The Heights 02-21-11

Visit www.bc.edu/mybc today to vote in the UGBC primary election. olaa’s GANGLAND

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The Heights Monday, February 21, 2011

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UGBC ELECTION 2011

Teams accused of elections violations

Elections committee has received five reports of campaigning violations so far this election season

By Michael Caprio Editor-in-Chief

Since this year’s UGBC primary campaign season began on Feb. 8, the elections committee has received five reports of campaigning violations, none of which have yet resulted in disciplinary action against a candidate team.

Because sanctions have not been issued, the candidate teams charged by the viola-

tion reports have not been identified.

Last year, the elections committee reported four sanctions given to presidential teams and two sanctions given to Senate candidates.

Violations that candidate teams can be sanctioned for include, but are not limited to, the use of copyrighted material in campaign videos, improper solicitations via Facebook, and expenditures adding up to more than $500 of each candidate team’s

own funds during the primary season.

While some rules are easily enforced by tracking Facebook and Internet activity, other activities are hard to monitor, said Ben Hall, chair of the UGBC elections committee and LGSOE ’12.

“I think that we try to keep the rules common sense rules,” said Hall, adding that it is sometimes difficult to audit candidates’ financial activities when reporting is based on the good faith of each team.

“It is difficult. We only know how much they spend based on how much they put on their financial form. It’s more up to the candidates to be honest.”

Regarding Facebook use, the elections committee mandates that teams do not use mass e-mails or gather voter information from online directories. Each candidate team must add a member of the elections

See Elections, A4

sang lee / heights staff

Class of 2014 leaders unite for exchange

By Elise Taylor Heights Editor

Freshman leaders came together last week for the first time through a new program called the Leadership Exchange.

Designed to unite members of prominent campus groups, the Leadership Exchange featured a talk by Mike Durkin, CEO of the United Way of Massachusetts and BC ’77.

The freshman groups participating in this exchange were: the Emerging Leader Program (ELP), the Mentor Leadership Program (MLP), the AHANA Leadership Academy (ALA), Freshman Academy (FA), the Jenks Leadership Program, and the Sankofa Leadership Program.

At the event, freshmen were encouraged to mingle and approach members of different groups, in hopes of being able to form connections and find common ground. The freshmen were also asked to sit at a table with at least one person from every other leadership group. At these tables, participants discussed ways to unite their organizations, as well as their similarities and differences.

“It was great meeting other people from leadership groups and seeing what they do and making connections,” said Jon Geary, ELP member and A&S ’14. “I learned that there were more leadership groups than I thought.”

Some tables even discussed specific proposals to help make Boston College’s leadership groups more efficient, including Sarah Bleicher’s, ELP facilitator and A&S ’13. With her group, she said they conversed about finding a cause and organizing a community program in combination with other programs. “I think it’s important for the BC community to have some of the rising leaders come together

See Leadership, A4

sang lee / heights staff

Elizabeth Peter, A&S ’12, (right) won this year’s BC Idol competition with her rendition of Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.” Last year’s winner, Pat Vale, A&S ’13 (left), made a guest appearance.

BC Idol proceeds benefit grade school

By Tanner Edwards Heights Staff

Robsham Theater played host to the seventh annual BC Idol Thursday night, in an event that featured 14 vocal acts interspersed with a few special guest performances from students attending St. Columbkille Partnership School in Brighton.

The gala was sponsored by the Emerging Leader Program (ELP), the Lynch School of Education Senate, the

Fighting Cancer on the Court

Boston College Office of Community and Governmental Affairs, and the UGBC. The $3,635 in ticket proceeds from the event benefitted St. Columbkille, a Catholic grade school that has received economic support from BC since 2006.

William Gartside, headmaster at St. Columbkille, opened the evening’s events with a speech thanking the BC community for its continued support of the school. “[University President Rev. William P. Leahy, S.J.] and the Lynch School of

Education stepped in and rejuvenated the school,” Gartside said in his address.

The headmaster indicated that the proceeds from the event would be directed into developing a co-curricular music program at the school to expand its programs in the arts.

“The proceeds from tonight are very important to us,” Gartside said. “Just coming here tonight will make some dreams possible.”

The event’s set list showcased 14

musical acts from BC undergraduates and three special performances from students at St. Columbkille Partnership School, which ranged from renditions of Beyonce and Christina Aguilera to a piano performance.

Acts from BC students spanned decades and genres. The gala featured songs from artists like Otis Redding, Barbara Streisand, John Legend, Aretha Franklin, and Alicia Keys.

See BC Idol, A4

Relay raises $140,000 for cancer

Fourth annual BC Relay for Life was held this past Friday in the Plex

By Ji Hae Lee For The Heights

nick rellas / heights staff

The women’s basketball team plays in support of breast cancer. For more, see page B2.

Last Friday’s fourth annual Relay for Life event on campus raised $140,000 to go toward cancer research, meeting the organizers’ goal. The proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society.

“Our goal for this year was to raise $140,000,” said Katie Kearsey, one of the Relay committee members and A&S ’11. “Since 2008, we have raised $430,000.”

It was in 2008 that BC began hosting an on-campus Relay for Life event. “BC has been participating in Relay for Life for a while, but it was not until 2008 that we split off from other universities and started having our own Relay for Life night,” Kearsey said. “Compared to other schools, BC [typically] had the highest proceeds and number of participants, so we thought we could host the event on our own.”

“BC has the second highest proceeds in Relay for Life in New England area,”

Pampan zhang / heights staff

Over the four years that BC has held its own Relay for Life, it has raised over $430,000. said Danielle Rosato, a Relay committee member and A&S ’11. “The school that ranks higher than us is Northeastern, but they have about 16,000 undergraduate students, whereas our school has about 9,000. So, technically, BC has the highest proceeds per capita in the New England area, and the third highest per capita in the nation.”

Many participants came to commemorate their loved ones who succumbed to

cancer. “Both of my grandmothers died from cancer,” said Samuel Eaton, A&S ’14. “One of them died from lung cancer just two weeks ago. So that made me keenly aware of the pangs of cancer, and I feel that I can relate to this event.”

“One in two men and one in three women get diagnosed of cancer in their lifetime,” Rosato said. “Cancer is unfor-

See Relay, A4

TopFive

The Heights

Monday, February 21, 2011

things to do on campus this week

Tournees Film Festival

1

Eugene Robinson Speech

Today Time: 7 p.m.

Location: Devlin 008

Stop by the screening of the fourth film in the festival, Welcome, sponsored by the Romance Languages and Literatures Department.

2

Tuesday Time: 6 p.m.

Location: the Rat

Come listen to the Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist speak about politics and race relations in the U.S., sponsored by the College Democrats of BC.

BC bOp! Concert

Men’s BBall vs. Miami

Wednesday Time: 7 p.m.

Location: O’Connell House Check out the jazz ensemble perform its competition set in its annual pre-festival showcase before it travels to the Elmhurst College Jazz Festival.

3

featured on campus

High schoolers hosted at BC

4

Wednesday Time: 7 p.m.

Location: Conte Forum

Cheer on the Eagles as they play against the University of Miami Hurricanes in their second-to-last home game of the season.

MLK Ecumenical Service Wednesday Time: 7 p.m.

Location: McGuinn 121 Come see a panelist discussion on spiritual military and philosophical resistance against the oppression of the Third Reich.

5

IntheNews AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — More than half the members of the Texas House have signed on as co-authors of a measure directing universities to allow college students and professors to carry concealed handguns. The Senate passed a similar bill in 2009 and is expected to do so again. It would become the second state, following Utah, to pass such a broad-based law. Similar firearms measures have been proposed in about a dozen other states, but all face strong opposition.

Local News Billboard company donates space for ADL anti-bullying campaign

Kevin hou / Heights editor

By Rebecca Kailus Heights Staff

Thirty high school girls were brought to Boston College on Saturday to gain greater exposure to neuropsychology.

The event, part of the Women in Science and Technology Program (WST) is run by female BC undergraduates studying chemistry, biochemistry, and biology. It was founded in 2006 by Elizabeth O’Day, BC ’06, with a goal of getting high school girls excited about the possibility of a future in a science-related field.

The WST aims at countering what has become an apathetic culture of science among girls through exposure to real scientific experiments and discussions.

“We offer a hands-on introduction to a laboratory environment, instruction in practical laboratory techniques, and access to role models in the field of science,” said Courney McKee, co-coordinator of WST and A&S ’11.

“We hope to foster a passion for scientific inquiry.”

WST allows these students to learn more about sciencerelated fields through a day filled with activities such as lab experiments with BC undergraduate lab assistants.

“Participants perform ex-

periments in either biology or chemistry, learning fundamental laboratory techniques as well as the theory behind the protocols,” McKee said. “They are taught by undergraduate lab assistants, all of whom have completed a year or more of science coursework at BC. New activities this year include psychology experiments demonstrating brain activity by measuring event-related potentials as well as interactive activities to examine cognitive functions.”

The WST recruits participants for the events by directly contacting local high schools.

“We recruit girls by contacting local biology and chemistry teachers as well as school administrators, who then pass along the information to their students,” McKee said. “We also have the daughters of BC employees participating.

This year, the girls come from Cristo Rey Boston, Mount Alvernia , Trinity Catholic, Methuen, Melrose, Braintree, and Westwood high schools.”

Last Saturday’s event featured a new field for the high schools girls to explore – psychology.

“What is very novel this year, which is year six of the program, is that psychology experiments have been introduced. In fact, this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or

so, they are doing a full day of exposure to neuropsychology,” said Mary Roberts, a professor in the chemistry department. “Elizabeth Kensinger [a professor in the psychology department] has helped put together the psych module, and the rest of us are excited about this addition.”

Activities from previous years have included labs that explained the synthesis and analysis of organic dyes, reduction-oxidation reaction, analysis of polymers, bacterial transformation, blood typing, and DNA analysis via gel electrophoresis.

The participants have the chance to learn from professors that work in these fields.

“In addition to working in the lab, the girls hear from professors, undergraduate and graduate researchers at Boston College in fields including forensic nursing, immunology, biochemistry, and physics,” McKee said.

Organizers said that the program serves to counter the negative attitudes girls have expressed toward natural science.

“Too often we hear high school girls declaring that science is boring, stupid, or too hard,” McKee said. “They’re scared off from any scientific field before they’ve really been exposed.” n

Police Blotter 2/14/11 – 2/17/11 Monday, Feb. 14 1:10 p.m. – A report was filed regarding a domestic disturbance in 90 St. Thomas More Rd. A detective is investigating.

2:17 p.m. – A report was filed regarding a suspicious subject in Higgins Hall. The subject was identified, issued a written trespass warning, and escorted off Boston College property.

Tuesday, Feb. 15 9:09 a.m. – A report was filed regarding a fire alarm activation in Medeiros Hall.

The Newton Fire Department arrived on the scene and determined the alarm was triggered due to bad cooking.

10:52 p.m. – A report was filed regarding the arrest of Jose Martins of Brighton after previously receiving a written trespass warning. The party was booked and processed at BCPD Headquarters.

Wednesday, Feb. 16 12:17 a.m. – A report was filed regarding a past larceny in O’Neill Library. A detective is investigating.

3:50 a.m. – A report was filed regarding a party feeling ill in Kostka Hall. The party

was transported to a medical facility in a police cruiser.

11:26 a.m. – A report was filed regarding a suspicious subject in the Plex. The subject was later identified and sent from the area without incident.

7:14 p.m. – A report was filed regarding an injured subject in Corcoran Commons.

The subject was transported by van to a medical facility.

Boston Clear Channel Outdoor, a billboard company, is donating advertising space to the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) “Take a Stand Against Bullying” campaign, according to a report by The Boston Globe.

The advertisement, which will be displayed on more than 100 billboards across the state, will direct motorists to the ADL’s website to sign a pledge against bullying. The ADL New England was instrumental in the passing of the current anti-bullying law in Massachusetts.

On Campus LSOE professor receives NARST Early Career Research Award Katherine McNeill, a professor in the Lynch School of Education, has received the 2011 Early Career Research Award from the National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST). The award is granted annually to a researcher early in his or her career who demonstrates the greatest potential to make exceptional contributions to educational schoalrship. Currently, McNeill works with K-12 teachers in Boston Public Schools to examine how students from urban backgrounds engage in scientific discourse. She will receive her award in April at the NARST conference in Florida.

National Colorado lawmakers propose setting DUI threshold for marijauna The surge of medical marijuana use in Colorado has started a debate as to what constitutes driving while high. Lawmakers are considering setting a DUI bloodcontent threshold for marijuana that would make Colorado one of three states with such a provision in statute. Under the proposal, drivers who test positive for five nanograms or more of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, would be considered too impaired to drive if the substance is present in their blood at the time they’re pulled over or within two hours.

8:56 a.m. – A report was filed regarding an injured party in the Newton lots. The subject was offered medical care but refused treatment.

1:08 p.m. – A report was filed regarding a motor vehicle accident off campus that resulted in property damage only. A BCPD officer controlled the scene and provided assistance until the State Police arrived.

—Source: The Boston College Police Department

33° Snow 8°

Tuesday

27° Partly Cloudy 14°

Wednesday

37° Sunny 20°

thursday

44° Partly Cloudy 34°

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 Taylour Kumpf, 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 Paul Sulzer, 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 Darren Ranck, 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 Michael Caprio, Editor-in-Chief, at (617) 552-2223, or e-mail editor@ bcheights.com.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Voices from the Dustbowl “What are your spring break plans?”

“I’m going to St. Martin in the Caribbean.”

—Kate McCaw, A&S ’14

7:28 p.m. – A report was filed regarding a fire alarm activation in the Mods. The alarm was triggered by smoke from burned food.

Thursday, Feb. 17

Today

University Texas proposes law allowing college students to carry handguns

Thirty high school students visited BC’s campus last Saturday for the Women in Science and Techonology Program.

Four Day Weather Forecast

“I’m going home to Minneapolis for job interviews.”

—Brennan Earley, CSOM ’13

“I’m going home, seeing freinds, and watching Yankees spring training.”

—Jeff Fleishman,

CSOM ’13

Delivery To have The Heights delivered to your home each week or to report distribution problems on campus, contact Dan Ottaunick, General Manager at (617) 552-0547.

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) 2011. All rights reserved.

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

The Heights

Monday, February 21, 2011

Personas to consider

A3

Maintenance activates Merkert alarm

By Molly LaPoint Asst. News Editor

Matthew DeLuca I was speaking with a fellow student this past week who remarked that it would be nice to see students playing guitar in the Quad once in a while. It would be a cliche, we agreed, and we know how adverse Boston College students, in their Sperrys and Ray Bans, are to those. But it would still be a cliche we would rather see than not. We agreed that the general reaction, however, would be something like, “Doesn’t a BC student have something better to do?”

No. No they don’t.

The proof of this is that there seems to be some sort of campaign going that involves propping open doors that won’t open with a swipe card, often by placing a rat trap from outside the building between the door and the jamb. My second piece of evidence is that there were way too many juniors at Mary Ann’s on Friday night. Rat traps as door stops only leads to rat traps being pushed inside buildings, and too many randy juniors at Mary Ann’s only leads to two bros with outrageous flow making lame attempts to look like they’ll punch one another – “I’ll do it, man. I don’t even want a Mod next year,” – while a bouncer their own age hardly even has to make an effort to keep them apart.

Fact is, we BC students need to widen the grey area between “work hard” and “play hard.” Take an assessment of your position in your BC career. Are you the freshman who can afford to sever all social ties and “take some time for herself,” or are you the senior with the 90-something day stay of execution? Wherever you may be, here are some personas you might want to consider adopting. Or at least that I’d like to see around campus.

“The FDA Approval Process Poet” – I’m writing this column as my roommate eats dinner and looks at the 2011 BC Arts Calendar. He informs me that a poet is on the roster. It seems that to be published, he says, it helps to write topical poems, perhaps about war or the Dow Jones or anything else that might drift to the front page of the Globe. What I’d like to see is someone write a poem in dactylic hexameter about the process involved in getting a pharmaceutical product approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Somehow, the sublimity of R&D has slipped by our modern word slingers. I’m looking to BC’s creative writing programs to pick up the slack.

“The Test Subject” – To the avid follower of BC news such as myself, it seems there’s often one study or another being released by BC professors, and my read on the situation is that they often require guinea pigs. Volunteer. Be adventurous.

Allow someone to attach electrodes to your chest over a thin film of protective jelly.

“The Caricaturist” – I have no visual artistic talent whatsoever, but I would be very glad to see someone set up a stool and easel in the Quad come warmer weather and caricaturize willing undergraduates. I think someone once said that if you really want to know yourself, have someone draw a caricature of you. Or perhaps I just thought of that myself. Either way, it’s dang trenchant.

“The Libertine” – The problem with the “hook up culture,” if we must call it that, is not that it leads to promiscuous relations founded only on bad advice received from Senor Cuervo, but that it doesn’t allow for true Don Juan types.

How can one claim that one’s many fleeting affairs are due to an exploding surfeit of passion when everyone is already pawing each other on Friday night anyway?

“The BCPD Officer” – Scratch that.

There’s probably at least a misdemeanor involved in impersonating one of our boys (or girls) in blue.

“The Convenience Catholic (or insert religion of choice)” – This might seem like the most flippant of my suggestions, but I think there’s a real issue here. Too many BC students are either considering getting themselves to the nearest nunnery or seminary, or have walked away from their faith entirely. It’s time to reconsider cafeteria-style religiosity. Maybe Roman Catholicism with some hesychastic meditation thrown in is your bag, or perhaps you prefer Hindu spirituality with a healthy dose of the prophecies of bearded Nostradamus. Whatever floats your bark through the stormy seas of life, be sure to argue about it loudly with persons of other persuasions.

“The Professors and Pastries Attendee” – I hear they have pastries. And you get to watch professors eat them.

Those are my suggestions. Take them or leave them. Or you could always restring the old Epiphone, head over to the steps in front of Lyons, and strum a D chord until Ms. Uggs from microeconomics notices.

Matthew DeLuca is a columnist for The Heights. He welcomes comments at editor@bcheights.com

Molly Lapoint / Heights Editor

The Boston Fire Department responded to a fire alarm in Merkert Hall Saturday following required monthly maintenance to the emergency generator.

At around 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, the Boston Fire Department responded to an alarm in Merkert Hall and investigated the odor of smoke in the building. Boston College maintenance was performing a required monthly test on the emergency generator.

After the test was completed, the fire alarm sounded, said Cpt. Garry Pilato of the Boston Fire Department. At first, the fire department believed that maybe a door had been propped open,which allowed smoke to waft down to the lower levels of the building. This set off the master box, which alerted the fire department.

“It appears that maybe [the generator] has a faulty pump that causes the exhaust to escape outside the vent system,” he said.

The Boston Fire Department left the scene at about 1:30 p.m., and the alarm company reset the alarm to further assess the cause of the problem. n

BCTV network debuts with six shows

New network draws 5,000 viewers in first days, publicizes on website

By Amanda Egan

helped us get the word out,” said Stephanie Winiarski, host of The Dish and A&S ’11.

The network is on air Monday through Thursday every Feb. 14 marked the launch of BCTV on Channel 50. week, at 6 p.m. and at 11 p.m. for about an hour and a half.

The new network is an expansion of the discontinued Now The network also has a website, www.BostonCollegeTV. You Know program, which served as the primary student- com, where visitors can view full episodes and clips from each of the six shows. run program on campus for The lineup includes: almost a decade.

Eye News, The “BCTV is a student-run “Few people knew about Now You Know, Eagle Talon, The Dish, Open network that is “something professional for everyone: but the publicity we’ve been doing and the Mic, Showcase, and I Love You. Each alumni, students, and parnew website, along with the team effort BC, show has a different ents,” said Sean Casey, executive producer of BCTV and pride we have for our new network re- focus, but all relate to the Boston College and A&S ’12. ally helped us get the word out.” student community.

The network received Eagle Eye News fo5,000 views in its first days Stephanie Winiarski, cuses on campus and on the air, compared to the world news. Hosted 150 views Now You Know Host of ‘The Dish’ and A&S ’11

by Casey, the show would get a week.

“Few people knew about Now You Know, but the pub- aims to “get the news out there, and really ask questions licity we’ve been doing and the new website, along with the that need to be answered,” Casey said.

The Talon, the network’s sports show deals with BC team effort and pride we have for our new network really For The Heights

“As Americans, we sometimes act like we are better than others, but that’s not it at all.”

Euna Lee, Journalist and Former Political Prisoner

Lee recounts captivity

By Woogeon Kim Heights Editor

Euna Lee, an American journalist and former detainee in North Korea, shared her experience with the Boston College community last Thursday.

In March 2009, Lee, along with fellow journalist Laura Ling, was arrested at the North Korea-China border and detained in North Korea for 140 days under charges of illegally entering the country. Lee and Ling were only pardoned by the North Korean government after former U.S. President Bill Clinton paid a visit to the country on their behalf.

This was Lee’s first visit to a college campus on the East Coast to give a talk on her experience. The event drew a crowd of around 200 people and was sponsored by the UGBC, the Korean Student Association, Asian Caucus, and Asian Christian Fellowship and hosted by Hearts 4 North Korea.

Lee deliberately avoided talking about the politics of the highly charged situation surrounding North Korea.

“There might be some of you who are here tonight to hear what happened to me in North Korea, but I am here to talk about something of greater importance than my 140 days in North Korea,” she said.

Instead, she said that she wanted to talk about “the people and their struggles.” This was appropriate in the sense that this event was occurring as part of Global Justice Week, which featured events such as a Global Justice Fair and screenings of the documentaries Dreaming Big and 9500 Liberty.

Commenting on the significance of the event for students, Samuel Cho co-director of H4NK and LSOE ’13 said, “It was truly an honor to hear Euna Lee share part of her testimony with us. It is my hope that students will be inspired, empowered, and take action on behalf of her courage and her heart for the marginalized people of North Korea.”

Lee made it clear through the content of her speech that she holds no bitterness toward the North Korean people. Instead, she adopted a positive attitude toward the situation, especially in light of her capture less than two years ago.

Lee avoided the typical combative stance and instead decided to focus on the fundamental global deficit of compassion. “As Americans, we sometimes act like we are better than others, but that’s not it at all,” Lee said.

She encouraged the large crowd to attempt to affect positive change on an international level through compassion and understanding rather than the use of force. n

sports. Laima Bobelis, CSOM ’12, and Joe Bronzo, A&S ’13, host the show. The “Boston College Interruption” segment, modeled after “Pardon The Interruption,” is hosted by Creighton Dixon, A&S ’13, and Mike Maddaleni, A&S ’11.

“The Dish is our lifestyle show,” Winiarski said. “It’s a cross between TMZ, ET, and Today,” Casey said.

Hosted by Winiarski and Maureen Reilly, A&S ’11, the show keys in on celebrity gossip, as well as on-campus trends and life on campus. The show debuted with a special interview with actor Chris O’Donnell for its inaugural Valentine’s Day episode.

“Open Mic runs kind of like Adult Swim on Cartoon Network,” Casey said. “Each week will showcase a standup comedian, and a video from one of the comedy groups on campus.”

Showcase, which is hosted by Katie Weintraub, A&S ’12, is “a place for BC filmmakers to be recognized and show their films to the BC community,” according to the BCTV website. Each week, Showcase will play a new film, and afterwards, Weintraub will interview the filmmaker.

BC, I Love You is the network’s first mini-series. It airs March 14. n

The Heights

A4

Monday, February 21, 2011

Elizabeth Peter voted winner in this year’s BC Idol BC Idol, from A1

Current, noted that her road to this point in her musical career hasn’t always been easy.

The night’s competition was wittily judged by “I’ve been singing since I was a little kid, but a trio of Jesuits from BC, including Rev. Joseph I took a five-year break because my first singing O’Keefe, S.J., Rev. Don MacMillan, S.J., and Rev. teacher told me I was awful,” Peter said. “It’s Casey Beaumier, S.J. Eagle’s Nest piano virtuoso been great fun singing for people so I’m trying Dennis Carr, A&S ’11, serenaded the crowd during to put myself in more positions to perform for breaks in the competition. my peers.”

Patrick Kessock, A&S ’13, offered one of the Peter seemed most content with the night’s more unique acts of the night with his memo- showcase of younger student performers. rable performance of Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face” “It was such a fantastic idea to have the on ukulele. Michael Kitlas children perform,” she said. and David Gold, both A&S “It is so beautiful to see kids “I’ve been singing since I ’12, performed a medley of getting into music and per’90s hits on acoustic guitar, was a little kid, but I took formance and they looked while Shinyoung Lee, A&S like they really enjoyed it,” a five-year break because Peter said. ’13, and Ryan Liu, A&S ’11, harmonized to a piano reSarah Bleicher, ELP famy first singing teacher invention of Kings of Leon’s cilitator and A&S ’13, was told me I was awful. ” “Use Somebody.” similarly pleased with the The competition’s winner, night’s showcase. as voted on by members of the “The kids from St. Co—Elizabeth Peter, audience, was Elizabeth Pelumbkille really did make the BC Idol 2011 Winner and ter, A&S ’12, who performed event. Their courage and skill A&S ’12 Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” really surprised the crowd,” with guitar accompanist Timshe said. othy Shu, A&S ’11. The duo took home a $350 She stressed the impact the event will have on cash prize for their rendition. the lives of St. Columbkille students as a highlight “I was extremely nervous when I stepped on of the night. stage,” Peter said. “But the second I started “Thanks to BC Idol, the school will now be singing, it felt great. Tim Shu sounded amazing starting a music program for their students that and I could see my friends and everything felt BC Idol will be able to fundraise for year after perfect,” she said. year in hopes strengthening the program and The BC Idol winner, who sings in campus the opportunities available for children,” she groups including Voice of Imani and Against the said. n

sang lee / heights staff

Fourteen vocal acts were featured in the seventh annual BC Idol, which took place last Thursday in Robsham.

Relay draws crowd to Plex Relay, from A1

sang lee / heights staff

Freshman leaders team up at campus conference Leadership, from A1

and be on the same page,” Bleicher said. “It’s still nice to meet other people from the other groups and our potential for collaborating to do a project or community service would most likely involve the whole community.”

After discussing ways to further unite student organizations on campus, the freshmen sat down to listen to the words of Durkin. Durkin talked about his experience in the PULSE program at BC, which he said greatly affected his outlook on life and gave him the motivation to “want to save the world.” He then further discussed his involvement with the United Way. Starting off as an intern who did not know much about the company, he soon found ardor in his work and eventually worked his way to CEO. Another poignant part of the talk revolved around Durkin’s attempt to maintain being a grounded CEO, one who must deal with all the trials and stresses of the business world, while maintaining a feverous passion for the United Way’s work. When there is a job position open in his company, he said he often asks himself whether he should go for the qualified accountant or the one who seems to have the most interest in charitable work? Durkin said he works each and every day to create a perfect mixture of love and skill within the United Way. He then urged students to not be windshield wipers, who only help out every now and then, but to be headlights, who help out all the time. He also stressed being the type of person who is constantly looking for what more can be done.

Bleicher said she thought Durkin’s speech was inspirational. “I think that an attitude like his, even after so many years, is inspirational in and of itself,” she said. “This is not something you

hear about very often, and it’s cool to see that he is still passionate about what he does and that he still does want to save the world.”

Agreeing with her was Melanie Macllelan, member of MLP and A&S ’14. “It was just really inspiring that he went into the workforce and was able to work his way up from the bottom,” Macllelan said.

Her friend, Jenna Denice, A&S ’14, said the lecture offered perspective on the nature of vocation and success. “He took the internship at the United Way not really knowing much about it, but found his life through it,” she said. “It seems that his key to success has been remaining passionate in his job and it has allowed him to not only climb the ladder but get life experience and joy through his profession.”

The Leadership Exchange was intended to help increase communication between freshman leaders on campus, and to inspire them to make constructive decisions on campus, said MLP co-directors Sara Rosen, LSOE ’11, and Rob Celin, CSOM ’11, who helped plan the event.

“Too often, the different names of the individual organizations prevent these students from interacting with one another and working together to achieve even bigger and better things,” Rosen said. “Through an event like the Leadership Exchange, we’re able to put all of these people in the same room and expose them to one another with hopes of initiating dialogue and relationships among them.”

For many students, this program motivated them to further weave leadership groups together.

“If they could get a couple more of those to establish more connections, that would be awesome,” said Joyce Chen, member of ELP and A&S ’14.

“This was a great start and I wish we could have more.” n

tunately not an uncommon ailment.” Rosato said her awareness of cancer began in seventh grade, when her friend was diagnosed with lymphoma.

“She had a bump that grew on her arm, and at the time, none of us knew what it was and asked her what that bump was,” she said.

Other participants came simply to support the cause and to have a memorable Friday. “I came here last year, and liked it very much, so I came again this year,” said Albert Vontz, CSOM ’12. “Our group brought more than 20 other students to attend, and the majority of them are planning to stay here until six in the morning.”

“My friends and I are fully prepared for the event and brought everything – pillows, sleeping bags, and gum to replace toothbrush and toothpaste,” said Jason Robinson, A&S ’12.

Participants walked around the track, which was surrounded by white luminaries that were decorated in honor of the participants’ loved ones who have passed away from cancer. The night was also interspersed with speakers and performers, as

well as activities for the participants. Miscellaneous games, such as a freeze dance competition and a frozen T-shirt contest were held. In addition, various dance and a cappella groups performed.

Despite these exciting attractions, the Plex was filled with solemnity and respect when speakers talked about their personal experiences combating or losing their loved ones to cancer. During the Luminaria Ceremony, Bryan Bernfeld, A&S’11, spoke about his personal experience overcoming cancer. Afterwards, all the attendees walked around the track with glow sticks to show their support for the event.

Bernfeld said that he was able to overcome the obstacles he faced because of the love and support of family and friends. “You have to remember that you are not alone,” he said. “Your friends, family, professors, and others will all be there for you. Also, you have to do what you love. For me, continuing to do theater throughout my illness was incredibly important. It helped me feel like myself when everything else in my life had gone topsy-turvy. It also gave me something to look forward to when everything seemed bleak.” n

Pampan zhang / heights staff

After signing in, student participants at Relay for Life walked around the track in honor of those lost to cancer.

Demerits doubled on UGBC election days Elections, from A1

committee to join its Facebook page to allow the committee to monitor activity.

Robert Celin, campaign manager for last year’s winning Micaela-Pat team, and CSOM ’11, said that, because of the self-regulation by which the guidelines are enforced, it is easy for violations to go unreported, especially in the early stages of the campaign season.

“During primary season, teams think about getting losing teams to endorse them if they win,” Celin said.

“No one wants to start a war with one another ... and some things go unreported. It’s very easy to get away with violations in the first week of campaign season.”

Some regulations enforced by the elections committee are more stringent than University policies.

Last year, the elections committee took disciplinary action against Celin’s team for the use of a Coldplay song in a campaign video. The elections committee code prohibits the use of any copyrighted material without the written consent of the owner – a policy more stringent that most regulations on copyrighted music, which allow use for noncommercial purposes.

For that infringement, the Micaela-Pat team received a 10-point demerit, requiring the duo to turn in 25 campaign T-shirts and two campus banners to the elections committee.

“It was only a 29-second clip,” Celin said. “That’s

even [stricter] than the University’s policy. But that’s where you can get in a lot of trouble.”

Candidate teams that are found in violation of the elections committee code are sentenced using a point system, with higher point values corresponding with more severe punishments. The lightest punishment, worth five points, requires the team to turn in 25 campaign T-shirts. 12 points against a candidate team forces the team to delete its Facebook page. The heaviest punishment, 25 points, merits disqualification.

Some rules, both written and unwritten, regulate activity within the UGBC office itself. During the past two weeks, the attire seen in the offices on the second floor of 21 Campanella Way has been unusually devoid of colorful T-shirts and campaign slogans.

“Any flyers or T-shirts that people wear cannot be uncovered or exposed in the UGBC office,” Celin said.

“It’s kind of an unspoken rule.”

The elections committee code does not explicitly prohibit the display of campaign materials in the UGBC’s offices, but the adherence to the rule is demonstrated in the hoodies and mismatched jackets of passers-by in the second floor cubicles.

During today’s and tomorrow’s voting, campaign teams will be prohibited from campaigning in “voting areas” like computer labs and residence halls. Teams that violate the elections committee code during an election day will be punished doubly. n

CLASSIFIEDS

A5

The Heights

Monday, February 21, 2011

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I went to a leather convention when I was sixteen...

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.

A6

The Heights

Editorials

Quote of the DAY

A call for elections regulation

Monday, February 21, 2011

“Fiction is based on reality unless you’re a fairy tale artist, you have to get your knowledge of life from somewhere. You have to know the material you’re writing about before you alter it.”

— Hunter S. Thompson

Heightened awareness is needed to prevent campaign violations during UGBC elections season Since UGBC election season kicked off two weeks ago, there have been five reported violations of campaign code committed by candidate teams. We would like to take this opportunity to call on the elections committee to continue their work as overseers but also to work to create more efficient ways of auditing and monitoring candidate activity. We would also like to call on the student community of Boston College to be aware of the guidelines that candidates must abide by so as to not be subject to false campaigning.

None of these five violation reports have yet resulted in an actual sanction against a candidate team. Futhermore, elections committee members said this number is relatively low. Students, however, should be aware of the rules that govern their prospective UGBC leaders.

According to regulations set by ResLife and enforced by the UGBC elections committee, candidates can only perform dorm walks between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m.

on the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday before and after the primary election. Also, candidates can only hoist three banners on campus, one in the Quad, one on the Commonwealth Ave. Garage, and one on Upper or Newton Campus.

The Student Programs Office (SPO) website provides a complaint form for community members to fill out if they come across a perceived violation.

Members of the elections committee have said that it is difficult to monitor the campaign finance activity of candidates and that the committee counts on the honesty of candidates to ensure that candidate teams don’t allocate more than $500 of their own money toward the campaign before the primary election.

Recognizing that it is sometimes difficult to enforce such a rule, we recommend that the committee explore new methods to control campaign finance, such as using an allocation system that reimburses each candidate as needed, based on receipts.

City Council should act on smoking ban

A ban on smoking in public parks in Boston is commendable as it ensures clean air for communal areas Two Boston city councilors recently proposed a ban on smoking in public parks and beaches in the area, in an effort to further push the now long-standing campaign to reduce tobacco use in the United States.

According to a recent report by The Boston Globe, hundreds of communities nationwide have already adopted similar prohibitions. The issue has already been presented to the Boston City Council, but will not be voted on for several weeks or months.

The Heights supports this proposal, as these local public places should be smoke-free areas everyone can enjoy without needing to consider potential health hazards. Parks and beaches are popular places for families to take their children, which brings to question the example being set when children are exposed to secondhand smoke.

Those opposed to this proposal, and

smokers themselves, need to take these considerations into account before they light up in public parks. We ask this segment of the population to remember that, while they should have the privilege to smoke outdoors, others should have the privilege of enjoying these public places with the knowledge that they will be breathing clean air. Public parks and beaches cannot be reproduced, but people can smoke in personal, rather than public, areas. Public locations are irreplaceable, and the lasting impressions made on children who visit these parks and beaches with their families are unavoidable.

We urge the City Council to move forward with this proposed ban. We also urge the proposition’s opposers to rethink their opinions with the children who will inevitably be visiting these public places, as well as the health effects of secondhand smoke, in mind.

For effective fundraising, fanraise The success of BC Fights Cancer week presents a worthy model for fund and awareness raising for campus causes.

In light of the recent success of Boston College Fights Cancer week, it seems appropriate to congratulate the BC community on a job well done in support of a worthy cause.

Last Thursday’s women’s basketball game, held in support of breast cancer, was one of the most widely publicized and widely attended of the year, due in large part to the enormous effort made by the athletics department and the women’s basketball team. From baking cookies and handing them out in Hillside Cafe to encouraging RAs to bring students to the game through residence hall programs, the team made every effort to boost attendance. The pink shirts handed out to the early arrivals especially helped bring in crowds. By supporting a cause and publicizing it well, the basketball team not only raised funds, but it also drew a significantly larger turn out. Such efforts help to bridge the gap between student athletes and their classmates.

Over the weekend, Relay for Life was similarly successful. Also widely publicized and largely attended, Re-

lay for Life raised funds and awareness, serving as a culmination of BC Fights Cancer week. Student groups and administrators came together to organize the event, and the result was an obvious success. The overall unity of the BC community under the banner of one cause for an entire week is admirable.

However, we believe that an effort like BC Fights Cancer week should not be a once-a-year occurrence. Other causes deserve similar attention, including environmental movements and poverty issues (in our country and others). BC Fights Cancer week should be viewed by the leaders of this University’s most prominent campus groups as a springboard a variety of other causes. If the campus can come together so cohesively to promote advocacy of a single issue, why not also foster support for several others? By uniting under one banner, the collective resources of the entire BC community can be used in the effective support of several important causes, not just one.

The Heights The Independent Student Newspaper of Boston College Established 1919 Michael Caprio, Editor-in-Chief Dan Ottaunick, General Manager Hilary Chassé, Managing Editor

Contributors: Maggie Burdge

Mary Kate Mcadams / Heights Illustration

Letters to the Editor Revolutionary Government of Boston College Manifesto In the midst of political upheaval around the world and with the impending UGBC elections upon us, I believe the time has come to bring true change and unity to this campus.

It is time for a revolution. It does not matter how long you have been a student at Boston College or how much you love the school, it is time to take matters into your own hands and let your voice be heard! Take me, for example. I am a senior and, over the past four years, I have had an amazing experience, made lifelong friends, learned from knowledgeable and interesting professors, and witnessed great shows and sporting events. But that does not mean BC is perfect.

Some things need to be changed and improved! I have witnessed less and less student involvement in the decision making process and more and more control by UGBC and the administration. I am not saying these groups do not work hard and achieve great things for the University, but I believe their actions favor their own interests before those of the average student.

To help reverse this trend, I believe the student body should have more power: a more active role in UGBC as well as the Administrative decision-making process. I’m

thinking something like a direct democracy, Athens circa 500-400 BC. We have the technology to involve interested students in everyday voting procedures. United, a body of more than 9,000 students strong has the ability to change the things we want around campus.

Our first initiative is the Prop the Door Campaign. BC students should have access to their dorms through every door. If facilities can use them, why can’t we? The administration’s argument for student safety is ridiculous. In the cold, rain, snow, or in case of a real danger, I want access to the safety of my dorm immediately. I don’t want to walk around the entire building.

In addition, only BC students have the ability to swipe in, so there is no real security risk. BC just wants more control.

In time, we will also demand change in the dining hall prices and healthy alternatives by organizing boycotts. Two dollars and forty cents for a Chobani yogurt at BC compared to $1 at Whole Foods is the definition of price gouging. We will also fight for the ability to substitute chips or fries with healthier choices, free of charge. We also want to challenge other policies with protests and petitions. The allocation of funds for certain de-

The Revolutionary Government of Boston College

A thank you to the Superfans Dear BC hockey fans, On behalf of the hockey program, I’m writing to say thanks. Thank you for your support of our team. It’s the best that we seniors – Brian Gibbons, John Muse and I – have had in our four years at our school.

The crowd at Conte Forum and on the road seems to get larger and louder with each game. It makes a huge difference and it means a lot to our team.

We’re now entering our stretch run. After a tough loss at Northeastern on Saturday, we have four games

left before playoffs begin, two home games. We’re tied for second place in the league standings and are looking for our first regular season league title since 2005.

As we are chasing our goals, we’re going to need you right there with us. Your support means everything to us and is much appreciated by everyone in our program.

Thank you again.

Joe Whitney Captain, BC Men’s HockeyTeam

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Send a letter to the editor. editor@bcheights.com

Readers Note: 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 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 email to editor@bcheights.com, in person, or by mail to Editor, The Heights, 113 McElroy Commons, Chestnut Hill, Mass. 02467.

Business and Operations

Editorial Clara Kim, Copy Editor Taylour Kumpf, News Editor Paul Sulzer, Sports Editor Kristopher Robinson, Features Editor Darren Ranck, Arts & Review Editor David Cote, Marketplace Editor Ana Lopez, Opinions Editor Dan Tonkovich, Special Projects Editor Alex Trautwig, Photo Editor Lindsay Grossman, Layout Editor

partments, especially those in the fine arts (after all, we are a liberal arts school), student groups, and clubs, can be increased. I support the core cirriculum, but it is ridiculous that more interesting, upper level, elective classes do not count toward these requirements. What ever happened to “Ever to Excel?”

Some other issues we hope to address are Career Center resources, bus schedules and routes, sexual health resources, police activity, and off-campus [mainly those concerning 2000 Comm. Ave.] rules. In addition to standing up to UGBC and the administration at BC, we also aim to make an impact on treatment of others within the student community. This means treating fellow students, as well as workers at BC, with courtesy and respect. That said, we expect the same in return.

Join the Revolutionary Government of Boston College to learn more about what we stand for.

Friend us on Facebook: RGBC. Keep your eyes open for our mark.

Share your concerns and we will help lead the way in making the changes you want across the board.

The time for Revolution has come!

Mollie Kolosky, Graphics Editor Dara Fang, Online Manager Therese Tully, Assoc. Copy Editor Chris Marino, Asst. Copy Editor Adrianna Mariella, Assoc. News Editor Molly Lapoint, Asst. News Editor DJ Adams, Assoc. Sports Editor Greg Joyce, Asst. Sports Editor Brooke Schneider, Asst. Features Editor Brennan Carley, Assoc. Arts & Review Editor

Charlotte Parish, Asst. Arts & Review Editor Matt Palazzolo, Asst. Marketplace Editor Kevin Hou, Asst. Photo Editor Woogeon Kim, Asst. Layout Editor Alex Manta, Asst. Graphics Editor David Reimer, Asst. Online Manager Elise Taylor, Editorial Assistant Katherine McClurg, Executive Assistant

Margaret Tseng, Business Manager Christina Quinn, Advertising Manager Zachary Halpern, Outreach Coordinator Cecilia Provvendini, Systems Manager James Gu, Local Sales Manager Jamie Ciocon, Collections Manager Amy Hachigian, Asst. Ads Manager Seth Fichtelberg, Business Assistant

The Heights

Monday, February 21, 2011

A7

Opinions

Thumbs Up Facebook – “Widowed” is no longer the most nuanced relationship status on FB. In a move prompted by user feedback, the site has added “In a civil union” and “In a domestic partnership” to its list of relationship statuses, giving many a couple a legitimate way to reflect their relationship. Though the move is fantastic, hopefully its merely a stopping ground before everyone can set their status to “Married.”

Jerks – Setting up a lemonade stand to make chump change is so third grade. Two cousins in West Virginia were stopped this week for stealing a carload—literally—of beef jerky, Slim Jims, and Slim Jim memorabilia that they intended to sell for gas to get to a neighboring town.

With their bail set at $20K, looks like someone’s not getting out of Somerset any time soon … or providing its residents with a reasonably priced roadside snack.

Thumbs Down

A quest for the new frontiers

Benjamin Key The frontier. In a nation of places, it is America’s most beloved. Perpetually moving and morphing, the American Frontier has been popping in and out of existence since the first pilgrim stepped onto the first rock (which is also the site of America’s most disappointing historical tourist attraction). The Frontier oscillates between physical and rhetorical, between legendary and planetary.

The word was borrowed from the French in the 15th century from a word that meant “borderland,” or the region of a country that borders another country. Our new nation quickly adopted the word to signify the land abutting unsettled territory. Even the need for redefinition implies the great promise our fledgling country held at the time.

Here was a continent so rife with space, a word had to be misused to describe it.

The word’s history is rich, containing largely the very essence of America’s own past. It was once a very real place, the Frontier. It was capitalized then, big F. The government gave away land through the Homestead Act like Oprah tosses out promotional gifts. They had an excess, so they might as well have gotten rid of it. Any John Smith (who died at the age of fifty-one in England, things never really having panned out with Pocahontas) with a handful of houses, a church, and a school could say he started a town. Its existence spawned a new phylum of person, the pioneer, and placed new emphasis on a particular point on the compass rose:

west. West was where the daring pioneer plunged, deeper and deeper into the nation’s heart. Over the Appalachians, then toward the Mississippi, then swept up with the Gold Rush to California and Alaska’s Yukon. The migrants were an amalgamation of the intrepid explorer seeking glory: the second-born son denied his father’s land, the immigrant, the convict, and the fortune-hunter.

With the West came the legends: the woodsman (Daniel Boone), the kindly Indian (Sacagawea), the godly settlers (Little House on the Prairie). The brave struck out with long rifles and covered wagons and made their frontier lives.

Then, suddenly, the West was won, barbed wire was invented, and new legends were born: the cowboy (John Wayne) and the outlaw (Jesse James).

But this first frontier was choked out by the very legends that made it famous.

The railroad came, and with it more gentrified folk with their big houses and automobiles. But the frontier spirit lived on. It became a metaphor for any new enterprise or undiscovered area. It was reborn in literature (Zane Grey) and later, in film (John Ford). It was adopted by the American zeitgeist as critical to that which we are. Politicians, rhetors, and capitalists began staking claims in new intellectual frontiers.

Then came space. Suddenly aware of what was over our heads, America’s necks, desiring new direction, craned upwards. Kennedy unleashed the modern equivalent of the Homestead Act, comparing the moon to Everest and George Mallory who, when asked why, simply said “Because it is there.” We were explorers now, rocketing through the stratosphere towards the new, and perhaps “final frontier.” And this young president summed up the nation’s wish: “Well, space is there, and we’re going to climb it, and the moon and the planets are there, and new hopes for

knowledge and peace are there. And, therefore, as we set sail, we ask God’s blessing on the most hazardous and dangerous and greatest adventure on which man has ever embarked.”

And we named our new covered wagons, our space craft, after Apollo, the youthful god of light - because maybe that’s what Americans are, young and godlike and lights to the world, or maybe it just has a nice ring to it. Later they were simply called “pioneer,” of which there were many, because that was what we certainly were again: pioneers on the newest of prairies. Some were killed in the process, but there are always casualties on the frontier. And what Kennedy had forgotten was that every generation sets sail on the most hazardous and dangerous and greatest adventure that has ever been, because we make our world more hazardous and dangerous and great with the passing of each generation. We reached the Moon, of course, and Mars and we’ve blasted ourselves across the solar system in every direction possible now but somehow it’s not quite the same as our Old West, as the first frontier.

There are new frontiers each day.

Some say the oceans, some the rainforest, some the Internet. There is the frontier of alternative energy, of artificial intelligence, of medicine, of international politics. Our world is an thrilling one, and there will be many more gold rushes to come, but some part of America misses that first frontier, where a normal man and his hearty wife could head west in a covered wagon and a long rifle and make a new life. So America must ask itself now: are we yet pioneers?

Are we conquering new frontiers? Or, perhaps, have we settled?

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

The plight of Lara Logan A Case for Greenbacks - A new version of Monopoly that replaces old Rich Uncle PennyBags with an Eye of Sauran-like tower that tracks players’ moves and money accounts has just been released – news that is sure to make the Parker Brothers turn in their graves.

TU/TD (who always plays the banker) will be dusting off its miniature irons and battleships in defiance of this unwarranted assault on paper money.

Boston College Athletics – Hockey’s down to the team they beat less than a week ago. Basketball lost in the clutch. In times like these, thank god for baseball.

Stieg Larsson’s Ex – Well, we’re not saying she’s a gold-digger … but oh yes, she is. The-next-of-kin of the author of the strangely popular book series is currently embroiled in a he-said, shesaid battle with Larsson’s ex-girlfriend, who’s claiming in her new memoir that his stories are based on their multi-decade relationship.

We bet Steig’s posthumously wishing this lady would just adopt the American model of dealing with one’s ex, and completely deny having ever known him.

“Kick Me” Kick Out – Grade school pranksters, listen up: a Manhattan fourth-grader was recently suspended from school for two days for sticking a sign bearing the age-old adage “Kick me, please,” on his classmate’s back due to the city’s strict anti-bullying policy in its public schools. If there’s one thing more annoying than living down a school suspension in the fourth grade, it’s being suspended in the first place when you’re trying to pave the way for courteous bullies everywhere by including “please” in your sentiments.

Snow (Again) – Mother Nature you temptress, you.

You’re like the subject of a Fleetwood Mac song—you give and you take. You lift hopes and moods and dash them just as we begin to trust that there is a season beyond the dreary nuclear holocaust that is winter. We know your gypsy ways, now. Keep them out of Chestnut Hill.

Janine Hanrahan On Feb. 11, while reporters at home were cheerleading the victory of the “peaceful” protesters in Cairo, Egypt, CBS News correspondent Lara Logan was being sexually assaulted by a mob. After being separated from her crew, Logan endured 20-30 minutes of sustained, brutal beatings while the mob screamed, “Jew!” Five days later it dawned on CBS that the incident might be considered newsworthy and they reported it in a 126-word article that did not mention the anti-Semitic yelling or the length of the attack.

Instead, it was The New York Post that included the “Jew” comments and The Wall Street Journal that provided the duration of the attack.

What could CBS officials have been thinking in the five days that they sat on this story? Some have argued that CBS was protecting Logan’s privacy, as rape victims are not typically named in the United States.

Perhaps there is some validity to this thinking, but Logan is a public figure and was covering a major event at the time of her attack. Furthermore, this incident directly contradicted repeated claims that the protesters were non-violent.

Although the individuals who attacked Logan were but a small group of protestors, when has the media ever shied away from covering violent aberrations? Coverage of the European protests against austerity measures certainly had no shortage of violent images—British students smashing windows, Italians hurling cobblestones, Greeks with bloodied faces. Americans could be excused for scoffing at their European allies when all of the outrage stemmed from policies that would raise tuition or the retirement age, mere facts of life in the U.S.

Party Time

BY BEN VADNAL

Yet, what might Americans, some of whom are already suspicious of Muslims, think if one of their own citizens was attacked by a mob in an area of the world that is largely hostile to the U.S.? Would it matter if the protesters were pro-Mubarak or anti-Mubarak in light of a 2008 study published by the BBC that found that 98 percent of foreign female visitors had been sexually harassed in Egypt, along with 83 percent of Egyptian women, and that 53 percent of Egyptian men blame women for bringing on the attacks? Sure, news emerged quickly that Anderson Cooper was repeatedly punched in the head while

Mollie Kolosky / Heights Illustration

covering the protests, but men of every culture get into fistfights. Not all cultures that sentence 14-year-old rape victims to 100 lashes.

It is quite difficult to reconcile rampant misogyny and anti-Semitism with the current media narrative that the Middle East is becoming more democratic. The tools of democracy, like free elections and civilian protests, may be on the rise in Egypt and elsewhere, but that in no way means that what will emerge from the chaos will be anything like the liberal democracies that Americans and Europeans cherish.

Speaking of liberal democracies, some of the reactions to Logan’s attack have been almost as disturbing as the attack itself. Left-wing journalist Nir Rosen wrote on Twitter

that Logan was a “war monger” and was “probably was just groped like thousands of other women.” After his comments became news, Rosen resigned from his post as a fellow at New York University’s Center on Law and Security because, “U.S. academic establishments are already under attack from the right, and my center at NYU stood to be harmed by the pack of dogs sent to take me down. I did not want to harm a very important center or the work of people I greatly admire.”

First of all, the fact that Rosen was given the opportunity to resign and was not fired speaks volumes about the individuals running the center.

Secondly, if Rosen is the type of individual the center employs, can one really blame right-wingers for releasing the dogs? Academia should represent the best and the brightest, not those who share the same views as the town drunkard.

Though Rosen’s piggish comments represent extreme sexism and stupidity, Logan’s assault gives those who seek to see women sidelined a new opportunity to argue for their agenda under the guise of concern for women’s safety. Bill O’Reilly asked on his show if it is “worth the risk” for women to cover news in the Middle East. While many women would probably prefer to cover these types of stories from the safety of an American news desk, if courageous women like Logan seek assignment on the front lines of history despite the danger then that is their choice to make.

In deciding to put themselves in harm’s way these women should not ask to receive special treatment or coverage in the event of assault or injury. But what these women should expect and demand is that their comrades at home have the decency to report on their plight as they would any man’s, even if it reflects poorly on a seemingly positive historical event.

News is news whether we like it or not.

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

Runaway senate

Jocelyn Rousey Given the usually dull tactics employed in the United States Senate to stall legislation (secret holds, the endless drama over the filibuster proof minority, etc.), you have to hand it to Wisconsin’s State Senate Democrats this past week: Fleeing the state is definitely a creative approach to preventing a vote on controversial legislation. Granted, it’s reminiscent of the Texas State senators skipping town in 2003 to prevent a vote on a redistricting bill. But still, kudos to Wisconsin for Midwestern novelty.

There is, however, a big difference between protesting a redistricting bill and what’s at issue right now in Wisconsin.

If you haven’t been following the controversy, here’s a recap.

On Feb. 11, Wisconsin’s rookie Republican Governor Scott Walker introduced the Budget Repair Bill. In it, Walker proposes to drastically curtail unions’ ability to bargain on behalf of their members. It also makes it difficult for unions to collect dues from their members with which to provide services or lobby lawmakers. In essence, it’s a union-busting bill, though Walker is trying to sell the bill as necessary for closing the budget deficit.

Restricting union power will allow the state to cut wages and benefits for public employees without being hassled by the unions. (It’s worth noting that similar debates are breaking out in other states, like Ohio.)

Here’s the thing though: The real issue is not the wages and benefits. Most people understand that everyone needs to make sacrifices in times of economic hardship.

Wisconsin unions have stated they’re willing to negotiate with lawmakers to help balance the budget. What’s at issue here is the basic right of workers to collectively bargain.

Republicans in general aren’t fond of unions, and Walker gets a lot of monetary support from anti-union business giants like the Koch Brothers. Given that unions traditionally lean Democratic, busting up unions not only makes it easier for Walker to fix the state’s deficit, but it also destabilizes his opposition’s base. The political undertones of this bill are particularly obvious when you consider that certain unions, like the police and firefighters, are actually exempt from the bill’s restrictions. Why? Public safety unions are historically less likely than, say, teachers’ unions, to vote Democratic.

In response, thousands of protesters have poured into Madison. The capitol building is packed and the crowds are only getting bigger with each passing day.

Schoolteachers across the state are calling in sick in such great numbers that it has forced a number of schools to cancel classes.

For such a weighty issue, it’s suspicious that Walker tried to push for a vote on Thursday, less than a week after he proposed the bill. In protest, State Senate Democrats are taking advantage of Senate rules that stipulate that at least 20 senators must be present to call a vote. There are only 19 Republicans, which means that without at least one of their 14 Democratic colleagues present, the Republicans can’t vote to pass the bill.

The Democratic lawmakers not only walked out on the vote at the capitol Thursday, they also left the state entirely so as to be out reach of the state police who, under law, can “compel” state lawmakers to show up for a vote. To the delight of the media, the senators have been giving interviews from various undisclosed locations across the border.

They’ve stated they’re prepared to stay away indefinitely until Walker agrees to negotiate.

As entertaining as it is to watch the media play “Where in the World are Wisconsin’s Democratic Senators?” it raises a serious question about which side of the controversy is doing the responsible thing.

Walker is demanding that the senators return and do their job. But is the border run really the irresponsible political stunt that conservatives are making it out to be?

On the one hand, you’ve got a rookie governor, who is well-funded by the antiunion forces, exploiting budget woes for political gains. On the other hand, you’ve got the runaway senators who are trying to buy time for negotiation the only way they can.

But politics is about negotiation. Democracy is about negotiating. Sure, what the senators are doing is a political stunt.

But they’re only doing what they have to in order to defend the people of Wisconsin from blatant political maneuvering.

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

The Heights

A8

Monday, February 21, 2011

The bland ‘Unknown’ veers dangerously off track

By Joe Allen Heights Staff

“I am Dr. Martin Harris!” Anyone who has seen the Unknown trailer will recognize this line. This exclamation, when heard the first time, seems to promise a constant adrenaline rush, much like “I didn’t kill my wife!” does for The Fugitive. Going in, audiences Unknown expect nothing less than Juame Collet-Serra a twisty film CPTC set at hyperspeed. This expectation makes the film’s deathcrawl of a pace (arguably its biggest twist) all the more disappointing.

The film’s troublesome speed is not made apparent in the first act, which establishes the movie’s conflict quickly. Dr. Martin Harris, played by Liam Neeson, and his wife Liz, played by January Jones, travel to Berlin for a science convention. After leaving a briefcase that contains all forms of identity at the airport, Harris jumps in a cab driven by the later-important Gina (Diane Kruger). The car tumbles into

C

the river, putting Harris into a four-day coma. Upon waking, Harris discovers that someone has stolen his identity, and that everyone, including Liz, seems to be playing along. Harris must solve the mystery before it’s too late. Smash cut to …. Liam Neeson confusedly wandering the streets of Berlin for an hour, yelling, “I am Martin Harris!” to anyone in hearing range. Apparently, writers Olive Butcher and Stephen Cornwell thought their job was over after coming up with a cool one-liner and decided to continually recycle it until the audience goes numb with boredom. The rest of the dialogue in Unknown is often headsmackingly obvious. Yes Harris. Your wife doesn’t seem to know who you are, even though you remember having sex with her on multiple occasions. Stop retelling this fact to other characters and get over it.

In these moments of repetitive character behavior, director Juame Collet-Serra can do little to spice up the movie. How many ways can someone photograph a character’s constant state of bafflement? Once the movie shifts gears from Harris just looking confused to Harris (still confused) running away from assassins, however, Collet-Serra

proves his ability to craft a nail-biting, seatclenching action scene. Before Harris, and the audience, knows why he in constant danger of being shot, the action scenes exude an air of desperation. Disappointingly, Harris, learning the truth of his situation, has the unintended side-effect of lowering the stakes. At that point, even snappy direction can’t pull viewers back into the story.

Do Liam Neeson and the other actors bring enough to the table to better the movie in these times of below-average storytelling? When the direction is at its best, Neeson, Kruger, and Jones all shine while increasing the suspense. These actors tried to bring their A-game for Unknown’s entire run-time. But how long can Neeson make his character’s constant bewilderment look interesting? How can Kruger act her way out of a poorly-written character? No matter what these actors do, they can’t fix a lousy script.

Of course, one might argue that good action movies don’t need great dialogue if everything else is done right. Unknown admirably counters this argument by going wrong in more ways than one. Viewers should ask themselves, “Who is the villain?” The only

The formulaic ‘Four’ still delights

Courtesy of AllMoviePhoto.com

Rife with clunky dialogue and wholly disappointing performances, ‘Unknown’ is a true dud. nameable bad guy doesn’t show up until late in the film and even then doesn’t fight Harris. A movie that hinges around a twist should make the audience collectively gasp and say, “It all makes sense!” To settle this matter quickly, Unknown is no Sixth Sense.

In the end, anyone who wants to see Neeson beating people senseless (and Jones wearing revealing dresses) will not

be disappointed. The film does deliver on a basic watch-main-character-kicksome-ass level. But after a promising trailer, Unknown can largely be chalked up as a disappointment. The movie can be split into two: “Neeson wandering around aimlessly” and “Neeson realizing he is a human weapon.” These two divisions share a similarity. Neither is very interesting. n

Box Office Report title

weekend gross

weeks in release

5 photos courtesy of allmoviephoto.com

1. Unknown

21.8

1

2. i Am Number Four

19.5

1

3. Gnomeo and Juliet

19.4

2

Courtesy of Allmoviephoto.com

Though not the sharpest or most original movie of the year, ‘I Am Number Four’ still serves up a feel good time at the movies, eye candy included.

By Christine Zhao For the Heights

Deemed to be the Dreamworks version of the Twilight saga, I Am Number Four trades in the attractive vampires for attractive aliens.

The movie, based on the homonymous novel written by James Frey and Jobie Hughes (under the I Am Number Four: pseudonym Pitticus DJ Caruso Dreamworks SKG Lore), is one part science fiction, one part action/adventure, and one part teen angst. The titular alien is a sweet extraterrestrial named John, played by exRalph Lauren model Alex Pettyfer. John, who the audience is initially introduced to as Daniel, is one of nine exceptional children who were saved from the planet Lorien. All nine children are fated to grow into powers called “Legacies” that are meant to arm them against the evil Mogadorians, affectionately known as Mogs. The Mogs are out to get the gifted children, but there’s a catch—they have to kill them in order. Daniel and Henri (Timothy Olyphant), his protector, had been lying low on Earth’s sunny Florida when a tattoo is magically burned into Daniel’s skin, signaling the death of Number Three.

Henri gets worried and the two pack their bags. Daniel, who changes his name to John Smith, runs with Henri to Paradise, Ohio in order to ditch the otherworldly assassina-

B+ B-

tion squad. As they once again relocate, Daniel narrates (with angst), “This is the part of my life I hate the most—the running.”

Once in Paradise, John defies Henri’s wishes and decides to escape detection under the guise of a high school student.

Despite his protector’s demands that he lie low, John becomes the big man on campus, making girls swoon with his Edward Cullenesque brooding. Enter hot photographer Sarah Hart, played by Dianna Agron of Glee. It’s love at first sight for John and Sarah, who is also an ex-cheerleader and popular girl turned recluse. Of course, Sarah’s ex-boyfriend Mark (Jake Abel), who happens to be the quarterback, has a hard time accepting that he’s been pushed out of the picture. He begins to bully John and his new friend Sam (Callan McAufliffe), a sci-fi nerd, better known as Spock, in order to exact his revenge. Unfortunately for Mark, John has been going through some changes that go beyond the run-of-the-mill symptoms of puberty: his Legacies start coming in, making him especially hard to bully. Although John manages to keep his temper under control for most of the humiliation, he lets loose when Sarah is put in danger and fights Mark. Surprise—alien beats human. Poor Spock, who earlier described his entire life as an episode of The X-Files, is shocked when he sees John’s unnatural fighting skills and glowing palms.

He immediately begins to fit the pieces

together. Conveniently, he and his dad, who had gone missing, were conspiracy theorists, so he knows an alien when he sees one. When he confronts John, he has no choice but to reveal his true species.

Pretty soon John breaks all of Henri’s rules. He has a girlfriend, a friend who knows the truth, and a bunch of enemies, though high school football players are no match for the seven-foot, trench coat-wearing, tattooed, fanged, humanoid creatures that are the Mogs. He might have still managed to get away with it, if it hadn’t been for Sarah’s love of photography. When John’s picture appears online, the Mogs manage to locate their next target with relative ease. Henri wants to leave again, but John refuses because he has finally found reasons to fight. The background for the showdown is set up, and John is joined by his cute pet beagle and Number Six (Teresa Palmer), a fellow super-powered alien with a soupedup motorcycle. In this part of the movie, director D.J. Caruso (Disturbia), inserts some action scenes that really pick up the pace. The visuals are up to par with the usual expectations of supernatural battle scenes, but nothing especially awesome.

Overall, I Am Number Four may not be a cinematic gem, but it boasts a catchy soundtrack, a few decent one-liners, and a cast full of eye candy. Oh, and an impressive dog actor. Chalk it up to a relatively enjoyable way to procrastinate. n

7

8

4. Just Go With It

18.2

2

5. Big Mommas: like Father, Like SOn

18.2

1

6. Never Say Never

13.6

2

7. the King’s Speech

6.6

13

8. the Roommate

4.1

3

9. The Eagle

3.6

2

10. No Strings Attached

3.1

5

bestsellers of hardcover fiction 1. Tick Tock James Patterson & Michael Ledgwidge 2. the Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest Stieg Larsson 3. the help Kathryn Stockett 4. the Inner CIrcle Brad Meltzer

5. Dead or Alive Tom Clancy 6. strategic moves Stuart Woods 7. Fatal Error J.A. Jance 8. Shadowfever Karen Marie Moning 9. the Confession John Grisham SOURCE: Publisher’s Weekly

The British snatch up American superhero roles

By Dan Siering

If you haven’t already heard, let me introduce you to the three-headed beast comprised of the lead actors in some upcoming major upcoming superhero flicks.

First, we have the well-known Christian Bale. Bale, who masterfully portrayed Bruce Wayne in Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, will strap on his cape one last time in The Dark Knight Rises. The final installment of Christopher Nolan’s trilogy is slated to be released in the summer of 2012. Next up is Andrew Garfield, The Social Network star whom I discussed a few weeks back. He will have the arduous task of playing Peter Parker in The Amazing Spider-man, a series reboot that will kick off in the summer of 2012. Last is Henry Cavill, a relatively unknown actor, best remembered for his part on the Showtime series The Tudors.

Nevertheless, Cavill was immediately pushed onto the main stage, when picked to star as Clark Kent in Superman: Man of Steel. We will all see just what kind of talent Cavill has when the film is released fall 2012.

Besides a chiseled jawline and great hair, what do the members of this trium-

virate have in common? All three actors are, in fact, imported talent – all of them hailing from Great Britain. This recent spike in British actors playing classic American superheroes has sparked some serious conversation in Hollywood. What happened to the days of Christopher Reeves, George Clooney, and Tobey Maguire? Many movie bigwigs have some rather interesting theories regarding this suddenly relevant question.

John Papsidera, casting director for Nolan’s first two Batman movies, was asked to give a reason for the shortage of American actors in these powerful superhero performances. “You look at the list of American leading men and, in their 20s and 30s, they’re very boylike. Take Jesse Eisenberg: I put him in Zombieland, but he’s not going to play Superman,” Papsidera told reporters. I agree with Papsidera in that putting an actor like Eisenberg in a cape and spandex would make Halle Berry’s Catwoman look Academy worthy. But the casting director is taking an oddity in the spectrum of acting styles and using it to make a sweeping generalization. I don’t think there’s any need to panic just yet.

Looking at the audition lists for these films reveals that the short-lists for the

three aforementioned superheroes were evenly divided between Yankees and Brits. Imagining some of these American contenders in the respective roles makes me feel a little less weary about the current lack of rough-and-tough American leads. Take, for example, Armie Hammer auditioning for Superman. The actor, who played the Winklevoss twins in Network, (yes, it was only one man) is a classic strong lead and would have been a fine Clark Kent. Or take Billy Crudup as Batman. I find Crudup, known for his roles in Almost Famous and Watchmen, to be a very underrated actor, and I think he would have easily been able to handle the duties of Bruce Wayne.

So why then are the Brits coming out on top? One reason might be money.

Superhero films bring with them a heavy burden of production and licensing costs, which do not always leave much leftover for actor salaries. This is most likely the case for the lesser know Cavill and Bale, the latter of whom did not reach A-list stardom until after Batman Begins. After gaining fame for The Social Network, Garfield might have been a little pricier than the other candidates. But unlike the other two, The Amazing Spider-man is a reboot of a very profitable and popular

series, and nabbing Garfield might convince some who are doubtful.

So what are the odds that this trend of British actors starring as American leads change in the near future? Of the nine males on Moviefone’s list of top 25 actors and actresses under 25, only three

are American: Zac Efron, Shia Labeouf, and Taylor Lautner. Interpret that as you please.

Dan Siering is a Heights columnist. He can be reached at arts@bcheights.com.

Courtesy of Allmoviephoto.com

Bale will reprise his ‘Batman’ role, continuing the trend of U.K. stars taking on American heroes.

The Heights

Monday, February 21, 2011

A9

OLAA shows off its ambition OLAA, from A10

Andrew Powell / Heights Staff

Thrown into a frenzied, weeklong writing process, Hello ... Shovelhead! whipped together an exciting and highly witty performance.

Sketches are big hit Shovelhead, from A10

BC. This particular production was no exception. Though the show was notably shorter than the annual fall or spring shows, Hello…Shovelhead! somehow still successfully managed to poke fun of everything from stereotypical preppy Plex-goers to the lack of student diversity on campus.

The group used BC jokes and mockery in many of its sketches, while still centering on a SNL theme.

While all of the performances were a hit, one of the most crowd-pleasing sketches of the night was the Shovelhead version of Saturday Night Live’s “Weekend Update.”

Shovelhead member Mary Elaine Ramsey, A&S ’11, played a guest on the show with her impersonation of an excitable girl, Shelly, who works at the Plex. Shelly described new classes being offered to get spring break and “bikini ready” such as “Michelle Obama’s Arm” or “Kim Kardashian’s Ass” (a class in which you walk around campus in Sketchers Shape-Ups). The sketch had the crowd roaring with laughter from start to finish.

Another highlight of the show was a scene that featured a student played by John Blakeslee, A&S ’12, struggling to complete his course registration last minute – a stressful and relatable BC experience.

In this sketch, Shovelhead compared the difficulties of BC course registration with a sports league draft to create the “ESPN Course Selection 2011.” Two announcers broadcasted a play-by-play of the student’s picks, as he strategized to omit Friday classes and received little help from his academic advisor. This sketch embodied what Shovelhead has always done best by creating a parody out of relatable BC experiences with a sense of offbeat humor.

The talent of the cast also shines in sketches such as the “Boston College Ellis Island,” as members Meg Showalter, A&S ’13, and Madeline Dionne, A&S ’13, impersonated Irish admissions directors in charge of changing the names of new students to create a seemingly more diverse student population. Other innovative and wacky things found at the Shovelhead show included grown men in diapers, a high school

swim team shaving their legs on stage (yes, they really did), and a dad accidently shooting his daughter’s friend when she snacks on Totino’s in the middle of the night.

But what would an SNL show be without a musical guest? Just a few sketches into the show, members of the a cappella group BEATS (Black Experience in America Through Song) performed the well-known Cee-Lo Green single, “F— You.” Although only together for a year, the BEATS have created quite a formidable reputation on campus, making them as anticipated a musical guest as any real SNL performer.

“F—You” was full of soulful and playful solos sung by various members of the group. As always, the strong vocals and ebullient spirit of the BEATS made their guest appearance a perfect addition to Shovelhead’s show.

All in all, Hello…Shovelhead! put on a memorable and impressive production that was a hit with its BC targeted audience.

Look for Shovelhead’s annual spring show, scheduled in mid-April for more edgy and unforgettable humor. n

highlight of the show, though, were the performances by Phaymus and Fuego (Bryan Lopez, CSOM ’13), the leader del Corazon. Phaymus opened the show of local gang MX-12, mugs Luis on his with a high intensity hip-hop routine. way to the bank. With no way to earn Bounding out onto the stage to the enough money before the start of fall opening synth of Flo Rida and David semester, Luis joins rival gang PLM Guetta’s “Club Can’t Even Handle Me,” under the leadership of Javier (Tom the members of Phaymus executed their Oliva, A&S `11) Even though Luis’ in- strong choreography in matching red, volvement in crime rakes in the money, white, and black street wear. A partner it puts both his medical school hopes dance to Akon and David Guetta’s and social relationships in jeopardy.

“Sexy B—” followed, leading into a Battistoni adapted the play from showcase of the women of Phaymus, an original screenplay written in her who performed the jerky and staggered screenwriting class. Her direction choreography with a dynamic exploemphasizes the script’s cinematic siveness that charged the audience. qualities, though, particularly in Impressive acrobatic dance moves terms of pacing. Each scene lasts powered the majority of the men’s poronly a few minutes, some less than a tion of the performance, capitalizing minute, which proupon the members’ Battistoni takes on a duces a rather choppy athleticism. The effect for the view- controversial subject quite number ended in ing audience. In film, audience with boldly. Her ambition is the editing would allow swift hand chorereadily apparent, and, these scene changes to ography, making it occur with more fluidthe most energetic for that at least, her ity, but it feels rather moment of the eveachievement deserves its ning. clumsy on stage. That being said, Battistoni Fuego’s incorlaurels. takes on a controverporation into the sial subject quite boldly. Her ambition play during a scene at a club as well as is readily apparent, and, for that at a scene at a quinceanera was particuleast, her achievement deserves its larly innovative, and they danced to laurels. The most intriguing parts of impress. The team sexily slinked across the play include a love triangle between the stage, making the most of their Luis, his girlfriend Mercedes (Cynthia agile limbs and flexibility. Even more Cepeda, A&S ’12) and his Quizno’s impressive than that feat, though, was co-worker Claudia (Alicia Battistoni, the technical prowess of the dancers.

A&S ’13) and the back story of gang Fuego exhibited strong technique in leader Javier. Oliva does an admirable the traditional salsa dances and made job during his scene opposite Lopez, the most of their two dance numbers. expressing necessary vulnerability The second dance featured a homage as he reflects upon why he works the to West Side Story in which the men and gang trade. women formed two circles before comThe drama does not dominate bining in a fun and geometric dance the presentation, however. Moments sequence. The moment when the men throughout the show burst with energy formed a ring and lifted the women up and comedic chops. David Gonzalez, on their forearms while continuing to CSOM ’11, possesses the most stage circle looked quite impressive. presence. His character Elvis often The OLAA culture show was nothacts as comedic relief, and Gonzalez ing if not spirited, and Battistoni and more than succeeds on that front crew deserve credit for an admirable with his affable characterization. The and astute showing. n

Idol singing competition winner ‘Rolling’ in talent

courtesy of joan marcus

One of Disney’s most enchanting stories, ‘Poppins’ works like magic on the Broadway stage.

‘Poppins’ works like spoonful of sugar Poppins, from A10

prove not only to be troopers, but talented performers, bringing both the innocence and world weariness of Jane and Michael to life. Rachel Izen, as the maid, Mrs. Brill, also is a scene-stealer as her dry delivery drew laughs every time.

On par with Leigh as the strength of the show, though, are the visual elements. Bob Crowley’s sets and costumes are visual spectacles. The Banks house, weighing in at 11,000 pounds, opens up like a dollhouse, displaying the quaintness and opulence of a lovely British home. The candy-colored park and the rooftops of London, though, are nothing if not fantastic. The costumes also strongly contribute to the divide between the Banks’ rigidity and Poppins’ enchanting universe with the Banks’ outfits being tailored and muted while the magical characters wear colorful, billowing fabrics. Most impressive are the outfits of the star lighters, each one containing over 800 hand-sewn crystal stars.

Despite the ornate costuming, the cast still manages to perform the challenging and remarkable choreography.

Choreographer and co-director Mat-

thew Bourne brings his award-winning dances to this production. Easily the two most impressive numbers are “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” and “Step in Time.” The former includes a mishmash of fast-paced hand choreography as the cast members use body movement to spell each letter of one of musical theater’s favorite words. “Step in Time” becomes a show-stopping tap extravaganza, and Dromard particularly shines in this number. In a feat of theatrical genius, Dromard’s Bert scales the proscenium and performs a tap dance upside down. The audience’s reaction to this moment, as well as Mary’s gravity-defying umbrella flights, is full of wonder and excitement.

For those expecting a copy of the movie musical, the theatrical production borrows from several other books from P.L Traver’s Mary Poppins series, giving it more depth and heart. At times the show can veer in a rather dark direction (the scene in which Jane and Michael’s toys come to life could frighten anyone), but everyone can appreciate the values it instills. Beautiful, energetic, fun, and poignant, Mary Poppins will entertain anyone at any age. It’s a jolly holiday indeed. n

SANG LEE / heights STAFF

Liz Peter won the seventh annual BC Idol compeition this past Thursday with her powerful vocals on British singer Adele’s latest hit.

Idol, from A10 timeless classic “Sitting On the Dock of the Bay.” Accompanied by a guitarist, Jumbe belted out the soulful lyrics with ease and thoroughly impressed the judges with her ability to hit an array of notes.

Laruen Milo, LSOE ’14, followed Jumbe and chose to sing Barbra Streisand’s catchy show tune “Don’t Rain On My Parade.” Milo commanded the stage with the presence of a veteran stage actress by adding well rehearsed gestures. “Why take the BoltBus down to Broadway when you can just come to Campanella Way?” joked Beaumier.

Next up were the dueling acoustic guitars of Robbie Vogel, A&S ’12, and Max McGuire, A&S ’12, who had the crowd singing along with their dramatic take on Outkast’s “Hey Ya.” “I’m just wondering, which one of you is Simon and which one is Garfunkel,” O’Keefe asked. The show then got injected with a jolt of funk when Liz Peter, A&S ’12, sang Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.” Peter ranged up to nail the chorus and did hard justice to the Grammy winner’s vocally challenging tune.

The musical talent was never subdued

throughout the night, as each performance thoroughly proved that they were worthy of the spotlight. Shinyoung Lee, LSOE ’13, and Ryan Liu, A&S ’13, slowed down “Use Somebody” by Kings of Leon and transformed it into a heartfelt piano ballad. The duo was able to bring out a lot of the soul in the lyrics that the numerous radio plays seemed to lack. Steven Jefferson, A&S ’14, set the bar high for the other performers with a rendition of John Legend’s “Ordinary People,” a stunning rendition that would have surely impressed the nine-time Grammy winner.

Pat Kessock, A&S ’13, shifted the program back into the comedy sector with a ukulele cover of Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face.” Kessock gracefully sang Gaga’s risque lyrics, making the audience holler in laughter and a few of the ordained judges cringe. Dave Gold, A&S ’12, performed his medley of ’90s hits, including the Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way” and Semisonic’s “Closing Time” that brought many of the Gen Yers back to the days of CDs and boy bands.

The show was capped off with Gabrielle Sharpe’s, A&S ’14, touching cover of Karina Pasian’s “Slow Motion” and Elliot

Smith’s, A&S ’14, sensual interpretation of “Loving You” by Paolo Nutini.

At the conclusion, the audience, which was fully engaged for the entirety of the show, filled out their vote for their favorite performer. The ballots were swiftly tallied backstage as last years winner Pat Vale, A&S ’13, entertained with an a capella cover of Bon Iver’s “Skinny Love.” Dennis Carr, A&S ’11, better known as the Eagle’s Nest Piano guy, also was on-hand to amuse the crowd with his assortment of piano sing-alongs.

Simmons and Benedetti then returned to the stage to announce the winners.

The voting results showed Peter to be the winner, with Jefferson and Smith placing second and third, respectively.

The prizes for the winners to choose from included an oversized $350 check, four Celtic-Knick tickets, and $100 gift certificates to Fire and Ice and Amazon.

Though everyone else went home empty handed, BC Idol gave several talented singers well-deserved exposure and time on the big stage. Whether it was ukulele covers, soulful piano ballads, or jazzy show tunes, BC Idol once again proved that BC is a campus that is overflowing with talent. n

arts&review

A10

Monday, February 21, 2011

Live from Boston College

Wicked Cultured

A ‘Friday’ tradition Charlotte Parish There is both heartbreak and elation, devastation and excitement, restlessness and hope. It’s been a little over a week since the season five finale of Friday Night Lights on Direct-TV, and I can’t stop thinking about it. Why is this obsession particularly impressive for a show that has proved its mettle with annual Emmy nominations for the past four years? Because I haven’t even seen the episode yet.

The dueling jubilation and despair over this glorious finale is caused by the fact that this season’s finale is the series’ finale as well. At the end of a five-year voyage into the heartland of Texas, Friday Night Lights has filled my life with adrenaline-inducing football, exquisite character development, real yet fantastic plot hooks, and the “Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose” Taylors.

Of course, right now I’m feeling more like “Full eyes, broken heart, can’t breathe,” as the ever-pithy Vulture blog put it. While the end of the season on cable means that this summer I can flip to NBC and sink into a languid pool of Friday Night Lights bliss, season five is also the final season of this purely genius show – hence my devastation. Adding to the distress is that every time I go online, it seems that there are spoilers lying in wait on my usual procrastination sites.

They’re just hoping for a vulnerable moment when I give in to temptation and ruin the suspense of season five by clicking on a review.

I can legitimately say that Friday Night Lights is the reason I am at Boston College – okay, well maybe that’s not true. But it certainly assured me that the decision I had made was the right one. I was extremely excited when the indomitable Tammy Taylor and sometimes annoying, yet still endearing, Julie Taylor made a trip to Beantown while scouting colleges. But I was utterly ecstatic when I saw them walking across the academic quad, right on the path between Campion Hall and the Rat that marks my lunch path. Of course, I didn’t know that I would literally follow in their footsteps twice a week after class when I watched the episode this summer (and I won’t comment on whether or not this walking path was a subconscious-but-on-purpose result). But seeing Julie stroll across my future campus made BC all the more attractive to me.

My only life preserver keeping me out of utter doldrums (and large vats of ice cream) is that some of my favorite characters have already been slated in new shows. The darling Matt Saracean (Zach Gilford), who convinced me that Southern accents actually can be quite attractive, has already been placating my anticipated Friday Night Lights withdrawal in the new Shonda Rhimes show Off the Map, which is essentially a mix between Grey’s Anatomy and Lost. The last two episodes Gilford had on Lights were by far his best, as he dealt with the traumatic death of his often absent, soldier father, and clearly the talent was noticed, since he started Map right after ending his Lights run. Driving off into the distance in his final episode, Gilford stole a piece of my heart as he went (though my mother cheekily pointed out he just must have been trying to get to South America in time for Off the Map. Touche, madam).

But more recently, Adrianne Palicki, who played the sassy, street smart Tyra, came swooping out of the sky in red, white, and blue to pull me out of despair.

NBC recently announced that the exFriday Night Lights star will be taking on the title role in the newly-slated Wonder Woman television series with director Jeffery Reiner. No other casting announcements have been made, but I’m already a guaranteed viewer just to see that fantastic attitude in superhero action.

Though it is a tragic day for television when Tammy and Coach will no longer grace the Friday night lineup, the stars that the show leaves behind are certainly not leaving the industry anytime soon – maybe Tammy will even come back to Massachusetts in a future role (cue “I’m Shipping Up To Boston,” please).

Charlotte Parish is the Assistant Arts & Review editor of The Heights. She can be reached at arts@bcheights.com

andrew powell / heights staff

Hello...Shovelhead! styled Saturday’s performances after NBC ‘Saturday Night Live,’ including Weekend Update and a musical performance by the student a capella group BEATS.

Hello...Shovelhead! crafts ‘SNL’-style show in only one week

By Katie Lee Heights Staff

T

here are a lot of things that can happen in a week. “It’s the amount of time your girlfriend freshman year took to realize that she could do better than you,” exclaimed Ben Freeman, BC ’10, host of Hello…Shovelhead!’s show this past Saturday. Impressively enough, a week is also the amount of time that members of the well-known sketch comedy troupe on campus, took to put together their show this weekend, Saturday Night Live-style. All

of the preparation that goes into a typical sketch comedy show, such as sketch writing, line memorization, costumes, and music, is usually put together over the course of an entire semester. Yet Shovelhead, impressing BC students time and time again, jam-packed it all into a mere week. The group, composed of 12 members, performed at both 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. in McGuinn 121. The show acted as a version of a typical SNL show and proved to be an incredible success.

What makes each of Shovelhead’s shows such a hit year after year is their ability to create jokes that are relatable to any member of

See Shovelhead, A9

‘Mary Poppins’ flies higher than a kite

By Darren Ranck

Arts & Review Editor

Andrew powell / heights staff

Members of the dance group Phaymus open the OLAA culture show held in Robsham.

OLAA dances, acts out of ‘Gangland’

By Darren Ranck

Arts & Review Editor Showcasing several on-campus culture groups of different disciplines, the Organization of Latin American Affairs (OLAA) presented its 11th annual culture show, Escaping Gangland. The play, written and directed by Loretta Battistoni, A&S ’11, brought to life aspects of Latin American culture via the story of a high school student coerced into a life of crime. Mixing comedic and tragic elements together, the OLAA culture show delivered an insightful message

with the addition of performances from dance groups Phaymus and Fuego del Corazon.

Escaping Gangland focuses on Luis Delacruz (Christian Lopez, A&S ’14), an ambitious high school student from a small town in Texas. Luis desperately wants to get out of his gang-filled town and thinks he finds his solution with his acceptance to the University of Texas.

When he finally accumulates enough money to pay tuition, a mishmash of savings and Quizno’s earnings, Raul

See OLAA, A9

Search ends for BC Idol

When describing the musical Mary Poppins, the only phrase that comes to mind is that which describes the heroine herself – practically perfect in every way. Stopping at the Boston Opera House on its national tour, Disney and famed British producer Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Mary Poppins brings show-stopping numbers, brilliant stage magic, and a dash of heart to Beantown.

Mary Poppins chronicles the Banks family, headed by stern patriarch George Banks (Michael Dean Morgan) and his stifled yet loving wife Winifred (Blythe Wilson). Their two young children Jane and Michael (played

by Paige Simunovich and Cade Canon Ball, respectively, at this particular performance) scare every nanny out of the house with their wild behavior, but not until they write their own classified for a nanny does the perfect one

arrive. When Mary Poppins (Steffanie Leigh) enters the Banks house, the stuffy London home becomes a place of magic.

Statues come to life, chimney sweeps lead the family in a rousing musical number, and charity gains new meaning. Only Mary Poppins could make this possible, and the Banks family, as well as the audience, is the better for it.

Leigh’s Poppins owns the show. Her Mary is incredibly charismatic, delightfully playful, and all too knowing. Stepping into the shoes of Julie Andrews, who won an Oscar for her performance in the 1964 film version, is a daunting task, but with her strong, pure singing voice and winning persona, Leigh owns the role. Following her lead as Bert, the jack-of-all-trades and a close friend of Mary’s, Nicolas Dromard brings an excellent vaudevillian humor to his portrayal. He forges a terrific connection with the audience, leading them through the story and making him the perfect narrator for viewers young and old.

When Leigh and Dromard share the stage at the end of act one to sing “Chim Chim Cher-ee,” it’s delight at its most innocent – Mary and Bert have jumped off the screen and perform for all on the rooftops.

The Banks family fits the bill for family dysfunction, and the performances convey this vividly. Morgan delivers his dialogue with the perfect mix of uptight stoicism and a tinge of fear while Wilson imbues her Mrs. Banks with daffy warmth and a lovely singing voice. On stage for a majority of the production, Simunovich and Ball

See Poppins, A9

ELP produces student singing competition

By Dan Siering Heights Staff

A medley of talent was on display in Robsham Theater last Thursday as the Emerging Leader Program (ELP) hosted the 7th annual BC Idol competition. After holding open tryouts across campus, 14 contestants were chosen to display their talents in front of an eager crowd of student supporters. The student lineup showed off their diverse musical ability and proved that the Heights is indeed a community rich in talent.

i nside Arts this issue

The show, which was hosted by Harvey Simmons, A&S ’11, and Hope Benedetti, CSOM ’13, aimed to support the St. Columbkille Partnership School by giving the proceeds from ticket sales to the Brighton Elementary School. A panel of Jesuit judges, Rev. Casey Beaumier, S.J., Rev. Don MacMillan, S.J., and Rev. Joseph O’Keefe, S.J., were also on location to give their thoughts on each singers’ performance.

The show kicked off with Tadala Jumbe,

See Idol, A9

Superheroes go British in 2010

A shocking new trend sees stars from across the pond filling the famous capes of American heroes, A8

Courtesy oF Joan marcus

Steffanie Leigh and Nicolas Dromard lead the company in an energetic dance number.

‘I Am Number Four’ provides mild thrills

Alex Pettyfer and Dianna Agron bring the sexy to the screen in this pseudo-alien thriller, A8

Box Office Report...........................A8 Bestsellers...................A8

SPORTS The Heights

Monday, February 21, 2011

Section

B

Monday, February 21, 2011

Call off the dogs

Huskies claim three of four crucial points from Eagles in two-game set between rivals

By Greg Joyce

Asst. Sports Editor After two straight overtime games that included 27 goals, Saturday night’s final match-up Northeastern 2 between BosBoston College 1 ton College and Northeastern needed just three goals to decide the winner. The Huskies were finally able to get two points from the No. 1 team in the nation, picking up a 2-1 victory at Matthews Arena.

Down 2-0 late in the third period, the Eagles urgently pressed onward for a goal. Cam Atkinson took a pass from Brian Gibbons along the left side of the ice and juked a defender, giving him a one-on-one with Chris Rawlings to the goaltender’s right side. The junior wristed the puck over Rawlings’ glove and into the top right shelf of the net, cutting the lead in half with 2:11 remaining.

With 1:32 left in the game, head coach Jerry York pulled John Muse to give BC a six-on-five advantage. Joe Whitney got off two shots in front of the net, Atkinson added a slap shot, and two more shots were sent in on net, but Rawlings was able to come up with clutch saves for all five.

Paul Sulzer

Nick rellas / heights staff

See Upset At Last, B3

The aggressive Huskies pressured the Eagles into critical mistakes, including a breakaway goal in the second period of Saturday’s 2-1 NU win.

Taking his shot

Men’s basketball

Cold from downtown

John Cahill wins over teammates, fans with his on-court awareness

By Paul Sulzer Sports Editor

At this time last year, John Cahill was playing intramural hoops at the Plex.

He and his buddies were pretty talented.

They tore up the higher (NBA) division of the basketball league. They were so good, in fact, that they were invited to join the practice squad for the women’s basketball team.

But he never thought he would be where he is today – playing for the men’s varsity basketball team.

The key word is playing. Cahill isn’t just sitting on the bench, waiting for scrub minutes. He’s played 19 games, totaling 112 minutes. Those aren’t exactly starters’ numbers, but he’s still getting action on a regular basis.

One-third of those minutes have come in the past two games. He broke out on Feb. 12 against Maryland in a 76-72 win that gave the Eagles a sweep over a fellow bubble team. He logged 25 minutes, three times his previous career high.

In that game, Cahill scored nine points, nearly twice his previous best. He drained three 3-pointers, bringing the crowd to its feet. He also took two charges that changed the complexion of the game.

“I still can’t really believe it when I think about it,” he said. “It doesn’t matter how many points I scored or how many minutes I played. It was just great to be a part of getting the team a win we really needed.”

“John really understands what the coaches are trying to translate to the games,” head coach Steve Donahue said. “He’s kind of like a coach out on the floor. He knows how to play, he makes the offense flow better, and he can make an open shot.”

A clutch shooter and smart defender, Cahill is quickly becoming a fan favorite on a team that’s been struggling with attendance all season. Part of the reason why

Better to lose sooner than later

former coach Al Skinner was fired last year was because of the disconnect between the student body and the team.

Having someone to root for like Cahill, who has undoubtedly played pick-up games against many of the Superfans in the crowd, can go a long way toward repairing that relationship.

Icy shooting dooms upset bid at UNC

By DJ Adams

Assoc. Sports Editor

The road to Chestnut Hill Despite his success, Cahill has remained humble. He’s the kind of guy of who holds the door open for you when you’re entering a room or pulls up a chair for you when you want to sit down. All he expects in return is that you pronounce his last name correctly. It’s not Kay-hill. It’s Cal. “It’s pronounced Cal,” he said.

“Like Cal Ripken. That’s what I tell everyone.”

He’s named after his father, a long-time college basketball referee who officiates in the ACC and the Big East. Much of the Boston College senior’s hoops knowledge comes from watching his father work games at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse and the XL Center in Hartford, where UConn plays.

Standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 170 pounds, Cahill was recruited by

After a lackluster, uncompetitive meeting earlier this season between the men’s basketball North Carolina 48 team and No. 19 Boston College 46 North Carolina, which was highlighted by a 100-plus point offensive performance by the Tar Heels in a 32-point stomping of the Eagles, Saturday afternoon’s contest at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C., couldn’t have been more unlike the previous game.

Both teams shot poorly – below 37 percent from the floor, including disastrous marks from beyond the arc. No player registered more points the 16 put up by Tar Heel forward Tyler Zeller in an ugly, but closely contested, 48-46 victory for UNC (20-6, 10-2 ACC) that featured stalwart defense throughout by the Eagles (16-10, 6-6).

With a chance to steal a win from a ranked opponent in the last 15 seconds, Reggie Jackson isolated himself and created an open look from downtown that rattled around the rim and out, clinching the win for the Tar Heels and sending the Eagles back to Chestnut Hill with a tough loss.

“Well, I thought we did a very good job telling them what we wanted to do in terms of the game plan,” head coach Steve Donahue said. “I thought we really guarded, especially down the stretch when we forced five straight turnovers

See Cahill, B4

See Cold Shooting, B4

Seniors skate to series win

Eagles take two of three

By Greg Joyce

Asst. Sports Editor

alex trautwig / heights editor

In their final regular season series, BC took three points against UNH. For more, see B2.

i nside S ports this issue

The baseball team began its season this weekend with an impressive showing at the Caravelle Boston College 6 Resort TournaTennessee Tech 1 ment, recording wins over Tennessee Tech and Indiana, while losing a lead late in the game to No. 18 Coastal Carolina on Friday night.

In Mike Gambino’s debut as head coach of Boston College, the former Eagle was encouraged by his team’s performance.

“It was a good weekend for us,” Gambino said. “It would have been nice to be 3-0. We let that one get away a little bit on Friday night, but I thought we played well.”

On Sunday, starting pitcher John Leonard threw five shutout innings on the

Women’s basketball outduels Cavs

The Eagles jump out to a 20-0 lead on their way to a blowout win over Virginia.............B2

way to a 6-1 win over Tennessee Tech. The senior only allowed two hits, while striking out five over 66 pitches in his first start of the year.

“We wanted him to come in and throw 65 pitches, that was our goal for him today,” Gambino said. “We said in an ideal world, he gives us five, and that’s what he did. He was really, really efficient.”

Tennessee Tech had the bases loaded with one out in the second inning, but Leonard was able to strike out a batter, and the next batter grounded out to second, ending any scoring threats.

In the bottom half of the inning, the Eagles got going offensively. Andrew Lawrence and Matt McGovern had backto-back singles to lead off the inning.

Matt Hamlet then singled to left field,

See Baseball Opener, B5

Hiring of Rogers for the best

An outside perspective could energize the listless Eagles offense...............................B5

No one wants to go into the postseason with the “unbeatable” tag. The pressure is unbearable. It can derail an otherwise promising year. Losing a relatively meaningless regular season game can reenergize and refocus the team for the playoffs.

Look at the 2007 Patriots. They stormed through the first eight games of the season, winning each by at least 17 points. Over the final eight, they only won three blowouts. They limped into the Super Bowl, in which they were twotouchdown favorites. I don’t need to tell you the rest.

Or consider the four teams to finish a college basketball regular season undefeated since the 1976 Indiana Hoosiers.

One lost in its conference tournament (2004 St. Joseph’s). Another fell in the Final Four (1991 UNLV). A third tripped up in the championship game (1979 Indiana State). And the last one wasn’t even invited to the NCAA tournament (1979 Alcorn State, which lost in the NIT).

The Boston College men’s hockey team wasn’t undefeated, like these teams, but the Eagles were on fire before going 0-1-1 this weekend. They had won 14 of their past 15 despite getting everyone’s best shot along the way. They had faced their fiercest rival four times in that stretch and outlasted the Terriers each time. They had the look of a team that was destined for greatness.

But they didn’t have the feel of such a team. None of the teams BC squared off with will make the NCAA tournament unless they win their respective conference championships. The Eagles defeated eight different teams over the hot streak. Only Boston University has a winning record among that group. BC’s excellence since Thanksgiving break may be more a function of weak competition than anything else.

Think about how many close games have gone the Eagles’ way since the start of the New Year. Hockey East bottom feeder UMass-Lowell took them down to the wire before Jimmy Hayes scored an empty-netter to cap a 5-3 win. Ninthplace Providence also gave BC trouble, until Cam Atkinson broke a scoreless tie five minutes into the third period.

Any discussion of nail-biters must include the Beanpot. The Eagles eked out dramatic overtime victories over the Terriers and the Huskies. As exciting as it was to claim the title, the wins over BU and NU were hardly convincing. BC’s special teams, once the envy of every team in college hockey, allowed two power-play goals and one shorthanded score against the Huskies in the title game. The team looked vulnerable.

BC was finally exposed in the tie and loss to Northeastern this weekend. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though. Now that teams know the Eagles are mortal, there’s less of an aura of invincibility around the No. 1 team in the nation.

There are plenty of other reasons for opponents to play with extra intensity against BC – the top ranking, the 2010 national championship banner hanging in Conte, and the program’s reputation as the Duke of college hockey chief among them – but this loss at least crosses one extra motivator off that list.

Falling to the Huskies also reminds the Eagles that they’re human. They’re not this juggernaut that should inspire fear in opponents. They’re students, like everyone else. They just happen to be exceptionally gifted at hockey.

That talent, coupled with Jerry York’s brilliant coaching, positions BC to play its best during trophy season. It’s certainly important to be peaking while heading into the playoffs. But the Eagles were doing so too soon. To go into the postseason with a double-digit win streak would have been an unnecessary burden.

Accepting that doesn’t mitigate the immediate disappointment of an underwhelming series. No one will remember the weekend BC managed just one point against Northeastern, however, if the Eagles are the last team standing in April.

Paul Sulzer is the Sports Editor of The Heights. He can be reached at sports@bcheights.com.

Numbers to Know............................B2 Quote of the Week............................B2

The Heights

B8

the real world

Rise up out of ignorance Karl Lockhart “Wait, weren’t they the people that did Sept. 11?”

Pause. Rewind.

I check the news pretty much every night just to make sure I don’t miss the announcement that the world is ending. w Last summer on a family vacation to Europe, it was no different. After a long day of seeing the sights of Lucerne, I sat down in the hotel room and switched on the television. Flipping through the French, German, Italian, and Spanish channels, I finally got to one in English.

My sister came into the room and asked what I was watching.

“Al Jazeera.”

It was at this point when she asked the initial question.

“No,” I explained. “Al Jazeera is a reputable Middle Eastern news network.

You’re thinking of al-Qaeda.”

“Oh. They just sounded similar.”

Before I berate my sister’s ignorance, let me first say that she is about to graduate from a reputable university in three years with a double major. She’s not dumb. But, like a number of people, she was quick to associate anything Arabic with terrorism, which is extremely unfortunate. It turns out that “Al” is simply an article meaning “the” in Arabic. So the terrorist network al-Qaeda means “the base.” The news network, Al Jazeera, means “the island.” In fact, the name of one our favorite things here at Boston College comes from Arabic: “al-kuhl.” Yeah, that’s right, the word “alcohol” originated in the Middle East.

So the next time you’re at a party sipping a drink, thank the Arabs.

But for many Americans, anything from the Middle East has been viewed with skepticism and distrust in the post-Sept. 11 world. Muslims, in particular, have faced the harshest scrutiny, facing discrimation at airports and in the workplace. Incidents have popped up all over the country, including bomb threats at mosques and violent hate crimes against Arab store owners. Bombastic rhetoric and false accusations often fuel the prejudice, from so-called Christians threatening to burn Korans to news commentators falsely stating that 10 percent of Muslims are terrorists. If this were true, the 2.3 million active and reserve members of the U.S. Military would not stand a chance against the supposed 157 million terrorists. But for those who aren’t well informed, the Middle East has been viewed as nothing more than a breeding ground for the perpetrators of the next big terrorist plot.

Or at least until this week. First, revolution in Tunisia. Now Egypt. Possibly on the way: Bahrain, Libya, Yemen, Iran, Lebanon.

Yes, change is sweeping the Middle East. People are on the streets, demonstrating with signs, chanting slogans, and burning effigies of political leaders who have well overstayed their welcome (Bahrain’s prime minister has been in power since Earth, Wind, and Fire were topping the charts). The past two weeks have already seen Hosni Mubarak resign, and it may not be long before other heads of state decide it’s time to pack their bags and move to places where they are less hated.

Congratulations, Tunisia and Egypt.

It’s about time. And to all the other enraged citizens shouting in the streets for fairer systems of government, good luck.

But what does all this mean 7,000 miles away in Beantown? It means it’s time to start showing some respect.

After all, it was only a little over 200 ago that right here in Boston, Americans were doing the same thing: rebelling against an unjust government. Let’s put an end to discrimination and hate and, instead, support the Arab world in protesting corruption, human rights abuses, and injustice. Let’s champion political change coming from the inside, as opposed to forcing democracy on those who may not want it yet.

And, most importantly, let’s not botch what others have worked so hard to achieve. The changes that have taken place in Egypt are remarkable and unprecedented. It is the job of the people of that country to decide what type of political system they want and who they want to lead them. The U.S. should not take the smallest bit of credit for what has happened, nor should we try to exert our influence in any way.

The Egyptian people have known oppression and will be able to forge a new nation based on freedom and equality, although it is sure to take quite a bit of time. The real question is whether some Americans can rise above their ignorance and Islamophobia and accept people who are not that different from themselves.

Karl Lockheart is a Staff Columnist for The Heights. He can be reached at features@bcheights.com

Monday, February 21, 2011

Campus chronicles

To donate or not to donate? That is the question Allison Lantero I was walking through Carney Dining Hall on my way back from the Chocolate Bar, my ice coffee clenched in one hand, and my eyes averted so as not to attract the attention of the service group to my right, asking for meal plan money I do not have, when it happened.

“Hey freshman in the blue dress, donate some money!” yelled the boy from the “we-need-your-diningbucks-so-we-can-save-the-world” table. I looked at him incredulously, smirked, and told him politely that I am a senior, I have no meal plan, and that he may want to try a different tactic if he’s serious about raising money.

I realize it is probably quite frustrating to have people walk by with heads down, pretending not to notice your worthy cause, but his calling me out was not in any way motivating. Boston College is obviously a school of men and women for others.

Between the PULSE program, Natchez, Appalachia, Arrupe, the Kenya service trip, Relay for Life, blood drives, 4Boston, and countless other

programs, BC students are constantly giving back. But, how do you choose between people starving in Africa, cleaning up after the earthquake in Haiti, and cancer research?

I, for one, think it is almost impossible to pick one cause over the other.

As a freshman, I was pleaded out of many an extra “dining bucks” in the name of service trips. Sophomore year, I was the one doing the pleading. I signed up for Appalachia and sent out letters asking for donations, and went door-to-door selling raffle tickets. I’ll never forget some of the regretful and sympathetic faces when people passed our raffle ticket table. It was as if their Catholic guilt bubbled up every time they saw another group looking for donations. In fact, one of my friends suggested that they have a LaundryView-type system, so that you can see when a group is going to be hounding you on your way to grab a Blazing Bowl. Some people even cling to the opposite wall, as if there is some sort of black hole near the table that will suck their money right out of their wallet.

Junior and senior year, the fad is bar parties: $30 for an open bar

and to help out another service trip.

Now, maybe this makes me strange, but $30 is a lot of money, and not a sum I spend in one sitting. With spring break getting closer, it seems everyone has a cause for which they are fundraising. I can’t tell you how many Facebook invites I have to Pancake Breakfasts, bake sales, and the ever-so-helpful “We’ll clean your bathroom if you donate” event. The “maybe” column is always the most popular for these Facebook fundraisers. And I have begun to notice that even those who respond “yes” do not always show up. It is as if Facebook makes it optional to stick to your response. But that is a topic for another column.

Overall, I think I prefer the Facebook event to the tables outside the dining halls. At least you get to choose whether you want to go. Plus, they provide a service to students besides swiping your BC ID. It may sound completely selfish, but I’d rather pay $5 for a cupcake at a bake sale for charity than donate $2 just because people happen to be sitting there with a sign and an ID machine.

However, I do understand why they put the tables in dining halls.

The excess of money, particularly on freshman girls’ meal plans, is staggering. If I could raise money off those extra dollars that otherwise disappear along with our tuition, I would be at the door of Carney every day. I had $250 left over during the last days of freshman year, and some lucky service trip got a pretty hefty donation when I walked into Lower Dining Hall one day.

In all honesty, it is the sheer amount of worthwhile causes that stresses me out. It is so difficult to say no to someone doing so much good. I sometimes get irritated at the people at the tables, even those that don’t shout at me. So, guy who called me a freshman in a blue dress, it is not all your fault. Let’s make a pact to be civil with each other. If the table-dwellers will agree to smile and just greet people as they walk in the door, instead of pleading for money, I will do my best to get my freshman friends to donate. Alright, maybe I’ll give a little bit too.

Allison Lantero is a staff columnist for The Heights. She can be reached at features@bcheights.com

he said, she said “I hooked up with this girl freshman year, but she clearly doesn’t remember me. Whenever I see her out at Mary Ann’s, I have to reintroduce myself just to start a conversation. I’d like a second chance with her but I don’t know whether I should address our past romantic history first. What should I do? - Kiss and Don’t Tell The “Boston College Look-away” is something that people often talk about as an unfortunate characteristic of this campus, hence the namesake. But it seems to be something more. Much more annoying too, I think. I really doubt that this girl has been so intoxicated that she can’t remember meeting you numerous times while at Mary Ann’s Alex Trautwig – in which case, she’s just being rude. If you still find yourself looking for a relationship with this girl, in any capacity, I might try breaking the ice with something a little more memorable, like making fun of the situation between the two of you. You can casually say that you believe you’ve met before through a mutual friend, not necessarily referring to your freshman year history. This not only might give her more of a reason to remember you the next time you see each other, but it also kind of calls her out on her weak behavior as of late. If you do this, or something like it, the next time you’re at MA’s it could potentially spark something between the two of you.

If it does, as I think it could, mission accomplished. If, however, she continues this charade during your next few visits, then I wouldn’t even think twice about giving her the same treatment in return. Truthfully, that’s just the way it goes sometimes with people from freshman year, it’s almost a silent understanding. And although maybe a little bit sad, you can’t expect to remain friendly with everyone you interact with during your time in college. When it comes down to it, if she had an interest in having some kind of relationship with you, even just as a friend, she’d most likely have remembered you by this point, but maybe it’s worth one last effort. At this point in your senior year, you’ve got nothing to lose, but don’t put too much weight on it.

Alex Trautwig is an editor for The Heights. He can be reached at features@bcheights.com

It is a truth universally acknowledged that there will always be certain people at Boston College who will consistently pretend not to recognize you when you attempt a wave in O’Neill Plaza. It’s that girl from your orientation group or that guy from your Freshman Writing Seminar class. No matter who it is, there is the inevitable group of people from freshman year that you used to acknowledge Julia Wilson when walking around campus but have somehow managed to forget about – or at least pretend to forget about – in the years in between. Let’s be honest with ourselves, none of us are immune to playing into this act. This particular girl seems to have also fallen victim to this strange phenomenon. But the fact that she continues to feign forgetfulness after you’ve reintroduced yourself more than once is just annoying if you ask me. Considering that she’s a past hookup makes it just rude. It may be the case that she legitimately doesn’t remember hooking up with you that one drunken night freshman year, but it’s more than likely that she actually does. Maybe her act of reintroducing herself whenever you sidle up next to her at the bar at Mary Ann’s is just her attempt to conceal a hookup that she assumes you don’t remember. Whatever the case may be, honesty is always the best policy in these situations.

You have to be upfront with her and address your past romantic history if this relationship is going to go anywhere. If it somehow came out later that you remembered your one-time hookup but didn’t say anything, you’d look like a sleazy jerk (and that’s the nice way of putting it). Even if this is just headed toward a friendship, laughing over freshman year indiscretions is a great pastime at MA’s, and it is certainly a conversation starter.

Julia Wilson is a senior staff writer for The Heights. She can be reached at features@bcheights.com

humor

Everybody just needs to chill out a little Ryan McGuill This week has been odd, and not just in the sense of the unconditionally warm weather for February (you can blame that on global warming – and if you don’t, then you’re a fascist), but rather in the downright cranky attitudes of my fellow classmates. I’ve even noticed that this epidemic of irritability has spread beyond the Boston College bubble. I called my mom the other day, and she was ticked off that my voicemail box was full, thus preventing her from leaving a just-checking-in-call-me-back type of message.

(Mom, if you’re reading this, send a text next time. It’s way easier.)

I walked by some Canadian geese the other day, and I think the alpha goose hissed at me, which was actually frightening at first because I was expecting it to make a less hostile sound. But, then I wasn’t frightened at all when I reminded myself that it was Canadian. Even the guys driving the T were angrier than usual, which I honestly didn’t think was possible after that ban on phone usage.

“What could possibly be bringing us down, Ryan?” you may be asking me right now, probably to no avail. “Is it the full moon? Is it the construction?

Is it the sudden influx of overly fluorescent colors being sported around campus because of the UGBC cam-

paigns? The Quad hurts my eyes now.”

Well, fear not, my friend. After hours of tireless research and a grant that would make the Flynn Fund blush in comparison, I must say that my discoveries may surprise you in that I have really discovered nothing. But that’s the whole point. This sudden emergence of stress and frustration may have come about from someone’s favorite pseudo-celebrity being voted off Dancing with the Stars (Weird Al Yankovic? No!), or maybe some delusional Steelers fan is still stuck in a post-Super Bowl state of depression. There are a variety of different reasons, and it’s purely coincidental that everyone in Boston is acting like a cantankerous grandfather who can’t believe it’s taking this long for his meal to come out of the oven.

However, I have found a cure. It’s really quite simple, and it’s something that I know you’re all capable of doing.

If you’ve been having a bad week, I implore you to just chill out. Pump the breaks. Cool it. I am your doctor, and I am ordering you all to take a chill pill, twice daily, for two weeks.

“Really, Ryan? And how exactly do you expect me to chill out? I have to finish this paper, and I dropped my econ book in a puddle, and I lost my favorite pair of jeans, and I’m so overwhelmed, and you’re so callous.”

That wasn’t a direct quote from anyone but more of a summation of

what I’ve been hearing all week. Oh, and I shouldn’t forget that it’s usually topped off with a nervous utterance of “work hard, play hard, right?” If I had a nickel for every time I heard that phrase during this week, I’d have roughly 11 nickels, which might not seem like that many, but the repetition really starts to drive you insane after a while.

However, I think people need to loosen up the most about midterms.

Sure, they’re exams, and they’re worth a lot of your grade in the class, but are they worth a lot of your grade in life?

For example, I was verifiably chilling out with my friend, Ryan, on Tuesday night. I think we were watching Golden Girls, a show which truly eliminates all of the worries in your life, when Ryan’s roommate, Pat, stormed into the room, looking completely distraught and fatigued. “Patrick,” Ryan said. “What’s the problem?”

Now, I’ll first describe to you the actual reason behind Pat’s tired eyes, and then reveal what I initially thought Pat was flustered about.

“Well,” Pat responded. “I’ve got a macro test tomorrow. Oh, and I have a five-page paper to write for business law.”

Imagined reason: “Well,” Pat mumbled. “My dog got hit by a UPS truck. Oh, and my parents just sold my little brother to a traveling circus in Ukraine.” Pat is the perfect example

of someone who needs to be told to just chill out. A couple of big tests may seem bad when you’re in the moment, but really, they don’t matter the slightest bit in the grand scheme of life (cue the Disney music).

Oh, and the same goes for that girl who scoffed at me in Bapst after I laughed maybe a bit too loudly over some YouTube video. I only laughed once, and there was no need for you to glare at me in such an unpleasant way.

You know who you are. One day, I’ll see you in Bapst again, scoff at you, and make you feel awkward.

Why am I so concerned about the emotional well-being of BC? Maybe I’m just an eternal optimist. Or maybe I’m just extremely sensitive and hate to see someone in a bad mood. Girls, you can’t say you don’t like to see that in a guy, am I right?

Regardless, I’ll leave you with a bit of advice that goes along with my central theme: “Stop, children, what’s that sound? Everybody look what’s going down.” Sure, this song may have been written under the pretense of the Vietnam War, but if you bend its meaning a little bit, it’s completely obvious that you just need to pump the brakes and chill out.

Ryan McGuill is a staff columnist for The Heights. He can be reached at features@bcheights.com

The Heights

Monday, February 21, 2011

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Blackboard Vista, beware the IDeS of Boston College Technology, from B10

be the case. “I’ve taken classes in both CSOM and A&S, and although I use a lot of technology in my daily life, sometimes, in a literature class, it’s just not that relevant,” Almeida says.

IDeS motivates faculty to use technology to enhance student learning by awarding those who do so in the annual Teaching with New Media (TWIN) awards. Jeanne Pino, associate director of IDeS, oversees the TWIN awards, which are currently in their seventh year. The award ceremony takes place at eTeaching Day, an event hosted by IDeS that brings workshops and resources to the faculty at the end of the academic year.

“The TWIN awards are a great way for faculty to showcase technologies that have received positive feedback with students and are meaningful and innovative,” Pino says. Last year, IDeS received close to 400 student nominations of faculty members, which narrowed down to 208 professors.

Pino and Clark agreed that students should be as vocal as possible, not just by nominating professors for TWIN awards, but also by making suggestions to professors directly. “So many of the

professors that come to us say they were receiving student pressure to step up the technology,” Clark says. “Student pressure really helps us.”

TWIN award winners from last year include Nugent for his Ulysses class, Rosanna DeMarco of the Connell School of Nursing, and Peter Wilson, a professor in the CSOM accounting department. Among other initiatives, DeMarco used Skype and Wimba Classroom to host video presentations of colleagues in the public health field, and Wilson used lecture capture and tablet PCs to share classroom notes and presentations with students.

Wilson and his wife, Carolyn Wilson, have been working on compiling an online reservoir of accounting modules on their personal website, Navigating Accounting, since 1991. In addition to integrating these resources into their curriculum at BC, the Wilsons used Echo360 software to record video and audio during classroom lectures made available to students on Blackboard.

The Wilsons’ motivation for incorporating technology into their teaching strategy is multifaceted. “Technology allows students to work in different learning modes,” Peter Wilson says.

“Lecture capture specifically allows students to learn at their own speed, to stop the tape and go back when something starts to get more complex.”

They also say that technology allows them to cover more content by exporting it from the classroom to the Internet, while maintaining indepth conversations in class. “As more and more content becomes important for students to know, it’s kind of like trying to fit 10 pounds of sugar in a five-pound bag,” Peter Wilson says. “Navigating Accounting and lecture capture help us do that.

You might think with lectures posted online that students don’t come to class, but we’ve found that just the opposite is true. Students come and they are more engaged.”

This is a concern of many faculty members, including Dale Herbeck, a professor in the communication department who teaches courses on communication law and Cyberlaw. “Twenty-five years ago, I would walk into the classroom with just a piece of chalk and me,” Herbeck says. “Now, I’m embedding video and audio clips into my PowerPoint presentations. It’s important to use multimedia to keep today’s students engaged.”

Herbeck and the Wilsons also shared their insights on the legal considerations of lecture capture and technology and content in the classroom.

“For our purposes, we consider anything done on campus to be the joint intellectual property of us, BC, and the students,” Wilson says. Therefore, none of the lectures recorded at BC can be found on the Wilsons’ Navigating Accounting website.

Herbeck says that theoretically, lectures aren’t copyrighted because they don’t exist in a fixed form. Additionally, there would be no issue with a student recording a professor’s lecture for personal use. The really interesting question with lecture capture relates to the intellectual property that exists within the lecture itself. “In Communication Law, I show pictures all the time, and I didn’t attain permission to use them,” Herbeck says. “I can get away with that because I’m using them for educational purposes, but the line becomes blurred when I record my lectures and try to market or sell them.”

IDeS continues to work closely with faculty in addressing these issues and educating professors on new technologies available and how to use them. n

The college gaming craze takes hold of the BC campus

Photo Courtesty of Flickr

AP Photo / CapCOm

Newly released Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is the latest installation in the fighting series that combines comic book characters from two diffeferent universes, while “Call of Duty” remains one of the most popular online multiplayer shooters

Video Games, from B10 new and old systems offer something completely different. Kanya says the new systems have brought about a video game experience that eliminates the things people hate about technology, enabling things like better graphics and shorter loading times. Despite the vast improvements that the new generation of video game systems offers, the older consoles seem to have a timeless element to them “At the same time, if you ask me what my five favorite games of all time are, only one or two would be from the latest systems,” Kanya says.

Sperry finds that the newer systems and the older systems both have something to offer. “I really enjoy playing the newest game, whatever it is, because I am amazed by the realism,” Sperry says. “Sometimes, I’m surprised how addicting the old games can be though like Mario Kart 64.”

Hardin says that while she usually prefers to play classic games, she really likes the Wii. “The new Nin-

tendo system is much more physical than video games have been in the past,”Hardin says, “Because you move with it, it’s a lot more fun than just sitting down with a controller in your hand.”

Video games can sometimes hook students in four hours. The Pew Internet and American Life Project Survey also found that 49 percent of students said that video games prevented them from studying “some” or “a lot.” It’s become a method of procrastination. While sports game such as FIFA and Madden can easily be played in 15 minute increments, shooting games such as Call of Duty and Halo can suck players in for hours of online competition. In response to being asked if he has ever missed class because of video games, Sperry laughs and nods. “Yes. In fact, I even brought my X-Box to work once to play Just Cause 2. I’m not addicted, but that game was insane.”

“I’ve never skipped class because of video games, but I’ve definitely lost a lot of sleep in my life because of them,” Kanya says.

With busy schedules during the week, many stu-

dents find that playing games late at night on the weekend is their only option. “The desire to play video games definitely goes up after parties and drinking, but performance goes down ultimately ending in damaged controllers and video equipment,” Sperry says. For Sperry, Kanya, and their roommates, playing Halo after a party comes as naturally as getting Late Nite food from Lower Dining Hall.

With great variety comes great responsibility.

Popular games among today’s college students include Mario Kart 64, World of Warcraft, Call of Duty, Black Ops, FIFA, and Madden.

Although the gaming culture does seem to be dominated by guys claiming addictions to Halo or FIFA, the gaming culture definitely includes girls too.

Hardin sees them as a way to compete. “I play with some of my guy friends as a way to compete with them and trash talk with them,” Hardin says. “It’s fun. It’s a good way to compete with them besides sports. It’s almost an equal playing field.”

Hardin does not define herself as a gamer, saying

that she really only plays video games a couple hours of month. But playing Wii and competing against guys in Mario Kart or Super Smash Brothers is definitely a part of many girls’ college experiences, she says.

“A lot of us girls will play old school video games … but not so much the new ones like World Of Warcraft ... I couldn’t tell you the first thing about that,” Hardin says.

The gaming culture has become much more mainstream in recent years. “It’s pretty awesome to see how the video game culture has become so much more mainstream instead of like how it was when I was in grade school, when I was ostracized for dressing up as Ryu from Street Fighter for Halloween in grade school,” Kanya says. “Now, as a 21-year-old, people think that’s awesome.”

As people talk about the modern college experience and mull over academics, parties, extracurricular activities, and relationships, it might be a good idea for them to include video games in their discussion. n

New GRE puts students and Use the elevator efficiently their capabilities to the test How-to

Brendan Kneeland

By Lauren Gray For The Heights

After students said goodbye to AP exams, SAT Subject Tests, and the SAT itself, having all but sold their souls to CollegeBoard, they breathed a sigh of relief. Standardized testing was over with, and they were finally moving on to bigger and better things. Forgetting about their dreams of going to graduate, medical, business, or law school, many students unconsciously blocked out the thought that the GRE, MCAT, GMAT, or LSAT would haunt them somewhere in the future.

The GRE is the most general of these endof-college-career exams and can be used for admission to graduate programs and business schools. It is similar to the SAT in that it is divided into three sections that correspond to the SAT’s reading, math, and writing – verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. However, it is a computerized test that requires test takers to pace themselves and plan their own breaks throughout the exam.

“There was no way to go back in a section, so you really had to plan your time well, and I didn’t like that,” says Erin Brandt, A&S ’11, in an e-mail.

Luckily for Brandt and other test-takers unsatisfied with the current format of the exam, as of Aug. 1, the GRE is becoming more “user friendly.” It is allowing test takers to preview

and review the questions in a section, tag questions in a section so that they can come back to them later, change answers within a section, and provide an on-screen calculator for the quantitative reasoning portion.

Similar to the changes made regarding the SAT, questions in the verbal reasoning section are no longer going to focus on

grams I applied to,” she says.

Also unlike the SAT, the GRE is not surrounded by quite as much controversy and debate.

The test has not been proven to be written for a certain demographic and, because a smaller, more specific group of people takes it – namely soon-to-be college graduates – the playing field is more leveled.

Brandt says that the entire graduate school application process is more individualized and specific than undergraduate college admission, and so people compete among themselves and most commonly take the GRE only once. “I took it to get into ed grad programs, hoping to get my master’s and a job, and my roommate took it to get into Ph.D. programs for medical research,” Brandt says. “Everyone has very different motivations for taking it.”

The multitude of reasons people take the test calls for more individualized, solo preparation. While Kaplan offers an online class and Boston College offers a prep course, Brandt says the majority of her friends prepared with the Princeton Review book. The book suggests allotting 12 weeks to studying and focusing on what students struggle with the most.

While the GRE, or similar tests, might be a few years off for many undergraduates, others who will have to embrace it sooner should keep one thing in mind – this time around, they may keep their soul intact. n

“While it may appear that a second SAT is awaiting many college students, the GRE is not quite as much of a be all end all. “ antonyms and analogies or vocabulary out of context, but will be more reading comprehension based. The quantitative reasoning section will be based on data interpretation, rather than basic mathematical concepts, and the analytical writing section will ask for more specific, focused responses.

While it may appear that a second SAT is awaiting many college students, the GRE is not quite as much of a be all, end all. Brandt says that, for many graduate schools, the GRE is simply a formality and not weighed as heavily as the SAT in the college admissions process. “I think your transcript and resume are more important, at least for the pro-

What I have gathered after a year and a half of college life: Hygiene habits vary … widely. For a select few, even here at Boston College, the once-a-day shower has become entirely optional.

BC provides many picturesque, wide, and open green spaces for us to lounge and let nature absorb those nauseating odors. There are places, however, on campus much more confined and poorly ventilated. These shining, silvery gateways once represented the modern age of industry and innovation, the elevator. Elisha Otis had no idea of the long armed repercussions when he patented his groundbreaking design in 1852. The elevator is, for some, a much-feared medium that no longer stands for convenience but terror, awkward encounters, and stench.

But let us cut through the stink of late teenagers and early 20 year olds and examine the real issue at hand. Although this campus is filled with a many varied types of elevators, two things remain constant. At BC, most elevators are slow and filled with a handful of people you sort of know through that one friend.

The sloth-like characteristics of the on-campus elevators leave much to be desired. Perhaps travel time to class, to dinner, or even just to change a load of delicates has been purposefully slowed to propagate a more pensive state of mind while on campus – the Jesuit ideals that the University was founded upon are deeply piercing. Regardless of the source, four feet per minute is something we should not stand for. At those speeds, we are in desperate need of an elevator bench comeback.

This is all beside the point, and I am very sorry. So with no further ado, I present to you “Ups and downs: How to ride the elevator.”

If you have cut through the significant amount of dramatic introduction, then you already have the layout, a six-by-six foot square box about the height of an NCAA athlete, and likely filled with one or more “half-acquaintances,” and possibly their farts.

A few different methods have emerged on campus in the way of dealing with these especially awkward encounters. The imaginary phone call to avoid that undesired or just unnecessary conversation in the Quad has evolved from its original form to the imaginary text message. It is important, if you commit to this method, to crane your head as far forward as possible. Never look up. Even if your floor has not been selected, it is, sometimes, preferable to just get off at the floor nearest yours and take the stairs the rest of the way. It is important to vary your facial expressions. Imagine that you are messaging your mother or father about the health of a relative. The objective is to tell everyone standing near you that you absolutely could not exchange even pleasantries, without actually telling them anything.

Flipping through a book looks corny. It is acceptable, however, to concentrate on the corner of the steel box you are sharing with that guy you think your roommate brought back to the room last night while holding a book. This is most effective while heading to a floor with a lounge or on your way to class. If, God forbid, you do catch the eye of a half-acquaintance, keep the back-and-forth short and do a good deal of looking at your feet.

Ask the friend where he or she is

going. Ask if he or she has a lot of work (during the week). Stick to questions that only require brief and objective answers. This is not Maury.

Now, there exists a certain etiquette that is required if a simple, unremarkable interaction is desired. First, do not take the elevator to “walkable” floors. Most dorms on Lower Campus have seven or eight floors. The fourth floor is just barely acceptable.

The second is entirely out of the question, and the third is looked down upon. In considering the third floor, there are extenuating circumstances. This is a delicate balance that depends on how much the passenger is holding and how heavy or cumbersome it is, how old the passenger is – there are exceptions for professors and visiting grandparents – and how judgmental the elevator community is feeling. And you know what will be the talk of the town should you ride to three.

There really is, though, a small community that forms in those contraptions. The alpha-male or female – though alpha-females are fewer and fewer among BC elevator communities – first identifies himself by taking command of the controls. He will then interview his citizens. “Which floor?”

(This, of course, poses a problem to passengers trying to avoid conversation. It is best to act very bothered and stressed out.

Respond with just the number.)

And should the elevator community decide that you, fumbling with your package and just squeezing through the door you wedged open with your thigh, are not worth waiting for, do not panic. Do not shame yourself further. Pick yourself up, take a deep breath. And if this all seems like too much, take the stairs. I do.

Features

B10

Monday, February 21, 2011

Join the Video Game Revolution

By Zac Halpern Heights Editor

sometimes deviating from the game developer’s planned course of action. “Like when GTA came out, I spent more time doing the things I wanted to do in real life than actually participating in the story line,” Sperry says.

For Sperry’s roommate, Andreas Kanya, CSOM ’11, the reason he plays video games depends on the type of game. “For sports, it’s all about competing with your friends, it’s a social activity,” Kanya says. “But for first person shooter games, it’s all about beating random people online. It’s really fulfilling. For strategy and roleplaying, it’s about living in another world that you wouldn’t be able to be in otherwise.”

Video games have long been a part of many students’ lives. It’s something that students bring with them from their experience at home. For Kanya, whose father is a computer programmer in Silicon Valley, video games have been a part of his life for as long as he can remember.

“We [my family] have always had computers,” Kanya says. “I started out playing on a 286. I was playing on floppy discs. Literally, you were a square running around chasing another square. I’ve been playing since before I can even remember.”

Sperry says he too starting playing video games at a young age.

“My older brother had the original Nintendo,” Sperry says, “so I remember playing Mario 3 and things on that since I was 4-years-old, if not earlier.”

Sperry and Kanya are not the only ones who grew up playing video games. Jennie Hardin, A&S ’13, says her memories of playing video games as a child are the main reason she plays video games at school. “Its fun to connect back to your childhood, which is why I think so many people play video games,” Hardin says.

For Sperry and Kanya, both the

See Video Games, B9

Mollie Kolosky / Heights Graphic

When people talk about the social aspect of the college experience, there tends to be a focus on parties, beer, and, in Boston College’s case, the hook-up culture. Video games, however, seem to be almost always overlooked, but they have become a pivotal part of college life and BC is no exception. Walk into any Mod or eight-man in Walsh and there’s bound to be a X-Box or a PlayStation console, stirring quietly next to the flatscreen TV in the common room.

In a 2003 Pew Internet and American Life Project survey that polled 1,162 college students at 27 colleges and universities, it was reported that two out of every three of these students said that they occasionially play video games. The study surprised many researchers, who previously perceived video games as an antisocial activity. Forty-six percent of students said that they play multi-

player video games and 9 percent said they play multiplayer computer games. Believe it or not, video games are now a social activity.

Video games and college go hand in hand. It’s an integral part of the way students socialize and sometimes it’s even the reason they miss class. The reasons students play video games differ from gamer to gamer. For Nic Sperry, A&S ’11, a self-described socially normal senior with a girlfriend, video games are a part of his daily life.

“To be honest, I guess you can do things that you can’t do in real life,” Sperry says. “I’ve always had this desire to jump out of a helicopter while shooting a gun and then pull my parachute, land on top of a car and then steal that car and drive it off a cliff. I just want to do crazy things.”

Referencing the hugely popular, albeit controversial, Rockstar video game franchise Grand Theft Auto, Sperry says he uses the freedom offered in games to live out his own desires,

Bringing new technology into 21st century classrooms

By Christine McClary For The Heights

It’s no surprise or secret that technology has infiltrated nearly every aspect of the college student’s lifestyle, in many cases with no less speed and ease than the act of hitting F5 to refresh. Naturally, as members of a generation that learned computer and Internet skills starting in elementary school, could anything less be expected? However, while students tend to be on autopilot when it comes to adopting new technology, the seamless integration of technology into teaching at the university level is a process that takes a lot of conscious steering.

Enter Instructional Design and eTeaching Services (IDeS) of Boston College, an office that operates under the Office of the Provost and whose mission is “to assist instructors who integrate technology into their teaching.” IDeS was founded 10 years ago, inspired by faculty feedback. Professors were beginning to require more than just an informational technology (IT) department to support new initiatives in the classroom as the student body became increasingly technology-driven.

Since those first years, IDeS has grown to support a suite of tools that range from iClickers to a classroom polling system to MediaKron, an online

tool developed in-house by IDeS for presenting and exploring multimedia course content. Elizabeth Clark, director of IDeS, explains that this growth has always been, and continues to be, based on a grassroots model. “Our role has been to see where faculty are at and see opportunities for implementing technology,” Clark says. “There’s not a top-down model, we don’t impose technology on the faculty.

Even Blackboard Vista, the learning management system, that’s all voluntary.”

The numbers on Blackboard usage speak to its success with faculty. Currently, 70 percent of faculty members have a Blackboard page, and 98 percent of students use Blackboard for at least one class.

However, this type of widespread adoption does not always occur with IDeS technologies. BCShare, BC’s own Wiki site, is one such example. The site allows faculty and students, through the formation of groups, to share content and collaborate with one another online. Despite the time and resources used to develop the site, the community on BCShare is quite small. IDeS reports only about 35 faculty users per semester.

Student feedback on BCShare tends to be negative as well. “BCShare is just a disaster,” says Nate Almeida, A&S ’11 “It doesn’t have a lot of the basic functionality you would expect from a Wiki. It’s very difficult to set up, it’s kind of clumsy to use, it can’t

i nside FE ATURES this issue

support a live Twitter feed or Google reader.”

Almeida became familiar with BCShare while enrolled in a course on James Joyce’s Ulysses taught

by Joseph Nugent, a professor in the English department, and while working on Nugent’s research project. The goal of the project is to create a website, and eventually an iPhone app, that map Leopold Bloom’s passage through Dublin. Almeida concedes that for the purposes of the research project and class collaboration, BCShare’s capabilities were sufficient.

But he maintains his critical opinion.

Brendan Quinn, CSOM ’11 and an information systems major, reports similar feelings on BCShare and on Blackboard Vista. “I bet if you were to go around and survey students on their opinions on Blackboard, they would tell you that it’s terrible,” Quinn says. “And I bet if you went around to professors and ask them what their feelings on Blackboard are, they would tell you the same thing.” In fact, rather than rely on Blackboard or BCShare, the Carroll School of Management (CSOM) has chosen to partner with SocialText, a company that delivers social software to businesses.

IDeS reports that it is not unaware of student dissatisfaction. “Blackboard does a good job at being a stable repository for content, but it is a legacy system,” Clark says. “We know it has its issues, and it is what it is.”

Gearing up for the GRE

In fact, IDeS is in the process of replacing Blackboard Vista, with the goal of phasing the system out by 2013. After an internal review of products on the market, IDeS plans to test options with faculty and students, gathering as much feedback from both parties as possible before deciding on a new content management system. “IDeS is very much looking forward to the new generation of Blackboard Vista,” Clark says. “Believe me, we are more familiar than anybody with the limitations of the system.”

Clearly, there is a difference between the speed at which students are able to integrate technology into the way they live and learn and the speed at which faculty are able to integrate technology into their classrooms and teaching strategies. Much of this is due to a generation gap. “As the generations shift in the faculty, we have seen more enthusiasm about integrating technology into the pedagogical model,” Clark says.

Discrepancies in technology integration among professors, such as between those in A&S and CSOM, for example, may have less to do with the enthusiasm of professors in these schools and more to do with the relevance of technology to the content area. Almeida, an English major, recognizes this to

Graduate school testing prompts new struggles for students already dealing with other challenges of academic life...............................................................................................B9

See Technology, B9

Humor Column.................................B8 Campus Chronicles.........................B8

The Heights

B2

Monday, February 21, 2011

Tournament hopes still uncertain after split

By Andrew Klokiw For The Heights

Going into the weekend’s crucial ACC games against Boston College 73 the Miami and 50 Virginia, Virginia the women’s basketball team held a 17-8 record and aspirations of an NCAA tournament bid. Wins in both games would place them in a good spot come Selection Sunday, where as dropping both match-ups

would have nasty consequences when the committee reviewed Boston College’s resume.

The Eagles, for better or worse, ended the weekend splitting the series and finished almost exactly where they started after losing to the Hurricanes on Thursday night and defeating the Cavaliers handily on Sunday, 73-50.

Against Virginia, the Eagles jumped out to an impressive 20-0 lead, not allowing a single point until the Cavaliers’ China

Nick Rellas / HEIGHTS Staff

Miami solved BC’s perimeter play late, holding Doherty to one of six from deep.

Crosby registered a layup at the 10:19 mark. In the run, Stefanie Murphy and Kerri Shields combined for six points a piece.

The Eagles extended their lead throughout the first half by taking aim from beyond the arc. BC shot five for nine from deep in the earlygoings, but also played great defense on the other end. Virginia shot just 19.4 percent from the floor overall in the first half, and only fared slightly better in the second frame, finishing at 28.4 percent. The Cavaliers did not register a single made 3-pointer in 12 attempts.

Sophomore guard Shields was the game’s leading scorer with 17 points on five-of-eight shooting from behind the arc, and senior captain Carolyn Swords registered her second double-double of the weekend with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

On Thursday, the Eagles hosted the No. 13 Hurricanes (23-3, 9-2 ACC) in a pinkthemed showdown. During the game, which was dedicated to raising breast cancer awareness, players donned warm-up shirts, headbands, socks, and shoelaces in support of the cause.

The game itself was a fastpaced, high-scoring affair as the teams combined for 170 total points. After taking an eight-point lead into halftime, the Eagles were largely outplayed in the second half, falling to the Hurricanes by a score of 90-80.

The Eagles held the lead for most of the first half, eventually going into the break leading 49-41. However, the Hurricanes came out for the second half more prepared than the Eagles as they went on a 10-0 run in the first three minutes and four seconds of the half to take a 51-

49 advantage.

This run saw the momentum slip away from BC, as junior point guard Riquna Williams scored six of the 10 points after only having a single, solitary basket in the first half.

Miami was also paced in the second half by senior guard and All-American candidate Shenise Johnson, who scored the other four points in that 10-0 run.

Williams would finish with 25, including 23 in the second half, and Johnson ended with 30, as the Eagles had no answer for the hot shooting of Johnson and fast-break ability of Williams.

Head coach Sylvia Crawley had nothing but praise for the duo.

“There’s a reason why these two players, No. 42 and No. 1, lead the ACC and the nation in scoring,” she said. “They are pretty tough.”

The Eagles did manage to claw their way back into the game, when a 3-pointer from Shields tied the contest at 73 with 5:54 remaining in the game.

It was not meant to be for BC, though, as the Hurricanes seized back the momentum and registered their second devastating 10-0 run of the game to take an insurmountable 83-73 lead with a little over 2:30 to play.

BC was led on the evening by a double-double from Swords, who was recently named to the midseason top 30 watch list for the Naismith Award, given annually to the player of the year in both women’s and men’s college basketball.

She finished with 23 points and 13 rebounds in 36 minutes of play, employing an effective turnaround move in the low post that Miami seemed to have

Nick Rellas / HEIGHTS Staff

Shields hit 10 3-pointers in the two contests, setting the offensive pace for BC. no answer for.

“I thought Carolyn played well,” Crawley said. “She was 10 for 13 from the f loor; she was effective when we got her the ball. We tried to go inside a lot tonight because we knew that they would have problems matching up with her inside.”

The Eagles also received major contributions from Shields, who finished with 17 points, including five 3-pointers.

The women currently sit in seventh place in the highly

competitive ACC with three conference games left to play.

At 18-9, the team has kept its hope alive of earning a bid for the NCAA tournament.

When asked about her team’s goals for the remainder of the season, Crawley said, “We want to finish strong. Every game is going to be tough, everybody is working for their seed in the tournament and they’re trying to finish up strong so it’s not going to be easy. Every game is going to be a battle.” n

Heading into postseason, BC finishes strong

Seniors Kurth, Hart, Stack, and Schaus go out victorious in their last regular season game

By Robert T. Balint Heights Staff

SPORTS in SHORT

For the four seniors of the women’s hockey team, Melissa Bizzari’s two-goal performance is Boston College 2 surely a comNew Hampshire 1 forting sign. Although each member of the group played her last regular season game as an Eagle on Sunday afternoon, Katelyn Kurth, Kelli Stack, Laura Hart, and Molly Schaus are leaving the team in young and capable hands. No. 7 Boston College (21-6-6, 134-4 HE) beat New Hampshire (14-16-2, 7-13-1) in Durham, N.H., on Sunday afternoon by a score of 2-1.

Bizzari’s first goal came unassisted six minutes into the first period, and then she found her way past Wildcats goaltender Kayley Herman again midway through the third when she was assisted by teammate Mary Restuccia. Schaus made 23 saves, and gave up the lone UNH goal with a minute left in the game. Bizzari earned a star for the two goals, her eighth and ninth of the season.

Goaltender Molly Schaus finished her regular season career with the Eagles on a high note, consistently sending Wildcat strikes aside to register 23 saves on the day and her 21st win of the 2010-11 campaign. At times, her job was tough, considering BC was called for five penalties, including two in the final period, which gave UNH a man advantage for several minutes of the contest.

BC’s season now finished, the Eagles will take a week off before beginning postseason play in the Hockey East tour-

nament semifinals on March 5-6. BC is currently slotted as the No. 2 seed in the conference, and will await the highest seed that remains from the quarterfinals round at the neutral site of Walter Brown Arena at Boston University.

The win against the Wildcats comes a day after the two teams met in Chestnut Hill, when the Eagles grinded out a 0-0 tie. There was something different about the rink on Saturday, however – the numbers of the four seniors, No. 14, No. 16, No. 27, and No. 30, were emblazoned at center ice.

For Kurth, Stack, Hart, and Schaus, the ceremony was a touching way to end their collegiate career, but the shutout performance during their last home game as Eagles was as intense and dominating as the atheletes themselves were for the majority of their playing days.

“For me, it was a little sad,” head coach Katie King said after the game. “Those kids have obviously done a lot for our team, and have come through here and really put their mark on the program.”

Stack and Schaus, who both serve as captains alongside Kurth, were absent from the roster during the 2009-10 season due to their appearance on the United States national team, and helped the U.S. bring home silver at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Hart, an Illinois native, transferred to BC from Clarkson for her junior year, earning playing time in all 35 games while being named to the 2009-10 All-ACC Academic Honor Roll. Kurth, a staunch fixture on the Eagles defensive line, is a second-year captain originally from

Hockey East Standings Team

Conference

New Hampshire Boston College Merrimack Boston University Maine Northeastern Massachusetts Vermont Providence UMass-Lowell

16-4-3 16-6-1 15-5-3 13-5-5 11-8-4 9-8-6 5-13-5 5-13-5 3-14-6 3-20-0

Overall 18-7-5 22-7-1 21-5-4 16-9-7 14-10-6 11-12-7 6-18-5 7-17-6 7-16-7 4-22-2

New Jersey. “[The seniors] have helped us elevate our game to the next level, and that’s a credit to the hard work they’ve done,” King said.

Blake Bolden took five shots, while teammate Taylor Wasylk had six, but UNH goalie Kayley Herman made 29 saves to keep the scorers quiet.

“I don’t think we had a lot of great scoring opportunities,” King said. “[The Wildcats] did a good job of keeping us away from their net.”

Although the offense left something

to be desired, Schaus managed to fend off a persistent UNH effort with an outstanding performance in goal, making 42 saves for her fourth shutout performance of the season. The senior fought through 12 minutes worth of UNH power plays off six BC penalties, three of which came in the closing minutes of regulation.

Just a minute after the Eagles were penalized for having too many players on the ice, Mary Restuccia was called for elbowing with 2:24 remaining and was joined in the penalty box by teammate Danielle Welch a little over a minute later.

The Wildcats pushed hard in the ensuing five-on-three, but Schaus endured several outside slap shots and a frenzy of action just in front of the crease to keep New Hampshire scoreless until the buzzer.

The veteran goaltender made 18 of her 42 saves in the third period, and finished out overtime with two stops, earning a star.

The other two went to teammate Wasylk and UNH goaltender Herman.

“Our goalie played great, especially when they’re calling that many penalties on us,” King said. “Molly kept us in it there, kept it tied.” n

ALEX TRAUTWIG / HEIGHTS EDITOR

Schaus finished her final Hockey East series with a 65 saves over two games, allowing just one goal on her way to earning her 21st win of the year.

Numbers to Know

26.9

Field goal percentage for the men’s basketball team in its 48-46 loss to UNC on Saturday.

25

Combined penalties between Northeastern and BC in their 7-7 tie Friday night, the most in any Eagles game this season.

5-for-9

Sophomore goaltender Parker Milner’s save rate on Friday, which resulted in him being pulled for John Muse.

Quote of the Week “The coaches kind of talked me into joing the team. I didn’t really need convincing, just reassurance. I was overwhelmed. I didn’t know what to think. You see a lot of different coaching styles, and I just wanted to hear what they were about. They sold me.”

— John Cahill

The Heights

Monday, February 21, 2011

B3

BC drops second game, series to Northeastern Upset at Last, from B1

“I think our self-urgency was pretty high then,” Atkinson said of the last two minutes. “But it’s gotta be just as high the entire 60 minutes. We got some great opportunities. Rawlings played a great game. Northeastern played a great game. We played a great game. Just the outcome wasn’t like we wanted it.”

“I felt very good about how we played tonight,” York said. “We were technically sound, our competing level was very high. I thought we played way, way better than the previous two games of the series.”

After a scoreless first period, Northeastern got on the scoreboard 13:05 into the second frame.

While the puck was in BC’s offensive zone, Northeastern’s Brodie Reid somehow got separation at the offensive blue line, and received a long pass from Luke Eibler. Reid skated in by himself from the right side of the zone, and went across Muse’s body before backhanding the puck through the five-hole.

“I think they caught us with the long floater play,” York said. “[Reid] was hanging on the far blue line, and he walked in on a breakaway. It’s a gamble if they don’t turn it up, we have extra players in the zone. But they caught us with one of those floater plays.”

The Huskies’ second goal didn’t come until the third period, off a BC turnover in the defensive zone. Braden Pimm intercepted a pass just inside of the blue line, skated in between the circles, and shot the puck to Muse’s right side into the back of the net.

“We had the puck and I think we just missed the pass and we turned it over,” York said. “Looked like it was a good pass, it just kind of went under our guy’s stick.”

BC finished the game with 37 shots to Northeastern’s 21 but was unable to capitalize on several

scoring opportunities. “[Northeastern] capitalized on two opportunities,” York said. “I’d like to see us cash in a little bit more on our chances.”

York described the previous two games against Northeastern as shinny games, and despite the loss, said that his team played better Saturday.

“Our hockey club, our effort and our execution tonight, from my vantage point, was way better than the Beanpot game and the game last night at our building,” York said. “That was a hockey game.

The other two nights were shinny games. Kind of reminded me of summer hockey, where there are 27 goals in two games. This was much more like hockey in February should be.”

“The last couple games were what Coach likes to call shinny games, just back and forth, back and forth,” Atkinson said. “It wasn’t our style of play.

But tonight I think we played really well as a whole.

Obviously the outcome wasn’t the way we wanted it, but we did some good things. There were a couple of plays where we wish we could have gotten them back, but overall I think we played pretty well.”

One bright spot in the loss was the penalty kill for BC. Although the Eagles were ranked first in the country just last week on the PK, Northeastern exposed their flaws, scoring five power-play goals in two games. But on Saturday night, BC held the Huskies scoreless on two power-play opportunities, allowing just one shot in the process. The Eagles also only committed four penalties, with two of those coming on matching minors for roughing.

“I thought we played much better, from a technical standpoint, from an execution standpoint, from all aspects,” York said. “Our PK was much better tonight, we took less penalties. A lot of things that usually add up to giving yourself a good chance to win a hockey game, and I thought we did that tonight.” n

nick rellas / heights staff

Cam Atkinson (right) and the Eagles were desperate for an equalizer after he cut the deficit to one with 2:11 left.

Nick rellas / heights staff

The quintet of Kreider (above), Mullane, Hayes, Cross and Dumoulin is one of the best power play units in the country.

Early-season work on power play pays dividends

By Steven Principi For The Heights

At the beginning of the season, the Boston College power play struggled in game situations, so the Eagles spent extra practice time on special teams.

Head coach Jerry York wanted his team to be smarter and faster while on the man advantage.

Over the last several games, they have done just that.

With a solid three-of-seven performance last Friday against Northeastern, the Eagles are five for their last 14 on the power play, making them a dangerous team when given the man advantage.

“We work on our special teams throughout the whole course of the season,” York said. “At this point of the season, we hope that our cohesiveness has improved from where we started.”

Against Northeastern, the Eagles scored early and often on the power play. Jimmy Hayes capitalized on BC’s first man advantage of the night off a deflected shot, but it wasn’t the goal that had York so impressed.

“Our puck movement on the power play all night was really impressive,” he said. “I thought that both our units did a good job making smart plays and getting a lot of pucks on the net.”

BC’s power play features two dangerous units.

The first unit includes Tommy Cross and Brian Dumoulin on defense and Chris Kreider, Pat Mullane, and Hayes at forward. The second unit is made up of five forwards, with Brian Gibbons, Cam Atkinson, and Hayes up front and Steven and Joe Whitney at the back. On Friday night, both units managed to score.

“It was nice to see both our units getting those positive results,” York said. “It makes it a whole lot easier when everyone is working together and making things happen.”

The puck movement on Friday was one thing that York stressed more than anything. On their first power play, the Eagles held the puck for an entire 90-second stretch without losing possession.

The Huskies were never able to clear the zone and were noticeably winded when Hayes finally scored his goal.

“I thought that our first goal was a product of excellent movement on the power play,” York said.

“We made smart plays and the guys on the point did a good job of getting their shots off. Jimmy got a nice bounce on his shot, but that goal was really a result of a lot of hard work before that.”

Later in the first period, Gibbons teamed up with Atkinson on a two-on-one opportunity to give BC its second power-play goal of the night. Gibbons hit Atkinson with a perfect pass that left goalie Chris Rawlings without a chance. The connection between the two of them has become common in the last several games and has not gone unnoticed by the pair.

“I think it’s a result of a lot of hard work in practice,” Gibbons said, “We run a lot of two-on-one drills then and we like to run them full speed. Cam and I seem to jell in practice and its started to carry over to the games now, which we’re really proud of.”

The biggest success on the power play, however, came with just 38 seconds to go. Trailing 7-6 and already on the power play, the Eagles pulled goalie John Muse for an extra skater. Freshman Bill Arnold came on and went right to the front of the net. BC won control of the puck and got it to the senior Whitney. Rawlings saved Whitney’s shot, but Arnold controlled the rebound and put the puck in the top of the net. Arnold’s play managed to save the Eagles a point and kept them undefeated in their last eight games heading into Saturday’s rematch, a 2-1 loss.

“I thought it was a great individual effort by Bill,” York said. “There was so much traffic out front and for him to find the puck and get in a scoring position the way he did was just huge for us.”

BC’s power play has taken enormous strides over the course of the season. It is now one of the most dangerous power plays not only in Hockey East, but in the country. With all the talent the team has, the power play will almost certainly be key as the Eagles look to make another deep run in the postseason. n

Explosive game on Friday ends in overtime tie

By Conrad Kaczmarek For The Heights

On most nights, scoring seven goals would lead to a blowout victory. Boston College is learnBoston College 7 ing quickly that 7 Northeastern this is hardly the case against Northeastern.

No one expected a game as exciting as the 7-6 overtime thriller in the Beanpot title game, but Friday night’s rematch between BC and Northeastern came about as close as one could have hoped. After one of the most amazing games in recent Beanpot history, the crosstown rivals met up once again Friday night at Kelley Rink for the front end of a home-away weekend series.

And once again, BC and Northeastern put on a show.

The Eagles netted an early goal from Jimmy Hayes on a dominant power play just over three minutes in, but this one was far from over. After a combined 24 penalties and 13 goals over the next 62 minutes, the Eagles and Huskies settled for a hard fought 7-7 draw.

Head coach Jerry York chose to start backup goaltender Parker Milner in order to keep starter John Muse fresh for Saturday night’s game at Northeastern.

It became apparent early on that Milner was not up to the task. Milner allowed four goals on nine shots before being replaced by Muse midway through the second period. The man in front of the goal hardly seemed to matter, as both teams seemed to score at will.

“It wasn’t our best effort defensively, and we kind of left our goalies out there to dry,” Brian Gibbons said.

“We have to tighten up and give our goaltenders some chances here,” York said.

At the 8:31 mark, Northeastern tied the game at one goal each on a defensive lapse by the Eagles deep in their own zone. Less than a minute later, however, Cam Atkinson put the Eagles back on top with his 22nd goal of the year. A few

nick rellas / heights staff

Sophomore Parker Milner was pulled from Friday night’s game midway through the second period after conceding four goals on just nine shots. minutes later, Chris Kreider scored, giving BC a 3-1 edge heading into the first intermission. After dominating the first 20 minutes, the top-ranked team in the country appeared poised to cruise to an easy home win. If the Beanpot title game was any indication, though, the Huskies were going to make sure they gave the Eagles all they could handle.

Northeastern responded by handling BC for most of the second period, outscoring the home team 3-1. Two Eagles penalties led to goals by NU’s Anthony Bitetto and Wade MacLeod early in the period, tying the game at three. Minutes later, the Huskies’ Robbie Vrolek sent one more past Milner to give the Huskies their first lead of the night, 4-3. York

had seen enough and decided to sub Muse in for Milner. Milner lasted only 28 minutes, allowing four goals on nine shots before being pulled in front of a restless sellout crowd.

The Eagles managed to even the score at four with just less than two minutes remaining in the second period when Chris Kreider netted his second goal of the night and 11th on the season.

BC’s top ranked penalty-kill team was put to the test all night as the Eagles racked up 13 penalties, including six in the final period of regulation.

“One reason our defense was not real sharp is because we’re killing an awful lot of penalties,” York said. “Clearly we do not want to take penalties like we

did tonight. It certainly puts you back on your heels.”

The Huskies took advantage of yet another penalty to retake the lead 20 seconds into the third. A few minutes later, while trying to kill yet another power play, Brian Gibbons dished to Cam Atkinson on a breakaway for the shorthanded goal. The score marked Atkinson’s second goal of the night and 23rd on the season, while Gibbons tallied his 100th career assist. The senior assistant captain became only the 14th player in BC history to reach the century mark in assists.

A five-minute major penalty on Kreider and another penalty on Patrick Wey for high-sticking set NU up for a

five-on-three opportunity. Just about halfway through the third period, the Huskies capitalized and scored their fourth power-play goal of the night. Still playing a man-down, the Eagles caught lightning in a bottle again when the Atkinson-Gibbons tandem connected for another shorthanded goal. This time the roles reversed as Atkinson passed to Gibbons, who finished past NU’s Chris Rawlings to once again tie the game.

“Just because you’re shorthanded, doesn’t mean you can’t score,” Gibbons said. “A lot of times you can catch the power-play offense kind of relaxed for a minute.”

The shorthanded goal marked the 10th of the year for the Eagles and the first time BC has recorded two shorthanded goals since October 2008. Not to be outdone, Northeastern answered this feat with a shorthanded goal of its own only moments later. NU’s Mike McLaughlin intercepted a pass and put away an unassisted goal with less than six minutes remaining to claim a 7-6 lead for the Huskies.

BC was given one more opportunity when NU’s Luke Eibler was whistled for interference with 2:34 remaining in the period. With a sense of urgency, York pulled Muse to give the Eagles a sixon-four advantage in attempts to even the score as time was winding down.

Pulling the goalie worked, as freshman Bill Arnold flicked it past Rawlings for the crunch-time equalizer with only 38 seconds left in the period.

“Billy Arnold was real strong in front of the goal there,” York said. “ It was a great effort to tie the game.”

The two squads headed to overtime tied at seven where they battled to a rather uneventful stalemate. The tie is the first of the year for BC, which stands 16-6-1 in the Hockey East after losing a night later. The Eagles and Huskies made a quick turnaround as they played the last of their three games in six days Saturday night at Northeastern’s Matthews Arena. n

The Heights

B4

Monday, February 21, 2011

Senior walk-on brings high basketball IQ to BC Cahill, from B1

“They kind of talked me into it,” Cahill said. “I didn’t really need convincing, just Division 2 and 3 schools out of Christian reassurance. I was overwhelmed. I didn’t Brothers Academy in Albany. Hobart, know what to think. You see a lot of difUnion, St. Rose, and St. Lawrence all of- ferent coaching styles, and I just wanted fered scholarships, but he wasn’t interested to hear what they were about. They sold in living in upstate New York anymore. me.”

“I definitely wanted to get out of Albany The members of the team, including for a little bit,” he said. “I was pretty sick Biko Paris and Danny Rubin, said he left of that. There’s only so much going on an immediate impression on them with his there. Once I decided I wasn’t going to three-point ability and understanding of play, coming here to a city like Boston was proper defensive technique. a no brainer.”

“I first met John in the fall, when he Although Cahill wasn’t on the varsity came to try out,” said Rubin, who joined team at Boston College, he still played with the team as a preferred walk-on after his friends in the Plex almost every day. He Donahue took over. “He reminded me of played in intramural and summer leagues me. We’re both skinny shooters. I didn’t to keep his game sharp. As a sophomore, know he could play so well until he joined he even played a few pick-up games against the team.” future teammate Peter Rehnquist, who Off the court, Cahill and Rubin have walked on last year. bonded over their love for Friday Night “We had some good match-ups,” Cahill Lights, the NBC TV show. Paris said Cahill said with a smile. “It’s pretty even in the is laid back, except for his constant need series. I might be up a game or two on him. to be connected.

We talk a lot of trash about that still.”

“It always seems like he’s on his BlackAt the beginning of his junior year, Berry,” Paris said, laughing. “He’s a fun guy Cahill was invited to join the women’s to be around because he’s always cracking basketball scout team by a friend after a jokes.” particularly competitive game at the Plex.

When practicing, Cahill brings more Guarding the likes of 6-foot-6 Carolyn than the typical energy and enthusiasm Swords and 6-foot-4 Stefanie Murphy you hear about from walk-ons. With his taught Cahill how to position himself to basketball pedigree, he adds a level of defend taller players. awareness most walk-ons can’t match. His “Seeing them prepare for games and defense, for example, is excellent because seeing how seriously they take practice he understands positioning so well. He helped reinforce what it takes to win in this always gets back in transition, preventing league,” he said. layups.

“It’s tough for me,” To play, or not to play Cahill said of matching “When I do well, he Cahill had resigned up with players at this tells me he’s proud himself to the fact that level. “I don’t have the his competitive basketathletic abilities they do of me. After the ball career was over when – the quickness and the Woody Kampmann, di- Maryland game, I did strength. But a big part rector of basketball opof it is being in the right the same. erations, sent him an eposition. If I can’t presI told him it couldn’t mail during finals week sure the ball by getting have happened to a up into them, I try to use in May. Back when Cahill was a high school senior, my hands so they can’t see better kid.”

Kampmann recruited where they’re passing the him at Hobart, where he ball. And it’s trying to an-Danny Rubin was an assistant coach. ticipate the moves they’re Freshman Walk-on Kampmann left Hobart going to make so I can get in 2007 for Cornell, serva step before they do.” ing on Donahue’s staff Adjusting to life on the for three years before following the coach team for Cahill has been painless because to BC in April. Donahue asked him if he he played hoops so often before he walked knew any potential walk-ons. Kampmann on. It’s just a different routine – practice, suggested Cahill. film, and lifting.

Cahill talked to Donahue before the “A lot of times, when you have free time, start of the summer, but nothing came of it. you want to relax, but you don’t really get An economics major, Cahill spent the sum- the chance,” he said. “Other than that, not mer interning at the Bostonian Group, an too much has changed. I spent a lot of time insurance company. The commute from his playing basketball as it was, so I would Chestnut Hill Avenue house to the company play for about an hour and a half anyway. building at Copley Square, coupled with Practice time is about the same.” his 8 a.m.-5 p.m. workday, left Cahill too exhausted to do much lifting. He stayed in Getting the chance touch with Kampmann, though, and played Cahill didn’t have to wait long for his pick-up and summer league games a couple first in-game action. With four minutes left times a week. against St. Francis in the season opener, In the fall, Donahue called Cahill for he entered a blowout victory. Although another discussion. After the meeting, he he missed his first shot, a three, he got agreed to try out. on the scoreboard 30 seconds later with

couldn’t have happened to a better kid.”

Life going forward Following his breakout game, Cahill has returned to relative anonymity. The Eagles have played once since beating the Terrapins last week. They lost to North Carolina, 48-46, Saturday at the Dean Dome. Cahill played 14 minutes, recording one missed three and one assist.

“He did a really good job of concentrating at not letting their shooters get loose, which is a credit to how well he has played of late,” Donahue said.

Whether Cahill can duplicate his performance from the Maryland game again will be an intriguing subplot as BC seeks an invite to the Big Dance.

“I don’t really know,” he said of his role down the stretch. “I know I have to be ready whenever Coach calls my number to go in. I have to provide a spark. It’s about the little things. I’m not going to go in there and make a huge impact on offense, but if I’ve got open shots that Reggie, Biko, Corey, or Trap get me, I’ll knock them down when I alex trautwig / heights editor Although Cahill (left) sat on the bench for four straight games, he seized his chance when he got it. get the chance.”

How often he’ll get those chances is uncertain. The competition for minutes bea layup.

Swish.

“It was weird,” he said. “You go four Cahill was quiet following that shot un- tween Cahill, Rubin, and Elmore at the two years without checking into a game, and til early in the second half, when he checked and the three is intense. Donahue has played then you’ve got a crowd, competition, and in with BC trailing, 42-37. After a Southern all three in each of the past two games, but energy. I had to get used to it again. But jumper, Cahill alertly took a charge on a someone will be the odd man out if the coach trims his rotation to eight players in any of once I got in there, I settled in.” reckless drive by Dino Gregory.

In each of the first 15 games, Cahill got At the other end, two possessions later, the four remaining regular season games. on the court. He never registered more Joe Trapani drove to the hoop and had the “I haven’t talked to Coach once this year than eight minutes and never scored more ball stripped on the way up. Two Maryland about playing time,” Cahill said. “I take whatever I can get. I realize than five points, but he was getting con- defenders tripped trying to are better match-ups sistent playing time. Then, the conference grab the loose ball. It rolled “I haven’t talked there slate picked up and Donahue left him out to Cahill in the corner, so he for me on the court some to Coach once of the rotation. He played just twice in the took aim. games and I can play a couple minutes here and there. Some next nine games, totaling 14 minutes, one Swish. this year about games there’s not. Whenever rebound, and one assist.

“That whole play was No one had any reason to expect him crazy,” he said. “When I hit playing time. I take he needs me, I’ll go in.”

Even when Cahill doesn’t to explode for a career game against the that third one, it was a huge whatever I can get. fill up the stat sheet, he conTerrapins. No one, that is, except his adrenaline rush. The crowd Whenever he needs tributes defensive intelligence teammates. was going crazy. It was a lot me, I’ll go in.”

“He was bound to have a game like of fun.” to a team that desperately needs help on that end of the that,” Rubin said. “He knows how to run Although Cahill clanked floor. The Eagles rank 230 the offense so well. He works so hard in his next attempt, he played -John Cahill out of 345 teams in adjusted practice. It was just a matter of time until a pivotal role in ultimately Senior Walk-on it happened.” swinging the momentum defensive efficiency, accordCahill first checked in with 14:51 left in BC’s way. With BC leading ing to basketball statistician the first half after Maryland went on a 9-2 58-52, Gregory blocked a Raji shot and Ken Pomeroy. No team in the country has run to take a two-point lead. Following a Terrell Stoglin started a Maryland fast a wider disparity between its offensive and Dallas Elmore turnover and Sean Mosley break. He spun to the hoop looking to defensive performance than BC. bucket, Cahill helped Paris break the draw the foul. Instead, he got whistled for Cahill said he prides himself on help Terps’ press. He drifted into the corner, a charge because Cahill beat him to the defense, communication, and diving on where Josh Southern found him for an spot. Reggie Jackson was the first in line loose balls. uncontested trey. to pick up the senior walk-on.

“I can’t make up for my mistakes with Swish.

“I was excited for him,” Paris said. “I my athletic ability,” he said, “so those are “It happened so fast after I got in,” he know it was a dream of his to play big-time the things that I have to do.” said. “I’m wide open, so I’m like, ‘All right.’ college basketball. I wish the best for all Cahill may not have the raw athletic abilI threw it up there. It felt good when it left my teammates, but I’m definitely happy ity of most scholarship players in the ACC. But it doesn’t matter. He understands his my hands. It was a great feeling when it to see him succeed.” went in.”

Cahill played the final five minutes to limitations. He can hit the three. He’s willing His day wasn’t perfect. On the next help the Eagles ice the game. His final stat to sacrifice his body for his team. And he has possession, he forced a pass to Southern in line: 25 minutes, nine points, three-of-four an incredible basketball IQ. “You definitely have to listen to what the paint that Jordan Williams stole. shooting from deep, two rebounds, one Coach says,” Cahill said. “The most imCahill redeemed himself on the next assist, and two charges. trip down the court, though, by feeding “When I do well, he tells me he’s proud portant thing is doing what he wants you Paris for a wide-open three. Then Corey of me,” Rubin said. “After the Maryland to do. He’s given me this great opportunity Raji found the senior walk-on for an iden- game, I did the same. because I do what he asks me to do: play tical look from deep.

“I pulled him aside and told him it smart basketball.” n

Woeful shooting costs Eagles in North Carolina Cold Shooting, from B1

Sara d. Davis / Ap photo

On a night when Jackson’s shots weren’t falling, he still could be counted on for a thunderous slam.

that got us back in the game. I’m just very proud of our effort, but unfortunately we just didn’t shoot the ball as well as I think we are capable of. But we did everything else, and really did a terrific job playing a really tough team on the road.”

After trading blows for much of the first half, with just seven minutes left in the game, UNC began to pull away from Boston College and set its sights on another blowout victory. The Tar Heels exposed the Eagles’ inconsistent interior defense. North Carolina outscored BC 34-10 in the paint. After another Zeller jumper from inside the key, UNC’s lead was up to 13 at 45-32.

“I think they are as good as anyone in terms of getting the ball down low with their size and their determination,” Donahue said. “When they made that run, they did a great job of getting the ball into the paint and hurting us down there. I thought we did a great job after that stretch of getting ourselves back in it, but they are just as big, athletic, and long as anybody in the country. Offensively, they get it down low and defensively it’s hard to get over them.”

Just when the game seemed out of reach, Donahue reassembled his troops and threw a new defensive look at the Tar Heels with mid-court traps and on-theball defending that gave UNC trouble.

Meanwhile, BC mounted a 9-0 run on the offensive end that featured two clutch 3-pointers by Corey Raji, pulling the Eagles within four with just under three minutes to play.

“Well I thought we mixed up our defense a little bit, did a little half-court trap,” Donahue said. “With a team this talented offensively, with their size, I don’t think you can consistently give them the same look defensively. I thought when we decided to turn over to the traps that we rotated well and did a really good job. It made it really difficult for them, and we obviously got steals, which helped on the offensive end.”

After Jackson nailed a 3-pointer with 1:12 to go, the Eagles continued their

steady defense and forced a nonsense possession by Harrison Barnes that gave BC the ball and a chance to win with 17 seconds left.

Jackson took the inbounds pass and looked inside to Josh Southern, but UNC read the ball screen beautifully and switched its defenders, forcing the junior guard to dribble and create his own last hope at the game-winner, over the 6-foot10 John Henson. After rolling around the rim for a second, the ball refused to fall.

“For the first time in the game, they switched on the ball screen,” Donahue said. “We were hoping that they would trap the ball screen because they are normally so aggressive. When they trapped, we were going to get the ball off of that to Josh, but they switched it. Or, once we got it to Josh, we were going to try to make a play on the perimeter like we did most of the game. You know, I thought Reggie got a good look on the road to win the game and it was the right play at that point.”

The close loss prevented this road match-up from bursting the bubble for BC’s tournament hopes wide open, but for a team that has allowed opponents to average 71 points and nearly a 45 percent shooting rate this season, the UNC game was a marked improvement.

The Tar Heels’ 48 points were their lowest total ever both in the history of the Dean Smith Center and head coach Roy Williams’ tenure at Chapel Hill, numbers that Donahue thinks bode well for BC’s confidence with four key conference games still left on the schedule.

“I think if you are going to win down the stretch, you are going to have to defend,” he said. “I think we continue to improve in that matter, and in the past few weeks, really since we last played Carolina, I thought we have done a lot better job. If you are going to win down the stretch, you are going to have to play on both sides of the ball. The best thing we can pick out of this loss is that we defended for 40 minutes.” n

Sara d. Davis / Ap photo

Joe Trapani (right) and Justin Knox battled for a loose ball in an ugly 48-46 win for the Tar Heels.

The Heights

Monday, February 21, 2011

B5

Strong starting pitching leads to two wins Baseball Opener, from B1

but Lawrence was gunned out at home plate trying to score. After a Tom Bourdon strikeout and a Brad Zapenas walk, Matt Watson roped a single through the left side, knocking in two runs.

The game remained scoreless until the seventh inning, when Tech mustered a run off Dane Clemens. But Clemens limited the damage, and was able to get BC out of the inning still up 2-1.

The Eagles added another run in the bottom half of that inning, when Mike Sudol ripped a single to left field, knocking in Zapenas to regain the two-run lead.

They added three more insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth. Bourdon had a sac-bunt that moved Hamlet and McGovern to second and third, and they scored on the next play when Zapenas hit a double to the gap in right field. Anthony Melchionda finished the scoring when he drove in Zapenas on a single, making it 6-1.

Garret Smith, usually a catcher or infielder, closed the game out on the mound, striking out two batters.

“Garret is one of our go-to guys in the bullpen,” Gambino said. “So we got him hot in a save situation, and we ended up extending our lead in the bottom half, but he was really, really good today. He had so much confidence on the mound.

“That kid’s unbelievable. He’s a legitimate ACC catcher, he’s a legitimate ACC shortstop, and he’s a really, really good ACC bullpen arm.”

The Eagles recorded another 6-1

win on Saturday afternoon against Indiana. Once again, the team was led by a strong pitching performance, this time from Nate Bayuk. The senior, whose previous season was cut short due to an injury, went five innings, striking out four and only allowing one run. It was the first win of Bayuk’s career.

“Bayuk was good [Saturday],” Gambino said. “He let up a couple twostrike hits, a couple 0-2, 1-2 hits that as he gets a little bit more crisp here going forward, he won’t. It’s gonna be able to give him some more length as we get going. He also got a little tired at the end. Obviously for a kid who’s not used to starting and going that much, as his conditioning gets better, he’ll be more sharp later in the game as well.”

Indiana went ahead in the bottom of the first 1-0, but the Eagles responded quickly in the next frame, scoring three runs to take the lead for good. Bourdon and Zapenas had consecutive RBI singles, before Watson knocked in the third run on a fielder’s choice.

Smith finished the game with two doubles, while Bourdon and Watson both added two hits apiece. Melchionda also recorded two RBIs in the win.

On Friday night, BC used a fourrun seventh inning to take a 6-5 lead on Coastal Carolina. In the bottom half of the inning, closer Matt Brazis was called into the game with one out.

He was able to hold the Chanticleers scoreless in the seventh and eighth innings, but got into trouble in the ninth.

Brazis walked the first batter in the ninth, but followed it up with a strike-

alex trautwig / heights editor

Leonard pitched five strong innings and struck out five in his first start of the season on Sunday, giving BC its second win of the weekend. out. After a wild pitch put the runner on second, Brazis allowed a single up the middle that brought home the tying run. Another wild pitch put the runner at second, forcing Brazis to intentionally walk the next batter to try to set up the double play. Hunter Gordon

alex trautwig / heights editor

Matt Watson caught two games behind the plate, started the other at DH, and was one of five Eagles to record three hits in the tournament.

Hiring of Rogers for the best Conrad Kaczmarek Over a month after the retirement of Gary Tranquill, Boston College finally named a new offensive coordinator last week: Kevin Rogers. The past month or so had provided very few hints as to who the Eagles would hire for the spot, but at no point was the importance of the hire underestimated. While boasting the No. 1 run defense in the country and having significant defensive recruits on way, it became apparent that the Eagles’ offense was not on the same level as the defense.

No worries, help is on the way.

Kevin Rogers most recently held the role of quarterbacks coach with the Minnesota Vikings for the past five seasons, but also has a history at the collegiate level. Perhaps Rogers’ most notable work came as a member of the Syracuse coaching staff, where he played a major role in developing Donovan McNabb. This is not to say that Rogers will be the panacea for the Eagles’ offensive woes, but there are several reasons why he appears to be a good fit for BC. Rogers’ experience with young quarterbacks was certainly one of the most compelling arguments for bringing him in. The Eagles have two very young quarterbacks with exciting potential in current freshman Chase Rettig and incoming freshman Christian Suntrup. Having an offensive coordinator that specializes in developing QBs should lead to more explosive and efficient offensive production.

One of the possibly overlooked benefits of hiring Rogers is that he comes from outside the BC coaching staff. Wide receivers coach, Ryan Day and tight ends coach, Dave Brock are both qualified to take over the playcalling reins, but

the benefit of bringing some new blood into the system should not be overlooked. It is the general consensus of avid Superfans that the offense was stagnant and predictable. And even that’s putting it lightly. Needless to say, it appears that both fans and players alike are excited about bringing in someone new to shake things up a bit. Furthermore, the fact that Rogers has NFL experience is an added bonus for a team that runs a pro-style offense.

The Eagles have a young, athletic defense that needs an offense to compliment it. Head coach Frank Spaziani has done a great job developing a defense that was last seen holding its own against Nevada’s No. 8 offense. Rogers hopes to bring Spaziani the kind of help that will bring the offense to that level. Furthermore, if Spaziani is confident in Rogers’ command of the offense, it will allow him to focus even more on improving the defense.

BC offers Rogers the luxury of developing the offense behind an effective running game in the form of a Montel Harris-Andre Williams tandem and the consistently solid offensive line that BC is so well known for. I wouldn’t dare make any predictions about the offensive output for the Eagles this coming season, as it is clear that it takes a while to develop players and grow accustomed to the system in place. However, hiring Rogers provides some reason for hope in seasons to come.

In the meantime, Rogers will have plenty of time to develop the young talent that the Eagles will provide him. Superfans can look forward to a few more wins and, if nothing else, a more entertaining and exciting performance on the field.

Conrad Kaczmarek is a guest columnist for The Heights.

He can be reached at sports@bcheights.com.

alex trautwig/heights editor

As the new offensive coordinator, Kevin Rogers will take on the task of developing Chase Rettig (above) at quarterback.

then came on in relief of Brazis, but the first batter he faced, Hayes Orton, unleashed a walk-off home run down the right field line to end the game in a 9-6 decision.

“He threw the ball well,” Gambino said of Brazis. “We had to go a little bit longer with him than we’d like in general, but he threw 41 pitches. He’s good, his stuff ’s good, his mentality’s right, and I thought he really, really threw the ball well. He had a little bit of tough luck at the end of the game, but he did everything we asked him to do.

“In an ideal world, he’s not gonna have to come in and get seven outs all the time, but he can if we need him to.

As far as I’m concerned, he’s our guy.

I love what he did for us. That one didn’t work out, but my confidence in him didn’t waiver because of that at all. He’s gonna be really, really good for us at the backhand of games. The key for us is that we have to figure out how to get to him there, and we need some guys in our bullpen, some of those bridge guys, to really step up and be able to shorten that game to get to him so we don’t have to ask him to get seven outs. We can start asking him to get three or four, maybe five.”

Gambino said he was proud of his

team for not being intimidated by Coastal Carolina, especially because they will be facing many ranked teams once they start their ACC schedule.

“We didn’t lose that game because we were timid or because we backed off,” he said. “We went at them, and Hunter Gordon came in and he went after somebody, and he hit the ball out. That happens. Hunter’s going to get the ball again in big situations. I have no problem with it. He went after somebody. The kid put a good swing on the ball.”

The next four games won’t get any easier for the Eagles, who will face No. 1 Florida, with a game against the Boston Red Sox mixed in between games with the Gators.

“We just want to go out, and it doesn’t matter if we’re playing a team that’s ranked No. 18, or ranked No. 8, or 108,” Gambino said. “We want to be the same team out every day.

That’s something we’re really working hard to be.

“I really liked it, I thought we were loose and confident and focused at the end of [Friday night’s game]. That, to me, was good. If that’s how you’re going to be at the end of games, then you’re going to win more than you’re going to lose in that situation.” n

B6

The Heights

Monday, February 21, 2011

Monday, February 21, 2011

The Heights

B7

Retreating from the stress of BC academics

By Lindsay Sklover For The Heights

There are parties on Foster Street and revelry in the Mods. There are culture shows in Robsham Theater and student performances in the Chocolate Bar. The options are endless for the two short days that comprise any weekend at Boston College.

Nevertheless, numerous BC students choose instead, to leave campus and the BC bubble entirely to pursue other avenues, whether service, reflection, or good old bonding, in the form of weekend retreats.

Retreats are responsible for drawing students away from campus and allowing participants to leave their pressures, stresses, and problems behind and disappear for a weekend, or an entire break. Campus Ministry, the Office of First Year Experience, and the Intersections Program offer several diverse retreat and service trip opportunities, ranging from the ever popular 48Hours to the religious retreat, Manresa.

On the surface, these retreats and service opportunities can look as though they are just something to fill a student’s resume or bolster their extracurricular portfolio. For many participants, however, these opportunities are more than simply resume fodder, and they actually play a meaningful role in fostering students’ individual, social, and religious well-being, depending on the trip chosen.

For freshmen, retreats represent a way to meet new friends who do not live in the same building or share the same classes. For the well known 48Hours trip, an image of students lined up with their Vera Bradley duffels looking as though their parents had just left them for their first time at sleep-away camp embodies what the trip is all about. Freshmen are generally alone while they wait in line to board

the bus, but once they take that first step onto the yellow school bus, everything changes. New friends are made, and the college experience is radically altered.

“48Hours seems kind of weird when you first hear about it, but once you get there and meet all the new people that are in the same boat as you, it becomes a fun and interesting experience,” says Megan Murphy, LSOE ’13.

After the trip, many participants state that they befriended people they never would have met otherwise and, through their leaders, met upperclassmen with whom they would have never spoken. “It was a really great experience, and I made a lot of friends and was able to reflect on where I wanted to see myself at Boston College,” says Christie Carillo, CSOM ’13, reflecting on her experience last year.

Halftime, which allows students to leave campus for a weekend and reflect on their time thus far at BC, is similar to 48Hours, except that it is generally attended by sophomores and juniors. Although people might think that you can reflect just as well in your room with the television on while playing a nice game of cards, the time away from campus is crucial in accomplishing the goals of these retreats.

Halftime allows students to get away from the hustle and bustle of campus life and examine themselves all over again, just as they did on 48Hours, in a safe and serene environment.

Unique in the realm of retreats is the 4Boston program, which sends students to locations such as inner-city after school programs and battered women’s shelters, and essentially becomes a fourhour retreat every week. Though it does become job-like when trying to fit a four-hour block of time into a busy schedule, students still call it one of the

most rewarding parts of their entire week. Serving at their 4Boston sites allows student to take a break and travel off campus to a place where they can make a difference in people’s lives.

“4Boston is a really rewarding experience and allows me to do the service I want during the week while working with some amazing kids,” says Stephanie Rufo, A&S ’13. The drudgery of the commute, which is often quite long, is easily overshadowed by the rewarding experiences students have at their volunteer sites and the life lessons they learn from the people whom they serve.

Kairos, though it is known to be very secretive, has become one of the most popular retreats on campus. Using a lottery system to select the participants, as the retreat cannot accommodate all of the people who apply, simply adds to the mystique surrounding the group. Since it is run by a lottery system, when students are picked, they have no time to plan in advance, allowing them to fully embrace the once-in-a-lifetime experience that Kairos has to offer in terms of both meeting new people and having a unique personal experience.

As many have witnessed when the trips return to campus, participants often speak of being on a “Kai High,” demonstrating that the weekend away really was worth the missed party or two. “When I got back from Kairos, I noticed that I was so much closer to the people I’ve known for a while and really got to know them in a different light, and it also was a very gratifying personal experience as well,” says Kaela Klune, CSOM ’13.

Immersion trips such as the Arrupe International Program and Appalachia offer students experiences that they wouldn’t normally find on campus. Arrupe, though very competitive, presents students with the

opportunity to investigate and experience life in an entirely different part of the world while still being with people from BC. Laura Thometz, A&S ’11, describes it as a way to “learn more about the area” that her group had researched prior to the trip as well as to “see a new part of the world” away from the protective BC bubble.

It was also a way to meet new people in a small and intimate environment since only 16 individuals can be in each group. These trips aren’t simply glorified friendship databases, however, as they are more geared toward the service and learning aspects.

Thometz says that making new friends was a much appreciated bonus to the trip.

By offering all of these opportunities, BC is redefining the definition of the word “retreat,” so that it is no longer associated solely with solitude and personal reflection. For both BC students and administrators, the term has become synonymous with helping others while helping yourself.

One embodiment of this principle is the Appalachia program, which removes students from their comfort zones and places them in distressed areas in the United States. The trip also falls during spring break, thus forcing participants to give up the prospect of wild times in Cancun or other similar spring break destinations and spend time, instead, in a place that really needs their assistance. “It let me get out of the BC bubble and pushed me out of my comfort zone to do something different over spring break that I never would have done without the Appalachia program,” says Kelly Pultorak, LSOE ’12.

This tendency of BC students to choose reflection, volunteering, and fostering new friendships over a typical weekend on campus or a break truly represents the character of the student body. n

photo Courtesy of Snowyowlinn.com

photo Courtesy of Campuscare.com

The Boston College Connor’s Family Retreat and Conference Center (left) and the Snowy Owl Inn are two of the locations that Boston College students escape to for the various activity-filled weekend retreats they take throughout the year

Professor Profile

Sannella connects coursework to reality

By Therese Tully Heights Editor

“You can’t do something overnight, just because you want to,” says Maria Sannella, professor in the Carroll School of Management (CSOM). This is one of the many practical lessons she teaches students in her classes, as Sannella is focused on helping her students gain real life experience that will give them an advantage in the future. Judging by the fact that her classes exceed their capacity and students frequent her office, her approach appears to be working.

Sannella is open to meeting with any of her students at any time, and they often pop in her office, which is home to constant meetings, phone calls, and lots of laughter, just to chat. Her highly infectious spirit and emphasis on gaining practical knowledge draw students to her classes. Simply

put, she makes business fun and exciting.

In a current class, Sannella is conducting a project that has been very popular in past years, and for good reason. “We are working with a company called Adventure Partners,” she says. “Adventure Partners arranges for the class to work with a big business. This year, it’s Chevrolet.”

Sannella’s students are then split into different groups and assigned different tasks. They work as an advertising agency, with a goal of marketing three different cars to college students. “We are trying to show people their age that this is a great car to consider,” she says. “People probably think of a Chevrolet as probably an older person’s car.”

The three cars being marketed, the Camaro, the Cruze, and the Equinox, have been on campus once, accompanied by a Chevy technician, and will be returning again in the spring for the completion of the project.

The students work directly with Chevrolet on every step of the project and receive feedback.

Sannella raves about the students’ dedication, hard work, and creativity, also noting that most of the work with Chevrolet takes place outside of the classroom. The students do not do all of this work for nothing, Sannella says. “They do a lot of research beforehand, and then they will have a marketing strategy, and they will figure out what they are going to do,” she says. “Then we will have a huge, culminating event with Chevrolet.” Evidenced by the amount of free time students spend in her office, they are very excited for this event, and are really interested in the challenge Sannella has presented them with.

It’s not all fun and games when marketing a car, however, and Sannella makes sure that her students are taking this project seriously. “It’s huge, it’s 40 percent of the grade, it really could be the whole

grade, because they work really hard,” she said.

“It’s so much work.”

Her project always seems to be a success in the sense that students gain real life experience and enjoy themselves while doing so. “I’ve done it the last couple of years because kids seem to like it,” she says. “They can use it when they go for an interview because they have actual responsibility, they have a budget to deal with, [and] it’s small, $2,000.” This sort of practical teaching gives her students an advantage in today’s highly competitive job market, and former students have thanked her for this on multiple occasions.

“I think the class is overloaded because of the project, not my charming personality,” she says, humbly. “I think it’s the project that really draws the kids in.” Her open, inviting office door says otherwise. Students really seem to like her and look to her for advice, and conversation. n

Enhancing the student dorm life experience

By Alexandra Schaeffer Heights Staff

The percentage of the Boston College population that is, or ever has been, a residential assistant is very small. The large majority of students who are not RAs might occasionally wonder why someone would want to hold such a position on campus. They are often portrayed as the fun-killers, the people who pound on the door, just as things are getting exciting, and write everyone up, ruining the rest of the night. Yet strangely, RAs are rarely more than a year or two older than the students in their hall. In fact, they’re students at BC too. They go to class, participate in clubs, and have friends just like the rest of the BC student population. It happens often enough that residents forget this, but at one point, their RA was just like them.

“I decided I wanted to be an RA after I became really good friends with a guy who was in Parkour with me, who just happened to be an RA,” says Sahil Angelo, A&S ’14. “I had kind of a rough first semester, and though he wasn’t my RA, I talked to him a lot and he really helped me through it and helped me to adjust.”

Though Angelo is not yet an RA, he is in the application process, which consists of three parts.

First, prospective RAs must fill out a written application. From there, they are selected to participate in a six-hour group interview, in which they are placed in various scenarios and judged on their reactions to these situations and their interactions with others. “I think that’s really an attempt to see what kind of person you are, to see how you deal with various situations, and an opportunity

to show ResLife your personality,” Angelo says, after completing that round. Following the group interview, students are selected to continue with the application process and have one-on-one interviews, which then result in the final selection of the RAs. Last year’s application process seems to have been effective, as far as the RAs in Fitzpatrick Hall are concerned. On the third floor, a girls’ floor, the RA, Nicole Laniado, CSOM ’13, has done an excellent job fostering community and bringing the girls together. “Not only does she do a great job organizing movie nights, or outings practically every week, but she really has made an effort to bring the floor closer together. And it’s worked,” says Mariana Eizayaga, a student on Laniado’s hall and A&S ’14. “I even lent her my shoes once.”

Everyone who knows Laniado agrees that she possesses a maternal quality that helps to make the hall feel familiar.

Laniado admits that she was nervous before the school year started. “I’m from Ecuador, and though I had already been at BC for a year, I was concerned about there being an inability for me to relate to the girls on my hall,” Laniado says. “I was worried they wouldn’t think of me as a friend since I didn’t grow up here.”

She has since realized though that “girls are girls” universally, and the job has pleasantly surprised her. “I have really enjoyed being a freshman RA,” she says. “In fact, I’m doing it again next year. I think it’s a really pivotal point in the students’ lives, and I like having such a strong effect on it.”

Two floors down, in the men’s hall on the first floor of Fitzpatrick, lives the RA, Michael Moli-

nari, A&S ’12, known for his big hair, as well as his ability to just hang out and be one of the guys.

“The job is a lot more of just getting to know people than I would have expected,” says Molinari, a first time RA. “All of my relationships with the guys on my floor are different, but I would say that the one prevailing similarity is that they’re all real.” With the belief that once one is an RA, it is difficult to go back to non-RA life, Molinari, too, plans on doing it again next year.

“Initially, I applied for the position not for any sort of financial reason, but because I think that I just have a certain lifestyle that ResLife wants,” Molinari says. “I don’t partake in a lot of the traditional college activities, and I think that I just fit the role of RA,” he says.

Laniado agrees that choosing to be an RA was more a question of, “Why wouldn’t I be an RA?” than anything else. There seems to be a certain type of person, one who’s willing to make some sacrifices in order to better the lives of fellow students, that falls into the position of RA. These sacrifice include, in most cases, not living with, or even near, close friends. “I mean, it’s really not that big of a campus, but you do definitely have to make an effort to see your friends,” Laniado says. “Good friends will always stay around though, regardless of where you live. Because of it, though, I probably won’t be an RA my senior year.”

“You definitely end up relying on the other RAs a lot because there is a distance to get to other kids your age,” Molinari says.

Nicola Kahale, A&S ’14, a resident on the first floor of Gonzaga Hall, says he really admires his RA for that reason exactly. “He is a junior, who is dating a junior, and yet he is still up here on

Upper,” Kahale says. “He must sometimes wish that he wasn’t living with all freshmen, but at the same time he’s really done a great job of playing the brother role.” In fact, several residents have suggested Kahale apply to be an RA for next year, but he decided against it. “For me, I don’t really think that the positives outweigh the negatives.

I’ve always been someone that has thrived off of my own class, and I can’t really imagine being stuck with people who can’t really relate to me,” Kahale says.

Regardless, the RAs of Fitzpatrick and Gonzaga have put a tremendous amount of effort into fostering bonds between not only themselves and their residents, but within the students on their halls.

Required to host at least two programs each month, the residents of these two halls have had the opportunity to attend multiple Table Talks, discussions led by a professor and catered by an outside restaurant. The topics of these discussions have included female relationships, life lessons, and male-female relationships. The RAs have also offered numerous opportunities to venture into Boston to see movies, visit the Boston Aquarium, go ice-skating, or simply walk around the city.

Not every RA can foster a close friendship with every student on his or her hall, but the RA that students have during their freshman year can have a lasting impact on their college career. During no other time is it as important to feel like one belongs to a community as it is during one’s freshman year of college.

The RAs in Fitzpatrick and Gonzaga have done an excellent job in forming those lasting bonds that will hopefully stay with their residents for the next four years and beyond. n