The Ithacan ∙
Thu rsday, M a r ch 7, 20 13
Volume 80 , Is s u e 2 1
College works to strengthen retention rate
Special series
ON COURSE FOR
CHINA
by sage daugherty staff writer
marketcurriculum
global
plan
IC 20/20
center languageChinacurriculum
minor curriculum
culture Ithaca IC 20/20 culture
culture
Ithaca
plan
Ithaca historycurriculum IC 20/20
minor
IC 20/20
China center marketChinese minor curriculum integrative China IC 20/20
Ithaca
Ithaca IC 20/20
integrative
Ithacaglobal China Ithaca
IC 20/20
plan
cultureIC 20/20
plan
China
plan IC 20/20
curriculumplan IC 20/20
language
minor
plan
language
culture
20/20 minorICculture
minor
history integrative
China center market
IC 20/20
Introducing Part One: Studying China the series Michael Tkaczevski staff writer
by kelsey o'connor editor in chief
Everyone has eyes on China as it gains momentum in the global market. While the United States and China become more intertwined, so too do Chinese and American students. Last year, there was a 23 percent increase in Chinese students studying in the U.S. and a 5 percent increase of American students studying in China. Beginning this week, The Ithacan is launching a three-part series about new China-related initiatives at the college, Chinese students on campus and the college’s presence in China.
Ithaca College has expressed a desire to prepare students academically for the new economic and political frontier of China, but it’s still a long way from helping students find success across the ocean. To prepare students Follow the series to capitalize on the and explore data opportunities of the at theithacan.org/ fastest-growing econ- the-china-series. omy in the world, the college is expanding Chinese language and history classes, professors across campus are organizing more studyabroad programs to China and the college’s IC 20/20 strategic plan outlines the creation of an Ithaca Center in China by 2020.
Lesson Learned Ithaca Freeskool teaches unconventional classes, page 13
design by emily fuller
culture
curriculum culture
According to the IC 20/20 vision plan, the center will be established by 2014 and will be available to students who are interested from all schools by 2020. The exact nature of the center cannot be determined until Ithaca College and another Chinese college or university finalize an agreement, Marisa Kelly, provost and vice president of academic affairs, said. “We have a number of programs with very strong connections already in China, and we have particular educational links there, which we thought would be very valuable for our students,” Kelly said. Kelly said the educational links include the study-abroad programs organized by the schools of Health Sciences and Human Performance and
See china, page 4
Though Ithaca College exceeds the national average for retention, it can’t afford to rest yet. The ongoing issue of college affordability has the college continuing to work to retain students. According to data from the Office of Institutional Research, the college’s retention rate in 2009 was 86.4 percent, in 2010 83.4 percent, and in 2011 84.2 percent. This retention GARCIA said a committee rate is for students will collect data to who return for address retention. their second year. Recent findings from the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems indicate that New York is 5th in the nation in terms of college retention rates, with a rate of 81.6 percent, which is slightly above the national average of 77.1 percent. To put the rates in perspective, California has the highest retention rate in the country at 84 percent, as opposed to Alaska with the lowest rate of 63.3 percent. But as the cost of higher education continues to rise, the college is looking at the many factors that cause students to leave the college, be they financial or academic reasons, and is looking for more ways to retain students. A committee chaired by David Garcia, the associate provost for business intelligence, was formed in the summer to investigate the retention rate of the college and collect data to better understand the student population. Garcia said the committee was formed to show that the college is committed to student success and is looking to focus on the ways in which more students can flourish on campus. He said he came to the job of associate provost in June and that the timing of the committee formation was linked to the start of his new role at the college. The committee will continue to develop and collect data beyond the 201213 academic year and is charged with watching over the college’s retention and graduation rates. Garcia said the committee is made of people who represent the campus comprehensively, including faculty, administrators and staff from residential life and student affairs. Garcia said it is not surprising that the college would outperform national averages, given the quality of the institution, and that the college aspires to have one of the top retention rates. Garcia acknowledged that students leave for different reasons, such as changing academic goals, financial
See retention, page 4
Dirt damage
aid the dream
Construction in the Hill Center raises concerns with teams, page 23
Undocumented students must have access to aid for college, page 10
f ind m or e onl ine. www.t heit hacan.org
n e ws
4 The It hacan
Th ursday, M a r c h 7 , 2 0 1 3
IC 20/20 broadens academic options for students are creating more courses about Asian history and culture that dovetail with the new Asianfrom page 1 American Studies Minor, which will be available Business, and the School of Music’s recent re- to students by Fall 2013. Liu Lu, assistant professor in the department cruitment efforts in China. The national interest in China is growing. of history, is creating courses on Chinese hisThe Obama administration’s 100,000 Strong tory, which has changed dramatically since the Initiative, which called upon college and uni- 19th century. She is piloting a freshman semiversity students to study abroad to China, led to nar about modern Chinese society as part of the founding of the 100,000 Strong Foundation. the college’s Integrative Core Curriculum. She The non-profit, non-government organization was inspired by another freshman seminar orencourages students to travel to China to start ganized by Guan Hongwei, associate professor businesses and facilitates study-abroad pro- of health promotion and physical education, and grams with funds to strengthen social, economic Nicholas Quarrier, clinical associate professor of physical therapy. and diplomatic ties with China. As education on Chinese culture is gaining After studying abroad to China, some Americans move to China for economic op- headway at the college, the language course is portunity. According to a 2009 article by The also expanding despite limited resources, Li New York Times, the low cost of living and Hong, lecturer in the department of modern business expenses in China has attracted a languages and literatures, said. According to a 2011 article by China Daily, “second wave” of young American college and university graduates to start businesses or take more than 300 million Chinese students are management positions in Chinese companies. studying English, and the rate is gradually inThe college is eager to forge ties with Chinese creasing. However, according to a 2010 article universities and begin creating the China center, by The New York Times, only 9 percent of Kelly said, and will support curriculum on-cam- Americans speak a foreign language, and the pus to help students prepare for China. Kelly said federal government spends 25 percent less, adthe faculty will create more curricula as the China justed for inflation, on foreign language training at the university level than it did 40 years ago. center develops. Learning the Chinese language is essen“Curricular proposals always start with the faculty, and they move forward through tial to understanding Chinese culture, but its various approval bodies,” Kelly said. “It is more complexity can be daunting. A typical Chinese likely that as the center becomes a reality, we newspaper requires the reader to know 3,000 will know more about what the implications characters. Tones are crucial to conveying the proper meaning. For example, the only are for the curriculum here.” Even without the center in place, professors difference between the words for horse and mother is the tone. There are also numerous dialects of ChiThe largest group of international students studying in the nese. Mandarin is the standard U.S. comes from China, followed by India and South Korea. dialect throughout China, but Other 33% China 25.4% many Chinese 252,287 194,029 people, especially in Hong Kong, Macau and southern Mainland ChiTurkey 1.6% na, only speak 11,973 Mexico 1.8% Cantonese. 13,893 Vietnam 2% Senior Adri15,572 enne Cocci took Japan 2.6% 19,996 Chinese 101 Taiwan 3% after studying 23,250 in China over Canada 3.5% 26,821 the summer as Saudi Arabia 4.5% a rising junior 34,139 India 13.1% in the School of 100,270 South Korea 9.5% HSHP's Eastern 72,295 medicine study source: institute of international education 2012 design by charley bodkin
china
student breakdown
Hong Li, lecturer of Modern Languages and Literatures, asks junior Tariq Meyers a question about a grammatical exercise in the Chinese textbook during class Wednesday in Williams. rachel woolf/the ithacan
abroad program. “Learning about Chinese culture, no matter what your major, can be useful in the long term,” Cocci said. Cocci said she wishes the college offered more education about China. “I would've liked there to be a minor,” Cocci said. “I would've liked to take more courses, not just about the language but learning more about the culture as well.” Michael Richardson, associate dean for faculty and special initiatives in the school of humanities and sciences, said two years of Chinese language, which the college provides, is a good starting point. “In general, two years of college-level language study gives students a very strong foundation for a study-abroad experience,” Richardson said. “The study-abroad program would be beneficial for our students, and I think it would impact our language enrollments in a positive way.” Liu would like to see more Chinese-related courses offered throughout the college's departments. Since Liu was hired in 2010, she has been creating more levels of history courses related to Chinese topics. “I think we have enough courses for students to take, but there is area for improvement, especially in the language and literature department,” Liu said. “There should be more language courses here that could prepare Ithaca College students so they have at least some minimum experience before they go to China and study there.” Cornell has a full four-year Chinese language program featuring both Mandarin and Cantonese. Ithaca College has one professor, Li, teaching the first two years of Mandarin
that have been available since Li was hired in 2007, and will be hiring another professor to teach a new third year of courses. Li said learning Chinese is useful for politics, business and journalism. “It's a globalized world now, and to know another language is really the gateway to know another culture,” Li said. A third year of Chinese language courses is in the works, Li said. Advanced Conversational Chinese, in which students will learn how to make an argument or presentation, will be available by Fall 2013, while another course dealing with Chinese culture and literature will still be in planning until Spring 2014 at the earliest. Li has been working toward creating a Chinese minor or a broader Asian studies minor. She said having a minor will make the IC 20/20 plan for China more beneficial for students. “The things within IC 20/20 that are closely related to China need to be specifically emphasized and highlighted,” Li said. “The programs need to be publicized and promoted to make a link to IC 20/20. … All these have to be intrinsically linked and promoted as a package so that students know that there are steps you need to take and they link to an overall big picture of the endeavor of IC 20/20.” Kelly said preparing students to learn about China is a daunting task, but it is necessary for American students to have this knowledge to succeed in the modern economy. “In the 21st century, the ability as a future businessperson or entrepreneur … to engage in China, to understand how to work collaboratively with the Chinese, seems to be something that makes a lot of sense,” Kelly said.
College addresses issue of affordability to tackle retention rate retention from page 1
hardship and personal reasons. “Our expectations when students come here is that they will be up to the rigors of the education that we offer and that if everybody does their best, then everybody will graduate … and everything that we do is built around that,” Garcia said. “That being said, things happen to students, including the identification of career goals that are not consonant with the offerings that we have on campus … People will leave for personal reasons that are largely both out of their control and out of our control.” The committee is looking at ways to retain and provide support to students. Garcia said the college retains students by emphasizing small classes, close relationships with faculty members and the opportunities to explore career paths. College tuition increased from last year, but the percentage of in-
crease in tuition for the 2013-14 school year was one of the lowest increases in 40 years. College affordability is a key factor in retention, and Marisa Kelly, provost and vice president for educational affairs, said the retention rate of the college will be positively impacted if the costs of an Ithaca College education are controlled. “The more we can control the rising costs, the more affordable we will be for students, and so hopefully reducing any need for students to leave for financial reasons,” Kelly said. Student Government Association president Rob Flaherty said he thinks it’s clear from a student’s perspective that affordability has a serious effect on retention and said it is a good thing that the college is beginning to address the issue of making a college education affordable. “It’s important to make sure that the things we’re doing to make the college more affordable are also continuing to make it a quality edu-
cation here at IC,” Flaherty said. Doreen Hettich-Atkins, coordinator of special services and programs, said she thinks the college is working hard to keep tuition increases from having a detrimental effect on students. “Yes it’s still an increase, and yes it will still be a challenge for some students, but I think the administration is very aware that Ithaca College is an expensive proposition, and [they’re] working very hard to keep those costs as low as possible,” Hettich-Atkins said. Eric Maguire, vice president of enrollment and communication, said the college is trying to be as efficient as possible while not compromising the quality of the educational experience. He said he was pleased with the percentage increase in tuition, a 40-year low, but said he didn’t think the college was done in terms of addressing affordability. “That’s a constant topic that we’re going to be taking a look at and keeping an eye on, and I don’t
Retention Rundown
On average, retention rates have fluctuated around 84.6 percent between 2009 and 2011
86.4% 83.4% 84.2% 2009
2010
2011 design by erica pirolli
know exactly what that means in terms of future years … but I know that we’re not considering a 3.8 percent increase to be mission accomplished in any regards,” Maguire said. “There’s still work to be done.” Kelly said the First Year Residential Experience has a critical role in retention rate, because the program is designed to help students transition into college, and she said the
transition to college is an issue for many first-year students. “That’s often the biggest retention issue, that students don’t feel engaged in the college community from the day that they get here, and the FYRE is really designed to help combat that, as are the Ithaca seminars, which are designed to help students transition to college in a holistic way,” Kelly said.
[ T hurs day Bri ef ing]
2 The It hacan
Th ursday, M a r c h 7 , 2 0 1 3
Nation&World League may admit Syrian rebels
Arab foreign ministers have offered the Syrian opposition coalition the country’s seat at the Arab League on condition that it first forms a representative executive council. Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby announced the offer to the Syrian National Coalition, which is the Western and Arab-backed opposition umbrella group, on Wednesday in Cairo. The 22-member Arab League suspended Syria’s membership in 2011 after President Bashar Assad’s government did not abide by an Arab peace plan that aimed to end the conflict.
Bulgarian leader quits after protest
A Bulgarian mayor resigned Wednesday as his country held a day of mourning for a man who committed suicide in a protest, demanding the official’s resignation. Protester Plamen Goranov, 36, died after setting himself on fire in front of a public building in his city of Varna on Feb. 20. Goranov and other protesters accused the mayor of shady ties with an influential group that allegedly controls most businesses in Varna. Its mayor, Kiril Yordanov, resigned Wednesday after 13 years in office. He denied any wrongdoing but said he would bow to Goranov’s sacrifice. Demonstrations began in Bulgaria in mid-February against high utility bills and widespread poverty. They then grew into nationwide civil unrest, challenging the established order. That prompted the central government to resign.
Sudan soldiers clash with rebels
South Sudan’s military spokesman said two clashes between soldiers and rebels have resulted in the deaths of 33 people. Col. Philip Aguer said Wednesday that South Sudan troops killed 28 fighters led by the rebel leader David Yau Yau in the restive state of Jonglei. Ten soldiers were wounded in the Monday fights. Later Auger said the rebels ambushed the troops, killing five of them. Pibor County Commissioner Joshua Konyi said there have been several government efforts to reach a peace agreement
with Yau Yau but they have not succeeded. Konyi said it appears Yau Yau understands “the language of the gun” better than peace. South Sudan broke away from Sudan in 2011 after decades of civil war. The country still has several internal regions where violence frequently flares.
Senate set to approve CIA director
After lagging for weeks, John Brennan’s nomination to be CIA director is on the fast track to Senate confirmation after the White House agreed to give lawmakers access to top-secret legal opinions justifying the use of lethal drone strikes against terror suspects. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., was trying Wednesday to get a Senate confirmation vote before the end of the day. On Tuesday, the Senate Intelligence Committee overwhelmingly approved Brennan’s nomination by a vote of 12-3, with four Republicans on the committee siding with the eight Democrats. The committee’s chairwoman, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., called for swift approval of Brennan’s nomination. If confirmed, Brennan will replace Michael Morell, the CIA’s deputy director who has been acting director since David Petraeus resigned in November after acknowledging an affair with his biographer.
Russian dancer admits acid attack
A Russian ballet star who recently played the title role in “Ivan the Terrible” at the famed Bolshoi Theater has confessed that he organized the acid attack on the theater’s ballet chief, Moscow police said Wednesday. Sergei Filin, the artistic director of the Bolshoi ballet, suffered severe burns to his eyes and face on Jan. 17 when a masked attacker threw a jar of sulfuric acid in his face as he returned home late at night. The 42-year-old former dancer is undergoing treatment in Germany. Star dancer Pavel Dmitrichenko, 29, confessed to masterminding the attack, and two other men confessed to being accomplices, police said in a statement. Moscow police said in a statement that investigators believe that Dmitrichenko harbored “personal enmity” against Filin.
Grieving for a president
Supporters of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez cry outside the military hospital Wednesday in Caracas, Venezuela, where Chavez, 58, died. Seven days of mourning were declared and all school has been suspended for the week. Friendly heads of state will attend an elaborate funeral Friday Ariana Cubillos/associated press
Kenya to re-count election votes
Election officials across Kenya transported their local election results to be tallied in the capital Wednesday after the preliminary electronic vote counting system broke down, while the coalition of a top presidential candidate levied charges of meddling against Britain’s high commissioner. The coalition of the country’s Deputy Prime Minster Uhuru Kenyatta, the candidate that faces charges at the International Criminal Court and is the son of Kenya’s founding president, has accused the British high commissioner of “shadowy, suspicious” and “animated involvement” in efforts to get the election commission to decide that rejected ballots should still be counted in the overall vote total. Britain’s Foreign Office said these claims of British interference “are entirely false and misleading.” Kenyans on Monday held their first presidential vote since the nation’s disputed election in 2007 spawned violence that
killed more than 1,000 people. Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Kenyatta are the top two contenders in the election.
UN calls for Israel policy revision
The U.N. children’s agency has urged Israel to reform its policies of military detention for Palestinian minors, saying authorities often violate their rights. A UNICEF report Wednesday says its conclusions are based on interviews with 400 minors arrested and jailed by Israel as well as in meetings with lawyers and Israeli officials. Abuses include arrest of minors in nighttime raids, interrogations without lawyers, shackling and threats of abuse. An Israeli official working for the military advocate’s office said minors are often manipulated by militant groups into carrying out deadly attacks on civilians. The foreign ministry said Israel is cooperating with UNICEF to apply its recommendations.
SOURCE: Associated Press
Multimedia
Corrections It is The Ithacan’s policy to correct all errors of fact. Please contact Noreyana Fernando at 274-3207.
There’s even more multimedia online. Visit theithacan.org/multimedia.
Copy Editors Jamina Abillar, Jessica Afrin, Taylor Barker, Sage Daugherty, Sara Friedman, Rachael Holcomb, Frances Johnson, Desiree Lim, Haleigh LaMontagne, Kira Maddox, Karina Magee, Kelsey McKim, Robyn Schmitz, Miles Surrey, Megan Zart
Video
Junior Gary Chin talks about his professional fingerboarding skills in an all new Hidden Talents of Ithaca.
Video
Follow this Ithaca College natural resources and ecology class as students harvest mushrooms and produce maple syrup.
Video
Ithacapella had its third block concert Friday. Follow audience and group members through the show.
Got a news tip?
Audio Slideshow
“Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” actor J.G. Hertzler discusses his time at the 38th annual Ithacon, which was held Saturday on The Commons.
News
Take a look at the presentations at a symposium about native plants.
Subscribe to us: facebook.com/ithacanonline
Accent
Get a glimpse of Ithacapella’s Block III performance, which took place Friday.
Follow us: twitter.com/ithacanonline
Sports
See how the softball team played during a preseason practice Saturday afternoon.
Contact the News Editor at ithacannews@gmail.com or 274-3207.
n e ws
Th ursday, M ar ch 7, 2013
The I th a c a n 3
Weather heats up syrup production By sabrina knight assistant news editor
Because of the varying weather conditions this winter season, maple syrup production on the Ithaca College Natural Lands is predicted to be the best season they’ve had, and students in the Natural Resources and Ecology class are reaping the benefits. The students, who produce non-timber forest products like maple syrup, honey and edible mushrooms for South Hill Forest Products, have had a steady sap collection this year and hope to see an increase from their collection last year. Last February, vandals damaged the sugarbush trees and taps, costing them about $300. The class lost 30 to 40 gallons of sap after about 40 of the taps were destroyed. The class had to come up with the money to replace all the damaged equipment, which set them back last year. At the end of Rich Road, about a 30-minute walk from campus, students tap more than 100 trees. To make the maple syrup, students take turns going the Natural Lands to check the taps and empty them into larger barrels. This process occurs every day. When there is anywhere from 120 to 200 gallons of sap collected in the barrels, students schedule a boil to take the sap into the next step in the process. A boil consists of two large containers that are lit with firewood. The students take shifts chopping wood, maintaining the fire and watching the sap. The purpose of a boil is to eliminate water in the sap and increase the sugar content to the ideal 65 to 69 brix, a maple syrup specific measure of sugar content. This process usually lasts through the day and well into the night, often up to 24 hours. Once the boil is complete, the sap goes into the lab, where students use hot plates to reach the ideal sugar content. The final product is maple syrup. Then it is bottled and ready to sell. Jason Hamilton, associate professor and chair of environmental studies and sciences, said students become “employees” of a student-run business during the course. Junior Stephanie Bartzick, a teaching assistant for the class, said everything is student run, and Hamilton gives them the power to move the class in any direction they want to. “It always moves forward, everyone always gets
by kelsey o’connor editor in chief
From left, freshman Menli McCreight and senior Danielle Prizzi participate in maple syrup production as part of the Natural Resources and Ecology class Sunday on Ithaca College Natural Lands. Sabrina Knight/The Ithacan
really interested in it and break into little groups and find what they are really interested in and make the project grow,” Bartzick said. Sunday was junior Carolyn Comber’s first boil. She worked with the veterans like senior Danielle Prizzi who taught her how to chop wood safely. Junior Kanoa Ishihara taught Comber how to control fire and manage coals. “It’s really cool to learn something like this hands on versus just reading about it,” Comber said. The first boil of this year turned 120 gallons of sap into three gallons of syrup, which is the largest boil the group has ever done, Bartzick said. They owe it all to the weather. “The past couple of weeks have been so cold that the sap really hasn’t been flowing,” senior Ian Bidwell, also a teaching assistant for the class, said. “We need to have nights where the temperature is below freezing and days when the temperature gets up to high 30s, low 40s for the sap to actually run. We haven’t had those conditions for the past couple of weeks. But now, with the weather being what it’s been, we’ve been having a lot of sap flowing.” Hamilton said the process is weather dependent.
Their success depends on the weather being just right for the sap to flow steadily. The key is the sap freezing during the night and thawing during the day. They hope to break their previous record for most gallons of maple syrup produced in a season, which is currently at 10.5 gallons from last year. Since the program began in 2008, the state of New York has seen an overall increase of 26 percent of maple syrup production, according to the National Agricultural Statistic Service. On April 6, the group will host its annual open house, which is open to students, faculty and members of the community to come experience everything they have to offer about the maple syrup making process, including tours of the sugarbush and pancakes to eat with the maple syrup. The entire process and production of nontimber forest products involves many different groups, Hamilton said. In the end, everyone works together and the product has a high value. “The whole maple syrup production at IC is this fantastic synergy that takes place between the department of environmental studies and sciences and Ithaca College Natural Lands,” Hamilton said.
Faculty discuss options for online courses at IC by sabrina knight assistant news editor
The Ithaca College Faculty Council focused on matters that directly impact students, such as expanding online education opportunities, at their meeting Tuesday. Members also discussed the budget for the 2013-14 academic year and town meetings for faculty to address their opinions on topics affecting staff and faculty. Marisa Kelly, provost and vice president of academic affairs, gave an update about the online workflow project, which will reduce the need for paper for forms such as sabbaticals, overrides and admissions applications. She said the first form moving from paper to online will be the course registration override form, which will be beta tested in the Roy H. Park School of Communications in April. Kelly said she hopes the system will be fully implemented in the fall. After an executive session with President Tom Rochon and Kelly and a presentation from Rob Gearhart, assistant provost of online learning and extended studies, Faculty Council discussed the policies of study away and online education. Gearhart said he wants to make online programs
College begins assessment of president
more available to students and make sure availability of online classes is not a deciding factor in whether students study away. “Our thinking was to try to align with the IC 20/20 initiative to make it possible for more students to study away,” Gearhart said. Lisabeth Chabot, college librarian, said expanding the variety of online courses offered to students will help students studying away from the college have a more wellrounded course load. Chabot said online courses would also help students meet academic requirements remotely. “We’re talking about a student being able to take a more complete credit load rather than relying so much on the on-site courses that might be for example in London or wherever, that we might expand the course offerings that would be available to students … in remote sites or students who are away from campus,” Chabot said. During the meeting, Gearhart said 4 to 5 percent of undergraduates take summer course credits. He said a survey showed that high costs were one of the reasons this number is low. Gearhart said this is something that is being taken into consideration as the program
From left, Rob Gearhart discusses online course options as Peter Rothbart and Lisabeth Chabot look on at a Faculty Council meeting Tuesday.
sabrina knight/the ithacan
is being assessed. Members of the Faculty Council voiced concern about online education, especially related to their respective departments. For example, Mark Andrew Hall, assistant professor of modern languages and literature, said online courses should not be created to offer opportunities to take the same course a student has been shut out of. “You’ve gotta be careful about not equating an online experience and a classroom experience,” Hall said. Gearhart said he will gather more student input by attending some
meetings of student groups like Student Government Association. Skott Freedman, assistant professor of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology suggested Gearhart send out a survey to all students to gauge a wider range of opinions. “We’ve also talked about looking at too, with the registrar, looking at courses that are oversubscribed and that students often get closed out of, and maybe those are courses where having an online section would allow more students to graduate on time, for example, and then possibly [contribute] to retention,” she said.
Ithaca College has launched a “Comprehensive Presidential Assessment,” which will review the performance of President Tom Rochon. Though the board of trustees regularly evaluates the performance of the president, the college is undertaking a more expansive process because it is the fifth year Rochon has been in the LEBOW said the position, ac- assessment is a tool to help cording to a the president. college press release. The review will be opened up to representatives of the faculty, staff, students, alumni, community leaders, senior officers and the board of trustees. David Maley, associate director of media relations, said this is not the first time a presidential assessment has taken place at the college. The college will be adopting the recommended best practices of the Association of Governing Boards, a national higher education organization that works with college and university governing boards. To do so, it is hiring Douglas Orr, a consultant from the AGB. Orr served as president of Warren Wilson College for 15 years. David Lebow, vice chair of the board of trustees and chair of the board’s Presidential Assessment Committee, said it’s a standard time to do a presidential assessment, because boards typically do comprehensive 360 assessments about halfway through a 10-year period of a president’s tenure. He said the assessment will be used to give the president feedback on how the community feels. “Typically, we are giving a diagnostic tool to a leader, much as we would in a business, to help them become more effective in their roles,” Lebow said. The process is being done with the full support of Rochon, according to the press release. Lebow said questions will include things like, “What are you thankful that the president has tackled and is working on?” and also, “What would you like to see more of and less of?” Group interviews will take place on campus from March 26-28. After, Orr will present a report to the board of trustees. The results of this process will not be made public. Lebow said the anonymous feedback will be given to the president, which will lead to a discussion between the consultant and president. “Typically, what you will see is that the more enlightened leaders will really internalize that feedback, and they will try to really understand why the feedback is what it is, both in what’s going well, what you need to do more of and less off,” Lebow said. “At the end of the day, this is a tool intended to help a leader be optimally effective in their job and ultimately that is up to any leader to internalize and act on that feedback in a way they see fit.”
N e ws
Th ursday, M ar ch 7, 2013
Cultural club revamps group by michael tkaczevski staff writer
The recently revived Cultural Connections Club is working to keep cultural integration alive on campus for students interested in and returning from study abroad. The club provides a meeting place for students who have studied abroad to share their experiences with other students who studied abroad or are interested in studying abroad. Ethnic food, foreign film screenings and discussions about culture shock, among other events, are planned for future meetings. Club leaders are also taking students’ suggestions for events. Senior Jamie Hom, an IES ambassador and president of the club, said her conversations with another student in the IES study abroad program helped her prepare for her own study abroad experience. “When you go abroad, you all have your own separate experience,” Hom said. “But it’s always interesting to know what are some of these people’s experiences. Our target audience will be people who have gone abroad, who are interested in going abroad or who are just interested in different cultures.” Junior Marisa Silva, vice president of the Cultural Connections Club, said she enjoys being able to speak candidly about her experience. “This is a great opportunity … for people who are interested in going, and they can hear the real deal of what it’s like, not just the fabricated, glossy brochure version of what it’s like,” Silva said. Since the first rendition of the
The I th a c a n 5
Colleges fuel real estate rise of 9 percent in 2012 by Phil Neumann contributing writer
From left, senior Eva Maria Touré, Cultural Connections Club president, senior Jamie Hom and junior Marisa Silva sit in CHS on Wednesday. jennifer williams/The Ithacan
Cultural Connections Club in the early 2000s, the club has had a tendency to “die out,” Rachel Cullenen, director of study abroad and adviser to the club, said. Most of the club leaders were juniors and seniors. As those students graduated, club membership would often drop, Cullenen said, but that never stopped students from reviving the club. Silva said the discussion of study abroad experiences between students will help students who are interested in studying abroad be better prepared. “Some people in my program
didn’t like their experience,” Silva said. “That happens. Not everybody has the time of their life … but maybe if they had more information from other students of what [study abroad] was like, they would’ve thought about it more.” Hom said students get advice from students who studied abroad in the form of personal recollections and cultural awareness events. “My study abroad experience [in China] definitely has changed or redefined how I see the world and my place within it, and my passions,” Hom said.
Ithaca area real estate saw a 9 percent increase in residential sales in 2012, according to the Ithaca Board of Realtors, aided by the temporary college and university populations. “In terms of the purchase market, I guess Ithaca is a little more unique than other places,” Mark Huefner, SCAN THE QR CODE mortgage con- to listen to an audio sultant at First feature or visit www. Niagara bank bit.ly/WKlxJ2. in Ithaca, said. “It’s such a transient population, there is always buying and selling going on. So maybe we’re not a good reflector of the rest of the country in Ithaca.” After national home prices historically dropped nearly 20 percent between 2007 and 2009, the national median home price has slowly increased. At $173,600 for all housing types in January 2013, the national median price is up more than 12 percent from last January, according to the National Association of Realtors. This represents the largest national gain since November of 2005. Ithaca real estate has grown at the same pace as the rest of the country in recent years but continues to be above the national average. A 5 percent increase in the median sales price of Ithaca homes in 2012 brought the median price to $220,000, according
to the New York State Association of Realtors, more than $45,000 above the national average. “You’re going to have a lot of people from Cornell that are here for a certain amount of years, or a lot of post-docs or people that are on fellowship,” Huefner said. “And they just know they’re going to be here for five years, so they’re buying a house, and then within four or five years they’re out of here selling that same house.” Much of the area’s real estate success can be attributed to the surrounding colleges, particularly during the national housing market crisis in 2009 and 2010, Jordan Jacobsen, a realtor at Warren Real Estate in Ithaca, said. New York real estate saw its highest number of pending sales in five years in 2012, according to the New York State Association of Realtors. In addition to the student bodies creating a multicultural climate in Ithaca, they provide opportunities for community members to enjoy activities like sporting events, theater and concerts, Bob Spaulding, president of the Ithaca Board of Realtors, said. The demand for Ithaca houses is currently much higher than its supply, as January 2013 was New York’s lowest inventory since 2005, according to the New York State Association of Realtors. Supply and demand is the main factor in determining an area’s real estate market, Jacobsen said. This article was originally produced by the Multimedia Journalism class.
Like what you see?
There is even more online.
Visit us at theithacan.org
6 The It hacan
Th ursday, M a r c h 7 , 2 0 1 3
N e ws
Th ursday, M ar ch 7, 2013
The I th a c a n 7
Plant experts flock to event by FRANCES JOHNSON contributing writer
Downtown Ithaca’s Cinemapolis movie theater was transformed into lecture halls and information booths for the fifth annual Ithaca Native Landscape Symposium on Friday and Saturday, which attracted landscapers and horticulture enthusiasts from across New York state. The event consisted of lectures about landscape architecture, gardening, conservation, climate SEGAL said the turnout was change and fracking. After higher this year outgrowing two previous than last. locations, about 125 people attended the second symposium. Merchandise and informational books were displayed on tables in the main lobby, with each screening room turned into a lecture hall. Dan Segal, director of the event, said he was satisfied with the turnout, which was slightly less than last year’s 140 attendees. “It was about what we had expected,” Segal said. “This is probably the biggest [event] of its kind. It’s the biggest native plants symposium in the state of New York.” Most of the lectures were geared toward the preservation and reintroduction of native plants into Central New York. The symposium was established to spread awareness about the conservation and importance of native plants, because they benefit wildlife and the environment by decreasing the use of foreign, invasive plants. According to Habitat Gardening in Central New York, some native plants include the red oak tree, sugar maple, wild geranium and various berry plants. Kelly Cox-Brady, a landscape designer at the Plantsmen Nursery in Ithaca, said native plants are essential to native wildlife. “People don’t realize that non-native plants are invasive and disruptive,” Cox-Brady said.
“Native plants restore water and in terms of wildlife, monarch butterflies only feed off local native plants.” Native plants also keep deer away, he said, which could prevent deer from trespassing onto private property, which is an issue in many areas. A lecture on fracking was also on the agenda. Formally known as hydraulic fracturing, fracking is a form of natural gas extraction. Recently, Gov. Andrew Cuomo laid out a plan limiting fracking to 40 wells in New York state. “Fracking is environmentally damaging and is bad for water and birds,” Cox-Brady said. “Personally, I’d like to see it go.” A lecture on the importance and protection of birds focused on the significance of wetlands. First-time speaker Chris Lajewski, education manager at the Montezuma Audubon Center, talked about birdlife dependency on natural lands and native plants. “It’s my job to create and provide programs to educate people of all ages on birds and the restoration of their natural habitat,” he said. With the diverse agenda, some professionals were able to have an educational experience that related to their field more indirectly. It was Saratoga Springs landscape architect Mike Ingersoll’s first time attending the symposium. He attended with a colleague and said the event not only helped him keep his professional license but also gave him more knowledge for when he’s working in the field. “This is pertinent to our job, and we need to get a certain number of credits to keep our licenses,” Ingersoll said. “But it’s a good program.” Though the lectures have different focuses and branch off of the native landscape umbrella of the symposium, Segal said everything can be connected back to native plants. For this reason, the symposium is such a draw, he said, because of the different topics discussed. “We’re trying to make sure that native plants remain central to ideas of sustainable landscaping,” Segal said. “That’s what our mission is.”
Connecting the dots
From left, Ithaca College alumni Allison Usavage ’11, Jonathan LaChance ’10 and Robert Crawford ’10 speak to students at a workshop titled "Surviving the First Year on the Job." The workshop was part of the "20/13 Biggest Conference for the Biggest Class" on Saturday. emily fedor/The Ithacan
8 The It hacan
Th ursday, M a r c h 7 , 2 0 1 3
N e ws
Th ursday, M ar ch 7, 2013
The I th a c a n 9
College & City Indian Fulbright Fellow to discuss media freedom
Ithaca College will welcome Fulbright Fellow Vijay Nair, who is hosted by the City of Asylum in Pittsburgh, at 7 p.m. Thursday in Williams 211. Nair, who is from Bangalore, India, will discuss the topic of “Freedom of Expression in India: Evolution NAIR and Challenges.” Nair is a published fiction writer, playwright and columnist. In his blog, titled “The Dangling Conversation,” Nair discusses politics in India and includes poetry about life in Pittsburgh. Nair is visiting the campus as a guest of the college’s Honors Program Series on International Scholarly Conversations. The series is sponsored by the Honors Program and the School of Humanities and Sciences.
Ithaca’s ‘Hotdog Guy’ leaves TCAT bus station
After the six weeks at TCAT’s Green Street Bus Station, Ithaca’s “Hotdog Guy,” Lou Cassaniti Sr., has left the bus station. TCAT announced last Friday that Cassaniti closed down the business at the station. The station was closed Sunday through Monday and re-opened with shorter hours Tuesday. The bus station will now be open from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to
7 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. The station will be closed on Sundays. Regular bus service to the station will continue and the outdoor bus shelters will continue to operate. In a public release, TCAT said they are currently in the process of searching for a new vendor for the Green Street Bus Station. Before Cassaniti’s business, the bus station was home to coffee shop Gimme Coffee! which closed Nov. 14.
College student group to celebrate water week
Ithaca College Take Back the Tap will celebrate World Water Week with two events designed to educate the campus community about issues relating to water. The first event will be a campus-wide water celebration that will feature environmental organizations on campus that will come together to create awareness about World Water Week. Each student group will discuss its organization’s role in water issues from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. March 19 in IC Square. Organizations that will be featured include IC Take Back the Tap, Ithaca Dining Services, the college’s Office of Sustainability, Net Impact, IC Environmental Society, Resource and Environmental Management Program, Frack Off and the Bomber Bike Initiative. The series will also feature a screening of the 2008 film “Blue Gold: World Water Wars” at 8 p.m. March 20 in Textor 101 and
will count for Student Leadership Institute credit. It will also include games and food. The film looks at examples of people across the world fighting for their right to water through court cases, revolutions and U.N. conventions.
Heart Month campaign announces three winners
Ithaca College’s Go Red for Women Heart Healthy Campaign has announced three winners of its month-long challenge. Nancy Kotmel, program coordinator at the office of extended studies, was named the winner of the Wear Red Fridays challenge; Margie Foster, facilities attendant, was named winner of the Heart Healthy Recipe challenge; and Kelly Rafferty, business coordinator at the office of extended studies, was named winner of the Red Dress Cut Out challenge. Winners of the February challenges received a “Heart Healthy Recipe Cookbook.” The initiative was organized as part of the college’s celebration of American Heart Month to raise awareness about heart disease, which is the number one killer of women.
College to hold gathering of technology vendors
Ithaca College’s Information Technology Services will organize the 23rd Educational Technology Day, which will take place March 21 in Campus Center. Vendors from across the country will visit the college to discuss their software and hardware products.
Public Safety Incident Log FEBRUARY 18 Fire alarm accidentaL LOCATION: Circle Apartments SUMMARY: Simplex reported fire alarm. Activation caused by person cooking. System reset. Master Patrol Officer Donald Lyke. Burglary LOCATION: Eastman Hall SUMMARY: Caller reported an unknown person had entered the room and stole cash, a credit card and clothing. Investigation pending. Patrol Officer Robert Jones.
FEBRUARY 19 Suspicious letter LOCATION: Campus Center SUMMARY: Caller reported a person had sent a suspicious letter to student affairs. Investigation pending. Director Terri Stewart. Criminal mischief LOCATION: Power Line R.O.W. SUMMARY: Complainant reported an unknown person had damaged property, stolen signage and built an unauthorized structure on the property. Investigation pending. Patrol Officer Jeremiah McMurray.
FEBRUARY 20 MVA/ property damage LOCATION: Greenhouse SUMMARY: Person reported a vehicle had struck the building. Patrol Officer Jeremiah McMurray. Safety hazard LOCATION: Academic Quad SUMMARY: Caller reported being struck by falling ice. No injury reported. Caller
was not available for follow-up. Officer determined person had slipped on the ice with no injury. Bruce Holmstock. Medical assist/injury related LOCATION: Ben Light Gymnasium SUMMARY: Caller reported a person had sustained a knee injury while playing soccer. Person transported to CMC by ambulance. Report taken. Master Patrol Officer James Landon.
FEBRUARY 21 Criminal mischief LOCATION: Terraces SUMMARY: Caller reported an unknown person spray painted a card reader. Investigation pending. Sergeant Terry O’Pray. Suspicious Letter LOCATION: Office of Public Safety SUMMARY: Officer reported an unknown person dropped off a letter and left the area without stopping when requested to do so. Officers located and identified the person. Master Security Officer Amy Chilson.
FEBRUARY 22 Suspicious circumstance LOCATION: Dillingham Center SUMMARY: Caller reported person entered a building at 9 p.m. with what appeared to be a gun. Officers searched the building with negative results. Investigation pending. Patrol Officer Robert Jones. Danger to self LOCATION: J-Lot SUMMARY: Caller reported an unconscious person after a possible head injury sustained while sledding. Officer found
person conscious and alert. One person transported to CMC by ambulance and four persons were judicially referred for danger to self. Patrol Officer Jay Vanvolkinburg. Disruptive/excessive noise LOCATION: West Tower SUMMARY: Caller reported a person being loud who had already been warned by a resident assistant. One person referred for noise. Security Officer Trent Lucas. V&t leaving scene LOCATION: Circle Lot 8 SUMMARY: Caller reported a vehicle damaged three parked vehicles and then left scene. Investigation pending. Master Patrol Officer Brad Bates.
FEBRUARY 23 Unlawful possession marijuana LOCATION: Office of Public Safety SUMMARY: Officer reported conducting an inventory of a backpack and found marijuana paraphernalia. Investigation pending. Patrol Officer Jeremiah McMurray. Animal complaint LOCATION: Farm Pond Road SUMMARY: Officer reported a raccoon on a walkway acting strange. Animal dispatched. Master Patrol Officer Donald Lyke. Case status change LOCATION: Office of Public Safety SUMMARY: Officer interviewed a person regarding leaving the scene of an accident reported this day in the Circle Apartments. Officer issued the operator uniform traffic tickets for unsafe backing and leaving the scene of an accident for Town of Ithaca Court. Sergeant Dirk Hightchew.
They will also discuss their uses in higher education. Vendors in the past have included Apple, Dell, Epson, FileMaker, Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo and Verizon Wireless, among others. The annual event is open to the public and attracts about 1,600 people from upstate New York each year.
New IC 20/20 website explains plan and mission
Ithaca College has launched a new website which details the college’s 10-year strategic plan, IC 20/20. The website explains the mission and objectives of the long-term plan. The general public will be able to access some of the contents, while certain documents will continue to require college credentials for access. Documents that previously required Netpass login credentials have moved to the new URL ithaca.edu/ic2020/secure.
IC media arts professor named CU visiting fellow
Andrew Utterson, assistant professor of cinema, photography, and media arts, has been selected to be the Regional Visiting Fellow at Cornell University’s Institute for European Studies. The fellowship is a part of Cornell College’s Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies. Through the program, Utterson will seek to gather support for the development of scholarly research with a focus on Europe. Utterson is originally from the Northeast of England. Before
coming to the college, Utterson taught at the Canterbury Christ Church University in the Southeast of England.
Nobel laureate to visit CU to discuss her new book
Cornell University alumna Toni Morrison, Nobel Prize-winning author will speak at the university at 4:45 p.m. Thursday at the Alice Statler Auditorium. Morrison will host a program titled “Reading the Writing: A Conversation Between Toni Morrison and Claudia Brodsky.” Morrison was the recipient of MORRISON the 1993 Nobel Prize in Literature and the 1988 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for her 1987 novel “Beloved.” Morrison also received the 1978 National Book Critics Award. Morrison’s discussion will follow conversations between her and her friend of 20 years, Princeton University Professor Claudia Brodsky. Morrison’s visit will be sponsored by Cornell University’s Africana Center and the Institute for German Cultural Studies. University officials said during her visit, Morrison will also discuss a novel that she is working on. Tickets are free and required for entry. They are available at Willard Straight Hall. The event will be open to the general public.
selected entries from FEBRUARY 18 to February 27 FEBRUARY 24 Criminal mischief LOCATION: East Tower SUMMARY: Caller reported a person broke two glass doors. One person judicially referred. Master Patrol Officer Donald Lyke. Medical assist/ injury related LOCATION: H-Lot SUMMARY: Caller reported a person fell and injured an arm. Person transported to CMC by ambulance. Master Patrol Officer James Landon. Assist other agency IPD LOCATION: All Other SUMMARY: IPD reported a person posted a suicidal comment on Facebook. Pending IPD investigation. Security Officer Trent Lucas.
FEBRUARY 25 Off campus incident LOCATION: All Other SUMMARY: IPD reported two people were issued appearance tickets for public urination and noise. Master Security Officer Wendy Lewis.
FEBRUARY 26 Assist Ithaca police department LOCATION: S-Lot SUMMARY: IPD reported a vehicle possibly involved in a burglary in the city of Ithaca on the campus. IC officer located the vehicle. IPD investigation completed and person had owner’s permission to enter the residence. Burglary unfounded. Master Patrol Officer Bruce Holmstock.
Suspicious circumstance LOCATION: Alumni Hall SUMMARY: Caller reported finding a phone with drug-related text messages on it. Investigation pending. Master Patrol Officer Bruce Holmstock.
FEBRUARY 27 Medical assist/ injury related LOCATION: Terrace Dining Hall SUMMARY: Caller reported a door fell open and injured a person’s hand. Person was transported to CMC by supervisor. Master Patrol Officer Bruce Holmstock. Medical assist/ illness related Location: Smiddy Hall Summary: Caller reported experiencing an allergic reaction. Person was transported to CMC by ambulance. Fire and Building Safety Coordinator Ron Clark. Case status change Location: J-Lot Summary: Officer reported a person was identified for damaging a bus door on Oct. 13. One person judicially referred for criminal mischief. Patrol Officer Jeremiah McMurray. For the complete safety log, go to www.theithacan.org/news.
Key CMC - Cayuga Medical Center MVA - Motor Vehicle Accident DWI - Driving While Intoxicated IPD - Ithaca Police Department V&T- Vehicle and Transportation
Opinion
1 0 The It hacan
Th ursday, M a r c h 7 , 2 0 1 3
editorial
Reaching out to all students Proposed legislation that aims to give undocumented students access to aid for higher education must be promoted within immigrant communities.
F
or the children of undocumented immigrants, the American Dream may be becoming more of a reality. Inspired by a post-election national focus on immigration reform, the New York state Higher Education Committee approved a measure that will grant undocumented immigrants in-state tuition rates. The measure may also establish a fund to help undocumented students access private scholarships to pay for higher education. The legislation would serve as a first step to giving the children of undocumented immigrants the resources they need to help pay for their college education. Students who thrive in middle and high school should have the same higher education opportunities as their peers. By denying undocumented students an education, the American government forces them to seek lower-paying jobs and further isolates immigrant communities. While these resources are a positive step toward making higher education accessible to all qualified students, outreach efforts will be critical to ensure undocumented students are able to fully take advantage of the new legislation. High schools, colleges and government agencies must find ways to inform both students and their parents about the opportunities that exist for students, regardless of their immigration status. By asking questions about these programs, parents are forced to admit they are breaking federal laws. Undocumented immigrants already fearful of potential deportation should be encouraged to seek out information about federal assistance programs without fear of repercussions. To make this possible, two things must be put in place: comprehensive outreach programs and laws that prevent any legal repercussions as a result of these initiatives. The United States is, at its core, a nation of immigrants, and Congress must come together to create more comprehensive immigration policy that makes sense for current times. Reforming access to education is a good start and a sign of the progressive changes still to come for immigrant communities.
UPS and DOWNS The best and worst of the news
Group works to inform students about their rights on campus Students for Sensible Drug Policy began a new initiative that will educate students on what they can and cannot do when dealing with Public Safety officers. Student group packages food to donate to homeless in Ithaca Students from Stop Wasting Ithaca’s Food Today bundled food from campus dining halls and delivered it to shelters in Ithaca. Public Safety officer kills raccoon after reporting suspicious activity Instead of seeking more humane options, a Public Safety officer shot a raccoon with several rounds of ammunition last week.
comment online. Now you can be heard in print or on the Web. Write a letter to the editor at ithacan@ithaca.edu or comment on any story at theithacan.org. Letters must be 250 words or less, emailed or dropped off by 5 p.m. Monday in Park 269.
Short Answer Issues in Higher Education
Cashing in on college
National focus is turning to college debt as the federal government makes changes to the Higher Education Act that will allow some student borrowers to pay a reduced rate on their federal loans. The Ithacan asked members of the campus community for their thoughts on student loans and the cost of college.
Watch more opinions online at theithacan.org.
The Ithacan Kelsey o’Connor editor in chief Sara Webb Managing editor shea O’Meara opinion Editor noreyana fernando assistant news editor sabrina knight assistant news editor kacey deamer online editor jackie Eisenberg accent editor rose vardell assistant accent editor
The student loan bubble will burst
I, like two-thirds of American college students, will graduate with substantial student loans, contributing to the whopping $1 trillion market of student debt. The mortgage boom before the 2008 crash can teach us something about rising tuition costs. Because the government believes in higher education like it believes in the American dream of homeownership, it guarantees cheap and easy loans. In the mortgage market,
Pursuing a college education is worth taking out student loans. Your education isn’t like buying a television or car that will eventually break, it’s an investment. When you look at colleges, you can’t just look at the type of education you will College costs receive or the dorms or the are worth campus atmosphere. You must the investment also consider the experience you will receive as a student and the college’s overall job
269 Roy H. Park Hall, Ithaca College Ithaca, N.Y. 14850-7258 (607) 274-3208 | Fax (607) 274-1376
Taylor Palmer Sports editor emily hull assistant sports editor Rachel Woolf photo editor Durst Breneiser Assistant PHOTO editor emily fedor assistant photo editor jaclyn cataldi Multimedia editor matthew dezii chief copy editor Alexa D’angelo chief proofreader
the ease of which mortgage loans were made allowed housing prices to skyrocket unprecedentedly. Similarly, government-backed aid has allowed universities to increase tuition prices vastly, firstly because of higher demand for higher education, and secondly because of adequate funding of college costs. Shaun Nikko Montoya, Senior economics major
placement rate for recent graduates. While you may be paying up to $50,000 a year, you will receive a greater return through your job and success once you enter the workforce. It’s not like you are setting fire to more $200,000, you are putting it toward something that will give you an even greater return. Sara Flynn, Sophomore Cinema and photography major
ithacan@ithaca.edu www.theithacan.org
Emily Fuller design editor Erica Pirolli assistant design editor Kevin Dates sales manager honest charley bodkin webmaster michael serino ithacan adviser The Ithacan is printed at: Our Press in Chenango Falls, N.Y.
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
Th ursday, M ar ch 7, 2013
The Ith a c a n 1 1
Guest Commentary
Taglit-Birthright alumna calls for Palestinian rights
L
ast June, I enthusiastically signed up for Taglit-Birthright for the chance to take a free 10-day trip around Israel. I’m proud to be a Jew and saw Birthright as an opportunity to deepen my Jewish identity. Five months after returning from Birthright, I joined Students for Justice in Palestine, while most of my Birthright peers joined pro-Israel groups. While Birthright claims to be an apolitical organization, even the most politically apathetic Birthright alumni will tell you that there’s an agenda. During my trip, it became clear that with more than 330,000 participants to date, Birthright plays no small part in the Zionist movement. My Birthright group members didn’t seem to mind the propaganda we were immersed in each day. We listened to catchy Zionist jingles on the bus, attended the Mega Event in Jerusalem and heard formal lectures on the “dysfunction of the Arab World” while our tour guide made causal and persistent anti-Arab remarks. When I returned from Israel, I felt the need to process my Birthright experience. This turned into nine months of research, a 30-page paper and an independent study. The disheartening conclusion I came to was that Birthright’s Zionist political agenda carries serious negative implications for the Palestinian people and peace in the Middle East. I was happy that Birthright wanted me to strengthen my Jewish identity. I saw nothing wrong with being encouraged to date other Jews and have Jewish babies. Our tour guide told us that since Palestinians have a higher birthrate than Israeli Jews, we Jews need to catch up in order to remain in power. It was clear that they wanted my Jewish identity — and that of all Birthright participants — to be unconditionally Zionist. There was no room for diversity of political opinion in the Birthright vision of what Jewish community should be. During all Birthright trips, participants interact with soldiers from the Israeli Defense Forces. This is often regarded as the best part of the trip,
Rob Oliver
Pipeline will fuel America’s economy
W
Senior Katya Andersson’s Taglit-Birthright trip to Israel inspired her to join Students for Justice in Palestine and work toward peaceful solutions to human rights abuses in Israel and Palestine. Courtesy of Katya Andersson
and indeed, our soldiers were wonderful. I later learned from an IDF report that these soldierparticipant encounters are meant to encourage Americans to unconditionally support actions of the Israeli army based on assumed morality and personal loyalty. My peers and I were encouraged to consider making aliyah, which means emigrating to Israel permanently. Even Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu encouraged aliyah in his address to thousands of participants at a Birthright Mega Event. It hit me that there is an entire race of people being denied return to the homes they were driven from on that land. While I would be granted equal citizenship if I moved to Israel, Arab Israelis and Palestinians currently have to deal with segregated public transportation
systems and separate and unequal legal systems. But I saw none of this firsthand; my Birthright trip did not allow for encounters with Arabs or Palestinians. My goal now is not to discourage others from going on Birthright. Rather, I implore the Jewish community to think independently, become informed and do not be fooled into letting prescribed political norms or propaganda constitute an opinion. I implore anyone going on Birthright to examine the implications of the curriculum in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict and the international struggle for peace. Katya Andersson is a senior music education major. Email her at kanders5@ithaca.edu.
Faculty research
Understanding why athletes dope will help build clean leagues
W
ith estimates of the prevalence of doping among competitors ranging up to 90 percent in some sports, it’s no wonder athletes like Landis claim they had to dope. Doping distorts the playing field and the nature of the sport itself. As performance-enhancing drugs proliferate, athletes need higher and higher levels to maintain a competitive edge. Some athletes may even turn to undetectable genetic doping. With Miranda Kaye genetically enhanced athletes, sports would erode into commercialized entertainment, similar to professional wrestling, where society will only care about performance outcomes. Deterrence methods are important to preserving sports as a contest of human excellence and to address the morality of doping. Currently, anti-doping policy relies upon a detection-based deterrence approach in which athletes who are caught doping are punished, which may deter other athletes. However, the contest between doping and detection is an arms race between new detection methods and increasingly sophisticated methods to avoid detection. From a psychological perspective,
Rightly so
the rejection of Bonds and Clemens as Hall of Fame candidates suggests a shift in attitude toward doping. Initial work applying Bandura’s social cognitive theory to athletes considering doping suggests that mechanisms of moral disengagement may play an important role in facilitating doping by allowing athletes to rationalize their PED use. If we better understand these mechanisms, we may be able to create deterrence methods that can help put an end to doping in sports. Recent studies examining English bodybuilders found athletes using PEDs reported using several moral disengagement mechanisms as a way of justifying their doping. These
methods include: displacement of responsibility, when athletes claim social pressure to use PED in specific training environments as their reason for doping; diffusion of responsibility, when athletes claim their use of PEDs is acceptable because other athletes do it; advantageous comparison, when athletes make PED use appear inconsequential by comparing it to more harmful activities; distortion of consequences, when athletes avoid or cognitively minimize the harm caused by PED use; moral justification, when athletes justify PED because they claim they know how to use the drugs safely and that knowledge can be passed on to others; and euphemistic
labeling, which is the use of sanitizing terms such as juice or gear when referring to PED to make substances sound less harmful. These mechanisms of moral disengagement are found in statements of athletes known to have used PEDs. For example, Landis’ statement that Armstrong’s longtime manager Johan Bruyneel introduced him to doping and that Armstrong taught him how to dope are examples of displacement of responsibility. Similarly, when Tyler Hamilton explained that he felt he had to dope because almost all cyclists in the professional peloton were doping, he was evidencing diffusion of responsibility. Armstrong and his teammates are also reported to have referred to erythropoietin, a blood booster they used extensively, as “Edgar Allan Poe” or “butter,” and the period during which doping products would produce a positive test as “glow time.” These are all clear examples of euphemistic labeling. Is there hope for an end to doping in professional sports? A better understanding of the process of moral disengagement might lead to interventions that could assist in further reducing PED use. Of course, psychology will not produce a miracle cure, but a knowledgeably designed program of deterrence and persuasion is vital to curbing PED abuse. Miranda Kaye is an assistant professor of exercise and sport sciences. Email her at mkaye@ithaca.edu.
All opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of The Ithacan. To write a guest commentary, contact Opinion Editor Shea O’Meara at 274-3208.
hen President Barack Obama announced his energy plan for his second term, he said he was going to implement an “all of the above” energy policy that would include both natural gas and petroleum production. However, the president has been putting the Keystone XL Pipeline on hold for four years. The proposed 1,700-mile pipeline would carry up to 830,000 barrels per day of crude oil from Alberta, Canada, and the Bakken Shale Formation in the U.S. to Nebraska then onto the oil refineries in the Gulf Coast, according to the State Department. As the libertarian magazine Reason explains, the oil sands of Alberta are estimated to hold 170 billion barrels of petroleum, the largest reservoir of oil outside Saudi Arabia. To achieve energy independence, lower gas prices and create thousands of jobs, the U.S. should approve the Keystone XL Pipeline. If America doesn’t build the pipeline, the oil will be purchased by China and other countries looking for cheap energy, some of which are already in talks with TransCanada, the corporation behind the pipeline. Whether you are for or against the extraction of the Albertan tar sands, extraction will happen. Now we must decide who we want it to benefit. The State Department released a new Environmental Impact Statement on the TransCanada’s Keystone XL Pipeline project. This report should be a game changer, as the State Department concluded that the construction of the pipeline would not worsen global warming, as many environmentalists have warned. The State Department reported that U.S. refiners, mostly in the Gulf Coast, would see economic advantages from the Keystone XL pipeline. The pipeline will add thousands of construction jobs to our struggling economy. TransCanada already promised 15,000 American jobs to just build the pipeline, not to mention the annual economic benefits after the pipeline is built, which include billions in both economic activity and tax revenues. This new report should pave the way for the pipeline’s approval and the American people should stand behind the project. Energy independence will make for a more secure America and will decrease our involvement in the Middle East. The jobs will boost economic activity in a time where the economy is stalling. North American oil will bring down gas prices at a time when they are surging more than four dollars a gallon. The Keystone XL Pipeline is a common sense energy approach that Obama should approve today. Rob Oliver is the president of IC Republicans and a senior politics major and international relations minor. Email him at roliver2@ithaca.edu.
1 2 The It hacan
Th ursday, M a r c h 7 , 2 0 1 3
Find us on Flickr to see more photos from this week’s issue.
The Ithacan
Emily fedor/the ithacan
Emily Fedor/The ithacan
Th ursday, M ar ch 7, 2013
a ccen t
The I th a c a n 1 3
School’s
out Ithaca Freeskool offers alternative form of education
rcise with singing exe a g n ri u d , itchell mmons. on The COoOLF/THE ITHACAN Journey M , rs e e c w ie n ra r D e ian’s ssists h RACHEL W held at Jill ickerson a -Motion is -N c Heather N si u M he class puppets. T
By Lucy Walker Staff Writer
Several men and women sit around in Stella’s drinking coffee. What looks like a casual get-together is actually a group of strangers beginning to learn about Eco-Feminism for the Masses, a class offered by the Ithaca Freeskool. The Freeskool, since its founding in 2007, has been a driving force and outlet for alternative education in Ithaca. The classes provide an opportunity for local residents who want to teach and learn non-traditional subjects away from corporate-model educational institutions. Anyone can teach and everyone can participate. Based off other models of free learning, like the Santa Cruz Free Skool in Santa Cruz, Calif., any interested person may submit an idea for a class. Once proposals are accepted, these teachers find a space and schedule meetings. Classes are open to all ages and levels of experience. Similar models of free learning have been around in the U.S. since 1969. The Albany Free School is the oldest functioning school today. Other major ones are found in Tampa, Fla., Santa Cruz, Calif. and Brooklyn, N.Y. Ithaca Freeskool, like its name suggests, is completely free. Students do not pay and teachers do not receive any salary. There are virtually no administration costs, as most communication is done through the website, email and Facebook, and classes are held in homes or public spaces. The group is supported by a mini-grant from Sustainable Tompkins. The Freeskool holds several sessions every year, the current session running from February to April. Classes may be held monthly, weekly or only once. There are classes that cover topics like creating therapeutic art out of newspapers and running a community garden. There are physical activity-based classes also, such as acro-yoga, aerobics and self-defense; skill-based classes including making household cleaners, identifying plants and quitting smoking; and film series and
discussion groups, ranging in topic from whistleblowing to astrology. Shira Golding Evergreen, one of the organizers and a longtime participant and instructor, said Freeskool is important because of the pressure of socioeconomic circumstances, despite the presence of local colleges. From left, Ju lianna Almei “Academic institutions are exda holds he her 2-year-o r 10-month-o ld daughter, tremely important and valuable, ld son, Zach Quyah Matsu Jemetz; Tien da ira; and inst but there’s a question of access, Ngo ructor Angie Beeler teache sits with even with things like financial rachel woolf s her class. /the ithacan aid,” Evergreen said. “It can be very difficult for people to get into those nice about it,” opportunities. This is a very equalizing Evergreen said. “If you’re teaching thing that’s also free. It’s also a way for peo- in a more traditional setting, you might need I don’t see a very acto be accredited, but a lot of our classes are tive voice combining both schools of ple to extend their studies.” Ryan Clover-Owens has taken classes at the more conversation, so people can learn and feminism and ecology into one,” Colombo said. “That would be a really strong ground to Freeskool since late 2007. At one point, he con- talk together.” Jim Blizzard teaches the class Primitive Fire, claim for these ideas to coalesce. I’m disheartsidered himself “fully enrolled” in the Freeskool. “My schedule was fully filled with class- Basic and Advanced this session, which involves ened that it hasn’t happened before.” Colombo said the Freeskool takes pride in es,” Clover-Owens said. “I took it seriously learning how to make fire using matches, rope like I was in college. I always had a full day and plant material. He said he teaches so he can teaching subjects that might be considered share his knowledge about wilderness survival too liberal or extreme in an ordinary school. of topics.” “It’s a place for radical ideas,” Colombo said. Clover-Owens went on to teach classes about skills, and he believes information should be A huge crowd showed up when Evergreen radio and anarchism. This session, he teaches the given away rather than sold. “Throughout history, there were all sorts of taught the class Be Your Own Boss, sharing class Getting Shit Done: Self-Organizing for the special guilds where you had to become a baby advice on legal and tax information for the Ambitious Rebel. Evergreen said it is always a mystery member of the group where you spend years self-employed. She said the type of classes who will show up to the classes offered. and years trying to get little bits of information taught on pursuing social justice as well as She hosted a class on how to make a solar and a college education where you spend tens growing your own food reflect the values of cooker, which attracted a crowd of nearly of thousands of dollars to get an education,” the community. “I think people are hungry to share knowl50 people, which she said is unusual for Blizzard said. “I think it’s kinda creepy. I think anything worth knowing should be freely avail- edge and create community,” Evergreen said. typical Freeskool classes. “Freeskool is such a perfect platform for “There’s definitely this core group of peo- able to people.” This session, Stephanie Colombo, a that, because there is so much flexibility, no ple in their 20s and 30s, but what’s cool about Freeskool is really all sorts of people show up teacher at the Ithaca Montessori school, set curriculum, whatever emerges from that to classes,” Evergreen said. “My partner and I decided to teach the class Eco-Feminism time talking, whatever people want to learn. hosted a class last summer at our house on how for the Masses. She had previously taken It’s very of the moment.” to make your own solar cooker … whole fami- other Freeskool classes, such as Vocal Jam The Freeskool schedule is available at lies came out and also people in their 50s and in 2009, where a group of people sang Freeskool and jammed in a circle. But she wanted a ithacafreeskool.wordpress.com. 60s. There’s a real range.” Evergreen said this variety of classes applies class to address a gap she sees in the is accepting applications from community members to teach next session, which will Ithaca community. to those who teach as well. “I’m inspired to teach this class because run from June to August. “Anybody can teach. That’s what’s really
[ a cc e ntuate]
1 4 The It hacan
Th ursday, M a r c h 7 , 2 0 1 3
do it yourself
shopper
Assistant Accent Editor Rose Vardell digs up short projects for the everyday hobbyist. With Break the rs Spring dropping andapproaching windspeedand picking prospect of sunshine and beachwear a up here definite possibility for the lucky vacationers, it might be prudent to prepare for some UV exposure. Get ready for the sun with simple, homemade sun tanning lotion. Here are the ingredients from ehow.com
1/2 cup coconut oil 1 oz. sesame oil 2 tablespoons borax 1 teaspoon pumpkin butter 20 drops of peppermint oil 2 cups rose geranium water
A cafellas look sharp
Freshman Daniel Purcell performs his solo during Ithacappella’s rendition of The Script’s “The Man Who Can’t Be Moved.” The group performed a Block 3 concert Friday in Emerson Suites. Ithacappella will perform a Block 4 concert, which will take place April 13.
Mix coconut oil, sesame oil, rose geranium water, borax and pumpkin butter in a microwavable bowl. Microwave bowl on high for four minutes. Stir ingredients — a hand mixer is recommended. Add peppermint oil and stir until concoction has thinned into an applicable coconut sun tan lotion!
emily fedor/THE ITHACAN
video week
of the
Behind the
Screen
Blogger Chloe Wilson shares her take on upcoming television news It was announced this morning that Ben Stiller will be reprising his role on “Arrested Development.” Stiller plays Tony Wonder on the cult comedy, a fellow magician and rival for Gob. This is just one more celebrity in an already star-studded season. Based on star-power alone, one would think that Netflix is trying to make “AD’s” new season as big as possible. But it turns out that Netflix might not have long-term plans for the revived show. Netflix CEO Reed Hastings said that he did not “anticipate” ordering future seasons of “Arrested Development.” There are currently no plans for extra seasons of “Arrested Development” from any party, so it looks like viewers have to wait and see come May. Follow more TV news on Wilson’s blog, “Behind the Screen,” online at www. theithacan.org/blogs.
famous pop culture songs feature fresh farm sound
Humor website CollegeHumor recently released a compilation of videos that share a common, if not unusual, theme. The article, titled “All the Best Goat Videos the Internet Has to Offer,” showcases 10 of the many goat videos that have rocked the online world lately. Whether these goats are singing a solo in a Taylor Swift song or just emitting alarmingly human-like screams in a Justin Bieber ballad, it seems as though every music video can be improved with the appearance of a very vocal goat. Some of the best remixes include Weezer’s “Say It Ain’t So” or the new version, “Say It Ain’t Goat,” and Taylor Swift’s “I Knew You Were Trouble When You Walked In” or better yet, “I Knew You Were a Goat When You Walked In.” — Rose Vardell
weird but true
woman builds “riddikulus” replication of hogwarts
A Harry Potter-fan, Alice Finch, has recreated such an impressive rendition of Hogwarts, the school from the Harry Potter series, that many viewers are claiming witchcraft. There is nothing miniature about this model of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, which is made completely out of Legos. The year-long project used 400,000 Lego bricks to complete the replica and has magical attributes. The castle has an intricate interior with details such as the potions classroom and the Grand Hall. The replica even features classic scenes from the series, such as Sirius’ escape on the Hippogriff, Buckbeak, in “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” and the final duel between Harry and Voldemort in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.” — Rose Vardell
tweetuntweet “We live in interesting times when news anchors soberly read tweets from the Pope as he leaves The Vatican in a helicopter.” —Sports Illustrated writer Richard Deitsch comments on Pope Benedict XVI’s departure from The Vatican. His official resignation was Feb. 28 because of his advanced age.
celebrity SCOOPS! Baldwin expects baby Alec Baldwin and his wife Hilaria are expecting their first child this summer, which will be Hilaria’s first experience having children. Baldwin’s daughter from a previous marriage, Ireland, 17, has already prepared him for child rearing, which he explained to host David Letterman on an episode of his self-titled talk show. On the show, Baldwin described his wife’s cravings for fruit and said, “There’s a container of pineapple that will probably serve four people. I put it on the counter [and] I go, ‘If you want some pineapple, here it is, I go to the other room, I plug my phone in to charge it [and] sure enough I walk back — three quarters of the pineapple is gone, and she’s like, ‘I was very hungry.’” — Benjii Maust
A CCEN T
Th ursday, M ar ch 7, 2013
The I th a c a n 1 5
Meditation dance party hits campus By Jackie Eisenberg Accent Editor
Wholesome drinks, relaxation and dance helped students take a break from midterm stress during the launch of The Art of Living club’s Yoga Remix party Wednesday. The Yoga Remix, which the club hosted in Emerson Suites, was a substance-free party that encompassed yoga, meditation and dance music in one night. Junior Gautam Singhani, president of Art of Living, said the Yoga Remix is a promotion event for his Yes + Plus workshop in April, which is a five-day program focusing on physical exercise as well as improving mental health through concentration-and-memory improvement exercises. Singhani said he wanted students to be able to go to a party without having to take drugs or drink alcohol to have fun. He said the main goal of the Yoga Remix was to get the body on a “natural high” that resulted from deep relaxation from yoga. “I’m trying to promote substance awareness, a substance-free dance party,” Singhani said. “A lot of parties, a lot of raves are now [associated] with drugs and alcohol, and I really wanted to see if people would be interested in trying a party without drugs and alcohol.” The band Butterthief, also known as Bhakti, a kirtan band that focuses on meditation and serenity, performed. Kirtan music consists of call-and-response chanting accompanied by drums. Butterthief played at a Yoga Remix in New York City on Aug. 20. “They combine Sanskrit chanting … and they bring a new type of vibration,” Singhani said. “They have this type of rock fusion dance music, and it’s not like this monotonous chant,
it’s something you can move your feet to.” The Yoga Remix is a sister event to the Yoga Rave, which the national Art of Living Foundation launched four years ago in Argentina. It spread to other countries in South America and eventually reached Europe and North America. Yoga Remix is a smaller event, in that it’s usually held in smaller venues, while Yoga Rave is a much larger event, with thousands of people in attendance, Singhani said. The event was integrated, meaning it included deep yoga and dancing at the same time. People could do both, but when the dancing got too intense, the action assumed a new tone. “You stretch yourself, you go dance, you have fun, it’s explosive,” Singhani said. “And then immediately, when you hit that high point of dancing when everyone has that point of zest, they tell everyone to sit down against the wall, back-to-back and sit and have deep meditation.” Though Singhani is the president of Art of Living, he didn’t plan this event alone. He had help from senior Rebekah Cordell, the group’s treasurer. Cordell said she has always enjoyed doing yoga, so it was exciting for her to get involved in an event like this. “Yoga’s always been a passion of mine, so the idea of a Yoga Remix party really excited me and [Singhani and I] just went from there,” Cordell said. Cordell worked closely with Singhani to help make the event happen by doing the marketing and advertising for the event. “I’m active in the yoga community, so I put the word out to the different yoga studios,” Cordell said. “I also helped [Singhani] with the budget
Junior Gautam Singhani does a yoga routine at the Yoga Remix on Wednesday in Emerson Suites. The event was sponsored by the Art of Living club, of which Singhani is the president. The event featured the band Butterthief. marianna dunBrook/the Ithacan and helped figure out the expenses, what to cut and what was necessary to make the event run.” Columbia University was the first college to launch the Yoga Remix on Feb. 15, but it was unaffiliated with the Remix in New York City. There was also a Remix in Montreal on March 1. Zoe LePage, president of the Art of Living club at Columbia University, was put in touch with
Singhani through Butterthief lead singer Manish Tandon. LePage said she thinks it’s important that the Remix is expanding to other colleges in the state. “This is not just an isolated party,” LePage said. “I think this is really starting a movement and showing students that you can have fun and you don’t need to be drunk to do so.” Cordell said she thought this event
was important, because she wanted everyone who attended to be able to relax from the pressures of midterms. “It’s come to be an event that students will be able to come to and relax a little bit, it’s in the middle of midterms week, so that’s kind of a cool time for it,” Cordell said. “It’s an outlet to dance and appreciate yoga, and I think it’s a great combination of music and yoga and a social setting.”
Taste of Hollywood Alumnus hands out Oscars to presenters after winning Academy Award competition Having grown up in a home with little access to cartoons, Tatenda Mbudzi ’10 has begun to fulfill his dream of being in the film industry. After winning a video contest, Mbudzi was given the chance to stand on the stage of the 85th Academy Awards on Feb. 24 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and hand trophies to the celebrity presenters. Currently enrolled in the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television’s Producer’s Program, Mbudzi won the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and MTVu’s inaugural Oscar Experience College Search, along with five others in the nation. He had to submit a video application answering the question, “How will you contribute to the future of movies?” Once he found out he won, he had the opportunity to be a part of the award show. Staff Writer Emma Rizzo talked to Mbudzi about the honor, the impact of this experience and his plans for the future. Emma Rizzo: Would you be able to talk a little bit about your background? Tatenda Mbudzi: I’m from Zimbabwe. I lived in London from ages 2 to 5. I moved back to Zimbabwe where I did all my schooling. I fell in love with storytelling at a very young age. I loved stage. I did a lot of theater and public speaking in high school. I applied to Ithaca College, and I got in. At Ithaca, I did television-radio with a
minor in integrated marketing, and I did the LA program. ER: What did you talk about in your application video? TM: I talked about the feeling of being an outsider, having come from another country. I want to make people feel like they belong to something and help them believe in themselves. When you walk into a situation, you have to adapt. Sometimes it goes well, sometimes it doesn’t, but at the end of the day, you grow and you learn. Basically, I want to tell stories like that, so I put that in a comedic package. ER: What was your reaction when you found out you won? TM: They said they were going to do a Skype interview. On the Skype call, they asked me some questions, and then they asked me, “How would you feel if we asked you to come to the Oscars?” I was like, “I would feel awesome.” Then they said, “Yes! We want you to come to the Oscars.” I said, “I’m sorry, will you repeat that?” And that went on for about 10 minutes. I wanted to jump up and down, but I had to be in frame. I was really excited.
From left, Oscar Experience College Search winners Jennifer Brofer and Tatenda Mbuzi ’10 present Academy Awards during a rehearsal Feb. 20. The 85th Academy Awards aired Feb. 24. Richard Harbaugh/A.M.P.A.S.
TM: My first thought was, “Wow, there are a lot of people here.” I didn’t try to look out for anyone that I liked, because I would get distracted. I was pretty focused.
ER: What are your plans for the future? ER: What was going through your head when you stepped on the Oscars stage for the TM: I graduate from UCLA in June. I’m lookfirst time? ing at my options in terms of what I want to
do. I know I want to be a part of making films. I think there is a type of story that can be told that bridges cultural gaps. I’m studying producing, so I’m definitely interested in finding stories and working with different people to try and get them made. To see Mbudzi’s application video, check out the story online at theithacan.org/30800.
1 6 The It hacan
Th ursday, M a r c h 7 , 2 0 1 3
A CCEN T
Th ursday, M ar ch 7, 2013
The I th a c a n 1 7
Comic convention celebrates 38th anniversary By Evin Billington Staff Writer
Star Wars action figures, pictures of Spiderman, antiques, dusty paintings and an assortment of colorful doorknobs lie on either sides of a crowded room. This was Ithacon, a comic book convention hosted by the Comic Book Club of Ithaca, which was held Saturday in Funky Junk Ithaca on The Commons. This year marked the 38th Ithacon. The show this year featured 20 different comic book artists, writers and dealers of comic memorabilia. Freshman David Cohen heard about the convention through flyers posted around Ithaca College and, as a comic book collector, was compelled to go. “There was a really good range of really cheap stuff to really expensive, rare stuff that I didn’t know Ithaca had, so I thought it was cool,” Cohen said. Rusty Gilligan was a guest at the convention and writes a comic book called “The Adventures of Mac and Trouble,” which features two cats who develop human mannerisms and travel through the universe. He’s been to Ithacon before and estimated that he has been to about 22 conventions like it in the past year. What he said he likes about Ithacon, in comparison to the others, is the type of fans who visit. “Usually, people will stop to talk to you,” Gilligan said. “At other shows, people will come over and say ‘Oh yeah, I’m just circling the room’ and never come back, but not here.” Writer Mark McCracken was a guest at the convention and has been going for 10 years. His booth
at the convention featured comics of powerful-looking superwomen published through his company Divine Authority Comics. He also finds the people at Ithacon to be more friendly and willing to chat. “I think that sometimes when you go to bigger conventions, [fans are] there to see Stan Lee, they’re there to see the big head honcho,” McCracken said. “So it’s better here with the indie stuff.” McCracken said he’s been to conventions where it costs money to get booth space, while at Ithacon it’s free. “I’ve been to bigger ones where I’ve had to pay for table space,” McCracken said. “It’s pretty expensive.” Aaron Pichel founded the comic book club in 1975 when he was 12, because he was a huge comic book fan. He wanted a way to discuss his favorite superheroes with others. Pichel echoed the sentiments of Gilligan and McCracken. He said while Ithacon has become a regional convention, drawing in fans from all of New York, people have always commented on how communal the convention feels. Initially the club was only middle school-aged children, but it gradually expanded to Ithaca residents of all ages. Pichel said the conventions were much more popular back then before comic collectors and fans could easily feed their hobby with the help of the Internet. “Back then we didn’t have the Internet, we didn’t have a 24 hour a day [source] for all of these auction sites. Now we have a worldwide, 24 hour a day, seven days a week,
Writer Mark McCracken draws a comic at the 38th Ithacon comic book convention March 3 at Funky Junk Ithaca on The Commons. The convention featured more than 20 cartoonists who were set up at booths around the room. Tucker Mitchell/The Ithacan
365 day a year convention online,” Pichel said. “Back then, to get all those dealers and collectors together was much more rare. It was much, much larger, even more dealers, even more guests. There were auctions, there were workshops ... it was big.” Pichel recently opened a movie
poster, comic book and pop culture memorabilia store on The Commons called The Movie Poster Store. He said many fans were fluctuating between his store and the convention Saturday, bringing many comic lovers to both venues. He has seen a recent spike in comic popularity due to the big-budget
superhero movies that have gained popularity in past years. “Comic books have really entered the mainstream more than they were 40 years ago,” Pichel said. “Years ago it was very geeky and nerdy, and now it really is part of the mainstream. Nerds have taken over the asylum.”
Covering the news today. Training the journalists of tomorrow.
The Ithacan
Find more online at
The Ithacan.org
A ccen t
1 8 The It hacan
Th ursday, M a r c h 7 , 2 0 1 3
Performances drive compelling play
thursday
by anna sernau contributing writer
Kitchen Theatre Company’s production of “Crooked” by Catherine Trieschmann emphasizes how an intimate space and a small cast can be transformed to create a truly powerful experience. “Crooked” tells the story of 14-year-old Laney Waters (Molly Stoller) and her mother Elise (Erin Jerozal) as they move back to Elise’s hometown following the institutionalization of Laney’s father for a severe mental illness. Struggling with the physical pain of stress-induced dystonia, a “Crooked” disease that causes the back Kitchen Theatre muscles to spasm, giving her Company a hunchbacked appearance, HHHH and the emotional pain of losing her father, Laney finds comfort in her writing and in her blossoming friendship with the fervently religious Maribel Purdy (Ally Poole). Though they have little in common besides their crippling loneliness, they soon become an inseparable, if dysfunctional, duo. “Crooked” follows the lives of these three characters as they face issues of religion, sexuality, discrimination and emotional vulnerability. All three actors give remarkable performances for their debut at Kitchen Theatre. Stoller captures the energy of Laney aptly. She is lively, dramatic and exuberant in her performance. She makes strong character choices throughout the show. Her manifestation of Laney’s dystonia is convincing, and her bouncing energetic portrayal brings life and dynamism to the play. Jerozal’s Elise acts as a perfect counterbalance to Laney’s character. Sharp, witty and somewhat jaded by life, it is clear that Elise only wants what’s best for her daughter. She has a very realistic relationship with her daughter. While they fight constantly, there are also scenes that show a strong undercurrent of love flowing between the two characters. Maribel’s religiously earnest personality and talkativeness add a great deal of humor to the piece, as she babbles on about boys, Christianity and her invisible stigmata. Though “Crooked” deals with many dark and serious topics, it is also full of humor that highlights the silliness of the teenage years. One such scene occurs after the agnostic Laney returns home from
hot dates
Salsa Fiesta Agava, the opening of the Latin dance instruction class, will take place at Agava restaurant. The class will begin at 10 p.m. and will cost $3.
friday
The Smoking Loons, a
theater Review
rock pop band, will perform at 9 p.m. at the restaurant Booker’s Backyard.
The Joni Mitchell Tribute Concert will celebrate the songs and career of Joni Mitchell and raise funds for the Community School of Music and Arts’ education program. CSMA will ask for a $10 donation at the door. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. at CSMA. From left, Erin Jerozal, Ally Poole and Molly Stoller star in the Kitchen Theatre production of “Crooked.” Written by Catherine Trieschmann, the play chronicles a coming-of-age story about two young girls. courtesy of ed dittenhoefer
her first church service with Maribel. She excitedly and rebelliously declares she has become a “holiness lesbian.” Her mother, surprised and amused asks just exactly what a “holiness lesbian” is. Laney proudly explains, “I believe in the Holy Ghost, and I kiss girls.” She goes on to ponder that her life will be filled with struggle and strife, but it will make for excellent content in her memoirs. This over-the-top personality and eagerness to belong and be defined is characteristic of many teenage girls, and certainly of Laney herself. Her tendency toward the dramatic is also reflected in her writing, which the audience hears snippets of throughout the play. The set is simple and remains constant throughout the play: a couch, an ottoman, a coffee table and a bench. This serves as the backdrop for the Waters’ home, Maribel’s church and the high school yard. While this could be confusing for the audience, the actors subtly and easily indicate where each scene
is meant to take place. Perhaps the most striking piece of the set, and certainly the most symbolic, is the huge, over-sized and empty picture frame that hangs crookedly on the back wall throughout the play. Whether this is meant to represent the emptiness in the characters’ lives or the brokenness of the Waters’ family is left to the audience’s imagination. Trieschmann’s writing strikes a remarkable balance between comedy and drama. Realistic and emotionally driven, it draws viewers in and sweeps them along in a whirlwind of laughter and tears. She said one of her intentions in writing this piece was to involve more women in Broadway, which she accomplishes with her three-woman cast. But Trieschmann goes beyond the inclusion of women, creating a play that is universal in its appeal and the issues it grapples with.
by robert mayo staff writer
Senior Writer
Check out theithacan. org/spotify to listen to the songs featured in this week’s reviews!
combines radical Yiddish songs, political cabaret and punk folk, will perform at 8 p.m. at the Carriage House Cafe. Tickets cost $20.
Dolce Suono, a music duo, will perform the works of composers such as Debussy and Bates. The concert will begin 8 p.m. in Barnes Hall at Cornell University.
sunday
From Russia With Love, a concert of Russian music, will begin at 4 p.m. at the Unitarian Church of Ithaca.
Musician creates synth sound
by Jared DIonne
Album Review
Daniel Kahn and The Painted Bird, a band which
“Crooked” will run until March 17.
Australian pop-rock group releases upbeat first album of The Killers’ early material and a formidable appreciation for tambourine Rather than tentatively step out accentuations. The result is a powerful of the shadows, Australian pop-rock combination of dance-inducing songs band Atlas Genius has come into the strewn throughout the album. “Trojans” is the band’s first single light at a full-blown and the main culprit behind the group’s sprint. This rush explosive career launch. The track beis thanks to bloggins simply enough with toned-down ger word-of-mouth Atlas Genius rhythmic patterns and electric guitar and opening spots “When It Was strumming. As it progresses, various for staple alternaNow” instrumentation is thrown in: an acoustive rock acts, like Warner Bros. Record Company tic guitar here, a synth lick there. It’s a Imagine Dragons. Our rating: formula designed to keep the listener The band’s album, HH 1/2 invested and hooked. “When It Was While consistency is an admiNow,” displays Atlas Genius’ seemingly natural ability to rable quality in many releases, it should not come at the expense of dicraft catchy jams. The group draws from a powerful versified creativity. Most of the LP’s arsenal chock-full of peppy guitar lines, songs run together with the same a slick synthesizer finish reminiscent pop-indie-dance vibe. As the same
saturday
Courtesy of warner bros. record company
one-size-fits-all framework springs up in each of the album’s 11 tracks, listeners may find themselves hoping for something more surprising. While Atlas Genius does stumble as far as pushing their own boundaries, they have created a record with a fresh spin on modern rock. Overall, the album’s sunny disposition and carefree attitude establishes itself as an early candidate for a soundtrack to the summer.
French musician Kavinsky has been making extended plays and singles for more than six years. Kavinsky hit it big when his song “Nightcall” was featured in the 2011 movie “Drive,” but it took until 2013 to make his debut album, “OutRun,” and it proves to be worth the wait. “O u t r u n” has myriad electronic Kavinsky “OutRun” songs that feaRecord Makers ture a heavy Our rating: synth-pop HHH sound. Unf o r t u n a t e l y, despite each song’s exceptional quality, the groovy synth bass that defines Kavinsky’s music causes the album to run stale, as songs tend to blend together into one sound.
Album Review
Many of Kavinsky’s more popular EP songs are featured in “OutRun.” All songs have a funk-driven music feel, and memorable songs such as “Blizzard,” “ProtoVision” and “Odd Look” induce an ’80s trance-like effect. The ’80s feel of the album generates nostalgia for music from that era and makes Kavinsky’s first album an unforgettable one.
Courtesy of record makers
quickies “THE CIGAR CHRONICLES, VOLS. 1 & 2“
“hunter hunted ep” Hunter Hunted Chang Garner LLC.
courtesy of CHANG GARNER LLC.
Liberty N’ Justice LNJ Records
The Los Angeles duo of Dan Chang and Michael Garner have released their debut EP. The tracks weave striking chords, smooth vocals and a foot-tapping beat. This indie rock band promises to take the lead in new music.
The rock band returns with an album covering pop hits. With slamming guitar lines, heavy percussion and enthusiastic vocals, the band delivers its version of songs such as “Stayin’ Alive” and “MMMBop.” courtesy oF LNJ RECORDS. Compiled by ROSE VARDELL
A ccen t
Th ursday, M ar ch 7, 2013
The I th a c a n 1 9
Directors craft conventional comedy Vulgar one-liners and cast thrive in coming-of-age humor hit bY Josh Greenfield
[
ticket stub
]
valid friday through thursday
cinemapolis The Commons 277-6115
Staff Writer
Following several successful ventures, such as 2009’s “The Hangover” and 2011’s “The Change Up,” writing team Jon Lucas and Scott Moore have come back with another screwball comedic hit with their directorial debut, “21 and Over.” A well-crafted script “21 & Over” combines with a Relativity well-casted acting Media Our rating: ensemble to produce this film, which HH 1/2 is sure to delight all fans of the raunchy comedy genre. The plot of the film consists of an “American Pie”-styled escapade involving three high school friends Jeff (Justin Chon), Miller (Miles Teller) and Casey (Skylar Astin) who have gone their separate ways. The film begins with Miller and Casey arriving at Jeff’s school to surprise him and take him out for his 21st birthday. Jeff, however, resists the offer because of an important interview for medical school the following morning. Miller and Casey do end up convincing him to go out for one drink that turns out to be much more. As the night progresses, Miller and Casey lose track of their highly intoxicated friend and must go out to find him before his interview the following morning. The cast of the film never tries to be too serious and delivers their punch lines perfectly. However, the three leads lack the ability to convey the more serious parts of the film, though whether that is the fault of the actors or of the screenplay is unclear. Of the three, the definite standouts are
56 up 4:20 p.m. and 7 p.m. amour HHHH 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Film Review
django unchained 5 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. and weekends 1:45 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. JOHN DIES AT THE END 9:30 p.m. and weekends 2:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. quartet 5 p.m., 7:05 p.m. and 9:10 p.m. and weekends 2:30 p.m., 5 p.m., 7:05 p.m. and 9:10 p.m.
From left, Miller (Miles Teller), Jeff Chan (Justin Chong) and Casey (Skylar Astin) celebrate Jeff’s 21st birthday with a night filled with drunken shenanigans including, but not limited to, a stampede of male cheerleaders and a bull.
Courtesy oF relativity media
Chon and Teller. Chon’s constant drunken adventures are astutely played and memorably acted. With Teller, many of his ranting and delightfully raunchy monologues continually produce laughs and are certain to be quoted. There is nothing to criticize about the directing of the film, but it still only comes off as satisfactory. The fast pace of the film keeps the movie from coming off as dull. The comedic timing is strong and highly consistent and helps to boost the already hilarious dialogue of the film. All of this aside, the actors are unable to convincingly pull off the emotional elements in the film, which shouldn’t have been forced into the
film. The directing team’s decision to incorporate an emotional component to the otherwise comedy-driven story turns what could have been a successful film to an acceptable directing job. The most successful aspect of the movie is its script that, though silly at times, is packed with hilarious dialogue and situational humor. Nearly every scene in the film has at least one example of a laugh-out-loud moment, such as a stampede scene involving a bull and some male cheerleaders as well as the drinking game known as the “Tower of Power.” Aside from the success of the film’s humor, “21 and Over” attempts to
Fairy tale film flops on screen
add an emotional side plot and fails. Only coming out at the end, the emotional conclusion of the film attempts to give it a nice moral message but feels forced and severely out of place. Overall, “21 and Over” is a perfect film for anyone looking to go out and enjoy a few laughs without having to think too much while doing it. Though the film may lack depth, it certainly makes up for it with laughs and shouldn’t be missed by fans of screwball comedy. “21 and Over” was directed and written by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore.
Sci-fi flick offers genuine horror
By qina liu
By brian porreca
Those hoping director Bryan Singer’s “Jack the Giant Slayer” would bring a fresh spin to the age-old fairy tale will be thoroughly disappointed. The film rehashes the same, familiar feudalism tropes that have existed since the Middle Ages. Jack (Nicholas Hoult), a peasant farm-boy who has grown up with legends of giants and “Jack the beanstalks, is at the town’s theGiant Slayer” Warner Bros. ater when he rescues the Princess Pictures Isabelle (Eleanor Tomlinson) from Our rating: intimidating men. Though Jack is H 1/2 willing to accept this one-off encounter with the princess, he finds her on his doorstep at his farm. When magic beans sprout into a giant beanstalk, taking the princess to the giants’ land, the king (Ian McShane) sends his guard Elmont (Ewan McGregor) and his best men up the beanstalk to rescue the princess. Naturally, Jack volunteers to go along with Elmont to rescue the damsel in distress. It’s not hard to guess what happens from here. After all, all fairy tales end with their happily ever after, and screenplay writers Darren Lemke, Christopher McQuarrie and Dan Studney stick close to that idea, making the film bland. Though Lemke is also accredited on the writing team for “Shrek Forever After,” Fiona, the ogre princess, has more sass than Princess Isabelle ever did. The script is predictable and fundamentally flawed. The plot progresses at such breakneck speed that the actions seem as implausible as the condensed, three-day relationship between William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” If Jack is Romeo, Isabelle is Juliet. But rather than compare thee to the moon, Jack takes on a hoard of colossal CGI giants.
Director Scott Stewart creates genuine fear in audiences with his sci-fi horror, “Dark Skies.” The setting is peaceful suburbia and white picket fences with backyards for all the children to play in, until the intrusion of the Grays, who flip the Barrett’s family life upside down. It all starts when three “Dark Skies” flocks of birds from three Dimension different migrations come Films Our rating: crashing into the Barrett HHHH home. Then, after a security breach by something the 7-year-old Sam Barrett (Kadan Rockett) calls “The Sandman,” the family has to figure out how to take back control of its residence. The threat of danger to the children helped build the suspense of the film. Sam and preteen brother Jesse (Dakota Goyo) are used to make the film more emotional. Their parents, Lacy (Keri Russell) and Daniel (Josh Hamilton), will do anything to protect their family but are labeled as unfit after both of their children are found with bruises all over their bodies from the Grays. The well-written script is enough to make the film both dramatic and unnerving without relying on too many visual graphics. It was not the special effects that made the Grays frightening, it was their actions directed by the script. This film is a rare find in the sea of the horror film genre. The movie is original enough to leave fear in audiences and has potential scare with an open ending for a possible sequel.
senior writer
staff writer
film Review
FILM Review
Nicholas Hoult stars as the peasant Jack in the revival of English folktale “Jack the Giant Slayer.”
Courtesy oF warner bros. pictures
Hoult, known as the playboy Tony in the British television show “Skins,” and McGregor, known for his award-winning performances in “Trainspotting” and “Moulin Rouge!,” are capable of giving more well-rounded performances, but the script holds them to these two-dimensional knight-in-shining-armor roles. Lemke, McQuarrie and Studney’s script does provide context, which the story of “Jack and the Beanstalk” lacked. “Jack the Giant Slayer” is about more than a thief who steals golden eggs. However, their retelling of this fractured fairy tale is not as memorable as the giants’ refrain: fe fi fo fum, a proper synonym for the film’s mediocrity. “Jack the Giant Slayer” was directed by Bryan Singer and written by Darren Lemke, Christopher McQuarrie and Dan Studney.
“Dark Skies” was directed and written by Scott Stewart.
zero dark thirty HHHH 4:55 p.m. and 8:05 p.m. and weekends 1:50 p.m., 4:55 p.m. and 8:05 p.m.
regal stadium 14 Pyramid Mall 266-7960
21 and over HH 1/2 12:50 p.m., 3:10 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 8:50 p.m. Dark skies HHHH 9 p.m. Dead man down 1:50 p.m., 4:40 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 10:20 p.m. Escape From Planet Earth 10:10 p.m., 12:20 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. A Good Day To Die Hard HH 2 p.m. Identity thief HH 1:35 p.m., 4:20 p.m., 7:10 p.m. and 10 p.m. jack the giant slayer H 1/2 5:10 p.m. and 10:40 p.m. Jack the giant slayer 3d 10:30 p.m., 1:10 p.m., 2:15 p.m., 4 p.m., 6:50 p.m., 7:55 p.m. and 9:40 p.m. the last exorcism part ii 9:20 p.m. life of pi 3D HHHH 12 p.m., 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL 10:40 a.m., 12:40 p.m., 3:45 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m., 8:10 p.m., 10:10 p.m. and 11:15 p.m. OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL 3d 10 a.m., 10:20 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 1:20 p.m., 4:10 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 6:40 p.m., 7:20 p.m., 9:50 p.m., 10:30 p.m. and 10:50 p.m. Safe Haven HHH 12:10 p.m., 3:20 p.m. and 6:10 p.m. silver linings playbook 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 6:20 p.m. and 9:10 p.m. snitch 11:50 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 5:20 p.m., 8:20 p.m. and 11 p.m.
our ratings Excellent HHHH Good HHH Fair HH Poor H
2 0 The It hacan
for rent Spacious 3 + 4 bedroom townhouses furnished,
C l a ss i f i ed Ithaca Solar Townhouses, 4 or 8 bedroom, new
2 or 4 bedroom apartment or house S. Aurora St.
furniture, 2 baths, fireplace, off-street parking, right
directly off The Commons. Large bedrooms,
next to campus. For showing call 273-9300 or 227-
parking, on bus route. Landlord pays all
1076. View online: IthacaEstatesRealty.com
utilities! Available 8-5-13. Call today for a
dishwasher, non-coin washer and dryer, 1 1/2 baths, balconies, free parking, free water. Call 607-273-8576 or 607-319-6416. Now leasing: College Crossings Residential Brand new, 4 and 5 bedroom apartments, high end design and amenities, 2,200 s.f., 2 baths, laundry room in each unit, LED lighting, AC, new furnishings. Call now to see plans and
Th ursday, M a r c h 7 , 2 0 1 3
IthacaEstatesRealty.com (1,2,3,4, 5 & 8 Bedroom Units) Now Preleasing for 2013-2014 Apt for rent. 3 bedrooms, 1.5 living rooms. Free parking, 1.5 bathroom. 205 Prospect St. First come, first serve. Call morn. or after 5 p.m. 607-339-8167. Ask for John. Leave a message.
walk the site. College Crossings, LLC
4 person house. Great location
“The intersection of college and community.�
11-month lease, free parking, free washer-
607-273-9300
viewing or visit our website at
Writing on deadline. Reporting. Designing pages.
www.certifiedpropertiesinc.com Certified Properties of TC, Inc. 607-273-1669 3 or 6 bedroom apartments or house Hudson St.
Shooting video. Blogging.
Large bedrooms, parking, washer/dryer. On bus route. Landlord pays all utilities! Available 8-5-13. Call today for a viewing or visit our website at www.certifiedpropertiesinc.com
Copy editing. Selling ads.
Certified Properties of TC, Inc. 607-273-1669
Taking pictures.
dryer, 2 kitchens, 2 bathrooms, 2 living
4 bedroom, 2 bath house on South Hill. Some
rooms, available Aug 1st 2013.
parking, dishwasher and deck. 550 ea. with a
Writing reviews.
www.IthacaEstatesRealty.com Apartments, houses, townhouses, lofts
Call 607-273-5370
12-month lease. Dominique: (607) 227-6237 or
for rent.
2013-2014 Terrific houses/ apts with 1 up to 6
1 bedroom apt very close to I.C. Fully furnished, off-street parking, landlord pays gas and electric; call (607) 592-0150
dsb_123@me.com brs, furnished, laundry, free parking, fair
Brand new 3 or 4 bedroom house available Jan
rents, managed by working landlords
2014. Fully furnished, off-street parking, 5 or 6
607-227-3153 see http://ithaca-apts.com
month lease. Call (607) 592-0150
Learn to do it all at
The Ithacan.
place your classified in the ithacan. Submit in any of the following categories:
For Rent For Sale Sublet Services Lost & Found Personals Rates: Employment Notices $4 up to four lines Ride Board $1 each additional line Wanted Classifieds must be submitted by 5 p.m. the Monday preceding publication. Classifieds can be paid for with check or credit card. Bring payment to The Ithacan office located inside the Roy H. Park School of Communications in room 269.
Everybody has issues ... ... we have a new one every week.
The Ithacan Every Thursday.
Th ursday, M ar ch 7, 2013
The I th a c a n 2 1
Can’t make it to the game? We’ve got you covered.
Follow us on Twitter for game updates.
@IthacanSports
durst breneiser/the ithacan
Divers ion s
2 2 The It hacan
the here and now alphabet stew By Caroline Roe ’13
dormin’ norman
By Alice Blehart ’16
By Jonathan Schuta ’14
Pearls Before Swine®
Th ursday, M a r c h 7 , 2 0 1 3
sudoku medium
very hard
By Stephan Pastis answers to last week’s sudoku
crossword
By United Media
ACROSS 1 Economic upturn 5 Lock up 9 Arith. term 12 .38 bullets 13 Radius neighbor 14 Long time 15 Job for a body shop 16 Tall grass 17 Fitness center 18 Crux (hyph.) 21 Boathouse gear 22 Casual wear 23 Grocery buy 26 “Bop -- You Drop” 28 Stand in good -32 Island near Corsica 34 Topaz or emerald 36 No sweat! 37 Personnel 39 Nutritious grain 41 Banjo cousin 42 Gas station freebie 44 Show distress
46 Like a stegosaur 51 Plane’s cargo section 52 Go -- -- smoke 53 Campus sports org. 55 Kenya’s loc. 56 Wanton look 57 Pizazz 58 Motorist no. 59 Gibb or Rooney 60 -- Lee cakes DOWN 1 Wretched 2 Shaman’s quest 3 Prefix for directional 4 Slogan 5 Cobble together (hyph.) 6 Not -- -- to stand on 7 Lifeless 8 Polite address 9 In case 10 Plagiarize
11 Court evidence, maybe 19 Body art, for short 20 Chapeau’s place 23 “-- So Shy” 24 Elev. 25 Financier’s deg. 27 Tolstoy’s name 29 -- Claire, Wis. 30 Invite 31 Do batik 33 Way, way off 35 Concrete work 38 Leg bone 40 Craggy peak 43 Mellow 45 Fillets a fish 46 Hatchet handle 47 Bronte governess 48 Contended 49 Bruins’ school 50 German industrial region 51 Candy shape 54 Santa -- winds
Need your daily dose of funny? Head to theithacan.org for more cartoons! last week’s crossword answers
sports
Th ursday, M ar ch 7, 2013
The I th a c a n 2 3
Clearing the air Hill Center renovations cause problems among athletic teams By Christian Araos Staff writer
Basketballs pound the hardwood as the women’s basketball team goes through its shooting drills. Rihanna plays in the background, but the music and the balls are drowned out by the orchestra of construction sounds outside the Ben Light Gymnasium. It serves as a constant reminder of the circumstances that have caused issues for the teams that use the facility throughout the semester. Since renovations on the Hill Center began in December, some players have raised concerns about the amount of dust both in the air and that has settled on the gym floor making it slippery. Public facilities around the gym have also been shut down. This has caused teams to alter their practice and game locations and to move all postseason play to other courts. According to Tom Ryan, Hayner Hoyt project supervisor, the renovations are currently 15 percent complete. The project, which is estimated to cost $15.5 million, is expected to be finished in December. Construction has been ongoing in the western end of the building as the foundations for two floors of class and lecture space are being laid where the pool once was. Teams are due to receive new locker rooms and team spaces as well. Inside the gymnasium, three of four courts are being completely redone beginning next week. Mike Lindberg, associate director of intercollegiate athletics, said renovations will also improve technology and aid student media. “We’re trying to do some things with technology in regards to web casting and more media visibility and opportunity for Park School and Sport Media and Management,” Lindberg said. While teams are optimistic for the renovations, they have also voiced concerns about the conditions created by the construction. Since the demolition began, conditions in the gym and the locker room have become an issue for athletes. Several players said they have been concerned about the construction because of asbestos present inside of the building. While there is asbestos in the building, Ryan said, areas are cleared of asbestos before construction and that the abatement is held to a standard of federal regulation. “It’s a safe and very, very closely
monitored process,” Ryan said. Sophomore wrestler Alex Gomez and the rest of the wrestling team have had parts of their locker room and shower sealed off as construction workers worked to remove interior walls that contained asbestos. Gomez said he has developed difficulty breathing and believes the construction caused it. “They really aren’t sealing off things that they should be sealing off,” Gomez said. “They’re really doing the most construction in the locker room, so it isn’t safe to be changing and hanging out.” The basketball teams have dealt with other issues while using the gym as the men were forced to share showers with Top, members of the Hayner Hoyt construction crew discuss digging up and solidifying ground their opponents after their games. in the corner of the pool area while an excavator moves and compacts dirt Friday. Senior guard Eli Maravich said Bottom, Tom Ryan and Greg Doyner of Hayner Hoyt look at construction plans Friday. Durst Breneiser/The Ithacan both teams were forced to move practice to the Fitness Center during the first week of the spring semester be- it was okay to play in. If somebody gets sick minimize any discomfort,” Couture said. cause players were having coughing then what they say doesn’t really matter.” The women’s basketball team has fits from dust buildup in the gymnaLindberg said Couture and other had to play several games on the road sium. Sophomore guard Ally Mnich representatives from the school as because of the construction. Had the said the construction has also affect- well as project managers are consult- gym been available for use in the posted their practices. ed when making decisions about the season, the women would have hosted “It’s really dusty in that gym so they center’s usage during the renovation. the Empire 8 Championships and probhave to clean it a lot,” Mnich said. “A He said he relays information about ably the first two rounds of the NCAA lot of people have gotten hurt, it’s really the project to each coach. Tournament because they were the top not safe. A lot of “We go over ranked team in their region. Mnich people cough and what the plan is, said she is confident the Blue and Gold the floor is real deadlines are, what can win at any venue. slippery so a lot of has to be moved, “We’re kind of bummed that we people fall.” how’s it going to can’t host it,” Mnich said. “It’s always Dec. 2012 Lindberg said affect them, if better to be on your home court, but Construction began on the Hill Center professionals have we’re taking any- it’s not about where we play. As long after months of preparation. been consulted, thing off-line and as we have the first seed we’re pretty Jan. 2013 and there is nothaccess,” Lindberg much set.” Foundations were dug up and laid in ing dangerous said. “We meet on Next week, Ben Light Gymnasium is the area where the pool once was. about the condia regular basis, we slated to be ripped up and the remodelMarch 2013 tions inside of the share information ing process is expected to begin. Ryan Hill Center. with our coaching said the gym, complete with new hardThe floors of Ben Light Gymnasium will be ripped up for replacement. “We would not staff, and in turn wood and bleachers, will be ready for do anything that it gets shared with use and dust-free in August. Aug. 2013 would jeoparthe student athMen’s basketball Head Coach Jim The lecture room space and Ben Light dize our students’ letes in general. ” Mullins said the renovations have been Gymnasium will be ready for use. health, and if there The school and inconvenient and credited his players Dec. 2013 was we would have construction firm for going through them well. Mullins All construction on the Hill Center is shut this thing have made ef- said in the end it will all be worth it. slated to be finished. down awhile ago,” forts to improve “I’ve been waiting for this for 20 Lindberg said. the conditions in years,” Mullins said. “I think people Senior forward Andrei Oztemel said the Hill Center during the semester. that have been here — and quite a practicing next to a construction site This included the installation of bar- number of them have been here lonmade him uncomfortable, regardless of riers and negative air machines that ger than I — were looking at it saying it being cleared by the college. are designed to filter the air. Couture it’s about time. With that said, you “It was a little uncomfortable practic- said problems with construction are have to deal with some inconveniencing in the gym right across from red tape sometimes unavoidable. es and I think the good far outweighs from the pool area with asbestos marking,” “When you’re renovating a building whatever inconvenience we have. The Oztemel said. “It wasn’t an ideal situation, and people are still in it, it’s not a perfect end result is worth inconveniences at and they had professionals come in and say situation, but we are working really hard to this time.”
COURSE of
construction
S ports
2 4 The It hacan
Between the lines
Steve derderian
Lifelong Sox fan to take big trip Before I dig into this week’s column, I have to thank my fellow teammate and sports writer Nathan Bickell for having good sportsmanship throughout last week’s competition and giving me the opportunity to write this. Spring break is about to begin for Ithaca College students, and many will retreat to warmer locations for a vacation of sorts. Most people tend to think of beaches and sunshine when they think of spring break, but there is something else happening down South that draws large crowds of sports fans. For the first time ever, my father will be a part of those crowds. My father and I have a lot in common. We share the same name, birthday and height, but especially, we are both lifelong fans of the Boston Red Sox. My mother takes vacations to New York City, New Hampshire, Maine and other shopping-related places around the country each year while my father usually is at his office working or at home enjoying the comfort of his chair and ottoman placed strategically in front of the television. This spring, however, my family decided to turn the tables on him. My father’s longtime friend, John Kosciak, is entering his 28th year as a Major League Baseball regional scout. This year, he is working with the Pittsburgh Pirates and has been assigned to Fort Myers, Fla. This happens to be the same place the Boston Red Sox hold their spring training. My father has lived through some of the toughest moments in Red Sox history: Bill Buckner, Bucky Dent, decades without a title. But an opportunity to travel to Florida and to watch the team he loves was never really an option. Our family friend Kosciak found him a room for four nights in Fort Myers, and my family was ready to help him get there. We decided to break the news to him on Christmas morning. My father reached into his stocking and pulled out a $100 Southwest Airlines gift card. It seemed like a simple gift at first, but then my mother handed him a piece of paper with a hotel reservation for March 4 to March 8. He knew right away. He broke into heavy laughter followed by one or two happy shouts of “Yes” with a face like an excited little kid, and then tears began to roll down his face. It might be a simple trip for some preseason games, but it is also the culmination of a 50-year wait to go somewhere he had always dreamed of going. He’s not a season-ticket holder, nor did he ever want to be. He just wants to be a fan who once in awhile gets to experience something special. The trip is only four days, but just like spring break, it is important in maintaining friendships and spending the time off. With or without sports, spring break is a chance to make memories and have some fun during the often mundane month of March. steve derderian is a sophomore journalism major. Contact him at sderder1@ithaca.edu.
Th ursday, M a r c h 7 , 2 0 1 3
Squad prepares to break into Elite Eight By Danielle D’Avanzo Senior Writer
Women’s basketball practice Monday night was a confusing affair. Miscellaneous objects such as chairs, foam soccer balls, cones and toy soldiers were scattered across half the court of Ben Light Gymnasium. If that wasn’t odd enough, half of the women’s basketball team wearing blindfolds would only add more confusion to the supposed chaos. At the center of it all stood the coaching staff, laughing along with players while observing the activity around them. The players were participating in an unusual scavenger hunt, one that required one person to maneuver through the obstacle course blindfolded while their partner stood outside of the perimeter verbally giving directions. It may seem like a random game, but Head Coach Dan Raymond said everything the squad does in practice has a purpose. The drill required each pair to rely on communication and trust to accomplish their goal, these fundamental skills that will be necessary for the Blue and Gold when they take on Williams College on Friday in the Division III NCAA Sectional Semifinals. During the postseason, Raymond said, he believes it’s better for the team to have a lighter practice on Mondays instead of taking the day off. “When we get into postseason, the games become more intense, so more energy is expended,” Raymond said. “We don’t do anything that’s going to be high impact to try and save their legs.” When the Blue and Gold first huddled up at the beginning of practice that afternoon, junior varsity Head Coach Shannon Finucane reminded the team how far their hard work had brought them. “There are 16 teams left,” Finucane said. “That’s it. Sixteen teams left in the NCAA playing basketball. We’re one of those teams.” The South Hill squad is making an appearance in the Sweet 16 for the second time in program history. Junior guard Mary Kate Tierney said this accomplishment reflects how well the team works together on the hardwood. “We don’t really have a standout player who’s doing everything for everybody,” Tierney said. “It’s more impressive the way we play unselfishly. We have a deep bench, and everybody is just exploding at the right time.” The Bombers have won by an average of 16 points during their postseason run. In the first round of the NCAA tournament last Friday, the Bombers beat Colby-Sawyer 56-43.
Junior guard Mary Kate Tierney attempts to put a shot past Nazareth College sophomore center Maria Allocco during the Bomber’s final regular season game Feb. 16 in Ben Light Gymnasium.
The next day, the South Hill squad defeated Smith College in dominating fashion, earning a 7350 victory. Senior forward Elizabeth Conti said the team had a tendency to “let up on the gas pedal” during the second half this season, but this wasn’t the case against the Pioneers. “Throughout the season, people would have a big game here and there, but now we’re starting to click,” Conti said. “All the injuries have been taken care of, and it’s just all coming together at the right moment.” The Bombers are now 27–2 overall but are still three games shy of reaching their goal of playing in
Durst Breneiser/The Ithacan
the national championship. Raymond said this team is confident it will be playing in Michigan. “This is a group of individuals that I’ve never experienced anything quite like it,” Raymond said. “They just expect to win.” There are a number of reasons why this team has been successful this season. However, Conti said this weekend’s contest will come down to the Blue and Gold’s bread and butter: its defense. “We play phenomenal defense that not a lot of teams know how to handle,” Conti said. “Our defense is going to be huge in these final games.”
Swimming and diving wraps up team competition By Doug Geller Staff Writer
Not all great seasons end with a championship. This is the message the Blue and Gold took away this season, as they were unable to defend their state title. The season may have ended on a low note, but the Bombers had plenty of highlights throughout. The men’s and women’s teams both came in 2nd place in the state championships, unable to defeat the Stevens Institute of Technology Ducks. The men fell 1,356.5 to 1,586 and the women fell 1,333.5 to 1,447. The team swam better than they have all year and broke several school records in the process. Junior diver Korie Fackler set the Upper New York State Collegiate Swimming Association, the Empire 8 and the A&E Center Aquatics Pavillion record in the 3-meter dive with a dive of 494.50 and the UNYSCSA and school record on the 1-meter dive with 475.35. Sophomore Peter Knight, senior Jake Robbins, freshman Adam Zelehowsky and junior John Carr set the school record in the 400-meter free relay at the state championships. This was one of 11 school records set during the meet. Breakout stars emerged from both teams this year. Sophomore Megan Busiman put up a team record in the 200-yard backstroke, and junior Emily Hoskinson pushed
Senior diver Martin Brown takes a dive during a practice Feb. 12 in the Athletics and Events Center. He qualified for nationals on March 2. Durst Breneiser/The Ithacan
through her breathing problems during the state meet to swim in every event in which she was entered. Head Coach Paula Miller said she was pleased with all of her swimmers and how coachable they were. “There were a lot of people who stepped up,” Miller said. “It was a
fun year to coach. They’d do anything we asked and didn’t complain.” On the men’s team, Zelehowsky and freshman Addison Hebert stepped up. Zelohowsky aided the team early by winning the 500-yard freestyle and the 200-yard freestyle at the Henry Kumpf Invitational. Hebert
fought through a shoulder injury all season but was still able to win events such as the 200-yard individual medley at the Kumpf Invitational. Men’s team Head Coach Kevin Markwardt said he was happy with the season as a whole, looking at the potential of the team and the results. “We were really happy,” Markwardt said. “You’re always disappointed when you’ve won [states] and feel like you have a chance to win it again, but I don’t feel too bad about it. You look back over that and realize that was for us to perform up to our potential.” Team competition has come to an end, but several individuals will be continuing on to the national competition. Three divers, sophomore Matt Morrison, senior Martin Brown and senior Kloe Boeckel, and five swimmers advanced on to nationals. Boeckel said that the team had a successful year and that it can’t be measured by individual victories. “I was really excited just to be here, even if I didn’t make it,” Boeckel said. “It was a great season.” Though the team did not win the state title, Robbins said the season was still successful. “We set our goals and we exceeded them,” Robbins said. “Our record board was taken over. As far as the season goes, I couldn’t be more proud or happier with the result.”
S ports
Th ursday, M ar ch 7, 2013
The I th a c a n 2 5
Red-hot Bombers fight for Sweet 16 By Christian Araos Staff Writer
In light of its victory at Springfield College, the men’s basketball team finds itself in unfamiliar territory: the second weekend of the NCAA tournament. They may not be used to where they are in the tourney, but they will be up against a team that they do know: the University of Rochester. The Bombers have defeated the Yellowjackets only twice since 1975. In 2011, U of R won twice at Ben Light Gymnasium to make the Sweet 16, while the Bombers were knocked out in the first round. The two teams will play Saturday evening at the Louis Alexander Palestra in Rochester with a Sweet 16 berth on the line. The Yellowjackets entered the NCAA Tournament ranked 18th overall by d3hoops.com. They started off the spring semester at No. 1 after they burst out of the gate, winning their first 18 games. Since then, they have gone 4–4 in their last eight. The team is led by senior guard John DiBartolomeo, the University Athletic Association Player of the Year and a contender for National Player of the Year. During the regular season, he averaged 23.4 points per game, and in the team’s first round win against Fitchburg State University, he scored a career-high 42 points. DiBartolomeo was teammates in high school with Bombers senior forward Andrei Oztemel. Oztemel said his inside knowledge of DiBartolomeo can only help the Bombers to a certain extent on the court. “I know what type of player he is, and I know about the player he is capable of being,” Oztemel said. “It’s nice to have that insider scouting information, but it can only do so much. We actually
have to go out there and stop it.” Shutting down opposition guards is something the team has had mixed success doing this season. In their two wins against Stevens Institute of Technology this season, they held senior guard and Empire 8 Player of the Year Sheldon Jones to nine total points. In their loss to Stevens, Jones had 25 points. In the first round victory against Springfield College, senior guard Alex Berthiaume scored 35 points in 35 minutes. Senior guard Eli Maravich said DiBartolomeo must be contained for the Bombers to have a chance. “He’s a really good player,” Maravich said. “He can shoot, he can drive, he’s strong. I really don’t know what his weakness is, so we’re just going to have to play him tough and not let him get going early.” As a team, the Yellowjackets are in the top 50 nationally with a field goal percentage just under 47, and they’ll not be as reliant on one shooter as Springfield was. Junior guard/forward Nate Vernon averages 11.5 points per game and put up 27 points on Jan. 5 against Emory University, a team that is also in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Sophomore guard Tyler Seidman is also a capable outside shooter averaging just over 39 percent from the field. The shooting threats of Rochester means the Bombers will not be able to use a triangle-and-two defensive scheme like they did for much of the Springfield game and for parts of the Empire 8 final against Stevens. Bombers Head Coach Jim Mullins said as long as the U of R has three high-efficiency shooters on the court, they will have to probably go manto-man on defense. Mullins said he thinks the team has the right mindset and skill set for
Senior guard Eli Maravich looks for a pass against Nazareth College’s freshman forward Maurice Mills on Feb. 16 in Ben Light Gymnasium. The Bombers will progress to the second round of the NCAA tournament this weekend. Durst breneiser/the ithacan
a game like this. He said the team’s emphasis on rebounding and defense is especially important. Mullins said he credits his veterans for thriving in a hostile environment last weekend and said that experience will be valuable this weekend. “I think in the second half we did as good of a job maintaining our composure under adverse circumstances as we have all year,” Mullins said. “We,
I would say very briefly, were on the verge of losing our composure, and we regained it very quickly.” The Bombers average three more rebounds per game, but Rochester has a better rebounding margin by just over half a rebound. The biggest challenge defensively for the Bombers is forcing turnovers from a team that is just outside the top 10 nationally in turnovers per game.
A win in this weekend’s game would put the Blue and Gold just three wins away from a national championship. Maravich said the team is not only up for the challenge against U of R but for a deep tournament run. “It’s just exciting being in the big dance like that,” Maravich said. “We got the potential to play our game. We could actually win the whole thing. It’s exciting.”
Keep track of the Bombers road to the Final Four Here’s a look at the teams the Bombers could play on their way to national championship glory
MEN’S BASKETBALL
woMEN’S BASKETBALL Sweet 16 March 16
Sweet 16 March 8 Ithaca College
Elite 8 march 22 Elite 8 march 9
Williams College
final 4 mArCH 23 final 4 mArCH 15
Whitman College
Round of 32 March 9 Washington University Illinois Wesleyan College University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Nor th Central College
Ithaca College
KEY BOLD=Home team
University of Rochester
Middlebur y College
WHat TO WATCH Emor y University
Women’s: Williams College, 8 p.m. Friday, Williamstown, Mass.
SUNY-Cor tland
Men’s: University of Rochester, 7 p.m. Saturday, Rochester, N.Y. source: ncaa.com
2 6 The It hacan
S ports
Th ursday, M a r c h 7 , 2 0 1 3
Lone sophomore gymnast excels as a team leader by haley costello staff writer
Sophomore Valerie Cohen always walks into the gym complete with a smile on her face and a word of advice for every woman on the team. She tells a nervous freshman to take her time on the balance beam, helps a frustrated junior with a way to improve her vault and lends an ear and some guidance to any member of the team that asks. Cohen is looked to as a leader by her team, but her presence wasn’t always that way. Last year, Cohen came in as the team’s sole freshman gymnast. This proved to be a challenge, and it forced her to acclimate quickly and pave her way as a team member. Senior Chelsea Robie said Cohen is a true leader on the Bombers squad every day, whether it is at a meet or practice. “I believe because she was the only freshman last year, she stepped into a leadership role right away,” Robie said. “She is a great role model for this year’s freshmen and to all the upperclassman.” Cohen came into her freshman year looking forward to continuing her 14year gymnastics career. As a graduate of Oliver Ames High School in North Easton, Mass., she did not want to leave the sport behind. “I felt like I wasn’t really done with gymnastics, and I still had more that I wanted to accomplish and new skills I wanted to learn,” Cohen said. “I could not imagine myself being done after high school, because I love competing.” As she entered into tryouts, Cohen expected to learn the rules of collegiate-level gymnastics with the other incoming recruits on the team. But, when she arrived to preseason practice, she was greeted by one other freshman, who dropped out two weeks later. Cohen said even though she was nervous stepping into the gym as the lone newcomer, it helped her overcome
her initial fear of collegiate gymnastics. “I think it made my transition a little bit smoother, because I was forced to fit right in and not hold back anything, because I didn’t have anyone my age,” Cohen said. Junior Kate Woodward said though Cohen was the only freshman, she got into the training immediately, eager to learn how the team worked. “She jumped right in because she was very focused on gymnastics and into the team from the start,” Woodward said. “She made it her number one priority.” To tackle the difficult situation, Cohen learned from experienced upperclassmen to give herself an advantage. She learned how to train, set up workouts and mentally prepare for collegiate-level gymnastics from her teammates. Cohen said while she learned much during her freshman year, she still struggled to adapt because she missed out on the strong group dynamic within her class. “While I looked up to the seniors as inspirational role models, I also looked up to the camaraderie they had between them,” Cohen said. “Each class has its own identity and bonds together over the four years, and it was sad because I knew I wasn’t going to have that.” After much effort and training, Cohen started her first competition on vault against Ursinus College on Jan. 22, 2012, where she scored a 9.25, earning her seventh place. Just one week later, she earned ninth place on her first floor exercise routine. Cohen has been one of the top competitors on the team ever since. With the completion of this year’s regular season, Cohen had an overall average of 9.428 on her powerful vault and a 9.456 on her floor routine, giving her the highest totals on the team in these categories. Woodward said Cohen’s dedication to development and desire to train has made her stronger than ever in the gym.
Sophomore Valerie Cohen prepares for her balance beam routine during the Feb. 16 Harriet Marranca Memorial Invitational in the Hill Center. Cohen placed 3rd in the vault at the meet.
“She is one of the best on our team, and I think she has gotten a lot of confidence in her gymnastics and her abilities,” Woodward said. With such a strong showing for her team during the regular season, Cohen said she cannot help but credit last season for
Parker chen/the ithacan
everything she has learned. “It’s taught me a lot of things,” Cohen said. “Being in the gym with a bunch of role models every day inspired me to get better as a gymnast and as a leader and made me believe that anything is possible.”
[The buzzer]
Th ursday, M ar ch 7, 2013
The I th a c a n 2 7
Top Tweets The funniest sports commentary via Twitter from this past week Sports Pickle @SportsPickle Congratulations to Jimmie Johnson on becoming the new GoDaddy girl.
Faux John Madden @FauxJohnMadden Lions now interested in Tavon Austin as he addresses two desires: a wide receiver, and a guy fast enough to outrun police.
God bless America
From left, junior Jessica Szklut of Pleasant attempts to take possession from junior Lindsay Osgood of The Americans during an intramural women’s indoor soccer game Sunday night at the Hill Center. The Americans won the contest 8-2.
Peyton’s Head @PeytonsHead
Kaitlyn Enlow/The ithacan
Released by the #Falcons and currently unemployed, he’ll now be known as Michael “formerly an earner” Turner.
Awful Announcing @AwfulAnnouncing Who’s going to be the first investigative journalist to dig up Rory McIlroy’s dental records?
the
foul line Weird news from the wide world of sports
On this 7 day in... 1997 PRO SPORTS HISTORY
MAR
Assistant Sports Editor Emily Hull breaks down important moments in professional and Bombers sports history that occurred March 7.
MILES SURREY’S
FANTASY
CORNER
Injuries affect the fantasy world too. Here are some NBA players with injuries that should be dropped from rosters.
Wilson Kipketer, from Kenya, broke the world indoor record in the 800-meter race at the World Indoor Championships in Paris, France. He broke his former teammate Paul Ereng’s time of 1:44.84 by nearly a second with a 1:43.96 in the preliminary heats. Then in the finals, Kipketer took yet another second off, running a 1:42.67.
The Bombers baseball team edged Occidental College 5-4 in Los Angeles as part of their spring break tour. It was the team’s third straight win of the season. The gamewinning RBI double came from then-sophomore Rob Raux in the ninth inning. This win capped off the South Hill squad’s best season start at 3–0 since the 1976 team went 9–0.
BOMBER SPORTS HISTORY
2006
ANDREI KIRILENKO Minnesota Timberwolves
He has already missed nine games this year and has yet to play a full season since his rookie campaign. To top it off, he just suffered a left calf strain against the Suns. Kirilenko is a fantastic all-around player when he is healthy, but unfortunately his aggressive style of play is prone to several nagging injuries that leave him as a fantasy risk.
JAMEER NELSON Orlando Magic
Nelson is on the verge of missing his 15th game this season with a knee injury and has been a fantasy disappointment for the lowly Magic even when healthy. His poor shooting doesn’t help him either. It would be best to drop Nelson and pick up a healthy substitute.
University of Oklahoma offensive tackle Lane Johnson was asked some pretty strange questions during a meeting with the Cincinnati Bengals following the combine last week. At the beginning of the meeting, the Bengals staff asked Johnson to remember these five things: a bear, a tree, a flower, a man and a dog. At the conclusion, they asked Johnson if he could remember those things. He then recited each for them. They then told him the number 9,167 and asked him to repeat those numbers in reverse order. Afterward, Johnson told reporters, “So that was probably the weirdest meeting I’ve ever been a part of.”
Sports tidbits for the less-than-casual sports fan Assistant Sports Editor Emily Hull offers a few sports topics to use at the bar, a party or an awkward lull in conversation
• Fox Sports West, the television station that broadcasts the Los Angeles Clippers games, currently has a promotion with Subway restaurants. Every time Clipper’s forward Blake Griffin posts a double-double, fans can print a coupon good for double the meat on their next sandwich. Go meat! • • On March 1, the Miami Heat released their own version of the viral video the “Harlem Shake.” It racked up nearly 2.3 million views in just one day. ESPN’s SportCenter decided to play the video on repeat during its broadcast. They even took the time to break down the dance craze. The show’s coverage of the Heat’s video got more attention than the NHL received all day.
2 8 the i t hacan
th ursday, M a r c h 7 , 2 0 1 3
READY FOr THE
Durst Breneiser/the ithacan
DELIVERy
The Ithacan’s Spring Sports Preview is coming at you Thursday, March 21.