The Daily Targum 2011-03-30

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Today: Partly Cloudy

DAWN OF THE DODD

High: 51 • Low: 36

The Rutgers football team’s 15-practice spring schedule began yesterday with sophomore quarterback Chas Dodd at the helm of a new-look offense.

Students build solar house for national contest

WEDNESDAY MARCH 30, 2011

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Commencement changes begin, end traditions

BY GABRIELA SLOMICZ

BY AMY ROWE

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR

Students from the University and the New Jersey Institute of Technology are working on new energyefficient and solar-powered homes to enter in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon competition.

Team New Jersey is building a one bedroom, one bathroom home made of pre-cast concrete, said Carolyn Worstell, a University graduate student and Team New Jersey’s communications manager.

“Our design is focused on a retiring couple down on the shore,” Worstell said.

Team New Jersey will be the first team to use concrete as a main building material, she said.

Clinton Andrews, professor of urban planning in the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy,

This year’s commencement, which is set to take place on May 15, will star t new traditions for the University, but will also let go of old ones — a move that does not sit well with all.

Instead of individual commencements for each school in the University, all the schools will unite for one University-wide commencement in the Rutgers Stadium on Busch campus, while individual schools will hold convocations to recognize graduates in the days surrounding commencement, University secretar y Leslie Fehrenbach said.

In this attempt to combine the graduating class, the new commencement eliminated the School of Arts and Sciences’ convocation, said Ariel Bucher, a member of the Student Commencement Review Committee.

Bucher, a School of Ar ts and Sciences senior, was upset to hear a single School of Ar ts and Sciences convocation was canceled and individual depar tment recognition ceremonies were scheduled.

“The School of Arts and Sciences convocation was previously supposed to take place after the commencement, but some of the departmental recognition ceremonies will not take place immediately following graduation,” she said.

Administrators announced the cancelled convocation on Thursday to the committee, Bucher said.

“This method for dealing with 3,500 School of Arts and Sciences graduates, to have smaller intimate gatherings where you can shake someone’s hand is great in theory,” she said. “But logistical issues were pushed away and left to the last minute.

We entered as a large class in 2007, they could have thought about it sooner.”

For a more upbeat, brief ceremony, Universitywide commencement will omit the long reading of names, Fehrenbach said.

SEE HOUSE ON PAGE 5

COURTESY OF CAROLYN WORSTELL

Petra Solar Production Director George Paradise, center, talks to members of Team New Jersey. Petra Solar is one of the team’s sponsors.

TAKE THE MIC

SCOTT TSAI / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

DJ Jihad, left, Baruti aka Knowledge and Rajjy Rajj perform together on stage last night in The Cove at the Busch Campus Center during an open mic night hosted by the Arab Culture Club.

SEE CHANGES ON PAGE 5

Panel explores social media effects in Middle East

METRO

BY BRETT SIEGEL CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Four University faculty members sat on a panel yesterday in the Scholarly Communication Center of the Alexander Librar y on the College Avenue campus to discuss their take on the role of social media in Middle Eastern conflicts.

Each speaker specialized in a certain field or focused on a specific country. They also had various forms of media-based support to back their theories and analysis.

Fakhri Haghani, a University professor who teaches comparative study of culture and histor y in Iran and the Middle East, discussed her take on social media as an Iranian native.

“Social media provided people with a medium to feel like they had more options than just being passive,” she said.

“They now, with the visible support of others, felt like they had the opportunity to participate which gave them the spark necessary to actually go out and do so.”

During her presentation, Haghani showed video clips including student video blogs, protest songs at demonstrations and footage of civilians being targeted by their government.

Such media circulated to spark revolutionar y reactions, said Tarek Kahlaoui, a University assistant professor of art histor y.

“Though Facebook and Twitter played a major role, the people who took to the streets and faced the bullets made the

SEE MEDIA ON PAGE 4

INDEX A group is organizing challenging walks across New Jersey to promote exercise.

OPINIONS Cloud Girlfriend is a new company which offers customers fake Internet girlfriends.

UNIVERSITY . . . . . . . 3 METRO . . . . . . . . . . 7 OPINIONS . . . . . . . 10 DIVERSIONS . . . . . . 12 CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . 14 SPORTS . . . . . . BACK NELSON MORALES

Tarek Kahlaoui, an assistant professor of art history, explains how people made the Middle Eastern protests a reality last night in the Alexander Library on the College Avenue campus.

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

UNIVERSITY

MARCH 30, 2011

PA G E 3

Gourmet chefs spice up dining Twelve gourmet cooks bring artistry and expertise to previously bland meals

BY ANKITA PANDA METRO EDITOR

JEFFREY LAZARO / ASSOCIATE PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR

Marie Renee Thadal, founder and president of Bajchem Services, LLC, discussed on Monday the dominance of a corporate society.

Students learn foreign business perspectives

BY JADE MCCLAIN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

With a special passport University students had the chance to travel to various countries and learn about their differing business cultures Monday night at “Global Gateways.”

Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL) hosted the event, which showcased business practices from a global perspective in the Livingston Student Center Multipurpose Room.

“We thought there wasn’t enough international business exposure on campus,” said Usman Ahmed, N.J. PBL state president. “We thought that the fact we can bring all these countries together would be a good idea.”

Student organizations represented a particular country at a table. A mingling process began as groups of business-clad students trotted from each station, learning about the business models and customs of countries such as Pakistan, England, Germany and India.

Attendees who stamped their given passports at every location could exchange it for a raffle ticket to win one of two Kaplan exam preparation books.

For every raffle ticket, Kaplan pledged to donate a dollar to Doctors Without Borders, Ahmed said.

Later in the night, guests settled down to listen to two guests speakers.

The first speaker, Marie Renee Thadal, founder and president of Bajchem Services, LLC, a technical sales and marketing firm, emphasized the prevalence of business.

“As we sit here right now, we are spending a lot of money.

Whether we think about it or not, it’s happening,” Thadal said.

“Nothing happens in this world until something is sold.”

David Hernandez, a senior engineer at Kraft Nabisco, spoke on the importance of understanding and being respectful of how

business is conducted around the world.

“Be patient, especially with other countries,” he said. “I think coming from the Northeast, we’re used to seeing people who always want things now, now, now. Yet when you travel there’s a different pace.”

Hernandez said a crucial element of business many other cultures employ is a sense of having strong social relationships before making business decisions, something he believes tends to be neglected in the United States.

Some University students like Ranjit Sankar, a School of Business first-year student, appreciated the guest speakers’ advice.

“It was a good segue to have [the guest speakers] because they definitely talked about their connections globally like how you should plan ahead and how cultural differences could have an impact on your business,” he said.

There was also an appearance by Becker Professional Education, offering giveaways and information about the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Review, to help individuals do well on the exam.

“It’s extremely well organized,” said JoAnn Veiga, regional manager for Becker Professional Education. “I am very impressed by the group that actually handled the event. Everybody is very professional, and it’s been great being here so far.”

Ahmed, pleased with the successful tur nout, hopes it could be an annual event and is already making plans for improvement.

He wants the organization to devote more attention to of fering students ways to find more oppor tunities in the international market.

“For the speaker series, I think what we want to do next year is make sure they talk a lot more about what their international experiences were,” Ahmed said. “I think we accomplished that with one of our speakers.”

In an effort to bring a new perspective to dining hall food, the University’s Dining Ser vices employs about 12 gourmet chefs who work together to add an upscale twist to University menus.

The chefs hail from a variety of backgrounds, from studying at the Culinar y Institute of America to working at The Frog and the Peach, said Charles Sams, executive director of the Dining Ser vices. But the criterion for hiring gourmet chefs is no dif ferent than hiring any other cook.

While the University started hiring gourmet chefs before Sams came to his position, he said he wanted to add more to the staff.

“I started emphasizing chefs a lot more. To me, it always made sense because that’s what we do.

We’re just in a little different segment, but why would chefs not work in these types of facilities?” he said.

Before hiring gourmet chefs, Sams said the food was bland and lacked creativity.

“When I first came here back in the early ’80s, it was sor t of mechanized, standardized, no real culinar y exper tise in the kitchens of any of the dining halls,” he said. “Today I think you see that that’s completely dif ferent.”

Sams believes the dif ference is because the gourmet chefs work in ever y dining hall to make an impact to the food and catering.

Chef Lauren Stevenson, who graduated from the Culinar y Institute of America, said she and other gourmet chefs can only change the menus so much.

“I think it’s great [to work at the University.] … Ever yone brings their own creativity, their own experiences into their work,” said Stevenson, a University alumna. “But you do need to keep things kind of on the same level, so the students know what they’re getting. You can’t get too crazy with changing things up.”

As chef manager Stevenson meets with representatives from each dining hall and works to introduce items to the menu and make appealing changes.

“I take everything that I’ve learned and talk to the other chefs and try to get [my ideas] into the dining halls,” she said.

Stevenson, who helped out in the dining halls during her time as student, said she was convinced to work at the University because of flexible hours.

“You still get the full feeling of being in a restaurant working with food as much as they do, but you do also get to have some time to yourself,” she said. “It’s not as grueling, not all days. You get some breaks.”

Sams said gourmet chefs express most of their creativity and background through working at places like the Rutgers

“Everyone brings their own creativity, their own experience into their work ...”

LAUREN STEVENSON Dining Services Chef

Club or for the University’s catering ser vices but are limited in the dining halls to special themed events.

“In the student dining, there is a blend — there are a lot of recipes that are standardized across the department and others that allow for a little more freedom,” he said. “[But] on some of the themed nights like King Neptune nights or other big theme nights, they might do something a little different, a little special.”

In terms of finding gourmet chefs, Sams said that for each chef he hires, he reads through 100 to 200 resumes.

“You look at their working resume and you look their academic background and histor y, and you tr y to then get to know

them well enough,” he said.

“You look at the resume in terms of what types of restaurants they’ve worked in and what kind of reputations those restaurants might have.”

After preselecting applicants, Sams described the inter view process as intense and lengthy.

“The department might see an applicant for a chef four or five times, maybe even six times,” he said. “Hopefully in that process, you can expose the individual, expose their character, expose who they really are and make a determination about whether or not they fit into your organization.”

School of Ar ts and Sciences first-year student Eva Bakshis said she had no idea the University employs gourmet chefs at the dining halls despite eating at Neilson Dining Hall on Douglass campus ever y day.

“Anyone who’s qualified should obviously get to work here. It’s in the students’ best interests,” Bakshis said. “I think it’s fantastic. But I wouldn’t say it was obvious from the food they ser ve here.”

Bakshis said if the University can change one thing now that gourmet chefs are employed, it should be the menu.

“Honestly, maybe they could consider changing the menu around,” she said. “Some dining hall food is ver y lacking.”

In response to student criticisms, Stevenson said the University dining hall equipment is to blame, not the chefs.

“I think Busch and Neilson are newer dining halls. They’ve been renovated, so it gives them some more of an oppor tunity to do dif ferent things in their dining halls,” she said.

At the end of the day, Sams said he wishes to employ more gourmet chefs who can prepare large meals at a time without cracking under the pressure.

“You’ve got to be able to blend your professional experience with the level of meals we ser ve here and that’s not always common,” he said.

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MARCH 30, 2011

U NIVERSITY

T H E DA I LY TA R G U M

CALENDAR MARCH

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The SPIN Program will host a Speed Networking event at 6 p.m. in the Cook Campus Center. Interested students will attend a brief networking boot camp before joining University alumni and other industry professionals in a friendly round of speed networking. The purpose of the event is to give students the opportunity to polish social skills and build new relationships by interacting with employers and alumni willing to offer career advice and insight. Interested people must contact the SPIN office at (732)-932-3000 ext. 522 or email Kristen Lester at lester@aesop.rutgers.edu.

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Rutgers University Programming Association will be hosting “Inside the Nicole ‘Snooki’ Polizzi Studio” with two shows in the Livingston Hall at the Livingston Student Center starring “Jersey Shore” star Snooki with her comedian side-kick Adam Ace. Doors for the first show open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m., while the second show starts at 10 p.m. with wristbands required for entry.

University students can get a wristband between 4 and 7 p.m. at the Livingston Student Center. Students must bring their RUID. Seats are available for non-University students and will be admitted on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Wristbands will be distributed in the order of the show times, with the 8 p.m. wristbands being handed out first. For more information, visit getinvolved.rutgers.edu.

NELSON MORALES

APRIL

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RU Wanawake, a student organization that unites college women for the interests of Africa, will host its Second Annual “Honoring the African Woman” banquet at 7:30 p.m. in the Douglass Lounge of the Douglass Campus Center. The club will be presenting awards to three women who improved Africa through philanthropic work and dedication.

Entertainment of the night includes a performance by R&B singer Rotimi. The event is free. For more information, visit the organization’s Facebook page or email ruwanawake@yahoo.com.

Rutgers University Dance Marathon to support the Embrace Kids Foundation will take place in the College Avenue Gym this weekend. Dance marathon is a 32-hour student-run event to raise money for the Embrace Kids Foundation, a nonprofit organization that aids the non-medical needs of the children with cancer and blood disorders.

Dance Marathon is now closed to dancer registration but applications are still available for alumni dancers, set up and clean up crew and fundraisers. For more information, please visit marathon.rutgers.edu/home.

Off-Campus Students’ Association will hold a car maintenance workshop and meeting starting at 8 p.m. in Room 407 of the Rutgers Student Center on the College Avenue campus. Participants will learn how to change a tire and more car tips. For more information, visit getinvolved.rutgers.edu.

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

University professors Fakhri Haghani, left, Tarek Kahlaoui and Deepa Kumar discuss their varying views on the role and importance of social media in the Middle Eastern protests.

MEDIA: Professors share different views on protests continued from front revolution a reality,” said Kahlaoui, an active participant in the Tunisia student movement.

He said the U.S. media did not really cover the movement, so there are a lot of misconceptions about what happened there.

Kahlaoui backed up his statement with examples of ar ticles from Western media outlets and quotes from politicians that ignored or refuted the things he experienced.

“Social media was very important because besides that there was no independent media,” he said. “Facebook had the platform for video sharing that couldn’t be censored so ever ything went through that. Everything else was government-controlled.”

Deepa Kumar, a University journalism and media studies associate professor, did not share the same enthusiasm about social media as the others.

“Overemphasis on the importance of social media undermines the historical aspects of these revolutions that have been around for years,” she said.

Kumar also expressed concern with the Western stereotype of the Middle Eastern woman and

“Social media was very important because besides that there was no independent media.”

TAREK KAHLAOUI Assistant Professor

culture and said Arab women are often viewed as being victims, voiceless and subservient, but history shows that is not the case.

“The stor y of saving oppressed people has been a way for America to gain public support since 1898, and it continues today with the narrative of saving Middle Eastern women,” he said.

Kumar quoted politicians and showed pictures of Middle Eastern women on the front lines of the protests.

“The Internet and social media plays a critical role in spreading information and knowledge of what is actually going on to the west, which is important for decreasing Islamaphobia,” she said.

Golbarg Bashi, a University Middle Eastern studies instructor, said although Twitter helped raise awareness of the young of the revolutionar y activity in Iran, she did not want to overstate its importance.

“It is inaccurate to call any of these revolutions anything that solely is affiliated with social media because it diminishes the history and struggle of that country,” she said.

But Kahlaoui said the happenings proved social media could take an idea and movement from the Internet and bring it to the streets.

“That spark to get people to actually get up and do something is perhaps the most important part about the whole phenomena,” he said.

U NIVERSITY

T H E DA I LY TA R G U M

CHANGES: Combined graduation shortens ceremony continued from front Zaid Abuhouran, a member of the Student Commencement Review Committee, said it would take several hours to read the names of the School of Ar ts and Sciences graduates, but people are unhappy with the change because they want to celebrate convocation with people from their school.

“There will be a half-hour procession and the actual ceremony will run for an hour,” she said. “When you have people going to another ceremony after, we thought it would be best to keep it shor t. Some pieces [of the ceremony] were a little boring so we removed various sections.”

Other than consolidating all graduates, the University also let go of some graduation traditions that have been practiced for years.

“Administrators have decided we will not have the tradition of the clay pipes which dates back to the early years of Queens College because it’s too costly and [it will involve] things that will be broken,” Abuhouran said. “They consider it a tradition not wor th keeping, but it bothers people.”

Abuhouran, a School of Environmental and Biological Sciences junior, said it is unfair the University does not have the funds for the clay pipes but

HOUSE: Competition only accepts 20 contestant schools continued from front and Team New Jersey faculty adviser, described precast concrete as a sandwich, with concrete as the bread and insulation as the filling.

“Concrete has many thermal mass properties,” Worstell said.

“The sun warms the material up during the day and heat is released at night. The house regulates itself.”

The house will be shaded to keep the temperature from getting too high during the day, she said.

An 8.2 kilowatt photovoltaic system will power the entire house with radiant heating in the floors, an inverted hip roof and a greywater system that recycles nondrinkable water, Worstell said.

The house, which will be tailored to the needs of a disabled person, follows the competition restrictions of being 18 feet high and less than 1,000 square feet wide, she said.

Construction will begin in early June in Newark using cranes, and will be monitored for a few weeks. The team will disassemble the house and ship it to Washington, D.C. in August, Andrews said.

Team New Jersey was formed through Sen. Robert Menendez’s, D-NJ, request that universities in New Jersey become involved in the decathlon, he said.

“This is a really great chance to work with some of the leading firms in the industry,” Worstell said. “Many sponsors are looking to provide internships.”

The competition required a par ticipating school to have engineering, urban planning and landscape architecture programs, which the University has, but it also

has $30,000 to pay for the commencement keynote speaker Toni Morrison.

“Some students were discussing how to make commencement an organic process that students would fundraise for to have our own ceremony, something students could possibly run instead of the administration,” he said. “It is upsetting they can’t af ford a few dollars for clay pipes, a 200-yearold tradition.”

Fehrenbach said the funds to pay for Morrison’s keynote speech come from the University’s contract with PepsiCo. “We’re paying for it with money from the Pepsi fund,” she said. “It’s not tuition money or state money. Their contract provides funds we can use for specific things, like this.”

Fehrenbach said the ceremony had no set budget before planning began and does not know how much has been spent on the many moving parts of commencement.

But she emphasized the importance of attending the University-wide commencement.

“So many people have said they never went to their commencement and were sorr y they didn’t,” she said. “It’s a celebration of the graduate’s experience and celebration of receiving degrees, but it’s also a celebration for families and parents who didn’t always have opportunities to go to college.”

When the University settled on a commencement ceremony that would incorporate ever y school, administrators realized

the only space that could accommodate all the graduates and their families was the stadium, Fehrenbach said.

“When you move to the stadium, there’s an oppor tunity for us to use the technology that exists there,” she said.

“We think the students deser ve a more upbeat ceremony and we hope they and their families will enjoy it.”

Moving to the 52,000 seat venue means the ceremony will incorporate the ribbon boards, which will list all of the graduates’ names in alphabetical order and the JumboTrons, which will play videos made for the ceremony including biographies of the honorar y degree recipients, Fehrenbach said.

Bucher, who looks for ward to this May’s ceremony, thinks ever y graduating senior should attend commencement.

“I’m looking for ward to what it will feel like to be with 12,000 other graduates all at the stadium with our families and friends,” she said. “Students will be upset about the lack of names being called but I do think it will be a great ceremony and people shouldn’t be discouraged from attending.”

Bucher hopes the mistakes made in the planning of this year’s commencement will be rectified for future graduating classes.

“I’m unhappy with the many shor tcomings involved in the planning,” she said. “It’s impor tant for students to know the process was fought with dif ficulties.”

required an architectural program, so NJIT was asked to join, Andrews said.

Around 250 students worked on planning the project at some point, with 30 playing an active role and 12 who have been around since the beginning, he said.

Proposals from 45 schools were sent in, but only 20 were picked to compete in Washington, D.C, said Richard King, director of the Solar Decathlon.

“We were really lucky, many teams don’t get in the first time

Each house will be judged on how it looks and works, but also on how it will appeal to the public and how well the teams advertised their homes.

King said hot water, heating and cooling, energy balance, home electronics and appliances will also be surveyed.

The houses should have a net energy balance of zero, meaning it is self-sustained, King said.

Teams will measure energy consumption by doing loads of laundry and cooking dinner for the other teams.

King said the competition is not only a great opportunity for students looking to venture into the industr y, but a practical showcase for the public interested in solar-powered technology.

“With solar power, the fuel is free, but the equipment is not,” he said. “You pay for 30 years of energy up front, but it more than pays for itself.”

The idea for the competition came from King’s search for a link between existing solar technology and energy efficient buildings, he said.

“We had great solar panels, but architects didn’t know what to do with them,” he said. “I felt that the technology was there but I didn’t know how to get over the hurdle of public perception.”

King said he wants to show people the long-term economic benefits, as well as the health and environmental ones. “[This competition] deals with proving that this stuff really works,” he said.

The competition, usually located on the National Mall, is within walking distance of Capitol Hill and other large agencies, King said.

“The decathlon has done a lot to change attitudes,” he said.

“It helped pass the appropriations and regulations to clean up the countr y, but that’s my personal opinion.”

“This is a really great chance to work with some of the leading firms in the industry.

CAROLYN WORSTELL Team New Jersey Communications Manager

they apply,” Worstell said. “It was an honor just to get in.”

To successfully build their home, teams must fundraise about $1 million, which they acquire through cash and in-kind donations, Andrews said.

“We’ve approached a lot of New Jersey-based companies,” he said.

Some of the team’s sponsors include Petra Solar, Skanska and PSEG, Andrews said.

The team experienced trouble receiving donations from construction firms because of the recession, but are on schedule with their fundraising efforts, he said.

The competition lasts for three weeks and ends in October, Worstell said.

During this time, students will take turns traveling to Washington, D.C., to give tours and present the house, she said.

MARCH 30, 2011

STATE STRUGGLES TO PAY BACK SCAM VICTIMS When N.J. authorities went in on Monday to collect $6 million from financier Robert Brennan’s trust fund, they were met instead with a roadblock when U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Kathryn Ferguson refused to reopen Brennan’s bankruptcy case.

Ferguson said there was little she could do to help the authorities as the asset was transferred outside the estate, according to the Asbury Park Press.

Following Ferguson’s decision, state officials found themselves trying to coin a Plan B so they could repay some of Brennan’s former customers who he never paid back.

The decision came after a long-standing feud between the N.J. state government and Brennan, a former resident from Brielle, N.J., who went to jail for making a fortune out of selling penny stocks.

Brennan was released after serving nine years in prison for bankruptcy fraud and money laundering, according to the article.

The case’s decision become notable because Brennan, who was charged with defrauding millions of customers with a sum of $1 million, was considered a victim himself by the end of it.

After Brennan was ordered to pay up $75 million for defrauding First Jersey customers in 1995 and $45 million for defrauding Hibbard Brown and L.C. Wegard customers, he filed for bankruptcy, according to the article.

Police arrested Brennan five years later for failing to declare all his assets. He was charged and found guilty for bankruptcy fraud and money laundering.

One bankruptcy trustee traveled halfway across the globe to claim Brennan’s assets, but was met with challenges, according to the article. The trustee decided to cede all of Brennan’s assets in 2005 to the N.J. state government.

Following this incident, Brennan’s trust was transferred to several locations where it was wired and handled illegally

by Eric Resteiner, an investor who falsely claimed to trade high quality debt to get a 50 percent annual return.

In response to Resteiner’s actions, the New Jersey Deputy Attorney General Anna Lascurain said the state would not have accepted Brennan’s trust had they known of what was going on behind the scenes, according to the article.

At Monday’s hearing, Brennan, nor an attorney for him, were present.

— Ankita Panda

5

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

MARCH 30, 2011

METRO

PA G E 7

Towns join hands to curb smoking, lower costs

BY SAMIRA FARID CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Several New Jersey towns plan to discourage smoking among their public employees this year through the “Kick Butt” initiative.

The effort is just one part of the Mayors Wellness Campaign (MWC), which aims to reduce the rising health care costs, as well as improve health conditions for state residents.

By working closely with state municipalities and having their mayor sign a pledge, the MWC was able to engage the local leaders, said Emily Littman, Mayors Wellness Campaign director. A majority of the 566 municipalities in New Jersey signed onto the program.

“Our goal is to engage as many mayors and other local leaders to implement a state of wellness programs and events in their communities,” she said.

In the “Kick Butt” competition, five towns are vying to reach the highest percentage of employees who do not smoke for the longest period of time, according to a prnewswire.com article.

All participating municipalities will receive a $1,000 grant after giving the MWC required documentation, according to the article.

Parsippany, Troy Hills, Paterson, Vineland, West Milford and Woodbridge are all participating, Littman said.

The competition is recognition that smoking is a health hazard and anybody who smokes should work to quit, said John Hagerty, communication director for Woodbridge Township.

Hagerty wants N.J. employees to be healthier and more productive, and said his campaign advocates will continue to provide support to help individuals complete the program.

Town leaders planned different incentives to encourage participation, like in Woodbridge, he said. After its “Kick Butt” orientation two weeks ago, a total of 20 participants joined during the early stages of the competition.

“The program is off running, and we seem to be getting great participation,” Hagerty said. “We did a lot of pre-work with our township employees, and we got 20 municipal employees to participate in the program.”

Paterson obtained a total of eight participants in the competition and local leaders hope to further increase the number, said Hilda Perez, a social services assistant in Paterson.

“We’re reaching out to employees via emails, phone calls and meetings and we expect to get more employees to stop smoking,” she said.

Woodbridge Township united the “Kick Butt” campaign with an initiative by the township health insurance carrier, Hagerty said.

KEITH FREEMAN / PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR

To reduce health care prices, N.J. towns are participating in the Mayors Wellness Campaign, which encourages local leaders and residents to throw away cigarette butts.

“By having the ‘Kick Butt’ competition combined with the QualCare Health Manager Program, the employees became eligible to win $100 cash gift cards, just for participating in the health care program,” he said.

The Fox Care Chase Cancer Center is also participating through MWC and offering its program support and expertise to those employees who are looking to quit smoking, Littman said.

“If we can [have] everyone participate in health care programs, those who smoke, then

we are in a very good position to decrease health care costs to the township and increase the overall health of the township employees,” said William Wallace, a health officer in West Milford.

There can be challenges to encouraging people to stop smoking, as people who smoke nowadays are well aware of the consequences and are not ready to quit, he said.

“It’s a volunteer type thing and therefore, they have to be in the appropriate place in their life to be willing to stop smoking,” Perez said.

Connecting the “Kick Butt” campaign to young people, Littman said students who do smoke should take a conscious look at various programs available to assist them in quitting.

She said smoking throughout a lifetime will end in poor health, and she discourages any student who is thinking about trying to do so.

“We would encourage Rutgers students and students throughout the Garden State to not smoke in the first place and take real strong efforts to quit,” Hagerty said.

8

MARCH 30, 2011

M ETRO

T H E DA I LY TA R G U M

Eateries to cook up discounts for week-long event

BY ELIZABETH TAYLOR CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Twenty-seven city restaurants starting this Sunday will par ticipate in the Second Annual New Br unswick Restaurant Week.

Diners can sample different foods for two weeks from traditional American cuisine to various international cuisines, from upscale dining to casual restaurants to neighborhood pubs, said Pamela Stefanek, the New Brunswick City Market executive director.

“Each par ticipating establishment gets to create an option that works best for them as far as creating a special value that allows the small sub shops to participate with the five star restaurants,” she said.

New Br unswick City Market, a nonprofit organization, manages the event to help restaurants bring in business to the downtown area, Stefanek said. By of fering reduced prices on select meals and food items, restaurant week exposes

casual diners to various restaurants they might not other wise visit.

Unlike at most restaurant weeks in other cities, some New Brunswick restaurants will not have prix fixe menus, which offer a full meal consisting of several courses, at one fixed price, Stefanek said. Instead, restaurants opt for value deals and item discounts.

At last year’s restaurant week, the New Brunswick City Market accomplished its goal in increasing restaurant par ticipation, Stefanek said.

Feedback from individual restaurants was positive and she hopes to have similar results this year.

Jack Tagmouti, the manager and banquet director at The Frog and The Peach, a participating restaurant, said this year’s event was well organized and was happening at an appropriate time for restaurants.

“What we hope to accomplish in volume is an extra 20 percent more than last year,” Tagmouti said.

Establishments to participate in “Restaurant Week” Catherine Lombardi, Christopher’s Bar & Restaurant, The Court Tavern, Delta’s Restaurant, Doll’s Place Restaurant, Edo Japanese Restaurant, The Frog and the Peach, Froyo, George Street Ale House, Ginger ‘N Olive, Glass Woods Tavern, Hansel ‘N Griddle, Harvest Moon Brewery & Cafe, Jersey Subs, Makeda Ethiopian Restaurant, Maoz Vegetarian, Marita’s Cantina, Mike’s Sports Bar & Grill, Noodle Gourmet, Old Bay Restaurant, Panico’s

Though restaurant week lasts for two weeks, New Brunswick City Market and New Brunswick restaurants will partner in a promotional initiative to make downtown eating affordable immediately after the event, Stefanek said. “[Some restaurants] donated gift certificates, so if people go on to the New Brunswick City Market restaurant week event on Facebook and ‘like’ us, they

Brick Oven Pizzeria, Panico’s Italian Restaurant, Spring Street Caffe e Trattoria, Stage Left Restaurant, The Stress Factory Comedy Club, The Sushi Room, Tula Restaurant & Lounge and Tumulty’s Pub. More information about the Second Annual New Brunswick Restaurant Week, including prices and menu options for participating restaurants, is available online at www.NewBrunswick.com.

will be entered to win a gift certificate to one of the restaurants after restaurant week ends,” she said.

Steve Nelson, a School of Arts and Sciences junior, said having a restaurant week is an effective way for local restaurants to expand their clientele.

“Restaurants in New York City have been participating in restaurant weeks for years,” he said. “They can test run new

menus to gauge people’s reactions while also drawing in new customers with their discounted prices.”

Vicki Shen, a School of Ar ts and Sciences first-year student, expressed interest in par ticipating at local establishments.

“I have never been to restaurant week, but I’m really excited and I think it’s a great idea,” she said. “I’ll probably go to Noodle Gourmet or Froyo.”

FORMER POLICE OFFICER DIES AFTER SEVEN HOUR HOLDUP Sgt. David Powell, former commander of the Piscataway SWAT team, locked himself inside of his home Sunday and called the police department to say he had hostages.

When the police and SWAT team arrived at 5 p.m., Powell refused to surrender, according to an nj.com article. He stepped out on his front porch and started shooting at 6:48 p.m., after which police fired back.

At 1:41 a.m. the police declared Powell dead inside his home. Police are waiting for ballistic reports to determine which gunshot killed Powell.

Although police Chief Richard Ivone said Powell, a father of two, was a respected police officer on the force, he admitted there was a domestic conflict that led to Powell’s episode.

The incident began at 3:30 p.m. when police called Powell to inform him he violated a restraining order. Powell then told police he had hostages with him, according to the prosecutor in the article.

Eventually, prosecutors realized Powell was alone during the seven-hour holdup, said Middlesex County Prosecutor Bruce Kaplan in the article.

Soon after, police sent up a State Police Bomb squad robotic device to determine whether it was safe for police to enter Powell’s house.

Powell’s mother Diane Powell said he had just gone through a dif ficult divorce. “[He] was a loving father and a good son,” she said in the article.

— Ankita Panda

M ETRO

T H E DA I LY TA R G U M

STATE TURNPIKE OFFICIALS TIGHTEN E-ZPASS POLICIES The New Jersey Turnpike Authority introduced administrative rule changes that would double the fine from $25 to $50 for E-ZPass violators and toll evaders.

The Turnpike Authority also plans on ending offpeak E-ZPass discounts for Turnpike drivers whose accounts are outside New Jersey and those who drive a “Class one” passenger vehicle, according to a mycentraljersey.com article.

They also plan to remove the envelopes for drivers available at unstaffed exit and entrance ramp tolls on the Garden State Parkway.

Fees are expected to cover the costs the current fee does not, Authority Spokesman Tom Feeny said.

The exact date when this measure will be enforced is still undecided, according to the article.

— Anastasia Millicker

MARCH 30, 2011

9

Organization hosts mile-long walks FreeWalkers Organization to sponsor trails stretching across multiple statelines

BY MONIQUE RICE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

FreeWalkers Organization members will be walking more than 100 miles across the state in the next two months to promote walking as a fitness exercise.

The FreeWalkers Organization is an informal group of individuals who plan challenging walks and invite others to join, according to crossjerseywalk.org.

Paul Kiczek, the founder of FreeWalkers, was inspired by former President John F. Kennedy’s 1963 initiative to promote walking.

“I had this idea back when I was a teenager” he said. “In the ’60s, Kennedy was promoting walking as fitness exercise and the public jumped on it in 1963 in a ver y big way and that is sor t of what we are doing.”

The upcoming walks will use a trail called the East Coast Greenway, a 3,000-mile distance that connects trails from Dallas, Maine, to Key West, Fla., with three separate walks set to take place, Kiczek said.

“My wife and I did a bike Kiczek is anticipating about ride of the trail six years 100 par ticipants for the 100ago and it took us three days,” mile Great Canal Walk, but said Mike Kruimer, a member expects more people to sign up of the East Coast Greenway once when it comes closer to Trail Council. the event.

The first of the three walks, The event is open for anyone the Great Canal Walk, is slated who wants to participate and is for April 9, which will take free of charge, he said. walkers from Trenton to New “I don’t put any obstacles in Brunswick and connect walk- front of anyone who wants to ers on April 16 walk,” he said. to the Teen “We just ask that “I think it is enjoyable people register Walk, a 12-mile walk from New online at our for anyone who Br unswick to website [freeMetro Park walkers.org].” likes to walk train station, FreeWalkers or the outdoors.”

Kiczek said.

Organization has The final 250 online memMIKE KRUIMER event will be bers since its East Coast Greenway Trail The Big Walk, start last year, Council Member which takes Kiczek said. walkers from “We are Metro Park train station to looking to get the word out New York’s Penn Station, because it is a new idea,” he Kiczek said. said. “We are promoting long“The way we do it is that we distance walking and keeping structure it, so people can do people healthy with fitness and shorter distances and still feel social aspects.” like they are part of the event,” he The organization held its said. “There are many stops along first practice walk last the way so you can hop in on cer- Sunday that spanned from the tain sections and still do a sub- Trenton train station to stantial amount of miles” Princeton in order to acquaint

future par ticipants with the walk, Kiczek said.

Walkers come from dif ferent backgrounds and range in ages from 70 to 80 years old, he said.

“Last Sunday, we had a 7year-old girl walk six miles and a dog that walked 20 miles,” Kiczek said. “A little tiny dog, I could not believed she walked that far.”

Kruimer said his 7-year-old daughter enjoys walking and plans on par ticipating in the upcoming walk.

“We’re going to do a practice walk this weekend and she plans on doing some of the walk with Paul on [April 9],” he said. “I think it is enjoyable for anyone who likes to walk or the outdoors.”

There is also an option for people to do the walk on their own time, Kiczek said.

“We have a website called crossjerseywalk.org that allows you to log your own miles and walk the same path, anytime during the year,” Kiczek said.

“We are trying to get people to complete the 100 miles at their own pace or with the events during the year.”

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

OPINIONS

PA G E 1 0

MARCH 30, 2011

EDITORIALS

Uphold laws, even in tragic times E

veryone remembers the tragic 2007 shooting at Virginia Tech.

Four years later, the U.S. Department of Education is fining the school $55,000 for not acting fast enough to alert students to the gunman’s presence. At first it may seem kind of harsh to slam Virginia Tech with a fine — after all, isn’t the fact that the shooting occurred enough of a punishment? However, perhaps if Virginia Tech acted timely, fewer lives would have been lost. Also, one must consider that the school technically broke federal law by acting too slowly.

The fine, then, makes sense.

The Clery Act is a federal act that requires schools to alert students and staff to on-campus crimes in a speedy manner. Virginia Tech did not send out any notifications regarding the gunman until two hours after the first killings occurred. This is, to put it simply, unacceptable.

Two hours is far too long in a situation like this. Students should have been notified immediately. It is hard to believe that it took the school’s administration two hours to collect the necessary information to alert students and staff to what was going on. In failing to act quickly, the administration broke federal law. Fining the school, then, is the proper course of action. Breaking laws has consequences.

In that two-hour interval, a lot of terrible things happened that could have been avoided had the school acted faster. To look at this scenario in a positive light, perhaps this fine will be a lesson to other schools across the country. It could act as a reminder that the proper precautions must be taken and that time is of the essence. Seung-Hui Cho, the shooter, killed 32 people. Who knows how many of them may have lived, had they only known what was going on?

The fine may seem like a case of adding insult to injury on first read, but there is good reason behind it. It reinforces the importance of following federal guidelines in these situations, and it acts as an unfortunately hard-learned lesson to everyone. Hopefully we’ll never see something like this happen again. In case we do, every school in the nation needs to have a viable plan in place to minimize the damage done.

Digital girlfriends degrading to all T

here are some things you just can’t understand — Internet startup Cloud Girlfriend is one of those things. The company promises to help customers create the perfect girlfriend, and then they will take care of making her look real by giving her a presence on Facebook and other social media sites. So, that’s what the world has come to in the digital age? Digital significant others?

Unfortunately, this sort of thing may actually prove to be pretty popular — but really, there are absolutely no benefits to having a fake girlfriend on the Internet.

This is like the 21st century version of the mail-order bride, except, in some ways, even creepier and more degrading to women. Cloud Girlfriend offers users the ability to literally create a girlfriend. They put in the information regarding what constitutes their “perfect girlfriend,” and the folks at Cloud Girlfriend create her. Many people argue that people’s increasing dependency on online interactions is contributing to a decline in real-world interpersonal skills. This sort of service only makes things worse, as it allows users to circumvent all of the ups and downs of traditional relationships in favor of something fake, hollow and ultimately unfulfilling. How much satisfaction can you really receive from a doctored love interest? We’re willing to bet the answer is not much, if any at all.

Also, we find it a little distressing that this service only offers fake girlfriends — not fake boyfriends. To be clear, we’d rather see them offer neither, but the fact remains that the company exists and is providing a make-your-own girlfriend service. In only offering girlfriends, the service insinuates that female companions specifically are easy to slap together. People, no matter their gender, are complex, nuanced individuals. That’s why we like having them around. Offering twodimensional versions of them not only creates an unfulfilling “relationship,” but also suggests that women aren’t too complex to engineer successfully. We wouldn’t hesitate to call it misogyny.

Some argue that having a fake girlfriend prowling around your social media accounts will spark other women to talk to you. This argument is invalid, because it operates on the backwards assumption that “women always want what they can’t have.” All things considered, Cloud Girlfriend is nothing but detrimental to people of all genders.

Chances are, if you think the company’s services are a good investment, you’ve got some problems that an Internet girlfriend are not going to fix.

MCT CAMPUS

GOP backs poor candidates The Tuning W Fork

Could that get worse? Yes. He ith the recent presvisited her with the divorce idential announcepapers while she was recovments of ering from cancer surgery.

Minnesota Rep. Michele Recently in an address to a Bachmann, former Speaker of church, Gingrich warned that the House Newt Gingrich and he foresaw an America being Donald Trump, it’s quite posCODY GORMAN overrun by secular atheists sible that the Republican and radical Islamists who Party is quickly approaching have “no understanding what it once meant to be an the threshold for ridiculousness. While it is true that American.” His classless past and close-minded banthese three have only “unofficially declared” their ter betray what a terrible president he would make. intentions to run, it seems they have all intentions of Finally, Bachmann is unofficially announcing her putting together serious campaigns. Some more “sericandidacy on the Republican ticket while being founder ous” candidates in contention — Tim Pawlenty, forof the House Tea Party Caucus. In her tenure as a conmer governor of Minnesota, and Fred Karger, a gay gresswoman, Bachmann has called for more troops in activist from California — have already announced Iraq, less funding for higher education, the removal of they will run for the candidacy in the primaries. By all fluorescent light bulbs in favor of more polluting incanmeans, Pawlenty is a serious-seeming candidate with descent light bulbs, called global warming a hoax, a shot of winning. Karger is a qualified political conopposed minimum wage increase, supported the teachsultant and would also, if he were to win the candidaing of intelligent design, lobbied against same-sex marcy, be the first openly gay presidential candidate. riage and testified on the “Death Panel” hearings on Ironically he would be running on the ticket for the Obamacare that even Sarah Palin said was “Orwellian” political party that has worked almost tirelessly to in nature. That last fact is extremely suppress other gays’ rights to martelling — when a dyed-in-the-wool conriage in recent memory. But that’s a “In one strike servative like Palin who has probably topic for a different day. never even read George Orwell can The fact that Bachmann, Gingrich [Obama] fired call a fellow Republican’s testament on and Trump could even be considsomething as such, it’s hard to define ered as presidential candidates is more missiles exactly how right on the right-left speclaughable. To start, Trump is a canthan all other trum that testament is. didate with almost no political experiThese three potential candidates in ence. He’s acted as a contributor in Nobel Peace Prize particular are a frightening sight for the past to both Democratic and winners combined.” anyone who takes the American demRepublican campaigns, maintaining ocratic system seriously. Rather than his status as an “independent.” He appeal to rationalism and change in the has many liberal qualities that sepaUnited States, the Republican Party has seemingly been rate him from average right-wing Republicans: he’s reduced to conservative talking heads that sensationalpro-life, pro-universal health care and against the ize debates to absolutes while living at odds with their wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, he maintains public values. Has the two-party system failed this misstances of fiscal conservatives in his opposition to erably at promoting dialogue and progress? gun control and his lobbying against foreign aid. The President Barack Obama has made bad moves. scary thing is, Trump may have the soundest logic of Many of them are due to the Republican majority all the possible Republican nominees. His policies in Congress and his attempts to compromise are socially liberal but fiscally conservative, which across the aisle when no one truly wants to on the puts him at odds with other serious candidates. other side. However, he is still accountable. Obama Trump’s lack of political experience, however, is a just appointed the CEO of General Electric to the huge red flag that forces most to question whether counsel on Jobs and Competitiveness after the he would ever pan out as a candidate.

CEO oversaw a company that paid no taxes and Gingrich is a tried-and-true conservative on fired workers to offer jobs overseas. He also paper: against social welfare, a right-wing Christian opened fire on Libya, and in one strike fired more and recent convert to Catholicism. Politics aside, missiles than all other Nobel Peace Prize winners Gingrich has some awful personal details following combined. However, if the Republican Party can him. Despite being against gay marriage on the only manage to prop up a joke candidate, I will be grounds of it destroying “family values,” Gingrich casting my vote on the Democrat’s side without a himself has been married three times. His most moment of hesitation. recent marriage budded from an affair in his second marriage. His second marriage budded from an Cody Gorman is a School of Arts and Sciences junior affair in his first marriage. Newt went over the majoring in political science with a minor in history. divorce with his wife while she was in the hospital.

QUOTE OF THE DAY “Nothing happens in this world until something is sold.”

Marie Renee Thadal, founder and president of Bajchem Services, LLC, on the prevalence of business in the world STORY IN UNIVERSITY

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O PINIONS

T H E DA I LY TA R G U M

MARCH 30, 2011

11

Demand better funding for higher education Letter JOE SALVINO

I

am attending the Walk into Action on April 13 because I am angr y. I am angr y because I don’t have any more money to put toward my education. I have been forced to mortgage my future in order to attend a public University. I have friends who have been forced out of school because of the fee increases. My loans will stay with me forever. But our state sees us, students, as the people who can afford to pay more for school.

Those that have the power to create pain for students have no empathy for us. These people have never had to suffer through a winter without adequate heat. They have never had to exist off rice for months at a time. I point to our past governors, Democrats and Republicans alike, who have consistently cut higher education from the budget. This is not a partisan issue — it is a student issue. I point to our Board of Governors, an unelected group of 11 people who have sole authority over every decision made at the University. It is their decision that raises tuition yearly. Ralph Izzo, the chairman of the board, is number

389 on 2010’s Forbes 500 list. This club of men is so out of touch with reality, they cannot even fathom struggling to pay for anything, let alone school. They only see us students as ATMs. We pay the way for their careers and political capital.

This is why we must fight back. This is why we are having a Walk into Action. All of us at the University need to come together and fight for what we have. These people will take away our right to go to school. For many, they already have.

This is not a protest — it is selfdefense. We are not demanding anything special. We are not asking people to change their minds.

We are merely defending what we already have — our University is being stolen from us. State aid barely makes up for 30 percent of the University’s operating cost.

The trend towards privatization is a very clear and real danger to us all.

Staging a massive rally with students will not create overnight change, but it will stop the student class from being ignored. Having enough students show up on Voorhees Mall at 2 p.m. will make people listen. A gathering large enough will make headlines across the country. If we make enough noise, Trenton will be forced to appease the students of this state.

We have tried to save higher education with the same old tactics.

Letter-writing campaigns, phone banking, even lobbying — but all have failed. The situation has deteriorated enough that our only option left is to take to the streets. Only with the power of numbers, the power of feet and the power of fists, will we be able to control our lives, our future and our school. Come be part of something. Let’s change the problems that have been forced upon us.

Joe Salvino is a School of Arts and Sciences sophomore.

Affirmative action combats discrimination Letter NATHAN GWIRA

A

ccording to the column “Remove all bias from academia,” published in The Daily Targum on March 24, “the color of a student’s skin does not reflect the thoughts in his brain” — yet we live in a society where one’s skin color or race can prevent them from gaining employment with the same or higher qualifications than others. An article in the New York Times published on Nov. 30, 2009, discusses how black males graduating from high-profile universities like Yale University are not hired for jobs they qualify for because of racial obstacles in the job market. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “the unemployment rate for black male college graduates 25 and older in 2009 has been nearly twice that of white male college graduates — 8.4 percent compared with 4.4 percent.”

Affirmative action is a policy that gives preference to groups

of people depending on certain factors like race, sex and national origin only if the individuals are qualified according to an institution’s criteria — not if they are under-qualified. The importance of affirmative action in a university as diverse as ours is to make sure underrepresented groups are able to attain a degree to improve themselves and their communities. Many in underrepresented groups such as blacks have been accepted into this prestigious University because many come from lowincome neighborhoods or high schools that produce ver y high dropout rates, but are academically smart and/or athletically talented despite not having a solid school foundation. These students deser ve the opportunity to attain higher education despite the adversity they face as being understated among society.

Although blacks are just 12 percent of the U.S. population, they comprise more than 40 percent of our current prison population. This discrepancy is due

to lack of education, poverty and Rockefeller Drug Laws, which have been deemed overly harsh over the years, according to the New York Times. Over the course of a lifetime, nearly one in three young black men and well over half of young black high school dropouts will spend some time in prison. According to these estimates, young black men are more likely to go to prison than attend college, ser ve in the militar y or, in the case of high school dropouts, be in the labor market.

Blacks are more intensely affected by the increasing incarceration rates than any other group in our society, according to Devah Pager in “Against the Wall: Poor, Young, Black and Male.” The odds of only one minority group such as blacks succeeding to college are nothing but a miracle. Should the University overlook these hardships and turn away the very few who make fairly high gradepoint averages and SAT scores from high school? Does it occur to anyone what these individuals

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would have become if there were no affirmative action? Let us not forget that this is taking only black minorities into account. There are other minorities such as Hispanics who face similar dilemmas.

Affirmative action is not a crutch among underrepresented communities. There are no set rules or guidelines in affirmative action that blacks, Hispanics or any minority group can aim for. Therefore, affirmative action is not a privilege — it is a deser ved opportunity. It is given because the probabilities of these groups succeeding in a society where they do not have an upper hand are extremely low. This is not to say that some blacks do not need to strive above and beyond because of the many hardships they face among our society. There is a need for ever y student no matter what race, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation to strive for academic excellence and not be complacent. There are hindrances to success against

ever y single race, sex and religion. We have to empathize with all groups of people.

The world is becoming more diverse every day and education has changed over the years, making it important to have diverse points of view to become more acquainted with our rapidly growing multicultural society. It is important that we understand different point of views on our ethnically mosaic society and realize that though we may have some differences, we can understand our differences and work together.

The real issues in our communities are not affirmative action.

Poor-quality high school systems and a lack of mentorship are discouraging members from underrepresented groups to perform at their peak. We can volunteer to educate younger students from such environments and become role models to help brighten their future.

Nathan Gwira is a School of Arts and Sciences junior majoring in Africana studies with a minor in economics.

COMMENT OF THE DAY “At least [Donald] Trump would bring real-world business knowledge to the office, and God only knows we can use that now.”

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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 30, 2011

STEPHAN PASTIS

Today's Birthday (03/30/11). Even with Mercury going into retrograde today, there's nothing you can't handle. You're a problem-solver (even if you don't know it). Plan ahead, but be open to spontaneity. Wonderful things develop from seeming breakdowns. 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 6 — There's no mountain too tall for you today, as long as you use your imagination and reserve some time to care of yourself. Meditation provides answers.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 6 — A sense of humor and wit can lighten even the most frustrating moments. Mercury goes into retrograde today, so stay close to home and just take care of business.

Gemini (May 21-June 21) — Today is a 6 — Your common sense and clever wit entertain those around you, even as you may prefer to hide out. Watch out for mechanical difficulties, and let your love out.

Cancer (June 22-July 22) — Today is a 6 — If you're planning a trip, double confirm the tickets and be sure the car's in good repair. Address any breakdowns with humor, and avoid them with multiple options.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 5 — Today's a good day for laying low, taking it easy and handling routine chores. Give extra time for deliveries and travel. Nurture yourself and others.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 6 — Keep your wits about you and your sense of humor at hand. The unexpected may show up today. Allow extra time in your schedule for it.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 6 — Your common sense and entertaining attitude make light of technical breakdowns or unexpected outcomes.

This outlook turns out to be really helpful to others.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 7 — Your friends and family appreciate your witty common sense. It's not a great day for travel or mechanical equipment. Stay close to home, and take time for yourself.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 6 — You come from strong stock, and know how to dance with circumstances. Add time to your schedule for the unexpected, and double-check travel arrangements.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 5 — Retrograde Mercury could cause confusion regarding home renovation, purchase or paperwork for the next three weeks. Keep all receipts, and hold off on signing, if possible.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is an 8 — Use your time wisely. If you don't feel your best, let others jump in the game and sit this one out. It's a good day for increasing your income.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 5 — Sometimes you just have to pray and hope for the best. Sometimes it takes action and effort, despite the circumstances. Which is going to be? Balance both.

Dilbert

Doonesberry

Happy Hour

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MARCH 30, 2011

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T H E DA I LY TA R G U M

S PORTS

MARCH 30, 2011

15

CAMERON STROUD / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Senior rightfielder Michael Lang, who began the season hitting leadoff, leads the team with a .349 batting average.

ROOKIE: Lang hits third

hit leadoff for Archbishop Wood (Pa.) and led the squad with a in lineup after Nyisztor injury .414 batting average.

“Just making sure I get a good pitch to hit,” O’Grady said of his continued from back approach in the leadoff spot. “Not really changing anything and just “[O’Grady] did a great job,” trying to get on base.”

Lang said. “One of the big reaAfter nursing an illness during sons he did what he did was his the Louisville series, it is very at-bats. He had a lot of poise and likely that Nyisztor could return a lot of patience at the plate — he to action for the Knights somesaw a lot of pitches. That’s huge time this week, and Hill made it as a leadoff hitter.” clear there may be changes.

Lang was bumped to the But at least for tomorrow’s three-hole with Nyisztor’s home meeting with Wagner, Hill absence, causing Hill to find a is going to stick with O’Grady in replacement to bat leadoff. the lineup and likely keep him in Only a freshman in his 10th the same spot. collegiate game, O’Grady got If O’Grady rolls over his torfirst licks at the opportunity and rid pace from Louisville did not disappoint, going 3-for-4 through the Knights’ second against NJIT on March 9 in the conference series against Seton Knights’ home opener.

Hall, it could be difficult to deny In the subsequent pair of him a spot in the series against Old batting order.

Dominion and Just ask Lang, “As long as East Carolina, Hill who hit .388 in 49 turned to senior he’s playing the at-bats as a fresho u t f i e l d e r man in mostly a Brandon Boykin, way he is now, leadoff capacity. who went 3-for-15 there’s no reason The walk-on in his opportunigot limited opporties in the leadhe shouldn’t be tunities in his off role. rookie season on in the lineup.”

The Don Bosco the Banks but Prep (N.J.) prodMICHAEL LANG eventually uct brings plenty Senior Captain claimed the of experience to role in his the table, starting second season.

45 of 56 games for Lang now leads the team Hill last season, and also possesswith a .349 average, and even es great speed in the field and on though O’Grady earned one the base paths. more start this year than he Still, Hill decided to give the did his entire rookie season, freshman another shot in the the senior captain still team’s most recent series. identifies with the up-and“We have a great deal of coming freshman. confidence in him, both offenAnd he knows very well that sively and defensively,” Hill nixing him from the lineup card said. “We didn’t really have any may be a tough task for Hill. qualms about sticking him in “As long as he’s playing the there no matter who the oppoway he is now, there’s no reanent is.” son he shouldn’t be in the lineWith that confidence, up,” Lang said. “He’s doing O’Grady stepped into his role great for us. He hasn’t given against Louisville with the same coach Hill a reason to take approach he had in his senior him out.” season of high school, when he

16

S P O RT S

MARCH 30, 2011

T H E DA I LY TA R G U M

SPRING PRACTICE NOTEBOOK

RU

BEGINS MOVE TO PRO-STYLE OFFENSE

BY STEVEN MILLER

freshman Gareef Glashen and true freshman Jonathan Aiken are also options.

Thomas is transitioning to the position after playing it in high school and leading the Knights in rushing as a true freshman tailback.

“I think all we need is a little bit of time, and we’ll be all right because we have excellent coaches,” Thomas said. “And we’ve got the head coach coaching us now.”

SPORTS EDITOR

The Rutgers football team operated without pads yesterday in its first spring practice, only providing a glimpse at its offseason coaching and position changes.

While sophomore quarterback Chas Dodd battled windy conditions, the focus is on the installation of a new prostyle system.

“I think [it] was a pretty lousy day to throw the football,” head coach Greg Schiano said.

“It was cold and windy, but I think he understands it. I think [offensive coordinator] Frank [Cignetti] is throwing a lot at him, which is good.”

The first practice encouraged Dodd, who noted similarities to last year’s offense and the one he ran at football powerhouse Byrnes High School (S.C.).

While there are changes in philosophy, learning a new terminology is one of the main focuses for Dodd.

“I feel like I’m adapting really well to it,” Dodd said. “I’m coming in countless hours and getting in as much film time as I can.

I’m studying this playbook day-in and day-out. As far as a first day goes, as far as an offense learning the system, I feel like we made huge improvements since it was first installed. It’s going good so far.”

A new playbook is not the only change for Dodd, who is taking snaps from a new center and playing behind a new offensive line.

Junior College transfer Dallas Hendrickson is lining up at center, while sophomore Andre Civil and seniors Desmond Wynn, Art

ANOTHER

THE DAILY TARGUM

Junior wideout Mohamed Sanu punted twice last season with an average of 33.5 yards per kick against Florida International and Syracuse. He is competing with freshman Anthony DiPaula.

Forst and Desmond Stapleton made up the rest of the first-team unit, from left to right.

Stapleton started every game at left tackle last season before moving to the right.

“We’re just trying to find the best combinations,” Schiano said. “We wouldn’t do it if there wasn’t a chance it could end up that way. We’ve already seen it the other way.”

SCHIANO SPENT A

majority of the practice in the secondary, where he began his coaching career and plans to spend more time with the Knights.

He and new secondary coach Jeff Hafley each worked with a unit Schiano called “deep and inexperienced.”

While juniors Marcus Cooper and Brandon Jones teamed as

the first-team cornerbacks, five others are in competition.

“I told the secondary they’re going to earn their reps from this day on,” Schiano said. “You got almost even reps today, and then based on performance, you’ll earn reps.’ Hopefully, we have a little competition — that’s what I like.”

Senior Mason Robinson, sophomores Logan Ryan and Jordan Thomas, redshir t

MINDSET: Knights alter

POSITION BATTLE

could provide an even more interesting story because it is one no one expected.

True freshman Anthony DiPaula enrolled early to begin punting with the Knights, but he shared punting reps with junior wide receiver Mohamed Sanu.

Sanu, who punted at South Brunswick High School, turned heads with some booming kicks through the wind. Schiano is serious about the competition.

“I mean, we have a true freshman, so I don’t know how good he can get,” Schiano said. “I know Mo’s not going to be scared by 70,000 screaming fans. He’ll go out there and bomb it. It’s nice to be that good of an athlete.”

SOPHOMORE

JEREMY

Deering had a strong first practice at running back after playing wideout as a freshman.

Schiano is also anxious to see junior De’Antwan Williams, who arrived as a highly acclaimed tailback but struggled to see the field.

“He’s had the best offseason [since he’s been here],” Schiano said. “He really worked his tail of f. I think he best understands what he’s doing since he’s been here.”

coaches I want the spot,” he said. “With the new freshmen offensive line in spring practice coming in, who is going to say they wouldn’t be able to do the same thing?” continued from back The L yman, S.C., native But Savage entered last spring credited his ability to adjust to camp with a perceived job securi- college last season to similarity as well, and that disappeared as ties between Rutgers’ offense injuries and struggles mounted in and his system at Byrnes the early season.

High School.

Dodd arrived in training camp After starting eight games last as a true freshman and started by season, throwing for 1,637 yards, the fifth game.

11 touchdowns and seven interFor the rest of the season, ceptions, the offense is different. the duo faced questions about But Dodd is accustomed to their relationthe speed of colship, their comlege football. petition and the “Obviously it’s “With the new team’s struggles. different because freshmen coming I do have that in“You can’t let that stuff get to experience in, who is going to game you,” Dodd said. and it’s definitely “You have to go going to help me,” say they wouldn’t out there and do Dodd said. “Right be able to do the what you have to now, I’m just do to be your best focusing on learnsame thing?” and lead the team. ing the offense That’s what I and getting it CHAS DODD focused on doing.” down. Once we do Sophomore Quarterback Dodd arrived that, I feel like in Piscataway we’ll be a pretty claiming he wanted to compete good offense.”

— a strange idea for a team that While Dodd claims he still has believed it had its quarterback to earn his spot, there is no presof the future with the sure this spring. heralded Savage.

Instead, he only has to grow Two freshmen will push Dodd into a new offense. this summer — Don Bosco’s “We’re going to make sure Gar y Nova and Manalapan’s he understands by opening Mike Bimonte — and Dodd game,” Schiano said. “That’s knows what freshmen are capa- our goal — we’re training ble of. through the event right now.

“I’m still going to come in We’re tr ying to get ready for with the same exact approach, the season and this is part of it. still going to work hard in the He’s worked incredibly hard. weight room, still showing the He’s something, this kid.”

T H E DA I LY TA R G U M

S P O RT S

MARCH 30, 2011

17

RIVAL: Changes to lineup work out for RU in doubles play continued from back

THE DAILY TARGUM

Despite changes to the lineup made by head coach Ben Bucca, the Knights’ No. 1 doubles pair of senior Amy Zhang and junior Jennifer Holzberg took its match against Seton Hall en route to the team’s 7-0 sweep of the match.

all took home victories, while freshmen Stef Balasa and Vanessa Petrini also added wins to their sensational rookie records.

Rutgers continued its improved doubles play despite another complete overhaul of the lineup. Bucca decided to call upon Balasa and junior Leonora Slatnick in the No. 2 spot, where the pair found success in New Orleans despite never previously playing together.

The reunited pair of Slatnick and Balasa recaptured its spring break magic and won 83 over Seton Hall. The new No. 3 team of Petrini and Milchutskey could not finish its bout because of time constraints, but they were up, 6-4, near the end of the match.

“We’re still tr ying to figure out what the best lineup is and we’ve been playing with it a lot,” Zhang said. “Even today it was completely different, but we’re learning to play with dif ferent people and getting more comfor table with it.”

The Knights look to keep their Big East win streak alive this weekend as they begin a rough stretch of four matches on the road. Rutgers travels to Morgantown, W.Va., to face both Pittsburgh and West Virginia in a back-to-back set sure to rival anything it will face at the Big East Tournament.

“We feel as though we are in the upper echelon of the Big East,” Bucca said. “We need to prove that this weekend against West Virginia and Pittsburgh.”

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S P O RT S

MARCH 30, 2011

T H E DA I LY TA R G U M

Rutgers returns for season’s lone meet on Raritan

BY PATRICK LANNI CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Following an impressive season-opening performance at the Murphy Cup Regatta in Philadelphia, the Rutgers rowing t e a m ROWING retur ns home to PRINCETON AT t h e RUTGERS, Raritan SATURDAY River t h i s Saturday to take on Princeton and Navy.

Coming off a first-place finish at the Murphy Cup, the Scarlet Knights’ varsity eight looks to continue its success.

After winning its heat and advancing to the finals, the Knights’ first eight established a lead at the halfway mark and held that lead until the end of the race to claim first.

With a time of 6:38.3, the lineup of seniors H e l e n MAX B e c z , BORGARD M a r y Gromlowicz, Janine Ford and Christine Hannigan, juniors Katherine Geithman, Kathleen Lai and Katie Quinn and freshmen Stephanie Ford and Raelyn Loiselle edged second-place St. Joseph’s by 3 seconds and third place Navy by 5.5 seconds.

Proving the Knight’s depth this season, the second varsity eight won its heat, and placed fourth in the final.

The lineup of seniors Ashley Mills, Samantha Stef fier, Whitney Armstrong and Stephanie Nunziato, junior Ellie Kleiman, sophomores Emily Nowlin and Laura Ford and freshmen Kara Trivolis and Katie Bakaj has proven ef fective for head coach Max Borghard.

COURTESY OF RUTGERS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Rutgers competes in its only home meet of the season Saturday, when it takes on intrastate foe Princeton and Navy. The Knights varsity eight looks for repeat sucess on the Raritan River after a first-place finish at the Murphy Cup. “When you get to the higher levels of competition like the NCAA’s, it’s not just about your top eight, it’s about depth,” Borghard said.

The Knights certainly have the depth this season, with nine returning seniors and a plethora of talent among the underclassmen.

In the most competitive field at the Regatta, the Knights’ varsity four of senior April Tobin,

freshmen Ashley Cha, Amanda Dothe and Emilia Topp took on a field of 28 teams.

After leading in the second 500-meter mark, the Knights squandered the lead, as Drexel advanced to the finals with a late surge, leaving the Knights in second place in the heat.

In the races this weekend, Borghard expects his team to execute the same race plan.

“Racing aggressively and up in front is the way we do it,” Borghard said.

Borghard plans on sticking with the same lineups but will be open to changes throughout the week if needed.

Racing for the first time this season on Raritan, Borghard expects the conditions to be pretty moderate, as the Raritan in early spring has historically been calm.

“We’re pretty fortunate with that, as we get into the second part of the race — the river is pretty protected [against wind],” Borghard said.

The Knights hope to get out fast and not look back in this weekend’s competition. Adding to a successful season-opener would add another achievement for the team as it approaches the Big East Championship and Eastern Sprints.

Knights seek repeat at Relays LIZ SWERN STAFF WRITER

The Rutgers men’s track and field team travels south this weekend to the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va., for t h e MEN’S TRACK annual Colonial RUTGERS AT Relays.

COLONIAL RELAYS, “This FRIDAY is a pretty big meet for us,” senior sprinter Aaron Younger said. “We usually go down with a lot of guys because this is the first meet for many of us.”

The team will compete for three days at Walter J. Zable Stadium against more than 20 other track programs, including teams from Georgetown, Monmouth and VCU. The Scarlet Knights won the overall meet last season against 31 other programs.

The Knights continue to build on their early-season performances in the indoor season as they get back on track toward May’s championship meets.

“What’s good about this meet is that our whole team can go,” junior jumper Adam Bergo

said. “So it gives us a chance to see where our team is as a whole.”

Bergo plans to compete in the high jump, triple jump and long jump. He placed second in the high jump at the same meet last season and won the triple jump two weeks ago at the Bulls Invitation in Tampa, Fla. “I want to improve on what I

ADAM BERGO did in Florida,” Bergo said. “I also want to stay on pace to be ready for Big East Championships.”

Similar goals are a running theme for the Knights as they head into this weekend’s competition.

“My training has been going well,” junior sprinter Steve Werner said. “So I’m just tr ying to carr y that over into this meet.”

Older members of the team, like Bergo, Werner and Younger, are more seasoned in the change from competing indoors to outdoors as opposed to the younger members.

“For a lot of people on the team, this is their first outdoor meet, so this gives them a chance to open the season with a bang,” Bergo said. “We expect to see the younger guys continuing their progress from indoor to outdoor.”

Although the meet is scored, the Knights keep in mind that it is only the first highly competitive meet of the outdoor season.

“It’s still early in the season,” Werner said. “There’s no rush to peak just yet. So having some good per formances is really important.”

In South Florida two weeks ago, the Knights sent only a few members of the team, including the throwers and jumpers.

The newcomers and the veterans hope to come together this weekend in the first outdoor meet as a full team.

“As a team our goal is to have ever yone compete at a high level in good weather,” Bergo said. “We want to do our best to win the meet.”

S PORTS

T H E DA I LY TA R G U M

MARCH 30, 2011

19

Word on the Street

P

ittsburgh junior guard Ashton Gibbs will declare for the NBA draft, but has yet to hire an agent.

The guard has until April 24 to formally declare and can withdraw before May 8 if he does not hire an agent.

Gibbs led the Panthers in scoring in each of the past two seasons and played in the NCAA Tournament in all three of his seasons under head coach Jamie Dixon.

If Gibbs decides to go pro, Pitt loses its top three scorers from the 2010-11 season.

CINCINNATI

BENGALS

star Chad Ochocinco earned a reserve spot in Major League Soccer after a five-day tryout with Sporting Kansas City.

As a member of the reserve team, Ochocinco will not be given a contract or be paid, but will be allowed to train with the team.

The six-time Pro Bowler will use the oppor tunity to stay in shape until the NFL lifts its lockout.

MAJOR

LEAGUE

Baseball and its players’ union announced a new, seven-day disabled list for players with concussions to take effect on Opening Day this season.

The pair also announced other concussion protocols in a joint statement yesterday, including mandatory baseline testing for all players and umpires to evaluate who suffered a concussion.

Each team will also have to designate a specialist to deal with mild brain injuries to evaluate players and umpires.

WITH

AN

NFL

LOCKOUT

looming, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant might want to start looking for a new day job.

Just one day after the wideout received a civil lawsuit claiming he owed $246,000 to a New York-based jewelry company, Bryant was the recipient of another civil lawsuit. This time, Eleow Hunt, a jeweler and ticket broker, claimed Bryant owes more than $600,000 in unpaid jewelry and sportingevent tickets.

The lawsuit states that Bryant’s spending spree began when he entered his final season at Oklahoma State, and it went on over an 11-month period.

MIAMI HEAT

FORWARD

Lebron James and his entourage are obviously not as welcome in Quicken Loans Arena as they used to be.

The Akron, Ohio, native and his crew faced a long delay entering the Heat’s shootaround at the arena after he arrived with a driver and a second car in the Cavaliers’ parking garage.

James eventually received entrance, but only after leaving the driver and second car.

James regularly arrived with a driver when he was a member of the Cavaliers.

SAM HELLMAN

After a pair of injuries in the outfield, head coach Jay Nelson decided to move freshman shortstop Loren Williams into centerfield, a position the natural infielder last played during her sophomore season at Crenshaw (Calif.) High School.

Injuries vault freshman into unfamiliar role

BY SAM HELLMAN CORRESPONDENT

Freshman Loren Williams has a tough task in front of her.

A natural shortstop for the Rutgers SOFTBALL softball team, RUTGERS AT Williams HOFSTRA, became TODAY, 3 P.M. t h e star ting centerfielder last weekend after a series of injuries left the outfield severely lacking depth.

With the kind of speed that Williams has, head coach Jay Nelson is simply happy to have her as an ever yday contributor to the lineup.

“She gets on base and she’s a threat,” Nelson said. “She keeps the defense on edge all the time. They have to play closer to the base and give our other hitters bigger holes to hit through. She’s a game changer.”

Williams took over the center field job in last weekend’s sweep by the Syracuse Orange after injuries to Jen Meinheit and Lindsey Curran.

Meinheit, a senior, may be done for the season after an ACL injur y. Without Meinheit, the Scarlet Knights lose their top run-scorer and their best contact hitter.

Curran’s hand is in a cast after a fielder accidently stomped on it. She is available as a runner but cannot yet play defense or use a bat.

With senior Mickenzie Alden and junior Mikelyn

THE DAILY TARGUM

The Knights must find a way to produce without senior outfielder Jen Meinheit, who injured her ACL against Syracuse.

Messina handling the corners, Williams is the last line of defense at center.

“I haven’t played outfield since about 10th grade and it shows sometimes,” Williams said. “I know I have big shoes

to fill. Jen Meinheit is a really good centerfielder defensively, and she is a big run-producer.

But I like the challenge. I didn’t come here for it to be easy. I know I can get the job done. The experience will

come in practice and working hard.”

Williams misjudged a line drive that turned into a double for Syracuse in her first game at center but did not make any errors over the weekend.

“My speed helps a lot,” Williams said. “Even if I get a bad read on a ball, I’m still able to make up for it with quickness. It plays a big factor on misreads and coming in on the ball.

It’s a big help.”

Of fensively, Williams’ best asset is her speed, as well, leading Rutgers with eight stolen bases in half as many starts as any other athlete on the leader board.

The Los Angeles native stole three bags against Syracuse and drove in one of the team’s four runs on the weekend with a sacrifice fly.

Facing one of the tougher pitching staffs on the schedule today, Williams’ quickness is cr ucial to ending the Knights’ 10-game losing skid.

Hofstra (17-8) is undefeated at home and sports a 1.74 team ERA. Against the Pride last season, Rutgers (10-18, 0-3) lost both sides of a doubleheader with just two total runs.

“Our team has fight,” Williams said. “We’re not going to give up and lay down when times get rough. You saw that in a few innings [Sunday]. We are competitive, and we want to get out there and play the game we know how to play.”

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

SPORTS

PA G E 2 0

MARCH 30, 2011

Dodd breaks camp with same mindset as freshman

BY STEVEN MILLER SPORTS EDITOR

Before the Rutgers football team’s first spring practice ended yesterday, the Scarlet Knights gathered FOOTBALL around head coach Greg Schiano at midfield.

At the outset of his 11th season of spring practice, the head coach reminded his team that each player has to prove himself ever y day and that no spot is guaranteed.

But as far as job security goes, Chas Dodd should feel safe.

After winning the starting quarterback job as a freshman and seeing his competition, Tom Savage, transfer to Arizona, Dodd is sticking to what got him there.

“We have to go out and prove we want the spot, and that’s how I’m going to take it — just like last year,” the sophomore signal caller said. “I’m going to come in ever y day, work hard and prove it to the coaches.”

For the first time this offseason, Dodd’s work took place on the field.

He spent the previous winter months in the film room with new offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti. There were likely other quarterbacks in those meetings, but on the field this spring, Dodd’s job is secure.

Junior Steve Shimko threw the ball in practice for the first time since last spring, and walk-ons Tyler Bellia and Jason Friday provide little threat.

SEE MINDSET ON PAGE 16

ANDREW HOWARD

Sophomore quarterback Chas Dodd is handling a bulk of the repetitions this spring with a thin quarterback unit awaiting the arrival of two freshmen.

First meet on campus yields sweep of rival

BY MATT CANVISSER STAFF WRITER

The Warminster, Pa., native went 5-for10 in three games hitting leadoff against Louisville over the weekend — the first Big East action of his young Rutgers career.

O’Grady even drew two walks in the series, putting him on base in more than half of his at-bats against arguably the conference’s best team in Louisville.

While the Knights only took one of three from the Cardinals, it did not stop the team from taking notice, particularly the squad’s usual leadoff man, senior right fielder Michael Lang.

The Rutgers tennis team returned from its spring break vacation with a renewed sense of confidence that carried over into Big East play.

TENNIS The Scarlet SETON HALL 0 Knights extended their win streak to RUTGERS 7 six matches yesterday with a sweep of in-state rival Seton Hall at 7-0 at the Atlantic Club in Manasquan, N.J. “This was a demanding match,” head coach Ben Bucca said. “We’ve had three matches in five days, and it has been challenging physically and emotionally. The team was tired today, but they found their inner strength to pull out a convincing win over a strong team.”

The Knights (11-4, 3-2) won all three matches on their spring break trip to New Orleans and won three straight in the conference with wins over St. John’s, Syracuse and now Seton Hall. The team broke out of its midseason slump that culminated with losses to Big East foes Louisville and Marquette.

“We started the Big East season playing two of the toughest teams in the conference, so it was obviously going to be difficult,” senior captain Amy Zhang said. “But we’ve come back from it and our win against Syracuse was really big. I’m expecting to run the table from now until the Big East Tournament.”

Zhang also rebounded nicely on a personal level, battling out of a late-Februar y funk that plagued her. Zhang won a tight singles contest against Seton Hall by a score of 7-5, 3-6 and 10-8, racking up seven straight victories in the process since her rough patch last month.

“It has been good just to get some wins under my belt,” Zhang said. “The surfaces feel weird at a lot of the away matches, so it has been good to have a bunch of matches close to home. Stringing together some wins has definitely given me confidence.”

There was plenty of confidence to go around against Seton Hall, as the Knights swept singles matches all the way through the lineup. Juniors Jen Holzberg, Mar yana Milchutskey and Morgan Ivey

SEE ROOKIE ON PAGE 15

SEE RIVAL ON PAGE 17

CAMERON STROUD / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Freshman outfielder Brian O’Grady made the most of his first career Big East series last weekend against visiting Louisville.

In his first full series hitting in the leadoff spot, O’Grady recorded five hits, two walks and two RBI in 10 at-bats.

Rookie settles into leadoff spot for RU

BY ANTHONY HERNANDEZ ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR

With sophomore shortstop Steve Nyisztor recently unable to perform in the Rutgers baseball team’s lineBASEBALL up, some tweaking needed to be done.

WAGNER AT But shifting the RUTGERS, lineup upon his TODAY , 3 P.M. healthy return might be even more demanding than the initial change for head coach Fred Hill.

For that, he can blame the emergence of freshman Brian O’Grady in the leadoff spot. “[O’Grady’s] got a very good appreciation of the strike zone and he’s a good two-strike hitter, which means he can take a strike or two and still be dangerous swinging the bat,” Hill said. “He’s done a very good job as a leadoff so far.”

Registering six hits in one’s first 30 at-bats of the season typically is not a strong calling for a spot in the lineup.

But it was in O’Grady’s last 10 at-bats that the freshman outfielder made the biggest case for playing time.