ALL patched up
The Independent Student Newspaper of Boston College Established 1919 Vol. XCII, No. 3
STATE OF THE UNION
SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL
Sports
Marketplace
aRTS AND REVIEW
Sophmore walk-on recovers from broken nose, A10
President Barack Obama delivered his annual address yesterday, B10
The films you will be talking about, B1
The Heights Thursday, January 27, 2011
www.bcheights.com
Senate advocates for student lounge By Taylour Kumpf News Editor
The UGBC Senate voted unanimously in favor of supporting the addition of a “conversational lounge” to existing plans to renovate the course reserves room of O’Neill Library. This multi-purpose student space would provide a place for student-faculty conversation and would offer sustenance to students without the need to leave the confines of the library.
The Office of the Dean for Student Development (ODSD), the Student Programs Office (SPO), and the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs have all identified a need for a more collaborative student space on campus, and this conversational lounge would provide that space, said Nick Domino, UGBC Senate member and A&S ’12. Domino, who has been working on this project since mid-November, said this plan was developed after listening to student concerns. “Faculty, un-
dergraduates, and graduate students have all identified this as something they want,” he said. “As the Senate, we represent the undergraduate point of view.” Many other student leaders and administrators have also talked about this, Domino said. “I’ve been surprised by how the University has responded because nearly every administrator I’ve spoken to from Patrick Rombalski [vice president of student affairs] to Mark Miceli [associate director of the
Student Programs Office], and even graduate students are on board,” he said. “Everyone seems to like the idea, and are in favor of it, but no one has pushed for it.” “Hopefully this push by the UGBC senate will yield the results the three primary constituent bodies of BC desire – undergraduates, graduates, and faculty,” Domino said. “The main opposition [to this pro-
See UGBC, A4 AP File photo
Professors disagree with study
Lynch dean to head St. Joseph’s U.
Worth of college degree is examined
By Adriana Mariella Assoc. News Editor
By Molly LaPoint Asst. News Editor
A new study of more than 2,300 undergraduates published in Academically Adrift: Limited Learning on College Campuses has found that a college education may fail to drastically improve critical reading, complex reasoning, and writing skills, with 45 percent of undergraduates showing no sign of improvement at the end of their sophomore year. Despite the numbers, however, Boston College professors are skeptical about whether this means college should actually be considered less important. Ina Mullis, a professor in the Lynch School of Education (LSOE) and executive director of the International Study Center of BC, said that she is unsure of the validity of this study. “It is quite a reach to determine there is limited learning in college based on this test,” she said. Another problem with the study, she said, is that it tested all students on the same measures regardless of their particular area of interest. “A student needs to be grounded first of all in what you’re reasoning, thinking, and writing about.” To make the study better, the researcher would have to pay more attention to the subject matter, said Michael Martin, a professor in LSOE. “[A re-
See Study, A4
University remembers King
Nick Rellas / Heights staff
Annual MLK Memorial Gathering honors the leader’s legacy By Logan Gallagher For The Heights
“The best way to memorialize Martin King, Jr. is not to host fancy programs and regurgitate history,” said Reverend Brandon T. Crowley, pastor of Myrtle Baptist Church. “The best way is to peacefully protest.” Campus Ministry held the Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Gathering in Saint Ignatius Church on Monday, the anniversary of King’s birth. Faculty members and students joined Crowley to urge the current generation to continue King’s work. “I challenge you to be reactive, be consistent, and most of all be loving,” said Diana Morris, president of the Black Student Union and A&S ’11. The speakers also emphasized that remembering King and practicing his ideals is a continuous process. “Meditating on his work is not an end to be reached, but a life to be led,” said Catherine Duarte, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholar and A&S ’11. The gathering also featured a special choir composed from student groups: Against the Current, Liturgy Arts
White Tower uncovered
Group, and the Voices of Amani, which collectively went by the name “The United Voices of Freedom.” The choir performed several classic Civil Rights and gospel songs such as “We Are Marching In the Light of God,” and “We Shall Overcome.” During the latter song, the audience was encouraged to cross arms and hold hands in the style of Civil Rights organizers in the 1960s. “If you want to see the living manifestation of King’s dream, you just heard it,” Crowley said after the United Voices of Freedom performed “Precious Lord.” Crowley delivered the keynote speech about King’s concept of the “Beloved Community.” Crowley used the analogy of children jumping rope to explain the concept of supporting the “man in the middle.” “I dream about the day that America will worry about the man in the middle,” Crowley said. “When the people in the middle trip up and fall we fail to give them another shot.” Crowley explained that the world will be more peaceful when society embraces the “Beloved Community.” “There will be no more need for phobias, ‘isms,’ and war when we give into the concept of the beloved community,” Crowley said. n
For The Heights
Alex Trautwig / heights editor
See O’Keefe, A4
Desire to intern remains steady By Ji Hae Lee
The “white tower” next to Fulton Hall is a temporary enclosure around the Stokes building mock-up. Its size provides room for materials, staging, and workers, and it will provide heat to install the masonry. The structure will only be up for several weeks.
Rev. Joseph M. O’Keefe, S.J., dean of the Lynch School of Education (LSOE), will be ending his 20-year residence at Boston College this March after being named president of St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, a fellow Jesuit University. O’Keefe, who joined the faculty of BC in 1991, began his tenure as dean in 2005, after two years of serving as the interim dean and two years as the assistant dean. Throughout his two decades at BC, O’Keefe expanded the school’s outreach by approaching Catholic schools in the city of Boston and across the country. He made the Lynch School what it is today, said Philip G. Altbach, a professor in LSOE and the director of the Center for International Higher Education at BC. “I’ve known him ever since he was an assistant professor in my department, long before he became dean,” Altbach said. “He’s a very nice guy, a serious scholar who takes education issues seriously. As a Jesuit, he’s deeply interested in Catholic education issues in general and has done a lot to focus Lynch with Boston city schools.” “He has a great knack for fundraising, which is probably one reason St. Joseph’s picked him,” he said. “Since he’s been here he has gotten a number of big endowments for BC. He has a good reputation among education deans in the area and I’m sure around the country.” Altbach applauded O’Keefe’s per-
Boston College students’ interest in summer internships has not abated despite the recent recession. The Career Center hosted an Internship Fair this Tuesday in the Heights Room, where more than 1,000 students were in attendance, proving that both the firms and BC students are looking for more internships “More and more students are becoming interested in summer internships,” said Russell Ventura, the Career Center internship coordinator. “Two years ago, about 700 students showed up for the Internship Fair. Last year, the number was around 900, and this year, we had more than 1,000 students come.” Ventura urged students to use the Career Center website more often. “There is a link that says, ‘Choosing a Career or Major’ on the left side of the site. Then click on your major, and it will show you an extensive range of jobs that are pertinent to that major.” However, Ventura also emphasized that a student’s major should not confine him or her to only certain internships. The common misconception among students is that most firms are interested in recruiting CSOM students only. Although Ventura concedes that the firms that recruit at BC at the Career Fair in
fall tend to be looking for more business majors, this is not generally the case for the firms that show at the Internship Fair in the spring. “Every year, we have 50 firms come to the Internship Fair, and we try to have as much of a variety of firms as possible. They look not only for people in business and marketing, but also consulting, healthcare, non-profits, or any field that overarch communications,”
Ventura said. Some students feel that most paid internships are directed toward business majors. Kristen Zale, A&S ’12, said, “It is extremely competitive to find paid internships, especially when your interest lies in social services and non-profit. So I think there are still many people looking for summer jobs than internships.
See Internships, A4
Andrew Powell / heights editor
Despite the recent recession, students continue to seek internships and firms seek students.
TopFive
The Heights
Thursday, January 27, 2011
things to do on campus this week
Merrill Lynch: A Look Back
Dance Ensemble: AWAKE
Today Time: 4:30 p.m. Location: Fulton Honors Library Come listen to awardwinning Wall Street correspondent Gregg Farrell share thoughts on his book about the financial crisis, Crash of the Titans: Greed, Hubris, the Fall of Merrill Lynch.
Today Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: Robsham Theater Enjoy AWAKE, an annual performance by the Dance Organization of Boston College. Part of the $10 admission fee will be donated in honor of Mark Herzlich.
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2
Hillside Open Mic Night
3
Laura Ault at the Chocolate Bar
Today Time: 9 p.m. Location: Hillside Cafe
Show off your musical talents at Open Mic Night in Hillside, sponsored by Nights on the Heights. Or just stop by for coffee and free dessert while watching the performers.
featured on campus
FBI agent speaks about gangs
4
Today Time: 9 p.m. Location: Chocolate Bar
Check out up-andcoming New York City musical artist Laura Ault live at the Chocolate Bar tonight, sponsored by the Nights on the Heights.
The Clay Room
5
Saturday Time: 9 p.m. Location: Cabaret Room
Come with your friends and get creative decor taing mugs, plates, etc. Free snacks will be provided at this event, sponsored by Nights on the Heights.
IntheNews
Four Day Weather Forecast Today
33° Snow Showers 14°
Friday
33° Snow Showers 17°
Saturday
33° Light Snow
University Iowa State University launches automated admissions process Phillip B. Caffrey and Marc Harding, both of Iowa State University, launched a more efficient admissions process last summer. The process allows prospective students to enter their own credentials online, making the admissions staff’s job easier and cutting down on paper and waiting time. After students enter their information, it is put through an automated system that alerts students of their decision within 48 hours. To prevent students from exaggerating their grades, a transcript and SAT/ACT score report are used to verify after graduation.
19°
Sunday
26° Partly Cloudy 6°
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
Local News First Asian-American judge promoted to Supreme Judicial Court
SANG LEE / Heights STAFF
FBI Special Agent Jeffrey Wood spoke Tuesday about combatting the epidemic of gang involvement in urban America. By Thomas Kotlowski
youths. “Kids join gangs because of social breakdown of families,” he said. “The typical Special Agent Jeffrey Wood gang member is between the of the FBI gave a talk Tuesday ages of 11 and 25, can be of any evening on the gang epidemic gender or ethnicity, and often comes from a single-parent in urban America. Wood was the first in a se- household,” Wood said. Wood said that New Engries of speakers Boston College will be hosting this semester land is by no means free of the gang epidemas part of its foic. While New rensic nursing does speaker series. “The FBI’s national England house internaWood was asgang strategy is to tionally known sisted by Massachusetts State identify, infiltrate, gangs includthe Bloods, Trooper Mario disrupt and dismantle ing Crips and LatMillett and Detective Stephen violent street gangs.” in Kings, its main problem Wi n t h r o w o f is neighborthe Lynn Police —Jeffrey Wood hood gangs. Department. FBI Special Agent “NeighborTo ge t h e r t h e hood gangs are three speakers a big issue in this area,” Wood discussed how the FBI works with state and said. “While they are smaller local police precincts to stop and less organized than international gangs, they can gang violence. “The FBI’s national gang be even more violent. These strategy is to identify, infil- gangs are seeking recognition trate, disrupt, and dismantle of the sort that international violent street gangs,” Wood gangs receive and, because of said. “Street gangs have a that, they are willing to clash violent impact on life in the violently with the larger gangs, inner city of epidemic propor- and often emerge victorious.” Wood said the city of Bostions. There are currently over thirty thousand gangs in this ton contains over 125 street country with over one million gangs with more than 4,500 documented members. members.” New law enforcement tacWood said that gangs can negatively inf luenc urban tics have proven effective For The Heights
against these gangs, the agents said. “The problem was that state and local sentences were too lenient,” Wood said. “A gang member might get six months for weapons possession, but under federal law he could bet 20 years for that same crime. So the FBI started collaborating with state and local law enforcement to get these violent criminals off the streets. Local police know their communities and their offenders and federal agents have the muscle, money, and infrastructure to put these criminals away.” The FBI can authorize the purchase of drugs and weapons for sting operations and has the money and power to turn informants and keep them safe from violent retaliation, Wood said. “In 2010, the FBI, with the help of state police and local police in the Boston area, undertook Operation Melting Pot,” Wood said. “Informants purchased over 25 firearms of various makes, over a kilo of crack cocaine, and over a half kilo of heroin. This evidence led to 62 arrests carried out by 18 SWAT teams and 38 arrest teams on Nov. 10 of 2010. This was the largest arrest operation in the history of Massachusetts.” n
Fernande R.V. Duffly was named the seventh member of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. Duffly, an Indonesian immigrant, is the first Asian-American to ever serve on this court. Duffly moved to Massachusetts with her family when she was six, and has experience as a probate and family court judge. She was elected by the eight-member Governor’s Council 4-3, with one member abstaining. Duffly’s position became available after Margaret Marshall, the chief justice, stepped down, and Roderick Ireland was promoted to chief.
On Campus Professor wins Young Investigator Award for Schizophrenia research Alexa Veenema, a professor in the psychology department, won a Young Investigator Award this month from the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression. Veenema received the award, which is given to 214 scientists worldwide, due to her research concerning how the brain regulates juvenile social behaviors. According to an article published in The Chronicle, Veenema said that her research about childhood interaction is especially important in a world where concerns about bullying are extremely prevalent.
National Robber “The Grandad Bandit” will plead guilty in Virginia court RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The federal prosecutor’s office in Richmond, Va. said Michael Francis Mara, also known as, the Granddad Bandit will plead guilty to multiple bank robbery counts on Feb. 10. Mara is suspected of robbing more than two dozen banks in 13 states. He is charged with two robberies in Virginia and has agreed to plead guilty in Richmond to four robberies in Alabama and one in Arkansas. The FBI dubbed the balding and graying Mara the “Granddad Bandit” to help law enforcement and the public easily identify the suspect. Mara was arrested Aug. 11 at his Baton Rouge, La., home.
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
Police Blotter 1/22/11 – 1/25/11 Saturday, January 22
on Newton. Facilities and a tree removal company later removed the tree.
12:15 a.m. - A report was filed regarding vandalism to Gonzaga Hall. A work order was filed for the damage.
Monday, January 24
4:45 a.m. - A report was filed regarding the arrest of a student for domestic assault and battery in Williams Hall. The subject was booked and processed at BCPD headquarters.
Sunday, January 23 12:58 a.m. - A report was filed regarding a suspicious motor vehicle. The occupants were identified, and it was observed that the driver and passengers had been consuming alcoholic beverages. The parties parents responded to pick up the individuals and the vehicle.
10:59 a.m. - A report was filed regarding a university stay away order issued against two students who had been involved in a past dating relationship. 12:16 p.m. - A report was filed regarding damage to a motor vehicle while it was parked in the Commonwealth Garage. 8:11 p.m. - A report was filed regarding a fire alarm in Vanderslice Hall. The cause of the alarm was due to a HVAC fan motor which burnt out. Repairs were made.
Tuesday, January 25
5:31 a.m. - A report was filed regarding a suspicious person banging on doors in Hardy House. The party was identified and sent back to his room.
4:43 p.m. - A report was filed regarding found property. The owner was contacted and the property was returned. During inventory, the owner discovered a store discount card was missing, though declined to have the situation investigated.
8:52 p.m. - A report was filed regarding an injured party in Keyes South Hall. The party was transported to a medical facility in a medical van.
8:24 p.m. - A report was filed regarding past larceny. A detective is investigating.
10:44 p.m. - A report was filed regard- ing a tree that was in danger of falling
—Source: The Boston College Police Department
Voices from the Dustbowl “What movie do you think will win Best Motion Picture at the Oscars?”
“Inception.” —Mariana Eizayaga, A&S ’14
“The Social Network.” —Brett Mahoney CSOM ’14
“The King’s Speech.” —Roma Estandian,
LSOE ’11
Delivery To have The Heights delivered to your home each week or to report distribution problems on campus, contact Daniel 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.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Bill seeks increase in transparency B y A driana M ariella
recent statement. There is a lot of money at risk in these types of universities, and people should Ma ss . Sta te Se n . Pa t r i c i a have the security of knowing Jehlen and Rep. Michael Moran more about what, exactly, they held a briefing Tuesday regarding are doing, he said. their new legislation calling for The Tellus Institute in Boston, increased transparency in higher which studied the financial situeducation finances. ations of six universities in New The bill, called the Higher England, concluded that these Education Right-to-Know Act, institutions are a vital part of is designed to make major private the Massachusetts economy. It universities reported on the in the state “shadow baking of Massystem” which The bill, called the Higher sinvolves chusetts incolleges c re a s i n g ly Education Right-to-Know and universities accountAct, is designed to make using risky finanable and cial tactics in ormajor private universities der to gain a sigt ra n s pa r e n t . T h e in the state of Masschusetts nificant financial bill plans to return. increasingly accountable accomplish The bill’s text this by insupports the idea and transparent. The creasing the state and bill plans to accomplish that the state the public should financial be aware of these this by increasing the d i s c l o s u re of behavstate financial disclosure types requireiors. ments for requirements for these The bill will afthese uni fect private, nonuniversities. versities. p ro f i t c o l l ege s In reand universities sponse to financial issues and and their employees, requiring endowment losses which resulted that they disclose certain inforin cutbacks affecting students at mation fo the public. private colleges and universities, The bill would also require among them Harvard and Massa- that schools that hold over $10 chusetts Institute of Technology, million in assets list the exact faculty and those in support of values of those assets and prothe bill find it necessary for it to vide the amount that they rebe required that these types of ceive from tax exemptions. institutions report to the public The bill also affects individual how they operate and also inves- employees and changes mantigate their tax-exempt status dates on reporting requirements. and subsidies. Boston College, For Trustees and directors, this Boston University, Tufts, Har- includes checking for conflicts of vard, and MIT all have subsidies interest. Additionally, the names that would need to be further and exact salaries of any staff reported. member earning over $250,000 a Supporters claim this bill is in year will have to be reported. the best interest of the citizens The bill will further investiwhose tax dollars are spent both gate the relationships of these directly and indirectly in support colleges and universities with of private institutions of higher outside vendors and consultants education. by requiring that payments of The goal is to make sure that $150,000 or more and a complete no non-prof it universities are description of what each paytaking advantage of the money ment was used for be reported granted to them, Moran said in a to the public. n Assoc. News Editor
The Heights
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Allston-Brighton Crime Reports 1/19/11 – 1/23/11 Victim hit in face with beer bottle On Sunday, Jan. 23 around 3:00 a.m., Boston Police were called to the scene of a fight breaking out at a house in Allston. The victim stated that suspects, dressed in black clothes and doo-rags demanded to be let into the party. When the victim told the suspects that there was no party, the suspects hit him in the face with a beer bottle. The suspects threatened they would return with knives and then fled the house. Neither the vitcim nor his roommates know the suspects. Officers searched the area to no avail and the victim was transported to the hospital for treatment for facial lacerations.
Officer walks past robbers At 9:00 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 21, a Boston Police officer entered the Commonwealth Ave. Tedeschi Market while on foot patrol. As the officer walked through the door, he unknowingly observed two men walking past him who eventually ended up being the suspects in the robbery that had just occurred in the market. As the officer passed the second supsect, he was notified by the clerk at the store that the store had just been robbed. While calling in a description of the suspects, the officer attempted to run after them, but did not find them. The officer returned to the store to speak with the clerk who told him that he had been in the rear cooler of the store when the first suspect approached him and demanded money while motioning inside his jacket as if he had a weapon. The second suspect stole money from the cash register while demanding that the store clerk give him money. The store manager arrived on scene and reviewed the video surveillance which revealed a third suspect acting as a lookout.
Burglars demand money from convenience store On Thursday, Jan. 20 at 9:45 p.m., Boston Police responded to a call for a robbery at a convenience store on Commonwealth Ave. The store clerk told the officer that one suspect came around the counter, demanded money, then took $100 out of the lottery machine and $1,000 out of the victim’s pocket. Two additional suspects in the store had been looking into the store windows minutes before the robbery. All suspects fled the scene and officers failed to find the suspects.
Car vandalized for parking next to cone On Wednesday, Jan. 19 at 8:00 a.m., a woman returned to her car which she had parked at 10:00 p.m. the previous day, and noticed that her driver’s side windshield wiper had been significantly bent and found a note on her car insulting her and threatening to slash her tires if she parked in that spot again. When the victim had originally parked the car, there was an orange traffic cone on the snow bank beside the parking spot. It is believed that the suspect may have been angry that the victim parked in the space next to the cone.
Robber steals laptop and smashes piggy bank On Saturday, Jan. 22, at 2:00 a.m., the victim returned to her apartment having found it broken into and robbed. The victim, whose windows are always kept locked, found her bedroom window screen missing and the window had been opened. The victim noticed that her clothing had been taken from her drawers and placed around her bedroom and many of her belongings were not in their usual place in the apartment. The suspect had broken into the apartment, stole her MacBook Pro laptop, smashed her piggy bank which contained at least $2,000, and stole cash out of her friend’s purse which had been left in her apartment from the previous night. Officers responded to the call at around 4:00 a.m. Detectives were notified, but no further information has been released.
Thief enters apartment through basement window On Thursday, Jan. 20, around 3:30 p.m. a suspect entered the vitcim’s apartment through the rear basement window by cutting a hole through the screen. The suspect stole various electronics equipment including an external hard drive, a laptop, and a PlayStation 3. When one of the victims returned home at about 3:30 p.m., she had heard noises coming from the basement. She went upstairs to change, put on high heels, and went downstairs to investigate. When her heel made noise on the floor, the noises stopped. When the second victim returned home, he went downstairs to find the basement window open and his things gone. Detectives were notified and arrived at the scene. They advised the victims to secure all windows and doors. - Courtesy of the Boston Police Department, District 14, Gathered by Adriana Mariella, Assoc. News Editor; Kendall Bitonte, For The Heights, and Christopher Marino, Heights Editor
The Heights
A4
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Senate passes resolution in favor of conversational lounge UGBC, from A1 posal] is that O’Neill is first and foremost a library,” he said. “But part of a modern library is providing group study space, providing modern technology, and providing food. Students in O’Neill should have easy access to food.” One aspect of Domino’s planning involved investigating a survey on premier universities with cafes conducted by Arnold Hirshon, associate provost and university librarian at Case Western Reserve University. Of the 31 schools participating in the survey, 25 currently have a cafe, three have plans to build cafes, and only three do not have any plans to build a cafe. Though BC did not participate in the survey, they would have been only the fourth university to have no plans for a cafe in the library. Notable schools with library cafes include Cornell, Notre Dame, Harvard, and Brown. Domino said that University Librarian Tom Wall has been instrumental in getting this idea off the ground. Wall, who has worked on similar projects at Duke University and at the University of Pittsburgh, said many schools have completed similar projects. “A lot of universities do stuff like this,” he said. “At Duke and Pitt, I was the guy behind this. These are not technical spaces, they are casual spaces where people can naturally come to relax and study. It’s a places where faculty
and students can meet, a neutral spot be a place for students to converse, as which facilitates more freedom with the well as a place for students to interact conversation.” with faculty over food ... sharing a meal Wall said he hopes the multi-purpose with someone adds a new level of comacademic space will be the beginning of mittment.” more to come. “This multi-purpose acaShould the conversational lounge demic space will be a place for students be adopted into the current renovato study and coltion plans, the new laborate,” he said. O f f i c e o f Hea l th “As UGBC senator, I “It will be a place Promotions would to bring students promote the imporbelieve it is my job to and faculty together. tance of healthy food listen to each and every This is the first bigand drink choices voice with a viable idea. while studying, reger project that will hopefully set the that BC does That’s the motivation to sources tone [for more to not currently offer in take action, and I hope come].” close proximity to the “The conversathe administration listens library, Domino said. tional lounge’s priHowever, the converto the same voices. ” mary purpose will be sational lounge is not to provide increased intended to be a fullgroup study space scale eatery like Hill—Nick Domino, in the library,” read side Cafe. It will only UGBC Senator and A&S ’12 the UGBC Senate serve light snacks, resolution. “It shall coffee, and tea. facilitate conversation, attract more Hillside Cafe, the most popular eatery students to the library, and provide near O’Neill, is handling a larger capacity improved nourishment proximate to of students than it was ever planned to, as the library, thereby enhancing student reported the Office of the Vice President efficiency.” of Student Affairs. The conversational “There are already plans to renovate lounge will ease these traffic problems, the library, but a cafe is not included in Domino said. those plans,” Domino said. In addition to providing increased “The conversational lounge will not student space, this addition would inbecome a full eatery,” he said. “It will crease the number of work-study student
jobs on campus, which are in high demand and in short supply. The reserve room, whether or not the plan for a conversational lounge is fully integrated, will undergo changes. The current reserve books will be incorporated into the main circulation desk, Wall said. “The idea for a separate reserve room is about 20 years out of date,” he added. Wall said that the library envisions flexibility for the renovated room so it can be reconfigured for events. There will be a technological infrastructure for events built-in. They also hope to utilize natural light. “There will be a lot you can do with this space once we get it configured,” Wall said. “There will be a new entry way into what is now the reserve room where the emergency exit is now,” Wall said. “We want this to be an inviting space.” Desks currently in the room will be moved elsewhere in the library, so that study spots will not be lost. “There will be more user seats,” he said. “We will take the seats currently in the reserve room and find spots for them in the library. We already have places in mind. Therefore, we won’t lose any seating capacity. All the seats will be moved to other places throughout O’Neill.” “The architectural drawings [for the renovation] are being put together now,” Wall said. “We hope to have it done by
After 20 years at BC, O’Keefe moves on Soon to be former dean leaves lasting legacy students won’t soon forget O’Keefe, from A1
school’s undergraduate program. “Many educations schools around the country don’t sonality, as well as his serious approach to have an undergraduate program,” he said. education. “He’s also a very nice guy, pleas- “We do, and he cared a good deal about that ant and personable,” he said. “He listens to and made sure he did a good job with the people, which not all deans do. If you have an undergraduates. The largest percentage in idea he’ll listen.” the Lynch School is graduate students, but he The dean, who is popular among his doesn’t forget about the undergraduates.” students, was very accessible to even O’Keefe, through his efforts at BC, proved the undergraduate student population in that he can do the job of president, Altbach a school comprised of said. “I think he was chomostly graduate stusen for a number of rea“I love this place, don’t dents. O’Keefe said that sons,” he said. “If you’re get me wrong. It’s hard to a Catholic University, he is proud of the student experience at the leave but it’s time for me particularly Jesuit and Lynch school. you want to have a priest to move on. It’s a great “I think that the or a Jesuit as your presiquality of the students new opportunity. It’s not dent, the pickings are at Lynch and the comnot big these days. One munity is really a won- like I’m leaving something or two universities have derful thing,” he said. “I chosen lay presidents, I don’t like, I could stay think [John] Cawthorne Georgetown being one. [Associate Dean for Un- here forever. I am not only Joe has a big advantage dergraduate Student here. He has dean experisad to leave BC but to Services in the Lynch he is a Jesuit, and he leave Boston, friends, and ence, School, who is retiring] has proven that he can do family.” has been a great menthe job. He’s also a good tor for the undergradufundraiser and a good ates, and I think that speaker.” —Rev. Joseph O’Keefe, S.J. the quality of the underOn March 1, when Dean of LSOE graduate experience and O’Keefe will leave BC, he the graduate experience will be remembered for is very good.” the work that he did with the Lynch School, O’Keefe said he believes positive student Altbach said. “He has brought significant feedback will continue, even in the absence endowments to the Lynch School,” he said. both himself and Cawthorne. “If you look at “He started a number of programs, he started the feedback on the UGBC website, you can the Center for Catholic education and got see that the students at the Lynch school significant funds for that. And the second really are happy and that will continue for part, which was not just him alone but the sure,” O’Keefe said. “It doesn’t depend on faculty in the Lynch school as well, but they me, it doesn’t depend on John [Cawthorne], got the school engaged in Boston public and it will continue for the future, and I will be Catholic schools. In the past, it was perceived applauding from Philadelphia.” as a weakness for BC and he has turned that Before his official announcement, which around completely.” took place at St. Joseph’s on Monday, Students in LSOE said they agree with O’Keefe said that he walked through the new Altbach’s sentiment. “Dean O’Keefe will university to meet students. leave a legacy of his commitment to the “That was intentional. They were the first school of education and to the Boston Colpeople I met,” O’Keefe said. “I am excited lege community,” said Maura McAssey, LSOE to have the opportunity to be with students ’13, in an e-mail. “The person who fills his and continue what my predecessor, Tim Lan- shoes will have to be determined to continue non has done - living in residence halls with to help the already successful Lynch School students, presiding at student liturgies, these improve and thrive. This is especially imare all things I plan to continue.” portant today since the education system is Altbach praised O’Keefe’s care for the always in need of devoted and hardworking
faculty.” O’Keefe said that he will be most proud of two major things as he leaves BC. “I think the most lasting impact, the most important thing a dean does is hire faculty,” he said. “When I think about the future of the Lynch school and think about faculty that will be there for the next 20 years, I have great hope. To hire faculty and to mentor them is the most important thing a dean can do.” The second is the launch of the Lynch Leadership Academy. The Academy, funded by a $20 million gift from the Lynch family, will help to train principals in urban schools to turn struggling schools around. “It is the culmination of a lot of the pieces that I have tried to put together at BC,” he said. “I will be watching it from afar.” O’Keefe said that he hopes to bring what he has done at BC to Saint Joseph’s. “I think that if you think about the Lynch school and what we’ve done, hopefully I can bring a lot of engagement with the city,” he said. “With a Jesuit university, especially in those areas where there is a city, it’s important. A bunch of our programs at the Lynch school deal with this.” “Another thing is academic excellence, and a high level of research and research that impacts social justice, and also creating more diversity amongst the students, faculty, and the administration, which is a longstanding commitment that I’ve had,” he said. “I think that St. Joe’s is a place that doesn’t have the high profile that it deserves. It is very much like BC, half in the city of Philly, half in an affluent suburb, it even looks like BC. It is a place that is very welcoming with a lot of great things going on. I hope that my BC experience will help in working with St. Joe’s to take it to the next level. All my goals as a dean, I think I can continue and better do as president.” Despite the excitement of change, O’Keefe said that it will be hard to leave. “I love this place, don’t get me wrong,” he said. “It’s hard to leave but it’s time for me to move on. It’s a great new opportunity. It’s not like I’m leaving something I don’t like, I could stay here forever. I am not only sad to leave BC, but to leave Boston, friends and family. Before Monday, before it actually became official, I was feeling sad about saying goodbye, but now that I was welcomed [at SJU] I’m feeling the excitement of saying ‘hello.’” n
the fall term.” “As a UGBC senator, I believe it is my job to listen to each and every voice with a viable idea,” Domino said. “That’s the motivation to take action, and I hope the administration listens to the same voices. I would hope that the administration takes to heart the sincere desires of the undergraduate population to have a conversational lounge in O’Neill Library and join other premiere institutions. I hope they take away the notion that this is a great direction to move in.” “The beauty of this here is it’s still an academic space,” Wall said. “You’re not leaving the library. When you get into the library, you’re in a certain frame of mind. With this space you don’t get out of that frame of mind, but you can still take a break. There is also within this space opportunity to build upon the current plans. This should be one of our signature spaces on campus.” Now that the resolution has been passed, it will go to Micaela Mabida, president of the UGBC and CSOM ’11, and Pat Raab, vice president of the UGBC and A&S ’11, then to the desk of University President Rev. William P. Leahy, S.J. “The UGBC Senate as the representative voice of the undergraduate study body encourages the administration of Boston College to renovate O’Neill library’s course reserves into a conversation lounge,” Domino said. n
“This study is not a good basis for determining learning in college. I know my students know more at the end of my courses than they did at the beginning.” —Ina Mullis, Professor in the Educational Research, Measurement, and Evaluation Department
Faculty critical of new study’s results Study, from A1 searcher] would have to pay more attention to the subject matter,” he said. “These skills don’t occur in a vacuum.” The first two years typically involve larger lecture classes, which may contribute to the lower levels of improvement. At the end of students’ college careers, 36 percent of students have shown no improvement. “Typically the first couple years are large courses, and there may be less of a focus on critical thinking,” said Sara Cordes, a professor in the psychology department. “One of the major issues here is that going to college is the chance for a student to specialize. First of all, it is to gain more breadth, then to gain more depth. These measures aren’t necessarily a test of that.” Integrating academic knowledge into one’s extracurricular life can help solidify learning, Cordes said. “If you’re just learning facts and not applying it to anything, you’re not able to combine it to your existing learning base. Memorizing facts is not useful, you need to be able to apply the facts to novel domains.” In addition to these problems, the results do show an improvement – those who entered college in the 50th percentile academically were in the 57th by the end of their sophomore year. “The study
didn’t seem all that dismal.” It is hard to say what the experiences of the participants were, which makes it difficult to generalize. “It’s hard to know what type of experiences students were exposed to,” Martin said. “It seems like there were a lot of students who probably improved a lot, and quite a few who didn’t, for a variety of reasons.” The book also mentions that college graduates are not faring well post-graduation. One-third return home, and 10 percent are unemployed. Given the current economic climate, this is not surprising, some professors said. “It’s a terrible economy,” Cordes said. “Everyone is having trouble finding a job. Also, students are looking for jobs that are going to match their qualifications, which may take a little more time.” Studying educational success and measuring learning in colleges is more complicated than doing so with high schools because the curriculum is not as standardized, Martin said. “The more diverse the courses become, the more challenges there are. There are no easy answers.” “This study is not a good basis for determining learning in college,” Mullis said. “I know my students know more at the end of my courses than they did at the beginning. There are probably a lot of universities where a lot of learning takes place.” n
Students still view internships as invaluable experiences students must meet to have their internships count as credits.” He strongly advised students to talk Experience in internships is invaluable but are not to their respective departments to find out what always accessible.” these requirements are. However, she did find the internship fair helpful. Other factors that Ventura stressed in the “I found many interesting positions internship application process are such as counseling, publishing, confidence and the initiative to “There were many talk to the employers. “Sometimes, managing, etc. It seemed very meaningful and exciting.” different companies students see that companies prefer Alice (Hua) Luo, CSOM ’13, was students who have a certain GPA or at the fair, and I also pleased with the fair. “There a number of hours they can work. If were many different companies at am very interested students feel that they can’t meet the fair, and I am very interested the requirements, they just do not because regardless apply at all.” He finds this unadbecause regardless of the pay, I can certainly attain much from an visable because most employers of the pay, I can internship.” are flexible. “So if you are at least certainly attain The Internship Fair itself was somewhat close to the minimum geared toward sophomores and requirements being sought, go for much from an juniors. Nina Cho, A&S ’11, says, it and apply,” he said. ” internship. “The firms were mostly looking As with any other work, it is for sophomores and juniors rather never too early to apply for internthan seniors. I think the Career ships. The deadline for applica—Alice Luo, Fair in the fall is more oriented tions varies from firm to firm, and CSOM ’13 toward seniors than the Internship some have very early deadlines. Fair is.” For instance, the deadline for the A common concern among students is getting 2011 summer internships at The Boston Globe was their internships to count for academic credit. November 1st of 2010. “Start early. It is never too “Every department has different requirements that early to start,” Ventura said. n
Internships, from A1
Andrew Powell / Heights Staff
At the annual Internship Fair, firms catered to sophomores and juniors looking for summer internship positions.
CLASSIFIEDS
A5
The Heights
Thursday, January 27, 2011
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A6
The Heights
Editorials
Quote of the week
When renovating, listen foremost to students
Thursday, January 27, 2011
No animal should ever jump up on the dining room furniture unless absolutely certain that he can hold his own in the conversation.
— Fran Lebowitz
The student body’s desires for changes to their study space should be taken with particular weight when determining campus changes.
When prospective students and their gained through reading and knowledge parents visit Boston College the first gained through conversation. Academic question they ask is, “Where is the stu- life is, at its very core, a dialogue between dent union?” Unfortunately, our campus educators and students. This lounge will does not have such a building. But that serve as an organic means of facilitating does not mean that the administration this kind of interaction. cannot create spaces for students to meet, While the Chocolate Bar serves a discuss, and interact. With the temporary similar purpose now, its removed locaelimination of the Dustbowl, it is even tion does not foster an natural transition more important to create student space. from private learning to stimulating and While a student union cannot be built informed conversation and vice versa overnight, making an effort now to build because it is significantly far from the more student space will show students library and academic buildings. O’Neill’s that the administralocation is a far tion is listening and more central and a sees this issue as a convenient one for A conversational lounge in legitimate concern. students. Students On Jan. 26, the would be able to O’Neill would parallel the UGBC passed a resoquickly grab a library’s current goals. lution in support of snack during long converting the reserve study sessions room of the O’Neill without trekking Library into a multi-purpose student in the frigid Boston weather to Corcoran space or “conversational lounge” that will or McElroy Commons. potentially serve coffee, tea, and snacks. We agree that the renovation does The renovation of the reserve room is not need to include a complete dining part of O’Neill’s larger renovation plans, hall. After all, a library is not a cafeteria. and both undergraduate and graduate However, it is imperative to recognize students have expressed support for this that this lounge would not be a part of idea and want to see it manifested. the library. It would merely be connected The Heights feels that a conversa- to it. The proposed renovation calls for a tional lounge in O’Neill would parallel noise barrier that would be installed to the library’s current goals. O’Neill does ensure that the library is not affected by not just have to be a place for students to the traffic. Moreover, the lounge would be quarantine themselves in silence and bury located on the third floor of the library, themselves in books the night before an where many students enter. exam. Instead, it has the potential to be a At the very least, this space will give place for students to gather and discuss. students a new place to interact—a place Books and coffee are natural comple- where the ideas sparked in the classrooms ments to the first floor of the library, have a chance to to be manifested in the and a lounge would encourage students dialogue of students meeting for an afto explore the gap between knowledge ternoon coffee.
A farewell to a leader, a continuance of a legacy With the retirement of Rev. Joseph O’ Keefe, S.J., the revered former dean of the Lynch School of Education, there is a chance to fill his shoes. Boston College lost one of its great- ity. He did this by establishing personal est assets on Jan. 24, as Rev. Joseph relationships with students and inviting O’Keefe, S.J., former Dean of the groups out to dinner to converse with Lynch School of Education (LSOE), them as persons outside of an academic was named to the role of president at setting. St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. In recent years, a sustained topic of He will assume this position on March discussion among administrators and 1. Though this news comes as a disap- student groups has been the state of pointment to many on BC’s campus relations between students and faculty. who recognize the wonderful leadership While professors and deans are recepand insight that O’Keefe brought to tive to building relationships beyond the School of Education, this is mainly the classroom with students, many underscored by pride in a celebrated would argue that we could stand to campus leader, who foster an environis taking a necessary ment where such step for the advanceinteractions are O’Keefe is an educator and the norm. ment of his career and sharing his talO ’ Ke e fe h a s a Jesuit whose presence on ents with another in- this campus is irreplaceable, set an example, stitution. not only for fellow but whose methodology and faculty, but also The acceptance of commitment to student his new presidential for administrapost is a major point should serve as a guideline to tors, staff workin O’Keefe’s career, ers, and even stube follwed in his absence. and we should celdents. As the Uniebrate his reaching versity expands this milestone. But in physically in the light of his departure, coming years, we we can take this moment to reflect upon all should look to O’Keefe’s examples what he has imparted on this University, of leadership and solidarity and try to and what successful traditions we can implement those ideas concretely in this carry into the future after his tenure. institution – it is by doing this that the First and foremost, O’Keefe was known University distinguishes itself. for his commitment to reaching out to With the departure of O’Keefe, we students, for having a true interest in offer a farewell nod to an irreplacegetting to know them, their needs and able dean and we welcome his equally the ways in which their educational irreplaceable legacy. O’Keefe is an experience could be best tailored to fit educator and a Jesuit whose presence those needs. on this campus is unforgettable, but O’Keefe was truly attuned to the mis- whose methodology and commitment sion of BC to provide an environment in to students should serve as a guideline which students could fulfill their capac- to be followed in his absence.
The Heights The Independent Student Newspaper of Boston College Established 1919 Michael Caprio, Editor-in-Chief Daniel Ottaunick, General Manager Hilary Chasse, Managing Editor
Daley Gruen / Heights Illustration
Letters to the Editor More recognition, please Thank you for your wonderful column about the legacy of Frank Campanella. I’ve been here since 1968, so I know first-hand what he did for BC. Obviously, you also know this, but you have shared your knowledge with the readership of The Heights. For a future column, I’d love to see something about how we are building, on the Dustbowl, Stokes Hall. Fifteen-20 years ago, plans were drawn up for a different structure on that site, one to be named after Fr. J. Donald Monan. Along with Campanella, it is Fr. Monan also deserves the highest credit for saving and transforming BC into what it is today. To me, it is a shame that we have not recognized this former president with a major building named in his honor. Early BC presidents (Gasson, McElroy, Fulton, etc.) have their named buildings. Why not Monan? Must we wait until he’s dead? Michael Malec Associate Professor, Department of Sociology
A necessary handle on firearms This letter is in response to the articles covering the shooting tragedy inArizona. The Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states: “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Obviously the
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
need for a state militia has been replaced by the National Guard and Coast Guard whereby trained military personnel are entrusted with the defense of this country against domestic enemies. Their weapons are tightly controlled and safeguarded. The only two reasons for a citizen to own a firearm are for hunting or defense of the household from intruders. In either case, ownership of a handgun, shotgun or rifle is more than adequate to satisfy these purposes. There is absolutely no need for any U.S. civilian to own any weapon more powerful or sophisticated than these. Accordingly, all handguns, shotguns and rifles must be licensed and registered to the degree necessary to match weapon to owner at the click of a computer key. Furthermore, if we had prohibited the purchase of more sophisticated weapons, like a Glock 19 semiautomatic pistol with an extended magazine, several innocent victims would not have died or been harmed during this tragedy as well as in shopping malls and on college campuses. The shooter is obviously disturbed by mental illness to which it appears that those defending the right to own sophisticated weapons exhibit the same qualities by showing a callous disregard for the safety and protection of their fellow citizens. Mental illness and guns are as bad a combination as alcohol and driving. Evidently we have the money to fight two wars overseas but not the political will to treat the mentally ill who are not only a danger to themselves but to everyone else as well. Joe Bialek Cleveland, Ohio
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The Heights
Thursday, January 27, 2011
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Opinions
Thumbs Up Superfans – We’ve found them: the hockey game where the Eagles took on U. Mass-Lowell and advanced on to the Beanpot. It was the event to see and be seen at last weekend, and we’re hoping this trend continues as it’s the culmination of all TU/TD has been advocating for in terms of winter sports fan culture. Here’s to having an awesome showing of maroon and gold at the Garden next Monday! Crumpets – Just a few stops down the C line, inside the Trader Joe’s in Coolidge Corner, on the left side of the bread aisle, an intriguing little import has made a permanent home. Crumpets, the oddly spongy, delightfully crispy—not to mention subtlety pretentious and easy to poke fun at—could be one of the greatest things introduced to American culture by the British since Colin Firth. So go ahead, release your inner redcoat, put on Monty Python, boil some Twinnings tea, and enjoy a crumpet. Lil Wayne and Uno – For those of us disappointed by our lyircal hero for failing to produce an album straight out of the cellblock, we can still appreciate him for one reason: a resurgence of our childhood favorite, the card game, Uno. In his recent Rolling Stone interview, Wayne is quoted as saying, “I’d bust a [cellmate] at Uno. We gamble for phone time. I’d take [their] commissary: Lemme get them cookies, lemme get them chips, get that soup.” Not exactly the same circumstances we played under at elementary day care, but Uno is still the game that transcends all barriers to bring happiness to its players.
Patriotism, not pomposity John Blakeslee I love pomp and circumstance. I find the formalities of a presidential inauguration or State of the Union address delightful. Regardless of your opinion of the substance of President Barack Obama’s speech Tuesday night, it is hard not to smile when hearing before the president walks in “Mr. Speaker, the president of the United States.” The president strides into the chamber, a symbol of power and poise, shaking hands and smiling. The Congress stands and applauds him regardless of partisan opinion. Perhaps some of the congressmen or viewers at home are not fond of Obama, but in that moment when he walks into the chamber, everyone is fond of the presidency and of the United States. The cynic sees insincerity in these events. I see a glimpse of patriotism. Patriotism has become sort of like attending church on Christmas. Everyone feels obliged to be patriotic on July 4th or during certain public gatherings, but the day-to-day commitment to patriotism is often derided as unintelligent or jingoistic. This is especially prevalent among college students. We prefer to talk about our country abstractly. Too often
Marye Moran
Mean Girls 2 – Like a chocolate orange, there are just some things in life that should never be paired together. The critically acclaimed Mean Girls, which for many American ex-teeny boppers served as a documentary of their high school years, are another one of those things. This past week ABC Family jumped the shark and debuted a low-budget remake of the millennial favorite. With a plot line completely ripped off the original and trailers that were literally painful to watch, the verdict is in: Mean Girls 2 is so not fetch. Trenta – Starbucks has done it again: come out with a product that goes against all logic as to what is healthy or normal for a human to ingest and market it to the point where it will become a staple in our everyday lives. The trenta, “the new large,” if you will, surpasses the Venti in size... as well as the capacity of the human stomach. Because ingesting only 100 percent more caffeine than is safe in a day is so thirty seconds ago. Depression – Each year, the most depressing day of the 365—as caulcalated by some scientists— falls somewhere during the third week of January. This year it was Jan. 24, meaning we are in the midst of the most depressing week of the year. So if you’ve been feeling a bit under the weather (literally or figuratively) don’t just think you’re imaging things. Own those feelings. Just know, it’s all uphill from here.
a tingle go up their leg. If the sight of the World Trade Organization has ever brought you to tears, there is something wrong with you. It is not that these institutions are unimportant but citizens will never connect with them personally. They are therefore insufficient at providing a basic duty of government, connecting with citizens. Political progress without patriotism is unattainable. We constantly hear politicians talk about “coming together to solve the country’s challenges.” The problem with this appeal is that no one is going to come together to solve the country’s challenges if they do not feel strongly about the country. The more patriotism is fostered in the nation, the more people feel connected to something greater. People are willing to make sacrifices when they are convinced that the object of their sacrifice is truly worthy. Patriotic love does not expunge criticism. The patriot confronts his country’s defects much in the same way that he might confront a loved one about alcoholism. The confrontation of a loved one is grounded in, and motivated by, a love for the person. Similarly, one may criticize one’s country while remaining a patriot so long as the criticism is motivated by genuine love. In fact, the true patriot is the only one who is competent at meaningful criticism. As Augustine observes, you can never really know something until you love it. This brings me back to pomp and circumstance. I know that to an outside observer, the rituals of certain government ceremonies might seem silly. But these irrational rituals let us physically express our irrational love. In an age where we extol the faculties of the brain we must be weary of jettisoning the faculties of the heart. Politics without passion is a body without blood. John Blaskeslee is a staff columnist for The Heights. He welcomes comments at opinions@bcheights.com.
The struggles of campus ‘clubbing’
Thumbs Down Hillside Doors – There is a time and place for everything ... and the time has past for the doors to Hillside (those closest to Conte) to be sealed shut due to “inclement weather.” Temperatures have risen to a normal—for winter in New England, at least—level, and the inconvenience far outweighs the amount saved by keeping them closed. Although, once you make it into the crowded cafe, it’s strangely enjoyable to watch as dozens try time and again to enter the forbidden passage.
do you find someone treat the subject of “America” as if it were some distant concept instead of the land upon which they are standing. A dispassionate consideration of the virtues and vices of America is considered to be a sign of intellectual maturity, as one transcends the barriers of irrational nationalism. But I contend that such an approach is stifling. Many people disparage patriotism because their understanding of it is defective. Patriotism is not nationalism. It has nothing to do with identifying with a larger social group or a notion of national superiority. Patriotism is a form of love. The simplicity of this description conceals its complexity. Think of someone you love. What if you were asked to explain why you love this person? What would you say? Perhaps you would start by listing that person’s attributes. Maybe they are funny or caring or attractive. While these might be characteristics you like, it does not get to the heart of why you love them. Ultimately, love is irrational. It is inexplicable. Accordingly, attempting to discuss patriotism should not incorporate a list of the deeds and misdeeds of your country just in the way you would not describe your love for your mother by listing her strengths and weaknesses. You never chose to love your mother. You just do. Similarly you cannot choose to love your country. Most of us were born Americans, grew up in America, and will, for the foreseeable future, live in America. Whether we like it or not, our country is indelibly woven into the fabric of our being. To hate America is, in some sense, to hate a part of yourself. Even the reluctant citizen is compelled to embrace this latent love of country. Yet it has become increasingly fashionable to condemn those who exhibit a passion for their country. Instead, we are supposed to grudgingly accept “nation states” and put our faith for long-term progress in international institutions. But who can truly love the United Nations? Who looks at NATO and feels
As a tour group walked by on Admitted Eagle Day this weekend, I overheard their student guide saying that “we have tons of clubs and organizations on campus, so you’re guaranteed to find one that suits your interests – and if not, you could always start it yourself!” Her statement is true, and enthusiasm warranted. Clubs on campus are a great way to meet people and become part of something. However, I felt a slight compulsion to barge in and warn the starry-eyed prospects that “it’s not that easy.” Wanting to preserve some semblance of social decorum, however, I kept my mouth shut. If a capella or intramurals are your thing, then you’re in luck. Walking through the main quad of campus, you can find out about every performance group and the Plex sends frequent, unsolicited e-mails about sports registration. Those don’t do me much good, though. I played basketball for five years and never scored a single basket, so sports aren’t exactly my thing. And if I sang so much as one note, I can guarantee those a capella groups would be begging me to stop with the same level of passion and aggression that they use to recruit. It would just be a painful experience for us all. So what am I to do? Sure, we have student activities day, but for freshmen, it occurs at an uncertain time. We are transitioning to more intense academics, more freedom, and with that, more responsibility. Understandably, many don’t want to overcommit too early.
Over Christmas break, after deciding that I finally learned the ropes at Boston College and was able to take on more, I clicked on the “clubs and activities” section of the BC website, anticipating the wealth of opportunities out there for me. First, I was on the page that “only includes student clubs and organizations that maintain websites.” The word “maintain,” though, is used rather liberally here. I first explored the site of BC College Republicans, and when my e-mails to the officers didn’t go through, I did some Facebook stalking to investigate. The president and vice president both graduated last year. On to the next option. The Irish Society’s site was even less promising. The listed president graduated in 2007. There was another listing called “Student Agencies.” Curious what that could mean, I clicked the link. Page not found. Somewhat dejected, but still hopeful, I turned to the more comprehensive list of clubs, which includes those without websites. However, with no descriptions, it is hard to see which would really interest me. Maybe either Asinine, CODEX, or Spark the Truth does exactly what I’m interested in. But how would I know? My involvement has come as a result of chance and persistence. The two community service organizations that I am involved with now are ones that I learned about at the activities fair last September, and saved the flyers for, in order to apply second semester. Neither of them are listed anywhere on BC’s website. Another club that I joined, Her Campus BC, I heard about through word of mouth, as it is not yet an officially registered club. It was founded this year by two seniors, and BC policy stipulates that only freshmen, sophomores, and firstsemester juniors are eligible to start an official club. But at that point, we’re still discovering which clubs
actually exist. Clubs and organizations need to be more visible and accessible. This requires an effort both on the part of the clubs leaders themselves, and the University. There should be a more comprehensive and organized listing of registered clubs, and a less barring systems for registering in the first place. Also, for us late joiners, second semester should start off with a club fair, just like the beginning of the year did. College is all about trying new things, and our exploration should not just happen in the first few weeks of fall. If you are unhappy with your extracurricular activities for the first half of the year, that shouldn’t mean that you have to wait six more months to fully explore all of your other options. I have been able to dedicate myself to groups that I am interested in and passionate about, but finding them was a challenge. That wealth of opportunities that I anticipated is out there, but many are under the radar. If I was to guide future BC students, I would advise them to get involved early. However, that should not have to be the case. Jumping straight into multiple commitments isn’t right for everyone, and there should be better visibility about the opportunities out there throughout the year. The problem I found in my search was that many of the clubs I looked into were not active. Perhaps this is because interested students are unable to find information about how to get involved. There really are bountiful opportunities within the realm of BC extracurriculars, and it would benefit the clubs themselves and the student population if they were a bit more accessible. Or, at the very least, had a descriptive name. Marye Moran is a staff columnist for The Heights. She welcomes comments at opinions@bcheights.com.
Party Time BY BEN VADNAL
And so it begins ...
Zamin Husain It is that time of the year. It has been creeping in the back of our minds since the first semester, and now it is slowly emerging. Everyone is on their A game. Subtle and stealthy, aggressive but casual. These prudent tactics all lead up to the question: So what are your plans for housing next year? The response needs to be as carefully thought out as the question itself. You don’t want to seem too eager, but you don’t want to seem too disinterested. This question can cause friends to shirk back to small talk in which they daintily dance around each other’s feelings. People know who they want as their roommate, but is it mutual? As a result, a charade of clues, hints, and suggestions arise. Nothing is straightforward. But the stress goes much deeper than just finding a roommate. Because of the way Boston College sets up the housing system, you first need to find seven friends. But even if you are able to muster up seven friends, do you really want to risk losing them over housing drama? And while you are organizing your group, your friends are steadily being stolen by other groups. Timing is key. There are the friends who are listed as “maybes” due to RA possibilities, so the question is whether or not to include them in the group. And when it comes to the RA waitlist no one has any clue as to what is going on. Imagine when worse comes to worst and you don’t get the eightman suite that you shed blood, sweat, and tears over. To get the six-man that you now need, just kick two people out after you finally persuaded them into rooming with you. No drama could possibly ensue from that. Don’t worry, you can always re-invite them when you get denied from the six man, no hard feelings. At the end of the process the only thing that can emerge is a bunch of broken feelings—those very same feelings that are being tiptoed around now. The only possibility that seems to work out is living off-campus. Living off-campus really seems to solve all of the major problems associated with housing. Boys can live with girls, the problems associated with RAs evaporate away, and the unnecessarily large meal plan is avoided. But as always, the setback almost makes it not worth it: more buses. A good chunck of us have lived on Newton and although we will go to our graves swearing it is better than Upper, having to take buses again would be awful. The freezing cold, embarrassing running, and sardinepacked buses make it almost not worth it. Housing is so stressful, because all of the fears we had before freshman year are rekindled. If housing doesn’t work out, will I get a random roommate? And then you wonder, no one wanted to room with this person for a reason. They are probably going to be a psycho or just plain unlovable (even though most likely their housing plans fell through like most of the other randoms). You won’t know where you are going to live or who you are going to live with. By some miracle of God, your roommate this year didn’t steal your stuff, read your e-mails, or have terrible hygiene. It is unlikely God will be that merciful twice. So, in the next few weeks prepare for the worst: emotions shattered, hearts broken, the awkward rejected friend, and a lot of drama. It’s going to be quite a show and it’ll be back next year. It’s time to put your groups together, and the people who are the quickest, smartest, and aren’t afraid to step on anyone’s toes are going to win. Secure your spot quickly, stick to the plan, be apologetic and understanding, and keep your fingers crossed. Things may just turn out for the better. But from this point on, everything and (almost) everyone is fair game. All that is left is for the juniors to pray to get into the Mods and the freshman to pray not to get placed on College Rd. Ready, Set, Go! Zamin Husain is a staff columnist for The Heights. He welcomes comments at opinions@bcheights.com.
The Heights
A8
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Thoman mentors young backcourt Breaking By Ryan Kiracofe Heights Staff
As Boston College’s “Big Three” seniors head into the final stretch of an amazing four-year run, forward Stefanie Murphy and center Carolyn Swords grab the headlines, and with good reason. They’ve enjoyed two of the finest careers the women’s basketball program has ever seen. Murphy is one of the toughest players in the ACC for opposing coaches to prepare for, while Swords leads the country in field goal percentage and is the ACC’s top rebounder. Yet without senior point guard Jaclyn Thoman, BC’s success on the court doesn’t happen. A prototypical point guard, the 5foot-9 Colorado native leads the Eagles in assists and three-point percentage through 19 games. Thoman is a prolific passer with a knack for finding her two favorite running mates under the basket. She identifies her basketball role model as Steve Nash. To try to capture Thoman’s importance through stats and numbers, however, would be missing the point. As head coach Sylvia Crowley and the Eagles begin to contemplate life after the “Big Three” graduate in May, the team will look for its young, talented backcourt to run the show. And while Thoman’s first priority remains leading the Eagles on the court, she’s also been charged with educating and mentoring the future of the program. “I think part of my role this year is to keep [the young guards] composed,” Thoman said. “It’s important to communicate that, ‘Look, you’re going to make mistakes, you’re going to have turnovers. That’s basketball.’ But what I’ve been trying to tell them is that what matters is how you bounce back. That’s what can change any game.” Thoman’s understudies can look to the battle-tested senior as someone who’s been there. Thoman has played in a remarkable 115 games for the Eagles, starting all but one game over the last two seasons. Her durability and consistent level of play, however, shouldn’t be taken for granted. “Playing [so many games] gets harder as you go, especially as I get older,” Thoman said. “The game, compared with high school, is just so much faster. Add to that the little things, the lifting, it’s not like it was in high school. It’s not just basketball.”
Nick rellas / heights staff
Although she is often overlooked, guard Jaclyn Thoman has led a young team with her poise. Yet, despite the bumps and bruises that come with being such a durable guard, Thoman makes sure to let the newcomers know that mental fortitude is every bit as important as physical strength. “That’s one of the things I’ve told them the most,” she said. “You feel good now, but just wait until down the road, once ACC play comes. You’re going to be tired. At that point it’s more about mental strength. Can you get by when your body’s
tired, when your legs are heavy?” The guard’s toughness seems to be paying off in her final campaign on the Heights. Thoman is on pace to demolish her career highs for assists in a season and for points per game. The individual numbers, however, aren’t of much consequence, she says. It’s all about the wins. “I’ve never really cared much about how I do individually,” she said. “My game just kind of comes as it’s needed. If we’re winning, that’s what counts. I’m
the type that looks to put people in good positions to score. I have goals down the road. I want to play after college, so I guess those [individual accomplishments] will hopefully just come along with that desire. But it’s all about getting wins.” Those victories have been plentiful so far this season, as Thoman has called the 15-4 Eagles the best squad she’s played on to date. “I feel like BC’s teams always have individual talent,” she said. “We’ve been legit since freshman year. This year was just the year that we buckled down, and said, ‘Non-conference, let’s not lose to a Harvard. Let’s win the New England area,’ and we did that pretty well. Now we’re into ACC play and it’s about taking each game as it comes.” With raised expectations for a talent-laden team come loftier goals for postseason play, and Thoman isn’t shy about her expectations. “I’ve always said we just need to win the ACC tournament,” she said. “That way there’s no decision to be made by the NCAA. If we do that, we’re in the tournament and it’s not up to anybody but us. We need to keep improving as a team, working on rebounds and turnovers, because once the ACC tournament hits, it’s a completely different game. Every team shows up to play hard. The Miami team we saw the two times we played them will be completely different from how they look in the tournament. That applies to everybody. So [winning the tournament] is definitely a lofty goal.” For Thoman, Murphy, and Swords, the time to make a run is now, and a sense of urgency is clear in the way Thoman talks about the rest of the season. “Coach doesn’t have to tell us [about a win-now mentality],” she said. “We just know it. We’ll come in after a loss and say, ‘Look, we have to buckle down,’ or at halftime we’ll say, ‘We need to get more rebounds,’ or ‘Box out harder,’ and everybody does it. It’s not hard to get [each other] motivated, because we know this is the best shot we’ve had.” If the Eagles are to make a run deep into this year’s ACC and NCAA tournaments, they’ll rely heavily on the ability of Murphy and Swords to dominate teams physically underneath the bucket. But for BC, as Thoman goes, so goes the team. In this, her final season, the squad can breathe easy with the ball in her hands. n
resolutions Resolutions, from A10
“Beat Cancer” campaign rallied his fellow classmates around a common cause, giving us all reason to be “men and women for others” in the Jesuit tradition BC holds so dear. While new men’s basketball head coach Steve Donahue’s personal goals might not have materialized in such a dramatic and incredible fashion as Herzlich’s, his team’s record thus far speaks to his dedication to carrying out his word. “We will take a backseat to no one,” Donahue said in an introductory press conference last April. “I believe strongly in the upside of this program. Everything here will be first-class, with the attitude that we’re going to be the best in our conference.” What followed that statement though, was several recruits and former players ditching the Heights for what they thought was even higher ground. And why wouldn’t they? Pundits all across the board had the 2010-11 Eagles slotted for an 10th place finish in the ACC, especially considering the team had to learn an entirely new offense. Apparently, Donahue didn’t listen. BC is No. 4 in the conference, holding onto an impressive 14-6 record overall. The offense has improved three-point shooting from 32.6 percent to 38.8. And those once-critical sportswriters? Bracketology blogger Joe Lunardi has the Eagles in the Big Dance in his most recent set of predictions. I guess what I am trying to say is that next time you make a New Year’s resolution, strive to complete what you set out to do. Can you imagine our football team without its senior captain? Or the basketball team without Donahue, struggling with a sub-.500 record? Had one of these two individuals simply thought small of themselves, BC would be a much different place. If even one of us thinks big, maybe this University can continue to grow. Only then would I consider this a worthy column and my resolution still alive.
DJ Adams is the Associate Sports Editor of The Heights. He can be reached at sports@bcheights.com.
Needing a rebound Women’s Basketball, from A10
against NC State. The night was momentous as she achieved 1,000 career rebounds in an Eagles uniform. The game was also Swords’ eighth double-double of the season. Then in the loss to GT, the senior scored 22 points and grabbed six boards. Swords was nine-of-16 shooting for the night, as well as four-for-six from the free-throw line. Crawley asserted, however, that this Eagles team is definitely not reliant on one player, but rather the combination of everyone contributing. Crawley has expressed how thrilled she is by the major roles taken on by new players to the roster. “I think the newcomers, in terms of our transfers and our freshmen, have picked up our system fairly quickly, and they work hard,” she said. “It’s a good blend just because we’ve been able to do a lot of new things this year since we have a lot of new faces. [We have] a lot of new energy, balanced out by some experience and senior leadership.” Hosting the Seminoles will prove to be a true test for the Eagles and Swords, as much of their success can be attributed to the play of Cierra Bravard. The junior forward has been a strong force in the post and will certainly challenge Swords underneath the basket. Bravard leads the Seminoles with 13.5 points per game, while shooting 57.2 percent from the floor. She has also been averaging 7.6 rebounds per game. Crawley realizes that this game will be a tough contest for a team still dealing with the growing pains that come with a young team in the ACC. “It’s going to be a physical game. They’re very physical. You can’t set screens. They’re just going to plow through those screens. We have to be very aggressive.” This team has the opportunity to match up well against foes, such as the Seminoles, due to its versatility. Players such as Swords, Kerri Shields and Stephanie Murphy have led the team all season long; however, these Eagles are not limited to these three stars. And furthermore, they are not limited to one aspect of their game leading them to victory. “There’s not just one thing,” Crawley said. “[It’s] our teamwork. [It’s] working together as a team.” n
jim prisching / ap photo
BC alum B.J. Raji returned a pass for a TD in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday, while Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler left in the third due to an injury, drawing criticism from colleagues.
Sprained MCL may be Cutler’s last straw Andrew Klokiw B.J. Raji did the unthinkable on Sunday. The 337-pound Boston College graduate rumbled 18 yards to the end zone on an interception return in the fourth quarter, carrying the Green Bay Packers on his extra-wide shoulders to their fifth Super Bowl berth. Along with former Eagles linebacker Robert Francois, Raji has earned his chance on America’s biggest stage in less than two weeks’ time as a member of the Super Bowl-bound Packers. My aim is not to extol these former Eagles, though. For as much praise as Raji has received (Packers coach Mike McCarthy said, “We’ve been using him on goal line [offense], so I guess now we have to throw him the ball, since he can show now he can catch and score;” and The New York Times wrote an article on him titled, “Crazy? Just Like a 337-Pound Fox,”) Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler has been equally maligned. Immediately after the Packers vanquished their longtime rival, the Bears at Chicago’s frigid Soldier Field, Cutler stepped into a situation and press conference as icy as the conditions that day.
When Raji crossed the pylon after almost being stripped of the football in the process like Leon Lett, he was not carrying a ball thrown by Cutler. Instead, the pass came from the Bears’ third-string quarterback Caleb Hanie, who had been thrust into his first extended professional stint in the biggest game of the year. Though Hanie performed admirably in relief, nearly completing a late fourth quarter comeback, Cutler was the one feeling the weight of Chicago’s history of sports heartbreak on his shoulders after the game. Following the 21-14 defeat, Cutler was vilified in interviews, phone calls, text messages, and tweets. In perhaps the biggest game of his career, he completed just six-of-14 passes, throwing no touchdowns and one interception. It’s not what Cutler did that earned him such vitriol, though. It’s what he didn’t do. He stood on the sideline for almost the entirety of the second half with a knee injury that has since been diagnosed as a sprained MCL. Cutler, playing a sport that has historically rewarded players for their toughness by turning them into legends (see Pittsburgh Steeler hero Jack Tatum, who once played a half on a broken
leg), broke the ultimate rule of football: when the going got tough, he sat out. With no one exactly sure where Cutler picked up the injury, or exactly what the injury was for that matter, the Bears’ marquee offensive player stood on the sideline and watched as his two backup quarterbacks failed to lift his team over the hated Packers. Bears head coach Lovie Smith did not do much to help his quarterback earlier this week when he promoted the matchup with the Packers as “a quarterback’s game,” that would be won by “standing in the pocket, taking a couple hits if you have to, just being that leader that the team see is out front making plays.” Cutler’s performance Sunday did not fit the criteria. Though teammates like linebacker Brian Urlacher and tight end Greg Olsen defended Cutler’s decision after the game, it is obvious that a city that is too used to losing and a country that will never get used to losers were not happy with the fallen quarterback. He failed to meet the expectations of the millions of viewers who tuned in to watch the Cutler-less Bears battle it out, without their offensive captain and gunslinging quarterback who had gotten
them there. The major problem with this is that Cutler, who was eventually diagnosed with knee problems, stood on those rickety knees on the sidelines as the clock wound down on his team and his city. I don’t want to indict a player who has been renowned for his toughness, but I merely write to express the surprise I felt and no doubt shared with countless Americans as I watched NFL retread Todd Collins, and eventually unproven Caleb Hanie, trot out to save the Bears season in place of the man who no doubt gave the Bears their best shot. In the end, however, Hanie and the Bears falling short can serve as a microcosm of Cutler’s explanations not nearly satisfying the championship-starved city of Chicago. Without realizing it, as we witnessed Raji’s ascension into the country’s sports pantheon last Sunday night, we were simultaneously watching Cutler’s fall from those same graces. Good luck winning us back, Mr. Cutler.
Andrew Klokiw is a guest columnist for The Heights. He can be reached at sports@bcheights.com.
The Heights
Editors’ Picks
Thursday, January 27, 2010 The Week Ahead
Standings
Men’s basketball will travel to the hostile Cameron Indoor Stadium to take on Duke. Women’s basketball hosts Florida State, while women’s hockey matches up against Providence. Men’s hockey heads north to take on UMass-Lowell.
A9
Recap from Last Week
Greg Joyce
5-0
Paul Sulzer
4-1
DJ Adams
3-2
Heights staff
3-2
Game to Watch
Men’s hockey went 2-0 on the weekend, defeating BU and UMass-Lowell. Men’s basketball was dealt a tough loss at Florida State. Women’s basketball dropped an ACC contest at Georgia Tech. The Steelers beat the Jets to advance to the Super Bowl.
Men’s Basketball
Guest Editor: Lindsay Grossman
Duke
Layout Editor “Can you give me facts?”
Paul Sulzer Sports Editor
This Week’s Games Men’s Basketball: Boston College at Duke
DJ Adams Assoc. Sports Editor
Greg Joyce Asst. Sports Editor
Lindsay Grossman
Layout Editor
Duke
Duke
Women’s Basketball: BC vs. Florida State
FSU
FSU
BC
BC
Women’s Hockey: Boston College vs. Providence
BC
BC
BC
Providence
Men’s Hockey: Boston College at UMass-Lowell
BC
BC
BC
BC
Team Lidstrom
Team Staal
Team Lidstrom
Team Lidstrom
NHL All-Star Game: Team Lidstrom vs. Team Staal
Duke
Duke
vs.
Boston College
The Eagles head to Durham amid poor travel conditions, and then will have to weather the storm that is Cameron Indoor Stadium on Thursday at 8 p.m. No. 3 Duke has lost just one game all season, an away match-up against ACC opponent Florida State. Since then, the Blue Devils have won their past three contests by an average of 18 points per game. BC will need to contain the dangerous duo of Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler, two of the ACC’s top five in scoring, if it hopes to compete with Duke.
Walk-on returns from broken nose Alber, from A10
interested in both, and so would have to schedule carefully so that I could go on all my camping trips and make all my games. But hockey always came first.” Alber’s dedication to the game took him from the site of American hockey’s greatest moment - Lake Placid, where Alber attended the Northwood School, notable for graduating fourteen different NHL players - to Boston, where he played two seasons with the Boston Jr. Bruins of the Eastern Junior Hockey League, serving as assistant captain for his second go around with the team. “The talent level that we had in the league was pretty good,” Alber said. “I played on a team with (BC teammates) Eddy Shea and Tommy Atkinson as well. Most people don’t think its as good as the USHL (United States Hockey League) but I think it does just as good a job for preparing people to play at this level. A ton of great
players have come out of that league.” But even after reaching such a high level, college coaches were skeptical of his ability to play at the Division I level. Alber received no Division I college scholarship offers, and ended up walking on for the Eagles. “When we looked at him when he was in high school, we didn’t think he was playing at a D1 level yet” BC head coach Jerry York said. “We then looked at him when he was playing with the Junior Bruins, and he had gotten better but we weren’t sure if he was at the level we needed him to be at.” Alber admits that walking on is tough, but feels as though it strengthened him as a player and pushed him to work harder on some of the holes in his game. However, additional practice and conditioning didn’t pay off immediately. He sat out for the first half of BC’s championships season last year, not getting on the
ice until near the end of January in a game against UMass-Lowell. But from there Alber became a regular in the lineup and ended up playing in all eight postseason victories for the Eagles, even notching a goal in the Frozen Four against Miami (Ohio). “Definitely one of the top moments of my career,” he said. “It still feels pretty crazy when I think about it, helping my team to win a championship as a freshman.” As a sophomore, Alber has kept the same work ethic that helped him play last season and used it to make himself one of BC’s top defensemen. “He came in here and started working every day, really got into [it], and turned into a player who’s earning major minutes,” York said. “He’s continued to get better and better, and now you can see he’s a great player and has been a big contributor this season.” His contributions have come in one of collegiate hockey’s odder
pairings; the 5-10 Alber often teams up with 6-4 Brian Dumoulin to patrol the Eagles’ zone. While York maintains that he can play any of his six top defensemen together, he does admit that he notices how well the two play with each other. “He and Dumo seem to have a real chemistry together,” York said. “They work well together, and they compliment each other well.” Their ability to compliment one another is a major reason why the Eagles have been able to avoid the year-after slump that often haunts championship teams. So what’s the key to the Eagles chances of repeating this year? “Staying healthy,” he said, laughing. “More importantly, we all need to keep working hard day in and day out, and hopefully that will lead to a chance to win another national championship.” Alber’s got the former goal figured out. Now he can go back to only thinking about the latter. n
alex trautwig / heights editor
Patch Alber has overcome multiple injuries to become a major contributor.
BC set for Lowell rematch By Steven Principi For The Heights
As Hockey East’s grueling schedule now enters its stretch run, the Boston College men’s hockey team turns its attention back to a familiar opponent. Coming off a 5-3 win over UMass-Lowell last Saturday night, the Eagles are preparing to face the River Hawks again, this time in Lowell. And while Lowell’s record of 4-19-2 is anything but impressive, head coach Jerry York remains wary of his team’s next test. “Going into the game (last week), we knew they had won at Merrimack, so throw all the records out,” York said. “And that really heightened our awareness of how good they could be. They are the best fourwin team that I’ve seen at this stage of the season, I don’t think that their record is at all indicative of the type of team they have.” Indeed, in last weekend’s game, the River Hawks were far more competitive than their losing record would suggest. They did manage to hold leads of 1-0 and 2-1 and stayed into the game due to an outstanding performance from their freshman goalie Marc Boulanger. “For 60 minutes it was as difficult a game as we’ve played all year,” York said, “I thought we played better Saturday night against Lowell than we did against BU, but it was still 2-2 going into the third period. They impressed us last week, their goalie was tremendous and their team speed was very impressive.” While Lowell is currently struggling to string together wins, the Eagles have risen to the top of the Hockey East standings. With wins in nine of their last 10 games, they’re the hottest team in the league, if not the country. But BC currently holds just a two-point lead over New Hampshire, making the points available this weekend even more important, York said.
“I think that any time you’re looking for a championship, two points might separate the champion from the runner up,” he said. “I think it’s been six years since we won a regular season title. Given the fact that New Hampshire has played three less games than us, I think these are two very important points for us.” Part of the reason for BC’s recent surge of victories has been the dominance of the power-play and penalty-kill units. Against Lowell, the Eagles scored on all three power play chances, while they added another two against Boston University. The penalty killing has been just as strong, holding their opponents to a combined two-of-10 on opportunities last weekend. This success has not gone unnoticed by York, who believes that hard work and repetition have lead to the recent surge. “We work on our special teams throughout the whole course of the season,” he said. “At this point of the season, we hope that our cohesiveness has improved from where we started. We started the season with five practices then a couple games, then five more practices, but we’ve gotten to the point where we can now really mesh those all together. Now we can watch a game and see what we could have done and what we are doing well. I really like our attentiveness and our skill level on both those teams.” In order to continue with their recent success, the Eagles need to continue with their special teams dominance. They rank second in Hockey East on the power play and first on the penalty kill. Lowell, on the other hand, ranks at or near the bottom in terms of special teams, giving BC a chance to continue its recent success. York, while aware of the threat that Lowell poses, remains confident in his team. “This has been a good week of preparation for us to go play them at Lowell,” he said. “We’ve really hit our stride recently and we look forward to the challenge that they will pose.” n
alex trautwig / heights editor
Boulanger, who turned away 41 Boston College shots last weekend, will be put to the test again on Saturday in Lowell.
SPORTS The Heights
Thursday, January 27, 2010
A10
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Eagles venture to Cameron Indoor By Robert T. Balint Heights Staff
This week, the men’s basketball team has been gearing up for one of the toughest games on the schedule, tonight’s matchup between the Eagles (14-6, 4-2 ACC) and the No. 3 Duke Blue Devils (18-1, 5-1) at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. “Cameron’s a great venue,” head coach Steve Donahue said. “[The players] are excited about the opportunity to play. More importantly, we’re coming off a loss, and we want to get back on the winning trail.” The Eagles were defeated on the road by Florida State on Saturday, 67-51. The Seminoles had the Eagles’ number from the start, proving their No. 1 defense in the country was worthy of the advanced billing. However, the trip to Tallahassee helped to prepare the team for Thursday’s match-up. Like Duke’s squad, “Florida State is an extremely athletic team,” Donahue said. “The environment was hostile.”
Few environments are more hostile “I think you have to start with Smith than the infamous Cameron Indoor. The and Singler, and do a great job on them,” Duke fans are known for intimidating Donahue said. Match-ups will be flexvisiting teams, and the Blue Devils use the ible, and the two seniors will be covered overwhelming crowd to their advantage. by a variety of different guys.” The head “You’ve got to be very poised in coach stressed the importance of a strong an environment and defensive presence in against a team that transition, and good tries to rattle you,” communication. Donahue said. “When we’re playFor a Boston Coling good individulege victory to be al defense, we play possible, just about great team defense,” everything is going to he said. Thursday, 8 p.m. have to go the Eagles’ The team will be Get the updates: way. The Blue Devils looking for a big game twitter.com/heightssports have not suffered a from point guard defeat at home since Reggie Jackson. The March 2008, and are currently averaging junior was named as an ACC Player of 87.4 points per game, the fourth highest in the Week after averaging 25.5 points, 5.0 the nation. Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler rebounds, and 5.0 assists last week, but lead a deadly offense. Those two combined had trouble in the Florida State game, for 43 points in Duke’s 83-59 shellack- scoring just three points in the first half ing of Wake Forest over the weekend. To and 13 points in total. Jackson played a handle the Blue Devil offensive machine, vital role in the program’s last win against the Eagles’ defense will have to be rock Duke, in February 2009, when he hit the solid. go-ahead bucket in the final minute of an
80-74 win. It was BC’s first win over Duke since 1985. Donahue said on Tuesday that the team is hoping Biko Paris will rejoin the lineup for the game tonight. The senior did not play in the Florida State game due to a stomach illness, but the head coach was hopeful that Paris would be ready to roll in Durham. The team missed the guard’s impact in Tallahassee, as Paris has averaged 10.8 points in 31.2 minutes per game. Without him, the Eagles were held to their lowest score yet this season. His absence in the backcourt would deal a harsh blow to the Eagles’ offense. Donahue’s crew will need both lockdown defense and a good enough field goal percentage to keep up with the Blue Devil shooters, which means something close to, if not better than, 48 percent. As far as intangibles go, the head coach wants his team to match the characteristic intensity that Duke seldom fails to bring to its home court. “They’re a team that plays extremely hard with great energy,” Donahue said. “That’s our calling card too.” n
All Patched Up
By Tim Jablonski Heights Staff
One expects toughness from a hockey player the same way one expects snow on the ground in the winter. That is to say, you don’t really expect it so much as you just assume it’s already there. Its not necessarily a job requirement, but more so a byproduct of unfettered love for the sport. Those who truly love the game play through injuries, because nothing keeps them from the ice. They’re not trying to show off by playing with a fractured rib or torn ligament or what have you. They just don’t understand why anyone who loves the game wouldn’t want to be out on the ice if they’re capable of skating. Patch Alber has broken his wrist. He broke his collarbone, his arm, and has injured pretty much every part of his body that he could. The year before he came to Boston College as a walk-on, Alber played forward for a while after being sent into the boards particularly roughly as a defenseman. After two weeks, the team found out that he had been playing with a fractured sternum. It’s obvious that there should be no questioning his toughness at this point. Which is why the past few weeks have been among the most frustrating of Alber’s life. The sophomore defenseman for the defending NCAA Cham-
pions, one of the stalwarts of the most successful penalty-kill units in the country, has been sidelined since New Year’s with the most infuriating of injuries: one that has no effect on his skating or stick work, but still keeps him on the sideline. Namely, a broken nose. “It’s frustrating because you never want to miss games,” he said. “Not being able to play is the hardest part of it.” While Alber wouldn’t say how he sustained the injury (even after some prodding), he does think it will help him in the long run of the season. “It gave me a little extra motivation to keep practicing and to come back an even better player than before,” said the Clifton Park, N.Y. native. Not that Alber has ever needed motivation to practice. He loves the game. His story is one that you here a similar version of from countless other players: skating at the age of three, playing hockey by five, a childhood filled with travel teams and unconscionably early practices. But Alber’s youth was not completely hockey-centric: He became an Eagle Scout at the age of 16. How did he possibly manage both time consuming activities? “It was kind of a balancing act,” he explained. “I was always
See Alber, A9
Struggling women’s basketball team faces FSU By Chris Marino Heights Editor
Women’s head basketball coach Sylvia Crawley has maintained a roster of both young talent and veteran leadership to create a formidable lineup for ACC opponents. “We are a young team, but we have great leadership from our seniors,” Crawley said. “It’s a good blend because the upperclassmen really help a lot with the younger ones.” Tonight, Boston College (15-5, 2-3 ACC) will face one of its toughest conference foes in Florida State University (164, 4-1). The No. 16 Seminoles are coming off a victory against the No. 17 University of Miami, while the Eagles fell in a 67-54 match-up against Georgia Tech.
Despite losing to the Yellow Jackets, senior center Carolyn Swords was honored this past week as the ACC Women’s Basketball Player of the Week. In two games, Swords averaged 18.5 points and 12.5 rebounds, while shooting 65 percent from the field. “[Carolyn’s] a great low-post presence, and she’s rebounding the basketball extremely well,” Crawley said. “That really helps get us more possessions. She’s getting offensive rebounds and also boxing out to get the defensive rebounds. She limits the other team’s possessions.” In the first game, Swords took control of the game with a season-high 19 rebounds to go along with 15 points
Nick Rellas / heights staff
See Women’s Basketball, A8
i nside S ports this issue
Jaclyn Thoman
Center Carolyn Swords and guard Kerri Shields will face a tough test against Florida State.
The senior guard sat down for a one-on-one with The Heights................................A8
Sprained MCL may be Cutler’s last straw
A questionable injury has fans challenging the quarterback’s toughness.................................................A8
Breaking New Year’s resolutions DJ Adams I guess I should have seen this coming. We’re now two weeks into the spring semester, and that “Go Getta” attitude that Young Jeezy sung of with stoic lyricism back in 2007 (seriously, remember that annoying tune?) has finally eluded most of us college students, myself certainly included. My semester started with several self-inflicted promises, ones that I knew might not make it past Valentine’s Day but nonetheless inspired me to will change in my life. Yet, as I sat down to compose this piece, I find myself not detailing my accomplishments thus far, but instead writing them off as worthless bits of hope. Attend the Plex three times per week? Nope, haven’t been once. Create a Google Calendar? I put a few tasks in there, but let’s be real, Yahoo News! is way more exhilarating to read every day than my mundane list of duties. Do daily reading assignments? If learning about Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist’s adventures in one of Stieg Larsson’s bestsellers counts, then I guess I partially succeeded in that one. Finally, a healthy breakup with my dependence on caffeine fell short one day when I found myself slurping down a fifth cup of the oh-so-lovely Dean’s Beans brew that dining services provides. Though upsetting, that is a feat in itself. Coffee, it’s things like you that somehow make me feel pity for Brett Favre every year he comes crawling back from Hattiesburg, Miss., to ruin a team’s hopes and dreams (still bitter, I am). Anyway, I digress. There was one last goal I had entering the new year, and maybe the most important one yet: Write thoughtful columns for The Heights long before they are due. Since it was the only one I truly thought would survive a full academic term, I find it fitting that my lofty expectation is coming to a close this Wednesday afternoon, as I type furiously, racing against the clock, to finish what is probably not my best work. But hey, we all make promises to ourselves that inevitably are broken, right? At least it’s our own procrastination and lack of motivation that crushes our confidence rather than some outside phenomenon like housing lottery issues, right? Wrong. In fact, all one has to do is look at some of the declarations that some of the biggest names in BC athletics have made in the past year to realize just how pathetic I am. Every student who walks through the Quad daily knows of the first story I will cite. Although we are almost two years removed from the day when he was first diagnosed with the rare cancer, Ewing’s sarcoma, senior linebacker Mark Herzlich’s tale continues to grow more inspirational each and every day. The 2008 ACC Defensive Player of the Year was given news from his doctors that with this type of cancer, though his diagnosis wasn’t terrible, survival was always questionable, jogging was doubtful, and football was impossible. Yet that didn’t stop Herzlich from issuing these words to his supportive parents, “I’m going to play football again.” And play he did. The senior started in all 13 games this season after sitting out the 2009 campaign, amassing the third highest total on the team with 65 tackles. Last week, he won the 2010 College Football Rudy Award, honoring “student athletes who demonstrate exemplary character, courage, contribution, and commitment as members of their collegiate football teams.” Even this Saturday he will participate in the 2011 Under Armour Senior Bowl to show NFL scouts the skills he possesses. Maybe the most important accomplishment Herzlich achieved this past year, though, was what he gave back to the cancer-inflicted community. The
See Resolutions, A8
Game of the Week................A9 Numbers to Know................A9
Scene and heard
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On the Session
Feed cows booze
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Music
fleet foxes new album drops just in time for midterms page B2
Thursday, January 27, 2011
a look at this year’s sundance selection By Darren Ranck Arts & Review Editor Brennan Carley Assoc. Arts & Review Editor | Charlotte Parish Asst. Arts & Review Edtior
O
nce a year, Hollywood agents descend upon Park City, Utah, like a swarm of movie-hungry wasps, ready to pick apart the indie offerings laid before them. From box office smashes like Little Miss Sunshine and Saw, to thought-provoking, award-laden features like An Inconvenient Truth and Winter’s Bone, the Sundance Film Festival showcases Hollywood’s best and brightest—and sometimes its dunces. The brainchild of actor and director Robert Redford, the first Sundance Film Festival occurred in 1978, not only as a way to bring new talent to the forefront, but as a way to bring
moviegoers to Utah. Its winter backdrop allowed the festival to be more than just a film festival – it became a winter celebration, a ski resort for the film fanatic. Where the festival once hosted a small elite of filmmakers, it has now become another pilgrimage for the Hollywood set. Everyone from A-list celebrities to the frenetic paparazzi trek from New York City and Los Angeles and encroach upon Park City. The press reports on the daily film viewings and get the buzz flowing, whether it’s positive or negative. Take, for example, The Son of No One, a cop flick starring Channing Tatum and Katie Holmes, a film that See Sundance, B5
Mollie kolosky / heights photo illustration
The Heights
B2
Thursday, January 27, 2011
+Editor’s Corner
Culture gets down and dirty Darren Ranck
I can say with relative confidence that Topanga Lawrence from Boy Meets World ushered me into puberty. Excuse me for being lewd, but the combination of her neurotic intelligence, sassy sense of humor, and her wardrobe’s rather low-cut tops drove 12-year-old boys across the nation crazy. She achieved sex symbol status even after her ugly duckling phase in the first season, an admirable feat considering she began as one of those mousy girls with a strange spiritual demeanor (you know the kind). I watched Boy Meets World every day on the Disney Channel to tune in to the lovely Ms. Lawrence, and luckily, the show was pretty good, too. The show drew me in using an adage well known to adults but not so much to pre-teen viewers – sex sells. That’s not to say Topanga Lawrence was some kind of floozy, but adolescent viewers respond to the highly unfamiliar and enticing curiosities of the opposite sex. Before this column becomes a strange and uncomfortable retread of What’s Happening to My Body?, let me get to the issue. For Gen-Y, Topanga Lawrence may be the most highly accessible “hottie” in pop culture, but today’s youth are exposed to more sexuality in media than ever before. The glaringly obvious perpetrators include pop divas and madcap randy teen dramas, of course. Let’s begin with one making headlines, the MTV remake of United Kingdom’s Skins. The media continues to have a field day with this naughty confection as the words “child pornography” are thrown about in an accusation made by the Parents Television Council (PTC). The show contains scenes of partial nudity and rather sexual discourse between the members of the teen cast that skirts the line of appropriateness. In that light, the concerns are somewhat validated. A sect of Skins supporters, as well as those good ol’ supporters of the First Amendment, criticize the PTC, though, for being, in essence, prudes. They recall the fury of the PTC during the Gossip Girl fiasco, in which parents shamed the CW for its influential teen glamour series and its esteemed values of adultery, drug use, and teen partying. In response, Gossip Girl launched a rather risky advertising campaign that set the series’ stars in compromising positions with text such as “Every parent’s worst nightmare” illuminating the cheeky sensibility of marketing. The show developed a faithful following and has never tried to scale down its questionable morals to the delight of viewers. I can only assume Skins will face a similar fate with the deviant faces of its young cast plastered on magazine covers for the next several weeks. Magazine covers host a number of sexualized folk, particularly members of the music industry. For instance, Beyonce epitomizes a strong, beautiful woman, but to write a song for herself called “Bootylicious,” seems to downplay the more poetically beautiful aspects of her music. Have you heard “Flaws and All?” It’s a lovely song, but you may not have noticed because of the attention drawn to her “jelly,” so to speak. There’s also Ms. Katy Perry whose latest album featured her naked figure covered only by a cloud. Yes, Katy Perry in the buff, covered, quite literally, with atmospheric mist. That’s OK, though! She’s an artist! America has progressed since the innocent days of Cory and Topanga. Where I used to swoon at the sight of an adorably coy Topanga, young boys are tuning in to watch pregnant band members on Secret Life of the American Teenager. To what extent do we allow young people to receive these images? With Skins and Lady Gaga crafting a new sexual revolution, who knows what the new borders of culture will be. Only about 7,300 days until I join the Parents Television Council in battling the indecency of pop culture.
Darren Ranck is the Arts&Reivew Editor for The Heights. He can be reached at review@bcheights.com.
An Independent frame of mind
Radio singles by brennan carley
A mixed bag of Oscars
MNDR “Cut me Out”
Chris Brown “Beautiful People”
Lady Gaga “Mugler Runway Remix”
Nicki Mianj feat. lil wayne “Roman’s Revenge”
With a patterned and pervasive baseline, “Cut Me Out” is an all and out great pop song full of buzzing synthesizers and sharp hooks. This infectious track worms its way into your head and doesn’t let go. Like a cooler and more talented Ke$ha, bespectacled and budding electro-pop star, MNDR, who was prominently featured on Mark Ronson and the International’s most recent album, serves up a catchy song with a hook you can’t stop humming.
This Benny Benassi penned track is seriously better than it has any right to be. Brown sings with smooth vocals over a track that takes its sweet time to pay off, but boy, is it worth it. “Beautiful people” he sings over bumping beats, encouraging dancers to keep their heads up. Also listen to his Busta Rhymes and Lil Wayne-assisted “Look At Me,” another club banger.
Sure, it’s a remix of an unreleased song but if this tantalizing teaser is even just a hint of what’s in store from Mother Monster’s Born This Way, audiences should anticipate huge things. The track features Gaga chanting in sultry German, but the best moment is found at the 1:40 mark, when her crystal clear pipes burst with, “I’ll take you out tonight, say whatever you like.” Consider expectations raised.
When Minaj first dropped “Revenge,” her fans ate it up. With Eminem’s stellar assistance, the song stands out as one of her best, but she felt like something was missing from her debut album Pink Friday. Luckily, Lil Wayne fits right in on this frenetic track, entering with a howl as he raps “throw dirt on the floor and get caught on the broom” alongside a long string of equally witty, but less PC rhymes.
one of my personal favorites, tells the story of the forgotten and rebel brother while “Your Protector,” sings about a protector coming home for an unknown “baby.” These medieval sounds touch on a number of topics from chivalry to comedy, but all converge on catchy atmospheric melodies that make listening to the entire album a pure delight. The Fleet Foxes new album is, according to the band, a more “existential” look into song making with new instruments, including the harp and more exotic string instruments. Despite the lack of sales, their first album is going to be hard to beat on the basis of talent with numbers like “White Winter Hymnal,” a campfire trickster song about foxes and scarves. Their two latest releases, “Mykonos,” and, “False Knight on the Road,” prove to be just as medieval as the rest of their songs. My guess is that their new album, to be released this spring, will have me living in the Bapst Library for at least four days with their atmospheric sound. I, personally, can’t wait.
When the Oscar nominations were announced early Tuesday morning, there was a outburst of reporting about the indecency of the Christopher Nolan for the Best Director snub. There were questions as to what happened to The Social Network’s Andrew Garfield, who seemed all but a shoo-in for Best Supporting Actor. “Where is Ryan Gosling?” bemoaned some who thought the talented thesp would snag some sort of a nomination for Blue Valentine. Likewise, Julianne Moore was ignored for her heartbreaking performance in the wonderful The Kids Are All Right. I chose to look at the nominations in a more positive light, a very accurate description of my movie going year. Many of the movies and performances that blew Hollywood out of the water in 2010 were recognized, some of which, I was pleasantly surprised, had not dropped off the Academy’s radar. Take, for instance, the absolutely incredible Waste Land. I reviewed it back in November after I had the chance to see it with a friend. When asked to describe the movie we were going to see via text, I replied, “It’s about art and South America and stuff I think.” Luckily, Waste Land was about so much more. It was one documentarian and artist’s way of exploring new mediums for his work while bringing hope to an impoverished and often overlooked community. The movie’s inclusion in the Best Documentary category, particularly over the highly touted Waiting for Superman, is a victory for the people of Jardim Gramacho, the world’s largest landfill. How wonderful, also, to see some Academy love for a largely otherwise ignored actor, John Hawkes. I feel like I’ve talked my readers’ ears off about the magnificent Winter’s Bone, but hey, one more mention won’t really hurt. While this was Jennifer Lawrence’s movie through and through (and look at that! An Oscar nomination for her!), Hawkes brought a discomforting chill to the role of Teardrop, the protagonist’s uncle who tries to convince her that her father has been killed. It would have been great to see some for Dale Dickey, whose horrifying Merab was 2010’s most villainous character. While I am mostly pleased at how this year’s Academy Award nominations look, I would be remiss in ignoring some key snubs, performances that I have heralded for quite some time now. Where in the heck was the nomination for Daft Punk’s stellar Tron: Legacy score? Even if the movie was too “commercial” for the Academy’s taste, the band masterfully brought the film together in a coherent and, might I add, best-selling fashion. While on the subject of Tron, I also should mention the lack of a nomination for its absolutely breathtaking visuals, which basically made the movie. A shout out in the Best Sound Editing category is great and all, but “The Grid” was far and away the most advanced technical feat of film in 2010. The biggest issue at hand in my book is the complete and total shutout of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. I’m sorry, Academy voters, but did the muddy and atrocious special effects from Tim Burton’s craptastic Alice in Wonderland really warrant a Best Visual Effects nomination over the sleek and stunning ones of Pilgrim? I refuse to believe that people actually believe that Alice was better than Pilgrim, but that doesn’t explain how it magically conjured up a stupefying three nominations. Stop rewarding Tim Burton, people. He’s just going to keep on putting Johnny Depp in “quirky” roles in all of his movies and eventually there will be no stopping him. In essence, I guess I would have to say I’m mostly ecstatic about this year’s Oscars. There were a few surprises, but the scant oddballs that popped up are absolutely deserving of the attention they’ll now surely be granted. While some of my favorites didn’t make it in, I suppose it could be worse: Avril Lavigne was on the shortlist for Best Original Song.
Susan Skakel is a columnist for The Heights. She can be reached at review@bcheights.com.
B re n n a n C a rl e y i s As s o s i a t e Arts&Reivew Editor for The Heights. He can be reached at review@bcheights.
photos courtesy of amazon.com and creativecommons.org
THis week on tv by Courtney seitz & charlotte parish
Live television always offers the unexpected
‘ Conan’
‘Saturday Night Live’
‘Superbowl XLV’
Jane Lynch, the indominable Sue Sylvester of Glee, will be joining the always hilarious Conan O’Brien this week on his show to promote another much anticipated television episode: the Michael Jackson tribute by Glee from which videos are already avaliable, showing the New Directions as zombie football players while singing “Thriller.” Lynch is sure to have hilarious chemistry with O’Brien in a can’t miss episode.
For your weekly dose of funny, catch Saturday Night Live this week as Jesse Eisenberg, star of The Social Network, hosts. Will the comedic cast make a few pokes at the Facebook Empire? More than likely. While SNL is known for its hilarious skits, it is also known for its high profile musical guests, and this week will not disappoint. Rapper and R&B singer Nicki Minaj will take the stage, singing selections from her latest album success, Pink Friday.
What is so close, yet so far away? Why Super Bowl XLV. of course! Will it be the Packers or the Steelers? The match-up is set to air from the Cowboys’ stadium in good old Texas on Feb. 6, and fans are excitedly anticipating the matchup. So, who will triumph? Mark your calendars for 6:30 p.m. on Super Bowl Sunday, and switch on Fox, to find out! And on a more serious note, for all you Pats fans, there’s always next year. Stay tuned for Glee following the game. photos courtesy of Google
Music Nook
photo courtesy of Google
To the great musical talents of their debut album, Fleet Foxes add an “existential” outlook into the making of their sophomore product.
Young love rekindled with sophomore album Susan Skakel Rewind to first semester of my freshman year, in the big hall of Bapst Library during exam week. This was my first introduction to the Fleet Foxes. I’ll admit I was late to the party, and I was not happy to hear that their first album Fleet Foxes had been out for over a year. Their melodic harmonies and eerie sounds accompanied me on my first coffee addled college exam week. My love affair with the Fleet Foxes had officially begun. Of course the reason I bring this up now is that Fleet Foxes have announced a new album release for spring of this year (spring exam week?). The Seattle-based folk band was founded by Robin Pecknold and Skyler Skjelset. Its influences include Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond, and Hank Williams. It gained exposure and popularity largely due to illegal music sharing from their MySpace page. This popularity led to a record contract with Sub Pop in 2008. Foxes first gained serious public popularity with their appearance at South-by-South West in Texas. They gained more popularity in Europe than the United States with their fulllength release of Fleet Foxes in 2008.
Additionally, they were well received by Rolling Stone and other American music critics. The Fleet Foxes’ sound in their debut was a pseudo ghostly one. The CD offered a series of atmospheric and quaint songs that were, above all, catchy, a unique element in folk music. They offered something different to the genre, a pairing of catchy harmonies and talented guitar licks. Their lead man Robin Pecknold literally has “talent coming out of his a—” according to producer Phil Ek. Back to freshman year and their first release Fleet Foxes. It was my anthem for my first college exam week. Why, you ask? Precisely because of my choice to study in Bapst. Bapst is, more than anything else that Boston College students deal with on a regular basis, medieval, as is Fleet Foxes’. “Blue Ridge Mountains.” With its stringy start, it sounds like it should narrate the tale of a young knight as he finds his slumbering princess. After its twangy start, it keeps ascending toward a faster guitar chorus and follows its knight as he ascends, descends, and ascends once again. The whole album reads like a 21st century knight’s odyssey toward a folk princess. “He Doesn’t Know Why,”
Brennan Carley
The Heights
Thursday, January 27, 2011
inside
the
sundance film festival
By Darren Ranck Arts & Review Editor Brennan Carley Assoc. Arts & Review Editor | Charlotte Parish Asst. Arts & Review Edtior
B3 cedar rapids Sundance usually introduces a successful quirky comedy to the movie-watching populace, and Cedar Rapids reportedly earns the title at this year’s festival. Starring Office star Ed Helms, the film tells the story of a small town salesman who visits the big city – Cedar Rapids, Ind. – for a business conference. His fellow conference participants range from the intriguingly beautiful (Anne Heche) to the delightfully daffy and overzealous (John C. Reilly). Screenwriter Phil Johnston earns kudos for his zany but nevertheless heartfelt screenplay.
Sundance, from A10
was met with walkouts and audible “boos.”On the other hand, the 2011 fest saw the dawning of a new age of Olsen, with Elizabeth’s stunning Martha Marcy May Marlene. Sundance allows for the emergence of niche flicks like Project Nim, director James Marsh’s pet project about the life of a miraculous chimpanzee. Where else would James Franco have the opportunity to dramatically recreate, almost scene for scene, three episodes of the popular TV series Three’s Company while forcing his audience to sit in the center of the floor? And, quite frankly, where else would anyone sit on the floor to watch James Franco prance around in a blonde wig in a wacky art project. The Sundance Film Festival allows actors and filmmakers to break out of their shells in the hunt of fulfilling creativity. Morgan Spurlock, director and “star” of Super-Size Me, brought his latest and most creative documentary to Utah last week, chronicling the emergence and then near-ubiquity of advertising within entertainment. Making the jump from television to movies (excluding the goofy Fame flop) is Kay Panabaker, who plays one of two teenagers who flee their home with homeless skateboarders in pursuit of adventure. In the hopes of becoming clairvoyant trendsetters, we present our picks from Sundance: here are the movies and performers that will set 2011 on fire.
pariah Some people have unfairly called this the “lesbian Precious” but Pariah looks to be so much more than that. Director Dee Rees has crafted a gripping story about Alike, a black teen in Brooklyn who attempts to come to terms with the fact that she is a lesbian. Rees describes the story as her own, in which Alike “juggles conflicting identities and risks heartbreak, friendship, and family.” One of Rees’ most fascinating ideas in Pariah was letting her actors use the script as a jumping point, relying heavily on improvisation, which she says provides some of the film’s most thrilling moments. Marketing will be tricky, but Precious’ success will hopefully predict success for Pariah.
Martha marcy may marlene An intensely emotional drama, Martha Marcy May Marlene tells the story of a girl recovering from the trauma of being part of a cult that called her Martha, played by Elizabeth Olsen. However, Martha is still a part of her even in the suburbs. Director Sean Durkin creates a tense, haunting journey in this film, following on the heels of his successful short last year at Sundance, called Mary Last Seen. Perhaps he has an affection for female names beginning with ‘m,’ but in any case Durkin continues to produce stunning and provoking films.
A movie for every taste, from comedy to documentary to thriller, sundance film festival inspires the art world. Little Birds Created by director Elgin James, Little Birds tells the story of two 15-year-old girls who go off with a consort of homeless skateboarders at the insistence of one of the friends, Lily (Juno Temple), who wants to escape the pastoral drudgery of her world. Alison (Kay Panabaker) joins her only out of loyalty, feeling safe inside the birdcage that is their home. Focusing on the “last five days of these two girls’ friendship,” James explores the theme of homelessness as well, which is something he himself experienced as a child. By centering on the young girls and their inexperience in the hardships of life, James creates not a memoir in film, but a new reflection on youth and innocence.
pom wonderful presents: the greatest movie ever sold As soon as the controversial director and documentarian touched down in Utah with his latest exposé, Pom Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, studio agents found themselves scurrying to snatch up the bitingly funny film. Spurlock, of Super Size Me, decided to explore the idea of product placement in entertainment, with the backing of corporate sponsorship as a sort of, “I can’t decide if this was stupid or a stroke of brilliance” stunt. Sony quickly bought the rites to distribute, so next on Spurlock’s agenda is, in his words, “to find a town that will rename their town ‘Pom Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold,’” with the premiere to be held in that very same town.
my idiot brother The film with the most buzz before Sundance even began, Brother takes a look at Ned (Paul Rudd), a goofball who tries to see the best in everyone. Rudd seems perfectly suited for the role, with his past work in films like Knocked Up and I Love You, Man. What makes this film so particularly exhilarating is the inclusion of Elizabeth Banks, Zooey Deschanel, and Emily Mortimer as his three wacky sisters. The film follows Ned’s journey as he visits all three sisters after a short stint in jail (for selling pot to a “nice looking” police officer) and, already snatched up by the Weinstens, will surely see a theater near you awfully soon.
Kevin smith When a director entirely overshadows the film he has come to showcase, it makes for a sensational story. Just ask anyone who was at the Sundance screening of Kevin Smith’s (Clerks, Dogma, and Cop Out) Red State, a bizarre flick about the war against religious fundamentalists among other highly controversial issues. The story at hand was Smith’s attempt to break free from the traditional studio distribution system by “auctioning off” State’s rights. The whole auction turned out to be a huge joke, with Smith “winning” the rights for $20, and now Red State is poised to tour the U.S., making a stop at Boston’s Wilbur Theatre in March.
One page: a year inside the new york times In the same year where The Social Network is poised to take the Oscar for Best Picture, One Page: A Year Inside the New York Times proves to be an example of the unfortunate results of the Internet take over. A documentary on par with those previous released from Sundance like An Inconvenient Truth and last year’s Waiting for Superman, Page One follows David Carr, whose job is to follow the transforming media networks. This paradox creates a timely and incredibly interesting film that explores the past, present, and future of journalism – a field that is very important to a number of students here at Boston College.
Anton yelchin When the indie flick Like Crazy sold, well, like crazy (for an estimated $4 million), people started to ask questions. Like, “who is Anton Yelchin?” An actor who has made his mark in films like the newest Star Trek and Charlie Bartlett, Yelchin apparently seems poised to join the ranks of Hollywood royalty with Crazy, a romantic comedy/drama in the same vein as (500) Days of Summer. The plot seems simple, with Yelchin’s American character falling for a British girl at college and the subsequent difficulties of a long distance relationship, but apparently the film gets at the heart of love more perfectly than any other in recent memory. Will Yelchin become the next Joseph GordonLevitt?
The music never stopped This quirky drama could be considered the love child of Almost Famous, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, and Awakenings. The film explores the relationship between Gabriel (Lou Taylor Pucci) and his father Henry (J.K. Simmons), as Gabriel, diagnosed with a brain tumor, loses his mental capacity in a nursing home. He only remembers his name and the ’60s rock music taught to him by his father. A beautiful story that closes the generation gap, Simmons has drawn raves for his performance. With a soundtrack of the Grateful Dead, the Beatles, and other rock compositions, the story puts life’s struggle into music.
thomas dekker After roles in NBC’s Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles and the 2010 remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street, Thomas Dekker lands his first leading role in Gregg Araki’s Kaboom. With a thoughtful, dark, and even somewhat flirtatious acting style, Dekker is a pro at forging a connection with the viewing audience, a skill that will be necessary given Kaboom’s subject matter. His character Smith finds himself in a trippy journey of self-discovery that couples dark magic with teen sex comedy. Dekker impresses with his seemingly firm understanding of a story so twisted it could be the plot of a Bret Easton Ellis novel.
Red state Kevin Smith’s latest film steers clear of his usual “dramedy” fare and centers him in a genre of thrilling drama and controversy. Red State shows the slow degradation of a group of young people who accept an invitation for sex by an anonymous source. Unbeknownst to them, the invitation is a trap set by a group of fundamentalists, who plan to punish them for the wrongs they have committed. The film posts an impressive cast with John Goodman and Oscar nominee Melissa Leo as the leaders of the fundamentalist group and reliable Kyle Gallner, as one of the teens. The film caused quite a stir, and looked certain to face a heavy bidding war, but Smith smartly decided to keep the rights to himself.
sundance breakouts Elizabeth Olsen After recovering from the shock of discovering that there is another Olsen in the movie industry, the presence of Elizabeth Olsen at Sundance marks her impressive foray into the limelight. With two well-received films at the festival this year – Martha Marcy May Marlene and Silent House – Olsen has earned quite a lot of attention in a short time. Although her sisters, Mary-Kate and Ashley, were in the business from a young age, Elizabeth never acted in full-length motion pictures until now and only began auditioning a year ago. In Silent House, Olsen is followed in every single shot, and creating interest and suspense in all 90 minutes of screen time is no mean feat with this stylistic choice.
The Heights
scene and heard
B4
Thursday, January 27, 2011
1
By brennan Carley
Assoc. arts&review Editor
A shore thing
Our beloved Snooki is now a NY Times bestselling author, America, and there’s no turning back now. In her “novel,” Snooks tells the story of a young Gia who spends a wild and crazy summer on (where else?) the Jersey shore. Now, Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi seems poised to take over Europe when hopping the Atlantic to film the upcoming season of the rapidly growing in popularity Jersey Shore. Watch out Italy, Snooki want smush smush.
disney dream Look at Disney World, now look back. Now look at the Disney Dream, now look back. It’s Disney World on a cruise ship. The newest in the fleet of Disney sea vessels took off on its maiden voyage earlier this week, and we couldn’t be more excited about it. The Dream features the Aquaduck, the first (and only) water coaster at sea. It propels passengers with water spewing 10,000 gallons a minute. To quote Liz Lemon, “We want to go to there.”
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Sleigh Bells
will ferreLl Just about the only thing that could calm our fervor for an Anchorman sequel is a reunion between i ts two f u n n i e st stars, and the comedy gods have granted our wishes. Yesterday, executive producer of The Office Paul Lieberman announced that Ferrell would be joining Carrell for a four-episode guest stint at the end of this season. The pair will share the screen in three of the four episodes, with Carrell’s exit from the series occurring on the third.
carmen sandiego Get ready to unleash your inner child: Facebook announced today that it would soon introduce updated versions of Oregon Trail and Carmen Sandiego in February. While Trail has been available through the iPhone for some time now, productive activity among college students will soon be hitting an all-time low with its integration into the popular social networking site.
on The Session
To graze or to guzzle? Introduction I f A m e r i ca n fa r m e rs wish to stay afloat on the other side of the recession, they must employ new methods. In the past decade, a disproportionate amount of young, upwardly e nv i ro n m e n ta l c i t i ze n s have opened both organic farms and microbreweries, which begs the question, Zak Jason would cattle benefit from a happy hour? Hypothesis: Granting cows access to cheap alcohol in a contained area would improve their demeanors, and thus improving their productivity.
screens lining the bar, most of them playing local sports, or snapping photographs with each other to later put on Facebook. McFadden’s itself recognizes human’s insatiable desire to document every moment of their drinking lives, and allows participants to submit photos on the spot to be displayed on a perpetual slideshow on screens in between the televisions. “Remember when we had those birthday cake shots five minutes ago? It’s up on the screen now! Memories.”
Results The vast majority of the participants took full advantage of the happy hour. In fact, every single person who registers for the happy hour lottery will receive a happy hour. (Bartenders in black dresses saunter around throughout Methods the evening with a clipboard asking friends For ethical purposes, the researchers of those who won a happy hour to sign up do not test cattle, but a much more mal- for a happy hour of their own). By the end of leable species, humans. the two hours, participants We staged the experiment had consumed an average of at McFadden’s Restaurant 4.2 drinks, 1.5 times greater “Hypothesis: Granting cows than the normal drinking and Saloon, a Boston establishment located on rate. access to cheap alcohol in State Street, a couple of The researchers, howeva contained area would blocks behind Faneuil Hall. er, failed to test whether the improve their demeanors, humans were more producTo gather participants, the bar allows anyone of age tive. Once the happy hour and thus improving their to fill out his or her name ended, most participants productivity.” and e-mail either online appeared in much more limor at the bar itself. Later, ber countenance, and most the bar will notify the parventured to more bars in the ticipant that he or she has Faneuil Hall area. won a “McFadden’s Happy Hour.” On a Friday evening, the winner of a happy hour can go to Discussion McFadden’s with as many friends as he or she The hypothesis was neither proven valid pleases. The winner can consume unlimited nor invalid. Though with striking similarities, free drinks and his or her friends can consume the McFadden’s arena didn’t exactly simulate unlimited beer and cocktails for two hours, so cattle, simply due to external factors the long as they don their designated wristbands experimenters couldn’t control. Like after 9 (the experimental equivalent of cow branding) p.m. a bathroom attendant, wildly out of place to indicate that they are participants and not at an establishment like McFadden’s, explicpart of the control group, those attending itly asks for a tip after handing patrons a McFadden’s on their own whim, not part of single paper towel. This is not something that the happy hour. occurs in the farm world, and something that To simulate cattle herding, bartenders act shouldn’t even happen in the human world. as the farmers tending to the humans, and the bouncers act as the border collies, boxing the While such a design may not work for happy hour participants into a very compact, cattle, it seems to cater well to American colalmost claustrophobic section of the bar. legiate humans. The McFadden’s Happy Hour Though expansive and containing two floors, grants them some of their favorite things: an patrons outside the happy hour (controlling opportunity to create a Facebook event, acfor the other animals the farmer may own) can cess to cheap alcohol, and silicone-breasted reserve tables and sides of the bar off-limits bartenders. to happy hour patrons. Beyond force, participants also stay in place by kibitzing with fellow participants, Zak Jason is a Heights columnist. He can be gazing at any of the mammoth televisions reached at arts@bcheights.com.
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Want to be Scene and heard? Write for Arts & Review Meetings: Sundays at 4:30 For more info: ranckd@bc.edu
We loved this fusion hard-rock and electro noise band when they dropped their debut album Treats last May, and now one of their best songs “Tell Em” has been remixed by producer and frequent M.I.A. collaborator Diplo. Here, the remix aficionado adds more thumping and thunderous bass, masterfully switching up the vocals to haunting effect. This week, the band announced that they’ll hit Boston’s Paradise Rock Club in May.
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The Heights
Thursday, January 27, 2011
B5
+Music
Coming Soon
Rae croons covers about ‘The Love’
By Charlotte Parish
Asst. Arts & Review Editor While love is a popular subject for many artists, Corinne Bailey Rae devotes the entirety of her newly released EP to the contemplation of this subject. Fittingly titled The Love, Rae brings all sides of the emotion to life musically, from whimsical excitement to dark, luxurious sentiments. However, Rae focuses mostly on this latter set of emotions, delving into the heartbreak that was also evident in The Sea. Both of these albums were deeply affected by the loss of her husband and fellow musician, Jason Rae. The Sea, released in January of last year, was the product of a two year hiatus from the business for Rae, and the sound was decidedly darker and longing, although it showed hints of the girlish hit “Put Your Records On,” which originally catapulted Rae into mainstream music, along with the song “Paris Night / New York Mornings.” The Love feels like a continuation of The Sea, although it is made up entirely of cover songs. Beginning with the light bounce of Prince’s “I Wanna Be Your Lover,” the rest of the tracks once again melodiously show Rae’s vocal range in an emotional and melancholy frame of mind. This first track is something of a tease for fans. Although her deeper songs are filled with a twisted beauty, the purely happy energy of this track gives hope that Rae would return to her optimistic roots on the EP. However, “Low Red Moon” completely switches gears in a
Music + Alma + Sexo Ricky Martin
The Love Corinne Bailey Rae produced by Capitol released Jan. 25, 2011 Our rating B+
Bailey Rae bangs on her guitar on this short but sweet album consisting entirely of cover songs. disconcerting way. Lonesome imagery paired with harsh, powerful guitar parts on the chorus give way to discordantly quiet verses which rely on the hypnotism of Rae’s voice in the sudden quiet. Although Rae stayed very close to the original composition of Belly’s version of “Low Red Moon,” her voice gives it new life and is arguably better than the 1993 version. On “Is This Love” and “Que Sera Sera,” however, Rae completely makes the songs her own. Slowing down Bob Marley’s hit, Rae gives sensuality and a smooth, yet smoky feel to “Is This Love?” The emotions in this song
especially hit home as Rae expressively questions, “Is this love that I’m feeling?” a question that is always difficult to answer in the wake of a tragedy such as her husband’s overdose and death. In the live recording of “Que Sera Sera,” which could be a track from the Boston stop of her House of Blues tour this spring, Rae again questions the future (“What will I be? / Will I be pretty? / Will I be rich?”), but gains some acceptance from the title lines. On these powerful, sultry, lines Rae brings in her background singers and features their fantastic voices in harmony and solo rifts, everyone weaving together in the type
of soulful harmony by which Rae originally defined her solo endeavor. At 15 and a half minutes long, this live track makes the EP a more substantial compilation length-wise, and is a testament to her talents, as the track is well arranged throughout although the song comes in and out of one’s attention simply due to its incredible length. However, the shortest track on the album, Cher’s “My Love,” is arguably the best one, relying only on Rae’s voice (as both lead and harmony, with an occasional add on by her male backup singer from The Sea Tour) and a guitar to finish out her
courtesy of Creativecommons.org
heartfelt set of famous love songs. Although the tenor of Rae’s songs may not be filled with the simple optimism of her eponymous solo debut, her sophomore album and tour prove that she has not been forever derailed from music by her personal tragedy, a fact cemented by this EP. Her personal suffering is not a fact that Rae tries to hide, having dedicated a song to him at the Boston stop on the tour, but Rae has taken the experience and grown musically, delving deeper into the beauty that can exist in the dark side of love. n
Barton Hollow The Civil Wars
Chart Toppers
Singles
1 Hold It Against Me Britney Spears 2 Grenade Bruno Mars 3 Firework Katy Perry 4 What’s My Name Rihanna feat. Drake 5 Black and Yellow Wiz Khalifa Albums
1 Showroom of Compassion Cake 2 Thank You Happy Birthday Cage the Elephant 3 Speak Now Taylor Swift 4 Doo-Wops & Hooligans Bruno Mars 5 Pink Friday Nicki Minaj Source: Billboard.com
‘Kaputt’ delivers a successful period piece
By Ethan Stevenson Heights Senior Staff
As someone who barely caught the last 10 months of the 80s, my knowledge of the decade is purely historical. I’ve only read that Ronald Reagan called ketchup a vegetable and learned from VH1 that
Poison was popular. For me, the 80s – more than any other decade – has slowly built an immensely enjoyable apocryphal persona, founded equally on my love of David Bowie and Full Metal Jacket as much as the outlandish Whitesnake and Red Dawn. For this reason, Destroyer’s Kaputt succeeds
enormously, this 50-minute early 80s period piece fits perfectly with my fabricated memories of snorting cocaine and listening to Steely Dan. Through Destroyer, Dan Bejar has always taken character on his albums. Whether it is his ruminations of 70s pop art on Streethawk: A Seduction
Kaputt Destroyer produced by Merge Records released Jan. 25, 2011 Our rating A-
courtesy of Creativecommons.org
The New Pornographer’s frontman Dan Bejar revisits the ’80s era with side project, Destroyer.
and Rubies or the hokey, but authentic MIDI tones on Your Blues, he has built each record around a persona. The approach has won and lost fans. His self-referential lyrics can be just as confusing as rewarding if one hasn’t familiarized oneself with Destroyer’s back catalogue. On Kaputt, Bejar masquerades as a lost soul, chasing women, but more so chasing “cocaine through the backrooms of the world” as he tells us on the title track. He sets the stage for the rest of the record on “Chinatown,” a neighborhood where the rest of Kaputt unfolds beneath a purposefully effortless combination of acid-jazz, disco synths, and smooth saxophone. Underscoring the natural ease of his talents, Bejar remarked in a recent interview that he recorded the vocals while “fixing a sandwich.” Even without any of the ever-present complex imagery or storytelling, Kaputt flourishes. Like a great, heady blockbuster, the lush production and smooth melodies are enough to please, but beneath
it an intricate layer of detail and personality effervesces for the earnest audience member. This is exemplified on “Suicide Demo for Kara Walker,” a collaboration masterfully forged between Bejar and the eponymous American artist. Spanish guitar and a delicate flute introduce a hazy disco groove that envelops Bejar’s languid croon. Listening closer, it morphs into a dialogue about race in America. Best known for her serious black silhouettes, Walker’s work addresses racial identity, especially of African-American women in the Antebellum South. Her images protrude in the lyrical meanderings like “wise, old, black and dead in the snow, my Southern sister” and “four white pillars Yankeestyle.” Along with “Walker,” which appeared on a compilation created by the artist, the closing track “Bay of Pigs” was the only other to receive early release (Summer 2009). Although, many of the same electronic disco elements present throughout the rest of the album remain, “Pigs” comes
off a bit anachronistic. Perhaps the most Destroyer-esque track on the record, equal parts drone and funk propel the first and only appearance of Bejar’s signature verbose, out of breath, self-referential lyrics that take his listener on a dream-like journey through the craters of his Kaputt persona. In a rare circumstance, Bejar sacrificed none of his oddball propensities but rather crafted his most accessible record to date. At first listen, Kaputt sounds more like Steely Dan than any other Destroyer album, but upon further deliberation, his new early 80s influences melds brilliantly with his thinly-veiled character. For the first time, he lets his unique voice take a back seat to instrumentation. He exchanges his organic touch that many fans had come to love, for feint horns, glassy saxophones, computerized drums and glittering synthesizers. Thankfully, this transformation isn’t a half-assed experimentation, but a full-fledged revival that will first intrigue, and then seduce its listeners. n
Cold War Kids dish out a mediocre mess for follow-up By Katie Lee Heights Staff
The Cold War Kids have always been a group on the verge of mainstream alternative music. However, the American indie rock foursome from Long Beach, Calif., have continuously decided to play it a little on the safe side. The band first hit the music scene in the fall of 2006 with the release of their debut album, Robbers and Cowards. The album contains more of their well-known tracks, “Hospital Beds” and “Hang Me Up to Dry.” All in all, Cold War Kids have had a few notable singles and a couple albums that have received a satisfactory amount of attention. The most recent album, Loyalty to Loyalty, released in 2008, was given an acceptable nod and had a few recognizable and memorable tracks. One would think that after
these accomplishments, The Cold War Kids would be ready to step outside the box and do something a little bit more ambitious or something with a little more flare. Yet the Cold War Kids’ album that was released this past Tuesday, Mine is Yours is so average and monotonous that it is even hard to believe that it is the same group who came out with the single, “Hospital Beds.” The sensitive album is more of a work that attempts to follow the footsteps of Nashville’s award winning foursome, Kings of Leon. The result? A mediocre and occasionally whiny collection of 13 tracks that would leave any alternative music fan disappointed. The album starts out with the title track “Mine is Yours.” Throughout the song, lead singer Nathan Willet continuously repeats the same two lines: “ooh-ahh” and “what is mine is yours.” The unoriginal
lyrics, repetitive baseline, and predictable chord progressions make the first song of the album purely monotonous. As the album continues, many of the songs seem to follow the same dull pattern. The majority of the songs are just tedious and overbearing for the listener. Due to the repetitive aspect of most of their tracks on Mine is Yours, Cold War Kids often tends to make four minutes seem like an eternity. There are, however, a few standouts and notable aspects of the work. The best songs on the album are “Finally Begin” and “Louder than Ever.” The track “Louder Than Ever” gives the audience a taste of the true talent of the group. From the beginning, the song is catchy, memorable, and appropriately fitting to the talent of Cold War Kids. One line of the song reads, “I can hear you louder than ever, whisper to me, help me
Mine Is Yours Cold War Kids produced by Interscope released Jan. 25, 2011 Our rating D-
courtesy of Creativecommons.org
Unorignality plagues Cold War Kids’ newest album after their impressive debut album from 2006. remember, I can’t see you, but we’re still together.” Here, at the second track in the album, it seems as though Willet and the band members are pulling their act together. Yet this moment of triumph is so overwhelmingly countered by the remainder of the tracks that it
can be easily overlooked. All in all, Mine is Yours seems to be an album that is unimaginative, rehashed, and a little outdated. It is not as though the Cold War Kids are not capable of a great alternative album. One can see that they have the tal-
ent. They just are not using it in the right way. Mine is Yours seems to be more of an U2 or Kings of Leon unsuccessful copycat than an original album. It is a questionable work by a group with promise. Overall, Mine is Yours is a crushing disappointment. n
B6
The Heights
Thursday, January 27, 2011
The onset of eye disease may not be as visible as the appearance of new wrinkles. An eye doctor can spot the early warning signs of vision problems like glaucoma and macular degeneration, as well as other serious health conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. Early detection is key. For men and women over 40, it might be wise to look into your eyes. For more infor mation, visit checkyearly.com. A public service message from Vision Council of America and AARP.
The Heights
Thursday, January 27, 2011
B7
Illegal clinic eludes officials By Michela Gacioch Heights Staff
On Jan. 19, Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams indicted Kermit Gosnell, the doctor who ran a three story brick abortion mill in a low-income area in the west side of the city. Gosnell was charged with eight counts of murder in the deaths of seven infants and a Bhutanese refugee, who died after a 2009 late-term abortion. Gosnell has been sued at least 15 times for malpractice, and has had two women die while under his care during his nearly 40 years of practice. However, the dangerous practices went unnoticed by law enforcement until early last year. Federal agents found the clinic accidentally during a prescription drug raid last February. The location, formally known as the Women’s Medical Society, was identified as a source of illegal Oxycontin prescriptions. Once inside, federal agents stumbled across the appalling conditions which catalyzed a more in depth investigation. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the investigators discovered semiconscious, moaning women sitting in dirty recliners and on bloodstained blankets. The air reeked of urine from the flea-infested cats permitted to roam the clinic. There was blood on the floor and cat feces on the stairs. One investigator likened the scene to “a bad gas-station restroom.” The clinic, which has been
referred to by District Attorney Williams as a “house of horrors,” also practiced a surprising amount of racial bias. “The majority of the women who came to Gosnell [an African American himself] were poor women of color,” Williams told reporters. “On those rare occasions when the patient was a white woman from the suburbs, Gosnell insisted that he be consulted at every step. When an employee asked him why, he said it was ‘the way of the world.’” Gosnell is also under fire for allegedly having performed illegal late-term abortions. Pennsylvania law prohibits abortion 24 weeks after conception. “When you perform late-term abortions by inducing labor, you get babies, living, breathing, viable babies. Most babies who are born prematurely will survive, if the get appropriate medical treatment. But, that was not what the Women’s Medical Society was all about,” Williams said. “He had a simple solution for the unwanted babies he delivered. He killed them but he didn’t call it that. He called it ‘ensuring fetal demise.’ The way he ‘ensured fetal demise’ was by sticking scissors into the back of the baby’s neck and cutting the spinal cord. He called it ‘snipping.’” “What’s the central issue surrounding this case is the need for quality healthcare across the board, not just reproductive healthcare,” Brenda Shelton Dunston, executive director of
Matt Rourke, Yong Kim / ap photo
Kermit Gosnell, left, was indicted on January 19 for alleged malpractice and fetal murders that took place in the Women’s Medical Society clinic, right. the Philadelphia Black Women’s Health Project, told reporters. “There is a need for AfricanAmerican women to have access to medical providers who will perform a safe abortion if it’s needed. But women of all ethnicities should not have to be concerned whether a physician will provide quality care. This case is extremely unfortunate and I think it’s particularly so in light of the fact that we’re celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King. Dr. King said that of all forms of inequality, injustice in healthcare is the most shocking and inhumane. I think this case underscores that. Quality healthcare is a right, not a privilege,”
said Dunston. The Grand Jury Report stated that one look at Gosnell’s building would have detected the problems, but the Pennsylvania Department of Health had not inspected the clinic since 1993. According to the report, the Pennsylvania Department of Health abruptly decided, for political reasons, to stop inspecting abortion clinics altogether. The politics question were not antiabortion, but abortion-rights. With the change of administration from Governor Casey to Governor Ridge, officials concluded that inspections would be “putting a barrier up to women” seeking abortions.
“Even nail salons in Pennsylvania are monitored more closely for client safety,” the report said. “Without regular inspections, providers like Gosnell continue to operate, unlawful and dangerous third-trimester abortions go undetected, and many women, especially poor women, suffer.” The change in policy occurred after 1993 when attorneys under the administration of thengovernor Tom Ridge (R-Penn.) “interpreted the same regulations that had permitted annual inspections for years to no longer authorize those inspections.” Thereafter, only inspections triggered by complaints were authorized. The Grand Jury Report
noted that Department of Public Health officials reinstated regular inspections of abortion clinics after Gosnell’s clinic was discovered in February 2010. Between 30,000 and 40,000 abortions are performed in the state of Pennsylvania annually. It’s unclear how many women have been put at risk in the almost two decades that regulators suspended regular inspections of practicing clinics in the state. The Grand Jury Report does note that many organizations perform safe abortion procedures and have high standards of cleanliness and care, but that is with “no thanks to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.” n
Obama emphasizes bipartisanship, civility Union, from B10
migrants who excel in American schools, and proposed that “Republicans and Democrats work to protect our borders, enforce our laws and address the millions of undocumented workers who are now living in the shadows.” However, Obama offered no concrete plans for fixing immigration policy. Obama eased into the health care debate with a joke, saying, “I have heard rumors that a few of you still have concerns about our new health care law.” He offered to work with Republicans to improve the law, but reaffirmed that insurance companies will still be barred from rejecting applicants because of preexisting conditions. The War on Terror, which only nine years ago was the centerpiece of President George W. Bush’s “Axis of Evil” State of the Union address, was relegated to the end of President Obama’s speech. He praised the end of combat operations in Iraq, and warned that tough fighting will continue in Afghanistan. However, Obama also boldly stated that he still plans to withdraw troops from Afghanistan in July. President Obama ended his address with the use of anaphora, repeating the phrase “we do big things,” before praising
American entrepreneurs. He highlighted the story of Brandon Fisher, who designed drilling equipment that was used to help rescue the Chilean miners. Finally, Obama declared that America remains strong, and ended his speech to thunderous applause. Representative and House Budget Committee Chair Paul Ryan gave the official GOP response to President Obama’s State of the Union Address. Like Obama, Ryan focused mainly on the economy in his speech. He lauded the president for voting to cut government spending. His praise shifted to criticism though when he said, “the President mentioned the need for regulatory reform to ease the burden on American businesses. We agree — and we think his health care law would be a great place to start.” He criticized the stimulus plan and said, “Job creation is being stifled by all of [the health care bill’s] taxes, penalties, mandates and fees.” Ryan also summarized the basic tenets of Republican political philosophy: limited government and free enterprise. He alluded to the recent financial crises in countries such as Greece and Ireland, and warned that America could be next, if reckless government spending continues. Ryan also declared that “America is an exceptional
nation,” a nod to the concept of American Exceptionalism that is touted by the Tea Party. Republican Representative and Tea Party leader Michele Bachmann also gave a televised response to Obama’s State of the Union Address. It was not sanctioned by the GOP and was much shorter than Ryan’s response. Bachmann focused mainly on the economy in her speech, citing unemployment and government spending statistics, as well as the cost of the bank bailout and stimulus bills. Bachmann delivered a much harsher critique of the health care bill than Ryan, referring to it as “Obamacare” several times.She ended by recalling the famous picture of GIs raising the American flag on Iwo Jima during World War II and connecting the image to the current debt crisis. Obama, congressman Ryan, and congresswoman Bachmann all spoke on Tuesday night. Their political affiliations and ideology may have differed, but the themes remained the same. All three stressed the need to reduce the deficit and curb reckless government spending. All three acknowledge that the health care bill will not work in its current state. And finally, all three declared that though the economy is still recovering, America remains strong. n
Pablo Martinez / ap photo
Flanked by Vice President Joe Biden and Speaker John Boehner, President Obama spoke to America for over an hour.
By David Cote
Marketplace Editor Hu Jintao was born on Dec. 21, 1942, in Taizhou, Jiangsu, China. His father owned a tea trading business in his hometown, and the family grew up relatively poor. When Hu was seven, his mother died and he was subsequently raised by his aunt. In high school, Hu excelled in singing and dancing, as well as succeeding in classes and demonstrating a photographic memory. After high school in 1961, he entered Tsinghua University in Beijing and joined the Communist Party. During his tenure as a student, Hu became chairman of the Tsinghua Student Union, and graduated with a degree in hydraulic engineering in 1965. While at the university, Hu met Liu Yongqing, who later became his wife. They now have two children,
Hu Haifeng and Hu Haiqing. Upon graduation, Hu elected to serve in Gansu and helped with the large construction project of the Liujiaxia Hydroelectric Station. While Hu was working in the Construction Department of Gansu as a secretary, his superior promoted him several ranks. While Hu worked as director of the All-China Youth Federation, his superior, Song Ping, was transferred to become a high ranking Communist Party minister. Hu was promised a successful career in the party. In 1985, Hu was transferred to the provincial Committee Secretary of the Communist Party of China. Throughout his tenure, he attempted to improve the economy. He grew a reputation as an “airtight” secretary by following directives from Beijing precisely and rarely offers his own personal
views. In 1988, Hu was moved to Tibet, where he served as the Political Comissar of the local People’s Liberation Army units. During riots in 1989, Hu is alleged to have approved the use of force against rioters. Hu continued to rise in prominence in the Communist Party and became vice president of China in 1998. In November of 2002 Hu became General Secretary of the Communist Party of China. Then, in March of 2003, Hu became president of the People’s Republic of China. Since then, Hu has dealt with the SARS crisis, pressure from foreign nations, and a rapidly growing Chinese population. He is known for speaking excellent, unaccented Mandarin as well as having a very cautious attitued. According to reports, it is likely that Hu Jintao will step down as China’s president by 2013. n
The Heights
B8
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Half century ban on travel to Cuba partially lifted Cuba, from B10
A study released by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 2009 reported that while the embargo costs the U.S. $1.2 billion per year in lost sales and exports, it only costs the Cuban government $685 million annually. Even though U.S. citizens are prevented from traveling to Cuba for vacation, thousands of European and Canadian citizens still flock to the island each year. Humanitarian critics point out that the U.S. has withheld necessary clean water, food, and medicines from impoverished Cuban citizens, linking the embargo to widespread infectious disease on the island. Without the economic support of American business, Cuban citizens have suffered from numerous problems
that could be alleviated by the increased cash flow from American tourism. Numerous libertarian and conservative Americans also argue that the ban helps Cuban leaders Raul and Fidel Castro by giving them a scapegoat on which to transfer responsibility for the nation’s problems. The Cuban government has frequently shifted guilt for poverty, widespread disease, and lack of sanitation to the American government. In response to Obama’s changes, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fl.) argued that the changes would fail to help Cuba’s situation. “They will not make the Castro regime show respect for human rights, and they certainly won’t help the Cuban people free themselves from the despotic tyranny which oppresses them,” Ros-Lehtinen told reporters.
Her critical views of the Castro regime are supported by recent polling data, which shows that American citizens are heavily critical of the Castro family and their government. The recent move by Obama was preceded by a similar easing of travel restrictions. In 2009, the president released a statement allowing Cuban-American citizens to travel openly to Cuba. As the second move in just over a year, Obama’s changes in the Cuban embargo point toward a future of increased U.S.-Cuba relations. It is likely that collegiate study abroad programs to Cuba will open up in the coming years, giving students the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in a culture which has been essentially closed to Americans for half a century. n
Adriana mariella / heights editor
Though the past is disappointing, the future seems promising Division, from B10
public battles. While members of two parties once negotiated in private in hopes that such formality would result in the public perceiving the government as united, political dissonance has become integrated into the public realm, with politicians openly attacking their opponents with little regard for the implications of such disunity. One need not look further than the more recent tradition of the party not represented in the Office of the President, giving a response address to the State of the Union directly after the president’s speech. Established in 1970, this response, while once part of the polite disagreements of past years, has become a part of this political divide. This year, the official response was issued by Rep. Paul Ryan, but an additional response was issued by Michelle Bachmann, a Republican affiliated with the Tea Party. Ryan’s speech mentioned few Republican plans, and
instead focused on criticizing President her platform and appear presidential, Obama’s borrowing funds and spending only by attacking Obama, vaguely cittoo much money. This speech, which ing legislative acts that she believes would ideally be an opportunity for Obama should repeal. For example, the Republican Bachmann Party to present Barack Obama is in a position criticized i t s ow n p l a n s Obama’s to synthesize the varying for the country, healthcare became nothplan and political opinions echoing ing more than insisted it throughout the nation. By another attack be repealed, against Obama. but provided sticking to his values and Ba c h m a n n ’s no logic working with Republicans s p e e c h , wh i c h or reason – not merely caving to their behind such was not officially endorsed by a change ideas – Obama can help the Republican other than establishment, restore unity in America, and that Obama went much furunite the two Americas that should ther than Ryan’s “support rhetoric has torn apart. speech in deridfree market ing Obama. solutions like Bachmann attempted to use her medical malpractice reform and allow self-designated platform to establish all Americans to buy any healthherself as a viable candidate for the care policy they like anywhere in the 2012 presidential election. StartlingUnited States.” Citing no economic ly, Bachmann attempted to exploit rationale and merely spewing rhetoric
to regale her base, Bachmann came across as unprepared and angry, making dubious her knowledge of the details of her own statements. Though hollow and rhetorical, Bachmann’s speech was praised by her base, thus further dividing the nation. The political divides in America have forced politicians to make compromises that promote conflicting ideologies and ideas, with the instant appeal of constituent support being raised above long-term fiscal responsibility. The so-called “Bush Tax Cuts” were recently extended, which appealed to conservatives, yet in that very same bill, unemployment benefits were extended to appeal to progressive voters. Both parties went into the discussions hoping for their goals to be achieved, and the resolution was simply to pass both ideas. Though this provides instant gratification to many, the long-term implications on inflation are being ignored so current politicians can appear victorious to their voters. Such
resolutions help only politicians, and represent nothing more than thinlyveiled attempts at feigning unity. For America to transcend the pervasive disunity that has come to characterize our fractured nation, leaders much emerge ready to embody the positive contributions of both parties. Merely passing ideas of both parties will create nothing but problems, and the lambasting of political opponents by politicians and the media will only further exacerbate political tensions. Barack Obama is in a position to synthesize the varying political opinions echoing throughout the nation. By sticking to his values and working with Republicans – not merely caving to their ideas – Obama can help restore unity in America, and unite the two Americas that rhetoric has torn apart. Dan Ottaunick is a Heights editor. He can be reached at marketplace@bcheights. com.
A Green Piece
BC recycling leads the nation Elizabeth Barthelmes
susan walsh / ap photo
President Obama greets Chinese President Hu Jintao during his recent visit, possibly Hu’s last as Chinese president.
Jintao’s visit could be his last China, from B10
bolster its armory and technology, China made deals for aircraft, heavy machinery, agricultural products, and software which were estimated to earn $45 billion for U.S. companies. Obama also pressed Hu on the touchy issue of human rights. The Chinese president admitted that “a lot still needs to be done in China in terms of human rights.” This unusual allowance in saying that China needed to make more progress in respecting its citizens’ freedoms was out of character for President Jintao, who typically deflects questions on such topics. Unfortunately, because the Chinese media practices censorship so aggressively, Hu’s admission was not heard by the 1.3 billion Chinese citizens. North Korea was also on Obama’s agenda. Obama warned Hu that if China did not step up its pressure on North Korea, the United States would have to redeploy its forces in Asia to protect itself from a possible pre-emptive North Korean strike. Although it will take some time to be sure, it seems that Obama’s attempt at persuading China to be stricter toward North Korea somewhat worked. During Hu’s visit, China publicly expressed concern over a new North Korean uranium enrichment plant for the first time. However, China is still far away from a complete change of heart, as there were no clear signs that they would punish North Korea
for its belligerence. Senator John Kerry (D-MA), chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, was optimistic that Hu showed a small amount of flexibility. Kerry viewed China’s intention to defuse the nuclear crisis on the Korean Peninsula, as well as other areas, as a different posture. The traditional Chinese thought is that outside nations should not interfere China’s internal affairs, nor should China intefere in others’. “I think there’s a change and a shift in their recognition of the role they need to play,” Kerry told the Washington Post. “The role of major power is not something they’ve been accustomed to playing.” However, Democrats and Republicans in the House of Representatives did not share Kerry’s sentiments. In an hour-long meeting between Hu and House leaders, Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) questioned Hu on trade and intellectual property, and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi asked him about human rights matters, especially about Chinese dissident and Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo. Lawmakers in the House suggested that Hu had answered in a Senate-style filibuster. Many members of Congress had trouble reading between the lines of Hu’s statements. Lawmakers’ reactions suggested a growing and bipartisan view in Congress that China’s policies are harmful to the U.S. economy and other interests, or at least that saying so makes for good and timely politics,
particularly during the era of high unemployment and expanding federal debt. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) have led an effort to penalize China for deliberate undervaluing of the renminbi, colloquially known as the yuan. During Hu’s visit, there were subtle signs that China would allow the yuan to appreciate faster. Now, U.S. officials are waiting to see whether China will keep its word. There is no doubt that Hu’s visit was an affirmation of China’s power on the world stage and of his personal victory as president, yet this was perhaps the last time he will come to the United States as the president of China. Following a secretive succession plan sketched out by the Communist Party, Hu has already begun preparing to step down and pass the baton to China’s vice president Xi Jinping. Xi will almost cerntainly succeed Hu as president in 2013. Like the country he will run, Xi has held on to the values of the Communist Party while making economic growth the focus. Such a planned succession seems to show that the new leadership will fail to steer China in a different direction than it is already heading, leaving the U.S. with a great deal of work to do in the age of a rising Chinese power.
Binh Nguyen is a staff columnist for The Heights. He can be reached at marketplace@bcheights.com.
With a revamped recycling program and introduction of single stream recycling, Boston College’s campus is more prepared than ever to take on the annual intercollegiate RecycleMania Competition. Campuses from across the nation are gearing up for a fierce eight weeks of recycling, kicking off Sunday Feb. 6th, and competing for golden titles such as “the largest amount of recyclables per capita, the largest amount of total recyclables, the least amount of trash per capita, and the highest recycling rate.” It’s hard not to feel the excitement of successful waste management, especially when BC’s prepared to take on a whole new level of recycling. While BC came in first in Massachusetts for Corrugated Cardboard Recycling, second for the amount of total recyclables, third for the amount of recyclables per capita, and fifth in food service organics, BC’s Facilities Management believes this may be the year for BC to shine in the national arena. They have been working hard to redesign the structure of BC’s recycling program, increasing the accessibility of bins by adding more locations around campus.
This includes the introduction of taller blue recycling bins (fitting more recyclables for the competition), matching all classroom trash cans with recycling bins, and updating the labeling of the bins. While the program is still in its early phases, a number of buildings have implemented this method already and those without the updates are soon to be added to the list. In addition, the sizes of some trash cans are shrinking. Because BC has moved to single stream recycling, more can be recycled than before, reducing the need for objects to be thrown away. Recycling really can’t be any easier with single stream, as it means that all recyclables can go into one recycling bin, and no longer need to be separated. So, get that exercise you’ve been wanting in the new year, help shorten lines at the Plex, and walk the two steps away from the trash to that sparkling new recycling bin instead. What can you recycle, exactly? For a general list, our system includes aluminum cans, glass containers, all paper materials and magazines, cardboard, tin foil, all plastic except #7, plastic bags, and aerosol cans. All items should be clean of food waste, and nothing can be recycled if it has grease stains. So, sadly, those piles of pizza boxes usually aren’t fair game. Ink cartridges and batteries can be deposited in drop boxes in the laundry rooms, as they are considered toxic waste if thrown away or placed in
recycling bins. If you have other items that need to be recycled, like appliances, old TVs, or anything large and broken, a local recycling center will accept them or you can call the Department of Public Works (617-796-1000) to schedule a pick up. Another great idea is to list your items on Craigslist or Half.com so that they are reused and as a bonus, you get some extra “weekend” money in return. When it comes down to it though, these are decisions that matter. Facilities Managment has done their part to improve our recycling system, and it’s time to give back. We know that the resources on our planet are limited, and that trash is no longer acceptable. It’s estimated that the average college student produces 640 pounds of solid waste each year, so let’s step up our game and at least recycle that waste, or even better, just skip it all together. Grab your water bottle, opt for double sided printing, and donate used goods to others. These are easy things you can do every day, and at the same time help BC climb to the top in the RecycleMania Challenge. So next time you’re hovering over the two bins, trying to decide what to do with your old Hillside plate, show the rest of the nation that BC is ready to win…and recycle. Elizabeth Barthelmes is a staff columnist for The Heights. She can be reached at marketplace@ bcheights.com.
Photo Courtesy of Richard Range
The display above, found in Lyons Hall, is part of an effort by EcoPledge and BC to promote recycling among students.
The Heights
Thursday, January 27, 2011
David Cote
Matt Palazzolo
Mike Caprio
Tomas Castella
Kris Munden
If you like to watch
I was too distracted by Boehner’s pink tie clashing with his orange face.
Yes. He asserted his admistration’s role in shaping the country’s future.
His performance was pretty flat and underwhelming.
Yes. He connected with the people. Let’s hope Congress notices.
Definitely, all he has to do is bribe Rod Blagojevich first.
I don’t see why not. He’s an accomplished and competent man.
Let Chicagoans decide, not the courts.
Yes. The fact that there’s an election is progress for Chicago!
Nope, Congress used its “Pass a Controversial Bill Free” card in December.
Who knows. I hope they do. They need to keep the issue on the table.
I wouldn’t bet on it.
I’m still on the fence about this one.
Only after a long protracted debate on the Senate floor. By one person. For a very long time.
Sure. We’ve seen too many cases of its abuse recently.
Dems should be careful what they wish for.
Yes. The endless need for supermajorities clogs political process.
Marketplace Editor Was President Obama’s State of the Union address a success? Should Rahm Emmanuel be allowed to run for mayor of Chicago? Will Congress pass comprehensive immigration reform before the 2012 elections? Should the Senate filibuster be reformed?
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Boehner cry and people clap, yes. Yes. Politicians commute and rent in Washington all the time. It’s only fair. I really doubt it.
No. A powerful majority ensures that legislation is adequately supported.
Asst. Marketplace Editor
Editor-in-Chief
President, College Republicans
President, College Democrats
Political Belief
BC’s emphasis on service produces well-rounded grads of socioeconomic issues in elementary schools, soup kitchens, hospitals, and jails, finding their footing on the rough surface of life as they examine its turbulent inner workings in the classroom. Such a comprehensive approach to learning engenders truly engaged, responsive, and spirited leadership. Authors in the field of political science, from Alexis de Tocqueville to Robert Putnam, often emphasize the importance of community organizations, formally known as civil society, to building effective political leadership and sustaining the vitality of democracy. A leader is born by building connec-
Peter morrison / ap photo
Irish Prime Minister and Fianna Party leader Brian Cowen announced recently that he would not seek another term.
Irish government in turmoil as economic crisis mounts EU gives Ireland an 85 billion euro bailout in an attempt to right the nation’s failing economy, PM not to seek another term By Gerard Farara Heights Staff
Amidst its severe economic woes and an already angered populace, the Green Party pulled out of Ireland’s coalition government this past Sunday, adding to the clout of uncertainty that hangs above the country. This comes following Prime Minister Brian Cowen’s announcement that he would not seek another term as Prime Minister and would step down as leader of the Fianna Party. These two events alone will leave gaping leadership positions, and have naturally sparked a fierce political battle as politicians and opposing parties try to align themselves for these vacancies. But with elections fast approaching, the political battle is certain to heat up drastically. Cowen has been under intense pressure for the majority of his tenure to right Ireland’s sinking ship as the country’s economic woes have certainly been in the spotlight of late. From the recent government bailout of banks, a daunting billion-dollar federal deficit, and the near total collapse of the economy, which left the EU no choice but to intervene with an 85 billion euro $113 billion USD bailout package, Cowen has had a lot to juggle. But it would appear that all the balls are currently in the air and he’s fumbling to catch them. With an upcoming austerity package calling for higher taxes and steeper welfare cuts it would appear that the poor leadership at the helm has left the Irish people to drag themselves out of the government’s own mess. To make matters worse, the
lackluster response to Ireland’s call for international aid has not only embarrassed the country, but has also seemingly further angered the typically nationalistic Irish people. Regardless, it would appear that the political confidence is not there. Six governmental ministers resigned within 24 hours, leaving the prime minister no choice but to call for new elections. If there is an ounce of certainty in the future of Ireland however, it is that things are, unfortunately, more likely going to get worse before they get any better. The recent austerity package clearly stresses that very point. But at the same time, the government has to find a way to ease the hardships of the people. With unemployment standing above 13 percent, it’s imperative that the government address the struggling Irishmen. Creating and maintaining this ever so fragile balance could prove pivotal if Ireland is ever to dig itself out of recession. But the economic woes of Ireland, arguably, raise the bigger issue of the EU and how it functions. Last year alone Greece and Ireland suffered major economic recessions, of which they’ve needed to draw on the resources of other EU members, namely Germany, to jumpstart their respective economies. Such is, in part, the advantage of the EU, as its many members can collectively help the other keep it afloat. Just as there can be collective aid, there are indeed collective repercussions for these bailouts, most notably, the depreciation of the euro. According to Time, at the start of last year alone the euro lost 16 percent of its value
compared to the dollar, and had further depreciation in value as the year progressed. In truth, with the ups and downs of so many different economies, investors are finding it harder to believe in the economic stability of the region. And with other countries such as Spain and Portugal threatening to follow the path of Ireland and Greece, one can’t blame them. But while the economic instability has scared off investors it has, quite naturally, frustrated the more prosperous EU countries. Germany, one of the few economic bright spots in the EU, has unfortunately had to bare the brunt of these bailouts, but not without protest. Amidst the Greek bailout, of which Germany had to generate $22 million euros, one article in the German daily newspaper Bild, was entitled, “German anger at paying for luxury Greek pensions.” But could this anger lead to the abandonment of the euro? Some haven’t yet written it off as a possibility. Though it would be a tough feat to achieve and it would certainly place any economy in temporary disarray, it may eventually become a more attractive option. And as was reported by The Economist, it could prove beneficial to both the prosperous and the ailing. With national currency, countries would gain monetary independence and thus, would be free to set a monetary policy geared towards their agenda and not the collective agenda of many. While certainly countries like Greece and Ireland have benefited from the support of other European nations, it seems strong economies may soon tire of supporting the lagging ones. n
our student body together. “Setting the world aflame” is only a slight exaggeration for the passionate mission of BC students. Academic excellence, though prominent within the reputation of the college, is a Olena Savytska means rather than an end. From Famous Eagles, such as longorientation to halftime retreats, time House speaker Tip O’Neill, we are called upon to reflect on are set apart by an unmistakour place and purpose in the able mark of their education: a world. We must understand that profound commitment to service we are part of the one percent and an invincibly optimistic outof the people in the world who look. Indeed, there is something are fortunate enough to attend a different about Boston College. university. Looking down from a It’s not just the cross above the perch of privilege, BC students doorway of a classroom, or the must examine our true calling peaceful chiming of bells that – not the one that will help us punctuates the morning hours. make the most money, but one It is a pervasive sense of which will fulfill ourselves collective effort. This is and help others. We ask difLooking down from a perch of ficult questions and look for not to say that BC students are not individually answers in the world around privilege, BC students must competitive – they strive us. Volunteer work at BC, examine our true calling for athletic perfection in therefore, is not mandatory – not the one that will help us or a perfunctory task. It is, the gym and spend long hours in the library. Yet, many, the fulfillment of a make the most money, but one for in the daily life of BC, one spiritual need, animated by which will fulfill ourselves and strong belief. perceives an overarching community spirit, moved Leadership is not help others. We ask difficult by a continuous quest exercised for the sake of questions and look for answers embellishing a resume. It for a better world. It is this very quest that gives is heartfelt, dedicated, and in the world around us. shape to the character of passionate. Brought to the BC graduates. political arena, this habit of It starts in September with tions with his peers and making service makes for exceptional service placements for the meaningful changes in his leadership. “All politics is local,” popular PULSE program, as neighborhood. A group effort O’Neill said. This means not well as 4Boston and similar is certainly more effective than only that effective leadership volunteer placements. Arrupe individual exertions. No leader, remains close to one’s conservice trips in Mexico, Nicarafrom President Barack Obama stituents, the foundation which gua, and the Dominican Repub- to the chair of a town education holds a leader up and gives dilic make for a covetable winter board, can be entirely effective rection to his actions. It means, break. In the spring, students on his or her own. When differmore importantly, that while travel to underprivileged areas ent individuals combine their we serve others, whether in our of the U.S. with Appalachia various experiences and talents own town, in a state legislature, Volunteers, and a handful of to accomplish a common task, or on the Capitol Hill, we must lucky applicants receive a grant the whole is often greater than remember our own values: the to work for a nonprofit orgathe sum of its parts. Yet, what place where we started and the nization during the summer. is even more significant is what reason why we do what we do. The large pool of applicants to brings the group together in the most of these programs attests first place. This being a common Olena Savytska is a staff columnist to the students’ strong desire belief and a common purpose, a for The Heights. She can be reached to leave a positive footprint in shared vision for the future. at marketplace@bcheights.com. the world, starting with their It is that spirit which brings adopted community of Boston and spreading the goodwill to different corners of the globe. Community work is an essential ingredient, and often the defining feature, of a student’s experience at BC. Certainly, venturing away from the well-manicured lawns and picturesque buildings of the University and into the heart of an urban center – or into a third world country - is a good way to prepare for real life. Yet it is such an adventure, undertaken with a group of peers, that captures the essence of the identity of a BC student. Leadership is exercised not simply as a function of solitary ascent to the heights of academic excellence under a stained window at Bapst Library. It is most often a collective undertaking that creates bonds between students and between each student and the community. Students apply and revise their understanding
marketplace The Heights
Thursday, January 27, 2011
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Thursday, January 27, 2011
International Insights
America’s goodbye to Hu Jintao Binh Nguyen
See China, B8
Evan Vucci / ap photo
President Barack Obama addressed the nation at a joint session of Congress Tuesday, outlining his plans for the coming year while reflecting on the first half of his presidency.
Obama’s state of the Union address 2011 By Matt Palazzolo
Asst. Marketplace Editor President Barack Obama began his speech by thanking newly enshrined Speaker of the House John Boehner, as well as pointing out the empty chair of Arizona Representative Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot at a Tuscon supermarket earlier this month. He affirmed, “we are part of the American
family,” and stressed the importance of bipartisanship and civility among members of Congress. After addressing the Tuscon tragedy, Obama moved to the main topic of the State of the Union address: the economy. He invoked the Soviet Union’s launch of Sputnik 53 years ago to introduce his plan for investment in fields such as biomedical research and clean energy technology. Obama
also proposed that Congress freeze domestic spending for the next five years, which he estimates will save $400 billion over the next decade. He also revisited the contentious tax-cut compromise from the lame duck session, saying that, “we simply can’t afford a permanent extension of the tax cuts for the wealthiest two percent of Americans.” Obama then addressed the issue
of education. He admonished that “the quality of our math and science education lags behind many other nations,” and proposed reforming No Child Left Behind and increasing government grants for financial aid. Obama also used the issue of education to address illegal immigration. He mentioned children of illegal im-
See Union, B7
U.S. - Cuba travel restrictions alleviated
Politically Speaking
By David Cote
Marketplace Editor
The state of a fractured union for the future, his addressing a Congress and nation fractured by ideology raises questions about the actual unity of the nation. Throughout the past decade, and particularly since the beginning of the presidency of George W. Bush, America has seen a marked shift in political polarity. While presidents of past decades have been elected with large majorities of the nation supporting them, Bush was elected twice in extremely close races, losing the popular vote in his first election. Similarly, Obama was elected with a very strong and vocal resistance to his campaign that has since resonated in the form of the Tea Party. These
divides in political opinion, which are indicative of a larger “culture war” that is taking place between progressive and conservative Americans, is reaching its boiling point in both the government and our daily lives. What unity we can find is at best with those of concordant inclination. How is this development impacting our Congress? Political rivalry is by no means a new development, and debates within Congress and the White House have persisted throughout the nation’s history. However, these disagreements are no longer merely ideological debates, but rather
Politics
Economics
Science & Technology
Democrats and Republicans abandoned their traditional sides in a show of bipartisanship during President Obama’s State of the Union address on Tuesday.
The DOW fell to a 10 week low this week while the Euro simultaneously rose to a two month high. The Federal Reserve has not yet unveiled any new policies to counteract the depreciation of the dollar.
Verizon announced that their iPhone service would come with the option of unlimited data. On the other hand, AT&T enacted a 2 GB limit at the end of last year.
The Illinois Supreme Court agreed to hear Rahm Emmauel’s mayoral candidacy case. He was removed from the ballot last week because of residency concerns.
Former finance mogul Allen Stanford was declared unfit for trial by a Texas judge. Stanford is accused of masterminding a $7 billion Ponzi scheme, the second largest in history.
Facebook announced recently that users could only pay for games on their site using Facebook credits, abandoning the old use of Paypal and credit cards.
Dan Ottaunick
in the News
On Tuesday night, President Barack Obama addressed the nation in the annual State of the Union address. Speaking in front of his peers in Congress, Obama followed in a long tradition of outlining his legislative agenda and discussing the direction of the United States under his leadership. Though Obama’s speech certainly conveyed many of his plans
See Division, B8
i nside Marke tp l a c e
this issue
Politico of the week
See Cuba, B8
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in numbers
heights graphic / alex manta
In a move which partially reverses almost 50 years of American foreign policy, United States President Barack Obama recently eased restrictions on American citizens wishing to travel to Cuba. The changes are expected to be enacted in three weeks. Obama told reporters that by changing the long standing embargo he hopes to encourage “people to people” contacts between Americans and Cubans in academic and religious contexts. He further hopes that the increased contact will encourage “civil society” on the communist island. The changes made by Obama allow religious groups and students at institutions of higher learning to study abroad in Cuba under specific charters, as well as permitting U.S. citizens to send remittances of up to $500 per quarter to non-family members in Cuba to encourage economic activity, according to a BBC News report. Furthermore, the changes will allow airports to apply to provide services for approved and licensed charters. Notably, the changes do not modify the standing embargo against Cuba, but merely lighten the restrictions of American citizens hoping to travel to the island. Since 1962, the U.S. has enforced a near total commercial, economic, and financial embargo on Cuba, the communist-run Caribbean country. As it still stands today, the embargo prevents the sale of Cuban goods in the U.S. and prevents U.S., businesses from inter-
acting with Cuban entities. While the embargo does not prohibit the travel of U.S. citizens to the island, a de facto ban on travel exists, as any purchases made by potential travelers in Cuba are deemed illegal. The ban emerged during the 1960s in response to Cuba’s alignment with the Soviet Union. As tensions grew between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. throughout the following decades, the embargo grew in severity and enforcement. As Cuban society became more closed and repressive, U.S. Presidents Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter continued the embargo as a means to coerce the Cuban government into releasing political prisoners and allowing U.S. telecommunications companies to operate on the island, among other demands. After the fall of the U.S.S.R, the U.S. continued the embargo due to alleged human rights violations and foreign policy disagreements with Cuba. The embargo has received rollercoaster support throughout its history. At times it has been well supported while at others it has been condemned as a political failure. Even in the face of opposition, the embargo has survived more than ten U.S. presidents and numerous party switches, from Democrat to Republican and back. Recent polling data collected by the AP in 2007 shows slight public support for continuing the embargo. Despite the partial public support, the embargo has been criticized frequently throughout its existence.
years old. The age of the nightclub dancer Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is alleged to have had sex with.
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people killed in a suicide bomb attack on a Russian airport. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin swore retribution for the attack.
This week Marketplace will explore the life and career of Chinese President Hu Jintao......................................B7
in quotes
This past weekend, Chinese President Hu Jintao concluded a state visit to the United States, the first from China since 1997. He claimed the summit with President Obama was a success both for the Communist Party and for himself. As usual, the Chinese government has taken advantage of Hu’s trip to solidify its standing among the Chinese people. Chinese media, most noticably the staterun news agency, Xinhua, featured large photographs of Hu with Obama and implicitly delivered the message that China is now equal to the United States in the global scene. Nevertheless, it seems that Obama and the United States achieved some progress in certain areas while failing significantly in several others. The high profile meeting was a reminder that the U.S. - China bilateral relations would continue to be one of the most troublesome dialogues in Washington. Some U.S. officials were content with the summit’s results regardless. “The most important thing they did was, for the time being, put a floor under the relationship after a very bad year,” Michael Green, a former National Security Council senior official told reporters. Businesses in the U.S. benefitted clearly. In order to
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“This was a year of hardfought accomplishments. The year ahead is likely to be a tough one, too.”
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– Gen. David Petraeus U.S. Military Commander discussing the U.S. military’s progress in Afghanistan.
Political Belief.............................B9 A Green Piece.................................B8