The Daily Free Press
Year xli. Volume lxxxii. Issue lxxxxx.
HOLY HOTEL PRICE! Room prices rise as graduations near, page 3
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Tuesday, April 24, 2012 The Independent Student Newspaper at Boston University
RAPS’ RIDDLES
Researcher explores brain’s rhyming ability, page 5
]
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Last year’s rookies lead the way for 27-13 softball team, page 8
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Green Street Vault may not have proper permits to park, sell Slain GSM student By Jen Janiak Daily Free Press Staff
Unless shoppers stumbled upon the Green Street Vault truck parked in areas such as Newbury Street, they had to track the mobile clothing company’s location on social media sites. Now, however, the truck’s daily trips through Boston have hit a roadblock. After receiving a citation from the City of Boston for “Occupying City Property without ‘proper permits,’” the Boston start-up is no longer allowed to park in Downtown Boston or the Back Bay, said co-owner Howard Travis in an email interview. “We were initially told all we needed were ‘Hawkers and Peddlers’ licenses, so that’s what we have, but according to these city citations we were issued, we’re missing permits that actually don’t exist within city legislature,” he said. Hawkers and peddlers are not allowed to operate downtown or in the Back Bay, Travis said. He and co-owner Derrick Cheung contend that their company, which sells clothing and hats, does not quite fit within any of the city’s defined guidelines. The mobile store ran into trouble with city officials in early March, Travis said, despite his and Cheung’s efforts to obtain all the necessary permits before starting business in early 2011. Since Green Street Vault conducts business transactions within the truck –not actually on the streets of Boston – the truck “technically operates in a ‘grey area,’” Travis said.
remembered by friends, professors By Jaime Lutz Daily Free Press Staff
mented to assist all students,” he said. “It’s not necessarily just an RHA issue, and we would want to make sure that a communication channel is established so that issues could be identified.” Union Vice President Alex Staikos, a SMG sophomore, said the draft constitution was unclear about the role of a faculty advisor in the OEC. The OEC, Male said, might interfere with Union and make unclear the difference in role of OEC and Union. “If there is confusion about which body handles something, then neither body has authority and is able to effectively advocate for students,” he said. The council also aims to address allocation of funds to different residence halls. “Some residence halls really don’t get enough money to do much, and some get
When India native Kanagala Seshadri Rao was accepted to the School of Management, he had never been to America before. He called Lokesh Amarnath Ravindranathan, a master’s candidate at the School of Engineering, to pick him up at the airport. Rao, Ravindranathan said, was “immediately excited” by the new country – in particular, its food. “He was amazed at the variety,” he said. “[That first day,] we probably went to Kelly’s on Harvard Avenue” – a roast beef sandwich chain – “just to taste real American food.” Rao, he said, loved it. Last Thursday – just months later – Rao was shot to death a few blocks away on a street in Allston. “Sesh,” as friends knew him, was 24. Rao was endlessly curious about other people and the world around him – though he was slightly shy, he “truly cared about what he was doing and what other people were doing,” said Ravindranathan, who went to school with Rao in India before becoming his classmate again at Boston University. Both in India and America, Rao was known as a genuinely nice person, one who cared deeply about his schoolwork, one who was always willing to lend a hand. “We are truly and deeply saddened by Seshadri Rao’s tragic death,” President Robert Brown said in a statement to The Daily Free Press. “We extend our sincere condolences to Sesh’s parents, brother, relatives and friends, as well as his classmates and other members of the university community who are grieving.” The university, Brown said, is working closely with the Boston Police Department to investigate and resolve the case. SMG Dean Kenneth Freeman, who spoke to a class of Rao’s a few weeks ago, described him as a student “of the highest integrity.” What he will remember most, he said, is Rao’s spirit in the classroom. “I remember Sesh very well because he was very inquisitive,” Freeman said. “He had great questions, and he was very engaged in the dialogue.” Rao came to SMG after several years of working in India. A gifted student and skilled with computers, Rao was pursuing a master’s
Union, see page 4
Obit, see page 2
AMANDA SWINHART/FILE PHOTO
After being shut down by the city, Green Street Vault is hoping to obtain the proper permits to continue selling on the streets of Boston.
If the city considered the company a “hawker and peddler,” he said, it would group Green Street Vault “with pushcarts selling $5 sunglasses and roasted nuts.” “Not that there is anything wrong with that by any means, we are just clearly a very different business,” he said. Green Street Vault and the city are now at a standstill, Travis said. “We are patiently waiting and abiding by
the city’s laws by vending outside of their ‘restricted vending zone’ until a meeting can be set with city officials to determine our status,” he said. Boston University students said they are surprised at the conflict between the city and the clothing company. “I find it astounding that such an innovative
Vault, see page 2
Union proposes RHA council, smoking courtesy campaign By Chris Lisinski Daily Free Press Staff
Student Union members expressed concerns Monday night about the creation of a Residence Hall Association Overarching Executive Council at Boston University for Fall 2012. Towers RHA President Zach Herbert, a College of Engineering sophomore, said the council was approved and should form after presenting a draft constitution. “This Overarching Executive Council is meant to provide some sort of central leadership to RHAs,” Herbert said. “It is 100 percent internal and 100 percent student run.” Herbert said the council is expected to implement training programs for RHA members to address a steep learning curve and to create continuity for the organization. “Sometimes there are issues that take
place in every residence hall, and it is much easier to address these issues with one structure,” Herbert said. “The OEC also will address quality-of-life concerns that often occur in more than one residence hall.” The announcement raised questions among a number of Union members about the council’s relationship with the rest of Union and the possibility of splintered student voice, among other possibilities. “The discussion that occurred here reflected concerns that the OEC may cause confusion and fragment the student voice,” said Union President Howard Male, a School of Hospitality Administration and School of Management senior. Male said he is concerned it will be unclear to administrators and students who is responsible for quality-of-life issues, especially when the problems exist beyond residence halls. “One cohesive project can be imple-
MBTA officials working on smartphone app, commuter rail riders pay in advance By Samantha Tatro Daily Free Press Staff
Smartphones are the only thing commuter rail passengers need to board trains by the fall, potentially reducing costs for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. The transit organization is partnering with Masabi to create a mobile ticketing application that will allow riders to pay for their fare on the commuter rail through their smartphones, according to an MBTA press release. Applications will be available for BlackBerry, iPhone and Android phones, and users will be able to purchase passes and tickets on their phones prior to boarding their trains, the release stated. “For the passengers, the system removes the problem of having to wait in line at ticket machines – you will be able to buy your ticket wherever you are,” said Ben Whitaker, Masabi CEO, in an email interview. “It also means one less thing to take with you when traveling.” Masabi designed the United Kingdom’s secure mobile ticketing system, Whitaker said, and once the MBTA ran an open procurement
process to compare mobile ticketing suppliers, they chose Masabi as a partner. “Initially the applications will allow passengers to use their smartphones as both ticket and ticket machine, allowing them to securely purchase tickets and then display them onscreen as a ticket which can be read by train conductors and station staff,” he said. Although the aim of the app will be to ensure the purchasing process works smoothly, Whitaker said the application can later be a foundation for “more advanced features supporting the commuter in their whole journey throughout the day – not just buying the ticket.” MBTA spokeswoman Lydia Rivera said the largest benefit of the app will be the ability to collect fares. “The number-one benefit is being able to collect the fares and make sure we are collecting all the fares,” Rivera said. “It will be an easier and smoother transaction for customers.” “We have not identified where the money is coming from right now,” Rivera said. “We are looking at the long term benefits. . . . While we are in the dire straits of a budget gap, we
feel that moving forward with the new app is a customer service convenience and will ensure fares are collected.” At this time, customers will not have to pay for the app, Rivera said, and the MBTA will work with Masabi on the application. “The new solution will help the MBTA reduce costs by eliminating the need for additional vending machines and lowering cash handling costs,” according to the press release. “To help combat fare evasion, all mobile tickets will have barcodes allowing for validation.” Rivera said while the MBTA currently has the CharlieCard for the T, the application “is something that could definitely be expanding.” However, the transit system is currently focusing on the commuter rail, Rivera said. “In the coming months, the MBTA will be inviting customers to participate in designing the new applications via focus groups and a small group pilot, which will roll out in late summer,” according to the release. “The full deployment to all MBTA customers is expected this fall.”
ILLUSATRAION AUDREY FAIN/DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF
A customer purchases tickets for the T. Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter rail customers will no longer need to go to the machines to buy tickets, as soon they will be able to buy them with smartphones.
2
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Still no suspect, motive in shooting Obit: From Page 1
degree in mathematical finance. “He was an amiable person who got along with everybody in the school,” said Marcel Rindisbacher, assistant professor of finance at SMG. “He was a highly achieving student with a clear plan about his future in the financial industry. When he asked me to be his reference for a summer internship just a couple of weeks ago, I did not hesitate a second.” Rindisbacher helped to coach Rao and a team of other international students as they competed at an international trading competition in Toronto last February. He remembers Rao as a “highly motivated, professional and kind student.” To Ravindranathan, it’s Rao’s kindness that stands out. “He always thought that graduate school was a place where the point was not only to learn his subject matter,” Ravindranathan said. “He also wanted to learn about everyone’s ethnicities and cultures.” Rao lived with Ravindranathan
for a month before settling on an apartment in Allston. He was one of the first people police called when they found Rao’s body – Ravindranathan was still listed as his emergency contact. Now, everyone who knew Rao is in a state of shock – especially his family back in India, Ravindranathan said. “We have no idea why this happened,” he said. While no details have been released, Freman said SMG began the early stages of planning a memorial ceremony. “First and foremost, we want to meet any wishes that his family might have,” he said. Police have not announced any suspects or motives in the killing, which happened shortly before 2:45 a.m. last Thursday at 139 Allston St. Anyone with tips can call Boston Police at (617) 343-4470 or leave anonymous information at 1-800494-TIPS. Tipsters can also send anonymous information by texting the word “TIP” to CRIME (27463).
Students disappointed in city’s citation Vault: From Page 1
The Daily Free Press Crossword By Tribune Media Services Across 1 Sign up 6 “My Cousin Vinny” star Joe 11 Cooperstown shrine: Abbr. 14 First lady before Michelle 15 Revolutionary Allen 16 Tic-tac-toe loser 17 High rollers 19 Pin for hanging 20 Election losers 21 Observing 23 Musical scale unit 24 Morales of “Jericho” 26 Duped person 29 “Do as I say, not as I do” speakers 34 Deal in stocks 36 Stimpy’s partner 37 Actor Brad 38 Thinker Descartes 39 Like the house this puzzle’s subject couldn’t destroy
44 Dig discovery 45 Shrill “compliment” to a pretty woman
company is being turned way from the city they sell in due to permits,” said College of Communication freshman Elise Yancey. “With all of the students in this area, Boston has become such a creative hub for people.” Visiting the Green Street Vault truck is like walking into a small, quiet boutique, a shopping experience entirely different from what clothing stores in Downtown Boston tend to offer, Yancey said. “Usually when I go shopping or browsing, I go to Newbury Street. Often the experience can be a little overwhelming. There are hundreds of pedestrians, the stores are crowded and the sales associates often seem frantic,” she said, adding that at Green Street Vault, “there’s a strong
sense of customer service and comradely.” College of Arts and Sciences sophomore Cyrus Nazmiyal said he first visited Green Street Vault in September. He said he would be disappointed if the truck were no longer permitted to operate in the city, and it would be a shame for something so creative to disappear. The company is banking on that element of creativity, Travis said, to resume its full operations. “Boston is the home of innovative, entrepreneurial businesses supported by our local government,” he said. “Allowing us to continue to do what we do best will only help push the agenda for innovation forward.” City of Boston officials did not respond to multiple interview requests by press time.
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49 “How revolting!” 50 One, to Beethoven 51 Den or parlor
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53 One in a multiple birth 56 Pet lizards’ homes
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60 German conjunction 61 Catch your breath, or what the subject of this puzzle (found at the start of 17-, 29- and 45-Across) does
Sudoku
64 Swearing-in words 65 Motionless 66 Nightmare loc. of film
9 Automobile
28 Group of judges
symbolic leaf
67 D.C. dealmaker
10 Crotch-to-ankle pants measure
30 Idle and Clapton
53 Comical comment
31 Actress Palmer
54 Cancel
32 Code of conduct
55 Fan club favorite
33 See 26-Down clue
56 Swaps between accts.
68 Like a catching-up letter 69 Some towed vehicles, briefly Down 1 Napoleon’s exile isle 2 File target 3 Carpets 4 Director Welles
41 K-12 sch. years
5 Carriage passenger’s warmer
42 On a cruise
6 Confined, as pigs
43 “The View” network
7 Approx. takeoff hrs. 8 Boater’s pronoun
11 Native Arizonans 12 Plow pullers 13 Verne’s circumnavigator Phineas 18 “I could __ horse!” 22 “Yahoo!” 24 Biz VIP 25 Went down like a stone 26 Like a house destroyed by this puzzle’s subject 27 “Am not!” retort
35 Overwhelm with noise
57 Type of roast
39 German road
58 In that event
40 MLB scoring stats
59 P.M. periods
44 Stock up again
62 A, to Berlioz
46 Live __ one’s means
63 Not many
47 The “T” in NATO 48 Forsaken 52 Source of Canada’s
Solution is on Page 4
Sudoku-Puzzles.net
Difficulty: Medium
Solution is on Page 4
Campus & City
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
3
Campus Crime May lodging in Hub most expensive in nation Boston LGBT Logs
Three’s Company By Gina Curreri Daily Free Press Staff
The following reports were taken from the Boston University Police Department crime logs from April 16 to April 22. At the intersection of Beacon Street and Saint Mary’s Street, a male student was arrested at 2 p.m. on April 16 during Marathon Monday for being within 100 yards of a female student, his former girlfriend, who has a restraining order against him. He was brought to District D4 station at 650 Harrison Ave. for safe keeping until his arraignment Tuesday. At 3:35 p.m. that Monday, the male student’s girlfriend filed a complaint against the former girlfriend for harassment. Police found no probable cause to arrest the former girlfriend. Hightailing it While on their way to assist a medical incident, officers found three students smoking marijuana outside Sleeper Hall at 275 Babcock St. on Saturday at 1:39 a.m. The students ran away when police confronted them, but officers were able to catch one. The male student will be cited for smoking marijuana. Stolen deals on wheels BUPD observed two males believed to be stealing bicycles at the intersection of Buswell Street and Saint Mary’s Street on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. Officers followed the two into Brookline with Brookline Police and stopped them after they discarded some broken bike locks. Though police did not see the theft in progress, Brookline Police arrested both males on suspicion for receiving stolen property. Neither of them were BU students or employees.
alliance set to mark 30 years
By Jasper Craven Daily Free Press Staff
A recent survey found parents of Boston’s college students will be paying the most expensive lodging costs in America during the spring, a price hospitality professionals said is influenced by May graduation. Tourists will have to pay more than $194 a night for a double room late this spring, according to the CheapHotels.org survey, which observed prices for periods throughout May. Following Boston on the list are New York, Philadelphia and D.C. The majority of Hub hotels claim three-star ratings, making overall rates rather high, said Boston University School of Hospitality Administration Professor Dr. Michael Oshins in an email. “Since real estate in Boston is a premium, budget hotels do not make economic sense,” he said in the email. “In order for a developer to recoup costs, it is necessary to build upscale properties, which charge higher rates.” In Boston, the demand of tourists exceeds the supply of hotels, making it possible for hotels to bump up prices, he said. The survey, which measured rankings based on rates in May, took hotel rates from hotel-booking sites such as Expedia, Priceline and Orbitz. With more than 200,000 students in Boston, May is one of the peak seasons due to graduation weekends, so rates are naturally higher, Oshins said.
By Nicole Leonard Daily Free Press Staff
AUDREY FAIN/DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF
The Mandarin Oriental Hotel is an upscale hotel on Bolyston Street. A recent survey found that Boston hotels were among the most expensive in the country.
SHA professor Barry Bloom said as Boston becomes inundated with families traveling for graduations, the demand for rooms increases. “More demand creates the opportunity for the hotels to raise rates,” he said. The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Boston, a Forbes Five-Star award winner, does receive a lot of guests in May, said Tom Stroik, director of sales and marketing at the hotel. “It gets very busy in April and May,” he said. “Graduation without a doubt is the largest demand generator.” Stroik said May is also a big cor-
porate month, with large parties of people booking rooms at the Mandarin for corporate retreats and conventions. This May alone, three big conventions are taking place in Boston for the American Association of Immunologists, the Heart Rhythm Society and the National Cable Telecommunications Association, Stroik said. However, in other months, rates at the Mandarin and other Boston hotels might be different. “If the study was done in February, Boston rates would be much lower,” Oshins said. “New Orleans
This May, the average promrelated spending will surpass the $1,000 mark for each American teenager, according to a recent Visa survey – but the Boston-area gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community may not have to worry about such a hefty prom price tag. The Boston Alliance for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Youth will host its 30th annual prom, open to any under-22-yearolds, on May 19. The BAGLY Prom is the oldest and largest prom for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth in the country, according to the BAGLY website, and has attracted more than 1,000 youth each year since the 1990s. BAGLY itself has roots extending as far back as the late 1970s, back when “nobody was saying ‘LGBT,’” when “it was just ‘gay’ or ‘lesbian,’” said BAGLY Executive Director Grace Sterling Stowell, who said she has been with the organization for 32 years. The nonprofit organization is a youth-led and adult-backed social support group that commits itself to social justice and to supporting the LGBT youth community, according
Hotels, see page 4 SEE FULL STORY ONLINE
Competiton aids class gift committee, goal of 2,012 donors By Megan Allison Daily Free Press Staff
Incentives of a BBQ, along with a first pitch throw at Fenway, helped the Boston University Senior Gift Committee’s challenge move toward closing the gap in its goal of getting 2,012 donors, members said. “We are raising more money [than last year],” said Graduate School of Management student Allie Rowe, the student philanthropy programs manager. “At this point, we’re about 20 percent ahead in how much we’re bringing in.”
The incentive, which is running throughout April, offers the college that raises the most money a BBQ, provided that the seniors reach the goal. With the senior class gift campaign coming to a close at the senior breakfast May 4, the offer may encourage more students than those interested in throwing the first pitch at a Red Sox game during senior week. Patrick Hazel, a donor and a College of Communication senior, said donating is intrinsically important so graduating seniors can leave their mark.
“It’s important because it’s COM senior Lauren Pyes, the something you’ll always remem- student relations co-chairwoman ber,” Hazel said. “It’s your last of the committee, said committee thing to give to your class. It means members spent a long time delibera lot to the school and the students ating about the challenge. themselves.” “[Last year] a student dared Adam Adelson, College of Arts Dean Elmore, ‘If we can get and Sciences senior who donated, 2011 donors, will you jump in the said because he has been so grate- Charles?’” Pyes said. “So he did ful to be a part of BU, he wanted to that.” give back in some way. Students this year said they “It’s hard to say that $5 is going wanted to participate more than last to make a difference, but the more year’s class did, Pyes said. people that donate, the more of a “BU students grab onto that difference we can make collectiveSEE FULL STORY ONLINE ly,” Adelson said.
BU activists commemorate former professor Zinn through dramatic readings By Allison DeAngelis Daily Free Press Staff
JUSTINA WONG/DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF
Gunita Singh reads “Wall Street Owns the Country” by Mary Elizabeth Lease at the Photonics building Monday evening. Singh’s presentation served as part of “Readings from Voices of A People’s History: A Tribute to Howard Zinn.”
In what organizers called an effort to “rejuvenate” Boston University’s activist community, students channeled the late professor Howard Zinn and his remaining influence on campus. “If you feel moved or excited or pissed at any of these monologues, as we hope you do, we urge you to show it,” said organizer Kristen Martin, a College of Arts and Sciences junior. “We are here to demonstrate that the voices of the oppressed still matter, especially at BU, where Zinn’s impact is still tangible.” More than 50 students and activists cheered and yelled “amen” Monday night at the Photonics Center for a tribute to Zinn as 11 students read selections from Zinn’s book, “Voices of a People’s History of the United States.” Commemorating Zinn, who taught at BU for more than 20 years and died in 2010, was the “right move,” said organizer Nate Goldman, a College of Communication alumnus who graduated in
2011. “In the climate that we live in, people are given a voice more readily than they have had at any other point with the advent of new technologies,” Goldman said. “These [speeches represent] people throughout history who have spoken up and voiced their opinion when it seemed impossible.” Martin and Goldman began putting together the reading prior to the second anniversary of Zinn’s death and held auditions in March, Goldman said. Spanning from 1890 to 2000, the speeches recited addressed a variety of activist movements, including poor working conditions, Wall Street, war and patriotism. The readings included speeches from Martin Luther King, Jr. and Marge Piercy, among others. CAS sophomore Chloe Skewis said during a Helen Keller reading activists “should not be an army of destruction but workers for construction.” Audience members laughed as CAS junior Caitlin McGuire, clad in leather and plaid as Allen Gins-
berg, talked about smoking marijuana every day. Although Martin is involved with many activist groups on campus, she said she knows it is easy to become disillusioned. “It’s easy to feel like what you’re doing, especially at a university, doesn’t matter,” she said. “This really shows and demonstrates that the people that have had the greatest impact on our country are the people who you wouldn’t expect.” CAS junior Steven Abrams said he was “more than inspired” after the Zinn readings. “It’s good to see stuff like this at BU,” he said. “I feel like I learn more from talks like this than in class sometimes.” CAS sophomore Nilay Tuncok said she looked forward to Zinn’s tribute because she supports his views. “He wrote about a different perspective in America, and I want to hear that,” Tuncock said. “I thought it was a good idea to honor him.”
4
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Smoking courtesy campaign likely to launch in fall Some hotel rooms $445 a night Union: From Page 1
more than they need,” Herbert said. “We’d like to equalize that a little bit.” However, Herbert said the council aims to operate without any budgeted cost by simply adding a universal executive body to the current RHA system. “We’re keeping the current system how it is and adding to it,” he said. At the meeting, Union also reviewed their campaign to increase smoking courtesy on campus. Vicky Tong, an ENG freshman who heads the smoking courtesy campaign, said she met with Executive Director of Student Ac-
tivities John Battaglino to discuss the advertising campaign. She presented a first draft of an advertisement to the Union members with the slogan, “Stand out from the crowd, but not with your cloud.” “This is the ad they gave us for now,” Tong said. “I’m still communicating with [marketing research] and seeing if we can make more improvements to the ad.” Union members said they would like to see the advertisement developed to better reflect the message of their campaign. “Personally, I think there should be a line that says the word ‘courtesy,’” Male said. The campaign focuses on ad-
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vocating for smokers to be more courteous to non-smokers about where they smoke. Union, which passed a resolution for the campaign in early December, intends to have it up for when students return in the fall. “I have been very clear with administrators that I have met with that we look for this to be implemented in the fall,” Male said. SMG sophomore Caitlin Seele, chairwoman of the gender-neutral housing subcommittee, told Union her final meeting with administration before the year ends is set for next week, but that she will be in Boston over the summer and hopes to develop the housing plans more at that time.
@ D A I L Y F R E E P R E S S
Hotels: From Page 3
rates would be higher, due to Mardi Gras.” Stroik said after looking at rates for various Mandarin Oriental hotels across the nation for the week of May 31, prices differed across the country based on peak seasons. “Our first selling room is $445,” Stroik said, referring to the baseline price of a Mandarin room in Boston that week. “In Miami, it’s in a slow season, so rooms start around $300.” Bloom said hotel prices fluctuate incredibly often, making it hard to tack down an overall picture of hotel rates in any city. “Hotels now use what we call a revenue management model,”
Bloom said. “They are constantly looking at the demand or anticipated demand for given dates.” Bloom said as hotels scan the prices of competitors in the city, an individual hotel could sometimes adjust prices several times a day. Citing information available to subscribers of STR Global, a hotel market analysis firm, Bloom said that throughout the entire year Boston is not the most expensive city for lodgings. For example, Boston averaged only fifth most expensive in 2011, he said. The four cities with overall higher rates than Boston were New York, Honolulu, Miami and San Francisco.
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5
From the Club to the Lab
A scientist uncovers the roots of artistic genius by studying the minds of rappers
E
By Leah Calderon Features Staff
minem’s story and lyrics have inspired the hearts of many. Dr. Charles Limb, otolaryngology specialist and head of neck and surgery at Johns Hopkins, is no exception. A musician himself, Limb is the head of faculty at Johns Hopkins’ Peabody Conservatory of Music. Last Monday evening, Coolidge Corner Theater had two very special guests. One was Dr. Charles Limb in person, and the other was Eminem on the big screen with his famous movie “8 Mile”. As the theater filled up, Limb discussed his most recent study about his fascination with freestyle rapping. He wanted to discover how rappers are able to create such astounding lyrics right off the cuff and how their brains function while doing so. “Artistic creativity is magical, but it’s not magic,” said Limb during his presentation. “It is a neurologic product that can be examined using rigorous scientific methods. We can study it just like we can study any other neurological process.”
ory and consciousness. All of these functions are seeded in the frontal lobe, and once they had distinguished which cortex turned on and which one turned off, a very interesting discovery was made. Dr. Limb explained that the lateral prefrontal cortex was the one turning off, the cortex most involved with selfmonitoring. The medial prefrontal cortex, the area that is thought to be autobiographical and expressive, was the one turning on. “I think this does serve the purpose of helping us better
communication, meaning that the musicians were actually communicating in a sense, or at least their brains thought they were. “This whole notion that music is a language, well maybe there is some neurological truth to it,” Limb said. Limb said he wanted to see if rappers’ improvisation would demonstrate the same results. RAPPING FOR SCIENCE
Being a musical man himself, Limb created his own rap which he had nine professional rappers memorize and perform in the fMRI. While the rappers were in the machine, he asked them to freestyle a rap. Limb would give them a random key word, like “not,” “like” and “had,” and they would have to form a rap around those words. As the results flooded in from all nine subjects, Limb found that the Broca’s area was activated during the memorized rap this time, but someJAZZING UP EXPERIMENTS thing incredible also happened inside the brain while they were free styling. The Broca’s area That is exactly what Limb did, although he did not exploded with activity, as well as the rappers’ start by studying rappers. He started his research with major visual areas and their cerebellum plane, a jazz experiment with several different jazz pianists as which is usually involved in motor skills. the test subjects. “You have a heightened brain activity when For that experiment to work, Limb created a plastic you’re doing a comparable task when that task mini keyboard that would be magnetically safe and is creative versus when that task is memorized,” have minimal interference with the fMRI scanner, Limb said. which was how they documented the changes within But, he said, that was an expected result. What the brain. he didn’t expect was the number of questions “The keyboard doesn’t actually produce any sound,” that would come from one answer. Limb explained, “but instead sends out a ‘MIDI’ sig“We still have so many questions to ask, like nal or musical instrument digital interface through the what is creative genius? Why does the brain seek wires into the box and then into the computer, which creativity? How do we acquire creativity? What then trigger high quality sounds of a piano.” factors disrupt creativity? Can creative behavior As the subject was put into the scanner, the keyboard be learned? We want to get at the root of what was placed on his legs with attached double mirrors so creative genius is neurologically.” he would be able to see what he’s playing while lying Limb’s experiment produced some conflicting down. reviews. The questions that drove this experiment, Limb said, “I’m not sure there is much gain to be made were, “What really happens inside the brain during from understanding what allows artists to be something that is memorized and learned?” and “What creative. The knowledge doesn’t help you to aphappens in the brain during something that is spontanepreciate art more; it doesn’t make a painting any ously generated or improvised?” more beautiful to know what the artists brain The research began by having several musicians play was doing,” said Bryson Mooso, an audience a memorized series of scales up and down the same member. scale paradigm. Then they played a series of notes, only “Do we study artists so that maybe we can creLeah Calderon/DFP Staff ate a drug that allows more people to be creative? with the right hand keeping time with a metronome. Dr. Charles Limb presents on the neural functions of rappers. They then incorporated the jazz paradigm. ResearchIf so what happens when anyone anywhere can ers had the musicians play the same paradigm, but this time understand ourselves. How can man progress in both his be creative just by taking a pill?” Mooso said. “When it’s the musicians were asked to improvise the chord changes knowledge and learning of the world and universe around something anyone can do it’s not art, it’s not creativity. Art and play right off the cuff. him when he has yet to fully understand himself? The abil- is something to be enjoyed, not something to be studied.” ity to express ourselves through the beauty of music or art A number of others said Limb’s research is relevant and IMPROVISED OR MEMORIZED? is what makes us, us,” said Peter Den, a freshman in the important. College of Arts and Sciences. “This research is based on studying the way the brain Looking over the results in the brain activity, researchers As the experiment progressed, Limb said he added a works, which could potentially tell us a lot more than just tried to separate the differences of brain activity between new dynamic by incorporating a “trading fours” sequence, how the brain goes about thinking of a lyric,” said Michael the improvised playing and the memorized playing. They meaning two artists would “communicate” through music. Schade, a junior in CAS. discovered that the medial prefrontal cortex of the brain One player would improvise a few bars, and then the other “Whether or not you like the music is irrelevant, creatively spiked on all levels during improvisation and the lateral would respond with a few bars. Their trading of musical this is neurologically remarkable. Hopefully within the next prefrontal cortex decreased significantly in activity. spectrums provided an interesting discovery. 10-20 years we can start producing meaningful answers to Limb said these cortexes are multifunctional areas of the The brain scan revealed that the musician’s left inferior these questions,” Schade said. “Science has to catch up to brain. They host some of the most important functions of frontal gyrus, or his Broca’s area, lit up during the trading art, and I believe we are taking the first steps to understandthe brain that deal with self-reflection, introspection, mem- fours session. The Broca’s area is involved in expressive ing such an incredible talent.”
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6T
uesday, April
Opinion
24, 2012
The Daily Free Press
The Independent Student Newspaper at Boston University 42nd year F Volume 82 F Issue 102
Steph Solis, Editor-in-Chief Tim Healey, Managing Editor Emily Overholt, Campus Editor
Sydney L. Shea, City Editor
Meredith Perri, Sports Editor
Sofiya Mahdi, Opinion Page Editor
Kira Cole, Features Editor
Audrey Fain, Ricky Wilson, Photo Editors
Praise Hong, Advertising Manager Kaylee Hill, Layout Editor Valerie Morgan, Office Manager The Daily Free Press (ISSN 1094-7337) is published Monday through Thursday during the academic year except during vacation and exam periods by Back Bay Publishing Co.,Inc., a nonprofit corporation operated by Boston University students. No content can be reproduced without the permission of Back Bay Publishing Co., Inc. Copyright © 2010 Back Bay Publishing Co., Inc. All rights reserved.
Be Unleashed 2012
Being one in a student body of about 16,000 people often prompts the notion that the actions of one will not affect the majority. Unfortunately, this appeared to be at the forefront of many students’ minds when they saw only one established slate running for executive office for Student Union elections. In a student population of so many, why was it that so few were willing to step up to an opportunity to engage with the university? The answer is most likely found in the scepticism we have developed as we witness bureaucracy, failed aspirations and dashed hopes fall, promoting the conception that no matter how passionate you are about change, administrative blockades will ensure none is achieved. Fortunately, one slate is better than none and this year’s contender, Be Unleashed, aims to shed these preconceived notions of distrust and hopelessness that have permeated our student body. The slate originated through conversation, and aptly enough their ethos includes driving forward conversations regarding issues that students are passionate about. The dream of finally having 24-hour study spaces for all students on campus is one that Be Unleashed anticipates working toward in the next six months. Gender-neutral housing and student input on tuition allocation are also important talking points the slate aims not only to converse about, but to yield tangible results in making these goals a reality. While these are laudable ambitions, voters are looking to see individuals in leadership roles that are capable of pursuing tasks and ideas to their end and not succumbing at signs of difficulty. While Be Unleashed has certainly outlined its intentions for being a strong advocate of delivering results, the
next six months will reveal whether intentions match actions. The drive, ambition and determination are all accounted for; now, the future leaders of Student Union have the formidable task of proving to students and to themselves that student government is and should be considered a capable organization that actually has a say in how BU operates. The slate has observed examples in other colleges such as the University of Virginia and Mount Holyoke College, both of which arguably provide more power to students in making administrative decisions and promote active transparency in college operations. Conversely, despite extensive research and a variety of capabilities each candidate on the slate brings to the table, a distinguishing characteristic that should instill some faith in the slate is that the nominees accept that they do not hold all the answers. Instigating a consistent relationship with the administration requires some aggression; respect and communication are not concepts that can be achieved if both parties are not invested in furthering the partnership. Due to existing precedents, until students notice administrative attention increase regarding issues that affect them, retaining faith in the existing system will be viewed as naïve. Be Unleashed as a slate have been thorough in planning how to engage leaders across a myriad of communities and the administration; it is now up to them to step up to the responsibility associated with claiming a stake in collegiate politics inside and outside the boardroom. Hopefully, with a bit of luck and an enormous amount of hard work and dedication, the slate and the community can make these promises count.
Illegal immigration The controversy over radical immigration laws in the state of Arizona is one that has continued for months. Illegal immigration is an issue that plagues America as a whole; however, how the country can tackle the problem on a federal level as well as on a state level has remained unresolved. Arizona as a state has attempted to take an aggressive stance on the issue, with some subsets of the legislation known as Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act, commonly referred to as SB 1070. According to an article published by CNN on Monday, Arizona is allegedly the most “heavily traveled corridor for illegal immigration and smuggling.” There are certain provisions of the law that are being contested, namely allowing the arrest of suspected illegal immigrants based solely on “probable cause,” a crime for unauthorized immigrants to be without proper documentation and a ban on those without legal documentation to be employed in the state. Of course, navigating the issues is incredibly difficult. On one hand, America prides itself on principles of equal opportunity and having its borders
open to all. On the other hand, the American administrative bodies have a responsibility to ensure that these borders are secure for their citizens. Without any doubt, some of the facets of this law are controversial and excessive. However, the general sentiment concerning the need to tackle illegal immigration is valid. There is no definitive prediction how the Supreme Court will choose to rule at the conclusion of the case, but the article details that Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer believes the court will rule “for the state.” Illegal immigration perpetuates many political and financial burdens on states that struggle to address the situation in a sensitive and firm manner. In light of the presidential election approaching, how each candidate chooses to portray its views on the matter will definitely be an important factor in voters’ decisions. The Supreme Court plans on making a decision by late June, which leaves most of summer and fall for candidates and voters alike to come to terms with how illegal immigration policy will be pursued in the foreseeable future.
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Get a Twitter DANY VASQUEZ
his year has been a wake-up call. When I was in high school, I never imagined all the ways college would completely change my perspective on life. Living in Boston and studying at Boston University has been the major contributor to all the new experiences I have had. But the College of Communication has been the biggest influence in opening my eyes to the world I am going to be working and living in. I know there is a running joke in the BU community about COM students and their obsession with social media. There is even a sign in the COM building that says, “In case of fire, exit building first before tweeting about it!” I always say how I deeply judge anyone in COM who does not have a Twitter account. Most of the time, I’m joking, but I am starting to realize more and more the rising importance of social media in our world. So maybe we COM students are actually ahead of the curve on this one. It is interesting for me because at this time last year, I did not have a Twitter account. I did not see the point of it, and for a while I refused to get one. I figured I was distracted enough with Facebook, and to me Twitter was a website for constant status updates. I caved at the end of last summer, and I quickly began to realize that this is not just another social media website for teenagers to waste time on. This is the future. Social media is exploding. And current employers have no idea how to handle it. The previous generations grew up with completely different lifestyles. But this is the digital era. We share birthdays with social media. Our use and input throughout the years has shaped the networks we use now. From the olden days of MySpace to the current trends of Instagram and Pinterest, we have always defined social media, and we have always been the most influential group in bringing it to the next level. The truth is that no other generation understands social networking like we do. It is a legitimate skill in the worlds of business, marketing and communication. Whether or not, these are your areas of study. Everyone needs to embrace it. Why? One word: con-
nections. I am here to tell you that Twitter is not just for COM students. After graduation, the next step is getting a job and starting your career. And the world we are entering is a digital one. More employers are looking to social networking sites to scout potential hires or promote open positions. And that’s not all. If you make use of social media sites throughout college, you will already be connected to an array of professionals in your specific field that will help you when you enter the workforce. And that is still not all. As I mentioned before, no other generation understands these sites like we do. We grew up with them. We spend a significant portion of our time using them. Current employers are completely at a loss when it comes to bringing their companies up to speed with this fast-paced digital world. They are looking for students like us who know how to navigate the different mazes of social media. What does this mean for us, as BU students? We need to learn how to use these sites for what they are created: networking. This is what will make us stand out from other people in our generation who may know all the ins and outs of the websites, but have no idea how to effectively use them to help companies market themselves in our current society. There is a ton of different social media websites out there already, and there will no doubt be more to come. As a COM student, I have realized the importance of maximizing my time spent on the computer into a legitimate skill. Whatever your major and whatever you want to do after you graduate, never underestimate the importance of having connections. It’s not too late to start. Even if the extent of your social media experience is occasionally checking Facebook, there is still plenty of time to build a solid network through a few key social media sites. So what are you waiting for? Start making yourself known. And get a Twitter. Dany Vasquez is a sophomore in the College of Communication and a weekly columnist for The Daily Free Press. She can be reached at vasquezd@bu.edu.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
America East
Women’s Lacrosse Power Rankings
1
By Shep Hayes/Daily Free Press Staff
Boston University
After going 1-4 against non-conference opponents to start the season, the Terriers have turned their season around to lose only one of their last 10 games. Heading into Sunday’s matchup with conference bottom-dweller Binghamton University, the Terriers are a perfect 5-0 in league play. The most recent conference win came two Saturdays ago when BU locked up the top spot in America East and the right to host the conference tournament with a 15-14 win over Stony Brook University at Nickerson Field.
2
Stony Brook University
With only one loss in conference play and a stringent nonconference schedule, the Seawolves are a close second to the Terriers. A 16-5 win over the University at Albany on Saturday put Stony Brook back on track after BU snapped its six-game winning streak. The four-game stretch immediately before that streak was arguably one of the most challenging for an America East team this year, with all four contests coming against ranked opponents. It did result in three losses, but one was only a 9-8 setback to then-No. 4 Duke University at home. The Seawolves had a 1514 win over then-No. 20 Johns Hopkins University to start the stretch, along with the four wins over New York-area non-conference teams to start the season.
3
University at Albany
4
University of Maryland-Baltimore County
The 8-5 win over Albany? Good. The 12-11 home loss to BU and 16-6 road loss to Stony Brook? Bad, but not a deal breaker. The wins against Binghamton and against Vermont? Decent. The loss at the University of New Hampshire on Saturday? Bad. Very bad. The 4-5 non-conference record? Not helping. The Retrievers are closer to the Great Danes than the latter may have expected at the start of the season and have a bit of an upset history against the two-seed in the America East tournament - they beat BU last year in overtime in the semifinals as the third seed - but they do not have the finest resume compared to the top teams in the conference.
5 6
University of Vermont
The Catamounts had a streaky season so far, alternating winning and losing streaks. Again, Saturday’s game against Albany will make or break the season for Vermont. Win and make the America East tournament. Lose and be done.
Meyer: From Page 8
among the thousands that passed through the line for a signature. It will be hard to forget having lunch with then-first-year basketball coach Pat Chambers in a booth at T. Anthony’s, talking college basketball like I was with my friends from back home, all because I sent an email to him. But the connection also goes on a deeper, more fundamental level. For all that I’ve learned in my classes, perhaps the greatest lesson that college has provided me is that distance, indeed, makes the heart grow fonder. I came to college with a somewhat contentious, mostly indifferent relationship with Louisville, Ky., where I grew up. But the further and longer you are away from somewhere, the closer you grow to it. Part of this, for me, came through athletics. I was always a big University of Louisville fan growing up, but when I came up here it took on a whole new meaning and level of passion and importance simply because I was no longer there. With that distance and sense of removal, you remember all the valuable and cherished moments, like going to football games at the old Kentucky Fairgrounds with my dad or something as small as a college basketball game helping you get through the doldrums of winter every single year. With BU, it will work in a similar way. I won’t necessarily remember walking through gale force winds on a 10-degree day, having to write eight-page papers on Paradise Lost, or routinely almost getting hit by kids running red lights on Commonwealth Avenue in Maseratis their parents bought them. Instead, I’ll remember sitting in the third row of section 119 for my first BU-BC hockey game, spending Saturday afternoons at Nickerson Field watching whatever sport may be there and seeing BU and Stony Brook University play four overtimes in a mostly empty Case Gymnasium, perhaps the best basketball
Binghamton University
The Bearcats had a respectable 2-2 start, but haven’t won a single game in America East play so far - or against anyone since March 21, for that matter. But they have Cornell University and BU coming to the Bearcats Sports Complex in the next week. While BU is perfect in conference games and Cornell is 9-4 overall - 4-2 in the Ivy League and 5-0 on the road - Binghamton will be looking for at least one more win to end its season on a high note.
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game I’ve ever seen in person. To me, that’s what defined my time at BU – for moments like that and for the people that I’ve gotten to know along the way. And while I will, presumably from a distance, use BU teams to stay connected with the school I love, I encourage many of you underclassmen, whether you’re a senior or a soon-to-be freshman, to follow the a similar path that I did. That doesn’t mean you have to become a sports editor or even write for the paper, but try to use athletics as a way to enhance your college experience. Go to games, regardless of the sport. Men’s hockey is the closest thing you can get to a big-time collegiate sporting environment at this school. Walk a few blocks to Case Gym to see the men’s basketball team because, for all you know, they could be a part of March Madness once again. There’s also the women’s hockey and soccer teams, which could very well be the best and most consistent teams at the school. Try to get to know some of the athletes here, too. For the most part, they’re all kind, approachable people who – even including the men’s hockey team – don’t have the inflated egos that make them hard to talk to. At the end of the day, they’re just our classmates. . . . They’re just a little more high profile. As I prepare to venture off into the postgraduate world – or as it’s better known among us journalism majors, unemployment – I look back at what BU has meant to me. Athletics is far from the only positive I experienced here; after all, so many of us have been lucky to receive a top education at an elite university in a thriving city. But regardless of what I and the class of 2012 move on to do, the memories and relationships established through BU Athletics will always be there with me. After four years, BU is an indelible part of me and my identity, meaning that no matter how far I may venture, I will never be too far away.
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University of New Hampshire
The Wildcats are 5-9 overall and on the bottom of the threeway tie for fourth place in America East with a 2-3 record. Problem: The other two schools in the tie are facing one another this weekend while UNH will travel to second-ranked Stony Brook. Losses to Albany and Vermont mean those two schools hold tiebreakers even if the Wildcats can beat the Seawolves.
7
MEYER: BU Athletics always be with me
2012
At this point, the Great Danes seem impossible to figure out. The coaches’ preseason pick to win the conference, ranked 16th in the country to start the season and as high as 13th a few games in, Albany has struggled to win against conference teams. It went 6-2 in the exclusively non-conference portion of the schedule, with both losses coming against ranked teams, and the team notched one home victory over then-No. 12 Boston College. The Great Danes lost their America East opener at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, blew a lead at home against BU and were crushed by Stony Brook last weekend, also at home. The non-conference wins put Albany above UMBC, and a win in next Saturday’s showdown against the University of Vermont is crucial for the team to get into the playoffs.
7
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“
Quotable
“
Their talent is starting to shine and they’re getting some confidence.
-BU softball coach Shawn Rychcik on the sophomore class
Page 8
Sports
Terrier Tennis
The Daily Free Press
The BU men’s tennis team finished the regular season with a loss to the United States Military Academy on Saturday, p. 8.
[ www.dailyfreepress.com ]
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Improved defense key to Terriers’ success
Ghosts of Editors Past
By Sam Simmons Daily Free Press Staff
All season long, Boston University softball coach Shawn Rychcik has stressed that one of the most important factors in the team’s successful play has been its strong defense. In 2011, the Terriers (27-13, 8-3 America East) finished the season with a .959 fielding percentage. So far this year, they have a .974 fielding percentage. With this fielding percentage, the Terriers are ranked 15th among NCAA Division I teams, only 10 points behind the first-place team. Of the team’s regular players, sophomore catcher Amy Ekart leads the Terriers with an almost perfect .996 fielding percentage behind the plate. Sophomore right fielder Jayme Mask’s .981 fielding percentage is the second highest on the team. “We’ve pretty much got the same defensive team out there that we had last year,” Rychcik said. “And I think the fact that they’re all a year older . . . and now they’ve got probably 70, 80 games under their belts [helps].” It is the Terriers’ strong defense that allowed BU’s pitchers, all three of whom are not usually strikeout pitchers, to have confidence that the players behind them will be able to handle whatever comes their way. Although their fielding percentages are not as high as those of Mask and Ekart, the team’s middle infielders, junior second baseman Emily Roesch and sophomore shortstop Brittany Clendenny, have both continuously demonstrated a full-body dedication to stopping the ball.
Identity and Boston University Athletics By Craig Meyer Daily Free Press Staff
The following column is the fifth in a series of columns written by former Daily Free Press sports editors. Today’s column is written by Craig Meyer, who was sports editor during the Fall 2011 semester. As I sit here doing what I’ve done so many times before – writing a column, albeit one that’s been on hiatus for some time now – it’s weird to think about the circumstances in which I’m putting it together. In two weeks, I’ll be done with taking classes in college. In less than a month, I’ll be a college graduate, all set to pack up and leave the place that I’ve called my home for the last four years. Thus far, this may seem like cliché and overly-emotional rambling – the senior about to graduate who still hasn’t grasped what’s happening right now, that it’s all about to be over. It’s understandable to think, believe me. But there’s an additional dilemma for me, one that doesn’t impact most of my graduating class because, frankly, not too many people cared about them – and that is my relationship with the school’s athletic teams. At many schools across the country, college and athletics are somewhat intertwined. Going to games and cheering on your teams is all a part of the quintessential collegiate experience. For most of my life, I figured my time in college would be just like that, but it wasn’t. It’s not that I’m complaining because I was the one who made the decision to attend Boston University, and while we don’t have tailgates and football games on Saturdays, I’ve had one of the most dynamic cities in the country right at my fingertips for the past four years. I came in here as a fan of all the teams and was fortunate enough to get closer and more in-depth with them as a columnist and then a beat writer for this paper. Though it came with a formidable arm’s length of journalistic integrity for the last several years, I will always have a connection with these teams. As my good friend, boss and fellow former columnist Joe Rouse wrote back in September, athletics are a way of staying in touch with your school and identifying with your alma mater. Granted, I don’t have the wisdom or years of hindsight that Joe does, but this is a notion that I can’t help but think is true. For all the excellent memories I’ve had in college, a good number were invariably tied in with BU’s teams. Sure, there were the Beanpots, all those times waiting in line outside of Agganis Arena for tickets, the men’s basketball team crashing the NCAA Tournament last year and, perhaps the ultimate, the men’s hockey team winning the NCAA title in the most remarkable fashion imaginable my freshman year. But, more than anything, it’s also about the people and the relationships that have been formed, regardless of whether they were brief or prolonged. I’ll always remember the autograph session following the 2009 Frozen Four, with hockey stars like Matt Gilroy and John McCarthy, just days removed from the crowning achievement of their careers, still happily saying, “Hey, how’s it going?” to every person
Meyer, see page 7
Sophomores provide base of Terriers’ team
AUDREY FAIN/DAILY FREE PRESS FILE PHOTO
Sophmore pitcher Holli Floetker leads the Terriers with 15 wins so far this season. Floetker tossed a no-hitter against Rhode Island on Thursday.
No Games Scheduled New Orleans Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis is listening to you right now . . .
Read full article online
Roundup: Crew, rowing have successful weekends By Meredith Perri Daily Free Press Staff
The No. 12 Boston University men’s crew team took home the Lusins Cup for the third time in four years during its final race on the Charles River of the season. The Terriers competed against No. 14. Columbia University and No. 13 Syracuse University on Saturday. The Terriers took home the Lusins Cup during the Varsity Eight race, which was coxed by senior Bobby McGee and stroked by sophomore Moritz Franz. During the race, the Terriers battled for the Conlan Cup, which they have not won since the 2004-05 season. After a slow start, the Terriers overcame Columbia, but could not beat out Syracuse. Syracuse went on to win by 1.1 seconds, coming in at a time of 6:01.7. The Terriers defeated Columbia and consequently won the Lusins Cup, finishing seven seconds sooner than the Lions. The Terriers took first during the Fresh-
The Bottom Line
Tuesday, April 24
In the America East Championship series against the University at Albany last spring, the Terriers started six freshmen. Since then, those six players, along with sophomore transfer student Chelsea O’Connor, have become the solid base upon which the team rests. “Their talent is starting to shine, and they’re getting some confidence,” Rychcik said. “They’re able to handle the ups and downs of the season and making mistakes and bouncing right back.” Members of the sophomore class lead the team in wins, ERA, home runs, RBIs and batting average, with many others following closely behind.
Wednesday, April 25 Softball vs. Providence, 3,5 p.m.
man Eight in a race against Columbia and Syracuse. BU was coxed by Lauren Harvey and stroked by Kevin Jones. The Terriers won with a time of 6:17.9, almost seven seconds faster than second-place Syracuse. Columbia came in third with a time of 6:25.1. The women’s rowing team also found success this weekend, as the Terriers took home four wins after facing Saint Joseph’s University and the United States Naval Academy in a meet in Philadelphia on Saturday. The race was the first time BU, which ranks fifth in the latest NCAA New England Regional Poll, faced St. Joseph’s. The Terriers took first in the Varsity Eight, the Varsity Four, the Third Varsity Eight and the Freshman Four. BU’s largest margin of victory came during the Third Varsity Eight where BU, coxed by freshman Katie Scott and stroked by freshman Carol Chase Peterson, defeated Navy by 19.31 seconds.
Thursday, April 26 Softball @ Boston College, 4 p.m. Track @ Penn Relays, All Day
The only race the Terriers did not win was the Second Varsity Eight, which they lost to Navy by slightly more than a second. Men’s tennis The BU men’s tennis team fell to the United States Military Academy, 5-2, in its final meet of the regular season. The Terriers (5-13) took one singles match and two doubles matches during the loss. Freshman Emilio Teran led the way for BU, as Teran took home both a singles and a doubles victory. Teran teamed up with sophomore Jesse Frieder in the doubles match. Junior Josh Freidman later had to retire from the No. 1 singles match after injuring himself in the first set. Friedman and senior Michael Kopelman also won a doubles match.
Friday, April 27 Tennis @ America East Championships, All Day Track @ Penn Relays, All Day
Saturday, April 28
W. Lacrosse @ Binghamton, 12 p.m. Softball vs. Hartford, 1,3 p.m. Track @ Penn Relays, All Day M. Crew @ Wisconsin, All Day