Fordham Observer Issue 13

OPINIONS

SPORTS

Are they worth talking to?

PAGE 8

Fordham alum competes nationally.

PAGE 22

PAN AM

STREET PEDDLERS

THE OBSERVER www.fordhamobserver.com

NOVEMBER 17, 2011 VOLUME XXX, ISSUE 13

USG Fights to Save Student Aid

By LAURA CHANG AND RICHARD RAMSUNDAR News Editor and Staff Writer

Fordham University’s student aid suffered since the Budget Control Act of 2011 was passed in the summer. In efforts to save student aid, United Student Government (USG) members from Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) and Fordham College at Rose Hill (FCRH) created a resolution that supports the federal student aid.

Ryan O’Toole, FCLC ’12 and president of USG, said “Its an issue that USG cares very deeply about, and we’re fighting for it, but this is so much bigger than just us and Fordham. It not only affects current Fordham students, it affects prospective students and every student across the nation.”

O’Toole said that if student aid does get cut, it will have a snowball affect. He said, “It is important even if you don’t get federal aid. If you get aid from Fordham at all, and federal aid gets cut, then Fordham has to then provide its limited aid to the students that need it the most.”

“We’ve collaborated with Rose Hill’s USG to create a joint resolution that will support federal student aid,” O’Toole said. A letter was mailed to all professors and all club leaders at both campuses asking them to pass the information along to the students in classes and organizations. Faculty and staff can also sign the petition, which is available online.

“We wanted to do this as a bicampus effort because it is important to speak as one university,” O’Toole said. “When we unite as one student body, we have a lot more power and more voices.”

Lesley Massiah, associate vice president for government relations and urban affairs, said, “One thing we were successful in doing is ensuring that at least 17 billion were put back into the Pell program. However, see STUDENT AID pg. 4

SARA AZOULAY/THE OBSERVER

The previously cluttered and lively site of Occupy Wall Street protests was quickly cleared out the morning of Nov. 15 by the NYPD. Reporters, protestors and others were denied access into Zuccotti park while police occupied the space. Full story on page 5.

Low Number of Seniors Applying to Medical School

By FAITH HEAPHY, KATHERINE BINAG AND LOUISE LINGAT Editor-in-Chief and Contributing Writers

Of the 27 seniors who are natural science majors at Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC), three are applying to medical school this year, according to Dr. Grace Vernon, chairperson of the natural science department and chairperson of the FCLC premedical committee. She said as a whole, 12 students have submitted premedical applications this year, a number that includes students from other majors including environmental science, psychology and other disciplines, as well as alums.

Not every senior who is a natural

science major applies directly to medical school after graduation, many wait a year or longer to apply or decide to not apply at all.

Kamil Skotnicki, FCLC ’12, said, “From a class of 30, if you’re including pre-dental and physician’s assistant students, I know of only two people going straight into medical school.”

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), students interested in the medical field should start preparing their freshman year of college. Over the course of their four years in college, students need to meet with their advisers, take the required courses, get stellar grades, find internships or opportunities in the medical field and

prepare for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). While other factors also contribute to the application to medical school, the grade point average and the MCAT score hold the most weight.

The high tuition of medical school is a major deterrent for some FCLC students who are considering applying.

“The tuition for medical school is expensive compared to undergraduate school,” Andrew M. Lew, FCLC ’13 said. Paul Sieradzki, FCLC ’14, agreed. “Medical school is definitely expensive for some people,” he said.

According to AAMC, the annual tuition and fees at state medical schools in 2010-2011 averaged

about $25,000 for state residents and $48,000 for non-residents. For private institutions, tuition and fees are about $42,000 for residents and $43,000 for non-residents. These statistics do not include housing or living expenses.

According to some seniors majoring in natural science, the department does not prepare students enough for the process of applying to medical school.

“The department doesn’t care what student input is,” said a senior natural science major who chose to remain anonymous.

According to the student, the department encourages students to get see MED SCHOOL pg. 4

FEATURES

Inside LITERARY

THANKSGIVING

Holiday memories in prose. u PAGE 19-21

PHOTO

MARATHON

Annual race draws crowd. u PAGE 12-13

ARTS

INDIE SCREEN Not just for watching films. u PAGE 14

Fordham Sees Increase in Population of International Students

By DARRYL YU Features Co-Editor

Over the last few years Fordham University has seen a steady rise of international students attending its colleges. According to Peter Feigenbaum, associate director of institutional research at Fordham, between the years 2003-2010 there has been an overall 3.1% increase in foreign students. From 2003-2010, international graduate students grew by 4.5% while undergraduate students grew by 2.1%.

This 2011 fall semester, there were 110 incoming international freshmen arriving at Fordham, a 57 student increase from last fall.

The steady rise of international students on campus can be attributed to the focused effort of Fordham to create awareness of the university abroad. “We visit schools, send information to counselors and advisors overseas, as well as attend college fairs internationally among other recruit offers,” said Monica Esser Associate Director of International Admission.

Esser believes students also attend Fordham University not only because of its outreach efforts, but also for its educational services and the unique opportunities it provides. “We [Fordham] offer excellent educational programs in New York City,” Esser said.

“Fordham provides some excellent

THE STUDENT VOICE OF FORDHAM COLLEGE AT LINCOLN CENTER

opportunities for international students to gain work experience in the United States through internships.”

According to Esser, many international students at Fordham make the most of their time in New York City “From my perspective, international students adjust well at Fordham and really make the most of their experience living in New York City,” Esser said. “Culturally, it is always a challenge to move to a new country and for many of our students, to speak in a second language. The more welcoming and open a community, the easier such transition see FOREIGN STUDENTS pg.15

2

News

November 17, 2011 THE OBSERVER

Briefs METRO

Protestors Kicked Out of Zuccotti Park On Nov. 15, New York City police officers removed Occupy Wall Street protestors in Zuccotti Park, according to The New York Times. CNN later reported that New York Supreme Court Justice Michael Stallman ruled against Occupy Wall Street protesters, allowing them to return to Zuccotti Park but without their tents and generators.

MTA Bans Smoking on Certain Platforms On Nov. 13, the MTA banned smoking on outdoor platforms of the LIRR and Metro-North trains, leaving customers upset. According to the New York Daily News, the ban also applies to all outdoor ticketing and boarding areas, exempting Metro-North stations in Connecticut. Violators face a $50 fine if caught.

Fire Destroys Gay Social Hub On Fire Island The New York Times reported that the Pavilion dance club, known to be a gay-centric social scene in Fire Island Pines, was burnt down on Nov. 14. No one was hurt because the building was closed for the off-season. Only one other residence was damaged after embers blown across the Pines Harbor landed on its roof, but it was also unoccupied.

NATIONAL

Penn State Coach Fired After Sex Scandal On Nov. 9, CBS reported that Penn State Board of Trustees fired football coach Joe Paterno and school president Graham B. Spanier as a result of the on-going child sex abuse scandal involving Penn State defensive coordinator, Jerry Sandusky.

Chimichanga Wanted as Arizona’s State Food According to The New York Times, Macayo’s Mexican Kitchen, a chain in Phoenix, Arizona, started a petition for the Legislature to officially adopt the chimichanga as the official food of the state, on Nov. 15. This will be similar to how Florida has the key lime pie and Idaho the potato.

Glenn Beck Plans Animated Series for GBTV Glenn Beck Television, an online network, is getting an animated series. According to the Hollywood Reporter, GBTV, a conservative site launched after Beck’s departure from Fox News in June, has a deal with Icebox, a production company that includes TV writers involved with “The Simpsons” and “King of the Hill.”

INTERNATIONAL

Syrians Killed And Faced With “Bloodiest Day” On Nov. 15, the Al-Jazeera reported that 27 Syrian civilians were shot and killed by security forces, and most died in the southern flashpoint province of Deraa. This is reported to be the bloodiest in days since the antigovernment uprising began eight months ago. In addition, Turkey has also threatened to cut Syria’s electricity.

Kenya Refugee Camp Faces Cholera Outbreak According to the BBC, Kenya’s Dadaab refugee camp had at least 60 cases of Cholera on Nov. 15.

It is the world’s largest refugee camp and is home to nearly half a million Somalis. Two aid workers were abducted in the last month so the aid operation at the camp has been reduced.

Compiled by Laura Chang and Ariella Mastroianni

www.fordhamobserver.com

MSA Invites Islam Convert to Speak

By RAY WALSH Contributing Writer

On Nov. 11, the Muslim Students’ Association (MSA) invited Cyrus McGoldrick to speak about his experience converting from Christianity to Islam. MSA’s “Islam from the Eyes of a Convert” allowed students to ask McGoldrick about his work as civil rights manager for the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and how he is working to address discrimination against Muslims in New York City.

The son of an Irish father and an Iranian mother, McGoldrick grew up in a family whose religious beliefs ranged from Shi’a Islam to the Bahá’i Faith. As a student at Columbia University, he said that he came to intellectually appreciate Islam through studying Sufi poetry before actually converting.

McGoldrick said that before he even believed in God, “I came to an understanding that Islam, as a system of life—even if you take God out of it—was the most natural and complete system for human living.”

He also stressed the gradual nature of his conversion and said that it was a process. “I didn’t just wake up one day and start praying five times a day,” he said. McGoldrick said that Islam is a religion of converts. “Even if you’re born Muslim, you still need to come to a spiritual understanding of the reasoning behind it,” he said.

In addition to sharing his conversion experience, McGoldrick also talked about his involvement with CAIR. He said that most of CAIR’s efforts go towards protecting civil liberties for Muslims.

“The Constitution is supposed to protect everyone equally, but that is not always the case,” he said.

He said that CAIR’s mission is to build communities, voice policy issues in the media and to end religious discrimination.

At one point, McGoldrick hand-

KYLE MORRISON/THE OBSERVER

Cyrus McGoldrick converted from Christianity to Islam and spoke to students about his experience.

ed out a list compiled by the Demographics Unit entitled “Ancestries of Interest,” which ranks national origins according to the threat level each nationality poses.

Ayah Ahamed, FCLC ’14 and treasurer of MSA, is of Egyptian descent, and voiced her “surprise” at seeing her nationality at the top of the list. “To see ‘Egyptian’ on the top of the list, shocked me. It definitely made me want to get more involved with CAIR.” As a case in point, McGoldrick talked about the effects of the September 11 attacks on NYPD procedures in handling the “Ancestries of Interest.” Citing a 2007 NYPD report entitled “Radicalization in the West,” McGoldrick summarized the criteria used by officers to identify potential threats to national security. These criteria include regularly visiting a mosque, frequenting bookstores, quitting smoking and growing a beard.

As a result of these policies,

McGoldrick said that Muslims feel that the NYPD is infringing on their civil liberties. While discrimination at the office and at school are major complaints, McGoldrick said that the most common cases in which Muslims feel discriminated against is in dealings with law enforcement.

“If this hasn’t happened to you,” McGoldrick said, “don’t think it’s not a common occurrence.”

McGoldrick urged Muslim students to speak up about this. “I didn’t come here to scare you,” he said. “The complete opposite of what I want to tell you is to not be involved. That’s what they want to happen. They want you to stay at home, they don’t want you to get out in public. The more outspoken you are, the harder it is for them to come and get you.”

In spite of the challenges that lay ahead for Muslim-American relations, Nusrat Jahan, FCLC ’13 and president of MSA, said that

she was pleased with McGoldrick, and expressed her hope that MSA events will allow students to better address the problems of discrimination against Muslims. “Hearing from someone in his position gives a good idea of what Islam is all about,” she said. “We’re not terrorists.”

It is also important, according to McGoldrick, to question laws like those which authorize the Demographics Unit. “This Demographics Unit,” he said, “is the political status quo. Let’s not conflate U.S. law and morality 100 percent.

They don’t respect us as a community. They don’t respect our rights to represent ourselves.

McGoldrick concluded the discussion with a brief account of his own conversion to Islam, framing his story around a quote from the Quran, Surat Al-Baqarah, 2:256: “There shall be no compulsion in religion.”

Iraqi United Nations Ambassador Speaks at FCLC

By AMANDA ANGRI Contributing Writer

Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) welcomed His Excellency Ambassador Hamid AlBayati, permanent representative of Iraq to the United Nations, who spoke at “The Summer of the Arab Spring” on Nov. 4.

In addition to addressing the Arab Spring—a phrase now commonly used to describe the prodemocratic movements in the Arab world—Al-Bayati highlighted Iraq’s political and social changes from Saddam’s reign. He said that Iraq’s progress went from “Dictatorship to Democracy,” which is also the title of his latest book.

Qussay Al-Attabi, professor of Modern Languages and Literatures, moderated the event and said, “We all knew that these autocratic regimes are doomed.”

He said that many people knew that this was going to happen, but “what almost none of us expected, however, was that it’d happen that soon and that quickly.”

Al-Bayati said, “The United Nations is like the parliament of the world.” He said that through peace and security are discussed, deliberated and decided upon by the nations within the United Nations.

He tied the concept of the United Nations’ role of peace and security to Iraq’s position with the United Nation during and after Saddam’s reign. He also mentioned the multitude of sanctions that Iraq and its people endured after Saddam invaded Kuwait. He said that the United Nations saw Saddam and his Ba’ath party as a threat to peace and security of the world.

AMANDA ANGRI/THE OBSERVER

Ambassador Hamid Al-Bayati discussed the current state of Iraq.

In 2006, Al-Bayati said that Saddam was executed. After his death, Moammar Gadhafi, the Libyan dictator, said to him, “You will be in the same position as Saddam.” In that same room were leaders whose positions are currently being questioned and protested by the Arab Spring.

The removal of Saddam Hussein set an example for other Arab

countries by showing that, when the people will, they can depose an unjust ruler regardless of how long he has been in power or how powerful he seems to be. The ambassador said that the toppling of Saddam Hussein was mainly due to foreign military forces. He reminded the audience that Iraqi freedom did not come easily, and that Iraqis had to pay a heavy price

to oust Saddam.

Al-Bayati stressed the importance of the role of the youth in the Arab Spring, especially their use of social media to express demands, organize rallies, and disseminate messages—something that wasn’t as feasible during Saddam’s rule.

Dr. Al-Bayati urged students to work with the United Nations, to learn more languages and to become better leaders. He said that the youth, as the leaders of today and tomorrow, should have their voices heard in the government of the world, the United Nations.

Muhammad Ahsan, FCLC ’15, said that he found this particular segment interesting.

“The ambassador praised the young generation and sparked hope into the students and convinced them to make a difference,” he said.

During the question and answer portion of the discussion, Al-Bayati noted that the American democracy is not the only type of democracy that exists, and that there will be a range of democracies that will form after the Arab Spring. If democracy means people can elect the people they see fit to office, Al-Bayati said, we will definitely see different types of democracies form after regime changes in the Middle East and each of these forms would reflect the will of the people.

Students like James Thomas, FCLC ’14, who served in the U. S. Army in Salah Al-Din, Iraq, said that the event was informative. “It was good to hear the country moving in the same direction as it was moving in after I left.”

www.fordhamobserver.com

News

THE OBSERVER November 17, 2011

RHA Holds Second Meeting With Res Life

3

Calendar THUR., NOV. 17

Occupy Wall Street Discussion

By LAURA CHANG News Editor

Miscommunication between the Office of Residential Life (Res Life) and residents of McMahon Hall led the Residence Hall Association (RHA) to facilitate its second part of their town hall discussion on Nov. 7. The meeting regarded Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC)’s McMahon Hall rules and regulations. The meeting was reserved for students to express their frustrations, and staff members from Res Life were also present for a panel discussion.

Jenifer Campbell, director of the Office of Residential Life (Res Life), Leslie Timoney, facilities manager of McMahon Hall and Resident Director Dennis Velez attended the meeting to clarify and share their perspective on student concerns.

The discussion honed in on the main concerns students have, including the 24-hour guest pass policy, better ways of communicating, especially after anti-Res Life flyers were posted a month ago. The meeting also briefly discussed improvements with the laundry room, gym and eighth floor lounge in McMahon Hall.

Michelle Panzironi, FCLC ’12 and vice president of RHA, said that the town hall meetings were RHA’s answer to the removal of guest passes the weekend of Sept. 17-18. The revoked privilege was Campbell’s decision when anonymous flyers posted on the walls of McMahon Hall on Sept. 16 were discovered.

“There’s something wrong with the way that the residents and Res Life are communicating and the anti-Res Life posters are proof of that,” Panzironi said. She said that she hopes a candid dialogue can facilitate change in the respect that Res Life shows to the students and vice versa so that McMahon Hall can improve.

Communication was a key point echoed throughout the meeting. Ryan O’Toole, FCLC ’12 and president of United Student Government (USG), said that it is important for Res Life to tell people their side of the story when-

Noon - 2 p.m.

LL 1021

MSA: What It Means To Be Muslim Noon - 2:15 p.m.

McMahon 205/206

MESA: Cooking Class 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

LL 1022

APAC’s Asia Night 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Cafeteria Atrium & Student Lounge FRI., NOV. 18 KYLE MORRISON/THE OBSERVER

RHA and Res Life had a panel discussion with students about the policies in McMahon Hall.

ever they make a decision, like revoking guest pass policies.

“If students hear from a friend, then they will think it is Res Life just trying to punish people,” O’Toole said.

Rebecca Decker, FCLC ’12 and president of RHA, said that getting the real story from Res Life is better than hearing a fabricated version from one student to another. “I wish there was more communication like a poster detailing with why visitation rights were taken away. The lack of understanding where this is coming from, or hearing about it directly from Res Life caused frustration,” Decker said.

Campbell said, “In my five years, I have never dealt with flyers like this before.” She said that Res Life will “definitely take communication into consideration next time, but sometimes we have to make these decisions because it is my job to maintain the safety of this building.”

Since the flyer incident, Campbell said that a group of students were held responsible, but due to confidential reasons, she cannot reveal how the individuals involved were disciplined.

The group was caught after a montage of elevator security camera stills was collected. “We noticed that there were folks that were visitors in the building that were a part of this group,” Campbell said.

Jeffrey Cipriano, FCLC ’14, said, “[Campbell] revoked guest passes as a disciplinary reaction. It was good for protecting our residents, but as a way to deal with social problems within this building, I don’t think it was the best avenue of action.”

Cipriano said he knows that she is in a complicated position. “It’s a really tough job to be in charge of a thousand people.” He said that since she has never been in a situation like that before, “she’s been faulted at what is a very basic reaction, and that is to remove all guest passes.”

Campbell said that if a similar situation were to happen again, there would potentially be an email blast to the student body. Res Life will also communicate through their Facebook page and Twitter account.

In addition to having better communication, the town hall discussed giving commuters leeway to the 24-hour guest policy. Currently, all visitors, including commuters from FCLC, must ask a resident to get an overnight pass 24-hours in advance.

Campbell explained that if this policy were to change, it would be a collective change with the Rose Hill campus. The United Student Government, Commuter Students Association and RHA counterparts from both campuses are currently creating a for-

malized proposal that will be given to the university administration this month.

Panzironi said, “Commuters are basically treated like a visitor outside of the university and it doesn’t give them a chance to hang around the dorms.”

Campell said that any visitor can stay nine times a month at the dorms, but some visitors have found loopholes through the system. “We have been able to address some of the issues with the system, but I have put a proposal for a new system that would track this activity.” She said that this new system would ideally also help with getting overnight passes so student would not have to go to the Resident Assistant (RA) office.

Ojala Naeem, FCLC ’12 and RA, said that Res Life and RAs are here to help, but she feels like not many people approach them. “Res Life’s main goal is to maintain everyone’s safety. If students have any questions, approach us,” Naeem said.

Campbell concluded the town hall meeting by recommending students to check the handbook guide that is online if they have any questions. “The handbook is the biggest resource and the most updated. Whenever there is a change or a nuance, it is all provided online.”

4 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Student Lounge

New York Culture Day Dinner 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Cafeteria Atrium MON., NOV. 21

Senior Week 2012: Career Services Discussion 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Student Lounge TUE., NOV. 22

“Save Student Aid” Last Day Tabling 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Indoor Plaza WED., NOV. 23 - SUN., NOV.27

Thanksgiving Break No School MON., NOV. 28

Interfaith Holiday Party 5:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Cafeteria Atrium TUE., NOV. 29

CAB: Movie Outing Breaking Dawn Part 1 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.

AMC Theater 66th St. & Broadway THUR., DEC. 1

Fordham’s Got Talent

CAC Raises Smoking Awareness at FCLC

By ANTHONY GONG Staff Writer

Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC)’s College Against Cancer (CAC) hosted a Great American Smokeout event on Nov. 11. It is associated with the American Cancer Society that is geared towards educating people on the dangers of smoking and to promote the social awareness of cancer from tobacco use. Both new and old club members came together to discuss topics about the benefits of quitting.

According to Maureen Sweet, FCLC ’12 and vice president of CAC, the club’s main goal is to teach others about cancer related issues from harmful effects of smoking. CAC branches out nationally throughout the United States and was founded at Fordham during the fall of 2009. At the meeting, fact sheets and brochures about the advantages of not smoking were distributed to all attendants. Students were also given the chance to sign pledge cards stating that they will either stop or never begin smoking.

As a way of instilling information, CAC handed out quizzes and power point slides to everyone. Members learned that lung cancer and secondhand smoke were attributed as the leading causes of death for adults worldwide. In the end, those who have scored well were rewarded with prizes. “It is something that affects youth,” Sweet said. “Events like these are small, but it’s really great that people are coming out to support us.”

CAC’s history can be traced back to Relay for Life. Originating within the American Cancer Society, it was an experiment founded to donate funds for cancer research and to honor those

MSA & MESA: Movie Screening of “Miral”

KYLE MORRISON/THE OBSERVER

Students wrote their commitments to end smoking in the Student Lounge.

that have died. Relay for Life started in the 1980’s with its founder Dr. Gordon Klatt, a surgeon who wanted to raise money by walking around a track at the University of Puget Sound in Washington for 24 hours straight. Becoming an overnight sensation, Relay for Life was an instant success and is now being practiced every year in various communities all over America.

One Relay for Life tradition is the Luminaria Ceremony. The ritual is held at night and numerous white pa-

per bags are filled with candles, which are placed around the track. Survivors are encouraged to direct everyone on a silent lap with inspirational music being played. FCLC conducts its own Relay for Life outside next to the plaza where the majority of clubs gather together to walk and show their support. “At Relay for Life, people walk all day to symbolize the journey and fight against cancer,” Sweet said.

In regards to increasing cancer awareness, others from CAC also

shared similar thoughts with Sweet.

Dylan Kaufman, FCLC ’14, wanted to know more about CAC and its plan to stop others from smoking. Kaufman, not a smoker himself, has family members who do smoke and was invited by a friend on Facebook to visit CAC’s anti-smoking event. “Smoking bothers me to the extent that someone would do it right in front of me,” Kaufman said. “My family hasn’t ever smoked in front of me. Personally, I think it’s sort of strange that we would criminalize marijuana, but not tobacco.”

Kaufman has also participated in Relay for Life as a representative of the Paintball Club. “Relay for Life isn’t a bad idea,” said Kaufman. “It’s just eight hours of people walking continuously. It’s such a big event that anyone who came here would know about it.”

Nabila Ibrahim, FCLC ’15, attended the event and said that she thought smoking is nothing but a waste of time. “I came here because I wanted to spread the awareness that smoking is bad,” Ibrahim said. “I just hate the smell.”

“I tried to stop my friends from smoking,” Donna Dairocas, FCLC ‘14, said. “It’s hard because for them its an addiction and they don’t know how much cancer is affecting them.”

While some have experienced difficulties to giving up smoking, there are others that have been quite successful. Kelly Lo, FCLC ’14, said that her loved ones were affected by smoking. “My grandfather used to be a chain-smoker,” Lo said. “But he did quit later on. He’s now healthy and exercising at 96.”

FCLC’s Relay for Life is planned to be on April 21, 2012.

7:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Cafeteria Atrium FRI., DEC. 2

Environmental Club: “Does Sustainability Matter?”

5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

TBA

GLIMPSE Photoshoot 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Bryant Park Ice Rink

CAC Goes to Hope Lodge 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.

132 W 32nd St

LGBT/Ally Prom 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Cafeteria Atrium

Compiled by Laura Chang

Crime MON., NOV. 7 A black and gray folding bike was taken from the bike rack outside of Lowenstein building on Columbus Avenue. The student left the bike there at 9 a.m. and returned from class at 2 p.m. to find it stolen. The lock was still fixed to the rack.

THUR., NOV. 10 At 2:20 p.m., a student left his Mac laptop on a desk at Quinn Library. A male approached the table, removed the laptop and left.

Security has photos of the perpetrator and is currently investigating the situation.

Compiled by: Sara Azoulay

4

News

November 17, 2011 THE OBSERVER

www.fordhamobserver.com

Med School Not Priority For Some Science Students MED SCHOOLFROM PAGE 1

KATHERINE FOTINOSE/THE OBSERVER

The science lab at Fordham is the area where many natural science students work and study.

USG Campaigns to Save Student Aid STUDENT AID FROM PAGE 1

there is still going to be a shortage.”

Massiah said that the Super Committee has given a deadline of Nov. 23 to determine additional educational cuts.

According to Massiah, financial grants such as the Pell Grant have suffered a loss of 1.3 billion dollars. The Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (SEOG) program, could face cuts in the coming months as well. As a result, shortages of cash for the Pell and SEOG are expected in 2012-2013.

Many at Fordham were disappointment that financial aid for graduate students were cut, but were thankful that the cuts stopped there and that the Pell Grant program received additional funding. Not only that, the student work study program at FCLC has also suffered a reduction.

Katharine Michaels, FCLC ’14, said that she hopes work study does not get affected because it is a great opportunity to gain work experience during the school year.

“It provides a lot of experience because any student working a job gives you the chance to manage your finances, gain clerical skills, be in a working environment and you can learn how to be professional while you are studying.”

According to the class of 2015 profile provided by enrollment services, 88 percent of students received financial assistance or scholarship. Ashley Misir, FCLC ’15, said that financial aid is one of the main reasons why she is able to attend Fordham. “Without it, I would not be able to pay the tuition,” she said.

“Part of Fordham University’s mission is give aid to students no matter their ethnicity or origins.

It’s what the school believes in,” Massiah said. According to Massiah, if these cuts go through, FCLC

“ It not only affects current

Fordham students, it affects prospective students and every student across the nation.” ” RYAN O’TOOLE FCLC ’12

students will allow other people to determine their future in college.

Higher education provides opportunities for jobs and social mobility.

O’Toole said that USG will be tabling on the plaza from now until Nov. 22, the last day before Thanksgiving break. “Not every student is involved in a club so we will be tabling on the plaza to talk and engage students so they are informed to sign the ‘Save Student Aid’ petition.” He said that the information was also distributed to Res Life so that the Resident Assistants can pass the information along to residents during their floor meetings.

According to O’ Toole, Massiah will provide postcards available during the tabling where students can fill out either a pre-written postcard that will be sent to Senator Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, or write their own message to their respective home representative. Massiah said that their elected official can be looked up online at www.senate.gov.

O’ Toole said that USG will hold a rally on the outdoor Plaza during the last days leading up to Nov. 22.

“We’re hoping that through all of these approaches, we’ll be able to reach out to every student.”

PhDs or take the year off instead of going straight to medical school. “They are very elite about it—they encourage students to do research instead of going to med school,” she said. According to the student, the advisors are helpful, but since most are PhDs, they don’t know about the process of applying to medical school.

The student said that there is no guidance for pre-medical students on what classes to take, what research to do, or how to be a competitive candidate.

“The people applying to med school don’t have the resources they need,” she said. “No one prepares you for it.”

Another senior natural science major said that in order to get the letter of recommendation required for medical school, “you literally have to call [the pre-medical committee] everyday.”

He said this makes an already stressful process that much worse. “The committee is not accessible,” he said.

Some seniors aren’t applying straight to medical school because they want to do research first.

“It is very daunting to apply to medical schools because most look for outside research experience,” Sierdazki said. “That is why people choose to take a year off—to buy a little more time.”

Jessica Dennison, FCLC ’12 and a natural science major, plans to work in an Ophthalmology office after graduating. “The original plan was to go straight to medical school while I had the momentum. However, as I learned more about medical school, the commitment and the long road ahead of me, I decided that it could wait and

that I wanted a break from school.”

Mia Malin, FCLC ’12, is volunteering at Bellevue Hospital in the city after college. “It’s very hands-on and you shadow doctors and interact with patients. This necessitates taking a year or two off before I apply to a physician assistant program.”

The natural science major and the extensive work it entails is a factor many take into consideration when thinking about applying to medical school.

Lew said, “The natural science major is difficult and it’s hard to get good grades in the courses we have to take.

But if you work hard enough, the major will help prepare you for medical school.”

Likewise, Sieradzki said, “The major does prepare you enough for med school because not only does it have the courses we are required to take, but it also fosters time management skills.”

Both Lew and Sieradzki are planning to apply to medical school.

According Dr. Guy Robinson, a professor in the natural science department, GPA and campus involvement is important.

“It’s important to get good grades,” he said. “It’ll also help if you join the science club and the Minority Association for Pre-Medical Students (MAPS). I stress the importance of being involved in research, whether with faculty at FCLC, or outside research.”

He said that medical school and the work it requires may not be for everyone. “A career as a science teacher is a very good option, Robinson said.

“Don’t think about what kind of work is available now. Just do what you love and the work will follow.”

Rising Student Debt Leave Many Uncertain About Future

By KUSUM DHANSINGHANI AND ESTHER FERNANDO Staff Writers

Students at Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) are worried about postgraduation, since the student loan debt is exceeding $1 trillion this year, according to an article in The New York Times. Seniors are not only stressed about obtaining stable jobs to support their cost of living after graduation, but also about paying off their student loans to prevent falling into debt.

According to Francoisline J. Freeman, senior assistant director of Enrollment Services, “the universityfunded grant and scholarship aid budgeted for undergraduates for 2011-12 is $8.1 million more than for 2010-11, an increase of approximately 11 percent.” From 2010-2011 to 20112012, the average loan amount including private and federal loans increased by 6 percent. However, despite the increase in the average amount of loans, the number of students borrowing private loans decreased by 10 percent.

Some students have found it difficult to pay their tuition even with the financial aid they were granted for the academic year. Kristen Gidlund, FCLC ’12, said, “My financial aid was the only way I got through school. Luckily, I don’t have any loans, because I’d rather pay off my tuition than be left with debt.”

Still, many students depend on student loans to help pay tuition costs, but the fear of being in debt after graduation remains a concern.

Judy Sirykissoon, FCLC ’12, said, “I want to pay off my debt before graduate school and I am scared of it looming over my head and how it will affect my timeline of going to graduate school. I feel like I have to get a job right away to pay off my debt.”

Many seniors plan on attending graduate school to avoid the hassle of searching for a stable job and to also

CHARLIE PUENTE/THE OBSERVER

Students worry about receiving less financial aid that will pay for school.

increase their likelihood of attaining either a minimum wage job or a highqualified job. Kevin Corona, FCLC ’12, considered graduate school a better option to paying off his loans.

“I’m definitely going to graduate school even if it is more expensive. It’ll be way easier to pay to pay my loans off, because with that degree, I’ll be able to up the ante in my position and specialize more in what I want to do.”

However, not all students are in a rush to attend graduate school. Greg Haynes, FCLC ’12, said,

“I’m not going to graduate school immediately. I’m taking two years off and then applying for a PhD program for clinical psychology. In the mean time, I hope I can pay off a good amount of my loans, but essentially, it’s not going to be something that will stress me out.”

With the student loan debt exceeding $1 trillion and the current status of the job market, graduation, for some students at Fordham, is something to be feared rather than celebrated.

www.fordhamobserver.com

THE OBSERVER November 17, 2011

News

5

Lecture Connects Catholicism, Judaism and Islam The purpose of the lecture was to relate religious laws between Catholicism, Judaism and Islam.

By RICHARD RAMSUNDAR Staff Writer

On Nov. 9, Fordham welcomed people to join its Fall alumni event titled the “Fall McGinley Lecture of Law and Love: Jewish, Christian and Muslim Attitudes.”

According to Matthew Windels, Fordham College at Rose Hill (FCRH) ’13, the purpose of the lecture was to relate religious laws between Catholicism, Judaism and Islam and allow people to develop an appreciation for all faiths.

Sister Anne-Marie Kirmse, research associate for the Laurence J. McGinley Chair in Religion and Society, said, “I want people to understand the similarities and differences of the religions and expand their acceptance.”

The lecture began with Patrick J. Ryan, the Laurence J. McGinley Professor of Religion and Society at Fordham, who gave a history of how the laws of fasting developed and expanded amongst the different religions.

Ryan said, “Laws regarding what we eat and what we don’t eat unite us as communities of faith, but also divide us from other communities of faith.” He said that it simultaneously promotes love within our community and discourages “love with other communities, especially love expressed in

AYER CHAN/THE OBSERVER

A speaker discusses the relationship between the religious laws of Catholicism, Judaism and Islam.

table fellowship.”

In response, Claudia Setzer, professor of religious studies at Manhattan College, discussed how women contributed to the religious

laws of food in Judaism. Setzer questioned the significance of food in religion and provided her own answers. She explained that food has a purpose beyond itself

and that beliefs of food in Judaism are based on the notion that you are what you eat. Setzer also commented on the role women play in Judaism.

She said, “I think it’s a great time to be a women in religion. In Judaism, all women are responding to feminism and it is a way for women to be productive in society.”

The next respondent was Dr. Amir Hussein, professor of theological studies at Loyola Marymount University, who spoke about the beliefs of Islam and how it connected to both Judaism and Christianity. Hussein began his speech with a reference to the Bible and ended it with a song titled “The Face of Love.”

Fordham students like John Kiani, FCHR ’13, embraced the lecture and said, “Prior to being here, I thought it was going to be just another religious panel. I thought it was interesting that three different religions could come together and have middle ground about the same thing.”

Theatre Student Finalist in Humanitarian Contest

By FAITH HEAPHY Editor-in-Chief

Out of the thousands of nominations from over 40 countries, Fordham sophomore Brandon Jackson has been chosen to represent America in “Faces of Transformation”— a competition through Nations United where 11 humanitarian leaders from across the globe represent their country and create a project that would further develop awareness of humanitarian issues in that country.

Jackson, a theatre performance major at Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC), has done extensive humanitarian work since eighth grade, most notably with Honduran orphans. His prior work resulted in his nomination and now he’s creating a smartphone app to further humanitarian work in the United States through awareness and education. So far, he’s in the top five of the competition and by Dec. 22, he will know if he won the grand prize: a job at Nations United, the opportunity to spearhead a new project and the potential for a sustainable humanitarian career.

The competition for the prize is structured like a reality show game and, according to Jackson, is the first-ever humanitarian competition. Each month, participants face a new “challenge,” which is designed to be the next rational step in any project. The challenges began in September and involve various obstacles such as using social networking to advertise, or, like the current challenge, creating a fundraising campaign.

“I just won last month’s challenge,” Jackson said. “Based on how well you do in the challenge, [voters] create a bottom three and a challenge winner.”

Winners are decided by votes online at the Faces of Transformation website. Those interested can watch through webisodes on YouTube.

Currently, there are six people on Jackson’s team. They meet a few times a week to work on creating the smartphone app.

“It’s an interactive app that uses multiculturalism to teach conflict resolution concepts to children ages

SARA AZOULAY/THE OBSERVER

A protestor shows the irony in police occupation of Zuccotti Park.

Police Occupy Zuccotti Park

By LAURA CHANG News Editor

CHARLIE PUENTE/THE OBSERVER

Brandon Jackson, FCLC ’14, was chosen to represent the United States in a humanitarian competition where he is making a smartphone app.

4-9,” Jackson said. Each month, the app will update with a new storyline where characters will be placed in a different country or culture and players solve conflicts. “We want to make it accessible throughout all media but the really mind-boggling thing is that one in every two Americans will have a smartphone

by December,” Jackson said. If it’s successful, he’d like to expand to a European audience as well.

While Jackson has no training in app development, he has someone on his team from Berkeley who knows programming well and is working to find an app builder.

Nastassia Porto, FCLC ’14 and a member on Jackson’s team, said, “Right now, we’re really just trying to get stuff set up. We’ve really just started our first chapter.” She said that while the competition is important, the main focus as a team is

to create the app, regardless of the outcome of challenge. “I think the cultural awareness we’re trying to bring that to children of a certain age group is immensely important.

If we manage that, I think we can make a big change.”

In addition to his humanitarian work, theatre still remains a big part of Jackson’s life. “These two passions kind of grew separately and at this point they have converged in the sense that I really believe art is the key to creating social action,” Jackson said. “And so eventually when I start my own humanitarian company, one of the facets would be social and political action through art. I think theatre especially has a big part in how you psychologically process the world.”

Jackson said he ultimately would like to be a film actor while doing humanitarian work.

The Observer visited Zuccotti Park, the home base of Occupy Wall Street, on Nov. 15 where policemen, instead of protestors, occupied the space instead.

After police removed all protestors from the area earlier that day, protestors received a temporary court order that allowed them to re-enter the space.

However, police stood inside the park and surrounded the area, not allowing any protesters to enter the space.

Julie Goldsmith, a local protestor, said “[The police] kind of look like they are in prison, that’s how it should be isn’t it?”

Goldsmith, who works for Occupy Wall Street Screen Printers Guild, said, “We make T-shirts, banners, posters and we’ve been here since the beginning.”

At approximately 1 a.m. on Nov. 15, protestors who have camped at Zuccotti Park for months were removed by police officers. According to The New York Times, the police evicted not only the protestors, but also their tents, tarps and belongings.

The article also said that Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg believed the evacuation was necessary because “health and safety conditions became intolerable” in the park.

Since the police evacuated

the park, the food and library tents have also disappeared.

Goldsmith said, “It was all loaded into a sanitation truck and brought to a location near 57th and the West Side highway.”

She said that the police and the protestors have shared a mutual respect so far. “I don’t think they want to be doing this, I really don’t. But now it’s really hard not to look at this and not get extremely angry,” she said.

One Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) student visits to Zuccotti Park weekly to document Occupy Wall Street.

Jacqueline Krakowski, FCLC ’13, said that it was a way to keep her family, friends and people who are out of the state or country up-to-date with what is going on.

Krakowski said that she hopes more students get involved with the movement because this is “just the beginning.” She said, “I think a lot of people [at FCLC] aren’t involved and that’s sad especially because things like this really do affect us and we’re students; we’re the young generation. We should be out there doing something about everything that’s going on.”

In addition, she said the police should “at least be respectful to people’s possessions” and “give them warning.”

For more interviews and exclusive online footage, go to: www.fordhamobserver.com.

Opinions

November 17, 2011 THE OBSERVER

STAFF EDITORIAL

DON’T LOSE SIGHT OF VICTIMS IN SCANDAL

I

nformation about the alleged abuses at Penn State that have come to light over the last few weeks have left many shocked and angry. Riots ensued over the subsequent firing of university president Graham Spanier and head coach Joe Paterno, leaving behind a campus torn by the controversy. Outside of their gates, the rest of the country closely watched, gossiping over rumors surrounding the alleged child molester assistant coach Jerry Sandusky. Extensive media coverage paints a picture of the scandal, but is it enough?

We heard about Sandusky’s recent denial of the charges. We heard about how Paterno, head coach for 46 years, was fired over the phone and how his name was removed from the Big Ten trophy. We heard about The Second Mile, the charity organization formed

by Sandusky for at-risk kids and about the ironic title of his novel, “Touched: The Jerry Sandusky Story.” We heard about Penn State’s football game against

In making Paterno the face of the story, we are evading the heart of the issue: child molestation.

Nebraska and the next one against Ohio State. We heard about student sympathy for Paterno and the university seeking to repair damages and create a better image for itself by firing administrators.

But we aren’t hearing enough about the eight victims who were sexually abused. We see “Victim One, Two…” in the news, but they remain just that—numbers, a new stat to add to the growing list of charges against a pedophile. Where is the focus on getting justice for innocent children? Where is the focus on addressing pedophilia and sexual predators in the nation? Why isn’t the media focusing on a national crime or the lifelong scars Sandusky left on children?

The story surrounding Penn State story has shown us an unfortunate truth in the media and our society’s attention span: that scandal trumps justice. Yes, Paterno is important because he demonstrates that people must be held accountable when they put others’ lives in danger, whether they be the perpetrator or the quiet onlooker. But in making Paterno the face of the story, we are evading the heart of the issue: child molestation.

If this new story were to have any service to Sandusky’s victims, or any victims of child molestation for that matter, it would generate a discussion on how to keep children safe. It would offer information and resources for victims of child molestation, helping them cope with their experiences. But most importantly, it would teach children that their rights are taken seriously and that should they never stay silent if they feel in some way violated by their authorities.

Female Politicians: The Underrepresented Majority JOSEPHINE TROTT Staff Writer

With only 17 women involved with the U.S. Senate, an assembly of 100, I feel severely underrepresented in government, and I have a feeling that it’s only going to get worse. But the real issue is whether or not the problem is the result of the female politician’s lack of interest or the male politician’s subtle discrimination.

According to Jennifer Steinhauer’s article, “More Women in Senate, But Seats Are at Risk,” from The New York Times, there are more women in the Senate since women first began their involvement in the 1920s. It began with an accident in 1922 when Rebecca L. Felton held a seat for “a mere 24 hours to replace a dead member.”

From then on, the place of women in the Senate has been spotty until 1992 when the number increased to four and since then has continued to grow.

This may seem like progress, especially when Steinhauer’s piece is accompanied by a nifty bar graph which visually demonstrates the “explosion” of recent female involvement in the Senate. However, when you consider the 2010 government census, in which women were the majority by five million people, you realize the number of women that we have in office is not nearly enough to properly represent the women in this country.

And if this wasn’t enough, Steinhauer tells us that it’s going to get worse. Of all the female senators up for reelection, only one of them is a Republican. So if the upcoming election doesn’t go well for the Democrats, many female senators will be looking for another job. It sends a chill down my spine when I think about how difficult it will be for female representation to recover from a blow like that. Plus, even with the remaining female senators left in the aftermath, women will still be severely underrepresented in the Senate.

ERIKA SCHULTZ/SEATTLE TIMES/MCT

Senator Patty Murray of Washington is one of just a few women trying to make a mark in the male-dominated Senate.

Now maybe the problem here is that women aren’t stepping up to the plate. After all, in order to get into office, you have to run. But many women are desperate to get other women interested in politics.

Senator Patty Murray spends a large amount of her time trying to recruit women to run, and foundations such as the Barbara Lee Family Foundation make recruiting women into politics one of their main goals.

The reason that Steinhauer thinks women are reluctant to join the political race is that, unlike their male counterparts, they aren’t so much interested in politics but rather in individual policy, making it harder to convince them to run.

I haven’t done too much research into the motivations of female

politicians, but this sounds like a weak argument. I think male discrimination is what makes women reluctant to get involved in politics.

Historically, more than a few men don’t have a great track record on reining in their chauvinism.

The Supreme Court case Bradwell v. State of Illinois (1872), sums up this overall fear of women nicely.

In this case, a woman wanted the right to practice law in the state of Illinois. The court firmly rejected her, one of their reasons being that it could “open the floodgates” and every woman would want to be a lawyer and they might even become governors and sheriffs. Apparently, this possibility horrified the court.

However, this chauvinistic attitude, evident in the 19th century, continued to thrive well into the

following centuries. Justice Brennan worded it nicely in the 1973 case of Frontiero v. Richardson in which a female member of the armed forces fought for the same marriage benefits as her male comrades. Justice Brennan wrote, “Our nation has had a long and unfortunate history of sex discrimination” and “this...attitude became...firmly rooted in our national consciousness.” The female members of society have continued the fight against male chauvinism, and it seems that the fight is against the intangible national consciousness, a daunting thought.

And it looks like this subtle discrimination has been lingering even today. Steinhauer writes that “until just a few months ago, there wasn’t even a women’s restroom

near the House floor.” This is a couple of months, not a couple of years. It may sound weird to judge the welcoming committee based on the bathrooms, but it’s actually an important thing. If you expect people to stay for more than a few hours, you’re going to need a place to go to the bathroom.

So whose fault is it really?

It’s hard to say. I’d like to blame something vague, like society, but I think we’re all to blame in some way, even if I think male chauvinism plays a larger role than the reluctance of women. I only hope that if women do lose their seats in the Senate, it will cause a big enough stir so that more women realize the severity of this problem and rise to the challenge.

www.fordhamobserver.com

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Opinions

7

Don’t Rely on Loan Forgiveness: Save for College Student Loans Should Be Addressed Before College Even Begins DAVID HAGMANN

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Staff Writer

Students who graduate often find themselves struggling to repay the loans they took on to pay for their education. According to a recent report by the Institute for College Access & Success, the average graduating student with loans owes more than $25,000—more than ever before. A big part of those loans is provided by the federal government at subsidized rates, for example through its Stafford loan program. In order to make college more affordable, the federal government now wants to cap annual repayments. No matter how much a student owes, he or she will never have to make payments exceeding 10 percent of his or her income. Moreover, any outstanding balance will be forgiven after 20 years, or after 10 years for those entering public service.

Congress passed this change already and scheduled it to go into effect in 2014. The Obama administration has now decided to move up that date, and it may take effect as early as next year. The argument behind the policy is that forgiving student loans is how the government should make college more affordable. The policy is severely misguided and unlikely to solve the actual problem. Instead, loan forgiveness merely provides an incentive for people to take on as much in loans as they can.

Whether one owes $60,000 or $160,000, the caps for Stafford loans for undergraduate and graduate students, respectively, will make little difference for the average student. A quick back-of-the-envelope calculation shows that the median income for college graduates ($50,000) would cap repayment at $5,000 per year, which over 10 or 20 years is $50,000 and $100,000 respectively.

In many cases, this would not be enough to repay the principal, much less any accrued interest. Thus, there is a strong incentive to take on additional debt, knowing one will never have to repay the full amount anyway.

POLIVIER DOULIERY/ABACA PRESS/MCT

Obama’s recent announcement to forgive student loans may sound like a good idea, but students shouldn’t be drowning in debt to begin with.

Aside from this, the policy also creates the impression that student loans are what families are expected to take on. If everyone has student loans, then forgiving parts of them could be seen as lowering the cost of education. However, for most households, saving for a college education is not out of the question. As long as they plan far ahead, the savings required to pay for even full tuition are reasonable.

A rough calculation shows that if parents put aside $400 per month for 18 years, they will have $160,000 saved. That is sufficient to cover tuition at Fordham and most other expensive private universities. Keep

in mind that scholarships are widely available, as is on-campus employment, so most students may not need that much in savings to pay for their education. At public universities, which most students attend, the tuition cost of $20,000 requires setting aside as little as $50 per month for the same duration. Particularly the latter is hardly out of reach for the middle class and even most lowincome households.

The government should work to make education more affordable, but instead of tackling it at the end of student loans, it should help families save the money to pay for their child’s education from the start.

The state could encourage saving for college the same way it encourages saving for retirement. Making contributions to certain retirement accounts allows employees to make deductions on their tax returns and pay less in taxes. These accounts allow savers plenty of freedom in choosing how to invest their money and have become widely popular, replacing the pension systems previously available to most workers. In fact, a similar scheme for saving for college (instead of retirement) already exists. However, unlike retirement plans, there are severe restrictions on how the money can be invested and what can be purchased with it. Computers, for example, could not be paid for using funds from the college savings account, until that was temporarily changed as part of the 2009 stimulus bill—the change is set to expire next year.

Designing a successful college savings plan shouldn’t be particularly difficult, given that most of the work has been done for retirement savings accounts already. The two aren’t that different: in both cases someone saves for expenses they know are coming up. Investment choices should be no more limited than in private retirement savings accounts (IRAs). Tax deductions should be available to all households, and employers should be free to match their employees’ contributions with no limit. In case a family saves up and the student gets a full scholarship (or does not attend college), they could be taxed on their contributions and gains but not penalized beyond that. That way, there would be no reason not to start saving for college as early as possible.

The tax code has successfully been employed to promote savings for retirement and medical expenditures, home ownership and other things the government has found useful to promote. Why would Congress and the Obama administration focus on student loans, rather than using well established practices to increase savings? It’s time we establish proper incentives for saving for educational expenses and not just worry about how to pick up the broken pieces once students are burdened with debt.

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Opinions

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The Art of Saying No to Sidewalk Peddlers: Sidestepping the Cause GIANMARCO FONGARO Staff Writer

Look at him standing over there like he owns the street, fingering his pen, those predatory pupils darting to and fro like a beast caged in the whites of his eyes. You know of whom I speak; you see them all the time standing in the middle of the sidewalk trying to raise money and awareness for Greenpeace, Amnesty International or whatever cause they represent.

Often enough I encounter people asking if I have a minute for “insert cause here” and then they ask for a monetary contribution, normally a $15 a month commitment. These people are an unfortunate reality of New York life and their increased presence around Fordham makes them a concern for us all.

What makes these encounters so uncomfortable is that these people straddle the sidewalk, making it impossible to avoid confrontation. You can spot them from a distance, often because of the lanyards that they wear and the omnipresent binder or clipboard in which they hope their victims will sign over their hardearned cash.

As you approach them, a panic sets in; you worry, trying to avoid eye contact. Perhaps you fiddle with your phone or reach into your bag rummaging for something you know

you don’t have or maybe you increase your walking speed by five percent hoping to breeze right by them.

Despite all these theatrics, some still manage to speak to you. Do you ignore them and carry on? It seems most people do but I get anxious when I ignore people, regardless of their intentions. I find it rude. Does a simple “no, thank you” suffice? I should think so, but the way they respond often makes this a tricky situation.

Due to the brevity and unfamiliarity inherent in any such encounter, it can be difficult to read the subtext in their response. In some instances, it is easy to see them saying, “No problem” as being genuine, but other times the distinction is not so evident. Sometimes they’ll respond to my “no thanks” with waves of gratitude. Such graciousness is unsettling because I didn’t do anything to merit it.

Other times they are so effusive in their response that it makes me even more uncomfortable. They’ll say things like “I really appreciate that. Have a good day,” and your eyes widen in bewilderment. How do you respond to such enthusiasm? “Yes, m’boy, yes,” but that sounds far too patronizing. And I can’t condemn all the other people who don’t say anything at all without coming across as sententious and self-righteous.

Then there is the situation I dread most and that is when they ensnare you in conversation. Early in my

AI ELO/THE OBSERVER

It’s better to avoid eye contact if you want to prevent peddlers from trying to garner your support for their organization.

collegiate career this misfortune did indeed befall me. There was a man in a shabby T-shirt wearing splintered espadrilles. He was collecting under the banner of the Greenpeace organization. “I like your shirt,” he said.

Papers Should Be About the Content, Not the Works Cited Page COLLEEN THORNHILL Opinions Editor

This November marks the first anniversary of when I officially declared myself a history major. If you’ve ever had the misfortune of talking to me, you know I have trouble shutting up about it.

I’m a little obsessed with the Tudors, I can tell you more than you’d like to hear about torture in 15th century Italy and I can provide you with plenty of random facts about the Dutch beginnings of New Amsterdam.

I could probably write a pretty decent paper on all the information I’ve gleaned over the years in one good allnighter, but one thing would hold me back from greatness: citations. I understand the need to prevent plagiarism, and if you’re going to write a 15-page paper the night before (I, of course, have no experience doing so), some kids might kid get a little tempted to copy and paste information from elsewhere.

However, not every student is out to cheat their way through their college career.

I know I work best at the last minute. That sense of panic that kicks in as I realize I’m officially in over my head somehow clears my mind and makes the writing process relatively quick and easy.

I’ve not time to teeter-totter between ideas—I just have to go for it at that point.

At times, though, this genius process of mine is sufficiently stymied by citations. I’ve combed through the books. I’ve paid attention in class. And when it comes to writing the paper, my memory is suddenly fuzzy as to what quote appeared on

which page in which of the dozens of books I read.

My great idea suddenly falls f lat when I realize I have no way to cite its origins. So what do I do?

I instead open at random one of the many books and hope I find something worth quoting. I lose sight of my idea for the sake of following protocol.

Then when I’ve decided I know which sources will help my point the best, I hesitate again as I realize my teacher wanted a specific sort of citation. In high school, my teachers drilled Modern Language Association (MLA) format into my mind so much that I brought two versions of the style book to college. No one was ever going to accuse me of incorrectly inserting a period or comma in my bibliography, and my capitalization skills would be perfect.

Last semester, though, one of my professors had a penchant for Associated Press (AP) style. All my MLA skills were suddenly for naught, and instead of spending the majority of my time fine-tuning my ideas, I found myself googling the AP Stylebook and getting more caught up in the format of my footnotes than the worthiness of the information they contained.

Then, just when I decided I could deal with AP style, I sat down to write a paper a few weeks ago, and to my horror I noticed the teacher explicitly stated he would not even read a paper unless it was written in the Chicago style. I stared at the words “Chicago style” for a good five minutes and then texted my friend in a panic. I’ve never had to write anything in Chicago style. My friend and I agreed the changes were minute, but I couldn’t

help looking up the proper citation technique every five seconds for fear of being accused of plagiarizing.

This fear of accidentally plagiarizing another historian’s work has often made for some subpar research papers on my part. Instead of running with my ideas, I often hold back, thinking I will too heavily rely on one writer’s point of view and be accused of stealing their theories altogether.

Then there are all the requirements for those items being cited. How many books, how many quotes, how many primary sources—after a while, I’m less concerned with the substance of the sources and more concerned with how they’ll look in my bibliography. Even if one source hardly offers anything insightful, I will include it in my paper just to satisfy the teacher.

I understand some students may get carried away with one source so teachers try to prevent too much reliance on one book in the name of variety, but sometimes, you just can’t deny the usefulness of one particular author. If he or she inspires the best ideas, why should a student be afraid to reference their work?

Students shouldn’t get to run away with the content of their papers, writing whatever they want without giving credit where it’s due, but when papers are hurt because a student is more paranoid about plagiarism or more concerned with a professor’s particular citation fetish, maybe teachers should rethink their citing requirements. Otherwise, they’re simply squashing insight and reducing students’ observations to page numbers and publication dates.

They say the devil is very seductive. I was wearing a Fahrenheit 451 T-shirt and this was the last time I wore anything that endorsed anything. The less you give them to lure you in with, the better. He probably

never even read the book.

This was my first encounter with men of his kind and he employed all the tricks of his sordid trade in an attempt to convert me. I was assailed with facts and figures but never did my resistance waver, although he did spin quite a good yarn. When he realized his dark oratory was for naught, he released me.

I have to admit it was all rather exhilarating. I felt like Jesus outwitting the Pharisees and their rhetoric.

You have to get up pretty early to fool me, good day, sir. In general, though, there was something disingenuous about this fellow and his artificial amiability. When I refused, he gave me a look as if to say only a lunatic could not have been stirred by his cause.

The blocks surrounding Fordham are under siege. In all the cardinal directions these moneygrubbers have set up shop preying on students. If you bothered to read my last story, I bemoaned the horrors of my commute. The last thing I need is a troupe of these people hounding me as I try to make my way towards school.

There is no solution to this problem but to ignore them, as rude and unfortunate as that is. They, like the wildebeests who move to moister pastures when confronted with the reality of a dry season, will leave the Fordham campus if we refuse to acknowledge them and will instead go search elsewhere for more willing sport.

Status Updated, Mood Tweeted and Life Tumblred ALISSA FAJEK

Contributing Writer

You open your laptop, load the Internet and go to the Facebook homepage without a second thought, even if that wasn’t why you opened your computer in the first place. You talk to your best friend who lives three states away via Skype and instant message more now than you did when he lived three blocks away. Your emails get sent straight to your phone, which you have in hand 24/7, with Twitter updates hooked up to text messages and more apps than you could ever count or use. Welcome to the 21st century.

Living life in the “digital age” was supposed to be easier, but with all our high-tech gadgets things may be more complicated. With every gadget released, we as consumers are being consumed by the digital world. Many of us are addicted, and we don’t even know it.

Cellphones are nothing like the first cellphones most of us got when we entered junior high or high school. For most of us, our first cellphones were big, clunky, egg-shaped rocks that had no special capabilities, QWERTY keyboards or Internet access and were to be used for emergencies only.

Today, smartphones have applications for everything. Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, YouTube, etc. If you can name it, there’s probably an app for it. With mobile capabilities, text message updates and iPhone apps, the companies know how to keep you online. Jóvenes Verdes, an environmental advocacy group for young people in Spain, actually compared the mobile telephone industry to the tobacco industry for creating and marketing products that get the young like us addicted.

Facebook is no longer just a social network, it is the epitome of one’s existence for most young people today and even many people in older generations. By opening up an account, you are opening a window for everyone to take a peek inside.

Between statuses, “checking in” to locations and tagging pictures, the world can keep tabs on you 24/7. It has become a way to show people that you have a social life and almost brag about it. People don’t take pictures for the photo albums and scrapbooks anymore—they take them for the

sole purpose of putting them on Facebook.

If someone doesn’t have a Facebook profile (which is rare these days), they are seemingly missing out on life, as everyone’s lives unfold through their Facebook pages. Not only are they out of the loop with their friends’ updates, they may lose out on more than gossip. It has happened to me on several occasions that I have set up events on Facebook and have forgotten to invite the few friends who do not have profiles, just because the planning was all done online.

In the same way, people “live” through Twitter—but can life really be lived through 140-character updates? Are we really letting ourselves be constrained to these online limitations? Sadly, we are.

This can affect our thoughts, put strains on our relationships and even change the way we communicate. I, admittedly, am addicted to Twitter. I have it hooked up to my cell phone so I can text as funny “tweet-worthy” things happen. I often find myself talking to my friends in hashtags, and I am not the only one who carries these addictions to their personal lives. Furthermore, communication between people is less personal when talking to friends and family because it is mostly over text or the Internet.

The separation anxiety you feel when you forget your phone, or when the battery dies while you aren’t home to charge it or even the anxiousness you may feel when you can’t sign onto your favorite social network to see your notifications all boil down to one conclusion—even when we are not online, our minds are.

We are thinking of the next status update, wondering if anyone has commented on our posts and stressing out if our laptops or cellphones aren’t by our sides.

I always worry when my phone dies while I’m out that someone will text me something important, or will think I’m ignoring them if I don’t answer right away.

If you can relate to these feelings, you may want to step back and take a good look at yourself. Are you addicted? Are you seeping into the “digital quicksand?”

Whether we want to admit it or not, we have been conditioned to believe that life isn’t real unless it is broadcasted to the public, and what better way to do so than through social networks? We think in status updates, we tweet our every moves, and we’ve been swallowed whole by the digitalization of our society.

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THE OBSERVER November 17, 2011

Opinions

9

No Shave November from the Perspective of a Bearded Man RAY WALSH Staff Writer

Before I begin, I want to make it clear that I am not writing this to criticize raising funds and awareness for men’s health issues such as prostate cancer and other cancers that affect men. We should always be looking for ways to raise money for a noble cause, but I don’t understand why this money must be raised through No Shave November, a phenomenon that seems to have forgotten its orginal intent.

I’ll start off with a thought experiment.

Imagine you buy a beach house.

You take the time to fix it up , and all that hard work is about to pay off when on the first day of summer, you wake up and walk down to the beach, only to find that it has been invaded by a mob of fat, pale, sock-wearing tourists. Imagine the anguish, the disorientation you’d feel as you struggle through the throng to find a place to lay out.

Now imagine the beach house is your virility and the tourists are a bunch of scruffy, kind-of-stoned college kids. Welcome to my life.

This isn’t some defense of those of us who have beards all year round: bearded men need no defending, and if they can’t defend themselves, well, then they don’t deserve the beard in the first place.

I’m not writing this because this needs to be said. We bearded men don’t need to say anything. Every-

KYLE MORRISON/THE OBSERVER

A real man grows a beard every month of the year. A scruffy chin is not to be taken lightly.

thing we’d ever need to say is already generally understood. Faced with the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln only had to budge for two minutes to give the Gettysburg address, and even then, that’s all he needed.

No, this article does not need to be written. But I ramble, as we bearded men are wont to do, as we have done over open fires since the dawn of mankind itself.

Now, to the matter of this month, this “No Shave November.” I do not know how it came about. Perhaps it’s an attempt at a somewhat (and by

somewhat I mean not at all) clever pun on the first syllable of the word “November.” But I speculate.

I’ll tell you my experience.

I’ve tenderly cultivated this beard of mine. It’s a labor of love. Aside from death, a man’s beard is the only thing he can truly call his own. It is the only thing besides his DNA that is unique to him and him alone.

But now, our very masculinity has become a seasonal fad. This is an abomination of all things bearded.

I live in an all-bearded suite in McMahon Hall, and I become

dismayed when, emerging from my fortress of manly solitude, I’m approached by some kid in a hemp hoodie with a face full of peach fuzz who says, “Man, sweet beard. No Shave November, right?”

I’m drowning in a sea of dudes, bros and dudebros, sporting dirtstaches, soul patches, neck beards and what, since the 20th century, have been accepted as side burns.

This facial rapscallionry has to stop.

I’d like to ask those of you who think it’s OK to flirt with being a man for a month as an ironic gesture of

laziness to think for a second. Please.

Meditate on the countless generations of men who have come before you. The men who chopped their own wood, men who didn’t need “anesthesia,” men who would literally bite the bullet if they were in pain (pain in a figurative sense—we men don’t feel pain).

Now, ask yourself this question: What would the men of ole think of “No Shave November”? What would Captain Ahab think of it? How about Ernest Hemingway? Karl Marx, Walt Whitman, Charles Darwin, John Muir? I dare—nay, defy—you to look Kimbo Slice in the eye and ask him, “Dude, No Shave November, right?”

Of course, these men probably wouldn’t respond at all. At the most, they might give you a look of distaste.

These men have better things to do, like—oh, I don’t know—spear whales, write “The Old Man and the Sea,” duel their fraternity brothers, come up with evolution or invent the concept of a national park When you look at yourself in the mirror, itching those pitiful patches of hair on your face which—so you’ve convinced yourself—have come together to resemble what appears to be a beard, think of these men. Think of the hallowed ground which you are desecrating this month and ask yourself: What is the meaning of all of this?

I promise you, you won’t be able to answer these questions without coming to the realization that you’ve become nothing more than a shell of a man.

Respect the beard.

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Arts & Culture

November 17, 2011 THE OBSERVER

BENOIT PAILLEY/COURTESY OF NEW MUSEUM

The new exhibit “Carsten Höller: Experience” at the New Museum features a carousel and a long line for the two story long slide.

New Museum Combines Art with Interactivity

By BRIAN BRUEGGE Asst. Arts & Culture Editor

At the ticket desk of the New Museum, a sign reads, “DO NOT visit the second floor if you are susceptible to Photosensitive Epilepsy, which may cause seizures.” The warning feels more appropriate for a Disneyland ride than an art museum, but the new exhibit, “Carsten Höller: Experience,” is no ordinary art show. From now until Jan. 15, the inside of the New Museum will be converted into a showcase of the enigmatic works of Belgian entomologist-turned-artist Carsten Höller.

Höller’s work is an eclectic mix of sensory experiences, futuristic architecture and surreal sculpture.

The new exhibit showcases many of Höller’s most interesting works including a mirror-lined carousel, a slide that descends two stories and a piece dubbed the “Giant Psycho Tank.”

At times, the show can feel like more of a novelty than an art exhibit; some of the lines for the interactive pieces have waits long enough to be amusement park attractions.

Nonetheless, Höller’s work succeeds at turning conventional notions of several everyday experiences into something that can be unsettling, insightful, even fascinating all at once.

Take, for instance, what is in many ways the centerpiece of the show: the slide. After signing a waiver, guests can enter from the fourth floor and pass through a clear tunnel-slide that spirals through the second and third floors. The installation is an example of Höller’s “visionary architecture”, providing a possible alternative to how we typically imagine architectural space.

“The new exhibit showcases many of Höller’s most interesting works including a mirror-lined carousel, a slide that descends two stories and a piece dubbed the ‘Giant Psycho Tank.’”

In a few thrilling seconds, guests are transported from the peaceful fourth floor gallery, to the eerie second floor. Throughout the exhibit are models of skyscrapers utilizing this system of slides as a principle method of transportation. Unlikely, yes, but still fascinating as a concept.

Another interesting stop in the show is the sensory deprivation pool, lovingly dubbed the “Giant Psycho Tank.” The pool is filled with extremely saline water heated to body temperature, resulting in a warm and noxious tank that keeps visitors afloat. For sanitary purposes, only one person is allowed in the tank at a time, and as a result the wait can be incredibly long. Yet for those who seek unique experiences and don’t mind investing a little time, it is hard to deny the attraction.

Much of the experience is far more subtle in nature. One hallway appears normal at first, but will occasionally move from side to side creating a disorienting experience if you aren’t expecting it. Tucked away behind a stairwell there is a series of small rooms, each featuring a different device that creates a strange sensory illusion. Though the area is easy to miss, these curiosities are some of the most interesting. One device is a pair of goggles that allows the wearer to walk through a virtual forest. Another creates the illusion that one’s nose is growing like Pinocchio.

Much of Höller’s work uses scientific principles to provide illusory

sensations to viewers. It is fitting that before beginning a career as an artist, Höller left behind a scientific career as an agricultural entomologist.

There is a strong sense of experimentation in all of the work featured. Often it is the viewers themselves that are the subjects being experimented upon.

While fascinating to attendees, “Carsten Höller: Experience” has also begun to gain some unwelcome attention from the city. The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has warned the museum that it lacks permits for many of the unique installations in show. As a result, the museum has taken certain measures, such as allowing only one individual at a time in the sensory deprivation tank. However, this may not be enough if the city finds the exhibit to be in violation of other ordinances. For now, the exhibit continues to run with a dubious legality.

IF YOU GO

Carsten Höller: Experience WHEN: Wed. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thur.

11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Fri./Sat./Sun. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Closed Mon. and Tues.

WHERE: New Museum, 235 Bowery (Take the N or R to Prince Street or the B or D to Broadway-Lafayette).

PRICE: $8 with student ID, $12 standard admission MORE INFO: Exhibit runs until Jan. 15, 2012 www.newmuseum.org

BENOIT PAILLEY/COURTESY OF NEW MUSEUM\

The two story long slide descends through the floor of the New Museum.

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THE OBSERVER November 17, 2011

Arts & Culture

11

Black Friday Offers Record Lovers New Vinyls for Cheap

By SHAUN CHAUDHRY Staff Writer

Nov. 25 marks an important day for many music enthusiasts. Record Store Day (RSD) is an event in which participating stores sell rare copies of popular records and CDs. The annual event was originally conceived by Chris Brown, an independent record store employee, and was fully put into effect in 2001. It serves as a celebration of the unique culture surrounding over 700 independently owned record stores in the USA and hundreds of similar stores internationally. Contrary to the commercialized day that rules under the dictatorship of corporate giants such as Wal-Mart and Best Buy, RSD’s version of Black Friday is an excuse to celebrate the importance of music in our lives by putting out these unique releases.

In other words, cheapness is not a main goal. Celebrating art is.

Metallica officially kicked off Record Store Day at Rasputin Music in San Francisco on April 19, 2008 and Record Store Day is also celebrated the third Saturday every April. Unlike years past, however, Record Store Day falls on Black Friday this year, in an effort for consumers to get great deals on rare products. This is the one day that all of the independently owned record stores come together with artists to celebrate the art of music.

On the event’s webpage, you can see a complete list of special vinyl, CD releases and various promotional products, which are exclusive for the day. Hundreds of artists in the United States and in various countries across the globe make special appearances and performances. Festivities include performances, cookouts, body painting, meet & greets with artists, parades, DJs spinning records and more.

The items available to purchase

KATHARINE FOTINOS/THE OBSERVER

Earwax Vinyl in Williamsburg is one of the many record stores in New York City participating in Record Store Day on Nov. 25.

vary from The Beastie Boys’ latest LP on 12” vinyl to a Bob Dylan 7” box set. Other notable artists whose records will be sold on the day include The Beatles, Jimmy Cliff, The Doors, The Black Keys, Miles Davis and The Grateful Dead. But what makes these records special is that, for many, there are so few still available in the U.S. For example, The Misfits’ “The Devil’s Rain” has only 1,500 12” vinyl in the States.

This is a very unique opportunity for fans to get their favorite, rare recordings.

Not all record stores are participating, though. The creators of this event wants the consumer to deal with real, live, physical indie stores, rather than online retailers or corporations. According to the site, a Record Store Day participating store is defined as a retailer whose main primary business focuses on a physical store location, whose product line consists of at least 50% music retail, whose company is not publicly traded and whose ownership is at least 70% located in the state of operation.

Unfortunately for Fordham students, there aren’t many record stores participating that are near campus. However, downtown Manhattan, particularly around Washington Square Park and Bowery, offers a host of stores who are all excited on this day to come. Great deals for great music is a fantastic excuse to spend the $2.25 subway fare to come down and enjoy the experience.

In the past Black Friday was an American event celebrated by large corporate retailers as a shopping

day that promoted mass produced items at super low prices in hopes of driving customers into their stores. RSD’s Black Friday subverts the model and creates pieces of art in the form of limited special editions, often numbered, from some of the most revered artists of our time.

Record Store Day is currently managed by Michael Kurtz and Carrie Colliton. Folks who want to contact Record Store Day are encouraged to email them at information@recordstoreday.com.

Relationships Clash and Emotions Run High in Acclaimed November Films flashbacks of your own; you won’t stop thinking about it for days.

By KATIE LOCKHART & CLINT HOLLOWAY Arts & Culture Co-Editor and Staff Writer

“The Descendants”

“Charlotte Rampling: The Look” Actress Charlotte Rampling is no stranger to being looked at. She has appeared in several provocative films including “The Night Porter” and “Swimming Pool,” in which she exposed herself physically as well as emotionally. She has made just as much of an impact in the world of photography, serving as subject and muse to many of the world’s most esteemed photographers, including Helmut Newton, Juergen Teller and Peter Lindbergh. The film unfolds in semi-documentary style and is divided into nine segments, signified by title cards including “Love,” “Death,” “Exposure” and “Taboo.”

Rampling discusses her thoughts on these topics and how they relate to her own life and career, accompanied by footage from many of her films as well as conversations with her friends and collaborators that include Lindbergh, Teller and poet Frederick Seidel.

Those hoping that “Charlotte Rampling: The Look” presents the audience with a fully revealing portrait of its subject may come away disappointed. The film is loose and scattered, presenting us with such divergent scenes as Rampling discussing her thoughts on the afterlife and a peak at her rehearsal process for a new role. Concrete information about her childhood and family background are left mostly ambiguous. The overall point that the film is trying to make is hard to tell, as it all adds up to a series of ruminations and confessions that are both intimate and abstract. As hard to pin down as the film is, it

PROUNEN FILMS

provides an insightful look into the hectic consciousness of artistic expression. It also gives us just enough of an intimate peak into the mind of an extremely enigmatic figure, while still fully maintaining her sense of mystery. “Charlotte Rampling: The Look” is in theaters now.

“Like Crazy”

Remember your first love and how broken your heart was after it was over? Well get ready to relive all the joy but mostly pain in this adorably heart-wrenching story.

Anton Yelchin plays Jacob, a shy but painfully sweet furniture designer and Felicity Jones plays a

PARAMOUNT VANTAGE

AD HOMINEM ENTERPRISES

fun, silly, hipster journalist named Anna from England. The two fall madly in love while in school together in L.A. When Anna cannot bare the idea of leaving Jacob she unwisely decides to overstay her trip in L.A. From that moment on their relationship becomes a bumpy road of ups and downs. After this incident she is unable to return to the United States, and they attempt a long distance relationship, but it comes to a predictable end. Each person tries to continue on with their life and begin seeing other people as well as moving up in their careers.

But while lying in bed with their partners they continue to text each

other because they both know their new lovers can never compare to their first love.

This love story is the fairytale romance that every girl dreams but also manages to be realistic and awkward at the same time. The film is accompanied by a beautifully romantic and sentimental soundtrack including songs from Paul Simon and the Dead Hearts. Although it doesn’t end in death like most love stories (“The Notebook,” “A Walk to Remember”) it ends in something even more heartbreaking: the realization that people grow up and change. If you’ve recently gone through a breakup or have ever been in love get ready for some

Maybe it’s the aloha spirit or the incredible shots of the Hawaiian tropics, but Alexander Payne’s new film is an inviting and charming family drama that leaves you wondering if it would make a good Jerry Springer episode. After Elizabeth King (Patricia Hastie) gets into a boating accident her mild-mannered husband Matt King (George Clooney) has to decide how to tell his daughters Alexandra (Shailene Woodley) and Scottie (Amara Miller) that their mother will never wake up from her coma.

But it gets worse. Alexandra has to decide how to tell her dad that her mother was cheating on him.

After she breaks the news, Matt decides it is only fair to hunt her lover down and tell him what has happened so he can say his last goodbyes. Matt is exactly the kind of husband and father you would expect George Clooney to be, a little clueless but sweet and understanding. Shailene Woodley’s breakout role as a troubled, bitchy and slightly skanky teenager is far from her role on “The Secret Life of the American Teenager,” which is a good thing—a very good thing.

But it gets even worse. During the grieving process and the shock of infidelity, Matt also has to make the decision for his entire extended family of whether or not to sell thousands of acres of pristine Oahu land and make millions. The intensely tragic situation brings this disjointed family closer than ever in what is ultimately an enjoyable film.

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Arts & Culture

November 17, 2011 THE OBSERVER

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ATLAS SOUND/4AD

Atlas Sound “Parallax” released Nov. 8

Bradford Cox, aka Atlas Sound ,has once again proved himself as one of our generation’s most consistent singer-songwriters with his new album “Parallax.” Taking cues from his recent mini-albums, the “Bedroom Databank” series, Cox crafts the same dripping landscapes that he was always loved for. “Parallax” is minimalist at best, but it’s the element that works best for Cox. “Parallax” casts no shadow upon his past albums; with Cox, he gets better as he gets older. His love of ’60s pop and psychedelia mixed with a batch of folk-electronica somehow mesh incredibly well together. This shines through on his new album more than in past Atlas Sound albums. “Angel is Broken” is soulful; a song that contrasts its own sound from joyous to rude to heavenly. The loneliness of “Terra Incognita” couldn’t be any more isolated yet delicate guitar-wise while “Lightworks” takes cues from The Cars.

Cox may be socially awkward and shy out of the limelight, but the guy can write a damn good song like nobody’s business.

ONEOHTRIX/MEXICAN SUMMER

Oneohtrix Point Never “Replica” released Nov. 15

There’s nothing repetitive or even replicated for that matter when it comes to Oneohtrix Point Never’s most recent album, “Replica.” To be honest, there’s nothing really too musical about it. But that’s why I’m surprised with how enveloping and fun this album is to listen to. The brainchild of producer Daniel Lopatin, Replica is cinematic in its arrangement of samples and whizzing technological sound bytes.

With “Replica,” there is a lot to miss in one listen. With that, the nooks and crannies provide some ear-opening hooks that ask you to listen closely for a subtle beat here, a vocal sample there. The album takes on gloomy ’80s electronica and pieces it together like an intricate puzzle. Songs like “Power of Persuasion” and “Nassau” are hypnotic; just when you think they are about to collapse, everything gets pulled together again at the last moment. “Replica” is a pleasant surprise and easily the most unique album of the year so far.

THE BEACH BOYS /CAPITOL

The Beach Boys “The Smile Sessions” released Nov. 1

I’ve never met an individual who didn’t find the Beach Boys an instant match made in musical heaven. They, like the Beatles, are one of those bands that have laid the foundation for modern pop music and continue to influence everyone from Katy Perry to Animal Collective. That influence is continuing even further with the anticipated release of their lost 1966-67 “Smile Sessions.”

Complete with five CDs, two LPs, two 7’’s and a 60-page booklet, “The Smile Sessions” offer everything the Beach Boys ever wanted to you to hear and then some. “Sessions” contains rare golden nuggets with treasured outtakes that especially highlight the humor within the group.

Sound clips include Brian Wilson directing the session musicians what cues to come in on as well as laughing and jokes being said.

“The Smile Sessions” simply do more than make you smile; they make you become inspired yet upset at the same time knowing that another album will never be recorded like this again.

Williamsburg’s One-Stop Wonder: Movie Theater Meets Restaurant Meets Bar

By OLIVIA PERDOCH Staff Writer

Devouring a mouthwatering meal, seeing a brand new movie and ending the night at a bar for a few drinks, all with your favorite friends. What if you could do all of that in one fun and affordable place? Williamsburg’s indieScreen is just that: an independent movie theater, restaurant and bar, all in one—the perfect spot to take a date or out-of-town visitor and a potential regular weekend go-to for an allaround good time.

Complete with a 93-seat stadiumstyle theater and a sleek and shiny restaurant area with flat-screens, a full bar and a DJ booth, indieScreen is proving to be an innovative way to bring back the independent movie as a staple of American entertainment.

Since its opening in September 2010 and the addition of the bar one year later, other theaters have been trying to do the same thing and are finding the idea to be quite successful. Owner and artistic director, Marco Ursino, described it as “a sneaky way to bring back cinema.” He said, “I like to think that we started a trend. Right after we threw ourselves into this, other places started doing the same thing and I think it’s very cool.”

One of indieScreen’s most attractive traits is that many films are screened there before anywhere else.

When asked if he could talk about some of the movies being shown in the next couple of weeks, Ursino responded, “Not really.” And there is a precise reason. “As a choice, we decided to

MIKE URSINO/COURTESY OF INDIESCREEN

IndieScreen offers New Yorkers a venue for independent films complete with bar and restaurant.

keep ourselves as competitive as possible. Therefore, I won’t know until tomorrow what I can play next Friday— if I want the latest.” He said he could easily choose to screen movies that are already out in other theaters but much of the draw of indieScreen is that anyone can go to see the first-runs of new films for the price of a regular movie ticket (ten to twelve dollars).

However, it isn’t easy, even in hipster haven Williamsburg where everything indie seems to thrive. “Williamsburg is all about the music,”

Ursino said. “It’s known all over the world for indie rock. So this was really about educating the people to go and sit down in the theater again.”

Ursino knew that opening just a movie theater wouldn’t be enough.

Ursino, who has also been running the Brooklyn Film Festival for almost 15 years, has seen a lot of independent movie theaters die simply because the audience wasn’t large enough. “Opening a theater is a big shot in the dark,” he said. “Statistics are completely against you. But the very idea of as-

sociating more than one business—associating a restaurant and bar in the movies—I thought that could really be the key.”

And he was right. IndieScreen has been operating as a theater for a little over a year and has found a large audience in Williamsburg. The bar and restaurant were finished this September; offering an international menu, the restaurant has been bringing in a significantly larger crowd.

The space is also home to many independent film festivals—Ursino’s

Brooklyn Film Festival, the Williamsburg Film Festival, the Northside Festival, the Flicks Film Festival and the Imagine Science Film Festival all take place at the spacious and accommodating indieScreen.

For indie film aficionados, Ursino created the indieScreen Cineclub.

“The idea is that we want to have regulars and we want to have their input, not just their money at the gate,” he said. Right now, Cineclub membership is free. It’ll get you reduced price tickets, a weekly email update about new films and special events and access to an extended happy hour every day from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. (shots for two dollars, draft beers for three dollars and all other drinks two for one).”

Ursino is still expanding on the idea of a one-stop hotspot. “We are going to start to do some concerts— small stuff. Little concerts here and there,” he revealed. With price, convenience and uniqueness all working in its favor, it seems as though indieScreen is breaking ground in the Williamsburg arts scene and could soon become a widespread trend all over New York City.

IF YOU GO

indieScreen WHERE: 285 Kent Ave at S. 2nd St.,

Williamsburg, Brooklyn MORE INFO: www.indiescreen.us

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Arts & Culture

November 17, 2011 THE OBSERVER

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PHOTO FEATURE Runners and their supporters filled the streets of New York City’s five boroughs for the ING New York City Marathon.

SARA AZOULAY/THE OBSERVER

CHARLIE PUENTE/THE OBSERVER

MARIO WEDDELL/THE OBSERVER

SARA AZOULAY/THE OBSERVER

AYER CHAN/THE OBSERVER

KATHERINE FOTINOS/THE OBSERVER

MADDY CHAMBERS/THE OBSERVER

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THE OBSERVER November 17, 2011

Arts & Culture

13

PHOTO FEATURE

AI ELO/THE OBSERVER

AYER CHAN/THE OBSERVER

MARIO WEDDELL/THE OBSERVER

KYLE MORRISON/THE OBSERVER

CHARLIE PUENTE/THE OBSERVER

CHARLIE PUENTE/THE OBSERVER

MADDY CHAMBERS/THE OBSERVER

AI ELO/THE OBSERVER

Pictured above is the famous photojournalist, Joao Silver.

Silver was badly injured from an assignment in Afghanistan.

Features

November 17, 2011

THE OBSERVER

International Student Population Increasing FOREIGN STUDENTS FROM PAGE 1

can be for new members.”

Whether it’s international outreach or the great educational opportunities in New York City, international students are coming to Fordham for many different reasons. Filipino international student Katrine Alcantara, FCLC ’13 choose Fordham because it was located in New York City.

“I applied to other universities but what really got me to pick Fordham was the fact that it was in New York City,” Alcantara said. “It has always been a dream mine to live in NYC and Fordham gave me a chance to do just that. I wanted to study abroad.”

Transferring from a Jesuit university to Fordham, Alcantara found out about Fordham through posters on campus. “I went to a Jesuit university in the Philippines and I saw many brochures and posters of Fordham around my campus,” Alcantara said.

However, other students such as Chinese student Ayer Chan, FCLC ’15 found out about Fordham through word of mouth, “One of the alumni from my high school in Guangdong studied at Fordham University; she was my sister’s friend and she told me about the school,” Chan said.

Loving FCLC’s location in the Upper West Side of Manhattan, Chan decided to study at Fordham. Chan met Esser in Hong Kong and got a chance to bond with a Fordham official before she arrived in New York City. “I had a great time with her,” Chan said. “I still keep in touch with her.”

Zi Hui, FCLC ’15 from Hangzhou in China, learned about Fordham University though professional student agencies.

Although Fordham is not really known in Hangzhou, Zi decided to study at Fordham because it offered a high level of education and had a small population of international students. “Out of all

DARRYL YU/THE OBSERVER

Fordham University has seen a steady rise of international students over the last seven years.

of the schools I applied to, Fordham had the highest ranking,” Zi said. “However, the ranking wasn’t the most important thing, I choose Fordham because it had a small international student population. I didn’t want to come to America and just socialize with Chinese people; I wanted to learn about a new culture and improve my English.”

For the most part international students at Fordham University have had a great and unique experience. “Every semester it gets better and I don’t regret choosing Fordham at all,” Alcantara said. Similarly Zi loved being at Fordham but admitted to it being difficult at the beginning.

“At first it was very hard because like the local American freshmen the college opened us to a whole new world,” Zi said. Since I spent

3.1 %

4.5 %

2.1 %

Increase in foreign students from 2003-2010

Increase in foreign graduate students from 2003-2010

Increase in foreign undergraduate students from 2003-2010

FORDHAM INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS BY THE NUMBERS most of my school life in China the English language has been the most challenging part of being at Fordham.Sometimes I can’t understand the lectures.”

Chan likewise loves the variety that Fordham offers and takes classes at both Fordham campuses. “I love the campus on Rose Hill but I also love the location Lincoln Center has in the city.

However, Chan admitted there are others international students

that have a difficulty adjusting to life in the United States “Some of my other friends here at Lincoln Center [FCLC] are a little sad when they were first here,” Chan said. “Some of them found the culture very different and at the same time felt homesick.” Nevertheless Chan said that with the help of her RA and her friends they were able to adjust to the American culture.

With outreach programs and recruiting abroad it looks like

Fordham University will continue to diversify its student population with more international students.

Many foreign students initially may feel homesick when they first arrive. But as long as they are in a caring and understanding student community their integration into the university family will be very smooth. “Our applications have been steadily increasing over time and we are preparing to continue on that trajectory,” Esser said.

A Family’s Untraditional Thanksgiving Celebration

By JESSICA SENAT Staff Writer

I had Cheerios cereal for Thanksgiving dinner one yeart.

It happened once, during a bleary Thanksgiving afternoon, and I had slept for most of it. Realizing that I hadn’t eaten yet, I went downstairs and rummaged through the kitchen for a suitable “meal.” Filling up my bowl with Cheerios, I sat down and ate in silence while my sister and father slept.

This wasn’t an unusual occurrence; actually, it was normal for us to spend Thanksgiving like any other given day.

The meaning of the holiday never registered with my parents. Hailing from the small Caribbean island of Haiti, the idea of having a grand dinner on one particular day sounded absurd to them. What made this day special? It also didn’t help that my father hated turkey.

But as for me, I never shared those sentiments. I always wanted to have that grand feast, the traditional trimmings that came with a Thanksgiving dinner. I wanted the cranberries, the stuffing, cornbread and a big turkey waiting for me on the table.

More simply, I wanted my family to acknowledge Thanksgiving.

The lack of enthusiasm for the holiday in my own house drove me and my sister to try to find it elsewhere. We would go from house to

COURTESY OF JESSICA SENAT

Jessica Senat, FCLC ’12 (far right), says that Thanksgiving to her means more than a feast.

house , eating dinner with other relatives who celebrated the holiday. Although I enjoyed spending time with my aunts and uncles, I would always feel guilt creep up inside of me, reminding me with a grim bitterness that my parents were home and that I had ditched them in an effort to have a “normal” Thanksgiving.

I guess you can say I was a bit brainwashed; the stories that were told in elementary school captured

my imagination and manifested into a fantasy that I wished to make reality. I wanted long distance relatives flying over from different states and countries just to spend a weekend. I wanted to be involved in the Thanksgiving preparations: picking the right turkey, looking for the right recipes for cranberry sauce and stuffing and the search for Grandma’s secret pie recipe.

I focused on all the wrong things.

The food, the family dinners—“Isn’t that what Thanksgiving is all about?”

Obviously I was a bit deluded on the concept.

Until about three years ago. It was the holiday season of 2008. My mom finally had Thanksgiving off and I pleaded with her to try out something different that year. She gave in.

My mother wasn’t crazy about having a whole turkey on her table, so instead we sliced it into small

pieces. Despite his dislike for turkey, my father still showed his support with the occasional appearance in the kitchen to see how things were going.

We didn’t have dinner together.

We didn’t sit down at one grand table and share memories or jokes. We ate separately. We simply made different dishes to try them out and told each other what was good or what we shouldn’t ever try again (my dad hated the turkey as expected). My aunt came over to bid us a Happy Thanksgiving and dropped off some food before heading off to work. After eating we slept or watched football.

You would think that finally getting that dinner I always asked for was the reason why I would never forget Thanksgiving of that year. It wasn’t the picture perfect scene that I wanted. It was far from it. But what made this one of the best Thanksgivings was the effort put in to make it different. It was my mother asking me what I would like to make for dinner. It was my dad trying out the turkey just because I asked him to. It was my sister commending me for making dinner.

Thanksgiving isn’t about the things we do, but who we do it with.

It’s a lesson that took me way too long to understand, but I’m finally grateful or what I have. Whether we have dinner or sleep in this year, I’ll make the best out of my day with my loved ones.

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Features

November 17, 2011 THE OBSERVER

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FCLC Students Show Off Their Fashionable Side

By ARIELLE LHOTAN Contributing Writer

ARIELLE LHOTAN/THE OBSERVER

ARIELLE LHOTAN/THE OBSERVER

The Sartorial Commuter

EBay: The New Thrift Store

Cecilia Cannick, FCLC ’15

Tyler Wilson, FCLC ’11

Most residents at Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) get dressed in the morning knowing they only have to walk across the plaza to get to class and that a change of clothes is just a short walk back upstairs. For commuters, it’s an entirely different process. The weather outside and the weather inside Fordham (hello art wing tundra) are two factors that influence how a student will dress on a daily basis. Since commuters don’t have the luxury of “rolling out of bed” as Cecilia Cannick, FCLC ’15 puts it, they need to take more time carefully selecting outfits that are weather-appropriate as well as stylish. Cannick enjoys putting together an ensemble that is both comfortable and attractive since “you never know whom you will end up seeing” she explained. Although tights and denim shorts seem to be a ubiquitous fashion trend, Cannick opted for a black-grey, fitted version of the light denim cutoffs. Shorts are still wearable in the colder months, but a thicker material and darker wash may work better with heavier tops

and tights.

The black edges around the wrists and the neck break up the bulkiness of the sweater and add definition to the shape. Cannick’s leather belt is the perfect accessory to tie the outfit together and tailor’s the sweater so that it still shows off her figure.

Cannick’s Dr. Martens seem to be the boot of choice for many Fordham students, which she explained are especially good for commuting because of their comfort and versatility.

What’s great about the way Cannick wears her Dr. Martens is that they are reminiscent of the Chanel boots sported by many fashionistas and models alike, simply because the material seems well cared for. A worn-in boot definitely has an artsy vibe, but a polished boot can change the overall look of an outfit. The sheen of the boot is a nice contrast to the dense material of Cannick’s sweater as well. Topping off the look is Cannick’s adorable beanie, an item that she never leaves home without.

Tyler Wilson, FCLC ’11 spotted while waiting for an elevator, clearly has a penchant for bold, edgy pieces. The ombre blue sweater is a unique take on the hair trend that has been scattered throughout fashion magazines for the past year. Wilson purchased his ombre sweater at H&M for $50 and his Opening Ceremony shoes for $125. However, his real passion lies in scouring EBay for designer brands.

Wilson found his studded Givenchy pants for $25 and his Jil Sander bag for $50, marked down from $900. Although this sounds too good to be true, Wilson insists that it’s quite an easy process.

He suggests that when searching EBay for designer pieces at low prices, buyers should make sure they have access to several photos of the item and that the photos should be taken with the seller’s camera, not from another store’s website. Wilson also recommends that buy-

ers know their seller and if a particular seller does not have any feedback it’s a no go.

Aside from the insanely awesome deals Wilson got on his EBay finds, he successfully finds a balance between the heaviness of the sweater and the hugging fit of the pants. The whimsical feel of the sweater works well to offset the polished, edgy effect of the pants, making the outfit unexpected yet appropriate for a day to night transition. Wilson’s bag and shoes maintain the balance of the outfit because he keeps the bag simple but the shoes bold. His Jil Sander bag is a clean shape and classic color, which makes it wearable with any outfit. Wilson’s Opening Ceremony boots are a great example of how the right length of an ankle boot can completely elongate the leg rather than cut it off. Kudos to Wilson, for his good eye and EBay profit.

Twitter Data Shows Trends in User Moods Across the Globe

By KAREN LO Staff Writer

When Twitter first hit the social media market, its functionality was doubted and frequently mocked. In 140 or fewer characters, how could this sparsely designed platform hold a candle to more established forums, like Facebook or even the once-popular Myspace? Critics attacked the futility of a medium which seemed to accomplish such a menial task, or worse, warned of an impending Orwellian future. Twitter, with its suggested topics and hashtags to categorize tweets, might pave the way to the devolution of spoken language into Newspeak, the intentionally limited vernacular introduced in 1984, where it became impossible to criticize authority.

In fact, Twitter seems to have flourished inside the box. The challenge of a seemingly measly character limit has led to a surge of user creativity. What’s more, the once-humble startup has become a vital instrument of global consciousness. In the last year, Twitter became the voice of the oppressed during not one, but three revolutions, first in Tunisia, then Egypt, then Lib-

ya. As people joined together to overthrow tyrannical governments, local protests became national and global as public awareness grew through social media.

Twitter’s prowess has not gone unnoticed. A growing number of researchers have found success in using Twitter to measure and anticipate public mood about everything from which movies will do well at the box office to the fluctuations of the stock market. For instance, a study published in Science magazine on Sept.

30 of this year, found, not surprisingly, that people all over the world wake up in a good mood, but that good cheer evaporates throughout the work day, and returns in the evening.

Many at Fordham College Lincoln Center (FCLC) found it easy to agree that they generally started their days in a good mood, even if they faced a daunting schedule. “My mood in the morning usually depends on what I have ahead for the day. I usually try to be as optimistic as possible regardless,” Jessica Polins, FCLC ’14 said.

“If I’m in a bad mood I use it to vent.

Things I wouldn’t say on Facebook, I’d usually say on Twitter.” While

ILLUSTRATION BY SARA AZOULAY/THE OBSERVER; ERIC GOODWIN/MCT

Researchers discovered patterns in moody Tweets throughout the day.

Facebook is often home to friends and family members who might take offense to a bad mood, Twitter offers a certain protective obscurity in a user handle. A few chosen words can reach anywhere from select followers to the entire user network.

Nina Borovieba, FCLC ’15 agreed that she wakes up in a good mood, regardless of the rest of the day. Her Twitter activity is mostly reserved for good thoughts. “I find it easier to use when I’m in a good mood. When I’m in a bad mood, I just get frustrated with it,” Borovieba said.

The Science magazine study, which followed 2.4 million Twitterers in 84 different countries over two years, also mapped human cyclical moods and emotions, such as enthusiasm, alertness, anger and fear. While the study of emotional rhythms isn’t a new science, Twitter has provided researchers with an unprecedented opportunity to study human emotions globally and in realtime. In the hours following the death of Muammar elQaddafi, Twitter traffic out of Libya surged with tweets including “good” and “wonderful.”

In the United States, social scientist Johan Bollen had what he calls a “Eureka moment” when he discovered that emotional data attained from Twitter predicted the activity of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, with 86.7 percent accuracy. Although Bollen hesitates to claim that Twitter activity directly affects the stock market, he and fellow analysts have resolved to strengthen their research in Twitter’s forecasting power by eventually making investments based off Twitter’s mood data.

From celebrities with Twitter clauses in their contracts to first-time users sending a tweet into the vast digital sky, Twitter has empowered the technologically savvy to affect change.

Whether writing a simple tweet about being well-rested from sleep, or expressing solidarity for a cause in a faraway land, each thought submitted into the Twitter-sphere is a potential source of insight about human behavior. Information-hungry consumers and researchers alike stand to benefit from this fairly young, but formidable social platform, where human emotions can be studied in their unaltered form.

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THE OBSERVER November 17, 2011

Features

17

SARAH PRAZMARK/THE OBSERVER

Looking for a place to relax or hangout with some friends? Look no further than the cafes lined up along Hell’s Kitchen

The Must Know Swanky Cafes Around Hell’s Kitchen Area

By SARAH PRAZMARK Contributing Writer

Ever wanted a switch—up from the usual lunch? Or wanted to find a relaxing place to do some class work? Check out these cafes around Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) for the perfect getaway!

LE PAIN QUOTIDIEN The cozy environment of Le Pain Quotidien is the perfect place to gather a group of friends. The French bakery and cafe specializes in baked goods including tartines, fruit tarts and quiche, as well as an array of cheeses, soups and fresh salads. By also offering different vegan and organic options, Le Pain Quotidien is a wonderful healthy option for any meal. Make sure to try out the roasted turkey and brie tartine and a raspberry tart to top it off!

Location: 60 W. 65th St. at Columbus Ave.

V YNL

EATERY

ROOM SERV ICE

KYOTOFU

With a rockin’ vibe and groovy décor, Vynl is an fun place to spend your afternoons. The café serves as a time machine back to the rock and roll ages. Menus are made of album covers and old movies are playing on projected screens all around the restaurant.

With a variety of items including juicy burgers, creamy mac and cheese and fresh salads, you wont be disappointed! Not only do they whip up an amazing root beer f loat, but they also serve breakfast all day! Last but definitely not least, Vynl offers all different types of vegetarian options.

Serving up an awesome brunch, lunch and dinner, Eatery is the place to go for variety. The diversity in their menu will make anyone hungry. Ranging from fresh shrimp empanadas to irresistible braised boneless short ribs, there will always be a dish for you!

Don’t forget to add a side to your dish. They include edamame, risotto and hand-cut sweet potato fries. On top of the amazing choices in food, their crisp, cool atmosphere is almost as refreshing as their peach iced tea.

Room Service offers both mouth watering Thai food as well as a unique dining experience. It’s decorated with beautiful chandeliers, so you can’t help but look up every few minutes. The restaurant has the student budget in mind, as it has a great lunch special everyday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Starting at $6.90, the special includes a free appetizer and an entrée like pad Thai noodles or fried rice. On top of an awesome deal, Room Service can bring a little piece of Thailand to wherever you are. By providing free delivery, you simply can’t go wrong with this excellent deal!

This Japanese dessert bar offers the most delicious cupcakes, cookies and brownies. With f lavors including chocolate souff lé, matcha green tea and glutenfree banana poppy, there is a f lavor for everyone! Kyotofu has amazing baked goods as well as a unique soymilk soft—served ice cream. It’s low in fat, dairy-free and all natural. Flavors change monthly, so make sure to try the pumpkin before it’s too late. Not in the mood for dessert? They also have the most delicious, mouth-watering burgers, salads and noodles. Can’t make the trip to the cafe? Kyotofu baked goods are also available at Dean & DeLuca.

Location: 798 9th Ave. (53rd St.)

Location: 75 4 9th Ave. at 51st St.

Location: 690 9th Ave. (between 47th and 48th)

Location: Kyotofu: 705 9th Ave. (48th /49th) Dean & DeLuca: 10 Columbus Ave. (Time Warner Café)

The New IPhone 4S Gives Tech Lovers a More Reliable Smart Phone

By DAVID WALL Staff Writer

COURTESY OF APPLE

Many FCLC students have been raving over the iPhone 4S’s new interactive helper Siri.

The new iPhone 4S update caused quite a stir upon its release; some consumers were disappointed with the lack of a total overhaul, while others were excited by the new features.

Some students at Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) upgraded from the previous iPhone model, while others made a complete switch to the Apple phone.

Matt Petronzio, FCLC ’12, recently switched from his old Blackberry to the new iPhone 4S. Petronzio made the switch for more than one reason. “My contract was up for the Blackberry and it wasn’t working to the capacity that I wanted it to. I was having issues with email and texting so I figured the logical choice was to get an iPhone.”

Petronzio stated his main reason for buying the new iPhone was “the faster web browsing and app function.”

Petronzio said, “I heard good things about the phone and now I know why.”

Lauren Rushing, FCLC ’12, an intern at Good Housekeeping Research Institute in the consumer electronics engineering department got the rare chance to test the iPhone 4S before it hit the market. After testing different phones,

Rushing concluded that the iPhone 4S had the best apps and the most functional Google Maps tool.

Her favorite feature was iCloud, which allows the user, if they have a Mac, to back-up their files on the Internet and have them accessible from any other Apple product with an Internet connection. “This is something that is particularly useful for students. If your computer crashes and you have a paper due that day, you don’t have to worry about losing all your work; it’s all accessible through iCloud,” said Rushing. iCloud also provides a solution for those who find that they take too many videos and photos for their phone’s memory capacity. The iCloud service offers 5 GB of storage with the option to upgrade to more for a price. Overall, in Rushing’s experience, the iPhone is more reliable and easier to use than the Blackberry.

While there seems to be a clear distinction between using a Blackberry and using an iPhone, what about those who don’t have a Blackberry and are just looking to get a new phone or upgrade their old iPhones?

Alex Mitchell, FCLC ’12, and Joe Pellicone, FCLC ’12, believe the answer is Siri and the new HD camera. “The voice recognition is nearly

flawless,” Mitchell said. “Siri is awesome, but the kicker is the dictation.

I had never been much of a fan of touch keyboards, so the fact that I can speak text messages and emails has made typing secondary.”

Pellicone said, “I love Siri.

Words cannot describe my love for it; whether I’m telling it to call someone, respond to a text, find a restaurant, take a note or just play around, it is amazing.” Certainly Siri seems to have won over the old iPhone crowd, as both Mitchell and Pellicone had the old iPhone 3G. Both claimed this old iPhone was getting slower and generally underperforming, prompting them to look for a new phone.

In addition to Siri, Mitchell also praised the new HD camera. “The camera is incredible, it really has to be seen to understand how great the pictures are.”

Pellicone was also a fan of the new camera. “The camera is amazing. The resolution, the flash options and the ability to use a camera on the front of the phone make it so much easier.”

For iPhone 4S owners the Apple slogan should be, “Siri is great and so is the camera. And if that doesn’t impress you, at least we aren’t Blackberry.” The iPhone 4S is available at Apple stores and online starting at $199.

Features

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November 17, 2011 THE OBSERVER

www.fordhamobserver.com

CLICK AND TELL

Hot Dogs and Beer Set the Stage for Some Funny Business At this point in the date, he’s way too calm and polite. I find myself egging him on to expose his scumbag stage persona.

By DIANA KOKOSZKA Staff Writer

I have a date on Sunday with young comedian I met on a dating website. I shoot him a text to see what time he’s free, and he responds, “The Giants game should end around four, but to be safe let’s make it after six.” That triggers a round of bullets to my ego. I hardly come to expect chivalry these days (R.I.P.), but it would be great if my date could pretend he cares about impressing me. And since when is it socially acceptable to admit that you plan your real life around DVR-able events on TV? Had I texted him, “Sorry, there’s a new ‘Project Runway’ on at eight, can we reschedule?” I don’t think I’d have a shot at another date.

Comedian posts some of his jokes on the dating site, most of them are crude anecdotes about sleeping with fat girls. I look him up on YouTube before our date and his comedy routine oozes with resentment toward his father and insecurity about his appearance (think a chubby Elijah Wood with deliciously blue eyes). Watching it from my laptop gives me a serious case of secondhand embarrassment.

I anticipate an awful date and bank on hearing at least one rape joke over drinks.

I meet him at Rudy’s, because my fridge is empty and they give you a free hot dog with every drink. I get there early to scope out a seat, which is usually an issue when there’s free food involved. A few inebriated locals make me feel at home while I wait for the Comedian.

He’s running late, but I can’t be too upset; after all, he did agree to travel all the way up from Brooklyn to accommodate my hankering for a late night snack. I chat with my new friend John, a roughly 300 pound gentleman from either Maui or Hoboken. He can’t quite keep his story straight. He gives me some tips on my date and tells me to leave if he doesn’t bring flowers. John is a

DARRYL YU/THE OBSERVER

Rudy’s, famous for its cheap beer and free hotdogs, was the backdrop of a surpising date.

bit removed from the modern dating scene.

Comedian finally walks in and immediately offers to refill my drink. Conversation comes naturally and he keeps his R-rated material in his back pocket. John closely monitors our interaction. Comedian just got back from a crosscountry comedy tour, and I probe him about his act. I never got over

my stage fright from forgetting my lines in the first grade Christmas recital, and I’ve since acquired a huge fascination with performers. At this point in the date, he’s way too calm and polite. I find myself egging him on to expose his scumbag stage persona. He stops himself multiple times from slipping sexual innuendos into our casual conversation, backtracking with, “No, I shouldn’t

say that.” I pressure him anyway, and discover a creative collection of anal sex jokes. I ask him about his worst received stand-up material, and he tells me, “I promised myself I wouldn’t say any rape jokes on the first date.”

Towards the end of the night, he gets serious and says, “You know I need to tell you something about me that has been kind of a deal breaker

in the past.” Whoa, getting serious on the first date… he must have herpes. All I can think about is that he’s trying to tell me he has herpes and I scramble to formulate a proper reaction. Before I settle on a poorly conceived, “I’m sorry to hear that,” he pulls out an embarrassing ’90s era flip phone with that tiny little screen and sets it on the table. The online dating gods are high-fiving each other as I excitedly pull out my widely-mocked flip phone circa 2001. He explains that his phone has a limit on the number of contacts he can store, so to save my number he’d have to delete someone else.

This obsolete cellphone technology adds a new level of romance to our date that is just not achievable with the iPhone generation.

He encourages me to go through his phone to pick the unlucky number, and I spot an unusual and familiar name. The online dating gods are having a little chuckle as I realize that my date is friends with another guy I met through the dating website. I was actually really into this other guy, but he had blown me off just the previous week. I keep this to myself and innocently propose him as a deletion candidate. Comedian describes this guy as a “good friend,” and I scroll down further in my secret shame. I eventually key in my phone number on those big backlit buttons to replace someone named Ashley. We leave the bar and he grabs my hand on the way out. I remind myself to check the NFL game schedule when I get home so I can propose a second date.

DOT COM DATING

How To Avoid First Time Online Dating Mistakes

By REBECCA GEHMAN Staff Writer

them their picture doesn’t do them the justice they deserve.

You are sitting in a restaurant across from your date. It is your first meet-up in the real world; a few flirty online messages culminated into a hopeful dinner for two. Your date smiles at you, leans in close, puts one hand in your hair and whispers, “From your profile picture, I thought you would be more of a sandy blonde, not a brunette.” Online dating fouls can ruin any chance of a successful relationship.

These dating qualms and more inevitably arise when one enters the often brutal online dating ring.

While it would seem logical to prescribe to each online dater to simply be themselves online, it is even more important to stress that you be yourself in person.

All is unfair in love and online.

Here’s how to even-up the playing field:

. Don’t reveal how the site has been working for you or not. Just as you wouldn’t tell some one you met in real life how your single life has been heading so far, you shouldn’t fill them in on your online triumphs and woes.

1.

As noted in the anecdote above, do not under any circumstances point out physical trait “discrepancies” between a person’s profile picture and their in-person appearance.

A. It shows you only care about looks.

B. It’s just mean to tell someone right off the bat that they’re not living up to your expectations. If you tend to be “visually oriented” try to at least point out a positive: Tell

2

3. Don’t reminisce on your

online interactions, i.e., “I remember our first message...” or “I can’t believe you Facebook poked me that day...” Keep in mind that until you see each other in person, you still have not technically “met.”

4.

Don’t monologue. Of course at some point during the date you’re going to talk about yourself more than once, just make sure you leave time to catch your breath and room for questions to be asked. Even better, ask them questions; people secretly love feeling like they’re “In the Actor’s Studio.”

5

. Do practice self-deprecation.

Nothing says “I’m normal” like an embarrassing story about yourself.

Just make sure to laugh about it; don’t turn it into a pity-party.

6.

Do keep conversation, as Larry David would say, at a healthy medium level. This means no small-talk: “Did you subway or cab it here?” and no heavy-talk either:

Keep in mind that until you see each other in person, you still have not technically met.

“My therapist says I have compensation issues which are really rooted in...” No. Stop and save yourself.

Medium: not too mild and not too spicy.

At the end of the day, no matter how hard you tweak your online profile, it will not represent you fully. And it shouldn’t! You don’t want to have a personality that can be so easily JPEG-ed! The Internet is but a projection of what people really are. And if you know anything about Freud, projections are often very far from the reality of the person in the matter.

Of course, it’s hard to actually gauge a person’s personality online, so use this real-life meeting to focus on just that. Don’t be too disappointed when you can’t reconcile your cyber expectations to the person sitting across you.

You have made the leap from Wi-Fi to real-life and at the end of the day, your online existence is not binding. Don’t worry about trying to keep to the script, and similarly, don’t stress if your date doesn’t either.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY DARRYL YU/THE OBSERVER

Looking at someone’s dating profile is very different from actually sitting across from them in person.

Literary

November 17, 2011

THE OBSERVER

Students in Professor Lisa Gornick’s Writing Autobiography class share their Thanksgiving memories.

THE OPPOSITE OF SILENCE

By MARY SHEA MALONEY Contributing Writer

On Nov. 23, 2002, my hamster, Gunther Wheeler, died of asphyxiation. It was Thanksgiving Day. I had come upstairs in an attempt to hide from my mother who was furiously cleaning our house before the arrival of the extended family, and I hoped I could evade her long list of chores, none of which appealed to my 10-year-old self. When asked whether I wanted to polish the door handles, I muttered a quick “No, thank you” and shuffled up to my room before she noticed. But there he lay, my precious Gunther, his black eyeballs bulging out of the sockets, and his buck teeth still clinging to that fatal fiber of carrot that brought about his end. I got down to eye level with my pet, close enough that only a thin layer of Plexiglas separated us, and stared deep into his eyes. I could see the reflection of my own nose pressed against the cage. If only I had come sooner. He was on his back, and his tiny hands were raised above his body as if he died in the middle of a plea for help. I ran back downstairs.

“Mom, Gunther’s dead,” I gulped, unable to control my dramatic gasps for breath.

“Who?” she asked, not raising her eyes from the mountain of silverware before her.

“Mommmmmmm!” I exclaimed, stomping back to my room, determined to give the tiny creature a fair and proper burial. He was too young to die, I thought, already crafting what I knew would be a touching eulogy.

The guests arrived, and I was forced to leave my furry friend on my desk in the ornate shoebox casket on I created for him. I greeted my aunts and uncles with forced grins, as I hugged and kissed my way around the family room. My mom, however, was given only scowls. I resolved never to forgive her for this display of outright negligence.

I sat on the ground next to the coffee table and watched my family. Booming voices echoed through the room as my family exchanged stories, or embellishments, of past reunions. Everyone was crammed into my living room. It was hectic and loud and not at all what I wanted. I had eaten at my friend, Maureen’s house the night before, and I thought her family was perfect. An only child, she and her parents ate dinner at the same time every night. They took turns speaking and only used inside voices, sometimes no one saying anything at all. Maureen didn’t have a hamster, but her mother would never forget her fish’s name, let alone the fact that she had a fish. In my living room, we should have been sitting and talking like a normal family, but it seemed like everyone was just trying to yell over everyone else.

My dad, in a drunken attempt to help an aunt with a platter of hors d’oeuvres, spilled a glass of merlot over the newly upholstered couch. My cousin, also drunk, impersonated my dad and goofily thrust his arm outwards. He struck a lamp on a side table and it fell to floor where it shattered. The room burst into laughter. Both men were bent over, literally in hysterics at the stupidity of their actions. I couldn’t help but crack a smile. Something like that would never happen at Maureen’s house.

We finally ate dinner, an hour and a half behind schedule. Family members were scattered throughout three rooms, our dining room table being too small to accommodate so many people. My mom was the last to sit down. She took the seat next to me.

“I’m sorry about your hamster, honey,” she whispered into my temple, as she gave me a kiss. My eyes widened with the horrific realization of what she was talking about. I had totally forgotten about little Gunther Wheeler.

Over dinner, stories of the night were already being retold and exaggerated. My dad claimed the shattered lamp was a family heirloom, and my cousin swore he was pushed. The subject changed and people argued about sports, and politics, and global warming. Rarely was the discussion intelligent or focused. I couldn’t really follow any of the conversations, but I spent the night listening to the rumble.

The next day, my mom, dad, brother and sister helped me with Gunther’s funeral service. We buried his body behind the tree house, where it was exhumed only hours later by a hungry fox. I invited Maureen over that day, and she told me about her Thanksgiving with her parents. Apparently, it was very pleasant. I’m sure the rest of her Thanksgivings were, as well. I wouldn’t know; we drifted apart that year. I still think of her family as the embodiment of what is normal. Her house was big and clean, and her parents were nice and not the least bit embarrassing. When they spoke, it was in quiet voices. Instead, my family is obnoxious, rude and loud. We eat dinner in the opposite of silence.

I have plenty to be thankful for.

THE OPPOSITE OF SILENCE” RICHARD CROFT/ WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

20

Literary

November 17, 2011 THE OBSERVER

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THE KIDS’ TABLE

By NICK NUÑEZ Contibuting Writer

“THE KIDS’ TABLE”JOEY GANNON/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

I heard the familiar clank of Grandma’s cane slapping against the concrete hallway floor all the way from the living room couch.

She burst through my parents’ perpetually unlocked apartment door, and with little regard as to who was in the room, she dug into her bag and yanked out a birthday card and a plastic sack of about 500 NYC-brand condoms and tossed it on my lap.

“Es good for the AIDS. Happy bieerthday, Boo Boo.” “Es very good for the AIDS,” I responded in my Spanish-English hybrid that consisted of the 20 Spanish words I know. “Gracias, Abuelita.”

Looking up, I noticed that my oldest brother Lou and his new girlfriend Patti were staring at my pragmatic new birthday gift in horror. Before he could conjure an explanation for Patti, Mom quickly shuffled over in her cleaning frenzy, picked up my condoms, and without any thought, neatly arranged a handful in a cute antique tin for the bathroom. “Fucking 500 condoms, like the kid is some stud,” Mom muttered as she ran to the bathroom, placing the tin of contraceptives right next to the hand soap and the toilet paper. Patti looked mortified. I assured her that if she could make it until Grandma started passing out pre-dinner Xanax like party favors, she’d make it through her first Nuñez Thanksgiving.

My 21st birthday was the next day, so we were celebrating it during Thanksgiving dinner. Instead of being with my friends and college roommates, I was stuck with my family for the occasion. Each year, Mom’s side of the family—the Puerto Rican side—gathers at the spacious apartment in the basement of a fancy Upper West Side building that my father is given for being the superintendent. Every year, my parents swear that they will not host another year of rowdy Puerto Rican relatives. We all know that they will, but we stay quiet and let them think that one day they’ll be liberated from their hosting duties.

The usual relatives started funneling in one at a time: Aunt Eva (or “Eva the Diva” as I call her) and her husband Ray, Uncle Angelo (who was never that sharp but has really been off since a six-month coma that followed a car accident some years ago) with his daughter, and my two older cousins and their husbands. Once the ladies converged in the living room, they formed what I call “the Semi-Annual Council of Ailments and Suffering.” One of the women, usually Grandma or Eva the Diva, will begin to complain about her arthritis, and everyone else in the council will try to top it with sob stories of her own medical woes. The council then concludes with a short bragging session about how great each of their rheumatologists is and an exchange of prescription medications that the FDA would frown upon.

When it came time for the family to be introduced to Lou’s new girlfriend, I became almost as tense as my brother. Sure, she wasn’t my girlfriend, but I already knew the kind of judgmental glares my brothers and I could expect once my relatives started querying Patti about her Orange County upbringing. Lou carefully navigated the conversation around topics that probably made Patti equally uncomfortable—where she was from, what her parents do, where she graduated from, etc. But there was nothing he could do about how she looked. Patti dressed with the style, class and ease that were synonymous with a privileged background, and everyone could tell. Her polite and unpretentious demeanor made her likeable to our relatives, but there was no way she could know how closely she matched the long-standing stereotype our relatives had of us.

I thought we were out of the woods as we sat for dinner at our respective kids’ and adults’ tables. Then, suddenly, the stinging phrase that has been pounded into my head by my relatives for years was finally uttered for the first time that night: “Yo White Boy, now that you’re all grown up, you’re finally gonna go to a strip club or what?”

White Boy. That’s what Uncle Angelo had called my brothers and me since we were kids, and though he was always first to say it, he wasn’t the only one thinking it. My brothers and I were the only members of Mom’s side of the family not to be raised in or around the projects. We grew up in a huge apartment without having to pay rent or utilities because of Dad’s job. We never had to worry about getting mugged in the elevators late at night or being shot outside of our front door. We went to private schools with all the money my parents saved on rent, and we learned proper manners and social skills from observing the people in our neighborhood. We never learned Spanish because my parents were too busy working to teach us, and our only real connection to Puerto Rican or Latino culture was through the food on our Thanksgiving dinner table. As we grew older, we started to identify with our Puerto Rican and Cuban roots almost in a satirical way; I was even beginning to become embarrassed to identify with the ghetto Latinos I had seen near my relatives’ project buildings.

Our relatives always told us that we three boys were the smartest in the family. They were quick to brag to friends and co-workers about what high schools and colleges we attended. My two older cousins were cheering louder than anyone in St. Patrick’s Cathedral when I graduated from high school, despite having received their diplomas in small, run-down school churches. Everyone who knew Eva the Diva had heard that Lou was going to be the first person in our family to go to law school. To the outside world, they were as proud a family as anyone could hope for. But here, at the Thanksgiving table, we were treated differently. We at the kids’ table were kept at an arm’s length.

I ignored Angelo’s question about the strip club and listened to my relatives at the adult table. Uncle Ray bragging about a new stereo system he had installed in his used Mercedes Benz while simultaneously griping about life in the projects. Angelo still brandishing his 1960s Latino machismo after two debilitating knee surgeries. Eva reassuring herself that her knock-off Coach bag looks just as good as the real thing. All just noise to an outsider.

Dad came out with my birthday cake.

“Where do you want it?” he asked.

“There’s no room here,” Mom replied. “Put it on the kids’ table.”

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THE OBSERVER November 17, 2011

Literary

21

THANKSGIVING DISASTERS AND SURPRISES

By JOSEPHINE TROTT Staff Writer

Thanksgiving is an inherently awkward holiday. It’s like a starter holiday whose purpose is to get you into the holiday spirit, but there’s nothing really exciting about it. On Christmas or Hanukkah, you get presents; on Halloween, you get candy; and what do you get on Thanksgiving? Turkey...maybe. Plus, the holiday is loaded with the American fairytale of how the Pilgrims and American Indians were best friends. Personally, I think this was invented to shield children from the fact that all the American Indians got from giving the Pilgrims corn was probably small pox. However, all of this doesn’t mean that Thanksgiving can’t be a special occasion, but I don’t think it’s the history, the turkey or the American tradition that makes this Thanksgiving a holiday. It’s the intent of the people gathering.

In my family, we don’t put in a lot of effort to make the holiday about giving thanks, we don’t make the holiday religious as I’ve heard others sometimes do and we don’t buy into the commercial American Thanksgiving. It’s basically just an excuse to annoy each other and eat an obscene amount of food. But sometimes family drama can bleed into the holiday when it’s not wanted or someone moves away, which is always a bummer. Other times, we have a truly spectacular year when everyone is talking to each other and everybody shows up and something hilarious happens.

The best Thanksgiving by far, and it has since become family legend, was when I was eight and my mother tried to hold Thanksgiving at our new house. Of course, everyone disregarded the fact that we had just moved into this house which meant boxes everywhere plus broken appliances and faulty wiring left over from the previous residents. As usual, my aunts began drinking before the appetizers and my uncle, the best cook of the family, was late to arrive. My mom decided that it would be a good idea to start things herself. This exact moment, the moment when she decided this would be a good idea, still gives me some chills down my spine.

Here is a small side note about my mother. She never could cook very well, or I suppose the truth of the matter is that she never really cared to. Often she would just con my aunts into making food for her or she would just happen to ‘visit’ them at the most opportune moments... with me in tow, of course. When she actually tried to cook, her food was usually decent, at the very least it was edible, but most of the time she found something more interesting to do and would only be drawn back to the stove by the smoke alarm.

This series of events, which I fondly dubbed the Thanksgiving Disaster of the Year When I Turned Eight, began with a broken oven. How does one cook a 12 pound turkey in a broken oven? Good question. My mother decided that it would be a clever idea to put the (completely frozen) turkey onto our new grill. Of course, we didn’t have charcoal or anything to put inside the grill so that we could cook the turkey, but instead of going out and actually getting some, Mom decided to use bits of firewood left from our old house that for some strange reason she taken with her to our new house.

When we lit the bits of wood, the flames were nowhere near as large as we needed them to be in order to cook the turkey in time for dinner. The obvious solution?

Gasoline. You can imagine how this went. By the time my uncle arrived, the flames had consumed the tin-foil wrapped turkey and black smoke was pouring out of the grill despite my mom’s attempts to kill the fire by slamming the lid shut.

My uncle, however, has otherworldly cooking skills and by dinnertime he had miraculously managed to rescue the turkey from the grill and peel the tinfoil from the rough, blackened surface that was our bird. I remember anxiously waiting as my uncle performed careful surgery on the wreckage, slowly removing skin, and then...

Behold! A perfect turkey. Its meat was glistening and sweet, cooked to perfection and falling right off the bone. It was the best meal I can remember having. All of us in shock, some slightly singed and covered in soot, the smoking wreck of a grill visible from the dining room window. Drinks, laughs, food and more stories for us to tell in the future. There is nothing better. This moment. Perfection.

KYLE MORRISON/THE OBSERVER

Sports

November 17, 2011 THE OBSERVER

Under New Leadership, Women’s Basketball Primed for Success

By JOE SPARACIO Contributing Writer

A new coach hopes to bring a winning atmosphere to the Fordham women’s basketball team for the upcoming 2011-2012 season.

The Rams kicked off the year on Nov. 11 with a 59-42 loss against Albany. The loss showed that this year’s team, which is full of new faces, has a lot to learn.

Firstly, the Rams have a new coach this season, Stephanie Gaitley, who is excited to be at her new Fordham home. “I’m looking forward to coaching at Fordham and I’m very excited to change the culture,” Gaitley said.

Gaitley is here to help bring about a winning culture that Fordham has been lacking over the past few years. Gaitley is quite experienced, coaching teams at Monmouth, Long Island University, Saint Joseph’s University and the University of Richmond, notching a great 464-270 career record, including 12 20-win seasons.

The Rams are hoping for a turnaround from last season, when they went 12-19, finishing just 4-10 in the Atlantic 10 (A-10) conference. This disappointing record landed them in 10th place in the conference.

When asked how she hopes to improve the team’s psyche and maintain a winning record, Gaitley said, “By playing hard and playing smart. The kids will be working really hard to turn it around in a conference filled with veterans.”

That being said, it’s going to be a long process to help change the losing culture. The Rams have not had a winning season since 1995, and their last appearance in the NCAA tournament was in 1994.

Coach Gaitley acknowledged this, and said, “I know that there will be growing pains and ups and downs, but I tell the team that it isn’t about the record. We have to focus on getting better each and every day and we should be celebrating the little successes.”

The team will look very different from last year, as they lost six lettermen, including four starters. The team has 10 newcomers.

COURTESY OF FORDHAM SPORTS

Featuring a plethora of new faces, the women’s basketball team is ready to improve under new head coach, Stephanie Gaitley, this season.

Along with eight promising freshmen, there are two upperclassmen additions. Junior Erin Rooney, Fordham College at Rose Hill (FCRH) ’13, is a touted transfer from Monmouth University and graduate student, Marah Strickland, who played at South Carolina. The Rams five returning players include Becky Peters, FCRH ’12, last year’s leading scorer, who is hoping to help repeat this feat.

Fresh faces may be the recipe for a winning season, with new enthusiastic team members and a coach ready to make a statement in the conference. Gaitley said the team’s motto is “passion with a

purpose.”

It is important to play hard but also to play with heart. Gaitley wants her team to excel off the court as well. “Just as I want my girls to slowly play better and better each day, I also want them to do the same in the classroom,” Gaitley said. “If we can see that C turn into a B or that B turn into an A, that would accomplish one of my goals for the team.”

In order to begin winning again, the Rams have to focus on showcasing their strengths and improving their weaknesses. Gaitley focused on Fordham’s ability to shoot the ball and emphasized

the team’s strong midrange shooters. “We live and die by the outside shot,” she said.

While Fordham has strong shooters, they have to improve their defense from last year. Gaitley was an expert on defense at Monmouth, allowing less than 60 points per game each year, including a Northeast Conference best 55.7 last season. She hopes to transfer this defensive mentality to Fordham because close games take good defense. “It is important to have a defensive mentality at the very beginning of each game,” Gaitley said. “When games are close, details come into play, and

there is no excuse for not playing defense. More close games could have been won last year by staying focused and playing good defense.” With heart and smart playing, Fordham can begin the steady climb back towards the top of their division.

Realistically, time, practice and patience will slowly change the culture surrounding the Rams. It will not happen overnight, but the team is determined to improve upon last season’s record. Fordham women’s basketball team has an exciting season ahead, with a winning coach, returning stars, and promising freshmen.

Fordham Alum Rows His Way to the Pan American Games

By MONICA TYSON Staff Writer

Ryan Kirlin, Fordham College at Rose Hill (FCRH) ’09, joined the handful of Fordham athletes to go national, by rowing for the United States in the Pan American Games this October.

Described as “extremely focused and a very hard worker” by Ted Bonanno, coach of the Fordham crew team, Kirlin trained diligently to make himself into the athlete he is today.

Kirlin began rowing during high school in Philadelphia. “Rowing is a pretty big sport in Philly, so that’s why I got involved,” Kirlin said. His skill in the sport led him to the Fordham crew team where he made his presence known as a dedicated athlete.

While attending Fordham, Kirlin helped lead the team to two undefeated seasons, two Dad Vail Championships and a second place finish in the ergometer at the World Indoor Rowing Championships in Boston. As a senior, Kirlin served as team captain, bringing him a step closer to becoming a national athlete.

In the fall of his senior year at Fordham, Kirlin found himself competing in what he calls “one of the biggest races in the fall,” The Head of the Charles. The results of the race didn’t

sit well with Kirlin and his team, as they placed third. He decided to join the New York Athletic Club (NYAC) to get the elusive gold medal in the Head of the Charles the following year. However, the results of the race weren’t any different from the previous year, as Kirlin and his team from the NYAC placed third once again.

Kirlin took his third place finish as a catalyst to begin training, in hopes of joining the U.S. national team as a rower. Kirlin joined the national team and went to trials for the Pan American Games. In the trials, Kirlin and his team placed first, qualifying for the games.

The Pan American Games, also known as the Pan Am Games, is the second largest multi-sport event in the world, the largest being the Summer Olympics. This year the games were held in Guadalajara, Mexico, and took place Oct. 14-30. Fourty-two nations competed with over 6,000 athletes in total. The Pan Am Games have the same objective as the Olympics: nations go head to head competing for gold with their top athletes.

In their opening heat, Kirlin’s team ranked fourth out of five crews with a time of 6:33.93 and did not advance to the next round. Kirlin then competed in the Repechage race, known as the “A” race, where only the top two crews

qualify to move on. Kirlin and his crew started the race well, but faded after their hot start. “We held our position at second, but were passed

by Brazil around the half-way point,” Kirlin said.

Rowing in the lightweight men’s four, Kirlin and his crew from the NYAC finished third in their heat, ultimately missing a spot in the finals.

“In the B finals we did pretty well, having the best time at 6:27.79,” Kirlin said. “I’m grateful for my time spent in Pan Am and for the experience.”

While Kirlin trains continually, he also keeps a nine to five, or as he calls it “an eight to six job.” Between his training Kirlin has a day job at the New York Stock Exchange at Euronext. When asked about his training routine Kirlin replied, “I wake up at 4:20 a.m., and I’m on the water at least by 5:15 a.m. to get a two-hour run in.”

Kirlin will keep up his routine for the next three years, as he aspires to compete in the next Pan American Games and bring home a gold medal.

Ryan Kirlin, a dedicated athlete and a hard worker, thanked Bonanno for “everything he has taught me.”

Kirlin offered advice for aspiring national athletes at Fordham saying, “Go as fast as you can at the highest level, all the time.”

COURTESY OF THEODORE BONANNO

Kirlin is happy to have experienced the Pan Am Games, but he is still searching for the elusive gold medal.

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THE OBSERVER November 17, 2011

Sports

23

Work it Out: Tips to Lead a Healthy Lifestyle

By JASPER CHANG Staff Writer

MAX WOLLNER/THE OBSERVER

Exercising is a victory in battle, but eating right is what wins the war.

Both go hand-in-hand when it comes to getting in shape. The key to successful weight loss involves proper exercise followed by healthy meals. You can exercise for hours on end, eating whatever you want, but if you’re not running marathons or rushing to the touchdown line, you will only end up wasting your hard work and time by returning to where you started.

According to Prohealth.com, if you run at a pace of 12 minutes a mile for 30 minutes, you burn approximately 250 calories. Two hundred fifty calories may not seem like much, but that is equivalent to a bottle of soda, a Snickers bar, or three medium apples.

Though, a bottle of soda has the same calories as three medium apples, they are certainly not the same in nutritional value. Eating three medium apples will provide you with dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals. Whereas, a bottle of soda will provide you with just a sugar rush. When you have to choose between the two, the choice

should be clear.

Learning how to eat right can be a fun and interesting journey.

You become aware of what you are eating as you discover what it is made of, whether its contents are beneficial or harmful. Similarly, knowing how to exercise correctly is important because you learn how to avoid injuries while maximizing the allotted time.

The problem is most people don’t know where to begin their path toward a healthier body. A great start would be your abdominal and back muscles because these are the foundation to a stronger body. Here’s a three-part exercise targeting that area that will only take about an hour.

THE WARM-UP: 10 minutes

-Running on the treadmill -Jumping-jacks -Bicycling -Jumping rope -Hitting the punching bag

Any one of the above is a great warm-up. The warm-up is the most important aspect of any exercise because a proper warm-up reduces the risk of injury and gets the body into

gear. One of my personal favorites that prepares my body best is the punching bag.

THE WORKOUT: 40 minutes

Back :

-One-arm dumbbell row 4 sets of 10 repetitions -Face pull 4 sets of 8 repetitions -Pull-ups 4 sets of 8 repetitions

Abdominals:

-Weighted sit-ups (10 lbs. or less, or no weight at all is fine) 4 sets of 10 repetitions -Leg raises 4 sets of 10 repetitions

Check out the online article on Fordhamobserver.com to see how the workouts above are properly done.

THE COOL-DOWN: 10 minutes

-Stretches

After finishing a workout, it is important to stretch the muscles you worked out because this will increase your muscle’s flexibility, and you won’t end up looking stocky.

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Ice Hockey Skating Toward Another Championship

By RANDY NARINE Sports Co-Editor

The Fordham men’s hockey team’s season is off to another fast start, as they are tied atop the conference for the third straight year.

The Rams have had great success over the past two seasons, winning the Metropolitan Collegiate Hockey Conference (MCHC) in 2010 and losing in the championship game last season. Co-captain Terrence McGinley, Fordham College at Rose Hill (FCRH) ’12 feels this year’s team is just as strong and will continue to build on momentum the team has garnered over the past two years.

“I expect to finish first in the conference and win the whole thing,” McGinley said. “We’ve already been there; we were in the championship game two years straight years and the taste from last year’s loss is still in our mouths. I don’t expect any losing streaks and I can’t say we’ll win out, but it’ll be darn close.”

The Rams are an impressive 9-2-1 overall and have a 5-1-0 conference record. The team began this strong run by opening the season on a high note, capturing the Aston College Showcase Championship.

“The showcase is great way to start the year because it jumpstarts the season,” Coach Rich Guberti said. “It gets the team to bond over that weekend, getting to know each other and acclimating the new fellas onto the team.

We start our regular season with five games already under our belt and it creates a really successful situation for us.”

The Rams built on this performance by starting conference play with a four-game winning streak.

Guberti credited the strength of the team as having a group of players who are “very coachable, willing to listen, don’t think they know it all and are willing to learn.”

However, the games haven’t all been strong performances as the Rams followed up their winning streak by losing to Hofstra 7-3. “That game showed one of our biggest problems,” McGinley said. “We start slow and dig a hole that’s too deep to get out of.”

Guberti added, “I think we ran

COURTESY OF FORDHAM HOCKEY TEAM

Under Coach Gubierti, the Rams are tied for first place in the conference and are ranked 15th in the Atlantic.

into a hot goaltender who just happens to be my son. It was an example of facing a team we thought we were better than. We were overconfident.

We didn’t train properly; we outshot them but we just lost.”

The team rebounded from this poor showing by winning their next game and earning an American Collegiate Hockey Associate (ACHA) Division III ranking. The Rams’ number 15 rank in the Atlantic is the team’s first ranking in a few years, but one they felt they deserved long before this national recognition.

“I think its great, but I think we’ve always been this good,” McGinley said. “Because we play in a weak con-

ference, the board tends to disrespect us. When you enter tournaments like we did in Aston, the point is to get ranked. You play teams outside of our your realm and prove that you’re legit.

Now we feel like we got to back up the ranking.”

Backing up the ranking is just what the Rams did. In a thriller of a game against number 13 ranked Fairfield University, the team was pushed to the brink, but snatched victory in a 10-round shootout.

“That game was a masterpiece,” Guberti said. “We had just gotten ranked and got to play Fairfield. They are a fantastic hockey team that came out flying. Even though they outshot

us, we found a way to score. It was a really great game, good competition and exciting hockey.”

Craig Hoffman, FCRH ’12, has been a rock at starting goalie for the team all season and was masterful stopping all 10 shots in the shootout.

When asked about Hoffman’s success, McGinley said, “He’s a senior who has been around the block. He doesn’t get rattled. When I talked to him after the shootout he said he wasn’t nervous and didn’t feel pressure. He was excited and you need that.”

The Rams have a good shot at taking their conference crown. However, qualifying for regionals will still be a difficult task because of a lack of

ranked teams in their schedule.

If they do make it, Guberti said, “I think this team could compete at a regional level. My goal for the future is to get this program to go regionals and qualify for nationals.”

Going forward the team is going need great play from their secondary lines if they are to make their dream of another conference championship a reality. “Secondary scoring is going to be the X factor,” coach Guberti said. “We have a fantastic first line and we need scoring from the second and third line. We’re not team of superstars. We play a system that everyone buys into and sacrifices for, and I’m proud of them.”

Get Down and Dirty Welsh Style: Bog Snorkeling

By DARRYL YU Features Co-Editor

For many of us, snorkeling is a lovely activity we do when vacationing on some distant tropical island. But for people in Wales, snorkeling is used as a way to separate the men from the boys in a sport called bog snorkeling.

Bog snorkeling involves three key ingredients, a snorkel, a bog (a muddy swamp) and an individual who has no shame embarrassing himself for the greater good of mankind.

Founded during an over-thepub conversation in 1976 near Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales, bog snorkeling consists of competitors completing two consecutive lengths of a 60-yard water filled trench, cut through peat bog. Competitors must wear snorkels and flippers, while completing the course without using traditional swimming strokes, such as freestyle and breaststroke. The participants aim to complete the course in the shortest possible time relying solely on flipper power.

Nowadays bog snorkeling has a huge following in Wales; it is even the site of the annual World Bog Snorkeling Championship. First held in 1985, the event takes place annually in the dense Waen Rhydd peat bog. It now fetches up to 200 entrants each year. This year’s 2011 champion Andrew Holmes broke the world record, finishing the bog

“ If I were to see a

swamp, the last thing I would want to do is put my body in it.”

ALANNA PARISI, FCLC ’12

RUDGR/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Bog snorkelers must complete the course without using traditional swimming styles. They can only use flippers.

course in a minute and 24 seconds.

Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) students had interesting thoughts on this fascinating athletic activity. Some students weren’t keen on trying the sport but

were intrigued by it. “I don’t think I’ll ever do it,” Katrine Alcantara, FCLC ’13, said. “Kind of reminds me of people in Iceland taking baths in mud for beauty, which is very interesting.”

Others found the sport to be “hilarious.” “I have to wonder who even thought this up, because if I were to see a swamp, the last thing I would want to do is put my body in it,” Alanna Parisi, FCLC ’12, said.

“I would definitely try it as long as I get to wear a sumo wrestling costume; it just seems appropriate.”

Some students didn’t see the appeal in such a sport but would try it if given a chance. “I don’t see the point—it’s just falling into muddy water and swimming,” Evan McArthur, FCLC ’14, said. “But I would try it depending on how the water smelled.”

Despite its weird and unnatural character, bog snorkeling is slowly spreading internationally. Aside from Wales, Australia and Ireland have taken the sport further by incorporating bikes in the annual bog snorkeling triathlon. But it’s not just fun and games in bog snorkeling, the sport has also been used to raise money for charities such as Cystic Fibrosis Trust and the Motor Neurone Association.

So whether if it’s for a good cause or just plain competition, bog snorkeling takes a unique sport and goes to show that a little ordinary pub conversation can lead to a new fun-filled activity.