Unspoken Abuse Men in abusive relationships
NOVEMBER 2013 reporter.rit.edu
Male Contraception The road ahead
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HELP US, HELP YOU EDITOR IN CHIEF Amber Wilson-Daeschlein PRINT MANAGING EDITOR Steven Markowitz ONLINE MANAGING EDITOR Michelle Spoto COPY EDITOR Nathaniel Mathews NEWS EDITOR Alyssa Jackson LEISURE EDITOR William Hirsh FEATURES EDITOR Nicole Howley SPORTS EDITOR Kayla Emerson VIEWS EDITOR Joan McDonough WRITERS Nick Bovee, Taylor Derrisaw,
Kayla Emerson, Gino Faneli, William Hirsh, Amanda Imperial, Alyssa Jackson, Alex Jones, Juan Lachapelle, Nathan J. Lichtenstein, Michelle Spoto, Brett Slabaugh, David Utt
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Waking up to the sounds of an on-going argument, I sit up from the air mattress and check the time. It’s 2 a.m. The people who surround me aren’t my roommates or my family or friends crashing on my couch; they’re my coworkers, and they’re arguing about that week’s magazine. It was 2010—my freshman year—and the current Editor In Chief decided she wasn’t going to write the Editorial for the upcoming issue, which was due at 7 a.m. that day. The task lay to me and two other Section Editors, James Arn and Evan Williams. After a bit of “why was I woken up for this?” bickering and some brainstorming, we got to work. Well that was then, and this is now. The request—no arguing involved, this time—came earlier, but with a well-remembered dose of panic; what does the RIT community have to learn from me?! After a few more minutes of anxiety induced self-loathing, I realized I was asking the wrong question. I should have been asking: “what do I have to learn from RIT community?” The answer: a lot. We do the best we can at Reporter to produce high-quality content for the people of RIT. But we could do better, and we’d like for you to tell us how. Each member of the RIT community—students, faculty, alum—has a unique perspective on the issues that impact them. With a staff made entirely of students, Reporter only sees part of the big picture. In order for us to produce a magazine that matters to the community at large, we need input from all aspects of RIT. Particularly passionate about an RIT policy or national current event? Write a Views piece and give everyone a chance to see your perspective. Have an opinion on an article we ran? Leave us a comment online. Or even better, write us a Letter to the Editor and help us start a dialogue about the issues that matter to your slice of the RIT community. With an updated website and a new emphasis on online, we’re getting up content quicker than ever. The freedom of online gives Reporter renewed opportunity to reach each person in the RIT community every day. As we continue our transition to digital media, it’s important to recognize how far our community stretches and to produce content that is relevant, timely and important to the people of RIT. Although this is a lofty mission, with your help we can work together to improve Reporter—both online and in print—to better fit the needs of our collective community.
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Reporter Magazine is published monthly during the academic year by a staff comprised of students at Rochester Institute of Technology. Business, Editorial and Design facilities are located in Room A-730, in the lower level of the Campus Center. Our phone number is 1.585.475.2212. “I think girls should be treated like princesses now because they later give birth and feel like crap.” L.N. The Advertising Department can be reached at 1.585.475.2213. The opinions expressed in Reporter do not necessarily ref lect those of the Institute. Letters to the Editor may also be sent to reporter@rit.edu. “For someone who doesn’t realy like what she’s doing... she does it.” K.E. Reporter is not responsible for materials presented in advertising areas. No letters will be printed unless signed. All letters received become the property of Reporter. Reporter takes pride in its membership in the Associated Collegiate Press and American Civil Liberties Union. Copyright © 2013 Reporter Magazine. All rights reserved. No portion of this Magazine may be reproduced without prior written permission.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
NOVEMBER 2013 | VOLUME 66 | ISSUE 33
Netanya Lerner, a second year Biomedical Photography major, is assisted with applying makeup prior to the fourth annual Haunted Trail Tour in the woods behind Gracie’s on October 10. The tour is organized by Delta Phi Epsilon and Sigma Chi, who donated all
RIT helps create local charter school
7 In Your Backyard Meet the candidates for
15 Unspoken Abuse Men in abusive relationships
19 Male Contraception
26 Hanging out RIT’s Dirty Laundry RIT’s problems with laundry facilities
The road ahead
22 Generational Shift
Henrietta Town Supervisor
VIEWS
6 The Turning Point in Education
FEATURES
NEWS
proceeds to the Children’s Miracle Network. photograph by Matt Burkhartt
29 Word on the Street What advice would you give to someone who has been a victim
Women outpacing men in college
8 At Your Leisure Learn how to pettifog the origins of Gotham
10 Reviews A create-your-own card game and a remaster of a classic Zelda
SPORTS
LEISURE
of domestic violence?
24 To Play or Not to Play
30 Rings Polisseni Center as a roller coaster
Unraveling the value of college athletics
6
cover photograph by Seth Abel Correction: The October 2013 cover artwork disclaimer only identified two
12 Reporter Beard Style Guide Forge a beard of great power
of the three tattoos that were added. The eyeball, barcode and lion tattoos are illustrations only.
13 Beards Growing at RIT Who are they? Where did they come from? What beards work for them?
5
THE TURNING POINT IN EDUCATION by Taylor Derrisaw | design by Mariah Lamb
2011
2013
Charter Schools are independent public schools. They have more freedom to change curriculum and styles in accordance with how the students learn by involving teachers, parents and students in the education process.
Sorry
Enrollment to get into charter schools is increasing. According to the website Take Part, in the 2011-12 school year enrollment was at 610,000. In 2013, that number was 920,000.
2013
17%
29%
Standford estimates that in 2009 only 17% of charter schools raised students’ math scores. In 2013, that number had increased to 29%.
ationally, the high school graduation
N
She will also be working closely with faculty and
training ground for the teachers produced
rate is about 78 percent, the highest it
students to ensure that the school is delivering
through the nonexistent major. “A lot of the
has been in 40 years based on federal
the education that the students deserve.
other universities who try to get involved in
government estimates. However, inner-city
“We don’t want to dictate the curriculum,
projects like this have an entirely different
schools are failing and high school graduation
but we want to make sure that once they have a
gain ... We don’t have a school of education
numbers are falling in the Rochester area.
rigorous curriculum set up we can support it in
here at RIT, so we have an entirely different
According to President Bill Destler: “The
order to uphold those standards,” said Destler.
stake in the matter,” said Destler.
urban schools have been hard-pressed to
“We want to make sure that students are
“This is a pretty big step, especially when
achieve high graduation rates. And Rochester
as well prepared for success in college as
you look at the education systems around
has one of the biggest problems in the entire
possible,” Mayberry said. “Our ultimate goal is
the world,” said Youri Ingula, a first year
country in terms of education.” As of June
not just that the students get into college, but
System Administration major. “It’s nice to see
2013, Rochester’s high school graduation
that they will graduate.”
colleges partner up like this and improve the
rate was at 43 percent for all public districts according to YNN.
6
Although parents have been steadily leaning in charter schools’ favor, this is due primarily to the closure of public schools around the country.
2009
The initiative could also benefit RIT overall by drawing in more applicants from the
school system to give kids in ‘basic’ education a collegiate learning experience.”
To turn the tide in education, Uncommon
surrounding area. “This is the future pipeline
“Unlike our high school system, our higher
Schools, an organization that operates 38
for students to come to RIT, and the more that
education system is widely regarded as the
charter schools in three states, has partnered
we better prepare those students to come to a
best in the world; so we ought to be able to
with RIT to open a new charter high school
place like RIT, the more successful they will be,
help out in order to give the students value in
in Rochester. According to the Democrat and
so we have a vested interest in this,” said Destler.
education and get them excited for what lies
Chronicle, the school is set to open in fall 2014.
Yet what separates RIT from other colleges
RIT’s vice president for strategic planning
that help local schools is that RIT does not
and special initiatives Katherine Mayberry will
have an education major. This means that
be supervising and monitoring the high school.
the Institute cannot use the school as a
News | November 2013
ahead,” said Destler.
IN YOUR BACKYARD: n November 5 an election will be
O
voters aged 18 to 29 represented 19 percent
level that affect students, ranging from
held for the position of Henrietta
of the total vote according to a National
safety in apartments, city inspections …
Town Supervisor. As of press time,
Exit Poll conducted by Edison Research. Yet
to basically how receptive people in the
there are 8,118 Democrats and 7,244
locally, politicians are struggling to persuade
city government are to the needs of the
Republicans registered to vote in the town
students to vote.
university and its students in general.”
of Henrietta, as well as 5,238 individuals
“By college students not being engaged in
To help students learn more about
not associated with a political party. This
the voting process, it actually hurts them,
the upcoming local election, we have
comes to 20,600 voters total, according
because they end up having less of a say in
included
to the Democrat and Chronicle. The total
policies and procedures,” said Assistant to
candidates for Henrietta town supervisor.
number of students enrolled at RIT for
the Dean of Students at Boston University
To read even more about each candidate,
2013 is 18,292. Even adjusting for overlap,
Katherine Cornetta in an interview with The
visit reporter.rit.edu.
the numbers say it all; RIT students have
Daily Free Press.
the potential to significantly impact local politics and elections.
a
summary
of
two
of
the
College of Arts and Sciences at Boston University professor Graham Wilson in
On the national scale, students show up
the same interview said, “There are all
to vote. In the 2012 presidential election,
sorts of policies that take place at the local
KNOW YOUR CANDIDATES MICHAEL YUDELOSON: Democrat
JACK MOORE: Republican
Henrietta Town Supervisor since 2008, Michael Yudelson is
For the past six years Jack Moore has served on the Henrietta Town
running for reelection on a platform of smaller government, keeping
Board, and he is now running for supervisor. Owner of the Gro-Moore
the same tax rates, saving jobs and keeping corporations in the area.
Farms, Moore believes there is a leadership crisis in the town that
On October 11, after losing the Republican ballot in the primary,
he hopes to fix, according to YNN. His platform promises to adjust
Yudelson announced he was changing his political party from
tax rates to prevent overpayment, hire a finance director and hire
Republican to Democrat.
department heads to maintain civil service requirements.
According to the D&C, the change does not reflect an alteration
Another goal is to create a registry of student housing to “ensure
in his philosophy or approach, but was due to Yudelson’s desire to
high standards for Henrietta neighborhoods” and to “vigorously
distance himself from Republicans in Washington, D.C. since the
pursue compliance with Henrietta property codes,” as written
government shutdown. The decision came too late to be changed on
in a newsletter released on August 16. These property codes are
the ballots; his name will appear on the conservative side.
outlined by the law passed in November 2011, which prevents four
“I am legitimately not sure whether the majority of my supporters are Republican or Democratic. I have never thought about it, and quite frankly,
or more people – unrelated by blood, marriage or adoption – to live in a single house.
don’t really care,” wrote Yudelson on his campaign website. “There is no
Moore tries to stay connected with his community. “I enjoy going
Republican or Democratic way to plow the streets, run our recreation
door-to-door. I went to 3,500 doors during the primary. I interact with
programs and Senior Center, or work with the employees in the Town Hall
all Henrietta residents every day, so it’s a part of my life …” said Moore
and serve our constituents. But there is a right way and a wrong way.”
in an interview with News 10 NBC.
77
AYL AT YOUR LEISURE by William Hirsh | design by Melissa Cavallaro
WORD OF THE MONTH
PETTIFOG (verb): To quibble over petty things. Sentence Jon pettifoggered over the grade of his midterm.
STREAM OF FACTS
Play-doh
used
little island located off the coast of
Howard Shore, well known for
as wallpaper cleaner to remove
was
originally
Africa, creating an environment
composing the soundtracks for
the sooty residue left by coal
of
the Lord of the Rings films, was
became
PLANTS. Most ecosystems FORM over millions
a standard of home heating
of years but the environment
Saturday Night Live and has
systems, Play-doh was rebranded
found at Ascension Island was
appeared in
as a kid’s toy because of its
created over a few decades.
band was renamed to fit a certain
fireplaces. When
GAS
unlike
where his
Cascadia Now is a movement to
FORM GAS
an independent state of
The
famous
Dead
Parrot
odorless
the same name, unifying British
SKETCH
because it is mostly methane.
Columbia, Oregon, Washington,
1,600-year-old sketch performed
The
Natural
chemical
is
mercaptan
has
roots
in
a
is
parts of Idaho and Alaska. The
by Greek comedy duo Hierocles
added to natural gas to give it
goal of the movement is to bring
and Philagrius in which a person
a scent so people can protect
together a united bioregion with
complains of a recently purchased
themselves
the
slave dying in his SERVICE.
The
from
PROCESS
gas
leaks.
of adding this
chemical is called stenching. To remove toxins from the soil at
purpose
individuals
of
empowering
and
promoting
autonomy. The term Cascadia
According to Rotten Tomatoes,
was COINED in 1970 by a Seattle
Kirsten
University professor.
movie performance is as the
the site of Chernobyl, scientists Gotham,
PROCESS
Batman,
called phytoremediation. Other
Dunst’s
highest-rated
titular heroine of the classic
in 1998 planted hemp into the soil to be used in a
the was
home
city
of
actually
a
nickname for New York City
Studio
Ghibli
film,
“Kiki’s
SERVICE.” It rests at a 100 percent RATING. Delivery
PLANTS such as sunflowers are
COINED
also effective at this procedure.
in the early 1800s. New York was
The movie “This is Spinal Tap”
originally the setting of the caped
is the only film on IMDB to have
Ascension Island, once barren
crusader until it was changed to
a
and volcanic, was transformed
something fictional so people
reference to a joke in the film
by Charles Darwin and Joseph
wouldn’t have a city to relate to.
about the band turning their
Hooker into a green ecosystem.
The moniker was originally used
amps up to 11.
Beginning in 1850, plants from
mostly for satirical SKITS.
across Europe were brought to the
8
SKITS
SKETCH, like The All Bee Band.
similarity to clay and its nontoxic nature.
the original music director for
Leisure | November 2013
by Washington Irving
RATING
out of 11. This is a
HAY(NA)KU Time Is precious Live with it
“Contrariwise, if it was so, it might be; and if it were so, it would be; but as it isn’t, it ain’t. That’s logic.” -Lewis Carroll
Wii U It took nearly a year for the
drop to $300 along with solid
I find so much satisfaction in
system to pick up steam but the Wii
bundles, the value of the Wii U
being able to play these games
U is beginning to grow in top form.
has greatly increased.
pseudo-portably.
After
being
the
Much of what I loved about
With a slew of full game
release of the 3DS which saw
my experience is how much
releases like “Super Mario 3D
a price cut nearly five months
the Gamepad, a controller with
Land” and Kickstarter games
after launch with few games to
a touch screen in the center,
such as “Mighty No. 9,” “Shovel
purchase, I was really averse to
changes
games.
Knight” and more coming in the
buying this system when it first
In
room
future, the Wii U places itself in
came out last November. Since
where television real estate is a
a great spot to succeed moving
overcoming
spurt
commodity it’s incredible how
forward. With the imminent
of delayed titles and general
much I can play just on the
release of the next “Smash Bros”
third party apathy towards the
Gamepad. From “Wind Waker
and “Mario Kart 8,” the Wii U
system, I feel the Wii U is on
HD” to “Mighty Switch Force
will finally be on its feet.
the path to becoming a great
Hyper Drive Edition” to even
console. Starting with a price
classic games like “Earthbound,”
a
burnt
by
growth
a
how
busy
I
play
apartment
POETRY
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
REPORTER RECOMMENDS
COMIC by Emily DeVault
9
Game/Action-Adventure
Legend of Zelda The Wind Waker HD by William Hirsh | design by Mariah Jade Cole
“The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker”
stirred its
lineup. The result is a game with a high definition polish, optimized
fan base when announced in 2001 because it differed in every way
controls and a streamlined quest late game. Needless to say, it’s
from the initially dark concept footage shown in 1999. This created
impressive how much has been improved in only a six-month
a rift between fans that wanted a successor to the N64-style games
development cycle.
and those who looked forward to the new cel-shaded take on the
The first thing many will notice is the slick graphical update.
series. Upon release, The Wind Waker had much fanfare but still
While some fans might have been apprehensive about the addition
dissent from some fans. Years later, the game having aged better
of higher resolution textures and lighting, they have nothing to
than its successor Twilight Princess, most fans have warmed up to
fear about the past aesthetic being compromised. The HD facelift
the game. Some even cite it in the “games are art” debate.
is a balanced mix of old and new, almost rendering the game’s
“The Wind Waker HD” is a remaster of an already classic game, done strategically so there are more games in the Wii U’s holiday
characters and set pieces like clay. It’s actually quite refreshing for someone who has played the original many times. I also like that they’ve updated areas like a part of the second dungeon, changing it to daytime rather than the grim lighting from before. Although sometimes rendering of certain shadows might appear out of place, overall this was a nice overhaul. Gameplay, as you might expect from a remaster, is mostly the same as before but with a few improvements. The addition of the Swift Sail item has made exploring the Great Sea significantly faster and hence more fun. Being able to sail in any direction without the hassle of pulling out the Wind Waker is a huge plus to this game. Other streamlined features include faster animations for actions such as grappling or conducting with the titular baton, faster text and the reduction of Triforce charts to find in order to make it to the end game. I would say the biggest change that affected the way I play is the introduction of the community-sourced social application Miiverse to the game. This allows for features such as the ability to take selfies with the Picto Box and share them worldwide. Admittedly I was initially skeptical of the implementation, but the amount of player interaction that this capability generates is remarkable. In fact, I found myself taking screen caps in-game to show off the weird, strange or just beautiful moments I found while adventuring. Overall, this is a great time to jump on the Wind Waker vessel. Various enhancements make the game appealing to play for newbies as well as nostalgic for veterans. I will say despite improvements, there are some minor downsides to this version of the game. While gorgeous to play both on TV and with the Gamepad, the game will on a rare occasion stutter when encountering too many enemies on the high seas. This game might also be a tough sale for other fans who might have expected more content from this re-release of a ten-year-old game. Although the inclusion of a difficult Hero mode is nice, it’s not very challenging for a veteran who has played before and remembers the locations of key items. Some players might have to settle for playing with self-imposed challenges such as a three-heart run. Besides these slight issues, “The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD” is still a great title in the series and is worth it for those still holding out for the next iteration.
For fans of: Darksiders, Okami, The Legend of Zelda
10
Leisure| |November October 2013 Leisure 2013
1000
B o a rd G a m e | P r i c e : a ro u n d $ 5
Blank White Cards by Michal Colie | design by Mariah Jade Cole
I first discovered the wonderfully creative card game 1000 Blank White Cards at a college party. Designed by Riff Conner and Nathan McQuillan of Madison, Wis., it’s highly humorous and somewhat bizarre. The game is designed for three to six players, but is best played with six people who have an open mind and enjoy the social
Shield of Imminent Blocking
dynamic of card games. Even playing with your family would work, as long the game is tailored to the experience of the people participating. Gameplay can last for any period of time, but tends to take about an hour. It’s inexpensive to purchase supplies for the game and assemble it, which is perfect for the everyday college student. You’ll need about 40 to 60 blank white index cards (it depends on how many people are playing and if you are beginners), some black or blue pens (not felt tip;
This is a temporary shield! While weak, this shield protects you from one attack before dissipating into... OBLIVION!
you don’t want them soaking through) and extremely basic drawing abilities – stick figures are perfectly fine. First, creating the deck is key. Each player gets a certain number of blank index cards and gives each card a title, a drawing that somehow describes the card and a description of what the card does — this can be a point value, some sort of instruction or a penalty. Here are some examples of cards from the last game that I participated in (some are drinking related, 21 and over only)
Oh Hell No!
When everyone’s finished, the players gather the cards and shuffle them together, adding them to the previously-created deck (made up of the best cards from the last game). Deal five cards to each player. Then place the deck in the middle of the playing table. The game begins with the person to the left of the dealer, and then the order continues clockwise. On your turn, you draw the top card from the deck, read it in its entirety aloud and either do the action it tells you or face the consequences. If the card has a point value or some other sort of lasting
With as much sass as possible, say ‘OH HELL NO’. The card is then thrown with the thrower’s eyes closed. Whoever the card is closest to is its new owner.
effect, it stays in front of the player until it is somehow invalidated, discarded or removed by another card. Otherwise, it is simply placed in the discard pile. If you cannot play a card then draw a second card from the deck and the game continues on to the next player. Once the deck is gone, the game is over. The winner is determined by how many cards each player has at the end of the game or how many points you racked up. You could even not have winners. It’s up to you. Due to the improvisational nature of the game, it plays best with
(Reaction Card)
Ruination
a group of friends, family or even as an icebreaker. However, the experience hinges on your fellow players. If you play with people who are not as enthusiastic or creative they may not contribute as well to the gameplay experience. I would recommend playing with some close friends rather than with complete strangers. Also when hosting, think about if players’ personalities will mesh well to determine if the game is worth playing. Not only is this game expressive and highly engaging, but it’s
Your palette sucks; I saw you drinking Keystone. Prove me wrong, I dare you. Drink two drinks of the best alcohol here (I’m talking serving size, beyotch).
extremely original too - no one will ever have the same deck as you!
For fans of: Fluxx, Dvorak, Story Cubes
11
REPORTER BEARD STYLE GUIDE
by William Hirsh | design by Zach Cross
For every hairstyle imaginable, there is a complimentary beard. Reporter has dove into the depths of beard styles to find the perfect cut for those proud beard-growing warriors.
EASY TIER:
Even grandma would have a fair shot of cultivating these styles.
The Lamb: Shear down the chin and leave the sideburns; what’s left is some tasty mutton chops.
MEDIUM TIER:
Grow it out and grow it long, the Weed is about growing out your ‘stache and beard to their full length.
Bah!: Any man could achieve a goatee, which just requires some chin hair trimmed.
May take some skill to cultivate. Learn well before contemplating these styles.
Iron Curtain:
Ducktales:
Frank’s Pick:
Tear down that wall of upper lip hair and trim around: This chin strap beard will stay strong.
Full beard, woo-ooo! This style, known as a Ducktail, is a full on beard with a pointy end.
Break out your stache and grow it to the max. The Zappa is a bushy mustache with a small soul patch underneath. Inspired by the musician of the same name.
HARD TIER:
Styles of great power. Prepare to commit to these wild beards.
Half & Half Beard Hawk: A punk rock delight. Match it well: Craft a half hawk on your head and another below the chin.
12
The Weed:
Leisure | November 2013
The Gandalf:
Fourche Français:
None shall surpass this beard’s length. Grow it out until you best a wizard’s wooly power.
Two mighty prongs like a fork. Note this won’t help in consuming food.
BEARDS GROWING AT RIT by Alexander Jones | photography by Joe Philipson | design by Zach Cross
Imagine, if you will, a coalition of bearded men and (not-sobearded) women at RIT united under the common goals of helping the community and having fun. A club in which those who take great pride in their beards, those heavily involved in the process of growing one and those who just admire them can come together under this glorious facial hair umbrella. It may seem a little daunting at first, but RIT’s Beard Enthusiasts At RIT Demonstrating Success (BEARDS) club hopes to provide these services and to make sure you have a great time along this particularly hairy journey. “Technically, BEARDS stands for ‘Beard Enthusiasts At RIT Demonstrating Success,’ but we switch it up a lot. Mostly the ‘D.S.’ part. Some days it’s just ‘Doing Stuff,’” says club president Griffin Kettler. “Us founding fathers came up with [the concept for the club] one day when we were just sitting around and realized, ‘Oh, wow, we all have beards!’ It was so long ago that I honestly don’t remember the details, but we just totally ran with it.” Griffin says: “We definitely started the club just for kicks and giggles at first, but things have been getting more serious this year. We’re still all about just having fun and eating pancakes, though.” While BEARDS may be growing past its humble beginnings and into bold new bearded frontiers, the club is still very much rooted in a hands-off attitude. “I don’t really think we have a message or anything,” says Griffin. “We’re still just people with a common interest in getting together, interacting with each other and trying to do good under a common guise of beards.” Another aspect that sets BEARDS apart from its fellow clubs is its ‘do-it-yourself’ mindset. “It’s been totally word of mouth,” says Griffin. “I really do think that for that reason we have some serious potential to do good at RIT. At this point I’d say we’re a social organization moving to become a service organization.” This transition into a club more involved in community outreach is being bolstered by BEARDS’ current “Beard Bounty” initiative. “Basically, we’re just shaving our beards for charity,” says Vice President Tyler Schrodt. “We’re paying the ultimate price.” The club is still finalizing which charity they will donate to. This commitment to beard growth and admiration can be seen through its principal members’ “tools of the trade.” They highly recommend that perspective beard growers take note. “Personally, I use a nice set of clippers just to make sure my beard doesn’t go into ‘crazy beard status’ or anything,” says Griffin. “Also, you can’t ever go wrong with mustache wax. A lot of mustache wax. Adornments like flowers or whatever aren’t a bad place to start either!” For those who aren’t so genetically blessed to grow mighty
beards: “Just don’t give up,” advices Griffin. “It doesn’t matter if you can grow a great beard or not here. We have anywhere from one-weekers to six-monthers here and some people who just can’t grow beards at all. We’re just a bunch of male and female beard enthusiasts and that’s what’s important.” However, if you can grow a beard, Griffin doesn’t hesitate to offer some particularly enthusiastic styling tips. “You can’t go wrong with ‘The Wolverine’,” he says. “Also, you can’t ever go wrong with a really nice mustache if you can grow one. Big, burly lumberjack beards are ideal too.” Yet Griffin believes that there is no specific style that works for everyone. “If you can grow one and you’re confident about it, it’ll work for you.” This sense of optimism and acceptance is one that permeates all of BEARDS. Man or woman, beard-blessed or beardless, all are welcome, just as long as you can admire a nice beard. “We We just love beards here, here,” adds Griffin. “It doesn’t matter if you have one or not. Just stop on by.” BEARDS meets every other Friday in the Gosnell (GOS) Atrium.
133 13
10 Leisure | September 2013
When people think of abusive relationships, often the first thing they assume is that a man is abusing a woman. According to PRWeb, nearly 1.3 million women are assaulted by their partner each year in the United States, although this number is not exact.The Domestic Violence Resource Center reports that up to six million women may be victims of abuse and that one in four women have been abused in their lifetime. However, women are not the only ones experiencing domestic violence. Many men have been abused by their partners as well, and these cases often go unreported. Although PRWeb states that 835,000 men are assaulted each year by their partner in the United States, the Domestic
Violence
Resource
Center reports that this number can
be
anywhere
between
100,000 and six million.
by William Hirsh | photography by Seth Abel | design by Nick Tyler
15 11 15
HOW DOES THE ABUSE BEGIN? Darci Lane-Williams, director of the Center for Women & Gender, worked previously as a counselor at Alternatives for Battered Women, a center that specialized in women’s domestic violence cases. In her time there, Lane-Williams also saw several cases of males seeking advice. According to Lane-Williams, most such abusive relationships do not begin with violence but with emotional abuse. This can vary from questioning the male’s manhood, taking hits at his self-esteem, controlling his behavior by making him feel guilty about certain decisions
Lane-Williams stated that cases of domestic violence against men often occur because "men aren't encouraged to get help" and speak up about the violence. At the Center for Women & Gender, only six men came for counseling for domestic abuse in the last year. Cases of domestic violence against either gender are strikingly similar according to LaneWilliams, "The reason any person is abusive in a relationship is to have power over a person and control them," said Lane-Williams. On average, it takes three months for abuse to begin. After this time period, the partner's behavior begins to change. "It starts in simple behaviors like emotional manipulation," stated Lane-Williams.
like hanging out with friends and more. It is from these emotional struggles that many abusive relationships begin to turn violent.
SOCIETAL FAULT
Jeff Sherman, a fourth year Game Design & Development major, experienced one of the many unreported cases of domestic violence against men. In his freshmen year he began dating a girl and, although the relationship
Sherman being 6 ft 4, one might think it would be easy for him to defend himself. Yet he never would as society often views male abuse as a non-issue.
(VAWA), were originally biased in women’s favor, the 2013 reauthorization of VAWA has passed new Inclusion Mandates that ban discrimination based on race, color, country of origin, gender, gender identity, orientation or disability. This change affects most laws from state to federal and is a positive sign of changes to arrive in the future.
GETTING HELP Lane-Williams stated that one of the first things an abuse victim can do to seek help is to see a counselor or an expert on domestic violence. After that, men should begin to think more about the behaviors of their partners and recognize that they are not responsible for the abuse being inflicted upon them. “Call it what it is,” affirmed Lane-Williams, “And take responsibility for noticing the behavior.” According to the Mayo Clinic, men need to notice if their partner calls them names or puts them down, prevents them from seeing family and friends and tries to control aspects of their life, among other signs of domestic violence. Sherman, at wits end, found support through
But this habit did not stop throughout the
“If I were to defend myself in any way, no one would believe that I was the one defending myself and not the other way around,” said Sherman.
relationship and did not deter Sherman from
Commonly, according to Lane-Williams,
to visit him during his freshmen year. When
the partnership until the very end.
the police assume that when they respond to
she began to hear the details of his on and off
“I was at a point in my life where I didn’t feel much self worth,” recounted Sherman, “so I didn’t know there was anyone out there who was interested in me.”
an abuse case, the man is the offender even
relationship, the girl decided to step in and
when they refuse to defend themselves. “I’ve
talk to him about it. Over the spring break of
seen large men that could hurt [the abuser]
that year, Sherman spent time with his friend
but just take it because they were taught not
until he received a call from his then-girlfriend.
to hurt women and that it’s not appropriate,”
“When I got a call from the person who was
said Lane-Williams. Although Lane-Williams
doing this to me, my pseudo-sister answered
noted that most officers are trained to decide
the phone and said ‘[Sherman]’s on vacation,
the abuser and victim based on the level of
he’s having a good time and you don’t have any
aggression, some officers make assumptions
right to reach out to him anymore’ and hung up
about the situation.
the phone,” he said.
began quite normally, it quickly snowballed into an abusive relationship. “She would habitually cheat on me,” said Sherman. He decided to take her back because he thought she was being honest and upfront with him the first time it happened.
Self-esteem played a key role in the perpetuation of this relationship. Sherman would be subjected to a multitude of abuses, mostly emotional, from his girlfriend. "She was very good at being manipulative," said Sherman. "She would convince me that things would be better again and I wanted to believe that things weren't as bad as they were." This constant belittlement of the other partner is one of many behaviors found in abusive partnerships. “Coming into college I had a lot of self-confidence but being compared to past boyfriends and being told I was inadequate eroded away the confidence I had built up,” said Sherman. Later on, the emotional abuse would turn violent at times. “It was mostly emotional abuse,” said Sherman, “though there was a few times where I would be slapped across the face and pushed against a door.”
16
Features | November 2013
Ultimately, this stems from the dominant view of abusive relationships in United States, where the men are often expected to be the ones abusing the women, and where the
a close friend from his high school days. “There was this one person back from high school that was basically my sister,” said Sherman. They were extremely close and she even went
“Hearing that was what I needed to finally close that chapter on my life,” said Sherman.
opposite is rarely considered. Sherman finds this particularly evident in the media, especially TV. “I didn’t realize that in the heat of the moment I was also a part of the norm where guys aren’t victims of abuse,” said Sherman. “You watch TV and you see a girl get mad at a boy and shove and hit him and it is seen as either a comedic bit or the guy deserves it. Men don’t deserve to be treated this way.”
Lane-Williams advised against men returning to a relationship with their abuser, romantic or in friendship. “Walk away from the relationship,” said Lane-Williams. “If you were in an abusive relationship, just end it.” Maintaining a friendship is often just as bad as staying in a relationship. According to Lane-Williams, being a friend of the abuser allows them to control and monitor the victim more efficiently.
While protective laws such as the
Students who have qualms about an abusive
landmark Violence Against Women Act
significant other should try for “a clean break:
Try not to interact with the person and move on,” said Lane-Williams. Lane-Williams stated that victims should be sure to prepare a safe exit strategy before taking this step. This is especially vital in extreme cases where the victim might lose their housing when trying to leave an abusive partner. After months of feeling inadequate about himself, Sherman finally found someone with whom he could be honest about his problems, leading to him growing as a person. “I went through a dark period of not being able to trust anyone,” said Sherman. “The woman I’m with now does a lot to be patient and understanding.” Sherman said the understanding exists because his latest girlfriend was also a victim of domestic abuse.
“We’ve both been able to be there for one another,” said Sherman. “No matter who you are or how healed you feel, if you panic because you see that person again, it’s ok. It’s ok to not do certain things if you feel that you need to protect yourself. Don’t give up on people; there are good people out there no matter what.”
17
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MALE CONTRACEPTION:
The Road Ahead by Nick Bovee | design by Kathryn Eble
Cervical caps. Condoms. Diaphragms. Implants. IUDs. The Pill. Plan B. The Ring.
Background
Shots. Sponges. Despite the large variety of contraceptives available, the majority
In 1873, the United States passed
methods of female birth control aim to
the Comstock regulations banning
trick the woman’s body by mimicking
methods are designed for female use,
contraceptive
the
natural hormones. Ovulation is blocked
leaving few options for men.
dissemination of information about
by suppressing the estrogen peaks that
abortion.
held
trigger the release of the egg from the
contraception for the same reason
strong until 1938 when judges in a
ovaries. A similar process occurs during
women do: enhanced sexual agency
case involving Margaret Sander, the
pregnancy. In the past, the claim has
and
founder of the first U.S. birth control
been that because men do not have
clinic, repealed the federal ban.
hormonal
of
non-permanent
contraception
Men need reliable, non-permanent
personal
control
over
family
planning. The only options currently
The
devices
and
regulations
methods
of
controlling
available are male condoms, which
Diaphragms became the popular
bring difficulties with pleasure and
birth control at that time. In 1960, the
are only effective for a single use, and
first birth control pill was developed
Another roadblock is, due to the
vasectomies, which many men find too
by Gregory Pincus and despite its
duration needed for male birth control
permanent a solution.
complications
methods of altering fertility.
immensely
and the likelihood of it needing an
However, this may change with a new
popular. Since then, there has been
implant, similar profits to those of
trial drug, Reverse Inhibition of Sperm
a great deal of research into finding
the pill are just not possible. With
Under Guidance (RISUG), predicted to
new
less
break into the market in 2014-15. RISUG
female birth control. Unfortunately,
contraceptives are a lower priority to
passed small scale Phase I and II testing
development into male alternatives
for-profit pharmaceutical companies.
in India back in 1997 and started large
has not been as plentiful.
and
became
fertility, it is too difficult to develop
better
approaches
to
money
to
be
gained,
male
However, RISUG has been able to
scale Phase III testing in 2002; the last
The issue is partially due to the
make substantial headway without the
phase of clinical testing needed before
difficulty in making long term male
promise of large profits because despite
a drug can be approved for sale to
birth
corporate disinterest, the demand for
the general public. Whether this drug
hormone based methods used in
succeeds beyond clinical trials depends
many female contraceptives. Many
control
using
the
classical
male contraception is there.
not only on effectiveness but also on societal acceptance.
19
DETAILS OF THE CONTRACEPTIVE
DETAILS OF THE CONTRACEPTIVE
Details of the Contraceptive RISUG’s main advantages are its
magnetic fields. Formal reversal tests
One possible inhibitor to the progress
method
for RISUG and Smart RISUG have only
made in male contraception is the
and reversibility, not to mention that
been performed in animals, but so far
backlash it may receive from multiple
there is a possibility for HIV-inhibiting
they have all been successful.
fronts
duration,
non-hormonal
socially.
Conservative
and
functions. The treatment lasts up to 10
The RISUG trials were put on hold
religious mindsets may have strong
years, with reports of trial users having
from 2002 to 2007 due to concerns over
objections to any form of birth control,
effectiveness for over 15 years.
potential prostate damage and the
citing moral reasons. From another
RISUG acts by coating the insides
appearance of albumin in urine, but
angle, stereotypes about the relation
of the vas deferens and damaging the
adverse effects never manifested. In early
between masculinity and fertility are
makeup of the sperm membranes as
2010 the Parsemus Foundation, a not-for-
still prevalent. If one cannot father a
they pass through the altered area. This
profit organization, worked to obtain the
child, he may be looked at differently
effect is theorized to be caused by the
property rights to RISUG in the United
or called inferior. Also, many people
positive charge of the injected styrene
States. Once the rights were obtained,
believe that the responsibility of birth
maleic anhydride (SMA) coating which
they developed a version of the drug for
control should stay in the hands of
disrupts the negatively charged sperm.
the United States and other countries
women alone.
This procedure can be performed by
outside of India, called Vasalgel. At the
simply injecting the SMA compound
time of writing, Vasalgel has over a year
tend to attract notice from religious
directly into the vas deferens.
Developments
in
contraception
The
of successful birth control in rabbits. The
opponents.
procedure is over in only 15 minutes and
company is looking to expand into its
should be used for creating new life
is considered effective in about ten days.
first clinical trials in 2014, with a market
is common
release in 2015.
and is clearly expressed in Roman
A second injection is required to
The
belief
that
sex
among many religions,
reverse the procedure and flush out
By its nature, Vasalgel is not
Catholic doctrines. Documents like
the SMA. One study showed that
expensive to produce, and Parsemus’
the Papal Encyclical “Casti Connubii”
this injection can be as simple as a
intent to keep it affordable means
emphasize
mixture of baking soda dissolved in
that big profits are unlikely. The
marriage and purpose of sex lying in
water and it restores normal function
company plans to publicly fund the
the creation of life. Birth control is
in a matter of months.
trials through crowd-sourcing and
strictly forbidden and any sex that is
A secondary version of RISUG –
Paypal donations, and they expect
“deliberately frustrated in its natural
named Smart RISUG – was developed
little interest in competition from
power to generate life is an offense
that
larger pharmaceutical companies.
against the law of God.” Although
allows
the
procedure
to
be
reversed without an injection by using
20
Social Forces
Features | November 2013
the
importance
of
this document was written in 1930,
its stance holds true for many strict
deception
very
contraceptives would also take an undue
followers of religion to this day. Male
common, “How does the female know
burden off woman using oral contraceptives,
contraceptives are likely to encounter
whether that person’s telling the truth?”
which can raise cancer risks.
a level of religious controversy similar
Obviously a violation of trust and
to those in the past.
agency, there are likely people willing
significantly from these advances in
Similar
opposition
arises
when
might
not
become
Men
of
all
ages
stand
to
gain
to try such an approach for their own
birth control. Despite the social forces
a
benefit. Complaints about the lack of
aligned against it, the large majority
summation of manhood. “Guys take
sensation with condoms are common
seems to be in favor of more personal
pleasure in their fertility,” says Brian
despite the industries work at making
and reliable control over their ability
Barry, associate professor of sociology
them thinner, while maintaining the
to
and psychology currently teaching
level of protection. To avoid using
age men often “view procreation as
the changing family course at RIT.
condoms, in a rather Machiavellian
a disaster and not a blessing,” says
Men often associate their fertility
way, some men could falsely claim to
Barry. These men generally try to avoid
with performance capabilities and
be using RISUG.
starting families until some security
cultures
define
confidence.
fertility
have
children. Younger,
college
dysfunction
Another opposing opinion is that birth
and commitment has been established.
is unrelated but is stereotyped as
control is a woman’s responsibility. This
When men are older, and ready to begin
the cause of infertility, making it a
idea may have arisen due to the fact that
a family, RISUG is reversible without
very difficult diagnosis for men to
women physically carry the pregnancy.
damage. Aside from the family planning
deal with. In fact, men dealing with
“Some people feel that there shouldn’t
aspect, RISUG opens men up to much
infertility often experience depression
be a limitation on male fertility, that
safer expression of sexual agency. This
and feelings of inadequacy. When
women should handle [birth control],”
will allow the same freedom that birth
using
being
says Barry. Still, it takes two to get
control currently allows women: An
truly infertile, the same negative
pregnant. Even though the guy does
active sex life, free from unwanted risks
connotations could potentially arise
not physically carry the child through
and complications.
causing fewer men to be interested in
pregnancy, he is still equally responsible
using the drug.
for that child’s wellbeing or conception.
RISUG,
Sexual
as
despite
not
Some men may also use these new
The
availability
of
long-term
male
developments to manipulate their
contraceptives has the potential to shift the
way to unprotected sex. Associate
relationship dynamic to a truer balance.
professor of Sociology at RIT Vincent
“We’d get more egalitarian relationships,”
Serravalo theorized that, while this
Barry
muses.
Availability
of
male
21
Generational Shift:
Women Outpacing Men in College by Juan Lachapelle | illustration by Andrew Philpott | design by Autumn Wadsworth
“Gender Gap,” a phrase usually defined as the difference between the male and
Determining why this trend is occurring is a major
female populations, is now being taken under the lens of college education,
concern but the reasons are difficult to pinpoint. Some
specifically in terms of college attendance and graduation. This gap that has
studies suggest that the gap could be linked to male
been changing and expanding since the late 1970s has now begun to raise
behavior patterns starting in middle and high school.
concerns and questions across American universities.
Claudia Buchmann, co-author of Rise of Women and
Historically, males have enrolled and graduated at a higher rate than women.
sociology professor at Ohio State University, explained to
According to the U.S. Census, about 20 percent of males 25-29 years old held a
Inside Higher Ed that the gap in graduation is not caused
bachelor’s degree in 1970. Comparatively, the percentage of women in the same
by intelligence but by the common, observed difference
age group was 15 percent. At around the same time, this rate for males began to
in “effort and engagement in school.” On average, the
slow while the rate for females continued to climb. In 2009, 74 percent of women
male population is less engaged in middle and high
graduating high school went on to a two or four year college. Only 66 percent of
school than their female peers; a difference that can
men did the same.
have a snowball effect that leaves some individuals
Females now enroll at higher rates and graduate more frequently, and often
unprepared for college.
sooner, than males. Although women’s growing collegiate success should be
Upon hearing about the gender gap in college
applauded, the decreasing rate of men’s enrollment and graduation is raising
g raduation, second year Criminal Justice major
concerns at colleges nation-wide, including RIT.
Halle Phipps was surprised. “It doesn’t really
It has become apparent to faculty that the gap between men and women
make sense, you’d think they would have the
at RIT is larger than the national average. The national six year graduation
same initiative to g raduate at the same rate.” To
rate for the 2003 freshmen class was 55 percent for males and 60 percent for
her, a student’s drive should be the main factor
females, a 5 percent gap. At RIT, the graduation rate for the 2005 freshmen
in g raduation rate. “Gender shouldn’t really make
class was 73 percent for females and 60 percent for males, a 13 percent gap.
much of a difference.”
RIT’s own Student Success Steering Committee, a group focused on
But some of the classically-held male stereot y pes
improving student retention, has created a subcommittee to address the
can also contr ibute to the problem. “I think there’s
gender gap on campus. Matt Lake, senior academic advisor for the department
a tendency in the male populat ion to not be as
of information sciences and technology, and Dan Hickey, assistant director at
out ward when seeking help, asking for help and
the Academic Support Center, are both members of this subcommittee. Lake
looking for resources,” explains Lake. “There’s
and Hickey are looking at the numbers and trying to find their causes, and they
somewhat of a male culture aspect of want ing to
are not the only ones.
do it on your own.”
22
Features | November 2013
Considering the theories and data available to them, the subcommittee is working to help change the numbers. They have done
from a particular type of major? We’ll tend to investigate more of that,” he says.
research on the efforts of peer institutions, including Cornell, RPI, MIT,
In the end, Lake does not believe that RIT’s males should be
Syracuse and the University of Rochester, to see if they have services
worried. “I think it’s important for students to realize that just
that could benefit the male population if implemented here.
because males are graduating at a lower percentage doesn’t mean
Yet the committee has mostly focused on the services RIT already
that it has to be specific to them,” says Lake. When looking at this, it
has – including the Academic Support Center, various study centers
is best for the student to assess his own efforts and to make sure he
on campus and the Early Alert system – and how these services can
is doing everything he can to succeed.
be improved to help close the gap. “What are the resources that
Members of the committee believe that women should look at
already exist on campus that could benefit our males?” asked Lake.
the statistics in a similar way. “Everything I’ve said about the [men]
“What are we doing to outreach to those males to make sure that
holds true for women as well,” says Hickey. He also wants to look
they are utilizing those resources that already exist?”
into whether the support females have on campus, like the RIT
But Buchmann also told Inside Higher Ed that the male population overall should not be the main focus. “We really need schools that set high expectations that treat students as individuals – not just as gendered groups,” she explains. When
talking
about
the
Center for Women and Gender, could benefits males if made more available to them. For anyone who is concerned about their academic success, Hickey and Lake want to express that students are not alone.
Hickey
Seek out help. Do what is necessary to help oneself succeed and
states that they focuses less on gender and more on who is not
committee’s
research,
graduate. Talk to advisors or visit the various resource centers on
graduating and from where. “Is it from a particular college? Is it
campus for assistance. Be proactive.
23
TO PLAY Or Not
TO PLAY DETERMINING THE VALUE OF COLLEGE ATHLETICS by Marc Koehler | illustration by Emily Brooks | design by Akshara Chopra
24
Sports | November 2013
Imagine you’ve played a sport for ten or more years and you’ve been told by many – and personally feel – that you are athletic enough to compete at a higher level. You now receive the opportunity to go to college to pursue a degree. However, an immense decision awaits you: Should you continue your sport? This is a difficult decision to make whether you have been recruited or will be a ‘walk-on’ trying out for the team. Participating in college athletics requires a large time commitment, with practices or games nearly every day of the season. If you choose to continue, you may have to sacrifice time that could be dedicated to academics, social life, normal sleep schedules, jobs, internships or overall leisure. There are many who cannot handle the time commitment to athletics or may decide that their time would be better spent elsewhere. However, there are also those who not only hold their own, but take skills learned from their athletic career such as management and organization and apply them to other aspects of life.
Why Athletes Discontinue Playing
“There’s a big difference,” says Spiotti. “Our student-athlete graduation rate is 20 percent higher than the non-student-athlete graduation rate.”
There are several reasons why a student-athlete might decide they want to stop competing. A term used quite frequently during interviews with head coaches, sports executives and students here at RIT is “burnout.” In athletics, the burnout effect is referenced when a student-athlete has played a sport for a long time and is no longer interested in playing. Kevin Barrett, a second year Management Information Systems major and former RIT student-athlete, wrestled at college for one season. Although Barrett spoke highly of the sport and his coach, he said the time and physical wear, including injuries, was too much. He is much happier being a non-athlete and said that he now has time for other activities. He seems content with his decision and still supports all current and prospective student-athletes. Student-athletes may also decide to take a break from sports when they consider the other opportunities they may be missing. Barrett, for one, is glad that he can now be a part of a professional fraternity, hold a job and still have time to be social with friends. With the constant grind of wrestling – or any college sport – he believes this would be unfeasible. As a student’s priorities change, so too will their time commitments.
But how can student-athletes have better scores when they have less time to devote to academics? Masterson explains that sports help develop time management skills. “It’s actually helpful to structure your day that way.” The time that is taken out of these student-athletes’ daily lives can actually be positive. “I think sometimes unfortunately [not having enough time] is a fear that keeps people from participating in athletics,” said Masterson. However, efficient time management skills can be developed with the right planning. Coaches give players their sports schedules in advance to prepare student-athletes not only for their respective sport but for other college commitments as well, with academics being the priority. In addition to time management skills, other crucial lessons are learned. Every coach that was interviewed emphasized that student-athletes learn to appreciate the value of leadership, teamwork, accountability and respect. Coaches not only put student-athletes in a prime position to compete, but assist in producing bright young men and women.
Why They Should Play
Modifying the Mindset
Some see the deeper value of college athletics, as the head coach of the RIT Women’s Soccer team Elizabeth Masterson explains: “We do have special people on our team who maybe aren’t getting as much playing time, or maybe don’t get playing time at all, who still see the value in coming back and being part of a team and understanding their role is a great one, even if they are not the superstar on the field.”
“Any time I see somebody who gives up their eligibility, I think it’s devastating. It’s really too bad that they don’t see the longterm picture of being able to finish their four years of eligibility,” says Masterson. “I think the students here are so focused on their academics and so driven to start their careers that sometimes they want to get going with it early. For me, I am of the mindset [that] you have your whole life to work, but you only have these four
Participating in college athletics can be not only physically
years to play college athletics.”
beneficial but mentally as well. In 2012, the American College of Sports Medicine organized a study of 317 middle school students.
People’s mindsets vary: some may disregard what you prioritize.
Their research showed that, “T he fittest group of students scored
Everyone has a unique group of activities that define how they
almost 30 percent higher on standardized tests than the least
spend their time. However, time is limited and you may no longer
fit group.” This can translate into real academic benefits for RIT
prioritize once-favored activities. If there is a crucial decision to
student-athletes.
make, think long and hard about it. Reassure yourself that you
According to Lou Spiotti, executive director of RIT’s Intercollegiate
will not have any regrets after you make that decision. Evaluating
Athletics, the student-athlete population has a higher average
whether you should play a sport or not is great practice for future
cumulative GPA of about 3.3, as opposed to the overall average of 3.0.
vital decisions you may face.
How Many High School Athletes Play in College?
Men’s Basketball: 3.3%
Women’s Basketball: 3.7%
Baseball: 6.7%
Men’s Ice Hockey: 10.9%
Men’s Soccer: 5.6%
Estimates from ncaa.org
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VIEWS Hanging Out RIT’s
DIRTY LAUNDRY by Nathan J. Lichtenstein | photography by Tom Brenner | design by Akshara Chopra
“I had somebody open up the detergent tray … put whatever they were going to put in there to wash their clothes and they threw money in there because they thought that’s where the money went as well. I don’t know what they were thinking but there was like two or three dollars’ worth of change there in the soap dispenser,” said Greg Vieira, facility mechanic for RIT Housing Operations. Behind the scenes, Vieira has been working at RIT for 12 years and, for the last five years, has been tasked with single handedly maintaining every laundry facility on campus. Vieira said the average student often imagines him as the “bad guy” since there are always a lot of broken machines. In truth, Vieira is the hero of the laundry — a humble man who takes great pride in his work.
Greg Vieira repairing a laundry machine.
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Views | November 2013
Let’s Talk Numbers
A Day in the Life
Before diving into the dirty details of the laundry system at
For students, the transition from broken to functional machines is
RIT it is important to understand the scale of the operation. This
a fairly seamless, yet opaque process; you begrudgingly place a pink
year, there are about 18,000 students enrolled at the Institute, all
sticky-note on the troubled machine and leave. Within a day or two
of whom (hopefully) do laundry. Approximately 7,000 of those
the machine is repaired and working again.
students live in RIT-owned housing, which includes resident halls, apartments, Greek housing and more. When asked roughly how many washers and dryers are employed across all of student housing, Vieira was quick to respond: “I know exactly: 360 on campus.” You read that correctly: 360. Now keep in mind that means there are 360 washing machines and 360 dryers making a grand total off
Yet actually repairing the laundry machines is not an easy job. To repair a single washing machine takes Vieira about two hours. Fixing just two washers eats up half of his work day. “I try to get into the laundry areas as much as I can but again, I’m divided with my time because I’d like to commit all of my time to one room and get it all fixed, but it’s just not physically possible,” says Vieira.
720 individual units. While that is a large number of machines for
Just listening to the amount of work that Vieira does for the RIT
one man to watch over, that is not a whole lot of laundry facilities
community can get you thinking, why is there only one laundry
for several thousand students to share. In fact, that means there
mechanic on campus? According to Jeremy Babcock, assistant
are approximately 20 students to a single washer and dryer. My
director of Housing Operations, having another laundry mechanic is
family of six shares a single washer-dryer pair and still laundry
something that is being looked into.
day is a challenge.
Occasionally, when the amount of broken machines becomes too much for Vieira, an outside mechanic is commissioned to help out, but due to budgetary constraints, he is never hired for more than a day. Afterwards, the repairs are left to Vieira once again.
Room to Improve Vieira and Babcock are currently working on a plan to begin replacing all of the residential side laundry facilities over the next few years. The current washers and dryers are only five years old but due to the constant use of the machines, they are already reaching the end of their lifespan. The decision to stage the replacements over a span of years is partly due to the hefty price tag of about $500,000 that would accompany replacing all the machines at once. This also ensures that RIT Housing is not put in its current situation again five years down the road, with the laundry facilities desperately needing to be replaced all at the same time. My time spent talking with Vieira and Babcock inspired me to remind the RIT student population of a few things in order to keep the machines working and everybody satisfied: The washers are only designed to hold 18 pounds of clothing at a time so please do not overload them. Report broken machines online; do not just stick a pink slip on the troubled machine. Remember each washer and dryer is one of 720 machines and there is only one man to fix all of them so please be patient and respectful. And if you ever see a kind man sporting an RIT Housing Operations polo and a goatee in the laundry room, take the time out of your day to say thank you. Vieira works hard to keep the laundry rooms running and he is damn proud of it.
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Views | October 2013
WORD ON THE STREET
“ What advice would you give to someone who has been a victim of domestic violence?” photography by Joyce Kasab | design by Autumn Wadsworth
Patrick Borque
Najua Baaith
Austin Williams
New Media Design, fourth year “I had a friend go through that. Keep your head up. Keep telling yourself you’re strong enough to push through and see the next day.”
Computer Science, first year “He/she was brave to go through that. I can’t imagine it.”
Film Production, fourth year “Keep fighting, there are people there for you.”
Brianna Sherelis
Jesse Lee
Brian Jacobs
Medical Illustration, fourth year “Ask them if they’re okay; I’ve never experienced it.”
Illustration, fourth year “Look forward.”
University Studies, first year “I would be supportive, reassure them that it would be ok.”
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GOT SOMETHING TO SAY? TEXT OR CALL 585.672.4840 compiled by Joan McDonough | design by Autumn Wadsworth
Friday, 11:59 a.m.
Sunday, 3:49 p.m.
Walked into class as my professor was saying, “If I wanted to win at something I’d play basketball against a five year old. I’d stuff him at the board every single time.”
The food at Gracie’s makes me miss my mom’s cooking. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, indeed!
Friday, 3:27 p.m. JUST SAW SANTA THE INTERPRETER RIDING AN OLD-FASHIONED BIKE AND NOW I BELIEVE.
Friday, 2:51 p.m. Catching snippets of conversation on the Quarter Mile: “since I was born I think we’ve had three meth labs blown up.”
2013 30 Views| |October November 2013 30 Views
Monday, 8:31 p.m. I feel like there’s still time to turn the Gene Polisseni Center into a roller coaster...
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