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volume xciv, no. 3 • september 25, 2014 | clarkscarlet.com |
Clark construction update Summer projects end, longterm goals remain By Jenna Lewis news editor
Sometimes, it feels like Clark has two seasons: winter and construction. During this year’s construction season, the university took advantage of the empty campus to conduct a number of small- and large-scale projects. Perhaps the most noticeable construction project that occurred over the summer was the rubble-clearing of the site of the former Iglesia de Dios space next to University Park. The church was demolished last spring, due to the City of Worcester’s Public Works Department’s conclusion that “major structural deficiencies” threatened the building’s stability. For the time being, the space has been converted into a vacant green. In July, Jack Foley, Vice President for Government and Community Affairs at Clark, received approval from the Planning Board to turn the space, as well as some of the adjacent parking lot, into an Alumni and Student Engagement Cen-
ter. The proposed building, which will house the LEEP Center after its completion, will include expanded parking, a plaza, and green space. “This is really an important move for Clark, coming across Main Street,” said Foley in an interview with the Telegram And Gazette this summer. The move is part of a “larger strategic plan” that the university has been working on for several years. Although the $19 million project does not yet have a start date, sketches for the proposed space can be viewed in the UC. Along with the conversion of the former church space, the university put $1.5 million into University Park improvements. These improvements include a refurbishment of the volleyball and basketball courts, improved lighting, new sidewalks, and the cleaning of Crystal Pond. Foley’s intentions with the University Park projects have been to get students to view the park “as a destination.” This effort has been continued on page 4
the.clark.scarlet
One with the crowd The People’s Climate March, from New York By Madhubanti Anashua managing editor
On a cloudy Sunday morning, the New York subways were packed with a motley collection of people. From people carrying banners in Spanish to new-age hippies in flower power outfits, everyone was heading midtown to the streets around Columbus Circle. There was a palpable sense of unity in the air, as strangers helped each other with directions, accommodated oversized posters in the crowd, and shared secret smiles of acknowledgement, for everyone was united in the same cause. The biggest climate march in the world was happening in the heart of Manhattan on September 21, and the whole city was abuzz. Universities from all over the East Coast and from as far as Berkeley travelled overnight to arrive at the People’s Climate March. A Clark bus carried around fifty Clarkies to the march, though demand far exceeded supply, and for that week the campus was divided into two groups – those who went to the march, and those who hated
photo by gretta cox-gorton
Clarkies Alexis Charney and Kevin Dunn at the march.
the people who could go to the march. At Columbus Circle, the first contingent was forming in the early hours of the morning. First in the rally were the indigenous groups, those whose lives are directly affected by climate change, joined by actor Leonardo DiCaprio, former Vice President Al Gore, and UN Chief Ban Ki-moon. They were followed by different environmental justice groups, associa-
tions, watchdogs, anti-war, and anticapitalism brigades, and the student contingents. From a distance, the whole of 6th Avenue looked like a mass of dark heads, with colorful banners bobbing intermittently. Every environmental issue under the sun was being repcontinued on page 4
The Scarlet
2 | news
The Scarlet
september 25, 2014
UPCOMING EVENTS
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF CLARK UNIVERSITY CONTACT scarlet@clarku.edu | clarkscarlet.com
EDITORS Editor-in-Chief: Jeremy Levine Executive Editor: Sarah Cramer Layout Editor: Rose Gallogly Web Editor: Pooja Patel News Editor: Jenna Lewis Opinions Editor: Keitaro Okura Living Arts Editor: Matt Emmer Sports Editor: Ethan Giles Photo Editor: Celine Manneville Managing Editor: Madhubanti Anashua
SCARLET STAFF Senegal Carty Savannah Cohen Ronald Gerber Scott Levine Jonah Naghi Hannah Rosenblum Tyler Terriault
PHOTO STAFF Jonathan Edelman
[ Thursday, September 25 ] Women’s Tennis vs Worcester State - 5:00 p.m. Dinner & Dialogue about Disability - 6:00 p.m. in Grace Conference Room. Women’s Volleyball vs Mount Holyoke College - 7:00 p.m. Money for Nothing: Inside The Federal Reserve (Film Screening) - 7:00 p.m. in Sackler 120. Pancake Night by Christian Clarkie Fellowship - 9:00 p.m. in the Grind [ Friday, September 26 ] Women’s Soccer vs Coast Guard Academy - 6:00 p.m. Clark 20 | 21 New Chamber Music & CD Release Party - 7:30 p.m. in Razzo Hall [ Saturday, September 27 ] Women’s Volleyball vs Babson College - 11:00 a.m. Field Hockey vs Regis College - 12:00 p.m. Men’s Soccer vs Coast Guards Academy - 1:00 p.m. Women’s Volleyball vs Amherst College - 3:00 p.m. Clark’s Got Talent - 8:00 p.m. in Atwood Hall [ Monday, September 29 ] Conversation Café: Death Penalty - 6:00 p.m. in Persky Conference Room [ Tuesday, September 30 ] Women’s Tennis vs MIT - 4:00 p.m. Women’s Soccer vs Elms College - 6:00 p.m. President’s Lecture: Junot Díaz - 7:00 p.m. in Atwood Hall [ Wednesday, October 1 ] Men’s Soccer vs University of New England - 5:00 p.m.
WANT TO BE PART OF
The Scarlet?
Goddard Library Used Book Sale September 25–26, 2014
The Scarlet is looking for writers, copy-editors, photographers, graphic designers, and web designers. No previous experience necessary!
EMAIL SCARLET@CLARKU.EDU
Get books at bargain prices at the Annual Used Book Sale, which will be held on the Ground Floor of the Goddard Library. It will take place on Thursday, September 25 and Friday, September 26 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The sale will include all categories of books that were donated to the Friends of the Goddard Library and the sale will benefit them. Approximately 10,000 books will be offered for $1 or less. Friday all used books will be half price!
The Scarlet
september 25, 2014
news | 3
The Scarlet/News Consortium shuttle shut down Worcester consortium tries alternative transportation options By Senegal Carty
A profile of Ping Ping Zhou Getting to know the Bistro’s sushi artist By Andrew Michaels
scarlet staff
contributing writer
On May, 9, 2014, the shuttle that formerly served the twelve colleges of the Worcester consortium was discontinued. “It wasn’t being utilized,” Foley, Clark’s Vice President for Government and Community Affairs, explained. “The cost of operating the shuttle versus the number of people who were using it was really out of balance.” Although meant to be a convenient mode of transportation for students registered for classes at other Worcester colleges, the shuttle’s schedule and roundabout route, which took it to each stop on an hourly basis and made for inconveniently long rides and waits, made taking it much too time-consuming for most cross-registered students. The shuttle was also frequently late - another problem that made the service difficult to take advantage of. As a result, it was used so little that running it was not cost effective. However, consortium students without cars of their own still need a way to travel between schools. Each college has come up with its own way of addressing this problem. As an alternative for students who are registered for classes at other schools, Clark has provided Red Cabs
courtesy of thepulsemag.com
to other consortium schools free of charge. Cross-registered students who would like to do this simply need to notify Mr. Foley. “What I’ve heard from some students is that this is more efficient,” Foley said. Foley also recommended that students take advantage of the WRTA bus system. Routes 19, 27, 12 and 33 all serve Clark, making it easy to reach the Union Station Hub to get onto other bus routes and even trains. The end of the shuttle service is only one of many changes that have recently been made within the network of Worcester colleges. In July of last year, the Colleges of Worcester Consortium split into two organizations. One is Massachusetts Education and Career Opportunities, Inc. (MassEdCo), whose primary focus is on making a quality college education more accessible for high school
students. The other, of which Clark is a member, continued to be known as the Colleges of Worcester Consortium until August 2013, when the name was officially changed to the Higher Education Consortium of Central Massachusetts, or HECCMA. Their vision, according to their website, is “to position Worcester and the region as a premier destination for undergraduate and graduate students as well as college and university staff.” According to Foley, strengthening the connection between the consortium schools is an important part of HECCMA’s vision. So far, replacing the shuttle with access to faster and more reliable Red Cabs seems to have helped Clark move towards a closer relationship with other HECCMA members.
For the past three years, Ping Ping Zhou has been making fresh sushi for the students of Clark University. Before the arrival of Zhou, 30, sushi was delivered to Clark on a daily basis. Zhou was the first to make fresh sushi at Clark daily. Her sushi is a franchisee of AFC, a company which Zhou describes as “the pioneer” of making sushi assembled on-site. Zhou’s makes sushi from ingredients delivered by AFC everyday and prepared by Zhou in the bistro. Zhou comes to the Bistro every morning at 7 AM to wash and cook the rice. She then throws out leftover packages from the previous day before cutting the avocado and precutting the fish. Apart from working at the Bistro, Zhou raises her kids, aged three and six. “I’m busy with my job,” she says, “and I’m busy with my kids too.” Raising her children, however, comes with a need for profit which is jeopardized by student theft of sushi. Zhou estimates that Clark students steal over $50 worth of sushi per day. She has stated that the theft problem has been magnified by one student having stolen two sushi containers in
photo by celene manneville
a day. Despite the cost of this theft, Zhou tries to avoid acting as a disciplinarian for theives. “I really feel bad for them to get in trouble because they steal my sushi. I just want them not to do it next time.” Though the problem has improved with the Bistro cracking down on theft, it is still a major issue. When a roll is stolen, Zhou says that she will then “make nothing from it and I have to lose money from making sushi for the kids.” The problem is worse after the middle of each semester, when students are lower on dining dollars. Zhou’s future plans for her sushi business include the possibility of sushi swaps. She claims that these swaps mean “now I will have more business. That will help me a lot too.” Zhou hopes to continue her sushi business at Clark. “I hope the kids here will like my sushi forever.” she says.
The Scarlet
4 | news
september 25, 2014
People’s Climate March cont. continued from page 1
resented by someone. People were angry, they were concerned, and they made it known; but instead of civil disobedience, the anger was expressed with a creative outpouring. Behind the police barricades and donot-cross signs, people were cheerily marching on, children held hand painted “Plant Trees” posters, middle-aged men wore polar bear hats, and old women carried anti-fracking posters (“Frack me? Frack you!”). In places, the sound of trombones and guitars drowned out the chatter. There were dance groups with drums and saxophones driving the crowd wild. A choir of three strummed Native American songs about nature while riding on a bicycle cab. In the distance, paper birds floated over the crowd, behind the backdrop of foggy Manhattan skyscrapers. The crowd snaked through the city streets, passing by the towering behemoths of capitalism, some-
times raising hands in solidarity, sometimes letting out a battle cry that carried out from one end of the avenue to the other. Being flanked by towering brick structures should have made the protesters feel alienated, but somehow, the Manhattan setting felt perfect. It imbued the protestors with a sense of the odds we were marching against, armed with the knowledge that behind the scene, meetings were being held, that the higher-ups were being forced to listen. Ahead of the UN summit on climate change, which some countries were still dallying about attending, and where the topic of oceans was being sidelined, the march felt like a very public push. The march was deliberately inclusive; ideologies clashed, but tolerance prevailed. Outside of New York, in Paris, London, or New Delhi, people were taking to the streets, ready to put their differences away for the common cause. It was this air of unity that made the march a success. There were more people in the world who cared.
Construction cont. continued from page 1
demonstrated recently through the increasing number of events taking place at University Park, such as free weekly yoga sessions. The Community Thrift Store also moved locations to 930 Main Street over the summer. Last year, the Thrift Store was housed in the Clark-leased space next to Iglesia de Dios. After it was demolished last spring, the Thrift Store had periodic pop-ups at various spots across campus. Its new permanent location opened on September 5. Other major projects taken on by Clark over the summer include the transformation of the Alden Quad, a project that is set to reach completion by the upcoming Family Weekend. The project undertook the process of upgrading the university’s rusting underground pipes, some of which had been in place for over fifty years. The
new pipes will recapture much of the steam lost from the old pipes, which will bring the university significantly closer to its Climate Action Plan goals. Water heaters in Maywood were also replaced with newer and more energy-efficient models. While the project did remove several trees in order to complete the renovation, landscaping taking place this week has added several native trees and flora.The space also includes new seating areas to make the area more usable for students. Minor projects took place inside buildings, including the AC, UC, and Jefferson. New hand air-dryers were installed in several bathrooms in the AC and UC, resulting in the removal of many paper towel dispensers and reducing paper waste. More “hydration stations” were added in Jefferson and the AC. Both of these projects are linked to the university’s continuing commitment to sustainability.
CUSC in brief By Kate Summers contributing writer
Clark Hillel President Jonathan Edelman spoke during the public comments and asked Council to add a bus to Boston on Sunday instead of Saturday. The Student Council has a free bus to Boston for undergraduate students every first and third Saturday of each month. Several students have talked to Edelman requesting a Sunday option, because they are unable to travel Saturdays, for religious reasons. Vice President Sami Noor said that he has been and will continue to look into options for funding to either or alternate the bus schedule between Saturday and Sunday. Will Heikes and Marisa Natale came to speak about Council’s decision to dissolve Speakers Forum. Speakers Forum was a student organization that brought different guest speakers to campus, but became inactive over the past several years. Last year, the two people running the group did not follow the rule of the Grants Committee, so the funding was taken away. Originally, Council thought that would mean dissolving the organization and not constitutionally funding it anymore. If this would happen it means it would have to go up for referendum for the entire student body to vote on. The Executive Board met the following day (Wednesday) to discuss the matter, and the Judiciary Committee will decide in the coming days whether or not the issue should be put on the ballot. They may choose to rework the entire campus programming bylaw so as to not target one group. Heikes and Natale spoke on how the acts of just two people should not take away the opportunity for Clark students to see high profile speakers. The two said, that along with Julianna Murphy, they would want to restart the club and create a very active Speaker’s Forum on campus. The grants committee allocated $535 to Student Leadership & Programming (SLP) for new speakers. Clark Entrepreneurship Club was allocated $70 for their Whine and Cheese event that will take place Oct. 1. The Millennium Leadership Conference was given $1000 for their event that will take place the first week of November. The original request was $750 to pay for the cash prizes that will be given at the event. After looking over the non-profit regulations the Judiciary Committee announced that they were not legally allowed to fund cash prizes. Instead Council decided it would be most beneficial to allocate $1000 to help fund food, registration, and speakers. The committee for Student Life announced that there will be a bus to, but not from, Boston for Fall Break. They also announced that there will be a bus to and from Boston and New York for Thanksgiving break. They considered adding a bus to Providence, Rhode Island and Portland, Maine, but they did not receive enough interest from the surveys the committee sent out. They are considering charging students for the trips to New York and Boston. President Klug reported that there would be a university wide climate survey coming out in the coming weeks and pushed the importance of spreading the word, so that all students would take the survey. Crystal Haynes, of the elections committee moved to appoint Adam Katzman (‘18) and Miga Lee (‘15) to Grants Committee. She said that both had experience dealing with budgets and both were excited about joining Council. The motion was approved. In the report from the communications committee, McKenna Hunter (‘17) voiced concerns that L*IN*K has not updated the budget information for the clubs. Treasurer Lauren Meininger (‘17) reported that those in charge of L*IN*K are working hard to fix the problem and update each clubs’ budget. At the end of the meeting, Haynes spoke about how she was happy to see all the people in the audience fighting for what they believe in. The meeting ended with snaps for advocacy. GRANTS: $535 to SLP for new speakers. $70 to Clark Entrepreneurship Club for a Whine and Cheese event $1,000 to Millennium Leadership Conference for food, registration, and speakers.
CUSC’s Fall Elections are taking place Monday, September 29 and Tuesday, September 30. Vote online by logging in to L*IN*K.
september 25, 2014
The Scarlet
news | 5
CLARKIE of the WEEK manage that as well, and I used to be on EMS for a year, and I was Spree Day Co-Chair twice.
photo by jonathan edelman
Sami Noor Sami Noor is a senior from New York City majoring in International Development and Social Change and specializing in Global Health. He is working on a research project called “Reducing the Demand for Prostitution in Worcester” with Professor Sarkis and is on a task force commissioned by the Department of Public Health. This summer he was an intern with the Global Health Corps and he hopes to share his passion for global health with other Clarkies by holding an on-campus conference in the near future. Scarlet: What are you involved in on campus? Sami: Alright, so on campus, I am involved with the student government, which is the Clark Undergraduate Student Council. I am on the Executive Board; I was voted in last spring as the Vice President. So that’s one of the main things I do right now on campus. I manage the Campus Programming Board (CPB), and work with the SSF [Student Sustainability Fund]. Technically, since I’m an E-Board member now I had to let go of all my positions of all other clubs, but for the Muslim Cultural Society I was president and I helped
Scarlet: What does being Vice President of Student Council entail? Sami: As Vice President of Student Council, you deal with more of the student life aspect, [so] I manage the Student Life Committee (previously [called] the Organizational Committee), which oversees transportation. Hopefully they’ll be making more events. I also work directly with the CPB, which includes the SAB [Student Activities Board], PEC [Pub Entertainment Committee], and Speaker’s Forum. And lately I am [working on] adding a bylaw (hopefully for next year), and it’s going to bring a lot of change with budgeting and how to deal with an activity. I am also trying to start this new initiative with campus spirit and increasing campus spirit this year, so I’m working with Athletics, the CPB, and the administration to increase campus spirit. Also, I’m working with Jack Foley to improve transportation outcomes at Clark. Scarlet: What are you doing regarding transportation? Sami: With the consortium shuttle, the contract has been disbanded lately and now we are looking at the demand, basically, of where students want to go. I’m trying to provide a need assessment of what we should be doing for this year and how we should go about it. So I’m probably going to be providing a proposal, but then I’ll be doing data collection later in the year to help provide more of a stable foundation for my recommendations and then hopefully I’ll use
by Hannah Rosenblum
that data to improve the recommendations… I’m a huge transportation buff. I’m a New York City person—I love my subways and having access to buses and whatnot—so when I first came to Clark, there wasn’t great access. There [were] buses to the malls and whatnot, but there wasn’t… stable, consistent transportation, so my goal is to make sure there is stable, consistent transportation to help the needs of the undergraduate population. That’s transportation, and then I’ve worked with SARC [Student Alumni Relations Committee] and Alumni Affairs. I’ve worked at Reunion the past three years and it was a fantastic experience. I would recommend any Clarkie who is really interested in networking and learning how event management goes to volunteer for Reunion. It helps you build yourself because you can work with a team that you’ve never met sometimes, and then it’s a weeklong preparation and you learn, I guess, the bottomup approach to how event planning works, which is really cool. And I’m trying to work with Heather MacFarlane to do some sort of TedX conference with Alumni Affairs, doing AIR, which is Alumni in Residence. That was started a few years ago, I believe, and I’m going to be working with her on that because having alumni speak to us is a really key, crucial part of getting the whole Clark experience because it allows us to see where Clarkies have gone and what skills they have developed and what skills they can give back to students. Scarlet: Do you have a favorite spot on campus? Sami: My favorite spot is really the
AC. It has become my home for the past three years, sadly. There have been nights where I have not left this place, and there have been, you know…it’s one of those things that’s pivotal for my history at Clark because it’s where I’ve interacted with most of my friends and it’s, you know, something I won’t forget because [I’ve] made so many memories here, and so many all-nighters and whatnot. Scarlet: Do you have anything else you’d like to add? Sami: I am concentrating in Global Health and I interned for the Global Health Corps this summer. I really want to bring global health innovation into Clark so… next semester I’m trying to plan a conference here at Clark University to bring global health leaders and [innovators] and entrepreneurs from Clark and from other schools in Massachusetts to discuss the future of global health and policy. And that’s one of my big goals that I have for next semester, and it’s one of the things I’m passionate about and really want to do. And I’d be looking for help in the near future, [so] if anyone is really interested in global health, it would be really cool to connect with them. Thanks for the interview, Sami!
Email scarlet@clarku.edu if you have a suggestion for Clarkie of the Week!
The Scarlet
6 | opinions
september 25, 2014
The Scarlet/Opinions The opinions enumerated in this section represent those of the author and the author alone. They do not reflect the opinions of the editorial board, The Scarlet, or Clark University.
How to stop ISIS America must unite the Kurds and recreate the Sons of Iraq By Jonah Naghi scarlet staff
One June 10, 2014 the world witnessed the former Al-Qaeda-affiliated organization rampage northwest of Iraq, extending its so-called Caliphate from Eastern Syria. Since then, The Islamic State, formerly known as ISIS or ISIL, has continued to try to expand its Caliphate through the borders of Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon. The question becomes, how should the U.S. respond? How is America going to stop the one group in the world that makes Ayman Al-Zawahiri (Osama Bin Laden’s successor) and Al-Qaeda look like a moderate? American airstrikes are not going to be enough; therefore, the U.S. should support the relatively moderate and rational groups on the ground and have the new Iraqi government reorganize the Sons of Iraq. First it’s important to understand the context of the situation. ISIS primarily controls northern Iraq and eastern Syria. As of late, ISIS has been contained in northern Iraq thanks to the Iraqi Kurds and their military force, the Peshmerga. After witnessing the Kurds’ brave standoff against ISIS once Iraqi forces fled Mosul in June, the United States and other western powers, have wisely supported the Iraqi Kurds, helping them win back the key
Mosul Dam from ISIS. But Syria is not as simple. What are America’s options there? The U.S. cannot support the Asad regime because it called for him to step down. There is the FSA (the Syrian rebels’ army), but they are filled with internal quarrels, so it is difficult to know who to trust. In fact, part of the reason why ISIS is so dangerous is because they’ve been able to recover American arms that were designed for Syrian rebel groups. Ahar al-Sham was a Syrian rebel faction that the Obama administration was actually hoping would compete with ISIS, but just a couple of weeks ago the Islamic State conducted a successful bombing that wiped out nearly all of al-Sham’s leaders, so they’re no longer an option. Therefore, we can’t support the Asad regime and no one in the FSA seems trustworthy enough. So who does this leave us with? The answer lies in the Iraqi Kurds’ counterparts in Syria, the Democratic Union Party (PYD), the main Syrian Kurdish political party, and their militia, the People’s Protective Units (YPG). The Syrian Kurds are a wise choice because they are not currently caught between the FSA, ISIS, and Al-Qaeda. A huge concern the United States had in supporting Ahrar alSham was that they were allies with Jabhat al-Nusra, a Syrian rebel group that is affiliated with Al-Qaeda.
America has put itself in an awkward position: They can’t risk supporting those affiliated with ISIS, but many of the rebel groups against ISIS are close with al-Nusra. The Syrian Kurds, however, behind the YPG, have been fighting both and seem to be holding their own for now. Nevertheless, the United States should not just support the PYD and YPG, but also help them work together with the Iraqi Kurds and their Kurdish Regional Government (KRG). The KRG and the PYD are currently divided on a number of issues, which is why they are not collaborating with each other against ISIS. But if ISIS is going to be stopped they must work together, considering their geopolitical importance. The KRG has ISIS in check in Northern Iraq and, with the proper assistance, the Syrian Kurds can do the same and have ISIS in checkmate. However, merely fighting ISIS still won’t be enough; we have to look at the core of the issue: How was ISIS able to gain support of the Northern Iraqi Sunnis so easily? After the U.S. withdrew from Iraq in 2011 and gave former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki full authority, one of his most controversial decisions was the disbandment of the Sons of Iraq. The Sons of Iraq was continued on page 8
By Jeremy Levine editor-in-chief
There are always things to do. Everywhere I go, I hear students bemoaning their hectic schedules. “I never have time.” “I can’t just relax.” “I’m just too busy.” I get it. I do lots of things too. Sometimes I forget where my house is because of how rarely I go there. But there’s a difference between being busy and not having any fun. If there is a thing in your life that is taking up time that you would rather be spending sleeping, being with your friends, or exercising your passion for interior design, then get rid of it. There are not enough hours in the day or even enough years in your college career. I’m a bit of a George Costanza. I’ve quit a lot of stuff. But I only quit things when they stop making me happy, or when my overall happiness is suffering as a result of them. There is an important distinction there: It is possible to do a bunch of stuff that makes you happy, but doing so much of it can actually make you miserable. This also means that it’s time for a change. It’s important to try new stuff, get out there, and do things, yes, but you should never do so at the expense of your sanity. So don’t be afraid to quit stuff. (Now if you’re just joining the newspaper and you’re reading this, I take back everything I just said. Stick around.) Don’t worry if you feel pressure from people to stay in their clubs or even to stay friends with people you don’t like that much. This is a time to experiment and change. If you graduate with the same clubs and the same friends that you have now, that’s pretty unusual by Clark’s standards. So yes, you’ll probably always be busy, but know that you should only be busy because you want to be, not because you feel like you have to be, or because other people think you should be.
The Scarlet
september 25, 2014
opinions | 7
How to become a better person Study the humanities By Jason Vazquez-Li contributing writer
It wasn’t until recently that I learned to appreciate Clark’s Program of Liberal Studies. Last year, as a first-year, the thought of having to complete perspective courses in order to meet the graduation requirements seemed like a waste of time. I had my mind set on pursuing a STEM degree (which I still do), and therefore, automatically dismissed the importance of any courses that weren’t math or
science related. After all, it did make sense. We live in a digital age of smartphones, tablets and drones, so why bother even trying to study the history of ancient civilizations or learn how to become good writers? Wouldn’t it be better to become a computer-wiz instead and land a high paying job straight away after college instead? Not necessary. Let me explain why I reconsidered. About two weeks ago, I forced myself to attend a humanities-oriented club meeting per request of a friend, who was already a member. It
wasn’t until then that I finally started gaining appreciation for the humanities and the people who study them. Almost immediately, I was taken aback at how enlivening people who are involved with the humanities could be. Sounds cheesy, right? But bear with me. Equally surprising was how differently the atmosphere at the meeting was in comparison to the math and science classes that I am taking. Instead of the typical “unemotional” classroom with students jotting down notes continuously, everyone at the club seemed to have a sort
of contagious energy. Needless to say, it created a welcoming environment that made it feel natural and comfortable to be in. Why couldn’t my Linear Algebra or Computer Science class have the same energetic flow? For one, the disadvantage of STEM classes is that they there’s little room for discussion; there is nothing to talk about since the material is solely fact-based. As a result, none of my classes leave room for the imagination. Instead, we’re taught dayby-day to readily apply known facts, which we spend so long memorizing,
in order to obtain numerical solutions for assignments (which I often can’t relate to real world scenarios). Of course, the world would be a dull place if everyone strictly pursued what is deemed most relevant by society. Although it is true that math and science helps to bring great products and innovations that simplify our lives, the humanities are every bit as relevant. Without it, we wouldn’t have music to brighten our souls, books to carry us to distant lands, or art to tell our history. There wouldn’t be anything to keep our minds rich and blissful.
Italy moves to ban “thinspiration” websites A well-intentioned idea, but it isn’t that simple By Savannah Cohen scarlet staff
The Italian Parliament recently proposed a bill that aims to cut down on pro-anorexia websites where offenders could be fined up to $67,000, or be sentenced up to a year in prison. This bill aims to address the seriousness of many body image issues. Though they have noble intentions, this type of lawmaking has the potential to do more harm than good. Their first mistake lies in the belief that all pro-anorexia websites are negative. While some websites do advocate harmful advice, some exist for support. For example, Project Shapeshift is one of the oldest eating disorder-related sites on the internet. While it refers to itself as “pro anorexia,” its true meaning is that of “proactive anorexia,” which focuses
on healing those affected by the disease by virtue of communication. Ana Gandley, who runs the site, says that this interested her as she, herself, had been “judged and blamed for being unable to recover with available treatment.” Her site, and others like it, allow sufferers to talk openly about their lives, without forcing people into recovery before they are ready. Antonio Casilli, a sociologist at ParisTech and one of the lead researcher on the ANAMIA project (a multi-author blog that evaluates and distributes eating disorder research), claims that “[The bill] will only force these groups further underground and further to the fringe, placing users even more at risk.” This type of tough love policing can be very dangerous for people who are already in fragile states of mind. Shutting down these sites could have unsafe repercussions for every-
one involved. By criminalizing these sites, which were founded by this very community for self-help, the bill would force people to make a decision they may not be ready to make. Italy is not the first to attempt this form of internet policing. Websites, like Tumblr and Instagram, have banned “Thinspiration” from being linked on pages, citing that it promoted self-harm, and was thereby against their rules. And really, it was a valiant effort, but shortly after the ban was enacted, users simply relabeled their efforts as “Fitsporation.” In the past, variations on Kate Moss’, “Nothing Tastes as Good as Skinny Feels” movement have been introduced a few times by legitimate weight loss sites, and no outrage has occurred. The lines blur when exercise and skinny celebration overlap; either way there will be logistic issues, should this bill pass.
And speaking of logistics, what happens when Italy clashes with other countries? I find it difficult to believe that all the pro-anorexia sites in the world are based in Italy. And logically, that means that the Italian Government will have no authority over other countries or over their citizens. Even if the bill were to pass, it seems unlikely that it would be enforceable. At the end of the day, Italy is trying to moderate harmful advice from falling into the hands of people in need of help. Though well-intentioned, it is important to remember who runs these sites; the people writing the helpful tips and tricks know this information because they have experienced it. Instead of trying to fix the taboo surrounding weight, or building support through communication, Italian lawmakers want to censor websites so that no information can be found.
Hate to break it to you, but people will figure it out; they did before the internet was around. They’ll be able to find the information again eventually. It’s quite arrogant to think that doing so, and patting yourself on the back, is helpful. If any government, or anyone, wants to actually help, they need to first focus on the cause, not its effects. Instead of penalizing people who are trying to, and are in need of, help, talk to people before drafting more bills like this, and offer legitimate support. The Italian Parliament, and all involved in this waste of time, should do their research before trying to pass a mess like this. If this bill is a reflection of their work, I shudder to think what other bills they have considered, and passed.
8 | opinions
The Scarlet
september 25, 2014
Scots decide UK is “better together” At least for the time being By Bareesh Chowdhury contributing writer
Over the weekend, partying and mourning took up their positions side by side on streets from Edinburgh to Glasgow. After Scotland’s oh-so-civil revolt, the calls for independence had been silenced (for now). Scotland had voted no to separating from the Union by a larger-than-expected margin of 55%-45%. Audible sighs were heard around Westminster. Scotland’s nationalists are naturally distraught. However, to be fair, it makes a lot of sense to stay. Six months ago, there was talk of Scotland joining the Eurozone, which is terrible idea for any country that doesn’t want to constantly bail out countries like Greece (not that Germany and the others wanted Scotland to join). Moving to a new currency would have resulted in chaos. It would be too volatile and investors hard to come by. Staying on the pound was the Scottish National Party (SNP) First Minister Alex Salmond’s preference, but that would mean that the Bank of England would still be the principal fiscal institution. There’s just one major problem with this. Both Lloyds Bank and the Royal Bank of Scotland have needed massive fiscal packages to bail them out in the mid-2000s. A repeat of the fiscal mismanagement would mean British taxpayers having to bail out the ‘traitors’ who left the union. Its easy to understand where some people might feel affront with that situation. Then there’s oil. Oil is a fickle resource - it can be amazing, but it’s complicated. Scotland’s idea of what to do with their oil was to replicate Norway’s model, and make everyone
in their country a millionaire. But unfortunately, records don’t show that Scotland can repeat Norway’s achievements. While Norway made $40 billion in 2013, the UK made $10.3 billion. That is predicted to fall to $3.3 billion. The North Sea oil reserves will eventually run out, and a lack of other natural resources mean that their biggest industry left will be whiskey. But we all knew that staying with the Union was the sane choice, at least economically. It’s the same reason that they’ve put up with Westminster all this time, and it’s the same reason why Gibraltar has rejected independence. Riding on England isn’t unusual. While the UK is a defunct empire, it remains the sixth biggest economy in the world and the second in Europe behind Germany. Certain benefits come with that, such as a position on the UN Security Council. Scots have always had representation in the British political elite (Gordon Brown springs to mind), but their qualms come from not the head, but in parliament. 59 seats for Scotland out of 533. Scotland has every right to want to be an independent country. Scottish pride threatened to break down the walls of economic sense. And honestly, I wish it had. Scotland’s revolt has been the model example of what a real political democracy should look like. Its been a stunning time. The most orderly revolution we have ever seen. And despite the vote, it was still a revolution. Scotland will not stand for the same treatment any more. There is a cost to staying in the Union. There’s two parts to this. First, Scotland’s adventurous foray into independence would have been enthralling to watch. Oil, as I mentioned
ISIS cont. continued from page 6
an organization put together by former American military officer David Petraeus. It provided Iraqi Sunnis a salary, food, and other social services if they helped crack down on terrorists, and initially it worked well. But when Maliki deactivated the organization, it left many Sunnis without the benefits they needed leaving them vulnerable to conform to ISIS. Therefore, America must send in more military personnel and officers to help Iraq’s new Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi reorganize the Sons of Iraq. This will help America and Iraq get the Iraqi Sunnis back on their side.
before, can work miracles as well as be fickle. Perhaps Scotland should have backed themselves to make it. It has also left a generation of young Scots, patriotic, nationalistic, and many in favor of independence with nowhere to go. They’ve alienated them, and nationalistic alienation is not good. One can hope that Alex Salmond’s successors will continue to lead the charge in the same way. The Union is in no way safe for the next generation, especially with the Conservative Party in power in Westminster. Prime Minister David Cameron’s selling out of the welfare state to the ruthless hands of the market are hugely unpopular in the blue and white North. Furthermore, SNP’s attempted barricade of the market reforms being introduced to the NHS was heroic. Scotland shouldn’t have to stay and put up with that. Heck, they’ve only stayed because they’ve been promised full devolution. Now it remains to be seen whether Cameron can live up to that promise. Regardless, the Scots have missed a chance to be free, but it certainly isn’t the last time we’ll see this. For now, we wait and see how long Scotland put up with it before they threaten independence again.
The Scarlet
september 25, 2014
living arts | 9
The Scarlet/Living Arts Losing Open Mic Dwindling attendance doesn’t bode well for Clark tradition By Dalton Phillips contributing writer
Nine past eight, and people and equipment begin to fill the room as the dining corner of the Bistro transforms into a stage. The setup is relatively humble, consisting of a soundboard, two microphones and amps, but by now a crowd of almost 30 students sits, chatting and patiently awaiting the first performer. The lineup is mostly first years, musically inclined Clarkies who revel in the opportunity to play before a crowd. It was my first impression of open mic, and I was amazed I hadn’t heard about it more given the turnout. Eventually a group musters the courage and approaches the stage. An earring-bearing guitarist and his cajón accompaniment sit down and fill the room with an original composition that merged smooth melodies with the dull, steady pulse of the drum. It was exactly the type of young, rough-around-the-edges talent that people came out to see, and the duo was met with warm reception and a smattering of applause. Their success prompted others to follow suit, and a pair of acoustic guitars took the stage to perform a lovely rendition of Jack Johnson’s “Upside Down”. They too were given strong praise, and it was at this point in the evening that I wondered why open mic nights had, in the past, gotten a bad reputation. However this wonder lasted only a moment, for
as the performers wrapped up, it became readily apparent that there were no other acts to be had. The crowd began to disperse, losing interest or finishing up their meals. Friends of the first acts said their farewells, and the energy in the room plummeted to a quiet clamor. Less than half of the students remained, and only twenty minutes had passed. It was clear that there were simply not enough willing participants to fuel an entire session. And as musicians lost interest, the crowd followed suit. Once the occupants of the room became small enough to count on one hand, I sat down with the SLP sound techs staffing the event and inquired about overall attendance. “At the first Open Mic there are like 50 people. Then every time less and less people come. Thats why we only do this for four weeks.” “It’s like that all over campus.” The other tech chimed in. “I teach free salsa lessons and the first class is always packed, but by the third or fourth week its only a handful of people who are really committed.” As we continued to talk, 9pm rolled around, indicating the halfway point in the allotted time, and nearly 25 minutes since a performer had sat on the stage. Curious, I attended open mic the following week, set to be the last one of the semester. As before I arrived early and sat in the same booth, this time anticipating another enjoyable
series of performances. However after almost a full hour of waiting, not a single participant, audience member or performer, had set foot in the Bistro. The sound tech played soft music from his phone, and the two of us, along with other students who bore no affiliation with the event, watched the final open mic snuff itself out. It’s ironic to think that, in a school where the complaint has often been there is nothing to do on campus, it’s the students’ own lack of attendance that invariably causes
by Tyler Terriault Colors of tree leaves change as I begin to turn assignments in late Why does everyone keep talking about King Kone?! How haven’t I been?! “Do you wanna build a snowman?” NO. IT’S ONLY SEPTEMBER, ALRIGHT? A day of heat, two days of cold, a day of heat, nine days of cold. Yeesh.
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Israel: The Soundtrack A history through music By Celine Manneville photo editor
Last Thursday, Clark University Hillel’s event Israel: The Soundtrack provided a refreshing interruption from the usual Palestine-Israel political discourse, with an evening that focused on telling the story of Israel’s history through music. Throughout the night, and especially when talking about Israeli music, World On Music presenter, Mikaela Ben Dori taught the basics of Israeli dance moves and encouraged everyone to try them out and practice.
She began the event starting with “Bemajrashti” (In My Plow). This folk song reflected on the value of community instilled within villages in Israel. Before playing the next song, “Od Lo Ahavti Day” (I Did Not Love Enough), Ben Dori announced that feeling the music and expressing yourself, in any way, was encouraged. She proceeded to teach the “Hora,” a circle dance to be performed along with the song. “Ksheheyeh Gadol” (When I am all Grown Up) followed and was performed by the Navy Military Band, which Ben Dori explained was com-
mon at the time. This was due to the fact that the soldiers were teens who knew what was popular, so they made music that a lot of people, mostly young adults, would enjoy. Ben Dori challenged everyone to copy the dance moves that were shown in the video for “Harakdan HaOtomati” (The Automatic Dancer). Everyone danced along, copying the moves for the first few moments, before being unable to keep up and making up continued on page 10
10 | living arts
The Scarlet
Israel soundtrack cont.
Open Mic cont. continued from page 9
school functions to be canceled. Open mic has long been a wellsupported event, a staple tradition among Clarkies. This college is full of gifted performers who would love nothing better than to entertain a group of their peers, but as they find no one comes to these events, they stop performing. As a result, those who had come stop as well, since no one performs. This
vicious cycle leads to a general disinterest, culminating in people assuming any given event is going to be dull and not worth their time, rather than attempting to make the effort to improve it. This apathy is part of the reason students tend to assume nothing is happening on campus. There are in fact events, but our mentality as a student body around them is negatively skewed. Until that changes, The Scarlet and the sound tech will remain the primary attendees of Open Mic.
stART on the Street is a success Local artists take over Park Ave. By Kate Conquest contributing writer
Sunday was an overcast day constantly threatening rain, but that did not deter the people of Worcester from coming out to see stART on the Street. Looking out on the packed streets, it seemed as though there wasn’t anyone that the art festival didn’t appeal to. Part of Park Ave was shut down and the street was lined with white tents filled with people showing their various forms of art. There were booths of jewelry, paintings, photography, stonework, woodwork, henna, and even some unusual additions, like tarot readers and a hand-carved salad server that only requires one hand. Tina Zlody, co-founder of stART, said that everything at the festival is handmade, and that artists register by “a web application. People sign up and we do some jurying to make sure the goods are quality.” The most crowded part of the street was surrounding the performance of one of the festival’s
september 25, 2014
many street performers, The Red Trouser Show. These two men, Tobin and David, execute incredible acrobatics in an act they take around the world. They did backflips, hung sideways on a ladder, balanced on each other’s heads, and kept the audience laughing the entire time. Further down the street was a fencing demonstration. There was life-sized Connect Four, Checkers, and craft-making stations for children. Scattered throughout were musical performers, singing covers of everything from One Direction to Billy Joel. Food trucks and booths lined the streets as well, and the air was thick with the aromas. Although fro-yo and hot dog stands were everywhere, there were also a lot of trucks that catered to vegan and vegetarian options. Due to their success in recent years, the festival expanded the number of food trucks. Just like the artists, the food truck owners have to apply to participate. The festival is selective in continued on page 11
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their own. Some Israeli music was inspired by popular artists around the world. For example, “Ani Ohev Lishon” (I Love to Sleep) was influenced by The Beatles, who at one point, were supposed to perform in Israel. After the First Intifada, songs like “Mehakim LaMashiach” (Waiting on the Messiah) and “Al Tadliku Li Ner” (Don’t Light Me a Candle) were written. These songs were influenced by the anger of the Israeli people and their demand for peace.
Between the First and Second Intifadas, boy bands became popular in Israel. Ben Dori played Yom Mauna (A Cloudy Day), performed by the boy band HiFive, which was very similar to *NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys. Following the trend set by the First Intifada, the Second Intifada prompted songs such as “Med brim Al Shalom” (Talking About Peace), “Shirat Hastiker” (The Sticker Song), and “Mi Shemaamin” (He Who Believes). Before playing “Shirat Hastiker,” Ben Dori pointed out that all the lyrics were radical phrases collected from bumper stickers of the time. She further explained that the art-
ist used the more radical ones as a way to point out all the terrible things that they were saying about the enemy. The night ended with “One Day,” performed by Matisyahu and Infected Mushroom. This song illustrated the style of music in Israel that is more common today, semi-electronic with a prominent beat. Sophomore Maya Katz-Ali reflected on the event saying, “It was a great taste of Israeli culture and history through music and dancing. In my opinion, music is something we can all enjoy no matter [our] culture, background or language, we share struggles and joy in music.”
Ambient Folklore: a cure to the Saturday blues Worcester Center for Crafts offers art in the form of storytelling By Beatrice Misher contributing writer
The first priority of my adventure to the Worcester Center for Crafts was to find out what it was. All I knew was that the exhibit is called Ambient Folklore. What does it mean for folklore to be ambient? I had to find out. Upon some investigation, I discovered that the center was founded in 1856 as the Worcester Employment Society, to teach immigrants how to create and sell crafts as a way to boost their economic prowess. According to their website, today “The Worcester Center for Crafts is a non-profit, independent, community based arts organization, committed to providing quality craft education, supporting entrepreneurship in the arts, and promoting an appreciation for fine craft.” On a lazy, overcast Saturday afternoon, I ventured down Park Ave. in search of the answers to my questions about the exhibit. The Worcester Center for Crafts is housed right off of Park Avenue in a low brick building that resembles an elementary school. Ambient Folklore, or “Storytelling Enigmas, Metaphoric Artifacts,
Instant Parables” is described by the curator, Luis Antonio Fraire, as nine artists who “focus specifically on the communicated narrative, essentially creating an immersive storytelling environment.” The Krikorian Gallery, in which the exhibit is on display, is an open space with an atmosphere that Clark Student Hannah Levy (‘17), described as “Tranquil. Peaceful, but engaging.” Only a few striking objects stood in the middle of the room. One, a frog probably about 7 feet tall, was the first thing I noticed upon entering the gallery. Stretched upward in an active pose, the frog was a dark, almost black, color with hints of deep greens and purples. Hanging from the ceiling, to the right of the entrance, was a mass of fishing net and cords in which one could barely distinguish some household items deep inside. The piece is by Lisa Barthelson, and is described as “black hole, all consuming, family debris series.” As I moved further into the exhibit, I came upon another piece that seemed a commentary on our society’s bond with objects. Mounted on the wall was a square, probably 4x4 feet, of
cosmetics grouted to a canvas in a way that looked like they had been discarded in a sandbox. The piece, also by Barthelson, is made up of abandoned cosmetic products, ranging from Covergirl mascara bottles to Smackers lip gloss that brought me back to 7th grade. It was like an island of lost toys for cosmetics. The gallery was silent and peaceful except for a muffled sound of recording that continued to repeat. I eventually made my way to the source of the sound and found a mixed media piece by Mari Seder. A small screen showed a video clip of a flag or sign waving in the wind, as seen looking out of a second story window. Neon lights flickered below in corner of the screen through the dark. Not a person is in sight, and the building across the street looked dilapidated. The quote below the piece read “Words and feathers are carried by the wind.” The Ambient Folklore exhibit is open through September 27th. The Worcester Craft Center also contains a gallery store of artists work, classes in pottery and other forms of craft, and studios in which artists can work. It is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10am5pm.
The Scarlet
september 25, 2014
living arts | 11
Emmylou Harris at Hanover By Matt Emmer living arts editor
Emmylou Harris, the undisputed First Lady of Americana music, held court at the Hanover Theater this past Tuesday. Over the course of her two-hour concert, she offered the rapt audience to a tour-de-force of her storied career. Throughout her career, Emmylou Harris has defied expectations. Starting as an aspiring folksinger, she was discovered by hippie-country pioneer Gram Parsons in the early 1970s. After Parsons’ untimely overdose in 1973, Harris took on the task of continuing his legacy, becoming a full-blown country star. In the mid-1990s, Harris reinvented herself through her experi-
mental collaborations with producer Daniel Lanois, best known for his work with Bob Dylan and U2. Their album Wrecking Ball featured growling guitars and ambient sounds under Harris’ signature soaring voice. Not content to rest on her laurels, her subsequent work emphasized her own songwriting for the first time, a bold move for someone already well established as a legend in her field. Tuesday night’s show saw her blending her influences and paying tribute to her many mentors and companions. Opener Nathaniel Rateliff dazzled the nearly-full audience with stripped-down versions of his soulinfluenced folk tunes. While his songs mainly took on a dour tone, he kept everyone entertained with humorous between-song patter. He introduced
one song by telling the story of how his grandfather, a bootlegger, was shot in the face by the wife of a rival bootlegger. After a brief break, the main act took the stage. Opening with “Here I Am,” Harris immediately asserted herself as a still-powerful voice, well into her fourth decade of performing. Her band, known as the Glory Band, contributed passionate backing throughout the concert, equally adept at each of the many styles Harris embodies. The first part of the performance showed their full versatility, seamlessly transitioning between her earlier country material and songs from her late-career revival. Harris also leaned heavily on her folk roots, including a heartfelt tribute to legendary Canadian musi-
photo by matt emmer
cian Kate McGarrigle, a frequent collaborator and close friend who passed away in 2010. She also covered songs by folk heroes across generations, from Townes Van Zandt to Gillian Welch. Never one to hide her beliefs, Harris featured politically conscious material, old and new. A recent song about Emmett Till, a 14-year old Civil Rights martyr who was murdered in 1955, was inspired by a story on National Public Radio, which Harris described as “that bastion of liberal bias called the truth.”
Inaugural MetroFest hits Framingham Food truck festival highlights day’s activities By Ethan Giles sports editor
The first annual MetroFest took place on Saturday September 20 at Bowditch field in Framingham, Massachusetts. Over two dozen food trucks came to the event, while music performances by John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band, Steve Smith & The Nakeds, Crocodile River Music, and the Nina Torres Band played over the crowd. Nelson Zied, a gatekeeper for the event, said that they expected to have around 8,000 people at the event, but “it seems like we had more.” The food trucks served everything from traditional American food to diverse food from all over the world. The Bacon Truck was by far the most popular food truck. The menu consisted of fried bacon macaroni and cheese bites; grilled cheese with bacon, sharp cheddar, havarti, and
tomatoes; a BLT, and a bunch of bacon. The “bunch of bacon” was three simple strips of bacon, which Clark student Tyler Whitesell (’17) called “good bacon” and felt that it had the “perfect crunch.” Roxy’s Grilled Cheese won a place in many hearts by serving gourmet grilled cheese. Their menu included items like the Rookie Melt and Green Muenster, but The Mighty Rib (barbecue braised short rib, caramelized onions, and fontina cheese) easily stole the show. The meat was cooked perfectly and the sandwich was the ideal mix of smoky and sweet. Uyghur Kitchen represented one of the more exotic food options at MetroFest. Although they had one of the shortest lines at the festival, it was not due to poor cooking. Sara from Framingham described her Lamb Kebab as “very tasty” and felt that it was “seasoned perfectly” while Roberto, also from Framingham, thoroughly enjoyed the “crunchy bread” in his
Lamb Gyro. Insanewiches not only featured a creative name but also produced flavorful meals. Jimmy from Framingham described his “Chubby Hannah,” which is a cheeseburger, mozzarella sticks, and French fries all in a sandwich topped with “Wacky Sauce,” as “insane” and “worth the eight dollars.” Mainely Lobstah was another popular food truck. The shellfish based truck’s menu included both “Traditional New England” and “Asian Fusion” Lobster Rolls. Alex Franklin of Framingham tried the Clam Chowder, and after three long bites gave the soup an 8.7 out of 10. There were numerous Italian Ice stands throughout the festival, which offered a vast array of their namesake. Whitesell tried the Rainbow Mix and Lemon Italian Ice, which he described as “super tasty” and “really refreshing.” Another well-received truck was the King of Ribs. Kelly from Framing-
Statements like this were greeted warmly by the extremely receptive and engaged audience. Indeed, shouts of “We love you Emmylou!” and “Thank you for your gift!” were heard frequently between songs. These were often met with gentle and humorous responses from Harris. The concert showed the full breadth of Harris’ virtuosity as a true artist. As a performer, she embodies the confidence that comes with defying the constraints and expectations of the musical establishment.
stART cont. continued from page 10
ham tried their pork ribs and described them as not only delicious and tangy but noted that they were “lighter than [normal] barbeque.” Unfortunately, not all patrons were satisfied with their meals. Barbara from Framingham described the fried calamari she got from Captain Martin’s as “soggy” and “a little greasy.” Katherine and Danielle were both Framigham High School students who volunteered at the festival for community service hours. They both had to watch over the moon bounce to make sure none of the kids hurt themselves, but got no free food for their effort. They described the kids as “cute” but felt that the festival was “overwhelming.” Overall the festival was a grand success, and hopefully MetroFest comes back to Framingham next year.
who they choose, and they strive for originality in both the art and food options. The stART event is run entirely by volunteers, and even after twelve years, Zlody is still impressed. “The memorable thing always is that fourteen volunteers created this event and [now] look at all these people,” she said, “All the crowds of people... seem happy just to be there.” This year was the first time in stART history that it rained, but that did not seem to deter people from coming out to enjoy it. There were people of all ages, backgrounds, styles, and cultures in attendance. The festival allows citizens of Worcester and students from the colleges to converge, and that’s one thing Zlody especially enjoys. “It was great to see so many students from all the different colleges kind of intermixing with the city,” she said. “It’s exciting to be a part of something so iconic in Worcester.”
The Scarlet
12 | sports
september 25, 2014
The Scarlet/Sports Alumna to coach Clark women’s soccer Brienne Smith (‘01) has returned to the soccer field By Kate Conquest contributing writer
For Brienne Smith, taking the Clark University women’s soccer head coaching job wasn’t so much a new adventure as it was a return home. Smith graduated from Clark in 2001 and has now returned to take over the women’s coaching position. During her time away, she coached at Tufts University for nine years and Moravian College for four. The job opened in May and Smith jumped at the chance to come back. “I was born and raised in Massachusetts and my whole family is here,” said Smith. “My wife got a job at WPI back in April and it all just kind of came together.” The Athletic Department viewed Smith as a top candidate early on. “Everyone that she met with and talked with in the interviewing process felt that energy of somebody who could come in here and do the job,” said Athletic Director Trish Cronin. It became clear that Smith had a view of what she wanted to do with the Clark team. “Brie ended up rising
to the top because of two or three factors, one of them being an alum, but the other was [that she was] really qualified and had a vision for our program,” said Associate Athletic Director Joe Brady. Building a more present alumni connection is a big part of that vision. “I think it’s great for [alumni] to feel like a group, maybe they never played together but they still represent Clark and Clark athletics,” said Smith. “The alumni have been super supportive. About 30 alumni came and watched the home opener and surprised me, so that was really great.” Being an alumna herself, Smith has a certain insight into how to connect with Clark Graduates. “I think it’s exciting for the alumni too, to feel like they still matter.” In addition to Smith’s strong alumni connection, Brady has confidence she will recruit well too. “She is going to be able to relate to recruits and student athletes that are coming to Clark because she knows Clark and she lived it. She loved it.” The women’s soccer team this year is full of new faces. “We have nine freshmen,” said Smith, “and not
even all the older girls are returners, actually. It’s really essentially a brand new team.” The Cougars are coming off a 5-13 record last season and have not clinched a win yet this fall. However, that does not stop Coach Smith from being optimistic. “This team has lots of positive energy, the group really seems to understand the culture. The group really wants to turn things around and they understand that that takes hard work.” And hard work she will get. “I think the level of intensity is the biggest change this season,” said senior captain Liz Gomes. The Cougars have not played a conference game yet either, pointed out Smith, “so everyone is 0-0-0 in conference right now.” With a new coach and so many new players, there are a lot of changes for this team to get used to. “It’s still relatively new, you know we’re only a month into having her as a coach,” said junior captain Gabby Paolini, “I think we can all learn more about continued on page 13
SPORTS RECAP By Ethan Giles sports editor
women’s tennis The women’s tennis team had an up and down week, as they beat Becker 9-0 on Thursday, September 18, then lost to Wellesley College 8-1 on Saturday, September 20 before losing 8-1 again to Springfield College on Tuesday, September 23. The team is now 2-6 on the season.
men’s tennis The men’s tennis team started the year off on a high note, as they beat Salve Regina 9-0 on Monday, September 22 before beating Union College 7-2 on Wednesday, September 24. The team is 2-0.
men’s soccer The men’s soccer team had a poor week, as they lost 1-0 at WPI on Saturday, September 20 before losing to Lasell College 1-0 on Tuesday, September 23. The team is 3-6 on the season.
women’s soccer The women’s soccer team had a rough week, as they lost 4-0 at Smith College on Saturday, September 20 before losing to Western Connecticut State 2-0 on Tuesday, September 23. The team is 0-8 this season.
The Scarlet
september 25, 2014
Brienne Smith cont. continued from page 12
Coach Brie and each other, both on and off the field.” Smith agrees, saying that “they grow as a group every day.” Because of her vision and her devotion to Clark, hiring of Coach Smith
seems to indicate a stronger presence of alumni in the future, a change in intensity, and a positive outlook for the future of Clark women’s soccer. “She came in here with a passion,” said Trish Cronin. “She was very emotional about how she wanted to be back here. She has never lost touch with Clark, and that was key.”
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Fantasy Football Add/Drop for Week 3 By Ethan Giles sports editor
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field hockey The field hockey team had a solid week as they beat Elms College 4-0 on Thursday, September 18 before losing at Babson 2-1 on Saturday, September 20. Although Babson scored two goals early, the Cougars stayed with them and controlled possession for most of the game. The team then regrouped to defeat Anna Maria 2-1 on Tuesday, September 23, and they are currently 5-3 on the season.
men’s cross country The men’s cross country team had a good week, as they finished 18th out of 34 in the UMass-Dartmouth invitational on Saturday, September 20, a race that includes Division I, II, and III athletes. John Allard (‘16) finished the race first for the cougars, posting a time of 26:48.
women’s cross country The women’s cross country team had a good week, as they finished 26th in the UMass-Dartmouth invitational on Saturday, September 20, a race that includes Division I, II, and III athletes. Kristen Glennie (‘18) finished the race first for the cougars, as she posted a 19:03 in the 5K, good enough for the third fastest time in Clark University History.
women’s volleyball The women’s volleyball team had an up and down week, as they lost to Coast Guard 3-2 on Saturday, September 20 before beating Johnson & Whales 3-1 on Tuesday, September 23. They are 5-6 on the season.
• Lorenzo Taliaferro, RB, Baltimore Ravens: As he showed previously with the Houston Texans, Ravens Offensive Coordinator Gary Kubiak will stick with whichever running back produces. The Ravens are still trying to find a back to fill Ray Rice’s shoes, and Taliaferro made a good first impression on Sunday by running for 91 yards on 18 attempts, including a touchdown. If Kubiak decides to keep riding the hot hand, look for Taliaferro to continue to produce at this level. Taliaferro is owned in only 1.6 percent of espn.com leagues and 0.2 percent of nfl.com leagues. • Donald Brown, RB, San Diego Chargers: After watching Ryan Mathews go down with what has to be his billionth injury and Danny Woodhead go down for the season, Donald Brown is in position to get a lot of touches for the Chargers until Mathews gets back. Brown is owned in 90.5 percent of espn.com leagues, but only 10.8 percent of nfl.com leagues. D R OP • Trent Richardson, RB, Indianapolis Colts: He just is not very good, and Ahmad Bradshaw is there to get his carries. As Idina Menzel would put it, “let him go.” • Josh McCown, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Not only is he not a good quarterback, but he is also injured. This combination is not conducive for fantasy points. He will be recovering from his injury in the sunny Florida weather, so you can drop him like he’s hot. B UY L OW • Eddie Lacy, RB, Green Bay Packers: Lacy’s owners (I am one of them) have been hurt by Lacy’s lack of production thus far, but it has not been the running back’s fault. The Packers have gone up against three of the best defenses against the run this year in the Seattle Seahawks, New York Jets, and Detroit Lions, so with inferior competition on the horizon, try to see if owners will abandon ship too quickly. SEL L H IG H • Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego Chargers: Gates exploded in the first few weeks and has racked up 185 receiving yards and three touchdowns in his first few games. Don’t expect these stats to continue progressing, as Gates is old and injury prone. The Chargers have Ladarius Green to get some of his targets, so deal Gates now while you can.
14 | sports
The Scarlet
september 25, 2014
COUGAR of the WEEK
by Scott Levine
Marina Ramos (’18) has only played two volleyball games against teams in the NEWMAC conference, but so far she is leading the conference by a wide margin in kills, and is tied for first among digs in conference play. She hails from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, where she attended Colegio Puertorriqueño de Niñas. Scarlet: How are you getting so many kills? Ramos: I don’t know. My attacking is obviously improving, and also at first, I wasn’t used to the setters because I’m a freshman. I’m new. But now we’re communicating more, and we’re getting to a point where we have a lot of confidence in each other, and I can tell them what I want. They can tell me what I can do to make [my play] better, and it’s helping me a lot.
courtesy of clarkathletics.com
Marina Ramos volleyball
Scarlet: What was the adjustment like from high school to college volleyball? Ramos: Back home it’s actually a little bit different. But the girls are very helpful, and they’re very nice, and they literally tell you if you need anything, they’ll be there for me. [Head Volleyball Coach Mickey Cahoon] is also very helpful, and he also communicates with us a lot. He tells us what he needs, and [we] just try to go from there. It’s a very good environment, which also helps with me adjusting. Scarlet: How is it different from back home? Ramos: Obviously the language, I have to adjust to some words, and some meanings that are not the same, also the style of play is a little bit different. I’m sort of already used to it, which is good. And sometimes, I… try to bring my Puerto Rican style of play to them, which is a little bit different. A little more, like, passionate in that sense, but it’s all really working together. Scarlet: How is the style of play different in Puerto Rico? Ramos: I’d say it’s a little bit faster, but over here it’s a very defensive game, which I really, really love. Back home it’s really about hard hitting, and being really fast, and stuff like that. And sometimes that would frustrate me, because that’s not the only important part of the game. Defending is also very important. Scarlet: How much do you focus on statistics? Ramos: I don’t really think about them. I don’t really focus on that, I focus on how I can make the team better. And if
I get good statistics, that’s icing on the cake, but it’s not really important to me. Scarlet: What made you decide to apply to Clark? Ramos: I applied basically at the last minute. My parents actually told me about [Clark], because I’m planning to major in history, and [Clark has] a very good history department. And when I applied… I sent an e-mail to coach, he was very nice to me, and he described me in a way that none of the other coaches I talked to described me. And I liked the way he was reaching out to me, and telling me what I could do to help the program. And then when I came for my overnight, the girls, everything, the environment, [it all] just made me feel at home. That was it, that’s when I made my decision. I knew that this was the place for me. Scarlet: How is the team dynamic compared to previous teams you’ve played for? Ramos: I’ve been on some teams where it’s been really rough for me. Like, I once thought about leaving or [quitting] volleyball because of the way people acted, or treated me. And I’ve always had [it] in the back of my mind that if I come to a new team, people are not going to be accepting, or think, ‘oh, well, she’s different,’ or whatever, stuff like that. And they really have not made me feel like that. We’re so close, and we’re really a family, which is something important. I think that in the end [it] helps us be better. Scarlet: How long did it take that worry to dissipate? Ramos: Actually, like the first week. Yeah. We all started hanging out with each other, and it just got better. We’re always together, so we got to know each other. Scarlet: What has been your favorite moment with your team so far? Ramos: We went apple picking as a team. I’ve never been apple picking. It was good… it’s gonna be up there with one of the best things ever. The volleyball team will play Mount Holyoke on September 25 at 7 p.m., and Babson College on September 27 at 11:00 a.m. Come watch the kind of teamwork and camaraderie that only picking apples together can forge.
The Scarlet
september 25, 2014
puzzles | 15
The Scarlet/Puzzles CROSSWORD by Ted Randich
SUDOKU Sudoku Puzzle - Medium
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DOWN 1. TV comm. 2. “Tonight I’ve gotta look my best.” Who’s back in town? 3. That brown stuff in your taco. 4. Affectionate name for caregiver. 5. Pokémon version of waterdwelling mammal. 6. Paul McCartney woke up and fell out of bed before using one. 7. It ain’t from Earth, it’s __ _____. 8. That’s “Mr. Yastrzemski” to you, pal.
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9. Saturday night watering hole, for some. 10. Practical. 11. Bears. _____. Battlestar Galactica. 12. Positive response. 13. Death, destroyer of worlds. 14. Learned in an occupation. 15. Multiple door ___, yoga ___, bathroom___, welcome ___, e.g. 16. Captain of NHL’s Blackhawks. 17. Iffy anti-pirating law. 18. Kayaker’s friend. 19. Clark research lab focused on ALB. 20. Half of the best Nature Val-
ley Crunch Bar flavor. 21. Katie Casey’s pal at the old ballgame. 22. Home of “Powerchords” a capella group. 23. Rasta style hat. 24. Dunkin, for short. ACROSS 1. Vermont city St. ______. 6. “Car Talk” counterpart. 11. Wild West legend. 15. Opposite of glossy. 17. The Simpson’s legend. 23. Oft-exaggerated metric. 25. Annual fee. 26. Mascot of Akron team.
27. Word used twice to describe 33. Supportive art tool. hip-hop dance. 34. Human-like mammal. 28. African country Sierra _____. 35. “You plant your roots in it...” 29. Pirate-y interjection. 36. First ___, Band ___, Farm ___, More Puzzles: 30. Alton Brown’s show Good www.sudoku-puzzles.net US ___. ____. 37. Extremely. 31. E.g. to fulfill a 20 year mort38. Patron saint of mental illness gage. 32. Jay-Z makes a stack and goes __ __ the next one.
THIS WEEK’S SOLUTIONS IN NEXT ISSUE
The Scarlet
16 | puzzles
september 25, 2014
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS
Police Logs compiled by Alex Grayson
September 17 18:48 – Reporting person doesn’t know whether to set alarm in Philosophy House. September 18 21:48 – Locking up buildings on Main Campus. Last week (September 17-24), University Police responded to 3 medical emergencies, three fire alarms, one loudness complaint, secured one building, and performed 25 miscellaneous services.
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SUDOKU
Sudoku Solution - Hard
www.sudoku-puzzles.net
what happens in The Scarlet office at 1:17 a.m. stays in the The Scarlet office... sort of More Puzzles:
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“We’re not smart enough to understand you” - Pooja “No, it’s just keeping up with current news...”- Keitaro “I’ve always been in a moral grey area with Gary. I mean, he looks after my main sponge, which I appreciate, but he’s also a snail, and I simply don’t tolerate that.” - Jeremy “Let’s just throw chicken fingers at Giles.” - Jeremy “No! He can’t be President! Chris Christie has two of the same name! Nobody will take us seriously! This is ridiculous!” - Jenna
“But names don’t really matter...” - Keitaro “No! They do!” - Jenna “But what about Anthony Weiner?” - Keitaro “So it’s spelled like ‘Houston Street,’ but it’s pronounced ‘How-ston Street.’” - Jeremy “Huston Street? The pitcher on the Angels?” - Giles “Why do people name their children such weird names?” - Sarah “Yeah, like Chris Christie!” - Jenna