/01.27.2011

Dishing it out

Study Break

Acrobats, bands and comedians bring acts to Ithaca this spring, page 15

Sophomore guard brings energy and precision passing to the floor for men’s basketball team, page 25

Thursday

Jan ua ry 2 7 , 2 0 1 1

The Ithacan

Time to

take action

As civil rights activist Dorothy Cotton stood on stage singing a song she once sang with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., she raised her hands and more than 150 audience members joined in, filling Emerson Suites with a somber, humbling harmony.

During the week of Jan. 24, the Office of Student Engagement and Multicultural Affairs brought in Cotton, the Martin Luther King Jr. Scholars, three Brave New Voices poets

Assistant News Editor

See Celebration, page 5

President Tom Rochon announced the results of The Chronicle of Higher Education’s “Great Colleges to Work For” survey at the All College Meeting last Thursday, saying this was Ithaca College’s first time participating in the survey — and possibly the last.

R o c h o n ROCHON said The said the survey Chronicle’s survey showed that em- should include ployees tended hourly workers. to be most satisfied with facilities, security, working conditions and college pride. On the other hand, employees tended to be less satisfied with the extent to which performance is evaluated and with the clarity of the college’s vision.

Of the 275 colleges that participated in the Chronicle’s third annual survey, 97 were recognized as great colleges. Ithaca College was not among them. The Chronicle announced the

results in July, but Rochon declined fairly compared. Though colleges and to discuss the specific results with the universities can pay extra to survey non-exempt staff, those results are college until last week. not factored into Rochon said the decision of who he thought beis named a great cause the majorcollege to work for, ity of institutions he said. did not include Yesterday, when hourly workers The Ithacan prein their surveys, sented this inforthe comparisons mation to Rochon, between instituhe admitted he had tions in the sur— President Tom Rochon misunderstood the vey were skewed. survey data. He “I decided that we should participate in the said he thought other institutions in survey because I knew that there the survey had an advantage because would be a lot of colleges and uni- they did not include non-exempt versities,” Rochon said earlier this staff, but that was not the case.

“It turns out they took out our week. “I thought it would be a good chance to get an external benchmark non-exempt staff for that, and Jeff on how we’re doing as an employer. Selingo clarified that for me,” he said.

It turns out the way they organized “It was not clear in what I read before, the survey, it’s not useful for external so it was a mistake on my part at the All College Meeting.” benchmark information.”

Selingo said the purpose of conHowever, Jeff Selingo ’95, editor of the Chronicle, told The Ithacan that all ducting this survey is to give people colleges, regardless of whether or not looking for jobs in higher educanon-exempt workers, who are paid tion a way to compare institutions. hourly, are included in the survey, are The reason the Chronicle does not

“I was not clear in what I read before, so it was a mistake on my part... “

News Editor

See DIIS page 4

Southern Christian Leadership Conference, a non-violent organization committed to social justice, also spoke to students at the kickoff event. Her speech highlighted this close relationship with King and the role educators play in a child’s life.

“I hope that there are teachers that know that the way we work with and touch the lives of students is so important,” she said.

Cotton sporadically broke out in song

Rochon to forgo workplace survey despite confusion

By Kelsey O’Connor

By Alexandra Evans

See survey, page 4

Michelle Boulé/The Ithacan

and a series of events in celebration of King and his dream for future generations. John Rawlins, assistant director of multicultural affairs, said the purpose of the week, which became a part of Ithaca College tradition years ago, was to inspire students to make a difference in the community.

“It is an opportunity for the campus to look at Dr. King’s life, talk about his legacy and his work,” Rawlins said. “It is still relevant today.”

Cotton, an Ithaca resident who worked with King as education director of the

IC dismantles DIIS; programs redistributed

include hourly workers in their survey is because their readership is primarily faculty and administrators, Selingo said.

“The Chronicle offers this as a service to job seekers who are typically looking for jobs in a national way, so most non-exempt positions tend to be positions that are hired locally where other positions that we survey tend to have regional or national searches,” Selingo said.

Rochon said he believes the survey should include all employees on campus, whether they are faculty, administrators or staff.

“I completely fail to understand how you conduct a survey of your workers and exclude your hourly workers,” Rochon said. “It is ethically wrong and misleading.”

When doing research for the survey program a few years ago, Selingo said he discovered colleges are unique places to work, and it is difficult to put hourly workers and faculty on the same scale because they have different professional needs.

Dorothy Cotton, Ithaca resident and civil rights pioneer, filled Ford Hall with song and her story Monday at the MLK Week kickoff celebration.

staff writer

I t h a c a , N . Y.

Volum e 7 8 , I s s u e 1 5

The start of the Spring 2011 semester brought an end to the Division of Interdisciplinary and International Studies at Ithaca College.

DIIS was officially eliminated as a division of the college beginning the first WOODWARD said day of classes. students will have more opportunities All of its affiliated academic after the switch. programs and their components were transferred to other schools.

The culture and communication major, the aging studies major, the Muslim cultures minor, the Center for the Study of Culture, Race, and Ethnicity with African Diaspora studies minor, the Latino/a studies minor, Project Look Sharp and the Gerontology Institute are now part of the School of Humanities and Sciences. The legal studies major moved to the School of Business, while the Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival folded into the Office of the Provost.

Gregory Woodward, interim provost and vice president of academic affairs, said the decision to dissolve DIIS was part of the IC20/20 initiative, which calls for college-wide integrated learning. “[IC20/20] is so filled with concepts and initiatives and proposals around collaborative and interdisciplinary learning,” he said.

“It seemed to a lot of people that having a separate division for that kind of work would somehow be weakening or contrary to what we’re now expecting the college to become.”

Woodward said DIIS programs, especially culture and communication, have grown so popular among students that the demand for such majors was starting to outgrow the limited resources of the small division.

By moving to larger schools, DIIS students will be able to take advantage of more opportunities.

Tanya Saunders, dean of DIIS, said while she is sad to see the division removed, she also sees the silver lining.

“The division has taken a hit, but that hit is in recognition of its successes,” she said. “It’s still disappointing to see something you’ve helped to create to then be parsed out to others, but I’m hoping that those others will invest greater resources than I have available to me to help those programs continue to grow.”

MLK Week speakers urge students to get involved with their community

By Gillian Smith

Feedback

External surveys allow the college to receive valuable feedback, page 12

find more. online. www.theithacan.org

[ Thursday Brie f i ng ]

2 The I thacan

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Nation&World Obama campaigns for economy

President Barack Obama campaigned vigorously for his revamped economic message yesterday, warning that other countries have been grasping for first place in the global marketplace as the U.S. fell down on the job.

The president delivered the argument in Wisconsin, a state that will be critical to his re-election prospects, a day after a State of the Union address where he contended that the U.S. has to step up its spending on innovation and infrastructure in order to compete globally and create jobs at home.

The president said yesterday that while China invested in clean energy technologies, “We fell down on the job. We weren’t moving as fast as we should have.”

Government predicts high deficit A continuing weak economy and last

month’s bipartisan tax cut legislation will drive the government’s deficit to a record $1.5 trillion this year, new government estimates predict. The eye-popping numbers mean the government will continue to borrow 40 cents for every dollar it spends.

The new Congressional Budget Office estimates will add fuel to a raging debate over cutting spending and looming legislation that’s required to allow the government to borrow more money as the national debt nears the $14.3 trillion cap set by law.

The CBO analysis predicts the economy will grow by 3.1 percent this year but joblessness will remain above 9 percent this year.

Dauntingly for President Barack Obama, the nonpartisan agency estimates a nationwide unemployment rate of 8.2 percent on Election Day in 2012.

Workers killed in mine explosion

An explosion at a coal mine killed at least five workers in northern Colombia yesterday and trapped 16 more, the local mayor said.

The explosion occurred in the same mine where another blast killed 32 workers in 2007.

Sardinata Mayor Yamile Rangel Calderon told The Associated Press that at least five workers were killed and five others injured.

Speaking by telephone from the site of the

this week 27

thursday

WICB/VIC Rush Night will start at 7 p.m. on the first floor of the Park School of Communications.

28

accident, she said the injured men reported that 16 others were still trapped.

Rescue workers had been unable to enter the mine because of a collapse, she said.

Earlier, The Colombian Red Cross had reported 32 were trapped at the La Preciosa mine in Sardinata, some 250 miles (400 kilometers) northeast of the capital of Bogota.

Russian officer fired after bombing

Russian news agencies say President Dmitry Medvedev has fired a top official of the country’s transport police in the wake of the bombing at Russia’s busiest airport that killed 35 people Monday.

The reports did not immediately specify Medvedev’s reason for dismissing the transport police head for the Russian region that includes Moscow and did not give his full name. But Medvedev criticized transport police in general for being passive.

The reports also say the chief of the transport police division at Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport and two officers were fired yesterday by Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev.

In the wake of the bombing, Medvedev initially criticized the airport’s security forces.

But Domodedovo’s management objected, saying transport police were responsible for guarding access to the airport area where Monday’s blast occurred.

Egyptians use social media to riot

Egyptian activists used social networking sites yesterday to call for a fresh wave of demonstrations, a day after they staged the biggest protests in years in Egypt to demand the end of President Hosni Mubarak’s nearly 30-year rule.

However, the Interior Ministry warned that police would not tolerate any gatherings, marches or protests, suggesting that security forces would immediately crackdown at the first sign of protesters gathering.

Throughout the Egyptian capital yesterday, thousands of riot police were deployed in anticipation of fresh anti-government, Tunisia-inspired protests.

A day earlier, tens of thousands demonstrated in Cairo and several other Egyptian

A tribute to history

Indian students represent their local culture by performing Bhangra, a Punjabi folk dance at the Republic Day parade yesterday in New Delhi, India. Jan. 26 marks the anniversary of the day India adopted a democratic constitution. The country gained independence in 1950. gurinder osan/associated press

cities to call for Mubarak’s ouster and a solution to rampant poverty, rising prices and high unemployment.

Security officials, meanwhile, said up to 200 protesters were detained early yesterday during clashes between police and protesters in Cairo and elsewhere in this Arab nation of some 80 million people.

Palestinian men charged in killing

Israeli authorities indicted two Palestinians yesterday in the killing of an American woman late last year, saying the men had confessed to the killing and were also linked to another death and attacks aimed at Israelis.

Kristine Luken, 44, was stabbed to death in December while hiking with a friend in a forest outside Jerusalem. Her attackers killed her because they believed Luken, a Christian missionary, was Jewish, according to the indictment.

On Dec. 17, 2010, the two suspects, Kifah Ghneimat and Iyad Fatafa, “decided to enter

Israel illegally in order to kill Jews,” according to the indictment.

The killing drew attention in Israel, coming at a time of relative quiet and taking place in a popular hiking spot not far from Jerusalem.

U.S. deaths by bombing increase

Roadside bombs killed 268 American troops in Afghanistan last year, a 60 percent increase over the year before, even as the Pentagon works to counter the Taliban’s makeshift weapon of choice, according to figures obtained yesterday from the Pentagon.

The number of U.S. troops wounded by what the military terms improvised explosive devices also soared last year.

There were 3,366 U.S. service members injured in IED blasts — up 178 percent from the 1,211 hurt by the militants’ crudely made bombs in 2009.

SOURCE: Associated Press

corrections

January 27–february 2, 2011 friday

Shabbat Services will begin at 6 p.m. in Muller Chapel.

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saturday

Meditation Minyan will begin at 11 a.m. in Muller Chapel.

Shabbat Dinner will begin at 7:15 p.m. in Terrace Dining Hall.

The Ithacan Rush Night will begin at 8 p.m. in the Park Auditorium.

add your event Drop events for “This Week” in the marked box in The Ithacan office, or e-mail Assistant News Editor Kelsey O’Connor at koconno3@ithaca. edu by 5 p.m. Monday.

International volunteers will meet from 12 to 4 p.m. in DeMotte meeting room.

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sunday

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monday

Catholic Mass will be held at 1 and 9 p.m. in Muller Chapel.

ICTV Rush Night will begin at 7 p.m. in Emerson Suites.

Winter Wonderland Ball, sponsored by the African-Latino Society, will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. in Emerson Suites.

Relay for Life Kick-Off Event will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. in IC Square.

Multimedia Can’t get enough of our stories? There’s even more online.

Check out our multimedia at theithacan.org.

Video

1

tuesday

IC Sex: Behind Closed Doors, sponsored by Students Active for Ending Rape, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Taughannock Falls Room in Campus Center.

Watch this week’s 1-on-1 exclusive with junior Derek Rand of the men’s swimming and diving team.

2

wednesday

The Student Organization Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Emerson Suites.

Evensong, a Protestant Community worship service, will begin at 9:30 p.m. in Muller Chapel.

Video

It is The Ithacan’s policy to correct all errors of fact.

Please contact Alexandra Evans at 274-3207.

copy editors Alexa d’Angelo, Janet Early, Sara Friedman, Dina Grimaldi, Rebecca Hellmich, Kristin Leffler, Meagan McGinnes, Marissa Smith, Juliana Stiles, Vicky Wolak, Harmony Wright.

Got a news tip?

Contact News Editor Taylor Long at tlong2@ ithaca.edu or 274-3207.

Find out how students try to save money when buying textbooks in this week’s Snap Judgment.

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Thursday, January 2 7 , 2 0 1 1

The Ithacan 3

Garage fee increase worries residents By nicole ogrysko staff writer

In an effort to generate more revenue for parking garages downtown, the City of Ithaca made changes to the parking rates on The Commons earlier this month. Nearby store owners are now starting to question if the increases will have a negative effect on business.

After several months of debate, the City of Ithaca’s Board of Public Works eliminated the first hour of free parking in garages on Cayuga, Green and Seneca streets and raised the rate of parking meters on Edgemoor Lane, Stewart Avenue and Thurston Avenue from 25 to 50 cents per hour. The changes went into effect Jan. 1.

Tim Logue, city transportation engineer for the Department of Public Works, said the city spends about $3 million annually on operating and financing the three garages downtown and one on Dryden Street in Collegetown, but the old parking system only generated $1 million in revenue. Logue said the $2 million gap is normally paid through the general fund, a combination of property taxes, sales taxes and other funds paid by Ithaca taxpayers.

Logue said the city asked the Board of Public Works to find a way to subtract about 10 percent, or $200,000, from the $2 million gap that taxpayers pay by making changes to the parking system.

The Board of Public Works passed the removal of free one-hour parking during a meeting in December. Logue said changes to the garage rates are projected to raise $175,000, while the 25-cent increase will raise $25,000.

Gary Ferguson, executive director of the Downtown Ithaca Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the development and preservation of downtown Ithaca, said the group was concerned when the elimination of free one-hour parking was brought up for debate to the Common Council and the Board of Public Works in 2009 because it might deter people from visiting The Commons.

“One-hour free parking is helpful in generating interest in people using downtown as a place to shop, dine and entertain themselves,” Ferguson said.

“We were very anxious to see that that continued on or some arrangement that provided some incentive for people to come downtown.”

Ferguson said businesses have been apprehensive about the decision.

Joseph Wetmore, owner of Autumn Leaves Used Books on The Commons, said the parking changes

By Thad Komorowski staff Writer

Freshman Lee Kitchen pays his ticket to attendant Brenda Smith at the parking garage yesterday on Seneca Street near The Commons. Drivers now pay for what used to be the first free parking hour.

kevin campbell/the ithacan

will prevent customers from shopping downtown, but he also said it is difficult to say whether they have impacted his business yet.

“It’s unfortunate,” Wetmore said. “The one-hour program has definitely encouraged people to come downtown and do short shopping trips.”

Ferguson said members of the Downtown Ithaca Alliance thought there were alternatives to removing free one-hour parking, like making only the first half hour free or charging 25 cents for 15-minute increments instead.

“Folks opted for what proved to be the simplest way and the easiest," he said.

Logue said every year is a difficult budget year for the city, which did not have many other options to remedy the parking garage revenue gap.

“There was certainly a concern expressed that in a sour economy, that every little dollar or any reason to turn someone away would hurt the business district and hurt the local economy,” Logue said. “At the same time, there’s also recognition

that the city is in a tough spot financially.”

Lyle Davis, manager of Morgan’s, a women’s clothing boutique on Cayuga Street, said visitors have been spending less time inside stores on The Commons, changing the way they shop.

"People will run in for 15 seconds because they have to stick money in the meter,” Davis said.

Davis said the new parking regulations will urge shoppers to visit the mall — where parking is free — rather than visit The Commons.

“The new regulations are detrimental to the success of The Commons,” Davis said.

Despite the elimination, Ferguson said parking rates remain relatively inexpensive, and the Downtown Ithaca Alliance continues to hope visitors will come downtown.

“We definitely need to communicate the message to the community, including the student population as well, that we still have free parking on evenings and weekends,” he said. “When you do have to pay for parking, it’s still pretty reasonable.”

Ithaca crew raises money for annual charity event By nathan bickell STAFF WRITER

The men’s and women’s crews and members of Ithaca College’s chapter of Habitat for Humanity are finishing fund-raising for the sixth annual Row for Community charity event in Campus Center on Feb. 4.

Participants will keep eight “ergs,” or rowing machines, constantly in use for eight consecutive hours.

Members of Habitat for Humanity will keep two of the ergs spinning themselves, while the crews will use the other six. The row will take place in the North Foyer on the upper floor of Campus Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The crews have raised more than $22,000 so far. Habitat for Humanity has been raising money as well, and the crews will match up to $5,000 of this total for the charity. The rest of the funds will go to providing gear and travel uniforms for the teams, their spring break trip to Georgia and a planned expansion for the teams’ boathouse on Cayuga Inlet.

The women's crew co-captain and senior Jiné Andreozzi said each team member will row in half-hour increments, and those who are not rowing will still stick around the area to support their teammates.

“People will go to classes and

Town board passes Circles growth plan

then come back in between their classes and see how everyone is doing,” she said.

Dan Robinson, head coach of the men’s crew, said every member of the teams provided 20 addresses to him or Becky Robinson, head coach of the women’s crew. Each address provided received a flyer in the mail that asked for a donation.

There is also an empty space on the page where athletes can write a personal message.

Participants who are members of Habitat for Humanity can send out the same fliers as the crews, and Robinson keeps track of the Habitat for Humanity donations as well.

The women's crew co-captain and senior Amy Gefell said Row for Community acts as a team bonding experience at the beginning of the spring season.

“I like it because it gives the entire team a starting point for the season,” she said. “We train all year long, so it’s a little tricky to differentiate between when you go from training to actually getting into the season.”

Row for Community started at Kansas State University with thenWildcats assistant coach Sandra Chu. When she later became the head coach at William Smith College, she expanded the fundraiser

The women's crew practices last Thursday at its boathouse near Cayuga Inlet.

The annual Feb. 4 Row for Community event will kick off the team's season. graham hebel/the ithacan

to other high school and college crews in New York state, including the college.

Junior men's crew member Zach Doell said the crew enjoys being affiliated with an established event that benefits a well-known charity.

“It says a lot about the team that everybody is so happy to do this,” he said. “We could probably easily raise enough money for the team activities, but it’s just really nice to give back to the less fortunate people around here.”

In each of the past three years, this crew program has surpassed $30,000. With a smaller crew this

year, Becky said the program is unlikely to hit this mark again.

“I don’t think we will hit [$30,000],” she said. “But we will probably be between [$20,000 and $25,000], which is still good.”

Senior Brett Matlack said Row for Community helps bring exposure to the team, which doesn't gain much attention since it doesn't practice or compete on campus like other varsity teams at the college.

“Most rowers on the team don’t have experience before they come to college, so we can get new recruits for the team,” he said. “It's really helpful for us."

Ithaca College was unanimously granted final site plan approval for the expansion of the Circle Apartments by the Town of Ithaca Planning Board on Jan. 18. Before building permits are issued, the planning board attached certain conditions COUTURE said the college will to the approval submit revised that the college plans in March. must meet.

The expansion plan includes tearing down two-person apartments and rebuilding them to create a total of 136 new beds for the complex. New parking spaces, walkways, a small storage building and an addition to the community building are also part of the plan.

Conditions set by the town that must be met before construction can begin include a revisal of the landscaping plan and updates on water management of the property.

Richard Couture, associate vice president of the office of facilities, said the college hopes to meet the conditions by March when they resubmit revised plans so construction can begin as soon as weather permits in the spring.

“We need to add a little bit more to the landscaping plan to block off some of the vision between the property owners on Danby Road and the college Circle Apartment property,” Couture said.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers declared the wetlands present on the apartment property could not be disturbed, which caused a delay in the expansion.

Carl Sgrecci, vice president of finance and administration, said the college decided to leave the wetlands alone and focus on constructing on the Danby Road side of the project.

“The wetland issue got resolved when we cut back the number of beds,” Sgrecci said. “We, in essence, are not disturbing wetlands of any significance, so we ended up being able to modify the footprint that we were dealing with so it did not impact the wetlands.”

Michael Smith, environmental planner for the Town of Ithaca, said the other conditions set by the town are typical for any building plans, such as updating its storm water management plan, providing information regarding its wetland integration and presenting a revised easement for the sewer infrastructure.

“Once the waterlines are completed, they’ll be turned over to the town,” Smith said. “They just need to have easements so that the town can maintain or access them.”

Construction is planned from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday this spring. Some attendees at the Jan. 18 meeting were concerned about disturbing residents during that time frame.

Couture said the college hopes construction will not cause a disturbance, but there’s no guarantee.

“We hope to do the construction in such a way that it provides the least amount of inconvenience to our students,” Couture said.

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4 The Ithacan

from page 1

“A place that is a good place to work for an hourly employee could be a terrible place to work for a faculty member who wants to get tenure,” he said. “Our feeling was our main readership are those involved in administration and faculty. Those are our readers, and those are the people we wanted to serve.”

The questions employees responded most positively to in the survey, Rochon said, were “I understand how my job contributes to this institution’s mission,” “I’m given the responsibility and freedom to do my job” and “I am proud to be a part of this institution,” and employees also had pride in facilities and felt secure in their workplace.

The statements employees answered most negatively on, Rochon said, were “My department has adequate faculty and staff to achieve our goals,” “Senior leadership provides a meaningful direction for this institution,” and the lowest ranking was “Issues of low performance are

addressed in my department.”

Rochon said he does not intend to participate in the Chronicle’s survey again, but he said getting feedback from faculty is still important. He suggested that the college conduct its own survey as an alternative way to gauge employee satisfaction.

College employees responded negatively to the survey question regarding confidence in its college leaders. Rochon said he finds that criticism understandable based on the timing of the survey.

“At that point in time, we were deeply preoccupied with managing our way through the economic crisis and also were managing our way through the large number of freshman students we had,” he said.

“IC20/20 did not yet exist. One important reason to keep doing this survey will be to find out if IC20/20 feels to faculty and staff like a clear vision for the future or if that concern is still there.”

Karenn Reeter, chair of staff council, participated in the Chronicle’s survey last spring. She said the survey came at a key time because of the

state of the economy and other outside factors that had the potential to worry employees.

“Since then, there has been a lot of settling in terms of understanding how the college has been able to ride out the storm,” she said. “Our enrollment issues and budget issues that were affected very strongly by the economy — those things have settled in.”

Mark Coldren, associate vice president of human resources, said he wonders if the response from employees would be different if the survey was taken today.

“These surveys are really based on what people believe in the moment you ask them,” he said. “It is kind of like a snapshot in time. I would like to think people know where we’re going, but we won’t know until the next time we ask.”

Reeter, who has worked at the college for three years, said she likes the community atmosphere.

“I feel like it’s a great place to work,” she said. “Something that surfaced as the result of the survey was that we can do more work to increase

the communication between workers and supervisors, but I think that it is not a big surprise.”

Coldren said the college is undertaking four major initiatives this year that will connect with some issues brought up by the survey, though they are not directly connected. The initiatives, which were presented at the All College Meeting, include enhancements to flexible work arrangements, development for supervisors, community engagement and assessment of benefits.

Ideally, Rochon said IC20/20 will be completely drafted and given to the Board of Trustees for approval by the end of the semester.

“Everything we’re doing I believe is very ambitious,” Rochon said. “There is no precedent for anything like IC20/20 at Ithaca College. To have an ambitious plan and then to stay focused on accomplishing that plan in the years ahead will be challenging, but I think that with our inclusive process and developing plans, people will understand it and will be very effective at implementing it when the time comes.”

The Ithacan Quality of the Workplace Survey

Of these respondents, 101 were staff, 20 were tenured faculty, 19 were untenured faculty and 16 were administration. Thirtyeight declined to reveal their job category. The survey included 12 statements regarding the satisfaction of employees and asked respondents to agree or disagree with each statement.

A separate field provided respondents with the opportunity to provide additional comments.

I wonder if some people realize how good we really have it at IC.

The following points summarize the high and low points in our survey’s assessment of employee satisfaction with pay and benefits, college resources and confidence in campus leaders.

How the college excels 90.5 percent of respondents said they feel safe and secure in the workplace.

72.4 percent said they experience satisfaction through their job.

71.2 percent said they were able to balance work with their personal life.

I can’t imagine why IC didn’t rise to the very top of this workplace satisfaction poll. IC is a GREAT place to work!

. . . . . .

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Where the college struggles 73.8 percent of respondents said the college does not accurately measure employee performance.

63.6 percent said the college does not recognize exemplary job performance and a thirst for innovation.

76.5 percent disagreed that tenure policies are clear and accessible.

Too many longtime employees feel as if their service to the College is unappreciated and are looking to leave because of this.

Respondents who have been employed by the college for more than 15 years were more likely to disagree that the college is supportive of employees regardless of personal background or heritage.

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Respondents who have been employed at the college for more than 15 years were less likely to have confidence in campus leadership than those who have been at the college for five years or less.

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While 76 percent of staff respondents agreed that the college did a good job of providing the resources needed to perform their job, 56 percent of faculty disagreed.

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Nuances are important and hard to capture through this type of survey.

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I think President Rochon is working on behalf of students. Equal emphasis should be placed on supporting staff so that the resources are in place to help make new student support initiatives viable and strong.

...in spite of all the rhetoric to the contrary, the place is very top down, and the admin privileges buildings and grounds over human captial.

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The Ithacan’s survey was an effort to assess the effectiveness of Ithaca College as an employer and provide a venue for employees to voice concerns. One hundred and ninety-four members of the college community responded to the survey, which was made available online during the fall semester.

“

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Sadly I have started to develop an ‘I don’t care’ attitude.

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After President Tom Rochon announced that he would not release the specific results of The Chronicle of Higher Education’s “Great Colleges to Work for Survey” last fall, The Ithacan launched its own assessment.

In general, IC is a great place to work. Competitive salary, benefits and a community atmosphere.

“ “

The Ithacan analyzes the results of its own survey evaluating Ithaca College as an employer.

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Saunders will take on a new position at the college as assistant provost for international studies and special projects and will continue to work with the Environmental Film Festival as well as international programs and students.

She said her new position was created to focus Lewis said major on helping the requirements will college expand not change for current students. its international reach as proposed in IC20/20.

“I’m hoping that in the next several years we will have centers in other parts of the world, that we will have more faculty traveling with students, that we will have a curriculum on this campus that introduces students to the world economy and what a global system means for them.”

The Liberal Education and Integrative Learning initiative outlined in the most recent version of IC20/20 calls for a general education core for all students at the college, as well as for other initiatives to create an interdisciplinary learning experience, such as requiring all B.A. and B.S. students to declare a minor.

Leslie Lewis, dean of the School of Humanities and Sciences, said the elimination of DIIS is a stepping stone to achieving the goals laid out in the IC20/20 proposal, which will be finalized in May. Seniors will still graduate this semester as DIIS students and will not have to adhere to any curricular changes. As a general rule throughout the college, students are allowed to fulfill degree requirements as laid out in the catalog of their first year regardless of subsequent changes.

Nothing is set in stone, but faculty and deans of these schools are currently discussing if and when the degree requirements will change for incoming students.

Sophomore Hayley Nickerson, a culture and communication major, said she felt uneasy about the lack of communication until majors met yesterday with Bruce Henderson and Laurie Arliss, professors of speech communication, to welcome majors to H&S. Nickerson said though she sees the benefits of her major switching to H&S, she will miss being able to walk into Saunders’ office in a one-step process instead of talking to many different people about scheduling and class choices.

“She has been very nurturing, and that’s one of the major things I’m going to miss: having a small home for our program,” she said.

“It was kind of cool being a part of something that was so unique to only a few students.”

Junior culture and communication major Rory Cooper said he is looking forward to having more of an identity as an H&S student.

“It was kind of like the misfits were in the school, and now we have more of a home,” he said.

survey

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diis

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Survey highlights areas for improvement

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Faculty plan for future of DIIS majors

Thursday, January 27, 2011

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Staff respondents were more likely than members of faculty to balance work and home life.

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Respondents with higher salaries were more likely to experience difficulties balancing work with their personal life.

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Campus reflects on King’s legacy Celebration from page 1

throughout her speech, asking the audience to sing along to understand the impact of song and the emotion it can carry. Cotton added that the way society interacts with language is equally powerful and has the potential to create or tear down barriers.

“I don’t like referring to people as black and white and brown,” she said. “The way we use language to describe ourselves is problematic. I refuse to say ‘people of color.’ Have you ever seen someone with no color?”

Rawlins said this year’s theme — “Addressing the Fierce Urgency of Now” — was appropriate for the 10-year anniversary of the event because it serves as a reminder of all issues and problems in society that can’t wait to be resolved. He emphasized the importance of taking action with urgency.

“Issues such as immigration, poverty, discrimination in the military and gay marriage are still so prevalent in our society that we need to put our words to actions,” he said. “This theme ties that all together in a fierce call to action.”

The week began Monday with a kickoff event introduced by President Tom Rochon, who spoke about the integrity of the MLK Scholars and the potential they possess.

The scholars delivered a slideshow presentation highlighting a civil rights tour through Birmingham, Montgomery and Selma, Ala., and Atlanta. The scholars narrated the presentation with choreographed speech and used poetry to express their reactions to the tour. At the end of the presentation, two students sat down on stage with their guitars and softly sang a song written about changes they believe are necessary in

the world, which was met with applause.

Freshman Cedrick Simmons, an MLK Scholar, said their presentation focused on their experiences during the civil rights tour to show the audience how King’s struggles and the struggles society currently faces are connected.

“I didn’t truly understand Dr. King’s perspective until I took the trip,” he said. “He started to be a person to me, not just someone I read about in history books. He was now someone I could relate to.”

Simmons said his experience as an MLK Scholar played a major role in his life. He said he came to understand the legacy of Dr. King in a way he had never imagined.

“Everybody likes to think we are living in a post-racial society, but through our civil rights tour, I’ve started to realize that there are still certain things that go on in American society that aren’t that far removed from the Civil Rights Era,” Simmons said.

Cotton said she was impressed by the amount of knowledge the MLK scholars had gathered during their trip.

“The most incredible thing is that there are students here who have actually studied the history of the civil rights movement,” Cotton said. “I have not been anywhere where I felt this depth of knowledge about the civil rights struggle.”

Students attended the social justice and community involvement fair Tuesday to explore different options for community service work and select where they wanted to volunteer Saturday at the MLK Day of Service. The fair highlighted both student and community-based organizations. New Roots Charter School, the SPCA of Tompkins County, the Salvation Army and Planned Parenthood were among the community organizations that were

From left, freshman Cedrick Simmons talks with Patty Tvaroha of the Advocacy Center about volunteer opportunities at Tuesday’s community involvement fair in Klingenstein Lounge.

Steven episcopo/the ithacan

in attendance. Campus organizations were also at the fair, including Food For Thought, Do Anything Nice and IC Human Rights.

“I want students to understand that we have a responsibility not just to the [college] community up here on South Hill, but to the community downtown — to bring our resources, our talent and our knowledge to help make the Ithaca community the best it can be,” Rawlins said.

The Faith and Social Justice panel yesterday discussed how religion is connected to social justice and also how it can be conflicting.

Campus and local spiritual leaders guided the conversation that focused on King’s message of non-violence and servant leadership, Today, professor Zillah Eisenstein and the college’s Diversity Peer Educators will give presentations on the second floor of Campus Center. The week’s flagship performance will take place Friday with the Brave

New Voices poets Simone Crew, Angel Nafis and Dee Young, who will be performing at 7 p.m. in Emerson Suites. The poets have been featured on HBO and have been involved in slam poetry competitions worldwide.

Sophomore Cassie Wat, who attended the kickoff event, said she believes the week of celebration brings the college community together and encourages students to make positive changes in the community.

“Every contribution, no matter how small it is, makes a difference,” she said.

Rawlins said he hopes students and staff will be inspired to commit to social change throughout the week and throughout their lives. He said students cannot hesitate to take action.

“The things that are going on in our community can’t necessarily wait until we make it big,” he said. “They can’t wait until we are comfortable. We have to do these things right now.”

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The Ithacan 7

8 The Ithacan

Thursday, January 27, 2011

News Opinion Accent Sports Photo Design Online Multimedia Copy Editing Proofreading Advertising Reporting entertainment —

one show at a time.

The Ithacan

Recruitment Night Join us at 8 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 27 Park Auditorium

Come be a part of it all.

Stop by Park 269 or e-mail us at ithacan@ithaca.edu with questions.

Thursday, January 2 7 , 2 0 1 1

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The Ithacan 9

Aid director prepared to listen by gena mangiaratti staff writer

Assisting students as they confront the financial challenge of attending college is a passion for Lisa Hoskey, the new director of student financial services as of March 7.

As director of student financial services, Hoskey will be supervising the financial aid staff that helps students review options for paying for their education.

Staff Writer Gena Mangiaratti spoke with Hoskey, who is currently the director HOSKEY said she of financial aid at the State loves being able University of New York Insti- to help students tute of Technology in Utica, in financial aid.

N.Y., about the position she will be taking on and why she enjoys working in financial services.

Gena Mangiaratti: What attracted you to work at Ithaca College?

Lisa Hoskey: I was very selective about the places that I applied for when I decided it was a good time for a change, and really, Ithaca has got an excellent reputation, and it’s a beautiful area. When I came for the interview, it was incredible because the students that I met really seemed to enjoy their experience, and that’s a wonderful thing.

GM: You have a master in educational leadership and instruction for inclusive classrooms from Utica College. How are you able to apply this to your work in financial services?

LH: One of the things you learn, especially in that field — and the key word I think in that degree is inclusion — is its ways to help people be successful. Maybe you learn better by reading, where I do better hearing a lecture, for example. It helps not only with supervising staff, but it also helps when you’re dealing

with students. Money is one of those things that gets everybody a little bit revved up. So when one of the ways to be successful helping students navigate that process is to be able to communicate with them effectively, whatever that may be, whether it’s via e-mail, whether it’s face-to-face, group presentations. There are several mediums, and the master in educational leadership and inclusion really opens your eyes and encourages you to look at all the different ways of sharing information.

GM: What does the director of financial aid position entail?

LH: It is really sort of leading the student financial services area that is made up of not only the staff at Ithaca that helps students with financial aid — filing the FAFSA, the college profile, that sort of thing — but it is also the group that students work with when they have to make payments on their account.

GM: What are your plans for the future at the college?

LH: What I’ve learned over many years of being in this field is I want to listen. I want to hear what the staff has to say about the experience, and I want to hear where they see the positive impacts of those, whatever challenges they may face, and I want to hear from the students and just generally any of the constituencies that are around that are impacted by my future office.

GM: What is your favorite part of working in financial services?

LH: My passion is accessibility to college. It’s a wonderful experience for me to be able to help a student through that process and to be part of [it] from freshmen year to senior year and to see where that goes. College is quite an experience and in many cases is a life-changing experience for students, and I feel blessed to be able to be part of that.

System failure

Students wait outside the bookstore Tuesday afternoon after the store’s registers went down unexpectedly for the rest of the day, leaving students with no place left to buy books. At the beginning of the semester, the bookstore normally sees hundreds of students a day. kevin campbell/The Ithacan

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The Ithacan 11

College & City College to offer flex time for all eligible employees

Ithaca College will be implementing an enhanced Flexible Work Arrangements Policy.

The new policy lays out several new types of work arrangements, which include flex time, compressed work weeks, job sharing and telecommuting.

To be eligible, employees must be benefits-eligible staff members who have successfully completed his or her probationary period, with a satisfactory record of performance and no disciplinary issues. A flexible work arrangement may be considered when the arrangement works for both the employee and the college.

The Office of Human Resources is holding informational sessions for supervisors and employees who would like to learn more about flex time.

To find an upcoming session, visit www.ithaca.edu/intercom.

Trash tag prices increase because of budget cuts

Effective Feb. 1, Ithaca residents will have to use new trash tags for $3.50 each, according to the City Chamberlain’s office. The tags will be sold in sheets of 6 for $21. The tags will be valid for large trash cans and bags weighing up to 35 pounds.

The decision to increase trash tag prices was made by the Board of Public Works to close a budget shortfall with the department of solid waste, Bill Gray, superintendant of public works said.

The trash tags will be locally available at the City Chamberlain’s

Office at City Hall, Agway Farm and Home Center, GreenStar Co-Op Market, Jason’s Deli, Oasis, Pete’s, Top’s and Wegmans.

Residents can use their supply of old trash tags through the month of January, but starting Feb. 1, customers will need to use the new tags.

Old and unused tags can be turned in at the City Chamberlain’s Office for credit against the new tags or for a refund.

For more information about the increase, call the City Chamberlain’s Office at 274-6580.

Professor to be co-chair on two Emmy committees

Stephen Tropiano, Los Angeles Program director and associate professor of television-radio, has been appointed

by John Shaffner, president of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, to cochair the GovTROPIANO ernors Awards Committee for the 2011 Emmys.

The Governors Award is presented each year to one or more individuals, companies or organizations for outstanding achievement in the arts and sciences or management of television.

Tropiano is also serving on the selection committee for the fourth annual “Television Academy Honors,” which recognizes “television with a conscience,” or all programming that is specifically designed to inspire, inform and motivate its audience.

Ithaca students selected to present at conference

More than 213 Ithaca College students had their abstracts accepted to be presented during this year’s National Conference on Undergraduate Research, which is being held on campus from March 31 to April 2.

Student abstracts from the college include topics in biology, kinesiology, exercise science, international studies, math, theatre, economics, business, accounting, music, communications and visual arts.

The 2011 NCUR conference will bring more than 2,000 students and faculty from around the nation and beyond to the college’s campus in an event that highlights student scholarship across disciplines.

The three-day event will feature student seminars, performances and poster presentations, as well as plenary speakers and special events.

College to offer services for writing digital books

Digital Media Services now has the ability to work with faculty who are interested in developing e-books for use on the latest e-readers like the Kindle and Nook.

For more information about developing e-books, visit http://www. ithaca.edu/its/services/dms/ebooks.

OSEMA seeks students for summer orientations

The Office of Student Engagement & Multicultural Affairs is looking for 20 student orientation leaders to assist with new students, transfers and family orientation.

Applications will be available

Public Safety Incident Log december 17 UNLAWFUL POSS. OF MARIJUANA LOCATION: Terraces SUMMARY: Ten people judicially referred for unlawful possession of marijuana. Master Patrol Officer Erik Merlin.

CRIMINAL POSS. OF MARIJUANA LOCATION: Terraces SUMMARY: Officer issued two people appearance tickets for the Ithaca Town Court for criminal possession of marijuana in the fifth degree, and those individuals were judicially referred. Patrol Officer Brad Bates.

december 18 LARCENY LOCATION: Z-Lot SUMMARY: Caller reported an unknown person stole a tire and wheel from a vehicle.

Investigation pending. Master Patrol Officer Dirk Hightchew.

MAKING GRAFFITI LOCATION: Williams Hall SUMMARY: Officer reported an unknown person wrote graffiti. Investigation pending.

Patrol Officer Jeffrey Austin.

FOUND PROPERTY LOCATION: Terraces SUMMARY: Set of keys found and turned over to Public Safety. Unknown owner.

MVA LOCATION: E-Lot SUMMARY: Person reported a one-car motor vehicle accident after a vehicle backed into a sign post, causing damage to the sign. Report taken. Master Patrol Officer Donald Lyke.

december 22

December 20

LARCENY LOCATION: Emerson Hall SUMMARY: Caller reported an unknown person or persons stole a sweatshirt.

Investigation pending. Master Patrol Officer Dirk Hightchew.

SAFETY HAZARD LOCATION: Emerson Hall SUMMARY: During health and safety room inspections, officer found a hazardous substance. Item confiscated. Fire Protection Specialist Enoch Perkins.

CONDUCT CODE VIOLATION LOCATION: Tallcott Hall SUMMARY: In a life safety room inspection, officer reported a hazardous substance confiscated. Two persons judicially referred Fire Protection Specialist Enoch Perkins.

december 21

december 23

MAKING GRAFFITI LOCATION: Williams Hall SUMMARY: An officer reported an unknown person or persons wrote graffiti on property. Investigation pending. Patrol Officer Jeffrey Austin.

larceny LOCATION: Terraces SUMMARY: A caller reported a person may have stolen a bicycle. Ownership confirmed by officers; no theft of property occurred.

Larceny unfounded. Sergeant Terry O’Pray.

Feb. 1 and are due Feb. 22 at 5 p.m.

OSEMA is looking for students who have a balance of academic year, areas of study and cultural diversity.

Informational meetings will be held throughout the spring semester.

New hire begins working as Park’s assistant dean

Bryan Roberts joined the Roy H. Park School of Communications last week as the assistant dean of student services.

He plans to focus on student advising, transfer and waiver requests, academic status and orientation.

For the past three years, RobROBERTS erts was Director of the Academic Resource Center at SUNY-Purchase.

Associate Dean Virginia Mansfield-Richardson will now have more capacity to focus on other critical areas in the Park School, including curriculum, assessment, long- and short-term planning and resource development for faculty, and course scheduling. She will also expand her work as director of the Teaching are Research in Environmental Ethics and Sustainability, a sustainability effort within the school.

Shuttle to begin running from college to Longview

The Longview and Ithaca College shuttle began its normal runs Jan. 24 and will operate through May 6, the last day of classes for the spring semester. The shuttle will make stops

between Longview, Textor Hall and the Center for Health Sciences.

The shuttle will not operate during spring break from March 14 to 18. It is also subject to be canceled if there is inclement weather, and a notice will be placed on the Gerontology Institute website. The shuttle is available free of charge to all Longview residents and employees and Ithaca College students, faculty and staff members.

The shuttle schedule is available on the Gerontology Institute website.

Free meditation sessions to continue this semester

Free meditation sessions began Monday and will continue throughout the spring semester. They occur every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 to 8:30 a.m. in Muller Chapel.

The sessions are open to all levels. Instruction is also available to interested students.

Center to enroll students in sign language course

The Finger Lakes Independence Center is now registering students for the American Sign Language I class.

The class is an eight-week course starting Feb. 16 and ending April 6. The class meets Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. at the center on 215 Fifth St. in Ithaca. The class is designed for teens and adults with no experience.

The course cost is $80, and a textbook will be required. A $10 late fee will be applied after Feb. 9.

To register for sign language course, e-mail flicadv@hotmail. com or call 607-272-2433.

selected entries from december 17 to january 8

december 27 FIRE ALARM LOCATION: Terraces SUMMARY: A fire alarm was activated accidentally because of contractors who were working in the area. System reset.

Sergeant James Landon.

december 29 ASSIST/OTHER DEPARTMENTS LOCATION: Lower Water Tower SUMMARY: Officer reported a water main break flooding the roadway. Facilities responded to fix the problem. Security Officer Jeremiah McMurray.

MEDICAL ASSIST LOCATION: Conservatory Drive SUMMARY: Officer reported a person fell, sustaining knee and finger injuries. Person transported to CMC by ambulance. Master Patrol Officer Bruce Holmstock.

FOUND PROPERTY LOCATION: A-Lot SUMMARY: A key was found and turned over to public safety. Unknown owner.

january 1 UNLAWFUL POSS. OF MARIJUANA LOCATION: Circle Lot 7 SUMMARY: An officer reported a person was urinating in public and there were people in a vehicle with the odor of marijuana. One of the subjects in the vehicle fled the scene, and one person was issued an appearance ticket for Ithaca Town Court for unlawful possession of marijuana and was restricted from the campus. Two other people were judicially

referred for responsibility of guests and underage possession of alcohol and one judicially referred for indecent conduct.

Sergeant Ron Hart.

V&T VIOLATION LOCATION: Circle Lot 8 SUMMARY: During a traffic stop, an operator was arrested for DWI. Uniform tickets were issued for DWI, unsafe vehicle start and refusal to perform a breathalyzer test. This person was restricted from the college campus, arraigned in court and remanded to the Tompkins County Public Safety Building.

Patrol Officer Andrew Schneider.

january 3 SAFETY HAZARD LOCATION: J-Lot SUMMARY: Officer reported a vehicle had overheated and spilled antifreeze on the ground. Spill area cleaned. Fire Protection Specialist Enoch Perkins.

january 4 ACCIDENTAL PROPERTY DAMAGE LOCATION: Unknown location SUMMARY: An officer reported an unknown person or persons damaged a tire on a vehicle. Investigation pending. Patrol Officer Jeffrey Austin.

january 5 CRIMINAL MISCHIEF LOCATION: Circle Community Building SUMMARY: Caller reported that an unknown person or persons damaged the glass in a door. Investigation pending.

Patrol Officer Andrew Schneider.

january 7 OFF-CAMPUS INCIDENT LOCATION: All other SUMMARY: Caller reported MVA with one person injured. The caller was advised to report incident to police and seek emergency medical service Patrol Officer Andrew Schneider.

V&T VIOLATION LOCATION: Textor circle SUMMARY: Officer reported an unknown vehicle damaged a stop sign. Investigation pending. Master Patrol Officer Donald Lyke.

january 8 V&T VIOLATION LOCATION: State Route 96B/Danby Road SUMMARY: During a vehicle stop, one person was arrested for DWI. Tickets were issued for Ithaca Town Court for a high blood alcohol content and for DWI. Summons issued for failure to use turn signal and reckless driving. Patrol Officer Mark Denicola.

For the complete safety log, go to www.theithacan.org/news

Key cmc – Cayuga Medical Center CCV – College Code Violation DWI – Driving while intoxicated IFD – Ithaca Fire Department IPD – Ithaca Police Department MVA – Motor vehicle accident RA – Resident assistant SASP – Student Auxiliary Safety Patrol V&T – Vehicle and Transportation

Opinion

12 The Ithacan

Thursday, January 27, 2011

editorial

measuring results

The college is encouraged to continue participating in external surveys in order to receive valuable feedback

S

urvey results have shown a number of employees are dissatisfied with Ithaca College as an employer. The college participated in the Chronicle of Higher Education’s “Great Colleges to Work For” survey, but the college was not listed on the final list of great colleges to work for. President Tom Rochon discussed the survey results at the All-College Meeting last Thursday, highlighting that the college needs to make improvements. The college will no longer be participating in the survey, but it should.

The Chronicle results, as well as results from a survey compiled by The Ithacan, indicate that while college employees were pleased with a number of aspects of their work life, they showed a lack of confidence in senior leadership and dissatisfaction with performance evaluations. As the college moves forward with the IC20/20 vision, it’s important to discuss areas to improve on.

When the survey was taken last spring, the college was trying to manage itself at the tailend of an economic recession. Rochon had yet to present IC20/20, and faculty had expressed concern with the performance of then-provost Kathleen Rountree. Since then, the economy is doing better, Rochon has presented a new vision and a new provost has been chosen. The college is moving forward.

Rochon suggested at the all-college meeting that the college was not listed on the “Great Colleges to Work For” because the college included hourly workers in its survey while other institutions that were listed as great colleges to work for did not, thus skewing the results and using this as a reason to not participate in the survey in the future. Once The Ithacan established that the hourly workers input was not a factor in the Chronicle’s ranking, Rochon admitted he was misinformed and made a mistake.

The information from the Chronicle survey was valuable. The college was able to mark areas for improvement. But in the future, that information will no longer be available. The college is encouraged to continue participating in the survey to receive feedback from faculty and staff, as well as to compare strengths and weaknesses with other colleges. Eliminating the college from participating in external surveys is the wrong move. Faculty and staff may feel more comfortable commenting on employee satisfaction to outside sources rather than inside sources for fear of job reprisals.

Showing that the college participates in surveys such as the Chronicle’s, is a way to attract prospective employees and see how we stack up against other institutions. This could give the college the chance to put itself on the map as an employer.

Also, by participating in the Chronicle’s survey, the college can see if other colleges share in the same problems and what they do to improve.

The college needs to continue to address areas where employees are dissatisfied. The new vision is IC20/20, but in its early stages Rochon and the administration need to make sure that it’s effective and employees are satisfied. Rochon and Marisa Kelly, the new provost, need to receive feedback from faculty about how evaluations can be improved and how faculty and staff can meet their goals.

The results from the Chronicle survey are beneficial. By seeing where it can improve, the college will move forward and fix its problems.

Participating in external surveys give employees the voice needed to initiate change.

your letters Amnesty Policy mislead by article

Despite the misleading headline and tone of the last issue’s article regarding the Medical Amnesty Policy, students should feel safe calling for medical assistance in alcohol/drug related emergencies and confident they will receive judicial amnesty for doing so. To date, 12 students have qualified for medical amnesty.

The fact that an administrator needs to approve a student’s medical amnesty is standard on Medical Amnesty Policies at colleges across the country. In our case, it is Mike Leary, assistant director of judicial affairs, who has final discretion over these cases. It is important to know that he was part of the original coalition that enacted this policy, and he is extremely supportive. Once a case is approved, the student is required to complete the Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students Program. BASICS takes a nonjudgmental, harm reduction approach that meets the student where he is at with regard to substance use, with

Staff requests article on grades

Grade inflation at Ithaca College was the topic of an Ithacan article in March 2000 by then-editor Rob Bluey. It included the regis-

trar’s grade data for Fall 1980, Fall 1990 and Fall 1999, where the average grade awarded went from 2.95 to 3.04 to 3.23, respectively.

Bluey noted, “A’s have dominated as the most popular mark on the grading scale over the last five years.” Could The Ithacan do a 10-year follow-up on grade data?

Eloise Greene ms ’90 Professional Development Coordinator

LETTER POLICY The Ithacan welcomes correspondence from all readers. Please include your name, graduation year, organizational or college title/position and phone number. Letters must be 250 words or less. The Ithacan reserves the right to edit letters for length, clarity and taste.

All letters must be received by 5 p.m. the Monday before publication.

All letters must be signed, submitted in writing and either e-mailed to ithacan@ithaca.edu or delivered to Park 269.

comment online.

Now you can be heard in print or on the Web. Write a letter to the editor at ithacan@ithaca.edu or leave a comment on commentaries and editorials at theithacan.org.

Letters must be 250 words or less, e-mailed or dropped off by 5 p.m. Monday in Park 269.

The Ithacan Elizabeth Sile editor in chief Casey Musarra Managing editor Jacqueline Palochko opinion Editor Taylor Long news Editor Alexandra Evans News Editor Kelsey O’Connor assistant news editor Kelsey Fowler accent editor

the overall goal of value-free education.

It consists of two personalized meetings with Nancy Reynolds, our campus health educator. The article mistakenly reported that you only need to attend one BASICS meeting.

Ithaca College’s Chapter of Students for Sensible Drug Policy is proud to play a role in crafting and enacting this policy and is very happy with its results after the first semester. SSDP mobilizes and empowers young people to participate in the political process, pushing for sensible policies to achieve a safer and more just future, while fighting back against counterproductive Drug War policies, particularly those that directly harm students and youth.

Evan nison ’12 President, Ithaca College SSDP

269 Roy H. Park Hall, Ithaca College Ithaca, N.Y. 14850-7258 (607) 274-3208 | Fax (607) 274-1376

Megan Devlin assistant accent editor Andrew Weiser Sports editor Kevin McCall assistant sports editor Michelle Boulé photo editor Graham Hebel photo editor James Earl assistant photo editor Kaydi Poirier online media editor

ithacan@ithaca.edu www.theithacan.org

Brittany Rose chief copy editor Lara Bonner chief proofreader yu-Chen (Jane) Chen design editor Molly Apfelroth assistant design editor derek rogers sales manager evan kirkpatrick online editor michael serino ithacan adviser

Single Copies of the ithacan are available free of charge from authorized distribution points on the Ithaca College campus and in the ithaca community.

Multiple copies and mail subscriptions are available from the office of The Ithacan. Please call for rates.

Opi n ion

Thursday, January 2 7 , 2 0 1 1

The Ithacan 13

Guest commentary

The Ithacan online

Government should create stricter gun laws blog preview T he Second Amendment says, “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” It was established to create a nationwide civilian army during a time when Britain’s organized and professional army threatened the development of an independent America. At this time, many families lived in isolation, and it was necessary to hunt and kill animals to supply food. Guns were essential in protecting and providing for families.

But today, the majority of American citizens can live their daily lives easily and securely without the use of arms; the United States takes pride in the overall well-being Megan weintraut and safety of its citizens. For protection, we have diverse and organized military services as well as law enforcement agencies at all levels of government. For sustenance, we have companies that raise and kill animals for mass food production. Guns have become decreasingly essential for personal survival. Why bother owning one?

Many of the 70 million American gun owners claim they own guns for self defense. The American Journal of Public Health determined that, in comparison to all other developed nations, Americans own significantly more firearms, and this accounts for our higher rate of homicide. The National Institute of Justice reported that in 2006 alone, firearms were involved in 68 percent of murders, and more than 90 percent of today’s gang-related homicides involve guns. Instead of minimizing the number of arms available to the public, the “sensible” argument would be to eliminate gun violence by providing more guns to the public.

Violence in the media constantly reinforces destructive behavior. The American Academy of Family Physicians reported that 66 percent of television programs contain violence. Instead of portraying realistic violence, these programs tend to associate violence with humor. For example, the

www.theithacan.org/blogs The following blogs will start next week:

From theater and music to film and television, junior Aaron Edwards is here to provide you with the latest in pop culture. All That Jazz brings you commentary and wit concerning celebrity gossip and entertainment news.

Becky Chowning of Louisville, Ky., places a rose at a makeshift memorial Jan. 16 outside the Safeway grocery store in Tucson, Ariz., where six people were killed in the Jan. 8 shooting by Jared Loughner.

Susan Montoya Bryan/Associated press

popular video game Grand Theft Auto rewards players for murdering law enforcement. Through such an overdose of irresponsible violence in the media, today’s youth are becoming desensitized to the dangers of guns.

Federal law doesn’t restrict the number of guns that can be purchased at one time. Only four states (California, Maryland, New Jersey and Virginia) limit their citizens to one gun purchase per 30 days.

And once an individual is at least 21 years old, he or she can choose from an uncomfortably wide range of arms and ammunition. The Federal Assault Weapons Ban established in 1994 prohibited the manufacture and sale of certain semi-automatic firearms. But since its expiration in 2004, Americans have had access to assault weapons, including the high-capacity magazine that Jared Loughner used in the recent Arizona shooting.

The debate over gun control has been long and

uncompromising. Events such as the Columbine High School shooting, the Virginia Tech shooting and most recently the Arizona shooting have forced us to address the issue. But the Second Amendment’s promise of a right to bear arms creates a fragile environment when determining what should be done. While most people are focusing on gun laws, an alternative approach would be focusing on what really causes the problems: bullets.

Perhaps Americans should be allowed to bear all the arms they desire, but they should do without ammunition. I believe we should turn our attention to the comedian Chris Rock: “Everybody is talking about gun control … I think we need some bullet control! … If a bullet costs $5,000, there’d be no more innocent bystanders.” megan weintraut is a senior mathematics major. E-mail her at mweintr1@ithaca.edu.

Guest commentary

Haitians still need help one year after earthquake

A

s a college, we are commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. this week and preparing for the start of Black History Month. It has been a little more than a year since the earthquake that shook not just the first black republic but the world as well. There might be no better time to remind ourselves of the Shamika words of King: Edwards “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. ... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.”

A year ago, I read a statement by Hilary Beckles called “The Hate or the Quake,” where he contextualized the earthquake in Haiti for the many who are now putting Haiti on their map. He reminded us that Haiti did not fail, but rather two nations in particular had “betrayed, failed and destroyed the dream that was Haiti … [it was] ... crushed to dust in an effort to destroy the flower of freedom and the seed of justice.”

I would love to say today that things have changed, that the light put on Haiti because of the earthquake has caused extraordinary change or that we have seen great

Children gather outside their tin hut in Port-au-Prince last Thursday. Since the earthquake, Haiti has seen an increase in rapes and violence.

Rodrigo Abd/Associated Press

progress in revitalizing and recreating the Haitian nation. But here are some things that make me hesitant to celebrate the world community’s influence in attempts to support Haiti.

Most of the money collected for work in Haiti has yet to be spent, but it has generated some $1.8 million in interest, some of which will never be spent on the country, according to a document by the Disaster Accountability Project that analyzed the transparency of relief organizations responding to the earthquake.

Arrangements were made for landowners to allow persons to

make tent cities wherever they could find clear ground for a year after the earthquake. Their term is up, and some people are facing evictions.

For months, there have been Haitian voices saying MINUSTAH (the United Nations “peacekeeping forces”) must leave Haiti as soon as possible because they are creating more problems than they are solving. The cholera outbreak in Haiti has been linked to raw sewage thrown by MINUSTAH troops into a Haitian waterway.

In addition to the outbreak of cholera, aided by Hurricane Tomas, Haiti has also had a dramatic

increase in reports of rape and violence. Kidnapping has become big business as well, causing families who can afford it to flee Haiti.

Haiti is effectively run by nongovernment organizations that operate essentially unchecked. Some NGOs are rationing supplies to ensure they have enough for the long term, thereby sacrificing the people who die in the meantime.

Yet, Haiti offers the world the possibility of liberation once again. More than 200 years ago, Haiti jump-started the movement toward revolutionary actions in many countries and changed humanity by its response to colonialism. Now we can change the game yet again. We can start movements that are revolutionary to fight “imperial propaganda” and neocolonialism, but first let us take the time to learn about the complexities of the situation.

Do not go out today and buy a ticket to Haiti. It is not an “alternative spring break” location. Read, write and question all news media sources, all philanthropic organizations and all persons that you engage. Haiti is not fixed, but it’s not lost either. There is hope, but Haiti needs us now more than ever before. More importantly, humanity needs us now more than ever. shamika edwards is a senior accounting and finance major. E-mail her at sedward1@ithaca.edu.

All opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of The Ithacan. To write a guest commentary, contact Opinion Editor Jacqueline Palochko at 274-3208.

Check out freshman Meagan McGinnes’ blog, Eco Dump, for the latest news on everything green.

Besides commenting on the college and community’s efforts to remain sustainable, Eco Dump explores national issues. Go green!

Want commentary on the latest games on South Hill? Want to read analyses of professional sports? Then check out sophomore Alex Holt and junior Harlan Green-Taub’s blog. Whether you’re a Yankees or Red Sox fan, The Extra Point will surely give you all the latest sports news you’re craving.

Follow sophomore Lilly Miller as she chronicles her college adventures. From figuring out the TCAT schedule to procrastinating on homework, everyone can relate to one of Miller’s moments. Take a break in between classes and activities to read The Situation.

To find out where the hottest music acts are playing in Ithaca or what new single to download (legally, of course), check out sophomore Jared Dionne’s blog. Sharp Notes reviews the latest music.

Country, rock or rap fans can all enjoy reading about the latest tunes to hit the airwaves and iPods.

While The Ithacan has its eye on Ithaca College, senior Jacqueline Palochko takes readers off campus for a look at issues facing colleges across the country. From tuition hikes to administrative drama, nothing is off limits for College Ave.

14 The Ithacan

Thursday, January 27, 2011

accen t

Slice of life

Thursday, January 2 7 , 2 0 1 1

The Ithacan 15

An insider’s guide to upcoming events this spring semester in Ithaca

By Kelsey Fowler Accent Editor

Chili Cook-off

. ili Cook-off hacan e 2010 Ch File Photo/The It th t a i il h c e d a m e hom n dish out le Hartma o ic N d n a ill Hellman Vendors B

Whose Live Anyway

When? 8 p.m. May 11 Where? The State Theatre How much? $24.50 to $36.50

GZa

When? 8 p.m. Feb. 12 Where? Emerson Suites How much? $10

Called “The Genius” by his fans, GZA is the founding member of the hip-hop group the Wu-Tang Clan. Known for his dense lyricism and precise flow, GZA plans to release another solo album in 2011.

Senior Reece Lazarus, director of the Bureau of Concerts at Ithaca College, said he hasn’t had a chance to do a hip-hop show yet. He said he was surprised he was able to book an artist like GZA. “The issue with hip-hop is a lot of big names cost a lot more than what we have in our budget,” he said. “This was a lucky happenstance. A lot of students list hip-hop as their favorite genre, so I felt like it was time we did something here.”

Rhythm & Brass

When? 8:15 p.m. Feb. 14 Where? Ford Hall How much? Free

Combining music from Pink Floyd’s “The Dark Side of the Moon” and “The Wizard of Oz” in a 25-minute performance art piece, this brass group often puts a different spin on its music.

Alexander Shuhan, associate professor of music performance at the college and horn and piano player for Rhythm & Brass, has been with the group for almost 20 years. He said the group’s original work is what sets them apart.

“We include percussion and keyboard and play the music we like, whether it’s great rock ’n’ roll, tunes by Bach we transcribe or something one of the guys in the group writes,” he said. “It’s a pretty mixed bag.”

Shuhan will celebrate his wedding anniversary during the Valentine’s Day concert and play a piece he wrote for his wife.

Courtesy of Molly O’Shea

With the second annual Chili Mustache Competition, this year’s 13th anniversary adds new flair to the festival. Matthew Riis, marketing and events manager for the Downtown Ithaca Alliance, said to expect plenty of new games and entertainment, along with classics like the mechanical bull, wine and beer tastings and the people’s choice chili competition. Upwards of 30 restaurants will compete this year.

Riis also said the event is one of the best for bringing students and local residents together.

“We get a tremendous amount of support from students both at Cornell and Ithaca College coming down to participate and volunteer,” he said. “It’s a great event for a large cross section of Ithaca’s population to come out, get something to eat and interact.”

My Brightest Diamond

After the success of the improv TV show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” the group is now on tour. Greg Proops, one of the performers, said the humor is what keeps it fresh for all of them.

“We find ourselves enormously funny,” he said. “If we didn’t think it was funny, I don’t think we’d do it anymore.”

Proops said they play classic games like Sound Effects from the show, where audience members are called up on stage to make all of the sound while the performers mime actions.

“It’s just a lot more interactive and immediate because you’re not looking through a piece of glass,” he said.

When? 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 19 Where? The Commons How much? Five samples for $5, 11 for $10

When? 9 p.m. Jan. 30 Where? Castaways How much? $12 to $15

Mixing classical rock and modern pop, singer Shara Worden brings some soul to her indie rock group, “My Brightest Diamond.” For her self-written music, Worden takes inspiration from multiple music avenues, including gospel. She is currently test-running material for an upcoming album.

“It’s one of those ‘try-it-out-before-you-record-it’ tours,” she said. “I’ve never worked this way before. But in front of people you often do things differently, and it’s usually always better.”

Worden said this tour will feature all brand-new music.

“My relationship to the music and the impetus for writing music feels very different than it did when I was writing songs before,” she said.

Courtesy of Richard Elwood

“Spark of Being”

When? 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 Where? Willard Straight Theatre at Cornell University How much? $15 to $25

This experimental film is a retelling of the “Frankenstein” story, told through the lens of contemporary art.

Christopher Riley, managing director at Cornell Cinema, said experimental filmmaker Bill Morrison uses decaying footage, as well as new and archival footage.

“It tells the story in an innovative visual way,” he said. “The film is completely silent and a band plays live underneath.”

Jazz musician Dave Douglas and his band Keystone will perform their original score to accompany the film.

Peking Acrobats When? 6 p.m. March 12 Where? The State Theatre How much? $24.50 With gravity-defying acts — balancing on chairs or even just each other — the Peking Acrobats bring the discipline and beauty of acrobatic art on tour.

Cynthia Dike-Hughes, vice president and COO of IAI Presentations, Inc., who represents the Peking Acrobats, said the performers inspire others.

“Not only are they a cultural performing group sharing their history, but you see the extent of human possibility,” she said. “Their acts are awe-inspiring and death-defying.”

This year the group is celebrating their 25th anniversary performing. The show includes 20 acrobats performing to the live music of the Women’s Peace Orchestra of China and features puppets, adagio ballet and contortionists.

Courtesy of Cynthia Dike-Hughes

[ a ccentuate]

16 The Ithacan

Hot or Not

Th ursday, January 27, 2011

This week’s hits and misses

Assistant Accent Editor Megan Devlin rates the new panel of celebrity judges on the 10th season of “American Idol.”

Hot

Jennifer Lopez Gone are the days of Paula Abdul’s sloppy interviews, outrageous outfits and contestant scandals. Latina pop-queen Jennifer Lopez is one hot chiquita who is stunning “Idol” viewers and contestants alike with her glamour, poise and panache. However, J. Lo had a little too much compassion toward first-round auditionees. Lacking Simon Cowell’s frankness and British wit, this diva had a hard time saying no. Luckily she toughened up by round two, displaying real heart — even shedding some tears — and sending on only worthy vocalists to Hollywood. J. Lo’s style and sincerity are definitely a breath of fresh air for “Idol.”

Lukewarm

Steven Tyler The rock legend of Aerosmith is definitely the comedian on this Idol panel.

His outrageous comments and sexual innuendos definitely push the envelope a bit, especially those aimed at female contestants inquiring about costume “jujubees on the oooobies.” And while his celebrity impersonations are not much cleaner, they are quite hysterical. Not forgetting panelists of Idol’s past, Tyler noticeably displays some of Cowell’s flirtatiousness — though far less tasteful ­— and Abdul’s drifting mind. As a true rock star, Tyler can also pull off the morning-after getup.

Not

Randy Jackson Still looking for some “dawgs” to pack the pound, Jackson has nothing fresh to bring to “Idol” this season — other than his nearly shirtless showcase during one of the first auditions. While he seems to settle in nicely with his new co-panelists, as he did with former judges Abdul and Cowell, Jackson has ultimately taken the backseat. He tends to agree with his co-panelists, hardly opposing the others or asserting his own opinions. With J.Lo’s glam and Tyler’s nonsensical comments outshining him, Jackson is far less entertaining than in previous seasons.

“

Trekking through space

From left, Trevor Pease and Theresa Noon lead the interactive stage show “Star Trek Live!” on Sunday, which allowed children and adults to explore science and role-play as cadets at Starfleet Academy, as part of Ithaca’s annual Light in Winter Festival last weekend.

James Earl/the ithacan

catching CRAZE

recycled packaging material slipping into the shoe industry

This spring, be on the lookout for paper frocks, teacup bangles and recycled mail-package shoes. DIY eco-friendly fashion is definitely in. Civic Duty is a socially-minded footwear company that replicates classic Chuck Taylors and Keds, but uses recycled Tyvek®­— most commonly used to insulate homes — from FedEx mail packaging. The wrinkled texture gives these eco-kicks a trendy “worn” look. The shoes come in multiple styles — strapped or lace-less — and vibrant colors. While toting around reusable bags and purses made of recycled materials was once the latest fad, trading in your sneaks for a pair by Civic Duty is a sustainable and stylish move for the new year.

— Megan Devlin

wtf

Cash-Scented body spray promises Money Making

What would you do for a little extra cash? Thanks to Microsoft executive Patrick McCarthy all it takes is one whiff of cash-scented perfume to increase income. His Money Cologne and Her Money Eau de Parfum are beauty products that have recently hit the market, offering another way to motivate America’s money-grubbers. While many impulsively reach for the wallet after wafting in the scent of freshly baked goodies, these new sprays promise to lure wearers toward a different type of dough.

Microsoft assures that one squirt can curb unemployment by boosting morale and restoring America’s faith in the market.

— Megan Devlin

quoteunquote

How about Diddy dog food: ‘Make your dog yap to a rap.’

P. Diddy joking to “Nightline” about another one of his up-and-coming entrepreneurial undertakings.

celebrity

OOPS!

Disney star reveals all

At HBO’s after-party for the Golden Globes, Hayden Panettiere sported a super sheer nylon gown, which definitely got the cameras flashing — not to mention the crowd gawking. Though she chose a stunning dress with a sexy, low V-cut, the former Disney star was a little too revealing. In an attempt to cover-up her baby buds, Panettiere naively pasted camera-catching pads underneath her see-through evening wear. With a tinge more fabric, the young celeb could have avoided a major fashion faux pas — undergarment pasties are intended to conceal, not reveal. Despite her red-carpet appearance after the awards show, Panettiere ultimately left the Globes empty-handed.

Nice try, Hayden.

— Megan Devlin

Accen t

Thursday, January 2 7 , 2 0 1 1

The Ithacan 17

Professor’s observatory project captures outer space Luke Keller, associate professor of physics at Ithaca College, has been working with NASA since 1999 to design technology that will gather new information from the universe.

The SOFIA project, or Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, will function as the world’s largest airborne astronomical observatory.

Keller helped to design the onboard infrared camera.

Staff Writer Shea O’Meara spoke to Keller about SOFIA, working with Ithaca College students and his future.

Shea O’Meara: What is the goal of the SOFIA project?

Luke Keller: The goal of the SOFIA project is to provide an infrared observatory for the international astronomy community, so it’s wavelengths of light that humans can’t see, and that is not usually visible from the surface of the Earth because the atmosphere absorbs the light before it gets to us. In fact, most light that comes from places where stars form, places where planets form and some of the distant universe, is in the infrared and therefore invisible unless you have an observatory or spacecraft to look at it. We’re basically providing the capability, and it’s going to be going for 20 years so people will probably be doing things we can’t even imagine right now.

SO: The project had a lot of holdups.

How did you deal with those delays?

LK: It was very disappointing. When it was all on hold, our instrument was ready to go 10 years ago, so it was really frustrating to have things delayed.

They were delayed for reasons we now

understand and couldn’t be avoided, but it was really frustrating and in fact kind of scary. In 2006, NASA officially canceled the project because it was so overdue. So we did a big letter-writing push, and Peggy Williams, president of IC at the time, wrote a letter to Congress, and lots of people came together, so they reinstated the project, fortunately. It’s really exciting to see it fly and fly. We’re doing some astronomy research that really couldn’t be done without this facility.

SO: What has been the most exciting part of this experience?

LK: Two things — working with students and seeing them realize their work is appreciated by professional astronomers. I’ve been to meetings with students where they’ve demoed their software and NASA officials told them they had done a really great job and were going to use their software on the airplane. That’s pretty exciting.

Then flying on the airplane and doing astronomy has been really spectacular for me.

SO: How did the six Ithaca College students get involved?

LK: Every spring, we have a meeting on a Tuesday at noon time and we tell the physics majors and other students about the research work we’re doing and see if students are interested in helping. I had students express interest — some were interested in the mechanics, some were interested in the software and some were interested in astronomy. I tried to braid their interest with the work I needed.

Luke Keller, associate professor of physics at Ithaca College, works camera controls for FORCAST, the infrared system on the SOFIA telescope. The crew uses headphones since they are scattered at stations in the aircraft.

COurtesy of Tom Tshida

SO: Most of the students you’ve worked with have graduated. Are you looking to get new students involved?

LK: I’ve been on sabbatical for the past year — so I could work basically 100 percent on SOFIA— so I haven’t had any students working with me over the past year. [Sophomore Josh Cheng] had worked with me over the summer, and he’s actually going to be

presenting his work with me at NCUR this spring. Other than that, I don’t have any [students] lined up, but we’re going to be having that meeting I was talking about in a few days, and I’m going to pitch the project and see if I can get some new students.

SO: Is there anything else you’d like to share about the SOFIA project and your work in the future?

LK: It’s not finished for me. In fact, we’re just getting started. I just got word that I have a new grant to continue working on SOFIA — just over $430,000 over the next couple of years.

So I’ll be doing a lot more work with students, and we’re going to continue to use the observatory.

Read Keller’s blog about SOFIA at www. ithaca.edu/frequent_flyer.

18 The Ithacan

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Thursday, January 2 7 , 2 0 1 1

The Ithacan 19

Accen t

20 The Ithacan

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Brilliant vocals enrich strong acting

hot dates

thursday

by Megan Devlin

Assistant Accent Editor

From uplifting beginning to powerful end, a nonstop wave of vibratos tunefully tells of an unusual love triangle in a contemporary fashion. Sung in its entirety, the 85-minute operatic performance of “Bed & Sofa” brings to stage a story once considered socially ahead of its time but is now brewing laughter and compassion for its timeless premise.

Laurence Klavan and Polly Pen’s musical, adapted from the 1928 Russian silent film, “Bed and Sofa,” tells the story of a couple “Bed & Sofa” living in Moscow and how their The Kitchen Theatre lives are changed after taking in a tenant. With three inhabitants and only two places to sleep, the question becomes who will take the bed, and who will take the sofa?

While many people bustle around Moscow to find work and lodgings, some have found the game of musical chairs — or rather, bed and sofa — to be a diversion from menial tasks. Ludmilla (Erica Steinhagen), the submissive housewife of Kolya (David Neal), performs domestic duties daily while her husband is at work. But the tables turn after Kolya runs into an old comrade, Volodya (Patrick Oliver Jones), and invites his friend to reside at his home. The trio soon discovers the difficulty of staying within appropriate boundaries.

Director Susannah Berryman, associate professor of theatre arts at Ithaca College, helps the performers master the play’s whimsical score and symbolic libretto with near perfection. While the musical accompaniment gives voice to the originally muted characters, Berryman’s keen emphasis on facial expression and her inclusion of farcical acting further animate the startling and surprising plot.

However, the audio narration seems too modern for this period piece. While it gives historical context, it’s merely a supplemental element amplifying what the characters convey through acting — especially the “Shh shh Stalin” line added to the play, which is a strong motif that can stand alone.

Steinhagen also played Ludmilla in the Kitchen’s 2002 production of “Bed & Sofa.” Her characterization of the “submissive housewife turns romantic dreamer” is spot on. Though loyal to “His Majesty,” Kolya, Steinhagen’s skirt hiking and teasing toward Volodya reveal a rebellious temptress. She gives a

Attic Abasement, Underground River, DAADs, Kaboosh!, a lineup of local talent sponsored by Ithaca Underground, will be held from 8 to 11 p.m. at the GreenStar Annex. Tickets are $5.

Theater Review

friday

The Hogwashers, an old-time band playing fiddle, banjo and bass, will perform from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Felicia’s Atomic Lounge. Admission is free.

Roots, Rock, Reggae Night, an event with DJ Rasta Spock and 1Dread, will be held from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. at The Oasis on Danby Road.

Admission is free.

saturday

From left, Kolya (David Neal) makes a pact with Volodya (Patrick Oliver Jones) to complete their game of checkers while Ludmilla (Erica Steinhagen) attempts to steal away her new love interest, Volodya.

Courtesy of The kitchen theatre

heartfelt display of Ludmilla’s metamorphosis into an independent woman without missing a note.

Jones captivates the audience with his charm — both in appearance and character. His gentlemanly gestures easily dismiss his character’s adulterous behavior, and his sensational tenor voice and chilling falsetto resonate in the intimate theater space, making even the darkest matter more intriguing.

Though his baritone voice isn’t as strong as his cast mates, Neal amusingly embodies a comedic character whose outrageous pranks and laughable lyrics are redeeming aspects. Unlike the original character in the silent film, however, Neal plays a less protective and more passive Kolya when his marriage is threatened.

Operating with one set, the actors work well with the simple yet realistic design. Aside from the essential bed and sofa, the set includes mini-sets on the wings of the thrust stage that are vital to the story’s

events outside the home. Without the accurate and detailed performance of the cast, the harshness of Moscow winters would not have been so believable.

The play centers on the power of tyranny and limits of liberty, but it’s not evident until later in the story line, where Ludmilla toasts to “her Soviet sister” — the U.S.S.R. — and the men who tyrannically reign over them. When Ludmilla takes radical strides to assert her independence at the end, the audience picks up on the feminist undertones.

“Bed & Sofa” is an exciting treat for those both familiar with and ignorant of the original silent film.

The harmonic trio brings to life a story of tyrannized love through sensational acting, thrilling vocals and comedic undertones, delivering a moving yet light performance of weighted material.

“Bed & Sofa” will play at The Kitchen Theatre until February 6th. Tickets are available for $28.

Album’s raw punk energy puts band at rock forefront

by Jared dionne staff writer

Chances are, garage-punk outfit Cage the Elephant didn’t know just how big it would get afCage the ter writing its first Elephant album lyric, “We “Thank ain’t got the tunes You, Happy that’s gonna put us Birthday” on the map.” The Jive Records now-established Our rating: band returns with HHH “Thank You, Happy Birthday,” an album that exudes musical power and sheer dominance.

The noticeable difference between the band’s self-titled debut effort and its second album is the energy of the tracks. While the first album embraced the punk spirit with a radio-friendly tinge, this one is further down the punk

Album Review

“Schoenberg’s Playlist,” a classical music concert and lithograph showing, will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Cornell University’s Johnson Museum of Art. Admission is free.

True West, a staged reading by Sam Shepard with a musical accompaniment from Catherine Joy and Her Band, will begin at 8:30 p.m. at Buffalo Street Books.

Advanced admission is $8 by telephone at 273-8246.

sunday

Binary, a goth, industrial, EBM event with DJ Law and special guests, will be held from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. at The Haunt. Admission is $3.

New style softens sound by alex ash staff writer

spectrum with songs like “Sell Yourself,” “Indy Kidz” and “Sabertooth Tiger,” which incorporate edgier guitar riffs and less pop styling in the melodies.

If ever there was a punk song about not losing hope, lead single “Shake Me Down” is it. Singer Matt Schultz recalls his days of lost memories and broken dreams, yet concludes with the lyric, “Even on a cloudy day, I’ll keep my eyes fixed on the sun.” The anthem’s intensity builds with each echoing rim shot as Schultz wails over the mic.

Screaming, screeching and all other manners of cacophony are common for Cage the Elephant’s albums, and this one is no exception. With yelps and shrieks throughout the new release, Schultz sounds more like a punk rager ready for lockup in a madhouse.

“Around My Head,” a considerable bright spot of the album, is all about

The Decemberists are known for their dramatic ballads and largely complex progressive-rock songs, but the The Decemband’s newest reberists lease, “The King “The King Is Dead,” goes in a Is Dead” simpler direction.

Capitol From the first Records harmonica wail Our rating: HHH and guitar strum in the opener, listeners will immediately note the album’s musical direction. While the first tracks alternate between influences of folk and country rock, the band finds its groove by “Rox in the Box,” an upbeat song with acoustic strums, Celtic fiddle and a sing-along chorus. Another standout, “Down By The Water,” features guest vocalist Gillian

Album Review

Courtesy of jive records

trying to get rid of that one person haunting another’s thoughts. Forcefully, Schultz tries to oust the specter with the simple yet clever lyric, “You got me tangled like a bread tie twisted.”

This album will surely be a treat for fans when performed live because Schultz usually undergoes mild body fits that morph into full-blown exorcisms and performs stage dives that would even impress stage-diving pioneer Iggy Pop. Without a doubt, these Kentuckians have struck gold yet again.

Welch, who complements lead singer Colin Meloy perfectly.

This stylistic shift might catch veteran listeners off guard because the progressive rock instrumentation of previous albums is completely gone, and the band sounds as if it has lost energy by the last track. While “The King Is Dead” takes a different direction, it also shows that it can successfully branch out to different genres.

Courtesy of capitol records

quickies “science & faith”

“low country blues”

“live on ten legs”

Inspired by the band’s hometown social environment, the Dublin trio’s newest album includes narrative songwriting whose lyrics of love and defeat are culturally reflective and politically charged in this power pop and rock release.

While the blues-rock singer pays tribute to his influences by featuring guest vocalists and other bands’ covers, the solo album showcases the artist’s honest sound and preserves his raspy powerhouse tone.

As the sequel to the band’s first compilation album, this new release of live tracks from 2003 to 2010 features staple songs and a few surprises, whose raw and energetic sound are better than their studio counterparts.

The Script Epic

courtesy of Epic

Gregg Allman Rounder

courtesy of Rounder

Pearl Jam Monkeywrench Records

courtesy of Monkeywrench

COMPILED BY MEGAN DEVLIN

Accen t

Thursday, January 2 7 , 2 0 1 1

The Ithacan 21

Portman gives chilling performance Dancer’s obsessive characterization shows pitfall of perfection By matt reis

[

ticket stub

]

valid friday through thursday

cinemapolis The Commons 277–6115

staff Writer

Director Darren Aronofsky finds comfort in telling cautionary tales, and “Black Swan” is his most foreboding one yet.

The film takes place in the competitive world of New York City ballet where constant pressure takes its toll on one company’s nimble dancers. Nina Sayers, played by Natalie Portman in an O s c a r- w o r t h y “Black Swan” turn, is a prime Fox Searchlight example of what Pictures extreme presOur rating: sure does to one’s HHH psyche. Sayers is an eager yet self-deprecating talent who unravels when given the lead role in a modern retelling of “Swan Lake.”

A film is only as good as the sum of its parts, and “Black Swan” is built from quality ingredients. The screenplay perfectly weaves together elements of self-worth, sexuality and addiction. Best categorized as a psychological thriller, the film forces viewers to second-guess what they see up until the mind-numbing finish.

Portman’s performance will likely attain legendary status years from now. After a year of training to get in shape for the demanding dance sequences in “Black Swan,” she is so immersed in the role that the audience feels every crack in her psyche, especially Sayers’ amazing transformation from the White Swan to the Black Swan. Though childlike in the beginning of the movie, Sayers loses all of her innocence in frightening fashion by the end.

But film editor Andrew Weisblum

i love you phillip morris 7:10 p.m. and 9:35 p.m. and Weekends 2:10 p.m. and 4:35 p.m. the secret of roan inish Weekends 2 p.m. blue valentine 7:10 p.m. and 9:25 p.m. and Weekends 2:10 and 4:25 p.m.

Film Review

made in dagenham 7 p.m. and Weekends 2 p.m. the king’s speech HHH1/2 7:05 p.m. and 9:25 p.m. and Weekends 2:05 p.m. and 4:25 p.m.

Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman) rests at an intensive studio rehearsal of her “Black Swan” dance routine after being scolded by her pushy artistic director for her inability to completely lose herself in the dark and frightening role.

courtesy of fox searchlight pictures

is unable to establish a consistent pace for “Black Swan.” Most envision a ballerina as graceful, but his editing style is inundated with too many fast cuts and stylistic shots that seem wobbly and rhythm-free. Despite the intentional choppiness, it seems unneeded since viewers aren’t given a moment to catch their breaths and reflect on the action. Though the film focuses heavily on Portman — seeming onedimensional at times — Weisblum nicely mixes up Sayers’ fantastical thoughts with her real ones. Without Portman’s strong presence, the audience could’ve been lost in the plot.

Aronofsky redeems consistency with stylistic trends similar to previous movies, particularly “Requiem for

a Dream.” In both films, he sets the action in a city but creates isolation among the characters. And Matthew Libatique’s glamorous yet horrifying cinematography adds to the visual impact. With shots tightly framed on Portman, each rise on her toes shoots pain down viewers’ necks. The lighting sets the tone for the film’s succumbing darkness, changing from bright and hopeful to cold and desolate.

Though some actors don’t get the screen time they deserve, two performances are particularly noteworthy.

“That 70s Show” star Mila Kunis plays Lily, a sly, rambunctious dancer who initiates a high stakes game of cat and mouse with Sayers. Lily isn’t physically imposing, but her deviousness

Talented Firth royally delivers

“Black Swan” was written by Mark Heyman and Andres Heinz and directed by Darren Aronofsky.

Comedic heroes refine weak plot

By Richard paek staff Writer

By alex palombo Staff writer

On paper, “The King’s Speech” is about King George VI of England, who has a stutter and cannot escape public speaking. Though this may seem like boring Oscar bait, the film is far more interesting than its premise sounds.

The movie follows Prince Albert, the Duke of York (Colin Firth), as he struggles to speak “King’s Speech” to crowds at different exhibiSee Saw Films tions in England. After growing Our rating: more discouraged with failed HHH1/2 attempts to correct his speech impediment, his wife, Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter), finds an unorthodox therapist (Geoffrey Rush) to cure Albert’s stammer. The lessons become integral when King George V of England (Michael Gambon) dies and Albert’s brother Edward abdicates the throne. This forces a stammering Albert, now King George VI, in front of BBC radio microphones to calm a nation on the cusp of World War II. As a biopic, the movie faces the daunting task of explaining the real story — King George V dying, Prince Edward taking the throne, and then abdicating to marry an American woman — while making the whole ordeal entertaining. As a period piece, the film also has to incorporate the World War II bomb droppings in the background. However, what could turn into a dull and lengthy history lesson doesn’t; director Tom Hooper keeps the pace quick with witty dialogue and relatable characters.

With a montage of radio microphones and shots of British citizens listening to the king’s titular speech, Hooper makes a seemingly innocent piece of technology villainous. Scenes of failed therapy sessions depict an increasingly frustrated king and humanize a seemingly unsympathetic monarch.

is enough to make Sayers watch her back. Winona Ryder also has a bit part as disgruntled dancer Beth Macintyre, but she maximizes her brief role well by taking on a maniacal, ice queen persona after old age forces her from the Swan Queen role.

While Aronofsky’s latest feature isn’t the year’s best film, it’s certainly worth watching. “Black Swan” has some chinks in its armor, notably the haphazard editing that attracts too much self-attention, but Portman’s near-perfect acting is the real reason why “Black Swan” takes flight.

Film Review

While “The Green Hornet” attempts to be a tongue-in-cheek superhero bromedy, it fails to deliver on most fronts. The main problem lies within the basic premise of the film.

Unlike most superhero movies where a series of unfortunate events brings the hero to action, Britt Reid (Seth Rogen) instead acts on the injustice of waking up to improperly brewed cof“The Green fee. Reid therefore rehires Hornet” Kato (Jay Chou), formerly Columbia his father’s personal coffee Pictures Our rating: maker. After one night of HH fun, the duo decides to fight crime out of pure boredom.

When the main motivation for fighting crime is summed up in Rogen’s line, “Let’s do something crazy,” there is clearly problem.

Without a definitive reason for the characters’ actions, the film lacks any sort of developed characterization, making nearly every action look forced despite the talented cast.

Illustrated through Rogen’s trademark comedy and Chou’s surprisingly funny improvised lines, the dialogue is the film’s main attraction.

The action sequences barely move the plot forward because of the alarming eagerness of their pace, creating a hollow mess that lacks entertaining thrills and an easily followed story line.

In all, “The Green Hornet” feels like an overblown “Saturday Night Live” skit, exhausted by dry humor and a lack of interesting material.

Film Review

Prince Albert (Colin Firth) attempts interviews with media about overseeing wartime management.

courtesy of see saw films

This movie was practically made for Oscar nominations, especially with its star-studded cast, who all deliver stellar performances. Firth continues his fantastic streak of work by giving a heartfelt performance of a king-to-be whose determination to fix his stammer intrigues viewers. Bonham Carter convincingly embodies a sympathetic wife who stands by her husband against all odds. Though playing a delightfully kooky therapist, Rush’s deep connection with the king is more like a supportive camaraderie.

Unlike other award-heavy films, however, this one stays light without stuttering through dull filler sections or losing its plot in the historical details.

With its strangely appealing premise and fantastic cast and directing, “The King’s Speech” is bound to be Oscar royalty.

“The King’s Speech” was written by David Seidler and directed by Tom Hooper.

“The Green Hornet” was written by Rogen and Evan Goldberg and directed by Michel Gondry.

black swan HHH 7:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. and Weekends 4:30 p.m. the social network 9:20 p.m. and Weekends 4:20 p.m.

regal stadium 14 Pyramid Mall 266-7960

the mechanic 1:50 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 9:30 p.m. the rite 2:10 p.m., 4:50 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 10:20 p.m. no strings attached 2 p.m., 4:40 p.m., 6:20 p.m., 7:20 p.m., 10 p.m. the way back 3:50 p.m., 6:50 p.m., 9:50 p.m. the dilemma 4 p.m., 6:40 p.m., 9:20 p.m. the green hornet 3d 4:10 p.m., 7:10 p.m., 10:10 p.m. the green hornet HH 3:20 p.m., 9:10 p.m. country strong 2:20 p.m., 5 p.m., 7:40 p.m., 10:25 p.m. little fockers 6:10 p.m. true grit 2:30 p.m., 5:10 p.m., 7:50 p.m., 10:30 p.m. the fighter 3:10 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 9:40 p.m. tron: legacy 3d 4:20 p.m., 7:15 p.m., 10:05 p.m. the chronicles of narnia: the voyage of the dawn treader 3d 3:30 p.m., 6 p.m., 8:50 p.m.

127 hours HH 2:40 p.m., 5:20 p.m., 8 p.m., 10:40 p.m.

cornell cinema 104 Willard Straight Hall 255-3522 For more information, visit http://cinema.cornell.edu.

our ratings Excellent HHHH Good HHH Fair HH Poor H

22 The Ithacan

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24 The Ithacan

dormin’ norman

Thursday, January 27, 2011

sudoku

By Jonathan Schuta ’14

8 1 8

8 4 5 1 3 4

By Charles Schulz

4 3

6 8 1 9

9 5 1

8 1 8 3 7

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3 6 1 9 7 8 2

5 8

4 3 8

4 3

6 8 1 4

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Š Puzzles provided by sudokusolver.com

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8 4 5 1 3 4

3 8

4

4

9 5 1

7 9

3 5 2 3 7 1 2 8 6 9 9 2 7 5 8 8 1 7 9 8 8 6 5

Š Puzzles provided by sudokusolver.com

PeanutsÂŽ

5 8

3 7

7

3 6 1 9 7 8 2 Š Puzzles provided by sudokusolver.com

2

answers to last week’s sudoku

1

2

3

4

5

12

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15

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18

6

26

27

31 34

28

29

45

46

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crossword ACROSS 1 Cistern 5 Type of golf club 9 Half a bikini 12 Without a covering 13 Nota — 14 Run a fever 15 — majeste 16 Early bloomer 18 Made a try 20 Family members 21 Loud clamor 22 Paramount rival 23 Brisk 26 Zoo staffers 30 PIN prompter 31 Type of microscope 32 Potpie veggie 33 Garage jobs

36 38 39 40 43 47 49 50 51 52 53 54 55

By United Media

Iffy attempts Montana and Flutie Show disapproval Variety show Made waves Unambiguous (hyph.)

Gyro shell CEO degree — — for the money Terra firma Good buddy A Bronte sister Important decades

DOWN 1 Enameled metal 2 Chimpanzees 3 Monster’s loch 4 Works clay 5 Dramatist Henrik — 6 Split apart 7 The Plastic — Band 8 Enya’s music (2 wds.)

9 Loft locale 10 Laugh-a-minute 11 Mont Blanc’s range 17 Oust without ceremony 19 Small bark 22 Fellows 23 Railroad unit 24 AAA suggestion 25 Bratty kid 26 Some bout enders

27 28 29 31 34 35 36 37 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 48

Ecol. watchdog Dixie fighter Stockholm carrier Capone foe Ocean color Spain and Portugal Bribe Fall Please, to Fritz Mounties’ org.

Place of exile Young beef Undoing False tale teller Vulcan’s forge Some parents TV news source

answers to last week’s crossword Z E NO E I L E X C P L A C A R A S U O Z A R K G I F T G E L F WR E CO HO S HR I E K DO T S J O I N T I NN E E F OG D E

DD Y A P E D L Y C L I S L OP N AW A P S GS P S ME J OE L EOP L S E B T D

H A R P I N G O N

E R V E E S N E I L S

G E N O A

A RD X E S E F T

7 9

Thursday, January 2 7 , 2 0 1 1

sports

The Ithacan 25

Point attack of

Sophomore guard Sean Rossi sets tone for Blue and Gold with pass-first mentality From left, Elmira College freshman Kurt Dutcher defends sophomore guard Sean Rossi in the Bombers’ 101–67 win Jan. 18 at home.

michelle boulÉ/the ithacan

From left, sophomore guard Sean Rossi dishes the ball to senior center Phil Barera in the Bombers’ 101–67 win Jan. 18 at home. michelle boulÉ/the ithacan

By harlan green-taub staff writer

When sophomore point guard Sean Rossi steps on the court for the men’s basketball team, his head is always up and his eyes are constantly searching for open lanes to the basket to set up teammates for easy scores.

After leading Division III To see a video of Sean Rossi in assists last season as a freshin action, visit man, Rossi is back at it, leading theithacan.org. the country again with more than 10 per game — three more than his closest competitor.

Rossi said, though he’s surprised about his accomplishments, it’s all about maintaining his end-to-end, fast-paced style on the court.

“Coming in, I knew I had the tools to be successful, but I couldn’t have imagined it would happen this fast,” Rossi said. “Now it’s about keeping up that work ethic to continue to get better and maintain that level of play.”

Head Coach Jim Mullins said Rossi’s freshman season propelled him forward as a basketball player.

“The biggest difference between this season and last for [Sean] is the confidence and poise that he gained,” Mullins said. “He wasn’t satisfied with the way last season ended, and that really fueled him over the summer to improve his game and try to take this team further.”

Rossi, a good shooter with the ability to get to the basket, said he has always been a pass-first point guard, going back to his playing days at Sparta High School in Sparta, N.J. “I played on a really good high school team with three other players currently playing in college,” Rossi said. “When you have shooters all around you like I did in high school and here at Ithaca, it makes it easier to get everyone involved in the offense.”

The Bombers’ style of play is geared toward getting out in transition and pushing the tempo toward a higher scoring game. Dribbling up the court, Rossi controls the ball with short, precise touches, almost as if the ball is magnetized to his hands. He flashes past his defender with two sharp dribbles and a quick flip of his wrist the ball is gone, rocketing into the hands of an open teammate.

Rossi said the style and energy level Mullins demands is the perfect fit for his game.

“The coaches have really encouraged me to go to the basket more this season,” Rossi said. “If the shot isn’t there I can kick it out to one of our shooters.”

After a Stevens Institute of Technology basket in the Bombers’ 73–68 win Friday, Rossi received the in-bounds pass and, in an instant, threw a chest pass the length of the court to a streaking senior center Phil Barera, whose 6-foot-6-inch frame makes him an easy tar-

Sean Rossi (center) receives high-fives from the team at Sparta High School in Sparta, N.J.

courtesy of sean rossi

get, for an quick layup. It’s a look Rossi said the coaching staff has emphasized this season.

“That’s the first pass I’m always looking for,” Rossi said. “Phil is so much faster than so many of the other big men that he consistently beats them down the court. Overall we have some guys that can run, so we’re always looking for easy ways to get points in transition.”

Once in the half court, Rossi’s ability to control the ball with either hand and his court vision allow him to improvise and create more open shots for his teammates when the defense must collapse. His play is a big reason why the Blue and Gold rank 10th in the nation in field goal percentage shooting at 50.1.

“We’ve been setting more screens this season and driving to the basket more,” Rossi said.

“If there’s no opening in the paint there’s usually someone open outside, and we have some of the best shooters in the country.”

Rossi’s smooth play has the Blue and Gold averaging just under 90 points per game — fourth best in the country. The Bombers’ offense is only coughing up 10 turnovers per game — the seventh lowest in all of Division III — and the team’s 1.83 assist-to-turnover ratio is first in the nation.

Rossi is not the first in his family to have an outstanding college basketball career.

Rossi’s sister, Staci, played point guard for Division II Rollins College in Florida and scored more than 1,000 points in her high school career. It’s one accomplishment she said she never lets Rossi forget. Rossi finished high school with 968 career points.

“We used to go one-on-one until he started beating me all the time,” Staci said. “We were always competitive as kids, even now.

I’m just glad he came after me and has become as good a player as he is.”

Rossi said the one-on-one battles toughened him up and gave him more motivation.

“Having someone to compete with definitely helped and fueled my fire to get bet-

ter especially when I was younger,” Rossi said. “Her game and mine are so similar, and I learned so much just watching her and my dad in the gym.”

While Rossi’s work ethic and determination on the court is geared toward creating opportunities for teammates, off the court he’s exploring his own options for himself.

Rossi, an exploratory major, is interested in business management, and his father, Anthony, who was Staci’s coach at Sparta High School, said it’s Rossi’s drive and focus that motivates him to improve.

“I’m very proud of what he’s been able to do in class first and in basketball second,” Anthony said. “He’s worked his tail off in the gym and studying to get to where he is.”

The Rossi family and Sean couldn’t be happier that he ended up at the college after several schools in the northeast recruited him.

“A lot of schools were after Sean,” Anthony said.

“But we all feel he made the right choice coming here.”

An assist is a stat that relies on two acts — the pass and the score — for one to be recorded. It is also an unselfish statistic, because it involves getting a second teammate involved.

Rossi’s talent and unselfishness is put on display as he flashes a little smile every time one of his teammates scores.

Despite his success last season and so far this year, Rossi remains humble and said his teammates are the ones who deserve the credit for his numbers.

“They have to put the ball in the hoop for me to get the assists,” Rossi said. “There is nothing that makes me happier than setting up my teammates and seeing them get pumped after hitting a shot.”

Sports

26 The Ithacan

the hot corner casey musarra

Working among iconic athletes

B

ringing a baseball glove to the ballpark as a kid was a favorite pastime of mine.

Along with hotdogs and Cracker Jacks, the hope of catching a foul ball was something I always craved.

One day while at a Mets game at Shea Stadium sitting along the right field fence, I witnessed what seemed like any other play — the batter flied out to thenMets right fielder Timo Perez, who tossed the ball to the umpire.

“There goes another chance,” I thought to myself. But then the umpire made his way over to the stand and tossed me the ball.

When I got home I stared at my bookshelf filled with sports junk, looking for the perfect spot for my new ball. I found a baseball case on a shelf, opened it up and put my treasure inside.

While I have my fair share of sports knickknacks, I’ve never considered myself a collector, but it’s still something that’s fascinated me for a long time.

So when I met Laurie Ward, the manager of marketing services at Ithaca College, I felt like a kid in a candy shop. Ward has collected autographs from Yogi Berra, Cal Ripken Jr., Johnny Unitas, Vin Scully and more. Despite Ward’s elite collection, she doesn’t think of herself as a collector either.

Ward, who worked as the public relations director at the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum in Baltimore, Md., for five years in the early 2000s, said most of the items in her collection were given to her through work.

Before she moved to Baltimore, Tug McGraw was about the only autograph she had.

Ward said her fascination stemmed from liking to have her photograph taken with athletes and coaches.

“It was more about my interaction with these people than collecting their autographs,” she said.

Being a diehard Yankee fan, Ward said it was tough being in Oriole territory, but she managed to find a happy medium by rooting for the Orioles unless they were playing the Yankees. Her collection consists mostly of photographs of Baltimore athletes, but Ward has a number of Yankees items as well, including bobbleheads and a shrine of sorts to Derek Jeter. It reads “The Ideal Yankees Lineup” with a baseball card of Jeter at each position on the diamond.

Through her collection of sports memorabilia, Ward has also collected a number of anecdotes. One time while working a brunch at the museum, a coworker asked Yogi Berra and his wife if they had seen the “Derek Jeter Museum” upstairs — referring to Ward’s poster. “[Berra] said, ‘Oh, you like him. All the girls like him. I don’t understand it.’ Then Mrs. Berra sort of leaned forward and said, ‘He’s got a really nice tush.’” casey musarra is a senior television-radio major. Contact her at cmusarr1@ithaca.edu.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Squad’s offense firing on all cylinders By harlan green-taub staff writer

After a slow 2–2 start to the season for the men’s basketball team, a sense of urgency surrounded a team with postseason aspirations.

Since losing to SUNY-Oswego 95–83 Nov. 28, the Bombers have won 11 of 13 contests, including a nine-game winning streak that featured a 107–97 victory against then-No. 13-ranked Franklin and Marshall College in the final of the F&M Sponaugle New Years Tournament in Lancaster, Pa. In the The Bombers are past 13 games, the Blue outscoring opponents and Gold have averaged by an average of 9.4 92.8 points per game and points through their have scored 100 points first 17 games. or more four times after averaging only 80.3 points per game in their first four contests.

Junior guard Jordan Marcus, who passed the 1,000-point mark for his career in the Bombers’ 101–95 win against St. John Fisher College on Jan. 8, said the offense simply started clicking.

“We just started to get a better feel for each other,” Marcus said. “The coaches didn’t really have to make any changes. Shots just started falling, and it’s just gone on from there.”

Marcus said the play of sophomore point guard Sean Rossi and senior center Phil Barera has helped to open things up for the shooters.

“It takes a lot of the pressure off some of the other guys,” he said. “They attract so much attention on the offensive end that the defense is forced to make that extra commitment to try and stop them, and that leaves open shots for the rest of us.”

Senior guard Chris Cruz-Rivas, who also passed the 1,000-point mark for his career in the Bombers’ 101–67 win against Elmira College on Jan. 18, said the increased intensity on the glass and on defense helped spark the run.

“We haven’t been taking any teams lightly,” Cruz-Rivas said. “Losing to Oswego was an eyeopener and gave us that boost that we needed. The guards have done a much better job rebounding, and we haven’t taken any possessions off.”

Barera, who took home Empire 8 Player of the Week honors after averaging 24.8 points and 11.3 rebounds in the past four games, said the sense of urgency kicked in right after the team’s second loss.

“We knew we couldn’t let the slow start

stat check

From left, senior guard Chris Cruz-Rivas drives past Stevens Institute of Technology junior Simon Smith in the Blue and Gold’s 73–68 win Friday in Ben Light Gymnasium. The Bombers are 13–4 this season.

michelle boulÉ/The ithacan

snowball and affect the way we played the whole season,” Barera said. “The chemistry just got better as we got a more solid rotation, and we’ve just been comfortable with each other this last month and a half.”

Marcus said the win over Franklin and Marshall let the Bombers know they could compete with any team in the country.

“We’re a confident team, and that win only reinforced what we’ve been thinking all season,” Marcus said. “We feel like we can go into any team’s building and compete at a high level.”

The Bombers will finish up the season with six of their final eight games on the road. The Blue and Gold need to win seven of those eight games to give them the 20 wins necessary to get back to the national tournament after missing it last season.

Cruz-Rivas said the next few games will be an indicator of how far the team will advance this season.

“We’re a young team, but a lot of those guys got experience last season,” Cruz-Rivas said. “We know teams are going to give us their best shot, and now is the time of the year when good teams separate themselves.”

Team looks to remain perfect in conference play by jesse cases staff writer

The women’s basketball team finished last season with the first 16–0 record in Empire 8 conference history.

This season the Bombers have continued their conference domination by winning their first eight games, including most recently a 73–52 win against Hartwick College on Sunday.

Head Coach Dan Raymond said one of the key focuses for the Blue and Gold The Bombers take this season is on conference defense, which rival Nazareth College at 6 p.m. has helped tomorrow in them win some Rochester, N.Y.. close games.

“When we don’t shoot well, we’re staying in games because of our defense,” Raymond said. “We’re making enough plays to come out on top.”

The Blue and Gold have not lost a regular season Empire 8 game since Feb. 14, 2009, when the team dropped a 65–45 decision to St. John Fisher College. Since that loss, the Bombers have won 26 straight regular season conference games.

Raymond said what has helped the team be so successful is its ability to focus on what it needs to improve on rather than its opponent.

“It’s always about what we can do,” Raymond said. “We’re basically competing to get better against ourselves, so it doesn’t matter who we play. The

Next Up

From left, Hartwick College freshman Katrina Caulfield tries to cut off senior forward Elissa Klie in the Bombers’ 73–52 win Saturday at home. james earl/the ithacan

goal isn’t to beat that team. It’s to play the best that we can, and that’s what we focus on.”

Senior forward Jordan Confessore said though the Bombers focus on what they can control, being familiar with their Empire 8 opponents also contributes to the team’s success.

“We scout all the teams,” Confessore said. “We get to see a little bit of what they do, and being here for four years, I’ve played all the teams numerous times, so I know a little bit about each team.”

In fall of 1999, the Empire Athletic Association officially became the Empire 8 Conference. Since then the

worst record the Bombers have posted in Empire 8 play in a single season was a 9–5 record during the 2005–06 campaign. Other than that, the team has recorded at least 10 wins in conference play every season since then.

Senior forward Elissa Klie said playing tough opponents out of conference is something that helps the Bombers in the Empire 8.

“When we play tougher competition, they get us to play at a higher level,” Klie said. “So when we get back to our league we’re already at an advantage after playing better teams.”

In its four years on South Hill, this year’s senior class is now 49–5 in regular season Empire 8 games. The success is something Confessore said is rewarding for the team.

“Other teams respect us for what we’ve done,” Confessore said. “It’s great to have your name out there as one of the top competitors in the Empire 8. When teams play us they know it’s going to be a tough game, and that’s what we get out of winning all these games.”

Klie said in order for the Blue and Gold to continue winning, they will need to stay focused because their success makes them a target.

“Being at the top, all by ourselves at No. 1, people are really going to be coming out harder, faster and stronger to try and knock us out,” Klie said. “The next time we play all of our opponents in league, we can’t take anyone for granted.”

Thursday, January 2 7 , 2 0 1 1

The Ithacan 27

Sports

28 The Ithacan

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Prepared to make a splash Divers to display talent in final home meet of season by alex holt staff writer

There are members of the men’s swimming and diving team who are literally going head over heels for the team’s success this season — four, to be precise.

Sophomore Martin Brown, junior Derek Rand and seniors Mike Glicini and Nor- To view a video man Nguyen have of Derek Rand diving, visit all been vital in theithacan.org. helping the Blue and Gold to a 13–1 mark this season, finishing at least second in 11 of their 12 events this season and winning six of those events.

But this coming weekend, the South Hill squad’s divers will get another opportunity to prove their talents when the Blue and Gold host the Bomber Diving Invitational on Sunday.

The invitational is a one-day event where the Bombers compete against divers from SUNY-Fredonia, SUNY-Geneseo, Hartwick College, SUNY-Delhi, Utica College and Hamilton College.

Unlike regular meets, where divers only perform their six best dives or “optionals,” the divers also perform five required dives, which come with a higher level of difficulty.

For the Bombers’ divers, the invitational serves as both a chance to compete against other schools’ best divers with their teammates cheering them on and a valuable warmup for major postseason competi-

tions such as the Upstate New York State Collegiate Swimming Association Championships less than a month from now, Glicini said.

“Every meet is kind of a practice for states,” he said. “This is really kind of a big practice for our conference invitational as well.”

The divers might have the events to themselves at the invitational, but the support of the swimmers is still extremely important throughout the season, Nguyen said.

“It means a lot to us when we can dive as a team and get cheered on by our own teammates because it’s not often that we get to set aside time to really do that,” he said.

Nguyen said being able to interact more with other divers at the meet is also important.

“With swimming, you don’t really get to meet the other swimmers because you’re worrying about your teammates and your own swim,” Nguyen said. “With diving, it’s a little different because you get to talk to the other divers since diving’s a more social sport.”

It’s not just their teammates’ support but also the chance to do more dives or the chance to interact more with opponents that distinguishes the invitational.

Rand said the divers find their comfort zone when competing on South Hill.

“It makes it a lot easier and more comfortable just being at home and having everyone else come here,” Rand said.

Of the South Hill squad’s 10

regular season meets this year, seven are on the road and only three are at home. The invitational is actually also the Blue and Gold’s home finale this season.

“To be honest, it kind of stinks,” Glicini said. “Every board is different so it’s more comforting when you get the home board advantage.

For me personally, I’m able to relax a little bit more.”

Of the dives in the invitational, “back” dives and “gainer” dives are worth the most points because of their difficulty.

For back dives, the diver rotates away from the board with his or her back turned toward the water. With a gainer, the diver faces the end of the board and rotates back toward it while moving forward and away from it.

The Bombers have been getting more in-competition practice for the postseason lately after competing in only one meet in December.

The invitational will be the fourth official meet of January for the divers, in addition to an unofficial meet during their winter break training trip to Florida.

Glicini said the invitational can be draining because of its length but said that won’t stop the divers from putting in the level of effort required to compete.

“You’re typically just exhausted after this,” Glicini said. “But really, it’s all about making it good, making it look smooth, making it look clean and easy. And that’s what it really comes down to at this meet.”

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Sophomore Martin Brown dives in the South Hill squad’s 224–76 victory Saturday against University of Rochester in the Hill Center Pool. graham hebel/the ithacan

Thursday, January 2 7 , 2 0 1 1

The Ithacan 29

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Look online for game stories from these sports: TODAY

• 6 p.m. Wrestling vs. SUNY-Oneonta in Ben Light Gymnasium

TOMORROW

• 6 p.m. Women’s basketball at Nazareth College • 8 p.m. Men’s basketball at Nazareth College

SATURDAY

• 9 a.m. Wrestling at Jamestown Community College Open in Jamestown, N.Y. • 1 p.m. Women’s swimming and diving at Alfred University • 1 p.m. Men’s swimming and diving at Alfred University • 2 p.m. Women’s basketball at Rochester Institute of Technology • 4 p.m. Men’s basketball at Rochester Institute of Technology

SUNDAY

• 10 a.m. Women’s diving at Bomber Diving Invitational in Ben Light Gymnasium • 10 a.m. Men’s diving at Bomber Diving Invitational in Ben Light Gymnasium • 10:30 a.m. Women’s indoor track at Empire 8 Conference Championships at Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, N.Y. • 10:30 a.m. Men’s indoor track at Empire 8 Conference Championships at Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, N.Y. • 1 p.m. Gymnastics at Springfield College

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30 The Ithacan

Thursday, January 27, 2011

[the buzzer]

Thursday, January 2 7 , 2 0 1 1

The Ithacan 31

where we stand

1 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Ithaca College Hartwick College St. John Fisher College Stevens Institute of Technology Rochester Institute of Technology

1 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Men’s Basketball* W

L

13 11 10 11 7

4 6 7 5 9

Win% .765 .647 .588 .688 .438

women’s Basketball*

Ithaca College Stevens Institute of Technology Utica College St. John Fisher College Nazareth College

W 12 13 9 8 8

L 5 3 7 9 9

Win% .706 .813 .563 .471 .471

Out of the gate

From left, Syracuse University freshman Trevor Johnson, sophomore sprinter Matt Confer and SUNY-Cortland junior Alex Williams compete in the 60-meter hurdles Saturday at the Cornell University Upstate Challenge at Barton Hall.

Michelle Boulé/The Ithacan

4 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

by the

wrestling**

Wartburg College (Iowa) University of Wisconsin – La Crosse Augsburg College (Minn.)

Ithaca College Coe College (Iowa)

Record 12–1 8–3 4–2 9–1 11–4

*Empire 8 Standings/Overall Records **National Wrestling Coaches Association DIII Ranking

numbers

13 The number of wins the men’s swimming and diving team has this season. See story on

49

The number of Empire 8 conference victories the seniors on the women’s basketball team have picked up over the course of their careers.

See story on page 26.

page 28.

the foul line

Weird news from the wide world of sports

The Professional Bowling Association’s Tournament of Champions semifinal Saturday in Las Vegas saw one bowler set a dubious record and another shoot a nearly flawless game. The match pitted Florida native Tom Daugherty against Finnish-born Minka Koivuniemi, following 24 games of round robin play. In his television debut, Daugherty shot the lowest game in bowling history, finishing with a score of 100. Koivuniemi, meanwhile, was one wobbling pin shy of a perfect game. His score of 299 was enough to advance to the final against Tom Smallwood, but he fell just short of becoming the first bowler to shoot two 300 games on national television. Koivuniemi secured the $1 million prize for first place, while Daugherty finished in third place overall, despite his horrendous score.

– Kevin McCall

play of the week Chris Cruz-Rivas Senior Men’s basketball Cruz-Rivas became the 21st player in Bomber history to score 1,000 career points in a 101–67 win over Elmira College on Jan. 18 at Ben Light Gymnasium. Cruz-Rivas logged 28 minutes and grabbed 10 rebounds, both of which were team highs in the win.

Cool in the clutch The senior captain leads the team in minutes, averaging more than 33 per game, and steals with 17 on the season. He started all but two games he played in last season and ranked third on the Blue and Gold in points, averaging 13.5 per game. Cruz-Rivas sank seven of his eight free throw attempts, including two in the final seconds that sealed a 73–68 Empire 8 victory over Stevens Institute of Technology on Friday. He finished the game with his fourth double-double of the year. He has shot 46 percent from the field in his career, including 34 percent from behind the arc.

they saidit

This is a big relief because I don’t have family members and friends calling and asking me about it and reporters asking me about it all the time.

New Jersey Nets forward Derrick Favors on the aftermath of the trade rumors surrounding him and Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony.

32 The Ithacan

photo finish Capturing the Bom bers at their be s t

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Taking flight

Sophomore Ethan Alderman competes in the high jump Saturday at the Cornell University Upstate Challenge at Barton Hall. The Blue and Gold had six individuals place in the top 10 in field events and four more on the track. The Bombers return to competition Sunday at the Empire 8 Conference Championships hosted by Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, N.Y. michelle boulÉ/the ithacan