Ramapo College of New Jersey Student Newspaper

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11.11.2010

RAMAPO NEWS

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THE

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A Publication by the Students for the Ramapo College Community

Ramapo Looks Towards A Greener Future

Officials Listen, Policies Revised

XLI No. 9

By ELYSE TORIBIO Staff Writer

photo by Stephanie Noda

Sustainable Living Facilities look to reduce carbon footprint and encourage students to become more environmentally conscious.

By STEPHANIE NODA Staff Writer

It’s hard reducing the environmental impact of a college campus when food is served wrapped in plastic and buildings leave their lights on day and night. However, living sustainably in a dorm is not an impossible feat. A group of students have taken the initiative to create living facilities on campus that not only help reduce their carbon footprint, but also create a community of peers who truly want to make the world a greener place.

The Sustainable Living Facilities (SLF) first began when students saw environmentally friendly dorms being built at other colleges and wanted to create a housing program for Ramapo that similarly incorporated the ideals of sustainability.

“I’ve seen it on other campuses,” senior Paul Coraggio, founder of 1STEP said. “I saw how similar campuses were doing green living programs.

There were actually some plans to create something like this a long time ago through some of the professors on campus. We kind of took the old ideas and put some new thought into it. There was a year of planning and proposal to Residence Life and they liked the idea.”

Among these professors was Emma Rainforth, associate professor of environmental science/geology and director of the Sharp Sustainability Education Center.

W EEKEND WEATHER

“A couple of students were interested in the idea of having some kind sustainable housing on campus where like-minded students could live in a sustainable community,” Rainforth said. “They and I researched different programs going on at different campuses. We had the support of Res Life and the Vice President of Student Affairs, so it’s kind of a joint effort between academic affairs and student affairs.”

After the year of planning with Residence Life and Student Affairs, Sustainable Living Facilities were established in the CPAs and the Village. This semester marks the pilot program of their efforts, with 27 students living across seven apartments: four apartments in Redwood and three apartments in Village Stairwell 16.

The dorms that are used in this program are not environmentally friendly themselves, since they are buildings that have been on Ramapo for many years. However, since students are taught how to reduce their carbon footprints, they make their facilities green.

“The whole point is to teach students how to live more sustainable within the means they currently have,” senior Jessica Roffe, member of the SLFs, said. “We don’t always have the money to complete redo buildings or install high tech renewable energy systems.

We put students in buildings that everyone else on campus lives in and see SUSTAINABILITY on page 4 help them to live more sustainably to

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Following a packed open forum, several privately facilitated focus group meetings between President Mercer and members of the Ramapo student body, and many outcries regarding the issue; the Office of Student Affairs has made some changes on the guest and alcohol policies put into effect last month.

It comes as no surprise that students on campus still had a lot to say about the policies, even after the two-hour long open forum held in early October by President Mercer, Miki Cammarata and Pat Chang, Associate Vice Presidents for Student Affairs.

Administrators announced at the end of the forum that students interested in continuing the discussion could choose to partake in a focus group with a professional mediator. About 45 students signed up to participate, which were organized by Brittany Goldstein, special assistant to the president.

“I think the students, without question, wanted their concerns not just to be heard, but to be heard clearly,” Goldstein said about those who were chosen to participate in the meetings. “They came to the sessions prepared and, I think, in part due to the neutral facilitator and the self-awareness of the attendees, they established a candid and passionate dialogue that focused on matters that went beyond individual anecdotes and experiences and instead emphasized the impacts on the collective student body.”

Goldstein explained that the most prominent concerns brought up

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Page 2 The Ramapo News

THE RAMAPO NEWS

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

Jack Cole Speaks in Effort to Reduce Crime

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Ex-Narcotics Officer Advocates for Drug Legalization

(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

Michelle Angelino Web Editor Adam Panella Business Manager Dan Sforza Technical Advisor

INSIDE

Around the Arch Page 3

Viewpoints Page 7

A&E Page 8

Sports Page 13

POLICY

Whenever necessary, The Ramapo News will publish corrections or clarifications in the following issues. All corrections must be brought to the attention of the editor as soon as possible. The Ramapo News strives for accuracy. In keeping with journalistic standards, 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.

photo by Stefanie Mauro

Retired New Jersey State Police Lieutenant Jack Cole explains why he believes drugs should be legalized.

By DEANNA DUNSMUIR Staff Writer

Jack Cole, a retired detective lieutenant and narcotics officer, spoke on Tuesday afternoon in the H-Wing Auditorium to inform Ramapo students why drugs should be legalized.

The Women’s Center’s Program and Library Coordinator, Laura Hahn, sponsored the lecture.

Cole served in the New Jersey State Police for a total of 26 years, including 17 spent as an undercover officer on the streets posing as a fugitive drug dealer wanted for murder. Now, Cole is a founding member and executive director of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), a 45,000-member organization of cops, judges, prosecutors, prison wardens, and others that feel that legalized regulation of drugs will reduce violence.

“I agree with what he had to say, when you say people can’t have something it makes it more valuable and people want it more; and with money anyone can get it. I didn’t think about legalizing drugs in that

Cole began his undercover narcotics career in 1971, the same year that the War on Drugs was declared by the Nixon administration.

“I lived on the streets with these folks and saw what kind of horrors we’ve created with these policies,” Cole said, “It is a self-perpetuating, constantly expanding policy disaster.”

Since the 1970s, the price of illegal drugs, such as heroin and cocaine, have decreased and the percentage of purity has increased, according to the DEA. “It was then $6.37 for cocaine and 1.5 percent pure, now it is 80 cents and 38.2 percent pure [respectively]. That is a problem 25 times greater than at the beginning of the war on drugs.”

Cole contributes the figures to drugs being non-regulated.

“According to the DEA in 1965, 2 percent of the population was involved with illegal drugs, today 48 percent of the population is,” Cole said.

“According to the DEA, in 1965, two percent of the population was involved with illegal drugs, today 48 percent of the population is.”

-Jack Cole

way. If legal, we can use that money to improve society,” sophomore Nicole Perry said.

Hahn asked Cole to speak after hearing of him at a Civil Liberties and Public Policies conference.

“He was the highlight,” Hahn said. “We are trying to incorporate the event into black solidarity week.”

Cole has spoken at over 1,200 lectures around the world. The organization he represents, LEAP, is an international educational organization that targets civic, professional and educational groups in efforts to change the minds of conservative voters. Cole lists college campuses as a relatively rare outlet in regards to the locations that he chooses to speak at.

80 percent of the audiences that leave the former detectives’ talks agree with what he has said, according to Cole. He attributes the high percentage to his fact-based arguments.

“We use very logical arguments and we have a credibility no one else has,” Cole said about LEAP members have. “We have former FBI agents and prison wardens calling for the legalization of all drugs.”

see COLE on page 5

photo by Stefanie Mauro

Cole promotes ideals through experiences as a former detective lieutenant and narcotics officer. The event was sponsored by the Womenʼs Center.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

THURSDAY’S CHILD

George S. Patton The outspoken army officer best known for his leadership in World War II.

TODAY IN HISTORY

Veteranʼs Day President Woodrow Wilson first declared Armistice Day in 1919 to honor the armed forces.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Joanne Pedersen, against the Defense of Marriage Act “I would just like the federal government to recognize our marriage as just as real as everybody elseʼs.”

‘Movember’: Incentive for Males to Raise Cancer Awareness Male Ramapo Students Recognize Charity and Partake in Tradition

“Movember” isn’t only a month when men are able to grow out their mustaches and when their girlfriends can’t really complain about being pricked in the face every time they kiss because Movember is a month dedicated to prostate cancer research and men’s health awareness.

Mo, slang for mustache, and the month of November have been joining forces annually since 2003 to raise money for male related cancers. Originated in 2003 in Australia, Movember encourages men, or “Mo Bros,” to change their face in effect to change the face of men’s health. Instead of charity walks and runs, men around the world commit to growing their facial hair for 30 days and ask for sponsors to help raise money for research.

Ramapo student Keith Wendrychowicz has joined a team that commits themselves to growing their facial hair for this cause. His team meets every Monday and Thursday to discuss the hardships of growing mustaches and its growing

By SAMANTHA ULLRICH Staff Writer

“It’s our way of showing support for men’s health and prostate cancer. We have to nip this thing in the butt before it’s too late.”

-Keith Wendrychowcz, team member

techniques.

“Girls do the pink lock of hair, and we grow a man stache.

It’s our way of showing support for men’s health and prostate cancer. We have to nip this thing in the butt before it’s too late,” Wendrychowicz said.

Teams are able to sign up and register on the Movember Foundation’s Web site, and the teams that raise a significant amount of money are eligible for prizes and event invita-

Funds go to the Prostate Cancer Foundation and LIVESTRONG, the Lance Armstrong Foundation

tions.

Unfortunately for some men, however, growing their ‘stache is simply impossible due to career obligations.

Junior Ken Rodenheiser faces this problem due to this weekly clinical work at Englewood hospital as a requirement for his nursing major.

“It’s just disappointing that professional obligations prevent some people from partaking in events like these. When you are in a clinical, internship, or job situation, you are expected to look professional every day, and unfortunately, excessive facial hair is not considered appropriate,” Rodenheiser said.

According to the Movember Foundation, “in 2009, global participation of Mo Bros and Mo Sistas climbed to 255,755, with over one million donors raising $42 million U.S. equivalent dollars for Movember’s global beneficiary partners.”

The funds go to the Prostate Cancer Foundation and LIVESTRONG, the Lance Armstrong Foundation, where the money is used for research and support programs for those battling and surviving cancer.

Mo Bros serve as walking and talking billboards as a reminder to the public that men should be conscious of their

health. The Movember Foundation hopes to encourage men to proactively manage their health, remove the stigmas associated with men’s health issues, and achieve breakthroughs that will move the global research community closer to finding better outcomes for men’s health.

Although prostate cancer is not yet preventable, there are steps men can take to decrease the risk of this cancer .

According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, diet and lifestyle modifications have been shown to reduce the risk

“When you are in a clinical, internship, or job situation, you are expected to look professional every day, and unfortunately, excessive facial hair is not considered appropriate.”

-Ken Rodenheiser, junior

of prostate cancer development and progression, and can help men with prostate cancer live longer and have lives without worry.

Incorporate exercise into your daily routine. Make sure to integrate plenty of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals in your diet. Exemplary foods consist of fish, bananas, broccoli, soy and cooked tomatoes. Take a men’s multivitamin daily. Be aware of the risks that obesity has on your health.

So men, give your razor a rest this month and take the challenge against cancer. sullrich@ramapo.edu

Anisfield School of Business Pending Accreditation

By NICOLE ALLIEGRO Staff Writer

The Anisfield School of Business is finally seeing an end to its five year-long initiative to receive accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). On Oct. 27, the AACSB review team completed the final step of the process by visiting campus for a two and a half day evaluation, and now the wait for an official decision has begun.

According to Lewis Chakrin, Dean of the Anisfield School of Business, the campus review was very successful.

Work towards the accreditation goal began five years ago, the start of what Chakrin called “a long process.” The School was aided by AACSB Accreditation specialist Karen Norton, whose “job has been for the last five years…to help the School become prepared for accreditation and to go through all of the rigorous steps necessary to get there,” Chakrin added.

The Anisfield School of Business, if it was to be accredited, would join the about 540 other schools worldwide that are also recognized by the AACSB. “Having that seal of approval on our business school puts us in a different category,” Chakrin said, adding that it will help improve the School’s reputation as well as the College’s. “[The accreditation] creates a certain stature for the business school and…reflects very well on Ramapo College. It

photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons

The accreditation process for ASB took a total of five years to complete.

just opens up a whole set of new opportunities for us,” Chakrin said.

“We do feel good about it,” he said. “We’ll take another breath when it’s over but we feel that, based on the review team’s reaction, we did very well.”

These steps assisted the school in meeting a set of “very specific standards” set out by the AACSB, said Norton. For an undergraduate program, there are 17 standards designed to demonstrate the see ANISFIELD on page 6 school’s quality.

New Associate Director Looks Towards The Future Page 4 The Ramapo News

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Edward Seavers Has High Hopes and Expectations for the Student Center

By SAMANTHA ULLRICH Staff Writer

New Associate Director of Student Development and Coordinator of the Student Center Edward Seavers has recently filled his new position with high hopes and big aspirations for his future at Ramapo.

Seavers is originally from the nearby town of Ridgewood, NJ, but has been out of the state for the past 11 years getting his education and work experience. Seavers did his four-year undergrad at Fairfield University in Connecticut, where he majored in marketing with minors in accounting, business law and classical studies. He then completed his master’s degree at Clemson University in South Carolina, where he studied student affairs, and for the past couple of years he has worked at Christopher Newport University in Virginia.

While Seavers was an undergrad, he served as an RA for three years, a graduate hall director for two years, and then at CNU, he was a hall director and assistant director of residence life. In addition, Seavers worked with the men’s and women’s leadership program called LEAD (leadership education and development).

Seavers, a member of Ramapo’s faculty for less than a week now, will be filling the shoes that once belonged to John Costa, the previous associate director of Student Development.

“My position is taking elements of what John did and adding some new elements to it to create and develop this position, such as the idea of running the day-to-day student development office,” Seavers said. “From my understanding, this was not one of his responsibilities, but is mine.”

Some of Seavers’s plans for Ramapo include helping the Student Center function more effectively, in terms of being able to utilize the staff resources, as well as working with housekeeping and maintenance to assure everything runs as smoothly as possible. He also hopes to expand the positions of program coordinators by not only spreading out the responsibility to make it easier on some, but also to provide new opportunities for people who may not have them from its current structure.

Seavers uses the analogy of “street-team” who is placed in charge of advertising events, so the individuals who planned the event aren’t working extra hours a week doing the publicity for it.

“If you open up a half dozen or even a dozen “street-team” positions, you’re now creating a pipeline of involvement, so freshman who are saying ‘I want to do activities, I did that in high school, but there are only four positions available’ are given the opportunity because there are now 15 positions, so they can jump right in and get involved,” Seavers said.

Aside from the academic aspect of Ramapo, Seavers loves the campus grounds. On his drive to work in the morning he views the Ramapo Mountains, “I love the campus, it’s got a lot of space,” Seavers said.

Seavers only began his journey at Ramapo a week ago and is already finding it easy to adapt into the Ramapo community. Seavers is excited to be working with his fellow col-

photo by Samantha Ullrich

Seavers, the newly appointed Associate Director of Student Development and Coordinator of the Student Center.

leagues and students.

“One of the big things from when I was interviewing to the time I started were the people that I’m getting to work with are great, so it makes going to work a lot of fun,” Seavers said.

“There have been a lot of people who have done tons of important things here, so I’m just hoping to take in all the positive things they did, and then be able to build on them and bring new things in also. “ sullrich@ramapo.edu

Sustainable Living Facilities To Reduce Carbon Footprint continued from page 1

students.

The students in this program try to live their lives sustainably by doing a number of things on campus, which include little things such as turning off the lights, lowering the thermostat, and unplugging electronics when not in use. When electronics are kept plugged in, a “phantom draw” occurs as electricity is still being used, which is a waste of valuable resources. These small steps begin to add up over time and save both money and energy.

“If you’re appliance is still plugged in, even though you’re not using it, it’s still using electricity,” senior Marissa Torr, member of the SLFs, said. “I had no idea about that before this program.”

Students in the program also make an effort to change their dietary habits. Trips are made to local famer’s markets to allow the members of SLF to purchase organic food that is free of harmful pesticides that damage the environment. Aside from farmer’s markets, the students themselves have created an organic farm behind Redwood to reduce their impact even less by eating out of their own backyard.

“In the CPAs, there’s a sustainable garden,” Roffe said. “Some of the students for their service learning program are helping to put together this garden that any student at Ramapo can go use and learn about the food that they’re eating. They’re also composting our waste.

Those who aren’t working directly in the garden are taking all the types of food waste, such as vegetables and fruits, and they store it to use as fertilizer for when students start growing food.”

In addition to their individual efforts, students that live in the SLFs must attend a

Sustainable Living Seminar, which is a 4 credit course that is spread out through two semesters. This seminar teaches students about the elements of a sustainable society, which culminates into a final project of their efforts at the end of the year. Students are also involved in 40 hours of service learning to put their knowledge to good use.

“We actually have an online journal that we’re all keeping for our service learning hours that have had a lot of insight and we’re probably going to publish a report or summary at the end of the year,” Coraggio said. “I personally feel that it’s been an excellent success.”

Although the efforts of the Sustainable Living Facilities are impressive, many Ramapo students are unaware of their existence. However, all seemed enthusiastic about the program when it was brought to their attention.

“This is my first time hearing about it,” sophomore Erica Marello said. “I think it could definitely progress to be something really beneficially for us if we’re going to have organic things grown here and be able to save energy.”

“It would make the environment better around campus,” freshman Andrew Naso said. “It would make people aware of what’s going on in the world.”

If students wish to become a part of the Sustainable Living Facilities program, announcements to participate in the program will be forthcoming in December and January. For more information about the SLFs and what you can do to get involved, visit http://www.ramapo.edu/ramapogreen/slf.html. snoada@ramapo.edu

Lt. Cole Believes Legalizing Marijuana Will Help Reduce Violence

Page 5 The Ramapo News

continued from page 2

The former lieutenant also argued the cost of the war on drugs. In 1970 the U.S. had spent $100 million on the war and today the U.S. spends $70 billion annually. Also, cited by Cole were the numbers of arrests.

There had been 415,600 nonviolent drug arrests in 1970, and in 2005 there were approximately 1,865,712, according to the DEA. “LEAP has a saying: you can get over an addiction-you can’t get over a conviction, that follows you around where ever you go,” Cole said.

The speaker highlighted that the U.S. government declares it illegal for what a person puts into their body, saying that instead of treating drug addiction as a health problem, the policies call for incarcerating drug users instead of treating them. Cole suggests that the only way to make change is to remove the profit motive of the war of drugs, which generates $500 billion dollars.

Students that attended the event felt that the speaker gave them information that influenced their opinions, with confirmation or new information.

“I have the same opinion that I had going into it,” senior James Penhaker said. “I did get some good numbers and statistics though, and hearing it from a past police

officer confirmed what I already believed.”

“We don’t condone drug use, they’re bad,

“LEAP has a saying: you can get over an addiction-you can’t get over a conviction, that follows you around where ever you go.”

-Jack Cole

but as bad as they are it gets worse when you said they’re illegal,” Cole said. ddunsmui@ramapo.edu

Like to write?

Come to our meetings.

Monday and Wednesday at 7:15 p.m. in SC-218.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Page 6 The Ramapo News

Success of Focus Groups Lead to Revisions of Policies continued from page 1

during the meetings were the guest passes, the desire for extended hours at the Bradley Center, the impact of the policy on commuters, and the need to reinstate shuttle services.

The success of the focus groups is reflected in the revisions made to the guest policies. Cammarata and Chang detailed the changes and clarifications made to the protocols in an email sent to students on Nov. 7.

Amendments to the policy include an extension for guest pass requests to the weekend and renewed campus access for shuttle services in agreement with Ramapo guidelines. Though administrators are still in discussions with students regarding some issues, like commuters’ concerns, the effects of the policies are clear.

“Hospitalizations have gone way, way down,” Chang said. “High levels of intoxication have gone down, vandalism and violations have gone down, and guest behavior and general civilities are much better. And we think those are fair things for everyone to have in their community.”

Despite the positive results, some students, like senior Kalani Harrison feel that the new policies are still too restrictive.

“Any other school I go to, you’re on your own,” Harrison said. “If you’re [over 18] and want to go drink wherever, that’s your problem. It shouldn’t be an educational thing.”

He added, “It’s like a prison here now.”

Other students, like junior Brian Dressel, understand the need for such policies.

“I think the policies suck, but I think that

they’re in place for a good reason,” he said.

“Mercer’s job is to protect the student body, and he’s just doing his job. Without these policies, I don’t think it would have been a matter of if a Ramapo student would have died from alcohol intoxication, but when.”

Many Ramapo students have voiced their frustrations about Ramapo becoming “boring” or “dead” since the policies were put into place. Others, like junior Amy Fezza and secretary of Student Affairs, maintain that the school was never even that wild to begin with, and that eventually students will become more accepting and comfortable with the policies.

“I think the social scene is going to get back to where it was, but not as strong.

Let’s face it: Ramapo is more an academic school, it was never a party school.”

Despite continued grievances by Ramapo students, administrators feel strongly about maintaining the policy and meeting with focus groups to ensure that student needs are being addressed.

“From what I’ve gathered, I feel like they’re so adamant about the focus groups because they really do care about what the students think,” Fezza said. “The students are the school.”

“We want to keep doing it,” Chang said of the focus groups. “This was a sign of good faith. We want to tell people that we heard your concerns, we made sense about some things, and we’re looking at it.” etoribio@ramapo.edu

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Accreditation Decision To Occur Within A Few Weeks continued from page 3

Once the school felt that these standards have been adequately met, Norton and Chakrin wrote a self-evaluation report and submitted it to the AACSB last spring.

“That report showed in detail how we met [the AACSB’s] standards,” Norton said, “and then, they came to campus to verify that.”

The review team which visited campus was comprised of three deans from peer schools.

For the evaluation, aside from assessing all of the materials presented by the School, the review team was able to speak to members of the faculty, alumni and advisory boards, as well as to students, who according to Norton, “really impressed” them.

Chakrin agreed that the students made a good imprssion.

“The students really helped us a great deal, because that’s the way [the review team] can really get behind the written documents to see how the students feel about the program.”

He said that the team met with about 90 students from the Dean’s Student Advisory board, a senior-level Accounting class, and also a Strategic Management course.

Now, he and Norton are left “biting our nails,” Chakrin joked.

“We’ve done everything we can do, and we feel quite good about this,” he said, “although a decision will not be reached until around the end of the month.

Reflecting on the entire initiative, Chakrin said this: “Journey is just as valuable as the destination. For five years, we’ve been working on improving on the overall quality of the business program, and that’s exactly what the whole process is designed to do...So, in a sense, by the time you get accredited, you’ve gotten a lot of the benefit you’ve been after.”

All in all, Chakrin said, “We’re looking to further differentiate ourselves. It’s great that we will hopefully have an AACSB accreditation, but there’s more we can do to continue to improve the reputation of the school [and] also the quality of the experience we provide to our students.” nalliegro@ramapo.edu

VIEWPOINTS

Need an Internship? Follow These Steps to Land Your Dream Job

Thursday, November 11, 2010

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.

Many businesses set deadlines for internship applications as early as November. Now’s the time to think about next semester. After applying

By MEGAN ANDERLE for the job of your Editor-in-Chief dreams, you have a lot of work ahead of you. One must pay careful attention to detail – from the time you send your cover letter and resume – to hours after you’ve been interviewed. It’s the little details that can make or break an applicant.

“I always check out the company’s web site and look at their work before an interview,” junior Anthony Yodice said. “I pick out a few of my favorite things from the web site, look at the company’s history and find out exactly what they do.”

Doing research on your desired employer is just one fine detail among many.

At the end of the interview, most employers will ask if the applicant has any questions. It’s a good idea to ask questions. Ask what an intern does on a normal day. Ask how whether they typically hire interns after they graduate. Ask

your interviewer what drew her to the company and how she got her start. Asking questions such as these will make you seem more interested and will set you apart from the rest of the applicants.

Dressing appropriately is key for landing the job of your choice. This seems to be a no-brainer, but there are students who come dressed poorly. Ladies, keep your short skirts and lowcut tops in the back of the closet. More often than not, prospective male employers will not hire women who come to interviews dressed unprofessionally. Men, do not come to an interview dressed in jeans. It’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed.

Make sure you have the total package: watch, belt, glasses and jewelry. Both men and women should make sure that their nails are kept.

Women should get a French manicure or put a subtle polish on; gaudy and bright colors make a woman look like a pre-teen. Even men should make sure their nails are kept – cuticles and fingernails cut. These little details make worlds of a difference.

Show up to an interview at least five minutes before your scheduled time. Promptness is also key to nailing your interview.

“An interview is seen as a very important appointment, therefore it is unacceptable to

show up late,” according to Selfgrowth.com.

Body language is a major factor to consider while at an interview. Sit upright; have good posture because it’s a sign of confidence.

As you speak, make sure your arms are not crossed, as this is a defensive gesture.

“Many people often regard their hands as obstacles during a job interview rather than a useful means of communication,” according to Selfgrowth.com. “In a difficult situation, we are often inclined to fold our arms across our body.”

Instead, place your arms on your lap or rest them on the chair’s armrest. These open stances help you to communicate more effectively.

Nodding your head while you speak, in addition to making eye contact, will show that you are in control of the conversation. These actions show the interviewer that he or she has your full attention.

After the interview, write your interviewer a thank you note. Write that you appreciate the opportunity, and you look forward to hearing from them in the future. This shows how badly you want the internship. Most applicants skip this step, but it’s another important detail.

Submit a letter to the editor: editor. rcnjnews @gmail. com

manderle@ramapo.edu

R.A.W. Events Will Expand Knowledge, Empower Students Forums and Discussions encourage activism and demand change

Are you concerned about your debt as a student or with the greater issue of the higher education? Are you concerned about overseas wars? How about unemployment?

Ramapo Against the War, also known as R.A.W., is an organization on campus that most believes that opening the lines of communication between students and the community is the first step towards effective change.

I know that as a college student, it can be almost impossible to find time to watch or read the news. The issues presented are often complex, and understanding them to their fullest is equally difficult. For these reasons, R.A.W. puts together forums and roundtables with faculty and staff to help educate the Ramapo community on such topics.

On Nov. 17 in the Pavilion at 4 p.m., we are hosting an event called “Beyond Four Loko: The Real Issues.” The event will feature professors from each discipline, including Pat Keeton, a communications professor, David LewisColman, a history professor, Behzad Yaghmaian, an expert on political economy, Kim Lorber, a social work professor, John Gronbeck, an American studies professor and Peter Scheckner, a literature professor.

Students including myself will be speaking as well. After

By DEANNA DUNSMUIR R.A.W. President

the presentations, we will open the floor to a student-led discussion.

Events such as this are important to attend, if for nothing else but to simply stay up on current issues. On Dec. 3, we

Attending these events gave me a sense of control and woke me up to the fact that without demanding these issues be fixed, we will never see change.

host an event called “Oil Spills and Resource Wars.” In my opinion, the successes of these events will be measured by the student discussion. We put a lot of work into these events, and the most rewarding part is listening to students talk to one another about these issues.

Feeling the weight of student debt seemed to me something that I have no control over; hearing parents and professors talk about their tuition being so inexpensive during their college careers seemed so acceptable to me. The way the state budget is allocated seemed like something I had no say in.

However, attending these events and protesting these issues gave me a sense of control and woke me up to the fact that

without demanding these issues be fixed, we will never see change.

There is something unexplainable about being in a room filled with students with similar concerns. Being in such an environment forces you to wonder how you can feel so hopeless to change. The only difference I see from the past generations to ours is that they stood up and voiced their opinions until they saw a difference. I refuse to let our generation be “too busy” or “too uneducated” to stand up for our concerns.

As president of R.A.W., I often find it exasperating that our organization puts together these events and cannot find an audience to listen. One professor said at the last event that when our campus was on the news for the banning of Four Loko, another campus was on the news as well — for banning bottled water on campus to better the environment.

Our legacy as college students is malleable; it’s in our control, and I would like to be remembered for something meaningful.

R.A.W. meets every Thursday at 1 p.m. in C-112. Please stop by and be a part of change. ddunsmui@ramapo.edu

The Return of Conan.

Create Your Own Lunch.

Erik Gavilanes covers Conanʼs latest television premiere.

Page 10

Diana Stanczak reviews local eatery, Yogybee.

Page 11

About the Object Encourages Analysis of Artwork 11 . 11 . 10

BY DANIELLE REED Staff Writer

Last Tuesday, a reception introduced the opening of two new art exhibitions in Ramapo College’s Kresge and Pascal Galleries in the Berrie Center.

About the Object, the current exhibition in the Kresge Gallery, was previously presented in an exhibition at the Center for Curatorial Studies at Bard College (CCS Bard) and is the Ramapo Curatorial Prize exhibition. This prize is awarded yearly to a current graduate of CCS Bard. About the Object is an artistic collaboration between artist and filmmaker Amy Patton and curator Christina Linden that focuses on the meaning of objects and the stories that people create for them.

The evening began with a reception and the opening of the collection from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with an introduction to the works by Linden and Patton at 6 p.m.

“This project was developed as a collaboration,” said Linden during the introduction

she and Patton gave to the work. “It was a conversation that took place over a year.”

As people walked towards the galleries, student work from the first six weeks of the fall 2010 Life Drawing Class were displayed on the walls in the hallway. There were brochures that explained each piece.

Each piece of artwork is labeled by a Roman numeral and title. The displays focused on finding the meaning within different objects and finding meaning within these objects.

“The exhibition is laid out like an essay.”

Amy Patton, filmmaker

“The way we laid out the objects in this exhibition is very important,” Patton said.

“The exhibition is laid out like an essay.”

One display was entitled “The Disappointed Eye” and featured a display of objects such as shards of broken glass, discarded metal pieces and broken pieces of

ceramics that were placed in a grid like pattern to resemble hieroglyphics. A second display, “Friends at Dinner,” was consisted of two wall vitrines: one containing a candelabra, a lipstick-stained napkin, and some silver; the other containing a fox taxidermy, a glass of wine and a pitcher that was separated by a broken cuckoo clock.

“It’s interesting. It’s pretty cool so far,” Ramapo alumni Carol Wlazlowski said.

Two separate displays were entitled “Things Hinted at (or Hollow)” and “QuasiSolid.” “Things Hinted at (or Hollow)” is a nine-foot tree branch that is mounted on the wall and “Quasi-Solid” is a label explaining the tree branch. Both are considered to be separate pieces of artwork.

“Maybe we look at the text in a brochure or a label on the wall or maybe we make up our own story,” Linden said.

Another display, entitled “Invisibles,” was a display in a wall vitrine that had created the image that things had been removed or were missing from the display. Patches to make it appear that there had once been

objects that prevented the backdrop from fading, were painted along the back of the display.

“In a way, you [people viewing the art] complete the work,” Patton said.

Another exhibition currently being showcased in the Pascal Gallery is Fresh In: Recent Donations to the College Collections. The paintings and sculptures in this Exhibition are all recent donations that have been made to several of the college’s art collections. One piece entitled “Blueprints for House of Mrs. John Mayer,” is an Ink on Paper drawing by Dudley Newton and is the drawing of the Birch Mansion on campus.

“I liked the architectural house,” senior Natali Diaz said. “I thought it was really cool.”

Both About the Object and Fresh In: Recent Donations to the College Collections exhibitions will be on display until December 8.

Due Date: Recycled Storyline and Cast Still Deliver Laughs

BY JEREM Y KELLY Staff Writer

There are some directors in the film industry that really know how to make a certain genre work. In the last decade, director Todd Phillips has crafted some of the most popular comedies Old School, Starsky & Hutch, and of course, The Hangover, which put actor and comedian Zach Galifianakis into the mainstream.

Phillips and Galifianakis reunite in Due Date, which hit theaters last Friday.

Galifianakis plays Ethan Trembley, an aspiring actor who is on his way to Hollywood along with his dog after attending his father’s funeral.

Co-starring with Galifianakis is Robert Downey Jr., who plays an architect named Peter who’s stressed about the upcoming birth of his child. Because of bizarre but circumstances, Ethan and Peter are forced off of a plane and are left to drive together from Atlanta to Los Angeles so Peter can make it in time for the birth of his child.

Naturally, film buffs are going to compare the plot to the John Hughes classic, Planes, Trains, & Automobiles. Ethan is almost intolerable to be around; he’s childish, unintelligent and blissfully unaware that Peter can’t stand being in his presence. He’s basically a more obnoxious version of Alan

photo courtesy of Flickr ʻs Creative Commons

Galifiankis and Downey Jr. play a comical incompatible duo forced together under bizarre circumstances.

from The Hangover. Peter is mature, but also hotheaded and repeatedly on edge due to the upcoming prospect of fatherhood.

Due Date contains too many character quirks. Ethan has a prescription for medical marijuana, which leaves for some cliché misunderstandings, but also leaves for a memorable scene where Ethan carries his

father’s ashes around in a coffee can and claims that it’s “vacuum sealed.”

Peter’s not much better. He’s a guy who easily snaps when something pushes him over the edge. He spits in the dog’s face and repeatedly threatens to cause Ethan harm.

He actually punches a child at one point for repeatedly pulling on his tie. But at least you

dreed1@ramapo.edu

have some sympathy for Peter. It’s a momentous time in his life, and he’s just been thrust into a situation that he can’t deal with. However, nearly every other character is rather obnoxious.

The movie does, however, have some memorable scenes, mostly involving physical comedy by Downey and Galifianakis.

Galifianakis also shows his emotional side, most notably when he’s lamenting over his father.

On a budget of $65 million, Due Date grossed $33.5 million in its opening weekend. It finished second at the box office behind Megamind. Overall, while it’s still a funny film to watch, don’t expect Due Date to end up a classic. The main characters aren’t developed enough, some of the scenes are more than a little awkward to watch and it’s a story that has been told much better by a film legend.

RATING:

###$$

jkelly1@ramapo.edu

Page 9 The Ramapo News

Thursday, November 11, 2010

O’Brien Returns to Late Night TV with Premiere of Conan Page 10 The Ramapo News

Thursday, November 11, 2010

BY ERIK GAVILANES Conan O’Brien’s highly anticipated new late night talk show, Staff Writer Conan, premiered on Monday night. Following the highly publicized fallout with NBC earlier this year, O’Brien was prohibited from performing on television for a period of nine months. The highly soughtafter funnyman landed on the basic cable channel TBS, and after a summer of aggressive marketing that included use of social media and a live stage show tour, the question being asked as the premiere drew closer was: Just what kind of a show was Conan going to be.

What we got was, simply put, a late night talk show hosted

by Conan O’Brien. There was the pre-recorded cold open: Andy Richter announced the night’s guests and a Max Weinberg-less “Jimmy Vivino and the Basic Cable Band” played Conan out for his monologue. We got to see O’Brien at his desk, some good banter with Richter, two generic celebrity interviews and a musical performance. Basically,

The bigger question regarding the show’s longetivity is whether or not it can survive the competition.

Conan followed the formula for a generic talk show.

While the format proved to be familiar, there were some key differences in the new show. O’Brien kept his off-season beard and each episode has a humorous sub-title resembling a 1950’s serial (the premiere was entitled “Baa Baa Blackmail”). There is also an obvious looseness to the interviews, which was evident when Seth Rogan spoke about proposing to his topless girlfriend, and the ease which a medical marijuana license is obtained in California.

The special “Conan’s back!” moments came at the bookends of the program. O’Brien took a full minute and a half to start his first monologue joke as he basked in the applause and took advantage of the new smaller set with no barrier between him and the audience. He soaked up the adoration and twice walked up to audience members for a hug and a handshake.

The musical guest was longtime friend Jack White, whom O’Brien played alongside with on 20 Flight Rock, a song the

photo courtesy of Flickrʼs Creative Commons

Monday marked the premiere of Conan, Conan Oʼ Brienʼs new late night talk show.

pair recorded over the summer. It was a scene reminiscent of the final Tonight Show that he hosted when he played alongside numerous special guests on Freebird to end his seven-month run.

That performance was special because it embodied the swell of support he and the show had during that time and

...it’s clear that [O’Brien] is not looking to reinvent the wheel with this show...

looked promisingly, if nervously, toward the future. This more recent performance was special because it wasn’t a look back at the falling out with NBC (something he sometimes jokes about too often), but rather a clearer look to the future of Conan.

It was an enjoyable premiere for fans of Conan’s previous

shows with plenty of laughs throughout.

The bigger question regarding the show’s longetivity is whether or not it can survive the competition. Now that it’s clear that he’s not looking to reinvent the wheel with this show, will there be enough viewers to spread around in an age where we can access the late night shows of Stewart, Colbert, Leno, Letterman, Fallon, Ferguson, Kimmel, and Lopez at any given time?

The late night talk show is certainly a tired format, but it’s certainly good to have Coco back. erikgavilanes@yahoo.com

Director Discusses Eye-Opening Documentary

Over the past week, students and community members had the opportunity to view a documentary about violence in Cambodia and got the chance to discuss it and question the documentary’s director in the H-wing Auditorium.

Last Tuesday and Wednesday, the movie Enemies of the People was shown in anticipation of the discussion this past Monday.

The film is a documentary and focuses on the work of Thet Sambath, a journalist in Cambodia. In the documentary, Sambath is filming his own project to discover the truth of who ordered the killing of the victims who suffered under the reign of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge.

“I don’t really know that much about it [the killings in Cambodia],” said sophomore Jericho Kayne. “It was an eye-opening film.”

The documentary consists of interviews that Sambath conducted over several years with Nuon Chea, who was called “Brother Number Two” and was Cambodian dictator Pol Pot’s right hand man. Sambath also conBY DANIELLE REED Staff Writer

ducted interviews with civilians who had killed in the Cambodia killing fields, and other people in power.

“He was very brave,” Kayne said. “Getting the truth, that was important.”

This past Monday, director and co-producer Rob Lemkin came to discuss the film and answer audience questions about the film and violence that occurred in Cambodia.

Lemkin is the founder and director of Old Street Films and has directed and produced over 50 films for a variety of channels including BBC, The History Channel and Arts & Entertainment.

“My project is to find out just how many people died in the killing fields.”

Thet Sambath, Cambodian journalist

During the discussion, two clips from Enemies of the People were shown. One clip was an introduction to Sambath and his project.

“My project is to find out just how many people died in the killing fields,” Sambath said in the film.

After the first clip, Lemkin took time to discuss Sambath and how his project began.

“He was working for seven years before I met him,” said Lemkin. “For ten years, Sambath spent every weekend away from his wife and his family to talk to Nuon Chea who was number two in the Khmer Rouge.”

The second clip was an interview that Sambath had conducted with two civilians who had taken part in the Cambodian field killings.

“He found people across the country who had killed [others] themselves,” Lemkin said.

After discussing the film clips, Lemkin answered questions from the audience.

Viewers asked questions that ranged from the danger level of filming and producing the film to what was being done currently.

“Even from the clips I thought it was really moving that he was able to talk to the people who killed his family,” junior Nicole Miller said.

Also addressed during the discussion were

the importance and effects of an informational film like Enemies.

“We will make a film like this to make an

“I thought it was remarkably moving that he was able to talk to the people who killed his family.”

Nicole Miller, junior

archive for everyone to [judge for themselves] what is right, what is wrong [and] what can be done in the future,” Lemkin said.

Enemies of the People was shown at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival and won the World Documentary Special Jury Prize. The film showings and discussion were part of the Communication Arts Cinematheque series and was co-sponsored by the Center for Holocaust and Genocide studies. dreed1@ramapo.edu

Yogybee Fulfills Students’ Cravings For Change, Creativity Page 11 The Ramapo News

Craving a

By DIANA STANCZAK change from A&E Editor your daily dining hall routine? Yogybee in Waldwick offers an array of healthful lunch options that make it the perfect place for a light meal in between classes.

Less than 15 minutes away off of the parkway, Yogybee’s menu consists of wraps, salads, fresh fruit smoothies, and their most popular item, fat free frozen yogurt.

The frozen yogurt comes in four flavors – plain, vanilla, strawberry and chocolate. At first taste, the plain yogurt may be a bit bland, but Yogybee offers an array of toppings to sweeten up the flavor, including granola, chocolate chips, M&M’s and sprinkles. Although fresh fruit toppings like pineapple and strawberry are offered, the variety of fruit toppings fell short. The frozen yogurt is 59 cents an ounce, including toppings.

The fruit smoothies are available in flavors like strawberry, blueberry, mango, and kiwi.

Another popular menu item is fresh squeezed juice – veggie, carrot and apple – which is handmade at request.

Yogybee’s salads allow for creativity and let you choose exactly what ingredients you want. For $6.99, you can choose from four types of fresh greens (iceberg, romaine, spinach or mesclun) and add four toppings and a dressing. With over 40 toppings, including almonds, dried cranberries, grilled chicken turkey bacon, and over 20 salad dressings, patrons can crate salads exactly to their liking.

The wraps are the most filling items on the menu. Yogybee offers 12 different wraps, with fun names like the “Waldwick Wrap,” which is made up of iceberg lettuce, spicy grilled chicken, bacon, grapes, mozzarella

Thursday, November 11, 2010

photo by Diana Stanczak

With a delicious variety of wraps, salads, smoothies and frozen yogurt, Yogybee in Waldwick is the perfect place for a midday meal.

and parmesan peppercorn dressing.

According to Yogybee employee Ali Starzyk, the most popular wrap is the “Thai Crunch Wrap,” made up of napa cabbage, grilled chicken, cucumber, edamame, crispy wontons, carrots, onion and lime cilantro dressing. Like with the salads, there

is also the option of creating your own wrap. Wraps range from $6.99 to $7.50.

Give Yogybee a try - a visit may just be the perfect way to shake up your mid-semester grind.

“How can you make a musical, which tend to be light and fluffy, based on a case of racism, rape and suffering?”

format, with all the actors playing all the roles. By belittling things like rape and racism through song, the subject matter becomes all the more disturbing, and there are a bunch of scenes where you ask yourself why you’re laughing at something so screwed up.”

By drawing attention to the racism of the past, including minstrel shows, the play gives the case of the Scottsboro Boys more meaning. The African American actors all play every character, including the white ones, and in the end they abandon the exploitative show and its white leader. The play ends with a reenactment of Rosa Parks’s iconic bus ride, which ignited the Civil Rights Movement and symbolized

dstancza@ramapo.edu

RATING:

####$

Musical Portrays Controversial Matter, Students Reflect

By JULIANNE BRANDA Last Sunday, Staff Writer the American a n d International Studies freshman seminar attended a performance of the new Broadway musical, The Scottsboro Boys.

The musical has has been the image of controversy based on its subject matter, since it is a fresh interpretation on racism in America. The subject alone caused some freshmen to go in with apprehension.

“I thought I was going to hate it. I mean, how can you make a musical, which tend to be light and fluffy, based on a case of racism, rape and suffering?” freshman Anthony Gramuglia wondered.

The musical recounts the true story of nine black men who were falsely accused of raping two white women in the south during the 1930s. They were imprisoned for about two decades and underwent several botched trials but were found guilty each time.

While certain audiences were shocked that a Broadway musical would be produced on such a morose topic, the produc-

-Anthony Gramuglia, freshman

ers, writers and actors of the play told a vibrant story without ignoring the horrors of racism.

The story of The Scottsboro Boys is told through the eyes of the nine black men performing in a minstrel show some years after the case reached public consciousness. Thus, through humor and music, the hypocrisies of racism and the legal system were revealed in a new perspective. The show had an ironic and comical way of bringing a very harsh subject to light.

Due to the upbeat music and dance numbers, the jokes and musical numbers did not go unnoticed by the students in attendance.

Gramuglia noted, “The reason it worked was because it followed a Minstrel Show

The musical recounts the true story of nine black men who were falsely accused of raping two white women in the south during the 1930’s.

the end of black submission to white supremacy.

Overall, the play was an impressive satire of racism and other topics that are rarely confronted so bluntly.

Freshman Kristina Terzian said, “I thought it was very well done. It’s difficult to make a musical with that subject, but they spun it around and made it really ironic; having the happy dance moves and upbeat music with the terrible events and lyrics (like the song about lynching). And the ending was really good too. It left you uncomfortable feeling and unsure of how to react. Overall, I thought it was a great performance.” jbranda1@ramapo.edu

Men and Women’s Swimming Finds Winning Stroke Page 12 The Ramapo News

By S EAN RITCHIE Staff Writer

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Roadunners Defeat Drew University to Earn First Victory of Season

Both the men’s and women’s swim teams defeated Drew University on Saturday by considerable margins.

The Lady Roadrunners won 113.5-89.5, led by freshman Sarah Kauffman, who finished first in the 50-yard freestyle in 27 minutes and 20 seconds. Sophomore Lauren Morgan

photo by Stefanie Mauro

The men and womenʼs swimming teams will look to continue their success when they compete against SUNY Paltz on Saturday.

photo by Stefanie Mauro

Ramapo rebounded from losses to TCNJ to defeat Drew University on Saturday.

added a first place finish in the 200-yard IM in 2:22.41.

Kauffman, Kari Lefebvre, and Caroline Colgan finished first, second, and third in the 100-yard freestyle.

The men’s team blew away Drew 123-47 in a meet that was never close. The Roadrunners finished first and second in the 200-yard medley relay. The first place team was comprised of Andrew English, David Nehls, Alex Devries, and Johnny Olsson, they finished with a time of 1:48.90. The second place team was made up of Alex Krueger, Kyle Plucinsky, Nikolas Abian, and Geoff Richter, with a time of 2:04.88.

Richter and Devries were able to finish first and

Wintersession

My first choice: SUNY Rockland

second in the 200-yard freestyle.

Both teams return to action against SUNY New Paltz on Saturday, at home in the Adele and Thomas swimming pool. sritchi1@ramapo.edu

This Week in Ramapo Sports Saturday:

Women’s Volleyball vs. FDU-Florham at 1 p.m.

Men’s and Women’s Swimming vs. SUNY New Paltz at 2 p.m.

Men’s and Women’s Cross Country at NCAA Cross Country Regionals

On break from a four-year college?

Earn up to 4 credits in 3 weeks at RCC’s WINTERSESSION — January 3-21, 2011

> More than 40 courses available, including online > Check online for complete listing > Credits transfer to four-year colleges* > Only $146 per credit *Check with your four-year college to ensure transferability.

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Monday:

Women’s Basketball vs. College of St. Elizabath at 5:30 p.m.

Men’s Basketball vs. York College at 7:30 p.m

RAMAPO SPORTS

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Ramapo Men’s Basketball Ranks First in Pre-Season Poll Roadrunners Picked By Coaches As Top Team in New Jersey Athletic Conference

By RYAN BUCHANAN Staff Writer Basketball is an intensely competitive game requiring much coordination. The precision needed to make a shot combined with the art of dribbling and the finesse it takes to successfully pass makes it one of the most complicated games to master. The accuracy and timing required to make a steal or a block must be pinpointed to do it successfully without a foul.

This year, the Ramapo Roadrunners men’s basketball team hopes to exhibit their talents in the New Jersey Athletic Conference and clinch their first NJAC Championship since 2005.

Before Ramapo kicks off its season on November 15th against York College, a poll taken was taken by the NJAC asking which team will win the division. Eight out of 10 coaches picked Ramapo to win the NJAC Championship.

The winner of the championship gets an automatic bid into the National Division III Championship. Here is an overview of the NJAC this season.

Eight out of 10 coaches picked Ramapo to win the NJAC Championship.

While putting up 2.8 steals and 10.8 points per game, Joshua Askew led the Scarlet Raptors of Rutgers-Camden to a 1-12 conference record, and even he won’t be returning this year. It’s hard to expect the Raptors to finish anywhere near the top.

The Montclair State Red Hawks finished the season with a 4-9 conference record, so expect them to trail closely behind.

Similarly, their star player last year, the well-rounded Daniel McRae finished his senior year last year, averaging over 10 points, seven rebounds, and at least one steal and block a game.

Expect the 5-8 College of New Jersey Lions to be led by senior Steven Siracusa. With the departure of All-NJAC Second Team guard Jay Frank and second leading scorer Aaron Syvertsen, Siracusa will attempt to build upon his 10 points a game and eight rebounds per game to propel the Lions into contention.

The Rowan Profs are a great bunch of ball-stealers. They are led this year by point guard Sean Hughes, who is known for his passing ability. He averaged four assists a game last season. Additionally, Kendall White won Rookie of the Week four times. The Profs went 7-6 in the conference last year, but the departure of leading scorer and rebounder Tyson Hartnett will hurt their chances.

The Rutgers-Newark Raiders are predicted to finish fourth in the competitive North division of the NJAC. Coach Joe Loughran has it rough this year, losing six seniors from last year’s squad, who finished 20-8 overall and earned a NCAA D-III tournament birth. Their top two leading scorers, James Johnson and Deshawn Singleton, are both gone and the oldest players are juniors. Even so, they are a talented team that knows how to steal the ball and rebound well. They received one vote to win the conference in the pre-season coaches’ poll.

Though only going 5-8 in the conference, the New Jersey City Gothic Knights expect to have a better year this year with the emergence of NJAC Rookie of the Year Isaiah Johnson. As a freshman, Johnson led the team in rebounds and became a starter midway into the year. The loss of leading scorer Josh Lopez will give Johnson more chances to prove himself, as he did against TCNJ last year, finishing the game with 17 rebounds.

The entire NJAC better watch out for senior Jonathan Jones of the Kean Cougars, who is a rebounding machine. He averaged 12.5 rebounds a game last year and 14.4 points. He also managed to tally up over a steal and a block for game. He finished the season last year as an NJAC First-Team All-

Star. He hopes to undoubtedly lead the Cougars to better than a 6-7 conference record this year.

The William Patterson Pioneers handed Ramapo their most recent loss. Ramapo lost in William Patterson’s home court 55-37 in last year’s NJAC semi-final, and the Pioneers went on to win the tournament. This year, the 25-3 overall Pioneers are predicted to finish second in the North division.

They have lost four out of five of their starters, including 2008 NJAC Defensive Player of the Year, Abdoulaye Ouedraogo.

Ramapo is the only team with two AllConference players returning from last year.

Last year the Richard Stockton Ospreys had 20 wins for the third straight year. Head Coach Gerry Matthews is going into his 24th year leading the Ospreys. They made the D-III NCAA tournament last year, led by senior point guard and NJAC First Team Santini Lancioni and NJAC Second Team forward Omar Smith. Both stars, however, are gone, and it is difficult to expect another point guard to emerge with as stellar of a season as Santini Lancioni. They received one vote to win the conference in the poll.

Receiving eight votes from the head coaches within the NJAC to win the conference are the Ramapo Roadrunners.

Ramapo finished 18-9 last year, losing in the semi-finals of the NJAC tournament to William Patterson. Ramapo is the only team with two All-Conference players returning from last year in forward Laquan Peterkin, who averaged 15.4 points and 7.8 rebounds and guard Anthony LoRusso from Don Bosco Prep. They open the season Monday against York College in the Bradley Center. rbuchana@ramapo.edu

photo by Stefanie Mauro

The menʼs and womenʼs swimming teams were each ranked fourth in the NJAC pre-season polls.

Wild NFL Week Features Overtime Finishes and Trompings

Page 14 The Ramapo News

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Giants Dominate Seahawks While Jets Rally From Behind to Defeat Lions in Overtime

By JAKE EDINGER Staff Writer

The National Football League season until this point has been filled with unexpected teams and players making significant impacts. Nine of the 14 games were decided by a touchdown or less. However, the Green Bay Packers, New York Giants and New Orleans Saints each routed their opponents.

The New York Giants came into week nine considered by many to be one of the best teams in the National Football Conference. They played the Seattle Seahawks, who started Charlie Whitehurst at quarterback instead of the injured Matt Hasselbeck. Whitehurst threw one touchdown and two interceptions. The Giants controlled the game, leading 35-0 in the first half. The Giants, led by quarterback Eli Manning, who had 290 passing yards and three touchdowns, went on to win 41-7 and face the Dallas Cowboys next week.

The Cleveland Browns upset the New England Patriots with a score of 34-14 to help bring the Patriots back down to earth.

Former seventh round draft pick and Browns’ running back Peyton Hills rushed for 184 yards and two touchdowns. Hills, who came into the year not having a starting job, has helped lead the Browns to some surprising victories this year and some even consider him a candidate for Most Valuable Player. The Browns defense was able to neutralize Patriots’ quarterback

Tom Brady to pick up the win.

The New York Jets defeated the Detroit Lions in an overtime win, 23-20. The Detroit Lions defense was able to make key plays and stopped the Jets from ever obtaining an offensive rhythm. The Lions

The Giants controlled the game, leading 35-0 in the first half.

photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons

With strong performances from Peyton Hillis, the Browns upset the Saints and Patriots in their last two games.

NFL

Tom Babcock Week 9 (5-1) Season (28-20)

BAL @ ATL DET @ BUF MIN @ CHI HOU @ JAC NE @ PIT PHI @ WAS

quarterback and former first-round pick Matthew Stafford re-injured his throwing shoulder, which has been bothering him all season and as a result will miss the rest of the season. Back up Shaun Hill will take snaps for the Lions, who hope to continue making this year a positive stepping-stone for future seasons to come. The Jets play Cleveland next week with both teams following emotional wins.

After struggling on defense in the beginning of the year, the Packers crushed the Cowboys 45-7. As a result of the ugly loss, the Cowboys fired Head Coach Wade Phillips and promoted Offensive Coordinator Jason Garrett to Interim Head Coach. Green Bay quarterback Aaron

WEEK 10

Andrew Gould Week 9 (3-3) Season (14-10)

Rodgers threw for 289 yards and three scores and wide receiver James Jones had eight receptions for 123 yards and one touchdown. Perhaps one of the most interesting stories this year for the Packers is defensive end Clay Mathews, who leads the NFL with 11 sacks this season.

Matthews caught an interception and returned it for a touchdown in Sunday’s win against the Cowboys. The Packers have gained control of the NFC North and look to rival the Giants and Atlanta Falcons as the NFC’s top team.

In dramatic fashion the Minnesota Vikings beat the Arizona Cardinals in overtime.

Nursing a tender ankle, Brett Favre threw for 446 yards along with two touchdowns and two interceptions. With questions

The Giants, led by quarterback Eli Manning, who had 290 passing yards and three touchdowns, went on to win 41-7 and face the Dallas Cowboys next week.

involving his job security, Vikings Head Coach Brad Childress dodged being fired this week because of the win. Much like the Cowboys, who also had lofty expectations for this year, the Vikings have been struggling to produce offensively and have appeared to be vulnerable on defense.

Week nine contained another overtime game, this one including the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs. Oakland wide receiver Jacoby Ford caught six balls for 148 yards and returned a kickoff for a touchdown to help the Raiders edge the Chiefs 23-20. jedinger@ramapo.edu

STAFF PICKS

Almerry Martins Week 9 (5-1) Season (32-16)

Sean Ritchie

Week 9 (6-0) Season (27-21)

Jeremy Kelly

Week 9 (2-4) Season (23-25)

Jake Edinger

Week 9 (5-1) Season (31-17)

Start of College Basketball Season Offers Clean Slate in NCAA Page 15 The Ramapo News

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Duke Starts Season as Favorite to Repeat NCAA Division I Champions

By S EAN RITCHIE Staff Writer

With the college basketball season underway and opening weekend approaching, it’s time to release Ramapo News’ week one Power Rankings. This year’s top ten teams are headlined by two teams from last year’s Final Four: Duke and Michigan State.

1) Duke: The Duke Blue Devils open up the season in the top spot with the return of possible Player of the Year candidate and preseason All-American Kyle Singler. Fellow senior Nolan Smith, who proved to be a real scoring threat throughout the year, joins him. Incoming freshmqn and number one point guard recruit Kyrie Irving will take over the majority of the ball handling.

ESPNU top 100 recruit Josh Hairston will help solidify a frontcourt that lost Brian Zoubek and Lance Thomas.

2) Mi chi gan S tate: This program has been to back-to-back Final Fours and most of the players from last year returned. The Spartans are lead by senior Kalin Lucas, who is coming off a breakout year. Senior Durrell Summers joins Lucas in the backcourt, which may prove to be one of the best in the nation. This experienced team may very well make it right back to the Final Four.

3) Kansas S tate: This team is definitely the favorite to win the Big 12 conference.

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Kyle Singler hopes to lead the Duke Blue Devils to another deep run in the NCAA Final Four.

They are lead by Senior Jacob Pullen, who may very well prove to be a candidate for Player of the Year in the Big 12. Senior forward Curtis Kelly and Sophomore Jamar Samuels are going to help solidify the frontcourt.

4) Pi ttsburgh: Junior Ashton Gibbs and senior Brad Wanamaker make up a very experienced backcourt that looks to be the best in the Big East. The team returns all but one player from a team that was ranked second in the Big East Tournament last season.

5) Vi l l anova: Scotty Reynolds has departed, but despite his dominance on the court Villanova is known for its guard play, and this year is no different. Corey Fisher and

Corey Stokes make up a lethal backcourt that will contend in the Big East Tournament.

6) Ohi o S tate: Even with the departure of the National Player of the Year, Evan Turner, the Buckeyes still find themselves in the top 10. Head coach Thad Matta has put together a great freshman class, led by top recruit Jared Sullinger, which will fill in any the holes from last year.

7) Kansas: The Jayhawks seem to just reload year after year. Freshman guard Josh Shelby will look to handle the majority of the ball handling. He is joined in the backcourt by Tyshawn Taylor. This is a well-balanced team with talent all around; the Morris

twins comprise a frontcourt that will dominate the Big 12.

8) S yracuse: The Orangemen, along with Pittsburgh and Villanova, are the cream of the crop in the Big East. The team lost a lot of talent from last year, especially with the loss of Wesley Johnson. Freshman phenom Fab Melo, who is also starting on ESPN’s All-Name Team, will be a low post threat from day one.

9) Fl ori da: This may a surprise inclusion in the top 10, but the Gators return all five starters from a team that won 21 games last year. They also added freshman center Patric Young who will fight for a starting sport or will contend for possible Six Man of the Year.

10) Kentucky: This ranking may hinge on the eligibility of Enes Kanter. Even with the departure of John Wall and four other first round picks the Wildcats are still loaded with talent and can very well make a run in the SEC East.

Dark Horse - Butler: Remember that team that lost to Duke by the slimmest of margins in the National Title Game? It was not a fluke. This program is here to stay, and with the return of Matt Howard and Shelvin Mack we might see Butler deep into March. sritchi1@ramapo.edu

Heat Display Glimpses of Dominance Despite Close Loses

By CHRIS ARNDT Staff Writer

It has been several months since “The Decision” was made, and now the new-look Miami Heat are trying to become a dominant force early in the season.

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Dwyane Wade hopes to win another championship in Miami with an improved supporting cast.

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosch are all playing up to their potential as the Heat start to come in to their own.

One of the biggest questions coming out of this blockbuster free agency was who would the Heat surround themselves with

to complement their Big Three. Carlos Arroyo and Joel Anthony were the missing pieces to the starting lineup. Arroyo returns to the Heat for his second season after averaging six points and three assists in 72 games last year. Anthony also returns to the Heat this season, splitting time with James’ former Cavalier teammate Zydrunas “Big Z” Ilgauskas. The bench is also strong with Udonis Haslem, James Jones, and the addition of veteran shooter Eddie House.

The Heat now sit at 5-3 and are looking to continue their early success. Their first game of the season, however, did not go according to plan. They faced the 20072008 NBA Champion Boston Celtics in a game which had almost definite playoff implications. The Celtics counter the Heat with their own version of the Big Three.

Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and all-time Celtics great Paul Pierce have become one of the known forces in the league. The Celtics also have upcoming superstar Rajon Rondo and added former Heat center and the NBA’s most famous big man, Shaquille O’Neal, who was with the team when they won their last championship in 2006. The Heat could not find much fluidity in this game and found themselves on the losing end of an 88-80 score.

The next game against the Philadelphia 76ers proved to be the coming out party for the Heat. They won 97-87 and Wade had an impressive 30-point performance along with James’ 20 points and seven assists.

The Heat won their next two games against the Magic and Nets, and then crushed the Timberwolves in an impressive fashion,

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The Heat shocked the league by signing LeBron James and Chris Bosh in the offseason.

129-97. This game showed the real potential of the Heat, showcasing how dominating their defense and offense can be.

The Heat’s next loss came against Chris Paul and the undefeated Hornets. It was a close game with the Heat losing 96-93 to the Hornets, who were led by Emeka Okafor, who scored 26 points a close game in the victory. While there has been speculation over which star would receive the ball in the last seconds of, Wade passed up a shot to give House the final attempt at tying the game.

They rebounded with another win over the Nets by a score of 101-89 that showed signs of them appearing back in form.

However, the Heat suffered their first loss at

home in a heartbreaker against the Utah Jazz. Paul Millsap provided an unexpected spark of offense by nailing three 3-pointers in the final minute of the fourth quarter to send the game into the overtime, where the Jazz earned a 116-114 victory. In the losing effort James recorded his first triple-double of the season while Wade scored a seasonhigh 39 points.

Their next game will be an opening-day rematch against the Celtics as the Heat look to show the world how much of a force they can be now and for seasons to come. carndt@ramapo.edu

SPORTS 10 . 7 . 10

11 . 11 10 .. 10 7 . 10

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Ramapo swimming defeated Drew University on Saturday. The men won 123-47 while the women triumphed by a score of 113.5-89.5.

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photo by Stefanie Mauro