Pipe Dream Fall 2012 Issue 17

Binghamton gets jacked Release takes you inside SAPB's first concert of the semester

PIPE DREAM Friday, October 26, 2012 | Binghamton University | www.bupipedream.com | Vol. LXXXII, Issue 14

The New

Era

Jimmy Gray returns for his senior season looking to lead the Bearcats in their first season under head coach Tommy Dempsey.

Jasbriell Swain heads into her junior season ready to embrace a new role of leadership following the loss of Binghamton's three leading scorers to graduation last year.

The women, gender and sexuality studies (WGSS) program is relatively small, with only two full-time faculty members and four joint professors.

With the growing relevance of topics such as a woman’s right to choose and the legalization of same-sex marriage in mainstream discourse, the WGSS department hopes to expand as well — from a peripheral program that only offers

a minor to a larger department that would include a major and graduate certificate.

Dara Silberstein, program director of WGSS, said she hopes a formal major in WGSS will be available within the next two years.

“We are working on having it approved on campus, through the SUNY system and the state, which can be an extended period of time,” Silberstein said. “I’m very positive, we have [the] support of the administration, its something students wanted and frankly it’s something that faculty affiliated with

SEASON OPENERS Men's Basketball Tonight, @ Loyola University

Women's Basketball Saturday, @ St. Bonaventure

the program are very enthusiastic about.”

Sean Massey, a research associate professor in the WGSS program, said the department sees this as a vital addition to Binghamton University. He is more ambitious than Silberstein, hoping the SUNY Board will approve it by next year.

“The individualized major committee already approved it, but the SUNY takes longer for [a] formal major,” Massey said. “Students at Binghamton can create own their

"There's been discussion about sexuality, students from certain countries would not want sexuality on their transcript" —Dara Silberstein WGSS program director

After hundreds of students helped Binghamton rebuild after Tropical Storm Lee last year, the Binghamton community is repaying the favor by raising money to help the hometowns of many of those students that were devastated

by Superstorm Sandy.

Habitat for Humanity and Tau Alpha Upsilon fraternity teamed up to host an all-youcan-eat pancake fundraiser called “Cloudy with a Chance of Pancakes” for the student-run Sandy relief effort “Giving Back from Far Away.”

“Last year when Hurricane[s] Irene and Lee hit Broome County, Binghamton University students and, in particular, the Habitat for Humanity campus chapter were with us every step of the way,” said Amy Winans, executive director of Broome County’s Habitat for Humanity branch. “Now that they have given so much to us, it seems only natural we pay back what they have done for us.”

Nicholas Agostino, a senior majoring in psychology, helped organize “Giving Back from Far Away.”

“People are so happy, when they hear food they love it, especially when it is a good cause,” Agostino said. “With the hurricane linked to it and the pancakes, everyone is really eager to participate.”

Agostino and Dana Borrero, a junior double-majoring in economics and political science, began the fundraiser the Tuesday after the storm hit. “Cloudy with a Chance of Pancakes” raised almost $1,000 for Agostino and Borrero’s charity fund.

“Habitat for Humanity has this pancake event every year and they donate it to some charitable organization that

they feel is worthy,” Borrero said. “Nick and I started this only a week and a half ago, and it was just a few drop boxes, but they have been really helpful and now they are donating money to us, which is really great, and we will get to help a lot of families in the tri-state area.”

Proceeds from the event will be donated to The Stephen Siller Tunnel To Towers Foundation, a charity started by former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani as a relief foundation for hurricanes of all magnitudes, according to Agostino and Borrero.

Winans, a BU alumna, praised students for the aid they raised for various nonprofit organizations in Broome County linked to the University.

“Whatever opportunities we as a community have to help pay that back, we are ready to do that,” Winans said. “I say that as an agency director, and I also say that as a community member, that it is absolutely amazing what we have been able to accomplish with the help of Binghamton University students.”

Claude Fong, a senior double-majoring in finance and accounting, said the community was very willing to help students affected by Sandy.

“A lot of them have friends, colleagues and families who have been personally affected, and it is just difficult to help donate and help them physically when you are up here,” Fong said. “This is a very small thing we could do, but it shows there are alternative ways to give back to the community.”

Over 250 students and community members attended the event, including members from other Greek organizations.

“This event went really well, and they are doing a lot to help the community,” said Diane Nurkin, a member of Phi

here I am 23, HIV positive and scared,” she said. “Why? ‘This is just a dream!’ I scream, but the pinch I use to wake me just Alone on stage, Marlande busied me. I’m dying as my Valentin began an evening ignorance has overcome me.” of dramatic monologues by Valentin, a junior majoring relaying the story of a young in economics, was one of the woman at a crossroads. performers in the second annual “I cry as I sit on my bed, WE SPEAK BU’s performance

Nia Pellone/Assistant Photo Editor

Members of Habitat for Humanity serve pancakes to Binghamton University students at “Cloudy with a Chance of Pancakes.” Habitat for Humanity and Tau Alpha Upsilon hosted the event on Wednesday to benefit Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.

Sigma Sigma sorority and a sophomore double-majoring in medieval studies and history. “I am really happy to see college students giving back.”

The brothers of Tau Alpha Upsilon, members of Student Ambassadors and Habitat for Humanity helped run the event by making pancakes and providing orange juice, coffee and toppings for the pancakes that attendees enjoyed. Various student performance groups, including Kaskeset, the Pegs and the Pappy Parker Players, provided live entertainment.

Donations of supplies are being accepted by “Giving Back From Far Away” in boxes located at University Plaza, Undergraduate Admissions and several locations in Endicott.

The items of greatest need are baby supplies, work supplies, non-perishable food items and warm clothing.

of the Positive Monologues Thursday night, a collection of stories inspired by real people who are HIV positive.

Melinda Momplaisir, one of the event organizers and a sophomore majoring in history, said “The Vagina Monologues” gave them the idea to perform a set of monologues about HIV and AIDS. “We were like, ‘Oh we should tell stories of those infected with HIV/AIDS,’ and all the stories that we told are stories of people we found online who wanted to share their stories with the world,” Momplaisir said.

John Minchillo/AP Photo

Workers inspect a transformer box at a substation on Harrison and 2nd Street as surrounding neighborhoods remain without power due to damage caused by Superstorm Sandy, Sunday, in Hoboken, New Jersey

Students performed 12 monologues and poems and two musical numbers. The monologues were inspired by magazine articles, speeches and blogs found online.

Brandon Small, a senior majoring in biology, was the host and an actor in the performance. He said the monologues could be tools to show others what it is like to live with HIV. “The monologues that are being said are actual monologues from people who have been infected by HIV/AIDS so they’re kind of like handson tools that we are using to

express how people are affected

by HIV/AIDS,” Small said.

According to Small, when people become aware of the issue, they start to take action.

“We’re hoping that individuals can take that and remember in the back of their minds at least and make proactive steps towards a healthier life,” he said.

Taylre Nwambuonwo, a junior majoring in English, said the performances were emotional, especially a scene about a woman who married a man who was HIV positive.

“I expected there to be a powerful performance, I mean I

Kendall Loh/ Staff Photographer

WE SPEAK BU performs their second annual Positive Monologues, an event where students tell the stories of individuals infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS. On Thursday, Nov. 8, Marlande Valentin, a junior majoring in economics, performed one of 12 monologues and poems that were featured throughout the night’s event along with two musical performances.

almost cried during one of the performances, so that’s what I expected and that’s what I got,” Nwambuonwo said.

Between scenes, Small told the audience the performances were not to scare people, but he encouraged the audience to practice safe sex habits.

“By all means, we’re young, have fun, but do it right,” Small said. “That’s why we have like 5,000 condoms in here! A thousand for each, please, I won’t leave until y’all taken 500 each.”

Stella Ogunleye, an actor for the Monologues and a junior majoring in psychology, said he hoped the monologues helped students relate to people affected by HIV or AIDS. “Realize that people infected with HIV/AIDS are just like us and that it can happen to anyone of us,” Ogunleye said.

“So just definitely respect them and don’t outcast them like they’re not one of us. They were just in the wrong situation at the wrong time.”

Zeinah Issah, a junior majoring in sociology, said education is key to understanding the spread of diseases like HIV/AIDS. “Being able to educate everyone like, ‘Take condoms!’”

Issah said. “I really like that because honestly throughout high school they always preach abstinence, abstinence. But that’s not the case, you have like 12, 13-year-olds engage in sexual activities. So I feel like condoms are effective.”

Pipe Line

Afrojack Crowd

Vassar plans to cull deer Vassar College plans to hire sharpshooters to kill deer in its suburban preserve in Poughkeepsie, claiming the herd has grown so large that it is harming trees and other plants.

The last deer cull sparked protests in 2010, when shooters killed 64 deer over two nights. Officials sent a letter to people on campus as well as neighbors Thursday announcing the deer cull, which will take place in January. The college will host two information events this month. Venison from the cull will be donated to local food banks, as it was in 2010.

Binghamton University’s plan to cull deer in the Nature Preserve last January was halted by a lawsuit from opponents.

Cornell University has an aggressive hunting program on its forest land to keep the deer herd in check.

Two arrested at riot at University of Mississippi A protest against the re-election of President Barack Obama got out of hand at the University of Mississippi, and officials said racial slurs were used in a crowd that grew to about 400 students after rumors spread that a riot had broken out. Two arrests were reported but university officials said there were no injuries or property damage. A university spokesman said the gathering began after midnight with 30 to 40 students protesting Obama’s re-election but quickly grew. Chancellor Dan Jones condemned the disturbance and said most students and faculty are “ashamed” of the actions of a few. He said that inaccurate comments and photos posted on social media sites don’t match police observations.

Jonathan Heisler/Photo Editor

The crowd gets pumped at last night's Afrojack concert in the Events Center.

Gas pipeline to be constructed through Broome County A 44-mile-long, $280 million natural gas pipeline is being constructed in central New York to carry natural gas from northern Pennsylvania to East Coast markets. The Bluestone Pipeline will connect with the Millennium Pipeline, a massive conduit that runs across central New York from Corning to Rockland County. Bluestone spokesman Mike Armiak said the company hopes to have the project finished and gas flowing by the end of the year. The new 20-inchdiameter Bluestone Pipeline will run from Pennsylvania through about nine miles of rural land in Broome County before meeting the Millennium Pipeline. The company had to provide the town of Sanford with a $1 million bond ensure any damage to town roads will be repaired.

Sandy damage in N.Y. could total $33 billion Damage in New York state from Superstorm Sandy could total $33 billion, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Thursday. A damage forecasting firm estimated that Sandy might have caused $30 billion to $50 billion in economic losses from the Carolinas to Maine. Cuomo’s estimate will likely push the bill even higher. A damage estimate of $50 billion total would make Sandy the second most expensive storm in U.S. history, behind Hurricane Katrina.

FEMA to provide manufactured housing The federal government is moving manufactured housing into areas in New York and New Jersey that were hit hardest

by Superstorm Sandy, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said Thursday. FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate said the disaster relief agency has several hundred mobile homes in its inventory and has started moving some of them to disaster zone. He said it is unclear as of yet if FEMA will need to order more of the temporary homes. More than 56,000 people have been ruled eligible for FEMA’s individual and households program, one that provides money for renting a new place or housing repairs.

Police Watch No spill, no drill MONDAY, NOV. 5, 7:15 p.m. — Officers on patrol responded to Keuka Hall in Hillside Community after a fire alarm went off in the building, said Investigator Patrick Reilly of Binghamton’s New York State University Police. The officers found students in the kitchen, who had set off the alarm while cooking with oil. Oil had splashed on the walls and on the stove top, but there was no damage. The officers told the students to clean up the mess, and they reset the alarm in the kitchen.

Frackattack TUESDAY, NOV. 6, 5:18 p.m. — Officers on patrol in the Old University Union found an illicit sign by one of the campus polling booths, Reilly said. The sign said “no fracking, vote Line A Democrat.” The officers noted that the sign violated New York state laws for electioneering and took it down. An anti-fracking group had been demonstrating on campus, but there were no witnesses to indicate whether any member of the group put the sign up.

In other words

Lost and found?

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 7, 7:46 a.m. — Officers on patrol responded to the Engineering Building after reports of a suspicious person in the building were received, Reilly said. The officers were told that a homeless person had been seen sleeping in the building’s first floor bathroom. The officers found the suspect, who said that he just got a job and was trying to save money. The officers told the suspect that he could not stay in the bathroom, as he had no legitimate reason for being on campus, and escorted him to the bus.

Whoops WEDNESDAY, NOV. 7, 2:59 p.m. — A fire alarm went off in Dickinson Community’s O’Connor Hall, Reilly said. Officers responded to the scene and found a person who said that his coat had been caught on the pull-station, and as he freed it the alarm went off. The officers reset the alarm and the building’s occupants were able to return.

Harpur's Ferry With regard to mental health, we recommend the following resources:

This Day in History "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall" — The Berlin Wall fell on this day in 1989, though it wasn't until weeks after that the wall was destroyed.

Crisis Center at UHS Binghamton General Hospital: 762-2458 B.U. High Hopes Crisis Intervention: 777-4357 Crime Victims Assistance Center: 777-4256 — Stephen Colbert, on Twitter

SOS Shelter for Battered Women: 754-4340 UHS Suicide Crisis Line: 762-2302

or call Harpur's Ferry at 607-777-3333 — Seth MacFarlane, on Twitter

Undergraduate students gain insight on teaching

Students aspiring to be teachers joined teaching veteran Tami Mann Thursday to get advice on entering the profession and learn about Binghamton University’s graduate program.

Mann, the senior staff assistant of the Graduate School of Education, encouraged students to get teaching experience to discover if it is the right profession for them. “Ways to find out if teaching is for you [are] to volunteer, gain experience in teaching, and connect with teachers who taught you,� Mann said.

She said one of the benefits of getting experience is the chance to get a leg up on the competition when applying to graduate schools. “Acquiring experience provides networking, rĂŠsumĂŠ boosters, and letters of reference — all of which are good for applications into education programs,â€? Mann said.

According to Mann, the personal statement for an application is pivotal and the rĂŠsumĂŠ should center around the applicant being a leader, teacher, helper and mentor.

She encouraged students to have multiple schools in mind when applying. “Students interested in attending graduate school for

education should apply to multiple graduate schools that lead to initial certification,�

Mann said.

Mann said undergraduate students should should spend their time focusing on the subject they want to teach. “Students interested in teaching high school and junior high students should major in the subject of which they would like to teach, take three years of foreign language in high school, or one semester of foreign language in college, and an introduction to economics or political science for those interested in teaching social studies,� said Mann.

According to Mann, Binghamton University’s school of education now offers a fast-track or combined degree program in French, math, science and Spanish for prospective teachers in grades seven through 12. “The combined degree program provides an opportunity for a limited number of outstanding liberal

arts students who have a 3.4 GPA by their junior year to graduate in five years with a BA and a MAT degree,� Mann said.

Eileen Bauer-Hagerbaumer, the assistant director for employer relations, said that despite the fact that Binghamton University does not have an undergraduate degree in education, this should not stop students from going into the teaching profession. “I think that it is important to maintain the profession, and with the changing requirements for teaching, it is important to get quality people into the profession,� BauerHagerbaumer said.

Ricki Zimmerman, an undeclared freshman, said she attended the event because she wants to become a teacher. “I went in hopes that this could better inform me of what I have to do to become a teacher, and Tami Mann really knows what she is talking about,� Zimmerman said.

Lissett Ortiz, a junior majoring in mathematics, said she will practice what she learned at the talk. “I learned that it’s important to participate in community events in order to build a rĂŠsumĂŠ and to network,â€? Ortiz said.

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Members of residential community governments met with the Student Association on Wednesday hoping to increase cross-council communication — something the SA felt was sorely lacking.

Representatives from each of the residential communities, except for Susquehanna Community and the Off Campus College Council, attended a dinner hosted in the Mandela Room by Traci Rubin, the chief of staff for SA President Mark Soriano.

According to Rubin, a junior majoring in English, the event was designed to build relationships among community E-Boards, as well as between the different community governments. “We’re doing some community builders so that community leaders can interact with each other so they can forge friendships and so eventually events can be planned together,� Rubin said.

With the exception of the annual LEADERS conference, there are no opportunities for all of the community E-Boards to get together.

Stacey Troy, executive vice president of the Hillside Village Council, said more interaction among the community E-Boards is necessary. “I don’t think the

community leaders interact enough,� Troy said. “We’re basically all the in the same boat as Executive Boards of our communities, and it’s nice to talk to other people to see how they plan events and how things stuck to become traditions.�

Troy, a junior majoring in computer science, considered the dinner a step in the right direction. “I thought the event was a good idea, so we have an opportunity to interact with the community leaders for more than just the LEADERS conference they have yearly now,� he said.

Derek Gumb, executive vice president of the SA, said cross-community projects would allow the more isolated E-Boards to expand their horizons. “It’s great to get all the community leaders together in one room because every community sometimes focuses on themselves, and when they get together to brainstorm they come up with bigger

solutions,� said Gumb, a senior majoring in philosophy, politics and law.

Rubin suggested that increased communication would benefit Binghamton University as a whole. “I love Binghamton, so I hope that the Binghamton community can become stronger through events like this,� Rubin said.

Starting off the night, SA members each described their role and how they could assist the various communities.

Soriano, a senior majoring in history, said that they should work actively with the SA. “I want you all to know that we are here to help you guys out,� Soriano said. “We are a resource for you.�

The event featured a buffetstyle dinner, with each of the community E-Boards sitting at their own separate tables.

The respective E-Boards took part in two community builders, playing “two truths and a lie� and making team names. Afterward, E-Boards were mixed together into two teams, charged with the task of making the tallest tower out of a piece of paper.

Rubin said the event proved the effectiveness of crosscommunity interactions. “While it started out awkward, the exercise proved that when we work together, it does provide a better — Stacey Troy environment and it does help Hillside Village Council foster new ideas,� Rubin said.

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Student panel reviews smoking ban

Happy Birthday Natsumi Keyin Let the God decorate each golden ray of the sun reaching u with wishes of success, happiness and prosperity 4 u, wish you a super duper Happy Birthday This is the day the god has made This is the day the god has gave Don’t just let it go on a single blink just go out and have a little drink

In response to a SUNY-wide smoking ban proposed by SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher, the Student Association has organized a panel to allow students to voice their opinions on the potential ban.

The SUNY Board of Trustees backed Zimpher’s proposal over the summer to ban tobacco on all SUNY campuses, but in order for the ban to be enacted, the state legislature must approve the proposal.

Although individual campuses can choose to ban tobacco without legislative approval, Binghamton University remains undecided on whether it will join SUNY Brockport, SUNY Albany and University at Buffalo in banning smoking.

The SA created the panel to get student input about the potential ban and SUNY policy.

“The purpose of the panel is to create a student opinion regarding the proposed ban, that we will send to the SUNY Board of Trustees and the BU campus administration,” SA President Mark Soriano wrote in an email.

Soriano said his intention was to make the panel as diverse as possible and to include smokers and non-smokers.

The panel is made up of Stephen Bedik, Daniel Burkett, Alexandra Cain, Amanda Ceravolo, Joshua May and Samantha Steiner, ranging from freshman to juniors at BU. “All of the [panel] members are clearly very enthusiastic about the project, and very willing to get started,” Soriano said. “The members appear thoughtful and balanced in their approach to the questions we seek to answer.”

Soriano and Dov Berkman, a student representative for Binghamton University Council, will argue on behalf of both sides of the issue, fostering discussion among committee members.

“The panel will not have to reach a unanimous decision, and I hope that there will be a lively debate,” Soriano said. “My role in the debate will be to play devil’s advocate, and I will stick up for smokers and non-smokers as needed.”

Soriano said the first panel session was held Monday after the panelists were selected last Friday. They provided the panelists with a brief history of tobacco use on campus and the SUNY Board of Trustees policy, according to Soriano.

“It is important that our panelists are able to reach a decision from an informed position so that whatever policies they

suggest are relevant,” Soriano said.

The committee started discussing goals and creating a survey, which students can expect to be released in a few weeks.

They will also create a poll for the entire student body and use the data they receive to form their final verdict. The results will be presented to the BU administration.

“I will be speaking with Vice President for Student Affairs Brian Rose, as well as Dean of Students April Thompson about the poll,” Soriano said. “Once we have the data, Dov will bring the results before the BU Council and I will go to President Stenger to see what can be done.”

Joshua Frumkin, a senior doublemajoring in philosophy and philosophy, politics and law, said the ban would strip students of one of their rights.

“This is a terrible idea,” Frumkin said.

“Look at other banned activities and how often they still happen; this would just cause stress for those who do smoke.”

Frumkin said he believes it is an issue of free rights.

“The smoke is not causing any harm and is happening outside anyway, not even close to residential buildings,” Frumkin said. “Prohibition never works.”

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On Thursday afternoon, Nukporfe, Binghamton University’s African-influenced drumming ensemble, held a mid-day performance in the Anderson Center for the Performing Arts.

Nukporfe performed a selection of Ghanaian songs and dances for an audience of about 100 people.

The group, which has been performing since 2007, consists of a dozen drummers, led by James Burns, chair of the music department, along with dancers and a small choir. Nukporfe joins members of the music and theater departments to put on a lively show with singing and dancing.

Nukporfe members put an emphasis on the cultural education they receive upon joining the ensemble, and for some it is an opportunity to continue to hone talents they learned at home.

Itoro-Chloe Udo, a sophomore majoring in biochemistry, said she has been a part of Nukporfe for three semesters. She first

joined the group as a dancer, but was later promoted to lead singer after the former lead singer graduated last year.

She was involved in a Nigerian dance group at home and is a member of the African Student Organization. She cited these activities as her reasons for joining the group.

Maritza Rodriguez, a senior majoring in biology, said she was introduced to the group through a friend. While she began in the group as a dancer, Rodriguez said she took the beginner African drum class offered at BU. In her five semesters of participating in Nukporfe, she became the vice president of the ensemble and the second-mostimportant drum behind Burns.

Rodriguez said she is interested in the cultural aspect behind the music.

“It’s not like Western music where you just pop on a song; [the Ewe songs] have meaning to them,” she said.

The students performed a selection of six songs. Each piece was upbeat and energetic, and for the final number Burns invited members of the audience onstage for an Ewe version of

Nicole Kupfer/Contributing Photographer

Binghamton University’s African-influenced drumming ensemble, Nukporfe, performs a selection of Ghanaian songs and dances for an audience of about 100 people. The performance took place on Thursday afternoon in the Anderson Performing Arts Center.

Musical Chairs.

After the concert, Burns explained the meaning of the group’s name and how it applies to their diverse members who perform authentic African music.

“It comes from an Ewe proverb that means ‘seeing is believing,’” Burns said. “Until you see someone in action, you don’t really know their potential.”

Chris Butcher, an undeclared sophomore, said he attended the concert as a part of a class.

“It was authentic and well done,” Butcher said.

Connie Chan, a freshman majoring in biology, said she also attended the concert for class, but enjoyed the performance

and said she would go to more of Nukporfe’s concerts.

“I enjoyed it a lot, and it was nice to get away from the professor and his lectures,” Chan said.

Butcher said the songs “reminded him of the YouTube videos” of native African drummers he had seen in class, a testament to Nukporfe’s authenticity.

Nukporfe has performed for local schools to raise awareness for Black History Month and for the Southern Tier World AIDS Day event. They will be performing their semester concert at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 14 in Watters Theater.

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WGSS major to improve critical thinking The women, gender and sexuality studies (WGSS) program is relatively small, with only two full-time faculty members and four joint professors. With the growing relevance of topics such as a woman’s right to choose and the legalization of same-sex marriage in mainstream discourse, the WGSS department hopes to expand as well — from a peripheral program that only offers a minor to a larger department that would include a major and graduate certificate.

Dara Silberstein, program director of WGSS, said she hopes a formal major in WGSS will be available within the next two years.

“We are working on having it approved on campus, through the SUNY system and the state, which can be an extended period of time,” Silberstein said. “I’m very positive, we have [the] support of the administration, its something students wanted and frankly it’s something that faculty affiliated with the program are very enthusiastic about.”

Sean Massey, a research associate professor in the WGSS program, said the department

sees this as a vital addition to Binghamton University. He is more ambitious than Silberstein, hoping the SUNY Board will approve it by next year.

“The individualized major committee already approved it, but the SUNY takes longer for [a] formal major,” Massey said.

“Students at Binghamton can create own their own individualized major and submit it to individualized major committee to be approved. We’re now just working on getting the formal major.”

The proposal for a new major has to go through Harpur College Counsel, the faculty senate, the provost’s office, SUNY and the New York State Board of Education in Albany, according to Silberstein.

“There’s been some enthusiasm, there’s been some concern about whether we can meet expectations we set for ourselves,” she said. “There’s been discussion about sexuality, students from certain countries would not want sexuality on their transcript.”

Silberstein said there have been long discussions about the concerns people have.

“Those are some significant issues we have in moving forward,” Silberstein said.

“However, I am fairly confident that this is going to be very successful. Even right now there’s been a bigger buzz, we’ve had a lot of students come through.”

Although she is trying to expand the department, Silberstein does not think adding a formal major will drastically change the core concepts of the program.

“There will be changes that everybody will see,” Silberstein said. “In other ways it will be seen that we are successful in getting awarded grants from health department that will connect us to organizations that help LGBTQ networks. That will have an enormous impact on our program, from people who are there to people who engage with the program, the kind of programs that we do, and that will be the importance.”

The major will teach students a variety of important academic and professional skills, according to Silberstein.

“Students can get more than just career path outcomes from the major, including critical thinking skills,” she said. “Questions about sexual identity and gender are critiqued and recognized as defining other kinds of value areas.”

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RELEASE DATE– Monday, March 16, 2009

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis

ACROSS 1 Bands’ sample tapes 6 Cougar 10 Backpack stuff 14 Highly skilled 15 And others, for short 16 Ye __ Tea Shoppe 17 Bad-mouth an Aretha Franklin classic?

19 Bard’s river 20 “Don’t move a muscle” 21 Start without a key 23 Actor’s aid 25 Desert rest stops 26 Thrill-seeker’s cord 30 Raw-voiced 33 Fit to be drafted 34 Second-largest Indian city 35 Trident-shaped Greek letter 38 Rap a Rolling Stones classic?

42 Alf and Mork, briefly 43 Luxurious residence 44 Poet Whitman 45 Lovely woman 46 Miss Piggy’s poodle 48 One in a cowpoke’s herd 51 What a cake candle often represents 53 Maker 56 Use LSD, slangily 61 “Cotton Candy” trumpeter 62 Pan a Billy Joel classic?

64 Cry mournfully 65 Catch sight of 66 Gristmill fodder 67 Opposite of aweather 68 Barking swimmer 69 Elegance of dress DOWN 1 Root beer brand 2 Work for Money, maybe 3 Tableland 4 Grand Ole __

5 Siberian plain 6 __-Bismol 7 Sport __: family vehicle 8 Speed-of-sound ratio 9 Voice above tenor 10 “Scram!”

11 With 24-Down, The King 12 Cherish 13 Descartes and Russo 18 Positive (about) 22 Subject for debate 24 See 11-Down 26 Portend 27 Army group 28 Loch with sightings 29 Tank filler 31 Communications code word for A 32 __ Na Na 34 Pickle herb 35 French singer Edith (“The Little Sparrow”) 36 Duet minus one 37 “Be Honest — You’re Not That __ Him Either”: Ian Kerner best-seller

39 Keep from happening 40 Up to, in ads 41 Couple 45 John, Paul or George 46 Casino game 47 Round gaskets 48 Vowel sound represented by an upside-down “e” 49 Case in court

50 Weird 52 Antiknock agent 54 Poems of praise 55 Bailiff’s request 57 Snippety 58 Anthem beginning 59 Electric co.

60 Daly of “Judging Amy’’ 63 Health resort

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xwordeditor@aol.com

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03/16/09

03/16/09

Afrojack takes over control

Jonathon Heisler/ Photo Editor

Jonathan Heisler and Nia Pellone

Hordes of students charged the Binghamton University Events Center Thursday night, sporting giant fur boots and neon body suits. But this isn’t some late Halloween party.

No, this is what happens when Afrojack comes to town.

The Grammy-winning music producer and DJ took over the turntables as a part of his U.S “Jacked Tour” with opening act Quintino. And the Binghamton thirst for electronica was quenched; students experienced three hours of sheer EDM insanity.

From 8 p.m. until 11 p.m., red, blue and green strobe lights pierced the haze-filled air as a sea of neon bodies pulsated in dubstep harmony.

Afrojack, who was listed as No. 7 on DJ Mag’s top 100 DJs of 2011, played his biggest songs, like the 2010 single “Take Over Control.”

Afrojack began with the unflinching announcement: “Binghamton, if you want to get f**ked up, make some big f**king noise.” This gem of logic marked the beginning of a tear-inducing, ear-splintering color orgy. One that Lisa

Dillon, a sophomore majoring in neuroscience, won’t soon forget.

“I was standing on the bleachers and watching everyone like go hard together all at once,” she said. “It was all my friends and like everyone went, everyone knew someone.”

The thick odor of party sweat rose from a crowd of glowsticks, pacifiers, drowning arms and glow-in-the-dark pinnies. For three hours, the Events Center pulsed to a diabetic electronic heartbeat, an epilepsy-inducing celebration of electronica. It was as if the collective body realized, “Obama won, I’m rolling, all that’s left to do is dance” — at least according Mike Amory, a senior majoring in economics.

“A random girl came up to me, asked me my name, and then whispered in my ear, ’3121’ and walked away,” Amory said.

Brianna Friia, vice president of programming for the Student Association, was more than pleased with the experience.

I think it was an amazing show, and Quintino really revved up the crowd,” Friia

said, referring to the opening act.

“Approximately 3,000 tickets were sold.”

The 3,000 attendees came prepared. Students wore glowin-the-dark crowns, light-up jackets and neon tanks with such phrases as “Booze, Boobs, Boost,” and “Where’s Molly?”

Together they formed a druginduced army, a Mardi Gras of rainbow energy.

Mallory Stein, a junior majoring in English, thought her ticket was well worth buying.

“It’s nice to see that Binghamton is responding to the popularity of the EDM genre,” she said. “He’s a big name and it was so cool to get him here.”

The Student Association isn’t done raging just yet.

Childish Gambino will be finishing off the semester on Nov. 18. That being said, no one will forget the night the EDM gods smiled down upon the Binghamton University Events Center — the night Afrojack took over control.

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Caffeine Dream Now that it’s peak midterm season, Binghamton University students are clamoring for hot caffeine. Are you looking for that perfect cup of coffee to complement the colder weather?

Or maybe just something quick and cheap to keep you awake for cramming?

Here’s where to get your fix both on and off campus.

On Campus: Dining Halls Aspretto, the cafémarketing spawn of Sodexo, prides itself on serving “great coffee that does great things.”

This coffee may be great for convenience during late night study sessions, but the fact that it tastes like liquid cardboard isn’t so great. Not to mention all those “flavored blends” taste suspiciously alike …

Quality: Price: $ Jazzman’s (Academic Building B, Glenn G. Bartle Library) A leg up from the standard dining hall coffee, Jazzman’s offers a variety of “gourmet” drinks in addition to coffee.

“I love Jazzman’s,” said Irina Frampolsky, an undeclared freshman. “I always get a caramel latte, they’re delicious!”

The coffee quality is roughly equivalent to that of Starbucks, which is enough to drive students to Bartle Library in hordes. Go early to avoid the line.

Quality: Price: $$ Einstein Bros Bagel Café (Science I Building) Similar deal to Jazzman’s, Einstein Bros serves both coffee and flavored Starbucks-esque drinks. As far as quality goes, Einstein Bros is OK at best.

“I didn’t like the pumpkin latte, and the chai tea was disappointing,” said Bethany

Seckman, a freshman majoring in chemistry.

Quality: Price: $$

John Arthur Café (Fine Arts Building) Named for the beloved late philosophy professor, John Arthur Café continues a legacy of intelligent discourse over great coffee.

The student-run, nonprofit café sells bagels, baked goods, Snapple and coffee at low prices, although you can’t use your meal plan card here. A friendly atmosphere coupled with great coffee make it a go-to place to study or discuss postmodernism with a professor, if you’re into that kind of thing.

Quality: Price: $ Food Co-op (Old University Union basement) The Food Co-op is a nonprofit, student-run organization open to students, faculty and community members. In addition to their freshly prepared vegetarian/ vegan lunches, the Co-op serves area-roasted, top-notch Laveggio Roasteria Organic Direct Trade Coffee for only $1 a cup. Bring your own mug for a discount.

Quality: Price: $

Brewed Awakenings (20 Hawley Street) Recently opened by the former manager of the wellloved Java Joe’s, Brewed Awakenings offers a variety of unique teas and coffee blends along with a full café menu.

Well-lit and spacious with late hours and free Wi-Fi, Brewed Awakenings is a nice place to crash for a study session or group lunch.

Quality: Price: $ Cyber Café West (176 Main Street) Noted for its quirky décor and relaxed atmosphere, Cyber Café West is a great place to grab coffee and chill out. There is live music six times a week, comfortable couches and a wide selection of sandwiches, baked goods, beer and hot drinks. Definitely worth going if you’ve never tried it before.

Quality: Price: $$

Tom’s (184 Main Street) If you own or have access to a coffee maker, Tom’s is the place to go for bagged coffee. “Tom’s has awesome coffee,” said Anna Szilagyi, an undeclared freshman. “My friend’s sister no longer lives in Binghamton but she loves Tom’s coffee so much that she gets it shipped to her.” This eclectic gift shop sells its gourmet coffee by the Off Campus pound in ground or whole bean Sip of Seattle form. At around $10 a bag it’s (163 Washington Street) quite pricey, but the quality Nestled at the far end of is unbeatable. Coffee lovers Washington Street is the cozy recommend their top-selling Sip of Seattle, well-known for Mind, Body & Soul blend. their specialty espresso and Quality: lattes. The staff is friendly and Price: $$$ welcoming, and the coffee is top-notch. Stay in to enjoy coffee and free Wi-Fi or pop in for a quick espresso on the go.

Quality: Emily Mancini Release Price: $$

Gabriella Ginsberg Release Bright lights, pounding music and dozens of Binghamton University students-turned-models filled the Multipurpose Room in the Chenango Champlain Collegiate Center last Friday as Women in Business and Fashion Industry Club put on their first annual fashion show. During the show, Women in Business gave away over $900 in prizes, and students modeled nearly $2000 worth of clothing, made possible by sponsors — Macy’s, Dressbarn, JCPenney and White Rose Day Spa all contributed clothing and prizes. Ticket sale proceeds from the “Fashion Night Out: Charity Fashion Show” went to the George F. Johnson Dream Center, a local charity.

Lively style presentations, a mocktail bar and a makeup table run by Fashion Industry Club all added to the evening’s haute vibe.

The audience included students and representatives from Macy’s and Dressbarn.

Fashion catalogs, coupons and programs were distributed to each seat, allowing for a fluid show. Reading the programs as the models walked provided much-appreciated insight about the outfits and brands, and the event was smartly divided into three portions: Business Formal, Business Casual and AfterHours. The models included students from a range of ages, gender and body types.

Tina Yu, a member of

Women in Business and a freshman majoring in accounting, modeled several different outfits throughout the show.

“My favorite was the business casual outfit that I wore,” she said. “It was a bluecollared button-down blouse, a black pencil skirt and gray pumps. The patterned scarf changed things up a bit.”

Yu also walked the runway for the After-Hours portion, in

— Tina Yu freshman majoring in accounting

which she wore a black dress and the same patterned scarf, demonstrating its versatility.

The students were coached before the show by a Fashion Industry Club member, who offered guidance on how to walk, pose and turn on the runway.

“I went to rehearsals, and [Fashion Industry Club President] Ariel Rosenberg instructed us on how to walk and pose,” Yu said. “We learned how long to pause at the end of the runway T and who our partner would be in the lineup.”

The effect was remarkably professional as students showed off a variety of smart suits, sleek trousers and shimmering dresses. Standout pieces included a women’s black suit jacket with white piping detail and a men’s gray Ralph Lauren cardigan sweater. Every accessory from bright bow ties to patterned scarves completed the looks; never before has Binghamton seen such perfectly polished students.

“It was a very good bonding experience, and I met a lot of new people,” Yu said when asked why she would participate again next year.

The show certainly ran smoothly, and wrapped up with all of the models performing PSY’s “Gangnam Style” dance on the room’s stage. The crowd was then able to mingle for a while, and some later went to the after-party at the Flashbacks/ Paradigm in Downtown Binghamton. Bracelets for Paradigm were sold with the fashion show tickets, and Women in Business raised an estimated $500 for the charity.

“It’s good that Women in Business both develops networking skills for students and has a community perspective,” Yu said. “I’m proud to be a part of it.”

Women in Business plans to put on Fashion Night Out for years to come.

Alex Carducci

Pipe Dream News

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Forget about the election.

The issues, the stances, whatever the results and changes to this country that may or may not have occurred dependent on whoever won — forget about all that for a second. Take a close look at each candidate’s words. That is, their fonts.

And there are literally thousands of different typefaces.

A typeface is distinct from a font, and while that distinction has changed over time (with computers and digitization) for the purposes of this article, we’ll just go with typefaces as the catchall for “a set of characters that share common design features” (thanks, Wikipedia).

Both Romney and Obama purchased their fonts from the same type foundry in New York, Hoefler & Frere-Jones. In 2008, the Obama campaign widely employed a typeface called “Gotham” — a typeface that, according to creator Tobias Frere-Jones, “inherited an honest tone that’s assertive but never imposing, friendly but never folksy, confident but never aloof.” You’d want those words to describe you anytime, but certainly when no one knows your name. Obama’s Gotham, a sans-serif typeface (i.e. a typeface without extensions at the end of the strokes, so no “feet,” for example) went up against McCain’s more traditional use of a serif (a typeface with extensions, such as the one this article is written in) typeface called “Optima.” In the end, of course, the election went to Obama, and though one can objectively say very little about the effects of one font over the other, the little memory exercise

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hopefully suggests that Obama’s image really was defined quite well and gave him something of an edge.

This year, the images were less striking, maybe less dramatic.

For the most part, Obama kept his image the same, reusing Gotham. But for his main logo, the Obama team revised the image, incorporating what’s known as a “slab-serif” typeface.

His new logo, according to graphic designer Michael Beirut, in an article from The Atlantic, is “meant to be kind of forceful and brawny and athletic and stronglooking … it looks a little more traditional on one hand, but … really kind of strong and confident on the other.” The Obama team is playing defense with their typeface choices, with a goal-line stand of a typeface, instead of the striking, sophisticated pass-play typeface of four years ago. One cannot repeatedly introduce one’s self and the Obama team knows that.

On Romney’s side of the field, perhaps he’s not trying for the long-ball the same way Obama did in ’08 — and maybe that’s said something about him. The flowing stroke that forms the “R” resembles toothpaste. According

to Beirut, combining a symbol like that with other letters in hopes to form a complete name (and, of course, a message) “is like a mortal sin to do.” You might have even heard others point out that the remaining “OMNEY” makes for a pretty swift anagram of “MONEY.” A new study out of the University of Illinois has found that participants who read “an overtly political argument … in a challenging font” were less politicized about the message than those given the passage in a more easily-read typeface.

Candidates should learn from this and keep their typefaces clear.

With a logo like Romney’s, some supporters might be looking too hard, perhaps confused — an impression that the Romney camp would find undesirable.

While this sort of research is young, no one denies that images are critical — even down to the appearance of words themselves.

That is, in typefaces and logos. All seek to create or enhance identity and become something larger than themselves. If it’s the details that count, typefaces may prove to be worth their price in the whole package of “image.”

Weight is often discussed in American media, but less frequently in literature. Jami Attenberg’s new book, “The Middlesteins,” explores the effects of an overweight woman on her family and community with humor and sincerity.

Despite being 288 pages, the novel avoids flattening three generations of characters into clichés or stereotypes. The central character, Edie, is the matriarch of

the Middlestein family. Attenberg traces her life and weight over decades, and shows us how her condition is caused by nothing as banal as genes or lifelong depression, but a series of small failures and false justifications.

Edie’s weight and failing health impact her family when Richard, her husband, divorces her after she undergoes bypass surgery.

The family’s reaction is mixed, with some characters breaking off contact with Richard and others simply becoming closer to Edie.

The family, and Attenberg, see Edie’s condition as a sickness, not something for which she can be directly blamed. Richard, in leaving a sick spouse, loses the respect of much of his family, and some of the most poignant scenes of the novel are those between him and his grandchildren.

Edie eats because she is incomplete — her eating is a way of compensating for the void between what one plans for life and how life actually happens. Her eating, in its obsessive nature, becomes an

act that separates her from others, further placing her mental state into a self-contained area. The pleas of the people concerned about her health do not reach her, and she deals with that difference by eating more.

The Middlesteins’ family issues extend beyond the direct family into the Jewish community to which the family belongs. Judaism is used not as a theme, though, but as a way of organizing life and community. Edie’s grandchildren have bar mitzvah lessons to show that they are entering a part of life where adult issues that they are unequipped to handle will be thrust upon them. Characters go to synagogue services so we can see the difference between the intimate relationship of a family and the selected information shared with friends. “The Middlesteins” is a book of real substance — a story told with grace.

The deadpan style of The Onion’s sharp, cutting-edge satire has so far been chronicled in its print newspapers, online articles, videos and podcasts.

It has also published 11 books, most of which anthologized its news articles.

“The Onion Book of Known Knowledge” presents the most new content The Onion has ever put in print. The book is a large, glossy-paged encyclopedia on every subject from “Aapanthera”

(“previously unknown breed of African big cat that, by 2012, had eaten all of the world’s aardvarks and taken its place at the top of every alphabetically organized list”) to ZZ Top. The volume is packed with an amazing amount of consistently funny humor, including fun sidebars (such as “Toast, adult stage in the life cycle of bread”) and features (“Some Species of Animal and How to Kill Them”). At the beginning of each section, the letter of the alphabet under which the section is organized has an entry that explains that letter’s role in society.

Presented in an encyclopedia format, the book maintains The Onion’s tradition of sharply addressing the truth through satire. The “American Civil War,” for example, described as an “ongoing conflict between the northern and southern regions of the United States,” is dated as starting in 1861 and ongoing

in the present. The format also allows The Onion to adopt the matter-of-fact tone it uses for news articles while stating falsehoods.

“Zweibel, T. Herman,” The Onion’s fictional “plutocrat, business magnate, former governor of his state, and most notably, publisher emeritus of The Onion,” is the penultimate entry of the book. From 1896 to 2000, Mr. Zweibel wrote influential columns for the paper.

In 2003, he was launched into Andromeda Galaxy, but The Onion remains as funny as ever without him.

Jacob Shamsian Release

Not another Star Wars movie Cameron Wade Release On Oct. 30, the Walt Disney Company announced that it had acquired Lucasfilm for $4.05 billion in cash and stock.

Named for its creator, George Lucas, Lucasfilm is the film and television production company that owns the rights to the massively popular Star Wars franchise, among other projects. The biggest family entertainment producer of the last century now owns one of the most popular film franchises of all time.

This buyout is just the latest in a string of high-profile acquisitions that Disney has made over the last several years. In 2006, Disney bought Pixar, the highly successful creator of the “Toy Story” trilogy, “Finding Nemo” and “Up,” for $7.4 billion. Three years later, in 2009, Disney acquired full ownership of Marvel Entertainment for $4.24 billion. Since then, Marvel’s film division alone has grossed over $3 billion with movies like “Captain America,” “Thor” and “The Avengers.”

Apparently, Disney is wasting no time in capitalizing on its latest acquisition. Along with the announcement of the buyout, Disney chairman Robert Iger also declared that Disney plans to release a new film in the Star Wars saga in 2015. “Star Wars: Episode VII” will be the first film in a new trilogy. Current Lucasfilm cochair, Kathleen Kennedy, will become president of Lucasfilm within Disney and will be an executive producer of the franchise.

Immediately after the news of Disney’s acquisition broke, rumors of the new Star Wars film began to fly. Besides the

release window of 2015, not much else has been officially stated. Lucas will act as a creative consultant on the new trilogy, but the writing and directing duties will be given to somebody else. The plot of the new films is also still shrouded in secrecy. Many fans have expressed their hopes in having a popular series of novels, the Thrawn Trilogy, adapted for the screen. The Thrawn Trilogy picks up five years after the conclusion of Episode VI. It is often credited with maintaining fan interest in the Star Wars universe during the 16-year gap between the first trilogy of films and the prequel trilogy. So far the only word on the subject is that Lucas has written original story treatments for the upcoming three films. Vulture reported that a studio insider informed that Michael Arndt, writer of “Little Miss Sunshine,” “Toy Story 3” and “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” wrote a longer, 40-something-page story treatment for the film.

Studio heads are reportedly so impressed that they’ve sent it to Steven Spielberg, Brad Bird (director of “The Incredibles,” “Ratatouille” and “Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol”) and J.J. Abrams asking them to direct.

Another crucial question is whether or not the original cast will return. Both Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill, Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker respectively, have strayed away from live-action acting in favor of other careers. After struggling with a cocaine addiction and bipolar disorder, Fisher has made a successful career in writing novels. Hamill has since become one of the most prolific and popular voice actors working today, his most

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famous role being that of the Joker in “Batman: The Animated Series.” Despite Han Solo being his platform to stardom, Harrison Ford infamously wanted his character to die in the final film and has since kept his distance from the franchise.

Yet all three actors have expressed their interest in returning to the series.

Whether or not their characters actually are returning is still a mystery. Fisher and Hamill met with Lucas over the summer, when he revealed his intention of having a new trilogy of Star Wars films produced. He didn’t,

however, reveal whether their characters would be involved in the new adventures.

As for Lucasfilm’s other non-Star Wars properties, Disney also now owns a stake in the Indiana Jones franchise.

Unfortunately for Disney, Lucasfilm doesn’t own the rights to distribute Indiana Jones films. That right is owned by Paramount, which has released all four of the movies. Disney encountered a similar problem when it bought Marvel — Paramount also owned the distribution rights to “The Avengers” and

“Iron Man 3.” Disney bought those rights from Paramount for $115 million, and even then Paramount still got its 9 percent distribution fee and its logo in the credits of “The Avengers.” It’s likely, then, that Disney won’t want to pay up for the distribution rights to the Indiana Jones series, and will instead focus on Star Wars for the foreseeable future.

After the fallout from the often panned Star Wars prequel trilogy, many fans assumed the long-rumored sequel trilogy was all but dead. With Disney now picking up where Lucas

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left off, Star Wars’ notoriously vocal fans are split on whether this is a revitalization for Star Wars or a quick money-grab on a once-beloved franchise.

Lucas said in a press release concerning the Disney buyout that “it’s now time for me to pass Star Wars on to a new generation of filmmakers.”

With the fate of the franchise on new shoulders, may the Force be with them.

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Undefeated

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But like many of our quirks, among them a student-run bus service and a president who invites students to join him on his morning run, this is an area we’re happy to be different in.

If nothing else, Binghamton’s men’s basketball program has opened our eyes to the risk involved in investing too much in a university’s athletics program, allowing it to get to the point that it practically surpasses the institution’s focus on academics. Division I college football is like Division I college basketball on steroids. And it’s not who we are as a University.

At the same time, a football team would divert limited resources away from other athletic programs — and our academic programs — that probably don’t receive enough attention as it is.

Our wrestling program was one of the best in the nation last year. Our soccer teams, both men’s and women’s, have been getting better and better. And our baseball team recently produced its first Major Leaguer.

Despite their largely under-the-radar status, we take pride in these programs, and others like them.

We would be afraid of losing them in the name of a football team, and cutting smaller programs for bigger revenue-earning ones is far from unheard of in the world of college sports. When Rutgers University faced budget cuts in 2006, they were forced to sacrifice some of their other athletic programs in order to maintain the football program.

Even worse, Rutgers kept their football team while laying off faculty and shuttering academic

programs. This is a loss of perspective that we simply cannot afford.

Already we’ve witnessed state funding cuts, and in spite of SUNY2020 and ‘rational tuition increases,’ reductions to academic programs followed. But at least we know that learning and athletics don’t have to duke it out to stay afloat.

We are a young school. A school still trying to define itself. Let’s just focus on our academics and research and keep a low, but respectable, athletic profile. After all, when was the last time any nonathlete decided to go to Harvard because of its football team? And who could argue with “Undefeated since 1946?”

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Republican Senator Lindsey Graham almost hit the nail on the head in August when he told the Washington Post that the Republican Party is “not generating enough angry white guys to stay in business for the long term.”

Where he missed the mark was thinking that this is a long-term problem and not a short-term failure as well.

Our changing America is a trend that Democrats have adjusted to and, in doing so, reaped political benefit.

President Obama has managed to put together a minority majority.

That is, through his campaign’s inclusive position toward Latinos, African Americans, Asian Americans, single females and young people, the Democratic Party has been able to create a coalition of voters who have been excluded and sold as second-class

citizens by the Republican Party. This coalition was strong enough to hand Republicans a resounding defeat in the 2012 elections, in which President Obama won reelection soundly and the Democrats made improbable gains in the Senate and were victorious with ballot initiatives for marriage equality in Maryland, Maine and Minnesota.

It is no longer hyperbole to say that the Republican Party is the party of old white people. Exit polls show that Romney took 59 percent of the white vote, while Obama was able to make up for such a loss by taking 93 percent of the black vote, 71 percent of the Hispanic vote, 73 percent of the Asian vote, 67 percent of unmarried women and 60 percent of 18-29-yearolds. To quote Democratic strategist Tad Devine, “You combine that with blue-collar union workers and uppereducated whites, and you have a majority, especially in battleground states.”

Bill O’Reilly may take the prize for racist comment of the year on election night. His comments reflected the attitude Republicans appear to be adopting. To wit: “It’s a

changing country, the demographics are changing. It’s not a traditional America anymore… Whereby 20 years ago President Obama would be roundly defeated by an establishment candidate like Mitt Romney. The white establishment is now the minority. And the voters, many of them, feel that the economic system is stacked against them and they want stuff. You are going to see a tremendous Hispanic vote for President Obama. Overwhelming black vote for President Obama. And women will probably break President Obama’s way. People feel that they are entitled to things and which candidate, between the two, is going to give them things?”

What O’Reilly misses is that these groups have not rushed to the Democrats because they have offered “things” to court them, but rather because the modern Republican Party has in many ways offended these key demographics both in sound bites and in law.

Moments after the election was called for Obama, Republican elites, including Senator Marco Rubio, called for the Republican House to start working on an immigration bill

with President Obama to win back some of the minority vote. This, of course, is unrealistic to say the least, as Republicans spent the primaries insulting Hispanics, calling for selfdeportation, electric fences around the border and the revival of welfare racism. And let’s not forget the “47 percent” comments from Mr. Romney.

The shallowness of this idea was put best by David Frum of The Daily Beast, who knocked the ability for immigration reform to bring voters on its own, saying, “It’s necessary of course to refrain from insulting Latinos, or, for that matter, anybody.

But the crying need in the GOP is for a more middle-class orientation to politics, one that addresses concerns like healthcare as well as debts and deficits. But the ideas that dominated the past four years won’t become more attractive if all conservatives do is translate them into Spanish.”

— Geoffrey Weinberg is a senior double-majoring in history and political science.

Coffee is more than just a stimulant, it's a way of life When I drink coffee I feel like Popeye eating spinach: alive, empowered, emboldened and ablaze. (Be my Olive Oyl, won’t you?)

My morning ritual involves two cups on average. I wouldn’t conceive of making it to class (and/or staying awake) before having at least a large one to start the day. I need my caffeine fix because, well, how else could I get anything done?

I’ve been told that my caffeine intake is high. And it’s true, I’ve developed a self-diagnosed intolerance to lactose, my stomach making it clear that more than three cups of coffee isn’t what it wants. Are the wholesome pages of Pipe

Dream too pure for me to insinuate the free-falling, deleterious effects of a caffeine dependency coupled with all that healthy, agreeable Sodexo food?

Let’s just say it’s a slippery slope.

Before we go down that path though, let’s not be dramatic. Surely the sensations drinking coffee engenders are somewhat psychosomatic and not strictly chemical. Sure, caffeine induces some stimulation and alertness.

But the feelings of confidence, attentiveness and even restlessness which I and many of you associate with coffee dramatically exceed its chemical

effects.

It seems that at least part of the draw and effect of drinking coffee as habitually and excessively as I do is psychological. Coffee is like any other commodity in our culture, then, in the sense that we attach certain feelings and ideologies to it which are not necessarily contained in the drink itself. In this case, the feelings of energy, edginess and dependency are simply exaggerated reports of authentic chemical reactions.

There is also the image factor. Marx was the first to talk about commodity fetishism, wherein we transplant subjective emotions, relationships and statuses onto objective objects. Just as an iPod is more than an MP3 player — it represents individuality and personalization, too — carrying a cup of coffee earns you an aura of ambition and intelligence.

These two factors — the inflated expectations along with the superficial image — may very well be at the

heart of my attraction to coffee. Yet this awareness prompts a perplexing question: How come it still works after the fact?

What we are saying is that at least part of the draw to caffeine is psychological. Sure, the chemicals are still all there. But the intense feelings of dependency we attach to coffee are seemingly the results of a self-deceptive placebo effect, right?

Why am I still drawn to the warm, milky beverage when I know that at least part of the promise it holds is made up?

We’ve all construed and upheld the myth that coffee will help you get what you need to do done. Psychologically, I can hardly get started on that looming term paper without a cup of coffee at my side. I know drinking coffee won’t make me any smarter, but I’m still not really sure if my computer or thermos is more indispensable for me to achieve any writing.

I suppose it’s comparable to

Hemingway’s relationship with alcohol, Burroughs’s heroin habit or Rand’s dependency on amphetamines (not that I include myself in that list of greats). Point being, as writers and artists, we attach our creative juices to particular substances. In those cases, the substances had addictive features far greater than caffeine. But the initial association between productivity and some external substance is the heart of the matter. It functions like a crutch.

It’s sort of like saying, “Once I’ve got a warm cup then the paper will be doable.”

Sure, we’re limiting ourselves by thinking that we can’t accomplish whatever we’ve got on the plate before then. But if all it takes for me to study another hour to come up with a thesis or memorize these 25 index cards is another $2 off the meal plan and a little jitteriness, why not?

— Michael Snow is a junior majoing in philosophy.

Tests don't define me “Most of the learning happens outside the classroom.” That is the first lie they tell you. “The degree you earn reflects your education level.” That is the second. “In the real world, it never comes down to one big test.” That is the third and by far most insidious lie you will ever hear.

Sometime it seems as though life is dominated by the next big test. Between the New York State Regents, SATs, MCATs, LSATs, midterms and finals, it feels like we are stuck in a perpetual whirlpool of Scantrons, No. 2 pencils and silent rooms. Even once we supposedly emerge from the Ivory Tower and arrive in the “real world,” they make you pass a teaching exam, bar exam or CPA exam in order to actually start doing something “meaningful.”

It just never ends. No wonder the Soviets used to put their citizens through a battery of examinations to determine their

career paths.

Standardized testing has become a de facto barometer of future success. It is hailed as the great equalizer, where the skills conducive to achievement can be isolated and measured. Tests do not indicate your potential — tests are your potential, plain and simple.

Our current education system reflects this perfectly. Teachers hold extra sessions not to teach innovative material, but to go over what’s on the next exam.

Extra office hours are held before the big midterm, but never after. Practice tests dominate Blackboard while extracurricular information seldom gets posted.

The syllabus is not a road map for teaching but a calendar of when and what to study.

Yet an individual’s will and desire cannot be placed on a zero to 100 scale. Some people simply do not excel at standardized testing, while others show up high as a kite to the SAT and get into Columbia University.

Furthermore, there are an infinite number of intangibles that are unquantifiable. In this age, where your college, grade point average and starting salary are disproportionally dependent on your test-taking ability, that which is never graded doesn’t count.

There was once a very wise man. A fellow villager came up to him and asked if the wise man could teach him his wisdom. The wise man, without answering, brought him out into the ocean.

Deeper and deeper they waded in until they could hardly stand.

The wise man then pushed the villager’s head under the water.

When the villager could no

longer breathe, he broke the wise man’s grip and gasped for air. The man demanded an explanation for what the old man had done, to which he then replied, “When you desire knowledge as much as you desired that breath of air, then I will teach you my wisdom.”

It is the tragedy of our education system that the passion for learning is sacrificed for examinational aptitude.

Here in college, where tests account for well over 50 percent of your GPA, the reality that examinations determine your success is inescapable. Yet some of us actually came here to learn.

We squeaked into Binghamton University on unique personal essays and glowing teacher recommendations.

We were the kids who always raised our hands in class, even if just to ask a question. We bombed the SAT, flunked the Regents and got most of our points via test corrections and extra credit assignments. So when the syllabus gets handed out and there is no grade for attendance, participation or homework, it sends the message that academia is nothing but a grading formula. It makes it clear that the thinkers, innovators and dreamers must make way for the test takers.

People wonder why America spends so much money on education and has such little to show for it. Perhaps the greatest test of all is the one we are not taking.

— Zachary Greenberg is a senior majoring in philosophy, politics, and law.

Last week, planet Earth was rocked by Hurricane Sandy, and not in the theatrical “ Yo u ’ r e - t h e - o n e - t h a t - I want” sort of way, either.

According to the L.A. Times, the storm, often referred to as Frankenstorm, claimed over 100 lives worldwide.

Countless others lost

electricity and, more disturbingly, their belongings and homes. Reactions to the disaster varied. Some were scared. Some were heartbroken.

Some were distraught. And some were disappointed. Yes, disappointed.

The countless whiny, Sandyrelated Facebook statuses that were regurgitated from the more self-absorbed people of our nation were absolutely astounding. It quickly became obvious that either there is a severe lack of sensitivity in this country or many were simply unaware of the realities of the situation. For those of you who needed or still need a reality check pertaining to the recent, or any upcoming storm, this article is for you.

1) The biggest tragedy resulting from a hurricane doesn’t relate to how many days you get off school.

Wahhh. Okay, so you didn’t finish your homework and Binghamton University

didn’t cancel classes. So now, you actually have to do your homework. If this was your biggest ailment during or after the storm, COUNT YOUR LUCKY STARS. You got a day off school and didn’t die. Stop complaining; your life could be much harder.

2) It is a good thing if you aren’t severely affected by the storm.

you celebrating? Is it the fact that geriatrics all along the East Coast are being forced to evacuate their childhood homes? Or are you celebrating because your head is so filled with mirror pictures of yourself that you can remain unaffected by the fact that PEOPLE ARE DYING? Actual human lives are being lost and you’re getting wasted?

What?

Tuesdays through Saturdays aren’t enough for you? Fine, some people drink when there is nothing else going on. This is understandable. But don’t brag about it over social networking sites. You’re just advertising the fact that you’re a complete moron.

4) Help Last year, when Hurricane Irene affected many in this area, some students took the time to help local residents. In times of need we, as members of a global community, are responsible for helping others.

If you are able to go downstate and help with disaster relief, do it. Nothing else would be more rewarding for you or the victims.

If you can’t donate your time, try donating clothes or money. Every little bit helps.

The American Red Cross has been working tirelessly to help those in need. Go to www. redcross.org/Hurricane_Aid to find out what you can do to make a difference.

So go over this again. You barely got any rain during a storm that devastated thousands of others and you’re disappointed? WHAT IS WRONG EVERYBODY? The people complaining that the storm wasn’t exciting enough for them are the same dimwits that would be complaining if their houses or cars got ruined in the storm. Build a bridge and get over it, or at least think of those who can’t build a bridge BECAUSE THEIR TOOLS WERE SWEPT AWAY DURING A DEVASTATING HURRICANE. 3) Parade Day, Bar Crawl, — Nesh Pillay is a senior National Disaster? majoring in English.

As a general rule, national disasters are not a reason to celebrate. What exactly are

Letter to the editor SA VP for Finance Reaches Out To the editor: The Student Association at Binghamton University this year has been better and more active than ever. From an unheard-of three major programing events in the fall semester to a record-breaking FAST conference attendance, it looks like the SA is moving in a direction to benefit the students it serves in ways never before achieved. It’s taken the work of hundreds of student groups, weeks of planning, a fresh assembly with fresh perspectives and one of the most honest executive boards with which I could ever have the

privilege of working. I am extremely proud of the accomplishments of these dedicated individuals and pleased to see their efforts pay off so wonderfully. And keep in mind, we are just getting started.

My position in the SA Executive Board is certainly anything but boring. Tucked in the back corner of the SA office, my assistants and I work through the week processing every expenditure for all the SAchartered organizations, several thousand vouchers per semester.

Nearly 70 percent of what I do on a day-to-day basis is completing paper work, reviewing vouchers and working with treasurers to ensure they have the right documents for every upcoming event. Over

the summer, I purchased general and multimedia liability insurance, workers comp and created a new treasurer’s handbook to reflect the changes in the association. Some of you might have even attended one of the exam review sessions I lead at the beginning of the year. However, it’s the other 30 percent of what I do that really gets to the core of what my position is set up to accomplish.

Most weeks I have meetings with University administrators, accountants and insurance representatives, all to ensure that the policy and position of the SA are at their best for helping students get the experience they need from college. The most pressing issue at the moment is that of incorporation.

President Mark Soriano and I have been in meetings with the University to draft up a contract between these two separate entities. The objective of incorporation is simple: remove liability from our student population so they don’t have to worry about being sued in the event of a troubling incident. We are working hard to improve the relationship we have currently with the University while simultaneously changing the way New York state legally recognizes our association.

I had three overarching goals when I came into office: reduce inefficiencies present in our internal controls, increase the amount of feedback the student body receives from their assembly and E-Board

and set a strong precedent for those that come after us. In order for the SA to improve each year, new student leaders need to lead by example, to act responsibly and help foster a sense of community through our shared interests. From what I have seen, we as the Student Association are moving away from a past marred with scandal toward a professional institution with the students at the center. If you have any questions or concerns, I am available at vpf@binghamtonsa.org Eric Larson Student Association Vice President for Finance

Welcome to Week 10 of Pipe Dream Picks! Every week, Pipe Dream sports editors and one guest will attempt to correctly predict the outcome of four upcoming games of their choice, selecting one prediction as a LOCK. Getting the LOCK correct earns you three points, while getting it wrong costs you one. Pushing the lock neutralizes the pick. The other three games are worth one point each, with a half-point for a push, and there is no penalty for wrong guesses on these. The guest continues to dominate the Pipe Dream sports staff and has pushed its lead to 15.5 points after getting the lock and two additional picks correct last time. Megan used a big week to pull ahead of Erik, who still holds a comfortable margin over Ari. Interested in making an appearance as the guest picker? Submit your picks to sports@bupipedream.com.

Pipe Dream Picks Guest Erik Megan Ari

19-7-2 13-14 9-18-1 12-15-1

LOCK: MIAMI (-6) over Tennessee Ryan Tannehill and the Dolphins should be able to put up solid numbers this week against an inefficient Tennessee defense.

28 12 8.5 12.5 SPORTS EDITOR

Megan Brockett’s Picks

ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

Ari Kramer's Picks over Kansas City

LOCK: PITTSBURGH (-12.5)

At this point, I’d probably take Pittsburgh at -100. Chiefs have lost four of their five road games by at least 17 points.

Houston (+1) over CHICAGO Yes, the Bears put up 51 points last week against the Titans.

But that won’t happen again against Houston. Jay Cutler should be ready to eat a lot of dirt this Sunday.

NEW ORLEANS (+2.5) over Atlanta Atlanta’s 8-0 record is somewhat deceptive, and New Orleans has won three of its last four.

NY Giants (-4) over CINCINNATI Eli Manning and the Giants will come out ready to redeem themselves after last week’s slip up against the Steelers.

Detroit (-2) over MINNESOTA I’ve picked wrong with Detroit several times, but I hate Minnesota.

Denver (-3.5) over CAROLINA Cam Newton and I are officially over. He’s let me down too many times in Picks this year. Maybe Peyton can teach him a thing or two.

San Diego (+3) over TAMPA BAY It’s time for the Chargers to get on a roll.

LOCK: SEATTLE (-6.5) over NY Jets Earlier this week, Antonio Cromartie guaranteed the Jets would make the playoffs. If I had a dollar for every time someone from the Jets wrongly predicted success, I could afford to pay Cromartie’s child support.

LOCK: NEW ENGLAND (-11) over Buffalo Patriots, obviously … Even Bills fans can’t have faith in this game. Go New England!!!

MINNESOTA (+2) over Detroit Vikings pillage and shit. They kick ass, Lions suck.

PHILADELPHIA (+1) over Dallas Each of these teams has taken losing to an art form this year, but both Michael Vick and Andy Reid are fighting for their jobs in Philly.

San Diego (+3) over TAMPA BAY Buccaneers is such a stupid mascot.

Atlanta (-2.5) over NEW ORLEANS The Falcons aren’t getting any love this season, but a win over Drew Brees should change that.

St. Louis (+11.5) over SAN FRANCISCO You should be the 69ers … C’mon now, guys.

TAMPA BAY (-3) over San Diego

GUEST

Eric King's Picks

ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

Erik Bacharach's Picks

Doug Martin ran for 251 yards against Oakland last week, so he’ll probably have to settle for around 200 yards against a more respectable Chargers defense.

Ralling reinstated after arrest on State Street

On Thursday afternoon, just hours prior to the final practice before tonight’s season opener, the Binghamton University athletics department released a statement saying senior Javon Ralling File Photo had been reinstated to the men’s basketball team. However, while he can participate in practices and other team activities, Ralling will serve an additional fourgame suspension, starting tonight at Loyola University Maryland.

Ralling and freshman Jordan Reed were arrested on Oct. 7 outside of Flashbacks on State Street. Both were charged with disorderly conduct, and Ralling was also hit with resisting arrest. Reed was reinstated on Oct. 19, two days after the duo’s initial court date.

Ralling reappeared in court on Nov. 5 to plead “not guilty” to the charges. The court agreed to dismiss the charges on the conditions that he must complete 80 hours of community service and go six months without being charged with another crime.

As per Binghamton policy, Ralling met with the school’s Athletics Review Board on Wednesday following the court’s acceptance of his plea. The board recommended the fourgame suspension to Director of Athletics Patrick Elliott.

“Per our policy, I have reviewed the recommendation of the Athletics Review Board and have made the decision to reinstate Javon with the additional four-game sanction,” Elliott said in the statement. “We continue to hold our student-athletes to a high standard of conduct and accountability, and I feel that this suspension reflects those expectations.”

A former walk-on, Ralling’s suspension will render him ineligible until Nov. 18, when Binghamton is scheduled to host St. Peter’s College. The 6-foot-6-inch forward averaged 3.6 points in 16.3 minutes per game as a junior, and returned as the team’s second-highest scorer behind classmate Jimmy Gray.

BRIEFS Volleyball heads into crucial season finale

Much remains to be determined in the America East volleyball postseason picture as the final weekend of regular season play is set to get underway tonight. With four teams locked in a tie for second place, no conference championship tournament spots had been clinched as of this morning.

One of those four second-place squads, the Binghamton University volleyball team (10-17, 7-4 AE) is scheduled to head to Stony Brook University (11-12, 6-4 AE) on Sunday for its regular season finale. When the two teams met back on Oct. 12, Binghamton bounced back from a 2-1 deficit to push past the Seawolves in a tightly-contested five-set match at the West Gym. Sophomore outside hitter Kristin Hovie led the charge for the Bearcats, posting a matchhigh 21 kills.

Currently sitting in second place alongside Binghamton, University of New Hampshire and University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Stony Brook has its last four matches, with three of those victories coming in four sets. A sweep of Providence College on Nov. 2 highlights the streak.

Stony Brook is scheduled to face off against UMBC at home tonight before welcoming the Bearcats on Sunday. If UMBC takes tonight’s

match over the Seawolves, it would clinch secure a postseason berth. The Seawolves are 3-2 in home matches on the year.

Binghamton enters Sunday’s match having fallen to University at Albany at home on Sunday, a loss that snapped a three-game winning streak for the Bearcats. The Great Danes currently sit atop the conference, and with a win over Providence tonight, they would capture the regular season title for the eighth time in the last nine seasons.

While the Bearcats currently boast the best team hitting percentage in the conference, Stony Brook is ranked No. 1 in opponent hitting percentage, holding their counterparts to an average of .165. BU will look to junior middle hitter Grace Vickers and senior middle blocker Alex Roland, ranked first and second in hititng percentage in the conference respectively, to lead the charge on Sunday. Hovie and senior outside hitter Iva Partaleva, who sit among the conference’s top-10 in average kills per set, will also be key factors. Sophomore setter Amanda Dettmann also ranks No. 1 in the America East in average assists per set heading into the weekend.

The Bearcats are 5-7 overall in road games this season, with a 3-2 away mark in conference play.

Sunday’s match against Stony Brook is scheduled for at noon at Pritchard Gymnasium in Stony Brook, N.Y.

Head coaches in the National Football League have but one supreme goal in mind from year to year: job retention.

The easiest way to keep a job is by winning, and winning teams predominantly implement diverse offensive strategies so complicated and intricate that some players take weeks to absorb all of the terminology.

Chad Johnson has openly admitted that he was never able to fully grasp the playbook during his time in New England, though should you label him an outlier among the general public in terms of mental capacity, I promise that you will be met with few objections.

Not a single head coach in the NFL is concerned with the odor of stigma malevolently drifting toward him from the fantasy football community should he send a fullback into the end zone at the goal line. One of the paramount tasks of the sages with the Motorola headsets is to try to burn defenses, which occasionally employs the art of surprise. Seems innocent enough.

The truth is that every time a fullback or backup running back takes a hand off from one yard out and scores, somebody’s fantasy team is iniquitously

sabotaged. Roto injustice will exist as long as there are stat geeks with access to NFL Sunday Ticket.

Some instances may seem egregious, but you must realize that Mike Shanahan could not have known on Sunday afternoon that all you needed to win your Week 9 matchup was a touchdown from Alfred Morris. While the Redskins were knocking on the door late in the fourth quarter against the Panthers, ultimately opting to call upon backup running back and glory thief, Evan Royster, Shanahan was only trying to mount the beginnings of a comeback en route to winning a game.

A real game.

It would be selfish to resent him for ruining your hopes of fake victory.

Regardless, we must resist feelings of indignation and incredulity when spurned by the fantasy football man upstairs.

In cases of full-blown platoons, as with Ahmad Bradshaw/Andre Brown and C.J. Spiller/Fred Jackson, the only prudent thing to do is to start both players for insurance purposes. Otherwise, you’re tempting fate.

Beware the platoon, though.

While it can still lead to fantasy prosperity when used effectively, it’s important to understand that any running back carrying half of the split or less is more often than not an unnecessary headache in 12-team leagues with normal settings. Starting a shareholder can usually be

avoided, anyway.

It seems that each season there are always a few glaring disappointments at running backs. Raiders’ heartbreaker Darren McFadden serves as the paradigm for 2012. The explanation is simple. At no position is it more evident than tailback that the NFL is a young man’s league.

There’s no need to elaborate on the brevity of shelf lives for NFL running backs. You already know that they don’t stick around for very long, relative to other positions on the field.

An elite quarterback may be elite for a decade or more. A running back? Maybe six years.

Eight, tops. The trend continues blatantly. It’s the most difficult position to forecast.

There’s been no shortage of frustration for fantasy footballers since the dawn of the hobby in 1962 (look it up if you don’t believe it). While quarterbacks seem to be the safest investments, top rushers will always be the most highly valued commodities on draft day, essential to formulas for success.

You should always be aware of the likelihood of reduced stardom from year to year when considering running backs. It seems that each season there is a new “muscle hamster” who emerges as the new guard.

Minimizing the risks relative to the success of your team is imperative, though it’s difficult to win without taking at least a few.

The New

of Binghamton Basketball

Kim Albrecht Freshman - Guard

Kyra Aloizos Junior - Forward

Kara Elofson Senior - Forward

Jasmine Golden Freshman - Guard

Julia Barac Junior - Forward

Stephanie Jensen Junior -Guard

New look, new attitude Mallory Lawes Senior - Guard

Megan Brockett Only a shadow remains of what had been the core of the Binghamton University women’s basketball team for the past two years.

Gone are all three of last season’s leading scorers, four players who received regular starts and the one player who had been the program’s undisputed star during her time at BU. In the place of it all is a new attitude; one that, thus far, seems to define the 2012-13 Bearcats: They are hungry.

“A lot of new players are getting new chances, including myself, so there is something to prove,” junior guard Stephanie Jensen said. “I think that’s definitely affecting the attitude on the team, because I’m hungry.

And so are my teammates who haven’t played, and the freshmen are hungry, and we just feed off each other all the time.”

The graduation of last year’s three leading scorers, Andrea Holmes, Viive Rebane and Orla O’Reilly, has created the potential for several of last year’s secondary players, like Jensen, to take on much more central roles.

Jensen saw just one start last season, appearing in a total of 10 games for the second straight year. But in Tuesday night’s season-opening exhibition against Mansfield University, Jensen looked more like the star than a bench player, registering a game-high 14 points and four 3-pointers.

Binghamton also brings to the table five freshmen with the potential to make an immediate impact. Rookie guard Kandace Newry made this clear in Tuesday’s exhibition, garnering Player of the Game honors after

Vaneeshia Paulk - Junior - Guard The junior guard began her collegiate career at East Georgia Community College before transferring to Binghamton for her sophomore season. She appeared in 20 games last year and tallied a season-high eight points against Maine on Jan. 28. With the departure of Andrea Holmes, Paulk will serve as Binghamton’s floor general this season. Her ability to distribute and create shots for her teammates, as well as find lanes for herself, will go a long way in the success of the team.

catching the attention of the crowd with an impressive second-half streak of four consecutive made jumpers — three of which came from behind the arc.

But with a No. 8 ranking in the America East preseason poll, gone too for Binghamton is the burden of high expectations that had greeted the team at the dawn of the last three seasons. None of those teams achieved the ultimate goal, though, as the Bearcats fell in the conference tournament quarterfinals each of the last two seasons after suffering elimination in the semifinals in 2009-10.

But it is not this sense of disappointment that fuels Binghamton’s hunger. This year’s squad knows that the majority of its current roster played a secondary role, if any at all, in the relative failure of the last three seasons.

The Bearcats are working with a blank canvas again.

“I don’t think there’s any pressure whatsoever right now; I think there’s a lot of room for us to shine really,” Jensen said.

“We disappointed as a team last year, so we can only be better. With the people that we lost, there’s obviously four starters and four people that meant a lot scoring wise, but you know I never played, really, [senior forward] Kara [Elofson] was out for half of the season … I just feel like I’m starting from scratch and I can only really improve.”

The Bearcats do return two starters from last year’s squad in Elofson and junior guard Jasbriell Swain.

The 2011 America East Rookie of the Year, Swain remains perhaps the brightest spot on BU’s roster, despite a decrease in

Kara Elofson - Senior - Forward Entering her fourth season as a Bearcat, Elofson will serve as an anchor for a young Binghamton squad that boasts five freshmen. She started in 18 games last year, averaging 5.6 points and 6.2 rebounds before having her season shut down early by injury. Elofson’s presence down low and her ability to grab rebounds has been instrumental in the Bearcats’ success over the past three years. As one of the longest-tenured players on Binghamton’s roster, her veteran leadership and experience are priceless assets.

production during her sophomore season.

She is also the likeliest candidate to fill the role of star player that was left vacant with Holmes’ departure. But in a post-game press conference following Tuesday’s exhibition, Swain appeared visibly surprised when asked if she felt this was “[her] team” and her “time to shine” with Holmes and the other leaders gone.

“We have a lot of people that can fill those shoes,” she said. “Stephanie [Jensen] proved tonight she could shoot just as well as Orla [O’Reilly] could shoot, and [junior guard Vaneeshia Paulk] can get to the basket just as well as Andrea [Holmes] can get to the basket, so I feel like we have a lot of different things to offer. We can’t really be those exact people that our seniors were last year, but I feel like everybody’s coming together as a unit and trying to fill those shoes and trying to be a better team. It’s not just about one person; it’s about the whole team.”

And the Bearcats seem to get that this year. They may be without a true star and without several things from last year’s squad, but they have not been left without hope.

“I think if we just keep working hard and we just keep improving every day and every game and we take something out of every practice, I think we could definitely be a threat,” Elofson said. “As long as we keep pushing ourselves and not getting complacent. I think … a big thing last year was that we got complacent with where we were.”

Elofson said she sees the Bearcats going far, as long as they remain hungry.

Stephanie Jensen - Junior - Guard The 5-foot-11-inch junior appeared in just 10 games in each of her first two seasons in a Bearcats uniform, as her role on the team has been limited thus far. But after exploding for 14 points against Mansfield University in Binghamton’s only preseason game this year, Jensen seems poised to fill the shoes of last year’s top departing scorers.

She scored the Bearcats’ first nine points of the game against Mansfield — all three-pointers — and is capable of swinging the momentum of a game with her accuracy from long range.

Jessa Molina Freshman - Center

Morgan Murphy Freshman - Forward

Jasbriell Swain Junior - Guard

Vaneeshia Paulk Junior - Guard

Sherae Swinson Sophomore Forward

Kandace Newry Freshman - Guard

Simone Thomas Senior -Forward

Gintare Surdokaite Sophomore - Guard

Check out the women's first home game November 24th vs Siena

Jasbriell Swain - Junior - Guard After Swain started her collegiate career with back-to-back doubledoubles two years ago, the Bearcats knew they had something special.

She’d go on to win America East Rookie of the Year and serve as a catalyst for Binghamton in 2011-12. With the Bearcats’ top three scorers from last year all lost to graduation, Swain is the top returning scorer this season.

She will be a focal point on offense as well as an instigator on defense for a Binghamton team that is just beginning to mesh.

Mallory Lawes - Senior - Guard Lawes spent two years at Loyola University Maryland before transferring to Binghamton and sitting out the entire 2010-11 season in accordance with NCAA rules for transfers. In her first season as a Bearcat, Lawes played in 30 games and registered three starts. While she only averaged 2.4 points per game last season, the senior will see more scoring opportunities this year and will be relied upon more heavily as both a facilitator of the offense and as a leader.

Jimmy Gray - Senior - Guard Gray will be able to log more minutes at shooting guard this year thanks to the addition of Rayner Moquete. The two will split time at the one and two, and Gray, a former walk-on, has said he is excited about the opportunity to play more off the ball. Binghamton lost a lot of its offensive output from a season ago, and Gray is the only Bearcat who averaged more than four points per game last year. The offense will largely rely on the development of Moquete and Gray’s chemistry in the backcourt.

Taylor Johnston - Senior - Forward In 13.4 minutes per game last year, Johnston averaged 2.6 points and 1.8 rebounds. His opportunities from beyond the arc were rare, but Johnston rarely missed from deep, burying 12-of19 3-pointers. Johnston should receive more looks from downtown in Tommy Dempsey’s system, and that was evident in Saturday’s exhibition. The senior knocked down three 3-pointers en route to scoring 10 points.

Roland Brown - Junior - Forward Brown could be the hidden gem of Tommy Dempsey’s first recruiting class. Transferring after his freshman year at Hofstra, Brown averaged the modest numbers of seven points and four rebounds at Gulf Coast Community College. But he showed his versatility on offense against Susquehanna. Brown’s 14 points came in a variety of ways, including off jump-hooks and mid-range pull-ups.

His production down low will be crucial, as he can force defenses to collapse and leave shooters open on the perimeter.

Rayner Moquete - Junior - Guard After playing two years for Fordham University, Moquete took classes at a junior college last year but did not play a game. But Tommy Dempsey thinks very highly of Moquete, who will start at point guard for the Bearcats in 201213. The Dominican Republic native did not appear rusty at all when he scored 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting in Binghamton’s exhibition against Susquehanna. Don’t underestimate the impact of having competed against the Atlantic-10’s bevy of talented guards.

Mike Horn - Senior - Guard Following the 2009 basketball scandal, Binghamton needed players.

Horn, a freshman that year, tried out for the team and made the roster as a walkon. He played just five games, and didn’t register a minute as a sophomore, but last year he appeared in 19 games and averaged 9.4 minutes per game. Horn’s contributions don’t appear in the box score, though. The gritty guard could be one of America East’s best defenders, and he absolutely harassed Susquehanna’s guards on Saturday, playing a large role in many of Binghamton’s 24 forced turnovers.

BU ready for fresh start Ari Kramer K.J. Brown Junior - Guard

Brian Freeman Junior - For ward

Jimmy Gray Senior - Guard

Mike Horn Senior - Guard

Taylor Johnston Senior - Forward

Rayner Moquete Junior - Guard

Robert Mansell R-Sophomore - Guard

Alex Ogundadegbe Junior - Forward

The new era of Binghamton University men’s basketball officially starts tonight.

The Bearcats are set to play Loyola University Maryland on the road in their season opener, and the two teams are on different ends of the college basketball spectrum. Binghamton won two games last year, while Loyola won 24 and made the NCAA tournament.

But the Bearcats have reason to be optimistic about the future, though success might not be imminent.

Head coach Tommy Dempsey, who was hired in May, carries a successful pedigree to Binghamton. At Rider University, Dempsey went 119-105, giving him the third-most total wins by a MAAC program during his sevenyear tenure. His team never advanced to the NCAA tournament, but Dempsey led the Broncs to various postseason tournaments in three of his last five years with the school.

When Dempsey took the job at Binghamton, he had several holes to fill in the roster. But he got to work right away, signing freshman Jordan Reed within days of being hired. The rest of the class filled itself out over the summer with freshman Karon Waller and transfers Roland Brown, Brian Freeman and Rayner Moquete.

Moquete, who spent two seasons at Fordham University, is set to be Binghamton’s point guard. In Saturday’s exhibition against Susquehanna University, he led the team with 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting. “[Moquete has] been through the wars although they weren’t here,” Dempsey said at

Binghamton’s media day on Oct. 26. “He brings a level of consistency everyday.”

Moquete joins former walk-on Jimmy Gray, a senior, in the backcourt. Gray primarily played point guard as a junior, but with the addition of Moquete, he’ll be able to slide back to his natural position of shooting guard. Still, Gray and Moquete are expected to alternate at the one and two.

“I’m definitely looking forward to [the switch] because in high school I was more of a scorer,” Gray said. “I kind of grew out of that, and I’m trying to come back to that position and get more focused on scoring offensively.”

But while Binghamton has a veteran backcourt, junior Rob Mansell, the team’s leading scorer last year, won’t suit up this season. He tore his ACL, MCL and meniscus in Feb. and has not fully recovered yet, so he will redshirt.

“I just don’t think it’s in his best interest,” Dempsey said. “Although he would probably be able to go in in January and February, I just don’t think it’s the right thing to do as far as him wasting a lot of this year.”

Without Mansell, Dempsey expects scoring to be an issue for the Bearcats. Reed and Waller were each reputed scorers in high school, but Dempsey said it’s not fair to expect freshmen to carry a team offensively. Gray is the only returning player who averaged more than four points per game last year.

“When you look at last year’s team and then going forward to this year’s team, we’ve lost a lot of scoring,” Dempsey said. “We’re going to

have to find ways to manufacture baskets and manufacture points.”

But Dempsey plans on establishing a solid defense to counter his offense’s limited potency. In Saturday’s exhibition, Binghamton pressured Susquehanna into 24 turnovers, many of which led to points on the other end.

Senior walk-on Mike Horn led the defensive effort, and with time, the Bearcats hope to develop cohesiveness on that end.

“We’re not a team right now that’s built to score 75 points a game,” Dempsey said. “We’re going to have to be able to play good defense and rely on our defense to carry us through a lot of games.”

Binghamton is set to play five games in the season’s first 10 days, leaving little time for practice. The Bearcats are still learning a system vastly different from that of former head coach Mark Macon, and with so many new faces, chemistry development will be key.

But at the current trajectory, Dempsey hopes the Bearcats will be better by the turn of the calendar.

“I’ve seen dramatic improvement over the summer and over the fall, so if that improvement can continue, I hope by the time conference play rolls around that we’ll put ourselves in a position to be very competitive,” he said.

After tonight’s game against Loyola, Binghamton is scheduled to host its home opener against Brown University at 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Events Center.

Season Schedule Javon Ralling Senior - Forward

Jordan Reed Freshman - Guard

Jabrille Williams Sophomore - Forward

Roland Brown Junior - Forward

Karon Waller Freshman - Guard

Chris Rice Sophomore - Guard

11/9 11/11 11/14 11/16 11/18 11/24 11/28 12/1 12/3 12/8 12/11 12/28 12/30 1/2 1/7 Head shots for both teams provided

by BUBearcats

@ Loyola BROWN @ Navy @ Army ST. PETER’S MARYWOOD @ Penn MT. ST. MARY’S MONMOUTH @ Bryant @ Michigan @ Colgate CORNELL @ Hartford ALBANY

7:30 pm 2:00 pm 7:00 pm 4:00 pm 2:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 2:00 pm 7:00 pm 1:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 2:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm

1/9 1/12 1/16 1/19 1/26 1/30 2/2 2/6 2/9 2/12 2/16 2/24 2/28 3/3

STONY BROOK @ Boston Univ. @ Vermont @ Maine NEW HAMPSHIRE UMBC @ Albany HARTFORD BOSTON UNIV. @ Stony Brook MAINE @ New Hampshire VERMONT @ UMBC

7:00 pm 4:00 pm 7:00 pm 2:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:30 pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 1:00 pm 7:00 pm 2:00 pm

SPORTS

Meet the Players See pages 16-17

Friday, November 9, 2012

With Dempsey at helm, BU optimistic about long road ahead

All the Beatles need is love.

Tommy Dempsey, on the other hand, needs time and patience.

The first-year Binghamton University men’s basketball coach inherited an unenviable situation when he took the program’s helm in May. Since the 2009 scandal — which resulted in the dismissal of six players and the firing of then-head coach Kevin Broadus — Binghamton has fallen into college basketball’s purgatory.

The 2011-12 Bearcats found their first win 27 games into the season, finishing with just two victories overall, including the America East tournament playin game win over University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Things won’t change overnight, and this isn’t a video game, so you cannot simulate through the rough years. But Dempsey has made great strides already, blazing a path on the recruiting trail to sign four players to this year’s incoming class, which is an impressive feat, given that Dempsey only signed with Binghamton on May 24.

“Fast forward four months and I think we’re in a much better place than we were,” Dempsey said. “The roster changed over a lot, I had scholarships when I got here and it was late.”

Of course, one recruiting class won’t right the ship immediately, and players don’t improve at the snap of a finger. But while recruiting and player development require time, they might not be the most important factors for rebuilding a once-proud program.

Steve Masiello, who inherited a six-win Manhattan College basketball team at the start of last season, stressed the importance of establishing priorities from

day one.

“What you have to worry about is your culture, your attitude, and your players and what are you going to stand for, what are going to be the principles of your program,” he said. “That cannot be compromised.”

In his players, Masiello said he instilled a desire to be the “hardestworking team there was.” They espoused his creed and reeled off 21 wins in his first season, good for a plus-15 win differential.

Dempsey presented a similar plan.

“We have to feel like from the time we started workouts at the end of May until the time we play a game Nov. 9 that nobody outworked us,” he said. “I think that’s what we’re trying to build.”

Binghamton senior forward Taylor Johnston, who has been with the Bearcats since the close of the Broadus era, said the team has collectively exerted itself to new levels this preseason.

When asked if Dempsey’s conditioning workouts were the most demanding he has endured, Johnston said, “Definitely, because Coach Dempsey is a running coach. Our preseason was pretty tough, but we needed it.”

So Broadus and Mark Macon, who was fired in April, never pushed their players as much on the conditioning front.

Sometimes, though, something as simple as a coaching change can invigorate a team and make the players buy into something new.

“When you get a new guy in there, sometimes it brings new life and the players get more excited about the change, especially when things weren’t going well beforehand,” said Steve Pikiell, who has built Stony Brook University’s men’s basketball team from a six-game winner into a

The change in roles has been a long time coming for Swain. As a freshman, she catapulted onto She started as the precocious the scene with her high-energy rookie that everyone was talking style of play, finishing third on about, then evolved into a versatile the Bearcats with 8.6 points per spark plug in her sophomore year. game and 2.1 assists per game.

But now, entering her junior She accumulated a team-high six season, Jasbriell Swain finds double-doubles and was fifth in the herself the face of the Binghamton conference with 7.9 rebounds per University women’s basketball game en route to being honored team. as the America East Rookie of the

Jonathan Heisler/Photo Editor

Tommy Dempsey inherited a depleted roster and a situation most coaches would shy away from. But, as other coaches have said, he should be able to right the ship over time.

perennial America East contender.

And, believe it or not, Stony Brook might have been mired in an even more unfavorable situation when Pikiell took over than Binghamton is right now.

Though the Seawolves did not have a scandal on their record, they were on probation and had lost scholarships because they had the country’s lowest Academic Progress Rate, according to Pikiell.

Compound that with limited success before transitioning from Division II, shoddy facilities and low attendance rates, and you have a long road to success.

“You just take one problem at a time,” Pikiell said. “Try to solve one thing at a time.”

Year.

The following year, she continued to mature and grow as a player. She averaged 6.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game in 2011-12 and had a knack for timely hooping and rebounding. In the team’s America East semifinal matchup against University at Albany on March 4, she contributed 12 points and 11 rebounds.

File Photo

For the new-look Bearcats, junior guard Jasbriell Swain will serve as a veteran leader on and off the court.

By the end of Pikiell’s second year, Stony Brook’s probation had ended and the Seawolves had a full number of scholarships. Facility upgrades are still in the works, but

by Pikiell’s fourth year, his team had finished above .500. In his fifth year, the Seawolves made the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).

Masiello, on the other hand, inherited a roster with latent talent and immediately bucked the losing trend at Manhattan despite the program’s mediocre facilities.

As for Dempsey, Binghamton appears to be somewhere in between the programs inherited

by Pikiell and Masiello. The Bearcats’ scandal no longer affects

scholarships, and throughout the team’s struggles, attendance has not faltered at the top of the America East. The Events Center is also one of the conference’s premier venues.

But Dempsey does not have the same type of talent Masiello had last year. These Bearcats, Dempsey said, are not deep — Manhattan routinely played 10 players for at least 10 minutes per game — and they don’t have a dominant scorer like George Beamon, who averaged 19 points per game on 48.6 percent shooting for Manhattan last year.

In time, Dempsey will sign talented recruits who fit his fast-paced style. He has already

brought in a few such players.

That’s not to say he will forget about the letterwinners from Macon’s team, though.

“You know, there’s always that natural division of is he going to move on from us,” Dempsey said of the returners. “I’ve let them know that I believe in them and I’m counting on them.”

But until Dempsey constructs his ideal roster, he’ll need time and patience.

“You don’t know when it’s going to finally click,” Masiello said. “You know it’s going to — the variable is just time.”

This season, the torch has been passed to Swain. And while she is ready to step up and provide leadership for a young squad, she still doesn’t see herself, or any other player, for that matter, as the star of the team.

“I don’t feel like everything’s going to focus on me,” Swain said.

“I feel like I still have the same role I’ve always had. My role is to get to the basket and find my kickouts. My role has been to keep the defense on fire and to be a vocal leader. And I feel like that’s what I’ve always been and that’s what I’m going to continue to be, and whatever Coach asks me to do, that’s what I’m going to do.”

Swain is ready to have the offense run through her and serve as Binghamton’s go-to scorer, but she acknowledges there is a level of talent around her that she can rely upon.

“I’m not afraid for Coach to put the ball in my hand and tell me to go to work or get to the rim,” she said. “But at the same time, I know that if I can’t do it somebody else on my team can step up. Although we lost our three top scorers, I feel like we still have people that can come in and put up the same numbers [as the departing players].”

In her sophomore season, Swain learned from the veteran leadership and demeanor of thenseniors and leading scorers Andrea Holmes, Viive Rebane and Orla O’Reilly. What Holmes, Rebane and O’Reilly were to her, Swain

said she plans on being for the younger players on this squad.

“I feel like if I learned anything from them, it was to never stop working hard,” she said. “They were gym rats. I looked at them and was wishing sometimes I could shoot the ball as well as they could, but I saw that I wasn’t putting in the same amount of work … So I feel like that’s one thing that I took from them, and I feel like I can pass that on to the younger players.”

Heeding the advice of her mentors, Swain headed to the gym often over the off-season. Her primary focus: shooting.

“I feel like that’s one of the biggest things that I do when I get in the gym,” she said. “I try to focus on my outside shooting and free throws. And I feel like once I get those two things down pact, for right now, for this year, then I’ll be a much better player. People will have to respect my outside game and that way I can get to the rim at will, but I feel like until then, they’re still not going to step off me. But I’ve been getting in the gym a lot and trying to perfect those things.”

While the Bearcats will have a lot of offense to make up with their top three scorers from last season all having graduated, Swain remains adamant about this year’s team’s commitment to defense. It’s been the focal point of her game ever since she started playing and she expects Binghamton to be aggressive when the opposition

has the ball this season.

“I’ve been doing this since middle school. Defense has been the only thing that’s helped me get better,” Swain said. “My coaches that I played for in the past have always stressed defense, defense.

That’s all I know is defense. And when my offense isn’t going as well, I know that I can rely on defense. If there’s anything that you can control, coaches have always told me that it’s defense. So I feel like when we get stops, as far as steals and defensive boards and even offensive boards, it’s just a momentum builder and it pushes everybody forward.”

With the majority of their starting lineup from last year gone and five freshmen on the roster, the Bearcats aren’t faced with many high expectations in 2012-13, and Swain said she just wants to see gradual improvement from her team. But she still has an America East championship in her sights.

“I just would like to see us get better game by game,” she said. “I would like to see us never roll over and never give up to any team no matter how big they are, no matter what conference they’re in. I just want to see us come together as a team and have fun. And just play hard for the whole 40 minutes.

And obviously, what team doesn’t want a championship? So that’s my ultimate goal. But until then, for right now, I just want to see us get better game by game.”