September 12, 2014
Red & Black
The Student Newspaper of Washington & Jefferson College
WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT CAMPUS NEWS “As a whole, the freshman class has some adjustment and maturing to do before we graduate in 2018.”
LIFE “Enough lighting and decor will not only brighten up your dorm, making it more appealing to peers, but also brighten up your overall mood.”
Justice For W&J Student Tim McNerney
ARTS
“Even though the world mainly thought of Williams as a spectacular being whom accurately depicted happiness and laughter, Williams was secretly suffering from depression.”
OPINIONS “When these weaknesses are exposed, those who are fortunate enough to not be weighed down with mental illness should not judge.”
SPORTS “Sarnicke’s favorite cheer is the traditional W&J College cheer, the Whichi Coax.”
INDEX: Campus-News ..... 1-5 Life ......................... 6-9 Arts .................... 10-13 Op-Ed ............... 14-17 Satire............... 18 Sports ................ 19-20 PLEASE RECYCLE THIS PAPER
Caitlynn Gilles Red&Black Photography Editor
Ali Kovacevic Red&Black Contributor In the early hours of the morning on October 4, 2012, Tim McNerney was found dead near the Washington & Jefferson campus. On August 25, 2014, his killers were sentenced. Eric Wells, whose push caused McNerney to hit his head on the ground, was sentenced to 10-25 years in prison; his two companions, Troy Simmons and Adam Hankins, received 5-12 years and 6-15 years, respectively. The men were also sentenced to between 3-6 years each for robbery. Ten months after his death in 2012, McNerney’s killers began their trial
process. At the end McNerney’s father had this to say about the trial: “[I] wouldn’t say [we are] satisfied, but at least this is one last step on the road we have to go through. It’s been a very stressful roller coaster ride.” McNerney was a leader on campus. He was a star football player and a musician, participating in the fall concert of 2012 just weeks before his death. Though most of the people who knew him personally have graduated, some of his friends still Continued CAMPUS NEWS, remain students at W&J.....
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Remembering Professor Timothy Murphy Mike Hornak Red&Black Contributor The last thing students and alumni expected to receive this past summer was an e-mail from Washington & Jefferson College regarding the unfortunate news that one of its current professors had passed away. Dr. Timothy J. Murphy was the Professor and Director of the Entrepreneurial Studies Program. Dr. Murphy formed many close friendships with peers, professionals and students alike. These included lunchtime gossip pal and close friend Dr. Cavoti, the Chair of the Psychology department here at W&J who dined and conversed with Professor Murphy at George & Tom’s daily. Dr. Cavoti explains how he first met professor Murphy: “I met him the day of his interview at W&J College
at George & Tom’s. I owned a management consulting company which I believed would benefit greatly from Dr. Murphy’s business connections.” Soon, this business collaboration quickly grew into a friendly relationship which, he elaborated, “contained both personal and professional respect.” Dr. Murphy once invited Dr. Cavoti to lecture in his class on the behavioral principles of the workplace. It is clear that Dr. Cavoti truly had lost a close friend. Referring to the last few months of his life, Dr. Cavoti described Dr. Murphy as “courageous, optimistic and, most importantly, faithfilled.” Dr. Cavoti believed this made him a strong-willed individual, which got him through some of the worst times of his sickness. There also was no serious lack of friendships among his former students. One of
his most recent students is Lauryn Halahurich. Her first encounter with Dr. Murphy wasn’t in class, but during scholarship week in May 2012 when Dr. Murphy interviewed her as a prospective student. Halahurich knew the professor loved to help all students, stating that he assisted her with her proposal. She also had taken his Intro to Entrepreneurship course, and was planning on taking his upcoming Intersession course in collaboration with Professor Frank. The campus can only offer its deepest sympathies for those who were the closest to Dr. Murphy and continue to mourn his loss. Those closest to him might better have understood his fighting spirit with regards to what he went through during his sickness. Because of his friendly and personal demeanor to everyone, however, it was not uncommon for him to
strike up a conversation with anyone. This includes a shy freshman English major, with whom he occasional held a morning conversation with in Burnett’s basement next to his office. Everyone who had the honor of knowing this great man regarded him as one of the kindest and most wellloved professor at the college. Although taken too soon, Dr. Murphy first began his career in academics by obtaining his Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame, his Master’s degree in Business Administration from Harvard Business School and his Juris Doctorate from Rutgers University, Camden School of Law. Dr. Murphy served as past presidents of the Harvard Business School Alumni Club in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. He also served
on the board at Asbury Heights in Mt. Lebanon, as he cared deeply about the elderly. What students may not have known is that Professor Murphy promoted entrepreneurship in disadvantaged areas, including the Zuni reservation in New Mexico and abroad in Poland. The entire W&J community views Dr. Murphy as a professor we won’t soon forget. This is a vacancy that can never be easily filled. After as Halahurich said, “that department was his baby.”
new members. One of these new clubs on campus is the Japanese Language Club run by Julia Price ’16. This club was started by Price towards the end of last year, so she was not in the Involvement Expo in the beginning of the year. The club was entered in the second Expo, mainly meant for spring semester transfer students. Price decided to start the club even though Washington & Jefferson College already
has the Asian Culture Association and several other Asian-influenced clubs. “I got the idea” said Price, “whenever Okamoto-sensei left to pursue his master’s degree and the school didn't find a replacement.” Okamoto-sensei was the Japanese professor at W&J; he left before the start of the last academic year and the school. When the school could not find a professor to teach his classes, W&J stopped offering the courses. The club is trying
to teach Japanese writing and syllabary systems within in the language that would have been taught in Okamotosensei’s classes. The club also teaches how to speak some of the language, too. Price is optimistic for the future of the club. “I hope the club will show the school that Japanese is important and that there is a need to replace our instructor. I want it to be a place where students can get together and
learn a language and practice in the event that Japanese class returns.” Price has created a place where students can gather and learn the language without a professor, and that is truly wonderful. The Japanese club meets in the Hub Meeting Room, but the day and time is yet to be announced for this year. If you are interested in learning a new language, Asian culture or wanting to make new friends, sign up for the Japanese Language Club.
Courtesy bizjournals.com
Japa n es e La n g u ag e Cl u b Avail ab l e on Ca mpus Shannon Adams Red&Black Contributor
A new school year means a new start here on campus. It is a great opportunity to have a new beginning and a time to look for new clubs to join. Most of the time a club doesn’t start in the beginning of the year and doesn’t get the recognition it needs to get
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CAMPUS NEWS 3
Freshmen Matriculate on Campus to Pomp and Circumstance Ann Shetler Red&Black Contributor
Accompanied by family, friends and faculty, the freshman class gathered for the first time August 27 to matriculate into the Washington & Jefferson class of 2018. At W&J, Matriculation includes signing the mission statement of the college, announcing new students’ names, receiving the membership pin and shaking President Haring-Smith’s hand. However, being thrown into an unfamiliar situation on the first day of college led to uncertainty across the board. Stressors ranged from what the point of the
ceremony was, whether or not we had to make a speech and what to wear to the occasion. Freshman Lauren Markish worried about wearing the wrong thing, “because no one seems to know what business casual actually means.” As the ceremony began the students developed new worries. Freshman Jarod Forsythe’s concern was that “we’re going to have to walk that far in the heat,” as well as his worry for the bagpiper. We could all agree, faculty and parents included, that August 27 just so happened to be one of the hottest days of the year. With that being said, there were still many positive aspects of the ceremony. Forsythe and Markish both agreed that President Haring-Smith’s speech
was their favorite, as she gave insight on all the members of the class of 2018. Forsythe said “the President’s speech about the incoming freshmen accomplishments [was his favorite speech], because it made it feel like she put in time and effort to know each and every freshman.” Markish agreed and said, “it was interesting to hear all the things our class has done.” As for the class as a whole, we happen to be one of the largest W&J has ever seen. Freshman Allison Vargo sees this as an advantage and said, “because we are such a big class we can make a bigger difference as a whole. It can give us more opportunities as a class to do something influential and set an example for other classes to
follow.” Whereas Markish sees the positive and negative side of a large class. “It’s negative in the sense there isn’t enough living space for some of the freshmen, but cool in the sense that we are the largest class,." Forsythe, on the other hand, “came to [W&J] to be known as an individual not as a group.” Reflecting back on the ceremony, they could see the importance of what it entailed. Vargo sees matriculation as an important process, because it is the same process that will be repeated in four years, when we graduate. She said that at the time “you don’t realize [the importance of Matriculation], and you’re just annoyed because it’s hot.” Junior Kristianna Bancroft believes that Matriculation is “an important tradition”
and is “something unique to W&J.” While we can all agree that an air-conditioned dome is in order for next year’s Matriculation, Vargo and Forsythe had some ideas for improvement to the ceremony. Vargo says it was hard to hear everyone’s names as “people were talking over each other, so some names weren’t heard” thus taking away some of the individualization. Forsythe wants there to be more family involvement, so both the students and the parents can become acquainted with the campus. As a whole, the freshman class has some adjustment and maturing to do before we graduate in 2018. But on the whole class’s behalf, I would like to thank the W&J community for making the welcome a warm one.
Dr. Kirk Junker Talks European Energy to Kick-Off Lecture Series Catherine McAdoo Red&Black Contributor
European Energy policy is a very intricate set of laws, only read and understood by the most informed of political science majors. How could we, the mere mortals of other departments, possibly hope to comprehend the complexities of the debate going on in Dr. Kirk Junker’s lecture? As it turns out, very easily. Dr. Junker is an impressive man with paragraphs of awards and accomplishments under his belt. If anyone knows the ins and outs of European En-
ergy Policy, it is him. But he also knows how to start at the beginning. He began his lecture (after everyone had eaten their fill of cookies, of course) by explaining the purpose of the European Union: preventing World War Three. Any economic or political decisions made ultimately lead to the essential goal of peace. Dr. Junker then described the political system that has been set up in Europe, one very different from our own. The United States follows the model of Montesque, with a Congress to make the laws,
President to enforce them and a Judiciary branch to determine their legality, with plenty
of checks and balances in between. The European Union, on the other hand, separates
its institutions by representation. The Council represents Europe as a whole, and Parliament represents the countries as individuals. The courts have the final say. And they all have different jurisdictions. After giving everyone this bit of background information, Dr. Junker moved onto the final point of his lecture: the energy policy itself. From Norway’s solely hydro-electric based power structure, to Germany’s dependence on Russian oil, to the entire Union’s goal to lower greenhouse emissions to 20 percent below 1990 levels by
2020, the subject was fascinating and completely understandable. Energy policy isn’t this alien, incomprehensible thing. It is simply a set of strategies meant to combat the serious problems of climate change and fossil fuel dependency. Europe has one strategy. The rest of the world has other strategies. To learn about gas markets across the globe, you can attend the next lecture in the series, coming up on October 22. How much power does the presence of oil reserves give to a nation?
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the New Professors: Residence Life Gets a Revamp Meet Olga Solovieva Nathaniel Ecker Red&Black Contributor
Washington & Jefferson College is pleased to welcome a new Residence Life Staff to campus. Tyler Kowcheck will be rejoining W&J for his second stint working with our Office of Residence Life in his new role as Director. Previously, he worked as a Residential Area Coordinator for the college from 2009 until 2012 after receiving his undergraduate degree in psychology from Bethany College in 2007 and obtaining his M.A. in Educational Leadership from WVU the following year. He will be responsible for overseeing the Office of Residence Life. After working for W&J for the first part of his career, he said that, “W&J has a special place in my life and I am very excited to be rejoining the college staff once again.” Between 2012 and June of 2014, when he was selected as the new Director of Residence Life, Kowcheck worked as an Assistant Golf Professional for the Hartefeld National Golf Course in Avondale, Pennsylvania. For students wondering what changes this new administration will bring to campus, they can rest at ease. In his previous term at W&J, he was responsible for writing the Residence Life portion of the Student
Handbook; the only change that will be made is the extension of non-quiet hours from the previous 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Finally, in his tenure with W&J he expects to work to improve the standard-ofliving in the Residence Halls for students. Joining Kowcheck as a part of W&J’s Residence Life Staff is Karen Stefaniak, who will be serving as the Assistant Director of Residence Life, responsible for Housing Operations. After several career changes, she feels as if she has finally found a home at W&J. Following her graduation from Susquehanna University in 2003 with a degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations, she worked as an Admissions Counselor at Alverina College in Reading, Pennsylvania. However, eager to land a job in her chosen career field, she became the Marketing and Public Relations Manager for the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire, where she worked from 2006 until November of 2009. After the economic downturn led to nearly half of the staff laid off, she was forced to reevaluate her career and decided to rejoin the field of higher education, obtaining her M.S. in Education from Bucknell University. She stayed on at Bucknell as a Graduate Hall Director for a year, before choosing W&J over several other institutions. After interviewing for the position at W&J this summer, Stefaniak comments,
“I knew that the students, professionals and institution would challenge me in positive ways and afford me the opportunity to contribute to the campus and leave my mark.” Finally, the last new addition to our college’s new Residence Life Staff is Tiphane Purnell. She will be serving as the Assistant Director for Residence Life, responsible for Residential Education. She has spent her entire professional career involved in Residence Life and is eager to be at W&J. After earning her B.A. in English and Black American Studies from the University of Delaware, she achieved her M.A. in Technology Management and Sustainability from Walden University. Purnell said, as a firstgeneration college student, “I wanted to have the same impact on students [as my Residence Hall Coordinator at the University of Delaware] and give them all of the information that I had to learn the hard way.” She served as a Residence Hall Coordinator at Lincoln University for two years (2012 to 2014), before joining W&J. The most recent addition to our Residence Life Staff, Purnell became a part of our college staff late this summer. Purnell is excited to work at W&J, a place she calls, “a beautiful institution full of rich history, great people and awesome students.”
Anna Jefferies Red&Black Contributor Whether or not students take the opportunity to get to know new professors, now is the chance. One such new professor is Olga Solovieva, a new addition to the Religious Studies department at Washington & Jefferson College. Professor Solovieva grew up in Omsk, Siberia, and while attending college in Siberia, she majored in History and won a student exchange grant in the mid nineteen nineties. This allowed her to travel to the United States for the first time in order to study for a year. Upon completion of her undergraduate degree, Professor Solovieva decided to further her education in the United States by studying Religious Studies at Syracuse University in New York. Professor Solovieva accepted her first job in academia at Ithica College in New York. She remained there for three years before moving onto a career at Skidmore College. After another few years at Skidmore, Professor Solovieva began teaching Religious Studies at her most recent academic institution, Union College. Finally, after four years at Union, Professor Solovieva found her way to W&J, hopefully to stay. “I really like [W&J] so far. It is a lot like Union; both are small Liberal Arts schools.
Courtesy washjeff.edu
I liked the fact that at Union College I knew my students very closely and I knew colleagues from different departments. So far, W&J seems that it will be similar to that experience.” Aside from her academic career, Professor Solovieva has an exciting personal life. Professor Solovieva has two children. Her daughter, Sophia, is nine years old. Her son, Alexander is an elevenyear-old self-proclaimed “future lawyer.” Although her son is the lawyer-in-training, Professor Solovieva herself is not afraid of arguments and debates. “Don’t be scared to argue and disagree in the classroom. I would like to bring arguments on the forefront of class discussions. However, I’d like to do this on a more civilized and educated level.” Professor Solovieva provided one more piece of advice for students in her classes.“Don’t let me scare you. Don’t be put off by how bubbly I am!” Welcome to W&J Professor Solovieva! Whichi Coax!
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CAMPUS NEWS 5
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Justice for Tim McNerney
Kyle Sossi Emily Bitting Bailey Murdick Amiti Sharma Lauryn halahurich Carley Adams Open Open Thomas Marcotte Caitlynn Gilles Open Carolyn Tomlinson Gabriella Porazzi Dale Lolley
S E C U R I T Y LO G S
Date: 9/3/14 Incident Type: Information Security was called by a student to report a spider problem in a residence hall. When the officer arrived, spiders were seen along the baseboards. When the floor molding was pulled back, a spider’s nest was found. The nest was sprayed and it was reported to maintenance that the issue was taken care of. Date: 9/1/2014 Incident Type: Accident A professor was struck in the head by a branch from the tree located between Old Main and McMillan Hall. He received a cut on the right side of his forehead and was escorted to the Campus Health Center to have it cleaned up. It was suggested that he go to the hospital. He stated he would go there after class. Date: 8/31/14 Incident Type: Drug Violation Security was called to the patio of one of the residence halls. Upon arrival, security found six students sitting around a hookah. One student stated the hookah belongs to him, and that at one point he had been told by a staff member that he was permitted to use it as long as it was used outside. The student was reminded told that was not what was said, and that he could not have a hookah on campus and that he had to ship it home. Date: 8/29/14 Incident Drug Violation Hookah was found left alone on a kitchen table in one of the residence hall, along with a lighter and tobacco. There were no signs of any students or of any drugs and the hookah was confiscated.
Continued From COVER One friend, Jake Campbell ’15, spoke of McNerney as a good friend and an inspiration. “I still listen to his music. If I hadn't met McNerney, I wouldn't be the person I am today...It turns you into a man, you know? Having to handle something that awful. “Tim was fearless, and that was his nickname, Fearless. When he walked into a room, a little party walked in with him. Everyone knew Tim.” After McNerney's death, the school held a candlelight vigil in his honor. “It really helped bring us together as a school, you know? You don't want to be alone during something like that.” His memory remains active on campus in the form of the Tim McNerney Memorial Scholarship. Beyond a scholarship and a candlelight vigil, the school also emphasized security after McNerney's death. “The safety and security of our students, faculty and staff are the first priority at W&J. We have emergency phones that reach the Security Office directly, lots of lighting around the
Courtesy washjeff.edu
campus and surrounding areas, 24/7 security cameras and a 24/7 escort service for anyone who would like to be walked across campus or given a ride if the weather is inclement. In addition, we have very close collaborative relationships with city and state police, both of whom are within blocks of campus," says Tori Haring Smith. President Tori Haring-Smith also expects students to be smart about their safety. “As in any community, as my father used to tell me, ‘Nothing good happens after midnight.’ I hope students will take care of themselves and of each other,” she said. “Our greatest asset in terms of security is that we are small enough to have a community where everyone looks out for everyone else. Let’s all work together to keep W&J safe and secure.” This year, the anniversary of McNerney's death falls on the day of the home football game with Thomas More, and the March Against Violence is being held in Tim's memory.
LIFE 6
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It's Time to Stretch It Out! 3 Important Muscles You're Forgetting to Exercise Sue Tran Red&Black Contributor According to the journal Diabetologia, the average adult spends 50-70 percent of his or her life sitting down. The authors of this journal reviewed data from 18 studies involving 794,577 people not only sitting in front of the TV but also doing mundane things such as driving and sitting at work. A simple Google search of “sitting too much” reveals many potential hazards of being in a seated position for most of our days such as increased for cancer, obesity and lower life expectancy.Sitting causes key muscles to be-
come short and tight, which can cause pain and general discomfort. The kickoff of the school year is yet another reason for us to stay sitting, hunched over our studies for a bright yet potentially debilitating future. We can simply stretch to help offset the number of hours we spend sitting and also help our bodies stay strong and healthy! Three major muscles in our body that get abused and strained the most from us sitting are: the chest, back of thighs and front of thighs. Here are some tips to help avoid the common tightness and shortness that comes from sitting. Stretching the
pectoralis major (chest) is beneficial to your posture and opens up the shoulder joints, which allows for better positioning. You can simply do pushups or use elastic bands placed behind you and you grabbing the ends doing a pushing motion to stretch this area out. Stretching the hamstrings (backs of thighs) will help reduce the tightness in our hamstrings created from our legs being bent constantly for extended periods of time. All you need to do is sit on the floor with your legs extended in front of you together to stretch out your hamstrings. Simply extend your arms and reach for your toes as far away from your waist as
you can go while keeping your legs straight. The rectus femoris (front of thighs) causes us to develop restrictions when we sit too much. As we walk, the muscles in front of the hips become tight from all our immobility. Stretching this area will help improve mobility when
we are being physically active. A good stretch for this area is the Warrior I yoga pose. So many of today's occupations involve sitting for hours on end, including being a student. Students and professionals who sit for long periods of time should stretch every day to stay healthy.
6.When asked your name, you gave your life story. 7.You stole the interviewer’s significant other. 8.You are the type of person to secure a job, and then quit after a week. 9.You came to the interview looking as though you just woke up. 10.You either never made a resume, or you didn’t bring one to the interview. 11.You asked the age of the potential employee. Although this is a short list of commonly made mistakes, there are a
few interviewees might mindlessly make. The good news is that there are ways to prevent making simple mistakes like these that might cost you a job. One way might be to find a friend and set up a mock interview to get more comfortable with questions an interviewer might ask. With practice and a few helpful tips in mind, college graduates will be able to pass interviews with ease. Just be sure not to overthink things. Sometimes, it is the simple mistakes made under pressure that are the most detrimental.
11 Reasons Why Potential Employers Will Turn You Down Sara Gaskill Red&Black Contributor
After hearing graduates refer to it as “the best four years of your life,” many young people decide to take the leap from high school to college. As students make their way from the freshman stage of lanyard wearing to seniorstatus, many prepare for their future careers, but lose sight of the most important thing: being seen as a hirable young person to potential employers. On slideshare.com, Mark O'Toole of HB Agency spelled
out what he believed to be the top 11 reasons why students will be denied jobs post-graduation. Here, inspired by O'Toole's 11, is an original set of 11 surprising reasons why you may not be hired: 1.Your name is too hard to pronounce. 2.You are unable to answer the idiotic questions of the interviewer, or cannot understand sarcasm. 3.You are expected to fail the interview anyway.
4.You are inexperienced and employers are not willing to give you that experience for your first job.
Courtesy glassdoor.com
5.You gossiped about a person who is already employed by your potential employer.
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LIFE 7
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10 Dorm Room Essentials You Probably Forgot to Pack Sue Tran Red&Black Contributor
It’s the start of a new school year and many students find themselves at big box stores wading through each aisle in search of all the essentials needed for a enjoyable school year. During this exciting time, some key items are often overlooked that every student should consider packing to kick off the semester. Here are a few dorm room essentials: 1. Christmas lights/rope light/ anything that lights up and is on a string. Many dorm rooms appear to be lacking proper illumination. Enough lighting and decor will not only brighten up your dorm, making it more appealing to peers, but also brighten up your overall mood. 2. A sewing kit with safety pins. The freshman 15 is real, and unless you’re able to accommodate your expanding body with new clothes or you can keep off those extra pounds gained from the oh-so-delicious and nutritious G&T’s along with the over abundance at the Commons, you’re going to grow out of your clothes. A sewing kit would help you out when your pants split, and safety pins are a great temporary fix for when you can’t button up your shirt.
3. A hammock. A hammock is a great place to study in and relax. If you’re unable to sleep in your room because your roommate is getting freaky, you can simply relax and sway to the wind outside in your comfortable hammock! In cases of bad weather, a hammock can also serve as an oversized poncho or even a toga.
Courtesy kchome.com
4. Bug Spray. When you’re watching a sports event outside, mosquitoes are going to look at you and everyone else as an all you can eat buffet. Be smart and save yourself from the hours of constant itching and discomfort. 5. Speakers. Whether you’re watching a movie, listening to music or playing video games speakers
can come in handy, especially when the people in your building don’t know when to keep quiet. 6. Reusable water bottle. Plastic water bottles contain BPA which are basically chemicals from the plastic leaching into the water that you drink and also unnecessarily fill up much of our landfills. A reusable bottle can be taken anywhere and can be filled up with whatever you want to drink. Why don’t you do the planet and yourself a favor by getting a fabulous water bottle that suits your style? 7. Lighter. You never know when you’re going to need a lighter. 8. Earplugs and sleeping mask. College is a time to educate ourselves for our future and also to get wild on the weekends. Earplugs and an eye mask are very helpful if you’re trying to sleep or nap between classes during the day while everyone else is being loud and proud. 9. Self expressive personal dorm decor. There’s so much you can do to make your dorm different from everyone else’s. There should be something in your room that reminds you of yourself and will help people visiting or passing by see you for the person you truly are! 10. A safe. If you’re living on campus, a safe or something where you can put all your very important items is essential because you never know who’s going to enter your room.
The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge: How Much Has it Helped? Shannon Adams Red&Black Contributor
Over the summer, a new challenge sprung up. The Ice Bucket Challenge took social media by storm. However, many people accept the challenge, post the video and nominate others to complete the challenge without knowing the facts. The Ice Bucket Challenge is an attempt to raise both money and awareness for Lou Gehrig’s Disease, more
commonly known as ALS, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. ALS targets the nerve cells
Courtesy thewolf.ca
in the brain and spinal cord and eventually causes death in the victim’s motor neurons. Once this occurs, the victim will begin to slowly lose
the ability to move their muscles. It eventually leads to paralysis. To complete the challenge, one must first accept the challenge. They must fill a bucket with water and ice and dump it on their heads while recording. Then they must post it on a social media website. Donating to ALS research is also strongly encouraged. If the nominated person chooses to deny the challenge, they simply must donate $100. Though the challenge took off over social media sites this
summer, the challenge originally began in 2012 when Pete Frates was diagnosed with ALS on March 13. According to Forbes Magazine, Frates come up with the
Courtesy alsa.org
idea while sitting at his dinner table with his family, just six hours after being diagnosed. The challenge was posted on Twitter and Facebook, where it began to gain popu-
larity. It caught the eye of celebrities such as Bill Gates this past August. Since then, celebrities including Kim Kardashian, Ben Affleck, Emma Stone and Jimmy Kimmel have shown their support and taken the challenge. This summer, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has raised over $100 million and counting. This is extraordinary compared to the $2.8 million that was raised last year. For details on how to donate to the ALS Association, please visit www.alsa.org.
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12 S eptember 2014
Michael Brown Shooting Stirs Up Protests in Ferguson, Missouri Tiffany Dittrich Red&Black Contributor
Michael Brown was an 18-year-old from Ferguson, Missouri. He was shot and killed approximately six times by Police Officer Darren Wilson at 12:30 a.m. on Aug. 9. This news-breaking incident stopped the world as they tried to figure out why the murder of Brown was committed. As all of the unanswered questions and anger aroused from the friends, family and acquaintances of Brown, pure outrage struck the town and ultimate chaos was the result.
In the beginning, the police were called because of a robbery. Brown happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, as Police Officer Wilson had seen Brown as a suspect of the robbery. The altercation is not very clear, but Wilson claims that Brown, who has no record of criminal violence, tried to psychically assault him and fight for the gun, which Wilson was armed with. The ending was fatal. The next day after, a respectable candle light vigil was held in honor of Brown. Unfortunately, the night turned violent when citizens started vandalizing and looting businesses in the area.
Non-peaceful rioting, criminal activity and threats to the law force continued to occur every day for over a week after the night of Brown’s murder. The town of Ferguson rose to such bad conditions that the schools in the surrounding area continued to postpone the first day of classes. The school boards were too concerned about the safety of their students during this dangerous time. This tragic incident was a huge controversy between the citizens and law enforcement. Citizen had very little to no trust the Police Officers who were supposed to protect them. Therefore, everyone in Ferguson had turned against
the entire enforcement. The situation was uncontrollable no matter how many rules and regulations were put in place, such as a curfew, for instance. Due to this, the National Guard was sent in to control protestors who were violent and refused to disperse. They used tear gas as one of their tactics to control the situation. President Obama made countless statements directed to the town of Ferguson to stop the violence and to focus on what was really important – finding justice in the murder of whom they cared about, Michael Brown. After Obama dispatched the Attor-
ney General, Eric Holder, the town slowly, but surely started to clear the streets at night. Protests and marches became more peaceful, fewer arrests were made, and there were fewer injuries of citizens and police. On Sunday, Aug. 24, the funeral of Michael Brown was held. There was no commotion as there was the days prior. Everyone was there who cared about Brown and even strangers who have never met him. This day was nothing but respect as Michael Brown was finally laid to rest. The country still awaits the trial of the officer who shot Brown.
same manner, with an unverified video containing threats against the US due to the bombings of ISIS strongholds in Northern Iraq. Foley’s video ended with a threat against the life of Sotloff. It appears the jihadist organization has gone through with their threat. ISIS is an Islamic terrorist organization formerly linked with al-Quaeda. They appear to have broken all ties with their fellow organization since February of 2014, and as of June 2014, call themselves the “Islamic State.” This name is indicative of their goal. The stated goal of ISIS is to form a caliphate within the Middle East, one ruled by a caliph, believed to
be the successor to Muhammad. This caliphate would exist under Islamic law, and have spiritual authority over all Muslims across the globe. They have, to some extent, accomplished their goal. On the 29 of June, 2014, ISIS declared the territory under its control – an area roughly the size of Pennsylvania – a caliphate, and named terrorist leader Abu Bakr alBaghdadi as caliph. The group’s ruling council has declared that Muslims around the world should pledge their loyalty to the new caliph. This has not been successful; Muslim scholars inside and outside the Middle East have criticized and ridiculed
the formation of a caliphate, and rival Islamists inside and outside the occupied territory refuse to pledge loyalty to the caliph. President Obama faces a tough problem deciding what kind of action to take in response to the death of Sotloff. Should he elect to send in troops, people will fear another Iraqi War. If he does not respond with a military action, people will claim he is unwilling to protect American citizens from a foreign threat. If he sends in troops, he risks being seen as interfering in the Syrian Civil War on the side of President Bashar alAssad. As it is, as announced in a press conference last week,
there is so far no policy in place to deal with ISIS. While there is no policy in place for the United States to deal with ISIS, ISIS has made its policy very clear in regards to the United States. The video showing the death of Steven Sotloff ends with a threat to the life of David Cawthorne Haines, a British citizen being held hostage, along with four others, by the organization. These others are Americans and Britons, mostly aid workers. The final words in the video, after the threat to Mr. Haines, are spoken by the masked executioner: “Just as your missiles continue to strike our people, our knife will continue to strike the necks of your people.”
ISIS Threatens the U.S. by Beheading American Journalist Steven Sotloff Alli Kovacevic Red&Black Contributor
On Sept. 2, the Islamic terrorist group ISIS released a video that claimed to show the beheading of a second American journalist, Steven Sotloff. The video blames President Obama for his death, stating that the killing was punishment for the decision to strike the group in Northern Iraq. This video has not been verified as accurate, though Sotloff ’s family released a statement indicating they believe he is dead. If he is, it won’t be a surprise. ISIS has already killed a journalist, James Foley. His death was announced in the
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9 LIFE
The Dancing Man of Hamilton, Canada: Red & Black
“Reveling in the Joys of Life” through Music and Dance Mike Hornak Red&Black Contributor
Kirkland films’ recently produced a story featuring Jed Hanson, the dancing guy, as part of its Human Stories series. This documentary focuses on who they claim is one of the happiest people in Hamilton, Ontario. His main goal in life, they say, is to create and bring happiness to others by dancing his way around town for several hours a day. Townspeople smile, talk kindly and laugh while reminiscing about their city’s icon, calling him a “terrific guy” who’s “enjoyable” and a “staple.” Constantly seen dancing, one observer says Hanson “revels in the joy of life” which he admits is “messing with how you’re meant to navigate the world.” As other witnesses comically put it, “if you’re having a bad day and you see him dancing along you’re like damn straight- just keep dancing” and “He always make me smile when I see him. I’m like- Yes! Dance on.” He inspires a city through his belief that doing what you want is often good, and Hanson gets people to jump in and dance along with him. One man says he “serves as an
example to all of us,” calling him a symbol who represents how unconcerned we should feel about how we look to others and how one should express oneself as often as possible. Hanson can be found, with black earbuds in, dancing down the street mouthing the words to his favorite song on his mp3 players. He wears an auto mechanic shirt which c o v e r s a black vest he sometimes uses as prop when dancing. His salt and pepper hair is messy and unruly like his unconcern with what pop culture wants to tell you. Strangers hug him while skateboarders dance and playfully mimic him. Hanson also likes to see people enjoy themselves which he believes is “circular.” He reasons that if he brings a smile to your face that your smile, in fact, introduces a smile to his face. Hanson was inspired by listening to music his entire
life; his mom was a singer who convinced him at 14 to play his guitar on the street
Courtesy lh4.googleusercontent.com
while she would sing. Within 15 minutes, he claimed, hundreds of people would be around the pair, singing along with them. Hanson’s life hasn’t always been filled with
joy, however. In 2003, Hanson walked into his mother’s house to find her “rigor mortis.” Hanson’s sole prayer to God was that he could “please get [his] mother back, at least one more time” in order to at least “tell her goodbye in the right way.” Fortunately enough, 17 days passed and she awoke from the coma. H a n s o n felt so overwhelmingly “grateful, thankful and joyous that his prayers were answered” and that his mother was awake and smiling at him that he danced, without music, for “at least 10 blocks singing, dancing and praising God.” However people thought or looked at him since that day has not made much of a difference to Hanson. For a year, he hated the town he now dances around since he saw so many miserable faces. He discovered that people were hurting and, after talking and dancing with them, is hard-pressed to find one miserable face and boasts he has lots of friends. Angel, a 24 year old manager at a local
bakery, befriended Hanson and helped “heal him” by buying him an mp3 player which he accidently melted near a stove. Since he couldn’t afford one, Angel was able to lighten up his lengthy commute from the YMCA to the Salvation Army for a meal which oftentimes was two or three times a day. On the way to the Salvation Army, which happens to pass by her store, Angel bought him yet another mp3 player which brought him to tears both then and continues to today. As an ex-drug addict who’s been to prison, often has had no food and has slept on the cement, he tearfully reflected upon how he’s experienced it all but believes that everything can be turned into joy. He believes that he’s “59 years old and just starting.” Hanson sets an admirable example that any person of any age can learn from. Whenever you feel like dancing, even if nobody is watching, do it! You never know what sort of impact you will make on someone’s day, especially if they are watching and learning from you. Because he is able to accept life’s tragedies and turn them into comedies by “messing with how your’re meant to navigate the world,” Hanson is surely the happiest man in Hamilton.
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Remembering Actor and Comedian Robin Williams Amiti Sharma Red&Black Editor On Aug. 11, beloved actor and comedian Robin Williams was found dead in his own home in Tiburon, California. His assistant reported that he had committed asphyxiation, a method of suicide involving selfsuffocation. Williams’s wife Susan Schneider reportedly stated “This morning, I lost my husband and my best friend, while the world lost one of its most beloved artists and beautiful human beings. I am utterly heartbroken.” Robin
McLaurin Williams was born in Chicago, Illinois on July 21, 1951 to Laurie and Anselm McLaurin. After several years of education, he decided to pursue comedy, claiming that making others laugh had always come easy to him. Close family members stated that his kind heart, wit and humor were some of his best characteristics, and what truly defined him as a person. Williams’s most wellknown films included “Popeye,” “Good Morning Vietnam,” “Dead Poets Society,” “Good Will Hunting,” “Jumanji,” “Night at the Museum” and “Happy Feet.” He also made an
appearance in the music video for the popular song by Bobby McFerrin's, “Don't Worry, Be Happy.” His most recent film, entitled “The Angriest Man in Brooklyn,” was released into theaters on May 23, 2014. Costar Mila Kunis reported that she was “extremely shocked and wounded” from hearing the news of Williams’s death. Kunis said, “He didn't mentor me. He just said, ‘Step back and appreciate this. You're having an amazing time. Relax. And don't forget to enjoy yourself because things like this don't happen to everyone.’” Several celebrities and talk show hosts have shown their
appreciation and love for the actor through individual projects that represent Williams at his best. Conan O’Brien showed a segment on his nighttime talk show “Conan,” commemorating Williams’s funniest and greatest moments on the show. Select companies have also attempted to remember Williams. Netflix recently added two of Williams’s critically-acclaimed films Flubber and Good Morning Vietnam. Even though the world mainly thought of Williams as a spectacular being whom accurately depicted happiness
and laughter, Williams was secretly suffering from depression. After committing suicide and shocking the entire nation, Williams raised awareness to the underrated issue of people suffering from extreme depression and anxiety today. As a nominee of the Academy Award for Best Actor and the winner of the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, two Emmy Awards, four Golden Globes, two Screen Actor Guilds Awards and five Grammy Awards, Williams’s legacy of laughter and great acting will live on.
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Summer Music Review: Real Friends Julia Price Red&Black Contributor
r With all the talk and hype focusing solely on popular artists and their releases this year, perhaps you missed some big waves hitting the rock scene this summer. So if you’re already feeling overwhelmed with classes and find yourself missing beaches and sunshine, set your school work down and take a break to enjoy a new album by Real Friends titled “Maybe This Place is the Same and We’re Just Changing.”Real Friends
is a five piece Chicago based pop-punk band that hit the scene around 2010 and are currently celebrating their debut full-length album that released July 22, 2014. The band has six previous EPs under their belts: "Put Yourself Back Together," "3 Songs About the Past Year of My Life," "Acoustic Songs," "Everyone That Dragged You Here," "Cheap Talk and Eager Lies" and "This is Honesty." Each EP has had relative success, but this debut album is promising to take Real Friends to the next level and is soaring through US charts, landing them at number 24 on
the Top 40. The album’s single is titled “Loose Ends” which is accompanied by a whimsical, fantasy-styled music video that deals with feelings of loneliness. The album itself focuses on a transition from youth to adulthood and is relatable to anyone going through this, but is also able to bring up nostalgia for those of us on the other side. “Maybe This Place is the Same and We’re Just Changing” features 12 tracks on subjects that everyone can relate to, such as: break ups, growing up, frustration and finding your own place in the
world. The opening and closing tracks also echo the album’s title. Track number one is titled “Maybe This Place is the Same..." and track number 12 finishes the album with “... And We’re Just Changing," putting the whole theme
Courtesy bestnewbands.com
of change and transition into perspective nicely. So if you’re feeling weighed down and facing these issues as we continue our transitions into adulthood, check out Real Friends and their debut album “Maybe This Place is the Same and We’re Just Changing.”
What I Read This Summer: "The Lost Symbol" Caitlynn Gaskill Red&Black Contributor
Summertime is usually about laying in the sun, swimming, playing outside, campfires, cooking on the grill and the Fourth Of July. Usually that is what my summer consist of, too, but this summer I had a job and I had to read my first college book, "The Lost Symbol" by Dan Brown, for my FYS class, Secret Societies. Now, as an up-and-coming college student, I thought this book was going to be really boring and hard to read.
Well, I was wrong. This book was so fascinating that I could not put it down, and before I knew I read over 100 pages. That was fine with me! "The Lost Symbol" is about a man seeking to gain and destroy a secret, something very valuable to the human race, if this secret item exists. The beholder of this secret has been the Free Masons. The secret is actually a Masonic myth, and is passed down from generation to generation. The lucky Masonic brother who gets this high honor is part of “the 33rd degree,” the highest degree of Freemasonry. In this book, the character
Courtesy solomonsays.in
that gets this honor is named Peter. He has kept this secret for a very long time, until his son came of age. When Peter tried to give this immense re-
sponsibility to his son, his son did not want it. Once again Peter had to keep the secret until about a year or so later a tragic accident happened. Afterwards, Peter gave this secret to his dear friend Robert, who was in fact not a Mason, so therefore did not know what the sealed box held inside and did not know that he was now in possession of one of the greatest secrets kept by the Free Masons. As the story continues, Robert finds out about the secret and what it actually is, the man is that is trying to steal the secret is revealed and all the tragedy that leads up to
the end of the story unfolds. The book raises many questions, such as are we not using our brains to their full potential? Do we truly know our past? Will we ever know what is truly the Free Masons greatest kept secret? Or will we just keep repeating history, will we keep losing and re-discovering ideas? Dan Brown is a really good writer; there was constantly something going on throughout the book, you really have to pay attention when reading because there is always so much going on. All in all, this is a really great book to read anywhere and at anytime.
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Twenty One Pilots Play Stage AE in Pittsburgh Shannon Adams Red&Black Contributor
One of the perks of attending Washington & Jefferson is how close Pittsburgh is to the school. Whether it be for sporting events, places to eat or the art scene, there is something for everyone. On Aug. 6, Ohio natives Tyler Joseph and Joshua Dun, more commonly known as Twenty One Pilots, played
at Stage AE. Accompanying them on the Quiet is Violent tour are Vinyl Theatre and MisterWives. Touring the album Vessel and including the songs “Car Radio,” “Holding Onto You” and opener “Guns For Hands,” Joseph and Dun were able to create an exciting and sentimental show. The enthralling aspects of the show included climbing onto platforms held by the audience and performing from there. The sentimental side comes from the lyrics, which
are more like poetry than raps and their appreciation of their fans. While the setlist mostly consisted of their newest album Vessel, we also were taken back to their original material such as “Kitchen Sink” and “Addict With a Pen.” An unexpected twist included their rendition of “All I Do Is Win,” “Bugatti” and their mashup of their original “Fake You Out” and Lana Del Ray’s “Summertime Sadness.” For the encore, Joseph and Dun slowed it down with “Car
Radio,” “Truce” and “Trees.” During “Car Radio,” Joseph ran to the back of the crowd, climbed a scaffolding, balanced on a small stand and finished the performance. This fearlessness is one the fascinating aspects of this group. I can’t say that waiting for three hours to see a band is everyone’s idea of fun, however, I can recommend you take the time to listen to Twenty One Pilots. Even if their style isn’t your favorite, their lyrics alone res-
onate with anyone who takes the time to listen. I can honestly say after seeing them live the first time this past summer, they have become one of my favorite bands. Between the two of them, they were able to entice the crowd and make the entire set an enjoyable one. You are too engulfed in their performance to realize how squished and uncomfortable you are. If you ever have the chance to see them live, please do.
Some of the Most Anticipated Upcoming Albums Tyra Thomas Smith Red&Black Contributor
Artist Chris Brown will be releasing his sixth studio album entitled “X” on Sept. 16, 2014. This album has been highly anticipated by all of #TeamBreezy fans but has been pushed back several times due to Brown’s hasty behavior. Although fans have patiently waited for the release date, Brown confidently said that this is “his best album.” Brown’s excitement over the album can be seen via his Instagram page (@chrisbrownofficial) where he is counting down the days until the release as well as issuing challenges to all of his fans. Those who pre-order the album can gain early access to his upcoming tour or even get a shout out if they post a picture mimicking the album’s cover. Some tracks featured on the album include, “Loyal” featuring Lil Wayne and Tyga, “New Flame” featuring Usher and Rick Ross and “Don’t Be Gone Too Long” featuring Ariana Grande.
Taylor Swift is said to be releasing her album “1989” on Oct. 27, 2014. This is Swift’s first documented pop album, which veers from her country pop style that she normally represents. Swift has been working on her album for the past two years; her inspiration from 1980’s pop is woven into some songs featured on the album. Her single “Shake It Off ” was debuted back in August via her live Yahoo stream and also performed on the VMA’s. This single has reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts and the credit is well deserved.
Pittsburgh artist Wiz Khalifa released his album “Blacc Hollywood” on Aug. 18, 2014. Khalifa dropped his first mixtape in 2005 and has since then become notorious for his smoking lyrics. Khalifa’s style of music has evolved in this new album with a variety of songs ranging from hip hop to party music and even some songs similar to pop. He definitely shows his talent in this album. Popular songs on this album are “We Dem Boyz” and “True Colors” featuring Nicki Minaj. The album is available for purchase on iTunes and everywhere music is sold.
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TFIOS Movie Review "Boyhood" A Cinematic Phenomenon Gabriella Porazzi Red&Black Editor
“I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly and then all at once.” This is a popular quote by recently celebrated writer John Greene, who became instantly famous after publishing “The Fault in Our Stars” in 2012. “The Fault in Our Stars” is centered on two teenagers, Hazel Grace Lancaster (Shailiene Woodley) and Augustus Waters (Ansel Elgort), who both suffer from different types of cancer. Hazel suffers from thyroid cancer and Augustus is plagued by osteosarcoma, a malignant bone tumor that caused him to loose a leg. These two ailing teenagers meet one day at a Cancer support group. After visiting a few times and sharing some of their interests with each other, like Hazel’s favorite book “An Imperial Affliction,” by Peter van Houten, Augustus manages to find the email of the author. Hazel emails him because she has questions about the book that ends in the middle of a sentence. Simultaneously, they begin to fall for each other and Augustus surprises Hazel with a trip to Amsterdam, as the author will not disclose information about the book via email. The filming of the movie began in August of last year. The movie was shot primarily in Pittsburgh with extra scenes shot in Amsterdam. The director, Josh Boone, did not change much of the origi-
nal text. He sustained John Greene’s witty writing style and did not alter the movie to fit his personal agenda. The only changes came in the omission of a few minor details and some other excess content. The movie still kept the same comedic and dramatic theme we saw in the book. In the book, there is a part where Hazel takes her oxygen tube out to demonstrate its function to a little girl in the mall. However, in the movie, this scene is cut out, and this highlights how essential the oxygen is to Hazel’s condition. It also would have created an unnecessary pause between them finding out they were going to Amsterdam and actually going there. As well as focusing on her blooming love with Augustus, the book talks a lot about Hazel’s relationship with her friend Isaac. The movie does not place much of an emphasis on this relationship with Isaac because it is most crucial that audiences receive the main story line of the starcrossed lovers that both share the trials and tribulations of having cancer as teenagers. Excluding these few small changes, if you read the book, the movie was what you would expect based on the descriptions of the characters and events taking place in it. John Greene selected the actors for Hazel and Augustus. He felt that both Shailiene and Ansel understood the characters the best and would be able to portray them in the most meaningful way possible.
Victoria Planitzer Red&Black Contributor
Just about twelve years ago, director Richard Linklaker decided to make movie history and create a cinematic piece like no other. This project would take twelve years to complete, but would be appraised by viewers all over the world. Linklater wanted to story tell a part of childhood, but could not decide on which highlight to capture. The idea came to him, and he would then spend the next twelve years of his life working with a six-year-old boy, among other cast members, filming for a week a year and turning a bizarre, fictitious plot into beautiful, poignant storytelling. Linklater shot Boyhood in his home state of Texas for a total of 39 days over a twelve-year period. In the film we see the same beautiful sixyear-old boy played by Ellar Coltrane grow and develop right before our eyes. The same cast
Courtesy nola.com
that we meet at the beginning of the film is in fact the same cast, with no makeup or special effects added, at the end of the film. The film focuses on events that occur in childhood that may not seem important at the time, but Linklater illustrates how these “insignificant” moments are what define us. From fighting with a sibling at the dinner table to the conversations held between friends as they share their first beer together, there is something for everyone in the audience to relate to. The language and lingo in each scene from that year is genuine. Technological advancements are clearly noticeable as the film progresses. The soundtrack depicts how music evolved over the past twelve years from artists like Coldplay to Vampire Weekend. The film holds the theme of reminding us how short life is, and does an excellent job of doing so by compiling not only a boy’s life but also societal changes into a short 165 minutes. Boyhood is a cinematic phenomenon that will explore every emotion in the human body. It is a film that any generation would enjoy, for it will give off reminiscence and make you feel like you just grew up all over again.
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Staff Editorial:
Here’s A Little Bit About Us, and Everything That We Do Wrong Since 1909, the Red&Black has served as the main student newspaper of Washington & Jefferson College. Printing approximately 1,250 copies weekly, the Red&Black features news, sports, entertainment, student opinion and publishes nearly every Friday throughout the academic year. Students are involved in all aspects of the newspaper, from writing to editing and from graphic design and layout to advertisement sales. The paper is staffed by some incredibly dedicated individuals; many of whom work 10+ hours a week, in addition to their schoolwork, to make the paper run for you, dear readership. Now, this is not to say that these dedicated individuals are perfect. Take it from me, one such individual who has
worked on the paper for years: sometimes we mess up. On our worst days, we will misplace modifiers and let sentences run on and on. It is unavoidable that articles will get sent in late, under the required word count and lacking any strain of coherent thought. We have been known to slam our keyboards down in frustration when our nemesis, Adobe InDesign, has once again slighted our attempts to make the most perfect layout ever. We have even been known to divulge our senses in the gastronomical sensations of junk food and cheap wine, on a late summer evening, in order to make an all-night session of editing bearable. We have even been known to take ourselves too seriously, as you may be thinking to
yourself now. But, on our best days, on the days that really establish our worth and potential as a student organization, we research events, we conduct interviews, we make a newspaper worth reading and we dig into the heart of life at W&J. We tell stories. We tell stories about the people in our collective W&J community. We are the historians, the documentarians, the photographers, the writers and the publishers for what life at W&J is like this week, next week and the week after. If you are interested in writing, photography, sports, humor, social scenes, campus life, clubs, activities or really anything happening on campus or beyond, you can find a place here at the Red&Black. In lieu of a formal journalism program on campus, we
E ditorial P olicy 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.
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.
have done our best to make a make-shift school here in the Red&Black office. Luckily, your admission into the Red&Black School of Journalism is bundled into your W&J tuition. We will not charge you anything extra to join our team. In fact, we will actually pay you for the work that you do. For every article of yours that we publish, you will receive $8. For every photograph of yours that we publish, you will receive $4. And, while you are getting paid for all this hard work, you will also be learning valuable skills about Journalism that you can’t get anywhere else on campus. You will learn how to work on a deadline, how to interview, how to research a story, you will learn more about your community and your place within it and
you will learn how to work on a team. A team of passionate, involved and occasionally highstressed and over-earnest people. Unfortunately, on completion of your tenure at the Red&Black, we won’t print any certificates for you. We can’t give you statistics concerning your post-graduation employment opportunities. We absolutely won’t hold ceremonies in your honor or serenade you with the stories of our school’s past instances of authorial or editorial greatness. We will just do work. Week after week. If you are at all interested in joining the Red&Black, please come to our next meeting on Wednesday, September 17, at 6 p.m. in the Common Room of Alex Hall.
C ontac t 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
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OPINIONS 15
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The Trivialization of Suicide and Depression in the Media Carley Adams Red&Black Editor In the past decade, popular media has done a commendable job of shedding light on the plight of those with mental disorders. Tom Hooper’s historical drama “The King’s Speech” touched and inspired many who struggle with speech impediments and social anxiety. Stephen Chbosky’s “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” offered viewers a powerful portrayal of post-traumatic stress disorder. Most recently, David O. Russell’s “Silver Linings Playbook” received critical acclaim for its raw, bare-boned depiction of bipolar disorder. And yet, when we remove the safety net of visual narrative and plunge back into reality, we find ourselves in a shark tank of faultfinders whose words cut deeper than razor-sharp jaws. “Supernatural” actor Jared Padalecki dubbed himself a faultfinding shark (albeit unintentionally) when he tweeted this disheartening message in February of 2014, just days after the suicide of actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, who, despite having spent several years in rehab, struggled with a drug addiction throughout his life and at the time of his death. “‘Sad’ isn't the word I'd use to describe a 46-year-old man throwing his life away to drugs,” Padalecki wrote, “‘Senseless’ is more like it.
‘Stupid.’” Similarly judgmental and insensitive social media posts followed the more recent death of Robin Williams. The actor/comedian was 63 years old when he was found dead in his California home in on Aug. 11, 2014. The report released on Aug. 12 stated that Williams had hanged himself with a belt
conservative political commentator Rush Limbaugh blamed Williams’ suicide on his “leftist worldview.” “Now, what is the left’s worldview in general? What is it? If you had to attach not a philosophy but an attitude to a leftist worldview, it’s one of pessimism and darkness, sadness,” Limbaugh said, according to a transcript
(NAMI), approximately 9.2 million adults in the U.S. struggle with addiction disorders, and approximately 14.8 million Americans are living with major depression. NAMI also reports that suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S., and about 90 percent of those who commit suicide suffered from
The tragic truth, though, is that even those who appear intelligent, successful, happy and settled can be suffering inside. When these weaknesses are exposed, those who are fortunate enough to not be weighed down with mental illness should not judge. Instead, we must acknowledge the realness of the illness, support the ones who are struggling and pay respect to those who fight the good fight, even if they lose in the end.
and died of asphyxiation. Shortly following the report’s release, Williams’ publicist Mara Buxbaum stated that he was suffering from severe depression at the time of his death. Williams’ wife Susan also shared that Williams had recently been diagnosed with an early stage of Parkinson’s disease, and that the news combined with his depression had taken its toll. Despite the unexpected news of Williams’ clinical struggles, online critics posthumously berated Williams for killing himself, stating that it was selfish to leave those he loved in such pain. On an even more outrageous note,
of one of his radio shows. “They’re always angry about something. No matter what they get, they’re always angry.” What Padalecki, Limbaugh, and others like them (there were hundreds of non-celebrity tweets, comments, and posts about Hoffman’s and Williams’ untimely deaths that were just as undercutting) fail to recognize as they so callously demean these men is that a mental disorder – whether an addiction to drugs, a case of clinical depression, or anything in between – is a very real ailment that plagues millions of people all across the globe. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness
one or more mental disorders. So why is it that when mental disorders are depicted onscreen in a film or television show, they are admired and applauded for their brutal honesty, but when a real human being suffering from a real mental illness decides to end their life because they feel so lost and alone that suicide seems like the only way out… they are belittled? It is because so many mental disorders, like addiction and depression, are so easily hidden. If the actors are good enough, these silent killers might as well be invisible. And we all know that Philip Seymour Hoffman and Robin
Williams were good enough. These men were incredible actors with incomparable talents. Few actors can slip in and out of characters with the versatility and depth that Hoffman could, and heaven knows that there are few actors who can make audiences of all ages laugh and smile quite like Williams could. The tragic truth, though, is that even those who appear intelligent, successful, happy and settled can be suffering inside. When these weaknesses are exposed, those who are fortunate enough to not be weighed down with mental illness should not judge. Instead, we must acknowledge the realness of the illness, support the ones who are struggling and pay respect to those who fight the good fight, even if they lose in the end. Mourn their deaths, but always remember to celebrate their lives.
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Massive Breach of iCloud Servers Causes Hacking Scandal Shannon Adams Red&Black Contributor
We like to believe that we live in a world where our private lives are protected by some measure of security. The recent massive iCloud leak, which caused hundreds of nude and explicit photos of celebrities to hit the internet, should make everyone give another thought to how secure we truly are. Celebrities like Jennifer Lawrence, Kate Upton, Ariana Grande and Victoria Justice all faced a major violation of privacy due to having lax security on their iClouds. A screenshot from a forum board called AnonIB showed a group of hackers talking
about releasing what they called “several months of long and hard work.” According to the business insider, the hard work involved using password-cracking software, email addresses and weak security questions in order to gain access to celebrites’ iCloud histories. The poster who launched the leak, known on AnonIB as “OriginalGuy,” claimed that he was not actually a hacker, but a collector. The leak went live whenever OriginalGuy came to realize that his collection was less valuable than he had previously expected. He spoke shortly on the anonymous forum board about how he attempted to acquire a virtual currency known as a BitCoin in exchange for posting the nude
photos, but people kept asking for free samples. The only positive light is that it seems after a succession of posts that seemed increasingly frustrating; OriginalGuy acquired nowhere near the amount of money he wanted to for the collection of photos. He is now on the run from the FBI and facing massive criminal charges for the invasion of
privacy if caught. However, most recent posts from him indicate that if the FBI does not stop pursuing him that there will be more, possibly worse, photos and videos to surface. Living in a world where technology is all around us and now knowing that people like OriginalGuy can get into our personal information and pictures makes one
very uneasy. I, for one, am questioning the security of my phone and computer every time I use them now and that should not be something for me to be concerned about when I should be guaranteed the right to keep my information private. I would love to see iCloud and similar technologies boost up security measures in response to this breach.
tor, Charles Vacca. No criminal charges are pending, but the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health has said it is investigating the shooting. Vacca died later that night, and the accident sparked a debate over whether such a young child should have been allowed to handle such a powerful weapon. The question is, how young is too young to pull the trigger? Under US federal law, a person must be 21 years of age to buy a handgun, an 18 year old can legally buy long guns
and there is no age restriction for parent-approved gun use. Guns seem very attractive to many Americans because they can sleep better during the night knowing that they can protect their families and use force against criminals. They do not need to call 911 and wait for police. Of course, owning a gun is a great opportunity for selfdefense, but when parents are so obsessed with guns that they bring their children to instructors to teach them how to use a gun, something needs to be changed. As mentioned above, there is no law
on age restriction for parentapproved gun use. The Second Amendment does not preach for giving a nine year old girl an Uzi to kill gun instructors. It tells us that in order to protect a property, a man shall have the right to own a gun. I am not a big fan of having gun at all. It is always associated with some danger for me. Imagine that a drunken adult who owns a gun suddenly explores something wrong happened in his life and kills himself with a gun he had for hunting. And we have
many examples with guns causing calamities. I am not preaching for abolishing guns; I am supporting more awareness in people, especially among children who do not know what a gun is and why a man uses it. The education on having guns is a problem. Why is it entertaining to see your little nine year old child shooting a gun? My main point is that if children without any age restrictions are allowed by their parents to continue shooting for fun, more calamities will be unavoidable.
Courtesy TOMSGUIDE.COM
9-Year-Old Accidentally Shoots Gun Instructor With Uzi Ioseb Jojorliani Red&Black Contributor
Arizona received national attention when a nine year old girl accidentally shot and killed her instructor during her shooting lesson at a gun range. The girl used a single shot system easily, but when she switched from an Uzi to fully automatic, she could not control it. Several shots were spread across the range and at least one of them hit in the instruc-
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What Do You Think of Some of the Changes Made at W&J? Jessica Price Red&Black Contributor
For any Presidents returning to the campus this fall, you might have noticed a number of changes have taken place over the summer. From minor things like fresh paint and new carpeting in Bica-Ross hall, New Res, Alex, Marshall and President’s Row, new flooring in the fraternity and sorority houses, new tread on the steps around
Old Main and new historically-accurate doors and improvements to the pedestrian lighting on Wheeling Street and Penn Street, to more noticeable things like new furniture in the Ski Lodge, automatic doors on several buildings, and new temperature controls in several residence halls. While these things help to brighten up campus and keep things fresh, perhaps the biggest change that affects students would be the various
changes made to the student center, the Hub. Some of the major updates have been made to Monticello's cafe. Every weekend Monti's handles crowds of hungry Presidents who want to enjoy free milkshakes and snacks. If you've been to Monti's in the past few years you might remember the small tables, flimsy chairs, lack of space and dingy-looking gray walls, but over the past spring and summer the student-run cafe has received many renovations to make
your weekend hotspot more enjoyable, including new paint, larger tables with sturdy chairs, two new couches and an added slushie machine in case you aren't in the mood for milkshakes. Students say that the added, comfortable seating makes waiting for their order and spending time with friends in Monti's more enjoyable. Along with these changes, the Hub itself has gone through a number of updates including new upholstery on
the game room pool tables, covers for the game room equipment, a new layout for the lobby, several office changes and relocations, and new handicap-accessible entrances on both levels. Of course with these additions, the cultural exchange lounge is no longer available for student use, but the Hub still has plenty to offer for student's looking to relax. The changes to our campus keep making it nicer to be a President.
Weeks of Unrest in Ferguson, MI, but What is the Full Story? Ali Kovacevic Red&Black Contributor
Most of us have heard of Ferguson, Missouri, at this point. The only way to have avoided it is to have lived intentionally under a rock – never passing a paper or television or turning on the radio. It's the news story of the year. The death of Michael Brown has sparked riots, mayhem and nation-wide clamor. Some people are calling for the arrest of the officer involved in the shooting, others are in support of the officer, and even more are in support of Michael Brown and his family. In the initial two weeks following the shooting, lots of activity took place around Ferguson. Online fundraisers were set up, top officials flown to Missouri to give their public
support, and even President Obama made a statement. On August 10, the day after the shooting, I opened my web browser and found my newsfeeds all abuzz with the news: “Police Officer Shoots Unarmed Black Teen in Ferguson.” As I went through my daily news check, I clicked on the story. The first paragraph contained factual information; the rest of the story was supposition. I was aggravated by this, so I went to find more information. You know what? That whole first week, I couldn't. Everything was being theorized, assumed and made of doubtful hearsay. And then it was presented as fact to the consumer. All the while, in Ferguson the protests continued. People were injured and arrested, stores were looted and de-
stroyed, and it continued for more than two weeks. I was trying to keep up with what was going on; there were conflicting news reports everywhere I looked. Some reports said the boy was a criminal, others said he had no criminal record. The autopsy report, in its unbiased form, provided no solid conclusions; in various places I read that he had been shot from behind and he had been shot from the front, all drawn from this single autopsy report. Witness statements were listed as solid fact in some places, derided as being full of lies in others. Now, almost a month later, the storm of news stories has died down, and we still don't know exactly what happened to Michael Brown in Ferguson. The media didn't let that stop them as they merrily disbursed biased news. It's infu-
riating; the media should be an outlet from which the average citizen can draw factual information. Instead of that, there are political agendas being fulfilled left and right. The news stations and papers were
Courtesy hitfix.com
swept up in the emotions that surrounded Ferguson and failed to do their jobs properly. This left the rest of the country grasping for answers concerning what actually happened that afternoon in Ferguson, Missouri.
18 The SUPERBURGER “Calm down, it’s just a joke”
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Tech Center 3rd Floor: What’s REALLY Up There? Julia Price Red&Black Contributor
For any Presidents new to Washington & Jefferson College, there is a mysteriously infamous area of campus that is off limits: the Tech Center’s third floor. Supposedly it is under construction. However, it has been that way for quite some time now. Which leads us to question whether or not there is something more hidden away up there. Let’s go through some possibilities and conspiracies as to what is really up there. We asked several students to give us their theories as to what may be hidden on the third floor of the Tech Center: Some say there actually is no third floor to the tech
center and that construction is merely a ruse. Another student alleged that the construction is used as a cover for secretly building a time machine. Some sources believe it is used as a storage facility for various items such as blazers, paperwork, etc. It’s also been said that the third floor could be either a lounge for professors to escape to and relax, or that it is where problem students are kept. One anonymous source claims that the mighty dragon Smaug, from J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit,” has taken refuge up there to enjoy a long uninterrupted slumber and store away his vast riches along with tuition funds. Another claims that the third floor is where the high speed Internet servers are located. We at the
Superburger, however, dispute this theory, unless there is some sort of interference preventing said signals from reaching the students. Some students believe it is home to either various magical creatures, an entirely different world/realm or a storage facility for adjunct professors. So, needless to say, the third floor of the Tech Center is becoming a sort of enigma among the students of W&J. Which we believe could be capable of housing any number of possibilities (none of which includes class space that administration claims is under construction). Surely students will continue coming up with wild ideas of what is being hidden within the walls of the tech center up until construction is completed. However, until that point, let’s see what the
Courtesy Red&Black
What mysteries lurk up there? We may never know...
best theory we can come up with. What do you think is hidden up there? Can you
come up with a theory like these? The truth is still out there. Be on the watch.
Obituary: Students Bid Tearful Goodbye to Sun Lauren Lamm Red&Black Contributor Through the centuries he has gone by many names and incarnations, as various deities, but today he is simply known as the Sun. After 4.6 billion years of baskin in his glory, we gather to commemorate the tragic loss of the Sun over Washington, PA. Over the years he has been the beacon of hope for students and adults alike who
seek his skin-damaging rays for a sign that summer is nigh. The beginning of September heralds the fall of our great and noble comrade who provided light for crops, family picnics and revealing the person you actually went home with last night. Though we may not have known about this tragic event until eight minutes after the last day of summer vacation, we should remember the sun for the beauty of his nuclear fusion, egg frying intensity and his dutiful leadership as
the center of our solar system. The night sky has been deeply shaken by the tragedy. Since his death, the Moon has refused to show her face and the Big Dipper, a close relative, has reportedly started drinking heavily again. Apollo has put his chariot up for sale on Craigslist and Persephone has once again made her unwilling retreat into the Underworld to stay with the ever-grumpy Hades. Due to rapidly escalating tensions amongst the constellations, Ursa Major has
gone into hibernation, Leo has removed himself to the Pittsburgh Zoo and Orion has hung up his bow. Meanwhile, earthbound mourners have been flocking to coffee shops to prepare themselves for the cold desolation that marks the first day of classes. Pluto, who was recently removed from the family tree due to questionable lineage, seems unaffected by the loss of the Sun, stating, “We were never close.” The memorial service will be closed to the public, but
an informal service will be held daily whenever shivering students cast aside their shorts and tank tops to pile on sweaters this new school year. The moon has asked that all cards and donations either be sent to NASA or tied to a balloon and released into the atmosphere. Additionally, requests to remove solar paneling from rooftops were made since they are ghastly reminders of he who has passed. Though the sun is gone, he will not be soon forgotten.
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Senior Athlete Spotlight: Melissa Sarnicke Caitlynn Gilles Red&Black Contributor Senior Melissa Sarnicke is an English major with a minor in Communication Arts. Postgraduation, Sarnicke plans on attending law school. She is not only a four-year member of Washington & Jefferson’s cheerleading squad; she is also a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society, the Sigma Tau Delta National Honor Society, the Lions Club, the Pre-Legal Society and the Franklin Literary Society. Sarnicke has chosen cheerleading because of her love of encouraging athletic teams to aim for success as well as her fondness for showing school spirit. Cheerleading is a sport that requires commitment, dedication and a positive attitude at all times. Sarnicke loves being part of a team that works as one. Together, they learn advanced pyramids, stunts, routines and cheers to entertain the crowds at football and basketball games, parades and other events on campus. “In my free time, I am a volunteer for CASA of Washington County, an organization that advocates for abused and neglected children in the area,” said Sarnicke. Sarnicke is also involved in many other off-campus activities, holding jobs as a 4-H Club leader and a runway model with Talent Group Modeling Agency in Pittsburgh. Last year, Sarnicke was
crowned Miss Peters Township in the Miss Pittsburgh Pageant. A surprising fact is that one of her favorite hobbies is sewing. Sarnicke has won many awards for clothes she has designed, sewed and modeled, including winning the “Top Designer in State” award at the State Fashion Revenue in Penn State, in which 5,000 other hopefuls had also entered. Sarnicke says that cheerleading is a way for her to take her mind off of schoolwork and have fun. Practices are a great way for her to get active and relieve stress. She also loves cheerleading because she gets to spend time with her teammates, with whom she is very close. Sarnicke’s favorite cheer is the traditional W&J College cheer, the Whichi Coax. She can still remember when she first got into cheerleading. In third grade, Sarnicke got involved with Peters Township recreational cheerleading.She immediately fell in love with the sport, and eventually moved on to competitively cheerleading through middle school. As the years flew by, Sarnicke realized “cheerleading helped me break out of my shell and gain confidence in front of large crowds.” When she decided to attend W&J, Sarnicke instantly knew she wanted to be part of the cheerleading squad. Through the squad, she has made friends and continued
to participate in the sport she loves. In order to prepare for W&J’s upcoming football season, the cheerleading squad practices three days a week. When they are not practicing, they workout at the gym. Sarnicke explained how cheerleading is a great way to stay in shape. “At practices we are always doing different things," she said. "From learning new dance routines to pyramids, we are always trying new things to spice up what we do at games. We prefect our skills so that we are prepared and confident at sporting events.” Sarnicke is partial to doing pyramid stunts. “Learning a new pyramid is fun, but also very challenging. They involve every member of the squad to work together as a team. In order to complete a pyramid, each member of the squad must trust each other.” Because of her height, Sarnicke is positioned as a “back-spot,” during the pyramid stunts. Her role is to stabilize the stunt from the back and make sure the girl flying through the arm does not fall.“Although building pyramids is a lot of work, they are always a crowd pleaser at games. We feel very accomplished when we successfully build a pyramid.” Cheering at football games is very exciting, as the job of the cheerleaders is to motivate both the team and the crowd. Whether they are cheering at Cameron Stadium or at an
Courtesy washjeff.edu
away game, Sarnicke is always enthusiastic and tries to be a positive role model for others. “Being a part of such a wonderful team has allowed me to create lasting friend-
ships and memories that I will never forget,” she said. Sarnicke wears her uniform with pride and loves representing her team and her school.
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“There’s No Tolerance for That:” Domestic Violence in NFL Carley Adams Red&Black Contributor
The NFL has been criticized for being too lenient on players who are accused and/or convicted of committing acts of domestic abuse and sexual assault in the past. In recent months, however, the organization has developed new policies and harsher punishments for those who commit such acts. Under the old policies, a common penalty on an NFL player was a two-game suspension (in addition to whatever jail sentence or fine was decided upon by a grand jury). Such was the case with Ray Rice of the Baltimore Ra-
vens when he was convicted of third-degree aggravated assault in March of 2014. Now, under the new set of penalties, violators who commit domestic violence or sexual assault will face a sixgame suspension for their first offense. For second offences, violators will receive an indefinite suspension from gameplay of at least one year. Shortly after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell released these amendments to team owners last week, two cases arose that may be subject to these new disciplinary parameters. The first involves Quincy Enunwa of the New York Jets. Enunwa, a practice squad player from New Jersey, was
charged with simple assault after a domestic violence dispute with his girlfriend and was arrested. The second involves Ray McDonald, the 30 year old defensive tackle for the San Francisco 49ers. McDonald was arrested on Sunday, Aug. 31 on charges of domestic violence. Both coaches of the teams involved spoke with press about their respective cases. Jets Coach Rex Ryan was adamant that all involved should wait for due process of law before penalties are enforced. He stated at a press conference that there is “a big difference from being charged, allegedly charged… and convicted.” Although San Francisco 49ers Coach Jim Harbaugh
expressed similar sentiments about the necessity of due process, he spoke more ardently about the subject of domestic violence itself. On Tuesday, Sept. 2, Harbaugh told KNBR-AM, “If someone physically abuses a woman and/or physically or mentally abuses or hurts a child, then there's no understanding. There's no tolerance for that.” While some fans and critics are pushing for fast action against violators under these new policies, Goodell has been clear on when and how the NFL will enforce penalties upon players. At a flag football event on Wednesday, Sept. 3, he spoke to the press in greater detail on the matter. "I think the first
Bored? Get Some Friends and Join Intramural Sports! Mike Hornak Red&Black Contributor
Intramural sports date back to the ancient days of Greek athletics, when warriors participated in blood sports for audience spectacle. Today, Washington & Jefferson College’s intramural sports include flag football, ultimate Frisbee, floor hockey, volleyball, handball, 3v3 basketball and a special flag football event called The 1st Annual Backyard Turkey Bowl Tournament on Saturday, November 22, at 11 a.m. For this new, tournamentstyle event honoring the sacrifice of the turkey gods, gladiators of both sexes (one female
is mandatory) must register by no later than Friday November 21 at midnight. Your legion, or army, must register six players, and the games are to be played on the lawn in front of Olin – the fine arts coliseum. The entrance fee is one grocery bag full of canned and non-perishable food items (this will be delivered to the masses at a later date). Food and beverages will be provided. Flag football and ultimate Frisbee run from September 15 to October 2; teams must register by Friday, September 12. Football requires seven members and Frisbee requires six (two are mandated by decree to contain the XX
chromosome). The games will commence at Cameron coliseum Monday through Thursday, 8-11 p.m. Floor Hockey (pronounced HACKee) and Volleyball registers on Friday, October 3 at midnight and commence October 6 to the 23. Hockey requires 4 players to wear armaments: stick, goalie pads and protective eyewear (provided). Volleyball requires two girls on each four player team. These sports will be played at Henry Back Gym, MondayThursday, 8-11 p.m. 3v3 Basketball registers on Friday, November 7 at 12 p.m., begins on November 10 and continues until the troops run out of steam (or food) on the
24. Three-played parties play Monday-Thursday, 8-11p.m. Travis Clark, a junior who plays on the intramural Frisbee team said, playing intramural sports is “a fun and exciting way to challenge yourself and your teammates.” He continued that “Playing on an intermural team has created a bond between myself and others. Not to mention our Frisbee club, which is all for fun. “We joke and call it ‘disc therapy’ because it’s a great way to unwind at the end of every week,” he said. So, if you’re looking for something fun this semester, gather some friends and join one of many such organizations on campus.
thing we have to do is let the process play out, get the facts, and make sure you understand all the circumstances," Goodell said. "We don't [know the facts] right now and we're obviously following it very closely. But the policy will be applied uniformly across players, coaches, executives and commissioners. I think we made that very clear in the policy." McDonald played for the 49ers’ season opener, and Enunwa is continuing to practice with the Jets. Whether or not either of these players receives a sixgame suspension or harsher penalty will depend entirely on whether or not they are tried and found guilty. The investigation is ongoing.