Issue 1, Vol. CIV

The Student Newspaper of Washington & Jefferson College

Red & Black Washington, Penna.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Page 7 Roommate Worries Don’t judge your roommate based on what they post on their Facebook; but what if you aren’t getting along with your roommate?

ESTABLISHED 1909 VOL. CIV ... NO. I

T h u r s day , S e p t e m b e r 6 , 2 0 1 2

Matriculation, Convocation Opens 232 Academic Year

Page 13 50 Things Instead of 50 Shades

E.L. James Fans Beware

THE FORECAST

Today, Scattered Storms High: 86° Low: 59°

Tomorrow, Partly Cloudy High: 84° Low: 57°

Saturday, Scattered Storms High: 74° Low: 59°

Sunday, Few Showers High: 71° Low: 53°

Number Crunching 62%

of Americans say work has a significant impact on stress levels.

73%

of Americans name money as the number one factor that affects their stress levels. source: The Washington Post

INDEX

Campus-News ...................... 1-9 Arts....................................... 10-13 Opinions.............................. 14-17 Sports................................... 18-20 PLEASE RECYCLE THIS PAPER

Jacqueline Radin/ Red&Black

The Washington & Jefferson College community came together Monday Sept. 3 to usher in another Convocation ceremony, this time for the entering class of 2016. With the completion of both the Matriculation and Convocation ceremonies, W&J opened with its 232 academic year.

SEE CEREMONIES, PAGE 2

2 CAMPUS NEWS

Red & Black

06 S eptember 2012

ANNUAL CEREMONIES USHER Gas Standards Raised IN W&J’s 232 ACADEMIC YEAR

Convocation speech to practice.

Several lines and anecdotes get repeated throughout the years, but a handful from the August 2006 Matriculation speech, given to the now-graduated class of 2010 still ring true.

“We brought you all to W&J to create a conversation.

Conversation in college is not just an opportunity; it is a responsibility,” said Haring-Smith In the same speech, the President not opportunities and touched upon the individual’s responsibility to taking charge of their education.

“This is the time in your life to dream, to do what you’ve always wanted to do,” said Haring-Smith.

With the passing of each year and the beginning of new ones, one familiar phrase never changes: “Welcome to W&J and to this great adventure.”

much as half of the oil we import from OPEC each day.”

Automakers were initially skeptical about the plans to In late June, the U.S. Government increase gas mileage, but car took a large step in achieving companies like Chrysler, Ford and energy independence for the General Motors came around to United States.This is a bill that will the idea in 2011, when President raise gas mile standards, as well as Obama first proposed them. allocate research funds to finding The Spokesman for GM, alternative fuel sources.

Americans largest U.S. automaker, These new regulations, said that although the new issued by the U.S. Department regulations will be tough, the of Transportation and the manufacturer will comply.

Environmental Protection This is the first time in nearly Agency, will raise the legal gas 20 years that the U.S. Government mileage of cars to nearly double has raised the standards on gas in the next 13 years. mileage.

This effectively raises the Many, including the President, average gas mileage of new cars have called it a major breakthrough and trucks in energy to 54.5 policy. miles per "This is the first time "These fuel g a l l on standards by 2025, in nearly 20 years that the represent the compared single most to only U.S. Government important 28.6 mpg step we've in 2011. has raised the standards ever taken to W h i l e reduce our these new on gas mileage.” dependence regulations on foreign oil," will raise said President car prices, at least initially, there Obama in a recent statement. will be a significant amount of The laws also ensure that they savings at the pump. will reduce Carbon emissions and Initial estimates say that the slow Climate Change. In other new policies will save Americans words, since gas mileage will an average of $8,000 over the improve by double, emissions course of their vehicles use. should be cut in half.

The policies will be This new standard comes grandfathered in, starting with from the Obama administration’s tougher regulations in 2017 and mission to put in place standards continuing each year until 2025. that will reduce carbon emissions A statement by the White in half.

House said that, "Additionally, The announcement of these these programs will dramatically new policies coincides with the reduce our reliance on foreign announcement that renewable oil, saving a total of 12 billion energy from solar and wind has barrels of oil and reducing oil nearly doubled under the Obama consumption by more than 2 administration. million barrels a day by 2025—as

C ontac t

O n -C ampus O rganizations

Kyle Sossi Red&Black Editor

Jacqueline Radin/ Red&Black

Above, two upperclassmen hold a “Washington and Jefferson” banner during of the opening ceremonies.

Abrianne Rhoad Red&Black Editor Entering the 232 academic year, the Washington & Jefferson College community recently welcomed and matriculated 442 new students to campus.

Among the new students were a wide variety first-year, transfer and international exchange students, all of whom represent more than 240 high schools across 21 states and 18 countries.

Matriculation, the first of many traditions in which each W&J student becomes familiar with, matriculates students into the W&J community by having students parade through the Old Main doors and walk across the W&J Seal as incoming students.

And it is during the Convocation ceremony that

each new student signs the W&J mission statement and receives the College’s lapel pin symbolic of the membership in the community.

The Class of 2016 merged with the community, but not without a brief listing of their collective accolades.

According to the speakers during Convocation, they have interests in the College’s premedical and business programs and are active volunteers.

Thirty percent of the entering class listed community involvement in their applications, more than 75 percent have taken at least one college-level course and the class averages an SAT score of 1137.

Now six days into the new semester, freshmen and first-year students will have the opportunity to put much of what Dr. HaringSmith noted in Monday’s

A dver tising P olic y The Red & Black encourages display advertising from local area businesses.

Rates are $5.00 per column inch for local companies, $10.00 for national companies.

Pre-payment is required and is accepted through any method, though checks are strongly preferred. Standard sizes are available, as are custom sizes.

Advertising space must be booked and artwork received at least one week prior to publication date. The Red & Black reserves the right to refuse any advertising.

Companies who advertise with the Red & Black are not necessarily endorsed by the publication or its staff, or Washington & Jefferson College or its administration.

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The Red & Black is the official, registered, student-produced newspaper of Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, Penna. It is published Thursdays with the exception of exams and break periods. Production run is 1250 copies, both on and off campus. Published by the Observer Publishing Company.

06 S eptember 2012

Red & Black

CAMPUS NEWS 3

W&J Students Head Off To Market Alexandra Sossi Red&Black Contributor

Today, September 6, the Main Street Farmers Market and Washington & Jefferson College are joining together for a W&J Student Day. Every Thursday the Farmers Market is held from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the parking lot right across the street from the Observer-Reporter offices, or about a block from the City Hall and the George Washington Hotel.

The easiest way to get there is to walk up Wheeling Street past the Admissions House and once you get to Main Street, you will see the Market immediately on your right.

Throughout the summer and early fall, the market hosts about 30 permanent and visiting vendors selling all sorts of products, such as vegetables, fruits, chicken, bread, jewelry, soaps and even shaved ice and kettle corn. The College, along with being one of

the Markets donors, has plenty of faculty members that participate in the market each year. Both Dr. Leslie and Dr. Rob Dunn, Dr. Mayer and many other faculty members help out throughout the summer.

This year, to help welcome the student body back to campus and the Washington community, Dr. Jennifer Harding, Dr. Leslie Dunn, Ashley Williams of Student Activities Board, and Justin Dandoy, the Director of Volunteer Programs, have organized the Student Day at the Main Street Farmers Market.

Along with helping to support local small businesses and farms, the first 200 students who arrive at the Main Street Market on Student Day will receive a three dollar voucher to use at any of the vendors’ stands.

When students arrive at the market on that day, they should look for the red and black balloons that will be attached to the green SNAP kiosk.

As soon as you get to the Market, make sure to stop by the kiosk and be one of the first 200 students to receive a voucher!

Courtesy oaklandfarmersmarket.com

The Washington Farmer’s Market sells a variety of home baked breads, pies and cookies in addition to fresh vegetables and fruits.

Exotic Fruit of the Week: Dragonfruit

Courtesy anotherhealthblog.blogspot.com

The Dragonfruit, a rather unusually shaped fruit, plays an important role as a food source in the Native American diet.

Pitaya, or Dragon Fruit as they are more commonly known, is a type of exotic fruit found prominently in South America and East Asia.

Belonging to the cactus family, the fruit has a red and green exterior and a white interior with black seeds dispersed throughout it. The fruit originated in Mexico, Central America and South America, but was likely passed across the globe by colonial Europeans. This type of fruit blooms only at night, and its large fragrant flowers have been called “moonflowers.” There are different varieties of pitaya, some are sour while others are sweet. The sour pitaya has been an important food source for Native Americans in the Sonoran Desert region.

4 CAMPUS NEWS

Theme Housing Adds “Green House” to Row

Red & Black

06 S eptember 2012

S e c u r i t y Lo g 8/25/12 Police on Campus At 10:30pm the security office received a call from 911, stating that 3 individuals were trying to break into a building uptown and were running on East Chestnut towards campus.

Police noticed a group of individuals in front of a theme house who ran in all directions as the police approached. The individuals were identified as students whom stated they ran from police because they did not want to be cited for underage drinking.

courtesy centersandsquares.com

Though Washington & Jefferson College currently doesn’t offer living arrangements in actual houses made out of greenery, the W&J Green House is the next best thing to learn about how to lessen one’s environmental impact.

Kyle Sossi Red&Black Editor

At Washington & Jefferson College, students have the opportunity to base their housing on interests. After their freshman year, students can choose to live in one of the theme community dorms located on Presidents’ Row. The Civics and Leadership House is for those interested in Political Science, or those pursuing pre-law.

Those in the Quiet Hall have the benefits of living with other students who wish to have a place that they can study without some of the normal distractions. The Pet Hall allows students to bring their animal companions to school with them. In the International Hall, U.S. and exchange students have the chance to live together and learn about each other’s country.

Debuting this year is The Green House, a new house that promotes environmentally friendly initiatives and reducing the footprint of the house and those who live there. The Green House will be located in Fillmore Hall and will house 32 students.

Lauren Horning, a sophomore Environmental Studies and Spanish double major, came up with the idea for the house during her freshman year, and joined the Sustainability Committee and Dr. Jennifer Harding, an English professor on campus, to make it happen. Horning said that the green house will abide by a handful of standards designed to promote recycling and reducing our carbon footprint Projects will be designed to “encourage recycling of papers, plastics, and aluminum, and promote having less waste, buying less, using fewer chemicals, and recycling electronics.”

Those in the house do not only wish to help the environment, but they would also like to enjoy it. They would like to go on camping, hiking, and kayaking trips throughout the year. The Green House will not be a closed community, meaning that anyone outside of the house can join their events. “I don’t want to push people to lead completely ‘green’ lifestyles, but there are many different levels of sustainable, environmentally-friendly living,” says Horning, “I want to give people the resources to do so and then they can decide on what extent.”

The house would also like to promote some of the other greeninitiatives on campus, one of which includes the Barista offering a discount to students who bring their own reusable coffee mugs. G&T’s also has reusable to-go boxes that students may ask for.

In addition to these, on September 6, there will be a W&J walk to the Farmers Market. During this event, the first 200 students who come to the Washington Famers Market, located at the intersection of Main Street and East Wheeling Street, will receive a monetary voucher that can be used at one of the food stalls at the market.

8/23/12 Act 64 An officer was dispatched to a dorm room upon someone picking up the smell of marijuana coming from the area. Upon arrival, an officer was able to smell marijuana coming from the dorm in question.

A resident of the dorm opened the door for the security officer and a second student was on the sofa in the dorm. The security officer told the students that they could smell marijuana in the dorm.

The students stated that they were not smoking but there were other people who came in the room before them who had. The officer had a little talk with the student about letting people smoke dope in their room and advised the student that residence life would be in contact with them.

8/26/12 Criminal Mischief The security office received a call of a broken window at E. Chestnut Street. Two officers responded to the scene. Upon arrival the officers were informed that students heard a large crash in the common room of the building.

It was determined that the window was either pushed out or fell out on its own.Students reported hearing voices outside but saw no one and no tracks were observed by officers under the window.

The window was put back in place and a maintenance order put in for further repairs. Officers found cigarette butts in the mulch outside the window.

It seems as though students were smoking in the common room and tossing butts out of the window into the mulch.

8/31/12 Fire Alarm A security officer walked into a dorm and then notified the security dispatcher on duty that the fire alarm was going off.

The officer noticed smoke in the kitchen area and found someone had burned a cup of noodles in the microwave. The building was evacuated. The fire department arrived, cleared the smoke out of the building, and reset the alarm.

9/2/12 Injured Person A report was called in about a student falling down the stairs in a building and hitting their head.

Security officers arrived and responded to the reported incident. The student had a cut in the middle of their forehead and there was swelling in the area.

The student stated they were fine but it was obvious the student was in need of stitches. It was also obvious that the student was intoxicated. The student was taken to the hospital by the responding security officers.

While riding to the hospital the student stated that they were drinking shots at some of the theme houses.

06 S eptember 2012

Red & Black

CAMPUS NEWS 5

New Director Offers Insight Into Volunteer Programs Morgan Mattingly Red&Black Editor

Over the summer many changes have been occurring at Washington & Jefferson College. Among them, is the addition of Justin Dandoy as the new Director of the Office of Volunteer Programs.

Dandoy attended Clarion University, majoring in Political Science and English Writing, and then worked as a Leadership Consultant for a fraternity headquarters for a few years.

It was during this time that he realized his passion for working with college students, and went on to do graduate work in Student Affairs in Higher Education at Slippery Rock University.

“College students are at an ideal time in their life to connect with their passions and realize what they can accomplish in their world,” said Dandoy.

He continued, “I realized that if I was able to support students through this process, together we could have an immense positive impact on our community and drive for positive social change.”

The time Dandoy spent working with a group of undergraduate fraternity men at a university in Colorado has most affected his career. Though the chapter was floundering, Dandoy and the fraternity men worked together to reconnect the chapter with the organization’s values and created a plan to put those values in action.

“Now, the organization is growing in leaps and bounds.

But the thing that impacted me the most was that they just didn’t operate better, they were now true examples of civic participants. They are committed to service and philanthropy.

This inspired me, because I realized that if I was able to connect with even a few students, we were able to make a significant difference. Not just for those students, but every person affected by those students.”

Before college, civic participation was a key feature of Dandoy’s life too. “My family, especially my parents, has always been civic participants. I’ve always modeled my own work in their example, and participated as well. I’ve been involved in the political process, involved with my church and connected with community organizations.

I’ve gotten my hands dirty at the local parks and built relationships with others, all as a result of “volunteering.”

We often consider the idea of “getting involved” with volunteering, but the truth is, in life, whether through work, faith, friendships or community, there is always a chance to serve. As a member of any community, we’re already involved.”

Here at W&J, he hopes to ensure that students have plenty of opportunities for civic participation.

Dandoy mentioned, “The amazing thing about Washington & Jefferson College is that each and every student has the ability to be in charge of their own involvement and participation. Volunteer opportunities are the same! I encourage any student to walk into the office and sit down and talk about what they want to do

and how they want to serve. There are so many ways that students can serve, and we will work with each student until the find the way that is best for them! All we need to know is WHY a student wants to serve, and we can work to put those goals, values and desires into action. After, we can work with students to reflect on why that experience was important for them.”

“My goals (without boring everyone with statistical and numerical goals) are to do my best to provide well organized and successful programs for the students, as well as to have an open door and invite our students to use it.”

Dandoy expressed his plans and hopes to get to know the W&J community and its students better.

I want to know the students here. I want to know what motivates them and why they’re here at W&J. I want to know why they want to serve as well as who and what inspired them to serve. My goal is to support students so that our community has changed for the better because of the work that the students have done.”

Information about volunteer opportunities can be found online through the Volunteer Programs page on the W&J website at www.washjeff.edu/volunteer. Students can make a volunteer profile to find an area to serve, or they can follow Twitter or Facebook to find opportunities as well.

In the words of some of Dandoy’s favorite volunteering quotes, from JFK: “One person can make a difference, and every person should try.” So please get involved. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “The time is always right to do what is right.”

Jacqueline Radin/ Red&Black

The sisters of Kappa Alpha Theta, shown above, walk to the Convocation ceremony, which was held on Olin’s lawn the afternoon of Monday Sept. 3. You can see the excitement in everyone’s faces getting ready to chant on behalf of their organization. Kappa Alpha Theta was recently awarded recognition for having the top sorority service hours.

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Red & Black

06 S etember 2012

? ? ? ? ? ?? ? ? ? ?

Campus Question

“What Did You Do This Summer?”

“Photoeletric checmical reactions.”

— Cam Glagola ‘13

“I had a 10 week internship at Kentucky, and also went to a Natl. Park with Cam Glagola.”

— Caitlin Morrissey ‘13

Abrianne Rhoad/ Red&Black

Abrianne Rhoad/ Red&Black

“We had a big family reunion at my house and had relatives from NY, NJ, Fla. and NC come to visit.”

— Ryan Kenney ‘16

“I had an internship in MD and choreographed a music video.”

— Michelle Kelly ‘13

Abrianne Rhoad/ Red&Black

“Mainly caught up with friends.”

— Trev East ‘15

Abrianne Rhoad/ Red&Black

Abrianne Rhoad/ Red&Black

“I spent my summer traveling and visited Fla. andWilmington, NC.” — Angela Vaidean ‘16

06 September 2012

Red & Black

CAMPUS NEWS 7

"Don't Judge A Roommate by Facebook Page" Four Handy Tips If You Find Yourself With A Bad Roommate 1. Communicate!

Try to talk to your roommate and with your RA (that's what they are there for!) and lay down ground rules. Don’t assume that they knows anything that you haven’t explicitly said. Respect is key 2. Vent (and have good friends) It is imperative that that you don't bottle up frustrations with a bad roommate and keep the tension pent up inside you. Having a meltdown in the middle of the hallway at 3:00a.m. is inconvenient for everyone. Be considerate. If spending less time in your room works, take time out for you.

3. Humor is there for a reason Living with a bad roommate heightens everything else, and soon every little thing they do will start to annoy you, from playing music too loudly to slamming drawers while you're asleep.

Try to keep a positive outlook on things by remembering that this may not matter in a year from now. courtesy studentadvisor.com

In a college setting where getting to know the person you live with is both as easy and as convenient as logging onto Facebook and searching for a name, it is a more effective means of communication if you talk to your roommate face-to-face.

Emily Payne Red&Black Staff

Everyone has heard the classic mantra, “Don’t judge a book by its cover” at least once in their life, whether from a parent, teacher or well-meaning authority figure.

However, in this day and age, where we spend our lives tangled in the World Wide Web, does this adage still apply to the frenzy of social media, in particular the sphere of Facebook?

With more than 650 million active users checking Facebook almost daily, either on their phones, iPods, or computers, is it any wonder 48% of young Americans get their information and news from Facebook?

On a daily basis, millions of photos, videos, statuses, and comments are posted, links are shared, and pages ranging from politics to religion, to movies, music and TV,

4. Move If all else fails, move out. Plain and simple. Your time in college is too precious to be ruined by a handful of bad roommate experiences

are liked. Thus begs the question, from the present all the way back about him. In hindsight though, does what we put on Facebook to when you joined Facebook. he realizes this is a common pracshow the book beyond the cover? The information about someone tice According to the USA Today can seem endless.

“As human beings we are inarticle, “Don't judge a roommate The article includes the experi- stinctive, and we like to believe by their Facebook page,” “social ence of Omar Tejera Cespedes, a that we can say and think whatmedia and quick judgments of- junior at UC Davis, who admits ever we want about people even ten go hand-in-hand,” but without them having any sigcan also lead to problems and nificant input," said Cespedes.

"As human beings misconceptions.

Cespedes acknowledges we are instinctive, The college experience of for himself that Facebook lead living with someone else is and we like to believe that we to misguided judgments with often new for most students, girls because of how they dress, can say and in needing to know about or guys for how they talk. In a the person who you will be and think whatever we want particular instance, he recalls sharing your most personal about people even without the impression of a sorority of spaces with, Facebook is girl whose party pictures abunthem having any significant dantly consumed her Facebook usually the immediate go-to in order to get a feel for somepage. input.” one.

But after getting to know — Omar Tejera Cespedes Furthermore, with the her, Cespedes found her to be introduction of everybody’s a “sweet person” with “a lot of favorite, timeline, people can respect for herself.” see pictures of you, yes, even In reality, it is people’s acthe tagged pictures you wish didn’t he misjudged specific aspects of tions and interactions that divulge exist, statuses posted, and your his future roommates, and con- more about them than what can Facebook activity in all its glory cedes they probably did the same be perceived on a screen merely

Source: universitylanguage.com

comprised of pixels and processed bits of information.

It only takes one person or to meet a total stranger to remind us all that we can never truly know a person unless we interact with them. While what we post and the things we chose to like share bits and pieces about ourselves, the information on Facebook is essentially an electronic sheet of paper that may not necessarily transcribe the way we act in person.

Certainly, Facebook can’t exactly foretell a roommate’s study or party habits, early bird or night owl habits, or even the habits you didn’t want to know they had.

In dealing with the onset of all the experiences college brings, when it comes to meeting and getting to know people, especially a roommate, it’s best to step away from technology and let our interpersonal interactions and exchanges follow the old fashion route.

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Red & Black

High-School Vs. College

“You Have Sole Ownership of Experience”

06 S eptember 2012

CAMPUS FLASHBACK

courtesy ultimate-college-experience.com

The college experience is what you make it; what you put into it, you will get out of it.

Kyle Sossi Red&Black Editor

By this point you have been successfully moved-in, introduced, oriented, matriculated, and convocated for the purpose of joining Washington & Jefferson College.

During these events, syllabi have been distributed, professor’s key points have been discussed, and there are 10-1 odds that the great story of Charlie West has been shared.

Incoming freshman, the first week of classes is nearing its close and you may have started to see some of the big differences between your time in high school and the beginnings of your collegiate careers.

There are the expected differences: moving away from home for extended periods of time and having a roommate are the big ones.

For most, this is the first time that they will be living away from their parents, which means a few things. Some of which are that you become your only alarm clock, scheduler, reminder, and decision maker.

When the parents pull away on movein day, you take ownership of your college life.

You become the one who decides to stay up late, put off a paper, not do the reading, or pull an all-nighter the day before a test, all habits of which should be intensely feared.

There is also excited to be found for you in the fact that you become the one who chooses your friends, which clubs and causes you dedicate your time to, which major to pursue, and how your future will look. Yes, your high school teachers were

right when they said that college will have harder work and more of it, but they also failed to mention that the same work, while challenging, will be more exciting and rewarding than you ever thought school could be.

Although it may seem uncool, you may actually start to have fun in class, and not the trick-the-substitute-into-letting-youwatch-a-movie kind of fun.

Real intellectual engagement may be found, since your classes will everincreasingly reflect your interests as you go.

Living with strangers will be unsettling for most, but the great thing is that none of them stay strangers for long, and you learn a lot about yourself in the process of meeting new people.

All of these things that now seem different about college are just parts of the process of building a community.

Just because a W&J community already exists does not mean that you won’t have the chance to build onto that community and make an impact on its future.

You will realize that someone in your organic chemistry class lives on your floor, or that every day you cross paths with your composition professor on the way to the library.

You and your peers will get the chance to form a social and academic connection between College Street and The Burnett Center, where you’ll be introduced to some of the smartest people you’ve ever met, learn from your mistakes, successes, and brilliant professors, and get the first glimpses of that elusive “real-world.”

You will have sole ownership of your experience and how big or small your role is in the W&J community, and where you will exert your influence.

Courtesy Red&Black archives Soon to be eight years ago, originally published Sept. 9, 2004, “Variety of Life” detailed the annual W&J Student Activities Fair (now the Involvement Expo). The Red&Black of today and the Red&Black in 2004 exhibit a wide variety of changes and detail the history of the paper and its long standing run of 103 years to the date. In 2004, the ran News 1-3, Campus 4-5, Opinions and Comics 6-7, Arts 8-9, Classified Ads 10 and Sports continued from 10-13. The paper format was in the traditional 6-column full-spread newspaper layout and has since transformed to a 5-column tabloid style format. Check back next week for more Campus Flashbacks.

The brothers of Phi Gamma Delta would like to invite freshmen and independents to the

Fiji Cookout , Fiji side yard Sept.16th@ 4p.m.

06 S eptember 2012

Red & Black

CAMPUS NEWS 9

What You May Have Missed On Campus This Week

Jacqueline Radin/ Red&Black

Above, a crowd gathered in the President’s house Sunday Sept. 2 to attend the annual Multicultural Reception.

Jacqueline Radin/ Red&Black

Left to right from back, Shaun Simon of Res Life stands behind Elizabeth Martinez ‘14, Thea Prince ‘15, Esmeralda Patricio and Jayla Johnson ‘15. All attended Sunday Sept. 2’s multicultural reception.

Jacqueline Radin/ Red&Black

Jacqueline Radin/ Red&Black

Nick Motil performed live outside of the HUB Sunday Sept. 2.

River Huston, right, spoke at Washington & Jefferson College during Freshman Orientation. Her talk on sex, alcohol and safety prompted questions and discussion from the audience. Participants from the audience, left, engaged in various ice breaker-like activities that Huston had lined up during her talk.

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06 S eptember 2012

Red & Black

courtesy last.fm

Def Leppards’ debut album “On Through The Night,” 14 March 1980.

“Look What The Cat Dragged In” Tori Smith Red&Black Editor

Taken at a publicity shoot this past spring for their tour with Poison and Lita Ford.

courtesy piercingmetal.com

Poison’s title track from the 1986 debut album; this is the price you pay after a long night.

courtesy loudwire.com

Tuesday, August 14, Def Leppard and Poison put on an incredible performance at the First Niagara Pavillion in Burgettstown, PA. Def Leppard formed in the late 1970s, Poison formed in the early 1980s, and both are still rocking out just as well as ever.

In a press release, lead singer of Def Leppard, Joe Elliot, stated, “We had such a good time going out with Poison in 2009 that we thought it only right to do it again!”

Both bands’ excitement and enthusiasm showed tremendously during their phenomenal performances.

Bret Michaels, lead singer of Poison, even came out on stage clad in a Steelers’ Jersey. Being a Steelers fan myself, I found that pretty awesome.

If given another chance, I would definitely go again.

All in all, the bands still got it, and know how to put on a good show.

Taken at a photoshoot for the tour with Def Leppard.

courtesy palzoo.net

06 S eptember 2012

ARTS 11

Red & Black

The Tallest Man On Earth: Not So Tall In Height, But A Skyscraper At Heart Kyle Sossi Red&Black Editor

There’s No Leaving Now, the third album by The Tallest Man on Earth, was released on June 11, 2012.

The Tallest Man on Earth is the moniker that singer-songwriter Kristian Matsson, a Swedish native, of rather average height, performs under.

He records and produces his own records at his home; typically

recording vocals and instruments at the same time, since he views the connection between his singing and guitar as inseparable.

Active since 2006, the twentynine year old has released three full length albums and two EPs showcasing his troubadour style and revealing strong ties to the likes of Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie.

Although he cites Dylan’s song writing as a large influence on his own, he doesn’t view himself as part of any folk tradition; instead

Courtesy pitchfork.com

Above, album art for The Tallest Man On Earth’s junior album, There’s No Leaving Now

UPCOMING EVENTS Sunday, Sept. 9 Music Faculty Recital: Susan Medley Olin @3p.m.

Friday, Sept. 14 Art Gallery Talk and Opening: Yoshiko Shimano Olin 7-9p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 16 Music Faculty Recital: Kyle Simpson Olin @3p.m.

saying, “this is how I play. This is how I write songs.”

His songs have always, while cryptic, been extremely personal.

They often have themes of success, failure, reckless abandon, individualism, courage and fears; but also include plain old great love songs.

For instance, the closing track, “Thrown Right at Me,” on his 2010 EP, Sometimes the Blues is Just a Passing Bird, is about his wife.

When he performs it in concert she, a fellow singer, comes out for a duet and they almost touch as they sing on the same microphone.

Between verses she, laughing and embarrassed by the situation, tries to make some distance between them as he jokingly stalks her around stage with his guitar.

Performances like these and especially ones of him singing another one of his songs called “The King of Spain” reveal an intensely charismatic performer and showman beneath the folk singer-songwriter front.

This also helps him break away from the often overused singer with an acoustic guitar image. His latest album breaks even further away from that image.

Featuring the evocative and intensely descriptive lyrics and scruffy croon that made Matsson’s first two albums standouts, he also manages to add new instrumentation in this outing, allowing the album to feel familiar to fans, while refraining from entering an artistic rut and appearing stale.

The tracks “Little Brother” and “Criminals” feature new musical territory with multiple layers of electric guitar work, and the title track is a soft piano-based ballad.

Even though it also features these new techniques of layering, the album opener, “To Just Grow Away,” does fall a little flat on its approach.

While minimalistic, other songs on the album showcase some of The Tallest Man on Earth’s hallmarks like his incredibly strong guitar playing.

The tracks “Leading Me Now” and “Wind and Walls” display

Courtesy musicthatisntbad.org

Above, Kristian Matsson (singer-songwriter behind The Tallest Man On Earth), has three full albums now in store.

Courtesy tumblr.com

Kristian Matsson, right, performing with his wife, Swedish singersongwriter Amanda Bergman, left.

his insane talent for getting so much sound out of one guitar, through both finger-picking and strumming.

On the album closer, “On Every Page,” Matsson gives one of his best vocal performances; singing out lines like “I've been the tower but now walk alone/There must be marks on every page/From the past to these songs,” with remarkable passion.

Also, his songs have ventured into even more confessional songwriting. Peaking at 35 on the US Billboard 200, the new album was met with warm responses from critics and fans.

Check out these songs by Tallest Man “The Gardner” “The Dreamer” “1904” “Little Brother” “Love Is All”

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06 S eptember 2012

Noteworthy Concerts: Make A Note! Everyone Waited For It, No One `

Ashley Figlar Red&Black Staff

While September brings the start of a new semester at Washington & Jefferson College, it also brings in a fresh season of concerts and shows happening in downtown Pittsburgh and the surrounding area.

Green Day’s new musical, American Idiot, will be at the Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre in Morgantown, WV, this Friday, September 7.

This show is a one act musical adapted from Green Day’s album, American Idiot.

Tickets are still available at ticketmaster.com.

Legendary Canadian rock band, Rush, will be at Consol Energy Center on Sept. 11.

The band has been performing since 1968, and continues to have fans of all ages. They are third, behind The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, for most successive gold or platinum albums studio produced

by a rock band. A far cry from Rush, comes Eric Church, a well-known country artist who will be hitting Consol on September 15 with his Blood, Sweet & Beers Tour.

His first county hit, “How ‘Bout You,” made him a favorite in the world of country, and his most recent tune, “Springsteen,” has helped his rise to county stardom.

On September 16, legendary performer Barry Manilow will be at Consol Energy Center. Manilow is known for his songs “Copacabana (at the Copa)” and “Mandy.”

Stage AE, located on Pittsburgh’s North Side, will be hosting a variety of concerts this month as well.

This includes Dayglow on September 7 and Metric on September 18.

3 Doors Down will be making their way down to the North Side on September 20.

This popular American band rose to fame with their first single, "Kryptonite,"

which charted in the top three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1996.

W&J’s own Fall Concert will take place on Saturday, September 22, in the Rossin Ballroom.

The featured artist will be Sean Kingston, a JamaicanAmerican singer known for his first hit, “Beautiful Girls,” which was released in 2007.

The opening act will be a student performer or group.

The Student Government Association (SGA) will be accepting videos from students who are interested in being the opening act. More information may be found on the SGA’s Facebook page.

For the most up to date list of upcoming concerts and shows check out ticketmaster. com.

On your iPhone or iPod Touch, you can also download the Ticketmaster Application for on-the-go show updates and easily accessible ticket ordering.

courtesy tumblr.com

Sean Kingston will be performing here at Washington &Jefferson College this month.

Expected This! “The BetrAyal”

courtesy tumblr.com

The hype was not pointless! The BetrAyer was a shock!

Antoinette Arabia Red&Black Editor

The season finale of “Pretty Little Liars” on ABC Family definitely lived up to the expectations of its millions of viewers across America; leaving them shocked and, for some, disappointed at who “The BetrAyer” was revealed to be.

Just when it seems like the notorious “A” who has been working alongside Mona has been figured out, the show takes a turn toward the unexpected; leaving the audience desperately awaiting the upcoming episode the following week.

Unfortunately, “Pretty Little Liars” fans will have to wait until October 31 for the Halloween special, to see what will happen next.

The beginning of the “Pretty Little Liars” season finale had many fans with their eyes fixated on Paige as “A,” Mona’s mysterious sidekick.

However, fans quickly changed their minds when Nate, Mya’s alleged “cousin,” began acting very strange around Emily at his cabin.

Once Nate opened the closet to reveal Paige tied up with tape over her mouth, it became clear that Paige was an innocent victim of “A,” just like the other Pretty Little Liars.

Emily’s battle with Nate in the lighthouse was an unforgettable moment of the season finale which left fans on the edge of their seats until finally, and definitely unexpectedly, Caleb appeared to save Emily’s life.

At this point in the episode, the only question on everyone’s mind was, “Who is ‘A’?”

From here and on...

SPOILER ALERT! Toby sure looked good in that black hoodie; nobody saw that coming!

With the end of season, who else could be dragged into “A’s” web?

06 S eptember 2012

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ARTS 13

http://www.fanpop.com/spots/star-wars/images/29769999/title/anakin-leiafather-daughter-collage-fanart

50 Things To Do Instead How To Spice Up Your Dorm of Reading 50 Shades Helpful Tips From Posters to Plants Abrianne Rhoad Red&Black Editor

If I am to be known far and wide for something, let it be known that I am not a strong advocate for sloppy-written Twilight fanfiction-turned semi-erotic novels. If you aren’t familiar with the reference, let me make this perfectly clear: fans of E. L. James and the 50 Shades of Grey series, beware.

I have about 50 different reasons (which I will do my best to summarize) as to why you should save your money and not waste your time. I will openly admit that I enjoy reading smut and other trashy, underdeveloped stories from time to time; they’re a lot of fun to read and are even more fun to write.

Included in the set of 50 things you’re better off doing, reading Jyoti Roy’s entry to Bitch Magazine’s interpreting 50 Shades through the perspective of actual BDSM dynamics. The second thing on this list is to, if you’re curious, do a little research into the taboo subjects that E. L. James amateurishly tried to reveal, in an appropriately Twilight-homage kind of way.

Find a definition for erotica and a definition for smut. If you’re stuck differentiating the two 50 Shades is something you’re more likely to find recommended by Cosmopolitan.

Write your own story. Pen down a few ideas for a story, it doesn’t have to be 500 pages on the first sit-down. You’d be surprised where a few lines of story devices (plot, setting, character and so forth) can take you.

What should simultaneously depress and encourage you is the listing of James in Time Magazine’s April 18 release of the “100 Most Influential People in the World.” If both Stephanie Meyers and E. L. James can pop up on the national radars for god-awful books that somehow people have grown to adore, I encourage everyone that has ever dabbled in writing to selfpublish and see where it takes you. My only request: stay away from BDSM, kink and writing erotica if you don’t know what you’re doing. If anyone is counting, we are now up to six explicit things.

Suggestions 7-49 are as simple and informative as the first six. Find 43 stories with hints of BDSM in them; I guarantee you at least a third are a better than reading about Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey’s clumsy, vanilla, erotica story disguised as BDSM. The final suggestion is to become the next best novelist. E.L. James expressed her shock in interviews about the success of the Grey trilogy saying “the explosion of interest has taken me completely by surprise.” “This is my mid life crisis, writ large. All my fantasies in there, and that’s it [sic],” she continued. Writing stories on hushed topics offers a lot of opportunity to have a break-out success. But, please, no more Twilight fan fictions.

Morgan Mattingly Red&Black Editor

As we move in to our dorms for a new school year, we are forced to face the off-white walls of institutions of education across America.

However, in our dorms, we have the power to cover the walls with our personality; rather than posters of Garfield with giant ears telling you to listen and learn.

Sometimes it can be difficult to know how exactly to decorate your home away from home, so here are a few tips for a dorm entirely your own— or at least half of it.

Perhaps the most obvious solution to a blank wall is a poster, but you probably don't have enough to wallpaper your room (which I am not suggesting).

Posters can quickly get boring or expensive, so instead make something you actually like.

If you have a printer, a pair of scissors and sticky-tack you can make a collage. You don't have to be artsy; all you need is a minor obsession with something and to know how to make a rectangle.

If the shape seems difficult, most dorms here at Washington & Jefferson have a large cork board that needs covered, too, and can guide you or simply buy a large picture frame.

There are two things to keep in mind while deciding how to arrange these pictures of Darth Vader and Justin Bieber: color and overlap.

Though everything in your room does not need to be color coordinated, if you don't think a colorful Jar Jar Binks will match your stuff, there is a simple solution.

Black and white photos are stylish and go with any color scheme. I recommend finding a mixture of white and gray backgrounds so you can still see the subject of the photos and have variety.

If you have some amazing colored photos, put them in. They will only stand out more next to the black and white.

courtesy fanpop.com

Above, a collage of various characters from the popular movie franchise Star Wars. Whether you’re a fan of science fiction movies or lesser known musicians, posters are an easy way to add a splash of quick flair to any college room.

Not every picture you find will be the same shape or size, and that’s fine. It’s better to have varying sizes so you can overlap them. If you just put a bunch of squares right beside each other it can get “blocky,” so don’t be afraid to cover up a corner or two of an image (so long as nothing important is there).

Mix up the sizes and colors, and you will have an interesting collage that will show a bit of your personality.

Another tip for wall decorations: don’t be afraid to use materials other than posters.

If you have flags or a really interesting piece of fabric, hang it on your wall. Sometimes it can be amusing to look up and think “I could pet my wall right now.”

Or, if you want to apply feng shui principles to your room, bring in some fake potted plants or flowers.

By adding some faux foliage to your room now, you can still have a bit of clear weather cheer with you when you are faced with rain or snow later this year.

The key idea here is to decorate your room the way you want it. Use everything at your disposal and keep in mind that command hooks and sticky-tack are easy to remove after the year is over. Best of luck!

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Red & Black

Staff Editorial: Welcome Back, Home There is a blend excitement and anxiety in the air that only the first week of classes can produce; here at the Red&Black we would like to extend the warmest of ‘welcome back’s and send congratulations to the W&J community for making it through the first week of classes.

The college as a whole is back in the swing of things.

That said, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the end of the first week is not only natural but a common occurrence, whether you’re a fifth-year senior or a first-year student .

But W&J students always persevere. After all, we are a school replete with brilliant minds, compassionate leaders and an uncommon thirst for knowledge that our outstanding staff and faculty provides us fodder for year after year.

Throughout the semester we all will feel discouraged by difficult courses or papers and hampered by deadlines. We will feel the frustration and sadness often associated with difficult roommates and failed relation-

ships and we will experience some form of homesickness. And chances are we will hit a few bumps in the road along the way in other ways.

It’s because of these shared trials and tribulations that W&J students are often very close to one another; we share in one another’s plights and worries, and subsequently thrive with one another.

The start of the semester, however, provides all of us with the opportunity to expand our horizons, increase our knowledge and, in turn, inch closer to the young professionals we all aspire to be.

The most important step in starting off on a high notes is knowing your limits. Pace yourself. Don’t pull too many all-nighters early on and try to avoid overworking and burning-out half-way through the term.

Each semester provides new opportunities to reconnect, to reach out and to get more involved on campus; in doing such, don’t forget to take care of yourself and your peers and to remember that everyone at W&J is family. Welcome back, welcome home.

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A Not-So Uncommon Opinion on Uncommon Integrity Abrianne Rhoad Red&Black Editor

Uncommon integrity is a phrase that everyone within the Washington & Jefferson community (alumnus, administration, students, staff, visitors and the like) become intimately familiar with over their stay at the college.

After hearing Dr. Tori Haring-Smith’s Convocation speech Sept. 1, I found myself inspired to revisit and re-imagine my previous conceptions of uncommon integrity that I’ve held since starting my collegiate career at W&J. I’m not interested in observing the 50 shades of integrity (uncommon integrity

being the second shade, instead I’d like to open the door for discourse.

For some, ‘uncommon integrity’ may mean absolutely nothing at all but an entry point to tell an abridged version of the Charlie West story; for others it may mean an opportunity for interpretation.

The idea of having an above and beyond state of integrity is admirable, but it remains a theory.

Anyone can claim having uncommon integrity and a strong sense of character, but the distinguishing factor lies in the application and the consistency of one’s practice of integrity.

It’s understood that uncommon integrity leans towards the ‘extraordinary’ side

C ontac t

E ditorial P olic y The Red & Black is the official, registered student-produced newspaper of Washington & Jefferson College. It is published Thursdays with the exception of exams and break periods.

Editorials are based upon the opinion of the respective writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the newspaper, the

College or its students, faculty, or administration.

The Red & Black welcomes all reader contributions, but reserves the right to reject letters of pure promotional nature, as well as letters which do not meet its standard of integrity, accuracy and decency.

The Red & Black also reserves the right to edit submissions.

of the ‘uncommon’ spectrum instead of the ‘rare’ side.

Still, there’s a curious ambivalence associated with uncommon integrity that both fascinates and frustrates. The topic of integrity, much like learning, is something that will stay with us throughout our lives.

I propose a challenge, not just to the first-year students (who are more or less trying to gel into class schedules instead of mulling over semantics and mission statements), but to the upperclassmen who have heard the same speeches and anecdotes enough times to recite them word-forword.

Discover for yourself what “uncommon integrity” is. Chances are you won’t come

Letters are due on the Monday before publication and may not exceed 600 words. All letters must include the author’s name, campus box and telephone number. Names may be withheld upon request under certain conditions on rare occasions.

All letters may be submitted to redandblackstaff@jay.washjeff.edu.

Telephone: FAX: E-mail: Mailing Address:

(724) 223-6049 (724) 503-1049 redandblackstaff@ jay.washjeff.edu Red & Black 60 S.Lincoln St. Washington, PA 15301

up with a story that can be retold at ceremonies year after year, but you will have a story, or at least the makings for one.

And when you graduate from W&J and come back as alumni, I hope to hear new stories of uncommon integrity’s legacy n future Matriculation and Convocation speeches.

With the start of a new semester (and a fresh start for many on campus), I think now is the perfect time for new ideas.

Here’s one: instead of ‘uncommon,’ strive for bold (or italic). Do something at W&J that crafts a narrative indicative of exceptional integrity and soundness of character, but don’t follow in someone else’s footsteps.

Be your own Charlie West story.

S taff Carley Adams Allyse Corbin Ashley Figlar Tatiana Johnson Jennifer Marabella Mike Nemchick Jake Reis

Alexandra Sossi Jessica Schiller

06 S eptember 2012

OPINIONS 15

Red & Black

Romney VP Pick Excites Conservative Base Carley Adams Red and Black Staff

President Barack Obama and contending presidential candidate Mitt Romney are essentially neck and neck in their popularity among those expected to vote in the upcoming presidential election, President Obama leading Romney 48%-46% as of August 22, 2012.

Just under two weeks prior to this evaluation, however, Romney made an announcement that, in the opinion of one collegiate political enthusiast, could be a positive game changer for the GOP. Wisconsin congressional representative Paul Ryan will be running as vice presidential candidate alongside Romney in the White House race of 2012.

One of the biggest concerns that many Republicans (particularly ultra-conservatives) have about the potential election of Mitt Romney as president is that the progress made in the state of Massachusetts under his governing was decidedly liberal.

First, as governor, Romney passed a law instating universal healthcare for his state.

Conservatives are no less irritated by this than they are by

the proposition of ObamaCare.

Second, also during his time as governor, Romney approved a law allowing the legalization of gay marriage in Massachusetts (despite the fact that it conflicted with his personal beliefs).

All of this being said, the selection of Paul Ryan is an extremely smart move when it comes to appealing to the ultra-conservatives, thereby motivating them to vote for the Romney card (as opposed to voting, say, Libertarian, or abstaining altogether).

While Romney’s actions as governor appeal heavily to moderates, Paul Ryan’s unyielding pro-life stance, his strong opposition against entitlements (such as ObamaCare), and his happiness to “cling to [his] guns and [his] religion” will all bring heavy conservative support to the RomneyRyan campaign.

As the losing party in the election of 2008, the GOP has many questions on its mind, one of which continues to pull focus.

One question: how will this election be different from the last?

Democrats and Republicans alike are all quick to admit that Senator John McCain’s selection of Sarah Palin as his 2008 running mate cost him a substantial

courtesy CBS News

Above, Paul Ryan poses after his speech at the Republican National Convention.

amount of votes. While there were many factors that contributed to the country’s distrust of Palin and her politics, all can be traced back to one problem: Palin was in no way properly vetted for vice presidency.

Paul Ryan, on the other hand, most certainly is.

Unlike Sarah Palin - who had next to no political experience -

Paul Ryan has been representing Wisconsin’s first congressional district since 1999.

In that time, he has made a name for himself as one of the only congressman to gain support from both parties on a budget proposal aimed to reduce the federal deficit – a proposal that passed in the House, but not the Senate. Even with modifications

constantly underway, this is an impressive move for a 42-year-old representative.

Assuming Paul Ryan will show the same humility, dedication, and perseverance as VP that he has as a congressman, voters should exhibit no hesitation in choosing the Romney-Ryan card, thereby starting their proposed “Path to Prosperity” in 2012.

Food for Thought: W&J Meal Plans A Costly, Needless Service?

Michael Nemchick Red and Black Staff As everyone starts back into their school routine here at Washington & Jefferson College or for their first time as freshman, love it or hate it, one thing everyone will be talking about is Parkhurst and the meal plans that go with it.

Inevitably, with the start of every new semester on campus, students will also be talking about their tuition bills and how to pay for them.

As many students struggle to make ends meet, their eyes will always pass over the expensive meal

plans that W&J forces upon them.

For students living on campus the cheapest meal plan available costs $1,880 for just one semester and includes 10 meals per week.

These are meals that must be paid for in advance and are completely lost if not used before the end of a week. Although meal plans are becoming more flexible, by now allowing students to use meal swipes in the Barista café, it still seems odd that students are forced to pay for something that they might not even use.

Students are provided with kitchen facilities to cook with all over campus, where cheap and healthy meals can be prepared for

oneself, so there is no reason to take away a student’s choice to not purchase a meal plan.

This is especially true for those struggling to pay their bills and trying to cut costs whenever possible.

While W&J’s first goal is supposed to be the education of its students; why does it seem that the college is trying to squeeze money out of students by making them purchase something that is expensive and unnecessary?

Students are supposed to be treated like adults here, but they cannot even make the decision of what they want to feed themselves. Mandatory meal plans are

not fair, are not practical for all students and make life more difficult for those struggling to pay their tuitions bills.

The only people who are able to opt out of a meal plan are those who can get a doctors excuse due to the necessity of a special diet.

Being a vegetarian is not always enough of an excuse for this, as Parkhurst claims that it provides enough healthy vegetarian options to students.

Although vegetarian options do exist, it is more than debatable that those provided are ample enough for the students who choose this type of diet. The overall healthiness of the food in the

cafeteria is also debatable, but has been improving over the years.

However, the bottom line is that every student should be able to have full control over their diet if they so choose.

This is not about whether or not the quality of food offered by Parkhurst is good enough; that is a subjective matter that will be answered differently by each student.

This is about the right of students to control both their spending and their bodies. Mandatory meal plans at W&J deny both of these rights, whether or not an individual thinks the quality of the food offered is acceptable or not.

16 OPINIONS

Red & Black

06 S eptember 2012

Gun Violence and Gun Rights

Does a Summer of Wildfires and Accountability, Responsibility is Individual Record Heat Support Climate Change?

Jacob Reis Red and Black Staff

There has been a lot of national media coverage of gun violence recently. That much is undeniable.

It is also fair to say that gun violence in the United States is higher than in the vast majority of other developed countries. Suggesting that there is no problem or turning a blind eye to the issue are ludicrous approaches.

However, tackling the issue is easier said than done. As a country, the United States was built upon the fundamental principle of liberty.

As Patrick Henry famously said, “Give me Liberty, or give me Death!” Infringing upon the liberty of the people is contrary to the spirit of the nation.

More anti-gun laws, regulations and policies are not the way that we should approach the issue.

The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution is unequivocal.

“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

In the 2008 Supreme Court case District of Columbia v. Heller, 554 U.S. 570 (2008), it was ruled that the Second Amendment not only protects an individual’s right to possess a firearm regardless of militia connection, but also that individual’s right to use that firearm for lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home.

Acquisition of firearms has already been regulated intensely, especially in handgun purchases.

Criminal record checks are now part of virtually all legal handgun purchases in the United States, and costly licenses must be obtained in many states to carry those handguns.

Involuntary commitments to mental health institutions are also disqualifying criteria for firearm purchase, though the implemen-

Carley Adams Red and Black Staff

courtesy mindchanging.org

tation of such checks is difficult, mainly because of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) which states that mental health records may only be released to medical professionals, health insurance workers and quality control personnel.

When purchasing a handgun, the dealer will usually immediately call the FBI or state police who access the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).

That database contains a list of those people who are lawfully prevented from purchasing handguns due to violent criminal history.

The database is also supposed to contain the list of people who have been involuntarily committed to mental health institutions.

According to an article in Guns & Ammo Magazine, there are an estimated 3 million people who would be excluded by that system, if it were fully operational.

In reality, there are only 90,000 names on that list, or three percent of the names that should be on there.

Mental health issues definitely do not accurately predict future criminal violence.

Many people consider barring from purchasing firearms as stripping them of a fundamental right because of the possibility of future violence, which is reproachable.

Benjamin Franklin once wrote, “They who can give up essential

liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” We can’t cure gun violence in our society by optimizing the systems that are in place and letting guns go unchecked, but adding more regulation and policy would be contrary to the Constitution.

The answer is where the problem lies, in the individual.

Every individual is responsible for himself; when he makes decisions that impact other people, he has a degree of responsibility for them as well. Where it really starts is in the home. A parent bears primary responsibility for how a child turns out.

Our society is not conducive to producing an eternally childfriendly environment.

The parents or guardians of a child are his last line of defense against the sensationalism that pervades music, television, movies and video games.

A gun is just a gun. It serves legal purposes from sport to self-defense. Make them illegal because they can be used against a fellow man and soon it will be necessary to outlaw knives, baseball bats and rocks.

Just as a parent has to teach a child to face other facets of the world like life and love, so must they teach them to properly use the tools at their disposal. Guns are a big part of our national identity, and they’re not going away.

The issue of man-made global climate change is not like the issue of marriage equality or the issue of whether or not abortion should be legalized.

The latter two – especially for a college student coming into her own political mind – are much easier to take stances on because they are social issues.

When it comes to climate change, however, there are environmental professionals of equal credentials on both sides of the argument.

How, then, is the average citizen with the average mind supposed to decide what he or she believes? There is no explicit method, but I can say that the increasing extent of wildfires in North America offers no irrefutable evidence in support of the position that global climate change is man-made.

It is true that – according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) – July 2012 has been the hottest July on record as well as the hottest month ever recorded for the United States Central Plains and Midwest.

Regardless, most of the climatologists studying the massive outbreak of wildfires in the western United States agree that the last time on record an event like this occurred (around A.D. 1500) there was a substantial drop in the presence of wild and forest fires not long afterward.

At first, this was attributed to a collapse in the population.

While this belief was upheld, it appeared that the case

strongly supported the truth of global climate change being man-made. A recent finding by climate experts at the University of Utah, however, turns the case around once again: the drop in fire was not caused by a collapse in population; rather, by a particularly notable cooling period that followed the hot, dry climate in which the fires took place.

This new finding stands to support the views of physicist William Happer of Princeton University, hydro geologist Ian Clark of the University of Ottowa and Professor of Atmospheric Science William M. Gray of Colorado State University— all reputable climate experts— that global climate change is a cyclical event brought about by natural causes, not by the actions of human beings.

While this unfortunate series of wildfires does not necessarily blare that global climate change is man-made, the ubiquitous issue continues to be debated, and rightfully so.

What there should never be a debate on, however, is how we treat planet earth.

Whether or not you believe that global climate change is something humans can control, everyone should make the effort to minimize their footprint on the environment: reduce their consumption of finite resources, reuse what can be reused and recycle what can be recycled.

Some people may ask, “Well, what good will that do?”

The scientifically proven answer: plenty.

To those who are still skeptical, I say, “Well, it most certainly can’t do any harm.

What do we have to lose?”

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OPINIONS 17

Red & Black

Mars Rover Mission and the Future of U.S. Space Exploration Michael Nemchick Red and Black Staff

With the recent death of Neil Armstrong, space exploration has recently become a bigger blip on the minds of people worldwide.

As we mourn the loss of one of the world’s greatest explorers, we should also take time to become excited over the exhilarating things NASA is accomplishing right now.

The curiosity rover landed on Mars just weeks ago after travelling 350,000,000 miles and landing just 1.5 miles away from its intended landing destination.

The technological mastery needed to accomplish this feat alone is impressive; however, I am sure more people are excited by the rover’s mission to determine whether Mars ever supported life and to prepare for future human exploration.

Of course this is nowhere near as grand a feat a putting a man on the moon, but it is an important exploratory stepping stone that will have large implications in future space missions.

As one sect of the United States population discusses how excited they are by space exploration and discovery, another sect points

at NASA funding as a complete waste.

Why spend so much money on sending people and equipment into space when there are so many problems down on Earth that requires our attention and resources?

The most obvious and directly applicable answer is citing the technological progress made during space exploration missions.

Space missions have directly or indirectly developed everyday items such as: smaller and faster computers, cell phones and even enriched baby food.

They have also improved highway safety, artificial limbs, solar energy and much more.

This does not even mention the progress made in scientific understanding which space exploration has facilitated in countless different fields.

It is easy to claim that space exploration has affected everyone’s life and the current shape of the world.

The benefits listed above are mostly direct and immediate effects on human life.

Though many will argue this is crazy or farfetched, when it comes to the longevity of humanity, space exploration, development

and migration will be our eventual next steps.

For the short term, we may need the technology ready to deflect possible planet killing asteroids or to mine asteroids near Earth to further develop industry.

In the long run, Earth will eventually become too crowded or unlivable and the only option for human progression and survival will be migration.

Whether humanity will go to another Earth-like planet far away, a terraformed nearer planet or even permanent space station colonies, it is too early to tell.

Of course, this all seems like science fiction because technology is nowhere near the level needed to support these goals.

One thing is certain, if humanity survives long enough and wishes to continue, it will eventually have to move further into space one way or the other.

Funding NASA then has multiple benefits, some more immediate and direct than others.

While it helps improve or create new and practical technologies which benefit people here on Earth, it also furthers scientific understanding and helps pave the way for more exploration and humanity’s longevity.

Courtesy National Geographic

A still shot from the Mars Rover “Curiosity” landing, just before making contact with the surface of Mars. The mission was especially risky because of the jet-propulsion based landing displayed in the picture.

Whether or not space exploration should just be left to the private sector is a debate for a

separate article. Either way, space exploration will continue and will affect life here on Earth.

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SPORTS Red & Black

06 S eptember 2012

Courtesy washjeff.edu

A New Addition to the Presidents’ Volleyball Team Jessica Schiller Red&Black Staff Washington & Jefferson College’s head volleyball coach, Coach Wallace’s, decision to take up an offer from Morrisville State College in New York near the end of June was not only a difficult one for himself, but one for the school and players to accept as well.

“It is a hard decision, but this is the right move for my family at this time,” said Wallace.

“I will miss all of the outstanding young women associated with W&J volleyball and all of the student athletes.

I am very proud of what we accomplished.”

After the sad and somber announcement of Coach Wallace’s resignation, W&J was put in the difficult position of finding a new coach.

After a summer long search, the W&J athletic department and coaching staff now officially have their newest addition.

Enthusiasm, experience, and talent are only three of the many things that W&J’s recent edition, Coach Brooke Turner, brings to our Division III volleyball team.

Since her graduation in 2004 from Wheeling Jesuit University with a bachelor’s degree, followed by her M.B.A. in 2009, Turner already has 5 years of coaching experience under her belt.

As an undergraduate, she played all four years leading the Cardinals to represent Wheeling Jesuit University three times at the NCAA Division II Tournament, and to four WVIAC titles.

All of these impressive wins leading to a 139-32 record for the Cardinals during Turner’s time

Courtesy of washjeff.edu

Coach Brooke Turner has been announced as the new Women’s volleyball coach here at W&J.

spent there.

Everyone is thrilled to have Coach Turner as a new addition at W&J. Bill Dukett, Washington and Jefferson’s Director of Athletics, agrees saying, “We are excited to add Coach Turner to our coaching staff.

Brooke was a talented player, brings head coaching experience with her and is excited for the challenge of working with our current and future players to elevate W&J volleyball back to the top of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference.”

As for the current volleyball players, the girls have nothing but good things to say about Coach Turner. Lindsey Bennett, class of ’15, says, “We have only had one practice with her, but already I am really excited.

I think her intensity and discipline is exactly the kick in the butt that we need to be successful this season.”

Many of the other players agree that her diligence is exactly what they need. Sarah Stedina, class of ’15, agrees saying, “We need someone tough.

I think it’s going to be a really good season. I’m really excited.”

Courtesy of news.fiu.edu, modified by Abrianne Rhoad/Red & Black

Washington & Jefferson College currently offers women’s teams in various sports: basketball, cross country, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, water polo and volleyball.

Upcoming Volleyball Tournaments: 9/8

Courtesy washjeff.edu

Middle Hitter, Lindsey Bennet leads her team in practice as they prepare for a very exciting year in the Presidents’ Conference.

W&J TOURNAMENT DAY 1 PITT-GREENSBURG 1:00 pm Allegheny vs. Pitt-Greensburg 3:00 pm Denison vs. Muskingum 3:00 pm DENISON 5:00 pm Muskingum vs. Allegheny 5:00 pm W&J TOURNAMENT DAY 2 ALLEGHENY 11:00 am Muskingum vs. Pitt-Greensburg 1:00 pm Denison vs. Allegheny 1:00 pm MUSKINGUM 3:00 pm Pitt-Greensburg vs. Denison 3:00 pm

06 S eptember 2012

SPORTS 19

Red & Black

A Bad Name For Big Teams Looking Past A Disability Women’s Badmitton Olympic Scandal

Courtesy washjeff.edu

South Africa’s Olympian, Oscar Pistoius leaps from the starting blocks as he participates in the 2012 summer Olympics.

Tatiana Johnson Red&Black Staff

Courtesy bleacherreport.com

Eight players from China’s, South Korea’s and Indonesia’s Olympic team, including the women above, were involved in the badmitton scandal.

Kyle Sossi Red&Black Editor

For most, the 2012 Olympics were a two week long celebration of athletic achievement on a global stage, but for the small world of women’s badminton the games were marked by controversy and scandal.

Eight female players hailing from China, South Korea, and Indonesia were caught intentionally throwing their qualifying matches.

They did this in order to better position themselves for the “knockout” phase of the competition, since losing games would cause them to face-off against lower ranked teams in the next round of competition.

These actions would also cause China’s team to be placed in a separate knockout group than the nation’s other team, allowing for the possibility of a gold and silver medal.

During a match at Wembley Stadium, the crowd booed the teams who were intentionally

playing poorly, and the situation escalated the following day when the World Badminton Federation, or WBF, disqualified some of the players.

Charges will be brought upon some of the teams who allegedly threw their matches, but not all teams will face legal action.

“These two teams did cheat... to draw public attention to a public practice” China’s team, made up of Wang Xiaoli and Yang Yu, are expected to be charged especially hard.

In China, badminton garners the same widespread attention as football in the United States, and players are met with a Tiger Woods-like level of endorsements.

The Chinese government combs the country for young talent and pours millions of dollars into training young players to achieve Olympic glory. In other words, the Chinese stakes in these

matches are high.

They have been throwing games like this and controlling schedule arrangements for years, but this is really the first time that the WBF or other players have taken action against them.

The only reason that the South Korean team tried to throw their game was because they were facing off against China.

They had grown tired of the inaction of the WBF, and decided to force a Chinese victory and take away the countries chances of winning gold and silver.

Then, the South Koreans and Indonesians played to get beat in what is assumed to be an act of solidarity; by standing together to intentionally throw games, they forced the hand of the WBF, who had recognized and officially monitored this kind of action for years, but didn’t step in to solve it.

Those two teams did cheat and they did break official codes, but they did it to draw public attention to a flagrant practice that had plagued a sport, just as popular in these countries as in China, for years.

Oscar “Blade Runner” Pistorius is the first double amputee to compete in the Olympics.

Although he competed in the lastest Olympics, the road to get there was more difficult than most.

Overcoming the discrimination he faced since he was a child was just the beginning of his journey.

Pistorius is a South African double amputee.

He was born with Fibular Hemmelia, which translates to no fibula in the legs. Pistorius had both of his legs amputated when he was 11 months old. This setback in life would not hinder his progress. Pistorius’s mother refused to allow him to think of himself as a cripple.

He participated in sports with his brother. From the age of 11 he played a variety of sports from tennis and water polo to rugby. Pistorius played rugby on a more competitive stage until he was injured.

On the road to recovery, Pistorius was introduced to running. In ‘07, he competed in his first ablebodied competition.

Due to claims that Pitstorius and his cheetah flex-foot carbon fiber gave him an unfair advantage over other able-bodied competition, the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) put Pistorius under investigation. He then under went

numerous tests and observations by scientists from the IAAF. On Jan 14, 2008, the IAAF ruled Pistorius ineligible to compete in able-bodied competition, and in the ‘08 Beijing Olympics because his running blades gave him and unfair advantage over the rest of the field.

Pistorius continued to compete in the Paralympics where here dominated the 100m, 200m, and the 400m sprints, walking away with gold.

But his hope to one day compete in the Olympics had not died. Pistorius continued to make a case and pursue the issue of his ineligibility.

For four years, evidence was collected and gathered for his case.

After all of his hard work, Pistorius appealed his case to the Court of Arbitration, but this time the outcome would be in his favor.

Pistorius was ruled eligible to compete in the ‘12 London Olympics.

He competed in the 400m and the men’s 4x400 relay. Although neither of his events received a medal, it was an accomplishment to be there and open the doors for other amputees.

Pistorius is set to compete in the Paralympics again this summer where here will defend his gold medals.

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SPORTS

06 S eptember 2012

Red & Black

As Summer Moves Out, Fall Sports Move In

Washjeff.edu

Courtesy washjeff.edu

Heading into his 11th year as head coach here at W&J, Mike Sirianni speaks to his team before starting practice.

Jennifer Marabella Red&Black Staff

Fall sports at Washington & Jefferson College have finally begun.

The sports competing for the college this fall consist of: men’s and women’s cross country, field hockey, football, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s soccer, women’s tennis, and women’s volleyball After one of the best seasons for W&J Cross Country, senior, Scott Ryan and sophomore, Kristen Galligan became the first Presidents to run in the NCAA Cross Country championship.

Ryan finished in 175th position out of 279 runners, and Galligan finished 179th position out of 277 runners.

With both of these standout runners returning, and some other key returnees’, the W&J Cross

Country team hopes to improve and make another appearance at the NCAA. Field hockey clinched its first conference championship and NCAA appearance last season.

Almost all the starters are returning, and with that the Presidents’ look to be the team to beat, once again.

As a member of the Empire 8 conference the W&J field hockey team was selected as second place entering the 2012 season.The W&J football team is striving to reclaim the PAC championship for the first time since 2007.

With a talented group of players returning, as well as some talented freshmen, the football team looks to be well on its way.

Coach Siriani believes the secret to a successful season for the Presidents is to reduce and create turnovers.

If they can capitalize on opportunities and reduce mental

mistakes, the football team has a good chance at achieving their goal this season.

Golf, for both men and women, takes place in the Fall as well as the Spring.

The men’s team, who has had a lot of success in past seasons, brings back some experienced players, as well as some new faces to the College.

They look to stay on top of the PAC and continue to excel in other invitationals as well.

As for the women, they placed 2nd in the PAC last season, but they have many experienced collegiate golfers returning to the team, which will give them the edge they need to claim the PAC title.

W&J’s men’s soccer intends to return to the PAC tournament this season.

With an appearance in seven of the past 10 title matches, the Presidents look to regain the

Courtesy washjeff.edu

Senior, Elizabeth Herb was selected to the Empire 8 President’s List with a 3.69 GPA.

streak they had going for the past eight seasons.

There are eight of the top 10 leading scorers returning this year, as well and 13 freshmen, which Coach McDonald believes will have a major impact on the team and this season’s success.

The W&J women’s soccer team looks to once again capture the regular season PAC title, and to return to the NCAA tournament for the fourth time in the past five years.

With a talented group, including W&J women’s soccer’s first All-American Holly Shipely, and Seniors, Chriss Marcius and Dawn Murphy, who joined her on the All Conference First Team, they have to the right tools to regain the PAC title and make another NCAA appearance.

Women’s tennis at W&J welcomes five new players to the team this season. Kathryn Mioduszewski, a junior who is the

2011 number one seed, is a key returning player this season, as well as a pair of seniors, Danielle Ufolla and Rachel Detts, junior Kelsey Fox, and sophomore Alexis Ferrari.

The Presidents look to incorporate their new players and to improve upon last season.

The W&J women’s volleyball team has set a goal for this season to return to post-season play.

Under a new coach, the returning 13 letter winners look to regain a spot in the PAC tournament.

There are many key returners that have racked up a significant amount of statistics throughout their time on the W&J volleyball team.

They bring experience, which will likely help the Presidents reclaim their spot in the PAC tournament this 2012 season.

For more sports information visit washjeff.edu/athletics.