with the other guys who all bonded over Sunday NFL games. But once I found an outlet in running, my hopes of playing football went down in history merely as a week-long series of dinner table conversations with my parents that always ended in, “no!” And I’m glad it was so. I think about the violence in our culture — guns, war-based video games and Ultimate Fighting, to name a few — and understand why the NFL is so popular. Many of the fans out there aren’t interested in supporting their home team or enjoying the play-making aspects of the game; they want to see guys pummeling one another. Helmets pop off (true, they have chin straps, but, let’s be honest, how often do receivers actually buckle them?); arms break (think Patriots’ tight end Gronkowski) and knees explode (the winces that the injury scene in Friday Night Lights elicit from me are worse than those directed at my own pain). 220-pound quarterbacks are driven into the earth by 350-pound lineman (the skewed matchup, which we love, isn’t remotely fair when you classify it in terms of weight class, as in boxing or wrestling). As I read the sports section of the paper every morning, I wonder why I flip past the football articles to basketball; after all, it’s just as beautiful a game in terms of the complexity, the movement and the necessary athleticism. Then I wonder why they have to tackle. I journey back to the days of elementary school and fondly remember flag football, where we’d stuff scarves in our pockets and sprint around one another without the fear of a snapped knee or bruises that turned the entire body green. And I wonder: why can’t the NFL do the same thing? Then I remember high school, and watching our football team huddle before each game: they’d chant, “1...2...3... KILL!” Even on stage at the awards ceremonies every fall, the Special Ed student who wasn’t allowed to play but travelled with the team was taught one thing: to “kill,” whatever that meant to him. He’d stand with the coach, about to receive his “Manager” certificate, and the coach would ask him: “Stephen, what do you want to say to the audience? Anything? No? Ok, how about

this: what are we going to do on the field tomorrow? Huh? Huh?” And the teammates on stage behind him would egg him on, saying, “Stephen, what are we gonna do? C’mon, man!” The audience — oh, how naive we all were — waited for it every year, knowing what he’d say: “We’re gonna kill ’em.” And the audience, parents and children alike, erupted. Or at least enough of them did that they drowned out the naysayers who were quietly condemning the violence. Fans aside, the violence is also programmed into the players. Many of them strive to hit, hard and often — and that’s it. Remember the “bounty” issue that arose with the Saints last year? The players were given money in addition to their salaries for hitting certain quarterbacks with the intent to injure them — “take them out,” if you will. A conscientious player would understand that he was essentially playing the role of a hit man, but since such violence has become customary, it didn’t strike any of them as odd enough that they should speak out. To them, it was just football with a couple added perks. What’s more, video games from “Hitman” (exactly what it sounds like) to Madden Football itself encourage such violence. In Madden, one can actually program the strength of a tackle, and figures in the video game walk off the field injured. Sadly, it’s as realistic as it gets. The fans, too, might have noticed that the Saints defense was going out of its way to demolish certain quarterbacks, but to most of them it was just extra effort and good old football violence. Heck, if watching people hit other people is what brings friends together one Sunday out of the year to guzzle beer and chow on greasy food, why would anyone dissent? Hell, the Super Bowl set television viewing records with 111 million people last year and did so for the third year in a row; the World Series attracted just 15 million and the fifth game of the NBA Finals last year had a mere 12 million. Again, I’ll discredit my argument by assuming that half of those 111 million people watch for the advertisements, and about a quarter for the content and play of the game itself, but what about the approximately 28 million viewers left over? I’d be willing to wager, based on gun violence, video games and my own experiences with the “kill aspect” of high school football, that 15 million are in it for the violence on some level. And who’s to say there’s anything wrong with that? Luckily, President Obama spoke against the violence of the game in the wake of the Sandy Hook shooting. The 49ers’ coach, Jim Harbaugh, didn’t echo the president’s sentiments and even hinted at the fact that increased safety concerns would ultimately destroy the game’s popularity. While I agree with the President’s desire to suppress football’s violent nature, I must also acknowledge Harbaugh’s shrewd conclusion: without the brutality and contact-driven intensity of football, the NFL would not fulfill America’s lust for violence.

Sports

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Niahlah Hope ’15 Public Affairs Office

Women’s Hoops Lights Up LeFrak

Tops Previously Undefeated Tufts, Moves to 22-0

Kevin Hoogstraten ’15 Staff Writer

Women’s basketball finds itself alone atop the NESCAC after handing Tufts its first loss in a thrilling top-five matchup on Saturday. The 54-48 victory, coupled with double-digit wins over Wesleyan and Bates earlier in the week, leaves the team undefeated with just two games remaining before postseason play begins. Wesleyan only lost by four points in its January meeting with the Lord Jeffs, but the Cardinals (9-10, 2-6 NESCAC) average the second-fewest points per game in the conference and had no answers against Amherst’s stifling defense. While Wesleyan made just five first-half baskets, Amherst used balanced scoring to lead 17-11 before scoring 15 points in the last 5:03 to blow the game open and take a 20-point lead into halftime. Ten of those points came from free throws as the Lord Jeffs started to drive the lane and earn trips to the line. The team came out cold in the second half, missing five shots and turning the ball over four times in the first five minutes. Wesleyan used the opportunity to draw within 12 before the Lord Jeffs’ senior co-captains got things going. Marcia Voigt ’13 made two free throws and Bridget Crowley ’13 followed with a layup before Jasmine Hardy ’13 hit her third three of the game to put the team up 39-21 with 11 minutes remaining. Neither team shot particularly well the rest of the game, but the Lord Jeffs sealed things up by going 7-11 from the line to win 46-30. Crowley led the team with 11 points on 4-8 shooting, while Megan Robertson ’15 added nine rebounds and three blocks. The Lord Jeffs continued their winning ways against Bates on Friday. The team took it to the Bobcats early, as Voigt, Hardy and

Cheyenne Pritchard ’16 hit five three-pointers to take a 19-4 lead. Bates eventually started scoring enough to stay in the game, but Amherst went into halftime with a comfortable 45-28 lead. The team scored 18 of the first 25 secondhalf points to put things out of reach, with Hardy hitting two threes while Robertson and Crowley went to work down low. The team ended up with eight different players scoring and all 10 getting playing time in a 79-52 victory that set up Saturday’s clash. Tufts and Amherst were two of just four undefeated teams heading into Saturday, and head coach G.P. Gromacki called it “amazingâ€? that two undefeated teams were playing each other this late in the year. The game was a rematch of last year’s NESCAC final won by the Lord Jeffs, and d3hoops.com was on hand to broadcast the affair. The two teams were deadlocked in the first half, with both teams playing highly physical defense and combining for 16 fouls. The Lord Jeffs opened the biggest lead of the half when a Haley Zwecker ’16 jumper made it 16-11 with 7:35 to play, but the Jumbos scored the next six points to retake the lead. The half ended tied at 22 after Hardy had a wide-open corner three rim out as time expired. The second half started with a big loss for the team as Crowley instantly picked up her fourth foul and had to sit the majority of the half. With Crowley out the Lord Jeffs lost a significant inside presence, but Savannah Holness ’15 had an instant impact off the bench and played the remainder of the game. “Bridget was plagued by foul trouble but Savannah‌ stepped up in a big way with many outstanding plays,â€? Gromacki said. After the teams traded baskets to open the half, Holness keyed a five-point spurt with a block and two free throws at the other end before a Hardy three-pointer made it 29-24. The

lead lasted until the 14:12 mark, when Tufts used two turnovers to take the lead off a threepointer. Amherst began to find success working the ball inside to Robertson in response, with the center getting two quick baskets in the post and hitting a pair of free throws. The inside threat combined with good offensive spacing prevented the Tufts defenders from collapsing on cutters as they had in the first half, allowing Amherst to get off better shots and shoot 50 percent in the second half against the nation’s best scoring defense. “We were able to penetrate and get the ball inside a little more in the second half,� Gromacki explained. Tufts’ offense was just as dangerous, however, and the game stayed close. The team was up two when Voigt crashed the lane for a huge offensive rebound and quick putback, and the

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lead swelled to six when Voigt scored after Holness’ second steal in 60 seconds. Pritchard hit a huge three-pointer that left Amherst up seven with 5:51 to play, and with five minutes left the team had a 49-41 lead after Holness split a pair of free throws. Both teams were active on the defensive end down the stretch, but Tufts was able to pull within three with 2:50 to go after a wide-open three in transition. The Lord Jeffs milked the shot clock on subsequent possessions but couldn’t find open shots, and the game remained 49-46 with 40 seconds left and the shot clock winding down. Voigt emerged from a scrum with the ball and heaved a desperation three from well behind the arc that banked in to beat the block and effectively seal the win. Tufts was fouled on a three-point attempt on the other end but hit only two of three shots, and Robertson subsequently nailed her foul shots to put the exclamation point on a 54-48 victory. Robertson and Voigt led the team with 13 points apiece, with Robertson adding four blocks and 10 rebounds for her eighth doubledouble while Voigt dished out a game-high six assists. Pritchard led all players in minutes as a first-year and played the whole game before fouling out with 18 seconds left. Now sitting at 22-0 on the season, the Jeffs are ranked third nationally as of Tuesday’s d3hoops.com poll, having not lost a regular season game since Jan. 11, 2011 or a NESCAC bout since Jan. 30, 2009. The team’s home winning streak sits at 67-straight. Perhaps even more impressively, Coach G.P. Groamacki’s personal record in his five years as head coach is a whopping 141-10, or a .933 winning percentage. The Lord Jeffs control their own seeding destiny and will be the NESCAC’s top seed if they win out at Williams on Friday and Middlebury on Saturday.

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