The Vanguard by The Vanguard

VOLuME LII

ISSuE III

THurSdAY, fEBruArY 17, 2011

WWW.BEnTLEYVAnGuArd.COM

WHITEOUT: Open for business What’s your GPA? Graduate student takes on massive snow piles to turn profit Students and faculty weigh in on the By Sindhu Palaniappan accuracy of Bentley’s grading system C L E AMPuS

IfE

dITOr

Kimberly Waldbillig, a “super” senior here at Bentley, is spearheading the first and only snow removal service for vehicles, aptly named WHITEOuT. Waldbillig grew up in Minnesota where the winters are usually 40 below zero (makes one appreciate the weather we hate so much up here in Boston). So, needless to say, the snow is home to her. “At our house now in Shrewsbury, MA, not only do we boast the starkest driveway in the whole neighborhood, but we’ll clear out the mailboxes, make both sidewalks traversable and even attempt the next-door’s ski jump pitch of a driveway. It’s a family affair,” said Waldbillig. What’s so impressive about this new service, though, and almost not shocking after learning about Waldbillig’s upbringing in the snow, is that she does all the work herself. “WHITEOuT is different than roadway plowers and sidewalk shovelers, and if I could afford to hire someone, I would – it’s hard work,”

Faculty questions the importance that students place on GPAs.

By Pat McGoldrick VAnGuArd STAff

Inspried by a hometown hobby, Waldbillig uses her enthusiasm to help out students.

she said. “I’ve had a few volunteer hands here and there, especially when the cars are piled high by the plows. I’m trying to meet the needs created in the continuum-of-life schedules our campus cre-

Tomer Gat/THE VANGUARD

ates, and ensure that significant assets, our cars, are useable in a timely fashion.” Waldbillig approaches the service the same way any

See WHITEOUT, Page 6

The old axiom states, “You get the grade you earn.” It is a phrase that professors have been notorious for uttering in the first class since the beginning of time. Today, we want to call their bluff. A student’s GPA is viewed as a calculation that indicates your average grade performance in all of your classes combined. When you receive a 4.0, it means that you received a 95 per-

Courtesy of viral3791.blogspot.com

cent or above, a 3.7 means 90-94 percent, a 3.3 means 87-89 percent, and so on. Why is it that when one obtains a grade of an 89 percent, he or she does not receive a grade that reflects their true performance in a class, such as a 3.6? Better yet, why is it that a student who may have guessed correct on three more multiple choice questions on the first exam, awarded a 3.7 over a 3.3 for that class? See GPA, Page 14

GB 112 & 212 combination forges ahead New curriculum gives Bentley students competitive edge By Lacey Nemergut nEWS EdITOr

The renovated curriculum accelerates business fundamentals.

3 FLU

Winter flu season has taken over Bentley’s campus this February.

Tim Avrutik/THE VANGUARD

General Business 112 and 212, requirement courses for the first and second semester of freshman year, are part of a demanding integration of accounting and finance, attempting to immediately emerge students in difficult concepts and allow them to experiment with their majors sooner than later. The General Business revision Task force, a committee of faculty dedicated to modifying and improving the business core curriculum, drafted a revision proposal after conducting extensive

research and interviews on the topic. Professors Karen Osterheld and Elliot Levy, the current coordinators of the General Business curriculum for the freshman class, along with Professor Candy Bianco, are enthused by this innovative course and its cross-study material. “[I] have been out to national conferences to talk to other academics in accounting, and there’s virtually no one doing this the way we are... Our freshmen are going to be ahead of others,” said Osterheld. “[We were] reevaluating the curriculum in the interest of the students.”

8 THE RED QUEEN

A review of Philippa Gregory’s novel

13 IMMIGRATION

Column debates issue of illegal immigrants.

Bentley frequently analyzes its core curriculum and seeks to improve it based on statistical data and student feedback. The department was given a sizable five-year grant from Ernst and Young to fully develop this integrated program. “It’s much better for a student to hear about taking a company public from a person who has,” said Osterheld, describing the benefits of Ernst and Young’s partnership with the program. “I think that this has been a very exciting opportunity See GB, Page 7

14 RANKING NE-10 spring sport rankings make preseason judgements.

Police Log 2 JAS 2 Cartoon 4 Voices 8 & 9 Horoscopes 12 Falcon of The Week 16

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News

fEBruary 17, 2011

Bumper Cars this past thursday at 11:26 a.m., an officer was called to the scene of a potential hit and run situation. according to the party who had sustained damage to his vehicle, he came out earlier that morning to move his car, but was taken aback when he noticed a scratch on his vehicle. a formal report was filed and university Police did their best to put all of their advanced technology to use in order to find a culprit. unfortunately, the department was unable to solve the mysterious hit and run case, and the villain escaped free of punishment. Weekend Starts Early in Cedar On friday morning at 3:15 a.m., officers received a call from a staff member on duty in trees regarding a large amount of noise and ruckus in Cedar Hall. upon arrival, officers found a highly intoxicated male. the incoherent student had vomited multiple times. this student wouldn’t have known if it was the middle of last

tHE Vanguard

Police log

month, and he was unable to answer basic questions about the date and time. He was immediately brought into the station to sleep it off. the student will be charged with an underage alcohol violation and need of protective custody.

Snow Blowin’ It On friday morning at 3:51 a.m., police officers saw large chunks of ice being thrown at Slade Hall. Stepping out to intervene in this dangerous situation, officers were almost struck down by a large snowball and then continued to see more snowballs heading towards unsuspecting cars. Officers found a student smoking a cigarette nearby, but he denied knowing anything about snowballs hitting cars, and he only knew about a few that were innocently aimed at a snow bank. the sharp shooter was sent back to his room and told to stay in for the night. apparently he complied, but will be charged with malicious behavior and being uncooperative with administrative personnel.

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Life in the Blue Zone Last Wednesday, one particular student took parking in handicapped spaces to a whole new level. at 9:00 p.m., police found a car horizontally parked across not just one, but two handicapped spots. guess the game was getting a little too easy for this kid, but he cruised his way into a fat ticket.

a break in, he asked the officers if there was anything he could do to catch these shady criminals. a card tracker was run by the police, but no signs of forced or illegal entry were reported. the officer took photos of the area, but the resident believed that the door had been kicked in since there were footprints on the door.

Elevating Reality On tuesday, february 8, at 6:27 p.m., officers received a call from a female party in peril. the student reported being stuck in an elevator in Jennison. the situation was amended when the elevator began moving again soon after. the full report describes these moments in limbo as feeling more like hours.

This Isn’t Where I Parked My Car While on routine patrol around the campus parking lots, the officer on duty noticed a suspicious vehicle parked toward the back of Lot 16. after running the car’s sticker number, it became clear that the driver was a freshman making a very freshman move. the car was towed and the freshman culprit was charged with a vehicular violation.

Hipster Heist? at 12:20 a.m. on Monday night, a reporting party called in and said that over the weekend, four pairs of sunglasses had been taken from his room and multiple items had been moved from the room. Convinced of

By Chad Arrendell, Raymer Maguire & Katie Cavanaugh Vanguard Staff

Contact GA_Vanguard@Bentley.edu for more information

Judicial action Summary EDIToR IN CHIEf Leslie dias MANAgINg EDIToR gENERAL MANAgER tomer gat John Karakelle CoPy EDIToR NEWS EDIToR SPoRTS EDIToR CAMPUS LIfE EDIToR fEATURES EDIToR BUSINESS EDIToR PHoTogRAPHy EDIToR oNLINE EDIToR EDIToRIAL DIRECToR DIRECToR of PRoDUCTIoN DIRECToR of ADvERTISINg DIRECToR of MARkETINg STUDENT LIfE ADvISoR JoURNALISM ADvISoR

alyson Bisceglia Lacey nemergut robbie LaBrie Sindhu Palaniappan Lindsay Beauregard Phillip St. Pierre Emily Silver Brian fuerst Ian Markowitz Jeff Breault greg Kokino Brandon Schug Maria diLorenzo Judy rakowsky

fOr gEnEraL & COntaCt InfOrMatIOn aBOut The VAnguARd, PLEaSE SEE PagE 4.

02.09.2011-02.15.2011

Total number of cases: Total number of individuals involved (violators): Number of individuals dismissed from responsibility: Number of individuals referred to Judicial Board: Number of educational sanctions given: (includes referrals to Alcohol Education) Cash total of fines given for the week: Number of Work Sanctions assigned: Number of students placed on warning Number of Parental Notifications: Number of individuals put on Residential Probation: (Loss of 15 Housing Credits) Number of individuals put on Disciplinary Probation: (Loss of 30 Housing Credits) Number of individuals put on Suspension (Housing): Number of individuals put on Suspension (University): Number of individuals expelled from University: Provided by the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs

24 38 3 6 14 $1,850 3 22 4 8 1 0 0 0

News

THE VaNGUarD

FEBrUary 17, 2011

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Flu season still in full swing; not too late to get vaccinated By Lacey Nemergut NEWS EDITor

This year’s flu season at Bentley is off to a slow start, with only 11 cases reported to date of H3N2, a new strain of influenza. Despite the significant decrease in flu diagnoses from last year’s shocking 250 cases of Swine Flu, Health Services are still concerned about a possible outbreak during the projected peak season in early February. The Center for Health and Wellness is strongly encouraging both students and faculty to receive vaccinations to prevent the spread of the virus. Geraldine Taylor, director of the Center for Health and Wellness and former member of the H1N1 task force for the state, is tracking this virus closely and observing its current trend. She aims to prevent a phenomenon as widespread as the one seen on campus last year. “[There are] reports out of England that the H1N1 is causing the more severe cases of flu,” said Taylor,

The Center for Health and Wellness is stressing the importance of getting vaccinated in order to avoid the flu.

who frequently monitors the Department of Public Health website. Such a report could potentially be an indicator of what strain of virus the New England area might face. “Last year, the severe

cases were in young people and people who had lung problems, like asthma. I’m concerned [that] if we start seeing that…whether that’s going to affect any of our students who have serious chronic illness,” said Taylor.

Courtesy of nwofighters.org

“It would be ideal if everyone was immunized. If a large number of people [aren’t], then it spreads faster,” Taylor continued. She hopes to see more of a student initiative to get vaccinated this semester. Thus far, 520 out of the

approximately 4,000 undergraduate day students have been vaccinated. Since the state of Massachusetts has not, and according to Taylor most likely will not, make the vaccination mandatory due to legal issues, the Center for Health and Wellness must rely on student encouragement. Taylor hopes to see student run campaigns like the one lead by the University of Minnesota, which coined the slogan “Do it for the herd”. “If a student has the flu and if we’ve seen them…then we can arrange to have somebody bring them meals,” Taylor said. Currently, Bentley uses Tamiflu, which, if taken during the first day of symptoms, can take one or two days away from the virus. But the step prior to this is to get vaccinated. Since it takes two weeks for an immune system to build antibodies against the flu virus after receiving the vaccination, Taylor encourages students to get vaccinated immediately.

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FEBruAry 17, 2011

Viewpoints

THE VAnguArD

Quotes

of the

Week

*The Vanguard’s editorial as well as the editorial cartoon are proposed at each Editorial Board meeting. They are represented as being the opinions of the Board as a whole, although drawn by individuals, and not the Bentley community.

editorial Learning how to become a more cautious texter “Alright, if no one has any questions, I’ll see all of you next week.” That one phrase has generated almost a pavlovian response in Bentley students. As soon as class is dismissed, we all race for our Blackberrys, iPhones and Droids. Heaven forbid we have a text message or an e-mail waiting for over an hour. We have to make sure that it doesn’t wait any longer than possible. We have to make sure we didn’t miss a single text, email or phone call. All of this is likely preparing us for the corporate culture that many of us are destined to head into. A culture where emails require immediate response and phone calls are a rarity. Don’t get us wrong, we’re not saying we don’t do the exact same thing that every one of you do, but all of us should learn to exercise some restraint on how we handle things that require our attention.

Trust us, that e-mail inviting you to a Bentley Ice Hockey game can wait an extra hour or two, and that e-mail from a nigerian prince telling you about an inheritance for you will still be just as much of a scam a few hours later. If something is truly important, they’ll pick up the phone and call you repeatedly until you answer, the old fashioned way, at which point it wouldn’t matter if you were in class or not, you’d answer the call. Which brings us to the second thing that no one can seem to grasp: Texting and (fill in the blank). There is a reason that texting while driving is being outlawed across the country, and that’s because it doesn’t matter how good of a driver you think you are, you’re not good enough to text and drive. Walking and texting has much less serious consequences, but can still be dangerous nonetheless. The video of a girl who

was texting and fell into a fountain at a mall went viral on the Internet, and it’s only a matter of time before someone ends up falling into the Bentley brook while texting. In the interim, though, we’re all required to speed walk around the slow texting walkers, and make sure that we don’t end up walking into each other while we’re entranced by our latest e-mails, BBMs and texts. We all have to remember that we need to focus on where we are and what we’re doing. When you’re walking to class, that’s exactly what you should be doing, and not having your mind drifting away while you text walking into people. none of us likes being run into, and it’s certainly embarrassing to be the one running into others, but pretty soon we’ll all start having a little fun with it, and tripping people who aren’t paying attention.

Publication information The Vanguard is the student newspaper of Bentley University. It does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the University administration; Bentley University is not responsible for statements herein. The Vanguard is published every Thursday of the academic year, excluding examination periods and holiday breaks. It is distributed free to all students, faculty, and staff of Bentley University. The Vanguard is funded in part by the Student Activity Fee, but relies on advertising revenue to cover the majority of its costs. Advertising rates are available upon request at (781) 891-3497. Circulation is 4,000 copies. We reserve the right to refuse an advertisement; only publication of an ad constitutes final acceptance of the offer to advertise. We reserve the right to edit all copy for grammar, spelling, punctuation, style, libel and length. The Vanguard Office is located on the third floor of the Student Center, inside the Bentley Bubble office complex. Mailing address: The Vanguard, Bentley University, 310M1 Student Center, 385 Beaver Street, Waltham, MA 02452. Phone: (781) 891-2912. E-mail: GA_Vanguard@bentley.edu

“People have a view that technology will make us free. No, people will make us free.” -Michael H. Posner, U.S. Assitant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor on the Obama Administration’s plan to roll out a new Internetfreedom policy. "I’m not a vomit-in-theclub type of girl." -Lady Gaga speaking on 60 Minutes about how she tries not to fall into the same trap that so many starlets do. "Egypt is free!” -Protestors, chanting in the streets of Cairo after Egypt’s Vice President Omar Suleiman announced President Hosni Mubarak stepped down. Disclaimer: The opinions published in The Vanguard are submitted by readers of the newspaper, and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of The Vanguard and its staff. We are not able to print any letters submitted anonymously.

News

THE VANguArD

FEBruArY 17, 2011

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Health and Wellness raises awareness about eating disorders By Lacey Nemergut NEWS EDITOr

In honor of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week (February 20-26), Bentley’s Center for Health and Wellness is dedicated to educating people about the significant physiological pain and health problems caused by eating disorders. Currently, the Center for Health and Wellness has released “stall stories,” which they have placed within the bathrooms to encourage students to help their friends and to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Based on surveys and field research, the National Institute of Mental Health estimates that approximately 15 percent of women suffer from an eating disorder, most often in the age range of 15-24. Female college freshmen are particularly vulnerable to leading factors which cause eating disorders. “[There] are unique and complex [causes] for [each] individual,” said Margaret Fitzgerald, the assistant director of the Center for Health and Wellness. “For [most] students, college is an exciting and wonderful time in their lives, but [others] can place an enormous pressure on themselves to succeed. Starting college brings additional stressors of making

The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that approximately 15 percent of women suffer from an eating disorder.

new friends, moving away from home for the first time…that can create a lot of anxiety and uncertainty.” She also said that freshmen are often the most susceptible. “The eating disorder in itself is an attempt to cope with the insecurities,” she said. Fitzgerald stressed that peers concerned about a close friend should recognize the crucial role they may play.

“The disordered thinking involving food and diet takes over the person’s life,” she said. “Friends can be extremely influential on a person’s body image and self worth. A friend talking to them and urging them to get help…can make a huge difference. It’s an excellent example of social spotting.” One of the Center’s stall story flyers features “Keys to an Ideal Body Image,” which

Courtesy of collegecandy.com

presents tips as to how to enhance your self-image, while another offers a list of general tendencies frequently practiced by those struggling with an eating disorder. The staff hopes that these flyers will generate awareness around campus and encourage those struggling to seek help. Fat free talk week, an effort initiated by Tri-Delta, seeks to promote a better body self

image for women. “[It] discourage[s] statements in everyday conversation that reinforce the thin ideals. [It tires] to get rid of those negative self comments. It can also include positive statements,” said Fitzgerald. Such comments include the statements one frequently makes in front of the mirror regarding a feature they would like changed. It is very important to keep in mind that disordered eating encompasses a large spectrum of cases. An eating disorder is defined as an extreme thinking or behavior regarding food or diet. “[You] want to be able to differentiate [dieting] from extreme. It’s a huge spectrum. You’re going to have varied situations, [depending on] how it starts and what kind of triggers there are,” Fitzgerald said. The Center for Health and Wellness encourages students to make an appointment with nutritionist Deanna Busteed to discuss how to practice healthy dieting for personal satisfaction or athletic endeavors. Both the Health Center and the Counseling Center adhere to strict privacy codes and urges students to contact them if they feel they are struggling with disordered eating or are concerned about a friend.

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FEBrUAry 17, 2011

News & Campus Life

THE VANGUArD

Pre-Law Program prepares prospective law students for future careers By Melissa Hector VANGUArD STAFF

An article released by The New York Times website on January 8 highlights drastic numbers of students having a tough time finding worthwhile employment in the field of law. The New York Times wrote, “Since 2008 some 15,000 attorney and legal staff at large firms have vanished, according to a Northwestern law study.” In light of the economic downturn, the Bentley Law Department has initiated a magnitude of programs and services for students interested in law school and law careers. “We are a school that specializes in business, and our students interested in law understand that laws schools do not recommend a particular field of study,” said Department Chair Professor Beverly Earle. “We are a business school in law, not a preparatory program.” The Law Department offers two different approaches for students interested in law: Bentley’s Pre-Law Program, an advising service designed for students who are interest-

Bentley is working to get students jobs in law, despite the recent availability crisis.

ed in pursuing further graduate studies in law or a lawrelated career, and Bentley’s Law Minor Program. The Pre-Law Program was started by Professor Lichtenstein, a Pre-Law advisor, in 1991. The program is finite; students do not have to minor in law to participate in

the program. Courses suggested for the Pre-Law Program are grouped into three categories: General Background (politics, ethics and economics); Law; and Skill Building (writing, speaking, persuasion). In addition to course work, students are strongly encouraged to volunteer in a

WHITEOUT Continued from Page 1 entrepreneur should approach their small business, the thing that they love. “It’s exerting effort for my personal passion and serving the greater good!” she said. WHITEOUT has serviced nine customers in its first week or two of operation, which includes brushing; brush and icing; and brush, ice and shoveling. It’s been “an out of body experience,” said Waldbillig about shoveling during storms. After pitching her idea to the Bentley Entrepreneurship Society, she has been working tirelessly to help her service get its feet on the ground. Her goal is to find a price point and a service package that is ideal to meet the needs of the students on Bentley’s campus. “How much are students willing to pay?” she asks herself, because profit is definitely part of the equation. But at the same time, “helping someone who I share a common bond with just makes sense.” If you haven’t heard of this service yet, it may be because the owner is ecofriendly and conscious of the environment. “I don’t want to waste paper, and as a super senior I’m not sure how long this

Over the past month, students have spent a lot of time clearing their cars from snow.

service will be around,” she said. When asked about the customers that have already been serviced, it turns out that all of them have been Bentley students who didn’t know Waldbillig, but went through her website. She was admittedly surprised, albeit pleasantly, by that. Word of mouth referrals help build brand name here on campus. “Entrepreneurship is synonymous with innovation, and Bentley could use more of that influence. Unlike big business, with entrepreneur-

Tomer Gat/THE VANGUARD

ships, if you do it just for the money and not for the love, then it isn’t worth it,” she said. “Every time I’m out there getting WHITEOUT, I am struck with a sincere sense of pride. I’m first-hand helping a Bentley student, someone I share a common bond with. It’s New England, and snow removal is a current, real and legitimate need our campus community has. Get WHITEOUT,” Waldbillig concluded. Check out the service at getwhiteout.com.

Courtesy of co.genesee.mi.us

law-related Service-Learning program. “We’re simply trying to educate business professionals to understand how to operate within the law,” said Lichtenstein. “Our program advises students to consider law careers very carefully and the significance of making sure

it is a strong interest. Many students do not consider law school until years after graduation.” The law courses are designed to fit into the Liberal Studies programs at Bentley so that students can have the advantage of building a broad background in their concentrations, as well as in law. Professors are all lawyers of different practices with backgrounds from universities such as Harvard Law, Boston University and University of Tulsa. “By having this program, we hold your hand and help you through it. It’s one stop shopping; you can do it on your own, or come to us and we’ll guide you with an accommodation to come back after graduation,” said Lichtenstein. Students have the opportunity to experience law handson by participating in the faculty-led program English Origins of American Law, which has a Study Abroad element in London, England. Outside of the classroom, students interested in law can join the Adamian Law Club, which organizes law-related events, such as guest speakers and visits to the annual Law School Forum.

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FEBRuARY 17, 2011

News & BusiNess

GB Continued from Page 1 for faculty to work with the multiple disciplines. I’ve been at Bentley a long time… [This is a] new layer of excitement and challenge,[a] new level of innovation,” said Levy. The course sequence of GB 112 and GB 212 combines 4.5 credits of accounting with 1.5 credits of finance, formally taken during junior year, and delicately integrates the concepts of the past introduction to business class. “The standards of this course are high and I think it’s…bringing a rigor to students as they enter this school that goes along with who we are. I think it’s giving some ground rules: How to handle course work to do well over the next four years,” said Osterheld. Students, frustrated by the level of involvement required for this integrated course, express different sentiments. “It was unrealistic,” said a freshman girl after having completed GB 112. “If you give people that much reading, chances are they’re not going to do it.” “There were quite a few [readings], and while I respect that this is a college course, a great deal of the readings were

THE VAnGuARd

By Kat Webber

Not Your Usual Business repetitive,” said a freshman male when asked for his thoughts on the texts. “The explanations on how to get to some of the assignments, whether they came from teachers or instructions in the syllabus, were inadequate.” The three coordinators of the program, along with Professor Mary Marcel, won a Bentley Innovation in Teaching award for their instructional narrative Windspark. The narrative follows three entrepreneurs as they start their own business in the wind energy field, detailing specific accounting and finance terms and offering analysis of typical procedures. Windspark was added to the required reading for the curriculum in addition to the textbook, a collection of finance and accounting chapters from various authors. However, though Windspark offered the material in a more realistic and applicable context, some students expressed frustration with it. “The chapters were very repetitive. If they read it over and over again, chances are they’re just going to stop,” said the freshman girl. “I’m really impressed with the

Picture this: You’re standing in an elevator and in steps the CEO of a company you’ve been interested in for years. You’ve gotten up the nerve to introduce yourself and shake their hand, but now what are you going to say? This is when having a personal “elevator pitch” comes in handy. For those of you who do not know what an elevator pitch is, it is a short, simplified version of yourself and your background. The focus points would mainly be your name, where you went to school, what you’re doing now and what significant accomplishments you have that would pertain to the job you want. level of preparation I’m seeing this semester compared to what I’ve seen in prior semesters and prior years,” said Levy. “I’d like to think that part of it [is] that we’ve instilled in students the importance of preparation and commitment to the course.” The GB 112 and 212 courses, though still being modified to accommodate student and faculty suggestions, will continue in the core curriculum, enhancing the finance and accounting programs.

That’s the simple version of it, but what makes an elevator pitch great, memorable and worth following up on? Well, first is length. Clearly, you only have between 25 and 45 seconds on the elevator with which to tell this powerful person about yourself. So keep it short, and keep it simple. Second, don’t bore them with every minute detail. Focus on the key events. He will most likely want to know who you are, why you are speaking with him and what you can do for his company. Remember, this is a shortened version of your resume with perhaps a few side details of importance thrown in. Highlight your successes with a project or internship; perhaps mention software that you can use well and is relevant to the company. Mention a club or organization that you were involved in and how your membership benefited it. Finally, if all goes according to plan, that CEO might ask for your card or resume, so make sure you have your information handy. And of course, be sure to ask for their information. You want to be able to follow up, thank them for their

time and remind them what you can do for their company. However, before you get into a situation like this, practice, practice, practice. Everything counts, including the tone of your voice, your inflection and especially your articulation. So, make sure you have the pitch rehearsed before you need it, but avoid being monotone like you memorized it. You typically have around half of a minute to fit all that information in, so be informative but brief, and be memorable but not overwhelming. A personal elevator pitch is something that can also be applied when attending career fairs and other networking opportunities, or in interviews when you are asked to describe yourself. In those cases, be sure to edit out the information the person may already know. For example, you don’t need to say you attend Bentley if they are already at the university. The most important thing is to remember is to be genuine; show your excitement and your competence. A pitch is a great way to sell yourself, so be prepared and it might just land you your dream job.

Paint By Number Number

1 2 3 4 5

Color

Blue Green Black Grey Red

By Tomer Gat

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FEBRuARY 17, 2011

Voices

Features

THE VANGuARd

By Olivia LeClair

Between the Lines

What song do you sing in the shower?

grace Karon claSS of 2012 econoMicS “When I Get You Alone by Robin Thicke.”

Maggie Schoening claSS of 2012 econoMicS-finance “Get Shaky by Ian Carey Project.”

chriS caSanovaS claSS of 2013 iSac “No Dejemos Que se Apaque by Wisin y Yandel.”

Matthew giannelli claSS of 2014 accountancy “Waiting on the World to Change by John Mayer.”

From the much-famed author Philippa Gregory, who wrote the novels The Other Boleyn Girl and The Boleyn Inheritance comes another period piece - The Red Queen. The book is second in the series “The Cousins’ War,” which tells the stories of Great Britain’s War of the Roses, fought between the families of York and Lancaster. The Red Queen tells the story of a Lancastrian woman, Margaret Beaufort, who was the mother of King Henry VII (he, in turn, was the father of Henry VIII - the one with all of the wives). Married at the age of 13 and a mother at 14, Margaret is exceptionally pious and believes it is her destiny to be the mother of a king. After her husband dies, she is forced to leave her young son in the care of his uncle, since she must marry again. After some years of marriage, she is again widowed and marries again (that’s three marriages by the time she is 30). While her personal life is in shambles, the War of the Roses rages on, with the Yorks attempting to seize the throne. It is her final husband, Lord Thomas Stanley, who helps her plot the Lancaster takeover of what they are convinced is rightfully theirs. Pretending to be York loyalists, they scheme from within the court. Though history gives the answer to the ending of the book and the fate of the characters, the many twists and turns of the plot have the reader wondering if Henry will ever become king. For a lover of history, Gregory’s novels are always a treat. She gives new depth and character to historical occurrences, while still staying close to true events. If The Red Queen sounds like a book you’d be interested in reading, I strongly recommend reading its predecessor, The White Queen, first. It tracks events prior to the start of

The Red Queen is a great read for any history buff.

The Red Queen and also interweaves with the plot from the opposing side, the York family. Gregory is also coming out with the third and final novel in the series, called The Lady of the Rivers, which is expected to be published in September 2011. This novel focuses on the story of Jacquetta of Luxembourg, the mother of Elizabeth Woodville, who is the subject of the first book in the series. No prior reading or knowledge is required to enjoy this book; war and power struggles are universal concepts. However, reading both sides of the conflict has an interesting effect when it comes to “siding” with the Lancasters or the Yorks. Being able to sympathize with each is what makes this series gripping. While I did enjoy the novel, it’s certainly not a light read.

Courtesy of lep.co.uk

I found some parts confusing, probably since most of the characters are named Margaret, John, Elizabeth or Henry! The book was also depressing and frustrating at times, as stories of war usually are. Overall, I give the novel a good recommendation only to those who don’t find history mind-numbingly boring (if you do, I guarantee that you will dislike this book). If you’ve never read Gregory’s works before, I’d recommend testing the waters with The Other Boleyn Girl (the book, not the movie!). As the bookworm I am, I was gripped by The Red Queen from beginning to end. It made the War of the Roses more interesting and engaging than a textbook ever could.

rating: 4.5 out of 5

aaron Sheffield claSS of 2014 econoMicS “Grenade by Bruno Mars.”

By tim avrutik PHOTOGRAPHY STAFF

Author Philippa Gregory’s specialty is historical fiction novels.

Courtesy of lucylovesfullybooked.com

Features

THE VANGuARd

Three great performances at the Boston Symphony Orchestra By nicholas lee VANGuARd STAFF

Need an excuse to get off campus? The Boston Symphony Orchestra is the perfect escape. For those unfamiliar with the BSO, evening performances are held throughout any given week, and usually consist of works from three different composers. Now, in the middle of their winter session, BSO offers musical performances, with compositions by Mahler to Tchaikovsky. The BSO’s evening concert on February 11 was spectacular, featuring the works of Joseph Haydn, unsuk Chin, Antonin dvorak and Jean Sibelius. Haydn’s Symphony No. 59 in A, also known as Fire, served well as a quaint introduction, filling Symphony Hall with strings and occasional brass. A harpsichord accompaniment helped the performance stay true to the tradition of the piece, and constant flourishes by the French horns added a nice touch. Finnish conductor Susanna Mälkki brilliantly led the repetitive maestoso. Following the piece and standard applause, Mälkki said, “This is the first time the Boston Symphony Orchestra has ever played that piece.” Several “Ooh”s could be heard among the grinning audience; the inside joke was much appreciated. The smaller ensemble needed for chamber music was then joined by the remaining members of the BSO for Chin’s Cello Concerto. Mälkki guaranteed the audience that they would love the next piece and introduced Chin - intentionally hidden among the audience who gave an appreciate bow. A chair was reserved to the immediate left of the conductor for solo cellist Alban Gerhadt, who dressed in red, in contrast to the BSO’s stan-

FEBRuARY 17, 2011

PAGE 9

Voices What is your favorite life motto?

Brendan gerrity claSS of 2011 MarKeting “Work hard, play hard.”

Finnish conductor Susanna Mälkki led the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

dard black and white. According to the concert pamphlet, unsuk tailored the piece to Gerhardt’s phenomenal ability and fortitude. Cello Concerto began slow, soft and haunting, with the cellist playing extended notes followed by resounding notes on the harp. After a minute of exchange between soloist and harps, the whole orchestra joined in to create a very aggressive call and response, whereupon the soloist’s playing could almost sound like a manic escape. The whole symphony then intermittently exploded in instances with sharp notes, followed by the soloist’s own attempt to stay ahead. If one had to compare the piece to a literary work, it could very well have been Poe’s The Masque of the Red Death. The piece itself is extreme and offers in and of itself, a tale of tragedy because of its layers of complexities. The dark nature of the piece, at times, seemed to even take its toll on Gerhard, who wore a pained expression throughout the piece. The music also put a great

The Boston Symphony played a range of music, from Haydn to Chin.

Courtesy of 4.bp.blogspot.com

Courtesy of wikimedia.org

amount of pressure on Gerhard’s instrument - broken horsehair was picked from the bow after the first movement of the piece. Percussion and chimes rang out near the end of the piece, perhaps signifying the approach of a final judgment, and audience members were at the edge of their seats. Cello Concerto’s end was comparable to the end of T.S. Elliot’s The Hollow Men, ending “not with a bang, but a whimper.” Gerhardt froze at the end when all was silent, but then ever so slowly he lowered his bow, letting the compounded moment-to-moment silence speak volumes. Mälkki then recognized the BSO, letting the audience show their own love for the music. Sibelius’ Symphony No. 5 was the last piece of the night, allowing much respite for not only for the audience, but also for the BSO. It granted an emotional purge, being very lively and moving. Much of the brass and woodwind players who counted beats during the many rests in Cello Concerto were all too ready to play. The three movements in Symphony No. 5 began with a rush of strings and built into a passionate legato. The piece then patterned itself into soft intermissions, followed by high and low brass triumphantly playing in marcato. These three movements created a beautiful piece and a nice way to end the concert. The conclusion of the symphony was magnificent, with a buildup of synthesizing string and brass, followed by an intentional series of note, then pause, then note. A welldeserved standing ovation finished off the night. BSO student cards cost $25. For more information about BSO student cards and rush tickets, visit bso.org.

chriStopher hayeS claSS of 2011 ciS “Sleep is for the weak.”

MoniKa aderBauer claSS of 2011 econoMicS finance “Education should be free.”

david Slavet claSS of 2012 ManageMent “Whatever comes next.”

roB dextradeur claSS 2013 ciS “No substitute for hard work.”

By cody normyle PHOTOGRAPHY STAFF

PagE 10

FEBRuaRy 17, 2011

Features

THE VanguaRD

I Am Number Four: Superman meets Twilight By Manuel Perz-Banitoa VanguaRD STaFF

The upcoming new actionthriller I Am Number Four hits theaters Friday, February 18. according to gossip, many will feel that the movie will be a major flop. after a press screening last week, I can attest to the fact that, yes, it is quite a disappointment. I Am Number Four is the typical Superman action story with a slight twist. Four people from another planet have superhuman powers and have been sent to Earth to hide from the evil Mogadorians. Three of them have been killed and a John, a teenage boy played by alex Pettyfer, is the fourth on the hit list. John seeks refuge in a small town after the other three super humans have been killed by the Mogadorians, aliens who want to kill them in order to rule the universe. now the typicality of this genre begins: as John is hiding out in a small american town he falls in love, befriends a nerd and fights evil aliens as he tries to live the typical life of an american teenager.

I Am Number Four is another Superman movie, dragged out by slow scenes and a dull plot line.

Call it “Superman meets Twilight” - this actionpacked movie has many of the same elements as these two stories: a very handsome, six-packed alien teenager on Earth with superhuman abilities falls for a pretty human girl, who has alienated herself from everybody in her high school, and they come together to fight the evil Mogadorians. In some respects, this

movie has it all: Hot boys, hot girls, intense fight scenes and crazy special effects. Obviously, the movie is targeted to the teenage population. If only the plot could have been original, then the movie could have had the ability to be a hit. But slow scenes make the movie boring and the plot tedious. So, if you’re looking for action, then you’ll have to wait until the very

Courtesy of citypaper.net

end – consider arriving a little late for the movie. The writers of the movie were not surprisingly alfred gough and Miles Millar. If these names sound familiar, it’s because these writers are also the writers of the television series Smallville. For those who don’t know Smallville, it basically follows the life of Clark Kent, a teenage boy growing up in rural america while

attempting to learn how to use his super powers. This is probably where I Am Number Four got its Superman/Clark Kent aspect of the script. Directed by D.J. Caruso (Eagle Eye, Disturbia, Taking Lives) and produced by Michael Bay (Transformers, Armageddon, Pearl Harbor), most would think this movie is bound to be a box office success. The director and producer give the movie an air of respect, but that respect won’t last long once people come out of the theater and spread the word that it’s not a very good movie. If this movie happens to be a success, there is a chance that a sequel will be coming out in the near future, as the end of I Am Number Four left a smell of a follow-up lingering in the air. If this does happen, the chances that it will be good and bring something better to the table very poor. From my standpoint, it will either be a huge success, or a as I see it, most likely a huge failure.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

Former Idol contestant Sanjaya moving to the big stage By Tomer Gat ManagIng EDITOR

Many former American Idol finalists, such as Clay aiken, Fantasia Barrino and Diana Degarmo, have taken their talents to the big stage. The newest addition to this list is Season Six finalist Sanjaya Malakar in the musical Freckleface Strawberry. Sanjaya was introduced to the world in his American Idol audition with his sister Shyamali. although they both made it to Hollywood, only Sanjaya moved on to the finals, leaving his sister behind. His wild and intriguing hairstyles, as well as his personality, made him an instant fan favorite. Despite all of this public support, he was not a judge’s favorite. Sanjaya did not have the best vocals out of the group, and many critics did not think he belonged in the finals at all. Simon Cowell disliked Sanjaya so much that he claimed he would not return to the next season of American Idol if Sanjaya won. Despite Simon’s discontent, Sanjaya was able to move on to the final eight. great public support carried him all the way to seventh place, but gave way to the eventual winner Jordin Sparks.

But Sanjaya did leave his mark on American Idol. no one can forget his everchanging hairstyles, ranging from long and straight to wild-colored Mohawks. But no moment was more memorable than his performance that brought a young girl to tears. Whether or not his singing was so praiseworthy is a different story. although he was popular during the American Idol season, Sanjaya’s fame did not last long after he was voted off the show. after traveling with the American Idol crew on their annual tour and visiting almost every talk show on TV, he took a brief step back from the spotlight. However, in 2009, he helped write a book, was featured in a commercial and was on the aBC reality TV show I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! He also recorded an EP which was released on the same day as his autobiography Dancing to the Music in My Head: Memoirs of the People’s Idol. He is currently working on a full-length album. Even though his singing career has not yet flourished - and most likely won’t Sanjaya is giving musicals a shot. He will be playing Danny in the off-Broadway musical Freckleface Strawberry. Freckleface

Sanjaya Malakar, who was known for his crazy hair on American Idol, will be performing in the musical Freckleface Strawberry.

Strawberry is a family-oriented musical based on the best-selling book written by actress Julianne Moore. It tells the story of a young girl (played by Remy Zaken), who is consumed with getting rid of her freckles. She is not comfortable in her own skin, but as time goes on, she learns to accept people for who they are, including herself. Sanjaya’s role is the classic jock. He is a basketball player who also happens to be extremely popular. Danny wants to be smarter, but he eventually realizes that he should be happy with who he

is. Sanjaya seems perfect for this role, since he proved to the world that he is happy with himself. He was not afraid to show his personality, mainly doing this through his intriguing hair and dress choices during American Idol. Whether or not Sanjaya’s addition to the musical will go over well is up in the air. The other American Idol finalists on Broadway had much more success with their careers, and frankly also had much more talent. But who knows, this might end up being Sanjaya’s calling.

Courtesy of vh1.blogspot.com

It will be really interesting to see whether or not Sanjaya has taken what he learned from his American Idol experience to heart. The show gives amateur singers such a great opportunity, and even a mediocre singer like Sanjaya can come out a star. Time will tell whether Simon, Paula and Randy were able to take a teenage Sanjaya and give him the tools necessary to become a Broadway star. Freckleface Strawberry opened in October 2010, and Sanjaya will be taking over the role of Danny starting February 23 through May.

Columns

THe VANguARD

Notes from Abroad Question: “Tell us something about your host city or country that only a local would know. How did you come to observe this? What’s one thing you wish you knew upon arrival?”

By Ryan Miamis BRusseLs, BeLgIum

Frites, or “French Fries,” were invented in Belgium, but the French took credit. Belgians are really fond of frites and have a large selection of sauces to dip them in. Real Frites are double fried, and the grease better be coming through the bag. Belgians follow strict rules when it comes to toasting drinks. When you make a cheer, you must always look

By Courtney Gallagher meLBouRNe, AusTRALIA

The Australian subway system can be quite menacing.

Courtesy of subways.net

The Tram system in melbourne is a great way to travel – if you know how. Its quick stop-and-go, on-and-off system is intimidating, especially when you have no idea if you’re even on the right Tram. I was able to catch a ride on it last night with some locals who knew what they were doing. It saves a lot of time and is easier on your feet than walking everywhere. It definitely would have been helpful to use when I was carrying all of my groceries about three miles away from my apartment. Also, I keep trying to pass people on the right and they’re trying to pass me on the left when I’m walking down the streets. It turns out the left-sided driving translates onto the sidewalks. I’ve had more than my fair share of awkward dances in the few days that I’ve been here.

FeBRuARY 17, 2011 the other person in the eye or else you will have seven years of bad sex. In the case of an entire group toasting, you must make eye contact with every individual person. This is something the Belgians take very seriously, as I learned early on. After the first day of orientation at our school, we went to the campus pub for a social event where I made the mistake of not making eye contact with some of the local students. Let’s just say they weren’t too happy, and I haven’t made that mistake since. Jean-Claude Van Damme

It’s that time of year folks. No, I’m not talking about Presidents’ Day or the postValentine’s Day bill period (though both are important holidays, so please don’t be offended that I’m brushing them aside), but a time of confusion, anxiety and curiosity. still need help as to what the hell I’m talking about? Well, look at the big headline for the last Vanguard and you’ll get a big hint… Yes ladies and gentlemen, it’s the beginning of that great annual season of spring Day speculation. In fact, I’d be willing to gamble that at least one of your friends has brought up in the last week who they think it is or what they’ve heard, and I myself love all the guessing, certainty and outright foolishness that surrounds campus right before CAB makes its big announcement. However, I get the feeling that I’m perhaps the only person outside of CAB who gets a thrill from all the speculation. I suppose I just enjoy everyone making wild guesses in hopes of being right, and hearing those wild guesses can be incredibly entertaining. “Did you hear we’re getting Lady gaga?” “How about Blink 182 or the Red Hot Chili

Peppers (didn’t they break up? A ReuNIoN CoNCeRT?!?!)?” “omg omg omg, I HeARD We’Re geTTINg JusTIN BIeBeR!!!! Yes!!!!” Now of course my examples above may be slight exaggerations, but come on, we all know that Bentley students tend to have somewhat unrealistic expectations for who CAB can corral into the barn for a good spring Day concert. While they usually can secure a notable artist that all of us, or most of us, have heard of before, this artist is not someone who you’d be paying $150 to see this summer, or has the number-one single on Billboard’s Charts. Ludacris was a great catch, and Third eye Blind was another, but these artists are not huge draws on their own tours anymore, and so why would you think this year’s artist would be any different? Calm down for a few seconds, and your Bieber fever will most likely pass (I mean, he didn’t even win the grammy! Never say never, esperanza spaulding!!). The other piece that always fascinates me is how everyone gets their panties in a bunch over how long CAB takes to make their headlining

announcement. “Who do they think they are, lording themselves over us?” “Just announce it already.” “I don’t get why they can’t just tell us.” “I have guests I want to bring, so I NeeD To KNoW!” First off, you don’t need to know, you want to know, so again, calm down. spring Day’s concert is fun and whatnot, but if you’re inviting guests, you will probably proceed no matter who the artist is (unless it’s Creed, Hansen or something equally ridiculous), though remember that inviting guests early may not have worked out so well last time. second, for those of you versed in business, contract law or even negotiating, you know that getting everything signed and set can take time… CAB doesn’t want to announce someone who ends up backing out (cough… PITBuLL… cough). Third, and most importantly, CAB has every right to withhold the concert announcement until they want to announce it, period. CAB often gets criticized for having a massive budget and not making the most of it, but think about this: While you’re getting plastered on spring

is the Chuck Norris of Belgium. Belgians have their own set of Van Damme jokes that are similar Chuck Norris jokes. I learned this from a few male field hockey players. It’s a long story. Tequila shots are chased with cinnamon sprinkled on an orange peel instead of a lime. This pertains mainly to the bars with more of a local scene, but it is a true Belgian tradition. Belgium doesn’t need a government to function; it will soon break the record for the longest time operating without a government, which is currently held by Iraq.

Courtesy of farm5.static.flickr.com

Drinking customs are very chique in Belgium.

A Fireside Chat: A (Bieber) Spring Fever

PAge 11

By Jon McColgan

Day between kegs (that better be registered) & eggs in the morning and afternoon beer pong, CAB is putting on a logistically nightmarish event with multiple parts and massive student participation. I don’t envy the job of the CAB president charged with making this day happen seamlessly, along with the various chairs of the event, and I assume that it’s mostly thankless. If you had to work all day on an event to please all of campus, wouldn’t you take pleasure in any moment you

could? CAB is, and should be, proud every year when it announces the spring Day artist, which is the culmination of months of negotiations. spring Day is a celebration of another year completed, and is arguably the day we look forward to all year (especially after getting 70 feet of snow). But getting upset that the people who worked tirelessly on this event are taking their time to enjoy announcing the show is a little outrageous. unless of course you can enjoy everyone’s anxiety like I do.

While some are patiently waiting for Bieber to hit puberty, he’s not coming to Spring Day.

Courtesy of nickutopia.com

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FEBRUARY 17, 2011

Horoscopes

By Franziska & Johanna Griecci

Aries (March 21-April 19)

To answer your dilemma, you should totally eat that last lonesome cookie.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

Yes, you are all that and a bag of chips, but try not to gloat.

Gemini (May 21-June 21)

Cheer up by dressing yourself in the bright colors of a tropical fruit basket.

Cancer (June 22-July 22)

If you smell something fishy, it might be because your body is craving Omega3’s.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

Your power of attraction is like catnip to felines, so be careful!

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Getting a stomach as flat as a pancake cannot actually be achieved by eating pancakes.

Columns April’s Advice Your Questions Answered!

First of all, let’s be sure we are on the same page. So, what is a trans fat? Trans fats are created by turning liquid vegetable oil into a solid through a process known as hydrogenation. I’m sure you have learned in one of your chemistry classes that hydrogen is an atom. Hydrogenation is adding lots of these hydrogen atoms to the liquid vegetable oil. It turns the liquid oil into a solid, kind of like a butter consistency. So, why do companies use trans fats? Trans fats help increase the shelf life of food so that they will stay fresh longer. Think of crackers, peanut butter, cookies, cake, French fries, brownies and pastries, which taste incredible in your mouth, but you know in your mind that they are probably not the healthiest thing to eat. Trans fats are most likely in all of these foods and they contribute to the food having such a wonderful taste. So, now we know that trans fats are synthetically created

Trans fats present many health problems, despite their widespread use.

and taste amazing. This does not sound so bad, right? Well, the problem with trans fats is that they raise your “bad” cholesterol and lower your “good” cholesterol levels, which help unclog arteries. This can lead to an increase risk in heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. When you eat foods with trans fats, think of shoving a piece of gum into a straw. It will get stuck in the straw. This is like trans fats getting

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

Bowel discomfort be damned, get the extra-spicy curry at the Indian restaurant!

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

Your sense of humor today will be like trail mix: Sweet and nutty.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Today love will pop up before you like a freshly toasted Pop-tart.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

Dare to show someone your organic, whole-grain, crunchy granola side.

Courtesy of Jonathan Spencer

Jonathan Spencer ‘07 Major: Corporate Finance and Accounting Minor: IDCC Where has your Bentley degree landed you today? C urrent ly , I work a s a publicist and social media strategist for one of Boston’s

largest public relations firms: Regan Communications. My job takes me all around the city and allows me to work with several different companies, including some of Boston’s largest brand names. What did you needless-

Courtesy of foxnews.com

thereby putting strain on your heart. See the problem here? So, are trans fats bad enough to worry about? Think about what I have said so far and try to come to your own conclusion before I give you my input. I will provide more information in next week’s column, put trans fat in perspective, reveal how other restaurants and entire states are dealing with this issue and provide for you my own advice regarding this situation.

Presented by The Senior Year Experience Committee

ly worry about in your final undergraduate year? In my final year of college, I would always worry about what job I was going to get and if I was making the right career choice. While these are important things to worry about and at the time, appear to be the most important decisions, I have already changed my career three times. I have gone from corporate finance to hospitality to public relations. It’s okay if you don’t have everything figured out, continue to evolve.

Your day will roll along as smoothly as an errant meatball off a plate of spaghetti.

Pisces

stuck in your arteries. Now, think of trying to pass water through the straw. The water may not be able to pass through that easily because the gum is stuck. This is similar to blood trying to flow through your arteries and having a difficult time because of the trans fat that is stuck. Your body needs blood to flow through your body, so your heart will pump harder in order to get the blood to where it needs to go,

Alumni Experience

(Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

(Feb. 19-March 20)

By April Gammal

Question: What is all this hype I hear about trans fats? What foods contain trans fats? Are they really that bad, and should I be staying away from them?

Libra

Your thirst for life will never be sated, but that’s actually a good thing.

THE VANGUARD

What was the most valuable lesson learned during your senior year? The most important lesson I learned was to start as early as possible in your job search. Keep your resumé on topic and customize it for each job you apply to. I have learned that when you identify and highlight specific qualifications that employees are seeking in your resumé, you stand a better chance of getting an interview. What is your favorite senior year memory? My favorite memory was traveling to the Bahamas to the Atlantis resort with my

fellow friends for the senior trip. Too many amazing memories came out of the trip, from late nights in the casino, to beachside dinners with classmates, to riding the water slides and lazy river all day long! How do you stay connected to Bentley today? Today, I am a member of the Bentley YAA (Young Alumni Association), and I stay connected to Bentley through this group’s activities. Any words of wisdom for the Class of 2011? Money is just as important as quality of life. Find your passion in life, what makes you happy, and find out how to make it your day job. The money will follow when you love what you do! Focus on creativity and originality and apply it to everything you do.

The columns found in this newspaper are written by individual authors and do not reflect the opinion of The Vanguard, its Editorial Board members, or Bentley University. Comments resulting from the columns may be directed to the author and/or The Vanguard.

Columns

THE VANGUARD

Internet Celebrities

CopperCab argues that gingers are a race of their own.

Some columns would be a challenge to fill with new material every two weeks, but mine is not one of those. After my first column was written, I was worried at first that it would be a struggle to find videos worthy of gracing Bentley’s top-tier newspaper. After spending about eight

Courtesy of sodahead.com

seconds on the Internet, however, I realized that I could probably write a column about YouTube twice per day, or hour, and have no trouble finding more content. Dancing has really changed over the past few years, with pioneers such as Soulja Boy and Cali Swag

District completely rewriting the rules of what could actually be considered dancing. It seems like you can’t even walk down the street these days without seeing some 10-year-old champion absolutely dominating the latest moves, literally sweating swagger with every movement. The newest entry to this exclusive group of dances is taking the world by storm. It’s called the “Berney dance,” and you definitely aren’t cool if you can’t pull it off. It’s based off of some terrible b-movie from the 80’s called Weekend at Bernie’s, and there is absolutely no preparing yourself for what it entails. If I was forced to put a label on what exactly one does when they “Berney,” I would have to stop writing for The Vanguard. That’s it. There is no explanation, so if you’re curious, search “Berney Dance” on YouTube and come up with your own description. What’s probably worst about the dance is the fact that some people actually look cool doing it. If I

Elephant in the Room

Illegal immigration is a hot debate in the U.S. today.

A conservative and a liberal, who happen to be roommates, weigh in on current affairs. What do you make of illegal immigration? Sean Harrington Illegal immigration is a major problem in the United States. Not only is the blatant violation of our border policies a major effrontery to our national identity, it is also costing Americans valuable employment. Our government has a responsibili-

Courtesy off theowlspost.com

ty to do everything within its power to put an end to this crime. Let me throw some numbers at you right quick: Currently, there are over 14 million Americans who are unemployed. Meanwhile, statistics show that there are close to 7.7 million ILLEGAL immigrants who are currently employed in the U.S., earning money that could be earned by actual Americans. Moreover, greater than 43 percent of all food stamps issued in the U.S. are given to ILLEGAL immigrants.

Basically, if these criminals are not taking our jobs, they are taking our back-up plan instead. Thanks a bunch. If these statistics alone are not enough to convince you that there is a problem, let me give you an example. Let us pretend that your personal household’s immigration policy is the same as the U.S.’s (read: OLLY OLLY INCOMEFREE!). You are sitting down for dinner, and a stranger breaks into the house. He proceeds to sit down at your seat and devour your meatloaf. Now, if your parents were the U.S. government, the strange man would be allowed to eat your meal. Hey, if he’s still hungry, they would give him some dessert, too. What about you, you ask? Well, good luck. You work part time at McDonald’s, so you can fend for yourself. This poor stranger needs your parents’ help more than you do, of course. No dinner for you. That’s not fair, you say? Oh, but how could you say that? You are cruel. This poor man needs our help. It’s not his fault he broke down our front door, invaded our home and ate your meal. He couldn’t help himself. I cannot believe how insensitive you are.

FEBRUARY 17, 2011

PAGE 13

By Dan Binder-Brantley attempt to move like an octopus with cerebral palsy I do not expect to look cool, but maybe my expectations are off. One of the most popular interpretations of the Berney on YouTube is done by a four-year-old, and after watching it I’m completely confident that the kid has a line of ladies waiting outside his room while he plays Pokémon and tells them to keep it down. So the Berney dance is on the rise, but perhaps more importantly, my all-time favorite YouTube champions that you heard about last week are continuing to kill it. BeenerKeeKee managed to land himself a gig with Pauly D. No big deal, the forehead is now fist pumping like a champ alongside the legend himself. With this collaboration racking up two million views in six days, don’t be surprised if next year’s Jersey Shore season in Italy has a special guest that redefines the word “guido” forever. Don’t even try and tell me you wouldn’t watch. My other favorite,

CopperCab, continues his work as an activist for us gingers. He has actually gone so far as to claim that ginger is a race of its own. So no, he’s not white, he’s ginger - call the kid white and expect a lawsuit. The man does not put up with put downs. In support of this claim, CopperCab said, “Just like black people have Africans, Jamaicans and Brazilians” (apparently Copper doesn’t understand that Brazilians are Latino), “you guys are just a bunch of idiots.” I will admit that as a figurehead for the ginger faith, it would be nice to see the guy elaborate on his thoughts a little bit more before pulling the idiot card, but I have no doubt his words are being heard worldwide nonetheless. I’d like to end this week’s column by offering my writing as a service to the readers. If there’s a YouTube video you’d like to see in the next issue, shoot me an email at binderb_dani@bentley.edu. I’d love some suggestions or feedback on the column.

By Sean Harrington & Brian Shea

Bentley: This is absurd. Illegal immigrants waltz into our country every day and take our jobs, and we are expected to “understand.” That is crazy. Get out of here, you criminals. Brian Shea Let’s face it - Americans are awesome. We really are. No other country can possibly match our intelligence, determination, ingenuity or obesity. Well, okay, maybe they can be as smart, determined and creative as we are, but we still have them beat in obesity! What, you may ask, does this have to do with illegal immigration? It’s quite simple: We believe that illegal immigrants simply aren’t like us. They aren’t cool enough to be here. I mean, think about it, we paid our dues to be citizens of this country. We were born here, and Well, we were born here! What? Is our ethnocentric club so exclusive that we can’t admit new members, even people who go to great lengths to join? I am aware that there is a process that people can go through in order to legally obtain citizenship, but it’s not as easy as it sounds. In fact, it can take years for someone to become part of our club, and sometimes

prospective members are never accepted at all. Granted, we shouldn’t just have an open flow of foreigners crossing into our country, but let’s be honest – illegal immigrants are a vital component of our economy. People say that they take our jobs. I’m sorry, I don’t remember the last time I saw an illegal immigrant working as a teller at Bank of America. They don’t take OUR jobs, they take THEIR jobs. I mean, which one of us brilliant, superior Americans wants to work two jobs just to have enough money to be broke? Tightening our borders makes sense. Deporting illegal immigrants for heinous crimes makes sense. However, we shouldn’t just preclude illegals from receiving any societal benefits (which, of course, are awesome). Cutting off the hand that feeds them would be like letting a mime host a talk show – extremely irrational. America reaps the benefits of its illegal immigrants, so why should illegal immigrants not reap the benefits of America? Illegal immigrants work hard for America, and they just want a piece of the pie. After all, we Americans make the best pies.

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FEBrUArY 17, 2011

GPA Continued from Page 1 in a system where a grade point average can be the deciding factor between being considered for an internship or study abroad program, every point counts. This argument may seem immaterial at first glance, but those points start to add up. This past semester, i received a cut and dry 3.7 in two classes, when my actual grades were 93 percent and 94 percent respectively. other colleges and universities have made the transition from awarding the standard a 3.3 or 3.7 to awarding a 3.5 GPA when a student is between the two. Bentley student Kara Bohde agreed. “i think my biggest problem with the grading is a lack of a 3.5. if they simply added a 3.5, i would be really happy. The drop from a 3.7 to a 3.3 is a big jump GPA-wise,” she said. The resounding student opinion seems to indicate a strong desire for change. Sophomore Andrew Cullivan said, “it just doesn’t make sense that a difference of one percent in a class can have that dramatic of an effect on a student’s GPA.” Senior Monil Kothari broke it down further. “Using the current system, the grades we receive are not an accurate representation of how we actually performed. if i get an 89 in a class, i should technically be

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getting a 3.56, using proportions. At Bentley, if i get an 89, i automatically get a 3.3,” he said. Professor Tommasi provides us with the flipside of the argument. “What truly drives me crazy is many students’ obsession with their GPA. Two years out of college, no one cares what your GPA is/was,” he said. “i’m not averse to giving someone a grade average, e.g., an 87 or 88, as opposed to a B+, but i think this is really akin to picking nits.” The professor sentiment seems to be in strong opposition to how the students feel, which could be the root of the entire problem. Professor Cleary admits that professors “just aren’t that precise! More grade options gives a false impression that a student who gets a 3.6 is somehow better than one who gets 3.5. The current system does reflect a student’s grade. The differences between 3.3 and 3.7 are already very small,” Said Cleary. He believes that students are too concerned with their GPAs and not concerned enough about course material or actually learning. He asserts that employers look at far more than just GPA. in short, Bentley should consider implementing a system that evaluates a student’s true performance, or the age-old phrase should be changed to: “You almost get the grade you earn.” Your move, Bentley.

THE VANGUArD

NE-10 releases preseason rankings By Robbie LaBrie SPorTS EDiTor

A few different Northeast10 polls have been released recently as the Falcons and their conference opponents begin preparations for the 2011 spring seasons. While basketball, hockey, swimming and track may be in full swing, there are plenty of athletes at Bentley looking forward to beginning their season once the snow melts. Last week, Northeast-10 preseason coaches’ polls were released for baseball, softball and men’s and women’s lacrosse.

Men’s lacrosse was selected as the fourth seed in the NE-10.

in the baseball poll, the Falcons were picked to finish in a tie for seventh with Southern New Hampshire out of the 14 teams in the conference. Last season, the Falcons went 21-25 overall with a 1313 conference record on the diamond. Bentley will be looking to improve on that record, however, with six hitters returning to their lineup, as well as a pair of starters and four relievers. Seniors Chris Hardy and ross Curley will look to anchor the Bentley lineup, while returning starters Dan Murphy and John Yohe both

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posted ErAs under 4.00 and will be looking to do more of the same this year. it is Coach Bob DeFelice’s 43rd season, and he will be looking to finish well into the top half of the conference. in softball, the Falcons were ranked number 13 out of 16, but they will be looking to prove people wrong come spring. The softball team is extremely young and features no seniors at all. it will take some solid veteran leadership from the juniors and solid play from the underclassmen for Coach Michele DeGregorio to guide her team through the tough NE-10 competition. The men’s lacrosse team was burdened with the highest expectations of all four, selected to finish fourth in the NE-10. They were also picked 10th in the 2011 USiLA Preseason Division ii Coaches Poll. Junior attack Brendan Grant scored 37 points for Bentley last season and will be the Falcons’ top-returning scorer. on the women’s side, Bentley was ranked 6 out of 13 teams in NE-10 women’s lacrosse. This is another young team with three junior captains and sophomore Cori Geiger as their returning leading scorer. it should be an exciting season for all four teams and it will be interesting to see if they are able to smash expectations and better their preseason rankings.

Lady Falcons continue to take care of business By Robbie LaBrie SPorTS EDiTor

Bentley hosted Southern New Hampshire last Saturday and proved why they are the top team in the Northeast-10, with a decisive 73-56 victory over the Penmen. Despite flirting with foul

trouble for much of the game, freshmen forwards Lauren Battista and Jacqui Brugliera took care of business for the Lady Falcons, both offensively and defensively. Battista scored 16 points to go along with 6 rebounds and 5 assists, while spending most of her time on

F Shatasia Kearse had 7 rebounds and scored 10 points against SNHU.

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defense holding down Southern New Hampshire star Julia Houghtaling. Brugliera scored 10 points for Bentley, despite sitting out a significant part of the second half with 4 fouls. She also added 6 rebounds and 6 steals. Kim Brennan became the first player in Bentley history to reach 4,000 career minutes, while she tied a team high in scoring on the day with 16 points. She also went 10-10 from the free throw line. The Penmen just couldn’t stop the Falcons from going on big runs in this game, and that would prove to be their downfall. Bentley opened up with a 14-6 lead. Southern New Hampshire battled back to get the game within 2, but the Falcons ripped off a 10-2 run and would never really look back. Shatasia Kearse also had a nice game off the bench for Bentley. She led the team in rebounds with 7, while scoring 10 points in 28 minutes of action for the Lady Falcons. Junior guard Katherine Goodwin was the only other

G Kim Brennan became the first Bentley player to reach 4,000 minutes.

Bentley player to reach double digits in scoring, as she recorded 12 points along with 4 assists and a pair of steals. The win puts the Falcons at 17-2 in conference play and 20-3 overall. They are two games ahead of Franklin Pierce and Assumption for first in the NE-10, and if

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they continue their strong play, they will be in the driver’s seat to host the Northeast-10 tournament. Bentley will play their last home game of the season on Wednesday against UMassLowell, and then finish the season with road games against Franklin Pierce and Stonehill.

SportS

tHE VANGUArd

Hockey sets sights on Atlantic tourney Falcons will look for important wins during home games this weekend SportS Editor

The Falcons have proven that they have the talent to win key games.

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