The Daily Free Press
Year xlii. Volume lxxxiii. Issue XX
DEBATE TEAM CGSA hosts panel before pres. debate, page 3.
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Thursday, October 4, 2012 The Independent Student Newspaper at Boston University
SMELLS GOOD
Perfume Genius tours his sophomore album, page 5.
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CHICKS WITH STICKS
WEATHER
W. hockey faces BC in season opener, page 8.
Today: Sunny, High 57 Tonight: Cloudy, Low 40 Tomorrow: 62/38 Data Courtesy of weather.com
Mass. needs more job training, proper skills, report finds Obama, Romney
appeal to middle class in debate
By Rachel Riley Daily Free Press Contributor
After about two years of investigation, the Massachusetts Jobs Creation Commission outlined four main strategies to target economic growth and increase job numbers in the Commonwealth at a press conference Wednesday at the State House. The report, the product of an investigation initially mandated in 2008, recommends that Massachusetts increase demands for goods and services, as well as state investment in infrastructure. “It was to investigate how to create jobs in Massachusetts, and I think it did achieve that,” said Alan Clayton-Matthews, a professor and director of Quantitative Methods at Northeastern University and a commissioner, in an interview with The Daily Free Press. “It was pretty broad-based in its use of finding people who are knowledgeable about ways to increase the number of jobs.” The report suggested ensuring a properly skilled workforce by matching education and training to job demand and ensuring workforce training programs and job search resources. The commission, formed in 2008, was ordered to create “an investigation and study relative to the economy in order to create and maintain quality jobs in the Commonwealth,” according to the report. Mass. Sen. Karen Spilka, of Ashland, cochaired the commission with Mass. Rep. Joseph Wagner, of Chicopee. The commission included 17 individuals,
By Mary Yatrousis Daily Free Press Staff
In their highly anticipated first presidential debate, President Barack Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney clashed on issues of Obamacare, the economy and the suffering middle class. The two candidates went head to head Wednesday night at the University of Denver, moderated by Jim Lehrer from “NewsHour” on PBS. The debate was dominated by issues related to the economy and both candidates’ appeals to the middle class . The debate was dominated by issues pertaining to the economy, with both candidates MICHELLE JAY/DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF presenting their plans for the future. Mass. Sen. Karen Spilka, of Ashland, co-chair of the Jobs Creation Commission, presents the 90-page final “My number one principle is that there will report on how to create more jobs in Massachusetts Wednesday morning in the Senate Reading Room at the be no tax cut that adds to the deficit,” Romney Massachusetts State House. said. including legislators, business and labor rep- the report. Obama said there is no way that Romney’s resentatives and economics professionals. It Eight public hearings occurred all across consisted of three subcommittees for inventory, the Commonwealth, Spilka said. The hearings plan of a $5-trillion tax cut would work, to demand and supply. gave workers, businesses and human resource which Romney repeatedly said was not his “Each focused on a major topic, an area professionals the opportunity to voice their con- plan. Additionally, Obama said there is no way critical to job creation and economic develop- cerns and give suggestions. ment,” Spilka said. “We heard from employees, we heard from he could implement those tax cuts and not lose From Jan. 6, 2011, to July 25, 2012, the employers and we heard from folks that help revenue because the deductions and loopholes he is going to cut will not cover tax cuts of that commission hosted hearings with help from loJobs, see page 2 expense. cal Workforce Investment Boards, according to Romney presented his economic plan in five basic points. He said he wants America to become energy-independent, open up more free trade, give Americans the skills to succeed Charles River Campus on- and off-campus property only in a building or two,” he said. with the best schools, balance the budget and residences as well as BU study abroad “Fortunately, it has been relatively rare for champion small business. Obama presented plans that not only focuses programs. crimes to occur in those facilities outside of on taxes, but also education reform. He also Madrid, as well as the majority of other Boston.” study abroad cities, reported no crimes Healy said the deaths of three students in addressed his proposal to lower the corporate between 2009 and 2011. a vehicular accident in New Zealand on May tax rate and create tax break incentives for “I usually see a good amount of people 12 will not be included in the next annual companies who are investing in the U.S. and and feel comfortable walking knowing security report because it only reports not overseas. Obama also said he aims to look to energy there’s safety in numbers,” Wood said about Jeanne Clery Act crimes, which does not Madrid. “In Boston, it doesn’t seem this classify a traffic fatality as a non-negligent sources of the future, such as wind and solar power. way. Even parts of Comm. Ave. can get homicide. Both candidates emphasized their support pretty dark and quiet come 11 at night.” Olivia Soga, a College of Arts and The program in Los Angeles was the Sciences junior in the London Internship for the middle class. Romney detailed a plan only one to report a crime, one burglary in Program, said there are different restrictions where he would lower tax rates for the middle 2011, according to the report. for overnight guests and duration of their class and without losing revenue. The key to Even though the number of crimes at stays as well as keypads for the communal providing relief, he said, would be in lowering deductions and exemptions that the upper class abroad campuses is significantly fewer than kitchens. those on Boston campuses, BUPD Sergeant “I live in a very tame building, so we is using as loopholes. But Obama said Romney’s plan would not Daniel Healy said the crime statistics haven’t had any noise violations abroad reported are accurate. so far,” she said. “My floormates are all work. “For each of the locations outside of Debate, see page 2 Abroad, see page 2 Boston, the university typically controls
BU students feel safe while abroad, few crimes reported By Nicole Leonard Daily Free Press Staff
College of Communication junior Caymee Wood said that although there is not campus security or an escort service for her study abroad program, she feels safe, if not safer, in Madrid than at Boston University. “I rarely see any dark streets [here],” she said in an email. “There just seems to be more street lighting, and because of the culture here, there are always people awake and chatting and drinking in the streets until the early hours of the morning.” Wood, who is in the Madrid Internship Program, is one of a number of students who said the safety and security within their abroad programs reflect the limited crime incidences reported in the BU Annual Security and Fire Safety Report of 2012–13. The BU Police Department distributed the report to students in an email last Friday, which contained crime statistics for the
Splash re-opened after temporary closing By Amira Francis Daily Free Press Staff
Students gave mixed reviews about Splash Ultra Lounge & Burger Bar, which was shut down after an underage Boston University student’s high tab led officials to shut down the club on Saturday. The Boston Fire Department District Four chief temporarily closed Splash Saturday night due to overcrowding, violation of fire codes and serving alcohol to minors, including the unnamed BU student, according to a police report. Nicole Murati Ferrer, chairwoman of Boston’s Licensing Board, said the fire chief who shut the club down on Saturday has lifted the order so that they can be open for business. “I can’t comment on whether there will be any action taken against Splash because we haven’t heard the evidence,” Ferrer said. “There will be a hearing on Oct. 23 at 10 a.m.” Madisen Sanders, a College of General Studies sophomore, said she noticed overcrowding when she attended Splash this year.
“I particularly thought of it as a little shady,” she said. “I actually ended up leaving because it was overcrowded. There just wasn’t enough breathing area at all. It was very packed.” Scott Shapiro, a College of Arts and Sciences sophomore, said he always enjoyed attending Splash. “My experience was always positive,” he said. “Everyone was having a good time.” Shapiro said he was surprised to hear Splash was closed for overcrowding. “It always seemed pretty under control even when it was very crowded,” he said. “Every time I’d been there, there was space and places you could go to get to the stage. I think most nightclubs will always have times where they get very crowded.” Sanders said she noticed underage drinking when she attended Splash, but is still surprised by it. “From my friends’ experiences, they’ve said they have no problems getting into clubs around
Splash, see page 4
PASSION FOR FASHION
SARAH SIEGEL/DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF
Artist and designer Sybylla Smith hosts Fashion Photography Night at the Photography Resource Center Wednesday night.