Student Newspaper of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
For more content, visit online at: beacon.mcla.edu
North Adams, Mass.
Volume 77 ◆ Issue 6
Th u r s d ay, M a r c h 7 , 2 0 1 3
‘Quarantine’ brings laughs to Venable See full story, page 7
Photo by Shauna Dacus/Beacon Staff
Freshman Marcus Neverson and junior Alexa Hebard share a kiss in Mainstage’s “A Delightful Quarantine.”
SGA approves resolution for fossil fuel divestment
Students ask the College to divest $150,000 in mutual funds invested in fossil fuels By Chris Goodell Staff Writer
The Student Government Association (SGA) approved a resolution Monday night urging the President, Board of Trustees, and Foundation Board to divest from publicly-traded fossil fuel companies. Chief Advancement Officer Marianne Drake, President of the MCLA Foundation, said that while sustainability is a part of the College’s strategic plan, the issue of investment in fossil fuels has not been explored in depth. “There has been some conversation over the years,” Drake said. “There haven’t been a lot of in-depth conversations on investment in fossil fuels.” According to Drake, approximately $150,000 of the MCLA Foundation’s $9.1 million total endowment is indirectly invested in fossil fuels through
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mutual funds. Advancement Operations Officer Marc Morandi said this figure is based on quarterly reports, and that the figures can change with the daily investment decisions of the mutual fund managers. “Every day it could change,” he said. Because the money is invested indirectly, Morandi said there is no direct financial benefit to investing in fossil fuels. Several SGA members voiced their support for the resolution to divest from fossil fuels, citing both financial and moral reasons. “Investing any amount of money in fossil fuels is a detriment to the planet in which we live,” Senator Stephan Rochefort said. “Sustainability is an essential element of the College’s vision that cannot be compromised for any reason.” Senator Catt Chaput believes investing in fossil fuels goes against the College’s image of
being a proponent of green initiatives. “My main concern with investing in fossil fuels is that it goes against everything the College tries to teach us,” Chaput said. “It’s not sustainable for the environment and it’s not sustainable for us to make a living off of.” The divestment plan calls for the College to cease any new investments in fossil fuel companies and to end all holdings by February 2016. Morandi said such an initiative would depend upon the decisions of the mutual fund managers. “It depends how fast the advisers in the investment would respond,” Morandi said. He added that one possibility would be to choose advisers moving forward who would pledge not to invest in fossil fuel companies. Editor’s note: Please see page 11 for a related Letter to the Editor.
Women’s Center responds to vandalism
gating and we want to keep it as a discussion on campus,” Gaudet said. He also added that while the damage from the statement, which was written in pen, was minimal and quickly cleaned by a janitor, it was still just as offensive. “It’s not about the damage,” he said. “It’s just the concept that it was there in the first place.” Seamans elaborated on the effect it’s had on her as well as everyone else, revealing that they plan on holding some sort of a campus-wide discussion about it. “I think there’s a huge lack of education in the sense of words,” she said. “I want to have a campus conversation about it.” Sophomore Carrisa Sacherski agreed, saying she really wants to talk to the people who were involved in this act of vandalism. “It’s unnecessary,” she said. “I’m not the type to get back at someone, but I just want to talk to them.” Vear also noted that all she really wants to do is talk to the unknown culprits. “I wish if people had an issue, they’d actually come and talk with us,” she said. “I feel like some people don’t really know what we do here.”
By Ryan Flynn
Senior News Editor Three weeks ago, Women’s Center office assistants were shocked to see a derogatory statement written in pen across their office door. Office Manager and senior Skyla Seamans said this act made it clear that sexism is still an issue on campus. “I thought our campus was more liberal than others, but this just shows that sexism is still alive and well,” she said. Senior Brianna Vear confirmed this, saying that students should take this as a sign. “There’s the idea that there’s no sexism, racism, or homophobia on this campus, but this is clear sign there is,” she said. The graffiti, which read “For dykes only,” came as a surprise to everyone, considering this is a rare occurrence on campus. “We were really confused because usually this doesn’t happen,” Vear said. After contacting both Charlotte Degen, vice president of student affairs, and Public Safety, Office Assistant Brandon Gaudet stated that the investigation is not over and they’re still upset about it. “Public Safety is still investi-
GRAFFITI, continued on page 4
MCLA brings controversial author to the Public Policy Series By Nick Arena
Managing Editor MCLA’s Public Policy Lecture series will host Irshad Manji, author and director of the Moral Courage Project at New York University. The event titled “The Future of Islam,” is open to the public and free of charge. It will take place tonight at 7 p.m. in the Church Street Center. Manji’s Moral Courage Project focuses on positive reform, often through the lens of her experiences in the Islamic religion, by encouraging people to be unafraid of offending someone while speaking out against what is wrong. “She is very controversial in that she argues that Muslims need
to critically discuss what Islam is,” Political Science Professor Robert Bence said. Her books and lectures are not simply directed at Muslims or members of the Islamic faith, however, according to Bence. “She’s also telling us non-Muslims to be critical of multiculturalism as it may make us fearful of criticizing other cultures that may use distasteful practices, honor killings for example,” he said. “Society often pressures us to comply with cultural or religious requests as a sign of “respect,” but moral courage asks us to reexamine what respect means,” she wrote on her website. “The morally courageous person will think critically about whose rights will be violated in the name of “respect.”
MANJI, continued on page 3
New business sells affordable jeans
Harlequin to perform “Into the Woods”
All sports games now streaming online
Denim Depot takes customer requests
The fairy-tale musical will go up March 20-22 after spring break
Webcasts of all games are available on Athletics website
News, page 3
Arts & Entertainment, page 7
Sports, page 9
News 2-5 Arts & Entertainment 6-7 Sports 8-9 Campus Comment 10 Fun & Games 11 Photo Essay 12
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News
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Public Safety Logs
Fighting food issues in America
Sunday, February 24 5:33 p.m. - Public Safety responded to suspicious activity in the Campus Center. Subject received a warning. 10:15 p.m. - Public Safety responded to a fire alarm in the Flagg Townhouse Complex. The issue was resolved. Monday, February 25 2:57 a.m. - Public Safety responded to a medical call at Hoosac Hall. The subject was transported to the hospital. 7:12 p.m. - Public Safety responded to a fire alarm in the Flagg Townhouse Complex. The issue was resolved. Tuesday, February 26 2:14 a.m. - Public Safety responded to a parking issue in the Flagg Townhouse Parking Lot. A citation was issued. 4:15 p.m. - Public Safety responded to a simple assault in Hoosac Hall. The subject was issued a warning. Wednesday, February 27 1:26 p.m. - Public Safety responded to a medical call in the Amsler Campus Center. The subject was transported to the hospital. Thursday, February 28 12:25 p.m. - Public Safety responded to a brokendown vehicle in the Flagg Townhouse Parking Lot. The issue was resolved. Friday, March 1 4:32 p.m. - Public Safety responded to a supervisory alarm in the Flagg Townhouse Complex. The issue was resolved. 6:29 p.m. - Public Safety responded to an unwanted guest in Venable Hall. The subject was gone upon arrival. Saturday, March 2 12:46 a.m. - Public Safety responded to a simple assault on Blackinton Street The issue was referred to an outside agency.
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Photo by Jess Gamari/Beacon Staff
Andres Duany appeared via web cam for the seminar. Duany further explores agrarian urbanism in his book “Garden Cities: Theory & Practice of Agrarian Urbanism.
By Andrew Hodgson Staff Writer
The College hosted a two-part lecture on the potential future of agriculture in Berkshire County and across the nation called, “The Agrarian City,” Thursday, Feb. 28. The first speaker was Andres Duany, Princeton architect and urban planner, who spoke about his vision for creating communities that are more centered around food productionsomething Duany refers to as “agrarian urbanism.” Duany’s idea is to imbed food
growing into the development industry. His architecture and town planning firm, Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company, works towards building community gardens and other food growing systems in place of tennis courts and golf courses on new developments. “The interesting thing about growing food is its impact on society,” Duany said. Duany explained how the sharing of labor, resources, and planning for crops all help build a strong sense of community. Duany mentioned that the
discussion of environmental issues is very different in Europe than in the United States. The urban planner explained that in Europe it is common for there to be small villages and settlements even in protected areas. A concept which is foreign to Americans, who tend to see the environment as being ruined as soon as it shows any signs of a human presence. Duany said that the European environmentalist values humans being able to live within nature rather than outside it. He added that any real environmental progress will only be made by changing the mindset of Americans. To jumpstart agrarian urbanism in Berkshire County, Duany recommended the community start developing a ‘culture of good food’. He explained that a culture that demands high quality food will be more concerned with where their food is grown and how to properly grow and manage it. Fighting hunger locally
After Duany’s presentation, Jennifer Munoz, Director of the Growing Health Garden Program (GHGP), addressed the issue of hunger in Berkshire County. According to a local food bank in 2005, 11 percent of the population in northern Berkshire County had been hungry in the past year and 18 percent are considered “food insecure.” “We don’t have enough farmers,” Munoz said. Munoz worries that an older
generation of farmers isn’t being continued and that their value of self-sustained agriculture is coming to an end. The director hopes to create a new generation that demands fresh produce, and shows their parents the value of healthy fresh food as well.
Photo by Jess Gamari/Beacon Staff
Elena Traister speaks at the seminar in Murdock 218. In order to create interest in healthy food and combat hunger, Munoz and the GHGP teach young students how to grow their own produce in community gardens. The program, which had 750 participants in 2012, coordinates the food growing efforts throughout various schools in Berkshire County. Munoz also played a significant role in creating the Keep Berkshire Farming 2011 initiative which seeks to integrate agriculture into city/town planning in Berkshire County.
Story continued from Page 1 Supplemental budgets Based on the Budget and Finance Committee’s (BFC) recommendation, the Senate voted to approve Colleges Against Cancer’s supplemental budget request for $2,300. The money will go toward Relay For Life, which will take place on April 19. According to CAC President Dan Anderson, the money for the annual event was cut from CAC’s club budget after the event did not take place in 2012. Eleven senators voted in favor of approving the budget, with one opposing. The Senate also voted to approve a supplemental budget
Photo by Shauna Dacus/Beacon Staff
SGA Members and advancement officers discuss divestment from fossil fuels. request of $1,000 for the Allegrettos for transportation to their upcoming appearance in the semi-finals of the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella. According to J. Cottle, Allegrettos public relations chair,
the money will go toward renting a coach bus to transport the group to and from the March 23 competition at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston. Since the Senate had limited time to review the request, the approval was for the
money to be transferred from the SGA supplemental budget to its operating budget for the Executive Board to allocate up to $1,000 at their discretion. Eleven senators voted in favor of this transfer, with none opposing and one abstaining.
Weekend Weather 3/7 - 3/10 Thursday, March 7
Friday, March 8
Saturday, March 9
Sunday, March 10
Snow High: 35° Low: 23° Precip. Chance: 40%
Rain/Snow High: 39° Low: 22° Precip. Chance: 40%
Partly Cloudy High: 43° Low: 26° Precip. Chance: 0%
Showers High: 42° Low: 24° Precip. Chance: 20%
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3 New store sells denim products at low prices News
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Beacon.mcla.edu
By Jack Guerino
Staff Writer Nestled between Angelina’s Sub and South Beach Tan, the Denim Depot boasts a vintage neon Levis sign in the window. Inside, the scent of denim moves freely among the multiple shades of blue jeans, and other denim products. “I wanted to focus on clothing, but also something universal that everybody needed,” owner of Denim Depot, Tom Quinton said. “It came down to myself, too, I refuse to pay $50 or $60 for a pair of new jeans.” The store sells jeans and other denim products for prices between $8 and $18. “I thought if I concentrated on saving the customer money and something that everyone needed I would have a decent shot at it,” Quinton said. “Everybody seems like they can use denim, it’s very easy to sell it’s like a staple now.” Quinton looks to appeal students because of the store’s closeness to the College. He wants to offer students affordable jeans, and enable them to sell jeans they no longer want through consignment. Quinton’s store is located at the Oasis Plaza on the corner
Photo by Jack Guerino/Beacon Staff
Tom Quinton, owner of Denim Depot, stands at the register of his new store offering discount prices on jeans. of American Legion Drive and Ashland Street. Denim Depot is open Tuesday through Sunday 12 – 5 p.m. “Anything the students have that doesn’t fit them anymore they are more than welcome to
bring it down and I’ll do my best to sell it,” Quinton said. Quinton also offers a permanent deal for college students. Students who show their MCLA id get a 10 percent off any purchase in addition to any other
sales running at the time. Quinton gets his products from store close-outs, factory returns, factory seconds, irregulars, and pre-owned jeans. Brands such as Levis, Guess, Wranglers, Banana Republic, Seven, Silver, and
Tonight at 7 in Church Street Center:
MCLA
Public Policy Lecture Series
IRSHAD MANJI International Bestselling Author, “The Trouble with Islam Today,” and “Allah, Liberty and Love,” selected by O, The Oprah Magazine, as one of “10 Books You Must Read Now.”
THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 7 PM MCLA Church Street Center, Eleanor Furst Roberts Auditorium Free and open to the public. The Public Policy Lecture is made possible through the generosity of the Ruth Proud Charitable Trust.
MASSACHUSETTS COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS The Commonwealth’s Public Liberal Arts College
375 Church Street, North Adams, MA 413-662-5391 www.mcla.edu/publicpolicy
American eagle can be found within the rows of denim. “I have almost any brand you can think of,” Quinton said. “There was actually an order that came in last week that had some jeans from France; I had to get a friend to decipher the labels.” Before Denim Depot, Quinton owned both a stereo equipment store and a VHS rental store. He spent some time working as a veterinarian before opening up this new store. “I had been working for about three months trying to set up different suppliers, the more you’re able to buy, the better the price,” Quinton explained. “Now I’ve got several suppliers, so if one drops out I still have enough to keep me going.” Quinton said business is steadily picking up, and he’s looking to add more to the store’s inventory. “I want to add shelving so I can fold and stack,” Quinton said. “I’m hoping my suppliers and the consignments will help me build up the inventory and have a better selection to better serve the customer.” Quinton also takes request from buyers who are looking for a specific, or rare pair of jeans.
Controversial author to speak MANJI, continued from page 1 According to Bence, Manji’s work has earned her both respect and a great deal of criticism. “[She’s been] accused of helping promote anti-Muslim perspectives,” he said. “Her books talk about how many times she’s been threatened.” One critic of Manji’s work is M. Junaid LevesqueAlam, an AmericanMuslim blogger whose writings have appeared on websites such as Antiwar and The Nation. “Manji’s attacks on Muslims’ appear almost kind next to the beating she doles out to logic itself,” Alam blogged on Counterpunch. org. “She surmises that since Muslims have been more harmed by Muslims than non-Muslims (based on what data or criteria, we dare not guess), there is little reason to complain about atrocities authored under
the ‘war on terror’.” Despite such critiques, Bence believes that her lecture will bring the College a bit of material to think about. “I think her presentation will help us get some perspectives on Islam and how we, in the post 9/11 world, should be reacting to Islam and religion in politics,” he said. He sees the goal of the lecture as being open to discussion about religion and moral courage between Manji and the students. “Her being here corresponds with our mission as a liberal arts college, to provide discussion for contemporary issues,” he said. “I think students will find what she says to be new and extremely interesting.” For more information about Manji or the Moral Courage Project visit Irshadmanji.com.
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Thursday, March 7, 2013
News
Beacon.mcla.edu
Obama ‘not bluffing’ on Iran, Biden says MCT Campus
President Barack Obama is “not bluffing” when he vows that he will not allow Iran to get a nuclear weapon, Vice President Joe Biden said Monday in a speech that put a heavy emphasis on winning consensus on that view from the rest of the world. Speaking to supporters of Israel, Biden reiterated that “all options, including military force” are on the table as the U.S. works to prevent Iran’s acquisition of nuclear weapons. “We are not looking for war,” Biden told the American Israel Public Affairs Committee at a policy conference. It is “critically important for the whole world to know we did everything in our power... to avoid any confrontation,” he said. If it comes to that, he said, “it’s important that the rest of the world is with us.” Biden didn’t change the stated policy of the United States, or even the administration’s talking points, in his morning remarks.
But his comments come as Obama plans a trip to Israel this month meant to reaffirm his commitment to Israel and, tacitly, to reassure the Israeli people and their leaders in the wake of his own re-election and that of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “I learned it’s never a good idea... to steal the president’s thunder,” the vice president joked, explaining the president would expand on Biden’s remarks during his visit. In his comments, Biden hit the key policy points his audience wanted to hear, restating U.S. commitment to the Iron Dome defense program and opposition to unilateral efforts by the Palestinian Authority to gain affirmation for statehood status. He called on the world to treat Hezbollah as a “terrorist organization, period,” condemned efforts to delegitimize Israel and backed the country’s right to impose a trade blockade. Obama will be in Israel just before Passover and plans
meetings both in Jerusalem and in Ramallah. He is expected to give one major address to the region, roughly four years after he began his outreach to the Muslim world in a trip to Cairo. Obama is also likely to meet with young Israelis who are eager to hear directly from him in the wake of tense electionyear relations between Obama and Netanyahu. The vice president, who also spoke to the AIPAC conference in 2009 as the administration began its first term, downplayed any apparent tension. “I’ve been around a long time. I’ve been there for a lot of prime ministers. We’ve always disagreed on tactics,” he said. “But ladies and gentlemen, we have never disagreed on the strategic imperative that Israel must be able to protect its own, must be able to do it on its own, and we must always stand with Israel to be sure that can happen.” Biden also made similar allusions to his long career in public office, and what he described as his personal
commitment to Israel and to the powerful political force of AIPAC. “I did more fundraisers for AIPAC in the ‘70s and early ‘80s than - just about as many - as anybody,” he said. He closed with a story about his first meeting as a senator with then-Prime Minister Golda Meir that affirmed that commitment, which drew a standing ovation from the audience. “Our job is to make sure... that there’s always an Israel, that there’s always a secure Israel, and there’s an Israel that can care for itself,” he said. Biden was speaking to an audience wary of the administration’s position on Iran and the Middle East. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., got hearty applause from the group when he criticized the administration for not being sufficiently pro-Israel. “We need members of the national security team who are pro-Israel, not anti-Israel,” McCain said.
Graffiti removed from Women’s Center door GRAFFITI, continued from page 1 She also stated that writing something offensive on their door was probably the worst way to go about it. “Writing something on the door is not a good way to express something,” she said. “Talking to us would be much more effective.” In 2009 the same derogatory words were scratched on the Women’s Center door. The damage was not as severe this time around, but Seamans said she was upset people still hold that opinion. She sees the Women’s Center as a safe haven for female students and even male students, not a place where they will be attacked for their beliefs. “I was kind of disappointed that peo-
ple had that impression of us,” she said. Bisexuals, Gays, Lesbians & Allies Making a Difference, or BGLAD, which is right next to the Women’s Center, remained untouched on both occasions, to many students’ surprise. Seamans said it’s clear that the culprits have an issue with the Women’s Center. Gaudet noted that students interested in what they have to say should read their personal newsletters and that he hopes the word will get around. “Through The Beacon and our personal newsletter, we hope we’ll reach a broader audience,” he said.
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News
Thursday, March 7, 2013
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More job-seekers, employers using
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Facebook connections to fill vacancies MCT Campus
ATLANTA — His senior year at Clark Atlanta University was quickly approaching, and Kareem Taylor was starting to worry about his future. Would he be able to land a job as a voice actor or would he end up back home with his parents like so many other college graduates? Better still, how could he let people know he had “the” voice? Not having prior experience or a network to draw from, Taylor turned to the only contacts he had readily available to him, his Facebook friends. “I decided to post a demo on Facebook, asking people to share it with their friends,” Taylor said recently. In that moment, Taylor joined an ever-growing number of college students and employers who are using social media networks in the search for jobs and job candidates. In fact, according to a 2012 Future Trends Survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, 90.7 percent of respondents used Facebook in their job search. Given the near-universal status of Facebook, which recently announced the launch of Graph Search to enhance users’ ability to navigate their connections, the study said, “it is expected that if a student were to think of using a social network in the job search, that student would first turn to the base social networking platform to see what it offered.” Students are also turning to LinkedIn (40 percent) and Twitter (about 35 percent). “LinkedIn, as a business networking platform, is clearly challenging Facebook for preeminent status among students as the networking platform to communicate with potential employers,” the study said. Although nearly 66 percent of LinkedIn users felt that the service was effective compared to less than a quarter of users of other networking platforms, Taylor credits Facebook for helping him
Why recruiters say they prefer Facebook when dealing with young talent: It’s more engaging. With Facebook, employers can follow a “let them come to us” strategy by setting up a business page for recruitment and career purposes.
It’s a bigger network. Facebook has more than 1 billion active users worldwide, compared with LinkedIn’s user base of about 120 million members.
The Like button. When it comes to career website integration, Facebook feeds and the Like button are easier to integrate.
Facebook is where the action is. Recruiters perceive that few students and recent graduates actively update
It’s better for branding.
their LinkedIn profiles, whereas they are quite active on Facebook.
Recruiters report they tend toward LinkedIn and other business networks for
It’s free.
branding activities and talent communication — especially with students,
networking, screening and recruiting. However, when it comes to employer
Employers like that Facebook enables a company to showcase itself as an
Source: Potentialpark, a global employer branding research firm.
attractive place to work.
land employment with CNN. Once he posted his demo on his Facebook page, Taylor said it caught the attention of CNN producer Danya Levine, who was already a Facebook friend. Levine invited him to the station, where he met her team. “The head honcho said, ‘Let’s hear something,’” Taylor recalled. “I did something about CNN, and the whole room applauded.” For the next few weeks, Taylor shadowed members of Levine’s team, editing tapes, meeting producers and learning everything at his disposal about the voice-over industry. Meanwhile, Taylor continued his job search, but “no one was calling me back,” he said. Then just months before graduation in August 2010, he got the call he’d been waiting for. “Congratulations, you’re the voice of ‘CNN Heroes,’” Levine told him. “I was ecstatic,” Taylor said. “I’m so blessed to have this opportunity. It was a huge turning point.” Since then, Taylor has worked on the productions “Black in America” and “Pictures Don’t Lie.” Today, at 24, he’s one of the youngest and most successful professional voice actors, with clients including Comedy Central, Taco Bell and AT&T.
graduates and early career professionals — many prefer Facebook.
Shonda Cooper, lead promotions producer for CNN’s “Black in America” documentary, couldn’t say how often the television network uses social networking sites in its hiring. She said, however, that Taylor “came highly regarded by colleagues at ‘CNN Heroes.’” “He made a positive impression on all of us,” Cooper said. “In addition to having a really good, deep, persuasive voice, he takes directions well.” Taylor has been the voice of “Black in America” for the past two years, Cooper
said. With its new Graph Search, which is being rolled out in waves, officials at Facebook are hoping to make it even easier for users to find the right job match. Graph Search, they say, promises not only to help you find others but to learn more about them and make connections instantly. With this feature, users will be able to narrow their search to something as specific as “friends of my friends who work in the restaurant industry” or “my friends in Los Angeles who
SGA award nominations due Friday, March 8, 2013 Please return all forms to SGA, Rm. 317
are looking for baby sitters” or “people/my friends who are reporters and live in Seattle.” Although Graph Search hadn’t launched when Taylor began his job search, he said Facebook clearly helped him get noticed. Soon after CNN hired him, Taylor said his agent “dragged me to New York,” where he records from home then emails the file to his boss. “A day later,” he said, “those promos start airing on CNN, and my mom will call and ask if that’s me she’s hearing.”
Corrections from The Beacon’s Feb. 28 Issue The King of Iran at the time was Mohammad Reza Pahalvi, and he was known as the Shah, which is Persian for King.
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Arts & Entertainment
Thursday, March 7, 2012
A heart-breaking journey in the Bayou: ‘Beasts of the Southern Wild’ By Shannen Adamites A&E Editor
Why didn’t ‘Beasts of the Southern Wild’ win Best Picture? ‘Argo’ was well-done, don’t get me wrong. I was sitting on the edge of my seat the entire time. However, ‘Argo’ lacked one important thing: sentimentality. ‘Beasts’ is a coming of age story, full of tough love, sickness and death, turmoil and struggle, but also adventure, celebration, and the importance of family. It’s about pride and non-conformity, and finding strength and power in times of adversity. Hushpuppy, played by Quvenzhané Wallis, is adorable and sassy, but knows how to tug on your heartstrings. Though she’s only nine years old, her performance was stellar, considering the complexity of her character and the wide range of emotions she needed to express throughout the film. Despite her age, Wallis had the talent and skill of someone who’s been in the business for decades. Visually, it was stunning. The cinematography was excellent; the film took on a very natural, almost gritty atmosphere, leaving viewers to focus more on the acting and soundtrack. Speaking of the soundtrack, ‘Beasts’ probably has one of the greatest soundtracks I’ve ever had the pleasure of hearing. It features wonderful combination of Southern sass and Cajun jubilance, as well as powerful emotion and a tinge of sorrow. It’s the kind of soundtrack that will evoke wanderlust for a secret place in the bayou called “The Bathtub.” It’s located on the other side of the Levy, where everyone drinks 40s, eats shellfish, and plays the fiddle on their front porch. Yet you don’t know when the next storm will flood out the town and wash everything away. This isn’t a film for the faint at heart. If you’re not one for death, “alternative” parenting, or moments of intense despair, this probably won’t be your cup of tea. If you can get past that, though, be prepared to embark on Hushpuppy’s journey as she tries to find her place in the unstable world of the bayou. I don’t want to give anything away in terms of the plot, as every little detail matters. Rest assured, I highly recommend taking the time to see it; it’s a wild ride. Though I don’t exactly recommend watching it at one in the morning; emotions run especially rampant at that hour of the night.
Beacon.mcla.edu
Review: Gospel Fest shakes Church Street
By Kaylie Warner A&E Writer
Church Street Center rocked out with the Holy Spirit this past Saturday. The Allegrettos opened up the night, marching in to the auditorium singing ‘Say the Word.’ Their voices soared beautifully through the auditorium. The Allegrettos never cease to impress. When they took their seats in the front row, President Mary Grant took the stage, stating how proud she feels to introduce Gospel Fest. Grant and Celia Norcross discussed the Margaret A. Hart Gospel Scholarship, established in honor of the first woman of color to graduate from the College in 1935. Afterwards, the Allegrettos took the stage once more and the audience erupted in a roar of applause. Zion, a Christian hip-hop artist from Savanna, Georgia, took the stage to share his personal testimony about his path through Christ. His story was relatable to all who have gone through hard times and had to come to a realization about their lives. Whether it is a spiritual epiphany or some other realization, everyone who had to endure tough times could relate to his words. Zion’s unique blend of hip-hop and Christianity are two concepts that normally aren’t melded together. Despite that, it provided an exceptional performance. “It was as if the scales fell from my eyes,” he said. The Campbell Brothers came out and Church Street Center exploded. Denise Brown, vocalist and cousin of The Campbell Brothers, had great stage presence and an infectious smile. Her voice was described as “silky smooth,” and poured over the audience. As she
sang, she moved across the stage with style. “I love what I do and I love being on stage,” said Brown. Phillip Campbell, the guitarist, discussed how people wonder whether gospel came before blues and vice versa. Many people who performed in Juke Joints were going to church on Sunday and performing afterwards. The Campbell Brothers are living proof of that the combination blends together perfectly. Campbell stood up a few times
“It was as if the scales fell from my eyes” -Zion to shred on his guitar. Audience members could not get enough of this sound that could rattle bones. The performance was coordinated by Berkshire Cultural Resource Center director, Jonathan Secor, and his intern Kayley Giorgini. Both were pleased with the outcome of this performance. “It was great and full of energy,” she said. “The dancing and singing is what it’s all about.” The Campbell Brothers and Zion agreed that The Allegrettos are a fantastic group of performers. Campbell even said how he wanted to take The Allegrettos with him. Campbell discussed Christ’s love in between songs. While it was clear there was a mix of believers and non-believers, people rocked out and swayed, regardless of their faith.
Photo by Kacie Clark/Beacon Staff
Above: Campbell shreds on his guitar. Below: The Allegrettos open the show with soulful sounds.
Congratulations
NEXXUS on the
3rd place win at the
Steady Steppin’ Forward Competition on Feb. 23!
Stay tuned for the big reveal...
3/18/13
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Arts & Entertainment
Beacon.mcla.edu
7
Review: ‘Quarantine’ delights audience By Haley Costen A&E Writer
To say that Mark Dunn’s ‘A Delightful Quarentine’ is merely a play about an alien invasion would be too simple. The College’s MainStage production, directed by Theatre Professor Doug Jenkins, was a comical look into six odd households during an alien invasion in a small Pennsylvania town. The play was full of laughs and amusement, despite some awkward moments. Saturday’s matinee performance brought in a crowd of about 50 parents and students. They sat patiently to Beatles hits playing in the house until the lights dimmed and sirens rang. Under center-stage spotlight, Jack Sleigh addressed the audience as the show’s narrator, Professor Fuller. He gained a few laughs before he introduced his book on the three day quarantine of the town. Though Sleigh’s performance marked a good start, many of the jokes in the first scene, which featured a woman confronting the Photo by Shauna Dacus/ Beacon Staff mother who gave her up for adopGrannies Cory Flood and Elizabeth Mullen plan their “abduction” while delinquent Boston Livingstone remains unconscious. tion, fell flat. Konopacki’s character owned fourteen neighbor’s house while she was out of town. “I didn’t understand the Beatles music Sarah DiMarino did well in the cats—all invisible to Cohen’s character Their scenes didn’t necessarily have a purin it but it was fine,” sophomore Nikki Krapart of Barbara Middlebrook, the eccentric even as he had an allergic reaction to them. pose, but they provided quick comic relief. tounis said. “Some parts were funny and would-be mother, as did Amanda Monick Though the cat scenes were strange, CoThe interactions between two elderly the actors were good.” as her long lost daughter, and Emma Hodghen’s final scream of “Judeen, the cat box is women played by Cory Flood and ElizaMeanwhile, juniors Josh Lapierre and son as the twin sister who was not given full of turds!” provided hilarious redempbeth Mullen, and the man who burgled Kayleigh Brand were very impressed. away. tion. their house before the quarentine, played “I thought it was a lot of fun. The two old Though many jokes came out awkwardly The two couples in separate houses with by Boston Livingstone, were also very ladies stood out the most to me,” he said. in a scene that felt better suited for a drama, the wrong spouses was also a scene stealer. amusing. “It was a nice change of tone from the two eventually, the audience began to warm up Alexa Hebard, Marcus Neverson, James Flood, who wore a dress and wig in a other Main Stage shows. ” to DiMarino’s clueless offers to serve limeDunn, and Elizabeth Mullen made infidelway that would make Norman Bates proud, “I loved it, ” Brand said. “I thought it was aid or play scrabble while men with briefity and divorce hilarious through their perplayed the part of a wily old lady as if he fantastically funny. ” cases patrolled outside. The second household featured Victoria formances as the Robbins’ and the Wiglin’s. was meant for it. Mullen and Flood’s torKonopacki and Jordan Cohen as a nerdy Dunn’s character’s admittance to wearing ture of Livingstone and faked abduction couple on their first date, which was quite women’s clothing and his performance in was also worth noting. The play ended abruptly with “Good Day humorous. With their awkward puns and drag received some of the most applause and praise. Sunshine” by the Beatles. A few problems snorting laughter, Cohen and Konopacki Jacquelyn Gianetti and Rebecca Szcygiel seemed unresolved, but it provided lightwere great, but Konopacki’s cat situation were hilarious as the Robbins’ and Wigghearted fun and entertainment that kept was confusing. lins’ daughters who snuck into their elderly the crowd watching.
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Harlequin to perform ‘Into the Woods’ after break By Shannen Adamites By A&E Editor Fairy tales will never be looked at the same way again after the Harlequin show, Steven Sondheim’s “Into the Woods.” “It’s the quintessential ‘fairytales gone wrong’ story,” Director and senior Jonathan Kinney said. “Into the Woods” intertwines several fairy tale characters such as Cinderella, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, and Jack from “Jack and the Bean Stalk.” However, despite the familiar faces, this is by no means a typical fairy tale, as the characters go through quite the adventure in order to achieve their “happily ever afters.” According to Kinney, the show provides more background into characters that someone normally wouldn’t see. “This makes the characters a lot more dimensional, even if they
don’t have a proper name,” he said. Kinney’s concept includes playing with the idea of class and anachronisms, and throwing the stereotypical fairy tale notion out the window. “The higher class will be dressed in more medieval, Renaissancelike costumes, and the more down-to-earth characters will be dressed more modernly,” he said. “I wanted to focus less on balance, and more on the idea of class. Everything is going to convey a very strong feeling.” The rehearsal process has been quite the adventure, Kinney said. With a highly energetic cast that is willing to collaborate and suggest creative ideas, the group became very tight-knit. This bond enabled them work off of each other very well, and learn the material quickly and efficiently. Even during crazy times, Kin-
ney and Musical Director J. Cottle, kept each other in check and persevered. “I definitely became more flexible and open to suggestions throughout this whole process; it was a great learning experience,” Kinney said. “And whenever things got really rough, [Cottle] would say ‘If it’s meant to be, it’ll happen,’ which I found very reassuring.” Kinney is thrilled to be working with such an efficient and quicklearning cast, and hopes the audience will enjoy themselves in this “ridiculously fun musical.” The musical theatre club’s 11th performance, is scheduled to debut at the Venable Theatre on March 20 through 22 at 7 p.m. Tickets are free for students, $1 for faculty, and $2 for general admission. Flyer by Tyler Prendergast/ MCLA FPA
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Sports
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Beacon.mcla.edu
Softball is preparing for the Gene Cusic Classic in Florida By Nicholas Swanson
By Ariana Tourangeau Sports Editor
NHL fans more loyal than ever Apparently, after all the fuss with the NHL lockout, fans are still supportive of the NHL. Not that they shouldn’t be, but most people would think – after having to wait for a hockey season which may not happen – fans wouldn’t be as loyal or at least a little mad. I probably wouldn’t go to as many games at first, electing instead to just watch games on TV, but according to CBS Sports and the New York Post, fans are more loyal than ever. I, rather, am annoyed to have gotten excited for a season to start, only to wait in hopes that there may still be a season. According to the New York Post, “the NHL recently informed the NHLPA the projected hockey-related revenue (HRR) for this truncated season, will reach $2.4 billion.” This means that after locking out the players for more than three months and making the fans wait – and in my case, suffer – that the league suffered no damage from the lockout. In fact, the NHL is actually making more money, even after the lockout. “This $2.4 billion projection is for a 720game regular season, plus the playoffs. Thus, the NHL expects to generate 72.7 percent of last year's revenue in 58.5 percent of the season,” wrote Larry Brooks from the New York Post. He also pointed out that if the projection was for a full 820-game season than it would total $4.1 billion in HRR, which would be considerably more than last season before the lockout. That’s crazy to me, but it just makes me appreciate hockey more than I already did. It goes to show you that hockey has true fans and no matter what they are put through they will still be there to support their teams as well as the sport in general. That is the definition of a fan. The only bad thing is, the NHL will probably continue to have more lockouts in the future after realizing it isn’t experiencing any financial loss from lockouts. This is unfortunate, that this conflict isn’t much of a setback for the league. I am still proud to say that I am a hockey fan, and although I can’t stand lockouts and wish money wasn’t such a huge issue, as long as I am still entertained and am able to root for someone, that’s all that matters.
Sports Writer The softball team will be traveling to Fort Myers, Fl. from March 8 to 14, playing in the Gene Cusic Classic. The Trailblazers’ season started with two wins against Lyndon State in a doubleheader at the Glens Falls Sports Dome. The tournament is an annual event that will take place over spring break involving multiple levels of skilled teams which travel from different states. The team will be playing five doubleheaders against other division III teams. “The beginning season wins gives a lot of positive energy to build from [for] the upcoming
matches,” Coach Mike Ameen said. According to Ameen, the team practices strength and conditioning in the morning six times a week with Women’s Soccer Coach Deb Raber, in addition to attending practices. Ameen explained the structure and dedication they are showing will only help them in the long run. This season, the Trailblazers have a majority of freshmen and sophomores on the team. Kendra Hobbs and Ainsley MacDonald are the two senior captains who have been working to show the new players proper teamwork and communication. The only other senior on the team is third-
basemen Megan Boyer. “A strong point we have is communicating, it is not a struggle to talk to the new players because they are willing to listen and learn… there was a big transition with the type of players [from last year], but I think [we are] improving,” MacDonald said. In the opening game in NY, the Trailblazers won 12-11 with Hobbs hitting a homerun in the top of the fifth inning. The team won their second game 6-1, all of the runs were scored before the seventh inning stretch. “A lot of freshmen have been coming through. In the game everyone was hitting well, and the new players have been improving, so their contribution has been
such a great help to the team,” Hobbs said. Ameen agreed about their gameplay against Lyndon State. “They were hitting the gap perfectly in both games, the batters were going up and down the lineup, and when on the field an improvement in their defense was clearly noticed,” Coach Ameen said. “The new players are showing great respect and gratitude from the things we try to tell them on and off the field, which will only help our gameplay for Florida and the season,” Hobbs said. The next softball game after the tournament will be at Sage University on Wednesday, March. 27 at 3 p.m.
Intramural playoffs underway By Drew Webber Special to Beacon
With the regular seasons of both indoor soccer and volleyball coming to a close, Intramural playoffs are ready to ensue, with the winner receiving the highly sought out IM jersey. Electric Company earned the number one seed in indoor soccer by going undefeated with a record
of 5-0. Their top scorer Lindsay Borbolla, was voted league MVP. In Volleyball, The Cat Ladies received top honors with a record of 4-0. Cat Lady Lucy Tremblay was named league MVP. Elite League also continued play on Sunday. Fisherpool FC defeated Israel Madrid 12-11, while AC Vona defeated Carlsenal 11-9.
Men’s Elite League Standings: Team
Photo Courtesy of Drew Webber/MCLA Student
During an intemural volleyball game, players get a good volley.
Fisherpool FC Israel Madrid AC Vona Carlesnal
Won 2 1 1 0
Lost Goals For 0 1 1 2
Goals Against 20 23 22 15
17 23 21 19
Michael Jordan targeted in paternity suit MCT Campus ATLANTA - An Atlanta woman has filed a paternity suit against former NBA star Michael Jordan, seeking child support and medical expenses, according to published reports. Pamela Smith said she is also willing to take a paternity test to prove the former Chicago Bulls player is the father of her 16-yearold son, according to TMZ, the first to report the lawsuit filed Feb. 6 in Fulton County. Spokespeople for Jordan have declined to comment on the reports. In the suit, Smith said she became pregnant in 1995 and gave birth to her son in June 1996, according to several reports. Jordan was married to his former wife, Juanita, at the time. The two were married from 1989 to 2006, when they divorced. They have
three children. Forbes estimates Jordan, who turned 50 last month, earned about $80 million last year from endorsements and business ties to Nike, Gatorade, Hanes, Upper Deck, 2K Sports, Presbyterian Healthcare and Five Star Fragrances. The magazine says the former athlete also owns six restaurants, a North Carolina car dealership, a motorsports team and 80 percent of the Charlotte Bobcats basketball team. “Jordan out-earns almost every member of the world’s highest-paid athletes 10 years after his last NBA game,” Forbes reported. April Love, whom the Chicago Sun-Times identifies as a spokeswoman for Smith, said the Atlanta woman, who once lived in Chicago, wants Jordan to “acknowledge his son.” Love said Jordan has talked to the teenager,
whose name is Grant Pierce Jay Jordan Reynolds but goes by the nickname “Taj.” “She’s not bashing him,” Love told the Sun-Times. “There’s no animosity.” Taj posted a YouTube video in December urging Jordan to “come out of the dark” and to “stop being secretive” about being his dad. “The reason I’m making this video is because I want - I feel like - y’all should know, and I feel like he should be more in my life about it, too, ‘cause if I was somebody’s dad I would want to be in my kid’s life,” the teenager says on YouTube. Jordan is set to marry his 34-year-old fiancee, Cuban-American model Photo credit of MCT Campus Yvette Prieto, in April. Jordon is accused of fathering another child.
Sports
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Beacon.mcla.edu
Baseball to head south to Florida By Chris Oxholm Sports Writer
The Men’s Baseball team will play several games in Florida for spring break next week. The week is host to an annual tournament for colleges around the country, mostly Northern colleges with cold weather during this time of the year. The week consists of 10 games with three off-days, making it 10 days in total. Most of the games are double-headers, like their normal season matches. When the team isn’t on the field, they are allowed to relax and enjoy the weather. “After a game we relax and hangout by the pool,” junior pitcher Joe Vaverka said. “It’s fun and really good for the team. We get to be out in nice weather and play outside. Right now it‘s snowy and cold, no setting for baseball.” Playing outside is rewarding for the team; it’s a break from their two months of indoor practice here in North Adams. Being a tournament of predominantly northern teams, the Trailblazers see other MASCAC teams there, but do not play them. They get a chance to play teams from schools they may never compete against again. State University of New York Institute of Technology is the only team MCLA will see both in Florida and up here in the north.
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Outside of the tournament, the Trailblazers begin their season on March 19 against Clark University.
Playing outside is rewarding for the team; it’s a break from their two months of indoor practice here in North Adams. The team lost two seniors from last year and now has just one. The team is predominately younger players, so this building process may eventually have good results. “I think we can improve from our 14-23 [record from] last season,” Vaverka said. “We haven’t lost too many players and we are all getting better.” For the past few months, the team has been in the fitness center working out and getting ready for the season to begin. Although they start fairly soon, the first conference game is March 29. The team will have 10 days to warm up for Fitchburg. Their first game against Clark is a home game on Tuesday March 19 at 3:00 p.m.
Photos by Kayla Degnan/Beacon Staff Until the field is ready, the baseball team uses the Campus Center Gym to conduct their daily practices.
Schedule Softball
Baseball
3/8 WPI vs. MCLA @ Fort Myers, FL 9:00a.m. Gene Cusic Classic
3/8 East Mennonite vs. MCLA @ Lakeland, FL 10:00a.m.
3/9 Kenyon vs. MCLA @ Fort Myers, FL 9:00a.m. Gene Cusic Classic
3/10 Curry vs. MCLA @ Winter Haven, FL 12:00p.m. RussMatt Invitational
3/10 St. Josephs (ME) vs. MCLA @ Fort Myers, FL 1:00p.m. Gene Cusic Classic
3/12 MCLA vs. SUNYIT @ Winter Haven, FL 2:00p.m. RussMatt Invitational
3/12 Olivet vs. MCLA @ Fort Myers, FL 9:00a.m. Gene Cusic Classic
3/13 Gordon vs. MCLA @ Winter Haven, FL 9:00 a.m. RussMatt Invitational
3/14 Bethany Lutheran vs. MCLA @ Fort Myers, FL 9:00a.m. Gene Cusic Classic
3/15 MCLA vs. Bowdoin @ Winter Haven, FL 12:00p.m. 3/19 Clark (Mass.) @ MCLA 3:00p.m.
Men’s Tennis 3/21 @ Rhode Island College 3:30 p.m.
Trailblazers games now streaming online By Justine Cozza Sports Writer
With advancements in available technology, missing a game is no longer a problem. Live webcasts enable fans who cannot attend games the ability to still catch the action, and support the teams they love. The webcasts stream not only the games themselves, but also an in-depth look into the plays and players. Half time interviews, play by plays, and player profiles are done by the interns to provide in-depth coverage of the games “I think this is a great program because it gives the families of the players who can’t make it to the games the chance to see them play,” Sports Broadcast intern Sim Sharp stated. If you’ve attended a home basketball game this season you’ve likely noticed the broadcast team following the action. The webcast team is not only broadcasting the games by streaming them onto the MASAC TV website, but is also providing play-by-plays
during the game and feature stories on the players. “The broadcast team really prepares,” TV Studio Technician Peter Gentile explained. “We do the research, do the interviews, and get the background information for the teams and players.”
“I think this is a great program because it gives the families of the players who can’t make it to the games the chance to see them play.” ~Sim Sharp The idea for live streaming was three years in the making, and was put in place after MASAC agreed to sponsor with EZ Stream being the host of the webcasts. Most state
schools already are a part of the webcast bandwagon; the College invested in the technology to make it possible at MCLA for the first time this winter, streaming the basketball games. For the spring sports, which are held at the Zavattaro Athletics complex, the young program faces some problems. For example, with some baseball and softball games played at the same time, the broadcast team need sto be in two places at once. Also, with the Berkshire weather always being in question, threatening rain would require cover for the cameras. “There are some kinks that need to be worked out,” Jeff Puleri, sports information director and baseball coach, explained. “But it gives the fans a great chance to connect with the teams, no matter where they are.” The link to see the games online can be found on the teams homepages, found at http://athletics.mcla.edu/ landing/index
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Opinion
Thursday, March 7, 2013
beacon.mcla.edu
What are your plans for Spring Break? “I’m actually going to Las Vegas for a wedding for my uncle.”
“I’m probably just going to study. I have a research project I am working on for my advanced physics lab.”
-Portia Barrett, 2016
-David Daniels, 2013
The Beacon The Beacon is published Thursdays during the academic year and is distributed free to the College community. The Beacon is funded by the Student Government Association, the English/Communications department and from ad revenues. Contact information: News desk number: 413-662-5535 Business number: 413-662-5404 E-mail: Beacon@mcla.edu Web site: beacon.mcla.edu Office: Mark Hopkins Hall, room 111 Mission Statement The Beacon strives to provide timely and accurate news of campus and local events.
“Going to my house and being boring, well I’m celebrating my birthday.”
“I am just going home to relax; I might be going to Boston too.”
Editorials Policy Unsigned editorials that appear on these pages reflect the views of The Beacon’s editorial board. Signed columns and commentaries that appear on these pages reflect the views of the writers.
-Taylor Graziola, 2016
-Matt Hotaling, 2015
Letters Policy The Beacon welcomes Letters to the Editor. Deadline is noon on Mondays for that week’s newspaper. Letters should be kept to 500 words or less and are subject to editing for grammar and content. The Beacon will not publish anonymous or libelous letters.
“Just working at the grocery store and relaxing, that’s it.”
“I’m going back home to New York and visiting friends I haven’t seen since high school and working a lot.”
-Kim Mirante, 2015
-Shannon O’Hara, 2016
P i r at i n g ? S i x s t r i k e s a n d y o u’r e o u t !
By Nick Arena
Managing Editor On Feb. 25 a new threat to internet piracy arose in the form of the Copyright Alert System or CAS. This system is a little bit
bandwidth and download speeds, according to the Wall Street Journal. This punishment seems rather mild, given they can even catch their “pirates.” With the vast array of technology that allowing people to make internet browsing almost anonymous, this copyright technology seems like just another futile attempt to stop piracy. According to Consumer Reports, there are currently five internet service providers who have signed on to CAS: AT&T, Cablevision, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, and Verizon. My real disgust lies in two places. First, music and movies have
been shared among people for years; ever since someone could throw a cassette tape into their car radio and set a VHS to record television programming, there has been “piracy.” Second, why, with every other problem that our country currently faces like war, the deficit, school shootings, or the simple fact that we still have states where gay or lesbian couples can’t legally marry, are we still concerning ourselves with the lining of the pockets of corporate record labels and movie producers? If CAS strikes out I doubt it will be missed. I just hope the next issue being tackled is an effort I can actually cheer for.
Arming Public Safety : as bad as it may seem?
By Ryan Flynn
Senior News Editor
Throughout this past year, there’s been a swarm of angry responses towards the decision to arm Public Safety. Yes, everyone gets it, the way the college and campus police went about doing wasn’t great and students certainly should have had more of a say, but there are several good reasons why they need to be
armed. During a student vote over the issue, 68 percent of students voted against it and 32 percent of students voted for it. This certainly shows that student opinion wasn’t token to heart too much, which is certainly a shame, but arming campus police absolutely makes sense. In a background report on arming Public Safety in 2012, it was stated, “The report was commissioned in response to high-profile incidents of gun violence on college campuses including Virginia Tech in 2007 and Northern Illinois University in 2008.” This was also before the horrific and devastating Sandy Hook shooting occurred. The fact is, these things can happen here and campus police need to be prepared and properly armed in order to respond to an emergency at any given moment. There have also been incidents involving guns at the college,
though no one was injured. Two years ago, two students were robbed at gun-point. If a criminal has a gun in a townhouse, how are police supposed to respond and conduct their job of protecting students if they’re not armed? Also, while the MCLA community may have partially been against arming public safety, several schools are arming their officers too as they realize it’s necessary in what appears to be an increase of gun related violence on college campuses.. As of Feb. 2012, it was acknowledged that 19 of 26 of MCLA’s peer institutions in the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges had armed their campus officers. In addition, six out of nineMassachusetts state schools now including MCLA have done so. When it comes to training and qualification, many students seem to hold the idea that Campus Police are not as qualified to carry firearms
Contributions Policy The Beacon accepts stories, photos, and opinion pieces for publication. Submissions should be dropped off at the office by Monday at noon or e-mailed to Beacon@mcla.edu. Advertising Policy The Beacon reserves the right not to publish any advertisement it deems to be libelous, false. or in bad taste.
Compiled by Jack Guerino/Beacon staff different than what we saw before with the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) or the AntiCounterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), which focused on taking down websites that encouraged the illegal trade of music. CAS would instead affect the downloader. The punishment is not jail time, it’s not a fine, and it holds no legal ramifications. Instead, service providers are left to decide an offender’s fate. People will be allowed to illegally download and stream music and movies without any real punishment up to six times; however, after that sixth strike people may be subject to restrictions on their internet
Letters must be signed by the writer and include a phone number. Letters may be dropped off at the office or e-mailed to Beacon@mcla.edu.
as town and city police officers. This is false. They are absolutely all sworn and warranted police officers that have graduated from the academy just like any other. A few of the MCLA officers also serve for local town as part time officers and carry guns regularly. They all receive yearly training as well. Another major concern was the cost. The cost of arming and training police officers is undeniably expensive, but this cost is worth it when it could come down to a matter of life or death. There can’t be a price on safety. The school has provided an expensive bus to escort students to a short trip to WalMart, but protecting students is a waste of money? This just doesn’t make sense. Some students have also stated that since North Adams police are armed, there’s no need to arm public safety. North Adams can be dangerous and North Adams cops
Editorial Board Editor-in-Chief Aya Lanzoni Sports Editor Ariana Tourangeau
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Online at:
Beacon.MCLA.edu facebook.com/MCLABeacon twitter.com/BeaconMCLA would not have time to respond to a shooting at MCLA on time if they’re preoccupied across town. There are campus police for a reason: to keep students safe.
Opinions, Fun & Games
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Commentary: U.S. politics, fostering a culture of fear
By Andrew Hodgson Staff Writer
It has been 52 years since President Dwight Eisenhower warned America in his farewell address about the growing specter of the “military industrial complex”. 50 years later, politicians have made one thing clear, fear is power. Lately the buzz-words have changed, but the effect is the
same. Over the past few decades the phrases have been “scud,” “Al Qaeda,” “fiscal cliff,” the list continues. The latest media buzz-word for our newest bout of a souring fear (the continually imperiled economy) is “sequester.” Sequestration, according to Paul Johnson’s Glossary of Political Economy Terms occurs if the dozen or so appropriation bills passed separately by Congress provide for total government spending in excess of the limits Congress earlier laid down for itself in the annual Budget Resolution, and if Congress cannot agree on ways to cut back the total, or does not pass a new, higher Budget Resolution, then an “automatic” form of spending cutback takes place. What does this mean for the current sequester, which went into effect on Friday? It means politicians are going to fight over items included in being automatically cut on March 1 to accommodate the $85
billion in cuts mandated by the 2011 Budget Control Act. The Sequester lays out an automatic system of budget cuts if (a small if) Congress couldn’t make up their minds by March 1.
The set up The cuts will hit the defense sector particularly hard. Since most mandatory spending programs such as Social Security and Food Stamps are exempted from cuts, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that defense programs will be cut by $42.7 billion dollars for the rest of the year, about half of the $85.4 billion in total cuts. The 2011 bill Obama ensured that service member’s pay will not be cut, so the defense cuts will likely involve operations and training costs. The blow In short this new trigger word for economic fear as usual shouldn’t create fear in the average American. It should trigger anger. If the forced cuts are so screwy then how come Congress hasn’t
suggested their own breakdown? Possibly to blame is the GOP ethic of stonewalling the Obama administration in Congress any chance they get. Let me comment, when one party has forfeited just to spite the other, government has broken down.
Harsh reality The bottom line is that everyone wants spending cuts, but no one can agree on what to cut when the scalpel meets the flesh. Defense is an easy target with the administration focusing on the de-escalation of the Afghanistan occupation and the end of the war in Iraq, but that also may be a significant cut to domestic discretionary spending which includes the funding for the National Science Foundation, FEMA, and even the FBI. Both sides in Congress want their own version of budget cuts to be implemented instead of the sequester, but surely neither will be able to pass its own plan, and so here we sit with forced spending. Politicians, after all, sometimes need to be forced to act, they seem to move so slowly on their
Beacon.mcla.edu
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own these days (in between reelection campaigns). It takes money to run the country, we all know that. What our government should be looking at during these economic times is efficiency. According to the CBO the government outlays this year will total $3.55 trillion. The sequester will reduce this total by $42 billion by the time the fiscal year ends Sept. 30. Forcing the government to cut spending is something we should all be behind, but we should spend some money to research more efficient ways of spending the money in the first place. The Republicans will fight tooth and nail for every defense dollar, and the Democrats will fight to implement more aggressive tax rates on the richest among us. The country continues to watch dumbly while our representatives squabble like children having to donate a toy for Christmas. They’ll do it, but someone has to twist the arm first.
"Spring Break in Western Mass."
FOR RELEASE MARCH 3, 2013
THE TV CROSSWORD by Jacqueline E. Mathews
Have a great spring break! Cartoon by Jackie Coughlin
Letter to the Editor:Will MCLA continue investing in dirty energy? 1 5 8 9 12 13 14 15 16 18 19 20 21 23 24 25 26 28 29 30 32 35
ACROSS “__ ’70s Show” Cruise or Selleck “The Amazing __” Gladden Recorded Lead role on “The Good Wife” Setting for “Heidi” Potter’s oven “Scarecrow and __. King” Elly __ Clampett Laura’s older sister on “Little House on the Prairie” Bridge crosser’s fee Correct a manuscript Actress Sagal “__ But the Brave”; Frank Sinatra movie “Dancing __ the Stars” __ better; shouldn’t “Cast __”; film for Tom Hanks “Law & Order: Special Victims __” Hatcher or Garr __ culpa; admission of guilt Country music network Solution to Last Week’s Puzzle
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Let me start by saying I do not think the amount of money MCLA invests in fossil fuel companies is anything more than a mere drop in the bucket for these enormous corporations. Led by acclaimed climate change writer Bill McKibben, the “Do the Math” tour has been traveling the country promoting college divestment of endowment funds from fossil fuel stocks. This tour has visited more than 200 colleges and universities with active divestment campaigns. That being said, I think that if the MCLA Foundation does not consider divestment of endowment funds, the College is acting in direct conflict with its own Mission Statement to “extend our resources to enhance the quality of life in the Berkshires and the Commonwealth.” Climate change will inevitably degrade the quality of life throughout our planet. Additionally, our Strategic Plan reads that at MCLA, “A critical need for the future is to work toward
environmental sustainability. MCLA will continue to promote environmental responsibility as a core institutional value, and to show this commitment in its plans.” Divestment is a clear way for our organization to live up to its values and help society address the current climate crisis. We cannot continue on a path of not paying the true costs of our actions, which includes the source of profits we make on our investment portfolio. Profits from fossil fuel investments exist only because these corporations are allowed to emit their waste product without proper remediation. What would our rivers look like if corporations were still allowed to dump their waste products this freely? Doesn't our atmosphere deserve the type of comprehensive protections that the Clean Water Act provides to our waterways? I do not believe that we should be profiting from an industry that is polluting our planet at this scale. I understand that divestment
will not be easy, but what the current divestment movement is proposing is simple, an immediate freeze on any new investments in dirty-energy industries, and a phase out of current investments over five years. Moving this money away from dirty fossil fuels would allow us to invest in profitable, clean technologies, or the “greening” of our campus infrastructure. It is my hope that The Foundation fully understands the dire consequences of a “business as usual” approach to fossil fuels. If we do not divest, we must consider our organization an investor in fossil fuels, and in turn, climate change, the most pressing issue facing mankind today. Lastly, future generations, including my two sons, will have to live with the implications of our generation’s decisions. I hope we make the right decisions. -Richie Douchette, Class 2014
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Thursday, March 7, 2013
Photo Essay
Beacon.mcla.edu
More than 30 students comprise the Allegrettos, featured here with President Mary Grant.
Back to Basics
The Allegrettos and Williams College Gospel Choir perform a gospel concert Senior Shavonne Brown and the Allegrettos hope to move audience members through their gospel performances.
Photos by Dennise Carranzza
Director and founding member J. Cottle receives an award for the group’s first place win at the Lenox Caroling festival.
Senior Paul Miranda is one of the founders of the Allegrettos.
Seniors J. Cottle and Jackie Coughlin perform solos in Mika’s “Happy Ending.”