GOTTA BE ‘GOOD LIFE’
ON VS. OFF
ARTS AND REVIEW
features
sports
Life is Good Festival brings laid-back, acoustic pop to Downtown Boston, C8
Comparing the pros and cons of living off campus vs. on campus, D1
BC wIns its first game of the season against the UMass Minutemen, 45-17, C1
BREAKing THROUGH
Monday, September 26, 2011
Vol. XCII, No. 31
welcome to the block, Cataracs sell out plex maloney
Manresa House props doors open to vocation By David Cote Heights Editor
Daniel Lee / heights staff
TJ Maloney (above left) and his family stand in front of the newly-dedicated Maloney Hall, named to recognize their major gift toward the capital campaign.
One less nameless building for BC, 21 Campanella Way now Maloney Hall By Taylour Kumpf News Editor
As of last Friday, Boston College has one less nameless building. 21 Campanella Way, commonly referred to by students as “Campanella,” is now Maloney Hall. The dedication of Maloney Hall took place Friday afternoon, and was attended by the Maloney family as well as their friends and colleagues. “The naming is in recognition of a major gift from TJ Maloney, and his wife, Nancy, and their lifelong support of Boston College,” said Univer-
sity Spokesman Jack Dunn. “The Maloney’s are a three generation Boston College family, as TJ’s father graduated from BC in 1949.” “BC is in the midst of a $1.5 billion capital campaign and has surpassed the midway point, with more than $800 million raised,” Dunn said. “This major gift from Trustee TJ Maloney will go a long way in helping us to reach that important goal.” Dunn said that the specific amount the Maloney’s donated will not be released, which is common for these kind of campaigns. At the dedication ceremony, Maloney’s fellow
Board of Trustees member, Kathleen McGillycuddy, board chair, said, “On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we are profoundly grateful to TJ and Nancy. We thank you for your generosity.” “There is no more important blessing than the devotion and generosity of our alumni and friends,” she said. University President Rev. William P. Leahy, S.J. also spoke at the dedication and said, “Maloney Hall is a bridge between Middle and Lower campus. This building is a thoroughfare. We are a
See Maloney, A4
Blog offers Yawkey Way responds to booster questions new take on #firespaz trend By DJ Adams Heights Editor
By Molly LaPoint Asst. News Editor
A Sept. 19 blog post titled “Firespaz. org: The Philanthropic Approach” on the website, Heights and Lows, suggests an alternative to spending money attending football games during a disappointing season. Usually, Boston College football gives students, alumni, and fans a way to connect in a unique way, but during losing seasons, this can be dampened. “We get to talk about more than the product on the field, we get excited about being together, we get excited about the positive recognition for our school,” said DL, the author of the post. There are many expenses involved in attending games, including ticket prices, food for tailgates, and, for some alumni, plane tickets. DL argues that, given the
See Appa, A4
On Aug. 16, 2011, Yahoo! Sports released the product of an 11-month investigation, which contained evidence and specific admissions of guilt from University of Miami booster Nevin Shapiro on the accusations that he had provided thousands of NCAAviolating benefits to 72 different players and coaches, primarily of the Hurricanes
football squad, in an eight-year span from 2002-10. The findings contained hundreds of conducted personal interviews, as well as several forged documents, and showed Shapiro to have violated at least four major NCAA bylaws. While the severity of Miami’s violations certainly shocked the college football landscape, the program has performed subordinate acts before and received serious sanctions for its actions.
ap file photo
A fan held up a sign at an NCAA football game on Sept. 17 between Miami and Ohio State.
Miami is not alone, however. In fact, only four programs, among the 120 currently instituted within the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, have yet to commit a major violation of NCAA policy: Penn State University, Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Boston College. How the University has developed such a clean record becomes a puzzling question, considering the seemingly constant allegations present in today’s collegiate sports. According to Gene DeFilippo, athletic director, while mistakes and violations can theoretically occur under any organization’s nose, the key to BC’s success in adhering to policies has been thorough education of those involved in the program of what might potentially trigger an NCAA investigation. “We work hard at it, we talk about it all the time, that we are all responsible for compliance,” DeFilippo said. “We talk to the coaches, the coaches talk to the players, and the players talk to each other. We make compliance very, very important. “And are we perfect? No, nobody’s perfect,” he said. “Could we have something happen? Sure we could. But we are going to do everything we can to do what we can do to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
See Boosters, A4
Though hundreds of Boston College students walk down College Road every day, far fewer of them examine the cozy, homely buildings which line it. Manresa House, at 58 College Road, for example, is as unassuming as the buildings which surround it. A smallish, three-story, brick home, with a short set of steps and a welcoming doorway. Much like the building, the opportunities available in the Manresa House are often overlooked. It is here that BC offers its services to those students interested in a life devoted to vocational service. Rev. Terrence Devino, S.J., is Manresa House’s sole full-time employee. Sitting behind his desk in what used to be the dining room of the small family home, it seems that it would be difficult to find a man who enjoys his job more. The youngest of three, Devino was the first of his family to attend college, at Worcester State University. He studied at Immaculate Conception Seminary on the campus of Seton Hall University, and was ordained a priest in 1987. It was not until seven years later, in 1994, that Devino became a Jesuit, after years of serving as a parish priest in central Massachusetts. After a time working at BC in the late 1990s, Devino worked in campus ministry at Fairfield University and the University of Scranton, both Jesuit institutions. He came back to BC in 2010 as a special assistant to the president and was appointed director of Manresa House. In Devino’s words, “Manresa House is a combined effort between the Jesuits of the New England Province and Boston College to encourage our students to consider, to look at, or even to question a vocation to the priesthood or to the religious life, and in particular to the Jesuits.” Students who have thought about living a religious life can stop by and talk to Devino about “the many and various opportunities within the life of the church,” whether as priests, as sisters, or as laypeople. Students are welcome at any time at the Manresa House. Devino makes sure of it. “I have about five work study students
See Devino, A4
alex trautwig / heights editor
Rev. Terry Devino, S.J. (above) welcomes those interested in pursuing a vocation.
TopTHREE
The Heights
Monday, September 26, 2011
things to do on campus this week
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Anti-Semitism in Film Tuesday Time: 3 p.m. L o c a t i o n : D ev l i n 026
Attend a lecture by Sharon Pucker Rivo, who will be speaking on the issue of anti-Semitism shown in film as a part of the Center for Christian-Jewish Learning’s Lecture Series. Rivo is co-founder and executive director of the National Center for Jewish Film.
‘Music in the Afternoon’ Performance
2
Wednesday Time: 4:30 p.m. Location: Gasson 100
Listen to the music of Jean-Philippe Rameau performed by Michael Sponseller, harpsichord; Susanna Ogata, baroque violin; and Douglas Kelley, viola da gamba.
Faculty and Staff Art Show
3
Wednesday Time: 5 p.m. Location: Bapst Art Gallery Stop by and enjoy an exhibition of the artwork by faculty and staff from across the university in the Bapst Student Art Gallery.
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Student sentenced to 15 years after fatally stabbing his professor
On Campus Lousie ‘Mama’ Hannah retires after 40 years of service in admissions Louise Hannah, who served at Boston College for 40 years, officially retired this past August. Hannah, known as ‘Mama Hannah’ to those close to her, served as supervisor of support services for the Office of Undergraduate Admission. John Mahoney, director of admissions, called Hannah one of the “heroes” of the University, according to a recent statement by the Office of News and Public Affairs. In her time at BC, Hannah helped to process tens of thousands of applications, but also helped to mentor and coordinate the workstudy positions of students. Hannah, a Georgia native, came to Boston in 1963 and worked for an electrical company in Brighton until she was accepted into an educations and career advancement program. The program led her to take courses at BC, and Hannah was eventually hired as a work-study assistant in BC’s Undergarduate Admissions office, witnessing the expansion of the admissions office from a few thousand each year, to over 30,000 applicants.
Abdulsalam S. al-Zahrani, a 48-year-old native of Saudi Arabia, fatally stabbed his Binghamton University professor in 2009. Richard T. Antoun, a professor emeritus of anthropology, was attacked by Zahrani in his on-campus office at the SUNY college. Antoun, who had served on Zahrani’s dissertation committee, was 77 years old. Zahrani pled guilty to first degree manslaughter. He was found to be schizophrenic but competent to stand trial. Zahrani was sentenced on Friday, Sept. 15, and is expected to be deported after he serves his sentence.
JetBlue CEO addresses Boston College Chief Executives’ Club David Barger, CEO of JetBlue, recently addressed the Boston College Chief Executives’ Club of Boston about the potential expansion of the airline. Having become the largest airline operating out of Logan International Airport, JetBlue hopes to attain all of Terminal C in order to accomodate 150 departures leaving from Boston each day. The initiative, called “Boston 150” would increase the number of flights from the current 102. Barger said that the airline hopes to expand to Worcester and Providence.
By Anson Petrick For The Heights
Ap fiile photo
Former state Sen. Susan Tucker speaking against the bill outside the Statehouse in Boston on Sept. 13. (above) If the bill is passed, it would first allow for slot machineswhich account for 80 percent of casino revenues to enter use and would be up and running by the end of October. The state would be divided into three gambling districts, with one casino in the Boston area, one in southern Massachusetts, and one in the western part of the state. In the south, New Bedford
and Fall River are competing for the casino while Worcester, Springfield, Palmer, and Milford are possible casino sites in the west. A five-member gambling commission will regulate the casinos. It will consist of appointees by the governor, attorney general, and treasurer in addition to an industry expert and a legal expert.
There are currently two destination casino resorts in Connecticut, three in New Hampshire, and another three in Maine. One-third of all customers at Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun in Connecticut are Massachusetts residents. “The state government is trying to compete with surrounding states for gambling money,” McGowan said. Since casinos aim to draw visitors from both in and out of state, the state government hopes that these casinos will be able to attract people that would otherwise go to Connecticut to gamble. The construction of these casinos will also create new jobs, particularly in the staff area. However, McGowan believes that the economic boom that comes from the casinos will be temporary, pointing to the current bankruptcy of both Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods as evidence of his point. “In my experience, the government gets more addicted to state revenues than any gambler gets addicted to gambling,” he said. The senate is expected to convene in order to vote on the matter today. n
Police Blotter
Voices from the Dustbowl
9/18/11-9/23/11
“What is your favorite food in McElroy?”
Sunday, September 18 5:13 a.m. - A report was filed regarding a call from St. Elizabeth’s Hospital who reported that they were receiving harassing telephone calls from a Boston College student. The student was identified and was spoken to. A report will be sent to ODSD for internal disciplinary action.
Wednesday, September 21 12:39 p.m. - A report was filed regarding a falsified parking permit. The vehicle was identified as belonging to a BC student. The matter will be forwarded to the Transportation and Parking Department for further investigation and ODSD for internal disciplinary action. 3:40 p.m. - A report was filed regarding a BC student who reported that her cell phone had been stolen from a restroom in the O’Neill Library. The victim further reported that the suspect had used the phone and posted some images from the phone to their Facebook account. The Facebook account has been deactivated. Further investigation will be conducted.
Thursday, September 22 6:18 a.m. - A report was filed regarding a fire alarm activation in a service building. The cause for the activation was possibly related to an electrical
odor discovered in a room. There was no smoke or fire and the system was reset.
“The waffles.” —Carol Liang, A&S ’15
9:45 a.m. - A report was filed regarding medical assistance provided to a BC campus school student who was having difficulty breathing in Campion Hall. The student was transported to the Children’s Hospital. 3:49 p.m. - A report was filed regarding a BC housekeeping employee who reported that his personal motor vehicle had been vandalized. The matter will be investigated further.
Friday, September 23 1:56 a.m. - A report was filed regarding a BC student who was injured during an altercation he had with an unidentified male at an off-campus establishment. The student was advised to file a report with the Boston Police due to the incident taking place within their jurisdiction. 1:58 a.m. - A report was filed regarding an off campus noise complaint. An underage BC student took responsibility for the party as well as purchasing the alcoholic beverages. The Boston Police advised the student that he will be summonsed into court.
—Source: The Boston College Police Department
“The sandwiches in Eagle’s Nest.” —Colin Quinlan, CSOM ’15
Showers 63°
Tuesday
73° Partly Cloudy 61°
wednesday
73° Showers 63°
“Samosa dumplings.” —Jill Spisak,
73° Thunder Storms 59°
Source: National Weather Service
A Guide to Your Newspaper The Heights Boston College – McElroy 113 140 Commonwealth Ave. Chestnut Hill, Mass. 02467 Editor-in-Chief (617) 552-2223 Editorial General (617) 552-2221 Managing Editor (617) 552-4286 News Desk (617) 552-0172 Sports Desk (617) 552-0189 Marketplace Desk (617) 552-3548 Features Desk (617) 552-3548 Arts Desk (617) 552-0515 Photo (617) 552-1022 Fax (617) 552-4823 Business and Operations General Manager (617) 552-0169 Advertising (617) 552-2220 Business and Circulation (617) 552-0547 Classifieds and Collections (617) 552-0364 Fax (617) 552-1753 EDITORIAL RESOURCES News Tips Have a news tip or a good idea for a story? Call Taylour Kumpf, News Editor, at (617) 552-0172, or e-mail news@bcheights.com. For future events, e-mail, fax, or mail a detailed description of the event and contact information to the News Desk. Sports Scores Want to report the results of a game? Call Paul Sulzer, Sports Editor, at (617) 552-0189, or e-mail sports@bcheights.com. Arts Events The Heights covers a multitude of events both on and off campus – including concerts, movies, theatrical performances, and more. Call Darren Ranck, Arts and Review Editor, at (617) 552-0515, or e-mail arts@ bcheights.com. For future events, e-mail, fax, or mail a detailed description of the event and contact information to the Arts Desk. Clarifications / Corrections The Heights strives to provide its readers with complete, accurate, and balanced information. If you believe we have made a reporting error, have information that requires a clarification or correction, or questions about The Heights standards and practices, you may contact Michael Caprio, Editor-in-Chief, at (617) 552-2223, or e-mail editor@ bcheights.com. CUSTOMER SERVICE Delivery To have The Heights delivered to your home each week or to report distribution problems on campus, contact Dan Ottaunick, General Manager at (617) 552-0547. Advertising The Heights is one of the most effective ways to reach the BC community. To submit a classified, display, or online advertisement, call our advertising office at (617) 552-2220 Monday through Friday.
The Heights is produced by BC undergraduates and is published on Mondays and Thursdays during the academic year by The Heights, Inc. (c) 2011. All rights reserved. “The quesadillas with guacamole.” —Jarissel Morillo, A&S ’15
A&S ’15
79°
Local News
BC Jesuits weigh in on Massachusetts gambling bill
Last year alone, the lottery provided the state with $917 million.The bishops have taken a stance against the construction of these casinos due to these social justice implications. Describing the situation in religious terms, McGowan said that using gambling to raise government funds is not “building up the kingdom.”
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In the past few weeks, local bishops have voiced their opposition to the Massachusetts Senate bill that will allow casinos to be built. Senate Bill 2015 calls for three destination casinos, with hotel resorts, to be built in the state. The state hopes to raise $500-600 million a year from the casinos, while using $5-8 million of those earnings to help compulsive gamblers. “The main concerns of the Church are that not enough money is being set aside to help with compulsive gambling and that this is not an appropriate way to fund the government,” said Rev. Richard McGowan, S.J., a professor in the Carroll School of Management, who is a gambling industry expert. “The lottery already preys upon the poor a lot more than any casino would. We should ask ourselves if it is fair to use someone’s weakness to fund government,” McGowan said. He added that about 1.2 to 1.4 percent of gamblers are considered gambling addicts, while about 5 percent are considered problem gamblers.
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CORRECTIONS Please send corrections to editor@bcheights.com with ‘correction’ in the subject line.
The Heights
Monday, September 26, 2011
The sad Aid to compensate for recession politics of politics By Anna Patrick Heights Staff
Sean Talia When Mahmoud Abbas made his appearance in the West Bank yesterday, he was greeted with a deafening applause. Yesterday marked his return from a trip to New York in which he requested that the United Nations officially grant the Palestinian people a state of their own. Many at the UN general assembly lauded the speech he delivered on Friday, in which he declared that it was finally time for the Palestinians to have their own version of an “Arab Spring,” referring to the events leading to the overthrow of dictators from several countries throughout the Middle East and North Africa since the beginning of the year. You can never please everyone, especially in the Middle East, a part of the world that has known little else besides ceaseless conflict seemingly since the invention of writing. And given that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has dragged on for the better part of the past century, it’s no surprise that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu deplored Abbas’ request, mocking his references to Palestinian hopes and dreams. “Hopes and dreams and missiles,” he said. Fortunately for Netanyahu, little is likely to come of Abbas’ appeal to the UN, at least for quite some time. That’s because, says President Barack Obama, the United States will veto any proposal the UN decides to adopt on the matter (Since it holds a seat as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, any veto from the U.S. categorically shuts down the proposal.) Whether Obama is insisting on a veto because he genuinely feels that Israel is being done a grave injustice or because he wants to bolster his image as a pro-Israeli politician for next year’s election is anyone’s guess. This story isn’t receiving the full attention it should because of the crisis that’s underway in Europe with regard to the stability of the Euro or the buzz about which Republican candidate will emerge as Obama’s opponent in 2012. But Abbas is quietly becoming a thorn in Obama’s side, putting more pressure on the president than any other administration has had to suffer for quite some time. Obama was surprisingly critical of Israel’s policy during his Arab Spring speech in May, only to be greeted with scorn over having deviated from the path followed by Bush Jr., who, as we all know, had wild success with his forays into Middle Eastern affairs. More recently, though, Nicolas Sarkozy openly said that the U.S. has failed as a monitor of peace negotiations and that Europe and the Arab states who are willing to recognize Israel should play a bigger role. GOP hopeful Rick Perry has called Obama’s policy in the Middle East “naive, arrogant, misguided, and dangerous.” Both domestically and internationally, the president now finds himself deeply mired in this lose-lose political conflict. And, sadly, that is precisely what the conflict is about – politics. It should be about justice or mercy or ending the suffering of the Israeli and Palestinian people, but these are apparently ancillary concerns to Obama, Netanyahu, Abbas and their European counterparts. What’s most important is that their political approval ratings at home not take a hit, even if it comes at the cost of jeopardizing the resolution of this seemingly intractable conflict. Shame that the idiocy that often permeates our domestic politics seems to rear its ugly head even on the most important of international stages.
Sean Talia is a staff columnist for The Heights. He welcomes comments at editor@bcheights.com
With about 20 percent of the nation’s home values lost, recent studies have shown that the housing crisis could result in fewer families sending their children to college, especially families in the middle to lower income range. In response to these trends, Financial Aid Services has increased its aid for students as the need arises, and the undergraduate applications are coming in at a record high. “We know we’ve had more applications, we know that students are interested in applying to Boston College. It just depends on a couple of factors,” said Bernie Pekala, director of student financial strategies. “Home value and employment affects aid. Our formula takes home values into consideration, and one of the changes we’ve made over the past few years is to add financial aid, over the last three years in particular.” The University uses a needblind admission policy, which means that students’ financial statuses are not taken into account during the admission process. BC is one of about 44 universities to do so, as most private universities find the system too costly or insufficient to meet all students’ needs. “If students are interested in BC they can apply even if they feel that they do not meet the resources. That’s what we’re all about,” Pekala said. Three years ago when the housing bust hit, the president of Student Financial Aid services called for a two percent reduction
in budget items across the overall budget, which would be utilized to help more students receive financial aid. “We don’t know if we would have had more applications if the recession didn’t hit,” Pekala said. “We don’t look at students’ ability to pay before we accept them, only after the admissions office accepts them. We don’t
“If students are interested in BC they can apply even if they feel that they do not meet the resources. That’s what we’re all about” -Bernie Pekala, Director of Student Financial Strategies even look at the files until after we accept them.” A national trend in college admissions in relation to the economic decline shows that students tend to stay regional when choosing a college, and that they try to apply to more schools overall in an effort to determine their best options when it comes to cost. “It’s hard to speculate on students that are applying to BC and whether there are students that have taken themselves out
of the formula, but we are seeing a trend where students are applying to more schools,” Pekala said. “They are trying to make sure that if they are being accepted it is financially feasible.” Financial aid distribution is determined by housing and employment values, but questions then arise as to what the cut-off value is between middle income and high income in relation to housing values during a time of recession. Student Financial Aid services solves this problem by reacting to the decline of home values in the nation as a whole, based on national trends. “About 20 percent is the nation’s home value loss, and if a family’s home value went down by that 20 percent then they will receive financial aid from us,” Pekala said. “We have been reacting to it for a couple of years now.” A recent article published in The Chronicle of Higher Education confirms through studies that a relationship between college attendance and the state of the housing market is increasing in light of the recent bust. However, the lack of preliminary polling makes it difficult to discover the factors behind students’ decision-making process. As a whole, the class of 2015 broke admissions records with a 10 percent increase in applications, which totaled 32,974 this past year. “I read The Chronicle article, and the hard part about it is the factor of whether students are even applying, but it’s hard to know,” Pekala said. “We have students from all over the country, as well as international.” n
Health fair planned for October By Taylour Kumpf News Editor
On Oct. 5, O’Neill Plaza will transform into a center for student health, as the University’s first “Healthapalooza” takes over. Yoga classes, chair massages, cooking demonstrations, and samples of locally grown and produced foods are just some of the services that will be made available to students free of charge through the new Office of Health Promotion. Healthapalooza is a collaboration between more than a dozen offices, departments, and organizations across the University, said Elise Tofias Phillips, director of Health Promotion, in a statement. “Healthapalooza is the official Health Promotion kick-off event that brings together our community partners to celebrate student health, introduce students to our new initiatives and resources, and connect students to valuable health and wellness resources that exist across campus,” Phillips said. “We want this to be a celebration of student health and for everyone to have a lot of fun.” Patrick Rombalski, vice president for Student Affairs, said, “Healthapalooza is a symbolic step for the University because it marks an important shift in our attention to health. Now more then ever we are focused on prevention and wellness. In the Jesuit ideal, a healthy person is healthy in all dimensions – physical, social, spiritual, and intellectual. We also recognize that many factors lead to good health,
such as student culture, the campus environment, family situations, hours of sleep, good nutrition, healthy relationships, positive selfimage, and so many others. “The Office of Health Promotion and their kick-off event will serve as one beacon to remind us that we must work together as a community to provide a healthy campus for our students,” Rombalski said in the same release. Healthapalooza will also serve as the launch of Health Promotion’s “Be Chill” campaign, which encourages students to participate in activities that promote healthy lifestyles, according to the release. Students who attend Healthapalooza will receive all kinds of Boston College gear – T-shirts, sunglasses, healthy food, and more – as well as information and resources related to stress reduction, yoga and meditation, nutrition, fitness and exercise, spiritual health, and other health-related topics, organizers say. “In this sometimes stressful academic and social environment, students will be reminded of the importance of individual health and self-care as an essential foundation to achieving all other goals,” said Robyn Priest, assistant dean of Alcohol and Drug Education and co-organizer of the event, in the release. In addition to bringing together Health Promotion’s partners, Healthapalooza will formally mark the introduction of student health coaches: students will be trained and certified through Health Promotions to work with peers indi-
vidually and in small groups on various health topics, including individual health plans, stress and time management, nutrition, relationship violence, bystander intervention education, and alcohol and drug education. “I would say that any discussion, program or event that sheds light on student health issues is of the utmost importance,” said Don Camelio, program administrator for Drug and Alcohol Education and co-organizer of the event. “Our students are incredibly driven, busy people and often times they neglect their health and wellness needs to satisfy their other goals and aspirations. “Hopefully, Healthapalooza will put all of these very important needs at the forefront of our students’ thoughts and encourage them to be mindful of the bigger picture,” Camelio said in the release. “The idea that they need their health to be truly happy and successful.” Health Promotion’s partners for Healthapalooza are Athletics, Counseling Services, Health Services, the Women’s Resource Center, Sexual Assault Network Support Services, Flynn Recreation Complex, Student EMS, and the offices of Mission and Ministry, Alcohol and Drug Education, Nutrition Education and Counseling. Dining Services, BCPD, Campus Ministry, UGBC, the Center for Student Formation, BC Recreation, the BC Cheerleaders, Baldwin the Eagle, and the BC Bookstore have also provided support for Healthapalooza. The rain date is Oct. 12 if needed. n
Photo courtesy of the office of news & public affairs
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APPA VOLUNTEERS: A recent post on the blog Heights and Lows proposed an alternative to the usual response to a failing football season—skip the “Fire [insert coach name here]” movement, and do something to actually make a difference. DL, the post’s author, suggested donating the money that would have been spent on football travel and gameday expenses to the Appalachia Volunteers at Boston College. Considering the $300,000 budget required to facilitate the program, that might not be such a bad idea. According to the Applachia Volunteers (APPA) website, the program strives to remain open to anyone who wants to join, but requires an outof-pocket $50 program fee and provides fundraising opportunities for the students, including appeal letters to send to friends and family as well as raffle tickets for prize giveaways, to cover the per-student cost of $400. The more than 600 volunteers, who visit over 36 communities throughout the United States, ask nothing of those whom they serve. This means that they don’t ask for lodging, food, or utility stipends from the communities they visit, opting to sleep in sleeping bags on the floors of community centers. The volunteers are also responsible for cooking their own meals, or purchasing them from the community. The largest percent of the program’s budget, however, is spent on transportation. The program charters buses to
the central location and then rents minivans to get to the sites where the volunteers will be working. At these locations, the volunteers are either working with Habitat for Humanity or helping out in the community in general. Now, consider the costs of football tailgate spots which are available to season ticket holders through a donation to the Flynn Fund. Edmond’s Hall parking spots go for $10,000 and up, with Robsham Theater and More Hall parking spots going for $5,000 and up. The Hillside and Shea field spaces cost $4,000 and $3,500 respectively, and even the garage spots cost over $1,000. Donors also have the option of premium seating in the S,Q, and C sections for $750 and above per seat. Beginning this football season, all BC undergraduate alumni and football season ticket holders who graduated within the last decade were able to purchase the Hillside, Shea and garage spots at half price as well as the premium seating for half price. As of Sunday, the blog only recorded $175 in donations, including the original $50 donated by DL himself. If helping a worthy cause isn’t enough of an incentive, DL also promises that if $5,000 is raised by the Maryland game, which takes place right before Halloween, he will “spend the day in College Park with a mustache, dressed as Spaz - but in Jorts.” -Adriana Mariella n
NSTAR pact reduces University energy costs By Elise Taylor Heights Editor
Last May, Boston College agreed to an energy pact with utilities company NSTAR to cut energy costs at the University. According to a past press release, the energy agreement will save 6.5 million kilowatt hours (kwh)
“The goal for fiscal year ’11 is to save 2.3 million kwh, and we are more than halfway there” -John Macdonald, BC Energy Manager and an estimated $3 million over the next three years. The pact was signed by University Executive Vice President Patrick Keating and NSTAR Senior Vice President of Corporate and Customer Relations Joe Nolan. BC Energy Manager John Macdonald said that NSTAR gave BC an incentive to make some key changes around campus. “It is a memorandum of understanding which NSTAR proposes to
the customers,” he said. “Basically, it is an agreement that we will save ‘x’ amount per kwh, and they will offer engineering support and will save BC 17 cents per kwh saved for the first year, and 18 cents for 2012, and 19 cents for 2013.” Some facets in the agreement include improving lighting and lighting control systems, upgrading certain mechanical systems, and picking efficient material for construction. So far, BC has made significant progress on cutting back its energy use. According to Macdonald, over a million kwh have been saved. “The goal for fiscal year ’11 is to save 2.3 million kwh, and we are more than halfway there,” he said. “For fiscal year ’12 it is 2.1 million kwh, and for fiscal year ’13 it is 2.1 million kwh.” This was achieved through various changes on campus, especially via altering lighting and mechanical structures in buildings such as McElroy Commons and Conte Forum. “The energy conversation methods we have done include re-lamping, relighting McElroy, and also relighting the service building,” MacDonald said. “We have also done some work in Conte Forum. We are adding some digital controls to the dampers and motor controls so we can have better control of energy use for basketball and hockey in Conte.” The next phase in the agreement includes improving exterior lighting of buildings and adding motion sensors to many places on campus. n
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Monday, September 26, 2011
New RSO, Education for Students by Students, to host BC Talks By Daniel Tonkovich Heights Editor
For undergraduates desiring opportunities to share their academic and creative passions, November will provide them with the opportunity through a new student lecture series. BC Talks, a five-day series of lectures, is designed to provide undergraduates the opportunity to present unique work they have completed related to their academic fields of interest to the Boston College student body. “While similar to TED talks, we don’t want to be too much like the talks,” said Lisa Piccirillo, director of BC Talks and A&S ’13. “This series is educational before entertainment. We are somewhere in between TED talks and a lecture seminar. We want to keep it based in academic and creative work. They will be short and interesting, but full of content.” Each lecture will range from 10-30 minutes with approximately four lectures per day for the multiday event. BC Talks will post all lectures online in video
format. BC Talks emerges from the same group that organizes BC Splash, a program that provides area high school students the opportunity to take classes taught by college undergraduates: Education for Students by Students (ESS). ESS is a newly formed BC-registered student organization of the academic year. “With BC Talks, BC students are going to be sharing what they love, whether they are pursuing a research project or some other academic interest,” said Hanyin Cheng, president of ESS and A&S ’12. Organizers have been approaching departments and reaching out to people who have completed advanced study grants, University research fellowships, and faculty-recommended students to apply to be a lecturer for the series. The lecture program stems from a desire to extend the Splash student experience of sharing interests with peers, organizers said. This semester, BC Talks will debut the day of BC Splash’s fall session on Nov. 13. “Starting on the day of Splash, we see it
as a way to extend the Splash experience,” Cheng said. “People have such a great experience with teaching Splash classes we want to extend the experience by giving undergraduates the chance to present to their peers. We have many lectures on campus by professors, but there is little here highlighting the student accomplishments in the pursuit of their interests. It is a really great way to see what the student body is interested in right now.” “It is great in a lot of ways,” Piccirillo said. “It is a great way for the University and departments to show in such a great format what the students are up to. It is great for students in the filmed lecture to link to their resumes and show off themselves, and it’s great for people unrelated to see what BC students are interested in.” BC Talks, however, is not the only growth product of ESS. The organization expects to experience a considerable increase in high school participation in its Splash program. This year, the program will be reaching out to graduate students, as well as
its traditional undergraduate base, to teach classes. “This year we want to walk a fine line between fun and substance in all of the classes, and pull the kids into learning,” said Keegan Dougherty, director of Splash and A&S ’13. “We thought reaching out to grad students would be good because they already have a lot of information and teaching experience.” Splash is also aiming at increasing high school student participation in the program with student representatives at local high schools charged with recruiting participants. In addition, Splash, through the non-profit Learning Unlimited, will provide parents, who are on campus with their child for Splash, the opportunity to learn more about college preparation. As a result, Splash is expecting 7501,000 high school students for the one day event this fall, compared to approximately 450 high school students that participated in last semester’s event. As a result of increased expected participation, the program is in need of 250 undergraduates and graduates to teach classes of their
own creation. While providing educational opportunities to both high school students and undergraduates through its programs, ESS ultimately hopes to increase appreciation and pride in the accumulation of knowledge. “It is a really great way to see what the student body is interested in right now,” Cheng said. “ESS programs are about giving people the platform to share what they love. I hope that we slowly change the culture of campus or challenge the existing ‘work hard, play hard’ culture into one where social and academic life is more integrated, where it is socially acceptable to be interested in something academic.” Applications to be a BC Talks lecturer open today with a submission deadline of Oct. 16. BC Talks applications will be read by faculty in the same field of study as the presentation. Applications to be a Splash instructor or volunteer are currently open and close Oct. 3. Applications for both BC Talks and Splash are available at bcsplash.learningu.org. n
Maloney Hall now graces Campanella Way Maloney, from A1 school that tries to be a bridge, and in order to do that, we need the help of bridgemakers. That’s what TJ and Nancy are.” At the conclusion of the ceremony, Maloney himself spoke. “Thank you for honoring me and my family with the naming of Maloney Hall,” he said. “I humbly accept this honor on behalf of three generations of Maloney’s.” Maloney was born in Boston and grew up in Pelham Manor, NY, attending Iona Grammar and Iona Prep in nearby New Rochelle. From there he was accepted to BC and graduated in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a major in Philosophy. After BC, TJ was admitted to Fordham Law School and received his J.D. in 1979. While attending BC, TJ met Nancy Nedeau, a native of Muskegon, Mich. who was studying at Manhattanville College. TJ and Nancy wed in 1975 and are now the proud parents of Jack, BC ’09, Betsy, Wheaton College ’11, and Tom, BC ’13. TJ’s father, Joe Maloney, a native of Newton Center, graduated at the top of his class from BC’s Carroll School of Management (CSOM). Joe’s years at BC were interrupted by service in the Merchant Marines during World War II. TJ’s mother, Paulina McKevitt, a native of Brookline, was a graduate of Mount Alvernia Academy, Curry College, and was Miss Boston in 1944. She then went on to be first runner-up to Miss America that year. The Maloney’s established the Joseph L. Maloney ’49 Scholarship Fund on behalf of his father to provide financial aid to BC students who have demonstrated academic excellence in the study of philosophy. Maloney serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of BC and is a member of its Finance and Audit Committee. He
has been a director of the BC Center for Asset Management and his firm Lincolnshire has been a sponsor of the center. He serves as one of the co-chairs of the ‘Light the World’ Campaign for the New York area and is also a member of the Board of Directors of the BC Wall Street Council, now serving as its co-chair. Additionally, Maloney is an active supporter of BC athletics through the Flynn Fund. Maloney is a trustee of Fordham University and serves on its Finance and Endowment committees. He has previously served on the Board of the Dean’s Planning Council for Fordham Law School. While attending Fordham, he was a member of the Moot Court Board the year Fordham won the National Moot Court Competition for the first time in the school’s history. He created the TJ Maloney Chair in Business Law at the Fordham University School of Law. Maloney serves as co-chairman of the Building Campaign for the Fordham Law School’s new building at Lincoln Center. Maloney and his wife were inducted into the Archbishop Hughes Society for their devotion and generous support of Fordham University. He is the 2007 recipient of the Richard J. Bennett Memorial Award, presented by Fordham Law School in recognition of corporate leaders with the highest moral standards. Maloney practiced law for 14 years as a corporate and securities lawyer. He was actively involved in a number of the largest mergers and acquisitions to have taken place in corporate America in the 1980s, including the multi-billion dollar merger of Standard Brands and Nabisco, the RJR Nabisco transaction, and the Consumer’s Gas and Home Oil merger. He spent a number of years in practice working with Bob Wagner, three-time mayor of New York City and also worked closely with Hugh Carey, the former Governor and sev-
en-term U.S. Congressman of New York. He rose to partnership in New York in a major law firm. Subsequently, he founded his own law firm in New York City. He then went on to start a second career by building the preeminent private equity firm, Lincolnshire Management. When he joined the firm in 1993, Lincolnshire was comprised of four people with no committed capital. Today, Lincolnshire has $1.7 billion under management, 30 investment professionals and offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. Lincolnshire has purchased over 75 companies and each of its funds has been a top-performing fund for the past 26 years. Lincolnshire was ranked by Fortune in January 2011 as one of the top five private equity firms worldwide. Today, Maloney serves as the president and owner of Lincolnshire. Besides his professional career, Maloney is involved in a number of other activities. He formerly served on the Board of Trustees at The Tilton School, a private secondary school in Tilton, NH, and was instrumental in the success of the first formal fund raising effort in the 166-year history of the school. The Maloney’s are the benefactors of Maloney Hall, a residence for female students at Tilton. Maloney also previously served on the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of the English Speaking Union of the United States and as a benefactor of the ESU, the Margaret Thatcher lectures, and its various events. Maloney was recently honored by The Irish Voice newspaper as one of the top 100 leading Irish Americans in law across the U.S. He has lectured extensively in the U.S. and Europe and at a number of universities, including Boston College, Fordham, and the Columbia University MBA program. n
Devino lends his ear and offers up advice Devino, from A1 that come in during the week this year,” says Devino. “I told them that my number one expectation from them is that they be hospitable, so that anyone who comes through that door feels welcome.” Devino interacts with students at BC on a variety of levels – as a retreat leader on 48 Hours and Halftime, as part of the Ignatian Society at Boston College, as a resident minister in Williams Hall on College Road, and as a guide, mentor, and friend at Manresa House, assisting students in finding their spiritual direction. “In this day and age, when maybe at times, the notion of priesthood isn’t one that is always very popular, or one that is very talked about, I think it’s brilliant for us to have on campus a house where students can begin to look at a vocational life,” says Devino. The Manresa House was founded at Boston College in 2007, with Rev. Jack Butler, S.J., as its inaugural director. Originally located on Mayflower Street, the Manresa House moved to College
Road in order to be closer and more available to the student body. Surprisingly, and rather unlike most of the buildings on campus, Manresa House is not named after a person, but rather a place. In a way, the name is quite appropriate. “Manresa is one of the places along the path of St. Ignatius’ journey, a place where he found himself spending a great deal of time in prayer and discernment, considering and being open to where God was going to lead him next,” says Devino. “It is an important place in the life of the Jesuits, as we realize it was at Manresa where Ignatius knew exactly where God wanted him to be.” The Manresa House is for more than just those interested in the vocational services, however. The house is used during the week for Kairos retreat sessions, Arrupe volunteer meetings, Ignatian society gatherings, and the 15 minute Examen every Wednesday night at 9:45 p.m. “The Examen is a 15-minute reflection on your day and your week that St. Ignatius promoted to his followers early on and has been carried on in the tradi-
tion of the Jesuits,” says Devino. “It’s the best 15 minutes of my week,” he adds with a smile. Students stop by for a variety of reasons, and are always welcomed by the “Jesuit hospitality” of which Devino is so fond. “If the light is on,” says Devino, “anyone is welcome.” The door is always open, and Devino always has time to talk. A student walks through the door one Tuesday afternoon. “Oh, Glee’s on at eight o’clock,” Devino says. “Some students are coming over to watch. I should order some pizza.” It is this type of warmth and easy going friendship that Devino exudes. The time he spends with students seems to be the happiest of his day. Ultimately, Devino’s goal is to be there for students, especially those considering the vocational life. “If I could get up with a bullhorn on campus and address all of our students, I’d say, ‘Have you ever considered a vocation in the church? Have you ever talked to someone about it?’” he says. “And if you’re even vaguely interested, just dial D for Devino.” n
Daniel lee / heights staff
The Maloney family (above) was thanked by Fr. Leahy for its contribution to the University.
Athletic Dept. comments on Miami booster scandal Boosters, from A1 The most important people in facilitating this education are BC’s compliance staff who interact on a regular basis with potential boosters and alumni, coaches, and even players and fans about what could otherwise be a cryptic, deceiving NCAA manual. “We try to use the philosophy of being proactive as opposed to reactive, and educate everyone as much as we possibly can,” said Carly Pariseau, associate athletic director of compliance. Coaches’ meetings contain at least 20 minutes of compliance information, presidents of booster clubs are given both paper and electronic copies of regulatory handbooks, and public address videos that outline generic guidelines are shown during every home athletic event that utilizes a JumboTron, not just football, Pariseau said. It is this educational approach, DeFilippo said, that has been especially integral to BC’s success in remaining violation free. Concerning the violations at Miami, and also lesser infringements that took place at UNC-Chapel Hill this past offseason, have particularly impacted BC due to the fact that these institutions compete in the ACC with Eagles’ programs, and exactly how and to what extent punishments are doled-out are pertinent to the University now and will continue to be in future situations. Violations will never cease to occur, DeFilippo said, as some people are always searching for ways to undermine the system in place. The athletic director did offer a potential solution, though, which he believes will at least lighten the total amount of cheating that exists across the entire collegiate community. It’s the coaches, DeFilippo said, especially those assistants who communicate and interact daily with specific players, who must be held strictly responsible if any sweeping positive changes are to take place. As of now, coaches may be forced to vacate their position at one university, but usually are able to migrate to another program and resume their criminal practices, once again with a clean slate. “Until there are consequences placed directly on the coaches who violate the
rules, meaning that if you do this or that, you will be removed from coaching football indefinitely, you will continue to see people break the rules,” DeFilippo said. “Currently, there is no pressure in place that tells the coaches they will be out of a job if they keep these bad practices up. It all rests on the coaches.” In light of what occurred at Miami, the NCAA might finally be required to address this issue. Shapiro’s scandal took place over eight years, and the booster had illegal confrontations with seven different coaches over that time. While it may be easy to turn the other way when dealing with one coach’s insubordination, several at the same time is much more difficult to ignore. A lingering problem at schools like BC, strictly in terms of the student body’s perspective, is that they can see the athletic success other institutions are having while getting away with minor sanctions and wonder why the University doesn’t do the same and cheat a small amount in order to match this triumph. Success ought to be viewed as a multidimensional concept, DeFilippo said, and though at times it can be thought otherwise, the number one goal of BC’s athletic department is to provide students with a “wonderful experience to participate on a college campus.” The University doesn’t simply bring athletes to Chestnut Hill to play, DeFilippo said, but to be men and women for others, to get a valuable education, be great members of the community, among other important goals. These intentions, essential to the culture of BC, have been with the University in non-athletic contexts throughout time and have helped the institution continue to grow respectfully, he said. As long as boosters, alumni, and fans alike sustain a receptive attitude toward compliance, a perspective that according to Parliseau, “has always been the case at BC,” the University most likely will not face any issues with NCAA guidelines. “What that means for the legacy of BC sports can be debated,” DeFilippo said. “I’ll leave that up for others to decide, all we concern ourselves with is the idea that all of us must be responsible for all issues of compliance.” n
Heights and Lows blog suggests alternative outlet for gameday funds Appa, from A1 continued disappointment, money not already spent to attend games can be put to a different use. “I’ve planned those budget lines, and now I want to put my money where my mouth is and use that money to continue to support BC ... just in a very different way,” DL said. DL proposes that readers donate any money they’ve saved for football to the Appalachia Volunteers, an alternative spring break program that sends over 600 student volunteers to various sites across the Appalachian region. DL do-
nated $50 to the program through the BC Fund website instead of spending money for supplies for his tailgate. He encouraged others to do the same and to post their donation in the comments so he could track it. As of Sunday night, $175 in donations, including DL’s $50, was recorded. “Let’s take this negative energy and give it back to the other students of whom we know we can be proud,” he said. Tammy Liddell, faculty adviser of Appalchia Volunteers, was not familiar with the blog post, but suggested that those who plan to donate to the program
should contact Campus Ministry so they can trace the money. “If we don’t trace what people have donated, sometimes it ends up in the general fund,” she said. BC receives many donations, so it is understandable that sometimes things fall through the cracks, Liddell said. “I think BC wants to honor those very specific requests, but it might just be a couple extra steps to make sure it goes where it needs to go,” she said. “I think they do a good job of it, but it helps to put the extra step in.” Appalachia Volunteers receives no budget from the University, so all funds come from fundraising and donations.
On the website, and in the letter participants send out to friends and family members as a fundraising effort, prospective donors are encouraged to send the donations to Campus Ministry directly. Individuals can donate by sending a check to Campus Ministry or the website. “All the money that we spend is money that we raise,” Liddell said. “We’re happy when people donate money, and we’re happy to take the steps to make sure it ends up in the right account.” However, in this case, DL specifically labeled the donation by filling in, “Appalachia Volunteers,” and after reviewing
the blog post, Liddell said there should be no issue receiving the donations. She has alerted the Development Office, and hopes to track the donations received since the post went up. As a result, she will be able to see donations made by people who possibly read the post and did not comment to alert DL of their contribution. “Because of how he lists the Appalachia designation, there should be no problem with us getting the money to our gift account,” she said in an e-mail. “I can double-check on individual donations, but there should be no problem, even if they don’t contact us.” n
CLASSIFIEDS
A5
The Heights
Monday, September 26, 2011
Community Help wanted Babysitter wanted for sweet sixmonth-old Newton parents and Boston College grads seek responsible, friendly BC student for babysitter. Must be available some weekdays and weekends. Car is a plus, but not necessary. Please have references available. E-mail rcriccardella@gmail.com.
HELP WANTED Looking for an Office Assistant. Duties include greeting clients, answering phones, routing mail, data entry and retrieve, scheduling and calenda r maintenance. Ideal candidates will have proven customer service skills in an administrative setting and experience with Microsoft Office applications e-mail resumes to davidj85@live.com.
Help Wanted Looking for a responsible babysitter for our two children (8 and 11 -years-old). Tuesdays 4p.m. - 9p.m. Responsibilities include taking one of them to an afterschool activity so a car and a good driving record is a must. We live very close to BC. demler@bu.edu. Need to get a message out? Looking for part time work? Contact classifieds@bcheights.com.
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Monday, September 26, 2011
Editorials
Does opportunity come with a price tag? A website asking for students to reallocate donations to BC Athletics begs the question, when have we given enough? Last week, the blog Heights and Lows (one of several Boston College alumnifan sites) posted an item lamenting the football team’s record and suggesting that coach Frank Spaziani should share more than some of the blame. Nothing new there. The voices from the blogosphere calling for Spaziani’s dismissal are many. This particular blog, however, recommended that BC fans reallocate the money they would normally spend on tailgating and fan activities toward the Appalachia service program. Without trying to pick on Heights and Lows (they do post catching content), we view their recent recommendation as indicative of an attitude shared by campus groups, sports teams, and, sometimes, the administration; what we’re referring to is the idea that students, in particular, have the cash to burn and that the only concern is how these campus authorities are going to vie for it. Take the Heights and Lows blog post as an example. The hundreds (sometimes thousands) of dollars that fans and some students will pay over the course of a football season is a significant chunk of change. But those fans seem to enjoy the gameday experience and many will continue to fill seats despite BC’s record. The fans, however, don’t owe anything to the BC football team and, if they choose, can withdraw their financial support just as readily as they gave it. Neither do they owe anything in particular to the Appalachia Volunteers program. Supporting the athletic department and campus service programs is a good cause. But in asking sports fans to give to the Appalachia program, there seems to be a presumption that students’ wallets are disconnected from their personal interests – a presumption that students and alumni can very simply be convinced to
give money … just because. Also, take the senior class gift as another example. The business of alumni giving understandably works off the assumption that alumni (or soon-tobe alumni) have enough cash to give freely back to the college they’ve paid to attend. But, to put it frankly, asking students to open their wallets after pay-
What worries us most of all is that, at this University (which students pay to attend), community seems to orbit around pay-towatch athletic events and pay-to-participate service programs. ing over $200,000 over the course of four years is a bold request no matter how you cut it. We understand that the fact that enough students do have the expendable income to open their wallets for the sake of the “We are BC” ideal. We, nor anyone else, can fault the University for pursuing those dollars (which are dedicated toward a better BC) or, for that matter, the athletic department or the service trips for putting a hand in the pot. What worries us most of all is that, at this University (which students pay to attend), community seems to orbit around pay-to-watch athletic events and pay-to-participate service programs.
A resource for much needed meditation The Manresa House on College Road gives those looking for reprieve or to explore vocation an outlet B oston College is a university with a nearly inexhaustible supply of resources available to its students. Sometimes, however, important and
Whether for a 15minute meditation and reflection, the Manresa House is always a place of welcome and hospitality for all members of the BC community. interesting opportunities get lost in this massive shuffle. In many ways, the Manresa House
is such a resource. Located on College Road, the Manresa House offers services to students who have an interest in a vocational life. As a Jesuit Catholic institution, BC offers such services that would not necessarily be available to students at other schools. Often, it is in the interest of students to seek out and use these resources. Whether one stops by just to chat with Rev. Terry Devino, S.J., or for the Wednesday night Examen, a 15-minute meditation and reflection, the Manresa House is always a place of welcome and hospitality for all members of the BC community. Although merely one of the many lesser-known resources that the University offers, the example of Manresa House highlights the plethora of opportunities available to BC students. If a student has an interest in nearly anything, it is likely there is someone at BC who can help.
Kate Lowell / Heights Illustration
The Online buzz Reprinting reader comments from www.bcheights.com, The Online Buzz draws on the online community to contribute to the ongoing discussion.
An Interpretation of AHANA
Lost in translation
In response to “An Open Letter to the White Community,” by Gabrielle Acierno, Riley Collins, Leigh Purcell, and Lauren Zajac:
In response to “Earle Phones It In And Disappoints Country Fans And Naysayers Alike,” by Matt Mazzari:
What is wrong with this picture? The same group that had all of its own exclusivity in clubs, student forum, a Black Family Weekend etc., and AHANA is now saying that the white community at BC isn’t doing enough to be inclusive towards minorities. Isn’t this the same group that is guaranteed four years of housing when other non-minorities must fend for themselves during junior year. This is the group that, percentage wise, gets the bulk of financial aid when I will be paying back loans for BC tuition for the rest of my life. Had enough yet? I know I have!
I hate to be mean spirited in criticizing a student journalist, but I sincerely hope that this review was some kind of attempt at humor that did not work. Because if the writer was serious, and did not understand that the title of this album was a reference to a Hank Williams song, well ... let’s just say he needs to consider doing some research before publishing any more reviews about musical genres he clearly does not understand.
Anonymous
Gala represents a greater good In response to “Third Annual GLC Gala Sells Out,” by Rebecca Kailus and Joseph Pasquinelli: It warms my heart to read this article. I was a student at Boston College from 2002-2007 and, during my junior year, the administration abruptly canceled this event only weeks before it was to be held for the first time because it was “not in line with Catholic values.” One of my best memories of BC is participating in a protest of this cancellation by taking over the Dust Bowl and dancing in the snow one afternoon. Bravo to all who stood up for what was right back then and for those who continue to do so at BC today!
Anonymous
Objectivity over poor opinions In response to “Earle Phones It In And Disappoints Country Fans And Naysayers Alike,” by Matt Mazzari: There’s little to add to the above comments, except to say that an important part of your job (such as it is) is to remain objective. You’re unapologetic about your prejudice toward this genre of music; such prejudice, coupled with your evident ignorance, ensures that your opinion, however rhetorically loaded, carries almost zero credibility. Critics trade on credibility; if you entertain career ambitions in this direction, do your research and leave your generalized prejudices at the door. Oh, and avoid the overuse of epithets in your writing (look it up in a dictionary); it makes you sound even more like the hysterical teenager you so clearly are.
Anonymous
Anonymous
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK “The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts.” Bertrand Russell (1872 - 1970), British philosopher and social critic
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The Heights
Monday, September 26, 2011
A7
Opinions
Fair credit for fair work
Thumbs Up Sweet Victory – Third time’s a charm! Third home game, that is. The Boston College Eagles redeemed themselves from a stretch of losses this past Saturday in Alumni Stadium as they pummeled the UMass Minutemen. Impressive though the game was, the empty stands made for a bit of a “boy who cried wolf ” situation. After standing by the team and witnessing two wretched losses, many Superfans didn’t have the spirit to observe a third. Maloney Hall – 21 Campanella Way has been renamed Maloney Hall. This may come as an abrupt change to many who have grown accoustomed to associating “Campanella” with office hours, the Student Programs Office, and Hillside Cafe, but the change marks a great step forward for BC. Less unnamed buildings on campus means more funds for the activities that take place within those buildings. Maloney: it’s not baloney.
Thumbs Down Funny Money – If you haven’t heard, our nation is in a bit of a financial pickle. One would think, when millions are chronically unemployed and the thought of a doubledip recession has transitioned from a nightmare to a reality haunting the waking hours, Uncle Sam would be a little tighter with his purse strings. However, a new report by The Washington Post reveals that the government pays nearly $120 million annually in social security payments to dead people. Looks like the best things in the afterlife are free, too. Sweat Season – Nothing says first week of fall like chronic back sweat, greasy hair, an apathy to be outdoors or imbibe hot liquids. This might be true if we attended school on the equator, but this is New England. Where are the brisk mornings we lugged our cable-knit collection here for? In addition to feeling uncomfortably sticky, this Indian summer feels a little too reminiscent of last fall … here’s hoping that doesn’t mean another snow-laden spring. Freakbook - Chances are, you’ve logged into Facebook in the past few weeks and have seen the overhaul Zuckerberg and his gang of tech geeks has made to revolutionize the world of social media … again. They claim they’re only getting started and, soon enough, users will be able to use Facebook to share all of their social preferences, thereby eradicating the need for human interaction altogether. Interesting that it’s called Facebok, when promoting face-to-face interaction is the opposite of its aims. App(alling) – The French may not have to worry about paying for healthcare, but wondering whether or not their sons are gay is top on the list of stressors for some. A new Android app in France allows mothers to take a guided quiz, answering questions regarding their sons’ preferences for musicals , dolls , and dressing well, and then lodges an appraisal of their sexual orientation. The app is a modest .99 Euro because, really, you can’t put a price on information like this. Find us on Twitter. @BCTUTD
Dineen Boyle Boston College is a first rate university. It is likely that future employers will respect a degree from BC. It is inarguable that after graduating from BC, students are prepared to embark upon their careers with resumes capable of competing with the most accomplished of their peers—or are they? Is it possible that an institution that does so much for its students may be a disadvantage to them in one major way? I think, yes. According to the College Employment Research Institute, three-quarters of students enrolled in America’s four-year college system will work as interns before graduating. When reviewing a job applicant, potential employers first consider one’s educational record, and next focus their attention on one’s previous experience. This idea is even built into the very structure of the resume— education, then work experience, then personal skills. Accordingly, if internship experience carries such a high level of clout in determining one’s career future, a university attuned to the best interest of its students should aid, rather than impede students’ ability to partake in such activities. Why then, does BC deny so many of its students real credit for internship work? Only a handful of majors at BC receive a full three credits for internships. For those outside of these majors looking to receive academic credit, an option is the Readings and Research course. According to the Career Center website, “A Readings and Research course must be approved by a faculty member (who must take on the course in addition to her or his regular teaching responsibilities), must be approved and sponsored by an academic department, and must include structured reading, regular
discussions, and an examination, paper, or other written exercise as the basis for a final grade.” When faced with the prospect of managing five courses, a column, and a 16-plus hour a week internship this semester, I looked to the Readings and Research course as an opportunity to focus my interests and better balance my schedule. I contacted five professors before finding one who had time and was willing (albeit hesitantly) to collaborate. Eventually, exhausted and disheartened by the process, I gave up and registered for a fifth course. At one point, in a moment of hysteria, I considered combining one credit from my summer internship with one credit from my fall internship, and taking one credit Irish Fiddle lessons two nights a week under the music department. BAM—the three credits I would need in order to keep pace with my graduating class. Right? Wrong. Aside from the less than subtle desperation of this plan, at BC, “one credit internships do not count toward the total number of academic credits required for graduation.” What then, do they count for? Regarding the internship system, the BC Career Center website states, “The question of credit is really a secondary one. Internships should be pursued because they represent valuable educational experiences, whether or not they are formally acknowledged on a transcript.” While I agree with aspects of this philosophy, I question how students are supposed to gain the number of credits necessary to graduate while simultaneously balancing the demands of an internship. If a wonderful opportunity presents itself during the academic year, must students pass it up? And if one elects to take on a full course load and an internship, is the arrangement doomed to create a precarious balance, the student constantly caught between the two, struggling to lend full attention to either? If, as the Career Center states, internships are educational experiences, why do they not count toward the total number of academic credits required for graduation? A New York Times article
published in April, titled “Unpaid interns, complicit colleges” acknowledged this phenomenon, that college career centers now issue, “Vague letters of support for interns to show employers; offering sketchy ‘internship transcript notations’ or “internship certificates;’ and even handing out ‘0.0 credit’ — a mysterious work-around by which credit both is and isn’t issued.” I am not suggesting that BC compromise its standards or lessen its academic demands. Rather, it must be willing to adapt in order to better support its students. The Career Center is an incredible resource, but until the systems that hinder students’ ability to gain real world, hands on experience are reexamined, students will face an uphill battle in order to compete with their peers. As is the case at many Boston schools, students who write proposals demonstrating that an internship will directly benefit their designated major and follow-up with a substantial end of semester essay that details what they learned from the experience, should be eligible to receive academic credit. Students should not have to beg professors to work with them, or design their own course in addition to the already busy demands of their learning experience. And certainly, students should not have to pay the university to receive credit for work they have undertaken entirely on their own accord. This spring, when students graduate from Boston’s most expensive college, they should feel they that have been afforded all the same opportunities as their peers who attend school down Commonwealth Avenue and across the Charles River. They should feel that their undertakings were both respected and encouraged. They should feel that their honest work was rewarded with honest credit. And above all, they should feel that the pursuit of their passions is always a meaningful endeavor worthy of value. Dineen Boyle is a staff columnist for The Heights. She welcomes comments at opinions@bcheights.com.
Down for the count(ing of money) CJ Gustafson Headbutts, kisses, and cheapshots. No, this was not an episode of Jersey Shore. But the drama before, during, and after the event felt like a reality TV show. There has never been a more bizarre ending to a boxing match. With the victory of Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. over Victor Ortiz on HBO Pay Per View on Sept. 17, both boxing and sportsmanship have followed the stock market in its most recent plunge South. For those who missed the debacle, or wisely decided not to dole out $60 for less than 15 minutes of action, a frustrated Victor Ortiz lunged forward in the fourth round and head butted Mayweather while he was pinned against the ropes. If you are not an avid boxing fan, hitting your opponent with anything other than your hands is frowned upon. The referee, Joe Cortez, separated the two and deducted a point from Ortiz. He then called time-in and turned to the ref to re-start the clock. Before he could rotate his head, there was one less man standing up in the ring. While the ref was not alert, Ortiz approached Mayweather, hugged and then continued to kiss him on the cheek to say sorry. Let me remind you that these men are in the middle of a brawl where any action of the lips is usually not an adequate form of self-defense. Mayweather then clocked the unsuspecting Ortiz with a two-punch combination, sending his opponent to the canvas. The ref was left to absorb the results with a bewildered face, as if the whole plot twist driving the movie The Sixth Sense was given away while he was out getting popcorn.
Party Time
BY BEN VADNAL
Victor Ortiz lost to Floyd Mayweather Jr.. Fair, unfair, dirty, clean, it doesn’t really matter who won or lost at this point. That’s because the fans are the ones who lost out on what could have been a fight for the ages. It’s the ability to say to one’s kids that you watched a special football game between the Cowboys and Giants, an age-old rivalry between the Yankees and Red Sox, or the Thrilla in Manilla when Muhammad Ali fought Joe Frazier for the third time. The stage for something bordering on legendary status was set, but the band didn’t show up to play their best songs. Men have fought one another since the start of time. From gladiator battles that took place before Christ, to the UFC fights you can watch on your TV tonight, these matches have always left a deep impression on the sporting world. At a quick glance it may appear that two grown men are brutally clobbering one another without an issue of infidelity or debt to be settled, but it’s the demonstration of athletic ability and personal pride at its finest that people flock to see. Competitors must live like monks and train like Spartans in order to step into the ring. And more movies have centered on boxing than any other sport. So there must exist an underlying theme that has captivated audiences for centuries. Take Muhammad Ali for example. He is widely regarded as the best boxer, and arguably the most famous athlete, of all time. His record of 56 wins and five losses is incredibly impressive. Mayweather’s record is now 42 wins and zero losses. But even if Mayweather eclipses Ali’s win record without a loss, in my opinion he will never be regarded as the best fighter of all time. Sure he will be mentioned among the greats of Sugar Ray Robinson, Roberto Duran, and Joe Louis, but he lacks an intangible element that Ali had. It was the manner in which Ali carried himself both inside and outside of the ring. He never ducked an opponent,
fighting the likes of Sonny Liston, George Foreman, and Joe Frazier. One could argue that the competition isn’t as great these days, but Mayweather hasn’t even faced the other top contender in his weight class: Manny Pacquiao. He also lacks the legendary public persona that made Ali a cultural icon. Mayweather will not achieve this status by burning $100 bills in the club or spewing racial slurs (both evidenced on YouTube). It’s not always about who won the game, but how one played it. Even if you are carrying around a wallet filled with millions of dollars, fans don’t pay to see that attitude brought into the sports arena. The grit, tenacity, and selfless dedication to putting on a show for the fans are evaporating. It doesn’t matter if you are a boxing fan. The overarching concept I’m alluding to is something larger in all of sports. Perhaps it is more obvious in a competition where your opponent is literally trying to take your head off. But even in football, with players holding out for more money or sitting out games for minor injuries, this issue is prevalent. Football fans would have cheered for Mark Herzlich even if he failed to record nearly as many tackles as he did in his miraculous comeback. That’s because he represents the bravery and dedication to the game that sports have been losing in an age of eight digit signing bonuses and pay per view pre Madonna brawls. I hope for both the sake of boxing, and the sake of sports, that the Mayweather Ortiz fight was not a premonition of what sports will be evolving into. Because this is a problem that boxing, and the sports world, cannot solve by a simple kiss and make up. C.J. Gustafson is a staff columnist for The Heights. He welcomes comments at opinions@bcheights.com.
British invasion
Jim Kaberna Oh, do you want to hear about my summer? Well, if you’ll stop drooling with anticipation, I’ll tell you. I learned literature in London and met meaningful mates there, too. That was June. After that, I toured—as they say— throughout Spain and the Czech Republic before returning to London for an awe-inspiring concert in Hyde Park. Yeah, I know. What fun! However, in mid-July when I returned to Chicago I did close to nothing at all. No classes. No job. I was intensely bored. Thanks for bearing with me through that—that being my prepared response to the inevitable first-weekback questioning of my friends and acquaintances on campus. But I think few of these friends and acquaintances realize just how intensely bored I actually was. (I have a point I swear. Just wait for the transition.) I filled the long, ceaseless, and empty hours with anticipation and, from there following, preparation for my return to school and purpose and preoccupation. Naturally, I reminded myself of which classes I’d be taking and where they’d be taught. I bought notebooks and textbooks and made arrangements with my closest friends for lunch and adventure. And it was in making these plans that I would imagine what we might discuss. At the start of each semester, I refresh my memory of the significant events of the summer that could come up conversation and the more recent album releases and political coups that my friends might not have even heard of yet—things I could contribute to these very anticipated convos. My most exciting piece of news had to do a technology created in the country in which I had spent my more exciting moments this summer: Britain. The thing’s called Spotify. (And if you haven’t yet downloaded this very posh app, shoot me a line and I’ll invite you. Beside posh, Spotify is also very exclusive.) Here’s the deal: You fork over ten bucks a month and in exchange are able to download all the music you desire. Neato! I could not wait to impress my uninformed friends with an invite. But wait there’s more. If you have a smart phone you can also stream music you haven’t downloaded instantly for no additional charges. There is a small catch. The music you download doesn’t save directly to your computer. It stays within the confines of the Spotify app. (I assume this is because they’re of course competing with iTunes.) Beyond that, and certainly more applicable as word spreads, you can see what your hip Facebook friends are listening to on their Spotify accounts—making for a more thorough and creepier news feed. Anyhow, all but the few hip enough to have already heard of Spotify—they likely being frequenters of Pitchfork. com—were in awe and were quite appreciated, too, and sent me flowers and chocolate and the like. So I suppose you’re waiting for my opinion, as that is the title of the section in which this article is printed. Well, I’d have to say that my opinion is the English know what they’re doing. Have you ever been to London? The Tube—their MBTA—must run ten times more trains an hour than our T. And it’s all very clean and stops in many more places. And London’s city planners are dealing with centuries more civilization buried beneath their modern streets. The stream of business attired Londoners moving through the expansive corridors of their city’s underground is inspiring—though perhaps a little reminiscent of a particular George Orwell novel. Next to any Tube station, the Park Street T stop looks like something out of the Dark Ages! Teenage Brits are comfortable with alcohol. (There’s a pub on every corner.) British legislature on the drinking age and their enforcement of that legislature sends a much more relaxed and understanding message. And accordingly, less college (or uni) freshmen on the other side of the pond are sent to the hospital each weekend after downing copious and harmful amounts of Rubinoff for fear of being “written up” and made to work NOTH events. I’ve ranted enough. Spotify is sleek and convenient. It’s no small wonder it came from such a country. Jim Kaberna is a staff columnist for The Heights. He welcomes comments at opinions@bcheights.com.
A8
The Heights
Monday, September 26, 2011
The Heights
Thursday, November 11, 2010
THE HEIGHTS HOUSING GUIDE 2011
THE HEIGHTS’ GUIDE TO the
ups and downs of off-campus MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2011
what’s the best address for your study style and social life? how to avoid Headaches from your off-campus conduct
Prudent preparations to land the right apartment Darren Ranck The saintly and wise Mother Teresa stated, “Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do, but how much love we put in that action.” To offer a more open interpretation of the excellent Mother Teresa, consider this notion – putting love into a home must begin at the very beginning with its search. Choosing an off-campus location is no easy task. Despite its necessity, it requires prudence, care, and time. The perfect den for “girl’s nights” or “bro-ing out” does not sprout from the
The reality of relationships with your realtor b2
ground. It could, however, reside in the Boston College community, so be prepared to do a little digging. The first essential piece of business is to organize a crew of roommates. I know people who chose to go solo and some who conducted a search with as many as 10 people. Until you know the number of people you’re working with, the search cannot start. Don’t somehow become the legendary studio apartment on Commonwealth Ave. that holds six tenants in its nooks and crannies. That tip is easy. The next tip demands fortitude and decisiveness, though. Get your group together early on and decide on the particulars. A rather inclusive word, the particulars, in this scenario, lay out the conditions under which you choose an off-campus arrangement. Perhaps the most important particular is that of price. Decide early the maximum price at which you will pay rent.
Between $600 and $800 a month, including utilities, is a comfortable range, but there are prices that fall out of this range on both sides. Make a choice with your maximum and stick to it. Other particulars include rooming status (which lucky pair would be OK with getting the double?) and location (more on this later). Don’t let these major decisions wait until you are out with the realtor. Speaking of realtor, there’s no better subtle segue into the tricky territory of Brighton real estate moguls. Let’s be frank – no matter how nice and accommodating a realtor appears, remember they want to get the sale. Their motivations are perfectly understandable, but remember to keep a discerning head on your shoulders. I suggest writing notes down in a spiral of some sort. First of all, it allows you to organize your thoughts and remember every important detail about the prospective real estate. Secondly, real estate agents won’t try to screw around with serious
the future of off-campus housing suggestions about subletting b4
note takers. Be sure to ask questions about the property. Where are the two exits required of all Massachusetts residences? Do the smoke detectors work? Who lives in the area? If you happen to catch the current residences, grill them as well for the absolute truth. It’s easy to see a place and think, “Dude, can’t you see us watching our Entourage DVDs on this couch?” Give yourself a few options, though. The first place is not always going to be the best place. On the flip side, though, don’t be too picky. When you find a place that meets your price and space requirements and gives off a somewhat homey vibe, put in an offer. Don’t feel like it has to be on one of off-campus BC’s busiest streets. What’s important is that you can live there happily. Darren Ranck is the Arts & Review Editor for The Heights. He can be reached at arts@bcheights.com.
things to consider before signing on the dotted line b4
housing guide
B2
lifestyles of off campus localities Joining the legions of BC students who have made the march off campus leaves many decisions to be made on which neighborhood suits your lifestyle. To sort through the plethora of properties, we provide an overview of your off-campus options. By: christina quinn | heights editor
Lake Street The prize for most aesthetic-sounding off-campus neighborhood name certainly goes to Lake Street, as do many positive reviews from former and current residents. Both Lake Street and Undine have prime access to the elusive Brighton Campus Theology Library, though they don’t have shuttle access. A little more quiet than other off-campus neighborhoods, and a bit more expensive in rent, these streets are still extremely close to the action of Main Campus, depending upon how far down you live. The close proximity of Brighton Center as well as easy access to Crazy Dough’s and El Pelon rank among the other pros to living in this area. PROXIMITY TO BC 4.5/5 FOOD/DRINK 3/5 SOCIAL SCENE 2/5 HOUSING QUALITY 3.5/5
photos by david givler / heights editor
city of newton
Manet rd., algonquin rd., Hammondswood rd., Hammond st., Crosby rd.
The majority of your neighbors in this area are going to be in a different tax bracket than you, but don’t let that dissuade you from all the Upper/Newton area has to offer. There will be no shuttle bus to guide you home should you choose to live here, but the walk from Algonquin or Manet is closer to class than a lot of dorms on Lower. With a more suburban feel, expect to see people walking their Labradors on a regular basis as opposed to walking to the Plex. Being off the beaten off-campus path does have its benefits: you’re less likely to have uninvited party guests, and if you make friends with your neighbors, you shouldn’t have much of a problem with the authorities. Expect to have a car to do your grocery runs and learn a few recipes from Mom before coming back to school in the fall-- you’re not going to be as close to convenience stores or takeout as a lot of your friends will be. PROXIMITY TO BC 5/5 FOOD/DRINK 2/5 SOCIAL SCENE 3/5 HOUSING QUALITY 4/5
How to manage relations with your realtor Helpful hints to managing the apartment search process and working with your real estate agent kitchen and a parking spot but you will run the risk that the market will run dry while you sit on your hands. Which brings us to the next point ….
2. Don’t be afraid to act fast
Michael Caprio In case you haven’t heard, Boston rental prices this year are the fifth highest in the nation (after New York; San Francisco; Fairfield County, Conn. and Westchester County, NY.). Does this really affect you, the student? Not too much. Juniors, in many cases, have no option other than to move off campus or vie for a spot in comparably priced campus housing. But, if you’re paying that much for your dwelling, you might as well get what you pay for. Here are some tips on working with real estate agents to get them to help you (and to get you to help them help you) find your optimal dwelling.
1. Be reasonable A friend recently told me that, when renting in the city, choose five features that you would most like to see in an apartment or house and consider yourself lucky if your apartment has three of them. The housing stock in Boston leaves a few things to be desired. This doesn’t mean you should settle on a mediocre apartment, only that you should reign in your desires. You can spend months holding out for that top-floor, 3-bedroom with a remodeled
Believe it or not, the ink has already dried on some leases signed by members of the class of 2014. You might say, The early Eagle gets the Foster St. house? (A stretch, I know). The point is that putting your name out there can put you in a better position to find a good real estate agent and to get the first pickings at a good apartment. Speaking of real estate agents ….
3. Don’t be afraid to shop around for agents Some agents know that students are not going to shop around and, therefore, may not do their due diligence. By letting your agent know that you will be contacting other agencies, it might put them on their toes. Keep in mind, you are not bound to your real estate agent in any way, at least until you put in an application for your apartment or house, in which case you might be liable to pay a Realtor’s fee. However, it does not hurt to take advantage of your advantageous position here to get an agent to work for you. Good luck! Michael Caprio is the Editor-in-Chief of The Heights and is an active real estate salesperson for Benjamin Apartments in Allston.
Graham Beck / heights staff
Actively managing relations with your real estate agent will help you land the right off-campus apartment.
B3
HOUSING GUIDe A block off the beaten path Radnor rd., South st., Kirkwood rd., Foster st., strathtmore rd., chestnut hill ave.
Deep in the heart of the typical “off-campus” neighborhoods, Kirkwood and the surrounding areas of Foster Street, South Street, Radnor, Strathmore, and Chestnut Hill Avenue definitely boast a lively social scene. Not the closest to campus nor the closest to the stores in Cleveland Circle, residents of this area are cautioned to learn how to cook. The walk to campus is not unpleasant, and the shuttle conveniently stops along Commonwealth Ave. Be wary of off-campus RAs if you choose to live here, and don’t expect your house to have the most luxurious features -- the area is well populated by college students and it’s no secret that the houses here have seen a party or two. There are certainly a few hidden real estate gems in these neighborhoods, but the price tags on rent payments reflect the difference. PROXIMITY TO BC 3/5 FOOD/DRINK 2/5 SOCIAL SCENE 4/5 HOUSING QUALITY 2/5
Bluestone Bistro
Commonwealth Ave., Chiswick rd., Wallingford rd.
Perhaps a bit closer to BU than the average Eagle would like to be, residents of the Bluestone area still seem to love the location. With a comparable version of BC’s City Co. as well as a built-in local restaurant readily available, the Bluestone Bistro area is far, but not isolated, especially given the availability of both the BC Shuttle and the B line. The walk to school would be a little unbearable in freezing weather, but how can you protest when you’ve got the Fine House nearby and prime placement for Marathon Monday? PROXIMITY TO BC 1/5 FOOD/DRINK 4/5 SOCIAL SCENE 2.5/5 HOUSING QUALITY 3/5 2000 Commonwealth ave. The swanky lobby of this apartment complex is enough to tempt any apartment seeker to ask for further information. The rooms of 2000 Comm. Ave., though a bit minimalist at first, can be really nice when furnished, even boasting the occasional balcony. The easy walk to school is a major plus, which hopefully makes up for the somewhat overbearing safety policies on the weekends. You definitely won’t have gatecrashers at a gathering you host, but also don’t expect to have friends over without their Eagle IDs. Given how many BC residents the building has though, you’ll find that it has the convenience akin to a dorm when it comes to knowing your neighbors. A bit pricy for some, 2000 is definitely great practice for those seeking a sleek apartment lifestyle, roommates are recommended to cut costs.
Cleveland Circle Sutherland rd., orkney rd., ayr rd.
PROXIMITY TO BC 3/5/5 FOOD/DRINK 2/5 SOCIAL SCENE 3.5/5 HOUSING QUALITY 5/5
For fans of accessible amenities, there’s something to be said for having relatively close walking access to Fins, Roggie’s, Cityside, and Eagle’s Deli, among other attractions. Residents of this neighborhood may be dependent upon the bus to get to campus, but for prime access to off-campus activities, look no further than the Cleveland Circle neighborhood. It boasts the closest proximity to both the B and C lines. Not as laden with college students as some of the other locations, residents of this neighborhood are cautioned to watch your noise levels on Saturday nights, lest you interrupt your grad student neighbor’s wine and cheese soiree for the law review staff - you can bet he’ll seek higher legal authorities to bring your party to a crashing halt. Past student residents of this area cite this as being a “real” off- campus experience with both the pros and cons such a living scenario brings. PROXIMITY TO BC 1/5 FOOD/DRINK 5/5 SOCIAL SCENE 4/5 HOUSING QUALITY 4/5
Even off campus, students under watchful eye Off-campus conduct violations can bring civil and criminal punishment in addition to university sanctions By Daniel Tonkovich Heights Editor
While living off campus may place weekend festivities out of sight of the normal campus regulatory enforcers from Residential Life and BCPD, social gatherings held by students in off-campus dwellings are definitely not out of the minds of college administrators and local authorities. For the majority of the estimated 1,200 BC students residing off campus, their conduct falls under the watchful eyes of their local police department, as well as Steve Montgomery, BC’s off-campus community liaison. Montgomery is well known to the off-campus BC community, perhaps better known to students by his unofficial title of “off-campus RA.” He has prowled the streets every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night for over a decade dispersing crowds and talking to residents about off-campus student conduct rules. Montgomery said his job is primarily to maintain a sense of community and mutual respect among the students residing off campus and the permanent neighborhood residents. “People are just looking to have their quality of life respected,” he said in a previous interview. “When it is imperiled on a Friday or Saturday, that is when the party ends. People have jobs, kids, and the need for sleep that need to be respected. Neighbors recognize the need for college kids to socialize on the weekends, but it must be done in a reasonable manner with respect for the entire community.” Montgomery cruises through the streets early in the evening on weekends looking for sites that may become problematic as the night progresses. He said that he attempts to not only respond to complaints, but also to be proactive in his responses, aiming to prevent
parties from turning into recurring problems or escalating into major incidents where police are dispatched by interacting with residents to issue verbal warnings earlier in the evening. Montgomery also said that students should take simple steps beyond controlling noise to not only respect neighbors, but reduce the likelihood of a complaint being filed through the police or with Montgomery directly. “Students should be mindful to not conduct their private business in public,” he said. “If students are having a party and have shades, they should close them if they do not want the attention of the neighbors. When neighbors call us, we have to respond. So if students do not draw attention to themselves or their activities, the likelihood of not having a response to their gathering is greatly increased.” The proactive encounters with students, often warnings to reduce noise or disperse from outdoor gatherings likely to disturb surrounding residences, are also aimed at preventing the need for a response from law enforcement. Though Montgomery attempts to respond to off-campus party incidents to which Boston Police are dispatched, he often reminds students that when the police get involved, it becomes their decision to either issue a citation or have the matter dealt with internally through BC. “[The police] have control of the situation when we are both called,” Montgomery said. “I am there to offer an alternative to issuing citations, providing a way to handle matters internally through the University. Though a visit from officials to end a party may be less than desirable, it always helps to have a good attitude. Anger, especially alcohol-infused, never helps the situation. Respect, tone, and attitude go a long way with the police. They hold much discretion over a situation.”
Should the police desire to have BC address the situation, Montgomery’s duty is to observe and report situations. Actual review of the situations and disciplinary matters resulting from the incidents are handled by the Office of the Dean for Student Development (ODSD). Off-campus conduct is a concern of not only the University, but students as well. On BC’s campus where BCPD has primary jurisdiction, police and University officials have the option of foregoing civil penalties and instead pursuing alternate punishments for student behavior. Students apprehended off campus, however, may be subject to University sanctions in addition to civil and criminal penalties. Punishment for violations off campus can be stiff. Civil penalties, at the discretion of responding law enforcement, can range from a $100 fine for carrying an open container of alcohol to a $300 penalty for hosting a disruptive party. There is also a fine of up to $2,000 and possible imprisonment for up to a year for students found serving alcohol to minors. The civil and criminal penalties can be in addition to penalties imposed by ODSD, which receives reports involving BC students from both Montgomery and local law enforcement. According to the ODSD matrix policy, students living off campus can be fined between $100 and $400 depending on the size and circumstances of the gathering in question. University sanctions can also include disciplinary probation, University probation, and University suspension depending on the severity of a situation as determined by the police reports. Montgomery does have some advice for students to consider that may help them to avoid an unplanned run-in with him or the police. “Act in a way that would make your parents proud, or conduct yourselves in the same manner as if a family member was living upstairs or next door,” he said in a previous interview. “If you think about that all year, you should be in pretty good shape.” n
numbers to know A run-down of the maximum disciplinary fines that you will be subject to when you break the law.
$100
Carrying an open container of alcohol
$300
hosting a disruptive party
1,200
students living off-campus
$2,000
Fine for Serving alcohol to minors
1
maximum years of imprisonment for serving alcohol to minors
Housing guide
b4
Getting serious about subletting before setting sail Multiple options exist for students with needs for only one semester of housing at Boston College
James Gu Studying abroad is an exciting thing. It means being able to go to a foreign country for a semester to explore its culture, its language, and its people. But it also means having to find an offcampus apartment for the semester back at Boston College. Before we go into the subletting process, remember to take a breath and also to have fun while you are abroad.
The easiest thing to do would be to appeal to BC for an additional semester of on-campus housing. Even if you only have three years of housing, all you have to do is submit a request to the Office of Residential Life for an additional semester of housing. If approved, the upside is that you are on campus with the convenience of being able to wake up five minutes before classes and still make it on time. The downside is that you may not know your new roommates or be able to select where you will be living. For the more adventurous souls, there is the option of actually going off campus–the reason for this very guide. One option would be to deal with housing properties that offer housing on a semester basis. One such property is 2000 Comm. Ave., but a limited selection of these unit types exists.
The apartments are quite nice, and the building comes with a pool to help relive those wonderful memories of sunnier days in Ecuador. Apartment units do fill up rather quickly, so it is important to start looking, especially for units that rent on a semester basis. Another option would be to coordinate with your friends on when everyone is going abroad. Maybe it will turn out that four of you are going in the spring and another four are going in the fall, and then everything works out perfectly. Just let your landlord know that you will only be here for a semester and that you will be subletting to another group. Do make sure that your friends will take the house after you leave; you don’t want to get hit with a housing bill when you’re not living in the house. If you are going off-campus and are looking for that one last person to finalize the group, don’t be afraid. Residential Life provides an off-campus roommate finder to help you with the process. There are also people that lived on your hall your freshman year, or that person you talked to briefly
during your freshman writing seminar class, that are now looking for a roommate. Ask around, there is bound to be someone looking. Not to mention, you’ll get to make new friends in the process. You may see people around you bragging about how they signed their house already–one whole year in advance! Even if you don’t have a plan yet, just take a deep breath. Everything will be ok. You will have a blast in the study-abroad program, meeting new people, seeing new things, and eating new food. It will be a great semester. Just remember to start the search for housing early so that you’re not worrying about your passport and study abroad documents while also looking for a residence. In the end, you’ll get the best of both worlds: the experience of living off campus and going to see another part of the world. It doesn’t get any better than that. Just remember to breathe. James Gu is an editor for The Heights. He can be reached at editor@bcheights.com.
More on-campus housing called for in Master Plan Housing to meet 100 percent of undergraduate demnand outlined in 10 year development David Cote
Heights Editor
A
lthoug h 15 p ercent of the Boston College undergraduate student body currently lives off campus, the University plans to have 100 percent housing for students within 10 years according to BC’s Institutional Master Plan. The Master Plan, which includes a $1.6 billion strategic investment, will make numerous changes to BC’s current landscape. After the finance and development offices currently found in More Hall are relocated to renovated buildings on Brighton Campus in spring of 2012, More Hall is to be demolished. In its stead, the university will erect an undergraduate dormitory with 420 beds. After this residence hall is constructed, the apartments at 2000 Comm. Ave., currently owned by BC though managed by property management firm Archstone, are slated to become on campus housing. Also in the plan, undergraduate dorms are to be erected at the site of Shea Field, including at least three buildings, totaling 490 beds for undergraduate students. Undergraduate
dorms will also be constructed on Brighton Campus, providing roughly 500 more students with on-campus housing. Additional dorms will be added near 110 St. Thomas More. The Mods will remain for some time until residence hall construction at various sites on Lower and Brighton Campus are completed. In total, the on-campus housing plan will add up to 1,485 beds for undergraduate students between Lower and Brighton Campuses. In addition to more residence halls, a new student recreation complex, and additional academic buildings, and a 500-parking spot parking garage will be constructed on BC’s campus. The University’s 30-50-year long term vision includes additional on-campus housing on Upper Campus, as well as plans for Jesuit and graduate student housing along College Road. Although it can not be determined exactly how many students will take advantage of the 100 percent on-campus housing, it is likely that off-campus housing rates will drop as more undergraduate dorms are constructed, having dramatic changes on the composition of the neighborhoods surrounding BC.
Sang lee / Heights staff
BC’s 10-year Institutional Master Plan calls for housing to meet 100 percent of undergraduate need, as well as a new recreational complex, additional academic buildings, and parking facilities.
Important matters to consider before signing on the dotted line
Zachary Halpern There are some things about junior year that just makes it different. Your friends seem to be scattered all over the world, people are finally hitting that magic age of 21, and you no longer have an RA patrolling your hallways – instead you’ll have Steve Montgomery patrolling your streets. Eight-mans in Walsh lose their awe and no longer are the center of the Boston College universe. Living off campus can be an awesome experience, but there are a few
things everyone should do to make your dream house (or animal house) a reality. The first thing to consider is obvious: Where do you want to live? If you’re like me and suffer from a serious case of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) you probably want to choose an apartment or off-campus house where most of the parties take place. Every year it seems that from Gerald to South Street is where most of the action happens on the weekends. If you’re more concerned about being close to class then you might want to consider living near College Road. Either way, I would definitely recommend getting a place with some outdoor space. You never know if you’re going to luck out and get a Mod next year so you might as well find a place with a yard or a deck if you like to fire up the grill or delight in a game of corn hole. It’s easy to forget that signing your lease is the beginning, not the end, of your transition to off
campus housing. After you sign on the dotted line, it’s important to think about how you and your roommates are going to pay the bills. Every month the bills are going to pour in from NStar, Comcast, National Grid and the like, and inevitably emails and text messages will follow from your roommates asking for money. If you clearly establish a deadline for when payments are due, you can avoid an awkward source of tension. No one wants to be the guy constantly reminding his friends that they owe him money. So make sure you work everything out and avoid that awkward, “Hey bro, you still haven’t given me your share of the cable bill? Can you get that to me today?” In addition to getting used to paying bills, you’re also going to have to get used to riding the bus. The good news is that BC recently added some new buses to the fleet with fancy electronic signs. The bad news is you have to take the bus, which no
one wants to do when there is three feet of snow on the ground or even when it’s partially cloudy. Download the Transloc app as soon as you can. It’ll be your new favorite thing because of all the idle time it eliminates. The best thing I can recommend is introducing yourself to your neighbors. Whether it’s a couple of BC kids or a sketchy man, introduce yourself. A simple hello can go a long way and the next time your music is too loud and hundreds of freshmen are cycling through your door, maybe they’ll talk to you first to turn it down, instead of the calling the police. So, get excited about your junior year. Right now, it probably feels like nothing can get better than your eight-man, but trust me, it does. Zachary Halpern is the Outreach Coordinator for The Heights. He can be reached at outreach@bcheights.com.
SPORTS The Heights
Monday, September 26, 2011
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Monday, September 26, 2011
What’s best for Harris alex trautwig / heights editor
Kuechly kept his consecutive double-digit tackle streak alive, recording 11.
from the beginning, so it was a huge momentum builder.” Coming into the game ranked 106th in the FBS in total offense, the Eagles were finally able to solve their offensive issues on Saturday, compiling 389 yards of total offense. After running the ball early and often on the first drive, Rettig utilized the play action effectively, drawing a pass interference call downfield that led to a 26-yard field goal by Nate Freese. During the following drive, the sophomore quarterback continued to shine, finding Jonathan Coleman downfield
A roar erupted in the student section when Montel Harris ran out onto the field against UMass on Saturday. Chants of his name echoed through Alumni Stadium as he entered the game on the first drive. Boston College faced a fourthand-one on the UMass 5. Harris worked his usual magic, bouncing off the first tackler behind the line of scrimmage before falling forward for a first down at the 4-yard line. One crucial fact went unnoticed amid the cheers as he jogged off the field. There was a hitch in his gait. As happy as everyone was to see him return, the question remains whether it’s in his and the team’s best interest for him to be playing. By taking the field against UMass, Harris forfeited his right to a redshirt season. Sitting him out for the entire year would have been an unpopular decision because people are tired of seeing the team lose. They want the Eagles doing everything they can to win. The coaches aren’t in charge to make the popular decisions, though. They’re in charge to make the right decisions. The right decision here is complicated by the uncertainty around Harris’ left knee. Every timetable the doctors have set for his recovery has been wrong. The first surgery should have kept him out for three to six weeks. He wasn’t healthy
See Football, B3
See Harris, B3
alex trautwig / heights editor
alex trautwig / heights editor
The Eagles found space behind the UMass defense all day, as Chase Rettig looked for targets like Alex Amidon (above).
Kasim Edibali (91) tipped the ball to Pierre-Louis (right) for the final BC TD.
Eagles bounce back from Duke loss to pound UMass By DJ Adams Heights Editor
Heading into Saturday afternoon’s match-up against in-state FCS foe University of MassachuBoston College 45 setts with an 0-3 17 UMass record, the worst start in 20 years for the program, the Boston College football team needed a boost of confidence to salvage some hope for the remainder of the 2011 season. For the first time all year, the Eagles got just that, finishing the game according to plan and getting the exact result they were hoping for – a complete 45-17 rout of the
Minutemen, in which quarterback Chase Rettig threw for three touchdowns, the defense combined for multiple turnovers and two scores, and senior All-ACC running back Montel Harris, though not in top game shape, finally returned to the field. “We’re obviously elated to get our first victory,” head coach Frank Spaziani said. “It took us four weeks, but we finally got it. The players did a good job compartmentalizing and doing what they needed to do to win. We certainly had some nice opportunities and made some plays, so hopefully we can build on it and move forward.” Although BC didn’t have much to build on from the first three weeks, which in-
cluded two heartbreaking losses to Northwestern and Duke and an embarrassing showing against Central Florida, the Eagles proved resilient, getting on the board quickly against UMass. Hampton Hughes jumped a route to cause a turnover on the first Minutemen play from scrimmage, and the offense followed suit with an impressive 11-play, 47yard drive capped off by a touchdown pass from Rettig to tight end Lars Anderson for the quick six. “It was huge,” said Hughes of the interception. “The best part about it was the offense got the ball, went right down, and scored a touchdown. We were up 7-0 right
BC falls to American to cap tough three-game road trip
Men’s soccer
Luthy turns away careerhigh 12 shots
Field hockey team concedes early goal, fails to come back despite a late Chapin Duke goal By Sean Hyatt Heights Staff
By Kelly Bower For The Heights
Despite a furious second-half rally from the Rhode Island Rams, the Boston College men’s Boston College 1 soccer team held 0 Rhode Island on to win a rainy, sloppy 1-0 game Friday night in Kingston, R.I. Junior goalkeeper Justin Luthy made 12 saves to earn his third shutout of the season, while Charlie Rugg scored the lone goal. The Eagles came out firing and broke through in the second minute. Junior Kyle Bekker got a shot off within 30 seconds of the start of the first half, forcing URI keeper Peyton Warwick to make a save. The Rams got an attempt on target at the other end before BC won a corner. Amit Aburmad took the kick and found Rugg at the near post, where the forward tapped a shot into the back of the net. This was Rugg’s fifth goal of the season. For the second time in the last three games, he scored the game-winning goal. He is now tied with Aburmad for the most goals this season, while Aburmad leads the Eagles in assists. The Eagles struggled to keep their heads above water in the second half, as the Rams came out with a newfound intensity over the final 45 minutes. The Rams had a great chance in the 56th minute when Jamie Eckmayer hit the crossbar on a shot. Mike Casey’s attempted equalizer on the rebound bounced off the post. Matt Ribbens and Matt Sykes led the way for Rhode Island with five and three shots, respectively. Luthy was unfazed by the added pressure the Rams sent at him in the second half, though. He made five of his career-high 12 saves in the last nine minutes of play. The Rams finished with 16 shots on goal, while the Eagles had nine – three by Rugg and two each by Aburmad, Bekker, and freshman Diego Media-Mendez. BC is now ranked 10th in the nation with a record of 6-2-0. This win was crucial for the Eagles, who face Brown this Tuesday in Providence. The Bears are not currently ranked in the top 25, but they have given the Eagles trouble in the past. They knocked BC out of the NCAA tournament in 2010. n
Paul Sulzer
alex trautwig / heights editor
Senior keeper Jillian Mastroianni has given up just three goals through 10 games this season.
Blose goal gives BC backto-back overtime victories By Kim Schroer For The Heights
The Boston College women’s soccer team finished its two-game road trip with another Boston College 2 exciting victory, 1 Virginia Tech squeaking out a 2-1 overtime win against Virginia Tech on Sunday afternoon in Blacksburg. Although the Eagles were still recovering physically after another tight 2-1 overtime victory against Maryland Thursday night, they managed to hold off the Hokies and move to 3-0 in the ACC. Alicia Blose scored the game-winner five minutes into the second overtime. Kristie Mewis sent a long ball toward Stephanie McCaffrey outside the Virginia Tech box. Hokies goalkeeper Dayle Colpitts came out of net and collided with McCaffrey. McCaffrey got to her feet and laid the ball off to Blose, who one-timed a lefty shot into the goal with the defense breathing down her neck. Mewis opened the scoring with a goal in the 40th minute off an assist from McCaffrey, putting the ball low into the left corner just beyond Colpitts’ reach. The goal followed an exciting first half that saw each team take eight shots at goal. BC goalkeeper Jillian Mastorianni was huge for the Eagles, making six saves to anchor the BC defense. Coach Alison Foley was especially impressed by
i nside S ports this issue
Mastroianni’s performance. “Virginia Tech tried to play more offensively against us, and we were vulnerable considering we were coming off the overtime victory against Maryland,” Foley said. “You hope your keeper will come up big for you in those situations. Jill accepted the challenge and came up big for us and had a huge game.” Tech tied the game in the 65th minute when BC was called for a foul in the box. Anne Lumpkin converted the penalty kick. The Hokies outshot BC 20-15, including a 11-10 edge in shots on target. Mastroianni had a season-high 10 saves, while Colpitts registered eight. Foley was pleased that her team managed to hang on for the victory despite the difficult circumstances of the road trip and the emotional victory Thursday night. “We showed a lot of resilience this weekend,” Foley said. “They played three forwards and tried to force more breakaway opportunities, but we stayed strong and held on. “ BC’s 3-0 mark in the ACC is especially impressive considering all three wins came against teams the Eagles lost to last season. The team set a goal early this year to get revenge on every team that beat them last season, and Foley emphasized
Steve Rose feature
See Women’s Soccer, B2
Get to know the men’s soccer player who tranferred to BC from Seton Hall...........B5
No. 6 Boston College (7-3, 1-1 ACC) fell to American University (3-5), 2-1, on Sunday, finish2 American ing off a difficult Boston College 1 three-game road stint that included a 5-4 win over Virginia on Friday and a 3-1 victory over UConn on Sept. 18. American got on the scoreboard early as Jenn Bradley converted a breakaway to best BC goalie Nicole Barry in the second minute. After the initial goal both teams went on the defensive. In the 53rd minute Alex McMackin scored on a rebound off Barry that resulted from an American penalty corner and put the AU Eagles up, 2-0. As the second half continued, BC turned up the offensive intensity, registering 13 shots over the final 35 minutes. In the 64th, the Eagles capitalized on their recent increase in chances as Chapin Duke put away a rebound opportunity, registering the Eagles lone score of the game. Despite outshooting American, 14-8, and forcing more corners, 8-6, the Eagles were unable to take the match into overtime as the game clock wound down.
Friday, the Eagles played in a similarly hard-fought match, a with much different final results. Courtney Tavener notched three goals in the double-overtime win to defeat the University of Virginia (4-6, 0-1). Tavener beat two defenders and shot past the goalie, into the net for both her third goal and the game-winner. BC outshot the Cavaliers 20-12 and took nine corners to Virginia’s five. The game started slow with 23 minutes of scoreless play until Virginia midfielder Kelsey Leblanc made an assisted shot putting the Cavs up, 1-0. BC tied the game in the last three minutes of the half as Jacqui Moorfield passed to Anna Wetherall whose shot deflected off the Cavaliers goalie and into the back of the cage. After more back and forth play, Virginia retook the lead as Katie Robinson notched a goal with 20 minutes left in the match. Only a minute later, the Eagles countered as Tavener scored her first goal of the night off a feed from Emma Plasteras. In the 58th minute, Tavener put the ball in the net again off another assist from Plasteras, with Virginia a man down, giving BC the lead for the first time in
See Field Hockey, B2
alex trautwig / heights editor
Sophomore Chapin Duke registered BC’s lone goal against American in the 64th minute.
Which fall sports team will go farthest?
Our writers debate which group of Eagles will be the most successful in the postseason......................B5
Numbers to Know....................B2 Quote of the Week..............B2
The Heights
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Monday, September 26, 2011
Volleyball hangs tough with UNC, but it’s not enough to get the win By Greg Joyce
Assoc. Sports Editor Despite hanging tight with North Carolina for most of the game, the Boston College North Carolina 3 volleyball team Boston College 0 dropped its game against the Tar Heels in straight sets on Sunday afternoon at Power Gym. UNC defeated the Eagles by scores of 25-20, 25-16, and 25-22. Early on, it was looking like BC might upset the Tar Heels, as it held a lead of 118 when UNC called its first timeout. After the timeout, Brennan Clark served up an ace for the Eagles to make it 12-8. But following that point, the teams exchanged points until UNC took the lead at 16-15. That lead would hold until the end of the set, as the Tar Heels took it, 25-20. The second set was all UNC, as it took a 2-1 lead and never looked back. The Eagles dropped the set 25-16, but not before one of the highlights of the match took place. Leading 20-12, the Tar Heels tried to set up their outside hitter three straight times. But on all three attempts, BC’s duo of Krystle Higgins and Kellie Barnum blocked the ball, and on the third hit, Higgins and Barnum’s block went straight down on UNC’s side for the point. In the third set, the Eagles got out to an early 3-0 lead, but then went neck and neck with the Tar Heels until the score was 9-9. After that, UNC took a steady lead, and the score reached 19-13 before BC head coach Chris Campbell called a timeout. Coming out of the timeout, the Eagles narrowed the gap to 19-17, thanks to kills from Melissa McTighe, Mollie Kolosky, and Courtney Castle. UNC got back on the scoreboard as the teams exchanged points again, but not before BC put up one last fight. A kill by Alexandra Trobbe put the Eagles within two points at 2422, but the Tar Heels finally put them away, securing the next point to win the match. “That kind of fight is something that in years past we haven’t seen in the team,” Campbell said. “So for them to be able to push through and come back strong, that was good. Coming back strong after game two where we played quite poorly, that’s
ALEX TRAUTWIG / HEIGHTS EDITOR
graham beck / heights staff
Courtney Castle (left) and Krystle Higgins (right) brought a strong attack at the net in Sunday’s game against North Carolina, combining for 15 of the Eagles’ 33 kills on the day. reflective of a real spirit in the group that we’ve got to work and develop and mature. That kind of competitiveness is the foundation of a great program.” A scary moment took place in the third set, when Val Mattaliano went down after collecting her sixth kill of the game. Mattaliano was holding her left knee, and she missed the rest of the game due to the injury. Campbell said it was too early to tell what the injury was, and they had yet to evaluate it. BC’s middle hitters stepped up big on the day, as Higgins and McTighe com-
bined for 11 kills and 12 blocks. “We had a better middle attack than we’ve had in a while, which is reflective of hard work by both middles and the centers,” Campbell said. Castle led the Eagles with eight kills, 11 digs, and one ace, while Kolosky added five kills of her own. Libero Brennan Clark had a teamhigh 17 digs, giving her 1,514 digs in her career, just the second Eagle to exceed 1,500. Also getting into the record book was Barnum, who recorded a career-high 29 assists.
The Eagles were shorthanded on the day due to injuries, but battled through regardless, which Campbell said he found impressive. “Well, we were a little banged up,” Campbell said. “We got a couple injuries, and I thought the team responded well to that and played parts of that match really tough.” Moving forward in the tough ACC schedule, Campbell is looking for his young squad to learn with experience and eliminate some of the smaller mistakes. “We still gotta work a bit harder to
make the easy plays easy,” he said. “We make some of the easy plays really challenging. A difference of two or three points in games one and three make a big difference. “We’re improving, but in terms of volleyball IQ, we’re still young and learning the game.” On Friday night, the Eagles hosted North Carolina State at Power Gym and were swept by the Wolfpack, 25-14, 2516, and 25-22. Tsvetelina Dureva led BC with seven kills, and Castle added nine digs in the loss. n
Eagles split weekend road trip Field Hockey, from C1 the game. The Eagles scored again on a man advantage when Carla Tamer converted on a penalty corner. The Cavs cut into the deficit by first converting a penalty stroke in the 68th minute and then another in the 70th, sending the match into overtime.
After 23 minutes and a period and a half of overtime play, Tavener concluded her midfield-to-goal drive with a rocket past the goalie to complete her hat-trick and wrap up the 5-4 Eagles victory. The Eagles will return to Chestnut Hill following the three-game road trip with a full week to rest and practice before they face Duke in an ACC match-up on Friday. n
ALEX TRAUTWIG / HEIGHTS EDITOR
Casey Morrison provided the assist on Victoria DiMartino’s overtime winner against Maryland Thursday night.
BC stays aflame with two ACC wins Women’s Soccer, from C1
SPORTS in SHORT
the impact these victories have had on her team. “Anytime you can go on the road in the ACC and come back with two victories is a huge accomplishment, but these three wins are even more important considering we lost to all of them last season,” she said. “This is huge for us psychologically moving forward, and it’s monumental for our team to accomplish this goal.” The team hopes that it can maintain its momentum as it looks ahead to tough games against Clemson and Duke next week. Duke is one of three teams tied for the ACC lead, with BC and Wake Forest. The Eagles next game isn’t until Sunday at Clemson,
and Foley is hoping the off week will help her team recover from a tough, but successful weekend. “Hopefully this week will be good for us to rest both physically and mentally,” she said. “It will be nice for the players to rest and prepare for the second part of the season. We’re going to be ready to go against Clemson.” The Eagles’ next home game is Thursday, Oct. 6 against the No. 4 Duke Blue Devils. If the Eagles can manage to get a victory against Clemson on Sunday, Thursday’s game at the Newton Soccer Field could be a huge match-up of two highly ranked teams. For now, though, the Eagles are staying focused on Clemson as they continue their pursuit of an undefeated season. n
ACC Women’s Soccer Standings Wake Forest Duke Boston College Virginia North Carolina Florida State Miami Maryland NC State Virginia Tech Clemson
Conference 3-0-0 3-0-0 3-0-0 2-1-0 1-1-0 1-2-0 1-2-0 1-2-1 0-2-1 0-2-0 0-2-0
Overall 10-1-0 11-1-0 8-0-2 8-2-1 6-2-0 8-3-0 7-3-0 7-2-3 8-3-1 8-3-0 5-4-0
ALEX TRAUTWIG / HEIGHTS EDITOR
Nicole Barry (30) recorded six saves on the weekend, helping the Eagles split their road trip this weekend.
Numbers to Know
201
Quote of the Week
Career wins for women’s soccer coach Alison Foley. The 200th win came in overtime at Maryland on Thursday.
“How beneficial is your next breath of air?”
Digs by libero Brennan Clark, just the second player in school history to break 1,500.
— Head Coach Frank
1,514
99
Yards Montel Harris has left until he breaks the Boston College all-time rushing record.
Spaziani, after he was asked how beneficial Saturday’s win over UMass was
Monday, September 26, 2011
The Heights
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alex trautwig / heights editor; and alex Manta / heights graphic
BC crushes UMass for first victory Football, from B1 for another big gain. Sophomore tailback Tahj Kimble then took that opportunity to rush twice for 17 yards and the score. Just minutes into the second quarter, BC had taken a commanding 17-0 lead with plenty of offense coming from both fronts. “Personally, I don’t know how well I played,” Rettig said, highlighting the cohesive team effort rather than any individual statistics. “I think it was a good team win. We passed the ball, we ran the ball. You know, when you can execute your running game it opens things up for the passing game, so I think it was a good team win for our offense.” But right when things were starting to finally click for the Eagles, the Minutemen shifted the momentum in their direction with a 100-yard kick return touchdown by Jesse Julmiste to cut BC’s lead to just 10. Though the past few weeks consisted of the Eagles grabbing quick leads and then letting their guard down, BC’s offense responded this time with a big play of its own, as Rettig connected with Colin Larmond, Jr. for a 36-yard touchdown after getting an outside release on the UMass coverage. The score was Larmond’s first of the season, and his first since the 2009 season after sitting out the entire 2010 campaign nursing a torn ligament in his knee. The big-play receiver finished with another 37-yard touchdown late in the contest, and six catches for 114 yards overall. “I’m just happy to win,” said Larmond of his performance. “That was something we were struggling to do. We made it a point of emphasis this week to work harder and change the outcomes of the game. I don’t care about the stats, I’m just more excited that we got the win.” While Larmond and Rettig brought success to the passing game, the receiver was quick to mention the
importance of Harris returning to the lineup, even if he was rusty, for motivational support more than anything. Last year’s All-ACC back finished with 27 yards on nine carries in limited action. “It was good to see him back,” Larmond, who is also Harris’ roommate, added. “It’s always good to have one of your players back, especially one like Montel. When he’s out for so long, and you see him come back with his spirits, he’s always hyper. Having him run around and being excited, it means a lot to us.” BC pulled away in the fourth quarter for good, this time scoring two touchdowns on the defensive side of the ball. Two linebackers, Nick Clancy and Kevin Pierre-Louis, each recovered fumbles for scores of 16 and 96 yards, respectively, to put the game out of reach at 45-10. Junior captain Luke Kuechly, though jokingly jealous of his fellow teammates, stressed the importance of the defense’s big plays all afternoon. “I think anytime you score on defense it’s a huge thing,” said Kuechly, who extended his own personal streak of consecutive 10-tackle games to 26. “We did it twice, too. I think it’s a big boost for the offense, gives them some help too. And definitely for the defense, it’s a momentum swinger and helps the defense as a whole.” Saturday’s win, though an encouraging victory, comes immediately before a rough ACC slate over the next four weeks that includes three road games against divisional opponents. How the Eagles fare in this stretch will determine whether the rough 0-3 start will be forgotten or remembered as a prelude to a disappointing season. “We made some plays on defense, we got some turnovers, we were able to throw the ball down the field a little bit. We ran the ball in spots,” Spaziani said. “But it’s always the same deal. The problems are still there, but we have to manage our way through it. We know exactly what they are, the kids will keep working and maybe we can solve them and get some more victories.” n
alex trautwig / heights editor
Larmond, Jr. caught two touchdown passes against UMass, his first scores since 2009. He missed 2010 with a torn ACL.
alex trautwig / heights editor
Montel Harris played in his first game Saturday, ending the possibility of a redshirt season for him to fully recuperate.
Harris returns, for better or worse Harris, from B1 for the bowl game seven weeks later. The prognosis on the most recent operation was three to four weeks. He returned after five-and-a-half weeks. The nagging nature of the injury leaves open the very real possibility that Harris will play the majority of this year at less than 100 percent. That doesn’t do him or the program justice. Harris has had a magnificent career at BC. He’s 98 yards behind Derrick Knight for the school record in rushing yards. Barring injury, he’ll break that mark. He’s going to be remembered as the best back in school history regardless. But our final memory of him could be as a shell of his former self. That’s not fair. Neither is the potential decline in his draft stock. Although Harris hasn’t ever had the measurables that scouts love, he’s a productive back who would provide grit and balance to an NFL team. Teams are hesitant to take players with injury concerns, though. Look no further than Mark Herzlich, who tumbled from the first round to out of the draft after his cancer scare. A healthy year from Harris could be the difference between finding a home in the NFL and becoming an also-ran. Redshirting Harris didn’t have to mean giving up on the season, either. It could have been a vote of confidence in backups Andre Williams and Tahj
Kimble. Williams is averaging more yards per carry this season (4.8) than Harris averaged in 2009 or 2010 (4.7 and 4.6, respectively). And Kimble is developing into the most dependable receiver of the bunch. Depth at running back is not the issue driving Harris to return. Considering that the upside for this season, realistically, is a 6-6 record, BC would have been better served by preserving its star running back’s eligibility for a year that could end 10-2 or 9-3, like 2012. This is assuming that Harris even wanted to come back for a fifth year, had the opportunity presented itself. There aren’t any guarantees that the talent around him is going to be substantially better. Would coming back next year improve his draft stock enough to offset a year of lost income? Maybe he’s better off cashing out now and trying to make a living playing football while his knee will let him. Running backs have a short shelf life, after all, and Harris is getting closer to the end of his, given how heavily the Eagles have leaned on him. The return of BC’s best offensive player is worthy of the celebration that ensued. Harris is a great player who undoubtedly makes the Eagles better. But his abbreviated senior season leaves you wondering if it had to end this way.
Paul Sulzer is the Sports Editor for The Heights. He can be reached at sports@bcheights.com.
The Heights
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Monday, September 26, 2011
football notebook
Harris shakes off rust in first live action since tearing his meniscus By Andrew El-Hayek For The Heights
It was apparent in warm-ups that running back Montel Harris was excited, even anxious, to get back onto the field as he took pre-game handoffs and bounced through the line of scrimmage, sprinting to the end zone with each carry. In Saturday’s match-up with the University of Massachusetts, Harris saw his first game action since suffering a torn lateral meniscus in his knee in a contest against Virginia last November. In mid-August, he underwent arthroscopic knee surgery that made his return for the season opener doubtful. As the summer concluded and the fall season began, rumors began to swirl about the possibility of a medical redshirt, further clouding the situation. Harris practiced during the week leading up to the game against UMass, and head coach Frank Spaziani announced that the running back would play on a limited basis for the Eagles. Harris entered Saturday’s game 1,003 yards short of the ACC record for career rushing yards and needing only 126 yards to surpass Derrick Knight on Boston College’s career rushing yards list. BC’s first drive featured a heavy dose of handoffs to sophomore running back Andre Williams, but Harris came in for his first snap on a third-and-four from the UMass 8-yard line. His first touch of the ball came on the following play, a fourth-and-one from the 5-yard line, and he managed to eke out a yard for the first down. All in all, it was a modest return statistically for Harris, who tallied 27 yards rushing on nine carries and added one catch for 16 yards. “Montel is certainly not in game shape,” Spaziani said. “Rust, I guess, is the word.” “I need to improve on just getting back in game shape, getting used to being hit, and picking up blocks,” Harris said, “just knocking off some of the rust.” It was his presence and energy during the practice week and game that teammates and coaches lauded. “Montel’s presence just adds a lot,” Spaziani said. “You guys don’t get to see him but he’s an enthusiastic and energetic young man and it rubs off on other people.” “It just meant a lot to me being out there with my teammates again,” Harris said. He means a lot to this team too, and his comeback might just be the shot in the arm this team needs to climb out of its early season hole. Larmond rises up The Eagles’ victory over UMass marked a crucial checkpoint in wide receiver Colin Larmond Jr.’s own comeback. In his fourth game back from a
alex trautwig / heights editor
Harris rushed for 27 yards on nine carries in his first game back since tearing his meniscus against Virginia in 2010. Head coach Frank Spaziani plans on easing him into full-time duty. debilitating knee injury which cost him the entire 2010 season, he notched career highs in catches and receiving yards with six catches for 114 yards and two touchdowns. Both his touchdown grabs were game-breakers. The first one came with 5:12 left in the first half and BC leading 17-7. Larmond, Jr., running down the left sideline, beat the deep safety in a Cover 2 for a 36yard score. The second touchdown reception capped a crucial drive near the end of the third quarter. After picking up a key third down conversion on a pass thrown behind him and with BC up 24-10, Larmond, Jr. brought down a jump ball in the end zone for a 37-yard touchdown catch, putting the game away in impressive fashion. “I’m just happy we got the win,” he said. “Getting this first win means a lot. I don’t care about the stats; I’m more excited that we got the win.”
Defense gets back on track BC’s defense had been under some scrutiny recently after allowing big offensive games to subpar teams. The team made a statement on the first play from scrimmage as UMass quarterback Kellen Pagel’s pass was intercepted by junior defensive back Hampton Hughes at midfield. The rest of the game followed a similar pattern as the Eagles’ defense forced a total of four turnovers, two of which were returned for touchdowns, a 16yard fumble return by linebacker Nick Clancy, and a thrilling 96-yard fumble return by linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis after a jarring sack of Pagel by defensive lineman Max Holloway. The overall defensive coverage was strong as well. The front seven established a solid rush, the linebackers especially bringing pressure on selected blitzes and swarming UMass’ speedy and elusive
tailback Jonathon Hernandez seemingly every time he touched the ball. The secondary bounced back after a tough game against Duke, exhibiting tight coverage throughout the game and undercutting several routes resulting in a few tipped passes and two interceptions. Extra Points Linebacker Luke Kuechly recorded 11 tackles in the game, extending his streak of consecutive games with double-digit tackles to 26 games, the longest streak in the nation. Kicker Nate Freese and the rest of the BC special teams unit responded nicely against UMass after a disappointing conclusion (despite an overall impressive effort) in their previous outing against Duke. Freese hit on his only field goal attempt from 26 yards out and was a perfect six for six on extra point attempts. n
ACC ROUNDUP
Tigers seize Atlantic lead By Tim Jablonski Heights Staff
alex trautwig / heights editor
Victoria DiMartino tapped in the game-winner in overtime against Maryland, corralling a long pass from Casey Morrison before silencing the crowd.
Eagles complete stunning OT comeback By Andrew Klokiw Heights Staff
With three minutes remaining Thursday evening in College Park, Md., it seemed that the Boston College women’s soccer team’s eight-game winning streak to begin the season was going to come to an end. Less than a half hour later, thanks to a Maryland own goal and a Victoria DiMartino strike, the No. 13 Eagles picked up a crucial ACC win on the road, by a score of 2-1. The win was significant in more ways than one, as head coach Alison Foley earned her 200th career win at the collegiate level. “It was a thriller, and a great way to get my 200th win,” Foley said. “Maryland is a tough place to play and we had to come back from a tough deficit. Most importantly, though, it shows the dedication and gumption that this group has, and they definitely made this a memorable one.” The Eagles were uncharacteristically trailing eight minutes into the match. Maryland’s senior goalkeeper Yewande Balogun sent a punt downfield that BC’s central defenders misjudged. This hesitation allowed Terrapins senior forward Haley Brock a breakaway, which she
calmly slotted at the back post to put the home team ahead. From that point on, the Eagles bombarded Balogun’s goal, hitting everything but the back of the net. With the Eagles pushing for the equalizer, Foley made adjustments accordingly. These included moving junior midfielder Kristie Mewis from the right to the left side in order to find the play more often, as well as taking off a defender in favor of an additional forward for the final five minutes. The gamble paid off in the 87th minute. Mewis played a ball across the face of the net, where a Maryland defender misplayed it and deflected in the gametying goal. Recorded as an own goal, this was as important as any goal scored by an Eagle this season. In overtime, BC received a welcome contribution from its leading scorer in each of the last two seasons, DiMartino. The junior forward ran onto a 70-yard free kick by freshman Casey Morrison, and after it bounced over the heads of the Maryland defense, DiMartino chested the ball down and drilled a right-footed shot past Balogun. “It was a beautiful goal off a set piece,” Foley said. “Casey knocked a great ball over the defense and Vicki made great run onto what was a tough ball to catch. It took a lot of focus and Vicki really kept
her composure. We’re very happy with Vicki and the progress she’s made back from her knee surgery.” The goal was DiMartino’s second of the campaign, well short of the 14 that she has scored in each of her first two years on the Heights. Often serving as the lynchpin for a prolific attack, the forward’s offseason knee surgery has forced her to ease into this season. “Vicki scores big goals and she wants the pressure on her,” Foley said. “She’s absolutely one of the best scorers in the country and now she’s feeling confident and healthy.” Between this win and BC’s victory at Virginia Tech yesterday, the Eagles are 8-0-2 and poised to jump into the top 10 after winning twice in difficult venues. To say that this team is on a roll would be an understatement. Foley said her team is playing its best soccer right now. So far, they’ve taken all comers in the ACC, and Foley acknowledges a bit of added incentive. “We’ve set a goal to beat teams that beat us last year,” she said. “We’re playing for a bit of revenge and just taking it game by game, but were doing what’s difficult in the ACC in winning on the road.” If the Eagles keep playing like this, the rest of the ACC will be the ones looking for revenge next season. n
Clemson knocked off the No. 11 Florida State Seminoles at home on Saturday, 35-31, to take early control of the ACC’s Atlantic Division. Tigers quarterback Tajh Boyd spread apart the FSU defense, chucking for 344 yard and three touchdowns, his second straight game surpassing the 300-yard mark. The Seminoles were missing their own signal caller: junior E.J. Manuel was out with a knee injury sustained in last week’s loss to Oklahoma and was replaced by Clint Trickett. Trickett had a day nearly identical to Boyd’s – one more completion and attempt, three touchdowns (including a beautiful seven-yard rainbow to wide receiver Bryan Shaw), and one interception – but failed to deliver on the Seminoles final drive, missing a wide-open Shaw before being sacked on fourth down. The Tigers nearly pulled away early, taking a 21-10 lead into the half. But Boyd made an astoundingly awful play, throwing the ball straight up into the air after being tripped up by Seminoles linebacker Christian Jones in the backfield. The ball came back down in pretty much the exact same spot from which Boyd threw it, where defensive end Bjoern Werner was waiting to catch it and return it for a touchdown. That was the closest FSU got, as the two squads traded a pair of touchdowns until the ill-fated finale for Florida State. Temple 38, Maryland 7 With both Maryland and Temple coming off agonizingly close upset bids last week, its reasonable to assume both teams would be eager to take out their frustrations on seemingly lower quality opponents.
But on Saturday, only one team played like it, as the team from the MAC thoroughly outclassed the ACC squad in all facets of the game. Temple, led by Brandon Pierce’s 149 yards, out-rushed the Terrapins 285-45 while completely shutting down a Maryland attack the put up 31 on West Virginia last week. Pierce scored five touchdowns, including three in the first quarter, to break the school record. Kansas State 28, Miami 24 Miami’s uneven season continued on Saturday with a gut-wrenching loss to the Kansas State Wildcats in Coral Gables, 28-24. After Jacory Harris and Co. got the ball back at midfield with just under four minutes to play, the Hurricanes marched down to Kansas State’s 2-yard line. Harris threw incomplete on first down, and after runs of one and zero yards by tailback Mike James, rushed for no gain on the games deciding play, allowing KSU to stay undefeated. Harris otherwise had a solid day, throwing for 272 yards and two touchdowns, including the go-ahead score just 43 seconds into the fourth quarter. The Wildcats took the ensuing kickoff and drove 80 yards down the field in a brisk eight plays, all rushing, when John Hubert ran two yards into the end zone for the games final score. Hubert’s 166 rushing yards paced the Wildcats as they prepare for a match-up with fellow Big 12 surprise Baylor. Miami, which followed up a loss to the official embarrassment of the ACC (Maryland) with a big win over formerly ranked Ohio State last week, will face FCS team BethuneCookman. Other scores Georgia Tech 35, UNC 28; Virginia Tech 30, Marshall 10; Southern Miss 30, Virginia 24; Duke 48, Tulane 27. n
Richard Shiro / ap photo
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney (right) got one of the biggest wins of his career against FSU.
The Heights
Monday, September 26, 2011
Point / Counterpoint:
Which team will go farthest in the postseason?
Kelly has men’s soccer prepared for playoffs By Andrew Klokiw
Heights Staff While Frank Spaziani’s team continues to underwhelm the increasingly mediocre crowds at Alumni Stadium each Saturday, men’s soccer head coach Ed Kelly leads a team that is lighting up Newton Campus and appears to have all the fixings for a deep run in the NCAA tournament this year. With the football program teetering, the men’s and women’s soccer teams have filled the void that has emerged in impressive fashion, both finding themselves consistently ranked in the top 10. As notable as the women’s team’s recent victories over ACC rivals Virginia and Maryland have been, Kelly’s team looks to be the one primed for the lengthier postseason. The men currently boast a No. 10 national ranking after cutting down Rhode Island this past Friday, 1-0, to bring its record to 6-2-0. But as is generally the case in sports, the record does not tell the full story. It is true that head coach Alison Foley’s women have not yet lost a game. But they also have not had the opportunity to play against the top two teams in the country. The men did take losses from Maryland and UConn, No. 1 and 2 respectively, but these losses will definitely make them tougher to beat later in the season. That being said, two Fridays ago the men proved their mettle and showed why they will be the team to watch on the Heights come tournament time. Having traveled to Maryland exactly one week earlier only to be brushed back, 4-0, the team faced a major early season gut check against Virginia Tech. The Eagles clearly took to the field with a vengeance, as they put away three goals before halftime, only to see their 3-1 lead evaporate as Tech fought back to tie the game at three apiece. Barely three minutes into overtime, junior forward Charlie Rugg scored to send the Hokies home and return his team to its winning ways. Once again, this Tuesday, the men were soundly defeated by No. 2 Connecticut, but bounced back on Friday to take down Rhode Island, 1-0. This ability to recover rapidly from tough losses is another quality that makes this team special and fun to watch. While Kelly’s players have shown the ability to gut out a win when the situation calls for it, the brand of soccer they employ is one that has convinced many Superfans to make the long trip to Newton. Even without last year’s catalyst, graduated captain Karl Reddick, in the center of the midfield, the Eagles’
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fluid, pass-oriented attack has seen them pin back opponents in their own half. Crucially, the attack begins at the back with junior goalkeeper Justin Luthy, who often initiates the offense with short passes that see the Eagles retain possession in both halves. However, no system would be complete without the right personnel. Senior winger Amit Aburmad’s increasing familiarity with his teammates in his second year as an Eagle has seen him begin the season on a tear, with five goals and five assists in only eight games. Aburmad’s hot start has been supplemented by two of the most dangerous attackers in the ACC, juniors Rugg and Kyle Bekker, who have registered a combined eight goals between them. These players have ensured that the biggest contribution to any potential tournament success is the experience of the squad. When the men made it to the Elite Eight two years ago, it was mainly on the back of their phenomenal freshman class, all of whom are juniors this year. The likes of Luthy, Stefan Carter, Kevin Mejia, Colin Murphy, Isaac Taylor, Bekker and Rugg have two years of tournament play under their belts and will surely be among coach Kelly’s greatest assets going forward. Having been so close in the past two years, the men’s soccer team has Chestnut Hill abuzz that this will be the season they finally reach the last four of the College Cup and show the nation that the best men’s team on the Heights doesn’t reside in Alumni Stadium. n
Women’s soccer is firing on all cylinders By Matt Belnap For the Heights
Clearly the best team on the Boston College campus this fall doesn’t wear helmets and shoulder pads. Nor does the best Eagles team play on the Chestnut Hill campus. If you’re looking for the team with the best chance to make noise in the postseason this fall, look no further than the women’s soccer team. The Eagles have yet to be beaten in 2011, compiling a 8-0-2 record thus far, and outscoring their opponents by a combined margin of 22-3. Perhaps the most important thing that the Eagles have going for them this year is experience. The Eagles return eight starters from a squad that last year reached the Final Four, the pinnacle of the college soccer world. This experience will be key for the Eagles during the 2011 campaign. They know what it takes to reach the ultimate goal, yet they also have the hunger of coming up short last year to fuel another drive deep into the postseason. As soccer fans, as well as those who cannot stand the game for this reason know, not a whole lot of scoring occurs during a typical soccer match. Therefore it is an enormous advantage to have a stud goalie, which the Eagles do in Jillian Mastroianni. With seven shutouts in the
Alex trautwig / HEIGHTS EDITOR
team’s first 10 games, the senior keeper now owns the BC record for shutouts in a career. Her performance thus far this season has been incredible, as she has allowed an almost unheard of 0.3 goals against average. Knowing that they often only have to score one goal to come out on top in a match gives the team a tremendous edge going in, and Mastroianni most definitely provides that security blanket. The old phrase “defense wins championships” can also be applied here. In the playoffs, goals are harder to come by and a rock solid back line is a must. The Eagles simply cannot lose games if they don’t give up goals, and thus far they haven’t done much of either. At the other end of the pitch the Eagles have employed a balanced attack to pound opponents into submission - in fact, nine players have tallied goals this year. The offense is led by junior Kristie Mewis, who is one of the best players in the country and has racked up five goals and three assists so far. After Mewis, the Eagles can turn to Victoria DiMartino, who had a team leading 14 goals last year and has tallied twice this year, including an overtime strike to beat No. 11 Maryland on Thursday night. In fact, five players have two goals for the Eagles, which gives the offense a balance that is not often found on college soccer teams. This balance gives the Eagles a huge edge come playoff time. If teams load up to stop Mewis or DiMartino, they leave themselves vulnerable to scoring coming from elsewhere along the Eagles front line. A multidimensional attack makes the Eagles that much harder to stop come playoff time, an advantage that they are sure to use. Anyone who knows soccer can tell you that its almost impossible to beat a team that scores a lot and doesn’t give any goals, something BC women’s soccer opponents are discovering so far this fall. The Eagles are a team that doesn’t really have any weaknesses, being strong both offensively and defensively. A stud goalie gives the Eagles the advantage of only needing one goal to beat opponents, and a balanced attack means that goal can come from anywhere. That’s why this fall Superfans should look for the women’s soccer team to make the deepest run into the postseason of any BC team, just as they did a year ago. n
Rose uses maturity and experience to lead hometown team By Chris Marino Asst. Sports Editor
Every kid dreams of playing for his or her hometown team. The thrill of competing alongside your childhood heroes or in a famed stadium pushes players in their pursuit of greatness. While for many this dream comes to nothing, Boston College midfielder Steve Rose has returned to his home and is now a fixture on the team he once cheered for in his youth. Originally an All-State player from Acton-Boxborough Regional High School in Mass., Rose was recruited by the BC men’s soccer team. He chose to take his talents to Seton Hall University in New Jersey. The midfielder became an instant producer
for the Pirates, earning the respect of his coaches and teammates. He was named a captain after his freshman campaign, and continued his dominance throughout his sophomore, junior, and senior years. In his junior year, however, he was forced to the bench with a broken bone in his foot. Again, he was shelved in his senior season with an ankle injury, after trying to play through the pain. Throughout the devastation of such a difficult injury, one positive came to the forefront: Rose had one more year of eligibility. With his graduation complete, Rose had the opportunity to attend the Carroll Graduate School of Management and play one more season at the collegiate level with a medical redshirt. He
Alex trautwig / HEIGHTS EDITOR
Originally recruited by the Eagles, Steve Rose chose to pursue his college career at Seton Hall.
Alex trautwig / HEIGHTS EDITOR
Rose has been the catalyst behind a successful Eagles offense in the first half of the season.
decided to take this second chance at the school that he almost called home four years before. “I think I’m a lot more mature now, specifically as a soccer player,” Rose said of his decision to come to the Heights. “In my recruiting class there wasn’t that much room, like I think BC only took like two or three recruits my year. It wasn’t the right fit at the time, but now it’s worked out really well. I’m happy about that.” And he really should be happy. Although he doesn’t have the most exciting numbers on the stat sheet, Rose has become a game changer for the Eagles. He is able to move the ball through opposing defenses with ease and creates scoring opportunities for his teammates. “I’d say I’m kind of a facilitator,” he said. “I like to pass the ball. I like to get my teammates involved. That was my role at Seton Hall as well, but I was more of the go-to guy at Seton Hall and now that we have a better core of players. It’s not just like one or two players at Seton Hall sharing the burden. We have a lot of threats and a lot of options offensively and so that’s been nice to kind of take some pressure off my shoulders. I think it just makes our team very dangerous to have [Kyle] Bekker and Charlie [Rugg] and all those guys who can be really dangerous. It’s nice to be playing with such good players.” At Seton Hall, Rose was a workhorse in many aspects of the word. Not only did he act as the team’s playmaker, but he also started every single game until his injury left him unable to take the field. He finished his career at SHU with four goals and seven assists in 42 games. With such a strong resume to his name, Rose joined the Eagles and jumped right in the mix. “It’s gone pretty well,” said the graduate student of his transition. “I was fortunate enough to come here in the spring. I graduated a semester early and it was really important for me because I got to hang out with the guys, got to understand better how they play. So, I think heading into the fall, it was a huge advantage for me over, say, a freshman, getting the experience of coming in and meeting everyone.” Although his play shows an almost seamless adaptation to his new program, Rose does admit that there have been some significant changes with the move. He has not only changed teams and schools, but he is also currently working on his MBA at night.
Alex trautwig / HEIGHTS EDITOR
After an injury-plagued career at Seton Hall, Rose has found a new life at Boston College. His days and evenings are full, between games, practices and classes. “I guess it’s just a little bit of everything,” he said of the changes. “It’s certainly a different team. That takes getting used to. I’m a player that kind of thrives on knowing who I’m playing with, and how they’re playing is really important for me. It took a little to get in the swing of things in the spring. Classes are a little different too. Taking graduate level courses was certainly a little bit of an adjustment, since most of my fellow students are working full-time during the day and taking classes at night, so they’re a lot older, they’re moving on with their careers. So, that’s been an adjustment as well.” All difficulties aside, Rose has been able to assimilate his game to the BC club and become an influential player. He opens the field for his teammates, gives them good looks at the net, and transitions from defense to offense with ease. He has faced difficult competition not only during games but on the practice pitch as well. “I think that BC is able to attract better players,” he said. “It’s definitely a more nationally recognized program. So, we’re bringing in better players to start, and I think just the combination of that, the Boston area, and facilities, players really want to come here. So it provides a good atmosphere, and we’ve got a lot of good players on the team so it’s a competitive atmosphere. Everyone’s fighting for a starting job.” This determined style of play is something that Rose felt was lacking with his former team. “We didn’t necessarily have that at Seton Hall, because we weren’t really
able to bring in that many competitive players,” he said. “So I think the atmosphere in practice [at BC] breeds a pretty high level for us and for putting the 11 out there for the game.” Not only has the competition brought out a revamped effort from Rose, but he has brought his extensive experience to an already successful Eagles squad. While he may only be in his first year with the program, his teammates have looked to him all season as a leader. “I try to be a leader on this team,” he said. “Anything from attitude in practice to speaking up at halftime or in the locker room. I think some of the younger guys definitely look up to me, because I’m one of the older guys, even though it’s my first year in the program. So, I just try and do the best I can to set a good example.” Thus far he seems to have done just that. He has taken this second chance with the program that he turned down in his youth and has helped bring the Eagles into contention with some of the top teams in the country. While this success is great, Rose sees every single positive in his homecoming. “It’s awesome,” he said. “My family and friends get to come to the games this year. I love the city. I love Boston. I’m a big Boston sports fan so it’s nice to be able to catch the Red Sox game every night. Stuff like that. I’m really comfortable here in Boston. It’s been great.” The Eagles are looking to make an impact on the national level, but, for Rose, it’s just nice to be back home again. n
The Heights
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Monday, September 26, 2011
Definition of modern explored in new Linde Family Wing By Ariana Igneri For the Heights
Last week, on Sept. 17, the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in Boston unveiled The Linde Family Contemporary Wing by hosting a 24-hour celebration beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets for the event were about $200 per head. Guests enjoyed an evening of cocktails, music, dinner, and artistic conversation, followed by after hours clubbing in the museum until 3 a.m. Next, Christian Marclay’s film, The Clock, a 24-hour compilation of thousands of movie clips that feature clocks, watches, and other timepieces synchronized to real time, was aired. Twelve hours later, at seven in the morning, the MFA hosted a free open house, which even included early morning yoga, dance, and breakfast for visitors. The celebration, and obviously the wing itself, emphasized the MFA’s increasing interest in embracing the art and culture of today. The Linde Family Contemporary Wing cost over $12 million, and it could not have been completed without the generosity of benefactors Joyce and Edward Linde. It covers about 21,250 square feet. The space was originally
designed by architect IM Pei in 1987, and for 25 years, it used to be where museum guests would purchase their tickets. Now, however, those who visit the west wing of the MFA will find seven brand new galleries featuring 240 artworks arranged by themes that inspire conversation about current contemporary art. One of the first things visible upon entering the contemporary wing is Maurizio Nannuci’s 1999 piece, “ALL ART HAS BEEN CONTEMPORARY,” in neon lights on the wall. Nannuci’s work consummately expresses the purpose of the exhibit: to elucidate the connection between the art of the past and the art of today. The wing includes works from 1955 and later. The thematic way the art is arranged consistently challenges viewers to consider what makes art contemporary. The themes painted on the wall ask questions such as “What’s it about?” “How is it made?” “Quote? Copy? Update?” and “Art can be….” By arranging the wing this way, museum curator, Jen Mergel, says, “We hope to build curiosity, context, and exchange about contemporary culture.” In order to encourage such discussion, the MFA has also introduced a new cafe with a wine bar and a lounge and has
contemporized the preexisting Bravo Restaurant. Not only does the MFA want to foster curiosity about contemporary culture, but it also wants to “reflect the global scope of today’s visual culture,” says Mergel. In order to demonstrate the globalization of contemporary art, The Linde Family Contemporary Wing includes pieces from China, Africa, South America, and also South Asia. It also showcases ten works from local Boston artists. A vast array of artists is represented in the new wing; some are well known – Chuck Close, Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso – and others less so. Nevertheless, the broad range of artists affords the exhibit the opportunity to acquaint visitors with the history of contemporary art, from Pop to minimalism to appropriation to multiculturism and beyond. In order to display the works of even more artists, the museum has allotted 4,500 square feet in the Henry and Lois Foster Gallery for changing exhibits. Currently, the space is dedicated to the works of Ellsworth Kelly. Kelly is known for his beautiful and evocative wood sculptures with thirty of his pieces included in the gallery. The exhibit is comprised of pieces
Local crowds swarm annual festival
Courtesy of the mfa
The MFA unleased its new, creative Linde Family Contemporary Wing on Boston last Friday. of all different mediums, including: painting, photography, sculpture, video, and LED. Josiah McHelney’s sculpture, “Endlessly Repeating Twentieth Century Modernism,” was created with towering, mirrored, hand-blown glasses, while Lynda Benglis’ “painted sculpture,” “Wing,” was done with solid aluminum, and El Anatsui’s tapestry, “Black River,” was made with bottle caps and foil liquor labels. Clearly, there are no limits when it comes to the medium of contemporary art. Artist Richard Tuttle expressed, “materials interact loosely, gracefully, but not always ‘logically;’ it’s
up to us to piece together their potential meaning.” The exhibit enforces the idea, then, that whether a piece of art is made individually or collectively, in a studio or in a factory, or using paint or paper, how art is made is not just a part of its story, but, more importantly, also part of its meaning. The MFA’s new addition, The Linde Family Contemporary Wing, is certainly less conventional than the rest of its exhibits; it blends new and old and fuses material and meaning, but best of all, it brings artist and viewer together in both understanding and conversation. n
Box Office Report title
weekend gross
weeks in release
photos courtesy of allmoviephoto.com
1. The Lion King in 3D
22.1
2
2. Moneyball
20.6
1
3. Dolphin tale
20.2
1
4. Abduction
10 11.2
1
5. Killer Elite
9.5
1
6. Contagion
8.6
3
7. Drive
5.8
2
8. the Help
4.4
7
9. Straw Dogs
2.1
2
10. I don’t know how she does it
2.1
2
Courtesy of flickr
Chosen because they represent the Life is good dedication to positivity and energy, bands played on two stages throughout the day.
Life, from C8 children’s lives. Not a bad way to give back to charity while indulging music fanatics. The Goss brothers found artists that channel their company’s dedication to positivity and play, with headliners Ray LaMontagne, The Avett Brothers, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Ingrid Michaelson, The Hold Steady, Brandi Carlile, and a slew of other performances running all day from noon to nine. Performances alternated between the Good Vibes Stage and Life is good Stage, running seamlessly and continuously throughout the day. The artists all clearly loved being part of the festival’s message of love and good vibes, even though Ingrid Michaelson objected to her song, “singular, as if I only have one song instead of a few albums! They always call the song cute. But they’re not all cute!” Reneging on threats to put out a death metal album next, she danced and laughed her way through her hour long set Saturday night, before the crowd went running back to the Life is good stage for the evening’s closer, The Avett Brothers. With their unique sound – sometimes
referred to as ‘punkgrass’ for its high energy and upbeat tempo, paired with poetic lyricism and string instruments – Seth and Scott Avett and Bob Crawford went through an hour and a half long set that brought the day to a close. Just prior to The Avett Brothers taking the stage, Steve Goss got up to announce that the Life is good goal of raising $1 million at this one event, a feat that the company had never reached before, was incredibly close with $900,000, even though the festival was only half over. Cheers for this philanthropic accomplishment brought the Brothers to the stage with praises for Life is good and everyone in attendance. “You guys are a fantastic crowd. Because sometimes at festivals, people are so concerned with being ‘cool’ that they forget how to have a good time,” said Seth before the group launched into “I and Love and You,” the title track off of their new album that, according to the band’s website, is rife with themes of “commitment, maturity, and moving forward through life with a positive outlook.” With this message, they were the perfect closer for the first night of the festival. The ability to have two stages run-
ning so smoothly was one of the best aspects of the festival and was exemplar of the incredible overall preparation. So many little features made Life is good the easiest venue to explore and enjoy, from the one dollar refills on water to free storage to free samples left and right to the ‘tag-a-tot’ station. (Bracelets with phone numbers and names were attached to energetic children who insist on getting lost in a crowd.) Everywhere you looked at Prowse Farm, there was another little thing (which are the big things, as their slogan goes) to make you smile. The simple things really do make a concert more enjoyable, and the crowd continued the Playmakers’ vibe of kindness by allowing everyone to spread out their blankets and sit down to stake out their spot before acts, rather than forcing groups to stand and jockey for position. Just to remind everyone one last time about why they came to such a fantastic festival, the Playmakers set up a sign with one of their infamous cheery slogans that was impossible to miss as the crowd went streaming by at the end of the night: Where there is music there is love. n
bestsellers of hardcover fiction 1. New York To Dallas J.D. Robb 2. the night Circus Erin Morgenstern 3. Kill Me if you can James Patterson 4. abuse of power Michael Savage 5. Killing the Blues Michael Brandman
6. A song of ice and fire George R.R. Martin 7. The race Clive Cullser 8. the art of fielding Chad Harbach 9. How firm a foundation David Webber 10. Goddess of vengeance Jackie Collins
Caillat connects with crowd, breaks with encore tradition ‘Caillat,’ from C8 Grammer and his two band members started promptly at 8 p.m. Their debut album was released in June, and they have had the pleasure of opening for Taylor Swift as well as Callait. From the first chord Grammer struck on his bright red keyboard, his vocal and musical abilities were made clear. His gentle, relaxed voice when he covered Maroon 5’s “Sunday Morning,” made girls fall in love, hanging on Grammer’s every word. The funky, soulful beat of the song “Ladies” was infectious, causing the audience members to dance, sway, and clap along. The real excitement came when Grammer played his hit single, “Keep Your Head Up.” The catchy, feel-good tune has been heard on radios across the nation this past summer and the live version was amazing, if not better, than the recorded single. The transition from Andy Grammer’s soulful, fun vocals to Caillat’s relaxed, lovedrenched lyrics could not have been more perfect. Caillat kept the crowd waiting for 15 minutes before stepping out on stage in salmon shorts, a flowing off-white tank, knee-high brown boots, with her signature Southern California blonde hair and easy-
breezy vibe. She began the concert with only vocals and guitar, explaining that she started singing acoustically in coffee shops in Southern California and feels most comfortable performing in that way, returning to her roots. All three acoustic songs were raw, full of emotion, and Caillat’s rich, smooth vocals penetrated into the hearts of every listener, even the moms and dads who were chaperoning their young daughters to the event. After Caillat’s short, acoustic set, she invited her band to come out on stage to join her. The venue immediately came to life when the drums kicked in and the bass laid the beat. A wide variety of songs were performed ranging from “Realize” to “Midnight Bottle.” Caillat’s guitarist, Justin Young, added another dimension to the performance. Not only were his acoustic guitar skills impeccable, but also his background vocals harmonized perfectly with Caillat’s voice on each track. His shining moment arrived when he began to sing “Lucky,” a simple and sweet duet originally sang between Caillat and Jason Mraz. The friendship and comfort felt between Caillat and Young was undeniable – they continued to feed off each
other’s energy during the two-hour set list. Caillat can most accurately be described as real and genuine. As the concert came to an end, she gently grabbed the microphone and looked out into the audience, making eye contact with even the highest balcony. She explained how she has never liked the whole encore process where artists leave stage and wait to be cheered back out just to play a few more songs. Caillat continued by asking the audience if it would be OK if she stayed on stage a little longer instead of doing an encore. Cheers, applause, and hundreds of girls yelling immediately drowned this simple question out. Caillat’s “encore” consisted of three songs, carefully selected to be an ideal ending to a wonderful night. Her slower, more subdued cover of The Script’s “Breakeven” left the audience in silence, hanging onto every note. This was followed by her recent hit, “Brighter than the Sun,” an infectious, feel-good pop song. Appropriately, Caillat’s final song was “Bubbly,” the track that launched her into the music industry. Pure joy emanated from her face as she performed complete with sparkling, hopeful eyes and a genuinely sweet smile. Peace. Comfort. Happiness. These are
the feelings that Caillat has mastered. The shy, soft-spoken California girl uses her music to express herself and her infectious music and emotional lyrics have found their
way into the hearts of listeners across the country, and Boston made sure to show their appreciation for Caillat’s true, genuine heart. n
Courtesy of flickr
Refusing to make her fans wait for the encore, Caillat asked if she could simply continue the show.
The Heights
Monday, September 26, 2011
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The race for Oscar gold begins with the Eastwood biopic ‘J. Edgar’ Dan Siering With hostile political climates, sharp economic downturns, and the recent “Chobani-acalypse” in the Boston College dining halls, it seems that today’s world is becoming one, big collective frenzy. Always conforming to recent cultural trends, Hollywood has begun to produce its own fury with the feverish unveiling of several big productions, many of which are looking to enter the ring of Best Picture contenders. Here’s a look at one flick that is undoubtedly looking to make an early submission to the Oscar race. This week, those eager to talk about an award season that is distant on the horizon began buzzing about the newest film on the long list of epic biopics: J. Edgar. The film focuses around the storied life of the title character, J. Edgar Hoover, the founder of the F.B.I. and one of the most involved political administrators of the
20th century. It was Hoover who brought the modern innovations of documenting fingerprints and forensic investigating to police authorities. Directed by the veteran, yet still youthful Clint Eastwood, Leonardo DiCaprio takes the helm in the picture. Judging from DiCaprio’s extensive aging makeup in the trailer, the film seems to span across the entirety of Hoover’s nearly 40-year career. J. Edgar screams for Academy recognition more than any trailer I have seen this year. Yet with Clint Eastwood’s success at Hollywood’s perennial gala, this cry will certainly not fall on deaf ears. The well-established filmmaker has won four Oscars, winning Best Picture and Director for both Unforgiven in 1992 and Million Dollar Baby in 2004, and has been nominated for scores of other awards. Yet despite Eastwood’s prowess and the film’s lofty premise, J. Edgar still has to hit the mark on several different levels. First, it must deliver a storyline
with fresh and original content. The death of several previous biopics was that the films centered around events rather than the actual characters. Hoover was involved in virtually every pivotal affair that occurred from the FDR to the Nixon administration, so the temptation for Eastwood to focus on the tumultuous happenings of the times must have been strong. But learning from such acclaimed biopics as Walk the Line and Ray, people are more interested in learning about the humanity of an infamous character rather than merely getting a history lesson through the eyes of a significant person. The other thing that might trip up this film on the Oscar red carpet is its leading man. Despite his extensive fan base, DiCaprio has never done exceptionally well at award season, having only two Oscar nods on his resume. Along with many other A-listers such as Brad Pitt and Matt Damon, DiCaprio’s critical acclaim has never come close to matching
his general popularity. But, before I digress into a conversation about whether critical or public admiration is more important to an actor, let’s look at how DiCaprio fits in regard to the content of the film. Recently in his career, DiCaprio has achieved the reputation of being an extremely refined presence on screen. With a hand in the pocket of a tailored suit and a penetrating stare, he recites his lines as if the fate of the world lies in each syllable. For what you see in the J. Edgar trailer, Dicaprio sports his patented sleek design, except this time he is equipped with a lofty accent. From historical records, Hoover had the status of carrying an overly dramatic and at times flamboyant demeanor, so perhaps DiCaprio’s look and screen presence is just what Eastwood needs. Nevertheless, this lead role will most likely be remembered as a defining moment in DiCaprio’s career. Whether moviegoers and critics look back with fond or horrid memories remains to be seen.
But let’s not put the entire artistic burden on the shoulders of the lead man. DiCaprio is surrounded by a formidable group of supporting talent, most notably Armie Hammer, who gained recognition with a breakout role of playing both Winklevoss twins in The Social Network. Armie plays Clyde Tolson, the first associate director of the F.B.I. and Hoover’s personal protege. Recently, there has been much speculation about the extent of Tolson’s association with Hoover, and the majority of the discussion about J. Edgar has been centered on how Eastwood will depict their relationship. Despite his high standing amongst the elite circles in Hollywood, it seems as though Eastwood has his fare share of obstacles to overcome in what seems to be his most ambitious film to date.
Dan Siering is a staff columnist for The Heights. He welcomes comments at arts@ bcheights.com.
Taylor Lautner’s vehicle ‘Abduction’ lacks star power and all goodness By Joe Allen Heights Staff
When you walk into a theater expecting an action movie only to find a sea of giggling high school girls, something has gone horribly wrong. Unfortunately, this sorry experience could happen to any unsuspecting filmgoer looking for a decent thriller this month. The opening credabduction: its affirm the John Singleton movie is Lionsgate name d Abduction, which seems promising. Don’t worry, though. The first 10 minutes should dash away any hopes that you’ll be watching an actual movie, allowing ample time to leave the theater. In reality, Abduction is a hilariously awful piece of fan fiction masquerading as a thriller. A more accurate title would have been Team Jacob Strikes Back LOL! Abduction, or What Now, Robert Pattinson?, tells the harrowing story of Taylor Lautner (played by Taylor Lautner), a troubled teenager who might have been a missing child the whole time. Taylor discovers this while examining missing children reports for a school project. What are the odds? Thrown into an identity crisis, Taylor searches for answers with the help of a Rabid Lautner Fan (Lily Collins). While confronting his parents, screaming, “Did you lie to me about enjoying New Moon, too?” or something like that, Tay-
F
Courtesy of Allmoviephoto.com
The only people who might like the Taylor Lautner film ‘Abdution’ are fans of ‘Twilight’ series.
lor is interrupted by armed men who want to capture him for some reason. Taylor is then forced to run from his old life, accompanied by Rabid Lautner Fan because, c’mon, he’s Taylor freakin’ Lautner! Viewers who know Taylor will wonder why the teen idol doesn’t switch to his wolf form to evade his pursuers. This question is left troublingly unanswered. Even with its shocking lack of wolves and shirtless scenes, Abduction makes it clear to the audience that its only purpose is to reward Taylor Lautner obsessions. As the plot rambles on with increasing incoherence, the number of prolonged Lautner close-ups remain impressively frequent and consistent. The problem with this filmmaking approach is that Taylor can’t act convincingly for over five seconds. This combination of directorial fetish and bad acting leads to awkward moments where Lautner looks away from the camera and just starts nodding or making faces to himself. “Taylor, what are you doing?” must have been thought by anyone whose film experiences reach beyond the Twilight movies. Viewers can’t be the only people regretting the existence of this movie. Academy Award-nominated director John Singleton and prestigious actors Alfred Molina and Sigourney Weaver all take a back seat to Taylor Lautner, as virtually everyone in the audience will be too young to know or care who they are. After all, how many Teen Choice Awards have those people won?
All of this isn’t to say that the movie would have been any better if Taylor Lautner hadn’t starred in it. The script, written by an indie rock band singer, is mind-bendingly terrible. To start with the most egregious offense, no character is really abducted in a movie called Abduction. How did that oversight make it into the final cut? Of course, only calling out the inapplicable title wouldn’t be fair to all the little mistakes that helped bring this spectacular failure to life. Abduction also contains boring plot twists, zero tension, inexplicable character motivations, huge plot holes, detours into Lifetime-worthy melodrama, and a heaping ton of cringe-worthy dialogue. A “Worst Abduction Quotes” list could be compiled, and Taylor telling Rabid Lautner Fan, “I wasn’t ready to ask you out in eighth grade,” wouldn’t even make the Top 10. After a close-to-nonexistent climax, Abduction just ends, assumedly to let the majority of its viewers continue on to their iCarly-themed slumber parties. Audience members old enough to have driven themselves to the theater, however, might want to have their licenses revoked. As with any Taylor Lautner movie, there is fun to be had in gathering with college friends to see Abduction and laughing at how often it trips over itself. To those groups of irony-seekers, I would advise waiting for the DVD. Taylor will get the last laugh if people old enough to understand right and wrong pay to see this. n
Courtesy of Allmoviephoto.com
Chris Pratt, a comic from ‘Parks and Recreation,’ shows dramatic chops as a so-so baseball player in ‘Moneyball.’
‘Moneyball’ reinvents sports genre ‘Moneyball,’ from A10 ter Brand (Jonah Hill), a hopelessly nerdy Yale graduate who believes the answer to Beane’s problem lies in an unlikely field: statistics. Beane puts his full faith in Brand, pulling together a team of risky yet cheap players who Brand has identified as having the most potential to score runs and rack up wins. Beane’s choice is met with opposition and skepticism from all directions, with manager Art Howe (Philip Seymour Hoffman) leading the attack. Poor performance early in the season leads to even more criticism from both the press and within the organization, casting a cloud of desperation and uncertainty over Beane’s revolutionary plan. However, inspired by flashbacks of his struggles as a former Major League player, Beane goes outside of his role as General Manager and takes to the locker room to directly plant inspiration into the struggling team. Pitt’s plight gains sympathy and support as the rest of the season unfolds leading up to a surprisingly unpredictable climax. While the storyline is captivating as is, the dynamic relationship between Pitt’s Beane and Hill’s Brand is what sets Moneyball apart. Hill once again dazzles in his typical role of awkward outcast with even his silent facial expressions causing the audience to burst out in hysterics. He is truly complemented by Pitt’s sarcastic and condescending yet absolutely entertaining Beane. Beane’s mockery is often ruthless, but always gets a laugh, with half of the insults going straight over a confused Brand’s head. Keeping with the theme
of risk, the pairing of such contrasting actors is certainly a gamble, but quickly proves to be perhaps the film’s best one of all. Despite the comedic elements, Moneyball is rightfully categorized as a drama, with its home runs coming from the development of both the team and the characters. The underlying respect between Beane and Brand is never lost, particularly as Brand blossoms as a key asset to the Athletics’ organization. Meanwhile, Beane’s witty exterior is slowly worn away through both recollections of his past and a relationship with his teenage daughter to reveal a beautifully real struggle that leaves the audience with no choice but to rally for him. Although still called “America’s pastime,” baseball has recently become overshadowed by more intense sports like football and basketball. Moneyball reminds us why baseball’s legacy is worth continuing while insightfully examining how today’s money-hungry world is changing the game quite possibly for the worst. As players’ salaries become the standard for measuring success, Miller weaves his exploration of the true meaning of self-worth into a real-life story that redefined how even powerhouse teams like the Boston Red Sox play the game. It is unarguably a captivating story that just couldn’t be fabricated. The fact that it is based on a true story makes it even more heart-warming to both sports fans and laymen alike. Whether Moneyball makes you fall in love with baseball for the first time, all over again, or just makes you do a little soul searching, everyone has a little something to gain from it. n
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arts&review Monday, September 26, 2011
Wicked Cultured
Kids here rise to greatness Charlotte Parish “Boston is actually the capital of the world. You didn’t know that? We breed smart-ass, quippy, funny people. Not that I’m one of them. I just sorta sneaked in under the radar.” Well said, John Krasinski. Of course, he is being ridiculous and modest since he is arguably the best character on The Office (I know that Steve Carell is pretty epic himself, but where would the show be without Jim and Pam?), Boston has bred its fair share of talented people over the years, natives of the word wicked, of chowda, and of Brookline and Charlestown, rather than Brooklyn and Charleston–but really, stop incorrectly pronouncing those places. When you pause and think about it, given the number of talented and famous people who have sprung up from Boston and the Bay State at large, you have to figure that there is a whole slew of future Olympians, Oscar winners, and best-selling authors out there right now, dealing with their mothers telling them to clean up their room and resisting older brothers putting them in head locks. Imagining stars when they were young is a really strange thought. Unless he or she was a child star, I really can’t miniaturize them or make their faces younger. My image of Matt Damon is the head of the guy yelling in Contagion on a really short, scrawny body. It’s a weird picture. Yet at one point, good ol’ Mattie (I think I can call him that, since growing up in the state kind of makes us friends, right?) was 10-years-old and introducing himself to Ben Affleck for the first time, with Casey hanging back, waiting for his older brother to size up the new kid and wondering if Mattie, who is two years older than them, was going to jump them for lunch money or simply introduce himself. Luckily for the world, it was the latter. I imagine them spending the years reeking havoc on the neighborhood, playing very elaborate and well acted games of cops and robbers, and making cranky old Howard Zinn yell out the window, “I’m trying to write a scathing review of American history! Keep it down you hooligans!” Zinn was just another familiar face on their block, as if that street did not have enough talent as it was. And years later, out of Matt and Ben’s Cambridge-bred friendship came the gem Good Will Hunting. Now if you were in Nancy Kerrigan’s circle of friends, going to the Frog Pond would have been quite an adventure. “God, Nancy, stop being such a show off!” Instead of clinging to the railings like a normal nineyear-old, Kerrigan would have been performing camel spins in the center and Lutzs before the turns. I always wonder if people could recognize the pint-sized talent spinning around them. Probably not. When I see a kid doing spins on Frog Pond, my only thought is of limbs being severed by their flying skate. Even here at Boston College there was hilarious talent rising to stardom. While the current students were still figuring out diapers in the early ’90s, Amy Poehler was causing uproarious trouble in My Mother’s Fleabag. In a way, you have to feel a little sorry for the other members of the troupe from her graduating year, 1993. Because even if they had a good run and turned comedy into their performance career, no one can touch the humor standards that Poehler has set. The woman orchestrated a comedic take over of the Emmy’s for the past two years in a row! There’s just no touching the talent of that former Fleabagger. Remembering that these mammoths talents were once pint-sized makes you do a double take over that quirky kid on the stoop. Afterall, they just might be the next big Beantown talent, waiting to be discovered.
Charlotte Parish is the Assistant Arts & Review editor of The Heights. She can be reached at arts@bcheights.com
Courtesy of Douglas Mason
Folk singer Zee Avi joined the Avett Brothers, Ingrid Michaelson, and Michael Franti and Spearhead and others at the annual Life is Good Festival, held at Prowse Farm in Canton, Mass.
Lighthearted concert proves ‘Life is good’ Folk festival promotes optimism through annual musical gala in sweeping pastures
Life is good fest Sponsored by Life is Good
By Charlotte Parish
Featuring The Avett Brothers, Ingrid Michaelson, Zee Avi, Ray LaMontagne, Brandi Carlisle, Tristan Prettyman, Brandi Carlile, The Levon Helm Band
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Asst. Arts & Review Editor o what you like; like what you do. The little things in life are the big things. Laughter has no foreign accent. Optimistic, inspirational slogans like these were situated throughout the park for the second annual Life is good Festival, put on by co-founders Bert and John Jacobs and their ‘Chief Playmaker’ Steve Goss at Prowse Farm in Canton, Mass. this weekend. For two days, Prowse Farm was taken over by a flood of music lovers searching for a little happiness and supporting a good cause. Life is good grounds their company philosophy in positivity and philanthropy, aiming to “provide innovative training and support to frontline child care professionals dedicated to helping children overcome life-threatening challenges, including violence, illness and extreme poverty.” All of the money from this weekend’s festival – from ticket sales to merchandise to food – will go toward the betterment of
When Saturday, Sept. 24 to Sunday, Sept. 25 Where Prowse Farm in Canton, Mass. WhY The goal of the weekend is to create a community of fundraisers. The festival is a two-day celebration of music and optimism.
See Life, C6
Mellow and melodic, Colbie Caillat soars
film review
Singer fills House of Blues with noteworthy tunes By Kelly Damassa For the Heights
Courtesy of Allmoviephoto.com
A clear frontrunner for the upcoming awards season, ‘Moneyball’ features the talents of Brad Pitt, Chris Pratt, and Jonah Hill.
Pitt and Hill form winning team By Trace Fairbaugh For the Heights
“It’s hard not to be romantic about baseball.” Moneyball is quickly emerging as this season’s must-see film, based on Michael Lewis’ book of the same title and rightfully so. Although its plot stems from the classic root-for-the-underdog genre, Bennett Miller’s film captivates from the start and leaves you wanting to go out and do something truly meaningful. Some may dismiss it as just another addition to an already worn-out sports category, but Miller hits it out of the park
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with a film that provokes serious thought along with some serious laughs. The film opens at the end of the cash-strapped Oakland Athletics’ 2001 season with both a loss to the Yankees in the post-season and the loss of three key players to teams with more money to offer. The outlook is grim, especially now that General Manager Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) must scramble to find a first baseman on a budget. Upon a visit to the Cleveland Indians in the off-season, Beane fails to make a deal but meets Pe-
‘Moneyball’ directed by Bennett Miller Featuring Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Robin Wright, Chris Pratt, Tammy Blanchard Produced by Scott Rudin Grade A
W
alking into House of Blues this past Friday, concertgoers were met with an overwhelming sense of serenity, ease, and relaxation. The intimate venue, accented with spiritual and meditational artwork, could not have been any more ideal of a setting for Colbie Caillat. Centered directly above the stage, a Hamsa (five-fingered hand with an eye in the center of the palm) caught the attention of the audience with the words, “All is one. Who do you love?” gracefully draped along the ornate image. These words perfectly paralleled the vibes that are characteristic of Caillat, as well as her opening act, Andy Grammer. The stage was designed to seem smaller than it actually was with an abundance of instruments, bamboo screens, and plants crowding the area. It was an intimate living-room setting, an invitation to the audience to be not just listeners, but friends. With tattered, braided carpets covering the wood floor, paper lanterns of various colors gingerly suspended mid-stage, and strands of bare light bulbs dangling overhead, the setting was whimsical to say the least.
See ‘Moneyball,’ C7
An abysmal Abduction flops wildly
Taylor Lautner’s plasticine expressions aren’t the only horrendous features of this barely breathing film, C6
MFA dazzles with stellar new wing
Contemporary art finally comes to roost in Boston’s famed museum after summer expansion, C6
See Caillat, C6
Movie Column...............................C6 Box Office Report........................C6
features The Heights
B4
Monday, September 26, 2011
D1
Monday, September 26, 2011
To live on campus or not to live on campus By Juliette San Fillipo
Heights Staff
The question of whether or not it is better to live on campus or off campus as an undergraduate is a decision that most Boston College students will have to grapple with. One must weigh the many pros and cons, costs and conveniences. They must reflect on past years in the dorms, while contemplating the prospect of renting their own place. A fact that many students can ultimately accede, however, is that there’s really nothing conclusive about it. One main issue that students have to deal with when they move off campus is the lack of a meal plan, and the decision that follows of whether or not they want to purchase a flex dining plan. While the dining halls are definitely convenient, going grocery shopping allows students the ability to buy and eat exactly what they want. “Whether you prefer a meal plan or doing the off campus thing, eating is really a preference,” says Anthony Gigliotti, A&S ’13. “One great thing about eating off campus is you have more variety and freedom in where and what you eat, and you don’t have to pay $12 for a sandwich and a Vitamin Water like you do at BC, which is why eating off campus is usually cheaper. However, you soon realize that it’s real money being spent and not your meal plan, which almost seems like Monopoly money at times.” Moving off-campus means students have to relinquish their carefree spending habits, which were made possible by their BC IDs and instead make conscious decisions when it comes to buying food with their own money. “My advice is put $1,200 in your flex plan and BC gives you a $300 bonus,” Gigliotti says. “This plan carries over to senior year, so it will give you money for the occasional meal and snack on campus because, let’s be honest, when you’re stuck on campus all day with classes, it’s just easier to eat there. Then for the rest of your meals you can grocery shop, order takeout, or whatever you like.” Some students see the shift in currency as a good thing. Although moving off-campus means being farther away from the dining halls, at the same time it means moving closer to other eateries and shops, such as those in Cleveland Circle. “I really like that since I have less money on my Eagle ID, I now have more money in my Eagle Bucks and also my bank account, which is meant for groceries,” says Kelly Hatton, LSOE ’13. “It’s more convenient because I can easily go to places like Roggie’s or City Convenience and still use my card, and also having more money not on my Eagle ID gives me a more mobile account that I can use to buy a variety of things.”
Not having all their funds locked into one dining plan means students are not forced to spend that high allotment on food each semester. However, being off campus comes with its own additional costs aside from food, such as rent, cable, and electricity. “It’s cheaper to live off campus,” says Marianne Carrabba, assistant director of off-campus housing for ResLife. “It’s more about the parents getting a call asking for all the money upfront needed to secure an apartment and to cosign the lease, and to do this one year in advance. For those who are paying their own way, it can be difficult to come up with all the money needed to secure a place to live.” Signing for a house is initially expensive, but compared to the room and board paid to BC, rent in the long run tends to be cheaper. BC’s tuition also includes wireless and cable, which off-campus students must then provide for themselves. “If you live in a house with six people, cable/Internet costs will start at under $10 a person per month, and you also get the opportunity to add premium channels, DVR, and On Demand movies – and you can’t forget the free HD upgrade,” Gigliotti says. “All in all, cable and Internet is one more expense, but it’s not a costly one.” Students that relocate to off-campus living must also account for the cost of time, like the time it takes to get to classes every day from their houses or apartments. While some places are closer than others, it seems that off-campus students are not too fazed by this change. Those who are closer can walk, and for those who are not, there is always the Commonwealth Avenue bus. “I like the time in the morning that it takes to get to classes,” says Abbey Canning, A&S ’13. “It’s nice to get to walk and take some time to reflect. You really feel like you’re going to school again every morning too, which is a funny feeling.” Gigliotti also enjoys the distance of his house to campus. “In a way, I find going back to your house off-campus after a long day of studying to be an escape from the stresses of classes,” he says. Carrabba says that one of the disadvantages that many off-campus students speak of is that they sometimes feel disconnected to campus once they move off, since they usually only come to campus for classes and events. “I’ve found that campus is much more of an academic place for me now, since I primarily go there for classes,” Canning says. “But also going to campus for football games, I feel connected to BC almost with more school spirit. I do feel like I know less people though now when I’m there.” For most of the juniors, living off-campus marks a big change for the former sophomores
See Off vs. On Campus, D2
mollie kolosky \ heights photo illustration
The time to leave the Eagle’s Nest and find food By Katherine Iannarone For The Heights
It’s dinnertime, and students with meal plans flock to Lower Dining Hall, Carney’s, or Hillside. For them, dinner is only as complicated as choosing what sauce they want on their pasta or how they want their burger cooked. A swipe of the BC Eagle ID later, and it’s time to eat. Meanwhile, for off-campus students and residents of upperclassman dorms, dinnertime brings up a different set of issues. The question changes from, “What do I want for dinner?” to “What do I actually feel like making for dinner?” Food needs to be washed, chopped, sauteed, and stirred. Pots, pans, and dishes need to be washed. With no meal plan to fall back on, these students need to put more effort into preparing meals. Shopping and cooking for oneself are part of the off-campus package. Some upperclassman residence halls give students the option of living sans meal plan as well. So, after two years of BC Dining Services dependency, how does one plunge into self-sufficiency? First, there is the necessary evil of grocery shopping. “It took me a little time to get used to shopping for my own food, because it’s hard to fit it
into your life,” says Lea Freeman, A&S ’12. She typically drives twice a month to Trader Joe’s for her groceries. Not everyone has easy access to a car, however. Katie Fuccillo, A&S ’13, is limited to the grocery stores she can easily access from the Green Line. “I usually go to the Stop and Shop off the B line,” she says. “The T stops right in front of it, so you don’t have to drag your bags too far.” Jessica Trainor, A&S ’12, avoids frequent trips to the store by buying in bulk from Costco. “We went as a room to Costco at the beginning of the year, and we’ll go once a month,” says Trainor, who lives in Voute. “We make a list and plan what we’re going to buy ahead of time so we don’t get overwhelmed.” Now, after making the grueling trek , purchasing one’s groceries, making inane conversation with the checkout clerk, and lugging all the bags back to one’s dorm, the real fun is about to begin. “At first, cooking was annoying, because we kept realizing the utensils we don’t have,” Freeman says. Pots, pans, silverware, plates, and glasses are the obvious necessities, but it’s easy to forget about a whisk until one needs it. Once the pantry is stocked and the kitchen is properly equipped, one is finally ready to cook. Everyone
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has a different approach to how they prepare their meals. Many students have adapted by becoming efficient assemblers of microwavable foods. Nuke a precooked chicken and some steam-in-the-bag broccoli, throw in a bun and barbeque sauce, and call it dinner. Wouldn’t Mom be proud? Other students survive without cooking at all. “Most things I make can be microwaved or eaten raw,” says Annie Orlowski, LSOE ’12, who lives with Trainor in Voute. “I barely cook at all. I eat lots of soup, fruit, and hummus.” At the other end of the spectrum, some off-campus diners have embraced the chef within. “I love cooking,” says Kristen Drew, A&S ’12, a resident of 2000 Commonwealth Avenue. She admits that cooking can be a hassle during the week, but she still enjoys making meals from fresh, healthy ingredients. “I don’t like packaged foods,” she says. Drew makes cooking fun by looking for interesting recipes to try, like Carolina pulled pork or tofu curry. Even if someone is gifted with culinary finesse, time is a rarer commodity than truffle shavings. Some nights, busy students just don’t have time to cook dinner. Drew deals with the time
See Meal Plan, D2
Drop/Add Fever
Hear about students’ and professors’ experiences with the academic drop/add period of classes.............................................................................................................. ....... D3
Photo Courtesy of flickr.com
Humor Column.................................D2 The Real World..........................D3
The Heights
D2
Monday, September 26, 2011
Both on-campus living and off-campus living offer benefits Off vs. On Campus, from D1 who used to live on campus, either on Lower Campus or College Road. However, students can look at off campus as a new BC community where they can meet other students they might not have met on the Heights. “One pro to living off campus is that you meet a lot of new people,” says Susan Krejci, LSOE ’13. “It’s a whole new community you’re living in. It’s also nice because with a house or an apartment, you can actually have people over too, which helps you get know new people. It’s more
welcoming.” It seems that the most marginal difference between living on campus and off campus is not so much the cost, as that can be accounted for, but instead it is the prospect of student freedom. Both off campus students and Carrabba agree that one of the advantages most often cited is this difference in freedom. Gigliotti prefers living off campus for this reason, and he says he often wonders why seniors (that aren’t living in the Mods) want to move back on campus. “You never have to worry about
quiet hours to the extent you had to on campus,” he says. “No RAs come knocking on your doors, [and] you get a bigger living space than you do in most dorms.” Others, like Meghan Hughes, LSOE ’13, are willing to forfeit the freedom of off-campus living in exchange for the indispensable convenience of living on campus. “Next year, I will be 21 and legally allowed to drink, making most of the past inconveniences of campus not a nuisance anymore,” she says. “Dorm rooms don’t bother me at all and campus dining is something that I delight
in because I hate cooking. Living on-campus to me means sleeping in later, too.” While BC can provide a great amount of information about living off-campus, the choice ultimately rests in the hands of students, who, it seems, can’t quite determine which they prefer until they have actually experienced each situation firsthand. Until then, underclassmen can talk to ResLife and ask upperclassmen about their experiences because, having gone through the same decision-making process, they will finally have an opinion. n
Photo courtesy of Postgradapartments.com
Photo courtesy of Flickr
Cleveland Circle (left) is a common area for BC students to seek off-campus housing in when they either can’t or choose not to live on campus in one of the dormitories Boston College offers students throughout the year
Exploring new meal preparation options is necessary for plan less Meal Plan, from D1 crunch by preparing food for the week during free time on the weekends. “I’ll roast a chicken, and use it in soups, salads, and sandwiches,” she says. There are many quick and easy recipes for those who don’t want to invest in time-consuming prep work. Pasta and sauce, eggs and toast, and grilled cheese are simple dinners that require zero forethought. But after two years of instant gratification and precooked food on campus, 10 minutes of cooking can seem like an eternal hunger spasm. In this case, there’s always the foolproof back-up plan: take-out. “They call me the ‘Foodler,’” says Elle Rapport, A&S ’12, who resides off campus. “I think they recognize my phone number.” Foodler is one of many food delivery websites that allow users
to browse menus from nearby restaurants and place their orders. Rapport has reached Foodler gold status from her frequent use of the site. Life without BC Dining requires planning and shopping. It involves cooking, sauteing, fricasseeing, or microwaving. And sometimes it just takes a simple phone call. While the transition from on to off campus dining can be jarring, eating off campus has its perks. “Now that I’m used to eating off campus, I like it much better,” Freeman says. “I have more options and freedom.” Freeman highlights one of the greatest benefits of off-campus dining: variety. By the middle of the term, students bound to the meal plan often begin to tire of the repetitive selection, especially from Hillside or the Rat’s prepackaged offerings. Even though some diehard foodies might assert that
one can never have too many Lower cheese steaks, many other students have found their taste buds lulled into a coma. Off-campus diners, in contrast, have a much wider array of choices. Freeman appreciates having control over the kinds of food and the specific brands she eats. “I really like Luna Bars, but they don’t sell them at any of the on-campus dining areas,” she says. Admittedly, there is one experience that the off-campus dining community cannot hope to recreate: Late Night. There exist few, if any, students with enough dedication and skill to stagger home on a Saturday night and whip up some mozzarella sticks, and even if they did, their efforts would fall short of the shimmering, oily goodness that only Lower’s deep fryers can produce. But not all hope is lost. There are always Eagle Bucks. n
Words of advice and encouragement for the freshman class of 2015 Ryan McGuill Hey, freshmen! Congratulations! You’re closing in on the end of your first month of college. Honestly, it’s a pretty significant milestone, one that’s even worth being commemorated by a roommate-arm-around-the-back photo in front of your door and the casual one finger thrown up in the air (which can signify one month or the number of times you’ve left Newton Campus on a Friday). But I kid, for there are far more pressing matters at hand with the advent of this milestone. You all probably have a fairly lengthy list of friends right now that has grown tenfold due to orientation, the boat cruise, that time you met those pretty chill dudes in the WokAway line at Mac, cupcake decorating at the O’Connell House, and so on and so forth. Boston College definitely gives you enough opportunities to meet your fellow freshmen souls dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge and a mastery of Super Smash Bros, enough to fill your head with nameless faces and faceless names. (The latter is much less common but sounds way creepier and thus bolsters my argument.) In addition to your intense workload and trying to ward off that legendary 15 pounds like it’s some voodoo hex, this sudden rush of information can be overwhelming for some, which is exactly why I’m telling you to start whittling down the friend list. Making cuts certainly isn’t the easiest thing to do in the world. Just ask Michael Jordan’s freshman basketball coach or our president. However, I’m here to mentor you through the process. There are a few types of awful, miserable people at BC whom you should just avoid like the plague or risk suffering a terrible four years in Chestnut Hill. By heeding my advice and staying far, far away from these depraved hoodlums of society, you’ll probably go on to experience a wildly prosperous and well-rounded life
that culminates in the purchase of a 68-foot yacht whose name is derived from some nautical BC-related pun (“Snorkelin’ Commons,” anyone?). Firstly, people who don’t acknowledge you when you sneeze are undoubtedly the most awful cast of characters put on this earth, so if you’re close with anyone who’s been guilty of this crime, ditch them immediately. There’s a wide array of acceptable pardons for a sneeze, ranging from the simplest “Bless you,” to the German “Gesundheit,” or even the casual, “Wow, that was a doozy,” for those who set off minor earthquakes during allergy season. Basically, this vast repertoire really means that there is no excuse when it comes to not pardoning someone for a sneeze. Here’s a helpful tip: When I sneeze in a classroom, I keep a mental note of everyone that doesn’t say “Bless you” in one of its many forms, and these notes essentially translate to “You can no longer roll with me in the future.” In fact, if your roommate is guilty of this sin, he or she is probably the one who got you sick in the first place; I’d request to be moved within the week. Secondly, people who won’t hold the door open for you probably have some sort of criminal record. BC seemingly revolves around a culture of door-holding, which can be seen in its finest form while walking out of the fourth floor of Maloney Hall or walking into the third floor of O’Neill Library. Complete strangers hold doors open for the young, the old, the fatigued, and the energized. I’ve literally watched as a woman in a wheelchair propped open the door of Bapst Library for a kid who was easily more than a minute behind her. Alright, maybe I haven’t seen that exact scenario play out, but I’m trying to make a point that the door of Bapst is both ancient and heavy, and someone who won’t put in the effort to thrust it open for you is simply not worthy of your friendship. This can be an awkward way of removing people from the list. On more than one occasion,
I’ve walked away mid-conversation with past acquaintances while going into Mac, never to speak to these people again. But don’t fret, for it’s worth it to weed out these non-doorholders in the long run. Never again will I be forced to bump into a glass door. Never again will I have to suffer through the chuckles of unknown passersby. This is the kind of stuff that gives way to PTSD. Lastly, your fellow classmates who genuinely enjoy and have faith in the industry of 3-D television and movies are enemy spies. Don’t associate
yourself with them anymore. Before you know it, you’ll be spending your Friday nights watching Hawaii 5-0 on your hallmate’s plasma 3-D television and wondering, in your bespectacled shame, “What did I do wrong to land myself in this position?” Seriously, does anyone actually like to pay four extra dollars to experience the excitement of reaching out at an intangible cannonball? With the exception of Lion King 3-D, which is the most important American cultural phenomenon since Michael Phelps won all the gold in China, 3-D entertainment is
a doomed fad. And if a friend of 3-D entertainment is also a friend of yours, he or she is a doomed friend. While making friends during freshman year, the best thing you can do is just have an open mind and be sociable toward everyone. However, if you follow my instructions, it only makes forming that eight-man at the end of the year that much easier. And trust me, they go fast. Best of luck! Ryan McGuill is a staff columnist for The Heights. He welcomes comments at features@bcheights.com
The Heights
Monday, September 26, 2011
the real world
Luxury then and now Dan Friedman
In the late 18th century, when America was founded, a debate was raging among the political economists. Political economy was defined by Joshua Gilpin, a merchant from Philadelphia, as “the operation of government upon its domestic resources independent of its external or foreign administration.” The debate centered on luxury. Was luxury something to be avoided – was it detrimental to society in the way Rousseau argued against it, claiming the Spartans had achieved the best form of society? Or was luxury something that benefited not only the man who achieved it, but also the rest of society, as the impulse to achieve similar luxury promoted trade, economic and population growth, and a general improvement of society? What is fascinating, however, is that even the greatest advocates for luxury and division of labor economics, such as Adam Smith, nevertheless had their doubts. Describing the vast poor who were emerging as a result of manufacturing plants, he claimed that over time, repetition of the same task would result in the worker becoming “as stupid and ignorant as it is possible for a human creature to become.” Smith warned that, “In every improved and civilized society this is the state into which the labouring poor, that is, the great body of the people, must necessarily fall, unless government takes some pains to prevent it.” I think it safe to say that our society has certainly embraced luxury. What is fascinating to me, however, is that unlike the concern Smith had when he was writing, it is not the citizenry who we need fear may succumb to luxury, but rather the government. The best Bernie Madoff could do was stealing $50 billion, which is admittedly impressive for one man. But our government seems to routinely spend a trillion dollars these days – marketed as an “investment in the youth of this country” – in return for no job growth, a downgrade of our financial strength, and a general malaise as a result of these discouraging results. For me, the issue in this country now is whether or not it is worse for the citizenry or the government to indulge in luxury. If you haven’t already, I would strongly advise the Boston College student body – left, right, or don’t give a crap – to go onto YouTube and watch Peter Schiff’s testimony before Congress. It’s 22 minutes out of your life that at the very least should teach you a few things in the art of persuasive speaking. Schiff is a financial commentator and businessman who predicted the Great Recession (do we still call it that?) – that’s right, I said predicted it. Further, he is a businessman, which means about half of this campus likely vilifies him as a criminal and robber baron, and the other half acknowledges that without men like him this country would not exist. In any event, Schiff makes two points that I found to be fascinating. The first was on the stimulus bill. He equated the government spending money on stimulus in order to cure the economy to pouring gasoline on a fire in the hopes of putting it out. Keynesians and Krugmanites often blame the failure of the stimulus on the fact that the government actually didn’t spend enough. Aside from the inherent absurdity of these statements, as the Wall Street Journal’s James Taranto pointed out following Obama’s jobs speech, his most recent request for stimulus makes no sense given that the amount he is asking for is actually less than the original. But most striking was Schiff’s discussion of Henry Ford’s business model. If you recall, Smith argued that men were dehumanized by the simple, boring, and repetitive tasks given to them in a division of labor economy. But Schiff makes an important point. When Ford was paying his workers in the 1930s, he paid them $5 a day, or an ounce and a quarter of gold. In today’s standards, those workers would be making $2,500 a week, with no income tax. Those wages were lauded as the highest wages in the world. What Smith and his contemporaries could not have foreseen were the outstanding wages that resulted in a free market economy, and the benefit all workers gained. The principles I’ve outlined here, as well as others, matter to me greatly. And because there are only two parties in America, I have to side with the Republicans. But as my sister adroitly pointed out to me following the Republican debate last Thursday, she would rather be homeless and screwed than get behind the social policies of the Republican party. And though I disagree with her, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think she had a point.
Dan Friedman is a staff columnist for The Heights. He can be reached at features@bcheights.com
D3
What happens when justice just isn’t cutting it Francesca Bacardi In 1789 the United States government adopted the Bill of Rights, something we’ve all learned about time and time again. Although I may not be able to list all 10 amendments right off the bat, I have a general idea of what they are and how they are legally applied. Freedom of speech, undoubtedly, is the one most often quoted because it is what makes the U.S. the U.S., but another extremely important amendment is the Seventh Amendment, which dictates that everyone has the right to a fair trial, also known as due process of law. I can’t speak for all of the trials and cases that flow through the legal system, but there are two trials that stand out in my mind in which I thought the Seventh Amendment was completely ignored: the Casey Anthony trial and the more recent Troy Davis trial (recent because it finally came to a close the other day, even though it has been going on since the very early ’90s). I don’t mean to say that the defendants didn’t receive a fair trial. By legal standards it was perfectly fair – there was a judge, a randomly selected jury, and lawyers – but I don’t think each of these trials ended “fairly.” As we all know, Casey Anthony was found not guilty of the murder of her daughter. Described as the “social media trial of the century,” the Casey Anthony decision caused pandemonium on every social networking site with commentaries about how “unjust” the legal system was in its decision. Even I would be lying if I said I didn’t make a Facebook status about how absurd I found the decision. Although the public’s opinion clearly and fairly carries no weight in a jury’s decision, I find it hard to comprehend how such strong opinions could be so easily ignored. Clearly, we’ll never know if Anthony did do it, but what we do know is how she somehow managed to slip through the cracks and end up with a few misdemeanors. Meanwhile, in a different state, Troy Davis was found guilty of the murder of a police officer. Twenty years after his conviction, Davis was executed on Sept. 21. However, it wasn’t as easy as a simple
conviction and eventual execution. Davis’ legal team was granted four separate stays of execution, each one pushing back his execution date. After several witnesses recanted their testimonies, it was clear that there was very serious doubt to everyone except for the jury and the judge. Running to his aid were the NAACP, various political leaders, celebrities, and the public – but to no avail. Outside of the jail on Wednesday, thousands of people protested Davis’ impending execution. In the final moments, another stay was granted. Because I was in class until 8:20 p.m. that night, I kept clicking the refresh button on my browser so that the live feed would continuously update with more details from the stay. After the decision was made that the execution would take place, I couldn’t help but think about both cases and their outcomes. Although they were very different cases, they had one thing in common: the
death penalty. I’m not a legal expert, but I really do believe that if each state, Florida and Georgia respectively, did not legalize the death penalty, the outcomes of these cases would have been very different. In my opinion, choosing to end a life for a crime is a serious decision, and had it not been on the line in Anthony’s case, I feel she would have been found guilty. I also think that if the victim in the Davis trial had not been a police officer, the death penalty wouldn’t have been an option. Within each of these cases lies so many minute details that ultimately affected the courts’ rulings, but I can’t deny that so many circumstances that shouldn’t have played a role in the decisions definitely ended up factoring in a lot. If external factors, like who each victim was, weighed so heavily on the jurors and their sympathies, why couldn’t the public’s opinion have any sway? In both instances, millions of people clamored to their social networking pages
to express outrage and disbelief at the situations at hand. I only wish the juries and the courts listened because maybe, just maybe, some real justice would have been served. Our country is founded on certain beliefs that distinguish us from everywhere else, but in instances like these I can’t help but doubt if we’re really following through on seeking justice. So many people slip through the cracks and get away with crimes they shouldn’t or are accused of doing something without any sound evidence that it’s hard to see the fairness in our legal system. Although we’ll never know what actually happened in each of these cases, at least we can walk away with knowing that the people care enough to have a voice.
Francesca Bacardi is a staff columnist for The Heights. She can be reached at features@bcheights.com
Francesca Bacardi is a Staff Columnist for The Heights. She can be reached at features@bcheights.com
photo courtesy of Flickr.com
Martina Correia, the sister of Troy Davis, was campaigning for the justice of her brother, who was executed this past Wednesday evening.
The inevitable storm before the calm: drop/add period By Marye Moran Heights Staff
For the first two weeks of school, everything seems to be in limbo. Students are still figuring out who they will get lunch with every day, what clubs they’ll dedicate their time to, and whether they will be able to make that habit of morning runs around the Reservoir actually stick. Most importantly, though, they are deciding what classes to take. This decision-making process begins during course registration, but nothing is final until the last day of the drop/add period. This period ended on Sept. 14, and spanned the first seven class days, allowing students to determine whether a particular course was right for them. This week allows students to determine if a class is at the appropriate level and entails a reasonable workload. It also gives them the freedom to experiment with their schedules. The changes that students make in their schedules allow them to pursue their interests in the most appropriate classes, an overall gain despite the complications that can arise in the process. These complications are particularly pertinent to teachers. Professors have to accommodate for the fact that, for the first week and
a half of classes, their class size could change, and they could end up with an entirely different group of students by the week’s end. In smaller classes, this is particularly noticeable. Kim Garcia’s Introduction to Creative Writing course, for example, is structured around small groups of three or four students. It is within these groups that students’ work is shared and critiqued, and inter-group trust is essential. “I think I’m going to start out not setting up small groups, which would be a loss, or talk about them as just a meet and greet for two weeks,” says Garcia, a professor in the English department. “I’m not convinced that people don’t think ‘What’s wrong with me?’ when people leave their small group.” Garcia says that the drop/add period especially impacts her classes that only meet once each week. However, Louise Lonabocker, executive director of Student Services, sees the issues arising from classes that meet once a week as a greater reason for a long drop/add period. “It used to be just the first five class days, but students asked to extend it because they felt that, particularly with a class that met once a week, it was just too hard to make the decision,” Lonabocker says. Ultimately, the level of disruption is a combined product of class structure, size, and meeting time.
Other instructors can easily see the benefits of the drop/add period period, especially those teaching larger classes, where a shift in students is rarely noticeable. Michael Moore teaches Introduction to Psychology as a Social Science, which caps enrollment at 256 students because the lecture hall has a fixed number of seats. “The course is very popular and closes early in registration,” he says. “If anyone does drop it, someone else always picks it up.” He does note a possible downside for students, though. “The only thing I am concerned about is that someone who comes in at the last minute is already a week and a half behind,” he says. This is an apt concern, and one that students consider when deciding whether to change their schedules. Other factors include personal preferences and core requirements. “I dropped Calculus II for math and science majors because I had already fulfilled my math requirement with AP scores,” says Marie Pellisier, A&S ’15. “I decided to take Intro to Music instead because it sounded more interesting and it would fulfill my fine arts core.” Other students choose to drop a course based on difficulty level. “I was originally taking Developmental Neuroscience and
Behavior,” says Katie Woodward, A&S ’14. “I didn’t know it had a prerequisite that I hadn’t taken, though, so I switched to Behavioral Neuroscience, which is a similar but lower level class.” The process of adding or dropping a course is purely based on student initiative, and can be done through Boston College UIS, without permission or help from a department or administrator. Because the process does not go through an administrator, there is no exact number for the amount of students that took advantage of the drop/add period, but it seems that many students at least considered, if not employed, the option. This week is important not just for students facing indecision, but also for those wishing to overload, as a sixth course can only be added during that period. The shift of students in and out of classes certainly can cause difficulties for particular professors and courses, and for students as well. Now that the period is over, though, everyone can remove their textbooks’ plastic wrap that was kept on just in case, they can get used to sitting in the same seats, next to the same people, and they can dedicate themselves to readings and homework for a class that they know they will continue with. After the uncertainty of the drop/add period, the settling in can fully begin. n
he said, she said I am a sophomore and I am torn if I should travel abroad for a semester next year. I think going abroad would be such a good experience, but at the same time I don’t want to miss out on anything at Boston College. - Kristopher Kolumbus
studying abroad is supposed to be a great, unique experience that will expose you to new cultures and new people and allow you to add to your college experience and broaden your international horizons. International travel is a huge plus and being abroad is one of the best ways to explore. That being said, I think there is also value to staying home. I wrestled with this decision myself and ultimately decided to stay at BC Alex for the entirety of junior year. I don’t regret T rautwig the decision at all, as I have always enjoyed my time at BC and quite frankly, I think the biggest downside was that many of my best friends were gone for the second semester and it was a big adjustment for me. As you approach junior year it’s very easy to get caught up in the excitement of going abroad but after more careful thought, ultimately the attraction of hitting up the coolest Euro clubs could eventually get old. Or not, if that happens to be your scene. I don’t know of anyone that has gone away and not had a great time, but at the same time, I know a lot of people that stayed and still had a great time. At the risk of sounding a little nerdy, it’s a great time to get some major requirements done and you’ll also meet new people if many of your friends go. A great alternative is also a summer abroad program. You get the travel and experience of living abroad and don’t miss out on any time in Chestnut Hill.
Leaving BC for a semester to travel abroad is a very difficult decision for most people to make. That being said, I think going aboard for a semester is an opportunity that you will never regret. I went abroad for my spring semester junior year, and I never felt disappointed with my decision. BC is an amazing place, but it’s good to have a change of pace and do something new for a few months. Traveling to a new country opens your eyes to so many different cultures and ways of life, Madeline and it will put the travel bug in you forever. It is Demoulas very easy to feel caught up in your day-to-day life at BC. Therefore, it is always positive and productive to broaden your horizons. You will form wonderful friendships with people throughout your travels and you will feel completely independent. I understand your concerns about not missing out on events at BC, but I wouldn’t let that deter you from spending a semester away. You can still be at BC for at least a semester and then you have your entire senior year to look forward to. You shouldn’t ever think that you are missing out because you are taking advantage of living in a different country and trying new and exciting things. I didn’t feel disconnected from BC at all during my time abroad and I was grateful that I grew close with many BC students in my program that I wasn’t friendly with before. Traveling abroad was one of the best parts of my college years and it has made my senior fall that much better!
Alex Trautwig is an Editor for The Heights. He can be reached at features@bcheights.com
Madeline Demoulas is a senior staff writer for The Heights. She can be reached at features@bcheights.edu.
The Heights
Monday, September 26, 2011
D4
Feature Presentation
The legacy of Hispanic Heritage Month continues By Aubrey Pringle For The Heights
Boston College’s annual celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) is underway. And what does this mean for us? You might be thinking: Salsa music in O’Neill Plaza, speakers coming to campus, perhaps some Latin food or a free T-shirt. And while you can expect all of those things, it is worth venturing beneath the surface of Hispanic Heritage Month to uncover some of the history and behindthe-scenes effort that has made HHM a blossoming BC tradition. HHM is a national event. In 1968, the first National Hispanic Heritage Week took place in September to celebrate the contributions of Hispanic Americans to American society and
culture as well as to honor the independence of our neighboring Central American countries such as Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Mexico. All of these nations celebrate their independence in September or October. By 1988, the week-long celebration was lengthened and National Hispanic Heritage Month now occurs between Sept. 15 and Oct. 15 each year. BC did not officially join the celebration until quite recently. This year marks the third annual BC HHM. In the spring of 2009, a group of students, led by Bryan Leyva, BC ’10, decided it was time for Boston College to recognize National HHM. “The first year was very difficult because we were starting from scratch,” says Eduardo Dorado, BC ’11, a mem-
ber of the committee that was responsible for organizing the first HHM at BC. “Celebrations for Black History Month and Asian Pacific American Heritage Month were already in place at BC, but this was new.” The University was very responsive to the students’ idea, and so planning began. The first HHM at B C was launched in September of 2009. The calendar of events included speakers, dinners, and celebrations featuring Latin-inspired food, music, and dance. The goal was to make the events both exciting and informative so that they might attract more students, Hispanics and non-Hispanics alike. Despite the challenges of that first year, HHM has continued to grow and is now becoming a BC tradition. This year’s organizers are Stephanie Gon-
Photo Courtesy of HHM
Bryan Levya, BC ’10, Eduardo Dorado, BC ’11, and Stephanie Gonzalez, A&S ’12, have all worked to make HHM a reality for Boston College.
zalez, A&S ’12, and Jorge Miranda, A&S ’13. They head a student committee that includes representatives from various Latino student clubs and organizations on campus. This committee works in conjunction with AHANA staff members and administrators. Organizers of HHM at B C are happy to have support from the University. “In past years, we have had academic departments, schools, offices, and centers sponsor – financially and otherwise – specific events during the month,” says Joana Maynard, assistant director of ANAHA Student Programs. Without such cooperation, HHM would not be possible. The HHM committee purposefully aims to plan a nice mixture of events that will attract students with various interests. This year’s keynote speaker, Victor Rios, spoke last Tuesday in Devlin 101. Rios is a sociology professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He shared his personal experience growing up on the rough streets of Oakland, which led him to get involved in gang life. He eventually realized that education was his way out, and Rios went on to become an award-winning professor and the author of two books. He spoke about the marginalization and demonization of Hispanic and black teens. “We have to see the hope and the light in kids,” he says. “Because it is there. People thought there was no hope for me, but look at me now.” If you missed Rios, there are more opportunities to celebrate HHM. Join the facebook group “Hispanic Heritage Month @ Boston College” for more information about upcoming HHM events. This year’s theme for HHM, “Being Latino is.…,” speaks to the notion that there is no singular definition of what it means to be Latino. Organizers of the celebration encourage non-Hispanics to get involved. “It is our hope to have non-Hispanic students attend events. Learn something new, participate, celebrate what makes our culture beautiful,” Gonzalez says. n
Step aside and make way for the new workout plan By Alexandra Schaeffer Heights Staff
Only eight more minutes left. It feels like these torture techniques called “burpies,” a staple of the fitness class Boston College X-fit, have been consuming the hour. By the end of this class, everyone in the room is drenched in sweat, the floor is essentially one giant puddle, and the personal mats have been converted to Slip ’N Slides. Phrases like, “I don’t know if I can do this again,” and “Thank God that’s over,” can be heard coming from every one of the 60 mouths on overcrowded Court #10 in the Plex. But they keep coming back, and regulars return week after week to put themselves through this strenuous workout. A large part of this consistency has to do with the skilled instructors, one of which is Julie Wojno, A&S ’13. “Julie’s really enthusiastic and motivating,” says Annie Fitzgerald, one of her students and CSON ’12. “She pushes everyone to do their best, but she also always gives alternative moves in case it’s too difficult.” Wojno is a fitness instructor at the Plex who goes above and beyond just doing her job. After earning her group fitness certificate the summer after her freshman year, Wojno applied for a job at the Plex, and not before long she was teaching X-fit and working as a personal trainer. However, she had even greater ambitions. After attending a class at her gym in her hometown of Akron, Ohio, Wojno contacted the director of fitness at the Plex. She told her about her idea for Chiseled, a group fitness class that focuses on total body conditioning, consisting of high intensity, short duration, ever-changing weight workouts. After the director agreed to give it a shot, Wojno started the class last semester. She modified it slightly from its predecessor, and made it faster-paced. “So far it’s been very successful,” Wojno says. “At first, the class was a little bit smaller, but more and more people started coming back week after week. Now we get about 20 girls every class.” This semester’s class is much more crowded than the last, and Wojno attributes its growing popularity to word of mouth. Kerry Cotter, LSOE ’12, was prompted to start attending Chiseled by her friends. “Some of my friends went and were really enthusiastic about it, so I started going,” she says. “I lived on campus this summer and went almost every week, along with about seven other girls who attended regularly.” Among Cotter’s friends that had originally raved about Chiseled was Sarah Lane, CSOM ’12. “I used to go
to TBC [Total Body Conditioning], but they stopped offering that class, so I was looking for an alternative when I saw Chiseled,” she says. “I went once and kept coming back because Julie incorporates a lot of workouts that we’re supposed to improve on over time, like a continuously running plank challenge that we worked on every week.” Wojno is known for genuinely caring about the fitness of her students, setting up competitions as incentives and monitoring everyone’s improvement throughout the semester. “She really pays attention to how everyone’s doing,” Fitzgerald says. “If she sees someone struggling, she gives an alternative workout that might work better for her, but that still has the same effect. She really gauges how everyone progresses, and it’s just evidence that she gets to know everybody who comes to her class.” Her students have been consistently impressed with Wojno’s ability to target areas that they want to work on. “I remember one time she said that we would work on arms, but not to worry because we wouldn’t get huge,” Lane says. “It’s just nice to know that she’s aware of our concerns and knows the results we want to achieve.” Wojno brings enthusiasm to every class, always smiling and looking like she’s enjoying the incredibly taxing and tiring workouts she does regularly. Having grown up as a dancer and a swimmer, Wojno has always led an active lifestyle. Coming to BC didn’t change that. Even though she didn’t make it over to the Plex that often for group classes as a freshman, she did improvise on Upper Campus. “I remember I used to lead Pilates classes in the basement of Fitzaga,” Wojno laughs. As a sophomore, she made it to X-fit every time it was offered. After only a few short months, she began to teach that class, along with Chiseled. In addition to the two group classes, Wojno also worked on BC’s own version of The Biggest Loser this summer. Five teams composed of four or five contestants each met twice a week to do cardio work and muscle strengthening, and to learn nutritional tips. There were weekly weigh-ins, and, by the end of it, the team that lost the highest combined percentage of body weight won six weeks of free personal training. Also, this semester Wojno is helping train some small group classes, specifically Lifting 101 and Fitness 101, for which there are small participation fees. “As trainers, we often see people in the gym with terrible lifting form who do more harm than good,” she says. “Lifting 101 is an opportunity for them to learn the proper way to build strength. Additionally, in Fitness 101 we will teach people the way to have a well-rounded, beneficial work-
out, instead of just hopping on the elliptical for 30 minutes.” Wojno makes sure to emphasize both health and happiness in her role as instructor. “I really believe in living a healthy, active lifestyle, and I love feeling that I’ve helped people with that,” she says. “One of my best moments as a fitness instructor came last semester when a grad student, who had been attending Chiseled regularly, came up to me and told me that she feels a major improvement in her body. She said she had tone and definition that wasn’t there before, and that she felt great about herself. As
a trainer, that’s really the best thing to hear. It means I’ve done my job.” Wojno has definitely done her job. The large proportion of students who return regularly to both Chiseled and Xfit is a testament to her success. Wojno preaches moderation, but not deprivation in everything concerning nutrition and exercise, and her positive attitude has others feeling the same way. As Lane says, “The continuity of her classes from one session to the next, and her obvious care and enthusiasm for her students and her job give us the incentive to come back week after week.” n
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Campus Chronicles
Singing the blues Zamin Husain It has been a little over a week since the a cappella auditions were all the rage, but the few posters, banners, flyers, handouts, and magical chalk, which apparently doesn’t wash away in the rain, serve as constant reminders of our failures and ambitions (and I suppose to the four people who got in, they act as reminders of their success … but this column isn’t for them). Our failures and lost ambitions are merely scars of the painfully nervewracking and humiliating process that is the a cappella audition experience. It starts out rather simply. One day as you walked through the Quad, it seemed as though an entire dorm decided to dry their sheets on clotheslines out in the middle of campus. Upon further inspection, however, it became clear that the sheets were advertising times to audition for various a cappella organizations. A cappella seems like a quintessentially and uniquely college experience, and you’ve seen The Sing Off too many times to not be a little curious, so after walking through the Quad for the fourth or fifth time, it seems harmless to jot down the information of the audition times for one, or two, or all of the groups. But then the emotional toil begins. The pressure to pick the right song is overwhelming. You consider everything from pop songs to original works that you composed in high school. Naturally, you come to the conclusion that you can’t go wrong with a solid show tune – after all, the banners and posters say that you can sing an excerpt from any song. So that one song consumes you. You hum it, memorize the lyrics, sing it in the shower, and have your roommate threaten that if they hear it once more, they will break a little more than the seemingly trivial roommate contract. You have already put friendships on the line for the opportunity to be a part of an a cappella institution. The range of times seem wide enough, and no one seems to be talking about their auditions, so you assume that you can arrive during the last hour of the audition slot, and hit all the groups up in one sweep. So you muster up the confidence to stop staring at your page of lyrics, and make your way toward Lyons Hall to begin the process. But as life would have it, there is a huge line of singers with Ipods and lyrics, who look much more confident than you feel and who are practicing songs by Frank Sinatra and Alicia Keys. You awkwardly make your way toward the very enthusiastic, optimistic, and encouraging person who seems to be coordinating the audition order, and you timidly stutter, “Is this the line for the audition?” praying that it isn’t. It is. While you wait in line you are to fill out a form about yourself and your song, etc. Of course, in an attempt to alleviate some of your nerves, the group has decided to request that you pick a vegetable you would like to be, what cartoon character one of the group members looks like, and a joke. Instantly, the answers to these questions seem imperative to whether or not you will be admitted into the group. So you spend so much time and effort conjuring up the perfect responses: ones that are comical, clever, and witty, but reflect that you didn’t put too much effort into the answers. Once you hand your sheet back to the audition coordinator, you realize how idiotic and embarrassing your responses were. Why did I have to pick broccoli? Nobody likes broccoli! You walk into the room. There are three or four people that are trying very hard to pretend that this isn’t the 67th audition they have seen that day. They poke fun at the responses you put, which seem insipidly unoriginal at this point. They ask you what song you are singing, and after you tell them, they explain how they would like anything other than show tunes, but they insist it is fine for you to sing anything else that you know. You try not to hide your discomfort. It doesn’t work. You do a variety of vocal exercises testing range and recall, and you make a face every time you mess up as to suggest to the judges that you are surprised by how poorly you are doing today, as if on any other day you would be flawless. They aren’t buying it. As you exit, they rave about how well you did. But you know the truth. You proceed to the next auditions, which have waits that are equally as long, and which have all inconveniently changed locations. Same uncomfortable questions. Same results. You still check the callback list. Your name isn’t on it. And every day that the posters remain in McElroy Commons, the Quad, and on the O’Neill Library staircase, you are reminded of your ineptitude. Or your gratitude that you didn’t end up auditioning. You’d think that the damn chalk would have washed away by now.
Zamin Husain is a staff columnist for The Heights. He can be reached at features@bcheights.com