January 29, 2009

HOLDING A LEAD

TAKEN TRIPS UP

Men’s basketball has struggled in second halves of games

Vendetta thriller takes all the wrong turns

SPORTS | PAGE 10

DIVERSIONS | PAGE 7

THE DIAMONDBACK THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2008

99TH YEAR | ISSUE NO. 77

THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER

House passes stimulus package Athletics Billions could be invested in scientific research, federal financial aid

BY MARISSA LANG Staff writer

The House of Representatives passed a historic $819 billion stimulus bill last night that could

bestow $150 billion in new federal funding to the nation’s public schools and universities, more than doubling the Department of Education’s current budget.

In a 244-188 vote last night, the

Democrat-controlled House approved stimulus legislation that includes an allocation of $39 billion to be spent on public schools and universities during the course of two years — the largest increase

in federal education funding since World War II — as well as $25 billion for states to spend on “other high-priority needs,” which, state

Please See STIMULUS, Page 3

rift makes headlines Officials clash over basketball recruits

BY MARK SELIG Senior staff writer

A growing unrest between Terrapin men’s basketball coach Gary Williams and the Athletics Department became public this week after the 20th-year Terp coach and Senior Associate Athletics Director Kathleen Worthington traded words about the university’s recent recruiting issues.

At a standard media availability session Monday afternoon, a reporter asked Williams about the circumstances of once-Maryland bound recruits Tyree Evans and Gus Gilchrist, who both eventually decided not to play at this university.

In defense, Williams replied, “It wasn’t my

Capturing

Please See ATHLETICS, Page 10

Confucius

MORE COVERAGE Sports editor Adi Joseph believes both sides lacked maturity | PAGE 10 JACLYN BOROWSKI/THE DIAMONDBACK

Campus art exhibit about ancient Chinese philosopher ends today in Stamp

BY TIRZA AUSTIN Staff writer

Two millennia after his death, the university is getting a first look at Confucius.

Traces of Confucius,” which displays more than 70 giant photographic prints of artwork associated with Confucius and Confucian culture, is being presented to the public for the first time at the university.

The exhibit, a collaboration between the university and Shandong Pictorial Magazine, contains neverbefore-seen photographs of ancient Chinese portraits

SGA to lobby on behalf of tuition freeze Sachs says a student voice in Annapolis is essential

BY DERBY COX Staff writer

Please See CONFUCIUS, Page 3

For a video tour of the exhibit, visit WWW.DIAMONDBACKONLINE.COM

Journalist Hou Xinjian looks at his favorite piece in the "Traces of Confucius" exhibit, a photo of a rice paper drawing of Confucius in the Colony Ballroom in Stamp Student Union. The exhibit closes today. JACLYN BOROWSKI/ THE DIAMONDBACK

SGA President Jonathan Sachs at last night’s meeting stressed the need to lobby the state government this semester to maintain the in-state tuition freeze and pass legislation that aims to reduce the cost of textbooks.

Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) included the in-state tuition freeze as part of his budget proposal,

Please See SGA, Page 2

Police warn students about leaving electronics in cars

SLIDEWALK

Though no uptick in thefts has been reported this year, Univ. Police say it’s a perennial problem

BY NICK RHODES Staff writer

University Police issued a crime prevention alert yesterday via e-mail warning students that leaving electronic devices in their unattended parked vehicles can lead to theft.

University Police Capt. John Brandt said the trend has yet to present itself —there have been only three on-campus incidents so far this month — but historically has been a problem. The alert was sent out as a precautionary warning, not because there has been a recent string of thefts.

Brandt said in the alert that GPS devices and other electronic equipment left in plain sight are prime tar-

TOMORROW’S WEATHER:

gets for theft. He advises that students roll up their windows completely, lock their doors and be sure to hide all valuable equipment or remove it from vehicles entirely. Officials do not guarantee these precautions will altogether prevent thefts, but hope it will decrease drastically if students are conscientious.

Last year, there were 13 reported thefts from motor vehicles in January and seven in February. The monthly average for 2008 was fewer than five, and while the overall thefts have been declining since 2004, the statistics from January and February of 2008 were increases from 2007.

Students carefully walk the icy path toward the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center next to Tyser Tower Wednesday. Classes were canceled in the morning due to inclement weather. JAMES B. HALE/THE DIAMONDBACK

Please See ALERT, Page 3

Partly Cloudy/30s

INDEX

NEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 OPINION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

FEATURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 CLASSIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

DIVERSIONS . . . . . . . . . . . .7 SPORTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

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THE DIAMONDBACK | NEWS | THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2009

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COGNITIVE SCIENCE COLLOQUIUM A discussion of two papers by Paul Pietroski, who will give a presentation to the Colloquium in the week following., 3:30 p.m., Bioscience Research Building 1103

Q+A

BOYCOTTING ISRAELI UNIVERSITIES: OLD TACTICS AND NEW CHALLENGES The Seminar by Professor Edward Kaufman, 12:30 p.m., Holzapfel Hall 0142

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Q+A

BRIEFS

Taking care of stalking problems

Md. trooper kills bull after it knocks deputy down MT. AIRY — Maryland State Police say a trooper shot and killed a bull after it charged a Carroll County sheriff’s deputy and knocked him down.

A Carroll County Sheriff’s Department deputy and a Maryland State Police trooper went to the 2500 block of Flagmarsh Road in Mount Airy about 11 a.m. yesterday. Police had received reports of a loose bull.

Authorities say when police approached the bull, it turned and charged at the deputy, knocking the officer to the ground with its horns.

Then the trooper shot the bull; it died at the scene.

Police say no one was injured.

The Health Center’s Allison Bennett discusses what to do when things get creepy

BY ANNA KOWALCZYK Staff writer

To recognize National Stalking Awareness Month, the Health Center’s Sexual Assault Response and Prevention Office and SARPP Advocate Office sponsored Stalking Awareness Week.

They held information sessions and lectures to educate students about the risks and effects of stalking, as well as the resources available to stalking victims. Coordinator of SARPP Allison Bennett discussed stalking and how it affects the college community.

Diamondback: How common is stalking, both nationally and at the University of Maryland?

Bennett: Nationally, the statistics are something like one in 12 women and one in 45 men are being stalked. We don’t have great statistics for our area specifically because it is very underreported. It is the third most common reason people come to our office.

DBK: What are the most common modes of stalking?

Bennett: The most common modes are showing up and following someone. Certainly, the use of technology is increasing, things like instant message and e-mail are the most common. And then all sorts of things with the phones, such as calling, texting and voice mails.

Eighty-four percent of the stalkers are someone you are acquainted with. Usually it’s a partner, ex-partner, ex-husband, ex-wife, a co-worker. It’s so hard to research because many times it takes a while to realize it’s a problem.

DBK: What are five steps students should take to protect themselves?

Bennett: The first step would be to be aware of what you are comfortable with and recognizing when you are uncomfortable with the level of contact, knowing if you are being creeped out.

The second step would be to, if you feel

Obama dismayed that daughters’ classes canceled WASHINGTON — The commanderin-chief took a friendly poke at Washington’s reaction to the winter storm.

President Barack Obama said after his daughters’ school was closed yesterday, “Because of what? Some ice?” His remarks drew laughs after some more serious talk about the economy.

Obama said his children pointed out that “in Chicago, school is never canceled.” He said he’ll have to instill some Chicago toughness into Washingtonians.

The Obama daughters attend Sidwell Friends School, which was closed yesterday, along with many schools in the region. D.C. Public Schools, however, opened two hours late.

–Compiled from wire reports

CORRECTIONS Due to an editing error, an inside headline Tuesday incorrectly classified the reason landlord James Kane owes $90 to the City of College Park. The money is for a county occupancy permit.

Due to a reporting error, a story yesterday incorrectly stated the date of a flood caused by a pipe that burst in a foreclosed home in College Park. The flood was in January.

uncomfortable, to be assertive in stating how you feel and what you want to be done.

The third step would be to utilize the privacy settings on Facebook, Myspace and other social networking sites. You can now tailor your privacy settings to fit your needs and what you feel comfortable with other people knowing.

The fourth thing would just be to educate yourself about that line between when we’re joking about Facebook stalking and understanding what it is really.

So, understanding the legal guidelines, what is appropriate and what is not, what is harassing, etc.

The fifth thing would be, if you feel like there is a problem, to use the services available on campus. In some ways, this is a really protected area. Certainly, our office [SARPP] is a great resource. The Office of Information Technology can also be a great help. They can help to get proof of stalking, whether it is e-mail, Instant Messaging or wiping things clean.

They can also help with changing passwords, everything with the tech side.

DBK: How can students protect their classmates and be aware of the situation to help others?

Bennett: I think that being aware of what is appropriate and what is not regarding stalking and relationships. If you notice a behavior change in a friend or your friend is talking about being fearful, sort of those red flags, take it seriously.

Offer your support and help them to get connected to other resources. I think it’s easy for people to want to minimize what is happening, but it is important to listen to those red flags so you can stop things earlier before they get out of control.

DBK: What is the university doing to stop stalking?

Bennett: I think putting resources into programs like ours is important so we can do education efforts such as Stalking Awareness Week so students

Allison Bennett is organizing the university’s National Stalking Awareness Week program. JACLYN BOROWSKI/THE DIAMONDBACK

can understand what is appropriate for themselves and others. And then other programs like OIT and Student Conduct are really helpful.

DBK: Are there any legal consequences to stalking, and what are they?

Bennett: There are laws against stalking. I think in Maryland they are mostly misdemeanors, but there are steps people can put in place to protect themselves. If you are feeling harassed, you can file for a protective order, what we know as a restraining order. If someone violates this order, it can get more serious. The misdemeanor usually comes with a fine or jail time.

In terms of what Student Conduct can do on campus, they can put things in place such as requiring someone to

SGA grants could go to groups willing to lobby SGA, from Page 1 which he unveiled last Wednesday, but the general assembly can cut spending items.

In a year when the state faces a $2 billion deficit, Sachs said the freeze is not guaranteed to survive.

“Just because it’s in the budget doesn’t mean it’s a done deal,” he said.

The textbook bill would require publishers to list the content added in new textbook editions to universities, among other regulations. The bill notes the cost of textbooks grew 186 percent between 1986 and 2004.

Owing to the limited state budget, Sachs

said most SGA lobbying will be restricted to these two issues.

Sachs said he plans to be in Annapolis at least three days a week this semester, but added that involving other students in the lobbying process is “crucial” to the success of both measures.

Starting Feb. 9, the SGA will organize lobbying trips to Annapolis every month to keep students involved, Sachs said.

Additionally, the SGA will use $12,000 of unallocated funds to offer grants to student groups who want to lobby in Annapolis, Sachs said.

Sachs said he had already talked to a “few” groups about the money, but de-

Makyoure Markat Maryland

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Applications are now available for the 2009 Student Homecoming Committee Executive Board.

Get position descriptions and applications at www.homecoming.umd.edu, or email winstead@umd.edu for more information.

Application deadline: 2/6/09.

INFORMATION www.homecoming.umd.edu CONTACT winstead@umd.edu

SCENE + HEARD

clined to name which ones because the grant process has not been finalized. The grants could be used in a number of ways, including paying for speakers and transportation, as long as the groups gear the money toward lobbying, Sachs said.

Student lobbying can affect the actions of the legislature, according to Ross Stern, the university’s lobbyist.

“I think it has a strong impact,” he said.

“I think legislators do listen to students. I think they’re always impressed when students take the time to go down there.”

The SGA is also coaxing students to sign letters asking state representatives to support the tuition freeze and textbook bill.

Since the campaign started five days ago, the SGA has collected more than 1,000 textbook letters and about 200 tuition freeze letters, Sachs said.

The SGA is asking students to include their home addresses on the letters, so they can be delivered to the state representatives from their districts, Sachs said. The idea is to show representatives from districts across Maryland – not just those representing College Park – that the tuition freeze matters to their constituents as well.

“If we can put stacks of letters on every representatives’ desk, they’re not going to be able to ignore us,” Governmental Affairs Committee Chair Nick Mongelluzzo

change classes so they have no contact with another person, all the way up to suspension.

DBK: If students remember one piece of advice from this interview or the events tonight, what would you want them to remember?

Bennett: I think, based on the research they have done on who stalkers are, it’s really not the victim’s fault. It’s not because of behaviors the victim has done; it’s really because of the behaviors of the stalker. So, taking advantages of the resources is really important because the nature of stalking can make you feel really isolated. So, connecting yourself to the resources is really important. kowalczykdbk@gmail.com

said at the meeting.

Mongelluzzo said about 50 students had expressed interest in going to Annapolis during the time he spent collecting signed letters.

“I think Annapolis is one of the many things on students’ plates right now,” he said. “Our presence there is going to be felt whether it’s physical or on paper.”

Still, it is important for students to make the trip to Annapolis in person, said state Sen. Jim Rosapepe (D-Anne Arundel and Prince George’s).

“The squeaky wheel gets the grease,” he said. “Typically the SGA really takes the lead, as it should, but leaders need followers. If we had 1,000 students down here lobbying, we’d have a lot more help for the university than we do.” coxdbk@gmail.com

THE DIAMONDBACK | NEWS | THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2009

3

Cameras in Eppley generate privacy concerns for some Cameras intended to help students plan; many dismiss privacy issues Many students are unaware the cameras exist, and some were unconcerned about Some students have potential privacy issues.

“I didn’t even know about expressed privacy concerns about two cameras installed the cameras,” said freshman in the Eppley Recreation kinesiology major Ashley Lessans. “I personally hate Center.

The cameras, which were going to the gym when it’s installed over the summer, super-crowded. I would like are intended to give students to know when it is so I can go at a different time, the opportunity to but I don’t know how check the availto access the video.” ability of machines “I don’t think anyat the ERC before one is really going to they leave their watch people work rooms, according out [online], so I have to Brent Flynn, no problem with it,” associate director Lessans added. of Campus Recre“I feel like they ation Services. should tell gym-goers “I don’t like the if there are going to idea of it,” said be cameras in the sophomore dietetgym, but I could care ics major Michelle less,” said freshman Vogt.

“It’s too education major creepy.

Besides, Alexandra Post. “I the gym has don’t feel like people enough machines are watching me work that even if you go out.” when it’s crowded, Other students felt you can still exer- ASHLEY the cameras were a cise in some way LESSANS while you wait for FRESMAN KINESIOLOGY waste of the univerMAJOR sity’s money. five minutes to get “The university the machine you really shouldn’t be throwing want.”

Flynn said recreation serv- money at unnecessary things ices hadn’t received any like cameras in the gym,” complaints about the cam- said freshman English major eras and added that CRS Allie Edwards.

Freshman psychology made sure the resolution on the website was low to major Alissa Mahler also sees no need for the cameras. ensure student privacy.

“It seems like a waste of The two cameras cost $400 each and were installed as a money, and I’ve never had to test. Their effectiveness will wait for a machine,” she said. be evaluated this summer. “I think they should use the So far, Flynn said, about 550 money for the cameras on people have visited the page, something more useful and which is linked off the recre- practical.”

Some students recomation services home page, mended camera-free zones or per month.

“There has been a good a listing of the number of free response so far,” said Flynn. machines online to help pro“We’ll see if people like and tect student privacy while still use the cameras to determine granting the same services. if we should put cameras in other facilities.” kowalczykdbk@gmail.com

BY ANNA KOWALCZYK Staff writer

Barry Kagan, an Athletics Department employee, looks at the “Traces of Confucius” exhibit during his break on Tuesday. The exhibit is on display in the Colony Ballroom in the Stamp Student Union until Thursday. JACLYN BOROWSKI/THE DIAMONDBACK

China ties helped land exhibit CONFUCIUS, from Page 1 associated with Confucius. The photographs have been stored in Chinese museums for years in fear of damaging the delicate silk of the paintings and will go back into storage after the exhibit closes today in the Colony Ballroom of the Stamp Student Union.

“It’s very important for Americans and Chinese to understand each other and get along,” entomology professor Michael Ma said. “This is a good medium to educate our students and society.”

Ma worked with Hou Xinjian, one of the top Chinese photojournalists on the exhibit. Ma said Hou wants his photographs to promote Chinese culture in the United States.

The exhibit includes photographs of the orginal genealogies of Confucius’ family, tomb and burial grounds, as well as prints of wooden blocks commissioned by three different Ming dynasty emperors that tell Confucius’ story.

Universities in England, Japan and Singapore all attempted to get the photos displayed on their campuses. But university President Dan Mote’s relationships with Chinese government officials helped the exhibit make its way here, Ma said.

“Without [Mote’s] relationship [with the Chinese government], we would not have gotten them here,” Ma said of the photographs.

Ma, who has been at the university for more than 30 years, was working on an unrelated project in China when he was introduced to Hou, who had already started photographing Confucius-related subjects and was displaying smaller exhibits of his work before the two met.

Professor Michael Ma explains the meaning of different parts of the "Traces of Confucius" exhibit in the Colony Ballroom in Stamp Student Union. JACLYN BOROWSKI/THE DIAMONDBACK

“It’s very important for Americans and Chinese to understand each other and get along.”

MICHAEL MA ENTOMOLOGY PROFESSOR

Two years ago, the university partnered with Hou to display his photography after he took photos of the newly unearthed portraits.

Students, faculty and people from outside the university have been coming to view the exhibit at a constant pace, Ma said.

The portraits have been particularly popular, Ma said. He pointed to them as great examples of Ming Dynasty art.

The Ming emperors loved Confucius and his family, giving them expensive gifts and portraits, which survive as

Police will increase patrols in parking lots ALERT, from Page 1 Brandt said there are very few times when statistics reveal a true pattern, but cites theft from vehicles to be one of those rare cases.

“We know what’s going on,” Brandt said. “The statistics are there, they’re real and don’t lie.”

He said the alert is an attempt to “get ahead of this” and give students the power to prevent the trend from continuing. He reiterated the warning in the alert saying students should not only take down the GPS windshield mount, but also clean off the mark left by the suction cup ring so as not to leave any trace of the GPS. University Police spokesman Paul Dillon said in addition to informing students, University Police have already started more extensive patrols of parking lots.

“We’d rather prevent crimes before they happen,” Dillon said.

Brandt also said that officers

have been instructed to look inside cars more frequently and write down license plate numbers of cars with money, electronics and other valuables out in the open. They then will find the owner of the car’s address and send them a letter warning them of the dangers of theft with specific details of what the officer observed. This program was started last May, but officers are really concentrating on it this time of year, he said.

Officers will be spending more time in parking lots trying to identify irregular activity in an effort to keep students’ valuables safe, Brandt said. But even with increased police activity, he says it’s up to students to be vigilant and use common sense.

“Everyone out there needs to know we’re here, but we don’t see everything,” Brandt said.

“Bad guys looking to steal from cars look a lot like students going to their cars.” rhodesdbk@gmail.com

rare artifacts in the exhibit. Confucius was so beloved that emperors allowed him to use golden dragon seals, which are the traditional symbol of the Chinese imperial family.

The exhibit will be loaned to local colleges and universities across the country for free and stored on the campus after the exhibit is taken down tonight.

Ma expects the non-profit exhibit to travel far as its photographer has to promote a strong relationship between the United States and China.

After bringing photos of China to the United States, Hou is planning to do the opposite. He is working on a book of photos of the United States to be released in China. Hou took portraits of Mote before running outside of the Union to capture pictures of the snow.

He has already visited the Grand Canyon and the monuments in Washington. taustindbk@gmail.com

“I don’t think anyone is really going to watch people work out [online], so I have no problem with it.”

Federal aid to state could benefit higher education STIMULUS, from Page 1 officials say, could include education. “[The stimulus bill] is obviously very good for college students,” said State Sen. Jim Rosapepe (D-Anne Arundel and Prince George’s), who represents College Park. “It provides a significant amount of money to the state that I would hope can be used to improve the university’s budget for the coming year.”

The stimulus measures include billions of dollars for scientific research funding, university facilities and construction, tax credits for college expenses, an expansion of federal work study and need-based student financial aid.

Included in the funds are $3 billion set to go toward the National Science Foundation, two-thirds of which would be set aside for expanding science and engineering jobs and opportunities and $300 million in grants for construction of research buildings at universities. The research provision makes it more likely the university can benefit from the package, university advocates said.

Rosapepe, a strong advocate of higher education, gushed over the legislation, adding that the language in the bill specifies that the funding should also be used to hold down tuition and protect the university from budgetary cutbacks.

“I’m very hopeful that this will pass [in the Senate],” he said. “And I’m pushing very hard to make sure that some signifi-

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cant amount of that money goes toward the University of Maryland.”

Not a single Republican member of the House voted to pass the legislation. Many Republicans have criticized the stimulus package by saying the measure won’t help the economy fast enough and will saddle the government with long-term, budgetwrecking commitments.

One such commitment that critics cite is the proposed increase in funding for needbased student financial aid. The bill would double spending on Pell grants, which help low-income students pay for college. If approved, the maximum Pell Grant award would be raised by $500 for the next academic year. The increase is unprecedented during economic downturns — Pell Grant funding was cut during the 1980 and 1981 recessions because Congress failed to authorize enough money for student financial aid.

The bill would also provide $490 million more for the federal work study program and includes a $2,500 tax credit for college expenses, including tuition and textbook costs — a stipulation that lawmakers say would primarily benefit middle-class families.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (DMd.), a university alumnus who represents College Park, said in a statement that the expansion of the Pell Grant would provide financial assistance more than 89,000 students in Maryland alone, and an additional 53,000 students stand to benefit from the tax credit, helping them “stay in college de-

spite these tough times.”

But ultimately, students are not the only ones who stand to benefit from the legislation. The package also sets aside money for the state to limit budget cuts — a necessary help to a state budget that includes an extension of the in-state tuition freeze for a fourth straight year.

“The states don’t have the luxury that the federal government does of printing money,” said Shaun Adamec, a spokesman for Gov. Martin O’Malley (D). “With this stimulus legislation, we’ll be able to maintain funding programs that we would if the economy was doing better... and a significant chunk of which would specifically go towards education.”

The Senate is expected to debate the stimulus measures next week. Its version of the bill contains similar programs, but generally with less money funding them.

“The university stands to benefit greatly from this, particularly in terms of research funding and student aid,” said Rae Grad, the university’s federal lobbyist.

“We’re throwing all of our support behind this legislation.”

The university will be joined by the governor’s office, who said about $56 million in cuts are now being delayed in hopes that they will not be necessary with the passage of the stimulus legislation.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. langdbk@gmail.com

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THE DIAMONDBACK | THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2009

THE DIAMONDBACK

Opinion

STEVEN OVERLY

YOUR INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK PHONE: (301) 314-8200 | FAX: (301) 314-8358 3150 SOUTH CAMPUS DINING HALL | COLLEGE PARK, MD., 20742 NEWSDESK .DBK@GMAIL.COM

EDITOR IN CHIEF

ROXANA HADADI MANAGING EDITOR

BEN SLIVNICK

MARDY SHUALY

OPINION EDITOR

OPINION EDITOR

Staff Editorial

Guest Column

Justified alignment

Get Gary gone

T

he Purple Line is an enormous project in every sense. It will cost more than posed alignment. Colin Phillips, a professor of linguistics, points out that the research $1.5 billion by the time it’s completed and will transform the university’s re- he and others conduct in Marie Mount Hall would be virtually impossible if trains are lationship with surrounding areas. The many potential benefits of the project running along Preinkert Drive. The linguistics department is one of only several research programs worldwide equipped to use magnetoencephalography, an advanced are well-documented, both here and elsewhere.

The immensity of the project will transform the campus, and the specifics of how brain-imaging technique. The machine, which cost millions of dollars, was designed the campus is integrated into the Metro system matter. These decisions will impact and built in collaboration with a Japanese company. It uses coils cooled by liquid nitrogen to a few degrees above absolute zero in order to measure the entire university community for decades, and they are decithe incredibly small magnetic fields generated by the brain’s elecsions that cannot be made properly without being fully debated by trical activity, and is housed in a five-ton box literally built into the the full range of stakeholders. Despite widespread opposition, last frame of the building in order to minimize vibrations. It should be month the administration officially endorsed the Preinkert Drive The administration has no surprise that Phillips says relocating the machinery would likealignment. Unfortunately, both the reasoning and process behind failed to justify its Purple ly cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and might take years. the decision remain unsatisfactory.

Line positions.

At the end of the day, it’s possible that the administration is right.

The administration has stubbornly resisted the Campus Drive It is possible that the Campus Drive alignment will (no pun inalignment from the get-go, scrambling for excuses rather than weighing the relative merits of proposed options. The administration has painted tended) derail plans for future research planned in the immediate vicinity of the doomsday scenarios of students pancaked by speeding trains. It has predicted 10-foot- Union. But time and again, Phillips evaluated potential options on the same terms. high walls bisecting the campus — everything but the barbed-wire topping. It has ar- “The details matter,” he said. And that’s exactly what the administration has failed to gued that the Preinkert Drive alignment will better serve the campus as it will be in 50 provide. The administration has yet to come out with a clear and compelling arguyears, if not as it is now. But despite the studies conducted and the many presentations ment that the Campus Drive alignment will have the most unmitigatable negative impact on the broadest range of research. If the administration is correct in that belief, it given, the administration has not yet compellingly explained why that would be so.

Most recently, the administration has switched the focus of its objections, arguing must present its evidence publicly, and in a way that the average student can undertrains will interfere with the measurements of sensitive scientific equipment. As with stand. Administrators have demonstrated an admirably deep concern for the future of earlier concerns for safety and efficiency, the worry is not without merit, as hundreds the campus. Their position may just be right, but if so, the Residence Hall Association, of millions of dollars in research grants are at risk. But yet again, the administration’s the Student Government Association, the Graduate Student Government, this newspaper and tenured professors don’t get it. argument, though based on a legitimate concern, falls flat.

And that’s a problem.

The problem with the argument is that interference is a concern with either pro-

Our View

Editorial Cartoon: Mike O’Brien

Economics: Less learning from lefties

W

hen I first arrived at College Park, every time I spoke to my father on the phone, he pestered me with the same question: “Are your professors too liberal?” he’d ask. “Are they brainwashing you?”

“No, Dad,” I’d answer, exasperated.

“They’re very evenhanded.”

Of course, that was a lie. Virtually every professor I’ve had is liberal, and last semester, they all drank the Obama Kool-Aid. Now the economics faculty is mulling over the benefits of an $800 billion stimulus package, and they can’t get over the sugar high.

You’d think that there would be some diversity of thought on a campus that prides itself on diversity, yet it’s not so in our economics department. In one of the largest departments on the campus, I couldn’t find a single professor who preaches the Austrian theory of economics. To put it bluntly, the Austrian school teaches that no matter how much money

NATHAN

COHEN

government spends or what programs it sets up, it will only make things worse.

Professor Howard Baetjer, a Towson University free-market economist, said he has a problem with the label “Austrian economist” because it implies a fringe group of ideologues. He said schools need more professors with an appreciation for free-market ideas.

And he’s right; the Austrians are the only ones who predicted the economic mess we’re in today. The founders of that school of thought immigrated from Austria to the United States with the belief that their government was too involved in the economy. Unfortunately, few still

see their genius.

“It’s an extreme theory,” said associate professor John Shea, a macroeconomist at the university. “I don’t think anyone who supports any ideological extreme [is present in our department].”

Shea said the university’s economists are practical, believing they should “let the data tell us the answers.” But mainstream economists don’t have the predictive foresight the Austrians do.

According to Mark Thornton, a senior fellow at the Ludwig von Mises Institute in Auburn, Ala., they’ve been discussing the housing bubble since 2002. Thornton first wrote about the bubble in 2004.

“The existence of a bubble implies there will be a burst,” Thornton told me.

“I think when confronted with the crisis, mainstream economists offered more of the same. They’re arguing that in order to correct that, we should get even more inflation and go into more debt.”

And that’s right. Economists like those at this university offered charts and

equations to lawmakers, telling them to spend more money to fix the problems.

Hundreds of billions of dollars later, it’s no surprise their recommendations only made the economy worse.

The Austrians believe that no economic problem can be solved by central planning, not through a Federal Reserve, not through taxes and not through regulations. In my classes, I’ve learned almost nothing about the business cycle and nothing of the debate surrounding government intervention and socialism.

Thornton said that was unfortunate for us.

No grand math equation will fix the spending mistakes of 300 million Americans. We can only hope the economics department realizes that, and finally starts teaching us some real tools for solving economic problems.

Nathan Cohen is a junior economics and journalism major. He can be reached at cohendbk@gmail.com.

University budget: Spend my money on me

W

e’ve all noticed the growing costs students face: the lengthy textbook receipts, the rising cost of living, the out-of-state tuition increases. I thought the worst part was Chipotle’s recent price increases (really, $3 for chips and guacamole?). But a recent study by Delta Project on Postsecondary Education Costs, Productivity, and Accountability suggests that this isn’t even close to the worst part. It turns out that while we’re paying more for tuition, proportionally schools are spending less on us. We’re effectively getting less bang for our buck (kind of like how the burritos seem to have gotten smaller since Chipotle raised the prices).

While our governor wants in-state tuition to stay stable for a fourth straight year, public research institutions (like this university) had the highest tuition increases of any category (29.8 percent

from 2002 to 2006, for those of you who like numbers), but these schools had only increased spending per full-time student by 2.5 percent. So, basically, what they’re telling us is that we’re paying more and getting less per dollar. I don’t know about you, but that kind of ticks me off.

The reason for the proportional difference (as most of us have heard before) is that the increase in tuition doesn’t balance the cuts from the state. What they’re telling us is, “It’s not our fault. Take it up with the governor.” That might be true, but it turns out that as spending on students (defined as the cost of instruction, student services and a portion of spending on operations, support and maintenance) has decreased, a lot of that extra cash we’re dishing out was spent on administrative costs. OK, I understand about the budget cuts and needing more cash, but the least they could have done was spend that money on us students.

LIDA

ZLATIC What bothers me more than the numbers is that during this whole mess, we’ve been told we’re paying more so that the university can keep up its quality, ranking, etc. How is spending less on students going to improve the quality of anything?

How can we be expected to take up the government’s slack and not even be told where that money is going? Administrative costs — what does that even mean?

The report concludes by claiming that we “are not going to get the performance we need in higher education without better strategic financial decision-making,

by state legislatures as well as within institutions, to invest increasingly scarce discretionary resources in essential priorities.”

So here’s the solution: Find out where the money is going, and tell people. The more we know, the more power we have.

The university budget is a public document (where do you think The Diamondback gets its information on faculty and staff compensation every year?), so let’s make it public. If we make it our business to know what university President Dan Mote is doing with our money, he’ll be a lot more careful with it. We can’t just blindly trust that the system works: We’re paying taxes and tuition, so we have every right to demand that our money be spent responsibly.

Lida Zlatic is a senior art history and classics major. She can be reached at zlaticdbk@gmail.com.

POLICY: The signed letters, columns and cartoon represent only the opinions of the authors. The staff editorial represents the opinion of The Diamondback’s editorial board and is the responsibility of the editor in chief.

JEREMY COHEN I am still a die-hard Terrapin basketball fan. Therefore, I still loathe Terps coach Gary Williams. I did two years ago when I wrote a similar column as an undergraduate, and my hatred has only increased since. In fact, it may have peaked after this Sunday’s nationally televised embarrassment at Duke. Watching lowly Boston College pick us apart last night in the second half, I don’t think it can get much worse.

I believe I speak for many students and alumni when I say, “Gary, you have done great things for this program in the distant past, but enough is enough.” We all have to ask, “What have you done for me lately?” I continue to be embarrassed by ignorant Terp fans proclaiming their love for our glorified coach based on clueless optimism for an annually underachieving team. I still get nauseous when Williams comes out of the locker room tunnel, pumps his fist and the crowd goes crazy.

What, or whom, is he pumping to? Is he really still pumping because he knows at the end of a big game he won’t have another chance to throw a victory pump and is getting it out of his system in order to meet some sort of seasonal quota? But I digress.

In the following analysis, I will AGAIN prove that Williams is the foundation for this team’s mediocrity.

First off, I’d like to make it clear I’m an alumnus. I attended the university in years following the national championship (the Mike Jones era) with high expectations for the four years I would attend. Other than a fluke Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament Championship during my freshman year, thanks entirely to John Gilchrist, the Terrapin men’s basketball program has shown me nothing in the past seven years. Since 2003, the program has been a complete and utter failure. We have become a lock for the National Invitation Tournament year after year. I can’t even wear my Maryland basketball shorts or jersey in a game of rec ball without someone asking me, “Man, what happened to that team? Didn’t they used to be good?”

Should I even bother bringing up Williams’ impeccable recruiting resumé again? A rational person would believe that a national championship would help out a team’s recruiting tactics for the future. However, the recruits Williams has attracted lately are second- or third-tier ACC caliber, largely due to his refusal to personally travel on recruiting trips (this fact has been well documented). And for those who have heard this is due to an ACC low-recruiting budget, that is hardly an excuse; most of the top-tier recruits are playing less than an hour’s drive away from College Park. The Baltimore-D.C. metro area is a goldmine for blue-chip Division I basketball recruits, and Williams has proven for far too long that he cannot convince any of them to play for him.

Gary, if you are reading this, I have just one suggestion: Please bow out gracefully.

You can take an administrative position, we will even build a statue to you for your accomplishments, but your coaching days must cease. Furiously yelling at the bench for mistakes players in the game are making, your inability to find a legitimate big man and your annual wasting of scholarships on ACC garbage while letting local blue-chippers slip through your fingers has gone far enough.

For those of you who believe Williams is capable of turning this ship around, keep dreaming. One national championship seven years ago, when Williams caught lightning in a bottle with Dixon, Blake, Wilcox, Baxter, etc., does not create a lifelong leash. And to Athletics Director Debbie Yow, you need to look at this as a business situation: The program has turned into an absolute embarrassment, and Gary has proven he cannot do his job effectively anymore. He needs to go now.

I have reaffirmed why Williams pumps his fist — he is still just that proud of himself for conning the Athletics Department into keeping him around.

Jeremy Cohen is a university alumnus and can be reached at jcohen2180@gmail.com.

AIR YOUR VIEWS Address your letters or guest columns to the Opinion Desk at opinion.dbk@gmail.com. All letters and guest columns must be signed. Include your full name, year, major and day- and nighttime phone numbers. Please limit letters to 300 words. Please limit guest columns to 600 words.

Submission of a letter or guest column constitutes an exclusive, worldwide, transferable license to The Diamondback of the copyright in the material in any media. The Diamondback retains the right to edit submissions for content and length.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2009 | THE DIAMONDBACK

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Features HOROSCOPESTELLA WILDER 53 54 55 56 57 59

47 First name in mystery 48 Doglike scavengers 50 Torch job 52 Clean the board

Enthusiastic More crafty Stay attached Footprint Ugh! Summer in Cannes

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A L E E

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R OS A O U T T A T EM RE P A S RUM AN T ER RE RA I SH D D A L I AWA I O L K S ROS T E AN I V T S NE EO GR

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You know how to make money, and you know how to make money work for you. You’re not the kind to leave your financial future to chance, and for this reason expect to amass a fortune only very slowly. You’re not one who should ever expect a sudden windfall.

Also born on this date are: Oprah Winfrey, TV personality; Ann Jillian, actress; Katharine Ross, actress; W.C. Fields, actor; Tom Selleck, actor; Paddy Chayefsky, playwright.

To see what is in store for you tomorrow, find your birthday and read the corresponding paragraph. Let your birthday star be your daily guide.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30 AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Know whom you’re up against before coming up with a plan of action. Different adversaries require different strategies.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) — You can prove yourself once again, but only by showing off your trademark approach — steady, dedicated and detail-

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Don’t let success go to your head. Remember that any victory is just one piece of a puzzle; a greater triumph awaits.

oriented.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) — Your views may differ dramatically from another’s, but you can still work together and win the day. Set aside differences for now.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Doing something for someone else needn’t involve a sacrifice on your part. You can benefit greatly from a moment of selflessness.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) — Waste no time as you go for the gold — and don’t let anyone else waste it, either. Insist that others toe the line.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Others may be blowing their own horns, but you want your actions to speak louder than any words — and they can.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) — It may fall to you to decide between two conflicting ideologies. Use care, and avoid being critical; the decision is a simple one.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Heartache is not something you can avoid altogether, but you can reduce its long-term impact by answering why.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) — Assumptions made are likely to become missteps tomorrow.

You’ll want to be sure that what you have at your fingertips is the facts.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — What matters most to you may not be of great significance to another. You can learn a great deal about living with adversity.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) — You may feel as though you are alone in your current fight, but there are many others on your side and ready to come to your aid.

Copyright, 2009 United Feature Syndicate, Inc.

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Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9. For solutions, tips and computer program, see www.sudoku.com Previous Day’s Puzzle Solved:

Call 314-8000 for more information.

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TODAY’S SUDOKU PUZZLE SPONSORED BY:

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Featuring...

DATE: Feb. 5 TIME: 10am-Midnight CONTACT www.thestamp.umd.edu/ stampfest

FREE SEE concert – LENKA! Win a Wii! (One for an Undergraduate Student; One for a Graduate Student) Mario Cart Wii Student Organization Showcase

t s e F p m a t S TerpZone 1/2 Price Specials 1st 50 FREE for all Hoff Theater films

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6

THE DIAMONDBACK | THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2009

Classified RATES

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SPECIAL Run the same classified or classified display ad for four consecutive days and get the 5th day

EMPLOYMENT Medical staff office (part/full-time), Riverdale, MD, fax resume to 301-864-8565 Earn extra money. Students needed asap. Earn up to $150/day being a mystery shopper. No experience required. Call 1-800-722-4791

CUSTOMER RELATIONS REP. Great Pay, Flexible Hours!

Small financial firm near Bethesda Metro.

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Bartending! $250/day potential. No experience necessary. Training provided. 1-800-965-6520 x 116

Sales Representative Medical equipment company in College Park seeking motivated and reliable individual for PT/FT position. Your responsibilities will include calling our existing customers to offer services and supplies and providing support to our sales team.

Looking for Motivated Individuals for p/t position nights and weekends. Must have car and valid license and able to work 20 hrs./week. Outside sales with opportunity to earn $25/hour + bonus.

Please email only resume to Brad Amron – info@medallionsecurity.com.

Great position for someone eager to learn and make money. Must be able to work independently, have proper phone etiquette, basic computer skills. Close to colleges. Pay commensurate with experience.

PART TIME C++ PROGRAMMER NEEDED

Salary + Commission Flexible Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm Phone: 301-345-8826 Email: Joe@Med-Electronics.com

Efficient programmer for graphics/computational geometry, simulation software.

Work from your dorm or home. Contact edsipcb@comcast.net.

STUDENTPAYOUTS.COM. Paid survey takers needed in College Park. 100%. Free to join. Click on surveys.

OFFICE ASSISTANT P/T

LOOKING FOR A PART-TIME JOB MAKING $20-$30/HR.?

Bethesda CPA firm needs office assistant 2 afternoons a week. Must have some office experience and good computer skills. Prefer accounting student. $15/hour. Email resume: ercpalaw@aol.com.

Inc. 500 company is looking to add 5-6 UM students to its marketing team working part time 3-4 days/week. Part-time hours...full-time pay... $20-$30/hour! Flexible schedule; internships available. Call Jon at 301-595-4050 today!

Mad Scientists!

Part Time Advertising Representatives

Up to $35/Class Hr. Instructors needed to lead fun after-school science clubs for kids in Metro area elementary schools. Experience working with kids a plus and MUST HAVE A CAR. Flexible PT opportunity. Must be available at least 2 days/ week (M-F) by 2 p.m. Paid training. Science background NOT required. $25-$35 per program hour.

Searching for a few individuals who like to stand out in a crowd.

Must enjoy a competitive environment & be interested in making an unlimited amount of money. Those interested please send a resume to advertising@dbk.umd.edu.

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SUMMER OF YOUR LIFE AT CAMP CANADENSIS! Sleep away camp in Pocono Mtns. of PA seeks staff. Join team of college students, teaching Athletics, Water Sports, Outdoor Adventure and Arts.

We will be on your campus in February. www.canadensis.com info@canadensis.com 800-832-8228

Hiring Immediately Position close date 2/13/09.

* On Campus *

Need Extra Cash You could get a job, but who wants to work when you can just buy your textbooks from BookHolders and save $200 to $400 instead.

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FOR RENT

LARGE FURNISHED BASEMENT APARTMENT

Like a Brand New T.H.

Driver/Babysitter

Furnished apartment w/bedroom full bath & large closet. Includes full kitchen, living room & private entrance. Big enough to share! Close to shopping malls & campus. $850 including utilities. Please call Savitri Holly at 301-985-3751 (day) or 301-386-0081 (night).

Driver/babysitter needed for 15 year-old girl.

Mon., Wed., Thurs. – pick her up at school in Rockville at 3:30 and bring her home to downtown Silver Spring. Some later pick-ups or supervision. Good driving record and car necessary. $15 per hour. Call Irene at 301-563-6476 or e-mail irenewalton@gmail.com After school babysitting for one child, Silver Spring, 2-3 days/week. Must have car, non-smoker, references. 301-565-3914.

BABYSITTER NEEDED Tuesdays, 10am-4pm, for two children, ages 3 and 5, in College Park home. Requires driving to/from school and dance class. Needed immediately. Babysitting experience, references, good driving record required. Call Danielle, 301-935-2858, or email dmwanuck@comcast.net.

House: 4700 Harvard Road. 5 bedroom, 3 bath, air conditioning, fence, big yard, washer/dryer.

Utilities not included. $3300 — one year lease.

301-805-9179.

Adelphi- 4 bedrooms, 3 full bath, ac, porch, and carport. 3 miles from campus, on shuttle. $1400/month plus utilities. 703-569-8002.

Large, luxury 8 bedroom house. Close to campus. 301-236-4042. f331@aol.com

Free Room & Board

Babysitter Needed

20 mins. from UMD in a 5 bed/5 bath house on 4 acres in exchange for housesitting & light housecleaning.

Located in Olney, MD. Call Mike at 301-774-2589. Leave messages.

In spacious Hyattsville home one mile from campus. $12 per hour plus benefits.

Needed as soon as possible. 3 afternoons per week from 2:30-5:30 p.m. Car a must.

Two bright, fun boys ages 6 and 4. If interested please call 240-696-1670.

Knox Box Apts.

After school childcare needed in Silver Spring for 5 and 9 year old, 2-3 day a week 3-6:30 p.m.

Must provide own transportation, contact Lisa at aades4@comcast.net

One Block from Campus 2 BR from $1200-1700 301-770-5623/24 Email: gosia@pinstripeproperty.com

FOR RENT

HYATTSVILLE/RIVERDALE AREAS Single family homes for rent. $1600+.

3 bedroom, basement, one w/garage.

Close to UM, Metro and shops.

7525 Rhode Island Avenue. 7 rooms, 3 bath. Air conditioning. Back of Leonardtown. Rent: $4400, utilities not included. 301-805-9179.

Gerrety & Bragg Real Estate 301-277-1111

Roommate Needed 1 bedroom available in 5 bedroom house. Walking distance to UM. $500/month.

Call 202-329-1882.

Beltsville Clean room for rent in a private home.

Mins. away from UMD. Private bath, entrance, & parking. Either furnished or unfurnished. Females only. $675/month, utilities included. 301-346-0243 or angiem_2003@hotmail.com.

1 BR AVAILABLE in house. FREE DIRECT TV, ALL UTILITIES INCLUDED. Private parking, fenced backyard, 1 block from metro bus, walking distance to UMD. $665/mo. (first two months half price if rented by 1/31/09) Call 240-876-4336.

Room. $500. Utilities included. Close to transportation, college, shopping. 301-237-2829 SPECIAL LEASE FOR SPRING SEMESTER. Adelphi Rd. Almost on campus housing. 5 bedrooms, 3 full baths. L/r. kitchenette house. $560/room for $2800/month; 5 bedroom house $540/room for $2700/month including new a/c, utilities not included. Some off-street parking.

Large private yards, washer/dryer, lawn care provided. Early signing bonus. Call now for January rental CONTACT DR. KRUGER-301-408-4801.

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Need roommate for basement room, nice house off Route 1, near McDonalds. Short term lease $475 plus utilities. Call Larry 202-236-1635

Flat Fee for District Court Cases

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ADOPTION

ADOPTION Loving childless couple wishing to adopt an infant. Willing to pay medical & legal expenses.

Call 202-658-8127.

College Park. Houses 4/5/6 bedrooms, Apartments, 2 bedrooms. 410-544-4438

WALKING DISTANCE 4 rooms starting at $550-$650 + utilities. Washer and dryer.

2 bathrooms. Backyard.

Call 240-355-8337.

5 Bedroom House (College Park/Berwyn Heights) 5 bedroom/2 bath home. $525/room, incl. utilities. 62nd Ave., College Park (near Beltway Plaza). Available Dec. Short term lease available.

240-421-0900.

Condo For Rent in Westchester Park. 1 bedroom, remodeled kitchen/bath, hardwood floors, dogs & cats allowed. Close to University of Maryland.

Call JJ – 267-249-8314.

FALL ‘09 HOUSE

Huge 11 bedroom Victorian. 2-1/2 story + finished basement, 2 apts: 5-6 students each. 4809 College Ave., 1 block from Metro, park 10 cars. $4400 mo./apt. + util.

410-296-8008, call 9-9.

OLD TOWN COLLEGE PARK Knox Rd. east of Rt. 1. One & two bedroom garden-style apartments. All utilities paid. Website: JESAPTS.com. Call J.E. Smith Corp.: 202-582-8824. Evenings/weekends call Vic: 202-489-7040.

Room in basement. Silver Spring. $500/month.

2.5 miles from school. 301-434-6463 VERY NICE 2 BEDROOM APARTMENT. Living room, dining room, kitchen, full bath, washer/dryer. Pay for electricity only. On UMD shuttle route. $1,100. Call Alan: 301-704-6465.

Adoption Loving childless couple wishes to adopt an infant. Can pay legal & medical expenses.

Call 1-800-876-0365.

Looking to Adopt Young, loving, educated couple looking to start a family by adopting your child. Legal/medical expenses covered. Please call Alyse & Seth, 1-877-472-2979.

PERSONALS

VALENTINE’S SECTION In the Diamondback, Friday, Feb. 13th.

Special Rates, too – 20¢/word, $2.00 minimum.

Special Display Rates, also! (Inquire at Diamondback Advertising Office)

DEADLINE: FEB. 11th, 2 p.m.

SERVICES

If you are interested, please contact Teresa Crawford by phone at 301-405-5796.

Romanesque Charm

See Photos in Craigslist, look for “$555 average per room – College Park/Near UMD, Luxury Living.”

Rent a room or entire townhouse with 3/4 BR/4 BA. Available now.

301-674-5240.

Spacious Room for Rent Apartments, Sublets & Roommates. List & Browse Free! 1-877-FOR-RENT/ 201-845-7300

An Invitation

❖ APARTMENTS

The deadline for all ads is 2PM, two business days in advance of publication.

FOR RENT

President Mote would be pleased to have students who would like to talk with him about their interests and ideas join him for lunch at Adele’s. Eight students will be invited to a group lunch on a first come, first served basis. Lunches will be scheduled Monday, Wednesday, or Friday at noon, or Tuesday or Thursday at 12:30 p.m.

Save More. That Simple.

DEADLINES

CHILD CARE

Extended Hours: * Jan. 26 to 29 8 am-11 pm * Jan. 30 to Feb. 5 8 am-9 pm * Feb. 6 to 18 10 am-8 pm

9:30AM – 4:30PM Monday – Friday 3136 South Campus Dining Hall

We are seeking a responsible person to drive our 5 year old son from the Lefrak building to his babysitter in Silver Spring at University Blvd. and Colesville Rd. He needs to be picked up M, W, & F at 12:15. If interested, contact us at jkemp@tricomsystems.net or 301-502-1281

To Have Lunch with President Mote

www.BookHolders.com

4509A College Ave. (next to Papa John’s) College Park, MD 20740

EMPLOYMENT EXCELLENT PAY & FLEXIBLE HOURS FOR COMPUTER SPECIALIST

OFFICE HOURS

v m A

FREE!

Buy online and have shipped. Why wait in line?

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2009 | THE DIAMONDBACK

7

Diversions

ONLINE EXCLUSIVES: Half Nelson director Ryan Fleck does it again with his latest moving effort, Sugar, while New in Town only succeeds at insulting its audience. For full-length reviews of these films, just click the Diversions link at:

Renée Zellweger in New in Town.

WWW.DIAMONDBACKONLINE.COM

arts. music. living. movies. weekend.

REVIEW | TAKEN

THE SPY WHO WASN’T THERE American vigilantism explodes in the ludicrously sloppy Taken

BY ZACHARY HERRMANN Senior staff writer

For all its misguided, bullheaded gusto, Taken has enough promising loose seams to almost qualify as an interesting mess. That’s hardly an accomplishment, but at a time of year when quality is tough to find at most movie theaters, a missed opportunity is better than nothing at all.

Instead of a hilariously awful and ultimately dull action dud — you know you’re in trouble with zingers like, “I will tear down the Eiffel Tower if I have to” — the Luc Besson-penned action flick could have settled on one of its two sorely ignored subtexts: a satire on American vigilante justice (Obama or not, it’s still timely) or a riff on a father’s fear of his daughter’s sexuality.

Besson (best known for writing and directing The Professional and The Fifth Element) has long since expired in cinematic relevance in France or the United States. Along

the small screen UNFAITHFUL (BLU-RAY) This re-release is an upgraded version of the 2002 DVD, bringing over all of the previous edition’s features. In addition to the film, the deleted scenes and a trailer for Deception are in high definition. The rest of the features are in standard definition, but offer the most interesting items on the disc. The behindthe-scenes featurette, An Affair to Remember, is the best of the bunch, mostly for detailing the process of shooting the scenes of intense wind in which Diane Lane (Nights in Rodanthe) and Olivier Martinez (Blood and Chocolate) first meet.

COLLEGE (DVD) Despite mostly ripping off recent lowbrow college — and high school — based raunchy fare, College does have a few bright moments. Drake Bell sheds his wholesome image from Nickelodeon’s Drake and Josh in spectacular fashion: drinking to excess, swearing and finding himself duct-taped naked to a campus statue. The DVD is bare bones, including only a lengthier version of the gag reel from the film’s credits and the unrated and theatrical versions of College.

with co-writer Robert Mark Kamen (Transporter 2), the French filmmaker never capitalizes on the constant flow of absurdity in the script.

After so many dead bodies thud against the floor (quite a few for a PG-13 rating), all you can really do is sit back and chuckle.

The plot is simple and falls just short of being oh-so-bad-it’s-good.

Against better judgment, retired government agent Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, slipping in and out of his native Irish accent) allows his teenage daughter, Kim, (Maggie Grace, The Jane Austen Book Club) to travel around Paris with a friend.

Within hours of her arrival, Kim and her friend are abducted by a violent gang of men in black. Mills is on the phone when it happens, and his professional composure just can’t be taken seriously. Once he sends the “data” to a friend in his old line of work, we learn in a matter of minutes the girls have

been abducted by Albanian sex traffickers.

The real fun begins once Mills arrives in Paris, leaving a body count in his path which must tally somewhere around 30 (mysteriously, it never catches up to him). If the film had been authored solely

by Americans, Taken would be easy enough to dismiss as the sort of globe-trotting vendetta schlock we see all too frequently on the big screen. But the foreign perspective forces us to consider Mills’ actions from the outside.

Ultimately, it is the French authorities who prove corrupt and treacherous, and the American vigilante — a poorly drawn descendant of Ethan Edwards of The Searchers — whose actions are always 100 percent defensible.

Mills can murder one man after another without any pause for morality. He even slows down long enough to enjoy torturing one particularly unlucky individual in a rigged-up electric chair.

Oh, what Daddy will do for his lit-

cue her becomes even more dire.

It’s too much to ignore, but somehow, the filmmakers manage to turn on the only worthwhile seeds they planted.

Neeson’s stilted performance doesn’t reach past the face-value construct of a rampaging, ex-government spy. He is the super dad: a murdering machine with both the destructive capabilities and emotional range roughly equivalent to those of The Terminator.

As the appropriately terrified daughter, Grace does slightly better, albeit with a fraction of the screen time. Famke Janssen (The Wackness) is briefly bitchy as the woman who left Mills back in his active work days.

To be fair though, Taken is not really an actor’s piece. This time around, they just let the stunt doubles shine.

tle girl! And it’s in the unexplored father-daughter relationship that the tactless director Pierre Morel (Banlieue 13) and his screenwriting team really strike out.

Shortly after we first meet Kim at her 17th birthday party, the rich step-father (Xander Berkeley, Seraphim Falls) outdoes the father by presenting her with a brand new horse (an established Freudian symbol for sexuality, for those keeping score at home), which she then proceeds to ride in professed joy, much to her father’s dismay.

Taken never really confronts the depths of Mills’ urgency to rescue his daughter, only caring to mention late in the game that Kim is a virgin. After all the car chases and fisticuffs — Morel’s action sequences actually manage to slow the film — he finds her in the captivity of a relatively classier establishment, virginity still presumably intact, and his resolve to res-

MOVIE: Taken | VERDICT:

zherrm@gmail.com

1/2

REVIEW | THE UNINVITED

Lame horror: It’s just uninviting The Uninvited overindulges on the genre’s most tiresome clichés

BY DAN BENAMOR Senior staff writer

The PG-13 studio horror film is often the cinematic equivalent of softcore pornography. In films such as The Messengers, the remakes of When A Stranger Calls, Prom Night and now The Uninvited, filmmakers, hamstrung without the availability of more graphic imagery, resort to filmmaking cheats. Making someone jump because an image pops onto the screen as jarringly loud music plays is not artistry; it’s comparable to a doctor tapping your knee for a reflex test.

More troubling is the fact that there was no need to use tricks to try and create a compelling film from The Uninvited’s scenario. Anna (Emily Browning, Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events) returns home from a mental ward, still troubled by the untimely death of her mother. She arrives to find Dad (David Strathairn, The Spiderwick Chronicles) living with her mother’s former nurse Rachel (Elizabeth Banks, Zack and Miri Make a Porno), who she and her sister Alex (Arielle Kebbel, Forever Strong) rapidly become convinced murdered their mother.

Much of the film follows Anna’s isshe-paranoid-or-not rising suspicions of Rachel, a similar template to the also PG-13-rated What Lies Beneath.

That film used strong performances, deeper characterization and effectively constructed situations of tension to truly earn its fright factor. The Uninvited just packs on the out-ofnowhere jump scares.

Because each successive ghost sighting — posited in the film as parts of Anna’s dreams — is quickly followed by a jump back to reality, they lose any sense of menace.

And as far as lack of menace goes, Banks is hamstrung by some questionable plotting in the third act insofar as how cruelly she is allowed to behave. As a result, she underplays her wicked stepmom role and even, in her faux pleasantness, lets some of her natural jolliness sneak out. Ultimately it’s a disappointing attempt to stretch beyond comedic territory.

The magnificent Strathairn is completely wasted, with precious few lines and even fewer chances to emote in a role, essentially relegating him to bystander status in the story.

Browning comes off blandly in the lead, leaving little impression beyond an interchangeable young woman in

peril. Really, the only character getting much of anything out of her role is Kebbel as the spunky Alex, who is substantially aided by receiving the lion’s share of the few intentionally funny lines in the script (Her opinion of Rachel: “She’s like a coke whore, only with less dignity”).

Apart from those few funny lines, the entire film is consistently hindered by its script, a greatest hits collection of horror clichés. A character is shocked by the arrival of someone completely innocuous. The frightening ghosts include creepy children and an undead being sneaking out of a dark corner (whose stuttering rise from the ground laughably calls to mind Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video). Characters lack the common sense of any member of the audience, conveniently ignoring the existence of cell phones, car locks and simple logic.

And not only does the dialogue struggle to engage interest, but it sometimes proves accidentally humorous, most notably during a quote from nurse Rachel on her job history: “I wiped old people’s asses for a liv-

MOVIE: The Uninvited | VERDICT:

ing, and I’ll assure you they were not all beautiful … like your mom.”

Most despairing, though, is the film’s attempt to be original through several twist endings, each more unbelievable than the one preceding it.

The Uninvited coils upon itself until it’s not only implausible, but overtly self contradictory. The final reaction is one of skepticism and laughter, despite the film’s attempt to go out on a viciously punchy note.

There have been numerous films like The Uninvited released, and there will be more so long as the demand exists. Made on limited budgets, the aforementioned Messengers, Stranger Calls and other films of this ilk sometimes recoup nearly all their production budget in their first weeks of release. People continue to turn out, and so Hollywood continues to churn out.

The Uninvited is not something you watch; it’s something you are made an accomplice to. Save your money and borrow your doctor’s reflex hammer instead.

Dan.benamor@.com

1/2

8

THE DIAMONDBACK | SPORTS | THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2009

Terp coach Gary Williams has become a figure of controversy in recent years. The 20th-year coach’s recent comments have vocalized a rumored rift between him and the administration. ADAM FRIED/THE DIAMONDBACK

JOSEPH

Administration, Williams must repair ties JOSEPH, from Page 10 right?”). But it’s worth noting that Williams’ comments came immediately after watching his team blow a 16-point lead against Boston College.

Regardless, it was Worthington’s initial contact of the media, in which she vehemently denied one small comment from Williams, which blew a small issue into a major problem and thrust Williams, Worthington and the Terp Athletics Department into the national spotlight. In addition to her uncharacteristic and defensive quotes, Worthington went so far as to show both newspapers the form Williams signed for the former Terp recruit Gus Gilchrist’s release.

Those release forms are internal documents, ones I was told yesterday I would have to file a Maryland Public Information Act request to receive.

To summarize, Worthington issued comments questioning the legitimacy of a statement from the highest profile member of the entire university community and released an internal document to two major newspapers. And she did this all volun-

tarily, initiating the story with a call to The Sun. It’s important to keep in mind she is one of Athletics Director Debbie Yow’s top advisers.

Ironically, she oversees all media relations within the administration.

Tuesday, she violated a major rule of successful media relations. She overreacted to a single statement in a story that otherwise would have been forgotten soon after. She never let go of her own pride, and, as a result, created an embarrassing mess for herself, Williams and the department. At this point, it does not matter who was factually accurate on the matter in question.

The statement that caused the ruckus was Williams’ response to a question about the decisions of former recruits Tyree Evans and Gilchrist to leave the Terps.

He said, “It wasn’t my fault that they’re not here. That was somebody else’s call.” This was hardly worth such a reaction in the first place. Williams’ intentions with such a comment may not be entirely clear, but he defended himself by pointing at the comment’s vagueness.

Williams’ defense of himself

included an interesting point: “Who said the University of Maryland’s call? Nobody.”

Worthington obviously believed the “somebody else” Williams mentioned was referring directly to the Athletics Department. Paranoia can spark a chain reaction; this was no exception.

What’s not yet clear is the role Yow played in the entire scandal — and that’s what this has grown into. For years there have been rumors of dislike between Yow and Williams, each highly respected in their positions.

I reached Yow via her cell phone yesterday and she said she was not yet certain she would make a comment on the issue. She’s out of town for the funeral of her sister, legendary N.C. State women’s basketball coach Kay Yow. An assistant of Debbie Yow’s told me the 15thyear Athletics Director was in her office yesterday, but it’s not clear whether she greenlighted Worthington’s contact with the media.

If Yow did allow or even direct Worthington’s contact, this rift may be simply the first sign of the end of the Gary Williams era. The case is

somewhat reminiscent of, if not as extreme as, some of the events occurring in Bob Knight’s final years as men’s basketball coach at Indiana.

If Yow did not give permission for Worthington’s comments, it indicates disorganization and discord within the administration that must be rectified.

Either way, something happened that clearly shouldn’t have. When comments like this reach the media, the integrity of the department is compromised. The public images of both Williams and Yow’s administration have taken serious hits on a national level. For something that started because of a story about poor recruiting, this certainly can’t help.

At this point, it appears no one in the administration is commenting. After yesterday, a nocomment policy may make sense. But at some point, the obvious tension between Williams and the administration will have to be addressed. If they aren’t, Williams’ notable tenure may come to an earlierthan-expected end. ajosephdbk@gmail.com

Athletics Director Debbie Yow, shown here in 2007, has yet to release a statement on the verbal sparring between men’s basketball coach Gary Williams and Senior Associate Athletics Director Kathleen Worthington. FILE PHOTO/THE DIAMONDBACK

Defense has struggled late DEFENSE, from Page 10

Guard Eric Hayes and the Terps have blown several big leads, including 16-point lead to Boston College on Tuesday. ADAM FRIED/THE DIAMONDBACK

again, in the second half, the Terps lacked aggressiveness.

“Something happens at halftime — we just come out flat,” Neal said. “It’s really weird for us; we play so well in the first half, and [we’re] not able to sustain that energy or that hard work.”

Boston College cut the Terps’ once-16-point lead to 11 right before the half, when the Eagles staged a 7-2 mini-run. But Milbourne’s highlight jam could have been the momentumshifter, as Comcast Center was rocking and the Terps were still in control.

“I was just trying to get my team energetic, try to get the positivity back,” Milbourne said. “I felt like everybody was fired up, and I just tried to add to it.”

Milbourne’s play didn’t have its desired effect. The Eagles scored the next seven points and kept chipping away at the deficit without facing much resistance from the Terps.

One potential diagnosis for the Terps’ struggles with a lead is they lack the key elements to run a slow-it-down, halfcourt set.

When the shots aren’t falling, the Terps don’t have a low-post threat that can pressure opposing defenses.

The Terps’ lack of depth also caught up with them Tuesday.

Forward Dino Gregory is one of just two primary reserves for the Terps.

ADAM FRIED/THE DIAMONDBACK

Williams primarily played a seven-man rotation, then turned to former starter Braxton Dupree for six minutes when Milbourne was in foul trouble.

But guard Adrian Bowie dismissed the idea that the team got tired. He said, instead, that they basically got lazy.

“In the second half, for some reason, we have a lack of energy and we just don’t talk as much,” Bowie said. “It’s a lack of effort.

Once people’s shots [aren’t] falling, once we go cold, our defense isn’t as [good]. When people miss shots, they put their heads down, and it causes slow

defense. They don’t play as hard on defense cause they’re thinking about their shot.”

Williams said the discouraging tendency might in part be something as simple as the side of the court the Terps are playing on.

“Looks like in the first half this year, by now it’s become a trend, when we come to the bench we play pretty good defense, and when the defense is away from us in the second half, we don’t play as good defense,” Williams said.

He noted that when the defense is by the bench, coaches can call out picks and directions to the team. When the defense is in front of the opposing team’s bench, the onus is on the five guys on the court to do all the talking.

“You have to stay aggressive for 40 minutes,” Williams said.

“You can’t play like you’re up 15.”

At this point in the season, those words sound like a broken Milli Vanilli record — something the Terps never wanted to hear in the first place. But it has cost them three games so far this year.

At 13-7, the Terps are far on the outside of a tournament birth. If those games weren’t blown and the Terps instead claimed a 16-4 mark, their postseason outlook might be different.

“If we put two halves together,” Neal said. “I think we have the chance to be a pretty good team.” mseligdbk@gmail.com

THE DIAMONDBACK | SPORTS | THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2009

quiet

9

ATHLETICISM

Forward Dee Liles is still shy when she speaks about her long path to joining the Terps. But she’s turning her teammates’ heads with her show-stopping athleticism

BY AARON KRAUT Senior staff writer

During practice, it’s sometimes hard to notice Terrapin women’s basketball forward Dee Liles is even on the court, especially compared to her outspoken teammates.

Senior Marissa Coleman is almost always talking, whether she’s cracking jokes while practicing free throws or advising less-experienced players on the correct defensive positioning.

Others, such as center Lynetta Kizer and even injured forward Emery Wallace, constantly yell words of encouragement.

Liles, on the other hand, quietly rotates between offensive and defensive drills, periodically using her freakish athleticism to sky for a rebound or block a shot.

During games though, the story is completely different.

While Coleman and preseason All-American point guard Kristi Toliver score most of the points, it’s Liles, the junior college transfer from nearby Suitland, who gets noticed for her jumping ability, versatility and knack for coming down with clutch rebounds.

“You didn’t know what to expect, how quickly she was going to be able to develop or be where she is at,” coach Brenda Frese said.

“She’s been relentless on the glass.

Every day, every week, she just continues to get better and fine tune her game.”

That was evident Sunday night, when the No. 8 Terps (163, 4-1 ACC) upset then-No. 2 North Carolina 77-71. Liles’ 15 rebounds, nine of which came in the second half, allowed the Terps to finally take control late in the game and shine in an area in which they’ve struggled in

previous matchups against the typically physical Tar Heels.

Liles has already helped the Terps replace forwards Laura Harper and Crystal Langhorne, who, during the previous four seasons, established themselves as two of the best post players in program history.

“I didn’t think it was gonna happen this soon,” Liles said. “I probably thought it would be next year when I could get all of it out, but it’s a blessing.”

Liles’ status as the team’s leading rebounder, averaging 9.2 per game, isn’t just a blessing because of how quickly it’s happened in her first year with the team, but also because of the two years she had to wait for the opportunity.

After a prestigious four-year career at Riverdale Baptist High School, which included national rankings and an honorable mention McDonald’s All American nod, Liles was set on becoming a Terp.

But according to Liles, she couldn’t qualify because of low SAT scores and spent the next two seasons at Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, Fla. Liles started for the Commodores for two seasons and was named the 2008 Junior College National Player of the Year, leading her team to last year’s NJCAA national championship.

Going through that two-year process to get to College Park is something Liles said she thinks about regularly.

“Me and coach were talking about that [Tuesday] before practice — about how I was trying to work so hard to be here,” Liles said.

“And now I’m finally here, with all my lovable teammates, and winning games.”

While fellow first-year post play-

“I think she appreciates the moments that she has knowing that she didn’t get the first two years here.”

BRENDA FRESE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL COACH

er Kizer has also performed well in her role right away, she has three more seasons left to make her mark. Frese said Liles realizes her time as a Terp will be shorter.

“I was talking to her about the fact that she did lose those two years, you know, not being able to be here,” Frese said. “But I do think she’ll even tell you that the junior college route was the way to go. It helped her grow up, going away from home. I think she appreciates the moments that she has knowing that she didn’t get the first two years here.”

While Liles is almost averaging a double-double through her first 19 career games, she has the potential to be dominant, according to coaches and teammates.

“Your battle with her is to always stay focused and try to get that consistency from a day-to-day standpoint,” said Gulf Coast CC coach Roonie Scovel. “We had a hard time to get Dee to put two to three good games together. From her freshman year to her sophomore year she made great strides. By the time she got to the national tournament [last year], she picked the right time and she played four tremendous games.”

Coleman praised Liles’ play so far, specifically in the second half of the game against the Tar

Liles (right) has impressed teammates, including Sa’de Wiley-Gatewood (center) and Marah Strickland (left), with her athleticism this year. JACLYN BOROWSKI/THE DIAMONDBACK

Heels, but also said Liles sometimes brings her shy nature onto the court.

“She needs to get a lot more aggressive,” Coleman said. “Once she can get into her mind to attack every time, she’ll be one of the best players in the conference.”

According to Frese, Liles is getting more comfortable.

“Outwardly she’s quiet until she gets to know you, until she trusts you,” Frese said. “I just love coaching her. She likes to have fun, she likes to kind of poke fun at you and joke around.”

Liles said she knows she’s an introvert. When questioned by reporters, she speaks softly about her play and may not be as boisterous as some other Terps. But after already proving her ability on the court, she’s gradually starting to come out of her shell and she is now focusing on bigger things.

“They could see that I was shy,” Liles said. “On my visit I was shy because I didn’t know anybody, but once I got here I just fit in with them. Now, I just keep trying to help my team win.” akrautdbk@gmail.com

Liles has made her impact with the Terps primarily through defense and rebounding this season. ADAM FRIED/THE DIAMONDBACK

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Brian Letters, top, has struggled competing at his new 165-pound weight class. After winning the ACC championship last season at 157 pounds, he is just 1-2 in ACC play this year. JACLYN BOROWSKI/THE DIAMONDBACK

Middleweights struggle for wrestling

BY CHRIS ECKARD Staff writer

Using his enormous 285pound frame, Patrick Gilmore literally put the Terrapin wrestling team on his back and carried them to a victory when they were tied 18-18 heading into the final match against N.C. State.

While Gilmore certainly was important, the meet should never have gotten to that point. Maryland started out with a 9-0 lead and seemingly had the match in hand, until the team let the Wolfpack come back in the middleweight classes.

This past weekend’s matches against N.C. State and Duke showed two everpresent factors about the Terp wrestling team this year. The first was the excellent production from its lightweight wrestlers, but the more alarming factor was the Terps’ failures in some of the middleweight classes.

The trio of Brendan Byrne, 125 pounds, Steven Bell, 133, and Alex Krom, 141, has produced an outstanding 9-0 record through the first three ACC matchups. Not one member of the three has lost since the Terps faced Oklahoma on Jan. 16, and the trio has compiled a 49-14 record this year. Bell is ranked eighth in the country in his weight class, while Krom is 13th.

As a result of their lightweight success, the Terps jumped out to early leads against both N.C. State and

Duke on Saturday. But in both ACC matches, the Terps allowed a comeback in the middleweights and had to fight to pull out victories. The Terps dropped four of five matchups between the 149 and 184 weight classes.

The most visible reason for the Terps’ struggles has been the decision to redshirt Mike Letts, the 2008 ACC champion at 174 pounds. Compiling a 226 record for Maryland last season, Letts was ranked 11th to begin the season and was expected to be an important leader for the team.

“He wanted to put himself in the best position to win a national championship,” coach Kerry McCoy said.

“This year allows him time to mature, get stronger and work on his technique.”

Without Letts at 174, Corey Peltier was the penciled starter until he broke his ankle at the Midland Championships in December. With both Peltier and Letts unavailable, McCoy has had to turn to inexperienced sophomores Patrick Klenkel and Bradley Nielson.

Maryland has also been forced to adjust to sophomore Brian Letters moving up in weight class from 157 to 165.

After finishing with a 4-1 conference record and an ACC championship last season, Letters is currently 1-2.

“This year, I haven’t had to watch my weight as much, so I have become healthier and stronger,” Letters said. “But I have had to adjust to the bigger, stronger wrestlers at

165.”

At 157, Letters’ previous class, two redshirt freshmen, Kyle John and Matt MacLean, have been the main starters.

They have struggled, currently standing at 23-26 overall and 1-2 in the ACC. “When you put a freshman out there against a fourth- or fifth-year senior, you’re going to take some losses, and they need to come back and fight harder,” McCoy said.

Redshirt senior Steve Fehnel took over the starting position at 149 after sophomore Eric Medina, a 2008 AllACC wrestler, left the university. But he has struggled to stay healthy, prompting McCoy to bump Dex Lederer up a weight class to serve as a back-up.

While the 149 to 184 weight classes stand at a miserable 213 in ACC duals, Maryland has had production from the back end of its rotation.

Hudson Taylor, currently ranked 10th in the 197-pound class, has a respectable 24-5 overall record and is undefeated in ACC play. Paired with heavyweight Patrick Gilmore, the two are 5-1 in the conference.

With the great production at the front and back ends, Maryland will need to solve a few personnel issues in the middleweight classes before the end of the season and the start of the ACC tournament, especially if it plans on defending its ACC championship. eckarddbk@gmail.com

10

THE DIAMONDBACK | THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2009

Live on TerrapinTrail.com

Sports Releases of Evans, Gilchrist sparked comments

Worthington, Williams both displayed immaturity ADI

JOSEPH

T

his column will be entirely based on comments made by Senior Associate Athletics Director Kathleen Worthingon and Terrapin men’s basketball coach Gary Williams to The (Baltimore) Sun and The Washington Post on Tuesday. Neither Worthington nor Williams would comment on

ATHLETICS, from Page 1 fault that they’re not here. That was somebody else’s call.”

The (Baltimore) Sun used that quote in a story about the Terps’ recent recruiting troubles, but according to a more recent Sun story, Worthington called the newspaper and said: “I want to clarify the facts and the timing and the decision process of these situations. It was my recommendation that we not sign a release for Gus [Gilchrist]. I didn’t want to release him. It was the head coach’s decision. No one else released Gus.” Worthington provided The Sun and The Washington Post with a copy of the release, signed only by Williams. The Diamondback was told it would have to file a Maryland Public Information Act request for the same document yesterday.

However, Williams said, “signing the release had nothing to do with [Gilchrist’s] leaving.”

Tuesday night, after the Terps lost a home game 76-67 against Boston College, media members were ushered into the team’s locker room to conduct interviews with players. In the meantime, one Sun and two Post reporters spoke with Williams in the corner of the locker room.

According to The Post, Williams snapped back, “Kathy Worthington does not speak for me. She has never won a national championship. She has never done anything. She is an associate AD. She doesn’t speak for me.”

Athletics Director Debbie Yow declined to comment to The Diamondback yesterday afternoon.

Yow is in North Carolina for the funeral of her sister, former N.C. State basketball coach Kay Yow. Gilchrist, a 6-foot-10 inch cen-

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Read more coverage of Terp sports, including the men’s basketball team’s 3point shooting woes, on TerrapinTrail.com, The Diamondback’s official sports blog.

Men’s basketball coach Gary Williams defended his statements on a pair of recruits after their validity was drawn into question by Senior Associate Athletics Director Kathleen Worthington on Tuesday. ADAM FRIED/THE DIAMONDBACK

Evans on the team beter who graduated cause he had not dishigh school in 2007, closed all of the crimioriginally signed with nal charges, according Virginia Tech but to The Sun. backed away from the Tuesday night, Hokies prior to his Williams was asked if freshman year, citing he received proper supshootings on the port from the Athletics Blacksburg campus.

Department in terms of He enrolled at this recruiting. “I don’t want university last Januto get into that now. No ary, but due to NCAA KATHLEEN comment,” he said. and ACC rules — WORTHINGTON Senior Associate Athletics Many skeptics besince Gilchrist trans- Director lieve Williams is on the ferred within the conference — he would only have hot seat due to the Terps’ strugtwo-and-a-half years of eligibility gles and his tenuous situation with the Athletics Department. remaining.

He still, however, appears to Gilchrist requested a release, and Williams complied. Gilchrist have backing from his players. In is now averaging 10.8 points per response to questions about the Terps’ loss against Boston College game at South Florida.

Evans, who now averages 13 on Tuesday, junior guard Greivis points per game for Kent State, Vasquez responded, “We got a had a checkered past which in- Hall-of-Fame coach. He knows cluded guilty pleas to possession how to get guys to bounce back of marijuana as well as assault and he’s a great coach overall.

He’s a father, he’s a friend, he’s a and battery charges.

When Evans’ transgressions psychologist, he knows, that’s why became public, Williams called he gets paid.” the university’s Office of Student Conduct, saying he did not want mseligdbk@gmail.com

the situation to The Diamondback yesterday.

Why? Because things were said that shouldn’t have been said.

Internal conflicts reached the media. And, in one day, previous rumors of a rift between the Athletics Department and Williams were validated in a public forum.

Tuesday’s episode culminated in Williams stating bluntly: “Kathy Worthington does not speak for me. She has never won a national championship. She has never done anything.” But in this case, the end result, the quotable lines that have Terp

fans abuzz on message boards, were a by-product of a childish lack of communication on both sides and a senior official of the Athletics Department throwing a 20thyear coach under the bus to the media.

Williams was unprofessional in his response. He showed paranoia (“This is just giving you stuff to make me look bad”) and a defensiveness that bordered on hostility (“I have run a clean program for 20 years. ... So what’s the purpose of this? To say he didn’t quite say it

Please See JOSEPH, Page 8

Terps continue second-half slumps Team suggests a lack of intensity is biggest late-game issue

BY MARK SELIG Senior staff writer

Less than a minute into the second half of the Tuesday night men’s basketball game against Boston College, Terrapin forward Landon Milbourne sized up an errant shot from teammate Dave Neal, came barreling into the lane to gather the miss and, while jumping over an outstretched defender, forcefully dunked the ball.

Milbourne energetically barked at the defender before shifting his enthusiasm toward his teammates.

The play was, in one word,

2009

MEN’S BASKETBALL

aggressive.

Yet, an hour later, after the Terps (13-7, 2-4 ACC) lost another game, this time blowing a 16-point lead, coach Gary Williams and his players echoed what has become a relentless and troubling theme to their season that belied that one impressive move.

Once

Please See DEFENSE, Page 8

Greivis Vasquez and the Terps say they’ve lacked toughness late in games. ADAM FRIED/THE DIAMONDBACK