Study abroad fair informs students
Sean Etheridge scores game-winner for soccer.
see News page 2
See Sports page 28
Vol. XXXIX, No. 4
September 18, 2013
Serving The College of New Jersey community since 1885
Taking comedians seriously The cost of college: What it’s truly worth
Courtney Wirths / Photo Editor
Armisen charms with musical comedy. By Tom Kozlowski Arts & Entertainment Editor
If you learn anything from Fred Armisen and Mike Birbiglia, it is to not take comedy for granted. “It’s not a practical life decision to pursue comedy as a career,” Birbiglia said during an interview with The Signal. “But if you have to do it long enough, eventually it can become one.” Friday’s headliners of the CUB-sponsored Fall Comedy Show — “Saturday Night Live”
star Armisen of observational quirkiness and Birbiglia of classic stand-up — expressed the disparity in turning jokes into jobs. Both are successful and critically acclaimed performers, which easily came across during their sets at the College. But each has a particular style that can correspond differently per audience. Comedy may seem universal, but its players are not. “I like to think I’ve made a career out of bombing shows,” Armisen said when asked about the risks of performing cold for crowds, speculating that it teeters on the listeners. “Reactions vary from audience to audience. And it’s not that I enjoy feeling uncomfortable in the silence of a joke, but it’s what ultimately keeps me going.” Armisen, though having the longevity of 11 years on “SNL,” opened the night for Birbiglia. Many of his jokes attempted to translate his improvisational success into a dialogue with the audience, sporting topics that everyone could identify with. But as he predicted, reactions varied. He then waltzed around stage impersonating people’s physical responses to music, like that see COMEDY page 16
Liberty, a student and leader By Amy Reynolds Editor-in-Chief
Most students at the College have spent the majority of their lives in New Jersey. They went to elementary school here, middle school here, high school here — and now they go to college here. Student Government President Tyler Liberty, on the other hand, had a childhood far different from any other College student. Although born in New Jersey, he spent portions of his life in Hong Kong, Belgium, Holland, Georgia, California, Tokyo and Princeton, and now his family resides in Arizona. “Growing up abroad is a very different experience than growing up in the United States,” the senior English and Chinese double major said. “Some advantages, some
Courtney Wirths / Photo Editor
Tyler Liberty, right, leading an SG meeting.
disadvantages to be sure, but in terms of how I view the world and how I view people and how I get along with people, I completely attribute that to my upbringing abroad.” Although Liberty enjoyed his childhood abroad, he “wanted to stay in a bubble” during his college years. During his junior year of high school he attended
the Urban Teacher Academy at the College and instantly fell in love with the energy he felt from the campus. “And I think a small part of me really liked the fact that Princeton was 15 minutes down the road,” Liberty said. “It was the first time in my life that I’d see LIBERTY page 13
Amy Reynolds / Editor-in-Chief
Whether spent studying or socializing, college is crucial. By Chris Molicki News Editor College is a monumental experience in the lives of young adults and it largely shapes their futures. Whether it is academics, extra curricular activities or even just social events, college helps students grow. Yet the burning question looms: How much does college truly cost students? CNN Money, a tool on CNN. com, allows the public to research different costs of individual colleges with data from Peterson’s A Nelnet Company and the U. S. Department of Education. For the College, the fee of in-state tuition totals $26,576, which includes fees, room and board, and books but excludes grants and scholarships. The figure is alarming, especially considering the fact that the cost rises every year and that the number totals to over $100,000 over four years. Those kinds of numbers are extremely difficult for many families and students to pay. CNN Money’s estimated
cost of tuition, after receipt of grants and scholarships, comes out to $23,200, a $3,376 deduction from the original cost. 67 percent of students receive grants and scholarships from the College, and while any amount of money helps, it doesn’t take away the hefty sum of money students still have to pay. “It would be great if more students got grants and scholarships,” junior English major Neepam Shah said. “It would be great if the school made more of an effort to publicize outside scholarships. I’ve been searching for grants and scholarships and they’re very hard to come by.” When comparing the cost to what students get out of the experience, it varies case by case, according to Shah. “College is one of those things that it is what you make of it,” Shah said. “It makes you someone who can look at the world and understand what’s going on. It makes you look beyond whatever see COST page 3
Carpooling program hopes to reduce costs
Commuting to school with nature in mind By Albert Cavallaro Correspondent
For the first time since its creation two years ago, the College has opened its environmentally responsible carpool program to student drivers. The program, Lion’s Pool, was originally open to faculty and staff only,
but now allows all campus drivers to connect with others who share their commute. Lion’s Pool was started by Brian Potter, associate political science professor and director of the International Studies program. Potter is the only member of the transportation subcommittee on the College’s President Climate Change Committee (PC3),
INDEX: Nation & World / Page 7
Editorial / Page 9
The Signal @TCNJsignal
The Mixed Signals Opening the semester with improv comedy See A&E page 19
which is part of a larger initiative to lower the College’s carbon emissions. “A big piece of our carbon emissions come from commuters,” Potter said. According to its main proponent, the only thing that the program needs in order to start significantly impacting the College’s carbon footprint is more participants.
Opinions / Page 11
Features / Page 13
Community efforts for sustainability TCNJ and Ewing work together See News page 3
“Once we get this critical mass of people using it, it will get more efficient,” Potter said. With cars releasing between five and nine tons of CO2, the environmental impact of just a few drivers carpooling together is astronomical. see CARPOOL page 3
Arts & Entertainment / Page 16
Sports / Page 32
Literature Abroad Prof. Tarter teaches waist-deep in history See Features page 13
page 2 The Signal September 18, 2013
TCNJ is top public college in the north By Jonathan Machlin Staff Writer
The College has been ranked as the number one public college in the northern region for the 20th consecutive year by U.S. News and World Report. According to a College press release, the 2014 rankings for the Best Regional Universities have the College as the No. 1 public college and the No. 5 overall school among public and private colleges in the north. The College is also the only public college to make the top 10 of the latter ranking. “The College is one of the best public colleges in the nation,” said Stacy Schuster, associate vice president of college relations. “This year, the opinions of our peers placed us as the top college of our type in the region for undergraduate teaching, and that really speaks volumes to the dedication of our faculty and staff, who consistently work together to provide the best possible experience for our students.” Additionally, the College earned the No. 1 spot as the best undergraduate teaching
tcnj.edu
The College sits atop U. S. News and World Report’s northern region list. school in the country. The press release states that this ranking determines the institutions that are agreed to have the strongest commitments to teaching undergraduates, as opposed to graduate students. According to the press release, the
College has the highest regional average freshman retention rate in the region — 95 percent. And 93 percent of freshmen come from the top 25 percent of their high school class. As with the Princeton Review rankings
from this past summer, members of the College administration were proud, yet unsurprised. Schuster believed that this ranking validated what many in the College community already know. Students have had a very positive reaction to the College’s ranking as well. On the night the press release was issued, many students immediately rejoiced on social media — with numerous Facebook shares of the press release occurring overnight. “This news makes me feel proud to be a student at TCNJ,” junior psychology major Izik Gutkin said. “I tried hard throughout high school to be a successful individual and excel in school, and this ranking validates all of the hard work that I have done.” Gutkin added that what he feels the College lacks in name recognition, it makes up for with its very effective undergraduate program. “At the end of the day, I will always cherish my time here, and I wouldn’t give it up for any school in the world,” Gutkin said.
Study abroad fair shows students the world
Courtney Wirths / Photo Editor
Students learn the ins and outs of studying abroad.
By Gabrielle Beacken Correspondent
Crowds of curious students filled Alumni Grove the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 11, to attend the College’s Study Abroad Fair. With over 15 information booths, students’ questions were answered with the abundance of guidebooks, brochures, posters, flyers and more. The event was sponsored by the College’s Center for Global Engagement, and students were able to meet directors from different study abroad programs.
Upperclassmen who have already studied abroad were able to provide underclassman with advice and feedback. “You learn about yourself and about other cultures,” senior Spanish major Danielle Hungerbuhler said. “Something you would never get from reading a book.” Hungerbuhler, a peer advisor for the College’s Center for Global Engagement, studied abroad in Chile last fall and emphasized the importance of studying abroad, especially for strengthening language skills. “I learned more there one semester than all four years,” senior
self-design major Shea DeBrito said of her study abroad experience. DeBrito, a fellow peer advisor, not only increased her own academic capabilities, but she created unforgettable memories as well. Hungerbuhler and DeBrito took a five-day backpacking trip to Latin America together. “It was really an incredible experience,” Hungerbuhler said. Other students hope to have similar experiences. “I just really want to go to London,” freshman elementary education and mathematics, science and technology double major Marissa Capiobianco said. “I’ve always dreamed about it.” Students also travel to learn about their families’ heritages. Mathematics and secondary education double major Kaitlin Blume hopes to travel to Europe because of her grandparents’ stories of their life in Germany. The International Studies Abroad (ISA) and Globalinks Learning Abroad offer abroad opportunities for students with all reasons during the spring, winter, fall and summer semesters. ISA
University relations representative Alvaro Rojas-Caamano believes in the core infrastructure of ISA. As students study abroad, ISA provides support, security and health services, as well as trips, which encourage students to immerse themselves in their host country’s culture. Studying abroad also allows students to gain new insights into American culture. “As an undergraduate, I studied abroad in Reading, England, 20 minutes outside of London,” Rojas-Caamano said. “I was there during the 2004 election. It was very interesting to see from their perspective.” Rojas-Caamano also noted that every major is somehow connected to other academics around the world. “What’s the point of being academic if you can’t learn from other academics?” Rojas-Caamano said. Fellow ISA representative Sara Mardanbigi stressed the value of studying abroad. Since less than 2 percent of undergraduates study abroad, according to ISA, students who do study abroad
have an advantage. “Studying abroad increases global awareness and patience. You gain a lot of valuable, transferrable skills: adaptability and flexibility,” Mardanbigi said. Study abroad programs do not only offer courses in the host country’s universities. Internships are offered as well. “All internships are very hands on,” Globalinks Learning Abroad International program specialist Colleen Murphy said. “These are great companies that want to build students’ futures. They will challenge them.” Students don’t need to look far to find the College’s sponsored study abroad programs. Mary Lynn Hopps, women’s and gender studies professor and director of WILL, is leading the College’s winter session to New Orleans. Regardless of where students decide to go and what academic subject they choose to study, they are up for the challenge and adventure. “Students first read the text,” Hopps said. “Then they learn to walk the walk.”
Green Team works hard to take care of Ewing
By Christopher Rightmire Opinions Editor
At the College, many student groups and individuals work to instill sustainable environmental habits and practices. When it comes to improving the local Ewing community, concerned students and faculty have allies for helping to improve Ewing’s overall environmental practices. The Ewing Green Team, founded in 2009, strives to “promote environmental best practices to help Ewing go green, save money and take steps to sustain our community’s quality of life over the long term,” according to its mission statement. Recently, the team’s projects have focused on expanding Ewing’s community garden project, improving energy efficiency and promoting health and awareness, according to its website. The Ewing community garden on the Whitehead Road extension offers residents
of Ewing an opportunity to manage a garden plot for $5 a year, according to Peter Boughton, the chairperson of the Ewing Green Team. “We hope the garden inspires more local food production and healthier eating choices,” Boughton said. The food in the garden belongs to the resident who cultivated it, but according to Boughton, plans are in the works to facilitate the sharing of extra produce. The community gardens also offer an opportunity for collaboration between the College and townspeople. According to Boughton, there are clean-up days when volunteers from the town and the College come together to maintain the garden. The next clean-up day will be Saturday, Sept. 21, and it will have both members of the College and the town working to mulch the gardens, according to Boughton. “The College doesn’t work directly
with the Green Team, but Bonners and other student organizations do,” said Michael Nordquist, political science professor and liaison between the Bonner center and the Green Team. “We also work with several other local municipalities.” In addition to inspiring local produce and healthful food choices, the Ewing Green Team has also focused on improving the energy efficiency of public buildings. In the past year and a half, the Green Team’s energy efficiency committee audited the municipal building and Hollowbrook Center. One notable improvement was the installation of an energyreflecting white roof on Town Hall, which will help save on climate control costs, according to the 2012 Green Team Report. “The Hollowbrook Community Center still needs upgrades, but the township does things step-wise and gradually. This year the heating and cooling systems are going to be upgraded,” Boughton said.
Another one of Boughton’s initiatives is an anti-idling campaign to encourage people to turn off their cars when waiting in front of businesses and schools. To help facilitate this, Boughton and other Green Team members encouraged businesses in town to post anti-idling signs. According to Boughton, the town will supply these signs for free and will even help store owners set them up. “Local police don’t like to bother with things like (stopping people from idling), so we are trying to encourage people to do the right thing voluntarily,” Boughton said. The last initiative of the Green Team is to help with trail development through Ewing. Some improvements have been made to the old trolley track that runs behind Rider, according to Boughton. In order to show people the importance of trails and open spaces, Ewing and nearby towns are looking to connect as many trails as possible, Boughton said.
September 18, 2013 The Signal page 3
Cost / With rising fees, students look for value
Tim Lee / Photo Emeritus
Graduating students may be in a financial hole. continued from page 1
narrow path you were set on by parents or whatever your home environment was. Our education here requires us to look outside of those backgrounds.” Junior sociology major Sharmin Malik agrees, saying that she has gotten invaluable experiences out of college. “So far, by attending TCNJ, I have been through so many experiences such as meeting new people, being able to learn
in such a great institution and having the opportunity to just be here is a benefit in itself,” Malik said. For some students, the scholarships are even more important. Malik is part of the College’s EOF program, which aims to help students with economical disadvantages. However, the average $3,376 reduction in price from grants does not entirely eliminate the burden of tuition payments. “Even though this amount seems like a lot, it’s not nearly enough for most students to help pay for even a portion of the tuition bill,” Malik said with her own experience in mind. “These numbers are not fair to me because it doesn’t help me at all. By the time I graduate college, I will have taken out double the amount of loans an average student will have taken out because of the issue with income and where the money will come from next time.” The College is doing its best to make that happen, according to executive director of college relations Stacy Schuster. “This past July, the budget recommended to the Board of Trustees ... had the lowest tuition increase in over 14 years, at 2.5 percent,” Schuster said. “The College also invested in increasing funding for institutional scholarships and waivers for FY14.” For the costs of off-campus residents, such as those commuting from home, the price will obviously be reduced. CNN Money has the College’s annual tuition at $14,378 for in-state
off-campus students and $24,530 for out-of-state off-campus students. While the figures are certainly more manageable for off-campus students, it takes out of the experience of college. “You’re not being forced to meet people who are living right next door to you,” Shah said. “You really have to go out of your way to build that. I have a lot of friends who are commuters who get that experience, but that have to work harder for it.” These numbers and opinions show that college is a double-edged sword. The experience and education is crucial to an individual’s growth, but the cost is an uphill battle for most students. “I do agree with the fact that college is tough on students, especially financially for those students who are unfortunate to come from a background with little to no income,” Malik said. “However, the benefits that can be achieved by going to college do outweigh the financial problems that most students face during this time. Some of these benefits are earning a degree, being able to get a job that pays above minimum wage, being able to use your degree and job to move to a place with better living conditions.” Most students must work hard through these obstacles in order to better their futures. That’s the best way they can make sure the cost of college is worth it.
Graffiti artist strikes thrice Seaside business burn By Jack Meyers News Editor
At 12 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7, Campus Police were informed of a theft, totaling $1,520 in value. The victim reported among her stolen items: a Vera Bradley backpack, a $1,200 MacBook and teal laptop case along with other Apple products. The victim had left her bag on the bench of New Residence Hall’s main lobby at 3 a.m. that day and first noticed it missing at 12 p.m. Serial numbers for some of the items were provided to Campus Police and the victim was told to report back to Campus Police if she found the rest of the items’ information. … Campus Police were dispatched to Decker Hall at 10:50 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7, on report of an intoxicated female. The female was reportedly found outside of the building and had been completely incoherent. When questioned, she was unable to answer, but admitted that she drank a “Solo Cup Smirnoff.” The suspect was transported to
Capital Health SystemsHopewell campus for treatment and issued a summons for underage consumption of alcohol. … A series of similar graffiti designs were found between Thursday, Sept. 12, at 8:45 a.m. and Saturday, Sept. 14, at 10 a.m. On Thursday, Campus Police were dispatched to Green Hall on report of criminal mischief and discovered the words: “To quit is to fail” in a blue/purple ink on the top step. Then, on Saturday, Campus Police discovered “Be THE Best” and “Dave,” written backwards, in a similar blue/purple ink on the steel entry door after they were dispatched on report of criminal mischief. On the same day, the graffiti was found on a water fountain near the Football Field. For all of the above cases, Building Services was contacted to remove the graffiti. There were no witnesses or suspects to any of the cases.
…
A white male was found urinating at the West Gate of the Soccer Complex at 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11. The suspect had reportedly been returning from Senior Night at Rho Nightclub in Trenton and was heading back to his offcampus house. He was issued a summons for urinating in public. … A MacBook Pro worth approximately $2,539.39 was reported stolen to Campus Police on Monday, Sept. 9, at 12:40 p.m. The victim had left his room in Wolfe Hall at 12:30 p.m. and returned to find his laptop missing. He reported to Campus Police that he noticed two suspicious females in the vicinity when he left, but witnesses did not see the females in the victim’s room or holding his laptop. At 3:50 p.m. that day, however, the laptop was recovered on the fourth floor of Wolfe Hall.
Chocolate prices rising By Courtney Wirths Photo Editor
• Alcoa, Bank of America and HewlettPackard are being removed from the Dow Jones Industrial Average after a combination of suffering stock performance and declining popularity with investors. The companies will be replaced by Goldman Sachs, Nike and Visa, according to The New York Times. • In the coming holiday seasons, shoppers may see a steep increase in the price of chocolate. The increase is due to the rising price of cocoa butter, the ingredient that gives chocolate a smooth texture, according to CNBC. • Brazilian energy corporation, Petrobras, is selling oil blocks and pipelines in Columbia to Perenco UK Ltd. for $380 million. Petrobras plans to use the cash to further develop its pre-salt oil reserves below the Brazilian seabed, according to Bloomberg News. • Businesses, as well as a newly built boardwalk in Seaside Heights, were destroyed in a fire that burned out of
control for several hours on Thursday, Sept. 12. The shore area had just begun to rebuild after severe damages by Superstorm Sandy, according to the Wall Street Journal.
• After a slow summer and a disappointing back-to-school season, retail stores are already beginning to roll out their Christmas plans and promotions. Shoppers can expect to see Christmas ads even before Thanksgiving and layaway programs are already beginning, according to CNBC. • Both retail sales numbers and consumer confidence came in lower than expected for the month of August. The discouraging numbers are likely to be discussed among the Federal Reserve staff this coming week, according to Bloomberg News. • Late last week, Twitter filed paperwork to apply for its long-anticipated initial public offering (IPO). The 7-year-old company is being cautious and extremely private about its IPO in an effort to avoid the mistakes made by Facebook, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Carpool / Sharing a ride saves nature and cost
continued from page 1
Of course, not everyone is concerned in general about the College’s carbon emissions or the broader issue of global warming. In fact, carpooling is really about more than just being environmentally conscious. It’s about being financially responsible. Driving is costlier than one might think. AAA estimates the cost of driving to be about 60 cents per mile. For the average driver, that comes up to over $9,000 in a year. Carpooling with one other person would cut that in half. If more drivers carpooled, not only would this reduce individual and campuswide carbon footprints, but it would also save drivers hundreds of dollars annually.
In order to get started, drivers can register at tcnj.icarpool.com and post their planned drives. In conjunction with social media, the site connects drivers to one another with information about sharing commutes. At the end of every month, the person with the most miles driven with a passenger will get exclusive rights to a premium parking spot for a month. “If you were the carpooler of the month you would have the right to park there, and no one else could or they would get ticketed,” Potter said. Whether it is for the environment, the money, the guaranteed parking spot or a unique social opportunity, Lion’s Pool has all the resources for college drivers in need.
Photo courtesy of Shaun Fitzpatrick
Drivers get multiple benefits out of carpooling with one another.
page 4 The Signal September 18, 2013
F REE W ITH T C N J S TUDENT I D
September 18, 2013 The Signal page 5
Ancient mathematics questions answered By Jack Werner Correspondent
Many wonder how Pythagoras, Archimedes or Napier did advanced mathematics thousands of years ago. That question was answered by mathematics professor David Reimer in a lecture last Friday, Sept. 13. His discussion focused on the methodologies and paradigms used by the aforementioned mathematicians. Conclusively, the vast amount of advancements made relied on object intuition. That is, mathematicians knew the answer beforehand and used inductive reasoning with common objects
to prove their claims. “Not many non-mathematicians see mathematics as beautiful and elegant,” junior mathematics major Ryan Manheimer said. “Dr. Reimer offers mathematicians and nonmathematicians alike a unique way of thinking, which inevitably illustrates just how beautiful and intuitive mathematics really is.” For Archimedes, Reimer’s favorite mathematician, object intuition involved seeing the circle not as a solid object but as a set of thin rings. Once these rings were laid out flat, they would resemble a perfect triangle. Through this realization, Archimedes was able to establish the universal area of
a circle, πr²: the formula we still use today. “Very simple, very elegant. It’s essentially proto-calculus,” Reimer said. “Yet, Archimedes was ignored by his contemporaries, so his proofs were lost, and calculus had to wait another two thousands years to come about.” The significance of these mathematical giants is that they were pioneers in the field. They shaped an entire way of thinking, and their impacts are still relevant today. Anyone with a background in geometry will recognize the name Pythagoras for the Pythagorean theorem. And yet, the strategies Pythagoras used were relatively
Courtney Wirths / Photo Editor
Reimer discusses circles, among other topics. simple: arranging numbers in specific, recognizable patterns. As Reimer pointed out, this was an important advancement in the history of mathematics, and
it was the first development of a mathematical theory. For students not involved in the discipline, Reimer made it clear that much goes into math.
MUSE students show off their hard work By Jordan Finger Correspondent
On Wednesday, Sept. 11, the MUSE program introduced the College to its finalized research projects with an open forum poster session. Most undergraduate students at the College did not spend their summers collaboratively researching with professors, yet every student could get a peek at a diverse array of topics and approaches to research. “Students engaged in immersive scholarly or creative projects full time during the eight-week program with intensive mentoring and interaction with a faculty mentor to enrich our scholarly community on campus,” said Benny Chan, director of the program. Applicants’ proposals were scored out of seven on three rubrics: intellectual merit, role of student(s) and role/qualifications of mentor. The cutoff this year was five or six in each category to qualify,
according to Chan. This means that proposals were evaluated based on intellectual merit by the MUSE committee. Though research was essential to the heart of the program, students did not spend all of their time reading or in labs. Chan and the MUSE committee organized social activities and provided students with career development workshops concerning networking, résumé writing and job searching. Establishing “a community that cares about everyone’s research,” according to Chan, was imperative for a successful research program. “It is lots of fun to work with faculty and to get deeply engaged in your work,” Chan said. “You learn a tremendous amount from your mentor and may find yourself establishing a meaningful relationship with the professor. I still talk to my undergraduate mentor.” Even more so, topics ranged quite tremendously across disciplines. Senior biology major Sarah Hirsh and senior sociology major Jessica Scardino,
Jack Meyers / News Editor
Students explain to onlookers about the intricate details of their research. for example, searched for relationships between photography, local art and relief efforts following Hurricane Sandy, while secondary education double major Matthew Ritsko set out to design a board game to replace or supplement a standard middle school social studies curriculum.
Attending the MUSE poster session allowed onlookers a peek at just how much goes on behind the scenes at the College. Those not participating were still able to deeply experience, discuss and debate the wonderful array of projects by coming to this year’s session.
CUB receives thumbs up for TCNJ Glow
Student Finance Board deems hosting TCNJ Glow a go for the College. By Julie Kayzerman Nation & World Editor
Undergoing several failed motions and heated discussions, the Student Finance Board motioned to allot funding to CUB for $27,780 to host TCNJ Glow at its meeting this past Wednesday, Sept. 11. This event was tabled last week, as SFB was not satisfied with the safety details outlined by CUB. They came back to present the event again
with the suggested updates of supplying water, bathrooms and extra barricades at the event. “I was not in favor of this event last week,” operations director Brian Hurler said. “But I am now.” However, other members of SFB still held their concerns from the previous meeting. “My biggest problem with this is there is no benefit (to the student body) and it is a rave scene. That’s not what TCNJ is about,” SG representative Tom Verga said.
“Just because you add ‘glow’ to something doesn’t mean it’s a benefit.” Hurler countered saying, “I think the benefit is that it’s a fun event that students will remember for a very long time.” Sophomore representative Tom Athan agreed. “I think this is absolutely safer,” Athan said in response to CUB’s changes. “I think TCNJ students are smart and will make good decisions.” Junior representative Gordon Sayre did not agree. “We’re all pretty scared that something bad is going to happen,”
Courtney Wirths / Photo Editor
Sayre said. “I don’t think the risk is worth the reward.” Senior representative Sam Hoffer felt that the event was too much money for CUB to be asking for out of special appropriation funds, since they had already received a highvolume budget. However, sophomore representative Christina Grillo, who was unsure of the right decision throughout the discussion, finally took a side. “With anything you do there’s an inherent risk. Accidents happen and it is a lot of money, but that’s what
special appropriations are for and this affects 1,000 people, so I think the money is justified.” The motion passed by a split vote with the stipulation to raise ticket prices to $15, add $1,000 for an extra barricade, and use leftover money from the fall concert toward funding this event. It will take place on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. in Lot 12. However, although CUB narrowly got its way with the funding of TCNJ Glow, they were zero funded by a unanimous vote for “Coffee Town Live with Glenn Howerton and Ben Schwartz” that would require $29,578 in funding. “I think this $30,000 could be better applied elsewhere,” Hurler said in agreement with Nicholas Ruppino, financial director, who felt that it’s “too similar to the fall lecture, and it would be insane in my mind to spend another $30,000.” SFB was also presented with a multicultural request by the Eurasia/Middle East Society in hopes of receiving $175 to fund their event “The Voice of Rumi in Poetry and Music: Love, Knowledge and Discipline.” The event was fully funded and has been scheduled for Monday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. in the Library Auditorium.
page 6 The Signal September 18, 2013
Career Center getting results for students
By Courtney Wirths Photo Editor
Results from the One-Year Out graduate survey revealed that 97 percent of the College’s graduates have either a full-time job or are enrolled in graduate school within the first six months after graduation. 80 percent of those who responded said that they had used the College’s Career Center, according to Debra Klokis, employer relations specialist and liaison to the School of Business for the Career Center. The Career Center kicked off a series of information sessions to guide students planning to use Lion’s Link, the College’s job and internship search site on Thursday, Sept. 5. The auditorium was filled with students from a variety of majors, ranging from Chinese to accounting. “We are here to help you get started with efforts beyond graduation,” Klokis said.
“We’re partners with you.” Lion’s Link’s goal is to connect students with employers searching for employees with a particular major and skill set. Aleksandr Nozhnitskiy, senior economics major, used Lion’s Link to obtain his internship at Bloomberg this past summer. Bloomberg is one of the many companies that recruits heavily from the College through Lion’s Link. Other companies are Johnson & Johnson, PNC Bank and Bank of America. Bloomberg had two rounds of interviews to select students for the 10-week internship program. All interviews are set up for students through Lion’s Link. Nozhnitskiy was one of 25 students selected from around the country. “I feel very fortunate that I got it,” he said. “They did a lot of development workshops for the interns. It wasn’t just monkey work.”
Nozhnitskiy’s primary position was a data analyst in the capital structure department. “We each had our own managers, each intern,” Nozhnitskiy said. “We weren’t just in a giant pool. It was pretty individualized. I was the only intern in capital structure.” The position, according to Nozhnitskiy, paid well. The Career Center encourages finding an internship that is paid, so students receive compensation for their time. If pay is not given, students should be sure to receive academic credit, Klokis said. In addition to working in their set departments, interns at Bloomberg are given training to develop skills such as leadership, communication and time management. Bloomberg also exposed interns to the importance of philanthropy in a corporate environment. The company partnered with Trenton’s Habitat for Humanity to host a
carnival day for children in Trenton. All the interns attended to lend a hand. During the information session, Klokis stressed the importance of having either a part-time job or an internship in one’s field of interest before graduating. “Internships should be an experience that helps you get to the next level,” Klokis said. For Aleksandr Nozhnitskiy, Bloomberg did just that. After his internship, Nozhnitskiy and several other interns were offered full-time positions at the company. “I would definitely recommend Lion’s Link,” said Nozhnitskiy. “TCNJ students should peruse as many (job search) channels as possible.” The Career Center encourages networking, in addition to Lion’s Link. It is recommended that students use events on campus, as well as family and friends, to have conversations about potential job opportunities. “Use your network,” Klokis advised.
Student government elections set to begin By Natalie Kouba Managing Editor As Student Government heads into election season, hopeful potential members were eager to attend SG’s general body meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 11. President Tyler Liberty welcomed interested students running for positions. Liberty continued to give updates on the vice president of Student Affairs search. Although many students did not attend last week’s open forum,
Liberty encouraged the general body to attend upcoming forums, as feedback from students is crucial. Alex Brown, vice president of Governmental Affairs, announced that the final list of student organizations facing the possibility of de-recognition by Student Activities has been set. The list of clubs will be discussed at this week’s SG meeting, Brown said. The semester’s first Town
Gown meeting was very productive, Liberty said. These meetings have the goal of “improving communication between the Township of Ewing and The College of New Jersey,” according to the College’s website. At the meetings, both members of the College and Ewing community can voice any concerns pertaining to the relationship between the campus and town. Disruptive students walking through
Ewing late at night is often one of the concerns voiced by Ewing residents. “Since the start of the school year, we have already had eight mailboxes been knocked down and broken, which is a little bit ridiculous if you think about it,” Liberty said. “This coincides only when TCNJ students are in session.” The date for the next Town Gown meeting has not been scheduled. “We do live in a community,” Liberty said. “We need our relationship with Ewing to work.”
Courtney Wirths / Photo Editor
Liberty discusses Town Gown with the SG members.
September 18, 2013 The Signal page 7
Nation & W rld
Obama’s outcry on Russia’s ‘No Gay Propaganda’ law
By Ananya Sen Correspondent
Russian President Vladmir Putin signed into law a bill forbidding gay propaganda this past June, causing global uproar and uneasy feelings toward the upcoming Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, as reported by The Huffington Post. This law disallows any Russian citizen or foreigner to equate heterosexual and homosexual relationships and also disallows promotion of any pro-gay material. Russian lawmakers have also proposed stripping custody rights of gay parents, according to The Huffington Post. In this day and age, it is very surprising to see Russia, a powerful political and international force, make backward strides in such a current and relevant global issue. Many have even compared this bigotry to
that of the Nazi regime during World War II and the 1936 Summer Olympics, according to The New York Times. However, a major part of the uproar was not of those questioning the morality of such a law, but the apprehension connected to the upcoming Winter Olympics in Sochi. According to the International Olympic Committee codes, it is strictly illegal to discriminate against certain types of people, such as those with different ethnicities, religious affiliations and even sexual orientations. The Olympic Games are an influential and global event during which people of all corners of the globe come together in peaceful competition. However, this abhorrent prejudice is sure to cause unwanted hysteria. Nonetheless, The Huffington Post reported that Russia has made it apparent that the law will not influence the games and has pleaded to stop the unnecessary speculations. But it
is not so easy to merely overlook this issue, especially since President Obama has been advocating for LGBT rights. With Obama in the heart of Russia at St. Petersburg for the G20 summit, Obama made a point to meet with Russian civil society leaders, including LGBT activists, before boarding the plane back to Washington, D.C. Obama’s opinion of Putin’s decision was voiced during “The Tonight Show.” “I have no patience for countries that try to treat gays or lesbians or transgendered persons in ways that intimidate them or are harmful to them ... Nobody is more offended than me by some of the anti-gay and lesbian legislation that you’ve been seeing in Russia.” Looking into the future, if the No Gay Propaganda law toes the line during the Games, there will be a public outcry difficult to ignore. With Obama, other political
AP Photo
Russian embassies are swarmed with protests against anti-gay laws. forces and global citizens expressing their strong opinions against the law, it would be wise for Putin to reconsider this decision before being pushed into a corner and forced to take action.
Sandy sore-spots take destructive hit from boardwalk fire
AP Photo
Firefighters work to put out the fire at Seaside Heights, recently rebuilt after Hurricane Sandy.
Obscure & Offbeat
AP Photo
The shoe of Miss District of Columbia
“Boontling” dialect is dying
In the tiny town of Boonville, Calif., expressions like “Ilden pike to the chilgoory nook” are common in the language of “Boontling.” Unfortunately, this language seems to be on it’s way out, according to NBC.com.
Persian cat in space
After sending a mouse, a turtle and some worms on a space flight in 2010, Iran is looking to use a Persian cat as its next animal astronaut as reported by The Associated Press. “Show us your shoes!” Miss America contestants have resurged the Atlantic City boardwalk shoe parade, showing off wacky footwear, according to The Associated Press.
SEASIDE HEIGHTS, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie pledged $15 million in state aid Saturday for businesses damaged by a massive boardwalk fire in a shore community just getting back on its feet after Superstorm Sandy. “We had two days to feel sad about this, and it is legitimately a sad thing. But we’ve got work to do now. A couple days to mourn, now we’ve got to move on and get back to work,” Christie said. Christie’s office said the New Jersey Economic Development Authority board plans to extend an initial $15 million from programs offered to help in the recovery from Sandy. Those
funds would be made available whether or not the fire-damaged businesses were affected by Sandy, according to the Christie administration. “It was critical that we move quickly to aid the Seaside business community, which was still struggling to recover from Superstorm Sandy,” said Michele Brown, CEO of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, which is expected to formally take action at a meeting Wednesday. The wind-whipped fire destroyed dozens of ocean-front businesses, including bars, pizza places and T-shirt shops and shot flames 50 feet into the air. Public works crews had to rip up part of the boardwalk to create a make-
Around the World:
shift fire break, robbing the advancing flames of fuel. The crews piled sand in the breech creating dunes to hold back fire rather than water. “I wouldn’t be anyplace else,” Christie said. “When a crisis happens you have to be here to help organize things, to lend encouragement and deliver help.” The good news, if there is any, Christie said, is that the fire was contained before it engulfed the entire boardwalk. “This could have been significantly worse. We have about four blocks that were taken out, and for those people on those four blocks, it’s awful. But, we could have lost all of this,” he said, gesturing to a portion of the boardwalk untouched by the flames.
India
13-year-old goes for master’s degree LUCKNOW, India (AP) — In a country where many girls are still discouraged from going to school, Sushma Verma is having anything but a typical childhood. The 13-year-old girl from a poor family in north India has enrolled in a master’s degree in microbiology, after her father sold his land to pay for some of his daughter’s tuition in the hope of catapulting her into India’s growing middle class. Verma finished high school at 7 and earned an undergraduate degree at age 13 — milestones she said were possible only with the sacrifices and encouragement of her uneducated and impoverished parents. “They allowed me to do what I wanted to do,” Verma said in an interview Sunday, speaking her native language of Hindi. “I hope that other parents don’t impose their choices on their children.” Sushma lives a very modest life with her three younger siblings and her parents — eating, sleeping and studying alongside them in a cramped single-room apartment in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh state. Their only income is her father’s daily wage of up to 200 rupees (less than $3.50) for laboring on construction sites. Their most precious possessions include a study table and a second-hand computer. It is not a great atmosphere for studying, she admitted. “There are a
AP Photo
Sushma Verma is recognized as ‘India’s Child Prodigy’ for being enrolled in a microbiology master’s degree at age 13.
lot of dreams ... All of them cannot be fulfilled.” But having no television and little else at home has advantages, she said. “There is nothing to do but study.” Sushma begins her studies next week at Lucknow’s B. R. Ambedkar Central University, though her father is already ferrying her to and from campus each day on his bicycle so she can meet with teachers before her classes begin. Her first choice was to become a doctor, but she cannot take the test to qualify for medical school until she is 18. “So I opted for the MSc and then I will do a doctorate,” she said. Sushma — a skinny, poised girl with shoulder-length hair — is not the first high-achiever in her family. Her
older brother graduated from high school at 9, and in 2007 became one of India’s youngest computer science graduates at 14. In another family, Sushma might not have been able to follow him into higher education. Millions of Indian children are still not enrolled in grade school, and many of them are girls whose parents choose to hold them back in favor of advancing their sons. Some from conservative village cultures are expected only to get married, for which their families will go into debt to pay exorbitant dowry payments, even though they are illegal. “The girl is an inspiration for students from elite backgrounds” who are born with everything, said Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak of Sulabh International.
page 8 The Signal September 18, 2013
September 18, 2013 The Signal page 9
Editorial
College pumps cash, not iron
Some of The Signal’s recent headlines have highlighted how much money is being pumped into the College, including multi-million dollar projects, such as the Cromwell renovations and Campus Town. But I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say there’s an obviously better project that would vastly improve our college experience, at a far more efficient cost — bring our primitive, broom closet-sized Physical Enhancement Center into the 21st century by adding more real estate and machinery. For many students, working out is an integral part of their college experience. It helps everyone stay fit, be happy and look good, or at least feel good about the way they look. Offering only a congested gym with broken-down equipment is unhealthily discouraging students from exercising. In the PEC’s defense, it gets a few things right: a nice staff, TV’s usually tuned into ESPN and the necessary range of basic equipment. In theory, the hardcore lifters can bench, squat and deadlift to their hearts’ desires, while casual gym-goers can safely get their pump on at the machines. But any fairy tale visions of an accessible gym dissipate at first sight upon entering the PEC. It is easy to get to the gym, but actually doing anything in it is another story altogether. The time investment required to use the equipment past midmorning is significant: using a cardio machine requires calling in a reservation, and even if you don’t want to go for a run, the gym is usually packed with multiple people to every machine. With such so little equipment available — two squatting racks for a campus of thousands — there is little to no hope of getting an efficiently timed workout in. There are other problems, of course. Machines’ pins are constantly missing, the handful of ellipticals are in a constant loop of breaking down, and I’ve been here for five semesters without ever seeing a hint of 30-pound dumbbells, arguably the most popular and important set of dumbbells after the 35’s. Not much has changed in the last couple of years — despite being a place of so much momentum and activity, there has been an inertia of quality in the gym. I don’t want to sound too harsh on the PEC. It is freely available, after all, and there are always off-campus alternatives for anyone willing to do a little more driving or running. But I believe there is an enormous opportunity cost in letting the gym stay as it is, when it could so easily help improve the college experience.
— Peter Fiorilla, Sports Editor
Editorial Content Unsigned editorial opinions are those of the Editorial Board, which consists of the Editor-in-Chief, the Managing, News, Features, Arts & Entertainment, Opinions, Photo and Sports editors and the Business Manager, unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed in signed editorials and letters to the editor are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Signal.
The College’s Physical Enhancement Center could use a little T.L.C.
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Quotes of the Week “The fact that I can look back at the end of the year and say, ‘I advocated for this, we helped change this, we helped represent students on this’ to me really is the essence of the job. This is a job for the students and about students.”
— Student Government President Tyler Liberty
“To do comedy, or anything artistic really, is to be delusional about it. You have to convince yourself that it’s going really, really well when it isn’t, and sooner or later, it’ll start to.”
— “Saturday Night Live” actor Fred Armisen
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page 10 The Signal September 18, 2013
September 18, 2013 The Signal page 11
Opinions
Consumer demand will decide TV’s future Entertainment industry in transition period
AP Photo
With the debut of Netflix original series, many predict a change in the entertainment paradigm. By Jonathan Edmondson In 2012, 132 pilots were made. From those pilots, 35 were picked up for a series, and a mere 13 were renewed after the end of the broadcast season. Of those 13, a majority did not perform well enough to warrant a second season. With interest rapidly declining, and ratings checking in at all-time lows, the entertainment industry is now faced with the task of deciding how to change the future of television. Luckily, Oscar winner Kevin Spacey has the perfect solution. Spacey, who stars in and is the executive producer for the
Netflix original series “House of Cards,” urges the rest of the industry to follow in his successful footsteps. He urges the importance of story and describes the freedom a platform like Netflix gives to promising new shows. Giving one example, he notes the fact that his series was immediately picked up for two 13-episode seasons without the tedious, often convoluted pilot episode. Skipping this initial step allowed the writers to immediately begin telling the story. It amazes me that, in today’s diverse world, so many programs that appear on both cable and network television are simply
hackneyed attempts at entertainment. Trying to distinguish differences between the seemingly hundreds of criminal shows is an impossible task. They are all virtually the same. Newer shows, such as “Mistresses,” “Scandal,” and “Revenge,” even sound alike in title. In an industry that is supposedly elitist, how hard is it to find a writer with original story ideas for broadcast and network television? When the Emmy nominations were announced in August, I was pleased (but not at all shocked) to see “House of Cards” dominating the drama category with a total of nine nominations. “Orange is the New Black,” a Netflix original series that debuted this summer, is earning equally rave reviews and is predicted to sweep next year’s Emmy’s. What both of these shows have in common are exactly what most television shows are missing: a raw story and easy access to the whole season. Now, that is not to say that network and cable shows do not have their fair share of talent. But what Netflix series have that the other programs don’t is freedom. Nudity, profanity, drugs and more are all
fair game on platforms such as Netflix, HBO and Showtime. All of the aforementioned items are simply facts of life and help relate us to what we are watching. These shows emphasize story and contain some of the most brilliant writing I have ever seen for a television show. Each script contains fresh, new ideas that are neither predictable nor boring. In addition to quality, these Netflix series offer something that network shows cannot — quantity. All 13 episodes are put on Netflix.com at once, allowing viewers to decide when they want to watch the seasons. The only things Americans like more than a good story is the freedom to watch it however and whenever they want. Instead of waiting a week (and sometimes longer due to a hiatus) between episodes, viewers can “binge watch” and get fully absorbed in the stories and characters. Americans are known to have short attention spans, and many people I know have lost interest in even their favorite shows because of delays. However, everyone I talked to who has seen “Orange is the New Black” watched all
13 episodes of the first season within a week or two. The series is just that good, and the ability to watch all the episodes at once is an added tactic to get fans addicted. My hope is that the entertainment industry opens its traditional eyes and realizes that what people want is an original, captivating story. In order to achieve that, writers need both the freedom and the correct platform to do so. Whether it be Netflix, HBO or any other premium network, writers need to abandon trite ideas and take risks. “House of Cards” and “Orange is the New Black” are controversial even in their calmest episodes, but that is part of the allure. If other writers do not catch on soon, viewers will rapidly lose interest in basic broadcast television shows and opt for the deeper, sophisticated content available on other platforms. Writers need to have a little more faith in their viewers and realize that all they really want is a good, raw story. One they have never heard before, and one that will absorb them into an alternative universe, just long enough to escape their own struggles.
Pizza place underrated Raining? Dome worry!
This Letter to the Editor was written in response to a food review by Amy Reynolds, Editor-in-Chief, published on August 28, 2013. By Erica Schultes
My friends and I first started ordering from Special Pizza City during our freshman year and have been in love with its pizza ever since. Needless to say, I was eager to see one of my favorite eateries in Ewing finally featured in The Signal, but I was soon disappointed that a review written about a pizza place did not include a single mention of their actual PIZZA. With topping combinations like chicken, broccoli and ranch (much less dry than the Piccolo’s version), my personal favorite of chicken, spinach, bacon and honey mustard, or even just a plain cheesy pie, you really can’t go wrong with anything that comes out of their ovens. While I have also tried the shrimp and broccoli alfredo, and I do admit the shrimp, the garlic breadsticks and yes, even the sauce (of which they will happily give you a little extra if you simply ask for it) are delicious, there is so much more on their menu worth trying and reviewing. One taste of their juicy, marinated, grilled chicken salad, and you’ll be even more disappointed in Eickhoff’s usually extra charred chicken.
Also, the cool thing about ordering on GrubHub is that each restaurant’s page shows you what the most popular and frequently ordered items are on the menu. These can be helpful suggestions, especially if you’re ordering from someplace new for the first time. And although Reynolds unfortunately had to wait the full hour for her delivery, usually it requires much less time to reach your dorm, unless you’re ordering right around dinnertime on a Friday or Saturday night. And finally, I was a bit put off by Reynolds’s jab at Special Pizza City’s name. Ask any local resident of Ewing or even do a quick Google search, and you’ll find that this name has been a part of Ewing since the 1960s. You can’t expect any restaurant owner to just up and change a name that holds over 50 years of a town’s cultural memory just because it’s “not the most appealing.” Overall, I’m still glad Special Pizza City has gotten some extra attention, and I encourage you to take Reynolds’s advice and try it for yourself the next time you’re craving real pizza or maybe something new.
Climate controlled campus By Bryan Halpem
Tropicana Field, Sandy Cheeks’s residence and Springfield in “The Simpsons Movie.” What do all of these places have in common? They all have domes. The dome was invented in 1776 by Benjamin Franklin as a means to protect the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from British invasion. Over time, engineers and architects have perfected the art of dome-building for other purposes — protection from rain, alien invasions, etc. While an alien invasion
is not really an issue right now, rain has been getting in my way of enjoying regular daily activities, such as sunbathing, picnics and Uno outside. It is for this reason that I propose the College builds a dome around campus. This dome can have a retractable roof that opens when the weather is nice but closes when the forecast is gloomy. A dome would make campus life that much better. It would also attract more smart students so we can keep moving up the academic leaderboard among regional middle-sized schools in the Northeast.
Domes could be the key to academic excellence.
AP Photo
Policies The Signal is published weekly during the academic year and is financed by the Student Activities Fee (SAF) and advertising revenue. Any student may submit articles to The Signal. Publication of submitted articles is at the discretion of the editors. The letters section is an open forum for opinions. Submissions that announce events or advertise in any way will not be printed. All letters should be sent via e-mail to signal@tcnj.edu. Handwritten letters should be sent to The Signal, c/o The Brower Student Center, The College of New Jersey, PO Box 7718 Ewing, N.J. 08628 or placed in our mailbox in the Student Life Office. Letters must be received by the Friday before publication and should not exceed 300 words. The Signal reserves the right to edit letters for space and clarity. All letters must be signed, with a phone number and address of the author. Requests to withhold the author’s name will be honored only if there is a legitimate reason. All materials submitted become the sole property of The Signal. The editors reserve the right to edit or withhold all articles, letters & photographs. The Signal willingly corrects factual mistakes. If you think we have made an error, please contact The Signal at (609) 771-2424, write to the address listed above or e-mail us at signal@tcnj.edu.
page 12 The Signal September 18, 2013
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September 18, 2013 The Signal page 13
Features
International class gives life to literature By Emma Colton Features Editor
The roses of Hever Castle have wilted, died and bloomed again throughout the centuries, seemingly preserved in history. In the 16th century, Anne Boleyn walked among the rows of vibrant flowers at the English castle. Today, students from the College walked the castle’s grounds, touching history through seeing the home of a doomed queen. English professor Michele Tarter led a group of literature lovers to the land of the Tudor family and the wizarding home of Harry Potter. The Literary Landscapes class brought literature and history to life. This year’s study abroad class focused on Hilary Mantel’s “Bring up the Bodies,” which is a historical novel about Anne Boleyn, and J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” Tarter led the group of students along the path of Anne Boleyn to follow her story while reading the novel “Bring up the Bodies.” “We went to Hever Castle, Anne’s birth place in Kent,” Tarter said. “There was nothing modern about it, it was like stepping back in time.” According to Tarter, it was her favorite part of the international excursion because the group was able to truly experience the depth of Boleyn’s star-crossed fate. The students saw the innocence of Boleyn by visiting her
Photo courtesy of Caroline English
Students of the Harlaxton literature class.
childhood bedroom. They saw her grow to adulthood by visiting Hampton Court where she lived with Henry VIII. They experienced her anguish and death by visiting the tower where she was imprisoned, and they ended the excursion by visiting her grave. “I’m very engrossed in her story as a wise woman in a man’s world,” Tarter said. “On this trip we really got to experience her fall and how she was brought down because of her wisdom.” Though a large portion of the class was devoted to deep and sorrowful history, Tarter planned the trip to also include a
light-hearted aspect: Harry Potter devotees got a taste of magical literature. “The juxtaposition of those two was very interesting because it was heavy with Anne and it was light and magical with Harry,” Tarter said. “I want them to have both.” The class took a trip to Edinburgh, Scotland, to the café where Rowling wrote part of the series. The students ate the food Rowling munched on during moments of writer’s block and took in the atmosphere that was conducive to writing award-winning literature. In London, the group visited the Harry Potter Studios and the 9 ¾ train platform. According to the students who attended the trip, the Harry Potter focus stole the show. “Watching the pages of my favorite book come to life was such an incredible experience that I will never forget,” sophomore computer science major Kylie Gorman said. “I was so overwhelmed by all of the (Harry Potter) sets that I was barely able to lift my camera to take pictures.” The group even had the chance to play Quidditch and travel on the Goathland steam train that inspired the train written about in the series. In the course, attention to the smallest literary detail was experienced — literature was no longer reserved for the pages of a frayed book — it was brought to life. “It’s a teacher’s dream to see their students relate so well to literature,” Tarter said. “They couldn’t contain their excitement.”
Bottlenose dolphins dying at alarming rates By Frank Saverino Correspondent
AP Photo
Marine biologists are working to prevent further dolphin deaths.
Since the beginning of July, over 80 bottlenose dolphins of all sizes and ages have washed up dead along the Jersey shore from Ocean to Atlantic counties. The Marine Mammal Stranding Center expects the rate to continue and surpass even the 1987 record of 93 dolphins. In August, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s statistics labeled the epidemic “an unusual mortality event,” and since then, the Department of Environment Protection has stepped in to help investigate the growing problem. The DEP has sent conservation officials and additional helicopters to help marine experts and volunteers probe ocean waters to rescue corpses and prevent more dolphins from washing up on the beaches. Necropsies have affirmed that the same morbillivirus of the 1987 “dolphin-demic” was responsible for the deaths of at least 12 dolphins, and the state is continuing to
test more corpses at the state Agriculture Department laboratory right here in Ewing Township. “None of us want to see these dolphins — they’re beautiful animals — none of us want to see them washing up on shore dead, so we’re trying to be part of the solution,” Gov. Christie said during his visit to Point Pleasant on Thursday, Aug. 29. While the government has clearly tried to assert itself as a force in the environmental issue, more factors that have led to this alarming loss in the dolphin population are yet to be revealed. And New Jersey isn’t the only state facing a “dolphin-demic.” The NOAA has stated that along the eastern coastline, from New York to North Carolina, 430 dead dolphins have been reported. The DEP has been quick to connect the large loss of dolphins to the morbillivirus found in some of the dolphins, describing the epidemic as a “natural disease cycle.” They also reported that the quality of New Jersey’s shore water has been high this summer, but this has not comforted marine
experts and environmental enthusiasts. Virginia alone has seen the greatest “dolphin-demic,” reporting 120 found dead along the coast. Susan Barco, the senior scientist at the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, voiced the concerns of many environmentalists following the issue and its greater implications. She emphasized the importance of following and helping to fight the epidemic in an interview with AFP news online, describing the bottlenose dolphin as a “sentinel” of the ocean. According to Barco, the poor health of the bottlenose dolphin can indicate the poor health and status of our ocean waters. Here in New Jersey, similarly concerned and skeptical environmentalists are also pointing to the massive amount of sewage water that has flowed into the ocean since Hurricane Sandy last year. Pollutants and biotoxins coming from inland could be other possible contributors to the poor health of our waters and the bottlenose dolphin. The problem is certainly not simple, and the issue is still ongoing.
Liberty / No dull moments for SG President
continued from page 1
be moving and I didn’t have to say goodbye to all my friends. Princeton High School is notorious for sending a lot of people to Princeton College, so I knew I’d know a lot of people there … For me, (attending the College) was a combination of a great school, a great feel and in a bubble.” Now a senior at the College, Liberty is anything but an average student. As Student Government President, he represents the voice of the entire student body. “The fact that I can look back at the end of the year and say, ‘I advocated for this, we helped change this, we helped represent students on this’ to me really is the essence of the job. This is a job for students and about students,” Liberty said. But representing the entire
student body certainly isn’t an easy job. An average Wednesday for Liberty, his busiest day, begins at 7:30 a.m., much early than the average student. By 7:45 he’s at the gym and he’s in class by 9. At noon he has a “break,” which he usually spends catching up on emails. From roughly 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Liberty spends his time attending SG-related meetings, which includes the general body meeting at 3 p.m. At 5:30 he has another class followed by more meetings, after which he finally has a chance to relax. “I tend to think that I have really, really good time management skills,” Liberty said. “And I really do think that I and my fellow Student Government members do make a difference on this campus. I don’t think it’s a singular effort by myself. I think it is a thing that the general body does as well.” Liberty also works closely
with the Town Gown committee to brainstorm ways to create a great living arrangement between the College and Ewing residents. One program the committee is developing is the Neighbor to Neighbor program, in which students would be able to volunteer their time in order to assist Ewing residents with specific projects, such as yard work. Liberty believes this program will help improve the College’s image. “99 percent of our students are great — they do great things,” he said. “It’s that 1 percent that sometimes can get a little bit rowdy and might make questionable decisions, and we want Ewing to remember us for the 99 percent compared to the 1 percent.” Although SG has shaped his college career, he didn’t always envision himself holding a position. During his freshman year, his
CA, future SG President Christina Kopka, encouraged Liberty and the rest of the freshman floor to get involved with SG. “I didn’t do student council in high school and the only activities I did were frisbee, community service work and mock UN. But that was pretty much what I did. I had no experience in anything related to student government and it turned out that I came here and that’s how I got involved,” he said. It’s certainly a time-consuming job, but to Liberty, it’s worth it. Even though it’s a whirlwind of meetings at times, he believes that the changes they’ve been discussing will really go a long way. He believes that students really have the potential to accomplish great things, and he’s very excited to represent students at the College. “It’s okay to fail and fail again,” Liberty said, offering
advice to current students. “But more so, just get involved. I think TCNJ fosters a community of people and individuals … who really allow you to explore any interest that you have. And at the end of the day, yeah you can look back on how stellar of an academic life TCNJ provides, but it really also is about what you were involved in and what you were able to participate in.” Although he’s not sure what type of job he’d like to have immediately after graduation, he does know that in his years following college he’d like to hold a panda, go skydiving, get in a fight, and live a happy life. “No matter where I work, I want to make an impact,” Liberty said. “I see myself in a place where I’m either being a change agent or facilitating change, and that’s really important to me.”
page 14 The Signal September 18, 2013
Get PAID $100.00 to teach something you LOVE! The program offers students the unique opportunity to teach their peers in a low-stress, highly- interactive environment. Courses are held right on campus in the Brower Student Center. Guitar, billiards, cards, knitting, art; What can we learn from you? Courses are taught in a minimum of four (4) one hour sessions. Teach your peers in the subject of your choice!
Sign up at: http://bit.ly/bscminifall2013 Applications due September 25th
With questions, contact Piottir1@tcnj.edu
September 18, 2013 The Signal page 15
Tips to deal with stress By Ruchi Shah Columnist Unfortunately, stress has become a standard component of the American lifestyle to the extent that it is nonchalantly regarded as the norm. Thus, its constant presence no longer raises any alarm or need for concern. This attitude needs to change quickly. Stress levels of college students are particularly worrisome. We’re concerned about potential unemployment, probable debt, our GPA — the list goes on. All of these are valid reasons to be stressed, but stress doesn’t do any good. Stress can lead to depression, mental strain and physical ailment, according to HelpGuide.org. All these factors combined could ultimately result in an earlier death. So what you do about this? There are, in fact, a variety of solutions. The message here is: As inclined as you are to think otherwise, stress is avoidable. Sufficient sleep is key. Not getting the recommended eight to 10 hours can seriously increase your stress levels. It is advisable to fall asleep before midnight and to maintain a regular schedule. Exercise regularly. Physical activity has been scientifically proven to reduce stress levels, according to the Mayo Clinic. If
you’re a nature enthusiast, run the loop. If you prefer the quiet indoors, make your way to the Physical Enhancement Center. Either way, exercise is important and should be incorporated into your daily schedule. Eat healthy. Junk food is commonly sought for comfort. This is extremely counterproductive as such foods reduce your body’s energy level, rendering your body more susceptible to stress. Fruits and veggies are definitely the way to go. Alcohol should not be your ‘go to.’ Another habit among some college students is distressing via alcohol consumption. However, accompanying your sobriety the next morning will be that very same stress, and chances are it will have elevated during your temporary intoxication. The morning after is never fun. Remember to breathe. Performing breathing exercises will, in fact, help reduce your stress. Slowly inhale through your nose and hold that breath for a few seconds before exhaling through your mouth. Stress often results in short and shallow breaths. Stress has a plethora of very unhealthy and potentially life-threatening consequences. Remember: Relax, or you might pay unfortunate consequences.
Campus Style By Jordan Koziol Columnist Perhaps the coolest element of trend forecasting is that it allows us all to become savvy stock traders, navigating our personal, and notably more fashionable, floor of the New York Stock Exchange. We get to predict the looks that will flourish and invest in the pieces to create them. And guess what? If we happen to mess up on our prediction of next season’s coolest outfit, the economy won’t crash, and no one will try to occupy Ewing. If only we could have warned Wall Street about the boho-chic trend that dominated this past summer. Whether it was on the streets, at a music festival or at the beach, there was an influx of high-waisted shorts, flowy maxi skirts and floral-print crop tops throughout the entire season. So to keep this trend on the rise, a prediction of autumn’s spin-off look is called for. Continue to be inspired by stylish Woodstock, but utilize autumn’s best tactic — layering. Whether you choose to drape your outfit with an oversized patterned scarf, a lightweight sheer kimono or a fringed silk shawl, this elegant accessory will always do the trick. One part stylish and one part warmth, these up-and-coming shawls and capes al-
low for creativity on days where “sweater weather” guides wardrobe choices. Not only this, but you’ll get to make a grand exit a few seconds before your draped outfit does, a statement all in itself. So get inspired by trend forecasting, and help bring this look to campus! This style, worn with personal touches and a bit of confidence, will surely produce a return on your investment.
thecultofstyle.blogspot.com
Layer scarves and drapey apparel for a boho-chic look.
Miley’s tongue takes sleazy spotlight By Johnanthony Alaimo Columnist
AP Photo
Cyrus showering affection on a sledgehammer.
Remember that time Miley Cyrus grossed me out? Oh wait, let me be more specific. In her latest venture in all things sleazy and a little queasy, Miley released the music video for her latest single, “Wrecking Ball.” While the song itself is actually a pretty decent ballad, the music video is a not-so-decent tossed salad. The video basically focuses on Miley LICKING a sledgehammer. That ain’t Liam Hemsworth, girl! Licking a sledgehammer is some kinky Gallagher shit that I do not
subscribe to. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen Miley’s tongue more than her dentist has, and that’s a problem. Keep that thing in. In the video, she goes on to swing naked on a wrecking ball — because why not? Miley’s antics have gone so far that they might have even cost her a Vogue cover. Apparently, Vogue Editor-in-Chief A n n a Wintour was so turned off by her VMA performance that she canceled Miley’s cover. Be careful, Ms. Wintour. Miley has shown what she could do with a sledgehammer. And it’s not pretty.
In some social media news, Twitter is releasing an IPO! No, it’s not a rap album. It’s an Initial Public Offering, which means that Twitter is looking to become a publicly shared company. That’s right. YOU can own a piece of the Twitter universe. And who wouldn’t want to own things like, “Nite! Eyes closing. SO TIRED” (@cher). Truly amazing. Since this is only a step toward the stock market, there is no known value to how much a single stock holding will be. But we don’t have to look too far into
the past to see how social media fared on Wall Street with Facebook’s initial foray in 2012 being a complete disaster. I don’t know about you guys, but I’m still waiting for LiveJournal to give it a go. And to end on a light note, Nicole Kidman was knocked to the floor on an NYC sidewalk. Aw. The actress was apparently struck by a paparazzo on a bike, and she took a tumble. The biker was charged with reckless driving, and Nicole Kidman was charged with reckless acting. (I still haven’t gotten over “The Golden Compass.”)
Asian bistro serves generous portions By Amy Reynolds Editor-in-Chief
Most students at the College have heard of No. 1 China, which is just a five-minute drive from campus. However, few have heard of No 1 Asian Bistro, let alone ventured there and tasted it for themselves. While I love the convenience and deliciousness of No. 1 China (as do Signal editors of the past), I decided to try something new this past weekend. So No 1 Asian Bistro it was. I ordered from Hamilton this past weekend, so, while it was convenient for me, it may be a little too much of a trek for those of us at the College. Still, it’s only a 12-minute drive from campus, according to Mapquest, and well worth the drive/delivery time. The bang for your buck you get at this restaurant is unsurpassable. This past Friday, my friend and I found ourselves very hungry with very little food in the house. However, we’re also fairly poor — a predicament that many college students often find themselves in. We knew we wanted Chinese food, so
I turned to my good friend GrubHub and searched “Chinese.” No 1 Asian Bistro was one of the first restaurants that showed up, so I decided to give it a shot. I quickly scrolled through the menu and eventually found a “dinner for two” special. It came with two egg rolls, a quart of your choice of soup (we chose wonton), pork fried rice and two entrées (of which there were about 30 to choose from) — a whole lotta food for just $19.50. When we ordered the food, we were told that it’d take close to an hour for our food to arrive, but it only took about 20 or 25 minutes. Plus, the delivery man was probably one of the sweetest delivery men I’ve ever encountered — definitely a bonus. To start, we each took a small portion of each type of food. The first thing I tried was the roast pork with Chinese vegetables. While it wasn’t my favorite part of the meal, I thought the vegetables were fresh and there was a just-right amount of sauce. The other entrée, General Tso’s chicken, could have been a little spicier, but overall I thought it was really good.
My favorite part of the meal, however, was the pork fried rice. Oftentimes, pork fried rice tends to be rather dry, but this rice was perfectly cooked. In fact, it didn’t even need soy sauce, which I’ve grown accustomed to putting on Chinese rice. The wonton soup and egg rolls were also good, but to me they were just bonuses — they weren’t necessary aspects of the meal. While the food was delicious and the delivery man was extremely friendly, the best part of the meal was definitely the amount of food you get for your money. The green tea bags they gave us were a nice gesture, too.
Amy Reynolds / Editor-in-Chief
Pork fried rice may be a side dish, but it steals the show.
No 1 Asian Bistro
Where: 100 Flock Rd, Trenton, NJ Contact: 609-586-8006 Hours Mon. - Thurs. : 10:45 a.m. - 9:15 p.m. Fri. - Sat. : 10:45 a.m. - 10:15 p.m. Sun. : 11:45 p.m. - 9:15 p.m. Overall Rating (4 out of 5):
page 16 The Signal September 18, 2013
Arts & Entertainment
Comedy / Saturday Night Live at Kendall
Courtney Wirths / Photo Editor
The crowd makes Armisen do various impressions during their Q&A. continued from page 1
mysteriously hip, hotel lobby jazz, and took requests for world accents that he performed at the drop of a hat: Latvian, Swedish, all five boroughs of New York and a confused, Bostonian Mark Wahlberg. He even jammed
as “SNL” punk personality Ian Rubbish. For those unfamiliar with the skits, his musical comedy may have fallen flat. But Birbiglia, as his friend and hype man, praised Armisen’s versatility as “the real deal.” It was Birbiglia’s presence on stage, though, that illustrated the disparity in their
humor. Where Armisen drew chuckles and sing-alongs from a string of unrelated, conversational pieces, Birbiglia was a storyteller. Much like the show and subsequent film “Sleepwalk with Me,” his narratives are both self-deprecating and charming, never holding back a giggle that makes his stories all the more hilarious. “One time when I was sleepwalking, I jumped through a window,” he said. “And by jumped, I mean ... I went through the closed, second-story window and just kept running. Like the Hulk.” His anecdotes brought the audience hunched over in their seats because they were relatable and understandable stand-up, simple and pure. “I was raised Catholic, I was an altar boy, and if you’re wondering, the answer is ‘no,’” he said. This is precisely what the audience expected from Armisen but got instead from Birbiglia: relentless and well-rounded jokes, unapologetic, but told with a smile. When both comedians regrouped for a question and answer session after Birbiglia’s performance, they bounced jokes off each other gracefully while giving Armisen the chance to do his specially requested “Mike Birbiglia impersonation.” But some were still unimpressed. The
famed Fred Armisen, as seen on TV, was reserved and off-beat — compared to Birbiglia’s set, it was almost a letdown. But this is a comparison of comedic apples to oranges. The two work in vastly different spheres of comedy: Armisen in sketch comedy and Birbiglia in one-man shows akin to “Louie.” To claim that Birbiglia killed while Armisen flopped would detract from Armisen’s obvious talents and undermine the purpose of the show: to make us laugh, one way or another. “To do comedy, or anything artistic really, is to be delusional about it,” Armisen said. “You have to convince yourself that it’s going really, really well when it isn’t, and sooner or later it’ll start to.” Whether enamored with the comedians’ performances or not, they’ve established themselves as well past the point of pretending to be funny. From different fields of comedy, they’re hitting out of the park. And, of course, be sure to expect more work from them to come. “I’m always fascinated by artists who are so prolifically creative,” Birbiglia told The Signal. “The fact that people can continue generating new material for years or decades is just unthinkable — and better than the half-decent stuff I do … So basically, I want to be Bob Dylan.”
At Brown Bag, a ‘Wicked’ awesome speaker By Stephanie Pilipshen Correspondent
College alumna Christy Ney described her life as an assistant stage manager for Broadway’s “Wicked” and shared her industrywide wisdom in Mayo Concert Hall on Friday, Sept. 13. Ney’s aspiration when entering college was to become a television journalist. However, after an internship she had with New Jersey Television, she soon realized it was not for her. When Ney realized she wanted to “learn a little bit more about theater,” she got an internship with a
roundabout theater in New York City and was assigned the task of asking people over the phone to help fund the theater. “I was learning again quickly that maybe this wasn’t where my heart lay. I didn’t enjoy cold calling people,” Ney said. Although she was afraid to address the internship coordinators, Ney decided to thank them for the experience but expressed that it wasn’t for her. Instead, her “heart might lie in production.” “You have to overcome your fears if you’re ready for change to happen, and that’s what I did,” Ney said.
Two days later, “Sideman” — the show in the building Ney worked in — called her about a position as a production assistant. The internship coordinators whom she had confronted recommended her for the position. As a production assistant for “Sideman,” Ney was introduced for the first time to what a stage manager is and does. Ney soon realized that stage managing was her new aspiration. After “Sideman,” Ney had an externship with Disney Theatrics, which led to a full-time position after graduation. “I’m living proof of the fact
that internships can pay off,” Ney said. “Internships can lead to work and they’re going to answer questions for you. They’re going to tell you what you like, what you don’t like, how you want to be treated. They are going to help steer your path in ways you probably wouldn’t have imagined.” Senior biology major Matt Luppino, who hopes to become a stage manager eventually, said he found Ney “very inspirational” and loved hearing about her internships. It gave him an idea of how he should approach the theater industry.
After four years of post-graduation travels around the country with the “Lion King” production, Ney got her current job as assistant stage manager on “Wicked.” As an assistant stage manager, Ney’s tasks are varied. “It’s live theater, things go wrong — people get sick, people get injured,” Ney said. Therefore, Ney acts as a nurse, a counselor and tends to props when needed. Ney works six days a week and eight or nine shows a week as well. “It’s a sacrifice when you’re in this business,” she said. However, she has all the love for theater and her job.
‘Spectacular Now’: beyond rom-com clichés By Karl Delossantos Correspondent
It is rare for a coming-of-age drama to avoid the usual trappings of becoming overly preachy, dramatic and condescending. The genre has become so well defined that we always expect a clumsy and sometimes unintentionally cheesy rom-com. However, “The Spectacular Now” avoids all the pitfalls with nuance and grace to deliver a realistic take on the most confusing time in life. “The Spectacular Now” follows the story of Sutter Keely, a high school teenager who sits down to write his college admissions essay. At first, we see the usual makings of a high school drama. Everything from the outlandish partying montage to the carefree attitude of our protagonist. However, this all changes when we are introduced to Aimee Finecky, the shy and incredibly smart love interest of Sutter. From there, we delve into what is no longer a romantic teen drama, but a full-fledged
character study of an abandoned alcoholic 18-year-old. Miles Teller carries the film with a confidence and realism, which perfectly fits Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber’s stripped-down dialogue. The screenwriters give a simple and often brutally honest take on the anxiety that every teenager feels when the question of the future comes up. We watch as Sutter’s world changes from living in “the now” to the confrontation of a future that he doesn’t know if he can face. This is where Shailene Woodley comes in as the catalyst for a story we may not be expecting. We watch this couple grow and mature while Sutter refuses to grow up. The film features an impressive supporting cast of Bob Odenkirk, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Kyle Chandler, all delivering fine performances. However, it is still the two leads who guide the movie to its divisive close. Director James Ponsoldt should also be credited with the films success, as he was
AP Photo
Sutter attempts to face down the future while holding on to his youth.
able to portray an ordinary reality in such an extraordinary way. “The Spectacular Now” is much more than a teen drama. It’s a life drama. It makes us face the questions that we don’t want to answer: Who am I and who am I
going to become? We are confronted with brutal honesty that is refreshing in a day where films tend to sugarcoat what is real. “The Spectacular Now” is brave, beautiful and clearly one of the best movies of the year.
September 18, 2013 The Signal page 17
Emmy’s preview: ‘Breaking Bad’ is king By Karl Delossantos Correspondent
There is no mistaking that we live in the Golden Age of television. No matter what network, medium or genre, the programs that have been produced in the last few years have been some of the most acclaimed and talked about in a long time. However, this is the very same reason that makes predicting front-runners for this year’s Emmy awards so difficult. On Sunday, Sept. 22, we will find out who is the toast of Hollywood in today’s hottest industry. But here, we get a sense of who has the edge, and who should maybe stay home this year. Arguably one of the intense races of the night has to be the award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. I wouldn’t be surprised to see any five of the six nominees make the walk up to the stage. However, I am giving the edge to three-time winner Bryan Cranston of “Breaking Bad.” Despite losing last year to “Homeland’s” Damian Lewis, who is competing for the same award, Cranston has the buzz of the final season and a strong episode submission to back his campaign. But let’s face it, no one wants to see Heisenberg lose anyway.
Lewis’s co-star Claire Danes has yet to lose a major award for her portrayal as a bipolar CIA agent on “Homeland,” but Vera Farmiga may be the one to end her streak. Farmiga plays the infamous Norma Bates on the “Psycho” prequel “Bates Motel.” Her Oscar nominee status coupled with a tour-de-force submission performance gives her a slight edge over Danes. Other expected winners in the drama category are “Breaking Bad’s” Anna Gunn, who just edges out the legendary Maggie “stay-at-home” Smith and “Homeland’s” Mandy Patinkin. Patinkin was egregiously snubbed of a nomination last year, and the cycle could repeat on Sunday. As one of the greatest drama series ever created comes to a close, we realize that they have never won the top prize. “Breaking Bad” has a lot going for it this year: the buzz from their final and most acclaimed season, a relentless and loyal fan base, and the fact that they have somehow never won in the Best Drama category. If they are going to win, it’s clearly now or never, and I’m thinking it’s now. Another series that is in its final year is also in contention on the comedy side. “30 Rock” won three consecutive years in a row, but now they have to take down three-time winner and current champ “Modern Family.”
It’s unlikely for “30 Rock,” but “Louie” may be the dark horse in this race. Louis C.K. is also poised to take the award for Lead Comedy Actor from just under Alec Baldwin’s nose. As the bumbling vice president in “Veep,” actress Julia Louis Dreyfus is all too perfect to pass up for a nomination, and the Emmy’s didn’t. As reigning champ, she does have a slight lead, but Amy Poehler and Tina Fey won’t go down without a fight. Poehler is probably one of the most overdue actors/producers/writers, so her triumph this year would be gratification to an industry that obviously cherishes her. Fey returns for one last shot in the same category, and with the series finale backing her nomination, she has quite a good chance. Jane Krakowski from “30 Rock” and Ed O’Neill from “Modern Family” may also get their dues for their supporting performances, but neither is close to a lock in these tight races. All in all, this is going to be an unpredictable Emmy ceremony. With Neil Patrick Harris at the helm, we are at least ensured an entertaining show. But will the winners be satisfying? We try to predict the winners as best we can, yet voters seem to always go with what’s familiar. Hopefully that changes this year and we get a new crop of fresh-faced Emmy winners.
AP Photso
Left: In the race for Best Actor in a Drama, ‘Breaking Bad’s’ Bryan Cranston is the danger. Right: Comedy heroine Tina Fey is nominated again.
‘Best Song Ever’ — but best movie ever? By Colleen Murphy Review Editor
I was like a giddy little schoolgirl the whole week leading up to seeing “One Direction: This is Us.” I watched interviews with them and blasted all their songs in my dorm room. I even forced my family to watch their music videos so I could teach them who is who in the band. Because none of my friends “had time” to see it, my mom, being the good mom she is, took me, her 19-year-old daughter,
to see the One Direction movie. We were surrounded by a bunch of elementary and middle school girls. At the first site of the five boys of One Direction, the theater erupted in adolescent shrieks. My mom looked at me with wide eyes — is this how it would be throughout the whole movie? Luckily, for her sake, the screams did subside. But I thought the other girls made the film fun to watch. I was surrounded by a group of “Directioners” who could appreciate the movie as much as I would.
AP Photo
Styles doesn’t need Taylor Swift when he has four color-coded men.
So, with my $5.75 small popcorn (I only buy popcorn for REALLY special movies, like “Harry Potter,” and I considered this to be a REALLY special movie), I settled into the seat and for an hour and a half and had the opportunity to feel as though I was getting to know Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Liam Payne on a more personal level. Directed by Academy Award nominee Morgan Spurlock (“Supersize Me”), “One Direction: This is Us” follows the boys’ rise to fame from their humble beginnings in the UK to their third-place finish on the “X-Factor,” and well, we all know what’s happened since. The band wanted to show audiences who they truly are and that they do things their way, hence the title. Cameras followed the boy band as they embarked on their sold-out summer 2013 world tour. Spurlock traveled with the band for six months and collected hundreds of hours of footage. The documentary was shot for 3D, but I saw it in 2D and was perfectly fine. The concert footage was crisp, almost as if you were actually in the front row watching them goof off on stage as they sang “Kiss You.” The backstage clips gave viewers the chance to see the boys as they prepared for the shows. Yes, this means we got to see them as they changed clothes. Then there were the scenes of the five boys visiting home, exploring the cities they were in and just enjoying life.
After seeing the movie, it would be hard for anybody to not like the boys. Viewers get to see that they are just five 19- to 21-yearold boys who like to have a laugh and who still need their mothers. In one scene, the bodyguard explains how he has to act like a parent to the boys. With five minutes until show time, the bodyguard was seen chasing the group around the backstage area as they ride away on golf carts, skateboards and Segways. Antics like this were shown throughout the movie and made the boys extremely relatable to any person watching the documentary. The feature film is innocent fun. I found myself smirking at their shenanigans and singing along to every song. Even my mom was tapping her foot throughout the movie and could not believe how likable the boys actually were. “These guys are disarmingly charming. I challenge you to not like them when it’s over,” Spurlock said during the movie’s press conference. Of course, I can only describe the movie as amaZAYN, fabuLOUIS, phenomiNIALL, extradanHARRY and brilLIAM. “One Direction: This is Us” lets moviegoers into the lives of five super famous, yet down-to-earth, boys. By the end of the movie, depending on who you are, you’ll either want to befriend them, be them or date them. I’ll take number one and three, please (but preferably three).
page 18 The Signal September 18, 2013
September 18, 2013 The Signal page 19
Students think on feet, recruit new hands
Sorraya Barshear-Evans / Staff Photographer
The Mixed Signals take audience suggestions for skits. By Shayna Innocenti Arts & Entertainment Assistant
The seats in the Library Auditorium filled quickly Sunday night at the first Mixed Signals’ improv comedy show of the semester. The show was hosted by
the troupe’s president, Jonathan Dowler, who explained that all scenes they perform are not rehearsed. What they say and do all depends on the scenarios that the audience members come up with. For example, the audience’s choice of locations ranged from
a library with a strict alphabetized filing system to a pizzeria opening up next to a dairy farm. Toward the end of the show, one of the audience members even got pulled up onstage and was incorporated into the scene. “It was very surprising to be a part of the scene,” freshman open options engineering major Eric O’Hare said. “I could not stop laughing the whole time.” After the show, the troupe explained some goals they have for the coming year and gave advice for people who were interested in auditioning. Dowler said he wants to hold workshops where students can come and see what the Mixed Signals does and learn the techniques of improv comedy. Senior computer science major Lindsey Nice explained that the troupe’s general ambition is to always improve as comedians and to have fun. “The troupe grows every year and gets better every year, and we want to keep pushing ourselves,” she said.
Senior nursing major Nina Shulgach and sophomore history and secondary education double major Rachel Friedman both said that the troupe really wants to branch out and perform at different venues, but that they also want to reach out to different audiences on campus. Dowler also said that come spring, the Mixed Signals will hold a comedy festival called “Rather Outrageous Comedy Kick-out,” or R.O.C.K. “We hope to have a big turnout,” Dowler said. The next Mixed Signals show will be on Friday, Oct. 4. The troupe will also hold auditions on Saturday, Oct. 5, and Sunday, Oct. 6. They hope to get a lot of new members and encourage people to come out and audition. Dowler explained that auditions are a long process, but that everyone who auditions has fun. “It’s a great opportunity to make new friends and branch out in one form or another,” he said. Nice said that she auditioned
on a whim and thought that she would never get in. “I just showed up and I met some really good people,” she said. “And then I did get in, which was crazy. It entirely shaped my college career. These guys are my best friends, and this is the most fun thing that I do.” Dowler also gave some advice to students who might be interested in auditioning. “One of the main things to remember when auditioning is that you commit to your character,” Dowler said. “You can have a scene that is not going well, but as long as you commit and redefine your character as you gothrough the scene, you will still be able to have a good scene in the end.” Likewise, Friedman advised people to focus less on actually trying to be funny. “We are really working to find real characters and are putting ourselves into situations that could or would happen,” she said. “Real comedy is always funnier than crazy comedy.”
‘Pearl’ and ‘Seabirds’ refresh the Rat By Alena Woods Correspondent
Lively sounds echoed from The Rathskeller last Friday night when two very talented bands, Accidental Seabirds and Pearl and the Beard, played for a rather small, yet enthusiastic crowd. Due to the unexpectedly small crowd, it was an intimate concert gathering, which actually worked to the event’s favor. There was more room to sit back and comfortably enjoy the music with a group of people rather than stand on the sidelines or crowd too close together. The audience members were able to order food and talk quietly in this nicely relaxed atmosphere. The energy from the musicians and the crowd was still very evident as each band went up on stage and just had a good time. New Jersey native band Accidental Seabirds was the first band to perform, and the members walked up shoeless and danced across the stage. Goofing around between songs, they played music from
Vicki Wang / Photo Assistant
Accidental Seabirds turn The Decemberists into a pastiche of blues rock. their album, “The Snow and the Full Moon,” which lead singer Jesse Lee Herdman described musically as “progressive
indie rock.” “I like to call myself a ‘singer/songwronger’ instead of just a songwriter, since
the songs I write are usually unconventional,” Herdman said. The audience really enjoyed their performance, too. “The lead singer is talented,” freshman English major Tyler Callaghan said. “He can really sing and play guitar well.” After Accidental Seabirds completed their half-hour set, Pearl and the Beard set up their equipment and graced the audience with a more delicate, alternative sound. Hailing from New York City, their pop folk eclecticism was reminiscent of bands like The Lumineers or Mumford and Sons, and they brought a unique sound to the stage and a slew of interesting instruments. Along with an acoustic guitar, there was a percussive drum medley and even a cello player. It was definitely an unexpected pairing of sounds, but they blended together very well. All in all, it was a very well put-together show, and it was refreshing to attend such a professional and free concert at such a small venue.
‘Kick-Ass 2’ more Hit-Girl than hit film By Chris Minitelli Staff Writer With its unique blend of extreme violence and ironic comedy, the second installment of the “Kick-Ass” franchise worked to call upon the popular qualities of the first film. In “Kick-Ass 2,” Dave Lizewski, or Kick-Ass, finds himself alone after returning to his nightly crime-fighting routine. Ultimately, Kick-Ass joins the team Justice Forever. It is a group of ordinary citizens who go around New York City fighting crime as superheroes. As he fights a variety of crimes alongside these eccentric characters, Kickass finds himself struggling with many other issues, in addition to nightly crime fighting.
“Kick-Ass 2” definitely tries to take a somewhat different tone and approach than the first film. Throughout the movie, Mindy Macready, formerly known as the superheroine Hit-Girl, finds herself attempting to deal with being a teenager. She decides to give up crime fighting and tries to immerse herself in the high school scene by becoming friends with popular girls, dating and joining the dance team. There were many noteworthy aspects of “Kick-Ass 2,” which certainly make the film better. One of these qualities is the cast. All of the actors from the original film returned for the sequel, aside from Nicholas Cage. The cast of “Kick-Ass 2” includes Aaron Taylor-Johnson,
Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Chloë Grace Moretz and newcomer Jim Carrey. While the entire cast was quite good, the true standout was Moretz, who reprised her role as the no-nonsense, tough, yet kind and caring, Mindy Macready. While “Kick-Ass 2” takes a different tone than the first installment, this film also delves much deeper into the development of its characters. I feel that each of the characters face more challenges, or at least extreme personal changes, which undoubtedly turn their lives upside down. These extreme alterations inevitably force the characters to face their internal and external challenges while subsequently growing and changing. Most of these developments helped progress the plot of “Kick-Ass 2.”
AP Photo
The two protagonists return for a less than stellar sequel. However, a number of characters were left quite underdeveloped. Ultimately, “Kick-Ass 2” was a relatively good sequel to the 2010 original. While I think the
original movie was much better than the second, this film is worth watching, especially since there is already talk of making a third and final “Kick-Ass.”
page 20 The Signal September 18, 2013
Fun Stuff
Sudoku
September 18, 2013 The Signal page 21
More Fun Stuff Brain Teasers
1. How many apples can you fit into an empty box?
2. The manufacturer doesn’t want to use it, the buyer doesn’t need to use it and the user doesn’t know he’s using it. What is it?
3. What do Superman, Marilyn Monroe and Moses have in common? 4. Imagine you are in a room with no doors, windows or any method of physically exiting the room. How do you get out?
Answers
1. One, then it isn’t empty anymore. 2. A Coffin.
3. They were all adopted. 4. Stop imagining.
Classic cat Memes
page 22 The Signal September 18, 2013
Fall 2013 Opportunities Fair Fall 2013 Opportunities Fair , 2013 Friday, October 4th, 2013 Rec Center 9AM Rec Center 9AM‐‐ 1PM 1PM Sampling of Employers and Graduate School Sampling of Employers and Graduate School Representatives Representatives Prot
Kumon North America
Visual Computer Solu�ons
NYIT
Accutest Laboratories
L’Oreal
Wilkin & Gu�enplan
Ramapo College
Aerotek
Management Planning, Inc.
WithumSmith+Brown
Rosemont College
Marathon Data Systems
Non Prot
Richard Stockton College
Appraisal Economics Inc.
Matlen Silver
City Year Greater Philadelphia
Rowan University
Asbury Park Press/ Gannet
McCann Health
Educa�onal Tes�ng Service
Baanyan So�ware Services, Inc
Mercadien PC
Teach For America
Rutgers Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy
Bartolomei Pucciarelli, LLC
MSSL, Inc.
Womanspace
Blinds to Go
News America Marke�ng
Government
Bloomberg LP
Northeast Planning Corpora�on
Judiciary Mercer Superior Court Mercer
Buck Consultants, LLC
Northwestern Mutual The Olson Finan‐ cial Group
NJ Judiciary
Aon Hewi�
CBIZ Valua�on Group, LLC Chubb Cintas Corpora�on CIT Group CohnReznick LLP Deloi�e EisnerAmper Enterprise Holdings EY Fastenal Ferguson First Investors Corpora�on Goldman Sachs & Co. Guardian Life Insurance Company
ParenteBeard LLC Pennoni Associates PricewaterhouseCoopers Progressive Insurance Prutech Solu�ons, Inc. PVH Corp. Robert Wood Johnson Fitness & Wellness Center SHI Interna�onal Corp. Sobel & Co., LLC Solvay Target The Hibbert Group
Plainsboro Twp. Police Department US Air Force US Federal Bureau of Inves�ga�on US Marine Corps US Secret Service Graduate/Professional Schools Binghamton University Caldwell College
Rutgers School of Management & Labor Rela�ons Rutgers School of Public Health Rutgers School of Comm. & Informa�on Rutgers Camden—Law Rutgers Newark– Law San Francisco State University Seton Hall Law Shippensburg University Stevens Ins�tute of Technology Temple University College of Engineering Temple University– Graduate
Delaware Valley College
Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Thomas Jefferson U Biomedical Sciences
Farleigh Dickinson– School of Pharmacy
Towson University
Felician College
University of New Haven
Georgian Court University
UPENN– Law School
Hofstra University
University of the Sciences
Holy Family University
Widener Law William Paterson University
Horvath & Giacin, P.C.
The Whi�ng‐Turner Contrac�ng Company
ING Financial Partners
Towers Watson
Immaculata University
Johnson & Johnson
Turner Construc�on Company
Monmouth University
Klatzkin & Company
Unum
Montclair State University
KPMG
Victaulic
Neumann University
For updated list, please check the Career Center website: www.tcnj.edu/career
September 18, 2013 The Signal page 23 Women’s Soccer
Lions defense stays a safe bet in shutout
Women’s soccer pushes win streak to five By Chrissy Onorato Staff Writer
Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
Applestein scores the game’s only goal.
to hold off any serious threats on goal from their opponents, while the offense was busy trying to turn the heat up a bit. But just the one goal from Applestein was enough to secure the victory. Senior forward Katie Lindacher, senior midfielder Sloan DePiero and freshman midfielder Sarah Marion all had shots on goal and exhibited top-notch offense. The Rams were held to three shots on goal in the entire 90 minutes. On defense, a back line of Downs, freshman Brianna Petro, senior Lauren Giles and sophomore Brianna Cummings helped senior goalkeeper Kendra Griffith notch her fourth win and third shutout of the season. With everything going so smoothly, the players have high expectations for the remainder of
One more game into the season and the women’s soccer team remains undefeated. This season is starting off very similar to the way it did last year, but there is more of a desire to get to the very end of the New Jersey Athletic Conference playoffs. The Lions (5-0) stayed perfect against Farmingdale State College on Saturday, Sept. 14, while showing why they are ranked 23rd in Division III with a 1-0 victory over the Rams (3-3). Junior forward Leigh Applestein scored the game-winner, her second goal of the season, on a pass from junior defender Jordan Downs in the 39th minute. The College’s defense was able
the season, and the team seems to be bonding extremely well as a single cohesive unit on the field. “I feel our team’s chemistry this year on and off the field is a huge part of this season’s awesome start,” sophomore midfielder Carly Setaro said. “I feel that we can only improve as this season goes on.” Last year, the team went seven games before they had to record a loss in their playbooks, but perhaps this season they can improve beyond that already impressive number and keep working hard to get to those championships. This coming week, the Lions take on FDU-Florham University (3-3) on Thursday, Sept. 19, at 7 p.m., and Ramapo College (1-5) at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, in their first home game of the season.
Freshmen, veterans carry cross country Women finish second at XC Invitational Cross Country
By Julie Kayzerman Nation & World Editor As freshmen have consistently been dominating races for the men’s cross country team, it is the veterans who are carrying the women’s team to glory. Up against 17 teams, the women’s team took second at the Annual Roadrunner XC Invitational, falling short of first place by just one point. With a valiant effort by senior Megan Flynn, who led the lion pack, the College occupied three of the top 10 spots in the run at Garrett Mountain. Flynn clocked in with the secondfastest time, 24:06.2, in a field of 194 total competitors. “(The meet) was awesome,” Flynn said. “The team as a whole did really well, too. We got second place as a team and beat all of the teams that were there from the NJAC, which was the main competition that we are going to compete against at the NJAC championships, so we were all pretty excited about that.”
Flynn was followed by excellent efforts from junior Tara Nealon, who finished eighth with a time of 24:24.2, and senior Anginelle Alabanza, who finished just behind in ninth at 24:40.6. “We definitely want to win NJACS as a team and then qualify for the national meet as well,” Flynn said, expressing her desire for team success
over individual accomplishments. On the men’s side, the freshmen continue to dominate. Andrew Tedeschi ran another outstanding race in 27:18.5, taking seventh in a field of 129 runners. He was accompanied in the top 10 by freshman Alex Cary, who placed 10th after running 27:38.2, with teammate Brandon Mazzarella not far
Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
Flynn helps the women’s team place first among all NJAC teams.
behind in 13th. Despite the large differnce between running in high school and running at the College, the freshmen have been able to put in big performances for the team. “It’s definitely a big transition from high school,” Cary said. “I’m running a lot more than I ever used to in practice and we really don’t get much of a break.” Cary explained that in high school he only raced 5K, and the meet was the first time he had ever had to race a distance farther than that. “I didn’t really have much of a strategy going in,” Cary said. “I decided I would stick behind a few guys on the team who had generally been a little faster than me and see how long I could keep that up. I got through three miles and felt good, so I just moved up from there. I actually didn’t realize I finished so close to the top pack until after the race.” The Lions will continue their season at the Dickinson Long/Short Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 28, at Big Spring High School in Newville, Pa.
Soccer / Staying in winning form at home Men’s Soccer
Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
Etheridge scores a game-winner at the Soccer Complex.
continued from page 32
York’s goalkeeper initially appeared to have Etheridge’s
shot covered, but the ball got past him and trickled across the line for the Lions’ first overtime win in 14 tries dating
back to early October 2010. It was the Lions’ first win at home this year, and it put the crowd at the Soccer Complex on its feet. “Winning at home is always one of the best feelings. Getting the game-winning goal in overtime is even a better feeling,” Etheridge said. “It was not our prettiest win, but a win is a win and we were very happy with the result.” Shaw, Costelloe and Etheridge, all of Saturday’s scorers, have combined for 15 goals and four assists this season, and Etheridge’s fourth goal of the year capped off another successful performance on offense that keeps
the Lions’ goals per game average above three. “Our philosophy going forward is to be creative with our runs and passes,” Etheridge said. “The more creative we are in the final third of the field, the easier it is to break down the opponent’s defense.” Offensive creativity for the Lions is at its peak when players are mixing it up and surprising their opponents. “We also try to not do the same thing all game and make it predictable,” Etheridge said. “Sometimes we play down the side and get a cross, and then other times we try to spring runs through the middle. It all depends on our opponent. We
have a very offensively minded team and that is the reason why we have been so successful this season so far.” Great performances from the back line and goalkeepers haven’t hurt, either. The defense only allowed eight shots on goal this week, while sophomore goalkeeper Maciej Libucha and senior goalkeeper Aaron Utman each made two saves across both games to help the team stay undefeated in regulation. The Lions play FDU-Florham this Wednesday, Sept. 18, before heading to Ramapo College on Saturday afternoon for their New Jersey Athletic Conference opener.
page 24 The Signal September 18, 2013
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September 18, 2013 The Signal page 25
LIONS
AROUND THE
DORM 5 3
Gabe Allen “The Ref”
Chris Molicki News Editor
Peter Fiorilla Sports Editor
Nicholas Haff Staff Writer
In this week’s Around the Dorm, the “Ref,” Gabe Allen, asks our panel three sports questions: whether Rafael Nadal will ever break Roger Federer’s record number of majors, what two American League teams will reach the sudden-death wild card game and who will win, and which NFL team will remain undefeated the longest.
AP Photo
1. With 13 major championships and counting, will Rafael Nadal break Roger Federer’s record of 17 majors? Chris: You bet. The fact of the matter is that while Federer is still a threat, I wouldn’t consider him a big one. The biggest obstacle standing in Nadal’s way is Novak Djokovic, and in reality, he may be the only true obstacle. Nadal is in his prime and has firmly supplanted Federer, who
has fallen to No. 5 in the world tennis rankings. Federer had won 12 majors when he was 27, giving Nadal a slight edge on him there. These two will go down as two of the greats, but it seems like Nadal may just edge out Federer in the end. Nick: Rafael Nadal will without a doubt be able to jump Roger Federer’s record. Nadal is five years younger than Federer, and Federer has only managed to claim two titles from the US Open at the end of 2009 to present day. In this same period, Nadal has won seven titles. Nadal is heading into the prime of his career, and even if Federer wins two or three more major championships in the next few years, Nadal is poised to win at least seven in the next five years of his career. Plus, his biggest competition, Novak Djokovic, who has been notorious for being Nadal’s kryptonite, has lost the last two championships to Nadal in the final match. On top of that, the last three championships Nadal has won haven’t even gone into a fifth set. Nadal, in his prime, will
surely overtake Federer. Peter: For me, this question comes down to whether I think Rafael Nadal will stay healthy long enough to have the opportunity to overcome Federer’s record. Aside from Federer’s incredible skill on the court, the biggest reason he has the Majors records is because he has been one of the healthiest tennis players of all time. There’s no questioning Nadal’s ability, which has been proven repeatedly this season — he’s gone 60-3
AP Photo
while defeating arch rival Novak Djokovic in a U.S. Open Final, no less, and is virtually unbeatable against anyone but Djokovic himself at this point. (Federer’s far too old to put up much of a fight.) But I think it’s as likely Nadal’s own body beats him as it is he wins four or five more majors, unfortunately, which shouldn’t be a blemish on his tennis acumen. For a cumulative record like Federer’s 17 majors, longevity is just more important than pure ability.
Chris wins for mentioning Nadal is at a young age, Nick gets 2 points for saying Nadal’s beating Djokovic, and Peter gets 1 point for mentioning Nadal’s health obstacles. 2. In the competitive American League, which teams will square off in the wild card game and who will win? Chris: The Indians and Orioles are both weak on pitching, while the Yankees are simply fizzling out. Despite the recent struggles of both Texas and Tampa Bay, I expect them to do just enough in the next two weeks to get into the postseason. Both of these teams are very balanced with their hitting and pitching, so a sudden death wild card game would be exciting. However, as it is in any sudden death situation, the team with the best starting pitcher will win, and that’s David Price of the Rays. Price is coming off a Cy Young season and, despite a slow start to the season, still has a respectable 3.42 ERA. Texas has had a rough postseason go recently, with two World Series losses followed up by a sudden death wild card loss. It will likely continue this year, as the Rays — despite their losing ways recently — are contenders. Nick: I would have to predict that the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cleveland Indians will be the
two teams to make it into the wild card game. Look, it’s no secret that the Texas Rangers have been losing steam in the past few weeks, and I don’t see them winning a majority of their games leading up to the playoffs. They have only won two out of their last 10 games, and the losing streak isn’t going anywhere. On the other hand, the Rays have been very
consistent down this last stretch of the season, and the Indians are coming on strong, leading me to believe those will be the two teams facing off in the wild card game. I would give the Indians the edge in this game based solely off of momentum coming into the postseason, but on paper these two clubs are very even. Peter: The Indians have just one remaining
AP Photo
series against a winning team this season — Kansas City, who I think Cleveland will eliminate this week — meaning the Indians’ wild card race to lose. For the other spot, that leaves in contention the Rays (who recently went on a 4-13 stretch) and Rangers (2-8 in their last 10) — both of whom have thrown away the five-game cushions they held in early September — the Yankees, who are continuing their steady months-long descent since a surprising start to the season, and the Baltimore Orioles, a model of consistency this season. Making the wild card game is still a possibility for everyone, since form is just temporary, but I suspect everyone but the Orioles will continue to choke. An IndiansOrioles matchup in the wild card game would be anyone’s game, and both have solid aces with comparable ERA’s (Justin Masterson’s 3.52 to Chris Tillman’s 3.70). But Baltimore’s far-superior hitting (ninth in the league vs. Indiana’s 16th) will propel them to victory in the sudden-death wild card game.
Peter gets 3 points for mentioning Cleveland’s friendly schedule, Nick gets 2 points for saying Cleveland is coming on strong, Chris gets 1 point for mentioning his teams’ balance. 3. Which NFL team will remain unbeaten the longest? Chris: There are really only two teams that can be considered in the race to be undefeated the longest, and these are the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks. Both of these teams are legitimate contenders and are arguably equal, so the reason why the Broncos is the answer is because of their schedule. They have road games against Dallas and Indianapolis in Weeks 5 and 7 (both winnable) as well as home games against the Redskins and Chiefs in Weeks 8 and 11 (also winnable). They won’t face a true test until Week 12 at New England, against a Patriots team that has been shaky at best so far.
Meanwhile, the Seahawks are impenetrable at home, so you have to look at the road games. On the road against Houston in Week 4 will be a tough one. They’ll also play at St. Louis in a divisional game on a short week, just after playing a road divisional game at Arizona. Finally, they get the Falcons in the Georgia dome in Week 10, all of this happening before that Broncos-Patriots game. Peyton Manning and Denver will go undefeated the longest, with a real chance at a perfect regular season. Nick: This is a very difficult decision, seeing as how competitive the NFL has become in just the past two to three years, but I would have to go with my gut and say the Denver Broncos.
The defense, even with the absence of Champ Bailey and Von Miller at the moment, is poised to be a big threat, and they have one thing that nobody else in the NFL has: Peyton Manning. Manning blew up week one from an NFL and fantasy world perspective, and with the weapons he has at his disposal, there isn’t a doubt in my mind this team will drop 21 points per game at a minimum. As long as the defense does an admiral job, Manning — along with Wes Welker, Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker -— will do the rest. Peter: It’s difficult to give an answer other than the Peyton Manning-led Denver Broncos, who have an absurdly easy schedule jampacked with games against the half-awful AFC West. But I think what will determine which
team stays in the win column consistently is turnovers and defense. Of the teams remaining, Kansas City has the best combination of ball safety, defensive prowess and scheduling. They have a last-place AFC West schedule, while Denver’s is first-place, so that they will be in a bid to become the last undefeated team when they play the Broncos in Week 11. They have stars across the board on defense and special teams, which they showed while manhandling the Cowboys in Week 2. The QB-RB tandem of Alex Smith and Jamaahl Charles might not turn the ball over more than a handful of times all year. Kansas City hasn’t beaten itself yet so far with a 4/0 turnover ratio, and I won’t be surprised if they keep it up and eventually win the division.
Chris wins Around the Dorm, 7-6-5
AP Photo
Chris wins for saying the Broncos can go undefeated, Nick gets 2 points for mentioning the Broncos’ defensive prowess and Peter gets 1 for picking K.C. as a dark horse candidate.
page 26 The Signal September 18, 2013
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September 18, 2013 The Signal page 27
Football throws a wobbler in home opener Lions unable to complete comeback vs. FDU Football
By Peter Fiorilla Sports Editor
In a game determined by turnovers, the moment that stood out in the Lions’ home opener last Friday, Sept. 13, was junior linebacker Ryan Lowe returning an interception for six points that pulled them within reach of FDU-Florham in the third quarter. Lowe reached for a grab at full extension at the 47-yard line, ran directionally across the field, and shook a couple of tackles near the endzone to set the score at 15-12. “It was a quick pass — they were running a lot of quick passes throughout the game — and it was kind of about just being at the right place at the right time,” Lowe said. “When I caught the ball, all of a sudden I saw 10 other guys rushing out to block for me and I was just hoping to stay in bounds, but when you’ve got 10 guys to block for you it’s pretty easy to stay in bounds. It was a big play in the game, and we were happy to change the momentum a little bit.” That would be as close as the Lions (0-2) would get to a lead, as the Devils kicked a field goal and stoned a late Lions drive in the red zone with their sixth interception of the game for an 18-12 win. Sophomore quarterback Chris Spellman had a night to forget, going 11-for-36 for 157 yards, one touchdown and six interceptions. “Even after the game, when I watched film with (head coach Wayne Dickens), I realized I almost forgot the first (interception),” Spellman said. “Having a short memory is good. We have a bye week, and it’s important to watch film in practice. You can’t expect to turn the ball over six times and expect to win the game.”
Courtney Wirths / Photo Editor
Defensive lineman Thomas Masi battles to help keep the Lions in the game. The Lions offense did manage to make some magic late in the second quarter, on a Spellman pass to junior wide receiver Kyle Janeczek. Janeczek lept to catch the ball in coverage at the Devils’ 34-yard line, manuevered around a couple of tackles and burst clear, putting the exclamation point on a night for the wide receiver, which ended with a stat line of five grabs and 89 receivings yards. “He’s a good player, a really good athlete,” Spellman said. “He just rouns his routes, crisply gets open and I put the ball where he is and he gets open. It was a good catch and a better run, he ran it probably 30 yards after the catch.” The Devils’ defense would occassionally bend but never broke during the rest of the night, though, giving
Courtney Wirths / Photo Editor
A crowd of 3,600 comes out to watch the Lions in their home opener versus FDU-Florham.
FDU a win in its season opener. The Lions defense managed to keep the game close for the entire 60 minutes, holding the Devils to just 18 points on 17 drives. “I thought we played well,” Lowe said. “As a team, we definitely had a good game plan coming in, and as a total unit everyone played well from the defensive line to the secondary to the linebackers. There were still plays throughout the game we thought we could have played better, but as a whole we’ve done well. I’m happy with where we are and where we’re going.” The Lions’ dual ground threat of sophomores Victor Scalici and Brad Young averaged more than three yards per carry, combining for 96 yards on 31 carries, and will look to help the team forge its identity in the coming weeks. “We want to be a running team and establish a ground game,” Spellman said. “We want to be able to do a little bit of everything — we don’t want to be a one-trick pony — but we want to establish a runing game, first and foremost.” The Lions will have plenty of time in the coming weeks to regroup and get back in the win column. “Coming up we hage a bye week, that will be big in the senses that we can rest up and correct on a lot of the things that need improvement,” Lowe said. “With the week off, it’s definitely going to help us and it will definitely be better for the team to reflect on the first two games of the year, and hopefully for the next several weeks to play well.”
Tennis
Women’s tennis climbs to 150 wins Lions beat Richard Stockton, host NYU By Nicholas Haff Staff Writer
The College’s women’s tennis team soared its way to a 150-game conference win streak on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at Richard Stockton College, defeating the Ospreys in a typically convincing fashion while dropping only one set on the day in an 8-1 decision. The top doubles pairing for the Lions (2-0), sophomore Jasmine Muniz-Cadorette and freshman Katie Buchbinder, made quick work of their opponents in a 8-3 win to propel their record to 5-0. The team won all points but the sixth singles spot, boding well ahead of a plethora of matches coming in the next few weeks. The New Jersey Athletic Conference win keeps the Lions undefeated in conference play, going back more than 30 years, keeping them in good form before a jam-packed weekend, which includes matches with Ramapo College, Rutgers-Newark, William Paterson and Rutgers-Camden. The women also participated with the men’s tennis team on Saturday and Sunday, hosting the annual Lions’ Fall Tournament versus New York University. The tournament featured a mixture of singles and doubles play over the course of the weekend. Not only did the tournament feature the tennis
teams, but it also brought along some brisk fall weather with it, dropping the morning temperature and providing an ample amount of wind. This weather proceeded through both days of the matchup and forced teams on both sides of the court to make adjustments to their playing styles. Buchbinder and freshman Anna Prestera both won each of their singles matches for the tournament. Buchbinder managed to bounce back from a first-set loss against her number one opponent to win the final two sets 6-1 and 6-2, earning a win for the match, and made quick work of her second opponent with a pair of victorious 6-2 sets. Meanwhile, Prestera showed a dominating performance in the tournament, dropping only two games out of her entire four singles sets, winning two of them 6-0 and two of them 6-1. Both Prestera and Buchbinder went on to win doubles sets on the day as well. The women’s team overall won seven singles matches, as well as three doubles sets. On the men’s side, the charge was led by senior Howard Telson and sophomore Dan Presuto, who went undefeated in singles play for the tournament. Telson and Presuto both made easy work of their opponents, winning all four of their singles matches in only two sets. Senior Gabe Allen also picked up a major win in
singles play during the tournament weekend, playing through an extended game to defeat his opponent in the final set by a score of 11-9. Over the course of the tournament, the men’s team picked up six singles matches and three doubles matches.
Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
The women’s team keeps the NJAC streak alive.
page 28 The Signal September 18, 2013
September 18, 2013 The Signal page 29
Lions Fantasy World
Through the Uprights
They say that a victory is a victory. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how and it doesn’t matter against whom, all that matters is getting that mark in the ‘W’ column rather than the ‘L.’ I say there’s something off about that. Here’s why: I don’t think that all victories are truly created equal. I don’t believe — in fact, I refuse to believe — that every win means just as much as every other win. Wins certainly aren’t evenly measured by the fans or the players. Not even the higher-ups seem to think that every win is just as important as every other win, regardless of what they say in pre- or post-game interviews. In fact, the only place where one win is exactly as important as another is in the official standings, which, coincidentally, is the only place it actually matters. I say there’s something wrong with that, too. That’s right, I am proposing exactly what it looks like I’m going to: That a system is developed giving more value to certain games and less to others. Wait, before you mark me as crazy and go on your merry way, hear my explanation first. Usually, I manage to come up with something halfway decent. I’ll start with an example. Didn’t it feel like last night’s demolition of the defending NFC champions by their division rival should have counted for more than a single victory? The Seahawks CRUSHED the 49ers in a way no team really has the last two seasons, especially not since Kaepernick charged onto the field. And doesn’t that win seem even more spectacular when you compare it to the Saints’ slim victory against the “we-just-lost-to-the-Jets” Buccaneers, a game they should have easily won? That’s what I mean. Not all wins are equal, so why are they treated as such? Why should teams get as much credit for taking down, say, the Jacksonville Jaguars this season as they would for besting the Denver Broncos? This applies to other sports as well. In the NBA this season, should stomping on the obviously tanking teams (Sixers, anyone?) mean as much as beating the Heat? I say no. And while I don’t have a perfect solution, here’s a rough draft: If a team wins a game they really should have won with ease, the win counts only as a 0.5 in that all-critical column. If a team pulls an upset or crushes a tough, playoff-bound rival, make it worth 1.5 victories, with an added .25 wins if you did it on the road. How does this apply to fantasy sports? In fantasy sports, a team could have the second-best week in the league and still not win, while another team could finish second-toworst and be granted a victory. Silly me, I think there’s something funky about that one as well. I guess teams that suffer through losses like that will just have to be content with the moral victory. And those come in all sizes.
By Mike Herold Fantasy Guy
The Scoreboard
Signal Squad (0-2)
Owners: Peter Fiorilla, Mike Herold
Suh Girls One Cup (1-1) Owner: Tyler Caccavale
Team Molicki (1-1) Owner: Chris Molicki
More Cushing for the Pushing (1-1) Owner: Tommy Lagerman
Team Shubiak (2-0) Owner: Corey Shubiak
Team Jha (1-1) Owner: Ashray Jha
Team Matos (2-0) Owner: Rob Matos
T 7-11 Represent! (0-2) Owner: Sean Hynecamp
96 103 68 116 103 43 134 110
Team Gould (1-1)
71 End Zone Dancers (1-1) 90 Owner: Bryan Dunphy-Culp This Week’s Top Fantasy Player Owner: Brandon Gould
AP Photo
I May Be Wrong, But...
Here’s what I would do in Fantasy Football this week… Add: Well, I think the Chargers’ offensive players are fair game. Eddie Royal in particular has been a wonderful surprise so far, and with so many injured players, he should be a welcome addition to any team, and many leagues do not own him yet. Philip Rivers hasn’t looked too shabby yet either and might be worth starting.
Be Cautious Of: Never thought I’d say this so soon: the New England Patriots. Sure, they’re 2-0, but barely beating the Bills and Jets hardly spells SuperBowl-bound. Don’t get over-hyped about Gronk coming back either. At this point, he can be considered injury prone. The Pats were bound to lose some of their dominance eventually, and so far this looks like the year.
Drop: Here comes the injury report. Let’s just start with the big names who went down this weekend: Ray Rice, Eddie Lacy, Reggie Bush and Andre Johnson. But those players are just the tip of the iceberg. I’d check everyone on my team because it’s likely that someone got banged up this weekend. Better to pick up a healthy — if not as good — player than accidentally start an injured one. Look Out For: The San Francisco 49ers. Getting blown out by a division rival is never fun, and with Jim Harbough at the helm, I’d say that the team’s going to go on a little rampage for a while. If for some reason a key player on the Niners becomes available in your league, I’d grab him quickly.
AP Photo
page 30 The Signal September 18, 2013
Still interested in writing or taking pictures for us? It’s not too late! Email The Signal at signal@tcnj.edu OR Come to our meetings Sundays at 6 p.m. in the Brower Student Center Basement ____________________ Visit tcnjsignal.net for our top stories. Follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on breaking news @tcnjsignal Like us on Facebook to find out about campus events /TCNJSignal Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch interviews with the College’s guests The Signal@TCNJ
September 18, 2013 The Signal page 31
ports Week In Review AP Photo Like us on Facebook to follow the College’s breaking news.
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Number of Games Won Per Season Football 2012 2011 2010
Jillian Nealon 35
2009
Jen Garavente 34
2008
Lauren Pigott 23
2007 Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
ST U D E N T AT H L E TE O F
Team total: 204 Alex Spark 53
Erin Waller 20 Kendal Borup 11 0 2 4 Lauren Karpovich 9
6
Sports Men’s Soccer September 18 @ FDU-Florham, 3:30 p.m. September 21 @ Ramapo College, 1 p.m.
Katie Buchbinder Tennis
Won 3 matches at Lion’s Fall Invitational
Freshman Katie Buchbinder has had an incredible start to her collegiate career. This season she has gone 10-1 at both number one singles and doubles. At this week’s Lion’s Fall Invitational, she beat the top two women from New York University in singles and also added a doubles victory.
Women’s Soccer September 19 @ FDU-Florham, 7 p.m. September 21 vs. Ramapo College, 1 p.m.
This week’s picks from the staff
Men’s Tennis September 20-22 ITA Northeast Regional, 8:30 a.m.
(NCAAF) Stanford (MLB) Orioles (NFL) Texans
vs. Red Sox
vs. Ravens
10
The Horizon For
THE WEEK
Point leaders vs. Arizona St.
8
(NFL) Colts
vs. 49ers
Women’s Tennis September 20 vs. Ramapo College, 3:30 p.m. September 21 vs. Rutgers-Newark, 10 a.m. vs. William Patterson University, 1 a.m. September 22 vs. Rutgers-Camden, 10:30 a.m.
Julie Kayzerman 1 Andrew Grossman 1 Mike Herold 1 Chris Molicki 1
Field Hockey September 21 vs. Gwynedd-Mercy College, 1 p.m.
Amy Reynolds 1 Peter Fiorilla 1
Last week’s Signal Trivia Answer:
?
Signal Trivia
?
What is the average life span of an MLB baseball?
AP Photo
In 2009, the New York Yankees won the World Series in six games against the Philadelphia Phillies with Hideki Matsui being named the World Series MVP. The Yankees also led all teams with the best regular season record of 103-59. Since then, no MLB team has won over 100 games in a season.
Signal
Sports
Explosive men’s soccer stays the course
Lions hanging with the best, beating the rest
Tim Lee / Photo Emeritus
Ziegler slams in the Lions’ only goal against Stevens. By Peter Fiorilla Sports Editor Another week yielded another couple of impressive statements from the men’s soccer team. The Lions (4-1-1) tied No. 3 Stevens Institute of Technology 1-1 last week before winning their first overtime game in 14 tries, with a 3-2 result over York College that ended on a golden goal from freshman Sean Etheridge. For the Lions, drawing a talented Stevens squad in their home opener proved they can hang with the best in the country. “Stevens is ranked third in (Division III) for a reason,”
Etheridge said. “They played fast, smart and passionate soccer. That reason is why when we tied them, we were very happy.” While eventually settling for a draw, the Lions had an opportunity to win the game after they opened the scoring in the 67th minute through sophomore midfielder Matt Ziegler. After some slick combination play on the right flank, defender Sean Casey got open just outside the box and sent in a picturesque cross at the far post to Ziegler, who roofed a near-post finish for the first goal of his career. The Ducks were playing textbook soccer the whole way,
though, and they finally broke through in the 87th minute, thanks to a combination of luck and skill. After the Ducks evaded high pressure in their own end and moved into the final third, a Lions center back missed the ball in a challenge 20 yards out from the goal, leaving a gap in the middle of the back line which Stevens sophomore Carson Pryor crashed through. Pryor’s side-footed shot bounced off the post, back to his feet and into the net, forcing a pair of scoreless overtimes. “Yes, we feel we should have beat them, but the game altogether was one (of) our most complete games,” Etheridge said. “We proved to our league and even (Division III) that we are a good team and we can compete with some of the best competition in the country. There are many positives we took out of that game and now we can only build from it.” Similar themes persisted in the Lions’ home game against York on Saturday, as they coughed up a lead late in the
game but ended up with a confidence-building result. Senior forward Kevin Shaw netted his eighth goal of the season to open the scoring, and freshman midfielder Nick Costelloe gave the Lions a 2-0 lead immediately after halftime. York clawed its way back into the game with a pair of goals after the 75th minute, including a penalty off a handball in the box that also left the Lions shorthanded. The College recuperated, though, and pushed for a goal that
eventually came off the foot of Etheridge in the 103rd minute. “The goal was a complete team effort considering that we only had 10 men on the field,” Etheridge said. “I remember starting my run from the left side of the field and yelling to (senior defender) Dan Macmillian, who had the ball on the right side. He played a great ball over the top of the defense right into my path. I took a touch and then took a shot.” see SOCCER page 23
Tim Lee / Photo Emeritus
Etheridge slips around a Ducks defender.
Special day for Lions as Pfluger wins 500th
Longtime coach hits unprecedented milestone By Andrew Grossman Sports Assistant
Last Tuesday’s game against Cabrini College was an extraordinary one for the Lions field hockey program, as head coach Sharon Pfluger captured her 500th career win in a 4-0 shutout against Cabrini College. In her 29 years of coaching at the College, Pfluger has won eight NCAA Division III national championships and has had five undefeated seasons. The victory makes Pfluger just the second Division III coach to reach the 500-win milestone, and her .835 winning percentage is the highest among all DIII coaches. “We were all so happy for her, especially because it made everyone realize what a historical program (the College) is, so it was something great to be a part of,” sophomore defender Mikayla Cimilluca said. “She didn’t really dwell on it much because she doesn’t boast about that stuff, so we were all playing for her and everyone else who was part of her 500 wins.” Although there may have been a lot of hype prior to the game, Pfluger said the
Lions’ Lineup September 18, 2013
I n s i d e
Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
Pfluger celebrates after defeating Cabrini College at Lions Stadium.
preparation was no different. “I didn’t even know I was (that close) until the day before,” Pfluger said. “Afterward, when I saw the alum there and there was the celebration, it gave me time to reflect about how lucky I was to be surrounded by so many great people.” Nearly 200 people attended the game
to witness the historical 4-0 victory over the Cavaliers. The Lions (3-1) did not disappoint the crowd, as they started off strong with two early goals by junior forward Lauren Hatch and never let up. “I was very happy with the way the girls played,” Pfluger said. “I thought that we were explosive and took advantage of
our opportunities, so I was pleased because they played like a team.” In the Lions’ following game against Juniata College, the women started right where they left off with a 4-1 win. The matchup against the Eagles (3-3) was much closer than the score indicated. “It was very back and forth, but we were able to capitalize on the opportunities in the offensive circle early on in the game,” Cimilluca said. “We held the strong lead and didn’t let them come back and score more points.” A main part of the success was due to the strong play of junior goalkeeper Amanda Krause, who registered a career high of 11 saves. On Tuesday, Sept. 17, the Lions will travel to Richard Stockton College for their first conference game of the season. Each game in the New Jersey Athletic Conference is important if the women want to qualify for the national championship at the end of the season. “We just need to come out strong because they are a very aggressive team,” Cimilluca said. “It is very important, so we need to play a good game.”
46 53 Around the Dorm page 25
Women’s soccer at 5-0 page 23
Football comes up short page 27
Cross country delivers page 23