020712

REPORT CARD WEIGHTLESS Reviewing the Terps midway through the ACC season

The ‘cute’ Beatle makes a shallow album DIVERSIONS | PAGE 6

SPORTS | PAGE 8

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

THE DIAMONDBACK THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER

PASTA AND SAUCE

Sixteen Commons 3 residents have been moved from their apartments.

CHELSEA DIRECTOR/THE DIAMONDBACK

Students relocated after pipes cracked

The South Campus Diner’s “Pasta Guy” is more than just the man behind the counter

First-floor Commons 3 residents sent to dorms, local hotels

BY TEDDY AMENABAR Staff writer

Nearly 100 students have been affected by cracked pipes in Commons Building 3, including 16 students who have been relocated to residential dorm rooms and nearby hotels, officials said.

After a resident placed a work order earlier this semester complaining of bugs in her apartment, officials investigated the situation Thursday and eventually found multiple cracks in a pipe, forcing residents to cope without water for nearly eight hours a day since. Although officials initially told Commons 3 residents maintenance would only take one day, they found

BY ALLISON GRAY Staff writer

He cut sugarcane on his South Carolina family farm at the age of seven. He worked on military vehicles for the U.S. Army as a young man. He served food in the Capitol and on the National Mall in Washington.

But these days, 51-year-old Marcus Thompson — known fondly by students as “Mr. Marcus” or “Pasta Man” — spends his days manning the create-your-own pasta station at the South Campus Dining Hall, whipping up his pasta creations with a dash of humor and light-hearted

conversation with customers.

“If I can’t make you laugh, I’m gonna make you smile,” Thompson said.

Although he retired in 1987, Thompson joined the university dining staff in 2009 out of an urge to stay active.

“I do a lot of cooking on Saturday and Sunday in my own home, there’s nothing hard about it,” he said. “If you like cooking, it’s a job for you.”

And in his two years behind the pasta station, Thompson made plenty of friends among his coworkers and the many customers who shuffle

see PASTA, page 2

Our 102ND Year, No. 83

Private info accessible online, state audit shows Students’ names, social security listed

BY JON WOLPER Senior staff writer

The University System of Maryland stored thousands of prospective students’ names, social security numbers and, in some cases, credit card information on a publicly accessible server, a recent audit found.

Starting in 2004, the applications of more than 8,000 students who applied to college via the system’s website were stored in plain text on a web server, according to the threeyear audit released last month. Someone with hacking skills could have accessed the server, said Robert Koslowski, the director of the Information Systems Audit Division at the Office of Legislative Audits, which filed the report.

Although this application process has become less popular in recent years, Legislative Auditor Bruce Myers said the situation needed to be rectified nonetheless.

“It wasn’t used that much, but we still thought 8,000 was still significant enough that it ought to be protected,” Myers said.

Although no information was ever stolen, this isn’t the first time an audit found issues with the system’s web security, and several officials said they were concerned with the length of time it took for system officials to fix the problem.

A previous audit that covered 2005 to 2008 also found sensitive data in a susceptible place. That time, about 53,000 social security numbers and 21,000 credit card numbers were sitting on the server, unencrypted.

The system planned to have all of the data moved to an internal server,

JEREMY KIM/THE DIAMONDBACK

see REPAIRS, page 3

see AUDIT, page 3

O’Malley’s budget allocates Child struck $5.4B for higher education by car outside Despite possible 3 percent tuition increase, state may give more financial aid funding

BY JIM BACH Staff writer

Even though students will likely face a 3 percent increase in tuition, Gov. Martin O’Malley proposed a budget that provides alternative increases in higher education, including more state financial aid and funding for university infrastructure projects — a move that has drawn praise from many university officials and state lawmakers.

O’Malley once again opted to “buy down” tuition by adding $9 million in state funds to cap increases at 3 percent and adding more than $1 billion to the University System of Maryland budget. The proposed budget — which must be approved by the General Assembly before being finalized — sets aside $5.4 billion for higher education purposes to maintain college affordability, said O’Malley spokeswoman Takirra Winfield.

“The main thing has been the tuition and making sure tuition

TOMORROW’S WEATHER:

remains the same,” she said. “We hope the General Assembly recognizes the importance of higher education.”

Although students will likely have to pay higher tuition rates for the second year in a row after a four-year tuition freeze, university President Wallace Loh said the raise is minimal compared with other institutions, such as California State University, which raised its tuition 29 percent in the last year and a half.

“This university is extremely, extremely grateful to the governor for keeping tuition affordable,” Loh said.

“First he had no tuition increases, and then given all the increasing costs, he has kept it a modest, and I think affordable, 3 percent.”

If approved, the budget will allocate $2 million toward need-based financial aid, $1.2 million into curriculum research, $1 million toward the commercialization of research and $500,000 toward funding projects for

see BUDGET, page 2 Rain/40s

R.J Bentley’s Four-year-old sent to local hospital with minor injuries, county police say

BY ERIN EGAN Senior staff writer

A 4-year-old was struck by a car near the intersection of Route 1 and Knox Road yesterday evening while crossing the street with an adult, Prince George’s County Police said.

The child was transported to the hospital with minor injuries, District 1 Commander Maj. Robert Brewer said.

As many as four county cruisers blocked off the road in front of R.J. Bentley’s Monday evening around 5 p.m. Traffic was clear an hour later.

The driver did not flee the scene and cooperated fully with police, Brewer said.

The scene outside R.J. Bentley’s was quiet just one hour after a 4-yearold was struck by a car yesterday. CHARLIE DEBOYACE/THE DIAMONDBACK

MORE ONLINE For updates on this story as they develop, check out diamondbackonline.com throughout the day.

egan@umdbk.com

INDEX

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

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

DIVERSIONS . . . . .6 SPORTS . . . . . . . . .8

www.diamondbackonline.com

2

THE DIAMONDBACK | NEWS | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

PASTA from page 1 through the line each day.

“He’s really funny and personable, and he makes waiting in the long line worth it,” sophomore history major Tacy Lambiase said.

Thompson was born the seventh of nine children in Greenville, S.C., where each day started with a list of chores that were assigned by the older siblings.

His favorite job, Thompson said, was working in the sugarcane fields.

“I loved that, I loved cutting down sugarcane,” Thompson said. “I tried to eat some of it and got sick.”

And Thompson said he had plenty of mischievous fun with his brothers and sisters. He recalled holding secret waterballoon fights inside their apartment as soon as their parents left for work.

“What we would do was take the plastic, cover up the furniture, cover up the floor, and we’d start throwing water balloons at each other,” he said.

But all evidence of the skirmish was already gone by the time his parents came home.

“It was like nothing ever happened in that house and that’s how clean it was,” Thompson said. “All we had to do when we got finished was drag the plastic onto the balcony and [let] the water run right on down [to] the ground.”

Thompson moved with his family to Washington in 1968, and at Easton High School he played catcher and first base for the school baseball team and football at the Boys’ Club. After graduating from high school, he worked on light-wheel vehicles and air conditioning and refrigeration for the U.S. Army. He

BUDGET from page 1 $500,000 toward funding projects for the disabled, Loh said.

Additionally, O’Malley proposed investing $10 million in university infrastructure projects. Loh said he expects the university to continue receiving these funds over the next several years — noting the funds were an “important first step” as Facilities Management officials grapple with $750 million worth of deferred maintenance backlog projects.

“All our buildings look beautiful but, inside, as you know, they’re crumbling,” Loh said.

“Because some of them are 100 years old, the roof is leaking, water’s in the basement and so on and so forth.”

To continue keeping higher education affordable, O’Malley proposed raising state revenue through a multitude of ways, including adding a gas tax, restructuring the tax code and potentially taxing electronic transactions.

“He basically proposed the revenue raises just to fund education,” said Sen. Jim Rosapepe (D-Anne Arundel and Prince George’s). “He has basically prevented the university from big budget cuts.”

Marcus Thompson (right) has been a fixture of the make-your-own pasta station at the South Campus Dining Hall since 2010.

said he had learned how to use tools as a child by asking around to his neighbors.

“A lot of what I learned was [from] older people,” he said.

Thompson went on to work as an apprentice at Manhattan Auto in Rockville, and then he spent 12 years as a mechanic for a wastewater treatment center.

He retired early to spend more time with his son, Kendall, who

“[O’Malley] basically proposed the revenue raises just to fund education.”

JIM ROSAPEPE STATE SENATOR

But because students will incur additional finances under O’Malley’s proposed budget, college af fordability in the state is overshadowed by these added financial burdens, said Del. Susan Aumann (R-Baltimore County).

“Even though the tuitions are only going up 3 percent, there are other increases in costs,” she said.

Aumann said state residents have felt the impact of additional taxes and fees under O’Malley’s budget, and instead of raising revenue, the state should pursue austerity measures to balance the budget.

“I think he’s going in the wrong direction,” she said.

“In ever y household there’s been belt-tightening; I think the state can do the same.”

OFFICE: 3150 South Campus Dining Hall, University of Maryland, College Park, Md., 20742 HOURS: Noon to midnight, Sunday through Thursday PHONE: (301) 314-8200 FAX: (301) 314-8358 E-MAIL: news@umdbk.com CONTACTS: News: Rachel Roubein and Yasmeen Abutaleb Opinion: Christopher Haxel and Maria Romas Sports: Jonas Schaffer Diversions: Jon Wolper and Reese Higgins Comments, complaints and corrections: Lauren Redding, editor in chief.

Thompson said his favorite part about working at the dining hall is interacting with students and co-workers.

“Every job I have I put love into, that’s called caring about what you do — not just the responsibilities of what you do but the caring part of what you do to help not just your station but other stations too,” he said.

“If you can give some advice to

CORRECTIONS Due to an editing error, the headline of the Jan. 25 article “University revokes two Greek charters over break,” incorrectly described the process by which a Greek chapter is removed from the campus. The university cannot revoke a charter; instead, it recommends to the national office of a respective fraternity or sorority that the chapter no longer receive university recognition as a student group.

Due to a reporting error in the same article, the fraternity Beta Theta Pi was incorrectly identified.

Here’s a formula I know you’ll love:

$$$$$

CIRCULATION: COST: Free on campus; $1 each when taken in quantities of five or more.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: COST: Available by first-class mail for $210 per year PHONE: (301) 314-8000 CONTACT: Maggie Levy, business manager.

PRINTING SCHEDULE: The Diamondback is published five times a week during the academic year and once a week during the summer sessions.

POLICIES: To obtain permission to reprint an article, fax your request to Lauren Redding, editor in chief, at (301) 314-8358.

ABOUT: The Diamondback is an independent student newspaper, in no way affiliated with the campus or state.

Maryland Media Inc. is a non-profit organization of student publications at the University’s College Park campus. It is in no way affiliated

gray@umdbk.com

FOLLOW @THEDBK on Twitter

For news alerts, updates and more

THE ORENBERG LAW FIRM, P.C. ALLEN H. ORENBERG - Class of 1977 - College Park • 30 Years Experience in State & Federal Courts • Criminal Defense & Appeals • DWI - DUI - MVA Hearings - Underage Drinking • Student Honor Board Investigations & Hearings

(301) 984-8005 Toll Free (877) 246-8700 www.orenberglaw.com

A winning strategy

Now accepting Visa, MasterCard & Discover

$1 OFF

Any $5 Purchase

Offer Details: One coupon per party.

Coupon void if altered.

If you need to hire staff, are looking for childcare, or have an apartment to rent, Diamondback Classified Ads are a tough value to beat! For just 35 cents per word ($3.50 minimum), your ad will appear both in print and online at www.diamondbackonline.com. Plus, as an extra value, if you place your ad for four consecutive days, you’ll receive a fifth day FREE.

ADVERTISING: OFFICE: 3136 South Campus Dining Hall, University of Maryland, College Park Md., 20742 HOURS: 9:30 a.m.to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday PHONE: (301) 314-8000 FAX: (301) 314-8358 NATIONAL: The Diamondback is represented nationally by 360 Youth.

CONTACTS: Advertising: Chelsea Madden, advertising manager Billing: Maggie Levy, business manager

major Stacy Robinson, to experience the pasta station for the first time.

By the time the pair had made their way through the line, the “Pasta Man” had made a new fan.

“This is the first time I’ve gotten pasta, and I already know him,” Robinson said.

Your old stuff +DBK Classified

bach@umdbk.com

4429 Lehigh Road 301-927-6717

workers coming in, you can help them too with the experience that you have.”

And Thompson has noticed that when he gives great customer service, the person he served may bring a friend the next time.

This was the case with Xaiver Franco, a sophomore kinesiology major, who brought his friend, journalism

Due to a reporting error in the same article, the probation status of the chapters Alpha Epsilon Pi, Delta Chi, Delta Sigma Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Nu and Tau Kappa Epsilon was incorrectly identified. The chapters are on probationary recognition.

Call 301-314-8000 for information

THE DIAMONDBACK EDITORIAL

has spina bifida — a birth defect in which the spinal cord does not form completely.

Thompson described his son, who just turned 11 and is wheelchair-bound, as a caring and happy-go-lucky child.

“I know when I was feeling sick one time he wouldn’t move — that’s what you call compassionate,” he said. “He’s a lovable little kid.”

JEREMY KIM/THE DIAMONDBACK

Call 301-314-8000 or come to room 3136 South Campus Dining Hall, Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012 | NEWS | THE DIAMONDBACK

REPAIRS from page 1 the problem was much larger than they initially anticipated — and had to move 16 first-floor residents out of their apartments over the weekend.

“As they started doing the repairs, they found more cracks, and then we realized we had to shut [the water] off and that it was going to take days to repair,” said Gina Brasty, director of South Campus Commons and Courtyards. “Friday afternoon we found more severe issues, and so at that point we had to call in to take some safety measures.”

While officials had hoped to finish maintenance today, the repairs will likely take at least another week, officials said. The cause of the cracks cannot be determined, they said, and they informed residents construction may take longer than planned.

“We hope to have the issue causing us to relocate you repaired by Tuesday, but as we investigate the situation, additional repair work may be necessar y,” read an email sent Friday by South Campus Commons management and maintenance operations.

Some of the displaced students have been housed in the Quality Inn — a nearly 15minute walk away from campus — while others have been placed in empty residential dorms.

“It’s in their lease that we supply them with alternative housing,” Brasty said.

Since the students who have remained in the building have had their water shut of f ever y day since Thursday, except for Sunday, of ficials provided each af fected resident 125 Terp Bucks for the week. Students who had to move out have been given $20 a day in MasterCard gift cards.

Students, however, will not likely see a lower price tag for this month’s rent, since of ficials have paid for their alternative housing and provided them with

3

“As they started doing the repairs, they found more cracks, and then we realized we had to shut [the water] off and that it was going to take days to repair.”

GINA BRATSY DIRECTOR OF SOUTH CAMPUS COMMONS AND COURTYARDS

money for food and other amenities, they said.

Maintenance crews began construction yesterday to repair the pipes — which includes hours of jackhammering a day — much to the dismay of many Commons 3 residents.

“The way that it’s been handled is really poor,” said senior histor y major Connor Brooks. “It makes me feel like they really don’t care about telling us or working with us, even though we’re the people who live there and pay for it.”

Other residents, however, said officials have handled the situation relatively well given the circumstances.

“If you were in any other apartment complex, they wouldn’t be doing it the same way,” said junior Italian and Spanish major Laura Jones, who added that she cannot use her bathroom until next week. “I think Commons is doing a better job.”

Although many students have been inconvenienced, Brasty said she hopes residents understand officials are doing ever ything they can to ensure the situation is taken care of quickly.

“We ask that the students understand that things like this happen,” Brasty said.

“We understand that it can be frustrating, but ever yone is working hard to fix this problem.” amenabar@umdbk.com

After maintenance crews found multiple cracks in South Campus Commons 3 pipes Thursday, 16 students had to temporarily move into the Quality Inn — a 15-minute walk from the campus — and empty residential dorms. CHELSEA DIRECTOR/THE DIAMONDBACK

ON THE BLOG campusdrivedbk.wordpress.com

Teen charged with McKeldin robbery University Police arrest 15-year-old

BY ERIN EGAN Senior staff writer

PHOTO COURTESY OF DAMIEN PINKETT

HONORING BLACK HISTORY MONTH There was a cool bite in the air and an ominous threat of rain, and the sun played hide and seek behind the clouds.

But that did not stop black students all across the campus from gathering together Saturday afternoon for the university’s first annual Black History Month portrait.

More than 100 students donned their Sunday finest and flocked to the Main Administration Building and then the Nyumburu Amphitheater for the photoshoot, and in spite of the bleak weather, the crowd remained positive and enthused. Ladies were positioned in the middle and men stood along either side, imitating the black-and-white schoolhouse photos of the early 20th century. Students shouted, “Wooo!” in jubilation after the first shot was taken, and “Black Power” fists were raised during the final photos. For more check out The Diamondback’s Campus Drive blog.

PEPCO BUYS UNIVERSITY SOLAR DECATHALON HOUSE The university’s award-winning Solar Decathlon project, WaterShed, has a new home.

The Washington-area utility provider Pepco purchased the solar house last week for an undisclosed sum. The house will be moved to a Montgomery County facility, officials recently announced.

After winning the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon in October, the house was placed on display and then moved back to College Park. The team considered offers from various sources before finally deciding to sell to Pepco.

The house, which is completely solar powered, takes advantage of recycled water to be energy-efficient. The combination of energy efficiency and beauty spurred Pepco’s interest in the house.

According to the press release, the house will serve as an educational facility for the public.

For more, check out The Diamondback’s Campus Drive blog.

University Police arrested and charged a 15-year-old suspect yesterday in connection to a Jan. 29 robbery outside of McKeldin Library, University Police spokesman Capt. Marc Limansky said.

The juvenile, whose name police will not release because he is a minor, is being charged with robbery, second degree assault and theft under $1,000 after he allegedly stole a female student’s cell phone last Sunday. According to the student, a male approached her from behind asking for directions. He then allegedly grabbed the cell phone she was using and fled, police said.

The victim was not hurt except for a scratch on her cheek, police noted.

The Suitland-Silver Hill native will be charged as a juvenile, Limansky said. His punishment could range from a mark on his juvenile record — which would most likely be erased once he turns 18-yearsold — to placement in a juvenile correctional facility if he is “seen as a danger to society,” Limansky said.

Limansky added University

AUDIT from page 1

FILE PHOTO/THE DIAMONDBACK

first quarter of 2009, according to an audit report released early that year. According to system spokesman Mike Lurie, the move was not fully completed until December 2010, in what he called a “good-faith effort” on the part of the system.

“It turns out to be a fairly time-consuming process,” Lurie said, adding the move involved a complete redesign of the web application prospective students use to apply.

But Michael Hicks, a computer science professor and the director of this university’s Maryland Cybersecurity Center, said the two-year window is more comparable to 8 million

Police used their relationships with other entities and police departments to identify the suspect. He declined to give any further details as the case is still under investigation. He added police are unsure why the 15year-old was on the campus and how he got there, given he does not have a driver’s license.

Limansky said officers obser ved the juvenile via security camera footage from earlier in the day, but are unsure of how long he was on the campus.

“It seemed like from the video we saw that he was just walking around talking to people asking for directions,” Limansky said. “We think he was just looking for an opportunity to take something.” egan@umdbk.com

records than 8,000.

“To me, it sounds like a job that should take substantially less than two years,” he said.

The system is now in the process of devising a plan to store incoming applications on internal servers daily, meaning students’ sensitive information is substantially more secure, Lurie said. The data will be backed up to CD once a month, he added.

Yet, Koslowski said the fact the information was available to hackers at one point is clearly an issue.

“It is not commonplace,” he said. “Clearly, this should not have existed. So were we surprised? I think we were surprised, yes.” jwolper@umdbk.com

4

THE DIAMONDBACK | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

0pinion

THE DIAMONDBACK

LAUREN REDDING EDITOR IN CHIEF

YOUR INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK PHONE: (301) 314-8200 | FAX: (301) 314-8358

ALEX KNOBEL

TYLER WEYANT

MANAGING EDITOR

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR

3150 SOUTH CAMPUS DINING HALL | COLLEGE PARK, MD 20742 NEWS@UMDBK .COM | OPINION@UMDBK .COM

CHRISTOPHER HAXEL

MARIA ROMAS

OPINION EDITOR

ASSISTANT OPINION EDITOR

Staff editorial

Guest column

One hopeful step forward

Secondclass freshmen

A

fter a bumpy ride the last couple years, it seems the university about 38 percent of students identify as a minority, and that number is sure to finally has someone to navigate the complex issue of diversity on grow because Mar yland is one of the countr y’s most diverse states: More the campus. In January, Kumea Shorter-Gooden began her tenure than 50 percent of residents under the age of 15 are minorities, and experts as the university’s first-ever chief diversity officer. The position was estimate the population as a whole will become majority-minority — that is, created by university President Wallace Loh based on recommendations traditional minorities will outnumber whites — in less than a decade.

Maintaining lines of communication with the university’s many diversity from the Diversity Strategic Plan, a 10-year road map for improving equity organizations is important, but trust us — if they have and diversity among faculty and staff at the university. something to say, Shorter-Gooden will be sure to know Issues of diversity have been a hot topic on the camit. Which is why it’s even more important for Shorterpus in recent years: In 2008, then-Provost Nariman Farvardin almost eliminated the position of associate Kumea Shorter-Gooden, Gooden to reach out to those students who aren’t active on diversity issues. Not ever y student is going to be director of the Office of LGBT Equity. In 2009, more the university’s first-ever vocal about diversity on the campus, but every student than 600 students, staff and faculty members protested has a role in diversity on the campus, whether they the ousting of Cordell Black, the university’s top diverchief diversity officer, realize it or not. Shorter-Gooden’s plans to integrate sity administrator. In 2010, the University Senate finally should reach out to all diversity issues more deeply into the curriculum and approved the long-awaited diversity plan, which was bridge minority gaps among the faculty and student delayed for months after harsh criticism; more than students to truly affect body are promising because they will cultivate diver300 attended a town hall to voice their displeasure with sity, rather than preach it. an early draft that was seen by many as vague. diversity on the campus.

Like the university, Shorter-Gooden has come a long And although diversity issues at the university have somewhat quieted down since Loh became president in November 2010, the way. As an undergraduate in 1969, she belonged to the first class of women administration has still been criticized on issues ranging from workers’ admitted to Princeton University. After earning her master’s and doctorate at rights to parental leave. Shorter-Gooden will no doubt have a full plate in the this university, Shorter-Gooden established herself in California, eventually coming months. But in addition to her roles implementing the strategic plan heading diversity efforts for the nine campuses of Alliant International Uniand overseeing numerous diversity organizations on the campus, the versity. With a new leader and a fresh perspective, the university has a fightadministration’s newcomer should focus on aspects of diversity that can be ing chance of leaving its rocky past behind.

There’s no doubt the university is diverse — just look around. Students of difficult to grapple with: Most members of the community probably agree diversity is a good thing, but its role in — and affect on — higher education all races, religions and sexualities traverse the campus every day. But there’s a big difference between having diversity and truly appreciating diversity; can seem nebulous.

This institution has come a long way since 1916, when white women were the university still has a ways to go in the latter. Let’s hope Shorter-Gooden is first admitted, and 1951, when the university was racially integrated. Today, up to the challenge.

Our View

Editorial cartoon: Nathan Tucker

One senior’s guide to giving directions

D

espite my every attempt to appear surly and unapproachable, a seemingly endless stream of people ask me for directions on a regular basis. Thus, I’ve compiled a guide to assist my fellow classmates with this important task; you’re welcome.

PREFACE: Lucky you. Some stranger is lost, and of the nearly 38,000 students on the campus, you have been chosen to be the way, the truth, the life.

You control the next five or more minutes of this person’s future, and with such power comes great responsibility — so wield it wisely.

When asked for directions, the most important task is to assess the situation before responding: Is the person walking, or in a car; is the person’s destination near, or is it far; is the person attractive to you; if you give bad directions, is the person likely to find you and cause bodily harm? Notice that your ability to actually assist the person is nowhere on the list. This may seem callous, but remember — the person chose you.

His or her inability to plan ahead or

CHRISTOPHER

HAXEL read signs is not your fault. Nor is it your fault the campus blueprint was modeled off a pile of spaghetti puke found on the floor of R.J. Bentley’s after some freshman downed one too many Jägerbombs.

SCENARIO: Person wearing attire from another ACC school asks for directions.

RESPONSE: Turn on your Baltimore charm, thoughtfully determine the best route and point somewhere in the opposite direction. Tell this person it’s right next to the law school.

SCENARIO: Motorist stops at the intersection in front of Stamp Student Union and asks for directions to Stamp Student Union; other cars begin to honk.

RESPONSE: This person is an asshole. Tell the motorist you don’t know

where Stamp is.

SCENARIO: Person asking for directions is foreign; your class starts in five minutes.

RESPONSE: Just walk away. Honestly, what are the odds you actually help this person find his or her destination? They don’t know any major landmarks. There’s probably a language barrier, which means talking will take forever. You can pretend not to see this person, but foreigners tend to be persistent because they’re frequently oblivious to our society’s nonverbal clues, such as scowling or avoiding eye contact. The best response is to abruptly walk in another direction while making some sort of unintelligible arm motion — he or she will assume you are on drugs and ask someone else for directions.

SCENARIO: Student you find attractive is looking for Tydings Hall; you are already late for class.

RESPONSE: Offer to walk this person to his or her destination, because you’ll totally get a phone number. I’m sorry, that’s terrible advice: If this per-

son is actually attractive, they don’t want some over-eager pleaser spitting game, he or she wants to go to stupid Tydings Hall. You can give them directions as long as their clothes or voice don’t piss you off.

SCENARIO: It’s moving day; suspected parent is looking for Commons 3.

RESPONSE: If you’re smart, you already moved in. Which is another way of saying you should be drunk right now. Take off your shoe and ask them to smell it. Or lift up your shirt and tickle your nipple. Or do whatever you want, because a parent should have known better than to ask a daytime drunk for directions.

CONCLUSION: As you can see, few scenarios demand sincere assistance.

There are so many signs, maps, computers, smart phones and GPS units in the world — few people have good reason to ask for directions. Besides, the student body has a reputation: You should do your best to uphold it.

Christopher Haxel is a senior English major. He can be reached at haxel@umdbk.com.

How Lana Del Rey hurt the Internet’s feelings

L

ana Del Rey has caused quite a ruckus on the Internet recently. Her first major album, Born to Die, was released a week ago to mixed reviews, with most critics citing the hollowness of her image as the album’s primary downfall. The Diamondback’s own Robert Gifford said simply that the album was “boring,” though he also hinted at its inability to capture either the charisma of pop music or the presumed emotionality of indie.

Which was, before her album actually debuted, the whole debate.

For those of you who are not Internet people, i.e. those of you who play sports/have real lives/use your free time to volunteer at the animal shelter/etc., the name Lana Del Rey may mean little more than a bad Saturday Night Live performance and/or a pair of Angelina-worthy lips. But for bloggers and their ashamedly faithful devotees, Del Ray has been stirring up cyclical pools of controversy for far too long now.

The point of Del Rey’s authenticity is, as Gifford mentioned in his review last week, a moot one. The music she writes clearly follows the formula of pop, and honesty is not expected from pop musicians. But having respectfully sat shiva for the starlet’s career, I would now like to raise what I feel is a more relevant question: Why all the bitterness?

What is it about Del Rey’s image that has touched one of the indie world’s many sensitive and introspective nerves?

Del Rey’s career was born to die (sorry). But it’s not her fault, or at least not for the reasons we think it is. The backlash she suffered at the hands of those who brought her to stardom was not because she is “inauthentic,” or even because she failed to create a fantasy that anyone could believe. No, what doomed lovely Lana from the start is that she failed to create a fantasy that anyone would want to believe.

Pop musicians have turned themselves into caricatures for decades

ALEX LESTON now and gotten away with it. But their aesthetic has nearly always been as upbeat as their choruses have. Katy Perry, as mentioned in The Diamondback’s review of Born To Die, is also an image of herself — but Del Rey’s indulgently morose “dark and lonely/ I need somebody to hold me” would never appear between “it’s a blacked out blur” and “but I’m pretty sure it ruled” on a Perry track. The point being, of course, that lying is only okay when you’re lying about having fun.

I don’t think Katy Perry’s image — or that of any other starlet, for that matter — is any more convincing than Del Rey’s. But her aesthetic failed not because we believed her less than any other

larger-than-life character, but because the world of emotionalism is supposed to be left to artists who do not aim to be larger than life.

Fantasies are fun; emotions are real. And to a world that has stereotypically found social and economic impetus in this dichotomy, Del Rey may seem a little bit too much like a grammar school crybaby. Everyone knows she’s faking, but she still won’t shut up.

Not only is Del Rey’s fantasy not fun (which is arguably the point of fantasy), but her melodrama — like the kid who cries about everything — also seems to trivialize the actual human experience. Which is, after all, the opposite of what good art should do — and the opposite of what the hipster Internet community has always fancied itself concerned with.

Alex Leston is a freshman agriculture and resource economics major.

She can be reached at leston@umdbk.com.

C

ongratulations, Freshmen Connection class of 2011.

We made it. Those four months went by quickly, didn’t they? It makes sense that they did, considering most of our classes started late in the afternoon and we took full advantage of that fact.

Most commencement speeches begin with a quote. The one that sticks out at me requires some context, so think back to the New Student Welcome: University President Wallace Loh was up on stage while all of us, clad in french-fry yellow T-shirts, were tucked neatly in the corner of Comcast Center in our own “OffCampus Terps” section. Loh remarked how proud he was of the high GPA of the students. He said something self-deprecating to the effect of “If I applied to Maryland today, I would not have gotten in.”

And suddenly, a dry, tired male voice behind me barked back something that echoed the subconscious thoughts of everyone in the Freshmen Connection class: “Hey, that’s funny. Neither did I.” The Freshmen Connection program is meant to enable students accepted to the university for the spring semester to attend school here. In exchange for the privilege, we must live off-campus and take classes during non-peak hours, from about 3 to 9 p.m. Once the spring semester arrives, we’re considered regular students. Little did I know what it would mean to be half a Terp.

Now, before I begin, I have to establish that even if I had prior knowledge of what my experience as a Freshmen Connection student would be like, I probably still would have chosen this university. The gripes I have are meant only to show what could be improved upon in my generally good experience here.

I suspected, but repressed, the idea that the Freshmen Connection program would attempt to “reform” me into being more like my less acceptance-challenged classmates. That thought surged back when I asked a fall-admitted freshman how his UNIV 100 class was going, believing all freshmen had to take it. Then he asked me what UNIV 100 is. UNIV 100 is a mandatory course for Freshmen Connection students. In it, we studied important questions like, “what’s college?” “who is a professor?” and “how does one study?” I strongly suspect when admission committee members saw my application, they did not think “This student doesn’t manage her time well enough to come here among her peers.” I’m sure UNIV 100 has value for students who need extra guidance, but it’s almost insulting to insinuate that any student who didn’t get accepted for the fall must be this clueless.

The advising process was similarly poor. I was lucky enough to know my major, government and politics, but Freshmen Connection students who remained undecided had to attend long, impersonal advising sessions with about 30 other students. The only decent analogy to this is lining a bunch of students up on a conveyor belt and demanding they find their answer to “What do you want to be?” in the span of an hour. I understand it’s no small task to arrange a personto-person advising session for all freshmen, but this is not the place to cut corners. Students are free to change their major later or even stick with letters and sciences a little longer, but it shows a lack of concern to ship so many students through the process like sausage links.

The light in the storm for Freshmen Connection students was that, come spring semester, we would cease to be a “special case” and would become whole Terps. And yet, even that didn’t turn out to be quite true. The class registration date for all freshmen with no previous credit was Nov. 31, that is, all freshmen except for Freshmen Connection students, who registered more than a week later, on Dec. 8. Even students who opted to take the fall semester off and return to Maryland in the spring registered before us. Are we being punished? I don’t get it.

I’m not asking for much. The Freshmen Connection program was an amazing opportunity and it’s helped me stay on track to graduate on time. All I want is for the university to be more up front about the goals of the program: are we really here to get ahead, or are we in a remedial program? How long should we expect to be half a Terp?

Emma Atlas is a freshman government and politics major. She can be reached at atlasemm@gmail.com.

POLICY: Signed letters, columns and cartoons represent 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.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012 | THE DIAMONDBACK

5

Features HOROSCOPESTELLA WILDER

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Circus employee 6 Vote in 11 Nautilus locale 14 Veld scavenger 15 Brawl 16 Endorser’s need 17 Colonial suitor 18 Party tray cheese 20 — chi ch’uan 21 Trucker, perhaps 23 Agreements between nations 24 Titter (hyph.)

26 Soft underfoot 28 Viewed with alarm 30 Burst of energy 31 Rose-petal oil 32 Actor Raul — 33 April 15 org.

36 Familiar digits 37 Speedy 38 Offshore 39 Wrap up 40 “Haystacks” artist 41 Used to play in the Silverdome 42 Origami need 43 Affection 44 Wheedles 47 Code name?

48 St. Teresa’s town 49 Metallic sound 50 Tubes, so to speak

53 “Quoth the raven, —” 56 White heron 58 How — things?

59 Silkwood of “Silkwood” 60 Thorn 61 Inc. cousin 62 Blouse parts 63 Implied DOWN 1 One of those 2 Jean Auel heroine 3 Practiced Zen 4 Hydrocarbon suffix 5 Cowboy’s boss 6 Moderator 7 Goneril’s father 8 “Nightmare” street 9 Fair grade 10 Japanese dish 11 Builder’s sheet 12 Aussie metropolis 13 Restless 19 Worms, often 22 Lettuce layer 25 Epochs 26 Undergo fission 27 — pro quo 28 Kismet 29 007’s alma mater 30 Custodian, briefly 32 Eyre and Fonda

Previous Day’s Puzzle Solved:

33 34 35 37

Type of exercise Budget item Pageant wear Compete in a rodeo 38 Tunes

40 41 42 43 44

Foolish talk Most spacious Flag holder Outscored Barge route

45 Prevent from happening 46 Kidded around 47 Behaviors 49 Leaf source 51 —, vidi, vici

52 Proofer’s word 54 Cultural Revolution figure 55 Mork’s planet 57 Student stat

orn today, you are an open and communicative individual. You may get a great deal of mileage out of your ability to do things in ways that are unusual, challenging or downright outrageous — and you know how to use the element of surprise very much to your advantage. You may at times find it hard to say no — and this, in turn, may bring you face to face with danger on occasion.

B

You are supportive of another’s efforts, though you will at times use what you learn from another to further your own agenda. This may seem a betrayal at first — but you are always willing to give credit for an idea to the one who first came up with it. You’re not selfish or covetous in any way.

Also born on this date are: Ashton Kutcher, actor; Chris Rock, actor and comedian; Garth Brooks, country singer and songwriter; James Spader, actor; Buster Crabbe, actor; Sinclair Lewis, writer; Laura Ingalls Wilder, writer; Charles Dickens, writer. © 2012 UNITED FEATURES SYNDICATE

TODAY’S CROSSWORD SPONSORED BY:

Krazi Tuesdays!

Buy One Get One Free Krazi Naan Burrito With the purchase of 2 fountain drinks.

Every Tuesday after 4pm for UMD Students

NEED TO RAISE MONEY FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION? Come talk to us about fundraisers, bring your group to Krazi Kebob for dinner and let us donate a percentage back to your organization.

COLLEGE INTUITION

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.

much talk and not enough action. When it’s your turn, you’ll want to do what is right, not talk about it.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) — Criticism comes your way, but you’re ready for it. Despite your best efforts, you’re likely to take some comments in a negative way.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — You’ve been trying to solve a personal mystery for quite some time, and today you’re likely to receive information that provides real momentum.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) — The work you are doing at this time is characterized by a clear concept and focused energy. Others are likely to emulate you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Things are likely to develop quickly today, without regard for your level of preparedness.

You must be willing to jump in as needed.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) — You may not be seeing all the details — or interpreting them correctly if you are. Get the advice of someone who has been there before.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Take care that you don’t let another’s aggressive nature influence you. Do your best to maintain a calm demeanor.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) — Your perspective is certainly valid, but it may not take into account all eventualities. You will want to open your mind further.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — You’ll be ready for almost anything later in the day, but only after you are allowed a slower, more relaxed and forgiving start.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) — Someone else’s behavior may have you doubting yourself — but you cannot afford to have your confidence diminished for any length of time.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — You may sense that there’s too

COPYRIGHT 2012 UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE, INC.

TODAY’S HOROSCOPE SPONSORED BY:

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8 AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — You’ll receive a message that has you considering two very different possibilities today. The choice will be made for you at some point.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) — Your efforts will surely be appreciated today, but you may not receive the tangible rewards you’re after unless you ask for them directly.

Tuesday Special:

BUY 2 ZONES, GET 1 FREE! ALSO – TRY OUR NEW DESSERT DOUGH! Cinnamon-sugar dusted dough baked just right with a side of vanilla icing.

Order online at www.dpdoughonline.com (No service fee)

301-614-9663

8145-J Baltimore Ave.

Text CALZONE to 32075 for exclusive specials alerts

RICHIE BATES BEAR ON CAMPUS

Got Flu? WE NEED YOU! Advance science and be paid $80 for your time. Please call 410-774-6158 or stop by the School of Public Health Room 0117 (9 am-4 pm Mon.-Fri.) if you would like to participate in this research study. Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, University of Maryland, College Park.

TUNG PHAM

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9.

Previous Day’s Puzzle Solved:

www.diamondbackonline.com

Degree of Difficulty: MEDIUM

TODAY’S SUDOKU PUZZLE SPONSORED BY:

FREE EVERY 8147-G Baltimore Ave., College Park Located next to College Park Liquors

TUESDAY

Buy Any Pizza at Regular Price, PICK-UP & www.pizzabolis.com DELIVERY Get One of Equal 301-474-1313 Open Late: Sun.-Thurs. 10:30am-1:30am or Lesser Value Fri.-Sat. 10:30am-3am Free University Meal Deal Accepted

For More Specials Visit Our Website

Full plate.

Diamondback Classified Ads appear in both print and online editions for one low price. It’s like getting an extra serving with no extra carbs.

Just 35¢ per word, $3.50 minimum. Plus, if you run your ad four consecutive days, you’ll receive a fifth day FREE! All ads appear in both the print and online versions of The Diamondback – available at 60 distribution points around campus and at diamondbackonline.com.

To place your ad, call 301-314-8000 or come to room 3136 South Campus Dining Hall, Monday-Friday 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Or, email advertising@dbk.umd.edu.

6

THE DIAMONDBACK | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

Diversions

REVIEWS | PAUL McCARTNEY, DR. DOG & MARK LANEGAN

Empty Kisses from Paul

BY ROBERT GIFFORD Senior staff writer

Paul McCartney’s solo career has been, at best, hit or miss, but Kisses on the Bottom, an album of gingerly paced covers of old standards, is one of the least essential albums the former Beatles member has ever released. That, in an odd way, may also be the album’s greatest strength.

With The Beatles — and, arguably, at times during his solo career — McCartney made some of the prettiest music ever recorded, and he hasn’t lost his knack for recording songs that are nothing if not easy on the ears.

The jazzy old standards — songs such as “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter,” “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The

Positive” and “Bye Bye Blackbird” — are ant. But McCartney used to played with a delicacy and casual grace that make music that was much make the songs irresistibly carefree, even if more than that — or at least McCartney has reduced himself to the role he had the ambition to. This is just background music, of lounge singer.

Still, it’s a role he inhabits well, and it’s only the kind of thing a cocktail bar would pipe in to set a when he strays mood. It doesn’t require from it that the VERDICT: your attention, which album falters. The McCartney’s best music closing track, Kisses on the Bottom is a “Only Our minor, unambitious album always has.

The album is the Hearts,” one of from Paul McCartney, but musical equivalent of only two original it’s an agreeable one.

The Artist: effortlessly tracks, is the enjoyable, but light as a album’s low point, laying on the sap (heard in the form of unbear- feather. It’s a trifle, but it goes down especially easily. ably drippy harmonicas) inexcusably thick.

So, aside from the occasional slip-up, Kisses on the Bottom is nothing if not pleas- rgifford@umdbk.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARY MCCARTNEY

Through the past, lightly

BY ROBERT GIFFORD Senior staff writer

The primary knock against Dr. Dog has always been that it has an inconsistent sound, borrowing from various 1960s bands at whim without ever really developing its own musical style.

Be The Void does absolutely nothing to refute this claim, and it will only give the naysayers even more ammunition.

It’s all over the place stylistically, throwing in everything from afropop to rockabilly to Strokes-esque stripped-down modern alt-rock.

This kitchen-sink approach will annoy those who’ve always been annoyed by Dr. Dog — and, honestly, they may have a point. The lack of a cohesive vision,

PHOTO COURTESY OF ELIZABETH WEINBERG

The haunted voice

BY REESE HIGGINS Senior staff writer

As with much of his solo work, Mark Lanegan’s voice is at the center of attention on Blues Funeral, the new LP by the Mark Lanegan Band. On this record, the music is good but mainly serves to show off Lanegan’s awe-inspiring voice.

Lanegan, once the lead singer of 1990s grunge band Screaming Trees, possesses a gravel-road voice with a sandpaper welcome mat. Years of cigarettes, whiskey and wailing on a wide variety of projects have only helped to mold his dark howl. In the past decade, his list of collaborators has included Queens of the

Stone Age, Soulsavers and for- (Lanegan’s former Queens of the mer Belle and Sebastian member Stone Age bandmates) and Greg Dulli (Lanegan’s partner in The Isobel Campbell.

Blues Funeral continues the Gutter Twins).

No song on Blues Funeral sound Lanegan explored on 2004’s excellent Bubblegum. Both reaches the cathartic heights of records are appropriately brood- Bubblegum tracks such as “Hit The City” or ing meditations on “Methamphetlife’s defeats and V E R D I C T : amine Blues.” conclusions, with Blues Funeral will satisfy Blues Funeral many songs featurMark Lanegan fans, but works better as ing restrained, disthe album does little to a mood piece, torted guitars; sturdy, functional, evolve the singer’s sound. though memorable melodies propulsive bass foundations; and simple keep-the- are scattered throughout the record (“Bleeding Muddy beat drumming.

The continuation of style is due Water,” “Leviathan”).

“Ode To Sad Disco” may be the in part to both records sharing musicians; including Josh album’s most outstanding piece, Homme and Alain Johannes and its sound is exactly what the

along with generally weak writing, lament “Lonesome” — which, with its keeps the band from greatness. But the messy slide guitars and lines such as, album’s united by the vibrant, colorful “What does it take to be lonesome/ energy and sense of joy that defines (and Nothing at all,” sounds like it was recorded by a hipelevates) it. ster Lead Belly — The guiding principle V E R D I C T : is as foot-tappingly on the album seems to Schizophrenic but endlessly catchy as anything have been “Why not?” enjoyable, Be The Void will else on the album.

Why not throw in a sitar It’s good music on “Turning the Cen- please fans of Dr. Dog’s work. for bad times. The tury” so it sounds like a mid-period Beatles song? Why not album is driven by the delight the include some electronic bells and whis- bandmembers clearly take in just gettles on “Warrior Man?” It’s a big, stomp- ting to play, constantly rushing foring ramble of an album that’s only made ward even when they’re actually lookmore enjoyable by the sense that any- ing backward and reaching into the past for inspiration. thing could happen.

Even the darkest tracks on the album are infectiously fun. The bluesy rgifford@umdbk.com

title implies. The track, the song most uncharacteristic of Lanegan, finds the leather-throated singer’s voice floating over a downbeat yet shimmering disco stomp and reverb-drenched guitar lines.

“Stars outside the window flicker and shine/ the hollow headed morning isn’t blind,” Lanegan effortlessly sings on “Ode.” “A mountain of nails burn in your hands/ here I give all I am.”

Like his lyrics, Blues Funeral doesn’t quite demand attention.

The LP is a serviceable entry in the vocalist’s discography, but is best left to devotees who cherish each of Lanegan’s baritone utterances, regardless of the background music.

PHOTO COURTESY

rhiggins@umdbk.com

OF STEVE GULLICK

----------------

Classified CALL

CLASSIFIED DISPLAY ADS

RATES

• Larger Type • Sold In 1” Increments • One Column Wide • $33.00 Per Column Inch

35¢ per word $3.50 minimum ALL CAPITAL LETTERS........35¢ extra per word Bold letters..............................70¢ extra per word vmA All ads must be prepaid

OFFICE HOURS

DEADLINES

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

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

SPECIAL Run the same classified or classified display ad 4 consecutive days and get 5th day FREE!

DIAMONDBACKONLINE.COM All Classifieds & Classified Display ads will run online at no additional charge.

301-314-8000 TO PLACE YOUR AD, OR BY EMAIL: ADVERTISING@DBK.UMD.EDU

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

FOR RENT

FOR RENT

Bartender – Part-time. Private club near campus. TIPS training required. Fax resume: 301-935-5509.

Hiring Bartenders, Servers & Line Cooks

College Park Apartment

6 Bedroom House

PAID INTERNSHIP/JHS CAPITAL ADVISORS, Member FINRA/SIPC. Wanted: Self-motivated go-getter to work alongside Vice President. Contact Ed Alzona: 301-273-2127.

Seeking an energetic individual to sell my book. No upfront cost to salesperson. Compensation: $3/book sold. Please contact at ponnapal@myactv.net.

* Short Hours

* Great Pay

Calvert House Inn 240-355-8337 6211 Baltimore Ave. @ East-West Highway

Executive Administrative Assistant

NEED MONEY? Conferences & Visitor Services is seeking highly motivated students for various summer positions. Great pay & FREE campus housing for full time summer employees. Visit www.cvs.umd.edu/employment for job descriptions and application.

EOE.

An old company (Annapolis/College Park) is looking for a new edge. Executive Administrative Assistant needed with the initial goals of bringing us up on Facebook, looking for other advertising options and more. Must be visually oriented and knowledgeable of social networking.

JOIN THE DIAMONDBACK

Computer Tech/Programmer

NOW HIRING Online Sales • Print Sales

Looking for self-motivated individual to work with Windows, Linux, programming and other technologies. Coding skills required in VBA, SQL, etc.

Must be process creation oriented. $17.50 per hour – piece work.

Please apply to: hr@iconicmind.com.

Contact Chelsea Madden at 301-314-8000 or stop by 3136 S. Campus Dining Hall M-Th 10-4pm (301)314-8000 DANCE INSTRUCTOR: To teach any kind of dance (modern, ballroom, salsa, etc.) at my home close to campus. Please email support@onsite-repairs.com or fax: 202-747-5823.

Local Charity Looking for mascot entertainers, marketers, and entrepreneurs. Must be outgoing, trustworthy and punctual. Also able to build partnerships with businesses and professional sports teams. Email resume to tbranthover@comcast.net or visit bravedave.org.

The New York Deli is hiring part-time cashiers and delivery drivers. Please call 301-345-0366 or email newyorkdeli1@gmail.com.

PIANO TEACHER and/or SCHOOL TUTOR: To teach my kids in Lanham, MD. Approx.

10 mins. from campus. Please email support@onsite-repairs.com or fax: 202-747-5823.

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

Bartending! $250/day potential. No experience necessary.

Training available.

1-800-965-6520 x116.

Please apply to hr@iconicmind.com.

CHILD CARE ISO: PART-TIME SITTER. M/W/F – 9:3012:15 for occasional sits with my 9 year old.

Pay and kid are good! Art skills a plus. Interested? Email rearnes1@umd.edu.

FOR RENT Large, luxury seven bedroom house. $2995.

Close campus. umhouse2011@yahoo.com; 240-281-3802.

1BR Deluxe Condo 6100 Westchester Park 24 hr. security with reception desk and University shuttle. $1295/month (utilities included).

301-515-8303 Find pictures at www.Kabol.Info 5 bedroom house, central ac, washer/dryer, brand new kitchen and new carpet. Near campus. Available immediately. Rent negotiable.

Call Bob: 301-792-0207 or 301-879-8178.

Fantastic house – 1 block from campus.

Available immediately. $3000/month (will rent by room). One month free! Dr. Kruger: 301-408-4801.

Newly decorated. Ground floor of duplex. Walking distance to UMD. Quiet neighborhood in Old Town. Nice yard. Porch. Parking.

Storage. Call 301-937-9500.

Looking for Housing in Spring ‘12?

Look No Further...

Branching Out A Student’s Guide to Off-Campus Housing is available in the Office of Off-Campus Housing in Stamp 5 bedrooms, 3 baths, CAC, gas heat, washer/dryer, dishwasher, refrigerator/ice maker. New carpet. Cable ready. OSP. No smoking. Built 1994. Lease/deposit required. $2600/month plus utilities. Shirley Meier, 301-262-2499.

Didn’t Find What You’re Looking For?

Check out collegeparkhousing.org Houses for rent. Cherokee Street. 4 and 5 bedrooms. Call Greg: 240-888-2758.

HOUSES FOR RENT. Go to cphouse4rent.com.

BASEMENT APARTMENT RENT BERWYN HEIGHTS, MD. Studio, private driveway, bathroom: shower, kitchen: cooktop, microwave, disposal, dishwasher. Private entrance/motion sensor light. Shared laundry.

Bike/walk or UM shuttle. $595/mo. 1/3 utilities. Application credit check required. Security deposit at clearance. 240-304-8261.

3 full bath house with large fenced backyard. On UMD shuttle line. $3100/month + utils.

4429 Underwood St., Univ. Park. Avail. mid August.

Email manager@ waterstreetmanagement.com for info and appointment or call 410-750-6831.

BY FAX: 301-314-8358

❖ APARTMENTS

Heritage Park Apartments Now Leasing!

• UMD Student Discounts • University of MD Shuttle • 2 Miles from Campus

Call 1-877-273-2458 1818 Metzerott Road

– 1, 2 & 3 Bedroom Apartment Homes – Roommate Style Doubles – Controlled Access Building

www.Heritage-Park-Apts.com

SERVICES

FAX SERVICE Send / Receive Local / Long-Distance (international not available)

Diamondback Business Office 3136 South Campus Dining Hall PHONE: 301-314-8000 Mon.-Fri. 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

❖ HEALTH/RECREATION

SKYDIVE! Easy one-day first jumps year round from 22-Jumper twin-engine airplane from 13,500 feet! (540) 943-6587. We offer GIFT CERTIFICATES & complete courses of instruction for Skydiving certification & instructors ratings too!

And don’t worry if you wet your pants.They’ll dry on the way down.

WWW.SKYDIVEORANGE.COM

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012 | SPORTS | THE DIAMONDBACK

WALSH from page 8 the time the NBA lockout ended, all was lost. He was in such bad shape he couldn’t even finish a practice without suffering from dehydration.

“I could have prepared myself better,” Williams told CSNwashington.com in December. “I wasn’t sure [when the lockout] was going to end. I kept pushing it off, pushing it off.”

After a stint in the NBA’s DLeague, he’s back with the Nets.

In fact, in the last couple games, he’s even put up some points.

But doesn’t his whole upand-down battle just to see the floor for an 8-17 team show he probably could have used another year to figure things out?

The Terps sure wish that were the case. This team would be able to compete with anybody in the ACC with a double-double machine like Williams in the paint. He would’ve taken some pressure off Stoglin and allowed a young frontcourt some more time to develop. And he could have even propelled his way into the first round of this year’s draft and made himself a whole lot more money.

Instead, the Terps are forced to lean on a starting frontcourt of James Padgett and Ashton Pankey, whose combined 14.4 points per game is less than Williams put up last year by himself.

But his decision, right or wrong, has been made, and when the Terps take the court tonight against Clemson,

7

WHO: Terrapins vs. Clemson WHEN: Tonight, 7 p.m.

WHERE: Littlejohn Coliseum (Clemson, S.C.) TV: ESPNU LINE: Clemson by 8 they’ll again have to figure out what to do with such a lackluster frontcourt.

“I’ve never had more trouble getting a team to be more physical on box outs,” coach Mark Turgeon said after Saturday’s loss. “We’ve worked on it, we talk about it, we work on it every day and some of it’s going to be their length, but a lot it’s going to be just us not competing on the glass when we need to compete. [If we] just could have gotten a couple rebounds in there, it might have been a different outcome.”

It truly is a shame, because you can sense the Terps are just missing that one piece.

With Williams, the Terps are without a doubt an NCAA Tournament team that could have done some damage in the ACC in a down year for the conference.

Without him, they’re a team teetering on a freefall, sitting at 3-5 in conference play with games remaining at North Carolina, No. 10 Duke and No. 19 Virginia.

A loss to Clemson tonight would spell the beginning of the end for the Terps’ season, which is unfortunate. Not because they haven’t exceeded expectations, but because one move by Williams sold this team down the river. cwalsh@umdbk.com

Coach Mark Turgeon never got a chance to feature forward Jordan Williams in his offense.

JACKETS from page 8

Forward Tianna Hawkins, shown above during a win earlier this season over Delaware State, finished with a career-high 23 points last night against Georgia Tech. Her previous high was 22 against Loyola (Md.) in 2009. JEREMY KIM/THE DIAMONDBACK

second half yesterday.

The talented junior scored 15 of her career-high 23 points after halftime last night, shooting 11for-13 from the field while grabbing a team-high nine rebounds.

“I think the main thing was shooting the ball with confidence,” Hawkins said. “Taking my time when my teammates found me in different scenarios.”

The victory was far from perfect, though. The Terps shot just 40 percent from the field and committed 19 turnovers as Georgia Tech’s (17-7, 7-4) defense pestered them throughout the night, especially early in the game.

The Terps made just three of their first 17 shots, falling behind by as many as 10 in the opening 16 minutes. Though a 10-0 Terps’ run tied the game at the break, their 24 first-half points were the lowest scored in a game this season.

“In the first half, we didn’t feel like we played very well,” coach Brenda Frese said. “Credit Georgia Tech’s defense: They had a

CHARLIE DEBOYACE/THE DIAMONDBACK

lot to do with that,” But just as they did Jan. 6, the Yellow Jackets faded late. Paced by 28 combined second-half points from Hawkins and Thomas, the Terps proved too much to handle.

After a Tyaunna Marshalllayup gave Georgia Tech a twopoint lead with just more than three minutes remaining, the Terps shut the door, ending the game on a 12-2 run to secure an eight-point win.

“The adversity we faced in this game — I’m very proud that we kept our poise and composure,” Frese said. “We really made some nice plays late [in the] game.”

A road trip to face ACC bottom-feeder Clemson is next for the Terps, followed by a home date with No. 6 Miami on Sunday. But after what happened two weeks ago, Thomas has her sights set solely on the Tigers.

“Every game is a big game for us. We got to come out and play our best game every night,” Thomas said. “Because if we don’t, it will be similar to what happened with Virginia Tech.” vitale@umdbk.com

NEWS

Senate considers policy on retroactive withdrawal Proposed change would allow students with documented mental health issues to withdraw after course ends

BY QUINN KELLEY Staff writer

Thanks to a push by one undergraduate activist, the University Senate will consider a proposal this semester to allow students with mental health disorders to withdraw from a course after it has ended.

Samantha Roman, president of the mental health awareness group Active Minds at Maryland, proposed a new policy to the senate Saturday that would allow students to petition for withdrawal of the last semester enrolled if they provide the university with documentation from a mental health professional that the student had been seeking treatment was fit to return to the campus. University Senate Chair Eric Kasischke said the proposal will be discussed at the next Senate Executive Committee on Feb. 22, where it will most likely be assigned to a subcommittee for review.

The standing policy requires students to withdraw by the last day of the semester, but Roman said students suffering from a mental illness have so much to handle they might not be aware of the date.

“Students who are hospitalized or maybe never leaving their dorm aren’t going to be focusing on the withdrawal policy and withdrawing on time,” Roman said. “I’ve known several people where this has actually been the case.

This must be happening a lot, but nobody’s noticing it, and the students who are affected aren’t going to be reaching out

“A lot of times, [students with mental illness] might not be able to withdraw by the end of the semester, in which case they would receive failing grades.”

SAMANTHA ROMAN ACTIVE MINDS PRESIDENT

to change policy.”

Other universities — including some of this university’s peer institutions — such as the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign — have retroactive withdrawal policies in place. Since this is not a novel policy to establish, Roman said she is hopeful this university can join the list of others with such provisions in place for struggling students.

Roman said some students suffering from a mental health disorder take a leave of absence from the university, but current policy makes it difficult to re-enroll.

After taking a leave of absence, all students must petition the Faculty Review Board and then reapply for admission if their cumulative GPA is less than 2.0. Roman’s proposal suggests amending the policy so students can reenroll in courses without hav-

ing to reapply to the university, as long as they were enrolled the previous four semesters and provide documentation from a medical professional.

“I know there are a lot of students on campus that struggle with mental illness,” Roman said. “A lot of times, they might not be able to withdraw by the end of the semester, in which case they would receive failing grades.”

Jeri Boliek, the University Health Center’s coordinator of triage services and suicide prevention program, said she often diagnoses students with severe depression at the end of the semester.

“People who are getting depressed don’t often recognize that that’s what’s happening, and they don’t understand that their ability to concentrate is being affected,” Boliek said.

Boliek said if the proposal passed, it could not only help students academically who have been dealing with a mental illness, but it could also make it easier for students to seek treatment.

“I think it would make it easier for students to feel less ashamed to ask for help,” Boliek said.

Active Minds secretary Madeline Reed said that is the goal of the organization — to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and increase awareness.

“I think people would be more willing to say that they were leaving because of a mental illness if the university accepted it,” Reed said. news@umdbk.com

The Senate Executive Committee will consider a proposal to allow students with mental health disorders to retroactively withdraw from courses. FILE PHOTO/THE DIAMONDBACK

8

THE DIAMONDBACK | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

Sports

CU’s Jennings to return Clemson forward Milton Jennings is set to return from suspension for tonight’s game.

Read more on his impact at TerrapinTrail.com.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

In N.J., a big piece amiss CONOR WALSH

T

wo things stood out Saturday in the Terrapins men’s basketball team’s loss to No. 5 North Carolina.

One is that the Terps need someone besides guard Terrell Stoglin to hit some big shots.

The second is that the team, as expected, is going to wear down against talented frontcourts like the Tar Heels’.

The shame of it all is the answer to both of those problems was in College Park last season. The real shame of it? He still should be.

But Jordan Williams isn’t going to be donning a Terps uniform anytime soon, and his decision to enter the NBA Draft last spring will go down as a poor move for both his career and his former team.

It’s difficult to knock him for it.

How many people out there can honestly say they’d risk losing the chance to make millions? Had Williams remained with the Terps for his junior season, he would have done just that.

But his roller-coaster ride with the New Jersey Nets so far is evidence he needed that extra season. Despite one of the thinnest frontcourt draft pools in recent memor y, Williams fell to the second round, where he wasn’t even guaranteed a contract.

To his credit, he got one anyway and had himself in the best shape of his life during the summer. But by the time the NBA lockout ended, all

REPORT CARD While students are still weeks away from midterms, the Terps are already halfway through their ACC slate. And, courtesy of staff writer Chris Eckard, the grades are in.

BACKCOURT Terps sophomore guard Terrell Stoglin is the fifth-leading scorer in the NCAA and tops the ACC with 21.7 points per game. He’s tallied 20 or more points in the past three games and 16 times overall this season. But Stoglin has missed a combined 22 3-point attempts the past two games.

Senior guard Sean Mosley

hasn’t become the consistent secondary scoring option the Terps have needed, especially on the road, where he has cracked double figures just twice in the past six games. Mosley has shown his frustrations recently in interviews as his time in College Park winds down.

Point guard Pe’Shon Howard

hasn’t found his form since a foot injur y sidelined him at the beginning of the season. The sophomore is still working on his shot as he struggles from behind the 3-point arc. He’s also struggled to keep possession, posting an assist-to-turnover ratio barely above 1:1 since the start of ACC play.

FRONTCOURT In a word, inconsistent. Coach Mark Turgeon has constantly answered questions this season on the revolving door of streaky big men. One week, it’s forward James Padgett, the next it’s Ashton Pankey, and now it’s Alex Len. Each has shown glimpses of solid play, but all have followed those flashes with subpar performances.

Padgett, Turgeon said, has been better than expected this season. He dominated the offensive glass during the first half of the year, and defenses have started to key on him. The third-leading scorer on the team, Padgett has hovered around nine points per game the past few weeks.

Pankey and Len, both redshirt freshmen, have traded off quality outings. Len started ACC play with a double-double at N.C. State on Jan. 8 but then seemed to lose his confidence as Pankey took over the starting job. The Bronx, N.Y., native has shown promise, but he’s also scored two or fewer points in four ACC games.

continues to improve in practice.

Faust, who struggled mightily with his shot to start the season, hasn’t been able to find the shooting form that made him a high-school star in Baltimore.

But he keyed a 20-7 run at Miami and has managed to contribute in other small ways.

Sophomore guard Mychal

Parker, meanwhile, hasn’t earned much playing time — he’s logged more than 15 minutes in ACC play just once — but has given Turgeon some quality play on the defensive end and in transition.

Finally, center Berend Weijs has played important minutes this year when Padgett, Pankey or Len have gotten into foul trouble.

ning and losing, with his team falling lately on the wrong side.

Still, for the Terps to even be in that position is impressive. Before this season, only three players on the roster had started a collegiate game, and nearly all of the team’s frontcourt production from last season had vanished. There’s a reason the Terps were picked to

finish ninth in the ACC. But, as Turgeon pointed out Monday, the Terps haven’t been embarrassed this season. The only thing keeping this grade from top marks are some lategame losses and assistant Dalonte Hill’s arrest for suspicion for driving under the influence in late January.

BENCH Both Len and guard Nick Faust have started at points this season, but Turgeon has opted to bring the two freshmen off the bench in recent weeks. Len has stepped up the past two games, scoring in double figures against Miami and North Carolina, two of the biggest teams in the conference. And Len’s confidence, according to Turgeon,

see WALSH, page 7

COACH Losing five of the past six games isn’t a good thing. But Turgeon inherited a team lacking in talent and experience and has transformed the Terps into a squad that plays hard on defense and can make a run at almost any team or time.

Turgeon has often spoken about the fine line between win-

CONFERENCE The ACC is a mess, and it would’ve been even more of one had the Terps pulled off a win against the Tar Heels on Saturday. Duke, which has been ranked in the top 10 all season, lost its second ACC game at home this season, falling to Miami in overtime Sunday.

Florida State, meantime, has Forward Jordan Williams has rarely seen the court in the NBA since deciding to leave College Park. FILE PHOTO/THE DIAMONDBACK

surged from out of nowhere to compete for a conference title, with wins against North Carolina and at Duke already. And the stellar play of forward Mike Scott has kept Virginia in the national rankings.

But the bottom of the ACC is too ugly for a major power conference. Some of the nonconference losses of Wake Forest, Vir-

ginia Tech, Boston College and Georgia Tech are inexcusable.

The Eagles lost at home to Rhode Island, a team that has gone 5-19 this season.

Still, despite all that mess, the ACC could potentially get six NCAA Tournament teams: the current top four, plus N.C. State and Miami.

BC+ B B+ C

ACC PLAYER OF THE YEAR: M. Scott, UVA ACC COACH OF THE YEAR: L. Hamilton, FSU

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Terps steal a second win against Ga. Tech Hawkins nets career high in crucial road test

BY JOSH VITALE Staff Writer

Twice this season, Georgia Tech has given the Terrapins women’s basketball team all it could handle.

The Yellow Jackets built doubledigit leads, pressured the Terps to near-season-high turnover totals and even held the lead with less than four minutes to play.

In both meetings, it wasn’t enough.

Just like it did in the teams’ Jan. 6 meeting in College Park, Georgia Tech walked off the court in defeat yesterday. Pitted in a physical battle against their ACC foe, again the No. 8 Terps held on in the end, staving off the No. 22 Yellow Jackets late to

secure a 64-56 victory in Duluth, Ga. “We knew that coming here, they were going to give us their best game because we stole one at our place,” forward Alyssa Thomas said, referring to the Terps’ 77-74 comeback win. “Coming into it, we knew we had to come out with a lot of energy from the start.”

Thomas was the star in their first meeting, but it was forward Tianna Hawkins who stole the show last night. After watching Thomas score 18 second-half points — including a game-winning three-point play with 17 seconds to play — in the Terps’ (20-3, 7-3 ACC) January victory, Hawkins took control inside Gwinnett Center

see JACKETS, page 7

Coach Brenda Frese and the No. 8 Terps mounted a late comeback to finish off a 64-56 road win over No. 22 Georgia Tech last night. The victory moved them to 7-3 in ACC play this season. FILE PHOTO/THE DIAMONDBACK