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For more content, visit online at: Beacon.MCLA.edu Volume 79 ◆ Issue 11
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$100 raised at STAGE auction for local center
see page 7
The
Skills and talents offered were bid at under $10 by student clubs and organizations By Isabel McKenzie Staff Writer
The first ever Students Taking Action for Gender Equality (STAGE) Leadership Auction raised a donation of $100 for the Elizabeth Freeman Center, and connected students and student leaders on campus. At the event, students auctioned off skills or talents at a starting bid of one dollar. Each person auctioned offered a unique flavor of expertise to the buyers. STAGE Vice President Hannah Bearup offered to knit any one item for a person who donated money. Other examples of the wide range of skills and talents offered to those bidding were a custom-made children’s book, a one hour photo shoot, voice lessons, baked goods, and a one hour private tennis lesson. No bid went above $10, with 13 volunteers participating in the auction. The highest bid of the event went to Osa Igiede, who offered the buyer a feature story in an issue of the Beacon. A wide representation of clubs/organizations on campus participated in the event. Queer Student Union (QSU), Students for a Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), Artists Association, Allegrettos, and Inter-Greek Council were some of the organizations auctioning off student leaders. “We wanted to do something fun, and we realized we could put on this event and also give back,” STAGE President Carrisa
Sacherski said. Students who attended could also make anonymous donations to the Elizabeth Freeman Center during the auction. With locations in North Adams, Pittsfield, and Great Barrington, the Center provides help to domestic and sexual violence survivors and their families. According to their website, $100 – the amount raised at the auction – can give a night of food and shelter to a family fleeing imminent danger. “We wanted to pick somewhere local to donate the money, which is why we picked the [North Adams] Freeman Center,” STAGE Secretary Allison Gilbert said. “Not only does it go along with the things our club stands for, but it is also giving back to something that is relatively close by.” Murdock 218 came alive on Nov. 22, with a small stage and lively background music for the auction. Sandwiches, beverages, and other refreshments were offered to attendees. The STAGE e-board met with Celia Norcross and SGA in the early stages of the planning process to define what they were looking for from participants in the auction – a skill set. “Participants would use what they know to give back,” Sacherski said. This led to the idea of representation of clubs on campus during the auction. “It was good for the person participating, and the club,” Sacherski added. This was the last big event STAGE will put on this semester.
Photo by Osakpolo Igiede/The Beacon
Juniors Emily Boughton and Kayla Quinn participate in bidding at the STAGE auction on Sat. Nov. 22.
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Marcus Neverson as Alcippe and Brendan Jennings as Dorante share a moment during the Fine and Performing Arts show The Liar. Read the review on page 7.
For semester breaks, some students remain without a home By Brittany Gallacher Special to the Beacon
College students often refer to their school as a home away from home, but for some it is their only residence option. Since MCLA does not offer on-campus housing for the entirety of the semester break, students must find a place to stay if they do not have a supportive living environment outside of school. “We do have a program in the townhouses that starts on Jan. 2 where students can stay [until] we open for spring semester,” said Dianne Manning, director of Residential Programs and Services (RPS). She noted that there is an additional fee of between $150 and $175 for those two weeks on campus. The College provides housing during Thanksgiving break, but there are no options for students to stay on campus between the end of the semester and Jan. 2. It is difficult to lease an apartment for just one month, and some students do not have friends or relatives who can take them in during this time period. According to Manning, student athletes are allowed to stay in the townhouses for free starting on Jan. 2 because they represent the college, but no students are allowed to stay on campus for the holidays. Manning added that not many traditional students have registered for the program. “When we opened it up, we thought we’d get more,” she said, “but registration outside of housing athletes has been between two and six people.” Manning said the program in its current form has been in place for five years, and this is the second year campus has been open for Thanksgiving recess to accommodate students who may not have a place
Arts & Entertainment
Once Around the Block Dala returns with more Consignment shop holiday music to leave town Page 3
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to stay or do not want to travel. She added that RPS is looking into whether or not the College will offer housing for spring break in the future. One junior student, who requested to remain anonymous, could benefit from the additional time on campus. Growing up in foster care, she has experienced bouncing between homes; when she was 17 years old, her foster family kicked her out due to financial strain. “It sounds kind of heartless, but because the state wasn’t paying them enough to take care of me, they just stopped,” she said. Eventually, this student went to live with her biological mother, but the unhealthy circumstances made it impossible for her to stay. “There is nowhere for me to sleep. I would be sleeping on the floor, and it’s an abusive situation,” she said. As a freshman, she spoke to a residence director in Berkshire Towers about staying on campus, but was told there weren’t many options besides homeless shelters. “At the time, nobody I talked to knew what the options were,” she said. Although the student is able to stay with her boyfriend over the semester break, she said it is sometimes difficult. “His parents are extremely welcoming, but I always feel like I’m imposing,” she explained. “I guess the important thing is that I have a place to stay. There was a period where I was really afraid I wouldn’t have anywhere to go, and that I’d end up in a shelter.
Sports Men’s basketball tripped up at home Page 8
SEMESTER BREAKS, continued on page 3
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Thursday, December 4, 2014
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SGA talks future of smoking policy
Thursday, December 4
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Mary Ellen Olenyk, Director of Human Resources and chairperson of the smoking policy task force, spoke with the SGA to clarify the smoking policy on campus. According to Olenyk, the original smoking policy is outdated and did not incorporate smoking laws put into effect since the policy was created around 15 years ago. One example is that standing ashtrays are no longer allowed directly outside buildings. There is currently no set consequence standard for individuals who do not follow the smoking policy. However, if an employee or person is not following the smoking policy, they should be reported to the department head of the building they are nearest to.
If someone is being uncooperative and spoken to multiple times, it is still not considered misconduct. Olenyk said whether it’s a student or employee who violates the policy it is the same code of conduct. “We will figure out the exact consequences,” Olenyk said. “Once we have more permanent signs up it will become easier for everyone to enforce (smoking policy),” Olenyk said. Senator At-Large Ryan Robison suggested instead of a monetary fine or a General Probation standing, community service could be assigned. Senator At-Large Colby Harvish suggested an announcement be sent out to students informing them of the smoking policy beforehand, then proceed by letting them know the consequences. There are currently statewide and nationwide movements organizing to turn institutions toward a smoke-free and tobacco-free campus. A smoke-free campus would no longer allow the use of any products that release or cause smoke. On a tobacco-free campus, tobacco products of any kind such as chewing tobacco, cigarettes, or other nicotine products are not allowed.
“We will also look at the current issue with E-cigs [electronic cigarettes], where does that fall in the different spectrum of the policies,” Olenyk said. Robison suggested that students should be able to receive nicotine patches and other methods of quitting smoking from the task force. According to Olenyk, there are subgroups in the task force committee; a recent one primarily focused on education. They plan to host events for a smoking cessation program where individuals can receive help to quit smoking, and to educate the campus community more about the smoking policy. Olenyk conducted a survey that included the faculty members, incoming freshmen, and transfer students during orientation programs in May and June. “There was an overwhelming support from the freshmen and transfers for a smoke-free campus, but the faculty would rather have a more restrictive smoking policy around campus,” Olenyk said. She said it was important to take a look at our population here at MCLA. There are many who live on campus 24 hours, 7 days a week who are smokers.
Aramark district manager Yesterday, SGA Executive Vice President Alexandra Kadell welcomed the district manager of Aramark to a round table discussion in the Campus Center. As a member of the SGA food committee, she scheduled the event for students and faculty to voice their opinions about food service through Aramark. “Saying something to Aramark is the best way to help an issue, so voice any concerns. If we don’t do anything, nothing will happen,” Kadell said. Presidential Search Next semester the presidential search candidates will visit campus for a meet-and-greet with students on campus. “One of them will be the next (MCLA) president,” SGA President Brendan Peltier said. “I want students and all of SGA there because it’s our time to give feedback and find out who they are.”
Student arrested in October released on probation
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LaFrance ordered to stay away from campus By Makayla-Courtney McGeeney
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Latin American Society students participate in a walk for I Love Someone With Diabetes on campus before Thanksgiving.
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The non-traditional student who was arrested on campus on Oct. 28 on account of six charges has been released from custody under a list of conditions. The conditions for Christopher LaFrance, 25, a Williamstown resident, includes staying away from MCLA campus, abstaining from drugs and alcohol, reporting to a Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic, and to sign all releases for probation, according to the court docket. Police confiscated a .40 caliber semiautomatic Smith & Wesson with a total of 26 rounds, one 15 round magazine and one 11 round magazine. He also had a pocket knife and a glass bottle of Whiskey in his backpack. LaFrance, now no longer a
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More changes will be made to the smoking policy in the spring. Olenyk is looking for more assistance from an interested club or organization for next semester.
student, was being disruptive in a night class held in Sullivan Lounge according to witnesses in court records. Public Safety officers responded to the altercation and subdued LaFrance with pepper spray. He was arrested and charged with disturbing the peace, resisting arrest, carrying a firearm on school grounds, having an open container, having a firearm without a license while intoxicated and possessing a firearm of large capacity. On Nov. 3 LaFrance had a dangerousness hearing and was held in jail until Nov. 21 where the court decided LaFrance was not dangerous. LaFrance was a teaching assistant at Brayton Elementary school and was asked to not come back due to being aggressive and belittling the children, according to the police report. He was arrested a few hours later on campus.
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On Monday, elementary students in third grade from Sullivan, Brayton, Greylock and Clarksburg and St. Stansislaus Kostka School visited MCLA for Berkshire County Goes to College Day. From 9:15 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. MCLA students guided several groups around the campus to different 20 minute sessions including chemistry and biology experiements, going into a blow up planetarium, acting with performing arts students, learning about the athletic training program and using equipment in the TV Production studio.
Consignment shop closes doors Once Around the Block struggles to stay open while competing with larger companies
By Juanita Doss
Staff Writer One can easily walk or drive down Holden Street without noticing the consignment shop, Once Around the Block, located there. First-time retail owner Stephanie Melito was forced to close her shop on Nov. 17 with racks fully stocked and shoes neatly placed on shelves after opening in March. She was aiming to close in mid-Dec., but sales continued to fall. “It’s hard to compete with big dealers, as well as Goodwill and Label Shopper,” Melito said. “I tried to lower the prices as much as I could, but it wasn’t enough for the people of North Adams.” Melito believes the lack of population and money in the area has made it tough for her and other small shops to stay in business. “We don’t get a lot of tourists either,” Melito said. “When MASS MoCA has their events, we get many tourists, which is great for
business, but it’s still not enough.” After the closing of the Women’s Exchange in Williamstown, Melito said there was a need for her to open up a shop of her own. She checked out the space where the Women’s Exchange was once located, since they brought in a lot of business. However, she fell in love with the building in which her shop is currently located. Melito had about 300 consigners bring in a variety of clothes with brands ranging from American Eagle to Banana Republic. She has given her consigners a 60 day period to pick up their clothes from the shop. After 60 days, if no one claims the merchandise, Melito plans to donate it to Goodwill. Even though Melito’s shop is closed, her online website is up and running to give customers the opportunity to continue shopping. According to Melito, being online is a great thing because sales are 24/7 and open to millions of people rather than only the Berkshire community.
Senior Heather Chiros would take a walk downtown to Once Around the Block every week, depending on the weather, to raid the clothing racks for herself and her goddaughter without digging too deeply into her pockets. “I’m sad that the store is closed,” Chiros said. “It had a good selection of clothing with decent prices, plus Stephanie Melito was always friendly and helpful to all who came to shop.” Even though this was one of Chiros’ favorite clothing shops, she will not continue to browse through clothes on the shop online because she likes to try things on before buying. However, Chiros isn’t completely out of options for thrifting, since Ma’s Consignment shop is still open for business. As Melito closed her doors for the last time, she reminisced on the fun she had owning a business, as well as the great times she had with her customers and consigners.
Photos by Makayla-Courtney McGeeney/The Beacon
Above, Greylock students film a pretend talk show and learn how to handle television production cameras. Below, Sullivan students act as different animals by instruction from the performing arts students.
Alternative housing program doesn’t cater to all kinds of students “Considering it was difficult for me to come to college in the first place with everything going on, that thought was terrible and caused stress.” Senior B. Gaudet is another student who has not had a home to go to in the past. One side of Gaudet’s family is conservative and holds troubling views on certain topics; that side of the family is bigoted in a number of ways, and the other side lacks a healthy living environment. In the past, Gaudet sometimes suffered from health problems because of the family’s smoking habits and the allergens in their home. “I would get bronchitis and pneumonia when I spent time with them,” Gaudet said. Now, Gaudet is able to spend semester break with friends from the College, although there was a short period of time at the end of last semester during which Gaudet lacked a place to stay. “The person I was going to stay
with [at his home away from MCLA] ended up working at the College, so I couldn’t stay anywhere,” Gaudet said. “I tried to spend as much time as I could in the Honors Center, but there was some miscommunication with Public Safety and I ended up getting kicked out of there early. I stayed up most nights, kind of wandering the streets until I managed to get in contact with an acquaintance.” For two summers during freshman and sophomore year, Gaudet said there was an apartment available to lease for three months at a time, and now Gaudet stays at a more permanent residence. However, the semester break often posed a challenge of finding somewhere to stay, and unfortunately Gaudet said not many people know about the program RPS offers students to come back to campus early. “I know plenty of people who don’t exactly have an unsafe home situation, so they could go back, but it would generally be better
for their mental health if they didn’t,” Gaudet said. “None of them have mentioned anything to me about this program.” Gaudet suggested the College could implement something similar to an exchange program, where students could stay with a fostering family for the duration of the semester break. Although there would have to be some type of incentive, Gaudet acknowledges, many families are willing to take in students from different countries, so why not help those who need a place to stay? “Choosing not to go back to either of my families has been good not only for my mental and physical health, but also for my relationships with them,” Gaudet said. “When you’re not dependent on them, it’s easier to interact with them, and they have to recognize the things they’re doing wrong. It got to a point where I did not visit them at all, but now I can visit for a day. I was able to work on the relationship from a distance.”
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I stayed up most nights, kind of wandering the streets until I managed to get in contact with an acquaintance.” B. Gaudet ‘16
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SEMESTER BREAKS, continued from page 1
Theresa O’Bryant, interim vice president of Student Affairs, is sympathetic toward these students, and encourages anyone who has housing issues to contact RPS and work out a solution. “The residence areas are not the same,” O’Bryant said. “It’s not that type of community. Here, you’re living in a place where everyone leaves for the holidays, as opposed to living in a place where there are people around. It leaves these students alone during that time.” She added, “It is challenging to set up housekeeping in a dorm room. Think of all the stuff you left behind at home. Where are those things for these students?”
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Thursday, December 4, 2014
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Bowling still popular for all ages The love of the game is what keeps customers coming back to Greylock Bowl & Golf, said General Manager Jim Shaker
Children, adults, and senior citizens eagerly file one by one inside the building. A few dedicated locals even bring their bags in with them. Sharp pings and thunderous clashes can be heard from a short distance away. Inside, North Adam’s Greylock Bowl & Golf thrives with family fun. Among the many bowlers packed inside the 30-lane facility is Berkshire County resident Robert Stack – a stout, jolly fellow who brought a few family members with him to play. “I have my father-in-law here from out of town. We were looking for something to do,” Stack said. “[Bowling] doesn’t cost a lot; it brings us together.” Bowling exploded as a sport in the mid1960s, and since then the American pastime has refused to die. According to the United States Bowling Congress, about 71 million people bowled at least once in 2010, making bowling America’s most popular indoor participation sport. Four years later, the industry is still sur-
viving, but not without struggle. To keep the business alive, new in-house attractions such as golf simulators and arcades have been introduced throughout the country. In 2012, Mount Greylock Bowl was purchased for $423,800 by KG&E Realty Group LLC. The facility was then quickly renovated to include three high-definition indoor golf simulators, which allow players to tee up at 29 virtual courses from around the world. Jim Shaker, general manager of Greylock Bowl & Golf, believes the addition of indoor golf at his facility is a major reason why the company remains busy, especially during the winter months. “It’s huge,” Shaker said. “We’re packed from mid-December to April.” Bowling’s popularity in America is declining, and Shaker knows it. To add attraction to the business, Greylock Bowl & Golf also includes its own restaurant, Mingo’s Bar & Grill. “I think [bowling’s popularity] is slowly decreasing, which is why we brought in the restaurant and indoor golf,” said Shaker. “It’s declining, but not as bad as other parts of the country.”
Photo from Greylockbowlandgolf.com
Greylock Bowl & Golf includes its own restaurant, Mingo’s Bar & Grill, and hosts leagues ranging from high schoolers to senior citizens and others.
In the Berkshire community, the bowling industry has yet to face a lack of customers. What is keeping the business alive and well is the amount of young bowlers entering the sport.
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“I think [bowling’s popularity] is slowly decreasing, which is why we brought in the restaurant and indoor golf. It’s declining, but not as bad as other parts of the country.”
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By Matthew Aceto
Special to the Beacon
Greylock Bowl GM, Jim Shaker The prevalence of youth bowlers is something the bowling industry can look forward to. According to a 2013 Experian Simmons National Consumer Survey, 17 million young people aged 6 to 17 were found to have bowled at least once in the past year. In fact, According to the United States Census Bureau’s Statistical Abstract of the United States, twice as many young adults bowl as compared to those who ride bicycles. Adapting to the surge of new bowlers, schools across the nation have added bowling to their physical-education system. According to The Bowling Proprietors Association of America, over 10,000 schools now service a bowling curriculum, including access to local bowling alleys. The Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) does not have its own recognized bowling team; however, the school does offer special events, such as Sunday Bowling at Greylock Bowl & Golf. Greylock’s bowling rates per game are priced at
a slim $3.00 for students. Although not every college has an organized bowling team, the competitive sport nonetheless has a bright future thanks to all the up-and-coming bowlers. Greylock Bowl & Golf acknowledges the rise in teenage bowling, and has even dedicated a league primarily for high school students. “We have a high school Saturday morning league,” Shaker said. “High school students practice here everyday.” Young bowlers aren’t the only ones knocking down pins. Senior citizens love bowling as well. One of Greylock’s most regular customers is Marilyn Wilson – a bashful, smiling lady who enjoys bowling so much, she returns to play everyday. In between rolls, Wilson reflected on her glory days as a young up-and-coming bowler. “I was in a league back in high school. We bowled once a week,” said Wilson, who has been bowling her whole life. “Now I bowl several times per week. I can get a 180 one day, a 110 the next day, so until I can get a consistent high score, I keep coming back.” According to Shaker, Wilson bowls as many as 13 or 14 games every day. “The first time I rung her up, I thought something was wrong with the computer,” Shaker said with a laugh. As simple as it may sound, what truly keeps the customers coming back is the love of the game. As parents and their satisfied children exit Greylock Bowl & Golf after a solid day of family fun, the sweet sound of whistling golf balls and tumbling pins remind them why they keep coming back for more.
McCann teacher receives Educator Alumni Award
Photo courtesy of Cynthia Roper-Patenaude
Patenaude displayes the award after the ceremony.
By Idalis Foster Staff Writer
Cynthia Roper-Patenaude, English teacher at McCann Technical High School and alumna
of MCLA, received the Educator Alumni Award on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at the Massachusetts State House. The recipients of the award are selected by the Massachusetts State Universities Council of Presidents. Patenaude works with MCLA students through field placement and student teachers in her classes at McCann Tech. This award is the most recent received by Patenaude, with others including the MCLA Outstanding Educator Award and the Berkshire County Educator Award. Her initial reaction when she heard that she had been selected to receive the award was one that may come as a surprise—confusion. “I was a bit confused because it sounded very much like the 2011 award that I received and Christine Naughton called me personally to let me know,” Patenaude said. “I didn’t really know what the award was. It was just sort of disbelief, in a way. I didn’t know there was an award for alumni so it was a shock—a welcome shock.” Patenaude found the experience stressful at first, as she had to prepare for the class time she would be missing, and prepare an acceptance speech. Fortunately, she was able to relax and enjoy the program, listening to the stories of the seven other recipients from all different teaching backgrounds and levels while taking in the grandeur of the State House. From a young age, Patenaude had a strong interest in English and reading. She currently teaches primarily freshmen and sophomores and is the advisor to the Book Club at Mc-
Cann, and their Class of 2015. “Pretty much since 8th grade I had a creative writing teacher and I really enjoyed that,” Patenaude said. “It kind of got me interested in wanting to pursue something English related and teaching seemed to be the easiest way to do that.” Patenaude likes to teach using a different dynamic to give her students a better understanding of the books they read. Just recently, her students read “To Kill A Mockingbird,” which includes a scene where a character exclaims over molasses poured onto their dinner, and she actually brought in molasses for her students. “I had the kids try molasses at the same time, so it’s kind of fun to find different ways of surprising them on different sensory levels to make it a little more interesting,” Patenaude continued. In the future, Patenaude is hoping to take the next step as an adjunct professor at MCLA in the Education Department to share her teaching experience with others. “I’ve got a lot of tricks and insider information that I would like to share with more than just the one person I help during field placement,” she said. “There’s a lot more planning and multitasking that you can sometimes not be aware of,” Patenaude said of teaching. “You’ve got to be really, really organized and keep that to-do list going because it will catch up with you if you don’t keep track of it. It’s a lot of multitasking with small things that you wouldn’t even think
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Around the globe Nation
West Virginia shooting victim sought protection One of the victims of a shooting rampage in West Virginia on Monday had twice sought a restraining order against the suspect, 39-year-old Jody Lee Hunt. Police believe Hunt fatally shot four people at three locations Monday morning, sending law enforcement officials on an allday manhunt before he was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Players won’t be punished for “hands up” protest Five St. Louis Rams players took the field for Sunday’s game against the Raiders in St. Louis with their hands raised. It was to show their support for protesters in Ferguson, Mo., and around the country who are angered that former police officer Darren Wilson was not indicted by a grand jury for the killing of Michael Brown.
Aide quits after critique of Obama girls goes viral
A Republican congressional staffer who took Malia and Sasha Obama to task for how they behaved at last week’s White House turkey pardoning is quitting her job, according to NBC News. A firestorm arose when Lauten’s comments about the first daughters on Facebook went viral. “Try showing a little class,” she wrote in a post addressed to the girls.
World
Cell phone service cut off in effort to deter spies A campaign of spying by residents and Iraqi intelligence agents hunting for top leaders of the Islamic State has forced the group to suspend cellphone service in areas it controls. Officials say it will do little to stop the program but will further infuriate people living under the extremists’ rule. Iraqi officials read as a sign of success the Islamic State’s announcement last week that it had suspended cellphone service indefinitely in Mosul, the city in northern Iraq it’s controlled since June, and parts of Anbar province for fear local residents were phoning in tips that were used by U.S. and Iraqi commanders to select airstrike targets.
India-Pakistan relations go sour after elections A decade of off-and-on detente between India and Pakistan has ended after months of deteriorating relations that began with the May victory of the Hindu nationalist Indian People’s Party. Now they’ve settled into a pattern of acrimonious accusations and cross-border exchanges of fire over Kashmir, the disputed Himalayan state that’s sparked four of the six conflicts the nations have fought.
5 Ferguson protests spread across traditional and social media U.S. & World News
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By Michael Doyle & William Douglas McClatchy Washington Bureau/KRT
WASHINGTON — Post-Ferguson protests are now viral, a hybrid of old school and new wave that can skitter in unpredictable directions. On Friday, the fourth day following a grand jury’s decision not to indict Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting of unarmed teenager Michael Brown, demonstrations are expected in cities nationwide. Some activists have been pushing for a boycott of the post-Thanksgiving Black Friday sales day. Some demonstrations to date, such as a Tuesday evening rally at Atlanta’s Morehouse College, have been marked by public prayer and song. Others have been more kinetic, in cities such as Oakland, Calif. Taken together, all reflect the varied face of 21st-century social protest. “When you see people kneeling down on the highway, they’re trained to do that … it is just straight-up tactics from the civil rights movement,” James Peterson, director of Africana Studies at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa., said in an interview Wednesday. “But social media certainly has been a great tool.” Twitter, the popular micro-blogging service, has been flooded with Ferguson-related postings. Between Tuesday and Wednesday, 580,000 tweets citing Ferguson were counted by the analytical service Topsy. One targeted
Nabil K. Mark/Centre Daily Times/TNS
Penn State student Zaniya Joe wears a piece of tape over her mouth that says “Black Lives Matter” during a Ferguson protest organized by a group of Penn State University students on Dec. 2 in University Park, Pa. hashtag, #BlackLivesMatter, was Frank Sesno, director of George old group calling itself Blackout included in 72,000 tweets in just Washington University’s School for Human Rights. one day. of Media and Public Affairs and Founded by Ryan Coogler, diUnderscoring the reach of so- a former CNN Washington bu- rector of the acclaimed film cial media, prisoners at Boston’s reau chief, said in an interview “Fruitvale Station,” the group has South Bay Detention Facility held Wednesday. “What’s changed is used such social media tools as up signs reading “Black Lives word of mouth is much faster, Tumblr, YouTube, Instagram and Matter” to high-security win- more powerful. The amplifier role Facebook to attract activists. dows. Other social media venues, of social media has gotten bigger “An affront to any citizen’s husuch as Facebook, have likewise and louder.” man rights threatens the liberty been aflame with Ferguson news With its low cost and ease of use, of all,” the group states on its and commentary. One page alone, social media enables anyone to website. “So, we participate in called Justice for Mike Brown, become an organizer on the fly, one of the most time honored had accumulated 43,934 “Likes” and potentially reach a wide audi- American traditions: dissent.” as of Wednesday. ence without help of a traditional “So many people are getting organization. The Black Friday information from their friends boycott, for instance, is the inauor circles of people they know,” gural effort of a several-month-
Lawmakers consider cameras on cops By Michael Doyle
McClatchy Washington Bureau/TNS
WASHINGTON — The Ferguson fallout will include more police officers nationwide wearing cameras as part of their uniforms. Lawmakers like Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., are talking about federal funding. Researchers are digging into data about costs and benefits. Cities that already have equipped police with cameras are fielding questions from those that are considering it. “The officers have welcomed them, and I think the community has, too,” April R. Harris, treasurer of the Greensboro Police Foundation in North Carolina, said in an interview Wednesday, recalling that “before we had the cameras, we had here in Greensboro a couple of police situations where it was, ‘He said, she said.’ ” The Greensboro Police Foundation raised more than $100,000 to purchase the cameras for the city’s police department. While the fundraising drive was a success, the need for it also underscored one of the challenges ahead: the cameras can be costly.
The cameras’ use, moreover, can open up unanticipated conflicts. Harris noted, for instance, that there are now questions about whether the video taken by a camera worn by an officer amounts to a personnel record that’s exempt from public release. There’s no doubt, though, that the shooting of unarmed teenager Michael Brown by Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson is prompting much more interest in the cameras that can capture an ambiguous encounter. “Since Ferguson, the agencies will look more closely to see, ‘How can we make this happen?’ but also, ‘How can we do it right?’ ” Lindsay Miller, senior research associate at the Police Executive Research Forum, said in an interview Wednesday. Miller, co-author of an extensive Justice Department-funded study of police cameras, noted that even before Ferguson, the cameras often first deployed “in smaller and mid-sized agencies” have in the last year or two been adopted by larger agencies.
Mubarak cleared in deaths of Egyptian protesters By Laura King
Los Angeles Times/TNS
CAIRO — In February 2011, delirious and near-disbelieving Egyptians in the capital’s Tahrir Square danced and sang as they welcomed the fall of a dictator who had maintained iron control of this ancient land for the entire life span of many in the crowd. But in a place where the past is always vividly present — if only as a glimpse of the pyramids on the dusty desert horizon — what seems consigned to history sometimes rebounds. On Saturday, Hosni Mubarak, frail but still defiant at 86, permitted himself a small, tight smile of satisfaction as a Cairo judge pronounced invalid, on largely technical grounds, the charges that he had been complicit in the killings of hundreds of demonstrators who had fought to oust him. With that, Egypt’s autocratic ruler of three decades’ standing was poised to perhaps soon walk free, while those who struggled to topple him — igniting the fires of democratic aspirations across the Arab world — wondered if their
Tribune News Service (formerly MCT) is a content source for college and high school newspapers. TNS stories are selected and edited by Beacon staff for quality and relevance to MCLA students.
sacrifices had come to naught. Late Saturday, scattered protests broke out over the court decision, including some in central Cairo — though it was difficult to ascertain if they were in opposition to the verdict, or a continuation of Islamist-spearheaded demonstrations a day earlier. Police drove back demonstrators with water cannons and tear gas. But weary of upheaval, many reacted with relative indifference to the verdict. Egyptians are much more focused on current unrest, including an Islamist insurgency in the Sinai Peninsula that has killed hundreds of Egyptian troops and led to the displacement of thousands living near the border with the Gaza Strip. With Egypt’s judiciary having fallen into seeming disarray, its courts sentencing dozens or hundreds of suspected Islamists in one fell swoop, some Egyptians said they saw no reason to trust the legal system. “I can’t trust our judiciary any more,” said Khaled Fouad, a 28-year-old civil engineer. “We are seeing scores of innocent people locked up, and criminals get released like this?”
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Thursday, December 4, 2014
Arts & Entertainment
Beacon.MCLA.edu
Dala returns with more holiday music
The Canadian folk-pop duo will spread holiday cheer at the College with original and festive music By Rachel Fitterman
Arts & Entertainment Editor MCLA Presents will bring cheer to the stage with Candian folk-pop duo Dala in “A Very Special Holiday Show.” Members of the Allegrettos and Harlequin will open for a night of acoustic festive music. Dala have visited the College twice before, and return to perform another holiday-themed show after their first holiday performance in 2012 was a success. “They sing very lovely, harmonized songs, so this is one of the more accessible and recognizable shows. Dala is very warm, sweet and charming on stage. They’re always very popular with students,” Michelle Daly, program coordinator for the Berkshire Cultural Resource Center, said. “They have a way of making you love their music. It’s one of those shows where even if you go and you don’t know the artist, you’ll come away having with a fun, great experience, and become a fan,” she added. Dala will perform both original music and holiday classics. “I think it’s an opportunity for
students to gain more of an appreciation for festive music and holiday music,” Allegrettos copresident Greg Wilson said. The Allegrettos will be opening with new arrangements of “White Winter Hymnal” by Fleet Foxes and the classic “Carol of the Bells.” Wilson added, “We’re keeping it traditional but putting a new spin on things as well. It feels really incredible because having seen Dala before, I know how amazing they are, and it’s really cool to know that [the Allegrettos are] going to be opening for an act like them. It’s a big honor.” “It’s always exciting to open for a great act,” said co-president Mikaelle Olivier. “We had a great time performing with Dala the last time that they were here and we expect the same this year. We rehearse 4 days a week, regardless of whether we have a rehearsal or not. Before we perform we always run our set multiple times and make sure to fine-tune anything that sounds off.” Dala will also hold a workshop with the Allegrettos and Harlequin this week, as part of the classroom-community connection initiative of MCLA Presents,
which connects students with the artists in an informal way. “We hope to come away from the workshop with some pointers on blending. Dala has an unbelievable tone and the ladies blend amazingly together. We use the tips that they use for themselves and apply it to a group of 30 voices as opposed to their two,” Olivier said. “We’re also looking to get advice and tips on the performance aspect, because Dala travel all around doing performances, and we want to see if some of their techniques can work for us,” Wilson added. Daly noted the campus-wide benefit of a holiday show. “It’s right before the finals timeframe. It’s a chance to relax, get in the holiday spirit a little bit, and just enjoy some really good music,” she said. Dala will perform Saturday, Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the Church Street Center. Tickets are free for students. The Sociology Society and the Christian Fellowship will also be collecting unwrapped toys and monetary donations at the entrance for their Holiday Toy Drive.
Beacon file photo
Dala (Sheila Carabine, left, and Amanda Walther, right) performs at Gallery 51 in 2011.
DON’T MISS
Netflix spotlight
‘Alice’ is dark, gritty, unusual By Rachel Fitterman
Arts & Entertainment Editor For those looking for a break from the usual, the 1988 Czech film “Alice” delivers. It’s a reinterpretation of Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” but deviates from the cutesy norm into something much more nightmarish. There is nothing explicitly graphic or gory in director Jan Švankmajer’s Wonderland, but the low-tech stop motion and underlying violent themes make this an uneasy, though interesting, spectacle to see. Viewers familiar with Carroll’s narrative will be able to spot where Švankmajer’s vision strays from the colorful, fairytale standard and grounds the dreamlike story in a dismal, dirty reality. Alice, as played by Kristýna Kohoutová, is the only human ever appearing onscreen. Consequently, there is very little dialogue throughout the film, and the little there is Alice narrates herself as though reading directly from the book. The version available on Netflix is poorly dubbed, but it contributes (if inadvertently) to the bizarre nature of the movie. All the beloved characters make an appearance in “Alice,”
Photo courtesy of First Run Features
Alice (Kristýna Kohoutová) sits at tea with the marionettes Mad Hatter and March Hare in Jan Švankmajer’s “Alice.” but each comes with their own twist. The White Rabbit is a taxidermied hare come to life that bites the rusted nails out of his paws, safety-pins himself shut to keep the sawdust in and, most disturbingly, carries around a
large pair of scissors to carry out the Queen of Heart’s beheadings. Bill the Lizard and the other animals are mismatched skeletons, and the Caterpillar is a sock-puppet creature that sews his own eyes on. Even Alice be-
comes an animated china doll when she shrinks, ceasing to be fully human. Because of its uniqueness, “Alice” requires a lot of patience. The set is grim, gray, dark, and dirty, yet aesthetically appealing. The film relies on visual storytelling and uses vague motifs throughout, making it hard to digest after just one sitting. Throughout “Alice,” Švankmajer makes a point to mix together ordinary objects in an unsettling and unusual way. It is unclear whether Alice’s Wonderland is part of her bedroom or not, because her magic land is comprised of building block houses, playing cards come to life, and desk drawers big enough to crawl into—though it may seem rather childlike, Alice’s world is a hauntingly violent one. At one point, Alice rides in an elevator filled with shelves of seemingly commonplace things. When she picks up a jar of jam and scoops some out, she finds there are thumbtacks mixed in. There is nothing truly fantastical about this Wonderland, which makes it feel all the more like an actual nightmare. “Alice” reminds us that the very things we see around us every day can become the things that keep us up at night.
Art To Go MCLA Gallery 51’s Annual Affordable Art Show Tonight ! Thursday, Dec. 4 5-8 p.m. Gallery 51 This year’s show celebrates the city community of North Adams: highlighting its art and artists, famous Church Steeples, Mohawk Theater Marquee, and other landmarks all surrounded by the beautiful Berkshire Mountains.
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Arts & Entertainment
Beacon.MCLA.edu
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Dance Co. to premiere fall show By Nicole L’Etoile
Arts & Entertainment Writer Dance Company will present its fall show starting tonight and continuing through Saturday. Ten choreographers have worked hard with their dancers to produce pieces for the performance. There are a number of changes that have not been present for the past couple of years, bringing a new feel to the show as a whole. “Each night, we are having a different group perform as an extra act,” said Deanna Boucher, Dance Company Co-President. “Thursday night we have Harlequin; Friday night we have dysFUNKcrew; and Saturday we have NEXXUS.” Each of these groups will be performing on their designated night as an addition to the Dance Company routines. “We think it’s important to recognize other people who share the same performance goals as we do,” Boucher said. Along with this new addition,
Beacon file photo
Dancers perform in a hip hop number during a 2013 Dance Company performance. there will also be a change in the emcees. In the past, there have always been the two main emcees running the show, but this year, dancers in solos, duos, or trios will showcase their talents in be-
tween acts. “We love our dancers and we are excited to feature them!” Boucher said. The dances will range from contemporary, to hip hop, to Soca, to tap, and every-
thing in between. The pieces performed often tell stories, and one choreographer, Brandon Roy, has put together a piece about domestic abuse for the fall show.
Strong emphasis on humor in ‘The Liar’ By Christopher Johnson Arts & Entertainment Writer
The recent production of David Ives’s “The Liar” by MCLA’s Fine and Performing Arts Department was involved and intense, and made what could have been a boring story very intricate. The production relied heavily on the great talents of the actors and the strong writing by Ives adapted from 17th century French playwright Pierre Corneille, who was typically a tragedian. Before the play even began, the actors romped around on stage and through the aisles and house, interacting with the audience but maintaining character as much as 17th century courtesans can when students of MCLA are talking about ideas and using technology they can’t even begin to wrap their heads around. They held this out just long enough to maintain the pre-show suspense. The play begins with Dorante (Brendan Jennings) just returning from law school; he hires Cliton (Benjamin Balon) on his way back. Clarice (Courtney McLaren) and Lucrece (Crysta Cheverie) arrive shortly afterwards with their maid Isabelle (Brianna McDermott). Dorante starts flirting with Clarice, who is engaged to Dorante’s friend Alcippe (Marcus Neverson), though Dorante does not know this. Dorante tells lies about how he has already loved Clarice for a year and accomplished great military feats. Once Lucrece and Clarice leave, Isabelle tells Cliton that Lucrece is the more beautiful of the two and Dorante thinks he was talking to Lucrece, since he didn’t get his conversation partner’s name. Then Alcippe enters, complaining to Philsite (Bradley Thurston) that Clarice went miss-
ing and he saw her flee with another man. Dorante confirms the story with a wildly-spun tale. Next, Geronte (Brittney Nicholson), Dorante’s mother, tells Clarice that her son would be perfect for her, but Clarice does not know that Dorante is the man she met earlier. Since Alcippe has been putting off their marriage, she decides to look into Dorante. Clarice asks Lucrece to send a letter to arrange a midnight tryst with Dorante, where she will pretend to be Lucrece. The plot gets even more complicated from there, but just the first 20 minutes or so clearly show how complicated it will become. The play is a profound exploration of lying. The costumes also reflect considerable work and their occasional anachronisms contribute to the farcical nature of the play. Such a play emphasizes the need for more intelligent farces, instead of a stark divide between satire and boring farces. Sometimes the humor made relevant to an audience at MCLA (i.e. when Cliton asks, “Is that Laura Standley raising her hand?”) feels a bit forced and the makes the viewer consider how funny such alterations are. The irony and hilarious rhymes that are the play’s backbone is what a viewer can really look forward to throughout. The delivery of lines was not so rigid as to prevent the actors from improvising or sounding fluid on stage, while the incorporation of a well-put-together band made transitions very smooth. The play also boasts a strong and, for the most part, completely sustained two-anda-half to three-hour length (comedies rarely have one taking out the old iPhone to check the time). The audience has little left to consider after the play other than
“The dance is full of symbols and moves that were picked very carefully to portray different parts of the story,” Roy said. “I hope to have audience members walk away from this knowing they are not alone in any hardships they face. There is always someone there to help you out.” While there are more serious dances like Roy’s, a variety of themes is present in the performances. “Our content ranges from fun to quirky, to serious, to evil,” Boucher said. “It’s a pretty big range of things. Between the main dances and the solos in between, we have something for everyone.” The performances will occur tonight and tomorrow night at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. Tickets are free for MCLA students and can be reserved by emailing dancecompanymcla@gmail.com with your name, the date of the show you are attending, and the number of tickets needed.
SPIRES Literary Arts Magazine presents
Featured Artist/ Reader Night Tuesday, Dec. 9 7:30 p.m. Murdock 218
Photo by Agenlla Gross/ The Beacon
Cliton (Benjamin Balon, bottom left) and Geronte (Brittney Nicholson, bottom right) talk while Isabelle (Brianna McDermott, top left) and Lucrece (Crysta Cheverie, top right) eavesdrop. the greatest jokes, moments, and mistakes of the characters, as well as the delightful consequences of lying. While it’s unlikely that anyone will understand lying any
better due to this play (except perhaps how to lie better), almost everyone will come away with a better sense of humor.
The winners of the Fall Foliage Contest will be presenting their work along with featured and guest readers.
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Thursday, December 4, 2014
Sports
Beacon.MCLA.edu
Men’s basketball tripped up at home By Tyler Bacon Sports Editor
The Wesleyan Men’s Basketball team used a balanced scoring attack to beat the Trailblazers on Monday by a score of 76-55. The Wesleyan defense held MCLA to just 25 second-half points. With the win, the Cardinals improve to 5-2 while the Blazers drop to 1-4 this season. The first half was fast-paced and featured eight ties and four lead changes. Neither team led by more than six points. MCLA led for most of the first half. After Wesleyan took the lead at 20-17, MCLA would go on a 10-1 scoring run to gain their largest lead in the first half at 27-21. The Cardinals would rattle off a 15-3 run over the final 5:50 to take a 36-30 lead into the locker room. Wesleyan never looked back in the second half once they scored the first six points and increased the lead to 42-30. MCLA would get as close as six points on layup by Khalil Paul with 13:53 to play, and again at 55-49 with 9:28 left when Careem Kirksey hit a three pointer. From that point the Wesleyan defense took over. They only allowed six points over the final 9:28. The Cardinals used a 15-4 run to increase the lead to seventeen at 70-53. For MCLA, Ruben DelRosario led the Blazers with 14 points and 4 assists. Adam Conquest added another 14 points and 7 rebounds in the defeat. On Saturday the MCLA Men’s Basketball team lost to New York University by a score of 82-72. The NYU duo of Evan Kupferberg and Costis Gontikas combined for 46 points in the win. The Violets started the game on a 12-0 run just four minutes into the game. Ross Udine had four points in the opening spurt to ignite NYU. The Blazers would trim the lead to 16-9 following a Paul triple. A 12-5 run by NYU increased the lead against the Blazers to 2814. Gontikas, a 6-9 junior from Athens, pounded the ball inside to score the final four points of that run. The first half lead would grow to as many as 16 with 4:31 remaining. The first half score would end up 40-26 with the Cardinals leading. In the second half the lead increased to 21 points at 58-37 with 11:29 remaining, but the Blazers made a closing push. MCLA used a quick 8-1 run to trim the lead to 59-45 with 8:45 remaining. The visitors gained control and moved back in front by a score of 65-47 , but the Blazers refused to give up. The lead was cut to seven following a Paul three pointer which made the score 69-62, but NYU’s Joe Timmes nailed a three pointer on the next possession to push the lead back to ten. MCLA would only get within nine points the rest of the way as NYU held on for the victory. For MCLA, Paul finished with a season best 20 points, 15 of which came in the second half. Todd Hunt had a solid game off the
Photo by Jesse Collings/The Beacon
MCLA sophomore Adam Conquest gets off the floor to attempt a jump hook against the tough defense of Wesleyan’s Joseph Kuo on Monday. Conquest finished the game with 14 points and 7 rebounds. bench scoring 14 points. new system this year, like us they Southern Vermont is 3-2 on the on the season. They are led by juThe Trailblazers will resume have been very competitive with season and already has victories nior guard Jamal Hughes, who is play on Saturday when they travel a challenging schedule early, but over Williams College and Castle- averaging 25.5 ppg on the season. to Bennington, VT, to compete don’t have a lot to show for it in ton State, two teams that defeated He is supported by fellow junior in the annual Tri-State Shootout terms of wins,” MCLA head coach MCLA earlier this season. Andrew Scott, who is averaging tournament, hosted by Southern Jamie Morrison said. “They won’t The Moutaineers fall under 10.3 ppg this seasona and 5.8 rpg. Vermont College. MCLA will beat themselves and will do a the tutelage of second year head After the Tri-State Shootout, compete in the first round against good job running their stuff, we coach Dane Engelstad, who led MCLA will be off until next Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, have to limit our turnovers, play Southern Vermont to a record of Friday, when they will head to at 3 p.m. in control and cut down on our 16-9 and a postseason birth dur- Worcester to play against WorcesRPI, who defeated MCLA last mistakes. We need to play with a ing his first season as head coach. ter Polytechnic Institute. season in the Tri-State Shootout, sense of urgency.” Engelstad came from Holy Cross, WPI is currently 4-1 on the sea110-100, is 1-4 on the season. If MCLA is able to get by the En- where he was an assistant coach son and is ranked #14th overall in They are coming off a 86-69 loss gineers, they will meet the winner with the Crusaders for three sea- the country as of December 2nd. to Williams College on Tuesday of the other first round matchup sons. They are led by senior forward and have lost 3 straight games. between Southern Vermont ColSouthern Vermont is led by ju- Sam Longwell, who is averagin They are led by 6-5 junior forward lege and Vermont Tech. nior forward Deshawn Hamelt, 16.2 ppg and 5.8 rpg. Backing up Brian Hatcher, who is averaging “We are just focused on Satur- who leads the team in both points Longwell’s strong play are junior 13 points and 6.5 rebounds on the day and we will deal with Sunday and rebounds, averaging 16.8 forward Clyde Niba, who is 9.8 season. Hatcher is supported by when it comes, whether that is PPG and 6.8 RPG. He is support- ppg and 6.2 rpg, and junior guard fellow junior Tyler Gendon, who Southern Vermont or Vermont ed by junior Casey Hall, who is Zach Karalis, who is scoring 11.4 nearly mirrors Hatcher, averaging Tech, both are very dangerous averaging 10.8 PPG, 6.8 RPG and ppg and 48% from beyond the arc. 12.8 points per game and 6.8 re- teams, albeit a bit different in how 3.2 blocks per game. After the WPI game, MCLA is bounds per game. they present themselves,” MorriVermont Tech will enter the off for the holidays and will return “RPI has a new coach and a son said. tournament with a record of 2-4 to action on December 30th.
Sports
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Beacon.MCLA.edu
9
Women’s basketball off to hot start Scores By Jesse Collings Sports Editor
The Women’s basketball team has already nearly equaled its win total from last season, going 3-1 to start this season. The women earned two more victories over the last two weeks, defeating Fisher College on the road Nov. 22, and thumping Becker College at home on Monday, Nov. 24. MCLA traveled to Fisher College last week and defeated the hosting Falcons 72-55. The Trailblazers improved to 2-1 on the season, while Fisher dropped to 0-4. MCLA trailed only once during the game when Fisher scored the first basket thanks to a jump shot by Christine Briggs, bringing Fisher up 2-0. MCLA sophomore Brayleigh Hanlon answered with a jumper of her own, and the Blazers went on a 9-2 run to take control of the game 11-4. Fisher cut the lead down to 2, but MCLA quickly built it back up and went into the half with a 4127 lead. The Blazers slowly built the deficient, eventually leading Fisher by 21 points with five minutes to play. MCLA finished the game with a solid victory, winning 72-55. The Blazers’ two dominant frontcourt players, sophomores Kayla Hotaling and Svletlana Morrell, controlled the game for MCLA on both ends of the floor. Combined, the duo made 35 points and 28 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 5 steals. For Hotaling, who scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, it was just another day, as she is fifth in the conference in scoring and third in rebounding so far this season. For Morrell it was a breakout game, as she scored 15 points and had 16 rebounds, 6 of which came on the offensive glass. MCLA hosted Becker College
Men’s Basketball Tuesday, November 25 MCLA @ Williams College 71-82 Saturday, November 29 MCLA vs NYU 72-82 Monday, December 1 MCLA vs Wesleyan 55-76 Women’s Basketball Monday, November 24 MCLA vs Becker 73-30
Standings Men’s Basketball
Photo by Jesse Collings/The Beacon
Trailblazer junior Emily Castle launches a short jump shot over the outstreatched arm of her defender’s block attempt. two days later, and destroyed had such a big lead to hold onto, This led to an enormous gap the visiting Hawks 73-30. With head coach Holly McGovern in points off of turnovers, with MCLA leading 6-0 with 16:41 clearly stepped off the gas pedal MCLA scoring 43 points, while remaining in the first half, Beck- for MCLA, allowing reserve play- Becker could only muster 13. er’s Brooke Martel sank two free ers to get some deserved playing The Blazers played Utica Colthrows. time in the second half. The Blaz- lege on Wednesday and will travel It was over seven minutes un- ers still outscored the Hawks in to Norwich University this weektil Becker scored again. MCLA the second half 28-21, sealing the end to compete in the Hockenscored 17 straight points and held victory 73-30. bury Classic. The women will a 23-2 lead over Becker with just MCLA was led by sophomore play Norwich on Saturday, and over nine minutes remaining in forward Courtney McLaugh- then play in either the championthe first half. MCLA followed it lin, who had 19 points and 6 ship or consolation game on Sunup with more of the same, and rebounds. Hotaling added 16 day, depending on the outcome of headed into halftime with a 45-9 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 steals the first game. They will travel to lead. for MCLA. Becker was plagued by Mount Holyoke College on TuesThe second half was much more turnovers, as the team committed day. competitive, but since the Blazers 39 of them throughout the game.
Alabama remains atop CFB rankings
By Tyler Bacon Sports Writer
With the College Football Playoffs inching closer, The Beacon’s Tyler Bacon ranks the top four teams in the country. 1. Alabama Crimson Tide (111, 7-1 SEC) Alabama had already locked up a spot in the SEC title game before kickoff, but the Crimson Tide still had to look impressive in the Iron Bowl to remain in the good graces of the selection committee. Scoring 28 points in less than a quarter of play in the second half, turning a close game into a run-
away, helped in that effort. Alabama avenged last season’s last-second loss to Auburn by scoring four touchdowns in 14:34, going from down 36-27 late in the third quarter to leading by 19 points with 3:46 left in the game. With convincing victories over Auburn, Mississippi State and LSU, Alabama, Alabama remains the team to beat in college football. 2. Oregon Ducks (11-1. 8-1 Pac-12) Oregon made quick work of its in-state rival Oregon State to win a seventh straight Civil War, likely the final game played in the state by Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota. Mariota, considered a major contender for the Heisman Trophy, racked up 406 total yards of offense and six touchdowns. Mariota has thrown for 3,470 yards the season and has thrown 36 touchdowns and only 2 interceptions on the season.
The Ducks, which held Oregon State to 362 yards, get a chance to avenge their only loss of the season when they face Arizona in Friday’s Pac-12 title game. On October 2nd, the Wildcats upset the Ducks at home, holding them to a season-low of 24 points (Oregon has scored at least 38 points in all of their other games) and edging the hosts, 31-24. The game on Friday will take place on a neutral field, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. 3. Florida State Seminoles (120, 8-0 ACC) Florida State slightly tweaked its nearly season-long script by holding on to a late lead rather than scoring late for the victory, winning its 28th straight game despite a horrible first half from quarterback Jameis Winston. Winston was intercepted three times in the first quarter and four times overall. He finished with just 125 yards passing with two touchdowns.
Though the Seminoles finished a second straight regular season without a loss, their play of late doesn’t bode well for remaining perfect; especially with a tough game coming in the ACC title match against Georgia Tech. Florida State slipped to fourth in the official CFB playoff rankings, meaning that it is extremely unlikely for them to qualify for the playoff with anything less than a victory. 4. TCU Horned Frogs (10-1, 7-1 Big-12) TCU turned what could have been a dangerous holiday road game into a resume-polishing blowout, using six turnovers to romp past Texas on Thanksgiving. The Horned Frogs only had 368 yards, a season low, but they scored two defensive touchdowns and had four scoring drives start in Texas territory. TCU can clinch a share of its first Big-12 title with a win next week over last-place Iowa State.
Team
W-L
Fitchburg St. Salem St. Westfield St. Framingham St. Bridgewater St. MCLA Worcester St.
6-2 3-1 5-3 3-3 2-3 1-4 1-4
Women’s Basketball Team Fitchburg St. Bridgewater St. MCLA Framingham St. Worcester St. Salem St. Westfield St.
W-L 5-0 5-1 3-1 4-2 3-2 2-2 2-2
Schedules Friday, December 5 Women’s Basketball MCLA @ Norwich 6 p.m. Saturday, December 6 Women’s Basketball MCLA vs TBA @ Norwich Classic TBA Men’s Basketball MCLA vs RPI @ Tri-State Shootout 3 p.m. Sunday, December 7 Men’s Basketball MCLA vs TBA @ Tri-State Shootout TBA
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Opinion
Thursday, december 4, 2014
Beacon.MCLA.edu
How do you feel about the Darren Wilson not being indicted? “I think that the protestors have gone too far, and that what they are doing is not helping their cause.” – Rhea Werner, 2015
“I don’t agree with the decision made; it wasn’t right. It’s pretty much us vs the government - they are going to stick with their side verses ours.” –Devontae Rosa, 2017
“I think that it goes to show that America thinks that killing black people is ok. Sure there are a lot of sides and things I don’t know but killing an unarmed kid is wrong, hands down.” – Jahnoy Edwards, 2015 “I feel that this case just goes to show that race is still a huge issue “I believe that the evidence for within America. If people stand this trial was incorrectly presented together and find peaceful ways and that the Darren Wilson and to fight back then hopefully in the those who he worked for lied future we can prevent things like about critical details. The jury this from happening.” made the wrong decision.” -Maya Crawford, 2018
– Hanah Delorey , 2018
Photos compiled by Osakpolo Igiede
In my humble opinion...
Health & Fitness
Bigger than biceps
The Beacon The Beacon is published Thursdays during the academic year and is distributed free to the College’s community. The Beacon is funded by the Student Government Association, the English/Communications department, and ad revenues. Single copies are free, additional copies may be purchased at 50 cents each. Contact information: News desk number: 413-662-5535 Business number: 413-662-5404 Email: 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. 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 emailed to Beacon@mcla.edu. Contributions Policy The Beacon accepts stories, photos, and opinion pieces for publication. Submissions should be dropped off at the office by Monday at noon or emailed 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 Editor-in-Chief Makayla-Courtney McGeeney
All over the place for the holiday By Makayla-Courtney McGeeney Editor-in-Chief
Post-break I’m already having trouble sliding back into my normal eating routine with smaller portions. I felt as if all I did at home over break was eat and eat, and little to nothing was the usual healthy entrees. I can preach about how to lose holiday pounds, but I’d rather touch on how to remain on track during the holidays. As for Thanksgiving, I’m all for chowing down, just as long as you work hard to go back to the normal groove right away. The entire month of December is full of holiday parties, random class candy treats, and other surprise sweets. If you remember anything about eating healthy during the holidays remember this: skip the random treats. During high school, the last week before winter break was filled with a Christmas party in every room. Before lunch I was dead from the sugar rush and heavy baked goods. Maintain your regular eating hours (every three or four) by avoiding these treats. Although it’s better to munch during the day because you have more time to burn it off, it’ll benefit your health and energy levels to avoid them altogether. Try baking and cooking healthier treats yourself and spread the idea of a healthy holiday to oth-
ers. When cooking, substitute coconut oil for butter and oil, and apple sauce for butter when baking. I’ve also found that oatmeal, mashed bananas and an egg is a nice alternative to the Sunday morning pancakes. A combination of honey and liquid agave is also great as a natural sweetener. Sometimes it helps to tell yourself that all the things that taste good are bad, because once you give yourself permission to enter the cookie tray, its over! Another way to stay healthy is to keep a water bottle and tea in your car or bag at all times to suppress cravings. There are so many fancy water bottles nowadays that drinking water is a fashion statement. There’s also a wide variety of teas to fit your liking. I drink Yogi Blueberry tea with a little honey and it usually spares me an hour or so of overeating. According to an article in InStyle, and every other internet outlet about lifestyle, water is incredibly beneficial to your health because it nurtures your skin, which is incredibly important for the dry, ashy hands out there. A lot of people suffer from cracked skin and the cold weather winds. Nonetheless, the holidays are just a group of overwhelming days in another month. Think of it as any normal day and the cravings won’t let your belly down. Watch what you eat, and up the cardio! Happy leftover week.
Don’t shoot By Nick Arena
Multimedia Editor It’s common knowledge by now that he recent acquittal of Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson has sparked some very well deserved outrage amongst Ferguson protestors. The death of 18-year-old Michael Brown and the issue’s underlying racism are glaringly obvious. But while racism is one of the causal reasons for Brown’s death, I think the real catalyst is the increasingly violent reactions we are seeing from police officers. These officers are supposed to be highly trained protectors of the people, capable of incapacitating a target without resorting to lethal force. So then why was Michael Brown shot six times, and twice in the head? I am a terrible shot, but even I am confident that if necessary I could hit someone in the leg, non-fatally, at point blank range to knock them down. So either the police are receiving almost no training in the usage of firearms, or they just don’t care. Both possibilities are equally frightening. Brown isn’t the first case of this level of aggression. Rodney King was brutally beaten by five Los Angeles police officers in 1991. Amadou Diallo had 41 shots fired at him, 19 of which hit, in the vestibule of his apartment in the Bronx in 1999, because his wallet apparently looked like a gun. Another good question would be why four trained marksmen would need to fire 41 shoots at one single person, but considering the officers were acquitted I guess other people
don’t really consider that excessive. It’s reminiscent of Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird,” when the handicapped, unarmed Tom Robinson is shot 17 times by prison guards. What’s the major difference here? Lee’s novel took place in the 1930s when open racism and violence towards black people were still often considered socially acceptable. Why are we still seeing this type of behavior today? It is time we start seeing people like Darren Wilson brought to justice. Murder is murder; it should not matter whether you are a cop or a civilian. If someone levels a shotgun to your head with their finger on the trigger and you have the opportunity to fire a couple of shots and run, that’s a completely different story. Michael Brown, like Amadou Diallo, like Tom Robinson, was unarmed. There is no justification for gunning him down as Darren Wilson did. But Darren Wilson walked, and now Ferguson is burning. Meanwhile, the police who apparently have never been trained how to incapacitate as opposed to kill are practically militarizing themselves. To everyone standing behind Wilson, the white cop, the supposed hero with the badge I leave you with the words of Atticus Finch: “As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don’t you forget it - whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, he is trash.”
Sports Editor Jesse Collings
Web Editor Jenna O’Connor
A&E Editor Rachel Fitterman
Senior News Editor Nick Swanson
Copy Chief Avery Finnivan Multimedia Editor
Design Editor Meg Gugarty
Nick Arena
Staff Staff Writers
Photographers
Isabel McKenzie Agnella Gross Idalis Foster Osakpolo Igiede* Juanita Doss Christopher Johnson Design Team
Nicole L’Etoile Tyler Bacon Copy Editors
Brittany Gallacher Caitlin O’Neill
Advertising
Ryan Robison Angel Baez Contributors
Osakpolo Igiede* Videographers
Kaleigh Anderson Cartoonist
Nikki Kratonis Advisers
Jenifer Augur Gillian Jones Jim Niedbalski
Aaron Crawford Kasey Conklin *Holds more than one position
Online at: Beacon.MCLA.edu Facebook.com/MCLABeacon Twitter.com/MCLA_Beacon
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Check it Out!
Upcoming events on campus
Today, Dec. 4 Book Club Meeting, CC 324B 6-7 p.m. History Society Meeting Venable 3 7-8 p.m. Dance Company Performance Venable Theater 8 p.m. ALANA Club Council CC 324B 9:30-10:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 5 Dance Company Performance Venable Theater 8 p.m. “Life is a Song” A Conversation w/ Dala Sullivan Lounge 4-5:15 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 6 Dance Company Performance Venable Theater 2 p.m. Christian Fellowship Saturday Night Chat, Sullivan Lounge 7-9 p.m. 1920’s Great Gastby Party Sullivan Lounge 9 p.m. -12 a.m.
Sunday, Dec. 7
Intramural Sports, Venable Gym 6-11:30 p.m. Good Vibes Yoga, Dance Complex 8-10 p.m.
Events, Announcements & Horoscopes Thursday December, 4 Aquarius (1/20-2/18): You’re apt to be in a romantic mood today, Aquarius. Your whole being may revolve around love and romance. You will find that your romanticism is heightened.
you today, Leo. Try not to take it personally. Realize that there are other people and situations with which you can connect that will help bolster your ego instead of drag it down.
Pisces (2/19-3/20): Feel free to strike out for new territory today, Pisces, especially when it comes to love and romance. It could be that you’re so scared of losing what you have that you refuse to take risks to obtain something better that you want.
Virgo (8/23-9/23):Put your incredible sensitivity to work for you today in a way that inspires action, Virgo. There’s so much within you that needs expression at this time. Don’t hold back any longer.
Taurus (4/20-5/20): You may find that you’re taking a much more daring approach when it comes to love and romance now, Taurus. If you aren’t, than maybe you should. You will never know the possibilities until you at least give it a try. Gemini (5/21-6/20):Things should go well for you today, Gemini, especially in the love and romance department. Don’t shy away from the obvious attraction that you have toward one special person. Today is the day to amplify that feeling instead of hide from it. Cancer (6/21-7/22):Use this day to draw out some of your inner flame and let it radiate toward the people you care about the most.
Libra (9/23-10/22):Things should be going well for you today, so don’t miss the opportunities that await you, Libra. There’s a sparkle in your eye that’s unmistakable, and you will find that issues regarding love and romance are especially potent. Scorpio (10/23-11/21):Don’t let other people’s insensitive actions dictate your mood today, Scorpio. Your state of mind is your responsibility, and you should work to come to a point at which you have full control over what you feel at all times. Sagittarius (11/22-12/21): You should find that you have an extra amount of creative energy now, Sagittarius, and you should do what you can to make this force work for you. Capricorn (12/22-1/19): You may have been a bit indecisive lately when it comes to love and romance, Capricorn. Perhaps your mind is drawn to one person while your heart is drawn to another. Horoscopes.com
Leo (7/23-8/22): You may find that others are hostile toward
Klipper Kingz Barber Shop 14 Eagle Street North Adams, Ma. 01247 (413) 663-1979
Summer and fall graduation reception to be held tonight
Horoscopes
Aries (3/21-4/19):Things regarding love and romance may be climactic for you now, Aries, and you may bump heads with someone in a way that makes it difficult for either one of you to be content. More than likely there’s an issue of freedom versus control that’s making it difficult to find a resolution
Hours: Mondays - Appointment only Tuesday - Friday: 10 am to 7 pm Saturdays- 9 am to 5 pm
All students with a college I.D. $10.00 HAIR CUTS
Man’s World Styling Salon
“The best option for an affordable haircut in the area.”
20 Marshall St. North Adams, Ma 01247 (413)-663-7741 Closed Wednesday
Monday- 8 am - 5 pm Tuesdays-8 am - 5 pm Thursday- 8 am - 5 pm Friday- 8 am - 5 pm
and Sundays
Saturday- 8 am - 3 pm
Attention The Beacon wants to help clubs! promote your club! We will print one free advertisement per semester.
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Beacon.MCLA.edu
The administration would like to invite you to join them on December 4 at 5:30 p.m. in the Feigenbaum Center for Science atrium as they celebrate students who graduated in August and students who we anticipate will graduate in December.
The following graduates include Paul Aslanian, Mariah Burgess, Peter Cotsalas, Kevin Dinon, Ryan Flynn, Kathryn Kania, Sarah Murphy, Amanda Olsen, Samantha Pero, Emma Wright, Johanna Young, Lynn McEnaney, and Nicholas Arena.
Scholarship recipients honored
MCLA will honor this year’s recipients of the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship in the Feigenbaum Center for Science and Innovation on Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. Joined by their families, the high school seniors will be recognized in an awards presentation and attend a Financial Aid and Admissions Workshop. The program will include recognition of the award recipients, as well as a fi-
Keep us updated on club events! We want to cover you! Email your press release and information on Office 365 to MCLA Beacon Submissions, or message us on Facebook.
nancial aid and admissions workshop. Those who plan to attend should RSVP by Dec. 2 at 413-662-5410 or admissions@mcla.edu. The John and Abigail Adams Scholarship provides a tuition waiver for undergraduate education at a Massachusetts state college or university, including MCLA.
5 O’Clock $5 Nachos!!! Weekend entertainment
Dine-In and Take-Out menu online. Gift Certificates & Discount Programs Available
www.TheParlorCafe.com fb.com/TheParlorCafe (413) 346-4279
FINANCIAL AID ANNOUNCEMENTS IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN!! Time to start thinking about re-applying for financial aid for next fall! 15-16 FAFSA will be available to complete after Jan. 1 Don’t forget the MARCH 1st priority deadline date!! ************ Have you signed up for SALT yet?? FREE membership to: *Keep track of student loans *Look for jobs/internships *Search for scholarships *Budgeting Sign on at www.saltmoney.org today! Any questions? Call the Financial Aid Office at 413-662-5219 ********** SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY: STEM Scholarship Apply at goldwater.scholarsapply.org Jan. 23, 2015 deadline date
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Thursday, December 4, 2014
Photo Essay
Beacon.MCLA.edu
The Liar
The Liar took to the stage the weekend before Thanksgiving. It tells the story of a chronic liar, Dorante, and the situations he must get himself out of thanks to his dishonesty. Photos by Osakpolo Igiede
Above Geronte (Brittney Nicholson) has a moment alone on stage. Right, Lucrece (Crysta Cheverie, right) talks while Isabelle (Brianna McDermott, far left) and Clarice (Courtney McLaren) look off into the distance.
Philsite (Bradley Thurston, left)hands Dorante (Brandon Jennings, right) a love letter.
Above, Clarice (Courtney McLaren) and Alcippe (Marcus Neverson) share an intimate moment. Right, The Liar full cast during their final scene.