December 1, 2011 Issue

WHY WAIT TILL THURSDAY? READ MYTJNOW.COM.

Online piracy legislation a danger to creativity, freedom.

See Science & Tech, page 6

It’s okay to be gay: opinion editor supports homosexuality.

See Opinion, page 5

THURSDAY December 1, 2011

Stephen Colbert voted “BestLooking Man” Alive by TJ. See Arts & Entertainment, page 8

WINTHROP UNIVERSITY

SPORTS

Issue 13

CULTURE

Rock Hill host to national soccer competition in 2012 DAVID THACKHAM thackhamd@mytjnow.com

Over 10,000 teams comprised of 185,000 soccer players are battling their way for the right to come to Rock Hill, S.C. for the US Youth Soccer National Championship in July 2012.

The prestigious tournament, set to be played at Manchester Meadows Park on East Mt. Gallant Road, will feature the four regional winners of US Youth Soccer’s six age brackets (U-14 through U-19) for boys and girls.

The regional qualifying stretches from June 15-29, 2012.

“We are excited that the 2012 US Youth Soccer National Championships will be held at Manchester Meadows in South Carolina. All of us look forward to working with South Carolina Youth Soccer and the facility staff,” said John Sutter, president of US Youth Soccer.

The teams will have to battle through regional qualifying, which will take place in four locations around the country, including Lancaster, Pa. (East), Saginaw, Mich. (Midwest), Greenville, S.C. (South) and Phoenix, Ariz. (West).

There’s typically more at stake than state or regional pride when a local team enters the National Championship finals. The series provides top collegiate coaches with the premier stage to identify and scout the most coveted players in the country.

See SOCCER page 11 NEWS

Employment for college grads planned to rise

Jaiying “Sunnie” Ling, senior accounting major, graduates this December and plans to continue her American education at graduate school at Clemson University. She said Winthrop’s small class sizes and education methods played a part in her choice to study in the U.S. Photo by Sarah Auvil • auvils@mytjnow.com

Chinese students may not be prepared on arrival, some language skills lacking SARAH AUVIL auvils@mytjnow.com

A controversial article published Nov. 3, 2011 in the New York Times, entitled “The China Conundrum,” claims that in the past three years the number of Chinese students attending American universities has tripled, and that many of them, while high-performing, come unprepared with the English skills needed in the American university classroom.

Which begs the question: could this be happening at Winthrop University? In the numerical sense, it is; students from China at Winthrop increased from about six or seven students to 75 in two and a half years, according to Winthrop’s International Center.

American universities, hit hard by the economic recession while being pushed to look more diverse, look to these students as “a godsend,” according to the article.

But what caused this push in China for their students to come here, and how much are these students getting for their money?

For Chinese students, coming to America as an undergraduate is “only the beginning. Their goal is

AMANDA PHIPPS phippsa@mytjnow.com

College is still worth the cost.

Though the economy means college is becoming more expensive, the unemployment rate for college graduates is higher than non-graduates, Amy Sullivan said.

Having a degree increases a person’s chance of finding a job by 50 percent, she said.

Employers plan to hire 9.5 percent more graduates in 2011-12 than last year, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ Job Outlook 2012.

Sullivan said people feel a degree is worth the money and effort because it allows them to work in more than just skill-labor jobs.

“Even if the pay isn’t fabulous, it is worth it do they type of work (you) love to do,” she said.

Sullivan said many employers won’t consider employees without a degree.

More than 50 percent of new employees in several industries were new college graduates, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ 2010 Recruiting Benchmarking Survey.

The ability to relocate, network and start searching

See TRENDS page 3

to get a better degree,” said ChiaLan Chang, assistant professor of history. Many of them plan to go on to get graduate degrees and Ph.D.s, so they want to get a head start on their English, Chang said.

Because China’s middle and upper classes are expanding and today’s Chinese are the result of the one child policy, parents and grandparents have high expectations for and invest a lot in their child, Chang said. But the competition to get into one of China’s top universities is intense, so many opt to study abroad instead.

As for Chinese students fitting in, “the environment plays an important part here,” Chang said.

“If Americans do not accept them, there will be no cultural interaction.”

The New York Times reported shocking application fraud: “90 percent of Chinese applicants submit false recommendations, 70 percent have other people write their personal essays, 50 percent have forged high school transcripts and 10 percent list academic awards and other achievements they did not receive.”

This may not apply to Winthrop since most are transfers from Nantong University, which provides the

students’ records, the International Center said. Winthrop did make a stop in China to recruit this year, so the majority being from Nantong may change, said Angie Edwards, director of International Center.

However, while the Nantong transfer program was originally intended for juniors and seniors only, many Chinese students have been pushing to get here earlier, Edwards noted.

Jiaying Ling, a senior accounting major, is graduating in December and plans to attend Clemson University for graduate school. She came here as a sophomore from Nantong to “practice English more,” she said.

When she first came to Winthrop, “I can’t understand what teachers say,” she said. She described her English now as “much better.”

Part of the appeal is having an American education.

“American education system and methods are recognized as the best in the world,” Ling said.

Winthrop’s small class size played a role, too. In China there are “hundreds of students in a classroom with one teacher,” she said.

See CHINESE page 9

NEWS

Men’s ex-basketball players denied assualt accusations JONATHAN MCFADDEN mcfaddenj@mytjnow.com

Robbie Dreher

Julius Francis

Two men’s basketball players charged with criminal sexual conduct in the third degree this past April were found guilty of sexual misconduct by the Winthrop Judicial Council and expelled from the university before classes began this semester.

Questions? Contact us at editors@mytjnow.com Serving Winthrop since 1923

I N D E X

But, before criminal proceedings began, both players rebuffed their victim’s accusations of rape when questioned by police after the crime was committed, according to the original incident report.

According to Dean of Students Bethany Marlowe, the judicial council determined that Robert (Robbie) Dreher, then-20, and Julius

CAMPUS NEWS

Francis, then-21, were both found in violation of Item C in the student handbook, which details prohibitions against “actual or threatened” sexual misconduct ranging from offensive touching to non-consensual sexual assault.

Specifically, they were found in violation of “offensive touching,” “nonconsensual sexual assault”

2-4

and “forced sexual assault”-three variables the student handbook defines as sexual misconduct.

Dreher, a former guard for the Eagles and Greenville, S.C. native, was also found guilty of harassment/intimidation--Item D in the student handbook, which summarizes

See BALL page 4

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

OPINION

5

CULTURE

SCIENCE & TECH

6

SPORTS

7-8 9 10-11

2

THURSDAY December 1, 2011

JONATHAN MCFADDEN News Editor mcfaddenj@mytjnow.com AMANDA PHIPPS Assistant News Editor phippsa@mytjnow.com

Ex-Congressman brings budget expertise to WU politicos

“”

By Jonathan McFadden

around.

Spratt called the current economic The South has changed; John Spratt crisis the worst knows that much for sure.

America’s seen since But he also knows that an outstanding the end of World deficit, a perpetually worsening economy War II and said the and a painfully long recession were all nation’s a long way factors in play when he lost his bid as from solving all its Karen Kedrowski congressman for South Carolina’s 5th debt issues.

Department chair, political congressional district to Republican U.S. Despite the grim science Rep. Mick Mulvaney (S.C.-5) during last news, Spratt said November’s elections. he was confident a And, he knows they’ll be the major compromise could variables voters consider when decidbe reached. ing who becomes top dog in the nation’s That was bechain of command come November fore Nov. 21, the 2012. day the appointed For 28 years, Spratt, a Democrat, congressional debt served as the representative for South super committee anCarolina’s 5th Congressional District in nounced they could the U.S. House of Representatives. The not reach a compro5th district comprises the upper third of mise that would have Spratt in the heat of debate during his 2011 congressional campaign.

Photo courtesy of Politico.com South Carolina and includes Rock Hill, trimmed up to $1.5 Sumter and Florence. trillion of national Whichever party wins the During his time in Congress, Spratt debt. latest bid for presidency won’t chaired the U.S. House Committee on In August, President Barack Obama come as much of a surprise to the Budget and was the second ranking named 12 members of Congress to a Spratt, who described the politiDemocrat on the House Committee on super committee who had up till Nov. 23 cal process as “cyclical.”

Armed Services. to find a way to mandate cuts that would “It vacillates from one extreme Before that, he was a captain in the reduce the deficit. to the other extreme,” he said.

Army, For Spratt, watching from afar wasn’t To prove his point, Spratt Today, he’s a guest-lecturer on cameasy. reminisced on the 1970s when pus, bringing what he calls “real world He longed to be involved in the proPresident Richard Nixon’s defeat insights” and “color commentary” to cess, he said, but a Congressional House students interested in the happenings of Ethics rule bars him from contacting any of Democratic challenger Barry Goldwater seemed like a “death the nation’s capitol. member of Congress for a year after his blow” to the Democrats, he said.

Just a month or so shy of South Caroown exit.

In several year’s time, Jimmy lina’s first-in-the-South presidential The limit “chills efforts to influence” Carter­ – a Democrat– became A student shows Spratt his research during the primary, Spratt said in an interview with any kind of action, he said, and now the president.

Then, the cycle began then-congressman’s 2008 visit to Dalton Hall The Johnsonian that if the GOP happens former congressman feels more like the again. (then Life Sciences building). Photo courtesy to lean too far to the right instead of guy watching on the bench.

Though a pundit of the political of Judy Longshaw, University Relations establishing some sort of middle ground Yet, he does foresee the economy turnprocess, Spratt has two new posiwith voters, they might lose “traction.” ing around one day.

He spoke to an economics professor tions to add to an already long list “Nobody’s yet breaking out the chamWhether a Democrat or Republican about maybe contributing to a class of credentials. pagne,” he said. will man the nation when it happens has about the budget-making process.

In September, President Barack There may be no champagne to pass yet to be seen, he said.

Sticking with his part-time duties, Obama appointed him as co-chairman of Spratt said he may be teaching an ecothe Permanent Joint Board on Defense, a nomics class discussing public finance, coalition between the United States and he said.

Social work faculty members are Canada that discusses defense strategies also asking Spratt to guest-lecture some for both countries. of their classes, he said.

He just returned from a trip to HaliSecuring Spratt’s spot among politifax, Nova Scotia to meet with Canadian cal science faculty this semester was no officials regarding negotiations about the great mystery, said Karen Kedrowski, melting Northwest Passage. department chair of political science.

His secondary appointment comes After the 28-year incumbent lost to with a mix of garnet and gold.

Mulvaney in November, Kedrwoski said she received an e-mail from university Color commentator President Anthony DiGiorgio’s office that expressed the president’s desire For several years, Spratt has had a in solidifying Spratt’s relationship with unique rapport with Winthrop.

Winthrop.

York County is his home, he said, and After a meeting with a member of his wife is actually a Winthrop graduate.

DiGiorgio’s staff, Kedrowski drafted a After almost 30 years of budget formmemo offering Spratt a position at WinA screenshot of the state’s 5th congressional district covering: Newberry, York, ing in D.C, Spratt decided to bring his throp, she said. expertise into the classroom and give Chesterfield, Chester, Dillon, Marlboro, Fairfield and Kershaw counties and Spratt thought it over, Kedrowski said, students a real-life perspective on the parts of Florence, Lee and Sumter counties. Rock Hill, alongside Sumter and and decided he would teach part-time at national budget formation process and Florence, stands as one of the largest cities in the district.

Winthrop without compensation. contribute to their overall learning, he “He turned down a monetary offer,” said.

Kedrowski said.

He didn’t want anything full time, he of the students who re- nation and to the State of Gauging Spratt’s interest in the War said, instead choosing to focus on things spond to the survey,” Si- South Carolina.”

Powers Act, a federal law which examhe hadn’t focused on in nearly 30 years.

Students and faculty lagyi-Rebovich said. ines the president’s ability to declare war Spratt was interested in providing More Winthrop stu- uphold Winthrop’s comwithout Congress’ consent, Kedrowski more of a “color commentary” than actudents said they would mitment to community said the department was fortunate to ally teaching a class, he said. come to Winthrop again service, Silagyi-Rebovich have a national security and policy class Thus far, he’s been a hot commodity than the national num- said. “on the books.” on campus.

She said Winthrop’s ber, 82%, Silagyi-Rebov“It was happenstance,” she said.

The same day he sat down with his NSSE responses, along ich said.

“What he does is a gift.” visitor, Spratt said he was visited by “Students’ decisions on with other successful With only part-time status, Spratt history professor Eddie Lee who wants where to attend college programs, such as the can set his own terms, Kedrowski said. to talk with him about perhaps guestFoundation are informed by their ac- Carnegie After 30 years of “80 hour work weeks,” lecturing in a modern American history ademic and career goals, for the Advancement of Spratt’s earned a rest, she said

By Amanda Phipps course examining the nation beyond the personal and social rela- Teaching-Elective Clasmcfaddenj@mytjnow.com

What he does is a gift.

Survey shows WU students more involved in community service than peers phippsa@mytjnow.com

Winthrop has made a good impression.

The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) has shown 93 percent of freshmen students have a favorable image of Winthrop. The survey showed 83 percent of seniors said they would attend Winthrop again, according to the Winthrop website.

Small class sizes, accessibility to faculty, and the opportunity to do internships, work with faculty and gain leadership skills are some of the reasons students have a favorable image of the university, said Elizabeth Silagyi-Rebovich, director of assessment in the department of accreditation, accountability and academic services.

“I think NSSE results reflect the perspectives

tionships and economic circumstances,” she said.

Silagyi-Rebovich said the 2011 results are similar to results in the past.

The survey also showed that 43 percent of students have participated in some form of internship experience. More students have participated in community service at Winthrop than peer institutions.

Clemson scored higher than peer institutions on active and collaborative learning and studentfaculty interaction, according the the Clemson NSSE Results Overview.

Silagyi-Rebovich said Winthrop’s focus on community service is to “provide personalized and challenging undergraduate, graduate and continuing professional education programs within a context dedicated to public service to the

sification for Community Service, “demonstrate that Winthrop University is achieving its objectives to be and be recognized as a leader in community/public service and to integrate community/ public service into its education experiences.”

The NSSE survey is funded by the schools that participate, who pay fees to cover the cost of administering the survey and analyzing the results, Silagyi-Rebovich said.

Winthrop uses student feedback to improve the Winthrop Experience, she said. Winthrop used the 2009 NSSE results to develop the Global Learning Initiative.

year 1981.

3

THURSDAY December 1, 2011

Party reps throw down on foreign policy

By Jonathan McFadden mcfaddenj@mytjnow.com

Almost unanimously, four college political groups decided that the United States should fix its own fiscal mess before helping European nations recover from their current economic woes.

That’s about all they agreed on.

Representatives from the College Libertarians, College Republicans, College Democrats and Socialist Student Union convened in Owens Hall on Nov. 15 to host a mock debate covering government spending, universal health care, the United States’ involvement in Iran and Syria and Al Qaeda’s connections to 9/11.

Combatants were given one minute to answer a question posed by the moderator and then a 30 second rebuttal after all parties took their turn.

Battle lines were drawn as the moderator, College Democrats President Whtiney Hough, asked the debaters what the U.S. should do about Iran, a nation supposedly building its own nuclear arsenal.

“That’s just speculation,” said freshman philosophy major Kyle Steele, standing in for the Libertarians. “There’s no concrete evidence that they have a nuclear program up and running.”

Without stable infrastructure, Iran is not a threat to the U.S., Steele said.

Instead, America should stray away from involving itself in the affairs of other countries, he said.

“When problems arise in other parts of the world, it is not our job to be preemptive about controlling their intentions,” added Andrei Botescu, a sophomore interior design major also subbing for the Libertarians. “If Iran has a nuclear program, what’s the problem with that exactly? We [the U.S.] have nuclear power here; we have nuclear weapons.”

For the past couple of years, the United States and European countries have suspected Iran of harvesting nuclear power for weapons, while the nation’s leaders claim the Middle Eastern country is harnessing nuclear energy to generate electricity without using oil, which they say is reserved for commerce.

College Republicans President and senior economics/political science double major Timothy Kroboth, called for economic sanctions to be placed on Iran, which would hinder their trade and cut off their access to resources that make nuclear weapons possible.

Leaving Iran alone “laissez-faire” is just “inviting trouble,” Kroboth said.

For Judson Abraham, president of the Socialist Student Union, the U.S. should

assert its dominance over Israel, which has already announced its plans to attack Iran.

On Nov. 24, the vice prime-minister of Israel called for harsh economic sanctions on Iran that would compel the nation to choose either their possible nuclear weapons program or surviving economically.

Instead, Abraham suggested that the U.S. should help create conditions supporting the Iranian labor movement in lieu of imposing sanctions that could hurt the Iranian people, who he said are already resistant to Israeli and Western intervention.

Replies to a question about the Syrian revolts yielded similar answers.

“We’re meddling where we shouldn’t be,” Botescu said in reference to U.S. military intervention to quell the protests, which began early this year when Syrian youth demanded their current president step down.

A revolt ensued, along with demands for racial and political equality and political freedoms.

(From left) Kyle Steele, Andrei Botescu, Timothy Kroboth, Hampton Ballowe, Sean “…If it’s not detrimental to the United Shamble and Judson Abraham listen as the debate’s moderator, Whitney Hough, States public, it’s not a problem,” Boposes a question. Photo by Claire VanOstenbridge • vanostenbridgec@mytjnow.com tescu said.

Asked about the national debt, Kroboth knocked the 2009 stimulus really get us as the United States anyBallowe echoed Kroboth’s notion that package, saying lawmakers spent the where,” he said. it’s doubtful there’s a direct connection money on items that “clearly are not goKroboth said there’s no “absolute” between Al Qaeda and Iraq. He said, ing to stimulate the economy in terms of proven link between Al Qaeda, the Isthough, that the U.S. took the chance business support.” lamic military organization responsible to go after Hussein because “we really The answer doesn’t lie with businesses, for 9/11, and Iraq. wanted oil.” said College Democrats representa“Sadaam Hussein did not enact 9/11,” “The Iraq War…isn’t ending, hasn’t tive Hampton Ballowe, who added that Kroboth said. ended, Americans aren’t leaving, it’s just businesses are adopting survival plans Kroboth said the nation should have being farther privatized,” said Abraham. that focus on keeping their heads above focused on “beefing up” it’s national se“American troops are just being replaced water, not adding to the payroll. curity as opposed to engaging in a “wild by mercenaries from some of the worst “Right now, we are in an economic goose chase.” corporations capitalism has to offer.” state of chaos,” said Ballowe, a freshman As for the military’s longevity in Iraq, political science major. “They [busiKroboth implied that the U.S. has a nesses] aren’t going to be creating jobs, moral obligation not to pull out and they’re going to be cutting jobs.” leave the country in shambles.

So the federal government, Ballowe He fears that once U.S. troops comsaid, needs to cultivate jobs for its citipletely leave Iraq, Iran will waste no time zens by rebuilding railroads and bridges. in expanding their influence and turning “Where to spend” is paramount, said Iraq into a “Shiite puppet state.” freshman math major Sean Shamble Kroboth also questioned President for the student socialists. “America’s Obama’s request for troop withdrawal, infrastructure is in dire need of attention deeming it not so much of a military while simultaneously stimulating the strategem as it could be a political chess American economy with job creation.” move prior to the 2012 election.

On the topic of the withdrawal of Ballowe agreed. troops from Afghanistan and Iraq, BoThough supporting “my boy Obama,” tescu answered that there is still a lot of Ballowe said U.S. troops should stay in conspiracy surrounding 9/11. His point, Iraq. Moreover, he said the president Andrei Botescu Sophomore interior design major he clarified, was that the nation did not was influenced by a coalition of Iraqi handle its involvement with Iraq corleaders who wanted Americans to withrectly. draw.

“We’ve lost too many American lives, By leaving, Ballowe said the U.S. we’ve spent entirely too much money as would be losing a “time battle” with the a government on something that didn’t Taliban.

“”

We’re meddling where we shouldn’t be.

Andrei Botescu, subbing for College Libertarians. Photo by Claire VanOstenbridge • vanostenbridgec@ mytjnow.com

Timothy Kroboth, College Republicans. Photo by Claire VanOstenbridge • vanostenbridgec@mytjnow.com

TRENDS • from front early can help students find a job, Sullivan said.

Gaining experience through paid internships, community service and by volunteering can improve students’ chances of finding a job, she said.

If students come just to get a degree, Sullivan said they are “missing out on what they are supposed to learn here.”

Saving money Since college has become more expensive, universities have to find a cost-effective way to provide the same high-quality education.

Winthrop has done this in many ways, said J.P. Mckee, vice president of finance and business. While 60 percent of students borrow money to pay for school, the students have

Hampton Ballowe, College Democrats. Photo by Claire VanOstenbridge • vanostenbridgec@mytjnow.com

Judson Abraham, Socialist Student Union. Photo by Claire VanOstenbridge • vanostenbridgec@mytjnow.com

to decide whether college is worth the cost, McKee said.

Winthrop’s energy management contract allows the university to use the money it saves on energy for upgrades and other needs, he said.

“”

We are not doing anything that will adversely affect the instructional part of the education process.

“(We are) doing things to increase efficiency and decrease costs for the future,” McKee said.

While the new energy contract means a different lighting system, McKee said the changes will not negatively impact the way the university operates.

“We are not doing anything that will adversely affect the instructional part of the education process,” he said.

McKee said that if anyone has suggestions for how the university can do something more efficiently, to bring them to his attention.

J.P. McKee

Vice president of finance and business

Graphic by Courtney Niskala • niskalac@mytjnow.

4

THURSDAY December 1, 2011

Report: Witness observed, confirmed assault BALL• from front harassment as action causing alarm or risk by making “unwelcome sexual advances, or requests for sexual favors,” lodging criminal threats or using “fighting words.”

Francis, who was a freshman sociology major and played center for the Eagles, hailed from Warri, Nigeria and attended Winthrop on scholarship. He has since transferred to Northern Oklahoma College, where he is a post player for the school’s men’s basketball team, the Mavericks.

In the time Francis has been on the team, there have been no issues “off the floor,” said Mavericks Head Coach Brett Weiberg.

“He has been wonderful,” Weiberg said.

Francis’ transfer to Northern Oklahoma didn’t go without inspection, as Weiberg said he took into consideration the charges filed against Francis when signing him to the team in late July or early August.

At the time, all the information Weiberg gathered suggested that the case was still in the “he said/she said” stage.

Weiberg gathered as much information as possible and discerned that at the time it was worth giving “the young man a second chance,” he said.

Francis would take a leave from the team if he ever needed to return to Rock Hill during the season and fulfill “his legal obligations,” Weiberg said.

Depending on what ramifications developed as a result of a trial, the Mavericks would weigh a decision on Francis’ future with the team.

Dreher, who was a sophomore business management major at the time of the assault, transferred to Marshall College in Huntington, W.Va. His name is not listed on the men’s basketball team’s roster.

Details On Apr. 17, a former Winthrop student visiting a friend reported she had been sexually assaulted multiple times in Dreher and Francis’ Courtyard apartment, according to the official police report.

The victim, 19-years-old at the time of the assault, told police she went to the athletes’ apartment with a friend, where she became involved in heated arguments with several people at the apartment, many of them revolving around Dreher’s repeated sexual advances toward her, the report says.

The victim was kicked out of the apartment, but was invited back in by a witness to the crime, the report

“”

says.

Once she was let back in, the victim said Dreher continued making sexual advances toward her but she repeatedly said “no,” according to the report.

Eventually, Dreher grabbed the victim by Sexual assault victim the arms, pushed her into Francis’ bedroom with Francis following suit and proceeded to sexually assault her, the report said.

The victim was restrained while both Dreher and Francis took turns engaging in non-consensual sexual activities with the victim, according to the report.

According to the report, the same witness who allowed the victim back into the apartment went to the doorway of Francis’ room and observed the assault occurring, but he did not get involved.

Once the assault ended, the victim gathered her clothes and left the apartment, the report says.

She went to Richardson Hall, where she met with another friend and claimed “three guys had raped her,” according to the report.

The student then called Campus Police, the report says.

When officers arrived at the scene, they noted that the victim was acting angrily and lashing out at her friends. Officers proceeded to ask the victim about her assault, but the victim claimed that her friends and officers were also victimizing her, according to the report.

The victim became angry with police and declared that she would leave the university immediately without answering any further questions, the report says.

A day later on Apr. 18, a supervisor from the Greenville Memorial Hospital Emergency Room called the Winthrop Police Department, notifying them that the victim had come to their facility for care and reported that she was sexually assaulted at Winthrop, according to the report.

An investigation by Winthrop police soon ensued.

No.

Denial On Apr. 21, Campus Police called Dreher and Francis in to give statements regarding the incident, the report says.

Dreher admitted to being “intimate” with the victim, but said it was consensual, the report says.

Francis claimed that he was never intimate with the

victim, that she had been drunk and that she planned on setting the basketball team up by removing her clothes when entering his apartment, the report says.

The witness who watched the incident occur corroborated the victim’s accusations, saying that Francis and Dreher indeed did assault her, during which she repeatedly said “no,” the report says.

Later the same day, Francis returned to the police station, where he said he was “nervous” during the first interview, the report says.

He then said he attempted to perform oral sex on the victim while Dreher engaged in sexual intercourse with her, the report says.

The police report specifies that both Dreher and Francis engaged in intercourse with the victim.

On Apr. 27, both Francis and Dreher turned themselves in at the Winthrop Police Department and were placed under arrest. After their arrest, both men were suspended indefinitely from the basketball team.

In June, a story by The [Rock Hill] Herald suggested that both Francis and Dreher were likely to leave the basketball program.

Dreher had already voluntarily signed a release form to terminate his scholarship while men’s basketball coach Randy Peele told The Herald that Francis was beginning to explore options, including looking at relocating to a junior college or prep school.

What’s next?

Winthrop’s judicial council didn’t hold the case’s hearing until August, giving the university enough time to prepare a case after the investigation and ensure that witnesses and juidcial council members could be present, said Bethany Marlowe, dean of students.

No university charges were determined because Winthrop police completed their investigation by the time classes were out in May, Marlowe said.

As of now, the entire judicial process is complete, but criminal charges are still pending in court, Marlowe said.

No court dates have been set for Francis or Dreher, said Erin Joyner, assistant solicitor with the York County Solicitor’s Office.

South Carolina law says that the venue of the crime determines where the trial will take place, Joyner said, indicating that court proceedings would take place in York County.

The solicitor’s office is “limited in what we can say” about the incident and possible court proceedings, Joyner said.

–––– Police Blotter ––––

POSSESSION OF BEER UNDER 21 (11/15/11)

At 10:29 p.m., a Winthrop reporting officer was dispatched to Wofford Hall in reference to a dispute between two students, according to the police report. When the officer and a sergeant arrived, two students informed him that there had been an argument, but that one of the students who were arguing had left the room. The other student involved in the argument stated they would work it out, according to the police report. While speaking with the subjects, the officer saw alcohol in plain view on the other subject’s side of the room and found that the subject was under 21, according to the police report. After the subject returned to the room, she gave the officer permission to search her side of the room. The officer found 22 bottles of liquor on the side of the room in plain view, according to the police report. This was the second time the subject was found to be in possession of alcohol under 21 in less than a week. The subject was arrested for possession of liquor under 21 and taken to Rock Hill City Jail, according to the police report.

ASSAULT AND BATTERY (1ST DEGREE), MALICIOUS INJURY TO PROPERTY, RECKLESS DRIVING (11/16/11) At 8:52 p.m., a Winthrop reporting officer met with the two victims in the visitor parking at the West Center, according to the police report. The first victim stated she had parked her vehicle in the visitor parking, but before she was able to leave her vehicle, another vehicle, driven by the suspect, struck hers on the driver’s side, pushing her up on the curb and sideways, according to the police report. The victim stated she saw the blue Ford Focus back up from her vehicle and strike her vehicle again. The victim said the suspect was the second victim’s former girlfriend, according to the police report. The suspect then backed away from the first victim’s vehicle and sped towards Margaret Nance Hall, where the third victim was walking. The third victim said she had to

dive out of the road onto the sidewalk to avoid being hit by the vehicle, according to the police report. The second victim said the suspect is his former girlfriend and that she must have followed him and the first victim to the parking space. The officer located the suspect and took her into custody, according to the police report.

HARRASSMENT (2ND DEGREE) (11/02/11)

At 7:00 p.m., a Winthrop reporting officer went to the lobby of the Winthrop Police Department to speak with the victim in reference to a harassment incident, according to the police report. The victim is a Winthrop international student. The student said she had met the offender eight months prior to the incident and he had become a family aquaintance and had visited the victim and her husband at their residence, according to the report. The victim said the offender began always wanting to know where she was and became possessive and needy, according to the report. The victim then stopped answering the offender’s attempts to contact her. After parking her vehicle and walking around campus, the victim returned to her vehicle and saw that the offender’s vehicle was parked next to hers, according to the report. The victim said since the offender is a family friend, he knew her class schedule. The victim had a family friend escort her to her vehicle as she began to fear for her safety, according to the report. The victim said she leaves her car doors unlocked due to a malfunction with the doors. When she reached her vehicle, the victim noticed movement and stepped away from her vehicle. At this point, the offender jumped out from the passenger area, according to the police report. When the offender realized the witness was on the scene, he became upset, grabbed the victim’s phone and purse and yelled at her, according to the report. The offender began recklessly driving around the Alumni Parking lot, according to the report. A second witness flagged the offender down and stopped him from driving around the lot.

The second witness convinced all parties to continue

to conversation at his residence. The light turned red, causing the victim’s vehicle to be stuck at the light. At this time, the offender pulled into a gas station and tried talking to the victim. The light turned green, but the victim could not move her vehilce because the offender was blocking her path. The offender then began pounding on the victim’s vehicle, demanding she talk to him, according to the police report. The second witness then had to physically move the offender out of the vicim’s way. After arriving at the second witness’ residence, all parties told the offender that the victim did not want any further contact from him, according to the report. The Rock Hill Police Department was called, but upon the department’s arrival, all parties said everything was fine. The department then left the residence. All parties left soon after.

The next day, the offender went to the victim’s residence, a third witness and the victim told the offender they wanted no more contact with him, according to the report.

The reporting officer and Chief Zebedis met with the offender on 11/22, according to the report. The officer and chief relayed the information from the victim to the offender. After the offender told a story similar to the victim’s, the officer and chief told him his actions could be considered criminal. The offender said he was sorry for the incident and that he was unaware that the victim worried for her safety, according to the report. The officer and chief told the offender the victim wanted no more contact from him. The offender said he understood. The officer told the victim of the discussion with the offender and told both the victim and the offender to have no more contact with each other as it may cause problems in the future, according to the report. The victim said she did not want to pursue criminal charges against the offender. The offender will be referred to the Winthrop University Judicial Affairs, according to the police report.

Compiled by Amanda Phipps

5

Editor supports homosexuality God hates you, faggot.

--The Westboro Baptist Church.

boobies.

What about the Bible? The Leviticus verse that condemns homosexuality is placed just a few lines under the verse that There’s nothing wrong says people who eat shellfish with being gay. I think most should be put to death. If we’re gay people know this already. going to be biblical literalists, But there are others who still Connor de Bruler we might as well start killing refuse to accept that humans Opinion editor everyone in Joe’s Crab Shack can have genuine attractions before we go bomb the gay to members of the same sex. disco. The Bible is a lengthily, The old argument is that homosexuself-contradicting, multi-authored work ality is a perversion akin to pedophilia that is “inspired” by religious teachings and incest. of random historical figures. It’s a work Hmmmmm... of allegorical fiction. It’s not a history Pedophilia is not an ethical sexual textbook. It’s just another book. practice for obvious reasons. It severely Sure the thought of a bearded kiss damages victims psyches because, most freaks me out, but I’m not going to stop of the time, it is not consensual. Children other people from loving each other. I are either violently attacked during the think the idea of anal sex with another intercourse or they are surreptitiously man is pretty gross. I’m sure a lot of gay cajoled into the bedroom. It permanently guys think the idea of eating out a vagina taints sexual activity for youths, and is equally gross. Just because I think invariably leads to a life time of psychocereal is a nasty food, doesn’t mean no logical damage. There have been isolated one should get to eat it. cases when the sex was consensual. As But isn’t marriage a sacred institution. novelist Laura Albert- a sexual abuse No! No it’s not. Marriage is a beautiful victim-once said in an interview with union between two people. That’s all. the Paris Review, “I instigated a lot of There’s a lot of well-to-do gay couples sex with my mom’s boyfriends. I didn’t that could provide a loving and healthy really want to have sex with these men, home for the many unwanted children in but I needed a way to survive psychologithe foster care system. If anything, gay cally.” Even if the sex is consensual, it is marriage would forge a more helpful and still exceptionally damaging to a child’s robust generation of children who come sexual development and future sexual, as from two-parent households. We need to well as psychological health. let go of the cultural myth that the every Homosexuality is not a perversion. It kid needs a father and mother. Every kid is a legitimate sexual preference. It ocneeds loving parents, period. curs in other species as well as humans.

If anyone reads this and feels like I’m Some suggest that two women’s or two off the mark, I would gladly meet with men’s inability to reproduce breaks the them over a coffee to continue in changlaws of nature. Well, cultural practices ing their mind. I’ve also been working like monogamy and love itself are also out a whole bunch, so if anybody’s lookcounter intuitive when it comes to reproing for a good bar fight, I’m game for duction. But we consider those things to that too. be highly moral.

Viva la homosexuality. All my gay There are no logical arguments against friends out there, you keep telling society homosexuality. to suck it.

You cannot be cured of gayness, just the same way I cannot be cured of loving

An Original Comic

By Courtney Niskala

Editor-in-Chief CLAIRE BYUN

Science & Technology Editor CATHERINE ZENDE

Managing Editor & Webmaster Devang Joshi

Sports Editor JEFF BRODEUR

Photographers AMIEE HARMAN CLAIRE VANOSTENBRIDGE JOHN RHODES SARAH AUVIL

Sports Editor DAVID THACKHAM

Ad Manager / Ad Designer RILEY SCHOTT

Copy Editor STEPHANIE ROJENCHES

Ad Sales Representative KATHRINE BROWN JOSH DEMAREST

News Editor JONATHAN MCFADDEN Assistant News Editor AMANDA PHIPPS Opinion Editor CONNOR DE BRULER Culture Editor ALISON ANGEL Arts & Entertainment Editor MONICA KREBER

Copy Editor EDWARD SZEMAN Multimedia Editor KAYLEE NICHOLS Assistant Multimedia Editor JEREMY ALLEN

Graphic Designer COURTNEY NISKALA Faculty Adviser GUY REEL

THURSDAY December 1, 2011

CONNOR DE BRULER Opinion Editor debrulerc@mytjnow.com

Our Say

Stressed out?

Health & Counseling Services can help

The end of Fall semester brings cold weather, holiday parties and an increase in senioritis (okay, maybe only for some people). But it also means final exams, projects and late-night studying.

And, of course, stress.

While you’re at the library researching facts for you CRTW paper or trying to analyze rocks for geology, the workload may become overwhelming. Family issues or other personal problems may add to the weight, which doesn’t help release tension.

Luckily for Winthrop students, Health and Counseling Services can help.

The mission of Counseling Services is to “provide quality mental health service to enhance the overall mental health of Winthrop University Students along cognitive, emotional, personal, and interpersonal dimensions,” according to their website.

Located on the second floor of Crawford, the service is open each weekday and counseling sessions are free for students.

It’s even easy to make an appointment: just call them up or drop on by and speak with the front desk.

We know sometimes it’s difficult to deal with it all. And it’s even more difficult to ask for help.

But the service is free and the staff is knowledgable. So why not take advantage of it?

Below is Counseling Services information, just in case.

By the way, happy holidays from everyone at The Johnsonian. We’ll see you next semester.

Counseling Services Monday-Thursday: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Friday: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

217 Crawford Building (803) 323-2206

Student analyzes church With the launch of Elevation the sermon, music, and people, Church’s Rock Hill campus this why go? semester, a lot of students and Though I was skeptical at first, I people in the community are feel like Elevation bridges this gap curious and suspicious about for many to some extent. I don’t the new church and its success. feel like I am entering a separate It has also raised a lot of quesworld or that I have to put on tions regarding whether media false pretenses when I go. I can Sarah Auvil and technology should be wear jeans and a t-shirt if I’m in Columnist used in the church. a hurry, or a dress if I’m feeling Personally I feel like a big formal, it doesn’t matter. People problem with the modern day church is aren’t going to stare at me if I bring a that often what is preached on Sunday friend from another race or judge me does not connect to anything the rest of during worship. the week. In some traditional churches This is not the prosperity gospel, preachers talk in lofty theological terms it’s the gospel in modern terms for real and use hymns written in language from people. Pastor Steven Furtick has no hundreds of years ago. It’s a great way problem calling people out and discussto preserve the past, but when it’s not ing some of Jesus’ tough-to-swallow explained, it doesn’t connect well to the teachings. Life is not always rainbows, present. butterflies, and dollar bills, nor does JeAs a digital information design masus ever say it will be. But it is a church jor, I felt kind of conflicted when church that people from all walks of life can leaders told me that each person’s gifts come to, regardless of who they are, and should be used to glorify God, but oh be accepted. wait, your field should be left out of Furtick’s sermons use examples from services, as if technology as a medium is real life that apply to all ages to illusinnately “profane” or something. trate sometimes confusing Bible passagIt felt even more hypocritical to me es. For example, while you may not care when I realized that many church youth that 3,000 years ago King Solomon’s events revolve around watching a movie son ignored his royal advisers, you can or playing a video game. Some pastors learn from his mistakes in the situations use Youtube clips in their sermons. But you are facing now by listening to those is this weird? After all, we use technolwho care about you and have experience ogy and media in countless ways each over peers who are just as clueless as and every day. you.

This is the world we live in, if the Whether Elevation Church just feels church wants to reach people its meslike attending a concert or you enjoy sage needs to be relevant to the modthe loud music and message is personal ern world. Our lives are infused with taste. There is no perfect church since technology and media; it’s a format we there are no perfect people. Modern understand. is not better than traditional, nor is Media can be used for good or evil. traditional holier; they’re just different Many churches feel the use of technoloformats and styles. gy, satellite locations, and video is revoBut I think a lot of Elevation’s populutionary – but the church across the larity is due to its attempt to use skilled street is doing the same thing. What’s people in technology, commitment to the point of pretending that Christians organization in their services, and reldon’t watch TV or only listen to music evance to today’s people. played on the organ?

For students that may have been We as students are living in a face burned by religion before or had trouble paced world with complex problems fitting into an extremely formal atmoand stressful situations. A huge gap sphere, the option of an energetic, modin separating the content of religion ern church is often much appreciated. services from many younger people’s day to day lives has formed. And when students can’t relate to or understand

About The Johnsonian The Johnsonian is the weekly student newspaper of Winthrop University. It is published during fall and spring semesters with the exception of university holidays and exam periods.

CONTACT INFORMATION Our offices are located in suite 104 in the DiGiorgio Campus Center.

Phone: (803) 323-3419 E-mail: editors@mytjnow.com Online: mytjnow.com LETTER POLICY Letters and feedback can be sent to editors@mytjnow.com or by mail at The Johnsonian, 104

Campus Center, Rock Hill, S.C., 29733.

Comments submitted online at www.mytjnow.com may be printed as letters and may be shortened for space and edited for clarity.

Please include your name, major and year if you are a student; your name and title if you are a professor; or your name and profession if you are a member of

the community.

Letters, cartoons and columns reflect the opinions of the authors and are not necessarily the opinions of The Johnsonian staff.

CORRECTIONS Contact us if you find an error in an issue of the newspaper. We will correct it in the next issue.

6

THURSDAY December 1, 2011

CATHERINE ZENDE Science & Technology Editor zendec@mytjnow.com

Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA)

The straw that broke the internet’s back?

Online piracy is a somewhat “accepted” fact of our world, but the U.S. government is not going let it go on unpunished. In a stunning act of actually doing something, the U.S. House of Representatives introduced a bipartisan bill called the “Stop Online Piracy Act,” SOPA for short.

What does the bill do? Well, SOPA increases the ability of law enforcement agencies and copyright holders to fight online trafficking of copyrighted materials (movies, books, songs etc…).

This also expands the ability of the Department of Devang Joshi joshid@mytjnow.com Justice and other individuals (companies for instance) to file court orders against websites accused of either enabling or facilitating copyright infringement.

These legal actions could deter other companies from doing business with infringing websites, force search engines to stop linking to the sites and make internet service providers block access to the sites. Essentially, any website that gets caught will be essentially “banned” from the internet (by force).

So what are the good and the bad parts of SOPA? Well, there is little actual good (I mean the government dictating policy on the internet what ‘good’ do you expect to find???) aside from the protection of intellectual property. The bad? Essentially you have a system that polices the internet, looking for things that are “bad.”

Now don’t get me wrong here, piracy is piracy, and if you get something illegally then there is really no legal justification that you can provide to back your The Stop Online Privacy Act (SOPA) is a bill submitted to the United States House of actions. However, the idea of “removing” websites from the internet is a real Representatives earlier this year. The bill has bipartisan support to protect intellecslap in the face to the idea of net-neutrality. tual property rights, but some opponents believe the bill creates Internet censorIn addition, open source companies, like Mozilla (the creators of Firefox), ship. Photo courtesy Google Images can potentially get locked into bitter legal disputes over copyright infringement, and can therefore be subjected to being barred from the internet (the perfect irony really). The same can be true for BitTorrent websites, because after all, It’s not just the Lil Wayne album you have hidden on your hard drive, it’s open BitTorrent clients can be used for piracy. source innovation, it’s digital whistleblowing, it’s media. Plus when a company like Although SOPA claims to protect copyright/intellectual property, a stunning Microsoft is not happy about an anti-online piracy bill, something is fishy. amount of complaint has come from the private sector. Companies such as Google, What do you think? Do you agree or disagree? Comment, write back or email me Facebook, Microsoft, Intel and a host of others, have voiced their concerns with at joshid@mytjnow.com. the bill. However all of these entities acknowledge that the potential legislation has Want to read the bill for yourself? Check out the online version of this story and raised “important questions” in regards to online piracy. mytjnow.com for a link to the PDF of the bill.

What do I think? Well, if you don’t see the sunshine and rainbows coming out Want to speak out? Find your local representative and voice your opinion: of my ass, your powers of perception are dead on! The internet is a plane of equal http://www.house.gov/representatives. existence, where you and I can share information and ideas at our own liking.

At the very least, everyone who reads this article should research SOPA and Laws like SOPA, give power to entities (such as internet service providers) to ban other bills like it; after all, you like the internet don’t you? access to content based off of the mere idea of involvement in piracy.

Protecting privacy on social networks

By Catherine Zende zendec@mytjnow.com

Anyone with a Facebook account knows firsthand how often privacy settings change and how difficult they can be to understand. While protecting personal information is important, it can often conflict with the many sharing features of social networking.

Heather Richter Lipford, assistant professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, studies Human Computer Interaction (HCI) and ways of maintaining privacy in a public world.

During a recent lecture, Lipford discussed with Winthrop students her research and the importance of understanding privacy settings. An estimated three billion photos a month are shared on Facebook, and there are an estimated 95 million tweets per day.

According to Lipford, new default Facebook privacy settings reveal more personal information than users may realize “A lot of your information is available to the public,” Lipford said.

“Many people become disillusioned with social network sites, especially Facebook,” Lipford said.

Understanding Privacy In order to protect privacy, Lipford believes it is important to define what privacy is. She provides two possible definitions of privacy. The first is the concept of contextual integrity, an idea developed

by Helen Nissenbaum. According to this definition, information sharing is governed by the social norms of a given context.

These norms are norms of appropriateness and norms of distribution. Norms of appropriateness defines what information about people is appropriate to reveal in a context. Lipford gives the example of medical information verses academic information.

According to Lipford, giving your private medical information to your doctor is appropriate, while giving it to your school is not. Thus, what information is appropriate to provide depends on context.

Norms of distribution states that the movement or flow from information from one party to another also depends on context. Thus, individuals can choose what information is shared and where it moves.

People often tell their friends private information that they expect to remain a secret by not flowing to another source.

Lipford also believes that boundary regulation provides a general definition for privacy.

Boundary regulation is a concept developed by Irwin Altman. It is an “interpersonal process” of “altering the degree of openness of the self to oth-

Facebook profiles often include basic information like name and location, but also include interets, religion, political views and dating habits. This personal information is usually shared with friends, but can also be accessed by application platforms used for gaming. Photo illustration by Courtney Niskala

ers.” Thus, healthy boundaries help maintain social relationships.

Technology, according to Lipford, makes understanding these privacy definitions difficult. In the online world, users must judge the context of perceived flows of information and control the boundaries of shared information.

While Lipford provides these possibly definitions for privacy, she also recognizes how most people view privacy. “For a lot of people, it is about control,” Lipford said. According to Lipford, this means control over what information is shared and where it is shared.

Prototyping Privacy Lipford studies HCI, which is the interaction and interface between a human and a computer .According to Lipford, it is about “trying to build better designs, better interfaces and better experiences for users.”

Part of her research has involved creating prototype interfaces to help users protect privacy.

One Facebook-inspired experiment involved photo sharing. According to Lipford owners have a right to upload photos, but a moral obligation to respect those in the photo.

“People really expressed this helplessness [with lack of control,” Lipford said.

Lipford’s solution for the sharing problem involved a message system that gave users the option to send messages to the owner of the photo. Users could request that the photo be hidden from certain people, and the owner of the photo could accept or

deny the request.

Lipford found that the focus group easily understood and liked the process. However, while Lipford believes most people would grant the request, a lack of social consequences can still mean some requests will be denied.

Another interface dealt with application platforms and their access to to profile data. “Not only can it [application] access your information, it can also access the information of your friends,” Lipford said.

In addition, people may not be aware their information is being accessed. “No one fully understood that their information was leaving Facebook and going to the serves of the app developers,” Lipford said.

Lipford tested this issue by creating an installation experience in which users viewed 11 apps. Some apps requested context-appropriate information, some requested context-inappropriate information.

She found that most users still allowed context inappropriate information to be shared. “They based all their sharing on the name of the app,” Lipford said. Essentially, users accepted inappropriate sharing because they wanted to access the app and had no other option.

While privacy issues remain, Lipford believes that social networking privacy will improve. “I think we’re going to see a slow evolution [in privacy], Lipford said.

Lipford’s research is design to help social networking sites improve their systems. “My goal is to make our results widely known. Hopefully, they’ll be able to see this research and develop new privacy settings,” Lipford said.

7

THURSDAY December 1, 2011

MONICA KREBER Arts & Entertainment Editor kreberm@myjnow.com

Student poetry member publishes new book

Josh Bowers (standing) reads his poetry from the couch during one Readings! meeting. Photo provided by Dustin Sanson

Since last spring,Winthrop students and Rock Hill residents founded the poetry group ‘Readings!’

Alex Muller

Special to The Johnsonian

Most sit cross-legged on a living room floor, eyes closed, as someone reads aloud. But sometimes poems require participation—call and response, moving into the kitchen for a countertop stage, or crowding into a bathroom to test the weight capacity of the porcelain toilet bowl.

It is a normal Saturday night; Winthrop students are reading poetry to one another.

The group is called “Readings!,” and was started last spring by Josh Bowers and Javy Gwaltney, Alumni of Winthrop’s English Department.

To get Readings! off the ground, the duo plastered the second floor of Bancroft with flyers and crashed The Anthology’s issue release-party to ask, “have you heard, are you coming?”

Junior English major Josh Dunn now coordinates Readings!.

“We wanted a place for

Winthrop students to showcase their creative work that was separate from the University,” Dunn said.

The group moves from apartments to houses to backyard bonfires -- any space offered up by group members who live close to campus.

The atmosphere is casual so students will be more willing to share their work. Those who are of age often bring alcohol. Others offer snacks or baked goods, while some only bring themselves and their poetry.

Readings! have been growing in popularity since they began.

Events are held as often as possible, usually once a month, and average about 30 attendees.

“We’re always seeing new faces,” Dunn said, “and we love it.”

The group invites students and friends to join in the events, whether they take part in reading or just enjoy the atmosphere.

“It’s difficult to write when you feel like you don’t have an audience,” Dunn said, “and

Readings! gives you that audience while putting you in contact with other great writers.”

One of the writers is Samuel Kendall, a former student at York Tech. He has recently published his second book of poetry entitled, Evenings with a Goose Girl.

Kendall has been a fixture in the group since a friend invited him to the second formal event, held around a massive bonfire.

Since then Kendall has been supportive of the group, even offering up his own apartment for a reading.

“Hearing Josh Bowers yell poetry from my couch has definitely made me a better writer,” Kendall said, who described his first published work as “a piece of junk (which) no one should buy.”

He says his second work is an improvement. Comprised of material from January to October, Evenings with a Goose Girl is a “story about placing a woman on a pedestal, living in her shadow for a time and then tearing her down with vigor.”

Samuel Kendell reads poetry from his illustrated notebook.

Photo provided by Dustin Sanson “It’s not the best love story ever,” Kendall said. “It’s not the best verse ever… But it’s my contribution.”

This contribution certainly means exciting new things for the Readings!, “It does serve as a huge push

for all of us to get our work published,” Dunn said.

Whether it’s getting work out into the world or into someone else’s living room, Readings! is creating a showcase for artists that need to be heard.

CrossWUrd Puzzle

Across 1. This committee hosted the car smashing event during Homecoming Week.

4. The Department of Theatre and Dance just celebrated this fall festival (two words).

6. Last name of our 2011 Homecoming Queen (Tori ____).

7. Name of student poetry group (minus the exclamation mark).

9. The ACM club held a _____ Tournament last week (two words) Hint: involves hand controllers.

10. This outdoor structure separates the Little Chapel from the Student Center.

Down 2. November featured the celebration of _____ Education Week.

3. Building where you would most likely find computer science majors.

5. Type of beer mentioned by Devang Joshi.

6. Last name of our 2011 Homecoming King (Willie ____).

8. Name of Winthrop’s marketing building.

THURSDAY December 1, 2011

8

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Stephen Colbert the “Best-Looking Man” Alive People Magazine editors erroneously award Bradley Cooper, The Johnsonian clears up mistake

The Johnsonian staff expressed its desire to make Stephen Colbert the”Best-Looking Man Alive” by ripping up People Magazine (right) and gushing over him on the office’s plasma screen televsion (above). Photos by Sarah Auvil • auvils@mytjnow.com

By Staff Reports

editors@mytjnow.com

Though People Magazine’s editors chose Bradley Cooper for the “Sexiest Man Alive” award, we at The Johnsonian consider the judgment a mistake.

We wish to rectify this decision and bestow the title of our first annual “Best-Looking Man Alive” award on Stephen Colbert, star of “The Colbert Report” on Comedy Central.

“We fail to see how People’s editors, who have the best hightech magnifying glasses in the world at their disposal, could put lens to eye and not see Stephen’s superior facial features,” said Claire Byun, editor-in-chief of the Johnsonian.

“Well, OK, his nose may not have the same Romanesque profile as Bradley Cooper’s, but look at the superiority of Stephen’s hair follicles. After he had his head shaved for his trip to Iraq to see the troops, didn’t he grow his full head of hair back in, like, 10 seconds?”

The most stinging part of People eschewing Colbert in favor of Cooper was that the glossy mag opted to pass over a son of the South (like Winthrop, Colbert is from South Carolina) in favor of a native of a place that gets a lot of snow.

So, if you’re reading this, Dear Stephen, we’re sending you a complimentary copy of this week’s Johnsonian edition and a shiny plaque.

“We hope this goes a long way in helping Stephen begin the healing process,” Byun said.

Cheers to beer: a pint of advice Editors express love for beer, and how to become a ‘certified beer snob’ Devang Joshi joshid@mytjnow.com

There is nothing like a nice cold pint, especially when it’s something that is carefully crafted to become something other than a stale yellow waste of a glass.

Starting with this article, I hope to take you on a journey, exploring all of the subtleties of beer and hopefully helping everyone make better beer decisions while

still not breaking the bank (no Bud Light here ladies and gents).

Before you know it, you will be able to call yourself a certified beer snob and enjoy a nice pint with style.

So, what is beer? Well it is a drink that has a rich history and is much more than the sad beverage carted around by premodana Clydesdales. Let’s start out with the basics.

Beer, like wine, is composed

of a few main ingredients and is then supplemented with others to add differing characteristic to the aroma (nose) and taste of the final product. All beer is composed of: water, hops (a flower that adds the bitter notes of beer) and a starch (in the form of malted grain).

Ok, we got the components of beer down, but what about the styles. Again beer comes in many different forms, just like wine, and ranges from the light and fruity to the heavy and complex. This also applies to the amount of alcohol present in each individual brew. For the purposes of our reviews

All beer is composed of water, hops, a starch...and alcohol.

Photo provided by Devang Joshi • joshid@mytjnow.com we will be looking at the following styles: ales, lagers, stouts/porters, IPAs and Hefeweizens.

Each style provides the taster with a unique set of tastes, colors and aromas to experiment with, and the best part, you can try all of these various brews without breaking the bank!

So, remember to pick up a paper each week, and

check out mytjnow.com for the latest review, so we can share a nice cold pint together. And, of course, remember that the best part about beer is enjoying it responsibly. Cheers!

Questions comments or concerns? Want to write a review or are you curious about a beer? Email me at joshid@mytjnow.com

www.mytjnow.com for news, features, sports and more even over winter break

9

THURSDAY December 1, 2011

ALISON ANGEL Culture Editor angela@mytjnow.com

Language department invites friends, food for culture

By Claire Byun byunc@mytjnow.com

Food, language and culture should all be grouped into similar categories.

That’s how the Department of World Languages and Culture is participating in globalization, at least.

The department recently initiated conversations between students enrolled in language courses and their international counterparts. Some French and Spanish professors invited students from around the world to share their food, language and culture with their classes, as part of the Global Learning Initiative (GLI).

Elizabeth Evans, language instructor, coordinated the meetings to infuse the department with more international culture and further Winthrop’s GLI. The World Languages and Culture department was recently renamed from the Department of Modern Languages.

“With a name change comes a renaissance of embracing Winthrop’s international community, where we value diversity,” Evans said.

Evans’ French 101 and 102 courses dedicated a day to learn more about French students and their respective cities.

“It’s unbelievably important to have visitors—it’s absolutely necessary,” Evans said. “It’s not always the grammar that the students are going to remember about France.”

Grammar may not stay in a student’s mind, but an exotic food experience will. The international students were allowed to bring food into the classroom, using GLI grant money for their expenses.

“You can’t talk about culture without talking about food,” Evans said. “It’s one of the first things that come out of your mouth and the first that goes in, too.”

Cecile Leung, French professor, took a bite out of the culture bug and invited international students into her French 301 course.

These students, however, hail from Saudi Arabia and practice Islam. But why invite students from the Middle East over those from a Francophone country?

“Because there are so many misconceptions about Islam, we wanted to get to know their culture and the students themselves better,” Leung said.

Leung and a few of her students attended a lecture on the topic of “Imagining Islam,” where they learned how many Americans “dehumanize” Muslims and their prophets, Leung said. When asked how to change the situation, the lecturer told Leung to get to know their counterparts—food included.

“What we gained from the encounter was mutual respect,” Leung said. “The time spend together eating

and talking was positive in the sense that it enabled us to view the other with respect.”

Four students shared their culture with Leung’s French 301 class: Mahammed Alhammadi, Mohanad Alotaibi and “AZ” all originate from Saudi Arabia, while Zayed Almadidy is from Iraq.

Most students asked about the cultural shock of coming to America and how their nation differs from the U.S. “It’s just like any other country—there’s good people and bad people,” Alotaibi said.

Muslim generosity and respect for the fellow man is something quite different in Saudi Arabia, AZ said.

Charity is an important aspect of Islam, AZ said, and though many people are not rich they strive to aid the community.

“The country is rich but not the people,” AZ said. “But in my country there are no homeless because we help

each other. We’re not rich but we’re all people.”

While dress, food and religious beliefs were discussed, the event ended with an explanation of problems faced by Muslims in smaller cities, similar to Rock Hill.

If he could live anywhere, Alotaibi said he would choose a major city with many different cultures and nationalities.

“The problem with Rock Hill or a smaller city is that I could meet a country boy or Republican who doesn’t understand my culture,” Alotaibi said.

The American students thanked their visitors and were grateful for the experience, and Steve Rivard, sophomore international business and French major, enjoyed the Muslim presentation.

“It gives us an open mind toward other cultures and we are able to gather into one united community,” Rivard said.

Left: AZ serves each student a small cup of coffee as a show of hospitality. Saudi Arabian coffee is much stronger than typical black coffee and has a dark yellow color.

Above: Cecile Leung and her class sample the food brought by the international students, including lamb, dates and rice. Photos by Claire Byun • byunc@mytjnow.com

Influx of Chinese students fit national trend, but are language skills enough for true understanding?

CHINESE • from front The influx of Chinese students in American universities may be creating “a tricky fit for both,” The New York Times article said.

But non-business majors at Winthrop may see not these Chinese students in class. Jonathan Foltz, senior accounting major, has had classes with the Nantong students for over a year. About 15 out of 25 in one of his classes this semester are Chinese, Foltz estimated. There was a noticeable change in the students’ English from the beginning of the semester to the end, he said.

The only special accommodations he could think of was the use of handheld translators during tests, providing extra slides for clarification and less of a general emphasis on oral presentation, he said.

The problems the foreign students had with oral presentations were perhaps from lack of public speaking skills rather than English skills, Foltz said.

The students speak in a mix of their native language and English in class, he said.

They have “such a drive to learn,” Foltz said. They perform “on par or above” with American students.”

Although he said “we’re happy to have them,” Foltz admitted he was not sure which country the Asian students were from (whether South Korea or China), and the only cultural experience with them he could think of was seeing the food they would sometimes bring with them to their meetings for group projects.

A communication issue with some of the students in his group project several weeks ago caused them to have to stay up until midnight to finish, he said.

Another point in the article is that the TOEFL, or “test of English as a foreign language,” may just be forcing Chinese students to memorize information rather than equipping them with practical English skills upon coming here.

The test consists of speaking, listening reading and writing. Winthrop University requires a benchmark score of 68 on the online version of the test, and also takes “other factors into consideration” about applicants’ probability of success if

available, Edwards said.

Cheng Qian, a May 2011 Winthrop alumna, has worked helping Chinese students prepare for the TOEFL upon return to her hometown of Suzhou, China.

“It provides a fair base to judge, but Chinese students tend to take as many [times] as they want until they get a satisfactory score,” she said. Simply getting a good enough score to study here is “maybe not enough,” she said.

“Language skills are only the start.

Chinese students should get in touch with foreigners before going abroad,” she said. “Instead of being a follower, [they should] figure out why they want to go to America.”

Qian, who had several English-speaking roommates at Winthrop, recommended this for other Chinese students.

“Mingling with native speakers opens up a whole new world for Chinese students,” she said. Qian described her own English skills as “unsatisfactory” upon arrival at Winthrop.

Zi Chen, a graduate student at Winthrop, was skeptical of the TOEFL. Although he studied for the test for months, he estimated that he could only understand 10 percent of what his professors said when he got here.

Although he sounded very enthusiastic about studying here and much more confident his second year than his first, Chen seemed to struggle to communicate in English during the interview. He understands about 80 percent of the English in his lectures now, with management classes being the hardest, he said.

Chen attended Shanghai University for his undergraduate studies. This university in China enrolls almost 50,000 students, he said.

He received a scholarship that gives him the in-state tuition rate. Many Chinese families have no problem paying the tuition here because for them, “education is an investment,” Chen said.

The separation between Americans and Chinese is primarily caused by “the language barrier,” he said. Chen said the school is doing “a good job,” but that Chinese students need more opportunities to get to know Americans.

Could this trend be happening in the reverse, with U.S. students flocking to

China, as well? With access to Mandarin Chinese language programs increasing, the number is rising, but not at nearly the same rate.

China is listed number five on study abroad destinations for Americans, and more than twice this number study in the U.K., according to the Institute of International Education.

One Winthrop student’s decision to study abroad at Mingchuan University in Taipei, Taiwan for a semester turned into a permanent transfer.

Justin “Caleb” Cooper is actually saving money on tuition there, he said.

Cooper decided to study abroad “because of the feeling of adventure, and learning about a new culture,” he said.

Hailing from York, S.C., he was able to live “in a city for the first time,” he said.

“The people are extremely nice here, too.”

Surprisingly, struggling through Mandarin Chinese lectures was not a problem for him. Classes in the university’s international department are in English, including all the mass communication

ones for his major, he said.

However, he has not shied away from classes in Chinese. He is currently taking a class taught in Mandarin studying the native Taiwanese language, and doing very well, he said.

He recalled the Chinese students at Winthrop being “really nice people,” but was bothered by one thing: when speaking Chinese and talking about Americans at Winthrop, many Chinese students used the term “wai guo ren,” literally “outside country person” or “foreigner,” he said.

“They call Americans foreigners,” he said. “That’s how stuck they are in their own groups.”

Cooper said that while some students may get something out of the diversity the Chinese students bring to campus, it is not the norm.

“The average American student notices that there are Asians on the campus, and that’s about all,” he said.

10

Sports Briefs Track and field hold annual odd objects throw The Winthrop throws squad recently held their seventh annual odd objects throw competition at the Irwin-Belk Track.

Both the men’s and women’s team tossed objects from six different categories, which were Home Electronics, Kitchen Utensils, Food, Exercise Equipment, Automotive Equipment and Pressurized Beverage Dispensers.

Athletes took turns heaving televisions, napkin dispensers, water dispensers, computer speakers and several other items, competing for the best toss.

Jake Elliot was the winner of the food and kitchen utensils category, Billy Pearce and Stephanye McCarroll in the home electronics category, Cynthia Gordon in the exercise equipment and dispenser cateogory, and Mark Britton in the automotive equipment category.

Men’s basketball earns first win of the season The Winthrop men’s basketball team won their first game of the season over the weekend with a 107-68 rout of Central Pennsylvania.

Winthrop was led by Reggie Middleton with 19 points, followed by Andre Jones with 17 and Derrick Henry with 15. Other double digit scorers for the Eagles include Andre Smith, Shola Diop and George Valentine, who had 13, 12 and 10 points respectively.

107 points is the most by Winthrop since they put up 109 against VMI on Jan. 31, 2007.

The Eagles stand at 1-5 on the season as they prepare for conference play with Presbyterian College and Gardner-Webb on the slate for next week.

They face Presbyterian on Thursday, Dec. 1 for a 7 p.m. tip off.

Jones, Choibekova named Winthrop Athletes of the Week Winthrop basketball players Andre Jones and Diana Choibekova have both earned Winthrop’s player of the week honors.

Andre Jones set a new career scoring high with 29 points against 19th ranked Marquette in the Paradise Jam in St. Thomas, USVI. Jones connected on 9 of 16 field goals, including 4 of 10 from behind the 3-point line. He also dropped in seven free throws. In the three games played in St. Thomas, Jones scored a total of 57 points.

Choibekova was named the College Sports Madness Big South Player of the Week after averaging 20 points in three games and tying a school record against Niagara with nine three-pointers. She scored 33 points against Niagara, which is four points shy of tying the school record for points in a game. Choibekova has broken the school record for most threes to start a season in the first four games with 23.

Stephanie Palmer named to Big South AllTournament team Sophomore setter Stephanie Palmer was named to the 2011 Big South Conference All-Tournament Team, which was announced Sunday afternoon following the conclusion of the championship match at the CSU Fieldhouse.

Palmer closed out the tournament with 18 kills, a .324 hitting percentage, 23 digs, lead the team with eight total blocks and dished out 91 assists in the two matches the Eagles played in the tournament. This is the first time Palmer has been named to the All-Tournament Team.

The sophomore will return to an Eagles squad that only graduates two players in 2012. Winthrop finished the 2011 season with a 20-8 record, its best overall record since 2007 when the Eagles finished 20-12.

THURSDAY December 1, 2011

JEFF BRODEUR Sports Editor brodeurj@mytjnow.com DAVID THACKHAM Sports Editor thackhamd@mytjnow.com

Lady Eagles come up short against VCU

By David Thackham thackhamd@mytjnow.com

In the end, Winthrop just couldn’t stop the Hurt. The senior from Virginia Commonwealth University (3-2) scored a double- double, scoring 28 points and grabbing 16 rebounds to lead all scorers over their hosts Sunday in a 69-52 blowout. The Lady Eagles (2-4) shot their lowest point total of the season en route to extending a now three-game losing streak.

“I thought [VCU’s] physicality and length caught up to us fast,” Diana Choibekova had a disappointing game shooting 2-20 overall, her six said head coach Marlene points coming from three-point range. Photo by Sarah Auvil • auvils@mytjnow.

Stollings after the game. com “It continued throughout, hard, but found little net. Winthrop time all year that they haven’t.” they were taller every went 1-11 (9.1% FGA) in the first Choibekova shot her second trey possession and stronger. They got five minutes of the second period. in 24 minutes of play with just up in our space and I feel like they Winthrop seemed to get a breath under two minutes left to play, but used their strength to control us of fresh air as they began a fullit was too little, too late as the Rams rather than us controlling them.” court press with 11 minutes to go. A left Winthrop Coliseum as 17-point Winthrop shot out to a five point simple layup by Dequesha McClavictors. lead early through Mary Hathanahan led to an inspired Tiffany Winthrop faces the Davidson way’s three pointer, but an aggresCharles knocking the ball loose as Wildcats in North Carolina on sive Ram defense inside and out VCU tried to in- bound, which led Thursday, hoping to pick up their of the perimeter caused careless to an easy bucket. Forward Katie third win of 2011-2012. errors for the Eagles.

Fitzgerald then drained the lead to “The positives is that we learned a Courtney Hurt capitalized on nine with her own made shot from lot about how much it takes against those mistakes. After starting the distance. a very good team, the discipline and game 0-6 from the field, the 2010 Unfortunately for the Eagles, the the mentality,” Stollings said. “That All-American candidate shot 73% game never got any closer after an all happens in practice. We’ve had to complement a 5-6 performance alley-oop from VCU’s Christina a high level of competition that’s from the foul stripe.

Carter to Hurt gave the hot-shootgood prep and practice to get ready Winthrop relied on junior transing senior her 22nd point of the for the Big South [Conference.]” fer Diana Choibekova to dig them afternoon with 8:18 left, quashing out of the deficit. However, the any hopes for a Winthrop comeguard found little success in shootback. ing, scoring just two baskets out Soon after, Winthrop could not of twenty attempts. A game high find net for over five minutes of seven turnovers compounded the play, stretching from 7:53 to 2:45 problems for Choibekova, who had to go. a masterful 20-point performance “They’re talented,” Stollings said versus Wichita State four days of their visitors. “There’s a lot of talearlier. ent on that team. I would have felt “I was trying to tell her that she Marlene Stollings better if [Winthrop] had given them had to be more physical to get Head Coach their best effort, but this is the first open and stronger with the ball,” Stollings said. “We’ve tried to help with that with the practice team, but she’ll grow from this.

She knows the level she needs to practice. She’s been scouted as a shooter, so she’s going to have it all year.”

Meanwhile, Winthrop had more problems on its hands. VCU finished the half with a 14-2 run with five different players contributing in the last five minutes to send the Eagles to the locker room with a 13-point shortage.

The tempo didn’t get better with the new half as the Lady Eagles shot

“”

There’s a lot of talent on that team.

COMING SOON

Redshirt freshman, Samiya Wright fights her way through a VCU defender. Photo by Sarah Auvil • auvils@mytjnow.com WINTHROP BOX SCORE

THE JOHNNIES

NAME FGM-A

T. CALVERT 2-4 K. FITZGERALD 2-3 T. CHARLES 3-8 D. MCCLANAHAN 8-21 M. HATHAWAY 1-2 D. CHOIBEKOVA 2-20 S. WRIGHT 3-8 D. GRAY 0-2 K. RUBINO 0-0 T. HAMMICK 0-0

3PTM-A

REB

AST

PTS

0-0 0-0 0-1 1-6 1-1 2-14 1-2 0-0 0-0 0-0

2 5 3 1 1 11 4 7 1 1

0 2 3 3 0 1 0 0 0 0

6 4 6 20 3 6 7 0 0 0

THURSDAY December 1, 2011

11

SPORTS

Rock Hill to host Youth Soccer National Championship in 2012 SOCCER • from front “This event is something players anticipate all year,” Sutter said. “The chance to earn their way to play against the best competition in their sport and win the national championship.”

The crown jewel of youth soccer in America is likely to increase revenue opportunities for Rock Hill’s economy, especially for stores, hotels and restaurants to serve the final 56 teams who reach the championship stage.

Winthrop Eagles’ men’s soccer coach Rich Posipanko says he is thrilled that the city will be hosting the tournament.

“The USYSA National Club Championship this summer will certainly give great exposure to Rock Hill,” he said. “[It] will have a very solid economic impact on the area since those attending will be from out of state or the immediate area.”

Manchester Meadows was an attractive choice for the tournament to be held. The 70-acre complex includes eight regulation-size fields- two of synthetic turf and six of natural grass.

Winthrop has hosted its annual spring invitational tournament, the Manchester Cup, at the site for the past five years, attracting talent such as Clemson University, the University of North Carolina, the University of South Carolina and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).

“I would like to think that the Manchester Cup has brought a positive focus and attention to Manchester Meadows and helped in spreading the word about this outstanding facility,” Posipanko said. “From day one [over 20] years ago, Winthrop Soccer has helped play a major role in the promotion, development and leadership of soccer in the area.”

The tournament has seen the talents of many of America’s best young stars on the market today. U.S. men’s national team players Robbie Findley, Jonathan Bornstein and Freddy Adu have all made their mark at the national youth level.

“Hosting the US Youth Soccer National Championships will be a wonderful opportunity for young players in the area to see some of the best teams in the country,” said Bob Brantley, president of the South Carolina Youth Soccer Association. “This is such a

The Winthrop Lady Eagles defeated Belmont Abbey College 3-1 earlier this spring at the 2011 Manchester Cup. The exhibition tournament and the Manchester Meadows complex have attracted talent in the past such as Clemson, North Carolina at Chapel Hill, South Carolina and Virginia Commonwealth. Photo

by David Thackham • thackhamd@mytjnow.com unique gathering of talent and passion for the game, and we are thrilled to host these players and their families for this event.”

Posipanko expects the popularity only to grow with time. He also believes that if a local team were to qualify for the national championship, soccer fans in York County would come out in full force.

“Soccer in Rock Hill has continued to gain a higher profile each year, and there are a large number of soccer fans in the community,” said Posipanko. “ I think each tournament that Manchester Meadows hosts brings something different to the table.”

The round robin format of the national championships will take place from July 25-27, and the finals will ensue from July 28-29.

“”

This event is something players will anticipate all year .

John Sutter

US Youth Soccer President

Car collides with spirit bus on Oakland Ave.

By David Thackham thackhamd@mytjnow.com

A woman was sent to the hospital after her Nissan Xterra and the Winthrop Eagles spirit bus collided just outside the Winthrop University campus gate at 2:15 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

Nicole LeClair witnessed the crash as she sat outside the Dacus Library.

“I was working on a research paper,” she said. “I went outside to call [my dad], and I saw the lady fly through the red light.”

The woman is not a Winthrop student. LeClair describes her as being around 40 or 50 years old.

LeClair says the Winthrop spirit bus was making its way toward the Winthrop Coliseum to transport fans to the upcoming Eagles’ women’s basketball game against Niagara University.

Three fans were on the bus at the time of the accident.

“She was trying to make a right turn on red,” LeClair said.

“She didn’t even get a chance to make the turn, she just hit the bus.”

Winthrop University police were the first to show at the scene, before Rock Hill police arrived at the scene. South Carolina state troopers were also called out to assist, as the Winthrop bus is a state-owned vehicle.

Winthrop athletic director Tom Hickman said the bus was sent to the body shop just a few days after the crash.

“Hopefully by this time next week, it’ll be back in operation.”

A close-up of the damage done to the spirit bus. Photo by Jenni Buker • Special to The Johnsonian.

UPCOMING GAMES HOME GAMES IN BOLD

Men’s basketball 12/1 @ Presbyterian College - 7 p.m.

12/3 @ Gardner-Webb - 7 p.m.

12/11 vs Virgina-Wise - 4 p.m.

Women’s basketball 12/1 @ Davidson - 7 p.m.

12/10 vs South Carolina State - 7 p.m.

12/14 @ Monmouth - 7 p.m.

The damage to the Nissan Xterra that crashed into the spirit bus. Photo by Jenni Buker • Special to The Johnsonian.

THURSDAY December 1, 2011

THE JOHNSONIAN

WWW.MYTJNOW.COM

12