The Daily Targum 2015-12-08

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Elijah’s Promise fills to capacity during winter SAMANTHA KARAS CORRESPONDENT

As the holidays come into full swing this December, the season also serves as a time for many people to help out those less fortunate, and at Elijah’s Promise there is no exception to this cause.

Elijah’s Promise is located on Livingston Avenue in New Brunswick and operates 365 days a year, with ser vices including a soup kitchen, culinar y school, catering business, a market that raises funds to support meals at the soup kitchen and a student-run health clinic launched in cooperation with Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. “(The organization) was founded about 25 years ago, and our motto is: Food changes lives. In that respect, we run a variety of operations and entities that address hunger and tr y to combat and battle poverty,” said James Zullo, executive director of Elijah’s Promise.

During the holiday season, Elijah’s Promise tends to get a lot more volunteers when, he said.

“It’s really the time where many people are cognizant of the holidays (and) also cognizant of the need of people who are hungry or poor, and so we get a lot of turnout,” Zullo said. “And so often times, like for Thanksgiving, we just can’t accept any more volunteers.”

Over the last three months, the organization has seen a fairly significant increase in the amount of meals served, with about 30,000 more meals than the same period last year, he said.

“We’re not exactly sure why that is yet — we’re trying to evaluate it. There are new people that have come through and it could be that there’s more of an influx of people into the area, maybe as a result of the economy,” Zullo said.

The holiday season is a very robust time, he said, and Elijah’s Promise is very busy.

“During the holidays, besides serving meals, the organization also collects donations from a variety of people from communities, like local corporate communities and churches, and will redistribute food or clothing or whatever we get,” Zullo said.

Crystabelle Terani, a School of Arts and Sciences senior, said she is not surprised by the influx of people volunteering during the holiday season.

“It doesn’t surprise me, because people have a hard time realizing the struggle of others when it doesn’t affect them directly,” Terani said. “Like the ‘out of sight, out of mind’ phenomenon — and this time of the year there are constant reminders to be giving to others.”

Because this time of year is so based on materialism where people spend extra money on possibly unnecessary things, it makes people think of those who are not even able to afford necessities like food, water, a home, clothing, heat or hygienic needs, she said.

Specifically, one of the Elijah’s Promise’s core operations is the soup kitchen, where almost 100,000 meals are serviced a year, Zullo said. They serve a lunch and a SEE WINTER ON PAGE 4

Jian Song, a professor in the Department of Mathematics, teaches calculus at the Hill Center for Mathematical Sciences on Busch campus on Dec. 7. Song is among the 14.3 percent of Asian professors at the University. GEORGETTE STILLMAN

Report reveals more than half of Rutgers faculty identify as white SAMANTHA KARAS CORRESPONDENT

Once again, Rutgers was named the country’s most diverse college

by U.S. News.

But according to recent data reports released by the National Center for Education Statistics, diversity for faculty members is lacking.

Data shows that Rutgers’ faculty is 62 percent white, 14.3 percent Asian-American, 4.2 percent black, 2.5 percent Hispanic, 5.9 percent foreign and 11.1 percent other, Mother Jones reported.

At a time in history when race has been reintroduced as a problem in the public sphere, demands made by student activists across the country have included hiring more

diverse and representative faculties, according to Mother Jones.

Yolanda Martinez-San Miguel, a professor in the Department of Latino and Hispanic Caribbean Studies, said she has not seen a positive change in faculty diversity in the past five years.

“We have lost several important faculty members to better offers in other institutions,” she said.

This fall, Martinez-San Miguel said President Robert L. Barchi announced a diversity-hiring program.

Previous programs did not work, and faculty diversity numbers are down from the levels in the 1970s levels, she said.

“This initiative ... does not compare with other more robust efforts that are being spearheaded by several campuses nationwide,” she

said. “We know that cluster hires of diverse faculty members work better because (they create) a critical mass of people who could then implement long term changes in institutions.”

Rutgers does not have any University-wide active diversity-hiring initiatives that could increase faculty diversity, she said. Previously held cluster hiring programs were cancelled by the new administration, Martinez-San Miguel said.

Daphney Noel, president of the Rutgers—New Brunswick Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), said she was not surprised to learn that 4.2 percent of Rutgers faculty was black.

SEE FACULTY ON PAGE 4

Human ‘beans’ get daily dose of java, justice with open mic night ABIGAIL LYON CONTRIBUTING WRITER

As temperatures drop lower and lower, the less fortunate seek refuge at Elijah’s Kitchen, a community soup kitchen open 365 days a year at 211 Livingston Ave. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY CHLOE COFFMAN

Student performers strayed from the typical open mic last night by merging music, poetry and social activism.

Last Monday evening, students took to Trayes Hall in the Douglass Student Center to listen in on an open mic night featuring eight performers in the name of social justice.

This happened at the annual “Java and Justice,” hosted by the Douglass Residential College Peer Academic Leaders (PAL) as part of the “16 Days Campaign.”

The international campaign is a 24-year-old movement run by the

Center for Women’s Global Leadership, according to their website.

The event runs for 16 days, from Nov. 25 to Dec. 10.

The theme for the campaign this year is, “From Peace in Home to Peace in the World: Make Education Safe for All.” “Java and Justice” ran for one hour and 15 minutes, including two five-minute intermissions between performers, where students were asked to tweet the answers to questions concerning the theme using the hashtags, #JavaAndJustice and #16DaysCampaign.

The event involved eight student performers, with performances ranging from spoken word poetry, a guitar-accompanied Coldplay cover

­­VOLUME 147, ISSUE 111 • UNIVERSITY ... 3 • OPINIONS ... 6 • CLASSIFIEDS... 7 • TECH... 8 • DIVERSIONS ... 9 • SPORTS ... BACK

and a performance from the Rutgers Belly Dance Troupe.

Malikka Hutchins, a School of Arts and Sciences junior, performed spoken word poetry.

She felt inspired to perform at the event because of her personal experiences of being black, Muslim and a woman.

Hutchins recently took a poetry class here at the University in the past year, and said it felt good to finally give a voice to pressing issues.

“It’s actually been a year since I last performed, and (upon) hearing what ‘Java and Justice’ was about, I felt that I needed to contribute some of my work,” Hutchins said.

SEE JAVA ON PAGE 4

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December 8, 2015

University

Page 3

“She’s the First” uses donations to help women learn NATASHA TRIPATHI

want others to feel this passion for themselves, and She’s the First has provided that outlet for me. Education is such a privilege Changing the ground for edfor me, so I want to pass it on,” ucation for even one girl means Huang said. accomplishing so much more She’s the First allows help othbecause, in turn, the girl’s family, er girls get their education so they her village and future local generacan achieve what they’re passiontions will also prosper through her. ate about, she said.

This is the goal of the orgaFirst and foremost, Huang nization She’s the First. said She’s the First *{Rutgers} Brenna Mazur, a Rutgers Busidirectly help girls across the ness School first-year student, world have the opportunity to be said She’s the First is an organiglobal leaders right where they zation that provides scholarships are, and indirectly help themto girls in low-income countries selves and the Rutgers communiwho will be the first in their famity realize the gravity of supportlies to graduate. ing girls education.

They focus specifically on “I hope to team up with othgirls because past and present er organizations around Rutgers statistics continuously prove and in the New Brunswick comgirls face greater discrimination munity to bring larger events when it comes to education as to Rutgers,” she said. “We can’t opposed to boys. succeed as a chapter unless we “By supporting these girls have the support of people who and providing them with an edlove education and believe that ucation, we are helping them to educating girls can bring positive break the cycle of poverty, not “She’s the First” holds fundraisers several times a year to support women in impoverished change, so widespread awarejust for themselves, but for fu- countries graduate from school. They are often the first in their families to do so, and to date the ness of the benefits of educating ture generations as well,” Mazur organization has helped 568 girls go to school. COURTESY OF BRENNA MAZUR girls is key.” said. “Education goes far beyond Part of this is reaching the the classroom.” for STF,” raises money through increase awareness and raise percent of the proceeds go to men at Rutgers, she said.

She’s the First makes a huge running races and fitness classes. the girls. money to sponsor girls.

“Girls education doesn’t just impact, Mazur said. There are 177 Huang, a School of Ar ts For example, She’s the First “As for myself, if I could help chapters today that sponsor 568 She’s the First *{Rutgers} fully *{Rutgers} first sponsored Flor- and Sciences senior, said benefit the girls that She’s the scholars in 11 countries. The or- sponsor a girl, I would feel as if I ence from Tanzania in Fall 2014. the first time she heard the First works with,” she said. “But ganization has a total student body made a great impact. It takes $1,400 Then they sponsored Soffie from name “She’s the First,” she (it) cycles back to the whole enreach of over 1,300,000 and over to become a “Girl Champion” and the Gambia in Spring 2015, said thought it sounded unique and tire community.”

Mazur said 35,000 followers there are many on social media. ways in which to All together, “By supporting these girls and providing them with an education, we are helping them to break the cycle of make a positive She’s the First impact through has provided poverty, not just for themselves, but for future generations as well.” the passion 1,594 years of and capabilieducation so far, BRENNA MAZUR ties built within Mazur said.

Rutgers Business School First-Year Student She’s the First.

As for cam“Educated pus chapters, girls raise a naMazur said She’s the First has two major provide schoolbooks, supplies, Kristen Huang, the president of decided to attend a meeting in tion’s GDP, lower the maternal mor tality rate, and improve fundraisers each year. her high school. lunches, mentorship, tutoring, life She’s the First *{Rutgers}.

Some of the fundraisers are skills, room and board and 24/7 “I knew what I wanted, coming hygiene to slow the spread of The campus organization “Bake a Change,” which has raised care for a scholar,” she said. fashioned dif ferent fundrais- to Rutgers, so since I have these disease. Educated girls become upwards $100,000 across the naFor individual campus chap- ers during the school year to resources, and am so passionate educated women, who educate tion for the organization. “Sweat ters, She’s the First aims to raise money, Mazur said. 100 about education, I decided that I their children,” Huang said.

ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR

Winning for Women Students competed at the Rutgers Kappas Serve it Up for C.A.R.E. volleyball tournament on Dec. 6 at the College Avenue Gymnasium.

C.A.R.E. is an organization dedicated to helping women living in poverty around the world. Participants at the tournament donated $25 and were required to have at least one female player on each team. SAM CASIMIR

Dercember 8, 2015

Page 4

FACULTY

JAVA

Having mostly white faculty, staff makes it difficult Dhawan says foundation of event is to raise awareness against gender-based violence for people of color to learn, Noel says CONTINUED FROM FRONT

of my professors have been white, and the times that I have had black “I would have been (surprised) professors, they were usually in if the amount of black faculty at classes taken in the Africana StudRutgers was above 10 percent,” ies Department, or classes that the School of Environmental and were specifically about black studBiological Sciences senior said. ies,” Higginbotham said.

Professors of color can share “Four to 5 percent is more like the norm, rather than some shocking common experiences with black stunews. It isn’t right, but it is how dents, which allows them to support primarily white institutions work.” students on a personal or emotional Having a mostly white faculty level in a way that white professors and staff makes it more difficult for may not be able to do, she said.

Many students of color feel people of color to learn, she said.

This applies even more in the hu- more comfortable around familiar faces, manities, where Higginbotham professors and said.

When teaching assisstudents look tants may not be “It isn’t right, but it is how around the aware of the miprimarily white University and cro-aggressions see few peothat students of institutions work.” ple who look color face. like them, it Students DAPHNEY NOEL makes adjustof color may President of Rutgers NAACP and School of ing to college have difficulEnvironmental and Biological Studies Senior more difficult. ty expressing Diverse protheir thoughts fessors broadwithout sounden the transfer ing prejudiced against white students, she said. If a of information, since everyone professor does not understand what receives and distributes knowlthe students are going through, edge differently, Noel said. Hiring diverse educators allows diverse their response may be offensive.

Dionne Higginbotham, a School interpretations and a wide range of Arts and Sciences junior and of perspectives in the classroom, president of the Rutgers Black she said.

“We as students can raise Student Union, said she also did not find the low percentage of awareness about the low percentblack faculty members surprising. age of black faculty and the resultHigginbotham said she has not ing consequences,” she said. “It had many professors of color and is our duty to advocate for issues such as these in order to make finds it quite discouraging.

“In the different classes that I’ve the University a better place taken here at Rutgers, the majority for everyone.”

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

“I hope (the audience) had the chance to see things from a different perspective … and understand what other people might be going through.”

Hutchins has been writing poetry for 10 years, and performing spoken word poetry for five years, she said.

Tara Dhawan, a School of Arts and Sciences junior, is a PAL and has been actively involved in the coordination of Monday night’s event.

Her responsibilities included coordinating the event along with other PALs and ensuring that the event runs smoothly, she said.

The event was a collaborative effort, with many people coming together to organize it. Along with the PALs, other organizations participated, including the Douglass Residential College (DRC) and the Global Village Learning Center, she said.

The theme for the 16 Days Campaign was chosen because it closely relates to the DRC’s theme for the year, Dwahan said.

“We are a part of the DRC, and our college-wide theme this year is poverty and education,” she said. “(The campaign’s theme) fits right into that goal, as socioeconomic status and class play a huge role in the inaccessibility of

Students educated attendees of Douglass Residential College Peer Academic Leaders’ “Java and Justice” on social issues at Trayes Hall on Douglass campus on Dec. 7. GEORGETTE STILLMAN

education (in relation to) young women all over world.”

Since the DRC is a part of the 16 Days Campaign, Dhawan said, a foundation of the event is to raise awareness against gender-based violence and gender inequality.

“Looking around, I saw that everyone was engaged, so I would say that (the PALs) were very successful in that, I think this was a passionate, activist-oriented safe space,” she said.

Amber Gourdine, a School of Arts and Sciences senior, attended the event as a member of the DRC. She appreciated that the performers addressed social issues involving inequality.

“The atmosphere was lively, it was very informative and I enjoyed the environment and being around like-minded individuals,” Gourdine said.

As one of the organizers of the event, Dhawan said that her hope has always been to make sure that it would be a safe space for all parties and that the performers were respected and the audience members were engaged.

She said that she was surprised to see the discussion that the event inspired among the attendees.

“I heard (attendees) who had never actually thought about inaccessibility of education to women, and a lot of people that attended today are apart of the Global Village, so that’s a specialized population,” she said.

Dhawan also heard many conversations among inspired audience-members about moving for ward with activism in the future.

“I was very surprised and happy (to see the event) serve as a springboard for more activism that we should be expecting in the future from Douglass women,” she said.

WINTER Elijah’s Promise is adamant about getting healthy food because it is important to health, recovery CONTINUED FROM FRONT

“We run this operation 365 days a year. There are times throughdinner five days a week, as well as out the year or during the summer where it does get sparse for one meal a day on the weekend.

“The kitchen is also used as a volunteers,” Zullo said. “I encourgateway for people in need, be- age people to look at it as a yearcause obviously food is the prima- round event and not just during the holidays.” ry draw. But A service like once folks are Elijah’s Promthere, we try to “It’s really the time is important connect them where many people are ... ise ever ywhere, to the greatest cognizant of the need of Terani said. extent possipeople who are hungry or “People who ble to a lot of other needpoor, and so we get a lot have never experienced ed services,” of turnout.” going hungry Zullo said. have a hard Elijah’s JAMES ZULLO time realizing Promise also Executive Director of Elijah’s Promise the struggle made a deterof others. If it mined decision feeds even one several years ago to serve nutritious food, he hungry mouth, I think it’s importsaid, and the organization is very ant,” she said.

More students should know adamant about finding, procuring, buying or getting donations that about services like Elijah’s Promare healthy and fresh because it ise, because awareness can be contributes to people’s health, bring positive affects, Terani said.

“If spreading awareness to wellness and recovery.

As for the volunteers them- a thousand students gets even selves, Zullo said they are needed one volunteer, isn’t it worth it?” she said. every single day.

Page 5

Dercember 8, 2015

VICE journalist opens up about transparency in media NIKITA BIRYUKOV

While rules exist, a troubling trend has emerged among government agencies responding to FOIA requests, Leopold said.

In 2011, the U.S. covertly au“There seems to be this great thorized the assassination of an fear that … release of this inforAmerican citizen abroad. Jason mation will be terribly embarLeopold, the journalist that unrassing,” Leopold said. “You will covered these details, did so by get agencies that will ultimately filing a Freedom of Information release information. But, they’ll Act (FOIA) request. put certain redactions that esMonday night, Leopold, a sentially allow them to black senior investigative reporter out information only because it for VICE News, took part in is embarrassing.” a conversation regarding inRedactions like these are investigative journalism, transdicative of issues long held in parency and FOIA at the Alexthe administration, he said. ander Librar y on the College “When President Obama was Avenue campus. sworn in office in 2009 ... (he) “The Freedom of Information signed an executive order promAct is a law, it’s almost half a ising to usher in a new era of centur y old, and it basically altransparency and open governlows the public to petition the ment because of how secretive government and ask for docuit was during the Bush era,” ments, any documents,” Leopold he said. said. “Some of these documents The admincan be hugely istration failed valuable.” in providing In addition “Our goal is to hold people ... and institutions the transparto being valuable, many of accountable for the decisions that they make and the ency it promised, Leopold the documents implications of the decisions that they make.” said.

More attainable by a than that, FOIA request ERIC UMANSKI turnaround are highly Assistant Managing Editor at ProPublica on FOIA resensitive, Leoquests often pold said. The took months. video showing the shooting of Laquan McDon- documents through redactions, Waiting several years for agency response was ald was released in response to said Scott Klein, an assistant an managing editor at ProPublica, a not uncommon. one such request.

The FOIA process had been McDonald was shot 16 times non-profit newsroom focused on politicized to an extent, Leoby members of the Chicago investigative journalism.

“The redactions themselves pold said. The Department of Police Department in October 2014, but the video showing this have rules,” Klein said. “They Defense keeps a list of all FOIA was not released until Novem- can’t redact whatever they want. requests that may garner sigThey have to say what the re- nificant media attention. These ber 2015, according to CNN. In general, FOIA acts as a valu- dactions mean and why they’ve requests must be approved beable tool for information gath- been redacted. There are rules fore they are released, and often the only response received is ering. People get information that govern redactions.”

STAFF WRITER

that might not have been readily available, and the information provided is reliable, Leopold said. Prior to 1967, there was no way to acquire such documents.

“The documents speak for themselves — they’re government documents. You’re getting primar y source material right there,” he said. “You’re getting to see what (government officials) are saying, what they’re writing, what they’re thinking.”

In addition to providing a wealth of information, these documents can save sizable amounts of time and money on investigations, he said. Verifying information from a source takes significant amounts of legwork.

While the act does allow for a level of transparency within government, the system is not perfect. The government can censor

CRIME DEC. 7 NEW BRUNSWICK — Giacomo Abrusci, 35, of Long Island City, New York, was charged with driving without a license after his third drunk driving conviction last Monday.

Abrusci’s drunk driving conviction could be from either failing or refusing to take a breathalyzer test. He is scheduled to be seen in Superior Court in January 2016, and will face a minimum six months in prison.

DEC. 7 JERSEY CITY — Guns were fired on Bergen and Lexington avenues on Sunday night. The shots struck a car windshield and bike tire, but there are no reported injuries. Two shell casings have also been recovered. Anyone with more information should contact the Jersey City Police Department at (201) 547-JAIL. DEC. 7 MAPLEWOOD — A ninth grader from Columbia High School is being charged with possession of an imitation firearm, false public alarm, terroristic threats, aggravated assault and possession of a weapon in an educational institution. The 15-year-old brought in a toy gun to school and showed it to a 14-yearold classmate, which made the classmate afraid that the imitation weapon would be used against him.

The school was then put on a lockdown and the 15-year-old was arrested. No other information is currently available about the consequences that the 15-year-old boy will face.

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Jason Leopold, a senior investigative reporter with VICE News, discusses the Freedom of Information Act at Alexander Library on the College Avenue campus on Dec. 7. DIMITRI RODRIGUEZ a statement saying that the inquir y can neither be confirmed nor denied.

Despite these shortcomings, FOIA is being used throughout the U.S., by citizens as well as investigative journalists, like those working at ProPublica.

ProPublica works to provide the public with information relevant to the public interest, said Eric Umansky, assistant managing editor at the organization.

“Our goal is to hold people ... and institutions accountable for the decisions that they make and the implications of the decisions that they make,” Umansky said.

While the stories published by ProPublica may sway public opinion to one end of the spectrum,

the outlet only publishes facts, both Klein and Umansky said.

“We want there to be change.

We want to have impact on a particular issue. We want people to be active citizens based on the information that we have provided,” Umansky said. “You could have another perspective on … the information we’re putting out there. We don’t endorse one point or another.”

ProPublica aims to create change, and as such does not pick sides, Klein said.

“Our mission is to have impact on the real world. We want our work to be seen not just by lots and lots of people, but by a specific set of people, people who can really make a difference, whatever that difference is,” Klein said.

OPINIONS

Page 6

December 8, 2015

Scholar, refugee shows ability to overcome

L

ike clockwork, New Jersey has returned to the Christmas season. Holiday muzak once again fills our stately shopping malls, Amazon has proclaimed a month of Black Fridays and pundits have returned to their dire prognostications of a “War on Christmas” like a dog that returns to its vomit. As further proof that history is indeed cyclical, the Middle East is experiencing a new Massacre of the Innocents, and our own governor has declared that there is no more room in our inns, “not even for orphans under age 5.”

I’d like to share a story about a refugee that was brought to America from this perennially war-torn region. No, this isn’t the familiar Yuletide tale of a child born in a manger — this is a personal anecdote.

Not too long ago, when the Ba’ath Party first came to power in Iraq, the president of the University of Baghdad was an internationally renowned physicist. He was the first Iraqi to receive a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which he accomplished in only three years (by way of comparison, it took me eight years to do mine).

He corresponded with Einstein as an equal and is still regarded today as one of the finest minds in wave theory. His students went on to develop Iraq’s nuclear weapons program. In any other country, a towering intellect of the caliber of Dr. Abdul Jabbar Abdullah would be a Founding Father of his nation, but this was Iraq, and Dr. Abdullah was a Sabian.

The Sabians are the community of John the Baptist, which sought refuge in the Parthian empire from persecution in Roman Palestine, which has miraculously survived in Iraq until the present day. In a familiar pattern, he was arrested as soon as the Ba’athists took power, imprisoned and tortured for nearly a year. Upon his release, he was fortunate to receive an appointment at the newly formed National Center for Atmospheric Research, and escaped Ba’athist Iraq together with his family. Unfortunately, he did not live much longer. Had his life and work not been cut short, I would be very surprised if he did not receive a Nobel Prize or similar international recognition for his numerous contributions to science.

He had four children, specifically three sons and a daughter: One son is a dentist, the other son works at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the third is a famous historian of Iraq and his daughter is an artist.

They are an amazing family of people who were blessed to receive the gift of life and freedom in America, and whom I am blessed to count among my friends.

Unfortunately, Dr. Abdullah’s story is all too common among the people who are now fleeing the Middle East, and particularly among his ancient community, the members of which are being systematically hunted to extinction along with other religious groups in the region.

I’ve worked with the Sabians since 1999, and since 2003 I have been what I can only describe as a witness to genocide. This holiday season, as Jewish people celebrate their miraculous victory over another Syrian tyrant, the Sabians remember those who drowned in Noah’s flood, Muslims observe the portentous birth of the Prophet Muhammad, and Christians commemorate the birth of their Savior, let us remember that we too have all been refugees.

Charles G. Haberl is an associate professor and chair of the Department of African, Middle Eastern and South Asian Languages and Literatures.

147TH EDITORIAL BOARD

204 NEILSON ST., NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. 08901 • (732) 932 - 7051 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF . . . . . . . . . . . . MARIELLE SUMERGIDO // EIC@DAILYTARGUM.COM • x 108 MANAGING EDITOR . . . . . MICHELLE KLEJMONT // MANAGED@DAILYTARGUM.COM • x 109 NEWS EDITOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . KATIE PARK // NEWS@DAILYTARGUM.COM OPINIONS EDITOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . YVANNA SAINT-FORT // OPED@DAILYTARGUM.COM DESIGN EDITOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RAMYA CHITIBOMMA // DESIGN@DAILYTARGUM.COM SPORTS EDITOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GARRETT STEPIEN // SPORTS@DAILYTARGUM.COM COPY EDITOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DAN COREY // COPY@DAILYTARGUM.COM PHOTO EDITOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EDWIN GANO // PHOTO@DAILYTARGUM.COM FEATURES EDITOR . . . . . . . . . . . .DANIELLE K. GONZALEZ // INSIDEBEAT@DAILYTARGUM.COM SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR . . . . . . . . . . MELANIE GOULET // COMMUNITY@DAILYTARGUM.COM ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR . . . . . . . . NATASHA TRIPATHI // UNIVERSITY@DAILYTARGUM.COM ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR . . . . . . . . . . AVALON ZOPPO // UNIVERSITY@DAILYTARGUM.COM ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . KEVIN XAVIER // SPORTS@DAILYTARGUM.COM ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR . . . . . . . . . . . . BRIAN FONSECA // SPORTS@DAILYTARGUM.COM ASSOCIATE COPY EDITOR . . . . . . . . . . . MAEGAN KAE SUNAZ // COPY@DAILYTARGUM.COM CORRESPONDENTS MIKE O’SULLIVAN, SAMANTHA KARAS, SOPHIE NIETO MUNOZ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS SHIRLEY YU,YANGENG LIN, LUO ZHENGCHAN EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS SUSMITA PARUCHURI, NICOLETTE ACCARDI, NIKITA BIRYUKOV, CHLOE COFFMAN, NIKHILESH DE, ALEXANDRA DEMATOS, BRITTANY GIBSON, WAYLEN GLASS, NOA HALFF, ERIC MULLIN, DIMITRI RODRIGUEZ

TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

EDITORIAL

No snow in December? That’s normal...

Global perception of climate change surpasses US understanding

I

As an international response to climate change, the t’s been an unusually warm December in New Jersey. Actually, the weather the past few months has 2015 Paris Climate Conference is taking place, but rebeen a tad warmer than what you would expect, sponse is also required at the community level here in but this may not be a particularly alarming issue. After New Jersey. Starting on Nov. 30 and ending on Dec. all, you can just keep wearing light and comfortable 11, the Paris Climate Conference is the first time in fall outfits as opposed to encumbering thick coats, more than 20 years that United Nations negotiations hats and gloves usually worn around this time of year. will aim to achieve a legally binding and universal Warmer weather is not an especially bad thing, but agreement on climate, with the aim of keeping global when you look at extreme weather conditions such as warming below 2 degrees Celsius. The United States the droughts experienced in California that limit peo- is participating in this event and sending its delegates, ple’s access to water, or the record rainfall in Chen- but whatever agenda they agree to support and any nai, India, that flooded the area with a population of 3 action to be taken needs to be met by the rest of the million that took at least 270 people’s lives, then there American population, which brings our attention to is something to worry about. These weather patterns the local community. A state bill proposed during October of last year is beginning to advance, and it could be indicative of the effects of climate change. would give New Jersey one The gradual process of of the nation’s most ambiclimate change and its pretious goals for renewable carious effects are not imme“Therefore, it is not in the energy sources by requirdiately experienced, so its self-interest for advocates of ing that 80 percent of state’s veracity is laboriously conunbridled capitalism to believe energy use would be from tested over and over again renewable sources 35 years despite the heralds of the that climate change is real — now. Unfortunately, scientific community. People some people will choose to keep from its supporters recognize in both the United States and their eyes and ears closed.” that as long as Gov. Chris China don’t think climate Christie (R-N.J.) is in office, change is a serious problem, this bill is not likely to pass. as it relates to the rest of the world. In the U.S., 41 percent of the population be- As citizens, it is imperative to demand legislation lieves it is a serious problem, compared to the majority that ensures society’s sustainability for the future.

However, myopic perspectives tend to intervene 51 percent of the rest of the world, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted this year. This is with the attempt to better our communal circumpartly due to the leaders of the political Right’s insis- stance. As the former example shows, good legislatence that climate change is not an issue, and their in- tion can be proposed, but people are no longer on fluence proves to be far-reaching in this country. Halt- board if it increases people’s taxes. Battles waged ing the deleterious effects of climate change is not against climate change are indeed expensive, and only costly for the government, but it is costly for cor- may not be completely efficient. If all households porations as they will be regulated and constrained in bought pricey solar panels, it would not be 100 perthe process of production that harms the environment cent efficient, but it would still be a great improveor creates excess carbon emissions. Therefore, it is ment from our current energy-guzzling state. Curbnot in the self-interest for advocates of unbridled cap- ing climate change and its effects is a costly endeavor italism to believe that climate change is real — some — and that cannot be stressed enough — but can people will choose to keep their eyes and ears closed. you really put a price tag on the future of humanity?

The Daily Targum’s editorials represent the views of the majority of the 147th editorial board. Columns, cartoons and letters do not necessarily reflect the views of the Targum Publishing Company or its staff.

December 8, 2015

Opinions Page 7

Culture of high achievement fosters anxiety, depression THE CHAMPAGNE SOCIALIST JOSE SANCHEZ

A

s you know, finals and deadlines for an array of projects, applications, theses and so forth are fast approaching. Too fast, I’m certain. So with all of these responsibilities and commitments swirling around us, let me remind all of you: You are not your grades. Your worth as a person can’t be determined by how well you perform on your exams, if your department grants you honors or if you graduate on time. Not everyone will care about your GPA a decade, or a century from now. Hell, they may not even care much about them a year from now, or at least the people that make life worth living won’t. Your major can’t define you either. Anyone can major in English, biology, finance, Norse literature — you name it! And, anyone can get A’s, but only you can be you. Out of the billions that have ever lived, the billions that do and the countless scores to come hereafter — here you are. And, I thank God for that.

Now take it from me when I say that life’s extraordinarily difficult, and loving yourself despite your grades, internships and other

accomplishments or lack thereof is perhaps one of the single greatest challenges we’re faced with. If loving ourselves was easy, friendships wouldn’t sink into our egos and marriages would last ‘till death.

If loving ourselves was easy, all sorts of hatreds would disappear, and there’d actually be some justice on this Earth. There’d be no tears, nor sorrow or crying, for the former order things will have passed away.

This is not our condition, however. Love for ourselves, and in turn, love for others continues to remain elusive. We lead our own difficult lives — and besides, finals are here! Who has time for all this feel-good philosophizing when you’ve got to submit that research paper by midnight? Well, with nearly 1 in 6 college students having been diagnosed with or treated for anxiety within the last 12 months, according to the American College Health Association, perhaps a little more self-reflection on our parts could serve us well in the end.

There’s an epidemic of mental illness on college campuses across the U.S., and resources are stretching thin. Partly, this epidemic is because the stigma of being mentally ill is lessening as people become more educated.

Another part is that the experiences and circumstances of U.S. students are changing.

In this stagnating and stratifying economy,

money’s getting tighter, aid is being cut and it seems you have to be as stellar as possible to overcome all sorts of challenges. In this increasingly unequal society, it’s like you have to be twice as good to get half as much, especially if you’re not white, male, straight, rich, well-connected and so forth. Organizations like the Steve Fund find that rates of mental illness are higher amongst students of color, and that these same students are being underserved by their own schools.

As for me, I’m black, Puerto Rican and gay. I’m definitely “at-risk” for all sorts of things such as depression, anxiety, suicide, addiction, etc. I began seeing therapy as a first-year, saw another one the spring of my junior year and am seeing another professional now. Two therapists have said I have something called “dysthymia.” As I understand it, dysthymia’s milder than clinical or manic depression, yet is more chronic, lasting for days, months and years. In my past, it’s taken a toll on me being able to get along with my family, it’s given me trouble forming friendships as a teenager and to this day can sap away at my academic efforts. It really sucks when you’re trying to pass an exam or finish a paper when a constant “you’re nothing, you’re nothing, you’re nothing, you can’t do this and you don’t deserve to be here or loved or held or ‘worth it’ or successful” is

howling through your mind. For some reason, I attach a lot of importance and much of my own self-worth to grades, honors and such. Yet when it comes to actually making the effort and getting the A’s, I oftentimes fall by the wayside and come up short. I get distracted, and depressed. I lose hope, concentration and I constantly compare myself to others. It’s a vicious circle, and I know far too many have similar demons.

All this is not to say that grades aren’t important and that getting that coveted internship or finishing that thesis aren’t worthwhile endeavors, but those things have to matter if they matter to you and only you.

If they do matter, then don’t let them consume you entirely. You’re here to learn and to grow, and getting the most stellar grades or honors may not accurately reflect that strength of character. But having friends does, giving to others does — having fulfilling relationships with other people does too. The difference between an A and a B will never mean who you are as a person or destroy your chance at a future, with all your mysterious and shifting complexities.

José Sanchez is a School of Arts and Sciences senior majoring in history with a minor in political science. His column, “The Champagne Socialist,” runs on alternate Tuesdays.

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Tech Tuesday

Page 8

December 8, 2015

IBM’s #HackAHairdryer campaign is insulting to women

The International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) launched a #HackAHairdryer campaign, intended to foster female interest in science, technology, engineering and math, but the hashtag instead sparked social media furor. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY CHLOE COFFMAN

KATIE PARK NEWS EDITOR

In an attempt to drive more women into pursuing science, the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) became the subject of sharp-tongued criticism for launching their marketing campaign, titled #HackAHairdryer.

“That’s ok @IBM, I’d rather build satellites instead, but good luck with that whole

#HackAHairDr yer thing,” said Twitter user Stephanie Evans, @StephEvz43, on Dec. 6.

IBM shut down the campaign on Dec. 7 after receiving thousands of tweets lambasting the campaign for feeding into gender stereotypes of women.

Ironically, IBM started the campaign with exactly the opposite thought in mind.

“It’s time to blast away the barriers that women confront on a

daily basis,” the company said in its launch pitch in October.

About two-and-a-half months after that pitch, IBM retracted the campaign and apologized for its blunder.

“This was part of a larger campaign to promote STEM careers.

It missed the mark and we apologize,” IBM said in a tweet on Dec. 7. “It is being discontinued.”

IBM apologized, but its retraction of #HackAHairdr yer does not erase the other tired

gender tropes against women in should make separate labs for boys and girls?”

STEM fields.

A few months later, the There was EDF Energy’s #Pret#ILookLikeAnEngityCurious campaign in Septem- hashtag emerged in droves ber, which was well-intentioned neer with its goals of encouraging fe- on Twitter after OneLogin, male interest in STEM, but back- Inc.’s platform engineer Isis Anachalee was called “too pretfired with its choice of hashtag.

“Oh no @edfenergy, #pretty- ty” to be an engineer after she curious? Really?” said Twitter was featured on an adver tiseuser Kathryn Harkup, @Rot- ment for OneLogin.

Thousands of female engineers wangsRobot, on Sept. 29. “How about encouraging ANYONE rallied against the prevailing idea interested in STEM subjects that women engineers are imagined to look a certain way by to #staycurious?”

EDF Energy was quick to de- posting pictures of themselves fend its hashtag, saying it is not accompanied with the hashtag about being “pretty,” but rather, #ILookLikeAnEngineer.

High-profile women in tech, about being “pretty curious.”

“Using ‘pretty’ is a play on such as Helen Hou-Sandi, a lead words,” EDF said on its website. developer at WordPress and the “We are using the word in the sense director of platform experience at 10up, a web of ‘pretty unexpublishing pected’, ‘pretty company, and determined’, Tracy Chou, ‘pretty invenan engineer tive’, ‘pretty fo“If a woman wants to at Pinterest, cused’ and ‘pretpursue science, out in ty curious.’” technology, engineering came support of #PrettyCuor math, she will. Leave the hashtag. rious could Flash forhave been the hairdryer at home.” ward a handful positive wordof months, and play gone the Internet’s wrong, or the arrived at the product of latest instance underhanded marketing. Yet, more malicious of social media furor over yet another marketing campaign. jabs at women in tech persist. #HackAHairdryer is a patronNow scorned Nobel laureate Tim Hunt, a British biochemist izing challenge packaged in an who won the prestigious prize alliterative hashtag. It not only rein 2001 for co-discovering pro- duces the accomplishments and tein molecules that control the ambitions of women who work division of cells, said in a toast at with — or hope to work with — the World Conference of Science genes, satellites and lasers and Journalists in June that women change the world, but it assumes were overly sensitive and distract- that “girlifying” STEM is necessary to get women and girls into ing to men in a lab.

“Three things happen when a male-dominated field. And that they are in the lab: You fall in just simply isn’t true.

If a woman wants to pursue scilove with them, they fall in love with you, and when you criticize ence, technology, engineering or them they cry,” Hunt said during math, she will. Leave the hairdryhis speech in Seoul. “Perhaps we er at home.

December 8, 2015

Pearls Before Swine

DIVERSIONS Stephan Pastis

Horoscopes

Page 9 Nancy Black

Today’s Birthday (12/08/15). Personal dreams come true this year with dedication and focus. Feather your nest this spring for parties and group gatherings, especially after 9/9, when Jupiter enters Libra for a year-long community phase. Your influence rises next autumn, before family matters require attention. Protect what you love. To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Over The Hedge

Non Sequitur

Lio

T. Lewis and M. Fry

Wiley

Mark Tatulli

Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is a 7 — Exploration suits you today and tomorrow. Get carried away by travels or studies. It doesn’t need to get expensive (but it could).

Make a great connection through a loved one. Expand your boundaries.

Try something new.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 9 — Ask for more and get it. Put away provisions for the future. Review your reserves today and tomorrow. Collaborate to grow shared assets. Put in extra effort for impeccable results. Your reputation grows with excellent service.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is an 8 — Work together to achieve your mutual aim. Negotiate and compromise. Take a trip together, even if just downtown.

It’s an excellent moment for romance and travel. Strengthen bonds and grow your partnership for shared gain.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 7 — Do your best at work over the next two days. Satisfied clients are your best promotion. Contribute your talents. Energize with healthy foods and a walk in nature.

Discover a new perspective. Everything seems possible.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 7 — Family fun beckons over the next two days. It doesn’t need to be expensive. Play games with popcorn and hot cocoa. Share delicious flavors and moments. The puzzle pieces fall together in a delightfully unexpected way.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 7 — Today and tomorrow favor domestic projects. Clean and prepare for upcoming festivities. Soft lighting works wonders. Surprise someone you love with a thoughtful detail. Create beauty and flavorful treats for family and friends. Play with color.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is an 8 — Writing, publishing and networking go well over the next two days. Research your story and get it out. Follow the undercurrent of love. Add an element of whimsy or quirkiness. Express the heart of the matter.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is an 8 — Bring in the money today and tomorrow. Have faith in your own imagination. Avoid lies like the plague. Dreams reveal your true feelings. Distill your work to its truest core. Follow your muse. It’s all for love.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 9 — Focus on personal priorities. You’re especially hot for the next two days. Maximize your advantage by talking about what you want to create. Someone thinks you’re brilliant. Take charge, and make the positive changes you envision.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 6 — Consider the road ahead, and plan your moves. Rest and recuperate today and tomorrow. Build the foundations for a profitable venture by envisioning your desired future first, and listing tasks backwards to now. Reflect on a possibility.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 7 — Your friends are your key to success today and tomorrow.

Their encouragement is the wind in your sails. Invite others to contribute to what you’re creating. Collaborate for mutual benefit. Your networks hold the missing puzzle pieces.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 7 — A professional test or challenge engages you today and tomorrow. Meditate to focus. Review expert opinions. Expand in the direction of least resistance. Imagine ultimate success. Use what you can get for free. Contribute to the greater good.

©2015 By Nancy Black distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

Sudoku

©Puzzles By Pappocom

Solution to Puzzle #22 12/7/15 Solution, tips, and computer program at www.sudoku.com

Page 10

December 8, 2015

COACH

WOMEN’S SOCCER

Chris Ash maps out mission to make shift in culture at Rutgers to breed winning CONTINUED FROM BACK person for this job,” Barchi said.

“He has an intense and passionate commitment to excellence and integrity on the field, and he has that same level of commitment to see excellence and integrity in his players, both in their daily lives and in the classroom.”

After a controversial tenure from former athletic director Julie Hermann came to an end last Sunday on the same day where Barchi fired Flood, Hobbs is a part of the clean-house initiative by Rutgers to progress as it grows through its time with the academic and athletic elite in the Big Ten. And Hobbs, who kept the entire process under wraps as speculation grew during the past week regarding which route the former Dean Emeritus of Seton Hall University School of Law would take in his first step as an athletic director since serving as the interim for the Pirates from 2010-11, managed to find his fit the right way.

With the help of a search firm and assisting input from the likes of Board of Governors chairman and alumni donor Greg Brown, who works as Chief Executive Officer of Motorola Solutions, it became obvious to Hobbs that Ash was the man for the job.

“I will tell you (that) it just became clear very early in that process that Chris Ash was the right person,” Hobbs said. “In 25 years in higher education, it’s the single best interview I’ve ever had with any other individual.”

Ash was a front-runner for the head coaching vacancy for Syracuse before ultimately withdrawing his name from consideration last week. As the interest from both sides progressed, Ash continued to receive phone calls from Barchi and Hobbs before meeting with the two and ultimately

arriving on campus at Rutgers on Sunday night.

“When I started my coaching journey back in 1995, this was a dream that I set out to tr y to achieve — to someday have an opportunity to lead my own program,” Ash said. “I am extremely excited and thrilled to be the next head football coach of this state’s university here at Rutgers.”

While Ash won’t completely immerse himself in the role of the head football coach at Rutgers just yet — he chose to honor his commitment to Ohio State as the Buckeyes prepare for a New Year’s six bowl game at the Fiesta Bowl with Notre Dame — that hasn’t stopped him from getting started.

Ash has already begun to keep the 2016 recruiting class at Rutgers — and field more — as he splits time between both jobs over the course of the next month.

But when Jan. 1 does come and go and his return to Piscataway becomes as concrete as his signature on the dotted line of his five-year contract, Ash has one message to send along to the Rutgers community.

“Moving forward, I have a message for fans, supporters, administrators, players — basically anybody that loves this program,” Ash said. “We need to create some positive energy around this program. It’s going to take an extreme amount of work. It’s gonna take a lot of the right people going in the same direction ... Everybody is going to have a role, and I ask that everybody be the best that they can be at whatever job that (you) have to do for us and this program to reach our goals of being one of the best football teams in a great conference here in the Big Ten.” For updates on the Rutgers football team, follow @GarrettStepien and @TargumSports on Twitter.

Chris Ash is introduced yesterday at the Hale Center. Ash said he is excited for the chance to run his own program at Rutgers.

DIMITRI RODRIGUEZ

Senior defender Erica Skroski headlined a Rutgers defensive unit that ranked among the best in the country with a .311 goals-against average. EDWIN GANO / PHOTO EDITOR / NOVEMBER 2015

Historic season comes to close MIKE O’SULLIVAN CORRESPONDENT

Any team can set numerous goals at the start of the season, but it takes a special team to then achieve all of them.

The 2015 Rutgers women’s soccer team did all of that and more this season.

Under the tutelage of second-year head coach Mike O’Neill, the Scarlet Knights finished the 2015 campaign with a 19-4-3 overall record and 7-2-2 mark in the Big Ten. To start the year, they won their first eight games, which set a new school record.

They went undefeated on their home field at Yurcak Field, stressing the importance of winning in Piscataway and achieving a 13-0-1 mark in games played on the Banks.

The Knights then set the school’s single season record for shutouts with 19, surpassing the 2006 team’s previous record of 16.

Rutgers’ 19 victories were also the most in program history.

Finally, it became the first team in program histor y to reach the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament.

It was a long and historic season for the Knights that ended with a 2-0 loss to the eventual national champion Penn State in the College Cup, but the coaches and players realize that they were a part of a historic season.

“The staff and university are so proud of our team and what they have been able to accomplish this year. From day one, we’ve asked for their best and that’s what they gave us,” O’Neill said.

The senior leadership was evident from early points in the season and carried over through the bulk of the season.

Erica Skroski was one of the leaders of the senior class, winning the Big Ten Defender of the Year Award and being named NSCAA Second Team All-American.

She formed a highly formidable backline duo with

fellow senior defender Brianne Reed, who won the 2015 Senior CLASS Award and was named NSCAA First Team All-Great Lakes Region for the second time in her career.

Along with other starting seniors like for ward Cassie Inacio, midfielders Samantha Valliant and Hayley Katkowski and defender Maggie Morash, they formed a strong group of core players that the coaches and younger teammates could count on.

“To the seniors, we are very thankful for their time here at Rutgers,” O’Neill said. “We always talk about having an impact on the program and making sure that the program is better because you were here. That is exactly what this senior class did.”

Despite the multitude of individual awards, the Knights talked the whole year about team accomplishments and being “30 Strong,” a reference to every player on the roster being capable of playing effective soccer.

True to form, a captain like Skroski was most proud of the team’s NCAA Tournament run when looking back at the 2015 season.

Rutgers had never reached the quarterfinals, but did so with a 4-0 win over Connecticut in the Sweet 16.

The Knights then followed that up with their biggest win of the season in the quarterfinals, defeating No. 1 Virginia 7-6 in penalty kicks after the teams played to a scoreless draw.

“When we made it to the Sweet 16, we were like no team that has ever made it past the Sweet 16.

Once we beat UConn in the Sweet 16, we made it to the Elite Eight and we were like, ‘We are not going to lose,’” she said. “‘We are going to put our heart out there,’ and we came out with a win against Virginia.”

There are many younger players who give the Knights a reasonable chance to maintain their success heading into next season.

Sophomore Colby Ciarrocca led the team with nine goals in her

first season on the Banks since transferring from Vanderbilt, and freshmen midfielders Kenie Wright and Katelyn Walters were named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team.

Then, in net remains sophomore goalkeeper Casey Murphy, the Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year and Second Team All-American who elected to stay with the team throughout the NCAA Tournament despite being called up to the United States U-20 National Team for the 2016 U-20 FIFA World Cup qualification tournament in Honduras for CONCACAF nations.

“Even though playing for my country is a tremendous honor and it’s something I want to do when I’m done here with Rutgers, I couldn’t leave them at this time with this special of a team,” Murphy told scarletknights.com’s Tom Luicci. “Don’t get me wrong.

I’m excited to get back to the U-20 team and play for my country.

That’s what I work for. But this team is special and I couldn’t give this up.”

Following the loss to Penn State, emotions were high for Rutgers.

The Knights were defeated by the Nittany Lions for a second time and realized their long season had just ended.

On the heels of the loss, Reed took a step back to acknowledge the pain of the defeat, but also to appreciate what the 2015 Knights were able to accomplish and show how it sets up the program in the future.

“Coming here four years ago, I never would have imagined being a part of a program that could make it to this level, so I am upset about the result,” she said. “But I think we need to take a step back and realize where we are. We brought this program to the Final Four and this is a new standard for Rutgers, and I am so proud to be a part of this team.”

For updates on the Rutgers women’s soccer team, follow @TargumSports on Twitter.

Page 11

December 8, 2015 MEN’S BASKETBALL CENTRAL CONNECTICUT-RUTGERS, TONIGHT, 6 P.M.

Knights aim to snap skid against Central Connecticut GARRETT STEPIEN SPORTS EDITOR

As Corey Sanders slouched in his cushioned chair in the corner of the locker room at the Louis Brown Athletic Center following the Rutgers men’s basketball team’s 84-55 pounding at the hands of in-state rival Seton Hall, the freshman guard was blunt on how he and his teammates need to step up.

“We just need more players to step up,” Sanders said. “... Right now, that’s not happening. We’re still not together as a unit, so until that happens, I don’t know what we’re gonna do.”

Luckily for the Scarlet Knights’ second-leading scorer (12.6 points per game) and leading distributor (26 assists), the level of difficulty should lighten when he and his team return to the hardwood Tuesday night.

The Knights (3-5) aim to bring a 4-game losing streak to a halt in their 6 p.m. tip-off against Central Connecticut at the RAC. The Blue Devils (0-7), members of the Northeast Conference, enter Piscataway still searching for their first win one month into the 2015-16 season.

Examining the obvious talent gap between the two teams, Central Connecticut serves as the most winnable game for Rutgers in an upcoming 3-game stretch in non-conference play that still

features a polished George Washington team sporting a 7-1 record to headline a hot start after reaching the NIT last year with 22 wins.

Following the trip to D.C. on Saturday, the Knights host Monmouth (5-3) at home. Against the Hawks, who have beaten then-No. 17 Notre Dame and Southern California in a talented 2015 Advocate Invitational to start the season, Rutgers has its hands full before Big Ten play starts up Dec. 30 against Indiana (6-3).

Despite the implications of the upcoming stretch, Eddie Jordan

remains focused on the game-bygame improvement of an inexperienced roster currently featuring nine scholarship players.

Without junior forward Deshawn Freeman (sore knee, out) and sophomore center Shaquille Doorson (foot, out indefinitely), the third-year head coach acknowledges the struggles of playing with limited reign.

“Challenges of coaching a young team to be good — it’s a challenge — and I’m sticking with them,” Jordan said. “... It’s about

learning. We’re not playing the score, we’re learning. Don’t make bad mistakes. If you make a mistake, learn from it.”

Although the Blue Devils mirror the Knights’ production statistically with 66.9 points per game and 39.1 rebounds per game with an offense highlighted by leading-scorer Khalen Cumberlander’s 14.4 points per game, Rutgers has played better competition in comparison to Central Connecticut’s slate featuring six mid-major programs in seven games.

On the heels of a 4-game losing streak, Corey Sanders and the Knights hope to jump back up and into the win column against the winless Blue Devils. EDWIN GANO / PHOTO EDITOR / DECEMBER 2015

The Knights, meanwhile, have played a pair of ACC opponents, among others, off to solid starts in Clemson (6-2) and Wake Forest (6-2). Both squads have given Rutgers trouble in the midst of their 4-game skid with losses to St. John’s (5-3) and Creighton (53) sandwiched between.

But given the reality of the losing streak, the bottom line is that none of it matters.

Sophomore guard Mike Williams, who bounced back from a 1-for-10 shooting effort with six points in the narrow 69-68 defeat to Wake Forest by answering with a team-high 16 points against Seton Hall, doesn’t make excuses for the current circumstances plaguing Rutgers to begin the season.

Williams knows it’s about more than one player stepping up to fill the void. And for the Knights to get it going back in the right direction, Williams understands the urgency they need to have in order to come back together to snap the skid.

“When one of our teammates goes down, another one gotta step up and show us he’s going to take the slack,” Williams said.

“And our team’s not just one person, you know, it’s everybody.

When one person falls, we gotta become stronger.”

For updates on the Rutgers men’s basketball team, follow @GarrettStepien and @TargumSpor ts on Twitter.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SENIOR CYNTHIA HERNANDEZ HAS MADE 35 3-POINT SHOTS SINCE ARRIVING AT RUTGERS

Senior guard shoots across country for opportunity KEVIN XAVIER ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR

She positions herself behind the 3-point line awaiting an opportunity and then it comes — often on a swing pass where her teammates rotate the ball quickly around the perimeter.

Once the ball is in her hands, she takes flight, rising from the floor to align her eyes with the circular target.

At the top of her vertical, she releases, flicking her wrist toward

the rim and following through until her fingertips run nearly parallel to her forearm.

And then she watches her shot drop through the net.

These mechanics did not come naturally for Cynthia Hernandez.

The senior guard for the Rutgers women’s basketball team spent hours honing her craft — the motion, stroke and release.

In her two years on the Scarlet Knights’ roster, Hernandez has converted 40 percent of the 3-point shots she attempted, but

Since coming to Rutgers from California, senior guard Cynthia Hernandez acknowledged her growth on and off the court.

CHLOE COFFMAN / DECEMBER 2015

that’s a far cry from where it all began for the Californian.

Hernandez grew up playing soccer and softball as a young girl in her hometown of Ventura, but turned the other sports aside in favor of basketball in middle school.

“I didn’t start playing actual basketball (until) seventh grade,” Hernandez said. “I played soccer and softball too, but I decided that I did not want to play soccer because my brother was good and I’m not gonna be compared. Softball was just not my thing, so I branched out and started playing basketball.”

The transition did not come easily.

At 5-foot-7, Hernandez was never going to be tall enough to box out the big bodies in the low block.

But in basketball, if you can shoot, you can play.

So Hernandez started to practice everyday after school.

Her father gave her a number and she would keep shooting until she hit that mark.

When Hernandez was in high school, she said the magic number was 200. Until she successfully sank 200 shots, she could not leave the court.

“It started when I was a kid,” she said. “My dad made me go shoot every day for hours until I would make a certain amount and then when I did actually reach (that number), I could go home and eat and play with my brothers and stuff. But I would always have to do that every day after school.

It helped me develop my shot.”

Now, more than 2,800 miles from her home in the Golden State, Hernandez is trying to carve a niche on the Knights’ roster in Hub City.

The move presented several off the court challenges — going from a small junior college, Ventura, to a large research institution was only one of them.

Any transfer student is forced to make new friends, but Hernandez had to adjust to the culture and the climate on the east coast as well, while her family remained on the opposite end.

She acknowledges the difficulty of the distance, but the senior guard points to her cross-country move as pivotal in her maturation process as a person.

“I think the move across the country kind of gave me my independence,” she said. “And I think that when I go home, that’s why they respect me more because no one moves across the country.

No one ever leaves California. I mean, who would?”

Hernandez leads the Knights in 3-point shooting in the 2015-16 season, averaging 34.8 percent from downtown after shooting a team-high 42.2 percent in her first season on the Banks.

Perimeter shooting is a facet of the game that head coach C. Vivian Stringer is pushing to improve.

With strong guard play from junior Tyler Scaife and scoring on the wing from senior Kahleah Copper, efficiency from beyond the arc could be the missing piece to the puzzle for the Knights.

“This year has been a year of strange expectations ... but we’re

shooting the three,” Stringer said. “We were extremely low in the nation before and we were in the top 10 in threes. Now, here we go, we shot 2-for-14 (against Arkansas), but we gotta continue to work on that and we gotta continue to shoot.”

Not so coincidentally, Hernandez hammered both the trifectas home.

The senior has converted 35 attempts from 3-point range in 36 career games at the Division I level. That stands far and away the top number on the team, with Scaife is next closest with 18 treys.

The lack of consistent 3-point shooting creates an opening for Hernandez, who is averaging 7.7 minutes played in the current campaign.

Aware of the obstacles and adversity, Hernandez is thankful for the opportunity to take her shot.

Amid the separation from family and adjustment to life on a different coast, she is grateful for the chance to play.

Even if it meant parting with the California sunshine.

“Last year was extremely cold, but I think it’s been a really good decision on my part. I’m really happy I came across the country to play,” Hernandez said. “Sometimes it does suck because I miss my family and the people that could come and see me, but it’s pretty awesome that they can see me on TV.” For updates on the Rutgers women’s basketball team, follow @KevinPXavier and @TargumSpor ts on Twitter.

TWITTER: @TARGUMSPORTS DAILYTARGUM.COM/SPORTS TARGUMSPORTS.WORDPRESS.COM

RUTGERS UNIVERSITY—NEW BRUNSWICK

Sports

QUOTE OF THE DAY “I think the move across the country kind of gave me my independence. And I think that when I go home, that’s why they respect me more because no one moves across the country. No one ever leaves California. I mean, who would?”

— Senior guard Cynthia Hernandez

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2015

ONLINE AT DAILYTARGUM.COM

FOOTBALL RUTGERS INKS CHRIS ASH TO 5-YEAR CONTRACT WITH $2 MILLION ANNUAL BASE SALARY

From left to right: University President Robert L. Barchi, head football coach Chris Ash and Athletic Director Patrick Hobbs at the end of Ash’s introductory press conference yesterday at the Hale Center in Piscataway. The Board of Governors approved of Ash’s hiring yesterday, making Ash the third head coach since 2001. DIMITRI RODRIGUEZ

Rutgers finds its match with coach Chris Ash GARRETT STEPIEN SPORTS EDITOR

As soon as Chris Ash took the podium, it was easy to see why University President Robert L. Barchi and Athletic Director Patrick Hobbs hired the energetic 41-year-old co-defensive coordinator from Ohio State as the next head football coach at Rutgers.

With a jam-packed team room at the Hale Center flooded with journalists, cameras and other onlookers waiting for the Scarlet Knights’ next head coach to speak, Ash might have very well won his opening press conference from the moment he took the podium.

“I’m gonna try to lighten this room up a little bit,” he said after thanking Hobbs for introducing him. “There’s a lot of serious looks in here and we’ve gotta get some smiles going here at Rutgers right now.”

If his first impression was any indication, Ash could be the one to turn the Rutgers football community’s frowns upside-down.

After his Memorandum of Agreement was signed in an approval meeting with the Board of Governors on Old Queens Campus in New Brunswick, Ash arrived at the football program’s training facility at High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway and made a splash in his introductory press conference.

EXTRA POINT

NBA SCORES

Dallas NY Knicks

104 97

Boston New Orleans

San Antonio Philadelphia

119 68

84 104

Washington Miami

111 93

114 103

LA Lakers Toronto

93 102

Detroit Charlotte

His contract will pay him a base salary of $2 million annually over the next five years, with a $100,000 increase in each year starting March 1, 2017, to headline other incentives of the deal.

He takes over after Kyle Flood’s four-year tenure where he went 27-24 with three bowl appearances, but with hopes of getting the Knights back on track after a tumultuous 2015 season where they regressed in a 4-8 season with a 1-7 record in their second year in the Big Ten Conference.

Even more so, Rutgers aims for Ash to straighten up a program that saw seven players arrested over the course of the season

KHALEAH COPPER,

senior forward, was named to the Ann Meyers Drysdale Awards Watch List, which consists of 20 players from 16 schools. The award is given to the player that distinguishes herself as the National Player of the Year in women’s basketball.

with two investigations — one where the head coach, Flood, was suspended for three games with a $50,000 fine for impermissible contact with a faculty member.

But Barchi, who placed his trust in his newly-appointed athletic director to make the best decision for the future of the football program, knew all along that Ash was the perfect fit.

“Over the course of the last week, I’ve had the chance to spend a fair amount of time with Chris (Ash) and I have to say that I have come to the firm belief that he is the right SEE COACH ON PAGE 10

KNIGHTS SCHEDULE

MEN’S BASKETBALL

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL WRESTLING

WRESTLING

vs. Central Connecticut

vs. Iona

at Iowa

vs. Nebraska

Tonight, 6 p.m., The RAC

Tomorrow, 7 p.m., The RAC

Thursday, 8 p.m., Saturday, 1 p.m., Iowa City, Iowa The RAC