Freshman Council receives formal funding
Ashtin Helmer Pitched a perfect 4-0 for softball
see News page 7
See Sports page 32
Vol. CXXXVIII, No. 11
April 10, 2013
Serving The College of New Jersey community since 1885
M&S Guitar wins Mayo Awareness raised Understanding autism
Nisha Agarwal / Staff Photographer
Pfenninger, Seyffart and Matteson win for their guitar-building business. By Courtney Wirths & News Assistant Christopher Rightmire News Editor The final round of the College’s Mayo Business Plan Competition was held on Wednesday, April 3. Three teams competed for the honor, as well as prize money, totaling $20,000, which was given toward starting each team’s business. “This is a campus-wide competition,” said William Keep, dean of the Business School. The competition drew in participants from 5 of the College’s schools. The winning team on Wednesday evening was M&S Guitar. The team plans to offer customizable guitars with the same quality sound as many classic designs, but at more affordable prices. The team stressed that they didn’t want guitar purchasing to have to be based on “the size of a wallet or the excellence of talent.” The two other teams competing were SurpriseMe and Campus Corner Laundry. SurpriseMe is an app that would allow users to create a profile with their favorite items. Businesses would also have a profile and other users could purchase items for their friends using the app. Campus Corner Laundry is a plan for an on-campus laundry service that would be run out of the Brower Student Center. Students
would purchase different plans depending on how frequently they wanted their laundry done. Each team was required to present their business plan to a panel of judges. The judges were then free to ask the team questions about the finances and operations of the potential company. The idea for M&S Guitar’s product came from senior mechanical engineering major Alex Matteson. Matteson has been playing guitar since he was nine years old, and making the guitar had been a project he was working on by himself. “People would come in and out of the machine shop here at the school and I would say, ‘I am doing this, this and this,’” Matteson said. “And enough people said, ‘Hey, why don’t you try entering it in the business plan competition,’ that I figured I would go to the info session.” From there, Matteson asked two of his closest friends, Tim Pfenninger, junior finance major and James Seyffart, junior accounting major, to join him. “I got two of my friends who were the best business people I knew, and we put a team together,” Matteson said. The team plans to grow their business with the $12,000 awarded by the competition. They will work together on the weekends to build guitars that are ordered online as well as guitars they sell at shows. “The reason why in our business plan we can offer these guitars starting at $900 is because we are in a unique situation,” Matteson said. “The skilled labor is the owner of the company.” The team only needs to sell 18 guitars in the first year in order to be profitable. Judges told M&S Guitars that they were victorious because it was evident that even if the competition didn’t exist, they would still be working on starting this business. They had the interest and drive. Next year the business school hopes to raise greater interest in the competition by having a larger monetary award. “I hope to make things a little more interesting next year,” Keep said, “and I can tell you (the prize money) will not be going down.” When asked what he learned from the competition, Matteson said, “It isn’t work if you like it. When you are cursing at it at the end of the day, you can step back and say it is still a guitar, and honestly guitars are cool.”
Lianna Lazur / Photo Editor
Autism is discussed at a parent-professional panel. By Amy Reynolds Managing Editor In the United States, one out of every 88 children has autism. In New Jersey, however, that number jumps to one in every 49 children, according to Debbie Schmidt, a mother of a child with autism and a presenter for Autism Awareness Week at the College. Events on Monday, April 1 kicked off Autism Awareness Week, a tradition that was started just two years ago. “I believe autism is an experience,” said Shridevi Rao, associate professor in the department of special education, language and literacy and graduate coordinator for the special education graduate programs. “We need to peel the layers and try to understand how people with autism experience the world and engage with the ways in which
this experience is different from or similar to ours.” According to Richard Blumberg, director of the Center for Autism at the College, preparations for Autism Awareness Week began in the fall of 2012. Preparations included inviting presenters, creating visual representations, fundraising and planning a variety of activities. “The mission of TCNJ is to prepare this generation to change the world,” Blumberg said. “Autism awareness is about everyone being involved in that change.” The week consisted of a parentprofessional panel, the presentation “Representations of Autism in Films: body, behavior, identity and presence,” the presentation “What does Autism Look Like?” by Just 2 Moms, a human puzzle piece, and more. According to Rao, the assumption see AUTISM page 3
New performing arts minor announced
By Tom Kozlowski Opinions Editor
The College’s old theatre and drama interdisciplinary minor was struggling. With narrowly specialized courses and declining enrollment, the program was failing to attract those it aimed to serve, students interested not only in art and performance, but in the universality of human expression. As a result, the College’s School of Arts and Communication has announced the integrated performing arts minor, a revised and remodeled program shaped from the foundations of the theatre minor.
INDEX: Nation & World / Page 9 The Signal @TCNJsignal
Modifications have been underway since fall of 2011, yet the products are finally being seen this spring. The IPA minor is an expansion of the previous theatrical experiences; it is designed to not only instruct students in technique and performance history, but to “connect people and communities.” As art interacts between individuals and collective societies, classes in the program will focus on the societal concerns that stem from the arts and, ultimately, influence students to create new works of their own.
Photo courtesy of James Day
see IPA page 3 Students rehearse in Professor Risa Kaplowitz’s VPA 201 class. Editorial / Page 11
Opinions / Page 13
Features / Page 15
Arts & Entertainment / Page 19
Sports / Page 32
Synergy Dance Team performs intense 13th annual recital
Educational Lecture Saving lives through storytelling
Celeb Spotlight Read all about Justin Bieber’s monkey
See A&E page 19
See News page 5
See Features page 15
page 2 The Signal April 10, 2013
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April 10, 2013 The Signal page 3
SG goes to the State House Cell phone vanishes By Natalie Kouba News Editor
By Natalie Kouba News Editor
The Student Government General Body meeting on Wednesday, April 3 was held at the Trenton State House. In a press release, SG president Christina Kopka announced that open forums for the vice president of Student Affairs search will be coming up. Youth Outreach Day will be on April 13 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Brower Student Center, vice president for Governmental Affairs, Devin Dimmig, announced at the meeting. On Wednesday, April 10 at 3 p.m., the Student Finance Board will be presenting the 2013-2014 Student Activities Fund budget.
A student reported her cell phone missing on Wednesday, April 3 at 4:10 p.m. She finished class at 4 p.m. and told police that she placed her phone in her jacket pocket. When she returned back to her dorm room from the Library, she could not find the phone. She and her roommate retraced her steps, according to reports, but could not find it. The phone was a black Samsung Galaxy Express valued at $300. There are no suspects in the case.
IPA / Four different sections to be offered
Student interest level to determine future changes continued from page 1
“In this minor, students recognize that performance is not limited to stage productions but can take place in a variety of venues and forms and for a variety of purposes,” said James Day, assistant dean to the School of Arts and Communication. The committee formed to reinvigorate the program believed that “theatre” was too narrow a theme for scholarly focus; instead, they broadened the minor to encompass “performance,” hoping this might draw in a greater and more interested population. They have also given the minor a more fluid structure. Whereas the bygone Theatre and Drama Interdisciplinary minor had four required courses, the IPA minor has only one: VPA 101, or integrated visual and performing arts. Through this base course, students can “gain an appreciation of how our understanding of others and ourselves is
deepened through a shared experience in the arts,” Day said. And from there, a number of subcategories arise. As students progress through the minor, they will have four sections available to them: “Theory, History and Literature,” “Applied Music,” “Visual Arts and Interactive Multimedia” and “Applied Theatre, Dance and Production.” The applied courses allow students to create original work with professional artists, while the “Theory, History and Literature” courses, for instance, study art’s impact on the development of civilization. Courses like these help to compliment the creative clubs and activities on campus, and as a result, “some students are pursuing this minor to augment their experiences in the many performance-based student organizations on campus or … in their major,” Day said. And as the minor is still young, it has time to grow and evolve. Students who are
Photo courtesy of J. Harkel
Cast of TCNJ Lyric Theatre takes the stage during a performance. pursuing the IPA program can add independent studies as substitutes for elective courses; elsewhere, TTR 391 Internship in Theatre Production is available in the applied theatre section, an opportunity to engage with local theatrical outlets. The IPA minor’s possibilities have
been greatly expanded by the Interdisciplinary Arts Committee, and further college feedback will impact its future developments. Until then, however, its recent inception will be tested by student interest level — the cause for initial changes and the determinant for the next steps.
Autism / Understanding Banks live video chat Facebook phones ‘Home’ By Courtney Wirths News Assistant • Facebook looks to make a stronger mobile presence with the release of its new “Home” software for Android. The software, set to release on April 12, allows users to scroll through photos, messages and updates on their home screen. Users will also be able to chat over the top of other apps without having to close them out, according to CNBC. • Kentucky Fried Chicken, owned by Yum Brands Inc., introduced a new style of the kids meal and menu called the Li’l Bucket. The new bucket will give kids the choice of a main chicken, a side and a drink, and it will come with a pouch of applesauce, according to the Wall Street Journal. • Bank of America has been introducing a new ATM that incorporates live video chat with tellers from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The new ATMs can also provide withdrawals in bills of all denominations and even coins, according to the Los Angeles Times. • Chinese tourists took the top slot as the biggest-spending tourists in the world. The growing middle class in China often
travels in large groups or tours and looks to purchase large amounts of high-fashion items while on their holidays, according to CNBC. • Nationwide Insurance teamed up with the hit show “Mad Men” to become a major sponsor for the show’s sixth season that premiered on Sunday, April 7. The insurance company played a small vignette-style commercial during the first episode and will play their “Join the Nation” commercials for the following episodes, according to the New York Times. • Protein has become the new buzzword for food companies to plaster on the packages of products that are naturally rich in protein or have protein added. Using trend words such as “protein,” “whole grain” or “fiber” make consumers feel like they have made a smart purchase, according to the Wall Street Journal. • Professor Tang will be hosting J. David Richardson, an economics professor at Syracuse’s Maxwell School, for a seminar on U.S. export control for high-tech exports to BRIC nations on April 12. Lunch will be provided. Email Professor Tang to register.
Photo courtesy of Molly Moltane
Participants of Autism Awareness Week enjoy events. continued from page 1 of many people is that people with autism don’t want friends and want to be alone. In fact, many people believe that these autistic behaviors are purposeless. However, while some of these assumptions can be addressed through activities that promote awareness, it is very important to interact with people who have autism in order to gain a better understanding. Christy Carlson and Schmidt both advocated bringing autism awareness to people of all ages at their presentation on Wednesday, April 3. In 2007, the two began their nonprofit organization, Just 2 Moms, in order to provide education and awareness of autism at elementary schools. “Autism is a neurological disorder. It starts in their brain and it means they might think a little different than someone without autism,” Schmidt said. In fact, Asperger’s is “like not having a filter on your mouth.”
According to both moms, kids with autism and Asperger’s simply notice different things than other kids, and promoting awareness is the first step in gaining acceptance from other children. They both stated that, as parents, the main goal of Autism Awareness Week is to increase awareness, educate the community and foster advocacy. “(Autism Awareness Week) provides a wonderful opportunity to challenge some of the preconceptions about autism and appreciate autism as a part of human diversity,” Rao said. In the upcoming year, both Rao and Blumberg hope to see more involvement of the College’s faculty and students during Autism Awareness Week. They also hope to get the outside community involved and have presentations by people with autism. “We have a lot to do in terms of making the world a welcoming place for people with autism and their families,” Rao said. “Autism awareness helps to promote this goal.”
page 4 The Signal April 10, 2013
RED CARPET FINALE
THE TOP SHORT MOVIES MADE BY THE COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY STUDENTS Tuesday, April 23 at BSC 202 • 7:00pm Doors, 7:30pm Movies FREE Event • Win Door Prizes!
2013 TCNJ FINALE
facebook.com/campusmoviefest
@campusmoviefest
CAMPUSMOVIEFEST.COM
Brower Student Center & Department of Communication Studies
April 10, 2013 The Signal page 5
Censorship shaped Eastern European moviemaking By Annabel Lau Staff Writer
Typewriters melted for steel, pots, crucifixes and baby cribs were amongst the clutter of confiscated items in the background of the Czechoslovakian movie, “Larks on a String.” According to Herbert Eagle, professor and chair of Slavic languages and literatures at the University of Michigan, these seemingly insignificant items hold a world of power — they are metaphors of dissent. On Thursday, April 4, Eagle spoke about combating tyranny during the Czechoslovakian New Wave, a period characterized by the emergence of films protesting the communist regime in Czechoslovakia. “This geographical area, I don’t know how much is discussed in
school ... so it’s nice ... to address some of those smaller countries in Eastern Europe that you don’t always hear much about,” said junior history major Melanie Stanek. Eagle spoke about different approaches that filmmakers took in order to protest the regime. “Professor Eagle’s lecture … really made me understand the conversation that the filmmakers were having between communism and their experience in World War II,” said sophomore special education and history double major Diane Iannacone. “Because the arts were harshly censored, filmmakers often resorted to more elusive approaches,” Eagle said. Much of “Larks on a String” takes place in a labor camp where members of the bourgeoisie were “reforged” for a new communist society. The confiscated items in
the background subtly protested areas that communism controlled: typewriters representing free speech, crucifixes representing religion and household items representing families’ private lives. “The communist regime of this period steadfastly insisted that what it was doing was humane and democratic, as if ... it could trick people into believing what ... is obviously false,” Eagle said. However, despite the film’s dark themes, it remains hopeful. At the end, as three prisoners are forced into a labor coal mine, one says, “Even now, we are free.” “Maybe this is the one optimistic lesson,” Eagle said. “It turns out, fortunately for us human beings, that we’re not so easy to reforge.” Some of the films were made in the genre of “theater of the absurd,” centered on abstract, nonsensical themes that often
slipped past censors. In the film, “The Party and the Guests,” picnickers in the woods are invited by well-dressed strangers to the birthday party of their host whose mannerisms mirror those of Stalin. “When the host notices that one of the guests has left, he explodes into a rage, representing communism’s obsessive, often unreasonable, control
over society,” Eagle said. However, the best-kept secret is found not in the characters themselves, but in the actors who play them. “Many were actual dissenting playwrights and writers in real life,” Eagle said. “It was like the whole Prague intellectual community turned out to be extras in this scene. It was like the whole film industry is in on it.”
Lianna Lazur / Photo Editor
Herbert Eagle addresses filmmaking in smaller Eastern European countries.
Fictional stories can help change realities
Violence wanes with pen Rewriting the script in India By Nicole Ferrito Staff Writer
Brian Kempf / Features Assistant
Arvind Singhal talks about how stories influence domestic violence in South Africa. By Regina Yorkgitis Staff Writer
Domestic violence threatens the physical, emotional and psychological health of countless individuals, but, according to a speaker at the College, these situations can have factors as unlikely as soap opera plots. “There is tremendous power in creating and telling stories for new realities,” said Arvind Singhal, a professor of communication studies at the University of Texas - El Paso. Singhal, an expert in the field of entertainment education, presented his research about using fictional stories to transform social realities on Thursday, April 4. The lecture, “Entertainment Education: Saving Lives by Surprise,” was sponsored by several groups at the College, including the Public Health Communication Club. “Entertainment education really has an effect on communities,” said senior communication studies major Ashley Fisher. “Radio and TV programs can truly make a difference.” Singhal has travelled across the globe studying the field of entertainment education. The idea, he explained, is to use fictional stories and media to positively impact the lives of communities. “If you’re trying to change a community norm, then you have to show a community modeling it,” he said. The practicality of entertainment education was tested when Singhal applied his research to the 1999 popular South African soap opera, “Soul City.” He noted that domestic violence
in many South African homes shared a consistent narrative. “Stories are passed down,” Singhal said. Men and women learned their roles in the household from previous generations. Young men learned from their fathers that husbands were entitled to absolute authority in their homes. Mothers taught daughters that wives should submissively endure abuse. Society encouraged outsiders who noticed the domestic violence of their neighbors to mind their own and stay out of private affairs. “The pen can move in any direction it wants,” said Singhal, who shared his studies of entertainment education and domestic violence with the writers of “Soul City.” The plot of the soap opera chronicled the domestic violence experienced by a woman. In the show, neighbors unite to take a stance against the violence by banging pots together outside of the abuser’s home. This action, Singhal said, made the private matters of the home public and told the abuser that the community did not approve of his actions. “The magic really begins after you switch off the radio or TV,” Singhal said. “Stories travel fast, especially if it is a good story.” Singhal was not surprised to hear of real accounts of neighbors protesting abuse in their towns by slamming pots and pans together outside of houses. Some students found Singhal’s research enlightening. “You don’t think of fairy tales as being informative, let alone (stories that can) change social norms,” said Vincent Wase, senior communication studies major.
Students and faculty at the College got to experience a master class on entertainment education taught by Arvind Singhal, who has studied and worked with this public health communication strategy for years. The method has been conducted to produce positive social change in countries such as India and South Africa. He is the Samuel Shirley and Edna Holt Marston Endowed professor of communication studies and director of the social justice initiative in University of Texas - El Paso’s Department of Communication. Singhal’s visit was sponsored by the Public Health Communication Club, the Cultural and Intellectual Community Program Council, the School of Education, the Center for Global Engagement and the School of the Arts and Communication. Entertainment education involves the use of story telling in hopes to alter negative social behavior. Singhal shared a quote by one of his favorite authors, G.K. Chesterton, “Fairy tales are more than true … not just because they tell us that monsters can be vanquished.” This quote is directly related to the philosophy behind entertainment education, Singhal explained, because, “it is a global storytelling process.” “The pen can move in any direction it wants,” he said. If there is a social issue, or a “monster,” that needs to be addressed, new and positive social norms have the potential to be created through this form of health communication. He gave an example of how entertainment education was implemented in Behar, India. Women tend to be looked down upon in India and are not treated as well as men. In many cases, young girls do not even know their own age because their birthdays go uncelebrated. This social issue was addressed through a radio soap opera, which told the story of a girl who wished to have a birthday celebration, like her brother did. Because the creators of this radio soap opera “hold the pen,” they made the story move in a positive direction. In the end, the young Indian girl was able to have a huge birthday celebration. The whole village took notice and realized celebrating a young girl’s birthday would be a good thing. Singhal went on to explain that through this Indian soap opera, the normal “script” was rewritten to have a better outcome. Though it was a fictional radio show, it resulted in positive change in real life. A young girl celebrated her birthday in a village where the show was
broadcasted. They soon noticed more girls celebrating their birthdays. This is just one of many instances, where the implementation of entertainment education has made a difference and contributed to positive changes among various social and health problems. Singhal discussed other influential figures that have used this “re-scripting” method of communication. He mentioned both Mother Theresa and Ghandi and the ways in which they profoundly impacted society. He gives the example of how Ghandi ended violence among Muslim and Hindu Indians, by refusing to eat until people stopped killing. This unique approach to dealing with such a largescale problem is similar to how entertainment education works. Ghandi can be considered a “re-scripter” because he overcame the “monster” of violence by acting out to initiate social change. Looking at life in a different way and approaching situations in ways you would never think to approach them was an important part of his message. Singhal asked his class to stand up and sit back down on their chair in a way in which they have never sat on a chair before. The audience, though slightly reluctant, began to sit down in obscure ways. “You’ve just changed the normal ‘script’ of how to sit on a chair,” Singhal said. Singhal ended his class discussing the ways in which video games can be used as a medium to rescript social and health problems that exist today. He explained how Jane McGonigal, a game designer, created a game called “Evoke,” which enables people to collaborate and come up with ways to solve realworld problems. “Stories matter, but multiple stories matter even more,” Singhal said. If many people offer different perspectives on a problem, there is hope for change to be made.
Courtney Wirths / News Assistant
Students participate in a discussion on the influence of stories.
page 6 The Signal April 10, 2013 Advertisement
February 7, 2013 Governor Chris Christie The State House P.O. Box 001 Trenton, NJ 08625 Dear Governor Christie: The College Of New Jersey is preparing to celebrate National Student Employment Appreciation Week. The National Student Employment Association has designated that the second week in April of each year be set aside to celebrate and recognize the value of student work and student employment professionals. This year we will celebrate National Student Employment Appreciation Week from April 7th to April 13th 2013. Virtually every office or department on our campus is the beneficiary of the significant contributions of student employees. More than 1,500 students offer their enthusiasm, effort, commitment and dedication, through part-time work, to improve our productivity as an institution and contribute to the community at large. We take great pride in recognizing and thanking our many student employees who balance a challenging academic schedule with work and our student employee supervisors who contribute to the financial assistance and career-enhancing experiences of tomorrow’s future leaders. To enhance awareness and increase support, we respectfully request a proclamation from you recognizing April 7th to April 13th 2013 as Student Employment Appreciation Week at The College of New Jersey. We would like to receive the proclamation the by April 1st so that we can place it in our student newspaper prior to the event. Please send the proclamation to: The College of New Jersey Career Center Attn: Ms. Vilja Casey P.O. Box 7718 Ewing, NJ 08628-0718 Sincerely, Vilja T. Casey Student Employment Coordinator
April 10, 2013 The Signal page 7
Freshmen get funding Roman tyrants explored Leaders’ suspicions caused carnage By Julie Kayzerman News Assistant
After working through miscommunication between the Student Finance Board and the Freshman Class Council, the Student Government officials for the Class of 2016 were allocated $10,016 to fund 300 freshmen to attend a semi-formal at $10 a ticket, on Friday, April 19. After being zerofunded for the event for violating SFB’s policy prohibiting advertisements of the event before receiving funding, the council was mistakenly given the impression that they could appeal and be heard again. “That’s our fault,” Milana Lazareva, SFB operations director said. However, although the appeal was actually against policy, SFB still agreed to hear the Freshman Class Council again as a result of their miscommunication. “First off, we want to apologize and assume responsibility for the miscommunication,” freshman class president Shapiullah Bahary said in reference to their previous violation of SFB Policy. Members of SFB noted that the Freshman Class Council was much more prepared and organized this time, which ultimately resulted in their receiving funding for the event. “They did really clean up their act,” Nicholas Ruppino, SFB assistant financial director said. “I was happy to see it.”
The freshman semi-formal will take place on April 19 at 8 p.m. at the Cedar Gardens Banquet Hall. The College Union Board was also funded by SFB for $1,700 to hold their final nooner of the year, “Spring into Spring.” “We want to go out with a bang and get students into the spring feeling and relax before finals,” said one of CUB’s presenters. It will include an ice cream truck and other activities to welcome in the warm weather on Monday, April 22 in the Alumni Grove. Following the idea of de-stressing before finals, the Student Government was funded for $215 to bring a caricature artist for their “Finals Fest” on May 7 at 4 p.m. The location is still being finalized. Finally, the Women’s Center was allocated $2,900 to fund River Huston coming to speak at the College for the annual “Take Back the Night” walk on Wednesday, April 17 at 6 p.m. beginning outside of the Art and Interactive Multimedia Building. “I think it’s important that the speaker is really good,” junior representative Kevin Garoian said in response to critics of bringing Huston, who has already appeared at the College this year during Welcome Week. “It gets really emotional, because she’s really good.” *Even though SFB agrees to finance certain events, there is no guarantee that these events will take place. The approval only makes the funds available.
Julie Kayzerman / News Assistant
A miscommunication between SFB and the Freshman Class Council results in the class council reappearing.
Warren Fields / Staff Photographer
Professors examine how historical leaders through processes lead them to choose policies of tyranny.
By Emma Colton Web Editor
The College’s Freedom and Tyranny theme for this year took a trip back in time to the era of Roman tyrants and philosophers at the Classical Studies Presentation, “Tyrants and Dictators.” Philosophy professor Holly Haynes hosted the Tuesday, April 2 lecture. She focused on figures like Cicero and Sulla, but Haynes made clear to the audience that although these figures lived in the days before the common era, the ancient statesman and philosophers of Rome are still relevant to modern politics. “I think it is a particularly opportune time to talk about tyranny and dictatorship given contemporary developments in modern history, particularly in the Arab world,” Haynes said. Elizabeth Keitel, a classics professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, presented on the Roman Republic dictator Lucius Cornelius Sulla, who took control of Rome in 82 B.C. Sulla is most famous for proscription, the drawing of a list of people he considered enemies of the state, then publishing the list in the Roman Forum. Once a man was proscribed, he was stripped of his citizenship and often times decapitated. The heads were usually then displayed in the Roman Forum. This type of mass governmental condemnation led the people of Rome to isolate themselves, according to Haynes. Citizens no longer worked as a unit, instead they looked for ways to inform on coworkers, friends and even family to the government. Through informing,
the informant was often given rewards of money, thus a chance at improving personal stature. Haynes equated this type of tyrannical tactic to the informants of Stalinist Russia. Victoria Pagan, a classics professor at the University of Florida, presented her lecture on the Roman Imperial Era, and specifically discussed the idea of suspicion described in Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus’ collection of biographies, The Twelve Caesars. “Some (emperors) may have good reasons for distrust, but others take it too far,” Pagan said. “So, a spectrum of responses emerges, from judicious distrust to dysfunctional suspicion to unbridled and deadly paranoia.” Pagan used an array of examples of suspicion under tyrannical Roman rule, but she became most emphatic when she discussed the tyrant Caligula. Pagan explained that when Caligula asked a man in exile how he spent his time, the man responded that he prayed to the gods that Caligula’s predecessor, Tiberius, would die so Caligula could become emperor. Caligula, however, did no interpret the man’s words as flattery, instead he took it to mean that all men in exile were praying for the death of the reigning emperor. Caligula’s suspicion and paranoia caused him to order the deaths of all men in exile, as to ensure no one was praying for his demise. “There were interesting points of view on a kind of tired topic,” sophomore English and secondary education double major Katie Reilly said. “The suspicion discussion was particularly interesting.”
Law professor asserts U.S. has right to control gun sales By Mike Nunes Staff Writer
It has been over three months since the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, which sparked a national uproar over gun control. Nationwide, gun control advocates and Second Amendment defenders have debated back and forth over whether or not there should be restrictions on certain types of guns. Professor John Jacobi of Seton Hall Law School visited the College to talk about the reality and the legality of gun control. In 2011, 32,163 people died in the United States due to guns, almost topping the 34,677 people killed that same year by cars. In the controversial 2008 case, D.C. v. Heller, the Supreme Court upheld the right to bear arms with the stipulation that there has to be some kind of regulation. The Obama administration has been in favor of universal background checks as well as a ban on assault style
weapons. The federal government has the ability, under the commerce clause in the constitution, to regulate the sale and distribution of hand guns. “The United States could, if the United States wanted to, assert the power to assert all of these provisions,” Jacobi said. The political repercussions of a move like this, however, would be brutal. The safer route, politically, is to run these regulations through Congress. Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy signed into law last week a bill that would ban the sale of assault rifles and large capacity magazines. Universal background checks are also in the new law, regulating the practice of private gun sales. “I think assault riffles should be highly regulated. I think people have the right to hand guns and shot guns because it’s used for protection and for hunting, but I don’t see how assault weapons can be used for sport,” said senior international
studies major Lucas Pifano. At the federal level, on the other hand, the momentum for gun control has been subsiding. “It appears that the United States Congress is less eager to enact gun legislation than it was right after the New Town shooting,” Jacobi said. “I think this is one of those issues where the country is sharply divided and I think that the problem of gun violence is more than one problem.” Among the 32,163 victims of gun related deaths, over 19,000 are attributed to suicide and 11,101 are attributed to homicide. The majority of the 11,101 homicides, over 6,000, are committed using hand guns. “Simply saying ‘I want to engage in extensive regulation in order to protect people’ isn’t a good enough argument unless you can show that the specific regulations that you’re advocating will protect people,” Jacobi said.
Warren Fields / Staff Photographer
John Jacobi talks about the constitutionality of gun laws.
page 8 The Signal April 10, 2013
April 10, 2013 The Signal page 9
Nation & W rld
President Morsi forsakes his promise of a free press
By Cait Flynn Staff Writer
The host of the most popular show on Egyptian television was arrested on March 30 after a warrant was issued charging the TV personality with insulting Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi and the Islam religion. Bassem Youssef is often referred to as the Egyptian Jon Stewart. He released a program called the B+ Show during the Arab Spring and the Egyptian revolution in March of 2011. The program mocked Egyptian public figures and became a voice to dissent and uprising through its satirical approach. It quickly became the most subscribed to
channel in Egypt and prompted a television deal for Youssef. His current show is called Al Bernameg or “The Program,” and has been on air since late 2011. The arrest of Youssef has shed light on Egypt’s President and suggests that he is attempting to silence voices of dissent and to repress his political rivals. Along with Bassem Youssef, many major pro-democracy and anti-Morsi political leaders have been arrested for similar charges. These actions come as a contradiction to comments made by Morsi previously. In a 2011 interview with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, Morsi proclaimed dedication to a free press. Blitzer asked him about Youssef’s safety, and if the satirist should worry about
being sent to jail. Morsi replied by stating that “There is no way that any harm can befall them because of their opinions or their personal opposition. There is no possible way to talk about or discuss jails or imprisonment ... according to the law.” The popularity of the President and the confidence Egyptians have in their government is wavering. The arrest of Youssef may be an effort to stifle those who hold the state accountable, even as doing so contradicts Morsi’s previous position on press freedom. In spite of his democratic election, Morsi has made the silencing of dissent a key aspect of his presidency, which calls into question Egypt’s hopes for democracy in the future.
AP Photo
Youssef’s satirical show has been deemed punishable by Morsi.
With time left on the clock, Obama is urged to execute
AP Photo
Obama doled out many IOUs at the beginning of his second term, but his time is dwindling. WASHINGTON (AP) — Presidential campaigns are long in the making, quick to be forgotten. But one part of them lives on for years: the victor’s promises. President Barack Obama paved his path to re-election
New Jersey Report Rutgers coach to be investigated independently by the University:
Rutgers University announced Monday that it’s commissioning an independent review of the conduct of fired basketball coach Mike Rice and the way the university handled the situation when it learned that he was kicking and shoving players and berating them with gay slurs. The review ensures that the saga will not end quickly or quietly.
Campus Police to join new Camden County squad:
More than 30 members of the new Camden County Police Department Metro Division will be deployed on April 30 on the streets of New Jersey’s most impoverished city. Campus Police Officers Jim Lopez and Lorenzo Shockley are set to join the new division.
All information from AP
with fewer promises than in 2008. The ones he did lay down, though, are meaty, legacy-shaping for him and consequential to ordinary lives today and for generations to come, for better or worse. They also are extraordinarily difficult to achieve in a time of gridlock grief and budgets that are tight when they are not paralyzed. He’s promised to set a course in law against global warming, stop Iran from gaining the ability to make nuclear weapons, slash America’s use of foreign oil, restrain college costs, take a big bite out of the national debt even while protecting the heart of the big entitlement programs and overhaul immigration law. He’s promised to make health insurance not only universally accessible, but “affordable,” through a 2010 health care law that is finally entering prime time and will soon be tested. It’s a sure bet that many who voted Republican want some of Obama’s promises to fail. They didn’t sign up for tax increases on the wealthy or a path to citizenship
for immigrants living in the country illegally. But as closely divided as the country is, most Americans support Obama’s ends, if not the means. Who doesn’t want a lighter national debt or better health care for less? In that sense, everyone’s got a stake in seeing him make good on his broad-brush promises. Whatever a candidate’s promises, legacies are made by how a president manages matters of war and peace, economic growth and weakness, social change and traditional values, and whatever crises come out of the blue. If this decade somehow becomes the Roaring Teens, history may not care much about a big broken promise or two. If jobs are demolished, that’s what will be remembered, not that 9 out of 10 promises might have been kept. But Obama made a pact with voters, not historians, and he’s got IOUs outstanding. Voters can’t throw Obama out of office if he botches his job this term. But the president still has skin in the game.
Around the World:
London
The notorious Iron Lady, dead at 87 LONDON (AP) — Love her or loathe her, one thing’s beyond dispute: Margaret Thatcher transformed Britain. The Iron Lady, who ruled for 11 remarkable years, imposed her will on a fractious, rundown nation breaking the unions, triumphing in a far-off war, and selling off state industries at a record pace. She left behind a leaner government and more prosperous nation by the time a mutiny ousted her from No. 10 Downing Street. Thatcher’s spokesman, Tim Bell, said the former prime minister died Monday morning of a stroke. Flags were flown at half-staff at Buckingham Palace, Parliament and Downing Street for the 87 year old. Queen Elizabeth II authorized Thatcher to have a ceremonial funeral - a step short of a state funeral - to be held at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London with military honors. For admirers, Thatcher was a savior who rescued Britain from ruin and laid the groundwork for an extraordinary economic renaissance. For critics, she was a heartless tyrant who ushered in an era of greed that kicked the weak out onto the streets and let the rich become filthy rich. “Let us not kid ourselves, she was a very divisive figure,” said Bernard Ingham, Thatcher’s press secretary for her entire term. “She was a real toughie. She was a patriot with a great love for this coun-
AP Photo
Margaret Thatcher, the first woman to spearhead a major Western political agenda, died Monday. try, and she raised the standing of Britain abroad.” Thatcher was the first - and still only - female prime minister in Britain’s history. But she often found feminists tiresome and was not above using her handbag as a prop to underline her swagger and power. A grocer’s daughter, she rose to the top of Britain’s snobbish hierarchy the hard way, and envisioned a classless society that rewarded hard work and determination. She was a trailblazer who at first believed trailblazing impossible: Thatcher told the Liverpool Daily Post in 1974 that she did not think a woman would serve as party leader or prime minister during her lifetime. But once in power, she never
showed an ounce of doubt. Like her close friend and political ally Ronald Reagan, Thatcher seemed motivated by an unshakable belief that free markets would build a better country than reliance on a strong, central government. Another thing she shared with the American president: a tendency to reduce problems to their basics, choose a path, and follow it to the end, no matter what the opposition. She was underestimated at first — by her own party, by the media, later by foreign adversaries. But they all soon learned to respect her. Thatcher’s “Iron Lady” nickname was coined by Soviet journalists, a grudging testament to her ferocious will and determination.
page 10 The Signal April 10, 2013
April 10, 2013 The Signal page 11
Editorial
Awareness and acceptance on campus
The Civil rights movement of the 1960s, the Queer and Gay rights revolution of the mid-20th century, the Occupy movement, the recent Arab Spring revolutions and the international farmers’ reform organization “La Via Campesina” or “The Peasant’s Way.” What do all of these groups have in common, you may ask? All five have gathered around one or two social, political and economic themes and given a voice to the silenced masses in hopes of making a change. With so many global social movements speaking out against ghastly crimes and structural injustice, it is sometimes hard to tell who is doing what. So, given the recent global flood of social movements, I believe it’s important that we get down to the root of organizing for a cause and how lasting changes can be made. In order to spread a message, you need to educate society. National and international campaigns for justice usually do the trick. The idea is that by providing individuals with information about your cause, you are (in theory) provoking them to think about the world and how some people are simply disadvantaged from birth. In order to make practical changes for the voiceless on the political and economic level, you and your supporters need to be informed about their real conditions and what exactly they need. This brings me to cooperation. Without a sturdy, comprehensive community network, you will get nothing done. As Heather Camp of the Bonner Center recently told me in an article I wrote about community development, “You can’t work in an insular environment.” On this campus, there are many organizations that spread awareness to students about global topics (i.e. Eurasia Middle East Society or Amnesty International) and groups that provide a safe space for differing identities (i.e. the Jewish Student Union or PRISM). But the ones who are successful do not just involve people in their own organizations. Instead, they collaborate with other groups, TCNJ staff and the local community. By doing this, they not only get more input in decisionmaking and goal-setting, but they also reach a broader audience. This brings me to the final step: outreach and advocacy. Without supporters, there is no progress. Without advocates there is no education, and things will remain unchanged. Considering that many initiatives are a ground-up, or grassroots, effort, a main priority for the movers and shakers must be communication with others. In order to make big changes, you must start by putting your plan of action in plain words for individual people. Then you must convince them that you sincerely intend to better life for those who cannot do so for themselves without your help. This is how oppressive regimes are turned on their heads, ruthless leaders are forced out of office, and how a good quality of life can be achieved. This is not to say, however, that my equation is foolproof. In many parts of the world with complex social and political systems, grassroots movements simply will not work. Regardless, on a local level you need education, cooperation, outreach and advocacy to do anything. Above all, you need an open mind, and two feet planted firmly in reality. To act without thinking is foolish, but to not act at all is even worse.
— Jack Meyers, Nation & World Editor
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AP Photo
The Civil Rights movement was one of the many awareness and advocacy movements that sparked change in the United States.
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Quotes of the Week “I believe autism is an experience. We need to peel the layers and try to understand how people with autism experience the world and engage with the ways in which this experience is different from or similar to ours.”
— Shridevi Rao, associate professor in the department of special education, language and literacy and coordinator for the special education graduate programs.
“I know how talented of a team we are and the potential we have, which drives me even more to give everything for the team.” — senior outfielder Liz Huttner, softball
page 12 The Signal April 10, 2013
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April 10, 2013 The Signal page 13
Opinions
Unisex bathrooms are unifying, not wrong By Tom Kozlowski Opinions Editor Some of you may have seen Matthew Hernberg’s recent article denouncing PRISM’S transgender awareness week. It was written on the “Young Americans Foundation” site, a paleoconservative sauna for frightened right-wing hotheads, and further plastered on Facebook. I encourage you to read it; then I encourage you to comment on why Mr. Hernberg is wrong. The majority of you will be disgusted by his logic and angered that such beliefs still exist, for his veiled attack on the LGBTQ movement is, sadly, internet bigotry. Here’s Mr. Hernberg’s target: PRISM, the College’s sexual rights and awareness group on campus, promoted an annual week of transgender awareness by converting several bathrooms in the Brower Student Center and Library Café into gender-neutral facilities, clearly designated by signs. Many people who identify as a different gender than their sex are judged when using the unconventional bathroom. Because they feel uncomfortable, for no fault of their own, they desire an equal and fair social haven in the bathroom, our most private of public places. How does Mr. Hernberg respond? “(PRISM’s) campaign for equality is nothing more than a social experiment right out of the cultural Marxist playbook … ironically, (it) actually infringes on the liberty and equality of the rest of the student body,” Hernberg said. Now, Mr. Hernberg is a College attendee with strong conservative opinions. He was even the chairman of the College Republicans in his prime. His opinion, though, is almost fanatical, especially for a changing Republican base. All opinions from either side of the spectrum may be valued for their voice, but it just so happens that some of them are wrong. Mr. Hernberg is one of those trembling conservatives frightened by the “multiculturalism” movement. Conservatives themselves have been deriding it as “cultural Marxism” since the 1990s, but its definition is hardly concerned with global overthrow of the bourgeoisie. What both of these words describe is the contestation of dominant cultural trends. These types of cultural studies attempt to expose power structures in our traditional society and, if they’re oppressive, challenge them. Consequently, cultural Marxists would likely have opposed slavery, segregation and indentured servitude of the 1950s nuclear housewife. Why? Because these were all powerful cultural ideals in our society
that were hard to shake, but that does not justify their existence. They are, or should be, considered despicable, and no different than our culture’s rejection of LGBTQ rights. But, in Mr. Hernberg’s mind, these changes are an attack on “the very foundation of our great nation.” If this is what defines us a great nation, then I’d rather be a godless heathen listening to the loud rap music and supporting my transgendered peers. These foundations are prejudicial, and they reflect the mentality of aging Republicans and close minded bigots. If Mr. Hernberg reads, I suggest he examine Judith Halberstam’s study of what she calls “the bathroom problem.” Halberstam, who now identifies as a man, recounts the social stigma against transgendered men and women when using “the wrong bathroom.” The cardinal rule of gender, he says: “one must be readable at glance.” And for those who aren’t easily identified, they face scrutiny, anxiety, fear and sometimes even physical violence. This is not just a specific case study, this occurs regularly. And as our culture becomes more aware of how we constrain the body’s ability to navigate in a binary culture, where traditional gender defenders cry “one or the other,” we must change. We must accommodate these people who face unnecessary obstacles to sharing a normal existence, and we can do that by changing culture. This, partially, is what PRISM’s unisex bathroom demonstration helps to highlight. Gender, just like our culture, is socially constructed — just as our culture progressed from endorsing racist structures to legislating civil rights, it deserves to progress for the LGBTQ community. But Mr. Hernberg is not convinced. He believes that your right to use the bathroom is disrupted by letting others feel comfortable in that presence. He believes that dominant culture must be right by the fact that it holds some loose standard. And he believes that accommodating others will divide us into chaos. “Organizing the community and using what we do in the bedroom to further divide us as a nation, in actuality only divides us more,” he spits. He even dares to quote Abraham Lincoln, who remarked that “a house divided against itself cannot stand.” Let’s recount what Lincoln did now: he fought against dominant slave culture to help emancipate oppressed people. Now consider what we should do in Lincoln’s legacy: dismantle our malleable culture to erect a fairer,
Tom Kozlowski / Opinions Editor
PRISM helps to spread transgender awareness by giving students a shared experience of discomfort.
more considerate environment for those with different sexual orientations, even if it means adding a gender neutral bathroom. Mr. Hernberg would do well to remember that just because Lincoln was a white, Republican male did not make him a narrow-minded human being. Anything termed “Marxist” is a monster to Mr. Hernberg. But that should not conflate the gay civil rights movement with a cataclysmic destruction of capitalist America. This is not a deconstruction of society. Nor is it an opportunity for Mr. Hernberg to cloak real America under the patriotism of his conservative fantasies. Instead, PRISM has rightly turned our heads toward a cultural trend that is unnoticed yet unjust. It has even made straight students feel the discomfort of their transgender peers. If Mr. Hernberg would prefer his two-bathroom model, fine. But I hope he flushes down the shit he’s spewing about a culture long past his understanding.
Fear and loathing in pro-choice decisions This article was written in response to Chaya Himelfarb’s opinion piece “No shame: ‘Roe v. Wade,’” published on April 3. By Emma Colton Web Editor
In Chaya Himelfarb’s article “No shame: Roe v. Wade,” she leaves holes in her argument that abortion should be a celebrated example of women having control of their bodies and health. In her article, Himelfarb took the liberty of saying that there are probably more women who feel “relief” and “joy” after having an abortion, than women who feel “sorrow” post-abortion. Right off the bat, I call foul on her argument. As an example, there are too many women (some of whom were even proud second wave feminists back in the day of Roe v. Wade) at the yearly pro-life demonstration “March for Life” carrying signs that read “I regret my abortion.” These are outspoken women who proudly voice their pro-life views and resgrets on their abortions. Coincidentally, one of the most notably
outspoken pro-life women is Norma McCorvey, otherwise known as Jane Roe, the plaintiff in the landmark Roe v. Wade case. Though McCorvey herself never had an abortion, for many years she was a staunch pro-choice advocate and even worked in abortion clinics. In recent years, however, McCorvey has personally become haunted by the thought of so many deaths due to abortion and has become a strong pro-lifer. According to the CDC, there is an abortion in America every 30 seconds, and there have been more than 55 million abortions since Roe v. Wade. As a esult, there are too many real-life women who can attest that their abortion was a mistake. Though there are women who will forever defend their choice to have an abortion, it is unfounded for Himefarb to say that there are probably more women who feel emotions of conviction after having an abortion, than women who eventually (or immediately) feel emotions of sorrow. There are too many women
with firsthand abortion experiences that can prove Himelfarb’s assumption on post-abortion emotion false. Which leads me to my next point: Why would any woman feel shame or regret after having an abortion if it is just a personal medical procedure? Allow me to play devil’s advocate. If abortion is just a common medical procedure, women shouldn’t feel guilt about having an abortion. I didn’t feel guilt when I had my appendix taken out. Also, if pregnancy isn’t in a woman’s immediate playbook, the decision of having an abortion shouldn’t be a complicated issue. If a woman has given consideration to the idea of having a child and personally decides that it isn’t the apt time for motherhood, abortion is the logical choice. Her body, her choice. After all it’s just a trip to the doctor. Right? If this pro-choice ideology was flawless, the idea of regret should not be an issue. But as Himelfarb pointed out in her
article, the decision to have an abortion is a “multifaceted decision that comes with a wide range of accompanying emotions, including sorrow.” The decision to have an abortion is difficult and complicated because abortion is the ending of another life. Without the life of the baby, abortion would, in fact, be like any other medical procedure, but that baby’s life makes all the difference. There is sorrow because the woman feels remorse after ending the life of her child. Thus, abortion is not a one body, one person decision; it involves another being. The children are the silent victims, marginalized by the constant drumbeat of words like “my body, my choice.” Just because the child is unable to defend him or herself does not mean that they are could-have-been beings who can be swept under the rug by a visit to a doctor’s office. They are children. Though they are silent, their voices for freedom can be heard from their deaths and the sorrow some of the mothers feel.
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page 14 The Signal April 10, 2013
April 10, 2013 The Signal page 15
Features
Debunking a few myths about yoga By Samantha Sorin Columnist Throughout my journey as a yoga student and as a yoga teacher, I have heard various excuses as to why people do not do yoga. While some people simply do not think yoga is for them, I urge you to read these myths about yoga before you write it off for good. Myth: I am not flexible enough to do yoga. Fact: You get flexible by doing yoga! That is like saying you are too dirty to take a bath. I was never a gymnast or a dancer, and had very tight hamstrings when I started. The more I practiced, the more flexible I became. Myth: Yoga is only for women. Fact: Yoga was created by men and was only practiced by men for a very long time. Do not be too intimidated to try a class if you are a guy. If you are truly self-conscious, try going to a class that is taught by a male teacher, or seek out classes that are specialized, such as “Yoga for Men Only,” “Yoga for Golfers” or “Yoga for Skiers.” Myth: Yoga is a religion and I do not want a belief system pushed on me. Fact: Yoga is not a religion or a cult. T.K.V. Desikachar actually has said, “Yoga was rejected by Hinduism because yoga
would not insist that God exists.” Though there is an aspect of spirituality to yoga, yoga is like a buffet, where you can take what you want from it. Myth: Yoga is slow and boring/Yoga is too hard. Fact: While some classes are geared toward relaxation, others will get you working harder and sweating more than you ever have! There are some really fun and challenging poses that can get you energized, not make you want to fall asleep. A plethora of different styles and levels are out there, you just have to find which one fits you. Myth: Yoga is only for young people/Yoga is only for old people. Fact: You can start yoga at any time and it is beneficial no matter how old you are. There are classes offered for kids, while there are also classes offered for elderly cancer patients, as well as everyone in between. There are classes taught by 24-year-olds, while there are also classes taught by 94-year-olds. Yoga runs the gamut. Myth: Yoga is just making weird pretzel shapes with your body. Fact: The physical aspect is just one part of yoga. Yoga teaches you to focus, to live outside your comfort zone, and to live in the here and now. The only way that you’d be able to see these other benefits is to come to a class and find out for yourself.
A Spears goes missing
Campus Style
By Johnanthony Alaimo Columnist
By Carly Koziol Columnist Meagan Boutot Senior psychology major What are you wearing? My tank is from the Gap, my sweater is from Target, and my sheer shirt is from a small shop in Quakerbridge. My jeans are from Urban Outfitters; they do great things for length and waist. How would you describe your style? Colorful, with a ’50s or ’60s flair. I also tend to dress conservatively. Do you have a favorite accessory? I purchased this necklace from a street vendor in downtown St. Petersburg, Russia when I studied abroad. When you open it up, a matryoshka doll pops out. What was Russian style like? There was a reactionary feeling to the style, and attire adhered to binary gender roles. It was hyper-sexualzied, to the point where girls would wear really tight, short skirts and five-inch heels to school. Men dressed more formally than your average American. Since I dressed more conservatively, I had limited male interest because I wasn’t putting myself out there like the other Russian women. Any fashion mis-haps? Not necessarily, but in Russia I would take off my coat and girls would actively point and laugh at me because the colors I wore were so jarring. They always wore dark colors and it was culturally shocking to see someone like me who vividly stood out. Any fashion tips?
Samantha Sortin / Columnist
Do stereotypes about yoga have any truth to them? Maybe, but it’s a bit of a stretch.
Carly Koziol / Columnist
Instead of being fashion forward, style in Russia seems to be Stalin. Sewing. I’m short, so I alter my clothes to fit my proportions. I picked up the hobby as a senior year project and now save tons of money by doing my own alterations and repairs. It’s so easy and simple and you’ll save $5-10 per item. What’s your secret for smart shopping? I join mailing lists to receive discounts and alerts when certain stores hold sales. I buy less, but buy better. I also ensure my clothes fit properly; whether the item is $2 or $200, it’s still a waste of money if it doesn’t fit. Nominate a fashionista to be featured next week! Send nominations with a link to their Facebook paged to Koziol5@tcnj.edu.
I’m going to be frank with all of you. The first CD I ever purchased was the debut album of the “Baha Men.” I thought a gang of Jamaican men singing about dogs would finally elevate me to cool status in elementary school. (It didn’t.) Anyway, I have a point to all this. The love of my life/cracked pistachio nut that is Britney Spears has run into a slight problem. No, not a wall! She’s good in that department. Unfortunately, it’s about her dog. No, K-Fed is fine. It’s about her canine companion. If you haven’t been following Britney lately (which why would you, following her would be a slow-ass crawl), but the Pop Princess herself recently got a dog and named it Hannah Spears. Awwww! Why anyone would trust Britney to take care of something that sleeps and poops as much as her is absolutely beyond me. But I’m not here to judge. I’m here to be a good Samaritan. You see, Britney is sad to report that Hannah Spears is MISSING. A rep for the singer said, “Hannah means the world to Britney. If we can get the word out hopefully she’ll turn up healthy and safe.” HURRY, PUT HER PICTURE UP ON EVERY CHEETO BAG IN THE L.A. AREA. Britney, who was in Louisiana celebrating Easter/probably hunting the Easter Bunny, cut her trip short to go back home to join the search. So please, if you can, keep a lookout for Hannah Spears. Britney has already lost her hair and mind. Do not add a dog to the list. I don’t know about you, but I think Mandy Moore is responsible. Where has that bitch been? I demand answers! In other animal news, Justin Bieber’s monkey was confiscated in Germany. What sounds like an awful Mad Lib is actually true. The singer’s hairy friend was confiscated at a German airport after Bieber failed to present the proper papers. How immature. Justin, if you want to be
taken as a serious artist, you need to carry your monkey papers with you at all times! You never see Justin Timberlake have this problem, geez. Whether Bieber will get the monkey back is unknown, but hey Germany, I know a certain Pop Princess who is in need of some company… Keeping with this week’s apparent animal theme, new details have emerged about Lindsay Lohan’s impoundment, I mean, her rehab lockdown. Apparently, Lindsay only agreed to do 90 days of rehab if she was allowed to take her stash of Adderall with her because of her apparent “ADHD diagnosis.” Guess what. The court agreed! So Lindsay is going to rehab to take as many drugs as she wants. Are you sure she was at court and not at a SANDALS travel agency? This does not sound very kosher to me! Isn’t the point of rehab to be totally substance free? She shouldn’t even have glue around her. You might as well lock her up in the back of a CVS pharmacy if this is the case. Jessica Simpson Baby Watch!: Jessica has released a statement declaring, “Nobody will ever confiscate my baby.”
AP Photo
Bieber’s fans have gone ape over this monkey business.
page 16 The Signal April 10, 2013
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April 10, 2013 The Signal page 17
Vegetarianism and environmentalism fit hoof in hoof By Sorraya Brashear-Evans Columnist When I wear my shirt that spells out “vegetarian,” I almost always gets weird looks. People constantly bombard me with responses like “Why did you do it?” and “You don’t seem like one.” That response in particular baffles me; what does a vegetarian look like? In recent years the term “vegetarian” has had a negative stigma attached to it. Most people imagine PETA enthusiasts who splatter paint on furs and protest outside of circuses because of the mistreatment of animals. In actuality, most vegetarians are mild-mannered people who just don’t see animals as a food source. I made the choice to eliminate meat from my diet almost five years ago because I was aware of the health and environmental benefits that accompanied it. Eliminating the human dependence on livestock as a food source can drastically improve our environment (land, air, water), as well as overall human health. There are many health benefits that come from eliminating animal product from one’s diet, such as lower cholesterol, lower risk of heart disease, lower saturated fat levels and a lower risk for a few types of stomach cancers. In a recently published book titled “The China Project” by T. Colin Campbell, a professor of nutritional biochemistry at Cornell University, and his son Thomas M. Campbell II, the two study the relationship between the consumption of animal proteins and an array of chronic illnesses such as coronary heart disease, diabetes, and cancers of the breast, prostate and bowel. “It’s just bad for your health,” Campbell said. “Diets
high in meat and dairy can actually cause heart disease and exacerbate cancer growth.” Although research about disastrous health implications of ingesting animal products are at the hand of public observation, most people choose to ignore it out of laziness. Lately there has been a newly devised technique, which many are hoping will reach a broader audience. In a paper published by Dr. David Brubaker of Johns Hopkins University’s Center for a Livable Future, Brubaker explains how the mass breeding of livestock contributes over half of the harmful chemical emissions polluting the ozone. “The way that we breed animals for food is a threat to the planet. It pollutes our environment while consuming huge amounts of water, grain, petroleum, pesticides and drugs. The results are dreadful,” Brubaker said. The term livestock is used to describe any animal mass bred for human dietary needs. Cows, pigs, chickens and turkeys are all considered livestock and have been since their domestication in the early years of the second Neolithic Revolution. These animals are typically kept in high numbers and in close quarters, concentrating the amount of CO2, ammonia and methane gases that are emitted into the atmosphere. It has been estimated by Campbell that 64 percent of toxic chemical emissions come from livestock, which results in an increase in acid precipitation and acidification of ecosystems worldwide. When thinking about a sustainable “green” economy, diet should never be ignored. Food is a major component of human life and it has been proven thus far how much of a negative impact it can have on the environment. In a paper released by the Ecological Society of America (ESA), the typical pollution sources (plastics, oil, ect.) are cited as being the “top” contributors of global pollution. However,
AP Photo
Environmentalists rightfully have a beef with over-consumption of animal products.
after further research, it seems that the mass production of livestock outweighs them. This news normally never reaches the ears of the public because altering diet requires a level of mental control, something that most people lack or care not to exercise. Food is often thought of as a recreational activity rather than a necessity of life, so it becomes a battle of human ethics: forsaking something that brings you happiness for the greater good of the environment. Over half of the population eats animal products and when asked if they would ever changed many said, “I’m not strong enough” or some variant of that statement. More effective distribution methods need to be devised for the sake of this planet because, at this rate, we will destroy this planet in a matter of centuries. The first step of change is awareness — it is our job as the dominant species to preserve the land in which we inhabit.
Juiced up on tofu at Big Bear Natural Foods
Shaun Fitzpatrick / Features Editor
No animals were harmed in the making of this wrap. By Shaun Fitzpatrick Features Editor Lately, I’ve been on a health kick. Though I would never call myself a vegetarian or vegan (you can take milk from my cold, dead hands), I’ve been eating less meat and have been existing more or less on a diet of roasted vegetables, fruits and whole grains. I’ve also become a bit of a sucker for the whole “organic” movement. Oh, it’s organic? And grown locally? Then of course I’ll pay too much for it! I dream of the day when I’m successful enough to stroll confidently into Whole Foods, buying nothing but organic, locally farmed, fair-trade whatever. We all have dreams, right? So, whenever I’ve gone out to eat lately, I’ve tried to choose options that fit into my new eating patterns. For the most part, I fail miserably. But, recently I remembered that the Big Bear Natural Foods on Pennington Road had a deli that specialized in vegan and vegetarian meals. Since sandwiches
are possibly my favorite food ever, this seemed like a match made in organic heaven. Big Bear Natural Foods is not a restaurant; the majority of the store is dedicated to organic produce and foods, gluten-free items and vitamins. At the back of the store, however, is a counter where customers can purchase made-toorder wraps, smoothies and juices. Don’t expect to order a ham and cheese sandwich, though. Most of the offerings are vegan or vegetarian, so come prepared for tofu. I decided to order the Vegan Curry Chicken Salad on a whole wheat wrap ($6.49) and an Apple Spice juice ($3.99 for 16 ounces). I was a little unclear on how exactly chicken salad could be vegan, but luckily the nice woman behind the counter was able to answer all my questions for me. The “chicken” portion of my wrap was actually tofu, and they use a vegan, eggless mayo. I was also assured that all of the
ingredients that are used in their sandwiches or juices are organic and grown primarily in New Jersey. Besides the tofu and vegan mayo, the chicken salad contained celery, carrots, raisons, almonds and curry, finished off with lettuce, cucumber and sprouts. (Normally it also includes onions and tomatoes, but, as I’ve said before, I’m not a fan of either.) The chicken salad was good, though I might be biased because I don’t mind the taste of tofu. However, I would be willing to bet that even the most die-hard carnivore wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between the tofu and chicken if they weren’t warned ahead of time. The curry gave it a nice kick, and stopped it from being too bland. I don’t normally like celery in my chicken salad, but I barely noticed it here. In fact, all of the elements of the salad kind of blended together. This isn’t a bad thing, but it made the cucumber and lettuce necessary, as they provided a well-needed crunch to an otherwise mushy wrap. I’ve ordered juice at Big Bear before, when a friend and I were on a juicing craze (I should have known that if Gwyneth Paltrow loved it, it probably wouldn’t be for me). In a bold move, we both ordered their All Green Juice, a celery-based juice with broccoli, kale and cucumber. It was … interesting. Actually, it tasted like earth; not like dirt, but actually like you would expect the earth to taste. I usually describe it as what it would be like to drink straight from the teat of Mother Nature. I’m sure it was excellent for me, but it wasn’t an experience I was ready to repeat. So, this time I decided on the Apple Spice, which combined apples, carrots and ginger. A word of warning before ordering juices from Big Bear: you probably aren’t ready for the experience. Drinking a lot of
Naked Juices isn’t going to prepare you; you’re in the Big Leagues now. With these juices, you taste every single ingredient. While not overwhelming, the taste of carrot was extremely strong, as was the ginger. I liked the latter, though; it brought an unexpected spiciness to the drink. I enjoyed my meal, and would definitely go back, but I admit the prices were a bit steep for a wrap. Whether or not you’re willing to pay that much will depend entirely on how much the premise of Big Bear appeals to you. Personally, I’m willing to pay extra for organic and local ingredients, but for those who aren’t as interested in that aspect, the prices may not be worth the final product. Big Bear Natural Foods Where: 7 Route 31 Pennington, N.J. 08534 Contact: (609) 737-8822 Hours Mon. - Sun. : 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Overall Rating (3 out of 5)
page 18 The Signal April 10, 2013
M A N OVERBOARD
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April 10, 2013 The Signal page 19
Arts & Entertainment
Russian folk music sets tone at lecture By Lucas Snarski Correspondent
Jack Meyers / Nation & World Editor
Folk musicians from Russia play unconventional instruments at this week’s Brown Bag.
Mayo Concert Hall was filled with the sounds of traditional Russian folk music on Friday, April 5, when Russian trio Zolotoj Plyos visited the college. As part of the Brown Bag series, the group performed folk songs and demonstrated a large variety of Russian instruments. Zolotoj Plyos’s three members, Alexander Solovov, Elena Sadina and Sergei Grachev all attended the Saratov State Conservatory in Russia, where they formed the group over 18 years ago. They have gathered folk songs from many regions of Russia as well as the Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus and other neighboring countries, and performed them as a trio and separately. This performance was part of Zolotoj Plyos’s current tour of the United
States, which includes 15 concerts and five workshops. Before appearing at the College, the group had most recently performed in Belgium. Solotov shared stories of the group’s travel and their encounters with U.S. customs. The trio began with a short song that featured five different instruments, and then alternated between songs and explanations of instruments. In total, they played over 20 instruments, many unfamiliar to a Western audience, such as the zhaleika, a flute Solovov played in several different styles. Sadina mostly played a balalaika, a three-stringed instrument, and Grachev played several Russian accordions, although the group exchanged instruments frequently. The audience was entertained and engaged throughout the performance. The
musicians were lively and sometimes comical, as when Solovov used his nose to play his flute, and when Grachev hid his red boot and then returned with an accordion in the shape of a red boot instead. They also sang one a cappella song and played music on firewood strapped to Grachev’s back. The College’s first-year Russian class backed the group for their second song by singing, clapping and dancing with the trio. Later in the performance, the audience was encouraged to sing along to two songs, including “Kalinka,” a song Solovov called the most widely known Russian folk song. Zolotoj Plyos’s performance entertained the audience with traditional Russian folk songs, dress and instruments, and exposed the college to Russian culture and some of the language.
Audience experiences stories through dance By Jamie Primeau Former EIC By definition, dance is the act of moving to music. At Saturday’s Spring Spectacular, Synergy proved there is more to it than that — it can also be a method of storytelling. With meaning behind its choreography, the College’s dance company conveyed messages about the loss of a loved one, body image and child abuse. However, not all of the topics were as heavy. From musical numbers to some booty-shaking Beyoncé, Synergy’s 13th annual recital featured a variety of styles — including tap, hip-hop, ballet, pointe and modern. Starting off energetically, the show opened with the entire company dancing to Florence + the Machine’s “Shake It Out.” The atmosphere became much more serious for “This Woman’s Work.” The stage remained dark as sounds of a car starting, speeding down the road and crashing played overhead. Sirens wailed as dancers
Jonathan Velez (choreographer and one of Synergy’s captains) and Cecilia Muscarella (also a captain) took the stage. Muscarella wore white, representing a ghost, as Velez’s character struggled to say goodbye for the last time. Another powerful piece Velez choreographed was “Lovely,” which was about learning to love one’s self. “I found myself questioning each move, spacing and formation, wondering if I was being true to the struggle of body image in today’s society,” he said. When the song started, six dancers wore tanktops with X’s and dotted lines, representing the marks made before plastic surgery. By the end, each dancer confidently ripped off her shirt, standing in only a black sports bra. “I loved the idea of them taking off their plastic surgery marked shirts to show them breaking free from the stigma that body image has, and also showing that being ‘lovely’ is being who you are and being proud of that,” Velez said.
Junior Cecilia Muscarella choreographed “Concrete Angel,” focusing on the tragedy of child abuse. As stated in the dance’s intro, approximately five children in the United States are lost each day to abuse-related deaths. The chillsinducing number began with a dancer in angel wings laying next to a child’s gravestone. Gianna Arfuso, senior and Synergy vice president, dedicated an equally emotional dance “Over You” to men and women serving in the military. Arfuso was inspired by personal experience; her fiancé is Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. “The dance was about the pain of having to get through every day and missing the person you love the most,” Arfuso said. “I never know what the Army will throw my way, but the pride that I have for what my fiancé has chosen to do is immense.” “Heist,” a hip-hop performance choreographed by captain and senior Brianna Farrell, was another
Janika Berridge / Photo Assistant
Dancers explore heavy issues like death and self image at Synergy’s dance event.
highlight of the show. The dancers wore black hoodies, as two members of the group broke into a safe, where a dancer popped out holding a bag of stolen money. Another creative number by Farrell was “Enter the Sandman,” which told the story of what goes on when people fall asleep. As one dancer yawns at her pillow, her mind is awakened to monsters moving about. The show concluded on a sentimental — yet fierce — note as the Synergy seniors took the stage for their final dance. Channeling Beyoncé, the group worked it to “Crazy In Love.” In between dances,
two of the College’s musical groups performed. The Trentones sang an impressive cover of “Somebody I Used to Know” by Gotye. Later on, the Treblemakers, the all-female acapella group, sang two songs, including “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This).” Of course, a recap of the recital would be incomplete without mentioning the show’s emcee: this year’s Mr. Synergy, Michael Dezmin. Wearing the crown he earned at the male dance pageant, the senior health and exercise science major cracked jokes and kept the crowd amused between acts.
‘Bachelorette’ isn’t worth the commitment By Chris Minitelli Staff Writer
Movies often show that those who were ridiculed in high school end up happily married before those who ridiculed them. This is the basis of the movie “Bachelorette.” This film centers around three bridesmaids, played by Kirsten Dunst, Lizzy Caplan and Isla Fisher, on the night before their friend’s wedding. During the span of about 12 hours, a great deal of insanity, problems and accidents take place — including the main issue of destroying the wedding dress. Throughout the movie, I definitely got the feeling that the writers had the idea of merging “Bridesmaids” and “The Hangover” in mind while writing the script. Although this may have been their intention, the writers undoubtedly failed to come anywhere near the caliber of either of these movies. While this movie may have had funny moments, all of its moments were pretty much forgettable — unlike the other two films. During “Bachelorette,” the writers definitely tried to use a great deal of crude humor to shock the audience. While this type of humor may work for certain movies, it definitely did not work for this one. From
extreme amounts of drug use to racial comments to sexual jokes, the writers of “Bachelorette” attempted to include all types of crude humor that really did not work for the movie. While “Bachelorette” included a great deal of attempted humor, it also included a number of attempts at teaching lessons. This film touched upon a number of issues that women may face. These problems included insecurities, bulimia and relationship issues. Although the lessons that were shown in “Bachelorette” were supposed to be serious, it was difficult to take the characters teaching them seriously. This was due to the fact that none of the characters in this film progressed or developed enough for the morals and lessons of the movie to be fully shown. In the end, while I really wanted to like “Bachelorette,” this movie was definitely a letdown. It tried to compete with “Bridesmaids” and “The Hangover,” but, without a doubt, it did not come even close to them. I really would not recommend watching this movie— you would probably be better off just watching “Bridesmaids” or “The Hangover” again instead.
AP Photo
Chick flick romantic comedy ‘Bachelorette’ fails to humor audiences.
page 20 The Signal April 10, 2013
The School of the Arts and Communication announces the
Integrated Performing Arts Minor
- Ready to explore the arts? - Interested in a variety of disciplines? - Want to make a difference in your community?
With an IPA minor, you will: • Identify personal social concerns and examine how those can be addressed in performance • Create original work or reinterpret existing work through mentorship with professional artists and companies • Learn the significance of the performing arts in the development of civilization • Understand why humans are driven to create and express themselves through performance Students interested in declaring the Integrated Performing Arts minor should arrange to meet with Dr. James Day (day@tcnj.edu), Assistant Dean of the School of the Arts and Communication. For more information, please visit www.tcnj.edu/ipa
April 10, 2013 The Signal page 21
‘Cloud Atlas’ keeps readers engaged By Katie O’Dell Review Editor
It’s sometimes hard to find a story, let alone a group of stories, that are as interesting and engrossing as they are well-crafted. David Mitchell’s “Cloud Atlas,” then, is something of a rarity — a novel comprised of six diverse narratives that come together in one sweepingly lovely story about a soul being reincarnated across time. The form of “Cloud Atlas” is hard to classify: as a series of intertwined short stories arranged inside of one another like layers of an onion, it’s part novel and part story collection, and the forms the chapters take are as varied as their genres. The book dances through science fiction, mystery and “historical” narrative, and its chapters take the form of diary entries, letters and interview transcripts from a prison as often as they dabble in traditionally-told prose. That Mitchell is able to create equally
compelling stories in such a myriad of settings is a testament to his skill. He takes us from the travel journal of a colonizing Englishman to a primitive futuristic world with intermediary stops in the home of a well-known Belgian composer, a murder mystery set in 1960s California, an eccentric English book editor imprisoned in a nursing home and a high-tech dystopia in futuristic Korea. It’s wonderfully fun to hop through time with Mitchell as one’s guide, and he gives the reader just enough continuity to unify the chapters without compromising their uniqueness. The stories give way to one another in odd and intriguing ways: interview records become a relic of times forgotten, the recipient of the letters written in one chapter becomes the center of a mystery in the next, and everywhere there are characters bearing mysterious comet-shaped birthmarks as a sign of reincarnation. Mitchell reminds
us that “souls cross ages like clouds cross skies,” and readers are invited to ruminate on the movement of time and history as they move in and out of Mitchell’s stories. Enthusiasts of beautifully-wrought language will find much to love in Mitchell’s prose. He’s as deft in the vernacular of blustery old Englishmen as he is in the starker language of dystopian sci-fi and the deliciously folksy storytelling of a buffoonish country man. There’s something inherently joyful about cresting along on the waves of such exuberantly-used language, particularly when these bursts of linguistic dexterity allow the reader to live more fully within the heads of the wonderfully quirky characters and the worlds that they inhabit. It’s usually the mark of a great fiction writer when an author is able to thoroughly immerse the reader in a made-up world without explicitly explaining the premises of the setting. David Mitchell does this beautifully,
but in his final “world,” a post-apocalyptic civilization in Hawaii, the setting seems so unfamiliar that the transition is rocky, and it takes the reader an uncomfortable amount of time to get situated in the particularly-odd circumstances and language of this wonderfully bizarre new story. Still, Mitchell is nothing if not inventive, and it’s refreshing to read a book that’s so innovative and compelling. If the chapters of “Half Lives: the First Luisa Rey Mystery” can feel a little hackneyed, it’s because we later learn that the story itself is a manuscript that a publishing official reads in another of Mitchell’s chapters. Mitchell knows how to play with tropes, but he knows how to keep them engaging, too, and there’s not a moment in the book that feels tedious or inauthentic. Nowhere else are six widely-varied genres so masterfully brought together, and “Cloud Atlas” is as much of a literary achievement as it is a fun and worthwhile read.
Dancing students rock to electric Rat Show bands Janika Berridge/ Photo Assistant
Indie rock bands keep the crowd moving all night at the Rat.
By Shayna Inocentti Staff Writer
Students were dancing around in the Rathskeller on Tuesday, April 2 as the bands We Are The City, Bear Hands and Hey Ocean! took to the stage for an unforgettable triple performance. The indie rock band from Kelowna, British Columbia, We Are The City, was the first group to break in the crowd at the College
Union Board’s show. Three guys, Cayne McKensi (vocals/keyboards), David Mensel (guitar) and Andrew Huculiak (drums) made up the trio. “We are happy to be here tonight,” McKenzie said. Despite microphone problems at the beginning of the performance, the band went ahead and played five songs for the College. A memorable moment of the performance was when McKenzie closed his eyes while playing the keyboard, and breathed the lyrics into the mic, opening a song with the lyrics, “I’m afraid I’m going to hell … You’re always thinking of yourself.” The audience was captivated by the vulnerability of the opening of this song, which soon sped up to include chords from the guitar and a thick beat from the drums. All of the songs played had a unique start-stop sound of rapidly fired notes that were followed by
a slight pause, catching the audience off guard, keeping them on their toes. Bears Hands, an indie rock/postpunk group from Brooklyn was the second band to perform. Formed in 2006, the band’s four members have worked hard to form their upbeat and rebellious sound. “We just recorded our second record. It doesn’t have a name yet,” said vocalist and guitarist Dylan Rau. “We are going to play you some of the new songs that we have been working on.” Fast-paced music with heavy guitar chords from Ted Feldman (guitar/keyboard) and a deep bass sound from Val Loper (bass/percussion) quickly filled the room. Students instinctively began bobbing their hands and taping their feet to the infectious music. One of the new untitled songs described a man’s troubled mind and the trials of relationships: “I am
Pop album inadequate By Jared Sokoloff Staff Writer There’s a reason that the Beatles’ later albums are still held in such high regard almost 50 years after their release. Their albums scoped out multiple genres and used innovative production and instrumentation to enhance songs that, at their simplest forms, were truly memorable. On first listen, “Native,” the latest effort by OneRepublic, fails at these criteria. There was a consistent overuse of hand clapping, ambient soundscapes, percussion-less choruses, and distorted, muffled and over-processed drums. The instrumentation really didn’t change throughout the whole album, and this was quite disappointing. This is the band that created “Secrets,” a hit single based around a cello line. I was hoping for some more innovative exploration into instruments less used in pop music. Most disturbing, however, was the fact that I couldn’t remember what I had listened to after I first gave the album a basic run through. I expected more from Ryan Tedder, a more than capable songwriter and producer who has worked with countless hit artists.
The one standout track for me was the album’s opener, “Counting Stars.” It seems to start off like any other song on the album, but suddenly turns and weaves a catchy gospel line into the song about a minute and a half before it ends. Now it’s quite possible that I’m just not wired to like this band’s sound. My younger sister, who is a major OneRepublic fan, thought the album was amazing. Overall, I’m sure current fans of the band will love this album, but it doesn’t serve outside listeners in the same way. I feel that the band didn’t work to their full musical potential and has more interesting music to offer up in the future.
Billboard.com
OneRepublic’s latest album, ‘Native,’ lacks innovation.
in love with this feeling, but I must confess that feelings are fleeting.” The last song Bear Hands played, “Crime Pays,” opened with a steady beat from the drummer, T.J. Orscher, and was quickly followed by the rest of the band in this rebellious outcry. The indie pop band Hey Ocean! from Vancouver, Canada was the last to commandeer the stage. Flute notes and a drumbeat introduced the band’s opening song “I Am a Heart.” Beckingham and Vertesi’s voices soon accompanied Ball’s words, blending beautifully. The innovative trio experimented with different instruments to form their unique sound. Some of the instruments included various shaped and sized maracas, cow bells and a xylophone. During the song “Change,” the trio even utilized their voices to produce harmonized whistling that wowed the audience, as they
clapped along to keep the tempo. “Hey Ocean! was so different and refreshing from anything that I have heard before. Everything they did was so unexpected,” said Julie Hang, sophomore psychology and music double major at Rider University. What was even more unexpected was when Hang’s boyfriend pulled her out of her seat to be the first to start dancing. A crowd of other students soon joined in, dancing on top of the tables alongside Ball and Vertesi as the song “Make A New Dance Up” filled the Rat. At the closing of the show, students were able to purchase merchandise from all of the bands that performed that night — including a great deal on the Hey Ocean! album at a “pay what you can” price. Many lined up, still smiling, ready to purchase a memento from an unforgettable night.
This week in photos
Vicki Wang / Photo Assistant
Friday’s Rat Show brought together the headlining indie folk band Margot & the Nuclear So & So’s and Dollys for an evening of mellow tunes.
page 22 The Signal April 10, 2013
Fun Stuff
AP Photo
AP Photo
Congrats to the Louisville Cardinals on winning the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament!
SUMMER AND WINTER SESSIONS AT T C N J
MayMester: May 13-31, 2013* Session A: June 3-July 5, 2013*
Session B: July 8-August 8, 2013* Winter Session: January 2-17, 2014* * travel and blended courses may begin sooner
summer@tcnj.edu http://www.tcnj.edu/intersession
THE COLLEGE OF
NEW JERSEY
April 10, 2013 The Signal page 23
Lions split pair of games, stay on top Lacrosse
By Peter Fiorilla Sports Assistant Winning within the conference and falling just short out of it, the lacrosse team overcame a fairly even first half against Rowan University on the road last Tuesday, April 2 by playing lights out in the second half. They could not, however, make up for early lost ground in a 10-7 defeat at No. 8 Franklin & Marshall College on Friday, April 5. The Lions (8-3) remain atop the NJAC standings thanks to the Rowan result, which was fuelled by a second half in which they outscored the Profs 8-1 and extended their conference win streak to 15 consecutive games. Although the Lions — whose only NJAC loss was to Rowan in 2010 — were held to a two-goal lead heading into the break, they went on an 8-0 run after it and built a shutout streak of 30:55, which lasted from the end of the first half until the game’s final minute.
Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
Pigott tosses four goals in the net against Rowan.
“I think in the second half against Rowan we were able to settle into a rhythm,” senior attacker Jillian Nealon said. “We
found what was working offensively and we stuck with it and were patient. We switched up the defense in the second half as well and defense played really steady and created a lot of turnovers in our favor.” Junior defender Nicole Pineda picked up four ground balls and forced three turnovers, and the Lions as a whole forced twice as many turnovers as Rowan, while limiting opportunities on net to help junior goalie Kelsey Zinck get her seventh win. On the other side of the ball, senior attacker Alex Spark was held to 2:59 minutes of play and one goal, but junior midfielder Lauren Pigott exploded for four goals and Nealon found the back of the net on five of six shots to give her a career-best 24 goals this season. “I think this year I have really been focused in finishing my shots and I have done a better job of reading different situations to create opportunities to score,” Nealon said. Similar to what unfolded against Rowan, the Lions managed to step up their game in
the latter stages of the Friday, April 5 game in Lancaster, Pa., yet another win fuelled by a strong second half was not in the cards against Franklin & Marshall in front of more than 400 spectators. The Red Dragons built an 8-4 lead early in the second-half, and though a comeback brought the Lions back into the game — Nealon scored one of her game-high three goals and sophomore midfielder Erin Waller added two to cut the hosts’ lead to 8-7 — Franklin & Marshall closed out the game with a pair of unanswered finishes. “The Franklin & Marshall game showed that we had the power to come back after being down,” Nealon said, “but we needed to stay sharp for the entire 60 minutes of play.” Pigott got on the scoreboard and had four ground balls while Zinck made five saves in the team’s first loss in five games, but they can get back in the win column on Tuesday against NJAC opponent Montclair University and when they travel to Salisbury University on Friday, April 12.
Track & Field
Track beats the heat, obtains qualifiers By Chrissy Onorato Staff Writer This past week showcased some of the best performances from the College’s track and field team that we have seen all year. At the Sam Howell Invitational held at Princeton University on Saturday, April 6, the College’s female athletes performed well and continue to look stronger each time they take to the track. There were many standout performances, such as sophomore Erica Roberts’s long jump of 5.52 meters. This was recorded as the eighth best distance in the long jump in the nation for
Division III competition. Roberts finished fourth in this competition and placed within ECAC qualifying distance. In the 100-meter hurdles, junior Katie Knight posted a finishing time of 15.62, while junior Anginelle Alabanza finished at 4:48.39 in the 1,500-meter race. They both attained ECAC qualifying runs with these times. In the high jump, junior Brigit Roemer reached 5’ 1” and also made a qualifying cut, as did sophomore Tara Nealon and junior Sarah Polansky, who ran 10:17.95 and 10:56.42, respectively, in the 3,000-meter run. The men’s track and field team also looked very strong at the
Sam Howell Invitational, with several of them attaining ECAC qualifying times. In the 4x100-meter relay, the Lions’ team of freshman Jake Lindacher, junior Scott Lisa, junior Michael Spekhardt and senior Kyle Magliaro finished ninth with a time of 43.25, putting them within that qualifying time. In the 400-meter, sophomore T.J. Kelly placed 29th overall with a time of 50.00, while Kyle Magliaro placed 22nd with a time of 11.57 in the 100-meter. In the triple jump, senior Steve D’Aiutolo reached 45’ 10”, placing sixth out of 11 opponents. In the long jump, he placed 10th, reaching 21’ 1.75”.
Senior Andy Gallagher finished with a time of 9:47.04 in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Another ECAC qualifying time was posted by the 4x400meter relay team of sophomore T.J. Kelly, junior Dominic Tasco, D’Aiutolo and Spekhardt, who posted a time of 3:21.56. In the 1,500-meter run, Tasco attained a time of 4:06.55 while his teammates, junior James Seyfartt, sophomore Jeremy Garrell and senior Michael Berti posted times of 4:06.17, 4:07.98 and 4:13.33, respectively. This upcoming week, the College’s track and field teams will host the New Jersey Invitational on Saturday, April 13.
Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
The women focus on pacing themselves.
Cheap Seats
Fried Rice for Scarlet Knights’ bad coach Rutgers honcho’s abusive tactics are not a surprise By Chris Molicki Sports Editor
AP Photo
Rice (left) and Pernetti are both out at Rutgers.
Before I came to the College, I was a freshman at Seton Hall University. I thoroughly enjoyed going to the Pirates’ men’s basketball games and getting to see schools like Syracuse, Louisville and Georgetown, along with NBA caliber players and historic coaching figures. Seton Hall’s biggest rival was Rutgers, and the Scarlet Knights hired a new head coach that year. That man was Mike Rice, and as we all know now, Rice is out at Rutgers. I’ll do a brief summary: Rice had just finished his third year at Rutgers. Just last week, video evidence came out from an ESPN Outside the Lines report that showed Rice physically abusing his players. He shoved them, grabbed them, dragged them, threw basketballs at them and even kicked one player. In addition, he berated them verbally with curses. Being someone who has played basketball in high school, I wasn’t shocked by Rice’s language (although his choice of words were more foul than any other
coach I’ve had). But seeing the physical actions he took on his players was extremely unacceptable. There is no place for that on the basketball court for college players, and it’s absolutely befuddling that Rice could have thought that strategy would have led to success for the team. The first time I saw Rice coach in person, I hated him. He quickly became my most hated coach in college basketball, and I got to see whiners like Jim Boeheim, Jay Wright and Buzz Williams live in action. But Rice was different. The way he yelled, the way he acted and the evil facial expressions he gave off were horrible. He made it easy to be hated. Now, after seeing what he’s done, I’m not really shocked at all. Seeing and knowing the kind of coach Rice has been for the past three years, it makes sense that he would be the kind of person to treat his players this way. And it’s downright disgraceful. There were two things that were alarming to me about this situation. This first, of course, is the fact that Rutgers
knew about Rice’s action in practice and did not take any action. At the first sight of something like this, a coach needs to be reprimanded. Any continued abuse, and he should be fired immediately. The administration at Rutgers really dropped the ball with this one. The second thing is something much more upsetting, and is on a national level. The film of Rice’s actions was finally released, although Rutgers basically covered it up. Therefore, who’s to say that there aren’t other coaches who have done this? Rice isn’t the only coach who’s insane, and if it took this long to get out, how long until it’s revealed that more coaches have done this? This is something that should not be happening in college basketball, and the reality that it does happens is downright frightening. All we can do now is wait and see if Rice is the first domino to fall and if other coaching coverups come to light. However, if I’m an athletic director of a college and I’m looking for a head coach, I’m going to look a lot harder now. With someone like Rice, this situation is really no surprise.
page 24 The Signal April 10, 2013
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April 10, 2013 The Signal page 25
Youth is served for Lions’ baseball Baseball
Freshman 14 are playing with confidence
Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
Turner is one of the many freshmen who are contributing to the team. By Chris Molicki Sports Editor The Kentucky Wildcats have taught us a thing or two about freshmen. Last year, John Calipari’s team dominated the entire season and won the national championship with three freshmen starting and playing key roles. This season, Calipari’s new group of freshmen was not as successful, as four freshmen starters were ousted in the first round of the NIT. And while talent is important, confidence is the real key for youngsters. That’s what the College’s baseball team’s freshmen have instilled in their heads. The Lions are 11-11, a number that’s very impressive considering there are 14 freshmen on the 31-man roster. Normally, a team with that kind of youth tends to struggle, but after starting the season 3-7, the College has bounced back and won eight of their past 12 games.
The freshmen have been especially effective throwing the ball, and it starts with pitcher Steven Volpe. Volpe has been the best hurler this season for the Lions, going 3-0 with 12 strikeouts and giving up a grand total of two earned runs in 30 innings pitched. Being the top dog has been something Volpe has embraced, as he embodies the team’s confidence. “He stepped up and we needed someone to step up and (play) a key role in the rotation,” freshman pitcher Joseph DiLorenzo said. “No one’s a good match for him. He doesn’t even care that he’s a freshman, he just gets up there and he thinks he’s the best and has great confidence in himself.” DiLorenzo himself has also put together a solid season so far. In 2 2/3 innings, he too has not allowed a run, becoming a trustworthy reliever who gets the job done. Like Volpe, his confidence doesn’t waiver when his name is called. “I think that I’ve accepted that it’s my time and (the coaching staff) has confidence in me so I don’t feel any pressure,” DiLorenzo said. “I just go in there and do my job.” Over spring break, the team took their annual trip to Florida, which gave the freshmen a chance to bond on and off the baseball diamond. With the amount of time spent with each other, the freshmen agree that the team got closer and learned from each other. “Just being with everybody all the time, especially rooming with all of the guys, going out to eat with all of the guys, and spending 20 hours on the bus, you just feel like you’re connected better with everybody,” freshman outfielder Patrick Roberts said. “It was just the fact that you were with your team,” freshman outfielder Mark Mari added. “We were in the same room as three or four other kids and each room (had) a couple freshmen and a couple upperclassmen. You would get things from the upperclassmen. You would learn from what they’ve done over the past trips so it was really a tradition from the upperclassmen.” Over the course of the trip, the results showed that the team was improving. After dropping four of their first five and seven of their first nine on the trip, the Lions responded by winning their final two games in Florida,
giving them something to build off of. That is a testament to the determination and will of the team. The freshmen certainly played better as the trip went on, which is something that has to be credited to the older players. Some juniors and seniors might haze freshmen or treat them without respect, but not this team. The upperclassmen have been accepting of the rookies since day one, taking them under the wings and being their mentors. “The adjustment process from the high school game to college, it’s a lot quicker and there’s a whole lot more going on,” Mari said. “They’ve really helped us out. I know (for) me personally, (senior) Mike Murphy and (junior) Joe Dispoto, as an outfielder they’ve really helped me a lot.” The bond in the outfield is particularly strong. Aside from Murphy and Dispoto, two of the top hitters on the team, there are four freshmen in the outfield: Mari, Roberts, John Rizzi and Peter Kennedy. Despite the fact that the young guns outweigh the old timers, Murphy and Dispoto have been crucial in the development of the freshmen as they become more comfortable with the game. “Murphy has set a great example for us especially in practice, helping us get used to all of the drills and what it’s going to be like playing college baseball,” Roberts said. Like the spring break trip to Florida, the upperclassmen helping the freshmen has led to winning during the regular season. In their April 2 game against Widener, several freshmen played key roles in the team’s dominant 12-4 win. Freshman pitcher Evan Edelman went eight innings, giving up four runs on seven hits and got the W, Roberts clocked his first career home run, and Mari and freshman catcher Garen Turner both collected three hits, spearheading the College’s offense. This success from the team’s youth is not something easily attainable, but the Lions have been doing something special. Seeing these freshmen grow up in games and at practice is a remarkable thing. Thank the coaches, thank the upperclassmen, and thank the freshmen themselves for all they’ve accomplished. But don’t forget to thank their confidence. That’s the ace up the sleeve of these freshmen, who fully believe in themselves.
Tennis
Women’s tennis is no longer undefeated By Chris Molicki Sports Editor In a shocking development, the women’s tennis team suffered their first loss of the season, as their 12-game winning streak came to an end against Swarthmore College on Sunday, April 7. The 5-4 loss saw the Lions (12-1) sweeping the doubles matches, but only sophomore Sarah Lippincott could win her singles match. For a team that doesn’t lose very often, this was a tough pill to swallow for the College. “We did lose our first match on Sunday and it was very disappointing because we all know that we are a strong team and can compete with anyone we face,” sophomore Alex Bologno said. “These are the types of losses that will teach us what we need to work on and will in the end make us better players. This is exactly what we will be doing this coming week, helping us prepare for our big match on Sunday against Skidmore College.” Entering the week, the women experienced a month layoff, but showed no signs of rust. In their 8-1 win over Washington College, most of the matches were not even close. One that was close, however, was senior Karisse Bendijo’s match against Washington’s April Weaver. Bendijo won a tight first set 7-5, but dropped the second 3-6. In the deciding set, the senior took over and grabbed a 10-5 win. “The person I played had a more aggressive game than I have,” Bendijo said. “I had to change my style of play and become more defensive. It was a little nervewracking, but I had my team and coaches
behind me to support me.” Following her lead, the rest of the College’s singles competitors refused to lose. Freshman Jasmine Muniz-Cadorette, freshman Emma Allen, Bologno, Lippincott and junior Tara Criscuolo were all successful in their matches. In doubles, the women couldn’t complete the sweep, but were still impressive. The pair of Bendijo and senior Allison Tierney picked up an 8-4 win, while the duo of Bologno and Criscuolo sped their way to an 8-1 victory. On Wednesday, April 3, the College participated in the New York University Doubles Tournament, in which the women played on the same courts used during the U. S. Open. It was a special experience for the Lions and was highlighted with four
Photo coutresy of the Sports Information Desk
The women suffer their first loss.
doubles teams collecting wins, along with Lippincott’s singles match win over NYU’s Ramya Pokala, 6-1, 2-6, 10-7. Despite the lack of team scoring, the women were still grateful to play on such a big stage. “It was an amazing feeling,” Bendijo said. “To be able to step on a court where the pros have played was exhilarating. All I wanted to do was run around the court, lay on it, and enjoy the moment. We were there long enough to meet Fernando Verdasco.” The team of Bendijo and Muniz-Cadorette shut out their opponents 6-0, while the teams of Bologno and Criscuolo, freshman Victoria Michels and sophomore Bianca Caracappa and freshman Kristina Koskinen and sophomore Megan Restua all came out on top by scores of 6-2, 6-3 and 6-3, respectively. Next up was William Smith College on Saturday, April 6. This one was a struggle, as Bendijo was the only singles competitor to win her respective match. However, the Lions dominated the doubles territory, sweeping the opposition. The teams of Bendijo and Tierney, Muniz-Cadorette and Bologno, and Lippincott and Criscuolo all got crucial wins. “Our doubles play has had a major impact on our winnings,” Bologno said. “Every tennis match starts with doubles and then proceeds to singles, so getting three points at the start is always on our mind.” As for the men (11-0), they too refused to lose, starting the week off with an 8-1 drubbing of Washington College on Thursday, April 4. Senior Marc Nichols got things started with a 6-3, 7-6, (7-3) win, while the rest of his teammates won. Senior T. J. Riley, sophomore Jack
August, junior Howard Telson and freshman Pierce Cooper all dispatched the competition without much of a fight. In doubles, there was a small challenge, but nothing the Lions couldn’t handle. Nichols and Telson breezed through their match 8-1, and August and senior Jordan Cruz took care of business 8-3. However, in the third match, Riley and Cooper were put to the test. Despite a close one, they pulled it out, 9-8 (7-1). Onto the weekend, it was another day, another 8-1 victory, this time against Hobart College. Cruz, Riley, Cooper, Nichols and August all collected singles wins. The Lions won all their doubles matches by scores of 8-4. The teams of Nichols/Telson, Buchbinder/Cruz and Riley/Cooper all won. In possibly their biggest test of the season, the men faced off against the University of Rochester on Sunday, April 7 and barely won 5-4 with Cooper being the hero. In the deciding match, the freshman managed to topple Joel Allen, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, showing that the Lions can win in the clutch too. August and Cruz were the other singles winners, while the doubles teams of Nichols/ Telson and Riley/August secured vital wins against an opponent that was far from easy. Both teams have high hopes for the rest of the season, with perfection still a possibility for the men. As for the women, the loss has shifted their sights to goals on a larger scale. “I hope we can achieve a higher national ranking,” Bendijo said. “I also would like to go further in the NCAA tournament. I just want to leave everything on the court and have no regrets when I leave TCNJ.”
page 26 The Signal April 10, 2013
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April 10, 2013 The Signal page 27
LIONS
AROUND THE
DORM 5 3
Kevin Lee “The Ref”
Chris Molicki Sports Editor
Chrissy Onorato Staff Writer
Alec Zucker Correspondent
In the first round of the Around the Dorm playoffs, the “Ref,” Kevin Lee, challenges sports editor Chris Molicki, staff writer Chrissy Onorato and correspondent Alec Zucker to answer questions about bold predictions for baseball, who the best NBA draft prospect is, and which of LeBron’s many great moments is the most memorable.
AP Photo
1. Spring is in the air and baseball season is underway. What’s your bold prediction for the 2013 MLB season? CM: All of the buzz this offseason has been about the Los Angeles Angels. In addition, the Texas Rangers have been the stalwarts in the AL West for several years. Therefore, my bold prediction is that neither team will win the division. Youth will prevail once again, and the Oakland A’s will capture their second straight AL West title. The Athletics proved that their formula worked last year, and it’s all thanks to their youth. The team’s starting rotation of Brett Anderson, Jarrod Parker, Tommy Milone, Dan Straily and A.J. Griffin are all between the ages of 24 and 26 and all had ERAs of less than 4.00 last season. If any of those guys break out this year, the A’s pitching staff will truly be deadly. On offense, the team has some talented young pieces. Josh Redick is a budding superstar, Yoenis Cespedes is looking to make a big leap in his sophomore year and Brandon Moss is coming off his best season in the majors. Throw in Grant Balfour as a solid closer, and there’s no reason why Billy Beane’s kids shouldn’t be in the hunt for the AL West title. I think they’ll win it. CO: My bold prediction for the 2013 MLB season is that Washington will take it all. Up until they brought up Stephen Strasburg, the Nationals had always struggled. Their fan base was dismal and their games generated very little news coverage. However, when Strasburg began to show his worth in 2010, Washington looked like they had a rising star, until he had to have surgery. Now, he’s back and they have another key player in Bryce Harper. Ego aside, he is a versatile player who has brought media attention and stellar play to this team. The rest of the team is young and refreshing, and I like the way they just seem to click on the field. They’re going to have some tough competition against the Braves in the NL East, so they may have to shoot for the wild card, but something tells me they’re going to make it far in the playoffs and could go for it all. AZ: While the New York Yankees have made the playoffs in 17 of the last 18 seasons, the team will be very lucky to earn a wild-card spot in 2013. As a Yankees fan, it’s a shame that Mariano Rivera’s legendary career may end early in September. Not only have other division opponents, notably Toronto and Tampa Bay, improved, but the team will miss several key bats in the lineup, such as Curtis Granderson, Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez and even Derek Jeter for a significant amount of time. In turn, I must ask Brian Cashman: why is Francisco Cervelli the starting catcher
of the New York Yankees? Seriously? Instead of acquiring Vernon Wells and Travis Hafner, two overpaid veterans who are well past their primes, Cashman should have invested money in the second most important position on the field (after the pitcher). The pitching staff should be fine, though aging veterans like Hiroki Kuroda and Andy Pettitte may break down as the season progresses. If the Yankees can find ways to score without only hitting home runs, they may have a chance to make the playoffs. Unfortunately, the odds of this happening, given the makeup of the team, are slim to none. Chris gets 3 points for actually going out on a limb, plus I love Jarrod Parker and the A’s talented rotation. Chrissy and Alec each get 1.5 points for their lack of boldness. 2. As the NBA season is coming to a close, many teams will start their preparations for the NBA draft. Who is the best player in this year’s draft? CM: Some people like the hot shooting Ben McLemore. Others prefer the defense of Nerlens Noel. Shabazz Muhammad is still highly regarded. But Oklahoma State’s Marcus Smart will be the best NBA player out of this year’s bunch. Smart was great as a freshman for the Cowboys, averaging 15.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists, while leading the nation in steals, showing he has a complete game. Smart, as a point guard, excels at creating his own shots and finding his teammates. In addition, he’s a great on-ball defender that led an underrated Oklahoma State defense. As talented as he is, it doesn’t stop there. Smart has all the intangibles you want in a player. He’s very unselfish, he knows how to win, and he plays hard on every position. In the NBA, the point guard position is extremely crucial, showing that Smart can be a huge difference-maker for any team. Smart is the kind of player that a team can build their franchise around, as he’s a natural leader. The smart choice is to pick Smart.
AP Photo
CO: One of the most promising draft picks for this year’s NBA draft looks to be Nerlens Noel. After a year at Kentucky, he has caught the eye of everyone around him. His trademark hairstyle doesn’t do much for his play on the court, but he is a popular name in conversations and people are beginning to know more about him. Playing center for Kentucky, Noel tore his left ACL this past February, but is still available for this upcoming draft. This year he has also won a variety of awards, including SEC Freshman of the Year and SEC Defensive Player of the Year. He has won others, and will continue to win them as soon as he is well enough to play fulltime. His season high is 15 points in one
game, which he accomplished twice this year. Noel is also known for his commitment and hard work, something some players today take for granted. AZ: While the easy choices for the 2013 NBA draft’s best player may be Ben McLemore or Nerlens Noel, I’ll go out on a limb and say the best player is Shabazz Muhammad out of UCLA. Muhammad is one of the most dynamic shooting guards in college basketball, averaged a solid 18 points per game while adding an average of five rebounds, and shot 45 percent from the field this past year. Not only does he have one of the coolest names in all of sports, but Muhammad also has the skills needed to become an NBA star. He already has a strong NBA body to compete, incredible athleticism and length, the killer instinct we have come to expect from NBA stars, and is, by far, the most prolific scorer in the country. Some basketball analysts say Muhammad has the skillset to become the next Paul Pierce, but only time will tell if he can make the transition into the NBA. Chris gets 3 points because Smart will make an immediate impact with his explosive offensive game. Chrissy gets 2 points because there are questions that surround Noel’s health and offensive ability. Alec gets 1 point because of Muhammad’s age scandal. One year makes a huge difference in projecting player development. 3. This is LeBron James’s 10th season in the league and he’s only getting better each year. What is the most memorable moment of the King? CM: A lot of people will say LeBron’s famous dunk on the Celtics (Marv Albert: “Lebron James showing no regard for human life!”). Others may even go with his NBA title with the Heat from last year. However, no moment has ever been more jaw-dropping than James’s performance in Game 5 of the 2007 Eastern Conference finals. In this game, James scored 48 points, grabbed nine boards and dished out seven assists, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. In the fourth quarter and two overtimes periods of a 109-107 win over the Pistons, James went off like a true titan, scoring the team’s last 25 points and 29 of their last 30. He was like a man possessed, slashing at will, scoring at the rim and raining jumpers left and right. When people think of LeBron, they think of a player who is virtually unguardable. This epic performance is the main reason why. CO: LeBron James has been a force to be reckoned with for 10 straight years, and looking back on his insane career, it’s hard to pick my favorite moment. His awards of NBA Champion and NBA Finals MVP were more than impressive in 2012, capitalizing on all he has accomplished in the time that he has
been playing. I think his legacy is probably the most impressive thing about him though. No matter what sports team or players you follow, you probably know his name. I don’t particularly follow basketball but I definitely know his name and know of his charity work off of the court, something that is sometimes more impressive than on-the-court action. His active work with the Boys and Girls Club of America is well-known and he has used his image for better. Most well-known sports names don’t give back as much as they should, seeing the position they hold, but LeBron James knows how to be a positive role model on and off the court.
AP Photo
AZ: The fact that NBA fans called LeBron “King James” before he won a championship is, in and of itself, deplorable. But my most memorable moment, while not as exciting as his “shot heard around the world” against Orlando, or his dominant Game 6 performance in Boston in last year’s playoffs, was vital to LeBron’s first championship. Down 1-0 in the Finals against Oklahoma City, the Heat had their backs against the wall in Game 2 on the road. The game was close throughout, with LeBron playing well, but late in the game, LeBron made the two biggest shots of his entire career. With all of the talk about LeBron not being clutch in the fourth quarter, or choking at the free-throw line late in the game, LeBron found himself at the charity stripe with four seconds left and the Heat leading 98-96. King James swished both free throws to ice the game, tie the series and send the Heat back to Miami with momentum and confidence. If LeBron had missed one, or even both, of those free throws, OKC could have come back to take a 2-0 series lead and may have denied LeBron his first ring. Chris gets 3 points for the amazing and historic performance LeBron had in Game 5 of the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals. Alec gets 2 points because that’s when LeBron truly became clutch. Chrissy gets 1 point for talking about all of the great things LeBron has done off the court.
Chris wins Around the Dorm, 9-4.5-4.5
page 28 The Signal April 10, 2013
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April 10, 2013 The Signal page 29
Lions Fantasy World
By Mike Herold Fantasy Guy
League Standings
Nothin’ But Net
I don’t usually delve into the realm of college hoops, but the biggest basketball story of the past week involves them. OK, so the two biggest stories, if you insist on counting the Final Four. Anyway, the story I’m talking about deals with that school just down the road, whose name I won’t mention here out of pure spite. You see, their basketball team has (yet again) been the subject of much national discussion and outrage, this time actually concerning members of their staff, namely former head coach Mike Rice. (In case you’ve forgotten, the same university’s basketball program was in the news a few years back due to some horrible things Don Imus said.) You’ve probably heard this by now, but Rice made the news due to his terrible treatment of his players, all caught on tape. His athletic director, after being shown this tape, decided to “rehabilitate” Rice by basically giving him a week’s vacation. Now everyone’s fired, so the situation worked out pretty nicely. I have some ideas on how it could have been better. My ideas stem from the concept of “rehabilitating” a nasty, violent jerk of a coach who attacks his players both verbally and physically. Call me crazy, but I don’t think vacation time is the way to go. I think we should make him coach a crazy team. Think about it for a second. What if we took all the craziest basketball players out there, stuck them all on one team, and demanded that terrible coaches try their luck with this bunch. Just as a refresher, the craziest NBA players have done the following: Latrell Sprewell strangled his coach in practice, Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson attacked fans, Gilbert Arenas brought guns to the locker room, Dennis Rodman visited North Korea (just the tip of the iceberg for the Worm) and DeMarcus Cousins gets suspended by his own team on a regular basis. Now put all of these guys, and however many other crazies you can find, on one basketball team. This is the team I want coaches like Mike Rice to deal with when they do things like he did. Imagine what would happen if a coach threw basketballs at that team while screaming insults. If it doesn’t involve at least three arrests and a hospital run, I’ll be very disappointed. One thing’s for sure — that coach would never do anything like that again. THAT’S how you rehabilitate a coach. Throw him to the wolves, just as you threw your players at him. I usually like coaches, they have a tough job and are usually the scapegoats when things go wrong, but sometimes they go too far. The final lesson here? Always be nice to that school up the road’s basketball teams. Unless, of course, you enjoy being hated.
Place 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Team Name Team Allen Team Friedman Team Matos Signal Squad Team Molloy Team Vazquez Team Nichols Team Gannon Team Caputo Team McG Team Myshkoff Team Jha
Team Owner Gabe Allen Remy Friedman Rob Matos Chris Molicki Kyle Molloy Victor Vazquez Marc Nichols Andrew Gannon Joe Caputo Brendan McGrath Zach Myshkoff Ashray Jha
Points 32587 30686 30293 29026 28498 27327 26847 26040 24000 23406 21545 15939
Top Performer (Season) Top Performer (Past Week) Jrue Holiday (3834) Nikola Vucevic (269) David Lee (4307) Carmelo Anthony (303) Russell Westbrook (4705) Carlos Boozer (237) LaMarcus Aldridge(3828) Tobias Harris (213) James Harden (4380) James Harden (174) LeBron James (5533) Nikola Pekovic (232) Kobe Bryant (4544) Kobe Bryant (238) Kevin Durant (5284) Kevin Durant (194) Al Jefferson (3580) John Wall (254) Greg Monroe (3855) Greg Monroe (202) Chris Paul (3984) Chris Paul (186) Dwyane Wade (3479) Chris Kaman (160) All standings are accurate as of 6 p.m. Monday, April 8
Moves Made This Week No teams added or dropped any players during the past week. Good Moves, or Bad? Well, the standings haven’t changed since last week, so I’d say good moves for the teams ahead of the pack, and not so much for those falling behind. This is the time of year to stand pat in general though, so I guess I can’t even mock those teams. Unless, of course, they still have injured players on their rosters. AP Photo
Games to Watch This Week As we enter the final week of the regular season, here are the games I’d recommend watching: Wednesday, April 10 at 10:30 p.m. on ESPN Thursday, April 11 at 10:30 p.m. on TNT Sunday, April 14 at 1 p.m. on ABC
I May Be Wrong, But...
Here are the moves I would make in Fantasy Basketball this week: Add: We have now officially entered the final week of the regular season, which means everything comes down to games played. Players on Minnesota, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Chicago, Brooklyn, New York and Miami all have six games left to play, which is the most of any team, so they have the best potential for points.
Be Cautious Of: Absolutely everyone. Seriously, the only players who will definitely play their usual minutes at this point in the season are those on the Rockets, Jazz, Lakers and Mavericks, aka the only teams still fighting for playoff spots. Players on any other team could sit out for various reasons, so check often to avoid losing playing time.
Drop: The biggest player hit by injury this past week was Danilo Gallinari, so he’s the most obvious drop. Other than that, I’d say there really isn’t much to do, especially since every team has their final game of the season on the same day. So don’t drop anyone completely unless they get injured, I guess. Look Out For: Holy sweet merciful fishcakes, Carmelo Anthony has been on fire lately! Some people are putting him back in the MVP discussion, proving once and for all that people have the attention spans of goldfish. Even so, his run has been impressive to say the least, and he deserves huge praise.
AP Photo
page 30 The Signal April 10, 2013
April 10, 2013 The Signal page 31
ports Week In Review Ashtin Helmer’s performances through 13 games Rochester Denison Rhode Island Wesleyan Haverford Trinity SUNY Cortland Ramapo Ramapo Richard Stockdon Messiah Kean Kean
Runs allowed this year
1
3
5
Helmer’s ERA: 1.02 Staff ERA: 2.21 Opponent’s ERA: 5.01
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Conferences on conferences on conferences
... and other Division III stories DD-III is by far the largest of the NCAA’s divisions, with more than 40 conferences, 440 members and 170,000 athletes, according to the Carroll County Times. D Amherst University defeated the University of Mary Phillips, home to the NBA’s hawks. Hardin-Baylor 87-70 for its second national title last Sunday. More than 6,000 spectators showed up to the Phillips Arena in Atlanta for the event, much of which was played in dim lighting after a bank of lights failed early in the second half. The Lord Jeffs finished the season with a 30-2 record and on a 24-game win streak under 36th-year head coach David Hixon. DThis week is “D-III week” for many schools around the country such as McDaniel College, which is hosting barbeques and offering free clinics to celebrate the division. Amherst has two titles, the other in 2007.
They have beaten the best, now the rest Lacrosse’s scoring margins against the NJAC *Rowan
Team total: 204 Alex Spark 53 Jillian Nealon 35
Ramapo
Jen Garavente 34
**Montclair
Lauren Pigott 23
RU-Camden
Erin Waller 20
Kean *Defeated 16-7 on Friday **Plays Lions on Tuesday 0
Lacrosse leaders, points
25
50
75
Kendal Borup 11 Courtesy of9 the Sports Information Desk. 100 Lauren Karpovich
AP Photo
ST U D E N T AT H L E TE O F
THE WEEK Ashtin Helmer Softball
Added three wins, stayed undefeated
Freshman pitcher Ashtin Helmer extended her shutout streak to 33 1/3 innings in wins against Messiah College and Kean University last week, helping the 23rd-ranked Lions earn a road split with the Falcons and stay atop the NJAC against the Cougars. Helmer is 11-0 through 14 games with an ERA of 1.02, and has thrown 79 strikeouts while allowing just 56 hits in 82 innings of play this season.
This week’s picks from the staff (MM) Louisville (NHL) Islanders (NBA) Grizzlies (MLB) Tigers
Point leaders vs. Michigan Peter Fiorilla
vs. Bruins
vs. Clippers vs. Blue Jays
5
Amy 4 Reynolds
2
Brendan McGrath 2 Jamie Primeau 1 Andrew Grossman0
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Lacrosse April 13 @ Salisbury University, 3 p.m. Track & Field April 13 New Jersey Invitational Baseball April 11 vs. William Paterson University, 3:30 p.m. April 12 @ William Paterson University, 3:30 p.m. April 13 vs. Ramapo College, 11:30 p.m. (Double Header) Softball April 13 @ Montclair State University, 1 p.m. (Double Header) April 6 @ Kean University, 1 p.m. (Double Header)
Last week’s Signal Trivia Answer:
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Signal Trivia This soccer powerhouse just won its 23rd domestic title with six weeks to spare.
Sports
Men’s Tennis April 10 vs. Rutgers-Camden, 2:30 p.m. April 12 vs. New York University, 3:30 p.m. April 14 @ Skidmore College, 1 p.m. Women’s Tennis April 14 @ Skidmore College, 1 p.m.
Chris Molicki 3 Mike Herold
The Horizon For
AP Photo
Andy Enfield was entitled to $10,000 in bonuses from Florida Gulf Coast University after guiding “Dunk City” to the Sweet 16 in March Madness. When the miracle run ended with a thud against Florida, Enfield got his payday by signing as the next coach of USC.
Signal
Sports
Cougars, not Lions, are kings of jungle
Baseball streak ends at five, fall twice to Kean
Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
Graber blanks Rutgers-Newark, but the team loses to Kean. By Andrew Grossman Staff Writer
The College’s baseball team knew that heading into their doubleheader against Kean University this past Saturday, April 6, they would need to play near-perfect baseball. Despite facing the nation’s sixth-best team, the Lions were confident after riding a five-game
winning streak. After traveling to the Cougars home stadium, however, the College quickly fell behind, losing 13-5. In their next game, although much more competitive, the Lions lost a close one in extra innings 5-4. “Kean has always been a pretty good team in the conference so we were expected to lose,” senior right fielder Michael Murphy said. “We were hoping to win one, but we knew it was going to be a tough game today and a battle.” In the first game, the Lions struggled early by making several unnecessary mistakes. “We shot ourselves in the foot and made a couple of errors and played their game for the first couple of innings,” Murphy said. “We started to come back a little bit, but they are a good team and we should’ve played our game instead of theirs.” Trailing 11-1 by the end of the fifth, the Lions played more collective baseball as they were able to put together some runs. Murphy, sophomore shortstop Anthony Cocuzza and sophomore first baseman Josh Limon each led the Lions with two hits as they were able to narrow their deficit by the end of regulation. Hoping to use that run for momentum, the College got off to a fast start in the second game. Pitching for the Lions was freshman pitcher Steven Volpe, who has had a
sensational start to his collegiate career. Coming into the game, he matched the program record set in 1994 by Dave Dudek for 23 consecutive scoreless innings. Despite allowing just one hit over seven innings, he gave up two runs and left the game in the eight with the Lions up 4-2, snapping his streak. “We knew we were going to get good pitching out of Volpe, who has been playing really well,” Murphy said. “He has a lot of heart and is always getting that out for us because he has a lot of confidence right now, which is working for us.” In the final innings when Volpe left, the Lions were unable to maintain the lead and lost 5-4 in the 10th. “They had a couple of big hits and got a big double,” Murphy said. “They weren’t able to outhit us; they just got lucky to get the couple of hits together.” Earlier in the week, the Lions were able to pick up three wins over Widener University and a home-and-home against Rutgers-Newark University. Against Widener, it was the team’s freshmen stealing the show. Freshman pitcher Evan Edelman went eight innings, only giving up four runs, freshman outfielder Patrick Roberts clocked his first home run of the season, and
freshman outfielder Mark Mari and freshman catcher Garen Turner each collected three hits in a 12-4 win. In the first game against Rutgers-Newark on Thursday, April 4, senior pitcher Robert Schneider was the hero, not allowing an earned run in eight innings to guide the College to a three run victory. The next game was the following day, and it was more of the same. Senior pitcher Robert Graber went the distance, pitching all nine innings for a 9-0 shutout. Five Lions notched RBIs, but it was Turner who came up big again. His first inning triple got the rout going by scoring senior outfielder Scott Kelly, while his tworun homer in the seventh sealed the deal. Although the two losses were not ideal, the Lions remain in the mix and are fourth in the New Jersey Athletic Conference with a 4-2 record in conference play. After almost pulling the upset in the second game, the Lions remain optimistic against other top teams within the NJAC. “It made us realize that we can play with pretty much anybody if we play our game and not the other teams,” Murphy said. “We were right in that second game and just one hit from really breaking it open so it’s a good thing for us to know that if we come out and control the game then we will win.”
College wins impressively in critical week Strong stretch has softball on top of their game By John Irvine Correspondent
The softball team came into this week going strong, riding a four-game win streak with an overall record of 14-4. On Tuesday, April 2, the Lions visited Richard Stockton College for a pair of afternoon games. The first game proved to be a pitching duel, with six scoreless innings. In the top of the final inning, the Lions finally managed to manufacture a run. Junior infielder Kristen Lake drew a walk to start things off. Lake advanced to second courtesy of a sacrifice out by junior utility player Nicole Brodbeck. Next up at the plate was freshman outfielder Christine Desiderio, who bunted for a single, thereby advancing Lake to third. After Desiderio stole second, senior outfielder Liz Huttner hit a sacrifice fly deep enough into the outfield to bring Lake home and earn the game’s lone RBI. The Lions took the first game
Lions’ Lineup April 10, 2013
I n s i d e
of the day 1-0. Freshman pitcher Ashtin Helmer pitched a one-hitter, and picked up her eighth win of the season. “We play in one of the toughest Division III softball conferences in the nation and there are no easy games, so treating every opponent the same definitely drives us to a heightened performance each game,” Huttner said. In the second game, Stockton took a 2-0 lead, driving in a run in both the second and third innings, but the Lions’ bats were warmed up after their first game, as they scored seven unanswered runs off of eight hits to claim their second victory of the day. By sweeping Stockton in the doubleheader, the College extended their win streak to six games, topping their own five-game win streak that they had held earlier in the season. On Thursday, the Lions travelled to Messiah College for their second doubleheader of the week. The game was scoreless until the top of
the fourth inning when Huttner led off with a single. She advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by senior outfielder Michelle Casale. After stealing third, Huttner was brought home by senior infielder Kelly Hommen, who reached first on an error by Messiah’s shortstop. In the top of the fifth, Huttner cleared the loaded bases with a double to left center field, bringing the score to 4-0. That would be the final score of the game, as Ashtin Helmer recorded another shutout and grabbed her ninth win of the season. This victory extended the Lions’ win streak to seven games, their longest of the season. Messiah pulled ahead in the second game with a 5-0 lead by the end of the fourth inning. The College began to rally late, with Casale sending out a solo homer in the sixth and Lake doing the same in the top of the seventh, but it wasn’t enough, as Messiah pulled out a 6-2 victory, thus snapping the Lions’ win streak. Saturday offered another doubleheader
Photo courtesy of the Sports Information
Casale sprints to third.
for the Lions, as Kean University traveled to the College. Seven innings weren’t enough to decide a winner in the first game. In the top of the eighth, the Cougars managed to put a run on the board, putting the pressure on the Lions to respond in the bottom of the inning. The College proved to be up to the challenge, as Huttner reached on
an error by the pitcher, and brought junior infielder/outfielder Lindsey Williams home to tie the game. Casale then closed the game out with a triple that brought Huttner home. Helmer pitched all eight innings, struck out nine batters and picked up her 10th win of the season. In Saturday’s second game, Hommen put two runs on the board with her first inning home run, driving in Casale. A Lake double in the third made it 4-1, and Kean put up only one more run in the seventh. The Lions took both games of Saturday’s doubleheader, giving the team its 18th and 19th wins of the season. Things look good for the rest of the season, not only because of the noteworthy wins that the Lions have under their belt, but also because the senior leadership is wholeheartedly devoted to the team. “I know how talented of a team we are and the potential we have, which drives me even more to give everything for the team,” Huttner said.
46 53 Around the Dorm page 27
Mike Rice Cheap Seats page 23
Tennis Loses First page 25
Freshmen Fly High page 25