The Signal: Fall '15 No. 3

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Breaking news, blogs, and more at TCNJSignal.net. Vol. XLIII, No. 3

Serving The College of New Jersey community since 1885

September 9, 2015

Students make HERO Campaign comes to campus pledge for safe driving By Elise Schoening Review Editor Starting this semester, the College is encouraging each student on campus to be a hero, but not the kind that wears a mask and cape. Instead, it is looking to honor the everyday heroes that continually save lives by serving as designated drivers. The HERO Campaign was started in New Jersey in 2000, but represents a national effort to reduce the number of accidents caused by drunk driving. The campaign encourages people to practice safe, sober driving and pledge to be a designated driver for friends and family when in need. The Alcohol and Drug Education Program (ADEP) on campus is bringing the HERO Campaign to the College this fall and has already awarded two students for their upstanding behavior. Sophomore psychology major Grace Hawruk and junior elementary education and iStem double major Anne Goodwin have been chosen as the HERO of the Year Winners and will represent the Hero Campaign at the College for the 2015-‘16 academic year. “To be a HERO means that I am a leader and have shown great amounts of strength see HEROES page 5

Heiner Fallas / Staff Photographer

Campus Police cars display the HERO decal to promote safe driving.

By Ellie Schuckman News Editor

In an initiative to end driving while intoxicated, the College has recently partnered with the HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers to promote safe and sober designated driving. As a HERO Campaign College, the College is now dedicated to raising awareness of the dangers of drunk driving and advocating the use of safe driving through

campus-wide activities while raising money to help the HERO Campaign. Beginning in 2000 after Egg Harbor Township, N.J., resident John Elliott, a graduate of the Naval Academy, was killed by a drunk driver, the College now joins nine other schools in the fight to prevent drunk driving. In high school, Elliott was a National Merit Scholar, president of his class and a member of his school’s football and tennis teams. At the Academy, he became a human education resource officer — students who

are elected by their peers to counsel and mentor other members of their company — and was selected as the outstanding HERO in his class, according to the Hero Campaign website. In his honor, the HERO Campaign has since been established. The federally-registered, non-profit organization also partners with “law enforcement agencies, schools and colleges, bars, taverns and restaurants, the United States Navy, professional sports teams, state divisions of highway safety and community chapters across the country,” according to the same site. At the College, Joe Hadge, the assistant director of the Alcohol and Drug Education Program, fought to establish the campus as a campaign school. He included information on HERO in the online newsletter StudentHealth 101 and tabled at sporting and wellness events to distribute brochures, stickers, pins and T-shirts. He also had students take the HERO pledge to be a designated driver. Now, all Campus Police vehicles at the College display a HERO decal or magnet in support, according to Dana Landesman, a graduate intern working with Hadge. “(There are) too many victims, too many innocent victims. Too much damage and pain caused by drunk driving and HERO empowers people to be designated drivers and say something if you see something,” Hadge said. see CAMPAIGN page 3

Faculty exhibition highlights evolving forms of artwork By Kimberly Ilkowski Arts & Entertainment Editor

With a surge of energy, a sea of students, faculty and community members entered the College’s latest art exhibition, “Fluctuations,” where waves of attendees filled the room to the brim — only for them to recede in anticipation of the next tide of guests. Showcasing ever-evolving artistic landscapes through faculty artwork, the College’s Art Gallery held an opening reception on Wednesday, Sept. 2, with an accompanying concert by Brooklyn-based jazz-fusion trio Moon Hooch. This ebb and flow dynamic was the pivotal idea behind “Fluctuations,” highlighting the changing practices between analog and digital technologies as well as contemplative and interactive art experiences. In conjunction with the College’s own academic theme this year of “change,” the gallery featured work by 14 faculty members including Anita Allyn, Josh Brilliant, Chung Chak, Dickie Cox, Belinda Haikes, Kenneth Kaplowitz, Kyle LoPinto, Elizabeth Mackie, William Nyman, Jordan see ART page 19

INDEX: Nation & World / Page 7

Follow us at... The Signal @tcnjsignal

Kimberly Ilkowski / Arts & Entertainment Editor

Students, faculty, family and friends gather to view the artwork on display at “Fluctuations,” a gallery showcasing the changing fields of digital technology and interactive art experiences. Editorial / Page 9

Opinions / Page 11

Features / Page 15

Arts & Entertainment / Page 19

Sports / Page 28

Activities Fair Students get first look at clubs and organizations

‘Inside Out’ Pixar dishes out a boxoffice hit

Women’s Soccer Team wins season opener

See Features page 15

See A&E page 21

See Sports page 28


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London and Prague on study abroad schedule

By Tom Ballard Correspondent

The fall semester is just upon the College and already students are being offered the chance to explore the world outside of Ewing in order to add variety to their education. On Wednesday, Sept. 2, in the Social Sciences Building, the Center for Global Engagement (CGE) held the first of what is to be weekly sessions that will introduce students to the countless study abroad opportunities that are offered at the College. Global Academic Outreach Coordinator Jennifer Margherito explained the basic information for students looking to study aboard. “The best reason (to study abroad) is that it’s really going to be an impactful experience, whether it’s going to be impactful for your academic career, or your professional career,” Margherito said. “It sets you apart in the résumé and job seeking process… to have that extra experience it makes you better versed in cultural communication skills, which is becoming

Tom Ballard / Correspondent

CGE shares information about this year’s various study abroad destinations. increasingly popular with companies going global.” According to the CGE’s website, the College offers programs that take place in cities such as Heidelberg, London and Prague. The center also offers exchange programs in countries such as Australia, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Tajikistan and Thailand. “TCNJ programs are comparable in tuition to TCNJ’s tuition.

There’s going to be very little difference (in cost),” Margherito said. “Excluding any plane tickets or spending money, tuition is pretty much the same.” Margherito cautioned that students who use private programs to study abroad must make sure that they will receive credits for the courses they take, and check to make sure their state and federal financial aid will transfer over.

The center recently launched a new program directory, which can be found on the CGE’s website. The directory acts as a search engine, allowing students to be matched with certain programs by looking up destination providers and academic programs. “I already knew that I wanted to study abroad,” freshman mechanical engineering major Gordon Filmyer said. “I would like to go

to some place that I’ve never been before. I travel a lot … I know that there is a program, I think in Singapore, for civil engineers, and I believe there is an electrical engineering one in Spain.” If students wish to apply to study abroad, they can apply online at the CGE’s website. According to Margherito, students are responsible for paying a fee that varies depending on the program and term. They must also complete the Academic Evaluation Form, write an essay explaining why they wish to study abroad and present two letters of recommendation written by professors. Students can set up advisory meetings with staff members at the CGE in their office located in Green Hall room 111 to find out which program fits best, or they can meet with student mentors who have gone through specific programs. On Wednesday, Sept. 9, CGE will be hosting their annual Study Abroad Fair in Alumni Grove from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. They will have program providers available to answer questions alongside students who have recently traveled abroad.

Campaign / Student receives harrassing texts Students working to prevent drunk driving continued from page 1 As a part of the campaign, HERO of the Year winners are awarded annually to students who display responsibility through designated driving. For 2015, junior elementary education and iStem double major Anne Goodwin and sophomore psychology major Grace Hawruk received the honor. “From the campaign, students can learn how they can make an incredible difference,” Landesman said. “By taking the HERO pledge to be a designated driver for friends or loved ones, or being an upstander and keeping friends from driving drunk, every single student can make an impact.” Students interested can take the official pledge to be a designated driver online at herocampaign.org. “Our students tell me they want to make lasting memories and de-stress, yet too much alcohol too fast can leave no memories and/or have lasting consequences,” Hadge said. “HERO provides a real New Jersey story with very reasonable options. Be a HERO. Be a designated driver. Be a leader who can see the cues and say something. Be Lion strong and smart.”

Photo courtesy of Dana Landesman

HERO campaign comes to the College.

Wallet stolen from Barnes & Noble By Colleen Murphy Managing Editor

• A male student at another school contacted the College’s Campus Police on Thursday, Aug. 27, at 1:30 p.m.to report harassing text messages that he had received from a student at the College, according to Campus Police. The male received a text message from an unknown number asking him to send pictures of his genitalia. The student ignored the text but then received a pornographic picture from the same number, Campus Police reported. The student researched the number on Facebook and found that it belonged to a freshman at the College. The male also discovered that the student who sent the picture lives on the same floor as his ex-girlfriend, according to Campus Police. The student asked Campus Police to contact the sender and prevent further communication. At 5:40 p.m., Campus Police called the male back and said that they talked to the student at the College who had sent the picture and asked him to not contact the student again. The student was “happy” and did not want to pursue anything further, Campus Police said. • A teal Kate Spade wallet was stolen from the Campus Town Barnes & Noble

sometime between 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 21, and 8 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22, according to Campus Police. The manager said that she had placed her wallet on the desk and could not find it after that. She reviewed security cameras with negative results, Campus Police said. According to Campus Police, the wallet is valued at $141 and there are no suspects at this time. • Campus Police were dispatched to Ely Hall at 12:10 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 2, after reports that there was an intoxicated male outside the building, according to Campus Police. When police arrived at the scene, there was no one in the area. Upon entering the building, the desk assistant on duty said that a male had fallen on her while he was in the lobby and then walked away. According to Campus Police, they found the male in the second floor bathroom washing his hands. When Campus Police asked if he had been drinking, the student said, “I drank a little bit of vodka.” When asked what a little bit was, the student said, “half a cup,” according to Campus Police. TCNJ EMS arrived, provided care and evaluated the patient. When the residence director arrived and started to explain the College’s student conduct procedure, the student became upset, Campus Police said.

Campus Police respond to incidents in Ely.

The student was issued a summons, according to Campus Police.

• Three handicapped signs were stolen and two were attempted to be stolen outside Roscoe West between 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 31, and 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 1, according to Campus Police. A campus construction worker found that the signs were taken off their posts — one was removed by the green construction fence in front of Roscoe Hall and the other two were taken from the post at the corner of the sidewalk between Roscoe West and Centennial Hall, Campus Police said. The two

tcnj.edu

signs that were attempted to be taken were at the corner of the sidewalk between Green Hall and Roscoe West. One of the two bolts that was holding the sign in was “removed and the signs were twisted in what appeared to be an attempt to free them from the second bolt on the post,” Campus Police reported. The construction worker said he would work on replacing the signs and securing them in a stronger manner. The signs’ estimated value is $150, according to Campus Police. Anyone with information can contact Campus Police at 609-771-2345.


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September 9, 2015 The Signal page 5

SG discusses new, engaging late-night activities By Alyssa Sanford Web Editor The Student Government general body session on Wednesday, Sept. 2, marked the beginning of a new year of governance. It was replete with the passage of two bills, a presentation on the new Lion’s House and introductions between cabinet and prospective members. President Casey Dowling and Executive Vice President Javier Nicasio welcomed all prospective members, seated on the right side of the room. After elected officials voted on B-F2015-01, revisions to SG’s constitution, and B-F2015-02, an overhaul of their bylaws, Nicasio turned to the group. “Don’t let what we just did scare you,” Nicasio said to the seemingly bewildered faces in the crowd. Prior to the voting process, Nicasio introduced Christopher Freeman, the supervisor of the College’s new Collegiate Recovery Community, to the general body for a presentation on Lion’s House and late night activities geared toward those in recovery from substance abuse. Freeman, who was recently hired by the College, began his presentation by asking the general body members if they could guess what percentage of college students abuse alcohol and other substances. “It’s about 30 percent,” said Freeman,

after a wide range of percentages were thrown out. “On a campus this size, that’s about 2,000 students.” Freeman referenced “Cop Shop,” the campus police blotter that appears in The Signal, highlighting an incident last semester where a highly intoxicated student was discovered in the Spiritual Center by campus police. It’s an incident that exemplifies “the negative consequences (associated with) drugs and alcohol.” For most students, drinking is simply a hallmark of the typical college experience, but for “about six percent” of the student body — approximately 200 students on a campus this size — it becomes a “substance dependence” issue, according to Freeman. That’s why the College created the Collegiate Recovery Community, so that students who require counseling, or a housing option that is free of potential temptations, can thrive in a “supportive community,” Freeman said. The Collegiate Recovery Community also strives to provide students in recovery with programming on designated party nights at the College. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, the community holds events like life-sized board games, trivia nights and DIY craft nights. “We’re trying to create a culture in which those who do struggle with drugs and alcohol” can have a safe outlet, Freeman said. The difference between the activities

Photo courtesy of Amanda Brecher

Students play life-size Twister at a CUB latenighter, an alternate activity that the Collegiate Recovery Committee wants to model after. planned by the College Union Board and the Collegiate Recovery Committee, for example, is active participation. Instead of watching a musician play a set or enjoying a movie out on the lawn, the activities are engaging enough to provide a distraction on nights when a large percentage of the student body goes out. After Freeman’s presentation, newlyelected cabinet members introduced themselves and explained their positions to both returning and prospective members. Amanda Williams, vice president of Advancement, and Ryan Molicki, alternate student trustee, both discussed the upcoming fall elections for SG, which will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 8. For the first time, the online election system will run through

Lion’s Gate. Voting will take place from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. “I highly encourage (anyone who is not elected) to join the general member program,” Molicki said. Next, class council presidents addressed the general body. First, senior class President Emily Montagna announced the year’s first Senior Night, which will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 22. Later, junior class President Robert Kinloch announced that a Chipotle fundraiser is in the works. Kinloch also mentioned plans for a Junior Night fundraising event at Colonial Bowling which would be open to everyone on campus. Finally, sophomore class President Kelsey Capestro announced tentative plans for a moonlight cruise fundraiser in the upcoming months.

Heroes / 2015 HEROs of the Year winners announced

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and courage and have put the lives of others before mine,” Goodwin said. She has been involved in the HERO campaign since 2008 and took the pledge to be a designated driver as soon as she got her license. Goodwin and Hawruk were nominated for the award by their peers. According to Joe Hadge, the Assistant Director of ADEP, essay nominations were reviewed by the HERO of the Year Committee. Hawruk was nominated by a close friend, whom she picked up one night after a party. The friend, Hawruk explained, had a little too much to drink and found herself in a bad situation with a guy she had just met. A concerned

Hawruk called her friend to check up on her and then offered to drive her friend home. “At 2 a.m. I got in my car, picked her up and felt the biggest sigh of relief that my friend was OK,” said Hawruk. “My goal as a driver is to make sure people get home safe.” Since then, Hawruk has committed herself to being a designated driver for friends and family. She understands the dangers of getting in a car where the driver is under the influence and continually tells others that she is “just a phone call away.” Campus Police and Facilities and ADEP have worked together to award the winners with a parking spot on campus. According to Hadge, one of the winners will use the

SFB talks political engagement Workshops set to aid students By Jackie Delaney Production Manager The Student Finance Board was met with only one appropriation request at their second meeting of the semester on Wednesday, Sept. 2.

Student Government presented for “Advocate,” an initiative to educate the campus community on how to advocate and lobby for different issues. The event features a series of workshops, led by the Student Government Resource Center, selected to aid students in becoming more politically active. The day long event, according to Vice President Javier Nicasio, is “an initiative by Student Government to jumpstart advocacy efforts and really just educate students on campus about lobbying and advocacy, especially as the College moves to more political engagement.” The workshops include “Lobbying 101:

spot in the fall and the other will use it during the spring. As HERO of the Year Winners, Goodwin and Hawruk will continue to practice safe and sober driving. They will also work to educate their peers on the dangers of drunk driving. “Their responsibility is to be who they are: positive Lions with Jersey Strong courage to act,” Hadge said. “If they see something, they will say/do something.” Although only two students from the College will be chosen each year to represent the campaign, every student on campus has the potential to act like a hero by making good decisions and looking out for their peers. Hadge hopes the campaign will inspire students to become designated drivers and turn potential victims into heroes.

Upcoming Events

Communicating with Decision Makers,” “Parliamentary Procedures,” “Running Effective Meetings” and “Participating in Shared Governance,” which is “important especially at the College, where we have a unique shared governance system,” Nicasio said. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 26, in the Decker first floor lounge.

Lambda Theta Alpha Empanada Sale Thursday, Sept. 10 at 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Brower Student Center

“(The workshops are) an initiative ... to jumpstart advocacy efforts and ... educate students on campus about lobbying and advocacy, especially as the College moves to more political engagement.”

9/11 Remembrance Event Friday, Sept. 11 at 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the Brower Student Center

- Javier Nicasio vice president, Student Government The event was fully funded by the Student Finance Board at $1,850, which includes the expense of bringing in the Student Government Resource Center to do workshops, as well as a catered lunch from Mamma Flora’s.

Blood Drive Thursday, Sept. 10 & Friday, Sept. 11 at 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Travers/Wolfe Lounge

Asian Culture Night Saturday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in The Lion’s Den Food Court Campus Clean Up Sunday, Sept. 13 at 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. in front of the Education Building SES Picnic Sunday, Sept. 13 at 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at ABE Lawn


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CHABAD @ TCNJ INVITES YOU TO A

ROSH HASHANA minion Sunday, September 13, 2015—7:30 P.M. Rosh Hashana Dinner @ Chabad House 44 Chauncey Ave, Ewing, NJ Monday, September 14, 2015—5:00 P.M.

GRAND ROSH HASHANA CELEBRATION!

SERVICE, SHOFAR & DINNER THE 1855 ROOM For more info email Chabad@tcnj.edu

This event is SAF sponsored

B”H


September 9, 2015 The Signal page 7

Nation & W rld

Clerk rejects same-sex marriage licenses By Candace Kellner Staff Writer

Kim Davis, a county clerk in Kentucky who refused to grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples, has sparked a national controversy. Since the Supreme Court’s ruling in June that legalized same-sex marriage, Davis has refused to issue marriage licenses to both gay and straight couples. On Thursday, Sept. 3, Davis was ordered to jail for being in contempt of court, CNN reported. According to CNN, the state legislature could pass a law that would remove the names of clerks from the licenses, but it won’t be in session until January. Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear said that he refuses to call lawmakers for a special session to deal with the issue, CNN said. Beshear added that doing so would cost “hundreds of thousands of dollars of taxpayers’ money,” according to CNN. “The future of the Rowan County Clerk continues to be a matter between her and the courts,” Beshear said to CNN. “It appears that the citizens of Rowan County will now have access to all the services from the clerk’s office to which they are entitled.” U.S. District Judge David Bunning told CNN that Davis will remain behind bars until she complies. According to

Davis’ lawyer, Matt Staver, she has no plans to resign and will remain in jail until a compromise is reached. After Thursday’s trial, Beshear announced that Davis’ deputies agreed to issue marriage licenses. Attorneys for Davis argues that she is unable to comply with the court orders because issuing same-sex marriage licenses “irreparably and irreversibly violates her conscience,” according to CNN. A fellow Kentucky clerk, Casey Davis, who has no relation to Kim Davis, has protested alongside Davis on the same grounds. He told CNN that “we’ve not tried to prevent” same-sex marriages, and “we’ve only tried to exercise our First Amendment rights.” “There were a lot of people that died for that right and I think we should be able to exercise it,” Casey Davis said to CNN. Yet, American Civil Liberties Union attorneys contended that Davis has no legal basis to cease performing her duties. “Government officials are free to disagree with the law, but not disobey it,” U.S. Attorney Kerry B. Harvey said, reported by CNN. “The county clerk has presented her position through the federal court system, all of the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. It is time for the clerk and the county to follow the law.” U.S. District Judge David Bunning claims that he, too, was

AP Photo

Protestor preaches outside Rowan County office.

religious but that when he took his oath to become a judge, his judicial duties trumped his personal beliefs. “Her good faith belief is simply not a viable defense,” Bunning told CNN.

Thousands of migrants arrive at German destination

AP Photo

Migrants continue to flood into Europe in large crowds.

By Gabrielle Beacken Nation & World Editor

After a treacherous and difficult journey, almost 8,000 migrants are expected to arrive safely in the “European haven,” of Germany, by early Sunday, Sept. 6, according to the New York Times. On a

specified train departed from Austria, around 450 migrants were welcomed to Germany with volunteers offering warm food and beverages to the emotionally ridden migrants. Facing obstacles in Austria and Hungary, reaching the German border was a great accomplishment and

relief for the thousands of refugees. Refugees migrating towards Europe, deriving from countries with war and chaos, such as Syria, have sparked one of the largest emigrations since World War II, reported the Times. On Saturday, Sept. 5, as the Hungarian government provided buses to Austria, a fresh group of 1,000 migrants were headed to Hungary from Budapest, reported the Times. However, Hungarian authorities were nervous that by providing transportation to Austria, more migrants would be encouraged to pass illegally through Hungary. Janos Lazar, chief of staff to Prime Minister Viktor Orban, said, “Hungary would work to complete its border fence to stop further illegal entry,” reported the Times. According to Hungarian authorities, the government will “stick to their understanding of

European regulations” and halt migrants from arriving and registering, said the Times. European leaders have struggled to find a solution that would help both migrants and their host countries dealing with the new influx in population. The European Union (EU) operates by gathering a consensus among its entire 28 member states. According to the Times, EU countries that have been met with resistance are Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Great Britain has been hesitant to accept migrant quotas that have been suggested by France and Germany. According to Federica Mogherini, the EU’s foreign policy chief, the meetings among the leaders have been “difficult” and Europe’s migrant crisis is “here to stay,” reported the Times. Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany has received international

praise for Germany’s humanitarian efforts. Merkel stated that all Syrian migrants are welcomed to Germany and may apply for asylum, reported the Times. Other leaders disagree with Merkel’s strategy, such as Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain. According to the Times, Cameron has countered that if Europe simply opens its doors, migrants of refugee camps in Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon will be abandoned. As of Monday, Sept. 7, leaders of France, Britain and Germany have devised a two-year strategy. President François Hollande of France announced his country would accept 20,000 refugees over the next two years, Britain said it will take 20,0000 refugees from Syria, and Merkel of Germany stated that Germany would set aside 6.7 billion euros to help the migrant crisis, reported the Times.

Stock markets see worst trading day in years By Roman Orsini Staff Writer

As the stock market opened on Monday, Aug. 24, a global series of sell-offs sent the Dow Jones Industrial Average, a composite index for the 30 largest U.S. corporations, tumbling down over 1,000 points. The Dow recouped some of its losses, yet closed 588 points in the red — the eighth worst day in its history, Marketwatch reported. Other key indexes like the S&P 500 and NASDAQ, fell by 3.2 and 3.5 percent, respectively, their biggest losses since 2011, according to Marketwatch. European markets also witnessed their worst day of trading since 2011, reported the The Guardian. Britain’s FTSE 100, which indexes its largest companies, lost almost £74 billion in value, according to The Guardian. Market calamities in China, and the government’s recent devaluation of the Chinese Yuan, are seen as the main catalyst for losses internationally. According to The Guardian, since the

initial plunge, markets have been particularly volatile, with stocks rallying briefly, only to drop again at the start of September. Against the backdrop of the global financial crisis in 2008, the Federal Reserve began a program called quantitative easing, whereby the central bank purchases treasuries from the federal government, and mortgage-backed securities from insolvent banks, reported Business Insider. The aim of these continual, monthly purchases is to keep interest rates artificially low, and shore up the banking system with injections of credit from which it can lend, according to Business Insider. Interest rates reflect the cost of borrowing for households, firms, as well as the government. By lowering or raising rates, the Federal Reserve can steer the economy towards credit booms or contractions, as it monitors overall employment and price levels. Since the 2008 crisis, the Federal Reserve has expanded the creation of new credit in the hopes that economic activity will increase with trivial results, reported

AP Photo

A specialist works at his post on the New York Stock Exchange floor. Business Insider. According to Business Insider, investor speculation that the Federal Reserve would raise its rates this month, in part, has led to the downturn in stocks. The International Monetary Fund, (IMF), recently warned the Federal Reserve to postpone its interest rate hike until inflation and wage inflation had risen. The IMF said a rate

hike, “could result in significant market volatility and financial stability consequences that go well beyond U.S. borders,” reported The Guardian. A crisis of confidence in the Fed’s monetary policy, and the massive outgrowth of debt it has helped to create, stand to fundamentally rattle the economy in the near future.


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Blue Out! BLUE OUT DAY Saturday, Sept. 12th 12pm TCNJ Football takes on Fairleigh Dickinson University! All students, faculty & staff are encouraged to wear blue in support of our TCNJ Lions!

BLUE OUT LUNCH Friday, Sept. 11th The Atrium at Eickhoff 12pm-1:30pm Come support TCNJ Athletics with blue food & giveaways sponsored by TCNJ Dining Services & Student Activities!

tcnjathletics.com

tcnj.sodexomyway.com


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Editorial

Remembering 9/11 at the College to ensure that we never forget

The Twin Towers fell 14 years ago, yet the memories remain fresh in my mind. I was in second grade when the news broke out. My teacher gave no indication of what was happening, but one by one, students got picked up from school – it was clear something was wrong. It wasn’t long before my own mother came to pick me up early and bring me home. Now, as a senior at the College, it has become increasingly noticeable that the grades below me are getting too young to physically remember the events of 9/11, and the day gets further and further away. Still, it is more important than ever that we continue to make the effort to ensure that tragic day 14 years ago and the innocent lives that were taken, never go unforgotten. So when I received an email to The Signal account, amidst spam and press releases, from Lion Latenight announcing their 9/11 Remembrance event, I immediately felt proud to be a student at the College. I’m one of the lucky ones that wasn’t directly affected by 9/11. I didn’t lose a family member or a friend like so many others did, but I witnessed our entire country unite as one – and that is lesson worth remembering. Lion Latenight is hosting the College’s first ever 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on Friday, Sept. 11, at 8:30 p.m. in the Brower Student Center for the campus community to come together. They will be hosting a Donation Drive until Friday, Sept. 18, where students can donate items to the charity, Operation Gratitude, which sends items overseas to the nation’s troops who are fighting as a result of the events on September 11. The remembrance event will include a writing station for students to message soldiers, memorial presentations and a moment of silence for the campus to honor the lives of those lost together as one community. I am so thankful to attend a College where organizations like Lion Latenight ensure that we are together as a community during the 14th anniversary of 9/11 and make sure we never forget that tragic day. The more time that passes from the events on Sept. 11, 2001 shouldn’t mean that we remember it less and less. For every year that passes, we should become even more united as community to forever ensure that not only are the victims of 9/11 always remembered, but that the lesson of a country united is never forgotten. — Julie Kayzerman Editor-in-Chief

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.

AP Photo

The reflecting pool at the National September 11 Memorial in New York City stands as a remembrance of the lives lost 14 years ago.

Correction: tcnjsignal.net Email: signal@tcnj.edu Telephone: Production Room (609) 771-2424 Business Office (609) 771-2499 Ad Email: signalad@tcnj.edu

Editorial Staff Julie Kayzerman Editor-in-Chief kayzerj1@tcnj.edu Colleen Murphy Managing Editor murphc16@tcnj.edu Sydney Shaw Ellie Schuckman News Editors shaws4@tcnj.edu schucke1@tcnj.edu Mackenzie Cutruzzula Michael Battista Sports Editors cutruzm1@tcnj.edu battism3@tcnj.edu Kimberly Ilkowski Arts & Entertainment Editor ilkowsk1@tcnj.edu Jessica Ganga Features Editor gangaj1@tcnj.edu Chelsea LoCascio Opinions Editor locascc1@tcnj.edu Kim Iannarone Photo Editor iannark1@tcnj.edu

Mailing Address: The Signal c/o Forcina Hall The College of New Jersey P.O. Box 7718 Ewing, NJ 08628-0718 Gabrielle Beacken Nation & World Editor beackeg1@tcnj.edu Elise Schoening Review Editor schoene1@tcnj.edu Jackie Delaney Production Manager delanej2@tcnj.edu Alyssa Sanford Web Editor sanfora1@tcnj.edu Olivia Rizzo Kelly Corbett Social Media Editors rizzoo1@tcnj.edu corbetk2@tcnj.edu

Emilie Lounsberry Advisor lounsber@tcnj.edu Ricky Zhao Business/Ad Manager zhaof1@tcnj.edu

Last week’s issue of The Signal incorrectly stated the number of sessions a student can attend at the College’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). “There is a brief treatment model, but no specific session limit at CAPS,” according to Dr. Mark Forest, director of CAPS. For more information, contact CAPS at CAPS@tcnj. edu or 609.771.2247. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Quote of the Week “By taking the HERO pledge to be a designated driver for friends or loved ones, or being an upstander and keeping friends from driving drunk, every single student can make an impact.” — Dana Landesman, graduate intern for the Alcohol and Drug Education Program


page 10 The Signal September 9, 2015

Fall 2015 Opportunities Fair Friday, October 2nd, 2015 Rec Center 11AM– 2 PM Sampling of Employer Representatives

Profit Aerotek ALK Technologies Alliance Life Sciences Aon Appraisal Economics INC Arete, Inc ASRC Federal Missions Solutions AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals Bank of America Merril Lynch Blinds to Go Bloomberg Borden Perlman Salisbury & Kelly Brown + Brown Benefit Advisors Buck Consultants, LLC Burlington Store CBIZ Valuation Group, LLC CDW Cenlar FSB Chubb Church & Dwight Company, Inc CohnReznick, LLP D.R. Horton, Inc Deloitte Epic EY Fastenal Fedex Services Ferguson Enterprises Inc Firmenich Inc First Continental International Foster McKay Friedman LLP Grant Thornton LLP Guardian Life Insurance Harris Corporation HBK CAP’s and Consultants Health Care Software, INC (HCS) Horvath & Giacin, P.C. Inductotherm Corp J + L Marketing Johnson and Johnson JPMorgan Chase and Co. Kelmar Associates Kislak Company

Knowledgent LGS Innovations Liberty Mutual Lockheed Martin Marcus + Millichad Marlin Business Services McCann Health MEDA Mercadien Group Merck MidAtlantic Engineering Partners Morgan Stanley MPI (Management Planning, Inc) Nayak Corporation New York Life Northwestern Mutual Morristown Northwestern Mutual of Central NJ & Bucks Omicron Development LLC PEF Services LLC Pennoni Associates PLS Logistics Services PVH PwC Rite Hite Corporation SES Sherwin-Williams SHI International Corp. SigmaPharm Laboratories LLC Sobel & Co., LLC South Jersey Industries Sparta Systems, Inc Stewart Business Systems SunGard Target Teletronics Technology Corporation TFS Wealth Management Today’s Business Torcon, Inc Turner Construction Company UPS Urban Engineers, Inc Waddell & Reed, Inc Walgreens Company

Whiting-Turner Contracting Wilkin & Guttenplan P.C. Withum, Smith, & Brown WorkWave Non-Profit Alternatives, Inc Catholic Charities City Year Educational Testing Service (ETS) Everas Community Services NJ HMFA Peace Corps Save Barnegat Bay The ARC Mercer Womanspace Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation Government Federal Bureau of Investigation Metropolitan Police Department, District of Columbia Naval Air Systems Command New Jersey State Police Prince George’s County Police Department U.S. DEA U.S. Secret Service Graduate School Felician College Hofstra University Immaculata University, College of Graduate Studies Lehigh University: Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science Monmouth University New Jersey Institute of Technology Rowan University Global Learning & Partnership Rowan University Graduate School of Biomedical

CO-SPONSORS: For updated list, please check the Career Center website: http://career.pages.tcnj.edu/

Sciences Rutgers Law School Rutgers University—Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy Rutgers University, School of Public Health Rutgers University, School of Communication & Information Seton Hall University Law School Temple University College of Engineering Temple University College of Science & Technology Villanova University, Graduate Arts & Sciences Widener University, Delaware Law School William Patterson University


September 9, 2015 The Signal page 11

Opinions

Negative mindset prevents success Students’ thoughts fulfill sociological prophecy

Students’ stress and negativity pushes them toward failure. By Chelsea LoCascio Opinions Editor Negative reinforcement of ideas affect you more than you think. By telling yourself you’re an awful student or that you’re socially awkward only makes that idea come to life. In a sociology class last week, I learned about sociologist Robert K. Merton’s concept of the self-fulfilling

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prophecy as discussed in his book, “Social Theory and Social Structure.” “The self-fulfilling prophecy is… a false definition of the situation evoking a new behavior which makes the originally false conception come true,” Merton said. This self-created prophecy stemmed from the Thomas Theorem adopted by W. I. Thomas: “if men define situations as real, they are real in consequences.” This may sound obvious to the average

person, but I was so enthralled by the idea. Our actions subconsciously promote these images we have of ourselves or of a certain situation. People are too caught up in their lives to realize the effects of this thought process on themselves as well as the people around them. Merton uses the example of a student who becomes so focused on failing a test that they spend more time worrying than they do studying. Consequently, the student fails the test and believes they were justified for worrying in the first place. The student becomes so engrossed in the perceived outcome, that they don’t take the proper precautions to ensure they will do well on the test. They change their behavior to fit their perception of themselves and achieve that perception. After careful examination of our own lives, I think every student at the College has done something to fit Merton’s theory. Primarily, students face an immense pressure to succeed at a college as competitive at this one and we can end up convincing ourselves that we aren’t good enough in comparison to the other students around us. Unless you have an impossible and unreasonable professor, students tend to

fail because they let their own or others’ negative assumptions about them get in their head. It’s sad to see this concept take shape in the minds of people you care about as you try to encourage them to succeed, but all they can see themselves as is a failure. Words can hurt people more than you think as they can internalize those words and make them a reality.

“Students tend to fail because they let their own or others’ negative assumptions about them get in their head.” Despite all of this negativity, the prophecy can take on a positive meaning if you and the people around you reinforce positive attributes and ideas upon yourself. The outcome of your life is up to you, so stay positive or your negative thoughts may become your reality. See what students have to say on page 13.

Ignorance surrounding hip-hop fuels hatred By Joanne Kim There has been much controversy surrounding the issue of rap music and its role in society. To sum up the issue, Fox’s Geraldo Rivera said, “hip-hop has done more damage to young African Americans than racism in recent years.” Rivera made this statement in response to Kendrick Lamar’s song “Alright,” which alludes to police brutality and the constant struggle of growing up as an African American in the United States. Police brutality has become a big issue that not many are willing to discuss, even after multiple unnecessary and preventable deaths in the black community. So why would we want to silence a song that realistically portrays the ills of our society? There has always been an air of contempt for hip-hop as a music genre. Over the years it has been regarded as garbage and trash talk and has even been believed to be potentially dangerous for listeners who may feel motivated to act violently because of the lyrics. This is a false assumption considering that rap music does not elicit violence or create radical changes in personality. In fact, research shows that people may have negative ideas about rap due to subconscious racism. According to Jennifer Copley on galegroup. com, some people have a predisposition to what they believe rap music is about and therefore associate it with a negative connotation. “Subjects who were given a violent lyrical passage were more inclined to rate it as dangerous or offensive if they believed it came from a rap song than if they were told that it originated from a country music song,” Copley said. Many of these listeners don’t take the time to divulge into the poetic and metaphorical tones that underlie hip-hop songs.

Rap shares personal experiences of obstacles, such as police brutality. Another important point to make that I have noticed is that a majority of hip-hop haters happen to be white. There is a disconnect between white listeners and hip-hop because, in essence, rap is black culture. It is a voice for many artists who have lived through immense struggles and oppression due to the color of their skin. It is an outlet for those who have had their voices smothered by a racist and dominating society. Hip-hop has always started out with the intention of spreading a message and telling a story. It sometimes speaks about violence because it is an unavoidable reality for many people growing up in urban and

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impoverished areas, yet it is dangerous to assume that all rap music is one specific style or that it always focuses on violent or criminal themes. Skeptics need to take the time to give the genre an earnest listen. Maybe they would be able to appreciate the music and learn more about a culture that is not their own instead of criticizing the differences. After all, rap is revolutionizing our culture with each new song aimed at closing the gap between the races. See what students have to say on page 13.

Policies The Signal is published weekly during the academic year and is financed by the Student Activities Fee (SAF) and advertising revenue. Any student may submit articles to The Signal. Publication of submitted articles is at the discretion of the editors. The letters section is an open forum for opinions. Submissions that announce events or advertise in any way will not be printed. All letters should be sent via e-mail to signal@tcnj.edu. Handwritten letters should be sent to The Signal, c/o The Brower Student Center, The College of New Jersey, PO Box 7718 Ewing, N.J. 08628 or placed in our mailbox in the Student Life Office. Letters must be received by the Friday before publication and should not exceed 300 words. The Signal reserves the right to edit letters for space and clarity. All letters must be signed, with a phone number and address of the author. Requests to withhold the author’s name will be honored only if there is a legitimate reason. All materials submitted become the sole property of The Signal. The editors reserve the right to edit or withhold all articles, letters & photographs. The Signal willingly corrects factual mistakes. If you think we have made an error, please contact The Signal at (609) 771-2424, write to the address listed above or e-mail us at signal@tcnj.edu.


page 12 The Signal September 9, 2015

Want to be on the other side of this paper?

WE HAVE A NUMBER OF POSITIONS AVAILABLE FOR FRESHMEN!

We’re looking for: Writers - Be the one who brings the story to the campus. Photographers - Capture the events and bring the story to life. Assistants - Join our staff and help make this paper happen.

Contact Us: Signal@tcnj.edu Located in room 204 in Forcina Hall Meetings every Sunday at 5:30 p.m.


September 9, 2015 The Signal page 13

Students share opinions around campus Is prophecy real?

Rap music violent?

“I think this exists for students who just came to college. Students in a new environment are more likely to experience that. I think people who worry about a test don’t set themselves up for failure… their thinking process is not organized. Obviously, if they worry about failing, they care.”

“A lot of rappers, especially Eminem, talk about their life experiences in the form of rap. Some situations do (promote violence) but it’s not intended.”

Chelsea LoCascio / Opinions Editor

Sami Karmeh, sophomore health and exercise science major.

Bishoy Fanous, senior chemistry major.

“Your attitude towards things affects you. If you let stress get in the way… and overwhelm you, you limit your chances of succeeding. Limit your stress and you have a better chance of succeeding. Positive thinkers are more open-minded.”

“The few artists I’m familiar with, they’re just trying to tell their stories. Like Eminem is just trying to share obstacles he’s overcome.”

Chelsea LoCascio / Opinions Editor

Chelsea LoCascio / Opinions Editor

Shai Bejerano, senior biology major.

Chelsea LoCascio / Opinions Editor

Giovanna Tomat-Kelly, senior biology major.

The Signal asks ... How do you feel about Planned Parenthood? Sami: “I look at this from a religious point of view. I’m Muslim … there’s a certain amount of days after (conception) in my religion that you’re no longer allowed to have an abortion. After that time, I don’t agree (with abortion).” Shai: “It does a lot more than abortions. It’s important to spread awareness about the things they do. This is a personal issue. It doesn’t affect anyone else so they shouldn’t concern themselves with it.” Bishoy: “I feel like you should give (a baby) up for adoption. For (STD) testing, Planned Parenthood should exist. For abortion, it shouldn’t exist.” Giovanna: “(Planned Parenthood) does other things besides abortion. They do testing for STDs, check for cervical cancer and help guide individuals on safe sex. Women should have the option to have an abortion if needed… it’s not a public issue, it’s personal.”

Planned Parenthood takes precautions to avoid abortion.

Raphaëlle Gamanho / Cartoonist


page 14 The Signal September 9, 2015

Graduate Studies

TCNJ | Prepare Well

A graduate experience that points you in the right direction.

Register for our Graduate Open House! September 17th

Find out more! www.tcnj.edu/tcnjgrad Or call 609.771.2300


September 9, 2015 The Signal page 15

Features

Activities Fair provides new opportunities

Heiner Fallas / Staff Photographer

Students sign up for clubs and organizations offered on campus. By Elise Schoening Review Editor

It was that time of year again — time for the Student Activities Fair, where almost every club and organization on campus comes out of hiding to recruit new members. Students from various departments within the College gathered in the pathways on Wednesday, Sept. 2, between the Library and Social Sciences Building to promote their own organizations and learn about the variety of other clubs offered at the College. Most organizations came prepared with food and flyers to hand out to

prospective members. There is a place for everyone at the Student Activities Fair, whether it’s among Greek Life, Student Government or one of the many club sport teams offered at the College. There are also a number of organizations that students may not have been exposed to before — but sometimes involvement in unfamiliar territory can jumpstart life-changing experiences for students. Junior deaf education and Spanish double major Larissa Yanez urged students at the Activities Fair to join the Deaf-Hearing Connection. Yanez explained that she initially signed up for the club during her

freshman year because of her major, and couldn’t be happier with her decision today. The organization has provided Yanez with great career experience and has also been a fun and easy way to get involved in the College community. “It’s gotten me a lot of connections within the Deaf community and I’ve gained great leadership skills,” Yanez said. She believes that students from other departments could also benefit from joining the club, which allows them “to get a new cultural experience and learn about a group of people they may not know.” Sophomore history and secondary education major Daisy Tatum encouraged her peers to join the BlackOut Step Team, a creative dance group on campus that allows students to express themselves in a positive and healthy way. Tatum explained that the organization is open to all students and no prior dance experience is needed. “If you have energy and frustration, this is a great way to get it out,” Tatum said. “Every stomp that you give creates a vibration with someone else.” The BlackOut Step Team is one of the many organizations here at the College that students may not have been able to experience within their hometowns or high schools0. Quam Nguyen, a junior interactive multimedia major, had a similar experience with fencing. “Fencing has always been something I’ve been interested in but never had the opportunity to do,” Nguyen said. He is

now an active member of the College’s club fencing team. Nguyen says he likes the physical and mental challenges that fencing presents. With more than 150 organizations on campus, there is sure to be something for everyone. If not, students are encouraged to start their own group on campus. These organizations can prove to be a surprising success. Such was the case with Alyssa Blochlinger, a senior accounting major. Blochlinger brought the community service organization, Student United Way, to the College last year after going on an alternative spring break trip with the organization. “We didn’t have this at TCNJ,” Blochlinger said, “so I started it.” Walking around the Activities Fair can be overwhelming, especially for firsttimers, such as freshmen and transfer students. Nevertheless, an hour spent at the Activities Fair amongst the crowed pathways and summer heat is sure to be well-spent. A simple signature added to an email list can lead to a year of growth and new friendships. After all, the college experience is about so much more than just academics. Almost every student at the fair spoke about the invaluable leadership skills they gained by getting involved on campus. The Student Activities Fair demonstrates how diverse the College community is and that each student can find a home here if they are willing to step out of their comfort zone and try something new.


page 16 The Signal September 9, 2015


September 9, 2015 The Signal page 17

: Sept. ‘02

A year after Sept. 11

Jessica Ganga / Features Editor

Harris writes about the campus gathering for 9/11 remembrance. By Jessica Ganga Features Editor This Friday, Sept. 11, marks the 14th anniversary of 9/11. It is a day full of remembrance and unity across the country, as well as on the College’s campus. A year after the attacks in New York City, Washington, D.C. and the plane crash in Pennsylvania, The Signal News Editor Amanda Harris reported on the campus’ reflection of that tragic day. Students came together to offer support for those who might have lost someone. It was a day that showed how close students at the College really are. Students, faculty and staff gathered together last Wednesday on the lawn in front of Loser Hall to remember those who died in the attacks on the World Trade Center, Pentagon and Flight 93 on Sept. 11, 2001. The crowd was quiet as speakers promoted peace, patriotic songs were sung and the bells in Green Hall rang. Chris Ludwig, senior English major, spoke at the ceremony. His father was killed in the World Trade Center attack. “What exactly do I, the family member of a 9/11 victim, have to offer anyone here today, who has come to remember or address the events of last year?” Ludwig asked. “What gives me the authority to speak before you, except my father was killed a year ago today? For surely his death alone would

be enough.” Ludwig said that he hoped that his story would offer insigt into his own perspective, which in turn, would “open up part of the auidence’s mind to ideas and emotions” it hasn’t experienced before. President R. Barbara Gitenstein opened the Remembrance Ceremony, asking the crowd to remember three things. “First, we must continue to reach out to those most personally affected by the attacks,” Gitenstein said. She also asked the audience to embrace the values of America while rejecting violence. She added, “Finally in order to embrace these values, we at The College of New Jersey are obligated to learn more about the world around us. It is not a question of diploma and job. It is a question of survival and morality.” Gitenstein pausded mid-speech at 8:46 a.m., as the bells in Green Hall rang. The ringing coincided with the time the first plane hit the North Tower. Sandra Roche, senior music education major, accompanied Susan Hickman, associate professor of music, on the piano as Hickman sang “God Bless America.” This was followed by the crowd joining together to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner.” “I think music if given to us for many reasons,” Hickman said. “But, this morning perhaps, (it was was given to us) to think about the fact that music can console us ... music can lift our spirits.”

Celebritease

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Beyoncé rang in her 34th birthday down the street from the Liberty Bell itself. Queen Bey headlined the two day music festival, Made in America, in Philadelphia on Saturday, Sept. 5, and Sunday, Sept. 6. The sold out crowd also enjoyed performances from The Weeknd and Nick Jonas. As Beyoncé celebrated being

By Jordan Koziol Columnist This week we caught up with Arash Nouri, a 2011 College alumnus who double majored in psychology and communications. Currently employed as a consultant for PricewaterhouseCoopers, he shared some style tips for the workplace and postgrad life: JK: How would you describe your style in college? AN: My style in college always kept evolving. When I started college, my wardrobe style from high school sort of flowed into college with me, and it was atrocious. I wore baggier clothing or loose-fitted clothes and, in a way, I looked unkempt. As time went on in college, I started wearing more fitted clothing that complemented my body better. JK: How has it evolved since you graduated from the College? AN: I used to wear a lot of polos or button downs in college, especially when I went out partying. I have discontinued polos in my wardrobe because I personally do not like them on me and they do not match my style anymore. I do love nice T-shirts, from tees, to henleys, v-necks because they’re not as constricting and I feel like I can breathe more in them. I try to steer clear from store logos or big emblems. One’s appearance looks cleaner when you aren’t a walking billboard for a store. JK: How does your casual wear differ from what you wear to the workplace? AN: Some of the clothing I wear to work I actually wear out in everyday life or for a night out with friends. This usually consists of the button down or shoes that I wear to work. If I’m going somewhere classy, like a really nice nightclub or something, I’ll wear slacks, but only if the occasion calls for it. Clothing for work can definitely be versatile and be worn for everyday life. You just need to figure out when the occasion calls for work clothes to be used as everyday/going out clothes. JK: How do you incorporate style into the workplace? AN: I tend to match my dress shirts to

Photo courtesy of Jordan Koziol

Nouri gives post-grad style tips.

my dress socks and then wear certain pairs of shoes with certain pant colors. For example, I wear my brown leather work shoes with my navy blue dress pants for a crisp look. Or, if I have a purple button down, I will match that with a pair of predominantly purple dress socks. JK: What wardrobe staples would you recommend college students investing in for their professional wardrobe? AN: Make sure your business and professional clothing are flattering and fitting to your body. I can’t tell you the countless amounts of people I encounter in the work environment who are not dressing to their body type. Both guys and girls will need a nice, clean suit. Guys will further need neutral colored button downs, like white, pale blue, etc., for their interviews and a nice skinny tie. The fatter ties are not in style as much anymore. JK: What is your go-to interview outfit? AN: I like to keep it simple and wear a black suit, black tie, black dress socks and black dress shoes with either a white or pale blue button down. If you have other suit colors, like blue or grey, then dress that suit accordingly. When I actually land the job and join the company, I break out more fun colors in my wardrobe because I literally have every color button down possible. Once you’re hired, you can spice things up with your outfits and stand out. JK: Any trend predictions for fall 2015? AN: Scarves and hats, mainly because I am going to be investing in them and applying them more into my wardrobe, so let’s get that going.

:Bey ‘Flawless’at 34

Queen Bey turns 34 and headlines Made in America. By Mackenzie Cutruzzula Sports Editor

Campus Style

another year older, “’90s kids” rejoiced at Nickelodeon tossing major throwback vibes their way. The Viacom-owned company announced in its plans for redevelopment they are looking into reviving classic shows, including “Rugrats” and “Hey Arnold!” A younger generation that might not have been able to enjoy such classics now has a new reason to rejoice. James Franco announced that

he will be teaching an eight-part film course at Palo Alto High School in Northern California. As he helps students through the process of creating their own film, he may end up teaching his future boss or even co-star. In other news to make you feel old — J.K. Rowling announced on Tuesday, Sept. 1, Harry Potter’s son, James Sirius Potter, started Hogwarts this year. Like his father, he was sorted into Gryffindor and has probably already started causing a raucous. As I hold onto the fact that at least Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley seem to be doing well, it appears that Kermit the Frog has officially moved on from Miss Piggy. He has been spotted with another pig named Denise. A source confirmed that the two are in fact dating, but the Twittersphere has been in a tizzy over the news. It seems his new lover very closely resembles actresses Natalie Dormer and Olivia Wilde. I guess blondes

have more fun, but aren’t as fun to date. I am waiting on Miss Piggy for confirmation on this. Wilde’s husband, Jason Sudeikis, appeared on “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” on Thursday, Sept. 3. In a twist on the classic “The Price is Right” game, “Plinko,” Fallon and Sudeikis, played the hydrating version, “Drinko.” The funny fellas each dropped two discs from above a board that land in Solo cups which determined what they would be drinking. The game led to interesting combinations such as Capri Sun and bubble tea, or tequila and pickle juice. In non-funny news, The And Project released a video in conjunction with Glamour magazine this week that went viral after bringing two exes together to talk about why their seven-year relationship ended. If you’ve ever wanted to ask an ex why they cheated on you, view this video with caution — tears will be very, very real. For happier news — babies!

Jessie James Decker and husband Eric Decker welcomed their second child, Eric Thomas Decker II. The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, is supposedly pregnant with child number three just months after giving birth to Princess Charlotte. The royals have not released an official statement, but it’s never too early to get excited about another royal baby. Another royal power couple has been confirmed this week. Kanye West sent flowers to Taylor Swift with the announcement of #KanTay2020. The reference to West’s “campaign” announcement at the VMA’s, confirms that two are out to “Make America Great Again.” That’s actually another celebrity disguised as a political figure, but just imagine the Scottish Calvin Harris as the husband of the vice president. Now there’s good international relations to look out for as we follow the campaign trail.


page 18 The Signal September 9, 2015


September 9, 2015 The Signal page 19

Arts & Entertainment

Art / Spotlighting ‘Fluctuations’ in new media

Kimberly Ilkowski / Arts & Entertainment Editor

Moon Hooch brings its distinctive sound to the College.

continued from page 1

Rathus, Philip Sanders, Marcia Taylor, Liselot van der Heijden and Mauro Zamora. “As professors of the art at the College, these dedicated faculty members not only instruct students in art, they must be fully engaged with contemporary art and with their own art making practices,” Art Gallery Director Emily Croll quoted in a program. The exhibition featured different mediums, including animation, digital photography, archival prints and video. Some faculty members looked beyond the canvas or T.V. screen and opted to construct objects from scratch. LoPinto’s “Long Hammer,” is a 94-inch creation of steel, foam and tape while Mackie’s “Whispering Mountains” is a floating cloud brought to life with tulle, chicken wire and audio. Another intriguing facet to the gallery was Cox’s “Contact,” a mixed media installation that utilized interactive animation created with Processing, Syphon,

electronics and human touch. When visitors puts their hand on the pedestal, the wall opposite of them lights up in a bullseye of neon colors. The use of video was prevalent — some attendees waited for a chance to grab a pair of headphones and watch Rathus’ 16-minute long “No Comment” video, while others were drawn in by the subtle emotions on display in van der Heijden’s “Untitled (Study Face to Face)” single channel loop of a woman in a crowd. While “Untitled” explores the idea of art looking back at its audience, a second video, “Homage to John Berger,” played next to it. “The title is derived from John Berger, the renowned author of the famous project ‘Ways of Seeing,’ that raises questions about hidden ideologies in visual images and western art,” van der Heijden said. Filmed at the Louvre in Paris, the side-by-side screenings offered an interesting insight.

“When I played the two works together I discovered unexpected connections between (them) — the female gaze staring back at the viewer and the stillness of the subject in relation to the moving crowds that surround it,” van der Heijden said. “The combination of the two works speaks to what connects the past and the present, and to what happens inside the video image and outside the image — in the gallery space where we, the audience, are located.” Following the opening reception, members of the art community ventured to the Art and Interactive Multimedia Courtyard for an outdoor performance by Moon Hooch. Comprised of Wenzl McGowen on saxophone and contrabass clarinet, Mike Wilbur on saxophone and vocals and James Muschler on drums, the trio launched into a power set of hypnotic dance jams. The self-proclaimed “cave music”

band formed in 2010 and gained popularity with impromptu performances at subway stops throughout New York City. The band flawlessly fused bluesy riffs with electronic dance music beats that led everyone in the audience to feverishly anticipate what would be played next. Each song seemed to bleed into the next, blazing with vitality and unparalleled skill. McGowen changed instruments throughout the night, going from tenor and baritone saxophone to an electronic wind instrument synthesizer that provided zany additions to the songs. To begin and end their set, Moon Hooch utilized unconventional items to alter the sounds of their instruments, such as PVC tubes and traffic cones. The unusual nature of their sound pulled students in and was a fitting way to end a night of celebrating the diverse advancements of art on display in the art gallery.

Kimberly Ilkowski / Arts & Entertainment Editor

Faculty-created artwork is on display until Sunday, Oct. 11.

‘Pitch Perfect 2’ sells itself short with crude humor By Elise Schoening Review Editor

Fans of the original “Pitch Perfect” film should prepare themselves for disappointment going into the much-anticipated sequel. The first film, which was an international success and quickly became a fan favorite amongst teens, set the bar far too high to follow.

The sequel follows the Barden Bellas, an all-girl a cappella group, as they enter their senior year at Barden University and prepare for life after college. All the while, the group must fight to defend their title as the national champions following a disastrous performance at the Kennedy Center. It is both exciting and refreshing to see the stars from the first film crash

The Barden Bellas return to reclaim their title.

AP Photo

and burn on stage and then try to redeem themselves. While the storyline of the sequel may be more advanced, the dialogue is anything but mature. “Pitch Perfect 2” manages to be outrageously racist and sexist only three minutes into the film, and it all goes downhill from then on. The film is filled with cheap one-liners that are not only offensive, but also fail to procure any laughter from the audience. Most of the humor comes from Michael Higgins, who plays a commentator at the collegiate a cappella competitions. During a performance from the Barden Bellas, he refers to the group as “an inspiration to girls all over the country who are too ugly to be cheerleaders.” Just moments later, Higgins comments that one of the Barden singers “may have to do that back flip right back over the fence into Mexico,” nevermind that the character in reference is in fact Guatemalan. The crude humor throughout

the film represents a larger issue amongst comedians today, where most of their jokes come at the expense of someone else. In “Pitch Perfect 2,” many minority characters are turned into nothing more than a joke. The Barden Bellas have a number of diverse members in the group, including a black lesbian, an Asian and a Guatemalan. These characters present a great opportunity for positive representation of minority groups. Instead, they are all given minor roles in the film and turned into distasteful punch lines. It is especially concerning how offensive and blatantly racist the sequel is considering the wide reach and success of the original film. “Pitch Perfect 2” is largely targeted at tweens and teens who may simply laugh off these stereotypes and jokes without considering how harmful they actually are. The film attempts to redeem itself with special guests and catchy a cappella performances. The Green Bay Packers,

Snoop Dogg and even President Obama along with wife, Michelle, all make short, surprise appearances on the big screen. But it is the musical performances that are undoubtedly the highlight of the film and remind viewers why they fell in love with the franchise to begin with. Throughout the film, the Barden Bellas deliver their usual fun and eclectic mix of pop songs with a noteworthy performance at the World Championships. The best song, however, is the group rendition of “Cups,” which they sing together around the campfire as a tribute to the original “Pitch Perfect.” “Pitch Perfect 2” is nothing spectacular. It’s not particularly funny, original or impactful. Still, the film offers an entertaining hour and a half if you have nothing do on a Saturday afternoon. “Pitch Perfect 2” is worth a watch on Netflix, but certainly not worth the $11 that I spent to see the feature in theatres.


page 20 The Signal September 9, 2015


September 9, 2015 The Signal page 21

‘Inside’ the adolescent mind

Poehler brings Joy to the big screen.

By Kayla Whittle Staff Writer

It’s safe to assume that nowadays anyone you meet will have watched at least one Pixar film, if not a dozen. They have all been visibly, creatively and emotionally stimulating for millions of children and adults around the world. The release of Pixar’s latest

AP Photo

feature film, “Inside Out,” takes that emotional level to new heights by personifying the emotions themselves. “Inside Out” tells the story of Riley, a young girl struggling to come to terms with a move that will take her away from the home, friends and hockey team that she’s always loved. While the film focuses on Riley, particular

attention is paid to the emotions within her head that guide her every move. There are five central feelings — Joy, Sadness, Disgust, Anger and Fear — who dictate how Riley processes information and in turn, behaves. Each feeling is voiced by a different actor that brings the emotion to life in a distinct and wildly entertaining way. For example, bubbly Amy Poehler voices Joy, while the comedic Mindy Kaling plays Disgust. Like most films, everything is going well until it all takes a horrifying turn for the worst. In this case, things begin to go downhill when one of Riley’s core memories is accidentally tainted with sadness. In the scenes that follow, her other memories are knocked out of place and two of Riley’s central feelings, Joy and Sadness, are plunged into the depths of Riley’s mind. This leaves Riley with the troublesome trio of Disgust, Anger and Fear to control her mind and how she copes with the move.

What makes this latest Pixar film different is how utterly realistic Riley’s situation is, despite the fantastical backdrop of the plot. Riley is simply another teenager struggling to accept a major life change. At one point, Riley is so upset that she cannot even imagine being happy about anything ever again — a low most people can relate to. With Riley’s emotions out of whack, her introspective journey offers an interesting look at the confusion that comes with adolescence and growing up. The film demonstrates the importance of each emotion, including sadness and fear, as well as how they can all be balanced in a healthy manner. This Pixar success is sure to please audience members of all ages. Viewers will laugh until they are out of breath, fall in love with the film’s characters and then have their hearts break in impossible ways. “Inside Out” is an emotional rollercoaster — and appropriately so considering the storyline.

New game offers immersive experience

By Andrew Street Correspondent

“Until Dawn,” the new PlayStation 4 exclusive horror game by SuperMassive Games, is a true testament to the best aspects of the horror genre within gaming. It’s suspenseful, interesting and doesn’t take itself too seriously. There’s a perfect balance of typical teen horror cheesiness and serious plot twists. In its attempt to mimic classic teen slashers, “Until Dawn” blends narrative and gameplay to create a horror experience not often achieved in the big budget gaming industry. Narrative is the true headliner of the “Until Dawn” experience. The game follows eight teens who venture to a mountainside cabin, where two of their friends went missing a year prior. The eight main protagonists are all reminiscent of your typical horror movie characters. There’s the ladies man, the flirtatious one and a typical popular girl. The only thing missing seems to be the token stoner so often seen in horror flicks. This eclectic group is ready for a weekend of romance, partying and teenage mistakes. The fun, however, is cut short when things take a turn for the deadly. Cue the horror movie tropes, creepy dolls and eerie sounds. Couple this with cheesy dialogue and you have yourself a perfect teen slasher flick. “Until Dawn” is a visual masterpiece. It is arguably one of PS4’s best looking titles. The attention to detail in the environments is both stunning and unforgettable. The forest featured within the game appears haunting and alive. Cabins are riddled with atmospheric set pieces and spooky lighting, all of which blends together for a beautiful, albeit creepy setting. Of course, the environment isn’t the only aesthetically pleasing aspect of the game. Each character within the game is animated on screen with the utmost detail. Their facial performances are also quite impressive. Still, there are

This week, Nick Landoffi, WTSR assistant music director, highlights some of the best new albums that the College’s own radio station, 91.3 FM WTSR, puts into their weekly rotation.

Band: Radkey Album: “Dark Black Makeup” Hailing From: St. Joseph, Mo. Genre: Punk Label: Little Man Radkey started as two brothers from Missouri who had a hankering for some damn good punk. With two EPs under their belt and plenty of touring, they’re ready to be taken seriously. This album throws some of that our way. They have all the makings of a throwback punk sound that really makes you shed an angry tear. With vocals that sound like Misfits frontman Glenn Danzig reenergzied and throbbing guitars that rhythmically punch you in the gut, this is a superb punk album. However, these guys are not afraid to crank out a more contemporary indie rock sound, reminiscent of the Arctic Monkeys, and they do it well. Give it a listen if you feel at all like you miss what classic punk rock should sound like. Must Hear: “Dark Black Makeup,” “Hunger Pain” and “Le Song”

Youtube.com

Players are given complete control over characters and plot direction. some awkward glitches throughout the game, such as bulging eyes and out-ofsync mouths due to the imperfections of motion capture. These glitches do not take away from the appeal of the game, but they do serve as a distraction to the player. The best part about the game is the fact that the player is given complete control over the characters and their outcomes. Whether each character lives or dies rests entirely in the hands of the player. Throughout the game, the player must make decisions that create different branching narratives. Even the smallest actions, such as choosing to run instead of hide, can alter the course of the story in significant ways. As a result, the storyline varies each time the game is played. This personalizes the games experience and makes the entire affair more exciting and realistic for players. These decisions are given to you in the form of quick button prompts, selections and motion controlling. For example, when hiding from a threat you will be prompted to hold the controller perfectly still. Moving it even the slightest will result in the killer

hearing you. Gamers familiar with modern adventure games like “Heavy Rain” or any game produced by TellTale will be right at home with this gameplay feature. Even non-gamers may find the unpredictable aspect of “Until Dawn” satisfying. It’s simple, enjoyable and keeps gamers on their toes. This decision-making gameplay also allows users to play the game multiple times. Going through the story again, but making slightly different choices can drastically change the outcome of the story. This feature keeps the game interesting and is sure to satisfy players for weeks on end. “Until Dawn” is one of the best games on PS4, and perhaps one of the best of the year. The expertly crafted horror game manages to blend tropes and predictability into an amazing experience. The gamemakers know how to deliver this type of narrative without making it pretentious or turning it into a parody, which is an usual shortcoming amongst horror games today. “Until Dawn” is everything that other games within the genre have tried and failed to be.

Band: Of Monsters and Men Album: “Beneath The Skin” Hailing From: Keflavik, Iceland Genre: Indie Magic Folk Label: SKRIMSL Coming off of the huge success of their debut album, these Icelandic five-piece folk rockers deliver with their newest album, “Beneath The Skin.” This album builds upon the sound they fronted for their previous album. Their melodic indie folk driven by guitars and drums, is carefully accentuated with the dual female-male fronted vocals. This album has the trimmings one would expect from a band given a bigger budget, but stays pretty true to form. The song “Crystals” has already gained popularity, but there other songs that make the album worthwhile. “Wolves Without Teeth” keeps up the bands obsession with metaphoric animal-based images and has more guitar work than their debut. When listening to this album, you’ll hear more drawn out melodic songs, breaking out of the pigeonhole that is contemporary folk music. This album has the feeling of a matured and professional band. Not too many horns on this album so don’t expect a “Little Talks,” but still an enjoyable album. Must Hear: “Sting’s Teacher Years,” “When I Die” and “White Lodge”


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September 9, 2015 The Signal page 23

Fun Stuff Sudoku

Riddles! Q: What has four eyes but can’t see? A: Mississippi! Q: What has hands but can’t clap? A: A clock. Q: What can you catch but not throw? A: A cold. Q: What’s bigger than you, but doesn’t weigh anything? A: Your shadow.


page 24 The Signal September 9, 2015

Sports

Lions football comes up short in kickoff Football

Photos courtesy of Sports Information Desk

Left: Marchesano throws for his single touchdown of the game. Right: Glover fights to pass a tough defense, after recieving a 61-yard pass.

By Anthony Caruso Staff Writer

In recent years, the College has kicked off football season with a non-conference opponent. However, this year, the team broke tradition and started the season with a new New Jersey Athletic Conference opponent on Saturday, Sept. 5. The Lions lost to Christopher Newport University, 31-21, at POMOCO Stadium in Newport News, Va. The College drops to 0-1, in the season and in conference play, while the Captains are both 1-0. This was the first ever meeting between the two teams. This is also the debut of the new NJAC for football that features powerhouses Wesley, Salisbury and Frostburg State.

Lions quarterback, junior Michael Marchesano, went 16 of 27 for 238 yards and a touchdown. Alternate quarterback, sophomore Trevor Osler, went three of four for nine-yards and a touchdown. For the Lions, senior runnerback Victor Scalici led the team in rushing for the College with 60 yards. Senior wide receiver Kyle Anderson, sophomore running back Khani Glover and Marchesano combined for 12 more yards. On the other side of the field, Captains senior Tyler Quigley went 13 of 16 for 208 yards and two touchdowns. The Captains were led by Arsaiah Robinson, who had 87 rushing yards and a touchdown. Daquan Davis added 58, while four other backs added 40 yards. Robinson began the scoring with a 71-yard run for a touchdown. Less than four minutes later, their kicker

Dylan Curran kicked a 22-yard field goal for the 10-0 lead. Quigley threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to Taylor Loudan to make it 17-0. With nine minutes left in the second quarter, Quigley connected with Kyree Burton for a 35-yard touchdown reception. Glover had 61 yards for the Lions, while senior tight end Andrew Lachawiec added 54. Junior Jeff Mattonelli had 51, while senior Kyle Anderson added 39. Four other receivers had 42 yards. The Lions defense were led by senior Sean Kley and sophomore Kevin Hennelly, who had 11 tackles each. Senior Mic Edwards led the Captains with nine tackles, with three others had six. Each team then traded touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Quigley scored on a one-yard touchdown, as the Captains

Field Hockey

went up 17 points. The Captains led 17-0 following the first quarter. Then, they added an additional touchdown in the second. The College was held scoreless in the first two quarters. While the Lions had zero on the board, the Captains had a 24-0 lead. Late in the third, the Lions finally got on the board with Glover scoring on a one-yard run. Then, with 36 seconds remaining in the quarter, Lachawiec caught a five yard touchdown to make it 24-14. Glover caught a 61-yard pass from Marchesano for the last score of the game, making the final score 31-21 in favor of the Captains. The football team returns to action this Saturday, Sept. 12, against FDU-Florham with a noon kickoff at Lions’ Stadium.

Fantasy Football

Field Hockey wins big Best picks include Jets Ducks lose in shutout

Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk

Wagner scores a hat trick. By Miguel Gonzalez Correspondent

With a new season on the horizon comes great expectations, especially for the defending field hockey national champions. The Lions began their season with a 7-0 victory at Stevens Institute of Technology. Within the first 13 minutes of the game, the College’s field hockey team scored five goals. Junior defender Lexi Smith scored first with an assist from junior midfielder Jaclyn Douglas. Less than two minutes later, Douglas scored her own goal with an assist by junior midfielder Danielle Andreula. Senior forward Alicia Wagner added a pair of goals on the scoreboard in the 11th and 12th minutes with her second goal assisted by freshman forward Taylor Barrett. “I think, overall, it was a total team effort. Everyone played smart and together,” senior

captain Mikayla Cimilluca said. “We were able to capitalize offensively early on. We came out strong and gained the lead very early on and that was a really nice thing because we got to work a lot of different combinations throughout the game.” As the first half concluded, Andreula and Smith kept shooting. However, Ducks goalie Emily Stukenborg was on her toes blocking away. In the second half, the Lions utilized different combinations leading to Barrett who scored her first goal off a rebound. Later on in the 56th minute, Wagner completed a hat trick with a goal assisted by Douglas. Throughout the game, it was evident that the Lions put forth a great team effort. “I was very pleased with our team’s performance yesterday,” coach Sharon Pfluger said. “Everyone played as one unit and worked diligently to achieve our goals.” After Wagner’s third goal, the team was goal hungry, but Ducks goalie Stukenborg continued to block shots, recording 14 saves in total. Toward the end of the match, Stevens counterattacked through senior Dailyn Brook’s penalty corners. Once the final whistle was blown, the College’s offense finished with 34 shots while their defense relegated the Ducks offense to eight. Junior goalkeeper Kelly Schlupp maintained the shutout with three saves. With their sweet 16th consecutive victory sealed, the team will arrive at Lion’s stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 8, against Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus.

By Sean Reis Columnist The Fantasy Football season is upon us, and while most have already drafted their teams, others will test their skills in weekly leagues. Different than average draft leagues, websites like Draft Kings are all about players’ values and their match-ups. Below I have listed suggested players per position with their Draft Kings prices. Good luck. Quarterbacks: Aaron Rodgers ($8,600) — If you are willing to spend big money on a QB, you can never go wrong with Rodgers, especially when he has such a great match-up this week. Matthew Stafford ($7,000) — In the likely scenario you are unable to fit Rodgers in your budget, Stafford has a lot of upside. You know Megatron always has a chance for a monster day, and who throws him the football? Stafford. Running Backs: Justin Forsett ($6,200) — Following the loss of Ray Rice last season, Forsett

quickly filled the void in the backfield. Like Rice, Forsett not only could rush, but could also receive, which makes him a solid play for the price. Jonathan Stewart ($5,800) — After years of splitting carries with DeAngelo Williams, Stewart is alone and will be taking a majority of the carries. I like him as a week-toweek budget RB to consider. Carlos Hyde ($5,300) — I wanted to draft this kid in my annual league, but I waited too long. Luckily, I still like him on Draft Kings as a similar play to Forsett and Stewart, high upside for a low price. I recommend staying away from picking a top tier RB — are they worth the extra thousands of dollars? Wide Receivers: Calvin Johnson ($8,500) — We draft three WRs and although he has a high price tag, the money should be in the budget for one star WR, Megatron. Victor Cruz ($5,100) — In the OBJ hype, one man has been forgotten, Cruz. I cannot promise he will be the same receiver he was before injury, but for $5,100 I am willing to

take that risk. Davante Adams ($4,400) — Jordy Nelson is on IR and Randall Cobb has been battling injury as well, which leaves Adams as the No. 1 receiver for Rodgers. Tight Ends: Jimmy Graham ($5,600) — Relative to other positions, TE is an inexpensive position. Personally, I am willing to pay top dollar at TE for that reason, especially for Graham in his new uniform, but if you disagree... Jason Witten ($4,000) — Tony Romo’s go-to TE is cheap! The match-up is OK, but Romo has always had a soft spot for Witten and I expect plenty of targets and maybe a touchdown. Defense: New York Jets ($2,900) — Unlike other positions, I only have one suggestion at defense — the New York Jets, because at an average price they have an ideal match-up with Cleveland. The Jets have top tier defensive backs and they will be eager for interceptions against a weak QB.


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LIONS

September 9, 2015 The Signal page 25

AROUND THE

DORM 5 3

Otto Gomez “The Ref”

Matthew Ajaj

Kevin Luo

Staff Writer

Staff Writer

Michael Battista Sports Editor

In this week’s edition of Around the Dorm, the “Ref,” Otto Gomez, asks our panel of experts three questions: Who are the MVPs in the American and National Leagues? Who will disapoint most in the NFL this year and what sports event are you looking forward to most?

1. Who do you think will win the American League and National League Most Valuable Player award? Kevin: I think the MVP winners in each league will be Josh Donaldson in the AL and Bryce Harper in the NL. Donaldson has been the best hitter on the best offense in baseball this year. He’s the MLB leader in RBI and third in the AL in homers while hitting .300 for the year. Along with being one of, if not the best hitter in the league this year, he’s also played Gold Glove-caliber third base. Donaldson has been one of the major reasons why Toronto is currently leading the pack in the AL East. Harper has been the NL MVP so far this season, whether the Nationals make the playoffs or not. He’s leading the league in average, OBP and slugging while being third in the league in homers. If anyone has any questions about his MVP candidacy, “That’s a clown question, bro.” Matthew: Without question, Josh Donaldson is the American League MVP. He has

AP Photo

already clobbered 36 baseballs over the wall while still batting over .300. By my calculations, he is on pace for 135 RBIs this season. With his stat line, Donaldson is going to have a very bloated baseball card by season’s end. Mike Trout deserves an honorable mention, but Donaldson has the upper hand with better

numbers in nearly every statistical category and a playoff run in sight. As for the National League MVP, I would be lying if I said Bryce Harper didn’t deserve to win it. Harper leads the NL in basically every significant offensive category. His Nationals’ playoff hopes are looking bleak, but when a player has this

dominant of a season it would be downright dastardly to not give him the honors. Michael: The AL MVP belongs to Josh Donaldson of the Blue Jays, no question. Last month he hit 11 home runs, blasting his season total to 36. This, along with the fact that he also leads the league in runs with 102 and runs driven in with 108, would honestly be enough to make him at least a top-three contender. However, what sets him apart is his ability to be clutch both at the plate and in the field. That is the biggest quality in someone I consider an MVP. The NL is a tighter race, but I believe Anthony Rizzo of the Cubs is the best choice for the award. The first baseman has blasted 28 home runs for his club, has 83 RBI and is rocking a .910 OPS. The 26-year-old has helped elevate his team into a position they haven’t been in since 2008, and that is a spot in the playoff picture. While the Nationals’ Bryce Harper is the favorite, he doesn’t fit that clutch quality Rizzo has that I touched on earlier.

Matthew gets 3 points for noting how great both players are. Kevin gets 2 points for pointing out Harper’s productivity and Michael gets 1 point for saying Harper won’t win MVP.

AP Photo

2. What team or player is going to be the biggest disappointment this NFL season? Kevin: As a St. Louis Rams fan, my entire life being a fan has been a disappointment and I expect it to continue. Let’s start with their biggest issue — they can’t block anybody. They have one of the worst offensive lines

in football. I think Nick Foles is a talented quarterback but he, like Sam Bradford, has some injury issues and often holds onto the ball too long. He won’t have nearly as much time to throw in St. Louis as he did in Philly. The Rams also don’t have the playmakers and offensive creativity that he enjoyed his first

season in Philly. The best thing about new offensive coordinator Frank Zignetti is that he simply isn’t Brian Schottenheimer. All of their problems add up to another below .500 season for the Rams. Matthew: Usually people classify the “biggest disappointment” as a team that is supposed to perform well but doesn’t. I’m picking a team that won’t even meet their lowly expectations: the San Francisco 49ers. After posting a 44-19-1 record as the 49ers head coach for the past four seasons, Jim Harbaugh packed his bags and headed off to the University of Michigan. But that was only the beginning: Patrick Willis, Frank Gore and Justin Smith are just some of the standouts that have left the organization this offseason. The past four years have been a gold rush for the 49ers, but now all they are left with are a few lumps of coal. Most see this team churning out a six or seven

win season, but in one of the toughest division in football, this 49ers team would be lucky to pump out two wins for the year. The mines have run dry. Michael: Honestly I think New York football in general will be the biggest disappointment in 2015. As a Giants fan, I will gladly support my team, but I worry. The NFC East is a weak division, and you can’t expect much from the Eagles or Redskins, but with the Giants dealing with so many injuries you have to wonder — what can I expect? Jason Pierre Paul, Victor Cruz and Nat Berhe are hurt and the list goes on. Meanwhile, Gang Green has their own issues. They have just cut quarterbacks Josh Johnson and Matt Flynn, leaving Ryan Fitzpatrick as the starter. Combine a lackluster QB with a struggling offense and an inept defense and you have the stage set for another mediocre year, or in Jets terms, another year.

Kevin gets 3 points for being honest. Matthew gets 2 points because the Niners will be awful and Michael gets 2 points for mentioning teams in big markets. 3. As the last third of the calendar year is about to begin, what sporting event are you most looking forward to? Kevin: There are two sporting events I’m looking forward to seeing toward the end of this calendar year. For starters there is the first Clippers-Mavericks game in Dallas following the unprecedented offseason fiasco we recently witnessed involving DeAndre Jordan. I’m interested in seeing both the player and fan reaction to everything that happened this summer during this game. The second event I’m looking forward to is the first Patriots game this season that Roger Goodell will be in attendance for. It’ll just be interesting to see the reactions of Roger Goodell following each Brady completion and touchdown. Matthew: If your answer isn’t “the World Series” then you are not a sports fan. October baseball is the best kind of baseball. Winning it all is never a fluke: every managerial decision, at-bat and even pitch could change the tide of the entire series. Heroes rise and etch their names into baseball lore, from Reggie Jackson to David Freese. The World Series contains some of the greatest

moments in baseball history, such as Don Larsen’s perfect game and the hobbled Kirk Gibson’s walk-off home run. Just last year Madison Bumgarner put on the greatest pitching performance in World Series history as he posted a 0.43 ERA over 21 innings. There always seems to something special brewing over the diamond in the cold November air. Michael: For me, it’s either the World Series or the start of the 2015-16 NHL season. The playoff picture in the MLB has the usual guys that we see every year, but this year is special because we have so many teams that we aren’t use to seeing in October baseball. The Astros, Mets and even the Chicago Cubs, America’s favorite losers, are battling for a Wild Card spot. With teams like this I might actually watch the NL playoffs, and that takes a lot for a Yankees fan. As for the NHL season, given how 2015 ended for my New York Rangers, I need something to block it out. Plus, I’m curious as to what the Blackhawks might do with Patrick Kane and also how Toronto and New Jersey handle new management thanks to the off moves they both made.

Matthew gets 3 points for talking about America’s pastime. Kevin gets 2 point for noting offthe-field issues and Michael gets 2 points for reminding us about hockey.

Matthew wins Around the Dorm 8-7-5

AP Photo


page 26 The Signal September 9, 2015

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September 9, 2015 The Signal page 27

Lions start strong with three shutouts Men’s Soccer

Costelloe and freshman Nick Sample then scored almost five minutes apart quickly making the game 4-0. Sophomore Michael Kassak ended the rout by scoring the team’s fifth goal with less than eight minutes to go. While the offense got a lot of the attention, the defense was spectacular as they only let up one shot on goal, saved by junior Jake Nesteruk, who shared the shutout with freshman Joe Jingoli. The Lions moved on to the Drew University Fall Festival tournament for Labor Day weekend. In their first round matchup versus Staten Island College, defense reigned supreme until sophomore Peter Dresch broke up the scoreless tie with an assist from from juniors Thomas Hogue and Dominic Polidoro. Costelloe scored his second goal of the season to lock up the victory on an assist from Kassak.

Nesteruk stayed strong in goal again, registering one save to preserve the victory. Continuing their strong play in the tournament, the Lions defeated Roanoke College, 2-0. This game they got off to a strong start, scoring 23 minutes because of a Kassak penalty. With less than 12 minutes left in the game, Costelloe came up clutch again, scoring on an assist by senior Jordan Kayal. Nesteruk was a little busier this game, registering five saves en route to his third consecutive shutout. “We had captain’s practices every Saturday which helped everyone maintain fitness and get touches on the ball but also brought us together to boost team chemistry,” Nelan said. The team returns home to host Stevens Institute of Technology on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 7:30 p.m.

Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk

Senior Jordan Kayal assists on a goal against Roanoke College.

By Otto Gomez Staff Writer

The Lions have without a doubt started the season in a very strong way, registering three straight shutout victories. It is no surprise to the players that they have played this way. “We worked hard during the offseason,” Sophomore midfielder Kevin Nelan said. “Last season we weren’t able to achieve some team goals which caused us to change things up during the offseason.” These changes have clearly led to a different atmosphere in the locker room and on the field. The first win came at home against

York College in the season opener by a score of 5-0. This was Coach Nazario’s 200th career win, bringing his career mark to 200-142-41. Now in his 20th season, he expects to continue having the same success he’s experienced and is poised for a very strong season after a hot start. The Lions got on the board against York late into the first period on a sliding touch goal by junior Mike Schiumo, a ball that was perfectly placed by senior Greg Kaye. The Lions completely broke through in the second half, scoring four goals in speedy fashion. Junior Sean Etheridge started it all with a goal just 10 minutes into the period. Junior Nick

Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk

Junior Sean Etheridge scored in the York College shutout.

Cheap Seats

With Deflategate over, Brady looks to play

Tom Brady walks out of court a suspension-free man.

By Matthew Ajaj Staff Writer

It all started following the AFC Championship Game on Sunday, Jan. 18. The New England Patriots gave the Indianapolis Colts a 45-7 drubbing at Gillette Stadium, earning the Pats a one-way ticket to Super Bowl XLIX. In the two weeks predating the big game, however, reports began to surface that the footballs provided and

AP Photo

used by the Patriots for the AFC Championship Game had been underinflated. Under the minimum pounds per square inch requirement, these footballs would allegedly give Patriots players (most notably, the quarterback) a better grip and handle on the ball in the cold January weather. All eyes turned to Tom Brady, the Patriots superstar QB and (now) four-time Super Bowl champion. What would follow became a stalwart, media-infused presence

on television screens for the next seven months: ‘Deflategate.’ A football fan either loves or hates Tom Brady — there is no inbetween. New England fans have every reason to adore their precious ‘Tommy Boy.’ A sixth round pick in 2000, Brady would take over the QB helm the following year and never looked back. He has since guided the Patriots to four Super Bowl victories. A precision passer with a rocket for an arm and an affinity for limiting turnovers, Brady represents everything a fan could want in their quarterback (well, with the exception of speed as he runs like a dairy cow with a lame leg). As for those outside of Massachusetts, Brady is largely disliked. He is a reasonably attractive individual with a supermodel wife and a tendency for winning a lot. People are jealous of Tom Terrific. The more self-secure crowd can accept Brady’s alpha male-like qualities and appreciate his unbridled passion for winning. No one on the field wants to win football games more than Tom Brady, giving him major appeal among the most passionate football fans. Nonetheless, the vocal haters seemed to outweigh the supporters, as most fans were not willing to let Brady get away with his suspected scandal. After an NFLsanctioned investigation, Commissioner Roger Goodell found what he believed to be enough evidence to slam Brady with a brutal four-game suspension. Goodell attempted to justify his reasoning by claiming that Brady’s tampering was cheating the game and equivalent to a player using performing-enhancing drugs (a four-game

suspension). This utterly nonsensical reasoning was enough for Brady to take the case to federal court and, sure enough, Judge Richard Berman nullified his suspension on Wednesday, Sept. 3. Berman’s reasoning for the nullification was based on the NFL’s investigation methods and irrational punishment — not whether Brady was guilty of deflating the balls or not. The Pats superstar will now take the field for week one against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The NFL has already appealed this decision, but it does not seem likely that this new arc in the case will be settled this season. So, after over seven months of incessant, obnoxious media coverage, Deflategate has come to an end (well, for now at least). “SportsCenter” will have to talk about actual sports now and Goodell can slump down in his office chair, defeated. With this profound ordeal now largely in the past, what will be the legacy of Deflategate? It is important that we distance Brady from this senseless saga. Was Brady involved in the deflation of these footballs? Probably. However, the NFL rulebook failed to properly address this situation. Along with former players’ indictments that this practice was common and relatively harmless, it is reasonable to conclude that this ‘scandal’ was hardly that big of a deal. When Brady is up for the Hall of Fame ballot, Deflategate should be the farthest thing from voters’ minds. Tom Brady is one of, if not the greatest player to ever step on a football field. Deflategate was just a media moneymaker and another Goodell gaffe — nothing more, nothing less.


Signal

Sports

Lions find victory in opening weekend

Photos courtesy of the Sports Information Desk

Left: Lusardi heads to the net to score the game-winning goal. Right: Brianna Petro defends the ball in a scoreless match.

By Michael Battista Sports Editor

Kicking off their season, the College’s women’s soccer team played to a 0-0 tie in their first game against Gettysburg College, but followed with a 2-0 victory against Widener University — showing both new and returning talent in the process. The season opener on Tuesday, Sept. 1, at Lions’ Stadium against the Gettysburg College Bullets was dead even from the very start. Gettysburg controlled the ball most of the first half as the Lion’s defense pushed them back at almost every opportunity. The Bullets got off four shots on goal, doubling the shots that the College could amount in the 45-minute span. However, each team could match each other. When Gettysburg had the ball in the Lion’s zone for an extended period of time, the College would immediately do the same to them keeping the pace even.

Coach Joe Russo, coming into his 25th year as the team’s head coach, attributes this to each team’s mentality. “Both teams are good,” he said. “They’re well-organized and stingy when they play.” While the Bullets were the better team in the first half, the last 45 minutes belonged to the Lions. Gettysburg was unable to get a single shot on goal for the rest of the game, while the College was able to release seven in the second half alone. Players like sophomores Jessica Goldman and Abigail Emmert and junior Christine Levering kept the Bullet’s defense on their toes. While the Lions pushed, they could not get the deciding goal, and Gettysburg’s defense did its job well — they blocked as much as they could, pushing the game into not one, but double over time. The two 10-minute halves went by quickly with the College taking shots in each but

never connecting. “As the game went on, we got better and better,” Russo said. Goldman said in those hectic situations, you need to gain back control. “When it gets to that hectic point, you need to calm the game down and try to get in back in your own control,” she said. But when asked about the play at the end, Goldman was very straightforward. “At that point, you’re just trying to put it in,” Goldman said. The ball would not go in, however, and the score remained 0-0 for the final. “We need to focus on the final,” she said. “We had chances. We’re trying to find our chemistry and work together still.” The team had a few days to rest and practice with one another before traveling to their next game on Sunday, Sept. 6, against Widener University in Chester, Pa. The game was heavily in favor of the

College from early on. Within five minutes, Levering recorded a shot on goal and within 20 minutes, both her and Goldman had a combined total of five shots. The Lions had a total of 12 shots in the first, compared to one by Widner. The team was unable to connect with a goal in the first half however. Within five minutes of the second half, senior Taylor Lusardi scored the team’s first goal of the season with a header off a corner kick. After that, the Lions stayed in control, once again keeping Widener to only one shot, and sealed the deal with a goal from junior Sarah Marion in the 86th minute. The Lions won the game 2-0, with a total of 23 shots on goal. Now, the team has a few days to prepare for the TCNJ Adidas Classic, which will bring in tough opponents such as SUNY Oneonta on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 1:30 p.m. and John Hopkins University on Sunday, Sept. 13, at 1:30 p.m.

Cross Country flaunts talent in friendly 5k By George Tatoris Staff Writer The men’s and women’s cross country teams had an exemplary weekend at the annual Blue/Gold Invitational this Saturday, Sept. 5, at Rosedale Park in Hopewell, N.J. At the invitational, the Lions split into blue and gold teams and ran a friendly 5k against their teammates and two Division I competitors — Rider University and St. Joseph’s University. Alumni of the College also attended and formed a team of their own. “This is one of the opportunities where the alumni and current athletes are together, and I know everyone enjoys reconnecting and seeing where alumni are now,” senior Roberto Guiducci said. In the men’s race, a pack of six Lions dominated the top 10. Junior Andrew Tedeschi finished first in the men’s race, with a blazing finishing time of 15:20, seven seconds ahead of the second place runner. “I owe it to my coaches and my teammates,” Tedeschi said. Sophomore Dale Johnson took third

Lions’ Lineup September 9, 2015

I n s i d e

Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk

Straub places 13th, adding to the team’s impressive showing. with a time of 15:32 — just five seconds behind a competitor from St. Joseph’s. Just four seconds behind Johnson, senior Tyler Grimm finished fourth with a time of 15:36. Guiducci and senior Scott Savage finished in tandem, taking seventh with a time of 15:43 and eighth with a time of 15:44, respectively. “There wasn’t a time in the race where we were more than 10 meters apart,” Guiducci said. “Whenever I was losing

focus, we would wake me up and get moving and I did the same to him.” Guiducci said that his and Savage’s synergy could be a “scary combo” in a longer race like the 8k. Rounding out the top 10 was senior Jon Stouber, who took 10th with a time of 15:47. “We all knew that we were in great shape going into it, and that we could get the win, but we ran really fast,”

senior Roberto Guiducci said. “A lot of times ran today were close to personal bests set on the track.” The women’s team flaunted two talented up-and-comers at Saturday’s meet as two freshmen finished in the top 10. Madeline Tattory placed fifth with a time of 18:49 and Erin Holzbaur placed seventh with a time of 18:53. In a time trial held before classes started, Holzbaur had the fastest time on the women’s team. After her swift time at the time trial, Holzbaur was modest. “I guess all of my training paid off,” she said. Before the invitational, Holzbaur told The Signal she was “really excited to see where I’m at.” Behind Holzbaur, senior Marissa Lerit took 11th with a time of 19:12. Junior Laura Straub and freshman Emma Bean finished 13th and 14th, respectively, within three seconds of one another. Straub finished the course in 19:16 while Bean had a time of 19:19. Both teams will head to White Clay Creek State Park Saturday, Sept. 12, for the University of Delaware Invitational.

46 53 Around the Dorm page 25

Football page 24

Men’s Soccer page 27

Field Hockey page 24


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