December 13, 2012

FINALS EDITION

DIVERSIONS

STAYING COMMITTED

Allen, Turgeon’s first commitment, stands out p. 16

OPINION

2012 brought some superb music and movies p. 6

McMillen, Kirwan face off on university’s Big Ten move p. 4

The University of Maryland’s Independent Student Newspaper

ISSUE NO. 71

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103rd Year of Publication

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TOMORROW 40S / Sunny

ThursDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

FISCAL CLIFF BREAKDOWN $400 B

SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

$300 B

$200 B

380 B 100 B

$100 B

30 B 30 B 5B

Tax Increases Spending Cuts Other Cuts Medicare Cuts

Defense Cuts

Fiscal cliff would hurt students

an ongoing battle for equality Activists now looking toward protection from gender identity discrimination

By Jenny Hottle Staff writer

Drawbacks include few job opportunities

O’Malley signs same-sex bill

By Jim Bach Senior staff writer

MAY 29, 2012

Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill may be playing out 2011’s infamous budget negotiations once again, but without a budget compromise in the coming weeks, the nation’s economy could be gearing up for a tailspin.

President Obama and Congress are mulling over possible solutions to the nation’s climbing debt woes with the ax of across-the-board federal cuts hanging over their heads. Without a budget deal, sweeping, indiscriminate cuts — known as sequestration — will go into effect, plunging the economy back into recession by many estimates. With a divided Congress presenting vastly different visions of how to craft the budget, nobody knows what to expect.

This unclear budget picture is an unwelcome reality for students who, after graduation, will be navigating the job market at a time when businesses are still dragging their feet.

Even though higher education has been a top priority for the Obama administration, and probably won’t be subject to any deep cuts when Congress does make a move on serious budget negotiations, federal aid and student loans may take a hit, said S. Anthony McCann, a professor in the public

A

MARCH 1, 2012

Opponents announce they have required number of signatures for referendum SEPT. 12, 2012

SGA supports same-sex marriage

OCT. 10, 2012

University Senate supports same-sex marriage OCT. 11, 2012

More than 200 students rally for marriage equality on campus

NOV. 6, 2012

s a transgender student working at a children’s summer camp, Mykell Hatcher-McLarin refused to disclose his identity, fearing he would lose his job if parents perceived him as a risk to their children.

The junior sociology major often worries he could be denied housing or health care one day, just for choosing to express his identity.

But Hatcher-McLarin believes a time when the law offers protection from gender identity discrimination may be on the horizon — as long as state and local advocates can maintain their momentum from upholding same-sex marriage in the state. While the Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination Act failed to pass in the state General Assembly last year, members of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender groups on the campus said they will turn their attention to this year’s push when they return to the campus.

The act, which would prohibit discrimination against transgender people in employment, housing and credit, was overshadowed by the same-sex marriage bill when it was introduced to the 2011 legislative session, said Sharon Brackett, board chair of Gender Rights Maryland. Thirteen states and Washington have passed such anti-discrimination bills, and this state extended by executive order its antidiscrimination law for government employees to include gender identity in 2007.

While the state House of Delegates passed the 2011 bill, and advocates and supporters believed they had the votes to pass it, Brackett said, it failed in the Senate.

State voters uphold Question 6

See EQUALITY, Page 2

file photos/the diamondback. illustration by chris allen/the diamondback

Conf. change nothing unseen History could help predict univ.’s future

By Laura Blasey Senior staff writer Students, fans and alumni were shocked when they found out the university was moving to the Big Ten — but it’s nothing the world of college athletics hasn’t seen before.

And experts say past moves provide clues as to how the politics, money and lawsuit could play out.

Conference realignment happens frequently and tends to come in waves — one school will move, setting off a ripple effect and paving the way for other schools to move. But experts say what guides that long list of transfers is telling of what shape this recent wave will take — and what lies in store for the future of the university.

“In my opinion, I think there’s going to be just a handful of superconferences,” said sports lawyer Bradley Shear.

The university’s move to the revenue-sharing conference won’t be without its battles — the ACC is suing the university and the Board of Regents to ensure the university pays the full $50 million exit fee. Loh, however, has said he is confident he can negotiate an alternative fee, calling the ACC’s standing one punitive and “illegal.”

Loh and Florida State President Eric Barron were the only two dissenting votes against hiking the fee from $20 million to $50 million in September.

Moves are always driven by money, Shear said, but one of the most prominent trends is schools looking to move to the conferences with the best contracts, such as the Pac-12, Big Ten and SEC, which offer a tempting promise of greater exposure and more football and basketball revenue.

See CLIFF, Page 10

See CONFERENCE, Page 2

Election shows state, univ. favoring liberal tendencies

Loh only looking to future now

Voters upheld popular Democratic initiatives

By Alex Kirshner Staff writer

By Quinn Kelley Senior staff writer Wallace Loh hardly worries about his popularity when it comes to the university’s future.

It’s why in the university president’s 773 days in office, some of his decisions have prompted people to call him crazy.

It’s why he thinks 20 years down the line, not in the present. And it’s why he’s been unafraid to change the course of the university’s future.

INDEX

university president Wallace loh’s presidency has been defined by more monumental decisions than many of his predecessors’, administrators say. He said he looks decades down the line when making decisions. file photo/the diamondback Faculty, staff, students and alumni can’t always see the immediate impact of some of his decisions — including his most contentious one thus far, deciding the university would leave the ACC

after nearly 60 years and join the Big Ten — leaving many openly questioning his leadership. But Loh has made those

NEWS 2 OPINION 4 FEATURES 5 DIVERSIONS 6 CLASSIFIED 6 SPORTS 16

See LOH, Page 10

Last month’s heated presidential election battle and current fiscal cliff negotiations on Capitol Hill show most of America is as closely divided as ever along partisan lines.

But in this state, it’s perfectly clear what direction voters are moving in.

Electorally, the state has become one of the nation’s most liberal. And if election results mean anything, this campus is even more liberal than the rest of the state.

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“Especially in recent years, I think the polarization of the parties has done nothing but help steer college students toward the Democratic Party,” said Tyler Grote, president of College Democrats at this university.

On Nov. 6, this state voted in favor of two initiatives popular with liberals: legalizing same-sex marriage and offering in-state tuition rates to undocumented immigrants who meet a set of requirements. In eight races for House seats, Marylanders elected seven

For breaking news, alerts and more, follow us on Twitter @thedbk

See LIBERAL, Page 9

© 2012 THE DIAMONDBACK

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THE DIAMONDBACK | news | thursday, december 13, 2012

CONFERENCE

EQUALity

From PAGE 1

From PAGE 1

Each of the Big Ten’s members — except Nebraska, which just joined last year — received more than $24 million from the conference this past fi scal year, Commissioner Jim Delany said. Each of the ACC’s schools makes $17 million per year from its contract with ESPN. “They’re strong not only because of their members, but because of their media money, their television contracts, and that’s where most of the conferences derive the overwhelming majority of their income from,” Shear said. “That, to me, is what the overriding decision why Maryland went to the Big Ten [was].”

It’s this motivation that has caused some conferences, such as the Big East, to shrink and others, including the ACC and Big Ten, to feature 14, 15 or even 16 schools.

The Big East has lost seven of its once-20 members to other conferences. Of the schools that left, most have been major players in the college sports arena, includ i ng Sy racuse, M ia m i, Rutgers, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Notre Dame, and have gone on to the ACC, Big 12 or Big Ten — conferences known for their strong media presence.

Additionally, the Big East has had issues w ith stable leadership. Boston College and Miami were sued by the Big East’s “football schools” in 2003 for conspiring to undermine the conference. The University of Connecticut is rumored to be eyeing an exit from the conference and many have speculated the decline of the Big East is why both Louisville and Rutgers ran for the ACC and Big Ten, respectively.

“When your programs are doing well, and when they’re doing very poorly, you always want to look where the grass is always greener,” Shear said.

The ACC’s presidents said in a statement no other schools were leaving the conference and any speculation to the contrary was “totally false.” But Shear said Florida State may be the next to leave. Between Barron opposing the fee and the school’s improving football program, other conferences may come beckoning.

It l i kely depends, Shea r said, on how the legal dispute between the ACC and the university plays out.

University System of Maryland and university officials declined to comment on the case because it is ongoing. History, however, suggests the ACC suit against the university will most likely be resolved out of court relatively soon.

Lawsuits and conference shifts seem to go hand-inhand. When a school enters a conference, there are contractual obligations. The school agrees to be a part of that conference for a given period of time, and if they choose to exit the conference before the contract expires, they must follow the exit procedure.

Despite what the contracts say, however, exit procedures are rarely followed to their full extent, which is when lawsuits arise, Shear said.

Nebraska, Colorado, Missouri and Texas A&M all negotiated lower exit fees when moving conferences in the past few years. Syracuse and Pittsburgh both paid higher exit fees to leave the Big East before the conference’s mandated 27month exit period, while West Virginia was able to leave the conference immediately.

Shea r sa id the two most common motivations behind these lawsuits are breach of contract and tortious interference, which is when a third party interferes with or helps break a contract, usually fi led against the new conference.

Shear said it’s usually not in the interest of either the conference or the school to draw out the lawsuit. When both parties are looking to sever ties, paying lawyers to negotiate for years seems counterproductive, which is why “an

“[Marriage equality] was down our list quite a ways,” Brackett said. “It’s good you can get married, but not if you can’t get a job.”

Some transgender groups also opposed the wording of the state’s bill because it wo u l d n o t h ave p rohibited discrimination in “public accommodations,” which include public situations such as riding a bus or passing through airport security, said Brackett.

“T ra nsgender issues aren’t really things that people think about,” said Zachary Mellen, a junior G erm a n a nd jou rn a l ism major. “A ntidiscrimination got pushed under the rug — it really shows how much antidiscrimination needs to be more publicized.

There aren’t a lot of people who know about it.”

Some advocates said they worry legislators will feel less pressure to support the act given the recent passing o f s a m e-s e x m a r r i a ge .

Instead, they may wish to focus their efforts on other com mu n ities, sa id Matt Arnstine, Student Government Affairs communications director.

“It will be interesting to see how the same-sex marriage bill adds pressure for them to protect transgender individuals, or if it will actually release pressure,” Arnstine said. “There’s been a lot of coverage of the state Senate leader not supporting the [transgender protection] bill, so we will be curious to see if Mike Miller allows it up for vote.”

However, state voters have sent the message that they are sympathetic to the LGBT community by voting samesex marriage into law, said

athletic director kevin anderson and university President Wallace Loh have said the move to the Big Ten will have numerous economic benefits for the university. file photo/the diamondback overwhelming majority” of conference-related lawsuits are quietly settled out of court.

“Usually what you do is take a look at similar situations and map or model a settlement based on prior examples,” Shear said. “At the end of the day, I think the University of Maryland and the ACC will come to some kind of mutual agreement to part ways in a manner that is as beneficial as possible so both sides can save face.”

It’s not so much a question of whether Maryland will pay an exit fee. It’s how much, and that will likely end up being between the ACC’s mandated $50 million and the pre-September $20 million exit fee.

Historically, schools are usually successful in avoiding the full penalty of exiting their conference.

University officials have said either way, the school can shoulder the full exit fee. While the athletic department’s $80 million debt may seem hefty, officials said the number is mostly loan repayments the university isn’t struggling to make, noting the increased debt will be offset by long-term gains from the conference move.

“Going into the Big Ten, I believe, is the right thing,” finance professor David Kass

told The Diamondback this month. “I th in k that the stature in Maryland would go up dramatically.”

The Board of Regents may also face an additional fine for violating the state’s Open Meetings Act. As a public governing body, the board is required to announce open meetings and request permission to hold a closed meeting. It confidentially met on Nov. 19 to vote on the university’s move to the Big Ten — which was not necessary to make the move — but it is unclear whether the board was in compliance with the law, Shear said.

The fine would be minimal, likely no more than $100, NBC Washington reported, but the board could face a second lawsuit.

This university isn’t the only school to hold negotiations behind closed doors, though.

Syracuse also faced criticism for keeping its conference negotiations opaque — its negotiations to leave the Big East took place over four days in September 2011, stunning many.

“Within the next year or two when the music stops,” Loh said, “would you want to see the University of Maryland with no chair to sit on?” newsumdbk@gmail.com

U.S. Sen. Ben cardin (D) speaks at a marriage equality rally held on the campus in October. The rally was sponsored by several student groups, including the SGA. file photo/the diamondback Hatcher-McLarin.

“They’ve given the image that they’re supportive of the LGBT community and whatever issues they’re having,” he said.

Within the science commu n it y a s wel l, at t it ud e s toward transgender people have shifted — earlier this month, the A merican Psychiatric Association struck “gender identity disorder” from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Instead, transgender people may be diagnosed with “gender dysphoria” if they experience distress related to their gender transitions.

Lack of education remains a challenge, said Mellen, a facilitator in university student group Trans U. Students are working to gain more visibility by holding panels for other groups, and future events are in the works.

This university is already a step above the state, as it boasts a nondiscrimination policy that includes gender identity and expression — a change that went into effect in June. Students and officials said there’s still work to be done to make life for transgender students more comfortable.

The university ranked among the top 25 LGBT-friendly colleges and universities this year, according to national nonprofit organization Campus Pride, receiving the highest possible marks in every area but housing on the organization’s campus climate index.

“We don’t have everything, but we have a lot,” said Luke Jensen, LGBT Equity Center director. He added the university must continue putting effort toward improving living conditions for transgender students, starting with the construction and renovation of bathrooms in academic buildings and residence halls.

The classroom can present other challenges, said HatcherMcLarin. Teachers and students often mix up their pronouns when talking about him.

“There’s a level of comfort I want to have in my classroom that I don’t particularly have, but talking to some teachers has proven effective,” he said. One professor who often mislabeled Hatcher-McLarin now uses the correct pronouns and checks in regularly to see how things are going.

“It’s nice to have that relationship with a teacher,” he said. “It makes class easier.”

Opportunities like the preferred name program — which allows students to be identified on student IDs, class l i sts a nd d i rector ies w it h their preferred names instead of their legal names — have made the transition easier on the campus.

“I’m really impressed with how welcoming the university is,” said Mellen, adding he wasn’t aware of the university’s LGBT resources before coming here. newsumdbk@gmail.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012 | THE DIAMONDBACK

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Opinion

THE DIAMONDBACK | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

YASMEEN ABUTALEB Editor in Chief

EDITORIAL BOARD

Mike King

Managing Editor

Tyler Weyant

Managing Editor

maria romas Opinion Editor

The sum of all the university’s parts Big Ten: Forget the ACC; forget nearly 60 years of history and rivalries — this university is bolting for the Big Ten. At first, people were outraged and wondered how university President Wallace Loh and administrators could possibly leave the conference this university helped found just for some extra money.

But as we all took a step back, we realized this move was one that would alter the course of this university’s future for the better. Every year, we anticipate tuition hikes and cuts in various departments. With this move, the university will see a lucrative revenue stream and won’t be scraping the bottom of the barrel for funding. Sure, it’s hard to abandon tradition, but it will be made all the easier by knowing our financial future is secure.

SGA: When Student Government Association President Samantha Zwerling took the helm at the beginning of this semester, this editorial board had high hopes for the SGA — and we haven’t been disappointed. This semester, the SGA has championed a number of important issues and seems to have made a difference. On Election Day, 2,234 students voted in Stamp Student Union as a result of SGA and TerpsVote coalition efforts, including an online voter registration system. The body hosted rallies for same-sex marriage and the DREAM Act that attracted hundreds of students. There has been an increase in transparency, which is especially important — representatives now poll students on a variety of different issues to ensure they are aware of public opinion. Internally, a lot of the goals Zwerling set at the beginning of the semester were either reached or are being worked on, such as issues with student fees. Next semester, the SGA will likely face its annual student group funding debacle, but we are hopeful Zwerling will handle it with just as much composure and organization as she has handled things thus far. We haven’t heard any scandalous news from the SGA yet this year; let’s keep it that way.

President’s residence: Perhaps university officials believed the sources of funding for the $7.2 million project would go unnoticed when they failed to fulfill promises of using only earmarked funds. Instead, officials used funding from a pool of general donations and university resources not specifically designated for the project. The new president’s residence itself has the potential to greatly serve this university’s future fundraising capacity, but the project’s lack of transparency created easily preventable controversy. Moving forward, donors need assurance their money is directed through the appropriate channels, and, for the rest of the university community, university officials cannot offer misleading guarantees.

Reflecting on a fresh start’s value One of the hallmarks of being a student at this university is complaining about our infamously long winter break. We spend the semester counting the seconds until we can have a moment to catch our breath, and then when our five-week vacation finally arrives, all we do is wish we were back in College Park. But these breaks are rife with opportunity, not just for endless sleeping and the chance to finally start watching Game of Thrones — we can also have a fresh start.

Each new semester in college is its own entity. We divide our lives into 16-week blocks, but if we so choose, we can look at each one as a new beginning. The prospect of starting over is a powerful one, as I’ve learned this semester while preparing to go abroad. I’m getting an opportunity to escape — at least for five months.

Also, just as a side note, “But I’m leaving for South Africa” has had a fair success rate in getting my way. I’ve toted the fact that I’m leaving around in my back pocket, and it has profoundly influenced the amount of time and attention I have devoted to certain aspects of my life; the prioritizing has been liberating.

At the same time, I know life will have moved on without me here on the campus to some extent, and when I come back in the fall, it will be yet another new beginning.

This semester, I was a teaching assistant for a College Park Scholars class I took just two years ago, PUAF 201: Leadership for the Common Good. I think I

Opinion Editor

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

STAFF EDITORIAL

SARAH GORDON

nadav karasov

enjoyed it more than I would have were it a chemistry or biology class, in part because it was so easy to visualize myself in the exact same place not so long ago.

Being part of Scholars entails the livinglearning program, so my students are also living in my same freshman dorm, some even on the same floor. Having students in the class who remind me of myself at that stage of life was oddly fascinating, as I watched them experience some of the same triumphs and tribulations I faced.

At times, I was even jealous of them just for being first-semester freshmen.

It’s such a special time in college, but one that ironically cannot be appreciated until it is in the past. Everything is so new, so original, so malleable — and to be able to completely remake yourself in a new environment is a gift. However, as first-semester freshmen, we are too preoccupied trying to figure out what the hell we’re doing to be able to see the value in it.

So two years later, I’m basically going to try to get in this same freshman mentality once I am abroad. I’m still not really sure how to appreciate it fully, but I guess I’m holding myself accountable just by writing this column. But you don’t need to jump continents to get that fresh start; winter break can serve the same purpose to change facets of your life that are getting you down — not in a New Year’s resolution kind of way, but just as an honest look at if you’re living your life the way you really want to.

Sarah Gordon is a junior physiology and neurobiology major. She can be reached at opinionumdbk@gmail.com.

Book Exchange: For the past two years, there has been a seemingly never-ending battle between the College Park City Council and developers who want to transform the Maryland Book Exchange into a mixed-use apartment complex. Even when the city council voted for an extremely revised plan for the new building, the College Park Old Town Civic Association stated its intent to continue to fight against the complex. Some residents said they are “disgusted” with the plans and the city council’s decision to approve them. But this has been a long time coming, and we can only hope the years of struggle will come to an end. Developers have gone to great lengths to revise plans to fit the council’s liking. The council had, until October, remained stagnant in its viewpoint on the building. There has been a small step of progress, and we hope residents still against the project can understand how important its timely development is to the progress of the city.

Same-sex marriage: This state’s marriage equality debate reached a satisfying and long-awaited conclusion this past election. By supporting Question 6 and same-sex couples’ right to marry, state voters prioritized fairness over fear. As we’ve stated previously, this is our generation’s equality movement.

After failing to pass in 32 previous state ballot initiatives around the country, this decision — along with similar votes in Maine, Minnesota and Washington — is a testament to the progressive nature of this election, as well as America’s youth. A recent Gallup poll showed 73 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds supported legalizing marriage for same-sex couples. Instead of clinging to old misconceptions, voters reflected the wave of changing opinion spreading across the country. We can all look forward to a particularly joyful New Year’s Day, when this state’s same-sex couples can officially marry for the first time.

DREAM: It’s been a long, often bitter fight, but advocates of the state’s DREAM Act, which would allow undocumented students to pay in-state tuition if they meet a set of requirements, saw their efforts come to fruition when state voters overwhelmingly chose to uphold the measure. Some call it a free ride for being in the country illegally, but this editorial board simply sees more hard-working students with the opportunity to go to college. These are students who aren’t here of their own volition and have lived as state residents, including filing their own taxes or their parents filing taxes, and this state’s residents clearly saw that as the most important priority. They showed this is a state unafraid to take the lead in offering equal opportunities for everyone and serve as a catalyst for a much-needed national movement.

FILE PHOTOS/THE DIAMONDBACK

Excellence requires a solid foundation Speeding through the basics in life limits your ability to master a craft ANAND KUMAR GUPTA It’s taken me five semesters to unlearn and relearn just exactly how to learn.

I’ve always preferred speed over excellence because, presumably, speed ensures a steep learning curve. Excellence, on the other hand, means mastery, and mastery means practice and effort for marginal improvement — going from 95 to 97 to 99. Obviously, the learning curve is not as steep as it is for when you’re going from 0 to 50 to 80.

In this information age, the volume of data is expanding at an exponential rate. On the graph of human knowledge, the gap between what we can learn and the amount of information out there to be learned is widening every second. Therefore, as can be rightly deduced, perfection in understanding data may not be as important as the speed and (decent) accuracy with which one understands that data.

There’s a fair point to be made for this: It may be true in the world out there. However, the speedover-excellence approach may not be the right strategy for those in school. The entire point of being in school is that we prepare ourselves

EDITORIAL CARTOON ASHLEY ZACHERY/the diamondback

for life in the real world and build a solid understanding of the fundamentals and concepts of our respective fields of study. To be able to effectively exist in the world, strong underlying basics are a prerequisite. If the basics are weak, speed in the real world will only amount to ineffectiveness.

Take the metaphor of a building under construction. What would happen if construction workers at a building site did not perfect the foundation of the structure being built?

What if they built it to, say, 70 percent perfection and moved on to the first, second or however many floors? The building would be unsound regardless of how well they constructed anything else above the “weak” foundation. So if the fourth floor collapsed a few years later, what would the diagnosis be?

Would it be that the construction of the fourth floor was done poorly? In reality, the root cause of the problem would be the imperfect construction of the foundation.

Our fate will not be much different if we don’t pursue excellence right now. We may get through college with a degree, but if our fundamentals are unsound, our professional lives will be at risk of collapse. The point deserves reiteration: If your life is like a building and you carry yourself through with mediocrity at the start, then you will be susceptible to collapse later on.

So how can you improve, given that you have time left at school? (Sorry, seniors.) We’re at a time in our lives when we can revisit old concepts without the pressures of professional work life. So do that. Revisit old concepts. Let me give you one example: Khan Academy. It’s an online portal that provides tools (including unlimited problem sets) on every math concept from kindergarten basics to advanced calculus. If you’re an economics or a business major and you’re not the kind who digs math, Khan Academy is an awesome tool to use — and it’s free.

It’s that time of the semester when we all would do well to look back at what we’ve done with a critical eye.

You’re paying this university big money to learn effectively — but a lot of it has to do with you.

Anand Kumar Gupta is a junior environmental science and policy m a j o r. H e c a n b e re a c h e d a t opinionumdbk@gmail.com.

A season for ideals and hope MADELEINE LIST T h e C h r i s t m a s s ea s o n h a s become more of an American ritual than a Christian holiday — people of many different religions and faiths celebrate it in one way or another. And although the sacredness of the holiday has been hijacked by capitalist consumerism, the season is undoubtedly meant to inspire hope.

On Dec. 27, 2009, Yoko Ono reserved a full-page ad in The New York Times for the words “War is over! If you want it” — a quote from John Lennon’s very own Christmas song, “Happy Xmas (War is Over).”

The song and the message have nothing to do with Jesus Christ or Santa Claus or anything we normally associate with Christmas, but instead talk about hope. It’s a song about peace that paints a picture of a world without fear.

For me, this is the essence of the Christmas spirit. I don’t believe in a god, but I do believe in the power of the human spirit and the possibility of the peaceful world Lennon hoped for. He tells us war will end if we want it to, that world peace isn’t just a figment of our imagination we can only dream about. It’s attainable, and the power to make it reality is ours.

A long time ago, war was actually declared illegal. In 1928, the League of Nations passed a peace agreement called the KelloggBriand Pact that outlawed war worldwide. It was ratified in the U.S. Senate by a vote of 85-1, and eventually signed by 62 nations.

The signing nations agreed to refrain from engaging in wars of aggression and attempt to resolve conflicts peacefully.

It was a nice idea, but clearly an unsuccessful one. A decade later, the nations entered World War II. The countries that signed the pact have engaged in countless bloody conflicts since then without consequence. Clearly, the writers of the law realized it was impossible to enforce. There is no feasible punishment for war when war itself is the worst thing imaginable. So the Kellogg-Briand Pact quickly became moot.

But still, it was a victory for idealists everywhere. Through their efforts, activists, officials and average citizens — all passionate about world peace — outlawed war across the globe. And although it turned out to be quite impractical, it was a testament to the unjustness of war.

I don’t think the people of the world generally want war, but it is human nature to solve problems with violence. Since the beginning of our species, we have fought one another to get what we want, and we just can’t seem to find other ways to resolve our conflicts.

But look how far we’ve come.

We’ve made so many advances in science and technology that make life better for our fellow human beings. We’ve improved medicine so we can cure disease, heal the injured and prolong and save lives.

Yet we’re still hell-bent on destroying ourselves. As we progress toward a higher quality of life for all, we also improve our ability to slaughter one another. Now we can target and kill people overseas with the touch of a button. If the same time, effort and resources were invested in creating peaceful methods of resolution, then unnecessary wars, unjustified deaths and unwarranted destruction could be prevented.

Yes, it’s insanely idealistic. We may never live in a peaceful world, and I certainly don’t expect to in my lifetime. But if Lennon could dream, then so can I. And if there’s a time of year for hope, it’s now.

Madeleine List is a sophomore journalism major. She can be reached at opinionumdbk@gmail.com.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012 | OPINION | THE DIAMONDBACK

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FROM THE EDITOR

The change we wish to see YASMEEN ABUTALEB When you’re in a newsroom day in and day out, it’s easy to look at every person or event as simply a story opportunity. What’s the most interesting thing about them? How can we tell this story in a compelling way so people will pick up our paper and want to keep reading?

But when I stop and think about our 71 papers this semester and all the stories we’ve covered — Election Day and the university’s move to the Big Ten are among the most memorable — I realize we haven’t just been writing stories to fill our paper each day. We’ve been watching history unfold; we’ve been up close and personal with the people and events that are changing our university’s, nation’s and world’s identity as we know it.

In the days leading up to Election Day, our entire staff was incredibly anxious and excited.

We weren’t just seeing whether President Obama would be re-elected or Mitt Romney would move into the White House. Our state had seven questions on the ballot — including the state’s DREAM Act and same-sex marriage, which students on this campus were especially impassioned about — and we knew we could be documenting one of the most, if not the most, historic election this state has ever seen.

And for many of us, it was the first time we could vote. It may sound cliche, but to me, it was especially important to educate and encourage students as much as possible to have a voice in the direction our state and country would move in. My family is from Egypt, where citizens have been fighting for nearly two years now to have truly democratic elections — and they’re still far from where they want to be. But I saw how excited my family members were to vote in their first free election, because they felt like their voice mattered — a completely foreign concept just a few months earlier.

As I tried to work through the craze and constant breaking news on election night, I remember the feeling of pride that overwhelmed me. It

wasn’t just because I was watching reporters and editors at their best, but because once I stopped to think about the notes and quotes we were wading through, I realized a record number of students showed up to on-campus voting polls to influence the outcomes we had all been so anxiously awaiting. Students, and young voters in general, were crucial in determining the outcome of both the national and state-level elections. And students were the ones who played such an instrumental role in helping Maryland become one of the first states to uphold same-sex marriage on the ballot and vote in favor of the DREAM Act, among other initiatives, through campaign efforts or simply taking the time to vote.

That’s the common thread through all of these events: people speaking up and doing something about what they believe in. Students desperately wanted to see the DREAM Act and same-sex marriage become law, so they canvassed and campaigned as much as they could to encourage people to vote. When the university announced its move to the Big Ten, students, fans and alumni were initially outraged — so university President Wallace Loh assembled a coalition that will allow people to help influence the process of moving conferences and decide how additional revenue will be allocated.

So in just a few short months, the course of our futures everywhere changed — whether it’s on the campus, in the state or nationwide.

And we all had a hand in that change.

Identity is a funny thing. It’s ever-changing, but parts of it have to remain the same. We’re all rooted somewhere — just like our university and state are — but we have to be willing to embrace change and fight for it if we believe it’s what we need to progress and improve. And students on this campus have clearly demonstrated they’re not afraid to do so. Now, the trick is to keep the momentum going while knowing exactly what we want our identity to be.

Yasmeen Abutaleb is a junior journalism and microbiology major. She can be reached at y.abutaleb7@gmail.com.

The absence of conclusions JAKE DeVIRGILIIS I like writing these columns. Whenever there is an empty word count to be filled, I try to volunteer my services, which is why this column exists. But, if you read last week’s game changer, as dozens of other knowledge-thirsty Terps did, you can already see my dilemma. How can I write a relevant piece for the finals edition if I have already spoken so finally about finality?

There’s really only one choice: Pull a Paul McCartney and write a “Her Majesty” column. Forcibly shove out-of-place ideas into a meticulous body of work at the last possible moment, potentially erasing the greatest “The End” that never was, but definitely leaving a feeling of pleasant confusion. It’s a risky move, but such meaningful creative choices are what separate revered art forms — such as recording an LP and writing a semester’s worth of op-ed pieces — from the trendy faux creations of today, such as making a vaguely sad Tumblr or being Skrillex.

There is a bravery one must respect in blatantly tacking on a 17-second bonus cut; it changes our idea of what finality might mean without annoyingly hiding it after 35 tracks of silence that are not fooling anyone.

Audacity is the only play here. If writing at a school where people seem upset when the president tries to put the academic mission of the university over drinking (and God forbid we must wear helmets) has taught me anything, it’s that ambiguity is a waste of time for everyone.

But if not finality, what is there to write about?

Finals? That’s what everyone seems to be doing. I have to go against the grain to maintain my image as a nonconformist. It allows people to keep labeling me a hipster, so I can enjoy my R. Kelly “ironically” and not have to explain his brilliance to people

who made up their minds about “Trapped in the Closet” before listening to it.

I guess I could go with campus issues, but what do I know about those anymore? Not much. My connection to this university has been through the Internet this semester (as I’m abroad), so I’ve been forced to criticize silly Facebook pages while I wasn’t around to care about all that stuff the Student Government Association didn’t accomplish again.

The feminist columns in this paper always generate a nice Internet buzz, but there’s no use beating a dead horse, right? Until someone claims girls shouldn’t get presents for Secular Winter Solstice Celebration, we can continue to plot on how to destroy all men in secret. And Miss Taylor Swift better watch out, because unless someone gives her some Judith Butler for the holidays, we’re taking her out, too. (Full disclosure: I am genderless.)

Part of me wants to take the sentimental approach. It worked like a charm last finals week, and I even sneaked one in this year about my favorite comedy album. The main problem is if I inspire too many people, I might come off as hypocritical. I explicitly stated in an earlier column I dislike all compliments, positive thinking, use of the Internet and other human beings.

I could always draw parallels between my study abroad experience and Bilbo Baggins’ journey in The Hobbit, but the movie hasn’t come out yet, so who knows what that said journey is.

Maybe if I (impressively) write the whole column in Spanish it won’t make a difference.

Darn, out of space. Looking back on all I’ve written this year, the only thing we’ve really learned for sure is that your columnist’s a pretty nice fella, he just doesn’t have a lot to say.

Jake DeVirgiliis is a senior government and politics major. He can be reached at opinionumdbk@gmail.com.

Faceoff McMillen: Ugly athletics

O

n most issues that come before the Board of Regents concerning our flagship campus, I fully support the administration. However, on the Big Ten move, I question the way the process was handled and believe I did not receive sufficient information to judge its merit.

First, there was no need to rush this important decision or come to it in such an exclusionary way.

The Big Ten recruited this university two years ago and would certainly want us in the future. This university is the only big-time football and basketball program in the fourth-largest television market in the U.S. and effectively has a monopoly in the Baltimore-Washington region. The Big Ten needs this university to have access to that market and finalize a new TV contract, and we could have afforded to take our time.

The Board of Regents had a mere 18 hours to be briefed on the decision and provide our consent.

We saw one piece of paper with revenue projections, but no forecasts about increased costs from facilities, salaries, travel, etc. We did not hear from a single voice that opposed the move. The Big Ten decision involves hundreds of millions of dollars and affects many stakeholders: students, student-athletes, fans and alumni, to name a few. What ethical message does it convey to our students when we make a decision driven largely by a need for money?

Second, when will our universities stop treating student-athletes like chattel? I strongly urge the university to remove all transfer restrictions on the freshman and sophomore student-athletes who will be affected by this move. I chose this university over hundreds of other schools primarily because my family would be able to see my games. How many families will be able to see their children play when this university’s teams are competing in Iowa and Minnesota? Yet student-athletes are locked into their scholarship agreements.

Third, an open and careful consideration of moving to the Big Ten could have provided the university with the opportunity to take a hard look at its athletic mission. The primary motivation for the move, supposedly, was that our athletic department was in dire financial shape, and we needed the Big Ten to provide financial sustainability.

But why were we so weak that we had to make a rushed decision to join the Big Ten? Was it because we spent nearly $4.5 million paying off departed coaches and buying out contracts to hire new coaches? Was it because we paid millions of dollars for guaranteed wins (i.e., when this university pays a weaker school to play, expecting it to lose)?

This university has struggled with the escalating money and arms race in college sports — so why should we believe the fundamental financial issues will not re-emerge? When my basketball coach, Lefty Driesell, came to this university, his yearly salary was $14,000, and he had two assistants. We have assistants at this university today who make 40 times what Lefty made. Both our football and basketball coaches have legions of assistants. Is this all needed? Basketball was pretty strong when I was in school — we always sold out Cole Field House — and our football program was one of the top programs in the ACC. With the move to the Big Ten, how do we expect to keep up with Ohio State and Michigan in football? Will we pay our football coach $4 million like Ohio State does or spend millions on new facilities, which is one of the reasons we got into trouble in the first place? Can we truly believe any of the eliminated nonrevenue sports will have a longterm future, once the football program begins to suck up all of the available money?

I strongly believe Mark Turgeon and Randy Edsall will, over time, bring this university back to prominence in basketball and football. But in a new competitive environment with worldclass football programs, a tougher recruiting environment and no legacy of good will, we have made their job much harder than if we had stayed in the ACC. This university could have been a national leader in setting the standard for thorough and transparent deliberation of the positives and negatives of conference realignment. This was a monumental decision involving many of our stakeholders, and we lost the opportunity to debate these issues.

Tom McMillen is a Board of Regents member and former university student-athlete. He can be reached at ctm611@msn.com.

Kirwan: A sensible move

I

t’s understandable much of the conversation surrounding this university’s move to the Big Ten has been focused on the impact on athletics. The move will bring increased revenues to support a range of athletic teams. The move will allow the university to potentially reinstate some athletic teams eliminated due to budget constraints. And the move will bring increased national visibility to student-athletes at this university, and — by extension — to the university itself.

From my perspective, however, those benefits alone would not have been sufficient to gain my support for the move. A major factor in my conclusion this is the right step for the university is the academic — not the athletic — benefits that come with membership in the Big Ten. In fact, had the same terms been put on the table from any other conference in the U.S., I would not have supported a departure from the ACC. I know firsthand the academic advantages that go with Big Ten membership. Prior to becoming chancellor of the University System of Maryland, and after serving as president of this university, I was president of Ohio State University, a member of the Big Ten. The Big Ten is the only major athletic conference that requires an institution to be a member of the Association of American Universities before it can be considered for membership in the conference. The AAU is an organization that consists of the nation’s 62 most distinguished public and private research universities. Because the members of the Big Ten share a common mission, they have united to form a powerful academic association, the Committee on Institutional Cooperation. The CIC also

includes the University of Chicago, a university that belonged to the Big Ten many years ago.

The emphasis on groundbreaking research and high-quality education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels is the defining characteristic of CIC universities. Collectively, CIC universities engage in $8.4 billion in funded research each year, including almost 20 percent of the National Science Foundation’s total research funding. CIC members unite in a library consortium that contains more than 80 million volumes, which surpass the combined holdings of the institutions in both the University of California system and the Ivy League.

Through research partnerships and collaborative efforts, faculty and student exchanges and staff development programs, the CIC offers an unparalleled set of opportunities for this university to advance its academic mission.

There is one other factor that convinced me to support the move to the Big Ten. I serve as co-chair of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics. I have long been a vocal critic of the money chase in college athletics that all too often distorts higher education’s core academic mission. An important principle the Knight Commission espouses is balance in the expenditure of athletic revenues between athletics and academics. University President Wallace Loh has assured me he is committed to directing a substantial portion of the new revenue to support academic programs and financial aid.

Given the academic quality of this university and its aspirations for the future, the CIC (and by implication the Big Ten) is the right home for this university.

Brit Kirwan is the chancellor of the University System of Maryland. He can be reached at bkirwan@usmd.edu.

The inherent uncertainty in mankind’s battle against evil MARC PRIESTER Are humans evil? The popular consensus among philosophers seems to be that, intuitively, we are. Social contract theory, governments, institutions, religions and laws are all byproducts conceived to manipulate the barbarism of innate human nature. But whether people have an intrinsic desire for selfcentered ambitions that inadvertently harms others is unclear in itself.

Moreover, people never see themselves as wicked; rather, we see others’ objectives and values as vile. How else can one explain how two groups may vehemently affirm their respective causes as just, while dismissing the antagonized side as evil? It’s the reason conservatives

automatically associate Joseph Stalin or Mao Zedong with liberals and why liberals think of conservatives as ultrareligious theocrats waging a “war on women.”

The entire Cold War was predicated on the “monster in the closet” myth surrounding the Soviet Union and World War II. Americans were conditioned through propaganda to see communists as inhuman, soulless warmongers who only wished for the obliteration of the Western world. Now with the conflicts in the Middle East, we are polishing off old mechanisms of “us vs. them” mentalities and sculpting a disfigured image of Islam.

Humans advocate certain ideologies and philosophies because they envision those paths as the only means of creating a better world. The existence of Jokeresque, sadistic villainy that wishes to “watch the world burn” is a fairy tale.

It’s ironic how we all strive to build a

better world — guided by our own political, economic and moral compass — yet believe everyone else is out to annihilate the very world we love.

On election night, many sighed in a giant gasp of relief when Mitt Romney lost. Facebook was inundated with “If Romney wins, I’m moving to Canada!” posts. Like President Obama, Romney honestly believed his policies would reinvigorate America and make life better for all. But to your average college student, Romney might as well have been Bane from The Dark Knight Rises campaigning for the office.

Why are we attracted to demonization? Maybe we are conditioned by society at large. The media portrays war, poverty and discrimination as running rampant, burning down civilization as we know it. Yet the world has been progressively improving over the past

half century. Or maybe because, in the presence of an adverse force, we feel absolved. We feel righteous in the face of evil by comparatively being on the moral high ground. Because we all have shortcomings that ruin our perceptions of ourselves as virtuous people, by illustrating others as evil, we revitalize that damaged image of perfection.

It’s uncertain whether humans are truly evil or not; I am not even sure what constitutes evil. However, based on my own experience and observations, humans are not evil insofar as we all feel compelled to create a better world.

Mick Jagger once sang “Every cop is a criminal, and all the sinners saints.”

While we all may be sinners whose own inadequacies cause excessive amounts of pain to one another, in the end, the goal of almost every man’s existence is to build a brighter future. No one knows

what political or economic philosophy will generate a perfect utopia, but everyone believing his or her philosophy is the best indication of the purity of the human conscience.

Our first instinct may be selfish and animalistic, but our cognizance is what makes being human brilliant. The altruism and selfishness we develop has created a charitable world. It has healed the wounds of pain and suffering and inspired incredible innovation. Our ability to reason and rationalize is the saving grace of our species. Furthermore, it has redefined human nature and saved us from the atrocities of beastly station.

M a rc P r i e s t e r i s a s o p h o m o re economics and government and politics major. He can be reached at opinionumdbk@gmail.com.

6

THE DIAMONDBACK | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

Diversions

ON THE BLOG

FEATURE | COLLEGE PARK’S BEST BURGER

burger town

We search for the perfect CP burger, from the customization of Five Guys to Plato’s Diner’s Hellenic Delight

By Eric Bricker Staff writer What makes the perfect burger? A heap of ground beef. Cheese. A bun.

Lettuce, tomato. Maybe bacon. Simple enough. But the humble cheeseburger has undergone a bit of a culinary renaissance in recent years, and celebrity chefs such as Bobby Flay and Guy Fieri have helped move the sandwich from a greasy fast-food staple into the realm of haute cuisine.

College Park is home to a bevy of burger joints that range from sketchy to stu ff y. With that i n mind, I set off on a trek down Route 1 to find the best burgers College Park has to offer.

Bobby’s Burger Palace, the brainchild of Food Network personality Bobby Flay, opened its glass-plated art deco doors just more than a year ago. Located on the ground floor of The Varsity (near Royal Farms and ChiDogO’s), the Palace is certainly on the upscale side: Bright orange decor and artsy pictures of fresh food adorn the walls; the seating is cafeteria style (trendy!) and the fast casual prices are pretty steep for the average college budget. Most burgers will set you back $7-8, without adding fries or a drink.

With the upscale attitude comes an upscale burger. A far cry from a mere brick of beef on a bun, Bobby’s offers a gourmet take on the cheeseburger. The city-themed burgers — available as angus beef or ground turkey — come smothered in toppings. The Dallas Burger is a delicious mess of spices, coleslaw, barbecue sauce, cheese and pickles. Basically a Cuban sandwich with beef, the Miami Burger is similarly overloaded with pickles, ham and Swiss cheese.

To add to the glorious disarray atop your meat, you can also “crunchify” any burger — that is, add potato chips to it — for no extra charge.

Though undeniably tasty, all of their decorative trappings make the burgers at Bobby’s seem a little forced. Sometimes, simple is better, and simple is certainly cheaper.

Besides crunchifying (Crunchification? Crunchifixion?) and a few house-made sauces available tableside, the options for customization are limited. For all its gourmet charms and showy excess, Bobby’s loses some of the greasy, one-of-akind pleasure that comes with the very best burgers. The sandwiches are a work of art, but they lack soul.

But Bobby’s does offer spiked milkshakes for just $5. Well played, Mr. Flay.

Farther down Route 1, nestled in a strip directly across from the campus, lies a red-and-white-tiled burger mecca. Five Guys Burgers and Fries, which started in the Washington area in 1986, has become one of the fastestgrowing chains in the country, with more than 1,000 locations nationwide.

The longtime local favorite keeps growing because of its consistency, and the College Park location is no different. You know what you’re going to get at Five Guys: a box full of peanuts, efficient employees in shockingly red uniforms, an overflowing cup of wellseasoned, boardwalk-friendly fries and a damn good burger.

In contrast to the fixed menu at Bobby’s, Five Guys offers a wide array of toppings for individual customization, from staples such as lettuce and pickles to grilled onions and mushrooms. A standard burger comes with two patties; a “little” burger comes

with one. Either way, the burger comes wrapped in foil and a greasy brown paper bag, like a cholesterolraising Christmas present.

And what a present it is.

Ju icy a nd perfectly cooked with just the right ratio of toppings (and, in a particularly inspired move, b u rge rs a re topped w ith diced bacon, rather tha n whole strips, so there are bacon bits in every bite — every restaurant in America could learn from this), the Five Guys burger is a classic example of the form. Unpretentious and utterly unwholesome, it is a lovingly handcrafted take on the textbook allAmerican burger.

Prepare to get meat drunk.

A haven for bleary-eyed late-night revelers and grizzled townies alike, Plato’s Diner is another American staple: The seemingly always-open diner has been serving up breakfast and hangover-cure classics alongside more traditional Greek fare since the far-off days of 1994.

The diner’s signature burger, the Hellenic Delight, rests comfortably between these two worlds. Billed as “Employee’s All-time Favorite” (But which employee? And when? Plato’s teases, but the cryptic menu ultimately leaves us in the dark.), and for good reason, the Hellenic Delight is a huge slab of ground beef and Greek seasonings, topped with a mound of feta, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses and served on crusty French bread, rather

THE FULL STORY

There’s even more online, from the full music and film Top-10 lists to interviews with The Hood Internet and Salad Days filmmaker Scott Crawford on the heyday of D.C. punk. For more, visit diamondbackonline.com. than a traditional burger roll.

The kind of hefty burger favored by manly men and the very drunk, the Hellenic Delight is huge and, at first, a little intimidating; after a few bites, though, it starts to go down like smooth bourbon. As Parks and Recreation’s Ron Swanson once said, “It’s a hamburger, made out of meat, on a bun with nothing. Add ketchup if you want; I couldn’t care less.”

The Hellenic Delight is the kind of burger that deserves a place on the Swanson Pyramid of Greatness. Though it eschews some standard burger conventions (no sesame seed bun, for instance) the sandwich is refreshingly simple. Like the green polyester boot hs of Plato’s itself, the Hellenic Delight i s u n f u ssy a nd straightforward.

It’s just meat, cheese and really good bread (and adding just a bit of ketchup really does set the whole thing off).

Like Plato’s other offerings — including an equally old-fashioned (and fantastic) patty melt (topped with grilled onions and Thousand Island dressing and served on grilled rye bread) and a less successful “Red Hot & Bleu” burger (spices, bacon, and bleu cheese) — the Delight will run you about $8 and comes with fries, fixings and a pickle.

For those unwilling to fork over the cash or who still rely on meal plans, there are always on-campus options.

One needn’t go all the way to Route 1 to satisfy a late-night meat and cheese craving.

And though they lack the sophistication of their off-campus brethren, the university’s burger options will certainly do in a pinch.

Global Gourmet in the North Campus Dining Hall offers a rel iable, i f workma n l i ke, bu rger.

Though you can’t dictate how you’d like your patty cooked (the only options seem to be “well-done” and “even more well-done”), the station comes with an array of unique toppings, including chili, guacamole, and fried Tabasco onions. Service is quick, if harried.

If you can look past the overdone meat, the station offers a perfectly serviceable burger with a few shining spots: The sesame seed bun is nice and buttery; the applewood-smoked bacon is a few notches above what’s available at other spots, the sauces — including barbecue and Kentucky bourbon — are tasty without being overpowering, and guacamole is always good.

T houg h it lacks the upsca le panache of Bobby’s or the rustic simplicity of Plato’s, Global Gourmet still satisfies. There’s a reason a cheeseburger appears on seemingly every menu in America, after all. Ground meat, cheese and toppings: It’s a hard combination to screw up.

At the same time, it’s a deeply simple yet almost spiritual combination, universal yet incredibly personal, classic yet always fresh.

There’s nothing like a good burger to keep hunger at bay, and College Pa rk i s b u rs t i n g w it h e n o u g h options, from gourmet to guilty pleasure, to keep any serious meatlover satiated. diversionsdbk@gmail.com

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Employment

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Become an important part of our newest ticketing and social media team. You will be developing customized ticketing programs for various businesses including sports teams, fairs, theme parks and universities.

Gain truly interesting and valuable work experience. Apply only if you are creative, energetic, can work independently, act professionally and enjoy interacting with marketing professionals. Flex schedule req. Business (sales emphasis) or marketing majors preferred. Email resume or cover letter stating your current major, work experience, GPA, hrs. available and goals to: Lyle at lylew@global-express.net.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012 | THE DIAMONDBACK

7

Features

CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1 Referee, slangily 6 Crevice 10 Entranced 14 Stared rudely 15 McClurg of “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off ” 16 Bushy coif 17 Ph.D. exams 18 Spreadsheet unit 19 Frame of mind 20 Note 21 Tux part 23 Carpet cleaner 25 Bireme or trireme 26 Owed right now 27 Pry open 29 Hard to pin down 32 Eastman invention 33 Tissue layer 36 Battery chemical 37 Zaftig 38 Pump, maybe 39 Guitarist -- Paul 40 Less polluted 41 Monarch’s time on the throne 42 Rugged country 43 Extinct bird 44 Bye (2 wds.)

47 Daily grind (2 wds.)

51 Mutter, perhaps (2 wds.)

54 Sonny’s ex 55 Declaim violently

56 Burnishes 57 Fleece 58 Sandwich cookie 59 No future -- - 60 Fluff, as hair 61 Quaker colonist 62 Matures 63 Said further

38 Looked high and low 40 Soft color 41 Go bad

42 Chinese dumpling 43 Ticked off 44 Hone a razor 45 Chicago airport

DOWN 1 Skyrockets 2 Marsh stalker 3 Accuse 4 Fed the Colt again 5 Circulars 6 Keep happening 7 Footnote term 8 Thin coating 9 Wire 10 Talk aimlessly 11 Run -- of (cross) 12 Lying down 13 Winter quaff 21 Passing grade 22 Distress acutely 24 Very, in Veracruz 27 Hunks’ dates 28 Dumpster output 29 Coolidge nickname 30 Stretchy bandage 31 Raw recruits 32 Northern Iraqi 33 Sorority letter 34 Captain’s journal 35 Ginza gelt 37 Black Sea country

© 2012 United Features Syndicate

PREVIOUS DAY’s puzzle solved:

Today’s crossword sponsored by:

46 Pharaoh’s textile 47 Corrodes 48 Down the road 49 Refrain from

50 Goofed 52 Breathing organ 53 Drama prize 57 Depot (abbr.)

B

HOROSCOPE STELLA WILDER

orn today, you have what it takes to make quite a name for yourself rather early in life, and to maintain your high level of accomplishment through the years and enjoy remarkable longevity -- even if your choice of careers is a difficult one, full of risk and potential disappointment. You’re not one to be daunted by difficulty, however, and you will forge ahead confidently even when others can be found cowering or simply running away. You understand that to realize your own dreams you must work hard, endure much and never stop reaching for the stars -- among which you most certainly belong!

Your sense of humor is vivid and, at times, rather unconventional and even naughty; you like a good dirty joke now and then, though even when you are most colorful you always maintain the highest spirits. You are known for doing favors for others at the most unusual times.

Also born on this date are: Jamie Foxx, actor; Ted Nugent, rocker; John Davidson, actor; Christopher Plummer, actor; Dick Van Dyke, actor and comedian; Van Heflin, actor.

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 14 SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- What seems normal on the

COLLEGE INTUITION RICHIE BATES ROGER DOES COLLEGE

outside is likely to prove quite unusual when you examine it more closely. Use necessary caution.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Energy is on the rise, but you must be sure you know what to do with it when the time comes.

Certain criticism will be unavoidable.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -You must do things in a way that is honest and true. Any attempt to change your style to suit another will prove disappointing.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Someone is keen on knowing what your true motives are -- but this says more about him than about you, for you have been honest from the start.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- You can accomplish what you have planned if you progress in a logical fashion. You can overcome obstacles one at a time.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -You may be asked for information that is not at your fingertips; ask for the time you need to research the answers.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- Take care that your aggressive

stance isn’t interpreted as maliciousness. You really don’t mean any harm to anyone -- you’re just eager.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- You’re not likely to follow all of the rules to the letter -- but you can stop short of rewriting them entirely to suit your needs.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- You may come close to breaking someone’s heart -- but not in the way you may think. He or she is likely to have more at stake than you know.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -You’ll want to pursue what is possible through unusual channels today. The ordinary isn’t likely to inspire you at this time.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -You must be more discriminating when it comes to your likes and dislikes. Today, you cannot afford to appear uncaring.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- Follow your instincts, and put your faith in your own natural abilities. What you’ve learned in the recent past comes in handy.

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THE DIAMONDBACK | Diversions | thursDAY, december 13, 2012

THE BEST OF THE BEST Don’t let any death-of-film and decline-of-music doomsayers mislead you: 2012 was a banner year for both mediums, producing dozens of worthy releases.

There were innumerable superior films and albums to satisfy both the most discerning cultural consumer (The Turin Horse, Holy Motors, Bob Dylan’s Tempest and Bob Mould’s Silver Age) and pop-addled, blockbuster-and-Top-40 addicts (The Avengers, Skyfall, great new albums from Ke$ha and Frank Ocean) alike. The year produced so much great art that, inevitably, any best-of list is going to leave off several stellar works. Still, in a year filled with greatness, these stand out.

By Robert Gifford Senior staff writer

BEST OF THE YEAR | FILM

5. THE CABIN IN THE WOODS

It’s a riff on The Evil Dead. It’s an office comedy set in the headquarters of an international conspiracy. It’s a postmodern deconstruction of the entire horror genre. Forget The Avengers — this is Joss Whedon’s best film of the year, not to mention one of the best films the ossified American horror genre has produced in a decade. It’s absolutely hilarious, but, as the last act proves, just as capable of reveling in mayhem as poking fun at it. It’s destined to be a midnightmovie favorite for years to come.

4. WRECK-IT RALPH

It’s not a Pixar film, but it sure does feel like one. As with the best of that studio’s movies, Wreck-It Ralph bursts with kinetic energy, thoroughly earned sentiment and the kind of no-holds-barred ambition that leads to staging a climactic, Mario Kart-style race and an alien invasion at the same time. Inventive, vivid and genuinely affecting, it’s the most joyful, entertaining movie of the year.

3. BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD

An apocalyptic fable that blends the awed aesthetic of Terrence Malick with the vibrancy of south Louisiana culture, Beasts of the Southern Wild is one of the most moving and unique films of the year. Buoyed by two incredible lead performances from first-time actors — Quvenzhané Wallis as a young girl facing the loss of her home and Dwight Henry as the ailing father trying to instill in her the skills and spirit necessary to survive — it’s a magical realist tale overflowing with pathos and containing more than a few real-world parallels. If you’re not completely floored by the last five minutes, your heart may be two sizes too small.

2. OSLO, AUGUST 31ST

A devastating account of a day in the life of recovering heroin addict Anders — played with just the right amount of muted melancholy by Anders Danielsen Lie — Oslo, August 31st is a film that should resonate with people who feel their lives haven’t worked out the way they had hoped — which is to say, everybody. This elegy for the things that could have been finds the tragedy in the realization that some things, and some lives, are beyond recovery.

1. THE MASTER

The Master is a film about many things. It’s about the difficulty of maintaining individuality while existing within a group. It’s about the desire to abandon mankind’s baser instincts and return to a state of innocent grace. It’s about religion in the modern world. But most of all, it’s about the unconsummated, volatile relationship between unstable Navy veteran Freddie Quell and magnetic cult leader Lancaster Dodd. Played, respectively, by Joaquin Phoenix and Philip Seymour Hoffman, both doing career-best work, the two make a perfect pair in many ways. Both have something animalistic and savage within them, but Dodd’s is buried under layers of inward and outward deception, the manipulative, well-disguised ego to Freddie’s unfiltered id. The relationship between these two men caught in the desperate yet irresistible quest for self-perfection is too destructive to last. Driven by a Jonny Greenwood score perpetually straining for transcendence that remains just out of reach, The Master confirms what There Will Be Blood, Magnolia and Boogie Nights suggested: Paul Thomas Anderson is the most vital filmmaker of his generation. It’s an enigmatic yet profound film about two men struggling for meaning, finding it for a moment and losing it again.

BEST OF THE YEAR | MUSIC

5. CLOUD NOTHINGS, ATTACK ON MEMORY

Gone is the nonchalant power-pop of Cloud Nothings’ previous releases, replaced with simmering, Steve Albini-produced discontent, brooding and rage. It’s a dark, heavy, open wound of an album; this is what it sounds like when the carelessness of a college slacker festers into the disappointment of a directionless adult. While the name Cloud Nothings once sounded light and airy, it’s now taken on decidedly nihilistic connotations.

4. JAPANDROIDS, CELEBRATION ROCK

A record showcasing garage rock at its cleanest and most electrifying, Celebration Rock is an ode to hard-rocking, hard-drinking youth that recognizes the party can’t last forever. Japandroids’ greatest accomplishment, however, is in making the inevitable come-down just as thrilling as the high.

3. KENDRICK LAMAR, GOOD KID, M.A.A.D CITY

Kendrick Lamar’s mainstream breakthrough, good kid, m.A.A.d city, is similar in subject matter and in its wintry, downbeat tone to The Roots’ superb Undun, arguably 2011’s best album, but it’s drama rather than tragedy — Undun is about succumbing to the inner city; m.A.A.d city is about struggling to overcome it and lead a normal, positive life. The semifictionalized Kendrick of the narrative is tempted with violence, drugs, women and peer pressure in his quest to rise above his surroundings and his own failings. But, regardless of his struggles, the record makes abundantly clear the real-world Kendrick Lamar has made his mark on the world and earned his place in the top tier of hip-hop.

2. SWANS, THE SEER

A seething, double-disc epic of apocalyptic madness, The Seer is one of the most disturbing and downright frightening albums since Radiohead’s seminal Kid A. Heavy, brutal and frequently cacophonous, it’s a difficult, unforgiving album many listeners will find off-putting, if not repulsive. But for those moody few seeking a soundtrack for the end of the world, Swans has provided a masterful sonic nightmare.

1. THE WALKMEN, HEAVEN

Dad rock doesn’t have to be an insult. On Heaven, The Walkmen set aside the raucous, messy pleasures of youth that characterized past classics such as Everyone Who Pretended To Like Me Is Gone and replace them with a mature reflection on the battle for real, lasting fulfillment. An album about the quiet pleasures and struggles of fatherhood and adult responsibility may sound tedious, but The Walkmen have never been more assured in their songcraft, building catchy rockers out of simple riffs that hit the right one or two notes — and nothing more. The band’s music matches its outlook: Cut out the chaff and hold tight to the handful of things that really matter.

FEEL LIKE THESE LISTS SHOULD BE LONGER? They are! Check diamondbackonline.com for the full lists of 2012’s best films and music. photos courtesy of timeinc.net, phoenixhouse.org, consequenceofsound.net and lurkerspath.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012 | NEWS | THE DIAMONDBACK

LIBeral From PAGE 1 Democrats. Both of the state’s senators are Democrats, as incumbent Ben Cardin won re-election easily. The state’s electoral votes have not gone to a Republican presidential candidate since 1984.

Some Republicans on the campus worry the state is becoming obsolete in the conservative movement.

“I think that Republicans have really just written off the state of Maryland,” said Allison Agazzi, president of the university chapter of College Republicans.

The trend in Washington holds true in Annapolis — Gov. Martin O’Malley, considered a rising star in the Democratic Party, is now being floated as a candidate for president in 2016. Between the state Senate and House of Delegates, Democrats hold 133 of 188 seats, a 71-percent margin and the third-largest majority after Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

Several factors, including demography and social issues, have placed Maryland in “a group of more liberal states,” especially among young voters, said David Karol, a government and politics professor.

Those traits classically befit a deeply liberal state, he added.

“If you look at the composition of the state and you look at party coalitions, I think that really tells the story,” Karol said.

Nationally, white voters favor Republican candidates over Democrats, while nonwhite voters tend to lean left. “[Republicans] can’t run so much to the right. I think they have to offer appealing alternatives to a more diverse demographic,” said Stella Rouse, a government and politics professor.

This voting pattern hurts Republicans in the state because, Karol said, “Maryland is less white than the country as a whole.”

Compa red to a n at ion a l average of 72.4 percent, this state’s population was 58.2 percent white, according to the 2010 census — and that proportion is not going to rise, the Census Bureau estimated.

Minority groups, which tend to vote overwhelmingly Democratic, make up the rest of the state’s population. At the time of the census, 30 percent of state residents were black, compared to 13 percent nationally.

While Maryland had only half the Hispanic population rate of the 50-state average, that figure

is skewed by border states with higher immigrant populations.

The Latino population has been growing in this state and across the country, signaling greater voting numbers for the Democrats and more strain on Republicans.

Agazzi said her party needs to do more to reach out to minority voters.

“Especially with the Hispanic population growing as steadily and as quickly as it has been,” she said, “it’s a very integral part of the Republican platform that needs to be reshaped.”

The state is also predominantly urban, another trend Karol said favors Democrats.

Demography aside, though, Karol said an increasingly youthful national electorate has come to associate the GOP with negative perceptions of former President George W. Bush’s administration. On campuses such as this one, that constitutes a black mark for Republicans.

“Younger people are very marked by experiences and the context when they start to pay attention to politics,” Karol said.

Older voters, he added, are more likely to also associate Republicans with the prosperity of earlier Republican administrations. Not coincidentally, the GOP has recently done better among older voters than younger ones. “[Older voters] may think of George W. Bush and his perceived failures, but they may also think of Ronald Reagan and his successes,” Karol said. “When they think of the Republican Party, it’s going to be some combination of the good times and the bad times.”

Among younger voters, though, Karol said Republicans face a significant image problem that stems from the younger Bush’s eight years in the Oval Office.

“People under 30 don’t see the same good times,” he said.

“The wars [in Afghanistan and Iraq] dragged out, the economy collapsed. And even though the economy has been slow under President Obama, polls show that a lot of people really do blame the previous administration.”

To best mold a positive image in young voters’ minds, Rouse said, the GOP should become more youthful itself.

“They need to start with fresh minds and young, vibrant leadership in their party,” Rouse said.

However, Grote said policy, not personnel or history, was the driving force behind young voters’ Democratic support.

“You can look at the overall visions of the platforms of the Democratic Party and Republi-

9

can Party and see why younger people tend to vote Democratic,” he said, pointing particularly to the parties’ divergent stances on social issues.

Karol and Rouse both agreed the Democrats have done especially well among young and liberal voters with sympathetic platforms on gay rights and immigration.

On a state level, Rouse said, Republicans’ positions on those issues also have not been — and will not be — helpful to the party’s growth.

“I don’t think that’s going to fly in a state like Maryland,” she said.

Karol said the GOP must be seen as a “credible, responsible, nonthreatening alternative” to the Democrats. In this state, that is clearly a work in progress.

On Election Day, state residents and young voters across the country showed strong liberal leanings. President Obama received 62 percent of the vote in this state, while 18to 29-year-olds voted for him 60 percent of the time nationally, according to a Pew Research Center report last month.

Given all this, it’s no surprise students at this university voted overwhelmingly for Obama, congressional Democrats and liberal ballot questions.

Compared to his 62 percent state victory, Obama received 80 percent of the vote at Stamp Student Union’s polls, and the victorious same-sex marriage and DREAM Act bills received more support on the campus than off by more than 20 percent.

At times, a vocal liberal majority on the campus has seemed to drown out conservative opposition, particularly during the pushes for marriage equality and the DREAM Act. While supporters of those initiatives rallied on the campus, conservatives were distinctly quieter.

“They made Republicans and people who didn’t support the [DREAM Act] seem like they were not very nice people,” Agazzi said.

Rouse said ideological discrimination could happen on a campus like this one, though it never should.

“It can be easy to, even inadvertently or without [bad] intent, stifle out minority views,” she said.

Agazzi said her party continues to grapple with how to reach the youngest members of the electorate.

“On most college campuses,” she said, “it’s not very cool to be a Republican.” newsumdbk@gmail.com

Police issue fewer alcohol citations this semester Good Samaritan policy, protocol changes influenced drop; police saw 15 citations this fall, 73 in fall 2011

By Fola Akinnibi Staff writer Alcohol-related citations from police and the university were down significantly this semester, in part because changes in protocol and awareness of the Good Samaritan policy.

The drop, from 73 alcoholrelated charges in fall 2011 to 15 this semester, marks a year since officials implemented the Good Samaritan policy — a protocol that protects dangerously intoxicated students from university sanctions if an individual calls emergency medical services for them.

There is no way to know what effect the Good Samaritan policy has on these numbers, University Police spokesman Capt. Marc Limansky said, though adjusting to a recent change in protocol may have also contributed to the drop.

Before 2010, police were able to cite individuals for providing minors with alcohol, but now officers must serve a warrant.

T he Office of Student Conduct has also seen its alcohol referrals in the fall semester steadily decline since 2008, from 198 students to 144 this semester, according to Director Andrea Goodwin.

“It’s really hard to tell [w h y] ,” G o o d w i n s a i d .

“Maybe it’s because there’s more awareness.”

Police, faculty and RAs may refer students for attending athletic events intoxicated, carrying open containers, underage drinki n g i n dor m s a nd ot her similar violations, including medical transports.

L a st yea r’s a mped up enforcement could also be deterring students from irresponsible drinking, Limansky said. In fall 2011, a portion of a $30,000 state grant allowed University Police to pay officers overtime to combat alcohol-related offenses. While police

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used just $11,500 of the grant last year, officers said they lacked some manpower this fall without the additional resources.

A spike in alcohol-related medical transports within the first weekend of the semester alarmed police — 28 people were hospitalized, compared to 15 in 2011 and nine in 2010 — but the number of incidents throughout the semester was on par with past periods. Thirtynine students have been transported so far this year, up three from the same period last year, according to University Police.

“At the beginning of the year, it started to look a bit unusual,” Limansky said. “But we didn’t really change anything.”

Despite requiring emergency medical interventions, several students who were hospitalized this semester said they have not cut back on their drinking. Jeff, whose last name is withheld because he discusses illegal activities, said he vaguely remembers his trip to the hospital in early September. The freshman chemistry major said he attended a fraternity party and was so intoxicated he was unable to swipe into his dorm.

Police found Jeff unresponsive near Byrd Stadium, and he was transported to the hospital. The next thing he can recall is a nurse struggling to put an IV in his arm, Jeff said.

He walked back to the campus the next morning.

Jeff said he continues to drink, but he exercises caution by staying put if he is too intoxicated and is far from his dorm.

“I still get hammered,” Jeff said. “The times I do drink, I go all out.”

Most alcohol-related incidents happen in the first month of school — mostly due to the nice weather and incoming freshmen, Limansky said. As the semester moves along, the number of transports normally tapers off.

Goodwin couldn’t give an exact reason for the drop in refer ra l s, but sa id education may play a role. Student Conduct uses a community-

based approach to raise awareness among high-risk groups, said Amanda Long, a coordinator in the University Health Center’s College Environment Safety program.

“I work with many student groups and classes, but have been really focusing on studentathletes, members of Greek organizations and fi rst-year students as they are all identified as high-risk population,” she wrote in an email.

Some students sa id they noticed the drop in alcohol-related incidents. Emma Murray, a CA and sophomore psychology major, said she witnessed just a few drunken students while working at the Denton Hall desk, far fewer than she expected.

The decline in alcohol-related offenses isn’t exclusive to the university community.

University of Virginia Police also reported a drop in alcoholrelated offenses, according to that university’s Crime Prevention Coordinator Angela Tabler.

Violations have been down, Tabler said, especially at football games, and the community-based educational approach has helped curb incidents.

“I n t he l a st yea r, we’ve gotten so many more resources i nvolved,” Tabler sa id.

“This is something I hope to see continue.”

College students nationwide reported binge drinking less, according to a 2011 study by the University of Michigan. The proportion of students who reported drinking five or more alcoholic drinks at one time in the previous two weeks dropped by 16 percent from 1991 to 2011, according to the study.

These national statistics and trends could have an impact on future university alcohol numbers, according to Long.

“Some researchers suggest that the number of high school students choosing to abstain from alcohol is on the rise,” L ong w rote. “T h at mea n s that the number of abstainers on our campus will also rise and could potentially impact student drinking culture at Maryland.”

A lt hou g h t he d e c l i n i n g number of binge drinkers is a welcome sign, police are not completely satisfied, Limansky said. There is always room for more action, but he said there are no planned changes in enforcement for the upcoming semester.

“The risk is always there.

Seei ng people [w ith blood alcohol content] in the 0.2’s, 0.3’s, 0.4’s is very dangerous,” he said. “We can’t say we’re pleased. We don’t want to rest on our laurels.” newsumdbk@gmail.com

10

THE DIAMONDBACK | news | thursday, december 13, 2012

LOH From PAGE 1 choices convinced — yet still hoping — they would pay off decades down the line.

And when he’s in doubt, Loh turns to the words of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky: “You skate not to where the puck is, but where the puck is going to be.”

It started with his first decision in November 2010 — when he had barely settled into his presidency — to have the proposed Purple Line light rail train run through the center of the campus and above the ground, overturning the previous administration’s steadfast decision.

Chief of Staff Michele Eastman, who has been at the university for decades, knew employees and former university President Dan Mote heavily opposed the project.

“That was a huge turn for the campus,” she said. “Ultimately, [Loh] had to make the decision that, yes, the future of the campus was going to be enhanced by public transportation.”

Soon after came appointing Kevin Anderson as athletic director and orchestrating one of the largest administrative turnovers in the university’s history by filling more than 10 upperlevel administrative positions.

“That’s a huge amount of change in upper administration on the campus,” Eastman said. “I’ve never seen this kind of sweeping change in administration in 30 years.”

Un iversity Senate Cha i r Martha Nell Smith agreed Loh’s presidency has been marked by more monumental decisions — often the result of situations Loh inherited when coming into office — than many presidencies of the past.

“I think it’s a more rapid change. I don’t remember there ever being four vice presidents appointed,” she said. “He kind of had to hit the ground running.”

Loh went on to initiate a merger between this university and the University of Maryland, Baltimore; to get East Campus, a 22-acre development that would help revitalize College Park, off the ground after more than a dozen years of discussions; to partner with Coursera to begin providing students online education; and to openly support the state’s DREAM Act, among numerous other initiatives.

All that hardly compared to the two hardest decisions of his life.

Before Loh had completed a year of his presidency, he assembled a task force to study the athletic department’s mounting debt. The group found the department was buried in debt, and without drastic changes, it would face a crippling deficit of $4.6 million in fiscal year 2011.

The task force recommended cutting teams to help the department balance its budget. And after many sleepless nights, Loh ultimately cut seven teams in July.

He knew he never again wanted to look students in the eye and tell them they couldn’t pursue their passion at this university.

“These difficult decisions are the means to an end. they are not the end itself.”

WALLACE LOH

University president So when he had a chance to all but ensure the university’s financial future — even though it meant cutting ties with a conference the university helped found in 1953 — Loh said he couldn’t walk away.

The Big Ten came knocking and wondered if Loh wanted to have a conversation about joining.

By now, everyone knows the story. Everyone knows how controversial the decision was; everyone knows how some fans and alumni felt Loh was abandoning tradition for money.

He was heralded by some and derided by others.

But Loh believed the move had long-term implications he simply couldn’t pass up. After much deliberation with key staff, alumni and elected officials, Loh made the decision to bolt for the Big Ten, hoping for — and expecting — a more promising future.

“The move to the Big Ten is very controversial, and I knew that. I knew there would be this huge outcry from alumni and students and a whole bunch of other people,” he said. “I think we will know in 10 years. Do I personally think that this was the right thing to do? My answer is yes.”

The last two years haven’t been typical, though. Even University System of Maryland Chancellor Brit Kirwan, who has been part of the university for more than 40 years, said Loh’s two years in office have been filled with far more changes than those of his predecessors.

“I don’t think any president has ever faced so many difficult challenges in the first two years of his or her presidency,” he said.

“It’s just been one series of major issues and decisions to make.”

Loh’s decision to leave the ACC, Kirwan said, demonstrated the type of leader he is: someone “willing to put the long-term benefits of an institution ahead of more immediate personal considerations.”

“He’s very much a big picture person. I think he’s also demonstrated enormous courage.

It’s not an easy thing to decide to move the university from a conference that it cofounded,” Kirwan said. “He obviously has taken some criticism, as all of us have, for that decision.”

S o m e o f L o h ’s c a b i n e t members haven’t initially agreed with his proposals or ideas. But debate is a critical part of Loh’s decision-making process.

Brian Ullmann, assistant university marketing vice president, remembered the first few cabinet meetings with Loh. They were quieter, Ullmann said, but soon became characterized by passionate exchanges.

“He actually really values and wants people to voice opposing views,” Ullmann said. “He doesn’t come in and say, ‘Here’s what you’re going to do.’”

Both Ullmann and Eastman said they were initially shocked by the proposed move to the Big Ten, especially after years of history with the ACC. Ullmann

is a university alumnus and Eastman has worked here for three decades.

“When that opportunity arose, I was negative at first. I came here almost 30 years ago and am a lover of ACC basketball. I’ve loved it for all of that period of time,” Eastman said.

“The thought of not being in the ACC for basketball was sort of unimaginable to me.”

Ullmann didn’t feel much differently.

“I was certainly one of those people who, when the Big Ten issue arose, I thought, ‘Wow.’ I’m a grad, a ’92 grad, so this university’s been part of my life for 20 years,” he said. “It was hard to imagine going to another conference.”

H o w e v e r, b o t h c a m e around to the decision and ultimately agreed it was in the best interest of the university without Loh trying to convince them, Ullmann said.

And things aren’t slowing d o w n a ny t i m e s o o n — Eastman said the last two years have been like “drinking from a fire hose.”

While Loh said it is too early to say what his landmark decisions in office will be and what legacy he will leave behind — that’s left up to history — a university is ultimately about ensuring and improving upon quality and affordable education.

“What I’m most proud of is the fact that throughout all of this, the University of Maryland continues to rise academically,” Loh said. “Every year, the quality of students goes up a notch. Every year, our research funding continues to steadily go up. And ultimately, this is not about athletics, this is not about transportation — it’s about academic excellence of a university.”

Those close to him have characterized Loh as a forward thinker, always looking down the line. As the university pushes online education, blended learning, entrepreneurship and innovation and transitions into the Big Ten, there is no doubt Loh always has the university’s future in mind, even if it means not everyone touts him.

“I think he’s a futurist.

I think he appreciates the history, he wants to understand the history, but I think his eyes are on the future,” said Linda Clement, student affairs vice president.

It’s been two years filled with difficult decisions and rapid change. The only thing that’s certain is they will keep on coming, and Loh will keep building his legacy, for better or worse, decision by decision.

“These difficult decisions are the means to an end,” Loh said. “They are not the end itself.” newsumdbk@gmail.com

CLIFF From PAGE 1 policy school.

“There’s this undercurrent in Congress that colleges are raising their tuition just as fast as we raise the student aid,” McCann said. “I could see more in that direction than a direct shot to student aid.”

Additionally, if some cuts do materialize, they could trickle down to the university in other ways. Gary LaFree, director of this university’s Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism, said the organization works directly with federal agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security.

That means slow budget negotiations could force researchers at START to look elsewhere for work if federal agencies balk under the weight of budget concerns.

“You’re dealing with human beings; if they do not have any certainty with the future, they’re likely to look for other jobs,” LaFree said. And if the center is caught in the line of fire over vague budget terms, he said research operations could be shut down, only to open up later, restarted with a costly search for new researchers to fill the shoes of those who left.

“There’s implications both in terms of closing down an operation if the funding disappears and then restarting it,” LaFree said.

Further uncertainty comes from the expected expiration of most Bush-era tax cuts, a scenario that would raise taxes across all brackets, completing the pieces of what has become known as the fiscal cliff.

A shaky economy keeps money on the sidelines, as businesses cautiously wait for Congress to set the rules. Without knowing what’s to come, firms will be slow to hire or make capital expenses, leaving limited job opportunities for students, McCann said.

“People are making economic decisions based on either a

very conservative view of what happens or simply what they think will happen,” he said, or, “People are just slowing down, waiting to see what happens.”

The debate over cutting future budget deficits and chipping into the mounting debts the government faces on its balance sheet has Republicans and Democrats split on how to keep finances from bloating more than they have in the past four years. Republicans want deep cuts to spending and the closing of tax loopholes, while the White House has provided a blueprint for more stimulus spending and tax increases on higher income brackets.

Without a remedy to runaway government spending, Antony Davies, a Duquesne University economics professor, said it would be hard for the labor market to clear up and for the economy to grow.

That would ultimately fall on the shoulders of young people looking for work after graduation and add to the more than 50 percent of graduates who are out of work or underemployed.

“The young generation gets hurt on several fronts,” Davies said.

And this same generation will face higher taxes in the long run to pay down the debt, Davies said.

If Congress does make a deal before the January deadline, McCann said, it would most likely be another short-term fix, given the time constraint on lawmakers. This would entail another stopgap measure, followed by even more partisan debates.

“This is just chapter one of a very long book,” McCann said.

It also has yet to be seen if Congress will face the same standoff it did last summer over raising the nation’s debt ceiling — the limit on how much the federal government can borrow before defaulting — as the debt approaches the $16.4 trillion cap. While the effects of the fiscal cliff could be delayed with stopgap measures, a default has a more sudden impact than what public policy profes-

sor Philip Joyce referred to as the “fiscal slope.”

Although it took lawmakers several weeks to agree to raise the nation’s debt ceiling in summer 2011, the issue is a pointless argument, said Stephanie Kelton, an economics professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. The government can only voluntarily default on its debt because, as a currency issuer, it’s impossible to actually run out of money to pay the bills, Kelton said.

Tax hikes and drastic federal reductions to keep the debt under control, as would be the scenario under the dreaded fiscal cliff, would come at a time when unemployment is still high and a recovery is slowly moving along.

“We’re talking about doing economic policy — raising taxes, cutting government spending — doing the kinds of things that will cause income to go down, spending to go down, sales to go down and unemployment to go up,” Kelton said.

Kelton said the federal government should continue to spend until enough demand is generated to put the economy at full employment — a condition in which everyone who wants work can find jobs — because a thriving economy will solve the problem of deficits on its own.

Austerity measures and tax hikes are only necessary when the economy is growing so fast that firms can’t produce enough to satisfy the growing demand, causing inflation to kick in, which Kelton said is not currently the case. Deep cuts now will only take income out of the economy at an inopportune time.

“You’re going to end up with a much less robust economy — in fact, you’re going to end up in depression — and then you’re going to see unemployment rates rising, and it’s going to be much more difficult for young people to find employment.” newsumdbk@gmail.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012 | THE DIAMONDBACK

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2EVEN 12

THE DIAMONDBACK THE DIAMONDBACK THE| SPORTS DIAMONDBACK | THURSDAY, | XXXDAY, | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER DECEMBer AUGUST XX, 13, 31, 2012

WRESTLING

For Alexander, everything changes After struggling to adjust in freshman season, sophomore Alexander represents Terps’ new generation

By Daniel Popper Staff writer T he Terrapins wrestling team has many sayings. But for Geoff rey Alexander, one resonates the most: “Nothing changes, nothing changes.”

And, after weathering the trials of adjusting to the demanding studentathlete lifestyle, much has changed for the sophomore.

As a wide-eyed high school standout entering a top-20 Division I program, Alexander struggled with newfound pressure the first half of his freshman season.

Though he ended strong, fi nishing second at the ACC championships and earning an NCAA championship berth, no one could’ve anticipated Alexander’s performance this season.

Seven meets into his second collegiate campaign, Alexander is the No. 11-ranked wrestler at 133 pounds.

The Pittsburgh native has compiled a 3-1 record against ranked opponents, including a victory over No. 12 Shelton Mack in last weekend’s dual meet against his hometown Panthers.

Alexander — who will face No. 4 Ohio StateandNo.14Nebraskathisweekend— is tied for first on the team in pins ( four), second on the team in dual points scored (23), tied for second in dual wins (six) and has earned two ACC Wrestler of

ALLEN From PAGE 16 Barry Smith had just reamed out the guard after a springleague game for his involvements with a local AAU team, Hoop Booth, and Seth Allen couldn’t understand why he seemed unable to please Smith.

It didn’t make sense. He starred on the AAU circuit, regularly dropping more than 30 points in games. But when he suited up for Hylton’s Bulldogs, he often fi nished with four or five. He was being limited as a playmaker, being asked to defer the open shot to Hylton’s star player, Kendall Hargrove.

Joe Allen could sense something was off. His son wasn’t his typical, jovial self. He was sullen and reserved, depressed and isolated.

“It was killing his spirit,” Joe Allen said. “It was really tough to see your kid go through that.”

So one night, Joe Allen called Smith and asked to meet with him. When Smith refused, Allen showed up at an Italian restaurant where the coach was eating and asked for answers. He wanted to figure out the problem between Smith and his son. He wanted to understand why Seth Allen wasn’t shooting the ball.

Geoffrey Alexander has starred for the Terps at 133 pounds as a sophomore. The No. 11-ranked wrestler is 3-1 against ranked opponents this year. file photo/the diamondback the Week honors this season.

During the offseason, Alexander continued to work hard, train and condition, leading to an improved skill set for his second season as a starter.

But a sudden belief in himself triggered A lexa nder’s brea kout performance.

“It’s my confidence,” he said. “Going out there and knowing that I am one of the top guys in the country now. I’ve proved that I can roll with the big guys.”

And, finally, he wanted to know how many Division I players Smith felt he had at Hylton.

“One,” Joe Allen recalled Smith saying. “Kendall Hargrove.”

Smith could not be reached for comment.

Joe Allen returned home and made a decision with his wife, Deborah. If their son decided he needed a change, they would support him.

And that’s what they did. A few months later, Seth Allen transferred to Fredericksburg Christian — a small private school located about 40 minutes south of the family’s Woodbridge, Va., home. He was excited about the prospect of playing with three AAU teammates, ready to finally have the freedom to play his game for a coach who recognized his skill set.

T he only problem? Both of A l len’s pa rents worked and were unable to make the commute to Fredericksburg each day. During much of the four-month stretch before he earned his driver’s license, Allen lived with family friends in Fredericksburg and went home on the weekends.

It wasn’t an easy transition for the 15-year-old. Sometimes he called his parents and said he wanted to transfer back to Hylton.

“His confidence level has gone to the next step,” said Alexander’s father, Geoff Alexander. “He’s started believing that he should be on the mat with those kids because he has the same ability and talent. He deserves to be there and he’s earned the right because he works so hard.”

Alexander will be tested again this weekend when the Terps head to New York City on Sunday for the Grapple at the Garden at Madison Square Garden,

Oftentimes he asked his father to drive him back to Fredericksburg early Monday morning, making sure he spent the maximum time with his family before spending the week shuffling between class and practice.

“It was killing him,” Deborah Allen said. “But he knew what he had to do. He used to say, ‘Mom, I’m doing this for my future.’

That’s what he told me.”

Darren Berkley didn’t have too many expectations when he set up an open-gym session for college coaches in spring 2011.

The Fredericksburg Christian coach figured a few Division I assistants would show up to check out the Eagles’ top talent.

Head coaches would be busy scouting more highly touted recruits.

But there was Mark Turgeon, the only head coach standing among about a half dozen midmajor assistants. Turgeon, who was still with Texas A&M at the time, had trekked to northern Virginia on the advice of assistant Scott Spinelli. The scouting report on Allen had been simple: an overlooked combo guard with the ability to fi ll up the stat sheet.

A llen didn’t disappoint, and Turgeon — along with the other six programs in the

where they will match up with the Buckeyes and the Cornhuskers.

He will face Ohio State’s Logan Stieber, the No. 1 wrestler in the nation at 133 pounds and the defending national champion.

“I’m going to go out there and give it everything I have,” Alexander said. “If I lose, it’s back to the drawing board.

But that’s one thing I’ve learned. Even if I have a bad match, to get back into the room, figure out what I did wrong

gym that day — offered Allen a scholarship.

But once again, distance was an issue. Allen is the youngest of four kids, and his parents felt uneasy about sending their “baby” to College Station, Texas. They wanted to see all of Allen’s home games, to let him have the chance to visit Woodbridge when he got a break from the rigors of college life.

Of course, distance couldn’t change how Allen felt about Turgeon. He respected Turgeon’s candor and couldn’t help but believe everything the Aggies coach said.

“I was like, ‘Man, I love this guy. He’s amazing,’” Allen said. “I knew I wanted to be with him. I prayed on it, that something would work out.”

That May, Allen was shooting jumpers at a local gym when his AAU coach told him the news that effectively made his college decision: Turgeon had taken the Terps job. Suddenly, his favorite coach was a mere hour’s drive north on I-95.

Allen took an unofficial visit to College Park days later and became Turgeon’s first commitment with the Terps. He had a meeting scheduled with VCU’s Shaka Smart for the following week, but it wouldn’t be necessary.

and keep pushing forward.”

For coach Kerry McCoy, Alexander’s chief changes came in his mindset and his determination to achieve the ultimate goal: a national championship.

“This year he came in from the start and said he wants to be a national champ,” he said. “That’s really the big attribute because every day, every practice, every time he’s on the mat, he’s working to be a national champ.”

As a freshman, Alexander had guidance and leadership from many of the Terps’ top wrestlers, including twotime All-American Josh Asper and ACC champion Christian Boley.

Now, Alexander is fi lling the same role for the Terps’ newest generation.

“His performance is something that you can take and use as a stencil for the younger guys,” Boley said.

“He does everything right. He comes in and works hard and tries to win every situation.”

Despite his success, Alexander maintains the key to continuing success is to keep improving.

“I didn’t expect to go out there and do as well as I am doing now, but that tells me that I am putting in the work, listening to my coaches and I’m changing,” he said. “And you have to change to get better.” sportsdbk@gmail.com

“I think Turgeon was really kind of the full package for Seth,” Berkley said. “He was a family-oriented guy; he was nearby, and they seemed to have a really nice connection.”

Turgeon wouldn’t blame Allen for thinking he’s crazy half the time, the second-year coach said. He berates his freshman guard throughout practices, yelling with each missed read and defensive lapse. He demands perfection.

Turgeon, who ran the point for Kansas’ 1986 Final Four team, wants him to understand the importance of every possession. He wants Allen to start making the right decisions within the flow of the offense and to become a quality team defender.

And when the pair step off the hardwood, the counseling doesn’t end. With no anger evident in his voice, Turgeon regularly pulls Allen aside to review game fi lm one-on-one or go over plays.

“I think he’s in a place right now where he’s trying to please me,” Turgeon said. “He just doesn’t know exactly how to do it the right way every time.

And once he gets to that point, it’ll all come together for him.”

The numbers reflect Turgeon’s assessment. Though

“I knew I wanted to be with [Turgeon]. I prayed on it.”

SETH ALLEN

Terrapins men’s basketball guard Allen has already made an impact on a deep squad, he struggles through the typical freshman bouts of inconsistency. He poured in a team-high 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting in a Nov. 16 win over LIU Brooklyn, and notched eight assists against Maryland-Eastern Shore on Dec. 5. But he turned the ball over four times in a Nov. 12 victory over Morehead State and is shooting roughly 40 percent from the field.

So while the yelling sessions are likely far from over, Allen — who’s averaging six points and more than three assists per game — has no complaints. He’s just content learning under a coach whohashisbestinterestsatheart— someone who was willing to take a chance on him when few other high-major coaches even knew his name.

“S om e t i m e s h e i s k i n d of crazy,” Allen said with a chuckle. “But it’s all for the better. If he didn’t say anything to me, I’d be like kind of iff y about it, you know?” sportsdbk@gmail.com

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MEN’S BASKETBALL

What to watch for

Here are the top story lines to keep track of while Terps continue play over break JOSH VITALE The Terrapins men’s basketball team is barely within shout i n g d i s t a nc e of t he midway point of its 2012-13 season. It has only played nine of its 31 regular-season contests, and that’s not including a potential ACC tournament run and NCAA tournament berth.

But for all intents and purposes, last night’s contest against Monmouth places the Terps’ season at a sort of halftime. The fall semester officially comes to a close on Wednesday, and the team won’t step onto the court again until Dec. 21.

And when the Terps do host Stony Brook that Friday, they will likely do so in front of a mostly empty Comcast Center.

Students — many of whom will be just a few days removed from a grueling finals week — will likely be home with their families preparing for the holidays. The campus will be mostly barren, and it will likely remain that way until winter break ends Jan. 23.

The Terps don’t get that same hiatus, though. As students enjoy their break in the comfort of their own homes, coach Mark Turgeon’s team will play a critical part of its schedule.

The beginning should be easy. Stony Brook, Delaware State and IUPUI close out the Terps’ nonconference slate, and none of those matchups should offer the team any significant challenge.

But things get difficult five days into the new year. The Terps start their ACC schedule at home

against Virginia Tech, beginning a stretch in which the team will play six games in 18 days — all before the first day of the spring semester.

With contests against the Hokies, Florida State, Miami, No. 25 N.C. State, No. 21 North Carolina and Boston College, the Terps have a chance to show fans what kind of team they’re going to be. Are they going to be a young, inexperienced team illequipped for the rigors of conference play? Or are they going to be the NCAA tournament contender many expected them to be at the start of the season?

The answer to those questions will become more clear over the next 41 days. Until then, here are three story lines to watch during winter break:

1. FAUSTIAN DEAL What kind of player is Nick Faust going to be? Is the guard going to be a high-volume shooter, the heir apparent to former guard Terrell Stoglin as the team’s scoring champion? Or is he going to be the consummate team player, a smart scorer on a team rife with offensive talent?

Turgeon hopes it’s the latter.

With center Alex Len dominating inside and forward Dez Wells making plays on the wing, Faust doesn’t have to be a do-it-all scorer for the Terps. The way the Terps are built, the sophomore isn’t the focal point on offense; he’s just one of a plethora of weapons.

Faust seems to understand.

After an unimpressive season debut — he scored 11 points on 4-of-15 shooting in a loss to then-No. 3 Kentucky —

Turgeon sat down with the Baltimore native and told him it was about points per possession, not points per game.

Faust took the message to heart. He is taking only nine attempts per game now, and he’s averaging a balanced 10.3 points, four rebounds and 3.1 assists so far.

If he can improve on his lackluster 37 percent from the field, Faust could help key the Terps’ postseason run.

2. ROTATING ROTATIONS There aren’t many teams in the nation that can say they possess the same depth as the Terps. Turgeon has regularly employed a 10-man rotation in games this season, and it has shone through on the stat sheet.

Fa u s t, g u a rd s P e’S h o n Howard, Seth Allen and Logan Aronhalt, forwards Wells, Jake Layman, James Padgett and Charles Mitchell, and centers Len and Shaquille Cleare are each averaging double-digit m i nutes. Each has scored at least 26 points and 11 rebounds this season, and each has started at least one game.

But Turgeon has made it clear the 10-man rotation won’t follow the Terps into ACC play. There simply aren’t enough minutes to go around.

The second-year coach is going to reduce his rotation to just eight players, and two of the team’s regulars will end up on the outside looking in.

The likely choices seem to be Aronhalt and Layman. They’re two of the three Terps averaging less than 15 minutes per game,

and as a guard and a forward, they play at relatively crowded positions on the court. Cleare also averages less than 15 minutes per game, but his size inside should keep him part of the rotation.

That’s not to say the pair won’t continue to contribute for the Terps. Aronhalt will likely see run all season as the team’s three-point specialist and Layman still provides Turgeon with an athletic wing defender off the bench.

But when ACC play begins Jan. 5, the Terps’ rotation will include just eight regulars. And Aronhalt and Layman likely won’t be among them.

3. Len playing wells At this time last year, Wells was making a name for himself at Xavier and Len was still two weeks away from making his collegiate debut. This season, they’re the most integral pieces on a team looking to make the postseason for the first time since 2010.

Wells — who transferred to the university in September after his expulsion from Xavier and was granted eligibility to play in November — is averaging an explosive 12.4 points per game, and Len is averaging a team-high 13.9 points, 8.7 boards and 2.3 blocks per game in a much-improved sophomore campaign.

Together, they’ve been two of the most consistent Terps, playing key roles in many of the team’s victories. Wells struggled to live up to expectations, and Len had trouble adjusting to life in America after coming to College Park from Ukraine. But in the first third of the season, the star duo

CIrOVSKI From PAGE 15 immense talent pool proved to be unmatchable depth. Sixteen players scored for the Terps this year, and 19 recorded points for the nation’s highest scoring offense. Only two Terps who played this year didn’t play a direct role in a goal.

“The fact there are so many talented players who are embracing and understanding their role has been a real credit to the players putting the ‘we’ in front of the ‘me,’” Cirovski said after the ACC Championship win Nov. 11.

That depth meant no game was ever out of reach for the Terps. Against Georgetown, the Terps fell behind, 3-1 and 4-2, but each time scored to put the game back within reach before forward Christiano Francois tied it with about 13 minutes remaining.

Guard Nick Faust (top), forward Dez Wells (center) and center Alex Len are going to be the key players to watch as the Terps approach the start of ACC play. charlie deboyace/the diamondback has finally become comfortable.

Will that newfound comfort help them transition their early season success into ACC play?

That remains to be seen. But if the Terps have any hope of achieving their postseason goals, Wells and Len are going to have to be a significant part of it.

The Terps’ limited scoring options h i ndered them throughout ACC play last season, as Stoglin was their only consistent scoring threat.

But with Wells and Len proving themselves as elite contributors, and Faust and a slew of others playing complementary roles, the team will have options once league play begins.

Last season, the Terps stumbled to a 2-4 start in ACC play.

When students arrive back on the campus for classes Jan. 23, there’s a real possibility the Terps could sit 6-0 in the conference.

“Against a team like Maryland, you’re never going to feel secure with that,” Georgetown coach Brian Wiese said. “They proved exactly why they’re leading the country in scoring goals this season.”

L e d b y M AC H e r m a n n Trophy fi nalist Mullins, who finished the year with team highs in goals (17) and assists (10), the Terps (20-1-3) steamrol led th rough thei r ea rly schedule. And as the goals dried up later in the season, they still found the net when they needed it most, whether it was from Francois (five) or forward Schillo Tshuma (10) or even Woodberry (three).

But the scene in Hoover ended three Terps stalwarts’ careers in College Park. Stertzer, Kemp and Woodberry won 68 games and left their marks on the program, whether it was Stertzer’s 14 goals last year, Kemp’s battling back from

injuries or Woodberry’s three big goals this year.

There will be voids to fill, but Cirovski returns a plethora of young players now more experienced and fresh off a gutting disappointment on the sport’s biggest stage. Cirovski will reload, and the Terps can make another run.

“I’m always going to remember this day,” Tshuma said after his two-goal performance in Hoover.

“I’m already looking forward to next year. We have a lot of young players, and we’re going to have another chance to be back in the College Cup next year.”

Friday night was a bitter disappointment, but while Cirovski sat in Hoover, the gears were already turning in his head.

“We’re going to be back,” Cirovski said. “We will be in Philadelphia next year, and you can put that down.”

sportsdbk@gmail.com

sportsdbk@gmail.com

14

THE DIAMONDBACK | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

2EVEN THURSDAY, DECEMBer 13, 2012 | SPORTS | THE DIAMONDBACK

MEN’S SOCCER | SEASON IN REVIEW

THE DIAMONDBACK THE DIAMONDBACK | XXXDAY, | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER AUGUST XX, 31, 2012 15

‘We’re going to be back’ Days after falling in College Cup semis, Cirovski already looking ahead to next season’s title run

By Daniel Gallen Senior staff writer

coach Sasho Cirovski (left) is already preparing for another College Cup run. Forward Patrick Mullins (top, right) and midfielder Schillo Tshuma should help lead the team next year. charlie deboyace/the diamondback

Back i n Aug ust, Sasho Cirovski sat with fork and knife in hand, but he didn’t touch the chicken breast or salad that sat on the table in front of him at Mulligan’s Grill and Pub at the university golf course.

T here wa s to o mu ch to discuss.

Holding court in front of the local media, the Terrapins men’s soccer coach talked quickly and excitedly about the upcoming season, the state of college soccer and anything else that came to his mind. He was in his element, displaying a youthful radiance despite being on the doorstep of his 20th year as coach.

Nearly 16 weeks later and more than 750 miles away in Hoover, Ala., an ashen and somber Cirovski sat in a Regions Park press box. The Terps had just fallen to Georgetown in penalty kicks in the College Cup semifi nals, and Creighton and Indiana could be seen warming up for the night’s second game through the panoramic windows on the coach’s right.

On that overcast August day, there was no doubt in Cirovski’s mind the Terps would be watching that semifi nal. They would be scouting the two teams on the field, waiting to see which they would battle for the national championship.

But they wouldn’t have any reason to watch that second semifinal. Instead, the Terps were headed back to College Park empty handed, losers in their first College Cup appearance since 2008.

“It’s very difficult to cope with the reality that we’re not advancing,” Cirovski said.

Through the duration of the season, it seemed like nothing could — or would — stop the Terps as they marched toward the program’s fourth national championship. Even when they hiccuped late in the year, stumbling to a tie and a loss against Clemson

and Wake Forest, respectively, to close their regular season slate, they rebounded right away.

They captured an ACC championship with a dominating performance over North Carolina.

The Terps, whose preseason goals were the ACC regular season title, conference tournament title and national championship, were just one step away from achieving the daunting task Cirovski had set out for them.

“We’re contenders every year,” Cirovski said in August.

“But I’ve said before, if we don’t bring at least one championship home this year, whether it’s an ACC or national championship, this will be a failure.”

As the Terps slowly walked off the field, the ACC’s regular season and tournament championships provided little solace.

After near-perfect regular and postseason runs, they came up short when it mattered most.

The team’s three seniors — midfielder John Stertzer and defenders Taylor Kemp and London Woodberry — sank to the ground and covered their faces. Midfielder Helge Leikvang wore an expression of shock and disbelief after his final penalty kick was saved by Georgetown goalkeeper Tomas Gomez to end the game.

“It just wasn’t meant to be,” forward Patrick Mullins said.

But for so long, it seemed like it was.

There were so many opportunities for the Terps to slip up.

They played North Carolina twice. They battled Louisville twice, beating them both times to exact revenge after the Cardinals bounced them from the 2011 postseason. They also tied UCLA, which started the season with the nation’s No. 2 ranking.

Plus, with the amount of talent on the team, Cirovski had to find players enough minutes and keep his team happy. But instead of clashing egos, that See CIROVSKI, Page 13

QUOTE OF THE SEMESTER Randy Edsall Terrapins football coach

“I have emotions. I don’t think you are human if you don’t have emotions.”

Sports

PAGE 16

STAY UPDATED OVER BREAK

For continued coverage of the Terrapins men’s and women’s basketball teams over break, visit diamondbackonline.com.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

MEN’S BASKETBALL

An unbreakable bond

Turgeon’s first recruit hopes to build lasting legacy with Terps

By Connor Letourneau Senior staff writer

Seth Allen knows he’s part of history.

He realized as much when he became the Terrapins men’s basketball program’s fi rst recruit of the Mark Turgeon era.

Just three days after Turgeon arrived in College Park in May 2011, a 16-yearold Allen sat in the coach’s Comcast Center office a nd made h is verba l commitment. It didn’t matter at the time that the only other member of the Terps’ class, close friend Justin Anderson, would ultimately land at Virginia.

It didn’t even matter Turgeon hadn’t had a chance to decorate his new space.

Allen was ready to repay a man for believing in his dream to play at the Division I level, for being the first and only highmajor coach to offer him a scholarship.

After all, he already understood how it felt to play for someone who didn’t support him. Turgeon supported him enough to provide more than just a roster spot — he was giving him a shot at a lasting legacy.

“It’s just a blessing to be the first recruit,” Allen said last week. “Coach Williams was here, like, 22 years. So if Turgeon is here that long, it’ll be like 22 years, and people will still remember me as his fi rst. It’s great.”

Allen’s father, Joe, recalled his son’s frustration: Hylton High School coach See ALLEN, Page 12

Guard Seth Allen (right) was the first player to commit to coach Mark Turgeon when he took the Terps job. The freshman is averaging six points and more than three assists per game so far this season. charlie deboyace/the diamondback