Basketball opener
Miss Asia 2012
The Bearcats fall short in home kickoff versus Brown University
The Vietnamese Student Association throws its first annual Asian beauty pageant.
PIPE DREAM Tuesday, November 13, 2012 | Binghamton University | www.bupipedream.com | Vol. LXXXII, Issue 18
A weekend of tribute ends with final honor
Five uniformed members of Binghamton University’s ROTC lowered the American flag outside the Couper Administration Building on Monday in the symbolic close to a weekend of Veterans Day tributes held by the University. At an open discussion held two hours earlier in the Mandela Room, however, veterans from the Greater Binghamton Area — representing conflicts spanning from World War II to Iraq — passionately told the office of Veterans Services that the veterans must be recognized on campus more than once per year. “It’d be nice to have events on campus more than just one weekend,” said George Catalano, a former combat
As part of Binghamton University’s Veterans Day celebration, students made “Hero Packs” with dolls, journals and personal letters to give to the children of service members on active duty. Victor Yang, veterans project liaison for AmeriCorps VISTA, worked with BU’s Veterans Services Office to
engineer and BU professor of bioengineering. “Maybe monthly, maybe.” Catalano was one of several staff and faculty member veterans who attended the discussion, which was led by Victor Yang, a veterans project liaison for AmeriCorps VISTA who works in the Veterans Services Office. Five wheelchaired veterans from Willow Point Nursing Home in Vestal and graduate student John Burchill also participated. The meeting touched on the positive aspects that veterans bring to a college campus and several attendees suggested veterans ought to receive class credit for the skills they learned in the service. “There’s no reason a medic trained for combat should come to school and have to take
plan the event. According to Yang, AmeriCorps VISTA brought this event to campus to provide students with the opportunity to put together specifically designed backpacks with support material for the children of deployed servicemen and women. Yang said this was a way to get students more involved in the community and make a difference in the lives of children throughout the state. “Remembering and
Jonathan Heisler/Photo Editor
Members of Binghamton University’s ROTC lower and then fold the American flag in honor of Veterans Day as veterans, students and BU President Harvey Stenger watch.
honoring veterans is important, and having students get engaged and working with local communities is a big part of being a conscious citizen,” Yang said. “This was a great and easy opportunity to get student volunteers to make a real difference in the local community.” Kitty White, New York state director of Operation Military Kids, said the Hero Packs include items to help comfort the children and give them
communication tools. “The backpacks are filled with a variety of things, a letter to child from a community member, a kit where kids make dolls that they can tell their worries too, a picture frame, a letter writing kit, a pen, a journal, and resources for parents to use, etc.,” White wrote in an email. “It goes to kids who do not live on installations and army bases, and so are able to get more comfort out of them.”
Students wrote letters to include in the backpacks, thanking the children for their bravery, sacrifice and commitment while their parents served overseas. Chris Li, a sophomore majoring in sociology, said he hoped the Hero Packs raised the morale of the children and helped offer them a support system. “I understand how it feels
At the end of a lecture by an “ex-gay” couple about the irreconcilability of God and gays, the executive board of SHADES walked out frustrated, offended and wondering: why were we invited? The InterVarsity Christian Fellowship sent an email to SHADES, a student group that caters to people of color in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and questioning (LGBTQ) community, last week inviting them to a discussion to “engage and explore different perspectives and questions” about what Christianity says about sexuality, “specifically homosexuality.” The discussion, however, exclusively featured Melissa and Gary Ingraham, a married couple that said they both used to be homosexual after suffering from sexual abuse, but suppressed their homosexual desires. The members of the SHADES executive board said that the meeting was one-sided and that they did not get a chance to contribute to the conversation. “It wasn’t even a discussion, it was just a lecture with a onesided perspective,” said the vice president of SHADES, who requested that his name be left out of print to protect his privacy. “Then the ‘discussion part’ was just a Q and A where they gave out pieces of paper, everyone wrote down their questions, and then they passed it to the speakers.” SHADES Treasurer Anthony Parris said the members of the group expected multiple perspectives about Christianity and homosexuality to be discussed at the meeting. “They said two people [were speaking], so we assumed that it was going to be two people with opposing views on the topic, but no — it was a complete lecture,” Parris said. “They didn’t give the audience any room to talk at all.” Members of the SHADES executive board said they felt misinformed about how the meeting would be run. “To be invited under these kind of false pretenses, thinking that this was going to be a safe environment for LGBT issues, was what really upset us and really hurt us,” the vice president of
Local veterans share their stories Nursing 101,” an attendee from the Decker School of Nursing said. Although BU was recognized as a “military friendly” campus by G.I. Jobs Magazine, Yang said the University can still offer more support. There are roughly 70 veterans enrolled at BU that the Veterans Services Office knows of, but the office is working to identify more. “Just being able to put our name out there as being an institution that really supports our veterans, because sometimes it’s just they don’t know that we’re out there,” Yang said. He is working to create a student group for veterans to discuss their shared experiences by the end of the fall 2014 semester. Among the veterans from Willow Point was Stewart Goldman, a Brooklyn native who left the Army as a Master Sergeant in 1970, was a Green Beret and served for five years and seven tours in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. He said the discussion Monday “started something positive for the Veterans Center.” The Veterans Services Office is important, he said, because they offer support to soldiers transitioning from their time in the service to civilian life — something Goldman struggled with. He remembered being spit on and called a “baby killer” in San Francisco after coming home from Vietnam, and said he struggled to find a job afterward. “Glad these kids have a place to connect with veterans who understand their problems, their experiences,” Goldman said.
Interested in ROTC at Binghamton? Check out www. armyrotc.cornell.edu or www.afrotc. cornell.edu/
Jonathan Heisler/Photo Editor
Members of Binghamton University’s ROTC lower and then fold the American flag in honor of Veterans Day as veterans, students and BU President Harvey Stenger watch.
Room before organizers had to start turning away guests due to lack of seating. Guests enjoyed The Vietnamese Student a Vietnamese buffet which Association (VSA) transformed included spring rolls with the Mandela Room into a Saigon peanut dipping sauce, Banh Mi Café, a type of Vietnamese coffee (Vietnamese sandwiches) and shop, Saturday night to host rice with lemongrass chicken. Binghamton University’s firstever Asian-oriented pageant. Pink and white balloons lined a makeshift catwalk and strings of white lights brightened the room as 10 talented, attractive BU women representing 10 different Asian countries competed for the title and honor of being “Miss Asia 2012.” VSA President Roxy Dinh, a junior majoring in marketing, said the organization wanted to hold an event to parallel other — Roxy Dinh cultural pageants on campus. Vietnamese Student Association “I have seen that there’s pageants for the African American community, and there’s Greek God for [the] white community, but there’s The pageant began with a never been an Asian American video presentation introducing pageant,” Dinh said. “I feel like the contestants with their it’s a really good opportunity for photos. As each photo was us to showcase Asian countries, displayed, the respective culture and unite Asian candidate strutted out onto the interest groups on campus and catwalk. help people learn more about Contestants participated in Vietnamese culture.” three rounds of competition: Kimberly Pham, event a modeling portion featuring coordinator of VSA, emceed traditional outfits representing the event along with VSA social their respective cultures, a chair Mohammed Malik. talent portion and a question“The support from the and-answer session focused on audience was beyond our Asian American culture. expectations,” Pham said. Miss Philippines contestant Roughly 250 formally dressed Kristina Madrazo won people packed the Mandela the pageant, followed by
contestants representing Taiwan and India in second and third place. Madrazo won $100 for the Philippine-American League (PAL), a Filipino cultural group. The announcement of the winner set off an explosion of cheers from the PAL tables in the audience, thrilled that their representative took home the crown. “PAL is very proud of Kristina running for and winning Miss Asia,” said Karlo Alon, PAL member and a graduate student studying biochemistry. “As a whole, we feel that Kristina’s win will promote not only our organization but ASU [Asian Student Union] as a whole. It’s a win for all Asian Americans on campus.” Madrazo sang in Tagalog, the official language of the Philippines, and performed a cha-cha for her talent portion. “This is the only pageant I’ve ever done,” she said. “I have terrible stage fright, and I felt a lot of pressure, because I just wanted to make PAL proud. “ Madrazo said she was glad she represented PAL and her country well. “It is truly a blessing,” Madrazo said. “It’s the most incredible feeling, I’m just so proud of everything I was able to accomplish with the people I was able to perform with.” Men-Chen Huang, graduate assistant for the Multicultural Research Center; Darian Lusk, Pipe Dream Release editor; and Daniel Adeyanju, Student
Association vice president of Multicultural Affairs, judged the pageant. As an additional contest for the nominees, the VSA held an online photo competition on the “Miss Asia 2012” Facebook page to see which contestant could garner the most “likes” on her picture. Miss Malaysia candidate Tiffany Lu won the contest with 575 likes, earning a $50 gift certificate to Abercrombie and Fitch. “I have a lot of family back in Malaysia, so gotta have some pride,” said Lu, a sophomore majoring in integrative neuroscience. Janine Wong, a graduate student studying accounting, said the contestants presented themselves well. “I decided to go because of Kristina and to support PAL,” Wong said. “The contestants were very capable and competent.” Wong said that if the event was held while she was an undergraduate (she graduated in 2012), she would have entered. “VSA, when I was an undergrad, was underrepresented so I’m glad they hosted this,” Wong said. “It really put their name on the ASU map.” The total budget for the event came to over $1,600. Much of it was covered by a grant from the Multicultural Resource Center, although the Abercrombie gift card came from VSA funds.
Jonathan Heisler/Photo Editor
Miss Taiwan walks the catwalk of Binghamton University’s first Asian-oriented pageant hosted by the Vietnamese Student Association. The “Miss Asia” pageant took place on Saturday in the Mandela Room.
Dinh said the contestants’ their performance.” passion made the pageant a EDITOR'S NOTE: Darian success. Lusk had no involvement in the “The event was really publication of this article. successful,” Dinh said. “All the contestants poured their heart and soul into preparing for
Pipe Line
A day at the regatta
Film producer to speak at forum Robert Child, an award-winning film producer and director, will discuss his Emmy-nominated film “The Wereth Eleven, An Untold War Crime” at the Binghamton University Forum breakfast program on Wednesday, Nov. 14. The film retraces the steps that 11 African-American GIs took when their unit was overrun by Germans at the start of the Battle of the Bulge. Child has also directed television shows such as “Who Wants to be a Millionaire,” “Emeril Live” and “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.” The program will begin at 7:30 a.m. with a breakfast buffet at the Binghamton Riverwalk Hotel, followed by the formal program at 8 a.m.
Nine arrested in University at Albany hazing scandal A hazing ritual that included submerging pledges’ faces in water and hitting them with paddles and rubber hoses has led to the arrests of eight University at Albany students and another man. Albany Police spokesman Steven Smith said the 14 victims also had cold water poured on their heads and were told to beg for mercy. The arrests were made just after 1 a.m. According to Smith, some of the pledges had minor cuts and bruises, and all declined treatment. He said the group wasn’t a sanctioned university fraternity and the school has started university judicial proceedings against the students. Most of those arrested, including the non-student, face charges of second-degree hazing, a violation. Photo Provided Binghamton Creaw
LIPA leaves nearly 60k customers without power Two weeks after Superstorm Sandy, the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) has yet to return power to almost 60,000 customers, more than all other companies’ remaining outages combined. LIPA has restored power to nearly 1.1 million homes and offices altogether. About 46,000 still waiting for the lights to come back on are along Long Island’s south shore and Rockaway Peninsula and had water damage to electrical panels and wiring, so their service can’t be restored without an inspection and possibly repairs. The utility said it expects to restore service to the last 11,000 customers outside flooded areas by late Tuesday or early Wednesday. Cuomo seeks full reimbursement for Sandy costs Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday he plans to request $30 billion in federal aid to rebuild after Superstorm Sandy, which heavily damaged parts of New York City and Long Island. The administration will seek a supplemental appropriation to cover infrastructure, repair and emergency costs beyond those normally covered by federal emergency aid. Generally the Federal Emergency Management Agency will reimburse up to 75 percent of public costs, with the state and local authorities covering the remaining 25 percent. There have been cases, such as Hurricane Katrina, where the federal government has reimbursed up to 90 percent of costs. “Elmo” puppeteer accused of having a relationship with a minor The puppeteer who performs as Elmo on “Sesame Street” is taking a leave of absence from the iconic kids show in the wake of allegations that he had a relationship with a 16-yearold boy. Puppeteer Kevin Clash has denied the charges, which, according to Sesame Workshop, were first made in June by the accuser, who by then was 23. The organization described the relationship as “unrelated to the workplace.” Its investigation found the allegation of underage conduct to be unsubstantiated. However, it said Clash exercised “poor judgment” and was disciplined for violating company policy regarding Internet usage. It offered no details.
In other words
— CNN.com, referencing Romey's presidential election loss.
Members of Binghamton Crew pose for a group photo Sunday afternoon after a successful weekend of racing. The team raced at both the Frostbite Regatta in Camden, N.J. and the Bill Braxton Regatta in Cooper River, N.J.
Police Watch Whoops THURSDAY, NOV. 8, 2:30 p.m. — A 21-year-old female student reported to Binghamton’s New York State University Police that she lost her HP electronic notebook in the open area of Lecture Hall, Investigator Patrick Reilly said. The victim said that as she got up to leave her seat, she had taken her things, but left her notebook by accident. When she came back 40 minutes later she could not find the notebook. The victim wanted a report on file and the case is still under investigation. Who let the dogs out? THURSDAY, NOV. 8, 3:54 p.m. — The caretaker of the Nature Preserve informed University police that two dogs were running around without a leash, Reilly said. The caretaker found the dogs’ owner and asked him repeatedly to put a leash on them. The officers found the owner and told him that it was University policy that dogs must always be kept on a leash. The owner complied, and there were no further complaints. I saw the sign FRIDAY, NOV. 9, 4:13 a.m. — Members of Residential Life reported to University police that someone had taken down the
This Day in History On this day in 1840, Claude Monet, the famous french painter known for impressionist style, was born in Paris.
Dickinson Community sign from the main hallway in the Chenango Champlain Collegiate Center, Reilly said. The officers went to the building and questioned the dining staff before finding the sign in the maintenance room wash area. Pieces of ceiling tiles were found on the floor, and a report was put on file that damage had been done in the area. The case is still under investigation. Keep on trucking FRIDAY, NOV. 9, 7:15 a.m. — A University employee told University police that a pickup truck had driven into the paid parking lot without taking a ticket, Reilly said. The witness said that the truck had driven over the curb and the sidewalk to get into the lot. The officers spoke to the owner of the vehicle, who said he had only done it after he had seen a state vehicle do it first, and that he was doing work in the lot. It was later found that he was not actually doing work in the lot, and he was issued a receipt that he had to pay for upon leaving the lot.
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The SUNY Global Workforce Project, a website designed to aid faculty in internationalizing their courses to prepare students for the global workforce, was officially released by the SUNY Levin Institute. The Project began to take shape in August 2009 when the U.S. Department of Education granted it funding after an application process. The Levin Institute met with SUNY faculty to find schools that would be interested in joining the project. College at Brockport and SUNY Cortland volunteered and their faculty began work with the Institute. Members from the universities and the Levin Institute were combined into teams to develop 10 six-hour modules designed to build international knowledge and develop the skills required for today’s global economy. The courses developed are available to any institution that wants to use them, but are designed for SUNY’s use. The 10 modules were developed over the course of a year for faculty to incorporate into their courses include trade, culture and human rights, global banking and demographics, among others. Rebecca Smolar, project manager of SUNY Global, said the 10 modules were specifically chosen because they represent key economic, social and political issues that can be integrated into a wide range of courses. Specialists provided the pilot faculty with resources to create an interdisciplinary experience for their 1,800 students in general education courses during a development workshop. “The pilot faculty then took the modules and adapted them to their courses and created new assignments that were based on the original material, but that also addressed their own course goals,” Binghamton alumna Smolar, class of ‘98, wrote. “The freedom for faculty to adapt the modules created stronger materials that would ultimately help students gain an interdisciplinary, international perspective.” Smolar said students grew more interested in international studies collectively and reaped more tangible benefits. “Students felt that they gained critical thinking skills, improved writing skills, time management skills, the ability to communicate with people who are different from them and an appreciation for how international issues affect them personally,” Smolar wrote. “Many students felt that they were better prepared for the workforce because they have new knowledge of international issues as well as the ability to communicate with people of diverse backgrounds.” Katharine Krebs, vice provost for international affairs and director of international education, said Binghamton has been looking into the project. “We have been following the progress of this project with interest for some time,” Krebs wrote in an email. “This will be a good resource for our faculty, not only in the exact topics named, but in related fields. I expect that we’ll see faculty turning to these sources themselves or using them as a resource for their students to explore.” Ashley Ragusa, a senior majoring in psychology, expressed interest in the project and said it was a well-developed opportunity that could increase the quality of the University. “I think the SUNY Global Workforce Project would be a good idea so that students can be aware of global issues and have a global perspective on the content already being taught within their classrooms,” Ragusa said.
Hero Packs include letters, dolls similar interests together and introduces our interests to new people,” Smith said. “I think it is important to break the From 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. on typical stereotype of gamers, Saturday, the ground floor of nerds and geeks. There seems to Academic Building A was filled be prejudice towards gamers in with something other than our society and people seem to miserable students. think it is a waste of time. I do Back by popular demand, not think that being passionate Maximum Overkill, Binghamton about something and having the University’s premier gaming courage to do it is a waste of time; and anime event, was revived no matter what it is. These things Saturday. The event will now can be enjoyed by everyone, take place at the end of every not just those people that are semester, according to Ryan considered nerdy.” Smith, president of Binghamton Maximum Overkill is one of University’s StarCraft and eSports Association. Maximum Overkill offered 12 hours of gaming tournaments and anime screenings. This event featured tournaments for StarCraft 2, League of Legends, Halo 3, Pokemon, Street Fighter 4 and Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3. It also hosted board games and card games. Prizes awarded to the winners of each tournament included the new Halo 4 and other various games. — Kyle Mulligan Smith, a senior majoring in StarCraft and eSports Association computer science, emphasized the welcoming environment of Maximum Overkill. “It’s open to anybody,” Smith said. “It’s a lot of people who many LAN (local area network) just love gaming. It’s free for events that take place on campus. everyone. If you’re interested in Due to complications and gaming and anime, come down.” changes in leadership, Maximum According to Smith, the event Overkill has not been held on allowed gamers and anime fans campus in over four years. to bring their hobbies into a “They used to run it the past, mainstream environment. the CORE student group on “I think it is important campus, but recently they haven’t because it brings people with run it and we just brought it back
this year,” Smith said, referring to the Computers, Robotics, and Engineering group. Smith said that Lanime, a similar event that was held in Maximum Overkill’s absence, showed room for improvement. “There was a similar event hosted the last few years, but we thought that it could be greatly improved upon so we decided to bring back Maximum Overkill,” Smith said. “I think this event is a great start, but there is still much to be improved upon for next time.” The event was the work of the StarCraft Team, CORE and the Animation Club. The clubs funded it with their own budgets, but it was also sponsored by CommuniKey, EA Games and Nozomi Entertainment, who all provided prizes. Kyle Mulligan, treasurer of Binghamton’s StarCraft and eSports Association, said the collaboration of the different clubs was integral to bringing Maximum Overkill back. “We’ve had a leadership change this year,” Mulligan said. “We’ve had a couple extra groups come in. In the past, we’ve had issues with communication; it kind of takes the shine off of it. This is the best organized it has been.” Mulligan, a junior doublemajoring in political science and Russian, is a veteran to LAN events such as Maximum Overkill and said this one is different. “I think it’s one of the best because it’s unique,” Mulligan said. “There aren’t a lot of
events on campus like Maximum Overkill. It’s one of a kind.” Friends and strangers united during the event with a shared interest in gaming and anime. From intense gamers to casual spectators, the overall atmosphere at Maximum Overkill was friendly and supportive. “It was fun for us because we got the chance to enjoy the things we love with our friends, as well as make new friends,” Smith said. “As college students we don’t always have time to set aside to just have a good time and not worry about anything else, but this event allowed us to do that.” Amy Sun, president of the animation club and a senior majoring in computer engineering, said the group’s purpose at Maximum Overkill was to screen more obscure anime shows. “We’re trying to show what else is out there,” Sun said. “’Summer Wars’ and ‘Hotaru No Mori E’ were our main attractions tonight.” Rachel Joseph, president of CORE and a junior majoring in geology, debunked any belief that only intense gamers and anime lovers can attend such events. “It’s for casual gamers, as well as the hard core gamers,” Joseph said. “We have tons of tournaments but we also have free play time. Hopefully next semester we can get even more casual games because I know that’s bigger campus wide than the hard core gaming might be.”
to actually be away from your parents for a really long time, and when you are in that situation, a support system becomes important,” Li said. “And when these kids see other kids with their parents during Christmas, I am sure it hurts, and that is when Hero Packs and stuff like this really make a difference.” Amanda Berman, a sophomore double-majoring in English and economics, said Hero Packs are an easy way to help children with deployed parents. “I have no connection to military, but I understand that parents’ decisions to go to the military can really affect kids and I wanted to help,” Berman said. “And I hope that it just reminds kids that although their situations may be difficult, there are a lot of people who appreciate what their parents are doing.” Jasmine Pena, a senior majoring in Russian, said she valued the opportunity to give back to the community and help the children out. “I truly enjoy helping out others, and making others happy, and making a difference
in peoples lives,” Pena said. “It shows that even though the kids may be hurt, their parents are doing something great for country and they should be proud.” Yang said the Veterans Services Office plans to start a student-run veteran group to focus on developing programs for veterans and to advocate for veteran issues on campus. “One of our future goals is to start a student veteran group on campus that would help develop other programs designed specifically to help veterans and the families of veterans, and advocate for veterans issues on campus. I am trying to get members for next semester,” Yang said. “We are trying to focus on student veterans on campus because I think they are underrepresented, despite the fact that they are a significant part of [the] population, yet we do not really recognize their strength and them being here.” At Binghamton, 15 students participated in the event to make 70 Hero Packs. Yang said they plan to hold a similar event in the future after several people in attendance expressed interest in helping the veteran community.
Stenger charts course to public safety On Monday evening, Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger held an open forum on public safety in the Chenango Champlain Collegiate Center. This forum was the last of the three open forums Stenger has held as a part of his Road Map to Success and focused on personal safety on and off campus. Attendees of this open forum included Stenger, the co-chairs of the Infrastructure Road Map team, student members of the Personal Safety Advisory Committee, University Police Chief Tim Faughnan and other members of the University community. Stenger said the purpose of the forum was to discuss the problems that the Binghamton University community may have with the current safety provisions both on and off campus. Participants broke into three separate groups to generate conversation concerning public safety. Each group was given a set of three questions, including: how do you define personal safety? What makes you feel safe or unsafe? What specific areas, activities or behaviors on campus or off campus make you feel safe or unsafe? And what can be done to improve safety on campus and off campus? While the participants broke into groups, Faughnan encouraged them to voice their suggestions. “We’re trying to be proactive rather than reactive,” Faughnan said. “We’re always looking for new ideas.” Anthony Aprile, a freshman majoring in quantitative finance, said he attended the open forum to voice his concerns with Binghamton’s Downtown scene.
“I’ve been off campus, so I think from a student’s perspective, I would have a lot to input regarding that and how it’s kind of a shaky environment out there,” Aprile said. “Personally, I think it has a lot to do with Greek life and the bars.“ Sara Tosi, a junior majoring in political science, said she was not pleased with the safety programs that BU has in place. “I had a negative experience with the escort program at Binghamton, which is supposed to be one of the safety programs,” Tosi said. “I knew that I wanted to bring it up someone, so I saw on B-Line that there was going to be this open forum on safety on campus.” During the forum, participants discussed causes that might influence dangerous environments for students and brainstormed possible options to increase safety. Stenger and the co-chairs of the Infrastructure Road Map team contributed to the conversations while taking each student’s input. Aprile brought up underage drinking. “[Fraternities] tend to let kids in just based on their BU ID, which has no indication whatsoever of the student’s age and that creates crowds of kids who may or may not be under the influence of drugs and alcohol,” Aprile said. “That poses a real danger not only to them, but to the outside community and it also endangers the students from outside sources.” At the end of the forum, the discussion leaders presented what they have gathered from their conversations with students. General concerns spanned from how students perceive space, to awareness of Good Samaritan policies and methods of educating new students about public safety.
Nia Pellone/Assistant Photo Editor
President Stenger talks to students in the Dickinson Multipurpose Room about how to be safe while on campus. Stenger held a forum on personal safety Monday night.
'Ex-gay' couple says gays and lesbians are sinful Associated Press
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Victoria’s Secret has apologized for putting a Native Americanstyle headdress on a model for its annual fashion show, after the outfit was criticized as a display of ignorance toward tribal culture and history. The company responded to the complaints over the weekend by saying it was sorry to have upset anyone and that it wouldn’t include the outfit in the show’s television broadcast next month, or in any marketing materials. “We sincerely apologize as we absolutely had no intention to offend anyone,” the company said. Headdresses historically are a symbol of respect, worn by Native American war chiefs and warriors. For many Plains tribes, for example, each feather placed on a headdress has significance and had to be earned through an act of compassion or bravery. Some modern-day Native American leaders have been gifted war bonnets in ceremonies accompanied by prayers and songs. “When you see a Lakota chief wearing a full headdress, you know that he was a very honorable man. He was a leader. He did a lot of honorable things for his people,” said Michelle Spotted Elk, a Santa Cruz, Calif., woman of mixed heritage whose husband is Lakota. “It also has religious significance. With them, there’s not a division between spirituality and their leadership.” Victoria’s Secret model Karlie Kloss walked onto the runway last week wearing the floor-length feathered headdress, leopardprint underwear and high heels. She also was adorned with fringe and turquoise jewelry during a segment meant to represent the 12 months of the year — fireworks in July, rain gear for April and a headdress for November. Kloss herself posted on Twitter that she was “deeply sorry if what I wore during the VS Show offended anyone.” Thousands of people have commented about the outfit
— Vice president of SHADES SHADES continued from Page 1
Amanda Schwabr/AP Photo
This Nov. 7, 2012 photo released by Starpix shows model Karlie Kloss wearing an Indian headdress during the taping of The 2012 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in New York. Victoria Secret has apologized for putting a replica of a Native American headdress on a model for its annual fashion show. The company responded to criticism over the weekend by saying it was sorry to have upset anyone and would not include the outfit in the show’s television broadcast next month.
on the company’s Facebook page. Some praised Kloss’ attire as artistic and urged those offended by it to “get over it.” Some expressed appreciation to Victoria’s Secret for halting its marketing approach for the clothing, and others reached back in history to explain their feelings. “We have gone through the atrocities to survive and ensure our way of life continues,” Navajo Nation spokesman Erny Zah said in an interview Monday. “Any mockery, whether it’s Halloween, Victoria’s Secret — they are spitting on us. They are spitting on our culture, and it’s upsetting.” The Victoria’s Secret stir follows a string of similar incidents. Recently, Paul Frank Industries Inc. and the band No Doubt each ran into criticism for their use of headdresses in clothing and parties, and in a cowboys-and-Indians-themed video, respectively. They offered apologies as well. Last year, Urban Outfitters set off a firestorm of criticism with its line of Navajo-branded
clothing and accessories — particularly underwear and a liquor flask, which the tribe said was “derogatory and scandalous.” Abaki Beck was among a handful of Native students who hosted a discussion last week at a private liberal arts college in St. Paul, Minn., on Native culture in fashion and sports. She said companies first must learn from the mistake of ignoring Native American history and then make an effort to engage with Indian Country. She wanted more than a short apology from Victoria’s Secret instead of what she said sounded like an automated response. “But perhaps that is an unrealistic hope,” said the 19-year-old member of the Blackfeet Nation of Montana. “It is all about business, after all.” Jennie Luna, who is Chicana and Caxcan, said society largely is ignorant toward indigenous spirituality and doesn’t understand what should not be marketed commercially. She and others say more education
about Native American cultures is needed. “We are people; we’re not a fashion statement,” Luna said. “We are people who are facing serious issues, and for them to further perpetuate the type of stereotypes and disregard for a community’s way of life is unacceptable.” ReGina Zuni’s advice to companies looking to market Native American culture is to hire Native Americans who have knowledge of tribal traditions, cultures and customs. However, her reaction to hearing about the Victoria’s Secret headdress wasn’t outrage about the clothing itself, but about the lack of attention on health care, education, housing and other issues in Indian Country. “To each his own,” said Zuni, of Isleta Pueblo in New Mexico. “But seriously, if people want to grab media attention on Indian issues, this is not the issue to advance and place in the spotlight.”
SHADES said. Members of SHADES, Rainbow Pride Union (RPU) and InterVarsity met later in the weekend to discuss the LGBTQ groups’ reaction to Friday’s talk. InterVarsity Outreach Coordinator Janell Salmon said that InterVarsity members were unsure at first why SHADES members were offended by the meeting. “After hearing a little more about their perspective, we realize that they felt attacked,” Salmon said. InterVarsity wrote in a statement to Pipe Dream that they apologized to SHADES and RPU after they became aware that the SHADES executive board felt misled by the invitation. “Fortunately, SHADES and Rainbow Pride Union were open enough to share with us how our process hurt them,” the statement read. “We are grateful that they reached out to us, because as Christians, we do think it is important that we admit when we are in the wrong.” InterVarsity President Lauren Kirst, however, said the group supported the speakers’ viewpoints. “As far as what they said, we uphold the Bible as truth and we believe that everything they said was within the Biblical truths,” said Kirst, a junior majoring in
mathematics. Parris said SHADES did not expect to see eye to eye with InterVarsity on the topic of homosexuality, but was bothered by the lack of collaboration. “Obviously we’re going to be offended by what they say, with how they feel, but for me that’s just religion and you can’t really argue religion,” Parris said. “We were just offended by the fact that they invited us.” Executive board members of SHADES said the safety of their members, especially members questioning their sexuality, was also an issue. “If they had went to this meeting they would just be even more confused. They could possibly hurt themselves,” Parris said. “The goal of SHADES, RPU [Rainbow Pride Union] and Equality Project is to create a safe space, and this meeting was the total opposite of that.” The executive board reported the incident to Dean of Students April Thompson, who suggested that the groups meet to discuss possible solutions. Following their meeting with InterVarsity, SHADES decided not to pursue the matter further. “They were wrong, they made a mistake, and we forgive them,” the vice president of SHADES said. “But at the same time, you only get a chance to make this type of mistake one time.”
ABOARD A U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT OVER THE PACIFIC (AP) — Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Monday the Obama administration is nearing a decision in the next few weeks on how many U.S. troops would remain in Afghanistan — and for what purposes — after the U.S.-led combat mission ends in 2014. Panetta told reporters aboard his plane en route from Hawaii to Australia that Gen. John Allen, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, has developed several options on a post2014 presence. Panetta also was asked about his future at the Pentagon. While he declined to reveal his plans, he suggested he still had work to do on the job he took in July 2011. “It’s no secret that at some point I’d like to get back to California,” he said. Panetta is from Monterey, Calif. He added that there are a number of important defense issues awaiting resolution, including a budget impasse and the future of U.S. involvement in Afghanistan — suggesting that he would not leave immediately. “Right now, my goal is to basically meet my responsibilities with regard to dealing with those issues,” Panetta said. Pressed to say whether he would rule out staying for all four years of a second Obama term, he replied: “Who the hell knows?” In explaining the status of Afghanistan planning, Panetta said the administration is weighing Allen’s options on post-2014 troop levels. He would not reveal what troop levels are being considered, but it is believed
that at least several thousand could be needed for several years beyond 2014. “My hope is that we’ll be able to complete this process in the next few weeks,” Panetta said. The decision will depend in part of the Afghan government’s willingness to permit a post-2014 U.S. military presence and to provide legal guarantees for those troops that are acceptable to Washington. Once that decision is made, U.S. officials have said they will set a timetable for reducing troop levels between now and the end of 2014. There now are about 67,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, and their mission is evolving from combat to advising, assisting and training Afghan forces. A post-2014 U.S. military presence also would be expected to include hunting and killing extremists, including members of al-Qaida in Afghanistan. Asked about David Petraeus’s resignation as CIA director over revelations that he had an affair with his biographer, Panetta said he saw it as a “very sad situation to have him end his career like that.” Panetta was CIA director before Petraeus. “I think he took the right step” by resigning, Panetta added. Panetta was beginning a weeklong trip to Asia to meet with his counterparts in Australia, Thailand and Cambodia. He said this was an important expression of the Obama administration’s commitment to deepening ties in the region and developing more security partnerships. For decades American administrations have fought the perception among Asians that Washington paid too little attention to their security interests. This view was reinforced during the years of U.S. focus on Iraq, and it persists even as
Saul Loeb/AP Photo
Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta speaks to the media during a briefing aboard his airplane in flight over the Pacific Ocean en route from Honolulu to Perth, Australia, Monday, Nov. 12, 2012.
the war in Afghanistan winds down. The Obama administration has made much of its “pivot” to the AsiaPacific, which has entailed more high-level diplomatic and security engagements and an attempt to expand cooperation with Australia and others in the region. But it is not fundamentally different from what the administration of President George W. Bush was pursuing even as it got mired in Iraq and saw stalemate in Afghanistan. In June 2007, then-Defense
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Secretary Robert Gates argued at a security conference in Singapore that the U.S. was increasingly focused on Asia. “Far from neglecting Asia, the U.S. is more engaged than ever before,” he said. “We have been extraordinarily busy in recent years as we reshape and strengthen our security ties based on shared interests. Some are bilateral relationships that have been formed, renewed, or modernized each with varying types and degrees of cooperation.”
Among the issues dogging Panetta and the Pentagon is the controversy over the U.S. response to an attack on U.S. diplomatic facilities in Benghazi, Libya, two months ago. Panetta said the Pentagon and the State Department are assessing what additional or improved arrangements might be necessary to secure U.S. diplomatic outposts in the Middle East. He was not specific.
Velvet Underground & Nico Turns 45 Kieran Mcmanus | Release In New York City, 1967, The Velvet Underground released what Rolling Stone calls the “most prophetic rock album of all time.” Renowned and controversial artist Andy Warhol took a chance on the Velvet Underground’s talent, teaming them up with German singer Nico as part of his experimental series of live acts, Exploding Plastic Inevitable. Warhol was also responsible for the iconic banana album cover. Although popularly unsuccessful and a financial failure, “The Velvet Underground & Nico” is now one of the most influential and highly praised albums among musicians, critics and fans alike. Producer Brian Eno famously stated in a 1982 interview, “I was talking to Lou Reed the other day and he said that the first Velvet Underground record sold 30,000 copies in the first five years. The sales have picked up in the past few years, but I mean, that record was such an important record for so many people. I think everyone who bought one of those 30,000 copies started a band! So I console myself thinking that some things generate their rewards in a second-hand way.” If you’re unfamiliar with the Velvet Underground, you’ve definitely heard their influence in hundreds of artists’ works — David Bowie, Glenn Danzig, Joy Division, Sonic Youth, Radiohead, Pixies, The Strokes, Nirvana, Jane’s Addiction, The Smiths — the list goes on and on. In 2009, Beck even did a track-by-track cover of “The Velvet Underground & Nico.” Regardless of musical tastes and background, everyone should listen to “The Velvet Underground & Nico” at least once in their
life, and then again and again and again. This isn’t an album where you download a $0.99 single on iTunes and call it a day. “Nico” is a full work of art from start to finish and can only be fully appreciated as a whole, not in pieces. Interjecting noisy, experimental art songs between catchy pop songs, all discussing sexuality, drugs, prostitutes and a New York City that will never again exist, the album displays a wide range of talent and taste that can never truly be replicated. In the midst of the hippie movement, Lou Reed and the gang decided not to be pussies and to spark a counter-movement that would blow everyone out of the water. Not to mention, the recording and production has an authentic feel that still makes it relevant today. You can see a lot of hipster bands today trying (and failing) to recreate the lo-fi, substancerich tone the Velvet Underground mastered 45 years ago. So if you’ve never heard of the Velvet Underground, start with “Nico.” You won’t be disappointed. Join the new generation rediscovering it, just as each generation has since 1967. Maybe it will inspire you to create something of your own, like it did to the Sex Pistols, David Bowie, Sonic Youth, R.E.M. and just about any rock artist worth their salt. And if you’re already a fan, be sure to pick up the recently released 45th Anniversary Super Deluxe Box Set, packed with six discs of unadulterated fan-service. All the tracks have been remastered, along with live versions, alternate takes and B-sides. Listen to, relisten to and absorb what is “The Velvet Underground & Nico” and make all tomorrow’s parties a bit more bearable.
2012's Narrative In Music: Frank Ocean & Kendrick Lamar Jonathan Finkelstein | Release It’s hard to say what 2012 has added to music culture. In many ways, things haven’t drastically changed this year. Maroon 5 and Chris Brown are still making music, and we still listen to dubstep at parties. But one thing is apparent: Two talented artists have pushed the boundaries of their musical niches by rewriting the codes of rap and R&B. The commonality in these innovations has been a strong narrative skill, combining music and relatable, intimate content. If anything, 2012 has pulled back the curtain on some of the smartest musical minds in the industry. In the post-Kanye era, few hip-hop artists have transcended the banalities of the rap stereotypes of yore. Themes like getting “hot bitches,” drinking, smoking and generally being the dominant male prevail 99 percent of the time in mainstream rap. To many this is comforting and expected, but every few years someone has to clear the air. Kanye did it in 2010 with “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” by completely divulging his own psyche to his fans and haters alike, convincing most everyone that rap could be a creative device instead of a cold, calculated product. Two years later, 2012’s answer is twofold. In terms of rap, Kendrick Lamar’s “Good Kid, m.A.A.d City” is an excellent example of this year’s narrative focus. While Lamar doesn’t drastically change the game, he uses rap as a tool to tell an elaborate story.
The result is a sprawling affair of over an hour’s length, often using real sound clips to preface epic tales of Lamar’s life thus far. “Backstreet Freestyle” is Lamar’s early mission statement and desire for success; he demands to be heard when he says, “respect my mind or die from lead shower,” and critiques his own genre’s misogyny when he teases the listener with his possession of a “wifey, girlfriend and mistress.” The song follows a short clip of a supposed friend inviting Lamar to join in the fun of a blunt and some freestyle, leaving the following track as a nostalgic, youthful jaunt that foreshadows Lamar’s present success. At other points on the record, Lamar grows up, separates from his friends and finds fun in debauchery without letting it control his image. “Swimming Pools (Drank)” and “Compton” are examples of this flux, cataloguing the life of a young, ambitious musician without relying on the stereotypes of the genre. In terms of production, “Good Kid” is sleek and satisfying, sampling artists from Beach House to Hit Boy and featuring the likes of Drake and Dr. Dre. It’s an ambitious debut that grounds rap again, stripping away the boring filler of radio hip-hop. In terms of R&B this year, it’s undeniable that Frank Ocean’s “Channel Orange” is a new landmark of personal struggle in the contemporary music world. While the album itself is beautiful from start to finish, the added allure of his bisexuality makes Ocean appealing to a wide audience, and
his graceful coming out has only increased the album’s success. “Channel Orange,” like “Good Kid, m.A.A.d City,” is a document of self-discovery as well as a series of American profiles. When Ocean isn’t crooning about his own trials and tribulations, he crafts eloquent pictures of the impoverished and the wealthy, proving that neither money nor social comfort can buy happiness. Ocean gives us the most devastating narrative in “Bad Religion,” where he himself hits rock bottom in a taxicab, facing his darkest fears and doubts in the presence of a stranger. His success lies in his ability to speak as a multitude of different individuals through R&B, commenting on his own misfortunes and the misfortunes of countless others. He manages to keep his production interesting as well, with epic John Mayer guitar solos and samples of “Forest Gump.” So, thus far in 2012, the most masculineoriented corners of music culture have been liberated by a movement away from alpha-dog jockeying towards self-conscious vignettes of real American life. Instead of documenting the opulent lifestyle of the stereotypical hip hop star, Frank Ocean and Kendrick Lamar have been polarizing this year by challenging the boring conventions of each genre’s formula. In doing so, both “Channel Orange” and “Good Kid, m.A.A.d City” are the high watermarks of the new decade in hip hop that are likely to be influential for years to come.
Crystal Castles: Two Takes on The Third Album
Jonathan Finkelstein | Release Crystal Castles’ “(III)” is an interesting answer to the Canadian duo’s innovative seat in electronic music today. With a thematic hatred for cultural divides, Crystal Castles presents a package of clubready beats that pulse with new intensity. But does it capture the blunt power of the band’s previous releases? An answer can be found in “(III)”’s production. Producer and songwriter Ethan Kath’s
compositional style first suggests urgency taken to a new level; the duo purportedly only used first takes of each song. This is rarely apparent in the finished product. The songs’ vocals are submerged under countless layers of pulsing synths and clouded with reverb and masking effects. Alice Glass is helpless and drowning in “Sad Eyes,” where the couple makes their closest offering to an EDM-hungry audience. Below the pulverizing noise she sounds limp when she should scream incendiary. The direct kicking and screaming of “Crystal Castles (II)” and their debut album can be felt after mere minutes of listening, but “(III)” questions the band’s intentions and surely changes their approach to the electronic music
that they have sculpted in recent years. In almost every area in which they aggressively propelled their aesthetic towards the listener before, Crystal Castles now have become subjects of their own corruption, creating an electronic album in 2012 that imitates itself and begs to be categorized. Kath and Glass have moved away from primal ingenuity towards the blue and grey monotony of their heavily processed Samuel Arranda cover art; all that remains is a hollow shell of something that was once disturbing, visceral, impactful and great.
2 Death Stars
Dan Bontempi | Release Toronto-based electronic act Crystal Castles is known for their sinister style and morbid lyrics and content. Their newest effort, “(III),” is no different, oozing with depression in every pained note. Although “(III)” is their weakest album so far, Crystal Castles is such a capable band that even on their worst day the music they make is still worth listening to. The bleak pulsating synths that bleed in with the start of lead track “Plague” are representative of the entire LP. Obvious production problems crop up immediately with the track, such as Alice Glass’
vocals being too drowned out and other layers being buried in fuzz. These problems are minor, however, and melodic integrity is preserved throughout the album. “Plague” is followed by a string of good tracks, the highlight of which is “Kerosene.” “Kerosene” is reminiscent of their earlier albums with its cold beats and its dancey choruses, but it pushes their music in a new direction with its tighter control over all these elements. Other standout tracks include “Affection” and “Insulin.” “Insulin” is one of their most grating songs in the best possible way. Crystal
Castles seem to love playing with dissonance and using it as a vital component of their music. The overtly annoying production choices melt away on repeat listens to reveal the gooey melodies underneath. Even though “(III)” is by far their worst release, Crystal Castles manages to make ubiquitous electronic music more than just danceable beats.
3.5 Death Stars
Staff Emily Mancini Nathan Partridge Jessie Rubin Alex Carducci
Ken Herman Jonathan Finklestein Daniel Bontempi *Darian Lusk
*Release Editor
Music Beat is a weekly sub-section of Release that highlights current music, features local bands and revisits artists from the past.
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The Army provides her with disability compensation, as it does with every other veteran. But as it stands now, the Army doesn’t provide the benefits to Tracey’s spouse that it provides to the spouses of most veterans because her spouse is a woman. Under the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), only a spouse who is “a person of the opposite sex who is a wife or a husband” can receive military benefits. The fact that this discriminatory law is still on the books is an enigma, a vestigial legacy of a time fading fast. Referendums held during the election added to the growing list of states in which gay marriage is now legal. “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) was struck down over a year ago. And DOMA was struck down as unconstitutional in eight federal courts. But DOMA still lives on at least until the Supreme Court decides on Nov. 20 whether or not to hear the cases. On Sunday we honored our troops for Veterans Day. But really, we were honoring only some of them. It sounds like a trifling number — just 2 percent of our troops openly identify as
homosexual. But that’s 66,000 people. 66,000 men and women who signed up, fought and bled for our country. Their heterosexual counterparts can rest assured that if they are injured or killed, their spouses will be taken care of financially. But the 2 percent and their spouses need to be looked out for, too. What makes their sacrifices any different from the others? Yet DOMA marches on, trampling the dignity of the soldiers who fight not only the enemy, but the specter that their death will leave their spouse without a partner and without a shred of respect from the Army. Despite the Army’s staunchly conservative reputation, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mike Mullen supported the repeal of DADT. The repeal of that equally abhorrent law did not herald the disintegration of our nation’s Armed Services, as many on the right warned in bitter diatribes. Nor will the repeal of DOMA. Yet its proponents brought the same weapons to defend the Defense of Marriage Act. Beyond the apoplexy of the right, beyond the shallow forecasts of the military’s demise; of the
financial insolvency that will result from DOMA’s repeal; of the masses of generals who will resign from the Army in protest, there stands this: a shrinking bloc of America that fears the present and craves the past. It sees an America that is throwing away morality and tradition, that is growing Socialist before their very eyes. It is the same America that decried universal suffrage; that powered Joe McCarthy and fought to the last man against the Civil Rights Movement; that sees Obama’s victory as America’s death. But calling for the repeal of DOMA should not be a partisan issue; it’s not about protecting states’ rights or creating an egalitarian, inclusive society. It’s about one thing, and one thing only: honoring the legacy of our troops. The trajectory of this country is clear. It can only be a matter of time before DOMA sees its last day. Until that day, though, thousands of soldiers can’t afford to rest easy, knowing that while they defended their country, their spouses have no one to defend them.
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Having grown up as a gay orthodox Jew, this weekend’s incident (see page 1) involving the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and SHADES really hit home. I feel that as an active member of the campus community and as the editor of Binghamton University’s largest student publication, I can no longer keep quiet.
Let me get this out there first: The InterVarsity Christian Fellowship — as with every other student organization on campus — is entitled to its own opinions and should be allowed to bring whomever it wants to speak on campus. But they crossed the line when they billed the event as an open forum to discuss homosexuality and religion when it was anything but. Plain and simple, the speaker was offensive and put people who may not be fully comfortable with who they are in a position that they shouldn’t have been put in. Until I got to BU, I had only attended private, religious Jewish schools. In my
all-boys Modern Orthodox high school, I attended classes where I learned about the ‘Gay Agenda’ that blocked discourse about homosexuality in America. I was taught how wrong and unnatural homosexuality is and was told that if scientists were allowed to work unencumbered, change would be possible. In my four years there, a single person came out of the closet and he was publicly ridiculed by my peers — in front of teachers — even after he graduated. These views weren’t surprising in light of the religious right’s characterization of homosexuality as an abominable lifestyle. The leading 20th century authority on Jewish law referred to homosexually as a wicked sin that occurs as an act of rebellion against God. Over 150 rabbis signed a statement declaring that it is impossible that God would create people whose only choice would be to live in sin and therefore the only acceptable solution to “Same Sex Attraction” is therapy and repentance. They aren’t random rabbis either. Some of them are prominent. I prayed in a few of their synagogues and attended lectures given by some of the others. As someone who still identifies strongly with the religious Jewish community — I keep a strictly kosher kitchen, the Jewish calendar is displayed on my phone’s
homescreen and I’m often at Chabad more than once a week — coming out of the closet was a difficult and slow decision. It took a lot of research and a lot of soul searching. I read many articles about people who changed and others about people who were unable to. I looked into the organizations that claim change is possible. Ultimately, though, I came to believe in the accepted position of the American Psychological Association: that homosexuality is normal and that change therapies are not only not effective, but they are also potentially harmful. But largely my decision to come out was influenced by the culture at this university. People here seemed to accept that being gay is normal. One of my friends had a gay roommate. Someone on my floor, who often hung out in my suite and would later become a good friend, was gay, and nobody thought anything of it. Even the fact that they had boyfriends was viewed no differently than if they had girlfriends. I actually had trouble comprehending how open and accepting everyone was. When I came out, just as I came to expect, nobody cared. But not everyone at this university is so open and accepting and not every gay person here feels comfortable coming out. In 2010, as I was still coming to terms with who I am, the Binghamton
Review — a fairly prominent magazine on campus — published an article describing homosexuality as an unjustifiable lifestyle that is “unnatural by definition.” It hurt me and nobody said or did anything about it then. So I will not remain silent when incidents like the one on Friday take place. I will publicly proclaim that it is OK to be who you are. This message is meant for my peers who are still in the closet and to my friend who publicly dates girls but peruses Craigslist for gay hookups on the side. I will also point out that the discourse is evolving. In January, Alan Chambers, the president of Exodus International — one of the largest Christian ex-gay groups — who himself struggled with homosexuality, said that 99.9 percent of conversion therapy participants do not experience any change to their sexuality and apologized for the group’s “Change is Possible” slogan. In June, he stated on MSNBC that he himself still experiences gay feelings and that he doesn’t believe anybody who proclaims they can cure you. Our sexuality isn’t changing, but the times are. — Daniel S. Weintraub is a senior triple-majoring in English, political science, and philosophy, politics and law.
Gen Y needs a wake up call About two weeks ago I stole a cup of coffee. I was in line at the Starbucks in the Old University Union waiting to pay before my class began at 11:40. When my watch struck 11:35, I left. My class was in the Old Union and I was next in line. I certainly would have
of the long line of students anxious for caffeine. So why was I, a young, energetic girl, so unable to wait for five minutes? Thinking back, this wasn’t the first time my impulsiveness had directed my thoughts. While getting off of a bus on campus, an older man let others exit before him. All I could think was how he was just causing more traffic and more time waiting. My anxious mind was impervious to the genuine benevolence of his gesture. Where did this unattractive made it, but I was impatient quality come from? Am I and the line was dawdling. I uniquely that impatient, or threw a dollar down on the is it a characteristic that counter and left, thinking that stems from growing up in was sufficient. this era? As a New York Times Days later, the depravity of article from May 2011 stated, my action resonated with me. Generation Y’s “feel entitled It wasn’t the actual taking of the coffee without paying that got to me, but the fact that I had such a difficult time waiting. The older woman behind the counter was slow-moving, kind, courteous and never tired
When it comes to giving birth, it’s scary to think of the potential problems the child may have. Such instances put the parents in an emotional and moral position that they likely never imagined would occur, and while some birth defects are very manageable and put little to no stress on the family, others require a life-long commitment to sustain the child.
The profound and unwavering love attributed to parenting relies heavily on the autonomy of one’s own flesh and blood and the realization of having created a being of vast possibility in both character and future prospects.
Birth must be incredible. Women have the gift to experience something no man could ever truly fathom. But what if one’s child is born in such a way that there could never be a true and reciprocal love from the parents, or even the regard for the child as human? Some people may not be considered human? Wow, you heartless bastard, right? Hold off the emotional reaction — for the next few paragraphs at least — and maybe this idea will prove to be more sensible. There is a birth condition called anencephaly that causes a child to be born without a large portion of the brain and skull, often resulting in death during or shortly after birth. On YouTube, there is a video of a family whose son had this very disorder and, despite all odds, was celebrating his second birthday. His name was Nickolas Coke, and the reason he was
and are coddled, disrespectful, narcissistic and impatient.” As a generation, we’ve become accustomed to the idea that everything needs to be expedited to our partiality. Waiting longer than 15 minutes for an email or text message response gives me anxiety. Every time I have to wait in line in the dining hall, I get jittery, and every time I hit traffic, I fear I’m about to have a heart attack. These traits inhabit us all, but they are not healthy and they are not necessary. After the heartbreaking destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy, New York and New Jersey were — and in many places still are — at a standstill. The city that never sleeps slept, and the luminous city lights went black. No one
was rushing down 5th Avenue, and no cars were incessantly honking. The city streets were desolate, broken and bare. Generation Y stood still. For once, it was not a necessity to get to work, to make it to that sale at Bloomingdale’s, to play FIFA late into the night. It was a time to be with family, to help our neighbors and to feel grateful for the things we do have. It is a tragedy in and of itself that it takes a tragedy to make us pause and to help us understand that the world doesn’t have to run at high speed. During the city’s shortlived absence of electricity, we were able to bask in the calm after the storm. We took time to pray and to help our hurting cities and towns because we had nowhere to run. But when the lights returned, we regressed to the normality of our days and to the generational habits that define us. — Julianne Cuba is a junior majoring in Chinese.
celebrating a birthday at all owed to the fact that his brain stem was still intact, allowing his bodily systems to function well enough to keep him “alive.” He lived to be nearly 4 years old, much longer than expected for a child with anencephaly, but passed away recently. The video may be subtly disturbing to some, as Nickolas sits expressionless on his mother’s lap, his face in intermittent spasms, while his family members talk about how much they love their child and how he seems to be aware of his mother and grandmother. They even discuss, in a previous video, how he surely feels something, some emotion, which makes him human and
precious. This syndrome begs the question: what makes one human? Is a beating heart enough? This child felt no emotion, had no cognitive thought — or any thought, whatsoever. He was a protoplasmic bundle of subroutines and completely absent of consciousness and really every quality that is associated with humanness. The most human quality about him was his striking humanoid resemblance — he is simply a shell. I commented on the video, questioning whether or not he could be considered human, and it catalyzed many emotional responses, all of
The real damage to the Republican Party last week did not come from Mitt Romney’s narrow loss to President Obama. Rather, the fact that Republicans came within a few precious percentage points of claiming the nation’s highest office indicates that the Party will be doomed to successive failure as our nation’s economy slowly trudges its way upwards toward prosperity.
majority of members generally hold more moderate social views than their leaders, who feel a sense of obligation to pander to the base views of a group of people who wish to cling to a vision of America that is quickly fading. If Republican strategists wish to grow their party’s presence among America’s youth and rapidly expanding minority populations, they need to abandon their outmoded practice of pushing against new thought and social liberation and shift instead toward presenting a moderate stance of acceptance that will appeal to voters who sympathize with Democratic social leanings, but not their The fact that former fiscal and foreign policy goals. Massachusetts Governor Romney did not lose in a landslide may be perceived as good news to a certain cadre of conservatives. Perhaps it indicates to them that “traditional values” and tired social beliefs still have a deeply rooted place within the American national conscience. Yet had the Republican candidate been soundly defeated, the party would most likely be on track for a serious reorganizational effort the likes of which have not been seen since the 1960s. Romney only managed to compete in this election based upon his perceived They need to take a look at strength on economic issues and the growing popularity of their comfortable popularity amongst Libertarian sub-groups and America’s substantial elderly candidates such as Ron Paul who white electorate. have garnered serious support The Republican platform that from demographics that have Mitt Romney ran on was one of not traditionally supported thinly veiled opposition to social Republicans. This should prompt changes whose trajectory is them to grow toward becoming inevitable and apparent. Younger a party that truly champions voters overwhelming supported smaller government in every the Democratic candidate in this sense of the word, not the hazy past election, based largely on concoction of dogmatic societal Obama’s more progressive views instruction that comprises their on topics such as the legalization platform today. of gay marriage and a woman’s The Republican Party is on right to choose. a track that is not sustainable If the Republican Party over the long term, as America abandoned their anachronistic grows to become a more diverse social goals and focused on and accepting nation. The being a constructive opposition conservative strategy of opposing to Democrats founded upon the new and ardently defending conservative economic what was done in the past does principles, the Right would be not bode well for the party. making the right decision for the future of conservatism. — James Constant is a Instead, it seems that the sophomore majoring in history. radical, Tea Party-leaning fringe Republicans will continue to hold undeserved sway over an organization in which the
which defended his humanness with the presupposition of some sort of awareness or ineffable human quality. But none of those qualities exist. One user made the slippery slope argument: that defining someone’s humanness based on their “quality of life” could lead to the dehumanization of those who are severely mentally handicapped or impoverished. For Nickolas, quality of life is completely inapplicable. This case isn’t a matter of quality. Nickolas Coke isn’t even eligible for placement on the spectrum of “good life versus bad life.” For such a consideration, he must be conscious of the harms and benefits his life brings him, at least in the most basic of ways. He had no concept of pleasure or pain, so the quality of his life was irrelevant. Now, as a thought experiment, if it were known that a fetus would develop in such a way, should abortion bear ethical and
moral consideration? Is such consideration even applicable? Maybe abortion in this case would simply be practical and nothing more. The only future that will be affected is that of the parents. The heart of the abortion debate lies in the arbitrariness of when human life truly begins and, subsequently, the ineffable and almost divine nature of man that should be protected in consideration of a fetus’ potential life. For Nickolas, unfortunately, none of that was relevant. The family called this a miracle, but maybe “unlikely and unfortunate” is more fitting. The Cokes made the best out of a bad situation and that’s great, but there was a delusional and misguided tinge to their thankfulness. — Michael Marinaccio is a senior majoring in management.
RELEASE DATE– Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis
ACROSS 1 *Billower on a pole 5 *“__ on, dude!” 10 *Single-gulp drink 14 Kelly of talk 15 In the cooler 16 Smack add-on 17 Matchmaking god 18 *Science industry 20 Excellent 22 Washes, as a driveway 23 Brain scan, for short 24 Kal __: pet food company 25 Channeling states 29 Pellet shooters 33 *Dapper topper 34 *Item on a schoolmarm’s desk, maybe 36 Freelance writer’s encl. 37 Sharp, like wit 38 Appropriate way to go today, which can precede the answers to starred clues 39 Myth debunker 40 Dorm agts. 41 *Birdbath floaters 42 *Airy 43 McDonald’s aptly named mascot before Ronald 45 Characterized by 47 Required to be filed, as a tax form 48 Support 49 Hold responsible 52 Perfectly aligned 58 *Beatles classic with the line “We all want to change the world” 60 Malt shop music machine, for short 61 Parishioner’s “Yes!” 62 Emmy winner Edie 63 Earthen pot 64 *Check for proof of age 65 *Pizza topper 66 *Coffee source
DOWN 1 Campus quarters 2 Stretch at the prom? 3 Per unit 4 Tended the flowers 5 Creamy soup 6 From the beginning 7 Paddy grain 8 NEA member 9 Japanese currency 10 Are members 11 Archer with wings 12 Theater section 13 Child’s boxful 19 Airport WNW of Wrigley Field 21 Four-sided fig. 24 Clay baker 25 Lifts on slopes 26 Sportscast wrap-up 27 Greet the day 28 Beetle Bailey’s superior 29 “Not __ out of you!” 30 English class topic 31 Morgen’s opposite
32 Brief argument 35 *Pod resident 38 Exultation 39 Get regular work 41 “I challenge you to __!” 42 Tender cut 44 O’Brien of “D.O.A.” 46 Spoil, as an outdoor party 49 Bric-a-__ 50 Champagne Tony of ’60s golf
51 Declare as fact 52 __ impasse: stuck 53 “Hi-__ Hi-Lo” 54 Insane 55 “Golden” principle 56 Dust Bowl st. 57 Gradually make independent (from) 59 Sci-fi saucer
ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE:
xwordeditor@aol.com
By Don Gagliardo (c)2009 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
03/17/09
03/17/09
Bearcats of the Week Morgan Murphy Freshman, Basketball
BEARCAT BRIEFS Megan Brockett | Sports Editor
Cross country competes at Regionals
Courtesy of BU Athletics
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Named the first America East Rookie of the Week for the 2012-13 season
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Led the Bearcats with 12 points and seven rebounds in Saturday’s season opener against St. Bonaventure, good for first among all freshmen in the conference
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Became Binghamton’s first player to reach double digits in scoring in her collegiate debut since junior Jasbriell Swain in 2010
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Averaged 18.9 points and 15.9 rebounds per contest as a high school senior
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Collin Frost and Rachel Miura led the Binghamton University men’s and women’s cross country teams to respective 28th and 26th place finishes at the NCAA Northeast Regional Cross Country Championships on Friday at Hammonasset State Park. A total of 34 teams competed on the men’s side, while 37 schools participated on the women’s side. Frost, a sophomore, finished 117th out of 239 runners overall, completing the 10,000 meter course in a time of 32:42. Miura, a senior, placed 109th out of 253 runners overall on the women’s side. The veteran posted a finish of 22:09 in the women’s 6,000 meter course. Iona College graduate student Mitch Goose led the Gaels to the men’s title with an individual first-place finish of his own, clocking in at 30:04. Providence College took first place in the women’s race, which was won on the individual level by Dartmouth College junior Abbey D’Agostino, who finished with a time of 19:51. Binghamton sophomore Jesse Garn followed Frost with a 135th place overall finish (32:53). Freshman Ethan Hausamann, sophomore Matt Johnson and junior Chris Fernandez rounded out the scoring for the men’s team, finishing at 155th (33:18), 164th (33:32) and 189th (35:44), respectively. On the women’s side, junior Caitlin Jelinek followed Miura, posting a time of 22:30 and finishing in 134th place overall. Freshmen Lizzie Greiner, Naomi Barnett and Shannon O’Hara posted respective 145th place (22:48), 166th place (23:08) and 191st place (23:27) finishes. The Bearcats are set to wrap up their season at the ECAC/IC4A Championships next Saturday. Starting time is scheduled for noon at Van Cortlandt Park in Bronx, N.Y.
Swimming and diving splits at Drexel The Binghamton University women’s swimming and diving team captured its first win of the season on Saturday against Drexel University, topping the Dragons, 182-107. The Binghamton men’s team suffered its third straight loss at the event, falling to Drexel, 153-146. Senior Karissa Gorman led the women with first-place finishes in the 100 and 200 breast, while sophomore Caitlin Kelly continued her dominance in the 50 free, winning the event for the third straight time this season. Sophomore Kimberly Robertson registered a pair of wins in the one and three meter dives, good for the first wins of her career. Junior Lauren Flower and freshman Haley Rice also recorded first-place finishes in the 1000 free and the 200 fly, respectively. Rice’s victory was also her career first. On the men’s side, the Bearcats swept the 1000 free as freshmen Patrick Kilgallen and Isaac Vingan and sophomore Collin Figus finished the event in first, second and third, respectively. Kilgallen joined freshman Tommy Cumming in notching their first collegiate wins as Cumming took the 200 IM. Sophomore Devin Zdanowski captured first in the one and three meter dives, while senior Tim Cabasino took gold in the 100 free. Freshman Brian McKenna registered a first-place finish of his own in the 50 free. The Bearcats are scheduled to head to Bucknell University’s Kinney Natatorium next weekend for the Bucknell Invitational. The three-day event is set to begin at 10 a.m. on Friday.
UMBC wins AE men's soccer title On Saturday, University of Maryland, Baltimore County and University of New Hampshire clashed for 110 scoreless minutes in the America East men’s soccer championship match before No. 2 UMBC topped the No. 5 Wildcats, 4-2, in the penalty kick shootout to secure the title. Earning its third-ever NCAA tournament berth, UMBC (4-2-1 AE, 11-4-5) has now won the America East title twice in the past three years. After both teams converted on their first penalty kick attempts, the Retrievers grabbed the advantage when they sunk their second attempt and UMBC junior goalie Phil Saunders blocked a shot from UNH freshman Lukas Goerigk. Both teams hit their third shot before UMBC junior Kadeem Dacres put the Retrievers up 4-2. Saunders blocked UNH’s (2-3-2 AE, 7-7-6) final attempt to seal the Retrievers’ win and was named Most Outstanding Player. He recorded five saves in the game and two shutouts in the tournament. The Retrievers are set to head to Old Dominion University (11-3-2, 5-3-2 Colonial Athletic Association) for the first round of the NCAA tournament. Play is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday.
Award Predictions SPORTS EDITOR
Megan Brockett AL MVP: Miguel Cabera Sabermetrics are great, but this one’s simple. Miguel Cabera became baseball’s first Triple Crown winner in nearly half a century. For a hitter, nothing is closer to perfection. Call me old school, but that warrants an MVP nod. NL MVP: Buster Posey Buster Posey is the undisputed leader of the World Champion San Francisco Giants. He led MLB with a .336 batting average, and for a catcher, that’s no small feat. Ryan Braun is the only other player that could give Posey a real run for his money, but voters should be wary of another asterisk. AL Cy Young: Justin Verlander For the second year in a row, Justin Verlander’s numbers speak for themselves. He became the first pitcher in MLB history to lead the majors in innings, strikeouts and adjusted ERA for back-to-back seasons. There’s no denying David Price was a beast, but win totals for pitchers are generally overrated and Verlander led in the stats that matter most. NL Cy Young: R.A. Dickey R.A. Dickey was a phenom this year. Aside from the fact that the story of his rise on the diamond is worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster, Dickey flat-out dominated on the mound, leading the league in complete games, shutouts and strikeouts. Aside from Mike Trout as AL Rookie of the Year, this one is the easiest for me, and should be for the voters as well. AL Manager of the Year: Buck Showalter When the Orioles got off to that fast start at the beginning of the year, it was cute. But let’s be honest, no one but the Baltimore faithful looked at them as having a real shot. The Orioles won almost 30 more games behind Buck Showalter in 2012 than they did the year prior, though, and they gave the Yankees a run for their money in the ALDS. I’d be happy to see Bob Melvin to win this one for forging an impressive turnaround of his own, but my guess is the voters will give the nod to Showalter. NL Manager of the Year: Davey Johnson The Nationals have been making a steady uphill climb over the last few years but I don’t think anyone expected them to be this good this soon. Davey Johnson played a big role in transforming the Nats into baseball’s winningest team in 2012 and deserves credit for the way he handled a handful of dicey situations, like the organization’s decision to shut down Stephen Strasburg, and the media sensation of Bryce Harper in general.
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
Ari Kramer
Erik Bacharach
AL MVP: Mike Trout Don’t get me wrong. Miguel Cabrera was a beast on offense. But Mike Trout, who also provided stellar defense at a plus position, hit 30 round-trippers and drove in 83 runs. Out of the one hole. He led the league in runs and stolen bases as well. And, don’t forget, he wasn’t called up until the end of April, when he helped revive baseball in LA, and still posted a WAR of 10, by far the best in the majors. Like not even close. NL MVP: Buster Posey As much as I want this to go to Ryan Braun, Posey is the real MVP. He played 148 games as the catcher of the eventual world champs, and his hot bat helped offset the August loss of Melky Cabrera. Posey hit .385 with 14 home runs and 60 RBI after the all-star break, helping the Giants overtake and dispose of the Dodgers in the NL West. AL Cy Young: Justin Verlander I won’t have much of a problem if this goes to David Price, but the difference-maker for me is the inning differential (238.1 for Verlander versus 211 for Price). Having an ace who throws six complete games and averages better than seven innings per start cannot be understated, and while Price is also a legitimate ace, Verlander was more of a force. NL Cy Young: Clayton Kershaw I honestly cannot decide between Kershaw and R.A. Dickey, so I’ll be the bad guy here amongst the two Met fans. Kershaw has a better ERA and, for you new-school sabermetricians, the Dodgers’ ace also has a better FIP and WAR. Kershaw’s 9.05 K/9 also bests Dickey’s. AL Manager of the Year: Bob Melvin It’s obviously between Melvin and Buck Showalter, but Showalter had a core of veterans while Melvin pieced together a roster of rookies and other youngsters. Additionally, he battled through injuries to win 68 of his last 101 games and capture the AL West. That’s not to take away from Showalter, though, whose Orioles refused to quit in their pursuit of the Yankees and the AL East crown. NL Manager of the Year: Mike Matheny Davey Johnson will probably win this award, and as part of the Nats bandwagon, I’ll be content when he does. But something has to be said for Mike Matheny, who replaced Hall-of-Famer-to-be Tony La Russa and inherited the first Albert Pujols-less Cardinals team in over a decade. Also, don’t forget that Chris Carpenter made just three starts all year and Jaime Garcia missed a chunk of the summer.
AL MVP: Miguel Cabrera Trout is a flashier player and a five-tool asset, but Miguel Cabrera is the AL MVP. He was the most irreplaceable player on the American League’s best team this year. But let’s skip the semantics: Cabrera’s Triple Crown, the first in MLB since 1967, starts and ends the debate for MVP. NL MVP: Buster Posey The most demanding position in baseball is catcher, and no one played it better this year than Buster Posey. His .336 average earned him the batting title and his clutch play in the postseason only further reminded voters who the right choice was. Plus, voters still haven’t forgotten about Ryan Braun’s PED scandal last year. AL Cy Young: David Price David Price mustered a 20-5 record in the unforgiving AL East while posting a 2.56 ERA, good for best in the American League. When Evan Longoria hit the shelf for three months, Price mowed down lineups to keep the Rays in contention. Whereas Verlander’s numbers dropped off from 2011 to 2012, Price’s improved. NL Cy Young: R.A. Dickey If you’re on the Mets and somehow manage to put together 20 wins, you’re automatically in contention for a Cy Young award. But R.A. Dickey also led the league in strikeouts and innings pitched and was second in ERA while bringing back a lost pitch in baseball, the knuckleball. While Dickey got screwed out of starting the All-Star game for the NL this year, the Cy Young should be his. AL Manager of the Year: Bob Melvin How the Oakland Athletics won the AL West over the Texas Rangers and LA Angels, I still don’t know. Bob Melvin put confidence in a bunch of farm system call-ups and journeymen has-beens, and was able to lead his motley crew to a title in 2012’s arguably toughest division. NL Manager of the Year: Davey Johnson The Nationals went from seven straight losing seasons in D.C. to having the best record in baseball en route to an NL East title in 2012. Davey Johnson had to deal with a myriad of early season injuries and the distraction of shutting down a perennial ace in Stephen Strasburg, and he did it while maintaining his ’86 form.
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BU follows up Lehigh loss with three individual titles at BU Open
After a season-opening defeat at Lehigh University on Thursday, the Binghamton University wrestling team returned to its winning ways on Sunday, crowning three champions at the annual BU Open in the West Gym. “Overall it was a good response to our efforts on Thursday night,” said Matt Dernlan, first-year Binghamton head coach. “And by the depth of the tournament, it was probably one of the most competitive tournaments in the eastern half of the United States, and for us to come away with three champions is something that we can take pride in and make a statement. We did what I challenged our guys to — to build our reputation and represent the University well.” The event, which drew more than 300 wrestlers from 17 different schools, was also Dernlan’s first taste of coaching in front of the BU home crowd. Sophomore Joe Bonaldi was crowned the champion of the 141-pound bracket, while seniors Donnie Vinson and Nate Schiedel claimed top spots at 149-pounds and 197-pounds, respectively.
On the way to his first collegiate title, Bonaldi won five straight matches. In the first round, he upset All-American and sixth-ranked Cornell University sophomore Mike Nevinger, 4-3. Bonaldi then secured three further decision victories en route to the final, where he toppled Cornell junior Joe Stanzione in a 6-4 tiebreaker. “Beating the guy from Cornell was a huge confidence builder for Joe,” Dernlan said. “The whole team knows that Joe is very talented. He works very hard, and he got the outcome yesterday. I was very proud of his effort and his fight, and I think when we talk in March about Joe’s individual season, we will see that this weekend was a big turning point.” Vinson, who notched his 100th career win on Thursday, now holds a stellar 105-24 record after a 5-0 run at the BU Open. The run included two pins over Rider University freshman Curt Delia and Pennsylvania State University sophomore Seth Beitz. In his final match, Vinson secured a major decision victory over Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania junior Mac Maldarelli, 17-3. “Donnie doesn’t bow down to anyone,” Dernlan said. “And now
people are approaching Donnie Vinson very differently, and guys are targeting him. And he is adapting to that. He has got a very positive approach to it, and he is embracing the challenge. Donnie wrestled exceptionally, and he has brought forward the attitude and effort needed to get those results.” Schiedel, who needed just four victories to secure his championship, took down AllAmerican and fifth-ranked University of Pennslyvannia senior Micah Burak to finish the tournament in a grand manner. Schiedel is four wins away from achieving the century mark of career victories. “Nate had probably one of the best weight classes in the tournament,” Dernlan said. “And I think we are seeing a new attitude out of Nate. Being up a weight class from the previous two years, his body, mind and attitude were completely different and that was indicative in the result. He was never in danger — he dictated the pace, he had a game plan and he perfectly executed it throughout every second.” The Bearcats kicked off their season last Thursday at Lehigh University where the 21stranked hosts came out on top, 23-16, winning six out of the 10 matches to hand BU a losing
Brad Blansky/Staff Photographer
The Bearcats returned to winning form over the weekend, crowning three individual champions at the BU Open.
start to its season. The two teams split the first four bouts, with Binghamton victories coming from senior 125-pound Patrick Hunter and No. 4 Vinson. Binghamton lost the next two bouts via a major decision in the 157-pound match and a pin by 20th-ranked Eric Hess on freshman 165-pound Vincent Grella. BU sophomore Caleb Wallace brought the Bearcats back into the argument with a pin of his own in the 174-pound match.
But the Mountain Hawks secured two out of the last three remaining bouts to win the dual. While Dernlan said he was pleased with the attitude and effort his team displayed in the weekend’s tournament, he said that it was a completely opposite story on Thursday night. “Our two talking points are about attitude and effort,” Dernlan said. “That is what I challenge our guys to bring every time because those are the two things you have control
over. And on Thursday night, we didn’t see that at any level, and even though we got four wins, the only match we could be proud of in terms of the two areas we talked about was the 197.” The Bearcats are next scheduled to travel to Cornell University for their second dual-meet of the season. The meet is set to get underway at 7 p.m. on Friday at the Friedman Wrestling Center.
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Jasbriell Swain pulled down a team-best seven rebounds as Binghamton fell to the Bonnies on Saturday.
A splendid start turned sour for the Binghamton University women’s basketball team as turnovers spoiled the Bearcats’ quest for a season-opening win against St. Bonaventure University on Saturday afternoon. The Bonnies (1-0) scored 22 points off 16 Binghamton (0-1) turnovers, while the Bearcats managed just two points on seven forced turnovers in the 61-34 defeat. “I think we had 11 turnovers in the first half and then only five in the second half, so obviously in the second half we took better care of the basketball,” Binghamton head coach Nicole Scholl said. “But against a team like St. Bonaventure, you can’t turn the ball over 16 times and hope to win. It’s something we need to work on.” The Bearcats jumped out to a 12-5 lead in the opening half as they rallied behind the rebounding ability of senior forward Kara Elofson, who grabbed four boards during the opening seven-and-a-half minutes. The lead was short-lived, however, as the Bonnies responded in high-powered fashion. Led by freshman forward Katie Healy’s six
points, St. Bonaventure went on a 17-0 run to command a 22-12 advantage with 5:39 left in the first half. The Bonnies would eventually finish the half on a 7-0 run, fueled by Binghamton turnovers, to lead 33-18 at the break. At the start of the second half, St. Bonaventure seemed ready to pick up right where it left off, scoring 10 of the half’s first 13 points. Things only got worse for the Bearcats as the Bonnies side went on another run, scoring nine unanswered points to bring the lead to 30 points with 7:53 remaining in the game. With limited time and not enough scoring threats, the Bearcats found the deficit insurmountable. Junior guard Ashley Zahn led the Bonnies with 14 points, and Healy contributed with 12 points and seven boards. The Bearcats did have a bright spot in the debut performance of freshman forward Morgan Murphy. Murphy led Binghamton with 12 points and seven boards off the bench and was named America East Rookie of the Week on Monday. “[Murphy was] strong on the inside as she was able to make some tough shots, and was able to rebound the ball well,” Scholl said. “An overall good start for her.”
But the Bearcats as a whole were held to just 12-of-47 shooting from the floor and 2-of-15 from long range. “We just couldn’t score,” Scholl said. Further compounding Binghamton’s lack of offense was an inability to get to the line early in the game. The Bearcats did not attempt a single free throw in the first half. Things did get better in the second as Binghamton attempted 13 free throws and connected on eight of them. Roles were reversed for the Bonnies, who went a perfect 8-of-8 from the charity stripe on the night but did not register an attempt in the second half. Scholl was quick to stress the quality of the Bonnies, who went 31-4 (14-0 Atlantic-10) last season and reached the Sweet 16 in last year’s NCAA tournament. “St. Bonaventure is a very good team; they are a very experienced team and they run their system very well,” Scholl said. The Bearcats are scheduled to host Cornell University Wednesday night in their home opener. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Events Center.
By the Numbers 5
The number of wins by volleyball in the last seven matches.
20
The point differential off turnovers, in favor of St. Bonaventure, in the women’s basketball opener.
6:52
Men’s basketball did not score a field goal in the final 6:52 of Sunday’s loss to Brown.
117th
Cross country’s highest overall finisher at the NCAA Northeast Regional Meet.
3
Individual men’s wrestling winners crowned at the BU Open.
SPORTS
BU wins three individual titles See Page 18
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Binghamton off to 0-2 start with losses to Loyola and Brown
There’s still work to do, but the Binghamton University men’s basketball team saw improvement over the weekend. The Bearcats (0-2) fell to Loyola University Maryland on Friday, 7145, before losing at home to Brown University on Sunday afternoon, 58-49. But first-year head coach Tommy Dempsey said he noticed a difference on Sunday. “We certainly have a lot to do,” he said. “We have a long way to go, but we know that. It’s all about our process, and I thought our process took a step forward [against Brown].” Loyola (1-1), who finished first in the MAAC preseason poll, represented one of the more formidable opponents on Binghamton’s schedule this year. The Greyhounds’ dominance down low, coupled with Binghamton’s inefficient shooting, left the Bearcats in a tight spot early. After Binghamton junior forward Roland Brown scored the game’s first basket, the Greyhounds proceeded to go on a 19-0 run. But with 9:27 left in the first half, the Bearcats finally started to get something going, stringing together a 12-7 run to get within 12 points. The Greyhounds would head into the locker room with a 39-22 lead after an 8-0 run in the final 2:14 of the half, and a 16-3 surge early in the second half put the game on ice.
Senior guard Jimmy Gray had 14 points, the only Bearcat to reach double figures. Junior forward Roland Brown chipped in with eight points while junior guard K.J. Brown added a career-high nine points off the bench. BU was outrebounded 35-21 in the contest. On Sunday afternoon, the Bearcats looked to bounce back against Brown (1-0) in their home opener at the Events Center. Binghamton found itself in a hole early again as Brown jumped out to a 7-0 lead to start the game. The Bearcats would trail most of the first half, staying within striking distance until senior forward Taylor Johnston hit back-to-back threepointers in a 25-second span to tie the score at 25-25 heading into halftime. “We were just running the offense smoothly, and luckily I was getting to the right spot and my teammates were finding me,” Johnston said. “So I was just shooting. I had a lot of good looks and I took advantage.” The Bearcats picked up right where they left off coming out of the break, with Gray and Johnston each hitting a three-pointer to give Binghamton a 31-25 lead to start the second. A 15-3 run by the Bears, however, provided Brown with a 4638 lead with 9:37 left to play. Junior guard Rayner Moquete drained a three with 6:52 left to bring the Bearcats to within three, 51-48, but from there, Binghamton went cold from the field, failing to convert on
Men's basketball games Game 1: vs. Loyola Game 2: vs. Brown
L 71 - 45 L 58 - 49
timely buckets down the stretch as the team missed its final field goal attempts. Johnston and Moquete each had 14 points to lead the Bearcats. “I thought we played scared on Friday night [against Loyola] to be honest with you,” Dempsey said. “And I thought we played hard and good college basketball [against Brown]. We’re not going to light you up for 70, but we are playing good basketball.” With 27 attempts from downtown and 49 total field goal attempts, Binghamton took more three-pointers than shots from inside the arc. This could prove to be a theme for the Bearcats this season as getting good looks down low will be a challenge for an undersized team. “If we are wide open, we have to take the shot, because that’s what the defense is giving us,” Moquete said. Dempsey said he wasn’t necessarily comfortable with the number of three-point shots but added that a lot of it has to do with what the defense gives you. “I think it’s a little bit personal driven,” he said. “I think it’s a little bit style driven … We don’t have a lot of break-you-down guards, so we’re trying to maximize our strengths. And I think for us to score we’re going to have to make a lot of threes based on our personnel right now.” The key for this team, according to Dempsey, is getting it together down the stretch and scrapping out a few wins. Wins will lead to more wins, as winning is contagious, the first-year coach said. “We have to learn how to win. What we need is a taste of winning,” Dempsey said. “We need a couple of wins. I think we need a couple of games where we walk out of the end
Jonathan Heisler/Photo Editor
Iva Partaleva tallied 21 terminations, and Binghamton beat Stony Brook University in five sets to clinch an America East tournament berth.
Jonathan Heisler/Photo Editor
Taylor Johnston’s outside shooting kept Binghamton close with Brown, but the Bearcats ultimately lost, 58-49.
of some hard fought games with wins, and if we’re going to change the culture sooner then later we’re going to have to find wins. I think
After getting off to a sluggish start nearly three months ago, the Binghamton University volleyball team defeated Stony Brook University in five sets (24-26, 27-25, 26-24, 28-30, 15-12) on Sunday to clinch a playoff berth and the No. 2 seed in the America East postseason tournament. The Bearcats now stand at 11-17 overall and 8-4 in America East play. Heading into Sunday’s game, four teams (Binghamton, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, University of New Hampshire and Stony Brook) were tied for second place in the conference standings. With University at Albany having already secured a playoff spot, only three remained up for grabs in the four-team postseason tournament, and the Bearcats faced a near must-win. “We all knew coming into the match it was do or die,” said Grace Vickers, junior middle hitter and captain. “Every single one of my teammates played at the top of their game. We studied Stony Brook all week and we knew what was in store. We knew it would be a battle. My girls fought hard and we came out on top.” The pace of Sunday’s match was set immediately as Binghamton and Stony Brook pushed the opening set into extra points. The Seawolves edged out BU 26-24 in the opener, but the Bearcats bounced back in the second set, which again saw extra points. After falling behind 14-10, Binghamton took off on a 4-2 run to knot
we have a bunch of games on our The Bearcats’ next test is set to schedule that are going to be very take place Wednesday at Navy. The similar to today. And we’re going to teams are scheduled to face off at 7 have to find a way to win some.” p.m. at Alumni Hall.
the score at 16. After seven more ties, the Bearcats found themselves trailing 24-23, a point away from another defeat. But a kill from Vickers kept the Bearcats alive, and Binghamton took the set on a pair of terminations from senior middle blocker Alex Roland. After Binghamton and Stony Brook split the next two sets, the Bearcats captured the final set, 15-12, the only set not to see extra points. With the victory, Binghamton punched its ticket to the postseason for the eighth time in the last nine years after failing to qualify last year. “The match was extremely close,” Binghamton head coach Glenn Kiriyama said. “There were so many important points in that match. It was an amazing match to be a part of. But to do it in a fifth game, it just shows that we work hard in the match and that they don’t give up. The girls continue to perform at a high level constantly.” Sunday marked the fourth five-set match that the Bearcats have had during their America East season. After going 1-5 in five-set matches out of conference, Binghamton has not dropped one in
conference play. Sophomore setter Amanda Dettmann recorded her first career triple-double of 53 assists, 14 digs and 10 kills on Sunday en route to earning America East Setter of the Week honors. Senior outside hitter Iva Partaleva added 21 terminations, while junior libero Xiomara Ortiz had a team-high 22 digs. UMBC also beat Stony Brook this past weekend to tie Binghamton’s America East record of 8-4 and earn a date with the Bearcats in the opening round of the conference playoffs. New Hampshire finished in fourth and will face tournament host Albany in the first round. “Being in the conference tournament, knowing my team, we’re all going to step up,” sophomore setter Alexa Zbytniewski said about the team’s upcoming match. “We’ve worked so hard. We have gone through a lot this season. Everyone’s on the same page and we’re ready to turn it on against UMBC.” Binghamton and UMBC are set to face off at 7 p.m. on Friday at Albany’s University Gym.
Volleyball at Stonybrook
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