November 2, 2012 - Issue 7

The Beacon

Student Newspaper of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts North Adams, Mass.

For more content, visit online at: theonlinebeacon.com Volume 76 ◆ Issue 7

F r i d ay, N o v e m b e r 2 , 2 0 1 2

Madness!

Sandy spares campus

Photo by Jess Gamari/Beacon staff

The sophomore class shows their spirit during Midnight Madness on Oct. 25. For more photos, see the Photo Essay on page 12.

College to offer Leadership minor

By Ryan Flynn Staff Writer

Jason Brown, Student Government Association (SGA) President, announced the College will be offering a new leadership minor in order to provide students with the necessary skills to become leaders inside and outside of the classroom.

While the College is already offering a 100-level class: Introduction to Leadership, and a capstone class, more opportunities will be offered next semester. The minor was approved by the Curriculum Committee on Oct. 3.

Professor Emeritus Myles Whitney, who served as one of the essential catalysts and wrote the proposal for the newfound minor, said the addition of this minor was necessary to the remarkable growth in student leaders and services that allow students to demonstrate leadership.

“What sets MCLA apart from most colleges is the Center for Service and Citizenship,” he said. “Under Spencer Moser, that program has expanded. There are new students running different programs.

That’s never happened before.”

Moser, who worked with Whitney to establish the minor, agreed that the school has an abundance of leadership skills demonstrated every day, and it only made sense to add it.

While Moser acknowledged that the College has had an upstanding increase in leadership, he also said the minor was partly added due to the competitive job market.

“We’re hearing more and more from businesses that are look-

twitter.com/ BeaconMCLA_EIC facebook.com/ MCLABeacon

ing for students who already have hands-on experience,” he said.

Moser added that the minor will be housed in the Interdisciplinary Studies department. The classes will be 2/3 in-class-learning and 1/3 outside of it.

Freshman Elisabeth Staal has already established herself as a leader on campus and is planning on adding the leadership minor. She said there are several reasons why this minor can be very beneficial.

“I’ll be presented with a plethora of different leaders and styles which will only open my mind and show me different ways to lead that will only help me in the future and at MCLA,” she said. “While it will look impressive and unique to employers, the personal experience will be rewarding in itself.”

Working towards a leadership minor is no easy task, as Stall said she’s working hard to coordinate this year’s Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.

Whitney said Stall isn’t the only student who is interested in the minor and has demonstrated these leadership skills.

Jennifer Jean Baptiste is running a program as a part of the Service Leadership class called “Letter Buddies”, in which studentsgbecome pen-pals with 44 elementary school students in order to improve their writing abilitiesland become role models in the community.

The minor will be officially added into the curriculum at the end of this semester.lSeveral more leadership classes will also be available next semester. Students interested in adding the minor should contact their advisors.

Photo by Kayla Degnan/Beacon staff

The campus experienced rain and high winds, but little more, during the storm Monday and Tuesday.

By Chris Goodell Editor-in-Chief

While Hurricane Sandy caused substantial flooding in some states and left millions along the east coast without power earlier this week, the College escaped with minimal damage.

“With only the remnants of Hurricane Sandy left in our region today, we can report that the MCLA campus weathered the storm with no significant damage,” said Joe Charon, director of Public Safety, in an email sent out early Tuesday afternoon.

Classes for Monday and Tuesday were cancelled Saturday night in anticipation of severe weather.

Weather.com reports that the combined rainfall for the two days totaled less than one inch in North Adams, with sustained winds topping out at 26 miles per hour Tuesday afternoon. Wind gusts reached as high as 54 miles per hour on

Monday.

According to the Associated Press, Sandy was downgraded from a hurricane on Monday afternoon, shortly before making landfall. However, sustained winds still remained at around 85 miles per hour.

“We are very fortunate that the College did not sustain any serious damage as a result of the storm.”

-Dianne Manning Residential Programs and Services (RPS) sent out an email Saturday night encouraging students who wished to evacuate campus to do

so on Sunday before the weather was expected to be severe.

“The number of resident students who chose to leave campus was approximately 300,” Charon said in an email.

RPS implemented a “shelter-inplace” process for students who remained on campus, initially requiring them to remain in their residence areas from 1 p.m. Monday to 1 p.m. Tuesday. The shelterin-place mandate was lifted early at 10 a.m. Tuesday morning in an email from RPS Director Dianne Manning.

“We are very fortunate that the College did not sustain any serious damage as a result of the storm,” Manning wrote. “We do, however, want to remind you to exercise caution as you move about the campus and the surrounding community.”

Due to the class cancellations, the deadline for class withdrawal was extended until Monday, Nov. 5 at 5 p.m.

College considers car-sharing

By Marc Latour Staff Writer

The College is currently reviewing its previous financial projections for zipcars for the campus community, according to members of the Student Government Association (SGA).

The College began looking into zipcars again when SGA Senate Chair Brendan Peltier expressed interest in the program to Dean of Students Charlotte Degan.

“So far, I’ve met with Charlotte Degen and started talking about the idea,” Peltier said in a recent email exchange. “I hope this is something I can bring on campus

in the next few years, but it is a long and hard process.”

A zipcar is a car sharing program in which its members receive a card used to unlock a vehicle. Cars can be reserved for a couple of hours, or even an entire day, according to the program’s website. Gas and insurance are also included.

Degen said she is checking to see if the financial model has changed over the past few years. She said there is not much to say at this time.

“Years ago we researched zipcars as a part of the work of the Student Transportation Council,” Degen said. “The financial model was one that we could support as a public

Sandy can’t stop BélO’s performance

Women’s soccer falls in MASCAC quarterfinals

Student contributors break down elections

Haitian musician energizes Church Street Center Sunday night

Loses 4-0 to Bridgewater State on Wednesday night

Cover state, national elections as well as Mass. ballot questions

Arts & Entertainment, page 6

Sports, page 7

Election Central, pages 8-11

college.” The plan is still in its early stages. Substantial information won’t be available until SGA has made more progress on the matter, SGA Treasurer James Wetzel said.

“The school is revisiting the zipcar possibility, and I could give projections on how to break-even, but these costs are outdated by a few years,” Wetzel said in an email exchange.

Peltier plans to call the zipcar company, and start discussing what models could be brought to the College. He listed costs and rules regarding the cars as things he will keep in mind after finding a business model that suits the campus.

News

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Arts & Entertainment

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Sports Election Central Photo Essay

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News

Friday, November 2, 2012

Police Logs The week of 10/14-10/20

Sunday, Oct. 14 ◆ 1:59 a.m. - Public Safety responded to a report of an alarm in the Townhouses. No action was required. ◆ 2:02 a.m. - Public Safety responded to a report of suspicious activity in the lower quad. No action was required.

Tuesday, Oct. 16 ◆ 2:06 a.m. - Public Safety responded to a report of an illegally parked vehicle on campus. A citation was issued. ◆ 7:39 p.m. - Public Safety responded to a well being check at Hoosac Hall.

The subject was referred to another campus.

Wednesday, Oct. 17 ◆ 8:05 p.m. - Public Safety responded to a well being check at Hoosac Hall.

The check was completed. ◆ 11:55 p.m. - Public Safety responded to a medical call at Berkshire Towers. The subject was transported to the hospital.

Women’s Center to talk women in politics Student panel will examine underrepresentation and sexualization of female politicians

By Nick Arena Staff Writer

The Susan B. Anthony Women’s Center will host its fifth installment of its Stereo Talk series on Nov. 6.

Stereo Talk V: Women and Politics will take place in Murdock 218 from 7 to 9 p.m. and will feature discussion between the primarily student panel and the audience.

“A huge thing is underrepresentation of women in politics,” said Skyla Seamans, a senior and office manager of the Women’s Center. “Only 17 percent of congress members are women and that’s huge. We want to look into why that is and what do audience members think the reason is with women not being as politically active.”

The Center would also like to address labeling and the sexualization of women in politics.

“Why do we focus on how women dress and what color nail polish they’re wearing?” Seamans asked. “That doesn’t matter; it matters [where they stand on the issues].”

Corinne Blake, a senior and office assistant of the Women’s Center, said women in politics and other professions will be labeled and degraded with sexist expletives.

These labels, she continued, could affect a woman’s entire career.

“They’ll get labeled with something and it will just stick,” Blake said.

According to Seamans and Blake, the Stereo Talk series has been running since before they came to the College in 2009, and covers issues such as gender in music and fashion.

Both added that the series and this current installment is an entirely non-partisan discussion.

This semester, the Women’s Center has also welcomed temporary consultant, Ojae Beale, in the position of former director Susan Birns, professor of sociology.

Beale’s resume includes working as the director for the Counselor/Advocate Program at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst’s Center for Women. She also worked with organizations like Big Broth-

“Why do we focus on how women dress and what color nail polish they’re wearing?”

- Skyla Seamans

ers Big Sisters, and Horizon for Homeless Children, according to the Women’s Center newsletter.

Beale will only be with the College for the extent of the fall semester, but expressed her enthusiasm for the students she is working with as well as the work set ahead of her.

“I’m expected to support and maintain the high level of programming that comes out of the office, continue to support students that work here in student develop-

159 State Street North Adams (413) 663 5055 Open 7 days a week 11 a.m. - 2 a.m.

◆ 12:02 p.m. - Public Safety responded to a motor vehicle accident in the Bond Street lot. Services were rendered.

◆ 11:03 p.m. - Public Safety responded to an alcohol offense at Hoosac Hall. The subject was transported to the hospital. ◆ 11:29 p.m. - Public Safety responded to a report of harrassment in the Brewer Perkins lot. A report was filed.

Saturday, Oct. 20 ◆ 12:46 a.m. - Public Safety responded to an alcohol offense at Hoosac Hall. No action was required. ◆ 10:10 p.m. - Public Safety responded to a report of suspicious activity in the Ashland Street lot. The report was reffered to an outside agency.

ment and leadership development,” Beale said, “and engage with the larger community and figure out ways to have the Women’s Center be an integral of not only the women’s study minor but also an integral part of the student experience.”

She said she hopes to expand the Women’s Center’s connection with MCLA and the Berkshire community. She also hoped that the College will receive more funding for the Center after working with the American Association of University Women (AAUW) The Center has also welcomed its very first male staff member, Brandon Gaudet, a sophomore.

“It’s bringing some new things to the table,” Blake said.

Gaudet has spent the majority of his first two months at the Women’s Center writing articles for the newsletter, tabling for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and most importantly getting used to the group environment.

“It’s been almost two months and I’m finally getting used to the swing of things,” Gaudet said.

Despite not having much involvement with the Stereo Talk, Gaudet has continued writing his newsletter series. He is currently working on an article related to transgendered women.

“I want to know that I’ve made an impact on campus,” he said.

This will be the first of two installments of the Stereo Talk series this year, The Centergwill hold the second durinn the spring semester and discuss music and mental health.

Key West Lounge

Thursday, Oct. 18

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Lounge area with couches and T.V.s Large assortment of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages

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Stop by Mark Hopkins 111 to talk to current staff members about any questions you may have.

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Move forward with world-class graduate programs at Boston’s public research university offering: The first doctoral program in Green Chemistry

Find us on the Lobby level of Eldridge Hall or call us at 413-662-5219, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:45 PM.

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Graduate Studies Showcase 2012 Wednesday, November 14, 4–7:30 p.m.

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Campus Comment

Friday, November 2, 2012

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Who are you voting for in the election?

“I already voted for Romney on my absentee ballot. This country cant afford four more years of Obama. I like [Romney’s] economic plan and I agree on his stance on abortion and gay rights.”

“I’m voting for Obama because I like his health plan and I think his plan is better than Romney’s.”

-Marie-Ange Anojdo, 2014

–Brian Nelson, 2015

“I’m voting for Obama because I believe that he cares for the middle class and his policies throughout his presidency reflect how I want the country to move forward in the next four years.”

“Obama because I think four years isn’t enough to prove yourself or get anything accomplished and his plan to boost the economy in my opinion is exactly what we need.”

-Evan Pirnie, 2015

-Brycen Waters, 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.

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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.

“I am voting for Gov. Romney.

Throughout his time serving as Chair of the Olympics, Gov. of Mass. and president and owner of many small businesses, he has shown how to run successful and productive business organizations fiscally and responsibly. I’m certain he’ll be able to do that as president of the U.S. as well.”

–Brendan Peltier 2015

“Obama because I’m unsure about Romney’s views on planned parenting. I’m not sure about either of them but Obama has experience.”

-Elizabeth Brisebois, 2014

Compiled byTakeya Lee/Beacon staff

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Arts & Entertainment

Friday, November 2, 2012

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Mary Marcil: A stellar student and thespian

By Shannen Adamites A&E Writer

Mary Marcil strolled into the Campus Center with a sword and Wonder Woman cape.

“The cape was a joke from Taming of the Shrew,” she said. “And I brought it back for King Lear.”

Marcil is an English/Communications major, concentrating in broadcast media and film studies.

She is also part of the honors program, and holds a 3.875 GPA. Though an avid lover of movies, journalism, and books, she joked that she spends more time with the Fine and Performing Arts (FPA) department than with her own.

“I think I’ve done more theatre than English the past four years!” she laughed.

Marcil is currently taking 21 credits. On top of that, she is taking practicums for radio and theatre.

Her advanced broadcasting class established her passion for her major. Through this, she said she became an assertive, well-rounded journalist and public representative.

Though Shakespeare is a strong contender for her affections, movies are Marcil’s first love. She and her father rented over 500 films over the course of four years after she became inspired to create films from Shakespeare plays.

“If I liked something, my dad would completely indulge me when it came to movies,” she said.

Marcil is also heavily involved with the performance clubs on campus. She has directed four Yorick shows, performed and directed for Harlequin’s annual revue, stagemanaged for Dance Company, and is a member of the Allegrettos gospel choir.

Over the summer, Marcil worked at Shakespeare and Company in Lenox, Mass. She was props master for the summer series of performances, including one of “King Lear,” which she directed at the College last spring.

“I learned a lot about being a craftsperson through this experience,” she said. “I never want to be in a job that doesn’t involve performing, or Shakespeare, or making things for Shakespeare.”

Her immense passion for Shakespeare is the reason why she’s Yorick’s president.

Marcil started out in a production of “The Comedy of Errors” her freshman year before being asked to assistant stage-manage a production of “Hamlet”.

“Hamlet changed my life,” she said.

She added that she felt a strong sense of community. The small cast became close, and Marcil, in particular, became familiar with everyone from helping people run lines.

“I knew all the lines by the end of the show,” Marcil said.

It wasn’t until the spring of 2011 when Marcil truly broke out of her shell when she directed “The Taming of the Shrew.”

“I don’t know where I’d be if it wasn’t for ‘Taming’,” she said. “I used to be really shy, and working on this show made me so much more confident.”

Last fall, Marcil was Hippolyta in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” the role she hoped she would get. She had not performed since “Comedy of Errors”, and found the challenge of returning to the stage especially rewarding.

“I was really excited when I found out about it,” she said. “I got to be as strong, sassy, and independent

Green Bean Casserole Recipe

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4. Enjoy!

as Hippolyta after the show was over.”

“King Lear” was an incredible experience for Marcil. Yorick had never put on the show before, and the show had a great deal of personal significance to her.

“I wanted to dedicate it to my grandfather, who passed away my sophomore year of high school,” she explained. “I took it as an opportunity to do something bigger than me, and dedicated this show to him.”

Marcil incorporated an Eastern influence to demonstrate themes of family and honor. She painted the stage white to resemble Japanese Kabuki theatre, and choreographed shadow imagery for key scenes.

“I did so much research over that winter break,” she said. “And I knew I had the actors for it.”

Despite the challenges and struggles that came with directing an emotionally charged tragedy, Marcil was beyond satisfied with the results.

“The emotional experience was just as important as putting it on,” she said. “I had such a special relationship with the cast. [The show] was my baby.”

Marcil takes her work as a director and the president of the club seriously, but never wants to be seen as unapproachable.

“Yorick is a judgment-free zone,” she said. “It is a safe haven to learn and grow and become excited.”

Marcil commits to every show she works on, and puts a great deal of effort into working with the Yorick E-board, her cast, and her studies.

“When you’re a part of something that means so much to you and so many other people, it’s so easy to be passionate about it,” she said.

Photo by Dennise Carranza/ Beacon staff

Mary Marcil, student director and actress, bears a prop sword.

Downstreet Art celebrates successful season

By Michael Feloni A&E Writer Artists and admirers from all over the Berkshires joined Downstreet Art to celebrate the vast array of originality local artists have displayed in the City’s galleries last Thursday.

Each of the galleries was open into the evening to welcome fans of the art. People could explore everything from paintings and sculpture to everything in between.

PRESS The latest addition to the Main Street collection of galleries is at PRESS. This season’s’ theme was “Fly by the Bird of Press,” and featured multiple different exhibits featuring painted birds and other bird-affiliated related artwork.

To complement the theme, PRESS has been printing out little birds on a thick paper card with a quote reading, “This is what the things can teach us – to fall, patiently to trust our heaviness.

Even a bird has to do that before he can fly,” by a writer named Rilke.

There’s also a 5,000 pound press in the gallery. A fully operational Vanderhook Universal III press stands in the middle of the gallery, ready to

print out anything the user wants.

Inside PRESS, you’ll probably bump into Sarah Howard, the materials manager for the gallery.

“I run the prints, design posters for shows, and hang for shows,” ” Howard said. said about her position at PRESS. “We have different themes, too.”

Gallery 107 Gallery 107, one of the larger galleries in town, had a very unique exhibit on the final night of the season celebration.

“It’s called Insomnia,” said Cecilia Wright, a freshman with a work study at Gallery 51. “There’s sheep, like counting sheep, cardboard sculptures of furniture including beds and desks… Definitely come in!

Wright’s roles in the gallery were to make sure people had their guides in hand, and answer any questions about the gallery or artists displayed.

With a newspaper base for sculpture and stenciling and vibrant red paint as the main motif, “Insomnia” at Gallery 107 is a huge exhibit with a lot to offer, according to Wright.

“I basically make sure everything works,” Wright added about her duties at the gallery before quickly pack-

ing up to grab another shift at Gallery 51.

Gallery 51 The gallery was filled from the front door to the back wall. Student visitors, faculty, and the gallery’s featured artists were walking around conversing and taking in the exhibit.

Josh Simpson, the featured artist during the celebration, traveled around the world to bring his ideas together for his exhibit “This Blue Marble.”

“I started working this show before classes even started,” said Shannon Costello, a student curator and senior at MCLA. “It’s been a pleasure to work with Josh.”

Along with other student helpers, Jonathan Secor, Gallery 51 manager, was more than happy to talk about the new exhibit.

“We really do our best to create a mix,” Secor said about the art at the gallery. “I work with a great team.”

President Mary Grant took a night to enjoy the arts with her husband, Jim, and explored all the galleries during the celebration. Her first stop was Gallery 51.

“This is a spectacular show, his work is incredible,” Grant said. “Downstreet is an exciting project. I just love it.”

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Friday, November 2, 2012

Arts & Entertainment

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Haitian star BélO brings vibrant energy to campus

By Shannen Adamites A&E Writer

A little rain and win could not stop BélO from rocking out at Church Street Center Sunday night.

MCLA Presents! along with the Office of Academic Affairs, the Diversity Task Force, and the Multicultural Center, hosted BélO for a night of culture, music, and community.

Regarded as Haiti’s musical ambassador, BélO grew up in one of the country’s more artistic communities. He became interested in social and political issues in Haiti and around the world, and wanted to express his concerns and opinions through his lyrics.

Jessica Jean-Charles, a senior, accompanied by recent alumnae Aurora Cooper, opened for BélO with a bluesy song that showed off the singer’s vocal range. Her tone was rich and expressive. She alsoshowed exceptional control over her high notes. Though she was seated, she provided excellent stage presence.

Jean-Charles also sang the Haitian national anthem with soul and gusto. Jonathan Secor director of the Berkshire Cultural Resource Center introduced Mayor Dick Alcombright, who welcomed BélO to the community.

Combining tradition with modern musical influences, BélO stressed to the audience that his style is not that of typical Haitian pop music.

“It’s a mixture of traditional Haitain music, music of the street, music of the people from West Africa, and American music,” he said. “This isn’t the kind of music you would hear at a club.”

BélO and his band maintained an extremely high level of energy throughout the two hour set. The audience was left tapping their toes, bobbing their heads, and clapping along to a unique, island fusion.

A poignant song translating to “Sad Story,” BélO explained, was about a man who left Haiti in search of a happier life. He took to the sea without any destination, and learned a valuable lesson.

“Someone needs to tell the people there’s no better place for a Haitian than Haiti,” he said. “We need to work for the country to make it a better country.”

Following this, another song titled “Wozo,” which translates to “reed,” was dedicated to the world for helping Haiti after the earthquake in 2010.

“This is the voice of Haiti saying thank you to you all,” BélO said.

The song featured a lively composition and grounded, passionate vocals. BélO, during the instrumental breaks, danced and moved excitedly about the stage.

Many other songs showcased the band members, providing them with solos on their respective instruments. The bass player grooved along to the beat, and the drummer and assisting percussionist dynamically played alongside each other. The electric guitarist played many weeping, bluesy solos, and the second acoustic guitarist played and sang backup vocals with an incredibly strong and clear voice.

BélO concluded his set with a cover of “Revolution,” originally sung by Tracey Chapman, and a call-and-response tune that resulted in a great deal of singing and laughter from the audience. He also introduced his fellow band members, and got audience members dancing in their seats

Photos by Dennise Carranza/Beacon staff

Above, BélO, center, takes a bow with his band.

Right, BélO meets North Adams Mayor Richard Alcombright. or up on their feet.

Overall, BélO’s performance was incredibly solid. The energy level went through the roof, even during slower songs. The language barrier had no effect on the message he was trying to convey.

He spoke enthusiastically about his country and brought a whole new level of cultural appreciation to the MCLA community through his musical activism.

Senior class president Lizzy Mullen was particularly impressed by this performance.

“It was amazing. I really want to thank Jonathan Secor and MCLA Presents! for bringing BélO to our school,” she said. “It’s incredible how we get to experience such amazing things at this school.”

‘This Blue Marble: The Universe of Josh Simpson’ opens at Gallery 51

Photo by Jack Guerino/Beacon staff

Spectators take in the glass artwork of Josh Simpson at Gallery 51.

By Haley Costen A&E Writer

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to look at the Earth from space, or to scuba dive in the depths of the ocean? Visitors to Gallery 51’s reception of “This Blue Marble: The Universe of Josh Simpson” got a glimpse of these experiences through the medium of glass art.

As part of Downstreet Art’s end-ofseason party, the petite gallery was heaping with people politely squeezing by one another to catch a glimpse at the array of creations made by Josh Simpson’s glass blowing technique.

Simpson, a close friend of President Mary Grant and her husband, is no stranger to the College. In 2004 he and his wife, National Aeronautics and Space

Administration (NASA) astronaut Catherine “Cady” Coleman, received honorary degrees; he has a Doctorate of Fine Arts, and she a Doctorate of Science.

Simpson explained they live “just over the mountains,” in Shelburne Falls, Mass.

“I’m really pleased to be here. It’s a great way to have free food,” Simpson joked.Food was not the only attraction for Simpson at the gallery. He eagerly explained his work to curious onlookers and spoke avidly about his technique and inspirations.

The exhibition featured large maroon and blue platters adorning the walls and ornate vases priced in the thousands.

However, the real attractions were the spherical glass “planets,” as Simpson calls them, and tektite glass.

The planets varied in size, some easily fitting in the palm of a hand, while oth-

ers were as big as a small watermelon and weighed about 80 pounds. They featured colorful glass fragments embedded intricately into the spheres to capture the viewer’s eye.

Vivid pink, yellow, and orange pieces created an image of a coral reef, while other chunks of green appeared to be continents on a foreign planet.

“Most of my work, over the last 40 years, has been influenced by space themes,” Simpson said.

The tektite glass was vastly different from the planets with a rough ebony exterior. Viewers who peered into the top of the glass experienced the same astral and oceanic images associated with the planets.

The tektite glass pieces were some of the more expensive works in the exhibition, with one piece priced at about $82,000.

Simspon explained that the tektite creations are modeled to look like meteorites that have fallen from space.

“If you stare into it, it’s like you’re looking into another window,” Simpson saiy, gesturing to the bright shapes within one of the tektites.

Simpson said his work takes somewhere between an hour and 35 years to complete. Smaller pieces, like his planets, take about an hour to assemble, while the bigger pieces, like the tektites or vases, can take five hours.

However, all of the tiny, elaborate glass beads featured were made previously, some of them years earlier.

Preparations for the exhibition started back in August, according to senior arts management major Shannon Costello, one of the five co-curators.

Costello visited the studio three times after being approached by Jonathan Secor about the project. She picked out many of the art featured in the exhibition.

Costello, along wite four other student collaboratorsn—Adriana Alexatos, Sarah Howard, Kimberly Lavigne, and Julia McDonald—got to see the glassmaking practice firsthand.

There were pictures and videos in the gallery displaying Simpson making a piece, holding molten orange glass with tools and adding the small, colorful beads to it.

“It’s captivating to watch,” Costello said.

“It’s so cool to watch the process and then see the polished, finished product.”

She handled the marketing, organized the placing of the art, made the videoy, and wrote the program for “This Blue Marbln” as part of hes curatorial associate internship at Gallery 51.

“This Blue Marble: The Universe of Josh Simpson” will be at Gallery 51 until Nov. 25.

Photo by Jess Gamari/Beacon staff

Ryan Cabrera sings at Chameleon’s in Pittsfield.

On Wednesday Oct. 24, five bands performed at the Chameleon’s Night Club in Pittsfield, Mass.

On the bill was Sarah Elizabeth Rayner, Autographed Apologies, Lakeview Drive, Rookie of the Year, and Ryan Cabrera.

Friday, November 2, 2012

Cross Country has success at MASCAC ‘Chip

By Maci Estrella Sports Writer

MCLA’s cross country teams headed to Westfield State for the MASCAC championships on Saturday.

The men’s team finished in fifth place. Bridgewater took home the MASCAC title for the second time in three seasons outranking Westfield for first place with a score of 27 while Westfield took second with 38 points. Followed

by Fitchburg State and Worcester State in third and fourth place.

MCLA took fifth with a score of 110 and Mass Maritime along with Framingham state finish the race with sixth and seventh place.

“We didn’t place as good as we wanted,” said junior Brendan Peltier. “Then again being ranked eighth and getting fifth place was a really good accomplishment.”

Junior Anthony Cancilla was the top runner for MCLA finishing the race in 15th place. He attributes his win to the support from his teammates.

“Its nerve wrecking because we have to meet a certain quota to score,” said Cancilla. “My team did a great job and I didn’t even notice the pressure because we had so much fun.”

The women’s team also succeeded in proving doubters wrong, claiming 7th place that afternoon. Westfield State took home first place for its ninth straight title. Though the Trailblazers didn’t take first place, the athletes thought of the weekend as a success.

“Saturday’s tournament went really well,” beamed senior Brittany Galipeau. “More than half the team got their personal records for the season and us beating the ranking for eighth was very exciting.”

Though the team believes they could have placed better they are proud of how much they have improved this season. Attributing the progress to how well they work together, whether it is racing or cheering. Some teammates, like freshman Macy Frederickson are just happy about racing with her team.

“This was my first year in cross country,” said Frederickson. “Regardless of how we placed, it was exciting being part of the team.”

“We were definitely the underdogs all season,” said senior Jack Guerino. “So it was a remarkable feeling beating eighth place, no one expected us to be so competitive.”

Both teams are prepared to head to Williams College on Saturday Nov 3rd for the ECAC Championships.

7 Women’s soccer falls to Worcester Sports

theonlinebeacon.com

By Chris Oxholm Sports Writer Andrew Hodgson contributed to this article After losing a heartbreaking over-time game against Worcester, the sixth-seeded Women’s soccer team took on third-seeded Bridgewater State in the quarterfinals of the MASCAC playoffs last night.

The Trailblazers were overwhelmed by a torrent of scoring from the Bears, and fell 4-0 to Worcester, ending the season for the Trailblazers.

The Trailblazers faced a potent Bridgewater offense. The Bears’ scoring began early when Sophomore Emily Lane booted a rebound in for the first goal of the game, the Bears never looked back.

Lane and junior Erica Jonasson each recorded a goal and an assist, leading the siege of the Trailblazer’s goalkeeper, junior Danielle Heinsohn. Heinsohn was able to stop six shots by the Bears, but in the end it wasn’t enough.

With barely any time left in the first half, and down 2-0 already, the Trailblazers defense flattered and allowed Jonasson an easy breakaway goal. Going into the half the game seemed already decided.

In the second half the Trailblazers’ defense circled the wagons.

The defense was strong except for allowing one sneaky pass through, which junior Olivia Cre-

Photo by Jack Guerino/Beacon staff

Junior Jennifer Ferrari cocks back a shot against onte capitalized on for Worcester. rest of the half until Ferrari was The Trailblazers were able to put able to equalize the game with five shots on goal, including two just 40 precious seconds left, tyfrom prolific scorer junior Jen- ing the game and sending it into nifer Ferrari, who was the spark overtime. in the Trailblazers offense for the Overtime went scoreless, in the past week. last minute MCLA’s goal keeper, Last Saturday the Trailblazers Danielle Heinsohn, made a specfinished their regular season at tacular save to bring the game home, hosting Worcester State. into double over-time.

Worcester scored first in the One and a half minutes into game at 36 minutes and again at the second grueling overtime, 41 minutes by Margo Clifford. In Worcester’s Alicia Macomber the second half, MCLA’s Jen Fer- scored, ending the brutal battle at rari scored, putting the Trailblaz- 3-2 Lancers. ers on the scoreboard at 12 min“The game was incredible for utes. us coming back from losing 2-0 The Trailblazers battled out the in the first half and scoring goals

to tie it up,” said junior Lindsay Borbolla. “It takes a lot to come back from losing, most teams will give up but we all fought ‘til the very end.”

This match against Worcester was an important match for seniors like Borbolla. It was the last home game of the year and last home game at MCLA for seniors.

“It stinks to have lost in double overtime after putting in that much work but I could not be any more proud of us,” said Borbolla.

“I think we proved to ourselves and everyone else in the league that we are a strong team and we should not be taken easy.”

bench he began to prove how different the Miami Heat look with him in the mix. With an athletic core anchored by Lebron James and Dwayne Wade and an already formidable outside shooting group adding Allen makes sense for the team on the court (and spiting their biggest rival in the process).

Allen added 19 points and two three-pointers in the game to show that even in his old age and coming off the bench, he will be a difference maker on this Miami Heat squad.

The Heat won the first bout between these two heavyweight teams 120-107 but the game is indicative of more than the current teams. The Boston Celtics have been just a step behind the Miami Heat for the past two years, and this game was no different.

At the end of the game Rajon Rondo was called for a flagrant foul when he caught Dwayne Wade on the neck as he drove to the hoop. Words were exchanged, a foul was given, and everyone sitting on their couch saw a bitter rivalry renewed for another year.

In the night-cap the retooled L.A. Lakers hosted the Dallas Mavericks. The Lakers have been riding a huge off-season, acquiring both big-man Dwight

Howard and the venerable assistwizard, Steve Nash.

The Dallas Mavericks showed last night that hype isn’t everything. Seemingly easily outsized and also lacking in talent, the Mavs were impressive as the first team to take on the LA juggernaut this year.

Led by 17 points from point guard Darren Collison and another 11 off the bench from the ageless Vince Carter, the Mavericks were able to best the Lakers 99-91.

As a Celtic’s fan, this next part hurts. The real story from the Dallas LA game last night was how potent the Lakers offense is going to be once they play together for a month or two. Just having Dwight Howard on the floor freed up Pau Gasol enough for him to put up 23 points and 13 boards. That is the Gasol Laker fans like to see, and they will see more and more. Nash will integrate into the offense quickly, and he will only help the team.

This NBA season is going to be full of storylines from everywhere. The NBA made clear on Tuesday which teams are the teams to beat, and which ones are going to be right on their heels, come playoff time.

Ray Allen stokes old rivalry

By Andrew Hodgson Sports Editor

I

Photo by Jack Guerino/Beacon staff

Junior Jess Gamari and freshman Abbey O’Brien push to the finish at the MASCAC Championships

t’s that time of year again sports fans, the NBA season has returned with a vengeance.

Tuesday night the Association kicked off the year with four great teams on the court.

The first game of the doubleheader pitted the Boston Celtics against the Miami Heat after Miami held its ring and bannerraising ceremony.

For once the drama Tuesday night surrounded a player who isn’t Lebron James. Future Hallof-Famer and long-time Celtic Ray Allen took the court for the first time in a Heat jersey, and all eyes were on him from start to finish.

The pivotal moment was when the players were all shaking hands at the beginning of the game, Allen approached the Celtic’s bench and made an effort to give Kevin Garnett a handshake. Garnett didn’t even acknowledge Allen and turned away. Afterward Allen brushed off the exchange (or lack thereof) saying in a post-game interview, “That’s just KG.” As soon as Allen came off the

8

Friday, November 2, 2012

Election Central

theonlinebeacon.com

Candidates make final push as election day nears Barack Obama will rely on his domestic policies to strengthen the middle class

Mitt Romney hopes to strengthen his support base around the economy and women’s rights issues

Photo courtesy of Derrick Z. Jackson/The Boston Globe

President Barack Obama delivers a speech in Manchester, N.H. on Oct. 18.

By Jack Guerino Staff Writer

The Democratic incumbent, President Barack Obama, proposes policies that will strengthen the middle class in this year’s presidential election.

Obama intends to cut taxes for middle and working class families. To achieve this, he looks to change the income tax system so the wealthiest Americans do not pay a lower tax than middle class families.

“Obama wants to raise taxes on those earning $250,000 and Romney does not.

Romney would like to keep the current Bush Tax Cuts, which expire next year,” Political Science Professor Robert Bence said.

Obama suggests that this will ease pressure on middle class families, stimulate the economy, and increase the amount of people entering the middle class bracket.

Obama plans to lower the unemployment rate by creating new jobs in domestic energy, alternative energy, and manufacturing. He will offer tax breaks to small businesses so they can hire more workers and create more jobs. He has also proposed eliminating tax breaks for companies that send jobs to other countries, creating incentive to bring jobs back to America.

Obama plans to fix the deficit by cutting unnecessary spending in government, saving money by decelerating the war in Afghanistan, and continuing his stimulus program.

“For the economy, he feels that stimulus money, maintaining middle class tax cuts, and the slowly growing economy will gradually get us out of the economic mess he inherited,” Political Science Professor Donald Pecor said.

Obama will continue to maintain the military’s budget and keep it at a steady level.

“The goal is to fight the current dangers, not the past ones, and that means not just spending more. He does not support the automatic cuts that are scheduled to go into effect,” Pecor said.

Obama plans to end the war in Afghanistan and transitionally remove all troops from the country by 2014.

The President looks to continue friendly relationships with allies and work with them to continue to place sanctions on the Iranian government, eliminate nuclear threats, fight terrorism, and support Israel.

“Obama believes in a strong America which means defending us from terrorism,

working with our allies and helping nations in the Middle East to progress,” Pecor said.

Obama looks to push legislation that promotes equal pay and coverage for women in an attempt to fight discrimination in the work place.

“Obama was a big supporter of the Lilly Ledbetter Act, extending the time women could sue their employers for gender discrimination,” Bence said.

“The president advocates a program for illegal immigrants to achieve citizenship, but not for those who have committed criminal acts.”

- Don Pecor Obama plans to enforce equal healthcare through the Affordable Care Act which will give women better and more equal coverage. This includes lower costs or complete coverage of birth control and preventive care such as mammograms.

He also will continue to fund Planned Parenthood.

Obama supports a woman’s right to an abortion and does not look to repeal Roe v.

Wade, a Supreme Court case which deemd abortion legal.

Obama plans to reform immigration and continue pushing the DREAM Act, which provides opportunity, without the threat of deportation, for children of immigrants brought to America at a young age.

“The president advocates a program for illegal immigrants to achieve citizenship, but not for those who have committed criminal acts. He wants the children of these immigrants to become citizens and contribute to America,” Pecor said.

President Obama supports gay rights as well as gay marriage and has repealed such legislation as Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, which discouraged homosexuality in the military.

“He now supports gay marriage and it reflects a broad commitment to equality,” Pecor said.

Barack Obama is running against Republican Mitt Romney. Polls open Tuesday, Nov. 6.

Photo courtesy of Derrick Z. Jackson/The Boston Globe

Mitt Romney speaks to reporters during a house party in 2007, prior to the Iowa caucuses.

By Nick Arena Staff Writer

As the election draws closer, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney (R) prepares for his shot at the presidency.

Romney is relying on a strong base of support, political experience, and his platform to earn votes.

A number of big political issues have arisen during these past debates; among them are taxes, the economy, and women’s rights.

“He probably has not won over many women, but he has picked up support among women, probably because of criticisms of Obama and the economy.”

- Robert Bence “On all three issues Romney has strengthened his base,” History and Political Science Professor Donald Pecor said. “Conservatives have a reason to support him.”

Romney’s background in politics and management has definitely helped provide him with that solid conservative base.

His campaign website lists his previous endeavors, most notably his time at Bain Capital, The 2002 Winter Olympics, and his time as governor of Massachusetts.

“Mitt is not a career politician,” the website states. “He has spent most of his life in the private sector, giving him intimate knowledge of how our economy works.”

Romney founded Bain Capital in 1984, which led to the founding of many smaller companies such as Staples and Bright Horizons.

Then, in 1999 he took over management of the 2002 Winter Olympics, which was suffering budget issues and, following the events of Sept. 11 faced new issues with security measures. Romney turned the situation around and the Olympics went on.

Finally in 2002 Romney took office as the governor of Massachusetts. According to the website, in his time as governor he

rid the state of a $3 billion deficit without needing to increase taxes while signing multiple job-creating incentives into law.

Though a conservative politician, Romney offers policies that will please moderate voters as well.

“Like all candidates do, when they’re running for the primary they throw themselves as far as possible to whichever side they’re aiming for,” said student Senator Catherine Chaput, a senior.

“He’s centered himself a lot in these past debates.”

Both Romney and his vice presidential candidate, Paul Ryan, have grown more moderate to appease voters in swing states.

“Both Romney and Ryan have had to compromise on a lot of things,” Chaput said. “For example, Ryan has completely changed his view. He’s on record saying he didn’t want exceptions for abortion in the case of rape or incest, and now Romney has kind of pulled him over to the other side on that.”

Here are some of Romney’s plans according to his campaign website: ◆ A 20 percent tax cut across the board. ◆ Eliminating the Estate Tax. ◆ Repealing the Affordable Care Act. ◆ Reducing foreign aid spending. ◆ Overturning Roe v. Wade. ◆ Defining marriage as strictly heterosexual.

“His stand on taxes essentially shores up support from the republican voters,” said History and Political Science Professor Robert Bence. “He probably has not won over many women, but he has picked up support among women, probably because of criticisms of Obama and the economy.”

As with any politician, Romney has his strengths and weaknesses that could make or break the election for him.

“He is articulate, is sounding quite moderate, and has an impressive resume,” Bence added. “On the other hand, he has flipped position on some policy areas – abortion, health care, gay rights, etcetera.”

Others would argue that his conservative leanings could cost him down the line.

“He starts with a strong base that will turn out on Election Day,” Pecor said. “His greatest weakness as a candidate is the extreme nature of many of his positions that alienate moderates. Also, his opinions relative to the wealthy have hurt him.”

Strengths and weaknesses taken into consideration, undecided voters, republicans and democrats alike will cast the final vote in a weeks time.

Friday, November 2, 2012

Election Central

theonlinebeacon.com

Massachusetts Ballot Questions

9

Question 1: Availability of motor vehicle repair information

By James Hunter

Special to The Beacon A yes on Question 1 would prohibit any motor vehicle manufacturer, starting with the model year 2015, from selling or leasing a new vehicle without giving the owner and independent repair shops access to the same diagnostic and repair information available to the dealerships.

Ernie, owner of Ernie’s Auto Sales Inc. in North Adams said he agrees with this law should be passed.

“This would help the buyer, of course, but will also benefit our dealership,” he said.

For vehicles made from 2002 through 2014, the law would require the manufacturer of vehicles sold in Massachusetts to have repair information available to purchase for owners and in-state independent repair facilities.

Some information will remain withheld, such as the information necessary to reset a vehicle immobilizer, and the anti-theft device that prevents a vehicle from being started unless the correct key code is entered.

With these adjustments, Ernie said the customers are in the winner’s circle with a yes vote.

“Our customers have the advantage in this situation, they will have access to information that should have been available to them already,” Ernie said.

The North Adams Tire and Service manager said, “In the customers’ point of view, they deserve all this information when buying a vehicle. In the end it does benefit them.”

For repair shops, information on these vehicles is accessible by attaching a remote to the inside of the car underneath the steering wheel. The remote scans the vehicle to detect a code indicating the problem. “[We] determine the code from the machine, then we relate that to the customer in simpler terms, and then we fix the problem with the vehicle. For example, the check engine light could be on or the vehicle may need a tune up,” he said.

If passed, this law will be enforced starting Jan. 1, 2013 and would prohibit any agreement that waives or limits a manufacturer’s compliance with the law.

By Nick Swanson

Special to The Beacon The system of buying and selling a motor vehicle could change depending on the results of Question 1 on the Massachusetts ballot for the upcoming election.

If the law is passed, it will require anyone selling a car to have complete diagnostic information regarding the history of the car by Jan. 2, 2014.

“More stress will be added but the honesty of our business to our customers is more important.”

- Dennise Maston, Ditore Motors For some dealerships this will be stressful because each car they

Question 2: Death with dignity

By Marc Latour Staff Writer

Question 2 on the Massachusetts ballot could legalize prescribing fatal doses of medication to terminally ill patients in the state.

The law would include qualifications the patients must meet in order to be eligible to receive the dose. The first of the three standards is the mental capacity to make and communicate health care decisions.

Humans have many rights said Philosophy Professor David Johnson.

“Primary among those is the right to live or die, from an ethics standpoint,” he said. “Adults possess all the relevant information to decide whether to live or die.”

Oregon passed a Death with Dignity Act (DWDA) in 1998 that The New York Review author, Marcia Angell called, “virtually identical.”

Philosophy Professor Matthew Silliman agreed that the Oregon law is similar to the Massachusetts law. Adopting a law similar to Oregon’s would be, in the words of Silliman, “a step in the direction of respecting people’s dignity.”

“The fact that they are going to die soon is a premise,” Silliman said. “The question is how, when, and do you get to decide?”

According to Oregon’s DWDA report, there are a number of people who request a fatal dose, who never ingest it.

In 2011, there were 114 fatal doses prescribed. Of those 114, only 71 DWDA deaths were recorded.

“There hasn’t been any indication that this has resulted in increased interest in taking one’s life,” Johnson said.

Silliman explained why this occurs, “People are prescribed the dose, but

Voting in North Adams

don’t take it. Knowing they have the option is enough.”

There were a few unexpected sideeffects of the DWDA being signed into law, one of which was an improvement in palliative care, according to Silliman.

Palliative care is specialized care to lessen pain or suffering in a patient.

“When it was on the line, life or death,

“There hasn’t been any indication that this has resulted in increased interest in taking one’s life.”

- David Johnson the doctors started taking the patients description of the pain much more seriously,” Silliman said. He added, clear cases of bullying, or an exaggerated sense of duty haven’t been found in Oregon.

The law doesn’t say anything about if a person is incapacitated and unable to take the fatal dose themselves, Silliman said. The law permits a patient to request a lethal dose of medicatio and must ingest it themselves.

There are about 50 countries that have legalized physician-assisted dying, according to Johnson.

“The U.S. is a little conservative in terms of medical issues,” Johnson said. “I don’t think a doctor’s oath is simply to keep someone alive.”

Washington voters legalized physicianassisted dying in 2009; Montana’s Supreme Court approved a similar law in 2009 as well, according to The New York Review.

By Joseph Goncalves Special to The Beacon

The “death with dignity” law would allow a physician licensed in Massachusetts to prescribe medication, at a terminally-ill patient’s request, to end that patient’s life.

“I would like to see a stronger law that would provide for those who are incapacitated and unable to administer the fatal dose themselves, but I think this law is a step in the right direction,” Philosophy Professor Matthew Silliman said A yes vote would enact the proposed law, while a no vote would make no change in existing laws.

The proposed law would require the attending physician to determine if the patient is qualified, inform the patient of his or her medical diagnosis and prognosis and refer the patient to a consulting physician for a diagnosis and prognosis regarding the patient’s disease.

“While I personally favor legalizing PAS for competent, informed, criticallyill, adult patients, the primary reasons for voting ‘no’ involve three forms of reasoning: slippery slope arguments, dignity of life arguments, and abuse of power arguments,” Philosophy Professor David Johnson said. “The first suggests that legalizing PAS will inevitably lead to a proliferation of cases, where ever more, potentially noncritical ill, patients will petition for PAS.” “Most of the reasons people give for being uncomfortable with this initiative seem to revolve around specific religious views of life and death. They are of course entitled to hold these views, but not to impose them on everyone else through the power of the state,” Silliman

own will need to be re-evaluated and diagnosed in order to sell them legally.

“More stress will be added but the honesty of our business to our customers is more important,” said Dennis Maston from Ditore Motors.

Another potential negative aspect is that the information may be released to the wrong person, which could violate a person’s privacy and endanger him or her.

An increase in hacking and possibly even theft could occur in reaction to this law.

“The new diagnostics will help customers and us to figure out more of what has happened in the car’s past, but the old system did work just fine,” said Dave Dean from Dean Auto Repair Shop.

According to the 2012 ballot questions booklet, there is already a 2002 national agreement pertaining to the information that sellers provide to people while buying a motor vehicle.

A no vote on Question 1 will make no change to the current automobile market system.

said.

Some students are against this issue.

“I feel like it is against my belief to let someone die. I feel like someone should die naturally. I would consider it assisted murder,” sophomore MarieAnge Anodjo said.

Oregon, Washington, and Mon-tana already have laws for physician assisted suicide.

“Seeing that only three states support this law is more of a reason for us to vote no in the upcoming election,” Doris Behanzin said.

“Perhaps surprisingly, those are not the main reasons given by people in Oregon and Washington who have exercised this prerogative in those states -- they tend to speak instead of autonomy and the quality of their lives,” Silliman said.

“The position is that a physician would violate the professional oath to do no harm by participating in physicianassisted suicide. This position identifies PAS essentially as a type of harm; and so, while the patient may or may not have good reason to wish suicide, it would be a serious violation of the physician’s sworn duties for him/her to participate in it,” Philosophy professor Gerol Petruzella said.

The committee against physicianassisted suicide said Question 2 restricts a patient’s choice and control by enabling suicide as a substitute for quality health care.

In Oregon, some terminally-ill patients who turned to their state for health care were denied treatment and offered doctor-assisted suicide instead.

“I think it’s absurd. This should not be a factor for this issue. We need to vote no,” said Taysia Jacobs.

BALLOT, continued on Page 10

Wards 1, 2, 5: St. Elizabeth's Parish Center, St. Anthony Drive.

Ward 3: Ashland Park Apartments, 150 Ashland St. Ward 4: Greylock School, Upper Phelps Avenue Entrance

10

Election Central

Friday, November 2, 2012

BALLOT, continued from Page 9

Question 3: Legalizing medicinal marijuana

By Kayla Degnan Staff Writer

If Question 3 on the Massachusetts ballot is approved, doctors could prescribe marijuana for their patients whose pain and side effects from other treatments could be relieved with the drug.

According to the Massachusetts Information for Voters booklet, a qualified patient must be diagnosed with a debilitating medical condition, such as cancer, ALS, or AIDS. The patient would need their long term doctor to write a prescription stating the condition.

“These [patients] are not trying to get this law passed to smoke recreationally; they need this law passed so that they can have access to the medicine that is keeping them comfortable, and for some is the only way of finding pain relief,” said Ben Willnow, Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) treasurer.

He will be voting yes on Question 3 because of two patients he met through SSDP’s regional conference who need medical marijuana.

Willnow explained that one patient had sarcoidosis, a chronic disease of unknown cause characterized by the enlargement of lymph nodes in many parts of the body.

“She couldn’t metabolize any other pain medication for her sarcoidosis, she said that she had tried

By Haley Costen Staff Writer

If passed, Question 3 on the ballot for this year’s election will legalize medical marijuana, but many are hoping the opposite happens.

The law will not completely legalize the drug, but will eliminate state criminal and civil penalties for patients who suffer from debilitating illnesses such as AIDS, Parkinson’s disease, and cancer according to the official Massachusetts voter booklet.

If Question 3 were passed, patients would be allowed to possess up to a 60-day supply of marijuana. The state Department of Public Health (DPH) would determine the appropriate amount of marijuana for the 60-day supply and would be in charge of the nonprofit medical marijuana treatment centers.

However, the main organization against Question 3 is called Vote No on Question 3, and argues that the risk of corruption and exploitation are too high for such a law to be passed.

“No major medical organization in the nation, including the Massachusetts Medical Society, is calling for the use of marijuana as medicine,” the group’s website said.

“Medical marijuana needs tighter restriction and physician oversight,” Jay Broadhurst, a dedicated opponent of Question 3, said in his statement in the voter booklet.

The voter booklet states that patients would need to obtain a written certification with whom the patient has a physician-patient relationship with. However, Broadhurts claims that many doctors do not support the law.

“There are no physician organizations that have come out in support of this ballot question,” Broadhurst said

in a phone interview.

Broadhurst explained that he joined the cause to end Question 3 because as a licensed doctor he must be able to decide if medical marijuana is a safe treatment for patients and he feels that there is not enough data to support this claim. He also claims that there are too many loopholes in the bill.

“The biggest loophole is that the conditions that allow patients to get medical marijuana are too broad, so broad that they’re useless,” Broadhurst said.

Cancer is one of the diseases listed in the booklet that would allow patients to receive medical marijuana, but not all forms of cancer would benefit from the drug.

Broadhurst pointed out that in the case of skin cancer, oftentimes the cancerous piece of skin is removed and the patient is cured.

An additional argument is that there has not been enough research dedicated to studying marijuana for its medicinal purposes.

Joseph Gravel, chief medical officer of the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center and president of the Massachusetts Academy of Family Physicians, is another doctor against Question 3.

“For any other drug, there has got to be testing,” Gravel told the Boston Globe. He continued to say that a more responsible path would be to develop drugs derived from components of marijuana, the way morphine is derived from opium, which is something that Broadhurst agrees strongly with.

“Marijuana must continue to be studied by its components. There is promise in its therapeutic value but it needs to be put through the FDA [Federal Drug Administration] so I know exactly what I’m prescribing,” Broadhurst said.

“Real compassion requires real medication,” Broadhurst said, “not a sham that allows legalization.”

Yes

Yes

No

No

Undecided

Undecided

Question #1 Poll

Yes No Undecided

Question #3 Poll

marijuana before and didn’t like it, and only until she was at her wits-end with her disease did she turn to it for medical purposes,” Willnow said.

Others like Willnow plan to vote yes on the legalization of medical marijuana because they have been affected by patients and learned their stories.

Lorraine Kerz, a Greenfield parent of a patient, told her son’s story on compassionforpatients.com.

“Watching my son struggle with the side effects of brutal chemotherapy treatments was heart wrenching. He threw up nonstop for days on end, had no appetite, lost weight, and was becoming despondent. Eventually, he decided to try using marijuana to see if it would help. Marijuana not only relieved his nausea and gave him back his appetite, it also helped alleviate the anxiety and despair he was feeling at the time. In short, marijuana greatly improved his overall quality of life,’ ” Kerz said.

Non-profit medical marijuana treatment centers would grow, process, and provide patients with the prescribed amount of marijuana. The centers would be under strict regulations regarding its location, operating procedures, storage of medication, and its workers. The law would allow patients to possess up to a 60-day supply; the amount would be decided by the State Department of Public Health. Medical marijuana would have to be cultivated and stored in enclosed, locked facilities. It could not be used in a public place, workplace, or school.

Obama Romney Undecided

Question #2 Poll

Warren Brown Undecided

Student polls provide inisght into the upcoming elections and Mass. ballot questions.

theonlinebeacon.com

Third party prevails Shauna Dacus Special to the Beacon The presidential election has become one big circus, where the spotlight shines on two candidates: President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney.

However, there are other political parties involved in the race.

Political Science Professor Robert Bence said, “The only way that a third party candidate could influence this election is if somehow they received enough votes to give Obama or Romney the state plurality, and therefore their electoral votes.”

At this point in the election there is a projected tie on Electoral College votes. The Electoral College is made up of 538 electors voting with 270 majority votes needed to elect the president as opposed to the popular vote, which is the tally of all American voters.

Bence continued to say no alternative candidates have a chance at winning in Massachusetts or any other state.

“In all states, the Democratic

and Republican candidates automatically get on the ballot.

Third parties and their candidates usually have to clear a number of hurdles, including getting a number of voter signatures well before the election,” Bence said.

“This discourages third parties, especially since rules differ from state to state.”

The candidates from other parties can only really influence the election by taking votes away from either Obama or Romney.

The Constitutional candidate is Republican Virgil Goode from Virginia. Goode is against gay marriage, marijuana for medical use, and voted no to physicianassisted suicide.

Gary Johnson is the Libertarian candidate and the former governor of New Mexico.

Johnson supports gay marriage, marijuana for medical use, and physician-assisted suicide.

Jill Stein is the Green Party candidate and former Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. She supports marriage equality, medical marijuana use, and has not taken a position on physician-assisted suicide.

Student poll favors Obama

By Candice Crow

Special to The Beacon Students opt to re-elect President Barack Obama by a near 4-1 margin in an election survey conducted last week.

In a recent poll done at the College, 66 percent of students said they would vote to reelect the incumbent, while 15 percent said they would vote for Republican nominee and former Massachusetts Gov., Mitt Romney.

Of the students polled, 19 percent fell under the category of undecided.

Polling was done by the Writing and Reporting the News ll class. Members of the class asked a total of 160 students at random to complete the survey.

All students who filled out the survey are current Massachusetts residents.

The survey included the Massachusetts Senate race between Democrat Elizabeth Warren and Republican Scott Brown, as well as the three ballot questions.

Forty-nine percent of the students surveyed voted for Warren, where Brown fell behind with only 23 percent of people polled on his side.

Compared to the presidential race with a 19 percent undecided rate,

the Senate race produced a 28 percent undecided rate, which is significantly higher.

This year’s Massachusetts statewide ballot contains three questions.

If passed, Question 1 would prohibit any car manufacturer to sell or lease their vehicles without first releasing the information codes needed to make repairs to smaller repair businesses. When asked, 80 percent of students replied with a vote of yes, while 10 percent of students would vote no. The other 10 percent of students polled were undecided.

For Question 2, the law would allow doctors to prescribe a life-ending pill to their terminally ill patients, in effect allowing lawful euthanization.

The pills would be prescribed upon the request of the patient after careful consideration of the facts reviewed by the physician. About 73 percent of students voted yes, while 17 percent answered no, and 10 percent were undecided.

Question 3 would legalize the medical use of marijuana, for those with debilitating illnesses such as, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, or Glaucoma.

About 79 percent of students plan to vote yes, 9 percent plan to vote no, and 12 percent were undecided.

Election Central

Friday, November 2, 2012

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State senate race too close to call Elizabeth Warren

By Ryan Flynn Staff Writer

With election day just one week away, Democrat Elizabeth Warren is fighting to win the Massachusetts Senate race.

According to a poll posted by New York Times blogger Nate Silver, she’s doing quite well. Silver’s poll indicates that as of right now Warren is ahead of the incumbent, Republican Scott Brown, by four percent, and that she has an 89 percent chance of winning.

Political Science Professor Robert Bence said Warren will still be challenged by the flow of republicans in Massachusetts voting for Brown, but things are certainly looking up for her.

“Republicans vote more consistently than democrats,” Bence said. “But the good news for Warren is there will be a big turnout as there’s a presidential election so she can ride the coat-tails of Obama to some extent.”

Throughout her campaign, Warren has been persistent in driving home her belief that Brown is against equal rights for women.

During a conference call with Massachusetts college students, she was quick to make this known. She highlighted how based on Brown’s voting record, he has not voted for women.

“He had one chance to vote for equal jobs and pay and he voted against it,” she said.

However, Political Science Professor James Canavan said implementing the idea that Brown is against women has been a challenge for Warren, as Brown has always maintained a reputable image.

“I think it’s hard because Scott Brown has effectively portrayed himself as a normal guy who lives in a house of women,” Canavan said.

While arguments are coming from both sides, there is a gender division among voters in this race.

Currently Warren leads Brown by 17 points with female votes, but Brown is ahead with male voters.

While Warren has used this strategy, she has also focused on convincing voters that Brown is not for the working class, but for the agenda of the Republican Party.

According to Bence, Brown has worked to counter-act this belief.

“Scott Brown’s strategy is to say ‘I’m an independent and I don’t follow lock-step with my party,” Bence said.

Bence also noted that Brown’s record suggests he tends to not vote with his party as much as other republicans.

“He votes about 68 percent of the time with republicans, but that is a lot less than most republicans,” he said.

While Brown considers himself to be more of an independent, Warren has highlighted numerous times during one of their debates that Brown said his favorite Justice of the Supreme Court was Antonin Scalia,

who is infamously conservative.

Canavan noted that exploiting Brown’s preference concerning the Supreme Court is an obvious go-to strategy for Warren.

“Of course she’s used that because Scalia & Co. have given us Citizen’s United and they have upheld women’s rights.”

In addition, Warren has been trying to convince voters that she is working against injustices such as increasing student loans.

“I am very opportunistic,” she said “I’ve been fighting out there against credit card companies and student loan companies.”

While both candidates are scrambling to ensure a winning election, Canvan encouraged Massachusetts residents to exercise their right to vote regardless of political preference.

“I think the important thing is to vote. If you don’t vote then you can’t complain,” he said.

Scott Brown

By Chris Oxholm Staff Writer Republican Scott Brown is rerunning for the Massachusetts Senate for a second term against Democrat Elizabeth Warren.

Warren has about a four percent lead over Brown. Although Brown appears to be down on his luck, Political Science Professor Robert Bence said otherwise.

“This won’t change much for the polls,” Bence said. “The lower the turnout, the more likely he will win.”

Bence based this estimate on his observation that republican voters typically have a larger turnout of votes than democrats. He added that Brown has a higher percentage of voter rates in certain parts of the state.

“Brown always gets a large amount of votes from urban Boston, Western Massachusetts, and Central Massachusetts,” Bence said. “Also, he has a slight lead on men.”

However, Brown can’t seem to get the approval of women, partly because of his views on abortion.

Warren is pro-choice while Brown’s opinion is still somewhat in the air.

“He’s in a grey area for abortion,” said David Boerman, a member of the Political Science club. “He wants the government to stop funding it, and the clinics to make it cheaper.”

Although some people may not support Brown’s takes on “Obama Care” or abortion his personality and policies appear citizen friendly.

“Scott Brown presents himself as someone who is an independent senator,” Bence said. “He won’t closely side with one party or another.”

Brown’s appearance has also received some attention.

“He is a very charismatic and good looking man,” Boerman said.

“When he was in college he won a sexiest man competition.”

Scott Brown is trying to extend his stay in the Senate.

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Elizabeth Warren, left, and Scott Brown, right, are neck-and-neck for the Senate race as election day nears.

Democrats likely to control senate once again

By Kaylie Warner

Special to The Beacon While senate elections blaze on through the country, some senate elections may tip the scale of the democratic majority in the senate.

Too-close-to-call elections such as Scott Brown (R) and Elizabeth Warren (D) in Massachusetts tip how the senate majority looks.

Political Science professor Robert Bence believes that the senate will stick.

“I tend to think that the democrats will continue to control the senate,” he said. “Should the Republicans win control it will lead to either more conservative policies or further deadlock, depending how the presidential race turns out.”

Political Science professor Donald Pecor agrees with Bence.

“I would say the two senate races to watch are Massachusetts, where Elizabeth Warren may beat the incumbent Scott Brown, and Missouri, where Claire McKaskill is likely to defeat Todd Akin of the infamous rape comments.”

In September, Akin voiced his views about “legitimate rape,” meaning if the woman was being legitimately raped, the female body has a way of shutting down and preventing a possible pregnancy.

In Pennsylvania, the senate race between Bob Casey (D) and Tom Smith (R) has been called tooclose-to-call, according to a Quinnipiac University poll. According

to the poll, it is difficult to say if Senator Bob Casey Jr. will be up for a second term, which could tip the balance in the Senate.

Nate Silver’s Political Calculus blog on The New York Times website, titled Five Thirty Eight, gives insight to the senate elections with state-by-state projections.

According to Silver, Montana is a tossup state with Democrats and Republicans percentages neckand-neck. Currently the senate majority party leader is Harry Reid of Nevada (D) and the minority party leader is Mitch McConnell of Kentucky (R) with 33 of the 100 seats up for grabs.

Twenty states are leaning democratic with just 10 states leaning republican.

Electoral College sparks debate

By Shannen Adamites Staff Writer

In recent years, a great deal of debate has surrounded the Electoral College process.

In the election of 2000, Democrat Al Gore won the popular vote, but did not become president. Gore may have won the presidency if it weren’t for the recount in Florida.

The state underwent a ballot recount, and ultimately, the electors’ votes went to Republican George W. Bush. This sparked controversy considering Gore surpassed Bush in the popular vote by 500,000 votes.

History and Political Science Professor Donald Pecor said, “We went through the process as best we could at the time, though the circumstances were pretty questionable.”

Pecor also inferred that the tragedy on Sept. 11, 2001 could have swayed people from thinking about the election.

“I thought for sure we would amend the Constitution to institute the popular vote after that election,” he said. “But because of 9/11, people became less concerned with the outcome.”

According to USA Today’s website, two similar instances occurred in the 1800s with two other major presidential candidates. In

1888, Benjamin Harrison won the electoral vote to Grover Cleveland, and in 1876 when Rutherford B. Hayes won against Samuel Tiden.

During the 1790s, our Founding Fathers developed the Electoral College, which would determine who would become the next President of the United States.

The process was instituted as a compromise to the disagreement over the popular vote. Many aristocrats and early government officials did not trust the general public with making such a crucial decision.

The Electoral College is based on population. States with larger populations get more electors, and states with smaller populations receive fewer. For example, California has 55 electors and Vermont has three.

Voters choose their candidate, and the group of electors cast their votes based on the winning candidate.

In other words, if a Democrat won the popular vote, the electors would cast their vote for the Democratic candidate, and the candidate would win that particular state. Out of the possible 538 electors, the winning candidate must obtain 270 electoral votes.

“By most definitions of democracy, it doesn’t allow many voters to have an impact on the election,” Political Science Professor Robert

Bence said.

Much of the campaigning takes place in “swing states”, such as North Carolina and Ohio, or states that do not have any strong ties to a specific political party. Presidential candidates make these states their main targets, as they tend to have a fairly high number of electors.

Some states, however, tend to side with one party. Massachusetts primarily votes Democrat, where as many southern and midwestern states tend to vote Republican. This could raise a potential concern in terms of the overall turnout at the polls due to voter apathy.

“In Massachusetts, a vote for Romney won’t count much since most citizens will vote for Obama, and therefore all of Massachusetts’ 12 electoral votes,” Bence said.

Pecor agreed, “[The Electoral College] can affect the Senate and House races in states where the result are obvious,” he said. “It can really hurt the turn out in some cases.”

“I generally support the popular vote,” Pecor said.

Despite the confusion and mixed opinions regarding the true democracy of the process, it still remains in effect today. Considering the ambiguity of the results for this election so far, it is possible we might see another instance where the president will lose the popular vote, but win the electoral vote.

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Friday, November 2, 2012

Photo Essay

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Photo by Jess Gamari/Beacon staff

The freshman class dons green while the sophomore class sports red as their class colors.

Photo by Jess Gamari/Beacon staff

The Cheelreading Club performs after the basketball teams are introduced.

Midnight Madness

Photo by Kayla Degnan/Beacon staff

Representatives from the freshman class compete in the tug-of-war competition.

Photo by Siyun Wu/Beacon staff

Representatives from each class prepare for the tricycle race.

Photo by Jess Gamari/Beacon staff

Sophomore representatives compete in the cup-stacking competition.