The Hofstra
HEMPSTEAD, NY VOL. 79
Issue 4
Chronicle
THURSDAY october 3, 2013
KEEPING THE HOFSTRA COMMUNITY INFORMED SINCE 1935
LI candidates debate sustainability Four local experts probed the contenders on environmental and community growth issues By Lauren del Valle staff writer
Students and community members packed the Student Center Theater to watch Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano and Democratic candidate Tom Suozzi debate sustainability Wednesday. The New York League of Conservation Votes Education Fund (NYLCVEF) and Hofstra’s National Center for Suburban Studies hosted the panel forum of four local experts who probed the contenders on environmental and community growth issues. Approximately 300 people attended the event. Local notables such as Fox News contributor Chris Hahn were among the crowd. Larry Levy, Executive Dean of the National Center for Suburban Studies, moderated the debate. The forum allotted each candidate 30 minutes on the floor during which the panel posed questions for which the candidates had two minutes to answer. Neither candidate was allowed to listen to other’s responses. Suozzi spoke of the need for Nassau County to recognize that leadership, cooperation and faith in the greatness of Nassau County are needed to make his visions reality. Adrienne Esposito, panelist and Executive Director for Citizens Campaign for the Environment, focused her questions on the water contamination, which has plagued Nassau County for years. She specifically addressed
Che Sullivan/The Chronicle
Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano speaks before panel forum of local experts on environmental and community issues.
the Northrop Grumman Plume in Bethpage and the Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant. The former contaminates the water source with oil that has seeped into the soil and the latter due to destruction from Hurricane Sandy allows sewage to reach the Massapequa water source.
Suozzi proposed that he would use local, state and federal government resources to intercept the contamination before reaching water sources. Mangano pointed out the “Sewage Treatment Master Plan” already in place. “The only good thing about
Superstorm Sandy is that nothing that was proposed would have saved the treatment plant from the nine foot tidal wave,” said Mangano. “Now is the time to start over.” Bethpage resident Liz Cotton attended the event specifically to hear about the water contamina-
tion issue. “I live very close to the plume. I live in the number streets where they were drilling when they first found out about it,” said Cotton. “I have kids that are growing up in that town and it’s a problem.” Cotton was pleased with Mangano’s track record as county executive and how he answered the panel’s questions. Alternatively, she felt Suozzi was vague and indirect in his responses. Panelist Chis Capece, the Senior Development Director of Avalon Bay Communities Inc., questioned the candidates on community growth. Nassau County has been in the process of enacting a three-phase plan to develop the acreage around the Nassau Coliseum into “The Hub”. Mangano has collaborated with President Rabinowitz, Nassau County Community College and local businesses to create a plan for footbridges and safe crossings. A developer, operator and $229 million in funding have been approved thus completing phase one. The next two phases will include working with the Nassau Police Department to create parking lots and utilize the land to build a marketplace, incorporating local business, entertainment and academia. The forum ended after two hours of discussion. The NYLCVEF thought the turnout and dialogue led to be a success.
A 2 • October 3, 2013
NEWS
The Chronicle
“Covering Suburban Poverty” Hofstra hosts journalism conference
Photo courtesy of Kelley Green Trudi Renwick, of the American Census Bureau, speaking to students about poverty’s effects on Long Island during the “Covering Suburban Poverty” conference held at Hofstra University last week.
By Marisa Russell
special to the chronicle
Falling into poverty has become a rising issue in the middle class, and it is an issue that many find close to home on Long Island. Carol Fletcher, chair of the department of journalism, media studies and public relations, said that the local relevance of poverty, here in the region of America’s first suburbia, was one of many reasons why Hofstra was able to host its part of the national “Covering Suburban Poverty” conference series. The conferences, which concluded for the University last Friday, Sept. 27, were hosted by the McCormick Foundation, a national group that develops journalism programs for the education of the general public. The foundation picked sites where it could host multiple, specialized reporting institutes and
train journalists and the public in ways to cover timely issues of importance. Kelley Green, a journalism graduate student, said that the impact of suburban poverty should not be taken lightly. “Poverty is a hidden issue, especially in the eyes of education… [I]t does affect students who do anticipate going to college. They may find it’s something that’s unaffordable to them,” said Green. In both Nassau and Suffolk counties, the level of poverty has grown by almost 50 percent, according to Trudi Renwick of the American Census Bureau. This increase affects local students, as well as students from other areas looking to study at a Long Island college. It has also forced many students to rethink their financial decisions. “I have friends that have been to a good school and had to
transfer to a state school or a community college because they couldn’t afford it any more, even though they had the grades,” said Emily Levine, a freshman public relations major. “By the time I’m out of college, I’m going to have so much debt that – no matter how good of an education I’m equipped with – I’m not going to be making enough to pay it off soon.” In today’s society, a college education is essential to bringing the overall level of poverty down, according to Fletcher. “College education is critical to making a livable wage in this country,” said Fletcher. Rising poverty levels in the middle class affect national trends in the quality of education and in enrollment. Poverty levels also determine how, where or when students will have the option to attend a college. And, once a student finds a college
that they can afford, struggling with the daily strains of poverty makes it harder for that student to stay in college. “You have students now that are coming to campus, where they have to do a job or two jobs on campus as part of their financial aid package and they have a job on the outside,” said Fletcher. Undergraduate education is already becoming the new norm to replace a high school degree, which then pressures students to work towards a master’s degree. But, with poverty across the nation increasing by 0.8 percent in the last year, financially attaining those higher degrees can be impossible, according to Renwick. In the past 10 years, poverty in the suburbs has gone up by 44 percent. Michael Hanley, a civil rights lawyer at the Empire Justice Center in New York, said that the best way to analyze poverty is to examine a wide range of factors. “If you look at all of the factors that affect education, the one thing that is consistent is [that] where there are high levels of poverty, it will affect education,” said Hanley. Falling into poverty or being considered poor scares many students out of pursuing a higher education, according to Green. And these experiences can affect college decisions as well as student dropout rates. But even as run-ins with poverty discourage some students from higher education, Fletcher sees students at Hofstra who are dealing with financial difficulties and still insist on obtaining their degrees despite those challenges. Seeing those students’ experiences, she said, has taught her something about this generation’s perseverance in the face of poverty. “I have so much respect for my students when I see all the things that they have on their plates because of the [bad] economy,” said Fletcher.
The
Chronicle www.hofstrachronicle.edu
203 Student Center (516) 463-6921 Editor-in-Chief Samantha Neudorf Managing Editor Sophia Strawser Business Manager Jake Nussbaum News Editors Magdalene Michalik Ehlayna Napolitano Entertainment Editor Katie Webb Sports Editor Sean Williams Assistant Sports Editor Mike Rudin @ Hofstra Editor Jana Kaplan Editorial Editor Jacquie Itsines Copy Chief Ben Suazo Photo Editor Noa Kempinski The Chronicle is published every Thursday during the academic year by the students of Hofstra University. The Chronicle is located in Room 203 Student Center, 200 Hofstra University, Hempstead, N.Y. 11549. Advertising and subscription rates may be obtained by calling (516) 463-6921. The Chronicle reserves the right to reject any submission, in accordance with our written policies. All advertising which may be considered fraudulent, misleading, libelous or offensive to the University community, The Chronicle or its advertisers may be refused. The products and opinions expressed within advertisement are not endorsed by The Chronicle or its staff. Each student is entitled to one free copy of The Chronicle. Additional copies are one dollar each and can be paid for in The Chronicle office.
The Chronicle
NEWS
October 3, 2013 •
A3
Make ‘Em Laugh:
Ansari entertains Hofstra By Amanda Valentovic special to the chronicle
Aziz Ansari is most recognized as confident businessman Tom Haverford on NBC’s “Parks and Recreation,” and more recently from his own stand-up comedy shows. He made Hofstra students and families alike laugh on Saturday night when he brought his talents to the Out Loud comedy show at the Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex. The event marked the return of the comedy show, which had not been held since Fall Festival 2011. “Last year, we were prepping for the debate,” said Vice President of Student Affairs Sandy Johnson. “They were building the stages and platforms near the arena, and that is the only place on campus that can hold that many people.”
With no debates this year and high demand, Out Loud made a comeback. Student input was considered in the efforts to bring a comedian to campus. “Students are the largest participants,” said Johnson. “We worked with students and groups like HAHA Hofstra to put together a wish list. It just happened that Aziz Ansari was at the top of their list. The stars were in alignment and he had availability, and we’re very excited.” Freshman Paige Greenleaf was one of the students who won the chance drawing to meet Ansari. “We had to sit in a certain section, and then we got to take a group picture,” she said. “He was really nice.” A “Parks and Recreation” fan as well as a fan of Ansari’s standup work, Greenleaf enjoyed the show. “He was funny; it was interesting how he could talk about
one thing for so long and make it interesting.” Nick Proto, a freshman film and TV production major agreed. “I think Aziz really hit home with his message about texting and relationships, as well as delivering a funny show to the audience,” he said. “Aziz is one of those very fast rising stars, he’s been acknowledged for his work on ‘Parks and Recreation,’ and has a series of stand-up shows. He’s a really interesting and fascinating person. I think this is a really exciting thing to have happen on our campus,” Johnson said about having such a well-known figure visit Hofstra. “We don’t anticipate it going anywhere,” Johnson said when asked if the show will stay a permanent fixture of Fall Festival. “It really appeals to alumni and a good portion of families.”
Photo courtesy of University Relations Aziz Ansari, star of NBC’s hit comedy “Parks and Recreation,” performed at Hofstra’s Out Loud Comedy Show during Fall Fest on Saturday.
Unclear future for current minimum wage By Sean Mulligan
special to the chronicle
Minimum wage has the potential to be $18 an hour. Hofstra’s Labor Studies Program and the Department of Economics commemorated this year’s 75th Anniversary of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 by hosting a forum on minimum wage and wealth inequality. James Parrott, co-director of the Fiscal Policy Institute and Gregory DeFreitas, HCLAS chairman, hosted the forum. The forum was initially expected to feature District of the U.S Department of Labor’s Office on Long Island Irv Milioner, but he was unable to attend because of the recent government shutdown. The Fiscal Policy Institute is an independent organization based in Albany and New York City that researches New York State’s tax system and fiscal situation. The FPI also publishes a biannual report on the economic situation for New York’s working
population. DeFreitas understood that young people have been hit the hardest by the economy. “The last five years and the fraction of young people with jobs in Long Island, NYC and actually nationwide, is at historic lows and more and more young people when they try to get jobs, the best they can get is part time jobs,” said DeFreitas. “Nationwide there has also been an effort to raise the national minimum from $7.25 an hour to $10.10 an hour, by 2015 but now that’s been shoved aside by the vicious policy battles in Washington [DC],” DeFreitas said. James Parrott, co-director of the Fiscal Policy Institute, said that states have begun to focus on helping the unemployed and underemployed through their own efforts that focus on minimum wage reform. “US Productivity has grown 1.7 percent since 1970,” Parrott said. “If minimum wage kept up
with this growth of 1.7 percent, minimum wage would be $18 an hour.” Nick Bourgade, junior management major, believed that an $18 an hour minimum wage would be too high. “I feel like there should be a difference in minimum wage and living wage. You have enough money to get a decent apartment and eat three square meals a day [with $18 an hour],” Bourgade said. “Minimum wage should be for teenagers. I think $9 an hour is fair for that.” Raymond Navarro, senior legal studies and business major, was fine with the current minimum wage and believes that there are many opportunities to find higher paying jobs. “For the time being, yeah, it gave me a job and the next year I got a job at Ikea at $9 an hour,” said Navarro. Earlier this year, New York State enacted legislation which would enforce employers to give minimum wage employees
$9 an hour by 2016. However, Parrott criticized New York State’s minimum wage reform attempt because it has no provision for tipped workers, stranding workers such as waiters at the state tipped minimum wage of $2.25 an hour. Parrott also called the legislation’s, “Minimum Wage Reimbursement Credit,” purpose into question because the state would only offer tax reimbursements to employers who paid exactly minimum wage. If an employer gave a minimum wage employee a raise, the employer would not be entitled to a tax credit. “Businesses will get $0.75 for every hour a 16-19 year old works at minimum wage. This gives businesses the incentive to cap wages at the low end and not offer raises as often. In a hypothetical situation, Walmart could make $85 million in tax reimbursements for keeping employees at minimum wage,” said Parrott. “Something as per-
verse as a tax credit to employers who get rid of adult workers and employ younger workers, and pay them right at the minimum wage. This should be an embarrassment to Albany,” added Parrott. Parrott argued that pairing New York State’s minimum wage with inflation indexation could strengthen the state’s economy. “It could restore lost purchasing power and raise the wage floor for low wage jobs. It’s targeted to help low income families and it wouldn’t cost jobs. It would actually be important in maintaining wages and addressing income inequality,” explained Parrott. Parrott concluded from data collected by the Fiscal Policy Institute that one out of six Nassau County workers would benefit from minimum wage increases. “An estimated 112,000 Nassau County residents will benefit directly or indirectly from this year’s minimum wage increase,” said Parrott.
NEWS
A 4 • October 3, 2013
The Chronicle
Senate tackles student campus life issues By Chris Owens
special to the chronicle
The Student Affairs Committee of the University Senate met again to discuss the four most pressing issues that students are facing on campus: ID card replacement, residents getting locked out, the smoking ban and commencement speakers on Wednesday. The Student Affairs Committee discussed the issue of Hofstra Card Services replacement fee for misplaced IDs. Students at Hofstra have to pay a $50 replacement fee for a third offense, unlike Columbia, Malloy, LIU, Stony Brook and Nassau
Community students, who pay a maximum $25 replacement fee per lost ID. “As if coming to Hofstra isn’t expensive enough,” said Andrea Vega, freshman film production major, “This school should get real.” Similarly, residents have been getting locked out of their rooms more often. Public Safety is being called to open doors by a large number of students, which Public Safety sees as an inconvenience. There is a fee for calling Public Safety to open the doors but it is not enforced as of late. If this remains an issue,
fees could be presented to repeat offenders. The committee moved to a more pressing and controversial issue: the smoking ban on south side of campus. The Student Affairs Committee came up with
ing” signs and signs directing smokers to go off campus or to California Avenue, which is public space. If the problem of smoking on south side continues in the future, offenders could see fines enforced by Public Safety. “This is a huge issue that affects where students live,” said sophomore Sam Angles, a legal studies and business major living on campus, “People need to hear about this.” The Student Government Association hopes that by adding this issue to a ballot, more people
“As if coming to Hofstra isn’t expensive enough... This school should get real.” solutions for the ongoing problem of the tenuous smoking ban enforcement. They came up with a range of ideas including designated smoking areas, more “no smok-
will take presence in this matter and a solution can be reached. The Student Affairs Committee is also looking at other examples, like City University of New York schools that have implemented smoking bans. The meeting concluded with the issue of having a student speaker at graduation this year. This will be discussed further at the next Senate meeting. “We have a very strong student representation here,” said William Finnegan, senior and Chair of the Hofstra University Senate Student Affairs Committee, “I’ve worked with some members of the committee for years. They’re great [to work] with.”
Public Safety Briefs Compiled by Ehlayna Napolitano
PS responded to the sixth floor of Axinn Library on September 26 after a student reported that an individual was touching himself inappropriately. PSOs approached the non-student, who was later taken into custody by the Hempstead PD. On September 26, an RA on rounds in Estabrook smelled marijuana. PS responded, entered and found four students inside. Marijuana residue was found in open view. It was then confiscated and summonses were issued to all four students.
A PSO assigned to a party at Hofstra USA observed a student steal a candy bar from Dutch Treats on September 28. The bar was recovered and the student was issued a summons. PS responded to Estabrook Hall for two individuals trespassing. Two male non-students were apprehended and banned from campus.
A Hofstra administrator in Hagerdorn Hall reported to PS that when she arrived in her office on September 27, her MacBook computer was stolen. An investigation is being conducted. A fire alarm was pulled in New York House on September
27. PS responded and a search of the building revealed that the yielded no results.
On September 28, PS was notified that two residents in Utrecht House were having ongoing disputes about living together. One resident moved rooms. A Suffolk Hall RA reported a strong odor of marijuana on September 29. PS responded, entered and found the room
unoccupied. The smell of marijuana was still present, however, and three knives were found in plain view. The knives were confiscated and the students will receive summonses upon their return. A student stated that he had left his wallet, room key and phone in an unlocked locker in the Fitness Center. Upon returning, he found his property missing. Police assistance was declined at this time.
A student reported that between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. on September 30, she parked her vehicle in the Law School lot. When she returned to her car, she observed that it had been scratched and dented on the passenger side bumper. Police assistance was declined.
The Colonial Square West Security Booth reported to PS that a male entered the hall, refused to show ID and proceeded to a room in Williamsburg House. The non-student was banned from campus. The student inside the room was issued a summons for the actions of the guest.
PS was notified on September 30 that graffiti had been discovered on the bathroom door in the lower level of Axinn Library. A search was conducted, which proved negative. The Plant Department was notified for cleanup.
On September 29, PSOs
SGA WEEKLY WRAP UP Compiled by Nico Machlitt
apprehended a non-student attending the Cosmos game for acting in a disorderly manner. He was escorted to the HIC and banned from campus.
A student in Bill of Rights discovered that two pairs of
jeans and a shirt were removed from the student’s laundry basket. Police assistance was declined. Two roommates were reported to be harassing each other in Orange House on October 1. Temporary room changes were instituted. A Hofstra student in Estabrook Hall discovered upon his return to the laundry room that one basket with his clothes was missing on October 1. Police assistance was declined.
Key PS- Public Safety PSO- Public Safety Officer RA- Resident Assistant PD- Police Department HIC- Hofstra Information Center
• Rhythmix is the newest club to be SGA recognized. It is a tap dance club, to educate people about tap it will also hold classes. They may even go see some tap shows in the city.
The Chronicle
NEWS
October 3, 2013 •
A5
Fall Festival Homecoming Float Parade 2013 From top left going clockwise: Star Wars float built by Delta Phi Epsilon and Sigma Pi; Alpha Epsilon Phi sisters; The Wizard of Oz float built by Delta Gamma and Phi Delta Theta; Alpha Phi and Delta Chi homecoming sign; Parade float first place prize Toy Story float built by Hofstra University Habitat for Humanity campus chapter, Student Government Association and Resident Student Association; Pirates of the Caribbean float built by Alpha Phi and Delta Chi. Photos Courtesy of University Relations. Designed by Noa Kempinski and Katie Webb.
A12 • October 3, 2013
EDITORIAL
The Chronicle
Dorm temperatures out of students’ control By Hayley Marks Special to the Chronicle
For the first two weeks of the semester, students had the ability to control the overall temperature in their dorm rooms. When it got too chilly for comfort, we could simply turn the fan down a notch or shut the unit off altogether. We no longer have that freedom, as the campus has turned our air conditioners into heaters.
This switch is a good idea in theory - we can have cool air bursting through the vents during the warmer months and warm air during the colder months. But whoever made the executive decision to turn on the heat could have waited at least another month. Long Island temperatures are not consistent. One week in September had a high of 68 degrees and a low of 40, and the next week, a high of 82 degrees and a low of 60. We don’t need heat in our rooms when the heat outside is already sweltering. Even with the heat turned off, there is still hot air seeping out of the vents, which gets trapped inside of the rooms and made worse by the sun shining through the glass windows. I’ve had to keep my window open on multiple occasions to avoid sweaty, sleepless nights. In addition to general discomfort, students have also noticed that their food is melting
due to the warmth engulfing the room. But recently, the school changed our vents yet again, reverting back to the cold air that we had in the beginning of the semester. Instead of interchanging the ventilation system between hot and cold air, wouldn’t it be much simpler to give us a personal thermostat so that we can control the temperature in our rooms? It’s ultimately the school’s decision to regulate our room temperatures, but it would be ideal for the students to be able to regulate the hot and cold air blowing through their vents. Since we pay so much for residential arrangements in addition to tuition, we should have the right to adjust our room temperatures to fit our personal comfort. We can’t control the weather outside, so we should at least be granted that luxury in our dorm rooms.
“Since we pay so much for residential arrangements... we should have the right to adjust our room temperatures to fit our personal comfort.”
Illustration by Matt Subrizi
Broke students cannot afford the city scene By Michelle Cannizzo special to the chronicle
My conversations with people outside of New York usually begin with something along the lines of, “Oh my God, going to school in New York City must be so fun. Is it like ‘Gossip Girl?’ Is it like ‘Sex and the City?’” My response is always the same: no. No, I do not attend Broadway shows and dine at five-star restaurants every weekend. And no, I do not sit next to Jay-Z at award
shows or sip cocktails with Paris Hilton in the city’s hottest clubs. The closest that I have come to living the life of a typical New York television character was going out to dinner in Manhattan on a holiday.
ment gets lost, and every activity becomes another item to be placed in the “been there, done that” category. It is extremely rare for a person to have the funds, connections and just plain energy to be able to live the life of the sensationalized New Yorker. You can take me for example. I’m a young college student filled with energy, yet my body and wallet are still hurting after a trip into Manhattan with some girlfriends last weekend. If my body and wallet are burdened by the effects of a single night out,
“When surrounded by everything that a person may deem exciting in life, that excitement gets lost...” A true New Yorker would probably give a similar answer. They are a part of reality, not your T.V. Guide. When surrounded by everything that a person may deem exciting in life, that excite-
how are New Yorkers supposed to function properly after multiple nights out? To Hofstra students, city trips are especially daunting. Our campus is filled with mostly broke, ramen-noodle-eating, used-textbook-renting college students. We do not have the money to take the LIRR for $16, buy drinks for $20 each, buy dinner for over $20 and then take the LIRR home. Hofstra can help its students lead a more cultural and enjoy-
able college experience by alerting its students of free events in the city. It could also provide guidance in the form of navigation guidance, main points of attraction and general tips from students. It’s not that going into New York City should be taken off of your to-do list. It is an amazing city filled with some of the craziest street dancers you will ever see and the best $1 pizza you will ever taste. However, I will not be going back anytime soon.
“To Hofstra students, city trips are especially daunting.”
The views and opinions expressed in the Op-Ed section are those of the authors of the articles. They are not an endorsement of the views of The Chronicle or its staff. The Chronicle does not discriminate based on the opinions of the authors.
The Chronicle
OP - ED
October 3, 2013 •
A13
The millenial voter:
How our generation is changing politics By Matthew La Corte special to the chronicle
Starting with the 2008 presidential election of Barack Obama, special focus began to be placed on millennial voters – the group of people under age 30. Young people came out in record numbers to elect their next president and have since developed into the largest generational cohort in the American political breakdown. We know millennials do not belong to the Republican Party, but polls tell us that they are not so in love with the Democratic Party, either. So who makes up this major component of voters? To understand millennial voters, one must think about the societal and governmental backdrop under which this generation has lived: a permanent state of war, massive government surveillance, widespread economic distress
and international crises, disappointing presidential candidates, ineffective government institutions marred in polarization and gridlock, closed-minded politicians, rising college tuition, failing public education and more. All of these are showcased by a memeand-GIF-driven Internet where every political mishap is plastered “#GOVERNMENTFAILURE” on social media for our viewing and laughing pleasure. This generation perceives the government through the hysterical words of “Community” actor Ron Swanson and the foreign policy realizations of Showtime’s “Homeland” television series. These are alongside Macklemore’s same-sex marriage discussion in “Same Love” and Lupe Fiasco’s political diatribes in “Words I Never Said.” Millennial voters distrust sleazy politicians and look with scorn toward the entire political system.
“What will happen to politics once the millenials have had their way? ”
Carless commuters: By Andrea Vega special to the chronicle
Early mornings, late nights, expenses, food, housing and employment. Very little is known about the elusive public transportation commuters, probably because most of them so quickly disappear into the distance to catch a train. Members of this population of Hofstra students need to know that they are not alone in the commute pursuit. As we grow accustomed to college life, the omnipresent obligations and worries become easier to conquer, but some kinks still remain. As a public transportation commuter, every saved dollar has a meaningful purpose. Transportation is an expected everyday expense, but others are not so predictable. Hofstra food is unbelievably pricey, so
They sculpt their political philosophy through media culture and technology. But politics have not come out of this shift unscathed. Studies have found that millennials support government intervention into issues like healthcare and higher education, yet have a severe lack of trust in government institutions. Millennials have an attachment to the non-political. They approach solutions to problems with charity and service, not government. They see civic engagement as meaning more than heading to the voting booth once every four years. They acknowledge the importance of serving in their local communities and taking care of their neighbors. A recent Harvard study found that the volunteerism rate for millennials is 53 percent. The same study found that 56 percent of millennials believe that politicians
have different priorities than they have, while 47 percent agreed that, “politics today no longer meet the challenges our country is facing.” Could our generation be responsible for ending politics as we know it? Yes. So what does the future hold? What will be the outcome of a Republican Party that millennials view as archaic and closed-
cal leadership has become an oxymoron. Widespread disappointment in both political parties and Congress as a whole has left an entire generation looking for new answers. We are leading a new era of young radicalism with action and not politics. There exists a large group of libertarian millennials who are hungry for liberty and fervent on getting the government out of their lives. There also remains a large contingent of millennials who support government intervention in different sectors but do not acknowledge the ability for government to function efficiently. The widest of millennial nets can be placed on those who curse the state and its pesky politics, who refuse to be placed in an ideological box by political consultants and who are about to change the world. Millennials have a very strong message for Washington, D.C.: you’re out of touch, unable to solve problems and we are about to take over.
“Our generation is dangerous. We reject parties, we scoff at politics and we are disillusioned with government.” minded? How will millennials alter a Democratic Party that is currently championing a rise in the size, scope and secrecy of government? What will happen to politics once the millennials have had their way? Our generation is dangerous. We reject parties, we scoff at politics and we are disillusioned with government. To us, politi-
Catching the train, throwing the dollar
not preparing food at home or not packing enough can dent your bank account in no time. Even emergency buys like that book you thought you wouldn’t need or that calculator that you forgot on a day when you needed it most may seem like a big sacrifice on such short notice. Extracurricular involvement also proves to be a struggle for students who commute via public transportation. Many clubs meet late, and participating in those clubs could mean getting home at 1 a.m. or later. If the Hofstra shuttle isn’t available when you need it late at night, is it really worth it to spend money on an unreliable Long Island taxi? And if you live particularly far away, where do you fit homework and studying in when you wake
up before the crack of dawn to catch your ride and get home exhausted? Unlike those with the personal haven of a car for storing extra belongings, you need to strategically stuff all of your things into a bag and lug it around campus.
feel like interlopers in a place that they thought with all their heart would be their home? For a first-time public transportation commuter, the looming lack of the latter can make him or her feel intensely isolated, and stress may build as a result of issues kept silent. So wake up! Your life shouldn’t revolve around a public transportation schedule. You control your own schedule. Know how long you can spend studying or doing homework at Hofstra. Identify which clubs you have time to be in, and communicate with club presidents about how long you can stay. Take note of what time you get home each day, and figure out what you can do to ready yourself for the next day. Choose to buy affordable, sus-
“At what point do public transportation commuters feel like interlopers in a place that they thought with all their heart would be their home?” It hurts to miss a majority of campus events because they are too late, and it feels unfulfilling to not always participate in the way that you want. At what point do public transportation commuters
tainable and healthy meals, but don’t just eat when you absolutely have to; even a hardy dinner does not compensate for a horrible breakfast and a light lunch. Literally put pencil to paper, and write down how much time and money you can spend. Fight for the reason that you chose to attend Hofstra. It’s tough to be a public transportation commuter, but there are thousands enduring the same struggle that you’re enduring. Don’t be the one to give up.
Have an opinion? E-mail us at chronicleeditorial @gmail.com.
A 14 • October 3, 2013
SPORTS
The Chronicle
Women’s soccer takes two more
Two juniors. Sam Scolarici and Lulu Echeverry, celebrate yet another win. Kathy Kmonicek/Hofstra Athletic Communications
Sean Mulligan and Kyle Kandetzki
special to the chronicle and staff writer
Hofstra women’s soccer team continued its winning streak after defeating the UNC Wilmington Seahawks 2-1, in a rematch of the 2012 CAA Championship Game, Friday night. The Pride were led by leading scorer Sam Scolarici on the way to the team’s sixth consecutive victory in their first conference game of the season. After a slow and very physical start, the game opened with a Pride goal in the 23rd minute by sophomore midfielder Jeannine Molleda. Molleda was able to settle a punched clear by UNCW keeper Liisa Rahkola off of a free kick from the top of the Seahawks’ eighteen yard box, and launch the ball into the back of her opponent’s net. Three minutes later, Scolarici received a pass from junior midfielder Lulu Echeverry and powered through UNCW’s fullbacks to score on a breakaway in the 26th minute. Scolarici’s
tenth goal of the season puts her on pace to possibly break the Pride’s single season scoring record. The record is currently held by Carlene Wawrzonek who netted 17 goals in 1994. “When you got clutch players like Galton, Sam “Screech” and Lulu who’ll just always show up with passion you’re going to get those type of goals,” said the Pride’s Head Coach Simon Riddiough. The Pride’s defense was lead by senior goalkeeper Emily Morphitis who totaled five saves during the game, including a diving save to the near post in the 3rd minute. Morphitis held an early 10 shot UNCW assault in the first half. She kept the Seahawks scoreless until the 84th minute when UNCW striker Stephanie Bronson headed her fifth goal of the season into the back of the Pride’s net. Coach Riddiough was excited to get the Pride’s first conference win of the season. “It’s a great a win. [UNC] Wilmington’s going to beat a lot of teams in our conference,” said Riddiough. “It could come
down to head-to-head and tiebreakers, and that’s a huge win. Very excited. Obviously it’s our first one of the season so it’s more important,” added Riddiough. Prior to Friday’s game the Seahawks won five of their last six games, and were on a four game winning streak. Hofstra was able to halt the Seahawks’ offensive wrecking ball that had 16 goals in its last six games. A major contributer in physical play came from midfield by CAA Preseason Player of the Year and CAA Player of the Week, sophomore striker, Leah Galton. “That’s college soccer,” said Riddiough. “You’re going to have to take your lumps and you’re going to have to give them.” Riddiough stated that his team’s initial play worried him, but as the game wore on his confidence in the Pride’s top players increased. “The players stepped up and so did theirs. We were lucky to be up 2-0. I thought Wilmington was the better team. They pummeled us and created chances [in the first half], but on the counterattack we were very dangerous,” said Riddiough. You need to put something here to break up the 2 quotes being together. “Second half, I was totally convinced we were going to win that game. We dominated much of the play, we kept them in their half of the field,” said Riddiough. After their victory against the College of Charleston on Sunday, the Pride will head on a fourgame road trip to continue playing against their conference foes Northeastern University, University of Delaware, Drexel University and Towson University. After the road trip, their next home game is Friday, October 25th against William and Mary at 7 p.m. The team, after defeating UNC Wilmington, moved on to an unexpectedly back-and-forth match. The women’s soccer team went up against new CAA rival College of Charleston on Sunday at Hofstra Soccer Stadium and came away with a 3-2 victory in overtime. Sam Scolarici had a phenomenal performance, scoring a hat trick that included the game winning score five minutes into
overtime to continue her offensive hot streak. “A lot of my success this season has come from the players around me,” said Scolarici, “Most of the goals have come from across the field so a big parts of these scores have been teamwork.” The 2-8 Charleston Cougars were clearly the underdogs coming into the match against the streaking Pride, and it seemed like they were ready to call it a game in the first half. Through the first 19 minutes of the game Hofstra was getting continuous chances, but stood without a goal to show for it. Meanwhile, the Cougars were barely able to bring the ball to the attacking side of the field. At the 20th minute Scolarici broke the ice with a strong strike from the top of the box, assisted by Tara Kerns, to give the Pride a 1-0 lead that almost seemed like enough to defeat struggling Charleston. Going into the half Hofstra had outshot Charleston 9-1, with their lone shot going extremely high over the net. But if you were to have left the game at the half, you’d be stunned at the shift of momentum that surprised everyone at the 56th minute. Charleston finally got a break towards the net, with only Caylin Dudley left to defend the goal. In a desperation attempt to end the threat, Dudley made a tackle that handed her a yellow card. Charleston’s Francesca Kentimenos took a free kick that shockingly sailed over the defensive wall and into the goal to tie the game. Charleston seemed to assume control of the game following the equalizer and turned that momentum into a lead. In the 59th minute Cougar Sarah Cardamone sped past Hofstra defenders to slice the ball past goalie Emily Morphitis, and suddenly the Pride seemed to be struggling. “At that point we knew that we had to pick up our performance quickly,” said Scolarici, “Otherwise we would have ended up losing this game by even more.” Hofstra had to play against the clock for the remaining 30 min-
utes of the game, and it seemed as if they had burned all of their chances to salvage the match when only five minutes were left and the score remained 2-1. But in the 86th minute Scolarici intercepted a Jeannine Molleda kick, dribbled it up the field against defensive pressure and scored the equalizer to push the game into their second overtime match of the year. The first goal in overtime would be the winning one, and Coach Riddiough was looking for his entire team to step up, but in the 93rd minute the familiar face of Scolarici had the opportunity to carry her team to victory. A missed pass slowly rolled over to Charleston goalie Taylor Avery, but Scolarici gave chase to attempt to intercept it. Avery made a huge dive to stop it, but Scolarici stole it away and delivered it to the other side of the net to win the game 3-2. “I told the team after this game that Sam and Tara saved your behinds,” said Head Coach Simon Riddiough. “They carried the whole squad, Tara was tremendous and Sam was clutch.” Scolarici’s hat trick (her 11th, 12th, and 13th goals of the year) gave her a full slate of awards and impressive statistics: she won her second CAA player of the week, and not only took sole possession of the CAA goals lead, but also is tied for the lead in all of NCAA Division 1 women’s soccer. Despite the impressive comeback to give the Pride their seventh win in a row and an 8-3 record, Hofstra struggled mightily throughout the game, and the team knows they need to improve their consistency moving forward. “The pace of the game was slow and sloppy at times from the whole team,” said Riddiough, “We need to work on pressuring, and covering in the back four to prevent a soft performance like this in the future.”
The Chronicle
SPORTS
October 3, 2013 •
A 15
Men’s golf shifts focus By Ari August special to the chronicle
The Hofstra golf team improved from their showing last week at the Hartford Hawk Invitational. Senior Jake Winn and junior David Mecca, tied for 16th in a field of 64 were two of the bright spots for the men’s golf team that finished in ninth place out of the 11 teams in the field. “[The team] is not as mentally tough as they should be,” said Coach Joe Elliot. Elliot, a Levittown native, thinks that the team hasn’t struggled because of a lack of skill, but rather a lack of focus. Junior Brandon Shin didn’t help Hofstra’s cause as he was disqualified from the first round for not signing his scorecard after he finished the round. He posted a 72 in his second round, and was again disqualified in the final round of the tournament. But
the Hofstra golf team has endured more severe missteps in recent months than neglecting to sign a scorecard. Near the end of last semester, Paul Bruckner, a current member and former captain of the team, was arrested by Nassau County Police in a major undercover prostitution sting called “Operation Flush the Johns.” Elliot voiced his opinion on this matter. “I feel for the kid, he did something stupid that he regrets,” said Elliot. Bruckner was voted out of captaincy after the incident. “The team still loves him, and that he will continue to be an intricate part of it,” said Elliot. Bruckner has yet to be prosecuted on any charges and has faced no repercussions from the school at this point. With Shin’s disqualification from this week’s tournament, a spot in the starting lineup may open. The
two front-runners have to be junior Jonathan Farber and freshman David Won. who has only appeared in one tournament all year. Won has impressed in his early showings this year, as he finished tied for ninth in a field of 60. Farber is the more experienced player, but he has been struggling with his game as of late. “He’s [Farber] a solid player” said Elliot. Elliot is working hard to get Farber back on track. “I’ve been going back to basics, and swing thoughts from the last two seasons. Joe has been helping me with those things, and I’ve been working hard on my game with him,” said Farber. If anyone can turn this team in the right direction it’s Elliot. As the team puts the off-the-course issues behind them, their focus should return to the game.
Tennis teams sweep St. Francis Brooklyn, as Bowen and Lopez cruise in straight sets By Mike Rudin assistant sports editor
Hofstra ended their final dual meet of the season on a high note when both the men’s and women’s tennis teams shutout St. Francis Brooklyn College. The Pride improved to 2-0 in the regular season while St. Francis College dropped to 0-2. The women’s team performed magnificently against the Terriers. The Pride only gave up one game in the entire series. The women’s team posted eight consecutive matchup sweeps against St. Francis, including both singles and doubles matchups. The first singles matchup, when Sarah Bowen faced Luda Lisovska, was the only match for the entire women’s team where the Pride didn’t have a shutout
performance. Bowen defeated Lisovska 6-1, 6-0. Once that singles matchup ended, however, so did the rest of the Terriers’ production with the Pride blanking the rest of the team. The other five singles matchups are as follows: second singles matchup Louise Lopez dominated Jennifer Gonzalez, third singles matchup Carmen Pestano bested Camille Petrizzo, fourth singles matchup Giulia Leone defeated Jovana Bojinovic, and Bianca Posa outperformed Dragana Dzigurski. Each Pride player in the last five singles matchups swept their opponents and posted 6-0, 6-0 several times on the scoreboard. Doubles matchups were also beautifully executed by the Pride against St. Francis. Even with
different teams and matchups, Hofstra’s doubles swept the Terriers and the scores ended up the same each time at 8-0. Bowen and Pestano crushed Lisovska and Gonzalez in the first doubles matchup. For the second doubles matchup, Lopez and Leone won over Bojinovic and Petrizzo. In the third and final doubles matchup, Derrick and Posa destroyed Edwards and Dzigurski. The men’s team didn’t overpower St. Francis like the women’s team, but they came out on top and were dominant as well to get the series sweep. Hofstra’s Ari Richman overcame a fierce game with France Terns-Campius 7-5, 6-0 in the first singles matchup. The second singles matchup ended 6-0, 6-4 with Adrien Bailly toppling
Ricardo Garcia. Beau Wills outduelled Victor Blaso in a 6-4, 6-3 victory at third singles. During the fourth singles matchup, Matthew Gemmell achieved the 6-0, 6-3 victory over Sacha Singh. Joseph Erichsen performed well against Andrea Proto to get the solid 6-1, 6-0 win at fifth singles. The final sixth singles matchup ended with Leo Pires dominating James Chung 6-0, 6-0 and was the only Pride shutout singles performance for the men’s team. Men’s tennis kept putting up better numbers in each doubles matchup throughout the series. The first doubles matchup ended with Richman and Bailly defeating Blasco and TernsCampius 8-3. Wills and Enrichson came
out victorious over Garcia and Singh 8-2 in the second doubles matchup. The final third doubles matchup against St. Francis concluded with Gemmell and Pires shutting out Chung and Proto 8-0. The men’s and women’s tennis teams of Hofstra University will go their separate ways and not play together on the same court for the rest of the fall season. Men’s tennis will be playing in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Regional Championships at Yale University on October 17th. Women’s tennis will be competing in two individual tournaments in the next couple of weeks: the United States Tennis Association Invitational at Flushing Meadows on October 11th and the ITA Regionals at Harvard University on October 17th.
A 16 • October 3, 2013
SPORTS
The Chronicle
Meet the Coach: Joe Mihalich, Men’s Basketball By Sean Williams sports editor
Joe Mihalich’s life has always been filled with sports. “I grew up in Philadelphia, born in Washington, D.C. and I was your classic ‘whatever season it was I was playing it’ guy,” said the first year coach of the men’s basketball team. “If it was football season I was throwing the football around, if it was basketball, baseball, it was those sports… as time went on I just sort of gravitated towards basketball.” Mihalich’s love for basketball began with a number of influential coaches including Paul Westhead and Morgan Wootten. He’s also had extensive on-court experience during his younger years including guard and point guard positions and playing on the LaSalle College Team. From there, Mihalich knew exactly what he wanted to with his future. “I knew I wanted to coach when I was still in high school because as a high school player I had always worked summer basketball camps and I loved it.” Fortunately for Mihalich’s professional plans, his experience as a player had left some coaching contacts available. Mihalich’s playing experience left him with coaching contacts which enabled him to find employment easily. “So right out of college” he said, moving chronologically through his basketball life, “I was lucky. I went to DeMatha High School for three years, which is the best basketball program in the world, and I coached for Morgan Wootten.” DeMatha under Wootten may be the most prestigious and renowned basketball school in the country and Mihalich reinforced by rattling off old hallowed names like Sidney Lowe, Dereck Whittenberg, Adrian Branch and Bobby Ferry. As with most coaches, Mihalich had to pay his dues as a college assistant before getting a crack at a head coaching job. “I went back to LaSalle and was an assistant there for 17 years. Again, I was really lucky, went to a bunch of NCAA tournaments," he said. "Then I went to Niagara as the head coach 15 years ago and 15 years later,
here I am.” Mihalich has long been known for his up-tempo style of play – a philosophy he cultivated under a series of offensive-minded coaches. Fans of Hofstra men’s basketball can expect to see prolific fast breaks and an aggressive attack. “Paul Westhead was my college coach … he’s a great guy and he initiated the ‘playing fast’ thing and then I went to DeMatha and that was also a fast break style there and as time went on I realized that to me it’s the most exciting…it’s fun to play, it’s fun to coach, it’s fun to watch.” Coach Mihalich also emphasized that the personalities of his players are a defining aspect of any team he oversees. “There’s nothing more important than your work ethic and enthusiasm for the game,” he said. “Surround yourself with good people, you win with good people. That’s what we’re trying to do. I realize not everyone is perfect, but whether it’s your coaching staff or your players, you want good people.” The coach went into more detail about who he looks to recruit and coach, again reinforcing that his primary focus is on work ethic. The transition from a bucolic setting in Niagara to the fastpaced life of Long Island has not been jarring to the coach. “There’s a lot more horn beeping here. We never heard a horn beep [in Niagara] for 15 years. Now, if you’re not gunning it as soon as the light turns green somebody is beeping at you,” he said. “Ironically it’s more what my wife and I are used to because it’s…my wife is from West Philadelphia, we’re both city people.” In addition to being comfortable with a more crowded environment, Mihalich also loves the area for professional reasons. “This is amazing for me because I can now be around all the great New York City basketball coaches and players.," he said. "I played in Philadelphia, and also was in Washington, D.C., so you’d be pretty hardpressed to find three better places to work and play and coach basketball.”
Joe Mihalich, new coach of the Hofstra Pride men’s basketball team, intends to bring his fast-paced offense to Long Island Hofstra Athletic Communications
After a decade and a half at the same school, it is natural to wonder exactly what it was about Hofstra that lured Mihalich away from his old gig at Niagara. “From a coach’s perspective the common question is ‘Hey is that a good job?’ I had a good job, I really did. I was really happy there, I liked it there, but you always want to climb a bigger mountain, you want to do something special,” he said. Mihalich also talked about the assumptions of the public that comes with changing schools, and the factors that play and understated but important part in such a decision.
He mentioned that the presence of Jeff Hathaway, athletic director, and Stuart Rabinowitz, president, were serious factors in his final choice, calling them “second to none.” The foremost goal of Mihalich’s is focusing on a team that is rife with new faces after a thievery scandal last year. He is also looking to improve poor on-court performances that left few remaining players and the old coach, Mo Cassara, out of a job. “It is a unique position. When I walked in to the team for the first conference last year there were four guys in the room… to me, I want to be a positive person. It’s
easy to sit around and be negative, or sit around," said Mihalich. Mihalich ended his thoughts with an optimistic note and a positive look on the future. “For us this meant we could go and get eight guys who maybe play our style… he said. “The goals…I’m going to give you some coach talk here. Our goal is to be better today than we were yesterday.”
SPORTS
The Chronicle
October 3, 2013 •
A 17
Men’s soccer wins again at home against UNH By Frank Aimetti staff writer
Patric Pray won Big Apple Soccer Player of the week while manning goal for the Pride Kathy Kmonicek/Hofstra Athletic Communications
The Pride remains undefeated at home after a defensive battle Saturday when the men's soccer team emerged with a 1-0 victory over University of New Hampshire. Hofstra started quickly, taking on the attacking role and establishing dominance of possession in the first five minutes. Junior Elliot Firth and senior Herbert Biste keyed the attack with ontarget crosses into the box that yielded quality opportunities. Defensive attrition set in after the fast-paced start. The defensive strength of both teams nullified most offensive chances. However sophomore Patric Pray, in his first start in goal – taking the place of injured senior Roberto Pellegrini – made two tough saves in the 26th minute to keep the score knotted up at 0-0. A significant chance came in the 39th minute when a header from freshman Kyle Poetzsch hit the crossbar. The defense made a stand in the last five minutes of
the half when goalkeeper Pray, as well as freshman Nino Alfonso and senior Tyler Botte chipped in with saves. From the start of the second half, Hofstra continued attacking, keeping New Hampshire’s defense on their heels until the breakthrough came in the 56th minute with junior Maid Memic slotting a shot in the top of the goal off of a deflection. The only card handed out in the match was given to David Schlatter of New Hampshire, who received a yellow card in the 62nd minute. Senior Chris Griebsch narrowly missed making the score 2-0 in the 65th minute when he missed from close range. The Pride controlled the ball for nearly the entire half, taking five more shots in the second half alone. In the end, Hofstra was able to stave off a few desperate attacks in the waning minutes of the match to take the win. After the game, Pellegrini’s injury came up in an interview with Head Coach Nuttall. “[It’s a] dislocated finger that is mending so he should be back soon,”
Nuttall said. Hinting at a possible competition for the starting goalkeeper spot, Coach Nuttall stated that he had some decisions to make. After an uneven first half, Coach Nuttall said that he couldn’t really say what he told the team, but that he wanted more passion and energy. Nuttall’s halftime speech certainly seemed to do its job. A more active, focused and passionate Hofstra side emerged after halftime. The increased activity level was a big part of why Hofstra came out with the win. Coach Nuttall was quick to point out his choice for who helped turn the game around: “Tyler [Botte] was the man of the match today. I thought in the second half he got in well. I thought he was a true captain in the second half after I wasn’t happy with his performance in the first half.” The Pride’s next home game is October 5th against UNC Wilmington.
HOFSTRA ATHLETIC CALENDER Away
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Home
WOMEN’S SOCCER
@ NORTHEASTERN 6:00 P.M.
MEN’S SOCCER
V.S. UNC WILMINGTON 7:00 P.M.
VOLLEYBALL
@ Towson University 3:00 P.M.
FIELD HOCKEY
V.S. UMass Lowell 3:00 P.M.
@ northeastern 6:00 P.M.
@ seton hall university 7:00 P.M.
@ delaware university 7:00 P.M. v.s. university of new hampshire 12:00 P.M.
@ MARYLAND 7:00 P.M.
A 18 • October 3, 2013
SPORTS
The Chronicle
This was my
first job
3
promotions ago
– Helena Johnson Director
Grow your own way. My first job was as an associate in our tax practice. During the first few years, PwC supported me when I went back to school to get my MBA. When I decided to start my family, PwC was supportive in allowing me to have a flexible work schedule. Now I am a director in the Banking and Capital Markets practice. As my life and career goals have changed, the firm has allowed me to grow my career, my own way. pwc.com/campus
© 2013 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, a Delaware limited liability partnership. All rights reserved. PwC refers to the United States member firm, and may sometimes refer to the PwC network. Each member firm is a separate legal entity. Please see www.pwc.com/structure for further details. We are proud to be an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer.
The Chronicle
SPORTS
October 3, 2013 •
A 19
Volleyball splits away matches By Jackie Parsons staff writer
Nuria Lopes da Silva had 11 kills and 9 digs in a futile effort against the College of Charleston. Mitchell Leff/Hofstra Athletic Communications
The Pride began the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) play at the Mack Physical Education Building this weekend with a win against UNC Wilmington on Friday and a loss against Charleston College on Sunday. The weekend established Hofstra’s 1-1 CAA record. Hofstra’s win against the UNCW Seahawks began with a point-for-point first set. The Pride pulled away with a six-point run late in the set, putting them up 20-15. The team would go on to win 25-20, secured with a kill from junior outside hitter Kelsie Wills. Wills would go on to have a double-double, racking up 19 kills and 16 digs for the Pride. “I think a lot of people are going to serve to her, make her dig some balls and really try to wear her down,” said Head Coach Kristina Hernandez. “She stepped up and she kept working.” The second set would start with a 6-1 lead in UNCW’s favor, but Hofstra rallied back multiple times to take the set 25-21. Junior outside hitter Emily Burke helped power the Pride, providing 18 kills. “She was taking some really big swings and was really aggressive the whole time,” Coach Hernandez said. “You could tell
that her confidence was getting much higher.” Hofstra led the third set early on, but a 9-2 run from UNCW would lead to a 20-25 loss for Hofstra. The close play continued into the fourth set but would end in the Pride’s favor, 25-19, securing a four set CAA win over UNCW. Junior middle blocker Adama Aja was a powerful presence in the absence of an injured senior and fellow middle blocker Sara Campolina. She finished the match with eight kills. The Pride returned to play Sunday afternoon, taking on the College of Charleston in a thrilling five set match. The teams battled for control in the first set, going point-for-point before Charleston made a six point run. This run was fueled by four attack errors from Hofstra making the score 9-14. The Pride would push back to tie the score at 18, but would eventually fall to Charleston 19-25. Neither team could take control in the second set as Hofstra and Charleston fought into overtime. Charleston took a 15-11 lead before Hofstra battled back with a 5 point run, taking a 16-15 lead. The teams would then go point-for-point before an attack from Wills and an attack error from Charleston’s Sloane White gave Hofstra a 28-26 win, tying the match at 1-1. Sophomore
setter Kaitlyn Krause would have a double-double as well, providing Hofstra with 34 assists and 11 digs. Charleston would take an early 6-1 lead in the third set, setting the tone for their 25-21 over the Pride. Though Hofstra kept the match close through a few late set pushes, Charleston would not relinquish the lead. “We fought back a lot,” Hernandez said. “Especially in the third set when we were down by five or six points and we came back.” Hofstra earned a decisive fourth set win, 25-23, on a kill from junior right side hitter Nuria Lopes da Silva. She had 11 kills and nine digs throughout the match. Charleston would take an early 6-1 lead in the fifth and final match, but Hofstra rallied to eventually tie the set at 10. Despite this, the Pride fell to the College of Charleston 15-12, losing an electrifying match and ending their nine game winning streak at home. Hofstra will continue their CAA slate with a road trip to take on Towson University this Friday and the University Delaware on Saturday. Hofstra stands at 10-6 overall and 1-1 in the CAA.
Trainers: The team behind the team
By Lauren Del Valle staff writer
When the Pride sports teams take the field or court ready to compete, their health is taken care of by the athletic training staff. Every athlete’s problem, from a runny nose to a torn ACL, falls to the responsibility of the seven athletic trainers. The trainers’ season never ends despite the average threemonth competition seasons of the teams for which they are responsible. “Our job is to promote the best health and wellness of the athletes,” said senior associate athletic trainer Andy Wetstein. “My game starts when the injury happens, and then the question
is, ‘Okay, how can I get them back?’” Each trainer is assigned two athletic teams with non-conflicting competition seasons. While tending to their active team, they must also manage the rehabilitations of their out-ofseason athletes. Tailoring their schedules to those of their athletes, daily hours can range from as early as 5 a.m. until 8 o’clock at night. When the athletes play, trainers are on the sideline keeping a watchful eye. Preseason three-a-day sessions and four-day away trips are no exception. Coaches and trainers develop a rapport, working closely to determine a training regiment for injured athletes that will have
them best prepared for the next match. But the network does not stop there. The training staff contracts ProHealth Care Associates to provide physicians and specialists most experienced with athletic injuries and illness. The therapists of Peak Performance Therapy cooperate with the training staff to create extensive rehabilitation programs. “The mentality of every sport is different. I have to take a step back and realize that everyone is different,” said Wetstein of the treatment of his athletes. The preservation of the athletes, in spite of the rigorous physicality of Division 1 sports, is the Hofstra training room philosophy.
“My goal is that they enter healthy and leave able to go about everyday life,” said David Riviere, trainer of men’s soccer and women’s basketball. Whilst the staff works individually with each athlete, they serve as mentors to students studying the line of work. Athletic training majors observe and receive hands-on experience with the staff and the athletes directly. “I teach outside of my full time job schedule. I made the choice because I want to teach the students,” said Siler. In addition to mentor program, trainers Marie Siler and Bobby DiMonda teach as adjunct professors for the athletic training department. The staff agreed that they don’t come to work everyday
for the income it provides. “This is not a job where you get recognized or thanked a lot, but the athletes always remember you. They come back and thank you, and that makes it worth it,” said Siler. Without a single day off when in season, personal sacrifice comes with the job. Riviere and Wetstein agreed that it takes a special person to be romantically involved with an athletic trainer. “You miss a lot of family events and holidays. When the school is on break, we’re still here with athletes,” said Wetstein. The love of sports, mentorship and camaraderie keeps the behind-the-scenes team dedicated to the success of the Hofstra Pride.
The Hofstra
Chronicle
Jonel Boileau wins CAA Player of the Week with a...
Win on the Road
Photo Credit: Brian Ballweg/Hofstra Athletic Communications
@HOFSTRA
A6 • october 3, 2013
The Chronicle
O ve r h e a rd @ Hofstra Compiled by the Hofstra Chronicle staff
At Ke$ha: Guy: I’ve got glitter in my crack!
In the Student Center: Girl: Hofstra, looking out for your welfare so they don’t have to look out for your wallet.
In Breslin: Girl 1: I don’t even know why I chose to come here. Girl 2: Because there’s three bars across the street.
In Davison: Professor: I’m not cursing, I’m calling it being academically heated.
In Herbert: Guy: Benjamin Franklin hosted a night male service. Girl: Do you mean mail?
In Brower: Professor: I’m not trying to be your sugar daddy throughout college.
In Breslin: Guy: Sorry I’m late, I thought we didn’t have class because the government shut down.
Outside Brower: Girl 1: No, no, no, no. I swear the sky has not been this bright until he kissed me. Girl 2: I haven’t wanted a guy in months. I don’t think I like them anymore. Girl 1: Boo, it’s just a phase. Nobody suddenly stops liking guys. In Student Center: Girl: How do you spell Hofstra?
In Herbert: Girl 1: Pull out the velour tracksuit with the matching headband. Girl 2: Cheetah girls! Girl power, girl power. In Breslin: Professor: I didn’t know Ke$ha was still relevant. In Student Center: Girl: How do you spell Hofstra?
In Herbert: Girl 1: I thought Portland and Seattle were close. Girl 2: They are. In Monroe: Guy: I’ve been having problems with my inner voices. In Enterprise: Girl: So they shut down the government and now they think it’s okay to turn the heat on in this place?
We’re always listening......
Dorm Room Dish: Leftover white rice By Jacob Triebwasser STAFF WRITER
For this week’s Dorm Room Dish, I’d like to focus on something a lot of us end up tossing out, cooked white rice. With just a few extra ingredients and a couple minutes of work, rice can become a lovely, rich and hearty rice pudding. Here’s what you’ll need:
“With just a few extra ingredients and a couple minutes of work, riche can become a lovely, rich and hearty rice pudding.”
1.) Leftover cooked white rice 2.) Twice as much milk as rice 3.) 2 eggs per cup of rice (approximately) 4.) Pinch of salt 5.) Sugar, vanilla and spices to taste.
Simply whisk together your milk, eggs and salt until well blended, then add rice and bring to a gentle simmer. When it starts to set, adjust sugar and flavorings until you’re satisfied with it. You can also add raisins or even fresh mint for a little brightness. Other excellent additions include almonds, granola or fresh fruit.
This is a great, quick recipe perfect for those late night study sessions when you need something warm and sweet. Enjoy!
Photo credit: Jacob Triebwasser
The Chronicle
@HOFSTRA
october 3, 2013 •
A7
Behind the wheels of a professional BMX rider By Jana Kaplan FEATURES EDITOR
“I was just a young kid. My walls were covered with dudes who rode bikes, so I just wanted to be in the magazines,” Terry Adams said. Well, now he is. Adams was just 16 years old when he became a professional BMX rider. Since then, he has gone on to win the X Games and receive the ultimate honor, Ride BMX Magazine’s “Number One Ride” award twice. At just 18, he began to travel abroad and has since then traveled the world doing what he loves. If you look at Terry Adams, you see a down-to-earth guy who just wants to ride. If you know Terry Adams, you see a true athlete filled with passion. I was fortunate enough to meet with him on Hofstra campus on Saturday and see, as his peers
call him, “the ambassador for flatland,” a reference to the freestyle BMX sport that uses smooth, flat terrains. Adams has been featured in every major BMX magazine in the world and is sponsored by companies and products such as Flatware, Raising Cane’s chicken fingers and Red Bull. When his popularity skyrocketed and he began attaining these amazing opportunities, Adams realized, “Oh, you know sponsors come along and money and… I shouldn’t take this for granted. There’s a way of doing this and [doing] what I love.” Adams does not credit himself for the nickname he has been given. In fact, he sees himself as “someone who promotes myself as a BMX rider and not really a flatland rider… I kind of promoted myself in a way to [the point where I’m] standing
up for flatland in a way. If it’s not in the magazines a lot, I’m the one who’s going to the media [to] tell them why it should be. If a photographer thinks a photo isn’t gonna be too exciting, I’m the guy who takes them out to the desert or puts flatland in the middle of a lake or something to make it look really cool.” All children have dreams – to be a doctor, or be in the Peace Corps – but most dreams change and fade away. When Terry Adams was 12 years old watching professionals ride bikes, “it just looked impossible so it was… intriguing to me to do something that I didn’t really understand.” He didn’t want it for the money or the fame. In fact, he never even realized that existed. When asked about the future, Adams says that right now, he just wants to maintain what he has. “It’s hard for me to think of [the future,] because when I was 12, 13 years old, the guys I looked up to, they’re still riding…” Adams said. “I think I’m at a point where I’m just really stoked that I have gotten [this] far and I have so many companies and people that are kind of behind what I do and support me in what I do. So I think [the plan is] just maintaining that and making sure I keep my sponsors happy and staying true to myself.” Adams is currently on a weeklong tour with his sponsor Red Bull, where he is stopping at college campuses “pedaling around campus finding a spot that I… would normally ride at home.” The tour, he says, isn’t meant to get students to stop what they’re doing and watch him ride. He said, “If they want to watch, they watch. If not, I’m kind
Photo credit for top right and bottom left: Connor McEachron Adams riding through Hofstra campus.
of just doing my thing. It’s… unannounced… I kind of just do my own thing in my element.” So what is next for Terry Adams? At only 30 years old he has accomplished so much, but he continues believing that the sky is the limit. Always looking for new sponsors
someone living the dream. Be sure to check out his Instagram account at: TerryAdamsBMX
“It just looked impossible so it was... intriguing to me to do something that I didn’t really understand.”
and adventures to partake in, Adams is the perfect example of
A8 • october 3, 2013
@HOFSTRA
The Chronicle
Man on the Unispan
do you prefer obamacare or the affordable care act?
“I’m not particularly a fan of Obama.” Corey Rando, Sophomore
“They are the same thing.” Scott Simon, Junior
“Obamacare.” Sydney Coelho, Freshman
“They are the same thing.” Lauren Curlett, Sophomore
“It’s the same thing. Is this a trick question?” Amber Qalagari, Junior
“Obamacare.” Brianna Brickman, Freshman
“I haven’t thought too much about that. I guess I’d go with Obamacare.” Kelsey Robbins, Freshman
“The Obamacare.” Griffin Collins, Freshman
“Probably Obamacare. I think I’ve heard worse things about the Affordable Care Act.” Adam Dodge, Senior
This week’s Man On The Unispan question was seen on “Live With Jimmy Kimmel”
The Chronicle
@HOFSTRA
october 3, 2013 • A9
And the award for Best Dressed goes to...
By Amanda Palomino SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
Name: Jiwon “Winny” Chung Class: Sophomore How you would describe your style: “Extravaganza. Too punk to be hood.” Where you shop: “A lot of my clothes come from my mom but I don’t really shop, or online.”
Name: Tucker Olivito Class: Freshman How you would describe your style: “Cowboy meets Jack Bauer. I like a lot of outerwear and a lot of denim.” Where you shop: “I shop at Zara, Macy’s, Livevil, and Levis.”
Beauty 101: Addictive LUSH makeup products By Isabela Jacobsen STAFF WRITER
If you haven’t heard about how awesome LUSH is, then it’s time to start doing some research. LUSH products are all handmade and natural. Next time you’re having any kind of skin issue, no matter what it is, chances are LUSH has an answer for you. They have so many skin care products to choose from! (Warning: you may get lost in a LUSH store because everything just looks so cool.) I’ve just discovered LUSH this year and I finally started using some products. My roommate and I can’t stop raving about our LUSH purchases, so if you are wondering what you should buy, here are some recommendations. If you have problems with acne
or oily skin, then I recommend the Herbal Cleanser. It looks a little intimidating when you open the container and see all this green chunky texture, but your skin feels so nice after using it. Use it in the shower, when you’ve cleaned off all makeup and grease from your skin. You take only a pinch amount, mix it with a little water and rub it gently onto your face. I like to leave it on for a tiny bit and then rinse. You will definitely feel smoother skin – I use it when my acne is at its worst and needs a good calming down. The cleanser also lasts very long because you really don’t need a lot when using it. College students are – most of the time – very tired. I know everyone can agree with me on this. If you notice your skin reacting to your everyday routine
and you want to give your skin a healthy makeover, then the Brazened Honey face mask can be a good fit for you. What I love about this face mask is that it is so gentle on the skin. It’s a really nice face mask to put life back into your skin if it’s feeling a little dull. It also seems to help any dark spots and it is beneficial against acne as well, but like I said, this face mask is for every type of skin. The general purpose is to give your skin a deep cleansing by eliminating toxins. Another plus is that it smells good. No matter what type of skin you have, we all have those blemishes once in a while that won’t go away no matter what. Well, LUSH has a great pimple emergency gel. It’s called Grease Lightning and it helps remove those yucky
I’m a big fan of LUSH and I will pimples that just seem to grow. be reviewing more of their treatYou just squirt a small amount ments in the future. So if you on your finger and apply to the haven’t gone to LUSH yet, go pimple area. You will see a differcheck it out, and don’t blame me ence overnight. Keep using it and the pimple will go away. Next time when you want to buy everything in sight! you have an important date and a pimple pops up unexpectedly, don’t panic. Grease Lightning will be your hero. LUSH products are made with such care that purchasing a product really gives it a quality other products don’t have. There are very well priced products available, and all the ones mentioned in Photo credit: Isabela Jacobsen this article can be LUSH has great products for all skin types. purchased online.
A&E
VOL 79 ISSUE 4
Courtesy of University Relations
B 2 • October 3, 2013
A&E
The Chronicle
Ke$ha
Unexpectadly entertaining and unsurprisingly covered in glitter
By Che Sullivan Special to the chronical
I refused to think about the Ke$ha show to far in advance to the actual show. My friends and I arrived during BonJourney, which was pretty good. They were much more entertaining than anyone thought they’d be. The second opener was Sugar Ray, which I was very excited to see and had a great time with, other than Mark McGrath seemingly having a crisis onstage over his youth. Once Ke$ha finally came on, everyone was ready for it. She entered from backstage through a haze of aggressive smoke and a lively band intro. She wore a costume seemingly made of glitter. Her first song was the namesake of her latest album, Warrior. Her dancers carried a sword in each hand and wore shiny, samurai-esque costumes, which was fun to watch if you could ignore the cultural
appropriation. Also during the first half, the dancers each wore an eyeball for a head, Ke$ha’s favorite body part. Ke$ha’s set was only about an hour long, and was separated into two halves by a long-winded guitar solo (during which she had a costume change). The second half began with her entering the stage on a sort of steel diamond jungle gym. Ke$ha proceeded to perform “Gold Trans Am” in a lot of denim, bandanas and curiously wide metal abdomens. Soon, the dancers took out electric sanders, handed one to Ke$ha, and they sanded themselves creating sparks. It was a fun and unexpected turn, and things just got crazier from there. Also during this half the dancers dressed in drag, and I was very into it. At one point Ke$ha said things were “About to get real weird and crazy,” just after which giant inflatable legs blew up on stage right, and a big inflatable pig was
Photo Courtesy of University Relations Ke$sha performing at the Vibe Live concert on Sept. 28
blown up on stage left. Soon afterward, glitter and confetti cannons went off, which was to be expected. They continued for a surprising amount of time through the rest of the show. Generally I found the incessant mentions of glitter in anticipation of Ke$ha deeply annoying, but I ended up loving it once I was there. Her show was undeniably
entertaining. My only complaints are the questionably appropriative samurai costumes and the over-dramatic and unnecessary mention of her pride as an LGBTQ ally. Ke$ha is arguably one of the best entertainers we have today, and she will certainly be remembered as an important part of our generation. Personally, I’m proud to have someone like
her representing us. I feel like I witnessed something crucial to our collective youth, and it was a great start to the academic year. The show ended expectedly with TiK ToK, but the crowd did call her back out for an encore, which included Die Young and ended with Ke$ha saying, “I hope you all get laid tonight.”
Great Writers Great Readers
‘An Italian-American Bronx Butch Freedom Memoir’
By Brianna Holcomb Special to the chronicle
Photo Courtesy of Stanislao Pugliese Poet Annie Lanzillotto writer of “Schistsong.”
She walked into a barbershop and told the barber that she wanted a mustache. He smiled at her and said, “I can do that.” The barber then proceeded to cut her hair into a short boy cut and placed the fallen strands from her head into a bag. “Come back in a week to pick up the ’stache,” the barber told her as she left the shop.
The woman behind this mustache is Annie Lanzillotto, a poet, singer and performance artist. On Wednesday she graced the stage of Hofstra’s Spiegel Theater. The Italian-American writer gave insight into her book “L is for Lion: An Italian Bronx Butch Freedom Memoir” as well as her book of poetry called “Schistsong.” The reading also gave insight into Lanzillotto’s personal history. She shared humorous anecdotes and intimate tales that shaped her life. Lanzillotto commanded the stage, engaging everyone in the audience from the students to the faculty members as she read excerpts. She encouraged the audience to join in on the Italian
fish market cry that she remembered from her childhood. With some very poor Italian accents and a few giggles, the audience complied with smiles on their faces. It occurred to me that she was able to encourage everyone to smile no matter where she went. Before starting, Lanzillotto asked everyone to keep a pen and paper nearby in case “inspiration hit them.” Several students reached into their bags pulling out notebooks and pens. As she spoke, pens and pencils met paper remembering family gettogethers and “grandma stories,” as Lanzillotto liked to call them. Her stage presence was entertaining to say the least, as Italian
words rolled off her tongue with ease. Her memoir featured events from her life, specifically those relating to growing up as a lesbian in an Italian family. She also told stories of being a woman: “I wanted to keep the story close to my experience. What did I see? What did I hear? What did I feel?” said Lanzillotto. Listening to the words of her memoir, it was easy to see that she held those moments near and dear to her heart.
Continued On Page b3
The Chronicle Continued from Page b2 Lanzillotto read an excerpt from her book, titled “Never Come Out in a Lincoln Continental.” As she read the title a few giggles erupted, including some from myself, as well as a few quizzical looks. As she read the story it was clear what the chapter was about. She was telling the story of how she came out to her older brother, who was once a soldier in the Vietnam War, in his Lincoln Continental. Lanzillotto talked about how she was never close to her brother after the war and here he was, asking to take her out. She described getting into his car and the doors locking
all around her. As he started to speed off, he told her that he knew what she was and he didn’t want any of her friends around him or his kids. She described the heartbroken feeling that arose within her as she sat in that car. After reading the excerpt Lanzillotto went on to talk about her relationship with her family and how being a lesbian affected that relationship. To this day, her family does not speak to her and she fears for her life, which led to her cutting off connections with her brother. Stanislao Pugliese, a professor of modern European history at Hofstra, also gave insight into his life as an Italian. He told the audience that by coming out and
“Don Jon”: Joseph Gordon-Levitt; bizarrely engaging
By Ohad Amram Columnist
“Don Jon,” Joseph GordonLevitt’s directorial debut, showcases the young actor’s passion for film. Gordon-Levitt shows more versatility than his endearing roles – what we’re used to seeing. Regardless of the genre, Gordon-Levitt almost always encapsulates the sincere, sensitive persona that we find so captivating as well as sympathetic. With “Don Jon” however, GordonLevitt demonstrates another character persona. The film chronicles the life of Jon (Gordon-Levitt), who becomes detached from reality and his day-to-day relationships
as a result of a fake facade that he feels the need to continuously pursue. In doing so, Jon finds the monotony of his everyday life and relationships so dull that he turns to pornography for pleasure as part of a daily routine. That is, until he finds Barbara, (Scarlett Johansson). Even then, it’s only a matter of time before Jon gives in to his addictive tendencies and finds himself back at his vices. Jon then encounters Esther (Julianne Moore), a fellow night-class student, and the two begin confiding in each other. In terms of an actor turned writer/director who is pursuing his debut in the newly explored craft, there’s no denying that GordonLevitt has passion for the subject
A&E
writing a book about it, Lanzillotto had broken the trust and bonds of her family, leaving her shunned. Several Italian-American students nodded their heads, seemingly understanding the mentality. One student even gave testimony to the unspoken rule, telling a story about his grandmother cutting off communication with an uncle due to a falling out. Lanzillotto felt it was necessary for her to tell her story, remembering the death of Tyler Clementi, the Rutgers freshman that committed suicide. “I stay alive by writing and singing… We have to advocate for our own survival, whether it be [by] study abroad or medicine,” said Lanzillotto.
matter. The obsession that Jon has is more relevant to current mainstream society than it’s ever been. The protagonist of this film is simply one we cannot fully like. Jon has his priorities all messed up. He is concerned with only his well-being and won’t compromise his ways for anyone. Likewise, Barbara’s character is strikingly identical. Their attitudes are seamlessly congruent with those of the demographic of this film. Esther acts as Jon’s mediator by way of exerting logic and rationale in Jon’s motives. Both Gordon-Levitt and Johansson are at their physical peak coupled by jarring Jersey accents. The performances delivered were believable despite the little time it takes to see both actors in that light. Moore adds a delicate touch to the film that brings out the authenticity in the voice that Gordon-Levitt is attempting to hone. Jon’s father, Jon Sr. (Tony Danza) adds an element of comedic relief that counteracts the hysteria that Jon’s mother (Glenne Headly) befell. Jon’s younger sister, Monica, is played by the talented new-comer Brie Larson (Short Term 12), whom unfortunately gets one line throughout the entire film. Although the line is grand in scale, her talent was much underutilized.
Continue Reading this article on thehofstra chronicle.com
October 3, 2013 • B 3
“Metallica”:
Metal that liberates and unites
By Muhammad Muzammal Columnist
Metal isn’t like most music genres. It has a realist element that makes its music far more powerful. There are fundamental components to metal bands that cannot be replicated. Perhaps the most well known metal band of all time is Metallica. With Lars Ulrich’s intense drumming, Robert Trujillo and Kirk Hammett’s rapid bass and guitar playing and James Hetfield’s powerful vocals, Metallica epitomizes metal music like no other band. In “Metallica: Through the Never,” a film that is part concert and part narrative, Metallica is the spectacular centerpiece, playing with fierce liberation and incredible ferocity. During the concert Metallica connects with its audience and both parties share a multilayered bond. The narrative follows Trip (Dane DeHaan), a roadie responsible for setting up the bands valuable equipment. One night, one of Metallica’s trucks breaks down. Trip is called to drive to the vehicle and save a mysterious bag whose purpose is never revealed. He finds himself on a unique odyssey, traveling through a dystopian Los Angeles in search of the bag. “Metallica: Through the Never’s” largest achievement is carefully lining up Trip’s journey with the concert. L.A. has become a breaking point for civilization, with numerous riots on the streets. As Trip goes deeper into this malicious world, Metallica’s songs become darker. For one, the band performs select songs from their album “Masters
of Puppets” while Trip encounters various rioters. One of the largest themes of the album is powerlessness – an emotion that the broken civilization can identify with. The juxtaposition of the concert with the story works here because the concert acts as a conscience while the story represent its actions. Trip doesn’t speak much; Metallica’s thought-provoking lyrics show us his fear instead. The film is not without direction. Its masterful craftsmanship creates an escapist experience due in large part to Hungarian filmmaker Nimród Antal. There are extravagantly staged sequences with unique and fascinating angles. The camera pans over the band and most importantly, captures the reactions of the die-hard fans. The crowd is joyful and in the moment, so much so that they resemble one organism, moving in unison, arms waving in the air. They applaud, laugh and cheer so loudly that, in one humorous scene, Hetfield can’t even fathom the noise. Yet Metallica keeps playing, moving the inspired crowd to deep emotional levels. As the backdrop to the film, Metallica always plays in the background and acts as a main character. What we see and hear is a band with a passion and pure love for their music. The film connects many scenes from Trip’s story to the songs, showing a thematic relevance to both. The film shows a discipline to its subject just as the band shows rigorousness for its genre. It is more than a serviceable concert movie – it is an immersive mixture of storytelling and exhibition. And a damn good one.
B 4 • October 3, 2013
A&E
Review Round-up
TV That
Matters: a failure and favorite
By John Thomas Columnist
“Chicago Fire ” I think that you should say hello to people as much as you possibly can. Now, I’m a neurotic, anxiety-ridden shell of a man, so most days I’m miles away from that ideal. But in a perfect world, I think that greeting everyone you pass would be second nature. Yet, even in that universe, I don’t think I’d say hello to “Chicago Fire,” because I don’t think I’d notice it shuffling past me – too stylistically lean to have enough substance to possibly be seen by the naked eye. It isn’t as if “Chicago Fire” lacks a solid framework to build itself around. While I may not be one for Dick Wolf’s brand of television, I earnestly enjoyed the earnestly chummy atmosphere of the department. Unlike the relationships found between the detectives and prosecutors of Wolf’s “Law & Order” franchise, I found the interactions between the main cast came off as sincere, and not in the least bit saccharine. That being said, the chemistry cannot make up for the show’s plentiful shortcomings. The main plot is so simple and explicit that I found myself entirely uninterested by the end of the episode. The climatic scene reveals who the arsonist targeting members of the department is, but it’s done in such a hamfisted, expository way, that I felt as if I was reading a synopsis of the episode rather than watching it. It’s a real shame that the narrative is so simple minded, because thematically speaking, this episode was very cohesive and well thought out. Each storyline was about constraints – constraints imposed on us by others and constraints we have to impose on ourselves. Yet, the exploration of that theme was completely facile. The most compelling subplot – where two older firemen tried to each launch their own political career with hopes of reversing recent budget cuts that they believe have put the safety of their crew and their city in jeopardy – was enjoyable but very brief, and not nuanced enough to be that compelling after its first couple of beats. “Chicago Fire” seems to be much more serialized than Wolf’s other shows, I’m not even sure if I could really label it a procedural, so I hope that as the narrative progresses, its thematic depth expands as well, but sadly, I won’t be around to find out.
The Chronicle
“Parks and Recreation” I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, “Parks and Recreation” is my out-and-out favorite television show of all time. Some of you have Walter White to bully you into submission just the way you like it, or Gob Bluth to tickle the funny bone that’s in your swimsuit zone, but I have Leslie Knope to welcome me back to Pawnee every fall with a smile and no weird sex thing whatsoever. That being said, last season started off pretty soft with a destination premiere in Washington, D.C. that I wasn’t a huge fan of. For the most part, it felt as if the writers were becoming, whether consciously or not, really fantastic fan fiction writers in that episode. It was still enjoyable, but I felt like I was watching things Leslie Knope would do and not things Leslie Knope should do. Still, the rest of the season picked up, and while some of my fellow critics may disagree, I think it was as strong an offering as any other season “Parks” has put out. Nonetheless, I was worried when I heard we were going to be given yet another destination premiere, this time set in London. I know that in this case, the setting was more of a logistical necessity, considering Chris Pratt, who stars as my absolute favorite character Andy Dwyer, is currently shooting Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” around the UK. However, I was worried that it might become a narrative crutch, with Leslie meeting Tony Blair or Daniel Radcliffe, to tempered laughter. My worries were entirely unwarranted. First of all, there’s a scene where Andy and his British counterpart, who happens to be an incredibly wealthy Lord, battle with remote control helicopters. As a fan of both the humor that can be found in youthful naivety and watching remote control helicopters fly around, this was just about all I could possibly ask for in a television show. Andy’s absence for the rest of the season is explained soon after in an organic way that pushes the character to finally become responsible, without taking away any of his charm. I can’t go through every scene, though I wish I could because there really wasn’t a single bad apple in the bunch, but I do want to point out that “Parks” is introducing an arch-nemesis that looks like she’ll have something close to a weekly presence for the first time. Sure, last season had Councilman Jam, but he was more like a Captain Boomerang than a Lex Luthor. Leslie is always the greatest when she’s backed into a corner, so I’m very intrigued to see how this all plays out.
Working on a student film? Creating your own album or playing a set with your band? Writing a novel? Email A&E at chronicle.entertainment@gmail.com to be interviewed for print and online exposure.
By Aaron Calvin COLUMNIST
“My Name is My Name” – Pusha T: B+ Pusha T’s album is good and it’d be weird if it weren’t. Released on Kanye West’s GOOD Music, My Name Is My Name brims over with some of the more interesting beats you’ll hear this year and rapping that seethes with bitter ambition. But like Pusha says, “It’s only one king that can stand on this mound” and, with a year full of envelope-pushing albums to contend with, he’s not quite the “King Push” he claims to be. Put this in rotation with Yeezus and NWTS and you’ll be in good shape. There’s certainly more to come. If You Like: Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West
“Made Man EP” – Hot Sugar: AHot sugar is a creative producer and knows a lot of talented people. That’s why this EP works. There’s not a boring beat to be found in all of the ten tracks. People like Heems and Kool A.D. (formerly of the hyperliterate Das Racist) along with up and coming NYC area rappers Antwon and Big Baby Ghandi appear on tracks. The always enjoyable Chippy Nonstop and Kitty are also featured. It’s that rare convergence of talented artists coming together and having fun without sacrificing any of the entertainment value. If You Like: Danny Brown, Das Racist
“Days Are Gone” – Haim: CHaim burst onto the scene in a way that has highly paid PR agency written all over it. It’s difficult to avoid the Spotify ads, the SPIN cover/ feature profile and the cacophonous buzz that has only reached a fever pitch this week with their album release. But here’s the thing: Haim is so, so boring. Inoffensive, to such a calculated degree, that it becomes offensive. I couldn’t tell where one track ended and another began. There is no point of redemption, no vertical rise on the heart monitor, leaving the listener with the frustrating feeling of being promised something in the form of mass hype and being left with little for their trouble. If You Like: The Vines, Smoking just enough weed that you’re tired but not stoned and just generally uncomfortable.