Spring 2014 Issue 6

We put your love in print

Pipe Dream's Valentines, see page 2, maybe there is one for you!

PIPE DREAM Friday, February 14, 2014 | Binghamton University | www.bupipedream.com | Vol. LXXXV, Issue 6

Haifa Orchestra draws protesters

Students discuss dating barriers Cultural groups talk interracial relationships

Habin Kwak Contributing Writer

Kendall Loh/Photo Editor

Student protesters chant outside of the Anderson Center Wednesday night. The protest, organized by Students for Justice in Palestine, began an hour before the Haifa Symphony Orchestra performed in the Osterhout Concert Theater.

Pro-Palestinian protesters compare Israel to South African apartheid Rachel Bluth

Israel, a student group protested the event, saying it supports Israeli policies they find oppressive.

Prior to a performance Wednesday The protest, organized by Students by the Haifa Symphony Orchestra of for Justice in Palestine (SJP), began News Editor

Poverty may impact child development Community Lab talks risks for children in low income areas

an hour before the orchestra was chanted outside of the theater as they slated to perform in the Osterhout handed out flyers to concertgoers.

Theater in the Anderson Center for the Demonstrators compared Israeli Performing Arts. Thirty to 40 students carrying signs and Palestinian flags See SJP Page 4

One of the most nerve-racking experiences in a new relationship can be the dreaded first time meeting the parents. Members of different cultural groups on campus sat down to find out how being from two different cultures can affect the situation.

As part of Black History Month, the Black Student Union (BSU), the Philippine-American League (PAL), Hillel at Binghamton and Powerful United Ladies Striving to Elevate (PULSE) coordinated and held “Guess Who’s Coming Home?” in the Old University Union. The event, which borrows its name from the 1967 film entitled “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” dealt with relationships seen through the lenses of different cultures, ethnicities and religions.

The comedy focuses on a white female bringing home her black boyfriend to meet her parents.

See DATE Page 6

Professors paint a love story Mijatovic and Kovacevic talk working, living together Carla Sinclair Contributing Writer

Margaret-Rose Roazzi

Dog Cafe on Tuesday.

Chris L. Gibson, professor in the sociology, criminology and law department at the University Where a child grows up may of Florida, lectured about the affect his or her achievements different possible factors that later in life. This trend was shape the emotional and mental the topic of the Binghamton growth of children. He said Community Lab’s monthly talk in the Violet Room of the Lost See GENE Page 5 Contributing Writer

Franz Lino/Staff Photographer

Chris L. Gibson, professor in the sociology, criminology and law department at the University of Florida, lectures about the different possible factors that shape the emotional and mental growth of children. Gibson spoke in the Violet Room of the Lost Dog Cafe on Tuesday.

For Natalija Mijatovic, associate professor and art department chair, and Blazo Kovacevic, assistant professor of art, their relationship has been a work of art.

“Our relationship is a form of artistic collaboration,” Kovacevic said. “The most important thing we learned from the art school is to articulate well both the things we have in common and our differences. Art is to be grateful for former, and cherish the latter.”

The couple met during the preliminary exam at the Academy of Fine Arts in Montenegro, and according to Kovacevic, it was love at first sight.

“I spotted her in the crowd, curly-haired girl in polka-dot tights and told my friends I will marry her one day,” Kovacevic said. “It took me a while, but I married her twice! First in a shabby office in Philadelphia, and again in a medieval monastery, on an island in the middle of Skadar

Photo Provided

Natalija Mijatovic, associate professor and art department chair, and Blazo Kovacevic, associate professor of art, met at the Academy of Fine Arts in Montenegro. After the couple graduated from the University of Fine Arts in 1997 with concentrations in painting, the couple moved to Philadelphia to attend the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.

Lake, in Montenegro.”

After the couple graduated from the University of Montenegro’s Academy of Fine Arts in 1997 with concentrations in painting, the couple moved

to Philadelphia to attend the wedding in the monastery in Pennsylvania Academy of the 2003.

Fine Arts. It was there, during The couple moved to their Masters of Fine Arts studies, Binghamton last fall. Mijatovic that they got married in 2000.

They then held an official church See LOVE Page 5

2

NEWS

www.bupipedream.com | January 27, 2014

PAGE III Friday, February 14, 2014

Pipe Line

My bloody Valentine

Local News NY man has fatal heart attack from cold water State police say frigid water triggered a fatal heart attack in a 39-year-old man who fell through ice while he was scouting property for trapping in Broome County.

Troopers say Richard McKee Jr. of Windsor was walking on thin ice over running water in a lake’s outlet at Forest Lake Campground in Windsor Monday when he fell through into chest-deep water. A friend helped him climb out, but as he walked to his vehicle, he fell unconscious. McKee was taken by ambulance to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. An autopsy showed the cause of death to be heart attack due to cold water immersion.

State News NY agency planning to close psychiatric wards A top state official says psychiatric wards around the state will close in the upcoming fiscal year along with one psychiatric hospital while more community-based services are established. Office of Mental Health Executive Deputy Director Martha Schaefer Hayes says Western New York Children’s Psychiatric Center in the Buffalo suburb of West Seneca will consolidate into Buffalo Psychiatric Center.

The Cuomo administration announced plans last summer to overhaul state psychiatric services over four years by consolidating 24 inpatient hospitals into 15 regional centers and establishing more outpatient service hubs. In December, administration officials said centers in Elmira, Binghamton and Ogdensburg will remain open, but each will close a ward.

Several legislators tell Hayes they’re concerned patient needs won’t be met. Hayes says Tuesday they expect to treat 3,000 more patients this way.

Tobacco lobbying on the rise throughout NY A government watchdog group says lobbying by the tobacco industry has been on the rise across the state.

A report by the New York Public Interest Research Group released Wednesday says that the tobacco industry spent $7 million in the first half of 2013 on tobacco lobbying and campaign donations, more than it did during 2011 and 2012 combined. The group says the industry lobbied in New York City, the cities of Buffalo and Binghamton and in Albany, Columbia, Madison and Suffolk counties. NYPIRG says the lobbying involved opposition to local health initiatives.

NYPIRG reports that Altria, formerly Philip Morris, spent the most, with more than $4 million on lobbying and more than $300,000 on campaign contributions. Altria spokesman David Sutton says the company participates in policy-making that could affect it, shareholders and consumers.

Cops: NY kids left alone 6 days; parents at hotel A New York couple has been arrested after police say they left their two teenagers and two younger children alone without food or heat for six days while they stayed at a hotel.

Tulio and Maria Ayala of Central Islip on Long Island are each charged with four counts of child endangerment. Police say their children were left unsupervised while the couple stayed at a nearby hotel. The children’s ages are 15, 13, 8 and 4. The Central Islip school district contacted authorities.

The couple was arrested Wednesday. Their attorneys’ names were not immediately available.

Corrections Pipe Dream strives for accuracy in all we publish. We recognize that mistakes will sometimes occur, but we treat errors very seriously. If you see a mistake in the paper, please contact Editorin-Chief Christina Pullano at editor@bupipedream.com.

stabilizing: sleeping in the office

Kendall Loh/Photo Editor

James Sereno, an undeclared sophomore, gives blood in the Old Union Hall Thursday evening. The blood drive, which ran from 12-6 p.m. and is held monthly, was hosted by the Red Cross Club.

Police Watch A lighter take on campus crime

I don’t know enough about engineers to make a good pun MONDAY, FEB. 10, 5:51 a.m. — Cleaners in the Engineering Building reportedly found a vandalized room, said Investigator Patrick Reilly of Binghamton’s New York State University Police. The cleaners came into room B110 and saw garbage strewn all around the room. The podium in the room was also broken off. Officers responded and noted that there was a structural impact where the podium was connected to the floor and saw that the floor was damaged as well. Officers looked at the records for who was in the room the day before. They found that it was reserved, but they do not know who reserved it. The case is still under investigation.

Hide and Seek MONDAY, FEB. 10, 10:49 p.m. — Officers were dispatched to Johnson Hall due to reports of the smell of marijuana coming from a suite, Reilly said. The officers were escorted by a resident assistant into the hallway, and they all reported smelling a strong deodorizer as well as the faint smell of burnt marijuana. They knocked on the door from which they believed it came, and no one answered. They knocked again and heard a door close inside the room, but no one answered again. Officers received the names of the students who reside in the suite from the RA, and the case was brought to the Office of Student Conduct.

This Day in History February 14th ca. 278 Saint Valentine, holy priest of Rome, is beaten and beheaded. Valentine defied Emperor Claudius II, who had banned all marriages and engagements in Rome to encourage men to join the army, by performing marriages in secret.

Conflict-in-the-Woods MONDAY, FEB. 10, 4:19 p.m. — A 19-year-old contacted University Police about an issue he has been having with a 20-year-old female who is allegedly constantly coming into his Mohawk Hall room uninvited, Reilly said. The victim contacted the police earlier in the semester with this same issue and reported another occurrence. The victim reportedly heard the suspect come into his suite and speak with his suitemates.

The victim then came out and asked the suspect to leave, as she was uninvited and he did not want her there. After around 10 minutes, the suspect finally left, and the victim then called the police again. The victim admitted that the suite door was open but that the suspect did not knock or ask to come in before entering the room. Police contacted the suspect and told her not to come into the room unless she was invited into it. Police then advised the victim to bring the case to the Office of Student Conduct.

This Time we’ll issue a Warner MONDAY, FEB. 10, 2:38 p.m. — Police were informed by a 21-year-old male that his 21-year-old male roommate was allegedly acting strange, Reilly said. The victim, who lives off campus with the suspect, stated that the suspect was exhibiting strange behavior, such as complaining constantly about problems with the Internet. University Police advised the victim to call the Binghamton police department due to this being outside of the Campus Police’s jurisdiction and to contact the landlord as well. As of writing, the suspect and the victim are working with the landlord to resolve their issues.

“When I was 14, I was the oldest I ever was. I’ve been getting younger ever since.”

Shirley Temple Black 85, who died Monday

this weather :destabilizing

www.bupipedream.com | February 14, 2014

NEWS

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SJP protests Haifa Symphony Orchestra

Kendall Loh/Photot Editor

Student protesters picket outside of the Anderson Center Wednesday night. Demonstrators compared Israeli policies, which they claim force Palestinians into second-class citizenship, to apartheid in South Africa.

SJP continued from Page 1 policies, which they claim force Palestinians into second-class citizenship, to apartheid in South Africa. Shehryar Qazi, a graduate student studying sociology, said that Arab Palestinians are segregated to worse neighborhoods and worse careers, and live under constant suspicion from the rest of the population.

“This is well-known, I don’t think that’s up for debate whether Israel treats all of its citizens fairly or not, I think everyone knows the answers to that,” Qazi said. “I think what is up for debate is whether that is fair or just.”

In addition to the representatives from SJP, a handful of students representing different Jewish or Zionist groups, including Binghamton University Zionist Organization (BUZO) and Bearcats for Israel, stood near the door holding Israeli flags and offering to take pro-Palestinian literature from patrons and dispose of it as they entered the Anderson Center.

Some pro-Israel demonstrators like Eric Blumenthal objected to the comparison between Israeli policies and the apartheid policies of South Africa, calling these views “ignorant” and “uneducated.”

“Israel has Muslims, Christians on the Supreme Court … it’s very, very offensive to compare Israel to apartheid in South Africa,” said Blumenthal, a junior majoring in psychology. “If you look at the facts, it’s disgusting that anyone would even mention both countries in the same sentence like that.”

According to organizers from SJP, the demonstration was a means

to begin debate and open up lines of communication between proPalestinian activists and Zionists at Binghamton University.

“Basically we are trying to start up a conversation on campus which is much needed,” Qazi said.

Some pro-Israel demonstrators disagreed with the SJP’s stated intention.

SJP demonstrators refused to engage in discussion when concertgoers and Zionist activists confronted them.

“We are here to protest, not to debate,” Qazi said to patrons who tried to start arguments on the way in to the concert.

Melissa Goldman, an undeclared freshman, said the lack of discussion was frustrating.

“They weren’t willing to debate or discuss anything at all. I really, truly believe that some of their facts are misguided and it’s unfortunate,” Goldman said. “I would love to explain to each and every one of them the true meaning of Zionism.”

Justin Hayet, a sophomore majoring in political science, said he was similarly disappointed with the tone of the protest.

“The fact that they said to us multiple times that they don’t want discussion,” Hayet said. “It just speaks to the movement that they are supporting and the kind of hate that they are bringing to this campus.”

Throughout the hour-long demonstration, SJP members chanted a number of phrases, including “music, culture, that’s all great, not when it’s from an apartheid state.”

“This institution, like any cultural institution, can be complicit in affirming support for Israel, which further supports settlement building and apartheid in the state,” said

Julie Quinn, a protester and a senior double-majoring in history and geography.

Belle Yoeli, the president of Hillel at Binghamton, said she disagreed with the venue of the protest.

“I understand their reasoning, but this is a cultural event with the Haifa Orchestra,” said Yoeli, a senior triplemajoring in political science, Judaic studies and Spanish. “Haifa has one of the highest Arab populations in Israel, so it seems a little ironic to me.”

Qazi, on the other hand, said that musical events have always had political significance. He likened it to protesting a Wagner opera because of the composer’s well-documented anti-semitism.

“Music is political. We support music, but we don’t support music when it is bad and does not deal with the key issues of an apartheid state,” he said.

The SJP promotes “BDS” — that is, a boycott, divestment and sanctions program — to put political and economic pressure on the Israeli government to respect the rights of Palestinians in the State of Israel.

Yoeli said that the BDS agenda is a “hard line” for many Jews and may inhibit discussion.

Tyler Albertario, the president of SJP, explained the group’s intention in an email.

“SJP is a group of students dedicated to education and action against the unlawful Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Territories being facilitated by the United States government, American industry, and American academic institution,” Albertario wrote. “We are protesting this performance because we recognize the complicity

of Israeli cultural production in the normalization of the occupation.”

Binghamton’s chapter of the Students for Justice in Palestine is not yet Student Associationrecognized. Nationally, SJP has over 80 chapters on college campuses and has gained media attention for their controversial protests, like setting up “apartheid walls” and fake security checkpoints on campuses.

Wednesday’s protest, however, remained peaceful. Three University Police officers were present and though there were some heated conversations between activists on opposing sides, nothing escalated beyond raised voices.

Some patrons, mostly community members, expressed support for Palestine and the students’ protest, though others crumpled or ripped up the SJP’s literature and threw it on the ground before they entered the theater.

“The students feel strongly about the issue that they would come out and protest … I think the position that they’re supporting has strong international backing, and I think they have a good reason to protest,” said Thomas O’Connor, a resident of Vestal.

Rabbi Barbara Goldman-Wartell, a rabbi at Temple Concord and teacher in the Judaic studies department last semester, was glad to see both sides represented at the protest.

“Everyone is entitled to their freedom of speech,” Goldman-Wartell said. “But I think sometimes I’d like to see more positive energy than negative energy be expended by everyone.”

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Music is political.

We support music, but we don't support music when it is bad and does not deal with the key issues of an apartheid state — Shehryar Qazi SJP Spokesman

www.bupipedream.com | February 14, 2014

Love is in the air for BU art professors LOVE continued from Page 1 became chair of the art department and painting teacher and Kovacevic a design and drawing professor.

“Working together is intense.

We studied together, and we’re each other’s toughest critics,” Mijatovic said. “We are both perfectionists, and have divergent methods for achieving the same goal.”

Kovacevic said it can be difficult for his wife to be his boss.

“Well, she was the boss in the house, and now at work, too,” Kovacevic said. “I remember the words of our professor from the Academy of Art in Montenegro, Nikola Gvozdenovic: ‘When you found this girl, the trouble found you.’ He also added, ‘It takes a real man to love a strong woman.’”

Mijatovic sees it differently.

“It takes a strong woman to love an artist, I’d say,” Mijatovic said.

Despite their similarities, the couple varies with their reaching methods.

“We are both very demanding, but we have different approach to nurturing an artist in every student,” Kovacevic said.

Working together has its benefits. Discussing work with your partner is one of them.

“Our jobs are creative, challenges are often overwhelming, but I guess we like it that way. It’s much like making art, starting every day from the scratch,” Kovacevic said.

I spotted her in the crowd; curly-haired girl in polka dot tights, and I told my friends I will marry her one day — Blazo Kovacevic Associate art professor

NEWS

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Professor maps history of cartography Barzman traces origin of political boundaries and art of map-making Joseph Hawthorne News Intern

For the past year and a half, Karen-edis Barzman, an art history professor at Binghamton University, has traveled the globe in an effort to understand the history of borders.

Barzman focused on Venetian land in modern-day Croatia, which had borders with the Ottoman and AustroHungarian Empires. As she traveled between archives in Chicago, Harvard and Croatia, she observed how mapmakers adapted to borders affected by war.

“There’s a complicated and rich history of cartography,” Barzman said. “And Venice, in fact, has a rich history of working with triangulation early on, so I’d like to write Venice into that story.”

In a presentation to a group of 30 faculty members and students Wednesday night,

sponsored by the art history department’s VizCult series, Barzman said that the Venetian empire pioneered some of the first detailed modern maps in the 1400s.

“It was there and then that cartography was first incorporated in an information technology,” Barzman said. “A developing paper industry in Europe was essential in this kind of data management.”

Barzman used pictures of the maps she studied to demonstrate how Venetian maps were some of the first to contain national borders; however, travelers also relied on physical markers, such as piles of rocks and marks on trees to know where they were.

“To my knowledge, the Treaty of Karlowitz represents the first time that limits of rule were measured and agreed upon by parties on all sides, drawn with precision and transferred to copper plates for reproduction and redistribution,” Barzman said.

Other history professors suggested that the beginning of modern borders actually began with the Peace of Westphalia, a series of peace treaties, in 1648 after the Thirty Years’ War, an event separate from Barzman’s research.

“A lot people date territorial sovereignty in Europe to the treaty,” said John Cheng, an Asian and Asian American studies professor at BU. Andrew Walkling, an art history professor at BU, agreed.

“It’s codified a system by which states can establish themselves and make border claims,” Walkling said.

Barzman said that the Venetians, among others, were accustomed to borders marked by physical structures on the ground that travelers would see. Various empires had agreed on boundaries, but the travelers were used to an old system.

“There’s this very awkward moment where you have the introduction of lines, but

they’re still noting the piles of stone here and the piles on stone there,” Barzman said.

“They haven’t quite shifted from one to the other.”

Barzman argued that regardless of the political history, the study of art history in understanding borders had been undervalued.

“For what it seems to me rather arbitrary reasons, we have ceded the study of cartography to other disciplines despite the fact that we often deal with works on paper, attending to their visual and material aspects,” she said.

Many professors agreed, arguing that an understanding of map drawing was important in understanding the development of cartography.

“Thinking about how images are made is important,” said John Tagg, an art history professor at BU. “Cartography is not just about political science, or social history.

We’ve ceded too much territory to others.”

Students also said that they found the study of borders from an art historian refreshing.

“It’s really interesting to hear about what she’s been working on for the past few years,” said Alex Feingold, a junior majoring in art history.

“I didn’t know anything about the study of maps as a discipline so it was informative.”

We have ceded the study of cartography to other disciplines despite the fact that we often deal with works on paper —Karen-edis Barzman Art history professor

Michael Contegni/Staff Photographer

Karen-edis Barzman, an art history professor, speaks on the “complicated and rich history of cartography” Wednesday evening in the Fine Arts Building. Barzman focused on Venetian land in modernday Croatia, which had borders with the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian Empires.

Community Lab discusses poverty studies GENE continued from Page 1 genetics and neighborhood conditions can play a role in molding a child’s thought processes and ability to work through emotions.

Gibson explained the correlation of poverty to different neighborhood factors.

He used the results of a study done on over 80 neighborhoods in Chicago that tracked the development of 6,000 children to illustrate the factors related to the economic inequality in the poorest neighborhoods.

The impoverished areas had several similarities. All were predominantly populated by African-Americans, indicating racial segregation. They were also food deserts, meaning the neighborhoods were the farthest from grocery stores and places to buy healthy foods. The schools in these neighborhoods showed the lowest level of

performance, and there were very high levels of violence.

David Currie, director of the Binghamton Regional Sustainability Coalition, spoke of the opportunity to connect the study in Chicago to neighborhoods here in Binghamton.

“Here we’re looking at Chicago, but how do those things play out in our neighborhood?” Currie asked.

“What can we learn from [the study]?”

Gibson also described a study conducted by psychologists at the University of Southern California in which children between the ages of 7 and 12 were asked to draw their neighborhoods.

According to Gibson, those in low-disadvantage neighborhoods drew cheerful seasons with bright suns, neat houses with picket fences, clear roads and trees. Those in high-

disadvantage neighborhoods drew scenes such as shootings and police chasing cars down streets.

Another study that Gibson discussed was done on secondary exposure to violence, or children who had witnessed violence in their neighborhoods. According to Gibson, children with high exposure to violence had more emotional problems, lowered academic performance, lower abilities to empathize with others, higher heart rates, irregular sleep patterns, increased alcohol and drug use and were more likely to become violent themselves.

However, Gibson pointed out that neighborhood factors were not enough to evaluate a child’s risk levels.

“The data [about neighborhoods] says nothing about how two kids from the same concentration of poverty

and social ills can turn out very differently,” Gibson said.

“What this requires is for us to study both variation in neighborhoods as well as variation in children.”

Gibson revealed the results of a study done by the Family and Community Health Study that followed 800 AfricanAmerican families in Iowa and Georgia with children from age 12 to emerging adulthood.

The study tried to answer the question of whether genetics could be at work in relation to neighborhood aggression in children. Eight-hundred children were tested for levels of genes that control emotion, including serotonin and dopamine.

Gibson explained the findings of the study.

“Kids with more of the risk alleles in the high-disadvantage neighborhood had higher and higher aggression,” Gibson said.

“The genetic risk in the lowdisadvantage neighborhoods didn’t affect aggression. This is an indication of how differences between children can have consequences for how they interpret their environment, which in turn has consequences for how the environment affects them.”

Gibson ended his talk by addressing the importance of community cooperation in protecting children from violence and keeping them on a safe path.

“You can think back about the neighborhoods you live in right now or as children and ask certain questions,” Gibson said. “Do people get along? Do people trust one another? Do people help one another out in a time of need? If something bad is happening in the neighborhood, are they willing to intervene, or are you willing to intervene?”

The Binghamton Community Lab is organized by the Binghamton Neighborhood Project, a collaboration between Binghamton University and community partners to understand and improve Binghamton’s quality of life.

Currie was enthusiastic about the results brought about by the Binghamton Community Lab. “To have the opportunities presented by Binghamton Community Lab, by having people like [Dr. Gibson] come and share all of their knowledge, even in the short hour, how much can we absorb — that’s what’s incredible,” Currie said.

“Whether it’s someone coming from the outside and teaching us about our own region, our own neighborhood or whether it’s someone on the inside coming to us and revealing things we didn’t see, that kind of learning foments change.”

www.bupipedream.com | February 14, 2014

NEWS

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Eighty meet to examine cultural dating norms DATE continued from Page 1 Nathaniel Lancaster, the Student Association representative for BSU, said the group’s motivation for hosting the event with several different cultural student groups stemmed from a desire for unity.

“It unites different cultures and races, bringing them together through a topic of relationships,” said Lancaster, a senior majoring in political science.

The panel was split into discussions about two major aspects of relationships: differences between the female and male perceptions of dating, and bringing a partner of a different background to meet the parents.

The representatives for each group introduced each general topic with YouTube videos containing content from Wong Fu Productions, a channel dedicated to videos on relationships, as well as a scene from “Anchorman 2,” where Will Ferrell tries to fit in at his black girlfriend’s house.

The differences between various groups are arbitrary, according to Melinda Momplaisir, co-public relations coordinator of P.U.L.S.E. “We want to show others that although we share different religions and races, we still all have similar customs,” said Momplaisir, a junior majoring in history.

The hosts posed the question of how different families would react to their children bringing home a girlfriend or boyfriend

Xindi Tian/Contributing Photographer

Nate Lancaster, left, a senior majoring in political science, and Rafael Schulman, right, a sophomore majoring in integrative neuroscience, speak as part of “Guess Who’s Coming Home?” in the Old University Union. The event, held as part of Black History Month, was hosted by the Black Student Union (BSU), the Philippine-American League (PAL), Hillel at Binghamton and Powerful United Ladies Striving to Elevate (P.U.L.S.E.).

of a different culture, race or religion. Rafael Schulman, a member of the student group outreach team for Hillel and one of the hosts of the event, told the audience how his own family would react in a situation like that.

“They probably wouldn’t accept her if she wasn’t Jewish, regardless of how she looks,” said Schulman, a sophomore majoring in neuroscience.

The topic of religious dissonance drew the most participation from the

audience, who shared personal stories and beliefs to illustrate the influence of religion on dating.

“I would probably date someone like me who isn’t very religious because that would be more comfortable,” said Samantha Pezzello, a junior double-majoring in studio art and German. “I’m not very religious but I wouldn’t convert to another religion for anyone.”

Jason Cruz, the educational chair of PAL and a co-host of

the event, shared his story with the audience regarding the Roman-Catholic upbringing of his family and how intimate partners who did not partake in the faith were treated.

“My brother married a Chinese girl and she’s not very religious, which isn’t really a major issue with my mom, but she really wants her grandchildren to be raised Roman-Catholic,” said Cruz, a sophomore majoring in biology. “She actually went through the lengths of getting a book that our local parish was distributing to give to my sister-in-law. I guess that just goes to show how important it is that religion be passed on.”

Other topics included

interracial dating and premarital sex, which students said depended heavily on their family’s culture and religion.

“I don’t think my parents would care,” said Julie Oh, a freshman majoring in accounting. “They would just trust me to do the right thing.”

The majority of the night consisted of a question-andanswer session involving representatives from the four host organizations and the audience of over 80 students.

“I think it’s cool that a lot of cultures can come together and talk about things like interracial dating,” said Aaron Chernin, a sophomore majoring in mathematics.

“Communication is the first

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It unites different cultures and races ... together through the topic of relationships —Nathaniel Lancaster SA representative for BSU

RELEASE Arts & Culture

Places to go when you're down on Downtown These 7 weekend activities are affordable and shed light on a different side of Binghamton Gabriella Ginsberg | Staff Writer What to do when the bars are too crowded (or your poor liver needs a break)? Split a cab or beg the most valuable type of friend — that is, a friend with a car — to drive you to some good, clean fun: Midway Lanes in Vestal Bowling is a great way to prove to people that, yes, you do play sports. When the bite-sized alley in the Old University Union is just not cutting it anymore, Midway Lanes’ games are $3 to $3.75 depending on the time and day. They do additional specials every day, with deals on everything from games and rentals to domestic beer drafts.

Chenango Ice Rink in Binghamton Pretend for a moment that you’re competing in the Winter Olympics. Swish, swish, glide — now you, too, can be a gold medalist in figure skating!

Or at least a gold medalist in fantasizing about it. Somehow it’s twice as warm in Sochi as it is here at the moment, but this rink is indoors so it’s all good. You can skate and rent for a total of $7, though keep in mind it’s cash only. There’s also a bar and grill for you to habituate once you’ve

burned all those calories falling on your face.

AMC Loews Vestal Town Square 9 In short: best seats ever. Go to a matinee, grab some snacks from Five Below or yogurt from Sweet Frog next door (they do not care if you bring in food) and you are guaranteed the ultimate college cinema experience.

Skate Estate in Vestal Get your friends together and battle it out in an all-assault glowin-the-dark laser tag game, fog included. It’s $5 per person per game, but the exhilaration is worth it. If you’re not feeling entertained after that, Skate Estate also has roller skating (obviously).

The ART Mission & Theater in Binghamton Part gallery and part movie theater, Art Mission is a great way to feel relevant and informed about the best independent films out right now. This is the place to catch the latest Woody Allen or Coen Brothers flick. A meticulously cuffed hemp shirt and tortoiseshell glasses perched at a slightly jaunty angle are not required, but they are recommended.

Cinema Saver in Endicott This theater is everything the AMC is not. It has small screens,

File Photo

Robot City Games in aging carpeting and technical Binghamton problems during movies. But Robot City is a great place to second-run theaters are good for catching up on movies that you’ve play arcade games and is complete missed, and it’s only $2 for students! with “Galaga,” “Centipede” and

“Pac-Man.” Come relive the decade you never actually experienced in the first place.

State Street isn’t the end-all for nightlife in Binghamton. Try a few

of these alternatives — you never know, you could end up forgetting the Tom & Marty’s shot wheel even existed to begin with.

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r o j a m h c i h W t a d u o y d l shou RELEASE

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Student band brings back punk From the Undergrounds to Seminary Ave, it's Shattuck Kenneth Herman and Harrison Teich | Contributing Writers After forming in 2012, student band Shattuck has gained a reputation for shows packed with fans dancing maniacally to their blend of post-punk and garage. The band is composed of Kieran McManus, a senior majoring in English, on lead vocals and guitar; Joseph Charalel, also a senior majoring in English, on lead guitar; John Van Schultz, a senior majoring in accounting, on bass; and Ciano Massa, a senior at Broome Community College, on keyboard. Release sat down with them after a recent concert to talk about the group, from their humble beginnings to their rise as one of our most prominent campus bands.

Release: How did you guys start performing as Shattuck?

Kieran McManus: Joe and I played together in high school and then during sophomore year, we lived with John and decided to put something together for Battle of the Bands. We got a friend to play drums for it and then eventually found a permanent drummer. Then our friend from high school, Ciano, started playing keyboard and singing backup vocals for us.

R: There’s a lot of interesting guitar interplay. What’s the writing process for Shattuck like?

KM: I kind of make the backbone for the song, and then give them freedom. I don’t try to write too complicated guitar parts so it gives them the freedom to do some cool stuff.

Joseph Charalel: Yeah, especially with the more recent songs, like over summer break when Kieran has more time to develop them. The songs end up being really good when we get to hear them and fill them out.

KM: I write most of the songs, but we’re also working on new stuff. For the most part, we’ve focused on the live show for the last month or two because we’ve been so busy. We try to keep our favorite songs, our “crowd pleasers,” in.

www.bupipedream.com | February 14, 2014

Kathryn Shafsky | Staff Writer

John Van Schultz: Now that our drummer is gone, we’re definitely going to focus on writing.

KM: We’re actually going to be working with professional analogue recording soon. I found out about the studio called the Business District in Pipe Dream. It’s just we’re going to end up paying a lot of money, but we’re definitely focused on recording in the near future.

R: There is definitely a strong sense of camaraderie between you and other campus bands — specifically Captive and JSLJ. Is this a conscious decision to have a collective, and do you think it’s mutually beneficial for bands to have a support system?

JVS: Well, all of the guys in these bands were all friends originally, so it kind of just happened that way, but definitely … we all jam with each other and hang out. We actually almost considered asking a member of Captive to join our band at one point. But when we first got here, there wasn’t too much of a scene, and these house shows with everyone are a lot of fun.

R: Beside house shows, what is the quintessential live gig for you?

JC: Well, the Mandela Room is a lot of fun when we get to play there with the huge stage, but living room shows are probably the best.

R: Say at one of these shows, you could open for three acts. Who would they be?

JVS: Joy Division.

JC: The Beatles.

KM: The Smiths.

JVS: Those are all English bands, I feel bad … I’ll include The Stooges too.

R: Lastly, possibly the most asked question. How did you get the name?

Is it really a cashier in Chenango Champlain Collegiate Center?

KM: Well, we kind of needed a name for when we played at Battle of the Bands a few years back, so we kind of just put it down as a joke … but we haven’t come up with a better name yet.

JVS: It’s also the name of the recently fired Pixies bassist.

Just like horoscopes, students with certain majors are more compatible for you than others, find out who they are!

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What would your perfect Binghamton date be?

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5

How important is money in your relationship?

A. Coffee for two at John Arthur Cafe, where you and your date fawn over the fact that you’re drinking fair trade on campus.

B. Your date reserves a science lab for the two of you to conduct some chemistry experiments of mutual attraction.

C. You and your date sit in the Marketplace psychoanalyzing everyone who walks by while discussing social constructs.

D. You spend the night looking up how many points your stocks dropped today.

If you gained some, maybe your date will get lucky.

A. All you need is love, and a Netflix account so you can watch “Doctor Who” together.

B. I’m going to have to pay off my loans after med school, so pretty important.

C. Money is just a means created by society, but I’ll take some if you have it.

D. I want to be “Wolf of Wall Street” rich.

What quality is most important to you?

A. A sense of creativity and knowing what an Oxford comma is.

B. The ability to think logically and navigate the maze that is the Engineering Building.

C. An analytical personality and having a unique political view instead of just whatever your parents think.

D. A competitive spirit and the concept of having a job after graduation.

What’s you

A. Salted C B. Vanilla C. Nietzsc D. Pistach

What wou night?

A. See th that camp parents ha B. Provide lab assign C. Take a p D. Lay on

If you got mostly A’s, you should be dating a humanities/art major!

Congratulations! You should be dating a humanities major. These include bearded English majors, struggling a literary fiction, checking out art at the Bundy Museum or watching esoteric Sidney Lumet films with your sign imaginations that can go a long way when planning dates, or even in the bedroom. But beware, insulting their

If you got mostly B’s, you should be dating a STEM major!

Congratulations! You should be dating a STEM major. If you’re not one, you probably don’t know that STEM st discussions, random YouTube videos about dry ice or have even developed an algorithm to find your soul mate you something that will make you seem way smarter than you actually are. Always make sure to plan ahead w

If you got mostly C’s, you should be dating a social sciences major!

Congratulations! You should be dating a social sciences major. These include your favorite psychology/sociolo enjoy intense people watching, tracking social movements (from party to party) and diagnosing your friends. to worry about miscommunication again. Be careful not to talk about things in a finite manner, or it might be t

If you got mostly D’s, you should be dating a business major!

Congratulations! You should be dating a business major. Whether they have a concentration in marketing, acc pants suit. You probably enjoy checking the stock market, figuring out new ways to make money and managin fun, since their drive to be the best will always keep them at the top of their game. Make sure you don’t dress

Romantic comedies worth your Valentine's eve These 6 movies will make you laugh, cry and believe in the power of love again

Columbia Pictures

Yael Rabin | Contributing Writer Romantic comedies often gets brushed aside because the characters seem shallow and the story lines unrealistic.

However, some of the most timeless and entertaining films are rom-coms. On this Valentine’s Day, try one of these films with a significant other, a friend or even alone — it’s

just another day — and see the genre as you’ve never seen it before.

“Funny Face” (1957) “Funny Face” stars Audrey Hepburn as a bookshop clerk and Fred Astaire as a fashion photographer for a fictional fashion magazine, “Quality.”

Astaire’s character, Dick Avery, is sent on a mission to go find “one of those sinister” bookstores as a backdrop for a fashion shoot. There, we meet

Audrey Hepburn. “Funny Face” has laughs, Fred Astaire dancing and a love story that is sweet and innocent. The best scene is when Dick finds Jo (Hepburn), who was a hipster before being hipster was cool, in a cafe full of French existentialist types, and Jo proclaims that she feels like expressing herself, proceeding to perform this amazing dance number. It’s an Audrey Hepburn movie not to be missed.

“Amélie” (2001) Another wonderful romantic comedy set in Paris is the French film “Amélie.” “Amélie” is the whimsical tale of the title character, played by the always lovely Audrey Tautou, and her life working in a Parisian cafe full of its own whimsical characters. Amélie is always being mischievous — enacting her own sense of justice on the brutish grocery store owner, helping others fall in love or helping her own love interest solve the mystery of the phantom man from the photo booth. Audrey Tautou is a dream to watch, and the movie is both touching and laughout-loud funny.

“When Harry Met Sally…”

(1989) This film may be the quintessential romantic comedy. Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal star as two people who claim to be just friends, but the movie shows how sometimes men and women can’t have a strictly platonic relationship.

Ryan and Crystal’s chemistry on camera is excellent, and the movie speaks truth to how men and women view love and relationships. Also, who can

forget the diner scene? “I’ll have what she’s having.”

“Annie Hall” (1977) As with “When Harry Met Sally…,” “Annie Hall” captures the essence of a relationship between man and woman.

“Annie Hall,” starring Diane Keaton and Woody Allen, is one of Allen’s best films. As Keaton explained at this year’s Golden Globes, Allen really does have a way of capturing the woman’s voice and writing roles for women that prove relatable to the viewer. In “Annie Hall,” Allen writes a script that is both comedic and poignant — and like all Woody Allen films, this one does not stray from our natural angst as human beings, especially when it comes to our relationship with the opposite sex. Allen and Keaton’s chemistry is palpable on camera and makes for a really great movie-watching experience as we see them fall in and out of love.

“10 Things I Hate About You” (1999) The film adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew” stars Julia Stiles as the stubborn Kat Stratford and Heath Ledger as

outcast Patrick Verona. When new kid Cameron James, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, decides to ask out Kat’s younger sister, he must also find Kat a date per the girls’ father’s strict rules. As Cameron’s plan unfolds, hilarity and a comingof-age tale ensues.

“Pretty in Pink” (1986) This list would not be complete without a John Hughes movie. Don’t be fooled by its feminine title; “Pretty in Pink” is very much a universal movie, with the sleazy popular kid, the dorky sidekick, the quiet popular kid and, of course, the heroine who takes crap from no one. There are so many great scenes, the best being Duckie lip-synching and dancing around a record shop to Otis Redding’s “Try A Little Tenderness,” which you may recognize from Jay-Z and Kanye’s song “Otis.”

Don’t disregard the romantic comedy because it’s considered “girly.” There’s something in each of these movies to which anyone can relate. They’ll make you laugh, they’ll may make you cry and they’ll make for the best Valentine’s night in you could ask for.

www.bupipedream.com | February 14, 2014

te?

RELEASE

It’s Valentine’s Day, and you still need a date. Luckily, you have all types of friends on campus — liberal arts majors, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) majors, social sciences majors and business majors — but which one is right for you? Here at Release, we put together a quiz to help you find your true love:

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A. Anton Chekhov B. Albert Einstein C. Freud, always Freud.

D. Bernie Madoffoccsaoin.

ur favorite ice cream flavor?

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What’s your favorite dance move?

che didn’t eat ice cream. hio

A. A classic jazz square.

B. I don’t dance because I am not a fun person.

C. Interpretive dance.

D. Is this dance going to be black tie or CEOs and corporate hos?

uld you prefer to do on a given

How would your friends describe you?

he Undergrounds show featuring pus band that only the bandmates’ ave heard of. e moral support while I do another nment. personality test. Meta, right? your pile of future money.

A social media revolution on Paper The new Facebook app puts a visual touch on your smartphone addiction Rich Kersting | Staff Writer

Who would you rather have dinner with?

Caramel

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A. A critical thinker who enjoys seeing things in new lights.

B. Too much work to have friends.

C. A person who questions everything society has to offer.

D. Someone who likes to get down to business.

It doesn’t matter how hip you think you are, it’s hard to argue against the fact that Facebook is at the crux of the social media industry and our lives. While Facebook has moved to smartphones, the app can sometimes feel more like something to use during a boring lecture rather than as a social necessity. And as much as it changes its design, it still seems like you’re seeing the exact same content over and over again (although they did add #hashtags). That is, until Paper.

If you’ve been following the tech world recently, everybody is talking about Paper, a new free iPhone app from Creative Labs, a division of Facebook, that was released last week. With a refreshing new user interface (UI), Paper doesn’t just make Facebook look better — it revolutionizes the experience entirely. It’s important to note how well Facebook works in the new subtle UI. Instead of one long vertical stream of “news” as the old Facebook delivered, Paper presents fresh news from a variety of sources and streams. The shift is definitely

away from your friend’s “important” status updates and last night’s Tom & Marty’s pics and instead, focuses on the news and pop culture side.

Paper brings you to a customizable assortment of themed pages called Sections, such as the “Headlines” section that shows all the latest news, or the “LOL” section for the people looking for the periodic chuckle. Paper lets you customize which sections appear and in what order you see them. From each page you can then re-share or repost the myriad news articles and photos to your own wall. In essence, Paper hopes to be your first and only stop when you’re trying to keep up with (and share) current events and cultural trends.

Paper greatly improves the way you view online mobile content with its in-app mobile browser.

When you click on a link or an article shared by one of your friends (or in any one of the sections), you swipe up, emulating the feeling of opening a letter. Instead of sending you back and forth to Safari, Paper keeps you inside the app, offering a much more natural experience with reading online context. When you’re done reading, you simply

swipe down (or pinch in), returning you to the previous screen. From there you can like, comment, share or simply swipe to the next post.

Also, as of right now, Paper does not host any ads, meaning it’s one of the few ad-free Facebook platforms out there.

Everyone who uses Paper will tell you the same thing: It’s not just Facebook. Paper offers a fresh new experience that looks to change not only the look and feel of Facebook for the iOS platform, but also the utility of the social media platform at large. With Paper, Facebook has effectively outdone its own iOS app. The most notable thing that didn’t change in Paper is Facebook Messenger. For users of the current Facebook app, they will notice that messaging in Paper works in very similar ways. For those who use Facebook primarily as a messaging platform, one might be more inclined to use the Facebook Messenger app for their day-to-day use. However, for those looking for a fresh, new Facebook experience with a clean and intuitive interface, Paper is definitely an iPhone app worth checking out.

artists and aspiring performers. You probably enjoy long discussions about nificant other. Humanities majors are awesome because they usually have great favorite writer or artist could cause catastrophe for your relationship.

tands for science, technology, engineering and math. You probably enjoy logical e. STEM majors are awesome partners since they are logical and can usually teach with STEM majors so your relationship doesn’t get stuck in a lab with them.

ogy double majors, philosophy majors, and fact-crazy history majors. You probably Social sciences majors will always know what you’re feeling, so you’ll never have the end of your relationship.

counting or global management, anyone you choose most likely looks good in a ng a group of people when you go out on the weekends. Dating business majors is s better than them on suit day, though, or you may not be the right fit.

Photo Provided

Nights on the town that are outside of the box Bring back old-fashioned romance with these 7 local and original Valentine's dates Emily Mancini | Staff Writer Ah, Valentine’s Day. Can’t you just smell the vaguely rosescented corporate stink in the air? Despite our general cynical outlook on this “holiday,” let’s not forget that going out on a date with somebody you enjoy being around is a genuinely nice experience. And by “going out on a date,” I don’t mean scanning for his or her full naan sandwich at the Marketplace. There are countless fun, inexpensive romantic activities for you to do right here in Binghamton. Here are some of our top date night ideas: Uncorked Creations What can be a finer combination than wine and art? This cool art loft studio on 205 State St. puts a creative spin on an evening out. Even if you and your date have never painted before, the local artists at Uncorked Creations guide each evening class with easy-to-follow instructions on how to create the featured piece. And the best part is? You can bring your favorite wine to sip on as your paint!

Romantic and classy. Adult classes start at $35 per person with all art supplies included. Seating is

limited, so make sure to reserve seats in advance.

Galaxy Brewery Co. and Roberson Museum and Science Center Is your date a science major or just a major science nerd? Why not take him or her to Galaxy Brewery Co., an “out of this world” craft brewery/restaurant on Court Street? You can talk astrology over Andromeda IPAs and geek out over the galactic decor. Afterward, you can head over to 30 Front St. and visit the Roberson Museum and Science Center to check out their Digital Planetarium. Admission is only $4 for students.

River Walk Trail and Brewed Awakenings Cafe There are some beautiful views from the River Walk Trail Downtown, which follows along the Chenango and Susquehanna Rivers. The trail starts at Conklin Avenue and travels over the Susquehanna River via an iron pedestrian bridge. Head left to Confluence Park, which offers a scenic view of the merging rivers and the mountains. Follow the promenade north along the Chenango River all the way up to Court Street. After the scenic walk, head down Hawley Street to Brewed Awakenings to warm up

with hot chocolate and split one of their gigantic chocolate chip muffins.

The Forum Theatre For lovers of drama, opera, classical music and the performing arts, the historic Broome County Forum Theatre is the ideal date night destination. The theater, located at 236 Washington St., is home to Broadway in Binghamton, the TriCities Opera and the Binghamton Philharmonic.

Laveggio Roasteria and Phelps Mansion Museum If your date is a serious coffee fanatic, Laveggio Roasteria on 101 Court St. is the perfect place to grab a cup. Each “ethically sourced” batch is hand-roasted in the artisan tradition, right in front of you. This is the furthest thing from Starbucks, and the coffee is downright incredible. Your date will thank you. After coffee, head down to 191 Court St. and visit the Phelps Mansion Museum, where you can get a walking tour through the gorgeous three-story Victorian mansion for only $5.

Ice hockey at the Broome County Arena For a more casual, sporty date night, you can purchase tickets to a Binghamton Senators ice hockey game for around $20 a

Nope.

Don't do this.

Kendall Loh/Photo Editor

pop. The arena is directly across from the Downtown Center if you don’t have a car. Sometimes there’s nothing more fun and romantic than sitting back with your date, a cold beer and some greasy French fries and watching hockey players beat the crap out of each other.

Cyber Cafe West and The Bundy Museum If your date is an alternativetype dude/chick, you have to take

them to Cyber Cafe West. The artsy coffeehouse at 176 Main St. is known for its great food, quirky decor, huge drink selection and live music on weekends. There are also plenty of vegetarian and vegan options on the menu, so there’s no stress if you and your date have different dietary habits.

Their famed giant chocolate chip cookies make for a great shared dessert. Within walking distance of Cyber Cafe is the

Bundy Museum on 129 Main St., which has a number of weird and interesting exhibits, including a “Picasso Meets Africa” gallery and a complete antique barbershop.

Admission is just $5 for students.

So get out there and get dating! Don’t let us catch you having a romantic dinner over Sodexo. It’s just sad.

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FUN

Lovestruck

Happy Valentine's Day

February 14, 2014 | www.bupipedream.com

Derek Ng

Mike Manzi

Binghamton Ninja

Chris Walsh

OPINION Friday, February 14, 2014

Address: University Union WB03 4400 Vestal Parkway E. Binghamton, N.Y. 13902 Phone: 607-777-2515 FAx: 607-777-2600 Web: www.bupipedream.com

Spring 2014 editor-in-ChieF* Christina Pullano editor@bupipedream.com MAnAging editor* Paige Nazinitsky manager@bupipedream.com

neWs editor* Rachel Bluth news@bupipedream.com Asst. neWs editors Davina Bhandari Nicolas Vega Geoff Wilson oPinion editor* Michael Snow opinion@bupipedream.com releAse editor* Darian Lusk release@bupipedream.com Asst. releAse editor Jacob Shamsian

Modern Valentines e Mar ket place h t o t nt e w e w There’s a reason use I love you. ca e b ’s It . ll a h g and not t he dinin

Y ou bought me f our drinks at Tom & Mart y’s. I don’t reall y like you or t hink you’re t hat attra ct ive, but I’m poor.

Happ y Valent ine’s Day!

I st ill want to hook up with you even though your ex-girl fr iend just liked your pr of ile pict ure. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Love is just a social construct, and Valentine’s Day is totally heteronormative anyway. Let’s hate it together.

Works Cited: Slavoj ŽiŽek, Judith Butler, my English 320 professor

Be my Valent ine a

sPorts editor* Ari Kramer sports@bupipedream.com Asst. sPorts editors Erik Bacharach Ashley Purdy Fun PAge editor* Kris Casey fun@bupipedream.com

design MAnAger* Zachary Feldman design@bupipedream.com design Assts.

Rebecca Forney Cari Snider Photo editor* Kendall Loh photo@bupipedream.com Asst. Photo editor Janine Furtado editoriAl Artist Miriam Geiger

I’ll hold you close all through winter, if you swipe right for me on Tinder.

Xoxo, 5 miles away.

nd I wil l send you

pic s.

Views expressed in the opinion pages represent the opinions of the columnists.

The only piece which represents the views of the Pipe Dream Editorial Board is the Staff Editorial, above. The Editorial Board is composed of the Editor-in-Chief, News Editor, Opinion Editor, Sports Editor, and Release Editor.

CoPy desk ChieF* Victoria Chow copy@bupipedream.com Asst. CoPy desk ChieF Paul Palumbo leAd Web develoPer Willie Demaniow developer@bupipedream.com systeM AdMnistrAtor Daniel O'Connor soCiAl MediA MAnAger Keara Hill social@bupipedream.com neWsrooM teChnology* William Sanders tech@bupipedream.com

Egypt's democratic experiment a bust Two years after the Arab Spring, country's future still tenuous Ezra Shapiro Political Columnist

This summer, Egypt’s first brief experiment with democracy came crashing down.

The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), the governing body of Egypt’s military, ousted the recently elected Mohammed Morsi after a brief struggle between Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood supporters and the army.

The Islamist president was removed, SCAF claimed, because the people demanded it. Indeed, there had been massive street protests in response to skyrocketing gas prices and unemployment. Perhaps Morsi was not the best executive. Perhaps SCAF was doing just what it had when it threw its support behind the people and helped depose of Hosni Mubarak in 2011.

Here, though, the situation was different. Morsi was democratically elected, and his removal, if it was

to happen, should have followed democratic principles.

But maybe his successor would be better; maybe democracy could flourish in Egypt after all.

In the months since the SCAF took control — which it claimed was just a temporary measure to facilitate the transition to a new administration — it’s become clear that democracy’s bloom has died in Egypt for the time being.

Morsi’s supporters, members of the Muslim Brotherhood and countless other political activists continue to be rounded up; the country remains in a state of emergency, a thin veneer that gives the army near limitless power.

In the past month, SCAF’s final play has emerged. On Jan. 28, the military ruled that Field Marshal Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, Morsi’s handpicked minister of defense who later led the charge to remove

him from office, was eligible to run for office.

Though he has yet to announce his candidacy, it’s all but certain that al-Sisi will run for president. And, given SCAF’s control of virtually all of Egypt’s political and media institutions, it’s all but certain that he will win.

Remember, before Mubarak’s ouster, SCAF supported him for three decades. It has no principled commitment to democracy; it wants to maintain its longstanding control of Egypt’s economy.

Neither Mubarak nor Morsi could give it that, so it is now taking the reigns itself, despite its frequent promises since Mubarak’s fall that it was interested only in making sure the country’s transition to democracy was smooth.

Will Egypt suddenly become a brutal autocracy,

The choice is between an undemocratic leader on one hand and al-Quaida rebels on the other

where gays, non-Muslims and other undesirables are dragged off and executed, like Saddam Hussein’s Iraq?

No. What it will resemble, though, is Syria, Saudi Arabia or, most likely, Mubarak-era Egypt.

The demise of Egypt’s democracy is unfortunate. But a look at the alternative to an al-Sisi presidency is useful. Were the army to fall in Egypt, the country would likely become quickly embroiled in the sort of internecine conflict now tearing Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan apart.

In all of those conflicts, the choice is between a less than democratic leader on one hand, and Islamist, alQaida-affiliated rebels on the other.

The choice in my mind is clear: Give me a stable regime that allows some measure of religious tolerance, economic freedom and public education over a brutal regime where straying outside strictly defined religious and social boundaries is grounds for death.

— Ezra Shapiro is a senior doublemajoring in political science and history.

business MAnAger* Zachary Hindin business@bupipedream.com

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Pipe Dream accepts stimulating, original guest columns from undergraduate students, graduate students and faculty. Submissions should be 400 to 500 words in length and be thus far unpublished. Columns and letters to the editor in response to something printed in Pipe Dream should be submitted before a subsequent issue is published.

Submissions must include the writer’s name and phone number, and year of graduation or expected year of graduation. Graduate students and faculty members should indicate their standing as such, as well as departmmental affiliation.

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Submissions may be e-mailed to the Opinion Editor at opinion@ bupipedream.com.

www.bupipedream.com | February 14, 2014

OPINION

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Israel's human rights record murky Valentine's Day Palestinians and African refugees face hardship and discrimination isn't a competition Kyle Welch Contributing Columnist

This week, a guest columnist denounced the American Studies Association’s (ASA) boycott of Israeli universities, and he is absolutely right in doing so. He pointed out that this organization paints itself as hypocritical for not rebuking Syria, China or Russia, all of which routinely violate human rights.

Also, boycotting Israeli universities limits academic freedom, which is a fundamental tenet of freedom of speech, a key principle of any democracy. Even though the ASA claims that it’s censuring Israel partly because of its treatment of Palestinian scholars, academia should steer clear of politics.

However, in the course of his argument, the author makes some claims that are simply not true. To begin with, Israel is not a defender of human rights. While it’s indisputable that Israel, like any country, has the right to defend itself against attacks from terrorist groups, like Hezbollah and Hamas, there’s no justification for Israel’s treatment of African “migrants.”

After the passing of a controversial law in December

permitting Israeli officials to detain undocumented people indefinitely, they’ve arrested hundreds of these so-called “migrants,” most of whom are actually asylum-seekers fleeing from Eritrea and Sudan. These officials dismiss this, saying that these refugees are looking to boost their economic opportunities. Last month, after African refugees protested this cruel treatment, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees requested that Israel “stop treating asylumseekers as infiltrators.”

Let’s evaluate another of the author’s claims. He argues that Israeli Arabs undoubtedly have “the best quality of life the Middle East has to offer.”

Sure, Israel doesn’t suffer from the instability that much of the Arab world faces today, but this statement could not be further from the truth.

Israelis treat Israeli Arabs like second-class citizens. Israeli Arabs are underrepresented in higher education, have fewer opportunities for advancement and face poverty at a rate two times greater than that of Jewish families. If Israeli citizens marry Palestinians, even those who live in the illegally settled West Bank, they cannot live with their spouses in Israel under current

law. It seems hypocritical that a country does not consider someone born in an area it illegally colonized a citizen.

Israeli law offers citizenship to all Jewish people, regardless from which country they come.

It does not offer this same provision to any Palestinian refugee, even if he or she can establish a property claim.

This treatment of Israeli Arabs is similar to the treatment of Jewish people outside of Israel. Very few Arab countries house large Jewish populations, with most having immigrated to Israel, Europe, or the United States. One of the main exceptions is Iran.

Despite its virulent rhetoric, Iran ensures that the Jewish minority has representation in Parliament. The Islamic Republic of Iran does have discriminatory laws against non-Muslims, though, so life isn’t easy for Iranian Jews.

Although it’s an atrocity that Arabs and Jewish people receive discriminatory treatment in each other’s countries, perhaps the biggest human rights issue vexing Israel is its treatment of the people of Gaza and the West Bank, who desire an independent state of Palestine.

This issue is obviously fraught with complexities,

Israelis treat Israeli Arabs like secondclass citizens

among them Jerusalem, settlements and rocket strikes.

However, for the umpteenth time, Israel and Palestine are trying to negotiate a solution.

Will they succeed? Probably not. On the one hand extremists on both sides are justifying violence and bastardizing their religions in order to justify their political aims. On the other hand, a majority of both Israelis and Palestinians support a two-state solution.

Palestine deserves sovereignty, and the state of Israel deserves recognition and security. No matter how difficult it is, both goals are worth fighting for.

Neither Israel nor Palestine can claim innocence in this conflict. Both sides have massacred non-combatants indiscriminately, violated human rights and contributed to the volatile status quo.

While politicians beat their chests and assert their dominance over each other, innocent Israelis living close to the border fear rocket strikes, and Palestinians suffer from poverty and overcrowding in cities without the ability to move freely. This is something that no one should stay silent about.

— Kyle Welch is a freshman double-majoring in Arabic and French language and linguistics.

We need less superficial romance and gifts but more love Giovanna Bernardo Contributing Columnist

Think long and hard before you answer a very serious (or not so serious, but bear with me) question: What is your perfect Valentine’s Day? If you’re single, is it spent celebrating SAD (Single Awareness Day) at a restaurant or bar with friends? If you’re in a relationship, are you content with just spending a simple night together, or will you wait to be wowed by your partner’s creativity in an over-the-top romantic gesture?

The basic question of your ideal V-Day is what drives everyone on this ironic holiday.

I say ironic because the origins of Valentine’s Day have their roots in a Christian celebration of St. Valentine, the patron saint of love, engaged couples and happy marriages in the Catholic Church.

However, in today’s world, this holiday has become more a celebration of romance as opposed to one of love. It’s a type of competition with your friends, family and coworkers to see who can buy or receive the most expensive, extravagant gifts.

Rather than emphasizing the mutual affection, care and support that defines a relationship, this day is spent idealizing the romantic gestures that go along with having a significant other.

It seems like Feb. 14 is a day solely to be enjoyed by people in relationships, whose boyfriends or girlfriends are expected to surprise them with grandiose things, like giant teddy bears, infinite boxes of chocolate and, of course, every type of jewelry imaginable.

If I counted every tweet,

Facebook status or Tumblr post about how, “All I need this Valentine’s Day is *insert some outrageous over-the-top gift here*,” I might seriously scream.

This holiday isn’t that big of a deal, but our generation has a tendency to build up that perfect gift rather than appreciate the nice, modest way some people care to show their love for someone else.

But that’s just the problem.

We need to stop setting our sights so high for a holiday that is meant to celebrate love for everyone special in your life. That could be your dad, grandma, brother, anyone — it isn’t meant just for people in romantic relationships.

Along those same lines, we need to stop idealizing the relationships in love stories and hope for these partners in real life — especially on Feb. 14.

Here’s the thing: “The Notebook’s” Noah and Allie are not real. Jack and Rose never set sail on the Titanic, and Edward and Bella sure as hell never existed (I think we’re all thankful for that).

These are all fake characters with fictional relationships in fictitious worlds. We should not let these unrealistic portrayals of love and romance determine how we want our Valentine’s Day — or God forbid — relationship to be.

So if you’re single, don’t join the pity party that takes place every Feb. 14. If you’re in a relationship, be content with whatever you receive on Valentine’s Day because having someone there on such a warm and cheerful holiday is special enough.

Let’s let love take precedence this Valentine’s Day and not set our sights too high with the romance.

If you're single, don't join the pity party

— Giovanna Bernardo is an undeclared freshman.

Have an opinion?

Contact our Opinion Editor, Michael Snow, by emailing opinion@bupipedream.com

Barbie wants you to feel bad about your body Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue featuring dolls alongside models means no one is spared from scrutiny Michael Snow Opinion Editor

Someone at Sports Illustrated (SI) has a doll fetish.

Is there any other explanation?

For the 50th anniversary of the swimsuit issue, SI is plastering a swimsuit-clad Barbie doll on its cover.

What does Barbie represent?

Who identifies with Barbie dolls? For whom is the Barbie doll an icon of the highest aspirations of appearance and success?

Little girls.

Mattel and SI are essentially telling little girls that they ought to resemble the skimpy, airbrushed models featured in the pages of the swimsuit issue.

The whole thing is creepier

than your friend’s stepdad adding you on Myspace. But it’s also dangerous.

Airbrushed depictions of women’s bodies set unattainable goals for women and unrealistic expectations for men, all while perpetuating an ugly heteronormative paradigm. This often leads to unhealthy body images with dangerous effects, such as eating disorders. Women, and sometimes men, will strive for that unattainable, flawless bodily perfection they see idealized on screen and in print.

But these models are fake; as one of my friends is fond of saying, airbrushed models are silly because if you didn’t have pores, you’d die.

The SI swimsuit issue tells women how they ought to look and consequently, how they ought to feel about themselves for not looking that way. You don’t need to be a women,

gender and sexuality studies major to recognize these cultural forces at play.

Barbie dolls operate in similar ways for young girls.

Barbie’s unrealistic body, flawless appearance and never-ending assortment of accessories set up unrealistic and dangerous expectations for young girls about how their bodies should look. That’s partially why Barbies are more dangerous than they seem, to say nothing of the associations Barbie’s whiteness draws between race and beauty.

The people at Mattel, the toy company that manufactures the Barbies, see it differently though. Barbie’s appearance on the cover of Sports Illustrated is part of Mattel’s new “unapologetic” campaign, meant to rehabilitate Barbie’s image.

Why should Barbie be made to feel bad for her long

legs, unmatchable beauty, anatomically impossible breast-to-waist ratio and dermatologically unachievable appearance? “I’m sorry that people are so jealous of me,” you can imagine this new Barbie saying, “but I can’t help it that I’m so popular,” a la Gretchen Wieners.

A blog post on the site Mommyish.com hit the nail on the head, I think, with its title: “The Sport’s Illustrated Swimsuit Issue Will Feature Barbie, So Your Daughter Can Feel Bad Too.” Juxtaposing Barbie with the sexy, skimpy and bodacious models is unsettling. Is this where we are now?

Are mainstream

elements of culture really turning little girls into sex objects? So it’s not just women who are meant to feel shame for not looking the way airbrushed supermodels appear in the pages of SI, but little girls too.

Courtney Martin, blogging for The New York Times, thinks there’s something refreshingly honest about SI having used a literal plastic doll to replace live women. “In a world riddled with empty gestures at gender equality,” she writes, “it’s so simple, so straightforward — this issue of Sports Illustrated is entirely about the objectification of the female form.”

I don’t think anyone will be shocked that SI isn’t going to win

Airbrushed depictions of women's bodies set unattainable goals for women

feminist publication of the year.

But, strangely enough, there are those who argue that the SI swimsuit issue is something feminists ought to embrace.

The swimsuit issue, they argue, shows these women as more than a pretty face by featuring their athletic talents.

I strongly disagree.

Anyone who reads the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue as pro-feminist either hasn’t seen it or hasn’t seen the way heterosexual men interact with it. The issue is about boobs, butts and naked girls in exotic places. It’s more like Penthouse for your everyday hormonal 16-year-old NBA fan. Now SI is sexualizing a toy role model for little girls. On the cover.

Unapologetically.

— Michael Snow is a senior double-majoring in philosophy and English.

OPINION

www.bupipedream.com | February 14, 2014

13

Response: Defending Teach For America Legalization of TFA corps members impact schools and students for the better Samson Widerman Guest Columnist

While I applaud columnist Julianne Cuba for taking on topics that get our campus talking, I disagree with her criticism of Teach For America (TFA). In her article from Feb. 4, she barely scrapes the surface when it comes to the vast and complicated issues with education in America. Instead she targets TFA, a program that aims to make a positive impact by providing educators now and leaders for the future.

I’ll be upfront about this: This summer, I am moving to Chicago to join the TFA corps there. I was very excited about my acceptance and my placement in the Windy City, but I quickly learned that education is a very touchy subject in Chicago and activists there have turned against the TFA corps.

So I did my research, spoke to current corps members, TFA staff members and peers (both supportive and skeptical) and read all the criticisms. I took it all in and decided I still believe in the work Teach For America is doing. I am sure it is a key player in the movement for education equity, and I’m going to start making a difference by getting hands-on experience through teaching.

Teach For America is most often criticized for being a “revolving door” of new teachers, but that is not the case.

While only 15 percent of individuals who join TFA as corps members plan to become career teachers, onethird continue in the profession permanently.

Meanwhile, two-thirds remain in the realm of education. As for the rest, it is the hope of TFA that corps members continue their commitment to the cause, even as they pursue careers outside education.

Nationwide, nearly 50 percent of all teachers leave the profession within their first five years teaching, according to the National Commission

on Teaching & America’s Future. That’s an unfortunate retention rate, especially when you consider those individuals likely planned to stay in education for good.

Those numbers represent a major part of the problem, because the sad truth is, this is not a good time to be a teacher in the United States. Most people are unaware of what a truly demanding job it is and unappreciative of the work teachers do. Meanwhile, more is being asked of teachers who are just plain underpaid, unsupported and eternally bogged down by regulations and standardized tests that prevent them from teaching effectively.

Many of the individuals in education administration and education policy who created this environment have never set foot in a classroom. Ambitious TFA alumni often seek such positions and will likely play a big role in changing the culture of education in our country to put a higher value on teachers and generate more positive outcomes for students. TFA is not accusatory of current teachers; rather, it is setting up a generation to come to their defense.

According to the Center for Education Reform, there were approximately 3,823,142 teachers in schools across the U.S. in 2010. With its 11,000 corps members, TFA accounts for just .003 percent of teachers nationwide. If the harm to students Ms. Cuba cites is real, then it is minimal.

However, I think the positive effects from young, passionate TFA teachers in the classroom, combined with the continuing work they do for education as alumni, are making a real impact.

Of course, it takes time to become a good teacher, and teachers really do need experience. While there is certainly knowledge only a full certification program can provide, there are other skills — such as organization, classroom management and the ability to apply discipline consistently — that are transferable from past experiences. Studies have presented mixed results, but generally show that TFA teachers are about as effective as newly certified teachers.

It’s not just about

I'll be upfront about this: This summer, I am moving to Chicago to join the TFA corps there

the training, though, since TFA is also committed to the ongoing support of the fledgling teachers they place, who are fully certified by the end of their first year.

In each of the regions it serves nationwide, Teach For America takes on a different form. In areas such as Phoenix, Ariz., teachers are desperately needed and TFA could not be more welcome.

The training and preparation vary as well, often beginning long before corps members arrive at their summer training institute. A friend of mine going to a region in Texas has had almost nightly prep work to complete.

While the training may have been a breeze for some, I have heard only stories of struggle, of the overwhelming amount of time spent planning lessons and some of corps members quitting long before beginning in a classroom. For every bad experience, I’m sure there are many positive ones. Since I haven’t been through it yet, I can’t say what it will be like with certainty, but I will keep you updated.

While some regions directly place corps members in schools, the majority still have to get hired by a school. For me, that will mean traveling to Chicago later this month to interview with principals.

My point is that principals hire TFA corps members because they want them at their schools. And just like any other non-tenure teacher, TFA teachers can lose their jobs if they are not effective in the classroom.

Not every TFA teacher will be “transformative.” Even those of us privileged enough to have had amazing teachers have had some bad ones too. Still, TFA corps members come to schools with dedication, ambition and fresh perspectives that could make the difference in the lives of the students they teach.

Maybe there will be a day when TFA is no longer necessary, but it is far in the future. I firmly believe it will be those I graduate with this May who build that future.

Ms. Cuba, the thought of teaching might give you anxiety, but when I get in front of my classroom next year, I promise I’ll be confident, even if I still have a lot to learn. I will give my students everything I’ve got, and I have no doubt that it will be the hardest thing I have ever done.

— Samson Widerman is a senior double-majoring in English and philosophy, politics and law.

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drugs is dangerous Liberals are misguided in advocating for decriminalization Justin Santabarbara Contributing Columnist

A once global affair, the war on drugs has seen a sharp decline over the past decade. International cooperation has gradually lessened as European nations have begun easing their drug policies. The legalization of marijuana has opened the slippery slope in ending a very necessary war on drugs.

Legalization advocates may proffer that legalization of marijuana would ease the jobs of law enforcement. Legalization, however, just forces law enforcement to act in broader and more dangerous ways.

Those who believe in principles that facilitate introducing our youth and laypeople to narcotics and other detrimental substances wield dangerous influence.

Holland started the revolt by legalizing cannabis in Amsterdam in 1998.

The landmark decision attracted worldwide s k e p t i c i s m worldwide as the THC levels of Dutch cannabis rose from about 9 percent in 1998, to nearly 20 percent in 2005. The trend continued as Dutch cannabis was found to contain as much as 28 percent THC in 2012.

Subsequently in 2001, Portugal became the first nation to decriminalize all drugs. Since 2001, there have been several developments in allowing for the cultivation and open possession of marijuana. Prosecution of marijuana-related offenses has declined entirely for first time offenders, while those who are caught with non-authorized marijuana several times may be sentenced to a nominal rehabilitation class.

Legalization advocates in the East have also joined the elation of an ease on drugs. For example, North Korea has an inherently liberal perception of cannabis.

Citizens are able to legally cultivate and consume cannabis, with little (or no) restrictions.

Domestically, the federal government maintains its prohibitive stance on marijuana; however President Obama has expressed interest in making marijuana legal in the near future.

California became the first state to open the floodgates by legalizing

medical marijuana in 1996, which was later followed by the signing of Senate Bill 1449 in 2010. The bill made any marijuana infraction punishable by only a small fine.

Although many other states have made strides decriminalizing specialized use of marijuana, Colorado became the first to allow for its commercial sale this past year.

Over the past decade, the war on drugs has weakened, if not completely disappeared.

Although it would be foolish to acknowledge marijuana as a drug of strong lethality (such as amphetamines and cocaine), the Drug Enforcement Administration maintains its view of marijuana as a “gateway” drug. Under this definition, there is nearly a 70% correlation between those who have smoked marijuana, and those who have ingested drugs of higher lethality.

Since the mitigated response to marijuana began prosecution of cocaine and heroin cases have almost doubled. This relationship e m p h a s i z e s the holistic approach that the government must take in order to rise victorious.

Unfortunately, once a law is implemented, it is very difficult to regress to an earlier policy, especially when it would involve a prohibition of sorts.

Tough, direct policies are the only way to reduce the lasting scars that have plagued society. Since 2000, trafficking and cartel-related arrests have increased dramatically, with seizures appearing statewide, often found to be part of international organizations.

Sadly, the War on Drugs is over.

Much like the war on poverty, the war on drugs combats an idea, rather than a group. Policymakers have waived the white flag and welcomed the problems that will surely ensue.

The drug problem will only worsen, thus leading to problems for international law enforcement.

If the United States adopts a policy of federally legalizing marijuana, it will be interesting to see what is next. Cocaine?

Meth? The possibilities and endless. Personally, the prospect of the president contemplating the nation’s future while smoking a joint or doing a bump scares me.

Much like the war on poverty, the war on drugs combats an idea

‘‘

— Justin Santabarbara is a freshman majoring in philosophy, politics and law.

In other words I liked it better when weather was a boring subject

’’

Peter Beinart via Twitter February 12

Missed our GIM? Stop whining to your friends about it, and write an Op-Ed column. Email opinion@bupipedream.com for more information

SPORTS

14

www.bupipedream.com | February 14, 2014

Lighter weights to face challenge in bout at Buffalo With three matches left until EIWA tournament, Binghamton hopes to rebound from loss at Hofstra Ashley Purdy Assistant Sports Editor After taking just two matches in its loss to Hofstra last week, the Binghamton wrestling team heads to Buffalo today hoping to see some different results.

Although the team has won just four dual matches this season, the Bearcats have seen a lot of consistent, individual success in the higher weight classes. Redshirt senior 197-pound Cody Reed and junior heavyweight Tyler Deuel have performed at a high level all season. Reed has come out on top in 22 of 30 matches while Deuel has dominated in 24 of 29.

Junior 125-pound David White, freshman 133-pound Nick Tighe and sophomore 174-pound Jack McKeever also have seen a great deal of success this season. BU’s going to need to rely on them, especially the lighter weights, to perform against a Buffalo team (314, 0-6 MAC) that carries most of its weight in the bottom five.

“Buffalo is talented in their lower weight, but we can’t concern ourselves with strengths and weakness’…” BU head coach Matt Dernlan wrote in an email.

“Collectively we need to focus on the fight and will from top to bottom on this team… If we sell out, and give max effort at every weight class, we will be pleased with our result.”

The Bulls will enter the matchup coming off of their self-proclaimed “most dominant performance of the season” after stomping out Southern IllinoisEdwardsville, 27-12. The win snapped a seven-match skid. The Bulls recorded three victories by fall during the match, a season high.

Redshirt junior 125-pound Max Soria earned his first win by fall of the season 1:56 into the opening period. Redshirt senior 133-pound Justin Farmer kept up the momentum with a 5-1 decision, extending Buffalo’s lead to 9-0.

Senior 141-pound Nick Flannery, third on the team in victories (15), followed suit with a fall of his own at 3:53. The Bulls kept the pressure on for the first five matches, building what turned out to be an insuperable 24-0 lead.

“Buffalo is a tough, gritty team,” Dernlan said. “They are well-coached and will look to execute a disciplined game plan

every match. They won’t give up any easy points … We will need to fight for every opportunity and capitalize on our opportunities.”

However, of the five upperweight classes, Buffalo only managed one more win, with a 5-2 decision from sophomore 184-pound Tony Lock. Lock leads the team with 17 wins on the season, and has picked up three of his last four duals.

After facing Buffalo, Binghamton is slated for just two more contests, both of which will be at home, before the EIWA championship on March 8-9.

Dernlan said that the matches are certainly viewed with the horizon in mind — every contest gets the team closer to the national tournament.

“Every competition is a peaking point to the end game,” Dernlan said. “And that is no different come Friday night … We want to beat Buffalo, but also want to compete with the mentality that will breed success in the postseason.”

First dual is set to begin at 7 p.m. at Alumni Arena in Buffalo, N.Y.

Wrestling Schedule BU @ Buffalo

BU vs. Bucknell

BU vs. Bloomsburg

DATE

DATE

DATE

Tonight

Feb. 21

Feb. 22

LOCATION

LOCATION

LOCATION

Alumni Arena

West Gym

West Gym

TIME

TIME

TIME

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

2:00 p.m.

Wrestling @ Hofstra

8

28

Iiiiiit's lax season, bros

By Erik Bacharach | Assistant Sports Editor

Men open 2014 at SHU

Women start next week

In 2013, the Bearcats posted a 5-9 (1-4 America East) mark, including two impressive road victories at Delaware and Stony Brook.

Binghamton will look to bounce back in 2014 after a 2-12 (1-6 America East) campaign a year ago.

Stephanie Allen returns for her second season as head coach.

Junior attacker Tucker Nelson’s 27 assists and redshirt senior attacker Matt Springer’s 36 goals in 2013 were both BU school records for highest in a single season.

The eight starters who graduated last May represent the largest class the Bearcats have graduated in their program’s history.

This season, BU will return nine starters from last year’s squad, including the entire starting defensive unit that ranked first in the country in mad-down defense a year ago.

Katherine Hunsberger, who scored 35 goals as a senior last season, was BU’s first-ever America East first team all-conference selection.

Four of the top-5 point scorers from 2013 will return to pace the offense this season.

Binghamton returns three of its top six scorers from a year ago — senior attack Angela Vespa (11 goals, seven assists), sophomore midfielder Allie Rodgers (10 goals, three assists) and sophomore attack Sophie Racciatti (10 goals, one assist) are poised to play an even larger role this season.

Head coach Scott Nelson will begin his third season at the helm for BU. He has compiled a 9-18 record thus far through his tenure with Binghamton.

Matchups with national contenders Syracuse and Cornell highlight Binghamton’s nonconference schedule.

After missing the playoffs the past two seasons, the Bearcats will try and return to the America East Tournament in 2014.

BU is set to open its season at Sacred Heart University on Feb. 16, while it’s scheduled to begin conference play on March 29 at Hartford.

Men's Schedule Feb. 16 @ Sacred Heart noon Feb. 22 vs. Siena noon Feb. 25 vs. Cornell 4:00 p.m.

Women's Schedule Feb. 22 vs. Howard 3 p.m.

Feb. 25 @ Lehigh 3:30 p.m.

March 1 @ Lafayette 6 p.m.

On Feb. 22, Binghamton is set to kick off its 2014 campaign at the Bearcats Sports Complex with its first-ever meeting with Howard University.

America East play will begin on March 29 for the Bearcats, when they’re scheduled for a matchup at Albany.

SPORTS

www.bupipedream.com | February 14, 2014

15

Reigning AE champs to begin 2014 at Duke With entire starting lineup returning, Bearcats eye return to College World Series Matt Turner Pipe Dream Sports After taking the America East by storm last season, the Binghamton baseball team heads into 2014 with the bar set high. The Bearcats, who won 30 games en route to capturing the 2013 conference title, have been nominated the AE preseason favorite by several publications as well as the coaches poll.

“I think our guys are focused and committed to just repeating what we did last year,” head coach Tom Sinicki said. “But that’s our goal every year.”

The Bearcats are already in excellent shape to defend their title, returning their entire offense and boasting candidates to replace last season’s top two starters in the rotation.

Leading BU in the field and at the plate is junior left fielder Jake Thomas. In 2013, Thomas produced a .517 on-base percentage, which ranked second in the nation, as well as a .371 batting average, a .522 slugging percentage and 45 walks — all of which led the America East. He also added five home runs and 37 RBIs, and was selected to the first-team ABCA All-Northeast Region.

“People did not want Jake Thomas to be the one that beat them, so they pitched around him a little bit — it’s pick your poison,” Sinicki said.

Collegiate Baseball pegged Thomas to be the Player of the Year in the America East this season.

Senior captain Bill Bereszniewicz, who hit .286 and started every game he played, and junior Zach Blanden, who started all 55 games and was second on the team with 38 runs, round out the starting outfield.

The Bearcats’ infield is led by one

of the nation’s most experienced double-play tandems.

Senior shortstop John Howell and senior second baseman Daniel Nevares enter their fourth year as starters together and anchor BU’s stout defensive infield.

“We’re currently going to petition the NCAA for maybe a fifth, six or even seventh year with that tandem up the middle,” Sinicki said.

“Those guys, I truly think they know each other so well on the field — they know exactly what type of feeds they want from each other when turning a double-play … I think it’s a big reason why we finished in the top 30 last year in team defense.”

Junior catcher Nick Pancerella, junior first baseman Brian Ruby and sophomore third baseman David Schanz fill out the rest of an infield that boasted a .976 fielding percentage last season — good for 24th in the nation.

BU’s pitching took the biggest hit this offseason with the graduation of ace Jake Lambert and number-two starter Jay Lynch. They were one and two, respectively, in wins last season for Binghamton. However, redshirt junior Jack Rogalla is set to take over as ace, and Sinicki is confident he has pitchers who will step up this season. “[Rogalla] was really an ace last year on a team that had a 1A and 1B on the mound,” Sinicki said. “I think the team has a tremendous amount of confidence in Jack …

I do think that we have very good depth at our pitching staff.”

Rogalla, who led the team’s starters with a 3.01 ERA, notched five wins last season. Junior Mike Urbanski will be moved from the bullpen to the number-two spot in the rotation. The 6-foot-4 right hander attracted Major League Baseball scouts with a mid-90s fastball over the summer.

Franz Lino/Staff Photographer

Junior outfielder Jake Thomas ranked second in the nation last year with a .517 on-base percentage. Collegiate Baseball projected him to be the America East 2014 Player of the Year.

Sophomore reliever Jake Cryts will likely be moved from the bullpen, where he was the team’s long reliever, to the starting rotation. He struck out 19 batters in 26 innings during the 2013 campaign.

“I think both guys have developed their pitches, particularly their secondary pitches, to a point where now they can get in there and they can face a lineup more than one time, hopefully two or three times,” Sinicki said.

After winning the America East tournament, Binghamton was

awarded a bid to the College World Series last year only to be knocked out in the first round by North Carolina State. Resolved to prove their potential, the Bearcats have added several powerhouse schools to their 2014 schedule, including Georgia, Boston College and Duke, against whom they’ll open their season.

With the addition of UMass Lowell to the America East, the number of conference games each team plays has decreased from 30 to 24, allowing Binghamton to schedule more non-conference

header is set for noon while the first teams.

The Bearcats plan to field the pitch on Sunday is slated for 1 p.m. same starters against the Blue Devils that they did against NC State in the BU @ Duke NCAA Tournament — including pitcher and designated hitter.

“I think we should roll right into DATE May right now and play the NCAA Feb. 15 tournament and skip all 52 games,” Sinicki joked when asked about his LOCATION confidence in his team.

Durham, N.C. Binghamton will hit the road to face off against ACC member Duke TIME on Saturday, Feb. 15, after Friday’s Noon game was canceled due to weather conditions. Saturday’s double-

Bearcats to open season at USF tournament Ranked 3rd in preseason poll, Binghamton taking game-by-game approach to 2014 campaign Ari Kramer Sports Editor

File Photo

Senior second baseman Jessica Bump led Binghamton in 2013 with a .349 average and 10 home runs.

The Binghamton softball team had one goal during the 2013 regular season: to host the America East tournament.

The Bearcats went on to win 30 games — a program record — en route to holding home field advantage in the double-elimination tournament. But Binghamton faltered under pressure and failed to reach the championship game.

“We had a great season last year, but I think we let the pressure in the tournament setting get to us a little bit,” said senior second baseman Jessica Bump, who led the team with a .349 average and 10 home runs. “It’s not something we really focused on, but we’ve learned from it.”

Instead of circling the conference tournament on their schedule, the Bearcats — who were picked third in the America East coaches preseason poll — will begin their season focusing on their next opponent only.

“I think this year we’re really going to take this one-step-at-atime mentality and not really think about getting ahead of ourselves,” Bump said. “Just take one game at a time and come out of every game or weekend with things we can continue to improve on and become more consistent as the season goes on.”

The Bearcats avoided the most recent winter storm to pummel the Northeast, trekking down to Florida for a tournament hosted

by University of South Florida.

Binghamton will open its 2014 campaign this afternoon against the hosts (1-2), who lost their No. 23 ranking after dropping a pair of games to top-5 opponents. The

Bearcats will face No. 2 Tennessee at night.

Jennie Finch, the former University of Arizona standout and USA softball gold medalist, met with Binghamton on Feb. 3.

“I think her advice for us going into this first weekend really helped us,” Bump said. “She said you step on the field and it’s 0-0, and at that point, it’s anyone’s game … We don’t really have anything to lose.”

Former America East Co-Player of the Year Jessica Phillips graduated and Tiffany McIntosh transferred, but the Bearcats return the bulk of their offensive firepower. Returning Bearcats combined to hit 36 of the team’s league-leading 47 home runs last season, besting No. 2 Albany’s team total of 33.

Phillips and McIntosh belted 11 home runs last year, but head coach Michelle Burrell said she expects sophomore Griffin McIver to help fill the void.

“Griffin McIver has worked really hard both over the summer break and winter break,” Burrell said, “and I expect her to have some good power numbers.”

The Bearcats, who ranked second in the America East with 82 stolen bases last season, will once again keep opposing pitchers and catchers under pressure. Sophomore Sydney Harbaugh stole a team-high 28 bases, while Bump swiped 16.

“We have a good balance of both speed and power. I think the great thing is everyone’s able to contribute in their own way,” Bump said. “We have power hitters. We have girls that just get on base and are really aggressive on the bases and put pressure on the defense.”

While the offense boasts several experienced players, senior Demi Laney is the only returning starting pitcher from last year’s staff, which

featured Rhoda Marsteller and Kate Price, who both graduated in 2013.

Sophomore Stephanie Arneson made three appearances, with one start.

Laney, who led the Bearcats with a 15-8 record and 2.52 ERA, said she devoted her offseason to improving her stamina.

“Lots of hundreds — like sprinting hundreds — and jogging and a lot of elliptical machine workouts,” Laney said of her regimen. “Basically anything I can do to keep my heart rate up.”

Laney’s goal is to never tire, like Albany senior Brittany MacFawn, who tossed a five-inning perfect game against Binghamton in 2011 and led the America East with 27 wins and a 1.64 ERA in 256.1 innings pitched in 2013.

Laney said she hopes to compete with MacFawn for the innings pitched title.

“I’d love to have the ball,” she said, “so it’s up to coach.”

Burrell said she expects a pair of freshmen to join Laney and Arenson in the rotation: Annika Wiesinger and Shelby Donhauser.

With Bump and Laney leading the team, the Bearcats should once again be a threat to win the America East tournament.

“I think we definitely want to get back there,” Burrell said. “I think last year was an experience for us.

That’s what we’re using it as … I think we’ll be in a better spot if we get back there this year.”

BU @ USF DATE Today LOCATION Tampa, Fl. TIME 4:00 p.m.

SPORTS

BASEBALL

BU eyes AE title defense Page 15

Friday, February 14, 2014

Bearcats beat UNH in OT thriller Erik Bacharach Assistant Sports Editor While all of those in attendance at Lundholm Gymnasium Wednesday night began to gather their belongings as Marlon Beck II stepped to the line, the freshman guard reminded them that when crunch time rolls around and the game is on the line, the law of averages is irrelevant.

With 4.5 seconds left in regulation and the Binghamton men’s basketball team trailing 6259, Beck, a 57 percent shooter from the charity stripe this season, calmly drained three consecutive free throws to force overtime, where the Bearcats (6-19, 3-9 America East) would escape with a 72-71 victory at New Hampshire.

“Even if you’re an 80 percent shooter, to make three with the game on the line is tough,” Binghamton head coach Tommy Dempsey said. “When you’re a 57 percent free throw shooter, to make three at the end of the game, it’s just all heart.”

After Beck drained a 3-pointer from the left wing with a minute remaining to give BU its first overtime lead, 69-68, senior forward Roland Brown went toe-to-toe with UNH 6-foot-10 senior forward Chris Pelcher, blocking his shot and grabbing the rebound.

Beck then converted two more free throws with 31 seconds left in overtime to give the Bearcats a 7168 advantage, but freshman guard Daniel Dion answered right back for New Hampshire (6-18, 4-7 AE) with a 3-pointer from NBA range to tie the game with 19 seconds left.

With Binghamton holding the ball for the final shot, Dempsey put the game in the hands of sophomore forward Jordan Reed. The most recent America East Co-Player of the Week drove hard at the basket and missed a layup in traffic, but

was fouled in the ensuing skirmish for the ball and went to the line with 1.5 seconds to go.

After missing his first free throw attempt, Reed rattled home the back-end in what proved to be the game’s finishing touch.

“I knew I wanted to get it into his hands, and we got him the ball on the right side of the court where he’s most effective,” Dempsey said. “You put a lot of pressure on the officials in that spot because anyone who’s watched Jordan play for the last two years, when he gets a full head of steam going to the basket, there’s going to be contact. And I think the initial contact wasn’t called, but he competed for the ball when it came off the rim as he always does and then the refs were forced to call a foul.”

The victory marked the first time Binghamton has won consecutive games against Division I opponents since January 2011. It was also BU’s first AE road win this season.

“My confidence was growing even through some of the losses,” Dempsey said. “I was starting to feel better about our process here, but it is really nice to get a couple of wins in a row to just validate our efforts.”

In their first matchup this season at the Events Center on Jan. 9, Binghamton torched New Hampshire, 67-38. But the Wildcats were without Dion and Pelcher in that loss, two assets that nearly got them over the hump this time around. “[Dion] is a really good young point guard in this league. And Pelcher gives them a great presence on the inside. I mean they shot over 50 percent from three, and a lot of that is because of all the attention that you have to put on Pelcher,” Dempsey said. “Tonight, we had to pick our poison, and what we tried to do was put a crowd around Pelcher, make them beat us from three. They had a good night shooting the ball

from there, but we were able to overcome it.”

While senior guard Jordon Bronner was virtually a nonfactor in the teams’ first game (1-of-8 from the field for six points), his 3-point shooting stunted any plans the Bearcats had of pulling away tonight. Bronner began his night 5-of-5 from beyond the arc, but in the second half, it took him over 12 minutes to score from the field.

“He’s a good shooter, not a great shooter, but he had a great first half, so we had to make an adjustment,” Dempsey said. “Once we cleaned up our underneath out-of-bounds defense and then gave a lot of attention to him when we were running out of our press, we were able to limit his looks.”

Beck’s late outburst gave him a team-high 17 points, and Reed contributed across the board again, finishing with 16 points, six rebounds, a career-high six steals and three assists. Brown and sophomore guard Karon Waller added nine points apiece while senior forward Alex Ogundadegbe pulled down eight rebounds.

For New Hampshire, Pelcher finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds and six blocks, and Bronner contributed 19 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the field. Freshman foward Jacoby Armstrong also reached double figures, finishing with 14 points, while Dion just missed a double-double with nine points and nine assists.

The Bearcats are still scraping the bottom of the America East standings, but they now have some company — Maine and Binghamton are tied for last, 1.5 games behind seventh-place New Hampshire.

Up next, BU will try and avenge a Jan. 20 loss to fourth-place Albany when the two meet again at the Events Center on Feb. 19. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.

Michael Contegni/Staff Photographer

Freshman guard Marlon Beck II nailed three foul shots with 4.6 seconds left to force overtime against New Hampshire. He finished with a team-high 17 points on 4-of-9 shooting.

Wildcats take away post, down BU E.Jay Zarett Pipe Dream Sports

Tycho McManus/Staff Photographer

Senior guard Stephanie Jensen posted team highs of 15 points and seven rebounds in Binghamton’s loss to New Hampshire.

The Binghamton women’s basketball team’s skid has hit double digits, the latest and 10th consecutive defeat coming to New Hampshire on Wednesday night.

The 64-46 loss kept the Bearcats (4-21, 1-11 America East) in a lastplace tie with UMBC. “Obviously frustrating,” BU head coach Nicole Scholl said when talking about her team’s performance. “[New Hampshire is] a very good team. There is a reason why they are up in second place, but there were moments in time where I thought that we did a nice job. I thought we really competed with them.”

New Hampshire (15-9, 9-2 AE), alternating between a 2-3 zone and man-to-man defense, focused on denying entry passes into the post, where BU forwards Morgan Murphy and Sherae Swinson initiated most of the Bearcats’ offense. The Wildcats were very effective, holding Murphy and Swinson to a combined 35 percent clip from the field.

“They focused on the post players a lot this game, I feel like,” Swinson said. “Coach told us to work it around the perimeter and take open shots if we needed to.”

Similar to their performance on Sunday, the Bearcats struck first and sputtered offensively for the rest of the half. Swinson hit her first basket, but New Hampshire

quickly retaliated with a layup from junior forward Kaylee Kirkpatrick.

Both teams would go scoreless for four minutes until another basket by Kirkpatrick granted New Hampshire its first lead of the game.

That lead would never be relinquished. Binghamton scored just 15 points throughout the first half, struggling constantly against the Wildcats’ zone. The Bearcats could not get the ball inside, and ended most of their possessions with a forced jumper late in the shot clock. The Bearcats headed into the locker room trailing, 25-15.

“They did a pretty good job of getting up and around our post players,” Scholl said. “It limited some of our touches. Our post players probably could have worked a little harder to work for position in there. I thought they allowed us to not get that good position just by out-working us.”

Binghamton opened up the second half on a nice run, when two Swinson layups and a Murphy jump shot cut the lead to four. This was the closest BU would come for the remainder of the game. The Bearcats were able to improve their offensive output in the half, largely because of senior guard Stephanie Jensen’s efforts from the field, but were plagued by turnovers and struggled on defense.

BU failed to get stops, alternating scores with New Hampshire and failing to cut into the deficit. The Wildcats pulled away at the end for the 18-point victory.

“You know in the end we just had too many turnovers,” Scholl said. “There was a point there where we were trading baskets with them, and that was a point where we really needed to get stops and score on the other end.”

At least Binghamton could take a positive away from senior guard Stephanie Jensen’s performance.

She finished with 15 points — all via the 3-pointer — to go with seven rebounds.

Three players came away with double-digit scoring outputs for the Wildcats. Junior guard Ariel Gaston finished with a game-high 19 points, Kilpatrick chipped in 14 points and nine rebounds and sophomore guard Elizabeth Belanger added 16.

The Bearcats are set to return to the road next Wednesday to take on conference-leader Albany, which has won 13 straight games. On top of holding a perfect AE record, the Great Danes (22-3, 12-0 AE) are 11-1 at home.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at SEFCU Arena in Albany.

BU @ Albany DATE

Feb. 19 LOCATION

SEFCU Arena TIME

7:00 p.m.