The Heights 02/02/12

New healthcare bill

Bc falls again Lady madonna

Metro

Sports

The scene

Healthcare act forces religious institutions to provide contraceptive coverage, B10

In a close, heated game, the Eagles lost late to NC State last night, A10

With Madonna performing at this year’s Super Bowl, we trace her evolution, B1

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Vol. XCIII, No. 5

BC Dining explains food pricing strategies Prices are chosen based on numerous factors, admins say

By Samantha Costanzo Asst. News Editor

Boston College Dining Ser vices (BCDS) has been recognized numerous times as one of the best in the nation. Just last year, it was awarded the Massachusetts Restaurant Association Foodservice Operator of the Year prize.

And while students might agree that the food is good, they certainly know that it is not cheap.

A 20 oz. bottle of Powerade, for example, sells for $2.59 in McElroy Commons’ Carney dining room. At the Star Market on Beacon Street, a 32 oz. bottle of Powerade—12 oz. more than the BC version— sells for $1.19.

“I don’t have to make money, but I have to break even,” said Helen Wechsler, head of Dining Services. “If I don’t, I become a burden to the University, and your tuition is supposed to go to your education, not the food.”

Part of this ability to break even is because of the BC meal plan. Of the 7,200 beds available on campus, 5,000 of them are attached to a mandatory meal plan, which cost $4,724 for the 2011-2012 school year.

“While students feel that that’s a lot of money, it’s what’s absolutely necessary to run the business to break even,” Wechsler said, adding that in recent years, parents and students have asked for bigger options for the mandatory meal plan in

addition to the Residential and Flex plans and optional Dining Bucks.

Another factor in the price of food in a BCDS cafeteria is the way in which they are run. According to Wechsler, grocery stores such as Star Market operate on a very different scale than BCDS. The markups on food items sold in BC dining halls have to be higher than those of grocery stores, not only because they are not sold or offered in the volume that a supermarket is able to, but also because such stores do not have the same overhead costs as BCDS. “They work on tiny markups on all of their food because they sell in volume,” Wechsler said. “Not only do they buy it at a better price because they’re an international company with international procurement negotiations, but then they only [have to] mark that up a teeny tiny bit.”

B CDS spends approximately 37 percent of its revenue on purchasing food. Because BCDS is considered an auxiliary of the University, it must pay rent for each dining hall it operates. This accounts for approximately 7.7 percent of revenue. About 12.3 percent of revenue is spent on facility maintenance and operating costs, such as water, power, and silverware.

The biggest expense for dining services, however, is its employees, 250 of which work full time. Approximately 32.7 percent of revenue is spent on employee salaries, while 10.7 percent of revenue is allocated for fringe benefits.

This accounts for about 43.4 percent of the total BCDS costs per year.

“If you look at these against national

See Food Prices, A4

Campaigning begins, teams release plans

By David Cote News Editor

Candidates for UGBC president and vice president began campaigning in earnest yesterday, releasing their platform information and recruiting supporters in their quest to lead the Boston College undergraduate body. Campaign t-shirts of various colors filled classrooms and the Quad, and hand shaking and door holding will undoubtedly continue throughout the month.

In the early excitement of elections, many campaign teams have worked hard to introduce themselves to the student body and emphasize their key campaign points.

Candidates Robert Veiga and Jeff Colonnese, both CSOM ’13, emphasized fiscal responsibility in this earliest stage of the campaign.

“It is central to our campaign strategy that we excite the student population with our innovative ideas while maintaining a strict adherence to fiscal responsibility,” Veiga and Colonnese said. “This directly reflects our views on leadership, and one can correctly surmise that this will carry over with our actions once elected.”

Conor Sullivan, LSOE ’13 and Daniel Tonkovich, CSOM ’13, are running under the slogan “Including U in UGBC,” a phrase that they say reflects their hope to involve more students in UGBC. woogeon kim / heights editor

Prices at BC Dining are typically much higher than nearby stores. See Page A4 for more info.

See Candidates, A4

Long-awaited outdoors club gains approval from SPO

By Molly LaPoint Heights Editor

After working for over two years to gain official recognition, the constitution of the Outdoors Club of Boston College (OCBC) has been approved and the organization has been registered by the University.

The push for forming an officially recognized Outdoors Club began with co-founder Ben Key, BC ’11, during the 2009-2010 academic year. During that time, another group of students with similar ideas joined up with Ben, including current president and co-founder, Keegan

Dougherty, A&S ’13. “A group of students including myself formed a group and got in contact with Ben serendipitously,” he said.

Karl Bell, assistant director of the Student Programs Office (SPO), said that one of the initial issues with the club’s launching was under which department it belonged, since it was not, for example, necessarily academic, cultural, or athletic.

“Initially, the question was, where was the best place for it?” he said.

Liability, and who would be responsible if there was an injury on the trip, has also

been a standing issue.

“I believe one of the challenges has been and will continue to be around liability,” Bell said. “The risk manager will be the person who will guide that conversation.”

The liability argument never made sense, Dougherty said, because other clubs, such as the Geology Club and Outdoor Adventures—which is run through Campus Recreation—run similar trips.

“Liability never made sense because of Geo Club and Outdoor Adventures,” he said. “There was always a kind of inconsistency on their part there.”

Bell said that this concern for liability

was likely an issue when the Geo Club began, however.

“I think it’s the nature of the activity,” he said. “There’s an academic component perceived to be a part. I believe that [the University] had the same conversation 20 years ago or even longer when we registered the Geology Club.”

Since beginning the process to become officially recognized, OCBC’s members have forgone excursions in order to avoid problems with liability, but have worked with Geo Club and Outdoor Adventures.

See Outdoors Club, A4

photo courtesy of ocbc

OCBC was recently approved, but struggled for several years to be recognized by SPO.

Initiative shot down by Senate Campus will not become smoke free

By Andrew Millette Assoc. News Editor

photo courtesy of clara son

Although many students still enjoyed beautiful weather in Canada, others were left disappointed by shaky bus service and long rides.

SnowJammers left disappointed by long rides Bus service and inclement weather cause trouble, Campus Vacations offers refunds

By David Cote News Editor

Many students looking forward to a trip full of snow, fun, and Canadians were left unhappy this weekend, as the annual SnowJam trip, sponsored by Campus Vacations, was full of disappointment for many prospective vacation-goers.

Typically, students leave Boston College either Thursday or Friday around noon, and arrive in Canada in about six hours.

Students who plan on going can purchase

packages that include a place to stay, lift tickets, ski or snowboard rentals, and a Top of the Mountain party.

This year, inclement weather and mechanical failures left some students stranded on the bus for as long as 23 hours.

“SnowJam was a highly anticipated trip for my friends and I, and it was unfortunately not by any means what it was promised to be,” said Kelly Miller, A&S ’15. “We left from Boston 12 hours later than we were supposed to and spent 23 hours on a bus ride getting back to Boston.”

Colin Quinlan, a bus captain for the trip and CSOM ’15, had a similar experience, but still said he managed to enjoy the trip.

“We were supposed to leave at 11:30 a.m. on Friday and we waited for seven hours, having Campus Vacations lead us on. However, they finally said the buses weren’t coming and we couldn’t go on the trip,” Quinlan said. “So three buses of kids were denied the trip, but some kids made other arrangements, including the midnight bus.”

Quinlan and many other students arranged to take a Greyhound bus from South Station to Canada, after the buses sponsored

by Campus Vacations failed to show up to

See SnowJam, A4

College campuses are one of the last safe havens for smokers in an increasingly smoke-free world. Boston College will remain smoker-friendly for the foreseeable future, as the UGBC Senate recently chose to shoot down a campus-wide smoking ban initiative.

“There’s no ban for smoking being worked up currently,” said Mike Kitlas, UGBC president and A&S ’12. “Elise Phillips, the Director of Health Promotion, approached myself and Jill [Long, UGBC vice president and A&S ’12), asking us about this and whether we thought there would be student support for it. We told her that this was an issue the Senate would normally deal with, so we passed along her inquiry to the Senate. The Senate looked it over, talked to their constituents, and found that there was not very much support from students for looking into the initiative further.”

BC students were not the only population on campus that was not supportive of such an initiative.

“We would probably get a significant pushback from faculty, probably even more so than from students,” Kitlas said.

“One of the things we talked about is if this is going to be a ban and the students have to follow it, faculty, staff, and the ad-

ministration would have to be held to the same standard.”

Though there was little support for such an initiative at BC, this issue was brought up due to a growing trend on college campuses of going smoke-free. Emory University, the University of Kentucky, and Barnard College have all recently imposed campus-wide smoking bans. It does not appear that BC will follow suit any time in the near future, unless students decide to make smoking an issue.

“We haven’t heard many complaints about it before,” Kitlas said. “We are doing a survey, that will be sent out tomorrow in an e-mail asking what the one thing BC students would like changed or improved about their campus would be. If someone says, ‘I want to see a ban on smoking policy implemented here,’ then we’ll look into it, but I don’t foresee that happening.”

Kitlas does not personally support a campus-wide ban on smoking. “What I have found through many of my encounters is if a BC student is bothered by the smoke of another student and goes up to them and asks them to not smoke in a certain area, they’ll gladly move and accommodate them,” Kitlas said. “I think that is part of the BC campus and the quality of student we have here. That’s part of the reason I wouldn’t go for the ban specifically at this time.”

Even if support were to be found for a smoking ban in the near future, Kitlas

See Smoking, A4

TopTHREE

The Heights

Thursday, February 2, 2012

things to do on campus this week

..

1

Painter, Illustrator, Author Today Time: Ongoing Location: Burns Library

The exhibit Painter, Illustrator, Author: Irish Art in the Twentieth Century showcases the Burns Library’s collection of fine Irish book art. The collection includes the work of Irish writers, illustrators, and designers and will be on view in the O’Brien Fine Print Room of the library.

College Sports: Money Changers in the Temple?

2

Today Time: 7:30 p.m.

Location: McGuinn 121 Part of the Athletics and the Academy: Towards 2020 lecture series, this lecture focuses on the presence and culture of college sports.

Doubt: a Parable

3

Today Time: 7:30 p.m.

Location: Robsham Theater This play tells the story of Sister Aloysius, a New York principal who suspects a priest of improper conduct with one of her students.

the

University

In ws e N

Florida A&M president temporarily bans students from joining clubs

On Campus Professor’s legacy continues to influence a new generation via YouTube In 1966, David Nieman became the first Jewish professor at Boston College to be appointed a post as a religion teacher. After he passed away from cancer in 2004, his daughter, Becky Nieman, began the enormous project of uploading his lectures to YouTube.

B. Nieman, inspired by the transformative experience of sitting in on one of her father’s lectures, decided to video tape as many lectures as she could in order to share her father’s ideas with future generations. Now, B. Nieman is working on cataloging, converting, and uploading the lectures to YouTube.

In an interview with The Boston College Chronicle, B. Nieman said that she found it “heartwarming” that a new generation of students is now not only able to learn from her father’s lectures, but actually chooses to. Recently, a group of video game players started a discussion about D. Nieman’s work after researching the storyline of a particlar game and stumbling on the channel B. Nieman created.

James Ammons, president of Florida A&M University, announced on Tuesday that all students would be temporarily banned from joining any oncampus club while the school convenes a panel to discuss student safety and the way in which clubs are run. The moratorium is the result of the death of drum major Robert Champion, which authorities say was linked to a hazing initation ritual. Though no arrests have been made in this case, Tallahassee authorities arrested four other members of the marching band in unrelated hazing cases. Ammons cancelled the band’s summer camp but emphasized that the music program has not been terminated.

Cambridge group accuses MBTA of giving riders a “false choice” Rafael Mares, a staff attorney at the Conservation Law Foundation and member of the Transportation for Massachusetts coalition, said that the MBTA is not giving riders all of the information they need in order to truly decide whether service cuts or fare increases will be legitimate ways to help the MBTA fix its $161 million debt. Mares said that instead of scaring riders into accepting fare increases, the MBTA should peitition the Massachusetts legislature for more funding. Spokeswoman Cyndi Roy acknowledged that the MBTA needs a better fix than fare increases but added that Mares was using unofficial information to base his claims on.

By Kevin Cannon For The Heights

Natalie Blardony/heights staff

Seniors and professionals gathered to disucss options available and skills necessary to thrive after college. founder of both BELL and Summer Advantage USA , focused his non-profits on academic achievement, partnering with pediatricians to reach pre-school age children and providing summer academics for older children. Jim Laughlin, director of com-

munications for Life is Good, worked for a company that embodies corporate social responsibility through bringing play therapy to children who have experienced trauma.

Lastly, Eric Schwarz, CEO of Citizen Schools, encouraged his organization to provide

after-school learning opportunities to underprivileged middle school students.

Indeed, these three not only had a positive impact on communities and individuals entirely outside their sphere of customers and shareholders, but also proved that it is not difficult to give legs to BC’s Jesuit identity beyond the Heights. “We’re hoping that the symposium inspires students to consider new possibilities for social innovation in their futures and careers,” said Maggie Dolan, the coordinator of the Social Innovation Symposium. “Our three speakers have approached old social problems in creative ways, and have made an impact because they were willing to take risks and think differently.”

As for current seniors who are preparing to “set the world aflame,” Dolan said that the Symposium hoped to emphasize to the many students headed to nonprofit, for-profit, or public sector work that “cross-sector partnerships are becoming more important for social service organizations, so we designed the event to engage students interested in those lines of work.” n

Police Blotter

Voices from the Dustbowl

1/29/12-1/31/12

“Which form of transportation would you use if you could only use one?”

Sunday, January 29

Monday, January 30

12:24 a.m. - A report was filed regarding an intoxicated party at 90 More Road who was transported to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital via ambulance.

3:10 a.m. - A report was filed regarding an ill student in Kostka Hall who was transported to a medical facility.

1:24 a.m. - A report was filed regarding an underage intoxicated party who was transported to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital via ambulance.

1:44 a.m. - A report was filed regarding an underaged intoxicated party who was transported to a medical facility.

2:12 a.m. - A report was filed regarding an attempted larceny on College Road.

3:10 a.m. - A report was filed regarding an injured party in Cushing Hall who was transported to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital via ambulance.

Tuesday, January 31

“Flying.”

—Alexa Molinaro, A&S ’15

4:42 p.m. - A report was filed regarding a suspicious incidence near Keyes Hall.

4:42 p.m. - An officer filed a report on a person who is having a disturbance with a roommate at an off-campus residence.

The Boston Police were notified.

3:23 p.m. - An officer filed a report on a past hit and run motor vehicle accident which involved property damage.

7:38 p.m. - A report was filed regarding marijuana that was confiscated in Welch Hall.

“Hovercraft.”

—Molly Javes, A&S ’15

“Time machine.”

—Samantha Hodge,

—Source: The Boston College Police Department

CSON ’15

Mostly Cloudy 26°

Friday

41° Sunny 26°

Saturday

36° Sunny 23° 36° Sunny 25°

Source: National Weather Service

A Guide to Your Newspaper The Heights Boston College – McElroy 113 140 Commonwealth Ave. Chestnut Hill, Mass. 02467 Editor-in-Chief (617) 552-2223 Editorial General (617) 552-2221 Managing Editor (617) 552-4286 News Desk (617) 552-0172 Sports Desk (617) 552-0189 Marketplace Desk (617) 552-3548 Features Desk (617) 552-3548 Arts Desk (617) 552-0515 Photo (617) 552-1022 Fax (617) 552-4823 Business and Operations General Manager (617) 552-0169 Advertising (617) 552-2220 Business and Circulation (617) 552-0547 Classifieds and Collections (617) 552-0364 Fax (617) 552-1753 EDITORIAL RESOURCES News Tips Have a news tip or a good idea for a story? Call David Cote, News Editor, at (617) 552-0172, or e-mail news@ bcheights.com. For future events, e-mail, fax, or mail a detailed description of the event and contact information to the News Desk.

Sports Scores Want to report the results of a game? Call Greg Joyce, Sports Editor, at (617) 552-0189, or e-mail sports@bcheights.com.

Arts Events The Heights covers a multitude of events both on and off campus – including concerts, movies, theatrical performances, and more. Call Brennan Carley, Arts and Review Editor, at (617) 552-0515, or e-mail arts@ bcheights.com. For future events, e-mail, fax, or mail a detailed description of the event and contact information to the Arts Desk.

Clarifications / Corrections The Heights strives to provide its readers with complete, accurate, and balanced information. If you believe we have made a reporting error, have information that requires a clarification or correction, or questions about The Heights standards and practices, you may contact Taylour Kumpf, Editor-in-Chief, at (617) 552-2223, or e-mail editor@ bcheights.com.

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Advertising The Heights is one of the most effective ways to reach the BC community. To submit a classified, display, or online advertisement, call our advertising office at (617) 552-2220 Monday through Friday.

The Heights is produced by BC undergraduates and is published on Mondays and Thursdays during the academic year by The Heights, Inc. (c) 2012. All rights reserved.

2:03 a.m - An officer filed a report on drug paraphernalia that was confiscated from a student in Medeiros Hall.

3:16 a.m. - An officer filed a report on a past hit and run motor vehicle accident which involved property damage

8:26 p.m. - A report was filed regarding an injured party in Conte Forum who was transported to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital via ambulance.

“Teleportation.”

—Eric Stecklein, CSOM ’14

8:54 a.m. - A report was filed regarding a parent who was concerned about the safety of his daughter. The student was contacted and reported that she was safe.

11:59 p.m. - An officer filed a report regarding vandalism in Lyons Hall. The matter is being investigated.

42°

Local News

Capstone Seminar helps seniors navigate life after BC

for-profit, and non-profit sectors. Headlining the event were three speakers who in some way were able to find an opportunity to blend an aspect of social outreach and service into their business models. Earl Phalen, CEO of Reach Out and Read and

Today

Sunday

featured story

As seniors begin to live out the final chapters of their Boston College experience, they inevitably realize that, before long, a wider world awaits them—one filled with new challenges to overcome, opportunities to seize, and decisions to make. To help students navigate life after commencement, BC offers a Capstone Seminar for seniors that aims to have them reflect on the education they received, as well as preview the long road ahead. As the Capstone program ultimately tries to impart a lasting impression on seniors the importance of always being men and women for others, the Social Innovation Symposium, held last night in the Heights Room, endeavored to encourage those participating in future Capstone Seminars to further incorporate social innovation and social responsibility into their future career plans.

The event itself featured a conversation among social innovators working to bring more effective solutions to social issues in the public,

Four Day Weather Forecast

CORRECTIONS Please send corrections to editor@bcheights.com with ‘correction’ in the subject line.

The Heights

Thursday, February 2, 2012

A3

Goizueta wins Yves Congar Award for theological excellence

By Andrew Skaras For The Heights

On Jan. 13, Boston College professor Roberto S. Goizueta was honored by Barry University with the Yves Congar Award for Theological Excellence. Each year the award, which honors Cardinal Yves Congar, seeks to recognize a Catholic theologian whose work moves Catholic theological tradition forward to deal with issues facing the modern church, as the Cardinal himself did in his teaching and writings. At the award ceremony in Miami Shores, Fla., Goizueta gave an address, titled “Against the Pursuit of Happiness: The Preferential Option for the Poor and the Denial of Death,” reflecting on part of his work being honored that night.

Born in 1904, Congar devoted most of his scholarship to forming a modern style of ecclesiology.

Rather than emphasizing the juris-

dictional and hierarchical aspects of the Church, Congar sought to reinvigorate the idea of the Church as the Body of Christ. He focused on the importance of ministry and ecumenism as well as the role of the laity in the Church.

A professor in the College of Arts and Sciences’ department of theology, Goizueta holds the Margaret O’Brien Flatley Chair in Catholic Theology. Since receiving his Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Marquette University, he served as the president of the Catholic Theological Society of America in 2004 and 2005, and as president of the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States in 1990 and 1991.

In his research, Goizueta has focused primarily on U.S. Latino theology, but he has extended this into Christology and theological aesthetics as well. Given the increasing importance of the Latino

community in the Catholic Church, there are many reasons that it interests theologians today.

“Who are the poor today? How is God being made present to the poor? These are questions for the theologian today to deal with.”

-Roberto S. Goizueta, Margaret O’Brien Flatley Chair in Catholic Theology

“Soon [the Latino community] will be a majority of the United States’ Catholics,” Goizueta said.

“How does this inform the larger church? How is God being made present in the Latino community?

How do you affirm their value and integrate them into the community?”

One of the important issues that Goizueta has studied is the relationship between cultural traditions and religious practices. He cites a “cultural and religious fusion that adapts cultural traditions to religious life” as that which makes evangelization possible. One notable example of this is at the Cathedral of San Fernando in San Antonio, the oldest continuously functioning cathedral in the U.S., where the pastor lets people bring their own traditions into the life of the Church, thereby creating “a source of vitality for the community.”

This sort of popular religion has also been a part of his research that has dealt with Christology, the study of Jesus Christ. “What is

the lived faith of Latinos in Latin America?” Goizueta asked. “How does popular religion contribute to our understanding of Jesus Christ?

What wisdom can we learn from that?”

Stemming from his interest in Latino theology, Goizueta also examines the question of societal injustice, especially in regard to the poor and the immigrant. He explores the notion of the “Preferential Option for the Poor,” an integral part of Catholic social teaching, in regard to the immigrant. “[These are] questions for the theologian today to deal with,” Goizueta said. “Who are the poor today? How is God being made present in the poor? How do we respond to the immigrant? How do you integrate them?”

In these pursuits, Goizueta has “engaged the Catholic tradition in order to respond to contemporary challenges, such as immigration and

social injustice.” In receiving the Yves Congar Award, Goizueta joins M. Shawn Copeland, who received the award in 2000. “I am honored to be associated with Yves Congar,” Goizueta said. n

Photo courtesy of the Office of news & public affairs

Goizueta was honored for “moving Catholic theological tradition forward.”

First generationers seek support CSOM offers unique new minor

By Paul Witko For The Heights This past week, members of Class Action, a nonprofit organization seeking to address issues of class discrimination, held an informal meeting on campus in hopes of creating a support group for first generation college students. In coordination with several graduate students in the sociology department, Class Action is hoping to connect with the undergraduate population more often during this upcoming semester.

First generation students face many issues, just like those with a learning or language disability, but these issues often go unnoticed. One student who attended the informal meeting was Brooke Schneider, A&S ’13. She described some of the struggles she has had as the first person in her family to go to college.

“It is difficult to explain to my parents the value of a liberal arts degree, of studying abroad, or of learning another language,” Schneider said. “These are things that I have come to value since being at school. I feel the pressure to prove that a college education, complete with all these dimensions,

is worthwhile.”

Schneider went on to say, “I grew up in a household where education was not valued. Rather, my parents stressed the importance of hard work in general. They exemplified what it meant to have work ethic, and I am incredibly proud of all they have accomplished.” It is topics like these which students like Schneider and others are looking to talk about with other first generation students.

Another first generation student, Ruben Rebolledo, CSOM ’14, discussed his experiences of being the first in his family to go to college.

“I feel like it is difficult when you don’t have someone to lead by example, but at the same time having that label is definitely something to be proud of,” Rebolledo said.

Many students may not be aware how many first generation students there are at BC. There are estimates that around 15 percent of the undergraduate population are the first in their family to go to college. This appears to be a surprisingly high number, given BC’s financial and academic demands.

BC offers many resources for those with special circumstances, but

some first generation students feel resources could be more publicized and accessible.

“It seems that BC has resources for nearly every type of student with special circumstances, but I think that this University is lacking a support system specifically for first generation college students,” Schneider said.

Rebolledo echoed her comments, saying, “It’s a special learning experience that definitely requires a lot of outside resources.”

BC does offer some resources to first generation students through its Learning to Learn Department (LTL), located on 50 College Road. All members of the staff in the LTL are first generation college graduates, giving them the ability to connect personally with current first generation students.

Among many other services, the LTL “provides an array of services such as academic, financial aid, career and personal counseling, and informational and educational workshops.” With Class Action hoping to foster interest amongst first generation undergraduates, students like Schneider and Rebolledo will now have a variety of resources, both from faculty and peers, at their disposal. n

By Brigid Wright For The Heights The Carroll School of Management (CSOM) has recently developed a new minor, offered specifically to non-business majors in the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S). The minor is in Management and Leadership, with a concentration on the behavioral aspects of managing. This minor differs from other majors in CSOM because it does not require courses typically taken by business majors, such as accounting and finance.

The minor requires an application, and is completed by finishing six Management and Leadership classes, four of which are electives. The classes vary from Organizational Behavior to Human Resources and Managing Diversity, specifically emphasizing managing people. The Management and Leadership minor is intended to prepare students who are interested in pursuing management careers but are not enrolled in CSOM. The goal is to prepare and instruct students on effective leadership, identifying and strengthening leadership skills many Boston College students may already possess.

“A lot of students in A&S end up in management, so the minor is a way of giving them some of the skills and knowledge they’ll need in future careers,” said Judith Gordon, chairperson of the Management and Organization department. Gordon also said that more and more students approach CSOM departments about taking business courses, and this minor provides a concrete catalog for A&S students.

The basis behind the minor is to create opportunities for students throughout the University. “I’m pleased that Arts and Sciences students will now have an opportunity to pursue [this minor],” said David Quigley, dean of A&S. “This program is designed to appeal to a range of A&S students and to provide a rigorous education in the critical topic of leadership.”

“This is the first time we’re putting [the schools] together in a way that is reasonable and exciting,” Gordon said. She also mentioned that in years to come, there may be more openings of minors for A&S students to explore in CSOM. Gordon anticipates a number of applicants, since the interest in A&S crossover with CSOM has been so

popularly requested in the past. “We reached out to a number of majors, including the social sciences and communications,” Gordon said. She expects there to be interest across all the majors at some point, if not in this minor, then in ones that might come eventually. “We are starting slowly,” she said.

The creation of this new minor is expected to also appeal to prospective students, who will now be given the chance to combine the two most popular schools in BC’s academic life.

The enthusiasm from both schools behind the program is an encouraging sign that the individual needs of students are being addressed and accommodated. Gordon also commented that the program will attempt to accept as many students into the minor as there is capacity for, depending on the applicant pool. It is noted on the application that preference will be given to sophomores and juniors.

The deadline for admission into the fall 2012 program is Feb. 15 and for the spring 2013 program, the deadline is Oct. 15, 2012. Applications are due to Fulton 430. Students will be notified shortly thereafter about acceptance. n

The Heights

A4

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Presidential candidates reveal slogans and campaign strategies Outdoors club plans new events Candidates, from A1

“Our campaign plans and platform reflect our mantra of ‘including U in UGBC’–with ‘U’ referring to the individual and the undergraduate population as a whole,” Sullivan said. “Our platform touches upon every aspect of life at BC–academics, student life, and mission and ministry. It is results-oriented and increases opportunities for involvement and for undergraduates to put their dreams into action to advance BC. Ultimately, we desire for all students to feel they are a part of UGBC.” “Conor and I put people before politics,” Tonkovich said.

“Our campaign will be one of grassroots, face-to-face, and person-to-person interaction to build relationships and establish

trust so that we can continue to listen attentively to the needs and desires of the undergraduate population. We have, through our involvement on campus and during this campaign, incorporated the needs and desires we heard into an action plan for positive change.”

Vanessa Gomez and Jennifer Wanandi, both A&S ’13, emphasized that their experience in UGBC has given them perspective that can lead to good results and a successful administration.

“Given our past experiences as class senator and unity director to now being in our current positions as Vice President and Budget Committee Chair of the Senate and Cabinet Chief Advisor, we have had the ability to gain a good perspective on the UGBC as a whole,” Gomez said. “We believe that it is having this perspective

and expertise when it comes to the duties of the [president and vice president] that will enable us to go ‘To New Heights.’”

On the other hand, candidates Mike Salerni and Ben Donovan, both A&S ’13, spoke rather critically about the traditional UGBC election process, and hope to improve it this year.

“Put simply, we’re looking to change the whole dynamic of the UGBC election process: making it more substantive, but at the same time more fun, interesting, and simple,” the two said. “We have no intention of participating in the popularity contest and beauty pageant that these elections always end up being.”

Furthermore, Salerni and Donovan have adopted a rather unique campaign strategy.

“It is our goal to spend as little money as possible on banners,

posters, ads, etc.,” Salerni and Donovan said. “If it were feasible, we would spend absolutely zero money, and devote all of our time and resources to talking to students about substantive issues.

We want to have meaningful and fruitful conversation with the student population on an incredibly individual and personal level.”

By emphasizing their “outsider” UGBC status and focusing on concrete and real issues, Salerni and Donovan hope to stay true to their “Real People, Real Solutions” campaign slogan and secure the vote of those who are disillusioned with UGBC. Chris Osnato and Kudzai Taziva, both A&S ’13, running under the slogan “Because You Matter,” hope to reinvigorate spirit into the BC campus.

“My strongest desire over the course of this campaign season is

to enlighten the student body to all of the good that is being done at BC, even when people may not realize it,” Osnato said.

Osnato also emphasized his hope that he and his running mate can increase the scope and effectiveness of UGBC as a whole.

“Kudzai and I are striving to make UGBC relevant again,” Osnato said. “We feel as though the undergraduate government should inform and serve the undergraduates. We want students to take the enthusiasm that they have at football games, and apply it to all aspects of BC life.”

The final candidate pair of Matthew Flynn, CSOM ’13, and Jack Walsh, A&S ’13, has removed their names from the ballot, cutting the number of teams down to five.

“While we would like to run, we lack the time and experience right now,” Flynn said by e-mail. n

Students offered refunds SnowJam, from A1 pick up students. However, some students, like Peter Heffrin, CSOM ’15, were unable to go on the trip.

“I waited for the buses to arrive on Newton campus until about 6:30 at night, when they were supposed to be there at 11 a.m.,” Heffrin said.

“There was a late night bus leaving at 12:30 a.m. from South Station, but I decided that the trip would not be worth it for just one night and a total of almost 16 hours of driving.”

After arriving, shuttle service between students quarters and the mountain was interrupted due to inclement weather, causing many students to miss planned events.

Campus Vacations responded to student concerns with an e-mail sent Monday afternoon.

“Our goal at Campus Vacations is to ensure you and your group have a trip filled with awesome events, amazing skiing/boarding, and great times in between,” the e-mail read.

“Unfortunately, we did not deliver 100 percent of this to some of you this past weekend. For this, we apologize and are going to do everything in our power to restore your confidence in our company.”

Campus Vacations explained the reasons for the delays, including inclement weather and mechanical problems, and offered some compensation to students.

“Although certain aspects were out of our control, you’re all our clients and some of you did not receive the complete trip that you paid for—and went through some frustrating experiences,” the e-mail read. “If you were negatively affected by any of the above issues, you will be receiving a follow up [e-mail] with details on your compensation package.”

Based on their personal experience with the trip, students were offered different reimbursement

packages. Students who were able to go on the trip but had delayed bus service were offered one third of a refund, while students who did not attend at all were offered a full refund.

Paul Arlin, director of operations for Campus Vacations, commented on the problems with the trip as well, pointing out that many of the problems were unavoidable.

“Our intention isn’t to pass responsibility onto weather or our subcontracted bus companies—the students are our clients and we are reimbursing students who didn’t get the full trip they paid for, regardless of what the reasons were,” Arlin said in an e-mail. “I do however want the students to know that most events were out of our control, why certain events took place, and what we’re doing to compensate them and ensure this doesn’t happen in the future.”

Even with the compensation and some fun while in Canada, Miller said she was overall disappointed in the trip.

“For the few hours I was able to snowboard, Mont Tremblont was beautiful,” Miller said. “The village also offered a ton of shops, restaurants, and bars. The trip had the potential to be awesome but Campus Vacations was extremely unorganized and the transportation ruined it for me.”

Quinlan spoke similarly, saying that the trip was fun despite the stress it caused.

“We made the best of it, but overall Campus Vacations did not communicate very well with the clients and a lot of people were frustrated with them,” Quinlan said.

“However, they are compensating people accordingly in a fair and reasonable manner and are listening to people’s concerns. As a company they probably had a very, very difficult weekend.” n

photos courtesy of clara son

Students who made it to Canada spent the two days skiing, snowboarding, or relaxing near Mont Tremblant.

UGBC focusing in on concert transport issue Smoking, from A1

woogeon kim / heights editor

Boston College Dining Services released the above statistics in relation to their dining hall revenue expenditures.

Admins explain dining hall pricing Food Prices, from A1 restaurant industry standards, we’re very competitive until it gets to labor and fringe,” Wechsler said, “because BC is a JesuitCatholic school that pays a fair living wage, and every employee gets the same benefits.”

Every employee of BCDS is guaranteed healthcare benefits, paid vacation and sick days,

guaranteed workweeks, and the opportunity to take University classes free of charge.

“When I talk to students I say, ‘Look, you’ve traveled all over the world on service trips doing amazing things, and you come to this school I hope in part because of the values it imparts as a Jesuit-Catholic institution,’” Wechsler said. “Supporting BC Dining is supporting the mission of the school because of what we

represent to our employees. I feel really good about it.”

Wechsler said that in order to cut costs, the current BCDS system would have to be redesigned.

“If I did little mini marts, I could lower the price because it would change the whole picture of doing business,” Wechsler said.

“What it comes down to for me is space: where would I do it? We’re working on it.” n

would only support a modified ban. “I wouldn’t personally support the all-out ban, but smoke zones,” Kitlas said. “If students want to smoke it’s their choice, they have that right, but having certain zones on campus where students can smoke would limit the effects on non-smokers and would be the best sort of compromise.”

The UGBC reviewed the topic of smoking on campus for two weeks, but has switched its focus back to an issue BC students have shown much more interest in: alcohol policy. “Currently, we’re putting effort behind the ‘Green Zone’ campaign, with the Office of Health Promotion, to really get students more informed about that, because drinking affects students on a regular basis,” Kitlas said. “We get a lot of comments from students asking us to work on that.”

The cancellation of the fall concert may have been the alcohol-related issue that garnered the most attention and complaints from students in the recent past. The UGBC sent in recommendations to the administration about how to make concerts at BC safer before leaving for winter break.

“Probably one of the biggest recommendations is to change the environment of the concerts,” Kitlas said. “We’d be changing

the environment so the concerts won’t be so late at night, maybe five o’clock—so it’s more like the idea of Modstock where it’s pushed closer to classes on a Friday afternoon so there’s not as much time in between classes and the concert for students to go drink.”

Another recommendation included preventing students who are

“Probably one of the biggest recommendations is to change the environment of the concerts.”

-Mike Kitlas UGBC President and A&S ’12 kicked out of concerts from buying tickets to any future concerts.

“That way it’s the students that are transported who are the ones being negatively affected and not everyone else,” Kitlas said.

The clock is ticking on BC’s ability to have a spring concert, but Kitlas remains positive. “We’re very close,” Kitlas said. “Hopefully the administration’s response to our recommendations will be positive and we can start planning within the next week.“ n

Outdoors Club, from A1 It has been three semesters since they’re had any trips. “At the beginning of the process, we organized small, local trips, but SPO told us we would be jeopardizing our approval, so we decided it was best to hold off until we were recognized,” Dougherty said.

At a certain point, liability was less of an issue. Bell said that in the spring of 2011, Patrick Rombalski, vice president of Student Affairs, told SPO that a place should be found for OCBC, at which point there was a shift in the issues the club was facing. At that point, Dougherty said, turning in the paperwork was of primary concern.

For example, the proposal for the club was not submitted by the Aug. 1 deadline.

“At one point, liability was the issue, then it was less of an issue, and by the fall it was secondary,” Dougherty said. “Then the issue was getting the paperwork in.”

After an organization’s proposal is approved, they must submit a constitution to SPO for review.

SPO saw issues with the constitution, feeling that membership was not clearly defined and that members did not necessarily have enough say in the club’s activities.

“The Outdoors Club wanted to operate in a fashion that this office was neither clear about nor comfortable with,” Bell said.

Problems with clubs’ constitutions are not rare, Bell said, and issues with OCBC’s were eventually resolved. Now, OCBC has a page on MyBC and is an official, registered organization. “On every turn when there are adjustments to the constitution in an organization, this office needs to approve them,” he said. “Sometimes this comes with some disagreement, and sometimes it comes with deep disagreement.”

Now that the club is registered, OCBC must get its budget and activities approved. On Friday, OCBC is meeting with SOFC and asking for a budget of $18,000 to cover both rental equipment to be kept in the Plex and shared with Outdoor Adventures and Geo Club, as well as funds to cover ten events, such as snowshoeing, rock climbing, camping, skiing, and kayaking. They will be meeting next week with Kyle Davidson, who runs Outdoor Adventures, Anastos Chiavaras, University risk manager, and Darrell Peterson, director of SPO, to discuss their events.

“Realistically they’re going to tell us that a few of the trips we’d like to run are too risky for them to be liable for, but a lot of the bigger things are things other clubs do,” Dougherty said.

They hope to partner with other organizations such as Nights on the Heights to host trips to a rock climbing gym on weekend nights.

“We really want to be an outlet for students to get out of the BC bubble,” Dougherty said.

In addition to trips, OCBC hopes to host leadership and first aid classes through the Appalachian Mountain Club and Eagle EMS. Dougherty said that they hope to attract students who already have outdoor hobbies, as well as those who are interested but have little experience.

“We want this club to be as accessible as possible,” he said. “This is really open to anyone who is interested.”

Current club leaders interviewed prospective trip leaders and executive board members Tuesday night, and are hoping that interested individuals will be able to apply for trip leader positions throughout the year to make it more inclusive. “We’re leaving it open to apply to be a trip leader at any point in the year,” Dougherty said.

Once the club’s budget is approved, they can begin hosting informational sessions. Currently, there are about 570 people on the group’s listserv, and they hope to find more interested members. “ We want a diverse group of people going on these trips,” Dougherty said.

This has been a longer road for OCBC than the one that many other clubs experience, Bell said.

“It’s amazing because for some this is a very straightforward, easy process. This has been a long time coming, but I think everyone is happy to be at a place to say that the Outdoors Club has been registered at Boston College.” n

CLASSIFIEDS

The Heights

A5

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Community Help wanted Have you thought about ADOPTION? Loving and devoted married couple hoping to adopt. We hope you will consider us in your options. To learn more, please call us toll-free at (877) 8413748, or visit our website www. roseanneandtim.com. Please be assured all conversations are held in strict confidence.

Study buddy needed. BC freshman looking for study companion for Literary Themes. Will take any available assistance, not particular. Open to help from freshmen to seniors. Inquiries may be sent to: jennlamonca@ yahoo.com.

Used bicycle wanted. Mild to moderate use preferred. A bright paint color is desired. Willing to pay variable price but will also take it off your hands for free. Please contact carljones@yahoo.com if interested.

Directions: The Sudoku is played over a 9x9 grid. In each row there are 9 slots, some of which are empty and need to be filled.

Each row, column and 3x3 box should contain the numbers 1 to 9. You must follow these rules: 路 Number can appear only once in each row 路 Number can appear only once in each column 路 Number can appear only once in each 3x3 box 路 The number should appear only once on row, column or area.

Check out the B-Line at theb-line.tumblr.com

A6

The Heights

Editorials

qUOTE OF THE dAY

BC Dining transparency may decrease unrest

Thursday, February 2, 2012

“I haven’t found anywhere in the world where I want to be all the time. The best of my life is the moving. I look forward to going.”

Sean Connery (1930– ), actor, most famous for playing James Bond from 1962-1983

Students should be able to choose where, and how, their meal money is spent Boston College students understand that serving the community is an important and fulfilling use of their time—if they choose to spend it that way. Spending their money for a good cause should be no different.

“The Heights, therefore, believes that BC students should have more options when it comes to meal plans.”

Ten percent of the money BC Dining Services (BCDS) makes from the mandatory student meal plans pays for special employee benefits. Because meal plans are paid for separately, not as part of BC tuition, the University should use a different source of money for benefits rather than place the responsibility on students. Many students at BC need a significant

amount of financial aid. By shouldering the cost of employee benefits, these students have to worry about paying almost $5,000 per year for food that actually costs much less.

Some students find themselves with too much money at the end of the year, and some run out long before.The Heights, therefore, believes that BC students should have more options when it comes to meal plans.

For many, unused money would be extremely helpful in terms of covering other expenses. If students paid for their own food instead of having a set meal plan or had the option of choosing from among several mandatory plan options, they might be more willing to pay high prices. Similarly, if students were made more aware of where their dining dollars actually go, they might not question the price of food.

If BC cannot pay for employee benefits itself, The Heights recommends that the school at least provide students with realistic options regarding meal plans and more information about exactly what those meal plans pay for.

SnowJam shortcomings must be acknowledged Students who feel cheated by Campus Vacations should let their feelings be known This year, the much-hyped SnowJam ski trip to Mont Tremblant, Quebec, fell far short of expectations stemming from its reputation amongst past participants as one of the most exciting events available to Boston College students. Snowstorms in Canada resulted in massive delays for the buses taking students there, causing the bus rides to take twice as long as usual or, in the case of three buses, not happen at all.

While there, students staying in the chalets encountered problems with the shuttles that transported students to and from the mountain, which caused a large number of participants to miss many of the advertised functions of the weekend. On the way back, one bus had a mechanical issue

and all of its passengers had to stay overnight in Montreal, and did not return to BC until 3 p.m. the following afternoon.

The Heights urges those students who were affected by these and other occurrences to be proactive about voicing their opinions and to try to get their money back. We understand that Campus Vacations has promised compensation packages, but if these do not seem adequate, contact Campus Vacations and explain why. In addition, we urge students to learn from this experience to rely on not just what they’ve heard, but what they know. For example, purchasing travel insurance on trips may be a wise decision, and a reasonably priced way to save money in the face of disaster.

Study your UGBC presidential contenders ‘The Heights’ urges students to educate themselves on their candidate options

On Wednesday, the campaigning period for the positions of president and vice president of the Undergraduate Government of Boston College (UGBC) commence d, and voting for the pr i -

“The Heights encourages all students to be aware of what each campaign offers and to select the team best positioned to effectively lead” mary election is now just a week away.

As the candidates take advantage of the short amount of time during which they may appeal to voters, The Heights encourages all students to be aware of what each campaign offers and to select the team best positioned to effectively lead. This

year’s election features five teams, some of which have already begun releasing their platforms and discussing their ideas with fellow students. As has been the case in previous elections, we should expect to see teams proposing unique plans for the University and the student body, and individual candidates bringing distinct experiences to their campaigns.

Question the candidates. As platforms are made available on campaign websites, they should scrutinize them and weigh the relative feasibility of what each team hopes to achieve, making sure that their votes are cast for a team whose vision aligns with their own. Whether or not students actively participate in UGBC-sponsored events, the candidates elected will have an influence on the experiences of all students next year, and it is important that all voters know what the candidates they vote for hope to achieve.

Throughout the campaign, The Heights will provide coverage of the teams as they participate in events and reveal their plans.

We encourage students to be informed in their voting, and to select the candidates most representative of their own visions for the University.

The Heights The Independent Student Newspaper of Boston College Established 1919 Taylour Kumpf, Editor-in-Chief Daniel Ottaunick, General Manager Lindsay Grossman, Managing Editor

Contributors:

Samantha Cohen/ Heights Illustration

Letter to the Editor On the evening of Mar. 28, Boston College survivors of rape will be speaking out about their experiences at Take Back the Night as part of C.A.R.E. (Concerned About Rape Education) week. At the same time, hundreds of BC students will be partying and pouring money into a blog that says some women “kind of deserve to be raped.”

At BC, we learn the importance of advocating for social justice, and we learn that money talks—we pay extra for fair trade coffee and splurge on Haley House cookies in the dining halls. People with meal plans are regularly encouraged to donate to service trips or food drives. The bookstore hikes its prices even higher for BC-branded merchandise that is not made by children for pennies per hour.

If we are to be men and women for others—or men and women with socially conscious wallets, at least—then BC students should be ashamed of themselves for shelling out up to $200 for tickets to the BC Barstool Blackout event at the House of Blues, run by the popular and misogynistic blog Barstool Sports. Close to 1,600 people have responded affirmatively to the event on Facebook.

Barstool Sports consistently objectifies and degrades women with regular features like “Guess That Ass” and “Smokeshow of the Day,” in which readers are supposed to identify women by zoomed-in pictures of their derrieres and ogle attractive coeds in push-up bras.

The event overlap between Take Back the Night and the BC Barstool Blackout is especially disturbing in the context of some of the callous remarks made by Barstool bloggers:

The Heights welcomes Letters to the Editor not exceeding 200 words and column submissions that do not exceed 700 words for its op/ed pages.

The Heights reserves the right to edit for clarity, brevity, accuracy, and to prevent libel. The Heights also reserves the right to write headlines and choose illustrations to accompany pieces submitted

“[E]ven though I never condone rape, if you’re a size 6 and you’re wearing skinny jeans you kind of deserve to be raped right? I mean skinny jeans don’t look good on size 0 and 2 chicks, nevermind size 6s. So it’s almost like this guy had no choice but to teach her a lesson,” “El Presidente,” the head editor of the blog, wrote.

In December, “El Presidente” wrote, “Just to make friends with the feminists, I’d like to reiterate that we don’t condone rape of any kind at our Blackout Parties in mid January. However if a chick passes out, that’s a grey area.”

Violent rhetoric such as this normalizes gender violence and creates a culture of rape, the ramifications of which women and men have to deal with every day. While Barstool readers may argue that these comments are made in the name of humor or satire, reinforcing a rape culture contributes to the victimization of men and women. We have survivors of rape and sexual assault on our campus. At parties, in Mods, off campus, and in our residence halls, rape and sexual assault constitute a painful reality for many of us at BC. Here at BC, we are supposed to be men and women for others. Although the First Amendment grants creeps like “El Presidente” the right to say that women deserve to be raped as a form of fashion advice, BC students should know better than to finance it.

Maeve Kennedy Gormly

BC ’12

to the newspaper.

Submissions must be signed and should include the author’s connection to Boston College, address, and phone number. Letters and columns can be submitted online at www.bcheights.com, by e-mail to editor@bcheights.com, in person, or by mail to Editor, The Heights, 113 McElroy Commons, Chestnut Hill, Mass. 02467.

Business and Operations

Editorial Eleanor Hildebrandt, Copy Editor David Cote, News Editor Greg Joyce, Sports Editor Therese Tully, Features Editor Brennan Carley, Arts & Review Editor Charlotte Parish, Metro Editor Elise Taylor, Opinions Editor Molly Lapoint, Special Projects Editor Daniel Lee, Photo Editor Maggie Burdge, Layout Editor

Woogeon Kim, Graphics Editor Katie McClurg, Online Manager Michelle Tomassi, Assoc. Copy Editor Chris Grimaldi, Asst. Copy Editor Andrew Millette, Assoc. News Editor Sam Costanzo, Asst. News Editor Chris Marino, Assoc. Sports Editor Austin Tedesco, Asst. Sports Editor Alexandra Schaeffer, Asst. Features Editor Taylor Cavallo, Assoc. Arts & Review Editor

Dan Siering, Asst. Arts & Review Editor Marc Francis, Asst. Metro Editor Graham Beck, Asst. Photo Editor Mary Rose Fissinger, Asst. Layout Editor Joseph Castlen, Asst. Graphics Editor David Riemer, Asst. Online Manager Devon Sanford, Editorial Assistant Cathryn Woodruff, Executive Assistant

Jamie Ciocon, Business Manager James Gu, Advertising Manager Adriana Mariella, Outreach Coordinator Borui Wang, Systems Manager Amy Hachigian, National Sales Manager Daniel Arnold, Local Sales Manager Natasha Ettensberger, Collections Manager DJ Terceiro, Asst. Local Sales Manager Christina Quinn, Project Coordinator

The Heights

Thursday, February 2, 2012

A7

Opinions

Thumbs Up Cold calories- The New York Times published an article earlier this month stating that you can burn hundreds of calories simply by sitting out in the cold for a few hours. TU/TD might be overly optimistic, but we may have found the solution of balancing our love for White Mountain and obtaining the perfect spring break bod without waiting in line for an elliptical. Stick us in front of a Vandy air-conditioning vent and we’re golden.

Woogeon Kim / Heights Illustration

A senior moment

North End week- The best week of the month is here—North End week. This delicious Hillside sandwich featuring prosciutto and mozzarella has long been a student favorite, and rivals the sandwiches made by Ana at Eagle’s (yes, we know, bold claim).

Super Bowl Ballin’- Six players (and one coach) from Boston College are playing in the Superbowl this Sunday. What a wonderful reminder that we used to not suck so badly.

Thumbs Down Airing your emotional laundry- Last night on The Bachelor, Ben told one of the contestants “All of the women that I have really fallen for in my life … have not loved me back.” Yikes.

No offense man, but you sound kind of stalker-y right there. Maybe its time you take a long look at your life and not only ponder why no one has loved you back, but why you are confessing this to a woman you barely know and a multimillion person audience.

A new kind of rehab- A study published by Science Daily says that social media sites like Facebook are harder to resist than tobacco and alcohol. TU/TD has to put this as a Thumbs Down because it’s pretty sad how much Zuckerberg controls our life, but does this mean there is a possibility for Facebook Rehab? If so, we’ve got a boatload of people we’d like to recommend. Like our 8th grade neighbor who posts angsty statuses about her ex-boyfriend and uses q’s in place of g’s. Or the stoner from high school who posts daily Slightly Stoopid lyrics and petitions for legalizing weed. Or the diehard Republican who is convinced Obama is a socialist and uploads photoshopped pictures of him hugging Kim Jong-Il. Uncovering NewsweekThis week’s cover of Newsweek has Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich in gladiator garb. Romney is shown in a leather skirt, muscular and clutching a sword with a grimace. Newt Gingrich is shown as a stage five creeper in a leather diaper contraption with mountainous man boobs. We’re not sure who the editors of Newsweek are, but come on. Can we have an unwritten rule amongst the press that any depiction of Newt Gingrich’s inner thighs are off limits, for the sake of everyone’s gag reflex?

Follow us on Twitter @BCTUTD

John Blakeslee Spring semester of one’s senior year of college is supposed to be a time of carefree revelry and overall decadence.

It’s a time when you go to bars on weeknights and figure out who is in your “senior five.” You’re the big man on campus now, and it’s time to take advantage of the perks that status offers you. I had always imagined it involving a lot of “woo! woo!”s and “ra! ra!”s and other words that traditionally denote merriment.

But as I look at my own experience, and the experience of my fellow classmates, I notice a dearth of this kind of behavior. In fact, I’ve noticed the opposite. Instead of the free-loving, noholds-barred approach to senior year, my classmates and I have chosen to take the “senior” part of senior year literally.

We seniors are senior citizens. Old people. Some of you reading this might not agree. You’re saying to yourself, “But I’m young and fun!” To this I say that no one who is actually fun says they’re fun.

They just are. You are not fun. You’re washed up, a geezer, yesterday’s news.

Consider some of your own behavior. First off, we basically live in nursing homes. Almost everyone in my dorm is a senior. My meals are provided by a dining hall and fun community events are planned for me by my resident assistant, essentially my orderly. If you live in The Mods, this nursing home effect is even more pronounced, as you actually live in a gated community.

On weekends we go to Mary Ann’s, the neighborhood bar. I always hear my fellow seniors complaining about how the bar is now full of juniors. My classmates are infuriated that these young “whippersnappers” have invaded the bar that we have been patronizing for at least a whole year. Their youthful style and MTV mores are offensive to our senior sensibilities. You can tell as you look into a senior’s eyes they are thinking to themselves, “This place just isn’t what it used to be.”

Like many of my fellow seniors, I don’t have class every day. In fact, I only have classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

So five days a week, I have nothing to do.

This is what most people call retirement.

I work two days a week to keep myself busy, but by and large I spend my time watching the History Channel or playing rounds of Mahjong with my roommates.

The other night my roommate and I spent at least half an hour complaining about how late parties at Boston College start. Why do we have “pre-games” at

9 p.m.? Why not just skip right to the “game” at 7 or 8? I actually took a nap at 9:30 so I would be awake for the 11 p.m. party. When I finally got to the party I ran into several of my senior friends.

One of my friends told me about how she found gray hairs in her head when doing her hair that evening. Then a group of us formed a circle and toasted to “it all being downhill from here.” We seniors might still go to parties, but I would guess that at least a quarter of us don’t even remember what happened last Saturday night.

Instead of traditional college parties, we’ve found new things to do, like trivia night at Roggie’s—our version of bingo.

At my last trivia night we spent most of our time answering questions about obscure ’90s cartoons and bands. We sat around the table reminiscing about our past antics and adventures. We then planned a trip to Florida in March to escape the cold.

I used to walk through the Rat and see friends at every table. Now, as a senior, I don’t recognize most of the people.

Underclassmen have replaced my older friends, who have since passed on to fulltime employment. My fellow seniors are usually huddled in the corner drinking their coffee and furiously working on their theses, which are effectively their memoirs.

I can’t go to the Plex during the day anymore and watch as these young studs

sneer at my elderly frame. To them, I am a relic of the past: a man born in the thick of the Cold War and brought up during the Clinton impeachment trial.

To them, the names Cory and Topanga mean nothing. Instead, my old friend Rich and I meet at the Plex at 7 a.m. to play racquetball. We hope to elevate our heart rates and prevent muscle atrophy.

But more than that, we seek a sort of dignity. Behind Rich’s slowly graying beard and hardened eyes is a man who identifies with me. We speak little, but our occasional grunt or head nod comes with an unspoken understanding about the campus that has passed us by.

Soon we will be at graduation, a funeral of sorts. We will be fitted in the appropriate clothing and solemn music will play, as friends and family come to a ceremony to send us off. BC will probably pay some mediocre speaker to eulogize us. But until then I ask the underclassmen on campus to treat us seniors with the dignity we deserve. Come visit us in our dorms. Give us a hand when we’re trying to climb the million dollar stairs.

Cherish us now, because we won’t be around forever. Hey, if you’re really nice maybe we’ll even leave behind a sweet poster for you or something.

John Blakeslee is a staff columnist for The Heights. He welcomes comments at opinions@bcheights.com.

The always-unequal playing field Marye Moran We all took a different route to arrive at the main gate of Boston College.

Some of us had supportive teachers who inspired us, encouraged us to study, and made it almost impossible to fail. Some of us had parents who donated to our schools, and regardless of our minimal studying, ensured that we would be able to attend a top-rate university. Some of us had to overcome subpar educational systems, going out of our way to find advanced classes and academic support.

We faced a variety of barriers, drove on different roads. Some of us have disabilities like Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), forcing us to spend an excessive amount of time in order to reach academic success. And some of us bought ADD medications from people like that, in order to reach academic success more easily.

Yet we all arrived here, rocking lanyards and “Seniors” sweatshirts from high school, knowing that each of us would leave here four years later with equal diplomas but varying degrees of difficulty to achieve those. It isn’t fair.

Education and success are never fair, though. On college campuses throughout the country, use of medication such as Adderall is constantly debated, for both diagnosed and undiagnosed users.

According to WebMD, individuals with ADD and ADHD are characterized by attention problems and hyperactivity, but there is no biological test. Instead, diagnoses must be based on observational reports of these symptoms, so unlike a simple blood test or MRI, with objective results, cases can be difficult to definitively identify.

It is almost universally accepted that if someone has a biological impediment, like one of these disorders, they should be given medications to reach equal footing as someone without the natural disadvantage. However, there are inherent hindrances other than medical conditions, and these are viewed and handled very differently.

A study in the Journal of Human Resources showed that children tend to have higher math and reading scores if the age gap with their siblings is at least two years. Children with early birthdays, who are always more developed than their peers, have an advantage, as the oldest U.S. eighth graders ranked between four and eight percentage points higher than the youngest, as revealed by a study conducted at UC Santa Barbara. And if we’re just talking about natural intelligence, IQ has a significant heritability, so for those students with intelligent parents, learning is just going

Bazoomie Wagon | BEN VADNAL

to be easier.

We allow for students with ADHD to have extra time on tests and take medications to aid focusing, but what makes them worthy of assistance as opposed to, say, a child who is young for their grade and who grew up in a household where English was barely spoken? Like a disorder, none of these things are the child’s fault. By treating the individual with ADHD we are trying to be fair, but it seems almost pointless to pinpoint biologically based differences as the most valid. The playing field is already incredibly skewed, and the educational system, by no one’s fault, seems intrinsically unfair.

It is right that we have a natural disinclination toward injustice. However, it seems futile to make a fuss about factors on college campuses that give unfair advantages, since there are so many already in play. A survey conducted by scientists at the University of Pennsylvania showed that up to a quarter of students at competitive colleges have used Adderall, and many of those cases are with individuals who do not have ADD or ADHD. Yes, this is not fair to those students who take the drug because they actually need it, and it’s not fair to those students who choose to work more efficiently, not procrastinate, and get their work done without chemical assistance.

However, what if the student taking pills to get his studying done is pressed for time because his parents cannot afford tuition, and that student has to

spend several hours each day working to pay for his classes? Maybe his usage of Adderall is just evening the playing field, just as it is for the disordered user.

There is no perfect way to determine who needs help and how to create fairness.

Using Adderall to finish a paper is certainly a blatant injustice, but in the scheme of things, in the midst of an inevitably unjust system, it seems arbitrary to single that out as such a horrible source of unequal opportunity.

It is, but so is almost everything from the time of conception. It’s unfortunate that every BC student gets credit for going to the same university but has faced a widely varying set of challenges along that path. However, that’s the way it is.

If we try too hard to correct for inequality, we will inevitably cause more, since there are so many factors to consider, and so many unquantifiable elements.

I by no means endorse cheating, drug use, or any other means to propagate an unequal playing field. However, given the mountainous discrepancies in the ease of the educational process for each student, I’m not going to pretend that these occurrences are the main problems. Those ones start when we’re born, with who we are.

Marye Moran is a staff columnist for The Heights. She welcomes comments at opinions@bcheights.com.

The Heights

A8

Thursday, February 2, 2012

joseph castlen / heights photo illustration; photos courtesy of bc athletics and ap

Spaz announces 16 for new class National Signing Day, from A10

don ryan / ap photo

Nike has provided schools like Oregon (above) with flashy uniforms, which compliments the dynamic energy of the Ducks’ offensive power on the football field.

While not a quick fix, jerseys could boost recruiting Column, from A10 the overall rank of the class are never an exact representation of future success for a program, it definitely doesn’t hurt to bring in a bunch of highly-touted players. Head coach Frank Spaziani and his staff didn’t manage to do that this year, missing out on a lot of local talent and receiving a few decommitments after a poor season, but this modest, at best, class may not entirely be the fault of the coaching staff.

Some of the blame might belong to Under Armour and whoever is in charge of the BC uniforms.

Now, I know that uniforms don’t make or break the decisions of a recruit. Oregon has found success recruiting the past 10 years not just because of the uniform innovations going on out in Eugene, but mainly because of all the money Nike is pumping into the University’s facilities and the entire athletic program. This doesn’t change the fact that recruits get excited about jerseys, and BC’s are nothing to get excited about.

Both football and basketball wear incredibly bland uniforms, whose sole function seems to be communicating to viewers and the opposing team that they are in fact looking at a BC athletic team. One of the main reasons the uniforms at Oregon are so exciting

is because the flash and style of the jerseys matches the dynamic energy of the Oregon offense. Under Armour could use that same mentality to develop new uniforms for BC football and basketball.

The only school with a higher profile than BC that Under Armour sponsors is Auburn, and Cam Newton’s alma mater plays in essentially the same uniforms BC does, except with their blue and orange instead of our maroon and gold. If Under Armour really wanted to make a push to threaten Nike in the college sports world, it could start catering their uniforms to specific programs like Nike does with Oregon.

Historically, the Eagles’ football team is known for its power. Unlike Oregon, which thrives off of speed and agility, BC has had its most success by playing hard-nosed, grind-it-out football. BC’s best pro players, like those who will play in the Super Bowl on Sunday, were all tough players who fought hard on the field with little flash. There is a way to make uniforms that reflect this toughness and power without being incredibly plain. I’m not a designer, and I honestly don’t have any ideas for exactly how they should look, but I know that it could work. Being able to market your identity through eye-capturing jerseys would definitely bring a boost to recruiting. When

the BC coaching staff is sitting in the house of a high profile defensive end that is considering some of the nation’s most elite schools, being able to pitch to him that he will be wearing a uniform that matches the power of his own play could be a welcome selling point.

The exact opposite approach could be used for the men’s basketball team, which has even worse uniforms than the football team. Head coach Steve Donahue runs an exciting, up-tempo motion offense similar to the one being run on the football fields in Eugene. Instead of promoting power and toughness, the basketball uniforms could have the flashy, light aspect that the latest Nike uniforms capitalize on. This would help cement a team identity, and it could also help with a fan base in desperate need of rejuvenation.

First and foremost, proven winning and great coaching bring the best players to campus. That is a proven fact in college sports.

But it would be nice to have a safety net for the times when the wins aren’t coming.

Austin Tedesco is the Asst. Sports Editor for The Heights. He can be reached at sports@bcheights. com.

be all on Super Bowl rosters. But the point is we evaluate them the same way, we plan to develop them, and we plan to find out just how good they are. That’s how we evaluate our class. We’re excited about it.”

The class is composed of three offensive linemen, three wide receivers, two tight ends, four linebackers, three defensive backs, and a defensive end.

The offensive linemen—Jim Cashman, Win Homer, and Frank Taylor—may be one of the highlights of the class.

Cashman is a 6-foot-7, 275 pounder, Homer a 6-foot-5 245 pounder, and Taylor a 6-foot-3 285 pounder.

Meanwhile, tight end Mike Giacone was a late commit, decommitting from Rutgers when head coach Greg Schiano left for the NFL, and commiting to BC instead.

“We had targeted Michael long ago,” Spaziani said.

“We had worked very hard on him, and it’s never over till it’s over. We’re very happy that he joined us, and that was a big addition at the end in a position that we’re very excited about to have.”

On the defensive side, linebackers Steven Daniels and Mike Strizak come in as highly regarded recruits. Daniels, who went to St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati (the same school Luke Kuechly attended), played at Worcester Academy in Mass. last year, as he needed to become academically eligible for BC. Spaziani said he is “very optimistic” that Daniels will be on the team come September.

“Hopefully, he’ll complete what he has to complete,” Spaziani said. “He’s working hard at it. He’s a great kid, and he’s got great support. We may know some news here early on.”

Two recruits have already enrolled and are on campus—wide outs Marcus Grant and Karim Zoungrana.

While a popular view of National Signing Day is a recruit deciding between his choice of top-notch colleges, Spaziani said they usually don’t go after those kinds of players.

“We didn’t have any guys with five hats in front of them,” Spaziani said. “That’s usually not our style. We try to tattoo them early and make sure they stay on.”

Many schools that had top-25 recruiting classes did so by getting flashy four or five-star recruits who made headlines in high school. Spaziani preferred to see recruits in another light.

“The other parameters that we work on here is the total person, the total recruiting class,” Spaziani said. “We have academic standards that we adhere to, and we use it as a plus. As a coaching staff and an administration, we don’t view it as a minus. It’s a plus. We have certain qualifications that we want in our athletes as far as citizens. We have eight captains. I think we have two valedictorians. And oh, by the way, they’re good football players too. Those are the type of people that we’re recruiting, and those are the ones we feel we can develop.”

“Those six guys I mentioned earlier [the Super Bowl alumni]—they had all of those qualifications too.”

The class is rounded out by wide receiver Harrison Jackson, tight end Dan Crimmins, linebackers Tim Joy and Bobby Wolford, defensive backs David Dudeck, Bryce Jones, and Justin Simmons, and defensive end Malachi Moore. n

The Heights

Editors’ Picks

Thursday, February 2, 2012 The Week Ahead Men’s hockey opens the Beanpot against Northeastern on Monday night. Georgia Tech hosts the men’s basketball team on Saturday and Maryland hosts the women’s team tonight. Women’s hockey looks to bounce back against PC on Saturday. The Super Bowl between the Giants and Patriots is Sunday.

Standings

A9

Recap from Last Week

Greg Joyce

6-4

Chris Marino

6-4

Austin Tedesco

6-4

Heights Staff

4-6

Men’s hockey won its series against UNH. The men’s basketball team fell short at UVA. Northeastern eliminated the women’s hockey team in the opening round of the Beanpot.

Women’s basketball lost to the Miami Hurriances. Novak Djokovic won the Australian Open.

Guest Editor: Graham Beck

Hockey

Northeastern vs. Boston College

Asst. Photo Editor

“I would have picked the Niners.”

This Week’s Games

Game of the Week

Greg Joyce Sports Editor

Chris Marino Assoc. Sports Editor

Austin Tedesco Asst. Sports Editor

Graham Beck

Asst. Photo Editor

Men’s Hockey: No. 5 BC vs. Northeastern

BC

BC

BC

BC

Men’s Basketball: BC at Georgia Tech

BC

Georgia Tech

BC

Georgia Tech

Women’s Hockey: No. 4 BC vs. Providence

BC

BC

BC

BC

Women’s Basketball: BC at No. 9 Maryland

Maryland

Maryland

Maryland

Maryland

Patriots

Patriots

Giants

Patriots

Who will win the Super Bowl?

In the first round of the 2012 Beanpot, the No. 5 Boston College Eagles will take on the Northeastern Huskies at the TD Garden. In the yearly Boston battle, BC will be looking to build off last weekend’s sweep of UNH and gain momentum for the home stretch of the season. The last time these two teams faced off in the Beanpot was in last year’s championship, which was an overtime thriller. The Eagles pulled that game out by a score of 7-6, but not before giving the Garden crowd its money’s worth. BC also won the Beanpot in 2010 against BU.

Monday, 8 p.m.

Eagles come up short in shootout Beanpot, from A10 With two minutes and six seconds remaining in the period, Carpenter took a shot in front of the net. After yet another save by Schelling, a fortuitous rebound landed on the stick of freshman Emily Field. Field shot the puck past the out of position goaltender into the back of the net to tie the game at 1-1.

Entering the third period, strong goaltending dominated the remainder of the game. After a scoreless five-minute overtime, the teams entered a shootout.

Unfortunately for the Eagles, Schelling proved to be unbeatable. With the first shot of the shootout, senior Mary Restuccia brought the puck down the left side of the ice. After two quick dekes, her backhand shot was blocked by Schelling’s right pad.

Northeastern responded immediately with its first shooter, Llanes. The San Jose native used the same move Restuccia attempted, but she was able to beat Boyles stick side low to give the Huskies a 1-0 lead.

After a shot from the dots by Blake Bolden was stopped, Northeastern’s Brittany Esposito had an opportunity to win the game for the Huskies. In an attempt identical to that of Llanes and Restuccia, Esposito forced

Boyles to make the first move and slid the puck past her right pad to win the game and earn a finals appearance for the Huskies.

The loss certainly was not a reflection of the Eagles’ ability to put pucks on net. After registering 36 shots and Northeastern tallying 42, Crowley acknowledged that both goalies had outstanding performances to keep their teams in the game.

“Both teams’ top two or three scorers had opportunities to win the game, and neither was able to do it,” Crowley said.

Although its reign as Beanpot Champions is unfortunately over, Crowley was pleased with her team’s determination and maturity as a sign of being prepared for a return to the Frozen Four.

“We got opportunities from all three of our lines, and when you get to playoff time and championship time, you’re going to have tough games like tonight.

We’ve had a few here lately … and it is encouraging for the future.”

The Eagles will take the ice next against the Providence Friars. The game is Saturday, Feb. 4 at 2 p.m. at Conte Forum. The consolation game for the Beanpot will be next Tuesday night, when BC takes on Harvard. n

BC shows progress, but can’t get the win Improvement, from A10 and Ryan Anderson both defended the post well and crashed the boards with a fury.

The Eagles’ main problem came on the offensive end. After struggling with turnovers in the first matchup with the Wolfpack, Donahue decided he wanted to slow the game down and limit the amount of possessions.

Instead of rushing the ball up the court and flying through their motion offense, taking the first good shot, the Eagles did their best to look and attack around the 15-second mark on the shot clock.

Unfortunately for BC, the NC State defense was stifling tonight and allowed few easy looks. Guards Jordan Daniels and Lonnie Jackson ended up forcing tough shots as the shot clock wound down over and over again.

The defense kept BC in the game tonight, but the offense held them back from winning. Jackson was asked if it was frustrating not being able to push the ball, but he stood by his coach’s decision “I’m going to follow the game plan,” Jackson said. “What coach wants to

do, limit the possessions of the game, I completely agree with that. If that’s what it’s going to take to win, I’m going to definitely be on board with that.”

Jackson opened up the second half with a big and-one 3-pointer that gave the BC offense a spark. Matt Humphrey and the rest of the Eagles began forcing turnovers that ignited a BC run, but the Wolfpack kept responding.

In the end, the slow-down offense was too constricting for the Eagles to put up enough points for the victory.

BC didn’t get the win, but it also did not suffer a huge late-game meltdown which has become commonplace lately.

“This was different than the last couple games,” Donahue said. “I thought this went right down to the last couple of possessions.”

Donahue reiterated that he does not want to stick to this strategy all the time because of the burden it puts on the offense, but that he was proud of his team for adjusting.

“I think we’ve got to continue to monitor what our best plan is to play,” Donahue said. “We’ve got to share the ball, we’ve got to be great with the basketball. We’ve got to make sure that we don’t get caught up in too many games

where we are going up and down. The mental and physical fatigue with these guys at this point in the season, for all these young kids, is really hard.”

One reason the Eagles struggled offensively wasn’t just the stalling, but also their mode of attack. BC kept swinging the ball around, hoping NC State would tire and slip up, but that rarely happened.

The offense was at its best when Jordan Daniels and Jackson ran pickand-roll with Clifford. The few times BC did this, it resulted in great looks that usually fell. Clifford is a great roller to the rim, and Daniels has proven excellent court vision.

The Eagles keep getting closer to putting a full game together. With every game, hope for the future is growing stronger, and the present product looks even better.

The Eagles had the chance to tie the game late, but Jackson passed up a 3pointer and tried to draw a foul without success.

“Honestly I should’ve just caught and shot it instead of drawing the foul, but next time, you live and you learn, so next time I’m just going to let that go,” Jackson said. n

Anderson, Clifford find success in paint Notebook, from A10 He doesn’t get one tonight. That’s pretty impressive for Dennis Clifford to do that, and Ryan Anderson battled [C.J.] Leslie.

Thirty-seven minutes for a 7-foot freshman was extremely impressive.”

graham beck / heights editor

Anderson (right) was often able to power through on the post as BC outscored NC State in the paint.

Youngest guys in the gym The Eagles, once again, found themselves playing a much more mature and experienced squad. Donahue focused on the importance of his team learning and not being frustrated with such a close defeat. He tried to limit opportunities for the Wolfpack by controlling the pace of the game, slowing it down for his players.

“I just thought this is such a physical, older team, and they play at such a pace that I thought it’s hard for us to match their physicality for more than maybe 50 possessions,” he said. “And once we got into that 75 to 70 possessions, I just think that wears our guys out. I think it worked. I thought the kids really embraced it. I thought it kept Ryan [Anderson] and Dennis [Clifford] really fresh to guard.”

Freshman guard Lonnie Jackson, who finished the game with 10 points, agreed that the team has faith in its coach,

especially playing against such tough competition.

“I’m going to follow the game plan of what Coach wants to do,” he said.

“Limit the possessions in the game, and I completely agree with that. If that’s what it’s going to take to win, I’m definitely going to be on board with that. He said that when you have the chance to go in transition, go, so I was just testing it. Then he told me to slow down, so I slowed down.”

Shattered Confidence?

Last night’s loss was the fifth straight for the Eagles, as they continued to battle in conference play.

Despite this difficult stretch, the players remain focused on their development and are seeing the season’s improvements.

“We’re just trying to get better each game, and we notice that,” Jackson said.

“It’s frustrating not getting wins, but we sense as a team that we’re getting better, and that’s really the main thing, to just keep moving each game. We take the positives out of each game, and we learn each game, so as long as we keep doing that, we’re going to be alright.”

Donahue echoed this analysis of the team, especially with tonight’s new

strategy.

“I also recruited kids who are intelligent, tough, and care about the team,” he said. “It’s not a hard sell. They’ve been great. All these kids just really want to get better. They’re sponges for coaching and mentoring. I knew they’d follow what we wanted to do. I felt they did a great job with it.”

While they are developing, Donahue also voiced the need for his team to remain focused and confident down the stretch.

“I think it’s gotten better over the last couple of months,” he said. “I think what you see is any time something negative happens throughout the game, the kids have gotten better at reacting. They’re not completely there. They still have a hangover from the bad play or the bad series of plays.

“What I think you see is at the end of the game, when you see something that isn’t positive happen on the offensive end, they really get frustrated and kind of hang their heads. I thought you saw less of that tonight, but you still can see it.

“It’s in their body language. It’s something they’ve got to get better at and something that we’ve talked about all the time. That’s something that I think all young players go through.” n

SPORTS The Heights

Thursday, February 2, 2012

A10

Thursday, February 2, 2012

slow pace nearly stops ’pack Signs of progress show in tough loss

Inexperience proves costly

By Austin Tedesco

By Chris Marino

Asst. Sports Editor

Assoc. Sports Editor

A little bit at a time, these Eagles are getting closer to playing a com56 plete basketNC State ball game. The Boston College 51 men’s basketball team fell to the North Carolina State Wolfpack 56-51 at Conte Forum last night, but they avoided the epic collapse that has haunted them at the end of games lately. Although the improvement came in a loss, head coach Steve Donahue was pleased with his team’s effort, especially after being blown out at NC State earlier in the season.

“This was our first opportunity to play a team we’ve played earlier, and they really handed it to us down there,” Donahue said. “The key things we really talked about were points in the paint, offensive rebounds, rebounding in general, playing physical and tough, and we owned all those categories.”

Boston College outrebounded the Wolfpack and limited their dominant forwards, C.J. Leslie and Richard Howell, to just three offensive rebounds. The Eagles also only allowed 18 points in the paint while putting up 26 of their own. Holding NC State to 42.4 percent from the field, BC put up one of its best defensive performances of the season. Big men Dennis Clifford

After a heartbreaking 56-51 loss to NC State last night, men’s basketball head coach Steve Donahue came away with many positives. Less than two weeks removed from losing the teams’ first matchup 76-62, the Eagles were focused on playing better in several areas.

“I was pleased with a lot of what we did tonight, for sure,” he said. “We outscored them in the paint. We had more second chance points. We had more offensive rebounds. And for us, with all of our young guys, I was really proud of that.”

Hitting the boards Donahue emphasized rebounding and playing well off the rebound after the team’s last loss to the Wolfpack.

In the first game, the Eagles were outrebounded 44-28. In last night’s matchup, they won the battle 30-28.

Donahue applauded, in particular, the play of freshmen Ryan Anderson and Dennis Clifford, who not only led the team with eight rebounds apiece, but also played well against NC State’s tough post players.

“I thought they guarded the heck out of two great players,” he said.

“Richard Howell leads our league by a long stretch in offensive rebounds. daniel lee / heights editor

See Improvement, A9

Lonnie Jackson (20) and the Eagles were nearly able to knock off NC State last night, but their efforts came up just short in the end.

A heartbreaking loss

Elite jerseys could excite

Knotted up after regulation and OT, Huskies come away with the win over BC in a shootout

By Frank Nemia For The Heights

Austin Tedesco Last week, Nike unveiled brand new basketball uniforms for nine of the schools sponsored by the company. The latest jersey innovation is being called the “Nike Hyper Elite Platinum” uniform.

That’s right, Nike is now styling their college athletes in platinum. While this is a bit strange for a school like Syracuse, who has to wear the color of its hated rival Georgetown, since the platinum really just looks gray, the players at every other school involved expressed a ton of excitement about the innovative jerseys, which are ultra-light and look awesome.

There was another unveiling this week. The Boston College football team announced its 16-man recruiting class yesterday, which ranked 11th in the conference, only finishing ahead of Duke.

While stars associated with recruits and

Graham beck/ heights editor

Northeastern scored this game-winner in the shootout against Boyles in the Beanpot opener.

See Column, A8

Spaziani: Reason to be excited about Class of ’16

By Greg Joyce Sports Editor

While many people like to focus on how many stars a certain college football recruit may have, head coach Frank Spaziani prefers to look at a little bit of history.

This Sunday, six Boston College alumni will be represented on Super Bowl rosters.

One of those alumni was a four-star recruit, four were three-star recruits, and the other was just a two-star recruit.

With that in mind, Spaziani announced yesterday the 16 newest Eagles for the 2016 recruiting class.

“Obviously, it’s an important day for college football teams,” Spaziani said. “Significant.

You only find out in four or five years how important it was or how good it was. But we’re excited today about our signees.”

“There are few things that excite the fan base more than thinking about a blue-chip recruiting class and how it’s going to affect your football program. And I can tell you this: we’re very excited about the 16 that we’ve signed.”

See Notebook, A9

Spaziani went on to talk about the various ways to evaluate a recruiting class, citing ESPN, Rivals, and Scout, among others, who give players a certain star value. Instead of looking at those stars, Spaziani and his coaching staff use a more in-depth way to look at a recruit.

“There’s a lot of other ways to evaluate a recruiting class,” he said. “A couple things I would point out is we have six players on the Super Bowl rosters for the game coming up this Sunday. Six BC players.”

“When we brought those young men [the alumni in the Super Bowl] in, we evaluated them, we evaluated their talent, we developed them, and we didn’t make them into anything they couldn’t be. But they developed into the players they are today.”

“So this recruiting class, the 16 players we have in this recruiting class, the 21 that we took last year, and the 18 before, were evaluated under the same microscope and the same guidelines that evaluated those six. Now, I’m not saying these 16 are going to turn out to

Tuesday night at Walter Brown Arena, the 2012 Women’s Beanpot started with 2 a t re m e n d o u s Northeastern hockey game Boston College 1 between the No. 4 Boston College Eagles and the No. 7 Northeastern Huskies. In addition to both teams being ranked in the top 10 nationally, they also are currently tied for first place in the women’s Hockey East standings with identical in-conference records (11-3-2).

Taking the ice as defending Beanpot Champions, the Eagles came up just short of again advancing to the finals.

After finishing regulation tied 1-1, the Eagles lost in a shootout 2-0.

After the game, Eagles’ head coach Katie King Crowley described the result simply. “[It] was one heck of a hockey game.”

The game started quickly with both teams getting numerous shots on goal.

With two minutes left in the first, BC was denied a goal on the game’s first true scoring chance. Freshman center Alex

Eagles unite at SB xlvi

this issue

See Beanpot, A9

Tickets still available for Beanpot

By Greg Joyce Sports Editor

Courtesy of mark herzlich

(From l-r) BC alumni Will Blackmon, Mark Herzlich, Chris Snee, and Mathias Kiwanuka pose for a picutre during media day for Super Bowl XLVI. For the full breakdown, see A8.

See National Signing Day, A8

i nside S ports

Carpenter came into the offensive zone and fired a shot around the Northeastern defenseman. As the puck was headed for the bottom left corner, NU goalie Florence Schelling got her skate to the post just in time and made a spectacular toe save.

After the clutch save by its goaltender, Northeastern came out strong to start the second period. After a few early shots, freshman center Kendall Coyne continued to pressure BC’s defense.

Coyne, a two-time Hockey East player of the month, had a number of chances, none better than a one-timer ripped towards the net that was denied by BC’s Corinne Boyles.

The only two goals in the game came in the middle of the period. After stopping a Huskies’ shot with her blocker, Boyles left the rebound in front of her crease. Northeastern’s Rachel Llanes was able to drive the rebound home and give the Huskies a 1-0 lead with 9:31 to play in the second. Despite capitalizing on the rebound, Northeastern’s lead proved to be short-lived.

Game of the week

Men’s hockey takes on Northeastern in the first round of the Beanpot Monday night.........A9

The Week Ahead

The Beanpot, men’s basketball at Georgia Tech, women’s basketball at Maryland, and women’s hockey vs. PC..A9

As of Wednesday night, there were still a limited number of student tickets remaining at the Boston College box office for the 2012 Beanpot, which begins Monday night. The box office will be holding the tickets as long as possible before they must return them to the TD Garden.

If interested in buying tickets, students should to go to the ticket office as soon as possible to check if tickets are still remaining, according to ticket manager Jim O’Neill. The box office will be opening at 9:00 a.m. today.

About 2,500 tickets were originally allotted to BC, and there is a limited number remaining. The tickets went on sale first last Thursday to season ticket holders. Then on Friday, the tickets were opened up to all students.

The athletic department urges all fans to have good sportsmanship at the Beanpot games in order to represent BC well. n

Editors’ Picks..............................A9 BC Super Bowl Rooting Guide....A8

radio singles

M.I.A.’S ‘BAD GIRLS’

album review

THE SRI LANKAN RAPPER SPITS FIRE ON HER NEW TRACK page b5

lANA DEL REY

STAR VALUE

tHE HOTLY DEBATED STARLET RELEASES HER DEBUT ALBUM page b5

ROONEY MARA

ASSESSING THE TALENT BEHIND THE ‘TATTOO’ STAR page b4

Thursday, FEBRUARY 2, 2012

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Got to fly like an underdog

Thursday, February 2, 2012

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Scene and Heard

BY: Carolina Del BUSTO

Brennan Carley It doesn’t take a lot for audiences to coin artists “prolific” nowadays.

With the ease of the Internet at their fingertips, musicians can ping songs directly to their listeners’ wanting ears in a matter of seconds. It seems like these are the artists who are getting the most print space on blogs like Pitchfork and Hipster Runoff, the former of which salivates every time Azealia Banks bangs out a new song (all of her recent releases have received a perceivably precious “Best New Track” denotation).

While it might please audiences that are hungry for more, an abundance of works—or perhaps a better way of describing the phenomenon would be “songs in the key of rapid-fire succession”—doesn’t necessarily benefit the artists, even if the tracks are “newsworthy.” Banks herself has garnered a lot of attention in a whip-fast amount of time, but she’ll need to release her debut album with Universal relatively quickly if she wants to keep up. Her other option, of course, would be to treat these hype singles as just that. Rather than including the tracks on her album, she should deliver a completely original body of work.

The issue of rapid single releasing is timely, especially considering the quick ascension and subsequent fall from grace that has claimed Lana Del Rey as its victim in recent weeks. Many “prolific” artists’ management teams should bookmark the failure of Lady Gaga’s Born This Way and the critical failure of Del Rey’s Born to Die as prime examples of “how to go about ruining a hyped album’s hype.”

Think back to a year ago, when Gaga visited the Grammy Awards in her beige eggshell, emerging to the first ever live sounds of “Born This Way.” Audiences were thrilled to hear a new Gaga song, even if critics did harp on the fact that it sounded similar to—nay, copied— Madonna’s “Express Yourself.” Though the song was well received, Gaga announced that her album wouldn’t be released until May, close to four months later. It was poor planning on her management’s part—audiences are fickle!

Nobody cares to wait four months after a single for an album, especially a single that was meant to build buzz.

When “Born This Way” dropped off the charts, Gaga’s team hastily released “Judas,” one of the album’s weakest singles, in the hopes of keeping the buzz alive. It failed, because a week later, Gaga released “Edge of Glory,” and then, one week later, “Hair.” I know I, for one, was completely over-satiated. Her album came out soon after and sold over a million copies in its first week, and then promptly dropped off the charts, whereas you can still find Adele’s 21 sitting high above the Billboard Hot 100, winking cheekily at the bipolar blonde. Perhaps it was a case of too early, too much, too soon that turned audiences off. Maybe fans didn’t like the ambling, aimless videos that accompanied the album’s sequels (directed, for the first time, by Gaga herself). Gaga has promised to announce her tour soon, but she’s sat on the news for months now with little to no media presence, save for a fiery New Year’s Eve performance. I can’t say I mind the break.

Del Rey’s failure, on the other hand, might be too early to predict, but it’s as Ann as the nose on plain’s face that critics unanimously hate Born to Die. The problem, I think, was overhype. I can’t log onto Twitter without seeing story after story about Lizzie Grant, or Lana Del Rey, or her lips, her talent, her backstory, or how she cheated her way to the top. Read them all, as I have, and you’ll discover nothing new. Maybe that’s why her hair is so big—it’s full of secrets.

She, too, dropped single after single in recent months to hype the album. The singles were good, if not great (“Off to the Races” sits among my favorite songs of 2011), and the album, itself, is a triumph for a debatably debut artist. Hating Del Rey, however, is the flavor of the week.

The NYT’s Jon Caramanica pounced upon the girl in his review, calling the album a wash and her attempt overly ambitious.

Del Rey has clearly suffered from a glut of overexposure this month, and the result was a critical backlash. Only time will tell if her career will press on, but artists who still have time—especially Ms. Banks—should heed her tale from this point forward.

Brennan Carley is the Arts & Review editor for The Heights. He can be reached at arts@bcheights.com.

1. ALEC’S TWITTER SPAT 2. SAG AWARDS SOAR On Saturday Jan. 28th, actor Alec Baldwin got in a little tiff with

The 18th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards aired Sunday, Jan. 29th. In attendance were many of Hollywood’s usual Alisters, all dressed to impress. The SAG awards are all about actors celebrating actors, no academy needed. Among the night’s list of notable winners–which was quite similar to that of the Golden Globes–were Jean Dujardin for The Artist, Viola Davis for The Help, Betty White for Hot in Cleveland and Alec Baldwin for 30 Rock. I think it is a pretty good indication that we will be seeing similar results during the 84th annual Academy Awards.

a nobody via Twitter. Baldwin has been notorious lately for his American Airlines fiasco, and now he is lashing out at a man named Drewy Vuitton. Vuitton initiated the virtual brawl by tweeting, “ ... anyone tell you your daughter takes after papa in being a piggy ... ” to which Baldwin replied, “I want to submit Drew here for the Festering Boil on the Buttocks of Society Award,” attaching a picture of Vuitton. Baldwin tweeted a few more times about Vuitton and then dropped it.

3.

J. LO’S NEW BOYTOY Jenny from the block, a.k.a. Jennifer Lopez, a.k.a.

J. LO, had a photo shoot Friday, Jan. 27th in Miami Beach. As for her entertainment, Lopez brought along her new boy toy, 24-year-old Casper Smart. What kind of a name is Casper? One for a backup dancer apparently. Lopez and Smart were seen smooching in between shots with a side of heavy PDA. And here we all thought Jenny had learned her lesson about dating backup dancers.

4. SOME NEW BEATS

5. BUELLER IS BACK

As we head to one of the most anticipated weekends in sports–Super Bowl Sunday–Patriots player Chad Ochocinco prepares for the big day with lots of beats–Beats by Dr. Dre headphones, that is. Ochocinco dished out about $28,000 on headphones for the whole New England football team. With their noise-cancelling feature, the headphones are ideal for cancelling out distractions. One feature about the headphones is that they can connect to each other, which means that the entire team can be listening to the same song together–how romantic.

The Internet has been ablaze with talk about a possible Ferris Bueller’s Day Off part two in the works after a small clip of actor Matthew Broderick calling in sick went viral. Sadly, there is no new installment, but instead the clip was a teaser for a Honda commercial airing during the Super Bowl. The entire ad is already up on YouTube, and it is essentially a play-by-play of the famous film, except this time, swap out Cameron’s Ferrari for a Honda CRV and Ferris’ jet black due for a greying and receeding hairline.

The Grumbly critic

@Dannyzuker (Danny zuker, writer, ‘modern family’)

“‘This is MY hospital so who you’re sleeping with is MY business and-- WOLVES!!!!!

AHHHHRRRG!!!!!’ - The Grey’s Anatomy.”

photo courtesy of google

Being a vanguard of the “brostep” genre, DJ Skrillex looks to capitalize on a new formulaic system of music making.

Skrillex and Grammys highlight flaws of music scene Matt Mazzari The Grammys today are a blissfully oblivious frolic through musical irrelevance. Still, so long as they keep handing out awards to Robert Plant for albums he cuts between Burn Notice marathons (N.B.: I have no idea what kind of television shows Robert Plant, or British people in general, watch), then I’m usually fine with its continued existence. However, there are certain occasions when this inconsequential and self-gratifying ceremony begins making statements on popular music that I simply cannot stand, namely that the reprehensible behavior resulting in the music industry’s inventive decline deserves recognition. When Justin Bieber came within inches of receiving a Grammy for the likes of uninspired tracks like “Baby,” I was cringing. Now a new cringe-worthy threat has emerged in nomination: he’s a man by the name of Sonny Moore, better known by his current stage name, Skrillex.

To many, the most controversial element of Skrillex’s career is its apparent misclassification: the general consensus among Skrillex fans is that his material is part of the semi-recent dubstep movement from London, but Skrillex’s music meets few of the prerequisites for that genre. Dubstep is generally driven by overwhelming and distorted bass, whereas Skrillex’s Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites relies more heavily on elec-

tronic synth patterns and tinny beats. In or the jaw-dropping spontaneity of an effort to make that distinction, dubHendrix’s “Little Wing.” Guitar solos, step aficionados have christened Skrilvocal improvisation, key changes, and lex’s bastard breed “brostep,” a tributary drum fills are some of the critical, goose spin-off bordering on electronica. pimple-inducing elements of a truly See all that stuff happening in the fantastic song, and they cannot exist in a paragraph above this one? I don’t actusterilized environment. So very much of ally care about it. I’ve been looking into a track’s imagination occurs in the actual this issue for an hour now, and the only process, in the heat of a live studio when conclusion I’ve reached is that explainthe mics are on and the stakes are high. ing the difference between “dubstep” and That’s when the real risk-takers of music “brostep” is like discussing the subtle shine. disparity between neon yellow and Laser So when an artist such as Skrillex, Lemon. What honestly matters to me is who somehow breached the mainstream the distinction between an actual song by weaving together drum kits and and a sequence of interwoven loops, an mechanical patterns played ad nauseam issue that artists today have a habit of to form a “song,” is considered for a rampantly overlooking. musical award, I bristle a bit. It’s as if the Yes, music is, to a certain extent, nec- beautiful humanity of a band, the open essarily formulaic. Yes, music styles such vulnerability of a song, and the deep as the 12 bar blues and the archetypal emotional investment of an album are “four chord song” follow a predictable being negotiated. I don’t care about the pattern. It’s normally a given that music finer points of distinction between “dubuses repetition, rhythm, and a return to step” and “lovestep” and “deathstep” and common themes. But for goodness sake, “brostep,” because frankly, those are not music isn’t just a pattern of notes set genres, they are merely subsets. I care to repeat! Transposing constant loops about the crucial distinction between on top of each other doesn’t necessarmusic and sound. ily make a song more complicated, just Music is a living, malleable entity that louder. There’s something inimitable only reaches its full potential when given about people playing instruments room to breathe. The Grammys should together, something sublime about the know that, but they don’t, so it’s up to you connection that occurs in active sound. as a listener to keep it breathing and alive.

The moments that define music are those incomparably human instances like the bone-chilling voice crack on Matt Mazzari is a staff columnist for The “Gimme Shelter,” or the reverberating Heights. He can be reached at arts@ drum intro of “In My Time of Dying,” bcheights.com.

@jokediva (Retta, actress, ‘parks and recreation’)

“If you’ve never had a breakfast shot you should get in that.” @Jondaly (jon daly, internet personality)

“Let’s live Tweet some Jay Z and Kane songs?That’ll be cool. I LOVE Kane. He really knows how to golfwang some r+b songs.(tracks) #coolass’” @ghweldon (glen weldon, writer, npr.org)

“Lady describing her velour sweatpants as ‘tres en vogue.’ ‘More like tres en CAT-FANCY’ is the awesome sick burn I just thought to myself.”

Submit your favorite tweets of the week for consideration at artseditors11@gmail.com.

The Heights

Thursday, February 2, 2012

B3

Madonna: The Making of a Material Girl

By Taylor Cavallo assoc. arts & review editor

T T

he ‘80s saw the start and development of Madonna’s multifaceted career. After having been in The Breakfast Club, a rock band that she left in 1980, Madonna signed with Warner Bros. records and started a solo career that would redefine and forever change pop music. Her album debut, the self-titled, Madonna released in 1983, features some of Madonna’s best and most famous pop-disco songs, despite her unfamiliarity with the celebrity world at this point. These songs include “Lucky Star,” “Borderline,” “Burning Up,” and “Holiday,” all of which are not only ‘80s classics, but timeless pieces of pop music. The album saw tremendous success in spite of being her first release, and it peaked at number eight on the Billboard 200 that year.

With her next album, the scandalous and controversial Like a Virgin, released only one year later and listed as one of the Definitive 200 Albums of All Time in 1998, her style and attitude changed. She no longer presented herself as the coyly edgy but still typically bubbly pop singer who sang cute, catchy love songs. It was her second album that brought fans the quintessential Madonna we all know and love. Her sensual bride performance on the first ever MTV Music Awards solidified her as a front-runner not only in the realm of female musicians, but pop music in general.

The music video of the second single off Like a Virgin, “Material Girl,” featured Madonna as a 1980s Marilyn Monroe, leaving lines of male suitors in suits presenting her with gifts at the wayside, opting only for the diamonds.

Once Madonna reached this apex of popularity in the mid-‘80s, she became a style icon to a caliber that none had before. Madonna defined the fashion trends of the decade that, to this day, are still associated with her time period: the plastic neon colored layered bracelets, the bleached blonde hair, fishnets with brightly colored Chuck Taylors, lace gloves with the fingers cut off, and, of course, large and ornate crucifixes. Girls all around the country were imitating the style of the biggest pop star of their era.

In 1985, Madonna appeared in the films Vision Quest, a romantic drama whose soundtrack featured her single “Crazy for You,” and Desperately Seeking Susan, which featured her widely popular “Into the Groove.”

Her more mature 1986 album True Blue was dedicated to her husband at the time, actor Sean Penn, and included the singles “Papa Don’t Preach” and “La Isla Bonita.” By this time, Madonna was already developing as an artist stylistically and musically, which is truly astonishing with only a five-year career under her belt.

Toward the end of the ‘80s, Madonna began to raise eyebrows and turn heads from critics left and right once she released the music videos for “Like a Prayer,” which featured countless Catholic symbols juxtaposed against sexual themes (and included an African American Jesus) and “Justify My Love,” which featured tremendously sexual images, shocking for the time. Both videos were eventually banned from MTV, but Madonna defended herself to the end and was by no means done with her vivacious career.

By brennan carley arts & review editor

A T

lthough the ’90s wouldn’t garner many hits on the level of her earlier smashes, Madonna started off the decade with a bang, starring alongside Warren Beatty in the criticallypanned (but cult-adored) Dick Tracy, which itself spawned a stage show at Walt Disney World that was as short-lived as the movie’s box office was miniscule.

She released the soundtrack album I’m Breathless (also the name of her character in the film) that featured the smash hits “Vogue” and “Sooner or Later,” the latter of which earned an Oscar for Best Original Song.

Later that year, she launched the Blond Ambition World Tour—“its goal is to break useless taboos”—that featured acts so risque that the Pope himself asked the general public to boycott the shows. A year later, Madonna dated Vanilla Ice for eight fascinating months.

After starring in the all-female baseball flick A League of Their Own—for which she must receive countless royalties, since it seems to air on TBS every other night—Madonna started her own production company. Its first release, the coffee table book Sex, was rife with the provocative imagery she had quickly become associated with.

The book sold close to 2 million copies in a matter of days.

After an appearance on Late Night With David Letterman in which she swore, ripped off her underwear, and threw them at the shocked host, fans and critics alike agreed that she had gone too far. In 1994, Madonna attempted to reconnect with audiences on the album Bedtime Stories, a surprisingly softer side of the star that fans ate up. She reappeared on Letterman’s show, a much tamer experience than the prior year’s debacle, and Stories yielded four mildly popular singles. A 1995 collection of ballads, entitled Something to Remember, proved completely unmemorable.

If anything, Madonna’s spotlight in the ’90s will most likely be remembered for her role as Eva Peron in Evita, a visually stunning and critically acclaimed musical film.

She won a Golden Globe for the role, and the movie’s single, “You Must Love Me,” took home another Oscar for Madge. “This is the role I was born to play,” she said in an interview, “and it was the farthest I’ve ever had to push myself creatively.”

In 1996, the sex-obsessed, provocative swear-spitting superstar gave birth to her first child, Lourdes. Perhaps motherhood softened her up—whatever the case, Madonna turned next to religion, embracing Kabala thanks to the influence of friend and actress Sandra Bernhard. Her seventh studio album, Ray of Light, reflected her newfound faith. Madonna was quickly accused of plagiarizing the album’s first single, “Faith,” from Belgian songwriter Salvatore Acquaviva’s 1993 song “Ma Vie Fout L’Camp.”

To close the decade, Madonna dropped the single “Beautiful Stranger,” which was featured in the hugely popular Mike Myers 1999 film Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me. She ended the year with a pregnancy.

E E

By Dan Siering asst. arts & review editor

ntering into the 21st century and well into her 40s, Madonna showed no signs of acquiescing her throne to the younger generation, continuing to pursue a variety of projects in each sector of the entertainment world, with the same scandalous manner of the previous two decades.

She kicked off the new millennium by starring in the feature film The Next Best Thing, to which she contributed a cover of Don McLean’s infamous hit “American Pie.” The movie was commercially and critically a flop, yet this did not deter the Queen of Pop from the film industry. In 2000, she began a long and tumultuous relationship with Guy Richie. In August, the two had a son, Rocco, and eventually married in Scotland at the end of the year.

It was also in 2000 that Madonna released her eighth studio album, Music. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard Charts, making it the first number one album for Madonna since Like A Prayer. The subsequent album tour was the highest-grossing concert by a solo artist in 2001. In the wake of Madonna’s resurgence, the pop artist was picked to perform the opening song for the Bond film Die Another Day. After participating in various fashion art projects, Madonna continued to ride her wave of success and released American Life in 2003, a social criticism of American culture that received mixed reviews and would end up being the worst-selling album of her career. In the wake of negative sales, she reinserted herself into tabloids around the world when she kissed Britney Spears at a performance at the 2003 MTV Movie Awards. The scandal was the most talked-about pop culture story of the year.

Keeping up with her streak of album production, Madonna released her tenth studio album, Confessions on a Dance Floor, a collection of electronic-pop tunes, in 2005.

Confessions went on to win a Grammy Award for “Best Electronic/Dance Album,” and the album’s global tour would become the most successful tour by a female artist at the time. The LP’s hit single, “Hung Up,” broke records, reaching number one in over 40 countries.

In 2008, Madonna celebrated her 50th birthday year in a variety of ways, including releasing the personal hip-hop record Hard Candy. The pop queen also was one of five performers inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, where fellow Michiganites The Stooges covered a number of her songs. The one sour note amongst her accomplishments in 2008 was when she parted ways with Guy Richie, her husband of eight years.

In recent years, Madonna has turned her gaze to a few new sectors of the entertainment industry, such as directing W.E., her first full-length motion picture, about the forbidden romance between King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson. But Madonna, by all means, has not shifted her gaze from music. Her latest single, “Give Me All Your Luvin’,” will premiere tonight during American Idol. The hope is to build hype for her much-anticipated performance at the Super Bowl this Sunday, which will include the likes of Nicki Minaj, M.I.A., and Cirque Du Soleil.

The changing faces of Madonn a

Madonna

“Sick and perverted always appeals to me.”

“A lot of people are afraid to say what they want.

That’s why they don’t get what they want.”

Madonna

“Poor is the man whose pleasures depend on the permission of another.”

Madonna

The Heights

B4

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Star value by elias Rodriguez

Mara is poised for Oscar glory with ‘Tattoo’ Anne Hathaway, Kristen Stewart, and Emma Watson are some of the actresses who were catapulted into the spotlight after the on-screen portrayal of a best-selling book character. Now you can add Rooney Mara to the list.

If you haven’t heard, she’s the lead in the long-awaited and much buzzedabout movie version of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. What sets Mara apart from the aforementioned stars–besides her jet-black hair and multiple piercings–is her speedy rise to the top. After a few minor roles in films such as A Nightmare on Elm Street and The Social Network, the actress received the part of a lifetime, and with that the highest honor in the film industry: an Academy Award nomination. Whether the Oscars will be the beginning of a long, successful career or the nail in the coffin of one that peaked too soon, only the future will tell. However, it seems fortune is in the cards for Mara and her family, particularly this month. The New York Giants, founded by her great-grandfather, are headed to the Super Bowl this Sunday.

Hollywood horizons

A note on memorable soundtracks

Dan Siering

Fashion Forward

Fun rompers add spice to every wardrobe The versatile fashion trend cheerfully anticipates spring weather

Therese Tully I don’t know if any of you caught the SAG Awards recently. I myself did not have the time to watch them.

Regardless, I always hit the Internet after any major award show to check out the Red Carpet action. The verdict–super disappointing this year. Don’t get me wrong, there were mostly pretty gowns, with a few exceptions, as is to be expected (seriously Shailene Woodley? What were you wearing?!). But there was very little excitement, inspired looks, brilliance, or exuberance. I was bored, and honestly did not even want to continue looking through the pictures.

But finally I found one that spoke to me in Rose Byrne’s Elie Saab Couture piece. Yes, it was a jumpsuit, and yes, it was lovely. This embellished, ivory piece may have paled or gone unnoticed at any other event, but stood in stark contrast to the boring gowns on this year’s lackluster Red Carpet. Styled simply and complimented by a perfect brunette bob and a full bang, Byrne looked exquisite and fashion-forward. As I surfed the web for these photos while I probably should have been doing my homework, I got totally sidetracked and excited for some more spring in my life.

I could definitely use a new spring romper this year, and while I have the shorter version in a few different colors and styles, I am hoping to add a long-sleeved version and a full-length jumpsuit to my closet as well. I know, I only measure 5-foot-4, but I simply don’t care. I will continue to wear long dresses, maxi skirts, and will hopefully be rocking the full-length jumpsuit a la Rose Byrne in the near future. With some great winter sales going on, how could I resist?

Why the romper obsession, you might ask? What other piece of clothing offers the class and femininity of a dress and the comfort and versatility of a short? Though I am not one who insists on comfortable fashion, let’s get serious. If the shoe doesn’t hurt, it is probably not high enough. There is something so refreshing about adding a piece to your wardrobe that has a level of comfort and flexibility, while still looking not only fashionable, but also fashion forward.

A romper combines all of these elements, making it the perfect dress/short futuristic hybrid. It’s 2012, and though we may not have flying cars, we do have rompers, so that is something.

In fact, there is no piece as simply and unashamedly cool as a romper. I recently wore a black, strapless, velvet, sequined Betsey Johnson romper to a formal affair. Sorry I am not sorry—it was fabulous. Not only did I have the freedom to dance my heart out, but it was dressy and cool at the same time. My evening was that much better because I knew I was wearing something that was comfort-

able, and that I truly loved.

Though it’s not quite true romper season around these parts yet, and probably won’t be for some time (unless you are wearing it with a stocking), you can start dreaming, shopping, and planning for the warm days to come. Let’s be honest, I love Boston, but sometimes spring dreams are the only way to get through the long winters here. I am currently coveting Free People’s En Vogue Catsuit in Paprika. Not only is it an uber cool piece by itself, but would easily lend itself to lots of layering and accessorizing. Just another thing to look forward to.

There is something about the romper that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Let’s face it–some of them are a pretty close replica of the Osh Kosh B’Gosh short overall outfits I donned in floral patterns as a child. I find myself loving patterned renditions of this grown-up classic, like Anthropologie’s Caraiva Romper, because hey, aren’t we all sentimental for those days? A little browsing will reveal all the possibilities out there, so find one that speaks to you!

Shake it up a little bit, take a cue from Rose Byrne, and dream of jumpsuits and rompers for this spring. Last week, I wrote about my love for polka dots, so consider this my love letter to the romper, a fashion ingenuity that does not always receive its due accolades, but definitely deserves them. Slip one on this spring, and I swear you’ll be hooked.

Therese Tully is an editor for The Heights. She can be reached at arts@bcheights.com.

Top: This bold red is clearly an attention grabbing piece that pushes the boundaries of typical romper expectations. The flared pant leg adds a touch of hippie chic to the piece.

Bottom (left): Perhaps surprising to some, rompers can even be worn on the red carpet, exhibiting tasteful grace in a more neutral, elegant color.

Bottom (right): The classic short romper in a vibrant, eye-catching blue can spice up the new fashion staple.

Taste debate: BOOKS To movies

PRO

Krysia Wazny

For the heights

The Godfather, The Lord of the Rings, and The Shawshank Redemption. What do these movies have in common, besides being listed on the American Film Institute’s Top 100 Films of all time? Their screenplays were all adapted from books. These movies and books have both received critical acclaim, and the works have entertained millions. While the adaptation of a screenplay from a book seems easier than writing one from scratch, due to the existing plotline, dialogue available in the book, and fully fleshed out characters, it’s the translation from paper to film that requires the most talent. While some directors use their books as a blueprint for their movies, such as the film adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, others take liberties with their films. While most viewers don’t notice many of these deviations, others who know the book going into the film are displeased at these directorial liberties. For example, the blockbuster series Harry Potter, based off the bestselling book series, took many liberties with the series. To be fair to the filmmakers, many of the changes were omissions necessary to make the films’ lengths reasonable. However, many other liberties were taken, to the displeasure of the books’ diehard fan base. Some omissions are too integral to the plot to be disregarded, such as the complete omission of Elphias Dodge, Dumbledore’s confidant. While it’s clear that directorial liberties with films adapted from books have little impact on the success or quality of the movie, as seen with the Harry Potter series, they can displease the existing fan base for the book. As all good directors know, they must tread carefully when making a film from a book. Some adaptations have produced masterpieces and some have produced frustration on the part of the loyal book fans, but either way these projects are representations of the original authors’ ideas, and shouldn’t grossly deviate from them.

con

Alex peterson

for the heights

A movie gives a story a second chance to make an impression. If the story hits it off with the reading world the first time around, wonderful. Those readers will not abandon the story even if it looks awful on its second date at the movies. If, however, the story looks like it might have been up all night pounding shots (and/or acid) and slowly forgetting English grammar on date number one, it might appreciate a second go at it, preferably with more beautiful, talented people interpreting its every move. A good story should be told, and if one medium fails, one can hope the other will pick up the pieces.

The tendency of readers to not see a movie until they have read the book and of non-readers to watch the movie instead of reading the CliffsNotes is easily recognizable. People generally lean in one direction or the other, but let’s be honest: we’ve all seen a lot more movies than we have read books. With six of the nine films nominated for “Best Picture” this year alone, it seems highly unlikely that even the most dedicated readers boycott every movie that is based upon an unread novel. Many of us only find out much later that the heartwarming flick we saw in theaters had a literary childhood.

The degree to which a film relies upon its written predecessor may be tremendous or miniscule. The story told may be entirely different, but that does not necessarily make it less worth seeing. A good story is always worth digesting, whether in the vast landscapes of one’s imagination or the vivid recreations of a movie screen.

I’ve always jokingly told my parents—at times half-serious—that I have almost no memory of my life before middle school.

Aside from random recollections of crashing enemy Star Wars figurines together or sliding around the frozen lake hockey rink with my old dog Sota (yes, that’s short for Minnesota), there are very few memories I still hold on to from my preteen years.

If I had to pick my strongest childhood memory, however, it would have to be from the phase in my life in which I watched Aladdin and the King of Thieves every day for around three months. I remember like it was yesterday—prancing around my family room and reciting every song lyric just like Cassim and his ruffian gang. Why does such a mediocre Disney sequel protrude from my murky memory, you ask? My best guess is that it was at this point that my obsession with music in movies began to take form.

Being ever-nostalgic, I wanted to take some time during the January movie lull to look at what makes some of my favorite movie-music collaborations so memorable.

Possibly the strongest and most frequent task of a movie soundtrack is to serve as a means of support that the film’s setting can lay itself upon, much like costume and set design. My favorite landscape-supporting soundtrack has to be Almost Famous, the semi-autobiographical Cameron Crowe film that is set in the hip and sexy early-’70s rock ‘n’ roll universe. Keeping with the times, Crowe makes sure that the likes of Led Zeppelin and The Who are constantly being pumped into the background.

Like Crowe, many directors like to use music early and often to let the audience know where on a timeline their film is located. Take Saturday Night Fever, for instance. About 20 seconds into it, when you hear “Stayin’ Alive” and see John Travolta’s half-buttoned shirt, you instantly realize that you’re in for something very, very disco.

But I’ve come to realize that soundtracks can do much more than serve as a scenery stilt. A director can deviate from normal theatrics and physically put the song into his film as something that is actually noted by the characters. This could, of course, be in the form of a musical where the plot revolves around the songs, much like my favorite childhood film—or, more recently, the Beatles-centric Across the Universe. Or you could have the reversal, where the song weaves itself into the story, a trend that is becoming more prevalent in modern cinema.

Going back to Almost Famous, the first rift in William’s life is when Anita, the older sister of the main character, forces her family to sit down and listen to Simon and Garfunkel’s “America” in attempt to explain why she’s leaving home. Crowe crescendos this tactic of placing the soundtrack within earshot of the cast until he reaches the infamous “Tiny Dancer” sing-along bus scene, the film’s climax and perhaps the greatest music-movie scene of the 21st century.

It is in this state—when a song is inserted into the film’s fictional universe—that movie soundtracks can take on a variety of forms and become truly special. In Purple Rain, a film that, as a Minnesotan, I am obligated to worship, it is not until he has lost his girlfriend and very nearly lost his father that Prince allows his band mates to play the melody they’ve written, which eventually becomes the film’s legendary title track. After his performance of “Purple Rain,” Prince is finally able to mend the rifts in his life.

When inserted into the modern narrative world, songs also have the power to build friendships and spur romance. After Summer Finn commends Tom Hansen on listening to “There is a Light That Never Goes Out” by The Smiths in (500) Days of Summer, Tom is convinced that Summer is the one true love described by the sad British pop bands he worships. In Garden State, a film whose soundtrack is considered a crown jewel in the indie rock cosmos, the meet cute between Andrew and Sam consists of Andrew borrowing Sam’s headphones to listen to a song she recommends, “New Slang” by the Shins. The overtly nervous James is finally able to make the first move on Em in Adventureland after the two silently ride in a car listening to “Pale Blue Eyes” by the Velvet Underground.

So maybe the concept of replacing the classic film score with a pop music soundtrack is simply another moneygrubbing scheme by Hollywood, and, yes, many stout critics see it as compromising to the art, but I think, in the modern era, the soundtrack has taken on a new form, integral to the movie experience. I mean, how monotonous would The Graduate be if you replaced “Mrs. Robinson” with dreary classical violins?

Dan Siering is the Asst. Arts & Review Editor for The Heights. He can be reached at arts@bcheights.com.

The Heights

Thursday, February 2, 2012

B5

Lana’s polarizing debut album flaunts unique, sultry style

Chart Toppers

By Austin Tedesco

1 Set Fire To The Rain Adele 2 Stronger Kelly Clarkson 3 We Found Love Rihanna 4 Good Feeling Flo Rida 5 Turn Me On Nicki Minaj 6 It Will Rain Bruno Mars 7 Sexy & I Know It LMFAO 8 Domino Jessie J 9 The One That Got Away Katy Perry 10 Rack City Tyga

Heights Editor

Go ahead haters, troll so hard. It’s painfully easy to give Lana Del Rey’s Born to Die a quick listen and write it off as a failed attempt at stardom by a fake artist who threw money at a label hoping to make it big. No one seems to care that Aubrey Graham (Drake) whose birth name sets him up for stardom about as well as Lana’s real name Lizzy Grant does, did pretty much the same thing, except with Weezy backing him up.

Go check most music blogs right now and they are slamming Lana for a shallow effort, but that simple description doesn’t come close to describing both how stunning and how awful this album is at times.

The first four tracks on Born to Die, which were featured on an EP before this release, are the album’s biggest strengths. Lana opens with the title track that puts her mesmerizing voice at the forefront of a nice string-filled melody, as she sings about being at the mercy of a guy she’s hopelessly head over heels for. It’s a nice sentiment and it works well, at least in this song. Later on it kind of makes you want to yell at her to shut up, but we’ll get there.

Lana begins to peak on “Blue Jeans” and “Off to the Races,” where she sounds like someone took Brooklyn native Biggie Smalls and transplanted him to Manhattan in the form of a bombshell, rich white girl.

She picks up the pace a little bit and shows off the hip-hop swagger that made her so endearing just a couple

months ago. Lana sings like the kind of girl Mad Men’s Don Draper could fall head over heels in love with over the course of five minutes.

When Lana sings, “Likes to watch me in the glass room bathroom / Chateau Marmont / Slippin’ on my red dress, puttin’ on my makeup / Glass film, perfume, cognac, lilac / Fumes, says it feels like heaven to him,” at the end of “Off to the Races” right before lamenting about how crazy she is and apologizing for misbehaving, it’s almost impossible to not be entranced by her.

It would be unfair for anyone to downplay the beauty of “Video Games,” the album’s standout track that first started all this buzz surrounding the former Lizzy Grant.

The best part of the song is around the 2:30 mark when the building drum snares kick in behind Lana’s repeating chorus in a wonderfully subtle and unexpected manner. Huge drums or horns could have been used here in a stereotypical and formulaic fashion, but instead it’s a quiet quick beat reflecting the song’s subtle beauty.

After “Video Games,” things start to get a little weird. Everything about “Diet Mountain Dew” sounds like it should work beautifully, with the killer beat and Lana finally letting some more swagger out, except hearing the chorus is kind of like biting down on a spoonful of pure sugar. It’s just a little too much, a little too sweet, and a little too desperate to handle.

“National Anthem” suffers the same fate. When Lana begins the song by declaring she’s her man’s national

Born to die lana del rey produced by interscope released Jan. 31, 2012 Our rating B-

Singles

courtesy of google.com

Lana Del Ray’s album presents the singer’s capacity for beautiful artistry, but also awkward uncertainty. anthem, the bold and confident step is a welcome one. Unfortunately, as the song goes on, Lana’s corny and borderline annoying desperation begins to come out again. It makes you wonder if she realizes how incredible she was just two songs earlier in the album.

Lana was supposed to be the perfect middle ground between Adele and Lady Gaga, but the album’s later tracks begin to make her sound like an inconsolable post-breakup mess whose friends need to take rotating shifts looking after her as she wallows alone in her room. She also keeps using the same slow strings over and over again in every song, and eventu-

ally it’s just agonizing to hear. “Dark Paradise,” “Carmen,” and “Million Dollar Man” all reinforce this, and it’s difficult to listen to her stumble around with a broken heart.

Maybe the album was rushed out too early, but it’s possible that this is actually the product Lana wanted to put out. The insecurity that creeps up even in Born to Die’s best tracks may not be fake at all, but a legitimate reflection of the real Lizzy Grant. Her performance on SNL felt about as unsure and awkward as a lot of the lines on the album do. There have been some calls for her to do a track with Drake’s boy The Weeknd to fight the backlash facing this album, but that

sounds like an awful idea, given how moody and emotional The Weeknd’s songs can be. Lana needs to team up with someone like A$AP Rocky, who has admitted to having a huge crush on the singer. Rocky could help Lana find that swagger that makes the album’s brightest tracks stand out.

There’s an undeniable amount of talent on this album, and a lot of the hate is completely unwarranted, especially for a first effort. Born to Die has ended up saying a lot more about the current state of Internet criticism than this young artist’s music, which is a shame. I hope the backlash doesn’t set her back too far, because I’d love to see what she does next. n

Top Albums

1 21 Adele 2 Emotional Traffic Tim McGraw 3 Resolution Lamb of God 4 2012 Grammys Various Artists 5 Human Again Ingrid Michaelson Source: Billboard.com

‘Old Ideas’ presents Cohen as a mature and seasoned poetic artist

By Sean Keeley For The Heights

Old Ideas is a fitting title for Leonard Cohen’s new album–not because its ideas are stale or tired, but because it seems a summation of

his career, exploring the grand and timeless themes that have always been his concern: love and sex, suffering and despair, and the redemptive possibility of hope and faith. The 77-year-old Cohen, who began as a poet before transitioning to music

in 1967, manages the difficult task of taking on such lofty themes while remaining playful and not ponderous.

Cohen’s detractors often portray him as a purveyor of gloomy, monotonous dirges, but the truth is more complicated. Cohen fans are fond of calling

Old Ideas Leonard cohen produced by COLUMBIA released jan. 31, 2012 Our rating B+ courtesy of google.com

The lyrics of ‘Old Ideas’ clearly exhibit Cohen’s poetic voice paired with a literal and sometimes self-deprecating humor.

the Canadian bard Laughing Len, and the moniker has more truth than it would first appear: even when singing of the bleakest subjects, Cohen never lets go of his wry, dark humor.

The opening track, “Going Home,” is a prime example of both sides of Cohen. The slow and simple piano strokes, the thematic suggestion of death, and Cohen’s deep, gravelly voice give the song a melancholy feeling, but the opening lyrics reveal Cohen’s dry, self-deprecating humor: “I love to speak with Leonard / He’s a sportsman and a shepherd / He’s a lazy bastard living in a suit.” The song is vintage Cohen, with a simple musical arrangement that allows the beauty of Cohen’s poetry to come to the forefront. It is true that Cohen has never been a great singer, but he has always made the most of his limited range. Here, his low, throaty growl gives the impression not only of age but also wisdom and authority. As ever, Cohen is ably assisted by his female backup singers, who supply lovely melodies and harmonies without ever upstaging him.

Cohen’s poetic voice is even more evident than his literal one. Songs like

“Amen” and “Show Me the Place,” with their lyrical mingling of the sacred and profane, tap into the same impulses as Cohen’s most famous (and perhaps greatest) song, the frequently covered “Hallelujah.” No song on Old Ideas measures up to that one, but each stands on its own considerable merits.

“Show Me the Place” is a particularly affecting track. Cohen’s voice, tinged with regret and hope, addresses an estranged lover over a slow piano part: “Show me the place where you want your slave to go … Show me the place, help me roll away this stone.”

The metaphor of love as suffering and even madness gets a lot of play on Old Ideas: from the aptly titled “Crazy to Love You” to the closing track, “Different Sides,” which details a conflicted relationship over a background of pulsing keyboard strokes.

That last track is one of several on the album that finds the band cutting a bit looser than is typical for Cohen, and it’s a welcome change.

Some of Cohen’s albums suffer from sameness in their musical style, but thankfully Old Ideas has both variety and cohesion. Cohen embraces the blues on “Darkness,” a groovy little

number that is one of the album’s highlights. Other changes of pace include “Anyhow,” which suggests Cohen as a nightclub singer, and the relaxed “Banjo,” a song with pleasantly twanging guitar work that wouldn’t be out of place in a country tune. Songs like these only make the album’s few dull spots more glaring, which include the truly tiring “Lullaby” and the largely unremarkable “Crazy to Love You.” Still, such songs are weak only in relation to the rest of the album’s strength, and none is without interest.

Cohen is certainly an acquired taste, but he is also undeniably consistent, and above all, authentic. It’s almost superfluous to mention Cohen’s credibility as a poet, or the fact that he often slaves for years over writing one song, or the fact that he retreated from public life for a few years to study in a Buddhist monastery, because his poetic prowess, spirituality, and profound insight are evident in nearly every song. Cohen has said that the threat of mortality looms over Old Ideas, but the evidence of the album reveals that his art is very much alive. n

Recycling Beatles ideas of peace and love, Ringo’s solo album shines

By Margaret Fahey For The Heights

Ringo Starr released his 17th solo album, Ringo 2012, on Jan. 31, 43 years after the Beatles performed their last live performance. It’s impossible not to respect the surviving drummer of one of the 20th century’s most influential and worldloved bands. Richard Starkey (dubbed Ringo Starr) played a smart move in 1962 when he left his former band Rory Storm and the Hurricanes to replace Pete Best as the Beatles’ drummer. Starr’s solo music career is nothing new—this album is added to a long list of critically acclaimed studio collections.

These include his most recent albums, Liverpool 8 (2008) and Y Not (2010). After singing lead vocals for The Beatles hits “With a Little Help from My Friends” and “Yellow Submarine,” it isn’t surprising that Starr makes a talented solo artist. This album’s title, Ringo 2012, references his most successful solo album Ringo (1973), which was certified platinum by the RIAA and reached number two on the Bill-

board 200. In this recent studio album, Starr performs drums, percussion, vocals, and keyboard.

Fellow talented artists contribute to the album, including Joe Walsh (guitar), Van Dyke Parks, Don Was, and Dave Stewart.

The album Ringo 2012, despite having an unexciting name, is a fresh and uplifting mix of rock songs. “Step Lightly” is actually a re-recording of a song on Ringo, and gives a different sound to his original lyrics, including, “You gotta find yourself a love that’s gonna last.” We can assume from Starr’s 50-plus years of musical success that he took his own advice. Starr’s most memorable song of the album, “In Liverpool,” is about his 23 years spent in his hometown, Dingle, Liverpool.

The lyrics “Me and the boys / Me and the gang / Living our fantasy / Breaking the rules / Actin’ like fools / That’s how it was for me” are beautifully nostalgic and give us insight into the drummer’s life before The Beatles. Despite his extensive health complications as a child (including coma-inducing appendicitis), Richard Starkey was able to shine at school in art and drama. In 1957, amidst Liv-

erpool’s “skiffle” musical phase, Starkey joined the band Raving Texans, where he adopted the cowboy-esque stage name Ringo Starr after his stylish rings. It was in 1960, when he was performing in Hamburg, that Starr met The Beatles. These early years in Liverpool are obviously important in Starr’s development as an artist.

The album’s two covers, “Think it Over” (a Buddy Holly original) and “Rock Island Line” have a refreshingly happy sound and are two of my album favorites. In his song “Anthem,” the lyrics “This is an anthem / Of peace and love” remind us of the Beatles’ legendary anti-violence messages, proving that the former Beatle hasn’t strayed too far from his roots. The chorus of the song is a little repetitive but is redeemed by its melody and Beatles-reminiscent poppy sound. The second track of the album, “Wings,” is a re-recording from a previous album and an improvement on “Anthem.” This tune has a much better sound, and Joe Walsh jams great guitar chords throughout the entire song. Obviously, it’s difficult to disassociate Starr’s solo success from his incom-

parably unique Beatles career.

Recently, in L.A., Ringo Starr was interviewed by Russell Brand and explained, “I’ve been asked to write an autobiography of myself, but they only really want those eight years. And I say, ‘But there are ten volumes before we get

to that and twenty afterwards.’”

Although most will only listen to this left-handed drummer when jamming out to their favorite Beatles tunes, Starr should be respected for his musical talent outside of the 1960s. Starr’s continued enthusiasm in creating

albums after the Beatles proves his genuine passion for music, sadly unlike a slew of popular musicians today. In Starr’s song “In Liverpool,” when he sings, “Music was my goal / In my heart and in my soul and in my mind,” we actually believe him. n

Ringo 2012 Ringo starr produced by Hip-O records released jan. 31, 2012 Our rating B courtesy of google.com

Legendary Starr brings listeners an album that demands a level of respect and admiration for the Beatles drummer.

Radio singles by Allan guzman M.I.A. “Bad Girls”

Jennifer Hudson & Ne-Yo (feat. Rick Ross) “Think Like A Man”

Jack White “Love Interruption” Always the standout for bringing a fresh perspective to Western ears, M.I.A. returns with “Bad Girls.” The tune combines heavy, pounding drumbeats with a touch of the Orient.

It is the type of song that begs to be played at full volume in the car with the windows down.

M.I.A.’s monotone voice can get repetitive, but it doesn’t repel one from the chorus, “Live fast, die young / Bad girls do it well.”

The new single off Jack White’s solo album, Blunderbuss, is an understated acoustic track with some very unorthodox sentiments about love. There are only a couple of guitars and a clarinet—a unique yet effective instrumental combination. Meanwhile, White, with Ruby Amanfu on background vocals, sings lyrics such as, “I want love to / Split my mouth wide open.”

From the soundtrack for the motion picture of the same name, Hudson impresses with her powerful vocals, cautioning female listeners to “act like a woman and think like a man.” Ne-Yo mostly plays a supporting role as the former love interest, expressing his equal discontent by wishing they had “never been.” Rick Ross’ verse, in which he raps about Bentleys and penthouses, feels painfully out of place.

B6

The Heights

Thursday, February 2, 2012

The Heights

Thursday, February 2, 2012

B7

BY LUIZA JUSTUS

Crossing the river to a hub of culture, arts, and more A whole other world lies across the Charles, and it’s amazing how few of us take the time to explore it. Harvard Square is a bustling hub of arts, culture, and entertainment. Whether your intent

is to eat, shop, get inspired, or simply walk around, Cambridge offers many entertainment outlets. As you wander around the streets of Harvard Square, the energetic atmosphere makes even a newcomer feel more connected to the quirky corner that locals have carved out. Simply walking around the Square is an experience in itself, with all kinds of interesting people to watch, street artists, and city sounds.

If you’re looking for inspiration of any artistic nature, look no further.

Courtesy of Google.com

The Peabody Museum hosts a score of ancient, mysterious artifacts to peak visitors’ interests.

Some of us, however, are simply interested in appreciating the artistic endeavors of others. There are several spots in Harvard Square that allow spectators to sit back and view something beautiful. One of the most intriguing places is Brattle Theater, an independent movie theater that shows the kinds of films not normally found in the lineup of a popular cinema.

Brattle Theater is absolutely endearing—its charming atmosphere and old-fashioned appearance make it a unique hotspot as both a cultural and historical experience. Its selection of films is ideal for a person looking to view something different than the usual, or an old classic. The selection ranges from quirky indie films to a recap of the best from 2011. One event to keep an eye on at Brattle is the Valentine’s Day special where they will screen the timeless Audrey Hepburn flick, Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

This theater is a true landmark for Boston dwellers, and is definitely worth checking out.

Venturing a bit down Massachusetts Avenue, visitors will reach a less populated area worth seeking out.

Past the Harvard University Bookstore is a little shop called Oona’s, a trendy thrift store that sells vintage clothing for remarkable prices. The scent of antiquity immediately hits you upon entering the shop, and the

Allston-Brighton Crime Reports 1/26/12 — 2/1/12

In progress assault and battery on Commonwealth Ave.

Courtesy of Google.com

Showing lesser known films, Brattle Theater has special plans for Valentine’s Day. vintage apparel found on the shelves is distinctive because each scarf, jacket, or dress has its own history and style, holding a sense of personal value to someone of an era passed. In addition to Oona’s vast array of clothing, the shop supplements its stock with an eccentric collection of old books.

If vintage fashion is not part of your personal style, however, the outfits in this store make for great Halloween costume ideas.

Cambridge is also fantastically rich in culture and arts. Whether it’s the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology (a sublime collection of human social history) or Charlie’s Kitchen (a burger joint whose quality far surpasses price), it is clear that Cambridge has a lot to offer no matter where your interests lie. So, treat yourself to an adventure and go out to explore the cultural hub that is Cambridge. n

Restaurant review

Fiery cuisine nestled in Back Bay

At about 11:24 a.m. on Jan. 26, an officer in the K425D responded to a radio call for an assault in progress at 928 Commonwealth Avenue, Brighton. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with a man who stated he was driving his Brookline taxi (MA Reg TA 27001) inbound on Comm. Ave. when he was sideswiped by the victim, who was driving a Boston taxi (MA Reg TA7554). The officer then spoke with the victim, who stated that the other man cut him off after seeing him get flagged down by a potential customer and trying to get to the customer before him. The victim went on to state that when he got out of his taxi to look at the damage, the other man struck him in his face with an open hand. The victim refused medical attention.

Woman wakes to an intruder in her bedroom At about 6:50 a.m. on Jan. 29 officers responded to a radio call for a breaking and entering in progress at 102 Allston St. Upon arrival, officers met with the victim. She was visibly upset and crying. She stated that she was asleep in bed when she was woken up by a noise in her bedroom. The victim then stated that when she awoke she saw a man in his thirties wearing a black hooded jacket and dark pants. The victim then stated that she asked the suspect, “Who are you?” The suspect responded, “I’m doing clean up for Alpha Management,” and then walked out of her bedroom and left the apartment. The victim believes her purse was stolen. She was unsure of the purse’s contents but knows that it contained various credit and debit cards as well as personal I.D.’s.

Snow blowers stolen from truck in North Brighton At about 5:10 p.m., an officer took a walk in report for a larceny at 21 Peaceable Street. The victim stated that on Jan. 23, unknown persons removed his two Aeris snow blowers from the back of his pick-up truck (MA Reg H38341, a 1998 Dodge BR 1500), and fled. He also stated that his neighbor observed three young males and an older man remove the items from the victim’s truck at 2:00 p.m. on Jan. 23. The victim stated that the items were a 24” and 28” blower valued at $1,300 and $1,000.

Robbery of over $800 of possessions from unoccupied apartment Victim was not at home when a Boston Police officer responded to a report of a break-in at her apartment. She later reported that an Apple iPad 2 ($600 value), an iPad red leather cover ($75 value), a black, white, and lime green cotton Vera Bradley iPad case ($40 value), and $100 in cash were taken.

- Courtesy of the Boston Police Department, District 14 Gathered by Charlotte Parish, Metro Editor

HOUSE AD

By Molly Shea For The Heights

Most restaurants considered to be “hidden gems” are in fact not so hidden— they are often sandwiched between nail salons in strip malls or located on the outskirts of town. The term applies most appropriately to Casa Romero, a cozy Mexican restaurant buried in Back Bay. While the website lists the address as 30 Gloucester Street, diners must duck down an unnamed alley off Gloucester and look for the Casa Romero sign hanging next to the door. Once inside, it’s obvious why so many are willing to make the trek.

The walls are decorated with bright Mexican artwork, and the atmosphere is complimented with soothing background music. The multiroom layout makes it possible to have a decor of beautiful art while still making enough space to seat eager customers in a small and intimate setting.

To quench patrons’ thirst, the bar offers wine, Mexican beers, and a wide variety of alcoholic and nonalcoholic margaritas. The house sangria is perfectly fruity, and the margaritas, while slightly heavy on the tequila, offer a nice break from the cold outside. Also noteworthy were the strawberry daiquiris and pina coladas, available mixed as a Miami Vice upon request. All of the drinks were tasty and tropical, and diverted attention away from the winter weather and onto deciding which dishes to try. While the complementary chips and salsa are great on their own, an appetizer of guacamole starts the meal off on an even tastier note. The portion is small for its price ($7.50), but fresh enough for the restaurant to seduce customers into staying for more.

Casa Romero offers a variety of appetizers, soups, and salads, including multiple vegetarian options. The entrees are where the restaurant’s core strengths are revealed. Enchiladas poblanos come lightly covered in cheese and mole sauce, avoiding the overwhelming heaviness associated with Mexican food. Fajitas arrive with plentiful fillings, creme fraiche, and more of their irresistible guacamole. If you can’t bear to eat Mexican food without the sting of jalapenos, the kitchen is eager to accommodate. The menu boasts “puerco adobado en chipotle y naranja” (adobe pork in a chipotle and orange sauce) as its signature dish, but the standout of the night was the cochinita pibil. The roast pork comes

with fresh corn tortillas for wrapping, as welll as a light and spicy radish-habanero salsa. For those who pass on the mild spice of the fajitas, the cochinita pibil offers a sweet, nutty anatto marinade, perfectly complemented by the sting of the habanero. Another favorite of the night was the vegetarian enchiladas rellenas, which come filled with a deliciously light cactus and are topped with a red chile sauce.

While the food was delicious, it was the service that truly completed the experience. Although dinner portions rendered our stomachs too full for dessert, the waiter reappeared with a complimentary birthday flan and a tableside

Location: 30 Gloucester St., Boston Cuisine: Mexican Signature Dish: Puerco Adobado en Chipotle y Naranja Atmosphere: 9 / 10 Price: $$$ Overall Experience: A-

serenade since we had mentioned to him that we were celebrating our friend’s birthday. This personable touch rounded out an evening of excellent service, as our waiter was more than eager to accommodate our tastes by keeping the water and tortilla chips coming, even including a happy birthday note on our receipt.

Be sure to make a reservation early. Despite its discreet street presence, Casa Romero fills up quickly. It maintains a strict schedule, allotting one and a half hours to smaller groups, two and a half to groups of eight or more. Although this is a slightly off-putting policy, call ahead and make a reservation. Next time you’re looking for a step up from the Chipotle/El Pelon/Boloco experience, or if you’re in need of a spring break preview, head to Casa Romero. You won’t be disappointed. n

B8

The Heights

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Businesses bank on Dissecting Super Bowl hype football fan rivalry Subway Series

Super Bowl, from B10

Marc Francis Sporting events inspire the worst in people. If I could only erase the memory of running through Manhattan during the 2010 FIFA World Cup—hundreds of fans were running amuck, blowing vuvuzelas (South African horns) in my horror-stricken face. Well, since the 2012 Super Bowl is less than a week away, one can expect some intense festivities and gatherings in New York City and Boston. Beantown and the Big Apple have a history of antagonistic rivalry that has forever left its mark on the sporting world. But the question on my mind is not the odds of a particular team winning the coveted title, but rather, which city is home to the more devoted fans. Does the idea of attaining state pride incite those laid-back Bostonians off their feet more than it rocks those New Yorkers away from their busy schedules?

The Giants have seen their fair share of losses in past years, which have brewed an emotional connection among their core fans. And while New Yorkers choose between Jets and Giants, New Englanders have a larger catalogue of teams from which they can select a favorite. This has produced a standout, uncompromising attitude among Patriots fans, mostly attributed to their fierce loyalty. The leaders of the two iconic cities have even decided to get in on the action—Mayors Thomas Menino and Michael Bloomberg have already placed bets on their hometown teams. The mayors pledged to give either a Boston or New York family a tour of the winning team’s hometown.

Taking a radical position here at Boston College, I do not possess any kind of stake in the game whatsoever. Like many other New Yorkers consumed by the entertainment industry, I am just in it for the halftime show. New York City shops are cluttered with posters of the original queen of pop, Madonna, who is preparing to put on a stellar miniconcert. In fact, back home there are just as many people chattering about the return of the music icon as there are fans cheering on the Giants. For many, Madonna is just as representative of New York as the Giants—she has been deprived of that number one spot several times and has lost many lovers along the way, but she still manages to come out on top.

The resemblance is clear.

In Boston, on the other hand, everyone has their minds solely on the game. Sports as a whole play such a vital role in the culture of Boston, and if we analyze the average citizen’s personality, we can see why.

In New York, you are constantly on the move and in competition with the guy next to you. In Boston, the idea of supporting one another takes on a whole new meaning. I myself was left dumbstruck on a corner of Boylston when a young woman approached me and asked if I was lost and needed directions. This inherent concept of teamwork within the city is a reflection of its attachment to sporting events and state pride.

Simply holding an emotional stake in the Patriots is enough to display one’s respect and appreciation for his hometown.

As I continued to wonder which city has the more diehard fans, I stumbled upon a Facebook page that supposedly polled hundreds of fans from the opposing teams. Apparently, Giants fans prefer Jay-Z over Eminem, drink Hennessy over Narragansett Beer, and would watch The Hangover over Elf. But the page also made sure to point out a key similarity—both fan bases love Dunkin’ Donuts. So, considering all the trash-talk and over-competitiveness, it comforts me to know that there is at least one connection between these great cities.

After looking at the dynamics of the fans of the Giants and the Patriots, and the history of wins and losses, I might as well make a guess as to who will come out on top this year. My prediction—Madonna.

Marc Francis is the Asst. Metro Editor for The Heights. He can be reached at metro@bcheights.com.

and sizes are looking to grab a piece of the Super Bowl pie. Local sports apparel stores such as Modell’s Sporting Goods have had their shelves stocked with AFC championship and Super Bowl XLVI-related items since early Monday morning after the win. High demand for such team-related gear is reflected in high prices. Known for their fanatical love of professional sports teams, however, Bostonians have turned out in force for the pricey items. It is hard to go a block in downtown Boston without seeing at least one Patriots AFC Championship adjustable hat, an item that Modell’s lists at just under $28. If the Pats take the crown next Sunday, apparel sales will likely soar even higher.

Other businesses are offering Super Bowl-related deals as a means to latch onto the immense marketability of the big game, as well. Chipotle Mexican Grill, for instance, has established its “SUPER, big, internationally-televised, professional football BOWL game Half Price Party in a Box” deal in order to convert football fans into Chipotle customers. The advertising slogan has garnered some controversy for its potential misuse of the copyrighted Super Bowl name, but it is sure to bring in a lot of business on Sunday Sports bars and restaurants around Boston look to attract huge numbers of customers on game day as well. One employee at The Point in Faneuil Hall noted, “When the Bruins won [the Stan-

ley Cup championship] in June, it was the busiest day I’ve seen in my whole time working here. I’m thinking that the Super Bowl could be even busier because the Patriots fan base is larger.”

The quest for Super Bowl profits is not limited to business owners. Elected officials, too, are hedging their bets on the Patriots’ success. Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick revealed his intention to place a bet with New York governor Andrew Cuomo. New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg has also expressed interest in reviving his 2008 Super Bowl bet with Boston mayor Thomas Menino. So far this season, Menino has racked up a steak dinner from Denver mayor Michael Hancock and crab cakes from Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawling-Blake.

Fans have already had the chance to celebrate the Patriots’ trip to the Super Bowl en masse in the “Patriots Super Bowl Send-Off Rally” that took place in Foxborough, Mass. last Sunday. If the team manages to pull through this coming Sunday, a much larger, more vibrant celebration will likely take place in the streets of Boston. Past Boston championship parades have utilized the city’s famous “Duck Boats” as floats, and comprise some of Boston sports fans’ most cherished memories. The mood among experienced Bostonians, however, is one of cautious anticipation.

Veteran Patriots fans of Super Bowl XLII know all too well the agonizing prick of karma’s sword. Boston is on edge, but it most certainly is preparing. n

Rise of Boston film industry prompt movie set tours

Graham beck/heights editor

On Location bring visitors to local film locations.

On Location, from B10 the Boston hotspot. What movie watchers do not know is that hundreds of citizens whipped out their cell phones and called the police, thinking that a bomb had been set off for malicious purposes.

Other sights worth mentioning include the flower shop featured in The

Town, Flowers by Thornton; The Massachusetts State House featured in The Verdict, one of Bruce Willis’s first film projects; and the barge featured in Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events. The tour also included scenes from several television series, including Boston Legal — its offices are located at 500 Boylston Street. “Unfortunately, you won’t see Shatner smoking a cigar today,” Martin said as we passed the famed legal drama.

Enacted in 2005, the Massachusetts Film Tax Incentive Program has attracted hundreds of producers around the globe. Through these incentives, film production corporations have the potential for a tax exemption, 25 percent payroll credit, and 25 percent pro duction exp ense cre dit . Many movies are currently being filmed in Boston, including an upcoming action film starring Ryan Reynolds and Kevin Bacon, R.I.P.D. “We do our best to accommodate students, allowing groups to go on individual tours and to customize their own tours,” said Jenny Gomeringer, Boston marketing manager of On Location Tours. Boston is slowly becoming one of the world’s most renowned film locations, and it would behoove students in the area to not explore the ins and outs of one of America’s key metropolitan centers. To book a tour for reasonable student rates, visit screentours.com. n

Courtesy of Google.com

Residents may stay in the Haley House housing facilities for as long as their situation requires.

Free, low-income housing offered to the homeless BC’s David Manzo essential to HH housing project Haley House, from B10 extremely diverse neighborhood, where people of modest means could rent a single room in a house filled with residents.

However, as gentrification became more predominant, properties were purchased and transformed into expensive apartments and condominiums, displacing those who had formerly been able to afford a room.

Haley House resolved to “save” one building, knowing that if it could finance the down payment, operating costs would not be an issue. A Jesuit volunteer at the Soup Kitchen, Rev. David Gill, S.J., participated in the Boston Marathon in honor of the House—by accepting pledges and donations, he raised $7,000 and played an instrumental role in the purchase of Haley House’s first building.

David Manzo, a Boston College graduate, was also an integral figure in the development of the housing program. He stumbled upon Haley House during his time at BC. An active member of PULSE, Manzo regularly volunteered at the soup kitchen, and his dedication to Haley House eventually led House founder Kathe McKenna to invite Manzo to assist in forming Haley House’s live-in community. Manzo proved his worth as he aided in purchasing and managing the initial building that solidified the program’s future success.

The program has grown immensely since its institution in 1979. It now consists of 109 housing units in total. Some buildings are owned directly by Haley House, and others are owned in partnership with Madison Park Development Corporation, but all provide “safe, affordable, well managed, and hospitable places where people are treated with dignity and compassion,” Nanzo said. The vast majority of these units are supported by Section 8 federal subsidies. Therefore, low-income individuals can afford a home because they only have to allocate 30 percent of their income for rent—the government covers the remainder. Haley House offers internal subsidies for other units that are not funded by the government. People renting these rooms pay according to a sliding scale—the

Person to Watch Mark Herzlich, the All American (2008), ACC Defensive Player of the Year (2008) winner is back in the Boston College spotlight after only his first pro-football season with the New York Giants. He has quickly become a living legend in the BC community through his success on the football field, his continued work with cancer foundations and fundraisers, and his unrelenting sportsmanship and courage.

This year, Herzlich will join the ranks of fifteen other alumni and BC affiliates who are involved in the upcoming Super Bowl. A few of these notable Giants starters include Mathias Kiwanuka, BC ’05; Chris Snee, BC ’04; and Will Blackmon, BC ’06. For the Patriots, Dan Koppen, BC ’03, and Ron Brace, BC ’08, are taking the field for New England. Meanwhile, senior vice president of player evaluation Chris Mara, BC ’79, and NYG president John Mara, ’76, head up to the New England team’s offices.

A comprehensive list is provided on the BC athletics Who: BC alumnus Mark Herzlich What: Herzlich is one of 12 alumni representing BC at Super Bowl XLVI. Where: Indianapolis Why it matters: Herzlich has fought bone cancer and rejection, yet his steadfast values and work ethic have catapulted him into the Super Bowl.

website.

However, Herzlich’s road to Super Bowl XLVI has been anything but easy. As previously mentioned, Herzlich has been involved in tremendous with fundraising efforts for cancer foundations, following his 2009 diagnosis of Ewing’s sarcoma. While his onfield ferocity has gained him accolades from notable professionals, Herzlich’s persistent spirit and unwavering devotion to helping others have landed him tributes such as the Maxwell Football Club Courage Award (2009), the Disney Spirit Award (2009), and the Rudy Award (2010).

While his debilitating bone cancer put an indefinite pause on his college career, it was not the only hurdle he leaped in order to make it to football’s grand stage. After being invited to the 2011 NFL Draft, he remained undrafted. Football fanatics across the board were stunned; Herzlich’s loyal BC fan base sat at home scratching their heads as the night’s events unfolded without a big league bid for their hero. This only further motivated Herzlich. His ability to

amount of rent paid depends on their financial means.

“Our goal in all of this was to make sure low-income people were welcome and could afford to live side-by-side with people of economic means in the very desirable South End, adding to its once rich diversity,” Nanzo said. Aside from the affordable, available subsidized units, Haley House also has 31 units reserved for those who are completely homeless and have no source of income. Those living in these units tend to stay for an average of eight years.

In order to acquire an apartment, people apply directly to the Boston Housing Authority, Haley House, or the management company, depending on the program they are considering. Haley House works closely

It seems purely rational to say that all humans need food and shelter to live... Haley House’s commitment to honor the inherent dignity of each human being clearly rests at the center of every one of its initiatives. with both case managers and housing advocates to determine which homeless families and individuals qualify for housing units.

Individuals whose applications are accepted receive more than just a roof over their heads. “People tend to come, settle in, and stay for the long haul, taking advantage of the stability offered them by having a great place to live, in a great neighborhood, managed by people who care about them,” Nanzo said. This strong sense of stability and community enables people not only to find work and raise children, but also live a dignified and gratifying life.

It seems purely rational to say that all humans need food and shelter to live, but Haley House emphasizes that its programs are “driven by both [their] heads and [their] hearts.” Haley House’s commitment to honor the inherent dignity of each human being clearly rests at the center of every one of its initiatives. n

By:Arjun Sean By: Powers Gajulapalli

endure any struggle was evident in a recent interview with Sports Radio WEEI, where he spoke of high Super Bowl hopes while managing to keep his ultimate dream in perspective: “Two years ago I was in a hospital chair getting chemo, so it’s a big turnaround,” said Herzlich. He told the station that playing in the Super Bowl “was always the dream,” a dream that Herzlich has brought to life.

As Sunday approaches, tensions will be high on the BC campus.

The New England campus is sure to be lush with Pats jerseys. The lesser, but still prominent, army of Giants fans at BC will stage a full-on wardrobe retaliation, as red, white, and lots of blue become the theme of the week. But they will all, Patriots and Giants fans alike, continue to keep one hero’s name in their hearts as a constant inspiration: Mark Herzlich.

The Heights

Thursday, February 2, 2012

B9

Church officials and politicians respond to bill Health Care, from B10 Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said that scientists have abundant evidence to prove that birth control has health benefits for women and their families, including the reduction of health costs. She believes that “this proposal strikes the appropriate balance between respecting religious free-

Sister Mary Ann Walsh [said]... that this rule is ‘unconscionable’ because it is ‘the first time goverment has ever ordered citizens to pay for services that violate their conscience.’ dom and increasing access to important preventive services.” “The administration remains fully committed to its partnerships with faith-based organizations, which promote healthy communities and serve the common good,” Sebelius said.

Additionally, Neera Tanden, president of the Center for American Progress, issued a statement claiming that the final ruling was “a tremendous victory for both women’s health and their basic health needs. Women of all religious backgrounds use birth control, and they deserve to have it covered by their employer-sponsored health plans.”

Similarly, Representative Rosa L. De-

Lauro issued a statement on behalf of her membership in the House Appropriations Committee stating that she was “encouraged that the Obama Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services have made the right choice concerning women’s access to healthcare services.”

Many religious communities, however, have spoken out against this rule, including the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The director of media relations for this organization, Sister Mary Ann Walsh, told Bloomberg BNA that this rule is “unconscionable” because it is “the first time the federal government has ever ordered citizens to pay for services that violate their conscience.” Walsh added, “We certainly are going to challenge it in one way or another.”

Negative reactions to the law are filtering in from the political sector as well.

Representative Joseph R. Pitts, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee, said in an e-mail to Bloomberg BNA that the new ruling is “shameful” and that “the real tragedy is forcing religious employers to provide health care benefits against their conscience.”

Senator Orrin Hatch echoed Pitts’ statement and asserted that the issue at hand is not that the religious institutions have more time to comply with the new obligation, but rather that “they’re forced to comply at all.”

Students here at BC are divided in their reactions to this new law, as well.

Sabrina Caraffa, CSON ’15, stated that, as a member of the Pro-life club on campus, she believes that “birth control and preventative techniques are an excellent way of avoiding pregnancies and, therefore, cutting down the number of abortions.” Yet, she added, “Forcing religious organizations to provide these services is not ethically correct because it infringes on the concept

Questioning Conventions

Battling gullibility on the net

Andrew Schweiger

three interlocking relocations only benefit the BAA. By moving Mission Hill K-8 School, the BPSC leaves only one K-8 school in the city’s district.

Splitting Fenway High School from its shared space with BAA severs the cultural connection the schools utilized.

The committee entirely overlooked the issues of why Agassiz Elementary closed in the first place. Principal Gavens expressed her concerns, stressing the poor lighting and dangerous air quality. While renovations will be made for the locations of the BAA and Fenway High School, none are currently planned for the new Mission Hill campus. This move will deny the majority of Mission Hill students walking access to the school, preventing them from future enrollment in the Jamaica Plains location.

By attempting to improve facilities for a majority of schools in the district, the BPSC will destroy the community of the most successful elementary school in the district. Will a school as exceptional as Mission Hill be able to overcome this detriment? With this realignment, Councilor Ross claimed, “ … three schools were pitted against each other. One was the favorite, one was bought off, and one was sacrificed.”

What makes this column reliable is that there are people–namely multiple rounds of editors–who read through my columns actively searching not just to make sure that I have placed a comma in the right place, but also that anything stated as fact is, well, actually true. It is because of this system of multiple researchers, fact-checkers, and editors that readers like you do not have to worry about the veracity of what is written in any news periodical.

Thus, the reason why it is such a travesty when any journalist or news media outlet is caught purposefully reporting fiction as fact is that the trusted integrity of all news providers is seriously brought into question. That is why when you read a quote in an article from the front page of The New York Times, you know that a Times journalist actually had a conversation with that person, and that conversation can be confirmed and verified by a Times editor. The essential ingredient to any respectable news provider is trust.

This is the inherent difference between The Wall Street Journal and some blog on the Internet, between my column and a status on Facebook, between an official press release and a tweet. How often, though, do we read something on sites like Facebook or Twitter, or watch a video on YouTube that provokes our outrage and incites passionate opinions that we then rapidly re-post, re-tweet, or update into our status? How often are we provoked into instant action and use that sparked momentum to swiftly research the authenticity of whatever has been presented to us, or do we ever even bother to do just that? Take, for example, the evening before JoePa (Joe Paterno) actually passed away.

Facebook and Twitter were awash with people saying the college football legend had died that evening, but instead of being swept up into the gossip, all one had to do was check the home page of ESPN to read that such rumors were completely untrue.

If you’re like me, on any given day you can scroll through your Facebook homepage and find at least five to seven statuses whose subject matters are inflamed opinions on what this public figure did or did not do that was, like, so unbelievably uncool, like totally. Of those irate statuses and tweets, how many provided links? Okay, and out of those that did provide a link, how many of those links were to reliable media outlets? Finally, if a reliable news link was provided, did you actually read the article, and then maybe even do some more research of your own?

I didn’t think so. How do I know that didn’t happen? Because the next time I check Facebook, I fail to find any better-researched posts than I did the day before. We know that we cannot trust everything we read or watch on the Internet, yet, for some strange, inexplicable reason we fall victim to unfounded assumptions of validity.

Maybe it’s just Internet culture that allows bloggers and social media users to utterly lack the urge to question the authenticity of what they read and publish online. Terms like libel, slander, and defamation are among the first words to be introduced to a journalist’s vocabulary, yet they are simply chalked up by users of the Internet to be irrelevant thanks to an ambiguous understanding of the First Amendment. Newsflash! You can be held legally culpable, and in turn, sued for posting libel on the Internet on a blog, Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. Now, in the interests of full disclosure and complete reporting, BC law professor of law Alfred Yen did stipulate that such an action is “subject to possible defenses,” but as a non-attorney spokesperson, I would advise that you do your best to avoid having such a discussion with Professor Yen. I’ve been laying it on pretty thick so far, so I hope you’ve gotten my point.

So, in the future let’s think twice before posting anything on the Internet that has not been verified by a reliable source, or better yet, do your own research when confronted by an issue you’re not familiar with.

Tricia Tiedt is a staff writer for The Heights. She can be reached at metro@ bcheights.com.

Andrew Schweiger is a staff columnist for The Heights. He can be reached at metro@bcheights.com.

Courtesy of Google.com

Obama approves a bill mandating institutions to supply contraceptive coverage. of separation of church and state and goes against their belief system.”

Caraffa sees the law greatly affecting the Jesuit community as a whole, and says, “It will be necessary for them to form a response to the law and declare their stance on the issue, especially the Jesuits who have a presence on college campuses, like at BC, because their opinions and views weigh heavily on our community.”

Similarly, Ariana Caraffa, A&S ’15, strongly disagrees with the act because “not only does it seem to target religion specifically, but it impedes on the right to exercise religion freely. The act is a direct violation of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution because it forces religious institutions (including our campus) to provide items that go against our religious beliefs.”

“This act takes away this freedom in

many aspects and could potentially be an avenue for the complete absence of religious freedom in America’s future,” Caraffa stated.

Other BC students are in favor of the act, such as Jessica Parry, co-chair of BC Students for Sexual Health (BCSSH) and A&S ’14, because she believes that it provides women with the “opportunity to decide if they need contraception without having to worry about the monetary repercussions.”

Parry recognizes the opposition that some religious organizations may have against this method, but adds, “If they are requiring people to be under their health care, they should provide for the needs of everyone.” She sees it as BC’s responsibility to cover the needs of all students on their plan, regardless of specific religious beliefs. n

THE ISSUE:

A very large and complex organization, Boston Public Schools (BPS) has undergone a number of organizational and structural changes over the past decade.

BPS has had to respond to a number of budget cuts, reflecting the country’s economic difficulties, as well as changes in national expectatations for student test results and accountability, two factors stressed by President Bush’s No Child Left Behind Act. Most recently, BPS has decided to change the locations, and therefore the number of students who may attend, three schools: Boston Arts Academy, Fenway High School, and the Mission Hill K-8 School. With this proposed relocation, do new students benefit from the increased availability, or are existing students’ needs being ignored in the expansion?

Courtesy of Google.com

Necessary, successful change Unfair student relocation Caroline McManus Last October, Carol R. Johnson, superintendent of Boston Public Schools (BPS), proposed a realignment of schools that would go into effect in the 2012-2013 school year. This proposal, passed in November 2011, allows seven of BPS’s most successful programs to move into bigger facilities at the end of the present school year. Another Course to College and the Boston Arts Academy will remain in their present locations, but because of the shuffling of schools they will be left with more room to expand. New Mission High School, Boston Community Leadership Academy, Fenway High School, Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers, and Mission Hill K-8 School will all be moving to new, larger facilities.

According to Mayor Thomas M. Menino, these facility changes initiated from a desire to answer parents’ requests for easier access to BPS’s high-performing schools, and to help these schools continue their success by “putting them in buildings that can best serve their student populations.”

The facilities realignment plan accomplishes both. New Mission High School, along with the other seven schools, will gain new amenities like science and computer labs, renovated libraries, and auditoriums. This plan

will also create over 700 new seats in the seven top performing schools listed above. These top seven schools all have four-year graduation rates that are above the 63.2 percent district average. They also have current waiting lists that range from 100 students for Mission Hill K-8, to 786 students for Kennedy Health Careers Academy, clearly displaying a high demand.

These changes are part of the fiveyear strategic plan, The Acceleration Agenda, which began in November of 2009 and set goals for BPS improvement. One of the four key strategies for completing this agenda is to “replicate success and turn around lowperforming schools.” This facilities adjustment will allow more students to have access to distinguished schools and keep more students within the BPS system, as opposed to leaving for parochial, charter, or private schools.

Johnson said, “This plan outlines a clear path for some of our most successful schools to grow and welcome more students, some who perhaps never considered BPS as an option in the past. By making these changes we will advance in our journey to close access and achievement gaps for all students.”

Caroline McManus is a staff writer for The Heights. She can be reached at metro@bcheights.com.

Tricia Tiedt Last November, the Boston Public School Committee (BPSC) voted a plan into action that may debilitate one of the best schools in the district. This realignment plan hopes to expand the success of certain schools and provide hundreds of new seats in the district.

The move affects the 13 district-wide schools, yet the controversy resides in the relocation of the Boston Arts Academy, Fenway High School, and the Mission Hill K-8 School.

Mission Hill K-8, a pilot school, will be transported to Jamaica Plains, usurping the space of recently closed Agassiz Elementary. City Councilor Michael Ross led hundreds of parents and students in the protest of this move at the hearing. He said that the realignment “destroys the future of a community and severely weakens one of [Boston’s] greatest schools.” Ross accused the BPSC of bribing Fenway High School to accept the plan, allotting nearly $9 million worth of upgrades to its new location in Mission Hill.

The only members of the Boston community in concurrence with the realignment are supporters of the Boston Arts Academy (BAA). The BAA claims its small space hindered its acceptance rate, allowing the admission of only 12 percent of applicants. However, these

metro The Heights

Thursday, December 8, 2011

B10

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Wicked Cultured

Love in the subway Charlotte Parish Ride on the Red Line, and by Valentine’s Day you just might find love! Although the MBTA is facing a severe budget challenge in fixing its staggering $6 billion debt, executives have just rejected another $1.5 million of revenue by banning advertisements that feature alcohol, and several thousands of riders are wondering if their commutes will be derailed by service cuts, there is one group that remains determined to have an enjoyable subway experience and make use of its photography skills. BostonTCrush.com is a website that has been around since 2011, but is only now being revitalized and gaining some traction as a means of complimenting the good looking men of Beantown. Boston T Crush encourages female riders who see a stud on the subway to snap a photo and post the picture online, particularly if they are too shy to say anything to the person in the moment.

After a friend told me that such a site existed, my reaction ran the gamut from thinking it’s brilliant, to it’s funny, to it’s pretty weird, to it’s destroying our ability to communicate as normal human beings.

Pretty impressive that one website can make me so internally confused, so T Crush gets props for at least that much.

On the one hand, they are simply making a game out of something that everyone already does. Since the iPhone infestation–with which it is absurdly simple to be “texting” and just happen to end up with a photo of someone attractive to show your friends later–there has been a scientifically documented up-swing in the number of creeper photos (it’s a technical term for the highly researched phenomenon, trust me).

It’s just a fact of life. But there is something different between taking this photo to hone your stealth photography skills, knowing that you will delete it afterwards, and what T Crush is proposing: that the world see a picture of a stranger that you took because you were too shy to strike up a conversation.

And while it is hilarious to see just how many of these photos will rack up in a week (my guess being quite a lot), I have to worry that we are killing our ability to interact face-to-face and slowly disappearing inside our electronics. Similar to LikeALittle.com, this website essentially says, “Why strike up a conversation when you can just emerge from a shadowy corner of the T and snap a photo before running off of the train, determined never to see them again?” While very few people would be inclined to actually ask out that cute stranger in the first place, getting caught taking a photo of him is a sure fire way to kill the potential for any kismet connection.

One aspect of their website that is very important to note is that it is a female driven site that only accepts photos of men. While this is restricting their fan base to heterosexual women, the founders write in the “About” section that they do not want to encourage the tendency of such sites to harass or degrade females (Barstool.com already has the market cornered on electronically wolf whistling at attractive girls).

Regardless of what your final thought is about the website–cute, creepy, well-intentioned, or misguided–one thing is for sure: put on your best when you go into the city, boys. On any train, at any time, there may be a girl trying to subtly snap a photo and let the world know of your dashing good looks. No more sweat pants on the B-line if you want to make the cut!

Charlotte Parish is the Metro Editor for The Heights. She can be reached at metro@bcheights.com

Boston mobilizes for Super Bowl festivities

By James Harvey For The Heights New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski aptly captured the emotions of Boston sports fans and business owners alike last Sunday when he exclaimed in comically broken Spanish, “Yo soy fiesta!” Indeed, there is cause to party in Boston as the team’s 23-20 victory over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC champi-

onship has earned them an appearance in Super Bowl XLVI and a chance to avenge their painful Super Bowl XLII loss to the New York Giants in 2008.

Though the game itself will take place in Indianapolis, the process of preparing for Super Bowl festivities is already well underway in Massachusetts. Regardless of the final score on Feb. 5th, the city can expect to benefit from the immense publicity surrounding the NFL’s big game,

as well as its propensity to help fans celebrate with their wallets. The Super Bowl typically garners some of the highest television ratings of the year, and that type of attention will undoubtedly promote the home cities of both teams.

Boston, which has seen nine championship appearances by its “big four” professional sports teams (the Patriots, Bruins, Red Sox, and Celtics) since 2002, knows quite well what it stands to gain from financially capitalizing on the hype surrounding the Super Bowl. Boston businesses of all shapes

See Super Bowl, B8

BC compelled to offer contraceptive services Suppor tP Protect atient ion and Afforda ble Car e Act

ment s to n r e v n Go citize es s r e d c or servi eir r o f pay olate th i that v ence! ci cons

Victory for women’s health and basic needs!

Way of a voiding pregnan cies and therefore cutting down on number of abortio ns

Forcing re employ ligious er provide s to s that ar ervices e again st their co nscienc e

to the n e t s Li com 000 , e 0 0 2 m th o r f s ment ruling! im inter

r Mandatory fo all religious organizations

No more separation of church and state?!?

Religious institutions have no say in recent healthcare ruling

By Jaqueline Parisi Heights Staff

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requires nonprofit employers to provide contraceptive coverage in their insurance plans by Aug. 1, 2013, regardless of any conflicting religious beliefs.

In August 2011, the Department of Health and Human Services issued an interim ruling, which required that most health insurance plans cover preventive health services for women without charging a copayment, coinsurance payment, or deductible.

The final ruling, however, makes it mandatory for all religious organizations, including universities, charities, and hospitals (but excluding the Church and primary and secondary schools affiliated with religious organizations), to come into compliance with the law and offer contraceptive services approved by the FDA. This includes “Plan B” postintercourse emergency contraception, sterilization, intrauterine devices, hormonal methods, and patient education and counseling. Abortion services will not be covered.

Over 200,000 comments were filed on the interim ruling, though no additional public comments were taken on the final ruling.

Religious organizations have been granted an additional year to comply with the new standards to allow them more time and flexibility to adapt to the new rule. Employers who decide to take advantage of this additional year must certify that they qualify for the delayed implementation. Catholic colleges will most likely take advantage of this option, according to Michael GalliganStierle, president of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities.

woogeon kim \ heights photo illustration

Exploring the movie culture of Boston

Haley House shelters city’s homeless

On Location offers tours to the most prominent film spots

By Ariana Igneri For The Heights

This is the third installment in a series exploring Haley House’s contribution to the local community.

By Marc Francis Asst. Metro Editor

From Fever Pitch to The Witches of the Eastwick, the city of Boston has been the muse for film producers of every genre.

Thousands of Bostonians walk past countless iconic film sites every day, yet they rarely take notice of them. On Location movie tours, which originated in New York City, took notice of the opportunity to expand its business in Boston and supply tourists and citizens with a thorough rundown of the city’s most standout film locations. The tour covers every major area of Boston, including the North End, Back Bay, Charlestown, and the South End. On Location is also the only company to venture into residential “Southee.” Since the tours provide historical, cultural, and geographical insight into the city of Boston, college students are encouraged to take advantage of them and consume the varying artistic outlets the city offers.

The On Location movie-tour began with tour guide Javier Martin, graduate of Suffolk University, exclaiming, “Look at this place—it’s beautiful,” in the middle of the Boston Commons. Martin led the tour

i nside Metro this issue

On the Flip Side

See Health Care, B9

Graham Beck / Heights editor

Tour guide Javier Martin (right) reveals the location of a scene from ‘The Departed.’ group to its first spot—a muddy stretch of land filled with random patches of grass.

Observing the many joggers, businessmen, and park strollers that cross this very spot, the group was shocked to learn that the ground on which they stood served as the location for the intense rugby scene in the film, The Departed.

A highlight of the tour for all of its participants was the stroll through the Botanical Garden and the spotting of the bench once shared by Robin Williams and Matt Damon in the critically acclaimed Good Will Hunting. Also a part of the tour was visiting the L Street Tavern, another setting for the movie that elevated Damon’s career. The cozy bar located in the South End possesses a remarkably friendly and

noncommercial ambiance, all while displaying numerous pictures and memoirs from the film. “There’s nothing like the residential district of Southee, and the L Street Tavern is only one of the great spots within the area,” Martin said.

After riding the tour bus to Copley Square, Martin pointed out the Hancock Tower as a filming location for Drew Barrymore’s Fever Pitch, and the Copley Plaza Hotel as an iconic setting for Tom Cruise’s The Firm. The guide also shared that Copley Square is the only location in Boston where an authentic explosion was produced for a film. In Blown Away, a truck is destroyed right in the center of

Will the relocation of three Boston public schools affect learning caliber or better ser ve students?................................... B9

See On Location, B8

Since 1966, Haley House has been actively challenging the structures, institutions, and attitudes that perpetuate the racial, social, and economic injustices prevalent in Boston’s South End. Initially, Haley House established programs to combat the issue of hunger, providing the homeless with the most basic and essential human necessity: food. But “as more needs were identified, the community had to brainstorm ways to address them … and implement change,” Noreen Manzo of Haley House said.

After witnessing the poverty and destitution of so many homeless individuals, Haley House members concluded that providing individuals with food alone was insufficient—people also needed a place to live. In line with Catholic Worker teachings, they reasoned that just as every human is entitled to food, he is also entitled to security and shelter.

At the time, the South End was an

See Haley House, B8

Restaurant Review: Casa Romero....................................................B7 B C Alumni Spotlight ...................................................B8