Nov. 08, 2007 issue 10 Loquitur

Democratic Debate 2008

KAITLIN BARR EDITOR IN CHIEF KMB738@CABRINI EDU

The Democratic presidential candidates knew they would have to beat up Hillary Clinton if they hoped to stay alive, and in true Philadelphia fashion, the debate at Drexel University on Oct. 30 turned into a verbal brawl.

NBC anchor Brian Williams tried to open the debate with decorum by alluding to the grand history of Philadelphia: “Philadelphia, the cradle of American democracy, where the founding fathers gathered to declare our nation’s independence and to ring out that news on the Liberty Bell, still proudly displayed here.”

But the debate soon became a six-on-one fight.

Hundreds of supporters, thousands of media –including five Loquitur editors -- and millions of viewers watched as Sen. Barack Obama defended his previous actions, Sen. Hillary Clinton backpedaled in her responses, former Sen. John Edwards bashed Hillary for everything she stands for, and Sen. Joe Biden threw in his sarcastic remarks every once and a while.

Starting out the debate were questions to Obama, who previously told the New York Times that he was going to be a tougher competitor against Hillary Clinton. Obama quickly defended himself by saying, “First of all,

I think some of this stuff gets over-hyped. I think this has been the most hyped fight since Rocky fought Apollo Creed, although the amazing thing is I’m Rocky in this situation.” He was alluding to

the fact that some Rocky movies are set in the city of Philadelphia.

Immigration, Iran, the war in Iraq, President Bush’s talk of World War III and healthcare were only some of the topics dis-

cussed during the two-hour-long debate. Although most candidates did offer different points of view towards all of these topics, they all did agree on one thing -- President Bush has not done a good job running the United States.

“Everybody agrees up here that President Bush has made a total mess out of the situation with Iran,” Clinton said at one point.

Edwards shortly added, “A lot of us on this stage havelearned our lessons the hard way, that you give this President an inch and he will take a mile.”

According to the Associated Press, some candidates expressed

DEBATE, page 3

Democratic chairman speaks to college editors

KAITLIN BARR EDITOR IN CHIEF KMB738@CABRINI EDU

Getting out of Iraq and establishing a voluntary national service program to help students pay for college are two reasons college-age voters should vote for a Democratic presidential candidate, according to the head of the Democratic Party, Howard Dean. In his first student-based press conference “in a long time,” the Democratic National Committee Chairman met with 10 local college editors hours before

the Democratic presidential debate held at Drexel University on Oct. 30.

Included in this round-table conference were editors from Drexel University, University of Penn, Temple University, Rosemont College, Villanova University and Cabrini College.

“We will not get out of Iraq until we have a Democratic president,” Dean said. When asked what a Democratic president will do to prevent another attack like the one on 9/11, Dean said, “In order to make America safe, you have to be tough. Republicans are great

at talking tough but you have to be smart, and they’re not so good at that.” He said if a Democrat becomes president, they will be in constant talks with other countries and using our intelligence so that another attack does not occur.

“I don’t think we have any business being in Iraq, I never thought we never should have any business in Iraq and I think the President has made the world a more dangerous place by sending us to Iraq,” Dean said.

One of the major topics of concern among young voters, Dean said, is the rising cost of educa-

tion. He agreed that the idea of a national public service program would be helpful. It would not be mandatory, however. It would help college students who are having trouble continuing to afford the rising cost of a college education.

Discussion of the rising cost of healthcare made Dean become more heated. “I think it’s a ridiculous way to run a country. You borrow $200 billion to run a war, but you can’t come up with

DEAN, page 3

KAITLIN BARR/EDITOR IN CHIEF

GRAYCE TURNBACH/ A&E EDITOR

The Democratic presidential debate took place at Drexel University on Tuesday, Oct. 30. Seven presidential candidates participated.

Students showed their support at a taping of “Hardball” at Drexel.

DNC Chairman Howard Dean

Step up and vote

It has been said that this upcoming election is one of the most important elections in United States history. Our country is in desperate need of a strong leader who can shape up all of the chaos and turmoil occurring in the United States today and around the world.

Not only is this election an important one but also the elected president could potentially make history. Among the candidates at the 2008 Democratic Presidential Candidate Debate there is one woman, Sen. Hillary Clinton, one African American, Sen. Barack Obama, and one Hispanic, Governor Bill Richardson debating to become the next president of the United States. Former Governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney is running for the Republican Party and would be the first Mormon president.

As college students, we lead busy lives; some busier than others. Some of you may think that your vote doesn’t count, so why should you waste your time researching candidates and watching debates on TV?

It’s a lot easier now to find out about the candidates and their viewpoints with the Internet. New statements arise each week from the hopeful presidential candidates and it’s extremely important to stay up-to-date with them. There has been some flipflopping of interests and statements made already and we’re only in the early stages. If you keep up with all of the issues, it will be a lot easier for you to decide on a candidate when it comes time for the primaries.

People understand that FOX and CNN news programs are biased towards a particular political party, so it’s not surprising that students turn on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart or The Colbert Report with Steven Colbert. It is important that students watch news programs that cater to a political party that might not be their own so that they are getting the whole picture because the media can be one sided.

In a meeting with Howard Dean, he couldn’t have praised our generation enough. He said that we have accomplished more in our time then his generation has. In reality, statistics show that younger voters aren’t voting.

Fact is, every vote counts and if you remember the previous election in which Florida had to recount their votes to come up with a winner because the votes were so close we found out that every individual vote does count.

As college students, we should be the people voting. The next president will be responsible for getting our country out of the worst debt it has ever been in. If the wrong candidate is elected into office, we could be paying the consequences later on.

As for the war in Iraq, it’s our generation who is mostly over in Iraq fighting a war that Howard Dean said was unnecessary and that is making our world a more dangerous place. The number of casualties is increasing every month so why should we keep shipping our loved ones over to the Middle East to fight in a war that is unnecessary and making our world a more dangerous place? We need a president that will put America back in the right direction.

It’s easy to complain about the problems in the United States today and blame politicians for the situation we find ourselves in but if you don’t vote, then you don’t have the right to complain.

Researchers join in quest to stop spread of HIV

BRITTANY LAVIN FEATURES EDITOR

BLL722@CABRINI EDU

Researchers in the Philadelphia area are joining in the quest to stop to the spread of HIV. Currently, they are working to develop new vaccines that will prevent individuals from becoming infected. Researchers also hope to develop a vaccine that will be effective in treating those who are already HIV-positive.

There are two types of HIV vaccines. Therapeutic HIV vaccines are treatment vaccines and help treat people who are HIVpositive. Preventative HIV vaccines are designed to prevent people from becoming infected.

According to Hildegund C.J. Ertl, an immunologist at The Wistar Institute in Philadelphia, vaccines are developed through a series of trials. The vaccines are tested first in animals to ensure that they create a safe immune response. So far, Ertl’s research has produced strong results.

“Our vectors induce strong T-

cell responses in mice and monkeys even if the animals have pre-existing antibodies to human serotype adenoviruses,” Ertl said.

Once the vaccine proves to be immunogenic in animals, they test it for contaminants before beginning trials on human subjects. First, they conduct a dose escalation trial to determine a safe and effective dose. Then they conduct a second trial in which they combine two different vaccines sequentially.

These experimental vaccines do not contain the real virus. However, some trials have been known to produce antibodies in a persons body that help fight against HIV. Though these antibodies could cause a person to test positive for HIV, it does not mean they actually have it.

Ertl and her team are currently preparing to test a new vaccine. Though she expects the research to have positive results, not all trials make it. According to an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Merck & Co. Inc. recently pulled the plug on a trial that was

three years in the making because “it didn’t seem to be working.”

This trial was designed to see if the vaccine would prevent HIV infection and also see if it would reduce the effects in those who were already infected.

It failed, but according to Ian Frank, the director of the HIV Vaccine Trials at the University of Pennsylvania, that particular trial may still be useful.

“The information is going to help us develop vaccine in the future,” Frank told the Inquirer. “We’re really at the very earliest stages in this process.”

According to the same article, $759 million is being spent each year on vaccine trials. Thus far, there has been significant advancement in the development of these vaccines but challenges still remain. The greatest of these is how to develop a vaccine for a virus that mutates rapidly and is different in each person.

“That’s the main challenge,” Ertl said. “It’s the reason we can’t readily make vaccines that protect.”

2007-2008 Loquitur Staff/Editorial Staff

Editor in Chief Kaitlin Barr

Deputy Editor Liz Lavin

Managing Editor Nicole Osuch

News Editor Jamie Hufnagle

News Editor Ashley Cook

A & E Editor Grayce Turnbach

A & E Editor Katie Clark

Features Editor Brittany Lavin

Perspectives Editor Jillian Smith

Sports Editor Jessica Hagerty

Copy Editor Megan Pellegrino

Copy Editor Vickie Papageorge

Events Editor Diana Vilares

Adviser Dr. Jerome Zurek

Staff Writers

Jonathan Barnett

Michael Bieker

Christopher Blake

Christopher Campellone

Alicia Cook

Nicole Duggan

Danielle Feole

Laura Lombardi

Brittany McLeod

Christina Michaluk

Sarah Pastor

Nicholas Pitts

Samantha Randol

Christy Ross

Liz Garrett Meghan Smith

Christine Graf

Jessica Storm

Jessie Holeva Mallory Terrence

Danielle Kaine

Robert Kallwass

Shannon Keough

Lauren Townsend

Diana Trasatti

Jake Verterano

Ryan Kirby Britany Wright

Our Mission Statement

The Loquitur is Cabrini’s College weekly, student-run, campus newspaper. It is widely respected as the voice of students, staff, faculty, alumni and many others outside the Cabrini community. The Loquitur has earned its position by advocating for self expression through freedom of speech, and by serving as an outlet for readers to affect change on campus and off.

Founded in 1959, the Loquitur has thrived and greatly expanded its readership. The paper now has over 2,000 online 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 effectively heard and respected.

The Loquitur: You Speak. We Listen

Loquitur is a laboratory newspaper written, edited and produced by the students of COM 353, 352, 250 and 251. Subscription price is $25 per year and is included in the benefits secured by tuition and fees. Additional 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 community area. Guest columns are longer pieces between 600 and 800 words and also are usually in response to a current issue on Cabrini College campus or community. Letters to the editor and guest columns are printed as space permits. Submissions may be edited for length, clarity and content. Name, phone number and address should be included for verification purposes. Personal attacks and anonymous submissions will not be printed. Letters to the editor and guest columns can be

Preparations for Cabrini Day underway

BRITANY WRIGHT STAFF WRITER BLW7232CABRINI EDU

After the success of last year’s Cabrini day, the committee for this year has decided to extend the day to a whole week. Cabrini day this year will focus on the importance of equitable access for education. It will be held on Nov. 13.

Events range from group activities, a brunch served by the faculty and staff and a guest speaker, Dr. Lorraine Monroe, author of “Nothing’s Impossible: Leadership Lessons from Inside and Outside the Classroom.”

She has extensive experience with trying to equalize opportunities for all students to have a quality education. The rest of the week has an assortment of events that will provide

food and entertainment for all.

Every year the theme of Cabrini day rotates, and so do the professors in charge of creating the events. Dr. Marry Harris, associate professor of business administration headed the committee last year. Cabrini day is organized by Professor Beverly Bryde, the associate professor of education and Professor Colleen Lelli, professor of education.

This year’s events will stress the need for the awareness that not everyone has access to a quality education. Fortunately for students at Cabrini College they have access to the education they should have. But it’s despairing that a little more than ten minutes down the road, with traffic, the same education is not given to our neighbors in Norristown.

The Wolfington Center works closely with organiza-

tions in Norristown to try to better their school experience.

Dr. Beverly Bryde, associate professor of education said about the morning activity, “We hope that everyone will recognize that not everyone has access to a quality education, we hope that people will grow to support legislation and create awareness of the inequality in the education system.”

The reason behind poor educational experiences is the low school funding that is provided by their community. School funding is derived from property taxes.

When there are lower property taxes, there tend to be lower standards in the school to educate their students. The morning activity in the Dixon center on Cabrini day will allow students to experience the learning conditions that students who come from a low property taxed area experiences.

Dr. Beverly Bryde spoke of a book by Jonathon Kozol called “Savage Inequalities.” “It is a drastic way to look at the issue. But in the book there are examples that show some schools that are beautiful and others who are completely run-down,” Bryde said.

Throughout the rest of the day there will be a brunch served by members of the faculty and staff.

There will be other learning sessions sponsored by Cabrini professors. Property taxes, School Resources and Per Pupil Spending, Psychological Effects and Social Injustice and Special Privilege will also be highlighted throughout the day.

That afternoon at 2 p.m. there will be a guest speaker, Dr. Lorrain Monroe who wrote “Nothing’s Impossible: Leadership Lessons from Inside and Outside the Classroom.”

The book is about her experiences as a teacher, dean, assistant principal, principal and deputy Chancellor for Curriculum and Instruction in New York City public schools. She is the founding principal of Frederick Douglass Academy in Central Harlem. Right now she is on extended leave from Bank Street College of Education.

The speech aids the idea behind the Cabrini day. With Monroe’s experience on schools that are not top-notch and her strives to create a better learning community, it will make students aware of the importance of their involvement with the issue.

In regards to the idea behind Cabrini day each year, Dr. Beverly Bryde, associate professor of education said, “The importance of Cabrini day each year is to celebrate the college’s mission and focus on social justice and service.”

AMANDA FINNEGAN/SUBMITTED PHOTO

DNC Chairman Howard Dean sits with local college editors for a roundtable discussion about the college generation’s involvement in the upcoming election. From left to right, Howard Dean, Bridget Cook from Rosemont College,

Roundtable with Dean

DEAN, page 1

$5 billion to make sure that everyone under the age of 18 has health insurance?

Those are not American priorities, those are rightwing Republican priorities.”

The student editors asked Dean why disagreements between the Democrats and Republicans continue when there are problems occurring in the world today such as immigration and healthcare. “They’re not interested,” Dean said. “President Bush

says we haven’t done anything, when we have. We’ve raised minimum wage, passed universal healthcare for children under 18, which the president vetoed. The reason we can’t get the big stuff done is because the president vetoes it.”

When asked what grade he would give the collegeaged generation on our involvement in the political process, “I would give you an A,” Dean said. “I would give my generation an A as well.”

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Debate heats up in the fight for candidacy

DEBATE, page 1

frustration in that most of the questions were directed towards the top three candidates, Obama, Clinton and Edwards.

Finally, 17 minutes into the debate, Rep. Dennis Kucinich was able to speak. While each candidate was pledging that Iran will never develop a nuclear bomb while they are president, Kucinich said, “With all due respect to our friends from the media here, the media itself has to be careful how you frame these questions. We don’t want to be in a position where we are taking this country to the threshold of war. The media did play a role in taking us into war in Iraq. And I’m urging members of the media – urge restraint upon you and our president, whose rhetoric is out of control.”

The divide between Democrats and Republicans has been in existence since the two parties both formed. Towards the middle

of the debate, Brian Williams quoted a point formerly made by Republican presidential frontrunner, Rudolph Giuliani that Clinton can’t be trusted because she’s never run a state, a city or even a business.

Clinton rebutted this criticism by stating that she feels the Republicans are consistently talking about her because they feel she is communicating well what she wants to accomplish as president.

Obama believed differently by saying, “Part of the reason that Republicans, I think, are obsessed with you, Hillary, is because that’s a fight they’re very comfortable having.” Jumping on the bandwagon next was Edwards saying, “I mean, another perspective on why the Republicans keep talking about Senator Clinton is, Senator, they may actually want to run against you, and that’s the reason they keep bringing you up.”

Towards the end of the debate, each candidate received 30 seconds to respond in a lightning

round. Although they were allowed 30 seconds, most went well over that time frame, trying to make their last points.

Commentary after the debate talked that Clinton was off her game during the debate. However, she still is in the lead in the polls. In a recent poll done by USA Today after the Oct. 30 debate at Drexel, 50 percent of people said they were for Hillary Clinton, 21 percent were for Barack Obama, and 13 percent were for John Edwards.

38 percent of voters said that the most important issue they’re concerned about is the Iraq war. 18 percent said that health care and health insurance is most important.

Primary elections will begin earlier than in previous years, as early as January. Pennsylvania primaries are later on in the race, not until Tuesday, April 1, 2008. Elections will take place on Nov. 4, 2008.

KAITLIN BARR/EDITOR IN CHEIF

Supporters gather at Drexel University to rally for Democratic candidate Sen. Barack Obama.

Kaitlin Barr and Megan Pellegrino, both from Cabrini College.

Heated debate over birth control in middle schools

CHRIS CAMPELLONE STAFF WRITER CLC726@CABRINI EDU

Birth control medications are now available to middle school students in Portland, Maine after school officials approved the measure. The measure allows students who attend King Middle School to obtain a wide variety of birth control medications without parental permission or notification.

There has been no indication from schools in the Radnor area that they would approve a measure that would make birth control available to students.

The committee accepted the measure by an eight-vote majority. However, parents and school officials are extremely split on the debate. One parent noted in an article with the New York Times “this is really a violation of parents’ rights.”

The principal of King Middle School, Mike McCarthy, in a story that appeared in the New York Times defended the decision by stating that five of the 500 students at the middle school had identified themselves as being sexually active.

“In my opinion many of these types of decisions should be made at home and they should not be left up to the school districts to make,” Hank Cole-

man, a health and physical education teacher at nearby Carl Sandburg middle school, said.

The legal age of sexual consent in the state of Maine is 16years-old. The average age of a middle school student is between 11- and 14-years-old.

King middle school may set the trend of more middle schools accepting measures, which make contraceptives available through student health centers.

One of the issues that making birth control available to students may arise is does it encourage already sexually active students to have safe sex or does it also encourage students who are not sexually active to experiment?

“It has been shown, over and over again, that this does not increase sexual activity,” Pat Patterson, the medical director of school-based health centers, said to the New York Times.

The protesters’ biggest concern with the school district allowing contraceptives in their health centers is that they believe these decisions should not be left up to the school. The sex education debate has been up for years, focusing on whether the responsibility of educating children about sex lies with the parents or guardians of the children or with the schools.

“Many of these decisions should be made at home,” Cole-

man said. “When a school district circumvents a family’s wishes, different issues arise.”

The supporters of this measure said that many students come from a difficult home life and some just need guidance.

The student health center is not supposed to encourage sex, but rather to provide

students with protection who have already made the decision to engage in sexual activity.

The part of the measure that has most of the protesters upset is that no parental permission or notification is needed for the student to obtain birth control.

“I would not want contraceptives to be handed out in

the school my child attended,” Coleman, a father of three children, said. “If my child obtained [birth control] I would insist on wanting to know.”

The Portland School District did not comment on what kinds of birth control were being made available in the student health centers.

Prospective Cabrini College students lacking in admissions trend

CHRISTINA MICHALUK STAFF WRITER CMM736@CABRINI EDU

A new trend is making its way across college campuses. Prospective college students are sending thank you notes to admission offices after their admission interview.

Cabrini’s admissions office receives only a handful of thank you notes throughout the year. Very few are handwritten messages. Most thank you notes come in the form of e-mail.

“It’s a dying practice that should be reinstated,” Charlie Spencer, Director of Admissions, said.

Prospective Cabrini students may not be sending thank you notes, but Cabrini College’s admissions officers are making the effort to do so.

Staff are not only trying to attract prospective students but also their families as well. Students and their families make the effort to come here to take a look at Cabrini.

“We send out handwrit-

ten thank you notes. It is handwritten so that it stands out to the student from all the other college mail,” Spencer said.

Other institutions may feel that this gives off an unprofessional look while Cabrini feels that it shows a personable side that will appeal not only to the students but to their families as well.

A Cabrini admissions counselor sees, on average, about 475 students throughout the school year. Some students may see the benefit of sending a thank you note due to the number of pro-

spective students seen in one year.

“I never really thought about it. I only visited campuses and put in an application,” freshman, early childhood education major Caitlin McNab, said.

The admissions staff writing letters to accepted students does not guarantee that students will enroll, but it does help the admission’s staff put a name and face together. It helps the student become more memorable to them.

Currently, thank you notes are slowly increasing. High school guidance counselors are

encouraging students to write to the colleges of their choice after their admissions interview.

Thank you notes do not guarantee an acceptance into a school. Admissions counselors still focus mainly on the high school transcripts as well as grades.

“The school will want someone who has better grades rather than someone who wrote a thank you, but they would appreciate a thank you note,” freshman, graphic arts major, Misha Kapadia said.

RYAN KIRBY/STAFF WRITER

According to the National Assembly on School-Based Health Care, about 30 percent of the 1,700 schoolbased health centers in the United States provide birth control to students.

ASHLEY COOK/NEWS EDITOR

High school guidance councelors are encouraging students to write to the college of their choice after their admissions interview in hopes that the college’s admissions office will remember them better.

ASHLEY COOK/NEWS EDITOR

Peter Schauster, Assistant Director of Admissions/Coach likes to send families thank you notes after they have had their admissions interview to answer some questions they may have had and to show his interest in the students return to Cabrini in the fall.

Emergency rule in Pakistan

ASHLEY COOK NEWS EDITOR AAC722@CABRINI EDU

The government of Pakistani President and General Perez Musharraf detained leading opposition figures and said that preliminary elections could be delayed for as long as a year. To quiet the challengers of his regime, at least 500 opposition leaders, lawyers and human rights activists were arrested and all individual television channels were cut off. Aimed at preventing public demonstrations that political parties and lawyers were organizing for Monday, Musharraf was told last week by a Supreme Court justice that the court would rule him ineligible to continue serving as president; the ruling would have been unanimous.

Plastic instead of paper: fast track to early debt

Credit cards offer college students the ability to purchase items without having money available. Although credit cards can be convenient many young adults do not realize the effect credit card debt can have on their entire life.

“Credit mistakes made early in life may follow a card holder for many years, through their credit reports, and have an adverse effect on a cardholder’s ability to obtain auto loans, mortgages or other forms of consumer credit,” Stephen Lightcap Vice President for finance and administration, said.

A survey conducted by Citigroup found that 52 percent of college students believe incorrectly that their spending habits while in school will not impact their credit report in the future. Over 37 percent think opening new, unnecessary credit cards will not lower their credit scores.

The college audience is a direct target for the credit card industry, with the conscious effort to create long-term customers.

The marketing strategies of many banks lure in young people with promotions and perks of opening a credit card, leaving the fine print of the contract unclear.

Citibank has a credit card designed specifically for college students. The card offers rewards for general and specific purchases, for payments made on time and for good grades.

The program has zero percent introductory rates for all transactions, but in the terms and conditions you will see that the rate jumps to over 15 percent after the first six months.

The cash advance percentage rate starts at zero percent,

but goes to 22.74 percent after the first six months. In contrast, Consumer Reports magazine lists the best credit card rates in the nine-to-12-percent rate.

College seniors are graduating with an average of $4,000 in credit card debt, according to The Student Public Interest Research Groups.

The PIRGs is an organization that has started a campaign that helps raise awareness among college students of the hidden dangers in using credit cards.

Cabrini College and most colleges and universities around the nation, have a direct affiliation with a local bank. Affiliations can range from on-site ATMs, to discounts and rewards for students.

Cabrini students are offered a free checking account through the college’s affiliation, Commerce Bank. These students are able to use the Commerce ATM machine located next to Jazzman’s fee-free, while other card holders must pay a two dollar ser charge.

Cabrini also allows oth-

er banks to come on campus and market their services.

The PIRGs are trying to stop on-campus marketing of credit cards towards students and prevent the credit card industry from profiting from hidden penalties.

A bill was introduced to Congress in early August of this year, to prevent credit card issuers from taking unfair advantage of college students and their parents.

If the proposed bill is passed, The Student Credit Card Protection Act of 2007 would require co-signers of student credit cards, limit credit amounts, and prohibit multiple credit cards to students.

Charging items to your credit card is only a temporary fix. To avoid interest payments, the balance on a credit card has to be paid every month and on time.

Missed payments can result in harming credit history and rising interest rates. Many college students fall victim to credit card debt because of unpaid balances.

Justice Nominee Mukasey gains 2 key votes from Democrats

Two key democratic senators, Charles Schumer of New York and Diana Feinstein of California said they would confirm President Bush’s nominee for attorney general, Michael Mukasey. The Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee have a majority in favor of passing Mukasey on the full Senate, with Schumer and Feinstein’s approval. Mr. Schumer met with the nominee and obtained Mukasey’s promise to enforce laws that banned any of the harsh interrogation methods known to have been used on Qaeda terrorists after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

Stock market falls: Citigroup suffers decline

Stocks tumbled just a day after the Federal Reserve cut a key interest rate to prevent a broad economic downturn. The three major stock market industries finished the day down by more than two percent. Exxon Mobil, the world’s largest publicly traded oil company, fell 3.8 percent, while Citigroup, the world’s largest bank, and stock lost 6.9 percent. Decline on Wall Street came as investors digested overnight the Fed’s policy statement from Wednesday, which noted concerns about inflation and appeared to preclude further cuts, according to market strategists. Angry diplomats resist Forced Iraq duty

A decision to order U.S. diplomats to serve at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad or risk losing their jobs was challenged to senior State Department officials. At a town hall meeting, Foreign Service officials criticized fundamental aspects of State’s personnel policies in Iraq. In notices e-mailed to Foreign Service officers around the world, Harry K. Thomas Jr., the director general of the Foreign Service, wrote that State had decided to begin “directed assignments” to fill an anticipated shortfall of 48 diplomats in Iraq next summer. If enough officers did not volunteer, some would be ordered to serve there. More than 1,200 to 11,500 eligible State Department personnel have already served in Iraq, but the growth has led to an ever-increasing demand.

MALLORY TERRENCE STAFF WRITER MMT723@CABRINI EDU

IMany college students encounter credit card debt post graduation from college because of their unpaid balances. The credit card industry targets college audiences in order to create long-term customers.

RYAN KIRBY/STAFF WRITER

Perspectives Perspectives

‘Fight for the innocence of the young’

I surely can’t be the only one who sees that this is an issue that must be dealt with. It could begin with people actually giving a damn about the youth of this country.

STAFF WRITER JEB724@CABRINI EDU

It horrifies me to know there are individuals out there who see no need for alarm when sexual violence takes place in schools, or anywhere for that matter. Have we become so calloused that we no longer feel the need to put an end to such horrible actions?

I find it hard to have hope when I see the things that are going on around me.

It’s even harder to understand the lack of concern being shown towards such despicable acts of sexual violence against minors.

It’s shocking when adolescents go to extremes, break the rules, get diagnosed with depression, commit suicide and decide drugs might be a good way to cope. So shocking indeed that adolescents might possibly have worse problems than adults.

If people took the time to have some compassion then maybe something could actually be done to prevent young boys and girls being tricked, seduced, molested or raped by the very people who are trusted to teach them how to become a more educated person.

I feel physically ill when I hear about another child being subjected to the disgusting and disturbing things that only a malicious

and sadistic person could think up.

It disturbs me even more to read a Web posting in response to an article trying to raise awareness of this issue.

A response that states that articles such as these are a waste of time and how it was just a way to distract us from oil prices.

A response that tries to show that the numbers are not as overwhelming when looked at differently.

So my question for this wonderful human being would be this, “Is it OK if only one 5th grade girl had her breast fondled by her teacher? Should we let it slide when a school gym teacher hides a camera in his bag to film boys in the locker room and showers?”

I guess that’s OK; it’s only one child, who cares, right?

Your lack of compassion for the innocent nauseates me. God help us if people like this actually

held some position of power. Oh wait…This seems to be the problem that is going on: People are actually directly or indirectly allowing sexual violence in schools to continue.

The idea that it’s not a big deal is absolutely absurd. These people should be brought to justice; people need to stand up for those that have no power to stand up for themselves.

A good way to start would be by keeping an eye on your children. We live in a world where the television and the computer are the babysitter. Just stick your kid in front of some type of entertainment and then they will be out of your hair for a while, then you won’t have to worry about them.

Maybe if people learned how to communicate better then these things will not continue to happen.

If people take the time to see how their child is doing it wouldn’t take some therapy session 10 or 20

years down the road to figure out why Johnny is so dysfunctional.

Unfortunately sexual offenders in schools go unchecked, unnoticed and ultimately unchallenged all the time.

Sometimes it is the administration’s fault for not doing a good enough job on the background check or by letting a teacher who has been accused of sexual misconduct go quietly as not to give the school a bad name.

Other times it is the fault of other faculty members who may notice things are going on but they do not want to be caught in the middle of a confrontation so they cower away from the situation altogether.

A lot of the time things like this could be stopped if people looked out for warning signs like when their children start to become disassociated, removed or begin behaving differently.

One thing is for certain,

sexual violence against minors is a horrible offence and those found guilty should pay for their actions. It is a horrible thing to lose one’s innocence and it is even more horrible to have it ripped from you in an act so unspeakable.

One of the worst things I found when looking into this issue is the realization that there are more people than I would have ever thought that feel this issue is unimportant and not worth our time or consideration.

I hope that one day people will realize that when you hear stories like this on the news, it is not supposed to go in one ear and out the other. We should be outraged, we should not be so desensitized that it doesn’t bother us.

Then maybe, just maybe, people will decide to take a stand and fight for the innocence of the young before it will disappear forever.

Car companies: stop defending, start improving

during all car accidents. Sometimes a wreck is so bad that a fatality is unavoidable. However, airbags should at least deploy during an impact.

STAFF WRITER DLT722@CABRINI EDU

Wear your seatbelt and make sure you buy a car with airbags and you should be pretty safe during car accidents, right? Wrong.

Teenagers, mothers, elderly and adult drivers have all lost their lives in recent car crashes due to failure in airbags.

The Kansas City Star has recently uncovered the disturbing large number of deaths that have been caused by airbags that have failed to deploy upon impact. Between 2001 and 2006 about 1,900 people have died because of the flawed airbags.

It is disturbing to think that such an important safety feature can fail in the single moment when it is needed most. Consumers purchase cars with airbags purposely to help ensure that they will be safe during a car accident.

It is understandable that safety features can not prevent all deaths or injuries

Vehicles are one of the biggest and most costly investments one can make. If it is said that the airbag will be released when it is needed, then drivers should be able to rest easy that they will at least be somewhat guarded.

The even more disturbing fact is the way that car companies are handling this issue. Since Oct. 19, 1999, the car provider GM knew from tests that something was wrong with their airbags. A recall was not ordered until 2002.

Think of how many lives could have been saved in that three-year-period.

The frustrating aspect of this issue is not only the failure of the vehicle but the manner in which the car companies are responding.

They are not voicing their acknowledgment of the airbag problem but rather waiting until the last possible moment to recall the vehicles after the death rates have risen.

These companies are continually defending themselves and trying to take the attention away from their failures by blaming other issues, such as lack of seatbelts on the deaths.

These companies are simply money hungry and are putting all their efforts into making an extra buck.

The mothers, daughters, fathers, sons, sisters and brothers that have died in these crashes are nothing more than a statistic to these companies that are interfering with their profit. GM and other car companies should step up and publically admit that there was a problem with their airbags and that they are conducting research to further the safety of drivers.

Students,employers on Facebook IN MY OPINION

whether a person is worth hiring.

social networking profile?

Social networking websites like Facebook and Myspace are ways in which many college students can keep in touch with friends and just have fun while online. Now however, it seems the fun is over as employers have started using these sites to see

I’ll be first to admit that I probably go on Facebook and Myspace more than I should. Whether it’s to contact a friend or just out of mere boredom, there I am. But now that I know that my profiles could potentially keep me from getting work when I graduate, I’m starting to wonder if I should delete them and start from scratch.

Part of me thinks that it isn’t a big deal. I can just make new profiles and everything will be fine. However, another part of me thinks it isn’t fair. Why should potential employers judge my work ethic or anyone else’s based on a

Employers may look at a student’s profile and decipher how much time they spend on a certain site to see how productive a person is.

Employers can also look at a student’s activities and interests and see if they are right for the job. Problems may occur when looking at pictures, though, should a student have too many “partying pics” posted.

As a rule, I am selective about the pictures I post on my profiles and what I allow to be tagged, but others may not think to be so careful. These sites are supposed to be fun and students shouldn’t have to worry about whether that

picture of them at the bar will cost them a job.

Some students may see this as an invasion of privacy. It’s unfair for any person to judge a person’s social life and compare it to their academic or work life. They are two separate things and should remain so.

As someone who is looking into summer internships, I don’t want to have to worry about what might cost me a placement.

Once something goes up on the internet it’s out there for the world to see. It shouldn’t be an issue, but it will still affect the way a person is perceived.

Not only must you wear your seatbelt but now you must check to see if your airbag is properly functioning. Car companies, like GM, knew from tests done that their airbags were unsafe, yet still put them on the market. Is your airbag set to deploy when needed?

COURTESY OF VOLKSWAGON/MCT

DIANATRASATTI

Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor

College stabbing

To the Editor:

This is a response to the article on the front page of “The Loquitur”, dated Oct 25, 2007.

My son is a junior, and felt, as we do that the response of the college was superior. My family’s prayers and sympathy to all involved and to all the students on campus who now feel violated.

Your college’s president is a person who understands that you can’t lock people in or out, that people have to take responsibility for their actions, and for the actions of the persons they allow on campus. Colleges are not jails, there is no lock down or lock out. Students and friends can come and go as they please on campus. That is a fact of life on any campus.

Think about the major universities. I attended one and you can’t police the entire campus every minute of every day. College students need to understand this hard fact of life.

Kudos to President Iadarola and her stand on this. In today’s society to many people want to blame the people in the administration for other’s actions. Not only blame, but ask for the removal of that person.

My husband and I are so tired of that line. We were thrilled to read her statement in “The Loquitur” concerning the college’s responsibility towards the students. It was caring, compassion-

ate and understanding of the situation, but at no time did she or others in the administration take responsibility for the student’s actions.

This is a lesson all on campus need to learn, unfortunately it involved a student’s life, and a near tragedy. I thank God it did not turn out to be any more deadly than it was, which was horrible enough. The campus and administration reacted with the utmost speed and did all that they could do in the matter.

In reading the articles in the paper, which were all written from the students’ view points, not once did the students mention that a colleague of theirs was to blame. Their angry words came from not knowing it had happened till they awoke on Saturday morning. Do they really expect security on campus to wake each and every student up to let them know? No, security had a much bigger problem on their hands at the moment.

And for the students who could not get back onto campus at that time of early morning, well, sometimes in life a curveball is thrown to you. You will have to learn to deal with it sooner or later. Security could not allow anyone onto campus as they did not know at the time where the assailant was.

One other angry student wanted to know why they weren’t out looking for the assailant, well, that’s the job of the police and Cabrini Security did as they had been instructed. They did leave it to the police and got Cabrini back up and running as fast as they

could have.

As a parent I am pleased with how Cabrini responded to the situation from the moment it happened to the letter I received in the mail this past week.

- Patricia Gross

Parking Injustice

To the Editor:

On October 18, I saw injustice in the parkinglots. Tickets.

Sure, tickets have their purpose at Cabrini; make students buy permits for parking spots that are nonexistent. I saw the parking “authority” giving tickets to those without a permit. Fine, good, it’s part of their job. Injustice? Not Yet.

I followed them, watching who they gave tickets to and why. Overwhelming numbers don’t have permits or permits that are out of date. Are they to blame? Absolutely not, they are lucky to find a parking spot after 9:40 a.m. on a Tuesday or Thursday.

So who is to blame?

Some would say it would be the residents, you know, the guys with the yellow stickers.

Surely, I as a commuter have cursed them at 10:50 to 11:05. If I were to park in a resident lot I would probably be towed.

I have to leave at 9 o’clock for an 11 o’clock class just to find a parking spot. I, however, do not blame the laziness of a few residents that park in commuter lots.

Do I blame the new gate? Kind of, that money could have been better spent on parking upgrades. I understand that it’s only

function is to satiate neurotic parental fears, but a gate won’t stop violence from outside, this was written previous to the recent incident at Cabrini, so, case in point.

So it is not the misappropriation of funds directly that is the culprit. The culprit you ask? Those that write the tickets are.

I’ll say it: “Ticket the Residents in the commuter lots.” I saw 30 plus residents in commuter parking that were not ticketed. Those are spots for commuters, those who have permits and those who don’t, because why buy a permit if you get ticketed? If you are going to write tickets, do it across the board.

In my class with Officer Bird last year we talked about discretion and how authority uses discretion, but there is a fine line between discretion and discrimination. No tickets for Residents?! Ticket them, have them park in their own lots, open up space for those who need it, that is justice!

I saw them waiting and ticketing people arriving minutes after they had left their vehicles. I saw a girl arrive and said that she ought to move because the parking authority was ticketing. She had no permit sticker, but the parking authority backed off and went elsewhere to dispense discrimination I suppose. Some backbone, you men!

Is that why residents are treated better, because they are always around and the commuters don’t have a place or way to make a stand? Does your pay function on the dysfunction of

the parking system?

I challenge you, oh, great parking authority. I will no longer leave early to find a parking spot; I will park on the grass and in your driving lanes! I will wait to further document the injustice you perpetuate. I will not fatten your wallet with your discriminatory tickets even at the cost of academic transcripts. It is bad enough I pay for gas for a 25-mile roundtrip commute to this college just to suffer under you financially because there aren’t enough parking spots?

On behalf of those commuters having difficulty finding a parking spot, give use justice, give us parking spots, give us a reason to buy a permit, or (and I apologize for being colloquial) just give us a damn break.

- Vincent Davalos

Abortion

To the Editor:

One major statement bandied about by the proabortion types is “KEEP YOUR LAWS OFF MY BODY!” If we use this kind of logic rape, assault and murder would all have been considered ‘legal’,since the laws would not have been applicable.

Remember that Nazi Germany’s Kristallnacht and eventual Holocaust were both state-sanctioned by law.

Roe vs. Wade was forced on the American public by unelected, unaccountable judges.

Simply because a particular action is legal does not make it right. Abortion is too lucrative to abandon immediately, but the main

solution is to prosecute those who do the abortion itself, not the woman who has it done.

It is estimated that one of three abortions performed worldwide is forced, and in many nations, female babies are more likely to be killed by abortion than the preferred male babies.

I am not surprised that abortion was invented by men,the only real beneficiaries of the pro-death mentality.

As a man who came out of a womb, I have every right to speak out against this evil. I hope that other men will join me.

- Russ Sapienza

Show cancelled

To the Editor:

I was very displeased to listen to “Dog” Duane’s phone conversation.

He has proved how racist he and part of his family is. “We say Nigger in the office.”

Glad to hear that A & E suspended the show, but it really needs to be cancelled permanently!

If you allow the show to air “once the smoke clears”, A&E will be telling America that “we agree with “Dog’s” views towards African Americans. Are you willing to risk A & E’s reputation and viewers?

It goes back to the familiar saying, “If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.”

-Shawn Whitman

Top 5 websites guaranteed to take away “Facebook funk”

IN MY OPINION

STAFF WRITER SEK723@CABRINI EDU

From homework to shopping, the Internet is a necessity. I can’t imagine living without it. Tired of Facebook? Whether I’m bored or just procrastinating, these are the websites I spend most of my time on:

1. Yahoo.com

It’s my homepage so I’m constantly checking my mail, weather and horo-

scope. They also have the news, TV listing, a ton of radio stations and games. It’s really convenient as a homepage because I can just open my browser and find everything I need.

2. Gmail.com

I recently jumped on the Gmail bandwagon and I’m glad I did. There is endless memory and NO junk mail. I can share calendars and photos and the best thing: I can create documents, spreadsheets and presentations without buying the software. It’s all free!

3. ABC.com, NBC.com, CWTV.com

I go to these sites every time I miss my favorite TV shows. Being in college, it’s really hard for me to stay caught up week after

week. I can watch full episode on these websites with only a few 15 second commercials. It’s great!

4. Funtrivia.com

This website is awesome when there’s nothing else to do. There are quiz categories that include television, music, movies and more.The television quizzes include shows that I watched when I was little and it’s funny to see how much I remember.

5. Urbandictionary.com

Hilarious and sometimes true. This site is fun to visit with friends. Type in someone’s name or just a word and the site gives silly definitions that people have posted.

PHOTO ARTICLE BY JILLIAN SMITH & MEGAN PELLEGRINO

Arts & Entertainment

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‘Bella’ wins at film festival in Toronto

CHRISTINE GRAF STAFF WRITER ACG724@CABRINI EDU

When an uncertain future crosses a hidden past they collide into the film “Bella.” The title represents the movie to perfection. There are no other words to describe the award-winning film but beautiful.

Friday, Oct. 26 was the premier of the winner of the Toronto Film Festival’s Peoples Choice Award, the movie “Bella.” The film, inspired by a true story, has already captured the hearts of film festivals all over the country, winning 10 other awards. It also was honored by the White House’s immigration department and recognized by the Smithsonian Museum.

The awards represent how “Bella,” a film with a lit-

tle known director, producer and actors, has blown away viewers and critics all over the United States. It truly breaks through the stereotypes of passion that is supposed to sell in movies.

There are no big sex scenes, obsessions or even romances but instead the film takes two everyday people and reveals their deepest darkest secrets. Through the secrets, a deeply inspirational and significant message becomes revealed.

The movie portrays the importance of family, friends, relationships, choices, forgiveness and most notably love. One aspect to take note of is that this movie is not a love story between two people but just a story about love and understanding of all people. “Bella” captures humanity in a compassionate and uplifting way.

The movie stirs a mixture of emotions without losing

the meaning and even humor, leaving the viewer touched enough to change the way they look at the world.

“Bella showed the importance of compassion and understanding of others because everyone has a story behind who and why they are the way they are. People make assumptions everyday and ‘Bella’ helped me see that I am no different. It inspired me to learn more about other people because you really never know the truth until you ask and listen; as opposed to assume,” Renee Roff, a junior elementary and special education major, said after leaving the theater.

“Bella” is most definitely something worth viewing because of the life lesson gained throughout. The Wolfington Center and Student Activities are providing complementary tickets and the film is being played at the nearby King of Prussia Stadium.

Nip/Tuck premieres its fi fth season

ALICIA COOK

STAFF WRITER

ARC725@CABRINI EDU

The season premier of “Nip/Tuck” premiered on Tuesday, Oct. 30 at 10 p.m. The FX drama always gets mixed reviews from the public and critics. Some love it and appreciate the spoof-like edge while others believe the story line sometimes gets to the point where it is a little over the top.

The premier of season 5 was a continuation from the end of season 4. The end of last season seemed to be very unbelievable.

The story line became so bizarre that the critics (and myself for that matter) seemed to stray away from watching the show.

After watching Tuesday night, it seemed as though they are bringing back the humor to the screen. The reason why the public loved this show seems to be surfacing once again.

By the show beginning to focus on its two leads again: Sean McNamara (Dylan

Walsh) and Christian Troy (Julian McMahon) this season may not be as ridiculously over the top after all.

While continuing those two develop-

ments, the big news for the premier was that the two plastic surgeons have left Miami and moved to Los Angeles. Here, their business and success are not flourishing.

The surgeons met Lauren Hutton, a publicist. Hutton gives them an opportunity to be on a television series called, “Hearts ‘n Scalpels.”

The relationship change between the surgeons, Sean and Christian is reversed. The dynamics changing makes for a very interesting and captivating show.

There are a lot of gaps that need to be closed in the story line, which I’m sure will be straightened out as we continue to watch.

Overall it seems like it will be a great season full of interesting story lines, humor and guest stars.

The move in locations and the new dynamics seem to be adding interest to the ‘over the top’ end of season four.

As a result, The New York Times said it perfectly when they said, “How fitting, then, that the plastic-surgery drama returns Tuesday for its fifth season by dangerously reinventing itself. Dangerously - and totally successfully.”

Pictured above: Tammy Blanchard as Nina and Eduardo Verstegul as Jose, just two friends talking about love, in the new popular movie, Bella. Pictured to the right: the director of “Bella,” Alejandro Monteverde.

ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS PHOTO

Fall ‘07: The dos & don’ts of fashion

GRAYCE TURNBACH A&E EDITOR GRT722@CABRINI EDU

Fall is here and as always, fashions are changing as often as the seasons. This fall is no exception. Times are changing and so is the fashion world.

Gray Gray is the new black. But, black hides our flaws, so therefore black never goes out of style. We all know that, don’t we?

Retro styles

Some styles are retro. Don’t be afraid to mix styles and accessories from the ‘20s, ‘30s and even the ‘50s. Decades of style can mesh well, if done properly.

Poof skirts

Whether you hate them or love them, the modern tu-tu has made it to the mainstream. There is no escaping now.

Cover your legs

Dust off your tights, nylons and leg warmers. Bare legs in skirts are out, so cover up ladies.

Belts

Big buckled belts with tunic tops seem to be making a come back. Saddle up for the fall.

Layers

Layer everything from clothing to jew-

elry. It’s not a ploy by designers and retailers to get you to buy double the clothing. It’s just the “in” thing to do right now. Allow some room for creativity.

Shoes

Booties, or better known as ankle boots, are the “it” shoe of the season this year. Shoes with color, patterns and animal prints act as eye candy. Choose wisely.

Sweater Dresses

An oldie but goodie. The ‘80s may not have been the best decade for fashion trends, but sweater dresses seem to be oneof the few styles from the past that are finding their way back onto shelves in department stores.

People poll: What styles are in this fall?

“I think Uggs are going to be, not in fashion, but always comfortable and versatile. On college campuses, North Faces are always a must and big puffy vests.”

Lauren Magill – junior, psychology major

“Layering is in. Hoodies are a fall staple and also be on the lookout for sweaters.”

Greg Cliffton – senior, marking major

NICK PITTS STAFF WRITER NDP722@CABRINI EDU

It’s very popular, often misused and named after a citrus fruit.

Many users of the controversial software LimeWire have been heavily fined for downloading or sharing copyrighted music and programs.

To many students such as Kara Swift, LimeWire remains a convenience.

“My LimeWire is used a lot by my roommates and I as well as many people on my floor,” Kara Swift, a sophomore undeclared major, said. “The songs take no time to download.”

Other students are a little more wary.

“I know it is considered illegal. I actually haven’t used it since I’ve been at school,” freshman undeclared major Nicole Asay said.

Patrick Trencansky, a sophomore finance and accounting major, disagrees about the legality issue.

“I am aware that certain file sharing is illegal, but there is also a very fine line” Trencansky said. “It’s not always illegal.”

Trencansky is right; using LimeWire is not always against the law.

“LimeWire itself is technically not illegal, nor is peerto-peer networking in general,” technical support specialist David Helfrich said. “The reality is that people rip music from CDs, or video from DVDs and share those files illegally.”

“I wear leggings with a sweater-dress. Also uggs, heels and bangles.”

Julie Bonomo –freshman, undecided

“I think the newest trend will be casual and vintage clothing.”

Brianna Conner –freshman, secondary education and English major

Fines have been issued depending on the content downloaded.

“The legal issues arise when such networks are used to share copyrighted material in a way that prevents the owners of that material from receiving proper compensation,” Helfrich said.

According to LimeWire.com, downloading LimeWire from their website is also agreeing that the product will not be used against copyright infringement laws.

When LimeWire is used as it was created for, legal file sharing, it can have benefits.

“A band that is just starting out might share mp3s of their music for others to download in an effort to gain exposure,” Helfrich said.

Trencansky agrees.

“LimeWire is just connecting you with a larger network of friends who are sharing their music with you,” Trencansky said.

Legal action aside, Helfrich also warns of the risks that peer-to-peer sharing can create.

“Peer-to-peer networking, by definition, gives users direct access to other users’ hard drives,” Helfrich said. “This leaves users open to hacking and computer viruses can be spread very easily through such networks.”

He adds that some file-sharing programs come bundled with spyware that could pose security risks.

“Once a file on one computer is infected, other users will keep downloading the infected file to their own computers.”

Avoiding the harmful situation all together is junior exercise science major Craig Lowrie. Lowrie uses Napster,

“In the fall, I wear pants and sweatshirts. Crocs are comfortable and popular.”

George Post – senior, English/Communications major

“The newest fashion trend is going to be rainboots and snow caps. Sweatpants and hoodies are a must especially in the winter.”

Lauren Colosi –sophomore, elementary education major

another peer-to-peer sharing software that was the original hotspot for copyright infringement. Napster is now a media device that solves the problem of infringement by charging a small fee per download.

“I use Napster for DJing. It’s the cheapest legal thing out there,” Lowrie said. “All files Napster has to offer are the original unaltered files directly from the companies that produce them. There are so many songs, it offers basically whatever I need.”

Beyond the legal actions and the possible hazards, Trencansky still protests.

“If you share a CD with a friend, is it really illegal?”

Fans gather for WWE RAW

JAKE VERTERANO STAFF WRITER JCV722@CABRINI EDU

Chris Benoit, a former World Heavyweight Champion, a Wrestlemania headliner and a murderer. Benoit was one of the most respected and well known superstars in all of professional wrestling. His 20- year wrestling odyssey began at the ripe age of 20 and culminated with him winning the World Heavyweight Championship on the biggest stage of them all, Wrestlemania. The legendary star’s career was tainted on a fateful day this past summer.

On June 25 the bodies of Benoit and his wife, Nancy, and son, Daniel, were found dead in their Georgia home. Police ruled that Chris had strangled his wife and son to death and later hung himself.

Fans were shocked by the news. World Wrestling Entertainment, Benoit’s employer, tried to make it seem as if Benoit had never even existed.

One of Benoit’s last matches occurred at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia just a week before the murders. The WWE returned to Philadelphia for the first time since the murders on Oct. 29 for their weekly live broadcast of RAW.

“They called Chris Benoit the rabid wolverine, and I couldn’t think of a more appropriate name for such a monster,” Mike Balasco, a Philadelphian WWE fan, said. His son sat happily next to him fiddling with his giant sign he had made for his favorite wrestler. “I still let my son watch wrestling, and just try not to remind him of Benoit.”

“I hate Chris Benoit for what he did,” Rob Williams, a fan, said. “I hate that I ever cheered for him. I hate that I once applauded that man and a week later he killed his family.”

Most fans in the arena tried not to let the memory of Chris Benoit ruin their evening.

“I’ve moved on from the whole Benoit thing,” Michelle Bolton, a fan, said. “I’m here to have a good time and not worry about it. What he did was awful, but I’ll remember him for the great wrestler he was.”

“What really pisses me off about the whole Benoit case is how the media has covered it,” Scott Farin, a fan, said. “The media is really trying to focus on steroids in wrestling and not the real important issue. It’s been almost six months and I can’t go anywhere without hearing about there being steroids in wrestling.”

The media has been conducting many stories on deaths in wrestling related to steroids since the Benoit murders. Many believe that Benoit was having a case of roid-rage which caused him to murder his family.

“It was definitely not roid rage,” Bolton said, “This was a case of a man with some serious problems who never really expressed them. It’s a shame no one will ever really know what went on.”

Despite the negative media attention and murder scandal the WWE has continued to deliver quality entertainment for the fans. The arena was filled and every match had the fans screaming their lungs out. The audience was even treated to a surprise appearance by former WWE Superstar and #1 New York Times bestseller, Mick Foley.

“I love Foley, so it was great to see him in person,” Farin said.

“The show was everything a wrestling show should be,” Balasco said. “There were the gorgeous divas like Mickie James and Melina all the way to the headliners like Triple H and Shawn Michaels. Great show!”

Fans were buzzing all day about the possible return of former WWE Superstar, Chris Jericho. Jericho has recently signed a new deal with the WWE but has yet to make his debut. Internet rumors had been speculating that he would return at this specific RAW. However, rumors proved to be false as Jericho did not show up.

“Well, that’s Vince McMahon for you. When it leaks on the internet, you know he’s going to change his plans,” Balasco said.

“What I love most about pro-wrestling is that some people just don’t get it,” Bolton said. “They just think it’s some fake show. Well, what about television shows, those are fake and people love them. It doesn’t matter though, because wrestling has made me cry, it’s made me scream my lungs out, it’s made me into a happier person. I love being a part of this audience tonight. There’s no where else I’d rather be.”

“Literary November” creates opportunity

The English department’s “Literary November” started early with a film screening the night before Halloween. A series of events are being hosted by the English department this month including a poetry reading and a trip to New York.

On Thursday, Oct. 30, there was a screening of Tim Burton’s “Sleepy Hollow.” Food was served and the film played at 5:30 p.m. in the Holy Spirit Library’s conference room. Dr. Frechie made an introduction to the film, and the literary origins of the story by American author Washington Irving. Over 30 people attended and the screening was a “great success and a lot of fun” English and communication major Bill Monohan said.

Literary November began as a program in the past known as “Literary Philadelphia.” The program consisted of a few day long trips into the city designed for the first year students. It has evolved into a month where the events are organized with the help of faculty and students.

On Wednesday, Nov. 14, students are invited to a Morroccan dinner at Mar-

akesh in Philadelphia. The poet Abdal Hayy Moore, a member of Philadelphia’s Sufi Muslim Community will be reading Rumi’s poetry along with some of his own works with musical accompaniment. A discussion will follow about the works. The trip, inculding dinner is $15, which is only a fraction of the cost, the rest is supported by the English department.

On Thursday, Nov. 29, Dr. Frechie and Dublaise will accompany students on a walking tour through New York’s East Village to visit “the haunts of beat and bohemian writers of the past 100 years” according to Frechie. The trip will cost $35 for the students, including the bus ride, a small price to pay for a day in New York. The trip is designed for English majors but all are welcome.

To attend any of the events, students interested can contact Dr. Frechie at sfrechie@cabrini.edu for more information. “We are expecting a large crowd for the Morroccan dinner poetry reading” said Frechie. Jessica Gruber, an English student, was a large contributor to organizing all of the events, and designing them for students. Students will meet other English majors, learn a lot and have a really good time.

DIANA VILARES EVENTS EDITOR DVV722@CABRINI EDU

Hunger Banquet

The Hunger banquet will take place on Wednesday, Nov.14 at 6:30 p.m. in the Mansion Dining Room. The purpose of the banquet is to better inform the community about wealth and poverty. For more information please contact Christa Angeloni at cma722@ cabrini.edu.

I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry

Come laugh until you cry on Thursday, Nov. 8 at 8 p.m. in the Widener Lecture Hall. There will be a free showing of “ I Now Pronounce you Chuck and Larry”. For more information contact Ashley Shoenfelt at 610-9028461.

Cabrini Day

Activities will be taking place around campus on Tuesday, Nov.13 starting at 9:15 a.m. Activities include an free tie dyes and a yummy brunch, amongst others. Cabrini Day is part of Cabrini week where there will be fun foods in the marketplace starting Sunday, Nov.11.

The Laramie Project

The Laramie Project will be shown in the Grace Hall Theatre on November 1,2,3,8,9 and 10 at 8 p.m., followed by a 2 p.m. showing on the 11th. Everyone is encouraged to come out and learn about the terrible death of Matthew Shepard in October 1998. Shepard was beaten to death. The play is based on interviews conducted the year after. For more information please contact Dr. Thomas Stretton at 610- 558-3293

ROBERT KALLWASS STAFF WRITER RHK722@CABRINI EDU

Christina Ricci plays Katrina Van Tassel in the thriller, “Sleepy Hollow,” which was shown for Literary November.

JAKE VERTERANO/STAFF WRITER

WWE returns to Philadelphia for the first time after Benoit’s murders with the stadium filled with adoring fans.

Health Services provides tobacco cessation

and other smoking items from your home, office, car, etc. You want absolutely no triggers within your reach once you quit.

Make a “smoking diary” to determine when, why, and how much you smoke. List other healthy ways to get the results you like from smoking. For example, if you smoke to relax, try meditation, deep breathing exercises or yoga. Also document what you’ll do when you stop smoking and keep a “non-smoking diary” after quitting.

Health Nut

The Great American Smokeout is taking place nationwide on Thursday, Nov. 15 and resources to assist smokers with tobacco cessation will be available at Cabrini College. Use this event as the catalyst for quitting all tobacco products and take the first step towards a healthier, new you!

To resolve mixed feelings about quitting, identify positives and negatives about smoking, along with alternatives to smoking. List on an index card and carry with you at all times. Focus on the reasons you would like to quit.

Develop a contract with your health care provider to quit smoking. Consider using quit medications (patch, gum, medications, etc.) that can multiply your success rate of becoming smoke-free.

Set your quit date as soon as you are motivated to do so. Mobilize your resources and be fully prepared prior to the quit date.

Remove all cigarettes, ashtrays, lighters

When cravings hit, breathe deeply and remember they pass within a few minutes. Take a brief walk if possible. Sugar-free gum or candy will also help with cravings.

Change your routines associated with smoking. For example, if you smoked with your morning coffee in the kitchen, change your routine by drinking an alternate beverage, going to a different location and/ or reading the paper to distract yourself.

If you smoked while driving, keep a water bottle in the car to occupy your free hand. The habit of smoking is often more difficult to break than the experience of going through nicotine withdrawal.

Make lists of the following: Nonsmoking friends to spend time with and who will support you in your goal to quit. Call or visit them when you have the urge to smoke. Activities you would enjoy that don’t involve smoking, such as going to a non-smoking restaurant or exercising.

Adding physical activity is a great strategy for dealing with cravings and improving your health. Triggers for smoking and how you will modify or avoid them. Stay away from environments you associate with

smoking for a while until you feel stronger about quitting tobacco. It is best to be prepared and set yourself up for success!

Think positively and stay focused on your goal to live smoke-free. Even though it sometimes takes a few attempts, remember you CAN do it!

Some free Main Line Health Community Smoking Cessation Programs include: SmokeFREE, a behavior self-management adult group program with six total sessions. Upon completion of SmokeFREE, nine out of 10 participants quit smoking!

Tobacco Intervention Program, a program for highly addicted persons having multiple medical conditions.

Caring Families, an educational information packet providing family members and loved ones of smokers with the knowledge and skills to support the smoker prior to and during the smoking cessation process.

Not On Tobacco, an eight session program designed to help teens quit or reduce smoking.

To register or learn of other Main Line Health programs, call (866) CALL-MLH or (610) 526-8343.

For more information on the Great American Smokeout or tobacco cessation, contact the Office of Health and Wellness Education at wellness@cabrini.edu.

“Health Nut” is sponsored by the Offices of Health Services, Counseling Services, the Fitness Center and Health and Wellness Education.

Benefits of Quitting Smoking:

After 20 minutes:

- Blood pressure drops to a level close to the amount before you had your last cigarette.

- Temperature of your hands and feet return to normal.

After 8 hours:

- Carbon monoxide level in the blood drops to normal.

After 24 hours:

- Your chance of a heart attack decreases.

After 2 weeks to 3 months:

- Circulation improves.

- Your lung function increases up to 30%.

After 1 to 9 months:

- Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath decrease

- Cilia (hair like projections) regain normal function in the lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucous, clean the lungs and reduce infection.

After 1 year:

- Chance of having a heart attack is cut in half.

After 5 years:

- Risk for stroke is reduced to that of a nonsmoker's between five to 15 years after quitting.

After 10 years:

- Probability of dying from lung cancer is about half that of a continuing smoker's risk.

- Decreased risk for cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus,

Cross country competes in ECAC Championships

DANIELLE KAINE STAFF WRITER

DNK723@CABRINI EDU

The men’s and women’s cross country team traveled to the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championships, hosted by Williams College in Massachusetts. Nationally ranked teams such as Williams and Amherst were also participating in the event.

The ECAC is made up of about 70 teams on the east coast; any school that is a member is more than welcome to participate. To participate, each school must select five runners in order to score.

Head coach Thomas O’Hora was also named coach of the year by the ECAC. This is the 26th year that O’Hora has coached the Cavaliers. In those 26 years, the men’s team has won nine conference titles, three division leagues and eight gold medals.

O’Hora chose not to run every member that was able to participate in the ECAC. “We did not have enough runners due to sickness and illness,” O’Hora said. “I also made the decision to rest a couple of runners.” O’Hora chose to rest the top two runners for regionals.

“[The team] did well but Miguel ran an especially good race; and probably his best this year,” O’Hora said.

Freshman Kelly McEachern placed 93rd out of 242 runners in the event. She believes that “she started slow in the first mile but it was a good experience and would not change anything about it.”

Senior Chris Sweeney placed 84 in the men’s division and Carolyn Davis, a senior placed 37th of 242 women in the woman’s 6000 meter race.

This is said to be Miguel Amaya’s best run all season. He placed 37th out of 265 competing runners from other colleges. He was also in the top 10 freshmen to finish

the race and finished nineth within those 10 freshmen. Amaya thinks all his fellow runners did very well but there is always room for improvement.

“This race is my personal best; but I did have a high goal set which was to be in the

top 20,” Amaya said. Yet, he still thinks that he did well and if had to do one thing different he would not slow down in the fourth mile.

The Loquitur welcomes your questions and comments on this story. Comments can be sent to: Loquitur@googlegroups.com. The editors will review your comments and make corrections if warranted.

CABRINI ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT

Freshman Diane Gapinski, considered a top runner according to head coach Tom O’Hora, was unable to run in the ECAC championship due to suffering a stress fracture in her foot the week before the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference Championships.

Ice hockey: aggressiveness makes the sport

NICK PITTS STAFF WRITER NDP722@CABRINI EDU

It is kind of like having pasta without the sauce, or the meatballs or the parmesan cheese.

I am talking about aggressiveness in the National Hockey League, or more specifically, fighting, the endangered ingredient to an otherwise perfect recipe.

It seems the NHL’s ultimate goal is to eliminate raw emotion in the sport. They will only be satisfied when every club’s resident tough guy is standing in the unemployment lines.

The year is 2004. Disputes with contracts between players and franchise owners over the summer months ended bitterly, resulting in a lockout. The hockey-less year brought many changes to the NHL.

Stricter interpretations of rules that have gone overlooked for years enable forwards to experience offensive zone freedom. These changes have turned gritty low scoring defensive battles into superstar driven five or six goal games.

Enter 2007. Fighting numbers are finally up after a huge decline since the lockout. The increase has reached 52 percent in just the first 130 games this season.

One of the main reasons? The “fighting” Ducks of Anaheim. The Ducks brawled their way to a Stanley Cup victory, beating opposing teams to the ground and reintroducing the role of the enforcer to the sport. Anaheim enforcers abided by the new rules and found their own way to open the ice for their superstars to score at will.

Fans are pleased from what one can see based on the crowd reaction to a fight. The men in Toronto however, are not.

The “hockey experts” argue that fighting is a true downfall to selling hockey in American markets, big hits leave black eyes on the sport. They claim enforcers have no real reason to be in the league and certain teams are considered out of control for their conduct thus far on the ice.

As you may have guessed, one of those teams under siege is the Philadelphia Flyers.

With three players facing suspensions, two of those being over 20 games long, the Flyers have been deemed dangerous, out of control and even compared to their infamous predecessors, the Broad Street Bullies.

Wait a second, didn’t those Broad Street Bullies win Philadelphia’s only two Stanley Cup’s in their 41 year history?

Yes, and they did that by scaring the opposing team’s goal scorers out of their defensive zone, while striking fear in opposing defensemen for even looking at past scoring legends like Bob Clark.

The Jaromir Jagrs of the game now dominate, as this new look NHL favors quick European forwards and does not leave much room for gritty older players to do what they do best. How do you play against New York’s Jagr or Washington’s Oveckhkin?

Bully style, of course. You hit them, repeatedly. You scare them. You make them paranoid out on the ice, looking for the player who will deliver that bone crushing hit.

What the NHL really did by their changes was install rules that in coming years would destroy its once aggressive aura. Or at least, try to.

It only took three seasons for the enforcer role to make its comeback to hockey. Why? Because they are necessary for success.

The Flyers suffered the worst season in league history last year. This year they went out after a new quick forward known for scoring goals. To protect him, they recruited several brutal defensemen.

The results thus far in the season have been quite triumphant.

No one wants to see Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby take a dive because he felt a hand on his back, get the man advantage for his team and than score a power play goal he didn’t deserve in the first place.

If he dares to come through the center, I expect Flyers captain Jason Smith to introduce Mr. Crosby to the cold ice that he skates on.

At the same time however, if someone dares lay a finger on Philly favorites Simon Gagne or Daniel Briere, I’d expect Ben Eager to send that guy off on a stretcher.

If a player wearing a foreign sweater dares to even breathe on net minder Marty Biron, I feel a bench clearing brawl absolutely necessary.

And that’s just it, it is this kind of passion that I watch my favorite team with.

For those of you who disagree with fighting in hockey, I propose this: Your pasta just does not seem to taste the same without the sauce and the sprinkle of parmesan cheese, does it?

The Loquitur welcomes your questions and comments on this story. Comments can be sent to: Loquitur@ googlegroups.com. The editors will review your comments and make corrections if warranted.

RYAN KIRBY STAFF WRITER RCK722@CABRINI EDU

Eagles lose to Cowboys on Sunday night football

The Philadelphia Eagles dropped to 3-5 on the season after losing to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night 38-17. The loss is devastating for the Eagles who sit in last place in their division, four games back of the 7-1 Cowboys. Former Eagle Terrell Owens caught 10 balls for 174 yards and a touchdown, leading Dallas to their conference leading seventh win.

No. 2 Boston College loses to unranked Florida State

Boston College, the second best team in college football and one of only five unbeaten teams left in the county going into this weekend lost 27-17 on Saturday night. Quarterback and Heisman Trophy front runner Matt Ryan threw three interceptions in the loss included one with less then two minutes left in the game, in which FSU returned for a touchdown. Florida State improves to 6-3 while Boston College drops to 8-1 and leaves only four unbeaten teams left going into next weekend.

Flyers out of the East basement

After finishing last in the Atlantic Division last year, the Philadelphia Flyers are off to an 8-4-0 start to this season. Led by goalie Marty Biron and his league leading .94 save percentage and center Daniel Briere’s five goals and ten assists. The Flyers play all four division opponents in their next seven contests, the Rangers, Devils, Islanders and Penguins.

Sixers off to a 1-2 start

The Philadelphia 76ers who finished third in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference last year have lost two of their first three games to the 07-08 campaign. Losing games to both the Toronto Raptors and the New Jersey Nets, the Sixers are already feeling their lack of star power in the east. Still looking to replace the points and leadership that Allen Iverson brought to the team for the past decade, the Sixers are looking to their young stars like Andre Miller and Andre Igoudala.

Patriots beat Colts on late comeback

The only two unbeaten teams left in the NFL faced off on Sunday in Indianapolis and in the end it was the Patriots over the Colts 24-20 in the game dubbed “Super Bowl 41 and a half.” For the first three and a half quarters of the game, Colts quarterback Peyton Manning seemed to have the game in hand. But Tom Brady and the powerful Patriots offense came back to score two touchdowns in the final seven minutes to take the lead and win the game. Patriots receiver Randy Moss caught his 12th touchdown, tying the Patriots all time single season record just eight games into the season.

Upcoming Games

Friday, Nov. 9

Men’s Swimming at Albright College (6 p.m.)

Women’s Swimming at Albright College (6 p.m.)

Saturday, Nov.10

Women’s Cross Country- NCAA Regionals (1:15 p.m.)

Men’s Cross Country-NCAA Regionals (2:15 p.m.)

Basketball preview Cavs strive to make comeback

DANIELLE FEOLE STAFF WRITER DF727@CABRINI EDU

Cabrini College men’s basketball left the season last year with a 5-20 record. “That wasn’t Cabrini basketball,” Saleem Brown, assistant basketball coach, said. With a new coach hired in July, new players and hard work, Cabrini hopes to make a better outcome for themselves.

The new head coach, Greg Herenda, has been coaching basketball since 1983 at a variety of division one, two and three schools.

Herenda has more experience coming in than previous coaches and isn’t afraid of a change of atmosphere.

This year is different for the players, since they have to adapt to their new

coach’s style of play and learn a new system of basketball. According to Brown, the players are responding great and are working extremely hard during practice. Their excitement level is way higher than it was last year.

Randy Reid, a senior accounting major, said, “Being that I am one of the few seniors on this team, I have just been trying to make sure that our younger players are staying focused on and off the court.”

The team’s motto is C.P.A. With enough commitment and perseverance, achievement will follow.

They are going through the process of creating new successful plays. Their first goal is to play better defense. Once they have their defense down, they will have an opportunity to score.

Herenda said, “Like I said before, we’re

going to win, I just don’t know exactly when.”

On Oct. 29th, Herenda brought eight players from the team to Bryn Mawr hospital. The players spent time with patients and handed out prizes of t-shirts and little puffy basketball nets.

Herenda wants each member of the team to realize how lucky they are to be going to a great college and playing basketball in a tremendous community.

Herenda said, “I’m trying to educate them not only on the floor but also academically and socially.”

Reid said, “I have real high expectations. With the players we have at each position and their abilities, we have a chance to make some real noise this year and bring Cabrini basketball back to where it used to be.”

Wilson stays undefeated in PAC play

SARAH PASTOR STAFF WRITER SEP722@CABRINI EDU

Carolyn Wilson didn’t want any surprises to interfere with her senior performance at the 2007 Pennsylvania Athletic Conference Championships. After two consecutive undefeated seasons and a PAC player-of–the-year nomination at stake, it seemed only natural to read up on the competition she would face in the final tournament of her senior year.

Her navigation paid off with a surprise. Wilson, a senior secondary education major, received the playerof-the-year honor after helping lead the Cavaliers to their fourth successive PAC team championship in the 2007 season. Combine that with a captain position on the team while maintaining a 3.7 grade point average and it’s hard not to be jealous.

Wilson has earned her title after four years of balancing 20 credit semesters with a grueling tennis career.

Lady Cavs rebound off last season

LIZ GARRETT STAFF WRITER EGG722@CABRINI EDU

The women’s basketball team at Cabrini is looking towards a productive and successful season. Between the players and their coach, there is a great deal of enthusiasm shown when discussing the upcoming events the team will be facing this season. This past season has given the team the experience they need to hold such high expectations for this season.

“We took a big step last year advancing to the PAC finals with a team of almost all sophomores. What they have to understand is that while that experience will benefit them, that achievement means nothing now,” Bobbi Morgan, head women’s basketball coach, said.

The women are at a point in which they can really obtain their goals because of the skills gained after last season. “They have to get after it like every other team. I am confident that if they play hard and if they play together and unselfishly, that they can beat every team in our conference. But it won’t be easy,” Morgan said.

The team lost after making it to the PAC championship this past season. However there is a definite positive outlook for this season because of the amount of talent they have acquired. The women’s basketball team is aiming to go beyond expectations in the NCAA tournament. The team consists of 18 players filled with potential in hopes of several wins. Prior to their first game at Penn State-Berks, there is a scrimmage scheduled with Catholic University and Delaware Valley College.

A certain amount of commitment is called for in order to make the upcoming season a memorable one. The players who make up the team consider it a priority which guarantees that they will do whatever it takes to perform well. “I have been lucky enough to coach some really talented, successful teams over the years, and the teams that did the best were ones with single-mindedness to them. I am challenging them this year to do that, to put the success of the team above all things,” Morgan said.

The eagerness to have a victorious season is present in the players who make

up the women’s basketball team.

“We need to stay dedicated and motivated to be successful and I believe if we work hard and play harder we’ll make some big noise,” junior communication major Brittany McLeod said.

The feeling among teammates is mutual for the attitude on this season. “This season is going to be a very exciting season. We have everyone back from last year and we came back stronger then ever. We are looking forward to being a power house in the PAC and the team to beat. We hope to win PACs and make it to the NCAAs this year,” junior exercise science and health promotion major Kate Ryan said.

“I think this season is going to be a break out season for us,” sophomore early childhood elementary education major Alyssa Brady said.

Women’s basketball at Cabrini is eager to be the team people want to watch and they are intending on surprising their audiences this season. “I am excited. I think if they are willing to work at it good things will come.”

“We practice for three hours a day and have about two matches per week in season, so it’s a lot to handle,” Wilson explained when asked how she was able to uphold such an impressive GPA with the demands of a captain position on a winning tennis team. “Home matches are usually six hours long and away matches take at least nine. I put a lot of pressure on myself and think about a match all day at school. I still get so nervous that by the time I step on the court for warm ups I am already mentally exhausted.”

But Wilson’s performance on the court shows no signs of fatigue. She earned first team honors at the PAC Individual Championships on Saturday, Oct. 27 with both singles and doubles victories.

“I’m really proud of our undefeated record ,” Wilson said. “It shows how much depth we have as a team and how far we have come in just the four years I have played for Cabrini. We are all really close and motivate each other to do well, which leads to more wins as a team.”

Wilson will have one more opportunity to show her skills next spring when the Cavalier’s compete in the NCAA Championships in May 2008. This will be the second year the team attends the invitation only tournament, which is scheduled to take place in New York.

CABRINI ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT

Senior Sharae Middlebrook of the women’s basketball team shoots the ball during the intra-squad scrimage at Cavalier Tip-off as senior Greg Clifton of the men’s team attempts a block.

Men’s Soccer

The men’s soccer team finished third in the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference after losing to rival Eastern University in the semi-finals of the PAC championships. The Cavaliers record dropped to 16-4 overall.

“I do believe the team worked hard this year and fulfilled our goals thus far. The result [of senior’s leadership] was us jumping out to a 13-1 record in our first 14 games, and our only loss was by a score of 1-0 to Dickinson College, a top 25 team,” Coach Glen Jaskelewicz said.

Fall Sports Wrap-up

Field Hockey

“This year we struggled against the top competition in the league such as Eastern University and College of Misericordia and next year if we want to remain an upper-tier team in the region we’ll have to win those league games and important non-league games,” sophomore Jason Moran, a midfielder and communications major, said.

“After narrowly missing the PAC playoffs last year, our goals were to make the PAC playoffs and give ourselves a chance at a postseason bid either to the National Collegiate Athetlic Associtation tournament or Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament. The post season still is a very realistic possibility.

The team was selected to make it’s first appearance ever in the ECAC Division III South Championships on Wednesday, Nov. 7 versus Swarthmore College.

JESSICA HAGERTY/SPORTS EDITOR CHRISTOPHER R BLAKE STAFF WRITER CRB724@CABRINI EDU

The field hockey team finished its 2007 season in a 3-2 overtime loss to Gwynedd-Mercy College in the first round of the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference playoffs. Under the leadership of Coach Jackie Neary the team has qualified for the conference championships for the 11th consecutive year, a conference record, according to the Cabrini College Athletics Web site. The women finished with an overall record of 8-12 with a 6-4 record in conference games.

“It was a tough start in the beginning. We were 0-8, early in September and I told the girls it’s not about wins and losses. It’s about making the playoffs and they did. I am so proud of how this team pushed through a tough start and managed to make the playoffs,” Coach Neary said. The team had 17 freshmen and six upper classmen.

“Next season the team will improve on knowing where each of us is on the field. I think this was a great building year and next year we will come out stronger,” sophomore Sarah Trzuskowski, a forward/midfielder and special education, elementary education major, said.

Men’s Cross Country

The men’s cross country team “had their best year since 2001,” Coach Tom O’Hora said. “Led by freshman Eddie Penetar, the men upset the defending champions College of Misericordia for the PAC Championship.”

Penetar, Miguel Amaya, Justin Walsh, Chris Sweeney and John Solewin each recieved All-PAC honors.

“The team definitely did an awesome job this season. There have been many ups and downs (injuries and such), but we all trained hard and came out on top as PAC champs,” senior Chris Sweeney, an accounting and Spanish major, said.

“The season is not over yet. We are looking forward to the regional meet to be held at Lehigh on Nov. 10. Eddie Penetar is looking to finish off his first season by qualifying for the NCAA National D III Championships,” O’Hora said.

“We’re a very close team and very comfortable with each other, which is a good thing. Next year, if the team has more discipline and obedience, they will surely continue to do as well as they’ve done this season, and most likely win PACs again and make it to Nationals,” Sweeney said.

Women’s Cross Country

The women’s cross country team faced many obstacles during the 2007 season, only to persevere and fight through the pain, literally.

“We started the season with high hopes, but it didn’t take long before the lofty expectations were dashed. First several ladies that we had counted on to help decided not to run. Then once the season got underway Lauren Gambescia and Kelly McEachern were out most of the season and only Kelly was able to run at PACs. The week before PACs another top runner, Diane Gapinski, suffered a stress fracture in her foot. It all added up to only having four healthy runners available to run in the championships. Kelly was able to come back strong enough to join Carolyn Roberts on the All-PAC team,” Coach Tom O’Hora said.

The team will join the men for the Regional meet at Lehigh on Nov. 10. Senior Carolyn Roberts will be looking to back to the NCAA Division III championships.

Women’s Soccer

The women’s soccer team’s season came to an end after a 6-0 loss against Eastern University in the semi-finals of the PAC Championships.

The team was ranked as a sixth seed going into the playoffs and reached the semi-finals with a penalty kick victory (after two sudden death overtime periods) upsetting third-seeded Marywood University in the first round of the playoffs. The Cavs overall record was 7-9-4.

“With only one senior in the program, the women’s soccer team has a very bright future. Last year the team finished in second place, losing to the eventual PAC Champions by one goal. This fall was more frustrating as the season was filled with many ups and downs,” Coach Ken Prothero said. “Nagging injuries, bad luck and some inconsistent plays on both sides of the ball hurt the team in big games this fall.”

“I think that we can definitely improve next year and

keep on building what we already have. We are losing only one player next year and we have the strong core to continue on,” freshman Cheyenne White, a goalkeeper and biology and pre-med major, said.

“I think this season was a great learning experience for our team. We played with a tremendous amount of heart and passion last year and it paid off with wins that were earned through shear hard work. It will be interesting to see what the players do in the off season to prepare for the 2008 season. We have a lot of talent on this team and will surely have many quality kids try out next fall. Championships are won in the off-season. The competition for a spot on this squad will probably be the toughest it has ever been. We will be the team to beat next year,” Coach Prothero said.

The team has 22 potential returners, including captains Nikki Duggan, Christina Romano and Bittany Shields. In August, the women’s soccer team will be traveling to Brazil as part of their preseason.

Volleyball

The volleyball team lost to Neumann College 3-0 in the semi-finals of the PAC Championships. The Cavaliers ended their season with an overall mark of 19-9, tying the program record for single season wins.

“Our team really stepped up to the challenge of meshing new coaches and the loss of some players from last year. We stuck it out and we grew stronger as a team and were able to do what a lot of teams didn’t think we were going to do by finishing third in the PAC this season,” sophomore Traci Beltz, an outside hitter and exercise science and health promotion major, said.

“We are a very close team and are not graduating any seniors this year so we can only improve from here. Our small size this year made us comfortable playing with each other and with addition of some freshmen, we will be a stronger team next year and the years to come,” Beltz said.

The Loquitur welcomes your questions and comments on this story. Comments can be sent to: Loquitur@ googlegroups.com. The editors will review your comments and make corrections if warranted.