The Ramapo News 03.29.12
XLII NO. 18
A PUBLICATION BY THE STUDENTS FOR THE RAMAPO COLLEGE COMMUNITY the rundown
arts
INDIA STUDY ABROAD
Students are just about complete with the sequential four-course study abroad program in South India. Page 3
&
entertainment
sports
BEYOND THE PUB
SOFTBALL SWEEP
Students were invited to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at this After Dark event on March 15. Page 8
The Roadrunners played a doubleheader yesterday and won both games. Page 13
Panel Sheds Light on Women’s Rights in US, Worldwide By STEFANIE MAURO Photo Editor The International Women’s Rights Panel, held yesterday, featured a variety of Ramapo professors who shared their experiences working for women’s advocacy on an international scale. Moderated by Stacie Taranto, assistant professor of history, the diverse panel discussed their work in political science, law, reproductive rights, family planning, film and anthropology. Professors Mihalea Serban, Pat Keeton, and Keisha Haywood were among the panelists. The purpose of the panel, coming at the end of Women’s Herstory Month, was to highlight issues women face internationally as well as domestically. Women’s Herstory Month focused on domestic violence and abuse in the U.S., and the panel aimed to expand this to include global viewpoints. The professors on the panel spoke about other countries where women receive better healthcare than in the U.S., specifically surrounding maternity and parental leave. Keeton said that women’s rights involve the support of males, too. “Part of the struggle is that men need to see that sexism is something that works against them,” she said. Ramapo professors and adjuncts participated in the International Women’s Rights panel, held yesterday in the Pavilion. As one of the last events of Women’s Herstory Month, the panel addressed several national and international issues facing women today, including healtchare and domestic abuse. Photo by Stefanie Mauro
smauro@ramapo.edu
Ramapo, CCM Partner to Create Affordable Transfer BSN Program By CARRIE SLOME Staff Writer Over the past few years, the nursing program has undergone a lot of distinctive changes, including the planned construction of new labs, the cancelation of classes at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center after a loss of federal funding, and the most recent development: a program partnership with County College of Morris (CCM). According to an official press release, President Peter P. Mercer and CCM’s President Edward J. Yaw recently signed “an articulation agreement that will allow nursing students at CCM to complete up to three years at CCM before transferring to Ramapo to earn their BSN [Bachelor of Science in nursing].”
weekend weather
F RID AY
The press release stated that eligible students would be able to transfer a maximum of 92 credits from CCM to Ramapo. This agreement will provide CCM nursing students the opportunity to enroll at Ramapo to continue their education, a move that has many financial benefits. In doing so, students will be able to earn their associate’s degree at CCM before transferring to the College, allowing them to significantly lower their tuition costs by paying for up to three years of courses at the community college instead of earning both degrees at a state school. According to Assistant Dean of Nursing Programs Kathleen Burke, CCM students who opt into this program will enroll in Ramapo’s registered nursing program, which is for “RNs who are returning to school to gain the BSN degree.” This type of program is especially helpful for students who
HIGH 54 LOW 39
S AT U R D AY
may be already employed. Burke said a large part of earning a BSN on this track, which presently has about 100 students, is online to accommodate these students. “This program is heavily online to allow nurses who work to attend school without having to make major adjustments in work schedules,” she explained. Not only will this joint program benefit CCM nursing students, but it has the potential to benefit the College as well. The program could possibly increase the number of undergraduate student applicants intending to participate in the nursing program that are looking to receive their BSN. While an increase in student applicants is always positive for the College, some wonder what accommodations will have to be made in order to physically house and provide for
HIGH 46 LOW 37
see NURSING on page 5
SU N D AY
HIGH 62 LOW 44
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Page 2 The Ramapo News
The Ramapo News Robert A. Scott Student Center 505 Ramapo Valley Road Mahwah, NJ 07430
201 - 684 - 7842 rcnjnews@ramapo.edu Elyse Toribio Editor-in-Chief Nicole Alliegro News Editor Danielle Reed Arts & Entertainment Editor Andrew Gould Sports Editor Stefanie Mauro Photo Editor Matt Giuliari Melissa Piombo Creative Directors Kaitlin McGuinness Web Editor Ashley Jade Beasley Business Manager Dan Sforza Technical Advisor
★
INSIDE:
Event to Unify Campus, Increase School Spirit By ALEJANDRO HERNANDEZ Staff Writer This spring, Ramapo College will introduce a new event, entitled “Mr. and Ms. Roadrunner,” in the hopes of drumming up students’ school spirit. The event is scheduled to take place on Friday, April 13 at 8:00 p.m. in the Auxiliary Gym. “The purpose of Mr. and Ms. Roadrunner is to create a sense of community as well as build school spirit and pride across the Ramapo College community through participation in various competitions,” Clifton Shambry, senior and Student Government Association chair, said. Mr. and Ms. Roadrunner is being co-sponsored by SGA, the College Programming Board (CPB), the Inter Greek Senate (IGS) and the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). “These organizations were asked to join the event due to the different constituents they represent, as well as their experiences in putting on large scale events,” Shambry explained. “The committee members believe strongly in increasing school pride and spirit to the Ramapo community.”
The four groups were also tapped to help organize and run the competition in order to launch the event in various campus groups and create a sense of unity among students. “I think it’s great that so many organizations are coming together, because honestly, this campus is so divided,” Victoria Adam, sophomore, said. “It’s either you’re Greek or you’re not. It’s nice to see an event in which anyone can participate in, because we are really lacking in that.” Fellow sophomore Danielle Burke agreed. “I go home every weekend, and I don’t really hang around after class to meet people,” Burke explained. “I’ve been to a couple of events around campus and not too many people go. [But] this is an event that everyone should go to [and] anyone can participate [in].” The planning committee is currently looking for students interested in entering the competition. Candidates will be selected through certain criteria, the first being—naturally— school pride. Other measures for selection include civil inclination, well-roundedness in student leadership and a grade point average of 2.5 or greater. A
committee will select participants from the pool of students who apply. At the event, students will be judged through a series of competitions, including talent, semi-formal and “wow-wear.” The candidates’ performances during these rounds will be 80 percent of the determination of the winner, and the other 20 percent will hinge on audience votes the night of the event, according to Shambry. Students in the competition will also choose to represent charities to compete for. Money raised for the event beforehand, along with audience donations the night of, will “[be] divided between the two winners of the competition for their charities,” Shambry said. Shambry hopes there will be a large turnout. “My motivation for creating this event came from trying to figure out a way to get the various constituents on campus to unite for one common purpose, as well as have fun,” he said. “I had remembered doing an event very similar to this one in high school and remembered how much fun it was and how it gave me an opportunity to really get to know some of the people involved.” Shambry credited Director of
Athletics Chuck Gordon and Director of Intramurals Todd Lizzo for helping to get Mr. and Ms. Roadrunner off the ground. “I can’t wait to attend the event,” Kerry Gallagher, sophomore, said. “I think it will be a nice break from classes, and honestly, it will be a breath of fresh air to see people let loose. This time of year is so stressful for students, with midterms and summer internships and such.” While some students said they typically don’t enjoy pageantry, they plan to attend Mr. and Ms. Roadrunner to support a good cause. “Typically, I would never go to this type of event; it just isn’t my thing,” Ashleigh Ritchie, sophomore, said. “I don’t like the pageants and such. It doesn’t seem like fun to me. I, however, will be attending due to the fact that the event is for charity. It’s for a good cause—anyone and everyone should be attending. For one night, think of someone else and support.”
ahernand@ramapo.edu
Students Travel Abroad to Volunteer Over Alt. Break
the rundown Page 3
Viewpoints Page 7
Arts & Entertainment 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. Rates are available by contacting the editorial staff by phone or e-mail.
Ramapo students traveled across the U.S. and abroad over alternative spring break on five service trips, among others. Two groups volunteered in Costa Rica and Ecuador, and another three in Arkansas, Massachusetts and North Carolina. Photos courtesy of Amanda Morse, Dana Sweatlock and Takanari Tanahashi
Thursday, March 29, 2012
The Ramapo News Page 3
the rundown Students in Last Leg of South Indian Study Abroad Program By RACHEL WINTERMUTE Staff Writer As the Ramapo student body gets excited over the shifting seasons in Mahwah, 10 students are undergoing a shift of their own thousands of miles away. The 10 students participating in the Ramapo-led spring study abroad program in South India are currently preparing for their fourth and final course of the semester. Unlike a typical Ramapo semester, in which students take all of their classes at once, the 16-credit course load in India is fulfilled with four courses taken sequentially. Students have already completed three courses in Indian culture and society, sustainable development, and media in social movements. The last course of the program is individual independent studies that focus on a topic from the previous three courses, and fieldwork is set to begin in April. “I think it’s going to be an amazing experience, probably one of the highlights of the India program,” said sophomore participant Lauren Geyman. “We were really able to pick our own areas of interest.” Geyman’s own independent study is on Ayurvedic medicine, a form of alternate Indian medicine. Geyman said other students are
studying a range of topics, from organic farming to the women’s movement to British literature in India. Staff members of the ashram community in which they live have reached out to other local communities to put students in touch with experts in their chosen field of study. The extensive independent study course is the culmination of an entire program that has been devoted to expanding students’ understanding of the development and culture of India. To create a comprehensive delivery, three Ramapo faculty members have alternated teaching courses for a span of a few weeks. In addition to ashram program faculty, Ramapo anthropology and international studies professor Susan Hangen, environmental studies professor Ashwani Vasishth and communication arts professor Ruma Sen have all traveled to South India to teach the students. Students have also had the opportunity to travel within India throughout the semester to nearby city Bangalore and beyond. For junior Rachel Frank, the travel has enhanced her intellectual and cultural development. “I am an environmental studies major, so the program relates a lot to my major,” Frank said. “We do a lot of work with indigenous
communities. I love the South of India and Bangalore, but I am really excited to go north and see the Himalayan Mountains.” The connection to Geyman’s major was not so easy. She said she hopes that her independent study project will provide her with a clearer outlook on her biology major, an objective that initially inspired her to study in India. “While I’m still unsure of what I want to do with my major, I’m starting to understand that I want to work [and] help others in a community,” Geyman said. Like any study abroad experience, the India program aims to leave a lasting impression on students’ lives. Geyman already feels a difference. “The light that India shines upon you is amazing,” she said. “I definitely feel that I have been better reflecting on life and appreciating my surroundings more. I’ve also learned to lead by example. In Gandhi’s land, it’s no wonder that I am constantly reminded to ‘be the change.’” For information on future study abroad programs, visit the Roukema Center for International Education in ASB-123 or go online to ramapo.edu/international. rwinterm@ramapo.edu
Ten students have been studying abroad in South India this semester, accompanied by three faculty members who have alternated teaching courses overseas for a few weeks at a time. Photo courtesy of metrovista.co.in.
Online Dating, Matchmaking Service Launched for Ramapo By ALEJANDRO HERNANDEZ Staff Writer A student, Jean Meyer of Columbia University, founded datemyschool.com, a new dating website and matchmaking service for college students. Currently, the site has nearly 100,000 profiles, though the popularity of the service for Ramapo College students is still relatively nonexistent. This may deter some students from joining. “I am a firm believer that everyone deserves to find someone [to love]. I have seen the signs all around campus, but I don’t plan on creating a profile for now,” said sophomore Krista Salindari. “I don’t want to use
[the service] until there is a bigger number of students using it. I think the site is a great idea, but there are still flaws.” Though signs have been posted around campus, students seem to be suspicious of the site and what it offers. “I am not confident that this is entirely safe,” said another sophomore, Ricky Rosa. “I don’t believe the way to meet someone is through an online service… There is nothing natural about a dating website. Not only is it weird, but it’s dangerous. People can pretend to be someone else. The fact that only college students can join doesn’t ease my mind.” Three major concerns or dangers facing online daters, according
to Internet-Predator-Statistics. com, are scammers, married men or women seeking affairs, and potential stalkers. The site reports that each year, Internet predators commit more than 16,000 abductions, 100 murders and thousands of rapes. “I find it disturbing that there are so many fliers around campus about dating sites, but no one to speak to us about the dangers of online dating,” said sophomore Amghy Chacon. “This is an educational institution, but while we get our degrees, who’s going to teach us about life? I honestly just never thought I’d see a dating site being promoted on campus.” According to psychologist John M. Grohol, an individual’s
self-esteem is one factor that determines who enrolls in online dating services. “High self-esteem folks feel like they have little to lose by trying Internet dating,” he wrote in an article for PsychCentral.com. “Low self-esteem folks have more to lose, since more of their own self-value is tied up in the process — unless they say, ‘Ah, yeah, it’s nice to have a partner, but whatever. I’m also just fine without one.’” Some students, however, disagree. “I feel great about myself,” said sophomore Ashleigh Ritchie. “I don’t use online dating sites because I think I’m ugly or because I don’t think I could
find someone on my own. I use dating sites such as ‘OKCupid’ or ‘EHarmony’ because it gives me more options [to meet people]. … I don’t mind people knowing that I use dating sites.” Times have changed and so has the dating scene. In 2009, 17 percent of married couples reported meeting online and one in five singles have dated online or met their partners in serious relationships online, according to Spark.com. ahernand@ramapo.edu
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
THURSDAY’S CHILD
TODAY IN HISTORY
joke of the day
“They’ve killed my son, and now they’re trying to kill his reputation.” - Sybrina Fulton, the mother of teenager Trayvon Martin, who was killed in a Florida neighborhood
Knicks broadcaster Walt “Clyde” Frazier, turns 67 today. We hope the not-so precocious neophyte is winning and grinning on this auspicious day!
On this day in 1992, President Bill Clinton admitted to experimenting with marijuana “a time or two” while studying at Oxford University, famously adding that he didn’t inhale.
What is a pessimist’s blood type? B negative
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Page 4 The Ramapo News
New Campaign Aims to Scare Smokers with Graphic Ads DISTURBING IMAGES MET WITH CONTROVERSY, EFFECTIVENESS DEBATED By CANDACE MITCHELL Staff Writer
· N ATI O N A L NE W S · In response to a survey that reported an increase in smoking among teenagers, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention is launching its first paid anti-tobacco media campaign to combat what they are calling an “epidemic.” The campaign will run for 12 weeks, with advertisements to appear on billboards, TV, radio, in newspapers and on social networking sites. In addition, there are some public service announcements that will likely run longer.
The goal of the ads is to encourage smokers to quit and to prevent teenagers from beginning to smoke. The ads consist of people who are dealing with diseases that seriously affect their daily lives and were caused by smoking. Some of those diseases portrayed are lung removal and limb amputations. The pictures on the ads are very graphic, stirring up national controversy. Along with them, the ads also include tongue-in-cheek “tips from a former smoker,” phrases of warning such as “allow extra time to put on your legs” (featuring a man who had his two legs amputated due to the effects of smoking) and “be careful not to cut your stoma” (accompanying a picture of a man with throat cancer).
Reactions to these graphic ads across the campus community are mixed. Some find that the ads are too graphic, to the point where people may ignore them because of it. “People tend to ignore things that make them uncomfortable,” said freshman Amber Peet. “People who have taken up smoking should by now know the dangers. They will not be overwhelmed by a graphic image. They will just pretend it’ll never happen to them.” However, some people find the boldness of the ads to be effective. “They are brutally honest and do not sugar coat the harmful side effects of smoking,” said senior Jamie Buljeta. “They may be necessary in order to show smokers
In a Facebook poll, the majority of Ramapo students, at 45 percent, felt that the CDC’s new graphic anti-smoking ads would likely make no difference in whether or not people choose to smoke. However, 34 percent did believe the ads would be impactful. Below, examples of the new ads. Photos courtesy of cdc.gov.
the truth about what they are doing, and in some cases, it might be best to scare them into not smoking anymore.” It is hard to tell, however, whether harsh, hard-hitting ads are effective or simply cause those they target to turn their heads. “They can be provocative and offensive to current smokers,” said freshman Danielle Corcione. “The CDC is using fear mongering and scare tactics, which I think isn’t the most effective approach but can still prove a point.” Most students seem to agree that scare tactics aren’t necessarily the best approach. “It is better to not be aggressive and tell them they can’t smoke. That will only make them want to rebel,” Buljeta explained. “It is better to try and reason with them and find out why they are smoking and maybe then it will be easier to stop them.” Corcione agreed. “The best way to stop smoking is to not be afraid to talk about it,” she advised. “Don’t hesitate to call someone out for smoking a cigarette. A positive influence sometimes is all you need to prevent teen smoking.” In a college atmosphere, teen smoking not only affects those actually engaging in the behavior, but also those around them, to the point where some non-smoking students feel the effects. “I don’t think it’s a problem beyond the point of residence halls. It sort of irks me walking into my dorm sometimes when I’m bombarded by a cloud of smoke, when smokers are supposed to smoke 25 feet or more away from all buildings,” said Corcione. cmitche3@ramapo.edu
@ilove_amichelle I just saw the most disturbing “antismoking”commercial ... Yuck ! @Ev_Head Honestly those new antismoking ads are legit freaking me out @ScootDubbs Sooooooo......Lots of new Ant-Smoking ads/ scare campaign. If they are really talking about anything, they’d just make them illegal @tomcostellonbc CDC reports that since it launched its antismoking ad campaign a few weeks ago, calls to its QUIT hotline are up 140%
Thursday, March 29, 2012
NURSING continued from page 1
the growing number of students filtering into the program. Burke said that CCM students would likely be accommodated in the already existing RN/BSN courses. Because these potential students are enrolled in different classes than generic nursing majors, prelicensure students would not be affected by this increase. However, Burke said, “If additional faculty are needed, we will hire adjuncts. We will not exceed the class size limits for online courses.” “Many of the hospitals in this area require the BSN for employment,” she continued, “so it is very important that [CCM] graduates have the opportunity to continue their studies.”
The Ramapo News Page 5 Mercer also acknowledged that the agreement with CCM would help students get their degrees, and consequently, land jobs. “Such an agreement is important in the light of the IOM [Institute of Medicine] recommendation stating that at least 80 percent of all nurses in the U.S. should have BSNs by 2020,” he said in a press release. “This will make such a recommendation easier to achieve.” Yaw also expressed his mutual support of the venture. “We are delighted to enter into this joint program with Ramapo College,” he said in a press release. “This agreement will ease the transfer process of our nursing students who wish to earn their BSN while providing them with a more affordable pathway for earning that advanced degree.” cslome@ramapo.edu
President Peter P. Mercer and the County College of Morris president Edward J. Yaw at the signing of an agreement to develop a joint Bachelor of Science in nursing program. Photo courtesy of ramapo.edu
Earn summer credits at
STOCKTON COLLEGE • Eight different summer sessions with starting dates in May, June and July • Discounted tuition and housing • Convenient class times, online and distance learning courses available
Stockton is an equal opportunity institution encouraging a diverse pool of applicants. See www.stockton.edu/affirmative_action
www.stockton.edu/summer
SSHS Hosts Conference on Stopping Violence, Abuse
On Monday, Ramapo hosted a conference entitled “Stopping Violence and Abuse: Protecting our Children, Teens, and Young Adults.” Several Ramapo faculty members presented at the event, along with local professionals. The all-day conference also featured posters from Ramapo students. Photos by Stefanie Mauro
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Page 6 The Ramapo News
did you know?
MARCH
is academic advisement month
MANDATORY FOR FIRST YEAR STUDENTS!
Be prepared with your: Degree Evaluation Major Requirements Four-Year Plan Potential Course selection for summer/fall 2012
important dates:
3/30 Graduation Applications due for August graduation 4/2: Summer/ Fall Priority Registration begins
Online resources for students and faculty advisors: www.ramapo.edu/myadvisor/ www.ramapo.edu/myadvisees
make your appointment now! Contact the Center for Academic Advisement and First-Year Experience (CAAFYE) D-207 | 201-684-7441 | caafye@ramapo.edu | ww2.ramapo.edu/admissions/caafye
Thursday, March 29, 2012
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.
The Ramapo News Page 7
VIEWPOINTS Barack Obama’s Accomplishments Will Speak for Themselves By DANIELLE CORCIONE Deputy Communications Director, Ramapo College Democrats The media is constantly covering the differences between the four Republican candidates, but there’s one candidate in this year’s presidential election that has not gotten enough attention lately: President Barack Obama. In his first term in office, he helped working and lower class families, women, consumers, the LGBTQ community and college students, among others. Here is a rundown of his accomplishments, which proves why he deserves another term in office:
Better Health Care —
March 23 marked the second anniversary of the Affordable Care Act. Thanks to this legislation, 2.5 million young adults can now remain on their parents’ health insurance until the age of 26. Women have free access to contraception, domestic violence screening and preventative services. Insurance companies are prohibited from dropping sick patients. Even fast food chains like McDonald’s and Burger King are required by federal law to provide nutritional information on their menus.
Employment Boost —
The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 created 3.1 million jobs over 22 consecutive months, as of December 2011. The president intends to continue to help the unemployed with the American Jobs Act, a $447 billion bill proposed in September 2011. The proposition plans to extend unemployment benefits to over 6 million Americans, cut and suspend payroll taxes to low income employees, create a National Infrastructure Reinvestment Bank, and spend $30 billion to protect teachers, police officers, and firefighters.
Consumer Conscious —
The protection of consumers is also on the executive agenda. In 2010, President Obama signed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which addresses several financial reforms similar to those that followed the Great Depression. It also created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which began operations officially last July. He signed the CARD Act, which protects consumers from credit card company abuse, providing bans on marketing on college campuses among other provisions. Don’t forget about the automotive industry loans, either.
President Barack Obama has passed landmark legislation throughout his term. His recent decision to make full coverage of contraception a requirement for most employers was met with criticism from conservative parties. Photos by Daniel Forman and S.Mirk, Flickr Creative Commons
Rights for LGBTQ —
Obama has also made an outstanding contribution to the LGBTQ community, beyond the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. In 2010, he ensured hospital visitation and medical decision-making rights for gay parents, ended discrimination based on gender identity in the federal government, and clarified the Family and Medical Leave Act, ensuring family leave for LGBT employees. In 2011, the president declared the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional and announced the administration will no longer defend its community in court, completed an Institute of Medicine study on LGBT health (the first of its kind), clarified the meaning of “family” to include LGBT relationships and proposed more funding for LGBT priorities such as HIV/AIDS prevention and education, and bullying and teen suicide prevention.
Student Support —
Most relevant to Ramapo undergraduates: the president supports college students. The number of federal Pell Grant
recipients increased from 6 million in 2009 to 9 million in 2011. Last year, he also proposed “Pay As You Earn” and other types of income-based student loan repayment plans. Furthermore, he wants to cap all repayment plans at 10 percent of the borrower’s income that is over the poverty level; in simpler terms, only 10 percent of any money extra in a graduate’s salary above the national poverty will go to loan repayment. It is clear why any of the above groups should support Obama’s campaign and vote Democrat this upcoming presidential election. The party is reliant on those voters, but especially those under 30 years of age. In 2008, 66 percent of voters under 30 voted for Obama, out of the approximate 22 to 24 million young Americans that hit the voting booths. The 2012 election will not only challenge young voters again and encourage a larger voter turn-out, but will challenge President Obama to maintain support of young Americans. dcorcion@ramapo.edu
SGA to Hold Upcoming Elections for President, Other Positions By STEVE WILTBANK SGA President The Student Government Association would like to remind the student body of this year’s elections. SGA elections for the new administration will take place from April 16 to 19 via ballots found on student Luminis accounts. If any student is interested in running for the open positions, please stop by the SGA Office (SC-223) beginning Monday, April 2 to pick up a petition asking for
a candidate biography and student signatures. The positions open to the student body include SGA President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, School Senators and Senators-at-Large. We welcome all students to come out and participate in this year’s SGA elections. Come be a part of the voice of Ramapo’s students! I would also like to remind the student body that all are welcome to attend the SGA general meetings, which take place on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. in the Alumni Lounge. Please come and voice your concerns and suggestions to better
the Ramapo campus. The Chatty Caddy is still in business, and we want to pick you up and drop you off around campus! Look for our golf cart on Tuesdays from noon to 4 p.m. around campus, and we will drive you around simply for an exchange of your comments, questions and concerns about Ramapo. Let us make a difference for you!
Letters to the Editor (Viewpoints) should be brief and must include the name and contact information, including a phone number of the writer. Anonymous letters will not be printed. Letters with multiple signatories must provide proof that every name listed agrees to the content of the letter. If one name does not agree, the letter will not be printed. For this reason, letters must be submitted by 7p.m. on Monday to allow for verification. Letters containing obscenities, profanity or libel will not be published. The Ramapo News reserves the right to edit letters of clarity, content or space purposes.
E-MAIL: RCNJNEWS@RAMAPO.EDU
swiltban@ramapo.edu
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Page 8 The Ramapo News
Arts & Entertainment Kate Klim Captures Audiences with Folk and Pop Songs By KRISTINE DONOVAN Staff Writer Ramapo College presented another engaging Tuesday Night Live performer this week. Artist Kate Klim entertained the audience with her folk-pop piano sound and descriptive stories that inspired many of her songs.
“KLIM INFECTED THE AUDIENCE WITH HER FOLKPOP SOUND, UNIQUE LYRICS AND VIVID SONG BACKGROUNDS FROM START TO FINISH.” At age nine Klim began to take piano lessons and her journey to stardom. Growing up in Palatine, Illinois, Klim was surrounded by an array of iconic musicians through her parents and her personal taste. Two of her influences included Patty Griffin and Jonatha Brooke. Klim’s success in her hometown soon led her to a thriving college career at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Following the path in the same music community where Patty Griffin and Bob Dylan once stepped foot. A few short years after her success at Berklee, Klim started to open up for several influential artists.
Klim currently lives in Nashville, TN and has been dropping albums and EP releases including her newest album, “Kamikaze Love.” Two of her songs on this anticipated album won awards at the Kerrville New Folk Competition in Texas. Klim treated Ramapo with one of the winning songs, “Can’t Wait.” Klim’s most recent single, “Kamikaze Love” started her performance this past Tuesday. She enlightened the audience that the root of a lot of her songs stem from her bad luck with relationships and automobiles. Klim used the underlying comparison of crashing Kamikaze planes and her faulty relationships into her contagious record. The majority of her songs are based on real life experiences, and during her performance at the Berrie Center, Klim educated the audience on the detailed backgrounds to each specific song. Her song, “All In” is about being in a happy relationship, and that meaningful relationships are all about give and take. Klim wrote the line, “If you drive me to the airport, I’ll water your plants,” and it came from a real life experience in which she had to catch a flight at the airport, and she wanted her ex-boyfriend to take her there. However, that was unrealistic at the time, and her friend stepped in for the job. Klim’s songwriting skills captured the give and take objective of the song including that very line. Her set list included some strange songs, according to Klim. “This song sounds like a pretty lame apology, but bear with me, I did it on purpose” Klim said. The chorus in the song brought out the quirky aspects
that Klim was talking about when she sung about killing her significant other’s dog, Sparky. She proceeded to make clear that this was not based off of a true story, but it is just an amusing and bizarre song that catches audiences off guard, which is always exciting. Klim’s set included both songs from her first fully produced album, “Up and Down and Up Again” and from her newest album “Kamikaze Love.” She featured the songs, “My Date for the Apocalypse,” “Nothing to Do With You,” “Geppeto,” “Skinned My Knees,” “Tracing the Lines,” “Recover,” “Why It’s Blue” and “Blue Sky Love.” She also performed a parody of the joyful song, “Part of Your World” from the Disney animated film “The Little Mermaid,” which she turned into a dirty inappropriate tune for more mature audiences. Klim infected the audience with her folk-pop sound, unique lyrics and vivid song backgrounds from start to finish. Currently on tour, Klim is hitting colleges and venues across the East Coast. In her late 20’s Klim has only started to get the taste of stardom. Be sure to check out for more upcoming Tuesday Night Live performers. kdonova2@ramapo.edu
‘Beyond the Pub’ Captures the Spirit and Culture of Ireland By DANIELLE CORCIONE Staff Writer Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society, the College Programming Board, Literature Club, Global Roadrunners, Colleges Against Cancer and Transfers Unite sponsored the Beyond the Pub After-Dark event on Thursday, March 13 to raise Irish spirit and pride at Ramapo in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. The event’s name and theme “Beyond the Pub” was meant to challenge the Irish stereotype of drinking, and the organizations did an outstanding job of exemplifying Irish culture with food and music, literally ‘beyond pub’ subculture. Brendan Flanagan, was one of the primary event coordinators. “The event was definitely a success. We knew going in that with such close proximity to spring break we were running a risk in regards to attendance, but a lot of people showed up throughout the night and had a great time, which is what we wanted,” Flanagan said. Others involved in the planning process were Ashley Rockhill, AshleyBeaton, Megan McHugh and Danielle Reed. Prizes including iPods, a Kindle Fire and an iPad were raffled off throughout the night. There were also gifts and gift certificates to Thatcher McGhee’s, an Irish pub and eatery located in Pompton Lakes. From 10 p.m. to midnight, a traditional Irish folk duo Kindred Spirits played Irish classics. After midnight, WRPR DJs took over and opened up a dance floor. “The food was fantastic. They had plenty to feed
EvAenMtPsUS
oN C
Students who attedned Beyond the Pub got tohe opportunity to participate in an Irish Pride contest. Students also got the chance to hear Irish folk music, performed by Kindred Spirits. Photo by Stefanie Mauro
everyone, and many options for traditional Irish food, to more American foods. They also had a great mix of healthy and comfort food options that provided a good balance,” freshman Donna Elazar commented. Thatcher McGhee’s catered the majority of the food, including potatoes, vegetables and a lamb dish. There was also American and Italian food, catered by Nicky’s Pizza. “I won a long-sleeve shirt that said “Ireland” on it. I liked all the food, ranging from the Irish styled foods such as potatoes and corned beef to the American style food such as chicken tenders and mozzarella sticks,” freshman Jordan
Moses commented. “My favorite part of the event was the live music from an Irish band and learning some new songs.” Beyond the Pub event turned out be a great success, despite the risk of students going home for break on a Thursday night. The stereotype of drinking on St. Patrick’s Day was defeated with the cultural aspects of the event, with music and Irish food. dcorcion@ramapo.edu
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
“Preserve the Magic: A Night of Comedy” @ 9pm, H-Wing Auditorium
“Relay for Life” @ 5pm, Bradley Center
“Ramboozle” @ 7pm, Bradley Center
Thursday, March 29, 2012
The Ramapo News Page 9
Reality Television Show: Entertainment or Influential? By KELLY RUSSELL Staff Writer We live in a society that is obsessed with celebrities and the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. It seems like nearly everyone these days is hungry for his or her 15 minutes of limelight and fame. In fact, often times this desperation to be famous can drive people to do or say controversial, and sometimes damaging things. A recent phenomenon our culture has adopted is reality television shows. Programs like “Teen Mom,” “Jersey Shore,” “The Bachelor” and “The Real Housewives,” have invaded our television screens and are quickly spreading just like the plague. A viewer can’t flip through the channels anymore without seeing different variations of reality TV programs.
“IF YOU WATCH [‘TEEN MOM’] AND WANT TO BE LIKE THEM, THEN YOU NEED NEW ROLE MODELS.” -Lisa Quaglino, sophomore
College students happen to be the age group most targeted and perhaps susceptible to these television programs. One of the first “reality” television shows created was “The Real World,” which debuted over ten years ago. This program took seven complete strangers, who were around college age, and put them in a luxurious house together for six months. Drunken fights, drama, sexual
encounters and ridiculous behavior are what kept audience members watching every week. The show still runs today. It’s that outlandish and extreme performance that viewers have become infatuated with. There’s just something so risky, so provocative about it that a person can’t help but watch. Rudeness and explicitly are all too familiar on these types of programs. Although these shows tag themselves as being “realistic,” they are often far from it. This line, once prominent and distinguished, has become blurred as this genre of television becomes more popular. Sometimes individuals both old and young watch these shows and begin to mimic what they see and hear. The influence has proven to be, in most cases, more negative than it is positive. Sean O’Hare, a senior, has seen the impact reality television shows have had on him and his peers. He believes that shows like “Jersey Shore” have influenced some college student’s behavior. “Sometimes, my friends and I use the different catch phrases from ‘Jersey Shore.’ For example, we replace the word cabs from the phrase ‘cabs are here’ with shuttles. A lot of people also say ‘yeah buddy,’ another common phrase found on the show,” O’Hare explained. His experience has, for the most part, been light-hearted. So are these reality shows really harmful to people in our society? Although these shows take it to the extreme, they present viewers with a false image of reality. The programs, however, are often scripted, re-rehearsed and
conveniently edited. Many reality TV shows even pay their actors and actresses more money if they cause more drama or act more obscenely. It is up to audience members to be ethically responsible and aware of these types of misrepresentations when watching reality programs. For some, reality television shows serve as pure entertainmentand nothing else. In a changing society that relies heavily of technology and the media, reality TV can be just another medium from which people receive their amusement. Lisa Quaglino, a sophomore, doesn’t believe that reality television shows carry many negative implications for viewers. “Only if you allow the shows, like ‘Teen Mom,’ to influence you, then they are bad. If you watch it and want to be like them, then you need new role models. A lot of reality TV shows are staged. Yeah, they are entertaining, but a person needs to realize the difference between the shows and real life,” Quaglino said. Reality shows, although incredibly amusing, can have negative consequences on people in our society. It is, of course, imperative that audience members understand the difference between “reality” TV and the real world. Here at Ramapo, the general consensus is that reality TV shows provide good comic relief, but students need to be aware of the difference between these shows and the real world. krussel1@ramapo.edu
‘Laptop Concert’ Comes to Ramapo
SCHOOL OF GRADUATE & CONTINUING STUDIES • Business Administration (MBA) • Instructional Technology • Nursing (MSN) • Communication Disorders* • Occupational Therapy* • Computational Science • Professional Science Master’s in • Criminal Justice Environmental Science (PSM) • Doctorate in Physical Therapy* • Social Work (MSW)* • Education • NEW: American Studies • Educational Leadership • Holocaust and Genocide Studies *fall enrollment only
www.stockton.edu/grad
Sunday
“Disney on Broadway” @ 2pm and 7pm, Adler Theater “Greendot Kickball” @ 2pm, North Field
Monday
“Ramapo Pride Meeting” @ 1pm, ASB 221
On Tuesday, the Ramapo Digital Music Ensemble and New Jersey Laptop Orchestra from New Jersey Institute of Technology joined together for a digital music concert in the H-wing Auditorium at 7:30pm. Photo by Donna Elazar
Tuesday
“A Day to End Sexual Violence” @ 11am, J.Lees
Wednesday
“Uno Tournament Fundraiser” @ 9pm, J.Lees
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Page10 The Ramapo News
The courses you need ... this summer. With hundreds of undergraduate and graduate courses offered from May to August, Summer Sessions at Montclair State can help you move closer to attaining your degree.
Submit your Visiting Student Information Form today. Visiting student registration opens 4/18.
Great cut. Great price. What's not to like?.
Please note: Courses are subject to change/cancellation.
For over 30 years we’ve been the best value in haircuts. The friendly and experienced stylists at Great Clips will always give you the quality haircut you want. Guaranteed. greatclips.com
Ramapo Students get
3
$ FRANKLIN LAKES
off haircut
Reg. Adults $14; Kids/Seniors $11.
Show your student ID at the salon. Not valid with any other offers. Good only at Franklin Crossing.
Franklin Crossing
834 Franklin Ave. • (Near Stop & Shop)
LEARN MORE:
201-485-8188
Hours: M-F 9-9; Sat. 9-6; Sun. 10-5
summer@montclair.edu • 973-655-4352 • montclair.edu/summer
WN_5x7_FranklinCrossing_43187.indd 1
3/15/12 11:39 AM
‘Hunger Game’ Rises to Expectations ‘Uprising’ Game is Worth the Wait By ERICA BUCHMAN Staff Writer
On March 23, after months of anticipation built up through trailers, posters, merchandise and endless buzz via the Internet, the world was finally rewarded for its patience: “The Hunger Games” premiered at last. Adapted from the best-selling novel of the same name by Suzanne Collins, “The Hunger Games” tells the story of Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), a 16-yearold girl who volunteers on behalf of her 12-year-old sister, Prim (Willow Shields) to compete in the “prestigious” Hunger Games. Held once a year by order of the totalitarian government in a country known as Panem, the Hunger Games require one boy and girl between the ages of 12 to 18 from each of the 12 district to participate as “tributes” and fight to the death on live television. Hailing from District 12, Katniss and her fellow tribute Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) defy all odds as they fight for their lives against 22 other competitors. Popularity of the film was such that a midnight showing was made available on Thursday March 22. The last film to garner such attention was “Breaking Dawn Part 1” of the Twilight saga and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2” before that. “The Hunger Games” is undoubtedly the first teen movie of its kind. Yes, the main characters are adolescent, but there is (almost) no trace of boy-meets-girl-high-school-romance to be found in this movie. Unlike “Twilight,” where the constant theme throughout the franchise is that of love conquering all, “The Hunger Games” depicts a romance between Katniss and Peeta as a means of survival rather than as a genuine attraction. “The Hunger Games” also distances itself from other films based on young adult novels
through the gruesome nature of death featured. Watching teenagers viciously kill each other with bow and arrows, swords, spears and hand-to-hand combat hardly qualifies the film for feel-good movie of the year, but the raw emotion seen throughout the film makes “The Hunger Games” relatable to everyone. With novels that are adapted to the big screen, characters are combined, key scenes are omitted, and, in some cases, the ending is entirely rewritten. While there may be some discrepancies between the novel and the film, “The Hunger Games,” follows the original storyline close enough to avoid any major disappointment from the fans.
‘THE HUNGER GAMES’ IS UNDOUBTEDLY THE FIRST TEEN MOVIE OF ITS KIND. YES, THE MAIN CHARACTERS ARE ADOLESCENT, BUT THERE IS (ALMOST) NO TRACE OF BOY-MEETS-GIRL HIGH SCHOOL ROMANCE TO BE FOUND IN THIS MOVIE. The book is the first part of Collins’ brilliant trilogy, followed by “Catching Fire” and “Mockingjay.” The success of “The Hunger Games” is only the beginning; all the lead actors in the film have signed on for the adaptation of Collins’ second and third book. If “The Hunger Games” is any indicator, then we have two more incredible movies to look forward to. ebuchman@ramapo.edu
By ELIZABETH ODERMATT Staff Writer For those who have been following it, “Kid Icarus: Uprising” has been in the making for quite awhile now. It was first showed at E3 alongside the 3DS system and many interpreted it be the 3DS’s launch title. Now, almost a year into the 3DS’s life, “Kid Icarus: Uprising” has finally hit shelves, not a moment too soon as fans have been hoping to see Pit star in a new adventure since “Super Smash Bros: Brawl.” Pit has come a long way from his days on the NES but he thankfully transitions well into the current generation. The story in “Kid Icarus” is nothing complex but it is quite enjoyable nonetheless. The evil Medusa and her army have risen from the underworld and are planning to take over the world. Pit is an angel servant of the goddess of Light Lady Palutena, and with her help it is up to Pit to stop Medusa and her army. While the story may not be all that riveting, there is a lot of unexpected comedy and sarcasm in the storyline that really adds to the game’s charm. However, while the humor is often enjoyable it can sometimes be over bearing. There is constant bickering among the characters during combat and it can be easy to forget you are being attacked as you listen to the characters on the bottom 3DS screen. Speaking of the combat, in “Uprising” it is quite enjoyable, and probably its biggest draw point. The levels are divided into two sections air and land battles. Air battles occur at the beginning and are somewhat similar to an on-rails shooter. Pit flies along a pre-determined path as the player fights
and dodges enemies as they appear on the screen. Even though his destination is preset, the beautiful 3D graphics and fast pace action keeps the air battles exciting. Alongside the air battles are land battles, about mid way through the level Pit will make a landing and the players are free to control him along the ground. The land battles add much more variety as there are collectibles you can acquire for new weapons and secret areas to unlock based on difficulty. The biggest drawback with “Uprising” lies in its control scheme. On the air or on land, control Pit with the analog stick fire with the L button. Aiming is always with the stylus and touch screen, players must drag the reticle around the screen with the stylus in order to direct their attacks. In addition, while on land the camera is controlled by swiping the stylus across the screen in order to face the desired direction, the characters describe it as spinning a globe. While the control scheme is not horrible, is can definitely be awkward at first and take some getting used too. In fact, even Nintendo realized the faulty layout and included a kickstand with the game so players can have better control. “Uprising” is a perfect example of a game that would have greatly benefited from having an additional analog stick on the 3DS. The game does support the Circle Pad Pro and those who were lucky enough to find one will no doubt have a more enjoyable experience. The fact-paced combat, beautiful 3D graphics, and humorous story offer for a wonderful an experience on the 3DS’s slim library. eodermat@ramapo.edu
Thursday, March 29, 2012
The Ramapo News Page 11
Awards Honoring the Best of the Worst Writers’ Nominees for Winners of this Year’s ‘Razzies’ Talent that Falls Short By ALEJANDRO HERNANDEZ Staff Writer In 2009, “Avatar” became the highest grossing film of all time demonstrating how film has taken a turn for the better with the advancement of technology. Audiences flock to movie theaters in order to see the new effects, the 3D and the intense action scenes. But before there was any of that, there was good acting. Where has all that gone? It seems we are cursed with films such as “The Hangover Part 2” and “Just Go With It.” However, with every horrible movie there is a horrible actor. In 2011, we learned that Adam Sandler’s career was over. Sandler starred in several films in the past year, and by far the worst was “Just Go With It.” In fact, Sandler is nominated for a few Razzie Awards this year; not only is he nominated for worst actor but also for worst actress for his role in “Jack and Jill”. That’s going to be hard to beat for next year, but we know if anyone can make a bad movie it’s Sandler.
Adam Sandler has been nominated for Worst Actor for his acting in the movie “Jack and Jill.” Photo courtesy of Angela George, Wikimedia
Another actor that deserves recognition for his lack of talent is Russell Brand for his performance in “Arthur.” He was irritating, and his horrible acting was evident throughout the entire film. The casting director spared a talented actor’s career by casting Brand, an actor whose 15 minutes of fame ended 10 minutes ago. Along with Sandler and Brand, it brings me tremendous amounts of pleasure to include Taylor Lautner on this list. Lautner, who starred in “Abduction” and “The Twilight Saga” has been around for years, but why? Lautner’s acting is bland at best, emotionless and incredibly dull. “Abduction” will forever go down as one of the worst films of the 2011. The Twilight movies would have been in the same boat if it weren’t for the millions of teenage girls around the world supporting it. Cage has been in at least one film every year since 1980 with the exception of 1985 and 1991. With so much experience under his belt you would think that his
movies would be record setters. Has he gotten any Oscar nominations lately? No.
Movies that Miss the Mark By JEREMY KELLY Staff Writer “Breaking Dawn: Part 1”- As silly and ridiculous as the “Twilight” films get, they can be entertaining. But this one drags on; the honeymoon scenes between Bella and Edward get really awkward. Scenes with the werewolves come off as hilarious when they should be serious. Kristen Stewart has proven her acting capabilities in films like “Adventureland,” “The Runaways” and “Welcome to the Rileys.” She could have done much better than this.
Sarah Jessica Parker is someone who is familiar with the Razzies, with her most recent nomination for “Worst Actress” for “I Don’t Know How She Does It.” Photo courtesy of David Shankbone, Wikimedia
Rounding out the “Worst Actors” category is Martin Lawrence. I remember when he used to be funny. His comedies now seem to have taken a turn for the worst. When he starred in “Big Momma’s House: Like Father Like Son,” I knew he had reached the end of the road. The acting was not up to par and it proved once and for all the sequels aren’t worth the paper the scripts are written on. Lawrence was once the go-to guy for anything comedy related and people use to find joy in his acting. I wonder what happened. Last but not least, the winner of worst actress is, the entire cast of “Sex and the City 2.” In one of the worst sequels to ever grace the big screen, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon, thought they had a blockbuster on their hands when the first “Sex and the City” did so well. The film was like watching a season of the show all in one movie. The comedy was not so funny, the romance was not so romantic so it failed as a romantic comedy. The movie is raunchy at times and nausea nauseating. I don’t know what makes me sicker, Samantha (a 50 year old, whom is the reason for the “sex” in “Sex and the City”) or the fact that this film offends everyone. The film is offensive to gays, women, single people, married people and New Yorkers. Let’s not forget Arabs, and especially Arab women. The reason these women have been listed on the 2011 list of worst actors and actresses is due to Sarah Jessica Parker, nominated for the top award. The Razzies also nominated Sarah Palin for “Worst Actress” in “The Undefeated,” but let’s not even go there. ahernand@ramapo.edu
triangle that doesn’t feel significant because both male leads involved are dull as dishwater, much like the movie itself. “The Rite”- Anthony Hopkins is topbilled as an Italian exorcist but doesn’t appear for the first 20 minutes. The star is Colin O’Donoghue, who spends most of the film standing around watching other people solve a problem. His tone hardly changes and he lacks emotion. The scares are few; it just gets dull and repetitive, in spite of Hopkins’ fascinating quirkiness. “Abduction”- Taylor Lautner gets his chance in a starring role as a teenager who discovers his parents are imposters, but he and the film fail miserably. Some of the dialogue comes across as unintentionally funny, and the supporting cast gives little support. Sigourney Weaver gives one of her worst performances as Lautner’s therapist. Lily Collins is just there to be Lautner’s girlfriend. Michael Nyqvist is dull as the villain. If Lautner wants a career after “Twilight,” he should pick better films.
“Twilight Breaking Dawn: Part 1” is just one movie that has nominations is several categories for this year’s Razzies. Photos courtesy of Mage Somida, Flickr Creative Commons.
“Don’t be Afraid of the Dark”- 12-yearold Bailee Madison is convincing as a little girl named Sally who is frightened to death because the new house she lives in may be haunted. Unfortunately, this plays out like any other haunted house film. Something happens, the girl gets blamed, she denies it, rinse and repeat. “Conan the Barbarian”- The 1982 sword-and-scorcery film of the same name starring a pre-Terminator Arnold Schwarzenegger was also pretty dumb, but it had a fun type of grandeur to it. Here, we know Conan wants revenge on Khalar Zym for killing his father, but nothing feels important. The only thing worth mentioning is how bizarre Rose McGowan looks as Zym’s witch daughter Marique. “The Thing”- This story is mostly the same as the 1982 John Carpenter version of the same name. A group of scientists find a creature buried in the Artic ice; they thaw it out, only for it to break loose and take the form of whoever it kills. But this loses its importance when you can see exactly who’s possessed based on dialogue and body language. Also, these characters are forgettable; you can credit nearly everyone as “bearded Norwegian guy.” “Red Riding Hood”- An idiotic, PG-13 version of the classic fairytale starring Amanda Seyfried in the title role. The setting is off-putting, since nobody looks very cold although it’s snowing, the dialogue is cringe-worthy. The story: downright ridiculous. There’s a love
“Red Riding Hood,” starrig Amanda Seyfried, is another movie that could be considered for a Razzie nomination. Photo courtesy of Maurina Rava, Flickr Creative Commons
“Battle: Los Angeles”- Roughly 95 percent of this alien invasion film is shot in shaky-cam, where the cameramen obviously spent all of shooting having repeated seizures; it’s enough to make you nauseous. The characters are beyond forgettable, something the filmmakers knew that since they use text to introduce them. Good special effects and good explosions can’t save the rest of the movie. “The Roommate”- College freshman Sara gets a psychotic roommate. Simply put, it’s a cheap rip-off of 1992’s “Single White Female.” One of them brings home a pet. There’s a pervert that gets his comeuppance, and a boyfriend that gets hoodwinked. Everything feels forced and boring. There’s no attempt to get us to understand these characters and the pacing is horrendous; hardly any scene goes on more than 60 seconds before jumping onto the next one. The movie is horribly shot, horribly written and has a lackluster ending. jkelly7@ramapo.edu
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Page 12 The Ramapo News
l iv in g l iv e n u p yo u r war d r obe By JULIANNE BRANDA Staff Writer This year, among all of the spring beauty and fashion trends which usually involve florals, sundresses and straw hats, one is creating more hype than ever before. It is not a specific item of clothing or a print, but simply, the color orange.
There are many ways to liven up your wardrobe this season with new colors. Photo courtesy of Critine Philip, Wikimedia
You may be familiar with Pantone as the company that helped you choose which color to paint your room. Their swatches represent practically every shade of the rainbow and are helpful when visiting Loews. However, this year, when Pantone declared “Tangerine Tango” the “color of 2012,” they created a frenzy in the fashion world. While no one has the authority to force a specific color on the universe for an entire year, there is no doubt that orange will have its moment in 2012. From the pictures of New York Fashion Week, it is clear that Pantone was right on point with their choice of the “color of the year.” Practically every designer dished out heaping amounts of orange; many included entire ensembles consisting of tangerine. Accordingly, this trend is not for the faint of heart; it does not include just a splash of color, but entire doses of coral and cantaloupe. To adapt the trend to your own taste, consider
what hue of orange you are most comfortable rocking. If you embrace bright hues without any hesitation, then go for the fullest neon color you can find. Everything from pants and blazers, to dresses, have been produced with enough orange to make the sun jealous, so you can rock this trend as you wish. However, if you are less inclined to channel the bright fiery pits of Mordor, consider something more pastel, like salmon or a light shade of coral. Either way, you can be on trend without sacrificing your own comfort and style. “Tangerine Tango” has also influenced the recent collections of several beauty and nail polish brands. MAC has several offerings of bright eye shadows, blushes and lipsticks to quench your thirst for tangerine. Try out the eye shadow quad “Call Me Bubbles” ($38), which includes orange, pearl, and pink eye shadows and are extremely flattering on tan skin. If you prefer bold lips, try out MAC’s “Lady Danger” lipstick ($14.50), a bold orange-red that screams 1950’s pin-up in a modern way. If you reserve bright colors for your nails, try out OPI’S “Red Lights Ahead, Where?” ($8), which is a pinky-orange color. If you are a “Hunger Games” fan and also love neon nail polish, China Glaze’s “Riveting” ($6), which is a shimmering, resplendent orange, is a great option. The brand recently released an entire collection of “Hunger Games” themed nail polish, thus marrying the worlds of literature and beauty in a fun way. Whether you go pastel or neon, orange is certainly going to be the color of this spring and summer. However, do not go overboard and abandon aqua, pink and yellow. Since this trend is so bold, it is best done in moderation. It is not recommended that you wear an orange eye shadow, lipstick, pants, nail polish and blazer all in one sitting. But if that is what you prefer, no worries: it will appear that you just walked right off the New York catwalks.
D uches s o f Des s erts By LAUREN SANTANIELLO Staff Writer
Brown Sugar Cherry Cake With flavors like Swiss Chocolate, Red Velvet, Devil’s Food Cake, and so on, all these brands box the same, predictable flavors. So, how about something new? Tempt your taste-buds with a brand new recipe that is so delicious it even took ME by surprise. To be honest, I had no idea what I was getting into when I raided my pantry, in desperate need of a dessert for my grandmother’s visit, but luckily this last minute whipup turned into something so delicious that I felt strongly compelled to share it with all of you. This is one recipe that guarantees a positive response, so put that Funfetti mix back on the shelf and start baking!
This cake offers the perfect change to escape from boring flavors. Photo courtesy of Lauren Santaniello
Directions: 1.
Preheat oven to 375
2.
Sift flour and baking powder into a bowl
3.
Add butter, sugar, milk, and egg
4.
Beat until smooth. Add more milk if mixture is difficult to manipulate
5.
Pour mixture into a buttered cake pan
6.
Drain cherries and set the juice aside.
7.
Arrange cherries on the cake
8.
In a bowl mix brown sugar, flour, butter, and cherry juice to taste
9.
Pour mixture over cherries and smooth
What you’ll need: BASE: • • • • • •
2 cups flour 1/2 cup milk 1tsp baking powder 6 tbsp butter, softened 1 cup brown sugar 1 egg, lightly beaten
TOPPING: • • • •
15 ounce can of dark pitted cherries 3/4 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup flour 1/4 cup butter, melted
jbranda1@ramapo.edu
yo ur wee kly h or osco pes
10. Bake for 45 minutes or until cake is golden brown 11. Sprinkle the top with powdered sugar 12. Serve warm and enjoy! lsantani@ramapo.edu
Aries: In the past week you may have been feeling like your hands were tied in a certain situation or that is has been ‘set back city’. However, it may mean that something has simply run its course and there is a need now to really rethink things. As tedious as something may be, the pay off will be great.
Leo: It is how you respond following the moment of impact that defines who you are. This week you reach a rare and valuable juncture in which you are able to create and then make your own personal breakthrough.
Sagittarius: This week guarantees creative solutions will manifest straight out of some unexpected confusion and chaos. New bursts of genius may have you redirecting the course of your future to some degree and a better outcome is brewing you can bank on it!
Taurus: It will take true courage in the middle of chaos this week in order to free yourself from a certain drama that will only drain your resources. The next three weeks suggesting some radical change is on the horizon and appears to be exactly what you need.
Virgo: Everything can and will continue to catch you off guard, necessarily so, as it is meant to increase your awareness and understanding of reality as it is. Where you once thought something was written in stone, new knowledge and revelations are making their way up and out.
Capricorn: So often lately it feels as if there is not enough time in the day. However, this apparent stress is working to breakdown things that have been preventing personal evolutionary growth. There may be a true unknown on the other side of this but you need to take this liberating leap.
Gemini: Energies this week may be running high and on edge, which may have you reliving your past in an emotionally heightened way. This will simply be necessary in order to flush out unresolved pieces that have been getting in the way of your happiness and growth.
Libra: You have the gift of seeing both sides to any situation, the pros and the cons, the light and the dark. This week however, the tides are putting full emphasis on you, and your need to take care and nurture those deeper pulls and needs of your own Soul.
Cancer: You may find yourself more impulsive than usual this week and as long as you don’t first stop to think about what might go wrong, it will be an unusually, beautifully different sort of week. As elevated and uncertain as the current tides appear to be, this raw energy is ripe for breaking through and breaking free.
Scorpio: What you are discovering now, perhaps more than you have in a good long time, is who your valued and truly trusted friends are. Witness those that are still in the ring with you and who have your back.
Aquarius: The agitation that you feel is drawing your attention to something unresolved that you have been avoiding like the plague. We are always in state of recovering, unfolding and becoming. This week, you become privy to lingering content that has not been adequately dealt with. Pisces: No relationship is perfect. Enormous strength will result from either a recent or currently taxing emotional trip. horoscopes courtesy of http://www.madalynaslan.com
Thursday, March 29, 2012
The Ramapo News Page 13
SPORTS Roadrunners Drown Dolphins in Softball Doubleheader RAMAPO SHUTS OUT MOUNT SAINT VINCENT TWICE, IMPROVES RECORD TO 13-1 By KATIE BRUNO Staff Writer The women’s softball team swept Mount Saint Vincent College in a doubleheader Wednesday afternoon. Senior Lauren Shaw helped lead the Roadrunners to a victory in the first game by pitching a one-hitter and did not let the Dolphins score a single run. It did not take the Roadrunners long to get on the scoreboard. In the bottom of the first inning, freshman Jaclyn Lima smashed a double down the left field line. Senior Tiffany Fisher then bunted for a hit to put runners on first and third.
LAST THREE GAMES Ramapo 5, Hope College 3 Ramapo 11, Mount Saint Vincent 0 Ramapo 8, Mount Saint Vincent 8 NEXT THREE GAMES Ramapo vs. Rutgers-Camden Sat. at 1 p.m. Ramapo vs. Albirght College Sun. at 1 p.m. Ramapo vs. William Paterson Tue. at 3 p.m. After Fisher stole second, senior Danielle Rothenberger tailed an RBI and brought Lima in for the first run of the game. A ball that blasted past the catcher sent Fisher home to score the second run of the game. Sophomore Caitlin Smith and junior Lisa Orlando both contributed RBIs to give the Roadrunners a 4-0 lead,
followed by junior Kelsey Higgins crossing the plate on a wild pitch for Ramapo’s fifth run. At the end of the first inning the Roadrunners had a solid lead and were able to secure it for the rest of the game. In the third inning, the Roadrunners scored two more runs to give them a seven-run lead. Shaw was still able to hold down the field with her solid pitching. In the fourth inning, Ramapo tallied another four runs to give the Roadrunners an 11-0 victory over the Dolphins. After the win, the Roadrunners still had another game ahead of them. Ramapo scored early in the game again, gaining a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. In the second inning, the Roadrunners scored a total of seven runs. Contributing to these runs were hits by Kim LaPenta and Kristen Wilson. After a few walks, Higgins cleared the bases with an RBI triple to give the Roadrunners a 7-0 lead. Higgins was then able to score on a passed ball, putting the Roadrunners up by eight. Freshman Erica Fisher also helped contribute to the Roadrunners victory by pitching a shutout in her first start. Along side her were sophomore Nicole Schneider, who pitched the third and fourth innings, and sophomore Harley Masiello, who pitched the final innings. The Roadrunners ended in an 8-0 victory over the Dolphins. After sweeping the Dolphins, the Roadrunners improved their record to 13-1. They will face NJAC rival RutgersCamden in another doubleheader this Saturday. kbruno2@ramapo.edu
The Roadrunners defeated the Dolphins in both games of a doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon to increase their winning streak to five. Photo by Stefanie Mauro
Roadrunners Women’s Lacrosse Come up Short to Red Hawks MONTCLAIR STATE TOPS RAMAPO 19-7 IN CONFERENCE RIVALRY MATCHUP By LARISSA LOHMAN Staff Writer The Ramapo women’s lacrosse team came up short against the Montclair State Red Hawks on Wednesday afternoon, losing 19-7. Montclair, who has a 6-3 overall record and is 2-1 in the Skyline Division and 2-0 in the NJAC, gained an early lead, scoring nine unanswered goals in the first 18 minutes of play. The Roadrunners answered the ninth goal 42 seconds later, with their first goal scored by Amanda Ferry. The junior defender collected her fifth goal of the season on an unassisted score. The Red Hawks answered the Roadrunners goal two minutes later, but Ramapo quickly recovered, scoring their second goal with 8:34 left to play in the first period when senior midfielder Amanda Barretta took a free position shot. The Roadrunners then scored two minutes later when attack/midfielder Colleen Steel, picked up a ground ball and passed to junior
The Roadrunners are 4-4 this season after losing 19-7 to the Montclair State Red Hawks on Wednesday. Photo by Stefanie Mauro
midfielder Adrianna Tepedino, scoring Ramapo’s third goal. Montclair scored four more goals before Barretta answered with another one with less than two minutes in the period. She scored the final goal of the period, bringing
FRIDAY
RAMAPO
sports
Men’s Tennis vs. Rutgers-Camden at 3:30 p.m.
the period to a close with a score of 14-4 in favor of Montclair. The second period started the same way, with Montclair scoring four goals in the first 17 minutes of play. The Roadrunners stepped up and answered
SATURDAY Baseball at Stockton College at 11:30 a.m. (doubleheader) Men and Women’s Track and Field - Alumni Day at 11 a.m. Softball vs. Rutgers-Camden at 1 p.m. (DH)
the goals, scoring two consecutively. Steel scored with 13:37 left to play, giving her 17 for the season. Tepedino collected another goal with 11:12 remaining, bringing Ramapo’s tally to six, while collecting her 17th goal this season. Montclair answered Tepedino’s goal with less than 10 minutes left to play, bringing their total to 19 goals scored. Barretta had the last say for Ramapo, scoring with 1:12 left in the game and collecting her 32nd goal of the season. The game was brought to a close with a final score of 19-7. Two Montclair players received yellow cards, while Ramapo received no penalties. Ramapo’s freshman and starting goalie, Reagan Vier, saved five shots on goal, while Montclair’s goalie made seven saves all day. The Roadrunners take on Kean University on April 3 in an NJAC matchup at Kean University. llohman@ramapo.edu
SUNDAY Softball vs. Albright College at 1 p.m. (DH) Men’s Volleyball vs. SUNY Purchase at 2 p.m. Men’s Volleyball vs. Mount Saint Vincent at 4 p.m.
TUESDAY Softball vs. William Paterson University at 3 p.m. (DH) Baseball vs. Lehman College at 3:30 p.m. Women’s Lacrosse at Kean University at 4 p.m.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Page 14 The Ramapo News
Saints Issued Punishments for Team’s Bounty Program
By JEREMY KELLY Staff Writer
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has slapped the New Orleans Saints with some of the most severe penalties in league history in the aftermath of uncovering the bounty program that went on within the organization from 2009 to 2011. Former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams has been suspended indefinitely, head coach Sean Payton has been suspended for the entire 2012 season, general manager Mickey Loomis has been suspended for the first eight games of the season and assistant coach Joe Vitt for the first six games. In 2009, the Saints hired Williams, who worked as the defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington Redskins and Tennessee Titans in addition to head coaching the Buffalo Bills from 2001 to 2003. The Saints led the league in takeaways and won Super Bowl XLIV against the Indianapolis Colts. Even then, however, there was controversy around how the team played. Against the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship Game, they landed many late hits on quarterback Brett Favre; Minnesota head coach Brad Childress felt they had gone after Favre deliberately. On March 2, after almost three years of suspicions, the NFL found indisputable evidence of a bounty program run by the Saints. After arriving in New Orleans, Williams started the program, in which between 22 and 27 Saints defensive players were involved. Players would earn extra pay depending on their performances during games, with the most monetary
“rewards” received if they knocked an opposing player out of the game. Not only was Favre a target in 2009, but so was Kurt Warner. This past season, they targeted Aaron Rodgers and Cam Newton. Roger Goodell announced the penalties on March 21, which included a $500,000 fine and the removal of two future secondround draft picks. Although the suspensions can be considered hefty, Goodell responded during an interview with NFL Network’s Rich Eisen, “I don’t think you can be too hard on people that put at risk our players’ health and safety.” “The NFL got this 100 percent right,” Ramapo senior Alex Simon said. “You need to send the message early in order for the continuation of the game to occur. Otherwise, this opens the floodgates for more lawsuits in addition to the plethora of cases levied against the NFL for concussion issues.” Players’ safety has been a high priority for Goodell since he became league commissioner in 2006, no doubt with additional penalties and new procedures regarding player concussions. Former players have insisted that bounty programs such as this have existed in the NFL for years; however, others have spoken harshly of the fact that the Saints attempted to intentionally injure opposing players. The league has yet to announce punishments for the players involved, and the team still needs to replace Payton with an interim head coach. Payton reportedly has asked former mentor and coaching legend Bill Parcells to come out of retirement to coach the Saints this year. jkelly7@ramapo.edu
NHL Skates to Season’s End By JONATHAN GONZALEZ Staff Writer In a year when the National Hockey League witnessed a record breaking 28-game home winning streak, a young budding star in Steven Stamkos tearing apart the goal scoring column and the absence of Sydney Crosby for most of the year, fans can’t wait for the playoffs to start. As teams continue fight for playoff positioning, the NHL couldn’t be happier for such a fitting Hollywood ending to this storybook season. While the Detroit Red Wings lead the league in home wins, their struggles as of late have dropped them from first to fourth in the Western Conference, giving up their top seed to a younger and faster St. Louis Blues’ squad that holds firm control of the Central Division and Western Conference. The New York Rangers continue to fight their way to first place in the East and against the Blues for the President’s Cup, which is awarded to the team with the most point at the end of the season. The New York Rangers rely heavily of the spectacular goaltending of Henrik Lundqvist and the retooled front line of Carl Hagelin, Brad Richards and Marian Gaborik to gain these final points with only five games left in the season. A Rangers squad that has led the majority of the season will head into the playoffs looking over their backs, as division rival Pittsburgh Penguins have quickly climbed up the ranks. Led by NHL points leader Evgeni Malkin, the Penguins resurgence comes at a perfect
time when the league’s golden boy, Sydney Crosby, tries to contribute to their playoff push after missing more than 100 games recovering from a concussion sustained last season. Crosby’s loss seemed to be what helped fuel certain teams to pass Pittsburgh in the standings. Suffering a Tuesday night defeat to the bottom-dwelling New York Islanders, the Penguins watched as a 5-3 loss kept them three points back from the Rangers for first in the East. A squad that heads to Winnipeg with one eye of the standings and the other on the schedule noting the next five games are against conference rivals. Unlike the rival New Jersey Devils, who go into today’s game against Steven Stamkos and the Lightning with 92 points after their win against Patrick Kane and the Chicago Blackhawks. Chicago, the 2009-10 Stanley Cup champions, deals with their own problems sitting in sixth place in the West. After the loss of Jonathan Toews, the Blackhawks have struggled to climb the ladder in the Central Division with 93 points. St. Louis has tallied 105 points, which is enough to place them ahead of the New York Rangers for first overall in the league. With March Madness winding down, the NHL continues to fuel the flame of every sports fan. As teams race for their final positions with less than six games left in the season, cities are gearing up for an exciting Stanley Cup run that will feature old rivalries trying to write new storylines. jgonzal7@ramapo.edu
And Then There Were Four: March Madness Set for Finish KENTUCKY, LOUISVILLE, OHIO STATE, KANSAS SEEK MEN’S BASKETBALL TITLE
By RYAN HOHNER Staff Writer March Madness ensued just weeks ago, with many hopeful teams seeking to be crowned as the premier program in the nation. However, only four teams are still in contention to achieve the men’s basketball Division I National Championship. Kentucky, Louisville, Ohio State and Kansas entered this season with high hopes and aspirations of winning it all, and now each team is just a game away from a trip to New Orleans and college basketball immortality. Kentucky vs. Louisville Kentucky’s head coach John Calipari has led his team to the Final Four for a second straight year and four times throughout his career, but the overall number one ranked team in the country faces a formidable opponent in Louisville. Head coach Rick Pitino makes his sixth final four appearance. Louisville, who lost earlier this season to Kentucky 69-62 on Dec. 31 in Lexington will seek to avenge their loss and achieve a title game berth. The number four seed Louisville carries an eight game winning streak into this matchup that features two very versatile
Head coach Rick Pitino looks to lead the Louisville Cardinals to victory over the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday night. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia.
teams. Kentucky, who went 16-0 in the SEC conference this year on their way to a conference title, exhibits a young yet talented roster that Louisville may seek to pressure throughout the game to force turnovers. Key factors of the game will be the presence of Anthony Davis in the paint for the Wildcats after he suffered a knee injury in their Elite 8 victory over Baylor. Davis, who leads the teams in blocks (4.6) and rebounds (10.2) per game, returned to
action after his injury and will be a critical force on the defensive side of the ball. Louisville’s main focus offensively will be to get the ball to starting guard Russ Smith, who exploded for 30 points the last time these two teams met. The game will undoubtedly be won defensively, as Louisville’s guards Smith and Petyon Siva (2.2 and 1.7 steals a game, respectively) will seek to halt Kentucky’s balanced offense which includes six players that average double figures in points. The game is set for 6:09 p.m. this Saturday on CBS. Ohio State vs. Kansas The top Big Ten and Big 12 teams match up as the Ohio State Buckeyes take on the Kansas Jayhawks. Both teams, which entered the tournament as the number two seeds and have quickly rose to the occasion late in the season, should present a marquee game. Ohio State’s head coach Thad Matta and Kansas’ Bill Self make their second career final four appearances since 2007 and 2008, respectively. The question of who will survive and move on is in the hands of the forward play in this game. Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger, who is highly regarded as the top offensive
big man in the country and is entering this game averaging 17.6 points per game, matches up against the Jayhawks’ primetime scorer, Thomas Robinson (17.7 points per game). Either Robinson or the 7-footer Jeff Withey, who has averaged 3.5 blocks per game this season, is expected to guard Sullinger, who committed two early fouls in the Buckeyes’ Elite 8 game against Syracuse. He played only six minutes in the first half and will want to get more time on the court to pull out a victory for the Buckeyes. Luckily for Ohio State, their other starting forward Deshaun Thomas (16.9 points pergame) has thrived in Sullinger’s time on the bench. Thomas, who played 40 minutes against the Syracuse Orange, posted 14 points and nine rebounds in the game. A main focus for Kansas in this game will be to limit the turnovers from guards Tyshawn Taylor and Elijah Johnson. Taylor and Johnson averaged 3.5 and 1.8 turnovers per game, which has created opportunities in which their opponents can capitalize. The Buckeyes and Jayhawks are set to follow the Wildcats and Cardinals with tipoff at 8:49 p.m. rhohner@ramapo.edu
Thursday, March 29, 2012
The Ramapo News Page 15
Broncos Race Ahead to Win Peyton Manning Sweepstakes STAR QUARTERBACK SNUBS TENNESSEE, SAN FRANCISCO TO SIGN WITH DENVER By DAN GEARY Staff Writer Peyton Manning is arguably the best quarterback in NFL history, so it’s fitting that his free agency received such a high level of media attention. He handled his free agency both professionally and swiftly. He even managed to avoid announcing his decision on a nationally televised ESPN prime time special labeled “The Decision.” Manning signed a five-year deal with Denver, which could be worth up to $96 million. The contract has many clauses in it since Manning did not play at all last season due to his lengthy recovery from multiple neck surgeries. Manning is set to make a guaranteed $18 million for the 2012 season. He will earn $20 million for his second and third seasons with the team as long as he passes a team physical in March 2013. The final two years of his contract pay $19 million each season if he stays healthy. The Broncos have retired only three jersey numbers in their franchise history. John Elway’s 7, Floyd Little’s 44 and Frank Tripuka’s 18 were all retired, but Tripuka has agreed to un-retire his jersey number just so Manning can wear the number 18 that he has worn for his entire NFL career
with the Indianapolis Colts. The monumental signing of Peyton Manning has caused multiple changes to Denver’s current roster. Executive vice president of football operations John Elway and head coach John Fox decided to trade quarterback Tim Tebow and a seventh round draft pick to the New York Jets for their fourth and sixth round draft picks. With Brady Quinn leaving for the Kansas City Chiefs via free agency, the Broncos elected to sign Caleb Hanie, the former Chicago Bears quarterback, for two years to backup Manning. Many other players chose to join the Denver Broncos now that they have added Manning to their offense. The Broncos have added cornerback Tracy Porter, wide receiver Andre Caldwell and tight ends Jacob Tamme and Joel Dreessen to their revamped team. Besides the Denver Broncos, Manning met with the Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers and Tennessee Titans. The three finalists in acquiring him were the Broncos, 49ers and Titans. The 49ers emerged late as a surprise suitor for Manning. They had the best record of the three teams, and made it the furthest in the playoffs last year. The Titans offered
number one rushing offense. He is pairing up with young, promising receivers, such as Andre Caldwell, Eric Decker, and Demaryius Thomas. On the defensive side of the ball, Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller will now have a chance to reach their full potential as pass rushers with Denver having better odds of scoring more points with Manning running the offense.
“BESIDES THE DENVER BRONCOS, MANNING MET WITH THE ARIZONA CARDINALS, MIAMI DOLPHINS, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AND TENNESSEE TITANS.” Peyton Manning signed a five-year deal with the Denver Broncos, who later traded former starting quarterback, Tim Tebow. Photo courtesy of Ian Ransley, Flickr Creative Commons
Manning a lifetime job in the organization once he retires as a player. The Broncos offered him a lot more money and the opportunity to play with young, rising NFL players, which proved to be most appealing. Manning will now join last season’s
A lot of pressure is on Peyton Manning, but he is in a great position to end his career on a high note. Whether or not he leads Denver to another Super Bowl victory in his next five years will ultimately decide whether or not the Broncos made the right move in free agency. Despite the outcome, the Broncos can at least brag that they now have had two Hall of Fame quarterbacks under center. dgeary@ramapo.edu
Campus Clash: Was Acquiring Tebow the Right Move for Jets? TEBOW, EVEN AS A BACKUP, CAN HELP By RICHIE SORCE Staff Writer Tim Tebow is an absolute media circus. He won’t admit it, but that is what he has become in his first two years in the National Football League. On Monday, Tebow was introduced to the New York media following his trade from the Denver Broncos to the Jets.
The Denver Broncos traded Tim Tebow to the New York Jets, where he will likely play as a reserve to Mark Sanchez. Photo courtesy of Jeffrey Beall, Flickr Creative Commons
This trade has become the talk of the town, and that is exactly what the Jets organization was looking for. New York Jets owner Woody Johnson can deny that fact and will say that this was a “football move,” but no one is buying that sentiment.
It was a move that most football fans feel was completely unnecessary, and was a bad move. I, however, disagree. By bringing in Tim Tebow, current Jets starting quarterback Mark Sanchez now has competition. Before anyone brings up the fact that Tebow had the worst stats in the league for starting quarterbacks last season, his winning spirit and miraculous fourth quarter comebacks led Denver to an 8-8 regular season record and an unbelievable overtime victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the playoffs. The Jets have been in dire need for a legit backup quarterback. Most football analysts and fans alike share the same belief that Tebow is not a starting quarterback. This may be true in some cases, but all Tebow has done in his football career, dating all the way back to high school, is win. He is a natural born leader and a great human being as well. The New York Jets have been lacking both these characteristics over the last three years since Rex Ryan and Mark Sanchez came in. If this works out the right way, Ryan and his coaching staff have landed an absolute playmaker. All Jet fans want is a Super Bowl victory, which has eluded the Jets for over 40 years now. It doesn’t matter who gets the job done, be it Tebow or Sanchez; the Jets just need to win. rsorce@ramapo.edu
TIM TEBOW AND JETS WILL NOT MIX By BILL PIVETZ Staff Writer As soon as Peyton Manning signed with the Broncos, Tim Tebow was placed on the trading block. Many thought that some of the teams, like the Dolphins, that missed out on Manning would go for Tebow. That was not the case, however, as the Dolphins signed David Garrard to a oneyear contract. Reports said that the Jets and Jaguars were in the hunt for Tebow. At the end of last Wednesday, the Broncos traded Tebow to the New York Jets. Denver traded Tebow and a 7th-round pick for the Jets’ 4th- and 6th-round picks in this year’s draft, which is not the best location for Tebow to show off his skills. Earlier this month the Jets signed quarterback Mark Sanchez to a three-year extension. Although the Jets haven’t made it to the Super Bowl, Sanchez led the team to two consecutive AFC Championship games. Tebow will be the Jets’ backup quarterback this year, with Jets head coach Rex Ryan on record saying that Sanchez is the starter. Tebow will be used in a Wildcat-type offense by having both Sanchez and Tebow on the field at the same time for some plays. Football fans saw the revival of the Wildcat in Miami during the 2008 season. Many defenses were surprised and confused by the formation, but it is unclear if it will work for the Jets. The Jets gave Sanchez a contract extension, which sends the message that the organization believes he is their guy. With Tebow in the mix, Sanchez’s growth as a quarterback will slow down. Last year,
Sanchez’s completion percentage was a full 10 points higher, and the Jets won’t have Tebow pass the ball. Most of Tebow’s success came from running and pitching the ball in a spread offense. Even if Tebow and Sanchez get along, there is still the relationship between Tebow and Rex Ryan. Tebow is a wholesome guy, as he is seen praying and kneeling during games. Ryan, on the other hand, is a very loud and vulgar coach who says whatever is on his mind. These clashing personalities may not be that big of a factor during the season, but it is puzzling why Tebow would choose to go to New York. The Jets already have their starter in Mark Sanchez. If Tebow wanted to be a starter, he could have gone home to Jacksonville and competed with Blaine Gabbert for the Jaguars’ starting spot. Though Tebow may not have had a choice on the team he was traded to, the Jets aren’t the best team for him. Even with Tony Sparano who coached the Dolphins in 2008 as the offensive coordinator, Tebow will not progress as a member of the Jets. The New York Jets will not have success with Tebow and Sanchez on their roster. They will coordinate an offense with a scheme that many defenses know how to defend now. Sanchez’s improvement will take a backseat. Sanchez seemed to lose his confidence towards the end of the year and management should worry about restoring it. As bad as Sanchez was at the end of the 2011 season, he is the Jets’ starter and doesn’t need Tebow over his shoulder, waiting for him to screw up. wpivetz@ramapo.edu
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Page 16 The Ramapo News
SPORTS
SAFE!
Ramapo’s softball team raised its record to 13-1 after winning both games in a doubleheader yesterday. Photo by Stefanie Mauro