2008-09 Issue 17 Loquitur

Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009

YOU SPEAK, WE LISTEN

Radnor, Pa.

CABRINI COLLEGE

Pacemaker Winner Vol L, Issue 17

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Local and global hunger issues interconnect janene gibbons staff writer

jmg727@cabrini.edu shannon keough copy editor

sek723@cabrini.edu

brittany mitchell/multimedia editor

Founder’s Day speakers Dr. Mariana Chilton and Abiosseh Davis converse following their talks on the global food crisis in front of students, faculty and administrators on Tuesday, Feb. 17.

jake verterano/A&E editor

Students and faculty take in the first speaker Abiosseh Davis’ speech on the global food crisis and what steps students can take to help the cause.

The link between the dignity of human beings and the impact that humanity has on legislation was the driving force behind the presentations that were given on Cabrini’s fifth annual Founder’s Day. The global food crisis was the theme of this year’s Founder’s Day, held on Tuesday, Feb. 17, in the Grace Hall Atrium, at which two speakers, Abiosseh Davis and Dr. Mariana Chilton, spoke on the topic both globally and domestically.

“Food security is a growing problem where people may occasionally have access to food but not on a dependable level because of war, other kinds of violence, environmental factors or corruption in the government,” Mary Laver, director of international affairs, said.

Interaction was a key component of the evening. Davis, project associate for the Global Women’s Project at the Center for Concern in Washington, D.C., encouraged the audience to shout out what they thought were the major contributors to the global food crisis.

Among their answers were climate, disease and bad policies.

Around the room there was a photo exhibit, an advocacy table set up in order for students to write letters to their senators and a spirituality center where students could show their support for Cabrini Sisters and send their prayers and encouragement to the Witnesses to Hunger.

Chilton, assistant professor in the public health school at Drexel

University, brought her photo exhibit Witnesses to Hunger. Her vision was to allow mothers to document their lives and the issues that block their access to getting nutritional food for themselves and their families. Her project entailed giving cameras to 40 women in order to make their voices heard by legislators.

While Chilton knows a common reaction may be pity for these people, she hopes they will feel outraged enough to be empowered and change policy.

Chilton’s idea with Witnesses to Hunger was “to lift the blinds between those who have and have not.”

Beth Briggs, junior psychology and sociology major and CRS food security ambassador, talked about the importance of students understanding the global and domestic connection of food security. She believes you cannot think about one without thinking about the other.

Chilton emphasized that although she works locally in Philadelphia, Pa., with hunger issues, she sees Philadelphia as a part of the globe and being affected as well.

Davis’ argument was that, “people should be at the center of everything you do,” instead of putting profits at the top of everything. “It’s really exciting that people [at Cabrini] are using the common good as the basis of how they envision the world,” Davis said.

Founder’s Day was begun by former Cabrini President Antoinette Iadarola in 2001 when Sister Ursula Infante, founder of Cabrini, passed away at age 104. The day takes place during the week

FOUNDER’S DAY, page 3

Norristown homeless seek refuge in shelter diana trasatti copy editor

dlt722@cabrini.edu

Rows of cots are aligned strategically along the tile-covered concrete floor. A white sheet covers the thin mattresses and one or two throw blankets are neatly folded on the bottom of the makeshift beds, some with child-like stuffed animals placed upon them. A few beige walls, no doors, are the only separation

INSIDE this week’s edition

between males and females. In this bedroom, all 75 inhabitants are roommates. They all experience each person’s nightmares and they all hear each single cough and each individual snore.

Besides this large bedroom, the residents of the Norristown shelter share another common bond.

They are all homeless.

“Don’t judge us because we’re here, just because we’re having a hard time,” Raseanya Rivera, a resident of the shelter, said.

Rivera appears like any other 23-year-old; talking proudly about her passion for art, music and writing. Going by the beaming grin on her face alone, no one would ever suspect that she is one of the residents at a homeless shelter.

“These are people like us who just had rotten luck,” Genny O’Donnell, director of the Coordinated Outreach Center, said.

O’Donnell became involved with the shelter in October 2006

when the Norristown hospital donated a wing to act as a shelter in response to the county’s request and the urging of the community action council.

The emergency shelter’s goal is to help the residents become self-sufficient obtain an education, employment and permanent housing. Organizing activities that promote community involvement is one the programming aspects that O’Donnell holds in high importance.

“This is the bottom. It is here or the woods. We encourage people to get involved in something that will get them out,” O’Donnell said.

Homelessness became a national problem in the ‘80s during the terms of President Ronald Reagan. When Reagan cut the federal deficit from $74 billion to $19 billion, the affordable hous-

HOMELESSNESS, page 3

Hunger Banquet

Philly Car Show

Page 4

Page 12

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2 NEWS

EDITORIAL

Ongoing hunger crisis forces developing countries further into poverty

Even before the current U.S. economic crisis, there was a worldwide epidemic affecting more than half of the world’s population, leaving almost a billion people starving and many more, even in the U.S., struggling to get a basic necessity in life: food.

Since spring 2007, food prices across the world started to rise significantly. The cost of products like flour, rice, corn and wheat were doubling and even tripling in price. In a single year alone the cost of wheat had risen 130 percent and rice 74 percent.

A global food crisis had hit and it seemed to happen over night, with no direct warning.

The American people were not eliminated from dealing with the food crisis and found everyday foods harder to fit into their budgets.

In summer 2008, Americans experienced a season of high costs in both food and gas, forcing many to cut back on some expenses but for the most part Americans were able to lead their normal lives.

Americans spend 10 to 20 percent of their income on food, while many in the developing world spend 60 to 80 percent of their income on food. The rise in food prices has driven many countries into a world of extreme poverty, which leaves them striving to feed its citizens.

The developing world is dealing with malnourishment and people living on little to no food each day. Besides no food, many of the same countries have no clean water or any type of healthcare system. Even the worst conditions in America are vastly different from those in the developing world.

For people in the U.S., the rise in food prices has forced us to cut back on insignificant items such as vacations or extra entertainment, with slight cuts on grocery spending: while people in developing countries do not have those options and have complete frustration, leading to political and economical instability.

In April 2008, Haiti experienced a number of riots due to and rooted in the lack of food supply, and in 2007 India also saw a number of riots related back to the global food crisis. The global food crisis creates a larger problem than hungry people, provoking war and worsens ing disease.

But how does a college student begin to understand such large and complex issues? First we must educate ourselves and those around us on the topic. After we are educated, we can work towards policy change in government, because hunger is preventable and we do have the availability to end extreme poverty.

Why should people in less developed countries and in poor areas of the U.S. be stripped of basic human rights because they cannot afford food? Each American is lucky to live in a country that although has economic problems, is still able to provide for our citizens unlike many other countries around the world.

Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009

College takes safet y precautions for commercial pool drains in Dixon Center

brian loschiavo staff writer

bl726@cabrini.edu

Pools and hot tub drains across the country and here in Pennsylvania have become dangerous.

Two years ago, a 7-year-old girl from Pennsylvania tried to hold on to her young life as she was helplessly suctioned to the drain at the bottom of a family friend’s hot tub. From that point on, the standards for all public and commercial pools had to change.

This situation has affected pools across the country and notably here at Cabrini. Cabrini is one of the first commercial pools to make the change. When a lot of other pools asked for emergency waivers to put safety covers on their drains, Cabrini went right to work.

“The change was so easy for us to make here at Cabrini because our drainage system is more or less universal, so the drain cover was easy to get,” Derek Kay, cabrini aquatics director, said.

Every year around two people die in the United States as a result of being held under the water by the powerful suction of pool and hot tub drains.

The young child that drowned just happened to be the granddaughter of former Secretary of State James Baker. This specific case gained huge public aware-

ness when the mother of the child took the issue to Congress to testify about the dangers of pool drains.

In 2007, Congress passed a law in the name of former Secretary of State Baker’s granddaughter that made regulations that required public and commercial pools as well as hot tubs to be fitted with safety drain covers that would prevent such fatalities.

The cut-off date for pools to make the change was effective Dec. 19, 2008. This caused a lot of problems with owners, operators and manufactures of many aquatic facilities. Their complaint being that there was not enough time allowed to make the changes. The Dixon Center pool here at Cabrini had no complaints and made the changes needed.

“Even though Cabrini made the change right away I understand the complaints of people who operate pools across the country,” Kay said. “There was not enough time allowed to make the appropriate changes for some facilities.”

Many manufactures argue that there are not enough parts available for some style drains and that some pools have extremely unique and in some cases old plumbing and new safety drains that have not even been manufactured for them at this point. This has caused many area pools to ask for waivers extending the time

they have to make the change so they can still operate.

Kay compared the new pool drain regulations to the digital television conversion that will occur in the next few weeks. He talked about the fact that there has been a lot of awareness for the digital change to prepare people unlike the pool drain change over where it was not well advertised.

This big argument comes from the National Swimming Pool Foundation who says that if pools get shut down for lack of compliance then water safety is reduced rather than improved.

Aquatic safety would be reduced because without pools being opened swimming instruction and lifeguard training and not be conducted.

The NSPF has estimated that there are over 300,000 public swimming pools in America and this is a number that seems to be too large for on-site inspection.

Therefore, the enforcement of the safety drain policy is going to depend on how safe operators want their pool to be and how much they care about the innocent people that there pool may affect.

The end result to the situation is simply to make the environment of all citizens safe. Most people do not even think about problems like these but they should know the dangers that may exist for themselves and their loved ones.

2008-2009 Loquitur Staff/Editorial Staff Editor in Chief Mallory Terrence Staff Writers Deputy Editor Christine Graf Christine Adolf Kirk Manion Managing Editor Meghan Smith Megan Bernatavitz Melissa Mariani News Editor

Liz Garrett Samantha Bokoski Morgan Miller News Editor Christopher R. Blake Justin Bostwick Erin Nollen A & E Editor Christina Michaluk Charles Bush Michael O’Hara A & E Editor Jake Verterano Amanda Carson Eric Povish Features Editor Britany Wright Gillian Davis Gianna Shikitino Perspectives Editor Jessie Holeva Kara Driver Andrew Stettler Sports Editor Danielle Feole Katharine Engell Matthew Stewart Sports Editor Nicholas Pitts Kerry English Tina Vitanza Copy Editor

Shannon Keough Jill Fries Jessica Wegelin Copy Editor Brittany McLeod Arielle Friscia Candice Wojnarowski Copy Editor Diana Trasatti Kristofer Genther Jen Wozniak Web Editor Megan Pellegrino Janene Gibbons Multimedia Editor Kara Schneider Sami Godowsky Multimedia Editor Brittany Mitchell Molly Kearney Graphic Designer Anna Scholl Megan Kutulis Adviser Dr. Jerome Zurek Brian Loschiavo

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 submitted to loquitur@googlegroups.com or to the newsroom mailboxes in Founders Hall 264.

Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009

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Impact of global food crisis

NEWS 3

FOUNDER’S DAY, page 1 of Infante’s birthday, Feb. 18, and continues to reflect on the social justice values and global vision of the Cabrini sisters.

The CRS food security ambassadors Briggs, Chris Cantwell, Ashley Cook and Shannon Keough assisted in the planning of the event.

Laver thinks that the ultimate answers and solutions to food insecurity will come from this generation. She thinks that we are at a point in history where we can solve this despite the hard economic times.

“The more people voice their opinions, the more legislators will want to take action,” Pat Walsh, junior English major, said.

brittany mitchell/multimedia editor

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Students take part in the advocacy station during Founder’s Day.

Outreach center provides helping hand HOMELESSNESS, page 1 intense pain she receives from ing market suffered and states could no longer pay for housing.

In place of housing prices within the range of low-income American’s ability to pay, came higher rents. With no government subsidizing and private landlords renting out apartments to those willing to pay the top price, the population of people living paycheck to paycheck were left on the streets.

“As long as there are people who are willing to pay these high rents, the ones who can not afford it are out of luck,” Dr. Jeffrey Gingerich, associate professor of sociology, said.

With the signing of McKinney Veto Act in 1987, money was put back into housing. This money went into soup kitchens and housing for singles adults.

The signing of this act managed the problem, but did little to end it, and the populations of families who lost their homes due to the earlier budget cuts were still left in the dark.

“Once a system creates homelessness, then it’s going to happen. People are going to fall into the hole. You need to monitor and re-evaluate the legislation that was passed. If they’re not improving anything, then they need to change,” O’Donnell said.

Outside factors in which an individual has no control can also lead down the path of homelessness.

“You would never think this would happen and here we are,” Mary Ellen, a resident of the shelter, said.

After a divorce, Mary Ellen, a housewife of 14 years, found herself forced to leave her home with only the clothes on her back. The

her rheumatoid arthritis makes it difficult to work, but she still manages to wake up 5:30 a.m. every morning to clean houses for $10 an hour. Despite no longer being able to live in the home she shared with her husband and children, she remains optimistic.

“I’m going to make it out of here,” she said.

James, a shelter resident, found himself homeless, when he was hit by a car that left him unable to work. The long mailing process and expensive attorney’s prevented James from receiving his due money.

“You got to have faith. It will all work out in the end,” James said.

Not only did his accident leave him homeless and without money, but just as painful, he cannot currently afford to see his children residing out of state.

“I would like to see my son and daughter. Hopefully I’ll get to see them next year,” he said.

Awareness of current legislation and who is in office are ways that citizens can take an active role in combating this epidemic.

Soup kitchens and shelter donations are beneficial, but are not getting to the root of the problem.

“We need to be advocating for laws and policies that make sure we don’t have homelessness in our society,” Gingerich said.

Until a major change occurs in our society, O’Donnell will be continuing working at getting people off the streets and into a stable living situation.

“You see people make it. They can get out of here. They can make it,” O’Donnell said.

diana trasatti/copy editor

Genny O’Donnell, director of the Norristown homeless shelter, speaks with resident Raseanya Rivera about her future plans after leaving the shelter.

diana trasatti/copy editor

A single room full of cots acts as a bedroom for all 75 residents in the shelter.

4 NEWS

Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009

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Students raise awareness at hunger banquet gillian davis staff writer

gbd722@cabrini.edu

Walking into the Cabrini Mansion, a person would expect glamour and warmth. However, on Wednesday, Feb. 11, the Poverty Awareness Campaign and Catholic Relief Services Food Security ambassadors greeted students by handing out color coded name tags to represent what social class they belonged to for the annual Hunger Banquet.

The blue dotted name tags represented the extremely poor, the tags that were marked red symbolized the middle class and finally the purple dotted name tag held the rich status.

“I can’t believe I’m extremely poor and my friend pulled out the rich name tag,” Caitlin Gill, senior elementary education major, said. “She gets to eat cake while I sit on the floor and eat rice.”

The rich social status equal 10 percent of the world’s population.

Middle class make up 60 percent of the population. The remaining 30 percent of the world population represents the extremely poor. The way the name tags were handed out was for every 10 people that came into the Mansion, six people were poor, three people were in the middle class and one person was wealthy.

As students filed into the dining room of the mansion, they saw two tables and a space on the floor where jugs of water were filled. One little table was lit by candlelight and decorated with

buttered bread, garden salad, silverware, cloth napkins and two fancy glasses filled with water and juice.

The next table had macaroni and cheese and string beans.

Both meals were accompanied by plastic cups, plastic dishes and plastic forks and knives.

On the floor, huddled in a circle, there was a bowl filled with plain rice and plastic plates, cups and forks.

These were the dinners of people who attended the Hunger Banquet.

“The purpose of the event was to make people aware of the extreme poverty that exists all over the world,” Shannon Keough, junior English and communication major, said. “It’s hard to get college students to care about these issues, but providing an interactive experience makes more students come out and listen, instead of just hanging posters around campus about the issues.”

Keough, Beth Briggs and Chris Cantwell are all in the Poverty Awareness Campaign and CRS Food Security ambassador programs and ended up being the representatives and organizers for the committees. The students also had the help and aid of their faculty adviser Mary Laver.

The banquet was emceed by Dr. James Hedtke, professor and chair of history and political science, who asked students to read aloud facts about extreme poverty.

Such facts were: 854 million people across the world are

jenna donahue/staff photographer

Students eat dinner in the Cabrini Mansion on Feb. 11, during the Poverty Awareness Campaign and CRS Food Security Ambassador’s Hunger Banquet. Some students ate at tables, while others sat on the floor. hungry, which is more than the populations of the United States, Canada and the European Union.

Last year, the total was 852 million.

“Each person’s place is randomly determined,” Hedtke said.

“It’s the luck of the draw.”

There was a guest speaker Daniel Flynn, who had spent a year of his life volunteering in Ecuador through the program Rostro de Cristo.

“At its most basic level, the program has volunteers living in Christian communities in poor neighborhoods in Durán, Ecuador and they seek to see the face of Christ in those around them and to be the face of Christ to ev-

eryone they meet,” Flynn said.

Flynn passed around photographs he had taken during his time in Ecuador. As the pictures switched hands, Flynn told personal stories and stories about the people in the pictures.

“With the current economic state of first world countries such as the United States its easy to forget those suffering in impoverished third world nations,” Cantwell, junior history and secondary education major, said.

“It’s a good reminder that while our situation is not ideal, it could be a lot worse.”

The evening concluded with the leaders of the event thanking everyone for attending and then

informing the students who only had a scoop of rice to eat that they had pizza waiting for them in the back.

“I was excited to attend again this year and it meant so much more to me after spending a week in solidarity with our Ecuadorian community,” Leah Hannan, senior social work major, said. “I think our leaders did a great job in organizing this event and I hope other students were touched by it.”

LIFE program offers resume critiques jessica wegelin staff writer

jessica wegelin/staff writer

Students review resume formats at the Resume Clinic held in the Iadarola Center on Feb. 5 by the LIFE program.

jw729@cabrini.edu

“All I want is a job,” senior finance major Matthew Stawecki said. Those six words flowed regularly out of student’s mouths on Feb. 5 at the Resume Clinic.

Fifteen students gathered around a table at 3:30 p.m. in the Iadarola Center to critique their resumes and understand the importance of the different workshops offered throughout this spring semester.

The Resume Clinic was the first out of nine LIFE Series workshops set up for Cabrini students to try and develop their resume and understand the LIFE program, which means “Learning, Involving, Focusing and Evolving.”

The LIFE program is basically a series of discussions focused on preparing students for a job search and transitioning from oncampus life to off-campus life.

“The main purpose of this Resume Clinic was to enhance and help student’s start thinking about life after college and to prepare for their future,” Director of Student Activities Anne Filippone said.

The resume workshop gave students the opportunity to learn about a brief overview on the

basics of writing a resume and develop an understanding of the three components of a resume which include: content, format and appearance.

Each student was given a binder in which they were able to take notes on the different slide shows during the presentation. The program focused on the content guidelines where students were asked to think about the qualities, skills and experiences they want their audience to know about, along with making their resume as unique as the individual.

“I went to the clinic to enhance my writing skills and to improve the content on my current resume.

It really helped me and made me understand the importance of a good, solid resume,” senior finance major Bob Morgan said.

The clinic also gave suggestions to students on ways to layout their objective, education, experience, skills and other pertinent information that a person might want to include.

The type of format and when to use certain formats were other topics that were discussed during the clinic. The last page included in the binder was a list of nine ways to target your resume to what an employer or graduate school is looking for.

“Going into the clinic I thought

it was going to be another boring class to sit through but by the end I realized it was a big help and will get me on the right path for getting a job and being successful. There were a lot of helpful pointers that I will be sure to use,” junior finance major Kate Schmid said.

There are eight other clinics offered through the LIFE program, which include, interactive cover letter, job search strategies, interviewing techniques vs. business casual, transition to off-campus life, financial responsibility, healthcare and dining for success program.

All of these programs are set up for one purpose and that is to show students that as Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “intelligence plus character― that is the goal of true education.”

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Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009

NEWS 5

Obama administration to face cabinet problems andy stettler staff writer

ads725@cabrini.edu charles bush staff writer

cab724@cabrini.edu

Two weeks ago, Tom Daschle withdrew his nomination as secretary of health and human services after the former South Dakota Senator was said to have failed to pay more than $140,000 in taxes after he lost his senate seat in 2004. Daschle withdrew his nomination just hours after Nancy Killefer had withdrawn her nomination, also due to tax problems. In addition, Judd Gregg, Republican Senator of New Hampshire, withdrew his nomination late last week due to differences in opinion on key issues like the stimulus bill.

Stimulus bill passes After a day of ongoing negotiations, House and Senate leaders announced last Wednesday night that they had reached a deal on a $789.5 billion stimulus package that would pay for billions in new construction and infrastructure projects. The bill, among other things, will also provide tax relief to individuals and businesses while extending unemloyment benefits. Democrats say it will save or create three and a half million new jobs, a decline from the four million jobs the party had originally hoped for.

mct

A new study researched by Laura M. Padilla-Walker, associate professor at the School of Family Life at Brigham-Young University, found a correlation between students who frequently play video games and drug and alcohol use, along with poor personal relationships.

Study finds relation betweeen

video games and drug use jill fries staff writer

vjf722@cabrini.edu

Drug and alcohol use, along with poor personal relationships and low self-esteem, is what a new study has found with college students who frequently play video games.

The study was done by Laura M. Padilla-Walker, an associate professor at the School of Family Life at Brigham-Young University, and her colleagues.

For 12 months, Padilla-Walker and her colleagues examined frequency and type of video game and Internet used by undergraduate college students: 500 females and 313 males.

On average, the students who participated in the study were 20 years old and received course credit.

The participants were also asked to look at their own lives with drug and alcohol use, perceptions of self-worth, quality of relationships and perceptions of social acceptance.

Anthony Stola, sophomore accounting major, said, “I don’t know about drug use, but I think self-esteem may be affected because a lot of people who play video games don’t tell anyone

because they are afraid to be judged.” Stola plays several computer games for fun and out of boredom while here on campus.

Although Stola does not suffer from any of the negative factors, he does see some people who do and some may be his teammates from a game.

“The computer games I play have teams of sometimes 20 people,” Stola said.

“It’s just like any sport; you become part of a team and if they need you to play, you have to be there. For some people, that does affect their social life or relationships. It is very time consuming to be good.”

Stola also explained that for some people, it is their job to play video games to win money. They are part of a league.

When it comes to money, video games may become more risky with the negative behaviors than they should be.

There have been numerous stories on the news about students becoming violent from excessive video game use that uses violence and that cause these students to not be accepted by social groups.

These types of gamers sometimes pretend to be from the vid-

eo game itself, which can become very dangerous for those around as well as the gamer itself.

The Journal of Youth and Adolescence shared the findings: young men played video games three times as often as young women and the games were violent eight times as often.

Padilla-Walker said these findings are just the beginning of understanding the health and development of young adults.

Cabrini students can now monitor their video game or Internet usage.

23 claims of arson reported in Coatesville Last week, Coatesville, Pa., police reported that 23 claims of arson have been reported since Jan. 1. The fires have been set on porches where residents have stored their trash. One incident involved the burning of 15 row homes. Though the police have made several arrests and instituted curfews, little progress has been made to find the actual arsonists. Since the economic crisis has taken such a toll on low-income families, these fires have become part of a larger crisis.

Plane crash in Buffalo Last Friday night, Continental Connection Flight 3407 crashed into a house in Clarence Center, N.Y., just outside Buffalo. The crash killed all of the 49 people on the flight and one person on the ground. Early reports said that the flight captains had reported an icing problem caused by the cold weather. However, black-box reports said that the plane was on auto-pilot when it crashed, which means the pilot was breaking federal flight regulations that say pilots cannot have the plane on auto-pilot when faced with icing problems.

G.M. presses union for healthcare cuts

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General Motors executives were locked in intense negotiations Monday, Feb. 16, with leaders of the Leaders of the United Automobile Workers over ways to cut its vast bills for retire healthcare. General Motors will file what is expected to be the largest restructuring plan of its 100-year history on Tuesday, a step it must take to justify its use of a $13.4 billion loan package from the federal goverment. The plan will outline in considerable detail, over as many as 900 pages, how G.M. will further cut its work force, shutter more factories in North America and reduce its lineup of brands to just four from eight, according to executives knowledgeable about its contents. The remaining core brands will be Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC and Buick.

6 PERSPECTIVES

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Perspectives

Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009

PETA antics: first paint throwing, now ‘sea kittens’ and sexy veggies IN M Y OPINION

throwing cans of red paint at unsuspecting passerbys to remind them of the blood shed on behalf of their wardrobe.

I get the symbolism, but I don’t really believe that PETA members can

honestly see this as a legitimate way to change people’s minds. Next time I see a smoker, I’ll be sure to shower them in tobacco.

That’ll teach ‘em.

The most recent PETA effort has been directed

at fish. In an attempt to change people’s view, the organization has suggested that fish be called “sea kittens” instead.

I know there is no way I’m the only one who sees anything weird about this.

Sea kittens sound like some sketchy video game character that you have to beat on level one before you get to the real stuff.

Furthermore, unless they plan on de-sliming and de-stinking these sea

megan kutulis staff writer

mmk725@cabrini.edu

I’ve never really been big into fur, but I can pretty much guarantee that if I was, a bucket of red paint all over a jacket I probably paid a semester’s worth of tuition for would get me pretty heated. This is why I sympathize with victims of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals red paint protests.

PETA is the largest animal rights group in the world, and probably one of the most controversial.

Although PETA has been around for quite a while, its controversial ad campaigns and technically peaceful protests have started to push the envelope.

“Paint throwers,” PETA’s most supposedly “devoted” members, have become notorious for protesting leather and fur by

jake verterano/ a&e editor

The animal rights organization, PETA, is always thinking of different ways of getting its message across, whether it’s making vegetables sexy, renaming fish or furs covered in red paint.

kittens, I doubt they’ll get a different reaction than fish did.

PETA’s commercials have been known to raise a few eyebrows, too. Past clips have included Pamela Anderson and Alicia Silverstone preferring to “go naked rather than wear fur,” and, most recently, their ad was pulled from the anticipated Super Bowl commercial lineup for being too scandalous. The ad is still posted on the organization’s Web site, but let’s just say I can see why it was pulled.

Still, I have to give PETA some credit. Its ads have come a long way from the whole look-whereyou r- ch icke n -nug get s came-from documentaries, and they’ve managed to get people talking, no matter what the reason. And no one ends up drenched in paint, which is a plus.

I think PETA has a good thing going, and their work for animal rights is something that’s affected plenty of people. But when it comes to convincing the general public that what they’re doing is right, they’ve got a long way to go.

Planned Parenthood gives out gift certificates Planned Parenthood giving gift certificates to women in need of healthcare during the tough economic downturn. Cecile Richards, president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, explained on the show that the gift certificates can be used for any services offered by the clinGIANNA SHIKITINO ics, including abortions.

I think it’s a strategic gianna shikitino way to reel in more womstaff writer en who are not receiving gls722@cabrini.edu healthcare, but my concern When I think of gift is that young women will certificates, restaurants abuse the privileges. They and stores cross my mind. may see it as a free ride for Never would I think of purchasing Plan B, birth an organization such as control or may even use it Planned Parenthood being towards an abortion.

If Planned Parenthood the provider of gift certificates. I can see this stir- is worried about women ring up controversy, maybe lacking healthcare, don’t you think they would even praise.

National Public Radio worry about their supplies had a talk show in De- running out? And with the cember about the idea of economy being in a terrible

I N M Y O P IN IO N

condition, how will they receive the supplies they need if they’re basically giving them away for free?

The government will most likely turn down the idea of providing Planned Parenthood with more funding. So if Planned Parenthood is thinking of ways to promote their company’s services, they better think of ways to buy more supplies.

Richards’ goal for the use of certificates is to provide family planning and primary healthcare needs.

She stated that Planned Parenthood clinics throughout America see almost 3 million women a year for birth control and breast cancer screenings.

I have never been to Planned Parenthood, nor do I plan on going there anytime soon, but I do know what Planned Parent-

hood offers and why many women go there.

And from what I heard, they did not go there for things such as breast cancer screenings.

In my opinion, Planned Parenthood’s initiative is clever; but I feel as though young women who are not mature enough will take advantage of the opportunity.

Yes, it is nice to give to those who are not receiving healthcare; I have no problem with that. But I think this gift-giving is a strategic way to promote Planned Parenthood and its services.

I feel as though the Planned Parenthood Federation of America used the excuse of the economy’s condition to expand their services.

Indiana State Health Commissioner Judy Mon-

roe M.D. praised this idea of giving gift certificates in the mist of the financial crisis. So far, Indiana is the only state allowing Planned Parenthood to provide gift certificates in the United States.

Will the number of states following the idea change in the future? My guess is that if the gift certificates become a success, then possibly other health commissioners will approve of it.

The number of women without healthcare who have low income continue to grow each year, according to Richards. I can see how she cares about women in America who are not provided with healthcare, and I can also see why women may praise this idea.

Many women turn to Planned Parenthood rather

than family or friends. I do not see a problem with that, whoever you feel comfortable going to is your choice. I am not saying that Planned Parenthood is a bad organization, I am sure they have helped many women over the years.

I think Planned Parenthood should monitor who they give the gift certificates to. I don’t think that women under the age of 18 should have access to the gift certificates, because in my opinion, younger teens who aren’t mature enough will think, “Oh hey I’m going to go out tonight, do whatever I want, and maybe tomorrow I’ll stop

by Planned Parenthood and use the gift certificate on Plan B.” I’m not saying all girls under 18 act like that, but there are girls out there who abuse Planned Parenthood and its services.

Thursday Feb. 19, 2009

PERSPECTIVES 7

www.theloquitur.com

Magazines aren’t all fluff I N M Y O P I N I ON

More Cabrini on front page melissa mariani staff writer

mlm744@cabrini.edu

Magazines are often overlooked as purely just picture books filled with tons of advertisements.

I think these assumptions that most people have about magazines are incorrect. There is no such thing as a useless magazine; it all depends on the reader and their interests.

The last thing you would expect to read in a feminine magazine, such as Cosmopolitan or Glamour, is news articles on serious topics.

Sure, these magazines look like a bunch of wasted paper of advertisements and brainless celebrity gossip, but you will find real-life, heart-wrenching stories that can change your perspective on these so called fluffy magazines.

One copy can open your eyes to real life stories dealing with issues like date rape, drug addictions, the war in Iraq and health concerns, as well as much more.

I think magazines are such a good source of reallife as well as personal news stories that broadcasts and newspapers lack.

Magazines definitely get overlooked for providing informative news stories.

Katie Engell/Staff writer

Magazines are more than makeup tips and dating advice. Even publications such as “Cosmopolitan” run stories on heavier news topics to hit a wide range of readers.

Newsweek and Time give a good reputation to the word “magazine,” with their worldwide stories on poverty and coverage on big issues such as the Middle East crisis.

The most recent issue of Time magazine focused on the cover story, “Stem Cell Research.” The article is about a man who suffers from diabetes and started to research stem cells for the cure. The magazine article has a personal touch and explains how devastated he was when President George W. Bush stopped funding the project, and is now looking forward to President Barack Obama’s plan. He is hopeful that he will be able to continue looking for a cure that could change millions of people’s lives.

Whereas People magazine and other tabloids are the total opposite, they still create news. I believe stalking celebrities is not

real news, but if you were to ask an obsessed fan I guarantee that they would disagree. I think the news in People magazine about charity events, newborn babies or a recent illness of a famous actress or actor are all forms of accurate news, but they should not be considered informative news such as articles that you will find in magazines like Time.

The great thing about magazines is that they cater to a specific audience.

There are so many magazines out there for every topic and sport you can ever imagine. I think the personality of magazines make them a success.

I sometimes find myself flipping through the whole magazine and missing the good articles because they are hiding behind the advertisements.

I also feel that advertisements in the magazines can be a plus. These adver-

tisements give the reader more time to evaluate the messages they are trying to portray.

Reading Sports Illustrated, I came across the popular Above the Influence advertisements, to endorse a “Drug Free You.” I noticed they are spotted not only in teen magazines but sports magazines as well.

I think this is a great way for promoting news in magazines through advertisements. I think it is excellent that they are trying to reach out to all different markets in their advertisements.

I feel people tend to forget even if a magazine doesn’t publish world news, they still are informing some sort of news to subscribers, whether it be hard-hitting news, gossip or advertising. It all depends on the reader, their lifestyle and what’s important to them.

I want to start out by thanking the staff of the Loquitur for finally putting something on its front page that pertains directly to Cabrini College.

Being one of the topranked college newspapers in America, I would expect the type of feedback I’ve heard around campus from this week’s issue every week.

Thursday night at dinner in the caf, I heard more people talking about the paper than I have in the past four years. It’s really nice to pick up the newspaper of my college and see something that happened at my college.

Don’t get me wrong, I think social justice is an inspiring, very important topic to cover.

However, it’s disturbing to see only social justice every week.

The basis of a college newspaper, in my opinion, should be to cover first and foremost what happens at the college.

Although it is admirable that students at Cabrini are involved with such charitable work, there’s only so much of it that is front page news.

I think most stu-

dents at Cabrini would agree on this; we want to read about what’s happening here. When one of our sports teams has “a thrilling 92-88 double overtime nonconference victory against backyard-rival Eastern University,” there shouldn’t be any question as to what goes on the front page. The well-written, incredible stories of social justice should be where they were this week; on page four.

I’m not saying to get rid of these stories altogether; I think we can all agree that they’re great stories. When they’re shoved down our throats every week, though, it gets pretty wearing.

I noticed that on the front page, The Loquitur’s motto is “You speak, we listen.” I hope that you take at least some of this into consideration, as I speak not only from my own personal perspective, but from the perspective of many, many Cabrini students.

Jessica Jaxel, Class of 2009

More to Jamaica than island fun ross salese

guest writer

rms348@cabrini.edu

Poverty is blanketed by paradise. Tourists who visit the Jamaican beaches of all-inclusive resorts are deaf, dumb and blind to the truth.

Tall, barbed-wire fences seperate serenity and luxury from murder, drugs, shacks and half-finished homes.

Despite their dire situation, the people of Jamaica are some of the most highspirited, fun people I’ve ever been around; people who are extremely proud of who they are and where they come from. So loose and stress free, they use their car horns to say “Hi,” instead of “Get out of the way,” like we do in Philly.

Whether it is the words

of Bob Marley running through their veins or the great weather and blue skies calming their nerves, the natives of Jamaica seem blind to the state that their country is in.

Jamaica has an 11.5 percent unemployment rate which is very high. The jobs the natives occupy for the most part are roadside shack stands selling all different items: homemade food, homegrown produce, handmade crafts or even collecting money to cliff dive.

The main homestead of the average person is a very small, poorly-built shack. In the mountains that tower over the shacks, there are huge mansions that could easily fit 100 shacks inside.

The bus driver said they were the abandoned houses

of foreign factory owners who left the country when the factories closed. About 10 miles down the road, we passed one of those factories.

Then another and another. “Hearing about all those people losing their jobs left a bad feeling in my stomach. Those jobs were helping Jamaica become a better place, they left without considering the effect it would have on the country,” the bus driver said.

Most of the companies left because they didn’t agree with the new government, which left a bad feeling in my stomach because I knew some of those companies were American.

As I was taking a dune buggy tour through the mountains of Hanover, I was really able to appreci-

ate how beautiful Jamaica is; rolling hills covered with undeveloped land, crystal clear water and perfect beaches.

Part of the tour was going through a small town with a population of about 100. The small town consisted of shacks and an old Winnebago that occupied a small general store.

As we drove through the village, about 10 children came up to our vehicles wanting to touch our hands. One little boy with makeshift shoes that he turned into sandals and a pair of yellow sunglasses that he put on upside down came up to my vehicle. He grabbed onto my finger with an immovable grip that reminded me of a newborn. I had an empty water bottle in the cup holder.

The boy pointed at the

bottle as if it was a gift from God. I gave him the water bottle, he then took his sunglasses off and gave them to me. He had nothing to give but he found something, a little boy that had almost nothing. That describes what Jamaicans are all about.

For all the countries in the world that need help, Jamaica would be the last to admit it but first to deserve it.

During my time in Jamaica, I heard no tales of distress, no pleas for substance. I heard no one implore for food or money and not one person had a sign asking for a job. People turned to assertive salesmanship, but not temptuos or intrusive, just people selling goods to provide food for their family.

I went to Jamaica to

have a relaxing vacation; I left with an experience that will last a lifetime. I got to know a country’s culture and people that are vastly misunderstood.

Jamaica is known for Bob Marley and sunny beaches. What people don’t know is that the people are as beautiful and diverse as the landscape on which they live. Their positive attitude keeps their spirits high through bad situations. Any problem, big or small, can be solved. But as I learned in Jamaica, there is never a problem just a small situation.

Did we pinpoint your perspective? Send your thoughts to Loqperspectives@googlegroups.com.

Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009

www.theloquitur.com

8 FEATURES

Cabrini math department welcomes new professor jen wozniak staff writer

jlw729@cabrini.edu

Cabrini welcomed professor Stacy Beun into the college community this past August as a new assistant professor of mathematics.

Beun teaches a variety of math courses at Cabrini, including Modern College Mathematics II, Calculus I, Abstract Algebra and History of Math. The courses range from introductory math classes to upper level.

History of Math, which is taught online, is an unusual course. In addition to skills, students are able to learn the ideas behind why and how math was developed. It is a requirement for secondary education majors.

Dr. John Brown, chair of the math department, said that Beun “has a wide spectrum of classes,” and that she “relates well to all levels.”

“She has picked up very quickly what level to teach at― one that is not too high or low for the students,” Brown said.

Beun, who previously taught classes at North Carolina State University, said that her favorite part about Cabrini is the small

class sizes and being in a smaller place. Class sizes at North Carolina ranged on average about 100 students.

“I like the small size and being able to interact more with students, it makes group problems easier,” Beun said. “I love working one-on-one with students, which wasn’t possible at North Carolina.”

Beun’s teaching style consists of a mixture of group problems where students can work together and problem solve, and lecturing, which allows for good notetaking.

“I like having a balance between interaction and lecture,” Beun said. She said it is good to incorporate both ways of teaching into the lessons because all students learn differently.

Beun has always had an interest in math, but didn’t decide to be a math professor until college.

“I really enjoyed my upper level mathematics courses, and I decided to pursue a graduate degree so that I could learn more math,” Beun said.

“I’ve always wanted to teach, and I was originally going to teach high school after college.

Being a professor allowed me to both teach and become a mathe-

matician, so it was a great choice for me.”

So far, Beun said that she likes Cabrini, the math department and her classes.

“She seems to be fitting in quite well with the department and faculty members,” Brown said of Beun. “We are very pleased that she came to Cabrini and are happy to have her here.”

Jill Fries, sophomore communication major and student of Beun, said that she enjoys having Beun as a teacher and that Beun improved her math scores.

“I took Math 114 in the fall semester with a horrible teacher and almost failed when I love math and usually understand it,” Fries said. “With Professor Beun it comes a lot easier. She is very helpful and patient.”

Beun has a bachelor of science in mathematics from the University of Wisconsin at Platteville and a master of science in mathematics as well as doctorate in mathematics, which she just completed in May, from North Carolina State University.

Beun recently moved to the area to teach at Cabrini, which is her first full-time position.

In her spare time, she enjoys reading, going to museums and

playing with her two daughters.

Her main goal right now includes having her Math 114, or Modern

College Mathematics II, students become connected to math and to have them see math as exciting.

britany wright/features editor

Professor Stacy Beun has become an integral part of the mathematics department teaching classes such as Modern College Mathematics II, Calculus I, Abstract Algebra and History of Math.

Cabrini Alumni Scholarship Award Following in the tradition of Mother Cabrini, the Alumni Association is “Doing Something Extraordinary” by providing one sophomore student with an opportunity to be awarded a one time $1,000.00 scholarship which will enable him/her to continue their “Education of the Heart” at Cabrini College.

Applications Due: Friday, March 6 Award Amount: $1,000

Studies show women have harder time combating hunger molly kearney staff writer

mwk723@cabrini.edu

Women have a harder time suppressing hunger than men, according to a new study done by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory released on Jan. 19.

The study shows that men, not women, are able to control their brain’s response to their favorite foods. These studies corresponded with behavioral research that found women have a higher tendency to overeat than men.

In this simple study both men and women were asked their favorite foods and then were told to fast.

The next day each person was presented with their favorite foods, while having their brain scanned for reactions.

The participants were also taught a way of thinking that would allow them to suppress thoughts of eating and hunger.

Women were found to overeat when presented with appetizing food or under emotional distress.

These findings may be contributed to differences in appetite suppression and to gender differences in eating disorders. It is also believed to be linked to gender differences in estrogen and related hormones.

Karen McFee, biology adjunct professor, has worked clinically with both men and women.

“Women get it in their heads from a young age what foods are good and what are bad. When they reach the age that their weight needs to be controlled they are depriving themselves, which leads to eating on impulse,” McFee said.

McFee said that women have more connections between the brain and emotions. That is why they make different eating decisions than men. She went on to explain that there were clinical studies done that shows emotions are more likely to take hold when one is eating.

McFee, in all of her work, feels that in order to make a change, women and men need to learn about nutrition and become motivated.

“Education does not promote action,” McFee said.

There are always several ways of looking at eating habits. McFee has the view of someone who has worked in the world of health.

Hope Bell, senior marketing major, works at Total Nutrition of Wayne and sees women dealing with their weight all of the time.

Bell has several different per-

spectives on this issue. She is able to see this idea in herself, in women she meets at her job and what she has learned from working in the world of nutrition and health.

Bell feels that everything dealing with weight and eating is situational.

“I feel that men and women need the same amount of food to live. It also depends on weight and size, but I think women feel they are not supposed to eat as much as men because of stereotypes and the fear of gaining weight,” Bell said.

When it comes to herself, Bell said, “I have a hard time controlling cravings especially on the weekends. I usually eat pretty healthy and exercise during the week but often go overboard on the weekends with Chinese and pizza take out.”

Even someone who is as knowledgeable as Bell has a hard time. No one is strong enough to resist how they eat, which all stems back to McFee’s claim that women and their emotions are connected when it comes to food.

Maddie Iacobucci, sophomore communication major, has a different view on the situation as a whole.

“I think it depends on the person and their personality. Women may overeat, or even under eat, during stressful or emotional times, but I do not think that, generally, women as a whole have a harder time suppressing hunger,” Iacobucci said. She believes this situation depends on the woman and how she views weight and the world.

FEATU

Writing Center Newsletter Volume II, Issue I

writingcenter@cabrini.edu

February 19, 2009

The Writing Expedition: Writing Center as Training for Climbing

by Tracie Kennedy Coordinator, Writing Center

Since the dawn of time, writers have struggled with writing. Everyone knows that writing is difficult, but the part of a writing assignment that is the most difficult depends on the person.

Teaching college students to write effectively is a big problem in today’s society. Irregardless of your experience with writing, your own voice as a writer is fairly unique, and you shouldn’t of had to try to literally force it into a particular formula just to get a good grade. But for all intensive purposes that’s what most high school writing experiences end up doing, and at the end of the day I personally feel that they end up doing more harm than good. In this article I’m going to try and tell how the Writing Center can help make students get better at writing just as college helps them

have more knowledge—and hopefully without having to struggle at it 24/7.

No matter how overwhelmed you feel about your writing assignment, remember the Writing Center can help you see the rainbow at the end of the tunnel!

If you’re laughing (or cringing) right now, chances are you’re a teacher or upperclass student, and you’re laughing with recognition, because you’ve either seen—or committed— at least one of the errors in the above paragraph. Every emerging writer has, I submit, at some stage in his or her development, relied on structures borrowed (sometimes inaccurately) from others. In some contexts (the personal email, the hastily-jotted reminder, the love note to a sweetheart) writing competency is not necessarily at the top of our list of concerns. However, there are contexts in which effective writing is essential, where our writing is an

important reflection of our legitimacy (as in a complaint or cover letter) or of our competency (as in a professional memo or graduate application essay).

It is in these latter instances that we do well to remember that everyone can— and should—work to improve his or her writing skills. And, the way to do so is through training, which means sharing our work, seeking feedback, committing to the practice.

As Monica Petrilli relates in her article “We’re All in This Together,” I too once thought of writing as a solitary enterprise. It was only after I started teaching and participating in writing workshops, both risky endeavors for me, I might add, that I came to think of writing as a group effort, perhaps akin to a mountain climbing expedition, where an individual’s performance, however experienced, can Continued on page two

Social Justice in the Writing Center:

Encouraging Students to Become Engaged Learners

by Maria Cipollone Writing Specialist My current situation is more than exasperating; it’s cathartic because I am experiencing the very same pain that I tell my students not to dread. But I am afraid—very afraid. I am faced with the same harrowing plight: a looming deadline, an audience’s frightening expectation of greatness, and the worst view of all—an excruciatingly empty document with a quite judgmental cursor insufferably blinking back at me. In the midst of my panic attack, I remember the advice that I constantly give out: start with your sources. Following this advice, the conversations that inspire this article begin chatting with me like old friends and suddenly, I am confidently tapping the keyboard with an emerging smile. Now armored with aplomb, I reflect upon my recent panic attack. If I didn’t have my sources, how would I have gotten through the terror of writing? This same fear undermines the path to scholarship for many young students. Because student writers often feel they have to begin with something totally original—they grow terrified and can “draw a blank.”

As professors at the University of Chicago, Gerald Graf and Cathy Birkenstein, tell us in their very approachable work on academic writing (They Say, I Say: Moves that Matter in Persuasive Writing): In our view, then, the best academic writing has one underlying feature: it is deeply engaged in some way with other people’s views.

Too often, however, academic writing is taught as a process of

saying “true” or “smart” things in a vacuum, as is if it were possible to argue effectively without being in a conversation with someone else ....[I]n the real world, we don’t make arguments without being provoked. (3)

Thus, my query becomes: how does a student gain the authority to approach academic writing? I claim that, as instructors, we must grant our students the authority to jump into the critical conversations presented to them in classroom experiences—lest they remain bystanders to their own educational journey. Furthering their movement toward active engagement as writers is a contribution to social justice eduction that the Writing Center can provide. I recognize that many students’ unpreparedness for completing these critical tasks may stem from their inability to “collaborate” with sources because as dutiful students they’re merely reporting the sources.

In his essay, “Breaking into the Conversation: How Students Can Acquire Authority for Their Writing,” former preceptor in Harvard University’s Expository Writing Program, Mark Gaipa uses the ingenious technique of having students envision themselves arriving at a dinner party.

Gaipa proposes (and I fully endorse his proposition) that student writers are permitted critical voice because of their co-mingling with critics, metonymically, almost an academic osmosis (402). Futhermore, Gaipa uses clever stick-figure drawings in order to demonstrate to the audience the “moves” that scholars must

make when engaging sources—such as “picking a fight” with or “piggybacking” on a source (427-9). I reiterate: these are the moves that instructors must encourage our students to make—not only that they must be made, but made deliberately so that our students may take an active role in their writing and intellectual journey.

I “piggy-back” on Gaipa’s comments: “No longer bystanders, students become scholars by participating, with their essays, in a scholarly debate” (420). Through engaging and collaborating with sources, students become more invested and more actively partnered in academic discourse.

I believe that this spirit of engagement and collaboration with scholars fits well with the new social justice curriculum at Cabrini College: one that promotes the same values of investment and partnership. Truly, if connecting with scholars (through composition) can encourage students to assume their roles as budding scholars themselves, this relationship can surely bolster their intellectual growth. Once again, I join in conversation with my source, Mark Gaipa: “[Students] can also see how controversies and trends emerge over time, how scholarship has a history and a direction; it is not just a competition but also a common endeavor— collaborative knowledge about a text that unfolds dialectically over time” (422). “Common endeavor” is one of the unique characteristics of Cabrini College—and one that instructors can actively promote in young writers—as well as in young citizens.

Writing Center Staff Lisa A. Ratmansky Director, CTL lr724@cabrini.edu Tracie Kennedy Coordinator, Writing Center bk727@cabrini.edu Maria Cipollone Writing Specialist mcc733@cabrini.edu Meg Mikovits Professional Writing Tutor mm955@cabrini.edu Monica Petrilli Professional Writing Tutor map95@cabrini.edu Jane Chieco Writing Tutor jnc724@cabrini.edu Michael Costanzo Writing Tutor mac733@cabrini.edu Chelsie Eyler Writing Tutor cme723@cabrini.edu Shannon Fandler Writing Tutor skf722@cabrini.edu Christine Graf Writing Tutor acg724@cabrini.edu Jessica Gruber Writing Tutor jmg733@cabrini.edu Kandace Keefer Writing Tutor klk726@cabrini.edu Meghan Smith Writing Tutor mes733@cabrini.edu Shannon Winters Writing Tutor sew725@cabrini.edu

The Writing Expedition (continued from page 1) still be informed and enhanced by others engaged in a similar pursuit.

Having taught and tutored first-year students for many years, I have come to see certain patterns of high school writing that we—teachers and tutors—try to “break” in the classroom and the Writing Center, much as expert climbers might teach novices to understand the requirements of higher elevation climbs. I’ve illustrated a few of those faulty patterns in the sample paragraph above, but in their illuminating and inspiring monograph Critical Passages: Teaching the Transition to College Composition (2004), writing teachers Kristin Dombeck and Scott Herndon classify the typical patterns of early writing samples by first-year writers as follows: • Accumulation of Sameness: making direct correlations between texts or from a text to a personal experience, without context, depth, or nuance, e.g., “Amy Tan struggled with fitting in at school, and so did Richard Rodriguez, and so did I” (12). This to me is the hallmark of the beginner: a lack of ability to make distinctions.

Many first-year college students tend to treat all texts the same, much as a novice climber might not recognize the utility of specific tools for specific situations. In fact, beginning climbers are advised to buy all-purpose shoes since a general application of a basic tool is precisely what must be mastered first.

• Conversion Narratives: presenting a change or development as occurring spontaneously, “an epiphany in place of a genuine turn of thought” (12). As a climber, it is sometimes daunting to hit the trailhead at first light, feeling perhaps cold and groggy, with the summit seeming impossibly far away. Experienced climbers know this feeling can still crop up but also know to ignore it (much as we advise students to ignore the inner critic that can pop up during brainstorming sessions). The climb is long; there are no shortcuts. It is the process of embracing the journey to knowledge or to the summit which is the lesson.

• Polemical Arguments in Support of a Thesis: “students marshal all their textual and experiential evidence to prove their thesis is the only viable way to think” (12). Students, like novice

climbers, may be reluctant to let go of their customary ways of approaching a task, especially when that task presents a challenge. Perhaps it is the fear we face in risk that leads us to cling to the familiar, but in pushing through this risk, taking the leap across the chasm or spanning the rocky ledge, there is both great satisfaction and reward in the elusive view that is afforded from the other side.

In my years teaching emerging writers, I’ve come to learn from them the experiences they’ve had with writing, the struggles they’ve experienced, the negative judgments they’ve continued to carry, and the coping mechanisms they’ve adopted as a result. I’ve long been aware that one of the most common (and dangerously self-defeating) myths entering freshmen entertain about making the transition to college is “I’m in college now—I should be able to do it alone” (“it” referring almost exclusively to academics).

“. . . I came to think of writing as a group effort, perhaps akin to a mountain climbing expedition, where an individual’s performance. . . can still be informed and enhanced by others engaged in a similar pursuit.”

Dombeck & Herdon argue that students “default” to the above-mentioned forms “because they do not yet understand the secret we keep when we ask them to demonstrate thinking in their writing: that we want them, actually, to explore what they do not yet know” (13). It is this frightening and delicate—yet potentially fertile—experience of “not-knowing” Dombeck and Herndon describe as the heart (and challenge) of the successful first-year writing experience. And it is here, I believe, that the Writing Center can be a safe training ground for that experience, much like the rock wall is practice for

the mountain climb—a place where an emerging writer is guided in the process of cognitive risk-taking and into the domain of independent thought and academic discourse.

In discussing the underlying causes of the kinds of error patterns they find in first-year writers, Dombeck & Herndon suggest “students find ways to treat the imperative to think as an imperative to solidify thought into a one-dimensional form by cutting back on their own ideas or taking the path of least resistance through their reading” (13). In this way, students continue to approach a writing assignment as an assemblyline production process: one that is linear, methodical, and passive. Moreover, they seem to value the product—a finished piece—over (or, as opposed to) the process, and are thus often more focused on simply “getting it done” rather than on considering the purposes behind it. One might conceptualize a mountain climb in a similar fashion: there are destinations one can select that can be reached simply by following a road, but to invest in the climb to the summit—and to enjoy the satisfaction of that effort—requires an entirely different approach.

That’s precisely why a visit to the Writing Center can be so valuable—as several other articles in this issue discuss. In collaboration with instructors, classmates, and tutors, students may come to see a writing task more like that mountain climbing expedition, where the resources of the whole team can benefit each member’s experience: novice climbers (writers) come to appreciate that even experienced climbers (writers) must work and that the effort itself can provide its own reward; the success of the team makes the view from the summit not just more precious, but also more valuable for the sharing.

Also, writers are solicited not about the paper itself, but about the ideas contained therein. Students thus learn to examine their thoughts and I hope come to trust as well as to see evidence that when the ideas behind the construction of a piece of writing are explored, developed, and tended to, the finished piece reflects that effort by necessity. To belabor an overused metaphor yet again, it’s the journey, not the destination!

Persistence Is Key: Peer Writing Tutor as Life Coach

by Chelsie Eyler ‘11 Writing Tutor Psychology Major As a tutor in the Writing Center, I often hear first-year tutees moan that they “aren’t good writers” or that they simply “can’t do it.” In this situation my subtle role as life coach can come into play: how can I inspire persistence? Marcia Clark, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy for the University at Buffalo, asserts that persistence is an influential personal characteristic that drives individuals to persevere through any struggle they are encountering at the time (2005). Let’s face it: transition to college does not happen overnight. Students set their own foundations for success, but fear of inferiority often thwarts some students’ desires to persist. Fundamentally, their successes are heavily dependent on their abilities to overcome obstacles within that first year and beyond.

As I talk with tutees, my conversation about their papers becomes more significant because constructing a paper is not the only challenge they face. There are many other obstacles. I find myself coaching tutees in both writing and life.

In my encounters with overwhelmed tutees, I

always remind them of their ability to achieve, because they’ve already taken their first step by coming for help even when their prevailing mentality was negative. With just this small comment, I watch their motivation levels jump. Further, it’s not as though my advice comes without experience. I too have at times felt like giving up and succumbing to the belief that my work is and always will be inadequate.

In those instances, I’ve learned to draw on both my own experiences and examples of wellknown writers who have themselves demonstrated the value of persistence. A website dedicated to the theory of composition, writingclasses. com, sheds light on the fact that several noted authors’ works have been rejected by publishers.

Satirical commentator George Orwell was told (about his famous novel Animal Farm) “it is impossible to sell animal stories in the U.S.” On a much more serious note, many students who may have read The Diary of Anne Frank—one of the most invaluable accounts of the Holocaust—might be surprised to learn that Frank’s priceless work was also discounted: “The girl doesn’t, it seems to me, have a special perception or feeling which would lift this book above curiosity level.”

Many students will also remember fondly from childhood Dr. Seuss’s work, And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, never suspecting that it was deemed “too different from other juveniles on the market to warrant its selling.”

Knowing that these authors were not dissuaded by their critics helps me to follow that example and to pass that message on to emerging writers, which is valuable advice for both writing assignments and for life.

“In my encounters with overwhelmed tutees, I always remind them of their ability to achieve, because they’ve already taken their first step by coming for help even when their prevailing mentality was negative.”

“A writer doesn’t solve problems.

[S]he allows them to emerge.” —Friedrich Durrenmatt

We’re in This Together: Writing as Collaborative Enterprise

by Monica Petrilli Graduate Student Tutor

Many students think of writing as a solitary enterprise. When I was an undergraduate, I thought so too. After I received a new assignment, I often felt not only alone, but even more troubling, I also felt helpless. At first, I would stare at the assignment sheet with confusion. I never asked the professor or even other classmates to clarify, for I thought I was supposed to figure it out on my own. With time and a little reflection, I would come to understand the assignment, but then I would convince myself that I lacked any ideas about the topic. Waiting for inspiration, I would often sit alone in front of a blank computer screen staring at the blinking cursor. Although I was reluctant to seek help, in one of my courses the professor required students to visit the college’s Writing Center. At first, I was not convinced that someone unfamiliar with the topic could possibly help. After a few sessions, however, I gained a completely new perspective—I came to view writing as a collaborative enterprise, one that I now embrace both as a graduate student and as a tutor in the Writing Center.

For many U.S. college students, writing is often a process completed while sitting alone in front of a computer screen. Yet, in other ways, writing can be seen as a process of conversation, connection, and collaboration with teachers, classmates, tutors, and readers. Such a broadened understanding may in turn alter students’ conceptions of Cabrini College’s Writing Center. Some students may think of the Writing Center as a place to ensure that papers fulfill their assignments’ requirements, a place to take papers to be “checked” for grammar perfection, or even as a place to obtain some magical seal of approval that will lead them on the path to an improved grade. (Unfortunately, such

a seal does not exist.) While tutors at the Writing Center check for grammar mistakes, argument cohesion, and logical transitions, we provide so much more! As Stanford University English Professor Andrea Lunsford argues in “Collaboration, Control, and the Idea of the Writing Center,” the purpose of the Writing Center is to help “students get in touch with [their interior] knowledge, as a way to find their unique voices, their individual and unique powers” (48). By sharing my own struggles and strategies, I aim to encourage students to be self-reflective about their own relationships to the writing process so that they may find their own unique voices, strategies, and powers.

“At the end of my sessions, I once again assure tutees that many of us feel vulnerable as we commit our thoughts to paper and submit our interpretations for approval.”

Tutoring sessions may serve as an opportunity to assist writers with a particular writing task as well as with a new understanding of the writing process. Sometimes, a student comes to the Writing Center with an assignment sheet and an overwhelming frustration. Often this student emphatically states, “I have no idea how to begin!” In such instances, sharing my own struggle with the writing process can help alleviate this anxiety. When the tutee hears that I too am challenged every time I compose a piece of writing, that leaving my computer to talk through my ideas with professors, classmates, friends, and writing tutors has proven to be an extremely beneficial, and therefore essential, part of my

own writing process, I’m modeling something new—and important. Now, we are partners. We might continue the session then by generating preliminary ideas. Together, we work on developing those ideas. Often the student leaves with a whole list of ideas generated in the session and possibly a deeper connection to and more enthusiastic view of the writing process.

This relationship is ultimately a process of collaboration not only in the project, but also in confidence-building. The confident writer accepts that challenge is a companion at every stage in the writing process, not a judgment on the writer or the outcome; not a terror to be feared or avoided. In fact, I believe that writing should always be a challenge. Writing can be enjoyable precisely because of that challenge.

Through writing, we do not compose a finished product that solves all of the problems a text addresses. Rather, we produce a text that augments our own and others’ understanding of an issue and participates in a conversation with other thinkers who explore similar topics. I hope that through learning about writing as a collaborative process, students will discover writing to be not only less arduous, but also extremely beneficial to enhancing their understanding. At the end of my sessions, I once again assure tutees that many of us feel vulnerable as we commit our thoughts to paper and submit our interpretations for approval. I remind them not to worry…we’re in this together!

“The confident writer accepts that challenge is a companion at every stage in the writing process, not a judgment on the writer or the outcome; not a terror to be feared or avoided.”

More Than a Feeling: Finding the Spirit of Writing by

Michael Costanzo ‘11 Writing Tutor History Major To me, composing a written piece is as much an artistic and emotional experience as it is an academic one. Writing is an art and an extension of one’s self. It took me awhile to find this out, but once I did, it was a revelation. I admit that this attitude may be at times tough to grasp and implement. Trust me: the outcome is worth the effort. Recognizing and embracing the need to incorporate passion, desire, and artistic values into scholarly writing is important, as are the concrete practices of academic writing. Natalie Goldberg, well-known author and supporter of Zen-based writing, states in her book Writing Down the Bones, “Sometimes when you think you are done, it is just the edge of beginning. It is beyond the point when you think you are done that often something strong comes out” (103). I wholly agree with Goldberg, yet how can these seemingly abstract ideas be conveyed in a practi-

“Recognizing and embracing the need to incorporate passion, desire, and artistic values into scholarly writing is important, as are the concrete practices of academic writing.”

cal sense and put into practice?

As a Writing Center tutor, there are two roles I often take on in a tutoring session in order to help tutees find the emotional and creative aspects of their writing: • Devil’s Advocate. In my Writing Center sessions, I ask questions of a tutee in order to counter his or her argument. While it may seem that I am being disagreeable, or hard to please, adopting this role helps me to draw out information from a tutee, and to push the limits of his or her thinking about a subject. When tutees come to the Writing Center feeling as though the subject matter they approach is limited, this role allows me to open up the discussion and spark their writing processes.

“To me, composing a written piece is as much an artistic and emotional experience as it is an academic one.”

• Controversy. Another way to enrich writing is by including a moral, social, or ethical dispute. I often ask tutees: “What are the realworld implications for your discussion?” This tactic adds a dimension of engagement for tutees when they are able to make a connection to larger issues. An example from Nancy Huddleston

Parker’s and John Timpane’s composition text, Writing Worth Reading: The Critical Process, helps writers to understand this concept. For instance, if a student discusses standardized testing methods used in U.S. Secondary Education, he or she might call for a major re-evaluation of these methods (308). I find that when tutees write about issues that have resonance in their personal lives, they become far more invested in the writing process.

Engagement in the spirit of writing is not an overnight process; it takes time and patience, but is well within anyone’s reach. It wasn’t until last year (my freshman year at Cabrini) that I began to appreciate those values. The strategies I use in the Writing Center are meant to inspire tutees because I find that having personal investment in academic work makes the workload much more meaningful.

As Goldberg says in her work, “Just keep your hand moving as you are feeling. Often, as I write my best pieces, my heart is breaking” (103). I advocate what Goldberg prescribes— this practice is more than a feeling: it is the spirit of writing.

“Engagment in the spirit of writing is not an overnight process; it takes time and patience, but is well within anyone’s reach.”

Center for Teaching & Learning www.cabrini.edu/ctl

Rx from the Writing Center: To Cooperate, Not to Cure

by Meg Mikovits

Professional Writing Tutor Folks on college campuses—students and professors alike—love to make analogies to help explain what exactly it is that the Writing Center does. This makes sense, because when we’re faced with going somewhere or trying something new, it’s natural to frame our expectations in terms of a comparative experience. When it comes to narratives about Writing Centers, however, these comparisons often miss their mark.

One of these narratives centers around the idea of the Writing Center as a repair shop, something akin to the Genius Bar at the Apple Store or the Geek Squad that roams Best Buy. Anyone who’s found him- or herself in possession of a malfunctioning iPod or a DVD player that won’t play has probably relied on these technical gurus to perform a deceptively quick electronic fix: they poke buttons, unscrew panels inscribed with ominous DO NOT OPEN warnings, and pull on wires that sensible people wouldn’t dare touch.

The results are usually nothing short of miraculous. Writing tutors are often asked to perform similar feats for overwhelmed student writers.

“My paper is almost done,” they’ll declare. “I just need the grammar to be fixed!” Unfortunately though, tutors don’t have a handy repair manual or replacement parts for quick essay fixes.

Another popular idea is that the Writing Center is akin to a doctor’s office. The tutors in this story are the medical professionals, ready to examine, diagnose, prescribe. Inherent in this Writing Center-as-exam room parable is the idea that the writers themselves are deficient in some way.

Anemic vocabulary? Cirrhosis of the semicolon?

Dislocated paragraph structure? We’ll fix you right up. Just take two chapters of The Bedford Handbook and call us in the morning.

The main problem with these analogies is that they emphasize something we at the Writing Center try actively to de-emphasize: an unequal balance of power between tutor and tutee.

In the inaccurate repair shop and doctor’s office narratives, writers don’t gain anything beyond a single “fixed” paper; they’ll need to go back to the expert the next time there’s a problem. This scenario is great for the doctor and the Apple Store guy, who would presumably like long client lists and lots of business. What’s obviously lacking from the stories, however, is the amount of collaboration that takes place in a writing tutorial.

“The main problem with these analogies is that they emphasize something that we at the Writing Center try actively to de-emphasize: an unequal balance of power beween tutor and tutee.”

It’s true that most writing tutors are themselves excellent writers—but what’s more important is that tutors are great teachers, too.

Many students who come to the Writing Center are so focused on their current assignment that

“Anemic vocabulary?

Cirrhosis of the semicolon?

Dislocated paragraph structure?

We’ll fix you right up.

Just take two chapters of The Bedford Handbook and call us in the morning.” they tend to forget that writing—like anything else—is a learning process.

When students begin college, they often realize that they can’t write as well as they thought they could. When they move away from home, many young people also realize that they can’t cook as well as they thought. Most young people also realize that the way to rectify this is not to hire a professional chef. Instead, these novice cooks go to someone they can trust—mom, dad, grandma—to get tips and slowly build up their repertoire of cooking skills. The family kitchen is an analogy that is much more accurate when framing the experience of the Writing Center.

Your family doesn’t expect you to make the leap from cold cereal to chicken cordon bleu overnight, just as tutors at the Writing Center won’t expect you to craft a perfect essay on your first visit. Instead, the Writing Center is a place where improvements are made collaboratively, step-bystep, and at a pace that works for the student.

Do you feel that mathematics is life-threatening?

The Math Resource Center feels your pain.

We’ll put the ‘fun’ back in functions.

Love, Jason. Snapshots. 2008: Jasonlove.com

“Mathematics is like love: a simple idea, but it can get complicated.”

The Math Resource Center (MRC) is located in the Iadarola Center for Science, Education and Technology (Room 318) or Reach us electronically: mathtutoring@cabrini.edu www.cabrini.edu/mathtutor

URES

Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009

www.theloquitur.com

FEATURES 9

Remembering history justin bostwick staff writer

jnb724@cabrini.edu

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character,” Dr. Martin Luther King, the American black civil rights leader, said these words and made a permanent change in the history of black Americans.

Individuals, such as King, are incredibly well-known for their contributions to African-American history. Furthermore, there are many others who have had a significant role in African-American history.

Black History Month is a tradition that has been recognized and celebrated in the United States since 1926.

The person who started the celebration of African-American history was Dr. Carter G. Woodson. An African-American scholar and son to former slaves.

Woodson was appalled to find that African-American history was nowhere to be found in United States history books. He was determined to change that and to have African-American citizens become recognized just as much as white citizens.

To embark on his mission, he began the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History.

He then established the Journal of Negro History, which was the publication for the group.

In 1926, Woodson founded Negro History Week. This week was noticed in order to bring attention to all that black Americans that had contributed to society throughout history.

Woodson chose the second week of February because it was the week of two unforgettable birthdays.

Frederick Douglass, a former escaped slave who later became the most well known abolitionist and civil rights leader, shared the

birthday week with Abraham Lincoln, the American president who signed the Emancipation Proclamation to end slavery in the confederate states.

Woodson later earned his name as the “Father of Black History.” It wasn’t until 1976 where the celebration became the entire month of February. The month also goes by African-American Heritage Month.

February is a month filled with memorable moments in black his-

tory. African-American Heritage Month is recognized nationwide on television, newspapers, magazines and radio.

For more information, visit history.com/minisites/blackhistory.

There, an interactive timeline on black history teaches the events of history and the order they took place. It begins in 1916, when slavery first became apparent in America and ends in 2009 where the first black United States president was elected into office.

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President Barack Obama is pictured above with American black civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.. Obama made history this month, becoming the first black president of the United States.

People Poll: Who is your favorite figure in black history and why?

justin bostwick/staff writer

justin bostwick/staff writer

justin bostwick/staff writer

Tom Hayes, junior history major

Kristen Vernon, sophomore exercise science and health promotion major Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “He had a large influence on the way things are today.”

Chris Cantwell, junior history and secondary education major Booker T. Washington “He started one of the first African-American institutions of education.”

Muhammad Ali “He was a flamboyant and boisterous performer and athlete.”

brooke young/photo staff

Going off to college and experiencing new freedoms, including alcohol may lead to unhealthy habits.

Knowledge nixes alcoholism christine adolf staff writer

cna722@cabrini.edu

Alcohol dependency syndrome, known as alcoholism, is characterized by four characteristics: craving, loss of control, physical dependence and tolerance, states an article from the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

“The effects of alcohol vary depending on how much a person has had to drink,” Dara Herskovits, therapist at Cabrini College Counseling Services, said.

The article details the specific components that constitute alcoholism. Craving is the very strong need to have an alcoholic drinking. Loss of control is the inability to stop drinking after you start.

Physical dependence is the occurrence of withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness and anxiety, when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking. Tolerance is the increasing need to keep drinking until that “high” feeling.

It’s your responsibility to know if you are at risk for alcoholism. Alcoholism is not only something you can bring on yourself, but it can be inherited as well.

Not all children of an alcoholic parent will automatically inherit alcoholism.

While some people are able to recover without help, the majority of alcoholic individuals need outside assistance to recover from their disease. With support and treatment, many individuals are able to stop drinking and rebuild their lives.

With spring break coming up and all the vacationing that will be happening, students need to watch their backs and pay attention to what they are doing and drinking.

“Binge drinking is a big part of the spring break experience for many students and it’s what gets students into trouble the most,” Herskovits said. “The safest approach is to not binge drink.

Binge drinking is defined as a pattern of drinking that brings a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to .08 or above. This typically happens when females consume four or more drinks and males consume five or more drinks and to know your personal limits with alcohol.”

Students who take spring break as a time to party and hang out with friends without the added tension of schoolwork need to watch the amounts of alcohol they consume.

“Some people think about getting drunk every time they are with friends and to me that means something is wrong,” Gina Mulranen, junior math and secondary education major, said.

Too much alcohol could lead to bad things happening.

Students should take responsibility for their actions and just be conscientious about their drinking decisions over spring break.

“I don’t want any of my friends or family to fall down the path of alcoholism. I personally don’t drink unless it is one drink with my dad or watching a sporting event.

It concerns me a lot to see people who can’t have a good time without alcohol,” Mulranen said.

“At lower levels, alcohol causes lowered inhibitions and minor impairment in reasoning and memory. At higher levels, it causes depressant effects, impairment of balance, speech, vision, reactions and hearing; reduced judgment and self-control and very poor decision-making.

It can cause complete mental confusion, blackouts, loss of consciousness and even death,” Herskovits said.

“If someone is an alcoholic, they should seek help immediately and realize their problem because many people deny it for a long time,” Jenna Chiavoroli, junior elementary education major, said.

“No one thinks they have an alcohol problem unless someone approaches them seriously about it. Friends need to watch out for their friends and approach them if they think something maybe wrong,” Mulranen said.

All students are encouraged to go to Cabrini’s Counseling Services, located in Grace Hall Room 196 to schedule a free and confidential assessment, or call 610902-8561.

Students can speak with their doctor about their concerns or students can seek support through a group such as Alcoholics Anonymous.

Students should know their limits and be responsible, all the while having a fun and relaxing spring break.

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Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009

Arts & Entertainment

Shopaholic Confesses Up close with Krysten Ritter The “Confessions of a Shopaholic” actress has killer good looks with acting chops to match.

The once small-town Pennsylvania girl is now a creative force to be reckoned with, recently landing a major role in the highly anticipated “Gossip Girl” spinoff.

With talents in acting, music and writing, she’s smoldering. Add in a large dose of effervescent attitude with endearing charm and a dash of rock edge, she’s an entertainment siren.

MCT

Krysten Ritter and Isla Fischer star in the hit film, “Confessions of a Shopaholic.” Ritter has also been signed on to the cast of the new “Gossip Girl” spinoff debuting this May.

Q: The movie is set in New York. Having lived in New York, is your life at all similar to your character’s, Suze, in the movie? How so?

A: My N.Y. and Suze’s N.Y. are very, very different. Sure, I wish I owned my own apartment in Manhattan—or inherited one from my family—but that’s certainly not the case! N.Y. is the center of the universe for me as far as geography goes but I’m a little bit more “Brooklyn” than Suze and Rebecca. And my apartment is a whole lot smaller.

Running around the streets with my best friend I can relate to though.

That drunken scene with me and Isla running to the postbox all bundled up and freezing reminds me of me and my best friend Susan the real life Suze. Best friends are the best.

Q: The “Gossip Girl” spin off is huge news. Are you excited?

What can you tell us about your character? What can “Gossip Girl” fanatics expect from the May 11 premiere?

A: I can’t give too much away, but I can tell you that “Gossip Girl” fans won’t be disappointed and hopefully we will bring in a whole new audience as well. It’s a two hander focusing on a young Lily and her older sister Carol, me. My character’s going to be quite a trip. She’s a bit dangerous and a total force of nature. I’m very excited!

Q: Acting isn’t your only gig. With such a busy schedule, how do you find time to make music as the lead singer of Ex Vivian?

A: I don’t sleep! Kidding, I work really hard; I have a lot of creativity that manifests itself in a lot of different ways. It’s all about time management. I love playing music and I love writing, so I make time for it.

Check out the Ex Vivian tunes on myspace.com/kandthehiredguns.

Q: What can we expect from “Confessions of a Shopaholic?”

A: It’s truly a feel good movie, with a lot of laughs, about friendship and determination. It’s about picking yourself up when you hit rock bottom. Isla and I had so much fun together and I really think it translates Q: Your career is smoldering with the major role in “Confessions on screen. Oh, and great clothes! of a Shopaholic” and landing a lead in the upcoming “Gossip Girl” spinoff. Was there ever a time when you considered venturing into a Q: Are you a shopaholic? What’s your guilty pleasure when it different career path? Was there ever any great piece of advice that comes to purchasing?

A: I’m a saver. Thrifty. Frugal. Cheap. The small town roots stick kept you going?

A: I love everything about this industry and I will admit that before with you. “Eat everything on your plate.” “Waste not, want not.” “If I discovered it I had no idea what I would do with my life. I even dealt you don’t need it, don’t buy it.” But I guess if I really want to splurge, it with a lot of depression. It’s a dangerous thing for young girls to not would be on a nice dinner with my man. Oh and my car, I love my car have anything that they feel good about. When I was first exposed to and I love pimping it out. this craziness, for lack of a better word, I knew that I had found a home and I was never going to look back. I’ve found a way to make my great love my job! I am very fortunate. I’ve been working my butt off and appreciating every minute of it ever since. The best advice I’ve gotten is “hard work pays off.” It sounds cheesy and a little cliché, but I am a true believer. Be prepared when it knocks—because if you’re not, there’s someone else that will be. Know what I mean?

Job Search Strategies

EVENTS: Feb.19 - Feb.26 Fair Trade Wallyball

Body Image Coalition Jean Drive

Battle of the Bands

Teaches attendees how to contact and professionally speak to potential employers.

Cabrini’s 3rd Annual Fair Trade Wallyball Tournament, March 4, 3:30 - 5 p.m. $35 per team.

The Body Image Coalition will accept donations of jeans that no longer fit your body. Be comfortable in your genes.

Come to Battle of the Bands to enjoy an incredible night of great music and entertainment.

Thursday, Feb. 19 3:30 p.m. Iadarola Center 118

Friday, Feb. 20 Register by: 5 p.m.

Dixon Center front desk

Monday, Feb. 23 All Day

Wednesday, Feb. 25 8 p.m. Grace Hall Atrium

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Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009

A&E 11

‘He’s Just Not That Into You’ On the silver screen... sami godowsky staff writer

scg726@cabrini.edu

If he is not calling you, if he is not marrying you or if he is not sleeping with you, then maybe he is just not that into you.

Women of all ages flocked to movie theaters across the country to see the premiere of “He’s Just Not That Into You.” The movie is based off of the best-selling book about the questions and answers of relationships.

The cast featured a group of Alist of celebrities including Jennifer Aniston, Ben Affleck, Scarlett Johansson, Kevin Connolly and Drew Barrymore. Barrymore produced the film as well.

The romantic comedy premiered just in time for Valentine’s Day and debuted at the top of the box office in its opening weekend, grossing an estimated $27.5 million.

Despite good reviews in the box office, not everyone was as impressed with the movie.

“Well I thought it was cute, though it was not anything special. I thought that the concept of the movie was fun and the actors were good, especially Scarlett Johansson and Justin Long, but in general it was too long and

dragged out and it did not stand out,” junior political science and history major Marta Skuza said.

The movie was played on approximately 3,700 screens and at 3,175 theaters. According to a study done by Warner Bros, 80 percent of the audience was female.

“I went to see ‘He’s Just Not That Into You’ the night it came out with a bunch of girls from Cabrini. It was so cute. The entire audience was women and like three gay guys. It was the perfect girl’s-night-out movie,” sophomore psychology and biology major Lauren Mechmann said.

But was the movie primarily just enjoyable for women?

“There were some parts that were more for girls, but in general the movie was good for guys and girls. It was funny and well-balanced between issues men have with women, as well as women with men,” senior English and communication major Jack Jonas said.

The movie also showed a lot of situations dealing with men having relationship issues with women as well. For example, “Entourage’s” Kevin Connolly’s character Conor struggles with getting his crush Anna, played by Scarlett Johansson to settle down

into a committed relationship with him.

So how did viewers respond to the movie compared to the book?

“I really enjoyed the movie, but it was definitely not as good as the book,” junior elementary and early childhood major Mary Rita said.

Other fans of the book disagree.

“I liked how the humor in the movie was similar to humor in the book. And I definitely think it’s a good movie for women to see to understand how to maintain better relationships,” senior English and communication major Marcella Di Sandro said.

So are you the exception or are you the rule? The movie discussed how every girl is either the exception, meaning the 1 percent of women who actually get their fairytale romance, or the rule.

However, the rule is the majority of women waste their time dating losers who will never change.

Whether you are looking for comedy or romance, “He’s Just Not That Into You” offers a combination of both.

“Not only is it a good movie, but Jennifer Aniston looks rocking for just turning 40,” Jonas said.

...and between the pages diana trasatti copy editor

dlt722@cabrini.edu

The new movie “He’s Just Not That Into You,” based on the book of the same title attempts to provide a healthy dose of reality for women who continue to justify and excuse their man’s behavior and cling to that single shred of hope. The book and movie cover a wide range of situations including letting the guy be the first to call and having the guy ask you out.

Women today, however, may not be fans of the traditional role playing.

“What culture has defined as ‘prim-and-proper’ behavior for women has changed. Women can feel it’s okay to be more open and aggressive in seeking out mates.

Times have changed and women are more independent,” Dr. Melissa Terlecki, assistant professor of psychology, said.

Making the first move may be an option up for grabs for both males and females, but according to the book, after that initial meeting if a guy is really into you, then he’ll be the one to pursue.

“I think all the games are really annoying. If you feel like calling, then go for it. If he doesn’t return your calls or he makes no effort to see you, then you should probably leave him alone,” Julia Sherwood, junior early and el-

ementary education major, said.

Sherwood, who is currently involved in a two and a half year relationship, was sure to see the movie on opening night and agrees with most of its standpoints.

“I think it’s a great message.

It’s just telling women to open their eyes and stop analyzing everything. Take it for what it is,” Sherwood said.

The theory of wanting what you can not have has been applied to dating. This is where all old rules of dating and waiting come into play. Personality may be the overriding factor in attraction; the fact that something is there, but unavailable may add to it’s desirability.

Although some may welcome the elusive behavior of women initially, eventually more straightforward messages are desirable.

Games can eventually wear out and when men want to take the relationship further, knowing that the female feels the same way can be a comfort.

“I don’t mind girls being aggressive. They’ll give out 33 different signals and expect us to pick out the right one,” Greg Schmidt of Audubon, N.J., said.

Although the lure and rush that comes with a partner who seems intangible may create a sort of spark, this does not mean that a romantic interest who is barely there is healthy.

“I think honesty is the best thing to figure out where you stand,” Dr. Maya Gordon, assistant professor of psychology, said.

When that relationship does fizzle out or that guy who you swore was your soulmate, suddenly seems to always be too busy to see you, call you or acknowledge your existence, it is easy for women to make excuses for him.

“Any person, whether male or female, may rationalize why a potential mate is not contacting them to make themselves feel better. This is to protect our psyche and so we feel less hurt,” Terlecki said.

Justifications and defenses on his behalf is a pattern many women fall into and is ultimately the basis of, “He’s Just Not That Into You.” “He is just so busy at work, he has a lot on his mind, he might have lost my number and he’s probably just too intimidated to call me,” are just a few excuses that the book and movie quickly shoot down and leave audiences and readers realizing how easy it is to call someone you care about and let them know you’re thinking of them, no matter what the circumstances.

“He’s Just Not That Into You” provides a comical wake-up call for females blinded by the situations surrounding them.

JAKE VERTERANO/A&E EDITOR

“He’s Just Not That Into You” has already tackled the book world and has recently taken over the box office.

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Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009

Car show ‘goes green’ in style brian loschiavo staff writer

bl@cabrni,edu

Car enthusiasts alike strapped themselves in and hit the fast lane for the 108th Philadelphia Car Show to check out the latest and greatest in “highway bling.”

Doors opened on Saturday, Feb. 31, at 10 a.m. and stayed opened until Sunday, Feb. 8, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

“The thing that made this year’s car show unique was the fact that the automotive industry is changing so rapidly,” senior education major Mary Kate Korp said. “It was interesting to see the newest and latest hybrid, clean diesel and hydrogen fuel technology.”

Cars from around the world were shown off for thousands of people that came to the event.

Besides the actual car show, there were many other events that were hosted throughout the week.

One of the big events was one featuring a list of Green Technology cars.

There was a car from this group spotlighted each day throughout the week.

“The most surprising one on this list was the gigantic Cadillac Escalade SUV,” sophomore political science major John Solewin said. “Whoever thought a huge SUV would be discussed in the same breath as fuel economy cars.”

This new Escalade hybrid will deliver more than a 50 percent improvement in fuel economy in city driving with its new fuel savvy two-mode Hybrid system.

It’s only listed at 20 MPG but that’s a lot better than the miles per gallon the regular version gets.

But then again, if you’re spending $70,000 on a car, gas prices probably aren’t a worry.

“The theme of this year’s auto show was definitely focused on fuel-efficient and environmentally-friendly cars,” senior education major Felicia Neuber said.

“It’s nice to see car manufacturers thinking about the economic situation of our country as well as

environmental factors.”

Although there was a “going green” theme to the 2009 show, there were still many of the same exotic, vintage, domestic, import and specialty cars on display.

Some people headed to the car show to actually get themselves a new ride and others came to just look around and discover the new technology in cars.

The most popular car at the show that drew huge crowds the whole week was the Rolls Royce.

For only a half a million dollars, you could be rolling in Rolls Royce Luxury.

That price tag may be worth it with all the gadgets in every nook and cranny of the car.

“The Rolls Royce was definitely the show stopper,” Neuber said. “If I had half a million dollars to throw around I think it would be worth it.

Everyone needs doors that shut themselves and an umbrella that pops out at your beck and call.”

A lot of good came out of the auto show as the Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Foundation hosted the Black Tie Tailgate Preview Gala.

At this event that occurred on Friday, Jan. 30, from 7 to 11:30 p.m., guests previewed the show before it opened to the public and enjoyed food, drinks and entertainment.

All of the proceeds from this benefit went to the Auto Dealers CARing For Kids Foundation and The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

One dollar from every ticket sold to the auto show itself was also donated to the Auto Dealers CARing For Kids Foundation benefiting The Children’s hospital of Philadelphia.

“I think it’s great that a huge event like this can step away from just making money and donate back to the community and children in need,” Solewin said. “I’m happy that a portion of the money I paid for my ticket went to such a good cause.”

The big story for this year’s car show is the impact the recession our country is facing is having on the car industry.

Many people thought that this

shane evans/Submitted photo

The 2009 Audi R8 was one of the vehicles showcased at the 108th Philadelphia Auto Show. Vehicle enthusiasts got the chance to view and sit in some of the newest cars on the market. year’s event would be a flop considering checking out the latest high-tech cars may not be atop many peoples’ to-do list.

Though this was a thought, ,many car dealers had their hopes high for this year’s show.

Even though cars are the second most expensive asset Americans own and not many people are buying big-ticket items, car dealers were expecting many people to attend the event.

They hoped to have many people come out, in return having showroom sales rise with their display of 700 cars from 40 different manufactures putting the attendees in awe.

“I think with the way our economy is right now people may not want to even go out to events like these because of the money they will have to put out,” Neuber said. “Though I think the more people that go the better off the car industry will be.”

Please send your comments to Loquitur@googlegroups.com. The editors will review your comments each week and make corrections if warranted.

Megan kutlis/staff writer

Seniors Anthony Sessa and Katie Moore test out the seats in an ‘09 Range Rover.

Cotton Jones: new psychadelic sounds gillian davis staff writer

gbd722@cabrini.edu

Duets are huge in the music business right now. The Moldy Peaches demonstrated the unique combination of a husky male voice mixed with the sweet sound of a female. Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová mixed their distinctive accents together to form a very popular soundtrack with hits like “Falling Slowly.”

If you are constantly repeating bands like these on your iTunes and your ears crave more, check

out Cotton Jones.

Michael Nau, originating out of Maryland, has taken a break from his band Page France, to start a side project called Cotton Jones. He shares the tracks with Whitney McGraw, who contributed to his original band.

Originally, the band was called The Cotton Jones Basket Ride and carried this name on many of the extended play CDs. However, the name was chopped in half and he is only known as Cotton Jones on “Paranoid Cocoon” under the Suicide Squeeze record label.

The songs on “Paranoid Co-

coon” range from youthful and jovial sounds to depressing and dismal ballads. The second track, “Gotta Cheer Up,” sounds quite the opposite of cheerful. In fact, it is dreary but the beats produced off of the keyboard and the taps of the drum make it seem that the singer is actually trying to make the transition from depression to happiness.

Certain songs such as, “By Morning Light,” resemble the sound of Johnny Cash. Haunting sounds of whistling, the twang of guitars and the clash of symbols weave in and out on this track

making it unforgettable.

“Cotton & Velvet” includes psychedelic vibes and Nau’s voice adds a hollow low sound against the whiny plucks of the guitar strings.

The album produces dramatic and vibrant imagery and could relax the most uptight person. The twists of western harmonizing and bard-like lyrics have gained the interest of many in the music industry.

If written description of the music produced by Nau and McGraw is not enough, analyze the album art. The layout and

intense mixing of colors could be applied to any song off of the album. Bright strokes of paint layered over photograph cut outs of horses and people truly capture the down to earth beats of the music.

“Paranoid Cocoon” was released in late January but independent music bloggers have been calling it possibly the best album of the year.

You can check out Cotton Jones on MySpace, 89.1 The Burn, or even in Philadelphia on March 24 at the First Unitarian Church.

Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009

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SPORTS 13

Sports Lady Cavaliers clinch division arielle friscia staff writer

af728@cabrini.edu

The Lady Cavaliers triumphed over Neumann winning 74-61 on Saturday, Feb. 14.

For the first time since 1997, the Lady Cavs have clinched the top seed in the Colonial States Athletic Conference.

In her first season with the team, Bernadette Laukaitis kept the women true to their winning ways.

“The main drive for the team was to clinch first place in the CSAC,” Deana DiAmico, junior history major, said.

“We knew going into the game that if we won we would clinch the number one seed for playoffs.

It was great because it gave us something extra to work for,” Nikki Duggan, senior English and communication major, said.

DiAmico, Brittany McLeod, senior communication major, and Kate Ryan, senior exercise science and health promotion

major, kept the team rolling during the first half. By halftime, DiAmico and Ryan kept the team in a two-point difference trailing Neumann 28-26.

“We just talked about going out and playing this game just like any other game,” DiAmico said.

“But this game had a lot behind it. We knew that if we were to come out with a win, we would be first place in the CSAC.” That two point difference didn’t stop the Lady Cavs from taking the win.

The team shot at 60 percent from the field in the second half.

After starting the second half with a 47-34 lead, the Lady Cavs never went back to being behind on the scoreboard.

“It was a great team win, everyone played well,” Duggan said. “Now we can play the rest of our regular season with no pressure because we have a secured number one spot.”

Forcing 20 turnovers, the Lady Cavs outscored the Neumann Knights 24-10 all because of the

cabrini athletic department

Brittany McLeod takes on a Neumann College defender at Madison Square Garden earlier in the season.

other teams mistakes.

Now that the women have the top seed in the division, it is time for them to get ready for the playoffs. The mental preparation is starting to set in.

“We will just need to stay focused on our main goal, which is to win the CSAC championship on our home court,” DiAmico said. “We have to go out and play every game as if it is our championship game. Come out and support us in the playoffs and spread the word.”

Before they head into the playoffs, they first had to take on Richard Stockton College in New Jersey on Monday, Feb. 16.

The game at Stockton was a confident game for the Lady Cavs. With not a lot of pressure, the women still worked extra hard for another win under their belt.

Kate Walck, junior psychology major, scored 12 points for the team.

DiAmico put 11 points on the board for the Lady Cavs.

By halftime, the Lady Cavs were leading 38-20 and they weren’t slowing down.

The Lady Cavs led 8-0 before Stockton put their first points on the board in the second half.

They reached the 20-win streak for the eighth time since the 1980-81 season.

The Lady Cavs only have one more regular season game against Immaculata University at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 19.

“We were confident going into Monday night’s game.

We just found out that we are ranked sixth in the region which is exciting,” Duggan said. “It’s also always exciting playing nonconference teams because it gives us a chance to make a statement to more people of how strong of a team we are.”

Smith reflects on career as Cavalier megan bernatavitz staff writer

mmb722@cabrini.edu

Having played basketball for 14 years, senior English and communication major Kayleen Smith is definitely not a newcomer to the game.

After playing for St. Joseph’s high school in Hammonton, N.J., she has helped lead the women’s basketball team in scoring for the past four years.

“I wanted to play basketball in college, but at a level where I could enjoy it,” Smith said. “I spoke with the assistant coach at Cabrini after one of my high school games. He convinced me that I would be able to do that at Cabrini. I came on an overnight visit and stayed with a couple girls who were on the team and

cabrini athletic department

I made my decision that next day.”

Head coach Bernadette Laukaitis noticed Smith’s potential on and off the court.

“She has the unique ability

to be the sweetest person off the court and a person that you do not even want to go against on the court,” Laukaitis said. “This team would not be where it is right now without her on it. She has been a great leader and has worked so hard each and every day that she steps on the court.”

Averaging 10.4 points a game, Smith is a big part of the reason for winning the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference championship last season.

“We are the team that turned this program around and got Cabrini back on the map since 1998, the last time Cabrini won the conference, and I feel honored in knowing that I am a part of that,” Smith said.

In her final season, the team played in the Virgin Islands and

at Madison Square Garden.

“Playing in Madison Square Garden for the second year in a row was surreal for me,” Smith said. “It is one of those moments that takes your breath away and makes you feel like a little girl again, being given the chance to play in an arena where all the players who inspired me have played. I had the goose bumps the entire game and couldn’t stop smiling. Not many people can say they have played on that court. I will brag about that moment for the rest of my life.”

Teammate Alyssa Brady, junior education major, said, “Kayleen brings a lot of heart and determination into the game.

She is a great leader for her team on the court. If the team is struggling, we can always look to Kay to put us on her back

and get us going. Kayleen really provides a spark for all of us to follow. Off the court, Kay is a really fun loving girl.”

As the season comes to an end, Smith looks back on her memorable experience as a Lady Cavalier.

“Being a part of the Cabrini team is like being a part of an oversized family. Honestly, I could not have asked to play with a better group of girls or a better coaching staff. They have made my experience here worthwhile. It’s going to be very difficult not being able to play with them after this season, but I will walk away from this situation as a better person because of them and will have lifelong friends and memories that are irreplaceable,” Smith said.

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14 SPORTS

Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009

Cavaliers top Neumann, earn spot in tournament morgan miller staff writer

mlm737@cabrini.edu

The men’s basketball team proved themselves once again to an anxious crowd on Valentine’s Day with a nail-biting 74-71 win against the team’s Colonial States Athletic Conference opponent.

The team came out on top against the Neumann College Knights on Saturday, Feb. 14, in the tense atmosphere of the Nerney Field House in the Dixon Center.

Saturday’s game provided fans with an exciting and rewarding one, similar to the double overtime win against rivals Eastern University on Monday, Feb. 9.

“This was a big game for us, with this win we clinched a playoff spot in our conference tournament,” assistant coach Saleem Brown said.

Student athlete of the week sophomore forward Dom Farrello had an offensive and defensive stance throughout the game.

Farrello blocked a jump shot that held the game at 71-71 with 1:44 left in the game.

Farrello, totaling 16 points, sealed the game with an 18-foot jump shot that brought the score to 73-71 with 35.9 seconds left

on the clock. Senior forward Charles Bush locked the win for the Cavaliers with a free throw pushing the lead to 74-71 with 15 seconds left.

The game opened with a score gap of 31-17 with 6:12 left in the first half.

“Our players were focused and ready to tackle the task at hand,” Brown said.

At halftime, the Cavaliers led the game with a seven point lead with the score 38-31, proving true the team’s 14-0 season when leading at halftime.

Neumann made the game more intense by gaining the advantage, pulling the score to 44-42 with 16:42 on the clock.

Neumann freshman Patrick O’Connor accounted for four free throws, tallying the score at 51-46. This lead was the Knights’ largest lead totaling five points.

Kevin Misevicius, junior forward, led Cabrini’s offense with a total of 20 points, marking his 21st time scoring in the double digits.

Chris Blake, junior forward, assisted with Cabrini’s win by contributing 11 points and three rebounds.

Blake was a perfect 5-for-5 from the foul line.

Junior guard Corey White also contributed to the men’s win with

10 points and another perfect foul shot record of 8-for-8.

The team’s overall foul shot tally for the game was a close 21for-23.

Cabrini’s defense proved too tight for the Knights, who failed to tie the game with its last possession before the buzzer signaling the game’s conclusion.

The Cavaliers’ win against Neumann marks not only the seventeenth win of the season, but also the tenth conference win, a record since the 2002-03 season.

The men’s basketball team proceeded to win another game by crushing Colonial States Athletic Conference opponent Philadelphia Biblical University.

The Monday, Feb. 16 game ended with 86-62 score.

It was their eighteenth win this season.

Misevicius and Glenn Washington, sophomore shooting guard, each lead the team with 14 points.

The Cavaliers last game of the regular season will be held on Thursday, Feb. 19, at 8 p.m. at Immaculata University.

“We’re going to go out, play hard for 40 minutes and see what happens when the buzzer sounds, hopefully we’ll be on top,” Brown said.

Matthew witmer/staff photographer

Junior Corey White takes a free throw after being fouled by a Neumann defenseman during the game on Saturday, Feb. 14. The Cavaliers won the game by a score of 74-71.

This week in sports molly kearney staff writer

mwk723@cabrini.edu

Upcoming Games

Summit draws 1000th win Pat Summitt, head coach of the University of Tennessee’s women’s basketball team, became the first Division I basketball coach to win 1,000 career games on Feb. 5. Fittingly enough, the landmark win came on the court named for Summitt. Along with this great accomplishment, it was announced that Summitt had signed a contract extension through 2014, a $200,000 bonus with this win. Summit feels now is the time to recognize how far women’s basketball has come and the hurdles that women have crossed. Summitt has won eight national championships and one Olympic gold medal.

Beckham to return to Galaxy David Beckham is set to return to the Los Angeles Galaxy after being on loan to AC Milan for two months. His return was tentative after Beckham expressed his wishes to stay in Italy. Beckham’s reasoning for staying was in a bid to play one more World Cup with England in South Africa next year.

The Italian club did not make a second offer to the Galaxy to keep Beckham, so the team will stick to MLS commissioner Don Garber’s Friday deadline to resolve the situation. Previously, the Galaxy had rejected Milan’s only offer.

Buffalo Sabres hold moment of silence The Buffalo Sabres played the San Jose Sharks as planned Friday night Feb. 13. By doing so they turned down an offer from the NHL to postpone the game a day after 50 people were killed when a commuter plane crashed into a house. This decision was made after Sabres managing partner Larry Quinn consulted with the players and staff. The Sabres paid tribute to those killed in the crash late Thursday night Feb. 12, with a moment of silence before the opening faceoff. They felt that going on with the game allowed time for the community to be together and mourn together.

Thursday, Feb. 19 Women’s Basketball @ Immaculata University @ 6 p.m.

Men’s Basketball @ Immaculata University @ 8 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 20 No games Saturday, Feb. 21 No games Men’s Basketball - Quarterfinals - TBA Sunday, Feb. 22 No games Monday, Feb. 23 Women’s Basketball - Quarterfinals - TBA Tuesday, Feb. 24 Men’s Basketball - Semifinals - TBA Wednesday, Feb. 25 Men’s Lacrosse @ Fairleigh Dickinson University @ 3:30 p.m.

Women’s Basketball - Semifinals - TBA

Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009

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Men’s golf prepared to defend title melissa mariani staff writer

mlm744@cabrini.edu

The Cabrini men’s golf team is starting off on the right path for their spring season. The team just finished up a very successful fall season; they hold the title for third in the Mid-Atlantic Region.

The new spring season will be approaching in March and the team has a lot of expectations.

Co-captains Tim Harner and Chris Lawler are very enthusiastic about the new season.

“I have very high hopes for

this spring season. We are ranked third in the Mid-Atlantic region and we’re also the reigning division champions. I believe we have a great shot at winning the division again and making it back to the National Championships,” Tim Harner, junior secondary education major, said.

With those enormous accomplishments, it may be hard to fill those shoes again, but the team is more confident than ever.

“This spring is going to be different; we actually have some expectations this year. The

previous year it was, lets just go out and whatever happens, happens. We had never won before so if we didn’t, it wouldn’t be anything new. After winning the conference last year, we know what we need to do to win it again,” Chris Lawler, junior accounting major, said.

Why has this team had such success in the previous season?

The team traveled to the Pinehurst resort in North Carolina where they got their skills and strategies sharpened for a competitive season.

“I think our trip to Pinehurst

melissa mariani/submitted photo

Last year, the golf team won the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference. They hope to repeat their success in the upcoming season.

definitely made the team come together. There we improved not only on our individual skills, but as a whole,” Ryan Muller, junior business administration major, said.

Muller was ranked top five in the Cabrini men’s golf team this past year.

This past year the Cavaliers won the 2008 Pennsylvania Athletic Conference title, and then advanced to the NCAA tournament. The men finished in the top spots at the 20-team Moravian Invitational, as well as the 23-team Lebanon Valley Invitational.

The men also claimed a double match win against Penn State Berks, 318-360 and Immaculata University, 320-358.

“We have a very solid team this year, which is a big part of our success,” Muller said.

Head Coach Dr. Tony Verde led the men to the 2008 conference crown.

“Say you have an off game; our coach Tony, encourages us to get back no matter what. He is more like our life coach,” Muller said.

The team plans to travel to the Pinehurst resort in North Carolina in March to tighten their game to compete for the upcoming season. Their official matches will start March 30 against Swarthmore College at Rolling Green Country Club, following a meet the very next day against Gwynedd-Mercy College in Gwynedd Valley.

“The team is very excited and ready to start the season.

Our goal is to win the division again and get back to Nationals,” Harner said.

Sophomores lead way for men’s tennis jen wozniak staff writer

jlw729@cabrini.edu

The Cabrini men’s tennis team is preparing for its upcoming spring season, which will kick off with a three-day tournament over spring break in Hilton Head, S.C. New to the team are freshmen Brendon Hajas, Levent Beken and Walter Jesuncosky, who are expected to keep improving.

“Depending on their progress, our team could be at the same level as last year or slightly better,” Rich Aldrete, head coach, said.

This is Aldrete’s seventh year as head coach. He joined the coaching staff in 1997 as an assistant coach. The team is determined to be Colonial State Athletic Conference champions this season, having just finished short the past few years.

“For me, we would only have a successful year if we won the conference,” captain Justin Walsh, senior health and wellness management major, said. “In the last three or four years, we’ve finished second or third. We

definitely have the talent [this year], we just have to put it all together.”

Winning the CSAC will take beating last year’s conference champion Neumann College.

“Neumann is returning strong again and is our biggest competition,” Aldrete said.

The winner of the CSAC is automatically qualified into the National Collegiate Athletic Association and Aldrete believes that the team has a good chance of making it this year.

The sophomores on the team have showed improvement, who will be ranked higher this season.

Sophomore Mingkuang Lou won the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year in the 2008 season.

“He’s a real solid player,” Aldrete said. “He’s poised to be a conference champion. There’s a one-two punch with Justin and Ming, and they are backed up by another solid player, sophomore John Van Wagner.”

Another sophomore, Michael Sim, is also expected to play higher than his position in sixth last year, due to the absence of two seniors who graduated.

“This year we lost two key players, Duff O’Connor and Drew Brandstetter to graduating, so we’re definitely going to miss them. In their place, we have some new additions who we hope can fill Duff and Drew’s void as much as possible,” Walsh said.

“All returning players put the time in over the summer and fall to improve their game and are demonstrating it on the court at practice,” Michael Sim, sophomore psychology major, said. “Our three new walk-ons have really stepped it up from the fall as well.” The team played five exhibition matches in the fall.

The players are currently trying to get out and hit at least five or six days a week, but will have practice or a game almost every day when the season starts.

“I think we have a pretty good chance at winning our division,” Levent Beken, freshman biology and pre-med major, said. “I know that as long as we go out as a team and give it 100 percent, no matter what the outcome is, we will be happy with ourselves. I can’t wait to get on the courts and

battle it out. I love every minute of tennis.”

The team will play a total of 14 games this season against eight teams in the CSAC. Aldrete said that there are a total of four solid teams in the conference.

This year the conference lost Eastern University, Immaculata University and Alvernia University.

The tennis team is going to continue practicing and getting ready for its first match in Hilton Head on March 9.

After spring break, they first play Neumann on March 17.

“We will practice in Hilton Head and play conference champion Neumann when we get back. It will be an important match,” Aldrete said.

The match against Neumann will determine whether Cabrini is seeded first or second in the spring 2009 season.

Loquitur welcomes your comments on this story. Please send comments to: Loquitur@ googlegroups.com. Editors will review your comments each week and make corrections.

SPORTS 15

Williams qualifies in 400m dash kara driver staff writer

kad727@cabrini.edu

There certainly has been a lot of traveling for this team. For the third time this month, track and field has taken the long bus ride to New York for a meet.

The Gotham Cup was a big meet for the men’s and women’s track and field team to perform well in.

The team began their meet in the New York Armory on Friday, Feb. 13.

Senior Leslie Williams was one of the top performers of the day.

She had a number of great accomplishments.

Since she performed so well in this meet, Williams is now qualified for the 400m dash in the National Collegiate Athletic Association championship.

Williams also got her best time of 57.18 seconds in the 400m dash finishing in third place. She also placed sixth in the 200m dash and eighth in the 60m dash beating another one of her school records.

Williams was very proud of her performance during this meet.

“Overall I surprised myself with my performance. I really didn’t have any expectations; I was going just to run,” Williams said.

“I was really happy with our team’s performance this weekend,” sophomore Dana Nardello said.

A couple other teammates excelled just like Williams. Freshman Shakeya Singleton-Ladson broke the record for the first rookie running 200m dash in 25.66 seconds. Junior Christiana Taylor placed sixth in the 60m hurdles.

These runners still have some hard meets coming their way. They will go to Neumann on Friday, Feb. 20 to put their skills to the test again.

Even though they all performed well this last meet, Williams feels like her team still has some work to do.

“This was the best meet so far this season, but there is still a long way to go,” Williams said.

Nardello feels that if they keep working hard like they have been then their hard work will definitely pay off.

“I think our hard work this week will show in the next few weeks when we go to the ECACs,” Nardello said.

www.theloquitur.com

Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009

SPORTS 16

Hit the slopes on Pennsylvania’s finest jessie holeva perspectives editor

jh734@cabrini.edu

Sno Mountain Location: Scranton Nestled in Northeast Pa.’s endless mountains, Sno is that hidden gem locals hit and tourists usually don’t tend to make it to.

What that means: short lift lines.

More commonly known as Montage Mountain, Sno was recently renamed. With the new name comes new additions.

Sno’s got terrain parks, both a rail and jump park, well suited for snowboarders hoping to catch some air and practice crazy tricks. There’s both a 13 foot and a 22 foot half pipe.

With 30 runs, it’s a mountain for every level of skiier, offering easier slopes for beginners, intermediate trails and for a challenge the North face is a headwall. The infamous slope, White Lighting is one of the steepest on the East Coast, filled with challenging moguls. Each and every trail is fully lit for night skiers. Or for those not interested in skiing or snowboarding, the

mountain offers the recreational fun of snow tubing.

Sno Mountain’s Web site is snomtn.com.

Sno also houses the largest recreational ski and snowboard race program in the world, the National Standard Race, where guests and mountain regulars can take a run through a downhill racecourse and possibly win a medal.

The racing franchise uses a handicap system to level the playing field and provide skiers and snowboarders with fun ways to race, even to compare their scores with others across the country that have run a NASTAR course. For more on NASTAR visit www.nastar.com.

Plus, Sno has plenty of it.

Between 270 snow guns blowing and the natural snowfall Northeast Pennsylvania accumulates, there’s no doubt that there will be snow.

nick pitts/sports editor

Senior Craig Lowrie stands in front of the start of “White Lightning,” a double diamond slope at Sno Mountain.

Blue Mountain Location: Palmerton

jim holeva/submitted photo

Blue Mountain offers racing programs on Saturday’s and Sundays, starting in December.

The closest drive out of the listed resorts, Blue Mountain, has daily pricing specials, including $10 off a college student’s lift ticket Monday through Friday.

With 155 skiable acres, Blue Mountain offers lots to do.

It’s got a snow tubing park, 33 trails and three terrain parks.

College party night anyone?

In addition to offering college lift tickets discounts during the week, Thursday night is when it gets interesting.

Blue Mountain’s Web site, skibluemt.com, informs that all college students with a valid ID

will receive a number of discounts on more than just lift tickets.

There will be deals on rentals and tubing, along with food and drink specials. Plus live music and a dance floor from 8 to 11 p.m.

Coming this weekend, Habitat for Humanity and Blue Mountain are coming together to help raise funds.

Sponsored by the ski resort and Born Candy on Feb. 21 and 22, there will be promotion and information on the cause at Blue Mountain.

Jack Frost/Big Boulder Location: Blakeslee This Pocono tourist attraction wants to help out the college kid’s budget.

Every Wednesday is Jack Frost College day and when nightfall hits, it’s Big Boulder where anyone with a valid college I.D. can grab a $15 snow pass, $10 rentals and drink specials. Even on the weekends where many other resorts are too expensive, one lift ticket is good for both resorts, doubling the fun.

Jack Frost also has snow tubing, for those non-skiiers or riders, and two terrain parks.

Boulder Park, being rated as a top five terrain park on the East Coast of Canada and the United States by Transworld

Snowboarding, is made for those freestyle fanatics.

With over 40 long and wide slopes to choose from, there seems to be a trail for riders of all skill levels.

Perhaps the best part of the mountain, is the lodge and parking lot being at the top.

Skiiers and riders can simply strap in and head straight down a trail rather than wait in a long lift hill line.

Jack Frost/Big Boulder Ski Resort, just a straight shot up the North East extension, is just an hour and a half away from Cabrini.

For more information, visit www.jfbb.com.

nick pitts/sports editor

Jack Frost/Big Boulder is backwards when compared to other resorts, with the parking lot and lodge at the top, skiiers can litterally strap in and take a slope instead of having to wait in line for a lift.