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February 5, 2008
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ADVISE or DEMISE Universal Advising Set To Take Effect at Peak Enrollment By Barry Nickerson Anchor Editor At a faculty meeting held last Wednesday during the Free Period, it was announced that Universal Advising will begin this spring at Rhode Island College. Universal Advising is a system where a block will be placed on every RIC student’s account, preventing them from registering for classes until they meet with their academic advisor. Upon meeting with their advisor, the block will be removed from the account. When the student’s registration date arrives, the student will be able to register. Failure to see their advisor will prevent that student from registering for classes until meeting with their advisor. The meeting, which was held in Sapinsley Hall in the Nazarian Center, began when Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs Nancy Carriuolo greeted the audience at about 12:30 p.m. The audience consisted of nearly 100 faculty members from most, if not all, academic departments. She opened with a quote from Charles
Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities: “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.” “The state budget certainly feels like the worst of times,” said Carriuolo. But certain things are helping fund the college, including faculty-directed research. “I’m extremely proud of RIC’s grantfunded research,” said Carriuolo. The research helps to “bring funds that we need right now.” She said the meeting is “to be a chance to reflect on how far we’ve come this semester and celebrate academic achievements.” Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Mark Motte spoke next about the graduate fair results and enrollment for Spring 2008. He called enrollment “robust” and said, “The college defies the gloom on many fronts.” According to Motte, enrollment has set records this year. As of last week, undergraduate enrollment was 1.7 percent higher than it was last year and graduate student enrollment was up 13.2 percent. More class sections than any time in the last 10 years are being offered this se-
There is an emerging labor dispute between the janitorial staff at Providence College and Hurley of America, the contractor which provides cleaning services for the College. Unfortunately, Providence College is stuck in the middle. “This is an all-too-common occurrence: universities often contact out cleaning and food services in order to save money, and the contractors providing those services pay wages which typically are not in accordance with living standards and housing costs,” said a release from the support group set up by students at PC. A rally was held at Providence College last week in support of the janitors and, despite the cold, rainy weather, a crowd of 6070 students, faculty, city councilors, and community members were in attendance to show their support. On Jan. 31 at midnight, the janitors went on strike. The strike has received huge support from the student body. Many students have been working the picket line and handing out flyers. Students also got together a food drive for striking workers and many more bought strikers coffee during the hail on Friday. The janitors are represented by the SEIU Local 615. The current contract between the employees and Hurley expired on January 31. While the details of the contract negotiations are still largely a private matter, the janitors who ensure that the campus of Providence College is clean would like to see their wages and benefits increase. Also, they would also appreciate pleasant working conditions free from their supervisor’s harassment and intimidation. A full-time janitor makes about $11.50 per hour. This amounts to roughly $460 a week before taxes. Most of
nor’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Mathematics and Science Education. This project is slated to be complete in August 2008. The STEM project “promises to provide a pipeline to attract to students to STEM programs—and attract grant dollars,” said Carriuolo. Dr. Laura Cooley of the Physical Sciences department then asked of the expected large enrollment for the fall, “How will we accommodate all these extra students?” Carriuolo responded that when it’s perfectly clear how many students will be in which departments, the college would see how to accommodate the departments who need extra faculty. The next speaker was Dr. Patricia Thomas, Assistant to the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Professor of Nursing. She commended the “tremendous
“This spring, Universal Advising will go college-wide, coming to a department near you!” - Dr. Mark Motte.
PC Janitors on Strike By Kameron Spaulding Anchor Editor
mester, said Motte. “Things really do look positive for next year’s enrollment,” said Motte. He added that 298 potential graduate students attended the graduate open house on Jan. 8. Dr. Carriuolo once again stepped up to the podium to talk about accomplish-
these janitors have families they are trying to support and their wages have not kept up with the rapid increase in Rhode Island housing costs (especially in the past five years). According to a report published by the Poverty Institute here at RIC called the “2006 Rhode Island Standard of Need,” the janitorial staff at Providence College does not earn a “sufficient net income to meet basic needs” of housing, food, transportation, child care and medical costs. Both the Providence City Council and the Providence College Faculty Senate have passed resolutions in support of the janitors, calling for a living wage increase in their salaries.
ments towards RIC’s Plan 2010, a plan for several improvements to RIC’s campus by 2010. Students with majors that are under the umbrella of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) will benefit from the upgrading of 17 classrooms on RIC’s campus, using a $4.5 million grant from the Gover-
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Sigma Iota Theta Flourishes At Ric By Anel Pichardo Anchor Contributor Sigma Iota Theta is a local sorority at Rhode Island College that was founded during the fall semester of 2006. When a few friends discussed their involvement on campus and their desire to do more for the community, they worked together to create a sorority which has blossomed over the last few semesters. During the last semester, the sorority raised money for the Station Fund which provides money to the families that were affected by the tragic S t a t i o n Nightclub fire on Feb. 21, 2003. They held a 50/50 raffle in which over $500 were raised. Also, during the week of Nov. 26, an event was held on campus in which almost $300 was raised in just 45 minutes. This tremendously successful event was called “Date-a-Theta, Win-a-Xin.” At the event, any person in attendance was able to donate money to win a “date” with a sister of Sigma Iota Theta or a member of WXIN, RIC’s radio station. Also last semester, each sister completed several community service hours independently, which varied from working with elementary children to a beach clean-up.
The Sisters of Sigma Iota Theta dedicate themselves to higher education, being involved whole- heartedly in bettering their community and fostering a warm and loving environment for each other. The ideals are based on philanthropy, education, and sisterhood. These are exemplified in a variety of ways in addition to volunteer work and planning oncampus events. If you are interested in pledging Sigma Iota Theta, they will be having Rush Week soon. On Feb. 13, Sigma Iota Theta will be in the Student Union Ballroom from 12:302:00 p.m. for the Student Organization Showcase. For those interested in signing up, there is a sign up sheet outside the office in the Student Union, room 423. Rush week will begin with a mandatory meeting the night of Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. All Rush Week events will be released at the Student Organization Showcase with times and locations. Email any questions to SigmaIotaTheta@hotmail.com and visit the sorority at www.myspace.com/SigmaStars. More information about individual sisters can be found at www.webstarts.com/SigmaIotaTheta.
F.Y.I @ RIC
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Tidbits Fitness Classes Starting on Monday, February 4th, at the Rec Center There are all kinds of classes and a few everyday. Check with the Rec Center for Info.
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Ducey Student Media Center Student Union Plaza Rhode Island College 600 Mount Pleasant Avenue Providence, R.I. 02908
RIC SCG Student Parliament Meeting Wednesday, February 6, 7 p.m. 10:30 p.m. in the SU397. “Some Kind of Funny Porto Rican” A Cape Verdean American Story Friday, February 8, at 6 p.m. in the SU Ballroom A Film and Reception
Men’s and Women’s Basketball vs Plymouth State Saturday, Feb. 9, 1 p.m. in the Murray Center. Open to the general public.
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News
February 5, 2008
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Black History Month By Anel Pichardo Anchor Contributor Black History Month celebrates the impact on society and contributions made to the world by those African descendants who made a difference. Americans have recognized black history annually since 1926, first as “Negro History Week” and later as “Black History Month.” During colonial times, the treatment of slaves was often different depending on in which colony they lived. Slaves in the middle and New England colonies had more freedom and were often treated more humanely than slaves in southern colonies who usually worked under severe labor conditions. Pre-modern slave treatment in the Americas was that slaves were not treated just as servants, but were enslaved based on race. They had no educational opportunities and were treated inhumanity. The words “I have a dream” were spoken by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during his famous Civil Rights speech. Dr. King had a dream for equality and justice for all people throughout the world no matter what their skin color. Without these famous words and Dr. King’s dream, the hatred and racism of yesterday would still be in place today. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a civil rights leader who gave his life in the name of freedom. The work of Martin Luther King, Jr. goes further than establishing peaceful social change strategies; he was a contributor along with many others who shaped America into the
country it is today. Before his protests in the South, blacks were treated as second rate citizens. It was uncommon to see blacks and whites using the same public restroom or drinking from the same water fountain. Dr. King created a legacy that carried on far beyond his death. He had a dream that blacks and whites could live together in peace free of segregation. The civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s challenged racism in America and made the country a more just and humane society for all. Rosa Parks was very influential in all aspects of the Civil Rights movement, but her most wellknown contribution was the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Like most other people, she depended on the bus to get to work. In Montgomery, Ala., the first 10 seats of every bus were reserved for white passengers, and the blacks could not sit in them. This rule stood even if there was not 1 white person on the bus at the time. The back seats on the bus were for the blacks. If there were no white seats left and the whites needed a seat, the blacks were forced to get up and stand. One day, Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus to a white person. She was arrested and put to trial. Rosa Parks stood up for what she believed in and became a long-standing figure of the Civil Rights movement. The idea of multiculturalism in schools is not a new one. School districts all over the country have been “teaching” some sort of multiculturalism in the classroom for quite some time. However, the study of multiculturalism is often
viewed as an add-on. Black History Month, Spanish Heritage Day, and Chinese New Year are just a few activities observed in schools today. While project work is often assigned, the historical and cultural significance of the events are not fully examined. Different cultures have much to offer and to celebrate in today’s classrooms. The idea of “cul-
ture””is no longer just a topic to be studied. Culture is everywhere. It is what shapes the human experience. Engaging in different cultural activities is very important allows for a broader sense of how one’s culture is unique. The celebration of Black History Month and the study of black history is largely due to Dr. Carter G. Woodson. The “Father of Black History” as he is known today, Dr. Carter G. Woodson was
born on Dec. 19, 1875 in New Canton, Va. Woodson was the first child of 9 children of James and Anne Eliza who were newly freed slaves. Carter’s supported his family at a very young age by working in a coal mine. At the age of 17, Carter and his family moved to Fayette, Va. where he worked in a coal mine. Carter was allowed to attend school at Douglas High School part time where he successfully earned a high school diploma. He graduated in approximately a year and a half in 1896. Carter then went on to attend Berea College in Ky. Dr. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, now called the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). Dr. Woodson often said that he hoped the time would come when Negro History week would be unnecessary; when all Americans would willingly recognize the contributions of Black Americans as a legitimate and integral part of the history of this country. Throughout the month of February, a number of multicultural events will be held. On Feb. 26, there will be a screening of “What Black Men Think” and on March 6, a Youth, Media Popular Culture event featuring Jeff Johnson, a social activist.
RIC-TV Launches New Show By RIC TV Staff Anchor Contributor Inspired by The Actor’s Studio hosted by James Lipton, RICTV will debut its own modified version of the show – RIC Profile. Instead of interviewing only actors, the show intends to include everyone from student leaders, to star athletes, to “cool’” professors, as well as veteran staff members whose seemingly small contributions are making a big difference on campus. “The idea came to me one morning while waiting for my eggs at Donavan,” says the show’s creator, Mery Vieira. “The cafeteria lady doesn’t know my name, and I must admit I don’t
know hers either, but each time I step up to make my order – she always knows exactly what I want. It sounds cheesy, but that’s part of the reason why I like having breakfast on campus.” RIC-TV has just been awarded new equipment which will be used for the show. Auditions for a host will be held Wed, Feb. 6 at the Ducey Media Center room 229 between 11 a.m.-12:30p.m. All students, male and female, within all majors, are encouraged to audition. “We’re looking for personality, someone who’s comfortable doing interviews and won’t make a fool of him or herself on camera,” says Vieira.
Sexual Activity vs. College Major
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Michigan Clinton Romney By Ashley Dalton Anchor Staff According to recent studies conducted at Cambridge University, in which 1,000 students participated, results show that “academically poor colleges have high levels of sexually active students.” The study also highlighted that the second academically ranked college in the United Kingdom possessed the largest number of virgin students. Mathematicians were most likely to remain virgins, in comparison to those students participating in Medical studies, who had at least eight sexual partners, on average. The University of Iowa had some skepticism on the study results, arguing that it’s too hard to prove a direct correlation between grades, majors, and the number of sexual partners.
“I think they should look at numerous factors, including how many sexual encounters included alcohol, stress, relationship issues, and sickness, that also serve as a barrier to academics,” said UI student and health-promotion assistant, Renae Knox. She elaborated, “I don’t think having sex just to have sex is healthy.” On the other side of the debate over the results, the assistant director of Health Iowa, Tanya Villhaur said, “There might be truth of the study, but I think it’s up to the individual. Every university has a culture, tone or subculture that might influence sexual lifestyles.” While there is no right or wrong answer to whether high performing colleges actually have less sex than other colleges, the information is thought-provoking and worthy of further study.
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February 5, 2008
THE ANCHOR
ADVISE, from front commitment of faculty in assessment activities.” The implementation of the college learning assessment (CLA) program was discussed with a member of the Computer Information Systems (CIS) professoriate. Thomas spoke about the assessment program, which measures analytical problem solving, critical thinking, and
other topics. 100 outgoing seniors will be selected to participate in the program; 100 incoming freshmen already participated. The data will stimulate discussion about the learning environment and pedagogy, said the professor. Dr. Motte then introduced the topic of academic success, which includes universal advising. “Academic success depends on mentoring by faculty
Above: Faculty at a February 13th Meeting where mandatory advising was discussed Photo by Mike Shiel
Bare in the Air By Paula Richer Anchor Staff The latest unveiling of people’s passions in action is in Germany’s Ossiurlaub.de Travel Agency’s announcement of a trial nudist flight and day trip this July 5. 55 passengers will fly from Erfurt in East Germany to Usedom, the celebrated resort on the Baltic Sea. The passengers will have to be clothed when they occupy public areas but, once aboard the pioneer flight, they may disrobe and enjoy their travel in the buff. The idea came from a customer to the firm’s Managing Director Enrico Hess, who says it fills “an unusual gap in the market.” Nudism, also known as free body culture (“FKK”) in Germany, was prohibited during the Nazi era but bloomed once again after World War II. It now boasts a thriving community and is especially strong in eastern Germany. FKK hotels, for example, feature shops and restaurants that allow nude patronage. To shop and dine “au naturel” is just another normal activity for nudists.
The trial flight in July costs 499 euros, the equivalent of about 735 American dollars. Precautionary measures include having the crew remain clothed for the duration of the flight. Hess commented, “I don’t want people to get the wrong idea. It’s not that we’re starting a swinger club in mid-air or something like that.” He emphasized that his company was an otherwise perfectly normal travel agency. Participants of nudism (in single and mixed sex groups) generally believe it to be a healthy social custom. Nudist camps and colonies abound across the United States, with one right here in our own backyard (Foster, RI). Moonstone Beach in South Kingstown was also a popular nude shoreline hangout in the 80s and 90s. For nudism enthusiasts, the German flight is a welcome sign of acceptance and tolerance that, for at least one day, they will have the luxury to enjoy.
and profound, consistent, coherent advice,” said Motte. He said that telling students that they have taken the wrong classes and aren’t close to getting a degree is “heartbreaking.” This affects retention, as any curriculum can be completed in four years if the correct classes are taken. “Universal Advising” was piloted in Fall 2007 with the English department and the School of Social Work. With Universal Advising, students are blocked from enrollment until meeting with their advisors. Once advised, the block is removed and students may enroll in their classes. “This spring, Universal Advising will go college-wide, coming to a department near you,” said Dr. Motte. The Office of Academic Support and Information Services (OASIS) will advise the students who have not declared any major, and those students with an IM (Intended Major), such as Secondary Education, who have not yet been admitted into their schools. Also, the college will seek to strengthen its developmental education offerings—especially in mathematics and English, said Motte. Motte added that beefing up those areas will help with successful transition to college. Dr. Cooley then asked, “Will we be able to unblock these students” (that we advise)? Motte responded that yes, once the requirement of seeing advisor has been met. “Faculty have the discretion to provide the appropriate advice to ensure students stay on the right track,” he said. Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science Dr. Ann Moskol asked what will be done with the “stragglers”: “students who come late or wait until the last minute to register.” Dr. Maureen Reddy, Chair of the English department, said that “it worked very easily.” After a certain point, all blocks will be lifted—around when late registration begins. Since all advisors in English had open office hours which were emailed to their advisees, “we did not have a single problem.” Only 112 out of 486 declared English majors failed to show up for advising. Moskol then asked if this defeats the purpose. Reddy responded, “We did not want to make this hard for the students.” Students who failed to meet with advisors had to contend with not being able to register for their classes—not because of the block, but because the classes were then filled. Dr. Motte then said that various backup resources will be available to help students. “There will be deficiencies; there will be bugs,” said Motte. Dr. Robert Franzblau, Associate Professor of Music, asked when Universal Advising will start and if the list of prerequisites for courses had been programmed into the system. Dr. Motte responded that this will begin in Spring 2008. An alert about this process will appear on bulletins, Web sites, and in the Anchor. This will begin with this coming registration period and will affect the Summer 2008 sessions as well. “Some of the prerequisites have been programmed into PeopleSoft, but not all,” said Motte. “There will be a push to be sure that this happens.” There is also a limit to the number of students per academic advisor—30. According to Motte, there will be trained faculty in OASIS to handle the overflow. The discussion then turned to academic honesty. Dr. Carriuolo said that it was brought to her attention by the English department and the Schools of Social Work and Nursing. “Please be sure your students understand… what we mean by academic honesty,” said Carriuolo. She said to explain plagiarism in courses and on syllabi. Finally, the search for the new president of Rhode Island College was brought up. Carriuolo said that staff are doing paper screenings now for qualifications, and interviews will be taking place during this semester. According to Carriuolo, final interviews will take place in May. “Quite a bit of attention (has been) paid,” said Carriuolo. Also, the Vice President for Academic Affairs search committee will soon be put together. Final candidates should be identified in time for the new president to have a voice in selecting the VPAA since they work so close together, said Carriuolo.
Sports
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February 5, 2008
THE ANCHOR
Cup-O-Joe Goliath Goes Down, David Goes Dancing, Joe Goes Crazy By Joe Robillard Anchor Editor It’s 10:59 p.m. Sunday night and you know what just happened. My socks don’t match and my hair’s not even close to combed. I drove to my office in silence, carefully avoiding any sports talk or phone calls. I don’t want to talk about it with anybody, and I certainly don’t want someone telling me about it over FM radio. So that’s why I’m here in my office writing. It’s like breaking up with a girlfriend. I don’t want to talk about it, not yet. But if I get to recklessly throw words onto a page with no true repercussions aside from some confused readers, I think I’ll feel a little bit better. Maybe you’ll even understand. And I know I sound dramatic as all hell right now, but I let you cry when they killed Charlie off in Lost. I’ve spent more time with Tom than you have with Charlie. And I didn’t cry, I just got pissed. Ok, so I cried a little (for both Tom and
Charlie). The point is that sports evoke emotion in men (and awesome women!), and evoking emotion in men on a daily basis is a historically tremendous accomplishment. The Superbowl loss to the Giants was like getting a sucker punch from your supermodel girlfriend who you thought liked you for you. And the fact of the matter is that the writing that ensues while your gut still hurts is some of the best stuff you’ll get. So I hurried here to get it down; a mix
Victory at the Buzzer By Marah Roach Anchor Editor Rhode Island College junior guard Tyla Martin led the women’s basketball team to victory this past Saturday afternoon at the Murray Center when she sunk a 3-pointer with 30 seconds left in the game to force overtime. She then nailed a putback and the following foul shot with 1.1 seconds left in overtime. The Anchorwomen defeated Keene State 66-64, making their overall record 10-8. Keene State dropped to 12-8 overall and 4-5 in the LEC. Two minutes into the game, RIC took the lead when junior guard Michelle McNamee had a 3-pointer. Keene State fought back and took the lead, 8-6, when there was 13 minutes left in the half. The Owls had the lead into the break, 33-23, and also for the entire second half until the Anchorwomen set the tone and tied them at 58. Keene State wasn’t budging, but Martin
nailed a three-pointer to hold the Anchorwomen strong. Keene State’s forward made 2 free throws at the end of overtime, making the score 63-63. She missed the second attempt, but her teammate grabbed the rebound and was fouled. After making the first shot, RIC freshman forward Stephanie Noheimer got the rebound and shot it over to senior guard Sarah Coughlin. She ran the court and went up for a layup that missed off the back of the rim and over to Martin, who made the shot and was fouled. After Martin made the free throw, the Owls’ shot fell short and the Anchorwomen were victorious. Victory belonged to RIC! A job well done. Coughlin led with 18 points, 8 assists, 6 steals and 4 rebounds, notching her fourth straight game in double figures. Martin followed with 12 points and 6 rebounds. Up next, RIC will play at Mitchell on Wednesday, February 6th at 7 p.m.
Photos by Mike Simeone
of self-pity, realization and anger (because damn it why did you punch me in the gut?!). And certainly I could write to you all night about O s i
Umenyora’s dominance of Matt Light or ponder why in the world Ellis Hobbs was sent on single coverage in the end zone on Plexico “I’m the tallest football player in the world” Burress. But you can get that stuff anywhere; we’re talking about the real blues here. But what helps is knowing that your neighbor is miserable. Most of your friends are miserable. Damn near your entire city is miserable. If misery loves company, it’s going to get real comfortable around here for a while. So, I’ll think about the Patriots all day tomorrow. But I will not talk about them with you. I won’t watch Sportscenter. I’ll drive in silence and avoid sports talk shows. My hair will probably still be uncombed. But maybe, just maybe, my socks will match.
RIC Men get Big Win By Kameron Spaulding Anchor Editor The Rhode Island College men’s basketball team solidified their hold on second place in the Little East Conference by downing rival Keene State, 85-81, at The Murray Center on Saturday afternoon. RIC raises its record to 15-4 overall and 7-2 in the LEC while the Owls slip to 12-8 overall and 5-4 in league action. Keene State started strong, nailing 4 three-pointers to build a game-high 14-point advantage, 29-15, with 10:24 remaining in the first half. Then RIC came back with some great guard play to get a 42-41 lead going into halftime. Wil Lyons converted a big layup to put RIC up by five, 83-
78, with 1:15 left, but KSC senior guard Anthony Licitra (Glastonbury, CT) hit a deep three to pull the Owls back within 2 only nine seconds later. Lyons scored all 17 of his team-high points in the second half, shooting 7-for-11 from the field and 3-for-5 from the charity stripe. Lyons was driving force in the huge win for the Anchormen. Bobby Bailey chipped in with 16 points and five steals, while Fortes and Hill scored 14 and 13 points, respectively. In upcoming action, RIC will play at No. 2 Amherst on Tuesday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. Keene State will host No. 5 UMass Dartmouth at Spaulding Gymnasium on Saturday Feb. 9 at 3 p.m.
February 5, 2008
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Opinions
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February 5, 2008
THE ANCHOR
Reconsidering the Radicalism of Booker T. Washington
Drinking: How Much is too Much? By Kimberly Puleo Anchor Contributor
By Chuck Cornell Anchor Contributor For years, an artificial dichotomy has been drawn between well known Black intellectuals of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries: W.E.B DuBois and Booker T. Washington. Those sufficiently familiar with Black history will likely identify DuBois as the more radical of the two, writing that the Negro soul needed to be unraveled and dissected through art and activism, eventually embracing Marxist views and meeting with Mao later in his life. Washington, contrarily, is typically labeled as the more complacent personality: a man willing to accept racial discrimination and inequality on a social level, preferring instead to focus the Black mind on self-improvement through work, savings, education, and adherence to law. Unfortunately for Washington, history has led liberal academics (such as myself) to conclude that he was the foundational patriarch of Uncle Tom-ism and passive accommodation-ism. But perhaps we have been too quick to judge Mr. Washington. Washington famously used his clenched hand to show that we could be as separate as his fingers yet as powerful as his fist. While overtly accepting segregation in this gesture, Washington also pronounced a clear acceptance of Black social independence. Decades later, the Black Panther Party would advocate Black economic, educational, and political independence, choosing to call it Black Nationalism. Prima facie, this comparison seems misleading and naïve and indeed one cannot say that Black Panther ideals evolved linearly from Washington’s. Yet if we consider the matter contextually, we may find it to be more appropriate than we think. Washington died in 1915, before the Russian revolution, before the end of World War I, and before many of the revolutionary ideas and persons from which later Black radicals would draw were even extant. Could an American man of this time period possibly have been expected to explicitly embrace a concept – Black Nationalism – which was almost inconceivable for a group of people who shared a common language, geography, and (more often than not) religion with their
White counterparts? Not to be overlooked is the fact that in Washington’s time Blacks were almost literally living in a separate nation (although some academics would have you believe this even in today’s world). They were often governed by different laws, allowed only to exist in certain areas, and were legally forbidden to mix with Whites in practically any fashion. The idea of forced (or “heavily encouraged”) migration to a free Black state or even “back” to Africa was less a fantasy and more a political possibility. In a sense, Washington did not need to proclaim a desire for Black Nationalism – it already existed, although not as a result of Black power, but as a condition of forced segregation. Lastly, we should not forget what perhaps Washington’s most noble act was; that is, his secret funding of anti-lynching campaigns in the South. Washington navigated the world in which he lived because he had to. Moderate White supporters may not have been ready to hear brazen anti-lynching rhetoric from Washington, and thus he would not speak it to them. But Blacks were most definitely ready to feel its benefits. Washington made sure they did. Ideas, as we know, do not evolve in a vacuum; rather they are born of present conditions combined with an awareness of history and the pangs of necessity. Were these ingredients available to Washington in his time? Washington most certainly advocated Black self-improvement through accommodation and labor, but who is to say what he envisioned once Black economic achievement was a reality? Is it not possible that Washington at least believed that he was sacrificing dignity for a more direct route to economic and physical freedom, from which DuBoisian freedom of spirit could then exorcise itself free of life’s more tangible restraints? We simply don’t know. But ignorance hardly gives us the right to conclude negatively as a default. Washington was a pragmatist. In these post-modern times, we may be well off to consider that perhaps pragmatism is the best we can hope for. More importantly, I defend my assertion that Washington was not the anti-DuBois – not the night to his day. Life is not this simple.
Something is definitely wrong in today’s society. In high school, drinking parties at homes across the town were on the social radar come Monday mornings. The parents, many of whom were out enjoying a night out themselves, didn’t have any clue as to what their children were doing. In 2008, parents are encouraging drinking in their homes so long as the kids do not leave the home. Even worse, those kids are having parties without their parents’ consent and drinking until they are buzzed or drunk. Now, how you might wonder are these kids getting alcohol? Well, they are getting alcohol by way of people who are over the age of 21 or by way of getting a fake ID and buying it themselves. This is out of control. Consequently, these high school students go on to college and do the same thing. They repeat the same pattern. As a student at Rhode Island College, which happens to be a ‘dry’ campus, students do it more than ever. They are going out for liquor runs and purchasing liquor for those who are not of age to purchase it on their own and themselves. Now, I am not saying that drinking alcohol, going out to clubs and bars, and having house parties is wrong. What I am saying is wrong is the mere fact that the majority of the students across college campuses are under the age of 21. It is not right for these kids to borrow other people’s ID’s or to obtain fake ID’s in order to purchase alcohol in order to get into clubs/bars. It is outrageous that these kids are doing it now more than ever. These students are getting intoxicated and a lot of them are under the age of
21. These students need to get a grip. You can go out and have a good time without the need to consume alcohol! You need to wait until you’re 21 to go out and purchase alcohol or to go out and be able to get into clubs legally. Imagine if you are one of these students who get into a club with a fake ID or someone else’s and get caught. You honestly don’t fathom the consequences that can result from this. You jeopardize your college careers and life if you drink underage to the extent that you are! Let me again make this clear, I am over the age of 21 and can go out and get drunk and drink. However, I choose not to drink because I don’t buy into the lure of alcohol. I am not saying that drinking and going out and having a good time at a club and consequently getting drunk is bad. It is bad, however, if you are under the age of 21. It is fine to go out and have a couple of drinks with your closest friends. But is there really a need to go out and get so drunk that you stumble back into wherever you’re living and pass out until the late morning of the following day? Is it necessary for you to drink so much that you wake up with a hangover and cannot even recall the previous night? No, there is no reason for it and you people need to get a grip on your alcohol consumption. It is out of control. Yet this rant does not pertain to everyone on college campuses. There are people out there who are under the age of 21 and over 21 who do not do it or have done it but no longer do it. You need to look at them and get a grip on what you are doing not only to other people but also to yourselves and to your body!
Do We Really Care? By Amanda Hooper Anchor Staff Apparently we care because when I look at the news on my homepage every day, Britney Spears has once again done something to screw up her already screwed up life. It’s everywhere and it seems that it is higher on the list of important news than the actual important news. Once she shaved her head, I pretty much didn’t care anymore. I also figured that maybe then no one else would either, because she was clearly losing her mind. But no, it is headline news when she gets taken home in an ambulance. We should be so desensitized to it that it just doesn’t matter anymore. But it does. Not to me surely, but to everyone else in America it is clearly the hottest topic of interest. Well, get over it. She is just going to do something incredibly stupid next week or even tomorrow and we’re either going to laugh, cry, or just not care. The only reason I’m writing about it is because I’m so sick of hearing Britney this and Britney that and to leave Britney alone. She is a stupid, attention-grabbing person who just needs some serious psychological help. I’m glad her kids got taken away because they would
turn out as crazy as she is otherwise. She needs help. That would be a great headline. “Britney Spears is cured of all psychological issues now and forever.” Underneath it would say, “Everyone go back to your lives.” I mean, her sister is pregnant which just shows you how good of an example Britney set for her little sister (aka not a good one). Being 16 and pregnant is not news anymore; it’s an everyday occurrence. Oh no, poor Britney had to find out from the tabloids that little Jamie Lynn was pregnant! Well I would hide it from her too just to avoid another mental breakdown and having to deal with her serious problems. So here is my solution to this problem. I am going to stop watching TV and going on the internet until this whole “Britney Spears is the center of our universe” thing is over or she dies and everyone mourns for a couple of weeks then stops caring. Of course, she seems to be immortal. Clearly, she should be dead by now. So I may be an old woman before I get to do anything computer or TV wise.
All opinions in The Anchor are those of the individual writer and do not necessarily represent the views of The Anchor. We urge all members of the RIC community to take advantage of The Anchor’s editorial pages and send us their opinions. We remain true to our motto “free access to ideas and full freedom of expression”. Submissions must be under or around 700 words. Since we receive so many letters each week, entries will be published based on relevancy and time sensitivity. All entries are considered and carefully read.
Opinions
February 5, 2008
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THE ANCHOR
Pot to Go By Andrew Massey Anchor Editor According to CNN, in Los Angeles a new type of vending machine has been introduced; one that dispenses medicinal marijuana. My only question is: what pothead thought of that? I’m all for the legalization of marijuana, but it is still illegal in many states (not to mention under federal law), and putting it in plain view is like waving a steak in front of a lion with the munchies. The marijuana will be held in a machine called the PVM or prescription vending machine. Hopefully, the machine will be used for dispensing other prescription drugs, if the idea catches. In principle, the machine eliminates the need for a pharmacist and lowers the cost of drugs by about $20 to $40, according to MSNBC. If the idea does catch, it could help seniors pay for their medications and help people in lower-income households. Now, to avoid abuse, there is a 28g per month limit and the machine will dispense 7g or 3.5g packets with each purchase. In order to access the machine, you must have a pre-paid security card and use the fingerprint scanner. Without this, you will not gain access to the drugs. However, the biggest issue is this: no safe is impenetrable. If someone has enough desire to get inside those vending machines, they will break into them
and steal them. Never underestimate the power of a motivated pothead. Even bank vaults can be broken into. Even if people are not trying to break into the machines, there are easier ways to get the drugs, such as robbing a person who just purchased from the machine. I have a feeling there will be a lot of that once these machines get popular. Also, even though the machine regulates usage, someone will probably try
and sell their marijuana at double or even four times what they paid for it. One of the more common things that will happen will be people going to doctors looking for ways to get medical marijuana, much like they do now with pain killers. Another thing you have to worry about is corruption. If the owner of a vending machine decides to give a drug dealer access to his machine for part of his profits, then a drug dealer could have easy access to weed and no one would
be the wiser. There are so many ways that a drug vending machine can be abused. That will end up costing the consumer, making the drugs in the machine almost, if not as, expensive as getting drugs from a pharmacist. In the face of all of this, I think any drug that can get a person high should not be where the public can reach them, like in a vending machine. They should be behind a counter where there is a pharmacist and several cameras. If they put the machines in places like CVS and have security for it then I can see it working. But the cost of the machines, maintenance, and security will end up increasing the price of the drug. That may defeat the purpose of the machines. I’m all for the use of marijuana for medical purposes, if it is what gets the job done. I just think that until marijuana becomes entirely legal, for both medical and recreational purposes, it should not be in a vending machine. It is just too tempting for addicts and dealers alike. Too many people will get hurt over it and a seemingly innocent idea will go sour quickly. Keep drugs like marijuana where they belong; behind the counter. Andrew Massey is a third year Psychology major and the current Opinions and Lifestyles editor of the Anchor Newspaper. He is the rea son you should not consume alcohol or mari juana while pregnant.
ROVING REPORTER By: Kellye Martin
:
What are your Super Bowl traditions?
Stephen Nelson Secondary Ed. – History 2011 Well, I like to talk with my family three hours before the game and try to predict who will win the game. This year I hope to continue this tradition, then watch the game with our Patriots shirts. Edward Hand History 2010 A bunch of old buddies from my hometown grab a bunch of yummy drinks, scream until we cannot see or speak, and we fight and yell over who is right and wrong about the plays.
Jay Moniz Elementary Education 2010 Every year we go to a party at my aunt’s house. She is the biggest Pats fan in Warren, RI (It was in the paper).
Nicholas R. Rose Computer Science 2012 My family and I usually get pizza and chicken wings, and watch the Super Bowl until the end of the game.
Do you have a question you want answered? Send your question to photography@anchorweb.org
Opinions
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Do You Get More Respect From Teachers By Simply Looking Smart? By Mery Vieira Anchor Staff It’s the beginning of the semester and I can’t help it. I judge my classmates based on how they look. Within 30 seconds of sizing up the class, I can already tell who’s going to speak up, who’s going to speak nonsense, and who should simply crawl under the desk and never say a word. And then the second week of class rolls around and I find that my estimation of the class was dead wrong. Always happens, never fails. The guy with the long hair and the worn out leather shoes who uses big words every other sentence is actually the one who loves to hear himself talk, but has a whole lot of nothing to say. The girl who carries a Coach bag, plus an unnecessary Fendi purse, and wears Chanel sunglasses during the darkest day of the winter surprises me. Despite the fake humility in her voice and the ever-so-irritating hair flip, she actually has thoughtful questions to put on the table. She impresses me so much actually that for the remainder of the class I wonder if perhaps she’s onto something – sunglasses in the winter might be a good idea. After all, UV-Rays don’t go away just because it’s winter. And then, there are people like me. Sometimes I wear the same jeans three or more times a week. Sometimes I don’t match. Sometimes I actually remember to comb my hair, have enough time to shower, and put on something half-way decent (on these particular days the Fendi girl will notice me for the first time and – gasp - smile at me; which makes me think that she must approve of my lip gloss). Okay, so maybe it’s not that dramatic but it happens. In any case, people like me go to class to get the information and try to understand it well enough to get a good grade. Rarely are we truly interested,
moved, or inspired. That’s why we never have anything to say. However, the inevitable happens. The guy who likes to hear his own voice and the girl who just found her new self-confidence as a pseudo-intellectual are now having an out and out war over a topic neither of them properly understands while the rest of us fume with anguish and painfully sit though this horror show of a classroom experience. It’s during these moments that I think of Bartleby from Herman Melville’s The Scrivener. I imagine that the rest of us who are not participating in the discussion simply close up our notebooks, put away our pens, and quietly, slowly, and simultaneously walk out the door. I imagine that as we walk out the teacher begs us to stay, and we all, in unison respond – “I prefer not to.” But one of us always cracks, and it’s almost always me. Somehow, from the depths of my apathy, I find that I actually care about my education. I actually want to learn and I want the professor to know that just because I don’t usually say something it does not mean that she has to wait until she reads my essays to know that I “get” what she’s talking about. And quite frankly – I do it because I just can’t hear another word coming from either of those bobbleheads’ mouths.
Then a strange thing happens. The professor, rather than be grateful for my interruption, actually seems offended. She not only dismisses my hand for the first three minutes while I wait for her permission to speak, she cuts me off in the middle of my sentence. NOW, she decides is a good time to properly explain the theory that these two students were aggressively misinterpreting. Now that I have taken the pains to come out of my shell, forced myself to participate for the sake of learning – she cuts me off. That’s when I begin to realize that perhaps she had already sized me up, and felt that she didn’t need to hear me say the words to know that I understood what she was saying. Granted, I’m the beneficiary here. I’ve just been absolved of having to speak further. So why am I unhappy that she cut me off? Why am I not happy that she gave me the silent approval with her eyes that she knows that I “get” what she’s saying, so therefore I need not say more? The reason why I am not happy that she gave me the silent nod of approval was that she did not let me speak. She judged me. Even if she judged me positively – she still judged me. She made the assumption, from the way that I dress, or the way that I sit of what kind of student I was before I even spoke. She
made the assumption that I am a smart student just from the way I look. The real question at stake her is: what if she had judged me negatively? This has actually happened. I have had days when I felt inspired by Marie Claire magazine or Cosmopolitan to dress up a bit, wear my skinny jeans, and do my hair. Coincidentally, they happen to be on the first day of class. And since first impressions stick better than carpenter’s glue – that professor will automatically put me in the same category as the Fendi girl (when I know that I’ve never owned a Fendi anything in my life). But it’s there. That look the professor gives when she doesn’t respect you but tries desperately to keep an expressionless face. I’ve seen that look given to the Fendi girl numerous times so I recognize it when it’s given to me. I could look drab for the rest of the semester and it would not make a difference. The professor has already make up his or her mind about what kind of student she thinks I am; which is the worst possible situation because I then have to spend the rest of the semester speaking up in class, trying to prove to some professor that I “get” what he’s saying. Angrily I say to myself that I’ll never make that mistake again. I’ll never wear my skinny jeans the first day of class – ever! But you know what? Then I wouldn’t be me. And I won’t compromise myself for the approval of any professor. I know I “get” it, and when I write my papers you’ll know it too. If you choose to give me a B+ instead of an A- because you just can’t quite believe that all the genius ideas are mine, that‘s not my problem. Since I can’t fight “perceptions” in court – and I could quite frankly be experiencing all this in my head – I’ll let the universe settle the score.
Lifestyles
February 5, 2008
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Ugg is NOT Short for UGLY By Katie Lorraine Anchor Contributor The Ugg. Although many people may feel that the name of this ever-popular brand is short for ugly, I would beg to differ. If you are one of these people, try a pair on and then make your decision. These super comfy sheepskin boots are becoming a must-have item for consumers today. Ranging in price from $99.95-$199.95, Uggs can be bought at any high-end department store, online, and also at the official website, www.uggaustalia.com (If they are able to keep them in stock!). Making their debut in the US in 1978 by creator, Brian Smith, the Ugg Australia line has continued to grow. In 1995, when the Deckers Outdoor Corporation acquired the product line, it included only two boots, four slippers, and a few casual shoes. Three years later, in 1998, the brand began high-end advertising and marketing. The outcome, the Ugg Australia line, is luxury footwear. Over the next few years, many of the Ugg styles appear on the “Oprah’s Favorite Things” show and on runways across Milan, Paris and New York. Also, many products have been featured in magazines such as Lucky, US, Star, and others. The company offers many different products to suit the styles of men, women and chil-
dren around the world. Owning a pair of Ugg boots myself, I attest to the true comfort and quality this product offers. The sheepskin keeps your feet warm in the cold weather and cool in the hot weather. They are naturally water repellent and made of only the finest materials. I know that when you take a look at the price tag, and maybe the boots themselves, the idea of buying them is sometimes not even on one’s mental radar, but it’s definitely worth it! Before I gave into becoming part of the unofficial “Ugg Nation,” I bought some look-alikes for much less. Since Ugg boots became so popular, companies such as Bear Paw, American Eagle, Target, Rocket Dog, and many others have come up with their own similar type of boot. Although these brands do offer a similar look at a less expensive price, they cannot even compare to the comfort and quality of Uggs. While most of these brands make their boots with leather, Ugg Australia uses only the finest sheep skin, making Uggs softer and much more comfortable. So the next time you walk through the Quad, take a look and see how many different styles and colors you can find. As you do, think about what you’ve just read. Maybe it’s time for you to come to terms with true fashion and just buy a pair!
Haunted America The Kemper Arena By Robert Lefebvre Anchor Staff The Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Mo. is one of the more famed arenas in the United States. It has held many memorable events, including several NCAA Final Four basketball games, the 1976 Republican National Convention, and a Paul McCartney concert the same year. But what the arena may also be hosting is a haunting. The Kemper Arena was built within 18 months between the years of 1973 and 1974. It was the first major project of German architect Helmut Jahn, who became an important figure of his field at the time. It was built to play host to the city’s professional basketball and hockey teams. The building was also revolutionary in its simple design, with it having no pillars on the inside to obstruct views and the roof being suspended by exterior steel trusses. The building cost $22 million to complete. The money came from numerous contributors, the largest of them being Rufus Crosby Kemper, a wealthy financier who funded many of Kansas City’s projects and whom the arena was named after. The arena received many architectural awards and had several prominent tenants including the Kansas City Scouts, now the New Jersey Devils (NHL), and the Kansas City Kings (NBA).
In 1979, a major storm caused a section of the roof nearly an acre wide to collapse. No one was injured because the arena was closed at the time. The collapse had been caused by rainwater gathering on the roof, causing it to sag. Another factor was that a bolt had given way, causing a chain reaction of other bolts to come loose. The arena was closed for the repairs and was reopened in less than a year. It continued to host a multitude of sporting events including hockey, basketball, football, indoor soccer, and paintball. It also hosts professional wrestling venues, mainly for the WWE, which is where the ghost story for the Kemper Arena comes from. On May 23, 1999, Owen Hart, brother of WWE Hallof-Famer Bret Hart, died at a WWE pay-per-view (then known as the WWF) event when he fell from the rafters attempting a wrestling gimmick. He was supposed to be lowered into the arena on a cable when the release mechanism had somehow been triggered, having him fall nearly 80 feet on the ring ropes and then into the ring. While he did not die immediately from the fall, he was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. In the years since his death, there have been multiple reports of sightings of (the ghost of) Owen Hart. Employees have claimed to have seen him in the rafters wearing the costume he was wearing for his gimmick as well
as the cable before he began the descent. There have also been reports of flickering lights and other power sources that seem to go on and off in some areas of the arena. Owen Hart’s death was an absolute tragedy for the wrestling world. For someone to lie about seeing the ghost of a person like Owen Hart would take a lot of nerve. However, it would not be the first time someone has. If he is haunting the Kemper Arena, it would make sense for him to be in the rafters, constantly reliving the events that led to his unfortunate demise. However, it would not make sense as it was known amongst the workers of WWF that he was afraid of heights, and had only done such a stunt very few times. The flickering lights and power losses could also be caused by faulty wiring or failing bulbs. But it is said that ghosts need energy to manifest and that they gather it from batteries and other appliances, so it could be Owen taking energy from the lights and outlets. So, does the Kemper Arena still have someone performing there? There has been no way to prove if such a haunting exists as no one has attempted to investigate and have preferred to leave the issue alone. But someday, someone may try and evidence may be obtained to prove that Owen Hart (‘s spirit) may still be among us.
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Arts + Entertainment THE ANCHOR
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Arts + Entertainment
February 5, 2008
THE ANCHOR
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Classifieds The Student Veterans’ Organization at Rhode Island College will be having its first meeting this Saturday, February 9, in the Student Union Cafe from 12:00 to 2:00 pm. If interested, please contact John T. Powers: 401-374-9635 or Thomas F. Gingerella, Jr.: 401-9358585 Headline: Attention Theater Majors Local Photographer available to provide headshots for your portfolio. Reasonable rates and student discounts! Call John Lovgren at 401529-7037
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Arts + Entertainment
February 5, 2008
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Theatre Across The Pond By Cailin Humphrys Anchor Contributor Recently, I went on an extended trip to London three months to be exact. I was there to study theatre and, in doing so, saw a show almost every night. While there, I saw everything from The Merchant of Venice at the Globe Theatre to The Lord of the Rings musical at the Drury Lane Theatre. I saw Patrick Stewart play Macbeth and saw Ian McKellan play King Lear. However, the entertainment to be found on the London stage is meant to be more than just hours of mindless amusement. It is intended to be one large political and social statement with the purpose of speaking to those willing to receive the message. As a theatre student, the idea of using theatre to help bring about reform is not an unfamiliar one. However, it seems to be the sort of thing that doesn’t happen on the American stage at least, not nearly as often. I realize that Americans are always protesting against the government. Unfortunately, other than the endless political debates and arguing amongst ourselves (something that Americans are extremely good at) none of that protesting has seemed to do much of anything since our parents’ generation. It took me some time to realize that much of the theatre in London had underlying thematic elements concerning current events, politics, and social reform. Of these, the topic that appeared most prominently was the idea of challenging authority and rising up against a despotic or tyrannical government. Three shows in particular, an adaptation of Sophocles’ Antigone called Burial at Thebes, Shakespeare’s Richard III, and Gilgamesh, an original piece based on the ancient Sumerian tale The Gilgamesh Epic, showcased this theme. However, what was most interesting was not just that these shows circulated around and criticized the aforementioned themes. The fact that they did so with their attention focused on the American government, as opposed to their own, was an eye-opening experience. It was interesting to see firsthand how the US, as a country and as a government, appears to the rest of the world. Theatre, as an art form, has a special privilege that not all other professions have: the freedom to express what is normally censored. It has the opportunity to make people think when the truth is oftentimes covered up or skewed. It seems laughable that England, a country world-renowned for being uptight, cold and old-fashioned, has outdone the hot-headed, independent and temperamental Americans in this regard. For a country that has al-
ways stood up against injustice and censorship, the theatre in this country is pathetically lacking compared to what happens on the British stage. Though I have yet to experience as much theatre in my own country as I was able to overseas, I have yet to see any performance here that so blatantly and unabashedly pointed out problems and discrepancies in our own political system. Keep in mind that this is the same political system that Americans have been consistently unhappy with for some time. Despite this, the London stage expresses this distaste better and with more clarity than we have. I would say that much of this has to do with the way our country is slowly attempting to return to the old-time values and morals our country was built on. In short, we are concentrating on religious moral fiber and a not-so-distinct separation between church and state. This may seem a bold statement coming from someone whose generation is all about the sex, rap and Britney Spears, but there is a growing movement of people desperate to return to old-fashioned values, complete and unquestioning patriotism and a large helping of apple pie. This effect can be seen everywhere and theatre is no exception. There were theatrical elements on the London stage that would never, ever, make it past the workshop period on the American stage. For instance, there was male full-frontal nudity in at least three shows (Cabaret, King Lear, and Rhinoceros) I saw in England. No one seemed offended by it. It certainly wasn’t unnecessary or gratuitous and it was used to further make a thematic statement. However, this would never be acceptable on the American stage. All anyone would focus on would be the nudity and not the point the nudity was trying to make. It would be considered offensive and indecent instead of daring and innovative. Spending three months in London gave me a new perspective on freedom and its restraints. Sure, England may still have the same political system they’ve had since William the Conqueror came in 1066, but they’re more willing to push the censorship envelope. America, a nation founded on freedom and democracy- can’t even deal with the nude male form something that everyone sees at some point - without it being considered offensive and crude. The beauty of the arts is the ability to take what normally offends people, what is normally considered as acceptable or unquestionable, and make people examine, question, and face it. Let the rest of society worry about the rules. The arts aren’t the arts if they’re not breaking them.
Paint It Black Book Review Amanda Hooper Anchor Staff Paint It Black is Janet Fitch’s second book. Her first book was White Oleander which was also made into a movie starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Renee Zellweger. That book was amazing and she does not disappoint with her second. Paint it Black is about a young woman named Josie Tyrell. She lives in Los Angeles with her boyfriend Michael Faraday. They both are artists in some form, he is a painter and she is an art model. The true story starts when Josie gets a phone call from the police asking her to identify Michael’s body. He was found in the motel room where he had put a gun in his mouth. Throughout the books she tries to come to terms with his death and her place in it. She, with obvious reason, goes through the months before his death and follows him to the place where he killed himself, just to find out if their love was real or if it was all for naught. Along the way she becomes an enemy and a friend to Meredith, Michael’s famous pianist mother, who blames Josie for his pain and clearly inevitable death. The story tells the tale of survival and all the vices that come along with the death of a loved one, such as sex, drugs and the blind need to be loved by someone from his life. Janet Fitch has such a realistic form of writing. For someone who has never been a part of the LA rock scene, I can perfectly imagine just how LA is. Her books, especially this one, has such a desperation and yet such a sense of hope, that you can feel exactly how Josie is tormented and searching for something. It is a real page turner and you can’t put it down until you know how Josie is in the end. I definitely recommend this book to any one who loved White Oleander or even someone with a love of a dramatic, fast pace ride with emotion.
Rental Raves: The Fisher King By Adam D. Bram Anchor Staff This week’s film is a touching and humorous tale from Monty Python animator-turneddirector Terry Gilliam: 1991’s The Fisher King. Jack Lucas (Jeff Bridges, The Big Labowski) is a radio shock jock. He is rich, powerful, and spares no thought to anyone but himself. Then, after mouthing off about Yuppies, a lonely caller (Christian Clemenson, Boston Legal) decides to blast a bar full of them away with a shotgun before turning said gun on himself. Fast forward three years. Jack has lost his empire, lives with his new girlfriend (Mercedes Ruehl, Big) over a ratty video store they manage together, and is thoroughly depressed. During a walk where he contemplates suicide, a couple of punks mistake him for a wino and try to set him on fire. Fortunately, he is valiantly rescued by Parry (Robin Williams, Good Will Hunting), a homeless man who believes he is on a quest to find The Holy Grail. When Jack learns that Parry was once a college professor who went insane after seeing his wife gunned down in the very same bar by the very
same caller from three years prior, he feels a sense of duty. If he can help Parry find his way in the world again, Jack thinks, that perhaps he can find salvation for himself. This film is somewhat of a paradox. It has a lot of weird and wonderful moments of zaniness and it also wrenches your heart, sometimes to the point of breaking it. Robin Williams is perfect in this film as he shows his entire range and gives you tears of laughter and sorrow. Jeff Bridges is a little harder to like through a lot of the movie but you go through his journey with him and end up very satisfied at the end. This is definitely a classic in the true sense of the world and should be near the top of the list of movies that everyone should see at least once. Also starring Amanda Plummer (Pulp Fiction) and Michael Jeter (The Green Mile). R. Rating: 5/5
Arts
Entertainment
RIC EVENTS DEF Poetry Tuesday, February 5, 6 - 8 p.m. Student Union Ballroom RIC Music: “FatherDaughter Duo” Wednesday, February 6, 1 p.m. Sapinsley Hall in the John Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts Performing Arts Series: Parsons Dance Company Date: Thursday, February 7, 8 p.m. The Auditorium in Roberts Hall “Some Kind of Funny Porto Rican” A Cape Verdean American Story Friday, February 8, 6 p.m. Student Union Ballroom Stomp Out AIDS Saturday, February 9, 2 - 6 p.m. Student Union Ballroom
RIC’s Audition Process By Jessica Albaum Anchor Editor Have you ever wanted to audition for a show but didn’t know when they were or what you needed to have prepared? Well here is your guide for how to audition for Mainstage or Growing Stage shows. The first thing you need to know is when the auditions are and what the show is. Unfortunately, unless you are in the Nazarian Center it is somewhat difficult to find out this information. Typically, auditions take place near the end of the semester. I recommend that you start periodically checking the hallways on the theatre side of Nazarian. Even if RIC’s auditions aren’t up yet, there are some useful postings about other auditions or shows that are going on in the area. T h e posters will tell what the show is, when and where the auditions are, what you should have prepared, and where to sign up for an audition time. Once you know all this information, you should sign up for an audition time because the time slots can fill up fast. You do not want to be the last person on the list. This next bit of information might sound obvious, but you would be surprised how many people do not read the play or musical before picking a monologue or song. This is important so that you can be sure to pick the right audition material for the show/character that you are interested in. At the very least, look it up on Wikipedia so you can get some idea of what they might be looking for. If this does not help, email the director. They would be happy to let you know what they are looking for. Audition material must be well-rehearsed. Do not pick something you just learned the day before. The monologue should be one minute long and in the style of the show. If it is a comedy, do not pick a dramatic monologue and so on. Musicals are a little trickier. Here at RIC, they tend to let auditioners sing the entire song. Most places ask for 16 or 32 bars. It is best to choose an up-tempo song that shows off your range in a short amount of time. It also should be from the same time period as the show or possibly the
same composer. So now you are all prepared and it is time to face the music and go to the audition. Plays are less complicated because there is no dance audition. It is best to dress business casual. This means that you should dress in nice pants/skirt and a nice shirt. If you look put-together, it shows that you care about the audition and take it seriously. The musical audition has two auditions: a dance audition and a singing audition. You must attend both of these auditions to be considered for a part. When picking out what to wear for the
dance audition, it is important to make sure you can move in it and that even if you’re not a dancer, you look like one. For the singing audition, it is appropriate to dress business casual, like the straight play. Make sure that you show up at least 15 minutes before your scheduled audition time. The auditions usually run faster than expected so you probably will be able to go in before your actual time. This will also give you extra time to fill out the audition form. When you walk in, hand your audition form to someone at the table and take your place. On to the infamous audition form. You will find this no matter where you go unless they ask you to bring your own resume. On this form, they usually ask for your name, age, height, weight, voice range, previous experience, and any scheduling conflicts. It is important that you be able to answer all this information. Now it is time to introduce yourself. It is important to relax, which is usually easy. The di-
rectors at RIC are good at making the people feel comfortable during auditions. State your name and what you will be performing. If you do this clearly and show your personality, it makes you look better. Then take a breath to get into character and do your thing. Singing auditions are only slightly different. Before introducing yourself, make sure to give your sheet music to the accompanist and let them know what tempo you would like the piece played at as well as anything else they should be aware of. You are done with your monologue and/or song, now what do you do? Make sure that you say thank you to the people who auditioned you. They will let you know when callbacks will be posted and/or when the cast list will be up. If you were singing, make sure to thank the accompanist and take your sheet music before leaving the room. Always make sure you are polite and, when you are not in character, try to show off your personality. These people will be presumably working with you for the next two months and they want to make sure that you are someone they want to work with. After the initial audition comes the hardest part of the audition process: waiting. If you get a callback, this is another time when you should dress business casual in most cases. There will be sides (monologues or songs to learn) waiting for you by the callback list. They will be from the show. Learn them to the best of your ability. A callback means that they are interested in you but are not sure who to cast you as. They will call you in to read or sing with other potential cast members to see where you fit best. Getting a callback does not necessarily mean that you have a part in the show, but it is a good sign. The cast list will usually go up within the week after callbacks, if not the day after. If you do not get cast, it does not mean that you are not talented. It means that you just weren’t right for that show or the specific vision the director had in their head. The most important thing about this process is to have fun and learn from it. Every audition is an opportunity to learn. Especially in an environment like RIC, that is what they should be used for.
Above: A RIC Rehearsal of You Canʼt Take It With You last fall.
Attack The Gas Station By Jason Charpentier Anchor Staff Attack the Gas Station is a Korean film released back in 1999 focusing on a group of 4 punks who decide to rob a gas station. Now why would a group of punks decide to rob a gas station? Because they were bored, of course. Really though, that is the entire plot. This is the reason that the movie is so great. After robbing the gas station not once, but twice, and obtaining less money than desired, the punks decide to take the station hostage. Quickly, however, they come to the conclusion that if they were to actually serve the gas, they could make a fair bit of money. One of the punks, Mad Dog, is made the enforcer to watch over the hostages and wields a large 2x4 stick which he slams into the ground to impose his authority while making rather hilarious facial expressions. In addition to this, he also forces the hostages to put their heads on the floor in an unusual manner which becomes a large focal point within the movie. As the film continues on, a gang shows up looking to extort money from one of the gas sta-
tion employees which the punks quickly, and rather hilariously, put a quick end to. They then order a gross amount of Chinese food and refuse to pay the delivery boy, resulting in more hilarity later in the film as the delivery boys prepare for war with the punks. The film only gets more and more absurd from here on. From boy band gangsters, organized fights between hostages for sport, and even a game of strip shiritori Mad Dog plays with one of the hostages, the film gets more amusing by the minute. Attack the Gas Station is one of the greatest films I have ever seen. Is it comparable to say the great works of Akira Kurosawa, etc.? Not in the least bit. However, it was so over the top and hilarious that I couldn’t help but fall in love with it, as has nearly everyone else I know who has seen this film. I can’t possibly recommend this film enough. Also, RIC Otaku will be hosting an event in the coming weeks. Tentatively entitled Attack the Quad, the event will feature various events involving scenes from the film. There will also be a showing of the film and various prizes.