121311

SECOND CHANCE SIMON SAYS After Notre Dame game, Pankey back for Terps SPORTS | PAGE 9

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Simon Pegg talks about his increased screen time DIVERSIONS | PAGE 6

THE DIAMONDBACK THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER

Our 102ND Year, No. 72

DOTS grants fewer appeals in recent years Police search 18.4 percent of appeals successful last year, compared to 64 in FY 2006

BY REBECCA LURYE Staff writer

When junior government and politics major Andrea Marcin checked her car four days after a harried grocery trip earlier this semester, she found a dozen DOTS parking tickets tucked under her windshield wiper.

“It was pretty alarming, seeing all those

yellow envelopes,” said Marcin, one of thousands of students to challenge parking fines from the Department of Transportation Services each year.

After she appealed the tickets — she copied and pasted the same explanation for all 12 — DOTS voided nine of them, leaving her with three $35 tickets to pay compounded with late fees.

But these successful appeals have become a rarity, meaning more students have had to pay fines or appeal DOTS’ decision to the Office of Student Conduct.

During the 2010-2011 academic year, DOTS issued 72,546 parking tickets and more than 6,200 students appealed them,

see TICKETS, page 3

for suspects in burglary Incident occurred on Rowalt Drive outside apartment complex

CRAM AND CRASH Nutritionists caution students against energy drinks during finals SUSPECT ONE

BY MAY WILDMAN For The Diamondback

To many students, finals week conjures images of two things: all-night cram sessions and the energy drinks that fuel them.

While popular drinks such as Red Bull and 5-hour Energy may help give sleep-deprived students the momentum needed to make it through the day, nutritionists and dietitians warn against their use because the drinks frequently contain unhealthy levels of caffeine and untested dietary supplements that go largely unregulated by the Food and Drug Administration.

University of Maryland Medical Center nutritionist Mindy Athas said because the FDA only investigates dietary supplements when a complaint is filed, there is no way of knowing whether an energy drink actually contains what companies claim it does on the can.

“You just have to be aware that anything that has an herb or a supplement in it can either contain none of what it says, three times the amount of what it says or could actually contain what it says,” she said. “You just don’t know because no one’s going to investigate or test it unless that company sends it to an independent lab to be tested.”

This worries nutritionists because many energy drinks contain herbal additives — such as guarana, taurine and ginseng — which are marketed as natural but whose

SUSPECT TWO

SUSPECT THREE

BY ERIN EGAN Senior staff writer

University Police released three pictures yesterday of the suspects in Sunday night’s armed robbery near the Graduate Gardens apartment complex on Rowalt Drive.

The department is showing the pictures — which are shots of the three suspects using the victim’s credit card at a local convenience store not located in College Park — to Prince George’s County Crime Solvers officials to gain the funds to give monetary awards for tips that lead to an arrest, University Police spokesman Capt. Marc Limansky said. Sunday’s armed robbery was the second to occur on the campus this year, according to Limansky, which differs significantly from previous years.

The 25-year-old graduate student was reportedly walking home with some items he purchased from the College Park Shopping Center, Limansky said. When he walked through

see SUSPECTS, page 3

ON-CAMPUS ARMED BURGLARIES According to University Police, armed burglaries are down this year. Here is a look at the statistics:

see ENERGY, page 7

2011: 2 2010: 6 2009: 3 CHARLIE DEBOYACE/THE DIAMONDBACK

2008: 3

Five dorms will receive air conditioning units by 2017

MOVIN’ ON UP Two juniors create campus moving company

Installation will cost Student Affairs $40.3 million

BY CHAD SINCLAIR For The Diamondback

BY NICK FOLEY Staff writer

In an effort to spare students from the sweltering summer heat and forge ahead with the Department of Resident Life’s goal to bring air conditioning to all North Campus dorms, officials have finalized plans for five dorms to receive this amenity by 2017.

The Division of Student Affairs allocated $40.3 million for Facilities Management crews to install additional electrical outlets, replace windows and update the mechanical systems — which provide heating, cooling and hot water to buildings — in Bel Air, Cambridge, Centreville, Chestertown and Cumberland halls during the next six years, according to Bill Olen, Facilities Management’s interim director of capital projects.

“The residents are concerned that the

rooms in the North Campus dorms are not air conditioned,” he said. “This plan is part of a long-term plan that Resident Life has.”

The project is slated to span six summers to minimize impact to residents in those dorms, according to Olen.

Crews will start installing air conditioning units in one dorm each summer, beginning with Centreville Hall in May, and then moving to Bel Air, Chestertown, Cumberland and Cambridge halls. Facilities Management crews installed air conditioning in Easton and Denton halls — costing a total of $21.6 million — this summer in response to a Resident Life request.

The new mechanical systems will be powered by a Satellite Central Utility Building, a centralized system providing efficient

For many, finals week is over after the Scantrons are filled out and the final papers are stapled and submitted. But for those students graduating, studying abroad or changing their living arrangements next semester, they’ve got another hurdle to clear: moving.

Two university juniors have found a way to ease the torment. This semester, roommates Josh Heckelman and David Rothenberg launched the College Move-In Guys, and they do exactly what it sounds like they do — they’ll move you in or out of your dorm, apartment or house for between $50 and $100, and their business is growing fast.

What started as a simple idea to make a few dollars has grown several months later into an operation spread out across four universities that pays

see MOVING, page 3

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOSH HECKELMAN

see COOLING, page 2 ADVERTISEMENT

TOMORROW’S WEATHER:

Partly Sunny/50s INDEX

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

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

DIVERSIONS . . . . .6 SPORTS . . . . . . . . .11

www.diamondbackonline.com

2

THE DIAMONDBACK | NEWS | TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2011

COOLING

TRADING BEATS

from page 1 heating and cooling to surrounding buildings to be installed in the nearby Physical Sciences Complex by the end of next year. Crews will then install underground pipes that connect the SCUB to each dorm building.

“Electricity is being produced at the central heating plant,” Olen said. “That’s a very efficient way to produce electricity.”

Once the project is complete after the summer of 2017, officials said they hope to house summer camp-goers in those five dorms, which Olen said has previously proven impossible considering the skyrocketing temperatures of recent summers.

“It’s kind of hard to do that nowadays with the heat wave we’ve experienced in the past couple summers,” he said.

According to Olen, once the project to bring air conditioning to the Cambridge commu-

The UMD African Drum Ensemble (right) drummed West African rhythms alongside the UMD Korean Percussion Ensemble (below), which performed contemporary Korean music called “Samulnori,” last night in the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center’s Dekelboum Concert Hall. The groups began with separate performances and ultimately joined together in a fusion of cultural drumming, incorporating a variety of traditional percussion instruments.

JEREMY KIM/THE DIAMONDBACK

nity is complete, Ellicott and Hagerstown halls will be the last two North Campus dorms to receive air conditioning, and officials have not yet determined an estimated time frame for this project.

Several students who live in the Cambridge community, such as freshman mathematics major Maggie Koester, said air conditioning would provide a cooling refuge from the unrelenting heat of the late summer months.

“My room was so hot, especially at night. It was really hot,” she said. “[Air conditioning] would definitely make things much more comfortable.”

Freshman chemistry major Sean Gallup said he thought the update would help make the university more appealing to potential students.

“People would be like, ‘Hey, that dorm has air conditioning,’ and it could be a deciding factor,” Gallup said. “It could definitely influence their decision.” foley@umdbk.com

Forgetting finals with man’s best friends A Forever-Home Rescue Foundation will bring 20 puppies to play with students who need a study break Thursday at Stamp Student Union; dogs will be up for adoption at SGA, Stamp-sponsored event

BY QUINN KELLEY Staff writer

Although it is often difficult for students to keep stress at bay during finals week, the SGA and university officials hope a little puppy love will help them relax as this semester concludes.

During “PuppyPalooza UMD 2011 — Who Let the Puppies Out?” — an event co-sponsored by the Student Government Association and Stamp Student Union — 20 fur balls will be wagging their tails in the Grand Ballroom, awaiting play time with students who need a break from the books from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday.

A Forever-Home Rescue Foundation will supply the pups, which will be available for adoption.

SGA representatives organ-

ized the event after reading a Washington Post article about a similar “puppy day” the foundation held during exam week at George Mason University Law School, SGA Communications Director Staci Armezzani said. The article lauded the event as a healthy stress outlet for students and an alternative to drinking alcohol or using other substances to relieve the strain of exams.

“A couple of us had seen the article and we said, ‘This would be really cool if we could bring this to our own campus,’” Armezzani said.

“We thought it would be a great stress reliever.”

The event had to be moved from the Atrium to the Grand Ballroom because of the expected crowd, said Ashley Venneman, Stamp special

events and programs coordinator. More than 3,000 people have responded that they are “attending” on the PuppyPalooza Facebook event.

Venneman said she doesn’t think all of these people will come, but she still anticipates a big turnout.

“I do think that we’ll have a relatively large crowd,” Venneman said. “Hopefully we do get a lot of interest, which will be exciting.”

This event is not the first of its kind on the campus. Each year during “Relaxation Night,” which will be held tonight from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., students in the College Park Scholars Program flock to the Cambridge Community Center to enjoy the company of therapy dogs and participate in other stress-relieving activities. National Capital Therapy

Dogs is providing the dogs for tonight’s event, which is sponsored by the academic affairs subcommittee of the College Park Scholars Student Advisory Board.

On Thursday, Armezzani said she hopes students will forget the stress of finals as they play with the puppies and then be able to re-focus on their studies after the event.

“We want them just to be able to kind of forget everything for as long as they’re in the Grand Ballroom,” Armezzani said.

“There’s something about having an animal — a sense of companionship maybe — that people in general just respond in a positive light to.”

Sophomore Arabic studies major Maddy Bersch said she is excited for the event and plans to rework her schedule to attend.

“I think it’s kind of silly, but it’s a great way to help kids to relax before finals and to realize that there are other things going on in the world,” Bersch said. “It’s a nice way to be happy around exams and to just relax and not stress so much about having to cram, about finals or all the things you have to do before you go home for winter break.”

Some students, such as sophomore art history and microbiology major Marian Poley, said they worried such a large crowd could overwhelm the puppies.

“I’m a little worried about the puppies, because I just want to make sure they’re well-treated,” Poley said.

But despite the expected crowd, A Forever-Home Rescue Foundation had no reservations

“It’s a nice way to be happy around exams and to just relax and not stress so much about having to cram.”

MADDY BERSCH SOPHOMORE ARABIC STUDIES MAJOR

about bringing the dogs to the university, Armezzani said.

“They were really excited about the event,” she said.

“They are here to ser ve us, and they are trained to deal with puppies.” news@umdbk.com

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2011 | NEWS | THE DIAMONDBACK

from parking fines last year — funds that subsidize the price of from page 1 students’ parking permits, Allen said — was down to $1.86 million, compared to $2.75 million in compared to 73,865 tickets 2005, according to DOTS. Of the 16 different types of DOTS officers handed out in fiscal year 2006, with 11,831 student parking violations on the campus, the fines associated with them appeals during that period.

While the department grant- range from $15 for violations for ed 64 percent of students’ ticket parking at an expired meter to appeals and voided their fines in $500 for illegally using an expired 2005, that percentage has license plate. Many penalties dropped steadily. Last year, carry a $75 price tag for parking DOTS only accepted 18.4 percent in the wrong area.

In the past, many tickets were of appeals.

Undergraduate DOTS em- voided when students claimed ployees review tickets when stu- they lost their permits — an dents choose to appeal within empty excuse now.

“It’s more now down to the DOTS instead of through district court. But DOTS officials said tickets where people have done they are not sure why these stu- something and they’re looking for a break,” Allen said. dents are denying more appeals.

However, if students feel “There wasn’t any philosophy change, it’s just the students that slighted after DOTS employees make up the board,” said James initially uphold their tickets, they Bond, Office of Student Conduct can appeal again to the Office of coordinator for rights and re- Student Conduct.

But fewer students are also sponsibilities. “I can’t point to one seeing those appeals granted. thing that might contribute to it.”

Of the 359 students who apDOTS Director David Allen also said he could not identify any pealed their tickets a second time in 2010, only 22 percent received factors leading to the shift.

“There’s been no specific drive a full refund, according to the Office of Student Conduct, alto increase it,” Allen said.

The department has cut down though that percentage has typion wrongful citations since imple- cally hovered between 35 and 60 menting the electronic license since 2002.

Some students, such as sophoplate reading system last fall, he said, which eliminated hanging more economics major Matt Mulkeen, said they would not tag parking permits.

“They’ve taken humans out of have known to take advantage of the equation,” Bond said. a second round of appeals if “There’s less cause for human DOTS declined the first.

“I feel like if I really didn’t deerror, which might attribute to the spike. There’s not a lot of dis- serve the ticket, I would appeal it cussion or debate to how things again,” said Mulkeen, whose mother received two parking are interpreted.”

But DOTS hasn’t profited from tickets for the same violation and the drop in ticket voids. Revenue had one successfully voided.

TICKETS

Police described the first suspect as a 6-foot tall black male from page 1 with a medium build and a black hooded jacket; the second is described as a 5-foot-10 tall black the entranceway to the Graduate male with a medium build wearGardens apartment complex on ing a dark winter jacket, a black Rowalt Drive, one suspect ski mask and in possession of allegedly displayed a silver hand- the silver handgun.

The suspects are still at large, gun and demanded the students’ Limansky said, but University property, Limansky said.

The student was not harmed, Police are investigating the case. but his wallet and money were The Graduate Gardens apartment complex is universitytaken, Limansky said.

The two suspects then report- owned property, meaning Uniedly fled on foot in an unknown versity Police has primary jurisdirection, Limansky said, and an diction in that area.

Students who live near Rowalt emergency alert sent later that night said police had reason to Drive said they were frightened believe the suspects had left the upon hearing of the incident.

“I live pretty close to there, area. Limansky could not reveal how they knew the suspects and it’s pretty scary,” junior comwere gone, but said they munication major Jason Miller received information they were said. “It makes you realize how vulnerable you are, but I do think in a different county.

SUSPECTS

3

STUDENTTICKETAPPEALS ■ In 2010, more than 6,200 students appealed their parking tickets; DOTS granted 18.4 percent of appeals ■ In 2005, 11,831 students challenged their parking tickets; the department accepted 64 percent of them

Junior environmental science major Marianne Varkiani said although the ticketing system has less room for error since electronic license plate scanners were implemented, some students try to stretch the truth when appealing tickets to avoid paying hefty fines.

“I know a lot of people who have lied to get out of a parking ticket, I just don’t know if it worked or not,” said Varkiani, who is currently waiting to hear if her own $75 ticket will be waived.

Regardless of whether they are at fault for violations, students said parking on the campus should be less confusing.

Junior computer engineering major Aaron Stehley said he received at least four $15 citations and two $75 tickets for parking in the wrong locations, and he blamed unclear parking lot signs for the tickets.

“The signage can be confusing and when I’m in a rush, I’m not necessarily going to stop in front of the lot to read and block everyone,” Stehley said. “But it’s on me to check.” lurye@umdbk.com

the cops are working hard to keep the area safe. There are definitely more cops around now than when I first got here, which is important to show the community that they are trying to keep us safe.”

This was the second such incident this semester. The first occurred Nov. 17 in the South Hill Community. None of the victims in the two incidents were hurt.

Two on-campus armed robberies were reported this year, according to the University Police website. There were six reported armed or strong armed robberies last year, and an attempted strong armed robbery; three in 2009, with another attempted; and three in 2008, with one more attempted. Available data does not go beyond 2008.

College Move-In Guys, founded by juniors Josh Heckelman and David Rothenberg, expanded to other colleges including Salisbury University (above). PHOTO COURTESY OF JOSH HECKELMAN

MOVING from page 1 about 40 people to keep the boxes moving.

The idea originated in the summer, after a woman hired Heckelman to move belongings to a Silver Spring storage facility. Heckelman, a marketing and supply chain management major, soon made the connection between moving and college students, most of whom have to move ever y year they’re in the dorms.

“I realized a lot of college kids and parents don’t like the burden of spending hours moving stuff from their car,” Heckelman said.

“A lot of families don’t want to spend that last hour with their kid sweating and worr ying about setting up the TV.” He bounced the idea off Rothenberg, a histor y and Jewish studies major, who liked it. They became the College Move-In Guys.

The two launched a Facebook page at the beginning of the semester with the intention of merely gauging interest — but they were suddenly moving things anyway.

Their first job was to help freshman vocal performance major Hayley Tevelow move her things into a fourth-floor dorm room — including a refrigerator, in a building without an elevator.

“We were definitely sweat-

ing, but I’d much rather us be sweating than a mom and her daughter after having to carry a refrigerator up four flights of stairs,” Rothenberg said.

Freshman psychology major Jennifer Rollman, moving to the campus from New Jersey, also hired them early in the semester.

“At first I didn’t tell my parents, because I didn’t think it was something they would be interested in,” Rollman said.

“They actually thought it was a really good idea in the end.

My stepdad had a bad back, so it was even better because he didn’t have to lift anything.”

Heckelman said the company has moved about 15 students, and he anticipates the number will reach two dozen by the end of this semester end. In addition to operating on this campus, the duo has already launched moving programs at three other universities — Salisbur y University in this state, along with Armstrong Atlantic State and Kennesaw State universities in Georgia.

The pair admitted being roommates has been the most beneficial aspect of their business partnership, especially on the nights they stay up until 2 a.m. talking about the company.

“If we had to call each other ever y time we had a new idea, I think my phone would die before noon,” Rothenberg said.

Heckelman said the company is focusing its efforts on

“We were definitely sweating, but I’d much rather us be sweating than a mom and her daughter after having to carry a refrigerator up four flights of stairs.”

DAVID ROTHENBERG COLLEGE MOVE-IN GUYS CO-FOUNDER

brand name recognition, and will eventually look to expand to even more campuses around the countr y.

The company is developing a plan to donate a percentage of their fall 2012 revenues to a green organization on the campus in an effort to increase support for sustainability, Heckelman added.

Both Rollman and Tevelow said they would recommend the College Move-In Guys to other students and will likely employ them again when the time comes to move out of their dorms next spring.

“It’s such a simple idea, and it’s finally time that someone thought of it,” Rollman said. “It’s a great thing to have on campus.” news@umdbk.com

egan@umdbk.com

4429 Lehigh Road 301-927-6717

Now accepting Visa, MasterCard & Discover

$1 OFF

Any $5 Purchase

Offer Details: One coupon per party.

Coupon void if altered.

4

THE DIAMONDBACK | TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2011

0pinion

THE DIAMONDBACK

LAUREN REDDING EDITOR IN CHIEF

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

ALEX KNOBEL

MIKE KING

MANAGING EDITOR

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR

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

CHRISTOPHER HAXEL

ALISSA GULIN

OPINION EDITOR

OPINION EDITOR

Staff editorial

Guest column

A safer social network

At the heart of a holiday

I

mminent tornadoes, chemical explosions — there has already been a handful in ways not previously possible. They can reach students who may be glued to their of incidents this semester that required University Police to spring into action social media accounts yet oblivious to their email inboxes.

The new system will no doubt require some tweaking as officers become accusand alert the community. They’ve encountered a few problems with the established email and text message system, such as lagging response times or disor- tomed to disseminating information in new ways. Like any new technology, Twitter and Facebook accounts are only as efficient, and in this case helpful, as their users ganized messages, but they’ve been successful more often than not.

Since the alert system’s 2007 inception in response to the shootings at Virginia make them. We caution against some of social media’s pitfalls that could undermine the reliability of these new communication channels between Tech that April, the department has been ramping up its students and police. Namely, officers must establish and efforts to improve the system’s scope and reliability. Officials maintain some sort of regularity when updating the accounts have continually worked to keep pace with evolving technoloduring emergencies. Twitter is like a can of Pringles — once gies and the heightened demand for updates from students We applaud University you pop, the fun don’t stop. Once a user starts updating reguand their concerned parents. After news broke Thursday of Police for their efforts to larly, followers learn to expect the same level of activity. If another shooting at Virginia Tech, the story of the system’s intend to make Twitter a reliable source for important progression came full circle. integrate social media into police information, they’ll have to always remember to post an Police launched into high gear, talking to students about the emergency alert system. update when students would expect one. their social media use and reconfiguring the alert system to Those following @umpdALERTS should be able to predict better accommodate their habits. The resulting expansion to incorporate Twitter and Facebook represents a major leap forward and is probably how quickly to expect an update after an emergency. The Twitter handle won’t fulfill its potential, and could even be harmful, if students are left wondering whether the the most critical advancement police will make over the next several years.

Realistically, it was only a matter of time before social media was integrated into the coast is clear or whether officials just haven’t Tweeted yet. Additionally, once they’ve protocol, but this editorial board applauds police for their foresight in recognizing alerted users to the danger, police need to continue updating, even if just to establish how much of a difference these additions will make toward ensuring student safety. the situation hasn’t yet been resolved. Getting a head start with these new methods Although it was this tragedy at Virginia Tech that prompted police to reach out to stu- before an emergency occurs, as police are now doing, will minimize these issues.

The expansion of University Police’s most visible program highlights the need for dents and learn about their primary methods for getting information, nobody forced them to do so. Police Chief David Mitchell said Thursday’s shooting — in which the officials in all kinds of departments — both on school campuses and in cities, neighalleged gunman, a part-time student at Radford University, fatally shot a police officer borhoods and other populated areas — to adapt. Twitter and Facebook have irrebefore killing himself — was the “tipping point” for his force. They all realized, he versibly changed people’s relationship with news, evidenced in part by how enthusisaid, that this revitalization was necessary to achieve the most effective emergency astically major media outlets have embraced these sites. Police departments must communicate news as well — albeit of a different kind — and therefore must be procedures. We couldn’t agree more.

These new features are absolutely crucial to optimal performance, now that smart- attuned to the habits of those in their community. This editorial board commends phones and other new technologies have made social media incredibly pervasive in police officials for being proactive, and their initiative should serve as an example to students’ daily lives. University Police can now use their new Facebook page and two leaders of other departments at this university who haven’t yet tested the waters of Twitter handles — @UMPD and @umpdALERTS — to connect with the community the social media pond.

Our View

Editorial cartoon: Eun Jeon

All I want for Christmas

T

’was the night before finals, and across College Park, not a creature was sleeping, the televisions were dark. Call of Duty was set near the flatscreens with care, in hopes that winter break soon would be there.

The children were gone, away from their beds, as they sat in McKeldin, their hearts full of dread. And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap, had just settled in for a long winters’ nap.

It had been a tough year, with new coaches hired, others let go, and now I was tired. The cuts had been made, to save dollars and cents. The fan base was down, through no coincidence.

CHRISTOPHER

HAXEL football players! Next to the fountain I could see a man standing. The players ran away, so I knew it was Randy.

Three of them went by, so powerful and fast, I knew them to be former Terps running backs. Transfer papers in hand, all of them the same, they ran from Coach Edsall, who called them by name!

When out on the mall there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

“Now, Titus Till and R.J.! Now, D.J. and David! Just run some more hills, I swear to you we’ll make it! Come, Jeremiah Wilson! Come, Rahsaan Moore! Take off that ballcap, to learn what’s in store!”

The moonlight bounced off of my silvery hair, to reveal ugly jerseys, and six

He listed the rules, one after another, I’d be gone too, if I’d had my druthers!

When the players were gone, I heard not a sound, except for the program running into the ground.

Just then I heard Debbie, cackling with glee, pointing and laughing, at the empty corporate suites. She built the tower, I pounded my fist! She spent the money, just look at the list!

So many sports, we can’t fund them all, we cut several programs and did it this fall. I fear that Testudo will haunt me forever, for leading the school on a downsizing endeavor.

Oh well, I thought, there’s always the court, everyone knows basketball is Maryland’s sport. What’s that you say, we lost to Iona? Get me a map — is it in Arizona?

Pe’Shon is hurt, and Nick Faust is young, but that kid from the Ukraine can block out the sun. Coach Turgeon will do well, we have nothing to fear, we’ll make the tourney — hopefully next year.

Then, on the roof! I could just hear a sound, of whispering footsteps, someone sneaking around. Mamma woke up, and thought it was snow. No mamma, it’s the president — Dr. Wallace Loh. He slid down the chimney, protecting his mullet, then shot me a look that’d stop a bullet. He stood up and brushed off the soot from his face, and told me I’d made the department a disgrace.

“Kevin, that team should be back in a bowl! Instead of gift baskets, the players got coal. Mike Leach is gone, the one you should have hired. The Terps went two and ten — Kevin, your ass is fired.

You failed your exam, didn’t pass the test, now we are forced to dig out of this mess. So away you go, Kevin, in the annals of lore, leave us our turtle, rendered fearsome no more.”

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

Unmasking the creatures of finals week

W

ith winter break just a week away, only one thing stands between us and a much-needed vacation — final exams. One can almost feel the collective stress level of the campus rise as we near the first day of hell week. As exams loom overhead, I can’t help but notice the distinct creatures we all morph into during this time of year.

To those who use McKeldin Librar y this week as a booty call, using and abusing all of her assets at your convenience as she innocently opens her doors to ever yone: The regulars see you. Your unfamiliar faces destroy the camaraderie of trusting a neighbor who watches your stuff. You are akin to the people who show up to church only on Christmas, or at the gym after New Year’s Day. And to those regulars: Your secret spot — through the seven levels of the Candy Cane Forest and the sea of swirly-twirly gumdrops — is worthless now. This week, people

will walk up to any remotely common study area just to surround themselves with studious people, thinking it will somehow improve their own exam scores. It sucks to be robbed of your personal space, so perhaps you’ll be better off staying home in a quiet environment with far fewer impostors.

To the uncomfortably large population that is so cracked out on Adderall this week: I can feel your heartbeat pulsating through the floor. You probably haven’t slept in days, so your eyes resemble an angr y bird who has been wounded, but not yet killed. You don’t have time for food and think you can get by on the Starbucks dirt-and-piss mixture dubbed “coffee.” Only the real nerds know a plentiful diet of fruits and vegetables won’t lead to a crash-and-burn. Have fun waking up for that 8 a.m. final on Saturday, suckers.

To those who don’t even need to study because your finals are really just “common sense:” We all know

BRITTANY CAMPBELL you are just a lazy waste of enrollment. I suggest you put more money on Testudo’s shrine. I could really use it.

To the token kid who sends a mass email, casually asking for the entire semester’s notes because he never attended class: You have serious balls. I admire your epic courage almost enough to nonsensically give in and pass my notes your way … almost. At all other times, I hope you forever ignore Blackboard’s “Communication” tab.

To those who look like complete crap this week: I’m right there with you. Seriously, find me anyone who looks somewhat decent this week — it’s like a challenging version of “Where’s Waldo.” Priorities simply

don’t include personal hygiene, care for appearance or any sort of puttogetherness. There is a sort of unspoken understanding that this is acceptable, and to judge anyone else for it makes you a cynic.

Here is where I would normally insert some general advisor y recommendation for the student body to follow, but I got nothin’. Well, nothing out of the ordinar y at least.

Exam week is a time when we are all zombies in some way, and that is unlikely to change.

These seven days are analogous to both a woman’s menstrual cycle and Samara from The Ring — unwelcome and disturbing. Let’s just keep doing whatever makes the world go round. Things like Herman Cain and his distaste for sissy pizza make me think the world is indeed moving in circles anyway.

Brittany Campbell is a junior government and politics and philosophy major. She can be reached at campbell@umdbk.com.

C

hristmas, as a Christian religious tradition, has been around for more than a millennium. More recently, a secular tradition of Christmas has been around since at least before anyone of this generation can remember. Lately, however, there has been a noticeable tendency for the secular world to push away and cover up Christmas’ Christian connection.

Recently, a group called American Atheists put up billboards across the nation denouncing Christianity, and its long-held beliefs, as a myth. As much as some people would like to erase Christianity from Christmas, it simply cannot happen. In comparison, it would be like taking the Jewish history out of Hanukkah. It is simply impossible to separate the celebration of a holiday from its reasons for celebration.

While it is true the winter solstice was a special time to humans before Christianity, it is imperative to recognize the Christian influences upon these festivals, because such historic influences are what shaped Christmas into what it is now and what has provided the magical secular spirit of the season we have come to experience today.

Originally, ancient peoples celebrated the pagan winter festivals around the time of the winter solstice. People of Scandinavia celebrated the return of the sun by lighting huge bonfires and holding feasts, and the Romans celebrated the festival called Saturnalia. To meet these pagan peoples where they were, Pope Julius I set the birth date of Christ, or “Christ’s mass,” to be Dec. 25, even though this was not his real birthday, in order to Christianize the pagan events and to aid conversion. When Christianity spread into these respective cultures, they assimilated local pagan traditions from winter festivals into their own Christian Christmas traditions to make conversion of the local people as smooth as possible.

It is through this assimilation that Christmas traditions of today, such as the Christmas tree, lights, mistletoe and many others, have come to symbolize the season. However, Christianity did a lot more than just assimilate these traditions into one holiday and give us St. Nicholas (an early 4th-century bishop whose legend evolved into the Santa Claus of today) — it altered the meaning and spirit of the holiday itself. The secular Christmas spirit as we know it today is the product of a powerful Christian influence upon the holiday.

Peace on Earth, goodwill toward men, the spirit of giving: Those are all Christian characteristics of Christmas that were not necessarily part of the preceding pagan holidays.

It is the Christian influences that changed Christmas into the huge secular humanitarian and philanthropic season we see today. No one needs to be Christian to celebrate Christmas, but to deny Christmas its rich Christian history is, in essence, to deny the spirit of Christmas that is shared by both Christian and non-Christian celebrators alike.

It is completely false to think celebrating a holiday means one can bypass the history of the holiday itself, because a holiday without history behind it isn’t a holiday at all.

As much as some people may try, Christianity and Christmas cannot be completely separated. Christianity’s greatest foothold on the holiday is the one thing most people who celebrate the holiday hold dear — the Christmas spirit.

Matthew Curley is a junior history major. He can be reached at itscurley239@aim.com.

OPINION EDITOR WANTED The Diamondback is seeking an opinion editor for the spring 2012 semester. Ideal candidates have an understanding of university, state and national issues, a familiarity with journalistic writing, strong managerial skills and the ability to meet deadlines. Opinion editors typically work 30 to 35 hours per week. The position is paid. For more information on the position or how to apply, please contact opinion editors Alissa Gulin and Christopher Haxel at opinion@umdbk.com.

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

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2011 | THE DIAMONDBACK

5

Features HOROSCOPESTELLA WILDER

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Implied but unsaid 6 Moves gingerly 11 Like stupid!

14 Thin soup 15 Demoted from planet 16 Tpk. 17 Red Sea peninsula 18 Make the rounds 20 Felt boot 21 Debatable 23 Bounded along 24 Moon track 26 White-water enthusiasts 28 Bring to mind 30 Sartre contemporary 31 Shocking 32 Matterhorn echo 33 Holiday cheer 36 Manitoba tribe 37 Praline nut 38 Icicle site 39 Down for the count 40 Hue 41 Atlas was one 42 Longtime Dolphins coach 43 Crape — 44 Warms over 47 Delhi coin 48 Wildlife staple

49 50 53 56 58 59 60 61 62 63

Calf-length P.O. service Just fine Look happy Yale alumnus Geologic period Operatic voice Some, to Pierre “— Schoen” More prudent

DOWN 1 Cough syrup meas.

2 Pavarotti piece 3 Devised 4 Give — — try 5 Sewing kit item 6 Disney site 7 Quit flying 8 California’s Big — 9 Handy abbr.

10 Expressive 11 Arrange gracefully 12 Unmitigated 13 Minds 19 Oodles 22 Sunflower yield 25 Red on the inside 26 Speed gun 27 Famous last word 28 Gibraltar landmark 29 EEC currency 30 Hot drink

Previous Day’s Puzzle Solved:

32 33 34 35 37 38

Bellows Talking idly Jellybean shape Chromosome unit Mope Gael republic

40 Took the risk 41 Underwood pounders 42 Inoculants 43 Beauty pack 44 Entered a 10K

45 46 47 49

Quebec school Pueblo people Nouveau — — Jagger of the Stones

51 52 54 55 57

Polar bear perch Earl — Biggers PCB regulator Freight unit Drop — — line

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Seek a method that others can agree with. Trying to do something in a way that rubs others the wrong way is only going to backfire on you.

CANCER (June 21-June 20) — In order to get done the things you have to get done you may have to mix and mingle with those with whom you have little in common.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) — You’re seeing things very differently, but you may not know exactly why — or recognize that you are doing so in the first place.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) — You can avoid disaster merely by facing the problems that arise with honesty and insight. Accept that you are, in part, to blame.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) — Domestic activities can bring you a great deal of pleasure — and a great deal of peace of mind, too. Don’t stray too far at this time.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — You may have to burn the candle at both ends — but the end result is likely to be worth it. A loved one expresses certain concerns.

You have a healthy estimation of your own talents — but not without reason. You are quite adept at a great many things, and you may have difficulty choosing just which road you will follow in life. For quite some time, in fact, you may try to follow many.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) — Yes, it’s that time again — and you know it. Try to avoid excuses of any kind and simply make a start — and the bigger, the better.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — You’ll be playing the waiting game throughout much of the day — but you can use the time to your advantage if you think outside the box.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) — Seek a way out of your current tangle as quickly as possible.

Be aware that you may not extricate yourself immediately, however.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Someone you have to work with may be making it difficult — not because you don’t like him or her, but because you do.

B

Also born on this date are: Taylor Swift, singer; Jamie Foxx, actor; Steve Buscemi, actor; Ted Nugent, musician; John Davidson, actor; Christopher Plummer, actor; Dick Van Dyke, actor.

© 2011 UNITED FEATURES SYNDICATE

TODAY’S CROSSWORD SPONSORED BY:

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

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.

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY, DECMEBER 14

$2.75 Jose Cuervo, Jim Beam, 3 Olives

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — The way out of a selfmade mess is right in front of you; all you have to do is recognize it for what it is: your escape hatch.

$2.50 Bud & Bud Light $4.00 3 Olives Bomb

HAPPY HOUR 4-7

PM

Halfway to the Weekend!

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

COLLEGE INTUITION

orn today, you are quick to make promises of the kind others are loathe to make for fear of breaking them, but you have a knack for coming through even when the odds are stacked against you. For this reason you are able to keep a bright and positive attitude, even in the face of the unexpected, and that which would usually have another sinking into despair seems to have very little effect on you.

This doesn’t mean that you are immune from negative emotions; on the contrary, you can succumb to the dark side from time to time — but the causes almost always spring from within.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — You may have to get used to doing certain things on your own that you shared — or had others do for you — in the past.

COPYRIGHT 2011 UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE,INC.

TODAY’S HOROSCOPE SPONSORED BY:

Tuesday Special:

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

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

301-614-9663

8145-J Baltimore Ave.

Text CALZONE to 32075 for exclusive specials alerts

RICHIE BATES BEAR ON CAMPUS

TUNG PHAM

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

Previous Day’s Puzzle Solved:

Degree of Difficulty: MEDIUM

TODAY’S SUDOKU PUZZLE SPONSORED BY:

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

TUESDAY

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

For More Specials Visit Our Website

6

THE DIAMONDBACK | TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2011

Diversions

NEW ALBUMS:

arts. music. living. movies. weekend.

CHARLOTTE GAINSBOURG Stage Whisper

JONSI We Bought a Zoo OST

KELLER WILLIAMS Bass

NAUGHTY BY NATURE Anthem Inc

FEATURE | SIMON PEGG

theater review

E Street Cinema For dedicated cinephiles, a trip to Landmark Theatres is just about inevitable — precious few other places feature as wide a range of independent and arthouse movies. In Washington, this means either making a pilgrimage to E Street Cinema or Bethesda Row Cinema to catch the latest Terrence Malick film or brush up on Lars von Trier’s filmography.

Of the two, E Street often showcases more of these films earlier, as well as screening an eclectic selection of classic films (think Zombie or Taxi Driver) almost every week.

All of this suggests the presence of a personality or a passionate, mad-hatter theater owner, right? It’s easy to make that assumption if you only visit one Landmark theater.

Visit more than one, and you’ll learn the truth: those quirky posters of Run Lola Run or Life is Beautiful? That tastefully subdued modern decor? The well-stocked concessions stand with decent coffee and absurdly expensive smoothies? They’re in every Landmark theater.

Landmark Theatres is just as shamelessly cookie-cutter as AMC Theaters or Regal Cinemas, except more pretentious.

Forget about that slightly depressing revelation and you’ll find a competent or even pretty good cinema. E Street’s concession stand, like ever y other Landmark Theatres concession stand, offers a good range of junk food (e.g. Sour Patch Kids) and classy junk food (e.g. Ghirardelli chocolates).

Problematically, the theater management will happily charge an arm and a leg and then gouge your eyes out for the admittedly tasty, freshly popped popcorn, but that’s to be expected these days.

The auditoriums, while not quite as expansive as your typical AMC or Regal theater, offer good viewing angles and clean and comfortable seats. As it is an arthouse theater, E Street still maintains several old-school 35mm projectors.

A few of the more high-profile arthouse releases will be shown on a digital projector, but the vast majority of their screenings are still shown on film. While the projectionists typically do good work, the sound systems in the theaters are a bit lacking. Louder movies blow out the speakers, and the fidelity on quieter films leaves a bit to be desired.

But these are mostly nitpicks against a good — if uninspired — movie theater. E Street will satisfy that obscure movie itch you may have, but look elsewhere for a thriving film community.

— Warren Zhang ADDITIONAL INFO: Tickets: Regular - $11, Matinee - $8, Student - $9 Popcorn: Small - $5.50, Medium - $6.50, Large - $7.50 Fountain drinks: Small - $4.25, Medium - $4.50, Large - $4.75 Transportation: Within walking distance of Metro Center and Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro stations. Parking available nearby, offered at $11 for three hours for moviegoers with parking validation.

Simon Pegg has a major role in Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol, which comes out Dec. 21.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ACESHOWBIZ.COM

THE NEXT ACTION STAR?

BY JOSHUA AXELROD For The Diamondback

Apparently, all it took was one phone call from J.J. Abrams to whip Simon Pegg (Paul) into action — literally. Abrams had big plans for Pegg’s return as IMF (Impossible Missions Force) technician Benji Dunn in Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol, which comes out Dec. 21.

“J.J. phoned me and said, ‘What do you think of Benji being a fully paid-up member of the IMF mission team?’” said the 41-year-old Brit. “Anytime J.J. calls me I’m like, ‘What do you want? Where do you need me?’ I always know it’s going to be a fun job no matter what it is.”

The job this time required making the physical transformation from nerdy tech guy to full-fledged IMF agent.

“He’s no longer handcuffed to his computer in the lab,” Pegg said. “He’s now out in the field doing missions and stuff. In MI3, I’m pretty hairy and doughy. In this film I had to look like I was a bit of a lean, mean killing machine.”

Pegg had to wield guns in Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, but Ghost Protocol entailed more intense fighting and weapons training. Pegg was thrilled that he was able to get in shape and lose some weight, though his methods were a bit unorthodox.

“In terms of research, I went undercover in Moscow for several weeks and cracked a ring of nuclear terrorists,” Pegg deadpanned.

That must have been relatively terrifying, though Pegg probably received more of an adrenaline rush when he first learned

Simon Pegg talks Mission Impossible, The Adventures of Tintin and being a ‘lean, mean killing machine’ he would be working with Peter Jackson and Steven Spielberg on The Adventures of Tintin, which hits theaters the same day as Ghost Protocol.

“I never lose sight of what it means to work with these people and to be a part of their projects, and I think you learn to moderate your behavior,” he said of working with the legendary directors. “You behave like a normal human being.

Then when you leave the room, you jump up and down

and scream.”

Pegg easily pinpointed his favorite moment on the set of Tintin, probably because it directly involved Spielberg. “[Nick Frost and I] did a particularly good take one day, and Steven was so pleased with us, he did a little dance,” Pegg described. “To make one of your heroes so happy that he performs a small dance is quite a wonderful thing.” diversions@umdbk.com

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

Classified CALL

CLASSIFIED DISPLAY ADS

RATES

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

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

OFFICE HOURS

DEADLINES

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

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

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

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

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

EMPLOYMENT

FOR RENT

FOR RENT

FOR RENT

VETERINARY ASSISTANT – Silver Spring, MD. Nights and weekends. 301-439-9444.

ROOM FOR RENT. Located at 8307 Potomac Ave., College Park. Available now.

Close walk to campus. $500/month. CALL 301-509-7874.

Fantastic house – 1 block from campus. 5 month rental available. $3000/month. Available January 1st. (Will rent by room.) Dr. Kruger: 301-408-4801.

HOUSES FOR RENT – Dartmouth Ave., Guilford Place, 37th Avenue. Close to campus.

Available August 2012.

Bill: 443-745-7090; wrp@mris.com.

Looking for Housing in Spring ‘12?

Rooms available NOW at the University View! Discounts up to $2000 off. Amenities include 24 hour community patrol, pool and campus views, fitness center, Wifi, high speed internet, washer and dryer in every unit, business centers, and more. Text uview to 47464 for more information! Call 301-220-0951 now to lease!

Part-Time Position Available On Campus; Flexible schedule; 10–15 hours per week. Training provided.

Start date: 1/9/12. Email resume & class schedule to advertising@dbk.umd.edu STUDENTPAYOUTS.COM. Paid survey takers needed in College Park. 100% free to join! Click on surveys.

Earn $1000-$3200/month to drive our brand new cars with ads. www.FreeCarJobs.com.

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

Training available.

1-800-965-6520 x116.

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

MOVIE EXTRAS to stand in background for a major film. Earn up to $300/day. Experience not required. All looks needed.

877-457-1390.

3 BEDROOM HOUSE near campus.

Washer, dryer, refrigerator, heat, electric, and central air included. Immediate move in condition. $1695/month.

Pets ok.

248-219-5736.

4 SINGLE BEDROOMS available Spring 2012 at former TEP Fraternity House (College Ave. + Princeton Ave.), 2 blocks off campus, right by restaurants and nightlife. $650 a month including utilities, internet, cable, and maid service. Groups welcome. Call Eugene at 443-255-8104 or e-mail tepmanagement@gmail.com.

Houses for rent. Norwich Road behind Frat Row: 6 bedroom $4700. Available August 1, 2012. 37th and 38th Avenue: 7 bedroom $3000. Available now and August 1, 2012. chsrentals@hughes.net or 717-830-0869.

Best Rental Deal!

You can’t beat the price! Room for rent in 2 BR APT in University View, $790/month. Apt. to yourself. Utilities included. Contact 435-881-5199 or IMAGINEBLUEBIRD@YAHOO.COM.

Look No Further...

Branching Out A Student’s Guide to Off-Campus Housing is available in the Office of Off-Campus Housing in Stamp WALK TO CAMPUS. 7506 Dickinson Avenue.

5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms.

Washer/dryer, dishwasher. Available for rent Jan. 15, 2012. Call 301-699-1863 or go to dunnrentals.com.

ROOMMATES 3-bedroom, mature female house has opening. Close, shuttle front door. $385/mo.

703-509-7508.

SERVICES THESIS EDITING — Dissertations, papers.

Style manual experts. Wordprocessing.

301-474-6000. www.CompuMediaUSA.com/academic

GOT EXTRA STUFF? THE DIAMONDBACK CLASSIFIEDS ARE THE PERFECT PLACE TO SELL YOUR EXTRA STUFF. CALL 301-314-8000 MON.-FRI. 9:30 A.M.-4:30 P.M. TO PLACE YOUR AD WITH YOUR CREDIT CARD.

BY FAX: 301-314-8358

SERVICES

MISCELLANEOUS

FAX SERVICE

Enter to Win Over $200 in Prizes

Send / Receive Local / Long-Distance

in The Diamondback’s Reader’s Choice www.surveymonkey.com/ s/7VPMNZC

THE DIAMONDBACK

(international not available)

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

FAMILY OF THREE SEEKING TO ADOPT Happily married couple with a 14 yr. old adopted daughter wishes to expand family with a newborn. We will provide a stable, warm home filled with happiness & endless love. Please contact Matt & Laura at 443-664-2795 or adoption_4us@yahoo.com.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2011 | NEWS | THE DIAMONDBACK

7

County asks developers to revise Book Exchange proposal Prince George’s planning board officials say six-story building proposal violates Sector Plan; council to revisit issue

BY JIM BACH Staff writer

Plans to develop an apartment complex above the Maryland Book Exchange were put on hold after members of the Prince George’s County Planning Board asked the developer to make revisions to its detailed site plan at a meeting Thursday.

At the six-hour meeting, county and College Park officials gathered with city residents to determine the fate of the Maryland Book Exchange project — a contentious plan that city council members opposed at an Oct. 11 meeting. County officials said the developers would need to revise the site plan to address concerns about the site’s architecture and to comply with the Route 1 Sector Plan, a detailed plan created last June outlining the vision for the city’s future.

The current plan — which would add an additional 1,000 beds off-campus — does not comply with the standards of the sector plan, according to Jill Kosack, a senior planner for the county’s planning department, because the six-story building faces a residential neighborhood on parts of Yale Avenue and College Avenue.

“The expectation is that the applicant will make revisions to the plan that will show a change of height,” said Terry Schum, the city’s planning director.

To conform to the sector

ENERGY from page 1 effects are not completely known.

“Energy drinks tend to have not only caffeine and sugar or some kind of sugar substitute and a whole boatload of B vitamins, but they also throw in all these arcane plane or herbal extracts,” said sociologist Kathleen Miller, who researches energy drink use at the University at Buffalo. “We have really no idea how they interact with each other.”

The additive guarana, often found in “caffeine-free” energy drinks, is concerning to health professionals because it actually contains caffeine that is undocumented on nutrition labels.

According to a study in the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics published in earlier this year, a gram of guarana can contain anywhere from 40 to 80 milligrams of caffeine, but manufacturers are not required to list its caffeine content.

Officially, energy drinks tend to have between 70 and 80 mg of caffeine per serving. Red Bull, for example, has 80 mg of caffeine per 8.5-ounce can. By comparison, a cup of coffee typically has between 65 and 120 mg of caffeine. One energy “shot,” 5150 Energy, contains

plan’s standards, the developer must employ a step-back transition to the planned design. This transition requires new development to scale back structures so the side of the building facing residential neighborhoods does not exceed two to three stories, as opposed to the proposed six stories of the current proposal.

Michele La Rocca, the attorney for the project, said the developers will revise the plan in time for a Jan. 3 city council work session and will vote on the new plan at a Jan. 10 meeting. The county planning board will hold a meeting Jan. 19 to review the new plan; however, the fate of the project ultimately lies in county council members’ hands, who will officially vote on the proposal at a later date.

While La Rocca said the project’s developers are currently in the process of making these changes, she said it appears the county planning board is in favor of adding the apartments to the area.

“We were very pleased with the planning board’s support of the project,” La Rocca said.

At an Oct. 11 city council meeting, city residents expressed concerns about the use and the architecture of the proposed site plan for the project, fearing it would invite more unruly student behavior into the neighboring residential community, and the six-story structure would be an eyesore to the area.

500 mg of caffeine per oneounce bottle.

“Our big concern is that people tend to drink [energy drinks] really fast, so they’re getting a concentrated amount of caffeine in a very short period of time. It’s a little bit of a shock to the system,” said campus dietician Jane Jakubczak.

“That can be hard on the heart and on your blood pressure. ...

It’s a stimulant, so it revs up those things very quickly.”

Jakubczak said coffee is usually a safer way to get a caffeine fix because people tend to sip it rather than chug it. She also said many people “over-drink” energy drinks, particularly those that contain more than one serving per container.

Athas also recommended eating protein-rich foods such as tuna fish, because protein suppresses seratonin, making you more alert. Athas said to stay away from carbohydrates, which make you sleepy.

Both said the best way to feel awake is not caffeine at all — Jakubczak said students frequently miss out on the two basic sources of energy: sufficient sleep and nutritious food.

Jakubczak said she is amazed at the number of students who go all day without eating because they are too busy with classes and activities.

“If you’re not giving yourself

At a meeting Thursday, county planning board officials asked the developers of a proposal to build apartments above the Maryland Book Exchange to change their site plan. County and city officials will discuss the new plan in January. FILE PHOTO/THE DIAMONDBACK

The city council voted 6-1-1 against supporting the developer’s plan.

“There was real concern with the density and how it didn’t really fit into the character of the neighborhood around it,” said District 1 Councilman Patrick Wojahn. “Having a six-story building that backs up into a residential neighborhood of single family homes, a lot of us in the council weren’t comfortable with that.”

However, Schum said the city’s main concerns differed from those of its residents. Many city officials were primarily against the structure itself and not the concept to bring mixeduse retail and student housing to the corridor.

“It wasn’t the use, it wasn’t traffic,” she said. “It was really not meeting the standards in regard to architecture form.”

La Rocca said concerns of rowdy student behavior and loud

sleep, and you’re not giving yourself good food, then you have to rely on something, and that’s when people have to rely really heavily on caffeine to keep them going,” she said.

Junior bioengineering major Michi Shank said she drinks about 10 energy drinks a week — about two per day — because they help her stay focused in class and when she is studying.

“If I’m really tired and don’t have an energy drink then I’m focusing on staying awake,” she said. “I’ll write stuff down but not necessarily understand what I’m writing.”

Miller said it’s this chemically fueled lifestyle that makes college students the ideal market for the energy drink industry, which has grown into a multibillion-dollar industry since Red Bull was introduced to the U.S. from Austria in 1997. Dining Services reported selling 30,543 energy drinks and shots in its convenience stores last semester, with peaks during midterms and final exams.

“College students tend to be sensation seekers,” Miller said.

“They tend to be very responsive to themes in the advertising that emphasize excitement, and being extreme, and rebellion, and defiance and living your life on the edge.”

parties are inevitable — adding this apartment complex won’t drastically change the noise level.

“We don’t see any connection between putting student housing in that location and the number of students partying in that neighborhood,” she said.

Former District 2 Councilman Jack Perry said in an interview last month that the current bookstore “looks like hell,” and said he disagrees with residents’ sentiments about the neighboring

community.

Some students said adding more housing downtown will not produce negative consequences.

“I don’t think it’s going to change the dynamic between the students and the College Park residents,” said sophomore chemical engineering major Poorna Natarajan. “There are already a lot of students in the Route 1 area.” bach@umdbk.com

HOVERCRAFTS TAKE OFF

Hundreds of engineering freshmen participate in the school’s annual hovercraft competition held yesterday in the Kim engineering building. In ENES 100: Introduction to Engineering Design, students work throughout the semester to build handmade hovercrafts and are required to navigate the devices around a track for their final. CHELSEA DIRECTOR/THE DIAMONDBACK

news@umdbk.com

SPORTS

FOOTBALL

The year that couldn’t get worse finds a way JEREMY SCHNEIDER

R

Coach Randy Edsall’s first year has so far included 10 losses, widespread dissatisfaction and significant offseason turnover. FILE PHOTO/THE DIAMONDBACK

andy Edsall’s first year as Terrapins football coach was pretty much the season from hell. Just about everything that could go wrong did go wrong. From blowouts to late-game collapses, with plenty of suspensions and injuries and “Fire Randy Edsall!” fodder in between, the comedy of errors from September to November just never stopped.

Come December, we now have the offseason from hell.

Let’s review what we’ve seen since the Terps’ historic collapse against N.C. State. Players transferring?

Check. Players getting arrested? Yup. Assistants’ job statuses being questioned, but having contracts too large to buy out? Got that, too. Even though the football games have stopped, the nightmare continues.

So, you might ask, how do you fix this? Say good riddance to the players leaving the program? Cut the players running afoul of the law? Fire the coaches at the helm of the worst season in program history?

If only it were that easy.

These are deep-rooted problems that aren’t going to be fixed in a single offseason. Frankly, it’s safe to wonder

whether they’ll be fixed at all.

Transfers are to be expected whenever you change coaches, and they’re usually manageable. But Edsall’s military-man approach alienated periphery players as much as it did some of the program’s most talented “young men.”

In a move that surprised no one, D.J. Adams announced his intention to transfer. The controversial running back had the class to wish Edsall and the program luck in a statement.

Meanwhile, we’re still waiting for Edsall’s thoughts on losing the most talented tailback the team had after Davin Meggett. Heck, we’re still waiting to hear why Adams was benched for most of the year.

Offensive tackle R.J. Dill — a starter and one of the team’s best linemen — is transferring, too. Not only does it hurt the team from a football standpoint in the short run, but it also begs the questions: Who else is leaving, and who is going to come to College Park now?

Edsall’s reputation precedes him.

Maybe he just needed to rid the program of some bad apples. But at this rate, the orchard is going to be pretty bare. What high school player wants to come here when he sees players running from College Park?

But maybe the players aren’t the problem. Maybe it’s actually the coaches. Edsall originally hired Todd Bradford to be the linebackers coach but made him defensive coordinator and now pays him $350,000 a year.

Gary Crowton, the offensive coordi-

nator who LSU couldn’t wait to get rid of, gets $500,000.

(Oh, yeah, and he was openly stumping for the Colorado State head coaching gig. It’s generally a bad sign when Gary Crowton is the one trying to get out of a situation, not the other way around.)

Even if you don’t question the Edsall hiring, it’s almost impossible not to wonder about the logic behind these contracts. None of these guys are dominant coordinators or big names.

There’s no reason they should have gotten such big deals. What leverage could Edsall have had in those deals?

What was he going to do, go back to Connecticut?

The only way these assistants go anywhere is if Edsall receives the vacant Jacksonville Jaguars coaching job. Some consider him a candidate, and if he leaves, the contracts will be voided.

So strap in for what might just be the worst offseason College Park has ever seen. More players will leave, yet the coaches probably aren’t going anywhere. We might be treated to a football team next year that has C.J. Brown as the unquestioned starting quarterback, a makeshift offensive line and Justus Pickett as the team’s No. 1 and No. 2 running back.

How can this offseason get any better? Well, maybe the Jaguars are interested in going from good to great. schneider@umdbk.com

8

THE DIAMONDBACK | TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2011

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2011 | SPORTS | THE DIAMONDBACK

PANKEY from page 11 game, the forward has played at least 17 minutes in each of the Terps’ games. He scored 13 against UNC Wilmington to open the season and has eclipsed double digits in rebounds twice.

Before the season, Turgeon raved about Pankey’s rebounding ability, calling him the best on the team. He started the team’s first four games before Turgeon decided to pair center Berend Weijs with Padgett instead.

But for Pankey even to be playing a role in the rotation is a positive sign. Despite coming to College Park alongside guards Pe’Shon Howard, Terrell Stoglin and Mychal Parker in 2010, Pankey is technically a redshirt freshman after sitting out last year with a medical hardship waiver.

He played three minutes in last year’s season opener before learning his shin splits had worsened: He had a hairline fracture in his left leg that required surgery. After sitting out his senior season in high school, Pankey again found himself on the sidelines.

“It’s been rough,” Pankey said at the team’s media day in October. “I’m used to playing.

I’m not used to being hurt. A lot of people think I’ve gotten a lot of injuries throughout my career, but I haven’t.”

But for the first time in years, Pankey is pain free.

“I think it was a blessing in disguise, really,” Pankey said a week ago. “I’ve been out for two years and now I’m getting major minutes. That doesn’t happen everyday. I’m just thankful for the opportunity, and I’m trying to go out there

9

“It’s been rough.

I’m used to playing. I’m not used to being hurt. A lot of people think I’ve gotten a lot of injuries throughout my career, but I haven’t.”

ASHTON PANKEY TERRAPINS MEN’S BASKETBALL FORWARD

and play hard.”

The next five games provide one last chance for Pankey, and the rest of the Terps, to fine-tune their play before facing some of the elite big men in the country during conference play.

After tomorrow night’s nationally televised matchup with FIU, Turgeon and the Terps face Radford, Albany, Samford and Cornell at home before launching into conference play.

There are going to be growing pains, as Pankey showed in his benching and the Terps showed in their second-half meltdown against Mount St. Mar y’s. So this last nonconference stretch of home games will be vital as the Terps begin to welcome back Howard and freshman center Alex Len to the rotation.

“We’re trying to implement a lot of things and it takes a lot of time,” Turgeon said. “It just takes time.” ceckard@umdbk.com

Forward Ashton Pankey and the Terps face Florida International tomorrow at Comcast Center.

CHARLIE DEBOYACE/THE DIAMONDBACK

10

THE DIAMONDBACK | SPORTS | TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2011

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Terps’ frontcourt leaving opponents behind in wins Team has dominated nonconference foes this season

BY JOSH VITALE Staff writer

Forward Tianna Hawkins, center, finished with 11 rebounds in the Terps’ win Sunday against George Mason. The Terps outrebounded the Patriots, 59-33. JEREMY KIM/THE DIAMONDBACK

Your car just died? Cost too much to fix?

Look for a new one in

The Diamondback Classifieds Call 314-8000 for advertising information

The way the Terrapins women’s basketball team has won each of its first 11 games this season is not an exact science.

The Terps have beaten teams with their defense. They’ve shot opponents out of the gym.

They’ve neutralized star scorers, as evidenced by the 1-for-12 shooting effort of Georgetown’s Sugar Rodgers in a Nov. 13 Terps victory.

But whether the team wins with a stifling defense or an explosive offense, one thing has remained constant in each of its victories: the play of a dominant frontcourt.

With an impressive quartet of talents playing significant minutes in the paint for the Terps, the team’s frontcourt has been almost unstoppable this season.

That was never more obvious than in their past two contests, as the No. 5 Terps outrebounded their opponents by a combined 51 and outscored them 108-18 in the paint in routs of Delaware State and George Mason on Thursday and Sunday, respectively.

“We want to be dominant in [areas] where we can excel,” coach Brenda Frese said last week. “And that’s rebounding; do what we do best. I think when you do that, everything else takes care of itself.”

Led by forwards Alyssa Thomas and Tianna Hawkins and centers Alicia DeVaughn and Lynetta Kizer, the Terps have been a matchup nightmare in the post. Opposing defenses have yet to find an answer to the Terps’ inside height, length and

WWW.TARATHAI.COM 301-277-7888

Mention this ad, get a Free Soda with purchase of any Entree

v APARTMENTS

Didn’t Find What You’re Looking For? Check Out collegeparkhousing.org

v HEALTH/RECREATION

Physical Therapy on Campus PHYSICAL THERAPY • SPORTS MEDICINE 4321 Hartwick Rd. • College Park, MD

301-277-6616 Call now for your appointment!

www.prosportscare.com

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

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

WWW.SKYDIVEORANGE.COM

v RELIGION

CHURCH OF CHRIST University Park • 6420 Adelphi Road 301-927-7277 www.upcoc.com

5501 BALTIMORE ALTIMORE AVE VE. HYATTSVILLE YATTSVILLE, MD 20781

BOARD GAME The Terps are a cut above this year when it comes to rebounding margin, in which they lead the nation.

1. Terps: 20.6 2. Stanford: 18.6 3. California: 18.4 4. Texas Tech: 18.3 5. Syracuse: 15.2 6. Liberty: 15.1 7. Baylor: 14.2 8. Connecticut: 12.6 9. N.C. State: 12.5 10. West Virginia: 11.9

athleticism, which has allowed the Terps to assert their authority on the glass.

The four players average a combined 30 rebounds per game and play a big part in the Terps’ prowess on the boards.

Including reserve bigs Whitney Bays and Essence Townsend and the rest of the squad, the Terps average better than 47 rebounds per game.

Their 20.6 rebounding-margin average is the best in the nation — the next best is 18.6 — and is about eight more than their season-ending number from last season.

“We feel like with what we have inside we can expose them,” Frese said after Sunday’s win against the Patriots, in which the Terps totaled a season-high 59 rebounds. “They

did a tremendous job on the glass, and that’s something we pride ourselves in.”

Inside scoring has also been instrumental to the Terps’ success thus far. The team has outscored every opponent this season by at least eight points in the paint, including a season-high 56 on Thursday against the Hornets.

Overall, the Terps win the battle in the paint by an average of more than 20 points per game.

“The scariest thing in basketball is a really talented team that understands their identity, and [the Terps] are perfect at it,” George Mason coach Jeri Porter said Sunday. “That’s a top-ranked team that understands [its] identity is in rebounding and in transition, and they do it to perfection.”

Frese has said early and often this season that the Terps will go as far as their guards — not their forwards — take them, and their backcourt has been successful in its own right. But with as steady as the team’s frontcourt has been, Frese has reason to expect continued strong play under the basket when ACC play begins next month.

“I’m excited to start seeing how we match up in our conference play coming up,” Frese said. “[Especially] against athleticism and at times when you’re going to be matched in terms of execution on the offensive end and defensively.” vitale@umdbk.com

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2011 | THE DIAMONDBACK

11

Sports

Check out our finals edition Need something to distract you from your hours of exams and studying? Make sure to grab the semester’s finals edition when it hits newsstands this Thursday.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

For Terps’ Pankey, returning to action isn’t exactly new After sitting out last year with injury and much of win vs. Notre Dame, freshman forward responds vs. MSM

BY CHRIS ECKARD Senior staff writer

From the bench, Ashton Pankey watched as three walk-ons jogged past him and onto the court at Verizon Center. The redshirt freshman was stuck there more than a week ago, seated almost endlessly in his warm-ups as the Terrapins men’s basketball team eked out a 78-71 win against Notre Dame.

Calling it a coach’s decision, Mark Turgeon essentially banished one of his lone frontcourt players to the bench in the breakthrough victory. So when Pankey returned to the court three days later against Mount St. Mary’s, he had a small chip on his shoulder.

The forward used it as motivation and played one of the best games of his career, helping the Terps escape an improbable upset bid. The Bronx, N.Y., native finished with 13 points and five rebounds in the win against the Mountaineers.

With a game against Florida International (3-6) on tap for tomorrow night, Pankey’s return to Turgeon’s good graces and his continual development this season will only bode well for the Terps (5-3) entering winter break.

“It felt great,” Pankey said after the Mount St. Mar y’s win last Wednesday. “Last game was a little setback, but I had a meeting with Coach and he told [me] all the things I need to do to be a

better player and a better teammate. I think I did a pretty good job tonight.”

Neither Turgeon nor Pankey elaborated on the reason for the benching, but both spoke positively of last Tuesday’s one-on-one meeting.

“I was pleased,” Turgeon said. “Pankey stepped up.”

“It motivated him,” forward James Padgett said. “It showed that he had to get his head right and that he had to come out and be ready at all times and do what Coach asked. I’m glad he was able to get the confidence back. It just helps the team all around when there are two people in the post that can score.”

Aside from the Notre Dame

see PANKEY, page 10

Forward Ashton Pankey played in only one game last year before undergoing season-ending leg surgery. He is considered a redshirt freshman this year. CHARLIE DEBOYACE/THE DIAMONDBACK

THE ORENBERG LAW FIRM, P.C.

OPEN 24 HOURS ALL FINALS WEEK

ALLEN H. ORENBERG - Class of 1977 - College Park • 29 Years Experience in State & Federal Courts • Criminal Defense & Appeals • DWI - DUI - MVA Hearings - Underage Drinking

WashingtonDeluxe.com FREE WI-FI!

301-614-9663

DAILY BUSES

YOUR LAST CHANCE BEFORE BREAK!

$1 OFF 2 ZONES

TO

$3 OFF 3 ZONES

Don’t forget our Weekly Tuesday Special

Buy 2 Zones – Get 1 Free dpdoughonline.com • 8145 J Baltimore Ave

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

“

NYC

”

– The Washington Post

Book online or call: 866-287-6932

Transportation by Q.T.Transport, MC #453103, DOT #1096690

FREE CLASSIFIEDS Run your classified for 4 consecutive days and receive the 5th day

FREE! Call (301) 314-8000 for more information.

Today’s Hair 4437 Lehigh Road 301-277-4861

$1 2 OFF Off

$ Any $5Service Purchase Any

Offer Onecoupon coupon party.

OfferDetails: Details: One perper person.

Coupon altered.

Coupon void void ifif altered.

12

THE DIAMONDBACK | TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2011