A&E A&E
RAMAPO NEWS
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Debates Shed Light on Potential Candidates 4.7.2011
By GARRET IVINS Staff Writer
The candidates for Student Government Association president and vice president met Tuesday night to debate over policies and discuss their strategies for best representing the Ramapo student body. Head to head in the competition are the Students for Students party and the United Student Leaders party. In the Students for Students party, Brendan Flanagan is running for president, and Valerie Canubas for vice president. In the United Student Leaders party, Steven Wiltbank is running for president, and Frank Levering for vice president. During the debate, all the candidates were asked questions ranging from “What sets you apart from your opponent?” to “If you were an animal, what would it be?” All candidates spoke articulately and addressed the issues thoroughly. One common goal of all involved in the race is to improve relations between students and the SGA.
A Publication by the Students for the Ramapo College Community
“United Student Leaders has three goals,” said Wiltbank. “To increase school spirit, increase student-to-administration respect, and get a hold on school spending.” Wiltbank stressed that he wants students to see where their money is being allocated, and he wants to build relations and trust with student organizations to improve their interaction with the SGA. In contrast, Flanagan said, “Students for Students stands for representation, transparency, and liability.” Flanagan believes the SGA should be more accessible and open to students, and should better represent them. Both presidential candidates were well prepared, not only for the questions asked, but also for the role at hand. Wiltbank was elected freshman class speaker, is active in the current SGA body, and advocates for students. Flanagan has no student government experience. However, he does have leadership
see DEBATE on page 6
photo by Garret Ivins
Valerie Canubas, Brendan Flanagan, Steven Wiltbank and Frank Levering represent the two parties in the April Student Government election.
photos courtesy of Stef Mauro and Takanari Tanahashi
For more pictures from the annual Junior Class Cruise, sponsored by the Class Council of 2012, see page 2.
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XLI No. 20
Send Silence Packing Aims to End Suicide Stigma
By MIKE JAGENDORF Staff Wrtier
Students Set Sail on Cruise Around New York City
EEKEND
SPORTS
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Active Minds will set up a display on campus near the Arch on April 27 consisting of 1,100 backpacks to represent the 1,100 college students who commit suicide each year across the country. The program, called Send Silence Packing, is sponsored by the national Active Minds organization, with the goal of increasing awareness and understanding of mental health issues. Other sponsors of the event include the Office of Specialized Services, Student Development, West Bergen Mental Healthcare, and the Community Health Improvement Partnership of Bergen County. Active Minds brings the display to colleges all over the country. Many of the backpacks once belonged to students who died of suicide and were donated by their families. On some of them, there are touching personal messages written by loved ones of suicide victims. “Not many people talk about it on campus. There’s such a stigma,” said Jessica Parascando, the president of Ramapo’s chapter of Active Minds. The goal of Active Minds is to promote a mentally healthy lifestyle as well as ending stigmas. “We’ll have information about suicide prevention, ways to destress and cope, and let people know that they’re not alone.” Parascando said a mentally healthy lifestyle is key to preventing depression, which is a common cause of suicide. Healthy eating, adequate sleep, socializing, exercising and relaxing all help to
see SILENCE on page 6
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Page 2 The Ramapo News
THE RAMAPO NEWS
Class Cruise Offers Food and Fun to Students
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Robert A. Scott Student Center 505 Ramapo Valley Road Mahwah, NJ 07430
(201) 684-7842 rcnjnews@ramapo.edu Megan Anderle Editor-in-Chief
Amy Fezza
Managing Editor
Nicole Alliegro Elyse Toribio News Editors
Diana Stanczak A & E Editor
Andrew Gould Sean Ritchie Sports Editors
Stefanie Mauro Photo Editor
Matt Giuliari Maria Sallustio
Creative Directors
Samantha Ullrich Web Editor
Adam Panella
Business Manager
Dan Sforza
Technical Advisor
Danielle Reed Keri Ann Flaccomio Contributors
INSIDE
photos courtesy of Jessica Ceballos, Sara Gordon, Keri Ann Flaccomio, Stef Mauro and Samantha Pezzimenti
This year, all grade levels were able to attend the annual Junior Class Cruise on Sunday. After students were treated to a dinner buffet, they spent the night on the dance floor with a hired DJ and could participate in games and activities to win giveaways. Departing from a port in New Jersey, the ship sailed around New York City at sunset, so students could take in the lights and the nighttime scene. The ship also slowed to circle around the Statue of Liberty for a photo opportunity.
Around the Arch Page 3
Viewpoints Page 7
A&E Page 8
Sports Page 13
POLICY
Whenever necessary, The Ramapo News will publish corrections or clarifications in the following issues. All corrections must be brought to the attention of the editor as soon as possible. The Ramapo News strives for accuracy. In keeping with journalistic standards, pre-publication review of any article, quote or editorial is not allowed. Viewpoints may be dropped off at SC-218 or e-mailed to rcnjnews@ramapo.edu. The Ramapo News reserves the right to edit viewpoints for content, style and space. Anonymous viewpoints will not be accepted. Paid advertisements are accepted at the sole discretion of The Ramapo News staff and are due no later than the Monday of that week始s issue. Rates are available by contacting the editorial staff by phone or e-mail.
Want to submit your cruise photos to our Facebook page? Email them to us! photo.rcnjnews@gmail.com
Thursday, April 7, 2011
THURSDAY’S CHILD
Victoria Beckham, former Spice Girl and wife of soccer star David Beckham, turns a “posh” 36 today.
TODAY IN HISTORY
The oldest human skeleton, aged 80,000, was found on this date in 1983.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Glenn Beck on the CEO of Fox News, in response to the cancellation of his daily show: “I truly believe America owes a lot to Roger Ailes and Fox News.”
Students Spend a ‘Night in Paradise’ for Diabetes Awareness
By ELYSE TORIBIO News Editor
Several organizations on campus collaborated to host a fundraising event on April 2 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The paradisethemed “Dance for Diabetes Semi-Formal,” organized by the Biology and Pre-Med clubs and Phi Lambda Upsilon chemistry honors fraternity, raised nearly $650 for the cause. Natapat Songsakphisarn, senior and president of the Pre-Med club found the planning process to have gone smoothly, despite the involvement of several organizations on campus. “We would meet every Wednesday at 9 a.m., the only time we all had free time in our schedules,” Songsakphisarn said. “All the decorations for the event we made ourselves, cutting our cardboard and spray painting them. A few of us actually contributed our own money to make the dance a success.” Songsakphisarn’s dedication to spreading awareness about the disease stems from meeting someone on campus who suffers from the disease. “It was here that I met P.J. Pimpinelli and I learned about how hard it can actually be,” Songsakphisarn said. “He always needs to be wearing a pump, checking blood levels, pricking fingers, etc...I really wanted to raise awareness and show that the sciences here at Ramapo care about what is going on today.” Pimpinelli, junior, was in attendance at the event to represent the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and gave a presentation about the difference between the types of diabetes and statistics about the disease. “As someone with type 1 diabetes, I was honored to see that these clubs were having a fundraiser for one of the organizations I support so often,” Pimpinelli said. Close to 70 students, and biology professors Drs. William Mitchell and Susan Petro showed their support by attending the event, which has inspired its organizers to hold the dance in the future, in addition to others. “We are planning on making this a yearly tradition, and we can hopefully build a good relationship with JDRF, and other foundations,” Songsakphisarn said. “Through this we can plan scholarships and internships to be available to students at Ramapo. Both the Pre-Med and Biology Club are dedicated to helping the students here at Ramapo succeed at whatever they do and to making a difference.”
photos courtesy of Nataprat Songsakphisarn
The Biology and Pre-Med clubs worked with Phi Lambda Upsilon, the chemistry honors fraternity on campus, to raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Organizations Come Together to Celebrate Dance and Diversity etoribio@ramapo.edu
By KAITLIN McGUINNESS Staff Writer
On Monday, several campus clubs and Greek organizations sponsored the third annual “Dancing Around the World” event which was held in the Trustee’s Pavilion. The event showcased different dance styles, music and food from around the globe. Yaslie Pared has been a member of A.L.M.A.’s (Association of Latinos Moving Ahead) executive board for three years, and was the coordinator of Dancing Around the World this year. The event was first held in spring of 2009, sponsored by A.L.M.A., Take the Lead and Psi Sigma Phi, a multicultural fraternity. “We wanted to educate the campus community about diversity and other cultures while having fun,” Pared said. “Take the Lead does weekly salsa sessions so we thought we could dance and have dances from around the world.” Nearly 80 people attended the first Dancing Around the
World event. In its second year, approximately 100 people attended, and this year attendance reached 135 people, gained the support of new sponsor Sigma Sigma Sigma and other members of Greek life. The hosts explained the origins of each style of dance prior to its performance. The presentations started off with Irish step dancing in the spirit of Riverdance, performed by MaryKate Feury and Katelynn Wintz of Sigma Sigma Sigma. Jorge Ruiz of Lambda Theta Phi and Ignamil Fermin of A.L.M.A. performed a Bachata routine in the middle of the floor, amidst cheers from the audience. Keble McDermoth and Macrae Francis were also met with enthusiasm as they performed a Jamaican Dance Hall routine on stage. After a break for food including Spanish pork, shrimp, rice and beans, the Ramapo Fusion Dance Crew performed a hip-hop routine to Katy Perry’s “California Girls.” Next came a Salsa routine, followed by a tutorial on Salsa dancing by Woojae Sung of Psi Sigma Phi and Take the
Lead. Several couples got up on the floor to follow along with Sung’s instructions. An African Dance routine was also featured via YouTube video, followed by a line dance and instructional portion by Toby Silvia of Psi Sigma Phi. Many students heard about the event through Facebook, and enjoyed the music and performances, dancing in line while waiting for their food. Pared said she was pleased with the turnout. “They have a great selection of dances,” Raven ClarkeLucas sophomore, said. Sophomore Ashley Johnson agreed. “It’s a great display of cultural infusion,” she said. “I think it went great. It was a great success.”
see DANCING on page 10 for photos of the event.
kmcguinn@ramapo.edu
CIPL Offers Program Certificates for Students, Community Page 4 The Ramapo News By NICOLE MAZEWS KI
Staff Writer
Thursday, April 7, 2011
In response to growing demands for higher education programs, Ramapo’s Center for Innovative and Professional Learning is now offering five certificates to matriculated students, non-degree seeking students and members of the community. “The CIPL program was the idea of the president and the provost,” said Carol Bowman, director of the yoga certificate programs and assistant professor of teacher education. “It was a way to provide learning opportunities for members of the wider Ramapo community, including Ramapo students and alumni, who may not be interested in degrees,” The School of Social Science and Human Services offers both a 100-hour Yoga Studies Certificate, and a 200-hour Yoga Instructor Certificate. “Inspired by our yoga backgrounds, [Professor Jim Morley and I] were keen to share our yoga training with students in an appropriately academic context,” Bowman said. “Professor Morley was already teaching a course, Psychology of Yoga, which has been very popular. He was moved by how much his students valued this introduction to Yoga. I was also teaching my education students about using contemplative practices in the classroom, and expanded that focus into an education course titled Contemplative Practices in Education.” Bowman and Morley thought the program would meet needs of both students and the broader community. “Most importantly,” Bowman said, “we thought it could positively impact the lives of students even beyond the years they spend in college. Yoga, as we present it in our program, is an intellectually rigorous academic discipline, a philosophy of existence, an applied psychology, and a concrete system of interpersonal ethics.” In addition to yoga, the certificate programs give students a chance to explore other important areas, including web
development. “Web development is becoming the fourth dimension in our 3-D world, when personal, business, social and political processes are depending on the Web more and more,” said Alexander Vengerov, PhD, director of the certificate program. “This idea has been met with understanding and support from the administration, and now the program runs live.” According to Vengerov, there are over 20 students — including both RCNJ students and others from various schools — showing interest in learning the skills so far, and that group is growing. The program, which runs exclusively online, allows students to feel like they are working in a real-world environment, and to easily fit the courses into their schedules. This experience is proving to be extremely helpful for students in the job market, as well.
“Yoga, as we present it in our program, is an intellectually rigorous academic discipline, a philosophy of existence, an applied psychology, and a concrete system of interpersonal ethics.” -Carol Bowman, director of yoga certificate program
“A number of companies started sending requests for best students with Web development skills, which offers additional job opportunities for our graduates.” The three courses in this certificate program, which is based on the latest Web technologies and plans to include cloud computing and app development for cell phones and tablets, delves into term projects such as designing “Web sites filled with modern technologies that could serve as a base for a start-up company, or as a demo of skills for potential
employers.” The Business Essentials Certificate appeals to almost all majors. Students not studying business who wish to “enrich their academic experiences and broaden their career prospects by developing a working knowledge of fundamental business concepts” benefit from this program, which requires the completion of four classes and two seminars.
“A number of companies started sending requests for best students with Web development skills, which offers additional job opportunities for our graduates.” - Alexander Vengrov, PhD, director of web development program
“No matter what your major and ultimate occupation, there are business elements to nearly every enterprise. Understanding the fundamental principles of business can help any individual contribute at a higher level and succeed in their core area of expertise,” said Karen Norton, Assistant to the Dean of Anisfield School of Business. More than 97 students have applied and gained acceptance into the program; so far 30 students have completed the requirements. Students interested in developing skills in other disciplines can also earn a Project Management Certificate or a Middle School Certificate. nmazewsk@ramapo.edu
Cahill Center Helps Students Detect Internship and Job Scams By JUS TINA S LACHTA
Staff Writer
Students who are currently looking for a job or internship may be finding it difficult to do so in these hard times. As a result, desperate students may be willing to take any option that comes along. However, one should take caution with an offer that may seem like a great opportunity. Many have all come across a job or internship website that asks to provide social security numbers or bank accounts. While these sites may offer unique incentives, such as working from home or earning a lot of money in little time, these are actually red flags for internship and job scams and something that the advisors at Ramapo’s career resource center work hard to avoid. The Cahill Center provides students with resources and programs to help enhance their education and college experience. Here, students can find opportunities for internships, cooperative education, career advising and so forth. In addition, job fairs, networking, and resume reviews are also done out of the center. This allows students to explore their boundaries and exhaust their resources. Students are not required to use these resources; however, it does help bridge the gap between the Internet and students. “We screen every employer who posts opportunities on the Ramapo Job Bank [College Central Network]. This minimizes the problem,” Beth Ricca, director of the Cahill Center, said. “We had a few incidents where internships don’t always turn out as expected. The Cahill Center is always available to assist students navigate their way through this process.” While there have been some flaws with internships, students can feel comfortable that the information they are giving out is going to a secure location. If
students do decide to access internships online, without the Cahill Center, Ricca suggests a few tips, such as “research any company that you’re thinking about applying to.” Moreover, “never provide your bank account information, credit card information, social security number,” she said. Though students may assume that “it will never happen to me,” Ricca said there are a few things to consider in order to ensure an internship’s legitimacy. Ricca said “vague job descriptions, job applicants that only ask for your name, phone number, year of graduation, and major” might be signs. In addition, “jobs that ask you to send payment by wire service or courier” or “the promise of a large salary for very little work” usually can tip one off to a scam. Students can also use the Better Business Bureau as a resource to help guide them, Ricca said. Most likely, if a job sounds too good to be true, it is. Jobs in marketing, sales, sports or entrainment marketing require extra caution. “If the interview process seems a little bit too easy, there might be a reason why,” Ricca said. “Start asking direct questions to figure out what the company and jobs are really about.” jslachta@ramapo.edu
On the Internship Hunt: Red Flags to Look Out For
1. Don’t Provide Information That’s Too Personal Things like your Social Security number and bank account numbers should never be required for an internship listing. 2. Guaranteed Job Placement? Not So Much If a listing assures that you will be placed at an internship, don’t go for it; especially if they require a fee upfront.
3. Unprofessional Job Listings Keep on the lookout for bad grammar or sentences with a lot of exclamation points. Legitimate companies and internship sites would take the time to make their pages look professional, wouldn’t they? 4. Vague Contact Information If the “employer” provides general contact information such as a free e-mail address (Yahoo or Hotmail, etc.) or P.O. box, it’s not likely they’re willing to meet you in person.
5. Background Research is Key A simple Google search of a job and/or internship listing can eliminate scams immediately. There may even be message boards out there with postings by people who have been duped before. courtesy of internalert.com
Page 5 The Ramapo News
Thursday, April 7, 2011
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Progam Hopes to Make ‘Silent’ Impact, Raise Suicide Awareness Page 6 The Ramapo News
continued from page 1
keep people in a positive state of mind. “It’s important to not let the stress of college life get to you,” she said. The word “Silence” in the event’s name refers to the conversation that is not happening about suicide and mental wellness. “I think people are just afraid of it. They’re afraid of the unknown, and why people might act out in such a way,” said Parascando.
“I think people are just afraid of [suicide]. They’re afraid of the unknown, and why people might act out in such a way.” -Jessica Parascando, president of Ramapo’s Active Minds Chapter
The other silence is people who are afraid to talk about or seek help for their own mental illness. “They’re embarrassed or ashamed of their illness, so they don’t mention it because they’re afraid people won’t understand, or think they’re weird. Another part is that people don’t know where to find help.” Ramapo’s Center for Health and Counseling Services office, located in D216, is a place to find help, and has psy-
chologists on staff who provide free and confidential counseling for students in need. These professionals will help students cope with their problems in a safe and positive environment, and can refer them to a psychiatrist if necessary. Social rejection and public humiliation are more factors that may put young people at risk. The death of Tyler Clemente, an 18year old who jumped off a bridge after his fellow Rutgers students posted a video of his homosexual encounter online, brought college suicides into the national spotlight last fall. The Peer Educator Team and Counseling Services will be represented at a table near the Send Silence Packing display as well. At 3:00 on the day of the program, Active Minds will lead students in a “Walk for Silence” around campus that stops at different locations beneficial to a healthy mental lifestyle, such as the gym and the spiritual center. mjagendo@ramapo.edu
Thursday, April 7, 2011
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Candidates Prepare for Election continued from page 1
and says he’s ready to bring outside perspectives into the SGA. Both candidates also stressed a need to improve communication among the SGA, the administration, and student organizations to better improve the college experience. In Flanagan’s eyes, the biggest issue on campus is communication. “I want students to know first, and know best, what’s going on at school,” he said. To Wiltbank, the biggest issue on campus is a lack of student satisfaction. “I want students to trust their SGA representatives,” he said, “and help the students to be more vocal and organized about their wants and needs on campus.” The debate for vice president addressed many policy issues as well. With freshmen not able to have cars on campus next semester, both candidates hope Ramapo’s campus will liven up on the weekends. “We want to increase school spirit, offer students more and better weekend events, and also try and get more flexible hours in the dinning halls,” Levering said. Canubas followed up by saying, “We hope this will help freshmen form a good sense of community on campus, and want to offer more events to students and improve transportation options to local areas.” Both vice presidential candidates have experience in SGA and are currently involved in the student government body. “Students need to feel their voices are being heard,” Canubas said, when asked
what the candidates want to do differently than the current SGA staff. “We need to find a quick and easy way to find out what students want and need,” Levering added, in response to the same question. Both candidates seemed to agree that the next SGA administration needs to focus on student needs and communication. All four running in the race show passion and drive to better serve the student body, and the future seems bright for the college. “I’ll give my full heart and full time to students,” Wiltbank said. “I won’t spread myself thin, and will advocate for the students.” Both presidential candidates appeared to have a firm grasp on the issues they will be heading into, should they win the election. “I’m here for the students and I am a student,” Flanagan said. “I’m coming from outside the SGA with a new look at things.” All that remains for the candidates now is more tireless campaigning to students. “I want someone who will work for the students,” junior Mark Simon said. “Students need to have confidence in their leadership to best serve their students, campus and student organizations.” Regardless of which candidate wins the election, the work ahead will be challenging, but both parties pledge to better serve students and improve student life on campus. givins@ramapo.edu
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Thursday, April 7, 2011
Campus views are the sole opinion of their respective authors, submitted to The Ramapo News and in no way reflect the views of either The Ramapo News or Ramapo College of New Jersey.
SGA Elections: Wiltbank & Flanagan Go Head-to-Head By STEVEN WILTBANK SGA Presidential Candidate
Student Government Association elections are coming up next week and it is important for the students to show their dedication in what we, as the SGA, have been advocating for the student body and this school. I am one of the presidential candidates on this years’ ballot with my running mate Frank Levering and our party, United Student Leaders. We stand united to hopefully gain the respect and power that you, the students, deserve here at Ramapo. Our party has spent many years dedicating time to advocate for the student body. We are determined for you, the students, to trust us in our mission for this school. Many students tend to have the misconception that Student Government has much power on campus, but ultimately, we really do not compared with what administration allows us to do and advocate for. We hope to gain your trust in turning to us when we finally have the answers and power to do something that we have been trying to gain for many years now. Our party of United Student Leaders has many goals and ambitions for the upcoming school year if elected to serve as your SGA representatives. We acknowledge that school spirit here at Ramapo is lacking from both, students and faculty when in the end, we know that Ramapo pride lies deep down in us all. We plan to work with athletics, Greek life, clubs, and student development to liven the school spirit here at the college. This year we have already started this initia-
tive by hosting and putting together some tailgate events to help draw in students and fans to the sporting games. We acknowledge that school spending here at our college needs to be better examined and for a better understanding of where your tuition money is going. We will work with administration and President Mercer to take a more careful look at our budget and be smarter about college spending and how the college uses our money. This year, Frank and I have been sitting on SGA’s Student Activities Budget Committee in reallocating where student activities fees are placed and dispersed throughout programming and activities. With the chaos that unfolded in the beginning of the year in regards to alcohol and guest policies, we also acknowledge the need for respectful relationships between students and administration. Let’s face it; we students are the ones paying tuition and the money that goes into funding Ramapo College. Administration should not undermine the students’ role on this campus in the same way we understand their role in our education. I am proud to stand with the United Student Leaders who are here for you, the students, and we promise to commit ourselves to this school and the student body for everyone’s best interest. I have always been flexible and willing to put myself out there for others and for this upcoming year, I want you to feel comfortable enough in approaching me with your concerns, comments and opinions. Let’s make next year one for the students and a year to remember. Show your Ramapo support and pride and vote next week, April 11th-14th, in the SGA elections online through your Luminis accounts. swiltban@ramapo.edu
By BRENDAN FLANAGAN SGA Presidential Candidate
I may be running for your Student Government Association President, but at the end of the day I have not forgotten what I am or where I came from, both of which can be summed up in a single word: student. My party chose our name intentionally, because none of us have forgotten this root word in our titles as candidates, as we plan to bring SGA back to the student body, to act for the student body. Our mandate is composed of three core values: reliability, transparency and representation. Through every initiative our administration will undertake, we will keep these values in mind, so that SGA keeps the students at the forefront of all issues. Communication with the students will be our chief goal; not only publicizing all that we do so that students can voice their opinions at every step of the way, but also keeping open the lines of communication to allow these student opinions to flow freely into SGA, guiding our mission.
We recognize the idea that SGA is powerful is a myth. Ramapo's SGA is only made as powerful as the students of Ramapo choose to make it; a fact that Students for Students not only recognizes, but plans to reinforce. We plan to construct an organization that will act as a conduit for student concerns and then successfully advocate for these concerns to the administration. Members of my party are not interested in power, we are interested in the students. From the trust that the students of Ramapo give us, we will create a relationship from students to administration so that students never feel out of the loop, so that students are considered in all of the changes the college goes through and that the students, not just members of the SGA, lead Ramapo into a future brighter than ever. If you want a SGA comprised of students who have not forgotten their classmates, who will fight for the issues that affect their peers and who will make sure that students are the true source of change and movement at this college, then vote for Flanagan and Canubas for president and vice president and all of the Students for Students candidates in the elections this April 11 to 14. Together, we can build a Ramapo that is not only better but better for the students. bflanaga@ramapo.edu
Donʼt forget to vote on April 11-14! And donʼt forget to follow us... @RamapoNews
Debt in the United States: How We Got Here, Where We’re Headed By STEPHANIE deRUITER YAL President
Although people might feel that the United States has enjoyed a tremendously high standard of living, the fact that this standard was created by a very flawed system that relies on borrowing is inarguable. The U.S. dollar is based on borrowed money system. The U.S. dollar has no physical value and is a promissory note that has to be paid back with interest the Federal Reserve, which is the central banking system of America that prints and controls our money. Lending money that doesn’t exist in physi-
cal wealth (only paper money) along with an accumulated interest that also has to be paid back. They do this by giving out loans in forms of costly educations, houses, businesses and so forth. Banks are privatelyowned companies that hold a person’s gold, money and valuables for safekeeping; those valuables are not stored in the bank but are lent out to someone else. According to Visualeconomics.com, the average American household is $117,951 in debt. This number does not even take into account the $14.2 trillion debt that has been accumulated by the federal government; an amount that will never be paid back in full for a number of reasons.
From the time they are children, American citizens are trained to think that it’s okay to borrow money on impulse. They have the idea that the goods and services will be paid off later. Citizens continue this behavior as they age, and college students are especially susceptible to conforming to these convenient but detrimental forms of borrowing. According to the Student Loan Debt Clock, college students have racked up $901,800,000,000 or $9.8 billion in federal and private school loans. As soon as young Americans branch out into the real world with their newfound knowledge and degree they are thousands of dollars in debt. In the best case scenario, the graduate gets a well
paid job and their loans are paid off in ten years or less. After paying off college, most American families will finance a house, expecting to pay it off as the years go by. Cars are another item that banks and loaners are willing to give consumers a sum of money expecting to be paid back with interest as the years go by. America’s whole economic system seems to be based off of a monetary system that relies on one thing – debt; and it’s us, U.S. citizens, who are expected to continue running as hamsters in a wheel paying off debt. sderuite@ramapo.edu
Dancing Around the World Photo recap of Tuesdayʼs event Page 10
Audio Insight
Claire Chapel describes their journey to the top of the music industry Page 11
Green Is the New Black 4. 7. 11
Earth Month Highlights Opportunities to Become Eco-Friendly
BY DIANA STANCZAK A&E Editor April is our Earth month, and there’s no better way to celebrate than by making an effort to go green. This is part one of a fourpart week series about simple ways you can do your part to help save the earth. While the phrase “going green” may conjure cliché visuals of tree planting and recycling, there are actually multitudes of small ways you can pitch in to make a collaborative, big difference. No effort is too small, and you can be more eco-friendly right from your dorm. Follow these eight tips and you’ll be eco-savvy in no time.
Purchase Eco-friendly Laundry Detergent
Change the Lightbulbs
Instead of using incandescent bulbs in your lamps, make the switch to to compact florescent lightbulbs, or CFLs. CFLs produce better light, while using less energy and they last longer. Some companies even offer differnt kinds of CFLs that producce different levels of light.
Consider Carpooling or Taking the Shuttle
Try carpooling or taking the campus shuttle instead of driving. It will save you money since you will be using less gas. putting it in sleep mode when you’re not directly using it. Watch out for cell phone chargers as well; leaving them plugged into the wall drains energy, even if your phone isn’t charging. One appliance that’s a sneaky energy offender is the hairdryer. Using a hairdryer requires more electricity than a refrigerator does. If possible, let your hair air dry halfway before turning on the heat. (Not to mention, the less heat you put on your locks, the healthier they’ll be.) Be sure to shut off your lights and televisions when you leave the room. More lights means more energy, which many mean higher rates for room and board in the future.
If you read the ingredients listed on a bottle of laundry detergent, you’ll most likely come across a vague phrase like this: “Contains cleaning agents, buffering agent, stabilizer, brightening agent and colorant.” Detergent manufacturers are not required by law to list specific ingredients, resulting in an ambiguous list which consumers may not think twice about. Often times something listed as a cleaning agent is actually something called a surfactant or surfaceactive agent. Some surfactants found in laundry detergent are also found in floor cleaner, car washes and engine degreasers. Do your environment a favor and avoid these harsh chemicals by switching to an eco-friendly detergent like Purex Natural Elements. While you’re at it, choose a cold wash cycle for your laundry if possible. According to treehugger.com, 90 percent of energy used during a wash cycle goes towards heating the water. A lower temperature means less waste.
Living in a dorm often means access to unlimited amounts of hot water. Without mom or dad reminding you about heating costs, showers can sometimes run long. Try to aim for shorter showers. Reducing shower time by just two minutes can save up to 150 gallons of water a month, and lowering the temperature will lower heating costs.
Do you leave your laptop on all day? Try
While the Solo cup may be a classic college
Cut Down on Electronics and Appliance Use
Take Shorter Showers
Use Reusable Plates, Cups, Utensils and Water Bottles
staple, it’s not the most eco-friendly option. Recycling the cups does help, but a better choice is to invest in reusable plastic dishes and plates. You may need to spend a few more minutes a week washing them, but you’ll be lowering your carbon footprint. Be sure to use a dishtowel instead of paper towel to dry the plates. Investing in a reusable water bottle is also a functional way to conserve resources. Goodhousekeeping.com has some cheap yet stylish options. Fill the bottle with filtered water – splitting the cost of a Brita filter between your roommates will go a long way. Also, try to choose a water bottle that’s labeled “BPA free.” BPA is an industrial chemical found in certain products, and the FDA has been advising consumers to stay away from it as its potentially hazardous.
Recycle Old Cell Phones
Instead of throwing out your old cell phones, recycle them. Throwing out cell phones and other electronics can release toxins into the enviornment. Often local businesses will have places to recycle old cell phones and other electronics. dstancza@ramapo.edu
Conserve the Heat and Air Conditioning
If you live in one of the buildings that allow you to control the thermostat, make smart decisions. With the weather warming up, you should be shutting the heat off completely to save energy. Once it starts getting hot, crack a window open instead of resorting straight to the AC.
Flickr Creative Commons
Haitian Open House Offers a Taste of Foreign Culture Page 9 The Ramapo News
By DANIELLE REED Assistant A&E Editor
On Sunday, Ramapo students, faculty and community members came together to show support for Haiti and raise money for two Haitian students to attend Ramapo next fall. Sunday’s event ran from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and brought together many different aspects of the Haitian culture. At the beginning of the afternoon, attendees walked through the Kresge Gallery and the exhibition “Haitian Art Excerpts: From Renaissance to Diaspora.” “I really was impressed with it [the art]. It really makes it [the culture of Haiti] real,” Ramapo alumna (class of 1982) Mary Ippolito said. The art gallery and events sparked interest in many groups of people, including young children. “I thought it [the “Untitled” Rara Cape] was a collage,” Noa Gidal, a young child, said. She also liked the beaded cloth flag entitled “Mami Water as a Serpent.” Throughout the exhibition, there were different types of art depicted, including sculptures, paintings and photographs. “It’s primitive art. It’s interesting for that reason,” Joe Ippolito said. There were several pieces of art that experimented with different materials, such as aluminum, paper towels and rolls of toilet paper. “The various faces on these paper towels are early leaders of Haiti,” featured artist and
Thursday, April 7, 2011
guest speaker Andre Juste said. “It [the art] speaks of the forcefulness of the artist and the culture.” Juste also spoke of the different aspects of the pieces of art within the gallery. “One good thing about this show is it is so legible. No pieces seem to stick out of nowhere,” Juste said. “The body doesn’t get destroyed in Haitian art, they get transformed.” As audience members walked through the gallery, they were able to listen to music by the group Vo-Duo with percussionist Markus Schwartz and Monvelyno Alexis on guitar and vocals. “The art show was very strong,” featured artist Cybil Shanlier said, “It’s extremely integrated in style and historical and cultural areas.” Some of those who attended the art gallery showing were very impressed with the art and recognized some of the pieces. “I find the gallery to be very interesting,” Berthilde Dufrene said. “I do recognize some of them [the pieces of art] right away. I do think it’s a great outreach to the Haitian community.” The art gallery was followed by a performance of Haitian folk music by Marc Mathelier and Michele Sorel. Mathelier began the performance with a few songs featuring guitar solos and then introduced Sorel, who accompanied him on several songs. Throughout the performance, Sorel discussed the lyrics of the songs and continued to thank audience members for support-
‘Laramie Project’ Evokes Reactions From Students
By JULIANNE BRANDA Staff Writer
As a part of the cinematheque series at Ramapo, a new film is shown every few days in the H-Wing Auditorium. Many students use it to fulfill their experiential component. While the films featured in Cinematheque are usually educational and entertaining, some students got more than their two hours of experiential when they attended the screening of “The Laramie Project” this past Thursday. The film depicts the aftermath of the death of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student who was brutally beaten to death in the small town of Laramie, Wyoming in 1998. The film delved into how his premature death and the subsequent media hysteria affected the town. Some people chose to work to prevent any further hate crimes from taking lives like Shepard’s, while others insisted on protecting the people of Laramie, claiming that it is not a place where hate mongering takes place. It is clear to see, however, through the testimony of the people that Laramie was guilty of fostering an unfavorable attitude towards homosexuals, a kind of mentality that can lead to such brutal crimes. Some prominent members of the town, who were sure to condemn the actions of the two men who killed Shepard, still insisted that Shepard’s lifestyle was wrong. Those who knew Shepard, however, insisted that before similar crimes could be prevented in the future, the entire community must change their outlook on homosexuality and no longer see it as a controversial
lifestyle choice. “It was shocking, moving, and it brought out a lot of emotion,” freshman Christina Coviell said. “I liked how it varied between different points of view.” Other students, who had been introduced to the Matthew Shepard story before, were intrigued by the different perspective taken in “The Laramie Project.” “I have seen a movie on Shepard before, but this was through a different point of view because it was less biography and focused more on the town’s reaction,” freshman Anna Katharine Miehe said. The lack of legal action taken in the aftermath of Shepard’s murder was also a point of controversy for students. “It was shocking that it had been a year since his death but no laws were made in Wyoming,” freshman Elizabeth Dworak said. “It’s depressing but it unfortunately happens all the time.” “The Laramie Project” was a stark yet hopeful portrait of a town torn apart by a horrific tragedy. While many were still in the same mindset that caused the crime in the first place, others were adamant that changes had to be made. It was an excellent choice for the Cinematheque program, as it was engrossing yet thought provoking all at once, as it showed how far we must come to eradicate hate, violence and intolerance. jbranda1@ramapo.edu
Photo by Danielle Reed
The Ramapo Chorale performed at Sundayʼs Haitian Open House.
ing the Haitian students. After they sang, Mathelier and Sorel were available to sign CDs that they had for sale with part of the proceeds going to the scholarship fund for the Haitian students. “It [Mathelier and Sorel’s performance] was really beautiful, really moving,” freshman Annemarie Sanders said. Following their performance, attendees of the open house attended a performance by some members of the Sinai Youth Choir. The choir sang a song of hope in Creole, with parts translated into English. Many people enjoyed the open house and
the different galleries and performances that occurred throughout the day. Attendees also recognized the importance of the scholarship fund for the Haitian students. “The great part is this will benefit the students they will bring over from Haiti,” Barbara Steinberg said. Fundraising for the scholarships for the two Haitian students will continue this week with the Camp out for Haiti event that will run from Thursday until Saturday afternoon. dreed1@ramapo.edu
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Britney Spears: New Songs, Same Themes on Seventh CD Page 10 The Ramapo News
Thursday, April 7, 2011
“[Spears] has absolutely evolved. It’s very different, she’s come a long way from the bubble gum pop she used to sing.”
By TOM VAN HOWLING Staff Writer
Britney Spears’ music has never been innovative or different - she has always produced one style of music: mindless pop. Even though she has experimented with dubstep, r&b and hip hop undertones, Spears continues to fall into the same genre. However, to her credit, Spears does produce some of the best mindless pop around. Back in January, Spears released the first single “Hold It Against Me,” off her seventh album “Femme Fetale.” The song is perhaps Spears’ most lackluster first single to date. “If I said I want your body now would you hold it against me,” Spears sings in a bored voice during the chorus. “Femme Fetal” lacks a few things. One of the main issues with the album is that it lacks a personal touch, due to the fact that this is the first time a record has no songs written by Spears herself since her debut. Songs and lyrics that tell stories like “Mannequin,” “Shadow,” and “Everytime” are missing on this release.
The absolute best song on the record is “Seal It With A Kiss.” The song is about Spears having a secret lover and their affair, which is kept between the two of them.
With this being said, “Femme Fetal” is still a very good pop album. The second single, and one of the best songs on the album, “Till The World Ends,” is proof of that. Written by Ke$ha, the song is pure dance floor heaven, giving hope to fans that may have been turned off by the first single. The absolute best song on the record is “Seal It With A Kiss.” The song is about Spears having a secret lover and their affair which is kept between the two of them. The song is about the thrill of almost getting caught during their ren-
-Lauren Fiorilla, senior
Photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons
Britney Spearsʼ latest album, “Femme Fatale” is her first album that does not feature her own songwriting.
dezvous because Spears admits she wants almost getting caught. It may sound strange on paper, the music and vocals of this song are the best of the album. Other highlights of “Femme Fatale” are by far “Big Fat Bass” which features Will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas, “Trouble For Me,” and “(Drop Dead) Beautiful.” These songs are pure fun and are flirty and danceable. The album does have two attempts at ballads. “Trip To Your Heart,” is a synthdriven ballad about Spears trying to get somebody to fall in love with her. However, the lyrics quickly turn sexual and the result can only be described as awkward.
Another lackluster semi-ballad is “Inside Out.” This song is about Spears not being able to say goodbye to an ex all because he is good in bed. She realizes that they are wrong for each other, but she doesn’t care - she just wants the sex to continue. Then there’s “How I Roll.” This song is neither here nor there, and is not enjoyable or the opposite. “She has absolutely evolved. It’s very different, she’s come a long way from the bubble gum pop she used to sing, senior Lauren Fiorilla said. “It’s a lot more edgy, but I like the direction she took with it. And I will be seeing her this summer.” Longtime fans will be happy with this album, but for those looking for Spears to truly evolve will have to keep waiting. This album is not Spears’ most defining album; it’s just another good Britney Spears record.
RATING:
###$$ tvanhowl@ramapo.edu
Third Annual Dancing Around the World Event
Photos by Jessica Ceballos
The third annual Dancing Around the World Event took place on Tuesday night in the Pavilion. About 140 students attended the three-hour long event.
Audio Insight: College Students Rising to Fame
Page 11 The Ramapo News
Thursday, April 7, 2011
By CLAIRE CHAPEL Staff Writer
It is seldom that you hear about college students making it big in the world of rock and roll. However, we have a rising star right on our campus. Ramapo freshman Daniel Sullivan is an exception. Dan is a member of the band Audio Insight, a progressive rock band. He plays the drums and percussion. He is living the dream with two of his best friends, Montclair State University students, Anthony Celi (guitarist and vocalist), and Mike Deverin (bass player). Now this band is not your typical “garage band next door” that just plays music for fun and make all the neighbors complain that they are “too loud.” These talented young men have recorded their own album, have a manager and are currently competing in the final round of “The Break Contest” in hopes of getting the chance to play at The Bamboozle 2011. This is a major accomplishment for these performers. Over the past three months, they have worked hard with practicing, writing songs, promoting all over New Jersey and coming up with clever ways to make covers of already famous rock songs for this competition. All of their hard work and dedication over these past months has really paid off. Out of the 400 bands that started out in this competition, Audio Insight has made it to the top 20. They will be competing this Saturday at the Stone Pony venue in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Out of the 20 bands that made it this far, only ten will be chosen to get the opportunity to play at The Bamboozle the end of this month. It was very obvious to see how passionate these artists are about music and Audio Insight. When asked where they would be if they were not doing this in their life, they were all in agreement that that was a very hard question to answer. “It’s hard to think about. This and attending classes is all I do and I don’t mind. My passion lies here,” Celi said. Of course, the topic of juggling school, money, practicing and competing was a main topic of discussion. They each said that it is stressful and overwhelming at times; however, they manage to get through it since this is the lifestyle that they want more than anything. Regarding the financial aspec, Sullivan said, “It’s very difficult, but it’s your life and a devotion. Between making the
Photo by Stephanie Takavchin
Audio Insight is a progressive rock band made up of Ramapo freshman Daniel Sullivan (right) and his two best friends, Montclair State University students Anthony Cedi (left) and Mike Deverin (center).
album, promoting, making business cards, traveling and such you just have to accept the fact that you’re gonna be broke. I don’t mind it at all though because I know that it is what I wanna do with my life.” They are also fortunate enough to have full support of this dream from their families and friends who do all that they possibly can to help promote and support them. Getting to know these performers on a more personal level was a true delight. Each of them has a great sense of humor and a unique personality. Aside from music and performing, they are your typical college students who enjoy going to the gym, spending time outside, and of course eating and sleeping. They also enjoy listening to other progressive rock bands and other varieties of music. Each of them had an inspiring and touching answer when
asked what their favorite part of performing is. Celi and Deverin said, “The energy is the best part. Also the feeling of knowing that all eyes are on you.” Sullivan agreed that the energy is great but he also had his own opinion, “The happiness that I feel when performing. That to me is the best feeling.” This story truly is an inspirational one. These artists demonstrate the definition of how far hard work, ambition and passion can get you. To support Audio Insight as they try to make it to Bamboozle, find them on Facebook, Twitter or Itunes.
Verizon Introduces New Smartphone to 4G Network By VINNY PARIS I Staff Writer
Smartphones have quickly dominated the market and are on their way to becoming the new standard in cell phones. With their multitasking capabilities, access to the internet, assortments of applications and cutting edge hardware, it’s easy to see why the announcement of any new device is a hot topic in the tech industry. Most recently, Motorola and Verizon announced the newest member of their growing Droid family, the Motorola Droid Bionic. The Bionic was first announced at the Consumer Electronics Show, or CES 2011, this past January. However, anticipation for the Smartphone is once again building as the target release date of Q2 looms ever closer. What makes the Bionic special is its combination of new hardware, updated operating system and full integration with Verizon’s latest 4G LTE, or Long Term Evolution, network. Inside, the phone will be one of the first to include dual-core processors, the NVIDIA Tegra 2 to be exact, which makes running tasks and applications simultaneously a much smoother and faster experience. It will also
include a rear-facing 8 MP camera as well as a front-facing VGA camera for video calls. The Bionic will initially release running the current Android OS version 2.2, or “Froyo” as it’s nicknamed, but it will be upgradeable to version 2.3 or “Gingerbread” and will offer personalized profiles for Home, Work and Weekend; so the display screen can be customized to include specified apps and changed whenever. Two other impressive features are the ability to create a mobile hotspot and a feature called HDMI mirroring. Creating a mobile hotspot means that the phone can give off a 4G signal that can be used by up to 5 other devices to connect to the internet, although this feature can considerably diminish the phones battery life when in use. HDMI mirroring allows the Bionic to connect to a TV and show pictures or videos simultaneously across both. On the outside, the first major cosmetic change is that there is no longer a physical keyboard, so the device is touch screen only. Dimension wise, the Bionic measures in at 4.96 inches long by 2.63 inches wide by .52 inches thick, with a touch screen that has a 4.3 inch HD display. While it is considerably thicker than rival
cchapel@ramapo.edu
photo courtes of Flickr Creative Commons
The Droid Bionic will soon be the newest Smartphone on the market when it gets realeased later in April.
Smartphones, the device has a nice weight to it; giving off the impression that it is sturdy. The final key ingredient that makes the Bionic so irresistible is the aforementioned Verizon 4G LTE network. Compared to the current 3G, 4G speeds are up to ten times faster and offer not only a better experience when browsing the web and running apps but also boast impressive file download and upload times, making it business friendly. These speeds, depending on the area, can reach up to anywhere from 5-12 Mbps (mega-bits per second) for downloads and 2-
5 Mbps for uploads. With its supersonic 4G speed and impressive hardware, the Motorola Droid Bionic is a worthy challenger rivaling any other Smartphone on the market. While no official statements have been made regarding pricing and availability, the Bionic is rumored to be releasing in the U.S. on April 21, and was momentarily posted on the Amazon Wireless website at a price of $149.99 with a 2-year contract from Verizon and $599.99 without a contract.
vparisi@ramapo.edu
Page 12 The Ramapo News
LIFE & CULTURE
Thursday, April 7, 2011
No Motivation? No Problem
Make the Most of a Rainy Day With a DVD Workout
BY S AMANTHA ULLRICH Staff Writer
April showers bring May flowers, but they also bring a lack of motivation. No one really wants to trek out into the pouring rain in order to get to the gym, so why even bother? There are plenty of ways to get your heart pumping and sweat dripping right in the comfort of your own dorm room!
Whether you want to sweat, build muscle, dance off the pounds or even just practice yoga poses, there’s a DVD for you.
You want to make sure you have enough room to swing your arms around and kick your legs out in front of you. Most home workouts require a lot of body movements, not just lifting dumbbells up and down. You also might want to invest in a yoga mat for any floor workouts and crunches you might be doing. Buying a resistance band is optional, but may come in handy for workouts that involve weights you probably don’t have in your dorm. There are many home workout DVDs available on the market these days. Whether you want to sweat, build muscle, dance off the pounds or even just practice yoga poses, there’s a DVD for you. Popular fitness DVDs with high intensity levels include P90X, Tae Bo, Jillian Michael’s Ripped in 30, and Intensity. No, you won’t be bench pressing a bar of weights, but with these DVDs you are pushing your body to the limit by doing jump squats, pushups, lunges, punches and more. Game systems such as Wii and Microsoft’s newest gaming system, Kinect, also got involved in the home exercise trend by introducing Wii Fit, Zumba for Kinect, among others.
Photo by Melanie Orinski
Junior Amy Fezza makes the most out of the rainy weather and works out to P90x DVD from the comfort of her own dorm room.
Don’t think you can get a sufficient workout in your own room? Think again! According to FatBurn.com, a 30-minute Tae Bo workout burns 310 calories (for a 140 pound individual), and completing an entire P90X workout burns nearly 600 calories! So next time you don’t have the motivation
Magenta’s Meals
BY LAUREN MAGENTA Staff Writer
Do you have five minuets? Are you hungry? If so, it is time to make quesadillas. This three step recipe works for any time of day; a light snack or make a few for dinner and share. These can be made on a stovetop over medium heat. It is a quick and simple recipe when you have limited time and energy. The standard quesadilla starts with cheese and then is filled with other ingredients. You can choose chicken or beef or even go with all vegetables. Begin with a few drops of oil on the cooking pan and one tortilla. Drop your fillings on top and cover with a second tortilla. After 1-2 minutes flip until cheese is melted. At this point, each person can choose their own ingredients. For a vegetarian or someone simply looking to fill their recommended vegetable intake, veggies with or without cheese is a great option. Chopped up onions, bell peppers and tomatoes are a simple suggestion. If you are looking for your veggies to have less of a crunch you can sauté them in a pan with a little oil and any seasonings you have available before you put them onto the tortilla. Buying a pre-cooked chicken already sliced is an easy way to get this meal going. Tyson has a few fully cooked chicken slices that are
to walk all the way to the gym, walk to your TV instead. You’ll be glad you did!
Horoscopes
Ari es (March 21-Apri l 19) This week is about pausing long enough to allow a greater awareness to seep in. You cannot move forward until some necessary adjustments are made. Taurus (Apri l 20-May 20) This week is about testing your faith; it is about making room for some magic. When you let go, you allow in everything you need and more.
Quesadillas are a filling, easy to make meal for the hungry college student.
ideal for this meal. Also, with any good quesadillas, sides are a must. Try it with salsa and/or sour cream. For added flavor, chop up chives and mix it into the sour cream. If you are feeling a little adventurous, try buffalo or barbeque flavored chicken and use either a blue cheese or ranch dressing as a side. The best part about quesadillas is that they cook in minutes so you can eat individually or make one for everyone. Enjoy! lmagenta@ramapo.edu
Gemi ni (May 21-June 20) You may be feeling more restless than usual and that the growth on the journey cannot happen fast enough. This week some key findings make your next step evident.
Cancer (June 21-Jul y 22) So much of what happens in life directly depends on how you deal with what is tossed at you. This will be your test this week.
Leo (Jul y 23-August 23) A certain road you have been traveling may not have offered the rewards you had expected. You will glean a key insight this week that will offer the understanding you need. Vi rgo (August 24-S eptember 22) Life seems to feel like one big power play. You have the one card that will win; you just need to play it right and this week you will get a glimpse of when and how. Li bra (S eptember 23-October 22) Recently, you are being unusually hard on
sullrich@ramapo.edu
yourself. In the coming days you will have an opportunity to release the past. S corpi o (October 23-November 21) Anything and everything may be getting under your skin now. You’ll have to work extra hard to not say or do something you might regret.
S agi ttari us (November 22December 21) This week you will be tested and will come to know just how far you can go, but knowing this will then allow you to develop a new plan of attack.
Capri corn (December 22-January 19) This week you may experience some hard emotions that surface, but it is ripe for reflection and for the unparalleled wisdom that will be found there. Aquari us (January 20- February 19) This week is a valuable trial and error period for you and a time to weed out the problem spots. Let your imagination run away with you and you will come up with a keeper. Pi sces (February 20-March 20) This week is a time of fueling new dreams and ideals. You may feel some fear surrounding all that feels so unfamiliar but you will be reminded of the true and beautiful benefits of the coming change. Horoscopes courtesy of madalynaslan.com
SPORTS
Track and Field Hosts Roadrunner Invitational 4 . 7 . 11
Roadrunners Trump Competition at Second Annual Home Event
By REBECCA PENHAKER Staff Writer
The single “All I Do is Win” by DJ Khalid resonated throughout Ramapo’s Athletic Field Saturday as the men and women’s track and field team prepared for their second Annual Roadrunner Invitational. And all Ramapo did was win. With 18 teams and 600 athletes competing from National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I, II and III, the men’s team captured first place tallying 106 points, with the women snagging fourth finishing with 74 points. “When you’re at home, you’re supposed to defend your home base,” Coach Mike Jackson said. Last year when Ramapo hosted the event both the men and women came in first place. They were fortunate enough to have nearly perfect weather. This time around, however, it was a little more unpredictable with the wind playing a major factor. However, these men and women aren’t in this sport for ideal conditions. “We have to be good in all elements,” Jackson said. “We can’t give into the weather-that’s our season.” The pole vaulting crew didn’t allow the wind to take them off their game, maintaining their consistency and domination in the both men and women’s event. Craig Van Leeuwen came in first, setting a new school record when he cleared 5.05-meters, which was also a NCAA provisional mark. Adam Lazor placed second clearing 4.44-meters. Michelle Favre placed first, clearing 3.53-meters, a new outdoor school record while Lauren Riley came in second with a mark of 3.20-meters. “We haven’t practiced at all outdoors yet,” Lazor said. “But we’ve all been pole vaulting long enough that everybody knows what to
“Number one priority is being a good host because you want people to come back.” -Mike Jackson, coach
expect no matter what the weather.” Vaulting coach Branko Miric was pleased to see his athletes compete at such a high level, despite the erratic and overpowering windy elements. “It was a really good day because everyone performed well,” Miric said. “I don’t look forward to outdoors because of days like today when it’s windy at different spots-it’s tough. It always causes you to question if you’re making the right decisions with the pole, the grip-questioning if there is a better choice to make.” In the javelin throw, Dillon Rodgers placed first with a NCAA provisional mark of 61.86meters while Kevin Silary had a personal best and Eastern College Athletic Conference Qualifying mark of 58.03-meters. “Being able to throw this well, this early, is a good sign,” Rodgers explained. I can give most of the credit to my coach, Joe Lee…I spent a lot of my time before the season going through
RAMAPO SPORTS THIS WEEK
Today:
Softball at Hunter College at 3 p.m.
Baseball at Montclair State Univerity at 3:30 p.m.
Women’s Lacrosse at Sage College at 4 p.m.
photo by Jessica Tuohy
Tim Paziora and Andrew Capizzi finished third and fourth place, respectively, in the 3,000-meter Steeplechase at the Roadrunner Invitational.
tough workouts-getting me into the shape I needed to be in for the season.” Brandon Melchoir, one of Jackson’s senior leaders, set a new school record in the hammer throw, nailing first place with a mark of 50.95meters. In the discus, Brendan Gareffa placed first with an ECAC Qualifying mark of 46.49meters. Isaaic Patterson sealed first place with a mark of 6.94-meters, also setting a new school record in the long jump. “I have just been taking every day one day at a time,” Patterson said. “I have no expectations. I have a goal, though, which is to finish this season out strong-leaving behind nothing but statements at every meet.” In the 1,500-meter race, Colin English finished third and set a new personal best, clocking in at 4:06.27. Tim Paziora placed third in the 3,000-meter Steeplechase, recording a personal best of 10:04.74. “[Coming into that final stretch] it’s awful, the worst feeling in the world,” Paziora said. “Your heart is pounding, legs aching-but right now, I’m ecstatic.” Maura Burke set a new school record and qualified for the ECAC Championships in the 100meter hurdles, crossing the finish line in 15.15 for a third place finish. The 4x400-meter relay team made up of Sophia Davis, Burke, Katie Walsh and Alexandra Jacob placed second in 4:02.09, also an ECAC Qualifier. “This is the first outdoor race this season [in 4x400],” Burke said before the race. “We really want to do well, and a hit national mark.” Teresa Kirkpatrick and April Kaiser placed third and fourth in the javelin with times of 38.08meters and 37.78-meters, respectively. Kaiser also set a new school record in the hammer throw with a mark of 41.41-meters, landing her
eighth place in the meet. Of the 19 events scored in the meet, there were 19 new records set. “I had coaches coming up to me telling me how their athletes were running their personal bests,” Jackson said. “Every single meet record was broken.” Jackson’s main goal at this meet was to focus on being a good host. He had confidence his athletes would be able to rise to the challenge of competition, despite the fact that his full attention could not be on them. “Number one priority is being a good host because you want people to come back,” Jackson said. “There is always something you’re going to miss at a track meet, the athletes know that. The practice is my time. The meet is the athletes’ time to perform.” With such positive feedback from the other teams and athletes, Jackson and his Roadrunners look forward to hosting more meets on their turf. A highly anticipated event is the New Jersey Athletic Conference Championships May 7; however, their next home meet-Roadrunner Express-is April 22. It’s geared toward less teams, but higher level athletes. The men and women’s track team believe this meet is just the start of great things to come for their 2011 outdoor season, and they hope it will garner them more attention from surrounding schools, as well as from the Ramapo community. “This meet was a breath of fresh air,” Patterson said. “It gave us the chance to show our school that we are a hard working program that deserves more than what we actually get. It was a chance for us to gain our respect as a team and individuals.” rpenhake@ramapo.edu
Men’s Tennis vs. NYC College of Technology at 4 p.m.
Friday:
Baseball vs. Montclair State University at 3:30 p.m. Men’s Tennis vs. Rutgers-Newark at 4 p.m.
Saturday:
Men’s Volleyball vs. Bard College at 11 a.m.
Baseball at Rowan University at 11:30 a.m Softball vs. Rowan University at 1 p.m.
Men’s Tennis at Bard College at 1 p.m.
Men’s and Women’s Track an Field - Coach P Open
Sunday:
Baseball at Baruch College at 10 a.m.
Women’s Tennis at Mount Saint Mary College at 2:30 p.m.
Monday:
Men’s Tennis vs. City College of New York at 3:30 p.m.
Lacrosse Fights Past Mount Saint Vincent in 17-12 Win Page 14 The Ramapo News
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Tepedino and Barretta Each Score Six Goal in Roadrunners’ Victory
By KATIE BRUNO Staff Writer
The women’s lacrosse team took on Mount Saint Vincent on their home turf this past Sunday. The stands were packed, as players and families from the Mahwah Lacrosse League came out to support the Roadrunners. The last two seasons, the Roadrunners fell short to the Dolphins in very close games, but they earned redemption with a 17-12 this time around. The Roadrunners came out strong with a two-goal lead early in the game with scores by Amanda Baretta and Michelle Gustafson. Unfortunately, the Dolphins came right back to tie up the game.
“It was a hard fought game from beginning to end. We played an entire 60 minutes of lacrosse.” -Concetta Valerio, coach
Junior Adrianna Tepedino netted her first goal of the game on a free position shot to give Ramapo a 3-2 lead. The Roadrunners managed to stay strong throughout the rest of the first half. Ramapo’s defense made it nearly impossible for Mt. St. Vincent to get a lead in the game. Kristen Jakubik, Lindsey Jachens, Amanda Ferry and Sam Thompson were all
key leaders in the Roadrunners defense. Tepedino and Baretta each racked up three more goals and Gustafson tailed another one to give Ramapo a 10-6 lead at the end of the first half.
“We all played really well together. Our intensity was up, and it was so great to win after the past two years.” -Lindsey Jachens, defenseman
The Dolphins came out in the second half with an early goal. Within seconds, Junior Colleen Steel scored a goal to give the Roadrunners a four-goal lead. Ramapo kept their scoring momentumwith more goals from Baretta, Tepedino and senior Jenna Pfarr. With 10 minutes left in the game, the Roadrunners had a 16-12 lead. At a time out, the Dolphins started to get rowdy, trying to scare off the Roadrunners. Right after, the coach of the Dolphins got carded, and Adrianna Tepedino scored her sixth goal of the game, giving Ramapo the 17-12 win. “It was a hard fought game from beginning to end. We played an entire 60 minutes of lacrosse,” coach Concetta Valerio said. “The returners really wanted to win this, and they put all their heart and intensity into it.” Junior defenseman Lindsey Jachens was also pleased with her teams win. “We all played really well together,”
photo courtesy of Ramapo Athletics
Midfielder Adrianna Tepedino scored six goals in Ramapoʼs 17-12 win over Mount Saint Vincent on Sunday.
Jachens said. “Our intensity was up, and it was so great to win after the past two years.” Coachers and members of the team weren’t
“They look so smooth and rehearsed.”
Sue Larson, fitness teacher/trainer
the only ones impressed with how the Roadrunners played. Ramapo’s Fitness teacher/trainer, Sue Larson, was also thrilled with the win. “What was awesome about this game is
how the girls melded together like a machine,” Larson said. “They looked so smooth and rehearsed.” After their victory over Mt. St. Vincent, Ramapo fell to Rowan University on Tuesday by a score of 19-3. With a record of 4-4, they will look to get back on the winning track when they face Sage College today at 4 p.m. kbruno2@ramapo.edu
First Week of MLB Season Packed with Several Surprises Ritchie Distinguishes the Contenders from Pretenders in the AL and NL going to the Yankees and trusted set up man Joaquin Benoit signing with the Tigers. The Rays will not end up at the bottom of the league, but it will be a stretch to foresee the Rays in playoff contention.
By S EAN RITCHIE Sports Editor
The first week of Major League Baseball is complete, which means it’s time to give my predictions. The week has led to a bunch of surprises, including the projected American League favorite, the Red Sox starting at a terrible 0-5 and the surging Orioles starting 4-1. Based on the records so far I am going to try and weed out the contenders from the pretenders. Ameri can League
Texas: Nolan Ryan must be working some of his famous mojo, the Rangers are off to a red-hot 6-0 start. The bats of Nelson Cruz and Ian Kinsler are scorching, with seven home runs so far. The pitching has been brilliant as well, as the team has combined for a 3.00 ERA. This is not an aberration; the Rangers are for real. The loss of Cliff Lee will not even register as a speed bump on their road back to the playoffs. Tampa Bay: The Rays are at the bottom of the league after starting 0-5, which is a place that is all too familiar. They have played well in recent years, even winning the East Division last year. But payroll issues and expiring contracts have led to a gutted bullpen, with their closer Rafael Soriano
Bal ti more: The Orioles are definitely the dark horse of the league after starting off 4-1. They have the best record in the Major Leagues, 38-24 since Buck Showalter became manager. The revamped roster now boasts trusted veterans Vladimir Guerrero and Derek Lee. Along with Brian Roberts and Nick Markakis the Orioles might just be for real. It will be hard to see them making the playoffs, but do not be shocked if they are in the mix at the end of the season. Kansas Ci ty:The Royals are of to a surprising 4-2, which is good for 4th place in the league so far. After last year’s dismal 67-95 record the ceiling is high for the youngest team in the league. Billy Butler is in search of his first 200 hit season, batting .316 with six hits and two homers so far. Pitcher Jeff Francis is adding to the record, posting an impressive 1.98 ERA through 13 innings in his first two starts. The Royals are not going to be in playoff contention this season, but their youth is showing promise for the coming years. Nati onal League
Ci nci nnati : The Reds are off to a blazing 5-0 start, behind the league leading .345 team batting average. Joey Votto is off to the races and will likely be in the running to defend his MVP at seasons end. The Reds are for real, I see them coming in second in the central behind the brewers, but they will be viable Wild Card contenders.
New York Mets: It would not be a proper contender and pretender article if I did not mention the Mets. They are off to a 3-2 start and are showing some fight, almost coming all the way back against the Phillies to tie the game after being down 7-0. This seems to be a seasonal debate, with the team stacked of talent that continually underperforms. The team finally is healthy this year and it might be the year they break the stigma of being choke artists. I am not going to put money on them making the playoffs, but I think that they will be very close to being .500.
S an Franci sco: The defending champs are off to a placid 2-4 start, but I do not see this pace continuing. Tim Lincecum is off to a blazing start posting a 0.64 ERA and 18 strikeouts through 14 innings in his first two starts. The Giants bats are not where they should be at this point with a .264 team batting average, but they do play in the worst division in baseball, and as we saw last year they have the talent to win it all. Definitely look for them at seasons end to win the West Division.
Pi ttsburgh:The Pirates are off to a smooth 4-2 start due to their solid team pitching that is bolstering a 2.64 ERA. The bats are the problem for this team as they have only scored 23 runs in 6 games. They have a the second youngest team in the MLB, but their youth is not ready to win now. With teams like Cincinnati, Milwaukee, and St. Louis in their own division, it will be unrealistic for them to win now. They are definitely a pretender, but one that is on the rise. sritchi1@ramapo.edu
Huskies Top Bulldogs in NCAA Championship Game Page 15 The Ramapo News
Thursday, April 7, 2011
UConn Beats Butler 53-41 in Offensively-Challenged Title Match
By TOM BABCOCK Staff Writer
Houston, we have a champion. The Connecticut Huskies sit atop the college basketball world after Monday night’s 53-41 victory over Butler, a team playing in its second consecutive national championship game. From Maui in November, to New York City in March, to the Lone Star State in April, UConn proved to be the top dog no matter what part of the country they were in. From unranked to begin the year to unbeatable at the season’s end, the Connecticut men’s team finally grabbed the spotlight after playing second-fiddle to a women’s team that was two-time defending national champions and winners of 90 consecutive games. The Huskies won their 11th straight game Monday night, as their incredible and recordbreaking run began in early March in the opening round of the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden. As critics continually brought up the fact that Connecticut’s storybook run would end in the quarterfinals against top-ranked Pittsburgh as the Huskies were playing in their third game in as many days, Kemba Walker was busy becoming a household name. Walker dazzled the Garden crowd that night against Pittsburgh, hitting an unguardable
photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons
Freshman guard Shabazz Napier was part of the Connecticut Huskies championship run.
step-back, game-winner at the buzzer to send the Big East regular season champions home. Little did we know, Walker was just getting started. The Bronx native led his ninth-ranked squad to two more victories in the Big East Tournament, including a wild 76-71 over-
time win over Syracuse in the semifinals, and eventually captured the Big East Tournament title in the championship game against Louisville. Even after UConn shocked the college basketball world with its out-of-nowhere Big East title run, the naysayers still doubted the Huskies as they entered the NCAA Tournament as a modest No.3-seed. Surely no team, especially one consisting of three freshmen and one sophomore in the starting lineup, could rattle off five excruciating Big East wins in five days and have enough stamina, both physically and mentally, to win six more games and capture a national championship. But Walker and company refused to go down. After walloping No.14th-seed Bucknell in the opening round and taking care of business against Big East rival Cincinnati, the Huskies were headed for the Sweet 16. After surviving a scare from San Diego State and coming out with a thrilling twopoint victory over Arizona, UConn was Final Four bound for the fourth time since 1999. In the heavyweight battle with SEC Champion Kentucky in the national semifinals, UConn held on for a one-point victory, 56-55, and the stage was set for Monday night’s national championship showdown with the previously red-hot Butler squad. The Bulldogs came into the game winners of 10 of its past 11 NCAA Tournament
games and were within a Gordon Hayward half-court shot against Duke of being NCAA champions in 2010. In a highly anticipated title game, the matchup failed to live up to the hype. Butler did everything they could to hand UConn the win, shooting an abysmal 18 percent (12 for 64) from the field, but it was the stifling Husky defense that gave the Bulldogs so much trouble. Despite horrid shooting in the first half, Butler led by three, 22-19, in the lowest scoring first half in over 50 years in the National Championship game. But Connecticut would use its size, quickness and athleticism to hold Butler to just one field goal over a span of 13 minutes and 26 seconds in the second half. During that time, the Bulldogs saw a 25-19 lead turn into a 41-28 deficit. When the final buzzer sounded, it was UConn on top, as the Huskies captured their third championship in school history. The game may go down as one of the worst national championships ever played, but to Kemba Walker and his Connecticut teammates, the final score, 53-41, was a thing of beauty. And that’s all that matters, as the Huskies completed their magical run as champions of college basketball. tbabcock@ramapo.edu
Red Bulls, Union Ready to Renew Rivalry This Saturday New York Trades for Midfielder De Rosario Before Big Match with Philadelphia
By DAVE JONES Staff Writer
Over the years, the rivalry between the cities of New York and Philadelphia has been well documented. The competitiveness of their fans, the differing lifestyles, and of course the close proximity of these two metropolises make the cities natural, and perhaps sometimes unhealthy, rivals. That rivalry will once again be tested this Saturday night when the New York Red Bulls take the short trip down I-95 to take on the Philadelphia Union in an early season battle for the top spot in the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference. Considered by many to be a favorite to win the MLS Cup this season, New York enters the match in a tie with the New England Revolution for second place in the Eastern Conference. Through the three games so far, the Red Bulls have compiled a record of 1-02 and five points while only conceding one goal. After defeating the Seattle Sounders at Red Bull Arena on opening night, the team has rattled off two straight draws including a 1-1 tie with the Houston Dynamo last weekend. Although they were unable to secure the full three points against Houston, the Red Bulls welcomed newly acquired midfielder Dwayne De Rosario to the lineup after completing a trade with fellow Eastern Conference foe Toronto FC the night before.
photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons
The New York Red Bulls will count on newly acquired midfielder Dwayne De Rosario to spark the club in their upcoming match with the Union.
De Rosario, a member of the Canadian National Team, is a five-time MLS Best XI midfielder and four-time MLS Cup champion. In the trade, the Red Bulls sent midfielder Tony Tchani, midfielder/defender Danleigh Borman, and a first round pick to Toronto in exchange for De Rosario. “Dwayne has been one of the league’s best players over the past several years and we are thrilled that he is a Red Bull,” Red Bulls General Manager and Sporting Director Erik Soler said in a statement released by the club. “He is one of the most dangerous play-
ers MLS has seen in the attacking third and he is a true leader both on and off the field. We had to trade Tony and Danleigh – two very talented, young players who both need more playing time with a first team in MLS to develop their potential. At the end, we think this is a massive step in our quest towards the MLS Cup title.” De Rosario, who had an assist in his New York debut during last Saturday’s draw, will be looked upon to inject some energy into a Red Bulls attack that has been stagnant at times early this season despite boasting talent like former French international Thierry
Henry and recent U.S. National Team debutant Juan Agudelo. This certainly will not be an easy task against a Philadelphia squad that has only conceded one goal in three matches this season. The Union, who finished their inaugural 2010 season with eight wins en route to a seventh place finish in the East, have been one of the early surprises in MLS this season. Despite dropping a 1-0 decision to the Los Angeles Galaxy last weekend, Philadelphia sits atop the Eastern Conference with a 2-1 record and six points. While U.S. National Team center back Danny Calif anchors the defense, the Union attack has been spearheaded by a three-headed monster up front comprised of newcomer and former MLS Most Valuable Player Carlos Ruiz, last season’s leading scorer and MVP finalist Sebastien Le Toux, and former number one pick Danny Mwanga. This will be the third ever regular season between the clubs after the teams split two games last season. New York claimed a 2-1 victory at home on Apr. 24 while Philadelphia returned the favor on Oct. 20 by the same score line at PPL Park. The rivals also met in a U.S. Open Cup play-in match last season, with New York claiming another 2-1 victory at Red Bull Arena. djones@ramapo.edu
SPORTS 10 . 7 . 10
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READY, SET, G O!
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photo by Jessica Tuohy
Ramapo’s track and field hosts Second Annual Roadrunner Invitational