NEWS
FEATURES
SPORTS
Elections spotlight: Meet Dan Markwell, the de facto 2nd Student Trustee p3
Amanda Williams: Transforming the South Side through color p7
Penn St. Board Member lord’s comments shows that nothing has been learned p13
COURIER
THE
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Editor-in-Chief Lucas Koprowski News Editor Kitt Fresa Features Editor Caroline Broderick Graphics Editor Joseph Molino Reporter Vandy Manyeh Photographer David Jura
INDEX NEWS
OPINION
3 Q&A: Elections spotlight: Meet Dan Markwell
11 Death to the “Fight for $15”
FEATURES
7 Amanda Williams to round-up COD’s spring Visiting Artist series
SPORTS
13 Penn St. Board Member lord’s comments shows that nothing has been learned
Social Media Manager Alizay Rizvi Reporter Carlos Peterson
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ON THE COVER
Minimum Wage graphic by Joseph Molino
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NEWS Q&A: Elections spotlight: Meet Dan Markwell, the de facto 2nd Student Trustee Vandy Manyeh · Reporter
are stable financial position, and I think the enrollment drop is a temporary setback that we will overcome in the coming years. The bridge would not only be of service to students during peak traffic hours and poor weather, but it would also make it much easier for students, staff and community members with disabilities to cross Lambert road.
Student Trustee–elect Dan Markwell
A total of 44,037 voters from across Cook and DuPage Counties voted for Dan Markwell, a 23-year-old student here at the College of DuPage in the April 4 trustees election. A total of 125,851 persons voted, giving Markwell 34.99 percent of the ballots. After the elections, the Courier reached out to Marwell to have a feel for some of the things he wants to accomplish during his time on the board of trustee. Here's how it went: Vandy Manyeh: How do you see your role as a member of the BOT and a student of the College of DuPage? Dan Markwell: I see my role as adding the students' perspective to the board discussion and to advocate on behalf of student needs. I also believe it will help keep me focused on the real goal of our college: providing high-quality education to our students. VM: Why do you think
we need more full-time teachers and faculty members at the college? DM: Having more fulltime teachers is important because it gives students easier access to their instructor via office hours and gives teachers peace of mind to focus on their students, rather than on making ends meet for their families. I would like to see adjunct faculty more invested in the college, both financially and time-wise, to allow them the same focus. Teachers are the foundation of education, which is itself the foundation of our society. VM: Do you think it is right to build a bridge between the HSC and the TEC right now with the struggle for the college to have a balanced budget? DM: Given the state of the college's reserve fund, I believe building the bridge is reasonable at this time. Revenues are down at the college, due to a drop in enrollment, but we are in
VM: You have an interest in pushing the college to have food service in the TEC. Why is that so important to students who have classes in the TEC? DM: I don't think there is much argument that eating is healthy and that students perform better on a full stomach than an empty one. It can be very difficult for students, and even staff, to find time to eat in between classes; especially if they lack their own car on campus. Expanding food service can make it easier for those students. VM: What problems at satellite campuses do you think your ascendency to the BOT will solve? DM: I think the college needs to look at expanding programs offered at the satellite campuses, to allow more students with their own car, or with busy schedules, to be able to take courses required for their degrees. I think the biggest problem with the satellite campuses is the public's lack of knowledge about the facilities and what courses can be taken there. To that end, I hope to assist other members
of the board in increasing the public's awareness and familiarity with all of the college's campuses throughout the county. VM: Why do you think the student trustee should have a binding vote on the BOT? Don’t you sense any conflict of interest there? DM: I believe that all constituencies should have a voice and a vote. The student trustee offers the student body a voice, but not a vote that is counted. Part of it is straight out of the history books: taxation without representation. Currently, the student tuition comprises almost half of the revenues generated by the college, yet there is only one student trustee, now two, on a board of eight. Now, I do not think that the current board, or any past board, has held or acted with malice towards the student body, but I do believe the student body should have at least the one permanent vote on the board. As far as conflict of interest goes, I think any student trustee has the exact opposite: every student has a vested interest in seeing the college improved and successful, as that directly impacts their ability to transfer to another university or find a job after graduating. The only time I could see a conflict would be in regards to the tuition rate, as I doubt any student would ever advocate for raising tuition costs. That being said, the students would only have that single vote (unless students like myself run and are elected to multiple positions on the board), and I believe any student who
puts in the time and energy to be the student trustee would recognize the need to think larger than themselves and do what is best for the college. VM: What plans do you have to help the college settle its accreditation problems with the HLC as soon as possible? DM: I plan to assist the board with implementing several new policies that aim to improve oversight and transparency at the college. I also think it will be necessary for the board to continue to work to make themselves and the college's administration more transparent, and look forward to working with the board to that end. I look forward to hearing about the HLC's upcoming visit to the college, and to work with my fellow trustees to follow any additional guidelines or recommendations the HLC gives us. VM: Some members of the current BOT didn’t endorse your candidacy to run for a trustee position. How open are you to work with these board members after your induction? DM: Elections are elections: we all have people we want to win. The campaign for COD trustee was remarkably positive and issue-oriented, especially compared to some of the past decade's more contentious races. I am completely open to working with the other members of the board, many of whom I have spoken with since the election and shared my desire to put politics and
personalities aside so that we can work together to help the college. VM: What issues would you like to see resolved as a member of the BOT? DM: I want to see the HLC restore full accreditation to the college, first and foremost. I would also like to see the 19 recommendations from the auditor general implemented, which really goes hand-in-hand with the HLC situation. Both are focused on the transparency of the board. In a more long-term sense, I want to see the student completion rate at COD increase, as well as enrollment overall; both are clear measurements of the success of the college, and I look forward to working with the entire administration, board and staff of the college together to get more students to come to COD and to graduate from COD. VM: What should the college expect from you for the next six years? DM: The college should expect every trustee to devote their time, energy and focus upon the college. Trustees should be expected to show up to meetings, to make themselves informed of the state of the college and the issues facing it, and to work with an open mind with the other trustees to ensure the continued prosperity and success of College of DuPage. That is what I believe the trustees are elected to do, and that is what I plan to spend the next six years doing as trustee at COD.
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CHART YOUR NEXT PATH
From the very start, Loyola will be with you every step of the way. Learn more during an information session on Wednesday, April 19, at 5:30 p.m. at our Rogers Park campus.
To meet one-on-one, contact Lori Salinas at lsalinas1@LUC.edu or 773.508.8328. LUC.edu/dupagevisit
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F E AT U R E S
22 awards. At this year’s statewide journalism competition under the Illinois Community College Journalism Association, the College of DuPage Courier student newspaper took home six first place awards under categories from the quality of our website to news writing to the ever-evolving page design brought to you by our local Picasso, Joseph Molino. On top of these top placements, we also scored awards for photography, headline writing and multimedia journalism. We were the runner-up organization for the top prize at this competition, the General Excellence award, and will be looking to take that prize next year as we keep evolving. —Lucas Koprowski, Editor-In-Chief 12 April 2017 // codcourier.org // 5
CAREER AND INTERNSHIP FAIR
Thursday, April 13, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Student Resource Center (SRC), Room 2000
cod.edu/careerfair
Meet with area employers who have jobs and internships available. Whether you’re looking for your first job, seeking an internship, aiming for a better job or returning to the workforce, the Career and Internship Fair gives you tips, tools, training and real opportunitites to get ahead.
#URHired
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F E AT U R E S
Transforming the South Side through color Amanda Williams to round-up COD’s spring Visiting Artist series Caroline Broderick · Features Editor
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY AMANDA WILLIAMS
Through artist Amanda Williams’ eyes, colors take on a whole new meaning. They’re not just primary, secondary or tertiary. Yellow isn’t happiness. Red isn’t passion. Black isn’t hopeless. Instead, the 2014 Stan 3Arts Lipkin & Evelyn Appell Lipkin Awardee, Cornell University graduate and future Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago (MCA) exhibitor connects color with privilege, poverty, gentrification and more. In Williams’ Color(ed) Theory series, the artist has splashed South Side communities, where she grew up in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood, with bright colors that contrast their environments. Williams does this through the discovery of abandoned homes, taking their once broken and graffiti-covered exteriors and turning them into simple marvels. “This palette combines my Ivy League academic training as an architect with my lived sensibility as a South Side native,” said Williams’ in a 2016 interview with the National Endowment for the Arts.
“I’m working on a system that imagines artful ways to construct new narratives about zero value landscapes that will allow them to shed an identity of victim and embrace instead the role of active protagonist.” The palette includes Harold’s Chicken Shack: a bright red. Newport 100/ Loose squares: a dull teal. Ultrasheen: a bright turquoise. Pink Oil Moisturizer: a baby pink. “Color as both a medium and a social construct is the subject that fuels much of my work,” explained Williams’ in an interview with the Courier. “This double reading of color and its intersection with urban space is evident in much of my recent work.” The color takes over every inch of these buildings. Windows, pillars, stairs and porches take on a new life after Williams’ work has touched them. These colors come from a self-created scheme that connect the life and culture of the South Side to different issues. Color(ed) Theory has
been presented in many different ways at several galleries over the past four years such as Columbia College Chicago, UIC, The Silverroom Gallery and the Hyde Park Art Center. Most recently, it will be exhibited at the MCA beginning in July of this year until December. Installation is not the only style Williams works in. The artist initially attended Cornell University for architecture, taking numerous studio art courses before she even considered turning her career towards art. Williams’ oil and mixed media paintings reflect a tormented, emotional side with some containing allusions to the South Side. Others, such as her 2006 work, “The Ordeal” leave more questions unanswered. The canvas softly reads, “At times my going forward feels like retreat,” as it is covered with reds, yellows, blues and gives you the sense of a deep, internal war that is human and understandable. More of Williams’ art, such as her mapping, may be viewed at awgallery.
com. When asked about her favorite medium to work in, Williams laughs and connects it to having children, and its impossibility of choosing a favorite. Currently, Williams is a part of the multidisciplinary Exhibition Design team for the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, an adjunct professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology, and resides in Bronzeville. Williams will be visiting the college from 11 a.m. to 11:50 on April 9 in MAC 205 to lecture as a part of the Visiting Artist series. The event is free and open to the public. “Students can look forward to seeing and hearing a lecture about my very process-driven and haptic artistic practice,” said Williams. “I will present a series of projects that show a variety of ways I’m exploring questions of race and space; how they manifest visually, but also how I continue to use my practice to ask more refined questions of myself instead of trying to use the work to posit answers.”
12 April 2017 // codcourier.org // 7
F E AT U R E S
Q&A: Faculty spotlight: Anatomy and Physiology Professor Karan Oliver-Tucci Caroline Broderick · Features Editor
Every year students are invited to nominate their favorite professors and faculty members, and every year an outstanding faculty member is recognized above the rest. This year, Anatomy and Physiology professor, Karan Oliver-Tucci has been recognized for Outstanding Faculty member after being nominated eight times by eight separate students over the past two years. The Courier sat down with Oliver-Tucci to get to know a little more about the Outstanding Faculty member. #BeUnderstood
Caroline Broderick: What is your education background? Where did you attend school and where are you originally from? Karan Oliver-Tucci: Undergraduate: Secondary Biology at DePaul University Graduate: Biological Science with Concentration in Human Anatomical
Sciences ay Northern Illinois University CB: Was teaching something you always aspired to do? What about teaching science courses? KO-T: It was my love of animals that first drew me to the field of biology. I worked jobs as a veterinary technician and seasonal zookeeper during college but as soon as I started teaching high school biology, I was hooked. I love being in the classroom. After earning my graduate degree and specializing in Human Anatomical Science, it made sense to transition into a college setting where I could teach more advanced material. C: Do you know who nominated you for Outstanding Faculty? How do you know this person? KO-T: Over the past two years, I've been so lucky to have had eight student nominations. I realize that it is not a quick process and
really appreciate that all of these students took time out of their busy schedules to fill out then nomination forms. C: What is your reaction to being named Outstanding Faculty? KO-T: I was caught off guard and initially very surprised. I am very honored to have been named Outstanding Faculty out of such an amazing pool of quality professors. The award motivates me to continue trying out new activities and labs with my students and be innovative in my field. C: Do you have a philosophy for teaching? Maybe a specific way you like to approach a lesson? KO-T: i see how my students each learn a little bit differently so a key component to my teaching includes trying to reach all kinds of learners. I try to use different teaching modalities to make my visual,
kinesthetic and auditory learners all feel included in my lessons. I believe that the best professors are experts in their field so I constantly try to stay abreast of new medical procedure and technological developments since things are so rapidly advancing in medicine. I visit the NIH and CDC websites to research the most up-to-date information quite frequently. I love to learn so I welcome questions and enjoy finding the answers to those I am not able to answer off the top of my head. Lastly, when explaining complicated material, I like to break it down into building blocks that students can master. C: What are some things Karan, not Professor, likes to do when not working? Are there any things that a lot of students don't know about you? KO-T: I love to travel during school holidays and breaks. I've been to Bora Bora, Argentina, Belize,
COD Professor Karan Oliver-Tucci
Costa Rice, Italy, Switzerland and all over the Caribbean. I'm hoping to plan a trip to visit Thailand with my husband and kids (triplets). In the future, I would love to develop a field course so I could learn, teach and travel with my students.
py to be here at COD. I'm already doing what I love and feel so grateful for the opportunity.
C: If you weren't teaching, what do you think you would be doing as a profession?
KO-T: When a students writes me a thank you card at the end of the semester or fills out a nomination form it means so much and reminds me of exactly why I teach!
KO-T: Honestly, this is my dream job. I'm so hap-
SOME PARENTS THINK THEIR KIDS AREN’T LISTENING. SOME KIDS GET DISTRACTED BY ALL THEY HEAR. Learning and attention issues can look different to parents and kids. That’s why there’s Understood, a free online resource with answers, advice and tools to help your child thrive. Go from misunderstanding to understood.org.
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8 // codcourier.org // 12 April 2017
C: Do you have any specific stories or memories from your teaching career that you look back on and think "That's why I teach"?
F E AT U R E S
Classic Movie Review Raging Bull: In Poetic Beauty a Legend Withers Kitt Fresa · News Editor
CREATIVE COMMONS
The rise and fall of Jake La Motta is pure poetry. Filmed beautifully in black and white, Scorsese and his long time Director of Photography, Michael Chapman portray La Motta’s story perfectly. Anger and brutality combine with love and triumph to make Raging Bull into a masterpiece of beautiful storytelling. This true story is as inspirational as it is heartbreaking, but that heartbreak never comes as a surprise. Before the film even starts we begin to see it’s end. La Motta, played by an obese Robert De Niro recites lines to himself in an empty dressing room. De Niro is almost unrecognizable, the actor famously gained 60 pounds to play the ending part of his role. De Niro’s performance as Jake La Motta is exemplary, the devotion he had to this character alone is stunning, but that in combination with his classic acting makes for a surreal portrayal. La Motta’s lines end and the words “Jake La Motta 1964” appear below him, the camera cuts and it’s La Motta in the middle of a boxing match. He’s in incredible shape, the words “Jake La
Motta 1941” appear just like they did before, La Motta’s story begins again. The Bronx, New York City 1941. La Motta’s life is split in half. One devoted to being an unbreakable boxer, the other to being a lousy human being. He’s demanding and vexatious, especially with his wife. The two scream and fight in classic Bronx style; loud and with a thick accent. 1941 was a different time and men hitting women was common, Jake is no uncommon man to his wife. He posses this massive amount of power that even make men run from him. He uses it to his advantage regularly and bullies almost everyone he knows. Including his brother Joey (played by Joe Pesci) who also happens to be his manager. The two brothers spend a lot of their time together and eventually go to the local pool where Jake spots a girl he likes. The two meet each other and their relationship takes off quickly. The film doesn't hesitate at all and no more than 10 minutes in screen time after they met they're together. It isn't ever mentioned in the film but Jake has obviously left his wife
for this new girl, Vicki. Life gets good after this Jake keeps winning his fights and colored home footage shows Jake’s life and family growing with Vicki. Even Joey gets married too. Jake trail blazes through his opponents, but as Jake’s life grows so does his anger. He’s even more impatient than before and random conspiracies fester in his head, usually only based off of a few words in a sentence he takes the wrong way. With every fight this power inside him grows, he has more to lose and he protects it more and more but in all of the wrong ways. He accuses even his own brother of sleeping with his wife after just minor suspicion. The man that has everything chases it into nothing. As good as Jake is though he is not undefeated, his archenemy Sugar Ray Robinson is the only one to defeat him and vice versa. A scene does not describe Jake’s boxing attitude more than this one. Round 13, the hard luck number. The two legendary boxers fight once again. As soon as 13 starts Jake starts taking a beating, Robinson gets him on the ropes and
La Motta only receives. The crowd gets louder and the La Motta keeps taking more and more punches. Robinson backs off, “Come on! Come on!” Jake yells at Robinson with his hands down. Robinson waits in confusion for La Motta to get off the ropes and put his hands up but La Motta doesn’t move. “Come on!” he repeats. Steam rises off the crowd behind Jake as he yells again “Come on Ray! Come on!” There is no sound, only silence as the two arch enemies stare each other down in the eye of the storm. Robinson grows tired of waiting and unleashes on La Motta. La Motta’s hands grasp for the ropes as Robinson opens cuts and sprays blood off La Motta’s face. Blood trails down La Motta’s legs as cameras flash and Robinson throws more punches. La Motta doesn't even attempt to defend himself. La Motta’s wife can’t watch and weeps into her hands as she bows down in her seat. Robinson breaks and stares at La Motta one last time, La Motta beaten stares back. The sound of wind is the only noise. Robinson’s fist slowly raises high, La Motta’s wife looks back up and watches
as Robinson gives everything he’s got into his last punch. A bucket of Jake’s blood sprays onto the officials, Robinson punches again and again until the ref finally ends the fight. La Motta’s eyes are swollen so much that you can't even see his eyes. Robinson is escorted to his corner but La Motta follows behind him. “Ray…Ray… Hey Ray…Never went down Ray. Never got me down Ray. You hear me? You never got me down.” Jake may be his own worst enemy, and the one’s he loves may hate him, but they never got him down. It was his last fight. The scene cuts and we see Jake retired and fat. He’s a totally different person. A few people interview him on his new lifestyle and we find out that Jake has bought a bar aptly named, Jake La Motta’s. Jake really is a different person, on his stage he tells bad jokes and reminisces about his past to a quiet and small crowd. He drinks and parties but he is obviously empty. His wife leaves him not much longer. However as heartbreaking as it is to see somebody so legendary, so tough and talented fall so hard, it isn't short
at all of deserving. As Jake boxed his way to infamy he pushed away everyone he loved with his rage. When Jake’s boxing career ended, so did he. All that was left of Jake was just the lousy human being inside him. Those two halves are gone he is just the one, and nobody has any respect for that last piece of him. Not to soon after Jake’s wife leaves him he's arrested for kissing an underage girl. He’s thrown in jail and nothing remains of the great Jake La Motta. La Motta leaves not much later and we see him at a event titled “An Evening with Jake La Motta.” Inside La Motta recites lines to himself in an empty dressing room. He finishes reciting and straightens himself up before giving flurry of punches in the mirror, readying himself for the crowd waiting. La Motta is no longer the man he once was, in rage and agony he has lost everything. But he goes out after practicing his lines because no matter what happened to him life never got him down. They never got him down.
12 April 2017 // codcourier.org // 9
READY TO TRANSFER? At Roosevelt, we know what you’re looking for in schools: an outstanding academic experience, generous transfer policies, and access to faculty with real-world experience. You get all this and more here, conveniently situated in downtown Chicago or suburban Schaumburg. Our transfer credit policy and agreements with dozens of area community colleges help you make the move to Roosevelt. When you’re ready, transfer and finish your bachelor’s with us.
Meet with a Roosevelt admission counselor at COD, May 9 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
admission@roosevelt.edu (877) 277-5978 roosevelt.edu/transfer
We Offer: • Planning with a knowledgeable North Central transfer counselor • Smooth transfer of credit • Generous transfer academic scholarships and financial aid
Learn More! Visit North Central College Transfer Information Sessions (group setting) Upcoming dates: April 7, April 20, May 22
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• Individual setting • Daytime, evening and Saturday options
Customized Visits • Individual setting • Weekdays For more information and to request a visit, go to northcentralcollege.edu/transfer-visit or call 630-637-5800.
North Central will be at College of DuPage on:
10 // codcourier.org // 12 April 2017
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OPINION EDITORIAL
Death to the “Fight for $15” The minimum wage is one of the most contested economic policies of our current political atmosphere. Whether we should raise it or keep it at the current rate is a matter of partisanship. Republicans believe that the $7.25 national minimum wage is acceptable, while on the left the larger consensus is to increase the national minimum wage to a staggering $15 per hour. In Illinois, Democratic legislators have begun their local “Fight for $15” campaign that many other liberal states and cities have been partaking. From Seattle to New York City to the state of Massachusetts, liberal localities across the nation have been buying into the idea that increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour will bring large economic growth and higher job satisfaction, while also increasing the amount of jobs in the marketplace. This could be farther from the truth, and in fact increasing the minimum wage to twice the national level will stand to hurt every part of our job market in the long term. Initially, workers in a market with this wage increase will feel the benefit of their legislator’s hard work. They will have more
money to spend, while also being able to work less to acquire the same pay. Initially, the service industry will be hit hard, especially in the fast food market with the introduction of automation, as well the growing undocumented immi-
grant labor force being able to work for below the government mandated wage, especially in states like California and Illinois. As time progresses, new youth who are attempt-
EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR-IN-CHIEF LUCAS KOPROWSKI FEATURES EDITOR CAROLINE BRODERICK GRAPHICS EDITOR JOSEPH MOLINO PHOTOGRAPHER DAVID JURA REPORTER VANDY MANYEH SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER ALIZAY RIZVI
ing to enter the job market will find themselves at a disadvantage, as their labor isn’t worth the government mandated $15 per hour, and will lead to a large unemployment rate amongst
teenagers. The increase in wages will cut the number of full-time workers, and will lead to a correlative loss in full-time worker benefits across the
board. Inflation will equalize with the government mandated cost of labor due to businesses needing to match their
increase of labor costs with their gross profit, and will make the increase to $15 feel like nothing has changed
within 20 years of its enactment. Democratic Illinois legislators have
which will not only increase our state minimum wage by $6.75 by 2022, but also provide subsidies to small businesses which cannot afford the increase in labor costs through tax credits. This bill is not only dangerous to the lacking Illinois economy as it currently stands, but it will also dig Illinois into a deeper debt through providing subsidies to companies which would fail under the pressure of meeting labor costs. The state hasn’t had a formal budget in over two S N years, and has already O E COMM cursed programs CREATIV across the state, such as the community college system, with having to cut full-time employees and find nontraditional ways to fund themselves. Illinois is already in crisis mode with the amount of turmoil slathered across the gears of our state government. Now is not the time to boost our economy in the short term with a nonsensical minimum wage increase. Now is the time to fine tune solutions to our ever-growing state debt, and to find ways both Democrats and Republicans can work together for once in our state’s history recently intro- duced to build a sustainable fua $15 minimum wage bill ture for all citizens of the into the general assembly Land of Lincoln.
Views expressed in The Courier represent opinions of majority of editorial board. The Courier encourages all students, faculty, staff, administrators and community members to voice their opinions on all the topics concerning them both in and out of school. We encourage readers to submit a “Letter to the Editor” voicing their opinions on topics discussed in the editorial.
12 April 2017 // codcourier.org // 11
FINISH YOUR DEGREE AT NIU
Schedule a Visit go.niu.edu/COD
12 // codcourier.org // 12 April 2017
SPORTS
Penn St. Board Member lord’s comments shows that nothing has been learned Carlos Peterson · Reporter
CREATIVE COMMONS
On November 5, 2011, former Penn State defensive coordinator, Jerry Sandusky, was charged with 40 counts of molesting 8 boys from 1994-2009, in a moment where time seemed to stand still. In the months that followed Sandusky was found guilty on 52 counts of child molestation and it became evident as more information came to light that people within the program knew of this happening but withheld the information from the proper authorities. Joe Pa-
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terno the legendary Penn State football coach was found to be responsible for the negligence of children within his program that ultimately led to the trauma of 8 young boys. It was apparent in the situation that the legend of Joe Paterno would die with the indictment of Sandusky. The biggest scandal that has ever reached the university athletic system surprisingly still elicits responses that leave people in shock. I myself am still appalled at the number
of people ready to defend their false sense of honor that the Penn State program gave its constituents. This past week Penn State trustee, Al Lord, when asked about the events that transpired only 5 years prior, wreaked of insensitivity and just little grasp of the gravity the situation had held. Referring to the survivors as “so called victims” and how he was “running out of patience” is just one of the many examples of how the NCAA fumbled
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the disciplinary action despite spending years trying to make examples out of what they deemed to be morally reprehensible actions made by teenagers. While the action taken by the NCAA seem disconcerting at the least some of the most disturbing comments come from the fanbase of Penn State. Perhaps after the harboring of a known sexual criminal in Sandusky, the general consensus should be that the statue built for Paterno shouldn’t be put
up however the fanbase had different opinions. Going so far as to hold mass gatherings by the football stadium in protest against taking down the statue of the former Penn State football coach the question around the country became, “How can someone defend these men?” The survivors of these egregious acts are finally able to receive the closure and justice they have been denied for over 20 years. While many things were
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done poorly in the reprimanding of Penn State and the comments made by Al Lord were disgusting, this can be used as a learning experience so that this may never happen again. When the power ends up in the hands of the few and people lack the perspective of an outside scope the human element is lost. Perhaps Mr. Lord can find that perspective when he decides to defer from having a second term.
COD Courier Student Newspaper 12 April 2017 // codcourier.org // 13
SPORTS
Stop turning MLS into a retirement league Vandy Manyeh · Reporter
CREATIVE COMMONS NYC FC Player Andrea Pirlo
Like a bunch of cars with nice bodies and worn out engines parked in a scrap yard, Major League Soccer (MLS) has become a league with nice stadiums and a plethora of old players hustling for retirement
money. For this reason, MLS lacks the class, grit, athleticism and high-caliber players to have the league on par with other big-spending leagues. Of recent, the Chicago Fire signed German inter-
national Bastian Schweinsteiger, a player that has won more titles and silverware than any other player in the MLS. He scored during his debut match for the Fire, and so far he has been brilliant for his team. Here is the irony: signing a player like Schweinsteiger is the very reason why MLS, despite the huge spending on players and stadiums, still struggles with its TV ratings. Schweinsteiger at the age of 32 isn’t that player you can build a franchise around. In fact, 10 years ago when he was fantastic for Germany and Bayern Munich, he wouldn’t have thought about playing in the MLS. Managers in the MLS believe signing accomplished players who are getting ready for retirement is a way to have fans attracted to these teams. The Red Bulls thought it wise to bring Thierry Henry after his heroic performances at Arsenal and Barcelona to prove he was the guy their team needed to boost their striking
options. Spain’s all-time leading goal scorer and a former hit man at Barcelona David Villa didn’t move to New York City FC till the torrid days of his career when Barcelona started to look for younger options. England’s Shaun Wright-Phillips will also be remembered for this dwindling path. From Manchester City, he signed a big deal with Chelsea in 1999. He became an important part of the team and was even good enough to get a place back at Manchester City when its new wealthy owner Sheikh Mansour wanted trophies. His poor performance forced him to sign with a relegation zone team like the Queens Park Rangers. The Red Bulls and Phoenix Rising FC were his most recent options for banking retirement money. This is a charade to soccer enthusiasts across the country. What is wrong with recruiting the best young players in high schools and universities across the country? MLS has some
examples and methodologies to mimic. Leagues like the NFL, NBA and MLB are classic examples of how a sound recruitment process for American players should be carried out. Don’t drag this major frailty of the MLS into the touted conversation that defends the existence of the best basketball, football, and baseball programs as being something very unique to the United States. Basketball, football and baseball teams in Europe and Asia do not spend the same money on their programs like the teams in the U.S. On the contrary, MLS teams are capable of spending the same amount of money on players and league development like teams in England, Spain and Germany. Stop airing games on the radio. Sign great television contracts. Bring in some young talent, and let’s see what happens. Currently, the most celebrated American soccer player is Borussia Dortmund’s Christian Pulisic.
Unlike other leagues that have been able to keep their country's best player at home, no team in the MLS can successfully lure the Pennsylvania native. He will be back at the age of 30 without his present verve to get that retirement money. Tim Howard, in my mind, the best goalie to play in the World Cup, with 16 saves against a meteoric team like Belgium, didn’t play in America during his prime years. Howard ended his stint in Merseyside with English Premier League (EPL) side Everton in 2016 at the age of 37 for the Colorado Rapids. Now let us watch a 38-year-old superstar. I am able to watch 10 EPL weekend games. I can’t say the same thing about the MLS. Maybe when I’m ready to retire, or at least old enough to sympathize with the current state of soccer in the MLS, the MLS will have something for me to cheer for.
EVEN TEXTERS AND DRIVERS HATE TEXTERS AND DRIVERS. STOPTEXTSSTOPWRECKS.ORG 14 // codcourier.org // 12 April 2017
Bankhed – Yung AOL Genre: Electronic / Sounds like: Instupendo, o k h o Usually I would turn away completely from a solely instrumental, electronic-ish song, but “Bankhed” is one of those songs that sneaks into your head, unknowingly making you cooly bob it with the beat. It graces Spotify’s “Lush Vibes” playlist and is one of the crowning jewels. It’s a goofy yet groovy beat stuck in less than two minutes. The song makes you feel like you’re strolling down the street with a rhythm in your step, or cruising with the windows down and your hand flying through the wind. When you’re in a good mood, this song only enhances that. Skip the repetitive lyrics and annoying choruses you find in mainstream music today, try something a little different with groove. —Caroline
Tired – LCD Soundsystem Genre: Rock Sounds like: Live Nirvana LCD Soundsystem isn’t know for it’s rock but from this song it should be. Tired is a song that is totally insane, it’s wild and a headbanger. It’s certainly an acquired taste but if you like rocking and partying this song was made for you. LCD hasn’t dabbled in rock much lately but he should. Tired has an energy to it that drives you, it makes you feel out of control and it’s totally liberating. It’s the kind of song you just go wild to, there’s no shame in that. Live your life to Tired. —Kitt
German Sparkle Party – The Something Experience Genre: Electro Sounds Like: Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, TYP Do you like to sparkle party? I love to sparkle party while wearing my party pants, dancing like a fool and laughing like a sarcastic german. While this song is absolutely ridiculous, the beat is absolutely fire. I now wake up to this song all the time since I’ve found it due to its catchy beat behind the hysterically laughing german dancing in his sparkle party pants. I used to wake up to a 1975 track due to how much I hate their overly pop sound, but now I can wake up to fresh german engineered electro sparkle party life.—Lucas
Flight – Tristam & Braken Genre: Drum & Bass Sounds like: Pegboard Nerds, Seven Lions Flight starts off really slow before it drops to a really catchy beat. The amount of bass Tristam put into this song is nice and just enough to get your heart pounding. Its a song that will get you pumped up and in the mood to actually do something. Braken’s additions with Tristam are absolutely stunning and they truly melge together really well. While there is no general chorus to the music, the combination of drum and bass alongside the electronic sound makes for a very good sound. It not only relaxes the mind, but also gets you ready for whatever it is your set out to do. —Alizay
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