The Signal: Spring '13, No. 5

The Student Finance Board allots funding

Colleen Duffy scores 13 points for the Women’s Basketball team

see News page 7

See Sports page 28

Vol. CXXXVIII, No. 5

Serving The College of New Jersey community since 1885

February 20, 2013

A look into Ewing, relations with College

Community Fest

Local Protest

Economic Impact Signal file photo, Photo courtesy of Cameron Dering, Natalie Kouba / News Editor

As the town grows and the College evolves, a complicated relationship continues to develop, bringing mutual opportunities despite some strife.

Value and growth in Ewing Student spenders Economic boost

By Jack Meyers Nation & World Editor

As Ewing Township sits between Trenton, the state’s capital, and Princeton, an intellect-driven, high-culture college town, its value often gets lost in translation.

Yet, the town’s economic and social significance to the region remains evident. Ewing’s relative proximity to several power-house enterprises such as Capital Health and the forthcoming headquarters of Church & Dwight, the parent company of Arm & Hammer, make it a locus of regional commerce.

Furthermore, to local residents, students, community leaders and elected officials, this town holds great potential to grow beyond its suburban setting.

With the Trenton-Mercer Airport expanding its service and a nascent “Redevelopment Plan” for the former General Motors site, it is no wonder that Ewing is so highly regarded by the people who are dedicated to its progress.

“For the first time in a long time, people are excited about what’s happening in the town,” said Councilwoman Jennifer Keyes-Maloney, who has lived in the town since she began her experience at the College in 1995. After serving a full year on

Ewing Township’s Redevelopment Agency, KeyesMaloney brought with her communal warmth as she was sworn into the Ewing Council in November. Having been a student, then a resident, and finally an elected official, Keyes-Maloney has seen Ewing’s many troughs and peaks from a variety of angles. Above all, she noted a newfound excitement for change.

“You’re seeing hope, and with hope comes new energy and new ideas,” Keyes-Maloney said, pointing to ETRA’s recent plan to unite residents and local professionals through a common goal of economic growth.

Building on recent momentum, one long-time resident presented ideas for a town movie theater, and an expansion of the town’s cultural activities and night-life. Steve Kaplan, a Ewing High School band teacher, has lived in Ewing for 25 years and has raised two kids in the town. An avid musician, his claim to civic participation arises annually at Ewing’s Historic Community 4th of July parade.

But like the town’s officials, Kaplan has also reflected some much-needed changes — specifically regarding the long-since-occupied GM lot.

By Natalie Kouba News Editor

While some residents in Ewing may have their grievances with rowdy party-goers at the College, local businesses see the student population as an asset when it comes to the economic boost and acts of volunteerism the College brings to the area.

“From a business perspective, I never heard anybody complain about TCNJ,” said Nicol Nicola, economic policy specialist for the Mid Jersey Chamber of Commerce.

The College employes over 900 people, she said, in professors, maintenance workers, etc. The direct economic impact the College has on Ewing involves the people it employs and the approximately 6,000 students it brings in, living in the area and paying tuition. The indirect impact is that these people that the College brings in become consumers in the area.

Due to the housing situation this year, approximately 100 students resided in two Ewing hotels. As a town that is not a tourist attraction, Nicola said, the hotels benefited from the College in this aspect.

see EWING page 2

See inside for more Ewing coverage

see BENEFITS page 2

Ensler’s ‘Vagina Monologues’ to end violence

By Thalia Ortiz Arts & Entertainment Editor The weekend of Valentine’s Day brought together much more than couples and sweethearts ­— it brought students and faculty together for a worthy cause.

Several female students at the College performed in Women in Learning and Leadership’s 11th annual production of the “Vagina Monologues” on Feb. 15, 16 and 17 in the Mayo Concert Hall.

The College’s adaptation of the monologues was inspired by Eve Ensler’s 1996

INDEX: Nation & World / Page 9 The Signal @TCNJsignal

play of the same name. The original “Vagina Monologues” began with over 200 women who participated in interviews about their feminine experiences.

“Women secretly love to talk about their vaginas, (but) no one has ever asked them,” said Mary Lynn W. Hopps, director of the WILL program, during the play’s introduction.

The play has also proclaimed Valentine’s Day as V-Day, which stands for victory, valentine and vagina. The mission of see VAGINAS page 14 Editorial / Page 11

Lianna Lazur / Photo Editor

Students share monologues inspired by Eve Ensler’s 1996 play.

Opinions / Page 13

Features / Page 14

Arts & Entertainment / Page 16

Sports / Page 28

Andrea Gibson Slam poet talks struggles and sexuality

Business Briefs Berkshire Hathaway Inc. buys H.J. Heinz Co.

Celeb Spotlight Swift and Bieber are in the limelight this week

See A&E page 16

See News page 4

See Features page 15

page 2 The Signal February 20, 2013

Ewing / Looking toward redevelopment

Natalie Kouba / News Editor

The GM lot may put Ewing on the map.

continued from page 1

“I don’t know much about the plan, but I’m glad they’re doing it,” Kaplan stated, pleased with the opportunity to voice his opinion.

Although unintentionally, Kaplan highlighted a very significant facet of Ewing life — public opinion.

It made sense then to Ewing Mayor Bert Steinmann that the town would primarily guarantee a secure and enjoyable landscape to not only current residents, but also to potential ones. His primary task in this regard was apparent as he directed the Ewing Township Redevelopment Agency to oversee the remediation of the GM lot at Parkway Avenue.

“I see that these plans have a potential to tremendously benefit the town,” Steinmann said in reference to the Redevelopment Plan.

To drive his plans for Ewing forward, Steinmann also commissioned CWL Planning, spear-headed by Charles Latini, to come up with a way to involve the entire community — students, workers and residents alike.

“This project will put Ewing on the map by connecting rail service with the airport by creating a new and dynamic Town Center that works to enhance the entire area’s character,” Latini said, expressing the motif that Ewing has the opportunity to grow economically.

After the U.S. Bankruptcy Court’s settlement with GM in 2011, many sites similar to Parkway Avenue were put under the care of the Revitalizing Auto Communities Environmental Response Trust.

The RACER Trust, as a part of the court’s decision, has been commissioned to “market and sell 89 former GM locations in 14 states across the country,” according to Bruce Rasher, the trust’s redevelopment manager.

Catering to commuter’s desires and the region’s needs, Rasher has been on board for ETRA’s plans, primarily involving a walker-friendly “transit-oriented, mixed-use” facility. Since Ewing Council’s decision last month determined the former GM lot at Parkway Avenue “in need of redevelopment,” the pleas of longtime residents for a community-driven project seem to have finally been answered.

“We are working closely and cooperatively with the community,” Rasher said in regards to the trust’s work in Ewing. The move toward economic growth came out of both a regional need for “transit-oriented” facilities

and a local desire for a place where residents can live and enjoy themselves after work. According to the Redevelopment Plan for Parkway Avenue, the main strategy is directed at “inviting local employees, residents and visitors” to what is staged to become “a hub of commerce and social activity.”

Nicol Nicola, economic policy specialist for the Mid Jersey Chamber of Commerce, reiterated how essential it is to maintain community businesses with a similar perspective to that of Keyes-Maloney: propelling themselves from student to community leader. Remaining involved in Ewing has been a common thread between both of these influential forerunners.

“It’s very important that people are spending their money here,” Nicola said.

In a recent study she conducted for the Chamber, Nicola concluded that Ewing’s industries are comparable to that of the entire state. In fact, according to statistics developed from the U.S. Census Bureau, 34 percent of Ewing’s workforce has at least a B.A., an additional factor considered in attracting business to the town.

“We must work on maintaining the educated workforce,” Nicola said, with several years of personal connection to Ewing in mind. After all, loyal students are a precursor to development in an economy where a college education is in high demand.

If Ewing’s proponents can bridge such a gap, future township improvements may find the broader audience they are looking for.

Ewing and the College Benefits / Students give back A conversation underway

By Brendan McGrath Editor-in-Chief & Amy Reynolds Managing Editor The relations between Ewing and the College seem to be advancing in a positive direction.

In past years, the College’s administration would simply get a call the day after an incident occurred without names, addresses or documentation, so it was very difficult to hold students accountable for their actions.

However, fairly recently, the College has received the type of documentation needed in order to communicate with specific students.

“While we have always had a good relationship with township leaders, town council and Ewing PD, we have strengthened those relationships,” said Magda Manetas, associate vice president for Student Affairs and Dean of Students. “Everyone has stepped closer to the middle and is communicating.”

In addition, various programs and community service events have been implemented in order to further strengthen the relationships between the College and the town.

“We always have done community service on an ad hoc basis in local areas,” Manetas said. “But we wanted to go forward in a more organized fashion. We wanted to be able to perform service in the local community close to campus in Ewing.”

The administration is not alone at the College in striving to help out the town and create a bond with the community.

“Multiple organizations on campus essentially make community service a top priority, which essentially benefits Ewing and other bordering towns,” said sophomore biomedical engineering major Carmen Cincotti, who believes that the College has a positive effect on the Ewing community.

However, he also agrees that off-campus parties do in fact have a negative effect on some Ewing residents. Yet, with this taken into consideration, the only residents of Ewing that are affected are those who live in the areas that directly border the College, such as Green Lane, Browning Avenue and Pennington Road, according to Cincotti.

“There’s no denying the fact that party-

ing happens,” he said. However, “clearly, the benefits of the College outweigh the negatives, so generally the College is much more beneficial to the community.”

Ewing residents don’t all share Cincotti’s view on this subject. Through public comments at town meetings and occasional minor protests on the College campus, some locals have made it clear that tension does exist between residents and students.

The driving force behind this tension is that some residents simply feel that they are too often disturbed by inconsiderate students. In a recent Town Gown meeting, they made it clear that they value the education that students are seeking at the College, but they do not appreciate being bothered in a way that they feel is unnecessary.

The close proximity of many residents to either the College or off-campus housing rented by students from the College creates opportunities for conflict.

Fortunately, many residents do not feel that the College has had such a negative effect on their home lives, even some of those who live in the middle of the action.

William Heard, a seven-year resident, spoke of the College positively and empathetically, despite living on Dorset Drive, one block removed from the school, in an area that has a high concentration of offcampus renters.

“We understand housing and all of those kinds of issues college students have,” Heard said, but he did not say that any of his student neighbors disturbed him. “My music is probably louder than theirs at times.”

Heard represents a willingness to break through what Manetas dubbed the unfair stereotypes of the “cranky neighbor” and the “unruly student.”

As the College and Ewing continue to build relations through community service and events like Community Fest, and as the two administrations work together to encourage student discipline, there is a groundwork for overcoming these stereotypes on a larger scale and bringing these two communities closer together.

Where this will lead is unclear, but the two sides may be entering a healthier, more mutually beneficial relationship than they have shared in the recent past.

Photo courtesy of Danielle Mignella

APO members bag pasta for the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank. continued from page 1

Students and College employees eat in Ewing restaurants, fill their tanks in Ewing, shop in local pharmacies, and commuters even stop in the Dunkin’ Donuts in Ewing for their morning caffeine fix.

Mamma Flora’s Trattoria owner, Gary, said his restaurant sees “probably a 20 to 25 percent boost when the College is in session.” Mamma Flora’s is just one of the restaurants in Ewing which sees the College as a positive asset to the town.

Gary said he is sure it benefits the whole economy of the area.

Not only is the College beneficial to the local area, according to the owner, but he said he has had positive encounters with College students 99.9 percent of the time. Like any restaurant, he has had to deal with a “few unruly kids,” but he is proud to be able to give back to the College through fundraisers and other events.

The town, according to Nicola, is trying to bring even more revenue to Ewing. Through current projects, such as Campus Town and the reconstruction of the GM site, the town hopes to deter students from going outside Ewing for shopping and spending. They hope to establish a better reputation for Ewing, as well as associate the College’s name and reputation with Ewing, like in Princeton.

College students can been seen as assets to the local economy, in addition to their non-profit work. Student organizations such as the Bonner Center and the co-ed service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega, volunteer in

Ewing often.

Each member of APO is required to perform at least 20 hours of community service per semester. While the sites for their community service are not exclusive to Ewing, groups from the fraternity volunteer once a week at the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank and the Ewing Animal Shelter Extension League.

In February, APO accepted an award for the large amount of food donations from the College in 2012.

However, it is not just the required hours that keep volunteers going back to lend a hand.

“Students who volunteer at one of our many weekly projects in Ewing keep going back every single week because they truly enjoy giving back to the town of Ewing and knowing that they are making a difference,” said Danielle Mignella, vice president of service. “It is important to show the community that we care about them.”

The Bonner Center has also been collaborating with Ewing on town projects.

“At present, we are working with Ewing’s Green Team to help them complete actions and become certified with Sustainable Jersey,” said Heather Camp, senior program director for CEL II & special initiatives.

In addition to volunteering with the Green Team, the Bonner Center organizes Community Engaged Learning Day in and outside of Ewing.

“Hopefully our relationship will continue and expand as there are many more ways we hope to work together in the future,” Camp said.

February 13, 2013 The Signal page 3

State of the Campus Address postponed

By Natalie Kouba News Editor

The State of the Campus Address, originally planned to be held at the Student Government meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 13, was postponed.

SG president Christina Kopka is now expected to give the State of the Campus Address on Wednesday, Feb. 20 at the SG meeting.

Although several organizations were announced as derecognized by SG last week, two organizations have reached out to SG so far in an attempt to become reinstated as student organizations. Phi Alpha Theta, the history honors society, and Students for Disabilities Awareness, plan to present themselves to SG next week.

“We are looking forward to hopefully reinstating them,” said Devin Dimmig, vice president for governmental affairs.

Annie Montero, executive vice president for student services, announced updates for the mile marker templates for the loop going around campus. She invited SG members to design potential templates for the project.

Finals Fest planning has begun and the committee is looking to add new events to this year’s program.

SG Equity and Diversity will be bringing LINK to campus on Thursday, March 7 at 8.30 p.m. The speakers will discuss the political situations in North Korea.

SG announced additional activities preceding the Relay for Life event, including paint the campus purple week, an open mic night and a zumbathon.

Vicki Wang / Photo Assistant

Students listen while SG president Christina Kopka announces the decision to postpone the State of the Campus Address.

President thief jacks $20K sculpture

By Thalia Ortiz Arts & Entertainment Editor

Campus police were dispatched to Centennial Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 1:10 a.m. after receiving a report of an intoxicated male student. When asked if he knew the date, time or where he was, the student answered, “With all due respect.” The student told Campus Police that he returned to his dorm room at approximately 11:00 p.m. and consumed shots of Hennessy, Cognac, Bacardi and Vodka. When Lions EMS arrived on the scene, the student asked if he could sit on a chair when he was already sitting. The student was transported to Capital Health of Hopewell and issued a summons for underage drinking. …

A female student reported a MacBook in a pink neoprene sleeve stolen at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 13. According to police, the student left her backpack with the MacBook inside behind a couch on the second floor of the Brower Student Center. When she returned at 4:30 p.m., the MacBook was missing from her backpack. There are no suspects to report at this time. …

At 1:20 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16, Campus Police received a report of an intoxicated male student in Townhouse West.

The student was hunched over a chair while vomiting in a garbage can, according to police. The student could only answer questions from Campus Police for

10 minutes before he passed out. Lions EMS arrived on the scene and transported the student to Capital Health of Hopewell. …

Several hardware parts were reported missing from the Library on Monday, Feb. 11 at approximately 10:00 a.m. According to Campus Police, a set of kick plates, push/pull plates, mortis lock sets, flush bolts and a bronze bust sculpture of former president John F. Kennedy valued at $20,620 were stolen. Throughout the library, numerous doors had the listed hardware parts extracted from them. There are no suspects at this time.

College responds to Newtown tragedy

By Nicole Ferrito Staff Writer

In light of recent tragic shooting events, an increase in police presence, emergency management and security is being implemented throughout certain public spaces, such as at colleges and universities.

The College’s police department is taking the necessary steps by both informing students, faculty and staff on how to respond to a situation involving an active shooter, as well as frequently training the officers in case such an event should occur.

In December, the College’s emergency management team sent out an email to the College containing a link to an informative video, which explained how to react in the event of an active shooter. The video, developed by Homeland Security, highlights three essential steps in dealing with such a situation: “Run. Hide. Fight.”

The Office of Homeland Security offers additional resources to the College, according to Campus Police sources.

The link included a poster and handout on how to respond to this type of emergency.

“We have a couple of projects that are in the works to give resources to students, faculty and staff,” Campus Police said. They have been working on distributing these resources even before the recent shooting events.

Matthew Golden, associate vice president of Communications, Marketing and Brand at the College, said that the Campus Police participate in a collaborative group called CUPSA, College/ University Public Safety Association.

CUPSA allows law enforcement from different colleges to share information

with each other pertaining to certain situations and procedures.

A member of the Campus Police department is the president of CUPSA. “There was recently an active shooter training tabletop exercise that involved Campus Police,” Golden said. Outside law enforcement evaluators also shared their thoughts and inputs concerning campus safety.

Campus Police explained that many different types of safety and procedural plans, other than active shooter training, are collaborated upon as well.

“There is a lot of preparedness activity,” Golden said. “We learn from what happens on other campuses.” Campus Police, along with other local law enforcement, apply crisis planning by improving upon operations here on campus.

This spring, the College’s police will participate in an active shooting “simunition,” according to Golden. He elaborated on the training and explained how they use weapons that are similar to real ones. Campus Police said the “bullets” used in the simulation are made of soap.

“It marks whatever it hits,” said campus police sources on the “soap bullets.”

Golden explained a similar “simunition” was conducted approximately a year ago in Kendall Hall, and involved Ewing and State police as well.

Additionally, Campus Police attend crisis management training at other universities such as Texas A&M. The federal government provides this training.

“You can never be too prepared,” said sophomore elementary education and psychology double major Kristen Pizzolo when discussing campus security at the College.

Mike Ferrucci, a freshman English

major, also added that it is “always relevant to have people educated,” in reference to informing people on how to react in case of an emergency situation.

Because shootings are sometimes assumed to be linked to mental illness, Jeanine Vivona, a psychology professor at the College and clinical psychologist, offered her insight on the issue as well.

“The vast majority of people with psychological disorders are not a threat,” Vivona said. She elaborated on the fact that the media plays a huge role in society’s assumption that mental illness is related to these recent tragic events.

However, she stressed the importance of reaching out to friends and fellow students who appear to be troubled, because though

they most likely have no potential for being violent, it is still very helpful to show concern for those who need it.

“Some of the major indicators of a troubled student or friend may include changes in personality, reactiveness, tearfulness, isolating oneself and refusing to socialize,” Vivona said.

She emphasized showing concern for those who seem to be hurting and doing so in a caring manner.

“All faculty and residential staff are aware of the resources on campus and will recommend students they feel are suffering to these resources,” she said.

While mental illness may not be linked to recent shooting events, it is always safe to be informed from a psychological point of view as well.

Tim Lee / Photo Emeritus

The College continues to take precautions to keep its students safe in light of recent events.

page 4 The Signal February 20, 2013

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February 20, 2013 The Signal page 5

College career and internship fair nears Facebook hacked, no user data compromised

By Courtney Wirths News Assistant

• H.J. Heinz Co., maker of the popular ketchup and other food products, announced that it would be selling itself for $23 billion to Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and 3G Capital. The sale is one of the largest food industry acquisitions ever, according to the Wall Street Journal.

• Facebook said on Friday that it had been a victim of a cyber attack from an unidentified hacker. The company reassures the public that no user data was compromised, according to CNBC. • The cat will soon replace the wheelbarrow as a token in the Hasbro Inc. game Monopoly. The decision is the result of an online pole conducted on the company’s Facebook page, according to the Wall Street Journal.

• Investor Carl Icahn’s large stake in Herbalife was revealed on Friday morning, sending

share prices higher. Prices soon fell again when suspicions were raised that the investment was made as a personal dig toward investor William Ackaman rather than being based on the future of the company, according to The New York Times.

• Users of Sony’s next PlayStation will have the technology to stream games directly to the device. The new technology will be revealed on Wednesday, Feb. 20, along with the new console, according to the Wall Street Journal.

• The chewing gum industry is struggling. Sales have been declining in recent years due to the poor economy as well as customers switching to mints and other breath freshening products. Companies are now looking to introduce new flavors and packaging to attempt to raise sales, according to the Wall Street Journal.

• The College’s career center will be hosting a spring Career and Internship Day. It will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Rec Center on Friday, Feb. 22. Be sure to bring your résumé!

Panel discusses stereotypes of inmates

By Melissa Easaw Copy Editor

Prison walls and stereotypes of prisoners can be broken down with higher education. Professors and students discussed false stereotypes of prisoners and how prisoners who had taken college classes built foundations for future success. The Prison Education and Social Justice panel discussion was held Wednesday, Feb. 13 in the Library Auditorium.

The discussion consisted of three one-hour panels, the first led by formerly incarcerated students, the second led by College students who took a combined course with inmates at the Albert C. Wagner Correctional Facility and the third led by College professors who taught these courses.

Many of the other panelists echoed Landreau’s sentiment about stereotypes only telling one side of a story. Evan Bernat, a College student, described his “sheltered” childhood.

“I grew up with the attitude that people in jail were bad people,” he said. Taking the combined course at Wagner showed him that this is not really true. “They made a mistake — I am one mistake away from being in their place.”

The formerly incarcerated students described the obstacles they faced as they tried to get an education while behind bars. Terrell Blount said that he was moved around from one prison to another in the middle of a semester, giving him Ws and Fs on his transcript.

A common theme the formerly incarcerated students expressed was the hope that taking college courses gave them for the future.

“College courses were the best thing that happened to me in prison,” Matthew Lovett said. “(The course) set the stage for my future and increased my discipline, patience and understanding.”

He is now studying at Gloucester County College and has a 4.0 GPA. “Taking an accounting class in prison made me more prepared for life outside of prison,” said Hajaaminatu Kamara, who was imprisoned at the age of 17.

College criminology professor Bruce Stout discussed the trends over the last 30 years that have caused an increase in incarceration rates nationwide.

“For most of the 20th century, the prison population was relatively stable,” Stout said. However, policy

changes in the ’70s quadrupled the prison population.

History professor Celia Chazelle echoed Landreau’s point about misconceptions and stereotypes.

After reading response essays from Wagner students and College students, “her preconceptions were broken down.”

Now that Blount, one of the formerly incarcerated students, is out of prison, he has tried to help others who are in prison and who think there is no way out.

Blount shares his story at churches and high schools, spreading his message of the power of education.

“It’s not over for you — you can change your life now. Don’t go home to the same people, places and things that got you in trouble,” Blount said.

Lianna Lazur / Photo Editor

Formerly incarcerated students, College students who took a combined course with inmates, and College professors who taught these courses discuss stereotypes associated with the penal system.

Politics Forum: Multiple views of utopians

By Annabel Lau Correspondent According to Michael Robertson, and English professor at the College, “utopia” can be found in the most unexpected places. In his politics forum on Thursday, Feb. 14 he addressed the question of “Whatever Happened to Utopia?”

Robertson’s work in progress, a book titled “The Last Utopians,” tells the biographies of four socialist utopian thinkers from 1880-1915: Edward Bellamy, William Morris, Charlotte Perkins Gilman and Edward Carpenter.

Robertson, however, did not wish to limit his research to that period. Although the 20th Century was regarded as the Century of Dystopia, and modern society is showing increasingly dystopic qualities, utopias are alive and well in the present day.

In order to address utopianism in the 21st Century, Robertson has developed two analytic categories: “lived utopianism” and “partial utopianism.”

“Theorizing social change involves living out some portion of a transformed future in the here and now,” Robertson said, regarding his definition of lived utopianism. He explained

that partial utopianism involves supporting an aspect of utopianism, which can then have a “ripple effect on the larger society.”

Robertson cited the Occupy Wall Street Movement as an example of partial utopianism, with goals “to enact, in the moment, transformed utopian practices.” He also told of his experience partaking in the movement in Oct. 2011, where he encountered filmmaker, Michael Moore. When Robertson told Moore that he was writing about utopia, Moore responded, “Congratulations.

You’ve arrived.”

Robertson also claimed that there is undoubtedly a utopian dimension to education; in creating a better person through education, a more perfect society follows. “(Robertson) opens my eyes up to the possibility of a utopia existing in things we could least expect, maybe even at TCNJ,” said sophomore international studies major Lauren Lalicon.

Robertson also found utopianism to exist through radical homosexuality movements. Robertson has visited two LGBT utopian communities: the Edward Carpenter Community and the Radical Faeries, societies dedicated to maintaining a non hierarchical, noncompetitive and

Photo courtesy of Francesca Grimblat

Michael Robertson speaks with students about different types of utopia.

sexually liberated environment.

The final area of partial utopianism that Robertson discussed was the “Slow Food” movement, created in opposition to fast food and industrialized food production.

The movement focuses on the proliferation of organic farming, local farmer’s markets and other sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives.

Despite the comprehensiveness of Robertson’s talk, international studies major Kyle Brands found it to be bit one-sided.

“He focused a lot on the socialist idealisms of utopia. What I really hope he does (in his finished book) is focus on … the libertarian model of a utopia. I fear that he’s going to neglect an entire side of what a utopia is.”

Robertson, however, had stated earlier that he was looking forward to writing a long afterward for his book and was interested in an active dialogue with the audience.

“Enough about me. I’m very interested in hearing your ideas about whatever happened to utopia,” Robertson said.

page 6 The Signal February 20, 2013

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February 20, 2013 The Signal page 7

Full funding for ISA’s Bollywood Night

By Julie Kayzerman News Assistant

The Student Finance Board met on Wednesday, Feb. 13 to discuss the funding of the Asian American Association’s spring multicultural buffet and their Mystique of The East 2013 event, as well as several requests from other organizations.

SFB funded AAA for $2,667.50 to go toward their spring multicultural buffet that will include various foods from different Asian nations alongside a performance from the College’s Taiko.

During discussion, members of SFB were concerned about the lines being a fire hazard and therefore funded the event with the stipulation that they find a way to successfully manage the lines.

“It’s a great way to immerse yourself in the culture,” said Tom Verga, SFB’s assistant Student Government representative. “It’s a good annual event.”

The event will take place on Wednesday, March 6 at 7 p.m. in the Brower Student Center Atrium. The event will charge $3 for food and $1 for bubble tea.

In addition, SFB funded AAA with $3,160 to go toward their event Mystique of the East 2013 with an estimated income of $3,700. The event will showcase the

Photo by Francesca Grimblat

Members discuss important events to fund.

cultural traditions of many East Asian countries with performances from the College’s Taiko and Barkada as well as various diverse activities targeting different heritages and Asian traditions.

“It’s very well attended and very successful,” said the presenters for AAA. “It attracts students from many different backgrounds and is another opportunity to show diversity.”

The event will take place on March 30 in Kendall Hall. It will charge $5 for students and $7 for non-students.

The last multicultural request was submitted by the Indian Student Association for their Bollywood Night. SFB fully funded them for $2,891.40 by a unanimous vote.

“This is one of our main events that not only caters to the Indian community but to the campus as a whole,” Shashank Musku said, presenting for ISA. The event will include a fashion show, traditional Punjabi food, the College’s fusion dance team and Saathiya, and will expose students to the Bollywood culture of India. It will be held on March 1 at 8:30 p.m.

SFB also received three special appropriations requests beginning with the French Club’s request for funding of their trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and La Bonne Soupe. SFB motioned to fully fund the club for $1,150 after deciding that it would benefit the student body as a whole and not just the French Club, which was a main deliberation between members during discussion.

The event will be open to all students, will be free (after a $5 deposit is returned), and will take place on Saturday, April 6.

In addition, SFB fully funded Student Government’s Junior Class Council for $4,391 to go toward their Fourth Annual TCNJ’s Got Talent event. This event will be a schoolwide talent show with an audition process and will be hosted by TCNJ alumnus and comedian, Adam Mamawala.

Members of SFB felt that the event has a lot of potential to need more funding to be used toward a sound system in case they need one. The event will be held on Tuesday, March 19 in Kendall Hall and will be free to all students.

SFB also received several conference requests including a

Photo by Francesca Grimblat

SFB funds a variety of student organizations.

request from Best Buddies to attend the Best Buddies Leadership Conference. SFB motioned to fully fund this request for $733.80 by a unanimous vote.

In the past, Best Buddies has brought back several new events and ideas from previous participation in the conference to benefit the campus, including a flag football event allowing disabled students to interact with the football team.

“It’s exactly the kind of conference we would want to fund because it benefits the whole community,” said junior representative Samantha Hoffer.

SFB also received a request from The Signal to send two editors to attend the College Media Association’s Spring National College Media Convention.

“Attending this conference would help take our paper in a direction to help better serve the College community,” said The Signal’s managing editor, Amy Reynolds.

During discussion, members of SFB decided to fund the covering of registration costs of $210.

“It seems that this would be an eye-opening experience and is worthy of conference requests,” Verga said.

Following, SFB received a conference request from TCNJ Barkada to attend The Filipino Intercollegiate Networking Dialogue and a request from the American Medical Student Association to attend the AMSA National Convention. However, both requests were not funded as SFB members decided that neither would benefit the student body as a whole.

TCNJ Faculty-led Study Abroad

Summer 2013

Rome, Italy

Application deadline: February 22, 2013 (extended)

This 3-week course, taught entirely in the Eternal City, investigates the relationship between art and the aesthetic, political, social, and religious forces that shaped Rome during the reigns of the ancient Caesars and the Popes of the Renaissance and Baroque eras. Includes excursions to the Bay of Naples and Pompeii, as well as special access to major monuments of architecture, painting, and sculptures.

Faculty leaders: Dr. Lois Fichner-Rathus & Dr. Lee Ann Riccardi http://www.tcnj.edu/rome

London, England The TCNJ Summer in London program this year focuses upon a fascinating exploration of art history, art practice, and the basic principles of chemistry in a variety of London museums, galleries, and public gardens. Students will look at current and past practices in art and explore how the two relate.

Faculty leaders: Prof. Elizabeth Mackie & Prof. Lynn Bradley http://www.tcnj.edu/summer-in-london

European Union Study Business in Heidelberg, Germany & Vichy, France

Learn about the global business environment with a focus on doing business in the European Union through a three-week study tour of France and Germany.

Faculty leader: Dr. Susanna Monseau http://www. tcnj.edu/eu

Durban, South Africa

Health Communication Internship. Earn credit saving lives. **Deadline: March 1, 2013**

On this 3-week internship, you will design your own health communication campaign and explore communication strategies and skills to save lives. You will learn about “entertainment education” to promote healthy behavior and reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and promote gender equality. You will also be able to discover the natural beauty of South Africa––from animal preserves to cave paintings and memorable seascapes of the Indian Ocean.

Information sessions: •Feb. 21, 11:30am - 12:30pm, Kendall Hall 133 •Feb. 28, 11:30am - 12:30pm, Kendall Hall 133 Faculty leader: Dr. John C. Pollock http://www. tcnj.edu/southafrica2013

Madrid, Spain

Study in Madrid, one of the world’s most cosmopolitan and vibrant cities. Travel through Spanish art, architecture and history in guided tours to historic sites. Visit some of the oldest and most beautiful cities in the world. Live in the international dormitory, Casa do Brasil, located on the Universidad Complutense campus. Experience the real Spanish lifestyle by meeting native students eager to converse and socialize with Americans.

Faculty leaders: Dr. Teresa San Pedro & Dr. Deborah Compte http://www.tcnj.edu/summer-in-madrid

page 8 The Signal February 20, 2013

February 20, 2013 The Signal page 9

Nation & W rld

Notorious Colombian rebels showing few signs of mercy

By Cait Flynn Staff Writer

This week saw the release of hostages held by two different Colombian rebel groups. The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia or FARC, a notorious leftwing rebel organization, released the last of the Colombian soldiers they captured in January.

The left-wing rebel group, The National Liberation Army or ELN, formed in the 1960s, have traditionally been nonviolent. On Jan. 30, however, they took six hostages from a mining corporation, five of which were released last week.

FARC was formed as a Marxist rebel army hoping to dismantle the conservative Colombian government. FARC has been fighting for an overthrow of the government for over five decades and in recent years they have been funding their efforts with money from drug trafficking as well as taking hostages for ransom.

According to BBC.com, FARC made a pledge to stop kidnapping for ransom in February of last year, but in an apparent contradiction to that pledge, FARC took hostages after a firefight with the Colombian government.

The leaders of FARC and Colombian officials have been meeting in Havana,

Cuba to further peace talks in hopes of preventing violent conflicts in the future. The ELN, however, have expressed no apparent peace. They began as a politically motivated Marxist group as opposed to the combatant approach used by FARC, but they have become increasingly aggressive and violent, as they have fallen into the drug trade in order to fund themselves.

The U.S. government gave $562 million in aid in 2011 alone, 60 percent of which was toward military and police aid. The U.S. supports the pro-democracy government of Colombia and remains one of the biggest influences in the region.

AP Photo

ELN, the second largest rebel force in Colombia, patrols a main road.

One traditional-style farmer bates a GMO giant

AP Photo

Bowman, a farmer from Indiana, awaits his Supreme Court hearing in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vernon Hugh Bowman seems comfortable with the old way of doing things, right down to the rotary-dial telephone he said he was using in a conference call with reporters.

New Jersey Report

Superstorm Sandy cleanup:

Coastal areas of New Jersey, New York and Connecticut are racing to remove untold tons of debris from waters hardest hit by the Oct. 29, 2012 storm before the summer swimming and boating seasons begin — two of the main reasons people flock there each year and the underpinning of the region’s multibillion-dollar tourist industry.

New Jersey gun buyback: State Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa and several Essex County officials held news conferences to announce the results of a two-day gun buyback program held last weekend at six churches in the county.

All information from AP

But the 75-year-old Indiana farmer figured out a way to benefit from a high-technology product, soybeans that are resistant to weed-killers, without always paying the high price that such genetically engineered seeds typically bring. In so doing, he ignited a legal fight with seed-giant Monsanto Co. that has now come before the Supreme Court, with argument taking place Tuesday.

The court case poses the question of whether Bowman’s actions violated the patent rights held by Monsanto, which developed soybean and other seeds that survive when farmers spray their fields with the company’s Roundup brand weed-killer. The seeds dominate American agriculture, including in Indiana where more than 90 percent of soybeans are Roundup Ready.

Monsanto has attracted a bushel of researchers, universities and other agribusiness concerns to its side because they fear a decision in favor of Bowman would leave their own technological innovations open to poaching. The company’s allies even include a company that is embroiled in a separate legal battle with Monsanto over one of the patents

at issue in the Bowman case.

The Obama administration also backs Monsanto, having earlier urged the court to stay out of the case because of the potential for far-reaching implications for patents involving DNA molecules, nanotechnologies and other self-replicating technologies.

Monsanto’s opponents argue that the company has tried to use patent law to control the supply of seeds for soybeans, corn, cotton, canola, sugar beets and alfalfa.

The result has been a dramatic rise in seed prices and reduced options for farmers, according to the Center for Food Safety. The group opposes the spread of genetically engineered crops and says their benefits have been grossly overstated.

“It has become extremely difficult for farmers to find high-quality conventional seeds,” said Bill Freese, the center’s science policy analyst.

Consumer groups and organic food producers have fought Monsanto over genetically engineered farm and food issues in several settings.

Around the World: Venezuela

Venezuelan president is welcomed back

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — President Hugo Chavez returned to Venezuela early Monday after more than two months of treatment in Cuba following cancer surgery, his government said, triggering street celebrations by supporters who welcomed him home while he remained out of sight at Caracas’ military hospital.

Chavez’s return was announced in a series of three messages on his Twitter account, the first of them reading: “We’ve arrived once again in our Venezuelan homeland. Thank you, my God!! Thank you, beloved nation!! We will continue our treatment here.”

They were the first messages to appear on Chavez’s Twitter account since Nov. 1.

“I’m clinging to Christ and trusting in my doctors and nurses,” another tweet on Chavez’s account said. “Onward toward victory always!! We will live and we will triumph!!”

Vice President Nicolas Maduro said on television that Chavez arrived at 2:30 a.m. and was taken to the Dr. Carlos Arvelo Military Hospital in Caracas, where he will continue his treatment.

Chavez’s announced return to Caracas came less than three days after the government released the first photos of the president in more than two months, showing him looking bloated and smiling alongside his daughters.

The government didn’t release any additional images of Chavez upon his arrival in Caracas, and unanswered questions remain about where he

AP Photo

An avid supporter of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez welcomes him back from Cuba, where he had been held sick.

stands in a difficult and prolonged struggle with an undisclosed type of pelvic cancer.

Chavez was re-elected to a new six-year term in October, and his inauguration, originally scheduled for Jan. 10, was indefinitely postponed by lawmakers in a decision that the Supreme Court upheld despite complaints by the opposition. Some speculated that with Chavez back, he could finally be sworn in.

Government officials didn’t address that possibility.

Information Minister Ernesto Villegas broke into song on television early Friday, exclaiming: “He’s back, he’s back!”

“Bravo,” Villegas said, before state television employees joined him in the

studio clapping and celebrating.

Maduro said Chavez has been in a “continuous battle” and that additional details will be provided about his condition later.

The vice president later announced that a Cabinet meeting would be held Monday evening at the military hospital where Chavez is staying to “revise a number of issues,” but he did not provide any details.

Hundreds of Chavez supporters celebrated his return in downtown Caracas, chanting his name and holding photos of the president in Bolivar Plaza. A man holding a megaphone boomed: “Our commander has returned!”

Fireworks exploded in some parts of Caracas while the president’s followers celebrated.

page 10 The Signal February 20, 2013

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February 20, 2013 The Signal page 11

Editorial

Building community relationships

A month ago I used this space to call attention to how the difference between the schedules of the College’s students and their neighbors was the source of turmoil.

I also highlighted that this so-called time zone effect wasn’t without solutions. I called for dialogue on ways to reform the way students hold and attend off-campus, late-night functions.

In this month I have done what I can to practice what I preach by attending the Ewing TCNJ Town Gown meetFile Photo ing, which was held in the Ewing municipal building.

As a journalist, I attended the meeting with the inten- In order to both respect Ewing residents and enhance students’ safety, a change tion of covering it. However, after seeing the meeting in off-campus practices and attitudes needs to be made. progress and hearing comments from school administrators, town officials and community members, I knew I had to take off my journalist hat and dawn the time-tested student activist hat.

While those who have worn the student activist hat before me have fought for lofty and global goals like peace, tcnjsignal.net environmentalism and the elimination of poverty, my fight was much more specific and local.

Email: signal@tcnj.edu Mailing Address: I aimed to lend the College’s student body a face and a Telephone: “On the track, Production Room voice, and to relay the message that we, as students and citThe Signal you have to (609) 771-2424 c/o Brower Student Center izens, understand the frustrations voiced by our neighbors.

Business Office The College of New Jersey be able to I also wished to convey that crackdowns and stringent (609) 771-2499 P.O. Box 7718 policy changes broadly aimed at college students can Ad Email: stay positive Ewing, NJ 08628-0718 have adverse effects on the community. signalad@tcnj.edu through the In order to ameliorate Ewing resident’s complaints of destruction and disturbance, as well as protect students’ workouts and Editorial Staff safety from themselves and stringent police and college the races, crackdowns I want to put some possible solutions on the Colleen Murphy Brendan McGrath discussion table. sometimes Production Manager Editor-in-Chief Emma Colton For any changes to be effective, students need to presmcgrat28@tcnj.edu it’s as much Web Editor ent a united front. In order to do this a policy on late-night Amy Reynolds mental as it is Managing Editor off-campus functions should be adopted by every student Peter Fiorilla reynola1@tcnj.edu organization from greek life, to club sports teams, to varphysical.”

Sports Assistant Christopher Rightmire sity sports teams.

— sophomore Tara Brian Kempf Natalie Kouba In order to combat noisy groups of students and the Nealon, Features Assistant News Editors dangers of walking late at night, sober drivers should be women’s track Julie Kayzerman rightmc1@tcnj.edu mandatory for every off-campus party. and field Courtney Wirths kouban1@tcnj.edu Once students arrive at a function, the organizers News Assistants Chris Molicki should have a guest list and be TIPP certified to ensure Janika Berridge Sports Editor under-21-year-olds are differentiated from 21-year-olds.

Vicki Wang molickc1@tcnj.edu Photo Assistants The organizers should also be responsible for mainShuan Fitzpatrick “Multiple taining vigil risk-management over their function so that Features Editor Mylin Batipps fitzpa28@tcnj.edu students don’t walk home, make noise outside the home organizations Andreia Bulhao Thalia Ortiz or cause neighborhood disturbances. on campus Michael Oliva Arts & Entertainment The effort of implementing these minor alterations will Angela De Santis Editor essentially make show the community our resolve, and the effects will alJamie Primeau ortizt1@tcnj.edu leviate many of the tensions formed by the misconception community Melisa Easaw Tom Kozlowski of ignorance.

Copy Editors

Quotes of the Week

— Chris Rightmire, News 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.

Opinions Editor kozlowt1@tcnj.edu Lianna Lazur Photo Editor lazurl1@tcnj.edu Jack Meyers Nation & World Editor meyersj2@tcnj.edu Katie O’Dell Review Editor odell4@tcnj.edu

Emilie Lounsberry Advisor Business Staff Dan Lisi Business/Ad Manager Emmett Slobodzian Matt Napoli Business Assistants

service a top priority, which essentially benefits Ewing and other bordering towns.”

— sophomore biomedical engineering major Carmen Cincotti

page 12 The Signal February 20, 2013

White Collar Fraud The School of Business,

Sam Antar — convicted CFO of Crazy Eddie Inc.

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February 20, 2013 The Signal page 13

Opinions

Change culture, not clothes Rubber up This letter was written in response to Carly Koziol’s “Campus Style” column, published on Feb. 13, 2013.

AP Photo

Last week’s ‘Campus Style’ claimed this was a poor party outfit, but it’s still a woman’s choice to wear it.

By Nicole Magno The slut shaming needs to stop.

Let’s get this simple concept down: a woman can wear anything on her body. A woman can wear nothing on her body. Regardless of whether she is completely covered or completely naked, she should be treated with the same amount of respect as any and all deserve. How she dresses should never negate her personhood and should never deny her right to be safe.

For all its talk of women suffering in the “backdrop of patriarchy,” the Campus Style article is painfully ironic, since its “advice” only fuels detrimental beliefs that continue to oppress women. As feminist Audre Lorde states, “The master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house.” And, while not intentional, the article wields these tools like a master. The article shames women who dare show “too much” skin and suddenly, because of this atrocity, they are not deserving of respect. They are not deserving of a conversation about their internship or the most recent book they read. In fact, these women deserve the degrading leers from men because as the article argues, it’s absurd for these women, and their DD’s, to expect otherwise.

How about this radical notion: is it absurd to think that men can’t be anything but beasts unable to control themselves when some skin is shown? This terrible portrayal of masculinity and attitude of “blaming the victim” is appalling. What I found more disturbing though was the constant reinforcement of the idea that women’s attire exists only to attract men. Talk about adhering to the male gaze

while supposedly informing us how we’re oppressed under it! Talk about the gross heteronormative mentality that plagues the Campus Style article and erases the existence of LGBTQ women on campus!

The article never considers that perhaps women wear certain clothes because it makes them feel good, feel sexy, feel powerful. Sometimes, I cover up. Other times, I reveal more skin. Whether it’s exposing my legs to be kissed by the summer sun or reveling in the fact that despite its quirks, my body is just as beautiful as my mind, I want to celebrate myself.

Regardless of my attire, my ability to choose what adorns my body, to express myself and my sexuality, empowers me.

My body does not serve to make the chase “fun for men.”

My existence does not revolve around the century-old belief that I need to get a man.

So instead of policing women’s bodies, how about we do this: how about we start teaching men, from when they are boys, not to judge a woman just by her body and clothes?

How about we start saying that women are free to express their sexuality however they want without fear that they’ll be judged as less than human, for aren’t we more than just our bodies? How about we deconstruct the reasons why women’s bodies are demonized and reduced to sexual objects in the first place because of the simple act of showing skin?

Campus Style has been a section I often looked forward to reading because it highlighted the unique expressions of self that are found in our diverse, student body. But if you step into how I should express my sexuality and tell me to cover up again, instead of teaching everyone to respect me as a human being, then let ME and MY cleavage and MY healthy amount of legs say this: Stop trying to control me. My body. My choice.

“Last week’s edition of ‘Campus Style’ was not an attempt to slam women or their freedom to dress as they choose. That may be too severe a criticism. What Koziol argued instead was that there is a time and a place for certain wardrobe choices; if you prefer respect at a college party, then covering up may be fruitful. It remains your choice to be revealing at will, but it’s unreasonable to expect hordes of frat dudes to see eye-to-eye with your cultural perspective.”

— Tom Kozlowski, Opinions Editor

By Susan Pereny

It’s hard to live at a dorm at TCNJ and not see information about condoms. We’re constantly told to practice safe sex with posters, programming and articles.

Yet despite this, there’s still a large embarrassment factor with obtaining condoms.

When I did my service hours last year for my WGS class (I tabled in the student center giving out condoms with some classmates), I was taken aback at how many people were embarrassed to pick up condoms. Why is it that condoms, or any other form of birth control, seem to be something that must be hidden? Why is there shame about being healthy?

Feb. 14 to 21 marks National Condom Week, which began appropriately with Valentine’s Day. And let’s be honest, no one really wants to buy condoms from the C-Store when they’re located only behind the counter. Luckily, we have other options on campus.

The Signal has already helped to spread awareness about “CondAm,” and we can’t forget that we also have a Planned Parenthood group located conveniently in Eickhoff open Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Planned Parenthood is the absolute leader in preventative measures and promoting sexual health. Condoms are 98 percent effective in preventing pregnancy when used consistently and correctly, and they are also extremely effective at reducing your risk of some of the most common sexually transmitted infections, like HIV/AIDS. So let’s educate ourselves, be safe, get some, and (literally) get it on.

AP Photo

Nervous to meet the CondAm delivery man at your door? Consult Planned Parenthood.

Border insecurity — GOP on the fence

By Tom Kozlowski Opinions Editor

“We all know the parties that have attracted immigrants into this country have been the ruling parties,” said Senator John McCain in 2006. In typical confusion, he also stated “Build the danged fence!” around the same time. For McCain and friends, Republicans can best win the hearts and minds of Hispanic immigrants by building ideological barriers, divides between us and them. Such a failed philosophy is practically ripped from Field of Dreams quotes: “If we build it, they will come.” In actuality, they will come one way or another, but they will not come to your vote.

Such Republican tact, coincidentally, is just how President Obama won re-election.

The Hispanic vote was critical in 2012. Seventy-one percent, in fact, went to Obama, while Romney collected the scraps. As the numbers were released, Republicans finally came to realize the coup de grace they had strategically selfinflicted — just as McCain noted, the immigrant vote is the winning vote, and the GOP is consistently losing it.

This brings us to the current immigration debate teetering on Capitol Hill, one in a series of pleas for reform. The

recent State of the Union address made it clear that this was a necessity. Republicans, remembering their dismal election figures, also see an opportunity to gain immigrant sympathy in the next vote. But momentum has been slow; Obama has already refused to haphazardly deport illegal immigrants, against far-right animosity for amnesty, while a consensus on visas and requirements is far from certain.

Now, from within the gridlock, Obama’s immigration legislation has been leaked in USA Today (of all professional magazines out there). It’s classified as a “Plan B” if and only if Congress is unable to act. But if there’s one cry of agreement from the Republican caucus, it’s that Obama’s plan is unacceptable.

For a party awkwardly lifting their arms for an inconsistent immigration embrace, denigrating the President’s hypothetical proposals is a rough start. Some of these radical changes include permitting illegals to gain citizenship over an eight year period, completing criminal background checks, submitting biometric information, and paying both back taxes and fees for any new visas. They’ll also be forced to learn English and U.S. history, coercive notions that should be attractive to All-American conservatives. Evidently not.

There’s also provisions for security: an expansion of the

“E-Verify” system that allows businesses to check the legal status of workers, for one. Even more personnel and funding for the Mexican border are on the table, a suggestion that’s been a boisterous Republican darling. Yet, conservative lawmakers still condemn the plan.

The rationale? It would be “dead on arrival” to the Congressional floor, says Senator Marco Rubio. To the GOP’s “rising star,” the plan neglects to “follow through on previously broken promises to secure our borders” and places priorities on illegals over those legally awaiting citizenship.

If you disregard that Obama’s leaked proposal addresses the border and then eschew that illegal immigrants are at the core of this debate, Rubio’s statement might make sense.

Of course, Rubio prefers to address the fictional President haunting his mind. It allows him to earn the “rising star” status of radical Republican imagination.

Certainly it’s possible that Congress will create a plan before Obama’s is sent to the floor. And certainly Republicans would like a handful of Hispanic votes under their belt.

As you can see, the best method to achieve this impossible feat is to bludgeon Obama’s pro-immigration plan back over the border, an expression of Latino-love only possible from the heart of Republican contradiction.

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 14 The Signal February 20, 2013

Features

Vaginas / Show has laughter, tears

Photo courtesy of Amanda Parks

The ‘Vagina Monologues’ were performed by an all-female cast comprised of College students of all years and majors. continued from page 1 V-Day, Hopps explains, is to serve as a movement that ultimately strives to put an end to violence against women.

Throughout the evening, the monologues explored a wide range of issues. The evening’s Vagina Host, junior fine arts and psychology double major Alexis Richards, explained that one of the monologues reflected the stories of women between the ages of 65 and 75.

“The Flood,” performed by sophomore women’s and gender

studies major Morgan Teller, tells the story of one 72-year-old woman who never experienced an orgasm or saw her vagina as the result of an awkward intimate experience with a boy during her adolescence. It was not until she was interviewed by Ensler that she learned to overcome her embarrassment and became in touch with her body.

The audience even experienced side-splitting laughter during monologues such as “Because He Liked to Look At It.” Senior English major and Signal Features Editor Shaun Fitzpatrick’s upbeat performance reflected the story of one woman who

began to appreciate her vagina after a positive sexual encounter with a man who genuinely valued the female anatomy. She initially shyed away from showing her vagina to a man named Bob due to embarrassment. However, once the woman finally exposed herself she received surprisingly positive praise from her partner.

“It was like he read my palm ... it was like studying a map. Bob lost himself in there and I was there with him in my vagina and we were gone,” she said.

While some of the monologues reflected the humorous side of feminine issues, others expressed the raw and honest reality of violence against women.

In the poignant story “My Vagina Was My Village” performed by senior English and secondary education double major Gabby Salvemini, one interviewee revealed her harsh experience with rape.

“They invaded it, butchered it and burnt it down. I do not touch now, I do not visit. I live someplace else now, I do not know where that is,” she exclaimed.

Prior the monologue, Richards told the audience a shocking statistic: in the United States alone, the number of assaulted women reaches over 250,000 annually. Moreover,

nearly one out of every three women will be violated in their lifetime.

The monologues also challenged the audience to face the derogatory terminology used to describe the female anatomy. In “Reclaiming Cunt,” sophomore nursing major Michelle Guarnizo took the stage in order to redefine the word “cunt.”

As she asked for people to repeat the word with her, the cast and several audience members joined in and loudly recited it.

The evening also served to honor faculty member Marla Jaksch as one of this year’s Vagina Warriors for her commitment to ending gender based violence both in the United States and abroad.

However, one of the most powerful moments of the evening was

when the cast members and show’s directors were all brought together on stage.

One of the directors, senior journalism and English double major and former Signal Editor-in-Chief Jamie Primeau, asked for everyone in the audience to stand up from their seat if they or anyone they know has ever been physically beaten or violated.

After, nearly everyone in the concert hall rose in support of spreading awareness of this issue, showing the large number of women that have been abused. Hopps took note of the social injustice and made a notable call to action.

“One and one and I am done recounting. It’s time to tell a new story,” Hopps said.

Lianna Lazur / Photo Editor

Some monologues required the actresses to get a little more down and dirty (pun fully intended) than others.

Wilted Wildflowers: nothing special at local eatery

By Shaun Fitzpatrick Features Editor

Typically when I choose to go out to eat, I leave the Ewing area. No offense to Ewing, but for the most part its culinary offerings run more toward the realm of fast food and takeout, neither of which are my dinner of choice. But, a certain Editor-in-Chief of The Signal has been complaining about the lack of local food reviews, so I figured I’d pretend to care about appeasing him and took my family to Wildflowers Restaurant, just a few minutes’ drive from the College down Pennington Road.

I knew there was a reason I left the area to get a meal. This is the last time I bother trying to make Brendan McGrath happy.

To be fair, I’ve been to Wildflowers before and have enjoyed myself.

However, I typically go for lunch, and always get their Soup/Caesar meal for $8.50. Their French onion soup is spectacular, the cheese engulfing the crock it’s served in, and the salad is perfect: crisp lettuce, croutons that taste homemade and a really great Caesar dressing.

This trip, however, I decided to branch out a little. I had heard rave reviews about their pizza, and decided to split a medium Mediterranean pie, topped with artichoke hearts, roasted

Shaun Fitzpatrick / Features Editor

Caution: pizzas are smaller than they appear in pictures.

red peppers, plum tomatoes, mushrooms and feta cheese, with my mom.

I was disappointed with the size of the pizza. At $15, this medium pizza was roughly the size of the personal pizza that I ordered at Fedora Café (which I reviewed last week), but was $5 more and, in my opinion, significantly less delicious. The crust was thin and crisp, but virtually flavorless. In fact, I found the pizza in general to be very dry. To be fair, though, I ate it without the plum tomatoes, as I’ve stated my complete distrust

of tomato in the past. My mother, who ate the tomatoes on her slices, assured me that they added the right amount of moisture to the pie. Regardless, I ended my meal feeling empty — there was pizza in my belly, but no food-joy in my heart.

The rest of my family was similarly dissatisfied with their meals. My aunts and uncle ordered salads, which they said were fine, but nothing particularly special. They had the same opinion about the cheese fries we split as an appetizer; they were simply fries with melted cheese, as generic as cheese fries could possibly be and not worth the calories or the money. My sister ordered chicken fingers, but proclaimed them “gross;” I stole a bite and found them to be dry and overcooked.

My dad was the only member of the family to clean his plate. He ordered the Romie Burger for $8.50, a burger topped with pizza sauce, pepperoni and mozzarella cheese. I excitedly asked him whether or not he enjoyed it, hoping that at least one person had eaten a stellar meal. To my disappointment, he said it was fine, but once again, nothing special. He had only eaten so much because he was starving. I should

have known better; I once watched him eat leftover pasta mixed with mashed potatoes; the man will eat anything. He did note that the burger bun was cold, though, which is a pet peeve of his.

I wouldn’t say that I would never return to Wildflowers. However, I know now to stick to my old reliable orders there. I would recommend the same to anyone else — play it safe and order the soup.

Wildflowers Restaurant Where: 2572 Pennington Road Pennington, N.J. 08534 Contact: (609) 737-2392 Hours Every day: 11 a.m. - 12:30 a.m.

Overall Rating (2 out of 5)

Call for Columnist

We are currently looking for dedicated writers to start a new column for the Features section. Interested in cooking, science or the environment? Why not write about it? contact Fitzpa28@tcnj.edu with ideas!

February 20, 2013 The Signal page 15

Additives in food have benefits and risks

By Samantha Sorin Columnist As more people become aware of healthy living and what they put in their bodies, they are also getting a myriad of unhealthy options placed before them.

Not just for nourishment and survival, food is also used for indulgence, for taste and for enjoyment. Unfortunately, the tastier and more enjoyable foods don’t necessarily have the proper nutrients that our bodies need. But if they are not comprised of the good stuff, then what are we really eating?

Whole Foods CEO John Mackey recently pointed out that the modern U.S. diet consists of 10 percent unrefined plant food (fruits, veggies, beans), 2.5 percent whole grains, 25.5 percent meat, eggs, dairy and fish and 62 percent processed foods. The most popular chemicals added to processed foods are benzoates, nitrates, sulphites and sorbates. And don’t get me wrong, these additives are helpful in the sense that they kill or even prevent mold and yeast from growing on

food, but at what cost?

For example, nitrites and nitrates are used in processed meats such as lunchmeat, smoked fish and bacon. While nitrates do indeed help to stabilize the color of these foods, high levels of nitrites and nitrite poisoning in food can cause a cardiovascular collapse. If you’re skeptical because you have never fallen down clutching your chest after eating the turkey lunchmeat that your mom packed you for school, here are a few other additives and their potential risks.

Aspartame, a sweetener found in alcohol, snacks, desserts and even diet food, has reportedly been shown to cause headaches, blindness and seizures. Do not be alarmed if you are reading this while enjoying your favorite girl scout cookie or marshmallow flavored vodka, for these symptoms have been shown to occur with long-term high doses of aspartame. If you have a processed snack every once in awhile, it is not the worst thing. Simply be aware of excessive wear and tear on your body.

Another common food additive is benzoic acid, a preservative found in drinks, cereals and meat products. Benzoic acid can temporarily inhibit the function of digestive

Campus Style Where do you shop?

By Jordan Koziol Columnist Sofie Gomez, freshman health and exercise science major How would you describe your personal style?

A combination of classy, preppy and boho-esque.

What is your go-to outfit for a typical day on campus?

I typically wear dark wash jeans, a pastel or bright colored top, and a peacoat with a cinched waist. I’ll pair the ensemble with leather riding boots.

What is your favorite accessory?

My Michael Kors silver watch.

Free People, Lord and Taylor, BCBG and Ralph Lauren. I get awesome friends and family discounts to Lord and Taylor so I’m able to get a lot of nicer pieces at a fraction of the price.

What is your preferred season to dress for?

I love dressing for the spring. I’ll put on a flowy dress and compliment it with a cute pair of wedges. The season’s color pallet is very uplifting.

Who is your fashion icon?

Mila Kunis. She is very versatile. She can pull off a feminine daytime look but also rock edgier combinations.

What is your funniest fashion fauxpaux of the past?

Overalls. I wore them all the time when I was little! I had khaki ones and I thought they were the cutest thing.

What style is the most attractive on guys?

I like when guys wear boat shoes and v-necks. Extra points for shopping at Express.

What is the one trend that you wish never caught on?

Jordan Koziol / Columnist

Gomez has come a long way from her days of wearing overalls.

The trend where girls wear frayed cut shorts and Uggs. When the weather is nice, I see people do this all the time.

I don’t think the two should ever be combined … you just look confused!

enzymes, which would in turn slow down absorption of food by the body.

Monosodium glutamate, more popularly known as MSG, is known to cause seizures, chest pains, headache, nausea and tightness of the face. A lot of restaurants may put on their menus that MSG is not used in any of their products, but this can’t be said for all chemicals in all restaurants.

It is hard to avoid these chemicals, especially because they do indeed add flavor, help to preserve the product, and make the

product look more appetizing. Start by cutting sweets out and replace these with fruits.

Add herbs and spices to enhance the flavor of that bland piece of chicken instead of reaching for the saltshaker. And plan ahead! If you stock your fridge with vegetables, fruits and healthy lunch and dinner choices, you will be less inclined to have to decide between the pint of ice cream in the freezer that you were saving for a special occasion or the chocolate bar that you justify as a healthy snack because it has peanuts in it.

Samantha Sorin / Columnist

Sure this cheeseburger looks delicious, but hidden under all that meaty goodness are more chemicals than a body needs.

Swift may start teen feud

By Johnanthony Alaimo Columnist

If you’re like me, which I hope you’re not for the sake of your well-being, you watched the Grammys. The show was opened by Taylor Swift because what hasn’t she opened this year. *Side eyes* Of course, she took the time to diss Harry Styles by saying, “So he calls me up and says I still love you. But I said, I’m sorry, I’m busy opening up the Grammys.” EXCUSE ME. Do you want your head shaved because I’ll be happy to do it for you.

Taylor Swift is the root of all evil. She’s obviously trying to tear teenage girls apart as they’ll start choosing sides. Claire’s will be a warzone. The rest of the night was as enjoyable as a dinner with Hannibal Lecter so I will not waste anymore precious paper on it.

But I have no problem using up this space to tell Ke$ha to take a bath. In an interview with BBC Radio 1, the pop singer explained that people often tell her that she smells like a hobo. And I quote, “I smell like a hobo. One time, someone told me I smelt like a shrimp on a diaper. I thought I could make a fragrance that was a little like a shrimp on a Faberge diaper but I don’t know if people want to smell like that.”

Gurl, get your Red-Lobster-platter-with-aside-of-cheesy-bread ass into a bucket of water! Nobody wants to be around that. Like can this girl get an endorsement deal with Garnier Fructis so she could at least shower when she shoots the commercials? Ke$ha also explained how she once drank her own urine and loves to roll around in baby oil and glitter. Questions? Comments? Concerns? How about all the above.

Let’s take a look at the Twitterverse! Uhoh, another celebrity twitter fued? Who is it this time? Oh, Justin Bieber. Can this jerk get a child lock on his phone already? The drummer for the band Black Keys, Patrick Carney, was asked what he thought about Justin Bieber whining about how he did not receive a Grammy nomination. Carney responded, “He’s rich,

right? Grammys are for, like, music, not for money ... and he’s making a lot of money. He should be happy, I guess.” Justin responded in a tweet, “The black keys drummer should be slapped around haha.”

Haha? Is this a joke to you, boy? You should damn well respect your elders. You don’t need a Grammy award. It would probably be a choking hazard for you anyway. Carney should worry about the Beliebers, though, as they are a force to be reckoned with. The power a 14-year-old girl holds is unrivaled. Proceed with caution!

And just in case you were feeling good about yourself today, know that Angelina Jolie’s daughter, Vivienne, is making $3,000 a week more than you. Yes, that’s 3,000 DOLLARS, not legos. Vivienne has received a role in her momma’s upcoming film, “Maleficent.” By the end of this month, this girl could pay for an entire semester of college. You could obviously tell she is not of the ramen noodle eating variety. Well good for her!

Off to a great start. Excuse me while I go sell my blood to pay for a textbook.

Jessica Simpson Baby Watch: Jessica is trying to turn around so make sure you’re not in the danger zone!

AP Photo

Ke$ha reveals that she smells like a hobo, to the surprise of no one.

page 16 The Signal February 20, 2013

Arts & Entertainment

Andrea Gibson poems challenge emotions

By Brian Kempf Features Assistant Andrea Gibson started her Tuesday poetry performance on an offbeat note, admitting, “I’ve had a sensitive day.”

What followed was poetry and musings of pure emotional tumult, ranging from euphoric laughter and glassy silences full of empathy, to cheers in solidarity as equality was fought with words and love.

Far from being merely an eloquent rabble-rouser, Andrea Gibson’s poetry is straight from the heart and exudes a piercing quality of clarity. Far from being saccharine or cynical, her words touch upon her experiences and emotions that would otherwise be incommunicable.

She commenced her reading by noting that she had just decided to write a memoir titled “Needy.”

“We need each other so much and (neediness) needs to be celebrated,” she said. Starting every show with this same poem — the one, she notes, is hardest to write, which she described as a “love poem for the body.”

With that, she recited “I Sing the Body Electric, Especially When My Power’s Out.” Recounting “the day my ribcage became monkey-bars for a girl hanging on my every word,” the audience could not help but be that girl. Gibson went on, “These words are stories to the staircase to the top of my lungs.”

Andrea Gibson’s poems are as poignant as they are personal. She speaks the language of love.

Her “A Letter to the Playground Bully from Andrea, Age 8 1/2” is, rather than a tale of sordid revenge, one that inspires hope: “If I ever have my own team / I am

picking everyone first.”

Her repute for playing nice with others in the midst of adversity shown through even when she received several emails from a college at which she was to perform.

It took great pains to suggest that it was a Catholic university. With characteristic and quintessential wit, she responded “I couldn’t imagine anywhere else where I’d rather perform.”

In fact, conflict was a frequent motif across her poems that she performed, from the internal to the international.

In her poem, “For Eli,” which was dedicated to a friend of hers who went to fight in Iraq, ends with the heart-wrenching verses, “You want to support America’s troops?

Bring them home, and hold them tight when they get here.”

Perhaps there is a trade-off in speaking from the heart; she noted that she took up writing poetry because “when I tried to talk

in normal conversation, it was a disaster.”

After listening to her, it would be impossible to call Gibson a stranger.

When she forgot a line to one of her poems she added, with a wink that, “This is just a practice to get us more comfortable with silence.”

Megan Osika, a sophomore English, secondary education and women’s and gender studies triple major and executive vice president of Prism said, “It was a great opportunity for people who haven’t heard of her poetry to see what kind of spoken word art that she has.”

Osika added that bringing Gibson to the College has been in the works for eight months, and was no easy task.

Having seen Gibson perform in New York City over the summer, Osika asked on the spot if she could come to campus. After jumping through numerous hoops, the College had Gibson perform on Thursday.

Why ‘Les Mis’ should take the crown

By Amy Reynolds Managing Editor

Over the years, we’ve seen both books and plays get turned into movies, some done successfully, and some done not so successfully. However, what’s extremely rare is to see a play and a book get turned into a thrilling, beautiful movie with little to no flaws. “Les Mis” did just that.

It’s no secret that “Les Mis” was the first ever musical movie to be sung live — a risk that undoubtedly paid off. But, as successful as that was, I believe that “Les Mis” is Oscar worthy for reasons beyond that — it incorporated aspects of both the musical and the book in a way that no other musical movie has done before.

“Les Misérables,” written by Victor Hugo in 1862, consists of 1,463 pages. Certainly, it was no easy task to turn a novel of that length into a two and a half hour opera. And, although I

hold the belief that “Les Mis” is the greatest musical production ever written, there were some vital parts of the book that had to be cut.

Although “Les Misérables” the movie cut out parts of the musical, another risk made by director Tom Hooper, it made up for it in relevant parts of the book that were brought to life through the movie.

Early on in both the musical and the book, Jean Valjean, the noble character and escaped convict, demonstrates his immense strength by lifting a collapsed cart, which saves a man’s life.

Later on in the novel, when Valjean is forced to escape devoted policeman Javert, Valjean and Cosette seek shelter at a convent where Fauchelevent, the man who Valjean saved from the cart, works as the gardener. Without Fauchelevent, however, a man such as Valjean would not have been permitted to live in a convent.

The musical, on the other

hand, cuts the convent out completely, leaving confusion as to how Valjean and Cosette safely escaped from Javert and essentially “disappeared” from the law.

The movie, however, incorporates this aspect into the storyline, thus closing that crucial gap.

However, the significant aspect of both the musical and the book, which is often overlooked, is the importance of the bishop. It is, in fact, the bishop who tells Valjean “to become an honest man,” thus completely changing the course of the escaped convict’s life.

In the end of the movie, but not in the end of the musical, the bishop comes back when Valjean dies and goes to heaven, which brought me to tears (and I’m definitely not one to cry during movies).

In addition, they simple could not have cast a better man to play the bishop in the movie than the one and only Colm Wilkinson, the Valjean in the 1985 London production and whom the part was originally written for.

AP Photo

The beautifully woven film adaptation of ‘Les Misérables’ proves itself Oscar worthy.

When Wilkinson was cast as Valjean, he simply responded, “My life has come full circle,” emphasizing the importance of the character. (This response also brought me to tears.)

Other aspects of the musical were changed as well. Some parts were cut, some parts were added, and some scenes and

songs were moved around — and they were all done extremely successfully.

The acting was impeccable, risks were taken, and the true meaning of both the book and the novel was flawlessly conveyed. “Les Misérables” is certainly deserving of an Oscar for Best Picture of the year.

‘Identity Thief’ fails to steal the show

By Jared Sokoloff Correspondent

AP Photo

‘Identity Thief’ is a disappointing miss with a confusing plot line.

Identity theft has become a common, and often serious, occurrence in our digital world.

“Identity Thief” spends 112 minutes making a farce out of this problem. Jason Bateman plays all-around good guy Sandy Bigelow, an accounting whiz trying to get ahead.

Melissa McCarthy plays throat-punching, lonely con-woman Diana. When Diana steals Sandy’s identity, his dream job is put on the line.

In order to prove his innocence and get his job back, Sandy travels from Denver to Florida to bring Diana to the state police in his home state.

The complicated reasoning behind why the Denver police couldn’t help Sandy is questionable. The explanation is rushed and confusing, and it feels like they just made up their own laws for the sake of the story.

(To simplify the plot for “Arrested Development” fans, Michael Bluth gets his identity stolen by a ratchet version of Melissa McCarthy’s character from “Bridesmaids.” They go on a road trip together.)

There’s nothing too unique about this plot, and it features a completely useless subplot that I’m pretty sure was added only to justify the car chases.

My biggest problem with the movie was the fact that an amazing financial whiz like Sandy was so gullible with his personal information in the first place.

Despite these complications, it was a pretty good film.

Bateman’s subtle facial expressions brought the scenes to life and the darker back-story to Diana’s character gave the film a level of depth I was not expecting.

Most importantly, it was funny all the way through, and the cast gives great performances across the board.

Was this movie worth the $8.50 I paid to see it? Barely, but it’s definitely worth a watch with your friends on Netflix next time you’re looking for a way to lift your spirits.

February 20, 2013 The Signal page 17

Soloists perform noteworthy covers

By Liz Wimberg Staff Writer

The College Union Board hosted a Student Soloist Night at the Rathskellar on Friday, Feb. 15. Performers included Jacob Perlman, Sam Moeller, Ryan Manheimer and Gary Kehoe, who each had the opportunity to perform 45-minute sets in front of friends and family.

As sound check finished, the lively audience filtered in, seats filled up, and the show began.

Friends shouting requests from off stage, proud parents taking photos, and enthusiastic applause all fostered the convivial atmosphere which remained throughout the evening.

Perlman, a sophomore biology major from Toms River, N.J., took the stage first on vocals and acoustic guitar.

He dedicated his cover of the Beatles’

“Across the Universe” to his mother who was present at the show.

Moeller, a junior civil engineering major of Shrewsberry, N.J., followed with the second set of the night.

Along with covers of Ed Sheeran, Freelance Whales and The Shins, Moeller also played a few original tracks. Moeller has been playing guitar for just over seven years.

“I really love any music that tells a story,” Moeller said. “Folk music really does a fantastic job of that.”

He finds folk music both relaxing and relatable, but his work derives from an eclectic array of sources. Some of his favorite artists include City & Colour, The Front Bottoms and Gaslight Anthem.

The third set was performed by Man-

heimer, sophomore mathematics major from Bay Head, N.J. In accordance with the jovial atmosphere, Manheimer depended on the audience for a few forgotten verses.

“I’m terrible at remembering lyrics,” he said, but luckily the crowd came through. His sets included songs by Mayday and Say Anything’s “Alive with the Glory of Love.”

Manheimer is a selftaught musician and has been playing guitar for five years. He also plays bass guitar, drums and piano.

Kehoe closed the show, and eventually the crowd died down.

This was the last of the Soloist Nights for the semester, but there will be Student Band Nights at the Rat on Feb. 22 and April 30.

Jankia Berridge / Staff Photographer

Performers take the stage at the last soloist event of the semester.

Hard to find ‘fault’ in young adult novel AP Photo

John Green strays away from typical young adult literature in his new novel.

By Megan Whalen Staff Writer

Until recently, you would be hard-pressed to find significant literature buried among the vampires and werewolves that lurk in every shelf of the young adult fiction section of any library or bookstore.

Perhaps that is why my first

introduction to John Green was his most recent novel, “The Fault In Our Stars,” despite the fact that he has been churning out novels since 2005.

Now, after having read all of his books, it is obvious that this novel marks a significant departure for Green, and perhaps a turning point in young adult fiction.

The story centers on the narrator, Hazel, a 16-year-old girl fighting a long-term battle with thyroid cancer.

Although this is not Green’s first foray into the themes of death and loss, it is his first novel with a female narrator.

I was pleasantly surprised by how well an adult man captured the voice of a teenage girl.

Hazel is deeply cynical one moment and heartbreakingly hopeful the next, particularly when young love is involved.

Alumna’s tunes are a success

While forcibly attending a cancer support group, Hazel meets Augustus Waters, a fellow cancer patient, and love blossoms between the two.

Perhaps the most important message of the story is the notion that love, above all else, is freeing.

While the issue of cancer is certainly a significant aspect of the plot, it serves as a backdrop for the beautiful love story that unfolds between Hazel and Augustus. Hazel is a shoot-from-the-hip cynic who seems to have few expectations for her life.

After meeting and falling for Augustus, the reader sees her open up and embrace life, despite her disease.

Likewise, Augustus’s quirky personality is highlighted and amplified by Hazel’s presence in his life.

Green expertly depicts love as it should be: something that brings out the best in those who feel it.

However, Green does not shy away the traumas of cancer, which are exacerbated due to the youth of the characters.

Throughout the novel, both Hazel and Augustus experience traumatic episodes as they watch each other and their peers battle the disease.

Cancer is ever-present for the two characters, both of whom carry around signs of their illness; Hazel relies on oxygen tanks while Augustus has a prosthetic leg.

While experiencing all of the joys of falling in love, the two must also come to terms with the hard facts of life, death and what Augustus calls the “fear of oblivion.”

Ever poignant, Green uses the plot and its characters to

present the realistic way in which lives and love play out, which means both beauty and hardship must be, and are, showcased in equal parts.

It is this poetic realism that makes “The Fault In Our Stars” a standout young adult novel and Green a bestselling author.

This book is a prime example of the turning point in young adult fiction, which is currently trending toward more intelligent, realistic stories, which readers, both teenage and adult, can relate to.

Next time you’re scouring the stacks, bypass the vampires and opt for “The Fault In Our Stars.”

You will wonder where John Green has been all your life and be thankful that he has produced four more novels and a YouTube channel for you to sink your non-vampiric teeth into.

The Signal’s Oscar Vote Ten members of The Signal’s editorial staff cast their votes for who they think will emerge victorious at next week’s Academy Awards.

daniellesteward.com

Best Director

Best Picture

Best Foreign Film

Keerthana Krosuri Correspondent “Traveling On” is a charming sophomore effort from alumna Danielle Steward. With a folksy, bluegrass feel and a spare and twangy sound, Steward creates a relaxed mood with the six songs of her second EP, recalling long summer drives and sitting around campfires with friends.

The title track, “Traveling On,” is relatively fast-paced compared to the other tracks. It sets the theme of the EP very well, launching into a one-sided discussion with an ex-lover about regrets and moving past their romance.

The lyrics don’t require much work to understand, and the tune is simple and not overly intricate, setting a breezy but thoughtful tone for the remaining songs.

The fifth song on the album, “Moonshine,” is about a difficult romance which isn’t working out. The sweet, melancholy lyrics aren’t groundbreaking, but the nostalgic mood lingers after the song ends.

This song was definitely the best one on the album for me, with the soft, reflective tone suiting the lyrics well and the uncomplicated structure of the song playing off of the clean rhymes of the lyrics.

Overall, “Traveling On,” available free from Steward’s website, is well worth a listen, especially on a quiet night in or on any day that needs a soft, relaxing soundtrack.

Winner: “Les Misérables”

Winner: Steven Spielberg (“Lincoln”)

Best Actress

Winner: Jennifer Lawrence (“Silver Linings”)

Winner: “Amour”

Best Actor

Winner: Daniel Day-Lewis (“Lincoln”)

Runner ups: Best Picture (Lincoln, Silver Linings, Argo) ; Best Director (Silver Linings) ; Best Foreign Film (Kon Tiki, A Royal Affair) ; Best Actress (Les Misérables, Zero Dark Thirty, Amour) ; Best Actor (Les Misérables, Silver Linings)

page 18 The Signal February 20, 2013

You Are Cordially Invited to A Celebration of LOVE

PRISM ‘s Tenth Annual

Queer Wedding “Never Hide FREE! ABE Drawing Your Love Room Behind a Mask” February 28th Cosponsored

by Delta Lambda Phi 7PM

SAF Funded

Summer Program Financial Aid Application available March 1st at www.tcnj.edu/~sfs/ aid/summer.html Deadline: June 30th. Additionally, you must have a 2012-2013 FAFSA on file to be considered for aid.

Remember: • Undergraduate enrollment of 1.5 units or more (5 credits for Graduate Students) is required. Graduate Students will only be eligible for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans.

• You must be matriculated.

• Your financial aid file must be complete (no missing items).

Types of Assistance Available: Limited financial resources are available during the Summer Session. Generally, aid is awarded from a student s remaining eligibility from the 2012-2013 Academic Year under the Federal Direct Loan Program; Subsidized and Unsubsidized options.

Students can consider PLUS or other Alternative Loan Programs: PARENT PLUS & GRAD PLUS Loans – applications at www.tcnj.edu/~sfs/aid ALTERNATIVE Loans – lender list at www.tcnj.edu/~sfs/aid

Office of Student Financial Assistance, Green Hall 101 at 609-771-2211 or osfa@tcnj.edu.

February 20, 2013 The Signal page 19

Early mornings lead to fast times Winter Track & Field

By Julie Kayzerman News Assistant

Those 6 a.m. practices seem be doing the trick as the College’s men’s and women’s indoor track team has continued to impress.

Recording one of the fastest Division III times this season, the men’s distance medley relay crossed the finish line in first place at 10:15:99, meeting ECAC qualifying standards. The dominating relay was run by junior Dominic Tasco, sophomore Erik Moutenot, senior Steve D’Aiutolo and senior Michael Berti at the non-team scoring, New York University Challenge Meet on Friday, Feb. 15.

“It felt good to decisively win the race,” Berti said. “At ECACs, the DMR is historically very competitive, so qualifying for that is the key to getting in that fast paced race and producing a nationals qualifying time.”

As the relay prepares for ECACs, Berti has expressed his confidence in the relay team as a whole because of returning runners, great alternates and a great team chemistry stemming from friendships off the track.

“We have some very competitive runners on that relay,” Berti said. “A lot of success comes from a desire to win.”

Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk

The men have a clean handoff.

But before the ECACs, the NJACs will be an extremely important meet for the Lions, as both teams have made it clear that their number one goal is to not only run fast times, but also to win the indoor NJAC title.

“The only real goal at this point is to win the NJACs and keep the men’s streak alive,” junior James Seyffart said. “We’ve won the past 15 indoor NJAC titles.”

Seyffart was part of the men’s 4x800-meter relay that placed second, clocking in at a time of 8:03.36 along with Berti, sophomore Jeremy Garell and junior Mike Jones.

“Part of our success was due to the fact that

we had a couple of guys with fresh legs for the race,” Seyffart said. “Mike Jones anchored our race in 1:59 and the three of us put him in a good position to run for the win.”

The women’s 4x800-meter relay finished with a fourth-place effort by senior Cathy Goncalves, junior Sarah Polansky, freshman Kelly Williamson and sophomore Meghan Kocher with a time of 10:07.89.

“As a freshman it was really exciting to be a part of the race,” freshman Kelly Williamson said. “I felt comfortable leading off the race for my teammates and it was a great experience.”

The women also had several athletes with ECAC qualifying performances, including the second place finish in the shot put by senior Mary Chismar, throwing 11.93 meters.

In addition, junior Katie Knight and sophomore Tara Nealon were among the ECAC qualifying performances at the meet, despite placing seventh in their respective races. Knight ran the 60-meter high hurdles with a time of 9.41, while Nealon crossed the finish line of the 3,000-meter race with a time of 10:33.25.

“I was really excited,” Nealon said. “ It was one of my goals going into the season to qualify for ECACs.”

Nealon is currently pleased with her season thus far after coming back from missing the indoor season last year with a stress fracture.

Back on the men’s side, junior Julio Alorro also had a first place performance in the pole vault, clearing the bar at an ECAC qualifying height of 4.55 meters.

The Lady Lions also had sophomore Katelyn Ary run an ECAC qualifier time of 2:18.12 in the 800-meter run, while freshman Kristen VanBenschoten proved herself in the shot put, placing fourth with a throw of 11.31 meters.

“Off the track, just making sure you’re getting enough sleep is key,” Nealon said. “On the track, you have to be able to stay positive through the workouts and the races, sometimes it’s as much mental as it is physical.”

Head coach Phil Jennings is also pleased with his athlete’s recent performances this season. He also talked about the important characteristics he expects his athletes to have throughout the season which have led to their continued success.

“We look for good student athletes that love the sport and love to compete,” Jennings said. “We expect our athletes to buy into being part of something that is bigger than themselves: the team.”

Cheap Seats

Stories these days are too good to be true

By Mike Herold Staff Writer Remember when we used to have inspirational sports stories of great accomplishments against all the odds, when there would be movies based on true sports stories that always made people cry, when people would watch athletes do incredible things and never utter a sound except for a possible “wow” in hushed and amazed tones?

That was a nicer time, wasn’t it?

Sadly, that world no longer seems to exist. Today’s inspirational sports stories are one of two things: riddled by questions of what’s going on behind the scenes

(basically anything with steroids) or just waiting for that other pin to drop, for the horrible aftershock to come ripping through and destroy whatever inspirations existed before.

We’ve had quite a few of these aftershocks in recent years. The first (and still possibly the biggest) domino to fall was Tiger Woods, he of the perfect swing and even better life. Until, you know, the world learned he was doing all sorts of Charlie Sheen-esque things behind closed doors.

Since Tiger’s fall from grace, we’ve had some strange ones, the

most relevant being the double whammy of Manti Te’o and Lance Armstrong. We all know the stories: two inspirational tales torn apart by lies and manipulations and now lacking almost all of what made them shine to begin with.

And now we have the saddest of all. Oscar Pistorious, famed for being the first doubleamputee track athlete to compete in the Olympics, was arrested for the murder of his girlfriend this past week. Whether he is found guilty of the crime or not is irrelevant to the story at this point — already the inspiration is

gone. The man the world cheered on is now being torn apart, and could spend his life in prison for committing a terrible crime.

These stories are merely the biggest of the inspirational tales lacking in staying power, and set a terrible trend for the future.

What if we never see something again in sports which can truly inspire us? We certainly seem to be heading that way.

So to any athletes who might inspire us soon, hear my plea. Don’t do anything to lose your luster.

In the meantime, I’m going to go watch “Remember the Titans,” recall a more pleasant time, and have a good cry.

AP Photo

Pistorious went from hero to villan.

Wrestling

Lions’ roar heard right through the very end Wrestling flames Falcons and wins season finale

Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk

The College ends the regular season on a high note.

By Peter Fiorilla Sports Assistant

Closing the curtains on the regular season in victorious fashion ahead of the NCAA East Regionals, the wrestling team cruised early in a 21-13 win over No. 19 Messiah College last Saturday after being stonewalled late in a roller coaster loss at No. 8 Delaware Valley College.

The 16th-ranked Lions (12-7) handled a top-heavy end to the season better than in 2012, when they entered qualifiers on a five-game slide, as taking down the Falcons gave the College its seventh win in its last nine games.

“I think that is a result of our diverse coaching staff,” No. 4 junior Brian Broderick (184) said. “We have five young coaches with high energy and they are very good at analyzing our team and seeing where we need to make adjustments, whether it is for our whole team or just individually.”

That stretch also includes a victory over No. 6 Centenary in Packer Hall, and the season finale set the Lions’ home record at 4-1 this year versus 8-7 on the road.

“Wins over nationally ranked teams such as Centenary and Messiah as of late gives us a pretty good estimation of where we stand and where we would like to be,” Broderick said. “I would say that anytime a team is able to wrestle at home, it gives them a slight advantage.

Not only because of the fans, but because the environment is familiar to them and they do not have to make any adjustments.”

The Lions steadily built a 21-6 lead over the Falcons in a performance that was similarly dominant to Messiah’s in a 31-10 win over the College last year, with bonus points coming in the form of a pin from senior Dan Herr (133).

Broderick prematurely clinched the match with a 3-2 win by decision against ranked Josh Thompson and ended the season undefeated in dual meets, rendering losses at 197 and 285 pounds harmless.

Freshman Mike Shaughnessy (141), Antonio Mancella (157), No. 4 senior John Darling (165) and No. 8 freshman Dylan Thorsen (149) added points, with the latter improving to 10-2 this season after being ranked at 141 pounds for the first time in the latest NWCA rankings.

“Thorsen is an extremely smart and technical wrestler who is hard to force out of his position. He makes minimal mistakes, if any, during a match and that is why he is so difficult to beat,” Broderick said. “He is a quiet, humble kid and obviously a hard worker.”

The loss in Delaware Valley was a more closely contested match which went until the final bout, even though the Aggies seized an

11-point lead through five rounds.

Herr put the Lions on the score board with a win by decision, and success in the uppermiddle weight classes threw them a life line heading into the final stretch: Darling and KC Murphy (174) earned decisions, while Broderick added four points to cut Delaware Valley’s lead to 14-13.

The Aggies made up for last year’s 20-19 loss to the Lions in Packer Hall by closing out the game with two major decisions, though, taking a sliver of blame for the College’s 17 losses at 285 this year.

With the regular season out of the way, the Lions will look to repeat last year’s success at NCAA championships, where Darling, Herr and graduate Mike Denver made deep runs that gave the College a sixth-place team finish.

“These next few weeks for the team are more of a selfish time where individuals will work with the coaches to pinpoint any techniques they may need to work on or change,” Broderick said. “The guys who really want to ‘peak’ at the right time will utilize this time efficiently to get the best results possible.”

page 20 The Signal February 20, 2013

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February 20, 2013 The Signal page 21

Lions lose finale, look forward to future Men’s Basketball

Men’s basketball finishes season on losing skid

Warren Fields / Staff Photographer

The team is encouraged and excited for next year, despite enduring a losing season.

By Chris Molicki Sports Editor It certainly hasn’t been the best season for the Lions, but the men’s basketball team has done something that few teams in their situation would — they kept fighting.

This was evident in the team’s 65-53 loss to New Jersey City University, in which the College seemed completely outmatched in the first half, but went into attack mode after the intermission and actually outscored the Gothic Knights in the second half, 35-32. They also dropped their final game of the season on the road to Montclair State University by a score of 99-83.

“We can match any team with energy on the defensive end, but we have to start that off in the beginning,” sophomore guard Emmanuel Matlock said.

“We just have to have composure and just run our stuff like we know we can.”

The game against NJCU couldn’t have started out any worse for the Lions (5-20, 3-15), who fell victim to an early 8-0 run. It took nearly five minutes before a Matlock layup gave the College their first points of the game. Matlock finished with 10 points, three rebounds and three assists.

The Lions then went on a solid 11-4 run, which was capped off by a dazzling crosscourt pass from Matlock to junior forward Joe Kane to cut the deficit to 16-13. However, the Gothic Knights countered with an 18-5 run of their own in which their stifling defense didn’t allow any open looks and held the College to just two field goals in the rest of the half to take a 33-18 lead.

The lead could have been even bigger if not for a few unlucky bounces for NJCU robbing them of points.

“I feel like that was our problem for the most part of the season,” Matlock said, discussing the sluggish first half.

“But we battled back and came back with energy. We have to have more energy to start off.”

When the second half started, the Lions turned up their defensive pressure. During the first half, the defense had no life and the College had to rely on fouling to prevent the Gothic Knights from scoring. The second half showed a whole new swagger for the team.

“Coach just said, ‘Go out there and play tough, you have nothing to lose,’” Matlock said.

A baseline floater by sophomore guard Ryan Keegan got the team going on what became a 14-6 run to make the score 43-32. Freshman forward Miller and junior forward Alex Fox chipped in with layups, while sophomore guard Jayson Johnson got going late in the run with a baseline jumper of his own and two free throws. “(In the) first half we took too many threes and too many jumpers,” Matlock said. “We’re an attacking team. When we’re attacking and getting to the free-throw line, we’re a much better team.”

However, the rest of the game went back and forth between the two teams, as the Lions couldn’t get any closer than an 11-point differential.

There were some encouraging moments, however. Matlock collected a steal and took it all the way for a layup. Miller fought tooth and nail for an offensive rebound and put the ball back in the basket for an AND1 with defenders draped all over him. Finally, a quick swing pass from junior forward Skylear Ettin to junior guard Matt Rista resulted in a corner three, the College’s first of the game. Rista had a solid effort with eight

points and nine rebounds.

There was a feel-good moment at the end of the game that saw lone senior William Lester knock down a contested three-pointer in what was his final home game as a Lion.

“Billy’s been the heart and soul of the team this year,” Miller said. “He may not have been the guy who got significant minutes, but he’s our hardest worker and he’s going to be missed next year.”

It turns out that Lester had one last hurrah against Montclair State, scoring 14 points and drilling four three-pointers.

His last trey came at the buzzer, ending his career as a Lion in the most fitting of ways.

Despite the loss, four additional Lions scored in double figures. Ettin led the team with 22, all of them coming in the second

half, Johnson had 21, and Fox and Keegan had 10 apiece.

Runs of 11-2 and 11-0 put the team in a hole early, but two threes by Keegan and four points by Johnson made the score at the break 46-34.

Although the College was able to drain a season-high 11 three-pointers, it didn’t make a difference. They were held in check for the second half and were outrebounded in the game by a 42-36 margin.

While the loss may have marked the end of a disappointing season, the Lions now have the offseason to look forward to. There is definitely room for improvement, but now they have a chance to get better.

That journey begins now.

“We’ll work really hard in the offseason and come back and win the NJAC,” Miller said.

Warren Fields / Staff Photographer

Matlock takes it to the hole with the Gothic Knights waiting for him.

Cheap Seats

Fans should hail to king while they still can

By Chris Molicki Sports Editor There’s a famous saying that goes, “You don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone.” That’s something that can be applied to many things, LeBron James being one of them.

James has recently been on one of the most ridiculous stretches of his career.

His averages over the past seven games go something like this: 32 points, 7.4 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 1.7 steals and 69 percent shooting.

Those are not typos. Those are real numbers that the undisputed best player in the world has been putting up night in and night out.

With a streak of games like that combined with Michael Jordan’s 50th birthday, the inevitable happened — the talking heads at ESPN decided to go back and compare James to Jordan.

LeBron responded to this chatter with a short but powerful tweet.

“I’m not MJ, I’m LJ.” That’s something everyone has to

AP Photo

Even Durant knows LeBron rules the world of basketball.

realize. LeBron is not Michael. LeBron will never be Michael. Whether he winds up passing him as the GOAT one day or never coming close, James is his own man and his own player. But he’s more than just that. He’s our player.

We are living in the era of LeBron.

We have the privilege to watch all of his games and be constantly amazed. We get to see every highlight dunk, no-look pass, ferocious drive, silky-smooth shot and defensive stop that he has. We get to see every ballooned box score that comes with his nightly conquers. We get to see the way he effortlessly makes foes look silly with the perfect combination of strength, size, speed and skill.

We get to see it all, but one day, it will all be gone.

Sure, James may have bitten off a bit more than he can chew in his promise of, “Not two, not three, not four, etc.” but if there’s any man who can do it, it’s LeBron.

Wouldn’t that be something? To see James dominate the league like only one man has before? Imagine the Heat

win six more titles and all of a sudden LeBron has seven rings, one more than Jordan, along with all of the stats and accolades he has collected throughout his career. That would be something special that all of us could tell our kids and our grandkids about later on in life.

I saw LeBron James’s career. And boy was it something.

So let’s take a step back now and relax. Let’s not scrutinize every little move the man makes. Let’s not take arguably the best athlete of all time and put LeBron next to him. Let’s enjoy the ride. The remarkable things James does will seemingly never get old. Now that he has one ring and has matured as a person along with it, it’s a lot harder to hate him, and nearly impossible to disrespect him.

So why not root for LeBron James?

Why not root for him to have one of the best basketball careers ever? Players like James only come around once in a generation. He’s the player of our generation. And before you know it, he’ll be gone.

page 22 The Signal February 20, 2013

CHANGING MAJORS? The School of Engineering is accepting change of major/program plan applications for TCNJ students (including current engineering majors) interested in the following programs: Biomedical Engineering Civil Engineering Computer Engineering Electrical Engineering Engineering Science (management specialization) Mechanical Engineering Technology Education M/S/T Change of Program Plan (change of major) forms are available online http://recreg.pages.tcnj.edu/forms/

Completed applications are due by Friday, March 1st, 2013 in Armstrong 147 Acceptance depends on available space and previous academic performance.

Decisions will be available to students by March 8th, 2013 For more information about our programs, visit www.tcnj.edu/~engineering Questions? Please call 609.771.2779

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Send an email to signal@tcnj.edu or stop by our office in the Student Center basement on Sundays at 6 p.m.

February 20, 2013 The Signal page 23

Lions Fantasy World

By Mike Herold Fantasy Guy

League Standings

Nothin’ But Net

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, collegiates of all ages, we as a sports loving nation have a problem which requires our immediate attention. It is far more pressing than the steroid concerns coming from pretty much everywhere, far more dire than the somehow still ongoing investigations into Penn State, and perhaps even more important than whatever’s happening to A-Rod lately (blasphemy on that last one, I know).

That’s right, the NBA’s All-Star Saturday night has gotten boring.

OK, stop laughing, I’m not entirely serious. But it is a legitimate concern of mine, and here’s why: I think sports, being as they are a part of the entertainment business, need to be as entertaining as possible. All-Star Saturday night has, for some time, and until very recently, been one of the more entertaining aspects of professional sports.

So, just as many sports writers, talking heads, random Internet bloggers and anonymous commenters have attempted to do, I’m going to make suggestions on how things could be improved.

(I feel I might be obligated to say here that I have never taken a business class, and routinely finish dead last in Monopoly, so money doesn’t really factor into my observations. Nor do complicated principles like “union agreements” or “shoe size differences between Shaq and his significant others,” for what it’s worth) My solution is fairly simple, and some have said that this simplicity is what makes it brilliant (OK, I say that, but others can as well). All I suggest is that we make participation in All-Star Saturday night a requirement for participating in the All-Star Game.

Here’s why that would work: Every NBA player has a desire, at least on some level, to play in the All-Star game. It’s fun, it’s an honor, it’s a chance to play alongside the best of the best, which not every player gets to do that often.

So why not make them participate in the event fans used to love seeing the most? NBA lovers were thrilled when Dr. J, MJ, ’Nique, and even Vinsanity soared in the Dunk Contest, one of Larry Legend’s best stories centers around the first three-point shootout, and I’m sure we all remember Dwight Howard donning the SuperMan cape.

And darn it, we want that night to be spectacular again.

Now, I know one of the biggest arguments against this idea is that young and unknown players deserve a shot at fame too, and forcing the All-Stars to compete blocks them out. Here’s my answer: create a few more events. Let them play Horse, or even just see who can best mock Craig Sager’s infamous suits.

Oh, and have Billy Crystal, Kevin Hart and Charles Barkley commentate the whole thing, just in case anyone’s still bored.

All I’m really asking for here is for a bit more excitement on that one Saturday a year before the All-Star game.

After all, isn’t that kind of the point?

Place 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Team Name Team Allen Team Matos Team Friedman Team Molloy Team Nichols Team Gannon Team Vazquez Signal Squad Team Caputo Team McG Team Myshkoff Team Jha

Team Owner Gabe Allen Rob Matos Remy Friedman Kyle Molloy Marc Nichols Andrew Gannon Victor Vazquez Chris Molicki Joe Caputo Brendan McGrath Zach Myshkoff Ashray Jha

Points 22007 20844 20411 20200 19567 19199 19162 18983 16488 16420 15114 11972

Top Performer (Season) Top Performer (Past Week) Jrue Holiday (2616) Ricky Rubio (234) Russell Westbrook (3225) Russell Westbrook (214) David Lee (2959) Dwight Howard (202) James Harden (3163) James Harden (217) Kobe Bryant (3154) Kobe Bryant (236) Kevin Durant (3652) Kevin Durant (267) LeBron James (3738) LeBron James (330) LaMarcus Aldridge(2713) Josh Smith (218) Al Jefferson (2637) Al Jefferson (216) Greg Monroe (2714) Greg Monroe (281) Chris Paul (2663) Chris Paul (290) Dwyane Wade (2347) Dwayne Wade (246) All standings are accurate as of 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 18

Moves Made This Week Team Allen: Dropped Tiago Splitter Added Kawhi Leonard Team Molloy: Dropped Samuel Dalembert Added Tayshaun Prince Team Friedman: Dropped Gerald Wallace Added Derrick Rose Signal Squad: Dropped Kawhi Leonard Added Isaiah Thomas AP Photo

Good Moves, or Bad?

Let’s start with Team Allen, who traded in a decent player for a potentially great one. Gregg Popovich loves Leonard, which means great things for Leonard. Or that he’ll be rested. Tough to tell with Pop. Team Molloy made a slight improvement in terms of fantasy average, but Prince is now on a much better team, so his numbers could fall.

Perhaps the most interesting move was Team Friedman’s, since Rose isn’t back yet (and may not even come back at all), and Wallace is decent.

The Signal Squad got rid of Leonard just as he’s heating up. I wonder if he knew which Isaiah Thomas he was getting...

I May Be Wrong, But...

Here are the moves I would make in Fantasy Basketball this week: Add: There is a chance, small but invigorating, that someone was foolish enough to drop Chris Paul while he was injured. If that happened, and somehow no one has picked him up since, you might want to do that, especially since he just won the All-Star game MVP. Oh, and Jason Kidd hasn’t been too shabby of late, for an old guy.

Be Cautious Of: I know his name has been popping up a lot recently, but being a hot trade piece does not mean Eric Bledsoe is going to show a huge upspike in numbers. In fact, until he gets traded and established on a new team, he might very well lose some fantasy value. Don’t drop him if you’ve got him, but don’t rush to trade for him like the actual NBA teams are.

Drop: This might be more of a trade than a simple drop, but I think the time has come for smart fantasy owners to lose Deron Williams.

He may still be a big name, but he’s hurt right now, and hasn’t been living up to his name recently. You should still be able to move him (especially to whoever lost Rondo recently) and get some high-value players in return.

Look Out For: I know it’s silly to say, but what LeBron James has been doing recently is just ridiculous. He might keep doing it, too, so definitely keep an eye on him. And somehow Greg Monroe has gone unmentioned here before, but he’s been putting up fantastic numbers on a lousy team all season, and definitely deserves a shout out.

AP Photo

page 24 The Signal February 20, 2013

Celebrate

Dr. King’s Dream: Are We There Yet? Date: Thursday, February 21st

Time: 11:30am to 12:30pm Moca9on: Kendall Hall

Named by Essence magazine as one of the 50 most inspiring African Americans, Dyson is one of the na9onEs most renowned public intellectuals, revitalizing the role with the fervor of an ordained Bap9st minister.

His books provide some of the most significant commentary on modern social and intellectual thought, interwoven with a combina9on of cultural cri9cism, race theory, religion, philosophical reKec9on, and gender studies.

Guest Speaker: Dr. Michael Eric Dyson Best-­‐Selling Author/Scholar/ 8ultural 8ri9c

Nree 9ckets will be available at the Brower Student 8enter and online at www.tcnj.edu/boxoffice.

Sponsored by Offices of Diversity and Human Resources

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February 20, 2013 The Signal page 25

LIONS

AROUND THE

DORM 5 3

Chris Molicki “The Ref”

Mike Herold Staff Writer

Julie Kayzerman Andrew Grossman News Assistant Staff Writer

In this week’s matchup of Around the Dorm, the “Ref,” Chris Molicki, challenges staff writer Mike Herold, news assistant Julie Kayzerman and staff writer Andrew Grossman to answer questions about the Eagles’ decision to keep Michael Vick, who the top sleepers are in college basketball, and which team is the favorite to come out of the NHL’s Atlantic Division. for nearly 1,700 yards. He also got much better as the season progressed. Although more people would like to see Vick start, Foles is the Eagles’ future. The sooner Kelly and the rest of the organization realize that, the better.

Mike gets 3 points for discussing Kelly’s offense and Vick’s struggles with designed runs. Andrew gets 2 points for saying how Vick is really past his prime.

Julie gets 1 point for pointing out that there isn’t great talent on the team surrounding Vick.

AP Photo

1. The Philadelphia Eagles just restructured Michael Vick’s contract to a oneyear deal, penciling him in as their starter next season in new head coach Chip Kelly’s offense. Do you think this was a good decision by the Eagles? And how will Philly fare this season with Vick under the helm?

MH: They replaced his old deal, which was signed in 2011 and was meant to last for six seasons. Considering that deal was for $100 million, and this one is only for $10 million, they definitely made the right financial decision, and therefore made the right call overall. If Vick doesn’t work out, they can just let him go as a free agent next year, and all will be well. And I think that’s what will eventually happen, due to two primary reasons: Vick isn’t the right fit for Chip Kelly’s offense and Philly is going to eat that team alive this year. Kelly’s offense uses a lot of designed runs, an area where Vick struggles somewhat, gaining just 1.7 yards per carry on them (compared to his impressive 6.7 yards per carry on scrambles, his greatest strength), so he’s not the perfect fit. And since the Eagles won’t make the playoffs this season, the fans of Philly (cowed last season by the woeful awfulness of their supposed Super Bowl favorites) are going to explode, which will make everything seem even worse than it is. I’m guessing they finish the season 7-9.

JK: The decision to sign Michael Vick was not a good one for the Philadelphia Eagles because nothing will change to reignite the team. Vick is always suffering from huge injuries and is surrounded by a lackluster team that doesn’t have a good offense. Vick has been trying to force pocket passes and instead has ended up throwing several interceptions and therefore will not improve the overall play of the Eagles.

AG: The signing of Michael Vick is a high risk, high-reward situation. We all know what he is capable of, but after having 13 touchdowns to 15 turnovers last season, Philly fans should begin to worry. Through four seasons playing for the Eagles, Vick has yet to start all 16 games. With durability and turnovers being a consistent issue, Chip Kelly must have a trick up his sleeve if he believes he can return Vick back to his top form. Now 32, he is not getting any younger, which means the smart decision would be to start the young Nick Foles.

In seven games with the Eagles, Foles completed over 60 percent of his passes

2. College basketball has been absolutely insane so far, with upsets happening left and right to top teams. Forget about the favorites, who are your two sleepers to make a deep run in March Madness?

MH: With all the crazy ups and downs, I think to pick a sleeper you need to drop out of the top 25 ranked schools. That being said, my first Cinderella is going to be the St. Mary’s Gaels, who currently sit somewhere just below that mark. I’m going with them for two reasons, one factbased and the other superstition-backed.

The factual one is simple — they have a great offense, hitting 48.9 percent of their shots and 39.2 percent of their threes, and putting up 77 points per game. The superstitious reasoning is that at least one religious school always makes a run, and they look like the top candidate this season. My second pick would be the Missouri Tigers, mostly because the coaches think they are the best non-top 25 team (coaches tend to know what they’re talking about here) and because they’ve got an inside game grabbing 42 boards per contest, which certainly helps in tournament play.

AP Photo

JK: With several upsets this season, I think that Illinois and Syracuse can make a good run in March Madness this year. Illinois’s D.J. Richardson has been scoring several points and the team has clearly been coming together nicely as they have been on a three-game winning streak, including an upset over the No. 1-ranked Indiana. In addition, now No. 21-seeded Notre Dame has proven to be a contender after fighting their way through five tiring overtimes in an exciting game against then No. 11-seeded Louisville. The ending minute and overtime minutes of games in any sport are the minutes where true team chemistry, conditioning and hard work come into play to prove who is worthy of victory and Notre Dame has been proving to do just that.

AG: My two sleeper teams may have started out as favorites earlier in the season, but due to recent slumps, the analysts are beginning to question their abilities. The No. 14 Kansas Jayhawks and the No. 23 Oregon Ducks both have the potential to make deep runs in March Madness if they can get back to their mid-season form. First with the Jayhawks, they had a great run last year before falling short to Kentucky in the Championship game. With three of their five starters back from last season, they have the experience and are poised to make another deep run. As for Oregon, they too were playing well until their three-game skid. Prior to that streak, they beat out top-ranked teams including Arizona and UCLA. If they can find their rhythm again, they know they can contest with any school in the Pac-12 and in the nation.

Julie gets 3 points for discussing the recent success of Illinois and Notre Dame against top teams. Mike gets 2 points for pointing out Missouri’s ability on the boards. Andrew gets 1 point because Kansas and Oregon really aren’t sleeper teams.

3. Despite losing Zach Parise, the Devils are cruising in the Atlantic Division.

However, the Penguins are right there with them, the Rangers and Flyers are starting to come on, and even the Islanders are relevant. Who is your favorite to come out on top in arguably the best division in hockey?

MH: I picked the Devils to make it all the way to the Stanley Cup a few weeks ago, and now I look like a bit of a genius. I’m sticking with them now in part because I picked them then, and because they’re currently winning. Also adding to my decision is their recent reacquisition of Alexei Ponikarovsky (don’t you just love trying to spell/pronounce professional hockey players’ names?), who was one of the key contributors to their playoff run last season.

Plus, the other players appear happy to have him back, which can only be a good thing for team chemistry, and he’s happy to be back as well, which is also a positive sign. Further adding to my argument is that this team is much like the Spurs in the NBA — they’ve been here before, so they won’t panic, and they came so close last year, so they have quite a bit of motivation.

And, you know, they ARE Jersey’s last true pro team, so anyone who doesn’t pick them is un-New-Jerseyan.

JK: The New York Rangers may be falling just short of the Devils and the Penguins.

However, their continuous improvement

in team chemistry prompts me to favor them as the team to come out on top. The Rangers have acquired several young and talented players that have stepped up on the ice. With the leadership of Captain Ryan Callahan, the heart and soul of the team, New York becomes inspired on the ice, resulting in hard-fought battles and constant pressure from young forwards like Carl Hagelin. On the defensive side, Marc Staal, Michael Del Zotto, Ryan McDonough and Dan Girardi provide solid blocking and positioning skills to back up arguably the best current goalie in the NHL, Henrik Lundqvist, in order to lead the Rangers to victory.

AP Photo

AG: The Pittsburgh Penguins are not only the best team in the Atlantic Division, but they also have a legitimate chance to hoist the Stanley Cup by the season’s end. With Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Chris Kunitz all ranked in the top 10 in points scored, this Penguins offense has been nearly unstoppable. On the defensive side of the puck, Marc-Andre Fleury has also been incredible with seven wins thus far as goalie. Behind Fleury is Tomas Vokoun who is a legitimate back-up goalie in his own right. This combination can help to keep Fluery fresh heading into the playoffs. While the Devils’ surge is certainly impressive, they do not have the personnel to hold off a healthy Penguins team in the later part of the season. My only concern is Crosby’s tendency to get hurt.

If he and the rest of his team can stay healthy, then the Devil’s would be fighting an uphill battle. Other than injuries plaguing Pittsburgh, it is the Penguins’ division to lose.

Andrew gets 3 points for mentioning all of the talent of the Penguins. Mike gets 2 points for saying how the Devils are a team that knows how to win. Julie gets 1 point for discussing the all-around solid players on the Rangers.

Mike wins Around the Dorm, 7-6-5

page 26 The Signal February 20, 2013

6th Annual Student Leadership Awards The Vice President for Student Affairs invites students to apply for the 2013 Student Leadership Awards Programming Awards: Excellence in Service to The College of New Jersey Excellence in Service to The Greater Trenton Area Community Excellence in Advocacy Excellence in Collaborative Programming Excellence in Diversity Excellence in Sustainability Outstanding Program of the Year Programming Legacy Award

Leadership Awards: Emerging Leader of the Year Outstanding Student Employee of the Year President’s Cup Award Student Organization President of the Year Outstanding Student Athlete of the Year Student Organization Adviser of the Year

The scholarship process has already been completed, however individual students, student organizations, athletic teams, Bonner scholars, peer educators, ambassadors, and residence hall staff groups are strongly encouraged to apply for the programming and leadership awards

For award descriptions and applications visit: www.tcnjstudentactivities.com Deadline: Wednesday, February 20 by 5 pm

February 20, 2013 The Signal page 27

ports Week In Review Shake At Your Own Risk

Scouting the opposition, women’s hoops

Stats William Paterson University

-Is seeded No. 2 after going 12-4 in the NJAC -Has a 5-game win streak against the Lions, winning 63-51 at home this year and 59-45 in Packer Hall -Went 9-1 at home, faltering only to undefeated Montclair State -Scores 62.3 points per game; junior guard Floriana Borova accounts for 20.4 of those points

... and other Division III stories

-At Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania, 11 football players were cut for participating in a Harlem Shake video, according to Yahoo! Sports.

-Division III coaches can now recruit Susquehanna football players shakin’ on Youtube. athletes and contact prospects via social media, as the result of a narrow vote in favor of Proposal No. 9 from the National Collegiate Athletic Association Convention. Coaches can directly message potential athletes, but cannot “friend” them or publically post on their walls.

-Wartburg College’s wrestling team defeated Coe College 33-3 last week, extending its win streak in dual meets to 37 matches and improving to 57-2 since 2010.

Wrestling stats by weight class

-Average attendance in Wayne, N.J. is 208 Still haven’t followed our Twitter account, @TCNJSignal?

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Tell us at our Twitter account, @TCNJSignal.

125 184 125 141 174 133 149 197 157 285

Win Totals

125 184 125 174 141 133 197 149 157 285

Point Differential

AP Photo

STUDENT ATHLETE OF

THE WEEK

The Horizon For

Candace Vigo

Women’s Basketball February 20 @ William Paterson University, 7 p.m.

Sports

Women’s Basketball

Led Lions in playoffs win

Track and Field February 22 @ New Jersey Athletic Conference Championships (168th Street Armory)

Senior Candace Vigo, center and forward for the women’s basketball team, scored a team-high 13 points in the Lions’ 67-59 home playoff win over Richard Stockton College.

In addition to the points, Vigo pitched in five rebounds and four steals to help the Lions earn their first playoff victory since reaching the Division III Final Four in 2008-09.

Men’s Tennis February 23 vs. Dickinson College, 2 p.m.

February 24 vs. Virginia Wesleyan College, 10 a.m.

This week’s picks from the staff Oklahoma State St. Louis Blues vs. Indiana Pacers A.C. Milan vs.

San Jose Sharks vs. N.Y. Knicks FC Barcelona

Point leaders vs. Kansas Chris Molicki 2 Peter Fiorilla

2

Women’s Tennis February 23 vs. Dickinson College, 10 a.m.

February 24 vs. Virginia Wesleyan College, 2:30 p.m.

Amy Reynolds1 Mike “H” Herold 1 Jamie Primeau 1

Wrestling (11-7) March 2 @ NCAA East Regionals (Gettysburg College), 9 a.m.

Brendan McGrath 0 Andrew Grossman0

Last week’s Signal Trivia Answer:

?

Signal Trivia

?

In the 2012 Olympics, the U.S. had this many medalists in wresting.

AP Photo

In the last stage of 2010 World Cup Qualifying, Mexico’s record through four games was 1-3. El Tri won at home but dropped its road matches, including a 2-0 result to the U.S. and 2-1 at El Salvador. Mexico then went 5-0-0 to qualify with a game to spare, after firing its head coach.

Signal

Sports

Lions take care of business and advance

College secures playoff win in NJAC tournament

Warren Fields / Staff Photographer

Coughlin hustles down the court during their playoff victory.

By Chrissy Onorato Staff Writer

Nothing can stop the momentum of the College’s women’s basketball team after the show they put on this week. Though they dropped one game to Montclair State University, they have steamed right ahead into the New Jersey Athletic Conference tournament and have come out victorious in the first of those games, beating Richard Stockton College in a playoff game by a score of 69-57.

The Lions played their first game of the past week against New Jersey City University on the Lions’ home court, which they dominated 66-31 — their largest margin of victory this season. The team’s offense was on fire during this game, knocking down nine three-pointers.

As soon as the game began, the Lions took control and never relinquished it to the Gothic Knights. Come halftime, they led 34-17. They were able to capitalize on the Gothic Knights’ inability to net their field goals, hitting only three in 17 attempts.

Junior guard Colleen Duffy shined brightly in her first collegiate start, securing eight points for her team on two three-pointers and two free throws.

Freshman forward Christina Merlin also had an impressive game, grabbing four rebounds in 10 minutes. A total of nine players were able to score in the second half of the game, boosting their score well above that of their opponents.

The high scores of the game came from Duffy and junior guard Tiffany DeTulio, each with 13, while junior guard Kelly Roddy finished with 12.

The team felt confident going into their games at the end of the week.

“We’re in a really good position,” Merlin said. “With us being such a young

team, we’ve all stepped up and taken on roles to help get us to where we are.”

The second game of the week, and the final game of regular season play, came in a loss against Montclair State University. This loss snapped the College’s four game winning streak, but did not dash their spirits.

The Lions came out strong in the first half of this game, leading in the first few minutes. However, the Red Hawks tied the score at 8-8 and it was a struggle from there. Their opponents went on a 15-2 run, distancing themselves from the Lions until the very end. Montclair beat the College 76-47, ending their perfect season on top of all the charts.

But the Lions did not let this loss negatively affect them. It just gave them more

fuel for the fire. Their first NJAC tournament game came against Richard Stockton College and the Lions were victorious.

This was the first postseason win for the College since the 2008-2009 season.

It was back and forth play throughout the first half, with the Lions entering halftime on top by a score of 34-25. In the second half, the College began pulling away and they expanded their lead to 17 points.

Roddy led the team with seven rebounds, five assists and nine points while sophomore guard Kylie O’Donnell came up with four assists and six points. The College will advance in the tournament with a game at William Paterson University on Wednesday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. in the semi-final matchup.

Warren Fields / Staff Photographer

The team defense was in lockdown mode in the Lions’ NJAC win.

Swimming title streak swells to seven

Men capture yet another MET championship

By Andrew Grossman Staff Writer

After attending the Metropolitan Conference Championship at Rutgers University this past weekend, the Lions dominated the 19-team field as the men’s and women’s teams finished first and second, respectively. The title for the men marked their seventh consecutive and 16th overall in program history.

“We were all expecting to do well. We knew that we put the work in all season and had a great taper,” senior captain Adam Schneider said. “With the chemistry we had this year, we all knew we were capable of doing something special.”

They definitely did not disappoint as they won the MET title with 1,455 points. Behind them in a distant second was the University of Bridgeport with the score of 1,083 points.

Schneider’s weekend was

Lions’ Lineup February 20, 2013

I n s i d e

Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk

The College continues their dynasty.

stellar, as he set a school record and qualified for NCAAs in the process. In the 50-yard freestyle, the captain finished in 20.22, the best time in the College’s history. Schneider also won the 100yard butterfly event, completing the race in 50.19 seconds. Behind him was freshman Joseph Dunn who finished in 50.54

seconds. Schneider also contributed in the second leg of the 200-yard freestyle relay team as he and juniors William Kasper, Philip Hawley and Stephen Gibson took first place with a time of 1:20.69.

“It’s always nice to get a new best time and it just so happens my previous best time was the

record,” Schneider said. “But breaking the 200-free relay record was the one of the best swimming experiences I’ve ever been a part of and that was awesome.”

Senior Mike Caputo also had a great weekend, as he broke the College’s 1,650-yard freestyle record by 13 seconds. The time of 15:50.34 not only got Caputo a first place finish, but also qualified him for NCAAs. As for the women’s team, their second place finish broke their streak of five consecutive MET titles. The Lady Lions had a team total of 1,021 points behind Long Island University Post who compiled 1,298 points.

Senior Kayleigh Shangle won the 100-yard breaststroke for the second straight year as she finished with a time of 1:04.33.

At the 200-yard medley relay, Shangle teamed up with senior Ashley Conroy, junior Maria Ciaralli and sophomore Brennah Ross to earn third place with a NCAA Provisional time

of 1:47.11.

Also having a big performance were some of the divers, as seen in senior Danica Roskos and junior Sabrina Lucchesi, who respectively placed first and second at the 3-meter and 1-meter events. After an impressive weekend, Roskos was named MET Diver of the Meet for the third consecutive year.

Although the team result may not have gone the women’s way, the Lady Lions are still content with NCAAs coming up in Shenandoah, Texas. For the past three years, they have finished in the top-10 at Nationals.

“I’m so proud of everyone.

This year we’ve had probably the closest team in my four years and for everyone to do so well, it’s very rewarding,” Schneider said. “Some guys didn’t perform as they expected and we can’t have every single guy (get) best times all the time, but everyone came away with a swim they were happy about.”

46 53 Around the Dorm page 25

Basketball Season Ends page 21

Track Top Times page 19

LeBron Cheap Seats page 21