April 30, 2012 - The DePaulia by The DePaulia

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo, Chicago-style, page 16

Vol. # 96, Issue # 21

April 30, 2012

Student debt, a harsh reality

Romney and Obama work for solution to student debt By LYNSEY HART Senior Writer

President Barack Obama and presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney are both working to gain the support of young voters. Both are against increasing the interest rates of student loans, as previous legislation expires this summer. But Republicans and Democrats continue to disagree on how to pay for the extension. Unless Congress intervenes, rates of federally subsidized loans are scheduled to double from 3.5 percent to 6.8 percent July 1, when 2007 legislation cutting rates in half is set to expire. Even though both agree that these interest rates should not double, they still may. Because it is an election year, both parties want to take credit for averting the increase in efforts to court younger voters. If both parties cannot come to a compromise in two months, Americans with student loans would face a drastic increase in interest payments before they head to the polls this November. According to the university, DePaul’s undergraduate and graduate students took out $265,959,000 worth of federal loans in the 2011 fiscal year See STUDENT LOANS, page 10

Students take Springfield for legislation reform

By JENN SCHANZ Opinions Editor SPRINGFIELD—The Monetary Award Program (MAP), a $5,000 higher education grant designed to help students in financial need attend college who otherwise would not have the means, is once again on the chopping block for Illinois legislators. Prompted by recent cuts to the MAP grant, 12 DePaul students, including Student Government Association (SGA) president Anthony Alfano, Senator for Community and Government Relations Abin Kuriakose, Treasurer Caroline Winsett and EVP for Public Affairs Casey Clemmons travelled to Springfield Wednesday, April 25 for Student Lobby Day, where they addressed lawmakers and aimed to promote continued funding for the grant that 4,600 DePaul students receive annually. Winsett, who is running for 2012-2013 SGA President alongside running mate Casey Clemmons, believes MAP funding is engrained in DePaul’s institutional mission. “DePaul’s Vincentian tradition lends itself to be more accommodating for those who can’t afford the sticker price of college tuition,” she said. DePaul’s student representatives lobbied with students from other private universities in Illinois by going door to door to try and speak with both House and Senate members, often times simply leaving cards expressing their concern for the MAP grant’s future, which this year ran out March 19, the earliest date ever.

LAURA COLLINS | The DePaulia

“The fact that students came down to Springfield themselves says a lot. Legislators seeing that students care should make a difference,” Clemmons said. While he and Winsett felt their effort was well received and effective, other students in attendance were less optimistic. Freshman and MAP recipient Letitia McAllister felt the lack of actual face-time with lawmakers made her lobbying efforts more of a formality than anything else. “I didn’t get a chance to talk to any of my representatives, and they knew it was MAP Student Lobby day. I was more ambitious than they were. Taking the time to talk would have meant a lot.” While lawmakers in Illinois are almost unanimously in support of continuing MAP funding, with Gov. Quinn proposing a $436 million increase for next year, the issue in Springfield remains where funds

will be reallocated to support the grant. As a proactive response plan to any future MAP cuts, Kuriakose drafted a 10-directive plan called “Protect DePaul,” which aims to prepare SGA and the university to maintain support of students in financial need if MAP was ever cut. “In the past we’ve been more reactive, and ‘Protect DePaul’ really aims to pivot SGA to be more proactive, and mobilize the university to respond in the event that MAP funding was taken away,” he said. Kuriakose, who is a first-generation college student, also expressed the grant’s connection to DePaul’s mission. “It’s part of our identity to give access to higher education to those who normally wouldn’t have access to it.” “Illinois college enrollment has increased 200 percent over the past 40 See MAP, page 9

Chalk the block hits the streets

By PAUL TADALAN Contributing Writer

“Meet at 8 p.m. at El Norte restaurant in Edgewater,” the tweet said. Its sender was Spencer Hall, under Twitter alias @ChalktheBlockCH, the group responsible for the inspirational chalk messages appearing along the Red Line such as “Live Boldly” and “Today may be the day you’ve been waiting for.” A month ago the group decided to put a #chalktheblock hash tag on the pieces, and now pictures taken by Chicagoans have been appearing all over Instagram and Twitter. Waiting at the designated rendezvous point with four shopping bags of colored chalk, Hall is met by Josh Hurley and Michelle Cannariato. All three are in their early to mid-twenties and are members of the Community Christian Church in Edgewater, which is engaged in various community activities such as tutoring,

PAUL TADALAN | The DePaulia

The Chalk the Block movement is responsible for the inspirational messages found on sidewalks throughout the city. gardening projects and volunteering at the All American Nursing Home. But every other Tuesday night, they

chalk. “It feels good to know that we’re encouraging others,” Hall said. “When you

put others before yourself, you see that life is better that way.” There are usually six or seven members from both inside and outside of the church that participate – sometimes up to 12 – but on this cold Tuesday evening, it was just the three of them. Once the night’s plans are finalized, they immediately split up to different corners of the cross-street, drop their bags of chalk and pull a printout of at least 50 predetermined messages they have chosen as a group. After selecting a message, they get down and start drawing. “Today may be the day you’ve been waiting for,” Hall’s message read, and just as he’s finishing, two Edgewater residents – Roger VanHoughon and Chris Benbenek – approach Hall and give thanks for the impact the messages have had on the community. “It shows that someone is speaking for you,” VanHoughon said. “You could have a bad day, but the messages help keep you See BLOCK, page 9

2 | The DePaulia. April 30, 2012

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News. April 30, 2012. The DePaulia | 3

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Dance off

By MACKENZIE MAUS Contributing Writer

DePaul’s 24-hour dance marathon DemonTHON, held April 20 and 21, raised a record $103,700 ($103,700.28 to be exact) for Children’s Memorial Hospital and Children’s Miracle Network, surpassing the record for funds raised by a first-year dance marathon by almost $40,000. According to Bill Mattera, staff advisor for the event, the amount raised by DePaul students was the largest first-year total in history for any college dance marathon. Around 170 schools nationwide hold dance marathon fundraisers each year. The previous first-year record stood at $66,000. DemonTHON was also the

first collegiate dance marathon to benefit Children’s Memorial Hospital. Nearly 140 dancers and 120 volunteers, all DePaul students, boogieddown at the lengthy dance event at the McGrath Arena beginning at 5 p.m., April 20 and ending at 5 p.m., April 21. Dancers had the opportunity to meet families from the hospital, interact with the kids they were standing for, and truly see the connection between DePaul’s Vincentian Mission and the hospital. University President Rev. Dennis Holtschneider, addressed students Friday evening, describing DemonTHON as an experience that demonstrates “DePaul at its finest.” He then shared the story of his connection to Children’s Memorial and introduced one of the families from

BLAIR JANIS | The DePaulia

LEFT: Nearly 140 dancers and 120 volunteers, all DePaul students, boogied down at McGrath Arena April 20 - 21 to raise money for Children's Memorial Hospital. BOTTOM: One participant shows her funky dance moves at the DemonTHON.

See DANCE, page 9

MEGAN LAUDENSLAGER | The DePaulia

TOP: DemonTHON dancers raised over $100,000 this year. RIGHT: Skye Carter (right) thanks the dancers with her family (pictured). Many families who attended the DemonTHON have or used to have children being treated at Children's Memorial Hospital.

BLAIR JANIS | The DePaulia

MEGAN LAUDENSLAGER | The DePaulia

4 | The DePaulia. April 30, 2012

Students get their hands dirty in forensic anthropology class By ZOE BARKER Copy Editor

You’ve seen them on shows like “Bones,” “CSI,” “Rizzoli and Isles” and “Dexter;” but what does a forensic scientist really do? DePaul students can find out by taking a new class offered by the anthropology department. ANT 274 “Forensic Anthropology,” gives students an inside look at the worlds of forensic anthropology and forensic science. “[The class] is all about the theory and application of forensic anthropology,” said Julia Fochtman, a senior in the class. For now, it is offered to anthropology majors only, but it will be open to all students in the fall and spring next year, according to Marco Aiello, the professor who teaches the class. For non-majors it will cover the "scientific inquiry" liberal studies requirement. “What it’s about is dead bodies,” said Anthropology Department Chair Robert Rotenberg. The class begins with the study of the anatomy of the human body, the death process and the post-death process, according to Fochtman. Students also learn what happens to a body as it decays and the process of collecting evidence. Fochtman explained that real forensic work is not quite what people might think, but she believes that it is still just as fascinating. “We are hoping that students develop not only an understanding of forensic anthropology, but a realistic one. The media romanticizes the subject of forensics,” she said, noting that there is much more time-consuming and extensive lab work in reality than what is often depicted. “There are shows that show forensic anthropologists running around, shooting guns and doing skeletal identification in a matter of moments. We want students to understand that this is more of a field that revolves around science, not drama.” Though the class does have lectures and lab work, students in ANT 274 don’t just stay in the classroom – the other part of the class includes hands-on outdoor excavations. A crew dug four two-and-a-half foot graves behind the anthropology department building. According

to Aiello, the graves are filled with sand and skeletal remains are buried in it for the students to excavate and study. The experience replicates the investigation of a crime where the victims were murdered, taken off-site from where they were killed, buried and later discovered. “The graves were created to replicate a shallow burial,” Aiello said. “The remains, when deposited, will resemble a secondary burial sight.” “Shallow graves are typical for murder victims,” said Rotenberg. The graves are currently only filled with sand, but Aiello said that the skeletal remains will be deposited in the graves in the next few weeks for the students to excavate. “We will be digging them back up in May,” Fochtman said. “This allows students to get hands-on work excavating ... I think that students will really enjoy this and it will be a favorite part of the class for many.” “At DePaul we have an advantage because we are a resource-rich university, which allows us to provide a broad range of teaching materials,” Rotenberg said of the graves, skeletal remains and other equipment used in the class. The remains are replicas of real bones and skulls from both male and female adult and children victims. Some have been traumatized, which is crucial to the evidencecollecting process and for determining how the death occurred. “The traumatized bones will tell the students how the person was murdered. One of the skulls I think was hit by a machete, for example,” Rotenberg said. “Students also learn how to execute and maintain a chain of evidence. This is highly important in real forensic anthropology … If [maintaining the chain of evidence] is done right, an attorney can’t claim that the evidence was tampered with.” Rotenberg also said that forensic anthropologists have to pay close attention to details to be sure the evidence is authentic. “There may be some remains that are not from humans that get mixed into the graves. They may be from animals and look surprisingly similar to human bones, but you have to know the difference,” he said. These elements are stressed throughout the class. “It offers a more extensive understanding of the human anatomy and death process, as gruesome as it may

MARCIA GOOD | The DePaulia

Replica bones lay in a shallow grave behind the Anthropology department building for ANT 274.

sometimes be,” Fochtman said. The anthropology department recommends the class for students who are studying any of the subfields of anthropology including cultural, linguistic and biological anthropology. The class would also benefit those studying archaeology or biology, but any students interested in the subject may take the class next year. “My favorite part of the class thus far has been the skeletal examinations,” Fochtman said. “Being a biological anthropologist, I am fascinated by human lineages and bones. This class is allowing me to utilize the knowledge I have on the subject and human anatomy.” ANT 274 will be offered in the fall and spring quarters of the 2012-2013 school year “because the weather is best for excavations those times of the year,” said Rotenberg. “We predict that it will become one of the more popular courses in anthropology.”

News. April 30, 2012. The DePaulia | 5

Outrage continues over mental health clinic closures By EVA GREEN Contributing Writer “You say you don’t have money, but you have money for everything else,” said protester Harold Coleman, of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s decision to close six mental health clinics to save the city nearly $3 million. About 35 people have been arrested in the past few weeks following this decision, yet protesters have continued to protest, pray, and demand more mental health services in Chicago. The closing of mental health clinics are going to “result in a lot of problems,” said Coleman, who has been demonstrating throughout the night across from the Woodlawn Mental Health Center and is among those fighting for the clinics to remain open. Coleman said that these services are essential and people who struggle with mental health issues don’t always remember or understand the reality of their actions. “They may do something that they regret for the rest of their life and when you try to explain it to them they don’t understand it, particularly without the support of their therapist,” he said. “Mental illness is something that is non-discriminatory, it effects everyone,” said Ruth Maciulis, a DePaul student who has received services in the past and who came out to the Woodlawn Clinic demonstrations last week after hearing

about it from the organization S.T.O.P., (Southside Together Organized for Power.) Maciulis has been out several times to support the efforts, attended press conferences at the site and recalled one of the recent prayer services as “really beautiful.” “Without these centers, people have to travel far distances to get their medication

“

Yeah we’re poor people true enough but we have rights too.

EVA GREEN | The DePaulia

People demonstrate outside of the Woodlawn Mental Health Clinic to protest clinic closures throughout the city.

their therapists and receiving the necessary support to regularly take their medication. “Once you take that therapist from them, they can’t trust nobody else,” he said. Coleman also recalled his arrest earlier in April among 22 others who were HAROLD COLEMAN protester arrested for barricading themselves inside the clinic. “They put handcuffs on me so tight they swole my hands … they piled us into the van like sardines,” he said. Coleman said he was given a $250,000 or get care,” she said. bond based partially off a past criminal A Sun-Times report quoted Emanuel trespassing charge that he said he didn’t having said, “At the two clinics that have even know he had. Coleman said criminal now been closed, we gave each of the trespassing is normally a $100 bond and patients a CTA card ... so they could get spent nine days in jail. Coleman suffers to the new place and start that transition from schizophrenia, asthma, and a heart easier. … One of the concerns I heard from condition, “They wouldn’t even give me the patients was, `We’re gonna be going my medication,” he said. to a new place.’ So we made changes. A judge eventually dismissed We’re giving them a CTA card for the first Coleman’s charges but ordered him not to month so the inconvenience … was least return to the clinic. Failure to comply could disruptive to them.” result in facing five years in jail. “That did Coleman said once someone gets a not scare me because see I’m out here for therapist, “you understand that therapist.”T:10”a reason,” Coleman said, describing his He described patients building trust with son who is also in need of mental health

”

services. “I thought it was my duty to help keep the clinic open,” he said. Coleman, Maciulis, and reports by several Chicago media sources like the Chicago Maroon reported that a local Pastor holds jurisdiction of the lot across from the Woodlawn clinic and has given demonstrators permission to be on the property. Police say the property is owned by the city and so the arrests continue. Maciulis said she feels some of the police are actually “sympathetic.” When it comes to making the arrests and holding people in jail, “They don’t want to do it, they know it’s a waste of their time,” she said. “But it’s their job … it’s like they’re soldiers and they have a job to do and there’s such a structure of repercussions if they were to have any sort of dissent.” Coleman said Emanuel should “retire” and is “not looking out for the people he is supposed to be serving.” “Yeah we’re poor people true enough but we have rights too,” said Coleman. “We are going to stand up for our rights … we aren’t going to stop until we get justice.”

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Access includes AT&T Wi-Fi Basic. Other restrictions apply. See attwifi.com for details and locations. Limited-time offer. Smartphones require a new 2-year agreement with qualifying voice and data plans. Subject to Wireless Customer Agreement. Credit approval required. Activation Fee $36/line. Geographic, usage and other terms, conditions and restrictions apply, and may result in service termination. Coverage and services not available everywhere. Rollover Minutes: Unused Anytime Mins expire after the 12th billing period. Night & Weekend & Mobile to Mobile mins do not roll over. Taxes and other charges apply. Term may vary based on your business agreement. Data: If usage exceeds your monthly data allowance, you will automatically be charged overage for additional data provided. Early Termination Fee (att.com/equipment/ETF): After 30 days, ETF up to $325. Restocking fee up to $35. Other Monthly Charges/line include a Regulatory Cost Recovery Charge (up to $1.25), a gross receipts surcharge, federal and state universal service charges, fees and charges for other government assessments. These are not taxes or government required charges. Monthly discount: Available to qualified employees and students of companies, government agencies and colleges/universities with a qualified business agreement (“Business Agreement”) to Business Agreement and may be interrupted and/or discontinued without notice only to the monthly service charge of qualified plans. A minimum number of employees, minimum monthly service charge for qualified plans, additional AT&T services or other requirements may apply for eligibility. Discounts may not be combined. For some accounts, actual discount can vary monthly depending on your employer’s aggregate volume of qualified charges. Offer subject to change. Additional conditions and restrictions apply. See your AT&T representative and contract and rate plan for details. © 2012 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other AT&T marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies.

6 | The DePaulia. April 30, 2012

Battle of the apps

Android Market struggles to keep up with Apple’s iPhone apps By MACKENZIE MAUS Contributing Writer The Android Market has made steady improvements since its introduction. But will it ever overtake Apple’s app store and the iPhone? For the past few years, the glorious iPhone has boosted from having the best app store of any smartphone platform and hasn’t stopped users from snatching apps by the billions. In the meantime, Android Market falls behind as a close second. However, steady refinements have addressed developers’ complaints and established the market as a more desirable shopping destination. Here is a quick low-down of each: Android OS is a mobile operating system owned by Google that can be used for cellular phones, tablets and netbooks. For users, Android Market is the online software store that is preinstalled and allows browsing and downloading apps published by third-party developers. Androids, unlike iPhones, have alternate keyboards, removable storage battery, and wireless app installation with cool third-party sites like AppBrain that make everything quicker. In addition, they obtain a True App Integration where one can integrate directly with the operating system. On the iPhone side of things, there are four generations of models, accompanied by four major releases of iOS (formerly

iPhone OS). The original iPhone 3G added 3G cellular network capabilities and A-GPS location. The iPhone 4 has two cameras for Facetime, video calling and a higher-res display with more than 300,000 apps from Apple’s infamous App Store. iPhone battery life is known to be incredible, has retina display, a wider selection of apps and regular upgrade cycles with new major releases once a year. Google recently primped the Android Market to emphasize featured apps, recommending a few for each category in the store. But Apple has upped its discovery method as well, with pristine lists such as “iPhone Game of the Week,” “Apps for Movie Lovers,” and “App Store Essentials.” Despite these curated lists, Android prospers in the ease of updates with an “update all” option, unlike the App Store, you can turn on automatic updates for any app you like. “I travel frequently for work as a PR agency owner, and every extra ounce feels like a pound when walking through airports. My Android Atrix, docking station and QuickOffice Pro turns my phone into a notebook and saves me several pounds without hurting my productivity,” said President of PRSA Suburban Chicago and DePaul public relations professor Debra Bethard-Caplick on her appreciation of Android. “I never really considered an iPhone — I don’t feel the need to overpay for performance, just to be part of the crowd. It’s ironic, really, that Apple

has become that monolithic giant in its iconic 1984 TV commercial it opposed by creating Macintosh.” Recently, iPhone’s trendy photosharing app Instagram launched on Android after being on a single platform for only 16 months of its existence. Despite this, the popular app created a whole lot of controversy. What should have been an exciting story about the exclusive photo app for Apple to Android flip-flopped into a wide public display of Apple fanboy arrogance. Criticisms on Twitter went off the charts the first week from Apple users “grossed out” by the now shared app. Junior journalism major Gabriel Tyler loves his iPhone and isn’t afraid to show his love. “I just switched over to the iPhone 4S from Android, and it’s safe to say I will never go back,” he said. “What I love about the iOS platform is that it integrates with your entire life and all your devices and of course the apps! I can sync all of my Mac products and keep up to speed with my life across platforms. Compared to products featuring the iOS platform, Androids are prehistoric.” From a different perspective, DePaul anthropology student Tessa Ferraro doesn’t see the need for the constant battle. “As a fan of both Apple products and Android phones, I hate seeing so much hate pushed

MCT CAMPUS

around like this. Honestly, I think it’s even worse than the old school Mac bashing, only worse because phones for some odd reason are also seen as fashion accessories. People like what they like, and it shouldn’t matter whose apps are better.” The Android Market has come a long way over the past few years. Although the iPhone seems preferred, Android’s major features such as refunds, updates and Web access in some ways clobber the iPhone. It’s all a matter of preference and choice. When you set aside the open versus closed debate, it’s about being an open-minded consumer. Both Android and iPhone each have their unique perks at the end of the day.

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News. April 30, 2012. The DePaulia | 7

DePaul to host 5th annual LGBTQA month By GABRIEL CHARLES TYLER Contributing Writer The Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Allies (LGBTQA) Student Services is gearing up to present its annual month-long festival this May at DePaul University, entitled “Making Futures: Relationships, Health, Justice and Leadership.” The Annual LGBTQA Month offers all participants the opportunity to unite despite differences in sexual attraction/orientation/identity, gender expression/ identity, ethnicity, race, age and socioeconomic status. Students, faculty and staff can celebrate the month with events, activities, films, workshops and discussions held all over the university’s Loop and Lincoln Park campuses. According to the Office of LGBTQA Student Services’ website, it exists to “promote, foster, and support a campus environment that is inclusive and supportive of student diversity, specifically as this relates to sexual orientation/attraction/identity and gender expression/identity.” They do this by “providing a range of services, programs, and events that reflect the needs and interests of LGBTQA students at DePaul,” according to the site. It also explains that, “instead of focusing exclusively on the struggles and challenges faced by LGBTQA individuals, we give equal attention and effort to learning about and supporting their unique and shared successes.” “The Annual LGBTQA Month is … the key program of the office, bringing together students, staff and faculty of DePaul,” said Rodrigo Sebastián Torres, the coordinator for the Office of LGBTQA Student Services at DePaul. This year’s keynote speakers include, Mara Keisling, executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality and Gary W. Harper, professor in the department of psychology at DePaul University and director of DePaul’s Master of Public Health Program. When asked why May was the chosen month to host the festival, Sebastián Torres said, “Students used to call it ‘Gay May.’ They said they wanted something in the spring.” All events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Office of LGBTQA Student Services at 773.325.7294 or lgbtqaservices@depaul. edu.

The Office of LGBTQA Student Services Presents

5th Annual LGBTQA Month May 2012 Making Futures: Relationships, Health, Justice, and Leadership

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Mara Keisling Executive Director

National Center for Transgender Equality

MAY 1, 2012

tuesday

 Opening Ceremony Breakfast and Transgender Awareness Campaign Cortelyou Commons* 9AM-11AM  OUT at Lunch with guest Mara Keisling LPSC* Atrium 12PM1:30PM  LGBTQA Month Kick-Off Dance Cortelyou Commons 6:30PM-10PM

monday

friday

 Safe Zone Training (Part 2) LPSC 220 9AM-12PM  The Death of Gaia Divine by Jacob Shuler with Post Production Panel Discussion Greenhouse Theater Center* 7:30PM-10PM

wednesday

 Social Justice Activism Workshop LPSC 324 6PM-7:30PM

Program Director

Master of Public Health Program &

Professor

Department of Psychology DePaul University

MAY 31, 2012

ALL EVENTS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Persons requiring additional information or assistance for any of these events should contact the Office of LGBTQA Student Services at 773.325.7294 or lgbtqaservices@depaul.edu.

wednesday

thursday

 Transgender Awareness Campaign (Day 2: Reflection and Speak Out Rally) LPSC Atrium 11AM-2PM

thursday

friday

 Film Series: Conversations: From Survival to Pleasure  Film Shorts: Difficult Love, 50Faggots, Even Though I Walk Through LPSC 314A 5:30PM-8:30PM

 Film Series: Conversations: From Survival to Pleasure  Film: A Litany for Survival: The Life and Work of Audre Lorde LPSC 314A 5:30PM-8:30PM

 Film Series: Conversations: From Survival to Pleasure  Film: I am the Queen LPSC 314A 5:30PM-8:30PM

9 wednesday 10 10 thursday thursday

tuesday

 The Loop Queer Fair  Safe Zone Training (Part 1)  Talking LGBTQ Health: DePaul Club* 12PM-5PM LPSC 220 9AM-12PM LGBTQ Professionals LPSC 325 1PM-2:30PM  Talking LGBTQ Health:  Talking LGBTQ Health:  Power and Privilege LGBTQ Identity and Mental Coming Out to Family and Health Friends Munroe* 115/116 LPSC 325 1PM-2:30PM LPSC 325 1PM-2:30PM 6PM-8PM  Your, Her, and His Liberation:  Suicide: A Queer Conversation The Intersection of Race, LPSC 380 4:30PM-5:30PM Heterosexuality, and Queer Identity LPSC 314A 5:30PM-7:30PM

Gary W. Harper

saturday

 It’s Just a Preference: The Politics of Dating LPSC 325 2PM-4PM

thursday

LGBTQA LGBTQAHealth HealthFair Fair LPSC LPSCAtrium Atrium10AM-2PM 10AM-2PM Equality Equalityininthe theCircle Circle StStVincent’s Vincent’sCircle* Circle*12PM-5PM 12PM-5PM Becoming BecomingJoaquin Joaquin DePaul DePaulArt ArtMuseum* Museum*5PM-9PM 5PM-9PM Film FilmSeries: Series:Conversations: Conversations:From From Survival SurvivaltotoPleasure Pleasure Film FilmShort: Short:Weekend Weekend Daley DaleyLL LL102* 102* 5:30PM-8:30PM 5:30PM-8:30PM

monday

 Robyn Ochs - Professional Bisexual: A Series of Conversations  The Changing Landscape of Identity LPSC 105 9AM-11AM  Self Care for Activists LPSC 105 12PM-2PM  A Discussion of Identities LPSC 120AB 5PM-10PM

tuesday

 Everyday Resistance Strategies  OUT in Chicago Politics to Everyday Homophobia and LPSC 105 1PM-3PM Transphobia  Zumba Pride Richardson Library* Ray Meyer Fitness and Room 300 5PM-8PM Recreation Center* 7PM-8PM  Film Series: Conversations: From Survival to Pleasure  Film: Pariah Daley LL 102 5:30-8:30PM

friday

 Andersonville Diverse City Tour Departs from LPSC 105 9:30PM-2PM * * * * * * * * * *

tuesday

 OUT at Lunch LPSC Atrium 12PM-1:30PM

tuesday

 Transgender Health Panel: Exploring Mental, Physical, and Sexual Health LPSC 325 6PM-8PM

wednesday

 Film Series: Conversations from Survival to Pleasure  Film: The Skinny DePaul Club 5:30PM-8:30PM  What a Drag III LPSC Atrium 7:30PM-10PM

thursday

 Annual Stonewall Awards and LGBTQ Studies Program Luncheon LPSC 120A 11AM-2PM

Cortelyou Commons, 2324 N. Fremont St. (Lincoln Park Campus) Lincoln Park Student Center, 2250 N. Sheffield Ave. (Lincoln Park Campus) DePaul Center, 1 E. Jackson Blvd. (Loop Campus) Munroe Hall, 2312 N. Clifton Ave. (Lincoln Park Campus) The Circle behind Richardson Library (see below) (Lincoln Park Campus) DePaul Art Museum, 935 W. Fullerton Ave. (Lincoln Park Campus) Daley Building, 14 E. Jackson Blvd. (Loop Campus) (LL=Lower Level Rooms) Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. (Off Campus) Richardson Library, 2350 N. Kenmore Ave. (Lincoln Park Campus) Rey Meyer & Fitness Center, 2235 N. Sheffield Ave (Lincoln Park Campus)

SPONSORS act out, african & black diaspora studies, building communities/ending violence, campus recreation, center for intercultural programs, communication studies, dean of students, latin american & latino studies, lgbtq studies minor, media & cinema studies program, office of multicultural student success, office of alcohol & substance abuse prevention, office of institutional diversity and equity, office of lgbtqa student services, office of sexual health & violence prevention, office of diversity education, office of the community resource specialist, panhellenic council, spectrum depaul, student health advocates, student leadership institute, residential education, residential hall council, trans*(formation) depaul, the theatre school, university counseling services, and women’s and gender studies

“BLOCK” continued from cover going.” “It’s like they know what you’re thinking,” Benbenek added. “It’s inspiring because it’s true and straight from the heart.” Underneath the Bryn Mawr Red Line stop, Cannariato wrote “Change is Possible.” A mother of one, she finds joy in being able to find time in her week to do good in the community. “Our goal is to encourage people who live in darkness,” Cannariato said. “We hope our messages will help bring them to the light.” Walking home from work, Edgewater resident Glenna Kendrick noticed Cannariato and rushed over. After expressing her excitement of finally meeting the people responsible for the messages, she’s given a piece of chalk and invited to draw the #ChalkTheBlock hash tag. Enthused, she got down on her knees and started drawing. “It changes how I feel every time I read what they write,” Kendrick said. “I’m really honored that they would let me participate in what has been a life-changing experience for me every morning.” Kendrick’s enthusiasm is not uncommon to the Chalk The Block movement, as residents, local businesses and law enforcement constantly show their support. “It’s what it’s all about,” Hurley said. “She thinks we’re making her night, but she’s really making ours.” After the three finish their messages, they get into Hall’s car and go up and down the Red Line between Loyola and Argyle, tagging street corners, bus stops and train entrances, anywhere the messages can be seen to help

break people from the monotony of their daily commutes. “The overall message is to just take a moment to think about what you could do to make yourself happy,” Hurley said. “What would be required of you today that would make you excited about living?” The movement began several months ago when their pastor, Rich Gorman, couldn’t help but feel a sense of hopelessness within the community. He explained how residents were scared of losing jobs and carrying heavy loads of grief upon their shoulders. “I wanted people to no longer feel defeated,” he said. “But I had to ask myself, ‘How can we encourage people in a place where people aren’t encouraged?’” One day while Gorman was walking to the L, observing the people PAUL TADALAN | The DePaulia around him, he noticed something. Chalk the Block group aims to make a difference Everyone was looking down. through sidewalk chalk messages. Joined by his church members, Gorman came up with the idea for the messages that continues to raise spirits come join them on their bi-weekly outings and see how a today. He explained how inspiring people through chalk little chalk can go a long way. is just a smaller piece of the puzzle of what happens when The messages usually last between three to five days, people take the initiative to help others, creating a ripple but on this occasion it rained the next day, washing away effect that may occur when you instill hope into even just the chalk. One of the many downfalls of working with one person. such a fragile medium, explained Hall. But he knows it “You can’t give what you don’t have,” Gorman said. was worth the effort, remembering the people the group “What a difference could be made if everyone in the city encountered the night before and how they made their wanted to help others. Great things could happen.” days just a little bit better. Now that word is out, inspirational chalk message “I could have been at home doing nothing except groups have been appearing all over the country in major watching TV,” Hall said. “But that’s boring. It’s all about areas such as Los Angeles, Oakland and Florida. Here in living a good story. Chalking beats TV even if it does rain.” Chicago, the group welcomes everybody in the city to

8 | The DePaulia. April 30, 2012

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News. April 30, 2012. The DePaulia | 9

“DANCE” continued from page 3 the hospital. Holtschneider returned late Saturday afternoon to see the final reveal at 5 p.m. “DemonTHON was extremely inspiring, from the very start on Friday you could tell that the dancers and volunteers were really committed to making DemonTHON all about the kids,” said DePaul sophomore Megan Laudenslager. “Seeing the families and hearing their stories was an experience that I’ll never forget. It makes you appreciate everything you have.” During the all-day-and-night event, bands, DJs, singing groups, games led by Morale Captains and, of course, dancing, entertained committee members and dancers. Every hour on the hour participants did the “Morale Dance,” which was taught to participants at the beginning of the event, to mark time throughout the night. The big event reached a pinnacle with Power Hour, the last hour to go that led to the final “Morale Dance” and the reveal of the total number of dollars raised. When the time finally came to unveil the amount, there were uproars of cheer, emotion and solace, particularly from Zac Johnson of Children’s Miracle Network who attended the event and left with tears in his eyes because of how incredible it turned out to be. External Director of DemonTHON and DePaul student Blair Janis shared her gratitude for all the help they received. “We are grateful for the support of DePaul University, local and corporate businesses that sponsored the event and , of course, the students,” Janis said. “Our dancers committed to raising $250 and to standing for 24 hours in solidarity with kids facing life altering pediatric illnesses at Children’s Memorial Hospital and their families. We could not be more proud.” The President of Children’s Memorial Hospital Foundation, Tom Sullivan, expressed his gratitude during the closing ceremonies. Sullivan flew in from Germany to attend DemonTHON. Edie Morris, junior, spoke of why she danced “FTK” (For The Kids) and how DemonTHON changed everything for her. “Standing for 24 hours really takes a toll on your body, but these kids Children’s Memorial is helping are in chronic pain,” she said. “Realizing that the pain I felt for 24 hours is what these kids are feeling all the time is what motivated me to keep pushing through and dancing...For The Kids, always.”

photo of the week

LEAH HASELHORST|The DePaulia

DePaul’s digital still photography for non-majors class, with Professor John Corba met at the Lincoln Park Zoo on Thursday to explore the settings and limits of their cameras. The three components students were supposed to focus on were color, focal length and emotion.

“MAP” continued from cover

JENN SCHANZ | The DePaulia

SGA President Anthony Alfano (left) talks about the importance of MAP grants for DePaul students.

years because of this grant. When you look at the long term, dividends are huge. We can’t look at this through a short-term window,” he continued. SGA senator for first-year students Matthew von Nida saw Student Lobby Day as the first of many important steps to ensuring affordable education. “I have a friend that I hadn’t seen around campus in a long time. I ran into them the other day, and they told me they had to drop out because they lost a portion of their MAP grant. Even if just one student has to leave their university because of funding, that is one too many. So today was an important first step.” Like lawmakers, SGA members and DePaul students at Student Lobby Day also shared a consensus: No is not an answer for MAP funding.

APRIL 17 - 23

CAMPUS CRIME REPORT LOOP CAMPUS

LINCOLN PARK CAMPUS

APRIL 18

•A Criminal Trespass report was filed in response to a suspicious person on the third floor of the CDM building. Offender was arrested at the scene.

•A Fire report was filed on a room in Sheffield Square. Public Safety and the Chicago Fire Department were called to the scene of a kitchen fire. All residents exited the building and no one was harmed.

APRIL 19 •A Criminal Trespass report was filed on a offender in the DePaul Center. Offender was seen taking a sandwich.

APRIL 20 •An Attempted Theft report was filed for the Richardson Library staff. An offender tried to remove books from the

library by removing the barcodes. •A Burglary (non-forced) report was filed for a room in Belden –Racine Hall. Money was removed from the victim’s room. •A Disturbance report was filed for a staff member of the Ray Meyer Fitness Center. The offender was trying to gain entry without having the proper identification. •A Suspicion of Marijuana report was filed for a room in Clifton-Fullerton Hall. No drugs were found.

APRIL 21 •A Disturbance report was filed on students throwing eggs at a resident’s house.

APRIL 22 •A Liquor Law Violation report was filed for a room in Belden-Racine Hall. •A Criminal Sexual Assault report was filed for a survivor in Seton Hall. •A Criminal Damage to Property report was filed for a vending machine in Centennial Hall.

10 | The DePaulia. April 30, 2012.

NATION & WORLD

Nation & World Editor Michael Corio depaulianation@gmail.com

Freedom or hate speech? The New Black Panther Party By GENNA TARDI Contributing Writer July 5, 2011, a new generation of Black Panthers positioned in New York walked on the American flag to show their contempt for the U.S. system. Since grade school United States. students are educated on how to respectfully regard the American flag and when a group chooses to disregard these actions, they are instinctively questioned about their intentions. Many revivals have emerged from our parents’ era, but who would have guessed that a resurrection of the Black Panthers would emerge? The once revolutionary leftist organization instilled the notions of “Black Power” and “Power to the People” into the minds of Americans in the mid-‘60s. By demonstrating their disapproval and rallying to the cause, the group imprinted a vision of hope, freedom and rebellion into the minds of an oppressed AfricanAmerican public. Although the roles and ideals that the original Black Panthers retired from seemed righteous and honorable, the New Black Panther party has been criticized since 1989 for having a different agenda. The original party drew most of its influences from the ideals of Marxism and Maoism, while the new group is more inherently focused on achieving

CHARLES DHARAPAK|The Associated Press

Mikhail Muhammad, center, Southern Regional Director of the New Black Panther Party, leads a protest outside the Sanford Police Department calling for the resignation of the police chief in response to the handling of the Trayvon Martin shooting in Sanford, Florida. goals through hateful radicalism, therefore constraining the group’s reputation as anti-Semitic, antiwhite and exceedingly racist. Bobby Seale, one of the co-founding members of the original Black Panthers argued, “Just to hate another person because [of] the color of their skin or their ethnicity — we don’t do that. That’s not what the goal objective is. The goal objective is human liberation. The goal objective is the greater community cooperation and humanism. The

goal objective is to get rid of institutionalized racism.” Before George Zimmerman’s arrested, the group chose to become publicly involved in the Trayvon Martin case by offering a $10,000 reward for the capture of Zimmerman. The Chicago Tribune released an article March 24 stating, “New Black Panther leader Mikhail Muhammad announced the reward during a protest in Sanford Saturday. And when asked whether he was inciting violence, Muhammad

replied defiantly: ‘An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.’” Celebrating a festival named by the New Black Panthers as “The Fourth of You Lie” the day before Independence Day was considered by National Geographic as an ironic and accusatory title. As descendants of enslaved African-Americans, the group finds it hard to celebrate a holiday that has come to be considered a day of national independence and freedom. During the 2008 election, a

group of New Black Panthers gathered around a polling place in Philadelphia, yelling racial slurs at white voters. Oppression and the illusion of oppression are the terms in which both new and old Black Panther parties were created. If these groups are still claiming injustice, it is clear that this old oppression takes similar form in modern society. The difference lies within the controversial way in which the group determines to voice its convictions. In 1989, just as the new group was emerging (ironically the same year of Newton’s death by gunfire), the Huey P. Newton foundation made available this release: “As guardian of the true history of the Black Panther Party, the Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation, which includes former leading members of the Party, denounces this group’s exploitation of the Party’s name and history. Failing to find its own legitimacy in the black community, this band would graft the Party’s name upon itself, which we condemn... [T]hey denigrate the Party’s name by promoting concepts absolutely counter to the revolutionary principles on which the Party was founded... The Black Panthers were never a group of angry young militants full of fury toward the “white establishment.” The Party operated on love for black people, not hatred of white people.”

"STUDENT LOANS" continued from cover alone. Over the last five years, loans have increased by 75.2 percent for undergraduates and 95 percent for graduate students. If the interest rate rises to 6.4 percent, the Center for American Progress reports that 7.4 millions students nationwide would face an additional $1,000 in interest per year of school. President Obama spoke at universities in three swing states: the University of Colorado-Boulder, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and University of Iowa. Officially, Obama’s campaign for re-election does not start until May 5, but he’s already working to maintain the support of young voters, ages 18-29, who proved key to his 2008 victory. Speaking to an estimated 8,000 students at UNC April 24, Obama shared his experience with the burden of student loan debt. “I didn’t just read about this. I didn’t just get some talking points about this. Michelle and I, we’ve been in your shoes. Like I said, we didn’t come from wealthy families.” Opponent Mitt Romney’s wealth has been attacked by both Democrats and former Republican candidates who say that he cannot relate to the hardships of the average American. Using the same charisma that helped him win the young vote last election, Obama poked fun at the absurdity of how out of control student debt has gotten. “Check this out: I’m President of the

United States,” he said after disclosing that he and Michelle only paid off their student loans eight years ago. The comment drew laughter and applause from students at all three schools. “It makes me feel a little better that he knows where we are going from,” said freshman Demetrius Hill. “But after taking out around $20,000 a year in loans, I am irritated that all this is happening over a whopping $4,000.” In an effort to chip away at Obama’s support among young people, Romney has tweaked his language regarding the student loan issue. Before the March 20 Illinois primary, a woman raised concerns to Romney about student debt. Referring to the president, Romney said, “He is going to come up at some point and talk about how he’s going to make it vanish. And that’s another, ‘Here, I’ll give you something for free.’ And I’m not going to do that.” Romney’s stance shifted April 23. “With the number of college graduates who can’t find work or who can only find work well beneath their skill level,” Romney said, “I fully support the effort to extend the low interest rate on student loans.” “This is why I don’t like politics,” said sophomore Karley Guyselman. “They agree yet it has become a campaign issue? Just do something.” Freezing the current 3.4 percent interest rate for one year would cost the federal

government $6 billion, and the two parties cannot seem to agree on how to pay for it. Because it is an election year, both sides are expected to hold strong to their proposed legislation in hopes of being the side that gets a bill passed. So even though most politicians agree that the rate cannot double, it very well might if both parties refuse to compromise. A recent survey by Georgetown University revealed that only 60 percent of those under 29 are registered to vote, and out of that only 63 percent said that they were “absolutely” going to cast a ballot in the presidential election. “I’ll probably vote, but I’m not as passionate about it as I was,” said Crystal Hantschel, a DePaul senior studying psychology. “Obama made me excited about politics for the first time. I’ve seen how the system works, and it is just so frustrating.”

The Associated Press

Nation & World. April 30, 2012. The DePaulia |11

FRANCE THREATENS TO END BORDERLESS EUROZONE

This Week in World News

EX-LIBERIAN PRESIDENT TAYLOR CONVICTED TOMBODU, SIERRA LEONE

LUXEMBOURG, BELGIUM

In the heat of France's presidential election campaign, the French government insisted Thursday that if the European Union didn't back its tougher line to fight illegal immigration it would lead to the demise of the continent's borderless travel zone. French Interior Minister Gueant said many of the EU nations back the principle of a Franco-German proposal that includes a reintroduction of national border controls for a month, if a country is faced with a surge of illegal immigration. Some countries, though, had objections over when and how national controls could be reintroduced. Under current rules, the so-called Schengen zone of 26 nations protects its common outside borders only, and allows free travel inside the member nations. The system is flawed where borders are at their weakest, allowing for tens of thousands of illegal immigrants to pour into the Schengen zone every year through the Mediterranean coastline or the Greek-Turkish border. Unless the fight against illegal immigration is intensified, Gueant said, "a time will come when the European citizens will prefer to question the advantages of the freedom of movement rather than have waves of illegal immigration coming in."

TATAN SYUFLANA|The Associated Press JAKARTA, INDONESIA

Beef vendors wait for customers at their stall at a market in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, April 26. Indonesia became the first country to suspend imports of U.S. beef following the discovery this week of an American dairy cow infected with mad cow disease.

Rebels captured Samuel Komba, tied him up with more than a dozen other villagers and set them on fire. Badly burned, he broke free, only to be caught by fighters who tried to chop off his right hand. The 58-year-old farmer, one of only two survivors of that attack more than a decade ago, says he takes solace from ex-Liberian President Taylor's conviction by an international court for his role in Sierra Leone's brutal war. "The whole world will know today what Charles Taylor did, and we are happy," Komba said from this rural village, where many who survived the fighting were enslaved as diamond miners. On Thursday, officials set up an area for several hundred residents of Tombodu to listen to the verdict live from the Netherlands, but they couldn't get a radio signal. Some villagers carrying transistor radios wandered hillsides trying to pick up a signal from the capital, Freetown. There was some subdued clapping and a few smiles as news of Taylor's conviction spread. One woman called out, asking why those who committed atrocities locally for years during the war were not charged. But the crowd quickly dispersed and people went back to their daily lives.

STOCKS EDGE HIGHER ON ENCOURAGING HOME SALES FIGURES

NORWEGIANS FACE DOWN TERRORISM THROUGH SONG

NEW YORK CITY

OSLO, NORWAY

On a day that brought both good and bad news about the economy, investors chose to see the glass as half-full. U.S. stocks edged higher through most of Thursday, pushed up by a batch of bright earnings reports and encouraging news about home sales. But the gains were kept in check by a disappointing report on unemployment claims, a decline in some European markets and weakness at big-name companies like Aetna, UPS and Dow Chemical. The Dow Jones industrial average was up 95 points at 13,186 in the early afternoon. The Standard & Poor's 500 was up seven points at 1,398. The Nasdaq composite index rose 15 to 3,045. The National Association of Realtors reported that the number of contracts to buy homes is rising. That pushed up the stocks of home builders like PulteGroup and Lennar. Companies like Lockheed Martin and Starwood Hotels, climbed after beating analysts' predictions.

MINDY SCHAUER|The Associated Press

CALIFORNIA'S 5K COLOR RUN IRVINE, CALIFORNIA

In this April 22 photo, Color Run participants are doused in colors at the finish of the 5k at the Great Park in Irvine, Calif. Participants begin the run in white shirts and each kilometer is associated with a designated color doused on participants as they make their way through. COMPILED BY MICHAEL CORIO | NEWS COURTESY OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

They gathered by the tens of thousands in the drenching rain to face down terrorism with song. Drawn by a Facebook-organized protest, Norwegians flocked to public squares across the country Thursday and rallied against far-right fanatic Anders Behring Breivik, now on trial for a bomband-shooting rampage that killed 77 people. They sang a Norwegian version of a Pete Seeger tune that the confessed mass killer claims has been used to brainwash the youth into supporting immigration. Defiant singalongs of "Children of the Rainbow" were staged in Oslo and other major Norwegian cities, even as the ninth day of the trial went on with survivors of Breivik's attacks giving tearful testimony. In downtown Oslo alone, about 40,000 people raised their voices as Norwegian artist Lillebjoern Nilsen played the song, a Norwegian version of Seeger's "My Rainbow Race."

12 | The DePaulia. April 30, 2012

OPINIONS

Opinions Editor Jenn Schanz depauliaopinions@gmail.com

Disturbing pro-anorexia sites garner attention By JACKIE TORTORELLO ContributingWriter

“I believe that I am the most vile, worthless and useless person ever to have existed on this planet, and I am totally unworthy of anyone's time and attention. I believe that other people who tell me differently must be idiots. If they could see how I really am, then they would hate me almost as much as I do. I believe in ought’s, musts and should as unbreakable laws to determine my daily behavior. I believe in perfection and strive to attain it.” This is a creed posted on a pro-anorexia website. In 2005, the National Eating Disorder Association reported “over one half of teenage girls and nearly one-third of teenage boys use unhealthy weight control behaviors.” “Not enough emphasis is being placed on a realistic and healthy body image,” said Kiernan Glenn, a DePaul sophomore. According to internetworldstats.com there were only 16 million Internet users in 1996. Fifteen years later that number has grown to 2.2 billion. It’s obvious that technology has been integrated into daily life and anyone seeking a sadistic brand of support is only a few clicks away. With the addition of new apps and social networking, validation from an online eating disorder

EMILY HARRIS|Miami Herald for MCT Campus

Juliet Robboy stands by a body tracing that she created in her art therapy session. The black outline represents how she preceives herself, while the purple outline is her true body outline. community is even easier. One blogger on proanalog.

worldpress.com stated, “As I mentioned before, I will be using

the iPhone App MyFitnessPal to track my caloric intake and my exercise.” Another posted, “i am a 12 year old girl, i need a girl ana buddy, cause im so frickin fat. i weigh 108 and im only 5'2. thats disgusting.” An “Ana buddy” is someone used to fuel the mental illness cloaked within the eating disorder. Instead of suggesting medical attention, this person encourages methods, offers advice and suggests tips as to how to retain weight loss. One can be found online in a chat room or open forum. These online communities are designed to provide a space of tolerance for the lifestyles associated with an eating disorder. They even promote it. “Die hard Ana's already know what this means” one website states in reference to the bracelet project. Here, girls who refer to themselves as “Ana” (short for anorexia) wear a red beaded bracelet around the left wrist. Girls who refer to themselves as “Mia” wear a blue beaded bracelet around the right wrist. Proanalifestyle.blogspot.com states, “If we all wear our bracelets, we can recognize each other, and so we can help each other! So please, don't wait!” Sites like pro-ana-nation.com outline ideals of perfection by defining what it means to be thin. “Thinspiration”, a technique used to motivate girls posts pictures

of glamorized emaciation and specified rib cages. Within its confines, vulnerable victims can view other girls participating in their daily struggle. These websites also post life-threatening tips designed to increase weight loss. A visitor can find the best brand of laxatives, herbal supplements and ephedra stimulants in one short search. One website provides advice like “Eat in front of the mirror naked” and “Punish yourself every time you eat”. “It’s haunting that young girls are supposed to look like this. They think the only way they can be beautiful is by being impossibly thin,” said Glenn. Besides legitimizing dangerous ways to reach the image of perfection, websites validate extreme dieting methods. Anabones.wetpaint.com ranks the “Russian Gymnast Diet” as one of the most popular methods and states that it was used by Irina Tschachina, silver medal winner of the Athens 2004 Olympics. According to the website, her daily consumption consisted of one glass of juice for breakfast, fruit salad for lunch and an apple for dinner. One anonymous blogger stated, “I am not encouraging people to do what I am doing. I am simply looking for support and advice from other girls already in the Pro Ana lifestyle and I am hoping that logging this publicly will solidify my changes.”

Good morning, Mr. Gorbachev

Carol Marin's “DePaul Documentary Project” connects students to the international world of journalism By BRITTANY JONES AND NICOLE KISICH Contributing Writers Mikhail Gorbachev, along with many other Nobel laureates, was in Chicago for the Peace Summit that was held April 23-25. The main objective of the summit was to connect the Nobel laureates with Chicago students. As interns with the DePaul Documentary Project, we were allowed to do just that and meet with the former president of the Soviet Union. The DePaul Documentary Project, formed by the reporting/producing team of Carol Marin and Don Moseley, allows DePaul students the opportunity to assist with projects for NBC5 and the Chicago Sun-Times. As we all waited in the Lake Room on the third floor of the JW Marriott on 151 W. Adams, Gorbachev made his rounds with his guards and right-hand man, the translator. We met his translator, Pavel Palazhchkzo, first as we discussed the time allotted for the interview, as well as the former president’s charismatic personality and love for conversation. At

this point, we started to feel the reality of it all. We were about to meet Mikhail Gorbachev. Having received his Nobel Peace Prize in 1990 for helping to end the Cold War through peaceful discourse and negotiations with the United States, Gorbachev has a wealth of knowledge to share. As he entered the room and made his rounds, we were unsure of whether or not to approach him. But he came to us and exclaimed that college is the greatest time of your life. We were in the presence of a legend and a part of something we both knew we would never forget. “There are times that bring generations together, that join different generations in an effort to understand the past and to develop a future,” Gorbachev said with the help of a translator. “There is, of course, a dialogue between different generations.” As he talked with Carol, we looked on in amazement, grateful for our internship and opportunities. As Pavel, Carol and Gorbachev continued the interview, we listened intently to the translation in which they mostly discussed politics from the U.S. to Afghanistan to Russia.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Dalai Lama, left, participates with Mikhail Gorbachev, in a panel discussion on world peace and nonviolence held Monday, April 25. Knowing we were given the chance to meet a man of his importance, who not many people can say they have met, was the best part of the whole thing. Our morning with Mikhail Gorbachev was full

of life and full of excitement. We still have much to learn, but now we’ve had our first meeting with an international political figure. This was a morning that we will never forget.

Opinions. April 30, 2012. The DePaulia | 13

Violence in sports underscores entertainment

By MATTHEW SCHWERHA Contributing Writer

Circling each other waiting for that perfect opportunity to strike. Two muscular men facing off toe-to-toe to see which one is the baddest. No, it’s not a heavyweight bout, but instead enforcers in the NHL squaring off on the ice in the middle of an officiated game, with their bare fists. Fighting has long been accepted in North American hockey, but it is divisive amongst fans of the game. Some see fighting as a necessary means to protect stars from big hits that carry the repercussion of only a penalty or suspension. Others think it is a prehistoric act that needs to be removed from the game immediately. Getting rid of a practice that has no direct impact on the outcome of the game seems obvious, especially when violent play is involved. In Game three of the Chicago Blackhawks’ first round playoff series with the Phoenix Coyotes,

“

...in the heat of the battle in almost every sport, players are taught to do whatever they can to win.

”

Hawks star forward Marian Hossa was leveled on an illegal hit by Coyotes goon Raffi Torres. The officials deemed the hit to be legal on the ice, but when it was shown in super slowmotion it was apparent Torres had deliberately hit Hossa directly in the head without the puck. Headshots have no place in any sport, and it is easy to see why such severe penalties (25-game suspension for his hit on Hossa) are handed out to multiple-time offenders like Torres. But, in the heat of the battle in almost every sport, players are taught to do whatever they can to win. Sometimes the

less disciplined players take that to the extreme. Decades ago in the NBA, players routinely clobbered one another to keep each other from easy baskets at the rim. Nowadays any hard foul around the basket almost immediately goes under the microscope to determine whether or not it is a flagrant foul. Metta World Peace proved Ron Artest was still in there somewhere when he brutally elbowed James Harden in the side of the head after celebrating a dunk. World Peace, who has been suspended 13 times, received a seven-game suspension for his hit on Harden, which was dangerously close to his temple. Major League Baseball is the least violent of the four major sports, but collisions at second base and home plate routinely are accepted as part of the game. Until one of the collisions knocks out a rising star of the game. Buster Posey, catcher for the San Francisco Giants, was injured on a collision at home plate that led some around the

league to call for the elimination of such plays from baseball. Catchers who choose that career path are generally accepted as the toughest players on the field. If a backup catcher, who plays no more than 40-60 games a year, received the same fate as Posey there would hardly be a blip on the radar. When gruesome things happen to Hossa, Harden and Posey, people tend to take notice. The sport where violence is most prevalent is the NFL. Players are paid to bash into one another as hard as possible in order to get to a certain spot on the field. Similar to the other sports, football has recently been under scrutiny because of a scandal involving the New Orleans Saints, in which players were paid sums of money based on the injuries they inflicted on their opponents. It’s frowned upon to intentionally try to hurt someone during a game, but do you think a football player making a tackle or a hockey player going into a hit is really thinking about the livelihood of the recipient he is about to crush?

No, he is trying to inflict as much pain as possible, within the rules. No matter how much the focus shifts towards violence that takes place outside of the rules, the fact remains that most injuries take place on plays that are legal and a part of the game. Ray Easterling, a plaintiff in the concussion case of former players suing the NFL, was a safety on the Atlanta Falcons for the better part of the 1970’s. The depression and dementia Easterling suffered from later in his life was thought to be a direct result of the repeated hits he took to his head during his career. Easterling’s battle with his life after football ended with suicide. No matter how many rules there are or how harsh suspensions are handed down, players will always be in danger of being seriously injured. Being paid millions of dollars to play a child’s game seems great on the surface, but at the end of the day fans of professional sports are less worried about the safety of the players as a whole and more worried about whether or not their team is winning or losing.

Re-engaging the birth control debate: a dualistic approach By PETER DZIEDZIC Senior Writer The national discourse on the highly-debated birth control mandate, in which religiouslyaffiliated institutions such as hospitals and universities may have to provide birth control coverage in employee health plans, has drawn attention and responses from religious and non-religious leaders alike. While what has often been at the forefront in this discourse in recent weeks appears to be the contested morality of birth control and contraceptives in certain religious circles, these are secondary issues that not only reveal the need for more critical conversations internally in religious institutions, but point to a deeper concern at hand – the limitations and boundaries of religious freedom in a changing American cultural and societal landscape. While I, as a young Catholic, agree that the Catholic discourse on birth control, sexuality and contraceptives (among other issues) has stagnated and has failed to fully address changing and current realities, I also agree with Catholic and other religious leaders in saying that this mandate is indeed an incursion on the religious freedoms of not only Catholics, but of other faith communities who may hold similar views and concerns rooted in a theological or spiritual hermeneutic. Healthcare reform is necessary, but the relationship

Peter Dziedzic pdzdzc@gmail.com of faith communities to these changing realities must also be re-engaged.The issue at hand is not healthcare policy, but the government’s encroachment into the sphere of religious life, the division of religious communities and institutions and declarations as to what is or is not religious enough in relation to secular policies. Healthcare reform is needed, but are we willing to, in the process, sacrifice religious freedoms and ignore the moral objections of religious communities? The reason this mandate has moved to the center of nationwide thought and concern is because of the realm of possibilities that are opened up regarding the involvement of secular institutions in questions of religious identity. A similar blurring of divisions and authority can be noted in a recent controversy at Manhattan College in New York and St. Xavier University in Chicago, in which the National Labor Relations Board ruled these institutions as not sufficiently religious to fall outside of the agency’s jurisdiction.

While the issues of labor laws and the complex reality of the state-federal political relationship need to be navigated responsibly, these actions reveal a growing involvement of secular institutions and rulings into religious affairs. This affects not only Catholics and Christians, but all religious communities in the United States. If these mandates and rulings succeed and set precedent, what are possible further consequences? How far will the government be allowed to go in setting boundaries on religious identity? These threats to religious freedom have also come from elsewhere, most recently in the news of the undercover NYPD investigation of Muslims in New York. What all of these developments ultimately point to is the need for our discourse to evolve. Just because we, as a nation, have struggled with questions of religious freedom and religious pluralism and identity for more than two centuries does not mean that we have come close to solving these questions and to fully engaging the reality of pluralism, secularism and democracy. As a society, we are uncomfortable with questions of religion and pluralism, and we are afraid to challenge established, constructed boundaries. We must find ways to critically address issues of religious freedom in an evolving world. Young leaders must be central in encouraging this societal shift. I see the interfaith youth movement as providing a possible vehicle for this changing discourse. At DePaul University,

PETER KOHAMA| MCT Wire Service the largest Catholic university in the United States, we have provided state-mandated birth control options for students and staff for years, but we have also carved out the critical spaces both in and out of the classroom. We have done this by having engaging, respectful conversations on these issues while also being rooted in the tradition of the Catholic Church and the reality of religious diversity. In growing together in these questions, we are also committed to common action for the common good, and religious freedom is a necessary component of this communal welfare.

The interfaith youth movement and organizations like Religious Freedom USA and the Interfaith Youth Core are working to promote new spaces for this discourse on issues of religious freedom, and these conversations must continually be pressed forward. Young leaders, religious and non-religious, must work together in being the catalyst for change that is needed in our society. Faith communities must begin to creatively and critically address these issues, and only then can we responsibly engage in the pressing questions that demand our reflection and attention.

The opinions in this section do not necessarily reflect those of The DePaulia staff.

14 | The DePaulia. April 30, 2012

FOCUS

Ladies

By DYLAN McHUGH Contributing Writer

A death-match combata archery. A hacker with an in teenage girl with a vampire Female roles in film hav from the film noir femme less bubbly eye candy. “Th “The Girl With the Drago even “Twilight Saga: B 1”—which all center (or in “Twilight’ ling”) female le immense su recent fil lywood of tr chet por do

af h a

Katniss Everdeen | Photo cou

Focus. April 30, 2012. The DePaulia | 15

Focus Editor Grant Myatt depauliafocus@gmail.com

Changing Hollywoods feminine stereotypes

ant with a knack for nsatiable curiosity. A baby. ve come a long way fatale or the mindhe Hunger Games,” on Tattoo” and yes, Breaking Dawn Part r around compelling ’s” case, “compeleads—were met with uccess. So what do lms say about Hold’s understanding raditional female artypes, and more imrtantly, what are they oing to change them? Roughly a month fter a Capitol Hill hearing on the Obama a d m i n i s t r a t i o n ’s new birth control mandate—in which Congressman Darrell Issa said “a man’s con-

urtesy of LIONSGATE

science” should lead the law, while he led an all-male panel—“The Hunger Games” arrived in theaters. The adaptation of the 2008 Suzanne Collins novel stars Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss: a tough competitor in a government-mandated game of life and death. The film opened to a cool $152.5 million, making it one of the top three box office opening weekend sales in North American history. As the debate raged on, so did “The Hunger Games’” success, holding down first place at the box office for four weeks straight. Does life imitate art, or art imitate life? In any case, “The Hunger Games” swept up the nation in its dystopian storytelling and compelling lead. DePaul junior Eunice Choi said Katniss was an alternative to the traditional American female hero. “I think to a certain extent, Katniss is more complex than other female characters because she shows both a killing, active, masculine side and she also has a nurturing feminine side,” Choi said. Likewise, DePaul new media and technology professor Paul Booth said the success of “The Hunger Games” portended well to more strong female characters. Because she is “such a badass,” Katniss ends up representing all women in film. “You don’t find that with men in movies,” Booth said. “You don’t have Bruce Willis representing all men. You have Bruce Willis representing a character.” Meanwhile, Katniss’ nurturing disposition (along with her bowand-arrow precision) helps her to survive, which separates her from, say, John McClane in “Die Hard.” “And that’s really wonderful to see: a value placed on that sort of less active attribute,” Booth said. Katniss could also be a turn away from the idea that women in film are just objects for the males to pine over. “She refuses to be a sex object,” Booth said. “She’s like, ‘I don’t want to be a part of this love triangle. I don’t want to be seen that way. I want to choose how I’m seen.’” However, it’s not all fun and games on the road to cinematic gender equality. “There’s a large section of the population— ‘The Hunger Games’ made the list of most banned books in school libraries as well—that is still very conservative about gender roles, and ‘The Hunger Games’ is not going to change their minds,” Booth said. “But if you can change 10 people’s minds, 100 people’s minds, and they can change people’s minds, change does happen.” People who were shocked by “The Hunger Games’” Katniss would probably have a heart attack if they saw “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’s” Lisbeth Salander. Though the film failed to reach the box office heights of “The Hunger Games” or “Twilight,” “Dragon Tattoo’s” simmering take on abuse and revenge resonated well with crit-

ics. Rooney Mara’s intimidating portrayal of the Micek said. hacker and unorthodox detective earned her a On the other hand, so what if you like your Best Actress nomination at the Oscars: a testa- boyfriends to sparkle and watch you while you’re ment to her performance and the importance of sleeping? Booth said that while there is nothing the role. inherently wrong with Bella’s actions, there’s a DePaul senior Kristen Micek said “Girl with danger in presenting them as the standard for all the Dragon Tattoo” plays with common portray- women. als of women as sex objects in film. “Taking [choice] away from [women] is in “She’s brutalized and treated as nothing more some ways … is asserting a masculine domithan something to be used in parts of the film, but nance, to say you can’t be submissive … But she exacts revenge in a similar manner,” Micek the way it’s portrayed is that it’s the ideal for all said. “Lisbeth uses, and is used [for], women,” Booth said. “It’s normalizing her sexuality, but it’s done in a very that and making it seem to be the deharsh and practical manner that fault.” separates it from what is typiBooth grimaced at the idea cally portrayed as feminine of directing a reboot of “Twisexuality at all.” light” in a more gender-neutral Booth, however, hesitates way. to place “Dragon Tattoo” in “You would not be able to the same socially-progresremake ‘Twilight’ and make sive category as “The Hunger it gender equal,” Booth said. Games.” “The plot of ‘Twilight’ “We have a very depends on that inequalpowerful female proity. I think you could tagonist here, even make a perfectly good I think Bella was meant though the underlyvampire romance that to emody good qualities being message is one isn’t in that way and they cause of her values and desire that maybe misogydid: it’s called ‘Interview to be self-sacrificing, but ultinistic,” Booth said. with a Vampire.’” “You can have some“Twilight” may not mately she is a horrible role thing that claims be the world’s most promodel... to be avant-garde gressive film series, but senior KRISTEN MICEK or breaking social Micek doesn’t think it’s norms, and have an actively harming gender example of somerelations in the film inthing that does, but dustry. “There is somethe rest of the movie [could] support the status thing that draws people to the films, but I think quo in a lot of ways.” there are enough significant strong female proTo say that “Dragon Tattoo” is not a sexist tagonists with similarly strong audience bases movie, Booth said, is not quite complex enough that prevent Bella from dealing a lasting blow.” of a statement. For the record, the actress who plays the “No one ‘loves’ in this film -- everyone just oft-criticized Bella seems to prefer her role in seems to ‘tolerate’ each other,” Booth said. “In a the upcoming “Snow White and the Huntsman” film about the brutal treatment of women, emo- more than the vampire-loving role she’s know tion, which tends to be a feminine trait, is taken for. “It is fairly common to have your story as a out of the equation. This isn’t to say the movie is woman, even if you’re the protagonist, facilitatdeliberately being sexist, simply that it seems to ed by all of the male characters,” Kristen Stewbe finding power in a masculine mode of dealing art told Film Ink magazine. “It’s so rare to have with relationships.” a female lead character being so proactive. She Compare this with “Twilight:” a story fo- pushes her own story forward, rather then being cused on the strength of love between a girl and affected by all of the outside elements. Hopeher vampire. “Twilight” is the most polarizing fully we do that, I’m really proud to be a part of proper noun in pop culture. You either love it something like that. It’s always food for women for its supernatural melodrama, or hate it for the to feel empowered.” same reason. But no matter what your opinion of Of course, there are other films that feature the series is, there’s no denying that protagonist female leads other than these three. Kristen Bella Swan is fundamentally different from the Wiig’s ensemble comedy “Bridesmaids” became leads of “Hunger Games” and “Dragon Tattoo.” Judd Apatow’s most successful produced film to While Katniss and Lisbeth aren’t afraid to get date, even beating out “Knocked Up” and “The their hands dirty, Micek noted that Bella “falls 40-Year-Old Virgin,” and Pixar’s “Brave” is their into a near comatose state” after her hunky vam- first to focus on a female lead. Booth thinks that pire breaks up with her. the film industry is transforming the way it ren“I think Bella was meant to embody good ders gender roles —or something to that effect. qualities because of her values and desire to “I think we’re in the middle of a shift,” Booth be self-sacrificing, but ultimately she is a hor- said. “I don’t know if we’re in the beginningrible role model due to the fact that anyone who middle or middle-middle or end-middle. Endwould follow her example would end up dating beginning-middle. But things are changing.” a creepy stalker and having inane fixations,”

“

ARTS & LIFE

Arts & Life Editor Tricia Cathcart depauliamagazine@gmail.com BOB FILA|MCT Campus

CINCO DE MAYO

Celebrate the Mexican holiday in style at these Chicago restaurants By NICK ENQUIST Contributing Writer With Cinco de Mayo coming up this weekend, it’s sad to see all of the DePaul students cramming themselves into local hot spots like the Twisted Lizard and Allende. Chicago is a city filled with Hispanic culture and pride that is emulated with hundreds upon hundreds of restaurants in the city that shouldn’t be ignored just because they aren’t close to campus. The fifth of May is the day that celebrates the Mexican army’s unlikely victory over the French in 1862. While Cinco de Mayo is considered a holiday observing Mexican pride and culture in the United States, it really isn’t celebrated as much in Mexico. Because of this, some

Mexican restaurant owners and managers don’t give any special deals on the fifth of May, because they don’t see it as a big day. For instance, at The Mayan Palace at 2703 N. Halsted Ave., just a few blocks north of the Lincoln Park campus, the owner, Rudy Delarosa, explained that he is expecting to run his business as usual. “Cinco de Mayo is a holiday where a lot of young people like to go out and drink,” Delarosa said. “When I was a kid the day wasn’t that big of a deal, my mother would just cook a nice meal. So every Cinco de Mayo, I give the regular menu and my business still does quite well.” The Mayan Palace serves authentic Mexican cuisine every day for an affordable price, around $10 to $20. The restaurant is small, but friendly and serves delicious food. Even though Delarosa doesn’t really celebrate

the holiday at The Mayan Palace, some other restaurant owners do with special deals for Cinco de Mayo.

taking donations for aid in East Africa, which was recently suffered from a severe drought. While the concert is free to everyone, individuals are encouraged to make a donation at the Oxfam DePaul table. The concert will feature

four Chicago bands: Sons of the West, Terriers, North to Howard, and Claire & Alex. Three of bands are composed of DePaul students, and Sons of the West is managed by a DePaul student. Because of the large fan bases of the

“

We have a nice set menu being served all day and a mariachi band playing from six to close... GEORGE ORTIZ ADOBO GRILL

”

Las Pintas is a restaurant at 1552 N. Wells St. right by the Sedgwick brown line stop. Jose, the manager, was excited about the holiday and is hoping that

many people will come by the restaurant. “I’ll buy a shot of tequila for everyone who comes in,” he said, boasting loudly. Jose, who didn’t want his last name used, also talked about the amazing quality of the margaritas he sells. The food is affordable for the average college student with most prices ranging $10 to $15. But Jose’s tequila gift is small compared to other deals restaurants are prepared to give. Just up the street from Las Pintas, at 1610 N. Wells St, right next to The Second City Comedy Theater is Adobo Grill. They bring out all the big guns for Cinco de Mayo. George Ortiz, the owner is proud of all the deals, and is anticipating the crowd that Adobo is bound to get this Saturday. “We have a nice set menu being served all day, and a mariachi band playing from six to close,” said Ortiz. “The dish

that everyone should try is the Chile de Nogada, it’s a traditional dish on the special menu, and it is really good.” However, the food is pricy, ranging from $15 to $30. Despite the price, the night sounds like it will be a lot of fun and the food will make it worth breaking your wallet. If more of a cultural experience is desired, then there is always the Pilsen Cinco de Mayo parade. Every year in Pilsen on Cermak Road from Wood Street to Marshall Boulevard, there’s a parade that runs through the heart of Pilsen. The Parade is actually held May 6, but it still highlights Mexican pride and culture. The whole area celebrates with the local restaurants as hubs for celebration. The parade starts at noon at on Cermak Road at Wood Street. While it might be a far commute for DePaul students, it is definitely a sight to see.

DMBO and Oxfam DePaul to host spring benefit concert By JACOB SABOLO Contributing Writer Oxfam DePaul and DePaul Music Business Organization (DMBO) will be hosting a spring benefit concert at Lincoln Hall on May 6. The concert will serve to raise awareness about Oxfam’s mission of ending world hunger, poverty, and world hunger, as well as highlighting Chicago’s local music scene. Oxfam America is currently

OFFICIAL BENEFIT POSTER|DMBO

The official poster for the Spring Benefit concert which will be held at Lincoln Hall. bands, guests are recommended to arrive early before the capacity of Lincoln Hall is filled. The free show begins at 7 p.m. and is open for guests 18+. Further information may be directed to Oxfam DePaul (oxfam.depaul@gmail.com) or DMBO (depaulmusicbiz@gmail. com).

Arts & Life. April 30, 2012. The DePaulia | 17

‘Les Misérables’ re-imagined for 2012

Victor Hugo's beloved novel adapted for the big screen by Hooper, of ‘The King's Speech’ By EDUARDO SAYAGO Staff Writer This upcoming Christmas, “Les Miserables” will hit the big screen with an all-star cast, directed by Oscar winner Tom Hooper (“The King’s Speech”). One of the most beloved novels in Western literature, “Les Miserables” was written and published by Victor Hugo in 1862. The main character, Jean Valjean, has spent nearly two decades in prison before he finally escapes for good. A former criminal, he learns to become a good man and tries to do good for others. But he cannot escape his past, and a determined police inspector named Javert stops at nothing to put him back behind bars. While this manhunt commences, Valjean changes his identity, becomes a successful businessman and politician, and adopts Cosette, the daughter of Fantine, a fallen woman who eventually dies from illness. In Hooper’s edition, Hugh Jackson stars as Valjean, Russell Crowe is Inspector Javert, Anne Hathaway is Fantine, and Amanda Seyfried is Cosette. In addition to these leads, Eddie Redmayne (“My Week with Marilyn”), Sacha Baron Cohen (the upcoming “The Dictator”), and Helena Bonham Carter (the upcoming “Dark Shadows”) will also play pivotal roles. While this is a high profile project, this isn’t the first time that “Les Miserables” has been adapted from the classic novel. Here’s a look at some of the other editions that have graced the big screen, television, radio and even the stage.

THE FIRST STAGE ADAPTATION, 1863

Just one year after Victor Hugo published his epic, his son Charles and playwright Paul Meurice adapted the novel into a play. There are no recorded reviews of the play, so it’s tough to tell if it was any good, though the play is available to read (or

LES MISERABLES|Universal Studios

Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean in Hooper's adaptation of "Les Miserables," set for release in December of 2012. to Broadway) in 1985. Despite initial negative reviews, it has become one of the longestrunning productions in history. In 2010, “Les Miserables” was performed for the 10,000th time. In 1987, the musical arrived on Broadway, winning the Tony Award for Best Musical that year. Since then, “Les Miserables” has gone on tour several times, playing for millions of theatregoers around the globe. act out) courtesy of napoleonicliterature.com

ORSON WELLES, 1937

Before becoming a legendary and polarizing figure in movies, Orson Welles got his start in theatre and on the radio. In the summer of 1937, Welles, then only 22 years old, wrote, directed and starred (as Jean Valjean) in a seven-part radio drama of “Les Miserables.” The radio drama was a success not only for Welles but also for his Mercury Theatre, which made their radio debut in the series. This theatre company included Joseph Cotton, a leading and character actor whose credits include Orson Welles’ masterpiece “Citizen Kane”, Alfred Hitchcock’s “Shadow of a Doubt” and Carol Reed’s post-World War II thriller “The Third Man” (which co-starred Welles), and Agnes Moorehead,

who eventually earned 4 Oscar nominations and a cult following thanks to her role as the witch Endora (Samantha’s mother) in the 1960s sitcom “Bewitched.”

THE MUSICAL, 1980-PRESENT

In 1980, record producer and singer Claude-Michel Schonberg and lyricist Alain Boublil leashed onto the world Les Miserables the Musical in Paris. The original run lasted only three months when the booking contract expired. The Englishlanguage version was translated and written by Herbert Kretzmer, who began his professional life as a journalist and documentarian before becoming a theatre critic and wrote lyrics for various mediums (including a JFK tribute, written and recorded just hours after his assassination) on the side. “Les Miserables” debuted in the West End (London’s answer

THE ANIME SERIES, 2007

In 2007, Nippon Animation debuted “Les Miserables: Shojo Cosette”, a 52-episode drama series that tells the tale from Cosette’s perspective. The series ran in Japan over the course of a year. If curious about this adaptation, some of the episodes are available to watch on YouTube.

VARIOUS FILM & TV VERSIONS, 1909-2000

To date, there have been a dozen film and television adaptations of “Les Miserables.” The first one was filmed and released in 1909. (It has since been lost.) There is a four and a half one French version from 1934 and one released the following year from 20th Century Fox that earned an Oscar nomination for Best Picture. The French have created eight versions of the tale, the

Italians have created one and the Americans/English three of them. The most famous American version to date is the one released in 1998.

THE 1998 FILM VERSION

Directed by Danish filmmaker Bille August, this rendition stars Liam Neeson as Jean Valjean, Geoffrey Rush as Javert, Uma Thurman as Fantine, and Claire Danes as Cosette. I gotta admit, it’s odd seeing Danes in a starring role on the big screen, considering that I, along with a majority of people know her nowadays for her TV work in “Homeland”, “Temple Grandin”, or “My So-Called Life” (which is available on Netflix Instant for those who enjoy reliving the 1990s but can’t recall watching the show when it was on the air). While often sentimental, this is an entertaining adaptation, and each actor delivers a grand (if flashy) performance, especially Neeson as the conflicted Valjean. There are many differences in this edition, but unless you read the novel, casual viewers will not know the difference. We all know the story and know how “Les Miserables” ends, but it’s still going to be exciting to see how this next edition of this captivating tale turns out.

Norah Jones sheds sweet persona, releases edgy new album By CAROLYN SAMUELSON Contributing Writer Norah’s turns a new, darker leaf in her dramatic breakup album, its cover a rendition of the 1960s film Mudhoney’s poster. The lyrics stray away from her previous innocently sultry messages such as “come away with me in the night” and enter a more vengeful domain, filled with insolence, replacement and happy pills. Spiteful inquisition is a common theme, as Norah expresses her desire to be left alone as she sails away on the high ground. Norah sings of twisted mind

NORAH JONES|"...Little Broken Hearts"

games: “she’ll be breaking your fall and I’ll be building new walls. This time I’ll have to make sure to add a window for you to come back.” The album has some tracks, such as Travelin’ On and Miriam, that are reminiscent of her classics. But she has thrown in some curve balls. Her slow, rich sound blends with the soft core electronic style of producer Danger Mouse as she plays around with a bouncier beat, appealing to the bottom generation of her listeners. All of Norah’s albums have had heavy influence from various artists. Her collaboration with Danger Mouse in this album and many others in ...Featuring Norah Jones (which featured

Willie Nelson, Outkast, Ryan Adams, to name a few,) mark her transformation into a more versatile artist. Her recent hair bob is further proof of her emerging edginess. As her music has progressed through each of the four albums since her debut, Norah has picked up and dropped off various styles. The new twist in the upcoming album shows Jones’ incredible vitality as an artist and her constant ability to please her fans. Perhaps her older crowd, including my mother, will find the veer in direction to be distasteful, but younger audiences will be excited.

18 | The DePaulia. April 30, 2012

Metro to celebrate 30th anniversary in July Re-living the rise of Chicago’s favorite venue: an interview with Joe Shanahan

By SHANNON SHREIBAK Staff Writer Metro Set to Celebrate 30th Anniversary in July By Shannon Shreibak The Metro stands neatly tucked away on Clark Street in Wrigleyville, with a modest black and white marquee adorned with gold molding jutting toward the busy street. From the outside, the venue resembles any ordinary storefront, but it is bursting with memories of performances that have defined Chicago’s art and music scenes. Celebrating its milestone 30th anniversary, music fans and Chicagoans alike are urged to reflect on the Metro’s lasting impact on Chicago and its promising future as a cornerstone of Chicago’s cultural fabric. While the Metro may be a prominent fixture in Chicago’s art and music scenes today, it was a long and arduous journey leading to that acclaim. In a mission to showcase Chicago’s growing underground art scene, Joe Shanahan began to throw gallery openings and concerts in his loft. But it was only a matter of time before both the massive crowds and Shanahan’s ambition outgrew the confining space. And from that spurred the Metro’s settlement at 3730 N. Clark. The Metro began its run as a venue in August of 1982 with a show by an obscure band from Athens, Ga., called R.E.M., charging just $5 per ticket. Shanahan continued on this trajectory and focused on promoting fringe talent. A champion of Chicago’s alternative scene (he was an early supporter of the Smashing Pumpkins), the Metro became an integral part of Chicago’s independent artist scene. Professor Alan Salzenstein of DePaul’s Music and Theatre Schools reflected on the Metro’s significance. “The Metro definitely has iconic status, due to its history, traditions, philosophy and contributions to the community. Commitment to artists, providing emerging talents a platform and their generosity to the community all come to mind when thinking of the Metro,” he said. In 2000, Shanahan brought Jenny Lizak aboard the Metro team as a publicist. Working closely with Shanahan to maintain the Metro’s high standards and cement the venue’s place in Chicago’s music scene, Lizak has witnessed the incredible growth the Metro has undergone these past 12 years. The DePaulia had the opportunity to hear a firsthand account of the Metro’s meteoric rise in Chicago art culture from the duo. The DePaulia: How did you decide to open a music venue? Joe Shanahan: The idea of the Metro and SmartBar came out of my travels. I was travelling

post-college and between my sophomore and junior year. Some of my trips took me to New York and London and New Orleans, and from some of those experiences in those three cities I recognized a void that needed to be filled.

seismic moment. The idea began to galvanize with what was happening in popular culture. Like Smashing Pumpkins coming out of Metro and the whole era of Nirvana, Pumpkins and Red Hot Chili Peppers that happened under our

many other venues and clubs to choose from now. But our first 10 to 15 years there was only a handful of credible clubs doing it. There are corporate venues, but they don’t have souls. JL: The difference between Metro and a lot of other venues,

METROCHICAGO|Flickr

And after seeing CBGB and Paradise Garage in New York, I realized the cultural gravity of what that and jazz and blues had in New Orleans and then seeing what was happening at Dingwalls and The Marquee [in London]. I was inspired and gravitated toward that and having a place in Chicago. DP: What was the Metro like when you first started? Jenny Lizak: I think we’re always growing and evolving. Things were different; the biggest difference was how you promote shows and find out about a band from both a fan’s side and a promoter’s side. We were in the middle of a social media revolution. Fans used to use radio, The Reader, but now people can go online and connect with bands and venues and get immediate information. DP: How did you set the Metro apart from older, more classic venues like The Vic and The Riv? JS: Those are strictly venues. Metro is a functioning nightclub. We are open an average of four nights a week, SmartBar five. It separates itself naturally. DP: Did you ever foresee the Metro reaching its 30th anniversary? JS: Yes, after the 10th anniversary. The first 10 years was such a roller coaster ride. I wasn’t sure we’d make it year to year. After the 10th anniversary, there was something that happened culturally; it was a

METROCHICAGO|Flickr

roof. The alternative nation was born and so was house music. So between industrial music and house music, all of the sudden something clicked. Quite honestly it’s not about me. It’s about who worked here — about every production manager who put these bands on stage, every band who wants to play here. I just kept the wheels on the bus. DP: What were your goals when you first opened the Metro? JL: I hoped to be able to contribute to companies that I enjoyed working for and had been a fan of. [I wanted] to do something that I loved for a living, and I do now. JS: My goal was to enjoy myself and to promote music in a healthy and safe environment. It’s the same goal now. I love coming to work every day. DP: What are the goals for the Metro now? JL: To keep going for as many more years as people will have us! DP: What kind of role do you think the Metro has played in Chicago’s music scene? JS: Unfortunately, the regional and local scene has so

besides the fact that we’ve been around for 30 years, is that we are guided by a mission statement that Joe first set up to bring new, emerging artists to a Chicago audience. That guideline has brought us where we are today and has hopefully supported and helped to grow and provide a home for the Chicago music scene. DP: Do you feel that the Metro has become an iconic part of Chicago? JL: I think so. I hope so. There’s no one else like us in Chicago and few in the country. I do think that and it’s what we’re told by our fans. We have fans bring their kids and some with grandkids. Being a generational part of a music fan’s life is important. We have bands that have gone to become international and still come back here to play. The other thing is that we have helped the city with the city’s music and cultural art scene. We hope to have doped the profile that Chicago is the place to see culture and art and music. JS: We’ve certainly earned a lot of credibility with artists. When you have Dave Grohl who

has debuted every one of his projects here. Their (Foo Fighters) first show was here. And they played Metro the day before Lollapalooza as a warm-up. And Billy Corgan (of Smashing Pumpkins), who uses Metro as a laboratory. There’s a sense of comfort here. There’s a reason why they do that. There’s magic in those four walls down there. DP: What are the most significant changes you’ve seen in Chicago’s music and your audience over the past 30 years? JS: I don’t know. I think people are smarter. I think that because of all the information we’re in touch with. People are well informed with local bands. There’s a different language and I think it’s rooted in more information and more awareness. I think people are more informed. Back then, it was handbills and flyers and going to record stores. DP: What are your plans to celebrate 30 years as a venue? JS: We usually do July to July. We’re gonna have a lot of shows, DJ’s, and bands. We’re gonna have a big party with anyone who has worked with or played the Metro to celebrate the institution and the venue itself. The building is what it’s about; it’s such a unique place. I want to do some community service work and some benefits with regional and local charities. I think giving back is important whether it’s local schools or ministries. There are all sorts of wonderful people in wonderful organizations around Wrigleyville and Lakeview. The social message is part of what we do. JL: We have a lot of plans like a birthday party for Metro and an alumni reunion of past employees. We’re also planning an art exhibit with the poster artwork from the Metro. We are working on different partnerships with cultural organizations in Chicago. We’re also going to plan on bringing bands who have played here over the past 30 years. And we are going to start a blog every day with some history of the Metro. DP: Any future plans? JS: We have building that was built in 1927 that has to be constantly upgraded and innovative. Sound systems, lighting systems and public safety issues are things we pride ourselves on doing well. We want a safe and fun concert and club experience for everyone here. The Metro has given Chicago much more than just concerts and lasting memories. It has ushered in a new way of experiencing music that would have otherwise gone unheard. The Metro’s impact spans far beyond four walls of a nightclub — it has been the source of continuous musical renewal and artistic reinvention. Joe Shanahan knows it better than anyone else in Chicago — there must be some kind of magic in those walls.

Arts & Life. April 30, 2012. The DePaulia | 19

DePaul alums create unique comedy show at Ace Bar

By AMANDA HADDAD ContributingWriter

There are many local bands and musicians that come out of DePaul. However, not very many comedians go on to have a successful career. Fortunately for former student Nate Burrows, there is one way to make his comedy work. The DePaulia was able to sit down with Burrows to find out how he got his start and talk about a new comedy show that he is a part of. The DePaulia: How did you get your start in comedy? Nate Burrows: When I went to college at DePaul, once a month the activities board had

an open mic for anything you wanted to do. It was mostly musicians but a few people like me would tell jokes, both were usually terrible. A guy would go up with an acoustic guitar and do a couple John Mayer tracks, then I’d come up after and make fun of people who ate fig newtons. DP: For everyone that is not familiar with your work, how would you describe your comedy and your shows? Do you have anybody that you can compare yourself to? NB: Goofy. Nothing trying to break any new ground, just sharing a twisted perspective on everyday life and having fun with it. DP: Is there any comedian that you would like

to collaborate with, and why? NB: Stand up to me – and lots of comics – is kind of personal, so not really. There are a number of comics I’d like to host and run a show with or meet, but I’d never wanna incorporate them in my act. That kinda sounds selfish but when you’re working on material by yourself, it’s hard for another entertainer to translate it into their own schtick. DP: Do you have any upcoming shows or projects that you are working on? NB: Yes, so glad you asked! I’m starting a show with comedian Dan Friesen called “Enron Presents: The Montgomery Ward and Friends Comedy Show.” We were contacted by the people at Enron and they want to give

something back to the community after that whole scandal thing happened. So they figured a great comedy show was the perfect idea. Side note: “Montgomery Ward” is not the company, but a generous old man who’s funding us. We were given the Monday slot at ACE BAR on 1505 W. Fullerton, which is right by DePaul’s Lincoln Park campus. When I was in school I had a tough time finding out where good comedy shows were – with the exception of IO and Second City – and now we’ve got the opportunity to put together a weekly show with consistently good Chicago stand-ups right by campus. We will also have live music after the show from some

talented local bands. DP: What is this show about? Is it for a benefit or anything? NB: The show is about having a great time and drinking good beer while enjoying quality stand-up comedy, followed by fun live music. Tickets are only $5 and if you’re a student at DePaul and show your I.D. then it’s buy one, get one free. It’s at 1505 W. Fullerton at ACE BAR just west of DePaul’s Lincoln Park campus. DP: If people wanted more information about you, where can they go to get it? NB: They can visit our website at thecomedyevening. com where you can see the lineups, show times and clips from past shows.

My Habit by Amazon: Designer name brands for half the price By RAYA SACCO ContributingWriter Obsessed with online shopping? Love wearing designer name brands but can’t afford it? Well now you can with a new online website called myhabit. com that features a selection of high-end designer and boutique brands for up to 60 percent off regular priced items. My Habit, founded by Amazon.com, sets a new standard for convenience, offering free instant membership and fast, free

shipping and free return shipping for U.S. orders. My Habit sends an email out to its registered members each day featuring name brand clothes, shoes, handbags and accessories from designers like Missoni, Chanel, Tory Burch and Dolce and Gabbana that are on clearance, sometimes as low as $80. This website is not only geared towards women. The site also headlines men’s and children’s apparel along with home décor. “One of the greatest things about this website is that you can place your favorite pieces in

Old School

your shopping basket even if the item’s sold out and the website will send an email notifying you when the item is available,” said Carmen Gamsho, a mother of four children from Michigan. “Even if the item’s been in your shopping basket for two or three months, the site will notify you.” Online shopping is convenient for college students who juggle work, school and clubs and can’t find time to shop and walk door to door from Nordstrom to H&M on Michigan Avenue. Paying for rent, groceries and drinks can maximize a college student’s budget. My Habit will help save

you money and time with free shipping and affordable prices on clothes, shoes, accessories, etc. Brown Fendi round-framed faceted sunglasses are on sale now for $164 compared to the $365 original price. And Juicy Couture women’s Cherrie Animal Flat is on sale for only $88 compared to the $250 original price. “I think this website is beneficial because a lot of people understand that college students have a very tight budget, and this type of a website will allow students that are interested in those fashion brands to purchase

the products at a very cost effective rate,” said Amy Wu, a communications and media student at DePaul. My Habit launched in May and you can now follow their blog at www.myhabitfix.com which shares interviews, lookbooks, video and contributors with designer brands and curators on their site. Get to know the professional stylists behind this site or register for free at www. myhabit.com and shop for the latest trends from your favorite designers for a reasonable price.

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Arts & Life. April 30, 2012. The DePaulia | 21

WHITE DENIM JAMS AT LINCOLN HALL By J.V. SIEGEL Contributing Writer

Crunchy. This term is defined by one user of the website Urban Dictionary as “quasi/modern day hippie; tends to wear no shoes, spends much of time finding way out of woods after smoking excessive amounts of weed, preferred fragrance = patchouli.” The scene at Lincoln Hall at around 9:15 p.m. could not have been less indicative of the bands to come. Attendees arrived to opening act Hundred Visions, banging out songs described by Day Trotter as: “… heavy on phat melodies and grooves, songs that — all at once — remind us of the Talking Heads, The Cure, Radiohead and classic British pop.” To expect a high-energy performance was only logical. Hundred Visions stole the night. Their energy and genuine pleasure derived from performing was immediately apparent, and the act benefited from it. The abridged set (the band doesn’t have a full-record out yet) left a buzz in the air. As the band took down their set-up, a projector screen fell and

Photos by THEO INGRASSIA|The DePaulia

Jam band White Denim, from Austin, Texas, performs at Chicago's historic Lincoln Hall. the Blackhawks-Coyotes game was broadcast. Not five minutes after the projection started, the Coyotes scored in overtime, assuring the team a 3-1 lead over the Blackhawks. My introduction to White Denim was not spectacular. While waiting for the band to take the stage, a man came through the crowd behind me and

attempted to take my spot at the front … or so I thought. Being responsible for photographing the events, I blocked his path, only to have him move around me, jump on-stage and start setting up his bass guitar and pedals. The quartet from Austin, Texas, launched into their symphony of crunchy grooves without missing a beat.

Woefully unprepared for White Denim’s jam-band approach, it was difficult to judge the band outside of their musical prowess — one long song with the only deviation being the passing of the solo off to each other like it was a tangible object and not a musical concept. While off-putting to some, White Denim’s musical

proficiency is second to none. However, after seeing the band in person, it’s easy to attach the title “jam-band” to the act, which holds negative connotations for some. Jam-bands are to be experienced deliberately, and my experience was neither deliberate, nor expected.

22 | The DePaulia. April 30, 2012

The healing power of music

Documentary, 'Alive Inside' looks into the theraputic method used in recovery By ANGELIKA LABNO Contributing Writer

An elderly man suffering from dementia sits in his wheelchair, his eyes downcast and his body language introverted. When asked a question, his response is a garbled, inanimate muttering. A lady places headphones over his ears: cue the magic. As if a spark shot through to his soul, the man starts dancing in his seat, eyes wide in ecstasy as he hums to the tune of an old classic. Now ask him a question, and his speech is clearer, his response animate. This is just one remarkable phenomenon in music and medicine. The scenario described is a clip taken from the documentary, “Alive Inside,” which debuted in New York on April 18. The scene rapidly made Henry, the aforementioned gentleman, a YouTube sensation. Using his example along with others, the film illustrates music’s effects on the elderly who are suffering from degenerative diseases. It’s apparent that music reconnects or reactivates parts of the brain. However, people have long known of the effects of music on the brain. “The video exemplifies how powerful music can be-more than just an adrenaline rush, but in a therapeutic sense,” said Tyler Rentsch, 22, a student at Columbia College. For nearly half a century, music has been paired with psychology to produce music therapy. This is different from

nonverbal communication. In cancer patients, it reduces pain and anxiety, and helps the body process chemotherapy by reducing shortness of breath. Music can ease depression, gives patients a sense of control, but most importantly, transport them into a safer realm, where at least momentarily, they can forget the grim reality. From a neurological standpoint, music extraordinarily impacts regions of the brain. In stroke victims, it can create new passageways around areas damaged during stroke. There’s also the phenomenon in which a person who is unable to speak is somehow able to sing. So is the story of congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. After a bullet greatly damaged the left hemisphere of her brain, where language largely lies, Giffords turned to muPhoto courtesy of CREATIVE COMMONS sic therapy to rewire the brain in order to Rep. Gabrielle Giffords talk again. It started with saying words in a song-song voice, working down to a merely listening to music, as portrayed in chant, until she was eventually able to talk “Alive Inside,” because it has a therapeu- naturally. Who would have thought that tic angle. The official definition given by simple renditions of “Happy Birthday” the American Music Therapy Association could lead to fully redeveloping speech? is, “an established health profession in It’s because music stimulates multiple which music is used within a therapeutic regions in both hemispheres of the brain, relationship to address physical, emotion- and finds passageways around damaged al, cognitive and social needs of individu- sections. als.” Therapy can take place in hospitals, Adjunct professor at DePaul’s School hospices, schools, homes and psychiatric of Music, Dr. Nicole Rivera, is a board settings. certified music therapist who specifically Music therapist, Laura Pawuk, de- worked with children with autism. Afscribes just a few of the ways music can ter assessing the needs of the clients, she help the ill. In patients with Alzheimer’s would then use music to develop comor dementia, music stimulates language munication and social skills, or help them and speech, movement, memory and through different problems.

“There are lots of different models, but what I would do is engage the clients in active music making,” said Dr. Rivera. “I used guitar, voice, piano and a variety of percussion, based on who I was working with and the type of setting.” Because music is motivating and provides structure, it can be used to build interpersonal relationships for kids with autism. With music, kids can find a sense of safety and a connection. “Alive Inside” and Gifford’s example have given us a good look into the world of music and its healing powers. Whether music’s simply being played to you, or you’re the one playing an instrument, there’s no doubting that major stimulations are going on in your brain. Music penetrates so deeply and stirs miraculous responses in even the most unresponsive patients, be it a small smile or a tap of the foot. Though seemingly minor, such movements are considered milestones in severally ill patients. “It strikes a chord with me particularly because my grandma is dealing with dementia right now,” said Rentsch. “It makes me wonder, what if I did this to my grandma. What would the reaction be, would it be just like that? It hits close to home.” Henry, the beloved face of music and medicine, captures it all with his simple message: “It gives me the feeling of love, of romance. I figure right now the world needs to come into music, singing. You’ve got beautiful music here.”

Poe’s ‘Raven’ adapted into historical fiction work for big screen

By NICK ENQUIST ContributingWriter

The classic master of horror and suspense, Edgar Allen Poe seems ripe for film material. Whether it is a simple biography film or an adaptation of some of his classic mysteries like “Tell Tale Heart” or “The Pit and the Pendulum,” anything Poe related would be a great idea for a film. So when previews of “The Raven” started coming out, it seemed that Poe would finally have justice on the silver screen. “The Raven” film is an unusual concept. It is a work of historical fiction, as opposed to an adaptation to the famous poem, which has been attempted in the past but never succeeded. The basic premise is in Poe’s (John Cusack) last days as a drunken, bitter critic who is desperately trying to marry the lovely Emily Hamilton (Alice Eve). However, a series of murders have begun that all resemble Poe’s famous gore fest of stories. While the plot is interesting, it isn’t well-paced. It moves too fast, and for a good mystery, there needs to be a certain amount of atmosphere to set in. Also the ending twist did come out of left field. It felt like there was a lot of the movie that was cut out, and it probably should have been left in to keep the story at a better pace. The acting is one of the

LARRY HORRICKS|MCT Campus

Luke Evans, left, and John Cusack star in Relativity Media's stylish gothic thriller "The Raven." strongest aspects of the movie. John Cusack does a spectacular job as Edgar Allen Poe. He really captures the madness and misery Poe was said to emulate wherever he went. All the other actors are really believable as 19th century members of society. Luke Evans portrays an exquisite 19th century detective. The only acting that felt weak was Alice Eve. She doesn’t seem to have the right reactions to certain situations, for instance being kidnapped. She plays it off with too calm of a demeanor.

It came off as unintentionally hilarious. However, the rest of the cast does make up for the oddities and put on a great show. The dialogue is very hitand-miss. The scenes with Poe are done quite well with John Cusack really making the dialogue believable. However the script does have some downright bizarre lines. There are also some unusual moments of humor. Some of it comes off very naturally and makes the darker moments really funny. Other times the funny moments are awkwardly put in

and don’t come off as funny. Then there are some times, much like Alice Eve’s performance, when the serious moments are actually really funny. The movie is scary and suspenseful. It really captures the essence of the Edgar Allen Poe story. One would expect to be scared and on the edge of his seat, and in that respect the film succeeds. The film does have some extremely gory moments, though, so be warned it may make you sick. At times the gore is over the top, but

it still has the shock and awe moments throughout. There is one particularly brutal scene with an actual pit and pendulum. The film as a whole is extremely stylized. There are lots of slow motion moments and unusual camera angles, in vague attempts to make the movie more “artistic.” There is one particularly eye-rolling moment when someone fires a bullet and it moves so slow you can see it in all its 3D, animated glory. The director, James McTeigue, was assistant director of the “Matrix” movies and made his directorial debut with “V for Vendetta,” so his slow motion habits have not completely gone out yet. And sadly they may not for a while. However, the lighting was done really well, playing with shadows and darkness to a point of pure originality. The costumes were also beautiful and believable. Overall this movie certainly has its moments, with some really cool concepts and great acting. But there are some parts that will leave the audience scratching their heads. The movie has some violent moments so be wary, those who may have a weak stomach. But the movie does succeed in giving a horror vibe and maybe more filmmakers will attempt Poe adaptations. However as a final word on whether or not to see this movie, quoth the Raven, “nevermore” than once.

Arts & Life. April 30, 2012. The DePaulia. | 23

Arts & Life. April 30, 2012. The DePaulia. | 24

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SPORTS

Sports. April 30, 2012. The DePaulia 25

Sports Editor Cheryl Waity Assistant Sports Editor Julian Zeng depauliasports@gmail.com

Week in Review

DePaul athletics director wins Title IX Tribute contest

DENNIS GEORGES| The DePaulia

Sarah Gorden took first place in the 100m hurdles.

Track and Field wows with home field advantage

In its only home invitational meet of the 2012 season, the DePaul track and field team put on a show for the crowd at Lane Tech Stadium Saturday, April 21. Competing against UIC, Chicago State, Northwestern and the University of Chicago, the Blue Demon men’s and women’s squad came away victorious. The day started with a near clean sweep for DePaul of the throws events on both men’s and women’s sides of the meet. Senior Alanna Kovacs, who won the women’s javelin the previous evening, finished Saturday with wins in the discus and shot put. Fellow senior Melissa Fraser, won the hammer throw with a distance of 57.43 meters. The men had just as successful an outing in throws, led by Tim Nedow and Matt Babicz. Nedow set a new personal best outdoor mark with a throw of 19.52 meters in the shot put, good for first place. Babicz also set an outdoor personal mark at 17.92 meters, finishing in sec-

ond. Nedow continued on to set another career-best mark in the discus, throwing a first-place distance of 57.52 meters. Babicz once again finished in second place, notching a throw of 48.56 meters. On the track, freshman Jacqueline Kasal raced in her first ever 3,000-meter steeplechase and looked like a natural, finishing over 37 seconds in front of the next closest entrant with a time of 11:11.17. Sophomores Eddie McDaniel and Ian Sanchez finished in first and third place, respectively, in the men’s 1,500-meter race. McDaniel set yet another Blue Demon personal best on the day, finishing with a time of 3:52.92, while Sanchez came in at 3:56.15. Dual-sport athlete Sarah Gorden tackled the women’s 100-meter hurdles and edged UIC’s Aimee Schuh by one hundredth of a second to claim first place with a time of 15.86. Junior Lindsey Holden won both the women’s 400-meter

(57.73) and 200-meter (25.80) dashes. Junior Tonderai Tomu mirrored Holden’s sprints success with wins in the 200-meter and 400-meter races. Tomu won the 400-meter dash with a time of 49.23, followed by DePaul’s Joseph Mason for second place at 49.52. He then won the 200-meter with a time of 22.50. The Blue Demons swept the men’s 800-meter race with Chris Miedema, Max Clink and Lucas Junk finishing in first, second and third, respectively. Senior Kelcie Daniels won the women’s 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1:04.47, while senior Hannah Pulliam finished with a 18:47.17 time in the women’s 5,000-meter race, marking the first time she has broken the 19-minute mark. Freshman Jordon Vaughn breezed to first place in the men’s 100-meter sprint (11.15), Alexandra Muller won the women’s 800-meter (2:18.68), and the men’s and women’s 4x400meter relay teams all won their respective events to close out the competition.

A DePaul University video tribute featuring Director of Athletics Jean Lenti Ponsetto garnered more than 180,000 views in just two weeks to win the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA) Title IX Trailblazer Tribute contest and $9,000 gift. In commemoration of the 40th anniversary year of Title IX, NACWAA invited athletics departments, conference offices and other organizations across the nation to nominate and celebrate a trailblazer who has made significant contributions in the area of gender equity. Twenty-five tribute videos were submitted and posted on the NACWAA’s YouTube channel for a designated two-week viewing period. DePaul called upon its more than 120,000 alumni, faculty, staff and Blue Crew student support group to view and share Ponsetto’s tribute. The Blue Demons also credit their video

Photo Courtesy of the DePaul Athletic Department

Jean Lenti Ponsetto

going viral to a strong network of athletics alumni who have forged relationships with Ponsetto over the last 35 years. DePaul will receive a $9,000 gift from the NACWAA Foundation Fund in support of its women’s athletics programs and/or female staff professional development.

Softball shuts out Illinois

Kling earns Big East Rookie of the Year honors First-year women’s tennis standout Jasmin Kling was named the Big East Freshman of the Year by the league office on Thursday, April 26. Kling became the first Blue Demon to earn rookie of the year honors since DePaul joined the Big East Conference in 2005-06. Kling was also named to the all-conference roster. The Heilbronn, Germany native joined the team in January and went on to post an 11-6 record in the top singles positions and ranked as high as No. 103 in the Campbell’s/ITA Poll this season. She and doubles partner Gia McKnight also ranked as high as No. 64 in the doubles poll. Kling earned Big East Player of the Week honors on Feb. 14, tallying a 6-2 record against Big East opponents. She also boasted a seasonlong four match win streak from April 1-14. In doubles, Kling held a record of 16-9. Kling is the fourth DePaul player to earn Big East Freshman of the Year honors, with Szilvia Kelemen, Gergana Ganeva and Beatrix Csordas all earning the award in Conference USA.

GRANT MYATT| The DePaulia

The Blue Demons scored all three of their runs in the first inning off four hits.

Photo Courtesy of the DePaul Athletic Department

Jasmin Kling

Kirsten Verdun continued her memorable 2012 season Tuesday, April 24, pitching a two-hit shutout with eight strikeouts against Illinois. Verdun improved her record to 19-10, facing the minimum 15 batters from the third inning on. The Blue Demons got to scoring as soon as possible, kicked off with a leadoff walk by Lynsey Ciezki. Samantha Dodd singled, followed by a Verdun single that scored Ciezki. Mary Connolly doubled to left, bringing home Dodd, and Katelyn Braget capped the

inning with a single to right that allowed Verdun to come home. The three runs scored in the first inning immediately took the pressure off Verdun, allowing her to simply go out and attack the Illinois batters all game. Illinois’ only threat to score was in the top of the first. With two outs, Meredith Hackett walked and Jess Perkins singled. Daniele Vaji walked to load the bases, but Verdun got Jami Schkade to pop out to end the inning.

26. Sports. April 30, 2012. The DePaulia

Orange split

Syracuse, DePaul each take one in doubleheader

By DAVID BERRY Staff Writer

The cold and dreary conditions at Cacciatore Stadium Wednesday, April 25, were followed up by moments of sun and blue skies. The weather was reflective of the doubleheader that the DePaul softball team played, with the Blue Demons falling to Syracuse (35-12, 12-4 Big East) 5-3 in the second game after defeating them 3-2 in game one. The day was highlighted off the field by over 500 kids from Chicago Public Schools coming out in celebration of Field Trip Day to cheer on the Blue Demons (28-18, 9-7 Big East). Their enthusiasm and noise was not lost on the players, who laughed and smiled after some of the loudest cheers in the first game. The mood on the field, however, was not quite as cheerful. Both teams combined for seven errors in the two games, especially unusual for DePaul given their normal defensive prowess. The home plate umpire was also very

inconsistent with his calls the entire game, on both sides, according to DePaul Head Coach Eugene Lenti. “Every time the ump makes a call, 50 percent of the people believe he’s wrong,” said Lenti. “That’s what it was today. You just look for consistency from umpires.” The Syracuse coaches got the worst of the exchanges with the umpires as one of them was ejected from the game for arguing an out call. The Orange hit a line drive to Bree Brown, who hesitated before flipping GRANT MYATT| The DePaulia the ball to first to double off the runner that was on first base. Bree Brown went 1-for-2 with an RBI in game one. That same umpire said earlier you don’t walk them and they escape game two with a win as in the game that he “wouldn’t don’t see you as much. I knew well. The Orange mishandled be intimidated” by the tactics of I’d be throwing both games a ground ball and threw it into the Syracuse coaches. so it’s just a matter of mental left field when it was meant As far as on field toughness.” for third base. Paige Peterson performances go, Kirsten Verdun also admitted to never advanced past first base, Verdun was solid in both games being a little gassed at the end however. on Wednesday after pitching of the second game. She says “She overran the base too the Blue Demons to victory on she has been running more far,” Lenti said. “We tell them Tuesday against Illinois. The to prepare for the heavier to get to the base and then sit. sophomore struck out 27 batters workload, and that her legs are She ran too far and couldn’t in a combined 16 innings just as important to pitching as take advantage of the throwing pitched, but two home runs and her arm is because of the leg mistake. If we do that, we win five walks in the second game drive needed. the game.” proved to be the difference. The rest of the DePaul Because of the split, DePaul “The walks are really what lineup did not help her much failed to gain any ground on the killed me,” Verdun said after offensively, going 6-45 while Orange in the Big East standings she gave up two two-run home Verdun went 2-6 and drove with just a couple weeks left in runs in the top of the seventh in a run. The Syracuse errors the regular season. and ninth innings. “You don’t also helped out and nearly even give up the home runs if allowed the Blue Demons to

”WOMEN'S TENNIS” Continued from back cover Gustafson finishes her career with 95 wins, including a 65-44 doubles record. Both McKnight and Gustafson played pivotal roles in their teammates’ development. “Cali and Gia will be sorely missed,” Ardizzone said. “They showed unbelievable leadership this season that paved way for the rest of the team.” The lack of upperclassmen next season won’t make it any easier for the team, especially with only one junior on the roster. It will be a test for the current team to step up and lead the three incoming freshmen to success. This family unit will have to come together if the Blue Demons want to find themselves on top of the Big East next season. And freshman Jasmin Kling will be ready. Kling, a native of Heilbronn, Germany, went 15–9 this season at No. 1 singles, after arriving at DePaul this past January. After one season at DePaul, Kling feels optimistic about the Blue Demons’ future. “We’re a young team that performed well this year,” Kling said. “If nobody leaves we will have success.” Kling was DePaul’s first Big East “freshman of the year” and fourth alltime, dating back to the Conference USA days. Kling, along with Patricia Fargas, Carolinn Neumann, Rebecca Mitrea and Kelsey Lawson will take charge next season as DePaul hopes to capture the Big East title. If all goes well it will be game, set, match for the Big East crown.

eatcba.com

Sports. April 30, 2012. The DePaulia 27

Golf heads to conference championships By CHERYL WAITY Sports Editor Golf is on an upswing currently at their three-day conference tournament in Orlando. After taking sixth in the Yestingsmeier Invitational withRussell Budd and Ben Westley both finishing in the top 25, Budd, Westley, Moritz Ackerhans, Jan Juelicher and John Pavelko move on to face conference rivals. “I was encouraged by last week,” golf head coach Betty Kauffman said. “I think some of the stuff is starting to come into place. Everything is built upon trying to peak at this time of year so we’ll see what happens.” The Demons came from behind in the Yestingsmeier starting the final day of the tournament in ninth place and finished in sixth. The last minute push to the top was a team effort. Westley finished in a tie for 20th with a tournament total of 224 (+14). Budd, just one shot behind Westley, finished in a tie for 22nd with a tournament total of 225 (+15). Ackerhans tied for 39th, posting a tournament score of 229 (+19).

Pavelko tied for 46th, Juelicher finished in a group in 59th and Stephens tied for 74th place. Westley, Budd, Ackerhans and Juelicher have all been models of consistency, yet the fifth spot on the roster has been up for grabs for most of the season. According to Kauffman, a few individuals have stepped up to fill the void. “A couple people have filled that and that’s the interesting thing about golf,” said Kauffman. “If you look at major championships, they’ve been won by someone who is last in as an alternate. Brad Stephens did a nice job in the spring and then he struggled a little bit. John Pavelko, he’s had his good days and his weaker days. John last week after his performance beat out Brad to come to conference. That fifth spot has been up and down and I think that’s part of the learning process.” The Big East conference championship is three rounds over three days. In last year’s conference competition, the Blue Demons finished in a tie for seventh with two players in the top ten. After a promising fall season, the Blue

Demons hit a rough patch, finishing 14 of 17 in the USF Invitational, coming in last in the Spring Break Championship and 10 of 19 in the ASU Red Wolf Intercollegiate. Their sixth place finish out of 15 teams in the Earl Yesteringsmeier Invitational was their highest place of the spring. “It’s been interesting. We’ve had individual performances but haven’t put it together as a team, really. I think if you talk to these guys, we sometimes play 14 holes, we sometimes play 16 holes, but we haven’t put it together.” For Westley, the tournament in Orlando will have his last round as a Blue Demon and he wants to make it memorable. The senior has four top-25 finishes this season. “My goal is to be in the top five,” said Westley. “I got top ten last year. And it’s my last tournament ever, so I’m just trying to do well and go out on a good note.” Kauffman sees no reason that will not be a possibility, despite stiff competition in conference. She thinks Notre Dame could specifically be a challenge because of their consistent play all year.

“They’re very beatable,” said Kauffman. “But we have to go in and we need strong performances out of every player out there. If we do that, we should be in contention.” Westley is expecting a better performance as well. “The whole purpose of this season was to peak at this point,” he said. “I think I’ve had ups and downs. I’ve had tournaments where I thought I played pretty poorly. And I’ve had tournaments where I thought I played well and there were just a few holes or a few shots that have kept me from getting a top ten or a top five so it’s been close. But I’d like to see it materialize into something at conference.” Budd had similar sentiments about the way the team has played this season, but all in all thinks this has been a positive season for him. “The results could have been better, but I think I’ve grown as a player and as… a man,” said Budd. “No but seriously, I used to be a lot more one dimensional and now I have a much broader array of shots and abilities.”

”VERDUN” Continued from back

”MEN'S TENNIS” Continued from back cover

the university’s location and great academic track record. While she is a force to reckon with on the field, Verdun is dedicated to academics. “I think it’s kind of cliché but really, school always has to come first. At DePaul they do a good job of saying the student comes before the athlete for a reason,” Verdun said. “I know personal stories [about others] who’ve been really athletic, but didn’t get the grades to get into the academic institution they wanted to. Your academics can either open doors or close doors for you, and I think that’s something that needs to be valued.” The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America recently named Verdun the USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Week for the week of March 26-April 1 for her talented efforts “on both sides of the ball.” “It was really one of the most prestigious awards I’ve ever received. It was very humbling, but also I think about what it does for the recognition of DePaul softball. It’s more than about my name, it’s about our name. It sends a message to people that we’re a team to be reckoned with and an organization to be reckoned with,”

The singles didn’t fair any better against USF. Sven Kasper, Filip Dzanko and Mathias Hambach all suffered defeats to complete USF’s 4-0 sweep. The losses bounced DePaul into the consolation bracket where they were scheduled to face eighth-seeded Villanova. Storms delayed and eventually canceled the consolation matches. As the season wrapped up, DePaul’s brutal schedule finally came to an end. The Blue Demons finished their season 11-15 and played 12 ranked teams — one of the program’s toughest schedules to date. In that time frame, the Blue Demons team saw its fair share of ups and downs. The Blue Demons started fast. Heading in to March, the team boasted a 9-5 record and was ranked 75 in the nation. Through the months of March and April, the team’s success collapsed as the team went 2-6 with losses to South Alabama State and Georgia State at the Sunbelt shoot out as well as conference opponents Marquette and Notre Dame. “This was the toughest schedule we’ve ever put together,” he said. “Basically the lesson I learned you need a complete team. Basically in March and April, we were banged up a bit.” “There’s not much room for error in this kind of a schedule. You can’t have a guy injured. You can’t have a guy struggling. I would say that we had one or the other all the year.” Despite the finish at the conference tournament senior George Chanturia and sophomore Filip Dzanko were named to the 14-person All Big East roster. Dzanko led DePaul with his 28-10 record and held the top singles position with a 14-5 mark. He held a 14-match winning streak that ran from Oct. 23-Feb.25. Chanturia has been named to the All-BIG EAST roster for the second straight season. He held a 24-12 overall singles record this season while finishing 5-1 in his time in the top singles position. In tournament, Chanturia went 10-2 in singles play. The doubles pairing of Chanturia and Dzanko finished 11-9 in the top position for DePaul. Looking back, Coach Brothers was never disappointed in his players. “I’m proud of the guys how they worked hard and fought hard. They did their best and that’s all you can ask.”

GRANT MYATT| The DePaulia

Kirsten Verdun set a state record in pitching wins at Coal City High School, going 40-0 on the mound her senior year, en route to the Class 2A softball title. Verdun said. Lenti said he is proud of Verdun for her hard work. “It makes me feel every good. Any time your players get accolades like that, it reflects upon the whole program,” Lenti said. “We haven’t had that many players over the course of our history to be named National Players of the Week, so it’s a great honor for her and for the program.”

What makes Verdun stand out? She said she would like to think it is the “bulldog” mentality Lenti attributes to her. “I’d like to think it’s my competitive edge. There are a lot of people who are more athletic or more fundamentally sound than I am, but I think that I try to take things personally and focus on trying to be better than them,” Verdun said.

To help Verdun focus before games, she listens to her special playlist on her iPhone — it is her pregame ritual. “Lil’ Wayne. I love Lil’ Wayne — he always gets me pumped up,” Kirsten said. While Lil’ Wayne gets Verdun pumped before a game, it is her strong faith in God that grounds her. “We go to church when we can, but

it’s more about being thankful for what you have. I am very thankful for all the gifts God has given me, including my athletic gifts,” Verdun said. Lenti does not deny Verdun’s athletic talents. She has continuously proven herself to be an asset to the Blue Demons. “I’m just glad she’s on my side,” Lenti said.

SPORTS

Sports. April 30, 2012. The DePaulia 28

Sports Editor Cheryl Waity Assistant Sports Editor Julian Zeng depauliasports@gmail.com

“Bulldog” on the mound

Kirsten Verdun ’ s aggressive, small-town pitching mentality leads Blue Demons softball squad By GABRIEL CHARLES TYLER Contributing Writer

In sports, being told ‘you throw like a girl’ is the biggest insult of all. Indeed, throwing rocks, balls and other objects is not considered a popular activity for young girls and adult women, but DePaul University sophomore southpaw Kirsten Verdun has shown her doubters that girls can throw too. Verdun brushes her fingers across a sterling silver necklace dangling from her neck. A slight finger wave reveals her charm, 7, her jersey number and a symbol of her birthday, Oct. 7. “I’ve had it for quite a while, since summer ball when I was younger. When I came here, [former pitcher] Becca Heteniak was graduating and she was number seven. So it was kind of luck that I would be able to walk in here, get that number and it would fit me,” Verdun said. Verdun has become the Blue Demons’ double threat on the field. She is the team’s pitching ace with an 20-11 record, 1.75 earned-run average (ERA) and an opponents’ batting average of .211. Offensively, Verdun leads DePaul with nine home runs, 37

runs batted in (RBIs) and 50 hits, while batting .368. “She’s a good combination of a hard worker and a talented player,” said DePaul Head Coach Eugene Lenti. “As a pitcher, she has what we call ‘bulldog’ mentality where she really puts her mind to things and if she wants to get them done, she gets them done.” Verdun, a native of Coal City, Ill., said her humble beginnings prepared her to play the field with a level head. “Being from Coal City just keeps me down to earth. It’s a very small town where everyone kind of knows everyone. I was raised close to all my family members, and it just gave me a sense of responsibility and good morals,” Verdun said. “It’s a lot different obviously, but I’d like to think that what I did in Coal City reflects on the person I am.” Coal City is the home of the Coal City High School 2010 IHSA State Champion Softball team, a feat Verdun helped the team achieve. She set a state record, going 40-0 her senior year at Coal City High School, leading them to the state title. Verdun attributes her success as a pitcher to her older brother Ryan, who she said first got her

GRANT MYATT| The DePaulia

Kirsten Verdun struck out a total of 27 batters over the course of the Blue Demons' doubleheader against Syracuse. interested in sports and fostered that interest by playing with her and exposing her to her own athletic talents.

“I feel like I have to accredit how good I’ve gotten at pitching to [Ryan] and the time that he’s put in too, as well as my parents,”

Verdun said. “A lot of it was him, especially [playing] basketball. I played basketball in high school. He played basketball and he was always dragging me out to a game.” Ryan Verdun, a senior horticulture major at the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign, said he is “proud” of his little sister, who followed him in playing basketball at their alma mater. “Growing up, she always was out playing basketball with me and my friends,” Ryan said. “She wanted to play. When she led the team to nationals, the whole town was really supportive of her.” When asked about what made Verdun such an athletic force, Ryan said, “She does a really good job of turning it up a notch, instead of giving up. When she’s doing work, she gets more aggressive.” Verdun admits that her family has been her biggest support system, attending as many games as possible, cheering her on and supporting her athletic aspirations. “Both my grandparents come to as many games as they can. My dad is always there for me and my mom is a great cheerleader. I think I have a great support system altogether,” Verdun said. Verdun, who is majoring in public relations and advertising, said she chose DePaul because of

See “VERDUN“ page 27

DePaul ousted at Big East tourney

By MATTHEW PARAS Contributing Writer

The fifth-seeded DePaul men’s tennis team’s campaign at the Big East Conference tournament in Tampa, was cut short with a first round loss against No.4 seed University of South Florida. With the loss, the 2011-2012 season officially came to a close. “I was happy with the way the guys fought,” said Coach Matt Brothers. “We had a tough draw in South Florida. As much as their ranking didn’t show it, they were a quality team.” Although the Blue Demons lost 4-0 against USF, the match up was competitive throughout. Both teams battled hard to earn the doubles point. At first, it appeared the team was on its way to a strong performance after seniors George Chantu-

The foundation is set

Women ’ s tennis loses two seniors, but has bright future By DUSTIN RUTTENBERG Staff Writer

Photo Courtesy of the DePaul Athletic Department

Filip Dzanko had a 14-match win streak this season. ria and Filip Dzanko took the experienced during the tourfirst of three double matches, nament. 8 games to 5. “I wouldn’t put doubles Instead, it was downhill at the top [of our problems]. from there. USF took the I would say fitness-wise, we next two matches, 8-6 and definitely have to make some 8-4. According to Brothers, changes there,” he said. “We doubles was a part of a list had some issues with crampof problems that the team ing, which I’ve never had.”

See “MEN'S TENNIS“ page 27

You could say the DePaul women’s tennis team has won the first set in this season’s game. But they have a long way to go if they want to win the second. The Blue Demons recently returned home from The Big East tournament last week after falling to Notre Dame 4-0. “I go to try and win it,” Head Coach Mark Ardizzone said after finishing in third twice. “Notre Dame is a top 20 team that’s won the Big East over the last few years.” The Blue Demons (14-7, 5-2) may have finished the year ranked 69th in the country, but it seems a bright future is ahead. The addition of some talented freshmen gave the Blue Demons a refreshing boost in the second half of

the season that translated into the team winning four of their last five matches against Big East teams. Although tennis can be considered an individual sport, the Blue Demons proved the effectiveness of team chemistry. “I was happy with the way the season ended,” senior Gia McKnight said. “With three new freshmen I didn’t

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We’re a young team that performed well this year. If nobody leaves, we will have success. Jasmin Kling

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know what to expect early on, but I’m proud of my girls.” McKnight finished her career with 175 wins, placing fifth on DePaul’s alltime wins list. She and Cali Gustafson were the only two upperclassmen on DePaul’s roster this season.

See “WOMEN'S TENNIS“ page 26