December 5, 2013

The University of Maryland’s Independent Student Newspaper

T H U R S DAY, D E C E M B E R 5 , 2 013

Conduct evidence standard to remain

Hometown proximity influences college pick Survey: 1 in 5 freshmen values distance highly

Conduct code policies on par with Big Ten’s

By Talia Richman @talirichman Staff writer

By Alex Kirshner @alex_kirshner Senior staff writer

For junior Kristene Mumby, attending an in-state college means her parents can watch her guard the goal at every women’s soccer game. It means she can sport black and red Terps gear like her parents and extended family did. And the chance to do laundry at home doesn’t hurt, either.

“I have so much Maryland pride,” she said. “It’s all about Maryland.”

But tradition goes beyond following family suit: Data show students would rather stay close to home during their college years, and Mumby and her peers seem to be just as reluctant as their parents were to venture far from home.

About 20 percent of freshman students entering a full-time, four-year college program in 2012 cited proximity to home as “very important” to them when making college decisions, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education’s Almanac of Higher Education 2013. It’s the third time in five years as large a proportion of students has given the same response, but opinions haven’t changed much over the decades; 16.6 percent of freshmen in 1983 ranked living near home as “very important.”

The proportion of students ending up at a college close to home also has

kelsey hughes/the diamondback

jumping to the top After world trampoline championship, freshman athlete has Olympic hopes

By Ellie Silverman @esilverman11 Staff writer

See home, Page 2

BY THE NUMBERS

At the age of 10, Deana Parris fell in love, but not with the boy across the street or a favorite toy — she fell in love with the trampoline.

Though many prefer to keep their feet on the ground, Parris, a freshman psychology major, loves the invincible feeling of being airborne.

“When you get to the top, it’s so quiet and so exhilarating and there’s nothing to stop you from falling — gravity is going to make you go down, but in that moment, you’re there … you’re not going to go any higher; you’re flying,” Parris said.

“The best part is that you get yourself there. It’s definitely something I fell in love with instantly.”

20.1 percent of surveyed 2012 freshmen said proximity to home was “very important” in their college decision

38.7 percent chose a college located less than 50 miles from home

66.6 percent

Last month, Parris traveled to Sofia, Bulgaria, to compete in the 2013 World Trampoline and Tumbling Championships, a competition second only to the Olympics in global prestige. It was Parris’ first time competing at the championships, and her coach, Konstantin Gulisashvili, believes she has the work ethic and drive to reach the next level of performance, maybe even the Olympic Games.

“She’s very determined. She has her goals, and she’s always moving towards them,” Gulisashvili said. “When she was 10 years old, I could tell when she’d have a goal to get a skill at that time, and she would keep working on it. She would make a mistake and come back, do it again and do it right. She has what it takes to be a great athlete.”

See PARRIS, Page 2

A University Senate subcommittee has decided to leave the Code of Student Conduct’s evidentiary standards as they are.

In a report, the senate’s Student Conduct Committee said it would “not be prudent” to change the Office of Student Conduct’s evidentiary standards — or level of evidence needed to reach a verdict — now, and they might revisit the matter in a year or two. The decision, presented to the SEC on Nov. 25, comes a few months after officials began implementing the code’s expanded jurisdiction and a few years after the standards changed in response to a federal mandate.

For most conduct code violations, the burden of proof falls to the plaintiff, who must offer “clear and convincing” proof of guilt. Sexual misconduct cases require a preponderance of the evidence for action, meaning “it is more likely than not that the incident occurred,” according to the committee.

The preponderance of evidence standard was introduced in 2011, after the federal Education Department’s Office of Civil Rights circulated a “Dear Colleague” letter asking universities receiving federal funds to do so. The 19-page letter said the human consequences of sexual assaults and their tendency to be “vastly under-reported” meant such cases should be treated differently. “ I t w a s b a s i c a l l y a fe d e ra l mandate,” said Andrea Goodwin, director of the Office of Student Conduct. “You do it, or you risk losing federal funding.”

But no student conduct office referrals for sexual misconduct have progressed all the way to hearings since the preponderance standard was instituted, she said, so “we haven’t

said finances affected their decisions

See CONDUCT, Page 3

Some local businesses disappointed by weekend

University researchers assist with first neutrino recording Antarctica team finds elusive, tiny particles

Discounts spur sprees for other small retailers

By Joe Antoshak @Mantoshak Staff writer

By Annika McGinnis @annikam93 Senior staff writer

For the first time in history, cosmic neutrinos — particles that come into the atmosphere from outside the solar system — have been recorded successfully at the world’s largest neutrino telescope, largely because of contributions made by researchers at this university.

Physics professor Gregor y Sullivan led a 13-member university team that assisted in the construction and subsequent research of the IceCube Neutrino Observatory, a massive telescope located in Antarctica. The telescope, which spans a square kilometer, is made up of more than 5,000 sensors that reach as

When shoppers stampede to retail giants on Black Friday each year, small businesses can be left in the dust — and in student-filled College Park, the holiday shopping weekend wasn’t on some stores’ radars.

Nationwide, Small Business Saturday — a day to garner support for local shops between Black Friday and Cyber Monday — led to betterthan-ever sales numbers, as consumers across the country spent $5.7 billion at independent retailers.

But in restaurant-dominated College Park, many businesses

big planet comics on Route 1 had Black Friday discounts over the weekend that led to a 300 percent sales increase, but other local businesses saw lackluster patronage this past weekend. photo courtesy of peter sclafani didn’t have special Friday or Saturday sales, and those that did saw few customers, owners said. And with most students headed home soon for winter break, the stores may not see another chance for major business this year.

On Saturday, College Park Bicycles offered discounts promoted by American Express for the nationwide

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event, but the store “probably saw about two customers all day,” general manager Charles Pleisse said.

“People don’t come to College Park for Black Friday. There aren’t tons of shopping opportunities,” Pleisse said.

“I’ve worked for the store for about 12 years, and it’s always been that way.”

See businesses, Page 2

deep as 2,500 meters into the ice to observe the space particles.

“The problem with neutrinos is that you need a very big detector to collect them,” Sullivan said.

Neutrinos are nearly massless.

They’re dwarfed in size by other subatomic particles such as electrons and quarks.

Neutrinos can’t be seen or felt, but trillions pass through the human body every second. They have no electric charge, so they aren’t subject to the electromagnetic forces by which other subatomic particles are affected.

Because of their weak-interaction tendencies, neutrinos can move unhindered through massed objects.

This quality has made neutrinos a focus for scientists over the past few decades. By tracking down and harnessing these particles, Sullivan said, it may be possible to uncover information about neutrinos’ places of origin.

See NEUTRINOs, Page 3

SPORTS

OPINION

TERPS CAN’T HANG WITH OHIO STATE

How much moral outrage toward porn is justified? P. 4

The No. 5 Buckeyes pulled away from the Terps for a 76-60 win in the Big Ten/ ACC Challenge last night in Columbus, Ohio P. 8

CHARLIE BULMAN: The problems with porn

DIVERSIONS

YOU KNOW AIN’T NOBODY PERFECT After strange “Bound 2” debut, writers debate rap videos P. 6

2

THE DIAMONDBACK | NEWS | thurSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

parris From PAGE 1 Parris’ activities as a kid ran the gamut: Along with trampoline, she sang choir and played soccer and tennis. She joined the competitive trampoline team when she was 9 and started competing when she was 10. Ever since then, she’s dreamed of becoming an Olympic athlete.

“When I was really little, when I first started [trampoline], I told my mom I was going to do the Olympics, and she was like ‘Oh, OK, sure, all right.’ Now I’m only like three years out,” Parris said.

“To be where I needed to be on the world stage, I needed to move at an accelerated rate.”

About a decade later, Parris h a s c om p e te d a lo n g s i d e people she’s looked up to for years — something she said was “completely amazing.”

“Just sitting around and watching people become world champions — it’s awesome,” Parris said.

But training isn’t Parris’ whole life. Though she follows a strict practice schedule, she is a full-time student and is involved in the University Honors Program.

Monday, Wednesday and

“WHEN YOU GET TO THE TOP, IT’S SO QUIET AND SO EXHILARATING AND THERE’S NOTHING TO STOP YOU FROM FALLING — GRAVITY IS GOING TO MAKE YOU GO DOWN, BUT IN THAT MOMENT, YOU’RE THERE.” DEANA PARRIS

Freshman psychology major

Friday, she wakes up at 6:20 a.m., walks across the campus from her Anne Arundel Hall dorm, to Hagerstown Hall to get her car and drives 30 minutes to the Fairland Sports a nd Aquatics Complex in Laurel. Her morning practices last two hours, until 9:30 a.m.

Then Parris drives back to the campus for 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. classes before returning to the gym for another practice from 5-8 p.m.

With one practice and one class Tuesdays and Thursdays, Parris uses these days to catch up on schoolwork or do her laundry. It’s taken Parris years to fi nd a balance in her hectic schedule, but Traci Dula, the associate director of the Honors College, said she seemed to have it mastered.

DEANA PARRIS, a freshman psychology major and gymnast, competed in the 2013 World Trampoline and Tumbling Championships in Bulgaria in November. kelsey hughes/the diamondback “She works ha rd, she doesn’t complain, she leaves campus very early to go to her facility to train and go back to classes,” Dula said. “She just does it because that’s what she needs to do.”

Proximity to her training facility was one reason Parris chose to come to this university. During her first semester of college, Parris was gone for five weeks at national team camps in Texas and Louisiana or the world competition itself.

But she keeps up with her

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home From PAGE 1 stayed rel at ively stable, with 38.7 percent of fall 2012 freshmen attending a college 50 or fewer miles from home — about the same as in 1984, when it was 38.6 percent.

Mumby, who lives about a half-hour away, said the familiar setting was one reason this university was her first choice.

“The fact that all my hometown friends were here was definitely a big factor,” said Mumby, a family science major. “It’s nice knowing I can go home whenever I want to. I wouldn’t leave here because I don’t want to have to go anywhere new — it’s a comfort thing.”

But Adam Yormark, a junior mechanical engineering major from Connecticut, said avoiding that comfort level is why none of the 11 schools he applied to were in his home state.

“You have to take yourself out of your comfort zone so you become comfortable with new situations,” he said. “I’ve become more independent because I’ve been forced to separate myself from the safe haven of my home in Connecticut.”

For Rachel Philips, a junior economics major also from Connecticut, it was this university’s size, not its location, that helped her grow as a person.

“You’re forced to be independent because you just get thrown into the mix,” she said.

“To achieve your goals, you

smile herb shop in Berwyn reported poor Black Friday sales.

BUSINESSES From PAGE 1 At Sm i le Herb Shop i n Berwyn, Black Friday sales were “really bad,” said Shea Moore, general manager. Sales picked up on Sunday when people were back in town, he said.

Still, some local retailers had a successful weekend. Big Planet Comics’ Black Friday discounts, including a 30 percent off storewide sale, led

have to take a lot of responsibility for your actions.”

For some, the decision to stay in-state is financial in addition to psychological. Economic factors affected 66.6 percent of freshmen’s college choices in 2012, up from 62.1 percent in 2010, when the question was first asked on surveys. Additionally, 17.2 percent, the highest proportion in a decade, said they were living at home or with a relative for the fall 2012 semester.

Brian Bermudez said he commutes from home in order to save money.

“I was never looking to get out of the house like a lot of students were,” the freshman computer science major said.

“I like living at home.”

Katie Luce, a freshman psychology major from Westminster, said the only drawback of remaining close to home is that parents have easy access.

“I told them right away they can’t come visit me every day,” she said. “I don’t feel like I’m only an hour away from home.”

Luce, who wears a golden terrapin necklace, said coming to the university increased her state pride. At the men’s basketball game against Oregon State, when state flags were released over the crowd, Luce was struck by how special the moment was.

“That was really cool, and I feel like it wouldn’t have the same effect if you weren’t from Maryland,” she said. “I just felt like, ‘Wow, this is my state.’” trichmandbk@gmail.com

file photo/the diamondback

to a 300 percent sales increase, owner Peter Casazza said. And Rugged Wearhouse, which had extended hours, sold designer merchandise such as GUESS and Juicy Couture and saw an increase in purchases, assistant manager Danielle Swidrak said.

T y pically, Black Friday kicks off the holiday shopping season and is the sales highlight of the year for many retailers. But as a huge population of students leave town in mid-to-late December, College

schoolwork, turning in work early or working between competitions, Dula said.

To help f u nd her trips, Parris coaches 5- to 10-yearold girls at her training facility over the summer. There, she discovered her passion for helping girls reach their goals.

“If I can teach them that, to be confident, to be sure of themselves, to be strong … that’s something that’s not going to leave you even if you leave the sport,” Parris said.

Parris also hopes to inspire

other black trampolinists.

“Black girls: You can join the sport, you can be good at it,” Parris said. “I’m blessed w i t h t h e a b i l i t y to b e a gate-opener.”

Two years ago, Dula immediately noticed Parris’ bubbly personality when they first met. As years passed, Dula was impressed by Parris’ discipline in regard to her sport, her academics and her family.

“I think who she is as a person is who she is as an athlete,” Dula said. “I have

no doubt that if it’s a matter of hard work and commitment that she’s going to make it.”

As a freshman, Parris said she still has time to figure out her academic and athletic future. For now, she just plans to “keep moving forward.”

“T hat’s what I’m doing right now,” she said. “I’m not sure exactly what comes next, but I have final goals set, and I’ll keep moving towards those.”

Park businesses operate a little differently, said Michael Stiefvater, the city’s economic development coordinator.

“Restaurants don’t do as well in January,” Stiefvater said. “A large portion of their customer base isn’t here. They don’t have to buy as many products; maybe they don’t need as many servers.”

Some merchants, such as Smile Herb Shop and Wood’s Flowers and Gifts, located about two miles north of the campus, report a business spike during the season. Wood’s Flowers sells fresh miniature Christmas trees, wreaths and other holiday decorations, said co-owner and manager Lisa Wilder, and winter is the store’s best season.

But a quiet January affects most businesses, store representatives said.

College Park Bicycles’ sales rise and fall with the coming and going of students, who often come to buy locks or seek flat tire repairs. And at Big Planet Comics, the first two weeks of December bring in

huge sales, Casazza said, followed by a huge decrease when students leave for the break.

This year, several businesses selling leisure items said they’ve experienced notable drops in sales, which they attributed in part to consumers’ distrust in the economy after the 16-day government shutdown and other economic uncertainties. Rates of consumer confidence overall are much lower this year than in 2012,Thomson Reuters reported Nov. 27 in its monthly survey.

Especially in the Washington area, “people are not feeling good about their finances,” Casazza said. “[They] don’t have a lot of money to spend on comics.”

At Wilder’s shop, fewer people are buying flowers.

After the shutdown, sales still hadn’t picked up, she said.

But as College Park sees an increasingly diverse set of independent businesses, the city is upping its efforts to help them, Stiefvater said. Since 2012,the city has sponsored a “buy local” or restaurant week during

August, sponsoring deals at local restaurants. In November, the city also gave out money to seven locally owned retailers as part of its Commercial Tenant Improvement Program.

To help restaurants wade their way through the sluggish winter, Stiefvater said the city will hold a second restaurant week in late January.

As the holidays approach, College Park retail owners are emphasizing their quality and personal interaction with customers rather than discounts.

It’s what sets them apart from big-name stores that bombard consumers with holiday sales, owners said.

At College Park Bicycles, for instance, Pleisse said workers don’t just “sell a bike.”

“You don’t just go buy a bike and become a cyclist,” he said.

“You need a place to put on a spare tire so you can get back home. You need a helmet to be safe, gloves so your hands don’t get blistered. We try to provide a full experience.”

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013 | NEWS | The Diamondback

3

Public Health Garden gets runoff collection, filtering system Officials aim to improve garden’s green impact

By Erin Serpico @Erin_Serpico Staff writer The foliage gleaming between Eppley Recreation Center and the public health school is more than just a place to enjoy flowers — it’s increasing campus sustainability.

The Public Health Garden’s most recent addition, a research rain garden, will help collect rainwater runoff from parking lots and roofs, which the garden will filter and purify.

Volunteers planted native plants for the project, led by civil and environmental engineering professor Allen P.

NEUTRINOs From PAGE 1 Knowledge of neutrinos hovered at a largely theoretical level before the completion of IceCube in late 2010.

Since then, researchers have observed neutrino events, and they’ve been compiling data “like a long-exposure photograph,” Sullivan said.

“We’re trying to understand the conditions of places far away in the universe,” he said. “The longer you wait, the more detail you’re going to get. We hope to, in the

Davis in November, and aim to implement it in the spring.

“There are a number of problems with [runoff],” Davis said. “We can slow it down so we can minimize the environmental impacts.”

Through the rain garden, water that normally runs off these surfaces into the nearest stream will be stored in a tank, Davis said. Purified water could be used to irrigate the rest of the teaching and community garden plants through a solar-powered pump, said Carin Celebuski, arboretum and botanical garden volunteer coordinator.

“A lot of rain gardens are somewhat hidden on campus,” Celebuski said.

“This one is very visible. People walk by it; it’s a teaching tool.”

The rain garden will become one of several bioretention areas around

next few years, start to see the brightest sources.”

The university team has been working on the project since IceCube’s design was being reviewed in 2002. In addition to helping build the Antarctic facility, the team is responsible for the software that sifts through collected data and finds notable events involving neutrinos that come from distant locations. The software then pushes the information to a satellite situated on the opposite pole, over the Arctic, every day.

W h e n n e u t r i n o s re a c t

community is expected to join an existing Student Teaching Garden used during sustainable agriculture classes, Celebuski said.

“The goal of the community garden is to make a space where people who wouldn’t otherwise have access to a gardening spot can do their thing,” Foo said. “It’s here so that people can enjoy it.”

The orchard would be in front of the ERC, Celebuski said, and replace the existing crabapple trees in that location to encourage healthy eating.

“We’re going to take them down and replace them with trees that will provide fruit for us,” Celebuski said.

“We’re hoping that that’s just the first of many areas where students and other University of Maryland

the campus, including gardens near Comcast Center and the engineering building. This development, Davis said, is the next step to improving campus sustainability.

“It’s another piece to a big puzzle,” Davis said. “The campus is huge, and there’s a lot of parking lots and rooftops, and what we’re doing is to slowly address them.”

The rain garden will contribute greatly to the Public Health Garden’s goals, said Ann Foo, a freshman enrolled in letters and sciences and volunteer with the Public Health Garden Club.

“We want to keep it organic and pesticide-free, with clean, environmentally friendly practices,” Foo said.

In the spring, an orchard and community garden open to the campus

w ith ice molecu les i n the v ici n ity of the sensors, they sometimes emit a blue light called Cherenkov radiation. The sensors detect a nd record th is rad iation for further analysis in the screening system.

T h is u n iversity is the second-leading U.S. institution on the project, behind the University of Wisconsin, Sullivan said. Physics professor Kara Hoffman, who left her research job at the University of Chicago to join the IceCube team in 2004, said the work presented an interesting challenge.

community members can harvest fruit right on campus and just eat it.”

The Public Health Garden’s recent developments and updates, including the rain garden, are all part of a 2011 plan designed by a number of university departments to create an area where faculty members and students can study issues related to public and environmental health. The project got a kick start after the collaborators received $26,756 from the university’s sustainability fund in the 2011-12 academic year.

“It seems to be step-by-step, going just where we thought it was going to go, which is really nice,” Celebuski said. eserpicodbk@gmail.com

“When you think about astronomy, you probably think about Galileo and looking up at the sky to see stars,” Hoffman said. “We sort of take the view where if you’re only using visible light, you’re not getting all the information you need. We like to say this is the dawn of neutrino astronomy because we can see, for the first time, neutrinos coming in from foreign astrophysical objects.”

Neut r i nos cou ld prove crucial in probing the farthest reaches of the universe because of their noninteractive tendency, said Robert Hellauer, a doctoral candidate in neutrino astrophysics and member of the IceCube research team.

Because of neutri nos’

ability to move unimpeded through the universe, researchers have proposed that the particles could assist in gathering information about tough-to-reach parts of the sola r system, such as the core of the sun.

Hel l auer h a s spent t he past four years observing ga m m a ray b u rsts — e xt r e m e l y b r i g h t e l e c t ro magnetic eruptions — for the presence of neutrinos, to l ittle effect. So fa r, he and fellow scientists have ruled out the bursts as the main source of cosmic rays, high-energy particles that have the potential to affect Earth’s atmosphere.

While he has never been to the IceCube observatory, Hellauer said he plans to go

in the next year or two.

“The best part about [the project] is that it’s a global enterprise,” he said. “We get to interact with researchers around the world. To be on the forefront of neutrino and astrophysics is incredible.”

T h e p roj e c t s o f a r h a s brought neutrino research a long way from when Sullivan was a student, when he said researchers were considering theories on the particles for the first time.

“It’s more about the culmination of many people’s desires to accomplish this,” Sullivan said. “Personally, it’s very gratifying to have been part of something that’s been decades in the making.”

CONDUCT

stitutions that also have strict evidentiary standards involving student conduct.”

I n November 201 2 , t he senate charged the conduct committee with thoroughly reviewing the code’s evidentiary standards. In research she presented to the conduct committee, Goodwin noted that every Big Ten school has a preponderance of evidence sta nd a rd for sex-rel ated cases, and four schools had split standards based on case ty pe, so th is u n iversity’s current policies would be on par with those of its peers when it joins the conference next summer.

R u t g e r s U n i v e r s i t y, I n d i a n a U n i v e r s i t y, t h e University of Wisconsin and

the University of Michigan, Goodw in fou nd, use preponderance standards for cases of sexual violence and violence against women and another standard for other infractions. More than half of the schools in the conference use a preponderance standard for all cases.

Josh R at ner, a n u ndergraduate representative to the Senate Executive Comm ittee, sa id it wa s ch a llenging to find the proper balance between protecting victims and ensuring fairness for the accused.

“The standards in general, either way you look at it, are a double-edged sword,” he said.

From PAGE 1 actually tested the waters.”

During the past academic year, the office did not process a single sexual harassment or sexual assault complaint, assuaging concerns that dual standards of evidence could cause problems in the university judiciary system, the committee found.

Senate Chairman Vincent Novara said the evidentiary standards at this university a ren’t u n l i ke ma ny of its counterparts.

“What we’re doing is not unusual compared to our peers in the Big Ten,” he said. “There are at least five other peer in-

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Opinion

THE DIAMONDBACK | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

Mike King

EDITORIAL BOARD

Editor in Chief

DAN APPENFELLER Managing Editor

Tear down these dorms F Officials cited an ongoing demand for student housing as cause for their decision to delay tearing down the three buildings. But with Prince Frederick adding 462 openings and the three North Hill dorms accounting for just 412, the worry is something of a head-scratcher.

OUR VIEW

Caroline, Carroll and Wicomico halls are old and outdated. They should either be renovated or torn down.

That’s before mentioning the city’s always expanding plans for off-campus housing, including new co-op housing through the Neighborhood Stabilization and Quality of Life Committee and plans for apartment complexes at the sites of the Knox Box apartments and the Maryland Book Exchange.

Add to that the fact that Resident Life was able to offer housing to all applicants starting in 2011 after the opening of Oakland Hall — a benchmark the university hadn’t reached in nearly five years before that — and it really seems it’s safe to start phasing out some old dorms.

And are they ever old.

Residential Facilities lists each of the three buildings as containing asbestos in piping insulation and floor tiles, as well as lead paint on their exteriors, with potential for lead inside the buildings.

Asbestos was a common building material in the mid-20th century, and unfortunately, its presence is not as much of a rarity as it should be in buildings on North Campus and in the North Hill and South Hill communities.

With proper care, any harmful effects can be safely avoided.

But when students are reporting stories of pipes springing leaks and rooms being left in soggy heaps, as they were in Wicomico Hall after Superstorm Sandy, our faith in the buildings’ safety shakes; rightfully or not, the perception of danger is there.

Tearing down these three dorms needs to be a priority for the university. While the economic and publicity benefits of tearing down antiquated buildings likely don’t match those of building a state-ofthe-art Physical Science Complex, the destructions would be in students’ best interests.

Along with the redevelopment of East Campus, replacing Caroline, Carroll and Wicomico halls should be paramount in the administration’s tasks moving forward.

EDITORIAL CARTOON

JOEY LOCKWOOD/the diamondback

GUEST COLUMN

Laptops have no place in class

O

Computers serve as distractions to all

n Monday, I learned something very interesting in my BSCI 106: Principles of Biology II lecture. Though he is dedicated, the kid who often sits in front of me is really, really terrible at Tetris. I wish I could say this was just one among many things I learned in that lecture, but it was unfortunately my main takeaway from the class. I found it hard to focus on the lesson when in front of me was a sea of screens, many showing Facebook or Cyber Monday sales but few with notes.

This misuse of laptops in class is not only bad for the students who succumb to the distraction of the Internet but also bad for students looking to pay attention. We’d all be better off if more professors just banned laptops.

Laptops make it nearly impossible for students to resist the urge to distract themselves from lectures and discussions. They are detrimental to the learning environment that classrooms are supposed to embody because they greatly reduce student engagement, making it hard for professors to make eye contact and gauge physical responses from students.

An open laptop essentially creates a wall between the lecturer and audience, interfering with the interaction many professors strive for and leading students to disengage from class. But when students use notebooks that stay flat on desks, they are open to eye contact and more

Deputy Managing Editor

maria romas Opinion Editor

ADAM OFFITZER Opinion Editor

CONTACT US 3150 South Campus Dining Hall | College Park, MD 20742 | opinionumdbk@gmail.com PHONE (301) 314-8200

STAFF EDITORIAL

or months, there was speculation; rumors circulated the halls of some North Hill buildings that the sometimes sweltering, sometimes frigid, always cramped dorms would soon be gone.

With the monolithic Prince Frederick Hall — to be a 462-student, gender-neutral dorm — slowly rising overhead, it seemed the 59-year-old Caroline, Carroll and Wicomico halls were nearing the end of their time on the campus.

Initial reports in The Diamondback in September 2011 pointed toward the new edifice replacing three of the most decrepit residential buildings on the campus, with Facilities Management Director of Capital Projects Bill Olen acknowledging their architectural shortcomings by 21st century standards.

But after another two years of willthey-or-won’t-they between the university and a potential, much-needed pile of rubble on Preinkert Drive, there are no short-term plans to tear down Caroline, Carroll and Wicomico.

The Diamondback reported Tuesday that original plans to close the three dorms within a year of Prince Frederick’s opening have been nixed. In their place is a far-off plan for a new Worcester Hall set to begin construction in 2017.

MATT SCHNABEL

vulnerable to the threat of being called out for drifting off or distracting themselves, leading them to try harder to pay attention.

Many professors seem to take a “you get what you give” approach, letting those who distract themselves suffer the consequences in the form of lower test grades. But this method ends up hurting everyone. It is frustrating for students who can’t help but be distracted by their classmates’ screens. I imagine it doesn’t feel good for professors to see students clearly choosing to go on Facebook or other sites instead of at least trying to pay attention.

And it’s the worst for students who try to take notes in class but find themselves haplessly Interneting instead. Who do these kids think they’re kidding? Echinoderms are kind of cool, but they’re not cool enough for you to be giggling shamelessly into your keyboard and typing rapidly when the professor is only walking up to the chalkboard.

Why do professors take this lackadaisical approach when they can ban laptops and get rid of such high levels of distraction altogether?

Though it is easier for some students to quickly jot down notes on a computer than by hand, this advantage is greatly outweighed by the distraction and loss of spatial placement they cause for students’ memories.

Traditional note-taking methods

are better not just because of the lack of distracting alternatives but because of the relation between real notebooks and the mind. We tend to remember things based on spatial placement, and little details such as where a sentence is located on a page or within a notebook can help students remember a fact within the context of the overall lesson.

If that same fact is just another line on a computer screen, it can be lost amid thousands of other ephemeral tidbits students scroll through every day. Without the ability to substantially differentiate the placement of pieces of information, students lose the advantage of spatial memory when it comes to studying and remembering what they learned in class.

Don’t get me wrong; I understand we are in a digital age and technology is becoming ubiquitous.

In classes in which computers are genuinely necessary, of course they should be allowed. But the goal in most classrooms is to create an ideal learning environment, and it has become clear to me that laptops make that impossible. Banning laptops from more classes will make for happier professors and more attentive students.

E m i l y F i sh i s a f resh m a n biolog y and government and politics major. She can be reached at efish123@terpmail.umd.edu.

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Still magical after all this time ADAM OFFITZER

child death and government corruption. The series is meant for teens and adults. It’s distinctively not for all ages.

There will certainly be movies and books in the future that help fill the void left behind by Harry Potter.

Pixar will keep churning out films that bridge the gap between generations, instilling wonder in young and old audiences alike. One talented and fortunate writer will come up with an amazing idea, creating books for parents to read to their kids before bedtime and inspiring movies that try to capture the same energy and spirit.

But the magic of Harry Potter can’t be replicated because of the story’s nature: magic. Any writer or director who tries making stories about witches, wizards or magicians will be seen as an imitator. The definitive story has already been told.

Fortunately, my family’s Thanksgiving viewing of Chamber of Secrets bodes well for kids of the future. While some old movies show their age with dated special effects, dialogue and cinematography, Potter is truly timeless. Perhaps that’s because it takes place basically out of time, in its own world, not bound to modern culture but instead to a magical castle on a hill.

ABC Family’s now-traditional “Harry Potter Weekend” marat h o n s h e l p e s ta b l i s h wh a t we already knew about all eight of these movies — they’re true classics. More importantly, the movies are becoming classics independent of the books. In 20 years, a 10-yearold kid is far more likely to watch the story of Harry Potter than read it. And that’s OK. While the “book vs. movie” argument is an age-old debate that will last for years, more than anything, it’s important that future generations experience Potter in some form.

Fortunately, we have eight movies with a cast of England’s finest actors, written and directed with an undeniable reverence for the beloved source material. They really do capture the magic.

And that’s something to be thankful for.

Stuffed with turkey and tired of football, my sleepy family sat around the couch at about 10:30 on Thanksgiving night. Tasked with remote duties, I scrolled through hundreds of channels, passing over SportsCenter (recaps of the football games we just watched), Family Guy re-runs (too raunchy for Mom) and Jay Leno (ugh).

Eventually, I settled on the obvious choice — the closing scenes of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. None of us had seen it in a while, and surely nobody would argue with watching Harry’s fateful trip to the chamber.

The next 20 minutes were spent in silence. My entire family shared a look of wide-eyed, childhood wonder. Harry’s face-off with Tom Riddle was just as intense as it had been in 2002, when the film was released. The massive, monstrous basilisk snake was just as threatening, fierce and lifelike.

The final moments, with Harry’s encounter in Dumbledore’s office and Hagrid’s return to the Great Hall, carried the same emotional weight. It was still magical — for my parents, for my younger brothers and for me.

Now, I’m not naive. I know that reminiscing about the “magic of Harry Potter” is nothing new. But only now, with the added perspective of time, can I fully appreciate that the combination of wonder, amazement and silence that the Potter movies bring is completely unique.

It won’t be replicated. It can’t.

Take the latest children’s book phenomenon: The Hunger Games.

The story is riveting, the action is intense, the books are great and the movies are too. I want to marry Jennifer Lawrence.

But while that franchise is wonderful in its own way, it’s also lacking in wonder. The films are A d a m O f f i t z e r i s a s e n i o r shot with a bleak, dystopian filter. journalism major. He can be reached The main themes revolve around at aoffitzerdbk@gmail.com.

Problematic porn CHARLIE BULMAN

Consensual scenes have their issues too. Regardless of the scenario behind the sex, the action itself almost always focuses solely on the fulfillment of male desire. Often, the female actresses in the scenes are reduced to passive receptacles for men’s shafts.

Despite these female porn stars’ acoustic performances, sex most women would actually enjoy is rarely portrayed. And women aren’t the only ones being objectified. The number of shots of men’s disembodied penises thrusting away reveals where their true value in the porn industry lies.

The lack of realism isn’t a problem in itself; people turn to porn for the fantastic. But the complete misrepresentation of female sexuality does a disservice to men and women. While few people would like to admit it, consuming porn is one way young people learn about sex. Supplying viewers with only outrageous notions of what women are looking for isn’t beneficial for anyone. Sex is a reciprocal act, and that should be represented on-screen.

Porn clearly has its problems, but some of the hysteria surrounding our impending moral demise is a bit misplaced. While the number of those admitting to watching porn continues to climb — the percentage of Internet users who said they watched adult video doubled from 6 to 12 percent in the past five years, according to Pew — rates of domestic violence and sexual assault have dropped sharply in the last half century. It’s clear that porn and sexual assault aren’t intrinsically linked.

As with most exchanges between consenting adults, it’s best for the government to stay out when possible; censorship is not the answer to porn’s problems. Ultimately, porn directors create cheap, degrading porn because there’s an audience for that sort of thing. If that market were to dry up, these sorts of videos would stop being made.

In a culture in which people are increasingly tied to laptops and smartphones, it’s not surprising that a significant portion of young adults watch porn. According to a study conducted by the Pew Research Center, 25 percent of Internet users aged 18 to 29 watch pornography, although this figure could be unrealistically low because of respondents’ reluctance to admit to viewing on their phones.

Their hesitancy is not completely unwarranted; at large, the porn industry, as well as the product it generates is plagued with problems. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with turning to porn for quick sexual gratification, the representation of sex as it appears in most pornos is both misleading and degrading.

Mainly geared toward guys, mainstream porn is crafted to hit on common male fantasies. In a typical film, a gorgeous unassuming girl doused in makeup arrives on the scene and begins to engage in some perfunctory conversation with a stud male porn star. Inevitably, no matter the basis of the exchange, these compelling conversations lead to sex. While the realism or quality of the dialogue in these intros isn’t a huge concern, many have a key problem: There’s some form of coercion that spurs the sex.

Once they’re in the sack, these women audibly enjoy what’s going on, if only grudgingly. The perniciousness of these scenes, in which women rarely give consent but eventually enjoy the sex, is clearly expressed in the data: A 1986 University of California, Los Angeles study found that men who viewed porn depicting nonconsensual sex that the victims found pleasurable Charlie Bulman is a sophomore were more likely to believe women government and politics major. He can enjoyed rape in reality. be reached at cbulmandbk@gmail.com.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013 | The Diamondback

5

Features ACROSS 1 Tall 6 Cut timber 11 Schmooze 14 Hair-raising 15 Martini garnish 16 Buckeye st. campus 17 Coffee shop lure 18 Wined and dined 19 Bygone auto ornament 20 Get through to 22 “Das Boot” craft (hyph.)

24 Exposes as false 28 Squirrel’s hoard 29 Slip by 30 Advise against 32 Circus routines 33 Public spat 35 Diplomat Abba -39 Laugh-a-minute 40 Roswell crasher 41 Mist 42 Ferber or Millay 43 Notched, as a leaf 45 Bone, in combos 46 Avant- -48 Contradicted 50 Moray catchers 53 Must-do feeling 54 Degrade

55 57 58 60 65 66 67 68 69 70

Type of pool Peace offering Genetic factor Lack of interest USN rank Theater audience Ice floe dwellers Strong alkali More competent Cut flowers

CROSSWORD

30 Crusoe’s creator 31 “Dukes of Hazzard” deputy 34 Whey opposite 36 Yacht spot 37 Montezuma subject

38 43 44 47 49 50 51

Flat broke Pause fillers River in Spain “Lady Soul” Way out Gauguin’s prop Piano-key wood

52 53 55 56 59 61

Expire Downright Claw badly Seine tributary Break in After expenses

62 Kilt-wearer’s refusal 63 Einstein’s hometown 64 Soyuz destination

DOWN 1 Grassy field 2 Above, poetically 3 To’s opposite 4 Cratchit’s son 5 Longs for 6 Couches 7 Mr. Baldwin 8 Escorted by 9 Day before 10 Gather 11 Like very much (2 wds.)

12 Sampan owner 13 Baseball ploys 21 Scrapes by 23 Core-sample source 24 “The Wreck of the Mary --” 25 Heston title role (2 wds.)

26 Twirler’s gear 27 Steals the show 28 Had brunch

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orn today, you are able to spot opportunities even when they are disguised or unexpected, and you have a way of being ready for anything that allows you to make the most of even fleeting opportunities. You don’t waste time! You are quick to think, quick to act and quick to get results when you apply your talents to a problem or endeavor. Others are often amazed at your ability to deliver the goods as quickly as you do -- most often beating deadlines and coming in under budget as well! You know the value of money, and you understand how to get the most out of even pocket change. You are no skinflint, but neither are you overindulgent or wasteful.

You are quite a fine communicator, but what is most remarkable is that you are likely to find ways of communicating that are new and unique, even to you. You never like saying the same old things in the same old ways; you want to be breaking new ground in some way at all times.

Also born on this date are: Joan Didion, author; Morgan Brittany, actress; Carrie Hamilton, actress; Walt Disney, cartoonist; Jim Messina, singer-songwriter; Little Richard, singer-songwriter; Fritz Lang, filmmaker.

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

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6 SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- You’re trying to arrange things for someone else when, in fact, you should be worrying about your own affairs just a bit more.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Others may think that you’re roaming a bit too freely through territory that is a bit too dangerous, but it all suits you just fine.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -- You’re in the mood for a little domestic adjustment, but what you have in mind has to be done in a very subtle way when the timing is right.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) -You’ll know more about someone’s contributions after a full day in which experimentation will play a big part.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) -You know what you want, but you aren’t quite sure of the steps you have to take to acquire it, especially since time is of the essence.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -You may not be communicating as clearly as you would like, but you can make certain adjustments to improve the situation.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -There is more to a certain situation

than the numbers. You’ll want to dig deeper and derive greater meaning from routine events.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- You’re in the mood to try something new, but you’re not at all willing to give up what you have already been enjoying in full.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- What happened almost exactly one year ago will be bouncing around your mind again and again throughout the day. Your perspective is changing.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- You cannot change someone else, so your only choice may be to change yourself. Know, however, that others may not understand your motives.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- The jury is still out, but you have a feeling that the decision that comes down will favor your position and fuel your efforts.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- You may not be able to get away as you had planned, but even if you cannot, you’ll make the best of a substitute situation.

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THE DIAMONDBACK | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

Diversions

CONTINENTAL FILM FEST

ON THE SITE

Senior staff writer Warren Zhang previews some of the impressive movies featured at the American Film Institute’s European Union Film Showcase. For more, visit diamondback.com.

FACEOFF | RAP VIDEOS

BAD REPUTATION Are ridiculous music videos ruining rap?

drake’s “hold on, we’re going home” video is one more strange, overblown embarrassment in an industry full of them. photo courtesy of pitchfork.com

THE VIDEO FOR Kanye West’s “Bound 2” is a glorious celebration of its one true theme: Kanye. photo courtesy of nydailynews.com

YES | IT’S TIME FOR RAP VIDEOS TO GET REAL

NO | IT’S ALL ABOUT EGO ANYWAY

becomes obvious that this is a bit much.

It’s not just Drizzy and Yeezus though. Pharrell recently released a music video that was 24 hours long. Although it’s ironically titled “Happy,” making it through one hour of the video’s pseudo-creative crap is an accomplishment worthy of a medal. Watching all 24 hours is basis for therapy.

Obviously, no one would watch the whole thing, so why make it?

So people would see the headline to the BuzzFeed article, be mildly amused and keep scrolling?

Long videos are nothing new.

R. Kelly started the trend with “Trapped in the Closet,” but that’s a whole different beast, focused more on telling an original story than adapting a song to video. Short films like Kanye’s for “Runaway” are puzzling in the amount of effort the artist puts forth and the number of people who have time to

By Michael Errigo @DBKDiversions For The Diamondback Rap videos are crossing the line between entertaining and ridiculous more than ever. The quest to be on the cutting edge has pushed some of America’s favorite rappers into a weird abyss where Drake rescues damsels in distress and Kanye West simulates sex on a motorcycle. It needs to stop.

This depressing trend came to a head last month as Kanye’s video for “Bound 2” garnered national attention for its awfulness. Cringe-worthy green screen coupled with painfully awkward shots of Kimye tarnished the reputation of a song that deserved much better.

Drake’s video for “Hold On, We ’re G o i n g Ho m e ” was similarly embarrassing, featuring Aubrey and friends saving a kidnapped love interest. Some time during the scene in which Drake’s crew enters an arsenal as their leader sings about love and emotion, it

watch them. They’re not artistic or cutting-edge. They’re just long periods of subpar entertainment. Viewers don’t want a whole story; if they did, they could watch a movie — and if rappers could act, maybe they would be in some.

These videos just don’t make sense. They’re awkward, embarrassing and rarely entertaining.

The motives for making them aren’t clear either. The only thing these videos do is hurt their makers’ reputations. Want to be taken seriously, Kanye?

Don’t make anything half as embarrassing as “Bound 2.” Want to seem tough, Drake? Don’t attempt a Godfather remake to the beat of a love song.

Rap videos are meant to be the embodiment of a song. While dancing girls and stacks of cash get old after a while, there are other ways to gain attention.

If the rap video industry keeps chasing shock value, the quality of videos is sure to suffer. It’s time for rap videos to get real. diversionsdbk@gmail.com

By Dean Essner @daesayingstuff Senior staff writer

gether as West alternates between mouthing the lyrics to his song and simulating sex with her, as they drive off into the night past constantly shifting terrain.

Is there any semblance of theme in this wacky film? Perhaps. But that is ultimately besides the point. “Bound 2” is revelatory to begin with, bearing perhaps the most cogent and simplistic message on West’s pulverizing Yeezus.

However, the song only shows West as a creator of music. The video is the true manifestation of ego. If you strip away the obvious meaning behind “Bound 2” and only watch the video, there appears to be no clear, identifiable rhyme or reason for anything going on.

Ultimately, this is a testament to his presence as a figure of cultural impact.

Why do we watch the music video in the first place, over and over again, if we can’t even discern a shred of significance?

Because it’s Kanye West and we want to understand and adore everything he does.

We’ll dissect it, discuss it, labor over its intricacies and then spin ourselves an over-intellectualized theory of what it’s trying to tell us. Essentially, it’s what I’m doing with this essay. I have no idea what the purpose of the “Bound 2” video is.

But in digging for a discernible sense of substance, I am simultaneously thinking about West and his art.

Some people might see this form of egotism as toxic, but it’s just as possible to be enthralled by it.

The world needs more music videos that serve little purpose but present themselves as colossal movie productions. They remind us of who we care about in the first place: the self-absorbed genius.

Theatricality and bombast have always been a part of hip-hop. Just look at Kanye West’s ongoing tour, in which he performs atop a great mountain and mingles with Jesus, chronicling his rise then fall then rise again as a signifier of cultural ubiquity.

And this is exactly as it should be.

Solipsism and egotism in music are fascinating and invigorating. Anyone can pluck a guitar or bang a drum, but it takes cojones to deify yourself and suggest everything related to your art is worthy of an accompanying spectacle of equivalent magnificence.

With this in mind, I strongly support the genre’s most obvious example of such a spectacle: the music video. To once again invoke West, his recent “Bound 2” video has turned a lot of heads for its explicitness and bizarre, over-the-top staging.

A quick recap: It begins with slow-motion footage of horses running across an empty, natural landscape before cutting to West on a motorcycle in front of greenscreen vistas. He rides toward Kim Kardashian, who appears first as a naked silhouette sprawled out on the back of her own motorcycle. The two then journey to-

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013 | SPORTS | The Diamondback

BUCKEYES From PAGE 8 at a different level.”

The Buckeyes’ backcourt d u o o f A a ro n C ra f t a n d Shannon Scott — both of whom were named to the Big Ten All-Defensive Team last season — caused havoc for Wells and guard Roddy Peters.

As a result, the Terps struggled to sustain any semblance of offensive success and shot 39.1 percent for the game.

“We let them get some runs off a ton of easy points off turnovers,” forward Evan Smotrycz said. “That combined with not making shots. We had a tough time putting points up.”

The Terps dug themselves into a deep hole because they allowed Ross to hit his first four 3-pointers of the game.

Ross was one of the first names coach Mark Turgeon mentioned Tuesday when he discussed Ohio State’s balanced

7

STATISTICAL LEADERS No. 5 BUCKEYES 76, TERPS 60 POINTS

REBOUNDS

LaQuinton Ross, Buckeyes: 20 Dez Wells, Terps: 19 Evan Smotrycz, Terps: 15 Sam Thompson, Buckeyes: 14 Two tied with 12

Terps: 44 total Buckeyes: 30 total Charles Mitchell, Terps: 11 Jake Layman, Terps: 7 Evan Smotrycz, Terps: 7

offense, but his defense failed to contain the junior early on as Ohio State built an 18-9 lead.

The Buckeyes continued to build on the lead, and the Terps never recovered from their slow start.

On the final play of the first half, Craft poked the ball away from Wells and tossed it to Thompson, who finished with a layup just before the buzzer. It seemed to fit the Terps’ sloppy performance, Turgeon said.

“Right before the half, we turned the sucker over and they got a layup,” Turgeon said. “That was the game right before half — it was the game —

game leading the Terps with 16.4 points per game, didn’t score in the final 20 minutes and finished with a season-low two points against the Buckeyes. The sophomore shot better than 50 percent from three-point range in the team’s first seven games, but he went 0-of-5 from beyond the arc Wednesday night.

“They did a great job on Jake,” Turgeon said. “They were aware of Jake. Jake couldn’t get going. He missed some open ones, too.”

Layman wasn’t the only Terp who couldn’t get going, though.

From lob passes on breakaways to wide-open threes, Ohio State had its way with the Terps all night. And on a big stage against a top-five team, the Terps never seriously challenged the Buckeyes.

“We had a lot of guys that didn’t play well,” Turgeon said.

“We just didn’t compete.”

we couldn’t get a shot up on the last possession.”

That late bucket sent the Terps into the break trailing by 17, and at halftime Wells and forward Jake Layman — who combined to average more than 28 points per game entering yesterday — had four combined points.

Wells was more aggressive coming out of the break, and posted 17 second-half points.

He finished with a team-high 19, while Smotrycz (15 points) and forward Charles Mitchell (12 points, 11 rebounds) were the only other Terps in double figures.

But Layman, who entered the akasinitzdbk@gmail.com

FORWARD ALYSSA THOMAS (center) was the only Terp to score in double figures during last night’s 67-55 win over Ohio State in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. REBECCA RAINEY/the diamondback

OSU From PAGE 8

to get our game going.”

All but one player on the Buckeyes’ rotation had a foul by the end of the first half, but the Terps would still have more team fouls entering the half with 12. Brown had three fouls in the first half, along with three turnovers, during her seven minutes on the court.

T h e Te r p s s ta r te d t h e second half on a 4-0 run, as the team shot an improved 14-of-33 from the field in the final 20 minutes. The Terps decreased their fouls, and Brown played 13 minutes without picking up another, dishing three assists and hitting her critical field goal from beyond the arc.

Last night’s win brought the Terps to a 7-0 record in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, as they remain the only team with an undefeated record.

The team will still be able to add to that winning tally next season, albeit for the opposing conference. But considering the difficult contest against the Buckeyes, the Terps can appreciate how they’ve been able to maintain that perfect record for this long.

“We love the ACC/Big Ten Challenge,” Thomas said.

“Just to be able to be 4-0 since I’ve been here, we take great pride in it.”

the game close down the stretch.

But as the Terps held a 56-53 lead with 2:42 left, guard Lexie Brown, who dealt with foul trouble during the game, hit a pivotal 3-pointer from the wing. The shot sparked an 11-2 Terps run, which sealed the result before the announced crowd of 3,737.

“I do think it says a lot, when you’re hampered with foul trouble, to stay within a game,” Frese said. “It was a clutch play.

Much-needed play.”

With 22 total fouls in the first half, the Terps and Buckeyes were locked in a physical battle from the outset. The Terps (8-1) had a 5-4 lead over the Buckeyes (6-4) in the opening minutes before going on a quick 7-2 run, sparked by the team’s transition offense.

But after an Ohio State timeout, the pace of the game changed drastically. Both teams started accumulating fouls, and the increased stoppages slowed down the Terps offense. The team shot 9-of-31 from the field in the first half, as the physical play forced the Terps into a number of tough shots.

“I think the physicality played a role in it,” Thomas said. “When we weren’t getting stops, getting to push the ball in transition. Once we were able to get stops, we were able ppierrelouisdbk@gmail.com

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At home in the backfield The Terps’ pass rush has emerged as one of the best in the nation with 36 sacks this season, including 13 in the fi nal three games of the regular season. Against N.C. State on Saturday, it was on full display.

For more, go to diamondbackonline.com.

Follow @DBKSports on Twitter For updates and news on all your favorite Terps sports teams MLC_1509_Recruitment_UMD_AD.indd 1

9/5/13 4:30 PM

TWEET OF THE DAY Seth Allen @bbll4eva_Allen Terps men’s basketball guard

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“I’d do anything to be with my team out there right now.”

VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS EARN ALL-ACC

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Outside hitter Ashleigh Crutcher and middle blocker Adreené Elliott were recognized by the ACC. For more, visit diamondbackonline.com.

page 8

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

TERRAPINS 60

76 No. 5 BUCKEYES

bucksh0t

No. 5 Ohio State proves to be too much for Terps in worst loss of season

Thomas dominant vs OSU Senior’s 25 pts, 12 reb lead Terps to 67-55 win over Buckeyes

By Aaron Kasinitz @AaronKazreports Senior staff writer

By Paul Pierre-Louis @PaulPierreLouis Staff writer

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Terrapins men’s basketball team was eager for the opportunity to play at No. 5 Ohio State last night, but after a barrage of 3-pointers from Buckeyes forward LaQuinton Ross and several alley-oop slams from teammate Sam Thompson, the once-hopeful Terps left Value City Arena the same way they came in: without a signature victory.

The Terps committed 14 turnovers against a highly touted Ohio State defense, Ross and Thompson combined for 34 points and the Buckeyes dispatched the Terps, 76-60, before a nationally televised audience in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.

The loss snaps the Terps’ four-game winning streak and drops their record against ranked teams to 0-2. Despite the excitement the Terps (5-3) exhibited before their trip to Columbus, Ohio, they weren’t able to take a single lead against Ohio State (7-0) in their first true road game of the year.

“They are top five in the country for a reason, and for us to get to that level, we have to be able to execute in a really tough environment,” guard Dez Wells said. “We’ll learn from this.”

Much of the Buckeyes’ success stemmed from their ability to force the Terps into turnovers. Ohio State scored 25 points off turnovers, a statistic coach Mark Turgeon pointed to as key to his team’s blowout loss.

A few of those points came on fast breaks that ended with the Ohio State crowd on its feet after Thompson threw down dunks on lob passes.

“A lot of [Thompson’s dunks] were on the break,” Turgeon said.

“So they are tough to stop. We had some pretty athletic guys jumping up there with him, but he was just See BUCKEYES, Page 7

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Though ACC play is still a month away, the Terrapins women’s basketball team’s matchup against Ohio State in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge was an early reminder of the Terps’ final season in the conference.

But as the team’s offense struggled to break the game open against an aggressive Buckeyes zone defense, the No. 8 Terps also got a taste of their future conference opponents in the Big Ten. Still, the team earned a 67-55 win against the Buckeyes at Comcast Center last night, featuring physical play and capping the Terps’ ACC stint in the competition.

“Really loved — late game, down the stretch — the confidence that we played with against a really physical, tough, strong team,” coach Brenda Frese said. “Proud of how we kept our poise down the stretch.”

Ohio State held the Terps to their second-lowest point total of the season.

Forward Alyssa Thomas, who scored 25 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, was the only player on the team who reached double figures in scoring.

The Buckeyes’ tough defense kept See OSU, Page 7

BY THE NUMBERS ALYSSA THOMAS Forward, No. 25 6-foot-2 Harrisburg, Pa.

25 points OHIO STATE CENTER TREY MCDONALD goes up between forwards Jake Layman and Charles Mitchell in last night’s 76-60 Buckeyes victory. The 16-point defeat is the Terps’ worst of the season and third overall. photo courtesy of kaily cunningham, republished with permission of the lantern, thelantern.com, ohio state university.

“RIGHT BEFORE THE HALF, WE TURNED THE SUCKER OVER AND THEY GOT A LAYUP. THAT WAS THE GAME RIGHT BEFORE HALF — IT WAS THE GAME — WE COULDN’T GET A SHOT UP ON THE LAST POSSESSION.” MARK TURGEON

Terrapins men’s basketball coach

Copyright © 2013 Voyetra Turtle Beach, Inc. (VTB, Inc.) All rights reserved. Turtle Beach, the Turtle Beach Logo, Voyetra, and Ear Force are either trademarks or registered trademarks of VTB, Inc. “Made for iPod”, “Made for iPhone”, and “Made for iPad” mean that an electronic accessory has been designed to connect specifically to iPod, iPhone, or iPad respectively, and has been certified by the developer to meet Apple performance standards. Apple is not responsible for the operation of this device or its compliance with safety and regulatory standards. iPad, iPhone and iPod touch are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the US and other countries.

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T H U R S D AY, D E C E M B E R 5 , 2 0 1 3

P E E K I N S I D E F O R H O L I D AY D E A L S A N D S T E A L S

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THE DIAMONDBACK | Holiday Shopping GUide | ThursDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

Amazon alternatives Take your online shopping beyond the obvious using these unique websites

By Jeremy Snow @thedbk For The Diamondback In an age when anyone with an Internet connection can order just about any item they can think of from an online retailer like Amazon, getting holiday gifts means going through digital pages instead of aisles. Especially with the stress of finals and — for students without cars — the difficulty of getting around, holiday shopping has moved from the brick-and-mortar world to the World Wide Web. “Amazon is just really convenient, since they have two-day shipping and I don’t even need to leave my home,” said junior management major Clara Huang. “And their prices

are usually cheaper than most retail stores, too.”

However, while Amazon may be at the forefront of online shopping, there are still plenty of other websites lowering their prices and gearing up for the holiday season. Here are some overlooked alternatives to the online giant: Newegg.com

This technology-focused website provides laptops, televisions, cell phones, computer software and more for the tech-savvy consumer. For those looking to save money, Newegg also provides free shipping on select items, dozens of daily deals and “combo deals,” which let you save money when buying certain items together.

2 5 $

Woot.com

Complete with amusing product descriptions, Woot introduces one new product for sale each day, lasting only 24 hours. The variety is huge, offering items as diverse as mattresses, wine, sunglasses and kids toys — perfect for the hard-to-please on everyone’s list.

Woot is divided into 10 categories, each containing a different daily deal, such as a sale on sports equipment or home and gardening items. For those who prefer more time to think about their shopping, Woot also hosts sales that last up to a week. While technically owned by Amazon, Woot runs independently and sells items unrelated to the massive retailer.

Alibris.com

For those tired of Barnes & Noble or Kindle products, Alibris could serve as a welcome alternative. The website sells a wide selection of new and used books from its own warehouse in addition to small, independent bookstores across the world.

Alibris makes finding rare editions of certain books or out-ofprint novels easy, thanks to the large amount of marketplaces. The site also sells textbooks, CDs and DVDs. Bidz.com

Bidz is a jewelry-based online auction house that replicates all the fun of auctions without the screaming or inability to understand the auctioneer. Instead of holding up a numbered sign, all you need to do is click to bid on the website’s wide range of necklaces, bracelets, earrings and watches that cover many price ranges. Auctions last up to a few weeks each and end every minute, but those who are more impatient can buy items instantly at buyz.com.

With more than 100 items on sale, the website offers plenty of options sure to surprise your gift recipient, too. While these items might not add to your quality of life, they surely won’t take away from it.

Thinkgeek.com

A celebration of geek culture, ThinkGeek is a culmination of tech-related gizmos and T-shirts that reference popular TV shows and video games. Its Holiday Gift Center makes shopping easy by allowing you to browse based on specific interests or price limits.

Luxurylanesoap.com

Forget about what gifting someone soap can imply — Luxury Lane Soap offers exclusive bars. Made of organic Uncommongoods.com ingredients such as natural oils and True to its name, this online berries, the website sells bars in fun seller provides a seemingly endless shapes including hearts, castles and list of cool things you don’t actually mustaches for about $6.50. The site need. The website includes multi- also features candles, shampoo, ple pages of quirky items, such as incense and bath salts. portable ping-pong sets and clocks shaped like fishbowls. newsumdbk@gmail.com

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bargain. One other recommendation is to check out your local Goodwill, thrift shop or bargain outlet. They usually carry oneof-a-kind items at extremely low prices. Sometimes, you can hit vintage antique gold and pick up You are buying on a budget. the perfect gift you never even knew existed. For more eccentric Sure, we all want to be the hotshot tastes, try heading to a local garage who gets everybody VIP backstage sale or flea market. People really passes to the sold-out concert on just want to get rid of their old junk Christmas Eve, but most college before the in-laws come over for students don’t have that kind of dinner, so most will be compliant dough. This does not prevent us in the bartering process. from purchasing a meaningful gift for a friend. Try scouring the mail Tiffany Burba is a senior government for ads and coupons and brave the and politics major. She can be reached I LR I TA R YC ★ A N G GLU GEAG M I TA RM YCtoP ★ CaP AIM PLU I★ N GLU G GEAG E M I LM I TA YI L★ A IM N G ★tburbadbk@gmail.com.

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of the exact make and model number and the exact retailer they prefer. All you have to do is follow directions.

Unfortunately, many of these folks don’t know what they want; they simply know what they don’t want.

Steer clear of: clothing because they won’t like it and it probably won’t fit them, scented products because you will never be right, and food.

Buy something useful and interest-neutral, keep the receipt and write a sincere holiday note for them to read while they wait in the customer service line to return their gift.

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is still unclear, you can’t go wrong by purchasing useful college items You are assigned someone you — ChapStick, Chipotle gift cards TIFFANY BURBA barely know during a Secret Santa or even a university T-shirt. You don’t have to get too personal to get The holidays are supposed to be gift exchange. someone a much-appreciated gift. a time of giving gifts and giving You’re desperately hoping you will thanks. However, this cheer can You’re purchasing gifts for an exbe significantly diminished in the be assigned that cute guy on your face of holiday stress. We’ve all floor you see in the elevator every tremely picky relative or friend. been there. There are certain gift- morning. Fingers crossed, you draw We all know those people who giving situations that make our a name out of a hat: Jane Doe. You lives stressful and turn even the have never met this person before, don’t like much and simply won’t bubbliest Tiny Tim into a frustrat- and you hardly know what to buy. appreciate your gift, no matter what ed Ebenezer Scrooge. However, it’s If you find out that Jane celebrates you purchase. For whatever reason, easy to turn those difficult situa- Christmas, you are home free — we are still compelled to shop for tions around. Here are some ways simply buy a cheap stocking and fill them. The easiest way to ensure to resolve common college holiday it with Christmas candy, a Santa mug gifting success is to simply ask the gift-giving conundrums and de- or other uniquely holiday-themed person what they would like, asking products. If their holiday preference them to send an annotated diagram stress your inner Santa Claus.

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THE DIAMONDBACK | Holiday Shopping GUide | ThursDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013 | Holiday Shopping GUide | The Diamondback

Jingle bell rock Tunes to get you in the spirit

By Robert Gifford and Matt Schnabel @rcgiff, @thedbk Senior staff writers “A Love Letter Christmas” — R. Kelly

R&B’s elder statesman swings through holiday gatherings world-

bit.ly/DBKholiday2013

wide to croon some Yuletide-styled sweet nothings in this remix of his 2010 song “Love Letter.” It’s an R. Kelly Christmas marked by bizarre sexual entreaties and a smooth-ass falsetto, and as usual, everyone’s invited. Lines like “Marshmallows, hot chocolate/ Fireplace, you and me cuddling” may prove a far cry

EXPLORE OUR BACKYARD! History, culture, and nature just steps away...

5

from his usual unbridled raunch, but two-step your way under some mistletoe and drop the lines “I am just a snowman/ and I’m looking for a snow girl” and you’re guaranteed to see more than just Santa stop by your place tonight.

“Wonderful Christmastime” — The Shins

Frontman James Mercer released this cover of Paul McCartney’s 1979 Christmas classic on the heels of 2012’s Port of Morrow, and his band’s penchant for jangly guitar pop translates remarkably well into an almost-reimagining of the holiday standard. The Shins add a pinch of indie quirk that’s refreshing rather than nauseating (see Christmas with Weezer) while still channeling the former Beatle to near perfection. At worst, it’s a better-than-passable twist on the beloved single. At its best, it squares off against Ashley

“Little Saint Nick” — The Beach Boys

Tisdale’s “Last Christmas” as the finest holiday cover of all time.

“Do They Know It’s Christmas?”

— Barenaked Ladies

The weeks leading up to winter break in College Park tend to fall a bit on the bleak side. Confronted by looming finals and a sea of North Face jackets and Uggs, it’s easy to get a little depressed. The Beach Boys’ sun-kissed Christmas Harmonies offer a host of timeless holiday favorites sure to dispel those winter worries, with “Little Saint Nick” leading the pack. Yes, it’s overplayed, but not without good reason — and few would argue with local radio stations ditching Pitbull in favor of Brian Wilson and company, at least for a few weeks.

Winter break is cool. Presents are cool. Christmas sweaters, however improbably, are cool. Christmas music, on the other hand, is anything but. There’s nothing suave or cultured about owning the Now That’s What I Call Christmas! twodisc set, and caroling at a retirement home effectively destroys a carefully crafted veneer of nonchalance. And who is in better position to recognize that truth than Barenaked Ladies, a band consisting of four dads, one of whom “Have Yourself A Merry Little plays double bass? BNL’s cover Christmas” — James Taylor of charity supergroup Band Aid’s 1984 original is gloriously uncool It’s a somewhat uncomfortable and unpretentious — a feat ruled fact of life that James Taylor provided impossible for Band Aid by virtue of including Bono.

SEE PLAYLIST, PAGE 7

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THE DIAMONDBACK | Holiday Shopping GUide | ThursDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

do - it - yourself There’s no need to spend with a multitude of gifts you can make yourself

By Marissa Laliberte @thedbk For The Diamondback

tically inevitable for college students. So why not design a unique mug for your friend’s early-morning (or late-night) pick-me-up? ’Tis the season for giving, but Just doodle a design on some plain all that generosity can break the mugs (which are as cheap as 99 bank. It can be easy to get caught cents at IKEA) with oil-based up in the moment while shop- Sharpies and bake at 350 degrees james levin/the diamondback ping for others. Homemade gifts for 30 minutes. Scared of messing are the perfect solution because up? You can use rubbing alcohol help transform cheap sunglasses they’re often cheaper than store- to wipe off your mistakes before into a statement piece. bought goods. If you buy supplies baking. Even in a groggy, precafin bulk, you can make unique, feinated state, your friend will ap3. Baked goods personalized gifts for all your preciate the personal touch. friends, family and coworkers.

Sure, they can be cliché, but cookies are a holiday staple that 2. Personalized sunglasses Admittedly, homemade presnearly everyone enjoys. Making ents a re someti mes better i n theory than in practice. After We all have tons of freebie sun- several types of cookies is great all, will all your friends really glasses lying around that we’ll if you have a lot of people on your appreciate the work you put into never actua l ly wea r because Christmas list; bake huge batches crocheting leg warmers for each they have a logo for some brand and distribute a few of each type of them? Here’s a list of do-it- we don’t care about. As the ulti- to everyone, and they’ll each end yourself presents that everyone on mate form of regifting, turn those up with a generous assortment of your list will actually appreciate: unsightly sunnies into a cute new delicious baked goods. You can’t pair for a friend. Use nail polish go wrong with Oreo truffles, white to pa i nt the su ng lasses you r chocolate cranberry cookies or 1. A personalized mug friend’s favorite color and add a seven-layer bars.

Between late nights and early fun design. Aztec print, flowers, classes, caffeine addiction is prac- polka dots or glittery stripes can

4. Chai mix

Chai tea lattes are a seasonal favorite, so let your friends make their own at home instead of waiting in line at Starbucks.

Simply combine one cup each of dry milk powder, powdered nondairy creamer and vanilla nondairy creamer, two-and-a-half cups of white sugar, one-and-a-half cups of unsweetened instant tea, two teaspoons each of ginger and cinnamon, and one teaspoon each of cloves and cardamom. Place a bag of the mix in a Mason jar or a mug (one personalized with a Sharpie, perhaps?) with directions to stir two tablespoons of the mix into hot water.

5. Lip balm

thoughtful gift. You can go the higher-end route and make balm from beeswax or shea butter, but for a super simple recipe, you’ll need just two common ingredients: petroleum jelly and drink mix. Combine your friend’s favorite variety of KoolAid or Crystal Light with Vaseline until you reach your desired color and flavor. Decorate the container for a personal touch or make several flavors to give your friend more options. Pick fun names to make it even better — after all, why give plain old raspberry when you can give Rudolph’s Rockin’ Raspberry or berry when you can give Mistletoe Kiss Mixed Berry?

No one likes a Scrooge, but going bankrupt in your generosity isn’t going to help anyone. These ideas are perfect for giving everyone on your list a present he or she will appreciate — without spending all of your college savings.

Cold weather means chapped lips. A tube of ChapStick might not be the most personal present, but making your own lip balm can be a newsumdbk@gmail.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013 | Holiday Shopping GUide | The Diamondback

Playlist From PAGE 5 the soundtrack for an estimated eight out of 10 students’ conceptions. On the bright side, it’s one thing our parents definitely got right. Sweet Baby James made his way into the hearts of now-50- and 60-somethings everywhere with his signature brand of folk, and it’s no less enjoyable today. And if things get steamy by the fireside this Christmas, Taylor’s timeless croon backed by some sultry saxophone riffs has you (and Mom and Dad) covered.

“Christmas in Hollis” — Run-D.M.C.

Christmas Eve, 1987. Run, of Run-D.M.C., walks through a park

at night and spots a man with a large dog. Fearful, he approaches — only to realize the man is Santa, the dog a reindeer. And so a legend is born.

“Christmas in Hollis,” the song that taught a generation that Christmas could be ill — and also never to steal from Santa, ’cause that ain’t right — has the kind of funk that will instantly turn any Christmas party into a Christmas partay.

“Christmas in Harlem” — Kanye West

The best thing that could be said about “Christmas in Harlem” is that it sounds like any other non-Yuletide Kanye song. Driven by an irresistible Marvin Gaye sample, expertly produced and full of lascivious, seasonally appropriate come-ons, it

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could easily nestle between “Touch the Sky” and “All of the Lights” on your Yeezy playlist without raising an eyebrow. But it’s West’s cockeyed, horny Christmas spirit — “She said, ‘Shhh,’ she got a gift for me that ain’t for the kids to see” — that makes it the perfect song for scoring at any debauched holiday party.

crack open and spew fire, turning the tastes of eggnog and Christmas cookies to ash in your mouth. Frightened Rabbit’s bracingly bleak “It’s Christmas So We’ll Stop” is one of the rare songs to stare Christmas’ dark underbelly of despair and dysfunction right in the eyes. It’s the perfect song for imperfect holidays.

“It’s Christmas So We’ll Stop” — Frightened Rabbit

“Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” — Bruce Springsteen

Christmas can be sad as hell. In a season with such an oppressive atmosphere of joy, even the smallest pangs of sadness get thrown into stark relief, and holiday cheer isn’t always enough to stem the tide of unhappiness. Fault lines in dying relationships you hoped would somehow lie dormant until January suddenly

You’ve heard it a million times.

As a teenager, you nearly wore out your eyes from rolling them at the line about Santa bringing Clarence Clemons a new saxophone. But overplayed or not, this one is a classic, not a cliche. The Boss’ gruff but warm delivery makes him sound like Jersey’s own Kris Kringle — a Santa

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“Player’s Ball” — OutKast

While the version of “Player’s Ball” on OutKast’s 1994 debut Southernplayalistcadillacmuzik edits out any reference to Christmas in order to get radio play year-round, it’s the original cut of the song — featuring sleigh bells and the opening line “It’s beginning to look a lot like WHAT?” — that belongs on any list of modern Christmas classics. Imagining a sort of gangsta Christmas cotillion, “Player’s Ball” isn’t just one of the smoothest carols ever recorded, it is, as OutKast’s very first single, a legitimately important moment in music history. A brave new voice was emerging in the hip-hop scene, and it was here to rap about Santa. newsumdbk@gmail.com

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THE DIAMONDBACK | Holiday Shopping GUide | ThursDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

ONLINE SHOPPING Get all your holiday shopping done from the comfort of your dorm room

By Grace Toohey @thedbk Staff writer Instead of fighting off fellow shoppers, waiting in long lines and struggling to find exactly what you’re looking for at the mall, do your holiday shopping this year from the comfort of your own home.

Online shopping can easily eliminate many of the holiday gift-giving stresses with just a few clicks.

With easy access to a variety of sizes and styles, as well as the convenience of shipping straight

to your door, online shopping is a top choice for busy students this holiday season.

“It’s really nice because since I’m in school, I can’t really go to the mall; it’s not that close by, and I don’t have a car on campus,” said Katrina Haas, a freshman criminology and criminal justice and physiology and neurophysiology major.

Not only is Internet shopping convenient, but by adhering to some of these simple tips and tricks, you will also be sure get the most bang for your buck while shopping online.

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out for some sort of discount while online shopping.

“There are a lot of places that Most stores and companies have an incentive program or email list I’ve signed up for their family and that users can sign up for to receive friends programs, so I get specific information about special deals emails saying I get 20 percent off or and promotions. By receiving those free shipping,” the freshman ecoemails or mailings, you can be one nomics major said. “The sales are of the fi rst people to go online and really good — sometimes they’re even better than in-store.” take advantage of the sale.

Pick your favorite stores or those you will frequent most this Use Amazon Prime season, and sign up to get in the loop. Stores will usually send out Through different promotions, an extra holiday discount for loyal there are easy ways to find deals for customers — so sign up early. online purchases, but oftentimes Miranda Kadis is always looking it’s the shipping that can hit the Sign up for rewards programs

wallet pretty hard. By purchasing on Amazon Prime, a premier membership through Amazon that provides free two-day shipping for more than 15 million of the site’s items, those costs can stay very low. Usually it costs $79 a year to purchase Amazon Prime, but with Amazon Student, which requires a valid email address, you can get a free six-month trial and then a discounted price of $39 annually.

Tyler Orndorff, a senior mechanical engineering major, plans on taking advantage of his Amazon SEE ONLINE, PAGE 9

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parents links of things, have other people send you links,” freshman engineering major Rachel Bourassa From PAGE 8 said. “If you’re on Amazon Prime, Prime account as he shops for gifts. you can send the list out to everyone, “It shows up at your house; it’s and it’s so easy because it can have easy; it’s convenient; I get free ship- everything you could possibly want.” ping,” he said.

Search for coupons Make wish lists

If email lists, shipping options The Internet can sometimes be and wish lists aren’t enough, you as overwhelming as a packed mall. can be a savvy online shopper by That’s when wish lists can come in connecting and staying in the handy. Instead of being sent off to the loop. By liking your favorite stores North Pole, online wish lists can be on Facebook or following them on quickly emailed to friends and family, Twitter, you can also find special all but ensuring you’ll end up with a deals without flooding your inbox.

“Follow [stores] on social netgift you want. Many stores’ webworking because they will post deals sites allow you to add your top picks to a wish list or favorites list while that they are having with certain codes that you need to get free browsing online.

“It’s very convenient to send your shipping or something like that,”

9 said avid online shopper Caroline Russell, a freshman enrolled in letters and science.

A n o t h e r e a s y w ay to f i n d instant deals is to use your favorite search engine to check and see if there is a coupon you can use before you checkout — chances are, there will be.

“I always Google the website that I’m shopping at and say, ‘coupon codes,’ a nd most of the time you’ll find a random 20 percent off. I always do that before I check out just to see,” said Summer Bedard, a freshman journalism major.

Start early

Because shipping is an involved

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process, make sure you order with enough time for your packages to arrive for the holidays — especially if you’re shipping to an on-campus location and have to make a journey home. Sometimes items aren’t guaranteed to be delivered before Christmas, so be cognizant of the busy holiday season and expected delivery dates.

Have fun

Go out, find an obscure present and bask in the thrill of the hunt.

“There’s a lot more options and variety [online]. Sometimes, you can find hidden gems on the Internet,” Bedard said. gtooheydbk@gmail.com

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THE DIAMONDBACK | Holiday Shopping GUide | ThursDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

Get by with a little help Find gifts for everyone on your list

By Brian Kallner @thedbk For The Diamondback College is a place where different social groups collide; for the first time in many students’ lives, they are friends with jocks, hippies and nerds. While a diverse friend group is great, it brings with it the stress of what to buy each unique friend for the holidays. Here are some ideas for what to buy even the trickiest friends on your list: The Musician

Musicians can be hard to buy for

The Gamer

While the gamer might also be tough to figure out, gift givers should not have much of a struggle this holiday season because several new consoles have just been released. Both the Xbox One ($499.99) and the PS4 ($399.99) will hold a special place in the hearts of the gamer, even if both are on the expensive side.

If you don’t have the money to spare, the Wii U($299.99), which was released last year, won’t hurt your bank account quite as much and it appeals to younger children as well as adults.

because of the different instruments, sounds and styles they might be into. That’s why this holiday season, recommending new music to a friend might be the right path. Arcade Fire’s Reflektor, $11.77 on Amazon, is a perfect album for all types because it spans several modern genres.

A classic mix CD is also a great go-to for roommate gift exchanges and Secret Santas. At practically no cost, it’s a great way to share new music with friends, The Television Addict learn about bands you didn’t know before and give a gift on a The best deal you can score is tight budget.

Breaking Bad: The Complete Series,

which is about $200 but sold out on the show’s official online store.

It’s expensive, but it’s sure to be a favorite this holiday season. If there’s a Breaking Bad devotee in your group, it’s a great gift for which each member can pitch in a little money. “[Breaking Bad] is the only show that brings up feelings like anger, empathy, fear and joy that constantly changes between episodes, seasons and moments,” said Thomas Koenig, a sophomore kinesiology major.

holiday season is the new Kindle Fire HDX ($229.00 to $424.00 for the 7-inch model).

Although the price can fluctuate quite a bit — depending on the storage size, ad blocks and Internet connectivity abilities — this is the perfect device for someone who loves to read. It has all the abilities of the older Kindle models, as well as some new features.

If you’re on a tight budget, used books are also a great option for the bookworm. Tons of local stores and websites offer gently used books at The Bookworm bargain prices, and buying a few of Instead of buying individual your favorites to share with your books for your recipients, why not friend is a thoughtful gift that’s buy them the ability to have every sure to please. book at their fingertips? For the bookworm, the perfect gift this newsumdbk@gmail.com

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Green for the holidays

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Keep Mother Nature in mind this holiday season with this slew of eco-conscious gifts

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By Ryan Queler @thedbk For The Diamondback The gift-giving season is all about consumerism. Living rooms are littered with torn paper, plastic wrap and ripped-up cardboard packaging. But although the act of gift-giving isn’t going anywhere, more students are concerned with staying “green” during the holidays.

“Eco-friendly holiday gifts are a way of giving to others but also back to the environment,” said Jayne Matza, a sophomore nutrition and food sciences major.

Luckily, there’s a way to give without making the environmentalist in you cringe. Here are some eco-friendly gift options sure to please everyone on your list, as well as Mother Nature:

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For her

Verde Hand & Body Lotion boasts organic olive oil as an ingredient and is a perfect gift for the environmentally conscious mom, girlfriend or significant woman in your life.

There’s also lots of confetti recycled glassware, mug sets and organic pillows and blankets available online that make dorm rooms and homes alike a little more inviting.

For him

For a little more than $100, phloem wood watches are an ideal gift for Bamboo technology is often on men. The neutral wood tones go with the cutting edge of tech design, every outfit, and these watches are a which keeps the environment in great way to give a classic gift with mind. Bamboo Bluetooth speakers, an environmental spin. sound systems and earphones are For the pet made with natural materials and create little waste.

Don’t leave Fido out of your gift-giving. Buy your dog a ball “ECO-FRIENDLY HOLIDAY made of recyclable materials or go GIFTS ARE A WAY OF for place mats made from nontoxic GIVING TO OTHERS BUT and eco-friendly materials which are perfect for dog and cat naps.

ALSO BACK TO THE “The place mat I got for my dog ENVIRONMENT.” was a great gift because it was JAYNE MATZA cheap,” said Willi Rediker, a sophSophomore nutrition and food sciences major omore marketing major. “My dog “Not only do the bamboo speak- loves laying on it and [it] looks great ers have excellent quality, they in my kitchen.” are eco-friendly and make the For the outdoors lover music-listening experience that much better,” said Alec Fanaroff, Planting a tree for your friend is a sophomore government and pol- a meaningful, inexpensive gift that itics major. can be enjoyed for years. Not only are they symbolic, but trees are also For the cook gifts that will help the planet and last Cooking and baking are integral a lifetime — or longer. to the holiday experience and are easy to incorporate with green newsumdbk@gmail.com For the techie

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living. Surprise your favorite chef with organic olive oil, delicious for any Italian meal. There are also barbecue supplies, kitchen bowls and measuring cups made of eco-friendly materials. Organic coffee is another perfect gift that’s inexpensive and great for food and drink lovers.

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THE DIAMONDBACK | Holiday Shopping GUide | ThursDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

pay it forward Spread holiday cheer by giving back to charitable organizations

By Grace Toohey @thedbk Staff writer With the holidays come stress, worry and over-thinking just to find the perfect gift. But more often than not, students say the thought behind giving counts more than spending money on objects people don’t really need.

So while you’re making your list and checking it twice, consider giving some of that time and energy to those less fortunate and spreading the wealth to those in need this holiday season.

It is easy to get involved in something you find worthwhile and satisfying because there are many charities in the area that could use the extra help and many local families that would appreciate the extra holiday cheer. Here are some students’ ideas on how to give back this holiday season: Sponsor a family or child

Across the world or across the street, there are ways to sponsor a family or a child and give them a gift they otherwise wouldn’t receive, making it a holiday to remember.

Last year, Kenneth Bryant and his family adopted a family in need and provided them with Christmas cheer and gifts.

“I n retu r n, t hey gave u s a picture that they drew,” Bryant said. “I mean, it wasn’t much, but it meant a lot to us. I look forward to doing it this year.”

Bryant, a junior bioengineering major, still appreciates celebrating with his family but wants everyone to have the chance to enjoy that feeling.

“We pretty much have everything that we need, and I know that they didn’t. As a child, you don’t really want to go through a Christmas with no presents or anything, so being the reason why

they had a great Christmas just felt good enough for me,” he said. “You still want to cherish things with your own family, but definitely you want to help out those that don’t have much, give them something that you’ve already experienced.”

Freshman civil and environmental engineering major Ellen Martin makes a year-round commitment to a similar charitable organization.

“We have two ‘Compassion Children,’” Martin said. “We pay for them to go to school, we send them gifts sometimes and we can write them letters and they can write back.”

For the holidays, her family sends a Christmas shoe box or another special gift for the children they sponsor in Africa.

“Why get a new pair of shoes when you could give the essentials to somebody who doesn’t have them?” she said. “It makes us really excited, especially when they write back and tell us ‘thank you’ and say how they are doing in school. We get to help out in their lives and they are really thankful, and it’s really cool to see that.”

Volunteer your time

Money can be tight, especially for college students, but there are many other ways to give back this holiday season — simply volunteer your time. Homeless shelters, nursing homes, soup kitchens or the charity of your choice will always welcome an extra set of hands.

Each year, freshman Meredith Soule and her family volunteer to ring the Salvation Army bell for an hour twice a week to collect donations in their community.

“It’s really nice to see how the community gives back. It’s a good feeling,” said Soule, a business major. “I think, in general, it’s good to give back all the time, but especially during the holiday

season so that everyone’s holidays can be especially nice.”

Soule advocates for others to volunteer as well — it’s a tradition that is always satisfying, she said.

“It’s really widespread, so it’s really easy to get involved,” Soule said.

Contribute to a charity

During this time, it can be difficult for many families that are away from home or lacking the essentials to feel like they are celebrating, but there are ways to give to them, and even a small amount can really make a difference.

As Katie Luce was f lipping through Reader’s Digest, she saw an envelope to donate any amount

to the United Service Organization for the holiday season.

“Because it’s for the officers who aren’t home during the holidays, and I had $20, I just mailed in $20,” said Luce, a freshman psychology major. “I think that it’s important to support the people in the military, especially because they are doing a really important job and they’re so far away from home, and that’s really hard to do around the holidays.”

Junior education major Becca Wagman said she will participate in the Catholic Student Center’s annual canned food drive for the homeless that provides a Christmas meal to homeless people.

“I think the holiday season is

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a time where people think about giving back to others, so it’s a nice thing that, even though we are college students and might not have as much money, we can do a small thing to help someone else and make the world to them this holiday season,” Wagman said.

“I think it’s something that people should be doing all the time, but it’s really cool to see how people come together during the holidays and help provide for people that might not have the money at this time of year. The really important thing is just being with your family and being with people you love.” gtooheydbk@gmail.com