The Daily Targum 2010-03-24 by The Daily Targum

THE DAILY TARGUM

Volume 141, Number 108

S E R V I N G

T H E

R U T G E R S

C O M M U N I T Y

S I N C E

WEDNESDAY MARCH 24, 2010

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Today: Sunny

HOME SWEET HOME

High: 63 • Low: 38

The Rutgers baseball team returns to Bainton Field to take on in-state rival Rider today for its second home game in its first 22 contests.

Bill aims to build bridge to education

Health care law secures last approval

BY DEVIN SIKORSKI

BY COLLEEN ROACHE

STAFF WRITER

CORRESPONDENT

With the cost of higher education rising across the nation, a bill passed Sunday night may provide students with more accessibility to a college education. The House of Representatives passed the Health Care and Education Affordability Act by a vote of 220 to 211, making student loans completely funded by the government by eliminating unwarranted subsidies to banks, according to the press release from the Committee on Education and Labor. Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., an author of the bill, said in the release this was a much-needed legislation not just for students, but for the country as well. “Its time to stop wasting billions of taxpayer dollars to subsidize big banks, and start investing that money directly in our students and families,” Miller said. “With this one move, we will help students pay for college, prepare them for our global economy, keep jobs in America and reduce the deficit.” The bill would save taxpayers $61 billion over 10 years and would cut the national deficit by at least $10 billion over a decade, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The legislation would provide the New Brunswick congressional district with more than $49 million over a decade to increase the maximum annual Pell Grant scholarship to $5,550 in 2010 and to $5,975 by 2017, according to the Committee on Education and Labor. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-N.J., said the bill is even more significant because of the weak status of the nation’s economy. “The tough times for universities and college students have become worse with an economy that is putting a real squeeze on students from all sides,” Pallone said via e-mail correspondence. “The effort to revitalize the federal student loan program and reform the way it operates is a welcome accomplishment that is needed more than ever.” He said adding $50 billion to Pell Grants is a wise investment and would allow students to obtain loans without dealing with banks. University Director of Financial Aid Jean McDonald-Rash said the legislation is especially important for the University due to the amount of loans distributed. “We usually have about 4,000 students who receive federal Pell Grants. This usually winds up being around $36 million to $40 million in loans,” McDonald-Rash said. There are about 34,000 students who receive financial aid at the University. She said before this legislation passed, students were left with two decisions for loans. “Students could receive money from direct lending, which is straight from the U.S. Treasury. The other option allowed students to receive

When President Barack Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law yesterday in the East Room of the White House, he — like former President L yndon B. Johnson 45 years ago — changed the scope of health care for millions of people nationwide. “Many, many men and women are going to feel the pride that I feel in watching you sign this bill, knowing that their work has helped make this day possible,” Vice President Joseph Biden said in a statement prior to the president signing the bill. “But Mr. President, you’re the guy that made it happen. … You’ve done what genera-

SEE BILL ON PAGE 4

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President Barack Obama signs the Affordable Health Care for America Act yesterday during a ceremony in the White House. The law offers tax credits to small businesses immediately.

SEE HEALTH ON PAGE 4

Student debate weighs in on medical reform BY CHRIS ZAWISTOWSKI STAFF WRITER

The Rutgers Democrats, Rutgers University College Republicans and Rutgers Libertarians faced off in a debate last night, touching on issues ranging from the state budget to gay marriage. With President Barack Obama signing the landmark health care legislation just hours before the debate, much of the talk between the three parties focused on the new law. The Rutgers Democrats hailed the legislation, noting that it will help extend coverage to more than 32 million who are currently uninsured.

“It is a very, very important issue to this country and it was deserving of the amount of time that was spent on it,” said Daniel Pereira, a debater for the organization and a School of Arts and Sciences first-year student. Though the College Republicans and Libertarians agreed that health care reform is a pressing issue facing the nation, they disagreed with the legislation’s approach. College Republican debater Alex Weiss said the bill would only exacerbate the issue of rising premiums and do little to control the cost of health care reform.

SEE DEBATE ON PAGE 6

MARIELLE BALISALISA

Rutgers Democrats Ajay Kumar, left, and Daniel Pereira voice their opinions about the newly signed health care legislation.

Campus cooks up fun for celebration BY GLEN GABRIEL CONTRIBUTING WRITER

ANDREW HOWARD/ SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Visitors browse various flowers on Cook campus at last year’s Ag Field Day. Rutgers Day 2010 marks the 92nd anniversary of the agricultural event.

With the arrival of spring comes beautiful weather and trips to the beach, but at the University, it means Rutgers Day. While this is only the second year for Rutgers Day, there has been nearly 90 years of agricultural events and shows on the George H. Cook Campus, Director of Communications Michael Green said. Ag Field Day’s incorporation into Rutgers Day was beneficial for the campus, he said. “Ag Field Day had changed, because it became an open house for the University,” Green said. “A lot of the resources for Rutgers Day spilled over into Ag Field Day.”

Cook campus’s celebration of the second annual Rutgers Day this year aims to show students, alumni and residents of the state just what it does best. The campus will be open on Saturday April 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for participation in the events. For Cook campus, Rutgers Day will ser ve as an open house for numerous events, such as plant sales, exhibits regarding the power of wind on the ocean and interactive activities with the many farm animals on the campus, Green said. Specifically, the Equine Science Center will have a

SEE CAMPUS ON PAGE 6

INDEX UNIVERSITY Hosted by various University groups, a panel explains the detriments of bottled water.

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MARCH 24, 2010

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Panel flushes out myths of privatized water BY HENNA KATHIYA CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The world’s quantity of water may be depleting, but on World Water Day, campus organizations came together to address rising issues regarding this matter and inform the University community that the resource is not as plentiful as most people think. The George Street Co-op sponsored a panel discussion on the privatization of water and the effects of bottled water on the environment Monday evening, followed by a screening of the award-winning documentar y “Blue Gold: World Water Wars” in the Alexander Librar y lecture hall on the College Avenue campus. Rutgers Take Back the Tap, New Jersey Public Interest Research Group Student Chapters and Food and Water Watch co-sponsored the event. “We have come to see water as something that is readily available, but that is not the case anymore, and people need to realize that,” said Christine Donahue, a member of Trenton Residents Against Water Privatization. Donahue was a member of the panel discussion, during which the privatization of water — or the private ownership of water services and sanitation — was a major issue.

Since water is generally a public service, the concept of privatization is usually met with opposition. “Political processes must be watched and monitored because if not, the things we treasure the most — such as our water supply — will be given away to the highest bidder,” said Donahue, a candidate for Trenton City Council.

“The biggest problem we see ... is that everyone is carrying plastic water bottles.” ERIC STRUBLE Take Back the Tap representative

The negative effect of bottled water on the environment was also a point of discussion. Another member of the panel discussion, Rutgers Take Back the Tap representative Eric Struble, spoke about the negative ramifications that bottled water has on the environment and the steps the organization is taking to make the University a bottledwater free campus. “The biggest problem we see around Rutgers is that everyone

is carrying plastic water bottles,” Struble said. Rutgers Take Back the Tap is striving to make the University completely bottled-water free, meaning students would not be able to find bottled water at any campus facilities, and it would be taken out of all vending machines. To substitute for the lack of bottled water, Rutgers Take Back the Tap proposes that the University install water fill stations around campus where students can refill their re-useable water bottles. Rutgers Take Back the Tap is attempting to pass this legislation by presenting the issue to the Rutgers University Student Assembly. The organization hopes its ideas will make it onto University President Richard L. McCormick’s desk. “What people do not realize is that tap water and bottled water are essentially the same,” Struble said. “Bottled water companies make you fear tap water and make the water they sell seem as if it comes from up in the mountains when really, they basically just filter tap water and resell it to consumers at a ridiculously marked up price.” Eighteen campuses around the nation are bottled-water free, including the University of Colorado, the University of Virginia and Harvard University, according to the panel. If the

University were to become a bottled-water free campus, it would be the first university in New Jersey to make this change. Gidon Weisberg, a student in the Graduate School of Education, found the discussion and films informative and educational.

“I’m glad to see this issue getting more attention,” Weisberg said. “It’s something that’s creeping up on us, and it’s hard to see without knowing a lot of facts surrounding it. Water issues are going to be the biggest issue after oil issues and a lot of people don’t even know it exists.”

MARIELLE BALISALISA

Jim Walsh, eastern region director for Food and Water Watch, moderates a four-person panel at Monday night’s World Water Day.

MARCH 24, 2010

BILL: Law reduces time for debt elimination to 15 years continued from front loans from a bank, who would get money from private sources of lending,” McDonald-Rash said. “What they have done is that 100 percent of all loans will come from direct lending.” Samuel Obergh, who serves as the grassroots coordinator for New Jersey Public Interest

Research Group Student Chapters, said direct lending is optimal for students. “The legislation is trying to provide students with direct lending. This means that the middle man would be cut out, which are the banks,” he said. Obergh, a School of Arts and Sciences sophomore, said with Gov. Chris Christie’s proposed budget cuts, the legislation is needed now more than ever. “The cuts that have been proposed by the governor are drastic,”

U NIVERSITY he said. “However, if there is an increase in federal money for loans, that is a big plus for students.” Obergh also said the increase in federal funding is detrimental for students throughout New Jersey. “The state doesn’t provide enough money for [some] students. Students without the ability to pay for college can’t go to school without student loans,” he said. School of Arts and Sciences first-year student Chris Alviar, a Pell Grant recipient, said the new

HEALTH: Many reforms will not take effect until 2014 continued from front tions of not just ordinar y, but great men and women have attempted to do.” With his signature on the landmark health care reform legislation, the president made the right to access decent health care a reality in the United States, Biden said. “The bill I’m signing will set in motion reforms that generations of Americans have fought for and [marched] for and hungered to see,” Obama said in a speech before signing. Though some reforms will not take effect until 2014, the president discussed a few changes that will take place immediately. For example, this year, tax credits will be offered to about four million small businesses to help them insure their employees, and insurance companies will no longer be able to deny coverage to those with preexisting conditions or drop coverage when insurance holders become ill, Obama said. Also, starting this year, young adults will be able to stay under their parents’ coverage until age 26. Ultimately, reform will lower costs for families, businesses and the federal government, whose deficit will decrease by more than $1 trillion over the next two decades, Obama said. Still, there are those who do not support the president’s actions regarding health care reform.

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Under the new health care legislation, young adults can stay under their parents’ insurance until they are 26 years old. “I think that health is one of the most impor tant things,” Ron Holden, president of Rutgers University College Republicans said. “Without your health, you’re nothing, but I just don’t agree at all with the way this administration is going about things.” Though he said he does believe Obama is passionate

about improving health care and does care about the American people, Holden said the law would do more to cause problems than solve them. “I see him bringing Chicagostyle politics to Washington, I’m pretty sure that wasn’t the change we were supposed to be believing in,” said Holden, a Rutgers College senior.

T H E DA I LY TA R G U M bill is important, especially with the increasing enrollment at the University. “With more student loans available, it gives students who need financial aid the opportunity to come here,” Alviar said. Obergh said students are sometimes unable to make payments on their loans. These students would have to wait 25 years for their debt to be eliminated. But under the new bill, the time for debt to be eliminated

would be reduced to 15 years, he said. Olbergh also said it is time for the government to pay attention to the needs of students across the country. “If the government can invest millions of dollars in Homeland Security, two wars and health care, I don’t see why they wouldn’t invest money in students,” he said. “The more educated our generation is, the better chance we have to stabilize this country in the future.”

The law would be more favorThe law will be especially able if it had support from both important to college students, political parties in U.S. Congress, he said. he said. Still, Holodak said one provi“Instead of just ramming sion — a public option — is misssomething through, if he ing, but like past health care would’ve sat down and actually changes, such as Social Security taken the time … to gain some and Medicare, the law would not Conservative and Republican sup- be perfect on the first attempt. port by coming up with someThough some argue that the thing that both sides can agree cost of the law is too high, with, I think [there would be] Holodak cited Congressional something that could become Budget Office data that says effective,” insuring more peoHolden said. ple will save the govM a n y money. He “It’s a huge step in ernment Republican conexpressed a need for gressmen have the right direction the nation to priorivowed to fight tize its expenditures. for the country.” the law, and “We can spend Holden said the millions and millions ALEX HOLODAK first step would of dollars when it’s Rutgers Democrats President be to listen to war, but we can’t constituents, when it’s caring who are against the tax increases about insurance and providing for and other problems with the legis- our citizens in their time of need,” lation. Republicans must make a he said. point of challenging the constituRepublicans’ commitment to tionality of the government regulat- opposing the legislation is nothing private industry. ing but rhetoric, Holodak said. “That might be what it takes to “It’s similar to what we heard get this president to realize that he after Social Security passed,” he can’t just ram anything through … said. “It’s similar to what we by giving people rides on Air Force heard after Medicare passed in One and by promising people polit- 1965, that it would be a socialist ical favors,” he said. takeover of the government and On the other hand, Alex the American people wouldn’t Holodak, president of Rutgers accept it. You cannot find a Democrats, was pleased with the Republican that would argue for new law, passed over what he getting rid of Social Security or described as a “historic” weekend. Medicare today. …. It’s all about “It’s a huge step in the right how we can better the system.” direction for the country,” said Though he is happy the bill Holodak, a School of Arts and was signed into law, Holodak Sciences senior. “A lot of the provi- said this is only the first major sions that are in the bill are going to step on a journey to health care immediately help a lot of people.” reform in America.

A CIRCLE OF PLEASURE

JODIE FRANCIS

Participants of “How to Have a Gender-Free Orgasm” learn how to have an orgasm through various imaginative exercises yesterday at the Asian American Cultural Center on Livingston campus.

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T H E DA I LY TA R G U M

MARCH 24, 2010

CALENDAR Groups roast unhealthy living in state MARCH Editors from The Daily Targum will hold a writers meeting for current and prospective writers at 9:30 p.m. in the S-Lounge on the 4th floor of the Rutgers Student Center on the College Avenue campus. They will assign stories and answer questions about writing ar ticles. No previous writing experience is required, and anyone interested is welcome to attend.

Come join the Rutgers University Programming Association at 7:30 p.m. at The Cove in the Busch Campus Center for “Fiesta Caliente.” Enjoy sizzling performances from student groups, spicy hot food provided by Moe’s Southwest Grill and other vendors, and learn about Hispanic cultures. Supplies and space limited. Sacred Sounds is back at 8:30 p.m. in the Busch Campus Center Multipurpose Room. The evening will feature musical meditations, exotic drumming and dance as well as worldfamous Kirtan bands As Kindred Spirits and Mayapuris. Those interested should RSVP and get updates at www.bhakticlub.org.

Those who want to teach fun science projects and arts and crafts to middle school students are welcome to attend a Rutgers in the Community meeting at 9 p.m. in Room 112 of Murray Hall on the College Avenue campus. For more information, contact Sean Lo at seanlo@eden.rutgers.edu. All interested photographers are welcome to attend The Daily Targum photographers’ meeting in Room 403 of the Rutgers Student Center on the College Avenue campus. The meeting will take place from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. We will be holding a weekly photographers’ meeting to discuss important housekeeping business, assign events and facilitate several workshopping activities.

“Exploding Stars and Atom Smashers” is the topic of the annual Henry R. and Gladys V. Irons Lecture in Physics and Astronomy at 2 p.m. in the Physics Lecture Hall on Busch Campus. The speaker, Dr. Michael Smith, is a distinguished scientist at Oak Ridge National Laborator y in Tennessee. The lecture is free and open to the public.

The exhibit, “Perspectives Through the Lens: Soviet Ar t Photography in the 1970s-80s,” ends today in the Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum on the College Avenue campus. This collection presents a selection of more than 60 photographs from the Norton and Nancy Dodge Collection of Soviet Nonconformist Art by Francisco Infante, Vladimir Kupriyanov, Boris Mikhailov and Aleksandr Slyusarev, four major Soviet artists working with photography in the ’70s and ’80s.

To have your event featured on www.dailytargum.com, send University calendar items to university@dailytargum.com.

BY ARMANDO ALVAREZ CONTRIBUTING WRITER

A multitude of New Jersey food and health organizations cooked up the recipe for statewide legislation in Trenton on Monday to establish March as “Living Well Month” in the state. The week of March 14 to March 20 is now known as “Living Well Week” thanks to the work of “Get Moving - Get Healthy” New Jersey and the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. The movement was based off the efforts of educators to get nine county freeholders to make the declaration, said Kathleen Morgan, the Rutgers Family and Community Health Sciences chair, a division of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension. The groups provide researchbased education on food nutrition and health and food safety to teach the residents of New Jersey how to eat healthier, Morgan said. “Living well, eating smaller portions, more grains — that’s what they’re focusing on,” she said. In ever y county, educators have particular issues they each work on, Morgan said.

“One educator works in dia- their communities and clubs to betes education to help reduce replicate the GMGH program. obesity,” she said. “Another of “In Trenton, we have held three them works on programs to overnight ‘Get Moving - Get reduce cancer risks, and one of Healthy’ trainings for teens to [the] other educators does a lot of become food and fitness ambassaeducation in the area of food safe- dors,” Gore said. “Throughout the ty and food allergies.” summer these teens promote The FCHS partners with the GMGH in summer day camps, 4-H youth department, which faith based organizations and comuses a learn-bymunity centers.” doing approach to Child nutrition “Living well, eating is also one of the enable youth to become compegroups’ biggest smaller portions, tent, caring citigoals considering zens of the world, childhood obesimore grains — to spread the camhas more than that’s what they’re ty paign’s message, tripled in the Morgan said. past 30 years, focusing on.” The organizaMorgan said. KATHLEEN MORGAN tions developed an The prevaRutgers Family and Community interactive learnlence of obesity Health Services Chair ing kit, which conamong children tains health lesaged 6 to 11 years sons that young increased to 19.6 children really need, she said. percent in 2008 from 6.5 percent “All the lessons are hands-on in 1980, she said. Obesity among interactive,” Morgan said. “We teenagers aged 12 to 19 years teach them how to reduce sugar increased to 18 percent from 5 in their beverages, get more percent. exercise and become more NEAFCS provides information physically active.” on family meals with a program The 4-H organization trained called “Eating Together - Eating teens to be food and fitness ambas- Well,” encouraging more families sadors, said Sharon Gore, Mercer eat healthier meals more often. County 4-H program associate. Annette Devitt, the Salem The ambassadors then return to County 4-H department agent,

said 4-H clubs around New Jersey are currently participating in new healthy living programs. “This year, approximately 100 clubs elected a 4-H club health officer,” she said. “The officer is responsible for leading 4-H members through health-related activities at their club meetings.” The theme this year is Healthy Eating, and members learn about topics such as portion sizes, taste personalities, the relationship between food and mood and making healthier food choices, Devitt said. “The [more than] 2,000 members participating in these activities are also receiving information to share with their families and trying to reach a monthly challenge,” she said. The groups can still use help to spread their message throughout the year, said Nurgul Fitzgerald, an assistant extension specialist for the Department of Nutritional Sciences. “Rutgers students can contact us to get involved in the ‘Get Moving - Get Healthy’ initiative,” Fitzgerald said. “We have spots that open up from time to time for students to get hands on experience with developing nutrition education materials, updating the Web site, et cetera.”

UNIVERSITY TO HOST SYMPOSIUM ON RACE IMAGE IN AMERICA With the discussion of race in the United States catalyzed by the election of President Barack Obama, the University will host a symposium Friday to discuss the current struggles of minorities throughout the nation. Political science Professor Alvin Tillery Jr. said the discussion of minorities in society is more important than ever, according to a University Media Relations press release. “Barack Obama’s election as president throws into sharp relief ongoing challenges of

civil rights and social justice,” Tillery said in the release. “This gathering seeks to explore the tensions and contradictions at the heart of the election of the first African-American U.S. president.” The four-hour event, “Racial Inequality and the Challenge of a Post-Racial Society: Race, Rights and Public Policy in the Age of Obama,” will include three programs to show how minorities are shown in the media, given access to education and the economic inequalities they experience.

Each program will include speakers from the University, as well as Todd Johnson from NBC News and Michael K. Brown, a professor in politics from the University of California-Santa Cruz. The symposium will begin at 11:15 a.m. in Winants Hall on the College Avenue campus and is free of charge. The event is sponsored by the Rutgers’ Center for Race and Ethnicity, whose mission is to enhance education on matters of race and ethnicity in contemporary life in N.J. — Devin Sikorski

MARCH 24, 2010

NJ DOCTORS FILE SUIT TO REVERSE HEALTH CARE LAW A group of New Jersey physicians filed a lawsuit to overturn the recently passed federal health care legislation, arguing that the bill violates citizens’ civil rights by forcing them to purchase health coverage, according to an article in The Star-Ledger. The complaint, filed yesterday in Newark by New Jersey Physicians Inc., is similar to other lawsuits filed by attorney generals of 13 other states, which claim President Barack Obama’s administration is abusing its authority by passing but not properly funding the new law, according to the article. “The federal government can tell you what you can’t do, but it can’t tell you to go out to buy something,” said Steven Kern, attorney for the physicians group, in the article. “The feeling is the new law further burdens the physicians in private practice without increasing the number of physicians or changing the reimbursement structure.” The states challenging the reform bill are Florida, South Carolina, Nebraska, Texas, Michigan, Utah, Pennsylvania, Alabama, South Dakota, Idaho, Washington, Colorado and Louisiana. Kern said the NJ Physicians’ suit is the first legal action filed by a group of doctors to overturn the law, according to the article. New Jersey Physicians Inc., was founded in 2007 and consists of 1,600 members. It was formed to challenge the Medical Society of New Jersey, a physician advocacy organization founded in 1766, which has a membership of about 9,000 doctors. — Ariel Nagi

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T H E DA I LY TA R G U M

CAMPUS: Ag Field Day

these events look to unify the University. This Rutgers Day will mark marks 92nd year during event the 92nd annual AG Field and the second year it is merged continued from front with Rutgers Day. It also marks demonstration of a horse runthe 36th annual New Jersey ning on a treadmill, said Kar yn Folk Festival, both long-time Malinowski, an extension spetraditions of Cook and cialist at the center. Douglass campuses, as the folk This will coincide with the festival took place last year on Equine Science Center’s Douglass campus. launching of a Web site that Those organizing the day on will be directed toward chilCook campus stressed that the dren and horse care, she said. events were geared toward “I plan to pass out [more getting the students involved, than] 1,000 packages with inforbut some University students, mation about the new Web site like Ted Bales, feel this [equinescience4kids.com], is unnecessar y. so a large turnout “For me, is expected,” Rutgers Day is Malinowski said. more about the “We are one Cook campus clubs, the alumni Rutgers, we are has offered ice and the parents of cream from the those students one university, Food Science going to Rutgers, building in the and we need to be more so than the past, and the anistudents themone university.” mal science selves,” said buildings usually Bales, a School of MICHAEL GREEN host a barbecue Arts and Sciences Cook campus during Ag Field sophomore. Director of Communications Day, Green said. Despite the A theme ideas of students throughout Rutgers Day has like Bales, Green and been one of unity, he said. It is Malinowski are not worried. not about the separate campuses They believe the turnout will as much as it is about involving be great and the event will be a the community with what each success. Last year, Rutgers campus has to offer. Day attracted more than There will be events for all 50,000 people. age groups, and because of this, “We are one Rutgers, we are Rutgers Day, while emphasized one university, and we need to for students, will offer an atmosbe one university,” Green said. phere that will cater to the “We as a community are openwhole family, according to the ing our doors to our neighbors Rutgers Day Web site. in the state, and they get to see Through Rutgers Day, what we do and the value we Cook campus and the provide to the people of New University as a whole are lookJersey and beyond.” ing to build upon the many Barnes & Noble, Saint years of success that have Peter’s Healthcare System come from Ag Field Day and and Rober t Wood Johnson the New Jersey Folk Festival, University Hospital are just a Green said. Together, all of few of Rutgers Day’s sponsors.

MARIELLE BALISALISA

Rutgers Libertarians Andy Daken, front, and Mihir Patel call for less regulation in health care, arguing it would decrease costs.

DEBATE: Parties debate about governor’s budget cuts continued from front “We think that on this ver y critical issue, the Democrats missed big,” Weiss, a School of Ar ts and Sciences first-year student, said. “We think that this is absolutely the wrong way to go about health care reform.” The Libertarians called for a more open market approach to health care reform, or less regulation in the health care sector. Mihir Patel, a Libertarian debater, said that would help drive down the cost of health care and make it more affordable. Patel, a Rutgers Business School senior, advocated a plan that would have patients “shop around” for doctors to tr y and find the best prices for care. “The Democrats’ basic premise on [health care] is to keep spending, spending, spending, but it doesn’t appear to be getting us anywhere,” Patel said. But Rutgers Democrats debater Ajay Kumar said the president’s health care bill makes attempts to create a more open free market. “This bill actually improves the nature of the free market,” said Kumar, a School of Arts and Sciences sophomore. He noted in 2014, health care exchanges would be created with each individual being able to pick the health care they want through pools. But Libertarian debater Andrew Daken refuted this point. He said the bill gives the government control of an industry that comprises of one-seventh of the nation’s economy. “That is not a free market,” said Daken, a School of Arts and Sciences sophomore. “That’s health care at gunpoint.” The College Republicans also criticized the way Democrats developed and passed the health care bill through secret meetings and deals despite public opinion against the bill. Yet, Kumar said the process of making the law was open and transparent pointing out the health care summit was televised live on C-SPAN, and any

backroom deals were dealt with and reprimanded. Kumar also said opponents of the law were not all Republicans and included Liberals like him who felt the law did not go far enough. Though the College Republican and Liber tarian debaters said public opinion polls show a majority of Americans were against the bill, Pereira said when certain measures of the bill are clarified, Americans may change their opinions. “When the bill is explained to people, people support what is in the bill,” he said. The par ties also debated Gov. Chris Christie’s recent multi-billion dollar budget cuts, which College Republican debater Connor Montferrat said was necessar y considering the $2 billion budget deficit the state faced. “[The governor] had three choices — raise taxes, borrow money or make cuts, and [he was not] going to do the first two because it would only increase the debt,” said Montferrat, a School of Arts and Sciences firstyear student. Daken also agreed that raising taxes was simply not an option for the governor and that his cuts were needed, though maybe in the wrong places. “At any level of government you give them money they are going to spend it,” he said. But Democrats argued the cuts did not proportionately affect the richest New Jerseyans. Pereira criticized the governor for not renewing the millionaire’s tax, which placed a surcharge on residents with incomes of more than $400,000. “What Gov. Christie is talking about is cost sharing, but really it is cost shifting,” he said. Kumar said the governor needed to trim the state budget, but felt some groups were being af fected more than others. “We have to cut the budget, but why is it that the poor, middle class and students are suf fering the most?” he said. The event was moderated by The Daily Targum’s Editor-inChief Neil P. Kypers and sponsored by the RU Democrats.

T H E DA I LY TA R G U M

Council to pump up gym hours

U NIVERSITY

MARCH 24, 2010

TEARING UP THE CONCRETE JUNGLE

LIVINGSTON CAMPUS COUNCIL BY JEFF PRENTKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Paralleling plans to reinvigorate Livingston campus as the University’s business center, its residents are still aiming to make the campus an even better place to live. The Livingston Campus Council met Monday night to discuss future additions and longawaited changes to the Livingston Recreation Center that are proposed to start during the next academic year. The Rutgers University Student Assembly and all the campus councils collaborated during last month’s “What’s on Your Mind Month” to distribute campus-wide student surveys, said Winiris DeMoya, council president. “As a result of that survey, the Livingston Campus Council realized that Livingston campus residents and affiliates were not satisfied with the hours that Livingston gym was open,” said DeMoya, a Rutgers College senior. Little change was noticed after the information from the sur vey was presented to the administration at last semester’s RUSA town hall meeting, she said. As a result, the council created a committee that is working to expand the campus gym’s hours of operation. “Livingston residents seem to want the gym open earlier than 11 a.m.,” DeMoya said. “Students would prefer to do their morning jog at 7 [a.m.].” There could potentially be more open hours during high peak season next year, which is between Januar y and Spring Break, she said. The council also discussed the thefts of five laptops in the Livingston Quads residence halls that occurred during the weeks leading up to Spring Break. “We’re definitely going to look into speaking to not only public safety but the police department as well to see what the council can impart to them to make the campus safer,” DeMoya said. The upcoming Rutgers Day on April 24 and Springfest on April 17 were also on the agenda. “The planning is going really well,” DeMoya said. “We’ve set up a sort of a script for our event, and we’re working really well with different administrators to get everything going.” Springfest, which will be held on Livingston campus, is going to feature a “Rutgers Zone,” said Adam Helgeson, a committee member. Rutgers Zone, a mix of ESPN and Dave & Buster’s, will be located in the Livingston Student Center and will allow students to blow off some steam with some ski ball, 25-cent games and $2 nachos, said Helgeson, a School of Arts and Sciences first-year student. “It’s all about the tradition of Livingston, which is going to be really upheld with some new things too,” he said. “We’re really incorporating history as well as the new student center.”

NICHOLAS BRASOWSKI

School of Engineering sophomore Liam Gilroy, president of the Rutgers Longboarding Club, spends his evening shredding in the five-floor parking deck on the College Avenue campus with other club members.

T H E D A I LY TA R G U M

OPINIONS

PA G E 8

MARCH 24, 2010

EDITORIALS

Safety concerns us all

oday’s smartphones and PDAs have seemingly gained another purpose in the eyes of airport security officials. According to USA Today, the Transportation Security Administration has been looking into using devices in airports that detect and trace personal electronic equipment, such as phones. Their claims are that the new system will provide the TSA with information on how long people are stuck in security lines, therefore creating a chance for improvement. The question is, though, how can we be sure that their device is not used with malice or anything that strays from the claimed benefits of the new system? We cannot. Perhaps the system will be used to simply track queues and people’s delays due to security, but it could be just as easy to access personal information and sensitive material on fliers’ devices. Without certain protocols, or even with them, authorities can misuse equipment to threaten human privacy laws without the need for warrants. Not all of us mind that, but the few who do, understand the need for some limits when it comes to airport security. This system, which is still under development by Purdue University researchers, comes with the banal explanation of “queue tracking,” while it also provides a wide array of methods of tracking much more than lines. It is another way that government agencies can monitor people’s personal-communication devices — something that threatens civil liberties. With the seemingly constant terrorist and individual attempts to break airport security, we may need this new system as it is closely tied to safety. The monitoring of people and security lines may provide the TSA with information that could serve the purpose of another set of eyes. But if it is about safety, why are measures kept hidden from the public? Without the cooperation of passengers and people at the airports, security would remain flawed. Simply, if airport authorities need our cooperation and agreement with certain safety procedures, then they should make people feel more comfortable — not to be mistaken with a degree of carelessness when it comes to passenger safety. After all, pressure on the people and lack of trust in the TSA and other agencies could only lead to unrest in the passengers themselves, rather than a safer environment. We should just inform the people of the security measures and stop making up underhanded methods of actively controlling airport visitors. Tell the truth and feel safer.

Let women choose path

omen have long been underrepresented in certain science and math spheres. There have been many attempts to level the playing field, but they have not resulted in a great increase of women in these areas. Are other actions needed? According to The New York Times, a report on the underrepresentation of women in these areas, “Why So Few?,” released Monday explains the effects of stereotypes and cultural biases on women in the professional fields. The report suggests we should make the difference by implementing “[courses] for spatial skills for women going into engineering or teaching children that math ability is not fixed, but grows with effort.” We disagree with these assertions. The fact that only 17 percent of computer and information sciences doctorate holders are women is simply a result of desires. The idea of creating courses specially designed for women to adapt to a male-dominated society may be a step in the right direction, but forcing upon children the goal of becoming mathematics majors for the sake of filling a university or labor quota is downright wrong. Imprinting little girls with social science doctrines in no way caters to the desires of the child herself. It only serves to balance a supposedly biased and unfair labor force and higher education admissions. In fact, the unfairness of the matter lies in the constant requirement to fill quotas. For example, a female’s chance of getting into an Ivy League school as an engineering major may be higher than the average male’s, but it is hard to ignore the nature of the problem. Instead of looking at the applicant or person himself (or herself to be fair), we are increasingly looking at being “fair to all” — eventually accomplishing nothing. When five years ago, Lawrence H. Summers, then the president of Harvard University, suggested “there are issues of intrinsic aptitude” backed by “lesser factors involving socialization and continuing discrimination,” he created a nationwide debate. In this day and age of equal opportunity for both genders, the claim of an innate skill in math and sciences in boys could be true. Surely, there are traditions of male-dominated spheres of science, but the main cause of this imbalance is the intrinsic nature of women and men, rather than the “nurture” aspect. What the report gives for is a series of forced decisions on part of school counselors and teachers, rather than the true desires of the student. Eventually, it will balance out. But a forced equilibrium, such as these ideas, will only lead to unrest and lack of resolution. Women have been underrepresented, to say the least, in some areas, but the problem lies in forcing them into math and science. The opportunity is there, but it should only be seized by those who truly want it.

QUOTE OF THE DAY “If the government can invest millions of dollars in Homeland Security, two wars and health care, I don’t see why they wouldn’t invest money in students.” Samuel Obergh, a School of Arts and Sciences sophomore, on the student loan reform passed by the House of Representatives STORY ON FRONT

MCT CAMPUS

Facebook replaces real life

within the walls of my workfew landmark events place. And the curiosity was have consumed the infectious — within minutes, headlines as of late my boss was forcing the — the health care bill passed details out of me. I spoke timidPresident Barack Obama ly, which happens close to signed the health care reform never, as a blatant hint to drop bill into law, a second bout of it. Some co-workers took the flash flooding devastated the LAUREN CARUSO hint, others waited until I got majority of the Northeast, but home to casually attempt to more importantly, I became continue the conversation via Stalkbook chat. officially Facebook single for the first time since its I was content being real-world single — the only inception. As a note, I am not broadcasting this as a people who bothered to pry were the handful of friends vehicle to advertise myself or criticize my ex, who hapI told. But the moment I went “public” with the pens to be a lovely fellow, but rather, more naturally, to breakup, I felt violated, as though I did nothing to complain. While clicking “cancel relationship” may attract the unsolicited attention. An innocent bystander, have been the most substantial decision of my collejust updating my profile, suddenly at the mercy of my giate career — hovering somewhere above switching “friends’” questions. majors and declaring my party affiliation — in the I understand we are headed toward a virtual exisonline social networking sphere of dramatics, the tence, but did I miss something along the way? When dreaded broken pink heart so conspicuously etched did this erratic bombardment become second-nature next to my name gave any of my 897 virtual friends the to so many? Perhaps I am just maladjusted to the online right to pry. In fact, this news should come as no surworld. I am, as I have mentioned before, technologicalprise to most of you, as I am sure we share a few “mutuly incapable at best, but still. There has to be some code al friends” who may have felt so compelled to comment of conduct that advises against these on my new-found autonomy, thereby sort of things. Oh, right, that’s called providing you with free range to peer. “Our online profiles common sense. In the hours immediately following I planned to let all the curiosities roll my broken pink heart’s debut, I proare supposed off my back until the author of “Dirty ceeded to systematically read, cringe Pop,” a column that ran on March 10 in and delete a total of 13 outrageous comto supplement The Daily Targum, spurred my fury. It ments and requests from various reality, not take forced me into an inevitable realization “friends.” Mind you, this is coming from — we invest an absurd amount of emoa girl who is admittedly inappropriate — the place of it.” tion and energy into the online versions borderline vulgar — even at my finest of ourselves. We sometimes let the disinmoments. People I would barely refer to genuous interest fueled by boredom dictate our behavas an acquaintance inundated my inboxes with casual ior, and my “friends’” requests were not entirely unwarrequests to divulge the details of my breakup, as well as ranted. I am no more private than the next college stumy plans for the future. After the deletions came the dent, and to the extent that I have revealed myself in the audacious Facebook chat instigations, most from virtual arena, I cannot expect to be. This is what I signed “friends” whom I have not bothered to “reconnect with” up for. Nearly every American fresh out of puberty has despite Facebook’s upper right-hand corner’s encourregistered an account with Facebook, thereby offering agement. I even attempted to remove my relationship their personal tidings at a glance. In fact, I share some of status all together, but that incited further questioning. my most intimate words on my blog, which is readily There is no way I am this important. I am sure of it. viewable to all eyes, even shamelessly plugged on my The absurdity did not end at my wall, but instead carFacebook from time to time. ried over to my reality when a boy, someone I will dub I likely sound borderline narcissistic by now, but “red beanie, white sneakers kid” felt it appropriate to my experience is all too common. I may be guilty of meddle. I have spoken on or about six words to this it to some extent, but probably not. classmate to date — “can you pass the attendance Our online profiles are supposed to supplement realsheet.” I never thought the routine politeness would ity, not take the place of it. I am not arguing for more tanprompt a friend request, let alone the green light for an gible human contact, but rather a general maintenance online interrogation via Facebook chat days later, later of dignity. Now I feel like a tactless Sexting Public followed by note-passing in class to “check up” on me. I Service Announcement, but if you would not want to entertained some of his inquiries solely because it would discuss something in person, keep it off your page. have been more awkward to brush them off or ignore Besides, it’s spring: Stop creeping and go outside. them, but I am not exactly gracious when annoyed. Then came the tepid, pity half-smiles, lips parting just Lauren Caruso is a Cook College senior majoring enough to mouth, “Are you okay?” as though I am a fourin journalism and media studies with a minor in year-old with a scraped knee from my co-workers, yet I environmental policy, institute and behavior. cannot remember ever having mentioned the breakup

Ordinary Madness

Due to space limitations, submissions cannot exceed 750 words. If a commentary exceeds 750 words, it will not be considered for publication. All authors must include name, phone number, class year and college affiliation or department to be considered for publication. Anonymous letters will not be considered. All submissions are subject to editing for length and clarity. A submission does not guarantee publication. Please submit via e-mail to oped@dailytargum.com by 4 p.m. to be considered for the following day’s publication. The editorials written above represent the majority opinion of The Daily Targum Editorial Board. All other opinions expressed on the Opinions page, and those held by advertisers, columnists and cartoonists, are not necessarily those of The Daily Targum.

OPINIONS

T H E DA I LY TA R G U M

MARCH 24, 2010 9

American people must know who serves them Letter NOAH GLYN

do not know why I allow progressives to continuously amaze me with their hypocrisy, but time and again, they succeed in surprising me. The Daily Targum editorial that ran on Mar. 11, “Right Views Unfounded,” was one such instance. The editorial argues that people who criticize the U.S. Department of Justice for appointing lawyers who defended alQaida terrorists are committing slander. The editorial points out that these lawyers were only doing their job and that they are perfectly suitable to work in the Justice Department. I agree that lawyers should not be judged by their clients, but the hysteria that liberals display

is quite unnerving. The editors have accused Andrew McCarthy and Liz Cheney of committing slander. Have either of these two people, or the organizations they represent, said anything wrong? There are in fact nine lawyers working for the Justice Department who previously had served as lawyers for terrorists. Furthermore, President Barack Obama’s administration refused to disclose seven out of the nine names to the public. Senators attempted to compel U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to release the names to the public, but he refused. Leaving aside the argument of whether they are fit to serve, the American people at least have the right to know who these people are. Eventually, Fox News released the names of the lawyers. Imagine if former-Attorney General Alberto Gonzales had appointed nine

Health care still requires reform price tag — approximately $1 trillion — of the legislation, especially during a time when the federal MATT KUCHTYAK government is already running a ith the House of large deficit. To meet this conRepresentatives passcern, however, the nonpartisan ing the Senate’s verCongressional Budget Office sion of the health care reform bill released its estimate that the bill late Sunday night, this country would actually decrease the took a great step toward health deficit by $1.3 trillion over 20 care reform that has been more years. The bill incorporates costthan three decades in the makcutting measures such as a more ing. This sweeping legislation is competitive marketplace and a monumental not only in its contax on plans with exorbitant pretent but also in its implications miums to help stem the tide of and potential for the future. ballooning health care costs. The controversial 2,700-page True, this estimate may not be bill has been deeply divisive and quite correct, and the bill may has worked to further the harmful end up costing more in the long aspects of partisanship that have run than the CBO now projects, increasingly consumed our nation. but is that not a gamble we are However the 219 brave representawilling to take to have near-unitives who decided to pass this legversal coverage, saving tens of islation are taking the necessary thousands of lives yearly? steps to make this a more humaniAnother implicit benefit that tarian country, one that will give accompanies the passage of more than 30 milhealth care reform lion uninsured is the possibility “This revolutionary for great correcAmericans the means to obtain tion and reform in bill ... shows that life-saving health the future. Despite insurance. In fact, its multitude of Congress is not many studies have important stipulacompletely inept ...” tions, nearly everyestimated that up to 45,000 one argues that the Americans a year bill is not perfect. die because they do not have insurIt is indeed complex and confusance. Under the new legislation, ing, but it turns the key that opens these lives can be saved, as those the door to further modification people too poor to buy their own and transformation. Many have insurance will be provided with a correctly argued that passing this subsidy from the government. bill is analogous to getting one’s Although many argue that foot in the door. Once the bill is public opinion is strictly against passed, legislators can work to taithis bill, these polls and estimates lor the bill to fix its issues and are skewed because demagogic ensure its continued improveRepublican rhetoric has clouded ment. Many liberal Democrats any chance for a legitimate were unsatisfied with how little debate. Phrases such as “death reform there actually is in the curpanels” and “socialized medicine” rent bill, but over time legislators regrettably stick in the minds of may be able to add additional the general public, preventing reforms such as the competitive them from learning about what is public option. actually in the bill. For instance, This revolutionary bill, compamany people probably do not rable in scale to Social Security know that one of the provisions in and Medicare, shows that the bill allows young adults to stay Congress is not completely inept, on their parents’ insurance plans as people often suggest. Although until the age of 26, something that the passage of this reform bill is a surely affects the majority of stugreat step in the right direction, it dents at the University. If the is only a first step. Congress must debates were open and the truth continue to fix the current bill and was more effectively communicatpass further reforms to transform ed to the public, opinion polls the health care system and ensure probably would have had a drastithat escalating costs are indeed cally different result. reigned in. Americans on the political right, however, have a legitimate Matt Kuchtyak is a School of concern in addressing the large Arts and Sciences sophomore.

Letter

lawyers to the Justice Department who had served as counsel to the Ku Klux Klan. Now imagine if Attorney General Gonzales then refused to disclose the identity of these lawyers. How would liberals respond? Undoubtedly, they would

“I want to shed light onto one of these so-called ‘al-Qaida lawyers.’” argue that this was another example of former President George W. Bush’s racism, and of Bush usurping power unconstitutionally. The previous example is hypothetical, but for years leftists argued that John Yoo and Judge Jay Bybee — two Justice Department lawyers

during the Bush administration — should be disbarred for the legal opinions that they gave the Bush administration with regards to water-boarding and other enhanced interrogation techniques. As the Wall Street Journal Editorial Board wrote, “Many liberals seem to believe that while it was a war crime to agree with Dick Cheney’s antiterror methods, it is somehow a lawyer’s patriotic duty to defend terrorists.” To argue that this is hypocrisy understates the point. I want to shed light onto one of these so-called “al-Qaida lawyers.” Jennifer Daskal used to work for Human Rights Watch, and now she works for the Justice Department. I have no doubt that she is a very capable attorney and that she is a professional. While working for Human Rights Watch, she also provided her opinion that Guantanamo Bay detainees

should be tried in federal court, and if they are acquitted, then they should be released even if “some of these men may cross the border and join the battlefield to fight U.S. soldiers and our allies.” In this instance, Daskal was not simply offering her legal services, but she was giving her opinion that terrorists should be released even if it means more American soldiers will be killed. This is her personal opinion. Holder and Obama have the right to appoint whoever they desire, and Cheney and McCarthy have the right to dissent strongly. And the American people have the right to know what kind of people serve in the administration. Attorney General Holder has no right to keep it a secret. Noah Glyn is a School of Arts and Sciences sophomore majoring in economics and history.

Alma mater needs modern revision Letter IRINA USHAKOV & KYRIE GRAZIOSI

s a University student, the University’s alma mater “On the Banks of the Old Raritan” is often heard at pivotal moments throughout your college career — at one of the slew of newly-accepted student events in which you first meet and interact with fellow classmates, at the football game where you not only listen to the Rutgers University Glee Club’s performance, but proudly join in as a Scarlet Knight, and finally, at the commencement ceremony that marks the end of your time here on the Banks. For some, the alma mater is a source of tradition or pride, yet for others, it represents an exclusive past and serves as a mere reminder that the struggle for social justice is far from over. “On the Banks of the Old Raritan,” or “On the Banks” for short, was drafted in 1873 by Rutgers College student Howard N. Fuller. The song included the line “My father sent me to old Rutgers, / And resolv’d that I should be a man” and was performed by an all male choir; neither the lyrics nor the performance seemed too controversial at the time as women would not be admitted to Rutgers College for another 100 years or so. But as the University turned coeducational, the alma mater’s erasure of female students became an issue. In the 1980’s, a group of University women began an ini-

tiative to adopt a more inclusive alma mater that was representative of the University’s gender and racial diversity. A contest was held, a new alma mater was chosen, and up until only a few years ago this version was performed. Recently, the original 1873 lyrics of “On the Banks” have been sung at University events and it is this version that we are all familiar with. Why then, the return to the antiquated “resolv’d that I should be a man” lyrics when the 1989 referendum had created a gender-neutral alma mater that was in use for a sub-

“If you are a female student, consider the history that the alma mater represents.” stantial period of time? Why perform the University alma mater that does not represent women as students or as active parents while we pride ourselves on being one of the most diverse institutions of higher learning in the nation? The performance of the original “On the Banks” has strong cultural implications given the varied composition of modern families — 22.8 percent of all children under 21 are cared for primarily by single mothers — and the large numbers of female students currently entering universities — 53 percent of University

students are women — but it is also personal. As current University students, we are offended by this reversion, which once again makes more than half our student population literally and lyrically invisible. We propose the adoption of a new alma mater, or at least an altered version of the original, which would celebrate what the University, and more generally, our social climate has come to be. In amending the alma mater to be gender inclusive, the University stands in company with many historic universities. Dartmouth wrote new lyrics in 1988, for the 1894 “Men of Dartmouth.” West Point adjusted 1958 references to “sons” and “men” in 2008, to honor 600 female cadets and 3,000 female graduates. Wells College, established as a women’s college in 1868, became coeducational in 2005, and the alma mater was adjusted to include men. The list goes on, with Princeton University, the University of Washington and more. If you are a female student, consider the history that the alma mater represents and your current exclusion. If you are a male student, consider female family and friends that are being left out, or consider the notion that perhaps your “mother” sent you to the University or even, that you sent yourself. This is an opportunity for the University to progress. This letter was written on behalf of the Douglass Governing Council.

T H E D A I LY TA R G U M

DIVERSIONS

PA G E 1 2

Horoscopes / LINDA C. BLACK

Pearls Before Swine

MARCH 24, 2010

STEPHAN PASTIS

Today's birthday (3/24/10). See past limitations this year. You know all about hard work and the results you can gain from it. Now, add imagination to make your work fun! You stand to make personal strides when you act boldly, even if you're not certain of the outcome. To get the advantage, check the day's rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is a 7 — All intelligent activity earns praise from those in power. Throw in a little creativity and you'll appreciate the work as well. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 7 — Make sure everyone dances to the same drummer. Logic dictates the need for responsible effort if change is to occur. Gemini (May 21-June 21) — Today is a 5 — Well, you're halfway out of the box. Creative thinking really works. Imagination carries you past the hard work to the goal. Cancer (June 22-July 22) — Today is a 5 — Put yourself in the driver's seat early. Let your partner ride shotgun. At least you control the speed, if not the destination. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 7 — Two people get together to hatch a brilliant plan. The logic escapes you at first, but later you agree wholeheartedly. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 6 — Work could be difficult today unless you try lighting a fire under a creative co-worker and letting him or her run with the ball.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 6 — Ease into a public presentation by considering the possibilities. Try not to focus on your nervous stomach. Eyes on the prize. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 7 — More people accept an idea you've been hatching for some time. Talk about the nuts and bolts. What do you need to make this happen? Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 6 — No one's fooled when you cover up your feelings. You wear your heart on your sleeve. Confession is good for the soul. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 6 — You have your eye on the prize. Make sure that your heart agrees. Otherwise, emotions will block the path and cost you the race. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 7 — Watch where you're going. Today you'll be apt to rush into things. Consider the second or third step before you even start. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 7 — Keep the ball rolling. Whatever you've started is important enough to merit consistent effort. Provide direction for others.

Dilbert

Doonesberry

Happy Hour

www.happyhourcomic.com

SCOTT ADAMS

GARY TRUDEAU

JIM AND PHIL

T H E DA I LY TA R G U M

Last-Ditch Ef fort

Get Fuzzy

D IVERSIONS JOHN KROES

MARCH 24, 2010

Pop Culture Shock Therapy

DOUG BRATTON

DARBY CONLEY

Non Sequitur

WILEY

Jumble

H. ARNOLD & M. ARGIRION THAT SCRAMBLED WORD GAME

Unscramble these four Jumbles, one letter to each square, to form four ordinary words.

Peanuts

CHARLES SCHULTZ

GLARN

VAINED

Ph.D

J ORGE C HAM

NEW BIBLE Jumble Books Go To: http://www.tyndale.com/jumble/

by Mike Argirion and Jeff Knurek

TIPECK Now arrange the circled letters to form the surprise answer, as suggested by the above cartoon.

Ans: Yesterday’s

Sudoku

Solution Puzzle #36 3/23/10

Solution, tips and computer program at www.sudoku.com

(Answers tomorrow) Jumbles: DANDY FENCE PREACH FRIGID Answer: When the doctor’s assistant conducted the sound test, she was — A HEARING “AID”

T H E DA I LY TA R G U M

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S P O RT S

T H E DA I LY TA R G U M

ATTACK: Junior benefits from Shore League at-bats continued from back by that pitch and couldn’t do much with it.” His ability to hit outside pitches was the reason why he hit a lot of doubles in his sophomore campaign, and all of his home runs were to the opposite field, he said. Now mastering the inside part of the plate, Biserta can get more backspin on the ball and induce more power behind his swing. “I’ve been able to pull the inside pitch a lot more and get the necessary backspin,” he said. “When I see an inside pitch now, I know there is a good chance it will be a home run.” Over the offseason he was also able to see more reps at the plate while playing in the Shore League, a training tool that Hill believes aided his slugger heading into the regular season. “Playing in the Shore League gave him a chance to work on his strike zone,” Hill said. “He played a lot of center field and left field, giving him more at bats and he got better all summer.” Biserta’s solid play translates onto the field also where he has recorded 29 putouts and no errors — a fielding percentage of 1.000 — while spending time in left field.

ROOKIE: Three grapplers reach 30-win plateau for RU continued from back son with 31 wins and a trip to the NCAA Championships. “Obviously you always want to win, but I didn’t expect that I would have hit 30 this year,” Langel said. “I was thinking somewhere around 20-25 wins, but 31 is huge. It was a big season for all of us.” Joining Langel in the 30-win club this year is Russo (32) and fellow redshirt freshman Daniel Rinaldi (30). For the Knights, three grapplers over the 30-win plateau is a vast improvement from last year when only thenfreshman phenom Scott Winston reached 34. The fact that Rinaldi and Langel did it in their first year makes it all the more impressive. “To have two freshman accomplish that feat with the schedule that we faced this year is amazing,” Goodale said. “They wrestled hard all year long. Now they both have national tournament experience and will be pushing themselves to do even better next year.” The Knights opened and closed the first half of their season on an entire semester-long road trip that saw them face opponents such as then-No. 17 Penn State and three-time national champion Iowa. Although Rutgers dropped both matches, the team came together while on the road and created a bond that helped pave the way to the record-setting 15 match unbeaten streak they opened up 2010 with. “You don’t belong in a Division I program unless you wrestle or play against a difficult schedule,” Goodale said. “To me, the wins and losses aren’t nearly as important as the quality of opponents to face. To be the best you have to beat the best.”

The former Pt. Pleasant Borough High School standout received national recognition over Spring Break when he earned National Hitter of the Week honors during a stretch when he hit a home run in 8-of10 games. The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association bestowed the honor upon Biserta after he hit .529 with three home runs and 13 RBI in the three-game sweep over Florida International. In the first game against the Golden Panthers, he went a superb 5-for-7 at the plate with a three doubles. The last game against FIU saw Biserta launch a grand slam that helped the Knights complete the sweep. “It was unexpected but definitely an honor,” Biserta said. “That weekend I felt so comfortable, no pitch could get me out.” RU followed suit behind Biserta during Spring Break, launching a total of 15 home runs over the eight games. “They were hitting the ball into the right areas and it was carrying pretty well,” Hill said. “I hope it can continue.” Biserta and the Knights (8-10) play only their second home game out of their first 22 games total this afternoon when they host Rider (9-8) at Bainton Field. Rutgers won seven of its last nine games, while the Broncs are on a two-game win streak led by Metro Athletic Atlantic Conference Pitcher of the Week Mike Thomas. The bond formed by the team was something evident to Billy Ashnault, who spent his first year with the Knights this season after transferring from Lock Haven. “Being someone who transferred I was surprised when I came in and everyone was so close, like a family,” the South Plainfield, N.J., native said. “I’m 100 percent sure I made the right choice to come to Rutgers. It’s great to be back home and be on this team.” The season concluded this week when seven RU grapplers earned a spot in the NCAA Championships in Omaha, Neb. Included in that list was Ashnault who, despite a rough end to the regular season, rebounded at nationals and won two matches. “The end of the regular season didn’t go how I wanted it to,” he said. “I just kept training hard even though I didn’t know if I was going to nationals. No matter what I train hard from day one to the end of the year, whenever that is.” A rundown of RU’s season isn’t complete without mentioning the closer who ensured multiple Knight victories in the heavyweight bout — D.J. Russo. Russo led the team in victories with 32 and scored an astounding 100 dual meet points throughout the year while only yielding nine. He also earned Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association Wrestler of the Week honors following an upset of then-No. 6 Scott Steele of Navy. However, he came up one match shor t of All-American status at the national tournament and that is sure to light his fire during the off-season, Goodale said. “I can’t stress enough how important it is to have a good heavyweight and we have one of the best,” the third-year coach said. “I know that falling short of being an All-American upset him and he is going to be working hard to get over that hump.”

MARCH 24, 2010

JEN KONG

Junior outfielder Pat Biserta worked on hitting the inside pitch this offseason and responded by hitting a team-high nine home runs thus far. His 25 RBI are also tops on the Scarlet Knights.

S P O RT S

T H E DA I LY TA R G U M

MARCH 24, 2010

High scores send trio of seniors off in fashion BY JOSH GLATT STAFF WRITER

In the moments prior to a gymnastics meet at the Livingston Recreation Center, the team huddles up GYMNASTICS and repeatedly chants “R House.” That chant is an assertion of their home gym advantage but also an acknowledgement of how important the building is to the whole team. For the senior class, the Senior Meet on March 13 served as both a time for recognition of their achievements but also a final opportunity to perform in the building they have called

home for the duration of their college careers. That night proved to be memorable as the Knights, led by strong performances from seniors, Laura Sevarino, Prishani Seebadri and Alyssa Lewandowski, recorded a score of 192.675, their highest since 2005. Head coach Chr ystal Chollet-Norton was pleased that her senior class could end their home careers on a high note. “They were the ones who said they want to come here and turn the program around,” Chollet-Norton said. “I’m just so proud of everything they have overcome and everything they have accomplished.”

JOVELLE TAMAYO/ PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR

Senior Alyssa Lewandowski earned a career-high 9.800 on the floor exercise in her Senior Night match during Spring Break.

GOLF SEASON OPENS WITH TRIPS TO FLORIDA AND VIRGINIA After a long off-season, William & Mar y and the Rutgers men’s golf team Maryland at eight over par. finally opened its season on However, the second day M a r c h yielded different results as MEN’S GOLF 19 at the Missouri came back to win Fountain Countr y Club in the team title with a score of Lake Worth, Fla. The tourna- 575. Rounding out the topment resulted in the team’s three was host William & first loss, as it fell to Florida Mary in second place with Atlantic 314-282. 582 strokes and third place Pacing the squad were Maryland who recorded a seniors James Arbes with a score of 584. 78, Jimmy Hilaire with a 79, Among the 120-player and Jordan Gibbs, field, senior Ben who posted an 81. Bershard finished Senior Ben with the eighth Bershard finished best score thanks with a team-best 77. to his two-over Sophomore Andrew score of 144 on Tursky rounded out the par 71, 6, 831the scoring for the yard course. Scarlet Knights Senior James with a score of 80, Arbes also posted BEN an encouraging a strong early-seaBERSHARD early season mark son campaign as for one of the his 146-stroke team’s young players. performance left him tied The team returned to for 12th. action the Monday for the The Knights return to C&F Bank Intercollegiate, a action in two weeks to comtwo-day tournament in pete in the Rehoboth Beach Williamsburg, Va. Twenty- Invitational hosted by two teams participated in the Pennsylvania. Competition large field, as RU battled takes place at the Kings through tough competition Creek Countr y Club in to finish in fourth place with Rehoboth, Del., as the team a score of 590. seeks its first taste of victory After day one, the this season. Knights held a score of 292 and were tied with both — Staff Report

For all three seniors, the road to Senior Day was not an easy one. Seebadri’s history of injuries that kept her out for more than a year and a half more closely resembles that of a professional fighter than an athlete in a noncontact sport. Sevarino also suffered a freak injury last year that gave rise to doubt that full participation in her senior year was possible. Lewandowski, while not suffering serious injuries, originally attended Wisconsin OshKosh for a year before being able to transfer to Rutgers, the school she always wanted to attend. Seebadri arrived at Rutgers with high expectations as an impressive athlete that could excel in all around competition; however, a series of knee injuries left both her career and her lifelong comfort in doubt. After an extended stint in rehab that included several setbacks, Seebadri returned this season, albeit just as a bar worker. “I was told I wouldn’t be able to come back after my third knee surgery,” Seebadri said. “I’m just so happy I was able to end my career on my terms.” When arriving at Rutgers, Lewandowski’s expectations were not of greatness, she merely wanted to go to a school she truly enjoyed and participate in the sport she loves at a high level. “I just wanted to come back to New Jersey and be able to compete in gymnastics for a team that would be competitive,” Lewandowski said. “I love gymnastics and I’m so happy to have been able to compete in my home state.” All three recognized the potential of the Rutgers gymnastics program. While the team had suffered from a lull for several years, the last few seasons show the gymnastics program to be on the rise.

JOVELLE TAMAYO/ PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR

Prishani Seebadri celebrated her Senior Night at the Livingston Recreation Center after knee injuries threatened her career. “We are definitely on the upswing,” Sevarino said. “It’s good to see the program going in the right direction and I’m proud that we [the seniors] were a part of it.” Beyond performance on the mats, the seniors have brought with them a character to the program that serves as an example for the underclassmen. “I am so proud of this senior class for both their effort in the gym and their great attitude,” Chollet-Norton said. “Obviously they have performed well, but they have also really great girls who have served the underclassmen well.”

For all three, gymnastics is more than just a sport, it gives them a second family. “I’m really going to miss all the other girls,” Lewandowski said. “We are a really close team, maybe sometimes too close.” Despite their gymnastics and college careers winding down, all three are still enjoying competing and are not yet ready to look back and put their careers in perspective. For now they are focused on finishing their careers the best way they can. “We are just looking forward to nationals,” Seebadri said. “It’s going to be an emotional time, but we have to keep competing.”

S P O RT S

MARCH 24, 2010

T H E DA I LY TA R G U M

Knights welcome return to Northeast BY SAM HELLMAN CORRESPONDENT

With tournament season now in the rear-view mirror, along w i t h SOFTBALL arduous travel RUTGERS AT for the STONY BROOK, t i m e TODAY, 2 P.M. being, t h e Rutgers softball team has its sights set on climbing to .500. Standing at 9-14 but at 8-5 in March, the Scarlet Knights have a trio of double-headers against local units before opening the Big East season on the road against Notre Dame. The first step of the climb begins today in a double-header at Stony Brook on Long Island — the closest game to Piscataway this season by 700 miles. “Look out the window [on Sunday] and it’s beautiful outside in New Jersey,” said head coach Jay Nelson. “I think we’re all looking forward to playing at home in weather like that. We’re getting closer to a home game, but that’s still almost three weeks away.” The Knights swept Stony Brook last year in a double-header and have all three key cogs in the 10-6 and 11-3 wins. Pitchers Noelle Sisco and Nicole Lindley both came in as relievers in last year’s two games with Sisco’s five scoreless earning her a win in game one and Lindley’s 4 1/3 scoreless innings doing the same in the second game. Offensively, then-freshman third baseman Brittney Lindley is the biggest returning bat after

going 3-for-4 with five RBI and four runs scored. “I haven’t started reviewing their tape yet,” Nelson said Sunday afternoon. “But their top pitcher [Alyssa Struzenberg] stood out to me as tough last season. We were able to get to her, but she still pitched very well.” Struzenberg gave up six runs in three innings last season and is destined to take the mound in the first game of the double-header. For Rutgers, senior Nicole Lindley and sophomore Holly Johnson are expected to take the hill with sophomore Noelle Sisco and freshman Abbey Houston waiting in the bullpen. Lindley and Johnson, after respective slow starts, are both putting up strong numbers in recent weeks. The two combined for a pair of complete game wins last time the Knights played in a double-header, with Lindley allowing one run and Johnson boasting a shutout. During the Spring Break road trip, Johnson lowered her ERA to a team-best 3.80 and Lindley picked up her team best fourth win. “We ended up on the road trip with all of our stats going up, except for our ERA which is on its way down,” Nelson said. “The pitchers are doing a great job at settling down. If you take away that first tournament, I think we have an ERA in the ones or twos.” Offensively, Nelson said he knew what he had in sophomore designated hitter Mikelyn Messina –– who leads the team with four home runs and 21 RBI –– but is impressed with what his

ollowing a Spring Break in which he won his first two collegiate games, freshman pitcher Jerry Elsing of the Rutgers baseball team was named to the Big East Honor Roll, the league announced Monday. Elsing pitched five innings of shutout baseball against Florida Atlantic en route to a 20 victor for the Scarlet Knights. He followed up that performance in his next outing against Old Dominion where he struck out three in three innings of work for the win.

THE DAILY TARGUM

Sophomore third baseman Brittney Lindley had a strong performance against Stony Brook last year, driving in five runs and scoring four.

freshman middle infielders bring to the plate. Shortstop Ashley Bragg worked her way into the top of the order earlier in the season and is second to either Messina or sophomore Brittney Lindley in nearly every statistical category from her .274 batting average to

her 20 hits and 12 runs. Jennifer Harabedian has 11 runs and seven RBI, starting every game of the season at second base. “Ashley does a lot of good things with the bat,” Nelson said. “Jenni is going to have some power for us, she’s just missing on some, but she’s doing well too.”

Spring Break brings no rest for RU athletics One could go on and on with witty banter about Spring Break and its many follies. But let’s focus on a struggle not with which beverage to consume by the hotel pool, or which bar to go to on a Wednesday night. Take a plane ride back up to New Jersey, with thousands of pumps hard at work in basements amidst your average 70 mph winds running rampant throughout the tri-state area (winds that were even able to do some damage to the practice bubble on Busch campus). Eloquent speaking aside, Rutgers athletics did not get to

relax in Cancun, or even enjoy a solid week off. Many Scarlet Knights found themselves on road trips — and not the kind with a convertible top down — with competition still the only idea that existed. And so this one goes out to those who were not allowed to go home and sleep until noon every day from this previous week — at least summer is only two solid months away.

THE GOOD Impetus — One game back at Bainton and the baseball team

BILL DOMKE’S

T HE GOOD, T HE B AD transformed. A 1-8 record gained new life with one more win, and then Spring Break came. A sweep, a split and another two wins let the Scarlet Knights contribute an impressive 6-2 Spring Break record to the résumé. Jumping the Gun — Remember when this column thought a strong start would follow the women’s track team’s stellar fourth place finish at the ECACs? Try a school record after the first spring meet of the season on for size. Senior sprinter Michelle Gomes did that and more over break, shattering the school record for the 200-meter with a time of 23.87 seconds and taking first for the event. Gomes took third in the 100-meter to boot. Leaving on a High Note — Senior Night for the gymnastics team was hard-pressed to be much better. In a flurr y of career-high performances, seniors Alyssa Lewandowski, Prishani Seebadri and Laura Sevarino were sent off to the tune 192.675 points — the team’s best performance since 2005.

THE BAD NICHOLAS BRASOWSKI

Senior Erik Stilley (37) and the Rutgers men’s lacrosse team went 21 over Spring Break, including a victory in monsoon-like conditions.

Another Bursted Bubble — A perfect 5-0 record heading into the break was thoroughly dismantled after the first two

AND

T HE U GLY

games when the women’s lacrosse team lost a hear tbreaker to Hofstra in double overtime and an ugly 18-6 loss to Big East rival No. 17 Loyola a short time after. Salvaging the two-game losing streak was possible through an 11-8 victory over Denver — the win puts the Knights back on the side they need to be.

THE UGLY Inclement weather — Zeus stood atop from Mount Olympus and looked unto New Jersey, proud of his work. Weather that could only be described as “rain’n sideways” took a men’s lacrosse game and made it something spawned from Hell. Such was the scene Saturday as the three-game Spring Break schedule kicked off for the men’s lacrosse team at the RU Turf Field. Haunting Memories — It is one thing to lose in the first round of the NCAA Tournament after a successful campaign in the Big East’s postseason, but losing to the coach’s former team is just adding salt to the wound. Iowa, a team that Rutgers head coach C. Vivian Stringer once took to the Final Four, defeated the Scarlet Knights 70-63. Through all the drama of making the NCAA Tourney in the regular season, the women’s team has nowhere to go now but home.

LONGER

WILL

THE

team who wins the overtime coin toss during an NFL game during next year’s playoffs be a lock to win the game — to an extent. Of the 32 NFL team owners 28 voted yes to a rule proposal that gives the team who loses the overtime coin toss a chance to score only if the opposing team kicks a field goal. Among the four teams who voted against the rule change was the Minnesota Vikings, who may still be bitter after losing by a field goal to the New Orleans Saints in overtime during last year’s NFC Championship game.

NEW JERSEY NETS

FAN

Chris Lisi felt he had every reason to watch the team’s Monday night contest against the Miami Heat. At 7-63, the Nets risk setting the record for the worst NBA season in league history, but do not tell Nets CEO Brett Yormark that. Yormark voiced his disapproval by shouting at the fan sometime during halftime, resulting in a short verbal dispute. The team eventually lost the contest 99-89.

AFTER

BATTLING

WITH

discomfort in his right elbow during much of spring training, Minnesota Twins closing pitcher Joe Nathan is reported to undergo Tommy John’s surgery Friday in New York. The closer tested the arm last Sunday when he had a catch with Twins coach Rick Anderson, but after 10 minutes knew he needed the operation. Nathan recorded a career season-high last year, tallying 47 saves with a 2.10 ERA.

NEW

BROOKLYN-BASED

pigeon racing show set to air next year on Animal Planet has animal rights activists calling for an investigation of former heavyweight champion, Mike Tyson –– yes there is a correlation. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals argues the show is cruel to animals and may result in illegal gabling. Tyson claims to have raised pigeons his entire life, and will be seen on the show as it follows him during his first-go at pigeon racing.

T H E DA I LY TA R G U M

S PORTS

MARCH

24, 2010

SPRING â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;EM OUT

The Rutgers football team kicked off its spring practice season yesterday at the RU Turf Field, taking the field without pads for the first of 15 workouts, culminating with the Scarlet-White game at Rutgers Stadium. Photos by Sam Hellman

T H E D A I LY TA R G U M

SPORTS

PA G E 2 0

MARCH 24, 2010

Surging Biserta powers Knights’ offensive attack

Rookie shines as historic year comes to close

BY ALEX JANKOWSKI

ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR

Through all the early downs and the recent ups of the Rutgers baseball team one thing remained BASEBALL constant — the power at the plate RIDER AT from Pat Biserta. RUTGERS, The junior outTODAY, 3 P.M. fielder is miles ahead of his fellow Scarlet Knights in home runs (9), RBI (25) and slugging percentage (.818). His home run total of nine already dwarfs his output from last season, when he hit five dingers the whole year. “Pat’s as hot as can be right now,” said head coach Fred Hill Sr. “He is not swinging at any bad pitches, he is much more disciplined at the plate than in previous years.” The Pt. Pleasant, N.J., native also leads the team in batting average, hitting .377 while batting in the number two slot in the lineup. So why the sudden jump in offensive production? To find the answer one just has to delve a little bit further inside. “Something I worked a lot on this off-season was hitting the inside pitch,” Biserta said. “A lot of times last year, I’d get jammed

From the top of the lineup to the bottom, and from the beginning of the year to the end, this season was WRESTLING truly memorable for the Rutgers wrestling team. The year started with a 39-0 shutout victory over Sacred Heart and ended with the highest ranking in school history while wrestlers from 125 pounds all the way up to heavyweight garnered national attention and accolades. But the best part about this year? That next year has the chance to be even better. “What has me excited for next year is the fact that we came here three years ago and — apart from [heavyweight junior] D.J. Russo — all the guys we brought up are older and more mature,” said head coach Scott Goodale. And although next year has the potential to be the time when the Scarlet Knights are cemented on the map, this year was nothing to scoff at either. RU finished the year 19-5-1, surprising many teams along the way. No one surprised other teams more than redshirt freshman Joe Langel. The Howell, N.J., native made the most of his time in the starting lineup and finished the sea-

SEE ATTACK ON PAGE 15

ANDREW HOWARD/ SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

In his first year of full-time collegiate competition, redshirt freshman Joe Langel, right, finished second on the team in victories (31) and earned a bid to the NCAA Championships.

SEE ROOKIE ON PAGE 15

SPRING PRACTICE NOTEBOOK

K NIGHTS

START SPRING IN CLOUDY WEATHER

BY SAM HELLMAN CORRESPONDENT

The Rutgers football team came out of its annual hibernation yesterday, kicking off the first days of spring with the first of 15 spring practices at the RU Turf Field. The Scarlet Knights worked in the cloudy conditions for the first time since the end of the 2009 campaign and the team’s early

enthusiasm stood out to coach Greg Schiano. “Really good attitude,” Schiano said on his early impressions. “Guys worked hard. A lot of enthusiasm. It was the first day — a lot of mistakes and the technique’s a little rusty, but they approached it the right way and as they continue to do that, they’ll get better.” Players did not do much more than run through a few drills and

knock out rust because they did not wear pads, which come later on in the process. “We’re just looking for attitude and execution in the few things that we’re asking them to do and fundamental development,” Schiano said. “Without pads, there’s fundamentals that you can do and some that you can’t.” For the team itself, just getting back onto the field was enough of a thrill for the time being. “After last season it feels real good to just be back out here,” said senior linebacker Antonio Lowery. “We’re knocking out the rust, getting back into the flow. Everybody has to get back into the flow. Having a long season and an early bowl game, it’s been a while.”

U PON

MOVING

THE

offensive line from defensive tackle, redshir t freshman Antwan Lower y switched to No. 75, recently vacated by the most prolific lineman in recent Rutgers history — Anthony Davis, who left a year early and declared for the NFL Draft. The other significant position change came at linebacker where sophomore Marcus Witherspoon moved from outside linebacker to defensive end. The Atlantic City native sat out a season due to NCAA transfer regulations after transferring from Michigan and battled through injuries last season. “He hasn’t played [at Rutgers] yet so I don’t know if that’s a change or a beginning,” Schiano said. SAM HELLMAN

Junior tailback Joe Martinek enters spring practice established as the No. 1 running back after competing last year with Jourdan Brooks.

AND THEN THERE WERE two. With Dom Natale and Jabu Lovelace gone and sophomore

SAM HELLMAN

Head coach Greg Schiano instructs fullback Edmond Laryea on the first day of spring practice, focusing on fundamental development. D.C. Jefferson working at tight end, Rutgers has just two quarterbacks on the squad until freshman Chas Dodd arrives in Piscataway this summer. “You probably would like to have more,” Schiano said on having just two quar terbacks. “One guy’s arm gets sore and I’m throwing so that isn’t good. It is where we are until next camp.” Redshirt freshman Steve Shimko resumed the backup role that he played last season, but his value increases being the only arm behind incumbent starter Tom Savage.

NEW BRUNSWICK

SURVIVED

the recent surge of storms and floods, but they also literally broke Rutgers’ bubble. The team’s practice bubble, located across from Rutgers Stadium deflated during the storm and is out of commission for the time being. “We brought the experts in and the bubble’s 18 years old so we’re probably going to have to, sometime later this spring, get a new skin for the thing,” Schiano said. “The University is looking into different options, but that will be down for a while. We don’t use it anyway in the spring. Part of our goal is to get tougher.”