Academic standards differin Philadelphia
YADIRAR. TOLEDO EVENTS EDITOR YRT722@CABRIN1.EDU
Like most eastern cities, Philadelphia is home to historical landmarks, beautiful architecture and rich muse• urns. But the City of Brotherly Love also has a dark side. It has rough and tumble neighborhoods, far from the tourist attractions, where crime and drugs are common place. It is a place where, for many residents, innocence and youth are lost.
It is also a place where education is not a priority for many; in fact, it often takes the backseat to family problems, friends and the trappings of the inner-city. As a result, this disinterest in academics is most visible in high schools within the Philadelphia Public School System.
Eric Pendleton, a sophomore accounting major, is a Philadelphia resident and a product of the Philadelphia Public School District. Before transferring to one of Philadelphia's top public high schools, Eric was an enrolled student at Germantown High School, a typical neighborhood school within the city.
"fu a school like Germantown, there was no hope. Because it's in a gang-infest• ed area, outside influences and neighborhood problems were brought into the school constantly. It was definitely not a good learning environment. Most students didn't care and the teachers could care less. And eventually that disinterest became contagious and rubbed-off on me," Pendleton said.
The classroom environment created by both the teachers and the students made it impos.sibleto learn in a comfortable environment.
According to Pendleton, disrespect was just as rampant as disinterest.
SCHOOLS, page 4
Gr-aduateschoolcreatessplitdecisions
LAURA VAN DE PETIE STAFFWRITER Lcv722@CABRINI.EDU
As graduation approaches quickly many of the seniors will consider attending graduate school but one question they need to consider is whether or not graduate school is necessary to enhance their career or just a way to avoid a mediocre job. When it comes to grad school, are students attending because they need to, or just because they can't find a spectacular job? Before you drop 50 thousand more dollars for a graduate degree that may take two to four years, you had better know if it is worth it.
Dawn Francis, an assistant English and communications pro- · fessor, said, "The benefit of graduate school is that it helps you think more analytically and strategically. You develop better research abilities and deeper knowledge of your discipline of study. I found, personally, that having a graduate degree prepared me for management-level positions in a corporate setting. As a manager, I was expected to be a strategic thinker, a visionary, and a leader."
Some others may be more hesitant to shell out the big bucks if being a leader or manager is not the career path they wish to explore. Joe Holden, a 2002 alum, is currently working as a
news reporter at a NBC affiliate station in Scranton. He said, "I did not go to grad school because it was nc,tnecessary. Grad school would have been a waste of my time. My job is strictly based on experience in the street and in the trenches."
According to the Senior Survey in 2003, six months after graduation seven percent of Cabrini's graduates were attending full time graduate programs and three and a half percent were attending part-time graduate programs. fu 2004, 10 percent were attending full time programs and three percent were attending parttime programs.
"Many undergraduates have never known academic failure; most have never faced a serious intellectual challenge. They have received a steady stream of praise from teachers their entire conscious lives. There are few ways for students to know whether they are really competitive, given that so many of them receive such high grades for such mediocre work. How do you finally say to your advisee, 'Even though you have a 3.9 GPA and everyone here thinks you are wonderful, I don't think you should go to graduate school if your aim is to become a professor. It's just not that easy,"' said Thomas Benton, a writer for the Chronicle of Higher Education.
Last year, the total number of
advertised jobs for college English professors dropped from 983 to 792, and only about half of those jobs are on the tenure track. Remember that the 977 doctorates produced in 2000-2001 will have to compete with hundreds of job-seekers from previous years. With all the negativity that can be associated with grad school, it is astounding that so many Cabrini students dove directly into
obtaining their master's degree. Jill Hindman, a 2002 alum, is currently working as a media relations manager at GMAC. She was fortunate to have her first employer, Unisys, pay for her graduate school tuition at La Salle University shortly after her graduation at Cabrini. "I would like to think that when I apply for GRAD SCHOOL, page 3
Studentsfindreliefthroughsleepingpills
NIKKI SABELLA A&EEDITOR
Ns722@CABRINI.EDU
Sleep-deprived Americans are consuming sleeping pills more now then ever before. While patients, including students with experience, avoid them for fear of side effects; professionals contradictorily feel they don't pose a threat.
According the New York Times, there were over 42 million sleep aids prescribed in 2005, which was up nearly 60 percent from the year 2000. And according to the McKinley Health Center of the University of Illinois, two thirds of college students surveyed had occasional sleep disturbances and only 11 percent of those surveyed felt they had quality sleep habits.
Finnegan started having "more nightmares than ever before." She would hallucinate and see things in the middle of the night and she spoke in her sleep. After being on Lunesta for a little over a month, Finnegan's mother warned her to stop taking the pills from reports she read of the side effects.
Lunesta's website states that some side effects include changes in behavior and thinking. Some of these effects are more outgoing or aggressive behavior than normal, confusion, strange behavior, agitation, hallucinations, worsening of depression and suicidal thoughts, to name a few. However, the site also mentions that these side effects are not common.
SLEEPING, page 3
A&E
The band Split Decision PAGES Radnor, Pa.
The 0 • u1tur Cabrini College's Student Newspaper www.theLoquitur.com Friday, May S, 2006 Features Must have gadgets PAGES Vol XLVII, Issue 24
0.0.NSQUIRE/PHOTO EDITOR The graduate and professional studies program at Cabrini offers help for those wanting to attend
school.
graduate
OAN SQUIRE/PHOTOEDITOR Melatonin, a dietary supplement, is also used to help people sleep at night According the New York Times, there were over 42 million sleep aids prescribed in 2005.
be able to
and communica-
"I hope I'll
sleep again," Amanda Finnegan, sophomore English
tion major said. Finnegan described her experience of being on prescription sleeping pills as "terrible." Her neurologist had prescribed Lunesta because Finnegan had troubles sleeping from
temporomandibular joint syndrome and also her roommate's snoring. She said her doctor told her it was the safest drug on the market and had the least risk for dependency, without telling her of the other side effects. Soon after taking Lunesta,
'.Endof the year crunch brings _anxiety and unanswered questions
•With the close of another school year only a week and a half away, students are starting to tie up all the loose ends from a tedious and tiring semester. Even though everyone is itching to hit the beaches to get some color or start earning back the money they blew all year, it's hard to ignore the haunting pile of papers and projects overshadowing their dreams of summer fun.
For some, the end of the semester means big payoffs. Students are seeing the fruits of their labor in scholarships awarded and department honors being handed out. For these elite few, finals week is just a walk in the park.
As for others, finals week is a frantic rush to pull up that marginal grade. To those, it's known as "hell week."
With this week comes a heaping serving of stress and anxiety. Students are experts at finding ways to temporarily escape from the extremely difficult week. There are those who celebrate before their final even starts, by over indulging themselves in their drink of choice and procrastinating until the morning of the exam. The line at Jazzman's is always exceptionally long as some students get their caffeine fix to pull an all-nighter.
For another unlucky bunch, the stress doesn't stop when they close the books for the night. It follows them right to bed. This results in having to pop a couple Tylenol PM or some other sleep aid after endless hours of tossing and turning; anything to escape the oveIWhelmingpressure of success.
But, for one group of Cabrini students, these last few days are the culmination of their entire college career. Seniors are looking back at the goals they have accomplished and life skills they have acquired. On May 21, Cabrini will release the class of 2006 into the so-called "real world," but some are still facing major decisions about what to do with their degrees.
In corporate America and in the education field, some Cabrini alum suggest that continuing higher education immediately after college is the best road to take and graduates will reap endless benefits in their future careers.
With the ever-rising costs of tuition, especially at Cabrini, sometimes the decision becomes a little clearer. Graduates are finding it difficult to come up with the big bucks for graduate school after feeling the break at the bank from their undergraduate education. But, a masters degree or not, everyone finds their own way in their own time.
Whether it's the stress of final exams or life changing decisions, students everywhere on campus are feeling the crunch.
The Loquitur wishes the class of 2006 the best of luck with all their future endeavors and to the rest of the campus community, a happy, healthy and relaxing summer.
Scholarshipawardedtojournalismstudent
KATHERJNEBRACHELLI NEWS EDITOR KB727@CABRINI .EDU
The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia awarded five scholarships to undergraduate students studying radio, journalism, TV and film production, and Laura Van De Pette, a junior majoring in English and communication, was one of the recipients to receive the award.
Van De Pette, along with four students from other area collegesLaSalle University, Rowan University, Temple University and the University ofDelawarereceived a $1500 scholarship at a luncheon held by the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia on Wednesday, April 19.
Van De Pette said, ~It feels so surreal to have such an amazing media organization pay you for doing what you love."
The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia is a non-profit based organization. .Its members include people who have been associated with broadcast/communications for 10 years or more. Its members include station owners and executives, management, talent, sales, engineering, ad agency personnel and many others in all levels of broadcasting and communications. The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia aim to learn the latest in industry trends and promote broadcastrelated causes, including support for the highest standards of broadcasting.
The luncheon where scholarship recipients were recognized
was held at the Bala Country Club where they gave the scholarship winners their checks.
Caroline Foy Welch, vice president of programming for WPVI, 6ABC, was the keynote speak.er for the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia nineteenth luncheon.
just goes to show that this college is really doing extraordinary things in the English and communication department."
Van De Pette, of Sicklerville, NJ., is a student ambassador, a member of Delta Epsilon Sigma, the National Scholastic Honor society, has also written for Woodcrest Magazine and was news editor of the Loquitur.
Van De Pette also said, "The scholarship meant a great deal to me because I was recognized by such huge media pioneers and that feels awesome because I can only hope that I contribute a fraction of what they did to the broadcast industry. I didn't even feel worthy to stand in the same room as some of those ground breaking broadcasters and when it came time to meet them I was really in awe at how willing they were to help me find my niche."
DAN SQ,..w/PHOTO EDITOR
Laura Van Be Pette, a junior majoring in English and communication, was one of many recipients to receive a $1500 scholarship from the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia.
Van De Pette said, "I was never given a check that big, it was so great. It was fun to talk with the other winners to see what they are doing and what direction they are heading. The surprising thing was all the winners came from huge universities, University of Delaware, Temple, La Salle and everyone seemed pretty surprised to have a student from tiny Cabrini there. But it
2005-2006 Loquitur Staff
Van De Pette hopes to work for a Philadelphia-based magazine where she wants the opportunity tell someone's story through her own words.
Van De Pette said, "There is nothing more rewarding than that. It is such a fun and compelling kind of writing that I think I could really be good at."
Loquitur welcomes your comments on this story. Please send your comments to: Loquitur@yahoogroups.com
will review your points each week and make corrections if warranted.
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The Loquitur is Cabrini's College weekly,student-nm,campus newspaper. It is widelyrespected as the voice of students, staff, faculty, alwnni and many others outside the Cabrini community. The Loquirur has earned its position by advocating for self expression through freedom of speech, and by serving as an outlet for readers to affectcbange
21NEWS EDITORIAL
www.theloguitur.com Friday, May 5, 2006
editors
Editorin Chief Managing Editor Copy Editor News Editor News Editor A&EEditor A& EEditor FeaturesEditor PerspectivesEditor Sports Editor SportsEditor PhotographyEditor WebEditor EventsEditor WritingCoach Adviser Amanda Finnegan Elizabeth Brachelli Stacey Turnbull Katherine Brachelli Brittany Liberatore MattDonato Nicoletta Sabella Ashley Randazzo Daina Havens Jason Radka PatriciaSheehan Dan Squire Shane Evans Yadira Toledo MeghanHurley Dr. JeromeZurek Staff Writers LaurenAiken AndrewMatysik Diana Ashjian JillianMilam TunomukwathiAsino MichelleMoran Christine Blom Amanda Popovitch AnnMmeCha~o BrianS~ili Mma D' Alessandro Melissa Steven Brad Diamond Laura VanDe Pette ChristineErnest Ashley Weyler ShatoyaHoward Gail Ziegler Photo Staff
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on campus and off. Founded in 1959, the Loquitur has thrivedand greatly expanded its readership. The paper now has 1,674 onlille readers and 1,500 print readers on a weekly basis. Our mission is to provide readers with an opportunity to voice their opinions freely, in an environment where their voices are effectivelybeard andrespected. The Loquitur: You Speak. WeLis.ten Loquttur Is a laboratory newspaper written, edited and produced.by the studentsof COM 353, 352, 250 and 251. Sub• scription price Is $25 per year and is Included in the benefits secured by tuition and feai. Addldobal copies are $1 each. Loquitur welcomes letters to the editors. Letters to the editor are to be less than 500 words. These are usually in response to a current Issue on campus or communtty area. Guest columns are longer pieces between 600 and 800 words and abo are usually in response to a current issue on Cabrini College campus or community. Letters to the editor and guest columns 8ft printed as space permits. Submissions may be edited for length, clarity and content. Name, phone number and adctre. should be Included for verification pwposes. Personal attacks and aao.nymoussubmissions will not be printed. Letters to tbe editor and guest columns caa be submitted to loquitur@cabrini.edu or to the newsroom mailboxes In Founders Hall 264. • I 1.
Studentsweighprosandconsofgrodua1eschool
GRAD SCHOOL, page 1 jobs I will have an edge. At least I hope I will! I think the immediate benefits are that I picked up some more skills and sharpened ones I already had. I can definitely say that I apply what I learned in grad school to my job on a daily basis," said Hindman.
Dr. Mary Harris, an assistant business administration professor, said, "The benefits of graduate school are many. Receipt of a graduate degree for many companies results in an automatic increase in pay, and more importantly, more opportunities for advancement or to change career paths."
Despite the warnings Benton gives about not going to grad school. Professors at Cabrini College have a much different outlook on graduate school. Dr. Phyllis Rumpp, an education professor, said, "It is most definitely necessary to attend grad school if you are an education major. In some school districts, you will not be hired without signing an agreement to achieve a graduate degree within a certain time limit, perhaps 3 years. In addition, most school districts in the public school systems do have tuition reimbursement. Most districts pay 80 percent of tuition as long as the courses apply to the subject you teach or may teach."
Jennine Picini, assistant director of the co-op and career services office, said, "The best advice I can give students who are considering graduate school is if you are not completely certain what you want to study then you should not go directly after graduation."
"In business, graduate school is much more applied in nature, and students will not benefit from it if they have not had real work experience. I also recommend that business students wait and see what post graduate degrees or certifications are the most appropriate in their chosen field," siud Harris.
Dr. Kimberly Boyd, an associate professor of biology, said, "Grad school is 100 percent dependant on the student's career goals. With a bachelor's degree you are very limited to what you can do and have a limited chance for advancement. The doctorate is key in the biological field. To teach or run your own research Jab and experiments a doctorate is essential, a master's degree really will not provide many more options."
While the cost of a master's degree can do extreme damage to your bank account, a doctorate degree can destroy it, But ~oyd said, "It is very possible to find a company to pay for your Master's degree but as for your doctorate, no company will pay for you to
leave work for five ~o seven years. However, grants and colleges will most definitely pay for the doctorate because they want· you to produce research. There is absolutely no reason to pay for your doctorate. Through government grants I received a quarter of a million dollars to pay for everything I needed while I was earning my doctorate."
Harris said, "Most jobs in the business field will pay for graduate school as long as it is related to the job. There is no reason why anyone in the business field should have to pay for graduate school."
Francis said, "I don't recommend anyone attend grad school without first thinking it through and determining whether or not it will enable them to achieve their career goals."
Pete Schulster, a 2005 alum and Cabrini admissions counselor, said, "I would have gone to graduate school whether or not Cabrini paid for my tuition. In my field, education, it is necessary. Without my master's degree in education I might never achieve my goals. This was something I had to do."
"I do not know of any television station, newspaper or broadcast group that would ever foot a graduate school tuition bill for one of their employees. But then again I would say anyone major-
Hindman
Loquitur welcomes your comments on this story. Please send your comments to: Loquitur@yahoogroups.com
The editors will review your points each week and make corrections if warranted.
Sleepingpillsproduceharmfulsideeff,icts
SLEEPING, page 1
"I knew I had to take one just to sleep," Finnegan said.
Finnegan began to see more side effects and signs of dependency of the drug once she got off of it. She would not only have nightmares and hallucinations, but was now an insomniac and would have night sweats. She thinks that more college students are taking over-the-counter forms of sleeping aids and doctors are more willing to prescribe sleeping pills too.
The use of prescription sleeping pills among people between the ages 20 to 44 has doubled from the year 2000 to 2004 according to the McKinley Health Center.
Some experts feel that because of the hectic environment that people are surrounded by day in and day out, over stimulation and sleep substitution cases of insomnia occur.
"Television is a big culprit, Internet is a big culprit. I just think that a lot more stimulus is going on in their environment and it's keeping them up at night," Dr. Pamela Tedesco, a doctor of osteopathy, said. Tedesco thinks that people have a lot of stressors that keep them up at night, preventing them from getting the recommended 8 hours
said many people work many hours at work and come home to maintain a household, then stay up to work on a project, which does not leave enough time for a full night's rest, therefore causing insomnia. Tedesco feels that environmental school stressors like staying up with friends or finishing schoolwork late at night cause students to have sleep disorders as well. Sleep aids are helpful mentally and physically she said.
"I think sleep deprivation is a problem that needs to be addressed," Tedesco said.
Kristen Catalanotto, a senior English and communication major, tried to avoid what Finnegan went through. Catalanotto started taking Tylenol PM, a popular over-the-counter sleeping aid, because of trouble sleeping from losing her home to hurricane Katrina. "That was actually the only thing that I was looking forward to during the day, sleeping," Catalanotto said.
Shortly after, she made a conscious decision to stop taking them for fear of getting addicted.
Catalanotto said, "I figured that I would rather toss and tum for a few days than get addicted to them and spend years on them."
She said that once she took her mind off of the hurricane, she kept busy and found falling
Manystudents rely on products such as Tylenol PM to help them sleep at night.
Even though some patients are skeptical, some doctors still think sleeping aids are helpful.
Dr. Burton Marks, a doctor of osteopathy at University Services Sleep Center in West Chester, Pa., said, "There are people with sleep problems because of lifestyle issues and they shouldn't be taking the medicines, they should be changing their lifestyles."
Marks thinks that taking the pills are not the problem, but who takes them is. He said that those who are on sleeping pills should be reliable and make sure that
time to commit to sleep. Marks mentioned that people with prior issues of dependent personalities or problems with sleepwalking should stay away from them altogether.
In Marks'personal experience at the sleep center, he has not seen a rise in college students request for sleep aids, but thinks that it may be a problem because, "they don't give themselves enough opportunity to sleep."
"Lunesta is very safe, it's not habit forming and it was the first sleeping medicine that was approved for long-term use, it's
very safe," Marks said. He mentioned that all new sleep aids are safer than the older medicines.
Registered nurse Cindy Charles felt that the prescription of sleeping aids is more acceptable and more doctors are freely doing it.
"I don't think it's really good for people to get dependant on sleeping pills. But sometimes you need them. Sleep deprivation is sometimes worse than being dependant on the pills," Charles said. She also said that sleeping aids were okay for short term usage and that a good alternative would be to get more exercise during the day, eating healthy and avoiding caffeine.
The Davis Drug Guide, a text that nurses refer to for drug facts, mentioned side effects of Ambien, a popular sleeping drug. The side effects include sleep gorging, sleep driving, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, physical and psychological dependence and tolerance.
Finnegan regrets taking the pills to begin with and has not told her doctor about her incidents and worries she would be prescribed something else. "I still don't sleep the same, I only get a couple hours each night," she said.
Friday, May 5, 2006 www.theloquitur.com NEWSl3
KP.T Manystudents from choose to go to graduate school. Some students decide to go to graduate school right after college while others wait a few years. ing in English and communications should think immersion rather than education. Immersion is the key to success in this field not a degree," Holden said.
not
deciding between becoming a nurse or an architect, then I would
a
said, "I did not get my feet wet for that long before enrolling in a graduate program. But I knew that I wanted to work in communications, more specifically, I knew that for the rest of my life I will always want to write, no matter what job I am doing. However, if someone is
sure what it is they want to do as a career, they might want to hold off. For example, if they are
recommend
little more exploring! ff you have a passion and know you can do it well, you can not go wrong by trying to make yourself a better, more marketable employee."
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SCHOOLS, PAGE 1
Pendelton said, "There would be three of four kids sitting the front row with their notebooks open and a pen in hand. The rest of the class sat in the back, usually huddled in circles gambling on card games. But it was like the teacher didn't see those kids. She or he would just teach directly to those three or four students in the front row."
In March, 2005, the Philadelphia Inquirer featured its annual educational report, which showed a variety of statistics that applied to either public or private high schools within Philadelphia. These findings serve as proof of the amount of disinterest in education and educational advancement.
In 2005, only 54 percent of the applicable students were taking the SAT.
Germantown High School did not show in the lowest percentile; that position was filled by South Philadelphia's Audenreid High School with a devastatingly low rate of 15 percent.
"I'm not really surprised that only 54 percent were preparing to take the SAT. I know Germantown is a school, but academics isn't really stressed. Most of the students aren't there to learn. The text books were in bad shape, teachers didn't have control of the classrooms and tests were barely given. I don't even think teachers prepared lesson plans," Pendleton said.
Part way throttgh his junior year.Pendleton was fortunate enough to receive a second chance at earning a proper education. He transferred from one of the city's worst high schools to one of the highest ranked public high schools within the city of Philadelphia, Bodine High School for International Affairs. Within the Philadelphia Public School System there is a distinguished group of schools which are often times referred to as magnet schools. These schools, though they are within the context of the public school system, are not restricted to residents of a particular area; instead, enrollment in these schools is based upon an application process. Students must be accepted in order to attend; due to the academic standards established by most of these schools, academic excellence is commonplace typically making them the highest ranked public high schools in the city.
For Eric, Bodine High School not ohly offered a change of scenery, it also offered him a change of attitude.
"At Germantown it wasn't
Fungus foundby contactlens wearers
NIKKI SABELLA A&EEDITOR
Ns722@CABRINI.EOU
Bausch & Lomb Inc., United States soft-contact-product maker, is in the line of fire of a potential class-action lawsuit from probable correlation between their contact solution and serious eye infections.
cool to learn or show interest in learning. But at Bodine everyone shared that interest. The teachers actually cared about teaching; it showed in the way they paced back and forth from the chalkboards to their podium. Teachers at Germantown usually taught from their desks."
According to information cited by the Philadelphia Inquirer, Bodine High School had one of the highest percentages of students taking the SATs in the city. In regards to the number of ~igible students who were preparing to take the SAT in 2005, Bodine showed a percentile of 98.
Eric said, "While I was at Germantown, I always felt like a high school diploma was the end. But, at Bodine I felt like I bad to go to college. We were always in the auditorium for some sort of SAT course. When the time came, the guidance counselor would make her rounds from classroom to classroom handing out fee waivers for the SAT."
As the statistics imply, Bodine High School for International Affairs and the other high-ranking schools have a curriculum that is geared towards educational advancement. The percentages of students taking the SAT are greater because the notion of higher education is being enforced, whether it may be at a vocational institute, a small liberal arts college or a state funded university.
The academic rankings of Philadelphia's most esteemed public high schools appear to be, according to Philadelphia Inquirer, only in competition with those
of private high schools. Like residents in other cities and townships, adolescents are not resigned to attending public schools, whether they may be the typical neighborhood high school or one of the more academically distinguished magnet schools. There are options.
In fact, there are a number of privately funded , institutions throughout the city. These private schools are just as exclusive as the magnet schools of the Philadelphia School District. Though there is no application process, for most of these private schools, there is a fee.
Jessica Carrion, a sophomore nursing major at Temple University, spent 13 years of her academic career as a student of private Catholic institutions, eventually graduating from South Philadelphia's St. Maria Goretti High School for Girls; she believes that the differences between public high schools and private high schools is generally a result of the tuition fees.
Another graduate from a private high schools agrees.
Gabrielle Salas, a graduate from West Philadlephfa Catholic High School, said, "When considering the differences between private and public schools, you really have to consider that students at a private school have parents who are paying for their education. Therefore, there's a sort of obligation to learn and behave properly. Sadly, students at most public high schools are there because they have to be, not because they want to be there. I guess that's why kids at these
magnet schools do so well. They want to learn. They want be at school."
As of March, 2005, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that 83 percent of the applicable student population of St. Maria Goretti were planning on taking the SAT.It also stated that 80 percent of West Philadelphia Catholic High School's eligible students were going to take the SAT.
Carrion said, "St. Maria Goretti really stressed college a lot. I remember everyone had to meet with an adviser. In addition to offering SAT prep courses, there were days when class sessions were dedicated to SAT preparation."
Though private schooling does not guarantee a better education than public schools, the facts illustrated by the Philadelphia Inquirer certainly favor private institutions. For example, the lowest percentile of students preparing to take the SAT for private schools was 73 in sharp contrast to 15 percent at a public high school. With the few exceptional public high schools aside, Philadelphia public high schools are desperately in need of an awakening.
Pendleton said, "From my experience, neighborhood high schools are sad places to learn and it's not always clear cut. There are not a few students who want to learn and a majority who don't. There are many who are just lost in the middle how I was. All they need is the right type of environment, but unfortunately most of them aren't as lucky as I was to have gotten that second chance. I probably wouldn't be at Cabrini College had I not switched high schools."
Loquitur welcomes your comments on this story. Please send your comments to: Loquitur@yahoogroups.com
The editors will review your points each week and make corrections if wa"anted.
The company halted shipments of their newest contact solution ReNu with MoistureLoc on April 10 after the Food and Drug Administration and Center for Disease Control began investigations. According to www.renulawsuit.com, there were 109 cases of fungal keratitis infections from June 2005 to March 2006. Twenty-six out of the 28 cases who wore contacts used ReNu with MoistureLoc. On the website hosted by Parker & Waichman, LLP, a New Yort law firm specializing in lawsuits to do with defected medical products, offer free case evaluations and invite I those with infections to speak up.
"It makes me feel wary, but I try to take care of my contacts by disinfecting them to prevent this fungus," Erik Parrillo, a junior marketing major, said.
Fusarium keratitis is the infection or inflammation of the cornea from the entrance of fusarium, a fungus found in everyday environment. The infection could lead to blindness. According to Bausch & Lomb's website symptoms of fusarium keratitis include redness, pain, increased light sensitivity, blurry vision, discharge and swelling. It also says to immediately consult a professional in case any symptoms occur.
The infection has been found in 17 states around the U.S. It has also been recognized in Singapore and Hong Kong. According to YahooNews, ReNu multi-purpose solutions sales have stopped in those areas.
"Your eyes are one of the most important parts of your body; if someone ends up going blind because of this solution then l hope they'd take action," Lauren Edwards, a junior marketing major, said.
On Bausch & Lomb's site they stated that when reports of infection surfaced, they instantly inspected their plant for problems and found that therebas not been word yet on whether or not the case will be a class action or numerous individualcases, according to YabooNews.
41NEWS www.theloquitur.com
o,t,N sq.JIA£/l'HOTOEDITO~
JoeCoyle, associate director of admissions, interviews many students from the Philadelphia area that show interest on coming to Cabrini.
TIiis Cr1•1ts ••• lave Transferable Credits. Affordable Tu_ition,Distance Education. Classesmeet Mondays10Thu11daysfor sevenweeks. S.nioH Mti• May15.Juaa 5, J1ly It. 17111Spn,ieGan!e11S11t11t J =~ 215--75f.at'IO • -.cq,.edu Philadelphia
Friday, May 5, 2006
FairtradeissuesraisedinJazzman'sCafe
MEGHAN HURLEY STAFF WRITER MLH722@CABRINI.EDU
Fair trade, fair labor practices and conflict commodities. These are just a few social justice issues that the world is currently dealing with.
Respect, dedication to excellence, community and vision. These are the four core values of Cabrini. College and the four main reasons that the campus community needs to be concerned with those issues. Coffee, timber, diamonds, clothing, water and produce are all examples of products that are being exploited.
"This is a complex issue, [conflict commodities], and it's connected to so many other. It may seem overwhelming, but our Catholic and Cabrinian mission impel us to look at how we might make an impact," Margaret FoxTully, vice president of mission integration, said.
Coffee is a valued commodity on any college campus. The concept of fair trade coffee is rapidly growing in popularity, especially among the younger generations. Fair trade certified involves fair wages for farmers along with "cooperative workplaces, consumer education, environmental sustainability and financial and technical support," according to the Fair Trade Federation..
Recently, Jazzman's Cafe has switched to exclusively serv,ing Rainforest Alliance certified coffee, which is different than Fair Trade certified coffee. Rainforest Alliance certification is available to coffee farmers who meet criteria that are meant to preserve and protect the environment as well as protect the rights of the farmer, according to their website.
The main difference between the two certifications is that fair trade certification guarantees a fair wage for farmers and Rainforest Alliance does not, their wages fluctuate with the market price. Heidi Huffnagle, the retail manager of Cabrini's Jazzman's, feels that both have respectable goals and seem similar in many of their concepts.
"We teach our employees about the coffee from the tree to the cup. It is a grueling brutal process to get even one coffee bean so I feel good that we are
lmmigJation billwantsto stopillegal immigrants
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does not have fair trade coffee. taking care of the farmers by using the Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee," Huffnagle said.
All the coffee in Jazzman's is Rainforest Alliance certified, but each blend is not 100 percent certified. In order to receive a certification from Rainforest Alliance, the coffee blend has to contain a minimum of 30 percent of the Rainforest Alliance coffee. Only one blend from Jazzman's is made with 100 percent Rainforest Alliance coffee. Should the school be concerned with fair trade and fair labor practices? Do students care about any of these issues?
Colleen Small, a junior marketing major, thinks that they should, especially since college students are the next generation and have one of the largest disposable incomes.
"I think college students should care about it, definitely, because if not us, then who?
With a school like Cabrini, that is rooted in community service, the education of the heart and with its core values, this should definitely be an issue," Small said.
The Follett Higher Education Group, the company that runs the campus bookstore, make all their vendors sign contracts that state that their products were made according to fair labor practices. According to their "Commitment to Fairness" contract, Follett makes each vendor renew their
contract annually and hires an independent worldwide accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers, to audit these vendors and make sure they are adhering to the contract.
"Every single item in the store is from approved vendors only. We are not going to use unfair labor contracts," Michele Kennedy, manager of the bookstore, said.
Timber and diamonds are known as conflict commodities. Conflict commodities are "goods exploited to sustain armed conflict and produced or brought to market by anarchic exploitation, criminalized transactions, and militarized production," according to a report released by the Program for International Cooperation and Conflict Resolution.
Diamonds that are being exported to other countries for jewelry are being mined in Africa and the money from the sale is going to support rebel movements in African countries, according to the same report.
Countries like Indonesia, Liberia and Cambodia are selling the rights to take their timber to certain allies in return for military assistance, according to a report released by the European based International Security Information Service.
Other students are not as motivated to take action, or they simply can't find the time. Michael Pio, a sophomore elementary education major, felt that with such busy schedules, exams, internships and jobs, college students don't have the time to be concerned with these issues.
"I wouldn't think about it until someone said something about it. There's so much going on that this is the last thing on our minds," Pio said.
For others, this and other issues are always on their minds.
"One of the most important tools is educating ourselves and our community so that we can make daily decisions in an informed way," Fox-Tully said.
Loquitur welcomes your comments on this"story. Please send
Thousands left work and school Monday, May 1 in order to protest a new immigration bill; which is currently stalled in the Senate. If passed the bill would make illegal immigrants felons and it would also put new walls on 700 miles of the 2,000-mile border.
From New York to Los Angeles, crowds of immigrants swarmed the streets in opposition to this shaky bill.
Companies all over the country felt the loss of these workers. One man interviewed by CNN said that he was likely to lose $12,000, just from that one day. Schools in the cities that participated also reported a high munber of absences.
Human sex traflick.ersarrested
On Monday, federal agents arrested 66 people in relation to human trafficking. They are suspected of smuggling Mexicans into the United States, and they may have even forced the women into prostitution.
Officers of the U.S. Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement invaded 15 locations in New YorJ.c..This all took place after New Jersey State Police stopped two vehicles containing at least 10 women who worked in brothels throughout Maryland, WashingtonD.C. and Virginia, Kyle Hutchins, special agent in charge of the Bureau's Newark office, said.
Anna Nicole wins Supreme Court case
After an 11-yearbattle with the court system, Anna Nicole Smith finally earned a victory in sights ofobtaining a portion of her late husband's $88 million estate. This $88 million is just a morsel of the over $1 billion that J. Howard Marshall is worth.
And that is exactly what Smith is after. She is using this chunk of change in her attempt to take as much'of the fortune from MarshaU•sson as possible.
The two have been in this battle since 1994. and an end doesn't appear in sight.
Hindus shot dead in Kashmir
Supposed-Islamicmilitants killed 35 Hindus in Kashmir last weekend int what is now called, "the bloodiest raid in the Indian-controlled section of the divided region since a 2003 ceasefire with Pakistan;' according to Timesonline.com.
Twenty-two of the 35 were killed in the village of Thava, while the others were Shepherds seized in the Uphampur district. Survivors from the village alerted a nearby anny camp, but the militants were gone by the time they returned.
These horrific crimes came a few days before Kashmiri separatists were to meet with Manmohan Singh, the Indian Prime Minister. India has accused Singh of backing such militants in the past, but he denied all allegations.
Friday, May 5, 2006 www.theloquitur.com
DAN SQUIR.E/PHOTO EDITOR
seen above, many brands of coffee are now fair trade, however Jazzman's Cafe
DANSQUIRE/PHOTOEDITOR your comments to: Not all coffee from Jazzman's cafe Is fair trade. Loquitur@googlegroups.com NEWSl5
MA'.ITDONATO A&EEorroR Mco724@CABRINI.EDU
Life's-1.essonslearned
! A graduating senior shares the accumulation of life's little fessons that she has learned throughout her entire school career.
ASHLEYWEYLER STAFFWIUTER ARW723@CABIUNI.EOU
In just a few short weeks, I ' will say goodbye to this fine institution. Not only wilt I be saying goodbye to Cabrini, I will be saying goodbye to Ashley "The Student" and saying hello to Ashley ''The RealPerson."
So as my final send-off, I would like to share with you some of the things I have learned over the past 18 years of my education beyond the books.
In nursery school, I learned the hard way that having the last name "Weyler" always meant that I was last in line. Long story short, everyone in my class was allowed to bring home our classroom rabbit for a weekend. Tums, of course, went in alphabetical order. I was last. Let's just say the poor little bunny had an untimely death the weekend before my tum. It wasn't until high school when I learned to appreciate my last name,
because I had the most fun and interesting homeroom at Prendie! In college, I really learned to appreciate it because if I was a few minutes late for class and walked in during -role, I never missed my name. Sudden~ ly, being last in line wasn't that bad.
In kindergarten, I learned that telling the truth is always the way to go. My teacher hid paper letters around the classroom which we all had to go and find. The kid who found the most won a cookie. When I and a fellow classmate found a letter at the same time, we ripped it in half. Instead of taking it, we left it there. Of course my teacher found it and asked who ripped it. While the other girl didn't budge, I raised my hand and said I did it. My teacher gave me a cookie, too, for telling the truth.
In grade school, I learned that I am an over-achiever. I can't pick just one thing and be satisfied. Throughout those eight years, I tried a little bit of everything. I went to dance school, I was a girl scout, I was a cheerleader, I played volleyball, softball, basketball and ran track. I was in my school's summer theater program and participated in Upper Darby's summer stage. I was on Student Council. I also was on the swim team and diving team at my swim club. I did all
these activities for at least three years each. Some of these activities I stiU participate in. I know that if l hadn't tried everything. I would never have found out what my talents are. With that, I have learned that you should stay active and always try something new.
In high school, I learned that girls are so catty, that sometimes I am ashamed to be one. I can't tell you how many times I stopped speaking to my best friend over a boy. Oh, the backstabbing, talking behind people's backs, name calling over something as stupid as a boy. All you Catholic, all-girl-school alums can sympathize with me, I'm sure. I learned in the end, boys are really not worth losing a friend over. I also learned that you should start looking for colleges junior year of high school so that you can avoid changing your mind April of your senior year when you are already enrolled at a college, and breaking your parents' hearts.
During college, I have learned that while filling out your roommate form, be very specific, or you will be stuck with some psycho who walks around your dorm room in her bra and panties with your best male friend who you are secretly in love with in it. Believe me, there were many much worse incidents.
I learned that mixing beer with$botson your 21st and 22nd earned you a trip to the J>Ol'CO~•bus.
I learned that you shouldn't look for love, but be patient. Love will show up at your dorm room at 9 a.m. during finals week with a dozen red roses. With that, I have learned that you will find love in the most unexpected people.
I have learned that your true friends will stick by you no matter where you go or what you do in life. They will stick by you through breakdowns and breakups, drunken stupors and embarrassments. They will drive down from school two hours just to come and drive you home for your 21st birthday. They will sit in a Dunkin' Donuts parking lot at three in the morning and listen to you cry. They will not judge you if you make bad decision and not say "I told ya so!" when those bad decisions come back and bite you in the butt.
I have learned that my parents are my heroes and that they are living their dreams through me.
Some of this may have been common sense and some may have been new to you. As Ferris Bueller once said, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop once in awhile, you could miss it." So don't miss a thing!
Soaringgas pricespose in-pocketproblemsat the pump
ERIN SCHELL GUEST WRITER ERINNSCHELL@GMAIL.COM
The $60 it costs to fill up a car's tank today could have gone a lot further in years past. In 1966 it would have bought 60 gallons of milk, 167 gallons of gas in 1976, 273 stamps in 1986 and 45 dozen eggs in 1996.
''There can be no more compelling evidence that the price gouging and market manipulation which has produced record oil prices is out of control, and is working to serve the forces of individual greed and corporate gluttony at the painful expense of millions of American consumers," stated an outraged Senator recently. The Senator is not the only one feeling helpless and disgusted at the steadily increasing price of gas. Even some smaller gas stations are boycotting the high mark-ups by not selling gas at all. One private gas station owner explained that while he has never been told that he can't purchase gas or that there is a shortage of gas, he is paying 40 cents more per gallon than the chain distributors.
A recent CNN poll showed that 69% of American families feel that the increasing gas prices are causing them personal hardship. "Recent government and industry data show that America's consumption of gasoline is
not rising as rapidly as it was this time last year, and analysts say families living on fixed or modest incomes usually are the first to cut back. If prices continue to rise, other demographic
who are finally starting to take notice to the possible price gauging are telling Americans that the record high prices are directly related to Big Oil's record high groups expected to trim their gasoline consumption are young adults, who tend to have less pocket change than their elders," stated an article on CNN.com. For those on fixed incomes or in the lower quintile, paying over $3 for gas is just not an option.
That's where mass transit comes into play. While it may not be the most luxurious way to travel, it does save a pretty penny on gas. Mass transit may be just what the economy needs. With the money that is saved on gas, spending in other areas such as dining, houses, automobiles and general expenditures can increase.
While there might be some quick answers for
why prices have increased, such as Hurricane Katrina, the turmoil globally and the shortage of Ethanol, extracting oil at $20 a barrel and then selling it at $70 a barrel is just hard to explain using simple su~ ply and demand. The politicians
profits. Last year, the oil companies saw a profit of $111 billion, according to MSNBC news. Although President Bush is calling for reforms and throwint billion dollar incentives at the oil companies hoping to cauterize
the increasing gas prices, taking in a lower profit would be unacceptable to oil shareholders.
actually do to affect gas prices.
With as many as 30 separate investigations into oil company price gauging showing no signs of foul play, the prices can continue to shoot skyward. Still, political leaders are not letting oil companies off the hook. "Anyone who is trying to take advantage of this situation while American families are forced into making tough choices over whether to fill up their cars or severely cut back their budgets, should be investigated and prosecuted," House Speaker Dennis Hastert, and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, wrote in a letter to President Bush.
Unfortunately, there is little that the President or Congress can KRT
Cutting back gas prices in the immediate future may be on the minds of all Americans. If alternative measures are not taken soon, it could be detrimental to many related industries.
There was a profit dip experienced by many automobile dealers after the hurricanes last summer. If Americans can no longer
afford to put gas into their cars, will gas powered cars become obsolete? If so, alternative powered cars like hybrids or lithium powered cars may be the cars of tomorrow. Either way, it is something that should be looked into now instead of waiting until gas reaches $6 a gallon. Until that day comes, there are some small things that can save money right now. According to MSNBC Automotive, decreasing your speed from 65 to 55 can save 25% on fuel. Also, reducing the amount of weight in your car as well as on your car's roof rack can save about 2 to 3%. One analyst even suggested that if everyone would drive just 3% less, gas prices would come down. Still, Americans aren't ready to hang up their car keys permanently yet. But if gas prices continue to rise,..Americans may have to rethink their consumption habits and dust off that old bike in the garage.
6 I PERSPECTIVES www.theloquitur.com Friday, May 5, 2006
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Sudan: suffering in global silence
them are inaccessible because of continued violence in the areas where they are located. Meanwhile, the U.N. continues to battle the Sudanese government, local rebels and harsh environmental conditions to get what little food and supplies they can to those in need.
Right now in the northeast corner of Africa in a medium sized country called Sudan there could be hundreds of people dying. Some of violence, others of malnutrition and disease. A 2004 State Department report called the situation in the Sudan “the worst humanitarian and human rights crisis in the world today.”
The ruling Arab Muslims in the Darfur region of Sudan embarked on a mission in 2003 to ethnically cleanse their country of non-Muslim Africans. Government supported militias known as “Janjaweed” terrorize non-Muslims, and those who are not killed are forced into refugee camps. However, the standard of living in these camps is far from respectable. Many in the camps die from malnourishment and disease. There are 129 refugee camps in Sudan however, 31 of
This is not the first crisis of this nature to occur on the international stage. In the early 1990’s, feuding warlords in Somalia were leaving thousands starving. U.S. forces stepped in to ensure food provided by the U.N. and got to those who needed it. Later in 1994, when Slobodan Milosevic and his Serbian forces were slaughtering thousands of Muslims in Bosnia, the U.S. stepped in as a large part of the U.N. Protection Force to ensure that the fighting stopped and that a peace was brokered.
In these situations, the U.S. did not hesitate to participate and even promote assisting these countries. So why does Sudan seem to have fallen by the wayside? Both the U.S. and U.N., while pleading acknowledgement of the situation, seem to have made little effort in seeking a solution to it. Food supplies and medical aid are short-term solutions to a long-term conflict. Food and supplies do not stop
Media coverage in developing countries
developing countries. And most people simply believe what they read or watch on television without questioning.
outright killing and rape. They do not fix a government in denial of these problems. They do not stop the displacement of thousands of Sudanese Africans to refugee camps.
In an international stage dominated by the war in Iraq, the more humanitarian tendencies of the U.S. fighting force seem to have gotten lost in the shuffle.
The answer is simple: Money and troops do not appear out of thin air. Whether it is for oil or democracy, the troops and money are needed in Iraq. However, the question must be posed: What if there was no war in Iraq? Would the landscape of conflict in Sudan look different? What if half the media coverage devoted to the war in Iraq on a daily basis
went to the conflict in Sudan? Would the American people look at it in a different way? My personal answer is, yes. However, with little more than a mention here and an emotional article there, this human rights disaster seems doomed to quietly wait out seemingly more significant conflicts in quiet desperation.
Events spark campus change
LAUREN AIKEN LMA722@CABRINI EDU STAFFWRITER
TUNOMUKWATHIASINO STAFF REPORTER
TA725@CABRINI EDU
I am at a point where I have decided that I will not read newspapers anymore. Most papers only tend to represent the voices of the masses. How will I then keep up with current events? Easy, I will get second hand information.
The above might be risky; getting second hand information from someone is not a good thing. I am just furious with some angles that journalists take when it comes to so called third world countries.
Developing countries get bad publicity from the media in the western hemisphere or the first world if you prefer. The media in developing countries tends to idolize countries in the western hemisphere.
It’s not a secret that most developing countries are very poor and that their many are suffering. However, I feel that people tend to neglect good things about
Take the example of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s visit to Namibia. This is not a very rich country, but it’s not poverty stricken either The couples’visit to the country attracted media attention, but that attention was needed more desperately in other areas..
The issue of malaria popped up, as well as the location. The location, Swakopmund,Namibia’ s resort town was also questioned. Swakopmund being near a desert, was labeled as not being a very good place for a Hollywood star
A country should not be praised because a celebrity is visiting. I am all for objective journalism. I just feel that journalists in the western hemisphere do not care about get all the accurate information.
Developing countries are getting bad publicity. Countries in the western countries are being praised as the best places to live. Which in a way is true. But there are good things about developing countries too.
If you have been on Cabrini’s Campus recently you know that there have been many strict security measures that are in effect, due to the recent incident that happened about three weeks ago. Public Safety has increased security greatly since the weekend of Spring Fling, beginning with the strictness of the “sign-in” process of residence buildings to the Radnor Police patrolling the campus daily
New rules have been put into effect recently to increase the protection of the students living on campus. Most of the complaints may come from the students that are used to having certain freedoms, and do not like the fact that it was taken from them so quickly.
If you have not noticed, Public Safety has made it mandatory for an officer to stay by the entrance of Cabrini College and let one car into the gate at a time. They do this to verify the identity of everyone in a vehicle, letting all students pass through if you have possession of a Cabrini College parking decal, and a Cabrini College student Identification Card. By doing this, they prevent any un-welcomed guests
to pass through Cabrini College through the hours of 10 P.M to 6 A.M, and even though most students have agreed that this makes them feel safer, it doesn’t guarantee that nothing else will happen on this campus. My question is what happens in between the hours that Public Safety is outside monitoring the students entering? Is anyone allowed to come into the campus? I feel that this defeats the whole purpose of everything, and just cancels out the hours that Public Safety puts in at nighttime.
Since Public Safety closes the main entrance every night, students are forced to use the Upper Gulph Road entrance. Some students disagree stating that the new rules inconvenience
many students that need to come home late due to jobs or other activities and need to go out of their way to use the other entrance.
But, sometimes you need to sacrifice individual inconvenience for the sake of a common goal and if it means that the safety of Cabrini’s students will be guaranteed, then some students can travel two minutes out of their way to the other entrance. I am not saying that it is not aggravating for all of these strict changes to bombard us at once, but I think that if students want the safe, and welcoming Cabrini College that we advertise, we need to take one step at a time to achieve this goal.
Friday, May 5, 2006 PERSPECTIVES | 7
AMANDAPOPOVITCH STAFFWRITER AVP722@CABRINI EDU
KRT
Paul Glader,from Pittsburgh,Pa.,visits the Darfur exhibit at the Spertus Museum in Chicago,Ill.The Spertus Museum is running in tandem an exhibit on Anne Frank and an exhibit of drawings by children in Sudan's western Darfur region showing the rape,murder and destruction in their villages by Sudanese armies.
DANSQUIRE/ PHOTOEDITOR
New campus policies include an increase of public safety officers in certain residents halls and a new check-point process during certain hours at a campus entrance.
Need it, want it, gadgets for college students
ASHLEY RANDAZZO FEATURES EDITOR AAR722@CABRINI EDU
From palm pilots to high tech computers, they all have one thing in common: every college student has them or wants them. Just in case the average Joe is missing out on the latest and greatest inventions, here’s a little help.
Most college students are consumed with a media montage of music, videos and pictures. Luckily, there are many ways to keep all those files organized and ready to entertain at any given moment. The new video iPod has taken the world by storm due to its availability when organizing special life events besides just music, as it was previously known to do.
Junior marketing major Caitlin Scott is the new proud parent of a video iPod and is absolutely in love with her newborn. “It’s amazing, I have about 1800 items on it and I still have more then half of the hard drive left,” she said.
The key to success in college is time management. To help with personal and academic goals, a palm pilot is the perfect addition to a college student’s hectic life. Brian McDowell, a sophomore business major, feels his palm was the best investment he ever made. “I saw my dad get apalm and it looked really cool when he was using it. I told him Iwas interested in getting one and that Christmas it was sitting under the tree.” According to
www.palm.com prices range anywhere from $99 to $299.
Other essentials for college students include the laptop or PC and a good quality printer. There are a variety of brands of computers to choose from, and there are also a handful of operating systems to go with them. Depending on what the computer and printer is used for, a higher quality, and higher budget may be nec-
phone calls to loved ones using free internet programs.Web cameras range in price from $30 to $150 and depending on which operating system on the PC or laptop is being used the higher the price for the web camera. Digital cameras are very useful now more then they ever were. Going to event and taking pictures and getting them off the computer nowadays is much eas-
Andrew Smith, a senior graphicdesign major from the University of Michigan believes that spending the extra buck was worth it for his college years. “I definitely needed a higher quality computer and printer for what I was doing in school. I now have aMacintosh notebook but that was after I had a desktop Macintosh that lasted all four years of college,” he said.
Homesickness got you down? How about a nice web camera or digital camera to make video
era was a great investment because it helped her get over her homesickness and missing her boyfriend. “It’s been really hard this year with so many different experiences. For the first time I’m out on my own, and I am really close to my family so I knew I needed to do something,” he said. Brundo also feels the web camera has helped her parents get over missing her so much too.
Discount websites drive a hard bargain
the college crowd due to the everrising cost of textbooks. The site allows users to choose from used or new and compares the best prices. Half.com also allows students to sell back their pesky pile of unwanted textbooks at the end of the semester.
Senior liberal arts major Jackie McDaniels said that she relies on Half.com for all her textbook needs. “For the amount that you use some textbooks in some classes, paying bookstore prices is ridiculous. Half.com lets me search for the best price and then sell them back when I’m done,” McDaniels said.
Bargain websites give consumers the ability to purchase anything from brand name clothing to automobiles with one click.
AMANDA FINNEGAN EDITOR IN CHEIF
AJF724@CABRINI EDU
College students are finding a way to buy and save on their favorite high priced items through the latest trend in bargain
shopping. The trend is bargain websites and students are eating up their prices. Similar to the oldfashioned thrift shops, these sites allow users to not only buy sometimes second-hand goods but also sell items for cold, hard cash.
One of the more famous bargain websites is eBay.com and its now sister website Half.com, which is strictly devoted to buying and selling items like books, movies and music. Half.com has become extremely popular with
McDaniels also said that she also has used eBay.com to sell a few items. “I had this saxophone and flute from elementary school that I decided to put on eBay. I got $270 for the sax and $200 for the flute. I’ve probably made close to $600 total by selling stuff on eBay and Half.com,” McDaniels said.
Both eBay and Half.com use a service called PayPal to ensure a secure way to pay. PayPal is a service users sign up with separately and give credit card information once. Then every time
after users buy an item, money gets taken from a checking account through PayPal. The service handles all the transactions so faulty sellers cannot get a hold of the buyers account information.
Websites like Overstock.com and Bluefly.com are committed to giving their users designer goods for less. Sites like these pride themselves on delivering current, in-season merchandise at up to 40 percent off. Freshman Kristen Carthas, an elementary education major, said that she uses Bluefly.com for some of her shopping. “I’ve found things Nordstrom that Bluefly.com has in stock for cheaper,” Carthas said.
Both McDaniels and Carthas agree that bargain websites are the way to go. “Why pay more for something when you do have to?” Carthas said “Plus, you never have to leave the comfort of your own home.”
8| FEATURES www.theloquitur.com
KRT
The Blackberrydoes anything from checking e-mail to word processing,all with a blink of an eye. KRT
The Sony PSPis a gamers dream espeically if they love Playstation already.Games can be played but also movies can be watched on it as well.
DAN SQUIRE/PHOTO EDITOR
---------------------------------------WEAT
search Adva
Luxurious to cheap,vacations to fit all budgets
Philadelphia, see the art museum, drive on Kelly Drive, walk through Fairmount Park, visit the Art Museum and visit the zoo or even the Franklin Institute. At night, go take advantage of Old City’s night clubs and bars. The next day, jump into Philadelphia’s vast history. Take a tour of Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Constitution Center and Betsy Ross’house. Go grab a bite to eat in China Town or at the Italian Market. Try something new in your home town.
Top 10 Vacation Spots Around the World
1.Kerala, India
2.
3.
4.Puerto Rico
ASHLEY WEYLER STAFF WRITER ARW723@CABRINI EDU
Tired of the ordinary vacation? Not to say Wildwood, N.J. isn’t a great time, there are just so many alternative vacation ideas for groups of friends to take this summer that may not be the obvious first choice.
Try taking a road trip across
the country. It will take about a week to get to the west coast, which gives leaves another week to get back to the east coast. With rising gas prices, this may be a bit to expensive though. If all the members of your group pitch in for gas money, it shouldn’t burn that much of a hole in the pocket. Iftraveling all the way to the west coast sounds unappealing and money is still an issue, pick a
theme. Tour all the different baseball parks up and down the east coast or spend a day in various amusement parks.
It’s staggering how many people that live in a particular city don’t even know their city. Spend aday or even a weekend downtown being a tourist. To make it seemlike a real vacation, get a hotel room in the heart of the city. If home is the suburbs of
Journey into a different country
JILLIAN MILAM STAFF WRITER JGM726@CABRINI EDU
“Would you like some peanuts?” the flight attendant asks as you fidget in your not-socomfortable airplane seat. You look out the window to try to set your mind at ease and calm your anxiety-driven thoughts about the journey you are soon to begin. After a long and tedious eighthour flight, the plane has landed, and as you walk down the narrow aisle to exit, all of the nervousness and doubt that you tried so hard to overcome has flushed back into your mind. Your hands are sweaty,your pulse is racing. You slowly walk out of the airplane and onto the land that seemed so small from the window But it’s not just any land…it’s the land of another country.
“It’s like stepping into another world,” Nina Scimenes, senior English and communications major and a graphic design minor, said. Scimenes partook in the Study Abroad program to Athens, Greece in the summer of 2005. While studying there for six weeks, she also visited a number of other exotic places, including Rome. For Scimenes, the biggest problem she encountered with being in another country was the language barrier. “If you speak Italian, they’ll treat you better. My friend spoke really broken Italian and they wouldn’t respond to her. It’s a respect thing. They would rather you try to learn their language,” she said.
Scimenes noticed many differences between American ways and the cultures of the various countries she visited.
“Wekind of had to gain their trust, because we dressed like Americans. We wore shorts, which is strange to them even though it’s hot there in Greece,” Scimenes said. “The Greeks have a lot of pride.”
Prior to departing the United States to study abroad, Scimenes and other classmates were given brochures to read about Greeks and their way of life.
“I didn’texpect to be welcomed in Greece. We read about them and so we knew ahead of time that they generalized…they didn’tlike Americans because of their politics. But it turned out I really didn’thave a lot of problems there. They know that not all Americans are the same,” she said.
While Scimenes sometimes felt like an outsider during her trip, there were often times where she was mistaken for a Greek herself. “Because I have Greek features, I was treated extremely nice sometimes. Older men at stores would say, ‘Hey, you look like my daughter, can I get you something to drink?’They take pride in their heritage and I definitely benefited from that,” she said. “It seems that this is true in alot of places…if you blend in, they treat you better. In the United States, everyone looks different. You can’t pin-point who looks American, until you go to another country.”
Maria-Olivia De Nadai Albor-
noz, a junior finance major with a concentration in international business and minor in human resources management, left Italy and came to America for an education when she was 18 years old. “I looked at my brother for an example. He came here and I saw what he was achieving…it’s like opening a new door, a new experience,” Albornoz said.
The most difficult obstacle for Albornoz proved to be getting used to the different lifestyle. While she had a main goal of succeeding in school, other students here seemed to be focused on having fun. “I came here to learn English, to do good in school. I don’twant it to be a waste of money or time,” she said. “But my second semester,Istarted to understand the lifestyle of the campus, like Thursday nights, everyone goes out to party,” she said with a smile. “I started to think that if I wanted a social life, Ineeded to start doing what these people are doing. So I did, but then I began to think that it was wrong. You shouldn’t have to change just to have a social life here at Cabrini…I realized it was not my lifestyle,” she said.
She expressed the fact that if people label others as “weird” or “different,” those individuals will most likely have a hard time getting through school socially. However, she feels that her uniqueness is what helped her gain acceptance from other students.
“I was accepted just because I was different, maybe because of my clothes, maybe my accent or
Known for its exotic and tropical nature, Punta Cana is considered a paradise and becoming one ofthe most popular new vacation destinations in the Caribbean. It issuggested to have an all-inclusive vacation so that there will be no reason to leave the resort because everything you need is right there and already paid for. Prices vary, so this takes a bit of research.
What ever the vacation, be sure to be surround by some good friends to create lasting memories.
Loquitur welcomes your comments on this story. Please send your comments to: Loquitur@yahoogroups.com. The editors will review your points each week and make corrections if warranted.
5.Door
6.
7.Caribbean
8.
9.
10.
the way I think. But after all of that, I was still the foreign student that will leave Cabrini one day.I still feel like people look at me like I’m the ‘Italian girl.’”
While her Italian background helped her get recognized on campus, Albornoz began to experience the different typecasts in America. “I feel that there are so many stereotypes here…I feel like Americans see Italian people as this…they eat this kind of food, they do this, and they do that. But no, that’s not how it is.
Italian people like to do many different things…of course Italians share the same culture so we have the same beliefs,” she said.
When looking back at her experience as a whole, Albornoz said, “People did try to make me feel comfortable, but there was a huge miscommunication with language. I couldn’t speak English at all when I first came here! At first I thought to myself, ‘ok, American people don’t have time, they’re running all the time and there’s always competition.’
So what do I have to do? I have to follow what I want to do here and take advantage of it all. I have to try to feel at home, even if I didn’tlike the culture in the beginning because I didn’tunderstand it. I knew it was my choice to come here so I should take it upon myself to learn the language, I have to do something first and that’s what I did,” she said.
“Even with all the problems to overcome, it was all positive. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy but I really wanted to try,” Albornoz said.
Albornoz said it best when she said, “In the end, we are all individuals. Nobody’s perfect, nobody can understand everything.”
Loquitur welcomes your comments on this story. Please send your comments to: Loquitur@yahoogroups.com. The editors will review your points each week and make corrections if warranted.
FEATURES |9 Friday, May 5, 2006
KRT
Vacations are a favorite past time for everyone.They all want to reach one particular goal;rest and relaxation.
Sedona, Arizona
Costa Rica
County, Wis.
Aruba
Jamaica
Mexico
Hawaii
according to www.dancewithshadows.com
List
MARIA-OLIVIA DE NADAI ALBORNOZ/SUBMITTED PHOTO
'URES----------------------------------------
Maria-Olivia De Nadai Albornoz,junior finance major,is pictured on a motorcycle in her home town in Italy.
A rts & E ntertainm ent
S Spplliit t D Deecciissiioon n r roocckks s w wiitthhoouut t h heessiittaattiioon n
CHRISTINE BLOM STAFF WRITER CBB722@CABRINI EDU
People are standing outside, dying to get in. The line is half-way around the block. They anxiously wait as they get closer and closer to the door. With their $5 bill and ID in hand, there is nothing college kids love more than drink specials on the weekend.
Correction: there is nothing college kids love more than drink specials and live music; it doesn’t matter what day of the week it is.
Brownies 23 East on Lancaster Avenue in Ardmore, Pa. is home to many college coeds from Wednesday until Saturday With numerous specials and great local cover bands playing every night, people head to Brownies in herds.
Split Decision is the most popular band that plays at Brownies.
After getting together in 1998, Walt, Ray, Doug and Christian took the Tri-state area by storm. They were later joined in 2005 by keyboard player and back-up vocalist Mike, the fifth and final band member
Split Decision plays over 250 shows a year and they play all over; from Massachusetts
work,” Doug, the drummer, added.
In 2002, they signed an endorsement with Bud Light. A year later, the guys were chosen first out of thousands of bands nation-wide to be endorsed by Budweiser True Music. There were only 100 bands chosen out of the entire country Split Decision considers this to be a huge honor.
2003 was a booming year for Split. They started breaking attendance records at all the local night clubs they were playing. They also put out their first CD, Lost and their singles could be heard all over radio waves, especially on the station formally known as Y-100.
All of the band members have been playing music since they were very young, Christian however just began singing when he was 20 years old in his first band, Throttle.
In 2004, Split Decision was nominated and won four awards at the Philly Music Awards. They won Best Bass Player (Walt), Best Guitarist (Ray), Best Lead Vocals (Christian) and Best Cover Band.
After Mike joined in 2005, the band began production on their second original album.
Split Decision has a very strict routine. No matter what venue they are playing, the guys get there an hour before show time to set up and do a sound check. After the sound check, they retreat to a quiet location to gather their thoughts, run through what songs they will be playing and try to change our sets up every so often so that we aren’t always playing the same songs,” Christian
When asked what their favorite song to play during a show was, Christian responded immediately by saying “Well, it depends. What is your favorite song?”
“No, but seriously, our favorite song to play is the next one,” Christian said.
“As long as we still get to keep playing and make sure that people are having a good time, that’s what matters.”
In a standard Split Decision show, like
the ones at Brownies, the line up will consist of songs by Bon Jovi, All American Rejects, Fall Out Boy, Sublime and Oasis. They try to play as many requests as possible that come through their e-mail request box along with playing music that inspires them.
“I grew up listening to lots of different stuff: the Beatles, the Stones, Billy Joel, U2, Van Halen, Zeppelin, etc.” Ray said.
“We just try to play stuff that is fun and will keep the crowd hyped,” Doug said.
Apparently even “Piano Man” can get the crowd all riled up when you’re at a Split Decision show.
“The craziest show we ever had was when we played at University of Scranton and people just started moshing to Billy Joel’s ‘Piano Man,’” Doug said.
Split Decision isn’t considered just to be an incredible performing group, but they are considered to be heart throbs as well. They have had their fair share of stalkers and crazy fans since the group has become popular
“This one chick wouldn’t get off the hood of my car,” Doug said. “I was like ‘If you don’t get off I’m just gonna drive away.’And she kept yelling ‘Well then, you’re just going to have to run me over because I’m not going anywhere. That had to have been the craziest thing I had ever experienced.”
Split Decision is thrilled to announce that their new CD, still untitled will be released sometime towards the end of May. It is their second original record. It will be available online and at all their shows.
“Who knows what we’ll call it,” Mike said. “Maybe we’ll be like Prince and just pick some random symbol.”
“We might just call it ‘Split Decision Greatest Hits, Volume 6’so that people start looking for volumes one through five,” Doug said jokingly.
Since the band has already been together for so long, they hope to keep living their dream and doing what they are doing.
“Not to sound like too much of a cliché, but we just want to keep getting better and tighter as a group and as songwriters,” Ray said. “We’re a cover band with original music that plays close to 250 shows a year. With our show, we basically host a big party and entertain people. The fact that people are also interested in our original music just makes everything that much more rewarding.”
“All I got to say is that Split Decision is going anywhere,” Christian said. “We’re gonna be around for a while.”
10 | A&E www.theloquitur.comFriday, May 5, 2006
CHRISTINE BLOM/SUBMITTED PHOTO
Walt and Ray of Split Decision play for a crowd at Brownies at 23 East on Lancaster Avenue in Ardmore,Pa..
Concert • !Beats
Friday, May 5
Streetlight Manifesto at CrocodileRock at 7:00p.m.
Saturday, May 6
'The Da Vinci Code' draws more fans with • • upcoming movie
DAINA HAVENS PERSPECTIVES EDITOR DMH724@CABRINI.EDU
The anticipated· release of ''The Da Vinci Code" in theaters on May 19 is shaking up the faith, and causing a commotion at dinner table discussions worldwide.
A synopsis of the plot, according to the author, Dan Brown, suggests that the movie is about "A renowned Harvard symbologist [who] is summoned to the Louvre Museum to examine a series of cryptic symbols relating to Da Vinci's artwork. In decrypting the code, he uncovers the key to one of the greatest mysteries of all time and he becomes a hunted man."
Although this is the movie motion picture of a fictional novel, the sudden publicity on such a topic has stimulated many questions of faith and has sparked a historical interest, while also exciting the vast majority of the public with promises of highquality entertainment.
"Since I haven't read it, I'd probably go see it because it has Tom Hanks in it and it's by Ron Howard," sophomore marketing major Gabriel_Valentino said.
While both the novel and
movie are based on fictional characters, many aspects depicted in these works are genuine, including the artwork, documents and secret rituals that all exist. According to the official website of Dan Brown, this author states, "My hope in writing this novel was that the story would serve as a catalyst and a springboard for people to discuss the important topics of faith, religion, and history."
Father Michael Bielecki said, "It's gotten people talking about Jesus." He suggested that just like the release of "The Passion of Christ" starring Mel Gibson, "The Da Vmci Code" starring Tom Hanks would bring faith back into family dinner discussions.
Talk of the seemingly secret Catholic group Opus Dei, Knights Church in England and different perspectives on the faith may have stirred up controversy. Campus minister, Laura Gorgol feels that if it is read as a fiction, it can be interpreted according to one's own beliefs.
"It's opened up how much we don't know," Gorgo! said. She added that this "new insight" is a positive thing because it will inspire people to look for the
answers to their personal questions of faith.
Dr. Leonard Primiano, a professor of religious studies who has given speeches about the book in churches and schools throughout Philadelphia, said, "It can be used as a tool for learning, just as any novel. According to Primiano, at least 50 million copies of the book have been
Underoath at the Crocodile Rock at 7:00p.m.
State Radio at the TLA at 9:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 7 Seven Witches at the Trocaderoat 6:00 p.m.
Monday, May 8
Mobb Deep at the TLA at3:00 p.m.
Tuesday,May 9
sold, and he can't wait to see the movie.
Loquitur welcomes your comments on this story. Please send your comments to Loquitur@googlegroups.com.
The editors will review your points each week and make corrections if warranted.
Wonder Showzen continuesto offend
KATHERINE BRACHELLI NEWS EDITOR
KB727@CABRINI.EDU
MTV2s Wonder Showzen has hit televisions again for its second season and is raising controversy with its cutting, graphic and adult humor.
Wonder Showzen, which is similar to a satire of Sesame Street, features puppets in every episode that ask pressing questions in relation to religion, politics and all of society. A scene such as a pooch that performs caesareans with his teeth has raised much controversy among viewers.
According to Entertainment Weekly the most controversial part of the show is Beat Kids. In
Beat Kids, kids interview adults and participate in different skits with the puppets. One skit involved a young boy in a trench coat telling a senior citizen at a racetrack, "I do an impression of you "Gamble, gamble, gamble, die."
John Lee, co-creator of Wonder Showzen said, "We use children as chicken wire to block the bottles that would normally be thrown at us."
Lauren Taylor, a sophomore English and communication major, said, "I'm familiar with the show but I won't be watching it. The show has a negative influence on teens that are trying to form opinions about the world they don't know yet. It's shows like this that form a biased opin-
ion and force young minds to make up their minds before they know what they are talking about."
Co-creators of Wonder Showzen Vernon Chatman and Lee, 34-year-old college friends, met when ma.kingfun of a comedian performing at their dorm. They write and direct every episode together.
In a recent interview done by Entertainment Weekly Chatman said, "We do outrageous or shocking things, but it always has a clear satirical point."
The same network family that brin•gs Total Requested Live to MTV brings wonder Showzen to viewers.
Chatman said, "I think we're actually lucky to be at MTV. The
MindlessSelf Indulgence•albie TLA at8:00p.m.
Wednaday,May 18
Fall Out Boyat the Oiant.centet· at 6:30p.m.
advantage of MTV is that they don't have any scripted shows. MTV is all reality and videos."
Wonder Showzen airs Fridays at 9:30 p.m. and the first season is now out on DVD.
Carolyn Roberts, a sophomore exercise science major, said, "It sounds like a typical show on TV. I would try to avoid watching it. I like more of an elevated type of humor."
Loquitur welcomes your comments on this story. Please send your comments to Loquitur@googlegroups.com. The editors will review your points each week and make corrections if warranted.
Pelican/ Mono/ The Life andTunes/ MGR at theFirst Unitatian Church at 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 11
Method Manat the Crocodile Rocle:at 8:00p.m.
Mogwai/ Torcheat the Starlight Ballroom at 8:00p.m.
Friday, May 5, 2006
Dan Brown's novel spawned Ron Howard's new movie.
Dm SQuiREiPHoro
Stained glass at the Bruckmann's Memorial Chapel displays certain saints.
A&Elll
BRIAN SMITH STAFF WRITER BTS723@CABRINI EDU
There seems to be a new trend in scary movies lately. Where the actors used to run for their lives until most of them are cut down, now they just get tortured onscreen—like in “Saw,” “Hostel” and “Saw II.” In the new movie “Slither,” people become mutated monsters after slimy aliens crawl down their throats. Are scary movies becoming more violent and grotesque, and is this what people want?
“I like them just cause I like horror movies,” Allie Stack, junior elementary education major, said. “It entertains me. It’s not stuff you normally see—it’s well thought out. I’d never come up with it.”
Some Cabrini students suggest that horror movies need more violence to surpass previous ones. While the famous shower scene from Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho” didn’t need to show the knife touch poor Mrs. Leigh, now some movies may need more to get the job done.
“It’s because directors are trying for more shock value,” Nick Weiss, junior business administration major said. “They’re trying to top the one before it. Like, ‘Saw II’had to top the first ‘Saw.’”
Ifhorror movies are getting more violent, then is this violence
welcome? Do people go to see “Saw” for its plot, the promise that there will be blood or for that see-saw pun?
“I don’t particularly like the violence. I like horror movies for suspense. It’s good as long as it goes with the plot,” Stack said.
In the same sense that explosions are added to make action movies better, horror movies may try to add blood splatter to appeal
totheir fans. That is why some people believe that movie companies try to market violence to those who have taste for violence on the big screen.
“Cause unfortunately that’s the only way to make money,” Dominick Domdimarzio, senior political science major, said. “You can’t regress and make it better. It’s all economics.”
Of course it could be that peo-
ple like to be scared. Watching horror movies can release endorphins that acts similar to morphine.
If horror movies are adding more violence, then how does this affect the people who watch them? In other words, serial killers are known for torturing animals in their youth, so are movies like “Saw” and “Hostel” just giving them ideas? It could
be a matter of personal responsibility.
“It’s an expression as far as people go. Someone can always be inspired - positive or negative. The person’s going to have to be really unstable already,” Weiss said. F or whatever r eason you w atch horror
m ovies, several more are coming this season. In the tradition of horror movie sequel, there are rumors of another “Saw” movie being made. Also, a movie based on the series of horror video games “Silent Hill” is coming April 21.
Loquitur welcomes your comments on this story. Please send your comments to Loquitur@googlegroups.com. The editors will review your points each week and make corrections if warranted.
Kosher cell phones make life simple
MARIA D’ALESSANDRO STAFF WRITER MAD724@CABRINI EDU
With all the technology among handsfree cell phones, Internet-capable PDAs and multi-purpose mobile devices, the world could not possibly consider eliminating these “worldly temptations” and making “kosher” cell phones, or would it?
These “kosher” cell phones, which debuted last year,strictly make and receive calls.
“There were many things on the phone Iwould rather not know,would rather not see,” Baruch Issacson, a Jerusalem resident who replaced his phone for a “kosher” almost a year ago, said to the Wall Street Journal. “All we wanted was the original phone. Person Aspeaks to person B.”
Special features, like text messaging, Internet access and cameras, are not included, and over 10,000 numbers for phone sex and dating services are blocked, according to MSNBC.com.
Cell phones are a way of displaying one’sindividual tastes, with certain ring tones or covers, and companies are capitalizing on this. “Choosing a religious phone is one way a person who gives high salience to his or her religious identity can assert that importance in a public way,” William Swatos, the executive director of the Religious Research Association, said to the Wall Street Journal.
The multitasking of new phones has been called “a candy store for the evil impulse” in Family, a conservative magazine. The options for the “kosher” phones now only include color options of either red or black phones.
“There’s interest out there in a conservative phone,” Abrasha Burstyn, the chief executive officer of MIRS Communica-
tions Ltd., an Israeli subset of Motorola and the pioneer of the “kosher” cell, said to the Wall Street Journal.
Only 20,000 “kosher” phones were sold out of a market of at least 180,000 cell phone users among Israel’s1million ultraOrthodox, according to the Associated Press.
In order to encourage calling within the community, phone companies charge higher calling rates when “kosher” phone users call phones outside the network. In MIRS’ case, a “kosher-to-kosher” phone call costs 10 cents a minute, whereas calls made to other phones cost five to six cents more, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Instead of entertainment purposes, the cell phone will be more religion-based. Companies are selling services like “Christian ring tones and phones with timers that remind Muslims of prayer time.” Jireh Business Development has even introduced a service called JirehMobile that sells what it calls “holy hip-hop” ring tones, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Other phone carriers are working on projects to add more features than take them away from consumers. Sermons, news, scriptures, prayer swaps, Christian ring tones and short inspirational videos are part of Good News Holdings LLC, which has just created FaithMobile, a phone that will include these features. Their advertising slogan is, “Have you talked to God today?” The service is already available in the U.S. on T-Mobile, Alltell and Cingular for an additional $5.99 a month.
One of Good News’founders, David Kirkpatrick, who was also a former president of Paramount Pictures, said, “In our busy lives, having access to spiritual resources on the go will help us all keep
connected to God,” according to the Wall Street Journal.
After a meeting two years ago where rabbis studied how to merge the need for cell phones and Orthodox codes, the feelings were split. Some saw phones as “nonthreatening,” while others said they offered “unhealthy freedoms,” like pornography or contact with the opposite sex, restricted in ultra-Orthodox societies.
The rabbis found that the solution was to find a phone that was simply a phone. “They saw the future and were frightened,” Jacob Weinroth, a prominent attorney in Israel, said on MSNBC.com. “In 10 years, we may have commercials coming over the phone. Maybe gambling, dating. The community wanted to keep the cell phones, but not allow this commercial world to enter their communities through
them.”
According to the Wall Street Journal, phones can’tbe kosher or non-kosher in the technical sense. But just as rabbis stamp kosher food with special markings, the Rabbinical Committee for Communications stamps so-called “kosher” phones with approval.
Burstyn of MIRS expects that more people will buy “kosher” phones in the coming years not only in Israel, but anywhere there is a Jewish community. He said to the Wall Street Journal, “It’s only a question of time, and you’ll see it in Brooklyn.”
Loquitur welcomes your comments on this story. Please send your comments to Loquitur@googlegroups.com. The editors will review your points each week and make corrections if warranted.
12 | A&E www.theloquitur.com Friday, May 5, 2006
Radha Mitchell stars as Rose in movie "Silent Hill.”
KRT A u d i e n c e s s c r e a m f o r m o r e g o r e KRT
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A consumer checks an item for the stamp of approval.
LeslieWilliamsshatters LadyCavalierrecords
ELIZABETH BRACHELLI MANAGING EDITOR EAB722@CABRINI.EDU
Running since the first grade and going full force since, Leslie Williams, a freshman, who's a major in social work and minor in criminal justice, is breaking records for the Lady Cavaliers track team.
Williams has been making her mark since starting at Cabrini in the winter track season when she qualified for nationals. After her debut in the Widener Invitational, April 1, she made an even bigger impression for the Lady Cavaliers by breaking two records set by Cabrini alumni, Sue Bucholtz, in 1996. Bucholtz witnessed Williams break her records. Williams placed second in her events. She ran the 200 meters in 25:79 seconds and the 400 meters in 58:39 seconds. Williams also helped the Lady Cavaliers by leading off the 4 x 100 relay, landing Cabrini in second behind LaSalle University.
When Williams was asked what she expected of herself in the Widener Invitational, she said, "I wake up and just pray that I'll do good."
Since beginning tack, Wil-
Iiams has been inspired by her aunt who is also a passionate runner. Williams' aunt was always at track meets to support her in high school. Williams is a recruit from Northeast high school. Although Williams finds her aunt to be inspirational and a supporter of her passion, Williams also
Iiams and the team jokingly discussed her ambition for the future. Her teammates explained that Williams would be seen later on trading in the baton at track meets for a security baton when she becomes a probation officer.
- Leslie Williams
believes she has little bit of luck. Before each track meet, Williams can be caught peeling away a banana peel and scarfing down the banana before the meet begins.
Williams said, "I eat a banana before every track meet. I ran my first 58 meters after eating one."
Being a part of the Lady Cavaliers, Williams has developed very close relationships with her teammates. Williams said, "I love the team. It's so small, but it's good to know everyone's names and events."
As she sat surrounded by her team during the interview, Wtl-
Outside of track, Williams has a busy schedule to follow as she follows her other passion in social work. Williams is a commuter that focuses on her schoolwork and her internship. She interns at Too Our Children Feature with Health, where she is able to get first-hand experience in social work. When Williams has free time, she enjoys spending it with her friends or bowling.
With high expectations for a good season, Williams is looking forward to the outdoor season.
When Williams was asked if she was going to continue track after college she said, "I don't see myself not doing it. If it's godwilling, I'll do it after college."
Loquitur welcomes your comments on this story. Please send your comments to: Loquitur@yahoogroups.com. The editors will review your points each week and make corrections of warranted.
Tim- Harn.er plays for -tfie love Of the game
with the sport."
Since being introduced to golf, Hamer, has been hard at work at mastering his game, which reflects on his record. At Williams Valley high school, he was
er, said, "We just want to go out, do our best and have fun and to do well in the PAC championship and hopefully win it."
For the rest of the season, Hamer plans on improving him-
"I want to be a history professor because I love helping people. I would also like to become a golf or basketball coach someday."
named the "unsung hero" his freshman year and was team captain from his sophomore to senior year. During his sophomore year, Hamer contributed greatly to the team winning the league championship. As a senior, he earned the bronze medal in the league championship, which made him the second person from his high school to do that.
self even more and to keep his average golf score around 77. Hamer said, "I would like to place in the top 10 at the PAC championship but one of the main things I want to do is to learn how to have fun on the golf course because I put too much pressure on myself."
DAN SQutwl'Horo E01oro,. Freshman Tim Hamer is one of the key playen; on Cabrini's men's golf team.
MICHELLE MORAN
SFFWRITER
MLM724@CABRINI .EDU
Watch out Tiger Woods!
Cabrini's own Tim Harner has started out his golf career with some tremendous accomplishments. Harner, a freshman secondary education major, started leaving an impression on Cabrini within the first week of bis season. In his first golf game he was
ranked first on the team with a score of 73 and named PAC player of the week.
Hamer, who is from Tower City, Pa., has been playing golf for over seven years and was first introduced to the sport by his father. Harner said, ''To be honest, the first sport I loved was baseball. I was swinging a bat before I could walk, but then my dad put a golf club in my hand at the age of 12 and I fell in love
Hamer enjoys playing on the team because of how supportive the members are. He said, "Our captains, Brian Prospero and Matt Paris, are very good leaders, they try to keep us relaxed."
Along with the team captains, coach Tony Verde supports and directs the team. So far the team has been off to a pretty respectable start. Key games include the team's first game against Holy Family in which the team came·in first place. Another impressive match was held in Swarthmore where Cabrini came in second out of six teams. Harn-
Along with golf, Harner's interests include exercising everyday and running at least three miles and focusing on his major and exceeding in school. "I want to be a history professor because I love helping people. I would also like to become a golf or basketball: coach someday."
, Also in the back ofHarner's mind is his never-ending dream of perusing a career in golf. "My dream of making a living in golf will never leave me and I will never give up."
Friday, May 5, 2006 www.theloquitur.com SPORTS I 13
"If it's god-willing, I'll do it after college."
DAN SQutlE/l'HOTOEoootl Williams smiles knowing she is crumbling multiple Cabrini records.
-Tim Harner
DAN SQuRE/PHOTOEDITOI\ Hamer juggles the olf ball ..
Women's_·lacrosse team r~ady for the PAC playoffs
JASONRADKA SPORTS EDITOR JNR722@CABRINI.EDU
The Cabrini College women's lacrosse team squares off against Gwynedd-Mercy on Wed. May 3 at 4:00 p.m. in the first round of the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference playoffs. After going a perfect 10-0 in PAC competition, the women's lacrosse team is favored to win the PAC championship in a seasoned fashion. This would take the team to victory nine consecutive PAC championship wins.
The lady cavs show zero sign of anxiety or nervousness. Megan Farrell, a junior English and communications major said,
"We're not nervous, it's not even that we're cocky, we're just confident."
• Farrell also went on to add, "If we go out there with intensity and
a lot of heart, we should pull in the victory."
There are other things that the women's lacrosse team believes they need to do in order to capture a solid victory. Natalie Holzer, a sophomore Spanish major and Katelyn Penrose, sophomore elementary education major werevery big on being vocal during play.
"We have to talk a lot. Talki.tig is a very big part of the game. In order to win we have to communicate. Communication is key."
Coach Jackie Neary has been doing some special drills in order to sharpen skills for the playoffs.
"Recently, we've been working on shot placement. I think shot placement is very important during gameplay."
Neary sounds very confident in her team as they make their way into the PAC playoffs.
Neary says that Cabrini is the
Campus Announcements
2006 Excellencein StudentLeadershipAwards
team to beat and are favored to win the PAC as a "marked" team, meaning everybody is out to beat Cabrini.
"Obviously we went undefeated in the PAC, people are dying to beat us and the girls need to realize this," Neary said.
"No matter how talented the team, we're gqing to be playing in the playoffs this team, as a top team, and the opposition will always come out to offer us great competition." Ultimately Neary said, "You can't get by just playing good, you've got to play great."
If the Cabrini College women's lacrosse team defeats Gwynedd-Mercy on Wed., they will match up against either Eastern or Neumann at home. With no game schedualed for the first round, the team is ready to take on the opposition.
The Office of Student Activities & the Wolfington Center recently recognized the winners of the 2006 Excellence in Student Leadership Awards. The winners are as follows:
Core ValueAwards
Respect: Andy Culp
Community: Phil Nicolo
Excellence: Jacquelyn Flick
VtSion:Tracy Johnson
CommunityConnectionAwards
Volunteer of the Year: Curtis Iorio
Service Organizer of the Year: Diedre Beadle
Enlightener of the Year: Sharon Kolankiewicz
Activist of the Year: Meghan Hurley
Leader of the Year: Francine Clement
AmeriCorpsPresidentialServiceAward Phil Nicolo
Organir.ationalAwards
Service Group of the Year: Accounting Association
Student Organization of the Year: CAP Board
Organizational Advisors of the Year: Anne Ferry, Laura Gorgol, and Aliza Greenberg
Campuscarwashand bake sale
Professor Doug Lynch's seminar 300 class will be hosting a carwash and bake sale on Saturday, May.This event will be held in the Dixon Center parking lot form noon to 3 p.m. and will be made complete to the soundings of live acoustic music. The car-washing services will cost $3 for students and $5 for faculty and staff. All the proceeds gained from this fundraiser will benefit the Montgomery County Cultural Center in Norristown.
Praxis Prep: curriculom & assessment
Cabrini College is offering another in the series of Praxis Prep courses. Prepare for curriculum, instruction, and assessment on Wednesday evenings from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The dates are as follows: May 24, May 31, June 7, June 21, and June 28th in Founders Hall Room 23. The cost is $250. To register, visit www.cabrini.edu and click through the following: Academics, graduate and professional studies, forms, and noncredit registration. Download the form and mail it with payment to:
Cabrini College's Center for Graduate & Professional Studies
610 King of Prus.ffllRd. Radnor,PA 19087
Attention: Lisa LoMonaco
14 I SPORTS www.theloquitur.com
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Goalie Jamie Knubler fends off shots in practice.
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6-0 (PAC) 10-0(l?A\C) Friday, May 5, 2006
DAN SQulREIPHoro EDITOI\
Placingtoo muchfaithinyourPC? Spellbound I have spellingchecker, It came with my PC; It plainly marquesfour my revue MistakesI cannotsea. I've run this poem threw it I'm sureyour pleased too no, Its letterperfect in it's weigh My chequertolled me sew. Consider the Cabrini College Writing Center. We can helpyou brain checkyour papers. Call x 8506 for an appointment.
Cricket making noise on internationalscene
CHRISTINE BLOM STAFF WRITER CBB722@CABRINI .EDU
Baseball on a soccer field?
That's exactly what cricket is when it all boils down, or that's how some might refer to it if they are unfamiliar with the historical sport.
"Baseball has the great advantage over cricket of being sooner ended," George Bernard Shaw was once quoted saying in the 1990 edition of The Guiness Dictionary of Sports Quotations.
According to Wikipedia, "Cricket is a team sport played between two teams of 11 players on each side. It is a bat-and-ball game played on a roughly elliptical grass field, in the centre of which is a hard, flat strip of ground 22 yards (20.12 m) long, called a pitch."
Beginning in the early 1300s, and originally referred to as creckett, it was started in England. Cricket was played all over from Kent down to Sussex. By
part in that development and rich patrons began forming their own •select 11' ," according to Wikipedia.
The most prominent venue for cricket was the Artillery Grounds in Finsbury, England.
This Week In Sports
MARIAD'AL~ANDRO STAFF WRITER
MAD722@CABRIN1.EDU
NFL draft selectionyields defensivepowerhouses
• Watching the draft was the natural pastime for last weekend. The round began with a defensive end, Mario Williams of North Carolina State to the Houston Texans, and concluded with the New York Giants taking Boston College's Mathias Kiwanuka. Seventeen other defenders were also selected, according to ESPN.com.
Of the top five selections, three were offensive players. However, once the first round got started, 14 ,---------, of the next 18 picks were for defenders.
Among those chosen were Southern Cal tailback Reggie Bush (New Orleans), Texas quarterback Vince Young (Tennessee) and left offensive tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson (New York Jets) of Vrrginia with slot Nos. 2-4.
The final count for the round was 19 ::..___.._. defensive players and 13 offensive prospects. The emphasis continued into the second round, where eight of the first dozen selections were defenders.
ture and format, the sport has modernized the way fans participate and show enthusiasm.
"For its fans, the sport and the intense rivalries between top cricketing nations provide passionate entertainment and outstanding sporting achievements. It has even occasionally given rise to diplomatic outrage, the most infamous being the Bodyline series played between England and Australia," according to Wikipedia.
"I think going into the draft, most people felt the early quality was on defense," Buffalo Bills first-year head coach Dick Jauron said. His team used both its choices in the first round on defensive players, safety Donte Whitner and tackle John McCargo.
"Really, it pretty much fell in line with that thinking. You've got to play defense in this league," Jauron said, according to ESPN.com.
USC football ''needs to work harder"
The USC football program, surrounded by investigations, has been told by Coach Pete Carroll, according to the Los Angeles Times, that they need to "work harder to control outside influences on its players."
the end of the 17th century, it had grown to a large, organized sport, being played throughout all of England and there was much gambling surrounding it.
"The game underwent major development in the 18th Century and had become the national sport of England by the end of the century. Betting played a major
- Wik:ipedia
In the 1963 and 1975 two things were developed, the Oneday International matches and the International Cricket Council. Both changes to the sport revolutionized how many people went to games and how the game was administered.
Presently, cricket has taken over England. With a new struc-
A match or game can take anywhere from six hours to five days, depending on the form of the game.
There are three forms: test cricket, one-day cricket Twenty20. and
To date, cricket is the secondmost popular sport overseas, just falling short of European football (soccer).
"We needed to see this coming, and we didn't," Carroll said. "It's gone beyond all the heads up, all the alerts, all the education we give these kids. We need to do more."
Housing arrangements for the family of Reggie Bush, who was taken No. 2 overall by the New Orleans Saints in the NFL draft, and whether an upscale apartment that wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett shared with former teammate Matt Leinart violated NCAA rules are both under investigation, according to ESPN.com. Also, the university has indefinitely suspended backup quarterback Mark Sanchez because he is alleged to have sexually assaulted a female student.
Carroll told the Tiqles that he needs to better educate his players about outside influences, especially now that USC has "become a college football powerhouse, and a target."
"Our guys are marked guys; they have had success and there's people trying to get in on that, and we need to do a better job of making them understand the problems there," he told the Times. "We have moved into very different territory now, all the hype, all the distractions, all the people who want to influence us, and we will be more aware of that. We will work harder to control that."
Leinart's father, Bob, put Jarrett and Leinart on the lease at the apartment after Leinart moved out of his former residence near campus, since fans bothered him incessantly.
Leinart, picked 10th by the Arizona Cardinals in the draft, and Jarrett each paid $650 a month for the apartment that cost $3,866 a month, according to the Times.
Leinart's father paid the difference and said he's been told Jarrett might have to repay him about $10,000, the Times reported. Officials of the university question whether the program received an unfair advantage, by one player's father helping another player.
"At this point, we're still gathering information," Tim Tessalone, USC's director of sports information, said to The Associated Press.
Also, the Pacific-to Conference is investigating the housing of Bush's family, who lived in a house owned by a man who reportedly wanted to market him while he played for USC last season. Receiving extra benefits is prohibited by NCAA rules.
Friday, May 5, 2006 www.theloquitur.com
KRT
A Sri Lanken boy battles it out with the bat during a game of cricket.
"The game underwent major development in the 18th Century and had become the national sport of England."
F Do you know American Sign Language Would you like to use your ASL skills t assist a student? Please contact: Anne Abbuhl, Coordinator of DSS 610-902-8572 ama722@cabrini.edu SPORTS115
Lacrosseplayers'Duke' it outagainstcourt
JASON RA.oKA SPORTS EDITOR JNR722@CABRJNI.EDU
The Duke University lacrosse team has been under the national microscope for an alleged rape between players and a stripper on March 13. However, there are multiple other underlying quagmires besides the rape charge. According to Newsweek, "sex, race, a raucous party, a rape charge and a prosecutor up for reelection" are all aspects of the case that raises the public brow, besides the fact that Duke University establishes itself as a school with an elite sports department.
One question that can be raised to students is do college athletes believe they have a special immunity to law-breaking behaviors since they are a direct representation of an institution?
According to Newsweek, 15 out of the 47 players on the roster have been cited by the police at some point in the past three years, whether its be a misdemeanor or public underage drinking. Some students don't believe that the Duke lacrosse team was talcing advantage of its school's highprofile, high-respected sports department as athletes. Mike Canino, a Rowan University marketing major takes a moderate stand on the situation.
"I don't think it had to do with them being college athletes. Sometimes- when people drink, things get out of control. I think things just got out of hand when they were partying."
In a recent Newsweek article, it was also said that the "antics of the lacrosse team had attracted the notice of administrators at Duke, both for raucous tailgating parties before football games."
In regards to behavior of student athletes during the party, David Gross, a Stockton College business administration major, said, "As student athletes, they should have never allowed themselves to get put in that situation, regardless of what actually happened.Sometimes it appears as if student athletes think they are above the rules somehow. They should have exercised better judgment."
The case is still up in the air
"Sex. Race. A raucous party. A rape charge. And a prosecutor up for re-election "
- Newsweek
and is heated on all levels. Two players were indicted on April 17 for rape, kidnapping and sexual offense. The indicted, Reade Seligmann, 20-years-old from Essex Fells, NJ. and Collin Finnerty, a sophomore from Garden City, N.Y. were two young and underage students in the prime of their life that were indicted and are now facing charges with firstdegree forcible rape, sexual offense and kidnapping.
Some students are taking a very neutral side on the case as more information is. released to the public. Jeff Gaul, a Burlington County College communications major, took a very middle of the pack stand.
"In my mind, the jury's still out on this one. It doesn't seem to me that there is enough evidence that points to these two, but on the other hand, it seems that there
might have been other counts of rape involving the suspects," Gaul said. "It seems to me that these days, society is all too quick to point the finger of blame at young male college students whenever possible. Until all the facts come out, I won't take their guilt for granted."
Many college students from different institutions across the country believe that this story is very much up in the air. However, a striking fact that came back in favor of the Duke Lacrosse team is the DNA testing. All but one player on the Duke lacrosse team was tested, and all tests came back negative. Andrew Orsino, a West Virginia University athletic coaching major, has trouble ignoring those facts, and considers the rest of the case an attack on college athletes.
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Many are wondering if Duke's reputation will be tarnished as a result of the negative publicity it is reciveing.
Orsino also added reiteration.
"What better proof is there than scientific evidence [DNA], which is telling us that they are not guilty. Are we supposed to take the word of a stripper or proven scientific laboratory evidence?"
College students, at least in the case with the Duke lacrosse scandal are split down the middle in their thoughts about being advantageous with their title as an athlete. As for the rest of the case, it's up to the jury.
Loquitur@yahoogroups.com. The editors will review your comments and make corrections if warrented.
Finnerty is being charged with rape, kidnapping and sexual offense.
How the Dukelacrossescandalunfolded
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"With the DNA tests coming back negative for the players, I think it's just someone out to get back at a player or group of players for some prior incident that may have occurred." SQUIRE/PHOTOEDITOR
Loquitur welcomes your comments on this story. Please send your comments to:
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