SLOPE MAGAZINE a division of Slope Media Group www.slopemedia.org
STARS ON THE SLOPE Inside
Volume 6 Issue 1 May 2011
*Who is Denice Cassaro? *Style and Trends *Behind the Scenes of CCC
{ Slope } The Letter
SLOPE MAGAZINE
Photographs by Milos Balac
the mag team EDITOR IN CHIEF Lindsay Rothfeld
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Alexis Rodriguez
THE LETTER
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Dani Gredoña
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND LAYOUT TEAM Lizzie Brooks Erinn Cawthon Victoria Cecilio Olivia Duell Claire Eisel Olivia Fecteau Jason Goldberg Dani Gredoña Emma Laurentine Jean-Paul Lozada Olivia Molineux Jennifer Pierre Hannah Smith Renee Tornatore Allie Tunis Tim Weisberg
SLOGGERS Milos Balac Bridgette Summers
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Milos Balac Erinn Cawthon Andrew Fu
ADVISORS Linda Mikula Tracy Vosburgh
By the time you all read this the sun will be shining and the slope will be prepping for our glorious end of the year celebration... aaaahh sounds so nice. Slope Magazine has been my creative outlet for this semester--and yes, it has caused me numerable hours of panic attacks, but more importantly, the magazine (staff included) has given me a sense of determination and accomplishment. A magazine like ours can only be produced with tons of passion, and that’s what we have. Creativity. Vision. Fun. Slope. This mag issue is all about you-the students. We tried to feature some incredible people and focus on all the things you care about. I have to thank Dani Gredoña and Erinn Cawthon who put up with my moments of anxiety and worked with me to make every article look unique. And to all of the other staff members (writers and layout team), you made this possible. ENJOY Live, love, slope.
Lindsay Rothfeld
.
CONTENTS
THE SLOG.........................2 MUSIC
Summer Music Festivals.............4 CCC Past, Present, Future..........6
FEATURE
Stars on the Slope: Cornell’s Aspiring Artists.........8
ENTERTAINMENT
Media Trends......................12 Seniors of the Schwartz...........14
CORNELL
Reflect amd Remember..............16 Denice Cassaro ...................18
POLITICS
Planned Parenthood................19
FASHION
Summer Trends.....................20
SPORTS
Women’s Hockey....................22
1
2
3
BY Milos Balac and Bridgette Summers
{ Slope } Music
ab MUSIC SUMMER FESTIVAL
ROAD TRIP BY Hannah Smith
For
_ ntials
/Esse
m rel.co obar w.inf
o naro _Bon g_At n i p _Cam
Sasquatch /w http:/
w
When? May 27 – 30, 2011 Where? George, WA How much? $295/4 day pass, $79.50/single day pass Who? Death Cab for Cutie, Foo Fighters, Modest Mouse, Wilco Lifestyle: Sasquatch is all about the music with few alternative ways to spend your day. Camping is the most popular option for the majority of visitors. Sasquatch can be described as more ‘earthy,’ so be sure to see tons of hippies and weird tribal dancing. However, their line-up is also probably one of the best of the summer, snagging bands such as Sleigh Bells, MSTRKRFT and Best Coast. It’s an eclectic mix, but a good one, so if you want to have a dance party or maybe just chillax outside, (or even both!) Sasquatch is the way to go. Bottom Line: Sasquatch, for the softhearted emo kid in you (á la Seth Cohen).
No plans this summer? Devote a weekend to basking in the sun, camping out on fields of grass, and listening to live music. That’s what summer music festivals are all about. Music festivals provide a variety of acts, across all genres of music and with multiple stages and performers throughout the day-I can almost guarantee you’ll never be bored. It’s a weekend to remember (although I’m sure many don’t…) so go ahead, grab some friends, drop some cash (tickets can be expensive!) and have a party.
BONNAROO
When? June 9-12, 2011 Where? Manchester, Tennessee How much? $210 -$250 (plus applicable fees) for 4-day passes Who? Eminem, Arcade Fire, My Morning Jacket Lifestyle: It’s Bonnaroo’s 10th Anniversary! If you plan to attend you should plan on camping on the grounds, as Bonnaroo is a 24-hour party (at the Centeroo tent there is entertainment until 5 or 6 am). Often referred to as the ultimate music festival, it has held up to its name. During the weekend you can see comedians and movies, participate in a community art project or cool-down at the slip n slide area. Embrace the over-the-top lifestyle, oh and don’t expect to shower that weekend! Bottom Line: Bonnaroo, for the hardcore partier in you.
http:// w promis ww.musicge e es-exc iting-li k.org/wp/20 10/02/ neup
19/sas
quatch -
music -festiv al-
4
Pitchfork Music Festival When? July 15-17, 2011 Where? Union Park at Chicago, IL How much? $110/3 day pass, $45/single day Who? Animal Collective, Fleet Foxes, Guided by Voices, TV on the Radio Lifestyle: Pitchfork Music Festival is definitely smaller in comparison to the other music festivals of the summer, and the line-up consists of bands you’ve ‘probably never heard of. There are no camping grounds, because hipsters don’t camp. Their line-up this year, however, is solid and should be a good weekend. It is also much cheaper than the rest, although the variety is also more limited and the number of bands performing is fewer. If you’re looking for a more low-key event to attend, Pitchfork Music Festival is for you. Bottom Line: Pitchfork Music Festival, for the hipster in you.
http://www.riverfronttimes.com/slideshow/gawking-at-pitchfork-the-fashion-of-pitchfork-music-festival-106473/
HOW DO THE IVIES’ SPRING SHOWS Yale: Spring Fling: Lupe Fiasco, Third Eye Blind, Designer Drugs My take: ... All I can say is...random? Cornell: Slope Day: Nelly, Ra Ra Riot, The Cool Kids My take: It’s going to get hot in here (except not actually because we live in Ithaca…) UPenn: Spring Fling: Flo Rida, Lupe Fiasco, Rebecca Black My take: UPenn will be having fun, fun, fun Spring Fling Weekend, but hopefully not with under-aged kids…gotta get down on Friday
STACK UP?
Brown: Spring Weekend: TV On The Radio, Diddy-Dirty Money, Das Racist, Lee Fields & the Expressions, Rebirth Brass Band, Lissy Trullie, and Nicolas Jaar My take: Brown is clearly trying to keep up their indie rep. Columbia: Abacchalypse: Snoop Dogg and Das Racist My take: Columbia’s theme for their Bacchanal Week this year is “the end of the world”, who wouldn’t want to spend their last day on earth with Snoop Dogg?! Princeton: LawnParties: Wiz Khalfia My take: Too bad their school colors are black and orange…..so close!
WINNER?: Let’s be honest, all of the
line-ups suck. I guess at the end of the day it really doesn’t matter who is performing. We Ivy Leaguers have got more important activities to attend to during our spring celebration weekend....
5
{ Slope } Music
All photographs courtesy of Harris Nord and rso.cornell.edu/ccc/
ROCK ON Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler graced Cornell with his presence, performing for the university in 1973.
Cornell Concert Commission Past, Present, Future BY Olivia Duell
CORNELL HAS SEEN ITS FAIR SHARE OF MUSICAL LEGENDS OVER THE LAST FORTY YEARS. THE CONCERTS ARE RUN BY THE STUDENTS FOR THE STUDENTS. SLOPE MAGAZINE TAKES A LOOK BEHIND THE SCENES. Cornell Concert Commission has had a popular year, as four out of their six impressive acts (Phoenix, KiD CuDi, Andrew Bird, and Lupe Fiasco) have sold out. Additionally, the free fall show, Super Mash Bros, boasted a turnout of around 8500 audience members. Even more impressive is the response to the Lupe Fiasco concert, where the 4000 student tickets sold out 59 minutes after becoming available. When the last 1000 tickets were released to the public at 9:00AM, they were gone by 9:01. According to President and Executive Director Harris Nord ’12, CCC has entered its “Golden Era.” The organization continues to deliver bigger and more exciting acts, and Nord takes pride in the diversity of featured artists. This year perform-
ers have ranged from an indie-folk singer-songwriter, to the up-and-coming hip-hop star. With such a variety, Nord says the CCC is fulfilling its goal of reaching out to everybody on campus. Customer satisfaction does come at a price, however. “We lose money on every show,” Nord said. To make sure that students can make it to the concerts, CCC keeps prices down to nineteen dollars a ticket, but this doesn’t even begin to cover all of the production costs. According to Advisor to CCC and Assistant Dean of Students Joe Scaffido, the SAFC grants CCC around $160,000 to aid with the price of four to six shows a year.
6
THE HISTORY This success isn’t exactly new. CCC has brought big names ever since the group first came into existence. CCC’s first show in 1971 featured Aretha Franklin in Barton Hall. Over the next 5 years, the organization secured popular acts such as Jethro Tull, The Byrds, Stevie Wonder, Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, The Temptations, Santana, Billy Joel, and The Beach Boys.
V.I.P. across the years
The Grateful Dead’s Barton Hall show in May of 1977 was a huge turning point, and according to fans of the group entitled “Dead Heads,” arguably the most legendary show the band ever played. Two years later, in 1979/1980, CCC provided an amazing 13 shows, putting on eight in the fall and bringing back the Dead in the spring. Nearly four decades later, the organization still has an incredibly strong presence on campus.
THEMEMBERS CCC members continue to follow a tradition of success and see their hard work pay off at every show. Bridget Cohn ’13 can attest to the amount of involvement students have in the organization. “I attend two weekly meetings; the Executive Board meeting and the General Body meetings,” she said. “I am gaining invaluable experience with Though its success seems to have come quickly, it did not all event planning in the music industry, something I may want come easily. CCC sometimes struggles to secure artists to to pursue.” perform at a university setting, and Ithaca’s location doesn’t always help. Yet CCC continuously “brings the hottest artists Alex Wittenberg ’13 also sees the benefits that memberto campus and brings students together for some of the best ship brings. “As a member of CCC, I am able to input my nights of the year,” Wittenberg said. voice.” He added, “The sense of accomplishment when the show is done is an incredible feeling.” Scaffido noted that the organization helps foster growth in stu-
LOOKING AHEAD
The Roots & Robert Randolf, 2002
dent leaders. By working with agencies to book bands, negotiating contracts, and acting as a liaison, Scaffido advises CCC, but it is truly up to the students to choose which artists to bring. Furthermore, the students split up the work into separate committees and clock an immense amount of hours on the day of each show. Because of active student participation, CCC is an efficient and powerful campus presence, and it will continue to be in years to come. As it approaches its fortieth year on campus, CCC is as popular as it has ever been, with more opportunities than ever for students to learn and be involved.
The Flaming Lips, 2010
Crew m for Su embers ha per M v ash B ing fun wh ros, F all ‘10 ile preppin g
7
All Photography by Andrew Fu
i Stars on the Slope Cornell’s Aspiring Artists BY Dani Gredoña and Jean-Paul Lozada Colleges have always been hotbeds of musical talent. When artists move away to school they have the opportunity to share their talent with people from all over the country, allowing them to gain exposure, to network, and to start making a name for themselves. Many of these musicians come to school intending to graduate with a degree and leave with fans and fame. Cornell itself has produced its fair share of musical acts. Kinetics and One Love, who are currently signed to Warner Music Group, rose to fame last year for composing and writing the hook to B.o.B.’s hit song “Airplanes.” Rap group True 2 Life Music, who recently released an EP entitled Money Never Sleeps, also got their start at Cornell. Among other artists who have risen to stardom during their time at school are Chiddy Bang (Drexel), Mike Posner (Duke), MGMT (Wesleyan), and Passion Pit (Emerson). Here are three rising stars who currently call Cornell their home. 8
Carlos Cancela ‘13, from Miami, FL Whether he’s at a Phi Sig party or at Level B, there’s a good chance you’ve heard Carlos Cancela spinning records for the crowd. Although Carlos, also known as DJ Carlos or ccanc, has only been DJing for a couple of years, he has devoted time to perfecting his craft and has become one of the most respected and sought-after DJ’s on campus. He may be an American Studies major, but at the rate he’s been going, his dream of becoming a career musician may not be too far off.
RHYTHM (left) DJ Carlos mixing some beats for the slope media crew When and how did you get started? I got started when I was a senior in high school. My friend had just gotten a DJ controller and I was amazed watching him mix. I decided to buy my own equipment and toss my hat in the ring. The rest is history.
nervous before anything, but the fact that it went well made me want to DJ every single event possible.
How long did it take for you to get good? Haha well I’ve still got a very long way to go, but my mixing started making sense about three months into it. I spent weeks practicing until four in the morning.
Do you do anything DJ-related at Cornell? Outside of Cornell? I DJ some parties at fraternities on campus, and outside of Cornell I’ve been spinning a lot at Level B in Collegetown. When I’m in Miami I have the occasional gig but they’re extremely hard to come by when you have Top 100 DJ’s coming through all the time.
What style of music do you spin the most? I’m all about that house music. I’m working on hip-hop and open format now, but house music is my true passion. Who/what has influenced you the most in your pursuit of music? Probably Led Zeppelin. I started off playing guitar when I was in seventh grade, and once I watched Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin’s guitarist) I knew exactly who I wanted to be like. Recently Laidback Luke has had a huge influence on me though. Any really special gigs that you remember? My first one. I was at Phi Sig using some old, beat up mixer that only played CD’s that could hold about fifteen songs. The mixing was extremely gritty and abrupt, but people still danced which was a huge relief. I don’t think I had ever been more
Dream gig? UMF (Ultra Music Festival) in Miami. There’s no place like it.
What do you like most about DJing? When the crowd is feeling it. There’s no better feeling in the world than to know people are enjoying themselves because of you. When you drop a huge track that everyone screams for, it’s surreal. Any career aspirations? My dream is to start my own record label, and to be a musician. I’ve started working with production, and I have a couple of tracks that need a good amount of work, but they’ve gone over well with the people I’ve showed them to so far.
9
DYLAN OWEN ‘14, from Orange County, NY. Owen performing at Level B in November
Dylan Owen may be a new addition to the Cornell Community, but he’s certainly already left a legacy. You may have seen him when he opened for Chiddy Bang, Sam Adams, or most recently for Mac Miller on May 1st, but Dylan has been rapping for much longer than we have known him. In high school he released two EPs and last summer, Dylan recorded a full-length EP entitled Senioritis. You better get your autographs now before this kid enters the big leagues.
How did you get started?/What made you decide you wanted to rap? I really enjoyed the genre of hip hop [and I found rap to be] an easy way to express myself and I love doing it. I started writing songs in an acoustic rap duo my freshman year of high school. Eventually, I met a guy who had recording equipment who told me I could come in and record. I used those recordings, released them and put them on iTunes and started looking. I don’t have a manager, but I have a booking agent who helps me but I do most of that myself. How do you get your gigs with Chiddy Bang, Mac Miller, Sam Adams…etc? For the most part they contact me; Chiddy Bang, Mac Miller, and Sam Adams all contacted me. They want someone who can bring people out to these shows. Sam Adams is pretty fratty- exactly what’d you expect from his music. Chiddy Bang…really laid back. Who has influenced you the most in your pursuit of music? My older brother; he plays guitar and was into the hardcore music scene which was the scene in Orange County. I used to go to a lot of his local shows; that made me realize what it feels like to
sell tickets and perform and I felt like I had my foot in the door. Sage Francis, a really cool indie rapper, is also a major influence; listening to his music and seeing that you can be more creative with hip hop than generic content really inspired me. What’s your major? Undecided in Arts. I’m a freshman. I really like creative writing though…but still pretty undecided [wry smile]. What have you thought of your freshman year at Cornell so far? I’ve definitely liked it; I think it’s good that it gives me a wellrounded experience, typical college experience. Go to the library, go to the dorms…Cornell has some really cool things to offer. It’s cool that although it has 14,000 kids, it still feels contained and feels really small. Summer plans? No summer plans yet…waiting on seeing what happens with a few things. Hopefully, playing some great shows. I would love to pursue music when I graduate; that’s my dream. I’ll be doing it on the side no matter what; hopefully, I’ll be doing it professionally.
10
How did you get started? I’ve always liked singing. I sought out a bunch of voice teachers when I moved to LA and the one I found knew the president of a production company that auditioned for. When I auditioned in the summer of 06, which is when I turned 16, the production people were like “Cool, you can go back to highschool.” I graduated high school really early and came to Cornell in fall of ’06, but during spring break, they were like “We want you to go to these studios in LA and record a demo.” So, I recorded it, and a month later, they came over to LA to sign with me, and decided I would take a break from school and go back and forth between LA and Japan. What was that like? While I was in Japan, I went on radio shows, was interviewed for magazines/tv shows, and performed live. But I wasn’t happy in Japan, so I decided to return to school. I did a lot of consulting with my family and friends and the cost-benefit analysis… and I thought it would be better for me to return to school. If I do want to return to music in the future, I would want to do it in a different country. Did you feel ready when you started actually performing? Not at all; I was 17 when I signed with them. It was really scary. I had no family there, I didn’t speak the language , didn’t know the culture. In Asian cultures, you just don’t randomly talk to
people to make friends…they think that’s really weird. If I talked to male strangers, they would think I’m hitting on them. What was it like coming back to Cornell? Definitely hard at first because I haven’t been studying for 2 years and then all of a sudden these fast-paced courses came at me and I was overwhelmed…but I enjoy and welcome challenges. I think being able to challenge myself really helped me to re-adapt to this environment…. though it’s really cold. What are you up to this summer? Right now, I have an offer from investment bank in China but it’s not a huge one…I think it would be a great experience but I’m also looking for opportunities in the U.S. I definitely plan on continuing music, even as a side thing. It’s not a passion that you would lose. Who influenced you when you were pursuing music? I explored most of it on my own; my dad’s not about singing. I would actively seek out local teachers and listen to different artists. I looked up to Mariah Carey and Christina Aguilara, my two favorites. A few Asian artists I really like, a girl named Boa, and this other girl named Utada Hikaru. She’s a singer- songwriter and I think some of her songs are really amazing. Is it wrong to say I looked up to Britney Spears when I was little too? I loved her. [laughs]
IT’S DESTINY (below) Melody’s album cover for her 2008 release called “Destiny”
MELODY TSE ‘12, from China. Stage Name: Tiana Xiao
Did you know that a full fledged pop star is in our midst? Melody Tse traveled back and forth between Japan and LA in order to boost her singing career—she did it all…from interviews, to recording, to performing on stage. While she loved her time in the spotlight, Melody decided that it was more important for her to attend Cornell and gain a good education. But, Melody is forevermore a rock star, and she’ll never give up her passion for music. 11
WHAT’S
{ Slope } Entertainment
MUSIC
BY Olivia Fecteau and Allie Tunis
CELEBS
MILEY CYRUS. Miley Cyrus entered adulthood with a bong, I mean bang, when she was caught smoking salvia during her eighteenth birthday.
www.theneumusic.com/shhhh/
THE STROKES. Garage rock fans had something to rejoice about however. The Strokes reunited with a new album, Angles, and a national tour.
CHARLIE SHEEN.
THE WHITE STRIPES. In early February, the news broke that everyone’s favorite bluesy brother/sister ex-husband/ex-wife duo, the White Stripes, broke up to “preserve what is beautiful and special about the band.”
www.imaginelifestyles.com
What celebrity media trending article would be complete without an appearance from America’s favorite “bi-winner”? Forget Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza- his “My Violent Torpedo of Truth” speaking tour promises to be one of the most entertaining events of the season.
JAMES FRANCO. James Franco continues to make headlines for his acting, Oscar hosting, play writing, and his ever-expanding Curriculum vitae. I am speculating he has been drinking some of the tiger blood to keep up with all of his endeavors.
http://blogs.1077theend.com
REBECCA BLACK. Youtube has continued to be a valuable resource for spreading music (see Justin Bieber for more details). Viewers were able to stream LCD Soundsystem’s final concert broadcast live from Madison Square Garden and more importantly experience the phenomenon that is Rebecca Black’s “Friday.”
IT’S FRIDAY
images.inquisitr.com
www.startopnews.com
12
HOT
INCEPTION. We returned to Cornell from summer vacation riding the Inception train (a train that will take you far away…). Christopher Nolan beasted the box office with his first screenplay since The Dark Knight, netting almost $300 million.
MOVIES http://inception.wikia.com
BLACK SWAN. That brings us to Black Swan. Natalie Portman stole the show as a ballerina who goes crazy from pressure. I spent half of this movie clutching the hand of my friend for safety. My impression of the film, as told to my boyfriend: “…I mean, I wouldn’t want to see it again, but it was…good. I think. I don’t know what just happened.”
THE SOCIAL NETWORK.
www.blackswanmovie.org/
www.geeky-gadgets.com
The Social Network allowed us to see Mark Zuckerberg as more than just the Facebook guy. Actually, wait, he’s still just the Facebook guy. Regardless, Aaron Sorkin did pretty well with this movie: eight Oscar nominations, three wins. Not bad for a movie that perpetuated our Facebook obsessions.
Technology
Verizon finally released an iPhone. Everyone loved its pretty glass and metal casing, until someone realized that it made the phone slippery and led to people dropping and breaking their phones.
bindapple.com
The iPad 2 was quicker, lighter and thinner than the original, but still managed to disappoint everyone who hoped it would have “Retina Display” like the iPod Touch. The chances of me buying an iPad are about the same as Charlie Sheen not #winning.
www.primaryignition.com
www.navigadget.com
Verizon dropped the ball far less with their Droid products. When I upgrade my ancient flip phone, I definitely want a Droid. Also, can we discuss how creepy www.droiddoes.com is? It sounds like Darth Vader is inside my screen.
13
{ Slope } Entertainment
Seniors of the Schwartz BY Jennifer Pierre
All Photography by Andrew Gillis
SPOTLIGHT Bridget Saracino and Myles Rowland performing in Big Love.
Far, far away, at the entrance to Collegetown, is a magical place called the Schwartz. After seeing
my first production at the Schwartz I decided to further investigate the inner workings, attitudes and overall environment of the Schwartz, specifically it’s theatre department. In order to get a true inside look I interviewed a few seniors with many years of experience to discuss.
Myles Rowland, a theatre major, has quite an interesting back-story. “When I was a freshman I was going to be a math major,” he said, “but since I didn’t know anyone in the beginning I went to a bunch of open houses and met the nicest people. A group of theatre majors convinced me to audition for a play called the Bourgeoisie Gentlemen, and after I got cast I kept auditioning for more shows.” He recalled his experience working as director of Precious Little as one of his favorite. He is also starred in Martin McDonough’s The Pillowman, a play he described as something he has always wanted to work on. After talking with Myles I realized the way in which the Schwartz theatre department can really draw people in and expand their interests.
Ian Harkin is currently a government major and theatre minor, but no one can dispute Ian’s dedication to the Schwartz. He assistant directed The Pillowman, but took last semester to perform in a show that moved to Broadway. All of this success came from very opposite beginnings. “I first got involved in theatre fairly late in high school when I got injured and had to stop doing varsity...and also as a way to meet girls,” he said while smiling. After realizing how much fun it actually was, he knew he wanted to go to a college where he could be involved in theatre. He began auditioning for roles starting the first weekend of his freshman year and ended up landing a lead role in a main stage
14
production of Benjamin Farce. “I was the type of kid in high school that said theatre is for sissies,” he admitted. “I was never the type of person that always knew what I wanted to do so I did a lot of exploring of my interests and really got into theatre.” In contrast with Myles and Ian, Bridget Saracino’s career at the Schwartz started a bit later, because she transferred into Cornell. She was involved in theatre at her previous college, and she very glad that at Cornell she could work with professional actors and earn her equity card as well. The Resident Professional Teaching Associates, or RPTA, offer Cornell theatre majors a unique opportunity to work with professional actors both in the classroom and on the stage. “A lot of graduate schools’ selling points are their connections to regional theatre. An undergraduate experience with these professionals is something really unique to the Schwartz,” she said. She describes some of the things she loves the most about the Schwartz and her theatre experiences at Cornell as the support and kindness she continually receives
from those she works with in shows. Last semester she starred in Big Love, a show she described as “challenging and scary,” especially because of how vulnerable she had to be on stage, but she was able to shine in the role because of the constant support provided by her costars and friends. As a recent acceptant into the Brown University, Bridget’s future is bright. Interviewing these wonderful seniors of the Schwartz center gave me a little bit of inside scoop on what it is truly like to be involved in theatre here at Cornell. With staff being cut and many fundamental parts of the Schwartz changing in years to come, the theatre, film, and dance department definitely has some very different times ahead. I certainly hope, though, that the department still continues to develop and attract and guide many more bright, driven and versatile young actors and actresses for years to come.
(left to right) Myles Rowland in Big Love, Ian Harkin in Romeo and Juliet, Bridget Saracino in Big Love.
15
{ Slope } Cornell
Reflect and Remember COMING TOGETHER After the passing
BY Renee Tornatore
of George Desdunes ‘13, his peers gathered for a memorial to honor his memory.
Photograph by Adam Tou
There was a period of time last year when I refused to look over the Thurston Bridge into the gorges. Not because I was in denial that any of the tragedies had ever happened, but because once I glanced at the icy, rushing water below, I couldn’t look away. It was like an invisible circus of atrocities had set up selfishly in my path, knowing full well I didn’t have the resolve to ignore it. With frozen fingers gripped around the then-lowered fence, I couldn’t bring myself to take my eyes off of the cliffs and water. The cold steel was haunting; the falls seemed to gargle and laugh, knowing that they had staked their claim in the unforgiving winter. What does it mean to accept the pain of being human? Is it even possible? As much as we could try to wrap our minds around the whys and hows of the numerous tragedies that have happened at Cornell in the past two years, there is no full or knowing way. Every student present either this year or last year has an intimate connection with what has happened, whether they knew the students whose lives have passed or not. Whether that connection is vis-
ceral and pungent or distant and isolated, none of us can deny the irreparable losses our community has suffered. Every loss is profoundly different and intensely personal. Thus, it is impossible to characterize the numerous deaths at Cornell in the past two years. There have been periods of time in Cornell’s history where deaths happen in clusters and there have been periods of time without any loss. Both circumstances reveal the truth that there is no way to make sense of the fragility of life. Dr. Gregory Eells, PhD, is the associate director of Gannett and director of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). In his eight years working at Cornell University, as well as his time spent at numerous other higher-level institutions, he is no stranger to student deaths. Eells provides patient insight into ways we can cope with the pain of loss, both individually and as a community. He states, “Acknowledging that it’s okay to be sad and that it’s a completely normal and acceptable human response to loss is very important. Never try to suppress your
feelings, work to accept them despite the difficulty.” He also advocates maintaining positive social connections as one of the most important ways to stay relatively grounded in a time of tumult. Eells believes social rituals across cultures have created stability in communities during many tragedies through time. The act of sitting with a grieving friend and keeping them company speaks volumes even if either party is silent. He states, “No one thing anyone can say will take the pain away. And no expertise can change that. Being there is simply enough. It’s important to let go of your own need to fix the problem immediately. There is no magic bullet.” Everyone deals with death differently, and many do choose to handle it by shutting out friends and family even though he/she needs their strong base of support the most. Eells also addresses the issue of isolation during times of loss, advising “the tangible things are most important: making sure the aggrieved person is eating and taking care of themselves properly. Also making sure that he/she isn’t trying to numb the pain by overcompensating with drinking or drug use is very important.” 16
Further, a mourning friend desiring isolation requires a delicate sense of balance. Nobody wants to exacerbate the anger, sadness, and sorrow of someone in mourning. Thus, giving a balanced message of space as well as support is vital. Eells believes there aren’t ever really any “right” words to say, but something as simple as “I’m going to be here as long as you need me, I’m concerned about you and I’m not going to leave you,” conveys aid with a sense of mindful distance.
“
Because of the infinite impact the departed students have had on each of our lives and our experiences at Cornell, we should give ourselves the time and the patience we deserve and require to get better again.
”
Although the past two years have been some of the most devastating in Cornell history, Eells is very impressed with community outreach on campus. He has noticed much more student activity aimed toward destigmatizing mental health, which is a healthy step in the direction of understanding suicide. The administration, namely President David Skorton and Susan Murphy have very actively tried to reach out and respond to student needs as best they can by advocating an array of resources that utilize different solution methods according to specific needs of students. Reacting with a sense of honesty, heart, and openness has inspired grassroots student organizations such as “Lift Your Spirits” and other emotional and psychological support groups to form.
flowers woven through the chain link fences over the gorges serve to remind us of the beauty and brightness of the souls that once walked next to us. Wonderful memorial gatherings have been held where our passed classmates have been rendered eternal by our own additions of beloved memories and photographs. Who we once considered mere friends have been turned into brothers and sisters, trying to hold each other up the best we can. What has left our campus were beacons of light and promise, loved by many and missed by all. Because of the infinite impact the departed students have had on each of our lives and our experiences at Cornell, we should give ourselves the time and the patience we deserve and require to get better again. Thus, Eells’ final advice is: “Do not rush to move forward too soon. Losses are very, very personal. Don’t try to numb the pain, don’t try to drink or work it away to overcompensate for the pain you feel. And most importantly, stay connected to positive relationships with others for support and healing.” The only common thread between each individual tragedy is that they are all different, with infinite paths of resonance. Our unique commonalities of sorrow can become a mutual ground for understanding that could hopefully cultivate an even greater shared love for our community here. One of the only tangible facts we can take away from these tragic times is that life dances and darts before our eyes, fleeting and folding in ways unimaginable. Our healing process doesn’t have to do the same.
Yet the loss of each student brings unprecedented alterations in the atmosphere here that no one could ever predict or prepare for. No matter how many support groups are made or how many counselors make themselves available, there will never be a sense of full and complete repair. The wounding absence of each student will never seem normal or be fully accepted. Reminders of our dear, late classmates often come hurdling like freight trains, unable to ignore or stop. Strands of www.gannett.cornell.edu
17
{ Slope } Cornell
DENICE CASSARO The Legend, The Myth, The Woman BY Jason Goldberg
?
B
Photograph by Erinn Cawthon
atman. Zorro. Denice Cassaro. These famous personas have been mysterious figures in history for many, many years. While their true identities still remain a question, there are various conspiracy theories that some of these individuals might not even be real people. However, contrary to popular belief, the most local celebrity shrouded in mystery, Denice Cassaro, walks among us. She e-mails us. She lurks past us in the dining halls. She might even say hello to you or smile at you, and you would never even know. So what’s with all those e-mails? Twice a week, Cassaro e-mails the student body about upcoming events with colorful and playful fonts. “I started the e-mail list, and I don’t have to do it. I can stop it tomorrow. The reason I kept my name on it was because people would have a real person to communicate with.” These e-mails have made Denice Cassaro somewhat of a Cornell myth, with many believing she might not even exist. People are usually very surprised when they find out she is a real, living and breathing, non-computerized human being.
Cassaro recalled a visit to Best Buy in Ithaca where she recited her name to an employee, and his “jaw completely dropped.” “People are surprised when I introduce myself,” she laughed. “I guess most people envision me a certain way and are surprised when they actually meet me.” As for her Internet fame, Cassaro considers herself honored. “It really is a privilege because you start to represent everyone and you really want to bring people together,” she reflected. “Cornell is big, and people could get lonely.” With the wake of recent suicides and deaths on campus, Cassaro hopes that her programs and her e-mails can be an outlet for students to gather and build important bonds with one another, despite all of these tragedies. Now, a little insider scoop about Cassaro’s history: Cassaro was born in Heidelberg, Germany, but moved with her family to the Bronx. “It was a rough neighborhood, “she recalled. “It was mostly working-class, Puerto-Rican and Italian.” Cassaro began her career at Cornell in 1984 as a Residence Hall Director. When she first came to Cornell, Robert Purcell Community Center used to be Robert Purcell Union (RPU) and part of Willard Straight Hall’s “Unions & Activities.” In the mid 1990’s, Robert Purcell and the old Noyes became community centers rather than being part of the Union. In that transition, lots of programs and events were lost. Community Center Programs (CCP) formed in 2001. The university placed Cassaro as Director of CCP because of her strong will and desire to unite the Cornell community. CCP’s goal was to develop a sense of family and to work with organizations and departments to create fun and educational activities. As the first and only Director of CCP, Cassaro began to recruit various students of diverse and unique backgrounds to assist her in developing programs. Over the years, the organization began to grow and mold into a major institution on campus with programs such as Procrastination Station, Relaxation Station, Sports Lounge, and Open Mic. All of the grey-shirted employees making popcorn, playing games, and engaging with fellow students are all part of Cassaro’s crew. Where does Cassaro hope CCP will go in the future? “We want to continue what we are doing, but do it better,” she stated. “We’ve been hit with budget cuts so we have to work with the student staff to get more ownership of programs and develop more energy.” Cassaro has a background in social justice and is currently working on earning her PhD at Cornell; thus, she wants to employ her expertise to foster even more social change on campus. “I want to make sure our programs and events are inclusive and support groups that are traditionally underrepresented,” she said. “It’s challenging but our diverse staff are instrumental in helping to create and support a welcoming and supportive community for everyone. It almost happens by itself because of them!.” So, does Denice Cassaro ever plan on giving Cornell a grand-reveal of her identity? “No.” she says with a smile. “It’s too much fun.”
18
{ Slope } Politics
PLANNED PARENTHOOD On the rise or on the road to demise? BY Claire Eisel
Live Action released videos where they had posed as sex workers and recorded and edited conversations with Planned Parenthood employees. Afterwards, Planned Parenthood employees contacted federal authorities about a possible sex trafficking ring. In one video, however, a Planned Parenthood worker advised the pretend sex trafficker about how to provide medical services to underage prostitutes, and Planned Parenthood fired them immediately and retrained all employees.
www.facebook.com/plannedparenthood
ACTION Planned Parenthood supporters gathered in NYC to protest. A recent proposed Congressional spending bill threatens Planned Parenthood more drastically than ever before. Planned Parenthood and other organizations have not received any federal money for abortions since the Hyde Amendment was passed in 1976, which banned the provision of federal funds for abortion. In fact, more than 90% of Planned Parenthood’s services are preventative, ranging from education and counseling, to cancer and disease screening, to reproductive and sexual health
care. These services currently receive funding under Title X and other government grants, and without them many low-income women and families would be unable to pay for basic health care. The spending bill, called H.R. 1, passed in the House but was defeated in the Senate. It included a rider called the Pence Amendment, which would strip Planned Parenthood and other similar organizations of ALL federal funding. To complicate matters, members of a pro-life group called
In response to the videos and the proposed bill, Planned Parenthood launched a big campaign to protest budget cuts and make their message clear. Employees and advocates alike embarked on a national tour called “I Stand with Planned Parenthood,” holding rallies in various cities with speakers and musical entertainment. 6,000 people came out to a rally in New York City on February 27th to hear more than 40 different speakers voice their support for Planned Parenthood, including Congress representatives Chuck Schumer and Carolyn Maloney, and actress and advocate Kathleen Turner. Planned Parenthood used their Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr pages to advertise events and provide updates on battles over these issues. Many people that couldn’t attend rallies updated their statuses or posted videos to show their support. Michelle Klawans ’11, who has interned at Planned Parenthood,said that social media were instrumental in informing the public and endorsing Planned Parenthood. “A lot of people have very misconstrued ideas about what Planned Parenthood does, so it’s important to get the word out and show support for the cause,” she said.
Mayor Bloomberg of New York City signed legislation that requires pregnancy crisis centers to let their clients know whether they are seeing licensed medical providers, and whether they provide certain pregnancy health services. The bill is aimed at reducing deceptive practices of crisis pregnancy centers. Although this recent bill and the failure of the passage of H.R. 1 in the Senate seem promising, there is still a debate over budget resolutions to be made, and more initiatives to cut federal funding for Planned Parenthood are likely. www.facebook.com/plannedparenthood
19
{ Slope } Fashion
Summer BLEACHED DENIM Light, bleached jeans are back, looking polished and summery in light, almost-white hues. Pair bleached denim with cognac leather oxfords and belts, crisp whites, or bright accents. Consider soft denim button downs, a close-to-the-body jean jacket (perfect over a summer sundress!), or classic ripped jeans. WHY WEAR: Make bleached denim modern and ladylike—not 80’s and grungy—so supplement bleached denim with fine details and sharp tailoring, rather than sloppy layers.
Top Shop (above) Lanvin (below)
Alberta Ferreti
KHAKI AND BRIGHTS
Khakis shift from the office-wear staple to a relaxed canvas when paired with neon that is perfect for warm weather. For pants, choose khaki pieces in loose fits, moving away from pleats or boot cuts.
Jill Sander
For jackets, pair loose khaki shells or a classic trench with flowy layers for day and switch to fitted leather and a silk top for night. Keep neon touches small.. Neon can be swapped for resigned hues like cerulean blue and coral. 20
Trends
BY Lizzie Brooks and Emma Laurentine
Alberta Ferreti Leather and lace exude a combination of dominance and delicacy, and neither lacks allure this summer. While spikes and “fierce� clothing have reigned for a few seasons, they are now giving way to a more feminine round of designs. Leather is a versatile and wearable offspring of those dying trends. Lace, on the other hand, represents the backlash against them. What could be further from metal rivets than silk flowers?
polog o r h t An
Ann Demeulemeester
ie
WHEN TO WEAR: Trips to beach or days in the city. A leather bomber accents the femininity of a lace shift.. This duet can continue into accessories. Leather bags and shoes are forever prominent, but how about swapping them for lace? Or trade chain necklaces for leather ribbons? Can you say creative exploration?
LEATHER AND LACE 21
{ Slope } Sports
Cornell Women’s Hockey: a Dynasty in the Making BY Tim Weisberg
The Doug Derraugh’s reign as Cornell Women’s Hockey Coach has been like fine wine; something that simply gets better with age. While the Big Red were cellar dwellers, recording only four wins five seasons ago, they soon aged and climbed out of the cellar with an unprecedented quality. The Big Red increased their four-win season eightfold within five years, winning 32 games during the 2010-11 season, a Cornell record, and appeared in their second consecutive Frozen Four. However, according to coach Derraugh, he envisioned the program reaching this level even when he arrived in 2005 and inherited a team whose last winning season was in 1998. “That was my expectation when I came here as coach,” Derraugh said of building a top-tier hockey program. “Cornell historically has had strong hockey traditions on both the men’s and women’s side and quite frankly I expected [success] at some point. I didn’t know how quickly it would happen, but I did think that we had a great school, great hockey tradition, and great facilities. I felt that we should be one of the best programs in the country.”
From the bottom to the top, the Big Red made headlines as National Runner-ups during the 2009-10 season as Derraugh led the Big Red to their first winning record in 12 years, as well as the first NCAA berth in program history. After an overtime loss to Mercyhurst on Nov. 2, the Big Red went an incredible 21-0-1 from Nov. 5 to Feb. 12, outscoring opponents 102-11 down the stretch and boasting 13 shutouts. According to forward Rebecca Johnston ‘12, it has been a gratifying experience being nationally recognized in major collegiate hockey. “For me personally, it’s really exciting to go from my freshman, even my second year having 10, 20, 30 people in the stands, and probably basically all of our parents…” Johnston said. “Then to actually have fans filling up most of the rink this year was just an incredible feeling and it’s just nice to know that people want to come out and watch us.” Derraugh recounted a time when his team was home for the weekend and went to watch the Cornell men’s hockey team play at a sold-out Lynah Rink. “Man I wish we could play in front of a crowd like this,” he recalled one player say.
22
Fast-forwarding to the ECAC Championship game against Dartmouth on March 5, Derraugh remembers pulling that player aside when the Big Red were presented with the ECAC championship trophy out on the ice.“Take a look around,” he said. At that same game, there was a recorded attendance of 2,711 spectators, an all-time record for the women’s hockey program. “It’s interesting because as the crowd built up, it seems like people that were coming kept coming,” said Derraugh. “It wasn’t like they came to one game and we’re gone…I don’t think they really realized how great of a game [women’s hockey] was until they took the time to come and watch.” Despite two straight Frozen Four appearances, the 4-1 loss to Boston University in this year’s Frozen Four still put a damper on an otherwise historical run. “Without question,” Catherine White ‘12 reiterated. “In my mind, I think we could’ve won it (all) this year. I just don’t think that we played to our potential.” But for Derraugh, coming away empty handed only adds more fuel to the fire. “If you come that close but don’t succeed, it makes you even hungrier to get back there,” he said. And with great power comes great responsibility. So for Derruagh, goals that may have appeared farfetched when he first arrived are now a reality.
Cornell Rewrites History Books Victories: 32 Consecutive Frozen Fours: 2 Winning Streak: 18 Shutouts: 15 First Team All-ECAC Players: 4 Consecutive ECAC titles: 2 “The expectations are different than they were four years ago, but that’s why as a coach I’m so appreciative of our senior class this year and our senior class last year,” he said. “That’s always tough to change the culture of a program, and we’ve been very fortunate as a coaching staff to have great leaders on our team that have helped us do that…freshman come in here and know what is expected of this team and what is expected of them.” As the 2011-12 season approaches, juniors like White will enter their final season knowing that National Championship or not, they have put a permanent stamp on the history of Cornell women’s hockey. “I know the players recruited before me and also the ones in my (recruiting) class, we wanted to be a part of something special,” she said. “We wanted to be able to build a program and to be able to start from where we did my freshman year and to come here is a really great experience.”
GOAL Frozen Four Bound–Cornell celebrates after scoring a goal against Dartmouth in the NCAA Quarterfinals on March 12. The Big Red won 7-1 to advance to their second consecutive Frozen Four. 23
WANNA JOIN SLOPE?! Lindsay Rothfeld (Editor) at: magazine@slopemedia.org Linda Mikula (Advisor): lhm1@cornell.edu Dani Gredo単a(Creative Director): dmg258@cornell.edu Slope Magazine is an independent student organization located at Cornell University, produced and is responsible for the content of this publication. This publication was not reviewed or approved by, nor does it necessariy express or relfect the policeies or opinion of, Cornell University or its designated representatives.
CHIDDY BA NG
BASK IN THE SUN IT'S ALMOST SUMMER www.SLOPEMEDIA.org
FGHJK