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Convocation Speaker Details Experiences in Haiti 9.23.2010
A Publication by the Students for the Ramapo College Community
XLI No. 2
photo by Stefanie Mauro
First-year students, faculty and members of the Ramapo community gathered in the Bradley Center to hear David Waltonʼs explanation of the novel “Mountains Beyond Mountains.”
By MEGAN ANDERLE Editor-in-Chief
A physician who worked in Haiti and provided care for more than 500,000 devastated Haitian natives after the January earthquake visited Ramapo College yesterday to recount his experiences in the ravaged third-world country. David Walton, the topic of Tracy Kidder’s “Mountains Beyond Mountains,” recounted his experiences working with Paul Farmer using anecdotes, statistics and humor. The event was well-attended by firstyear students, faculty, administration and members of the community. He discussed the present state of Haiti and a plan for the future. The physician engaged his students with humor in the beginning of his lecture. “I know you’re wondering, ‘who is this guy? Why is he standing in front of me,’” Walton said. “Well, I’m kind of a big deal.” First-year student Matthew Zven said he felt Walton’s humor was unnecessary. “The way he started off made him seem concieded,” Zven said. The lecture made a somber turn when he Walton projected a collection of harrowing, but revealing, photos of Haitians in need of serious medical attention. One of the photos depicted a child who was hit in the face with a block of cement; another was of a boy with tetanus.
First-year student Melissa Shrieks said she felt the photos made the lecture more compelling. “The pictures made the book feel real,” Shrieks said. “What the Haitians suffered is beyond words,” Walton said. “Everything I’ve discussed is overwhelming for me, people I work with and the Haitians. Focusing on simple objectives has always been the best approach.” Partners in Health recruited other physicians to join them in Haiti. He said the international response to the crisis was “quick, but not quick enough.” “Our job was to call in physicians of every specialty to say ‘I need you now. You may or may not know what’s going on in Haiti, but drop what you’re doing,’” Walton said. There are 5.9 doctors per every 10,000 in Haiti, according to Walton. He used this statistic, as well as others, to illustrate his point of how limited access is to medical care in Haiti, Eight or nine months since the earthquake, 1.2 million Haitians are still homeless. On a daily basis, Walton and his colleagues treated malnourished children. Though the team encountered many obstacles, they had many successes as well. After treating a malnourished man for six months, the physicians added years to the Haitian’s life. “It’s not extraordinary that he is cured,” Walton said. “This is what happens when poor people received medicine.”
3-Day Forecast Fri High 88 Low 65 Sat High 78 Low 51
Sun High 68 Low 52
see CONVOCATION on page 6
THE RAMAPO NEWS
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Robert A. Scott Student Center 505 Ramapo Valley Road Mahwah, NJ 07430
(201) 684-7842 rcnjnews@ramapo.edu Megan Anderle Editor-in-Chief
Keri Ann Flaccomio Managing Editor Amy Fezza News Editor
Diana Stanczak A & E Editor Andrew Gould Sports Editor
Stefanie Mauro Photo Editor
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Around the Arch Viewpoints Page 3
A&E Page 7
Sports Page 8
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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, prepublication review of any article, quote or editorial is not allowed. Viewpoints may be dropped off at SC218 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.
Ramapo Donates Blood in Memory of 9/11 Victim Thursday, September 23, 2010
Tragedy Turned Charity Sponsored by Health Services & Ramapo EMS
By S TEPHANIE NODA Staff Writer
The family of the late Gregory Wachtler, who died on 9/11, turned tragedy into charity at a blood drive sponsored by Student Health Services and Ramapo EMS last Thursday. A Community Blood Services vehicle was parked next to the Health Services building, where students and facility alike could come either for scheduled appointments or walk-ins from noon to 4 p.m. Thirty-seven donors came out to give blood, including 14 newcomers and 23 veteran donators. A total of 25 transferable units of blood were collected that day, all of which would be sent to local hospitals.
“It’s something I can afford to give, it doesn’t cost me anything, and it helps out.” -Ashwani Vasishth, associate professor
Among the 23 veteran donators was sophomore Louise Han. “I think it goes to a good cause and it helps other people who might need the supply of blood,” said. “I’ve donated blood to the same place for the past three or four years. I like the way they handle things; it’s pretty organized. It’s a good cause for humanity.” “His family has made it their mission to collect three thousand pints of blood throughout the state of New Jersey in memory of not only Greg, but also others who perished in 9/11,” Marilyn Morello, office manager of Heath Services said. In order for students to be properly prepared to donate blood, it is important to make sure that they don’t arrive at blood drives on empty stomachs. Giving blood without having had something to eat may cause the donor to feel lightheaded and possibly to feel faint. “One thing that you can do is eat a lot of leafy greens the night before,
particularly kale or Swiss chard because they’re very high in iron,” staff member Terra Meierdierck said. “You need to boost your iron count before you give blood.” Students were not the only ones donating their blood during the drive. Staff members, such as Meierdierck, had decided to donate their blood to the cause as well. “I was inspired to give blood when my grandfather first started receiving dialysis,” Meierdierck said. “I realized how important it was for folks to give blood and I’ve been doing it ever since.” Even Ramapo professors showed their support. “I’ve always given blood, ever since I can remember,” Associate Professor Ashwani Vasishth said. “It’s something I can afford to give, it doesn’t cost me anything, and it helps out. The fact of the matter is blood banks can only work if there are people giving blood.” snoda@ramapo.edu
photo by Stephanie Noda
Thirty-seven donors came out to give blood on September 16, 2010.
Car Thefts Make Students Question Safety By ELISA SAXTON-LOPEZ Staff Writer
Recent auto thefts in Mahwah struck not only the town, but also the Ramapo College community. Five men drove onto Ramapo’s campus around midnight on Sept. 10 and broke into dozens of parked cars, leaving students fearing for their safety.
“It worries me that they went through that many cars and Public Safety didn’t realize.” -Jenna Werblin, freshman
The teenagers either found unlocked cars or forced their way in by damaging vehicles. The men were finally caught speeding on Route 17 South in a Mercedes Benz wagon. When stopped, driver Amjad Mashal of North Bergen gave the police officer a West Milford Police card. When asked where Mashal obtained the card, he admitted to finding it in a wallet on campus. Mashal and the other culprits were arrested and held on $10,000 bail. The court date is set for Sept. 28.
photo courtesy of Creative Commons
Off-campus perpetrators broke into studentsʼ vehicles stealing GPSʼs and other valuables.
The most popular items stolen by the felons included navigational systems and iPod accessories, just to name a few. On Ramapo’s campus — where no ones needs to sign in to gain access to a dorm, or where the gate is left open at night — students question whether or not they feel safe. Several freshmen who had an open mind about campus safety since their arrival three weeks ago are now voicing their concerns for security. “I thought it was more reliable, but since the incident, I definitely feel less safe,” freshman Marissa Eck said. Some students have taken notice of Public Safety’s prominent role in
“I feel like my safety isn’t as secure like it has been.” -Katie Curlhas, sophomore
the Village incidents this semester. “They seem to be blinded by the party scene more than more important things,” freshman Jenna Werblin said. “It worries me that they went through that many cars and Public Safety didn’t realize because they probably were more worried about kids at The Village,” Werblin said. However, there seem to be older students who feel as though their safety has been very secure throughout their time spent at Ramapo. Sophomore Katie Curlhas understands mistakes have been made, but has faith that Ramapo will rectify the situation in the future. “I feel like my safety isn’t as secure like it has been,” she said. “Students including myself were caught off guard by the situation but I think Ramapo will learn from this and make me feel safe again once time passes.” From this incident, students have begun examining their safety from a new perspective and have varying expectations for the future. esaxtonl@ramapo.edu
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Study Abroad Fair Fosters Cultural Learning
By MATTHEW DANKO Staff Writer To encourage students to expand their education, the Roukema Center for International Education hosted their semi-annual Study Abroad Fair under the C-Wing underpass on Monday, Sept 13. “The number one question I ask students interested in studying abroad is, ‘where do you want to go?’” North Jersey State Consortium for International Studies (NJSCIS) Study Abroad Representative Shelly Klink said. “The most important thing is location for the individual and then look for the classes you are interested in taking.” In order for a student to go through NJSCIS, he or she must have 30 credits before entering the program and Ramapo must preapprove his or her classes. Studying abroad depends upon which session the student would like to partake in. In NJSCIS, costs include tuition, room and weekend vacations. Many classes offered in the study abroad program are general education classes that allow students to have time for outside learning with their country of study. Students at Ramapo find meaning in their studying abroad experiences in and out of the classroom. Spanish major Lauren Schmidt was able to learn from her environment. “It was eye-opening to see the differences in the cultures and becoming accustomed to a different way of life,” Schmidt said. “The most amazing experience was being in Bilbao, Spain in the midst of the World Cup!” Some students go on to expand their experience of
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Many students realize the benefit of studying abroad and gain interest as soon as they enter college. “I always wanted to study abroad and from being here I can see that this program would allow that,” freshman Chelsea Bischof said. “I am really excited about studying abroad to learn about
“It was eye-opening to see the differences in the culture.” -Lauren S chmi dt, seni or
photo courtesy of Ramapo.edu
Studying abroad encourages education outside of the classroom.
learning the culture by staying with a host family within their countries of study. Robert DeBernardo also studied in Bilbao and reported he was able to learn in and out of the classroom. “They really incorporated me into the family,” DeBernardo said. “The biggest difference between living in Bilbao was getting used to the meal schedule. Lunch was the big meal and everyone came home for it. Dinner was not until ten thirty at night.” “Students should look into studying abroad either sophomore or junior year because not many of the students have selected their majors yet,” Klink said.
the different cultures and for the overall learning experience,” freshman Valerie Torrizo said. There are opportunities for financial aid and scholarships from many study abroad programs. The School for International Training advertises to students who are looking into financial aid, as well as Pell Grants, and scholarships to help pay for their study abroad costs. There are opportunities through the individual programs, as well as independent study abroad scholarships for interested in applying. According to Klink, “Spain, England and Italy are the most popular study abroad destinations.” Each nation has its own distinct culture, and there are many different living arrangements available to the students based on their preferences. “It is important to remember you do not need to study a language while abroad,” Klink said.
Greek Life Revamps Traditional Methods for Fall Recruitment By ELYS E TORIBIO Staff Writer The Greek organizations at Ramapo College welcomed both new and returning students to the Meet the Greeks event, held at Laurel Courts on Tuesday, September 14th. This marks the beginning of the fall semester pledge process, which is open only to students in their sophomore year and up. “It's a way for the incoming freshmen and any student who is remotely curious or interested in Greek life to come out and see what we're all about," Nicole Georgiadis, a senior and member of Delta Phi Epsilon said. “It’s a way for the Greeks themselves to broadcast, get their names out there, and show kids what they’re all about." Meet the Greeks is also a great opportunity for Greek organizations to not only socialize with potential recruits, but to cheer on fellow sororities and fraternities, including multicultural groups. "Everything we're proud of, they're proud of," Georgiadis said. "It’s a way for us to be proud of each other and support each other." Some organizations may see a better turnout in recruitment this semester, due to revamping of traditional methods of the Greek recruitment process for the fall semester. "This semester, all of the national sororities on campus are recruiting in a totally
photo by Elyse Toribio
Fraternity Lambda Theta Phi markets themselves in a positive light.
different way. It's going to be much less formal. We recruit on our own basis, with information sessions," senior Kristen Johnson, a member of Delta Phi Epsilon, said. Johnson explains that those interested in joining nationally recognized Greek organizations would no longer have to make mandatory appearances at bid parties in order to be considered. "It opens up the opportunity to a lot more people," Johnson said. Mandy Saffer, a senior in Theta Phi Alpha, explains that the new process will also be much more fun for the sororities and fraternities to organize. “We’re all in charge of putting together our own events,” Saffer said. “We’re doing s’mores, and having a movie night and a recruitment party in the student center.
Everyone’s getting involved and we have more than a week to get to know the girls, which is really nice.” While some organizations may disregard negative comments from fellow college students, fraternities such as Lambda Theta Phi, a multicultural brotherhood, are taking the criticism they have received in the past and using it to market themselves better. “We’re definitely being more approachable,” Junior Lambda member Elvyn Lausell said. Regardless of the new recruitment process and specific changes within different sororities and fraternities in an attempt to gain new members, there are still Ramapo students who are hesitant to join Greek organizations. One junior, who asked to not be named, does not like the traditional pledging process for Greek organizations. “You don’t really know what you’re getting yourself into, so you’re guessing,” the junior said. “I feel like a lot of organizations present themselves in the same way and they have the same kind of process, but what’s their essence? That’s the part you won’t get as an interest. Information that is really valuable is not presented to you, ever, as an interest, because it’s private.” “If it’s not for you, it’s not for you,” Vinny Gagliano, a senior member of Tau Kappa Epsilon said. “It’s not for every-
mdanko@ramapo.edu
body.” For Beta Kappa Sigma interest Kristen Macri, a junior transfer, a Greek sisterhood is exactly what she’s looking for. “When I was at my old school, I was in Sigma Alpha Iota, which is a music fraternity,” Macri said. “I really miss the sisterhood, the bonding, and the activities. I just really miss the closeness. I hope to start the fraternity here, but until then I hope to join a sorority.” Sororities and fraternities use Meet the Greeks as an opportunity to showcase their plans for the upcoming semester with potential interests. “Our focus this semester is timeless leadership through global service,” Marie Hargrove, a senior member of Alpha Kappa Alpha said. “We want to extend abroad, dealing with international issues.” Alpha Kappa Alpha plans to fundraise through events such as a karaoke night and a Diabetes Awareness week, among many other events. Greek life indeed may not be for everyone, but through the exciting presentations at Meet the Greeks, sororities and fraternities at Ramapo College are sure to meet many prospective members by the revamping of the traditional fall semester recruitment process. etoribio@ramapo.edu
Ramapo Offers Program To Help Struggling Future Graduates Page 4 The Ramapo News
Thursday September 23, 2010
Project Management Certificate Program Boosts Job Opportunities Post-Graduation
By S AMANTHA ULLRICH Staff Writer
Ramapo College will be hosting its first Project Management Certificate Program this year for full-time students who want to get ahead in the job market. Students in almost any major — most commonly, business, international business, music and film — can obtain a Project Management Certificate.
Total Contact Hours: 96, Tuition: $3,800, Completition Time: 6-7 months
The Project Management Certificate Program grants students an additional and respectable piece of education to put on their resume. This is a six-to-seven-month course designed to fit within two semesters. Within that period of time, students will start to focus in on their desired positions and the specific roles that they will be applying for. The total cost for the program is $3,800. Professor John Thomas started his Sept. 13 presentation off by bringing up CareerBuilder’s website and showing his student audience just how many project management jobs are opening. The number that loaded was 41,000. “We looked at several programs we could offer, and picked the one that seemed to be growing the fastest, offers a number of jobs,
and that was screaming for talent. When you put all those together, Project Management seemed to fit,” Professor Thomas claimed. Professor Thomas came to Ramapo last year from New York University to teach operations management supply chain and project, but was recently asked to help run this new program.
What is Project Management?
When companies outsource IT to India and China, or purchase products or suppliers from an outside manufacture in order to cut costs, somebody has to manage that outsourcing in the United States; that person is called a project manager. Project Management is the application of techniques to meet the project requirement, according to Thomas. This has been taught as a course here at Ramapo for many years, but this is the first year Ramapo is offering the certificate program. Ramapo graduate in law and society, Jacob Kossowsky, has already signed up for the program. “I have always enjoyed working on projects and I connect well with people. I like seeing a project through from the beginning end,” Kossowsky said. Ramapo is a Registered Education Provider (REP) which means it is an organization whose courses are pre-approved for contact hours in fulfillment of certification requirement, according to Thomas. They have a ladder of credentials as an individual gets more experience, and this program is designed to give the students the
“This program seems as though it will focus on my strengths and interests.”
-Jacob Kossowski , Ramapo graduate
education they need in order to test for the more advanced levels of experience. The Project Management Certificate was brought to Ramapo on the concern that students didn’t have a first-day skill. Many employers looking to hire are thinking, “What can you do for me on the first day?” “If you come out with a degree in management or music or even finance, that question appears,” Thomas said. “Especially in bad economic times, employers don’t want to say “well, you can’t do anything for me for the first six months so we have to train you. So they have to pay your salary for the first six months to get the first day out of you.”
Personal Brand
One of the new concepts that has come out of job hunting is a “personal brand.” A personal brand allows employers to recognize what you represent and what value you bring to a company. The certificate program was designed to give students an advantage in the market place. Completion of this program yields a professional certification that can be included on a resume as part of a student’s education. Being a certified associate in project management also means a student is registered by the Project Management Institute (PMI),
a globally recognized standard for Project Management certification, and that registration follows a holder anywhere in the world. “So if you pop up 10 years later in China, and the employer says tell me about yourself, you can hand them your PMI registration number, and they’ll say, “Oh, this person is certified and has the proper credential to do the job,” Thomas said.
Project Management Certificate in the Workplace
Thomas talks to students about building their career as soon as the courses begin. Throughout the program, students will begin to look at the world of employment a bit differently. “These are high-demand positions, they’re well paid positions, and they can’t find enough people to do them,” Thomas said. “There are a bunch of people coming out with management majors, but you will have something most of those people don’t.” Students need to decide what industry they want to be in and start thinking about how they are going to sell themselves to an employer as a project manager. “This program seems as though it will focus on my strengths and interests and will teach me to utilize these skills in a productive way, as well as provide layers of skills to manage a project within a small or large organization.” Kossowsky said. “It will be a wonderful addition to my resume.” sullrich@ramapo.edu
Freshmen 15 Weighing You Down This Semester? Healthy Tips to Keep Students in Shape While Away from Home
By S AMANTHA ULLRICH Staff Writer
Don’t let the beginning of a new semester throw your home-cooked summer eating habits off track. If you don’t want to be part of the incoming college student statistic — even if you’re now a senior — and you have trouble finding time to get to the gym, consider these tips on how to incorporate a little physical activity into your day:
Routine
Get yourself into a routine. No, all of your days may not always consist of the same schedule, but the days you have classes usually do. Pick a specific time a few days a week that you will dedicate to the gym and keep this time consistent from week to week. “No matter what class schedule you have there is always enough time in a day for a work out as long as you are determined to do one,” junior Gabby Urato said.
Pack a Bag
Bringing a bag of gym clothes to class is a great way to stay motivated. Instead of going back to your room, change in the locker room. It will save you time and you’ll feel more inclined to go.
Eat Right
Do you really want to work out after eating a fried chicken sandwich from the PayCaf at 3 p.m.? It may give you more of an incentive to burn a few extra calories, but you’re not getting the energy you need from deep-fried foods. Fatty foods take longer for your body to digest, which slows you down. Picking up a salad with a bread stick on the side or a turkey and provolone melt from Sub Connection — my favorite combination — is a healthier way to take in calories that will energize you, rather than make you feel sluggish after two hours. Note: Carbohydrates are your friends. If you’re going to burn calories and build muscle, you need carbs to give you that energy. The PayCaf offers many healthy choices including sushi Tuesdays, a salad bar, pastas and a sandwich station that offers a whole wheat bread choice.
Do it at Night
Stay on track students! We’re talking about working out right now. The gym is open until 10 p.m. and the CPA Lodge gym — yes, there’s another gym on campus, but it’s top secret
so don’t tell a soul — is usually open until 11 p.m. College students tend to stay up way past the bedtimes that would be acceptable to mom and dad, so use that time to get your blood flowing!
Use a Calendar
Some may consider this tip to be a little too over-the-top, but it works. Even if you aren’t looking to lose weight or to be the next male cast member of the Jersey Shore, writing down your workouts helps you keep track of how much you’re doing and when you’re doing it.
Stay Hydrated
This may not be a tip for how to find time to work out, but it’s a tip nonetheless: Drink your water! The recommended daily amount of water to drink is 64 fluid ounces. The 8x8 rule can also be followed, which simply states: Drink 8 servings of 8 fluid ounces of water per day. Ramapo sells oversized bottles, but if you buy one of them and continuously refill it, it makes it easier to get your daily doses and helps the environment. Keep these tips in mind for a healthy start to a new semester. Happy Exercising! sullrich@ramapo.edu
photo by Samantha Ullrich
Freshmen to consider incorporating physical activity on a daily basis to help keep off the extra pounds.
Women’s Center Strives to Seem Approachable Page 5 The Ramapo News
Thursday, September 23, 2010
By DEANNA DUNS MUIR Staff Writer
Cancer and Greek sororities and fraternities,” Hahn said. “We would like to reach out to more people. We aren’t a niche group - everything we do is for everyone.”
The Women’s Center’s mission states that they seek to create an antiracist, non-sexist, queer-affirmative space where all people can feel valued and safe. Despite having a mission that seeks to involve every demographic, the Center still fights the false impression that it is a place solely for women. “We would like to break the misconceptions people have about the Women’s Center,” Library/Event Coordinator Laura Hahn said. “We aren’t a group of lesbian, man-hating people who are constantly protesting.” The center is located in a heavy traffic area near the C-wing lounge. Hundreds of students pass by the center on a daily basis and have formed their own opinions about it. “I am afraid of the Women’s Center,” Junior P.J. Pimpinelli said. “I mean I think the Women’s Center is a great resource and I have plenty of friends who go there regularly. I would consider taking part in some of their events, but I feel like I wouldn’t go alone.” Junior Chelsea McLeish thinks the Center is a welcoming environment. “I’ve never taken part in their events, but the Women’s Center always has their door open,” McLeish said. “I think it’s extremely helpful.” The main staff consists of nine diverse individuals, including male students and grad students. Aside from women’s rights, the Center coordinates events that promote healthy lifestyles, LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) rights, environmental progress and volunteer training. Traditional events such as “Coming Out to Your Roommate” and “Take Back the Night” took place the first and second week of the semester in order to promote awareness of different sexual orientations and relationship experiences. Both are long standing traditions that the Women’s
ddunsmuir@ramapo.edu
Like to write? photo courtesy of Jill Grimaldi
Staff members at the Womenʼs Center aim to spread awareness about safer sex practices.
Center has led throughout the years. “Among the different things that we are doing this year is bringing former U.S. Army infantry officer Lieutenant Dan Choi to campus,” Program Coordinator Corey Chichizola said. Lieutenant Choi is an advocate against America’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Policy,” which prohibits LGBT service members from being open about their sexual orientation while serving in the armed forces. Other deviations this year, aside from new speakers, include co-sponsoring events among different organizations on campus. “This year we are taking a different approach by teaming up with organizations we wouldn’t normally co-sponsor with. We are coordinating events with 1Step (Students Together for Environmental Progress), Colleges Against
Come to our meetings.
Monday and Wednesday at 7:15 p.m. in SC-218.
Food That Kills Doesn't Have to Be on Your Plate Page 6 The Ramapo News
Thursday, September 23, 2010
By ANN WOOLNER Bloomberg News
Maybe the egg-borne outbreak of salmo-
nella last month didn’t rattle you, nor the
death-inducing peanut butter last year or the
spinach-linked E. coli sickness in 2006. But if you are reading this while eating, you might want to lay down the fork. A new study from the Union of Concerned Scientists and Iowa State University could ruin your appetite. Hundreds of inspectors and scientists whose job it is to check the safety of food say that, within the past year alone, political or corporate interests interfered with their work. Unpleasant findings are glossed over, edited out or changed to make food seem safer than it is, they say. “Once a member of Congress gets involved the agency does whatever it can to make the situation go away rather than address food safety issues,” an unnamed Department of Agriculture employee said when answering the survey. Of the 1,700 people at the department and the Food and Drug Administration who answered the survey, 507 said they had personally experienced political interference in their work. Specifically, 266 said that they had been involved in situations in which a member of Congress forced the agency to back off an action intended to protect the public. And 301 said they had witnessed corporate interests force such a change. (It isn’t clear whether those two groups overlapped.) Not only that, but 330 said they had seen businesses withhold food safety information in situations that harmed the public health. Still hungry? You might think the new survey would inject a sense of urgency into the Senate, where a food safety bill has stalled. Passed
photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons
Recent studies suggest that the Food and Drug Administration allows political and corporate interests to interfere with its duties. last year in the House with two-thirds in favor, the bill is treading water in the face of bipartisan support and backing by consumer and mainstream food industry groups alike. A Senate committee gave it unanimous approval. The legislation would require regular inspections of food processing plants, give the FDA authority to order recalls, boost the number of inspectors, require companies to scientifically analyze their products for safety and keep better records. Not everyone wants this law. Smaller producers, who say their food is safer anyway,
worry about being strangled by more regulation. Amendments are possible. But the bigger industry players, as well as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, have been pushing for passage. They like tighter regulation, in part because spinach growers learned that, even when they keep their operations in top shape, they can be shut down while authorities hunt for the culprit, according to the New York Times. The chief Senate critic, the man preventing a vote, is Tom Coburn, Republican of Oklahoma. He complains about the cost and the law’s inability to correct long-running
problems at the agencies, such as duplication of efforts. So he objected to Majority Leader Harry Reid’s attempt to put the bill up for a vote with limited debate on a crowded calendar before the October recess, an objection Reid calls “unconscionable.” In the 13 months since the House passed the FDA overhaul, there have been 85 food recalls, involving products that have sickened at least 1,850 people, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest. We are talking about salad dressings and soup mixes, alfalfa sprouts and lettuce, to name a few contaminated items. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 76 million people get sick from foodborne illnesses annually, 325,000 of whom wind up hospitalized, and 5,000 die. Under the best of circumstances, government inspectors can’t be everywhere all the time. That’s why the bill contains protections for company whistleblowers. These are the insiders who take their responsibilities seriously. They refuse to give up when a boss tells them not to worry their pretty little heads if they find rat feces in a peanut processing plant, for example. In food safety as in other areas, whistleblowers find themselves reassigned, punished and harassed. They risk their jobs and their emotional health when they refuse to go along with glossing over dangers lurking in the nation’s food supply. The stalled safety law would shield from retaliation employees of food-related companies who report violations. The pressure is on for the Senate to pass the law and soon. If they miss the chance to do it before the October recess, there is always the lame duck session. But that’s pushing it. And that’s a long time to wait before picking up the fork.
First-Year Students Respond to Convocation continued from page 1
Moving forward, Partners in Health as well as other groups are building infrastructure for the country so they have the tools to subsist on their own. The groups are looking investing in education and more health care facilities. “Even in rural Haiti you can provide treatment for cancer,” he said. “We can’t provide healthcare to Haiti forever, nor should we be. We are only effective in a sustainable way.” Organization is the next step to building infrastructure in
“It was inspirational and should open something inside of us.” -Kathleen Capiroso, sophomore
Haiti; their plans need to be put in motion, Walton said, Prevention is another major goal of Partners in Health. “It’s one thing to treat someone in front of me with a disease,” Walton said. “It’s another thing to question why this person is in front of me.” Poverty is inextricably linked to disease, and is a major social determinant, the physician said, making it hard to implement preventative measures. The inastability of Haiti’s government also poses a problem for the health of Haiti’s constituents. “Part of our objective is to get people out of poverty,” Walton said. “That’s bigger than Paul Farmer and me though. If we could engage all of you, it’s a fight maybe we can win.” The take away message that Walton said he wanted to convey to students was for the incoming class to find something they’re passionate about and “figure out a way to help those around [them.]”
“What matters is that the world should touch the heart, and the heart should touch the world,” Mountains Beyond Mountains states. “I think his message of how students are supposed to fall in love – not with a person – but with an idea or topic really rang loudly,” Associate Vice President Patrick Chang said. “’Mountains Beyond Mountains’ came out during the Haiti crisis, which is a large reason why our committee voted in favor of it,” Robert Mentore said, director of First-Year Seminar. “The topic hit home for a lot of students.” “The Last Lecture” was the highest read first-year book since 2005, according to a survey distributed by the FirstYear Experience team. Mentore said he predicts that “Mountains Beyond Mountains” was not as widely read or will be as well-received as “The Last Lecture” was. “This one’s not going to hit the same height,” Mentore said. “But it’s certainly more substantial. It fosters more learning in the classroom” The criteria for how the summer reading committee, consisting of students and faculty, chooses the book has to do with how current and relevant the book is, how interesting it is to college students and whether the author is available to speak at convocation. “The lecture had emotional sentiments,” Sophomore Kathleen Capiroso said. “It was inspirational and should open something inside of us.” manderle@ramapo.edu
photo by Stefanie Mauro
Waltonʼs “Mountains Beyond Mountains,” was chosen due to relevant and motivational messages.
VIEWPOINTS
Twitter: Social Media for Narcissists
Thursday, September 23, 2010
The Truth About 20-Somethings
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.
By MEGAN ANDERLE Editor-in-Chief
This summer, I created a Twitter account. I’m obsessed. I update my status a few times a day, looking for the best opportunities to tweet. I love how quickly I can access information by following news sources like the “Wall Street Journal” and the “New York Times.” I also enjoy the “trending topics” feature that instantly connects a group of people based upon a shared thought. The best part about Twitter, though, is that it makes me feel like my life is a lot more interesting than it actually is. Knowing that people follow my every move gives me a greater sense of selfimportance. So why Twitter? I’ve figured it out. Twitter allows me to indulge my own narcissism. Admittedly, I’ve always been slightly selfabsorbed. When I was eight and my mom found out she was pregnant with my little sister, I cried. She wasn’t going to pay attention to me anymore. The most obvious sign of an egoist has to do with the quality of their tweets. Twitter’s primary function is to allow users to share information quickly. When users aren’t posting about an interesting article they read online or retweeting something that someone else said, their Twitter becomes a oneway street about their unimportant lives. Users tweet things like “Gym, dinner then shower.” Users that have substantially more followers than people they follow are also egoists. Kanye West, for example, follows no one yet has 1,193,652 followers. One would expect no less from Kanye, but clearly, when you’re Kanye West, there’s no one else worth following. Editor’s note: a few months ago Kanye tweeted about how much better his life has been since he’s “cut his ego.” He still follows no one. Two other giveaways of the
Twitter egoist are users that don’t @ anyone. Once again, people like these aren’t using their Twitters for its intended purpose – to interact and connect with other users. And users who “Twitpic” mundane aspects of life are worth unfollowing. If I cited examples, word of mouth would get me in trouble. But we’ve all seen a bowl of cheerios before. None of your followers are interested. Regardless of how users misuse Twitter, the social media outlet has proved a valuable and effective tool for businesses looking to expand their clientele and keep customers informed of new innovations. “It’s important to meet customers where they are,” Anna Farneski said, director of Marketing and Communications. “At Ramapo, we have a Facebook and Twitter page because it’s what students are using.” Until I have my own business or my own PR firm, Twitter will continue to feed my ego’s need for gratification. I am by no means a social media whore; it’s just Twitter. A few years ago, when Myspace and Facebook got popular, I made accounts because everyone else did it, remaining indifferent to their features. Guidos and guidettes that looked like The Situation and Snooki had a field day – posting mirror pictures of themselves at awkward, often bird’s eye, angles on Myspace. Guidettes wore pounds of orange makeup and pasted phrases like “Italian Pride” and “Bella Princess” in pink obnoxious fonts across the top of their photos (with no regard to grammatical conventions, as one would imagine.) Unfortunately, I was never a guidette, so Myspace never resonated with me. And I never really checked my Facebook after I first made it. People fainted over that stuff though – checking their tomatoes on Farmville, crying about crops that die due to inclement weather conditions. Facebook makes me wonder why I would ever fantasize about watering plants. As for now, I’ll stick to my 140character tweets.
To the Editor,
The front cover of the first issue of the semester contained a large photograph of the flags displayed in front of the Arch to commemorate the ninth anniversary of September 11. It also included a caption that described how each flag represented a victim of the attacks. However, there were no other details given about the anniversary or any mention of the College Republicans, the group on campus that organized and set up the memorial. The College Republicans spent almost two hours on the morning of September 10 installing exactly 2,976 flags in the dirt on either side of the path that goes through the Arch. With each flag representing an innocent victim murdered on September 11, 2001, the already-painstaking process of setting up these flags had quite an eerie and intense feel to it. In the least, it certainly put things in perspective, as the sheer amount of people killed seems to be generalized as just a number, when it is so much more than that. We are not trying to politicize this act of solemn remembrance, but we would sincerely appreciate some acknowledgment in the future. Thank you for your consideration. Steven Filippi Ramapo College Republicans
Have an opinion?
Make your voice heard.
Send a letter to the editor: edtor.rcnjnews @gmail.com
By MICHELLE ANGELINO Web Editor
“The New York Times” printed an article about how “20-somethings” are taking longer to hit their milestones: completing school, leaving home, becoming financially independent, marrying and having a child. And how they aren’t doing them in the proper order. Robin Marantz Henig, the writer, went on for 10 pages about how we are a sloppy, lazy generation, also known as the Gen X slackers, and how we are postponing adulthood for as long as we can. Listen up Henig, I don’t know if you have kids or not but, God, I would not want you as a mother. Would you have kicked me out the minute I turned 20 because you felt as though I “mooched” off of you for too long? Or that I was old enough to be on my own, regardless of my life experience? I was appalled when I read this article, as were many others when they came upon it. I first came across this when I was on a different site — Lemondrop.com — and they were just as enraged as I was. I feel as though I’m a good representation of my generation. I’m a 22-year-old full-time student, as well a person who works a demanding job, and I’m still under my father’s health insurance and my mother’s roof. And according to Henig, I’m a failure. What drives me insane is the fact that Henig took into account all the juxtapositions the people of my generation are faced with, yet still pokes fun at us. We can vote at 18, but aren’t “out of the system” (foster care) until we’re 21. We can drive at 16, but can’t rent a car until we’re 25. We can join the military at 18, but can’t drink until we’re 21. And the list goes on. We’re literally faced with these contradictions on a daily basis. I’m about to graduate college and, since I live in New Jersey, I’m eligible to stay on my father’s health insurance as long as I’m under 29, not married and childless — basically all the things Henig mocks me for being — and to that I say, “Whatever.” There are so many things to contend with now: gas prices are
through the roof; car insurance for someone under 25 is astronomical; and cell phone bills are obscene, even with all the family share plans out there. With all these bills, there’s no way I could also pay rent and maintain either a social life or sleep schedule. We are mocked for being optimistic because “20-somethings” are in what Jeffery Jensen Arnett, a psychology professor at Clark University in Worcester, Mass., calls “emerging adulthood.” Arnett says that we’re in a time when we’re more “self-focused than at any other time of life.” That’s because we see the future as a world of possibilities and something to look forward to instead of believing that we’re being too idealistic. Why would it be a good idea to think of life after school as a horrible thing? Who would ever want to grow up? Isn’t it better to be idealistic than pessimistic? Yes, one could say that our optimism is naïve and not realistic enough, but let it go. If everyone focused on the dead-end jobs, the divorce rate and the snobby children to come, then no one would live past 20 because they’d all kill themselves. Maybe it’s childish to think that the world is full of possibilities but I like wearing rose-colored glasses. It keeps all the craziness and horrible devastation from ruining what precious spare time I have. I don’t know if Henig is living in the same time as me, but things are expensive and the less I have to pay for, the better it is for my sanity. I have all the time in the world to be a “grown up.” Why would I want to rush into something that monumental and consuming if I don’t have too? I go to school and work; I’m a productive member of society, as are most people in my generation. Yes, we tend to take the easy way out, but look at all we have to deal with. So, while you write more articles about how lazy and useless we are, you’ll have to excuse me — the Beer Pong Tournament is about to start. mangeli@ramapo.edu
ARTS
&
E N T E RTA I N M E N T
“Platanos and Collard Greens” Challenges Stereotypes
Thursday, September 23, 2010
BY DANIELLE REED Staff Writer
Last Friday at 8 p.m. in the Berrie Center’s Sharp Theater, students got the chance to view a play that is not afraid to question and challenge the common stereotypes that exist today.
Freeman, an African American man, and Angelita, a Latina woman, fall in love despite the boundaries and prejudices that threaten their relationship.
“Platanos and Collard Greens” is the story of two college students, Freeman (Leon Joseph) and Angelita (Hjordy’s Matos), who come from two completely different backgrounds. Freeman, an
African American man, and Angelita, a Latina woman, fall in love despite the boundaries and prejudices that threaten their relationship. The play begins at an Open Mic Night event where Freeman, a great rapper, gives a monologue to the audience members and the other characters attending the Open Mic Night. “It’s not about black and white, it’s about wrong and right,” Freeman says in his opening monologue. This simple line, repeated in the beginning and end of the play, sums up the major message of the show. As the play progresses, audience members see the personal struggles that both Angelita and Freeman go through as individuals about whether they are meant to be together, regardless of what society thinks. Besides engaging in battles with themselves and with each other, Angelita and Freeman are forced into fights regarding the opinions of their friends and family in order to let their love survive. In one scene, Freeman explains to a friend that he wants a relationship with Angelita for more than her beauty and sexual attrac-
tion, while Angelita explains to her mother, Samana, why she wants to be in a relationship with an African American man. The play also forces audience members to
The play forces audience members to focus on the words spoken by the characters. With no set or scenery, there is nothing to distract the audience from the play’s messages.
focus on the words spoken by the characters. With no set or scenery besides chairs, there is nothing to distract the audience from the messages that the play presents. “Platanos and Collard Greens” also presents themes throughout the show that focus on different stereotypes or prejudices. In one scene, Samana and Freeman’s father, Pops, are forced together coincidentally and make incorrect assumptions about each other based solely on appearances.
Several characters also deliver monologues that demonstrate various stereotypes as well. Angelita presents the idea that she is more than just a attractive Latina woman; Pops presents the idea that these prejudices have always existed and live on through rap lyrics; Freeman’s friend Malady voices her frustration at the way African American men chase Latina women. In the final scenes of the play, audience members rejoice and are excited that despite what society has told them, Angelita and Freeman are able to form a relationship. “[The play was] very enjoyable [and] has a good message,” junior Yessenia Camacho-Diaz said. “Platanos and Collard Greens” proved to be an enjoyable play that boldly introduced audience members to the world of prejudice and stereotypes found in society today. dreed1@ramapo.edu
Meet and Greet Game Night a Success for Stressed Students
“It’s a great opportunity to come together, build friendships, have fun, eat snacks, and play games, of course.”
By JULIANNA BRANDA Staff Writer
On Tuesday night, Ramapo students who attended the Meet and Greet Game Night were treated to two hours of games and socializing, courtesy of both the Black Student Union and Ramapo Operation Link-Up. Everyone in attendance was ready to lose themselves in the games put out in front of them; as freshman Malcolm Minor stated, “The game night is a good way to end a night full of classes.”
“The game night is a good way to end a night full of classes.” -Malcolm Minor, freshman
At each table, students eagerly crowded around games like Uno, Life, Guess Who?, Checkers, and Monopoly. Everyone was sure to make a pit stop at the refreshment stand before the games commenced. Once things got underway, the students engaged in intense rounds of poker and chess. The atmosphere was lighthearted, friendly and fun, and the games gave students
-Natasha Stone, president of the Black Student Union
photo by Mike Jagendorf
The Black Student Union, above, along with Ramapo Operation Link-Up sponsored Tuesdayʼs Meet and Greet Game Night. the perfect opportunity to mingle and bond. As sophomore Joshua Guillaune pointed out, “There [was] the perfect assortment of games to bring me back to childhood days.” In addition to reminiscing and healthy competition, the game night also engendered feelings of relaxation and camaraderie among fellow Ramapo students, which is exactly what the organizers of the
event intended. “It was a great event. I appreciate everyone who came out to support it. It gave the students room to relax. Since the semester just started we’re all feeling some stress, so it’s great to just have people come and hang out,” said senior Secretary of Ramapo Operation LinkUp Ashley Gathers. Operation Link-Up is an organization that helps freshman adjust to college life.
Along with Link-Up, the Black Student Union also helped to organize the event and was equally pleased with the turnout. “It’s a great opportunity to come together, build friendships, have fun, eat snacks, and play games, of course,” said Natasha Stone, president of the Black Student Union. The Meet and Greet Game Night was well-organized and successful because of the hard work put into creating a fun and relaxing event and because of the students who showed up to engage in never-ending rounds of Uno and Life. The food didn’t hurt either. jbranda1@ramapo.edu
Comedian Aziz Ansari a Crowd-Pleaser at Local Theater Page 9 The Ramapo News
By ERIK GAVILANES Staff Writer
Comedian Aziz Ansari took the stage last Wednesday at Montclair’s Wellmont Theater as part of his “Dangerously Delicious” tour and entertained audiences with a night of juvenile laughs and personable charm. Ansari has become a favorite among the college crowd with a body of work including the MTV sketch show, “Human Giant” (which featured a sketch filmed in the Bradley Center here at Ramapo College back in 2008), the NBC comedy “Parks and
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Recreation”, the films “Observe and Report” and “Funny People”, and his debut CD/DVD stand up special, “Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening” from earlier this year. The 27-year-old Ansari unceremoniously walked out onstage just a few minutes after his opening act, comedian and “Saturday Night Live” writer John Mullaney, finished up his set. Ansari immediately instructed the crowd to take pictures of him pretending to tell jokes, so as to not disrupt the actual show later on. He played this up for huge laughs as he posed in several mid-word positions and had an audience member stand up
photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons
Comedian Aziz Ansari poses for pictures as part as his comedy act.
to stage a faux argument while adding his own caption for the audience member, mockingly exclaiming “Whites are the superior race!” Ansari’s personality shines through in his stand-up acts and showcases a brand of wide-eyed excitement and good-boy-actingbad comedy that makes even his raunchiest material seem much more innocent. After an especially explicit bit, involving an angry internet heckler and pantomimed actions, he stopped to mention his parents and their asking him whether or not to invite their friends to the show. “You don’t really know what I do for a living, do you?” he responded, in direct regard to how lewd his last joke was. The “Dangerously Delicious” tour features material not previously heard on his debut special, but manages to touch on familiar subjects like his crowd pleasing, Cinnabondevouring, younger cousin Harris and his decidedly less popular brother, Darwish. Merchandise for the tour included t-shirts and tote bags emblazoned with both of Ansari’s cousins’ faces. After just under an hour of new material, Ansari left the stage and returned quickly to raucous cheers for an encore with a simple, “What do you guys want to talk about?” Several audience members shouted what everyone else was thinking, “Raaaaaaaandy!” the name of his comedy alter-ego, featured in “Funny People.” Unfortunately for those waiting to hear from Raaaaaaaandy (yes, eight “a’s”), Ansari
informed the audience that he had “fallen into a volcano,” while taking part in some sexual acts and would not be performing. No word yet on whether Ansari is retiring the popular character, but this seems to be a good measure to take if he does not want to be constantly heckled by a trademark bit. The encore was about 15 minutes long and consisted of audience requests including his take on bed sheet thread counts and Craigslist. Ansari closed the show with expanded material on R&B artist R. Kelly. The show was packed with laughs and the adoration for Ansari was evident. During a brief pause in a joke, a woman in the audience shrieked “I love you Aziz!” to which he instantly responded with a simple “cool.” Nothing especially witty or clever, yet the audience collectively gave off a huge laugh as if to echo the sentiments of that lone shrieker. erikgavilanes@yahoo.com
Emma Stone’s Performance Makes the Grade in “Easy A”
that she is very sexually experienced, while her father (Stanley Tucci) goes to great lengths to keep his dialogue hip and current to keep up with the younger generation, which makes for some hilarious scenes. This is a movie that lampoons teen sexuality, but also puts it into perspective. Let’s be honest: it means a lot more today for high school students to have sex than it did thirty years ago. The reasons are different, and the reactions are different. Director Will Gluck wisely keeps the focus on Olive; the story is all about her struggle and poise, and it’s all told through her narrative over a webcam. Guess what? She’s likeable. She has charisma. Emma Stone plays this role perfectly. This could very well be the movie that makes her career. She is set to star in the upcoming “Friends with Benefits” and “The Help.” “Easy A” grossed $18.2 million in its initial weekend, finishing second behind Ben Affleck’s “The Town.” But thanks to the power of word-of-mouth, it’s bound to stay in the minds of audiences young and old. Be prepared; we may have a new teen classic on our hands.
By JEREMY KELLY Staff Writer
Here’s a question to ponder: Would you rather lose your virginity, or have your not esteemed peers think you’ve lost your virginity? So goes the premise for “Easy A,” a quirky comedy whose title may sound shallow but is surprisingly well-written and appropriately-casted. Emma Stone stars as Olive Penderghast, a wholesome, nearly-invisible girl at Ojai North High School who pretends to lose her virginity to a college boy she calls “George,” which, according to Olive’s best friend, Rhiannon (Alyson Michalka), is “not a sexy name.” Naturally, because this is high school, word of Olive’s imaginary fling spreads like wildfire, courtesy of classmate Marianne (Amanda Bynes). Olive’s reputation instantaneously changes from unknown to talk-of-the-school – in a negative way. When Olive’s gay friend Brandon (Dan Byrd) asks to “pretend to be straight with her” at a party one night, they engage in a loud, fake tryst behind a closed bedroom door. Brandon now has a reputation as a straight stud, but Olive is further chastised, especially by her friend Rhiannon. Then—and this is where the film goes against the norm— Olive embraces her fate. Her English class happens to be reading “The Scarlett Letter,” Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 19th century novel about an adulterer who is forced to wear a brightly-colored “A” to symbolize her status. Olive follows Hester Prynne’s footsteps and affixes a red “A” onto her clothes, and transforms her image to that of a promiscuous young woman. She continues performing the same imaginary favor to other guys who have no chance with girls in exchange for money. Call it prostitution, but Olive calls it a public service. Stone, in her first starring role, has many emotions to
photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons
“Easy A” grossed $18.2 million in its opening weekend.
portray, and she performs them all flawlessly. Stone plays just one of many memorable characters who all have varying degrees of realism to them. Rhiannon is a loudmouthed girl who is proud of the attention she attracts with her attractive looks, while Marianne is a hyper-conservative Christian who simply wants to “save” Olive. Olive’s mother (Patricia Clarkson) is a woman who makes it clear
RATING:
####$ jkelly7@ramapo.edu
“Devil” Does Not Deliver Page 10 The Ramapo News
By ASHLEY DRAPKIN Staff Writer
As with any horror film, the main question to ask about “Devil” is: Is this movie scary, or is it just a huge waste of money?
What viewers hope for is a chilling thriller, but what they get instead is a mediocre attempt at a horror film.
It doesn’t come as a complete surprise that this film is not as enjoyable as the advertisements make it out to be, because lately it seems that quality horror films are becoming somewhat of a lost art. With “Devil,” what viewers hope for is a chilling thriller similar to “Paranormal Activity” or “The Fourth Kind”, but what they get instead is a mediocre attempt at a horror film which does not leave a lasting impression on audience members. “Devil” seemed promising at first – its tagline, “Bad Things Happen For a Reason,” is just vague and mysterious enough to entice viewers into theatres, while director John E. Dowdle’s success with previous works like “Quarantine” was sure to attract fans. However, without an A-list celebrity cast and a bland storyline, “Devil” was not
able to deliver. The general plot of the movie is relatively simple: five strangers with completely different personalities are trapped in an elevator, and one of them happens to be the devil. Lights flicker, mysterious noises are heard, people scream – nothing short of an average horror film. The cast, however, does have great chemistry which is important, considering that much of the film takes place in an elevator. The action of the movie does not take place entirely in the elevator, however. This film is somewhat of a murder mystery, as there is an investigation taking place outside the elevator of a suicide. While the movie’s ending does have an unexpected twist which will leave most viewers surprised, one’s best bet would be to skip “Devil” and wait until it comes out on DVD.
RATING:
#$$$$ adrapkin@ramapo.edu
Chakra: Fine Dining Hotspot
Thursday, September 23, 2010
By ALMERRY MARTINS Staff Writer
Fine dining should be a fully sensual experience, intertwining delectable dishes with an inviting aura of relaxation. A restaurant that has these qualities is Chakra, a Paramus eatery that prides itself on its combination of American, European, and Asian cuisine. Chakra’s eye-catching décor stands out the moment one steps into the large dining area lined with teak wood floors and tables. The 120-year-old brick walls are embellished with hand-carved Cambodian art, while flickering candles help set the mood for a memorable dining experience. Even though the menu is subject to seasonal change, Executive Chef Nelson Martinez does not disappoint due to the variety of food presented. The menu consists mostly of seafood. The adventurous diner might begin with grilled octopus, which is served with a medley of blistered red potatoes, roasted red peppers, and lemon confit, while those who like to play it safe may opt for the more traditional fried calamari, served with smoked tomato remoulade (a cold sauce made with various herbs) and miso mustard. A plain Caesar Salad is almost a misfit on Chakra’s menu; their signature salad is the Chakra Chopped Spinach Salad, a tasteful combination of egg, radish, bacons, mush-
rooms, and honey Dijon vinaigrette. Some of Chakra’s fish dishes are Pan Seared Red Snapper, Wildflower Organic Honey Glazed Salmon, and Miso Glazed Chilean Sea Bass, all exquisitely named with a matching taste. Chakra’s originality with their dishes even extends over to the dessert menu: Caramel Chocolate Connection, Coconut Pineapple Tower, and Cappuccino Crème Brulee can satisfy even the biggest dessert connoisseur’s needs. With a lengthy list of specialty cocktails and wines, one does not necessarily have to eat a full dinner to experience the atmosphere and elegance. Chakra is idea for any type of event, even if it’s just a personal reward after a difficult week. Chakra’s prices are considerably higher than those of a chain restaurant; expect to spend at least $60 on two entrees and an appetizer. Not an every-day kind of place, Chakra can be considered a treat for the palate as well as the mind.
RATING:
####$ martins814@yahoo.com
Chiku Awali Brings African Culture to Ramapo Workshop Teaches Students About Dance and Drumming
Photo by Jolie Lang
Performers from Chiku Awali, an African dance and music ensemble, visited Ramapo on Monday.
Photo by Jolie Lang
The two hour workshop taught Ramapo students about the art of African music and dance.
Page 11 The Ramapo News
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Page 12 The Ramapo News
Thursday, September 23, 2010
photo by Stefanie Mauro
Derailed by injuries, women始s field hockey lost their home opener against Castleton State College on Saturday.
photo by Stefanie Mauro
Ramapo will play their next game against Elmira College on Saturday at 1 p.m.
RAMAPO SPORTS
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Injury Plagued Roadrunners Fall in Field Hockey Home Opener By TOM BABCOCK Staff Writer
The Ramapo field hockey ladies, handicapped by injuries, were shutout for a second consecutive game in their home opener Saturday against Castleton. The 3-0 loss drops them to 3-3 for the season. The problem for the Roadrunners was not who was on the on the field, but rather who was missing. “It’s tough,” Head Coach Concetta Valerio said. “We’ve got injuries to our two leading scorers from last year, and the players filling in are learning the new system.” Both Jayne Manigrasso and Victoria Ahlers were forced to watch helplessly from the sidelines with injuries. Manigrasso, a junior forward and 2009 First Team All New Jersey Athletic Conference selection, is second on Ramapo’s career goals scored list after only two seasons. Ahlers was second on the team in goals scored in 2009 behind Manigrasso. Injuries were not the only problem for the Roadrunners. The referees made themselves more visible than any fan would like with
a handful of controversial calls. With Ramapo inside the scoring circle with a minute left in the first half, one referee inexplicably blew his whistle ending play, even though a shot on goal was about to be taken. To make up for the inadvertent whistle, Ramapo was later awarded a corner kick that was not used. Later in the second half, a Ramapo player was given a yellow card, the second out of a total of three in the game, causing restless fans to yell “just let them play.” Castleton took advantage of the yellow and scored on a corner to go up 2-0. Ultimately, this play
stapled the momentum in their favor for the rest of the game. A late Ramapo goal was also taken off the board by a referee ruling the ball had hit off a Roadrunner’s leg. It would be unfair to pin too much blame on the referees because Ramapo certainly had its chances. Multiple breakaways and open net opportunities all resulted anticlimactically. Many, if not all, scoring threats were spearheaded by forward Amanda Barretta. The junior transfer was all over the field, possessing easily the best stick skills and
photo by Stefanie Mauro
The field hockey team has earned a 3-3 record despite playing five of their six games on the road.
speed of any player competing. She was not able to get any chemistry going with her teammates. The visiting team, however, had little trouble producing chemistry with two of their players. Castleton’s Sarah Flore scored five minutes in with an assist from Courtney Nolan and again in the second half off the yellow card corner. Flore finished with two goals while Nolan added a goal to finish with a goal and two assists. Castleton’s defense proved to be stout again, pitching its third straight shutout to improve to 5-1 on the year. Their only loss was at the beginning of their season against nationally ranked Skidmore. Ramapo will hope to turn things around Saturday at Elmira College, but they will have to do it without Ahlers, who according to Valerio is “out indefinitely” with a foot injury. Manigrasso is “questionable” for the game, but if she does play she will only need two goals to become Ramapo’s alltime leading goal scorer. tbabcock@ramapo.edu
Marshall Excited To Return as Ramapo’s Athletic Director By S EAN RITCHIE Staff Writer
A familiar face is back as the head of the athletic department here at Ramapo; Eugene Marshal has returned to serve as the interim athletic director after the tragic sudden passing of Michael Riccardi, the past sitting AD. Marshall decided to return because of his relationship with Riccardi. “Mike Riccardi was a good friend and worked for me for my seven years that I was here,” Marshall said. “A great part of our success was due to his hard work, dedication and commitment. I was more than happy to see him become to athletic director when I left. I was very upset that he passed away and I thought that it was the right thing to do to come back and help out.” Riccardi was promoted in 2005 to replace Marshall, who took the opportunity to become the AD at West Point. One of the main missions in athletics at West Point is supporting the cadets in all aspects of their lives. Marshall wants to implement the same support system here at Ramapo. “We want to try and support the student athletes,” Marshall said. “We really tried to support the cadet athletes at West Point, because we knew that when their four years were up, they were going possibly to
war.” Student-athletes are students first then athletes; many times we lose our perspective on athletics. Marshall is a firm believer of athletics being a supplement to academia. Marshall’s ultimate goal, past athletics, is to aid the students to mature and graduate. “I believe that you Ramapo students are the leaders of our future and so if we can
Marshall ultimately wants the student body to be as excited and passionate about Ramapo athletics as he is.
as an athletic department have a small hand in your success, in helping to mold you to be the successful people that you will be, then we have done our job.” During Marshall’s time at West Point the athletic department had some significant changes with which he was very pleased. “The outdoors facility, which was in the plans when I left, became a reality. Also, we have added different full varsity sports (lacrosse, field hockey, both men and women swimming). They were all in the plans when I left but it is good to see them in fruition.”
Marshall has many goals that he wants to see come to a reality during his time here at Ramapo. “The first thing that we are going to try and do is get a handle on what is the appropriate budgetary allocation for our athletic program that will benefit our student athletes in this very tough economic time,” he said. “We want to make sure that we can provide the student athletes with the best possible experience, to develop a winning attitude and a winning culture, but most importantly to help them academically to matriculate and graduate.” The athletic facilities are a major issue on his agenda. “We want to look at the baseball field, the grass soccer field and our softball field and still do some work on the stadium field. We really need to put a scoreboard in the stadium field.” Sports have played a crucial role in Marshall’s life. He still consults both his high school and college coaches on major decisions and he hopes to do the same for the students that pass through the athletic department, not just the athletes. “Coming back here (Ramapo) they were consulted. When I left here to go to West Point they were consulted. When I left Staten Island to come here the first time they were consulted. They play a key part in my life. Also, I play that role for my
former athletes, former players, and people that worked for me. It has been a real worth while experience for me.” When talking to Eugene Marshall, you can see the passion that he has for his job, as well as his love for Ramapo. Everything he is trying to implement is for the growth of the college. Marshall ultimately wants the student body to be as excited and passionate about Ramapo athletics as he is. “We want to make this a fan friendly atmosphere when we have an event going on. We want to make this the toughest place for our opponents to come in. I want us to really get excited and make it difficult; not over the top, not being nasty, but just enough so that the place is rocking just like it was when I left.”
“We want to make this the toughest place for our opponents to come in.” -Eugene Marshall, Athletic Director
sritchi1@ramapo.edu
Expected Playoff Teams Struggle in Second Week of NFL Season Page 14 The Ramapo News
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Vikings, Cowboys, 49ers Start the Year 0-2 After Entering the Season as Top Contenders By JEREMY KELLY Staff Writer
Every season in the National Football League, there are some surprises. Teams have bounced back from poor runs the previous year and have fallen off after great seasons. After two weeks of the 2010 NFL season, we’re finding no exceptions. Despite early predictions of a Super Bowl run, the Dallas Cowboys have fallen to 0-2 after a 27-20 loss at home to the Chicago Bears on Sunday. However, Cowboy rookie Dez Bryant has burst onto the scene with a 62-yard punt return for a touchdown in the second quarter. Quarterback Jay Cutler threw three touchdown passes to lead the Bears to extend their record to 2-0. Following the annual Brett Favre summer media circus, the Minnesota Vikings also dropped to a 0-2 record. Favre had perhaps his worst day as a Viking, turning the ball over four times and making several errant passes as Minnesota lost at home to the Miami Dolphins, 14-10. After finishing with only four victories in 2009, the Kansas City Chiefs have jumped out to a 2-0 record after a 16-14 triumph over the Cleveland Browns. Cornerback Brandon Flowers scored Kansas City’s lone touchdown on a 33-yard interception return. The Chiefs have started 2-0 for the first time since 2005. Despite going 3-13 in 2009, the Tampa Buccaneers have started 2-0 thanks to a 207 road victory over the Carolina Panthers.
Bucs’ quarterback Josh Freeman, who threw five interceptions in a game at Carolina last season, played mistake-free on Sunday as he threw two touchdown passes. Carolina quarterback Matt Moore was benched in the fourth quarter in favor of Jimmy Clausen, the rookie from Notre Dame. Clausen will start for the Panthers in week three against the Cincinnati Bengals. Elsewhere around the NFL, the New York Jets’ quarterback Mark Sanchez threw three touchdown passes in a 28-14 win against their rivals in the AFC East, the New England Patriots. The Jets next travel to Miami for what promises to be an epic Sunday night match-up with the Dolphins. Quarterback Alex Smith showed signs of maturity against the New Orleans Saints on Monday night, as he led the San Francisco
49ers on a game-tying touchdown drive in the final minutes. But it wasn’t enough, as Saints’ kicker Garrett Hartley kicked a 32yard field goal with no time left for a 25-22 New Orleans victory. However, Saints’ Reggie Bush is expected to miss the next six weeks due to a broken leg. Michael Vick started as quarterback for the first time since 2006, and the Philadelphia Eagles won a 35-32 shootout against the Detroit Lions. Vick threw two touchdown passes, and Philadelphia running back LeSean McCoy ran for three more. Rookie running back Jahvid Best amassed 232 allpurpose yards for the Lions. Despite Vick’s performance, Head Coach Andy Reid surprised everyone when he announced that Michael Vick will start over Kevin Kolb Sunday against Jacksonville.
photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons
Peyton Manning proved to be the top quarterback in the family as the Colts bullied Eli Manning and the Giants in 38-14 win.
The Houston Texans trailed the Washington Redskins 27-10, but thanks to Matt Schaub’s 497 passing yards as well as a blocked Washington field goal, the Texans rallied to force overtime. In the extra session, Redskins’ quarterback Donovan McNabb, who threw for 426 yards, drove them down the field into field goal range. However, kicker Graham Gano’s 52-yard attempt was wide right, and Houston’s kicker Neil Rackers converted a field goal on the ensuing drive for a 30-27 win. The highly anticipated Manning Bowl II had a very anti-climactic outcome. Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts had a surprisingly easy time against Eli Manning and the New York Giants. Peyton threw three touchdowns as the Colts stomped the Giants 38-14. Eli, in turn, had three turnovers and was constantly bothered by Indianapolis’s defensive line led by Dwight Freeney. There are several big storylines in the upcoming Week 3 games. Dallas attempts to avoid going 0-3 as they travel to Houston. Minnesota faces a must-win home game against the Lions. St. Louis quarterback Sam Bradford looks for his first victory against the Redskins. The Monday night game features two NFC North teams that are 2-0, as the Green Bay Packers head to Chicago to battle the Bears. It promises to be a better game than fans may have initially thought. jkelly7@ramapo.edu
NFL WEEK 3 STAFF PICKS
Week 3 Matchups
Last Week (5-1)
Last Week (2-4)
Last Week (3-3)
Jake Edinger Last Week (2-4)
Last Week (3-3)
Last Week (3-3)
NYJ @ MIA
Dolphins
Jets
Dolphins
Jets
Dolphins
Dolphins
DAL @ HOU
Texans
Texans
Texans
Cowboys
Texans
Cowboys
PHI @ JAC
Eagles
Eagles
Eagles
Eagles
Eagles
Eagles
SF @ KC
49ers
Chiefs
Chiefs
49ers
Chiefs
Chiefs
GB @ CHI
Packers
Packers
Bears
Packers
Packers
Packers
TEN @ NYG
Tom Babcock Titans
Chris Ardnt
Almerry Martins
Titans
Giants
Sean Ritchie Titans
Jeremy Kelly Giants
Titans
Trojan Tragedy: Bush Renounces Heisman Page 15 The Ramapo News
By CHRIS ARDNT Staff Writer
The 2005 Heisman Trophy will be left vacant in the record books after University of Southern California running back Reggie Bush voluntarily gave it up last week. He was accused of receiving “improper benefits” and thus became ineligible for the 2005 season. According to the National Collegiate Athletic Association, Bush violated the rules by receiving incentives while playing at USC. Bush supposedly received items including free hotel suites for his family and other “lavish gifts” from up to two sports agencies trying to sign him for marketing purposes. Once proven true, these accusations have huge penalties for Bush as well as USC. The Trojans have received a two-year ban from the college football postseason. They are allowed to compete in regular season games but they will not play a bowl game regardless of their regular season record. The Trojans have become a staple in the biggest bowls of the year, often reaching the National Championship game.
photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons
Reggie Bush, now a member of the New Orleans Saints, forfeited the Heisman Trophy he won in 2005.
Their most recent trip came in 2005 against Texas in a game in which some consider one of the best title games the NCAA has seen. Some critics have suggested giving the trophy to former Texas quarterback Vince Young, but that idea did not have much life to it. USC will also lose 30 scholarships, which will be a major blow to the school. This will cause many of their future prospects to have to transfer schools, and the penalty could cost the
school several wins over the next few seasons. Reggie Bush’s magical 2005 campaign for the Trojans will now be left in infamy for the foreseeable future. He was a dominant force out of the backfield, rushing for 1740 yards and 16 touchdowns. In 2004, USC’s latest championship season, Bush also led the charge by posting 908 yards and six touchdowns. Bush, now a member of the New Orleans Saints, has admit-
son that will end too early. Paying elite players an exuberant amount of money is one thing, but the Mets have handcuffed their finances by signing aging and incompetent players to ridiculous contracts. After trading for former speedster Luis Castillo during the 2007 season, the Mets gave the veteran a four-year extension despite the fact that everybody but the Mets’ front office knew he was only a shell of the dynamic player he was in the prime. Now they are paying $6.25 million for a 35-year-old who can’t hit the ball past the infield. And of course there is Oliver Perez, who pitched brilliantly in 2004 and has struggled to reproduce that success ever since. After walking 105 batters in 2008, the Mets opened up their checkbooks and again left everyone else wondering why. After posting a horrendous earned run average of 6.65, Perez has been designated to be an overpaid seat-filler on the bench. Jason Bay might be danger of joining this infamous list. After signing a $66 million deal, Bay hit a miniscule .259 with six
home runs before suffering a concussion that sidelined him for the rest of the season. The players have acted in an even worse matter off the field. Star pitcher Johan Santana has been accused of rape by an unidentified woman who is suing him after authorities declined to prosecute the case. Closer Francisco Rodriguez caused a violent scene in the clubhouse when he assaulted his girlfriend’s father on Aug. 11. In a tragic yet comical turn of events, Rodriguez injured himself during the assault, leading the Mets to shut him down for the rest of the season and unsuccessfully look for a way to void his contract. Most recently, Beltran, Castillo, and Perez decided not to attend the team’s trip to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C, causing their dedication to the team and personal integrity to be tested by Mets’ ownership and countless media outlets. The organization’s horrendous condition can only be magnified by the fact that their local rivals, the Yankees and Phillies, each won a championship in the
ted to “mistakes being made during his tenure at USC” according to a Yahoo! News report. “The persistent media speculation regarding allegations dating back to my years at USC has been both painful and distracting,” Bush said. “In no way should the storm around these allegations reflect in any way on the dignity of this award, nor on any other institutions or individuals. Nor should it distract from outstanding performances and hard-earned achievements either in the past, present or future.” At USC, Reggie Bush is now considered a taboo name. All records of him and all references around the campus are being removed. The championship and all of the wins that he helped bring to the school will now be a distant memory to all of those involved in the scandal. This case will now be an example for all college athletes to follow the rules of the NCAA and will hopefully be the first and only time someone is stripped of the prestigious award. cardnt@ramapo.edu
Not So Amazing Mets Continue to Dissapoint
By ANDREW GOULD Sports Editor
Four years ago, The New York Mets gave its fan an outstanding season and a reason to believe that they could be more than New York’s second best team. Newly hired general manager Omar Minaya burst on to the scene by signing star centerfielder Carlos Beltran, who excited fans by labeling the team as the “New Mets.” Beltran appeared to be right when the Mets dethroned the Atlanta Braves to win the National League East for the first time since 1988. They then proved to be the same old Mets when they fell one game short of reaching the World Series and have failed to make the playoffs since that 2006 season. Fast forward to 2010, and the Mets appear to be the most dysfunctional organization in Major League Baseball. Their enormous team payroll of $134 million ranks fourth highest in the league, yet they have nothing to show for it but a mediocre 74-78 and another sea-
past two years and appear to be poised for another run at the World Series. The Mets right now are a C-student with two siblings in Ivy League schools. Hopefully they will stop attempting to solve their problems by throwing money at it. Instead, they should be spending money to sign their draft picks and bolster their farm system. Rather than bringing in former Yankees’ manager Joe Torre to lead the Mets, ownership should avoid bringing in somebody who will cause constant comparisons to the Bronx Bombers. The Mets need a fresh face at manager who can bring the passion and energy that often remains unfound with Jerry Manuel. They need a general manager who seeks options other than throwing money at well-known veterans who are past their prime. For now, the team’s slogan “Ya gotta believe” feels more like a desperate and unreasonable plea that Mets’ fans will ignore until they see a change. agould1@ramapo.edu
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Ramapo Runs at Meet of Champions
By JUS TINA S LACHTA Staff Writer
The men’s and women’s cross country teams traveled to Van Cortlndt Park in New York on Saturday to compte in the 16th Annual Iona College Meet of Champions. The women placed 18th while the men took 19th place in the meet. Ramapo College was the only Division III school to participate in the event. Leading the way for the ladies was Elecia Cole who placed 108th in the competition but first for the Roadrunners. Only a few footsteps and a few seconds behind Cole was Carlin Keil who placed 109th at Iona but second for the Roadrunners. Andrew Capizzi guided the way for the men’s team. He placed 107th on the whole while placing first for Ramapo. Tim Paziora followed in 116th place. The team is steered by Head Coach Mike Jackson. This is his sixth season coaching at Ramapo for both the women and men’s team. Jackson stressed on the importance of vibes, communication, and hard work between the teammates. The team is filled with new faces and expectations. A few seniors graduated and left big footsteps to fill. However, he believes there is a solid group that can achieve anything. “The team needs to believe they can compete with everyone else,” Jackson said. They have the resources to take it to the next level, but overcoming nerves needs to be achieved first. There is always something to work on from mental to physical conditioning. However, with a team who wants to be there and do successfully in and out of races, it looks positive for the women and men of Ramapo cross country team. Jackson is excited to see how far they will go and what players can take it to the Nationals. Their next meet is the Paul Short Run Invitational on Oct.1 at Lehigh University. jslachta@ramapo.edu
SPORTS
SHUTOUT! 9 . 23 . 10
ROADRUNNER FIELD HOCKEY
Ramapo loses home opener 3-0, drops to 3-3 Page 13
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