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Jamil and Jamal Merrell, sophomore twins on the Rutgers football team, started the past two games together as members of Greg Schiano’s defensive unit.
Republican challengers fall short in district vote
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR
SEE DISTRICT ON PAGE 5
JEFFREY LAZARO
Two men at the Middlesex County Republican Organization event in Edison check on poll results last night where various Republican candidates lost their elections.
Democratic candidates hold onto NJ Legislative seats in Middlesex BY ALEKSI TZATZEV ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR
EDISON — All three District 17 Democrats celebrated victories over their Republican challengers at a late night Middlesex County Democratic Organization event. Sen. Bob Smith alongside Assemblymen Upendra Chivukula and Joseph Egan — all incumbents — won back their seats yesterday in the N.J. Legislature. Early poll results for all three showed them as leaders and nothing changed as of ficial numbers were released.
“We have to look at the bigger picture — Democrats in Middlesex Countr y crushed the Republicans,” Smith said. He said labor unions were on their side as well as successful campaigning over the past several months. “Look at these great campaigns, adver tisements,” Smith said. “We crushed them.” Smith, Egan and Chivukula each took decisive victories in their races, with all three capturing at least 60 percent of 13,852 votes. Smith alone had 65 percent of votes at 67 percent of precincts reporting, according to nj.com.
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INDEX UNIVERSITY A professor’s research and findings might prevent brain damage after a stoke.
OPINIONS Two high schools in Virginia Beach are paying their students cash for good grades.
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U. considers remobilizing grease trucks BY MARY DIDUCH
BY ANASTASIA MILLICKER EDISON — As Jordan Rickards waited for the results of the senatorial election for the third time in his political career, he said he was not ner vous but content with his campaigning process. “Can’t do anything now, just need to see how the voters vote,” said Rickards in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Edison. “We did ever ything we could.” When the numbers flashed on the pull-down projector screen, Rickards only earned 35 percent of the counted votes while Democratic incumbent Bob Smith had 65 percent, winning the N.J. Senate chair for District 17. But Rickards was not the only one to walk away disappointed. Republican Assembly candidates Carlo DiLalla and Rober t Mettler also fell to Democratic Assembly incumbents Upendra Chivukula and Joseph Egan. DiLalla gained 18 percent of votes — 8,363 votes, according to nj.com. Mettler also won 19 percent of the votes with 8,603 votes. But both fell to incumbents, with Egan having 32
NOVEMBER 9, 2011
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Today: Sunny
Incumbents remain
WEDNESDAY
CONOR ALWELL / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Alyssa Sanclemente, a School of Arts and Sciences junior, stands next to a banner created by various Latino student organizations yesterday that symbolizes their unity. The organizations marched last night through the College Avenue campus and parts of the city to shed light on minority student issues.
The University’s famed grease trucks, located in Lot 8 on the College Avenue campus, have been part of a long-standing tradition on campus with their popular fat sandwiches. But now some University officials are saying this tradition could change by next year. For several business, health and safety reasons, the University is considering making the grease trucks, which have been located in that lot for 18 years, mobile again. To do so, the University is looking to put that prime location out to bid on the market — which has never been done before, said Jack Molenaar, director of the Department of Transportation Services. The winning bidders would then be allowed to serve in that designated space on one condition: They would have to leave the area at some point during the night. But the current owners of the five grease trucks there feel this potential change is unfair because of the time and money they spent establishing their businesses in the lot. Regardless of the University’s decision, they said they are willing to make whatever changes the University asks in order to keep serving their community. THE UNIVERSITY According to a tentative committee composed of several University officials, the trucks pose several health, safety and financial detriments that the school looks to rectify. The committee, led by Molenaar, whose department oversees the trucks as they are stationed in a University lot, brought these concerns to light Monday at a meeting that also included several student leaders in the Public Safety Building on Commercial Avenue. “We don’t have a problem with the grease trucks there,” Molenaar said. “We’re just trying to make sure we’re meeting all the rules and regulations.” The first issue stems from PepsiCo, which has a contract that all food vendors on University property serve PepsiCo products, Molenaar said. The grease trucks do not. The University also supports the trucks financially. Currently the trucks pay a monthly rent totaling $62,400 a year. But with security, electric and grease removal/cleaning costs, the University saw a $93,467 deficit last year, Molenaar said. This does not include solid waste removal costs, which run up to about $5,600 per year, or the lot’s power washing occurs about six times a year at $1,500 per wash, said Dianne Gravatt, director of Environmental Services and Grounds, at the meeting. There are additional costs for pest control and bathroom repair. Students in the past ripped off the grease trucks’ bathroom sink, racking up additional repair costs, Gravatt said. Another issue the University faces with the trucks regards environmental compliance. Sue Dickison, health safety specialist for environmental projects at the University, said the trucks are accountable for several grease drum spills and have disposed of used fryer oil down sinks and storm drains. At the meeting, she said these spills are not often properly cleaned up, which affects the Raritan River and does not comply with the Clean Water Act. She said she has spoken often to the vendors about this issue, and they are aware of it. “Their practices have been less than desirable,” she said. This led the University about two years ago to consider putting the location up for bid to outside vendors, Molenaar said. Several outside vendors that offer different food types have approached the University, asking to place
SEE TRUCKS ON PAGE 4
Students with 60 or greater credits can register for classes from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
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NOVEMBER 9, 2011
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T H E DA I LY TA R G U M
WEATHER OUTLOOK THURSDAY HIGH 63 LOW 39
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FRIDAY HIGH 51 LOW 34
SATURDAY HIGH 55 LOW 38
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143RD EDITORIAL BOARD MARY DIDUCH . . . . . . . . . . EDITOR-IN-CHIEF TAYLERE PETERSON . . . . . . . MANAGING EDITOR KRISTINE ROSETTE ENERIO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NEWS STEVEN MILLER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SPORTS KEITH FREEMAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PHOTOGRAPHY OLIVIA PRENTZEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DESIGN ZOË SZATHMARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . INSIDE BEAT MATTHEW KOSINSKI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OPINIONS JILLIAN PASON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . COPY REENA DIAMANTE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . UNIVERSITY ANKITA PANDA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . METRO ARTHUR ROMANO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ONLINE JOSEPH SCHULHOFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MULTIMEDIA NOAH WHITTENBURG . . . . . . . . . . . . . ASSOCIATE PHOTOGRAPHY TYLER BARTO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ASSOCIATE SPORTS ANTHONY HERNANDEZ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ASSOCIATE SPORTS RYAN SURUJNATH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ASSOCIATE INSIDE BEAT RASHMEE KUMAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ASSOCIATE COPY ANASTASIA MILLICKER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ASSOCIATE NEWS AMY ROWE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ASSOCIATE NEWS ALEKSI TZATZEV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ASSOCIATE NEWS
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T H E D A I LY TA R G U M
NOVEMBER 9, 2011
UNIVERSITY
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FIMRC holds contest for student initiatives BY KIERSTEN ZINNIKAS CONTRIBUTING WRITER
While seeking ideas for their annual ser vice projects, the University’s chapter of the Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children will pit students’ proposals against each other in its first ever competition. As part of the FIMRC Global Contest, members will present ideas for a project designed to provide some sort of assistance to those living in an impoverished area, said Vivian Nguyen, the FIMRC Global Initiatives chair. “We want more people involved and to understand the plight of the children involved,” said Nguyen, a School of Arts and Sciences junior. Through the contest, FIMRC aims to increase the level of mem-
ber involvement as well as awareness of the organization, she said. “We wanted to show that the ever yday, average person can make a difference in the world,” said John Sigva, FIMRC external vice president. The contest is open to general body members of the organization as well as University students who are not members, said Sigva, a School of Arts and Sciences senior. The project needs to be a plan of action that addresses a global cause, Nguyen said. Students will have to present their project in a five-minute presentation in front of the executive board and general body on Nov. 29, she said. Several students have already run their projects past the board, with some involving the collection of school supplies for needy
children and a fundraiser for mosquito nets to combat the problem of malaria, Nguyen said. About 10 groups of students expressed interest in entering the contest so far, she said. Originally, the contest deadline was set for Nov. 8, but they extended it partly because of this increased interest. Nguyen said she hopes students will use the extended deadline to further develop the details of their projects. For example, some groups will need to contact companies because their project involves sending supplies abroad. The 12 members of the executive board will consider input from the organization’s general body members when selecting the winner, Sigva said. “We’re going to choose the one we think would be the most
productive,” said Divya Rathi, FIMRC president. They are looking for a project that shows initiative and leadership skills, said Rathi, a School of Arts and Sciences senior. “We’re looking for creative ideas,” Sigva said. The winning project will become the focus of the FIMRC during the spring semester, Rathi said. “I think no matter who wins, it will make a dif ference,” Nguyen said. “We’re going to help them 100 percent with whatever they need to carr y out their plan.” FIMRC will then form a committee to help implement the winning project as well as provide resources such as assistance with fundraising, she said.
Nguyen originally presented the idea for the contest to the executive board. It is possible that the organization will continue the project during future semesters, she said. FIMRC was established on campus six years ago and focuses on global and local service projects. It is especially committed to assisting mothers and children by providing an increased level of health care, Rathi said. The organization has previously sent members on medical mission trips to foreign countries during winter, spring and summer breaks, she said. The University chapter, composed of 30 to 40 members, has also volunteered locally by working with Elijah’s Promise Soup Kitchen and the Ronald McDonald House, Rathi said.
U. LOOKS TO EXPAND ACADEMIC RELATIONSHIP WITH BRAZIL The Institute of International Education chose the University as one of 18 institutions to be a par t of the 2012 Inter national Academic Par tnership Program that strives to enhance relations between the University and Brazil. “It’s an extension of the work we’ve been already been doing,’’ said Joanna Regulska, vice president for international and global af fairs in a
University media relations press release. “It’s great to be chosen for a par tnership like this.” University faculty have been involved with several Brazilian institutions like the University of Sao Paulo, among others, in areas such as public health, childhood studies, biology, and Latino and Hispanic Caribbean studies, Regulska said.
The institute selected the University because of its work with international programs such as the Brazilian Science Without Borders undergraduate program, according to the release. The program aims to provide Brazilian students a chance to study in the United States and the United States will host 30 undergraduate students.
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GREASE TRUCK
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T H E DA I LY TA R G U M
The City of New Brunswick creates locations on College Avenue for food vendors to alleviate 1985 traffic problems.
Contracts with mobile vendors 1999 are renegotiated.
Contracts are renegotiated to change terms from three-year to 2002 one-year contracts.
1992
2001
2007
TIMELINE
City bans mobile food vendors from all public streets for traffic, parking and noise issues. SEPTEMBER: Lot 8 is converted for the nine food trucks. AUGUST:
New electrical installations are brought to the trucks at the University’s expense.
All vendors pay rent on a month-to-month basis and all contracts expire.
Source: Jack Molenaar, director of the Department of Transportation Services GRAPHIC BY TAYLERE PETERSON / MANAGING EDITOR
TRUCKS: Owners say losing bid would be devastating continued from front their food truck in the prime location that sees heavy faculty, staff and student traffic. “[We’re a more] diverse school than we were 18 years ago,” he said. THE TRUCKS Owner of RU Hungr y? Ayman Elnaggar owns two of the five grease trucks, one of which is the $250,000 trailer The Scarlet Shack. His trucks are open during the day shift from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Elnaggar, said he is aware of these environmental and maintenance concerns, and he works to take care of these issues personally. “We all do the best we can. We want to stay there. That’s how we make our living,” said Elnaggar, who has been in the lot since 1996. He also said outside establishments often dump extra trash into their dumpsters and dispose of grease into their drums, as the area — which is relatively garbage- and grease-free — is unlocked. Though Elnaggar said he and his staff take as many precautions as possible, some spills have happened, and the area is not perfect. As for the bathroom issues, he said he has locked it so students cannot use it anymore. “We do the best we can to solve [problems],” he said. Samir Alkilani — co-owner of Mr. C’s, Jimmy’s Lunch Truck and Just Delicious, the three trucks that run during the 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. night shift — said before he closes each night, he makes sure the lot is clean. “The thing is the kids, Rutgers students, they stay here hanging out in this area to four or five in the morning. I’m
not going to wait until the last student goes home,” he said. But these issues cause the University to not break even with the current rental rates, Molenaar said. “We shouldn’t be subsidizing businesses that make a profit here if we don’t have to,” said Jay Kohl, vice president for Administration and Public Safety, at the meeting. Alkilani and Elnaggar said they would be willing to comply with any changes the University needed them to make and pay higher rents to accommodate the extra costs to the University. A few years ago, the trucks had a lease that was renewed every three or four years, but now it is a monthly rent. Kohl said this month-tomonth set up keeps the deal with the trucks flexible, and the University wants to open this to the marketplace to see if there are ways to make this opportunity not only self-sufficient but also safer and more enjoyable for the school. Elnaggar believes this potential change is unfair. He invested a large amount of money in 2003 for his trailer, outdoor seating and different food items such as specialty coffee, salads, Halal and vegetarian items. He said only he and the other trucks have the experience required to serve the needs of the University community. The trucks are known worldwide for their fat sandwiches and have received accolades not just from publications like Sports Illustrated and Maxim, but literally from around the world, Elnaggar said. “I see that we got recognition, and it hurts me that the institution that I worked for for 14 years, they just want to get rid of me,” he said. Elnaggar said other universities have asked him to bring his trucks there. But because of his love for the University, he said he wants to stay.
“If we have to bid, I’m going to follow the rules,” he said. Elnaggar also believes this change is unfair because the University had already approved him bringing in the trailer and trucks. He thinks with this, he could never be reimbursed for the changes he has made to improve the area. “Now you’re telling me I have to get rid of my trailer, which was agreed to [be here] to ser ve students?” he asked. Alkilani echoed these sentiments and said about 25 families work with the five trucks. He said the loss would be devastating. “So anybody interested who’s got money is going to take my life out?” he asked. Alkilani thinks due to their histor y and dedication to the area — as well as the time and money invested — the original trucks should be given priority on how to handle this issue. “I think before they open it to the market, they open it to us,” he said. Alkilani said he would be willing to make any changes the University asked of him, but if he had to go to bid, he would as well. “I have no other choice,” he said. THEN, NOW AND TOMORROW The trucks — which used to be situated up and down College Avenue in the 1980s — were moved into that lot in 1994 to solve noise and traffic issues when the City passed an ordinance banning food vendors from the streets. They used generators for their electricity, which caused too much noise. So the University put them in Lot 8 to reduce pedestrian traffic and provided them with electrical supply to remove the generators, Molenaar said. “When we put them there, the goal was to solve the problem,” he said. Now, the mobile vendors, which Alkilani said have not moved in about six years, are
halfway toward a permanent food court, Molenaar said. “We’re in this hybrid state,” he said. Since the trucks no longer move around campus — though Elnaggar said they do have that capability — Molenaar and the committee members are thinking of reinstituting that function to solve these issues. “We think being mobile puts cost back where it should be, on mobile vendors. … The goal is for them to make a profit and [the University] meets health and safety standards,” Molenaar said. First, in recognizing the cultural significance of Lot 8, the committee discussed allowing vendors to bid on the location to have their trucks there, potentially in a painted or fenced-in area, but for only a specified time. For example, the tr ucks would have to leave the lot from 3 to 6 a.m. ever y day to an of f-base site in order to maintain their status as “mobile” and not permanent food establishments, all while keeping pedestrian and noise traf fic controlled. Elnaggar said these requirements are an unnecessar y burden on the trucks. “Do I have to do it ever y day for three hours? That’s a lot of work for me and Rutgers University,” he said. “You’re taking away the focus of ser ving the students.” Molenaar suggested that to make the trucks mobile, the University would remove the trucks’ electrical supply in the lot, and they would return to using generators. Gravatt said today’s generators, which are powered by odorless natural gas, are not noisy, unlike those in the past. When they put this designated location out to bid, the University would then outline cer tain requirements bidders must abide by in the RFP, or a request for proposal.
NOAH WHITTENBURG / ASSOCIATE PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
The University’s grease trucks have not moved from the lot for about six years, said Samir Alkilani, who co-owns three trucks.
Though the University is not subject to state regulations regarding the RFP process, they do have various University, health and safety rules that must be followed, said Natalie Calleja, executive director of University Procurement Services. But each RFP can stipulate certain restrictions that apply to the situation. For example, the University in this case could specify that bidders must of fer a certain type of food at a moderate price range, she said. University Sanitarian John Nasan said other requirements the RFP will consider are mobile food unit health and safety standards. These include: being outfitted with proper equipment to maintain and keep foods at safe temperatures; ware-washing and hand-washing sinks with hot/cold potable r unning water; and satisfactor y inspection from the Middlesex County Health Depar tment, among several others. Alkilani and Elnaggar said they routinely attend MCHD food-handling courses. Their tr ucks are inspected ever y six months by the MCHD, other wise they could not ser ve food. “W ithout the health inspector, we cannot get the cer tificate from the City,” Elnaggar said. Molenaar said he also intends to seek student input on what students want to see in Lot 8 and what to include in the RFP, whether it be through online polling, forums or social networking sites. Calleja said the grease truck situation is unique and she is unsure how the process will ultimately unfold, as Monday’s meeting was preliminar y. The University may choose another route altogether. If the school does choose to go through with an RFP, Molenaar would convene a formal committee to draft the stipulations of the RFP and evaluation criteria for selecting the vendors, which typically involves a holistic set of standards, she said. “Cost wouldn’t be the only factor in any of that. It’s usually one of many factors,” she said. But when selecting the winning bidders, the University cannot favor the grease trucks currently there, Calleja said. Molenaar said the University does not want to get rid of the grease trucks, but rather abide by all regulations. Kohl said this is an important decision to make and the University plans to look for input from all areas of the community. Molenaar said there are many University departments that need to be consulted in making this decision with the grease trucks in the upcoming months. “It’s not just a fat sandwich,” he said.
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NOVEMBER 9, 2011
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ALEX VAN DRIESEN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Assemblyman Joseph Egan, left, Sen. Bob Smith and Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula all reclaimed their seats this election with decisive wins against their opponents.
SEATS: Leaders look to continue current work on issues continued from front In New Br unswick, the races were even less contested, with Smith earning more than 1,600 votes when just 23 percent of votes were counted. Jordan Rickards, the Republican challenger, earned less than 400. “I want to thank all of you,” Chivukula said to the audience at Pines Manor in Edison. He said his party had done its job of providing the constituents with jobs and bringing money into the district. “My running par tners and I have had a strong record of accomplishments for the last 10 years in the state,” Chivukula said. “We have done a ver y good job in terms of constituents ser vices, and we have brought money into the district and solved some of the local issues.” On the topic of higher education, he said the issue of tuition increases and the overall increasing price of higher education was something of
DISTRICT: Candidates want winners to create change continued from front percent of the votes and Chivukula close behind with 31 percent of the votes. Rickards, who has been campaigning since March, had to overcome multiple obstacles when campaigning, including monetary advantages held by the incumbent and redistricting. “[My incumbent] began the race with half-a-million dollars, and I was starting with nothing,” he said. Rickards said the majority of the district is Democrat and winning that would be a difficult feat in his campaign race. Joseph Sinagra, R-18, an Assembly candidate who also fell short of his Assembly chair, said it does not matter if a candidate is associated with a certain party, they need to change the current state. “A lot of people are upset with the economy. It doesn’t matter if you differentiate between Republican or Democratic. If something is wrong you need to change it,” he said.
concern. The state must put more money into financial aid and cut administrative costs, he said. “The money has to come from the state to of fset the increasing cost of education,” he said. “We have to tr y to cut down the administrative costs, and that will bring down the overall expenses, and that in turn will bring down tuition.” With his party members’ successes rolling in moments before receiving his own news, Egan said he did not look at the results. “I didn’t take a look. The only results I know are New Brunswick, and we did very well in New Brunswick,” he said of the city for which he formerly served as a councilmember. On the topic of higher education, he shared similar sentiments with Chivukula. “I think we need to be more realistic and need to put more into higher education,” he said. “I think we need to concentrate on coming up with more money for higher education.” He said a tuition freeze might seem like a logical decision, but it is highly unrealistic despite its popularity with college students.
Sinagra said some of the largest areas of focus are taxes, jobs and economy. “Republicans have something to prove once they have that position,” he said. DiLalla said being a Republican in Middlesex County plays a large role in how people voted. “It doesn’t matter whether it’s a Democrat or Republican in charge as long as they get the
“We went to homes and did everything we could.” CARLO DILALLA Republican Assembly Candidate
job done. We did ever ything we could,” he said. “People think Republicans are the rich but it’s the opposite. When Republicans win, they win by a shoe string.” DiLalla said a large part of his campaign success was due to volunteer success. And although they did not walk away with a win, they managed to close the voting gap between
“While a tuition freeze may sound great for the students, that’s not going to solve the problem because we need to figure out a way to give more money,” Egan said. Peter Barnes Jr., chairman of the Middlesex County Democrats, said the Democratic Party had done all it could in this election. “We are ver y optimistic,” Barnes said. “Our candidates, for the last few months, have been knocking on doors, meeting their constituents.” He said candidates did a good job of talking to voters about the issues that most concern their districts. N.J. voters across the state also in this election backed the issue of sports betting, which was put up to a non-binding referendum on the ballot. With more than 50 percent of votes counted, the results showed voters suppor ted it two-to-one. The next step would be a lawsuit to overturn a federal ban on sports betting and official legislation within the state. If it passes it would be legal to bet at racetrack sites, but it would ban college sports betting.
JEFFREY LAZARO
Jordan Rickards, the Republican challenger to long-time incumbent Sen Bob. Smith, said last night that he was not nervous.
the victors and the losers since the last election. DiLalla said if the campaign had more money, he would have liked to send campaign mailers out to households in the district. “We ran ads in newspapers, we did robo-calls, but I would have liked to had mailers sent directly to homes three to four times [during the period],” he said. “Otherwise, we went to homes and did everything we could.” DiLalla said although he lost, he plans to run again two years from now in the next Assembly election. Mettler said being a Republican in Middlesex County, even in Somerset County, is hard because a large proportion is Democrat. He said neither party is wiser than the other because both parties have their flaws. “Democrats led tremendously around Middlesex County,” he said. “I think Republicans can have the race in the future. It’s not the party but the candidate.” Mettler said he hopes to run again in future years despite his first loss in the Assembly race. “We all did what we could,” he said. “Ever yone worked hard.”
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NOVEMBER 9, 2011
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T H E DA I LY TA R G U M
Faculty’s study advances brain damage treatment BY JULIAN MODESTO
The dendrites varicosities — swollen veins — resemble pearly necklaces, Firestein University professor Bonnie said. When you have more Firestein and her former gradu- cypin or less PSD-95, there are ate research assistant, Chia-Yi more beads, but the varicosity Tseng, isolated the activity of swelling is much smaller. If two proteins that will help in the you have extra glutamate, the prevention of further long-term dendritic spines detract and no damage following a stroke. information comes in. In a study published in the “What we think they [cypin] Oct. 26 edition of the Journal of may be involved in is microNeuroscience, Firestein and tubule assembly. Cypin proher assistant revealed the motes more of the skeleton,” results of their three-year Firestein said. “If you take cypin grant awarded by the American and put them in a dish, you preHear t Association. vent neuron death. Cypin makes The study finds that the pro- the cells really happy. If you duction of the proteins, cypin have too much PSD-95, you and PSD-95, in the brain af fect have the opposite effect.” secondar y damage to neurons Firestein originally isolated after brain injur y or stroke. cypin at the University of Specifically, cypin protects California, San Francisco. neurons from secondar y dam“My original publication on age from the glutamine- cypin was in 1999, but underinduced neurotoxicity, Tseng standing cypin happened in said. Meanwhile, PSD-95 does 2000,” she said. “No one is the opposite result. studying cypin. We’ve been “In response to [brain dam- screening compounds … and age], you get glutamate, which by targeting cypin, we can treat causes neurons to die and we stroke injur y.” mimicked this in a dish,” said The future treatment of local Firestein, associate professor brain degradation through in the Depar tment of Cell drugs or through modification Biology and Neuroscience in could rescue or induce the cypin the School of Ar ts protein’s activiand Sciences. “We ty, Tseng said. induce secondar y “If we can “Research leads damage in a dish find a cure for to things that in cultured, strokes soon, mature neurons.” the cypin reguwere once The str ucture lation cannot considered crazy of neurons, or only rescue the ner ve cells, is neuron damage at one point.” composed of from a stroke microtubule den— it can also COURTNEY NELSON drite branches rescue the neuAmerican Heart Association in New Jersey Regional Director similar to ones in ron damage of Communications the skeletal strucmaybe from tures that r un Alzheimer’s or through hands, spinal cord Firestein said. injur y,” she said. “My goal is to Dendrites gather informa- learn how diseases happen or tion from the cell bodies locat- how to cure these diseases.” ed on the neurons and transfer The research through the the information to axons, AHA’s Grant-in-Aid was given which through terminals trans- to Firestein and Tseng five fer the message to other den- years ago for their research on drites, she said. strokes, Firestein said. “I generally study how den“Bonnie has shared infordrites develop and get their mation and has ser ved as an shape and how the proteins exper t in her field of stroke involved in the development of research and has helped dendrites would also prevent shared the passion of research dendrite injur y,” she said. that will lead to new technoloAfter brain damage, a large gies to treat strokes,” said amount of glutamate is intro- Cour tney Nelson, the regional duced. The neuron will form a director of communications for beady structure called varicos- the AHA in New Jersey. ity and will be largely broken The AHA focuses on funddown, said Tseng, who ing research for the treatment received her Ph.D. in neuro- and prevention of cardiac disscience from the University in eases and stroke, with hear t a joint program with the disease being the No. 1 leadUniversity of Medicine and ing cause of death in the Dentistr y of New Jersey. United States and stroke being “The glutamate cycle is a No. 4, Nelson said. really impor tant damage Nelson said research is a source for those neurons that priority for the AHA, the secsur vive after stroke,” Tseng ond-largest funder of cardiovassaid. “This is a ver y common cular research only second to beginning pathway for many the federal government. diseases, like Alzheimer’s or “Research leads to things that Huntington’s. That’s why we were once considered crazy at wanted to see how the neurons one point. People thought, ‘How sur vive after the neurotoxicity can CPR save lives?’ but because after stroke.” of American Heart Association Cypin and PSD-95 are research … CPR [was] discovlinked to the microtubule ered,” Nelson said. shape changes in the stroke, so Nelson said research is key in Firestein and Tseung induced stopping cardiovascular disease. the neurotoxicity and then “All of the research that the modified the proteins to see American Heart Association suptheir ef fects. ports is peer-reviewed to deter“The results confirmed what mine what research initiatives are we were guessing — that cypin selected,” Nelson said. “What we protects the neurons from the do is seed funders. We help scineurotoxicity and PSD-95 has entists that are starting to get off opposite result,” she said. the ground.” CONTRIBUTING WRITER
T H E D A I LY TA R G U M
METRO
NOVEMBER 9, 2011
PA G E 7
Hillel, bone marrow foundation search for donors BY MATTHEW MATILSKY STAFF WRITER
The Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation joined hands with Rutgers Hillel to look for possible bone marrow donors in University students. “What Hillel’s trying to do is bring students together to give back to the community. By partnering with us, we’re helping them to do so by holding a bone marrow drive,” said Shayne Pilpel, lead recruitment coordinator for the foundation. The bone marrow drive serves as the 10th collaborative effort between the Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation and the University, he said. Hillel organized the event to be a part of its “Days Without Hate” campaign, which began Monday, said Aviva Rosenberg, community service chair. “Ultimately we’re tr ying to send a message to the campus and foster an environment so people feel safe,” said
Rosenberg, a School of Arts and Sciences junior. Rosenberg contacted Pilpel a few months ago and both groups started planning for the event, Pilpel said. “We send them ever ything from consent forms, ballpoint pens, informational brochures, the testing kits — ever ything they need to [run the drive],” he said. Pilpel engaged Rosenberg and her team of volunteers in a 20minute conversation instructing them on how to use the testing equipment, he said. Student volunteers at the drive looked carefully for potential donors who, if their blood type is compatible with a specific patient, could potentially cure diseases like leukemia, said Kirill Pennington, a School of Arts and Sciences sophomore who volunteered at the event for his fraternity, Theta Chi. “We’re asking people to swab their mouth with tissue samples, package the sample and send
their information to a lab,” said Pennington, whose fraternity partnered with Hillel for other events in the “Days Without Hate” campaign. The Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation will study the samples and send the results back to the University, informing them if potential matches were made, Pilpel said. People with compatible matches will be notified and will have the chance to go through a process of extracting and donating their bone marrow, Pennington said. “They make a small incision in your hip and extract it just like blood. You’re under anesthesia and are exhausted for the next few days, but after a few days it gets better and a life is saved,” he said. Regardless of the pain that might accompany the process, Ricki Tannenbaum, a School of Arts and Sciences first-year student, said she would like to donate anyway, should her sam-
ple prove to be a match. “There’s no way I wouldn’t do it. Imagine if you’re a match,” she said. “That’s like 1 in a million chance — you’re going to say, ‘I don’t want to be in pain’ and someone else is going to die?” Tannenbaum hopes to provide a compatible sample because she believes the benefits of donating a bone marrow outweigh its negatives. “It’s the best form of charity you could do. It’s literally saving a life. There’s no bigger deed of kindness,” she said. Matt Homsi, a member of Theta Chi, encouraged people to put aside their temporary discomfort and donate. Homsi, a School of Environmental and Biological Sciences sophomore, who donated blood numerous times, said people should consider the positive impact their actions can have on patients on the brink of death. “Until you’re in a position where you need someone’s help, I guess you won’t realize that by
doing these things you can make a difference,” he said. Theta Chi members hope this event, as well as others in the “Days Without Hate” campaign, will help them reach their goal of 20 community ser vices hours, twice the required amount needed, Pennington said. Rosenberg, who will continue to hold other events for the “Days Without Hate” campaign, said she enjoyed working with The Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation and looks forward to future collaborations. Pilpel agreed and said the University’s suppor t in the bone marrow foundation was an integral element in promoting his message and reaching out to patients with blood-related cancers. “Rutgers Hillel has been extremely supportive of our mission, and we’re extremely grateful for it,” he said. Ankita Panda contributed to this story.
SAYREVILLE MAN FOUND DEAD, CAUSE WITHHELD FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION Edison resident, Kelvin Dumo’s body was found earlier in Sayreville, N.J. Authorities pronounced the 28-year-old man dead at 5:25 a.m. Monday morning after they found him on Journee Mill Road, occupying property owned by Viking Terminal. Bruce Kaplan, the Middlesex County prosecutor, and John Zebrowski, chief of the Sayreville
Police Department, announced yesterday that officials are still looking into his death, according to a press release from the Prosecutor’s Office. Investigator Michael Daniewicz, who works with the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office and a Sayreville Police Department detective Douglas Sprague, were alerted of Dumo’s death after a man found Dumo’s body on his way to
work at 4:49 a.m. and called 911, according to the release. The man, whose name authorities are withholding, called 911 soon after. Authorities have determined from an autopsy report that Dumo’s death was a homicide, but are withholding the exact cause of death at this moment in order to continue the investigation more efficiently.
T H E D A I LY TA R G U M
NOVEMBER 9, 2011
WORLD
PA G E 9
Libyan election sees low turnout THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
GETTY IMAGES
Syrian President Bashar Assad holds loyality with most of the armed forces, which has led to the bloodiest Arab uprising yet.
Syrian death toll climbs during 8-month revolt THE ASSOCIATED PRESS BEIRUT — The death toll in the Syrian uprising has soared to at least 3,500 people, the United Nations said yesterday, a sobering measure of the scope of a military crackdown that has bloodied city after city but failed to crush the 8month-old revolt against President Bashar Assad’s regime. Under the strain of daily killings, some Syrians see a dangerous fracturing of society as long-festering resentments over religion, sectarian identity and poverty bubble to the surface. Moreover, there were new signs that an uprising that has so far been largely unarmed is increasingly starting to fight back, threatening a rise in the bloodshed. The dangers have been on display this week in the country’s third-largest city, Homs. This week, security forces have been besieging the city for the third time this year to stamp out what has been epicenter of the revolt. Most notably this time, dissident troops have been putting up a stiff defense as security forces blast their way into rebellious neighborhoods. Amid the fighting, there have been tit-for-tat sectarian killings suspected to be between Sunni Muslims, who largely back the protests, and Alawites, a Shiite sect that makes up the backbone of Assad’s regime. In Geneva, a spokeswoman for the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights said the count of 3,500 dead throughout the uprising was likely a conservative figure. “We are deeply concerned about the situation and by the government’s failure to take heed of international and regional calls for an end to the bloodshed,” said Ravina Shamdasani. She told The Associated Press the new death toll comes from a variety of credible sources on the ground both within and outside Syria that are then corroborated by the U.N. human rights office. Syria has seen the bloodiest crackdown against the Arab Spring’s eruption of protests. Deaths in Egypt, Tunisia and Yemen have numbered in the hundreds. Libya’s toll is unknown and likely higher than
Syria’s, but the conflict differed there: Early on it became an outright civil war between two armed sides. Syria, in contrast, has developed into a murderous grind. Though internationally isolated, Assad appears to have a firm grip on power with the loyalty of most of the armed forces, which in the past months have moved from city to city to put down uprisings. In each place, however, protests have resumed. In Homs, one of Syria’s most diverse cities with a population of about a million people, security forces have been assaulting Sunnimajority districts that have been the center of protests, raiding homes and fighting dissident troops — particularly in the neighborhood of Baba Amr. At least 110 people have been killed in Homs the past week, according to activists, 40 of them from Baba Amr. Electricity, water and phone lines have been cut to the restive neighborhood, where a man and a woman were killed by security forces’ fire yesterday, according to activist Salim al-Homsi. “There are mountains of garbage everywhere,” al-Homsi said. “It is difficult to bring in medical equipment, bread and heating fuel. There is a shortage of everything.” Amateur video posted online yesterday showed a small group of alleged military defectors from the group known as the Syrian Free army driving through Baba Amr on Monday with automatic rifles and shoulder-carried RPGs. “We are here to protect the peaceful, unarmed protesters in Baba Amr,” said a soldier who identified himself as a member of the Al-Farouk brigade. “We will teach them a hard lesson,” he said of the attacking forces. Still, yesterday regime forces controlled large parts of the district after defectors pulled back, said al-Homsi. The government has largely sealed off the country from foreign journalists and prevented independent reporting, making it difficult to confirm events on the ground. Key sources of information are amateur videos posted online and details gathered by witnesses and activist groups who then contact the media, often at great personal risk.
MONROVIA, Liberia — An election that was supposed to solidify peace in this nation emerging from war was marred by dismal turnout yesterday, after the opposition went ahead with a boycott despite last-minute appeals from the United States and the United Nations Security Council. The move guarantees re-election for the continent’s first and only female president who was just awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, but country experts worry that the low turnout could discredit Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s victory and delegitimize her government. It’s a worrying prospect in the Tennessee-sized nation of 3.9 million that experienced one of Africa’s most horrific civil wars and where a fragile peace is held in place largely by the presence of some 9,000 United Nations peacekeepers. “In life, when you make up your mind, make it fully,” said Rahim Willie, who didn’t cast his vote yesterday in keeping with the boycott order issued by opposition leader Winston Tubman of the Congress for Democratic Change party, or CDC. “We are Winston Tubman’s followers,” he said. “He and we believe the elections were flawed and we are staying away. Those who see reason to cast their votes today can do so. But as a CDC person, I can’t.” Tubman, the nephew of one of Liberia’s longest-serving presidents and a former United Nations diplomat, dropped out of the race last week and called on his supporters to withhold their vote in protest. The United States called his allega-
tions of fraud “unsubstantiated” and State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland called his decision “deeply disappointing.” Lines were only a dozen or so people deep in many precincts in the capital, and an hour after polls opened, many of the polling booths had no lines at all. Poll workers at several precincts said that voter turnout was as low as 25 percent. It was a sharp contrast to the first round of the election in October, when hundreds of people slept on the sidewalk overnight for a chance to be among the first to vote. Even as a torrential rain started to come down, people stood in queues that snaked out the doors, switchbacking across dirt courtyards and muddy fields. Instead yesterday, some polling stations closed before the published time when it became clear that no more voters would show up. Whereas last month, poll workers worked by candlelight to finish counting, in some precincts it appeared they would wrap up while it was still light because there were so few ballots inside the Tupperware containers serving as ballot boxes. At four polling stations in the West Point slum of the capital, the turnout was devastatingly low — with only 83 ballots cast out of 383 registered voters at one, for example, representing just 21 percent voter turnout. Helicopters hovered overhead and armored-personnel carriers patrolled the main boulevards, especially in the neighborhood where the opposition is headquartered. At least one person was killed and another four suf fered bullet
wounds after CDC supporters clashed with police on Monday, as they attempted to lead a march in support of the boycott. The boycott won’t stop Sirleaf from winning, but it could undercut her victor y and her government since she is running unopposed. “It was irresponsible of the opposition to do this,” said George Wah Williams, who heads Liberia Democracy Watch and who supported the opposition in the election’s first round despite having previously voted for Sirleaf in the 1995, 1997 and 2005 elections. “It will have implications on the public outlook on her election.” Tubman claims the electoral process is rigged in his opponent’s favor and says this week’s violence was fur ther evidence that the vote should have been postponed. Most analysts, however, say Tubman is boycotting not because of fears of fraud but because he knew he could not win. “If you look at the figures, you can see that Tubman is almost cer tainly going to lose. He is 12, 13 points down in the polls,” said Stephen Ellis, the author of a histor y of the Liberian civil war and a researcher at the African Studies Center in the Netherlands. “It’s an obvious calculation. He withholds legitimacy from the government,” Ellis said. “If it was felt by a large part of population to not be legitimate, in a place like Liberia, with its histor y, it becomes quite worrying.”
T H E D A I LY TA R G U M
OPINIONS
PA G E 1 0
NOVEMBER 9, 2011
EDITORIALS
Cash incentives spur students to achieve
S
alem and Green Run High Schools in Virginia Beach are taking an interesting approach to encouraging students to achieve academically. Whereas most of us probably attended high schools where the best incentive offered was the teacher’s verbal praise — and, really, who cared enough about that to let it push them to try harder? — students at these schools are receiving cash for a job well done. Thanks to a privately backed grant, these high schools can afford to pay students $100 for each score of at least a “3” on an Advanced Placement exam a student achieves. So, if little Johnny manages to get a “5” on his calculus, history and English composition exams, he’ll stroll out of school with $300 in his pocket. That’s some serious cash. While it’s an unorthodox strategy, we can see nothing but good coming out of it. Whether you like it or not, incentives work, especially when it comes to a group as stereotypically apathetic as high school students. Think about it: When you were in high school, would you have taken your studies much more seriously if someone were paying you to do well in them? We’re willing to bet that you definitely would have, and there’s nothing wrong with that. After all, that is why people get jobs and do them well — to make money. Working hard in school to make money is really no different. If you’re particularly uncomfortable about high schoolers receiving money for good grades, think about they fact that they already do in the form of college scholarships and the like. These cash payouts are similar to such scholarships, just in miniature. Also, consider that the tests themselves cost a hefty amount. Between practice workbooks to study from and the $87 registration fee for each test, AP exams are not cheap. These cash awards are essentially making up for the initial costs incurred by the students to take the test in the first place. Some argue that the grants should be put to a different use, like hiring more teachers, but we cannot imagine that a grant which allows the schools to pay students $100 per good AP grade would cover the cost of a teacher’s salary for the duration of their career. In short, that just is not a logical way to use the money. The cash incentives, though, are much cheaper. One of American society’s most popular narratives is that we award those who work hard, so let’s award students who put in the work to succeed.
Police must not track suspects via GPS
T
echnological advancement, we must remember, is about more than just coming up with efficient ways to access and share Internet memes. There are more practical applications, and some of these applications have downsides. Case in point: The Supreme Court is hearing a case regarding an incident in which police officers attached a global positioning system device to a suspect’s car without the suspect’s knowledge or a warrant. The GPS tracked the suspect over the course of a few weeks, recording where and when the suspect drove. The suspect’s lawyer argues that such a use of the GPS device violates his client’s Fourth Amendment rights, which shield citizens from unreasonable search and seizure. The U.S. government, for its part in the case, is arguing that using the GPS in this situation allowed officers to access the same sort of information they would if they had followed the suspect themselves — something which is perfectly legal. Despite what the U.S. government may claim, however, there are major difference between physically trailing a suspect and trusting a GPS device to do the work for you, and these differences make the use of a GPS device by police officers in incidents like this unacceptable. We understand that police officers, like anyone else, gain a variety of benefits from new technologies like GPS devices. However, these benefits do not excuse officers from doing their jobs themselves. You cannot depend on a GPS to give officers the same information as physically trailing a suspect would give. Computers can be more easily confused than humans in many cases, and sometimes this leads to devastatingly harmful misinformation. Take, for example, the story of Donna Cooper and her family, who, while traveling in Death Valley, Calif., found themselves lost for three days because of their GPS device’s misdirection. In summary: everything a GPS says cannot be automatically trusted. We’re certain the police are using far more sophisticated tracking devices, but that does not necessarily preclude the occurrence of similar malfunctions. Also, as the American Civil Liberties Union points out, using a GPS in this way makes it so that “police could track unlimited numbers of people for days, weeks or months at a time.” Essentially, it opens up a can of worms, forcing officers to navigate such tricky questions as “how frequently should we use this tactic?” and “how do we differentiate between when it is permissible and when it crosses the line?” GPS tracking is ultimately far more invasive than more traditional means of intelligence collection. Leave trailing suspects to actual human officers, not their computers.
QUOTE OF THE DAY “It’s not just a fat sandwich.” Jack Molenaar, director of the Department of Transportation Services, on the complexities of the University’s issues with the grease trucks STORY ON FRONT
MCT CAMPUS
Hip-hop plays role in revolutions
H
Ali’s, and the groundbreakip-hop has been a ing song broke barriers in polarizing music the countr y’s long struggle genre in our sociefor freedom of speech. ty for decades. Some blame Move it over to Egypt, it for societal ills like where a popular Egyptian misogyny, racism and MC that goes by the name materialism. Others view it of Deeb raps in a similar as an outlet and a necesAMANI AL-KHATAHTBEH fashion. He works with the sar y means of expression. platform that hip-hop was But regardless of how it founded on, fighting against discrimination, to may be viewed among Americans, no one really voice his criticisms of the government. During the foresaw the impact it would have in the global turmoil in Egypt, Deeb used rich metaphors in his movement toward justice, especially within the songs to voice his animosity toward former Arab revolutions. President Hosni Mubarak and the social ills that Born from the spoken word poetry of black resulted from his faulty regime. Deeb even collabartists in the ’60s and ’70s, hip-hop was no doubt orated with artists from other Arab countries on born as a social movement. It became popular on songs that range in topic from Palestine to Iraq, the heels of the civil rights era, tackling issues such which re-energized Arab youth and reminded as poverty, discrimination and adversity. It was them that all Arabs are facing the much more common to find socially same struggles. conscious rappers on the scene — “No one really Palestine has been a hotbed of think today’s Mos Def — that hip-hop activism as well. The first shaped the hip-hop atmosphere for foresaw the impact Palestinian hip-hop group, DAM, their generation. is coming from the Middle East to Hip-hop was viewed by its ador[hip-hop] would visit the University this Friday in ers as standing on the outside lookhave in the the Douglass Campus Center. ing in, being able to swim upstream Veterans in utilizing the power of in a society where most people global movement music to make their voices be thought one way and courageously toward justice.” heard, Tamer Nafar, Suhell Nafar getting vocal about issues. It no and Mahmoud Jreri, the three doubt represented the opinions of members of the group, have been those that were other wise marginrapping for a decade now. Their influential songs alized in our society during a time when African focus on the plight of the Palestinian people, the Americans were still struggling against the remshortcomings of the Israeli government and ultinants of institutionalized discrimination. Hip-hop mately their eternal quest for freedom. In an unified the struggle against the system, and that’s attempt to build bridges, DAM raps in English, why it may come as no surprise this same form of Arabic and Hebrew to get their message across expression has been harnessed by Arab youth in to as many people as they can. 2011 as a way to publicize their grievances with Obviously hip-hop cannot in any way be credittheir faulty governments. ed for bringing about the revolutions, but it does Take it back to where it all started — Tunisia. add an interesting dynamic to the situation that Zine El Abidine Ben Ali had a tight grip over the resonates with people the world over. Here at corrupt government as well as his own people. home, many Arab-Americans inspired by the But then, amid increasing protests and the growstruggles of their brothers overseas have taken to ing momentum of the people’s discontent, a the mics as well. Syrian-American Omar young Tunisian by the pseudonym of El General Offendum and Iraqi-Canadian The Narcicyst are popped up on the scene. Rapping a powerful song two of the most notable Arab rappers in the counof dissatisfaction with the government, El tr y. Among their countless songs about the General’s video became a hit on Facebook and treatment of Arabs and Muslims both in America Youtube and resonated with youth throughout the countr y. It was unheard of for someone to outSEE AL-KHATAHTBEH ON PAGE 11 spokenly criticize the government, especially Ben
The Minority Report
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T H E DA I LY TA R G U M
O PINIONS
AL-KHATAHTBEH
COMMENTS OF THE DAY
continued from page 10
“If officers knew that this investigative tool was in place, maybe they would think twice before breaking the very laws they are sworn to uphold.”
and abroad, the two artists collaborated on the song “#Jan25” in honor of the Egyptian revolution. While many of today’s American rappers may have lost sight of hip-hop’s roots, the power of this music genre is cer tainly undeniable. It was born from the African-American struggle against adversity and inequality, and has transcended races and boundaries in attaining this end, its influence now reaching the conflict-ridden Middle East. Those who say “hip-hop is dead” should rethink their stance — it seems like the true essence of hip-hop is still alive and kicking, inspiring marginalized youth across the world. Amani Al-Khatahtbeh is a School of Arts and Sciences sophomore majoring in Middle Eastern studies and political science with a minor in French. Her column, “The Minority Report,” runs on alternate Wednesdays.
User “Donalds” in response to the Nov. 8 editorial, “Body cameras foster officer accountability”
“Lack of finishing has been a problem for Rutgers [women’s soccer] for years. Is it the players that the coach is recruiting, or is it the system and style of play the coaches have implemented?”
User “stoneyjack” in response to the Nov. 3 article, “Adverse year fosters growth for inexperienced RU squad”
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NOVEMBER 9, 2011
11
Daily review: laurels and darts
E
ver since President Barack Obama introduced the notion of a health care reform, he has met persistent resistance on the issue. Thus far, six appeals courts have seen challenges to the health care law, with the latest being the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. The American Center for Law and Justice filed the case, on the grounds that requiring people to purchase health care infringed on their personal freedom. Luckily, the court ruled to uphold the health care requirement, as the judges came to the logical conclusion that Congress should, in the words of Judge Laurence Silberman, “be free to forge national solutions to national problems.” We laurel the judges for upholding this requirement. People need to remember that, sometimes, it is okay for their government to help them. Federal legislators are not always out to get you. *
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Every now and then, a former U.S. president will take time off from his retirement schedule to voice his opinion on certain matters and national events. The latest instance of this sort comes from the mouth of former President Bill Clinton, who said he feels that in the future, presidents should be able to serve a third, nonconsecutive term as president. Never mind the possibility that this might be a last-ditch effort by the 42nd president to serve again at the helm as commanderin-chief in disguise — he’s already emphasized that this rule shouldn’t apply to him. We cannot take this suggestion seriously. The 22nd amendment of the Constitution states, “No person shall be elected to the office of the president more than twice.” The purpose of this is to prevent any sort of monocratic rule taking root in the White House — a thought that terrified the nation’s forefathers. We give Clinton a dart for neither respecting nor seeing the value in such a term limit.
T H E D A I LY TA R G U M
PA G E 1 2
DIVERSIONS
Horoscopes / LINDA C. BLACK
Pearls Before Swine
NOVEMBER 9, 2011
STEPHAN PASTIS
Today's Birthday (11/09/11). This year you gain a new capacity to listen, and for that you're appreciated by your partner. Partnership and friendship bring new satisfaction. Continue figuring out how to make a difference, and leave your singular imprint. Listen to young people. To get the advantage, check the day's rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today Today is an 8 — It's easy to just is a 9 — What you've learned is bluster through financially. being tested now. Don't worry You've got confidence, ambition about the final score, just enjoy and power. Keep it inside a plan, the process. Finances flow for the and don't spend wildly. Make an next few days. emotional appeal. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today Today is an 8 — Your relationis a 9 — Learn how to be prepared ships are becoming stronger. from another's emergency. Friends Take care of others like you are ready to lend a hand, and a would like them to take care of strong back or two, if you need you. Join forces with a master them. Better safe than sorry. of surprises. Gemini (May 21-June 21) — Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 6 — Slow down and Today is a 9 — Make sure that contemplate. Procrastination is you get plenty of rest as the knocking on your door. Indulge action gets more hectic. Don't it productively by cleaning take it (or yourself) too serioushouse, but only if you can keep ly, or you may burn out. Pace your deadlines. yourself. You can do it. Cancer (June 22-July 22) — Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is an 8 — Begin a new Today is a 7 — You're lucky in project. Stumble upon your crelove for the next few days, ative self and make things hapalthough there may be some compen. Accept a generous offer for petition. Finish a contract or docyour work. You can see farther. ument, and get into a new projFocus on abundance. ect. Your connections open doors. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — is a 7 — Follow your intuition Today is an 8 — You have a lot when it comes to career now. that is hidden from view. Find Dare for bold and audacious change by cleaning at home. dreams, and go for them. Pay When everything's in order, new back a debt. The money's availpossibilities arise. Clean finances, able. Plan your actions. too (and earn gold stars). Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 9 — This could be a Today is an 8 — Dive into a lucky break for you. Remember research project. Shut yourself that love's the bottom line. Mateaway in a quiet place, and the rial abundance is nice and could solutions reveal themselves. You just flow easily. Say "thank you." retain the information with ease. © 2011, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.
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T H E DA I LY TA R G U M
S P O RT S
NOVEMBER 9, 2011
TWINS: Highly-touted
KEITH FREEMAN / PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
Sophomore linebacker Jamal Merrell (37) joined Rutgers’ defense in the spring, after Greg Schiano moved him to the position from wide receiver. Merrell started every game this season.
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the defensive unit as well, according to senior defensive tackle defensive end makes impact Justin Francis. “Those two guys are some hardworking guys and they push continued from back each other. They feed off of each according to ESPN.com. But he other,” Francis said. “When one’s suffered through a foot injury durdown you can kind of see the ing the early part of the season. other amping him up. That’s one Over the past two weeks, thing that you love about them.” Jamil Merrell made an impact In the past two games, there along the defenwas plenty of famsive front, recordily present to “Working out ing five tackles watch the two against the Bulls play together. we always push and four against The pair’s West Virginia. mother, aunts and each other to try Jamil Merrell countless other to be the best at still knows he has relatives were in a long way to go everything we do.” the stadium to before his play watch the twins matches the per form, but it JAMIL MERRELL expectations surwas the presence Sophomore Defensive End rounding him of the Merrells’ when he chose father that likely Rutgers with his brother two meant most. years ago. Both identified their father as But with his brother now crucial to their development as playing behind him, Jamil football players, and both spent Merrell has a constant source their post-game embrace remindof motivation. ing each other of the work still to “Working out we always be done. push each other to tr y to be the “Something about our dad, best at ever ything we do,” Jamil like how growing up we were Merrell said. “To have him built for this basically,” Jamil behind me … it’s just a better Merrell said of what his brother feeling on the field.” told him after the win. “He was The connection not only helps just telling me, ‘If we keep going the Merrell twins, but the rest of hard, we’ll be all right.’”
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NOVEMBER 9, 2011
S PORTS
T H E DA I LY TA R G U M
HOME: Diver relates with new teammates after transfer continued from back
KEITH FREEMAN / PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
Junior diver Carissa Santora transferred to Rutgers after spending two seasons at Virginia Tech. The move reunited Santora with diving coach Fred Woodruff, who initially recruited her out of Mainland Regional High School.
RECRUITS: Freshman
Santora credits her teammates as the reason why the team continues to experience a strong start to the season. “I’m really excited about that,” Santora said of the team’s success. “It’s so nice to come into a program that is working so hard together. Everyone is getting better and working really hard.” While the Somers Point, N.J., native is new to the program, being from the Garden State made it easy for Santora to get along with her teammates and feel at home at the Sonny Werblin Recreation Center. “Carissa is great,” said junior diver Valentina Gordon. “She is really fun to be around and there really isn’t a dull moment with her.” Even though the junior lived in New Jersey for most of her life, Rutgers presented somewhat of a different feel than when she used to swim for the Hokies. “The diversity on campus is different,” Santora said. “Virginia Tech is way down south in the middle of nowhere, so you’re not in the city life at all. Coming here has been pretty cool.” While the move benefited her on the boards, Santora knew returning to New Jersey would get rid of the homesickness she experienced for two years in Blacksburg, Va.
senior season to go along with 3.4 assists. Davis also got it done on the guards add depth at point defensive end of the floor, averaging an eye-popping six steals continued from back per contest. The addition of Davis and limited or kept now-senior Richardson offers the Knights a Nikki Speed out of the lineup. depth at point guard unmatched Fifth-year senior Khadijah in recent seasons, allowing head Rushdan handled the brunt of coach C. Vivian Stringer to play the Knights’ point guard fast if necessary. responsibilities, averaging 11.8 “The way we’ve points and 5.2 assist been practicing our per game. offense, don’t be surBut with Richardson prised if you see five providing another guards out there, as viable option at the well as the big players,” position and a healthy Speed said. Speed returning to the But above all else, lineup, the Knights’ it is Davis’ passion for point guard play is no basketball that sets longer a concern. her apart. “It’s definitely SYESSENCE Stringer noted the impor tant, especially DAVIS heated competition in when you have minds practice thus far improved since of point guards,” Rushdan said last season with the freshman of the team’s depth. “Coach class. Davis is a reason why, Stringer always says, ‘If you’re Rushdan said. a point guard, you can play any “She brings a lot of fire to the position because you see the game,” she said. “She game so well.’ If we gets us hype and somehave all four of us out times we’ve got to be there at one time, like, ‘[Syessence], calm you’ve got to think it’s down,’ just because she a great thing.” may do it at the wrong Richardson also has time. But you’ve got to high expectations for appreciate somebody the group. that comes with that “I see us being much fire and that really good,” she said. much passion.” “I see us going really SHAKENA No matter how far as long as we conRICHARDSON much intensity Davis tinue to stay on path brings and how much natural and do the right thing. We ability at point guard Richardson should be ver y good.” has, both have plenty to learn, With Davis also factoring into Stringer said. the mix, the Knights are even “No point guard that I’ve more improved in the backcourt. ever coached, including ESPN Hoopgurlz ranked [Richardson and Davis], Davis the No. 14 combo guard in automatically knows what the nation among her class, and they’re doing and are comfor tthe freshman has the ability not able doing it,” she said. “It’s a only to dribble, but shoot and dif ficult adjustment.” score effectively. But the adjustments are The 5-foot-7 guard and twoundoubtedly easier with both time Player of the Year in the Neptune High School products Shore Conference averaged committing to Rutgers together. 15.8 points per game her
S P O RT S
T H E DA I LY TA R G U M
NOVEMBER 9, 2011
17
CONOR ALWELL / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Freshman golfer Kortnie Maxoutopoulis’ only finish this season outside the top-five individual performers was the Rainbow Wahine Invitational, the Scarlet Knights’ final tournament of the season. Maxoutopoulis won a pair of tournaments in her first season, including the Bucknell Invitational, her first collegiate appearance.
Head coach notices marked development in fall season BY JOEY GREGORY STAFF WRITER
Rutgers head women’s golf coach Maura Waters-Ballard saw as much as a coach could ask of a WOMEN’S GOLF t e a m between the spring and fall seasons with clear improvement. As a team, the Scarlet Knights lowered their average finish by nearly three places. They posted three top-three finishes, compared to only one in the spring. And they lowered their scores. Waters-Ballard took notice of all of it. “Our stroke average is about 14 shots lower than it was this time last year, so we’re making great strides,” she said. “The girls are really working hard and it’s paying off.” Perhaps one of the biggest questions facing Waters-Ballard entering the fall season was how she was going to fill the void left by former captain Jeanne Waters.
WOMEN’S GOLF 2011 SPRING SCHEDULE MARCH 16-17 Siena College Homewood Suites Invitational Port St. Lucie, Fla.
MARCH 23-24 Cincinnati Spring Invitational Crystal River, Fla.
APRIL 13-14 Columbia Roaree Invitational Suffern, N.Y.
APRIL 22-24 Big East Championships Orlando, Fla.
Waters was consistently part of the contributing scores for the Knights, and finding someone to match her scores was not an easy task. Freshman Kor tnie Maxoutopoulis more than answered the call, leading the Knights in each of the five fall tournaments and winning two of them. Her only finish outside the top five was the Rainbow Wahine Invitational, at which the Knights saw some of the best teams in the country, including No. 1 UCLA. “[Kortnie] has been great. She’s played very steady, very consistently, ver y focused,” Waters-Ballard said. “She’s a fabulous addition to the team as a freshman, competing so well her first year.” But with all of the excitement surrounding the emerging freshman star, Waters-Ballard has not lost sight of the contributions and strides of the rest of the team.
“Our captain leader, Lizzy Carl, really motivated the girls. She has done a great job keeping us focused. We’ve got great leadership and also great underclassmen that are doing a great job,” she said. “Everybody is working hard and in great spirits.”
MAURA WATERS-BALLARD The biggest weapon for the Knights during the upcoming spring season might not be their freshman standout, but rather added experience throughout the entire team, which is most important to Maxoutopoulis.
Waters-Ballard thinks as good as Maxoutopoulis was this season, she can come out even stronger in the spring. “I think the experience Kortnie gained this fall will do her ver y well in the spring,” Waters-Ballard said. “I think we can probably see even a little better play from her in the spring now that she knows what it’s all about and has a season under her belt.” In order to prepare for the spring, the work does not stop. The Knights are going to squeeze all of the course time they can out of the fall, as well as move some training indoors. “We’re going to be going into the gym three days a week, working out,” Waters-Ballard said. “We’ll still play golf on Tuesdays and Thursdays, weather permitting.” The Knights have from now until March 16 to keep in shape and prepare for the spring, which Waters-Ballard said could be more intense.
“I think the spring might be a little stronger actually, competitionwise, than the fall,” she said. “[The Columbia Roaree Invitational] will be Ivy League teams which are very good. The Cincinnati event is fairly competitive.” The finale of the spring season is the Big East Championships, which showcases the toughest competition all year. The Knights took sixth place last year at the Championships. Waters-Ballard sees this season’s squad improving on the mark. The Knights have little time to enjoy the improvements made this fall because they know fast approaching is their final exam, the Big East Championships. “Right now we are ahead of three teams in the rankings. I think we can keep that position,” she said. “That would be my goal, to beat out those three, and there are seven teams so we would come in fourth place. I see us in the top five for Big East.”
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S PORTS
NOVEMBER 9, 2011
T H E DA I LY TA R G U M
WORD ON THE STREET
R
ALEX VAN DRIESEN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
JENNIFER MIGUEL-HELLMAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Seniors Hannah Curtis (left) and Kallie Pence make their final appearances for the Scarlet Knights this weekend, when they welcome Connecticut and St. John’s to the College Avenue Gym to close the season. Curtis and Pence helped turn around a 2-22 team.
Pair of seniors grip for final matches BY PATRICK LANNI STAFF WRITER
An unlikely duo arrived on the Banks four years ago. One traveled 4,000 miles from home, the o t h e r VOLLEYBALL 2,000. One was quiet and reserved, the other quirky and outgoing. Now, Rutgers senior volleyball captains Hannah Curtis and Kallie Pence share a special bond and stories to last far beyond their playing careers. Faced with a 2-22 record their freshman year, the pair saw the worst of a developing program. “Kallie and I came in as freshman and we knew it would be hard coming into a program that was rebuilding,” Curtis said. “We just put in a lot of effort.” The effort resulted in immediate success for the two players. Cur tis finished the season first on the team in blocks and second in kills, while Pence led the team in assists from her setter position. Patience then became a characteristic for them.
“[Our freshman year] took a lot of patience and strength to go through,” Curtis said. “We put in a lot of work and time for the program.” The patience paid off the following season, as the 2008 squad tallied 10 wins. Curtis again proved a valuable tool in the middle, leading the team in blocks for a second consecutive year. Her seven blocks against Georgetown gave the Knights the edge in their first Big East win in two seasons. Pence also led a Rutgers first. The College Station, Texas, native recorded 36 assists in the final two matches of the Bucknell Invitational, steering the Knights to their first tournament championship in the Werneke era. With plenty of accolades on the cour t to remember their underclassmen years, their journey on the cour t soon comes to a close. “It’s kind of surreal,” Pence said. “I never imagined this time would come. It’s kind of one of those things where you don’t
take your time here for granted, but it’s all just what you do … it’s your life. It just hasn’t quite hit me yet.” It did not yet hit Curtis, who also described her last week of practice as “surreal.” “It’s a little sad. It’s bittersweet, but I try not to think about it too much,” she said. The duo plays in its final two games this weekend at the College Avenue Gym against Connecticut and St. John’s on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. With eight wins in their upand-down senior season, Cur tis and Pence attempt to get to double-digits wins for the third consecutive season. “I’m going to make the last two games the best two games,” Cur tis said. “[I’m going to] go out swinging hard, playing hard and making them the most unforgettable experience.” Two wins on their final weekend would be encouraging for Curtis and Pence, but their stories, relationship and growth are factors neither can forget.
“I don’t think words can really describe what a great experience this has been for me,” Cur tis said. “The past four years have been the best four years of my life.” Four years on the court together end abruptly this weekend, but the senior captains agree their friendship will remain. “She’s definitely my best friend in the whole entire world,” Pence said. “Words can’t even describe what our relationship is and truly how incredible it is. I think it’s one that’s honest and we’ll have for the rest of our lives. She will be my best friend forever, and it’s been a true privilege to spend my four years with her.” Curtis was also quick to value their friendship. “If we could spend every second of the day together, we would. She’s just amazing on and off the court, and I’ve learned so much from her,” Curtis said. “We’ve grown up together the past four years. She’s really special to me. We’re definitely going to be friends forever.”
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HEAD
football coach Joe Paterno planned to attend his weekly press conference yesterday, knowing most of the questions would involve the scandal surrounding former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky. But PSU administration repor tedly cancelled the press conference. Sandusky was indicted on charges of sexually abusing eight boys he met through his charity foundation over the course of 15 years. Paterno testified a graduate assistant who witnessed one of the incidents informed him, and Paterno passed the information on to Athletic Director Tim Curley, who since stepped down along with senior Vice President Gary Schultz.
THE
NEW
ENGLAND
Patriots released defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, who they acquired four months ago. He sat the bench following an argument with defensive line coach Pepper Johnson during the third quarter of Sunday’s loss to the New York Giants, and two days later the Pats cut him. The veteran lineman totaled three tackles in six games for New England.
TEXAS
FALL BACK INTO A SUMMER TAN
3 TANS
utgers soccer midfielder Bryant Knibbs and field hockey midfielder Lisa Patrone earned Rutgers Student-Athletes of the Month honors for October. Knibbs helped lead the Scarlet Knights to a 9-5-3 record and a first-round bye in the Big East Tournament. He scored two goals and earned an assist in October and also received Big East Weekly Honor Roll recognition for his game-winning goal against Villanova. Patrone ranked second on the team in assists (4), earning Big East Weekly Honor Roll honors for the second time in her career.
RANGERS
pitching coach Mike Maddux withdrew from candidacy for manager of the Boston Red Sox. Maddux was supposed to have an interview yesterday, but canceled. He said the main reason he declined the opportunity for the position was because of his family. Philadelphia Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin and Milwaukee Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum already interviewed.
ARIZONA
CARDINALS
quarterback Kevin Kolb likely has to sit out when the team travels to Philadelphia to face Kolb’s former team. He still suffers from a sprained foot and turf toe, which hamper his movement. Fordham product John Skelton will practice with the first team this week and will likely earn his second straight start.
S P O RT S
T H E DA I LY TA R G U M
NOVEMBER 9, 2011
19
KEITH FREEMAN / PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
Redshirt freshman running back Jawan Jamison averaged 0.8 yards per carry last week against South Florida, which magnified the issues of Rutgers’ ground game. The Stark, Fla., native said it was a product of trying to make something out of nothing and losing yards on too many plays.
PRACTICE NOTEBOOK
S CHIANO CHALLENGES BY STEVEN MILLER SPORTS EDITOR
If Greg Schiano had the opportunity, the Rutgers head football coach would sign up for a 3-yards-per-carry average from his rushing game. “Three yards is OK with me,” Schiano said. And it should be, since the Scarlet Knights average 2.4 yards per car r y entering Saturday’s game against Army. The number includes sacks — the average for running backs and fullbacks is 3.24 yards per carr y — but last week backfield players carried the ball 22 times for 17 yards. Including sacks, Rutgers’ ground game lost 7 yards. It also lost freshman Savon Huggins. The result could be changes to the Rutgers of fense. Schiano said it could mean more carries for fullback Joe Mar tinek, maybe even with fullback Michael Bur ton blocking. But the most likely scenario involves more carries for littleused Jeremy Deering. The sophomore ranked second on the team in rushing last season out of the Wildcat, but has only 22 carries for 68 yards in his first season at running back. The decreased production is par t of a numbers game, Schiano said.
RUNNING BACKS TO IMPROVE PRODUCTION ON GROUND
Deering had an extra blocker last season, when Schiano and his staf f recognized Rutgers had major deficiencies on the ground and leaned on the Wildcat. He also had more opportunities. “He probably hasn’t gotten as many touches at that as he did when he got touches fulltime at the Wildcat,” Schiano said. “He ran well [yesterday]. I was really pleased. He’ll stick it in there. He may not have as much shake-shake as Jawan [Jamison], but he’ll stick it in there and right now, that’s what we need.” Jamison recognized as much, and shouldered the blame for last week’s showing. The redshir t freshman rushed for 101 yards Oct. 15 against Navy, then fell 4 yards shy of the centur y mark two weeks later against West Virginia. He carried the ball 15 times for 12 yards against USF. “I was just trying to make something happen,” Jamison said. “That was my fault. I feel like I have it figured out more — not as much shaking and side-to-side, but more one cut and go.”
suf fering a head injur y in practice and Schiano said he is uncer tain of his status this week. “I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Schiano said.
JUNIOR
WIDE
RECEIVER
Mohamed Sanu is six receptions shy of tying Kenny Britt’s single-season receptions record at Rutgers, and Schiano is not surprised. “I don’t put anything by Mo,” he said. Sanu also needs only 11 catches to tie Larry Fitzgerald’s Big East single-season record. Schiano considers Sanu’s fourth-and-9 reception from his back against USF his best of a season filled with highlight-reel grabs because of its importance.
SENIOR
SAFETY
PAT
RECEIVER
Kivlehan played his biggest defensive role of the season against Navy and its tripleoption offense earlier this year, when he made two tackles, including half for a loss, and intercepted a pass. Schiano said Kivlehan is in line for a similar role this week against Army. “He has a knack for playing this stuff,” Schiano said.
Mark Harrison started practice yesterday, but stopped after he did not feel well while dealing with concussion symptoms. Har rison did not play Saturday against USF after
yesterday with the white helmets they will wear against Army, only without the American flag block ‘R’ emblem on them.
JUNIOR
WIDE
THE KNIGHTS
PRACTICED KEITH FREEMAN / PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
Junior wideout Mohamed Sanu is 12 receptions shy of breaking Larry Fitzgerald’s single-season Big East receptions record.
T H E D A I LY TA R G U M
SPORTS
PA G E 2 0
NOVEMBER 9, 2011
Merrell twins earn starting roles on Rutgers defense BY ANTHONY HERNANDEZ ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR
KEITH FREEMAN / PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
Sophomore defensive end Jamil Merrell (92) started his first game in Greg Schiano’s defensive unit in Rutgers’ loss to West Virginia two weeks ago in Piscataway. The Bear, Del., native, formerly the No. 15 ranked defensive end by ESPN, has nine tackles.
STAFF WRITER
High school seniors face the dif ficult decision ever y year of either staying home to earn their SWIMMING & DIVING college educations or venturing away from ever ything they know to a school in a dif ferent state. Rutgers junior diver Carissa Santora chose the latter three years ago. But it took only a two-year stint at Virginia Tech for Santora to realize how much she missed home, and the first-year Scarlet Knight believes she made the right choice by returning to New Jersey. “I was pretty home sick,” Santora said. “A lot of people from my high school go here, so it wasn’t really a hard transition. I love my team and my coach, so it worked out.” Homesickness was not a cause of concern for the diver initially. During her senior year at Mainland Regional High School, Santora narrowed down her diving destinations to Virginia Tech and Rutgers. She chose the former,
much to the disappointment of Rutgers head diving coach Fred Woodruf f, who recruited her to stay home and compete for the school he coached at for the past 18 years. “It bummed me out at the time,” Woodruff said. “Then she decided she wanted to come back home, so I was really excited when she wanted to do that.” Santora looks back on the decision with a laugh and a smile. “You live and you learn,” Santora said. “But now I’m here and I love it so far. I like it a lot here.” The decision to return home benefited both Santora and her new team. The Knights hold an unblemished 4-0 record entering Friday’s Big East meet with Texas Christian and Seton Hall. The junior quickly became an integral part of Woodruff’s squad, helping aid the Knights’ strong start. At last weekend’s meet against Wagner, Santora took home both the 3-meter and 1-meter dive events that propelled Rutgers to a 165-121 home victory.
SEE HOME ON PAGE 16
SEE TWINS ON PAGE 15
Package deal sends Neptune recruits to RU
Junior finds success at home with new program BY BRADLY DERECHAILO
A sea of red quickly flooded the green turf of High Point Solutions Stadium following the Rutgers football team’s 20-17 comeback victory against FOOTBALL South Florida. For sophomore twins Jamil and Jamal Merrell, their teammates’ frenzy did little to change their postgame ritual. “We always find each other at the end of the game,” said Jamal Merrell, who switched to linebacker from wide receiver in the spring. “We always just say something inspirational. This time I was just like — just like our dad always told us — ‘They haven’t seen anything yet. Just keep going hard and just never give up.’” A 37-yard field goal by senior San San Te in overtime completed the Scarlet Knights’ 17-0 run to close the contest and hand USF its fourth consecutive Big East loss. But the kick also gave the Merrells their first victory in a game they started together after both earned starting nods last week in a 41-31 loss to West Virginia. Jamil and Jamal Merrell long played football together on the same team, from Pop Warner to Hodgson Vo-Tech (Del.) all the way to this season for Rutgers. The Bear, Del., natives did not know they would play on the same side of the ball prior to the season, but both knew they would see the field. Then for the second consecutive week, Jamil Merrell started at defensive end and Jamal Merrell at strongside linebacker. “If not the same side, we were both going to be playing — we knew that,” Jamil Merrell said. “Everything was a blessing. We just take it as a blessing and run with it.” At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, Jamal Merrell initially was another big body in the already packed stable of receivers. But head coach Greg Schiano decided to move Jamal Merrell back to defense, where he used his experience as a high school safety. Jamal Merrell now splits time with freshman Kevin Snyder and is seventh on the team in tackles (34) after his modest twotackle performance against USF. In the meantime, Jamil Merrell continued to work on improving his own game. The 6foot-4 defensive end arrived in Piscataway as the No. 15 defensive end in the country,
BY ANTHONY HERNANDEZ ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR
KEITH FREEMAN / PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
Junior diver Carissa Santora won both the 1-meter and 3-meter dives Friday.
When freshmen guards Syessence Davis and Shakena Richardson Rutgers on WOMEN’S BASKETBALL had their recr uiting trail, there was little question concerning where the Neptune, N.J., natives would play. “Oh, yeah,” Richardson said. “Package deal.” The duo committed to the Rutgers women’s basketball team early in the recruiting process, and both bring their own ball handling dynamics to the Scarlet Knights’ backcour t. Richardson, a 5-foot-6 pure point guard, was No. 4 in the country at her position, according to ESPN Hoopgurlz. The point guard position lacked depth for a majority of last season because of a nagging ankle injur y that consistently
SEE RECRUITS ON PAGE 16