Ramapo College of New Jersey Student Newspaper

A&E A&E

3.31.2011

RAMAPO NEWS

B.o.B. Page 8

THE

SPORTS

Bass Fishing Page 13

A Publication by the Students for the Ramapo College Community

XLI No. 19

Students Turn to Social Media During Campus Lockdown

By GARRET IVINS Staff Writer

photo by Mike Jagendorf

Ramapo College was put on a lockdown last Wednesday night following a call to Mahwah Police reporting that there had been a shooting on campus.

Mahwah Police arrested 23-yearold Gil Jaffe of West Orange last Wednesday, following a false reporting of a shooting on campus that resulted in a school-wide lockdown and speculation among students.

A heated phone conversation between the suspect and an exgirlfriend, a former Ramapo student, led to a call to Mahwah Police, claiming that someone on the college campus had been shot.

Leonid Shtaygrad was also arrested under suspicion of aiding in the hoax.

As the night’s events unfolded, social media sites like Facebook and Twitter were abuzz with rumors as students awaited an Alert-Me-Now notification that came more than thirty minutes after rumors began circulating.

Regarding emergency notifications, Mahwah Police Chief James Batelli explained that timeliness is everything.

“In a shooting situation getting information to students and faculty

is crucial.” Batelli said. “It’s important that in a lockdown everyone stays inside and stays up to date with accurate information about the situation.”

Batelli also said he has spoken with President Mercer, and the two are using this incident to work together to improve the school’s response to similar situations in the future.

“We were fortunate there was no shooter on campus,” Batelli said.

“This gives us time to work on and improve our response to these types of situations.”

During the lockdown, Mahwah Police conducted a full sweep of the campus before finding Jaffe at his home, a departure from previous protocol, according to Batelli.

“Five or ten years ago police would have to set up a parameter and wait for SWAT,” Batelli said.

Officers are now trained to go into these situations immediately to secure the area and find the shooter. The chief explained that

Ramapo Raises More Than $70,000 at Fifth Annual Relay Event

For more pictures from last Fridayʼs the Relay for Life, which brought together more than 1,000 people, see page 2.

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photos courtesy of Katie Lee

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Page 2 The Ramapo News

THE RAMAPO NEWS

Ramapo Fundraises for Cancer Under the Big Top

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Robert A. Scott Student Center 505 Ramapo Valley Road Mahwah, NJ 07430

(201) 684-7842 rcnjnews@ramapo.edu Megan Anderle Amy Fezza

Editor-in-Chief

Managing Editor

Nicole Alliegro Elyse Toribio News Editors

Diana Stanczak A & E Editor

Andrew Gould Sean Ritchie

Stefanie Mauro Sports Editors Photo Editor

Matt Giuliari Maria Sallustio

Creative Directors

Samantha Ullrich Web Editor

Adam Panella Dan Sforza

Business Manager Technical Advisor

Danielle Reed Keri Ann Flaccomio Contributors

INSIDE

Around the Arch Viewpoints Page 3

A&E Page 7

Sports Page 8

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 weekʼs issue.

Rates are available by contacting the editorial staff by phone or e-mail.

photos courtsey of Lindsey Jachens, Katie Lee, and Sandy Stucki

Ramapoʼs fifth annual overnight fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, Relay for Life, took place last Friday and Saturday. A total of 85 teams, 950 participants and 19 survivors were involved in the event, which featured Circus-themed games and organized activities like “Relay Idol,” Zumba and yoga. As of Monday, the committee has raised $71,079.99 for the cause.

Thursday, March 31, 2011

THURSDAY’S CHILD

Al Gore, 45th vice president and environmental advocate, turns 63 today.

TODAY IN HISTORY

The Eiffel Tower offically opened in 1889, becoming the global icon of France.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Jim Breheny on the Bronx Zooʼs missing cobra: “Our best strategy is patience, allowing her time to come out of hiding.”

Clubs Go Above and Beyond Community Service Requirement

By STEPHANIE deRUITER Staff Writer

Last week, members of the Community Service Center (CSC) held a bake sale for Operation Shelter Box – a fundraiser to raise money for shelter boxes that were to be sent to Japan. Around the corner in the student center, several members from Friends of Theta Phi Alpha were raising money for cancer organizations which are highly supported by the annual fundraising event Relay for Life. Several more tables will be seen throughout the semester, all with the main purpose of raising awareness, charity and fulfilling a community service requirement expected from official campus clubs.

“Each recognized club/organization is supposed to complete two community service events per year,” Eddie Seavers, associate director of Student Development said.

“These should be one per semester and one off campus and one on campus.”

There has been a rise in club activity this semester concerning community service. While raising money seems to be the main method of performing community service, some club leaders use the community service opportunity as a way to branch away from on-campus activity to helping those outside of the community.

“We’ll be volunteering at a children’s hospital,” Ross Yellin, president of the newly founded Study Club said.

“The kids are suffering from different sicknesses so we want to set up a positive game of charades because well, we’re the Study Club and we wanted to set up a semi-educational game the kids could partake in.”

Clubs are not the only student-run organizations partaking in community service projects throughout the year. Yellow fliers about Ramapo’s Student Government Association claimed, “SGA, from what I understand, does not do anything community-service related. Why are they allowed to skip out on one of the most worth while activities a club does at Ramapo?” According to SGA vice president Garrett Santoro, however, members of Student Government have been discussing the year’s community service plans since the beginning of fall 2010.

“[Habitat for Humanity] is something I always wanted to be a part of...I do construction work in the summertime so being able to do it for someone else makes it so much nicer and fulfilling.”

-Garrett Santoro, SGA vice president

“This year we did something different. We created a committee that can collectively bring the community together through our community service projects,” Brandon Martin, former Senate president, said. “In addition to our own community service, we do extended library hours during exam time for the students and every year we have a Relay for Life team. We do a lot of community service on campus but we also have outside outreach as well.”

For the past few months the organization has been running two penny drives called Pennies from Heaven.

“Pennies from Heaven is the name of the charity that we are giving [the money] to,” Matt Kobza, head of the SGA community service committee said. “The money that charity receives is distributed to third world nations with the intentions that the developing countries will use the money to fight world hunger.”

The funds from the second Pennies from Heaven drive will be donated to help fund building houses with Habitat for Humanity. The big SGA community service project takes place April 8 and 9. SGA members and Ramapo students who sign up will team up with Habitat for Humanity to build houses for the less fortunate.

“It’s something I always wanted to be a part of,” Santoro said. “I do construction work in the summertime so being able to do it for someone else makes it so much nicer and fulfilling.”

Contrary to popular belief, the community service requirement doesn’t seem to be so much a burden as it is a motivational tactic for students to get involved in their community.

“The Community Service Center helps us with some monitoring of the service, but it is at this point largely an honor system element which is reported in the End-of-the-Year report which is filed by each club/organization,” Seavers said. “If a club or organization did not meet this requirement there would be follow-up with the club and its leadership team to determine an appropriate response and course of action going forward.”

sderuite@ramapo.edu

Students’ Tempers Flare Over Ambiguous Fire Hazard Policy

By KAITLIN McGUINNESS Staff Writer

American colleges and universities including Ramapo College of New Jersey must file a fire safety report by October, 1 2011 in order to be in compliance with the Campus Fire Safety Right-to-Know-Act, introduced after the tragic fire that resulted in the death of three Seton Hall University students in 2000. In the wake of new fire safety measures on campus, students have been receiving mixed messages from administrators on what they are allowed to have in their dorm rooms.

Lauren Ospala, a senior who lives in the Village, said she and her suitemates were threatened with a fine in December for their decorations. However, they were never specifically told which decorations were in violation of the rules or given clear guidelines on what was allowed.

“I’ve tried to contact so many different people,” Ospala said. “Nobody wanted to answer any of my questions.”

Ospala was told different things by different people and was frustrated because she felt she was being targeted for violating guidelines she wasn’t aware of.

“I might have reconsidered living on campus if I knew about all of these new rules.”

-Lauren Ospala, senior

“Why are we punished without any explanation?” she asked.

Despite contacting numerous administrators, Ospala and her suitemates have not been able to get a clear message on what is allowed in dorms.

“I have yet to see a policy,” Ospala commented.

Decorations specifically prohibited by the Office of Residence Life Guide to Community Living include any materials suspended from ceilings, across doors or windows as well as wires that run across the floor, ceiling or in front of doors, and anything over lamps, electrical panels, circuit breakers, fire detection devices, sprinkler heads or sprinkler piping.

It is also prohibited to wrap fire doors in decorative paper.

The guide does not, however, specifically prohibit posters, banners, or other decorations from being hung on the walls, leaving some students wondering why their decorations have been penalized.

Ospala claimed that among all the mixed messages she received, Kevin McDaniel,the Village Residence Director and Pat Chang, associate vice president of Student Affairs, were the only two people who were forthright with her.

“They don’t really know what’s going on either,” she said.

“At least I knew I was on the same page as these people.”

Unable to ascertain which of her decorations were in violation, Ospala took them all off her walls. Coming home to bare white scuffed walls, however, proved to be too much.

“I put my stuff back yesterday,” she said. “How are you able to be comfortable in a dorm setting without being able to make it your own?”

“I’m working myself to the bone this semester,” she said.

“I hate coming back to bare walls.” She further commented, “I felt like I was in a mental institution.”

“I might have reconsidered living on campus if I knew about all of these new rules,” Ospala said.

Mike Drury, junior, said he knows why he was given a violation during a surprise safety inspection for indoor Christmas lights, which are specifically forbidden in dorms, but not why a cardboard boat hung on his wall has been targeted as well.

photo by Chris Stritter

Some students on campus were recently fined for having wall decorations on their dorm walls.

“We don’t understand why it would be a fire hazard,” he said.

He has also received conflicting instructions from different people. He was given a warning about the boat, a prop from a Halloween costume, during an inspection, but was told by a resident assistant not to worry about it.

Like Ospala, Drury and his roommates have not received a clear message on what is allowed in dorms and what is not.

“We’re not aware of the rules, he said. “Some of it’s unclear and some of it is unnecessary.”

“I think they’re being nitpicky, honestly,” said Drury. kmcguinn@ramapo.edu

Students Give Campus Offices Mixed Reviews for Helpfulness Page 4 The Ramapo News

Thursday, March 31, 2011

By JUS TINA S LATCHA

Staff Writer

Some students may find offices on campus inconvenient and unhelpful, while others feel they can be very friendly and useful. These opinions are largely based on experience.

Students are commonly stressed about registering for the perfect schedule, taking the easiest teacher, and fitting in the best time for their classes. The Registrar’s office provides students with scheduling, registration, and graduation assistance. In addition, they maintain and secure student records.

Registrar employee Cynthia Brennan said the department is constantly trying to improve and offer better service to students. The Registrar’s office has also recently incorporated a live chat to talk to students and offer quick service. However, phone calls are welcome and answered in a timely manner.

Even though the Registrar office is constantly improving, they still receive complaints from some students, usually concerning policies, add/drop dates or withdrawing from classes.

“We take great care to invest many, many, many ways for students to understand the Housing Selection Process. The ownership is on the students to take advantage of all our resources we provide.”

-Stephanie Barlow, associate director of Residence Life

When asked to rate office performance on a scale of 1 to 5 (one being the least and five being the best in service for students), Brennan gave the Registrar a 5, because “we do turn things around quickly. We listen and respond.”

The Bursar’s office is another place on campus that deals closely with students. Students may express dissatisfaction with this office, especially when there are strict deadlines, consequences, and money involved.

Arthur Chill, director of the Bursar, said, “The Bursar’s Office makes every effort to accommodate families experiencing financial difficulties. We encourage students/parents to communicate with us if there are extenuating circumstances that prevent them from paying their term bill on time.”

Chill added that while the Bursar’s office may seem like “the bad guys,” they really are not.

They are willing to work with students, accommodate them, and are open to feedback.

Similar to the Registrar, the Bursar’s office is continually improving and changing as well.

“We are always reevaluating our policies, procedures, and communication with students,”

Chill said, and by doing this, the hope is to “implement change when necessary.”

The Bursar’s complaints are addressed quickly. To avoid issues in the future, the website has specific deadlines, policies, and instructions on paying a bill or contacting staff members. If students read over this carefully, according to Chill, there should be a decrease in late payments or conflicts.

Junior Erika Simmons said, “I believe that the offices are pretty useful and helpful. I don’t like the Events and Activities Office that much. I mean, when they are in, they help you, but the workers hardly come in. You email them and they don’t respond.”

Nick Crenshaw, a transfer student, said, “The offices aren't that helpful because it felt [like] everywhere I went, they would just send me to a different place.”

Spring is an especially busy time for Residence Life, as the office is in the middle of the Housing Selection Process.

Freshman Tori Boyne said, “I needed to go to residence life to figure out something with housing for next year and they weren't very helpful. I understand that they couldn't do much to help my situation but they refused to answer any questions that I had, so it made me kind of angry because I'm paying a lot of money to go here and they wouldn't give me the time of day to help me out.”

Nevertheless, Associate Director of Residence Life Stephanie Barlow said that the office does its best to be as accessible as possible.

“We take great care to invest time in providing many, many, many ways for students to understand the housing selection process. The ownership is on the students to take advantage of all our resources we provide.”

These include mandatory building meetings, general question and answer sessions for all students, daily information tables detailing the Housing Selection Process stationed in the Fishbowl for a week and step-by-step video guidance posted on the Residence Life website.

Barlow also added that walk-ins to the Main Office of Residence Life and emails are always welcome.

Despite these helpful tools for students, Residence Life still receives complaints every year from students regarding Housing Selection and other concerns. Barlow said these are mainly students who do not follow all of the directions for the process or miss deadlines.

“For students that have followed the eligibility requirements, the process is going very smoothly. However, we have a handful of unhappy students as they did not adhere to the eligibility requirements and are not able to participate in the process,” Barlow said.

Contri buti ng reporti ng by Ni col e Al l i egro

YAL Helps Students ‘Visualize’ Debt With Decorative Display

jslatcha@ramapo.edu

By MIKE JAGENDORF and BRITTANY S HANN

Staff Writers

Students from Ramapo’s Young Americans for Liberty club erected a 48-foot long display of America’s gross national debt on campus Monday. The 23 wooden panels, propped against the stone wall between the Birch Mansion and the Dwing, read $14,219,946,682,759.51, or $14.2 trillion.

Officially called the United States public debt, the $14.2 trillion figure represents the total amount owed by the federal government to institutions and individuals both inside and outside the government, including foreign lenders. China is the largest holder of America’s debt, at $895.6 billion.

The display is part of Young Americans for Liberty’s nationwide “Visualize the Debt” campaign to make people on college campuses everywhere aware of the debt crisis that the United States is sinking deeper and deeper into. Ramapo is one of 75 colleges across the nation where debt clocks have been set up.

“You and I must bring attention to our government's radical spending spree! The enormity of this situation is only getting worse and our generation will soon face the dire consequences,” reads the political club’s website. “Did you know that each and every taxpayer owes nearly $130,000 to pay off the national debt?”

Charlie Bennett, a senior who is the vice president of the YAL club, cut the wood and painted the 38-inch tall panels of the debt clock. He said the sheer size of the display was intended to show the magnitude of the national debt, something that Americans cannot afford to keep overlooking.

“Future generations will have it even worse if we allow the debt to continue to grow at such a rapid rate,” Bennett said.

“An increase or ignorance of this current rate would be detrimental to our nation’s future.”

The debt rises at a rate of $4.1 billion per day.

“When looking at the astronomical amounts, I worry about what it means for my financial future and the future of the

photo by Mike Jagendorf

As part of the “Visualize the Debt” campaign to raise awarness of the nationʼs public debt, the YAL club painted 23 wooden panels representing the $14.2 trillion owed by the government.

country,” said Stephanie de Ruiter, a junior and president of the club. “If we wish to build a better tomorrow, then we must learn about our government’s spending policies and halt the continuing rise of debt. We must start at the basics – cut spending.”

“If our government won't allow us to be financially free from debt,” she asked, “how can we expect to be free at all?”

The club hopes the debt clock will make students more aware of the nation’s economic woes and excessive spending, and will remain outside unil April 1.

Finance professor and YAL’s advisor Murray Sabrin, in an event sponsored by YAL, will be speaking at 1:00 tomorrow in ASB-221 about how the debt is undermining the future of this generation, and what we can do to stop it. Sabrin will also discuss how the country came to be in so much debt..

The purpose of this event is to help make students aware of the national debt crisis from a politically unaffiliated

standpoint, and is meant to attract not just identified conservatives, liberals or independents, but to alert everybody who will eventually be responsible: every American.

Young Americans for Liberty is a national campus-based organization that advocates the poliferation of liberty in American politics and government. The chapter at Ramapo began its framework in Spring 2010 and became an official club this semester. YAL is affiliated with Congressman Ron Paul, and promotes philosophies of no foreign intervention and extremely limited government regulation and spending.

The club meets every Thursday at 1 p.m. in ASB-221.

mjagendo@ramapo.edu

Page 5 The Ramapo News

Thursday, March 31, 2011

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Students Respond to Campus Emergency Via Facebook, Twitter Page 6 The Ramapo News

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Fake Shooter Causes Temporary Lockdown, Two Arrested Following Scare continued from page 1

in a situation with an active shooter, time could mean life or death. Batelli said the department trains with local schools, including Ramapo, to handle these situations. Officers have the ability to pull up maps of the campus on computers in their squad cars and are also equipped with protective vests.

Despite the comprehensive training, Batelli stressed the need to communicate accurate information to students.

“I feel the school handled the incident poorly. The Alert-MeNow notifications didn’t start coming in until about a half hour after the incident was reported. In that half hour no one knew what was really going on because you had to rely on texts and people’s Facebook statuses for information, and you couldn’t tell if it was just a rumor.”

-Mark Simon, junior

“With an active shooter, time is crucial and accurate information is crucial,” Batelli said.

“Information needs to be confirmed before anyone can be notified.”

With the lack of updates from Public Safety as rumors abounded, students like junior Mark Simon took to technology to get the latest information, accurate or not.

“I feel the school handled the incident poorly,” Simon said. “The Alert-Me-Now notifications didn’t start coming in until about a half hour after the incident was reported. In that half hour no one knew what was really going on because you had to rely on texts and people’s Facebook statuses for information, and you couldn’t tell if it was just a rumor.”

Samantha Dyckman, freshman, was frustrated to have found out about the incident through other people instead of campus security.

“It was scary and kind of annoying to receive texts from other students at other colleges,” Dyckman said.

“[Public Safety] lets you know when there is a bear [on campus] faster than we heard about the shooting.”

-Matthew Riedinger, freshman

Other students, like freshman Matthew Riedinger, questioned Public Safety’s priorities when it comes to emergency notifications. “[They] let you know when there is a bear [on campus] faster than we heard about the shooting,” Riedinger said.

In the aftermath of the incident, many students now seem to think the school needs to reevaluate its Alert-Me-Now protocol to try and speed up the flow of information to students.

Chief Batelli said he will be meeting with President Mercer again to go over and improve the response to on-campus incidents. givins@ramapo.edu

VIEW POINTS

Thursday, March 31, 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.

Students Overreact to Alert-Me-Now Notifications Public Safety Should Have Sent Informaton Earlier During Lockdown

By MEGAN ANDERLE Editor-in-Chief

Last Wednesday, a 23-year-old man was accused of pretending to be shot in Mahwah. Public Safety sent Alert-Me-Now text messages and emails, putting the entire community on lockdown for less than an hour.

It seems like many students have reacted angrily or passive-aggressively about the texts, citing them as unnecessary, as indicated on Facebook.

These were some of the status updates I came across…

“Thinks everyone should not saying there was a shooting until a more reliable response said so.”

“Alert Me Later.” “Ramapo cares more about shots than getting shot.” “Shooting at Ramapo.

Everyone update their Facebook statuses 100 times.”

Personally, I think Public Safety did the right thing by sending out these two updates. At the time, they truly thought there was an issue that might threaten the safety of the college. They were only doing what they thought was best to protect students.

Students wrote this off as an inconvenience, when in reality their safety could have been in jeopardy. It’s ridiculous that students were complaining about getting these notifications.

The real issue at hand is that Public Safety didn’t get the information out as quickly as they

could have. While these status updates indicated that students felt it was an inconvenience to receive the notifications at all, they should have been more angry about not getting the information soon enough.

It is Public Safety’s duty to get that information out as soon as they have determined the campus’s safety is in danger. It looks unprofessional on their part and made them appear less trustworthy.

The students have the right to know when situations like these arise as early as possible. While I think Ramapo students overreacted, I think Public Safety could have regarded this as a time sensitive issue, especially if there was really a shooter on campus. I hope that they handle this more effectively in the future.

SGA Aims to Answer Your Concerns

This week, I participated in the President’s Alcohol and Other Drug Committee. This group makes recommendations to the college regarding its policies towards alcohol and other drugs. As the year is coming to end, I’ve begun examining the past few months and the changes that students have been a part of.

At the beginning of the year, it seemed as if the administration was going to take drastic measures to severely limit social life on campus, such as with the changes in alcohol and guest policies. In the wake of the Open Forum and countless meetings, the students felt that their voices had fallen on deaf ears, an opinion that is not unwarranted.

While many students have not been as vocal as before, the concerns still exist. While the traditional feeling may be that we have an enemy in the administration, my findings are quite the contrary.

Students may be surprised at the administration’s willingness to help them. Many students have come to me and asked about an environment in which violations were not immediately given to students who were not practicing in dangerous behavior, a request that I support.

At this week’s meeting, when I inquired about implementing a form of a warning system, I was informed that something of this may already exist. Committee members stated that eight out of ten students who received a violation and

By JASON KRISZA SGA President

manderle@ramapo.edu

meet with Corey state that they had some sort of warning before their violation.

Whether this warning is from a student, resident assistant, or Public Safety officer, students say they are being warned.

While this is not an official statistic, it makes it difficult for me to argue that this system needs to be implemented.

The administration has made it abundantly clear that when an officer or RA comes to the door and they see illegal behavior, a warning will not be issued.

With this being said, we need to watch out for one another.

Rather than call on an individual or group, we need to try and seek alternative means to solve the problem rather than rely on calling an RA or Public Safety. These are not their problems unless we make it their problems.

Now I do not think that they never need to get involved, but there is a time and place. They are not the first responders, we should try and solve our problems on our own before we go and seek outside help.

I think that our generation is going down a path where faceto-face communication is becoming less common.

Confrontations are now becoming increasingly popular in cyberspace, yet we lack the ability to handle conflict in person.

Whatever the trend is, I beg that we work together and create a real sense of community. We, the Ramapo students, are one. We rise together, and we fall together. We need to help each other through the good times and the bad times.

If there is something that we can do for you, please come to us, come to me, email me. I can’t do anything or change unless I know I am doing something wrong. But let’s look out for one another. If you have a concern, go to the root of the problem and address. We need to give respect to each other before we will get it from administration. jkrisza@ramapo.edu

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Battle of the Bands

GlassesFree 3-D

Tom Van Howling reviews Panic! at the Disco and Yellowcardʼs latest albums Page 11

Vinny Parisi describes Nintendoʼs latest handheld system.

Page 10

B.o.B., A Big Name Comes to a Small Campus 3. 31. 11

BY DIANA S TANCZAK A&E Editor Next Friday, Ramapo’s Bradley Center will be transformed into a concert arena.

Taking the stage is hip-hop artist and fivetime Grammy nominee Bobby Ray Simmons, better known as B.o.B. B.o.B. isn’t the first major artist to perform at Ramapo. Saves the Day and Cartel, two prominent pop-punk bands, paid a visit to campus last fall, while the 2008-2009 school year brought pop singer Regina Spektor and alternative rock band Dashboard Confessional to Ramapo.

So how exactly do some of music’s big names end up on Ramapo’s fairly small campus?

Eddie Seavers, associate director of Student Development and coordinator of the Student Center, explained the process of booking a popular musician.

“The office [of student development] held an interest meeting, and a group of 25 students, came out to an interest meeting, where we presented five or six different artists, which fit into a price range that we could afford. Actually, we first presented

about 10 or 11 artists, and then narrowed it down,” Seavers said.

The interest meeting was open to all students and advertised online and via e-mail in the fall, Seavers added.

Certain factors must be taken into consideration when selecting an artist.

“This will be the biggest show...ever...at Ramapo.”

-Eddie Seavers, associate director of Student Development

“The type of act, what we can afford and, to some degree, the artist’s image or appropriateness for our campus,” are aspects heavily considered before booking a musician, Seavers said.

However, the main factor behind choosing a certain artist is not cost or popularity; surprisingly, it’s the date of the performance.

“We are limited to a weekend we have reserved at the Bradley Center,” Seavers explained. “The artist has to be available for that weekend. We booked the facility three

years ago.”

While three years in advance may seem extreme, it’s necessary for the event to run smoothly.

“Even though the performance is in the main gym, we need the locker rooms, skybox, and concession stand. There really has to be nothing going on [in the Bradley Center]. So we really start with a list of 50 artists, but if they’re not available, they’re gone,” Seavers said.

Cost of the artist is the second thing to come into consideration when making a decision. The budget for the spring concert is “around $70,000,” according to Seavers.

“We can spend more than the budget because we bring in money through tickets, but the biggest expense is certainly the artist themselves. The second biggest expense is the electronics and music support,” he said.

In addition to paying for the artist, Ramapo also pays for the artist’s musical equipment.

“B.o.B. himself will be traveling with minimal musical equipment. We will provide a five-piece drum kit, a guitar amp, an acoustic guitar amp…keyboards, mikes, pedals, all that stuff,” Seavers explained.

One more expense must be factored into the budget: the price of safety. Seavers explained that all events on campus are required to have security and safety must come before any other expense.

Seavers went on to say that Captain Stephen Jaffe of the Mahwah Police Department, who has been working with security at Ramapo’s concerts for over four years, said, “This will be the biggest show he [Jaffe] has ever worked at Ramapo.”

Out of the allotted 1,400 tickets, 780 have already been sold for the concert. Tickets are $15 for students, and $20 for non-students or a second ticket.

Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Playboy Trey is B.o.B.’s opening act. Tickets are still available at Roadrunner Central, and can also be bought at the door the day of the show. dstancza@ramapo.edu

Satisfy Your Cravings at One of These Eateries Page 9 The Ramapo News

Thursday, March 31, 2011

By ALEX JONES Staff Writer There is a lot of food in the world, and at times it can be difficult to separate the “yuck” from the “yum.” Similarly, there are many reasons why we eat – we eat because we are hungry, bored, exploring or social, but every so often you get the food enthusiast. This is where I come in.

North Jersey holds many food pleasures, and as an avid food fan, it is my duty to make sure that none of them pass you by.

If you haven’t had any stellar cuisine lately, then your luck is about to change. Here are a few tasty bites that are definitely worth your time.

worth the wait, and you will wait a while.

This is one dessert you can’t afford to miss.

Breakfast Blockbuster

Name: Starbucks Location: Everywhere Price range: $5 - $10 Hot new item: Cake Pops The Hype: I know right now you are thinking, “Starbucks isn’t new!” However, they have some cutting edge new breakfast options that are sure to rock your socks off.

Their logo isn’t the only that has been refurbished. Starbucks now serves a delectable variety of cake pops and miniature treats. Starbuck is now serving up a Coco Cappuccino. It is the perfect summer blending of chocolate and coffee – it’s light and playful. Trust me get it iced!

Serious Sit Down

Name: Gran Lux Café Location: Paramus, NJ Price range: $20 - $40 Notable menu item: Cheese Steak Spring Rolls The Hype: This beautifully decorated sitdown restaurant located in the Garden State Plaza desperately deserves a visit. The staff is friendly and the food is extremely well valued – you really get what you pay for.

Taking a date here will definitely score you some extra points, or you can treat yourself to happy hour, with half-priced appetizers and six-dollar cocktails from 1 p.m. until 6:30 pm. Since this restaurant is part of the Cheesecake Factory franchise you can expect large entrée portions. The Shrimp Scampi is highly recommended.

Late Night Snack

photos courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons and Starbucks.com

Many places throughout North Jersey offer different types of food to help you find something for whatever mood you are in.

Delectable Dessert

Name: CUPS Location: Clifton, NJ Price range: $4 - $10 Must try flavor: Original Tart The Hype: Cups is the newest place to be and be seen in North Jersey. They serve

A Night of Hip-Hop Poetry

By NICOLE MAZEWS KI Staff Writer

Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. presented a night full of soul-baring hip-hop Tuesday night from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. in the H-Wing Auditorium. The SPIT MY SOUL: Hip Hop Poetry Fest was a fun night to all who attended.

Laba Theta Phi and co-sponsoring organizations used an After Dark Grant from the Center for Health and Counseling Services.

After showing student IDs to Public Safety at the door, attendees received an informative pamphlet about alcohol awareness.

The poetry fest showcased hip-hop culture in its truest form with performances by several artists including Goya, Oveous Maximus, Soulful Jones and the Curtis Brothers Quartet.

Goya debuted as a guest slam poet in the independent feature “Transformations” at the HBO Latino Film Festival in 2006. He recently starred in the short film “Utopia Lies at the Horizon,” which won the Bronze Award at the BOX UR SHORTS Film Festival in Los Angeles, CA and is an official selection for both the Boston International Latino Film Festival and the Coney Island Film Festival in 2010. He has performed in many off-Broadway shows, including appearances in “Extremities” and “Crystal Clear.” Additionally, Goya has a new Hip-Hop Soul album called “SPIT MY SOUL.” Oveous Maximus has worked with Grammy award winners Roy Ayers, Louie Vega and Osunlade. He landed a lead role in the film “SPIT,” won the Apollo Amateur

Night multiple times, was featured on HBO’s original series “Def Poetry” and became a three-time national poetry finalist.

Soulful Jones is a poet, emcee, singer, songwriter and producer. He has performed across the country at poetry venues, open mic nights and colleges and universities.

Event coordinator Keble McDermoth of Lambda Theta Phi said the most challenging part of the planning process was “reporting to others, making sure everyone’s on the same page, and bring the middle man. It was also difficult to stay on deadline.”

“There are many programs on campus, but hip hop reaches people so much. There is a great interest in this type of event, and it’s a good incentive for people to leave their rooms and come out,” McDermoth said.

Attendees filled the auditorium.

“We’re having a good turnout and are expecting more,” McDermoth said.

Many of the various multicultural fraternities and sororities were represented at the event. Even a few alumni came to show their support.

Some students, like sophomore Soley Barris, came out because they like poetry, while others like senior Julia Fagan simply came to support the event.

Co-Sponsors of the event included Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Inc., Chi Alpha Epsilon EOF Honor Society, Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Inc., Students of Caribbean Ancestry (SOCA) and Association for Latinos Moving Ahead (ALMA).

nmazewski@ramapo.edu

frozen yogurt your way, and their slogan “no rules” says it all. You can beef up your low calorie desert with almost anything you can imagine. Toppings include fresh fruit, cereal, and a variety of scrumptious candy morsels. The price varies because you fill up your cup yourself. This froyo is really

Name: Park Wayne Diner Location: Wayne, NJ Price range: $10 - $20 Most munch-able: Disco fries The Hype: Can’t sleep? Roll out of bed and make a beeline for the Park Wayne Diner.

This newly renovated diner taste as good as it looks. It is the perfect place to get together with friends for a burger and a shake, or snack or a fat stack of pancakes and a cup of coffee after a hard day of work.

Whatever your affliction, Park Wayne will get you right back up on your feet after a long night.

ajones1@ramapo.edu

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Nintendo Reinvents 3-D Experience with Release of 3DS Page 10 The Ramapo News

By VINNY PARIS I Staff Writer

Since 1989, when Nintendo first released the Game Boy, the gaming juggernaut has led the pack in portable consoles.

Continuing to innovate with handhelds like the Game Boy Color and eventually the Nintendo DS, the company has done everything possible to stay on top of the anywhere-anytime market. With the launch of the Nintendo 3DS, a device that provides a glasses-free, stereoscopic 3D viewing experience, “Team Mario” and Co. hope to keep that trend alive.

“The ‘3DS’ is the coolest next-generation tech out.”

-Sam Solyom, GameStop Game Advisor

Due to market flooding courtesy of a new “Angry Birds” generation that allows for portable gaming via smartphones, there was some worry that Nintendo would not be able to preserve its place as king of the hill. But a quick glance at the technology packed into the 3DS should be enough to convince anyone that this device is one-of-a-kind.

Incorporating all of the previous Nintendo DSi functions, such as a gyroscope for motion sensing and built-in Wi-Fi for online play and internet access, the starring feature this time around is, of course, the 3-D. Not only is the 3-D effect used for playing

Thursday, March 31, 2011

games, but also for taking 3-D pictures and videos; thanks to a single front-facing camera and dual outward-facing cameras.

An additional feature of the system is the ability to use any 3-D images taken, for example of a player’s face, and incorporate them into specific games. “Face Raiders,” for instance, is a shooting gallery-style mini game included with the 3DS that allows players to take aim at 3-D images of photographed faces.

The cameras are also used in conjunction with AR cards, which stands for augmented reality. These are physical cards players place on a tabletop and, after being scanned by the cameras, display a 3-D objective that takes place wherever the game is being played. For anyone who’s ever wanted to shoot dragons flying around the dining room table, that dream is now a reality.

To further quell any fears about Nintendo’s market share dominance, video game retailer GameStop had a massively successful system launch. In fact, the GameStop located in Northvale, NJ had the highest amount of pre-orders in the company, with over 300 systems reserved in advance. More than forty of those systems were sold at the midnight launch on March 27, followed by an endless line of customers who waited for the early-morning 9:00 opening.

Since this is the first time a device has ever allowed glasses-free 3-D there was some initial skepticism, but now that the system is available to the public the reaction has been mostly positive.

T.J. Milne, a Game

photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons

The Nintendo 3DS, released last Monday, is the first gaming device to offer a glasses-free 3-D experience.

Advisor at the Northvale GameStop, described the system as “3-D-Licious.”

Customers were equally as excited after trying it for themselves, with expressions of awe displayed across their faces the first time their games came to life in 3-D.

“Glasses-free 3-D is great because there is no extra peripheral.”

- Sam Solyom

In addition, while glasses-free 3-D may seem amazing simply because of its wonder, it’s also much more practical.

“Glasses-free 3-D is great because there is no extra peripheral,” said Sam Solyom, also

a Game Advisor at GameStop.

When compared to 3-D TV’s and 3-D films that require glasses, the convenience of needing nothing extra is something most consumers will soon take for granted.

“The ‘3DS’ is the coolest next-generation tech out,” Solyom added, further cementing Nintendo’s place as top dog of the portable gaming arena.

The Nintendo 3DS is now available in “Cosmo Black” and “Aqua Blue” and currently retails for $250.00. Offering a currently unrivaled experience, it is the only gaming system that allows players to fully immerse themselves into the action like never before. vparisi@ramapo.edu

‘Sucker Punch’ Blurs Lines Between Fantasy and Reality

By S TEPHANIE deRUITER Staff Writer

In 2007, Warner Bros’ president of production Jeff Robinov made a rule that “We are no longer doing movies with women in the lead.” That rule was broken when the company released their new film “Sucker Punch,” a fantasy-action picture with an ensemble female cast. The film featured an impeccable soundtrack and grossed $19,058,199 its opening weekend, proving that a film featuring a group of women can potentially be profitable The film was written by Steve Shibuya and Zack Snyder.

Snyder directed the picture and his history with the movie “300” was apparent in the grainy appearance and wonderful coloring of skies and backgrounds.

“Sucker Punch” is set in the 1950s and follows a young girl nicknamed Baby Doll (Emily Browning). After the death of her mother, Baby Doll is locked away in a mental asylum by her abusive stepfather where she will undergo a lobotomy in five days. Faced with unimaginable odds and not able to deal with her situation, she retreats into a fantasy world in which the asylum is actually a brothel; here in the dream world, she and four other female inmates plot to escape the facility. The lines between reality and fantasy blur as the five girls, with the help of a mysterious guide, fight to retrieve five items that they need to break free.

The acting throughout the film was fantastic; the female photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons ensemble included Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, Vanessa “Sucker Punch,” released last Sunday, is a fantaHudgens and Jamie Chung. The girls were all portrayed as sy-action movie with a cast of female leads. powerful sexual beings that fought to take control of their lives and the film was edgy and intriguing. All the male char- teammates had to defeat some sort of mythical creature, but acters, however, except one, were chauvinistic pigs which even though she is set to dance several times, the audience never actually gets to see Baby Doll do her seemingly seducengendered sympathy towards the women.

Although the acting was great, the storyline was dry at tive routine ( although apparently the dance can be seen durtimes and somewhat repetitive. Every time Baby Doll danced ing the credits). The film was entertaining, but after two she was drawn into a deeper fantasy world where she and her hours I was ready for it to end.

The film did have an amazing soundtrack with several well

known songs covered by the lead actress Emily Browning.

This includes a cover of “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of These)” by the British pop duo Eurythmics and “Where is My Mind by Pixies” (which was featured in the film “Fight Club”). If you need a reason to see this film, the fast paced, intense music selection should be it. Other artists featured in the film include Queen, Bjork and English rock band Skunk Anansie.

The action packed “Sucker Punch” can be considered “PowerPuff Girls” meets “300.” Its artistic and clearly thought-out color schemes added a lot to the film and the grainy, video game-type feel also made it visually attractive.

Not to mention every one of the five young girls were sexy in each and every one of their scenes, including the fighting scenes. One drawback was that the switch between reality and fantasy worlds created ambiguity and left the watcher slightly confused about what was real and what was not. Overall it was action-packed, endearing and entertaining for both male and female movie goers.

RATING:

####$ sderuite@ramapo.edu

Panic! at the Disco and Yellowcard get Better with Age

Page 11 The Ramapo News

Thursday, March 31, 2011

By TOM VAN HOWLING Staff Writer

Don’t let the rock star image fool you being in a band is tough. One of the biggest problems a rocker can face is dealing with half of their band mates leaving the group. That’s exactly what happened to Grammy nominated Panic! At the Disco.

Ryan Ross and Jon walker left the band back in 2009, a little over a year after their hit sophomore album, “Pretty. Odd.” was released. This album was quite different than the first; the sassy lyrics and techno breakdowns that peppered the band’s poppunk music was gone in favor of a more organic, Beatle-esque sound.

However, losing half of their crew didn’t stop Panic! This February, remaining members Brendon Urie and Spencer Smith released their first single off of their third album, “Vice & Virtues.” The song was called “The Ballad of Mona Lisa,” and it was on fire.

The song captures all the amazing effort put into their third album. The boring, dull sound of their second album is nowhere to be found.

It was a rough road for front man Urie, who had never written lyrics for the band, but after main songwriter Ross left, Urie had no choice. The lyrics, while not as poetic as anything composed by Ross, are still admirable. Despite this, setback the album is almost as good as their first record. Each of the 10 songs is just as enjoyable as the last.

“Woah, Mona Lisa, you’re guaranteed to run this town/ Woah, Mona Lisa, I’d pay to see you frown,” Urie sings with feeling during the first single’s chorus.

Other highlights include the sexy, “Hurricane,” and the synth-driven “Let’s Kill Tonight.”

The standout song on the album is by far, “The Calendar.” The song is about the end of a relationship, and Urie looks back and

Photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons

Yellowcard has come a long way since their debut album in 1997, but it seems that their new CD echoes common music seen on previous releases.

wishes his lover would return to him.

“Vices & Virtues” is the album in which Panic! at the Disco have found their voice.

They evolved and they now know who they are, and are (hopefully) going to stay that way for a long time.

Another band that has gone through internal drama within the past few years is Yellowcard. After a two-year hiatus and a move from a major label to an indie label, it has not been an easy road for Yellowcard lately. Yellowcard has come a long way since their 1997 debut album, “Midget Tossing.” That album, and their next few after it, had a more hardcore punk rock sound.

In 2003, the band found mainstream success with their fourth album, “Ocean

Avenue,” and its hit title track. After this album, Yellowcard seemed to release the same music over and over. Their seventh album is no different.

“When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes” was released last week, almost four years after their last record. Their first single, “For You, and Your Denial,” features the average Yellowcard formula: fast, catchy, pop-punk with the band’s violinist, Sean Mackin, playing ferociously over the music. The lyrics of the first single, like most of the songs on the record, deal with love gone wrong.

The album’s standout track is the opener: “The Sound of You and Me.” The song is about lead vocalist, Ryan Key, pleading with an old flame to get back together. The

song is desperate and emotional, and Key delivers vocally and lyrically.

“Bring walls down/ Hear all my sound/ Let me back in/ love me again,” Key sings during the bridge and the last chorus. His voice truly makes the listener feel every emotion and taste every tear.

The record is a steady comeback, but it’s nothing new. It doesn’t break any new ground for the band. It just cements the band and their status. While Panic! At the Disco has evolved, Yellowcard stayed the same.

telecommunications company, Deutsche Telekom, and the remaining $14 billion will be paid using AT&T common stock.

While the entire process will take at least one year to finalize, the Board of Directors of both companies have approved of the agreement, which will eventually make AT&T the largest mobile carrier in the country. The combined customer base will reach an approximated 130 million upon the deal’s completion.

According to AT&T’s website, the transaction guarantees that the company “commits to a significant expansion of robust 4G LTE [Long Term Evolution] deployment to 95 percent of the U.S. population to reach an additional 46.5 million Americans beyond current plans, including rural communities and small towns.”

This type of commitment helps to achieve the goals of both President Obama and the Federal Communications Commision (FCC) to ultimately reach an advanced, digitized American nation.

The merger will directly affect America’s current economic situation, as AT&T

claims that the transaction will provide “mobile broadband services that every consumer and business relies upon, while also creating a more globally competitive U.S. company better able to attract investment, grow America’s economy and create and support U.S. jobs.”

According to the company’s chairman and CEO, Randall Stephenson, the transaction also “represents a major commitment to strengthen and expand critical infrastructure for our nation’s future.”

An estimated 1.2 million more square miles of the United States will be covered

by AT&T’s LTE service. This extensive coverage promises the companies’ customers with “improved voice and data network performance” countrywide.

AT&T also claims that the “acquisition of T-Mobile USA signals a major commitment to advance America’s leadership in mobile broadband, promote overall economic growth, and provide continued support for urban and rural communities across the country.”

Forrester Research’s Charles Golvin

believes that AT&T’s recent acquisition may pose significant and numerous advantages for customers and employees alike, however, inevitable challenges are in sight for the two recently merged companies.

“The cost of [services] won’t come down nearly as fast as customers would like, since AT&T and Verizon Wireless combined would own nearly three out of every four wireless subscriptions in the US,” Golvin said.

In the event that the deal is unapproved or unable to meet its conclusion by next year, AT&T will owe T-Mobile $3 billion, along with a roaming contract agreement at a value that is currently undetermined. For more information, or for detailed future LTE coverage maps, visit the official AT&T and T-Mobile merger website at www.mobilizeeverything.com.

tvanhowl@ramapo.edu

Cell Phone Merger to Make AT&T Largest Mobile Carrier

By KAITLIN BOLUKBAS Staff Writer

Last Sunday, AT&T and T-Mobile USA representatives announced in a joint conference that the two companies will be merging next year, after AT&T signed a final agreement to buy T-Mobile for $39 billion in a cash-and-stock deal. The agreement stipulates that AT&T will be making a $25 billion cash payment to T-Mobile’s parent

photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons

AT&T will acquire T-Mobile for $39 billion, making it Americaʼs largest mobile carrier.

kbolukba@ramapo.edu

Page 12 The Ramapo News

LIFE & CULTURE

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Warm Weather Brings Workout Opportunities

BY EILEEN TRACY Staff Writer

Spring is officially here, and for some people that can only mean one thing: time to get off the treadmill and get outside!

Runners are taking advantage of the warm weather by moving their workouts outdoors and running through some of the area’s most scenic spots.

For example, the Ramapo Reservation is right down 202 and the perfect place to go for a run. The reservation is filled with trees, lakes and streams to look at while you jog down its scenic paths. The reservation brings peace to most people who get the opportunity to go there.

“It is a nice way to exercise if you don’t want to be stuck in a gym on a nice day. There is also a lake at the top of one of the walkways that is so pretty and it’s so big. I try to see it every time I go to the reservation,” junior Alexandra Metcalfe said.

In addition to multiple paths, there are also a few lakes around the reservation, and a waterfall tucked away into the woods.

“The reservation is really nice and it’s scenic no matter what season. It’s nice to run in the woods when there are people around and you can sometimes see people you know,” senior Kyle Price said.

Ramapo’s campus itself is also a great place to run. It offers a variety of paths and many ups and downs, which can help build endurance.

“I run around campus. I think the back trail behind Potters Field is nice. It’s very scenic,” junior Robert Camerino said.

However, if you find the reservation and campus becoming repetitive, there are a few other local options.

Photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons

With spring weather coming, many people are taking their exercise routines outside. Running around scenic areas is a great way to have fun and get into shape.

Darlington Park, located on Darlington Avenue in Mahwah, offers more than great paths – it’s filled with picnic areas and basketball courts as well.

“Darlington Park has a big loop to run on. The paths are paved around a nice lake and it’s nice to look at while I’m running outside,” Price said.

Magenta’s Meals

BY LAUREN MAGENTA Staff Writer

This recipe is for anyone with a sweet tooth: instant chocolate cake.

This week’s recipe, courtesy of Food Network, brings us a cake that takes no more than five minutes from start to finish. So grab a fork and find a microwave; this recipe is quick and easy for college living.

Photo courtesy of foodnetwork.com

This delicious no-bake cake takes five minutes to make and is a dormfriendly dessert.

Instructions

Mix the following together in a bowl or mug: ¼ cup flour 5 tablespoons sugar 2 tablespoons cocoa powder 1 egg 3 tablespoons milk 3 tablespoons vegetable oil Dash of vanilla extract and salt

Once all ingredients are whisked together and the batter is smooth, place the mug or bowl in the microwave and cook on high for two minutes or until cake has puffed.

After the cake cools, you can sprinkle more cocoa powder on top or ice the cake as you wish. To enjoy this chocolate treat another way you can add a scoop of your favorite kind of ice cream. The possibilities are endless.

So to all the Resident Assistants who still need a group activity before this semester comes to an end, gather all your residents together for a fun, delicious and simple delectable treat. lmagenta@ramapo.edu

Running and exercising outside is also a good way to have fun and shed some pounds. According to askmen.com, running burns about 730 to 890 calories per hour, while hiking can burn about 500 calories an hour.

Horoscopes

Ari es (March 21-Apri l 19) You will experience a new level of thrill that will motivate you to crazy heights.

There may be some rules to play by but you will find a way in as long as your heart is in the right place.

Taurus (Apri l 20-May 20) We all get a break now and again and this week you get rewarded for participating a little differently in the world. Be bold and the breakthrough will feel like destiny.

Gemi ni (May 21 - June 20) You have been feeling totally spent in one area of your life. Just when you thought you did not have anything left, the game changes and you will become re-energized.

Cancer (June 21-Jul y 22) The last thing you want to do is tell it like it is. This week, an opening will present itself for some honest heart pouring, so be prepared when you see it coming.

Leo (Jul y 23-August 23) Success is in the details and this week.

Work for it and a taste of the ultimate will be granted.

Vi rgo (August 24-S eptember 22) You have reached a bend in the road. This week you will have the courage to do the unthinkable Li bra (S eptember 23-October 22) It doesn’t matter how good a relationship was or is, at some point it will be tested.

etracy@ramapo.edu

You have been working, worrying, wondering, but a new door of hope is going to be opened.

S corpi o (October 23-November 21) This week, it is time to fix something and find a way back to better ground. Try to objectively see your role in something and put your energy into its recovery.

S agi ttari us (November 22December 21) There is not a problem out there this week that does not hold a solution. Leave some room for a few miracles and you will receive some deeply needed grace.

Capri corn (December 22-January 19) When you see all you wish for and then reality forces you back, it can be hard to keep a smile. This week you will have a heightened perspective and validation for all that you are and are destined to become.

Aquari us (January 20- February 19) We cannot re-write history but there are times when we do get another chance to say something another way. Ths week you will get the chance to make some verbal and written edits in your life.

Pi sces (February 20-March 20) You will feel more rooted in your desires and clear about your direction. Know youcan pull through and shine even brighter.

Horoscopes courtesy of madalynaslan.com

SPORTS

Bass Fishing Wins $2,000 at League Tournament 3 . 31 . 11

By S EAN RITCHIE Sports Editor

The Ramapo College bass fishing club had an impressive showing at the College Fishing Northern Division event on Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia. The team of Ramapo seniors Charles Danza and Bob Rieder took home fifth place out of 40 college teams.

The fishing club has existed for about a year and a half, so for the team to be placing already is ever more impressive. PJ Bartolotto, the faculty moderator for the club, could not be happier about their achievements. “[The showing] is the biggest ever,” Bartolotto said. “For [the club] being a year and a half in, it is a huge. Its even more impressive to see so how good these guys are fishing in tournament situations.”

The performance gave the fishing club its first placing in a tournament for the school. With their fifth place showing, they took home $2,000 that will be split with $1,500 going to the club and $500 going to Ramapo. The Forrest L. Wood college circuit offers a college teams a chance to compete with pro wranglers to better hone their skills.

“Our tournament schedule is set up parallel to the professional circuit of the FLW,” Rieder said. “The FLW sends out 150 professional anglers for an event and whoever does not make their last cut will drive us to our locations. We use their boats, so we don’t have to use our own.”

The team overcame several obstacles on their way to the podium, the weather being the first one. The windy freezing weather mixed with hail

photo courtesy of Ramapo Athletics

Bob Rieder and Charles Danza finished fifth at Smith Mountain Lake. made for challenging waters, even for some of the nations best wranglers to fish in.

“The weather was a major challenge for us. It was so cold that our hands were pretty much bleeding,” Rieder said. “It was actually hailing at one point.”

The other major challenge was the distance they had to travel to reach the event. The team had to drive nine hours to reach the lake. With the team having fished at the lake, they had to rely on their own research to draw up a game plan for the event.

“We went into the tournament cold. We did not know the lake at all, besides the research that we

did and driving around it to look at good spots,” Danza stated.

The college teams are not allowed to touch the in the days leading up to the event. This combined the distance of travel made it impractical for any practice time.

“We are not allowed to touch the water five days before the event, and since we are 9 hours away it was not realistic to go and pre-fish,” Danza said.

Bartolotto is excited about putting the winnings into good use.

“I talked to President Mercer this week and he said the $500 will go to an academic scholarship,” Bartolotto said.

The remaining $1500 will be used to help out the members with travel expenses and lodging, as they are spending a lot of their own money to compete in these events.

“It is difficult [to spend our own money] with the way the economy it is,” Rieder said. “But it is also necessary it is what I love to do so it is almost second nature at this point.”

The showing also places the team in the FLW Northern Region tournament field that will be held in October. Here the prize money is increased to $15,000 for first prize and it will definitely take huge strides in putting Ramapo College on the bass fishing map.

“I have two recruits coming in and a freshman on the team that came to Ramapo because of our newly made team,” Bartolotto said.

You can follow the teams action on collegefishing.com. Anyone interested in joining the bass fishing club can contact Bartolotto at pbartolo@ramapo.edu. sritchi@ramapo.edu

Tennis Looks Forward to Competitive Season

By REBECCA PENHAKER Staff Writer

The men’s tennis team may not have a conference to call their own, but their winning spirit and numbers cannot be denied. Finishing last season 7-4, and starting off this year 1-1, they regularly prove they can compete with whoever is willing to give them a chance.

“We have 11 matches this season,” senior Douglas Gromack said. “We’re not a priority match with other teams if they are in a conference of their own, so it makes it hard to schedule.”

Ramapo faces the challenge of trying to schedule matches with competitive teams that can test their abilities. Already having a conference and a packed schedule, teams are unable to commit to competing against the Roadrunners.

Another issue to consider is that many schools do not have tennis programs, or lack sufficient team membership. Ramapo’s match against Rutgers-Newark March 29 was cancelled because Rutgers-Newark did not have enough players to compete.

New head coach Raza Baig is optimistic that all the hard work he and athletic director Eugene Marshall are putting forth to find a conference will allow the team to join one in the near future.

“It’s in the process,” Baig explained. “It’s tough not being in one. It gives the guys a goal to work toward. But hopefully by next season or so, we’ll have a conference.”

Despite the difficulty in trying to find the right mix of competition, these athletes are able to keep a positive and aggressive outlook on their play.

“We have a very promising season ahead of us.”

-Matt Giuliari, sophomore

“We’re just always thinking about getting better and doing our best,” freshman Evan Clayton, said.

The Roadrunners and their coach expect to be a dominating force this year, with gifted freshmen and seasoned veterans to lead the way.

“We have a lot of freshmen so that gives us a lot of depth,” sophomore Matt Giuliari said.

“We’re all pretty much on par with one another in how we play. We have a very promising season ahead of us.”

Baig agrees with his talented sophomore Giuliari finished 7-3 in singles and 6-1 in doubles competition last year - believing that their team depth will allow them to have great success.

“We should have a winning season,” Baig said.

“We’re hoping to go 9-3.”

Baig was named head coach of the men’s and women’s tennis programs in February after serving as the interim head coach for the fall 2009 and spring 2010 seasons. Prior to serving in the interim position, Baig was an assistant coach with both programs for two years.

Transitioning into the head coach position has proved to be seamless for Baig, who knows how to put the sport into perspective for his players.

“We were playing at Flushing Meadows, where they play the US Open, and I just wasn’t playing my game,” Giuliari recalls. “And he [Baig] says to me, ‘Matt, you’re at the US Open. Who cares if you’re losing? Have fun!’

And then I went on to win. He’s a personal coach. He really knows his players.”

Baig’s positive reinforcement could be credited to the fact that he just enjoys coaching young men that appreciate putting in the hard labor to win.

“They are a great bunch of kids,” Baig said.

“As long as I work them out, they respect me.”

Check out the Roadrunners today when they play the College of Staten Island at 3:30 p.m. rpenhake@ramapo.edu

RAMAPO SPORTS THIS WEEK

Thursday:

Men’s Tennis at College of Staten Island at 3:30 p.m.

Softball at Farmingdale State College at 3:30 p.m.

Friday:

Men’s Volleyball vs.

Baruch College at 12 p.m. - NECVA Tournament at Stevens Institute of Technology

Saturday:

Baseball vs. Stockton College at 11:30 a.m.

Softball at RutgersCamden at 1 p.m.

Men’s and Women’s Track and Field Roadrunner Invitational

Men’s Tennis vs. John Jay College of Criminal Justice at 1 p.m.

Sunday:

Women’s Lacrosse vs.

Mount Saint Vincent at 1 p.m.

Men’s Tennis at Misericordia University at 1 p.m.

Tuesday:

Softball at William Paterson University at 3 p.m.

Men’s Tennis vs. The City College or New York at 3:30 p.m.

Baseball vs. John Jay of Criminal Justice at 3:30 p.m.

Women’s Lacrosse vs.

Rowan University at 4 p.m.

Roadrunners Roll Past Western Connecticut in 5-2 Win Page 14 The Ramapo News

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Baseball Continues Strong Start to Season with Victory over Colonials

By ANDREW GOULD Sports Editor

inning and held Western Connecticut scoreless for the rest of the game to record the first save of the season.

The Roadrunners started their season in Winter Haven, Fla., winning nine of their 11 games during the trip. After their strong stint on the road, Ramapo returned home to win their first three home games of the season. Following their victory over Western Connecticut, the Roadrunners pummeled the University of Maine Presque Isle in a doubleheader, picking up 15-1 and 13-1 wins.

The Roadrunners look poised to improve on their 2010 season, where they posted a 20-18 overall record and a 7-11 mark against New Jersey Athletic Conference competition.

The Roadrunners are only one non-conference win shy of their 2011 total, but they have yet to play a NJAC foe.

Ramapo was picked to finish eighth in the NJAC in a preseason coaches’ poll.

Third baseman Christain Spurr continued his torrid hitting, going 2-4 and driving in two runs in Ramapo’s win.

Spurr is hitting .404 this season with a .525 on base percentage.

Catcher Matt Hancock has also provided a strong offense in Ramapo’s batting order. The sophomore is hitting .438 this season and drove in 14 runs in 14 games.

Second baseman Pat Driscoll added to Ramapo’s offense with two hits, including one run scored and one RBI Ramapo will face Richard Stockton College Saturday at a doubleheader starting at 11:30 a.m. in their first conference games of the season. agould1@ramapo.edu

photo by Mike Jagendorf

Frank Baldini recorded his second win of the season yesterday against Western Connecticut State. Baldini is 2-0 with a 1.17 ERA this year.

The men’s baseball team topped Western Connecticut State yesterday to improve their record to 12-2.

Pitcher Frank Baldini earned his second win of the season in as many starts, giving up ten hits and one earned run over 6.1 innings pitched. In his previous start, Baldini tossed a complete game, two-hitter, allowing one run and striking out 12 batters.

Relief pitcher Tim Hannes entered the game in the seventh

photo by Mike Jagendorf

After improving their regular season record to 12-2, the Roadrunners will face off against NJAC rival Richard Stockton College on Saturday at 11:30 a.m.

Underdogs Make Final Four, Bust March Madness Brackets Virginia Commonwealth and Butler Continue Surprise Runs in NCAA Tournament

By ANDREW GOULD Sports Editor

March Madness has been an appropriate name for the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s men’s basketball tournament this season.

The Virginia Commonwealth Rams, Butler Bulldogs, Kentucky Wildcats and Connecticut Huskies are the four teams left from a pool of 68 that will look to win the NCAA Division I tournament. For the first time ever in the NCAA Division I tournament, no No.1 or 2 seeded team advanced to the Final Four.

VCU started the tournament as one of the eight teams who needed to win a play-in game to earn one of the final bids in the tournament. Although many pundits believed they didn’t deserve a spot in the tournament, VCU managed to earn a spot in the tournament and start one of the most unexpected runs in NCAA history.

In a close battle against No.10 seed Florida State, the Rams fought off the Semifinals in a 72-71 overtime victory behind a 26-point performance from guard Bradford Burgess.

When it appeared likely that the clock would strike midnight on the tournament’s Cinderalla team, the Rams roared past No.1 seed Kansas, defeating them 71-61 to earn a spot in the Final Four. VCU is one of three teams with a No.11 seed to appear in the

Final Four.

Despite making the championship game last season, No.8 seed Butler still relished the role of the underdog after star Gordon Heyward moved on to play in the National Basketball Association. However, 34-yearold coach Brad Stevens led the Bulldogs to their second consecutive Final Four appearance.

After defeating No.4 seed Wisconsin, Butler slid by No.2 seed Florida in a 74-71 overtime win to advance in the tournament.

Most of Butler’s wins have gone down to the wire, including their last-second over Old Dominion in the opening round and a 71-70

win over top seed Pittsburgh decided by a last second free throw made by Butler forward Matt Howard.

VCU and Butler will face off Saturday night at 6:09 p.m. to determine who will play in the championship game.

After ten of the eleven teams represented in the Big East were eliminated, Big East champion UConn continued their improbable run behind star guard Kemba Walker.

Following a span of five days in which UConn won five games to win the Big East, the Huskies showed no signs of fatigue in the NCAA Tournament.

Walker scored 36 points to lead No.3

photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons

Center Matt Howard looks to lead the Butler Bulldogs to their second straight trip to the National Championship.

UConn past No.2 San Diego State in the Sweet Sixteen to set up a match against Arizona, who upset Duke to advance to the Elite 8. The Huskies defeated the Wildcats 65-63 despite a strong performance from forward and future lottery pick Derrick Williams to solidify their spot in the Final Four.

VCU managed to earn a spot in the tournament and start one of the most unexpected runs in NCAA history.

Perhaps the most prestigious school left in the tournament is No.4 Kentucky. Led by coach John Calipari, Kentucky prevailed over two fellow basketball powerhouses in Ohio State and North Carolina. Freshman phenom Jared Sullinger could not rally the top seed Buckeyes past the Wildcats in the Sweet Sixteen. Led by Josh Harrelson’s 17 points and 10 rebounds, Kentucky defeated Ohio State 62-60 to advance to the Elite Eight and triumph over the Tar Heels.

UConn will play Kentucky Saturday night and the victor will face the winner of the VCU – Butler matchup in the National Championship game on Monday night. agould1@ramapo.edu

Close Division Battles Are Expected in American League Page 15 The Ramapo News

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Yankees Look to Fight Off Revamped Red Sox in Competitive A.L. East

By MICHAEL DRURY Staff Writer

The day baseball fans have been waiting for all winter long is finally here. The 2011 Major League Baseball season looks to be filled with excitement for teams across the Majors. The American League especially looks to have some close races in all three divisions.

The A.L. East is even tougher than ever with all five teams making improvements to their ball club. The fight between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox has gotten some new faces, as Russell Martin, Freddy Garcia, and Rafael Soriano suit up in pinstripes, while the Sox have counteracted with new acquisitions in Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford and Bobby Jenks. The Rays lost some key players but added some new veteran presence in their clubhouse by signing Manny Ramirez and Johnny Damon to split time between DH and left field.

The American League especially looks to have some close races in all three divisions.

It will be interesting to see what the Orioles can do in a full season under manager Buck Showalter. Fans saw a glimpse at the improvements he made last year when Baltimore had one of the best records in

photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons

Nick Swisher is part of a strong New York Yankees offense that will attempt to regain control of the American League this season.

baseball since the beginning of August.

Don’t count the Jays out either. They proved last year that they can still be a threat by putting up some of the best offensive numbers around baseball. The East is going to be a tight grueling race, with each team giving it their best effort every game.

The same old question is still being asked when it comes to the Central Division. Who is going to win it? Both the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers are coming off seasons where both teams didn’t live up to expectations in their hometowns. It will be

interesting to see if newly acquired Adam Dunn can help Chicago’s offense or Joaquin Benoit can solidify the back end of Detroit’s bullpen.

However, the Minnesota Twins have their closer, Joe Nathan, back from surgery, and they looked poised to having another successful year in the Central. Cleveland is still in its rebuilding stage along with Kansas City, who just dealt their ace, Zack Greinke, in the offseason.

The West is probably going to be the most intriguing division in the American League

this year. The Rangers took the division by storm last year, making it all the way to the World Series. However, with rotation and bullpen questions and the loss of ace Cliff Lee, Texas could have problems repeating its success from last year. Oakland can put a real damper on Texas’ success if their offense clicks with an already stellar young rotation.

The A’s are hoping that will happen by adding designated hitter Hideki Matsui and outfielders David DeJesus and Josh Willingham. The Angels are hoping to be A.L. West champs once again, but not making too many improvements over last year may cost them the division. And Seattle?

Even Felix Hernandez can’t solve all of Seattle’s problems. The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner is one of the few bright spots in the Mariners’ 2011 campaign.

The Rangers took the [AL West] by storm last year, making it all the year to the World Series.

The 2011 baseball season begins today at 1:05 EST with the Detroit Tigers taking on the New York Yankees at Yankees Stadium mdrury1@ramapo.edu

Phillies Hope To Pitch Their Way to National League Title

By DAVE JONES Staff Writer

After falling short of winning their third straight National League title in 2010, the Philadelphia Phillies are looking to get to the World Series and bring a World Series ring back to the “City of Brotherly Love.”

Bolstered by the free agent acquisition of ace Cliff Lee, Philadelphia made a bold statement to the rest of the league that they are the top contenders in the National League.

Lee joins a staff that includes Roy Halladay (21-10 with a 2.44 ERA in 2010), Cole Hamels (Most Valuable Player of the 2008 World Series), and Roy Oswalt (who went 71 with a 1.74 ERA in 12 starts after being acquired from the Astros last year in a midseason trade).

Philadelphia has not been the only team that has been busy this offseason. Jayson Werth, an integral part of the Phillies’ success over the past few years, departed to the nation’s capital by signing a seven-year, $126 million contract with the Nationals.

Former AL Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke decided to take his talents north and join the Brewers, who figured to contend for a title.

There will also be managerial changes in the dugouts of two teams as long-time Braves skipper Bobby Cox and former Yankees and Dodgers manager Joe Torre have decided to step away from coaching. Cox retired, while Torre will remain in the game as Major League Baseball’s new executive

vice president for baseball operations.

Despite plenty of changes throughout the league, the attention clearly begins in Philadelphia. Many, including manager Bruce Bochy of the defending World Series Champion San Francisco Giants, have labeled the Phillies as the pre-season favorite to win the title. Milwaukee outfielder Corey Hart went as far as to say this Phillies team could carve their place in history among the greatest squads ever.

“I think honestly the favorite has to be the Phillies,” Hart said in an interview with the Associated Press. “You want to pick the Giants because of the success last year, but the way the Phillies have built that rotation, it might be one of the best rotations ever.”

The Phillies certainly have the talent and experience to garner a number one rating, but will this veteran laden team be able to stay healthy? The Braves, led by new manager Fredi Gonzalez, are coming over the team’s first playoff appearance in five years and have a solid rotation led by Derek Lowe, Tommy Hanson and Tim Hudson.

Florida returns former batting champion Hanley Ramirez and have made moves to bolster their bullpen in the offseason. The Mets still have large contracts on their books and an air of uncertainty surrounding the club in light of the Bernie Madoff fiasco while the Nationals will need to figure out who their top pitcher will be with phenom Stephen Strasburg sidelined indefinitely following reconstructive elbow surgery last September.

photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons

With Cliff Lee returning to Philadelphia, the Phillies have a strong rotation entering the season.

Cincinnati, the defending division champs, return virtually their entire roster after winning their first division title in 15 years and manager Dusty Baker hopes experience and consistency will lead them to more success.

The Brew-Crew made two key moves in the off-season, adding pitchers Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum to their rotation in moves

that signify a “win-now” mentality ahead of the impending free agency of slugger Prince Fielder.

The Cardinals are full of question marks after failing to agree to an extension with superstar Albert Pujols and injuries to Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter. Last year’s team with the highest payroll in the league, the Cubs, will need strong seasons from pitchers Carlos Zambrano and free agent signee Matt Garza, among others, if they wish to compete for a postseason birth in 2011. Houston returns virtually the same lineup that featured 11 rookies last season and will be hopeful of getting off to a quick start to keep morale up.

Colorado considers themselves in this division and rightfully so provided they can stay healthy this season. Young guns Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez both signed massive deals in the offseason that will keep the duo in the Mile High City until at least 2017 and are joined by ace Ubaldo Jimenez.

San Francisco, the defending champs, appear ready for another run in October with most of their team returning including ace Tim Lincecum. San Diego will have to replace All-Star slugger Adrian Gonzalez, but is coming off a season in which they won 90 games. Former Yankees star Don Mattingly steps in for Joe Torre as manager in L.A. and will look to improve a team that finished a disappointing 80-82 last year. djones@ramapo.edu

SPORTS 10 . 7 . 10

3 . 3110. 11 . 7 . 10

P LAY BA L L!

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Page 14

photo by Mike Jagendorf

Baseball rolls past Western Connecticut State to improve to 12-2