Pipe Dream Spring 2013 Issue 2 by Pipe Dream

Teach for 'Murica

From kickoff to blackout

Students learn how to use their post-college years to make a difference

Sports brings you the 2013 Super Bowl drinking game to spice up your Sunday

PIPE DREAM Friday, February 1, 2013 | Binghamton University | www.bupipedream.com | Vol. LXXXIII, Issue 2

BLANK CANVAS? Binghamton University is piloting an alternative to Blackboard, using it in nine classes this semester before deciding whether to implement it campus-wide. The system, Canvas, includes mobile apps and a collaborative editor — which provides integration with Google Docs — in its student services package. Two students using Canvas in their German class said they already prefer it to Blackboard. “I just transferred to Binghamton last semester, coming from a school that didn’t use Blackboard I found Blackboard to be very confusing causing me to miss assignments that needed to be electronically submitted,” John Brenner, a junior double-majoring in German and political science, wrote in an email to Pipe Dream. “I feel very comfortable with Canvas just in two days of using it.”

Joe Mutarelli, a sophomore majoring in German, said Canvas is more straightforward and intuitive than Blackboard. “I’ve had issues in the past with Blackboard,” Mutarelli said. “The beauty of Canvas is in its simplicity.” Canvas also allows users to receive notifications through Facebook, Twitter, email and text message. “Philosophically, we think that Canvas should be a platform that connects to the other technologies you’re already using on the web,” said Devin Knigheon, director of public relations at Canvas. “It shouldn’t be this walled garden that requires you to log in and do everything inside of Canvas.” Canvas is a Cloud-based software system, which allows software developers to implement updates and upgrades remotely — similar to Gmail updates — while Blackboard requires updates to be installed through the BU Information

Technology Services department, making Canvas less susceptible to downtime than Blackboard. “With [Cloud] software, if the vender wants to make a change, it’s typically pretty seamless,” said Donald Loewen, vice provost for undergraduate education. Several professors said it is too early in the pilot for them to recommend fully implementing the system, but Shannon Hilliker, a lecturer in the writing initiative department, said Canvas seems to be faster than Blackboard. There are no immediate plans to switch to Canvas, but if the pilot is successful, Loewen said the University will consider further testing and expanding the pilot. “We realize this is the most heavily

used computer system on campus and we really want to make sure we do our homework before we do any changes,” he said. Loewen does not know what the difference in cost between Blackboard and Canvas will be, but he said cost will be a factor in the decision.

“If you have a quantum leap in quality then you might be willing to pay more for it,” he said. “On the other hand, if the advantages are really negligible, then the cost issues might become significant.” The Canvas pilot program cost the University around $3,000, according to Loewen.

Black Board Mobile App

Long-distance learning Valerie Ann Lewis, a doctoral candidate who was about to begin her graduate studies in English at Binghamton University, passed away Thursday, Jan. 24, at the age of 35. Lewis was born in Carmel, N.Y., and lived in the Hudson Valley for most of her life. She received her bachelor’s degree in education from NYU and her MFA in creative writing from Goddard College in Vermont. Lewis taught at several

colleges and most recently was an adjunct of online courses at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. She also worked extensively at the Learning Center, which provides writing tutoring for students who need help with written assignments, grammar, oral presentations and other communication skills. Dr. Frances Biscoglio, the program director for the bachelor’s degree in English at Mercy College, interviewed Lewis for her position and remembers her dedication and intelligence. “She accepted the courses we gave her eagerly, and I know she

cared deeply about her students,” Biscoglio wrote in an email to Pipe Dream. “She struck me as highly intelligent, extremely pleasant and bright and caring.” Lewis’ boyfriend, Craig Roadmap Spotlight Sanders, said Lewis went above and beyond for the students she taught. “She was about as warm and giving a person could be,” Sanders wrote in an email. “She cared very deeply about her students and would always go the extra mile for

Joshua Kortze passes Joshua Kortze, a graduate student studying political science with a passion for travel and teaching, died on Sunday, Jan. 27 in a single-vehicle car accident in Bethlehem, Pa. He was 24. Kortze was born Feb. 20, 1988 in Allentown, Pa., and lived in Bushkill Township, Pa. Kortze earned his bachelor’s

degree in political science from Kutztown University in 2010, and received his master’s degree in political science from Lehigh University in 2011. Kortze aspired to become a professor. He taught in China for a year and had an interest in Chinese politics, as well as liberal and socialist movements. “He was nicknamed by the faculty here – Chairman

Mao – since he was our last communist student,” Kristen Bremer, chair of the political science department at Kutztown University, wrote in an email. John Riley, an associate professor of political science at Kutztown University, said that Kortze was an active member of the university’s Model UN

Roadmap Spotlight

The Road Map Steering committee adopted a proposal to expand distance learning at Binghamton University — one of several proposals that will expand the role of technology in teaching. The proposal suggests installing video equipment in classrooms, to allow students to view full video lectures via Blackboard. It also calls for new equipment in classrooms and increased network capacity to support “the burden of video bandwidth.” Low bandwidth would result in choppy, lowquality videos, while higher bandwidth would allow for smoother video playback. To implement distance learning, professors teaching distance learning classes will

be sent recordings of their lectures, which they will then be able to share with their students through Blackboard. Certain classes are already equipped with distance learning capabilities. “The Educational Communications Center has helped record over 2,000 individual recordings on our Echo360 DL capture system,” said Andrew Tucci, director for educational communications. “It totals nearly 5,000 hours of material and has been viewed online over 115,000 times.” A sample distance learning lecture provided by Tucci showed a video of him lecturing in one window while the lecture slides he was showing appeared simultaneously in another. The class that holds the all-time viewing record is “Statistical Analysis and Design,” with 10,656 views. It is followed closely by “Exploring Engineering II” with 9,936 views. If passed, the proposal would take at least five years to complete, but Tucci believes that it will still be able to have an important impact on current students. “What I think current students will begin to see is more materials and learning

experiences being made available to them … and in formats that they didn’t have before,” Tucci said. “Students studying for finals might now have the option to rewatch entire lectures that were captured that semester in one of the eight rooms on campus that currently has the [distance learning] capture systems in it.”

— Andrew Tucci Director for educational communications

Tucci said distance learning can also give students a convenient way to review or participate in online office hours with a professor. There is still a long road ahead, but Tucci is optimistic. “The potential is exciting,” he said.

Teach for America recruits on campus

Students walking through Tillman Lobby could grab a free cup of hot chocolate and catch a film Thursday as part of Teach for America Day, while they learned about the national non-profit committed to creating education opportunities in impoverished areas. Teach for America was established by Wendy Kopp in 1989. The idea originated from a thesis statement Kopp wrote as an undergraduate student at Princeton University, according to the organization’s website. The program sends college graduates pursuing a career in education to teach in schools in struggling areas for at least two years before graduate school. “We started with 500 or so [teachers],” said Nafisa Chowdhury, a senior doublemajoring in economics and history and one of three campaign coordinators on campus. “Next year we will have 10,000 teachers out there.” Teach for America is designed to provide an “excellent education” to students growing up in

Models showed off the “do’s” and “don’ts” of professional attire on Tuesday evening at Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity’s 7th Annual Dress for Success fashion show. DSP members and sponsor representatives from seven big-name firms walked the stage in outfits ranging from “summer business casual” to “golf outing” to “winter cocktail,” demonstrating how to dress professionally by season and by type of event. “There is a difference between summer business and winter casual, so it’s vital for them to know how to dress appropriate in different settings and look as best as they can,” said Alexis Stuts, the show’s executive producer and a junior majoring in accounting. Opposite the appropriately dressed models, other DSP brothers sauntered on stage donning the “don’ts” of business attire, including shorts, mini skirts, and mismatched suits in outrageous colors. A skit following the fashion show featured performers demonstrating appropriate business conduct, contrasting it with gaffes like sharing inappropriate information and coughing into one’s hand before shaking the hand of a potential employer. Head recruiters from Deloitte, Ernst and Yong, Grant Thornton, KPMG, McGladrey, MorganStanley, NBT Bank and

poverty, recruiting potential applicants from colleges and universities nationwide. Chowdhury said Teach for America Day is to remind students of the organization’s presence at Binghamton University. “It’s a cold day, we figured we’d do something nice for people and let them know we’re at the career fair,” Chowdhury said. “If they ever need to contact us, we’re here on campus.”

Jonathan Heisler/Photo Editor

Tanjaneik Tracey (left), a senior majoring in political science, talks to Dillon Blatt, a graduate student studying accounting, about Teach For America in the University Union on Thursday.

— Nafisa Chowdhury Campaign Coordinator

Campus coordinators also hosted a screening of “Waiting for Superman,” a documentary based on the public education system in the U.S. More than 20 people showed up to the screening.

PricewaterhouseCoopers took the stage for a question-and-answer session following the show, offering advice on preparing to meet with potential employers. The event ended with a networking session with representatives from each company. “A lot of students will come out for the recruiters and networking, but the fashion show is important because the first impression you make is the strongest, and if it’s confident, it will make a good impression on the recruiter,” said DSP President Dominic Bianco, a senior majoring in accounting. Bianco and DSP brother Katie

According to Chowdhury, Binghamton University is a great recruitment site for Teach for America. “We’re trying to hone in on Binghamton students because as a top SUNY school, this is a big gold mine for opportunity for students who are really passionate about not just Teach for America, but advocacy,” Chowdhury said. “To see that this is a movement not just for teachers, but for the nation as a whole.” Candidates for Teach for America must have at least a

2.5 GPA to qualify. Candidates are then subjected to a phone interview and an online activity. For the final interview, candidates create a five-minute lesson plan and teach it to their fellow applicants. “We actually have a rising rate of professionals who choose to leave whatever industry they’re in to do Teach for America,” Chowdhury said. Teach for America includes candidates from a wide variety of fields, according to Chowdhury. “We have finance majors,

pre-med, bio, pre-law,” Chowdhury said. “We also have computer science and STEM students. We look for everyone.” Brandon Smith, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering, said he was interested in the chance to help through Teach for America. “I’ve always thought I’d do teaching, and I think it’s a good opportunity to help underprivileged kids,” Smith said.

club. According to Riley, Kortze was a skilled and passionate debater. “He did not suffer fools lightly,” Riley, who was also faculty advisor of the Model UN club, wrote in an email. “Josh was exceptionally well read and very thoughtful. He always held me to account, and I mean this in the most positive way.” Kortze took part in multiple national and international competitions in Model UN. According to Riley, Kortze was a dedicated student. He recalled one time when he was supposed to take a test during a flight. “For an hour the plane was party to a comical scene of Josh alternatively falling asleep while trying to write and jumping up in horror as the plane hit the turbulence … His grade on the exam put him in the top percentage of the class,” Riley wrote. Kortze is survived by his parents, Albert and Kim Kortze, and his sister, Aubrey Kortze. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Reichel Funeral Home in Nazareth, Pa., followed by Mass at 11 a.m. in Holy Family Catholic Church in Nazareth. Students affected by Kortze’s death are advised to contact the University Counseling Center.

Chum emceed the event, which also included musical performances by Jonathan Eng and a cappella group Rhythm Method. Stuts said business students benefit from events that showcase business attire. “It’s really important, especially for SOM students,” Stuts said. “They’re constantly encountering business opportunities.” Many guests were entertained by the show. “I found it useful because I Mike Contegni/Staff Photographer wasn’t sure of what to wear tonight,” Student models walk down the runway Monday night during the Dress for Success Fashion Show in the Mandela Room. The said Steven Moss, a sophomore event, held by business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi, showed the “do’s” and “don’ts” of professional business attire. majoring in accounting.

Aca-coustics

Pipe Line NYC announces mold cleanup program New York City is beginning a $15 million program to clean up at least 2,000 homes that became contaminated with mold after they flooded during Superstorm Sandy. The program, paid for by private donations, comes following months of desperate pleas from storm victims and advocacy groups, who said mold had become a nightmare for many homeowners in flood-ravaged parts of the city. People enrolled in the program will be able to get their homes treated for mold at no cost by private contractors or trained volunteers. Three charities are paying for the project: The American Red Cross, the Robin Hood Foundation and the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City. No federal, state or city tax dollars are involved. The work is being overseen by a nonprofit development company, Neighborhood Revitalization NYC, which is an affiliate of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation. Grand Central Terminal turns 100 New York City’s Grand Central Terminal will celebrate its 100th birthday Friday with a brass band, a “Sex and the City” star and an appearance by Caroline Kennedy, whose mother, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, spearheaded efforts to save the landmark from demolition in the 1970s. The terminal is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations and one of New York City’s most recognizable buildings. Several of Grand Central’s businesses will offer special 1913 deals for Friday’s birthday celebration, including a 75-cent cocktail at Michael Jordan’s The Steak House N.Y.C. and a 19-cent slice of cheesecake at the Oyster Bar. Friday’s party will take place exactly 100 years after the keys to Grand Central were first given to the stationmaster on Feb. 1, 1913.

Jonathan Heisler/Photo Editor

A cappella group The Vibes rehearses in the New University Union Thursday night.

Remembering Columbia

LMDC give financial boost to WTC art site A performing arts center planned for the World Trade Center site got a financial boost Thursday to improve the chance that the languishing project will begin construction in four years. The Lower Manhattan Development Corp. approved $1 million to hire staff or consultants to conduct research to determine the cost of building the center, according to Maggie Boepple, director of the center. The approval means that construction could begin in 2017, with a projected opening in 2019, she said. The LMDC had withheld the money in September, citing concerns over the project’s cost and fundraising ability. Boepple and a board of directors named last year have raised $25 million for the project.

— President Barack Obama on Jan. 31, 2013, in a statement marking the 10 year anniversary of the Columbia tragedy, which occurred Feb. 1, 2003

This Day in History

GIM LIST

February 1st 1884

Pipe Dream

The first volume (A to Ant) of the Oxford English Dictionary is published.

7 p.m. Wed. Feb. 6, UUW-B03 The Pipe Dream Office News, Sports, Release, Opinion, Photo. Design, Web, Copy, and Tech, We have it all!

Hula Hooping Club

Can you feel the love tonight?

Nate Silver picked the 49ers

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See what the Pipe Dream staff predicted, and send us your own predictions, thoughts and comments.

Orders can be placed by emailing manager@bupipedream.com or by visiting UUW B03. Valentines must be paid for in person.

Email sports@bupipedream.com Don't forget to check out the Pipe Dream Superbowl drinking game. See Page 11. Make sure to attend Pipe Dream's GIM, Wednesday, February 6th at 7 p.m. UUW B03 - The Pipe Dream Office Sports, and all the sections, are looking for new contributors.

5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, in UU-102 We love teaching newcomers how to hoop and learn new tricks, so don't be shy and come see what we are all about

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Get Involved.

well as potentially new ones. Bridget M. McCane-Saunders, associate director for health education, brought up the annual Take Back the Night March, an event in which staff and students march throughout campus to support victims of violence.

— Jessica Krohn Interpersonal Violence Prevention Coordinator

Jonathan Heisler/Photo Editor

Valerie Campbell, a senior majoring in psychology, attends a discussion to raise awareness of sexual assault. The event was held by Jessica Krohn, an interpersonal violence prevention coordinator, Thursday night in the New University Union.

violence prevention coordinator, held the event to generate ideas for events during Sexual Assault Staff members and students Awareness Month, which will take joined together Thursday evening place in April. to discuss ideas to increase Krohn is the first to hold the awareness of sexual assault on position of interpersonal violence campus. prevention coordinator, which was Jessica Krohn, interpersonal created by Binghamton University

in the fall. “[In creating the position] the University acknowledges this type of violence exists and wants to support their students and enhance their safety,” Krohn said. Krohn’s position involves talking to students who have personally dealt with violence.

“My role is to serve as someone to lend support, understanding and confidentiality, as well as serve as an advocate to accompany students to the police or the hospital or health services,” she said. Participants in the event discussed traditional events as

“The event has been going on for over 15 years at Binghamton now,” McCane-Saunders said. “We had some great additions too, with speakers coming to share their stories. We see a lot more student groups involved too.” The event includes the Clothesline Project, where students and staff members donate solid t-shirts and write messages of support and confession to be hung all over campus. Students can also expect to see a dance to benefit interpersonal violence victims, complete with

them.” Lewis may be remembered best for her prolific writing. She is the author of 27 published short stories and poems, a novel and a novella — all of which are available for free on her website, valerielewis.net. Sanders remembers her passion for writing and even a quirky affection for the mechanics of the craft. “She loved the Oxford Comma, if you could love punctuation,” Sanders wrote. “She had a passionate affair with semicolons. She loved Grammar. She was very excited to be taking a grad-level Grammar class at Binghamton.” Lewis published work in Eunoia Review, Corvus Magazine and many other online literary publications, including Slit Your Wrists Magazine (SYW), which specializes in “noir fiction, poetic prose, underground music and controversial opinions.” The co-editor of SYW, Dakota Taylor, remembers being immediately struck by Lewis’ writing. “When I ran across her work, I knew I had

contests and catered food, and purple lights around campus as part of the Shine the Light movement. Participants at Thursday’s meeting discussed where on campus to place the lights, colored purple to honor domestic violence victims and intended to represent all sexual assault awareness on campus. Kristin Vynorius, a freshman double-majoring in biochemistry and integrative neuroscience, said she was ready to help. “I’m excited we have so many different ideas — could make it a week that stands out to the student body,” Vynorius said. “It’s important for people to remember the victims are not just blank faces, they could be your friend.” April could also include Denim Day, where all students are encouraged to wear denim and a sticker in protest of the verdict of an Italian case in which the defendant escaped conviction because the victim’s jeans were deemed to be too tight to have been removed forcefully. “I’m hoping these events will increase awareness that these acts of violence exist. And it’s not just a women’s issue,” Krohn said. “We hope to get students talking about the issue and to realize there are resources here for them. I’m offering total confidence and no judgment.”

to publish it,” Taylor wrote in an email. “She is extremely talented and her story ‘String Theory’ went viral on the site. SYW will do its best to preserve her last publication forever.” Mostly, Lewis will be remembered for her intelligence and sense of humor. According to Sanders, Lewis collected action figures that she would sometimes use as writing prompts for her students and kept a “tongue-in-cheek” journal documenting the facial hair of musician Tim Armstrong, of the punk band Rancid. “On her wall there was a picture of Oscar Wilde next to a picture of Malcolm X,” Sanders wrote. “I asked her about it once, and she said, ‘I’d like to think that they are lovers in Heaven.’” Valerie is survived by her mother Tina, father Michael and sister Jean. “She was a strong woman, independent but not distant, tough but not hard, witty but not cruel,” Sanders wrote. “She was brilliant, the most intelligent person that I have ever met. She was too perfect, too gifted, too gentle and loving for us. I would say that she was ahead of her time, but Time will never catch up to her.”

Graphic Designers Wanted Email Design@Bupipedream.com to get involved.

Rebecca Porath | Release Since Alfred Hitchcock’s 1934 espionage blockbuster “The Man Who Knew Too Much,” the mystery and stealth of the lives of secret agents has intrigued screen audiences. But over time, and more specifically over the last decade, the role of the spy has changed dramatically. In the early 2000s, spies such as James Bond, Jack Bauer and Jason Bourne were represented

as superhuman heroes. In 2012 the spy on screen has become more realistic and gritty, as with Tony Mendez of “Argo,” Carrie Mathison of “Homeland” and Maya of “Zero Dark Thirty.” It is obvious that a shift has taken place. The three B’s — Bond, Bourne and Bauer — defined the pre-2012 modern agent as surreal and invincible. All three men serve as action heroes first and flawed humans second.

a well dressed, smooth talking ladies’ man with a killer aim and knack for gadgets. In 2012, however, audiences were introduced to a new breed of secret agent, one who is humanized in more ways than one. First came “Homeland,” a television series about counterterrorism. The protagonist, Carrie Mathison, is arguably the most complex and fascinating character on television, as she is blessed with brilliance yet tortured by mental illness. Carrie, played by the incredible Claire Danes, suffers from bipolar disorder, a disease that at one point in the series cost her the position of a CIA agent, as well as the trust of her peers. This causes her to be filled with selfdoubt. She is unable to remain emotionally unattached, which Photo Provided Warner Bros. differs from the hardened agents of the past. And unlike previous agents such as Jack Bauer, Carrie is respectful of the Arab culture, illustrated by covering her head in Arab nations and urging other agents to remove their shoes These characters are killing while inside a mosque. machines, capable of defeating In “Argo,” Ben Affleck’s their enemies with a pen if need Tony Mendez does not fit the be. Jack Bauer saves the nation stereotypical male spy. Straying time and time again while from the superhero image, engaging in stunts, regularly while Mendez is determined, promoting Islamophobia and he is not overly aggressive or constantly dealing with stressful violent. In order to retrieve situations. Jason Bourne is American hostages from Iran, somehow able to hide from the he relies on his creativity and CIA and defeat large numbers determination to see his mission of assailants with hand-to-hand through. In discordance with the combat. James Bond is perhaps formulaic male spy, Tony Mendez the most cliched of them all: is anything but a ladies’ man.

Rather, his personal life is where he is perhaps the most human. Perpetually lonely and only able to speak to his son via telephone, Mendez is a divorcee who puts all of himself into his work.

Finally, the year’s most controversial film, “Zero Dark Thirty,” gave us Maya, the CIA agent who worked unrelentingly for 10 years solely to locate Osama bin Laden. At the beginning of the film we see Maya as a novice, as she has just entered headquarters at a CIA black site. Upon arrival, she witnesses the brutal torture of a detainee suspected of being linked to 9/11. As time progresses, Maya, once delicate and fearful, is now administering the torture. She is unremorseful to her detainees and fixated on her target. Even after the deaths of her colleagues, she continues to be focused and utterly self-assured. When asked about her confidence level of bin Laden’s location in Abbottabad, she replies with “100 percent.” Maya appears to be unbroken,

staying strong through the loss of friends and leads and dealing with a challenging bureaucracy. That said, in the final scene, as she sits on a plane back to the United States, Maya is overwhelmed with emotion and, in an act that reveals her depth, begins to cry. With this new brand of spy, one that is both critically and commercially acclaimed, one is forced to question why this change occurred. While it is doubtful that 2012 is a special year per se, there are some possible explanations for this shift in CIA agent portrayal. One reason could be that after 9/11, America was in desperate need of a superhero. Audiences wanted to feel safe and wildly entertained, which resulted in the three B’s and their otherworldly skills. Perhaps now America’s wounds have begun to heal in the wake of Osama bin Laden’s death, and we are ready for the raw and the gritty. We are able to accept the fact that America as a nation is not perfect, and neither are its spies. “Argo” and “Zero Dark Thirty” are based on true stories, a notion which gives viewers the sense that they are seeing classified information. “Homeland,” though rooted in fiction, has been accredited with an extremely realistic portrayal of the CIA as an agency. Thus, in an era categorized by government secrecy, audiences are proving to Hollywood that they thirst for information.

A Guy on Girls Rich Kersting | Release Photo Provided HBO

“Maybe I don’t care about being polite. Because it’s a Wednesday night, baby, and I’m alive!” (Lena Dunham, Girls Season 2 Episode 3) HBO’s award-winning comedy series, “Girls,” puts you right into the lives of four very different white girls trying to make their way in the bustling world of New York City. Brooklyn-based writer Hannah (Lena Dunham) is the main character, who very much

resembles that friend who always says the weirdest things at dinner. Marnie (Allison Williams) is the responsible roommate who always seems to judge you for the weird way you live your life. Jessa (Jemima Kirke) is the crazy, globetrotting, life-loving friend who you can never keep track of, but you wish you were half as cool and adventurous as her. Lastly there’s Shoshanna (Zosia Mamet), an innocent,

ditsy little flower who you half expect to get lost in her own closet. The show is one of struggle and triumph, of a twentysomething’s journey in balancing “grown-up” work and pursuing her passion as a writer; of a girl who dreams of being an art curator, only to realize that the position doesn’t really exist for her; of a bohemian soul trying to find stability, but still have all the fun she wants; of

a college student whose biggest baggage in life is that she’s a virgin, and who must learn to be comfortable with her own identity. Despite receiving abrasive criticism from many media outlets for its all-white cast, “Girls” won a Golden Globe this year in the best TV series — comedy or musical category. Writer Lena Dunham addressed this problem in the second season by introducing Sandy, a

character portrayed by Donald Glover. Despite the mostly white cast, the problems and scenarios the characters face go far beyond #whitegirlproblems. With gay ex-boyfriends, awkward sex, crack spirit guides, warehouse parties and Lena Dunham’s breasts, “Girls” is never a lackluster affair. But really, Dunham always seems to find an excuse to take her shirt off in pretty much every

episode … and she doesn’t like to wear a bra. The show, created by Dunham, is currently in its second season, airing every Sunday at 9 p.m. And gentlemen, remember that just because the show may be called “Girls,” doesn’t mean that you can’t watch it.

Men at work Katie Kravat | Release

Awards season is in full bloom, with the Screen Actors Guild Awards and the Golden Globes both leading up to the Academy Awards on Feb. 24, the most coveted and esteemed award in the movie industry. So far, there have been both shocking and expected wins, along with several letdowns, all contributing to a great start of a year of entertainment. The Golden Globes, which reward excellence in television and film, shed light on the terrific works debuted in 2012. In the actress in a comedy or musical series category, comedy vets Tina Fey and Amy Poehler lost to Lena Dunham of HBO’s comedy hit “Girls,” shocking both audiences and Dunham herself. However, Tina Fey snagged the SAG award for “30 Rock,” joking with her longtime pal Poehler, saying, “I share this with my sweet friend Amy Poehler … I’ve known you since you were pregnant with Lena Dunham!” Alec Baldwin also won the SAG award for male actor in a comedy series for “30 Rock,” coinciding with the end of the show. The CIA drama “Homeland” once again reigned victorious after its Emmy success as leading actors Claire Danes and Damian Lewis both took home Globes. Danes went on to win the SAG award as well, but Lewis lost the SAG to Bryan Cranston of AMC’s “Breaking Bad.” Upon accepting his award Cranston said, “It is so good to be bad.” Longtime actor Dick Van Dyke received the SAG Life Achievement Award for his great career in acting. In perhaps one of the biggest surprises of the night, “Homeland” did not take home the SAG award for outstanding ensemble in a drama,

losing it to the cast of PBS’s “Downton Abbey.” Certainly Downton’s cast deserves this award; however, viewers and the Downton cast itself were surprised as they defied the odds against giant contenders, such as AMC’s “Mad Men” and “Breaking Bad” and HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire.” Concluding the television category, Julianne Moore and Kevin Costner both hat-tricked the Globe, Emmy and SAG awards for lead female and male actor in a TV movie or miniseries for “Game Change” and “Hatfields & McCoys,” respectively. The smash-hit comedy “Modern Family” earned its third consecutive SAG for outstanding ensemble in a comedy.

— J-Law Actress

Now for the movies. Christoph Waltz won the best supporting actor Globe for “Django Unchained,” and director Quentin Tarantino took home the Globe for best screenplay. Daniel Day-Lewis won the Globe and SAG awards for male actor in a leading role for his portrayal of the president in Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln.” He beat

out Hugh Jackman, who gave perhaps his greatest performance in “Les Miserables,” for the SAG award, but Jackman won the Globe for best actor in a comedy or musical. Anne Hathaway has also been unstoppable, winning both awards for best supporting actress in “Les Miserables,” modestly accepting her awards and thanking fellow nominee Sally Field, who played Mary Todd Lincoln in “Lincoln,” for showing her how to escape the typecasting trap. Rising star Jennifer Lawrence won the Globe for best actress in a comedy or musical and the SAG Award for leading female actor in a leading role. She beat out early favorite Jessica Chastain for her role as the rock-hard CIA agent in “Zero Dark Thirty.” While Chastain won a Globe for best actress in a drama, the SAG award suggests that Lawrence will win the Oscar over Chastain. Lawrence thanked MTV, where she first scored her SAG card, and her fellow actors, saying, “Now I have this naked statue that means some of you even voted for me, and that is an indescribable feeling. Thank you.” She also beat out Naomi Watts for her incredible and perhaps underrated performance in “The Impossible.” Ben Affleck’s “Argo,” a film about a CIA specialist who risks his life to rescue hostages during the Iran hostage crisis, is expected to win the best picture Oscar after winning the SAG award for outstanding cast in a motion picture. While Affleck was not nominated for the best director Oscar, he has so far rubbed his best director win from the Globes and his SAG win right back in the face of the Academy. With such a wonderfully tumultuous awards season, one can only watch the Oscars with eager eyes.

Nicole Negron | Release

With Thursday’s job fair came the usual sea of students dressed in ways that made it difficult to differentiate them from professors: lots of dress skirts, black suits and girls who might have been better off wearing flats. According to an article on major employment website monster.com, there is more to a job interview than knowing a company inside and out. Prospective employees need to keep in mind that “85 percent of communication is nonverbal” when prepping for an interview. Yes, it may cost you more money, swollen feet and a bit more time the night before, but it’ll be worth it in the long run. Luckily, Binghamton University students seem to have gotten the memo on dressing to impress. “I wore black dress pants, a blazer, flats and a dark blue top that was cute but appropriate,” said Chloe Engel, a sophomore majoring in accounting. “My outfits reflect my style, but I always ensure that they are professional. In the business world, a first impression is a very important aspect for employers, especially at a career fair.” For girls, some light makeup — no heavy liner or bronzer — and a simple ponytail or bun work best. Stick with dress pants or a pencil skirt of appropriate length, paired with a comfortable, classy top. A blazer is always a good addition. As for shoes, there is nothing wrong with a neutral-colored flat. If you’re going for a heel, stick to a closed toed and keep it around two inches. For boys, a clean shave and classic haircut are recommended. A crisp buttondown, dress pants and suit jacket with dress shoes are always safe bets, although there have been students seen wearing

khakis. There are (who knew?) a few ways to knot a tie: Windsor, Half Windsor, Pratt, Four in Hand, etc. And if you don’t know how to tie one, luckily there are plenty of YouTube instructional videos. “I wore a solid light blue dress shirt, a purple paisley tie (yes it matched) and obviously a suit,” said Robby Mosca, a junior double-majoring in financial economics and philosophy, politics and law. “I also made sure to shave — there were too many people at the fair with unruly facial hair. You can be dressed to the T but it’s all for nothing if you look like a slob who rolled out of bed.” “I feel that the more put together you appear, the more seriously you will be taken,” said Joslyn Lagow, a senior majoring in psychology. “It is important to stick to neutral or dark colors because bright colors or anything flashy can be distracting. I saw a student wearing bright red flats and it did not look professional to me.” But some students think when it comes to job fair wardrobe, you have to bend the rules. “I think you have to dress to stand out,” said Alan Sweet, a senior majoring in industrial engineering. “I wore a light pink button-down and got several compliments for my classy yet unique apparel.” Monster.com says blue, gray and white are the best colors to wear when deciding on an interview outfit. While red has been declared a power color, it’s best to only accent an outfit with it so as to not overpower a look. Contrary to popular belief, the article advises against wearing black as anything other than an accessory color. It is supposed to be slimming, though, so save it for a date or in celebration of landing the job.

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RELEASE DATE– Friday, March 27, 2009

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle

CLASSIFIEDS

Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis

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ACROSS 1 Place for storage 5 Own (up) 9 PBS’s “The __ Gourmet TV Show” 14 Pamplona runner 15 __Vista: search engine 16 Three-layer snacks 17 Quaff 18 Pond denizen 19 Inspector on the telly 20 Undercover cop? 23 Drama award 24 Storytelling slave 25 Introduction to “SeinLanguage”? 30 Campus climbers 31 Who, in Quebec 32 Babe in the woods 36 Wyo. neighbor 37 Vue and Aura, in the auto world 41 Gp. with Bucks and Bobcats 42 Houston shuttle letters 44 T’ai __ 45 Weakened 47 Words to roust an oversleeping ecclesiastic? 51 New drivers, typically 53 Musical with the song “The Gods Love Nubia” 54 Cannery worker’s credo? 59 Battery connection 60 Mope 61 ’60s quartet member 63 It can pick up a plane 64 Catalina, e.g. 65 Placekicker Jason 66 Sanctify 67 Roe source 68 __ vu

DOWN 1 Elm et al.: Abbr. 2 React to a kneeslapper 3 Part of a wet quintet 4 Dad-blasted 5 A right may cause one 6 One skipping church? 7 Have the main role 8 “Smooth Operator” singer 9 Domestic class, briefly 10 Triathletes 11 Concealed 12 Models 13 Belgian river 21 Deep chasm 22 Bride follower 25 One who used to spend markkaa 26 Eye layer 27 His __: big shot 28 Outfit 29 Pelt 33 Author Quindlen 34 “Yeah, right!”

35 Diminish 38 “Don’t __ surprised” 39 Holy day: Abbr. 40 Any ABBA singer 43 Meeting plans 46 Protected, as a home 48 Walks on stage 49 Spanish stewlike dish 50 Put on the line

51 Relating to pitch 52 Eat away 54 Zinger 55 Greek letters 56 Compensate for oversleeping 57 Low-lying area 58 Key with four sharps: Abbr. 62 Org. with an online DoctorFinder

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE:

xwordeditor@aol.com

03/27/09

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The advantage of widespread distance learning is not hard to see: Rather than having to drag themselves out of bed in 10-degree weather for 8 a.m. classes, students could watch the lectures at leisure and, more than that, could rewatch the parts they missed — not an unlikely occurrence at 8 a.m. The convenience factor, then, is perhaps the most obvious aspect added by distance learning. Professors, too, could benefit from distance learning. Not only could they teach from the luxury of their own homes, but they would no longer have to deal with the perpetual disturbances that plague the classroom — latecomers to class, cell phones going off, the two students invariably talking and giggling throughout class. But if convenience is an obvious benefit, it’s also easy to see what could be lost by pushing the learning experience online. No longer would there be a shared environment in which students and professors could engage. No

longer could the professors — the good ones, at least — hold the students rapt with their words. The learning process would be, in some way, sterilized. We have seen already, through a slew of evidence, that quantity, not quality, of interaction makes us happy, and that online interaction, while plentiful, lacks the quality of face-to-face dialogue. But school administrators should be wary. Distance learning can be a powerful tool. It can deepen and ease the learning process, and make getting to the right answer simpler. However, there are subjects in which the efficacy of that is more obvious than in others. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) classes are ones in which there are right and wrong answers. Students work and struggle to get to x, whatever it may be. Lectures can be bogged down by students who just don’t get it. If students were to watch lectures online, then come into class knowing what questions they had, and lectures were instead question-

and-answer sessions — or were instead replaced with more discussion sections — our STEM classes could be made far more efficient. But in subjects like political science, English and anthropology, the right answer is not so set in stone. Class is about discussion — finding an answer together. Taking the discussion, the interpersonal aspect of learning, away — that is dangerous. While distance learning is still relatively untested, it’s hard to see an easy way to apply it to the liberal arts. Distance learning holds promise, that much is certain. It stands above the cold discussion boards and text-only online classes that dominate e-learning today. But at least so far, they are a far cry from physical lectures. There are far-flung applications to distance learning — say, professors holding office hours on Skype — but we must stay constantly vigilant that we are not losing in interpersonal and creative learning what we are gaining in convenience.

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Opposite sides of history combined, poorly

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A lot of us have had the pleasure of visiting the Deep South at some time in our lives, enjoying the hot sun and comfort food. Many even experienced a combination of disgust and amusement at the sight of Confederate flags flying with pride.

While here in New York we recently celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday by remembering his tremendous success in advancing the Civil Rights Movement and showing our gratitude for his part in creating the country we live in today, the holiday is celebrated a little … differently elsewhere in the United States. Surprise, surprise: it’s the South that once again refuses to accept history. As irony would have it, Dr. King’s birthday is only four days apart from notable Confederate Army General Robert E. Lee’s. So why not just combine the two men’s birthdays into one day off from school or work? Come on, we do it every year with Abe Lincoln’s and George Washington’s birthdays! Absurd? Racist? Or completely

appropriate? That is up for discussion, apparently. King’s birthday may be a national holiday, but in many schools in states such as Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and Virginia, Lee and King’s birthday celebrations are combined. How, though, is it possible to celebrate a man who devoted his life to fighting for racial equality and a man who devoted his life to preserving slavery together? It’s true that Lee was a great commander, commended for his work by many. But if it’s your job to maintain and spread the suffering of millions of people, should your success be celebrated? In reality, is it any less ridiculous to celebrate Lee’s birthday than to celebrate any of those tried at the Nuremberg Trials? They all worked for the same basic outcome: the complete and utter disregard for human life — a mass genocide. The Holocaust will forever be an embarrassment to Germany, as will slavery to the United States. The historical lessons from these events must be taught forever, but in no way does that mean they deserve celebration. Celebrating Lee’s birthday at all is offensive in itself, but to combine it with King’s birthday is nothing short of disgraceful, not to mention awkward. This is a huge slap in the face not only to King, but also to all those who risked their lives to fight for equality

and anyone today who appreciates the dedication of those who came before us. It is a clear, but nonetheless typical, attempt by some Southerners to distort history and hide from the humiliation that came from their ancestors, while still flaunting their racism proudly.

is growing wider by the year. Just this past May, the polling firm Public Policy Polling revealed that 29 percent of likely GOP voters in Mississippi believe that interracial marriage should be illegal. In 2012, Todd Akin, a Missouri congressman, and Richard Mourdock, the treasurer of Indiana, shocked the country with their remarks on rape; unfortunately, they were far from the craziest candidates coming from the South. A personal favorite would have to be Charlie Fuqua, a legislative candidate from Arkansas who endorsed the death penalty for rebellious children (while obviously maintaining his antiabortion stance) and the deportation of all Muslims. Fuqua received 30 percent of votes in his district — 30 percent! The Civil War ended in 1865 and here we are 148 years later with what can at times seem like two entirely different worlds. Stereotyping all people in the southern United States as racist and outdated would be an astounding generalization and just blatantly false. As would it be to say that racism doesn’t exist in the North. But to ignore the overwhelming pattern would just be idiotic.

The hypocrisy of embracing the history of the United States by celebrating someone who devoted all of his talents and skills to destruction is just baffling and paradoxical. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is an American hero and General Robert E. Lee is literally an American traitor. Celebrating these two leaders together sends a very confusing message, giving contradictory views of what’s right and wrong. — Madison Ball is a sophomore As the rest of the country progresses, majoring in political science. a large portion of the South truly just refuses to let go, and the regional divide

Zachary Hindin Kimberly Bower

Women have earned a place on the front lines There’s a famous “Seinfeld” episode in which Jerry’s dentist, Tim Whatley, converts to Judaism. Soon after his conversion, he begins to barrage Jerry with a series of Jew jokes, which in turn, make Jerry think that Tim only converted for comedic reasons. Jerry goes to a priest to tell him of this uncomfortable situation.

“And this offends you as a Jewish person?” the priest asks. “No,” Jerry responds. “It offends me as a comedian.” It’s often said that we are most vulnerable to those we are closest to. Shortly before we broke for the holidays, I felt a bit of that myself. Hillel at Binghamton made headlines when they ousted one of its representatives, Benjamin Sheridan, for organizing a talk by Iyad Burnat, a staunch critic of the State of Israel. As a Jew, and an adherent to rational political discourse, I feel

After having to pretend to understand obscure references, exchanging pleasantries with unpleasant people and having to eat the rest of my tomato soup after running out of Goldfish, there is nothing I hate more than first impressions.

compelled to speak out. Hillel justified its actions by citing its “Israel Policy and Guidelines,” which disallows any connection with “organizations, groups or speakers” that “deny the right of Israel to exist as a Jewish … state with secure and recognized borders.” Unless Hillel wishes to be just another extremist advocacy group that denies the existence of opposing views, it ought to take a step into reality. Representing the Jewish body of this University carries a certain weight and unless it embraces more open dialogue, Hillel should make clear its political, rather than religious, objectives. Unyielding support of Israel is not a prerequisite for Judaism and dissenting views are not inherently radical. Organizations such as the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, have made this school of thought mainstream and have thus strangled reasonable debate and left the IsraeliPalestinian conflict unresolved for far too long. Hillel — especially if it wishes to be a representative organization — should not jump on that bandwagon. What is radical, on the other hand, is attempting to dictate a discussion by pretending that certain views do not

selling yourself, whether or not you have a reason to do so. The reason is that with every introduction, every first hello and every initial handshake, we are reaffirming our own self image. If you were to meet a person at a bar and tell them you are a musician at heart, but going to school on the side as a backup plan, you are evoking one image. However, the very next day you may be talking to a group of professionals over dinner and playing up how you are investing more time in school and putting music on the The not-so-shocking back burner. problem with first impressions You are not necessarily is that you only get one. I tend changing your story deliberately; to think of the whole process as everything you say is a part an interview of sorts. It doesn’t of you, but certain attributes matter whether it is with an express themselves at different employer or not; the majority times depending on a number of of first impressions are about variables.

exist. Whatever your views are on the conflict, you cannot deny that people like Burnat are serious and organized, and wield an enormous amount of political power. Their views are real, and any attempt to keep them quiet will only kick the can of rational debate down the road.

With right-wingers taking the Israeli government hostage and lobbyists choking off reasonable voices in Washington, there is an urgent need for a diverse set of views. Not all Jews are willing to write a blank check for Israel, and any Jewish organization should reflect that reality. Otherwise, Hillel ought to stop pretending that it represents a population that is far more intellectually diverse than it thinks. — Jess Coleman is a freshman majoring in human development.

Like it or not, we live in a world of snap judgments. The main issue with this is that many of us are not living picture-perfect lives ready to be “snapped” at any moment. The pieces may all be there, but as with any puzzle, to see the true picture of someone’s life, they must all be arranged properly. I like to think of first impressions as the first shot at a photo shoot. Anyone who has watched “America’s Next Top Model” can attest that it takes a few pictures to get warmed up. If the first frame is good and the rest are subpar, Tyra is sure to preach on the importance of consistency. Why is it, then, that consistency is so often discounted when it comes to the frames that comprise the moments and stories of our

On Jan. 23, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, acting with the full support of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, struck down the Defense Department’s ban on women serving in combat roles. He did the right thing.

Though critics, largely conservative, have attacked the decision as idealistic and damaging to the effectiveness of the military, that could not be further from the truth. The current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have fostered a different meaning for the term “combat.” Reality tells us no that there are no longer clear battle lines beyond which the bullets will fly. The simple fact is that women are already often serving in combat roles, though not named as such. They are already routinely attached to patrols in dangerous areas through bureaucratic loopholes. Over 280,000 women have served in Iraq and Afghanistan and 152 have died as a result of battle. In a testament to the pure value of wom en in the field, General Martin P. Dempsey, the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said on Jan. 28 that “the Joint Chiefs are unanimous in their judgment that the time has come to remove unnecessary barriers to service based on gender alone. This is about using the talent and skills of women in the military in order to make our military even better than it is today.” It is difficult to imagine a reasonable argument for why women should be barred from certain roles when America’s top military leaders, who have deep knowledge of the current wartime situation, believe such restrictions need to be dismantled. Panetta’s landmark decision has another side to it that is less immediately apparent to those outside of the military hierarchy.

lives? Some of the most colorful, insightful and hilarious people are the ones who take a little for people to warm up to them. Their first impressions may leave something to be desired, but their seventh, eighth and 59th impressions are unforgettable.

It cannot be denied that we live in a fast-paced world, and people feel the need to quickly

decipher who is the best job candidate, friend or spouse from the get-go. And this is why no matter how challenging making a good first impression may seem, it is vital in today’s world. The first step is realizing that no matter how valiant an effort you put into expressing your whole self, the only thing that can reveal all the sides of a person is time. The trick to a good first impression, then, is reconciling the fact that no first impression will completely give off the “true you” with the knowledge that you can still depict yourself in a positive light. Knowing this truth takes a lot of pressure off. You just have to put yourself out there and hope for the best. Focus on what you want to express in your first encounter with this particular

Female officers have repeatedly found that their ability to rise in rank in a fair manner has been hamstrung by regulations that require applicants to command positions to have faced combat. Even though many such women have actually been in the line of fire, the military has refused to recognize any such service as legitimate. Such discrimination is the subject of a court case brought against the Department of Defense in 2012 by several female officers, alleging that their discrimination was damaging and unconstitutional.

It is simply counterintuitive, in light of the current lack of recruits in the U.S., that some of our brave soldiers should be told that their capability and usefulness in warfare is entirely dependent on their gender. Those who argue against the capacity of women to perform under the duress of combat ought to be discredited with the same vitriol that we now view those who once proclaimed that the female mind was too weak to handle the right to vote. This change will better the military; the consequence will be a greater diversity of skill, with women trying their hand at positions they would not have been considered for earlier. Sixty years ago it was absurd to think that women could become fighter pilots, and now such a thing is hardly remarkable. What is most important in the military is an individual’s ability to perform a task effectively. The capacity to serve under fire needs to be based on merit rather than anything else. — James Constant is a sophomore majoring in history.

person and try to get that across as best as possible. If you are successful at highlighting the traits that are specific to both what you want to convey and what the other person is looking for, you will most likely succeed in landing a job, getting a second date or making a new friend. And once this happens, the first impression is out of the way and, with time, the other person can slowly learn about all of the characteristics that make you, you. And now I wish you luck; in the words of Phil Dunphy, “You only get one chance at a first impression. I suggest Julia Child because it’s easy to do.” — Jillian Kermani is a senior in the Decker School of Nursing.

Ravens: ∆, 49ers: π

49ers, 21-17

Wait … you’re telling me that on Sunday a bunch of sweaty men wearing spandex will chase after balls and attempt to tackle each other, and that guys around the U.S. will get together and have viewing parties?

The Ray Lewis saga is sweet, but this isn’t Hollywood. The 49ers are the better team here, and this ending won’t be a happy one for one of the ringleaders of the NFL circus.

Megan Brockett, Sports Editor

Dan Weintraub, Editor-in-Chief

49ers, 27-23

The Ravens benched a five-year veteran cheerleader because she gained a few pounds. Like, come on.

Christina Pullano, Assistant News Editor

Ravens, 31-4

The Official Pipe Dream Super Bowl Drinking Game

There’s no way Alex Smith doesn’t find a way to sabotage the team that benched him.

Erik Bacharach, Assistant Sports Editor Ravens, 30-24

Beyonce. Or the 49ers, 27-24

Cause that’s who Nate Silver picked, and also, seriously, fuck Ray Lewis.

Tina Ritter, Assistant Copy Desk Chief

Bearcats, ∞

Undefeated since 1946? Solid, way too solid.

Jules Forrest, Managing Editor

49ers, 35-7

The Binghamton Review said the Ravens are going to win. I don’t trust ‘em.

Katie Busser, Copy Desk Chief

49ers, 21-14

I really just took my boyfriend’s advice on this one.

Paige Nazinitsky, Design Manager 49ers, 100-0

Harbaugh brothers childhood reference: drink Harbowl: drink Harbaugh parent shot: shot Tom Brady/Peyton Manning mention: drink Jerry Rice reference: shot Ray Lewis cries: finish your beer Every mention of Colin Kaepernick/Alex Smith QB controversy: drink Shot of Alex Smith with arms crossed on the sideline: drink Ray Lewis sprouts antlers (he took deer antler extract, get it?): back-to-back-to-back-to-back shots Every Bud Light commercial: drink Joe Flacco throws into double coverage: drink Colin Kaepernick Kaepernicks: shot Every mention of Bernard Pollard and concussions: shot Every time Jim Nantz sounds like a pretentious prick: drink Kate Upton commercial: chug When you don’t know what the hell a commercial is advertising: drink Mention of Jay-Z: drink Destiny’s Child reference: drink Destiny’s Child reunites at halftime: 2 shots Phil Simms references his days in the NFL: drink Every Big Bang Theory plug: drink Mention of Ed Reed saying he would play for another team next year: drink David Akers misses a field goal: shot Vernon Davis butt crack sighting: shot Reference to Torrey Smith’s Week 3 performance against Patriots: shot Any time a commercial has a dog, baby or monkey in it: drink

Roided Ray Lewis, who pretends to be Mr. Good Guy God Man, probably killed two people. I want him to walk away from the game embarrassed, ashamed and with his tail between his legs.

Baltimore allows 21.5 points per game while San Francisco gives up 17.1. Also, you don’t want to mess with Ray Lewis, who doctors say has a 95 percent chance of sprouting deer antlers midway through the third quarter.

Ari Kramer, Assistant Sports Editor Ravens, 24-20

The last time these teams met, older brother John came away with a 16-6 victory. Though both offenses feature more firepower this time around, the Ravens’ experience and emotion should give them the edge on Sunday.

Mitch Seidman, Pipe Dream Sports

Ravens, 24-17

My friend's roommate told me too.

Rebecca Forney, Design Assistant

NY Jets, 49-0

GO NY JETS! Gotta root for my home team! They’re gonna dominate!

Zack Feldman, Design Assistant

Ravens, 17-14

In the battle between a bird and a mathematical concept, birds win. Go Poe.

Geoffrey Wilson, Assistant News Editor

Jim Galloway, News Editor

Commentary

This week, America’s most popular sport found itself under the country’s brightest spotlight, as has been the norm for years during the days leading up to the Super Bowl. But at the tail end of a season ripe with controversies — both

minor and significant — media week has only brought greater attention to the NFL’s growing number of problem spots. From the appalling and inexcusable anti-gay remarks of Chris Culliver to the storm brewing

around the epidemic of violence within the game, the NFL has been floundering during its time on sports’ biggest stage. On Tuesday, San Francisco 49ers cornerback Chris Culliver took center stage with his astoundingly insensitive and harsh response during an interview with radio host Artie Lange. When Lange asked Culliver if a gay athlete would be welcome on the 49ers, Culliver told him, “I don’t do the gay guys. I don’t do that … We don’t have any gay guys on the team. They gotta get up outta here if they do.” His words undoubtedly caused a few jaws to drop. But, mostly, Culliver’s comments come as no great surprise. And this is where the true problem lies.

Culliver’s anti-gay remarks are bigger than the ignorance of one man. They represent a culture of homophobia that dominates the realm of professional sports, perhaps no more so than in football. And they come through amplified by the popularity of the game and the widespread attention it garners. A handful of NFL players have stepped up in defense of gay rights this season, even prior to Culliver’s comments. But the sad truth is that until a current player — ideally a prominent one — comes out to the public, not much is going to change. More than six decades later, the sports world is in desperate need of a new kind of Jackie Robinson. In the mean time, though,

it wouldn’t kill the NFL to implement some sanctions against Culliver. In fact, it could probably only help. Culliver simply isn’t the kind of player that fans will throw a fit about if he’s hit with a suspension, so the risk involved is miniscule, especially in comparison to what can be gained if an organization like the NFL, one that holds the attention of a nation, takes a stand. And media week has heightened the call for the NFL to take a stand on another pressing issue as well. The culture of violence that surrounds the game, both on and off the field, can no longer be ignored. Far too much has been brought to light about the impact of the collisionheavy sport on the physical and

mental state of players, both retired and current. When the president of the United States takes the time to tell you that certain things in your sport might be out of control, you might want to listen up. Players like Ed Reed have come forth and said that players in the NFL know what they’re signing up for when they agree to play professional football. They are aware of the risks and of the potentially terrifying and painful future that lies ahead for them after retirement, and they accept it. But as the game’s popularity continues to grow, so do the stakes. Because there is a future to think about now, another generation of kids who want to grow up to be football

players. The NFL holds the power to make a better and safer future for them, because they shouldn’t have to face the same consequences that this generation of players, tragically and unnecessarily, may have to. At the height of football’s popularity, the NFL has to realize the vast power that it holds. It hasn’t done well in using the ever-brighter spotlight of media week to address the issues that people are calling upon them to address. The NFL has to make steps toward cleaning up its act now, or risk getting booed off the stage.

SPORTS

Pipe Dream Predictions See Page 11

Friday, February 1, 2013

BU falls just short in back-and-forth contest with UMBC

Jimmy Gray’s three-pointer bounced off the iron as the buzzer sounded, and the Binghamton men’s basketball team lost to UMBC, 61-58, Wednesday night at the Events Center. In a game that featured 10 ties and 14 lead changes, the Retrievers (5-16, 3-5 America East) pulled away for good as junior forward Chase Plummer scored consecutive baskets to help UMBC to a 59-54 cushion with two minutes left. UMBC senior guard Brian Neller missed two free throws with eight seconds left, giving Binghamton (318, 1-7 AE) a chance, but Gray had to rush his shot. “I was looking for an opening, just to take a shot, and my teammate found me, and I took it,” Gray said. “It was kind of a quick shot. I didn’t get a chance to really step into it and it was kind of late, but it was still a decent shot with the time running out.” Though the defeat came as a disappointment, Binghamton head coach Tommy Dempsey said he was glad the team bounced back from Saturday’s loss, which he described as “embarrassing.” “[Wednesday] was obviously a hard-fought game,” he said. “I thought we did a lot of things that

gave us a chance to win. We’ve put ourselves into position to have a chance to win, but we didn’t make some plays there at the end of the game.” The Bearcats took their first lead when senior forward Taylor Johnston buried a three-pointer with 13:34 left in the first half, but Neller had the hot hand for UMBC, knocking down four three-pointers in the opening 20 minutes. His last three of the half gave the Retrievers a 22-19 lead, and Dempsey switched to a box-and-one focused on shutting him down. Despite BU senior guard Mike Horn eventually reducing Neller to a non-factor, Binghamton couldn’t carry a lead into halftime. Binghamton senior forward Javon Ralling hit a pair of free throws with 42 seconds left, but the Retrievers sprang into action yet again, and Plummer converted a layup to put UMBC up 27-26 at the half’s close. A jumper by freshman guard Jordan Reed opened the second half and put the Bearcats ahead by one, but the teams would exchange the lead nine more times before the final buzzer. Foul trouble relegated UMBC junior guard and leading scorer Ryan Cook to the bench for a significant chunk of the game, but his three-pointer with 3:06 left put the Retrievers ahead 55-53, a lead they would not relinquish.

Men's basketball vs. UMBC

Cook finished with just eight points, as Plummer scored 13 of his 17 points in the second half. Plummer’s ability to get position against Binghamton’s frontcourt proved to be key. “He’s a guy who’s been very successful in this league, and he’s a good inside player,” Dempsey said of Plummer. “He played to his strengths and delivered some big baskets for his team.” Binghamton shot 38.9 percent from the floor on Wednesday, just four days after a 30 percent shooting performance against New Hampshire. The Bearcats also went 4-of-20 from long range against UMBC. “We’re struggling to make shots,” Dempsey said. “We try to get a good shot on every possession. My definition of a good shot is a shot that your teammates and coaches expect you to take and expect you to make. And I feel like if we get those kinds of shots for 40 minutes, we’ll get a good percentage.” Reed led the Bearcats with 21 points and seven rebounds. He and Gray connected on four alley-oops, which ignited the crowd of 1,858. Gray finished with 11 points and six assists while junior forward Brian Freeman scored six points and grabbed five rebounds. With the loss, Binghamton finds itself in sole possession of last place in the America East standings, while UMBC resides in a tie for sixth. Next on Binghamton’s schedule is Albany. The Great Danes (16-7, 5-4 AE) are coming off of a three-game losing streak, having suffered losses to Boston University, Vermont and Stony Brook, who comprise the top three of the America East. Albany currently stands in fourth place in the conference. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday night at the SEFCU Arena.

Jonathan Heisler/Photo Editor

Junior guard Jasbriell Swain stuffed the statsheet with 12 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists to lead Binghamton past UMBC on Wednesday.

Daniel O'Connor/Staff Photographer

Freshman guard Jordan Reed threw down four alley-oops and scored 21 points, but Jimmy Gray’s last-second attempt at a game-tying three-pointer rimmed out, and Binghamton lost to UMBC, 61-58.

A fast start coupled with a dominant performance on the boards paved the way for a 66-57 victory for the Binghamton women’s basketball team over UMBC Wednesday night at the RAC Arena. After a pair of back-to-back lay-ups from senior forward Kara Elofson and sophomore forward Sherae Swinson with 12:21 left to play in the first half gave BU (4-17, 3-5 AE) a 13-12 advantage, the Bearcats would never look back. They followed with seven more unanswered points to extend the margin to 20-12 before cruising into the locker room with a 33-20 lead. “The biggest thing for us is the way we came out in the first half offensively and defensively,” Binghamton head coach Nicole Scholl said. In the first half, junior guard Jasbriell Swain put up nine points, 11 rebounds and three assists, while Swinson tallied 13 points and four rebounds. “We had to focus on [Swain and Swinson] getting shots early,” Scholl said. “Getting our two leading scorers involved early I think helped us flow into the rest of the game.” As a team, Binghamton grabbed 29 rebounds to UMBC’s 20 in the first half, while shooting 11 percent better than the Retrievers (6-15, 2-6 AE) from the field. The Bearcats came out in the second half looking to maintain their strong opening-half performance and did just that with an 8-3 run inside

“I thought we did a good job of finding people who were going to be successful making open shots, — Nicole Scholl BU head coach

the opening 90 seconds. Junior guard Stephanie Jensen propelled the run, scoring five of Binghamton’s eight points. But UMBC kept fighting and slowly began to chip away at BU’s lead, which was 50-32 with 10 minutes left. With 1:39 remaining, the Retrievers pulled within single digits, 62-53, but wouldn’t come any closer. The nine-point victory marked the Bearcats’ largest conference win of the season. Swinson led Binghamton in scoring, finishing with 17 points and nine rebounds. Swain totaled 12

points, 12 rebounds and seven assists to conclude a stellar night. Elofson and senior forward Simone Thomas scored 10 and 11 points, respectively, giving the Bearcats four scorers in double figures. “I thought we did a good job of finding people who were going to be successful making open shots,” Scholl said of the offensive balance. An even more telling stat was the 15 offensive rebounds that BU grabbed. “Rebounding in general was good, but to go in and get offensive was great,” Scholl said. The Bearcats are next scheduled to travel to Albany for a Saturday matchup with the Great Danes. With a 17-3 overall record and a 8-0 conference record, Albany is riding a nine-game winning streak. “You know Albany is gonna be tough, especially going up there on the road,” Scholl said. “The big key for us is to cut down our turnovers against their press, and if we can do that I think we have a chance.” Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. at SEFCU Arena.

W. basketball vs. UMBC