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ONE BIG HIT KING OF LIMBS Terps capitalize on early chances in win over Bucknell

A choreographer and sculptor collaborate for a CSPAC piece

SPORTS | PAGE 8

Thursday, April 5, 2012

DIVERSIONS | PAGE 6

THE DIAMONDBACK Our 102ND Year, No. 120

THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER

Police look into two hate crimes

The University Senate approved a new film studies major yesterday.

Loh responds with email to community

CHARLIE DEBOYACE/THE DIAMONDBACK

U. Senate approves film major

BY ERIN EGAN Senior staff writer

University Police are actively investigating two incidents of “bias and hate” after the department was notified of anti-Semitic messages in an elevator and a noose found on the campus, according to an email university President Wallace Loh sent yesterday.

In one incident, an elevator of an academic building was “vandalized with anti-Semitic messages,” and in the other, a Facilities Management supervisor found a noose in a space being renovated, according to Loh’s email. Since both incidents are currently under investigation, police declined to release specific information regarding the incidents, including the dates the department was notified.

“It’s intolerable and it’s important that we try and get to the bottom of it,” University Police Lt. Robert Mueck said. “In this day and age, we can’t afford to let these things go.”

Loh said he felt compelled to send an email to the university community because the issue is something he feels “very strongly about.”

“Diversity, equity and inclusion are core values for us, and any hate or bias incidents threaten all of us,” Loh said through a spokesman yesterday.

“I’m pleased that the number of incidents have decreased dramatically over the past few years, but we still have work to do. And the only way to overcome intolerance is by working together, starting a campuswide dialogue and addressing these issues head-on.”

Although police are looking for suspects in the case, Chief Diversity Officer Kumea Shorter-Gooden said there are no immediate plans to deal with the incidents.

“Loh’s email is a really important first step, which is to publicly acknowledge that we experienced these biased and hateful incidents, bring attention to the community and reaffirm our commitment to maintaining a community that is free of bias and hate,” Shorter-Gooden said.

Proposal has been in the works for years, passes body 76 to 7

BY LAUREN KIRKWOOD Staff writer

After decades without a film degree, the university will once again be offering students the option to major in film studies as early as the fall.

The University Senate voted yesterday, 76 to 7 with three abstentions, to approve the proposal for reinstating the major, which was eliminated in the early 1990s. The approval comes about five years after faculty members, many of them members of the non-degree-granting Graduate Field Committee in Film Studies, renewed the push to create a formal film studies major, which they say is in great demand on the campus.

Professor Luka Arsenjuk, who was hired last semester to teach two new film classes, said the major will capitalize on the wide variety of well-attended film studies classes offered in departments across the campus.

“The major will introduce some new classes and, in a larger sense, it’ll be using the courses and resources that are already here,” Arsenjuk said. “I definitely think there’s an interest.”

The 39-credit major will include a required introductory course in film form and two film history classes, one focusing on silent cinema and the other on cinema in the sound area. Arsenjuk said the required courses would provide students with a broad background.

HUNGRY FOR MORE Co-op needs $16,000 by June to keep its doors open

BY JON WOLPER Senior staff writer

At 6:35 p.m. Monday, night begins to fall, Stamp begins to empty and a girl with a snake bite piercing and a Pikachu hoodie begins the Maryland Food Collective’s weekly meeting.

“Silence in the co-op,” Jenna Parry says, and the co-op falls silent.

There are 16 people at this week’s meeting, which is fewer than normal. There are paid workers and volunteers. Students and non-students.

Women with short hair and men with white hair.

The co-op closed a half hour ago, and the music that blasted earlier that day — a bunch of Miles Davis tracks played via Grooveshark — has been turned off. For a moment, there is silence in the co-op.

When the attendees start talking, they do it in an official way. Motions are brought forward and put to a majority vote. There is spirited, passionate discussion about a new lock system and a new salad recipe. Regardless of the co-op’s stigma as a vegan,

see CO-OP, page 2

The Maryland Food Co-Op, located in Stamp Student Union, has become a community staple. CHARLIE DEBOYACE/THE DIAMONDBACK

see FILM, page 3

see CRIMES, page 2

Diamondback’s new editor in chief named SGA supports building new grocery store near campus

Co-chief news editor Yasmeen Abutaleb will take the helm

East Campus plans don’t include store

BY MARY CLARE FISCHER

BY LEAH VILLANUEVA

Staff writer

Senior staff writer

Maryland Media Inc., The Diamondback’s parent company, last night selected co-chief news editor Yasmeen Abutaleb as the paper’s editor-in-chief for the 2012 to 2013 school year.

Abutaleb, a sophomore journalism and microbiology major, did not have plans to pursue journalism as a career when she started college. On a whim, she contacted The Diamondback’s news editors the summer before her freshman year, with the thought that working for a college publication

TOMORROW’S WEATHER:

Sophomore Yasmeen Abutaleb, who has worked at The Diamondback for two years, was named editor in chief-elect. CHARLIE DEBOYACE/THE DIAMONDBACK

would be a good experience.

Although Abutaleb started on what she called the “rookie beat” (Facilities

Sunny/60s

Management), she quickly moved to

see EDITORS, page 3 INDEX

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

In a unanimous vote last night, the Student Government Association pledged to advocate for the construction of a grocery store within walking distance of the campus.

SGA arts and humanities legislator Julie France, who sponsored the resolution, said having a local grocery store would help diminish the need for students living on the campus to have cars. As university officials plan to cut a number of parking

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

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

spaces on the campus in the coming years, additional walking-distance retail will mitigate the university’s parking shortage, legislators said.

A grocery store close to the campus, France added, may also decrease traffic congestion in the city and make downtown more pedestrian-friendly.

“I know some students, myself included, who only brought a car to campus for things like groceries,” France said. “It’d be a good move to

see GROCERY, page 3

www.diamondbackonline.com

2

THE DIAMONDBACK | NEWS | THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

CO-OP

CRIMES

from page 1

from page 1

hippie haven, it’s a legitimate business with paid workers who can talk as readily about feta cheese as they can profit margins and taxes.

On one hand, the business is performing better than it ever has. On the other, it’s buried beneath a daunting amount of debt.

The co-op first nestled into its home in the basement of the Stamp Student Union, just a few steps from TerpZone and the University Book Center, in 1975.

That was the “free love” era when food co-ops — most of which focused on organic, often vegetarian dining options — began to spring up around colleges throughout the country, according to junior food science major Doug Koziol, a paid worker.

Then, as the health-food craze died after the ’70s, so did many of the stores. For some reason, though, this university’s co-op pushed through. Koziol attributed it to the staff’s dedication and “scraping-by mentality.”

But, even as the previous iterations of the co-op scraped by, they began to accumulate debt. There was no stable business model or long-term plan for the store.

Now, the co-op is in financial trouble. It’s unprecedented financial trouble, according to its employees, but it doesn’t really seem to be bothering them too much. It creeps around the edges of conversations but rarely dominates them, as though the employees are brushing away noxious plumes of smoke.

“I don’t know,” said Parry, a junior studio art major. “It’s not too bad. It isn’t.”

There’s a fundraising effort at indiegogo.com. The co-op needs $16,000 by June 1 to renew its lease in Stamp. As of last night, on the site, it has put together a paltry $50.

But, again, there’s no pervasive sense of worry. According to alumna Mary Schulte, all paid coop employees — there are about 17 — recently took pay cuts, from $10 per hour to $7.50, now with no potential for raises. The labor-cost savings will make up most of the difference. The co-op hopes the

Since 1975, the co-op has provided students with fresh food and a family. Employees must now raise $16,000 by June 1 to renew their lease in Stamp Student Union. CHARLIE DEBOYACE/THE DIAMONDBACK

rest will come from indiegogo, other fundraising efforts and benefit concerts.

“All of us are willing to take that hit,” Schulte said, “because it’s in the best interest of keeping this place open.”

The pay cut is not for naught — the lengthy lines, often snaking around the co-op’s homey interior at peak hours, show people want what the co-op is selling. Koziol got a call last week from students at the University of South Carolina who want to start a co-op and looked to this university as a successful archetype.

Perhaps this university’s coop stayed alive because the business fluctuates as per the desires of its staff. Ever y paid worker has an equal stake in the company, and it has never been subsidized by the university or by Stamp. Parr y said volunteers, who work for food credit, regularly flit in and out of daily shifts.

“It’s always in flux because there’s always people going, always people leaving,” she said.

When the paid workers are mostly vegan, the menu is mostly vegan. Currently, there are cold cuts and vegetables, vegan cookies and coconut chickpea curry. It’s all still healthy, organic and local — if a local company is bought out by a large one, the co-op will stop carrying its product, Parry said —

but the co-op has no desire to be exclusive. It just wants to sell good, healthy food to whomever is interesting in buying.

Health codes stipulate all co-op employees must have on some sort of headwear, so Koziol wears a red Maryland baseball cap that covers his short hair. He dons a white apron atop his black Geek Squad shirt and has no discernible tattoos. He is nooooooot a vegetarian, and says so as though he couldn’t even fathom the idea.

He originally joined the staff because he liked food and wanted a job and he’s been a paid worker for the past year.

It’s 2:30 p.m. and Koziol and Schulte are systematically scooping tuna and egg salad and various nice-looking soquid concoctions from lived-in plastic containers to clean ones. It’s called flipping the sandwich lines, and it takes about 40 minutes to finish the task.

“I’m really passionate about having a space on campus where there is this kind of food,” Schulte said.

She’s been a vegan for two and a half years and has worked at the co-op since October. She graduated from this university in

December, but couldn’t bring herself to leave, so now she works 30 hours a week cleaning, making food and ordering the co-op’s bread, pastries and bagels.

She and Koziol have an easy chemistr y, an effer vescent conversational flow that might just be contagious. Ever yone in the kitchen is busy, but in high spirits.

“Doug’s pretty much a pro at this,” Schulte jokes, as she moves containers of ingredients from the sandwich line to a stainless steel table a few steps away.

“I’m learning as I watch him.”

Nestled in the top-left corner of the bulletin board just inside the co-op, near a flyer that touts Ron Paul as the next president and an ad promoting an upcoming Washington folk concert, there’s a handwritten note, written anonymously on an index card: I loved the kale salad with tahini dressing. I usually hate salad and hate eating healthy stuff but the kale salad impressed me!

Thank you to whoever made it.

You have inspired my sloppy ass to make it at home!

And the response, just underneath: You’re welcome, glad you liked it! <3 Co-op jwolper@umdbk.com

Shorter-Gooden added these hate and bias crimes will allow her department and the university as a whole to learn how to create a more tolerable environment.

While hate and bias incidents have declined 85 percent over the last nine years — from 33 incidents in 2003 to five in 2011, according to Loh’s email — ShorterGooden said there is still room for improvement.

“We can turn this into a teachable opportunity,” she said. “The incidents are angering and saddening and disturbing, and yet they allow us to hold a mirror up to ourselves and determine that there’s much more work to be done to create a better community.”

“We’re not at a point of no bias, other wise these incidents wouldn’t have happened,” ShorterGooden added.

Police have not received any additional reports of hate and bias crimes in response to Loh’s email, Mueck said, but could receive more as time goes on.

“This is still fresh, so there’s a very good chance that we could get more of this later,” Mueck said.

Shorter-Gooden said cultivating a diverse and accepting environment is written into the university’s 2010 Diversity Strategic Plan, which she hopes helps the university

“The incidents are angering and saddening and disturbing, and yet they allow us to hold a mirror up to ourselves.”

KUMEA SHORTER-GOODEN CHIEF DIVERSITY OFFICER AND ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT

move forward from these incidents and continue balancing diversity among students, faculty and staff.

“The long-term response is to move forward in implementing that plan so we can create the community we’re committed to,” she said.

“There’s no long-term plan to deal with these particular incidents, but there’s a long-term plan to deal with the climate of this university. We need to make sure that we’re really addressing the broader culture that allows these things to bubble up.”

Shorter-Gooden added that she welcomes ideas from students and student groups for how to verbally address these specific incidents.

“It might be useful to have a forum or a teach-in to discuss hate and bias,” she said.

“It’s always helpful to talk about it and hear what everyone has to say.” egan@umdbk.com

CORRECTION Due to a reporting error, yesterday’s article “Saved by the glory days” incorrectly stated who the Terrapins men’s basketball team played in the 2002 NCAA Final Four. The team played Kansas.

THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012 | NEWS | THE DIAMONDBACK

3

FILM from page 1

REMEMBERING TRAYVON MARTIN

“We’ll teach different national cinemas, Hollywood cinema, different genres. We’ll teach film theory and history,” he said. “It will be kind of an all-encompassing comprehensive course load that a student will have to take.”

Junior individual studies major Peter Garafalo, president of the Maryland Filmmakers Club, said he was glad students will soon be able to gain the degree without creating their own film major, as he did.

“Our film club has over 85 active members so far, and I know all of them are all really interested in pursuing film in a scholarly way, an academic way,” Garafalo said. “I think it’s really necessar y nowadays to include that, especially at a university of this size.”

However, several students said they were disappointed the university is not creating a filmmaking major.

Freshman psychology major Dan Lerner said film production courses would benefit those hoping to enter the field after graduation.

“I think that if they had a filmmaking major, they’d have a lot more people that would be considering it,” he said.

Russian professor Elizabeth Papazian, who helped develop the proposal along with other members of the non-degree Graduate Field Committee in Film Studies, said there are no plans to push for a film production degree, which would have required the university to purchase new equipment and editing software.

Garafalo said although students can learn to make movies on their own — as many students on the campus do — having an academic background in film theory and history can be helpful.

“Film studies is going to be a lot more lasting,” he said.

“The films aren’t going to change, but the technology changes every single year.”

However, Garafalo said

because of the versatility of technology today, he doubts adding a production major would be as expensive as the university claims.

“With how cheap it is to make a movie today with digital camcorders, you can easily have a production major like a creative writing major,” he said.

Arsenjuk said he believes the new offering will attract students interested in producing films, as well as those solely interested in the historical aspect of cinema.

“I think for students who want to make films, I think what the major will represent is an opportunity to gain a kind of education in the histor y of cinema, but also to think about cinema critically,” he said. “It’s the kind of knowledge any aspiring filmmaker also needs. … It’s not production oriented, but it definitely complements the interest of those interested in producing film.” kirkwood@umdbk.com

The Women’s Studies, American Studies and African-American Studies departments sponsored a forum and vigil yesterday to remember Trayvon Martin, a Florida high school student who was shot and killed in February. JEREMY KIM/THE DIAMONDBACK

Graduate Student Government discusses meet and confer

Meeting with AFT Tuesday was first since system officials negotiated alternative to bargaining rights

BY LAURA BLASEY Staff writer

Meeting for the first time since a controversy surrounding graduate students’ collective bargaining rights erupted last month, Graduate Student Government officials sat down with local American Federation of Teachers leaders Tuesday to discuss implementing a meet-and-confer agreement.

Tensions between the two groups rose after University System of Mar yland officials negotiated an alternative to graduate students’ collective bargaining rights with Gov. Martin O’Malley’s office.

Graduate students were preparing to testify in favor of a bill that granted them unionization rights when they learned it had unexpectedly been pulled from the state Senate in lieu of meet-and-confer rights, and AFT officials were included in the deal.

Although graduate students were upset the AFT left them out of discussions, they said they are still considering using meet and confer. Meet and confer allows graduate

EDITORS from page 1

Diversity, the state legislature in Annapolis and the University Senate. During her sophomore year, she continued to cover the Senate while adding the office of university President Wallace Loh and the position of assistant news editor, eventually becoming co-news editor this past semester.

“She loves this place with her whole heart,” said current editor in chief Lauren Redding. “The Diamondback deser ves the kind of editor she’s going to be.”

In the fall, Redding will become The Diamondback’s online editor, a new position Abutaleb plans to create in order to keep up with the changing world of journalism. A staff of online-only writers will

students to negotiate with administrators with union representation present, although they still cannot technically unionize. If they do use meet and confer, graduate students will have to choose what union to represent them. University officials would be required to hear student issues but would be under no obligation to resolve them.

At Tuesday’s meeting, graduate leaders collaborated with AFT officials to discuss how the agreement would be implemented. Both groups said their primar y goal in meeting was to figure out a system that would work best for the university’s graduate students within the confines of the agreement.

“We’re trying to figure out what [the meet-and-confer agreement] means,” said GSG Vice President for Committee Affairs Blessing Okoroafor.

“The language is pretty vague.”

GSG leaders have not yet made a decision about whether they will use the provisions allotted in the agreement. Graduate students said more work needs to be done to evaluate the agreement as

be under Redding’s jurisdiction.

“We’re going to tr y to have a website that’s updated throughout the day rather than have all the stories put up at the end of the night,” Abutaleb said.

The Diamondback will also partner with other departments on the campus to maximize their outreach, starting with the computer science department to develop apps.

“It’s really going to be making The Diamondback a 24hour news cycle, making it instantly accessible to people, and making it a paper and a website that people feel compelled to go to multiple times a day,” Abutaleb said.

An audit this year showed The Diamondback’s readership has fallen by almost half, from 13,000 to 8,000 readers.

Mar yland Media Inc. has been facing this problem with

it pertains to the entire graduate community, although they are confident the agreement’s significance will be more than just symbolic in their fight for collective bargaining rights.

“I think [graduate students] will pursue any measure, whether it’s with meet and confer or collective bargaining or co-governance, to see their issues discussed and maybe come to an agreement,” said Okoroafor.

Although the meet-and-confer process was regarded as a small victor y, GSG and AFT officials are still aiming for unionization. At the March 16 GSG assembly meeting, graduate student representatives passed a resolution calling for the legalization of collective bargaining rights almost unanimously.

“This is not going to be the end of it,” said AFT organizer Todd Reynolds. “We’re all working for full collective bargaining rights — the meet and confer is a part of the process in showing that unionization is the right answer for the system and College Park.” blasey@umdbk.com

all its publications, but President Steve Lamphier is confident Abutaleb’s new initiatives and relationship with Loh will have a positive impact on, at least, The Diamondback’s circulation.

“We don’t often have a candidate that comes in that already has such an established relationship with staff,” he said. “Most of them have to establish that over time so I think that’s a big plus for us, or The Diamondback.”

MMI also named sophomore journalism major Alana Yzola editor in chief of The Eclipse and junior journalism major Kaila Stein editor in chief of The Mitzpeh.

“It’s a great crop,” said MMI General Manager Michael Fribush. “One of the best we’ve ever selected.” mcfischer@umdbk.com

Members of the Student Government Association unanimously voted to support building a grocery store within walking distance of the campus. ALEXIS JENKINS/THE DIAMONDBACK

GROCERY from page 1 build a campus community and keep things local and have a grocery store people can walk to.”

France said she plans to meet with members of the College Park City Council in the coming days to discuss finding a space for a grocer y store and fur thering plans for other proposed developments.

Michael Stiefvater, the city’s economic development coordinator, said the plans for the East Campus development — a proposed 38-acre project of mixed retail and graduate housing — no longer include a grocery store. However, he noted the owners of the College Park Shopping Center have been in preliminary talks about possibly redeveloping the site and bringing in a grocery store.

Stiefvater said Harris Teeter was the most likely candidate for that space.

“It’s not going to solve all

the congestion,” Stiefvater said. “But it would be easier for residents. Instead of venturing to Silver Spring or wherever, it would be closer to drive or they could take a bike or walk, so it certainly will help.”

However, he said if the redevelopment moves forward, it would not likely break ground for several years, and he anticipates obtaining a liquor license for Harris Teeter could be a difficult process.

Several students who live on the campus said they often have to drive to Shoppers Food & Pharmacy near the Capital Beltway for groceries or simply settle for buying food at the Commons Shop or other convenience stores on the campus.

Junior biology and neurophysiology major Tiffany Jen said she often goes home to Rockville for groceries.

“It’d be really great if the prices were like Giant’s, because the reason I don’t go to the Commons Shop is because it’s so expensive,”

said Jen, a resident of Commons 1. “I always walk to CVS anyway, so it’d be great if I could get groceries there, too.”

Senior American studies major Jose Centeno, a resident assistant in Commons 2, said it is a “big inconvenience” to search for a friend with a car to get his groceries.

However, he said he hopes any new grocery store would cater to college students.

“It depends on the quality of the food,” Centeno said. “If students want to get groceries, they could always go to the Commons Shop, but of course it’s extremely expensive and not the best quality, and the selection isn’t that great.”

Others said they did not think students would flock to a high-end store such as Harris Teeter.

“College students always go for the cheapest stuff, so that wouldn’t be the best idea,” junior bioengineering major Neer Hershtig said. villanueva@umdbk.com

Sweet deal.

Diamondback Classified Ads appear in both the print and online versions – all for one low price.

Call 301-314-8000 for details.

4

THE DIAMONDBACK | THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 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

Remodeling the kitchen

D

uring university President Wallace Loh’s first State of the Cam- penne pasta and seared pork with ancho chili, mushrooms, tomatoes and pus address in 2010, he famously stated athletics are the univer- corn tortillas — in the North and South Campus dining halls as value sity’s front porch, drawing in donors and prospective students meals, letting other students taste the 251 North delicacies.

And Dining Services continued with positive news this week when offialike. That may be true for Loh, but current and future students cials announced, starting Monday, the South Campus Dining Hall will stay will likely agree on one thing: The kitchen is just as important.

Dining Services has come a long way in recent years, especially with the open from 7 to 9 p.m, a welcome change from the current two-hour gap between the end of dinner and the start of late night. construction of 251 North, the university’s newest dinIt’s a hassle for busy students who can’t eat dinner ing hall. The gourmet all-you-can-eat diner is wildly until late in the evening. Closing the only diner on popular among students for its wide selection of food.

It features five separate stations — a grill station, a Quality on-campus food is South Campus at such a critical time often forces students to shop at the Commons Shop or venture to salad bar, an Italian food center and two deli kitchens; important; efforts by Route 1 for food that isn’t covered in a dining plan. one serving Vietnamese-style sandwiches and Asian But after the Residence Hall Association took their noodles, while the other offers open-faced hot sand- Dining Services officials to concerns to Dining Ser vices officials, a plan was wiches. At the beginning of the year, more than 800 better the food don’t just drafted within a month to extend the hours. The pasta students were being served each night and officials will remain open until 7:30 p.m. and the pizza staexpect that number has gone up since. benefit this student body, bar tion, baker y and ice cream station, salad bar and The food might be delicious, but it’s pricey: Each meal costs $18 and while North Campus residents are but prospective students sandwich stations will be open through late night. It’s relief for South Campus residents, knowing they allotted one 251 North meal per week, South Campus are surely impressed, too. anobiglonger have to rush to the dining hall to get an residents can go just four times a semester. adequate meal.

So while it’s great 251 North is thriving and North By increasing the availability and quality of food, Dining Ser vices is Campus students are leaving the dining hall once a week fat and happy, South Campus residents are left with the decades-old South Campus Din- doing a lot more than simply keeping current students happy; officials are ing Hall. The food is definitely edible, but it’s nowhere near the quality or helping ensure the university looks attractive to prospective students from ever y aspect. quantity of 251 North.

And just like all students know, the quality of food on a college campus It didn’t take long for South Campus residents to start feeling slighted by the dining options on their side of the campus. Luckily, Dining Ser vices is often just as important as the quality of academic programs. Dining Serhas risen to the challenge once again this semester to make the food bet- vices has seen great success at 251 North, and it’s encouraging to see officials taking steps to better the quality of other dining halls as well. ter down south.

Now that we know the kitchen is in good hands, let’s get back to work In February, Dining Services announced it would debut some 251 North meals — including grilled rosemary thyme chicken over chicken chorizo on that front porch.

Have a Good Friday MATT RICE

Our View

Editorial cartoon: Joey Lockwood

A lesson learned from a homeless man

W

e typically ignore the homeless person on the bench. As we walk by, our hands clench our belongings, we speed up our pace and we attempt to avoid eye contact because in that moment, we encounter someone else’s desolation.

According to the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, about 3 million people will experience homelessness this year: That’s 1 percent of the population.

Domestic abuse, lack of affordable housing and health care, unemployment and health problems are all causes of homelessness. There is no general description for all people who become homeless.

I was reminded of these issues Sunday when I hung out with homeless people. Together with other university students, I went to Washington to hear people’s personal experiences with homelessness. At the end of the day, I walked away reminded of the simple fact we are all people itching to

JENNIFER SCHWARZ be acknowledged by others.

John, a white man in his mid 50s with a scruffy white beard, wearing blue jeans and a sweatshirt, came from a stable two-parent home, never thinking he would ever encounter homelessness. He did well in high school and decided to get a job instead of attending college. When a series of events led him into debt and he lost his job, John spiraled into homelessness.

“At the time it felt like I was invisible. People walking by me like I wasn’t even there,” John told our group of students.

Andre, a 46-year-old cleanshaven black man, has been in and out of homelessness for more than a decade. Substance addiction led

him to homelessness, but he is now clean. Andre is currently working toward a degree in business administration but since losing his job a few months ago, he is back on the streets.

I was taken by Andre’s charismatic attitude. After he shared his story, I tapped him on the arm to catch his attention. I shook his hand, smiled and said, “Hi, I’m Jen.” He responded in enthusiastic shock: “Wow,” he said. “Not only are you willing to touch me, but you said hello with a smile.” In that instant, he was not invisible.

Andre guided a few students to Washington Circle near the George Washington University campus. I was given a pair of new athletic socks to distribute to a homeless person I saw in the park but felt uneasy approaching a homeless man randomly.

Instead of making any assumptions about the person, Andre told me to ask, “Do you know if anyone could use a pair of socks?” And that

was how I met Bob, a 63-year-old black man sitting with two suitcases and extra bags next to him. He declined my socks but accepted an invitation to chat for a while. I realized that question about socks was not necessarily about the action of giving socks but rather was an excuse to start a conversation.

I found an unlikely friend in Andre. I learned from him that others’ lack of compassion drives most homeless people to remain homeless. We avoid and we make assumptions because we don’t know how to act.

Before Andre and I parted, I asked him what advice he could offer me. He responded definitively, “People are not their circumstances or their situations.” He didn’t elaborate, but somehow I knew exactly what he meant.

Jennifer Schwarz is a senior environmental science and policy major. She can be reached at schwarz@umdbk.com.

Obama: Time to stand up for America

S

ince President Barack Obama stepped into office three years ago, his time spent in the hallowed halls of our nation’s capital has been filled with faux pas and a lack of respect for his constituency — the American people.

In going out of his way to demonstrate respect for the wrong people and prioritizing the wrong things, Obama has simultaneously made a joke out of this country and himself.

He began his reign with a series of foreign policy snafus (an iPod for the Queen?) and the hypocrisy of holding more respect for enemy combatants’ religion than that of his own predominantly Christian country was simply absurd.

But now, by apologizing to those affected by the inadvertent burning of Qurans but not to the more than 68 million Catholics in his own country for the proposed contraception mandate (which essentially spat in the face of religious believers), Obama’s apologetic behavior

is becoming downright intolerable.

He has apologized for our great country every time he has been given the opportunity. And, just like a person who apologizes for their family to others, such behavior shows shame, disloyalty and an inability to lead our country as he was elected to do.

The one universal issue Obama seems to care about is jobs. As college students who have just invested (or had our parents invest) tens of thousands of dollars toward education, this should be one priority that unites us behind the president. It should be one thing that draws those worried about their employment future toward his campaign.

Not so surprisingly though, Obama cannot follow through on this either. When choosing between a massive number of jobs, cheaper cost of living and lessened dependence on the foreign countries he loves to apologize to on our behalf, Obama chose an entirely different

LAURA FROST option — the environment.

Now, I love sitting outside in the sunlight, surrounded by fresh air and beautiful trees as much as anyone else.

I think all God’s creations are beautiful and precious, including animals that could be damaged by work like the Keystone pipeline.

But being the president of these United States, a.k.a. leader of the free world, is a job where making tough decisions comes with the territory. When you consider the good of your people who have spent your entire presidency in a recession with gas prices skyrocketing, involvement in two major foreign conflicts and high unemployment rates, is this really the time to say

no to such a project?

There are other steps that should be taken to help the environment, such as further research in the field of clean energy, and I’m fully behind those steps.

This, however, is not the time to reject something that will create jobs, reduce living costs and reduce dependence on foreign energy. There are now reports that Obama has begun to reconsider his previous rejection of TransCanada’s plans. Even if, as the reports say, this is only consideration of a partial approval of the plans, it is finally a small step in the right direction.

If this does occur, I have to say it’s about time. With all the mistakes so far, I’m beginning to think the president actually wants our country to fail.

Laura Frost is a junior government and politics and journalism major.

She can be reached at frost@umdbk.com.

T

omorrow is the most important day of the year for many students on the campus: It is Good Friday, the day that Christians remember Jesus Christ’s crucifixion. When I was younger, I never understood what was so good about Good Friday. After all, it’s the day Jesus died. Wouldn’t “Bad Friday,” a name that could evoke memories of the Rebecca Black song, be more accurate?

But Good Friday is good. It is good because it is the day Jesus backed up his words with actions.

If he’d just gone around telling ever yone to “love your neighbor as yourself” but hadn’t actually done so, no one would have taken him seriously. Likewise, had he said “As I have loved you, so you also should love one another” without doing much loving, his words would have been completely meaningless. But on Good Friday, Jesus practiced what he preached — he gave up his life out of love for us.

Mere words mean nothing compared to actions. Unlike words, actions require sacrifice. Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice, enduring torture and death to free us from sin, but even our small actions require sacrifice: giving up a meal at 251 North to donate more food to those in need on the campus, giving up a Saturday to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity or giving up a pint of blood to save a few lives.

This state held its primary election earlier in the week. Undoubtedly, as we draw closer to the general election, there will be a lot more political discussion and debate. While these have their place, and ever yone should participate by voting, actions are much more important. Debates don’t fix anything, at least not quickly, but actions can have immediate results.

I like to take James Madison’s quote, “If men were angels, no government would be necessary,” as a challenge. Obviously, people aren’t perfect, but while our imperfections necessitate some government intervention into our lives, we should never stop trying to improve ourselves. If we each strive to be a bit more angelic, government will become a bit less necessary. Mother Teresa once said, “We can do no great things, only small things with great love.” If our goal is to transform society or our country with sweeping measures, we will fail. Laws can’t change people.

We each have the power to make our own decisions, and if we each decide to do small loving actions we will make a difference, even if it seems insignificant at first.

I think it’s time for everyone to back up their words with actions, like Jesus did on Good Friday. To protect the environment, buy smaller cars (or a bicycle). To prevent abortions, support single mothers who choose life. Only after we begin to transform ourselves can we hope to transform our government and society.

Politicians will not fix the world with all of their words (neither will columnists), but through small sacrifices and loving actions, each of us can.

Matt Rice is a freshman materials science major. He can be reached at rice@umdbk.com.

OPINION EDITOR WANTED The Diamondback is seeking an opinion editor for the Fall 2012 semester. Ideal candidates have an understanding of university, state and national issues, a familiarity with journalistic writing, strong managerial skills and the ability to meet deadlines.

Opinion editors typically work 30 to 35 hours per week. The position is paid. For more information on the position or how to apply, please contact opinion editors Christopher Haxel and Maria Romas at opinion@umdbk.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.

THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012 | THE DIAMONDBACK

5

Features HOROSCOPESTELLA WILDER

CROSSWORD 33 Lived 34 Blarney Stone site 35 — Bator 36 Monthly expense 38 Silver-gold alloy

39 42 43 45

Rachel’s sister Ancient harp Oxidized City near Monte Alban 46 Frat letter

47 48 49 51 52 53

Swamp grass Just washed Plain to see Perfume bottle Tube trophy Exploding star

ACROSS 57 Canning tomato 59 Powerful 1 Foot warmer adhesive 5 Box-office hit, 61 Culture dish goo slangily 62 Leatherneck org.

9 Geisha’s zither 63 English Channel 13 Crowd in port 15 Sewing kit 64 Mardi Gras 16 Garment for follower a sheik 65 Pyramid builder 17 Condor nest 66 Vacuum 18 Fellini-inspired attachment musical 19 Early movie dog DOWN 20 Strut along 1 Wild guess 21 Fixes the fight 2 Nabisco cookie 23 Quite possible 3 Firm, for short 25 Verdi heroine 4 Pond carp 26 Recommend 5 — tiger 27 Uproar 6 Elevator name 30 Vitamin monitor 7 Lots of laughs 31 In front 8 Enjoyable time 32 Magnificence (2 wds.)

37 Layer of paint 9 Drab color 38 “Crazylegs” 10 Camel stops Hirsch 11 Deed 40 Ploy 12 Thumbs-up 41 Action flick 14 Era 43 Put on the 22 Deposed Amin late show 24 “Terrible” tsar 44 Stadium cheer 25 Fine violin 45 Rich 26 Big hairdo 47 Burn slightly 27 Ambassador’s 50 D.A. backup forte 51 Soft fabric 28 Oops! (hyph.)

52 Escape hatch 53 San Francisco hill 29 Raise, as kids 32 Menacing sound 56 — fixe

© 2012 UNITED FEATURES SYNDICATE

Previous Day’s Puzzle Solved:

TODAY’S CROSSWORD SPONSORED BY:

54 Draft animals 55 Polar explorer 58 Mama bear, in Madrid 60 Captured soldier

orn today, you are a fiercely independent individual, eager to assert your individuality in situations both personal and professional. For all this, you are never one to avoid social gatherings, and you are able to be so charming, and use social graces to such effect, that you can work almost any situation to your advantage. Fortunately, you are such an upstanding individual, with a sense of pride combined with a strong moral sense, that you’re not the type to use others for your own gain; you want to advance in the world on the strength of your own personal merits.

B

Because of your natural independence, you will develop a head that can think rationally in even the most irrational of circumstances. For this reason you’re likely to be a natural leader, even though there may be times in which you do not desire to be on the front lines.

Also born on this date are: Colin Powell, U.S. military leader and statesman; Frank Gorshin, actor; Gregory Peck, actor; Bette Davis, actress; Spencer Tracy, actor; Booker T. Washington, educator and author.

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.

do just that on at least two occasions.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) — Opening yourself up to that which you had not considered will enable you to see things in a more productive light. Remain receptive.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) — Positioning yourself so that you have the best possible vantage point will prove invaluable. Do you have eyes in the back of your head?

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) — Quality and quantity — there’s no confusing the two, and yet today they will surely go hand in hand.

Is there such a thing as too much?

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Risk management is the key to your success today. You’ll have to gamble occasionally, but you can maximize your own odds, surely.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Satisfaction comes from knowing you have done everything in your power to further the cause to which you have lent your support.

COLLEGE INTUITION

The Diamondback Online • • • • • •

Campus News Sports Opinion Diversions Classified Ads Blogs and additional features

www.diamondbackonline.com

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Visualize that which is most important to you and you can be surrounded by it in abundance by day’s end. The intangible counts for much.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — “What,” “where,” and “when” — those are the big issues today.

The “who” and the “how” will very likely take care of themselves.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) — Xenophobia is not your style — you have no reason to fear strangers at this time. You can learn something about diversity today.

COPYRIGHT 2012 UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE, INC.

R.J. BENTLEY’S RESTAURANT • DOWNTOWN COLLEGE PARK

THURSDAY $3.50 Absolut, Jim Beam $2.50 Domestics $2.50 Rails $2.50 Bacardi

FRIDAY $2.75 Domestic Rails • $3.75 Absolut, Captain Morgan, Jack Daniels, Stoli • $4.25 Jager, Jameson HAPPY HOUR 4-7 pm 1/2 Price Appetizers, $2.75 Drafts R.J. BENTLEY’S RESTAURANT • DOWNTOWN COLLEGE PARK

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) — Never let it be said that you are not able to deal with the difficult issues head-on. Today, you must

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Underneath your calm and cool facade today things are likely to bubble furiously, as someone may be pushing your buttons.

TODAY’S HOROSCOPE SPONSORED BY:

FRIDAY,APRIL 6 ARIES (March 21-April 19) — Money matters take on a whole new tone today, and as you become more serious others are likely to be more frivolous — but without reason.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Telling another what he or she needs to hear is more difficult than you think; you don’t simply want to let the cat out of the bag!

RICHIE BATES BEAR ON CAMPUS

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

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6

THE DIAMONDBACK | THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

BEST BET

Diversions

chickfactor 2012: for the love of pop @ ARTISPHERE Chickfactor, an indie-pop fanzine with roots in the Washington area, is celebrating its 20th anniversary with several concerts around the globe. Tomorrow and Saturday, Artisphere in Arlington will host the local edition of the showcase. Friday features The Pines, Dot Dash, Honey Bunch, Belle & Sebastian member Stevie Jackson and Frankie Rose. Saturday’s show includes the Lilys, Fan Modine, Lorelei and the reunion of Black Tambourine. The influential band, which includes university alumni, has not played in more than 20 years. For both nights, doors open at 7:30 p.m.; tickets cost $25 in advance, $27 day of show.

arts. music. living. movies. weekend.

REVIEW | NAMELESS FOREST

Into the woods A choreographer-sculptor team explores the journey of life and responds to each other’s works through dance

BY BEENA RAGHAVENDRAN Staff writer

They are two artists from different worlds.

One works on the dance floor, bending aesthetic with physical movement, exploring the sense of the body. The other works with his hands to create short and eerie meter-high pieces as visual statements.

One day, the choreographer came across the sculptor’s pieces and realized their goals were the same. In an instant connection, a new team was born.

“We get along well as collaborators because we were after kind of the same thing using the tools of the opposite person,” choreographer Dean Moss said of his relationship with Korean sculptor Sungmyung Chun.

Moss and Chun have collaborated to create Nameless forest, a dance performance exploring the presence of material elements in life’s journey, which runs at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center’s Kogod Theatre tonight and tomorrow.

Moss, who for 19 years has been exploring themes of identity in his works, came across Chun’s work in Seoul, South Korea and said he was inspired to create a performance out of viewing the sculptures.

The team conceived the project in 2007 but only began working on it in 2009. Moss said the gap between years let him observe how Chun’s works evolved over time.

Moss said the question he’s trying to answer in the performance is synthesized in the hypothetical of getting new clothes: How will a person’s relationship with the world change if he or she suddenly has a new pair of shoes or a new shirt? The response to the addition of new material makes up his piece’s exploration, he said.

“This work changed the way we looked at our practice — both of us,” Moss said.

“And those elements of the other — the sculptural elements, the performative elements, the drama, the use of narratives that function within Nameless forest — all came about as a response to the dialogue he and I were having.”

At the beginning of the performance, 15 audience members are invited onstage to participate. Moss said the audience members’ purpose among the cast is to reflect the action of walking through and experiencing the sculptures for the first time.

“Nameless forest reflects a journey that the audience takes with the performance,” Moss said. “That’s what Nameless forest is about, and valuing the unknown, and all the things that come with moving through the unknown.”

Nameless forest, a performance created by choreographer Dean Moss and sculptor Sungmyung Chun, runs tonight and tomorrow at 8 p.m. at CSPAC’s Kogod Theatre. Tickets are $9 for students, $35 for adults. This performance contains full nudity. raghavendran@umdbk.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF PAULA COURT

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EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

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THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012 | SPORTS | THE DIAMONDBACK

NOTEBOOK from page 8

receiver Kevin Dorsey said jokingly.

ROBINSON RECOVERING

The Terps lost one of their defense’s key cogs just three games into last season when safety Matt Robinson went down for the year with a shoulder injury.

While Robinson has not been cleared for full contact, as signified by the yellow jersey he wears at practice, he’s found himself back on the field in a big way during practice.

“We’re going to keep him out here doing that because it helps us because of all the communication and calls he makes back there for us,” Edsall said of the rising junior. “It’s imperative that we have him out there, but he knows how to practice with the yellow jersey on.”

Robinson’s injury didn’t keep him out of the team’s intrasquad scrimmage Saturday. Although he was able to do everything but hit, his yellow

7

jersey did pose a problem.

“The officials didn’t blow the whistle when he tagged off, and the offense got a touchdown,” Edsall said. “The defense was mad at me, so I had to put up with that.”

PERSONNEL ROUNDUP As is typical of the shuffle of spring practice, the Terps’ roster and depth chart has undergone several changes of late.

Cornerback Jeremiah Johnson returned to the field yesterday in a limited capacity, while linebacker Alex Twine is slotted to return from injury to the field next week, Edsall said. Linebacker Cole Farrand won’t be back for at least two weeks.

Nick Klemm, meanwhile, has overtaken redshirt freshman Andrew Zeller for the starting job at left tackle, and Nate Clarke has been moved from the offensive line to nose tackle. A.J. Hendy is relocating, as well, playing cornerback after one season at safety. cwalsh@umdbk.com

Safety Matt Robinson played in only three games for the Terps last season before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury, but he’s so far proved instrumental in the team’s new defense this spring. CHARLIE DEBOYACE/THE DIAMONDBACK

BISON

PHILLIPS from page 8

from page 8

we’re going about our business on all the little details,” coach Erik Bakich said. “We know that if we focus on those things, the results will take care of themselves.”

Starter Sander Beck pitched six shutout innings, allowing only two hits and three walks while striking out five.

After Tuesday night’s fielding woes — the Terps (19-12) committed three errors and allowed five unearned runs — Beck (4-1) still played to his defense, keeping the ball low in the zone to induce ground balls against the Bison offense.

“Our defense has been great all year,” Beck said. “Even the best defenses have a tough game every once in a while.”

Bucknell (14-15) mounted a late rally against the Terps in the eighth, scoring three runs off reliever Jake Stinnett. But one night after an end-of-game collapse doomed the Terps to only their third nonconference loss of the season, there weren’t going to be any late heroics in College Park. Stinnett shut the door on the Bison in the ninth, and the Terps held on comfortably.

Offensively, they received contributions from up and down the starting lineup. In the upper third of the order, second baseman Kyle Convissar had two hits and scored twice from the leadoff spot, while right fielder Jordan Hagel had two RBI behind him. Delp’s home run came as the Terps’ clean-up hitter, and Rodriguez delivered four hits from the No. 7 spot in the lineup.

“One of our goals is to be relentless, one through nine in the lineup,” Bakich said.

“When we’re playing well offensively, it’s a balanced attack and we are getting contributions up and down the lineup. … When we’re firing on all cylinders, we’re going to put up a bunch of quality at-bats, and that’s what we did tonight.”

In taking a 7-0 lead on the Bison after only four innings, the Terps displayed a resiliency that has often characterized their season — just not against George Mason. Afterward, Beck spoke matter-offactly about the Terps’ stinker Tuesday night, a result that seemed sure not to linger as the Terps head into their ACC weekend series.

“As soon as the game [Tuesday] was over,” Beck said, “we flushed it — that’s our expression here — and today was a new day.”

and for her to put it all together was great to see, but it was even more special to see her put it all together at EAGL Championships,” coach Brett Nelligan said. “That’s the dream right there.”

The Terps will head to Fayetteville, Ark., for the team’s NCAA Regional this Saturday, and despite the looming threat of the end of her gymnastics career, Phillips is positive about the opportunity.

“I’ve had such a memorable career, and to see everything come together now in the postseason and in the meets that matter is special,” she said. “I want to go out with a bang in this last meet, but you never know what can happen.”

In their program’s history, the Terps have never made it past the first stage of the 36-team championship field, which is broken into six regionals. To advance to the next round, the Terps will need to place second or better in a regional field that includes four teams ranked in the top 20 nationally.

With Phillips back and healthy, it might be possible.

Her recent performances have been essential to the Terps’ late-season success, and Nelligan has not overlooked the effect his captain’s presence has had on his young squad.

“She’s been a leader for the team scoring,” Nelligan said, “but also inspiring her teammates, pushing her teammates in practice and then giving them the confidence during meets to believe that they can go out and break these records and do these things that people have never done before.”

dgallen@umdbk.com

Pitcher Sander Beck said the Terps have “flushed” Tuesday’s 7-6 loss to George Mason.

JEREMY KIM/THE DIAMONDBACK

popper@umdbk.com

SOFTBALL

Pitcher Kendra Knight shut out George Mason after allowing one run in the first inning of a 3-1 Terps victory yesterday afternoon. JEREMY KIM/THE DIAMONDBACK

Just in time, Terps find two wins Team takes doubleheader vs. Patriots to snap six-game skid

BY JASON BENSCHER Staff writer

A lack of clutch hitting had followed the Terrapins softball team through a stretch of six straight losses, through eight defeats in its past 10 games.

The Terps got exactly what they needed last night during a doubleheader sweep of George Mason.

With another ACC road trip looming this weekend, a breakthrough couldn’t have come at a better time.

“We remembered how to win again,” pitcher Kaitlyn Schmeiser said after her complete-game 6-3 victory in the nightcap.

The Terps’ energy was apparent from the get-go, even as the offense struggled to get off the ground. For a midweek game against a middling squad, the crowd was a particularly vocal one.

“They say that excitement is contagious, and it really is,” Schmeiser said. “We were just remembering how to have fun.”

Look no further than Schmeiser, whose voice was raspy from a night of yelling from the circle and the dugout. Making softball enjoyable once more seemed a necessity for a Terps squad sitting at a crossroads.

These were two winnable games before a ramped-up ACC schedule — and they knew it.

“We worked through a lot of the stresses and a lot of the worries,” coach Laura Watten said.

In last night’s opener, a 3-1 Terps victor y, the Patriots hung with the hosts early. Each team plated a run in the third inning and remained scoreless until the sixth.

The Terps (20-14) left runners on in the first three frames, continuing a trend that has plagued them in recent weeks.

The Patriots (10-26) nearly broke through in the fifth, when first baseman Reagan Doiron rocketed a Kendra Knight pitch to the centerfield wall. A picture-perfect relay from shortstop Kathy McLaughlin cut down what would have been the go-ahead run.

Knight, after a treacherous first inning, settled down despite another outing high in walks. The senior hurler kept the Patriots at bay while the teams traded zeroes.

“It’s good to see [Knight] was able to work through some of the challenges she had been having,” Watten said.

The Terps’ clutch hitting finally came to life in the sixth, when Watten found the right button after sending Kelly Trimble in to pinchhit. Her two-run home run, an opposite-field wall-scraper, gave the Terps a late 3-1 lead they

wouldn’t relinquish.

“We knew we just needed something to get us to break through,” Watten said.

The Terps led Game 2 until the fourth inning, when the Patriots rallied for three two-out runs off Schmeiser. Again, the Terps found themselves at a point when they might have otherwise folded.

“We got used to losing,” Schmeiser said. “That’s not the place you want to be.”

Instead of lying down, the Terps’ response was a five-run explosion in the bottom half, capped by a basesloaded single that the Patriots misplayed into three runs. The outburst iced the game, as Schmeiser held the Patriots in check to seal the 6-3 win and the sweep. “[Losing] almost got to be this regular thing,” Schmeiser said. “We finally decided we were sick of it.”

The Patriots are not at the level of Georgia Tech, the Terps’ weekend opponent. Still, two wins against anyone will help to rebuild the Terps’ morale, which had taken some hits.

As ACC play approaches, they’ll certainly take what they can get.

“We’ve got to get back to feeling confident again,” Watten said.

“That’s what we needed tonight.” benscher@umdbk.com

8

THE DIAMONDBACK | THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

Sports BASEBALL

Future Terps on display Four Terrapins men’s basketball recruits will play in the nearby Capital Classic this month. For info, visit TerrapinTrail.com.

FOOTBALL | NOTEBOOK

GYMNASTICS

Better late than never

After loss, Terps find way back

Phillips’ return key in regionals

Early surge fuels win over Bucknell

BY DANIEL POPPER Staff writer

don’t teach.”

“He’s a competitor,” quarterback C.J. Brown said. “He’s working hard and he’s really bought into the team. I know a lot of guys get along with him really well.”

While Goins has impressed during the team’s first seven spring practices, he hasn’t yet struck much fear in any of his teammates on the offensive side of the ball. At least, none that are willing to admit as much.

“Let’s just put on the record that Isaac Goins can’t check me,” wide

As one of two seniors on the Terrapins gymnastic team’s roster, Kyra Phillips faced a tall task this season: lead an extremely young squad featuring more freshmen than upperclassmen.

In the most injury-ridden season of her four-year career, that’s proved difficult. A knee injury in January sidelined Phillips for two weeks and left her unable to compete on floor for an additional three weeks. Without their two-time captain and second-team All-EAGL performer, the Terps struggled to find their footing.

“It was extremely hard and frustrating, and it’s still something I’m dealing with,” Phillips said. “Especially since my career is coming to an end, seeing the weeks go by was one of the hardest things I’ve had to overcome.”

Since her full return to the Terps’ ranks in late February, however, Phillips hasn’t merely overcome her injury. She’s emerged from her hiatus as a dominant force. In the five meets since straining her knee, Phillips has averaged 9.815 on vault, 9.705 on bars and 9.670 on floor, including a tremendous performance at the EAGL Championships in which she posted a 9.900 on vault and a 9.900 on floor, leading the Terps to a third-place finish in the conference.

“She’s battled injury and sickness,

see NOTEBOOK, page 7

see PHILLIPS, page 7

BY DANIEL GALLEN Staff writer

Striding to the plate with runners on second and third base and no outs in the third inning, Tomo Delp found himself in a situation not unlike those the Terrapins baseball team had failed to capitalize on the night before.

Against George Mason on Tuesday, the Terps stranded 13 runners, including bases-loaded jams in the second and ninth innings, in an agonizing 7-6 loss.

For any speck of momentum entering this weekend’s series with No. 17 N.C. State, the Terps knew, that couldn’t happen again last night.

With one swing of the bat, Delp made sure of it. Sending a high fly ball to left-center field that Bucknell’s outfielders could only watch as it cleared the fence at Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium, Delp turned a 3-0 Terps lead into a 6-0 advantage.

His first home run of the year was more than the Terps needed in an 8-3 victory.

“I was just looking for a pitch up in the zone,” Delp said. “That’s all I was looking for. It was a simple swing — just get those RBI in.”

The Terps got that, and more.

“I think we did a good job of kind of refocusing our energy on just the way we’re playing and how

see BISON, page 7

Coach Randy Edsall and the Terps had their seventh spring practice session Tuesday.

JEREMY KIM/THE DIAMONDBACK

Terps continue to make moves Transfer Goins impressing early; Robinson continues recovery

BY CONOR WALSH Senior staff writer

The Terrapins football team entered spring practice with an inexperienced defensive secondary and a lack of depth that was only magnified by the departure of defensive back Avery Graham last week.

An unexpected bright spot in the defensive backfield has emerged, however, in junior Isaac Goins, who arrived in College Park in January as a transfer from California’s Contra Costa College.

Goins has already established him-

self in the Terps’ rotation at cornerback, coach Randy Edsall said yesterday, and has assumed some of the team’s punt-returning duties during spring practice.

“When it’s 50 degrees, I think he thinks it’s like 30 degrees, so you have to tease him about that,” Edsall said Tuesday of the Oakland, Calif., native. “But I think he’s made the adjustment really well. I’ve been impressed with his football knowledge, his instincts. He’s very smooth, he’s got good hands. I think the only thing he has to do is get better. … He’s got instincts that you