Issue 10 - Spring 2014

The Beacon

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

For more content, visit online at: Beacon.MCLA.edu Volume 78 ◆ Issue 10

Th u r s d ay, A p r i l 1 0 , 2 0 1 4

Enrollment is on the decline

Nationwide, colleges have seen a drop in enrolling full time students as of 2010

By Jess Gamari Managing Editor

Photo by Andrew Ricketts/The Beacon

From left to right, Junior Mitchell Candelet, T.R.A.I.N. Participant Aiden Barnes and Junior Tyler Russell take a breather during during Sunday’s Special Olympics T.R.A.I.N. program.

MCLA begins reevaluating its current smoking policies

By Makayla-Courtney McGeeney Staff Writer

A group of faculty, staff and students both non-smokers and smokers, have formed a task force to discuss the opportunity for better wellness on campus, with a smoking policy on its agenda.

The Smoking Policy Task Force, generated by Charlotte Degen, vice president of Student Affairs and Mary Ellen Olenyk, director of Human Resources, will serve to study if and how a new smoking policy should be implemented within the next year.

While relatively strict smoking regulations already exist on campus, some smokers still light up in restricted zones, reportedly bothering some members of campus.

“I’m offended when I have to walk through a smoke cloud to get into a building,” Education Professor Daniel Rapp said. “I’m offended when cigarette butts litter the campus.”

Olenyk took a job at the College during the fall 2013 semester. She has a background in wellness promotion.

“We haven’t made any decisions yet and are still unsure

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if we want to change anything at all,” she said. “We want to be able to impact students, educate them on wellness and also reward them with a degree.”

About 1,200 campuses nationwide are smoke-free, and two-thirds of those ban tobacco products completely, Olenyk said.

Any changes to the campus’ smoking policies will benefit Berkshire County as a whole, she added, considering Berkshire Community College went smoke free last August.

Rapp did not advocate for the erradication of smoking, but suggested there were better places to do it than immediately outside the doors of campus buildings.

Photo courtesy of Ian Coyne “Adults should be allowed Junior Ian Coyne enjoys a to smoke if they choose to,” cigarette outside of the library Rapp said. “Adults should also under the“No Smoking” sign. be allowed to have clean air if they choose not to smoke. There areas outdoor include the should be designated areas that Berkshire Towers side patio, aren’t too isolated.”

Bowman Hall back entrance, Rapp believes that even with Campus Center 2nd floor entry supposed designated areas now, level side facing Hoosac Hall, smokers haven’t been respectful of Freel Library lower level back spaces and littering. If a smoking door overhang, Mark Hopkins ban is passed, he hopes it will be front steps on Church Street, effective in eliminating some of and Campus Center balcony that. pool entrance by the Flagg According to the student SMOKING, handbook, current designated continued on page 5

In the fall of 2012, the number of full time undergraduate students enrolled in colleges and universities across the nation fell by nearly half a million after 20 years of substantial growth, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This number has been on decline ever since.

The College has seen a 10 percent decline in full time undergraduate enrollment since fall of 2010, dropping about three percent each year. In the fall of 2013, there were 1,353 full time undergraduate students enrolled at the MCLA, according to the College’s Department of Institutional Research.

National trends show both public and private colleges have been feeling the pinch in terms of full time students.

For senior Kelley Bryant, she

ENROLLMENT, continued on page 5

MountainOne Donation to help students affected by NARH

By Nick Arena Editor-in-Chief

An article published in the Berkshire Eagle on Tuesday stated that while the Berkshire Medical Center (BMC) satellite emergency facility is still planned for North County, it may not be placed in the former North Adams Regional Hospital (NARH) building due to the high cost of maintaining it.

The College is stepping up to assist students whose families were affected by the closing of the hospital and former hospital employees that lost their jobs, according to a statement from President Mary Grant.

Director of Human Resources Mary Ellen Olenyk said that the College would be offering assistance to former employees of the hospital by helping them review their benefits, give them resume tips, help them with job searches, and provide them with tips for a successful interview.

Any former NARH employees interested should contact Olenyk at 413-662-5599 or at m.olenyk@ mcla.edu.

The statement from Grant

Professor honored for contributions

“Angels in America” comes to College

Softball games resume after bad weather

History Prof. Jones-Sneed honored at Berkshire Awards.

Student performance debuts April 15-17.

The Trailblazers drop double header to Salem State.

Arts & Entertainment, page 6

Sports, page 9

News, page 3

feels a little concerned about the low number, but also says it’s a little less concerning because it’s happening across the nation.

“I think it’s just tough to get into college,” she said. “There are other options for kids getting out of high school too. They can go to technical school get a job, or go into the military, so [colleges] have to compete with all those factors.”

There are various reasons behind this low enrollment trend across the nation as Bryant mentions, but one of the biggest challenges for Director of Admissions Gina Puc is the declining number of high school students as a whole.

“Between 2007 and 2009, New England saw the biggest graduating classes of high school seniors and that’s been on decline since then,” she said. “It’s expected

continued that the College had received a donation to benefit affected students.

“A contribution from MountainOne Bank will provide 25,000 dolalrs in scholarship aid for up to 10 students whose families have been negatively impacted by the closure of NARH,” Marianne Drake, chief advancement officer in the office of Institutional Advancement, said in an e-mail. “Students must be enrolled full-time, in good academic standing and be able to demonstrate unmet financial need due to the closure of the hospital.

Recipients will be determined by the Financial Aid Office.”

Drake also commented on the College’s gratitude to MountainOne. “The College is deeply appreciative to Tom Leavitt, CEO, and the staff of MountainOne for this very generous act,” Drake said.

The statement concluded that any ideas with how the College can support the community should be direct to Spencer Moser of the Center for Service and Citizenship at 413-662-5251.

News Arts & Entertainment Sports Campus Opinion Local Events Photo Essay

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Campus News

Thursday, April10, 2014

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College talks academic honesty outside of class

By Jess Gamari Managing Editor

Cindy Brown, vice president of Academic Affairs, and Fine and Performing Arts Professor Christine Condaris spoke to the SGA about beginning a discussion of the College possibly adopting an honor code.

This honor code would go beyond the academic honesty policy in the student handbook, according to Brown, making students responsible for their behavior outside of the classroom.

“Many of us who are chairs of departments come from colleges that have honor codes and we see that there are maybe some advantages and we’d like to discuss it with you,” Condaris said. She also said that students would be primarily responsible for upholding the honor code, although the ratio of student to faculty members in charge of this code can be discussed.

“From my own experience, [having a code] elevates the college, it makes it a more prestigious place, it puts the students in charge of their own education to a larger extent, and it may help us cut down on cheating, which I think a lot of people would be in favor of,” she said.

With the honor code, it is possible students could take their final exams in a proctored room when it is convenient for them. Students who violate the honor code could face severe punishments for breaking the code, including expulsion for cheating.

Severity of punishments will be debated in further discussions.

Condaris and Brown are looking to continue this discussion , and hope to draft an official code within a year or two.

No concern for sophomore experience After doing research and open forum meetings to determine issues with the sophomore year experience, the student

affairs committee concluded there are no issues. Vice President Brendan Peltier reported no one from the Campus besides the student affairs committee or the executive board attended the open forum.

“Personally I don’t think this is something I agree with, but the committee had to look at the majority and this is where we’ll move forward with it,” he said.

Senator Ama Adwetewa-Badu asked if it would be possible to send out surveys to students to find out more about their experience during sophomore year, rather than assuming zero attendance means there are no issues.

Peltier said the committee had considered the survey approach but chose to do research in other ways in the duration of the academic school year. Peltier and the committee felt students were given enough notice to respond or attend these meetings and found there was no immediate concern.

No correlation for FPA’s GPA Another concern the student affairs looked into was the correlation for students in the fine and performing arts between their academic performance and club commitments.

“We spoke to Prof. Condaris … and she feels that students in the fine and performing arts department are slacking [in academics] because they’re working hard out of class, in particular Dance co., Harlequin, Yorick,” Peltier said.

After looking into the grades of e-board members for these three clubs and evaluating random students in these clubs, Vice President of Student Affairs Charlotte Degen and the committee found there was no correlation.

“Actually they have significantly high GPAs, from 3.5 to 3.7, which was very impressive, in my opinion, for someone doing all that work,” Peltier said.

Senator Rochefort questioned the general

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Cindy Brown, vice president of Academic Affairs, and FPA Prof. Christine Condaris spoke about creating an honor code for the College. charge for the concern, recalling that the GPA issue was for any student involved with the FPA clubs, not just FPA majors.

Peltier said he would look into the specificity of the charge, but said Prof.

Condaris was mostly concerned as an advisor.

Problems with policies and warnings Senator Nicholas Hernigle met with the all college committee to discuss academic honesty, attendance policy and midterm warnings. Hernigle stated the committee saw issues with all three.

The committee is planning to extend the honesty policy to expand to the use of electronics, namely cell phones in class.

Another issue is that only 18 out of 90 full time faculty don’t send midterm warnings to students in danger of failing, according to Hernigle.

BGLAD now Queer Student Union The BGLAD constitution was approved

Monday night, with one of the updates for the club being the name change.

President of BGLAD Andrew McNamara said the club changed their name because the word “queer” is more accepted by the LGBTQ community and that the word is more inclusive.

Club members held discussions to determine if members felt comfortable using the word queer, McNamara said, and the majority of members wanted to make the change to the name to better describe themselves.

Book Club becomes official The Book Club was approved as a new club. Diana Faulkner, president of the Book Club, said the club hopes to bring recreational readers together in a formal environment. Kathryn Donnelly also spoke on behalf of the club, saying with SGA recognition, the club will have more resources and ability to reach out to people than they would without formal club recognition.

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3 History professor honored at Berkshire Awards Campus News

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Chunyu “Judy” Leng Staff Writer

History Professor Frances Jones-Sneed was honored at the second annual Berkshire Awards in recognition of her contributions to discovering and documenting the heritage of the black community in the Berkshires. She and two others from the area were honored at the Berkshire Museum on March 21.

“I felt very humble when I got the news,” she said. “I love history and I love doing something about history. When you are honored for doing stuff that you love to do, it feels wonderful.”

Jones-Sneed is an associate editor for the book “African-American Heritage in the Upper Housatonic Valley,” which tells the stories of black luminaries such

as W.E.B. Du Bois, James Weldon Johnson and many others from the Berkshire area who have left their marks since the 1700s.

While writing and researching, Jones-Sneed found that the percentage of African-American people in Berkshire County is and has been very low, with the highest rating in history at 3 percent.

“But what these people have accomplished was amazing,” JonesSneed said. Du Bois, for example, helped establish the National Association for the Advancement of Colored people (NAACP) and its magazine, “The Crisis.” Rev. Samuel Harrison became the first minister of the Second Congregational Church of Pittsfield Mass., the first church for black people founded in the country. Elizabeth Freeman, also from the area, was one of the first to successfully file

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Photo by Kayla Degnan/The Beacon

Frances Jones-Sneed has dedicated herself to researching the black community in the Berkshires. a “freedom suit,” which set the stage for the abolition of slavery

in Massachusetts.

“Dr. Jones-Sneed’s research and teaching on the African-American history in the Berkshires publicized a rich past very much unknown until recently,” History Professor Kailai Huang said. “Her leadership on this project put our college on the national map.”

Jones-Sneed has served on the board of Mass. Humanities and has facilitated this year’s Creating Equality series, comprised of several talks, films, performances and discussions at the College.

The series focuses on the problems of race, class and gender to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement.

For Jones-Sneed, the most memorable and enjoyable moment was seeing the reactions and responses of the students.

“I saw the students so engaged

with our speakers,” she said.

“They asked questions and talked to the speakers so actively, and it means a lot to me.” She added that one way to make history interesting is by meeting those who helped create it.

“Meeting the people who have been part of the history is really helpful to teaching students something outside the classroom,” she said.

“Professor Jones-Sneed knows a great deal about the subjects that she teaches,” sophomore and history major Melanie Beaver said.

This summer, Jones-Sneed plans to get back to her research project about significant individuals from the Berkshire County.

She plans to look further into the biography of W.E.B Du Bois and reprint findings to lend access to more people in this community.

FirstClass to be replaced with Office 365 Alexander Moore Staff Writer

The Information Technology department plans to replace the FirstClass email system with Microsoft Office 365.

“FirstClass is an older product; it’s just time to move to something new,” said chief information officer Curt King. “We want something we can integrate more into people’s daily lives.”

Associate dean of information technology Peter Allmaker said Office 365 will be accessible without the need for a client. King said that because Office 365 is accessible through a web browser, a PC user will have the same experience as a MAC user.

“It is more profile-based,” King said. “If you’re a student, you’ll see your class list. There will be a little Canvas icon to see your courses and go directly into Canvas.”

Allmaker said one of the key features of Office 365 is its ability to do what is called “single sign on,”

which allows a user to enter their “A number” one time and be logged into Canvas, Banner and email.

“We couldn’t do the single sign on with FirstClass,” Allmaker said.

Both Allmaker and King said it is a struggle trying to recreate features that Office 365 lacks, but FirstClass includes.

“We are still hard at work emulating all those features that people have come to depend on in FirstClass,” Allmaker said. “Office, in some ways, is more like a tool kit, which is a good thing because it allows us to build those features that FirsstClass provides.”

Allmaker said the conferencing function of FirstClass is an important feature that departments said they would miss.

“The concept of history of a message is specific to FirstClass; we’re not even sure we can create that one, but it is mentioned by people as something they will miss,” Allmaker said.

Allmaker is working on a

portal page similar to the one in FirstClass.

“It’s like the first page of the FirstClass product; it lets you go to different places and see announcements,” Allmaker said.

King said Allmaker’s group is working on pulling all the old emails and putting them into the new email system.

“Microsoft has released some client software for tablets and phones that will let you get to parts of what is in Office 365 in a way that is more customized for that kind of device,” Allmaker said.

“There will be applications that you can install on your device that will allow you to go to features of the cloud service.”

Even though there are applications for phones and tablets, both King and Allmaker encourage using the web browser. They said because the applications only allow access to certain parts of Office 365, the portal site gives more

Photo by Kayla Degnan/The Beacon

Freshman Colby Harvish logs in to check his FirstClass email. opportunities. Allmaker said he has been playing with the portal site, trying to make it viewable on a smartphone.

“One of the big issues once the tech stuff is set is thinking carefully about the roll-out,” assistant director of academic technology Gerol Petruzella said.

“They want to minimize disruption and make sure they get the word out as broadly as possible.”

Petruzella said a lot of communication must happen to get students and faculty ready for the new system. He said there has to be time for students to ask questions.

“My sense is that most people who use FirstClass probably greater than 85 percent of the time are using it for email or announcements, and for those purposes, this is going to be a very smooth upgrade,” Petruzella said.

The College looks to possibly reform smoking policy SMOKING, selected students was conducted last week. continued from page 1 The survey has a margin of error of plus or Townhouses.

Smoking is prohibited at Murdock Hall, Church Street Center, campus quad, Highland House, Shapiro House and the Smith House. Smoking is also prohibited in college-owned vehicles and in the stairwells of buildings and dormitories.

The handbook repeats that “members of the College community are expected to show consideration for the health and safety of others at all times.” Any violations of this policy should be reported to a “department head or administrator who is in charge of the area in which the violation occurred.”

In a survey conducted by students in the News Writing and Reporting II class, 33 percent of the respondents said they would approve of a total smoking ban on campus, and 78 percent said they would approve stricter smoking regulations than currently exist on campus.

The unscientific survey of 132 randomly

minus 5 percent. Of the 132 respondents, 41 people, or 31 percent, replied that they smoked. Of this number, only one person (or 2 percent of smokers) said they would approve of a total ban, leaving 98 percent opposed. Though, 61 percent said they would approve stricter regulations, 39 percent would not.

Among the 91 non-smokers, 46 percent, or 42, said they would approve a total ban, while 54 percent, or 49 people, opposed a total ban. Of non-smokers, 86 percent said they would approve strickter regulation, while 14 percent were opposed.

The percentage of smokers in the survey (31 percent) is higher than the estimated national average of adults who smoke, which is at about 18 percent, according to 2012 statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Whether any changes will be made to the College’s smoking policy may be determined over the length of a year, no immediate modifications will occur.

By Yvonna Camacho Staff Writer

Seven out of nine colleges in the state university system in Massachusetts are 100 percent smoke-free.

These include Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Bridgewater, Fitchburg, Framingham, Salem, Westfield, and Worcester State Universities. The Beacon reviewed the smoking policies of each school with an online search.

Massachusetts College of Art and Design and the College are not among those that are smoke-free. Instead, these specialized colleges offer designated outdoor areas for smoking and provide a comprehensive list where smoking is prohibited.

University of Massachusetts campuses: Amherst, Dartmouth, Worcester/Medical Center have also banned smoking on campus. The Lowell and Boston campuses prohibit smoking within 50 feet of buildings.

The two colleges near MCLA, Williams College in Williamstown and Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield, are designated

smoke-free campuses. The College is forming a task force to discuss the possibility of changing the current smoking regulations.

In a report released by the American Non Smokers’ Rights Foundation on Jan. 2, at least 1,182 (26.2 percent) of the 4,495 campuses across the nation are 100 percent smoke-free.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 18.1 percent of adults in the United States are smokers.

Ther percentage of adult smokers in Mass. is marginally smaller, sitting at 16.1 percent, meaning approximately 815,000 residents of the state are current cigarette smokers.

Massachusetts ranks ninth in the nation for prevalence of cigarette smoking.

After Massachusetts passed new smoking legislation in 2013 that prohibits smoking in multi-unit housing, vehicles with minors and in senior housing, the College has taken to examining its own smoking policies.

Smoking regulations were tightened in the early 2000s. It has only been about a decade since the state mandated smoke-free restaurants, workplaces and bars.

Campus News 4 Student works to keep MassPIRG on campus Thursday, April 10, 2014

By Caitlin O’Neill

Special to the Beacon As students pass through the Campus Center Marketplace during the week, they can often find themselves being waved at and greeted by a witty, bold young lady with a very bright, charismatic energy. Morgan McCarthy’s enthusiasm draws students to her table every week, ready to do whatever she asks of them. But she doesn’t want these students to do anything for her—she wants to help them do something for themselves.

When someone speaks to McCarthy they are most likely first asked to sign a petition or take an informative pamphlet.

What many students don’t realize is that anything they’re invited to do at the table will go towards improving their own college experience.

The organization McCarthy volunteers for works to lower student loan debts and textbook prices, a cause any college student can get behind. They fight to end hunger and homelessness, and make sure students’ better interests are protected throughout the state. And according to their information pamphlets, since the year 2000 they

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have registered 1.8 million students to vote.

McCarthy is a student coordinator for MCLA’s MassPIRG chapter, an organization that many students don’t know much about apart from the optional nine dollar “MassPIRG fee” at the bottom of their tuition bill. They probably don’t even know that those nine dollars go towards hiring professional lobbyists, researchers, and other professionals to protect student interests in Washington and Boston, according to masspirg.org.

“A lot of people think ‘oh, this organization isn’t important to me’ when really our campaigns affect them a lot,” McCarthy said. “And there are lots of good reasons to volunteer. It’s a good way to get involved on campus, and to make friends,” But right now McCarthy and her team of fellow student coordinators are campaigning for something different—they are working to ensure that the College’s MassPIRG chapter stays on campus next semester.

SGA elections are coming up, and the MCLA chapter is currently campaigning to be on the ballot. If they succeed in this effort, the student body will vote whether or not to maintain an active MassPIRG chap-

ter on MCLA, where it has been since 1987 as stated on their information flyers. The MassPIRG reaffirmation campaign means to convince students to keep the organization around for another two years.

When many MCLA students hear about MassPIRG, their eyes will begin to gloss over. According to the student coordinators, much of this apathy is simply due to limited awareness of what MassPIRG really does on campus. But they believe that is changing. “More students know what it is now, and understand what it does,” student coordinator Alyssa Dame said. “And I think we have Tess to thank for a lot of that.”

“Tess” is campus organizer Tess Geyer, new to MCLA’s chapter this semester. She too is full of energy and enthusiasm, and expressed her desire to help students get more involved in their community through MassPIRG. “Working with us gives students training that will give them skills to become better activists and allows them to be involved in all sorts of issues in their community,” Geyer said.

The student coordinators also mentioned that MassPIRG work is good to put on a

résumé. “It shows that you can be a leader and organize things,” McCarthy said.

“I think Tess as an organizer is great,” McCarthy said. “She understands that school comes first and we have social lives, and she’s really great job as our boss.” The coordinators explained that Geyer’s direction and enthusiasm has helped more students gain an awareness and understanding of what MassPIRG does for the college community.

Geyer herself emphasized the students’ hard work and says she enjoys being able to develop her students to be better leaders.

“It’s a hard job sometimes,” she said, “but to know that I’m giving these students opportunities and inspiring them to get active on campus is awesome, it’s the most rewarding experience I’ve ever had.”

McCarthy also has found her volunteer experience highly rewarding, and hopes the school will continue to welcome MassPIRG on campus.

“We have a lot of gratitude and feel really accomplished when we finish a project,” McCarthy said. “It’s also great to see that people appreciate the work that we do for them. It feels good to make a change.”

Campus conversation on higher education

By Nicholas Swanson Staff Writer

President Mary Grant led the first of three campus conversations happening this semester on the changing nature of higher education.

Grant opened the topic on Monday by giving a big picture point-of-view explaining attention given to education by today’s leaders. Others were then able to share their own perspective on the subject.

“This is not the same as a Q&A, this is to stimulate discussion about the things that are driving what we think about the public arts in higher education and its relation to the bigger world,” Grant said.

Grant spoke about her recent visit to Washington, where she attended conferences on matters concerning education, some pertaining to funding and pressures of student affordability.

According to Grant, the purpose of higher education has a greater importance today.

Studies are currently examining students earning power after college, their completion of college and college-

readiness at the time of enrolling.

These evaluations help detail and link the benefits of getting a higher education to new students facing those pressures.

“It is important as an institution to have conversations on the opportunity available and how we can act on it,” Grant said. “What are we doing that makes a difference in the eyes of the students,” Grant said.

According to Grant, recently, the College has received more funding toward institutional needs as a tradeoff for not increasing student fees.

Student experiences and expectaions have come under the microscope, according to Spencer Moser, coordinator of the the Center for Service and Citizenship.

“We need to also look at the experience incoming students are looking for and their expectations of college,” Moser said. “A good example would be fraternities and other things they would want to become a strong part of.”

Grant said there was a recent forum that put an emphasis on a vocational technical program done in Texas that is “shaping the higher education agenda,” she said.

The vocational program specializes students for a career

in a chosen trade as a means of preparing them for their future.

“All the talk about job placement is scary for students,” freshman Colby Harvish said. “Realistically, students should learn what they want because, if interested, they will learn more in that. Preparing students in everything keeps an eye on the ball, but if one is able to focus on that interest, they could excel.”

According to Grant, the National Governors Association is looking into in-state funding for public higher education and its effect on economic wellbeing.

“When I look back at where we are, it’s a good, but also challenging place,” Grant said. “With this twenty-first century, who knows what’s going to happen, but there is a significant value in the liberal arts education we do have.”

The second discussion is “Who are our Students,” which will specifically address the changing wants and needs students have of their education.

According to Grant, this is an opportunity for all students to voice their opinion on matters affecting their education.

Campus conversations are free and open to the public and held in Murdock Hall room 218.

Undergraduate Research Conference to be April 17 Students will have the opportunity to showcase their academic research projects during the College’s annual conference

By Nicholas Swanson Staff Writer

Students are putting their final touches on presentations for the Undergraduate Research Conference (URC). The conference will occur on Thursday April 17.

“When we first had the research conference it was just biology, psychology, and math,” said Ann Billetz professor of biology and director of URC continued. “Now we have presentations from across the board of study areas.”

Billetz said the fine and performing arts, psychology, sociology, biology, english, math, computer science and history majors are presenting projects.

“We very broadly define research, and our research specifically includes the creative works,” Billetz said.

The event is free and open to the public.

All classes are cancelled on the day of the conference.

“It is important that if you have friends presenting, go and see your friends pres-

ent, it’s all a part of being friends, as well as, a part of being collegial supporting your peers,” Billetz said.

Billetz has organized the conference with Anthony Daley, professor of history, and Graziana Ramsden, professor of spanish.

The conference is split into three sessions throughout the day, where students will give oral presentations, display posters, and discuss the results from their projects.

“We mix the topics up within each session to encourage students to be exposed to more than just their major,” Billetz continued. “We want students to come to session and see disciplines and multiple presentations from different disciplines.”

This year there are 25 oral presentations scheduled.

According to Billetz, some students completed the projects with help from faculty sponsors and others are presenting in order a fulfill part of a course requirement.

Billetz explains that because we are a small college, professors more opportunities to focus on the students, which makes

a big difference.

These teams have demonstrated tasks that help communities and their own knowledge regarding the topic of project.

Victoria Welch, alumnus, is going to give the keynote address during a special lunch section of the conference.

“When she (Welch) came and spoke during my freshmen seminar class she talked about how her experiences at MCLA allowed her to be so successful at chiropractic school,” Billetz said.

Welch graduated in 2009 and attended a special post-grad doctor program at Walter Reed Medical and finished at the top of her class.

According to Billetz, students that give the best presentations have an opportunity to apply and be chosen to give the presentation again at the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (CoPLAC) regional conference in Fall 2014.

Billetz said this is a large recognition to the good that the students have done and will look excellent on a future reference.

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Nationwide enrollment drop hits MCLA ENROLLMENT, “We’ve had to create a wider us generate more applications in continued from page 1 geographic reach,” Puc said. “If those areas.” there are fewer students who are applying to more colleges, we can’t use the same equations looking at numbers that we used to, so it makes it harder for admissions offices across the country to predict sizes of incoming classes and how many applicants they’re going to get.”

Aspiring students in today’s market don’t make their final decision as early as they would have in the past, which can also be a hindrance in predicting upcoming class sizes. A recent trend shows students wait until every financial aid package from each of their institutions arrives.

“We’re seeing students and families analyzing everything about every institution,” Richardello said. “We’ve been lucky; we’ve been ranked by US. World and News report for the third year now and that’s given us some visibility.”

With the Feigenbaum Center for Science and Innovation operating as of last September, Puc says the college hopes to see an influx of applicants interested in the sciences in the coming years.

“The health science field and biological sciences are one of the fastest growing areas of interest for students that are applying to colleges,” she said. “Having this great facility will certainly help

Students are not only interested in the academic aspect of a potential institution, but they are interested in learning more about a college’s athletic program, class size and campus population, social life and events, and geographic location.

“Higher education, in many ways, is similar to any other type of business,” Richardello said.

“Our customers are our students.

Students and families are very keenly looking toward the value of a college education, the value of the program they’re going to be enrolling in and what the outcomes are going to be. We have an edge in many ways to really convince a family that they’re going to come out of MCLA with much less loan debt, they may be able to afford it without loans.”

With every student who applies, Puc says there will always someone different who’s going to influence a student’s final decision to seal the deal. It’s not just about the admissions councilor.

For senior Bryant, MCLA was one of six possible schools she applied to in her final year of high school. Small class sizes and affordable costs were among her top reasons for her final decision, but for her, the MCLA athletics program was the “cherry-topper.”

The first time she heard about

Fall 2010 1507

Fall 2011

1452 1408

Fall 2012

Fall 2013

1353

Number of Students

to decline another 7 to 8 percent by the year 2022. So for us, being a small college in New England, it makes the environment that much more competitive.”

This coming June, about 1,000 students will graduate from the 15 high schools of Berkshire County, according to Vice President Denise Richardello.

“About 75 percent of those students will go onto college,” she said. “About 28 percent of those students will go on to a four year private and about 20 percent go to four year public school.”

Students apply to an average of seven to ten colleges but the majority will stay within 100 miles of their home, which is why college recruiters must try to recruit beyond this radius, Richardello said.

Puc said the College recruitment team made over 700 visits this past fall. “We put enough miles on the rental cars to go around the world twice,” she said.

The admissions recruiters make visits to every state in New England as well as New York and northern New Jersey. Richardello said attending high school and college fairs is one of the most productive, efficient and effective ways for us to recruit students.

Counselors are also reaching out to students via email, phone calls and post cards.

MCLA Enrollment

214

Full Time Undergraduate

221

342 192

Part Time Undergraduate

Graph by Jess Gamari/The Beacon

The College’s full-time enrollment has been declining roughly three percent each year as of 2010. Enrollment numbers were verified by Jason Canales, staff assistant at the Department of Institutional Research. the school was during her ju- ried Bryant would get distracted nior year of high school in West or lost at a larger school. “Not Springfield after a volleyball game in that I couldn’t find my way to when she was approached by a class,” she laughed, “but that MCLA volleyball coach Amanda I wouldn’t stick out as much. I Beckwith. think I’ve been given the opporHer final decision was between tunity to do that more so here.”

American International College Bryant said she is happy with (AIC) and MCLA. “[AIC] offered her decision because she was me a scholarship which was es- able to get more play time even sentially half the full prices to pay, as a freshman, whereas at AIC, a and that was appealing but it was division II school, athletes have still more than MCLA,” she said. to try out and freshman don’t get “The reason why I liked com- much play time. ing to a small school is because of “A lot of the students that the small class size and the ability look at MCLA really see it as to have a relationship with your an opportunity to be able to do professor,” she said. “I think my things they wouldn’t be able to do mom persuaded me to see that at a larger institution,” Richardello aspect.” Her mother was also wor- said.

6

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Arts & Entertainment

Beacon.MCLA.edu

Theatre Lab to present “Angels in America”

Students prepare a production of Tony Kushner’s rarely staged, Pulitzer Prize-winning play

Photos courtesy of Crysta Cheverie/FPA

Seniors Joshua Lapierre and Erik Dabrowski, and senior Jimmy Dunn and sophomore Marcus Neverson perform at a rehearsal in the Black Box on Sunday.

By Shannen Adamites

Arts & Entertainment Editor The Fine and Performing Arts (FPA) Department’s Theater program presents the first part of Tony Kushner’s Pulitzer Prizewinning play, “Angels in America.”

The show debuts in Venable Theatre on April 15, 16 and 17 at 8:00 p.m., and continues April 23, 24, 25 and 26 at 8:00 p.m. with a matinee at 2:00 p.m. on April 26.

Also on April 26, at 11:30 a.m., the Theater program, in partnership with the College’s Creating Equality series, presents its Symposium: “American Civil Rights and Angels in America.” Faculty and students, as well as members from the local Berkshire community, will discuss the play’s impact on the civil rights movement in

America.

One of the most critically acclaimed and heralded plays of the 1990s, “Angels in America” established playwright Tony Kushner as a major voice in world theater.

Set in the 1980s, as the first wave of the AIDS epidemic in America is escalating, “Millennium Approaches” is an epic exploration of love, justice, identity and tolerance that emphasizes the terror and necessity of change.

“Angels in America: Millenium Approaches” is produced by the FPA: Theater Program’s Theatre Lab and directed by Assistant Professor of Theater, Laura Standley.

Theatre Lab provides aspiring theater artists the opportunity to explore the art form in a highly collaborative environment. Students delve into all aspects of the-

ater, including acting, technology, design and directing, as well as more administrative tasks such as box office management, marketing and public relations.

Despite the play’s prominence, “Angels in America,” with its moments of extreme theatricality, is rarely staged. However, this has not dissuaded Theatre Lab from utilizing its limited resources to give audiences a unique perspective to the show’s relevant, cutting-edge themes.

Assistant Director, and senior FPA: Theater major, Jacquelyn Gianetti asserts that “ ‘Angels in America’ was certainly an ambitious choice, yet we wanted to present ourselves with a chance to overcome the seemingly impossible.”

In an alternative approach to design, the action will take place in

a diorama-like set, emphasizing the characters relationship with history.

She goes on to explain that, “An experience such as this is extremely important for the young theater artist because we are learning to develop our own aesthetic in an effort to determine how we wish to make the theater of the future.”

Tickets are $10 general admission, $5 for MCLA’s faculty and staff, and free for students.

Due to this production’s intimate setting, seating is limited; reservations in advanced are highly recommended.

For more information or to reserve tickets, patrons should contact the Theatre Program at boxoffice@mcla.edu or 413-6625123.

Viewer discretion is advised for adult themes and language.

What: Theatre Lab’s “Angels in America: Millenium Approaches” Where: Venable Theatre When: April 15-17, 8:00 p.m., April 23-26, 8:00 p.m.

April 26 Symposium at 11:30 a.m. before the matinee at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets $10 general admission, $5 facutly/staff, free for students Reserve at boxoffice@ mcla.edu or 413-6625123

“Pericles” proves Yorick’s actors’ versatility Review

By Jenna O’Connor

Arts & Entertainment Writer With the combination of senior Amanda Olsen’s gentle voice and evidently sparkling eyes under the spotlight mixed with Avery Finnivan’s harp and JonDavid Shetler’s ukulele, Pericles, Prince of Tyre immediately hypnotized the audience as the house lights went down and Olsen’s narrative began.

Pericles, played by junior Jake Bonenfant, gave a bone-chilling performance expressing a plethora of emotions, allowing the audience to feel everything as if they were Pericles themselves.

Director Kelli Furney made her visions evident as the production went on. “While at its core Pericles is a morality play that tests the boundaries of good and evil,

there are deeper themes that I wanted to explore,” she said. “One of which is the idea that life is always in motion. We are always moving toward our ultimate ending and are trapped inside a cycle of life and death, good vs. evil and the choices we make along the way inform our characters and shape us into the people we want to be.”

Despite the production requiring more actors than Yorick had, the cast and crew executed this shortcoming perfectly, casting several actors as multiple, distinctive characters.

Set at Mill City Productions in downtown North Adams, the cast and crew were able to execute Shakespeare’s more obscure play in a professional and intimate manner by having the actors interact with the crowd, allowing

the fourth wall to be shattered, and the audience to be completely enveloped in the production.

The production was rather long-winded, especially with the lengthy scene changes which resulted in the show ending after three hours. However, there’s no doubt that the cast and crew worked very hard to put the production together.

The jousting scene was impeccably absurd and properly executed resulting in the whole audience laughing. After the battle, Pericles finally won Princess Thaisa’s hand, and Bonenfant’s performance was properly credited with applause.

Some technical difficulties with the lighting didn’t stop the show from progressing, proving the cast and crew’s tenacious intent in making Furney’s vision come to life.

Photo courtesy of Bridget Blaisdel/Yorick

Jake Bonenfant as Pericles and Catie Nickerson as Thasia celebrate their nuptuals in a heart-warming scene.

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Arts & Entertainment

Beacon.MCLA.edu

7

Senior theater major undertakes challenging lead role

By Rachel Fitterman

Arts & Entertainment Writer Senior James Dunn is wrapping up his final semester with the role of Prior Walter in the MCLA Theatre Lab production of Tony Kushner’s “Angels in America Part One: Millennium Approaches,” an award-winning play that follows the intertwining story of two couples, one gay and one straight.

Dunn, a Fine and Performing Arts major with a theater concentration, said this is his most difficult role yet.

“This show is pushing me further than most of the shows that I’ve done here, and I think that’s something that should happen in your senior year. It should continue to push you in [a forward] direction,” he said. “I’ve played gay men before, but in smaller parts.

Prior is a huge part. He’s incredibly central to the play as a whole, and a lot of the big themes of the show.”

The play is set in 1985, in the middle of the AIDS crisis. Dunn’s character is a gay man who has recently been diagnosed with the disease.

“It’s challenging because the content is so in-your-face, and we deal with a lot of really fresh wounds from the AIDS crisis,” he said. “I think it’s important to remember that AIDS is still very much around. [The play] serves as a reminder to a new generation that says, ‘This isn’t something that’s just gone away. This problem hasn’t solved itself, it’s still here.’”

Dunn was not entirely familiar with the play when he was cast as Prior, but his previous experience

Photo by Kayla Degnan/The Beacon

Jimmy Dunn is going to have an upcoming role in “Angels in America.” with both MainStage and Theatre Lab productions made him eager to dive into new territory.

“We always put on really interesting, immersive, very confrontational subject material. Last year we did Agamemnon, an ancient Greek story, as a modern punk-rock show to make it more adaptable to an audience, but it was also very violent and very visceral. ‘Angels’ has got a lot more of that, but in a more subtle way,” he said. “You can envision these characters. They are real people.

They’re not fantastical, in any unbelievable way. I love the part I have and I love working with it.”

Dunn has also starred FPA performances of “Spring Awakening,” “Twelfth Night,” “Scenes From an Execution,” “Hedda Gabler,” and “Cabaret,” and is an active member of Harlequin.

Most recently, he played the roles of Princeton and Rod in Harlequin’s production of “Av-

Photo courtesy of Crysta Cheverie/FPA

Jimmy Dunn and Marcus Neverson rehearse in the black box for their upcoming roles in “Angels in America.” enue Q.” He says he takes a little piece of every role with him.

“I have skills in puppetry now from ‘Avenue Q,’ and because of ‘Angels’ I now have skills in drag makeup, because my character also plays an ex-drag queen,” Dunn explained.

He continued, “I also take an element from all the roles [I’ve had], and I carry very fond and very powerful memories from each one. Every role stays with you. I think that’s true for most actors.”

Ben Baylon, who co-directed

“Avenue Q,” praised Dunn as a hard worker and a strong actor.

“We get along really well, and he’s very easy to work with. He takes directions well,” Baylon said.

But Dunn cites his role as Mark Cohen in Harlequin’s 2011 production of “Rent” as the first turning point in his career.

“That was the first time I was ever really trusted with a role that carries the show, so I have strong ties to Harlequin, and I’m everthankful to the club for giving me that opportunity, because that

set the stage for me to be as successful as I have been. It gave me that boost of confidence I may not have gotten otherwise, and just to feel trusted with a role was hugely important,” he said.

After graduation, Dunn plans to look for job and theater opportunities in Boston, which has become a burgeoning theater community.

“I’m going to do part-time work and part-time acting, because I have to make money, but I also have to keep honing my craft,” he said.

Allegrettos pour energy into revisiting modern pop songs Review

By Raanan Sarid-Segal

Arts & Entertainment Writer The Allegrettos provided a decent evening out, a short and lively event where the audience can have their expectations of competently performed music fulfilled for them. The problem with discussing the performance further is that there is not a great deal to say about the matter. The good performances this evening dominate the memory more than the misfires do, but there were a couple moments when things did not seem to be at their best.

The Allegrettos have put together a set-list comprised mostly of modern pop tunes, with some indie and alternative music to break up the flow. This has the effect of making each piece a gamble, as there is no overarching theme, and so the show changes so much between songs as to make discussing them as a coherent whole meaningless.

The first act of the night contained some ambitious projects, such as a cover of “Skyfall” by Adele, performed by Victoria Fernandez, which smartly avoided trying to match the original in vo-

cal power, going a more subdued route with the song.

Another well done cover was the group’s version of “Breath of Life”

by Florence and The Machine, which translated to the a cappella format better than expected.

The second act of the night, though, brought two great performances, as well as another crowd pleasing number in “Big Girls (You are Beautiful)” by Mika and performed by Zach Botkin.

The unquestionable highlight of the evening was Serwa LakeSample’s performance of “Father Father” by Laura Mvula. LakeSample’s vocal power and range was quite impressive, and though in a moment or two it felt like she was slightly too big, the total effect of her performance was quite affecting. Her song was a clear centerpiece to the evening.

The other notable performance of the second half of the show was the version of Brandi Carlile’s “The Story.” Melody Rolph did an excellent job on this, cleaving to the general style of the original but not trying to hard to simply recreate. On the downside, this particular song suffered from the lack of instrumentation that would normally accompany it.

This can be a problem in a cappella renditions of preexisting songs.

The song was written with music in mind, usually with a specific instrument in mind as well.

Turning pieces written with music in the background into purely vocal showcases can reveal a hidden power to them, but it can also rob them of a key supporting factor in the piece.

Photo by Andrew Rickets/The Beacon Whether these Micky Olivier, Ben Baylon, Callen Gardener, and Brittney Gerber perform a stripped down riviting number during their a cappella concert last weekend. versions work for you will rely upon the original pieces. divisive among the audience. But a number of factors, including faTo finish, the show was gener- in the end it does not feel like miliarity with the original, or lack ally enjoyable, if somewhat un- wasted time. It is a fun time out thereof, and whether you feel that even. Some songs will work like where you can hear some decent voices are an adequate replace- gangbusters for everyone, while music sung by people clearly havment for the instrumentation of other performances will be more ing a blast.

8

Sports

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Fair territory

Beacon.MCLA.edu

Giving back to the community Student-athletes work with the Special Olympics in education and fitness

Paid to play?

By Jesse Collings Sports Editor

Based on the way that compensation for student-athletes is represented in the media, it seems obvious that college athletes should be paid for their efforts.

In a lot of cases, a major university and a huge sport, like Notre Dame Football or Duke Basketball, is shown, along with how the universities make tons of money without having to pay the athletes anything. These institutions rake it in by selling tickets and television rights, all on the backs of student-athletes.

Presented that way, of course it makes sense to say these athletes deserve pay. Why should the universities, which already overcharge students, get to keep all of the revenue? The problem is, programs like Notre Dame Football and Duke Basketball are not the norm for collegiate athletics; in fact, they are the exception. Only a select number of programs are financially viable equities; most programs do not turn a profit. So while Alabama Football is putting 90,000 people in the stadium every Saturday, most other programs are struggling to get the funding they need to survive.

As a result, compensation cannot, practically, be generalized – saying all student-athletes should get $40,000 a year or something along those lines doesn’t work. If that were to happen, most college programs would cease to exist, as operating costs would be way too high. It becomes a case of making compensation a part of athletics only if the programs can afford them. But then again, that would limit compensation to only a select group of colleges, thus disrupting the already limited parity in college sports.

Mercer University, for example, probably could not afford to pay its athletes very much. That’s okay though, because if they couldn’t afford to pay them, they would just recruit players who were not good enough to be recruited by any of the paying universities.

Now, would Mercer’s team have any chance of defeating Duke’s powerhouse team in the NCAA Tournament, like they did this year? Of course not. Colleges like Duke already have so many advantages over smaller schools, such as the best facilities, the best coaches, etc. that the last thing they need to have is the ability to pay their athletes while other programs are left out in the dark.

Payment for athletes is probably something that should happen, but until the NCAA is able to create a model fair to all universities, it shouldn’t be enacted.

Photo by Andrew Ricketts/The Beacon

Special Olympian Nancy Goddard completes an excercise while student-athletes Sara Hamilton and Edgar Asamoah cheer her on. paired with an Olympian or a cheerleader for ferent circuits, and received an award for parthe various circuits and it really worked out ticipating.

By Kaleigh Anderson “Having the opportunity to be part of events well.”

Sports Writer Assistant to the athletics director, Kaylyn like this is what makes MCLA so special. I was On Sunday the Student Athletic Council Smith, headed this year’s program with a honored to be with the special Olympians and hosted the Special Olympic T.R.A.I.N (Testing group of co-chairs, including Amanda Flem- had a blast doing it,” SAC President Alyson Recreational Activities and Improving Nutri- ing, Sarah Lieneck, Tia Polana, Matthew Rob- Stolz said.

The NCAA is currently holding a poll on tion) event, a student-based fitness program inson, and Mitchell Candalet.

“I was so grateful to work with my commit- their website, asking participants as well as benefiting the Berkshire community. This tee this year,” Smith said. “All of us got togeth- supporters to vote and show their support for event kicked off MCLA’S annual “D3” week.

This was the College’s second year collabo- er and worked hard to help this happen today. the Special Olympic event they attended. The rating with the Special Olympics and the state It’s such a great way to kick off division three winning department from this poll will be given five hundred dollars to use towards the of Massachusetts to host the event. Student week.”

The event kicked off in the morning with event next year. athletes were paired up with Olympians of all “We are very excited to put a link on the ages who learned, through different circuits, registration and then quickly escalated to an afternoon of games, activities, dancing, and a school’s website to the NCAA and hopefully how to be fit and enjoy healthy living.

“We have had a tremendous showing from free lunch provided by the Alumni Associa- the community will vote for the MCLA Aththe student athletes this year,” athletic director tion. The Special Olympians were told at the letic Department so we can receive a scholarDot Houston said. “They are either a buddy end of the event which sports they might want ship for next year’s program. to try, based on how they performed at the dif-

Once again, UConn rules college hoop MCT Campus

A decade ago, the UConn women’s basketball team won its fifth national championship, joining the UConn men as the first Division I basketball dual champions in the same year.

The UConn women beat Tennessee in New Orleans, where a popular Cajun phrase is laissez the bon temps roulez, or let the good times roll.

And oh, were they ever rolling in Connecticut in 2004.

UConn beat Notre Dame, 79-58, in the national championship game at Bridgestone Arena on Tuesday night, one night after the men dispatched Kentucky 60-54 in Dallas.

Forget about the long, cold winter in Connecticut, all the snow, the flu. Spring is here.

And little Connecticut, stuck for the rest of the year in no-man sports land between the Red Sox and the Yankees, the Patriots and the Giants, is once again the college basketball capital of the universe.

At least, that’s what ESPN analyst Dave O’Brien said: “Storrs is the college basketball center of the universe, for the men and the women!”

UConn’s Breanna Stewart, who took home a slew of player of the year awards, was named the Final Four’s most outstanding player for the second consecutive year. Stewart shot 10 for 15 and had 21 points and nine rebounds.

“This season we wanted to chase perfection and we did that tonight,” Stewart said.

Senior Stefanie Dolson, who was also named to the all-tournament team along with Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, had 17 points and 16 rebounds and seven assists for the Huskies.

Former UConn men’s coach Dee Rowe is one of the most familiar faces of UConn athletics.

He has worked at the university for 45 years and been to every single men’s and women’s Final Four game – including this weekend, when he flew back and forth from Dallas to Nashville. Twice.

Rowe is 85.

“It’s insane,” he said from his seat in section 114 Tuesday night. “Most guys my age retired about 20 years ago. But I still have a uniform.

I’ve been back and forth; Dallas, here, Dallas, here. I feel very privileged. And my wife doesn’t even think I’m crazy.

“To win two (titles) – I think there are 365 or 345 schools in Division I – to do all this in

Storrs, Conn. Storrs, Conn. ... It’s a tribute to all who have had a part in this.”

The Irish missed their best rebounder, senior Natalie Achonwa, who tore her ACL in the regional final. UConn outrebounded Notre Dame 54-31 and outscored the Irish in the paint, 52-22.

And after coach Geno Auriemma screamed at his team not to allow Notre Dame to shoot any more threes (and they did once more, late in the first half), they only gave up one. Notre Dame shot 5 for 8 from the three-point line in the first half and 1 for 11 in the second.

UConn led 45-38 at halftime but the Huskies went on an 18-4 run to open the second half and put the game out of reach.

UConn athletic director Warde Manuel also made the back-and-forth trek from Dallas to Nashville.

“At first, we were so proud they were both in the Final Four and then they make it to the final game – it was so exciting what our men’s team did yesterday in Dallas, it was a tremendous game, a tremendous celebration _ so we’re very proud of that and we’re very proud, with the win tonight, to have the opportunity to win double championships again,” he said.

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Sports

Beacon.MCLA.edu

9

After long delay, softball resumes play Scores

By James Hunter Sports Writer

The unpredictable weather of the Berkshires has left the Trailblazers with little to no game time since their return from Florida for training. However, it appears that their luck with the weather has finally turned around.

“It has been tough for us these past few weeks with all these cancelled games, but we are trying to stay focused despite all the distractions,” infielder/outfielder Sierra Bailey said.

The Trailblazers opened their first MASCAC game against Salem State, coming up short. It was Rebecca Krigman of the Viking who led her team to victory, going 3 for 3 including a double and two runs batted in (RBI) in the 4-3 win. Cara Crowley put Salem State on the board with a single which ended up leading to a run of an RBI from teammate Bobbie Dee Regan. However, the Trailblazer would respond with two runs of their own from Tanelle Ciempa and Jennifer Sicinski for a 2-1 lead.

Salem came right back with two runs of their own in the bottom on the second inning.

Krigman led off the inning with a triple that set up DiCredico for the game-tying RBI with a single. Jess Raymond helped the Vikings regain the lead with an RBI hit that brought DiCredico across the plate.

“Salem is a good offensive team and we had some difficulties picking ourselves back up,” Bailey mentioned.

Photo by Kayla Degnan/The Beacon

Sophomore Rachel Quackenbush became MCLA’s all-time strikeout leader on Sunday, surpassing Jen Golden’s record of 249.

Francesca Perreault earned the win (3-4) going four innings strong allowing one run and two hits. Rachel Quackenbush took the loss

this game allowing four runs on 11 hits with nine strikeouts.

Quackenbush performed better in their next game against Worcester State, breaking the record for most strikeouts at MCLA previously set by Jen Golden with 249. Quackenbush needed only seven strikeouts to break the record.

“We went to Worcester ready to play. Now we know what our competition is like and the girls are ready for the games to start coming!”

Bailey said.

Quackenbush made her presence known in the first of the two games. Worcester State would take an early lead striking Quackenbush first to take an early 1-0 lead. Later Quackenbush would tame the Lancers while the Trailblazers scored a pair of runs.

Quackenbush singled to right, which scored Amanda Meczwyor. Sicinski hit a double to left center field which brough home Quackenbush and a Trailblazer 2-1 lead. From there Quackenbush let up one hit the rest of the way leading her team to victory. She finished relinquishing only two hits, a walk, and then struck out 10. She earned her fourth win of the year.

MCLA’s game against Amherst on Tuesday was postponed for Wendsday. The Trailblazers play today in a doubleheader at home against Skidmore College starting at 3:30 p.m. They then play next Tuesday when the host Westfield State.

Baseball’s bats fall silent on the road

By Kelsey Marini Sports Writer

The baseball team failed to put any runs on the score board against Salem State. They lost both games in their second conference double header of the season, losing 5-0 and 4-0.

The men also had a game on Tuesday, against Union College. Union dominated the Trailblazers in a whopping 11-0 loss. This pushes the Trailblazers into a lopsided record of 2-12, making a ten game losing streak. The loss against Union marks the third straight shutout for the Trailblazers.

In their first game, Salem was consistent in gaining the lead against Robert Jutras. Within the first three innings, Salem was able to bring in five runs. Jutras kept the Vikings scoreless for the next three innings, and the team’s defense was able to keep Salem to a 5-0 lead.

“Although Jutrus battled with some control issues, he hit his spots when he had to which kept us in the game,” said fellow pitcher Eamonn Andre.

Chase Preite and Mike Sullivan were the only two trailblazers to make hits, and the Trailblazers were not able to bring in any runs.

“We didn’t have enough successful at bats to win,” said outfielder Michael Mancivalano.

“We limited a pretty good offensive team but we just could didn’t score.”

In the second game, Mike Mancivalano issued two walks that ended up costing the Trailblazers as Salem scored in the first inning.

Again MCLA could not dig deep enough to score runs. The Trailblazers had more opportunities at the plate than the first game including Sean Coyle’a double, but they were unable to bring anybody across the plate. The Vikings would score again in the third, fourth, and sixth inning to win 4-0.

“We need to relax and play baseball,” said Eamonn Andre, “and then the wins will come.”

In their game against Union, the Trailblazers failed to score any runs. Union only needed 11 hits to bring in their 11 runs. MCLA gave them five walks and hit a batter which ultimately cost them the game. Two errors in the first in-

ning gave Union a 3-0 lead. Errors throughout the game from the trailblazers would lead to more runs for Union.

“We didn’t make the simple plays in the field,” said Tyler Benoit.

The Trailblazers were given chances to make a comeback, but runs were never scored. Out of the 31 at bats, only five players had hits but none were successful in creating any runs for MCLA. Starting pitcher Matt Clark would give up six runs before being pulled from the games. Three pitchers were brought out of the bullpen but the Trailblazers could not gain any ground on Union. Each relief pitcher would only remain on the mound for an inning before being replaced, as Union increased its lead up to 11, were they would ease into the victory.

The Trailblazer’s next conference game is against Framingham State, their first home game of the season. The men are looking to redeem themselves from a harsh loss last year where they were shut out in both games 6-0.

Tennis swept over weekend

By Jesse Collings Sports Writer

The Men’s Tennis team dropped two conference games at home over the weekend, brining their record to 1-4 on the season and 0-3 in the conference.

On Saturday, MCLA was soundly beaten by visiting Thomas College, dropping the match 9-0. In singles competition, the Trailblazers were overwhelmed, as Christian Sanchez was the only player to earn a point in both of his sets. MCLA didn’t fair much better in doubles competition, as Thomas swept all three matches, by the scores of 8-1, 8-2 and 8-2. The win improved Thomas to 2-3 on the season and 1-1 in the conference.

Things improved only slightly on Sunday, as MCLA was able to get on the scoreboard against Castleton State College, but still fell

to the visiting Spartans 8-1. For the second straight day, the ’Blazers were swept in singles competition, however, the team remained much more competive this time.

Freshman Rob Wabshinak put up a fight in the number one singles match, until ultimatley losing to Castleton sophomore Mike Glaser. Wabshinak took the first set 6-2, but then dropped the second set 6-4. In the deciding set , Wabshinak came up just a bit short, falling to Glasser 6-4. Junior Taylor Krowitz was also competitve, forcing a deciding third set before losing to Castleton’s Adam McCaffery.

In doubles competition, MCLA was able to earn their lone point of the weekend, as Wabshinak and Krowitz teamed up to defeat McCaffrey and Glaser in a thrilling match.

While the teams of Rich LaRocque and Ray Yelle, and Jeffery Mason and and Cristian Sanchez were dispatched by the scores of 8-0

and 8-1 respectivly, Wabshinak and Krowitz played a suprmely exciting match, eventually ending up with a 9-8 victory.

Despite Wabshinak and Krowitz’s victory, Castleton was still able to win comfortably and improve to 5-2 overall and 2-0 in the conference.

Because MASCAC does not offer tennis, both the men and the women’s teams compete in the North Atlantic Conference. After finishing second to last in 2013, the Trailblazers look to improve under first year head coach Trevor Grimshaw.

MCLA is currently in sixth place in the conference, ahead of only Johnson State. ColbySawyer is currently in first place with a 3-0 record. followed by Castleton.

Tennis is back in action this weekend, traveling to Johnson State on Saturday and then to Colby-Sawyer on Sunday.

Baseball Saturday, April 5th Salem State 5, MCLA 0 Salem State 4, MCLA 0 Tuesday, April 9th Union 11, MCLA 0 Softball Saturday, April 5th Salem State 4, MCLA 3 Salem State 7, MCLA 1 Sunday, April 6th MCLA 2, Worcester State 1 Worcester State 4, MCLA 2 Tuesday, April 8th MCLA vs Amherst PPD MCLA vs Amherst PPD Tennis Saturday, April 5th Thomas 9, MCLA 0 Sunday, April 6th Castleton 8, MCLA 1

Schedules Thursday, April 10th Softball Skidmore @ MCLA 3:30 PM Skidmore @ MCLA 5:30 PM Friday, April 11th Golf MCLA @ Cobbleskill Invitational 12 PM Saturday, April 12th Tennis MCLA @ Johnson State 11 AM Baseball Framingham State @ MCLA 3:30 PM Sunday, April 13th Tennis MCLA @ Colby-Sawyer 12 PM Tuesday, April 14th Golf MCLA @ MASCAC Tournament 10 AM Softball Westfield State @ MCLA 2 PM Baseball Westfield State @ MCLA 4:30 PM

10

Opinion

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Beacon.MCLA.edu

“Who are you listening to?”

The Beacon asked students what they were currently listening to on their cell phones and mp3 players as they made their way accross campus “Tyler Carter, Cars Closing Calories. One of my friends showed him to me. Their genre is hip-hop.”

“I’m listening to Ty Dolla$, Beyonce, Beethoven.”

-Helena Kemper, 2015

-Ben Mancino, 2014

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.

Editorials Policy Unsigned editorials that appear on these pages reflect the views of The Beacon’s editorial board.

“First Day of My Life by Bright Eyes. It’s like alternative rock.

They’re pretty good. It’s mellow music.”

-Shelagh Conley,2015

“MGMT, Alien Days. They’re pretty good. It’s kind of like psychedelic rock.”

“We’re Far Enough From Heaven Now We Can Freak Out by Deep Cotton. Their genre is AfroPunk.”

-Thamar Jean-Fedestin, 2014

“It’s Time by Imagine Dragons. I like the song.”

-William Raymond, 2014

-Travis Smith, 2016

Signed columns and commentaries that appear on these pages reflect the views of the writers.

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.

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.

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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.

Editorial Board

Photos compiled by Amy Modesti

Under the bodhi tree

Lessons of Siddhartha Gautama

By Gabriel Kogel Senior News Editor

Imagine you’ve spent the last six years practicing long meditation sessions, grueling yoga practice, and an acetic starvation diet, all in pursuit of deep spiritual truth.

Nearing death from pushing your body far beyond its limits, but no closer to your goal, you break your fast and accept a bowl of rice pudding from a compassionate villager.

Suddenly, a memory from childhood comes into mind: You’re sitting beneath a tree, viewing a planting festival. The young people are dancing, rapt by enjoyment of the moment.

A farmer and ox plough a field, man and bovine struggle under

the sun’s heat. The plough tears up the soil and rips open an ant colony, as ants pour out to collect the queen’s scattered eggs.

You bore witness to joy, suffering and tragedy. You were one with the fullness of life, both momentary and sublime. You’re close to awakening now.

You meditate long into the night, while the god of delusion sends waves of demon armies against you. He sends his three beautiful daughters to tempt you, but still you’re unmoved. Finally, he demands: “What right do you have to awaken?!” Without saying a word, you touch the earth, and as the ground shudders, the terrified demon army scatters. You’ve awoken, and the earth has testified to it.

To anyone who’s heard the story of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, which means “enlightened” or “awakened” one, this scenario may ring a bell. So what mysteries of existence were revealed at sunrise of that morning on the IndiaNepal border 2500 years ago?

The Buddha discovered the four “noble truths.” The first truth is that “dukkha,” often translated as suffering or dissatisfaction, is a part of conditioned existence.

Since our lives are fragile, and fraught with changes that can often be painful, our minds are constantly bracing against reality. Happiness, too, is temporary. Failing to allow our lives to change leads to dissatisfaction with reality.

The second truth is that we can know the cause of dukkha.

It’s caused by our minds when we crave pleasurable sensations and try to avoid uncomfortable ones.

These cravings and aversions limit us to a small, frightened, self-concept. The self-concepts we create force us try and dominate reality and shape the outcome of our lives. This means we are constantly at war with reality, terrified of things not turning out according to plan. Letting go of this false self is key to being free of dukkha.

The third truth is that by understanding the causes of dukkha, you can awaken from it. Freeing oneself from mental cravings and aversion, along with the demands of our egos, allows self-awakening or “nirvana.” Nirvana literally means “unbound” or mind like fire unbound. It’s a mental state of equanimity and balance.

The fourth truth is that the eightfold path of behavior leads to self-awakening. Although the path is presented as a list, all of the elements are interdependent.

The path consists of: right view, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration.

The word translated as “right” is the Sanskrit “Samma.” It’s the root of the English word “summit.”

So rather than thinking of these behaviors as right, as opposed to wrong, it’s more useful to think of the most beneficial way of being mindful or taking action, etc.

I’ll go into detail on the eightfold path in a future column, as it requires some explanation.

Namaste.

Editor-in-Chief Nick Arena

“I’m a lot of fun at parties, I swear!”

Sports Editor Jesse Collings

Managing Editor Jess Gamari Photography Editor

A&E Editor Shannen Adamites

Kayla Degnan Web Editor Michael Dahlroth

Copy Chief Avery Finnivan Advertising Manager Darcie Sosa

Senior News Editor Gabriel Kogel

Staff

Scoop on loopholes

By Jess Gamari Managing Editor

Of the many admirable qualities of Tyrion Lannister, my favorites are his witty comebacks and ability to find a loophole in any grim predicament. Which got me thinking, what is an actual loophole?

Loopholes, as we know them today, are conditions that have been left out of a rule or legal document. Finding a loophole is a way to avoid consequences with the law, although doing so can be just as shady as a white lie. In the days of knights and castles, loopholes were the long, narrow slits in the castle walls that let the light in and allowed insiders to look through.

Soldiers would aim their weapons through the holes to take out opponents approaching below. The word acquired its modern meaning in the late 17th century.

In both cases, loopholes are means of getting through something seemingly impenetrable.

However, unless you have the funds of a Lannister as a backup plan, I suggest you tread lightly around loopholes.

Staff Writers

Photographers

Kaleigh Anderson Rachel Fitterman

Richard LaRocque Amy Modesti Andrew Ricketts

James Hunter Chunyu “Judy” Leng Kelsey Marini Makayla-Courtney McGeeney Alexander Moore Jenna O’Connor

Design Team

Shannen Adamites* Nick Arena* Raanan Sarid-Segal Jess Gamari* Nick Swanson Nicole Ngoon Jesse Collings* Copy Editors Yvonne Camacho Rominda DeBarros Nicole L’Etoile Marc Latour

Advisers

Jenifer Augur Gillian Jones Jim Niedbalski

*Holds more than one position

Online at: Beacon.MCLA.edu Facebook.com/MCLABeacon Twitter.com/MCLA_Beacon

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Bigger than biceps

All of the options

By Makayla-Courtney McGeeney Staff Writer

Now that the sun is ready to bring North Adams some warmth, it’s a good idea to broaden your exercise routine. For a start, you could do some or all of it outside.

Some people prefer to run outside only, and that’s fine, and actually better for the muscles. As for strength training, go ahead and continue with that outside, as well.

Any sort of body weight movement can be done anywhere. Find a clear area and proceed with squats, lung-

In my humble opinion...

Identity Crisis

By Nick Arena Editor-in-Chief

I have come to terms with the fact that I have an addiction. From what I’ve been told, the first step towards correcting a problem like this is admitting you have one.

I spend a good couple of hours everyday surfing websites like BuzzFeed and Zimbio to find quizzes that will tell me which ‘Game of Thrones’ character I am, or what my actual age should be based on “how mature I am.”

When I get a positive result I immediately share it with all of my

Opinion & Announcements es, push-ups, or crunches.

When it comes to cardio, in good weather or bad, there are several ways to get sweating. My preference in the fitness center is to switch up a combination of running on the treadmill on hills and intervals, then the elliptical trainer doing the same, and then the spin bike to end the last ten minutes.

There’s some speculation about the merits of using the elliptical or treadmill for a full hour, and then expecting to lose weight by doing only that every day. There’s no harm in using these machines, but there are easier and better ways to make progress.

Running, jogging, or walking outside should be your first option now that it’s spring, unless you really hate having people see you exercise. In that case, it’s fine to retreat to the gym. Everyone has their own preference for what comes first, weights or cardio, and it all depends. Usually, I do cardio first on leg day because I know I won’t be able to walk when I’m finished. When I do abdominal exercises, I save it for after cardio, but usually when I have upper body, I do that first.

The best way to get what you want out of a cardio workout is to use incline/hills and frequent intervals. Start by walking on the treadmill for five minutes to warm up; the incline is up to you. For the fitness center treadmills, I set a hill workout on level five so that the friends as if to justify my existence, and when I get a negative one I can’t help but feel a bit insecure.

Who exactly gave these people the power to identify us as one personality type or another? Is there some sort of professional psychology at work here? We may never know.

These questions aside, I think I do have an answer to the problem that I and probably countless others suffer from. A: these quizzes should be taken in moderation and B: we should just be realistic about all of this.

Maybe you didn’t get the answer you wanted, but hey, who are they to tell you who you are?

A proper therapeutic response to the complete defamation of character that is receiving the result of “Joffrey Baratheon” is to stand up, proudly give your computer screen the finger, and go about your daily life with the realization that it is just a goofy online quiz made for your enjoyment.

You can still claim that you knew it when you get a positive result, I know I will. Just remember that you make your own identity and you can be any fictional character or any age that you truly want to be.

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(Also available only in June for $600) To see photos: tenminor.yolasite.com

change in incline is pre-set.

Once you’re comfortable, start with a light jog on 5.5 mph and do that for a lap or two. On your next lap, try alternately sprinting every 100 meters at about 7.9 or 8.2 mph. Every other meter, you have the option of stepping to the side of the treadmill or lowering the speed to jog it out. This high intensity interval training will allow you to burn more calories during a shorter amount of time.

Continue this pattern on the spin bike, rowing machine, recumbent bike and elliptical trainer and you’ll be able to cut your cardio workout time in half. Doing an extreme amount of work in a small amount of time can help you gain top quality results.

In general, I try to weight train three times a week and complete 45 minutes of cardio every day in between, but I also remember to take a rest day.

Snack of the week: Fruit smoothie - this can be made for breakfast or even a night-time snack. Take a banana and some frozen berries (whatever you have works) with orange juice, milk, or water and put in a magic bullet or blender. Add some ice and your preference of yogurt (go Greek!). Blend and pulse until necessary. My only concern with having smoothies for breakfast is that the natural sugars will make you crash early on in the morning, unlike something more substantial like oats or eggs.

FINANCIAL AID ANNOUNCEMENT ATTENTION GRADUATING SENIORS!!

IF YOU BORROWED STUDENT LOANS WHILE ATTENDING MCLA, YOU MUST COMPLETE YOUR EXIT COUNSELING. CHECK YOUR STUDENT MAILBOX LATER THIS MONTH FOR DETAILS ABOUT EXIT COUNSELING SESSION TIMES. ANY QUESTIONS? CONTACT THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE AT 662-5219 OR finaid@mcla.edu.

Beacon.MCLA.edu

Check it out!

11

Upcoming events on and off campus!

Today, April 10 Thirsty Thursday Education Venable Gym 3-5 p.m.

Varsity Club Open House Murdock Conference Reception Room 218 noon- 1 p.m.

Green Living Seminar Murdock Conference Reception Room 218 4:30 -6:30 p.m.

SGA Elections Amsler Campus Center Marketplace 11 a.m.- 7 p.m.

SAC Spring Concert Ticket Sales Amsler Campus Center Marketplace 11-a.m.- 3 p.m.

I am Feminist: “Tiger Moms Amsler Campus Center Sullivan Lounge 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Yogurt Parfait Fundraiser Amsler Campus Center Marketplace 2-4:30 p.m.

Allegrettos Gospel Concert Church Street Center Auditorium 8-10 p.m.

Fashion Show Venable Gym 8-10:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 12 Cape Verdian Student Alliance Culture Night Venable Gym 7-10 p.m.

Mi Pato Amsler Campus Center Sullivan Lounge 2-6 p.m.

Anime Club Swap Meet Murdock Conference Reception Room 218 1-3 p.m.

Cape Verdian Student Alliance after party Venable Gym 10 p.m.-2 a.m.

Monday, April 14

Condom Casino Amsler Campus Center Sullivan Lounge 8-10 p.m.

MCLA Puppet Fest! The Pigeoning 107 Main St. 7:30 p.m.

MCLA Puppet Fest presents a piece about obsessive compulsion, pigeons and the end of the world!

Friday, April 11

Tuesday, April 15

Yogurt Parfait Fundraiser Amsler Campus Center Marketplace 2 -4:30 p.m.

Theatre Laboratory Venable Theatre April 15 through April 26

CVSA Language Workshop Amsler Campus Center CC324A 7-9 p.m.

SAC Spring Concert Ticket Sales Amsler Campus Center Marketplace 11a.m.- 3 p.m.

Division III Week Cake Celebration Amsler Campus Center Marketplace noon- 1 p.m.

Community Day of Service Church Street Center Social Hall (Basement) Registration 9:30 a.m.

Thursday, April 17 Undergraduate Research Conference Murdock Hall and Venable Hall 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Friday, April 18

Long weekend: Patriot’s Day Bus Trip to Boston April 18 to April 21 4 p.m. Departure and Return Time

12

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Photo Essay

Beacon.MCLA.edu

The Allegrettos, an A capella group, sing a piece from “All Things Go� in the Church Street Center on April, 4 and 5. From left to right, Callen Gardner, Mikaelle Oliver, Serwa Lake-Sample, Jasmine Garcia, Ben Balon, Jenny Beers, and Philip Shedd serenade the audience.

All Things Allegrettos Photos By Andrew Ricketts Philip Shedd, a beatboxer, performs.

From left to right, Allegrettos Co-President Melody Rolph, Jenny Beers, and Philip Shedd belt out a tune.

From left to right, Greg Wilson, John Hurley, Ross Betti, Jordan Casalaspro, Ben Balon, Zach Botkin, Callen Gardner, and Brittney Gerber harmonize.