The Official Campus Newspaper of Swarthmore College Since 1881 VOL. 136, ISSUE 6
The Phoenix
TODAY: Showers in the morning, storms in the afternoon. High 77, Low 57. TOMORROW: Lots of sunshine. High 79, Low 59.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012
Spoken Word Gains Popularity on Campus
SWARTHMOREPHOENIX.COM
Parrish Key Code System May Soon See Its End Safety Concerns Prompt Potential Security Changes By DANIEL BLOCK News Writer
MARTIN FROGER-SILVA/THE PHOENIX
Top left, the audience watches the performers at the Coming Out Week and OASIS Joint Open Mic held in Scheuer on Sunday. Top right, Abigail Henderson performs a poem. Above, members of The Noize join Noel Quiñones at the mic. Page 8.
After a male intruder grabbed a female student in a Parrish residential hall restroom in the fall semester of 2006, the entrances to Parrish’s residential wings were installed with locks to improve security. This included the addition of the keypad systems that allow those who want to enter to unlock the doors using a numerical combination. Now, six years after that incident, and five years after the keypad lock system was installed, there is new concern that Parrish’s residential halls are not adequately secure. As a result, administrators, public safety, and the residents of Parrish are talking about eliminating the keypad system and allowing access exclusively via keys. Indeed, the west all-male hall on Parrish’s fourth floor has already had its key code system deactivated. According to Public Safety Communication Supervisor George Darbes, the unease stems from the fact that the key code to the Parrish halls has been disseminated beyond the residents of Parrish. “In order to be kept secure, the key code has to be kept to yourself,” Darbes said. “If you give it away, it’s not a safe space anymore.” “In the past, people have been concerned as to why this was the one space that didn’t use keys,”
said Rachel Head, the Assistant Dean for Residential Life. As a result of growing concern, Head began speaking with Parish residential advisors about whether the keypad system should be done away with. Michelle Ammerman ’14, the resident assistant (RA) for Parrish’s 4th floor east wing, stated that Head contacted her and the other RAs in late August during RA training. “She sent us an email basically telling us to talk about it as an RA team and have our residents weigh in on the topic,” Ammerman said. Consequently, Ammerman and the other RAs for Parrish began discussing the keypad system with their halls. And while Ammerman says that there is no consensus among her hallmates, “generally, we like the key code system,” adding that “not having to get your key out and not having to get up to let your friends in” was nice. Indeed, many residents of Parrish, including Ammerman, favor having key codes. “I like the key code because it’s quicker and easier than the key,” said Tom Kim ’16, a resident of Parrish’s third floor, where the keypad system is still in place. Scheynen Loeffler ’16, a resident of Parrish’s fourth floor, says he would also prefer to have a
Continued on Page 4
Men’s Soccer Bounces Back from Tough Week By ROY GREIM Sports Writer
Last week, the Swarthmore College men’s soccer team rebounded from a rough two-game stretch with wins over Centennial foes Muhlenberg and McDaniel to remain tied with Dickinson atop the conference table. A stunning 2-1 overtime loss to Stevens on September 19 and a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Dickinson on the 22nd were disappointing results for the Garnet, which had just entered the national rankings at No. 14 in D3Soccer.com poll and No. 18 in the NSCAA/Continental Tire National Poll on September 18, only to drop out of the NSCAA poll the following week. Nevertheless, these setbacks provided
motivation for a team looking to defy preseason expectations and find itself back in control of the conference. “Those two results were definitely a wake-up call,” captain Jack Momeyer ’14 said. “They made us realize that this season will not be without speed bumps, and the better we weather the storm, the easier we can bounce back. I think it is a testament to our resilience; we shook off our two worst results one week, and got our two best results the following week.” On September 27, the Garnet faced a tough test as it traveled to Allentown, Pa. to take on Muhlenberg at Varsity Field, where the Mules hadn’t lost since November 20, 2010, when they dropped a 1-0 contest to Merchant Marine in the 2010 NCAA Tournament.
The road team struck early and often as defenders John Pontillo ’13 and Cameron French ’14 both found the back of the net within the first 15 minutes of play. Pontillo put in a header in the 11th minute off a corner from Noah Sterngold ’14 and French scored in a similar fashion just minutes later, heading in a ball from Momeyer in the 14th minute. In a 2-0 hole, Muhlenberg was able to the cut the deficit in half a mere 22 seconds before intermission as Cody Antonini, a second-team All-American in 2010, scored from the top of the 18-yard box. Coming out of halftime, the homestanding Mules mounted an offensive attack, registering four of their seven Continued on Page 18
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
NEWS CAMPUS TO WELCOME WELLNESS FACILITY
LIVING & ARTS YOU’LL FALL FOR THIS “LOVE STORY”
OPINIONS ELIMINATE GENDERED BATHROOMS AT SWAT
SPORTS GARNET XC RACES TO INVITATIONAL FINISH
Several members of the Swarthmore administrative staff met on Friday to discuss tentative plans to build a new wellness center where the squash courts are currently located on campus. Page 3
Walnut Street Theater’s production of this predictable romance, which stars Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds in the lead roles, brought writer Jeannette Leopold to tears. Page 8
Aaron Kroeber suggests that Swarthmore de-gender bathrooms in public buildings in the interest of equality across all genders, as one of the last civil liberties Swarthmore does not endorse. Page 12
Standout performances on the men’s and women’s teams from Jacob Phillips and Jenna Cody led the Garnet to strong finishes at the Dickinson Long/Short Invitational held Saturday. Page 16
PAGE 2
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012
The Phoenix MARCUS MELLO, Editor in Chief MENGHAN JIN, Managing Editor
The News Section KOBY LEVIN, Editor AMANDA EPSTEIN, Assistant Editor
News Writers SARAH COE-ODESS ANNA GONZALEZ CHARLES HEPPER
NEHMAT KAUR CHI ZHANG PATRICK HAN
The Living & Arts Section STEVEN HAZEL, Editor ALLI SHULTES, Assistant Editor GABRIELA CAMPOVERDE, Columnist AKURE IMES, Columnist DEBORAH KRIEGER, Columnist BRAD LENOX, Columnist VIANCA MASUCCI, Columnist KIERAN REICHERT, Columnist LANIE SCHLESSINGER, Columnist ZOE WRAY, Columnist SAM ZHANG, Columnist ELIZABETH KRAMER, Artist RENU NADKARNI, Artist PRESTON COOPER, Puzzlemaster Living & Arts Writers TAYLOR HODGES AXEL KODAT
JEANNETTE LEOPOLD
ZHENGLONG ZHOU/PHOENIX STAFF
The Opinions Section
Web Content
PRESTON COOPER, Editor PATRICK AMMERMAN, Columnist TYLER BECKER, Columnist SEAN BRYANT, Columnist DANIELLE CHARETTE, Columnist AARON KROEBER, Columnist HARSHIL SAHAI, Columnist
ERIC SHERMAN, Webmaster
The Sports Section
Copy
DANIEL DUNCAN, Editor ROY GREIM, Writer JENNI LU, Writer JAMES IVEY, Columnist SCOOP RUXIN, Columnist
ALLISON McKINNON, Circulation Manager AXEL KODAT, Social Media Coordinator CAMILA RYDER, Publicity Coordinator HARSHIL SAHAI, Business Manager
JOYCE WU, Chief Copy Editor Copy Editors ALEX BLOCKER SARAH COE-ODESS SOPHIE DIAMOND ALICE KIM
Graphics PARKER MURRAY, Art Director Graphics Editors MIREILLE GUY JULIA NEE
Business Management
ALLEGRA POCINKI NYANTE ASHERMAN
LAUREN KIM JEANNETTE LEOPOLD RAZI SHABAN
The Phoenix is located in: Parrish Hall, Offices 470-472 500 College Ave Swarthmore, PA 19081
Photography
Tel 610.328.7362
JULIA CARLETON, Editor RAISA REYES, Editor Photographers MARTIN FROGER-SILVA AKSHAJ KUCHIBHOTLA SADIE RITTMAN
Email editor@swarthmorephoenix.com Web swarthmorephoenix.com NITHYA SWAMINATHAN ZHENGLONG ZHOU ADRIANA OBIOLS
Please direct advertising requests to advertising@swarthmorephoenix.com. The Phoenix reserves the right to refuse any advertising. Advertising rates subject to change. Mail subscriptions are available for $60 a year or $35 a semester. Please direct subscription requests to Marcus Mello. The Phoenix is printed at Bartash Printing, Inc. The Phoenix is a member of the Associated College Press and the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association.
Coming Out Week Offers Safety, But No Imperative | Page 4
News
Self-Defense Training Coming Soon
Assistant Director of Public Safety Joanna Gallagher will be teaching a self-defense course for Swarthmore students starting in late October. The course will be especially encouraged for students going abroad. Page 3.
Swatbox Spreads the Music
A new freshmen-led club will use boomboxes to spread tunes around campus. They hope to expose Swarthmore to different types of music. Look for them on Thursdays and Fridays. Page 5.
Living & Arts
Friends Don’t Let Friends Fall for Peer Pressure
EVS technician David Toland redefines peer pressure as an “excuse for weak people” and provides examples from his own life on how best to overcome it. Page 7.
Dear Nestor
Our new advice columnist offers suggestions to Puzzled Paces Prude on heading home after Saturday night parties. Page 7.
Hot Diggity Dog: Ruth Krakower and Charlie
The Director of Alumni and Gift Record’s precious pooch has a penchant for plush chew toys and games of chase with his nine feline friends. Page 9
Pterodactyl Hunt for Dummies
SADIE RITTMAN / PHOENIX STAFF
Ghana: The Next Frontier in Consumer Bankingv
Harshil explores the soaring economy of this small west African nation, and how its active banking system is an indicator of its financial success. Page 13
Brush up on the rules to the campus classic before the event kicks off this Saturday. Page 10
Sports
The Wallflowers Leave Listeners Glad All Over
Referees, Players Need to Agree on Fouls
Opinons
320 Challenge Eludes Athletes, Non-Athletes Alike
Columnist Deborah Krieger reviews the group’s new release. Page 10
Staff Editorial
The Phoenix analyzes the private comments of public figures that became public and argues that it is inappropriate to judge those remarks with the same weight as other statements. Page 12
Teachers Strike Out in Chicago
The Swarthmore Conservative offers his stance on the teachers’ strike in Chicago and connects it with the problems in America’s educational system. Page 13.
Do Premier League refs favor English players when calling fouls? James Ivey thinks soccer is just more physical in England. Page 15.
The Garnet sports teams have a year-long competition with a fierce rival. And no, it’s not with Haverford. Page 15.
Youth Movement Underway in Women’s Soccer
The youthful women’s team hangs with nationallyranked Johns Hopkins, but falls to the veteran squad. Page 16.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012
News
PAGE 3
The Phoenix
New Multipurpose Building in Development Stage Facility To Serve Wellness, Fitness and Theater Roles
By SARAH COE-ODESS News Writer
On Friday, September 28, Vice President for Facilities and Services Stu Hain, Dean of Students Liz Braun, Director of Athletics Adam Hertz, Wellness Coordinator Satya Nelms and Secretary of the College and Vice President for Communications Nancy Nicely met to discuss their plan to create a new building on campus. The two-story complex would be a multipurpose building for wellness, fitness and theater and would replace the space that now houses the squash courts and Team Weight Room. “When I first got here a little over two years ago, […] one of the major themes students were talking about was wellness, support for wellness and how to access that,” Braun said. Nelms, who agrees that a focus on wellness has grown on campus in the past couple of years, hopes to get students to be proactive about their health and maintain a sense of their well-being. “One of the things that I work on is integrating wellness into the campus community as much as possible, and part of that is providing numerous outlets for wellness,” she said. “A lot of that comes from students asking […] for support and then one of the hardest parts I do is scrambling and finding where to do it.” As of now, Wharton C basement serves as the wellness lounge on campus. The problem, though, is that the lounge can only fit 12 seated people or five active ones. It is often not large enough to accommodate groups looking to use the space. Nelms hopes to create a centralized place for wellness so that people don’t have to struggle to find somewhere to go. Hain thinks this multipurpose building would also maximize efficiency of space and improve people’s work-out experience. Because Swarthmore College no longer has a varsity squash team, the space is underutilized, so those involved in the project want to repurpose the space to accommodate three prominent aspects of campus and blend academics and athletics. The Mullan Center, which was built in 2000, was a suitable space for fitness at the
JULIA CARLTON/PHOENIX STAFF
Wellness Coordinator Satya Nelms and Dean Liz Braun look on intently as Stu Hain outlines plans for a new building on campus.
new building, the theater department has offered to make its designated space available for fitness and wellness in the morning. “In this one project are so many different principles from the strategic plan,” Braun said. “I think it will bring folks together in a really neat way. The last major theme from the strategic plan is flexible space [… and] a lot of what we’re trying to take on in any project at this time is flexible space.” In the meeting, Hertz not only agreed that the idea of a The last major theme from the flexible space is beneficial but also expressed that he thinks the strategic plan is flexible space combination of the three aspects [... and] a lot of what we’re of student life makes sense. “In many ways, wellness and trying to take on in any project fitness are performing arts, […] at this time is flexible space. so the three aspects work perfectly together,” he said. “ We Liz Braun want to allow fitness and wellDean of Students ness to work collaboratively together, which will allow us to better enhance what we do for the student population.” The two-story building, time. With increased faculty and student which will be an estimated 7,000 square feet focus on fitness, however, the 3,000-square per floor, will be built out of both glass and foot space now feels cramped with equip- insulated walls. The first floor will contain ment and people. Last year, a varsity gym space for a lobby, cubbies, showers, storage, was created to try to ameliorate the space is- office space, and theater, fitness, and wellsue, but, while it was successful in that way, ness facilities, while the second floor will be an open space available for fitness. it segregated the student population. “We wind up with, if we can do this, this “This new building will re-introduce the athlete population to the rest of the school space plus space in the Mullan Center,” population,” Hertz said. “We think it will Hain said. “So we’ll have at least double, offer a more pleasant environment for probably triple, the space we have now for working out, because equipment won’t be wellness and fitness.” The Mullan Center will still serve wellstacked on top of each other.” The theater department is another de- ness and fitness purposes, but how it will partment without sufficient space. For a exactly complement the new building is still while, Hicks Hall’s Mural Room was an undetermined. available rehearsal space, but they lost that Hain hopes to use as much of the lumber space. of the old building as possible, and the blue“In the ideal world, they need a class- prints show sweeping roofs and ventilating room that mimics the black box theater, and windows to maximize natural light. With that would also give us a room that could this architecture, people on the second floor mimic the main stage,” Hain said about the should be able to see through the glass walls theater space in the proposed building. “So onto Clothier Field. that would allow them rehearsal space.” Another plan for the building is an exWith ample closet space for props and pansive platform deck that will allow for materials as part of the blueprint for the outdoor wellness activity on days with good
weather. “Fundraising for the wellness/fitness/ theatre center was just recently approved by the Board of Managers, so we’re still very early in the process of identifying potential donors for this project, who are likely to be parents and alumni-parents,” Vice Presi-
dent for Development and Alumni Relations Karl Clauss said in an email. The project cost is an estimated four million dollars, which Clauss said they hope to raise by this summer or early fall of 2013. The estimated project time is 15 months from the start of construction.
Self-Defense Training Coming Soon By CHARLIE HEPPER News Writer
In an effort to increase the number of safety programs available to the college community, the Department of Public Safety is planning to offer self-defense courses from the R.A.D, or Rape Aggression Defense program starting in late October. Assistant Director of Public Safety Joanna Gallagher will teach the courses. Gallagher has had over ten years of experience as a R.A.D. instructor. “This class will help educate participants on three primary foundations including education, dependency of self, decision-making responsibility and selfrealization of physical power by using practical techniques that can also change lives,” Gallagher said. The course’s focus will be partially preventative, seeking to develop students’ situational awareness, methods of prevention and ability to assess potential risks. “The education piece discusses things such as traveling, walking, running and daily routine objectives creating less complacency to normal routines we all experience daily,” Gallagher said. In addition, Gallagher will also instruct students in practical self-defense techniques for a variety of situations in accordance with the program’s objective: “to develop and enhance the options of self-defense, so they may become viable considerations to the student who is attacked.” This section of the course will involve hands-on demonstrations and practice of defense techniques. The program has already attracted attention from the Study Abroad Office, which intends to recommend the class to students who will be spending time in other countries. “Our Director heard of this opportunity and we discussed it as a possible offering to outgoing study abroad students but there is nothing definite planned. As with other departments we try to include activities that are offered on campus to our outgoing students,” said Assistant Director for Off-Campus Study Rosa Bernard. “We are going to encourage study abroad students to participate since this is a great opportunity,” said Director for Off Campus Study Patricia Martin.
News
PAGE 4
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012
The Phoenix
Coming Out Week Offers Safety, But No Imperative By PATRICK HAN News Writer
Coming Out Week, Swarthmore’s annual celebration of queer identity, swung into action last week with a “Queernival” last Thursday outside Sharples, a SQU-hosted party at Paces Saturday night, and an OASIS-co-sponsored open mic featuring slam poet Kai Davis on Sunday night. Plenty more events are “coming out” this week, so to speak. The fifteen-year-old campus tradition will span a total of ten days this year and originally stems from National Coming Out Day (NCOD), which celebrates coming out as a rite of passage for LGBT people across the world. NCOD is internationally observed by the LGBT community on October 11 each year, the anniversary of the 1987 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. Yet Coming Out Week celebrates not only the act of coming out. “It is actually less about coming out and more about celebrating pride,” clarified Joyce Wu ’15, Swarthmore Queer Union Intern for the Intercultural Center. “It’s a misnomer.” To Craig Earley ’16, a new member of both Swarthmore Queer Union (SQU) and Queer Straight Alliance (QSA), “It’s all about demonstrating that Swarthmore is an affirmative place for people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, asexual, transgender, queer, and everything else outside the heterosexual or cisgender norms. It really demonstrates the welcoming and inclusive nature of the school and its students.” Yet despite Swarthmore’s reputation as a welcoming and inclusive space for students of all sexual orientations and gender identities, this ideal of inclusivity was challenged last spring when hateful messages targeting the LGBTQ community were chalked on campus, making this year’s Coming Out Week all the more significant in affirming Swarthmore’s commitment to students of queer identity. In response to the hate speech incident, Dean of Students Liz Braun announced in a recent email the instatement of “ally workshops for interrupting oppression and honoring LGBTQ identities.” The first was held on Monday, October 1 and the second will be held today (October 4th) from 4–6 p.m. in Kohlberg 114. Using the “language of allyship,” these workshops aim to “explore how to take responsibility and action for fostering a Swarthmore that honors and affirms LGBTQ identities,” reminding us not to take Swarthmore’s inclusive community for granted. In small groups, students will
be able to learn everything from how to “properly react to ized with regard to space and time. “In some instances, many transphobic comments” to how to “be the best allies to your students and young people are in place where openness is not possible … Many LGBT youth live in places without netqueer and trans friends”, according to Braun’s e-mail. Another major event will be the screening of “Pariah” at works of support. There are a lot of forces against the pursuit the Lang Performing Arts Center on Friday night at 7 p.m., of gayness. We need to pause for a minute, and reflect about followed by a Question and Answer session with director/ a country like ours where so many young LGBT are commitwriter Dee Rees and Producer Nekisa Cooper. Screenings ting suicide. The closet might be a space of survival.” He pointed out the example of homosexual people survivwill also be held at 10 p.m., as well as 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Saturday night. The 2011 American contemporary drama ing amidst the Holocaust and the last Argentine dictatorship. film follows the tale of Alike, a 17-year old African-American “In those times, the closet became a place to resist normative teenager coming to terms with her lesbian identity. A winner pressures. It was a space of freedom and self-expression. I am of the Excellence in Cinematography Award at the 2011 Sun- scared about this kind of imperative because not everybody dance Film Festival, the film will be sure to move hearts and has the same opportunities, in terms of support networks, to minds while artistically portraying the poignant struggles come out.” He pointed out that some students may be ready to come out express themselves in a and triumphs of embracing queer certain way, but that “we should reidentity. A Queer/Trans Party will spect different possibilities of comalso be hosted in Wharton D BaseComing out is one of the ing out” and “refrain from judging ment at 10 p.m. on Saturday night. most important things that others” for not choosing to come So far, students seem to enjoy the out, which should be upheld as a leactivities and events hosted by the the queer community has gitimate decision. Coming Out Week Planning ComWu also concurred, clarifying mittee. “On a personal level I love it.” done in the past few decades. that the queer groups on campus are Earley effused. “I came out just over Craig Earley ’16 “not forcing people to come out but a month ago, so Coming Out Week providing a space for people to come means a lot to me. It shows that SQU and QSA member out.” Swarthmore is a place where people That having been said, Professor like me can be out and proud and Martinez reinforced the beneficial have the support of the community.” Yet the idea behind Coming Out Week and the concept effects of Coming Out Week on the queer community, priof ccoming out in general may not be as simple as we think. marily in terms of increasing visibility, bringing awareness Associate Professor of Spanish Luciano Martinez, a published to mainstream society, and creating a network of support. expert in LGBT studies and queer theory, raised concerns He explained that collectivizing a minority helps confirm to regarding the oversimplification of “coming out,” which he members that they have equals who share the same interests, describes as “a very complex emotional, psychological and eliminating the pain associated it with the feeling that one is sexual experience” and a difficult “process of self-acceptance.” alone. Earley agreed, stating that Coming Out Week “demonHe feared the “banalization” of coming out in the sense that strates the campus’s diversity and keeps the queer community “it is not a singular episode but rather a complex, and at times visible.” “Coming out is one of the most important things that very painful journey that involves coming out to yourself, then coming out to people … like you, then finally, coming the queer community has done in the past few decades,” he out to people who are not like you, to heterosexual people. So said. “Simply declaring ‘I’m gay’ or ‘I’m transgender’ has been transformational. It has made it possible for people to be it’s a process with many stages.” “My fear is also about … misunderstandings of the idea open about their own sexualities and gender identities in a of the closet and the assumption that the closet is always a way that was impossible in the past.” Joyce Wu is the chief copy editor for The Phoenix. She had space of shame, of oppression, of hiding,” Professor Martinez continued. He argued that the “closet” must be contextual- no role in the production of this article.
‘Parrish Key Codes’, continued from page 1
keys in the halls, “I don’t have a strong feeling one way or another.” “They’re really letting the halls make the decision,” said Ammerman, adding she felt there was no administrational pressure. But when the RAs and the deans meet again, Ammerman felt that it was likely the key code system would be abandoned. “If I had to guess, I’d say the key codes will go away, because safety is more important than convenience,” she said. Though some hall members may be disappointed, Ammerman felt that they would adjust to a new system. “People are willing to switch for safety purposes.” And when it comes down to it, as Ammerman added, “You just don’t know who is in Parrish.”
College Students 20% OFF The Parrish keypads may be entirely eliminated from the dorm.
JULIA CARLTON/PHOENIX STAFF
keypad system. “I don’t think that there are any strangers at Swarthmore that cause me worry,” he said. Even without a keypad system, Loeffler made the point that access to the halls was still quite easy. “People are usually walking out of the door anyways, so if people really wanted to get in, they could just sit outside and wait,” Loeffler added. But it seems the greatest resistance to the shift comes from the residents of Parrish who live in the rooms outside of the hall door. “The double outside the door feels the most strongly about keeping the key code,” Ammerman said. In each Parrish hall, there is one room that is outside of the locked door, and for those students, the switch would pose the biggest bother. David Zhou ’15, a two-year resident of Parrish, occupies that room on the fourth floor, and has said that the loss of the key code system has made life more difficult. “It’s inconvenient,” Zhou pointed out. “Last year we had a key codes, and it was fine.” Zhou said the lack of a key code was especially frustrating for taking showers or using the bathroom. “Having to bring my key when I go take a shower is more inconvenient than punching in a code.” While Zhou conceded that a key-only system might be more secure, he did not really feel more protected. “Definitely the key is safer, but that’s never been a concern of mine. I’m not scared of strangers coming to Parrish,” he said. Indeed, there has been debate about if the key code system truly made Parrish less secure, or if it is just perception. But according to Darbes, the key code was spread beyond just Swarthmore. “The key code got handed out to a lot of people,” he said, including visitors from outside the community. In addition, since the key code system is not the same as a card scanner, public safety does not have a good idea about who is entering the hall. “We can’t tell who is coming or going,” Darbes added. Still, according to Darbes, there have been no reported break-ins or specific security events that can be directly attributed to the key code system. As Head said, the discussion “just came up.” “It was just marinating on everyone’s mind,” she said. “There was no specific event.” At the end of the day, Head said, the decision will be left up to the residents and the RAs. “The RAs have the pulse of the community,” Head pointed out. “It could be whatever the community wants,” she added. While Head may personally favors using just
All full-price EMS® brand items
15% OFF
All full-price national brand items Must show valid college ID. Exclusions may apply; visit store for details.
Eastern Mountain Sports EMS HAVERFORD
It all starts here. Haverford
525 W. Lancaster Ave.
9752 AD Swarthmore_Haverford_4.88X6.13.indd 1
ems.com
9/17/12 12:09 PM
News
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012
PAGE 5
The Phoenix
Swatbox Spreads The Music
Expanding Swarthmore’s Musical Taste Via Boombox By CHI ZHANG News Writer
school, Jiang and his rap duo recorded over ten tracks and had followers online. “I wish to continue my rapper career, and Swatbox can also be a way to spread my music,” Jiang said. The club’s activity plans include a listening party showcase where members share their music with the group and review current albums and songs. Swatbox
also plans to stream shows from WSRN and Chester Noize, and playing them through the boombox. With only five members so far, the club is looking to expand. Their weekly meetings will be Fridays at 5:30 p.m. in one of Sharples’ private rooms. “We are starting with our first, and more and better ones will come along,” Jiang said.
Strolling to visit family in the Ville, Aaron Jackson ’16 blasted music out of a boombox, simply because he forgot his headphones. The same day, Jackson saw Swatties walking around campus playing music from a speaker. He then went to find his friend, Chuck Jiang ’16, who had told him earlier that they needed to have a club for music lovers. The idea of creating a Swatboxers collective formed this way, and is dedicated to those who want to share their passion for music. “Swatbox should be a mutual pursuit of positivity, with a diverse universal soundtrack playing in the background,” Jackson, founder of the Swatbox Club, said. Jackson and Jiang, directors of Swatbox, hope that “club members develop a greater appreciation for the magic music has in connecting experiences, manifesting happiness and transforming lives, one song at a time,” Jackson said. The boombox sessions are tentatively scheduled every Friday and Saturday. According to Jackson, two members of the group will have the boombox for a day to blast the music they enjoy as they go to class and around campus. “It’s as simple as that,” said Jackson. Through sharing music, the club hopes to offer students on campus a place to expose themselves to music they never would listen to otherwise. A music fan, Gregory Brown ’16 joined the club as he believes “people, me included, have a tendency to stick to their own music and SwatBox seems like a good venue to branch out.” SADIE RITTMAN/PHOENIX STAFF Sharing music is also another way to express oneself. In high Chuck Jiang ’16 is co-director of Swatbox, a new club that will spread music around campus via boombox two days a week.
Start Your Career in Accounting.
AROUND HIGHER ED
Voter ID Law Struck Down By MELANIE BAVARIA www.thedp.com Oct. 2, 2012
Northeastern’s MS in Accounting/MBA for non-accounting majors: • Earn two degrees in just 15 months. • Complete a 3-month paid residency at a leading accounting firm. • Proven track record of 100% job placement.
Application Deadlines:
November 15, February 1 and March 15 Learn more about the program and upcoming events at: www.msamba.neu.edu. Become our fan on Facebook. facebook.com/northeasternuniversitymsamba
617-373-3244 gspa@neu.edu www.msamba.neu.edu
The much-debated voter ID law in Pennsylvania will not go into effect for the Nov. 6 elections, exactly five weeks away. Commonwealth Court Judge Robert Simpson ruled Tuesday that there was no way for the state to ensure that voters would be able to get the proper identification this close to Election Day. While the law as it stands now will go into effect next year, there is still the possibility of a permanent injunction. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court had sent the law back to the lower court for additional hearings earlier in September. Democrats in the state see this as a major victory. They had long argued the law — signed by Gov. Tom Corbett in March — would disenfranchise demographics for whom getting a new ID would be difficult, including students and the elderly, groups that generally vote Democratic. Voters will still be asked at the polls whether they have a valid voter ID under the new law, but instead of turning people away who do not have the ID, polling workers will hand out information on how to acquire one. In the last week, Simpson heard testimony that many of the processes put in place for voters to acquire IDs were not effective and many eligible voters were unable to secure a valid ID. Given that the law has been debated for so long, some are worried voters may be confused. The Advancement Project, a civil rights organization that was involved in the
legal challenge, noted that a public education campaign would be needed to inform people who didn’t have ID that they can now vote. Political science professor John Lapinski said the impact of yesterday’s decision is still unclear. “It likely will increase down-ballot turnout for the Dems, but by how much no one knows,” he said in an email. “It is impossible to predict the future, but this will likely be most important for down-ballot races as the polling is very promising for President Obama and Senator [Bob] Casey at the moment.” College junior and Vice President of College Republicans Arielle Klepach said in an email that “the voter ID verdict is obviously not what we as an organization would have preferred. Personally, though, I believe that it is fair to bar the implementation of the regulation because, while requiring people to show an ID in order to vote is fair, it is unfair to impose a burden on those who do not have an ID in such a short period of time.” She added, “However, we stand confident that the law itself will remain upheld and will serve to protect the sanctity of voting in the state of Pennsylvania for elections hereafter.” Penn Democrats released a press release applauding Simpson on his decision to delay the law. “Voters are supposed to choose the leaders, not the other way around, and rightwing politicians are creating barriers to the ballot that prevent voters from having their voices heard — even if that means manipulating the system so that it remains rigged in their favor,” Vice President Dylan Hewitt said. “Our efforts now shift to making sure Pennsylvanians and poll workers are aware of Simpson’s ruling.”
Living & Arts
PAGE 6
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012
The Phoenix
Romney to Visit Swarthmore for Rally
Candidate To Speak of Trees, Quirkiness In a surprise announcement that bewildered students, faculty and members of the college administration, the Romney-Ryan campaign has declared a public rally at Parrish Hall this Saturday. “There is no conservative like a Swarthmore conservative,” Romney said at a press conference. “These are people who have proven that they will support me despite my missteps, and that’s not something I can say too often.” “Basically never,” admitted a visibly frustrated Romney. Swarthmore Republicans reacted with a mixture of excitement and confusion to the news. “[Romney] called me yesterday to reSTEVEN quest that I form a HAZEL committee to preThe Squashed Tomato pare for the rally,” said one student, who wished to remain anonymous. “I don’t know how to tell him that we won’t need to set up 500 chairs unless he brings Ann.” Meanwhile, faculty members expressed cautious optimism at the prospect of a Romney visit to Swarthmore. “This will be an incredible opportunity for students to be exposed to new perspectives and meet an accomplished leader,” Professor of Economics Mark Kuperberg noted. “Romney’s visit can only enhance our community values of openness and — oh forget it, can’t we just admit that we don’t like him any more than students do?” The Romney-Ryan campaign announced a tentative schedule for the candidate, which includes a walking tour of the Scott Arboretum on Saturday morning. “Swarthmore is beautiful — the trees are the right height,” opined a relaxed Romney. Following the tour, the candidate will make his appeal to Swarthmore students
on the steps of Parrish Hall. A leaked copy of his remarks indicates that the speech will be titled “Colleges Are People Too,” a message apparently targeted at the Swarthmore Divestment Club. The Romney campaign also revealed that the candidate will attend Swarthmore’s Pterodactyl Hunt on Saturday evening in an effort to show Romney’s appeal as an average, quirky Swattie. In a statement, the campaign declared that the Republican nominee has already purchased a water cannon in preparation for the event. “No chance any pterodactyl gets me — I’ll tell you what, ten thousand bucks that I win? $10,000 bet?” offered an exuberant Romney in a conversation with reporters. Perhaps surprisingly, the ObamaBiden campaign has quickly countered with a rally at Haverford College. “Pennsylvania is a bellwether for this election,” Democratic strategist David Axelrod claimed. “Our pollsters have determined that small, Quaker, liberal arts college students may be the new soccer moms — their votes will be the margin of victory or defeat for President Obama.” In a press conference, Obama remarked that he does not just believe in the privileged 15% who were accepted by Swarthmore, but believes in all Americans who apply to elite liberal arts colleges. “I totally deserved to get in,” remarked an apparently still-bitter Obama. “My SATs were through the roof.” Both candidates’ campaigns expressed disappointment at private polling that shows that 95% of Swarthmore students plan to vote for Jill Stein, the Green Party candidate. To hastily prepare for the rally this Saturday, all event planning will be turned over to the LSE committee, which has been unable to secure funding for Romney and has instead invited Newt Gingrich to speak in Upper Tarble.
OUTSIDE the BUBBLE Philadelphia OutFest 2012
By CAMI RYDER
Sunday, October 7 Walnut & Pine St., Philadelphia
In celebration of National Coming Out Day, the OutFest is the place to be this weekend. The block party-like festival features live music, dancing, food, vendors, as well as over 100 organizations and community groups who will be out and about. The event states that it’s the largest NCOD event in the world, as over 20,000 people from all over the region visit for a day of revelry and celebration. Hit up the festival, which is located between Walnut and Pine Streets (from 11th Street to 13th Street) this Sunday, October 7. For more information, visit Philly Pride’s website at www.phillypride.org/outfest. COURTESY OF PHILLYPRIDE.ORG
Forgotten Philadelphia
Friday, October 5 — November 9 Fairmount Park Welcome Center at Love Park, Philadelphia Sponsored by Philadelphia Stories, “Forgotten Philadelphia” explore’s the city’s many hidden and forgotten treasures through art. Inspired by sites across the Delaware County, the exhibit features poems and short fiction by local artists and writers. The non-profit literary magazine chose 15 heritage sites, including the Laurel Hill Cemetery, the Parrish Mosaic at the Curtis Building, the Philadelphia Zoo, and the Metropolitan Opera House. “Forgotten Philadelphia” will host its free, opening reception this Friday, October 5 at the Fairmount Park Welc o m e Center at the LOVE Pa r k / J F K Plaza. The exhibit will run until November 9 at the W e l c o m e COURTESY OF TEMPLEADLIB.COM C e n t e r .
Oktoberfest COURTESY OF THEBLAZE.COM
COURTESY OF CURRENT.COM
Green Party candidate Jill Stein is expected to take 95 percent of Swarthmore’s student vote.
COURTESY OF WORDPRESS.COM
David Axelrod predicts that liberal arts students will be the deciding votes.
Saturday, October 6 13th Street b/w Walnut & Chestnut St. If you haven’t had the chance to celebrate Oktoberfest, this weekend is your chance, with events all across Philadelphia and surrounding areas. If you’re going for the fancy route, check out the King of Prussia Beerfest Royale. Boasting the largest beer festival in Philly, the two-day event features live music, vendors, food, and of course local and international craft beers. Tickets start at $45 and the festival will occur right outside the mall. For a cheaper and more local version, head to the Midtown Village Fall Festival this Saturday. Located on 13th Street, spanning across Chestnut to Locust Street, the festival offers up food from some of the top restaurants (Barbuzzo, El Vez, Sampan, Lolita and more), DJs, dunk tanks, Sumo wrestling, and the beer garden. And it’s free. For more information on both events, check out http://kopbeerfest.com/ and www.midtownvillage.org.
COURTESY OF BEERBOUQUET.COM
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012
Living & Arts
PAGE 7
The Phoenix
Dear Nestor
What’s a guy really asking when he invites you back to his room? Dear Nestor, When a guy invites you back to his room after getting it on at Paces, does he expect you to sleep with him? If you aren’t planning on going all the way, should you clarify before leaving the party? Sincerely, Puzzled Paces Prude Dear Puzzled Paces Prude: To be honest, it is very hard to know what to expect in a situation like this. There could be a variety of reasons for why he wants you to go back with him to his room, whether to have sex, to talk, etc (assuming you guys do not really know each other). However, what we can deduce is that he probably is looking for privacy sans the loud music and big crowds accompanying a Paces party. If you are not interested in going back with him regardless of his intentions, you can say some form of the statement: “No thanks, I would rather stay here.” In the case that you are unsure of the vibe he is giving, and you want clarity, you can ask him some form of the question: “What do you have in mind?” Once you get an answer to this question, you can determine for yourself what you would like to do. If the vibe is, “I want to become sexually intimate with you,” initially or after you have asked him his intentions, then you have to decide whether or not you want to go back with him and how far you are willing to go sexually. If you don’t want sexual intercourse specifically, then I would definitely clarify this before leaving the party, using some form of the statement: “I would like to go back with you,
under the condition that we don’t have sex.” He may take your saying no sex, as merely everything but the act of sexual intercourse. As a result, if you mean no penetration at all, then I would definitely say that: “I would like to go back with you, under the condition that we stay kissing/making out,” or “I don’t want us to move physically any further than we have been.” It never hurts to be too clear in stating what you feel comfortable doing. I know it may come off as a turnoff, but it will be a lot easier to set the boundaries early on, then to have to discuss them in his room. And oftentimes, the way in which he responds will be indicative of how he will treat you when he takes you back to his room and after. He may ask you: “Why?” At that point, I would be completely honest. There is no downside in saying some form of the statement: “I don’t feel comfortable,” or “I don’t know you well enough.” By stating this early on, in no shape or form are you leading the guy on. You have stated your comfort level, and now he needs to respect that. Ultimately, though, in the case that he chooses to take you back after you have voiced how far you feel comfortable going, you still run the risk of not knowing if he will respect you and your wishes. You should also always consider the effects of drugs and alcohol. If he is under the influence, he may be less apt to respect you, and more prone to be impulsive. And, if you are under the influence, you may be more easily coerced into doing more than you are comfortable with. With drugs and alcohol
having a presence in the Paces party scene, it is best to err on the side of caution with regard to how you approach this decision. Even though there is excitement in getting that one on one intimacy, the downside is the lack of security one can get from not being around other people. When all these factors come into play, the best you can do is trust your gut, regardless of all external pressures. At the end of the day, safety comes first. After that, you should just evaluate what the consequences are of making your decision: the pros and cons of going back with him. I oftentimes don’t like to think in terms of regrets, but there is a widespread view that the “better” decision for you is the one you would not regret the next day. And if under the influence, the “better” decision for you would be the one you would choose the next day in a different state of mind. Again, though, if you made a decision you wish you hadn’t made, you at least learned that you don’t want to feel that way next time. As a result, you will be less prone to making that decision again, and more likely to voice exactly what you are comfortable doing. I hope this gave you some insight. Best, Nestor P.S. Don’t call yourself prude! Prude is a label or judgment. This is a decision for you, and only you to make. Want advice? Email questions to dearnestor@swarthmorephoenix. com.
RENU NADKARNI/PHOENIX STAFF
Friends Don’t Let Friends Believe in Peer Pressure The definition in the dictionary on peer pressure is: “An influence exerted by a peer group, encouraging individuals to change their attitudes, values or behaviors in order to conform to group norms.” My personal definition of peer pressure is that it is an excuse for weak people. I am sure you have heard it before, “But so and so was doing it,” or “I had to because everyone else was doing it.” The fact is you have a choice, and that choice can be to say no. When I say weak people, I am referring to those that are not strong enough to say no and stand up for what they believe in. Personally, I do not have experience with peer pressure because for me, I did not allow it to exist. When I was young, everyone I hung out with drank and some did drugs as well. When they would offer me drugs or alcohol, DAVID I simply said no and stood my ground. There were TOLAND times when kids called me Can You Dig It? names and thought I was a punk, but my true friends respected my decisions. All throughout high school, I never drank alcohol or did any drugs. High school was one of the best times of my life and I did it my way. I was well known around school and everyone respected my choices. After high school, it was time to start all over. I joined the U.S. Army and it seemed that everyone in the service drank alcohol. All of the men in my unit referred to themselves as “the most physically fitalcoholics in the world.” They all knew I did not drink and I was still accepted among them.
“As you rock your way through the four years here at Swarthmore College, remember that there is no peer pressure, only decisions and choices you make for yourself.” When we got weekend passes to leave the base, we went out into town and raised all kinds of hell (but that is another story). The bond of friendship we had in our unit cannot be explained. We were part of a brotherhood; it is difficult to understand unless you’ve experienced it yourself. I feel that it is similar to the bond that Swatties show here on campus. Stay true to your beliefs and do not feel pressured to do certain things to “fit in.” I feel that it was best said by William Gibson: “Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self-esteem, first make sure that you are not, in fact, simply surrounded by assholes.” This is not just another school; this is Swarthmore College. The fact is me and all of you Swatties have so much in common: high school, college, the real world, death, drugs, depression, raging hormones, puberty. You name it, we have suffered through it all and we still are suffering. Some people have moved away, others have joined. It does not matter; we know we can depend upon each other. So even if we all do not end up together, it will be alright. The kind of friendships we have will last forever. As you rock your way through the four years here at Swarthmore College, remember that there is no peer pressure, only choices and decisions you make for yourself. If you are feeling pressured into something you do not want to do, you always have a friend at Swarthmore to help. I would like to end this article with a true and funny story that happened last year. My 13-yearold son, Noah, was in the D.A.R.E program at school. A police officer came to talk about peer pressure, and as he was talking, Noah raised his hand. He told the police officer, “My Dad said there is no such thing as peer pressure, it is just an excuse for weak people.” The police officer just stood dumbfounded.
Living & Arts
PAGE 8
Slam Dunk
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012
The Phoenix
Open Mics and Radio Station Bring Spoken Word to Campus
Noel Quiñones and Emma King performed Friday at OASIS’s open mic night in Paces.
By TAYLOR HODGES Living & Arts Writer
This year is something of a breakthrough for spoken word poetry at Swarthmore. This past spring, a team of five students represented the college for the first time at CUPSI, Los Angeles’ annual College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational. OASIS, Swarthmore’s slam poetry group, has seen a sharp rise in attendance at its meetings and its events. WSRN even has a new student-run radio show broadcasting spoken word every Saturday at [she is emailing me the time]. “There used to be four or five of us at our regular Thursday meetings last year,” said OASIS member Noel Quiñones ’15. “This past Thursday, at our third meeting so far this year, we had 24 or 25 people.” Many of OASIS’ members are excited talk about how much the group has grown. Before one of the group’s founding members, Javier Perez ’13, started his poem at this Friday’s open mic night, he took a moment to address the crowd. “I remember our first OASIS meeting last year,” he said. “There were just five of us sitting at the top of Bond. It means a lot to us that this event is even happening this year.” The open mic night wasn’t crowded, but its 50 or so attendees filled almost every available seat. At the event’s start, Quiñones asked the audience to raise a hand if they’d been to a poetry slam event before. Twothirds put up their hands. A lot of returners, but some getting their first exposure to the form. The event itself seemed more as-
sured of itself, too. More performers than esta del Barrio on Parrish Beach, and many at any previous open mic had memorized participated in Sunday’s slam with guest their pieces and weren’t holding pieces of poet Kai Davis. paper in front of their faces. This allowed Davis’ old coach, a poet who goes by the performers to interact with the audience name Vision, will be working with OASIS and to incorporate gestures and motions, in monthly workshops. to move with and physically inhabit their “He came last year for two sessions,” pieces. Quiñones said. “He did great work for us “I think it went really well,” said Haydil and we said, can we work with you on a Henriquez ’14. “We had a pretty great turn regular basis?” out.” OASIS applied for SBC funding to hire a The event even featured members of the coach hopes that their work with him will Tri-Co, such as Marissa Gibson, a Haver- complement the work they do with Dilruba ford sophomore who performed a surpris- Ahmed, the Interim Director of the Interingly moving spocultural Center. ken word piece “Vision is more that was preceded towards slam and by a minimal guipresentation and In general, we just like tar interlude. Dilruba is more “I started com- sharing our pieces and finding focused on craft ing to Swat things and writing,” Quipeople to support us. because there was ñones said. Haydil Gutierrez ’15 more going on Ahmed, an acwithin the spocomplished poet OASIS Member ken word scene,” who put out a Gibson said. “The book of poetry scene here is defiwith taste-making nitely much more affluent. We have open independent press Graywolf in 2011, conmic nights, but they feature less slam and a tacted OASIS to see if they needed any lot more music performances.” coaching. Nevertheless, Haverford’s slam scene, Swarthmore English Professor Peter like Swarthmore’s, has grown considerably Schmidt has also contacted OASIS in order over the past year. to do a slam event in conjunction with the “We didn’t send a team to CUPSI last modern American poetry class he’s teachyear,” Gibson said, “but we had a ton of in- ing this spring. terested members this year and our clubs “This stuff never used to happen, people are really becoming quite active.” contacting us,” Quiñones said. Quiñones The same can surely be said of OASIS. usually plays the group’s frontman. His This weekend most of the group’s members Facebook post to the Class of 2015 advertisperformed at its Friday open mic night, sev- ing the event began, “You know you missed eral presented their work at Saturday’s Fi- it. Don’t even try and lie to me and say you
JULIA CARLETON /PHOENIX STAFF
didn’t think over the summer damn what will O.A.S.I.S. do next?” But when talking about the group’s accomplishments in person, he seems honestly humbled by their success. “We realized how much support we had when we did our CUPSI showcase last year,” he said. “The room was packed. When Javier and Alaina saw the room, they were blown away. They never thought that could have happened their first year.” Despite not receiving funding from the college, OASIS sent five members to CUPSI last year, where Swarthmore’s team competed in two days of preliminary events, but didn’t earn a place in the semi-final rounds. This year, the team is putting more focus on its CUPSI team, selecting the team in November in order to prepare for the competition in April. However, the group is confident that however they do in competition, they’ll still be happy to continue the work they do on campus. “In general, we just like sharing our pieces and finding people to support us,” said Gutierrez. And she isn’t just paying lip service to an ideal. When fellow poet Julian Randall ’15 walked by at the end of the open mic night, she interrupted our interview to slap him on the back. “Yo, you killed it!” she yelled. “I almost jumped out of my chair. And that line about Abercrombie, that had me dying. I didn’t know if I was going to pee myself or not.” This year, OASIS hopes to connect with more students who just want to work on the page, too, in order to foster a larger community of writers. OASIS is riding a wave of newfound enthusiasm. So far they’ve done a good job of riding it out.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012
Living & Arts
PAGE 9
The Phoenix
Hot Diggity Dog: Ruth Krakower and Charlie Meet Ruth Krakower, Director of Alumni and Gift Records, and her two-and-a-half-year-old English Cocker Spaniel, Charlie By GABRIELA CAMPOVERDE Living & Arts Columnist
GABRIELA CAMPOVERDE/PHOENIX STAFF
Ruth Krakower holds the leash of her pet dog Charlie, who sits in front of his stuffed toy of Phineas the Phoenix.
GOTTA LOVE THOSE COCKER SPANIELS: Ruth had wanted a English Cocker Spaniel since seeing one at a dog show. Although she had originally planned on adopting, she realized that English Cocker Spaniels were difficult to find at rescue centers. So instead, Ruth got Charlie from a local breeder. He was previously named Pennwood Fields of Gold; Pennwood was the name assigned by his breeder, and “Fields of Gold” was after a popular Sting song. The smallenough-to-sit-onyour-hands (let’s “awww” for a moment) puppy was welcomed into the Krakower family when he was ten weeks old. At home, Charlie is just one of 10 pets. Ruth also has nine cats that Charlie grew up with and absolutely adores. They often play chase together
and are one big happy family. HE’S ON THE JOB: Charlie often accompanies Ruth to work. “The College is really great in letting us do this,” noted Ruth. Like many of her coworkers, she, too, sees bringing her dog onto campus as a great stress reliever. There is never a rush to get home since her dear friend is right by her side. Since Charlie spends four out of five days a week in Ruth’s office, it’s as if he is also on the clock. Charlie is also great friends with the beloved bookstore dogs, George and Ali — or shall we call them co-workers? He spends one weekday in Barker’s Lounge, a doggy day care popular among Swat’s many dog owners. JUST PLAIN OLD ADORBS: Charlie has many cute and cuddly quali-
ties. He always has his pink stuffed monkey, a purchase made at Swat’s Trash2Treasure sale. It’s like a security blanket for him, and he even carries it to get in and out of the car on trips to campus. He is also a big fan of Phineas the Phoenix, who is like another toy to Charlie. Tummy rubs, kisses and Charlie Bear treats are also some of Charlie’s favorites. Overall, he is very calm and rarely barks. He always enjoys making new friends, so feel free to visit him in Sproul 101! LET’S GET A LITTLE FANCY: Ruth is a member of the English Cocker Spaniel Fancier’s Club, where she is a treasurer. The 48 members participate in events such as raising money for causes like protective vests for police dogs. Members have a myriad of interests, including showing dogs, bringing them along for hunting trips or just loving them like their own children. ONE OF MY HEROES: I originally met Charlie last year when he and Ruth found my keys. He had been going out on his midday walk, when he spotted my keys on the ground. Ruth then contacted work box, and I avoided paying a hefty fine. Thanks a ton!
GABRIELA CAMPOVERDE/PHOENIX STAFF
You’ll Fall for This ‘Love Story’ By JEANNETTE LEOPOLD Living & Arts Writer
The plot of the musical “Love Story” is as basic and common as one could imagine. Rich boy meets poor girl. They fall madly in love and sacrifice dreams for each other. Girl dies. Curtain falls. There’s a reason that this plot is used so often, though: it works. “Love Story,” the brainchild of Erich Segal, has flourished in popular culture for 40 years as a novel, film and more recently, a musical (Stephen Clark and Howard Goodall). The musical, currently playing at the Walnut Street Theater in Philadelphia, is tragic and funny, and ruthlessly tugs on the heartstrings. The play opens on a bare, wide white stage. The orchestra enters, all in black, and sits on white chairs along the back of the stage and places their music on white music stands. The pianist sits at an all-white piano. Downstage of the orchestra, the only set piece is a black
COURTESY OF WALNUTSTREETTHEATRE.ORG
Jenny (Alexandra Silber) and Oliver (Will Reynolds) prepare a meal together in Erich Segal’s “Love Story.”
piano and black piano bench. The strong contrasts of black and white bring to mind yin and yang, foreshadowing the perfect whole created by man and woman in this play, and making more surprising the rebellion that each character brings against behaving as he or she “should.” Though the musical as a whole is excellent, the opening number, “What Can You Say,” is weak. The lyrics are banal and lack complexity. The singers are fine, but no better than Mixed Company. In the middle of the song, though, the lead woman, Jenny (Alexandra Silber) starts to sing, and everything changes. Her voice and her presence are outstanding, and from the moment she stepped onstage she commanded attention. Playing opposite Silber is Will Reynolds as Oliver. Reynolds matches Silber in stage presence, singing ability and physical beauty. Oliver has the last line of the opening song: “What can you say about a 25-year-old girl who died …” The story then drops back to several years before, when the two met. Oliver, a Harvard hockey star, pre-law, from an incredibly rich family, meets Jenny, a poor, brilliant pianist from a single-parent household, while in the library. Jenny slips him her number and tells him to buy her coffee. At coffee, she is a tease and a flirt, while he is direct and uptight — it is clear that people do not usually push his buttons like she does. He is intrigued by her. He asks her to come to his hockey game that weekend, and adds, “Oh, and when you see the guy scoring all the goals … that’s me.” Both Jenny and Oliver are extremely talented in their respective areas. Jenny has been practicing piano for hours every day since she was five years old and dreams of playing in Carnegie Hall. She is selected for a very competitive scholarship to learn piano from a Master in France. Oliver’s own dreams are confused by his father’s overbearing presence. In his first appearance, the father tells his son, “I don’t like to be disappointed.” It is never clear whether Oliver truly wants to go to law school, or whether he is going because his father told him he would. Naturally, they decide to get married after 10 or so stage kisses and beautiful balletic sex. Oliver’s ultra-rich father disowns his son for marrying so far below his social class — but Oliver does not help matters by being a disrespectful son. The play does not fully address the father-son relationship, assuming that the audience is familiar enough with that story to fill in the gaps themselves. After he is disowned, Oliver and Jenny start a life
together in a very small apartment. Jenny gives up her scholarship to go to Paris so that she can get a teaching job to support Oliver as he goes through law school. This is a turn-off. Although Jenny says on her deathbed that Oliver did not steal Paris and music from her, the objective truth is that he did. When Jenny tells her father that she is giving up the scholarship, he explodes, saying that she shouldn’t give up her lifelong dreams for some guy, and asking why Oliver’s law degree is more important than her music. Jenny and Oliver insist that they are both making sacrifices — Oliver is giving up his family and ice hockey, they say. That is all very well. But as Oliver goes through law school, gets his first job, and rises up the corporate ladder, Jenny stands around at home hoping to get pregnant. Presumably she is also teaching, but she never talks (or sings) about it and it seems to offer her no fulfillment. In her solo “Nocturnes,” in which she sings about what music she will play to her unborn children, one would think that she might bring up children who she plays music for at school. The fact that she does not indicates either that she is working solely for Oliver’s benefit, or that writers Clark and Goodall forgot that women live for themselves, not just for their husbands and children. Criticism aside, though, this musical was incredibly touching. Jenny and Oliver’s love seemed very real; their joys and frustrations were uplifting and heart wrenching. Every so often, often at the peak of their joy, I would remember that Jenny was going to die when she was 25 and get teary-eyed. When the two of them found out that Jenny had leukemia, I started outright crying. Admittedly, the plot of this musical sounds trite and unoriginal. Is it possible that I fell for all of the love-y sappiness because I’m 21? Maybe. But if so, that means that the couple sitting to my right only fell for it because they were 60. Or the group sitting in front of me only fell for it because they were in their 70s. For the last third of the musical, the audience was sniffling and unzipping their pocketbooks for tissues. I’ve never heard so many noses blown in one room. “Love Story” is playing at the Walnut Street Theater, 825 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, through October 21st. Shows are 8 p.m. weeknights and 2 and 8 p.m. on weekends (slight variations — visit walnutstreettheatre.org before making plans). Tickets are $15 to $100, and all remaining tickets are $20 the day of for people under 24. The show runs an hour and 45 minutes with no intermission.
PAGE 10
Living & Arts
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012
The Phoenix
Pterodactyl Hunt For Dummies
An Abridged History and Insider’s Cheat Sheet By ALLI SHULTES Assistant Living & Arts Editor
To the average passerby, Psi Phi’s annual Pterodactyl Hunt is a flailing amalgam of swinging Styrofoam swords and recyclable-covered Swatties. The confusion, while greatest at the frays of the battle, isn’t restricted to observers: there’s little reason to think the event’s average participant has a much better understanding of its myriad of characters and complex killing guidelines than the befuddled bystander. While there is general consensus that garbage bag-clad dashers and divers represent the elusive primordial ‘dactyls, the rest of the Hunt remains shrouded in opaque mystery — much like its curiously garbed participants. At its “inception” in 1982, the Hunt offered even more cause for consternation. Students intrigued by the Folk Dancing Club’s poster campaign, which advertised
a midnight battle in the Crum, found neither direction nor dactyls as the clock struck twelve. Conceived as an inside joke amongst the dancers, the fictional event nevertheless captured the imagination of Psi Phi’s predecessors, the Swarthmore Wardens of Imaginative Literature (SWIL). The following year, the group organized its manpower to actualize the event, hoping to increase its visibility on campus. Today, the association between Jurassic flyers and the Science Fiction club on campus still holds strong — the Hunt is Psi Phi’s most widely attended event. “Really, we’re more focused as a club on doing crazy and fantastical things than on science fiction, per se, although we do all enjoy sci-fi and fantasy, and we do have a library,” Psi Phi co-president Julia Chartove ’14 said in an e-mail. “So the Hunt is very much in keeping with the spirit of our club in that it’s focused
on silliness and having fun.” The Hunt has evolved more in its past 28 years on-campus than the pterodactyls did in the 155 million years pre-meteor. The advent of hunting licenses (you didn’t think just anyone could slay the ’dactyls, did you?) and an assortment of monsters (Fishmongers, Vampires, and Ocres... oh my!) have kept the game at an appropriate length and interest level for the Swatties that defend our campus every fall. Complexity, however, is still an issue. Despite its popularity, Chartove believes only two-thirds of the participants have any clue what’s going on. So for all you brave-hearted Swatties willing to surrender your Saturdays to defend campus from its impending doom, study up and prepare for battle with this cheat sheet: your guide to the officiated mayhem of Pterodactyl Hunt 2012!
The Wallflowers Leave Listeners ‘Glad All Over’ Hello Swatties! I On the Arts is back again! Did you miss me? Possibly. Do I aim to entertain with my reviews of various artistic things? Of course. Let us commence! October 9, 2012 is the release date of the Wallflowers’ highly anticipated latest effort, Glad All Over, which comes after a 7-year hiatus. The Wallflowers (my second-favorite band, after Nightwish) were founded by and are led by Jakob Dylan, son of Bob Dylan. They have been making and recording music since 1989 and play a melodic brand of alternative rock DEBORAH that takes cues not from Bob, but rather KRIEGER from Tom Petty. The I On the Arts band achieved great success following their acclaimed 1996 album Bringing Down the Horse and their anthemic single “One Headlight,” a song many people recognize as familiar without realizing they know it. Bringing Down the Horse was followed by the equally brilliant if much less popular effort (Breach) and the band gradually lost attention with their subsequent releases. In 2005 the band decided to take a break as Jakob focused on his solo career, which was enjoyable
if less satisfying than his work with his band. I began listening to the band in 20092010 and soon fell in love with their catchy rock melodies and with their Dylan-penned lyrics, many of which create wistful, thoughtful moods and are keen meditations on love and romance. I count Bringing Down the Horse and (Breach) among my favorite albums of all time. For me, the Wallflowers’ music evokes memories and emotions. Fortunately, for those fans waiting with bated breath, this Wallflowers album is a strong addition to their discography. It far surpasses their 2002 and 2005 efforts with its familiar yet varied sound; it weaves the various variations of the typical Wallflowers style in a satisfying way. Glad All Over combines some of the best elements of their previous albums into one fresh, enjoyable ride, anchored as usual by Jakob Dylan’s pleasantly hoarse and textured vocals. For future reference, dear viewers: in my music reviews, I typically like to divide the album into the “good” and the “bad/mediocre;” the latter category depends on how positive an overall review I give the album. I prefer this method to a track-by-track analysis.
COURTESY OF WAKINGIDEAS.COM
The Good The album is chock-full of catchy tunes that almost beckon the listener to sing along. Many tunes are wonderfully memorable and are right up there with best of the Wallflowers. “Hospital For Sinners,” the opening track, is fast-paced and engaging. “Misfits and Lovers,” one of the first tracks, will take up residence in your head and refuse to exit. “Misfits and Lovers” is truly the highlight of the album, a classic Wallflowers tune, with a memorable chorus. “First One in the Car,” another early track, harkens back to “One Headlight,” with its low-key intensity and faint organ. “Love is a Country” is a wistful quasi-ballad about the nature of love, borrowing folksy influences from Jakob’s solo work, conjuring up images of windswept lovers crossing a desert. “It’s a Dream” is a haunting, almost jaunty tune played out over thundering keys, creating an unsettling atmosphere. “Have Mercy on Him Now” is a straight rock song à la Bruce Springsteen, a format at which the Wallflowers have always excelled, and is similar to “Laughing Out Loud” from Bringing Down the Horse, a welcome fountain of influence. “The Devil’s Waltz” is a departure for the band, as it dips into more country influences with its more minimalist sound and cheeky atmosphere. “It Won’t Be Long” is more classic Wallflowers, sounding very similar to “Angel on My Bike” from Horse. “Constellation Blues” is another quasi-ballad with a pleasing meditative, almost nostalgic feeling. The closing track, “One Set of Wings” also replicates the ballad sound, with a warmth and gentleness amid the rock aspects that cradles the listener in the chorus with Dylan’s fatherly, comforting voice. The Bad Perhaps the worst track on the album is the track with which the band announced their official return, “Reboot the Mission,” which features Clash member Mick Jones. It is not that the song is inherently bad or unpleasant, but with its unfamiliar punk-ish influences, it absolutely pales in comparison to and even feels a little out of place among the rest of the songs. Another weak point plaguing the album is the relative shallowness of the songs. Unlike songs from their earlier masterpieces, this set of tracks lacks the same type of eternal replay value and lyrical depth. The themes on this album seem to be a regurgitation of typical Wallflowers material, with nothing truly striking. The lyrics pale in comparison to the melodies the band has crafted for this effort. There are also several songs that sound similar enough to blend together,
Rules of the Hunt Premise: A rift in the Heavens drops a throng of bloodthirsty monsters in front of the Science Center. This year’s Norse mythology theme additionally stipulates that the invasion marks the dawn of Ragnarok (the Norse apocalypse), and that Swattie hunters are Einherjar (great warriors of the past) that have been called upon by Valkyries to defend the land. Hunters: Hunters don white trash bags and carry a short sword and a scorecard. Monsters: “Ordinary” monsters don black trash bags, whereas specialized monsters are more arrestingly attired. According to Chartove, “Some of them want to fight hunters. Others want to help hunters. Others are more complicated.” Killing: A single hit on the trashbag counts as a kill (except for special monsters that may require additional hits). When hunters are killed they must drop their weapons immediately; monsters must hold their armaments above their heads. Not to worry, though — players can rejoin the fray after picking up a new weapon at their respective respawning sites in the Science quad (monsters need not wait in line to pick up new weapons). Players may only use weapons provided by Psi Phi. Anyone using anything else to hit their opponents will be removed from the Hunt. Head hunting will also be punished. Tip: Hunters wishing to use a life token to avoid the lines at the respawn centers may inform their killers of their decision to do so and rejoin the game. Points and Hunting Licenses: The more monsters you kill, the more points you earn. Cash in your points at the shop to receive shields, specialized weaponry, and quest cards. Points will be tallied using hole punches. Spending 85 points earns you a hunting license, which allows you to go directly for the ’dactyls. ’Dactyl Hunting: Aside from their lethal venom (one supersquirt from these suckers and you’re out), dactyls are protected by two bodyguards who can rejoin the game with a touch from their churlish charges. Dactyls are killed when both of the yellow panels in their wings have been knocked out. The dactyl slayer is awarded a heart (a glowstick) to cash in for a prize. Quests: A recent addition to the hunt, quests allow campus pacifists to aid in the college’s defense without picking up a sword. Get hints from the Oracle about what you’re supposed to be up to. Fulfill your quest to receive points and a dactyl hunting license. The Pterodactyl Hunt will begin on Saturday, October 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the Science Center Quad.
and as with earlier Wallflowers efforts, the album’s weaker tracks are at the end and are softer songs that lack the vigor and impact of the songs at the beginning of the album. “Have Mercy on Him Now”, while a good song, seems like filler. Overall, this album is a strong return for the much-missed Wallflowers, and a good addition to their discography. For their next effort, I hope the Wallflowers try something a little out of their comfort zone, something with true brilliance about it.
Living & Arts
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012
PAGE 11
The Phoenix
Advice on Coming Out Twenty Years Later
Blast from the Past: Comparison of Coming Out at Swarthmore more words we might use to describe ourselves: fag, dyke, queen, flamer, etc. But since these words have recently been reappropriated and can still be used in a denigrating way, I won’t use them in this article. Whoever you are, if you think really, really hard you’ll probably have to admit that This is National Coming Out Week; for you’re a little homophobic. Heck, if I am, those of you who might not know, “coming you probably are too. In a similar way that out of the closet” is what people do when it’s hard not to absorb the racism of cultures they admit to themselves or anyone else that we grow up in, it’s hard to not absorb to they are Gay, Lesbian, or Bisexual. Unfortu- some degree the heterosexism/homophobia nately, it seems like it’s not getting any easier which is everywhere. Anyway, don’t be afraid to take that step, at Swarthmore or anywhere of your prejudice, it’s in this society and it’s else in the US. Just today I read in the New not directly your “fault.” That doesn’t mean you can’t reevaluate York Times that a it, or that ways you school district in might speak or act Queens has rejected which reflect your a multicultural curIn fact, I am proud to be prejudice won’t hurt riculum for elementary school kids out and about. I am proud people. If you are quescalled “Children of tioning your sexualthe Rainbow” beto have struggled and be or coming out, cause it “accentustruggling with myself and ity here’s some advice ates the positive aspects of Gay and my parents to create my life. (take it or leave it) from someone who’s Lesbian relationbeen through it at ships.” In this elecSwat. tion year, especially, -Going to a meetnon-discrimination issues are even more in the air, with several ing (or meetings) of the student group (this initaitves on ballots in different parts of the year it’s called LGBA—the Lesbian/Bisexual/ country which would hurt Lesbian and Gay Gay Alliance) can help a lot. You don’t have to be “Sure,” or even come out if you feel like people and families. Meanwhile, here at Swarthmore, Gay, it. We’re all very friendly and try our best to Lesbian and Bisexual students have become be nonjudgemental. Often, especially if a lot less and less visible. Speaking as a woman of people come, the meetings are really fun. who has been relatively “out” on campus for And just knowing there are other people a while, in part I blame myself for not doing around with the same questions and issues, more to create a community of sorts for peo- , and talking about stuff you may not feel ple to come out into. I’m writing this letter comfortable talking about anywhere else , to let everyone know that, yes, there are Gay, can be a relief. What goes on and who goes to Lesbian, and Bisexual students on campus, meetings has always been confidential. Also, and to provide some words of encourage- reading up is a good idea. We have a pretty ment and advice based on my experiences to good selction of books which you can check those people who may be questioning their out anonymously from the LGBA library in the IC. sexuality or thinking about coming out. -It really does get easier. Really. The first, First, a note on terminology: Gay men are men-loving-men. Sometimes “gay” can most important step is being honest with be used to describe women too, or is used as yourself, and giving yourself the leeway not to an umbrella term for the whole “community.” be sure right away. As far as I can tell, people Lesbians are women-loving-women. Bisexu- have very different processes by which they als are people who are sexual with both men come to realize they are Gay, Lesbian, or Biand women, and choose to identify based on sexual. Ther’s no “real” way; there’s no “real” both orientations. Queer is the word choice Gay. It is a big deal – sexuality is an important these days for a whole bunch of us, and usu- part of adult life – but it doesn’t necessarily ally includes transsexuals as well. There are have to change your life any more than you This piece was published anonymously in The Phoenix on October 9, 1992. As Coming Out Week comes to a close with today’s Sharples Takeover, we invite readers to consider the similarities and differences across two decades of Coming Out Week.
want it to. Despite what your parents might tell you, living happily and productively as Gay, Lesbian, or Bisexual is entirely possible. It doesn’t have to ruin your life, or determine it. And anyway, no one says you necessarily have to choose now for the rest of your life. If you do it safely, experimenting can only help you know yourself better. -Your friends are probably more open minded than you think. Give them a chance to show you that they love you whatever your sexual orientation, and support you how they can. My straight friends continue to be invaluable to me, and if anything my being honest with them has, in most cases, brought us closer. Now, I pretty much can’t imagine being close to someone without them knowning that I’m in a lesbian relationship. Though it is by no means the first thing I’ve wanted them to know about me, or the most important to the way I see myself, it is a big part of my life. I feel affirmed in being able to share it with people I respect and care about, whatever their sexual orientation. Some things on campus you should know about: Believe it or not, the administration here is behind you. Though of course I’m in no position to speak for “The Administration,” I have personally gotten a lot of support from people high up in the ranks. The Intercultural Center, which despite a questionably motivated editorial in the first issue of the Phoenix which needlessly cast a negative light on the efforts to get the IC off the ground, has been enthusiastically supported with funding and action by President Bloom and the Deans. Though it has not yet been able to implement the policy announced at the beginning of the semester to provide health benefits for same-sex partners of faculty and staff, the college seems to be pursuing the project with genuine gusto and commitment to its non-discrimination policy. It might seem strange to some of you that I’m writing this anonymously. I consider myself ‘out’, though it seems like coming out is something I’ll keep having to do. I’m out to my parents, all my friends know, many of my profs know, anyone who’s been in a meeting with me knows, and if anyone were to ask me I would have no problem telling them the truth. People who know me probably don’t need to see my name to know I wrote this letter. Of the people who don’t: if we get to be friends, you’ll find out. Then, if you want to ask me what it’s been like for me, I’ll be happy
“Somewhat Easy Puzzle to Anticipate: SEPTA” ACROSS 1. Travel guide producer 6. Pushpin 10. 300 lbs and 5’6 11. Woodwind 12. Aristotle’s Law of Identity 13. M, in mx+b 14. R3 line 16. Alabama city of Civil Rights fame 17. Kiribati and Tuvalu have them 21. ___ Choy 24. “We ___ the store.” 25. Station between 49th and 30th 27. Pronounce 28. Going backwards to 70’s funk? 30. Like Windows or Macintosh 31. Moony metal 32. And Then There Were ___ DOWN 1. It comes with beer or the sea 2. Awards for “Little Shop of Horrors” and “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” 3. Othello heroine 4. Prayer by pious mariner? 5. D 6. Fare 7. At the front of a ship 8. Word with photo or cat 9. Interested 13. Washington airport 15. Doctors’ org.
18. Constellation with belt of three stars 19. Move on 20. “I ___ the sofa...” 21. Like Rd or Av 22. “No Ifs, Ands, or ___”
23. Like First Aid or Sewing 26. Goose shape 27. “___ what?” 29. Energy company BY PRESTON COOPER
For the solution to this week’s puzzle, see The Phoenix’s online edition at www.swarthmorephoenix.com under the multimedia tab.
to tell you all about it. Meanwhile, with all due respect, it’s none of your business. And also, I’m afraid of what might be the consequences if you knew. Aside from the queer-bashing and hate-speech that I know happens everywhere but somehow I still naively hope would never happ here, but certainly could, I’m afraid that I will lose my chance to be a whole person with you by being firstly and narrowly identified as gay. Whether you admit it or not, you probably have stereotpyes about what I might be like, what I might look like, how I might act, how I might make you feel. You’re probably wrong. And the first time you meet me, I don’t want you to look at me through those stereotypes, whatever they might be. Because I am so much else. I’m afraid that professors I’ve had from whom I may need recommendations for grad school would see me in a “new light” if they knew. The presence of openly gay faculty on this campus is minimal – shockingly so. Depending on how you count, there are no openly lesbian Swarthmore faculty members, a lack which is sad and significant for a lesbian-identified student. There are no ostensible faculty role models for us here. I have no idea what kind of prejudices and opinions about lesbians professors on this campus might be able to sustain, having no one in their midst to challenge them implicitly. But please don’t mistake my anonymity for shame. The only thing I’m ashamed of is that I live in a racist, sexist, homophobic society in which some people would want their kids not to know that a rainbow of cultures, lifestyles and experiences exists in this country. In fact, I am proud to be out and about. I am proud to have struggled and be struggling with myself and my parents to create my life. I am proud of the work I have put into maintain a wonderful relationship with a woman I love. I am proud to be able to write this letter. And really, I’m not out to get you or make you feel guilty or seduce or molest your children. I do think it’s important that your children know that it’s OK to be gay, because, despite your better efforts, they just might be. And, be aware that if you keep trying to take away our rights, to job security, health care, housing, adoption, parental custody, partnership beneifts, self-respect, self-expression, and open lives, there will be some of us who will insist on being in your face until we get what we deserve.
Obituaries to Die For By ALLI SHULTES Assistant Living & Arts Editor Tom Bullamore opened his talk at Haverford College this Monday with an apology to audience members who may have recently lost a loved one. He then jumped immediately into the heart of “Make ‘em Laugh, Make ‘em Cry: Obituaries to Die For,” a rolicking journey through the history of the obituary from its 17th century origins to its current postmodern form. The Mellon Tri-College Creative Residencies Program, which seeks individuals whose areas of expertise fall outside the umbrella of what we typically think of as “creative arts,” funded Bullamore’s brief visit to Haverford. The award-winning obituary writer drew an impressive crowd — one of the largest to pack into the lecture room, according to program coordinator Tom Bonner. Bullamore’s 20 years at the United Kingdom’s Daily Telegraph and scholarship on the “postmodern obituary” distinguish him as a leader in his genre. He specializes in the lives of classical musicians, but has additionally written on high-profile lives and deaths, including the victims of the 2005 bombings in London. The postmodern obituary, born from the rapid reduction in the price of newsprint in 1986, is characterized by its candor and its efforts to “get inside” a life to tell a story. “Everyone
has something that makes them a little more interesting,” Bullamore said. Sometimes, that “something” — like the death of a prominent politician in a massage parlor — can raise ethical questions for writers on what to publish and what to disregard. Situating his occupation within the wider lens of historical construction, Bullamore illustrated the obituaries’ contributions to how societies think of their pasts and presents. Decisions concerning which lives to remember and which to forget reflect evolving societal values, as seen by the advent of celebrity and Average Joe obituaries to the canon. The “who” of obituaries also reflects the exclusionary practices of newspaper editorial boards: according to Bullamore, roughly 80 percent of obituaries in the top four newspapers in the UK — the Guardian, The Times, the Daily Telegraph and The Independent — highlight deceased males, and roughly 40 percent feature Oxford or Cambridge graduates. Bullamore seems to see this as incidental, in that “we tend to find people like us more interesting.” Bonner viewed Bullamore’s short “residency” as a success, although he hopes to facilitate longer stays in his new role as program coordinator. “My goal will be to plan residencies that are more dynamic,” he said in an email. “This means longer stays, more Tri-Co involvement, and a variety of opportunities for students to interact with residents.”
Opinions
PAGE 12
Secret Statements When Public Figures Say Things they Don’t Want Overheard, It’s Not Always What It Sounds Like Staff Editorial In the age of technology, public figures — politicians, celebrities and others — find it hard to escape the constant storm of media around them. Anything they say in public will be recorded, distributed and heavily scrutinized. And as we have seen this election cycle, sometimes the things they say in private make it into the public sphere. While it is tempting to label secretly recorded audio or video of a public figure’s private statements a rare window into who they really are, one must be careful not to judge statements made in private with as much weight as those made in public. There are three reasons for this: one, private statements may be taken severely out of context, even more so than public statements sometimes are; two, the thoughts of whoever is making the statement often are not fully formulated and thus may seem to mean something different than they do; three, figures may be in the grasp of different, often stronger, emotions in private than they are in public, and these emotions can cause them to say things they don’t mean. A couple weeks ago, a taxi driver secretly recorded hotel heiress Paris Hilton having a conversation with a friend in the back of his cab, in which she sparked heated controversy by labeling gay men “disgusting” and claiming that “most of them probably have AIDS.” It is quite possible, though, that Hilton’s remarks were not meant to be understood as homophobic, but came across that way because her thoughts were not fully formulated. Her publicist later stated that Hilton was trying to warn about the dangers of unprotected sex; however, since the conversation was meant to be private, she did not take the time to frame her points in a less indecorous manner. This is entirely possible. Making homophobic remarks, especially in a situation that was meant to be a conversation between two close friends, does not mean that Hilton is a homophobe. She has, rightfully so, repeatedly apologized for her words. Her apology ought to be accepted. On the campaign trail, both Barack Obama and Mitt Romney have made remarks behind closed doors that one way or another made it into the open. About a month ago, for instance, Romney spoke at a private fundraiser, during which he claimed that 47 percent of the country didn’t pay taxes, was overly dependent on the government, and would vote for Obama no matter what. First, Romney must be given a little sympathy — when running for president, every word is scrutinized, and attacks come by the thousands. When given leave to speak in private, with no cameras, it is understandable that one’s anger might come through. Romney was likely venting— like Hilton, in a very offensive manner— but to give his private words the same (or greater) weight than one would give a public statement is irresponsible. In his “47 percent” comments, Romney merged together two distinct groups of individuals—those who don’t pay taxes and those who are dependent on government assistance. It is fallacious to suggest that these two groups are one and the same. However, Romney’s tiredness and, once again, lack of full formulation of his thoughts played into this unfounded claim. The error and the indecorous manner in which he presented it should not be excused, but also not used as a firm indicator of Romney’s positions. In the spring, during a meeting with Russian President Dmitri Medvedev, President Obama made a secretly recorded remark of his own. He told Medvedev that after the election, he would have more “flexibility” on the issue of missile defense systems, which is a constant point of contention between the US and Russia. Once again, we find the remarks taken out of context and distorted by the media and Obama’s political opponents. While it is troubling for the President to imply that his actions will be different once he is no longer accountable to the people, he was certainly not saying that he will give Medvedev whatever the Russian president wants after November 6. In public, Obama must maintain his image by adamantly standing up for American interests. He likely keeps his country’s interests close to heart in both public and private, but when in private, he will not always have to remind the world of this. Therefore he may adopt a softer attitude towards Medvedev and be more willing to hear what Russia has to say. But it does not mean that he will be any less resolute in guarding American interests. Hilton, Romney, and Obama all said some troubling things, but we must not judge them too harshly, nor should we disregard the other, public statements they have made. Everyone has said something he or she regretted at some point in time, and there’s no reason to think our public figures are any different.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012
The Phoenix
State of The Race: The Battlegrounds
O
HIO, with 18 electoral votes, is
VIRGINIA, like Florida, is statistically
traditionally the most prized battleground; very few candidates win the Presidency without it. In the last few weeks, President Obama has opened up a substantial lead here.
tied. In addition, Virginia is the site of a close Senate race, which could tip the balance of power in Congress. The state usually votes Republican, but went for Obama in 2008.
Current Polls: Obama: Romney:
Current Polls: Obama: Romney:
51% 43%
FLORIDA is the largest of the tra-
NORTH
48% 46%
CAROLINA, along with
ditional swing states, with 29 electoral votes. In 2000, this state narrowly decided the election. Today, it remains a fierce battleground, with the candidates statistically tied.
Indiana, was one of the Republican strongholds Obama picked up in 2008. Most expect it to revert to Romney this year, but Obama won’t easily give up its 15 electoral votes.
Current Polls: Obama: Romney:
Current Polls: Obama: Romney:
47% 46%
47% 51%
North Carolina polls conducted by Rasmussen Reports. All other polls conducted by NBC.
Eliminate Gendered Bathrooms on Campus If we are serious about the perils of heteronormativity, as it would seem we should be, based on how often that word is used, then we should be doing far more than we already are. While I believe Swarthmore does well on this front, it could go further to cement progressive ideas about gender and sexuality. If we truly want to promote the idea that normative gender roles and identities are not necessary, then we should actually enact policies that reflect that. Swarthmore should eliminate all gendered bathrooms, making them all gender-neutral. Is it not hypocritical to denounce normative gender standards but have bathrooms that reflect such standards? Sure, most buildings have gender-neutral bathrooms, but many dorms do not, and even in those buildings which do have them, AARON getting to them requires KROEBER going out of one’s way. If people do not consider The Civil themselves to fall into what Libertarian we might call heteronormative genders, the burden is placed on them to find a bathroom they feel comfortable with. Contrarily, those who do identify specifically as either male or female can easily find bathrooms catered to them, set up two by two under the normative standard of gender duality. Why should this privilege be given? Not too long ago many in this country felt it necessary for blacks and whites to use separate bathrooms. That idea has been summarily rejected, and with good reason. There is no reason other than pure discrimination to dictate which bathroom a person may or may not use based on some group characteristic. If this is true for race, then why not for gender as well? I see no necessity in separating the genders into different bathrooms. What happens in there is private, there is no communal activity that somehow requires one to have certain genetalia. Using the bathroom is a personal activity, a private act, so why must I be in a room only open to men? We do not believe in separating the genders for anything else, yet we defend this. Many gender boundaries have broken down over the last century, particularly with regards to education. Swarthmore, founded as a coeducational institution, should be on the bleeding edge of this change, as it has long accepted that men and women need not be separated. Everyone seems to be afraid of this one issue, everyone seems to be more comfortable not fully addressing this for fear that it will cause an uproar. It is the one piece of our normative and puritan heritage that
is still tacitly defended. The administration would not dare claim that there is some fundamental difference between men and women that requires them to be separate, yet the bathrooms imply this. Instead of standing for what is right, we have decided to go with what is comfortable. Standing against heteronormativity requires us to confront things that we ourselves are still uncomfortable with. If we let discomfort win, progress cannot be achieved. Universal gender-neutral bathrooms do not, as some might claim, give preference to those who do not identify with one of the classical genders at the expense of the majority who do. Instead, they take gender out of the equation altogether. All people should be able to use every bathroom, as they are able to use every other public space. We don’t have gendered buildings or gendered classes, nor are roommates required to be of the same gender. Why do we protect this one last bastion of gender division? Gendered bathrooms are discriminatory; there’s no two ways about this. Yes, they discriminate against a relatively small minority, but discrimination is wrong regardless of scale. Gender-neutral bathrooms allow everyone to have a place where they are accepted, leaving no place they cannot go just because of who they are. Yes, they will make people uncomfortable, but that is sometimes what progress requires. It was uncomfortable for the military to allow openly gay soldiers, as it was uncomfortable for society to desegregate. This is on a smaller scale, but it is no less important. Wherever segregation or discrimination exists, it should be fought and brought down. Having bathrooms based on gender implicitly promotes a culture of heteronormative gender. It implies that people fall into two categories, and when individuals don’t they have to go to a different, separate place. Gender-neutral bathrooms are inclusive, they show that there are not just two categories, and accept that many people don’t want to have to categorize themselves or go out of there way for a different bathroom every time they need to take a leak. This should not be a difficult call; of all places, we should be ahead on this one. We shouldn’t be promoting heteronormativity, we shouldn’t be implicitly requiring self-labeling. Everything and everywhere should be open to everyone. If we truly reject the blackand-white idea of two perfectly distinct genders and accept the idea of a multitude of gender identities, a continuum, then we should put that into practice. This may be one of the last instances of institutionally supported normative standards on campus, so let’s do something about that.
Opinions
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012
PAGE 13
The Phoenix
Teachers Strike Out in Chicago
Three hundred and fifty thousand students out of school. A 16 percent wage increase over the next four years rejected by the union. Complaints about a longer school day. Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Teachers’ Union President Karen Lewis engaged in a personality clash. The eight-day Chicago Teachers’ Union strike captured national headlines for all of these reasons. Teachers in the nation’s third largest city went on strike on September 10, and left 350,000 students out of school over the next week and a half. The New York Times editorial board observed: “Teachers’ strikes, because they hurt children and their families, are TYLER never a good idea.” Severe grievances BECKER have to be felt by The Swarthmore teachers to even Conservative justify a strike, as the public, particularly parents, can become easily frustrated with an unwarranted strike. So, why did the Chicago teachers strike? CNN reported that different teachers had very different reasons. The complaints of many of the teachers were not going to be resolved by the strike, such as 30 percent pay raise. Numerous teachers used the strike mainly to send a message. Suspending school for over a week to “send a message” is unnecessary, and speaks volumes about the problems of America’s educational system. America is falling behind, particularly in math and science education. According to a 2009 study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation & Development, American teenagers ranked 25th out of 34 countries in science and math. Scores were better in reading, but American teenag-
ers still ranked 14th out of 34. There is no doubt our education system needs serious reform. Teaching is a lifestyle, and if our education system has any chance of improving, teachers that are effective should have the upper hand in hiring and promotions. A teacher’s quality can be determined by routine performance-based evaluations with standardized tests scores as a significant portion of the assessment. Teachers’ unions, however, are scared of performance-based evaluations, as these are a threat to the union’s power. With these evaluations, teachers with poor records are not protected from being fired. While it is true that standardized assessment tests are not perfect, the tests help guide the curriculum and are an important indicator when looking at teacher performance. In the classroom, teachers have to keep students engaged despite outside distractions. A good teacher has that ability. In Chicago, the union and the city fought over the percentage the tests counted for in teacher evaluations for raises, promotions and job transfers. The union argued that neighborhood violence and other factors outside the teachers’ control could impact test results, but at least tests hold teachers somewhat accountable for what goes on in the classroom. In the end, the union was able to prevent standardized tests from becoming the largest factor in teacher evaluations, benefitting the status quo and allowing the union to maintain authority. Another battle in the strike was the extension of the school day by one hour. This would keep the students off the streets for another hour of the day, and help improve the very standardized test scores teachers were concerned about in their perfor-
mance assessments. the call of duty, spending significant time Our education system is in dire need of with me on extracurricular projects even reform behind extended school days and while I was in high school. For him, teachstandardized testing to evaluate teachers. ers’ unions get in the way of a passion for All teachers should be required to obtain teaching. Education becomes about small full bachelor’s degrees in a specific subject, pay raises and tenure rather than about not general “Education” degrees. These the actual students. Becoming a teacher is degrees provide practical knowledge of a life decision that you make because you how to deal with students individually and will enjoy the experience, and feel like you in a classroom, but limit teachers to teach- are making a real difference in people’s ing specific curricula lives. This is how my in subjects where they teacher saw things. have minimal, if any, When his name was Teaching is a lifestyle, expertise in. mentioned to other and if our education Swarthmore’s own teachers, many rolled Educational Studeyes and acted system has any chance their ies program requires as though he was doof improving, teachers ing something wrong. students to complete a major in another what he was dothat are effective should But discipline in addition ing was just beyond to taking education have the upper hand in the comprehension of classes. This gives stuwho teach for hiring and promotions. those dents the opportunity the paycheck, and reto specialize while still fuse to act as mentors acquiring necessary and teachers outside a teaching skills. A science teacher should one hour class. always have a degree in a natural science The Chicago strike made me feel that just as a history teacher should always necessary reforms in our education system have a degree in history, no matter if the are near-impossible to achieve. If teachers teacher is teaching elementary, middle or in the nation’s third largest city are willhigh school students. ing to skip class for a week, leaving 350,000 Each of these reforms could contribute children without a place to learn then any to a better education system in America, reform attempted has the potential to without raising the cost of education per cause debilitating strikes. student by significant amounts. When The education of America’s youth reforms are initiated, however, teachers’ should be our utmost priority, but ununions demand concessions and educa- necessary strikes like this one cause me tion of young people is subjected to stag- to wonder the extent to which teachers’ nation. unions really care about education. Our Now, I want to tell a personal story. education system is in peril. The most inspirational teacher (and menI am concerned unwarranted oppositor) in my life was my eighth grade sci- tion from teachers’ unions will prevent its ence teacher. He went above and beyond repair.
Ghana: The Next Frontier in Consumer Banking What’s the world’s second fastest growing economy? India? China? Brazil? Mexico? The answer is a country with a humble history nestled on the coast of West Africa. Historically known for its large expanse of gold reserves, the “Gold Coast” was exploited by the Portuguese, Dutch and English as a trading port. Weathered from a long history of conflict with colonial powers, Ghana is starting to embrace international business as a crucial source of financing. As the Chinese and Indian economies are facing rising struggles, developed nations are searching for alternative investments in new emerging markets. Ghana’s consumer banking system just may be the perfect opportunity. In downtown Accra, Ghana, you will find a bustling community with unique architecture that reflects a blend of the signature colors of Ghanaian textiles and the white pillars of British influence, complementing the pristine beauty of the West African coastline. The rapid change the city is going through is reflected in the stark contrast between newer, richer regions and indigenous, poorer areas. In lower-income regions the housing is of poor material and has either underutilized or limited service infrastructure. In the best parts of the city, the streets are clean, the infrastructure is abundant, and business (both local and global) is bustling. HARSHIL Such disparity in the conditions SAHAI of the developed and undeveloped parts of Accra are more a testament Conservatively of the rapid growth the region is facing, rather than the neglect of the Liberal Economics poor. Ghana’s economy is growing faster than ever before, as export and, recently, the financial services industries have expanded. Although there is a much greater pool of resources to be extracted than is currently being traded, this investment in expanding the export industry requires significant capital and fixed cost. Consumer banking, however, presents a great opportunity for foreign banks, local banks, and consulting firms to provide depositories and employment to individuals as well as to invigorate the loan industry and help grow the economy. In 2007, the Ghanaian government implemented the Banking Act, allowing licensing of qualified banks as well as allowing offshore banks to operate in the country. Thus, it allows non-residents to open offshore accounts in Ghana. Barclays, one of the world’s largest banks headquartered in London, has recently expanded offices in Accra. Because there is a large amount of infrastructure work to be done in the city, this presents an opportunity for the Ghanaian government to issue municipal debt to Barclays to fund projects and city improvements. Moreover, growing industries in mobile banking provide appealing emerging market investments to international banks. Moreover, the Ghanaian Stock Exchange represents the third largest stock exchange in all
of Africa, and the second largest in West Africa, also a great innovative nation of Ghana holds as an investment opporavenue for emerging market diversification. tunity. The consumer-banking sector is expected to grow At the local and consumer level, consumer banking is immensely, along with the mobile banking sub-sector. As more and more a necessity in a growing economy. As the na- foreign banks invest in the Ghanaian economy, as consulting tion experiences a rising in per-capita income, the demand firms enter to advise on project direction, IT infrastructure, for safe storage of excess funds substantially increases. More- and competitive strategy, and as local banks continue to inover, when international firms are increasing business with vest and lend, this commercial ecosystem will improve the Ghana, they will need access to local financing and will likely economy, the employment and the livelihood of Ghana. Adwork closely with local Ghanaian banks. Further, although vances by the government are indicative of the nation’s volthere was a recent drop in deposits during the period when untary effort to work more closely with the rest of the world Ghana was switching its currency, the new currency is sta- — another testament to the drastic growth of Ghana, once ble and consumer deposits will likely increase. As individu- fighting for independence from European colonization, now als and businesses are benefitting from a growing economy, welcoming those very same nations to invest. the credit ratings of these entities are also improving. Thus, the demand for loans in Ghana as well as the potential profitability has also increased. Consumer banks in Ghana can take advantage Letters, opinion pieces and online may request that their group affiliaof this and remain competicomments represent the views of their tion be included. tive by offering lower interwriters and not those of The Phoenix est rates to safer individuals staff or Editorial Board. The Phoenix While The Phoenix does not accept and businesses. reserves the right to edit all pieces anonymous submissions, letters and In the recent mobile revsubmitted for print publication for op-eds may be published without the olution, mobile banking has content, length and clarity. The Phoe- writer’s name in exceptional circumshown significant promise nix also reserves the right to withhold stances and at the sole discretion of in the near future. This new any letters, op-eds or comments from the Editorial Board. venture is currently being publication. explored by some of Ghana’s An editorial represents the opinlargest banks and has many All comments posted online and all ions of the members of the Opinions complicated challenges that op-eds and letters must be signed and Board: Marcus Mello, Menghan Jin have attracted the world’s should include the writer’s full name. and Preston Cooper. largest operational and IT consulting firms. PricewaLetters are a minimum of 250 words Please submit letters to: terhouseCoopers, one of and may not exceed 500 words. Op- letters@swarthmorephoenix.com or the world’s largest audit, eds are a minimum of 500 words and tax, and advisory firms, has may not exceed 750. Letters and op- The Phoenix recently set up offices in Ghana, advising the Ghanaeds must be submitted by 10 p.m. on Swarthmore College ian commercial sector on Monday, and The Phoenix reserves 500 College Avenue a variety issues. Further, a the right to withhold letters and op- Swarthmore, PA 19081 growing banking industry is eds received after that time from publikely to come across market Please report corrections to: lication. and strategy challenges, as corrections@swarthmorephoenix. Ghana now has over 20 conLetters may be signed by a maximum com sumer banks, thus offering of five individuals. Op-eds may be opportunities for strategy signed by a maximum of two indi- Letters, corrections and news tips may consulting services. viduals. The Phoenix will not ac- also be submitted online to the paper More and more develcept pieces exclusively attributed to by clicking “Contact” on the Phoenix oped nations are realizing groups, although individual writers website. the immense potential the small, hardworking, and
LETTER, OP-ED & COMMENT POLICY
Sports
PAGE 14
‘Men’s Soccer’, continued from page 1 shots on goal for the game in the first 15 minutes of the second half. Goalkeeper Peter Maxted ’14, who currently ranks second in the Centennial Conference with a .848 save percentage and a .068 goals against average, was able to withstand the flurry and finish the game with six saves as the Garnet prevailed 2-1. “Beating Muhlenberg on the road was a great feeling; to go there on a Thursday night, facing a good team with loud fans on a grass field was a tough test, but fortunately we overcame those obstacles and came away with three important points,” forward Michael Stewart ’15 said. “It was a great team performance, we took our chances and defended well ,and in the end were able to hold out for a very important victory.” Two days later, the Garnet returned to Clothier Field for a nightcap against the McDaniel Green Terror on September 29. Although McDaniel has been one of the weaker teams in the Centennial as of late, the team the has secondhighest scoring offense in the conference this season and is punctuated by sophomore forward Shane McCracken, whose 10 goals this fall rank second-best in the conference. At the beginning of the game, however, it was all about Swarthmore’s offense, which threatened early with shots on goal from Sterngold and Momeyer in the first five minutes. The team broke through soon after behind a goal from Stewart, who tallied his team-leading sixth of the season off a well-placed pass from Sterngold. For the third time in four games, the Garnet found the back of the net within the first 15 minutes of play; against Stevens, Stewart had scored after a throw-in barely a minute into the game. “The early goals have been really good,” French said. “I’ve rarely played on a team that comes out so ready, and I think that shows how capable we are of dominating an opposing team when we are superbly focused. That said, the fact that the goals tend to dry up after the opening few minutes shows that we relax too easily, and don’t maintain that level of pressure for long enough to really keep teams down.” In the second half, the Green Terror peppered Maxted with six shots, including a point-blank try from McCracken in the 70th minute that would have been the equalizer if not for the great play of the Garnet keeper. After more evenly matched play, a 79th-minute goal from Pontillo, his second in two games, made it 2-0 and effectively put the game out of reach. The Garnet finished the game with 22 shots, seven on goal, and Maxted made four saves for his second clean sheet of the season. After picking up two crucial conference wins last week, the Garnet, which
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012
The Phoenix
is 7-1-1 overall, finds itself tied with Dickinson for the conference lead at 3-0-1, with five games remaining in Centennial play for both teams. Neither squad has faced the third or fourth place teams in the standings, Haverford and Johns Hopkins. With nearly half of its Centennial games in the books, the team seems satisfied with its play as of late, but recognizes that the shortterm is of limited value in such a competitive conference. To wit, last year’s squad went 4-1 in its first five Centennial games and then finished 1-3 in its last four, dropping contests to Ursinus, Johns Hopkins and Haverford, to narrowly miss out on the postseason. “We haven’t been taking anything for granted and have been very focused on getting the job done throughout the season,” Sterngold said. “We certainly still have a lot to work on but if we keep approaching our training sessions and games with the same attitude and focus we have displayed thus far we will Midfieler Noah Sterngold ’14 serves up a pass. improve as a team and grow into the latter stages of the season.” The Garnet returns to action on October 6 as it travels to Gettysburg College to take on the Bullets in another conference matchup. On paper, a game against the worst-ranked team in the Centennial seems to unquestionably favor the Garnet, but the long road trip, coupled with the home team’s desperation to finally earn a conference win, has members of the team cautious about the prospects. By JENNI LU “Playing Gettysburg away is never SportsWriter easy,” Pontillo said. “They haven’t had a great start this year, but every team in After years of effort, the Swarthmore the Centennial Conference is good. We men’s and women’s cross country teams look to build on the things we have been have finally found a place among the top. doing well lately — defending as a unit, On Saturday, September 29, the men’s possessing the ball, and being creative team crossed the Dickinson Long Run finin the attacking third — next Saturday ish line in fourth place; not to be outdone, against Gettysburg in order to pick up the women’s team finished in equally imanother vital three points in a tough pressive fashion, tying for third. Centennial Conference.” While the men’s team saw stellar The game is scheduled to start at 1 performances by seasoned veterans, the p.m. women’s team broke out with some fresh
AKSHAJ KUCHIBHOTLA/THE PHOENIX
Garnet Race to Great Invitational Finish
AKSHAJ KUCHIBHOTLA/THE PHOENIX
Sterngold races to clear the ball away from the Green Terro attack.
legs. Jacob Phillips ’13 ran the 8K race in 26:08, nabbing a second place individual finish, while Jenna Cody ’16 ran 23:24.5 in the 6K, grabbing fourth place. “The team did really well, especially seeing that we’re starting to get people back from injuries,” Phillips said. According to him, what is even more impressive, however, is the improvement he has witnessed and been a part of for the past four years. “When I came in as a freshman, the team was not in the best shape — four of our top five runners that year were freshmen. Each year since then, we’ve gotten faster and faster, adding new runners to the pack. Now, after four years, the team is better than ever and poised to do better than any team has done before,” Phillips said. Head Coach Peter Carroll is glad to have someone in Phillips’ role as a leader of the team. “What you see with Jacob is three years of hard work piled on top of each other. Jacob has savvy and experience working for him,” Carroll said. As a freshman, Cody is still dealing with the exhilaration of the meet. “It’s exciting to be the first Swarthmore finisher,” Cody admitted, “but I’m not going to let it go to my head.” As to her successful race, she credited her self-discipline in her trainings. “I’ve been working on increasing my mileage and becoming consistent with my training,” she said. While Cody may have felt humble, her
coach has certainly noticed her mental toughness, as well as her natural potential. “Jenna has talent and is carefree,” Carroll said. “She’s like a puppy dog chasing a deer through the woods — no fear.” Despite the somewhat humorous mental image his praise may evoke, one thing is clear: Cody is fast, fierce and a force to be reckoned with. Despite both teams’ strong performances, they still have a long list of improvements they hope to tackle. “Crosscountry is a team sport just like soccer or volleyball. We have to work as a team and develop strategies to beat our competitors,” Cody said. Individually, she also has a few more aspects of her running she plans on working on. “I’m hoping to improve my speed at the end of races and on hills,” she explained. With the upcoming Princeton Invitational on October 13, the teams will be pushing at full speed ahead in order to race their best. Cody in particular is highly anticipating this meet; as a high school student at Princeton High School, she trained on the course multiple times. Preparing for the Princeton meet will be challenging, as Phillips has already accepted. “Getting ready for Princeton is tricky, since it’s flat and fast. We want to develop some speed work for that course by doing interval repeats,” he explained. As difficult as it will be, Carroll sees the upcoming race as a doorway to an even greater level of success. “Princeton will be a stepping stone for the championship part of our season. We need to continue to build confidence at the full championship distance,” he said. Phillips echoed his coach’s thoughts, adding, “I think that mentally we just have to get in the mindset that we can compete against the DI programs that will be competing at Princeton — and we definitely can.” Looking at the results, it’s difficult to disagree with Phillips. Judging by both teams’ performances last Saturday, they certainly look poised to take the stage in two weeks and get Swarthmore College to the top of the list.
Sports
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012
PAGE 15
The Phoenix
320 Challenge Eludes Athletes, Non-Athletes Alike
Competition Between Swarthmore and Widener Fierce, But Largely Unknown By DAN DUNCAN Sports Editor
Swarthmore has been engaged in a fierce competition for several years now, but that doesn’t mean it is well-known. Each year, the Garnet take on Widener University in every sport the schools share in the 320 Challenge. The 2012-2013 season marks the fourth annual round of this competition, and Swarthmore, which won last year’s 320 Challenge by a score of 13-6, looks to begin a winning streak. The competition itself is fairly straightforward. The Garnet and Pride meet in nearly every sport, from baseball to volleyball. The winner receives one point, while the loser receives zero. In the event of a tie, each team receives half of a point. Last year, the Garnet won 13 of the competitions and lost six. This season, Swarthmore currently holds a narrow 2-1 lead thanks to wins in field hockey (4-0) and men’s soccer (2-1). Widener’s score came from an overtime stunner over women’s soccer (1-0). Not every sport is represented in the competition. The perennially strong Garnet tennis teams have no Widener counterparts, and so cannot participate in the Challenge, denying Swarthmore a potential win. This goes both ways though — with no Garnet football team, the Pride loses what would probably have been an easy victory. According to Athletic Director Adam Hertz, he and Widener AD Jack Shafer began the competition after Swarthmore and Widener had played each other in most sports on a regular basis. “We thought that … [since we] were just down the road from each other [on Route 320], that maybe a spirited competition between the schools might develop into a friendly rivalry. Our hope was that it would become a game that we could mark on our schedules as something a little more meaningful.” Hertz added that the competition serves to complement the longer-running and more visible rivalry with Haverford,
as it gives every team in the school a game on the schedule to focus on. For example, Haverford does not have a swim team, but Widener does, giving those squads a highlight meet in theory. Although the program is in its fourth year, Hertz said that the schools are still easing into the competition, as neither of the ADs were sure if the Challenge would be close enough to be worth it. “Both schools wanted to see whether we were actually competitive with each other across the board [before promoting it].” That concern was alleviated in the first two incarnations of the Challenge, when Widener won by only one or two contests. Furthermore, he added that geographical proximity does not a rivalry make: “There is also some question of whether we have enough in common with each other to make this a meaningful rivalry.” Because the Athletic Department is not actively promoting the competition among the student body, the onus is on coaches to build the games against Widener up as something for the players to care about. This has had a mixed outcome, according to athletes. While some coaches heavily promote the games, others do not, and some of the details have been lost in translation. For example, according to Elyse Tierney ’15, a member of the women’s soccer and lacrosse teams, “The 320 Challenge is extremely important to the women’s soccer team. Last year we beat Widener in the pouring rain.” She added, “I don’t know if the coaches necessarily know what the Challenge is, but the players like to make a big deal out of it. We talked about the 320 challenge during lacrosse too.” For other sports, the competition against Widener is important, but not necessarily in the context of the 320 Challenge. John Flaherty ‘14, a captain on the men’s swim team, said, “I do see the Widener meet as important. The swim team always gets pretty fired up for this one. I don’t know if that the phrase ‘320 Challenge’ is thrown around that much, but we make it very clear to new swimmers that this is a big rivalry.
Widener is always our season opener and we view it as an important launching point for the rest of the year.” The competition has not reached every team that participates, though. Cross country, which competes in large invitationals, has no reason to specifically focus on beating the Pride. Jacob Phillips ‘13 said that although he knows what the 320 Challenge is, “I honestly wouldn’t even know which race would be the challenge itself. I guess it would be the NCAA Regionals, where we run against forty seven schools in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland. I don’t think that the 320 Challenge is terribly important to us as a team at all. I’ve never heard it mentioned in any context concerning our team.” With such mixed views among the student-athletes, it is no surprise that the student body in general is largely unaware of the competition. Several students said they had no idea what it is, while others like Ben Schwartz ‘13 knew a little about it, although, he said, “The details are entirely beyond me.” Hertz said he is still not sure if the rivalry will develop into what he and Shafer envisioned, but admitted it is time to begin promoting it among students, with the goal of creating an exciting atmosphere around the games. This may just work; both Flaherty and Tierney said they liked the idea of having an important non-conference game and that the 320 Challenge was a way to make the games more fun for the teams. Non-athletes also thought the competition could be exciting. According to Emily Rosen ‘13, while she did not previously know what the 320 Challenge was, “Now that I know Widener’s a huge rival, I do want to go to the games against them.” There are still many games to play in this year’s 320 Challenge. The next round takes place next week on October 11, when the teams meet in volleyball at Tarble Pavilion. The match starts at 7 p.m. Looking ahead, the Garnet will host each round of the winter season competition as well, beginning with men’s and women’s swimming on Halloween night, followed by women’s basketball on December 3 and men’s basketball on January 2.
Referees, Players Need to Agree on Fouls What do soccer and the swimming pool have in common? Diving. Once upon a time in an English school, I was taught how to play soccer in a unique style. At this school, there was a math teacher called Mr. Snell, who also happened to be a bit of a soccer enthusiast. He was a Brighton fan, but that’s not important right now (and never will be). But Mr. Snell was very intent on teaching us how to play soccer, as real men ought to play the game (that’s what he said anyway). JAMES When a player was least expecting it, IVEY he would push them over because they weren’t paying attention to their surOut of Left Field roundings. His idea was that a player should always be wary and stay on his feet because you can only play the ball from an upright position. While being pushed over and falling face first into frozen English dirt was not fun, it meant that we were encouraged to stay on our feet despite being pushed and shoved while on the ball because frozen dirt hurts. There have been two very contentious issues having to do with diving in the past couple of weeks in the Premier League:
Luis Suarez being denied penalties because of his diving past and Sergio Aguero complaining that foreign players do not get calls against British players. I don’t really know what to say to these problems other than toughen up. Two years ago, when Blackpool were in the Premiership, their manager, Ian Holloway, complained that they weren’t getting free kicks or penalties that should be given. Blackpool players had been taught to stay on their feet and to play on until the whistle. Unfortunately, unless you go down in the Premier League, you don’t get any calls. When English teams play abroad in Europe they experience a very different style of refereeing. There are referees on the continent, particularly from Italy and Spain, that don’t play the advantage or don’t allow jostling for the ball and shoulderto-shoulder competition. Often you see outrage from British players, adapted to a more physical game, when a player goes down under minimal contact. So why is there such a disparity in the way that soccer is refereed that allows such different styles of soccer? And if there weren’t such a disparity would there be as many problems? The fact is that soccer in England is more physical than most other leagues, except for Germany. How many Spanish and South American players have taken a season to adapt because of the greater physical pressures placed on players? Ramires was much better for Chelsea in his second season, and Bryan Ruiz is What she’s done: now able to retain possesTook 4th place at the Dickinson sion of the ball whenever Long/Short Invitational to lead the someone comes close to him. So sometimes, it is Garnet women to a 3rd place team just about putting on a finish. bit of muscle and being tougher; skills will still be Favorite career moment: there after a bit of condiPlacing 4th overall in the Dickintioning. The problem for son meet on Saturday and winning Suarez is that he can and does push people over, so a cool t-shirt. for him to be falling over so often during games is a Her season goals: little fanciful. To train consistently, avoid injuRonaldo is another exries, and make it as a team to naample of this: a man who is willing to show off his tionals! abs and muscular physique but has a great fondness of falling on grass. It Biggest adjustment to Swat: seems unbelievable that Eating meals only at the designated Ronaldo should be fouled times. Normally I like to snack all so much or be pushed over day, but here I’ve had to start eating by smaller players given 3 bigger meals a day. his strength but fouls are given because of what the outcome looks like. If a Favorite snack at Essie Mae’s: player stays on his feet Welch’s Gummies then usually a foul isn’t given because surely a foul
GARNET ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
JENNA CODY
FR., CROSS COUNTRY, CRANBURY, N.J.
DAN DUNCAN/PHOENIX STAFF
should be if someone goes down. But when you see Ronaldo going down under pressure from a smaller player, then surely the smaller player deserves some sort of prize because he has plainly fought above his weight class. That is the real problem of diving: when is a player fouled, when should a player have played on despite a challenge, and when is a player pretending to be a victim of a challenge? Players being generally more robust or told to play to the whistle will only go so far though. Soccer is a game of skill and games should be played and not battled through. However, there should be an element of competition though that enables other styles of play to be effective: Chelsea’s run to the Champions League final was based off of a strong defensive effort by big players that knew how to defend physically. Luis Suarez could just put on a few pounds of muscle in order to get his final shot away rather than diving when he looks like he might lose the ball. Aguero can complain all he likes about domestic players gaining favoritism from referees, but the fact of the manner is that domestic players in England play a harder game that the referees in most cases are happy to let happen.
So, in order to stop diving, there would have to be a conversation between players and the referees about what level of physicality would be acceptable and just too much. For the referees to clamp down on fouls, they would have to give up on their desire to let the games play out and get more involved. Howard Webb is famous for letting games carry on despite fouls and playing the advantage, much to the detriment of the last World Cup Final. So, in order to stop diving, there would have to be a conversation between players and the referees about what level of physicality would be acceptable and just too much. The line would have to be understood by all players in the league including those from the lower leagues and those from abroad so as to create one systematic code. Another system that could be introduced would be a fourth official review system that could give the referee in-game advice about whether to give a penalty or not. The fourth official from a variety of cameras would be able to tell whether contact had occurred, the extent of the contact, and the location of the initial foul. I admit I took this idea from the NFL. It just seems sensible. I’m not saying that a system of yellow and red flags should be added and reviews of all fouls, but on big moments such as goals and penalties there should be a review going on during the game. Penalties can change games and it is unfair to give the advantage to one team based on a deceit, likewise goals that have been scored by players from an offside position or balls that never crossed the line need to be stamped out. We should pretty much just change soccer into a system like FIFA ‘13 to get rid of all refereeing problems. Might as well. It would just be easier that way.
Sports
PAGE 16
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012
The Phoenix
Youth Movement Underway in Women’s Soccer Strong Underclassmen Play Gives Swarthmore Title Hopes
CHANELLE SIMMONS/THE PHOENIX
Top left, Megan Brock dribbles by a Washington College opponent. Top right, Ariana Spiegel takes the ball upfield. Bottom left, the Garnet huddles. Bottom right, Aly Passanante, who scored the Garnet’s third and final goal of the night, chases after a Washington College player.
By SCOOP RUXIN Sports Writer
When the Swarthmore Garnet (5-3-0) took on the Johns Hopkins Blue Jays (7-2-1) last Saturday in Baltimore, their starting eleven featured two first-years and four sophomores. Normally, a lineup so young is characteristic of a rebuilding team, one that ought to struggle to win half its matches, and one that should certainly pose no threat to the 17th-ranked Blue Jays. However, this Garnet squad has bucked the trend. Swarthmore shook off a 1-2 start, winning four straight games, including road wins against Centennial Conference rivals Franklin and Marshall and Ursinus. In the process, this young group of players has sent a strong statement to the conference that the future is now for Garnet soccer. It was a statement that Johns Hopkins nearly didn’t hear in time, as Swarthmore dominated the first half on Saturday. Refusing to be intimidated by its veteran, nationally ranked opponent, Swarthmore put pressure on the Blue Jays from the first whistle, sending four shots at Blue Jay keeper Meredith Maguire in the opening 15 minutes of play. The Garnet defense dominated the entire first half, allowing Hopkins just one shot on goal, while launching six shots of their own. Although Hopkins managed to strike twice in the second half, Swarthmore put up a strong fight, showing that it belongs in the top tier of Centennial Conference teams. According to forward Emma Sindelar ’15, the team was able to take several positives away from the loss. “Obviously the game on Sunday didn’t end the way we wanted, but we
had a great work rate and played a good first half,” Sindelar with the returning players, creating the chemistry that is so said. She added that team is looking forward to learn from crucial in soccer. the mistakes it did make in order to return to its winning The value of the leadership has not been lost on Magier, ways in this week’s games against Washington College (late who said that the upperclassmen leadership has helped her Wednesday night) and Gettysburg (7 p.m. on Saturday). transition to college. “Once I met the team and practiced the Led by Sindelar (team-leading five goals) and goalkeeper first day, all my nerves went away,” said the keeper. Most Reba Magier ’16 (0.71 goals against average, good for third and Spiegel have played especially important roles, solidifyin the Conference), Swarthmore has set its goals high. “We ing the Garnet defense in front of Magier by limiting opwant to win the Centennial and make our way through the posing teams’ opportunities to score: through the team’s NCAA [Tournament],” said captain first eight matches, Swarthmore has Ariana Spiegel ’13. Spiegel had nothoutshot its opponents 130-62 and outing but praise to levy on the team’s scored them 17-6. underclassmen play. “I think the unthese impressive statistics, “The energy that they theDespite derclassmen have been playing great as Swarthmore women know that a whole,” she said. “They score goals, they will need to continue to improve bring to practice they win headers, they save goals — if they want to compete for a conferevery day is great.” they are pretty boss.” ence championship. Perhaps in a Sixteen out of 26 Garnet players show of their youth, Swarthmore has Ariana Spiegel ’13 are either first-years or sophomores, been prone to making a few preventproviding the team with a spark that able mistakes in each game. Seeing makes the whole team better, accordthis, Spiegel emphasized that “if we ing to Spiegel. “They are an excited can just keep our composure and not group that makes a huge impact, just based off of size of the make those small errors, we will have more success.” While class and position,” she said. “The energy that they bring to Swarthmore has consistently dominated possession during practice every day is great.” Both Spiegel and Sindelar raved this early part of the season, one mistake can lead to a gameabout the work ethic of the first-year players, with Sindelar changing breakaway goal. lauding the fact that “they have been working hard in pracThat being said, if the early part of this season is any intice, which forces everyone to step up their game.” dication, Swarthmore women’s soccer is primed to be one of Leading the young group of players has evidently been the top teams in the Centennial Conference for not just this a fun experience for Spiegel, along with fellow teammates season, but for years to come. Swarthmore has the talent to Haley Most ’13, Mariam Vonderheide ’13, Cassie Strawser compete now, and with nearly two-thirds of the team having ’13 and Beth Martin ’13. These senior leaders have been es- at least two more years to play, the Garnet should be able to sential in helping integrate the new elements of the team compete on a national level.