The Ithacan Thursday, December 6, 20 12
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Volume 80 , Is s u e 1 3
Activists and academics
Ithaca College professors apply lifelong activism to classrooms By kristen mansfield staff writer
Beth Harris, associate professor of politics, stands in front of her Political Justice class describing the conflict between Israel and Palestine, holding up a packet with maps and articles inside of it. What many students don’t know is that after class Harris would be holding up posters at a Gaza protest on the side of Route 13. For professors like Harris, protesting is how they do their part to enact change in both the college community and elsewhere. They have chosen to not only weave their passions into their teachings but also to go out and advocate for the issues they believe in. Harris said she has felt strongly about human rights issues since she was in college and is now focusing her energy on the situation in Palestine and the Gaza Strip. “At this point, Israelis have a government that can
protect them, and the Palestinians don’t,” Harris said. “It’s a big concern of mine. Since 1948 the Palestinians have been in the position of refugees.” Harris was not the only faculty member to attend the Gaza protest Nov. 16. More than 20 college students, locals and professors participated in a demonstration in Ithaca to oppose U.S. aid to the Israeli military. Fred Wilcox, associate professor of writing, who was also at the protest, said Israel’s weapons used to attack innocent people on the Gaza Strip are paid for by U.S. citizens’ tax dollars. “The more you know about it, the sadder you’ll get and wish that everybody there would step back from the violence,” Wilcox said. The history of violence in the Gaza Strip dates back to 1948, when Israelis drove the Palestinians from their
See PROTEST, page 4
From left, Fred Wilcox, associate professor of writing, holds up a photo while Beth Harris, associate professor of politics, carries signs calling for Palestine's statehood at a Gaza protest Nov. 16 on the side of Route 13.
shawn steiner/ the ithacan
Faculty Council discussions turn to budget issues by elma gonzalez news editor
Growing tensions between Ithaca College faculty and administration surrounding salary and college budget developments were at the forefront of Tuesday night’s Faculty Council meeting. Discussion centered on Huron Consulting Group financial assessment developments, salary and electing the candidates for next semester’s Institutional Effectiveness and Budget Committee. At the meeting, Marisa Kelly, provost and vice president for educational affairs, reiterated her stance on the Faculty Council’s request for a 3-percent increment in general merit pay. Kelly said the percentage is significantly higher than what the IEBC was comfortable in putting forward. At the Nov. 13 meeting, she said she did not support advocating for a larger salary pool. Don Lifton, professor of business, urged Kelly to advocate for
Marisa Kelly, provost and vice president for educational affairs, attends the Faculty Council meeting Nov. 13 in the VIP Room of the A&E Center.
sabrina knight/the ithacan
the faculty’s request for an increase in salary. Lifton said faculty input in resource allocation — and in this case Faculty Council input in budget decisions — is part one of the Characteristics of Excellence
snap happy App connects students through time-limited photos, page 13
in Higher Education, according to Middle States. “There is still time, provost, to rescue the situation,” Lifton said. Twice, the council went into a private executive session. The first
College narrows hunt for director of advising center
was for a meeting with Kelly and Michael Trotti, associate professor of history. Trotti brought in fliers addressed to Kelly and President Tom Rochon from a group of faculty, asking for the administration to call off the search for a new director of the academic advising center potentially until next semester because of budget constraints. On Wednesday, President Tom Rochon called for an allfaculty meeting “to bring greater transparency and clarity to the directions the college is taking and to provide an opportunity to hear faculty concerns.” The meeting will be held at 5 p.m., Dec. 10 in Textor 102. Rochon was not available for comment when contacted. This decision follows an unfavorable faculty response to Rochon’s first installment of a weekly series on his blog, the President’s Notebook, which was posted Nov. 27 to update
The four finalists for the new position of director of academic advising will be coming to campus over the next two weeks. A new advising system will be instituted in Fall 2013, headed by the selected director of academic advising. It will serve as a supplement to ARNOLD said all traditional advisof the candidates ing but will focus are experienced on giving students and eager. guidance about the new Integrative Core Curriculum. Each candidate will have an open session, which students, faculty and staff are welcome to attend.
See faculty, page 5
See director, page 4
Hardcore Fitness Center offers popular new workout program, page 23 f ind m or e onl ine. www.t heit hacan.org
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mind mirror New magazine on mental health is positive campus addition, page 10
[ T hurs day Bri ef ing]
2 The It hacan
Th ursday, Dec ember 6 , 2 0 1 2
Nation&World Nations unite to fight child abuse
Forty-eight countries united Wednesday in a global alliance to fight child sexual abuse online, a cross-border crime that experts say is increasing at alarming rates. By conservative estimates, 1 million photographs of child pornography are on the Internet, with an additional 50,000 being posted every year, said Cecilia Malmstrom, the EU’s commissioner for home affairs, who was one of the sponsors of the conference in Brussels. The alliance will focus on identifying and helping victims, prosecuting offenders, increasing public awareness and reducing the availability of child pornography online, according to a joint declaration. The countries will also work on exchanging information, expertise and training, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said.
Leader slams anti-Jewish remarks
Hungary’s foreign minister said Wednesday that calls by an extreme-right politician to register the country’s Jews as potential security risks were “completely unacceptable” and the worst yet in a series attributed to the legislator’s party. Janos Martonyi also denied suggestions that his country was lenient with neo-Nazis and other right-wing extremists, telling reporters “Hungary does not put up with” actions by such groups and individuals. Martonyi’s comments reflect Hungary’s attempts to deal with the fallout from the remarks by Marton Gyongyosi of the far-right Jobbik party, which generated headlines across Europe and outraged human rights activists. Gyongyosi later apologized to “our Jewish compatriots” for his statement but added that Hungary, a nation of about 10 million people, needs to be wary of “Zionist Israel and those serving it also from here.” Martonyi’s center-right Fidesz party, the main group in Hungary’s ruling coalition government, criticized the remarks along with all other parties in parliament.
Hospital slips duchess’s condition
The British hospital treating Duchess Kate Middleton admitted Wednesday it was victimized by a prank call in which information about
her morning sickness condition was given out to a woman that was impersonating Queen Elizabeth II. The 30-year-old Duchess of Cambridge is pregnant and is being treated at the hospital for severe morning sickness. The hospital said the call had been transferred to a ward, and the conversation was held with one of its nursing staff. Its telephone protocols are being reviewed, the hospital said in a statement. Middleton is spending her third day in the hospital while being treated for acute morning sickness.
Violent protests persist in Egypt
Supporters and opponents of Egyptian leader Mohammed Morsi pelted each other with rocks and fought with sticks outside the presidential palace in Cairo on Wednesday, as a new round of protests deepened the country’s political crisis. The opposition is demanding Morsi rescind decrees giving him near unrestricted powers and shelve a disputed draft constitution that the president’s Islamist allies hurriedly passed last week. The dueling demonstrations left the country divided into two camps: Morsi, his Muslim Brotherhood and their ultraconservative Islamist allies, versus an opposition made up of youth groups, liberal parties and public sectors.
Los Angeles ports open after strike
Work resumed at the Los Angeles and Long Beach harbors Wednesday after the settlement of a strike that crippled the nation’s busiest container port complex for more than a week. Gates at 10 closed terminals reopened, and dockworkers were ready to resume loading and unloading at least 13 cargo ships that were stuck for days at docks or in the harbors, Los Angeles port spokesman Phillip Sanfield said. Clerical workers, who said that shippers were offshoring their jobs, struck Nov. 27, and thousands of dockworkers in the same union refused to cross picket lines, paralyzing much of the ports complex that handles 44 percent of all containerized cargo that arrives by sea nationwide, such as cars from
Through hell and high water
Residents cross a river in the flash flood-hit village of Andap, New Bataan township, Compostela Valley, in the southern Philippines on Wednesday. Typhoon Bopha, one of the strongest typhoons to hit the Philippines this year, barreled across the country’s south Tuesday, triggering landslides.
BULLIT MARQUEZ/associated press
Japan and computers from China. Negotiators reached a tentative agreement to end the strike Tuesday, less than two hours after federal mediators arrived from Washington, D.C. No details about the terms of the deal had been released by Wednesday, though a statement from the workers’ union said it had won new protections preventing jobs from being outsourced. Port officials estimated that roughly $760 million worth of cargo a day was failing to move through the ports during the walkout. Some 20 ships diverted to other ports in California and Mexico, while others scheduled to reach Southern California simply didn’t sail.
Serbia ambassador leaps to death
Serbia’s ambassador to NATO was chatting and joking with colleagues in a multistory parking garage at Brussels Airport when he suddenly strolled to a barrier, climbed over and flung himself to the ground below, a diplomat said. By the time his shocked colleagues reached
him, Branislav Milinkovic was dead. His motives are still a mystery. Three diplomats, who knew Milinkovic, said he did not appear distraught in the hours leading up to his death Tuesday night. He seemed to be going about his regular business, they said, picking up an arriving delegation of six Serbian officials who were to hold talks with NATO, the alliance that went to war with his country just 13 years ago. Belgian authorities confirmed that the ambassador had killed himself. A former author and activist opposed to the authoritarian regime of Serbia’s former strongman Slobodan Milosevic, Milinkovic was outgoing, had a warm sense of humor and worked to keep good ties with ambassadors from other ex-Yugoslav countries, according to diplomats and acquaintances. The diplomats spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not permitted by foreign service regulations to speak publicly. SOURCE: Associated Press
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This isn’t your average gift exchange. Find out why this gift fair focuses on charity, health and earth preservation.
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The Winter Festival in Ithaca dashed into action this week. Take a look at holiday events throughout the city.
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The I th a c a n 3
Panel explores sustainability practices by sabrina Knight Staff Writer
As eco-friendly practices have become more popular at Ithaca College, professors are working to find a way to incorporate social and academic sustainability practices into the classroom. About 40 people, including students, faculty and members of the community, came together Monday for “The Big Talk,” a discussion to address the leading issues facing sustainability, including recycling, composting and reusable shopping bags. The discussion was led by a panel with Mark Darling, sustainability programs coordinator, as the moderator. The panel included Jason Hamilton, chair of environmental studies and sciences and education director of the college Natural Lands; Aimee Dars Ellis, professor of management in the school of sustainable enterprise and business; and Thomas Pfaff, professor of mathematics. The conversation began with a definition of sustainability. However, Hamilton said there is no universal definition because it is a concept with multiple layers of meaning. “It’s a fuzzy word that has no meaning and therefore shouldn’t be used anymore,” Hamilton said. “What I would argue is that there [are] all kinds of really fundamental, crucial concepts that we can’t define in a simple, distinct statement.” After establishing that there is no concrete definition, each of the panelists gave their own interpretation of sustainability. After sharing their definitions, the panelists talked about the difficulties of integrating aspects of sustainability into the academic setting in classes. Dars Ellis said it is hard to include a topic like this into most classes in the business school, especially to offer a class focusing solely on the topic. Dars Ellis added that business students should not be left out of the conversation. “I would encourage my students to try to expand their thinking beyond boundaries of their discipline and really try to embrace this notation that critical thinking and systems thinking should be on what the discipline says and to think more of the long term and not just about the short term,” Dars Ellis said.
CU students face changes in Greek life by Sage Daugherty STAFF WRITEr
From left, Jason Hamilton, chair of environmental studies and science, Thomas Pfaff, associate professor of mathematics, and Aimee Dars Ellis, assistant professor of management, discuss sustainability. Sabrina Knight/the ithacan
Senior Madison Vander Hill also asked about integrating sustainability into structured programs, like physical therapy or pre-professional programs. In response, Pfaff said locals can get involved with spreading information about sustainability. “Let’s not waste people either,” Pfaff said. “A conversation gets sent around campus about making a decision about compostable versus disposable versus reusable.” Panelists transitioned away from sustainability in academics to more global issues of sustainability, such as buying locally grown produce and being aware of how much energy we actually use. “You can only hope that one behavior leads to another, leads to another,” Darling said. “Here in centrally isolated Ithaca, we see a lot of those behaviors coming together, and it does leave you
with that thought, ‘Is this doing any good?’” Once discussion opened to allow students to voice questions, the focus switched back to sustainability in the Ithaca community. Vander Hill said though she valued the diversity among the panel, she did have a little criticism. “I wanted to know about the social justice issues that come out of the sustainability movement or that are incorporated in it,” Vander Hill said. Alec Mitchell ’12 works for Weaver Wind Energy, a company dedicated to building the world’s most reliable wind turbine in Ithaca. Mitchell said the community needs to have open minds to make a difference on the environment. “People need to open up and accept the fact that how we live is so far away from how we need to live,” Mitchell said.
Two years after the death of Cornell student George Desdunes, Cornell University has introduced new policies designed to reform Cornell fraternity and sorority pledging that will be implemented over the next three years. The policies were outlined in a report titled “Meeting the Challenge: The Evolution of Cornell’s Greek Community” and will potentially tackle the power differential between Greek members and pledges, and hazing. Changes will include a shortened pledge period, increased alumni involvement and potential live-in advisers in all chapter houses, which would be put into place during the 2014-15 academic year. The new policies would also call for increased university access to off-campus chapter houses for medical purposes. Travis Apgar, associate dean of students for fraternity and sorority affairs, said the changes are an opportunity to address inappropriate or outdated Greek policies. “We can focus on what these organizations are truly here for, which is the development of our students,” Apgar said. Recommendations from the Recruitment, Acceptance, Retention and Education committee, a group of students and alumni who look at ways to modify pledging, and administrators were sent to Cornell President David Skorton, who approved them last week.
New curriculum raises questions Accreditation liaison clarifies Middle States’ role Mounted frustration at Ithaca College with the speed of the implementation of IC 20/20 has brought forth questions about how Middle States, the college’s regional accreditor, is connected to new curriculum deadlines. News Editor Elma Gonzalez sat down with the college’s accreditation liaison officer, Carol Henderson, associate provost for accreditation, assessment and curriculum, to discuss developments with Middle States, program review and IC 20/20. Elma Gonzalez: What is our relationship to Middle States? Carol Henderson: There are a number of regions around the U.S., and those are voluntary associations formed by colleges and universities to monitor quality and conformance to a certain set of standards to ensure that students are getting good service from colleges and that we are meeting quality standards across the whole country. Institutions of higher education that want their students to have access to federal financial aid, student loans, grants, that kind of thing, need to comply with those standards and be accredited through those regional accreditors. So that’s in the bigger picture, our general relationship to Middle States. They are our regional accreditor.
EG: What happened during the last Middle States review, and how does that play into what is happening now? CH: One of the things that happens in the review process is that every 10 years there is an intensive self-study where the college looks at itself for a year, and then there is a team sent by Middle States. They are volunteers from other institutions of higher education, and they visit the campus, and they read the self-study document. They go across campus and look at evidence and do interviews and basically do everything they can during the visit to measure how well the college is meeting the standards [called Characteristics of Excellence]. One of the things that those teams do is make what is called a set of recommendations, and those are things that the college, if they want to remain regionally accredited, have to address. EG: How does the Integrative Core Curriculum play into all of this? CH: I’ve only been [at the college] fivesix years, but I understand that there is a history of getting recommendations like that and then not actually doing what we were asked to do, so it’s kind of come to the point where if we don’t take action this time, the consequences could be serious. Part of IC 20/20 is to respond to that and to the other recommendations that we got, which were mostly
about strategic planning and linking resources and budgeting to the goals and objectives of our strategic plan. IC 20/20 is as much about that recommendation as about this one. So we are working right now on implementing the new general education ... but we are also working to respond to that more general recommendation about strategic planning: linking it to budgeting and continuously assessing our progress toward the goals of our strategic plan, and IC 20/20 is our new strategic plan. EG: Is academic program review connected to Middle States? CH: It is generally accepted as an ordinary practice in higher education, and also part of one of the main points that Middle States stresses in all of its work with colleges and universities is the need for continuous review of what you are doing: assessment and improvement based on assessment. So one of the main ways that colleges achieved that is through the programreview process. We have been very unusual here at Ithaca in that we have had a gap of a number of years where we haven’t been doing program review. Most colleges have a cycle where it’s just like an ordinary part of doing business, and because we have a gap and a number of years where we haven’t been doing it, it kind of is a surprise to some people, and it seems new here, but it’s really not at all a new
Carol Henderson, college associate provost for accreditation, assessment and curriculum, said it is unlikely the college will be denied accreditation.
Shawn Steiner/The Ithacan
thing. Other colleges do it on a regular ongoing basis, and it’s just an ordinary part of how colleges do business. EG: Some faculty are concerned program review may lead to the elimination of programs and positions. Is there ground for that fear? CH: It could lead to [the elimination of programs and positions], but it doesn’t necessarily lead to that, and that is not the whole purpose of program review, although that is sometimes the first thing people see — especially when it hasn’t been done for a while, and then we are on a tight budget year, and then that is the year that we happen to restart the program review process. A lot of people have drawn a direct line between the two. That is not really the
main reason we would do program review. We do program review because it is a good practice, and otherwise we don’t have that kind of assessment and ability to improve our programs over time that Middle States is expecting. EG: What needs to be ready by the next review? CH: This year, by June 1, we have to turn in a written report that addresses the recommendations that were made in the last team visit, and then it also needs to address a number of other basic issues that the commission asks to have addressed in a periodic review report. For the full version of the interview, visit www.theithacan.org/28819.
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Directors to provide ICC guide Director from page 1
Bonnie Comella, director of advising and operations of the biology department at Cornell University, will have an open session from 12:10 to 1:05 p.m. T h u r s day in the Ta u g h a n nock Falls Room. D a w n KELLY said the Kline, direcsearch for new tor of unadvisers will begin dergraduate next semester. academic advising and counseling at the school of management at Syracuse University, will be on campus from 12:10 to 1:05 p.m., Dec. 11 in Job Hall 161. Sally Neal, director of academic advising of the Academic Career Employment Internships Transfer Center at Western Wyoming Community College, will have her session from noon to 1 p.m., Dec. 14 in Job 161. Loen Graceson-Martin, director of student services at the school of engineering at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, will be on campus from 12:10 to 1:05 p.m. Dec. 18 in the Ithaca Falls Room. The candidates were selected by a search committee headed by Margaret Arnold, special assistant to the provost and educational affairs. The expected start date for the chosen candidate is Feb. 1. Cedrick-Michael Simmons, a junior at Ithaca College, was a member of the search committee. He said the open sessions will provide an important insight into the candidates and help them get a feel for who they are. “The candidates are going to talk about their thoughts on the position, their thoughts about Ithaca College as a whole and give the campus community an opportunity to get a sense of who the candidates are and ask any questions,” Simmons said. Arnold said all the candidates would bring the experience necessary for the position. “Their wealth of experiences, having been directors, is something that we really want to capitalize on,” Arnold said. After the candidate visits end, the committee will reconvene to make a recommendation to Marisa Kelly, provost and vice president of academic affairs, who will make the final decision. The search for professional advisers for the center will take place in Spring 2013. Kelly said the goal is to have the center operating by the summer of 2013, when the first class that will need to meet the requirements of the Integrative Core Curriculum will enter the college. She said that this is an important step in getting IC 20/20 off the ground. “We’re excited to be able to be moving forward in the first two years of the IC 20/20 implementation with an initiative that is of particular importance to students,” Kelly said.
Th ursday, Dec ember 6 , 2 0 1 2
Protesting offers learning opportunity Protest from page 1
land. The latest round of hostilities began in November when Israel launched an air campaign against Hamas in retaliation for Hamas rockets fired into Israeli civilian areas. After eight days of escalating hostilities, Palestinian militant groups ordered a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip. On Nov. 29 the U.N. accepted Palestine as a nonmember observer state. Wilcox said he remembers his own professors who went out and demonstrated with students during the Vietnam War protests and said it was inspiring. However, he also said some academics fear their job security if they are too outspoken, but he believes it is important to act because “talking is cheap.” “If more professors would come out at Ithaca College, Cornell, the students would follow,” he said. “They’d come out and see the example and say OK, it’s good and you can stand up for what you believe in.” Patricia Rodriguez, assistant professor in the department of politics, often shares her experiences with students about attending rallies and peaceful protests for issues, including drone warfare and Colombia social movements. “It’s important to raise awareness about policies that are usually not put out to the people in the correct way or the way that informs them of everything that happens,” Rodriguez said. Rodriguez, who is Chilean-American, became aware of political issues in Latin America when she was younger because of her family’s struggles under the regime of Augusto Pinochet in Chile. Her activism began after her family was forced into exile from Chile, which caused them to move to Mexico and Brazil. “I was protesting a lot in Brazil during the time of the transition to democracy,” Rodriguez said. “I just didn’t want to sit in class and be listening to some other history. I wanted to be participating.” In 2008 and 2009, Rodriguez joined a group of students who drove down to Fort Benning, Ga., to attend a large protest against the School of the Americas, a U.S.-based school designed to train Latin American soldiers for combat against their own people, Rodriguez said. Some students, like senior Ren Ostry, say they appreciate when professors advocate for their beliefs because it creates a better learning environment, she said. Ostry is an activist who often sees professors and familiar community faces at events like the anti-fracking ones held over the past summer. "Participating in actions with my professors and
Beth Harris, associate professor of politics, provides further explanation to students about the conflict between Israel and Palestine during the "Gaza-Strophe Forum" after the film's screening Monday.
Alex Mason/The Ithacan
advisers is a really incredible space for me and others to build relationships and really practice what we learn,” Ostry said. “I feel very lucky that the professors ... really encourage community participation, hands-on practice and experience and to really seek empowerment from voices and actions.” Sophomore Nicole Nader, who took the Political Justice course with Harris, said she likes when professors choose to protest because it means they’re going out and doing what they discuss in class. “I feel like I respect Professor Harris, specifically more after I found out that she protests and stands up for causes,” Nader said. “She’s not just telling us what’s happening, she actually believes in something.” Rodriguez said while she will encourage students to attend protests that she’s interested in, she also remember the dangers of protesting. “I want to do more, but you get arrested, and you have to pay fees, and you probably have to go to jail,” Rodriguez said. “So as a scholar and as an activist, I can’t do too much.” Other professors like Harris and Wilcox have both dealt with the police during past protests. In 1971, Wilcox went to Washington, D.C., to “close down the capital” in an anti-war protest, where he experienced severe police brutality. “The police attacked us,“ Wilcox said. “They broke arms, legs, heads and they broke my leg
and shattered my kneecap to pieces and threatened to kill me.” Since becoming a professor at the college, he has returned to Washington, D.C., many times to protest U.S. involvement in El Salvador, death squads in Guatemala and others. “If we think the government is committing war crimes anywhere in the world, we should stand up and say, ‘No, you aren’t doing this in my name,’” Wilcox said. Involvement is something that rings true for many professors on campus who think that voicing opinions and participating in nonviolent protests can really create change, Wilcox said. Student organizations on and off campus can find ways to link social injustices in areas that we may have never realized, Rodriguez said. By joining a group working toward policy change, students can build a movement, she said. “Being integrated in talks in the community, in workshops, getting to know these people, would be an amazing way to be more aware,” Rodriguez said. Nothing should hold anyone back from standing up for what they believe in, Wilcox said. “I think a lot of people are waiting for the next Martin Luther King, the next John Kennedy or Malcolm X,” Wilcox said. “But we don’t need to wait for leaders, we just need to take action and do something that we feel strongly about.”
The House of Shalimar to close after four decades by Alexa D'Angelo and Elma Gonzalez
Chief proofreader and news editor
For 11 years, Shelly Rogers, a pharmacy technician at Green Street Pharmacy, has visited the House of Shalimar, a 40-year-old boutique of imported goods on The Commons, at least once a month. It is her go-to spot for quirky gifts and unique items. “One of my favorite things was a father’s day gift,” she said. “It was something like a translator for dads, how to talk cool with your kids.” Abdul Razak Sheikh and Emma Lou Sheikh, House of Shalimar owners, said they will close the shop’s doors by the end of the year. Lou said she feels now is the right time to retire and plans to spend more time with family and engaging in more activities outside of work. “It’s just time,” she said. “I just turned 70, and I still have a lot of energy. I have a lot of things that I’d like to be doing, and I just want to have more time for myself.” In addition, the couple owns Ithacards and T-Shirt Express — both also on The Commons. However, Lou said she administers the boutique. The House of Shalimar was
originally located in New York City, then Collegetown and later moved to downtown Ithaca a year before the construction of The Commons in 1974, Lou said. The couple is considering selling Ithacards, Lou said, but they plan to keep T-Shirt Express. “My husband needs a place to go in the morning, so he is going to keep his T-shirt store going,” she said. David Abdulky, long-time neighbor and owner of Mansour Jewelers, which is located next to House of Shalimar, said he has known the owners since 1979. He said the impact of their closing cannot be predicted and they and their store will be missed. “They are very good neighbors; we are a community, one neighborhood, sometimes like family, sometimes like friend and sometimes like brother and all kinds of relationships,” he said. “All I can say is good luck not only to them but to everybody who is in the area.” Gary Ferguson, executive director of the Downtown Ithaca Alliance, said he shares this sentiment but said he hopes the store will not remain empty too long.
Emma Lou, owner of the House of Shalimar, looks at a photo of the business when it opened downtown in 1974. It will close at the end of the year. elma gonzalez/ the ithacan
“As they go out, it provides an opportunity for someone else to come in,” he said. “It’s been great having them here. They’ve been sort of a real rock for us, a real solid anchor for us, but as they move on we expect others to
come and take their place.” However, for the store’s faithful clientele like Rogers, closing the House of Shalimar will be a loss. “I’m going to be sad to see it go,” Rogers said. “I’ve found so many hidden treasures.”
Th ursday, Decem be r 6, 2012
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The I th a c a n 5
President's blog sparks reaction Faculty from page 1
the campus on challenges and developments facing the college. The second installment was published Monday. Marisa Kelly, provost and vice president for educational affairs, also began a series via email called “IC 20/20 Question of the Week” to the campus community last week. The two series followed a string of all-faculty town hall meetings, where faculty used the forum to express specific concerns about shared governance, and a private meeting between Rochon, Kelly and the Faculty Council Executive Committee, where the faculty’s concerns were relayed to the administration. Peter Rothbart, professor of music and chair of the faculty council, said executive committee conversations with the administration included a push for better communication between the administration and faculty. “We’ve communicated the need that there has to be more open communication and explanations of things,” Rothbart said. However, for some faculty, the informative blog posts from Rochon and emails from Kelly are insufficient. “You see, the thing is you cannot cover bad policies through PR,” Asma Barlas, professor and program director for the Center for the Study of Culture, Race and Ethnicity, said. Barlas, as well as the 100 other faculty members, have electronically
Peter Rothbart, professor of music and chair of Faculty Council, said the group is working on a plan of action to address faculty concerns. elma gonzalez/ the ithacan
signed the comment in response to Rochon’s first installment, requesting “a full and open accounting of how funds are being allocated at Ithaca College.” The 101 faculty members said they are concerned about program review with the threat of cuts, the office space issues and the relocation of the philosophy and religion department. At the same time, they wrote, the college is investing in things not considered a priority by the majority of faculty members, such as “funds in the China Center, the New York City Center, the new administrative team for
advising, new software for e-portfolios and the costs of the [Huron] consulting team.” Rothbart said Faculty Council is not directly linked to the comment on the president’s blog. However, six of the 33 Faculty Council members have signed the comment. The council is currently developing an action plan and sending out a survey to gauge faculty concerns. “Certainly, we are aware of all of the issues there, and we are actively trying to deal with them,” Rothbart said. Steven Skopik, professor of cinema, photography, and media
arts, said faculty are taking advantage of every opportunity to open up a dialogue. “There are a lot of different venues,” Skopik said. “One of them is Faculty Council. The president’s blog is [also] a public forum for discussion. So for a lot of people that seemed like a logical place to have additional conversations.” In the meantime, some faculty have been airing concerns through email chains to each other, Barlas said. “Faculty are continuing to write very, very long emails to each other about all the problems that have happened during the last three years,” Barlas said. “It seems that for a long time people sort of went along, went along, and by now everything is sort of ready to spill over.” Skopik said the activism displayed with the comment on the president’s blog shows the faculty’s dedication to the college. “It demonstrates that faculty are invested in what is currently happening at the college, that we are pretty committed to collectively being heard [and] that we care a lot about Ithaca College and the quality of our students' education,” he said. Rothbart said faculty participation through the blog and in Faculty Council is a “healthy, painful — but a healthy sign.” “There are more people involved in governance and more faculty members involved in governance now than I can ever remember, and that is good,” Rothbart said. “It’s messy, but that’s good.”
Rochon remains top earner at IC by kelsey o'connor editor in chief
President Tom Rochon remains the highest paid employee at Ithaca College, according to the college’s latest Internal Revenue Service form 990 for 2010-11. Because the college is a nonprofit educational organization, it is required to submit an annual 990 form to the IRS. The most recent includes information from June 1, 2010, to May 31, 2011. In the 2010-11 fiscal year, Rochon made $301,605 base compensation and made $424,248 in total. During the 200910 fiscal year he made $407,590 in total. The Chronicle of Higher Education, states in 2010-11, the median salary for private college presidents was $294,489 and the median total was $385,909. Top officials' pay is divided into base compensation; bonus and incentive compensation; other reportable compensation, such as external retirement; retirement and other deferred compensation; nontaxable benefits; and total. In 2010-11, the second-highest paid official at the college was Carl Sgrecci, vice president of finance and administration, who was paid a base salary of $192,592 and made $231,116 in total. The third ranked official was Shelley Semmler, retired vice president of institutional advancement, who was paid a base salary of $176,829 in 2010-11 and made $214,248 in total compensation. Ranked as the fourth-highest paid official was Nancy Pringle, vice president and general counsel for legal affairs, who made $166,201 as a base salary and $222,180 in total. Leslie Lewis, dean of the School of Humanities and Sciences, came in at fifth, making a base salary of $157,772 and a total of $180,590.
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Students unlock stigmas surrounding rape culture by MICHAEL TKACZEVSKI Staff Writer
Students Active For Ending Rape opened the door for discussion among students Tuesday about sexuality and the stigmas and stereotypes that perpetuate rape culture and unhealthy relationships. The first half of the event “Sex Behind Closed Doors,” split attendees into small discussion groups in Clark Lounge in Campus Center, where members of SAFER asked questions to spark conversation about MEYERS said sexual situations. At- men should be tendees were open when part of gender discussing their personal equality talks. experiences and qualities of healthy and unhealthy sexual relationships. For healthy sexual relationships, participants agreed that trust was an important factor. In instances of unhealthy sexual relationships, the lack of mutual respect was an issue. Senior Jesse Maeshiro, co-president of SAFER, said the group’s mission is to educate students about ways to prevent rape and how to not support rape culture. According to SAFER, rape culture consists of sexual stereotypes that glorify men while deeming women to be sexual objects. “Rape is a very heavy topic,” Maeshiro said. “It’s something that people see and shy away from and feel like they shouldn’t talk about. People don’t get to have the real discussions that they need to have that could prevent so many horrible things from happening.” After discussing these issues in the small groups, the discussion groups merged to
form a circle to elaborate on rape culture issues in a larger group setting. During the discussion, attendees spoke about their interactions with sexual objectification, which is valuing a person only for sexual attributes and the stereotypes of their gender. Inequality among genders was the root of many sexist behaviors that the speakers experienced. Sophomore Crystal Kayiza, vice president of communications for Created Equal, said gender equality is a strong step toward ending rape culture. The persistence of rape culture relies on the idea that men are hypersexual and women aren’t hypersexual,” Kayiza said. “[We] both, regardless of your gender or sexuality, are sexual beings. Acknowledging that in society and having open discussions like this, I feel, will lead to change.” When addressing these issues, promoting gender equality and ending rape culture, junior Tariq Meyers said, men cannot be left out of the discussion because they are a part of the solution. “Even if you don't necessarily participate in [rape culture], you can be subconsciously reinforcing a lot of the stigmas that exist out there,” Meyers said. Maeshiro said the organization hoped to promote intersectionality among the student organizations that support equality for all people regardless of race, gender and sexual identity. “We’ve been talking about intersectionality and how all forms of oppression are all connecting,” Maeshiro said. “Everything is related, and there are different issues on campus and different groups on campus, but really, in the end, I feel like we’re all advocating for the greater good of all people.”
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The Ithacan
Climbing up the crow's nest
From left, Gary Ferguson, executive director of the Downtown Ithaca Alliance, lets out a cheer as Ricky "Dread Pirate Robbins" Robbins and William "Captain Bill" McDaniel cut the ribbon to open Crow's Nest Cafe, a new pirate-themed cafe, Wednesday on The Commons.
Durst Breneiser/The Ithacan
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College & City Park hires new director for global media center
Distinguished media executive Robert Regan will serve as the founding director of the Dr. John Keshishoglou Center for Global Communications Innovation. The center is part of the Park School of Communications and is the academic hub for the study and dissemination of innovation in applications of communications. Since 2004, Regan served as the president of the The Regan Group, a firm he launched to engage with broadcast and online media leaders for cross-functional consulting. Regan was previously the president and chief operating officer for Twin Entertainment; senior vice president of programming and content for GTE Main Street; executive producer of NBC’s “Mall of America;” and senior vice president of programming, news and operations for the Financial News Network, now known as CNBC.
Harvard journal to publish professor’s legal essay
Donathan Brown, assistant professor in the department of communication studies, will be featured in the 25th anniversary issue of the Harvard Journal of Hispanic Policy. Brown’s essay, titled “When English is not Enough,” examines the policy changes that came as a direct result of the 2012 court case, Cabrera v. Escamilla, involving a former San Luis city council candidate in southern Arizona. Brown’s essay looks at previ-
The Fall Creek Gorge restoration project is expected to be completed by Fall 2013.
ous cases to prove that the Yuma County Court and the Arizona Supreme Court acted improperly when they removed candidate Alejandrina Cabrera from the ballot, saying she was not “sufficiently fluent” in English. The journal, which is based in the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, focuses on politics and policy-making involving Latino communities in the U.S.
Tobacco survey gauges campus smoking opinions
A group of senior undergraduate students are collecting opinions on the possibility of a tobacco-free campus with a college-wide survey aimed at gathering attitudes on the issue. The survey was made available before Thanksgiving break and was open for people to take until Nov. 25. An estimated 100 students and 200 faculty, staff and administrators took part in the survey. Results of the survey will be analyzed based on participant responses and a report will be presented to Ithaca College administrators and Tobacco Free Tompkins, a group that aims to support smokers in their efforts to quit and to keep the air smoke-free. The results of the survey will be available next week.
Agency donates funding for Cornell trail repairs
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded Cornell University $880,000 to repair the damage and restore the Cascadilla Gorge trail, which was damaged by Tropical Storm Lee and Hurricane Irene in the fall of 2011. The grant is being used in addition to the $2.7 million Cornell previously invested in the gorge trail restoration project. Large areas of the trail between Stewart and College avenues were submerged under two feet of fastmoving water that tore off staircase railings and sections of trail paved with mortar and stone after the storms hit last year. In a press release, Todd Bittner, director of natural areas at Cornell Plantations, said that Rep. Maurice Hinchey’s office was instrumental in helping Cornell navigate the application process for the funding. The Fall Creek Gorge restoration project will install additional stone to the creek beds to prevent future flooding and trail damage in areas that are prone to flooding.
Ithaca mayor installs box for residents to air issues
Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick has installed a ‘Listening Post’ in front of City Hall. According to the City of Ithaca’s Facebook page, Myrick said he hopes that the mailbox will serve as a way for residents to drop him a note about MYRICK “what is on their minds.” Myrick hopes that the listening post will serve residents as an
Public Safety Incident Log NOVEMBER 15 Irresponsible Use of Alcohol LOCATION: Rowland Hall SUMMARY: Officer reported finding two people intoxicated. Both were transported to CMC by ambulance and judicially referred for irresponsible use of alcohol. Patrol Officer Robert Jones. Rape LOCATION: Rowland Hall SUMMARY: Person reported having sexual intercourse with a known person without her consent. Complainant also reported another time this had occurred with a different known person. Person was transported to CMC by ambulance. Investigation pending. Master Patrol Officer Brad Bates. Case Status Change LOCATION: Office of Public Safety SUMMARY: Officer reported conducting an interview with the victim from the two rapes reported Nov. 15. Victim indicated both sexual encounters were consensual. Both rapes are unfounded. Master Patrol Officer Bruce Holmstock.
Safety Hazard LOCATION: Campus Center Quad SUMMARY: Officer reported the bike that was issued a warning Nov. 14 was confiscated. Fire and Building Safety Coordinator Ron Clark. Making Graffiti LOCATION: Textor Circle SUMMARY: Person reported an unknown person wrote graffiti. Investigation pending. Master Patrol Officer Donald Lyke. Fire Alarm Accidental LOCATION: Circle Apartments SUMMARY: The simplex reported a fire alarm. The fire alarm activation was caused by burnt food. System was reset. Patrol Officer Daniel Austic.
NOVEMBER 16 Medical Assist/Injury Related LOCATION: Sub Station Road SUMMARY: Caller reported jumping into the air and injuring their ankle. Person declined medical assistance. Sergeant Dirk Hightchew.
Case Status Change LOCATION: Campus Center SUMMARY: Officer reported a cell phone that was originally reported stolen Oct. 29 was recovered and no larceny had occurred. Larceny unfounded. Master Patrol Officer Bruce Holmstock.
Medical Assist/Injury Related LOCATION: Athletics and Events Center SUMMARY: Officer reported a person injured their wrist during training. Report was taken. Master Patrol Officer Bruce Holmstock.
Criminal Sale of Marijuana LOCATION: West Tower SUMMARY: Caller reported a person attempted to sell marijuana. One person judicially referred for attempted sale and possession of marijuana. Patrol Officer Matthew O’Loughlin.
Fire Alarm Accidental LOCATION: Circle Apartments SUMMARY: The simplex reported a fire alarm. The fire alarm activation was caused by the burnt food. The system was reset. Master Patrol Officer Donald Lyke.
selected entries from Nov. 15 to Nov. 18 NOVEMBER 17
Illegal Disposal of Solid Waste LOCATION: Circle Apartments SUMMARY: Caller reported a person dumping trash from a vehicle into the trash bins. Investigation pending. Master Patrol Officer Mark Denicola. Case Status Change LOCATION: Office of Public Safety SUMMARY: Officer identified person responsible for the illegal dumping. One person was judicially referred for illegal dumping. Master Patrol Officer Mark Denicola.
NOVEMBER 18 Fire Alarm Accidental LOCATION: Circle Apartments SUMMARY: The simplex reported a fire alarm. The fire alarm activation was caused by burnt food. System was reset. Master Patrol Officer Mark Denicola. Medical Assist/Injury Related LOCATION: Communications School SUMMARY: Officer reported a person fell and injured a wrist. Medical assistance declined. Master Patrol Officer Mark Denicola. For the complete safety log, go to www.theithacan.org/news.
Key cmc – Cayuga Medical Center DWI – Driving While Intoxicated V&T – Vehicle and Transportation MVA - Motor Vehicle Accident IPD - Ithaca Police Department TCSO - Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office
alternative form of communicating with him. Residents can leave messages to the mayor in the mail box installed in his parking spot at City Hall.
Downtown Alliance hosts Restaurant Week events
Ithaca’s second annual Restaurant Week kicked off Saturday and will come to an end Sunday. The week will feature food at moderate prices, showcasing Ithaca as a dining destination and highlighting local food opportunities. This year, restaurants will not be required to have pre-determined menus. Instead, dishes that best represent the restaurant will be selected by individual chefs. The price of the specials include three course fixed price menus as well as a free appetizer, dessert, or wine with purchase of an entrée and $10 lunch specials or $20 dinner specials. Ithaca has more restaurants per capita than New York City, according to Bon Appetit magazine when it recognized Ithaca as one of the “foodiest” towns in America. Meanwhile, the 3rd Annual Downtown Ithaca Chowder Cook-off will take place this Saturday. Twenty different restaurants will take part in this event, which is a part of the Downtown Ithaca Winter Festival 2012.
Cornell library digitizes 19th century pamphlets
The Cornell University Library has restored and digitized a document containing rare legal history involving abolitionist John Brown. The document was published online
for the 153rd anniversary of Brown’s execution, Dec. 2, 1859. The collection of rare trial pamphlets from the late 17th century to the late 19th century was restored with the help of a grant from the Save America’s Treasures program. Among the collection are pamphlets from Brown’s trial for the raid on Harper’s Ferry, the trial of the conspirators for the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln and President Andrew Johnson’s impeachment trial . The Cornell Law Library initially purchased the Trials Pamphlet Collection in 1927, when the 321 pamphlets were bound together before knowledge about proper preservation techniques.
Professor receives grant for Mexican art research
The National Endowments for the Humanities awarded Jennifer Jolly, associate professor of art history and Latin American studies, a research fellowship grant for her work with Latin-American art last week. Jolly received the fellowship JOLLY for her project “Mexican President Lazaro Cardena’s Legacy as a Nation Builder through His Art Patronage in Michoacan’s Lake District.” Jolly’s research is from the book she is working on titled “Creating Patzcuaro, Creating Mexico,” about Cardena’s contributions to Mexican art during his presidency.
Opinion
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time to RETHINK MENTAL HEALTH Students should be encouraged to talk about mental health and able to seek help without fear of social stigma or concern for admitting to ‘weaknesses.’
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tudents from Active Minds, a campus organization dedicated to raising awareness about mental health, plan to begin publication of a new magazine to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. The magazine, The Mirror, will include both informative articles about how and where to seek help for illness as well as more creative pieces to show students’ struggles with mental health. The magazine is a welcome addition to campus media that will not only offer students a platform to publish their more personal writing but also will help others struggling with mental illness realize they are not alone. Students are expected to excel at academics and constantly boost their resumes while they are immersed in a college culture that equates little-to-no sleep with a normal day-to-day routine and extreme stress with academic success. Students should realize that their mental wellbeing is a critical aspect of their overall success, and admitting to personal or academic flaws is a sign of strength rather than weakness. Flawlessness is not a healthy or reasonable goal, and students should not be expected to strive for perfection. Without accepting that they have both physical and mental limits, students will be unable to realize their full potential as individuals and members of society. College should not just be a time to build the professional skills necessary to succeed in the job market or learn the theories behind real-life practice. College should be an opportunity for students to take the time to figure out what matters to them rather than rush around handing in assignments and attending student club meetings for good grades and leadership experience on a resume. By providing an outlet for students to express their challenges with mental health and their own personal well-being, Active Minds will foster important dialogue on campus and help students realize a well-rounded education should mean a commitment to mental health.
UPS and DOWNS The best and worst of the news
December graduates bank on early entry to job market Students graduating a semester early save money by not paying tuition during the second semester and face similar job prospects to May graduates. Petition for improved sidewalk on Route 96B gains momentum Senior Charlotte Roberts began a petition to create a sidewalk along New York State Route 96B to make it safer for pedestrians to travel the route.
your letters
Student responds to coverage of Intersectionali-Tea group
There’s a way in which images can combine with our assumptions to construct a narrative and reinforce those assumptions. With last week’s article on Intersectionali-Tea Time, my image, blown up with the content, could be combined to construct a narrative that I am the face of this amazing student initiative. That is not the case. I want to stress that this was not any
their leadership and investments were not devalued through the image. Cedrick-Michael Simmons, sophomore Sociology major at ithaca college
SPEAK your MIND
Send an email to ithacan@ithaca.edu if you would like to write a guest commentar y or a letter to the editor.
SNAP JUDGMENT Food for thought Should more local food be available at Ithaca College?
Watch more Snap Judgments at theithacan.org.
Ithaca College’s commitment to sustainability falls short on campus Ithaca College could do more to address its carbon footprint by making changes to campus transportation and incorporating sustainability into the classroom curriculum.
“ECOLOGICALLY IT’S BENEFICIAL FOR THE PEOPLE HERE. IT’S ALSO HEALTHIER FOR PEOPLE TO BE EATING [LOCALLY GROWN] FOOD BECAUSE IT’S LESS LIKELY TO BE TREATED WITH PRESERVATIVES.”
“I SUPPORT THE NEW POLICY BECAUSE IT’S LOCAL FOOD, AND IT’S BETTER FOR THE LOCAL ECONOMY.“ ANDREW PICONE BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ’15
FOZIAZEB KHAN BIOLOGY ‘12
The Ithacan Kelsey o’Connor editor in chief lara bonner Managing editor Shea o’meara opinion editor Elma Gonzalez news Editor Tinamarie Craven assistant news editor Candace King assistant news editor kacey deamer online editor Allie Healy accent editor
intention on the part of the writers, photographers, or editors of The Ithacan. However, I am writing this to serve as a reminder that, within the article, there are many members of this movement; student leaders that were not included in the image are those whose leadership I was following. I am incredibly thankful and grateful for the many contributions of those who are a part of Intersectionali-Tea Time, and I wanted to make sure that
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“IT’S REALLY GOOD TO STAY LOCAL, AND I THINK ITHACA, AS A TOWN, REALLY FOCUSES ON STAYING LOCAL AND BEING SUSTAINABLE.”
“I THINK THE NEW POLICY WOULD BE AWESOME AND THE FOOD WOULD TASTE BETTER, AND WHO DOESN’T LIKE BETTER TASTING FOOD? “
PEDRO MALDONADO COMMUNICATIONS MANAGEMENT AND DESIGN ’14
NURIA HUNTER EXPLORATORY ’16
“I FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE WITH THAT, KNOWING IT COMES FROM A MORE DIRECT PLACE AND DOESN’T GO THROUGH MULTIPLE STAGES OF PRODUCTION BEFORE IT ACTUALLY GETS TO US.” Mitchell ward Television-radio ’16
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Faculty research
Bilingual children separate sound systems A t first glance, the process of learning a language can seem like an incredibly daunting task. Environmental input presented at a fairly rapid rate must be mapped onto detailed representations in the brain. Specifically, a word’s meaning, sounds and grammatical functions all must be extracted from the incoming speech stream. And yet, this potentially arduous task is typically executed with little effort by children barely a year of age. For example, Carey and Bartlett reported in 1978 that children can learn a word with as little as one exposure — as anyone who spends time around young children can attest, often when we wish they weren’t listening. But what happens when a child is not learning one language, but multiple languages? Bilingual children are not only charged with learning the sounds and words of one language but also a whole other set of sounds and words in another language. They encounter the difficult task of keeping the two languages separate to avoid code-switching, or switching between languages while speaking. I recently published a study in the International Journal of Bilingualism titled “Using whole-word production measures to determine the influence of phonotactic probability and neighborhood density on bilingual speech production.” How’s that for a mouthful? The study was designed to further examine the productions of bilingual children. It has commonly been debated whether a bilingual child has one large set of sounds from both languages or, conversely, two separate sound systems. One way of testing this theory is to measure a child’s productions in both languages using some measure of complexity and then to compare the two languages. To add in another dimension, we can also evaluate the degree to which children approximate their language. For example, if a child says “tar” for the word “star,” they produced 3 out of 4 possible sounds. In other words, the child approximated the word with 75 percent accuracy. The two above variables, sound complexity and sound approximation, formed the basis for my research study. A hypothesis proposed several years ago and dubbed the target-driven hypothesis predicts that,
Kari Beal
Take some time to rethink stress
S Skott Freedman, assistant professor of speech language pathology and audiology, recently published research on how bilingual children learn multiple languages and keep sounds systems separate.
Courtesy of skott Freedman
though bilingual children may differ in their productions between languages, they will nevertheless maintain a similar level of overall approximation. This was tested by Bunta et al. in 2006 with an English-Hungarian bilingual child and confirmed. And yet, no study to date has tested this hypothesis in Spanish, the fastest-growing language in the U.S. My study examined the speech productions of five English-Spanish bilingual children during a picture-naming task and compared their productions with five English-only speaking children and five Spanish-only speaking children. Results showed that the target-driven hypothesis was confirmed again. While bilingual children produced more complex forms in Spanish than in English, they nonetheless approximated English and Spanish to the same degree. Perhaps while learning a language some inner algorithm determines how much one needs to articulate in order to be understood, regardless of the different kinds of sounds between languages. Otherwise, children should have been
more easily understood in Spanish. Finally, no production differences emerged between the bilingual children and their monolingual counterparts in English or Spanish. It seems then there must be a sufficient amount of independence between a bilingual’s two sound systems. Considering that bilingual children in the current study produced words with greater sound complexity in Spanish than in English, this suggests some degree of phonological (i.e. sound) autonomy is nevertheless maintained. In summary, bilingual children manage not only to learn two sets of words at one time and keep these two systems separate, they even keep the two sound systems separate! That’s quite a feat. Sort of inspires you to want to go out and start learning a new language, huh? ¡Buena suerte amigos! Skott Freedman is an assistant professor of speech language pathology and audiology at Ithaca College. Email him at sfreedman@ithaca.edu.
guest commentary
Special needs students should be given options
W
hen you first meet her, you may think my younger cousin Teale is a loud, impatient, unruly kid with rage issues. What you may not see is the sweet, caring girl hindered by factors far beyond her control. Teale has had severe disabilities since birth because of complications I have never been able to understand, but I’ve watched Teale grow up in spite of the odds against her. What you should see in Teale is a person — one who deserves as much respect as anyone else. I recently read about an incident in which a North Carolina teacher cut, without parent permission, about eight inches of hair from the head of a student to eliminate the “distraction.” The victim, 7-yearold Jesslyn, has Down syndrome. Where does someone get the nerve to mistreat a child that way? After reading this article, I Skyped my aunt Ellie, Teale’s mom, to get her experienced opinion on the mistreatment of students with special needs in public school. Ellie explained to me that, because of her partial deafness, Teale would speak much more loudly than the other kids in order to hear herself. As teacher after teacher told Teale to be
Health Pulse
From left, Teale sits with senior Casey Thomas. Teale was born with severe disabilities, and she benefits from educators who understand her needs.
COURTESY OF CASEY THOMAS
quiet, a difficult concept for her to understand, she began to lose her voice entirely in the classroom, along with her confidence. Ellie also told me about the day she visited Teale’s third grade class, only to find her daughter completely isolated from her classmates, sitting at a desk against the wall and flanked by teacher aids. This type of treatment, along with numerous other examples, was what motivated
Ellie to find a school for Teale where she would be understood and respected. After a long four-year struggle, Teale now attends Holy Childhood, a school that focuses on the education and overall development of students with special needs. At last freed from her alienation, Teale is part of a community that respects her distinctive needs. She is making significant strides academically
as well as socially, and she is beginning to realize her potential. I believe all disabled students should have the opportunity to experience such a sense of belonging. While I understand that some people believe integrated school systems encourage diversity, I think we need to give thought to the hardship we are causing disabled students. Students should have the option to choose the educational environment that best suits them and should not be forced into a learning community that doesn’t have the resources or teachers to fully meet the student’s needs. This is a topic that should be discussed more in classes at Ithaca College, especially for education majors. Obviously there will not be one solution that works for everyone, but there should be more opportunities for specialized education settings. It takes a lot to be a teacher, and I congratulate those who enter the field, but students with special needs should be given the opportunity to learn in a safe, accepting community. No child should have to feel like an outsider. Casey Thomas is a senior communications management and design major. Email her at cthomas1@ithaca.edu.
All opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of The Ithacan. To write a guest commentary, contact Shea O’Meara at ithacan@ithaca.edu.
ome students stress like maniacs during the endof-semester crunch, while others manage to keep calm. The reason for this may be brain chemistry. Stress is the direct result of how you interpret situations — meaning you can control it. This is the message from the new book “A Guide to The Present Moment,” and it couldn’t have come out at a better time. Finals week is almost here, and many students are beginning to feel the stress pound down on them. This is especially worrisome, considering high levels of stress could cause the brain to shrink, according to a Yale University study. While stress may seem inevitable, Noah Elkrief, the author of the book, said it’s possible to experience peace in stressful situations. The secret is how you perceive the situation. For example, if a professor tells you “This final will be the most difficult exam of your life,” you can either believe that statement or dismiss it. Those who believe it will be emotionally affected and most likely experience anxiety or fear. However, if you did not believe the statement, you will not feel any emotions. Elkrief said when people believe a negative thought about their life, that thought will create stress. But if a person doesn’t believe that thought, no stress response is triggered. It’s important to note that stress isn’t always bad. Hans Selye coined the term “stress” in 1936, defining it as any response of the body to a demand for change. Researchers at the University of Buffalo studied the effects of stress on rats. When rats were forced to swim, they were able to remember their way through a maze better than rats who were allowed to meander through without added pressure. To meet the demands of classes, students’ bodies will need to produce a survival response. In many cases this response will be stress, which releases energizing hormones, according to health educator Carol Scott, M.D. These hormones will signal the body to focus its energy on certain organs, like the heart and brain, while ignoring others like the stomach. This is why when people are acutely stressed they can go hours without realizing they’re hungry. The body focuses energy on areas that will help get the task done. Stress is like cold medicine — if taken correctly it can help one pull through challenging times. However, if a person overdoses or uses a combination of medicine, the result can be detrimental.
Kari Beal is a senior journalism major with a minor in health. Email her at kbeal1@ithaca.edu.
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Now you see it, now you don’t Photo-sharing app entertains student body with amusing time-limited images
From left, sophomores Andrea Zalin and Lily Caruso take a photo using Snapchat while hanging out in IC Square. The photo-sharing app, designed by Stanford University student Evan Spiegel in early 2011, allows users to snap a photo and send it to their friends — but not before setting a time limit on it for the receiver to see. The user can set the time limit for up to 10 seconds. rachel woolf/the ithacan
by Allie healy accent editor
While walking to class in the School of Business, junior Lindsay Kingston raises her iPhone to eye level and presses the blue circle on her screen. Kingston admits to taking and sending many “selfies” like these on a daily basis. But unlike a typical photo message, Kingston’s face will disappear from the receiver’s phone in 10 seconds or less. Sweeping the Ithaca College campus, Snapchat is a photo-sharing application that allows users to take photos and send them to anyone on their friend list. The catch is the sender must set a time limit from one to 10 seconds before sending the image out. Once the receiver opens the photo, time begins counting down, and eventually the image is wiped completely from the Snapchat server. But the app’s beginning was not as simple as point and shoot. In the spring of 2011, Stanford University student Evan Spiegel stood up in his product design class and pitched the app to his fellow classmates. After explaining that the photo-sharing app sent photos that self-destructed after 10 seconds or less, Spiegel said his idea was turned down by the students. “They said the app was a terrible idea, and people would use it just for sexting,” Spiegel said. “So we went ahead and created Snapchat anyway.” Spiegel, the 22-year-old co-founder and CEO of Snapchat,
said he and co-founder Bobby Murphy felt that social media was boring and people were “putting on a show” by presenting a superficial image through online profiles. While it began just as a social experiment, Snapchat now has more than 10 million users sending a combined 20 million — or more — snaps a day. Within that growing number of users are Ithaca College students who use the app, like Kingston. Junior Megan Downes found out about the app from one of her friends, who strongly suggested she download it. She said she finds herself snapping the occasional “selfie” as well as things she comes across while reading the news. Spiegel said this social behavior is what the app is intended to maximize. “We believe that Snapchat brings people together in a really unique way,” Spiegel said. “Nearly everyone we talk to uses it to communicate with their friends.” Though he is busy finishing up his degree in product design, Spiegel still finds time to snap his friends. He said that though this popular app has been pleasing the masses, he made Snapchat for his own entertainment. “I didn’t make this product for just you to use it,” Spiegel said. “We are obsessed with the thing. It’s hard to express how much love we put into this product.” While many publications and websites are focusing their attention on the potential for sexting, Spiegel said that’s not the app’s intended utility. He attributes these claims to the lack of effort he and his team have put in to get their story out to the public. Despite Team Snapchat’s lack of
marketing, Kingston said she sends “nud- asked Scheibe. “And that’s even more safe ies,” or naked selfies as a joke — but never because they wouldn’t have a permanent with the intention of gratification. image. But really, would you do that?” “I enjoy sending nudies through For now, students like to simply connect Snapchat,” Kingston said. “My friends can with friends. Sophomore Ben Weger uses tell you I’m not lying. But, I wouldn’t send Snapchat to communicate with his girlthem to boys and be like, ‘Look how good friend Morgan while they are away at their looking I am.’” respective colleges. He said that if the phoCyndy Scheibe, associate professor of to calls for it, like a recent one he received psychology at the college, focuses her teach- from his friend, he’ll take a screenshot for ings on developmental memory’s sake. psychology and media “I received one of my roomliteracy. She believes mate’s girlfriend while she was the reason why sexting in class and clearly bored,” Weis becoming more comger said. “Also, when my girlmon is because people friend makes a funny face, ofaren’t face to face with tentimes I’ll screenshot it.” their consequences. Likewise, freshman Sam Rus“It seems distant,” sell said he uses the app to stay Scheibe said. “It seems in touch with friends from high to be something that school and family back home in would not have any Connecticut. He said he finds implications for how himself snapchatting at least 10 people think of you, times a day, usually in moments how you’re perceived of boredom. as a gender and have “It’s one more thing to do — Evan Spiegel a long-term effect on when I have nothing else to do,” your life, even though it Russell said. “So I send a picture certainly would.” of myself or something I’m doScheibe can see how ing at the time.” Snapchat may “whet your appetite” and Russell said Snapchat comes in handy how the photos can be sexually intriguing. when updating his sister and mother about But even so, she said she thinks users are what’s going on while he is away. He finds naïve if they think that anything put out in the time limit on the photos to be one of the cyberspace is truly going to disappear. Any- most interesting components of the app, alone who has a hold of this technology, she lowing the images to truly be snapshots of said, is going to find their way around it. his life. “While it may seem flirty on some level, “It’s cool to have something you know is would you just flash somebody by opening impermanent in an age where everything is their dorm door real quick and run away?” permanent,” Russell said.
“I didn’t make this product for just you to use it. We are obsessed with the thing. It’s hard to express how much love we put into this product.”
Snapchat Fun Facts at logo is the - The ghost on the Snapch face Chillah. ost Gh d me app’s mascot na y to share a - Snapchat is the fastest wa id — up to 10 dro An d photo on iPhone an times faster than MMS. see any of the - The Snapchat team can’t vice. Each photo ser the gh photos sent throu ent opens it. is deleted after the recipi n 1,000 snaps - On Thanksgiving, more tha d. on were sent every sec
Left: Junior Megan Downes takes a “selfie” in her room using the photo-sharing application. Her screenshot was taken at two seconds. Middle: Freshmen Sam Russell and Natalie Dionne take a photo using Snapchat while dressed up before heading out for the night. Right: Juniors Melissa Pezzello and Lindsay Kingston take a photo together using Snapchat in front of their house on Hudson Street. courtesy of megan downes, sam russell and lindsay kingston
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Th ursday, Decem be r 6, 2012
The I th a c a n 1 5
JINGLE ALL THE
WAY
As the holidays quickly approach, the City of Ithaca is celebrating the season with plenty of events for the community to attend. While Santa may have already come to town Saturday, there is still a lot to see, such as a threeday ice carving competition and a ballet. Check out the calendar below for more seasonal activities happening through the weekend. Photos by durst breneiser assistant Photo Editor
Santa Claus talks to a smiling Helena Coggin-English, of Ithaca, during Santa’s Arrival to Downtown on Saturday in Center Ithaca.
Tyerra Blake performs a dance to “Jingle Bell Rock” with the Ithaca Academy of Dance during Santa’s Arrival to Downtown on Saturday in Center Ithaca.
DEC. 6 • •
Ice Wars Ice Carving Competition all day on The Commons The Second Annual Restaurant week continues until Dec. 9
A member of the Ithaca SWAT team, dressed as one of Santa’s Elves, rappels down the side of the Center Ithaca building Saturday on The Commons. Santa Claus waved from the roof of the building while the elves descended.
DEC. 7 • • • •
Ice Wars Ice Carving Competition at 5 p.m on The Commons Special Holiday Gallery Night at 5 p.m. on The Commons Bool’s Flower Shop Annual Holiday Open House at 5 p.m. The Ithaca Ballet Nutcracker Suite at 7:30 p.m. at the State Theatre
DEC. 8 • • •
Ice Wars Ice Carving Competition at 9 a.m. on The Commons 3rd Annual Downtown Ithaca Chowder Cook-off at noon on The Commons The Ithaca Ballet Nutcracker Suite at 3 p.m. at the State Theatre
DEC. 9 •
• •
Cayuga Chamber Orchestra and Vocal Ensemble’s performance of Handel’s Messiah at 4 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church Menorah Lighting begins at 4 p.m. on The Commons The Ithaca Ballet presents the Nutcracker Suite at 3 p.m. at the State Theatre
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1 6 The It hacan
Th ursday, Dec ember 6 , 2 0 1 2
do it yourself
shopper
Accent Editor Allie Healy digs up short and sweet projects for the everyday hobbyist
Just kidding around
From left, freshman Katie Luckett, junior Talia Koren, junior Dylan Van Arsdale and freshman Jake Winslow evoked laughter with their improv during Ithaca College Comedy Club’s “Doin’ It For the Kids” event Saturday. The event raised money for The Ithaca Youth Bureau.
Lost in a pile of ribbons and paper? Don’t panic — there are plenty of ways to create your own neat gift wrap and gift tags. On Rebecca’s Soap Deli News, a crafting blog, there are many ideas on how to package your parcels this holiday season. The site includes links to printable gift wrap and simple tags. One link features a delicate doily patterned paper, while another links to a candy cane print paper that also gives steps on how to make festive cinnamon dough ornaments to tie on top with the ribbon. These simple tricks will not only make your gifts sparkle with holiday spirit, but they may make your receivers smile in delight too. So shed the stress and get wrapping; it’ll pay off come the big day.
jennifer williams/The Ithacan
Behind the Screen Staff Writer Chloe Wilson writes her take on television trends this fall. Plans for the upcoming “Boy Meets World” sequel, “Girl Meets World,” have been viral for a while now, but news broke this week that the main couple from “Boy Meets World” are officially signed on to the sequel, making it sound more promising. Ben Savage and Danielle Fishel, who play Cory Matthews and Topanga Lawrence, respectively, announced on Twitter that they are now officially cast in “Girl Meets World.” Still the happily married couple we remember from the original show, they return to their characters as parents to 13-year-old daughter Riley. Currently uncast, Riley will be the star of “Girl Meets World.” She and her best friend Maya will lead the show. “Girl Meets World” is still in development and will air on the Disney Channel. The producers have yet to release the air date.
Follow more TV news on Wilson’s blog, “Behind the Screen,” online at www. theithacan.org/blogs.
wtf!
EMAIL GLITCH CAUSES chaos among university students
Campus-wide emails from the administration aren’t unusual in the collegiate world, but at New York University one such email caused a stir when it was sent out with the wrong settings. This enabled students to access reply-all to the Listserv, which included 40,000 people. The incident began when a sophomore at the school tried to forward the email to his mother. Instead of forwarding it, the student hit reply-all and sent his email to everyone on the original list. Recently, the same thing happened in Ithaca College’s televisionradio department. On a Listserv of more than 400 students, some sent questions such as, “Would you rather fight 100 duck-sized horses or one horse-sized duck?” — Josh Greenfield
weird
but true
british man travels world without flying in airplane
An adventurer has traveled to all 201 recognized nations — without flying! Graham Hughes, 33, from Liverpool, England, recently arrived in South Sudan to complete his journey. All in all, the trip took Hughes 1,426 days beginning Jan. 1, 2009. He will return to the U.K. on Dec. 22. He traveled a total of 160,000 miles by boat, car, taxi, bus and on foot. Throughout the journey, Hughes experienced both high points and low points that would have sent many running home. The high points include witnessing a NASA shuttle launch and swimming in a lake of jellyfish in Palau. One low point included being jailed for six days in the Congo after he was accused of being a spy. After completing his journey, Hughes still opts not to fly and has instead chosen to travel from Africa to his home on the ground. — Josh Greenfield
tweetuntweet
Mitt Romney was just spotted at Disneyland. You could tell it was Romney because he spent a ton of time with Snow White but completely ignored Snow Black and Snow Latino. — Talk show host Jimmy Fallon pokes fun at Gov. Mitt Romney
celebrity SCOOPS! Carrie channels von Trapp Carrie Underwood: countrypop singer, American Idol winner and ... stage actress? NBC has confirmed that Underwood will star in a live broadcast of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical, “The Sound of Music.” Underwood, who has only dabbled in acting in television roles on shows like “How I Met Your Mother” and “Sesame Street,” is taking on the lead role of Maria for the show. Though her costars have not been announced, the special broadcast is set to air in mid-2013 and is being produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron of the hit series “Smash.” NBC chairman Robert Greenblatt lauded Underwood, saying, “We couldn’t be happier to have the gifted Carrie Underwood take up the mantle of the great Maria von Trapp … She was an iconic woman who will now be played by an iconic artist.” — Benjii Maust
Th ursday, Decem be r 6, 2012
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The I th a c a n 1 7
Rare musical breed
The Itha can’s
S T U DE B A N DN T SERIE S
Student music group merges genres to generate individualistic sound By Steven Pirani staff writer
Music fills a garden apartment. Sitting around a table, guitars in hand, two musicians belt out the upbeat “Pumpkin Boy Races Against Dr. Cornsnake (For the Fate of the World),” the first track off their newest release. Smiling as they go and mulling over minor mistakes with laughter, the two are perfectly in synch as they play. The group is Unicorn Harvest, a two-piece rock band, composed of Ithaca College students, that just barely fits into the rock genre. With elements of metal, ’80s rock and a bit of funk, the group has developed a sound all their own. “Visceral, eclectic, excessive, weird, raw,” senior guitarist and drummer Michael Isabella said, describing the band’s sound. Isabella describes junior vocalist and bassist Jack Simons as his “partner in crime.” Unicorn Harvest has been active for just shy of a year. In October, the group released a nine-track album, “The Bone Toes,” which fans can download for free off their website. For Isabella and Simons, Unicorn Harvest is not their first foray into music. The two are members of The Yips, another student-led band, so music proves to be a significant aspect of their friendship, Simons said. “Before I even knew who [Isabella] was, our bass and drum playing just locked in really naturally,” Simons said. “I saw he had a really unique style, and from that point we just developed a personal relationship.”
Junior Rachael Lewis-Krisky, a friend of the band and Isabella’s girlfriend, insists the connection between Isabella and Simons goes further than just the music. “They both just have these brains that are able to think in a way that no one else can think,” Lewis-Krisky said. The lively sounds of the group back up this claim. Isabella and Simons said they take inspiration from a wide array of artists, crediting Weezer, Frank Zappa and Yes, among others. Isabella said Unicorn Harvest intends to push the envelope. “Music is not exciting unless you push the limit,” Isabella said. “We wanted to challenge people’s ears. We wanted people to listen to our songs and go, ‘What?’” The two members take this philosophy to heart — their music is full of peculiar contrast, dancing between heavy riffs and whimsical jigs. Junior Brendan Duran, bassist for campus band Gypsy Gets Shotgun and live bassist for Unicorn Harvest, reckons the sound will benefit rather than hurt the group. “The aspect of it being so different, so wild and crazy, it’s just like, ‘Whoa, this is something I’ve never even come close to thinking about,’” Duran said. “I’d say we’ve got that going for us.” The pair plays in disguise, wearing white masks and taking on alter egos as they do it. “I’m Russell Harvest and he’s Jimmy Harvest,” Isabella said. Not missing a beat, Simons said, “So we ‘Russell people’s Jimmies.’”
From left, junior Jack Simons and senior Michael Isabella perform at their band Unicorn Harvest’s gig Nov. 1 at The Nines in Collegetown. Isabella and Simons always wear white masks as disguises during their performances. Courtesy of Unicorn Harvest
Isabella said he takes pride in sticking to a sound that is true to the band’s intentions. “A lot of people think that accessibility is always good, and not to sound like a hipster, but accessibility is not always good,” Isabella said. “I don’t really want music everyone will like. When everyone likes it, typically the music is too general. I like stuff
that is very specific to what it is.” Looking to the future, the members of Unicorn Harvest have plans for a new release that they said will arrive next semester. At their core, Isabella and Simons said they merely desire to elicit feedback from listeners, and with their eccentric style, Isabella embraces any response to their music.
“I want people to either hate it or love it,” Isabella said, “Because if they hate it, I did my job. It’s better than people say, ‘Meh’, because if they say that, then it didn’t affect them.” Unicorn Harvest’s album “The Bone Toes” is available for free download from their website www. unicornharvest.bandcamp.com.
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One-man comedy gives exciting show
thursday
by lucy walker Staff writer
“Brian Dykstra Selling Out” is one quarter slam poetry, one quarter stand-up, one quarter acting exercises and one quarter the kind of explosive truth expected from a commission from the Kitchen Theatre Company. Written and performed solely by Brian Dykstra, this play is less of a traditional theater piece and more of an extended rant on anything and everything pertinent to money and modern life. “Brian Dykstra: Dykstra, an HBO Def Poet, Selling Out” playwright and actor takes the Kitchen Theatre stage for an extended monologue about the failure of money in modern society. He also touches on climate change deniers, the Supreme Court decision on Citizens United, the 2012 election, the Koch brothers, the financial meltdown, the widespread deception leading to the housing crisis, arts funding, Justice Roberts, former President George W. Bush, broken educational systems and much more. He also deviates for a long time near the end of the performance to recount a conversation with a friend about religion, artistic creativity and love, finally delivering his composition “An Atheist’s Love Poem.” Boisterous, loud pre-show music, with all songs related thematically to money, is a rarity at the Kitchen Theatre, so the audience knows something different is going to happen. Dykstra performs his script as if he doesn’t know what’s coming next, occasionally adding in improvised moments as it suits the audience. He alternates in his observation of the fourth wall, sometimes debating with himself or performing right to one audience member. The most memorable moment is when, while ranting about Justice Roberts’ decisions, he bullies the audience into collectively yelling “fire” in the crowded, small Kitchen Theatre. Director Margarett Perry organized the staging into different worlds. The meat of the show, his monologue, stays downstage in full lighting. When Dykstra performs as a slam poet, he goes to a lone microphone upstage and the lights fade as projections scroll over the set. In his out-of-body moments, he returns to one spot in the center, sitting or standing, as he transforms into someone else. His performance as a Somali “pirate” struggling to
hot dates
De-Stress Fest, an annual event focused on de-stressing before exams, will begin at 7 p.m. in Friends 201, 203, 207, 208, 210, 301, 304, 306, 308 and 309. The event is free.
friday
theater Review
Voicestream, an Ithaca College co-ed a capella group, will perform its block two concert at 7:30 p.m. in Emerson Suites. Admission is free.
Ithaca’s Ice Wars: Ice Carving Competition, a National Ice Carving Association sanctioned event, will begin at 7 p.m. on The Commons. The event is free.
saturday Brian Dykstra, HBO Def Poet and award-winning playwright, performs in his solo show “Brian Dykstra Selling Out” at the Kitchen Theatre. The show is written by Dykstra and explores modern American life. courtesy of Ed Dittenhoefer
provide for his family despite overfished waters and U.S. government sanctions was transcendent, and the seamlessness of his transition back into ranting as himself was incredibly impressive. Dykstra performs on a beautiful set by Kitchen regular David Arsenault, the lighting and sound designer. Arsenault created a flag with a red and white paint treatment on the floor downstage. Upstage, there are red wooden panels with a blue corner, through which his lighting design creates either a flag with white light or other locations with warped words and images projected over the wood. All of the panels feature small money details, appearing as if a torn flag reveals money under its seams. The playing space itself is sparsely decorated with some furniture, mostly just open space to allow Dykstra to roam around. The best parts of his performance come when his overwhelmingly slanted thoughts collide with
undeniable truths. His claim that if corporations are people, poor citizens have less of a voice got murmurs of agreement from the audience. After totally declaiming the government’s bailouts of corporations rather than people following the financial meltdown, he reflects, “Who’s in jail?” Audible responses from the audience confirm this inescapable reality. Throughout this show, audience members clap, laugh, howl and scream back at Dykstra’s opinions. However, his beliefs are so liberal that it’s hard to imagine the production anywhere but in Ithaca. Dykstra’s self-invented genre is not typical for a play, especially a one-man play, which usually revolves around one specific linear story. Even if sometimes overwhelming or biased, “Brian Dykstra Selling Out” is a memorable performance. “Brian Dykstra Selling Out” will run until Dec. 16 at the Kitchen Theatre.
Famed ‘American Idol’ star debuts soulful pop album ability to mix his guitar genius with his hoarse voice. With the lyrics “Do what Star and winner of “American you do, and do what you will,” the song Idol” Phillip Phillips debuted his single is an anthem for the artist, as he’s mak“Home” at the 2012 Olympics and has ing his mark on the music industry by penning his own lyrics and strumming since topped the his own guitar. charts. With his Other tracks include “Man on the raspy vocals and Moon” and “So Easy.” In “Man on the flawless acoustic Phillip Phillips abilities, this artist “The World from Moon,” his acoustic abilities drive the track, and his vocals speed it up, amphas produced raw, the Side of the Moon” ing up the rock sound of the album. riveting tunes. 19 Recordings, The track makes it easy for listeners to Phillips introInc. groove along and keep up with the beat. duces himself and Our rating: “Man on the Moon” holds the his whole new world HHHH catchiest lyrics of the whole album of music with, “The with the line, “Even a man on the World from the Side of the Moon.” The album showcases his moon couldn’t tell me where to land.” distinctly soulful voice as well as his tal- The line sums up the theme of the album about not knowing what life ents as a writer and instrumentalist. The track “Drive Me” exhibits his holds in the future but hoping for the
by jared dionne senior Writer
Staff writer
Check out theithacan. org/spotify to listen to the songs featured in this week’s reviews!
chance to taste chowder from 20 different local restaurants, begins at noon on The Commons. Tickets are available at the beginning of the event.
Scott Card Trio, a classical chamber jazz group that emphasizes groove and conversation, will perform at 10 p.m. at AGAVA Restaurant. The event is free and open to the public.
sunday
Winter Choral Concert, a showcase featuring music of Mozart, Argento and Kverno, will begin at 3 p.m. in Ford Hall. The event is free.
Spunky synths sparkle in songs
by brian porreca
Album Review
The 3rd Annual Downtown Ithaca Chowder Cook-off, a
Courtesy of 19 recordings, inc.
best. The inspirational song instills a sense of motivation in the listener. In “So Easy,” his voice blends smoothly with his guitar. Within the catchy chorus he sings, “You’re the reason I believe in something I don’t know.” Creating a sultry soulful vibe, his voice and his guitar blend perfectly to create a touching tune. Phillip Phillips soars with his debut album and demonstrates that with pure talent alone one can really create a debut masterpiece.
Born out of Boston’s college music scene, Bearstronaut is poised to become one of the next big names. With its new five-track album “Paradice,” the group cranks the synthesizers to the max and gets the dance juices flowing. Bearstronaut employs a healthy mix of groovy percussive elements and synth licks Bearstronaut to get listeners “Paradice” dancing. The Bearstronaut Our rating: group manages HHH 1/2 to pick the best characteristics of contemporaries Passion Pit, Penguin Prison and Two Door Cinema Club to meld an infectious and bombastic sound they can put their name on. The album’s leadoff single,
Album Review
“Passenger Side,” combines some Caribbean-esque vibes with a funky bass line. David Martineau, lead singer, preps listeners for a night on the town as he sings, “Pick me up / let’s take a ride / let me see the city from the passenger side.” Even though “Paradice” is composed of only five tracks, the band packs quite the wallop. One thing is for sure: This will certainly leave listeners wanting more.
Courtesy of bearstronaut
quickies “one night — ep”
“We come running (remixes) — ep”
Timeflies Timeflies Music LLC
Youngblood Hawke Universal Republic
courtesy of Universal republic
Taking the hit indie-rock single and mixing it to their liking, six DJs are featured on this electric collection. With names like Tiesto and The Knocks, this EP is sure to please fans.
courtesy oF Timeflies music llc
Coming up from YouTube fame, this duo is back with their short EP of bassbumping tunes and simple synths. Without sampling popular hits like they have in their weekly productions, Timeflies prove its originality and that their music is worth a listen or two. Compiled by Allie Healy
Th ursday, Decem be r 6, 2012
A ccen t
The I th a c a n 1 9
Whimsical film delights with action Imaginative animation and childish combat charm audiences bY James Hasson
[
ticket stub
]
valid friday through thursday
cinemapolis The Commons 277-6115
staff writer
The holiday season has arrived, and with it comes Hollywood holiday films such as “Rise of the Guardians.” But before Santa, the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny can spread joy to the world, they first have to save it. Fun action “Rise of the and a colorful cast Guardians” make this an enterParamount Pictures taining holiday spin Our rating: off of “The Avengers.” HH 1/2 The film tells the story of Jack Frost (Chris Pine), the spirit of winter. Jack is a playful trickster who spreads joy by creating snow days for school kids and starting snowball fights. Unfortunately, none of the children can see him, making Frost yearn to take full part in their activities. Though he cannot play with them, he finds he has a Jack Frost (Chris Pine) has his teeth inspected by Tooth (Isla Fisher) in “Rise of the Guardians.” The movie features chance to protect them. North (Alec other mythical characters who band together to fight Pitch (Jude Law), who threatens them with his powers. Baldwin), the Santa Claus character, Courtesy of Paramount Pictures Bunny (Hugh Jackman), Tooth (Isla Fisher) and the voiceless Sandman re- explosions of twisted black and blue incorporates the jolly recklessness of centered around Frost’s journey. Percruit Frost to stand against Pitch (Jude shapes. North adopts the combat style the character with his lines. Jackman haps with the exception of Bunny, Law), the proverbial Boogeyman of of a saber-wielding Cossack, while and Fisher also fit their characters’ Frost undergoes the most character legend who threatens to extinguish Bunny acts as a rugged Australian types well, Jackman coming off as development. His loneliness, loss of the happiness of children by twisting outdoorsman with his boomerangs. A rugged and hard-nosed about his job, memory and quest for purpose all final battle set in North’s workshop in- while Fisher maintains a sweet inno- cumulate into a substantial identity their dreams into nightmares. This film’s PG action is its stron- volves animated toys, Yetis, pixie-like cence. Ironically, the mute Sandman crisis. This crisis intensifies further gest selling point. The scenes pan out miniature tooth fairies and dinosaurs can be the most expressive character. with Pitch adopting the devil archejust like a child’s playtime. Characters made from dreams. It doesn’t matter With no lines to say, he communi- type and tempting Frost. “Rise of the Guardians” may feel fly wildly about on rocket sleighs and if these components feel random, the cates through facial expressions and icons he forms above his head with disjointed at first with its feeble story a biplane made of dream sand or the fight scenes don’t hold back. The voice cast of the holiday super- sand, like in a comic. His silent form arcs, but once the playful action kicks winter winds. Frost also wields a staff that allows him to slide across ice like heroes performs fairly. Pine can come of communication makes him all the up, it becomes a more entertaining a speed-skater or create elaborate ice off as bland at times, but his natural more recognizable when he does have family film. projectiles. The animation is especially tone fits well with the confident mav- something to say. “Rise of the Guardians” was While the first part of the story strong when Frost clashes with Pitch. erick Frost. Baldwin is unrecognizable Crystalline shards of ice mix with the behind the thick Russian accent he may feel haphazardly constructed, directed by Peter Ramsey and dark grains of nightmare sand forming gives to North, but it’s consistent and it consolidates into a stronger focus written by David Lindsay-Abaire.
Film Review
Visuals dazzle in tense movie
Gripping acting brings life to flick
By rose vardell Staff writer
By steven pirani Staff writer
True quality films do not rely on one asset to succeed. Instead, a superb film blends the best parts of the movie’s every facet. To say that director Ang Lee, of “Brokeback Mountain” fame, achieved this with “Life of Pi” is a drastic understatement. The film, an adaptation of Yann Martel’s novel, potently de“Life of Pi” livers an incredible tale, utilizing 20th Century a perfect cast and expert visual efFox fects to the fullest extent. Our rating: “Life of Pi” surrounds Piscine HHHH Molitor Patel, or simply “Pi,” throughout his life in Pondicherry, India, where his family owns a zoo. Viewers will watch as Pi explores his religious, moral and romantic life and ultimately grows into adolescence. The primary focus of the film is adolescent Pi, who finds himself stranded on a raft with a slew of zoo animals, including a Bengal tiger, after a storm interrupts his family’s relocation to Canada. Upon this raft, Pi ponders his existence, all while facing the hardships of the open ocean. The casting strength is immediately evident in “Life of Pi.” The vast majority of the movie features the shipwrecked, teenage Pi as the only character on screen. First-time actor Suraj Sharma, whose performance is nothing short of moving, brilliantly plays the stranded youth. His ability to evoke emotion from the audience, especially in moments of grief, is unwavering throughout the film and will not go unnoticed by viewers and critics. Iffran Kahn is equally riveting as the adult Pi, his narrative perfectly voiced and his storytelling sad yet inspiring. As Pi reveals the end of his tale, it is Kahn’s unrelenting emotional intensity that will stay with the audience.
Along with exemplary acting, “Life of Pi” has the advantage of being an aesthetically beautiful film. Lee has not only created a masterful work of cinema but also led a brilliant design. The first parts of the film, which take place in India, are rife with color, culture and personality. Hindi chatter fills the air and gives the scenes a particularly exotic vibe. The music feels native, capturing the personality of India while avoiding being stereotypical or overbearing. The scenes upon the raft are stunning as well, the blue ocean almost surrealistic against the white and red life raft. “Life of Pi” is a triumph. With perfect casting and brilliant visuals, the film provides one of the most fulfilling movie-going experiences this year.
Director Joe Wright’s “Anna Karenina” dazzles with its glamorous costumes, fast-paced fluidity and an intricate interweaving of film and theatricality. But the tale of immorality is, at times, bewildering and difficult to watch. Keira Knightley represents the protagonist of the film adaptation of Russian author Leo Tolstoy’s “Anna Karenina.” She gives a dramatic performance as an aristocratic woman that falls into social ruin when she “Anna and Count Vronsky (Aaron Karenina” Taylor-Johnson) have an afFocus fair. Knightley commits to Features her role and performs imOur rating pressively, but as Karenina HHH falls in love with Vronsky, her increasing self-absorption and irrationality makes it difficult not only to like her character but to even enjoy the movie. The film’s best performance must be awarded to Jude Law, who plays Karenin, Karenina’s husband, as he appears both cold and fragile. There is a resistance to appreciate the film, because Karenina’s betrayal to her husband is painful to watch and undeserved. The overall issue with the movie is a common problem with most film adaptations of literary works: It’s difficult to compact a 600page novel into the limiting two-hour time frame. Though the film is well acted and visually arresting, it would be better to simply experience “Anna Karenina” by reading the novel instead.
“Life of Pi” was directed by Ang Lee and written by David Magee.
“Anna Karenina” was directed by Joe Wright and written by Tom Stoppard.
film Review
Film Review
Pi Patel (Suraj Sharma) carefully stands on his stranded boat with a Bengal tiger in “Life of Pi.” Courtesy oF 20th century fox
Mountain Film Festival 7 p.m. on Friday and 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. A Royal Affair 5 p.m. and 7:40 p.m. and weekends 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7:40 p.m. Holy Motors 4:20 p.m., 7:05 p.m. except Friday and 9:20 p.m. and weekends 2:05 p.m., 4:20 p.m., 7:05 p.m. except Saturday and 9:20 p.m. Anna Karenina HHH 4:25 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. and weekends 1:50 p.m., 4:25 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. The Sessions 4:50 p.m., 7:10 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. and weekends 2:40 p.m., 4:50 p.m., 7:10 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. The Perks of Being A Wallflower
HHH 1/2
4:45 p.m., 7:20 p.m. except Friday and 9:35 p.m. and weekends 2:10 p.m., 4:45 p.m., 7:20 p.m. except Saturday and 9:35 p.m.
regal stadium 14 Pyramid Mall 266-7960
playing for keeps 12:40 p.m., 3:10 p.m., 5:45 p.m., 8:20 p.m., 10:50 p.m. The collection 2:50 p.m., 5:10 p.m., 7:40 p.m., 10:20 p.m. killing them softly 2:10 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 8:10 p.m., 10:40 p.m. life of pi HHHH 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. life of pi 3d 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m., 10 p.m. red dawn 2 p.m., 4:50 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 9:55 p.m. rise of the guardians HH 1/2 1:45 p.m., 7:50 p.m. the twilight saga: Breaking dawn — part 2 HHH 1/2 12:50 p.m., 3:40 p.m., 7:10 p.m., 10:20 p.m. lincoln HHH 1/2 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 5:15 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 8:50 p.m., 9:50 p.m. skyfall HHH 12:20 p.m., 3:50 p.m., 6:50 p.m., 7:20 p.m., 10:10 p.m., 10:30 p.m. wreck-it ralph HHH 1/2 1:20 p.m., 7:40 p.m. Argo HHH 1/2 1:10 p.m., 6:20 p.m. end of watch HHH 2:20 p.m., 5 p.m., 8 p.m., 10:35 p.m.
our ratings Excellent HHHH Good HHH Fair HH Poor H
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Divers ion s
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the here and now alphabet stew By Caroline Roe ’13
dormin’ norman
By Alice Blehart ’16
Th ursday, Dec ember 6 , 2 0 1 2
sudoku medium
very hard By Jonathan Schuta ’14
Pearls Before Swine®
By Stephan Pastis answers to last week’s sudoku
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By United Media
ACROSS 1 Stately trees 5 Complaint 9 Ms. Thurman 12 Candy striper 13 Lahore language 14 Put the kibosh on 15 Ritzy 17 Shooting iron 19 Barbecue tidbit 20 Floor covering 21 Force back 24 Bet takers 27 Leave out 28 Crewmate of Uhura 29 Day- -- paint 30 “The Walking Dead” network 31 Flags down 32 Even as we speak 33 Term in tennis 34 Web addresses 35 Gourmet mushroom 36 Trounced 38 Was an omen
39 Music genre 40 Impair 41 Hit musical 43 Stockpiled 47 -- and yang 48 “I kid you not” comic 50 Autobahn vehicle 51 Foot-pound relative 52 Gone to the bottom 53 Tower over DOWN 1 Perfume label word 2 Pouter’s protuberance 3 HMO workers 4 Confidential 5 Daffodil starter 6 Prior to 7 Newspaper VIP 8 Hopping mad 9 Free of deceit or hypocrisy 10 $1,000,000,
slangily 11 Logging tool 16 Catch a cold 18 Kind 20 Phone charges 21 Explorer -- Amundsen 22 Wheat variety 23 Imagining 24 Manufacture 25 Run away to wed 26 Planted seed 28 Mr. Spock’s father 31 Wheel covers 35 Pen 37 Burbank’s sci. 38 Bleat 40 Mindy’s boarder 41 Peacock spot 42 Caesar’s man 43 Chinese dynasty 44 Batman and Robin 45 Shoguns’ capital 46 Gloomy 49 Cafe -- lait
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sports
Th ursday, Decem be r 6, 2012
The I th a c a n 2 3
STRAPPING IN Graduate student Sarah Kidder does a simulated pushup on a TRX device Nov. 29 in the Fitness Center aerobics room during a group exercise class. The TRX class meets eight times a week.
Rachel Woolf/The Ithacan
Students embrace college’s newest resistance training program By steve derderian staff writer
Before the sun rises on South Hill, a group of 12 groggy students gather in the Fitness Center’s aerobics room, ready to take on the metal scaffolds and taut straps of the new TRX device. Graduate student trainer Aline Pugliesi invites the group in and has them begin a short set of warm-up squats and mimic a rowing action on the straps to stretch out and prep the muscles for exercise. The more experienced members seem unfazed, while some begin to sweat and try to catch their breath. “You guys aren’t done yet, are you?” Pugliesi says lightheartedly. The class smiles and shakes their heads, and the real fun begins. The group simulates push-up motions on the bands for about 30 seconds only to drop down to the ground for actual pushups. Before they can catch their breath, Pugliesi has the students stand up to do biceps curls and finish off with tricep curls. During this time period, the heart rate may be lowered but muscle groups are constantly being specifically targeted, and every one from the shoulders down to the hamstrings gets a deep stretch and an even deeper burn. TRX, a 45-minute suspension training workout, is the newest exercise program to find its way to South Hill. TRX is a device composed of a set of bands around the top of a large grey and yellow metal suspension bar. Employing different levels of resistance, users work against their own body weight to engage their core muscles. As of this fall, TRX is available to students at the college. Sean Reilley, program coordinator of recreational sports, said the Fitness Center staff makes an effort to bring new programming to the campus each semester. He and assistant director Brad Buchanan collaborated during the past summer and decided to bring TRX to the South Hill because of its growing popularity in gyms throughout the nation.
“We try to do our best to match our programming to what we offer here to stay current in the industry and what’s being offered in mainstream gyms,” Reilley said. The entire bar allows up to 12 participants to exercise at the same time, if the instructor is not included. The TRX workout’s small class sizes allow for participants of all levels of fitness and skill to receive individual attention and training while still enjoying the benefits and camaraderie of a larger group workout. “It’s something that can be applied very uniquely from a one-on-one personal training session to a group setting,” Reilley said. Pugliesi said she got her first experience with a training program in 2010 and said it is a program that emphasizes core strength and stability, and that wide ranges of people can do it.
“No matter what you do, whether it’s working on your back or legs, there’s part of your core being worked,” Pugliesi said. “It’s body-weight resistance, so you can train each strength and resistance level.” Reilley said that 149 different students have taken a TRX class at some point this semester, and it is likely that the program will continue next semester. While TRX is gaining popularity both at the college and nationwide, Charles Lantz, one of the level two instructors at TRX headquarters in San Francisco, said the workout can be very beneficial for many, but it might not be for everyone. “You shouldn’t come back and workout if you’re seriously injured through their back and through their core and through their shoulders because you’re really risking your chances of recovery,” Lantz said.
Sophomore Katie Deitz, right, performs an exercise designed to train the leg and abdominal muscles and increase aerobic endurance during a TRX class Nov. 29 in the Fitness Center.
Rachel Woolf/The Ithacan
“You really have to listen to your body and make sure you’re taking common sense into account [before doing the workout].” Graduate student Sara Kidder has been a weekly participant at the TRX classes offered by the Fitness Center since the class began in the fall. She said she got her first experience with TRX during a summer clinical session in Rochester, N.Y., and the nature of the workout was beneficial to her, even after injury. “I like the fact that it’s a whole-body workout, as it’s something where you can switch from legs and arms without using different workout tools,” Kidder said. “I’ve had a couple injuries, and it’s very low impact, so it doesn’t hurt [my] joints as much as other workout techniques.” Reilley said that TRX is a system of training that shifts from using traditional equipment, such as dumbbells and free weights that train and build the muscle, toward a functional training system that trains the movement and creates strength in motion. Reilley said the exercise industry is trending toward functional systems like TRX, and its incorporation helps students with exercise science majors and other therapy-based majors get real-world exposure to something that is being used in the industry. “We have some talented students on staff right now, and we’re trying to grow the number of students that we have through exercise science, physical therapy and occupational therapy majors and bring them here so they can have a little more experiences more related to when they leave,” Reilley said. Even though the fall semester is winding down, new students are still joining the class every week to face the challenge TRX brings. Freshman Jeannine Confer did her first TRX workout Wednesday and said the workout provided an enticing challenge that will bring her back in the weeks remaining in the semester. “You feel sore afterwards, but it literally worked my entire body, so it was a lot of fun,” Confer said.
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between the lines
Nathan bickell
Keep steroids out of the Hall This year, baseball’s steroid era reached its greatest reckoning to date when two of the most dominant but tainted players of all time appeared on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot for the first time: Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens. Bonds and Clemens are in a different class than other poster boys of the steroid era, such as Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Rafael Palmeiro. Both players are first-ballot Hall of Famers, even discounting all the years tainted by steroids. Bonds and Clemens are also in the discussion for the greatest position player and greatest pitcher of all time. Despite this, if I had a vote for the Hall of Fame, my ballot would be cast the same for Bonds and Clemens as it were for the rest of the steroid tainted players of the ’90s. To promote a clean future for baseball it is important that we keep them out. Keep them all out. Steroid use in baseball tarnishes the game’s integrity, but it is difficult to police thoroughly. The drug users will always be a step ahead of the drug chasers, because it is impossible to create a test for a drug that doesn’t exist yet. However, this does not mean drug testing is a futile enterprise. Just as the preamble of the Constitution states the goal to “create a more perfect Union,” not a perfect Union, making sports entirely clean is impossible but making sports more clean is not. Drug testing is not the only way to clean up sports; another way is to remove as much incentive to cheat as possible. Many have argued that neither Bonds nor Clemens ever tested positive even though they finished their careers during the era of steroid testing. If the case of Lance Armstrong proves nothing else, it proves that it’s possible to be caught cheating without a positive test. The other option is voting the players in because steroids are a part of the history of baseball, and the Hall of Fame is a history museum. While much of the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., is a museum that exhibits the good and bad of baseball history, the actual hall displaying the plaques is a shrine to the greatest players in the history of the game. There is a place to tell the story of steroids in the Hall of Fame, but plaques honoring cheaters is not that place. Keeping Bonds and Clemens out of the Hall of Fame will send a strong message beyond just baseball. If you cheat and are exposed, no matter how good you were before you cheated, your accomplishments will not be granted the legitimacy that enshrinement in the Hall of Fame provides. nathan bickell is a senior documentary studies major. Contact him at nbickel1@ithaca.edu.
Th ursday, Dec ember 6 , 2 0 1 2
Transfer adjusts quickly to D-III hoops By Christian araos staff writer
In many cases, incorporating a transfer student into a team is a process that takes more than one season to fully accomplish, but not for senior forward Travis Warech. Warech is in his first season with the men’s basketball team after starting in his first three seasons with Division II St. Michael’s. He was named to the Northeast 10 Conference all-rookie team his freshman season and was named to the commissioner’s honor roll in his junior season. Despite his on-court success, Warech was not happy at St. Michael’s and decided to leave after the end of his junior season. “There was shaky, shaky nonsense going on at St. Mike’s,” Warech said. “It just wasn’t the right fit for me, I had a pretty OK career there, but things didn’t turn out the way I hoped.” St. Michael’s had a losing record in each of the past three seasons. His former coach Michael Harding declined comment on Warech’s transfer but did wish him the best with his career. A few weeks after the end of season, Warech called senior guard Sean Rossi to inform him of his interest in transferring to the college. The two had been friends since middle school and had been teammates on the New Jersey Panthers, an Amateur Athletic Union team they played on in between their junior and senior years of high school. Rossi said he was ecstatic when Warech told him the news. “I immediately jumped up and went nuts [when he told me],” Rossi said. “We talked for 30 minutes about how he’s going to love playing for our team.” Rossi arranged for Warech to visit the campus last summer and participate in a shootaround with the team. Warech had set up visits to two other Division III schools after his visit for Ithaca, but he didn’t need them. He was convinced. His potential head coach wasn’t. “It was odd for us because typically I’m not going to take a kid for one year,” Bombers Head Coach Jim Mullins said. “What’s the point?” Mullins had never seen Warech play, so he relied on colleagues and the personal recommendations that came from Rossi and his father. Mullins said the words of the Rossis, combined with his first impression of Warech, convinced him that Warech would fit into the team perfectly. “I had those questions pretty well laid to rest talking to the Rossis,” Mullins said. “When I sat down with Travis, we looked each other in the eye, and I felt very comfortable with the way he conducted himself.”
From left, Wells sophomore guard J.J. Walton looks on as senior forward Travis Warech attempts a layup during the men’s basketball team’s 87-55 victory Friday night in Ben Light Gymnasium.
durst breneiser/The ithacaN
While adjusting to the campus has not been a major difficulty for Warech, he said the campus’ size took him aback. “I have to plan on waking up earlier to get to class,” Warech said. “It’s also hillier here, and living in a dorm brings back old memories.” After three years at St. Michael’s, Warech found a home in Ithaca. After arriving on campus and receiving Mullins’ blessing, Warech officially joined the college in the summer and played on a summer league team with Rossi, which Rossi said acted like
an extended preseason for the two of them. In his first game with the Bombers on Nov. 16, Warech recorded a double-double, helping the Bombers to a 76-69 win against SUNY-Potsdam. He has started in every game, averaging 11.6 points per contest — the third best on the team. Warech said he is happy to be able to enjoy playing basketball again. “I just wanted to win,” Warech said. “I wanted to have a good senior year, have fun playing again since I kind of lost that the last year or so at St. Mike’s. I wanted to get back and enjoy playing the game again.”
Upperclassmen ease new gymnasts’ transitions By haley costello staff writer
With the season fast approaching and a lineup thinned by last year’s losses, Ithaca College gymnastics will depend on the leadership of the seniors and graduate students to guide them to success. Last season, the team lost seven upperclassmen, including its most decorated gymnast, Jessica Bolduc ’11. Because of these departures, returning graduate students Tiffany Grube and Christine Niles, and this year’s three seniors, are ready to take over as gymnasts and leaders. Grube said this season is drastically different from last because of the large number of underclassmen in the lineup. While pressure is high for the young gymnasts, Grube said that the confidence level in them is as well. “Our upperclassmen in the past have been in the lineup so much, so as a whole, the leadership is the same between upperclassmen and freshmen,” Grube said. “It’s important to let them know that they have really big shoes to fill, but they have the capability of doing it.” Sophomore Valerie Cohen said the graduate students are working as role models for the team’s younger players. “One of the most important things I have learned from them about being a leader is that they lead by example and work hard every day as a gymnast and
Graduate student Tiffany Grube rehearses her routine on balance beam during a gymnastics team practice Nov. 30 in Ben Light Gymnasium.
Jennifer Williams/the ithacan
a person,” Cohen said. “We could not ask for anything more out of them, because they basically are our big sisters. Grube said the psychological training is being stressed equally to the team so they learn how to overcome
fear and perform at the highest level. “I have not been really fearful in my time throughout the sport, but something that is important to teach the underclassmen is they have to practice how they want to compete,”
Grube said. “If you practice fearful and hold back, then that’s how your competition is going to look.” Klusky said adjusting from high school to college as a student-athlete is difficult, but the seniors and graduate students lend guidance on how to make a smooth transition. “They don’t intimidate us, because even when you accomplish something small, they still congratulate you,” she said. “They set an example of how to work through difficulties with gymnastics and school, so they lead by example both inside or outside the gym.” The upperclassmen have taken to helping acclimate the younger students both on and off the matt. Klusky said whether it’s tutoring, rides off campus or any other request that one of the underclassmen have, the older athletes have been willing to lend their resources and knowledge to helping. The South Hill squad is preparing for its first meet Jan. 12 against SUNY-Brockport. Until then, Grube said, others may view the team as an underdog, but they will be ready to compete at last season’s level. “We might be stuck in the fact that everyone recognizes we are a very young team, which may make us a little bit like the underdog,” Grube said. “I want [the girls] to know that they are a talented team, and we are prepared to be as competitive as we have in the past.”
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Diver bounces back from head injury By Doug Geller Staff writer
Sophomore diver Matt Morrison takes a deep breath as he climbs up the ladder to the board. He takes four steps and enthusiastically jumps up, comes down onto the springboard and then off into a flip and completes the dive that eluded him three weeks earlier. This season did not begin exactly how Morrison thought it would. During a practice dive in the preseason he suffered a concussion when he hit his head on the water incorrectly — an incident diving coach Mike Wantuck called a “fluke.” The concussion kept Morrison out of competition for two-and-a-half weeks and he said the accident is still on his mind when he dives. “That was always on the back of my mind, but diving is a big fearrelating sport, so when I did the dive I got the concussion from, I just got it over with and kept going,” Morrison said. Morrison was told he had to sit and wait for two weeks, which he said was the hardest part. Morrison watched the first meet against SUNY-Brockport on Oct. 13 and cheered his teammates on to victory. Morrison bounced back quickly, winning the 1-meter dive with a score of 293.5 in his first meet back against Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on Oct. 27. He then won both the 3-meter dive and 1-meter
dive in the team’s next three meets, including against rival Hartwick College. Morrison averaged a score of 273.5 on the 1-meter dive and 284 on the 3-meter dive in those three matchups. He was also named Empire 8 Diver of the Week during the week of Nov. 20. Morrison has found success even when diving against his teammate, a two-time All-American and Empire 8 Diver of the Year last year, senior captain Martin Brown, who calls Morrison his toughest opponent this year. “At states and nationals, if we make it, he’s gonna be my biggest competition,” Brown said. “I hope to give him a run for his money, but I know he’s definitely gonna kick some ass.” Brown also said Morrison is one of the most fearless divers on the team. “He’s always throwing pretty crazy dives. Sometimes the rest of us are doing a new dive and act all scared about it, but he just gets up there and throws them and has a good time with it,” Brown said. “He does a really good job at setting a good example for the team.” Though Morrison was selected to All-State in his junior and senior years in high school, he said he never expected this type of success so early in college. “I didn’t have any intention of making nationals [last year]; I didn’t even know I made it until my last dive last year. I didn’t even think I
Sophomore diver Matt Morrison practices a 1-meter dive during a practice Nov. 6. in the Athletics and Events Center Pool. Morrison has emerged as the team’s top diver after coming back from an early-season concussion.
durst breneiser/the ithacan
would make states,” Morrison said. Morrison added that not having the expectation of going to the national competition was a blessing in disguise, as he was able to focus solely on his dives. This year
is different because he wants to go back to nationals with the rest of the divers. Wantuck said he’s been impressed by how quickly Morrison has been able to bounce back from
his early-season adversity. “That’s the kind of enthusiasm you find in a champion, someone who wants to get into the thick of it even before he is fully cleared,” Wantuck said.
Look online and on our Twitter for game stories from these sports: SATURDAY • Noon. Men’s and Women’s Track and Field vs. Ithaca Quad Meet in Glazer Arena • 1 p.m. Women’s Basketball at Baruch College in New York, N.Y. • 4 p.m. Men’s Basketball vs. SUNY-Oswego in Ben Light Gymnasium • 4:30 p.m. Wrestling at SUNY-Oswego in Oswego, N.Y.
MoNDAY
• 7 p.m. Women’s Basketball vs. Medaille College in Ben Light Gymnasium
TUESDAY
• 7 p.m. Men’s Basketball at St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y.
Bold = Home game
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Th ursday, Dec ember 6 , 2 0 1 2
Squad comes together during time on the road by Danielle D’Avanzo senior writer
Though the women’s basketball team is playing away for seven of their first 10 games this season, the Bombers are using their time on the road to build chemistry on and off the court. This year presents an unusual challenge for the Blue and Gold, because they have The women’s only two home games basketball team before winter break. is the top-ranked However, Head Coach team in the Empire Dan Raymond said he 8 Conference in likes to schedule more shooting peraway games at the becentage at 42.3 ginning of the season, percent on 126 of because it helps with 298 shooting. team camaraderie. “When you’re on the bus, that’s the opportunity for your team to really continue to build those bonds as far as relationships,” Raymond said. Another way the South Hill squad builds these bonds is by playing word games together on the bus. During the travel back to Ithaca after the Skidmore Invitational, the team played “Encore.” Players are divided into two teams, a word is chosen and each team must sing a lyric that includes the word back and forth to each other. Junior guard Elisabeth Wentlent said spending a lot of time together while traveling helps the players learn “the ins and outs” of each other and what motivates each player to perform well. Chemistry has already played a big role this season to help the Blue and Gold go undefeated on the road, but junior guard Kathryn Campbell said the team’s mental strength helps them keep focus amid the bonding that occurs. “It starts with staying focused in practice and then trying to keep it through by not worrying about anything but the game on the bus rides there,” Campbell said. The Blue and Gold’s toughest challenge
stat check
From left, sophomore Ally Mnich drives past Elmira College junior guard Jessica Zoltowski during the women’s basketball team’s 66-46 victory Tuesday night in Ben Light Gymnasium. Danielle D’Avanzo/the ithacan
so far this season was their last away game against St. Lawrence University last Friday. The game included nine lead changes, and the Saints had the biggest lead of the game with 12 points. The Bombers’ teamwork helped them prevail and pull ahead with
four seconds remaining to win 65-64. “[Camaraderie] definitely helps our chemistry on the court, because we just trust each other,” sophomore guard Ally Mnich said. “We tend to know what each other thinks, and we know what each others’
strengths and weaknesses are.” Campbell said that growing closer as friends and a family helps their overall team play, because it becomes more about the success of the team than the individual. “Everyone is just looking out for each other on the court, because we all want each other to do well,” Campbell said. Wentlent said traveling a lot can be taxing on the South Hill squad because of several factors, including time on the bus, staying in hotels and shortened warmup times, but overcoming these disadvantages will only help the team get stronger. “It definitely affects us physically,” Wentlent said. “It’s just a lot on the road, and then it’s tough to not be able to play in front of your home crowd, but it definitely challenges us to kind of get over the humps of being tired and not having a big fan base.” However, senior forward Devin Shea said traveling early on is better, because the Bombers will have the advantage later in the season. “It’s a chance to get all those road games out of the way in the beginning of the year, because we’re not going to be at our peak, and neither are the other teams,” Shea said. “If we’re able to just start off strong on the road, then we’re going to come home and have our home stretch, and the teams that we’re playing are going to have to deal with being on the road.” The Blue and Gold are excited to begin playing more games at home in Ben Light Gymnasium. Their home opener was an Empire 8 matchup against Elmira College with the Bombers winning 66-46. Wentlent said though being on the road will benefit the team, the South Hill squad is ready to show Ithaca College why it believes it can win a national championship. “[Being on the road] is something that’s going to push us,” Wentlent said. “It’s going to demand us to really hold ourselves accountable each game when we’re away from the school.”
[The buzzer]
Th ursday, Decem be r 6, 2012
The I th a c a n 2 7
Top Tweets The funniest sports commentary via Twitter from this past week Faux John Madden @FauxJohnMadden The last time Drew Brees didn’t throw a touchdown pass, the Browns still sucked. Eric Stangel @EricStangel Besides Todd Walker, who from this baseball Hall of Fame ballot gets in?
Spike like Mike
From right, sophomore Natalie Lang of Ithlax hits the ball over the net to freshman Madi Barao of the Kiss My Aces in an intramural volleyball match Sunday in Ben Light Gymnasium. The Kiss My Aces won in the match in 3 sets, 2 to 1.
Durst Breneiser/the ithacan
Sports Pickle @SportsPickle 2012 should be remembered as the Year of the Awful Sports Commissionering. And that’s even if the world ends. Trey Wingo @Wingoz To recap the day in fines: NFL fines players for fighting 26k. NBA fines coach for coaching 250k.
six degrees of
Brendan Fraser Eli Maravich is a senior guard on the men’s basketball team. After a two-year hiatus from the team, Maravich has returned to help the Bombers to a 2–2 record. He is also the third cousin of...
...Shaquille O’Neal. In 1996, O’Neal starred in the American fantasy family comedy “Shazam” which was directed by...
...Paul Glasser, director of NBC’s “Third Watch,” a drama that once featured actor...
Sports brawl of the week Last week, during a Brooklyn Nets game against the Boston Celtics, Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo lost his cool against Nets forward Kris Humphries. Rondo and Humphries wrestled it out in the stands after Humphries committed an obvious foul on Kevin Garnett. Humphries came away with a pretty major injury — a scratched shoulder. Both Rondo and Humphries were then ejected from the game. After the game, Humphries took to Twitter to post a photo of his shoulder and ask his followers a question: “Does anyone know where I can get a quick Tetanus shot in Boston?” This created buzz on the Twittersphere. Fox Sports broadcaster Erin Andrews responded to Humphries’ photo with “Have you seen the injuries NFL and NHL players get? #taketheskirtoff.” –Emily Hull
Senior Eli Maravich has returned to the Bombers men’s basketball team after taking a break from the team. Maravich got his first start of the season for the Blue and Gold last week. What better time to connect Maravich to and old Ithacan favorite, the mummy killer, Brendan Fraser. —Emily Hull
...”Pistol” Pete Maravich, an NBA Hall of Fame point guard. Maravich was a Louisiana State graduate just like...
...Will Arnett. The actor and comedian is best known for his role in “Arrested Development.” He will lend his voice to the 2013 animated comedy “The Nut Job” co-starring...
...Brendan Fraser, the man who slayed the mummy.
DEC
6
On this day in...
Staff Writer Emily Hull breaks down some of the most important events in pro sports and Bombers sports history that occurred on Dec. 6
1992
PRO SPORTS HISTORY
2005
BOMBERS SPORTS HISTORY
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice caught the 101st receiving touchdown of his career. The record was previously held by Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Steve Largent. It only took Rice eight seasons to break this record, while it took Largent 14 seasons. Rice finished his career with a total of 207 touchdowns, a record still in place today.
The Bombers men’s basketball team fell to SUNYCortland 57-55 after a late rally by the Blue and Gold. The Bombers cut the Red Dragons’ lead to two with a lay-up from junior forward Sean Stahn with 5:37 left in the game. Cortland held Ithaca to one basket for the remainder of the game and went on to their fifth straight win in a barn burner.
2 8 The It hacan
photo finish Captu ri ng th e B ombers at t h ei r be st
Th ursday, Dec ember 1 , 2 0 1 2
Reaching skyward
Senior forward Andrei Oztemel, center, finishes a layup while Ithaca senior guard Jordan Healey and Wells College freshman guard Jordan Bishop look on during an early 10-0 point run for the Bombers in the first quarter. Oztemel led the Blue and Gold with his fifth career double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds in the Bombers’ 87Â-55 win Friday night. Durst Breneiser/the ithacan