Rams advance to MASCAC in thriller
Ben Stepner jazz trio pg. 7
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T he G atepost T he Inde pendent Weekly Student Ne wspa per of Framingham State College Since 1932
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Survey shows recession affecting more than half of FSC students By Roya Bahrami Assistant News Editor By Pam Barberio Editorial Staff
Josh Kruger/The Gatepost
Ngozi Nwabeke particpates in the “Pie an RA” event in Larned Hall to raise money for Haiti.
The “starving college student” lifestyle is familiar to those who struggled financially for four years while attaining a degree. In 2010, the image of the starving college student is arguably more real than ever. An unscientific Gatepost survey of 400 Framingham State College students found the economic downturn to be impacting the majority of students’ lives and for some, their educations. According to survey results, 261 respondents said a parent has been laid off, or their family’s income has decreased within the past year. Sixty-seven said a parent
By Sara Mulkeen Assistant News Editor has been laid off from work, 83 have had a decrease in income due to cut hours at work, 61 responded that their parents experienced pay cuts, 42 said their parents lost yearly bonuses and 36 said their parents lost the opportunity to earn extra money through working overtime. One survey respondent wrote that one of his or her parents “quit because business was failing,” while another said, “My dad has his own business and less people are hiring him.” Because of the impact of the recession, some students are working more hours during the school year to pay for -Continued on page 4
FSC remembers Dr. Douglas Bloomquist
By Madison Dennis Editor-in-Chief By Lauren Byrnes Associate Editor
FSC lost a beloved member of our community on Feb. 11 with the death of Dr. Douglas Bloomquist, a devoted faculty member, caring family man and friend. Bloomquist was an FSC psychology professor for over 30 years, and also served as department chair. He retired in 2006, but continued to teach part-time until October, 2009 when he could no longer teach due to his declining health. “He played a major role in shaping the psych department and the psychol-
ogy program as we know it. A lot of the things that the department does now, and prides itself on doing, he had a role in starting,” said Dr. Robert Martin, vice president of academic affairs. Among his many contributions to the FSC community, Bloomquist helped to start the FSC Psi Chi Chapter, an honors society for psychology majors. He was very dedicated to the society, attending Psi Chi ceremonies with his wife and daughter up until his death. Bloomquist was also known as the only professor who taught the Conditioning and Animal Learning course, better known by
Women’s basketball season ends with playoff loss pg. 10
psychology majors as “the rat lab.” “It hasn’t been taught since he left - no one has been able to continue that,” said Professor Anna Flanagan, current psychology department chair. Professor Flanagan has been Bloomquist’s colleague for the past 12 years she has been working here. Bloomquist was also involved with Division II of the American Psychological Association, and was a president of the New England Psychological Association (NEPA). His involvement with the NEPA helped the FSC psychology department meet with and -Continued on page 3
Matt Mikaelian/The Gatepost
Students sign a letter to Gov. Deval Patrick requesting funding for the Hemenway project.
Half an education?
Crazy without connection?
pg. 9
pg. 6
The Gatepost
Page 2
February 26, 2010
Gatepost Interview
Police Logs
By Amanda Lefebvre Staff Writer
tion and Advocacy.
GP: What is your educational background?
GP: Are you working on any special projects?
Cleary: I received my B.A. in English and theater arts from Mary Washington College … and then I received 1:59 Narcotics investigation - Corinne Hall Towers. my master’s in education with a focus in arts education Reported odor of marijuana. Unfounded. from Harvard University. GP: Why did you want to become a teacher?
Editorial Board 2009-2010 Editor-in-Chief Madison Dennis
Associate Editor Lauren Byrnes
News Editor Amy Koski
Assistant News Editors Roya Bahrami, Lindsay Chase, Rakel Hjaltadóttir and Sara Mulkeen
Arts & Features EditorS Matthew Bushery and Tom O’Brien
Assistant Arts & Features Editors Pam Barberio, Spencer Buell, Krysta Davis and Amanda Lefebvre
SPORTS EDITORS
Nenia Corcoran and Josh Primak
Assistant Sports Editors Jeff Mandeau and Chris McCabe
Opinion Editor Staff
PHOTO EDITORS
Matt Bennett, Tom Higgins, Josh Kruger, Drake McCabe and Matthew Mikaelian
Advertising Editor Staff
ONLINE EDITORs Liz Anders and Jen Perrin
Administrative assistant Betty Brault
Advisor
Desmond McCarthy
General Staff
Nicole Dygon Chris Kopacko Erika Kruger Kelsey Loverude Ashley Moran
100 State Street, College Center Room 410 Framingham, MA 01701-9101 Phone: (508) 626-4605 Fax: (508) 626-4097 www.thegatepost.com gatepost@framingham.edu
GP: What is your fondest memory from college?
Cleary: I have wanted to become a teacher probably Cleary: Honestly, I really loved being an RA in college. since I was a small child - I was that person that played The first year of being an RA, when I was a sophomore, school, had a blackboard with chalk, made up rosters. I and that staff of people that I worked with - the other just always knew that I wanted to do something that was RAs on my staff and our boss - we just became such with people and buildan amazing unit and coming community. And I munity, and I made some think learning can be rewonderful friends. ally fun, and I think the GP: Do you have any adclassroom environment vice for your students? - the community that can be built - can be a really Cleary: Giving it your dynamic and exciting best, and knowing that place. I want students to you’ve given it your best feel that learning can be - taking advantage of befun and that relationship ing in college - of all the between a teacher and a resources and the people student can be a rich and here. For me, my entire diverse and exciting rejob here is about helping lationship. ... I learn a lot the students, and I think from my own students. that students have a lot I also just love helping of amazing opportunities them in their lives as while they’re here. well. The education of a college student is not GP: What is your favorjust about the education ite part of working at in a classroom - it’s the FSC? overall education of the Amanda Lefebvre/ The Gatepost human being, I think, Cleary: I really love getand so much happens to Jennifer Cleary ting to know the students. people when they are in I have been so welcomed college - life changes, and figuring out what you want by my colleagues - Margie Sudmyer is the first person I to do and who you are - and being a part of that with the met in the department, and I just felt so welcomed and students I find to be one of the best privileges of being a supported and I’ve made some really wonderful conteacher on the college level. tacts with these great people and we have a lot in comGP: Please give a brief summary of your resume. Cleary: When I graduated from undergrad, I had a professional internship for a year at the New Repertory Theater, which is a professional theater company in Watertown, Mass., and I worked there for the entire season - I worked on five professional shows - as the assistant stage manager. Because I worked in theater, I’ve had a lot of jobs because it’s freelance work. … I have worked as a teacher for a high school program for five summers, and that’s actually where I started teaching communications with those students, so teaching has always been there, even when I was working professionally as a stage manager, and then I started at Brandeis in 2000 teaching stage management and working with students on productions. That’s when teaching really became my focus. GP: What are you teaching this semester?
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Cleary: I am teaching Intro to Speech Communications, Small Group Communications, and Argumenta-
Forecast
Ngozi Nwabeke Shaeleen Perreault Ariana Shuris Monique Thomas
Cleary: I actually have been working for Opera Boston for the past two years. I’ve been their chorus manager. I help hire and contract and work with the chorus members of the operas that they do.
mon. It’s always exciting for me to meet new people and new places and have new collegial relationships. It’s just been a really fun place to be. GP: Do you have any hobbies? Cleary: I don’t even know if you can call it a hobby, but I have a dog. He is 11 years old and he is the best and we actually volunteer together for Care and Canines visiting therapy dogs. We go to nursing homes and hospitals and rehabilitation facilities and visit with children and adults and the elderly and it’s been really, really amazing, and he is just amazing - I just love taking care of him. The other thing that I’m doing right now is I’m getting ready to start volunteering, hopefully, for an organization called the Children’s Room. They provide grief support for families who are suffering a loss in the immediate family - either a sibling or a parent - and I’ve been in training for several hours with them and will hopefully be starting to help facilitate some of the support groups there in the coming weeks. So volunteering is a big thing that I do outside of work.
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Wednesday, February 24, 2010 00:16 Medical - Corinne Hall Towers. Ambulance transport to MWMC.
Jennifer Cleary Communication Arts Department
WednesdaY
Sunday, February 21, 2010 20:27 Suspicious activity - FSC Police Station. Unauthorized credit card usage.
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The Gatepost
February 26, 2010
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Flanagan: Bloomquist “just an incredible guy” -Continued from page 1
learn from psychology professors around New England. Though Bloomquist was highly accomplished professionally, it was his teaching style and care dedication to his students that the campus community will remember above all. “Dr. Bloomquist was a professor who really cared about his students,” said psychology professor, Dr. Bridgett Perry-Galvin. President Timothy Flanagan also mentioned Bloomquist’s excellent relationship with his students. “He was so excited about teaching and he had a genuine pleasure in terms of interacting with students.” President Flanagan remembered his experience with Bloomquist teaching on opposite sides of Dwight Hall last fall, describing how they often helped each other at the beginning of the semester when they were both struggling with the technology in their classrooms. “One day I would go over and help him get something get cued up, and one day he would come over and help me get something cued up,” he remembered fondly. Professor Flanagan said, “He was here for over 30 years and taught so many undergraduates. I think they appreciated his dedication to the students and to their research. “I had the opportunity to observe him once in the classroom and I found him to be very interested in his students. He had a collegial attitude toward them, jovial and informal in talking with them,” she said. “He was doing a presentation in sensation perception when I observed him, and I thought he did a nice job blending the research with the actual applications of what he was talking about. … I thought the material that he was teaching was difficult and he was giving the students a very good education in that way.” Bloomquist was close to his colleagues and was an active member of not only the FSC community, but also of his hometown of Holliston, Mass. Professor Flanagan said, “He was interested in his col-
leagues as people. It wasn’t so much that we sat around and we talked about psychology all the time. We talked about life outside the classroom, and he had many interests outside the classroom which he shared and you knew that they were important to him. “He also managed to bring some of us into those interests,” she said. “I remember when I had just started here, he asked me to come judge a Lions’ Club speech competi-
“Doug was a mean second baseman who
took the game seriously and enjoyed nothing more than beating the stuffing out of the student teams!” - Dr. John Ambacher
tion in Holliston. Once I figured out where Holliston was, I drove over and I judged this competition because he was a member of The Lions’ Club.” Bloomquist was also remembered for his love of baseball by many of his friends and fellow faculty members, and he often invited them to sporting events in which he participated. Flanagan recalled a conversation he had with Bloomquist last summer in Cape Cod at an Orleans Firebirds game. “My wife and I had gone to the game and Doug walked up - we chatted for about an hour, just sortof hanging over a chain link fence at a baseball game. Boy, he was a great baseball fan.” Dr. John Ambacher of the Government Department said, “I first got to know him when we formed a faculty softball team and competed in intramurals against the students. Doug was a mean second baseman who took the game seriously and enjoyed nothing more than beating the stuffing out of the student teams!”
Bloomquist also enjoyed photography and was often seen at the FSC basketball games taking pictures. A memorial service was held on campus last Saturday at the Heineman Ecumenical and Multicultural Center to commemorate his life. The memorial was standing room only. Martin called the memorial “a very touching and moving service.” “It was a wonderful turnout of people in the community who knew Doug - from the Holliston Lions’ Club to the softball team. It’s clear that he was quite a character,” he said. President Flanagan said, “The more I learned about him, hearing from his family and friends at his memorial service - the number of lives he touched during his career and during his life - just an incredible guy.” Dr. Paul Galvin said he will miss Bloomquist’s “routine” and “presence” on campus most. “I could set my watch by him when it came to going over to the snack bar (aka, ‘Graceland’) in the Wellness Center. He always went over there to top off his coffee before Grace would close up shop. I felt comfortable around Doug even if we had nothing to say.” Professor Flanagan said, “I’m going to miss seeing him here in the building. … You just expect to see him around, and he was here late at night, so he was very visible on campus. He attended many campus events, and I think just knowing that he would be there, he would have his camera, he would be photographing the event was always reassuring and something predictable for us.” Psychology Professor Deborah McMakin said, “The funny anecdote that comes to mind is the ongoing joke that Doug was always in his office. You always knew where to find Doug … he loved being on campus.” Martin said, “I’m moved by and impressed by people who, in their lives, have touched a lot of other people, and it’s clear that Doug Bloomquist had done that.” Bloomquist will be remembered and greatly missed by the FSC community.
SGA deliberates class and club budgets, CollegiateLink program By Lindsay Chase Assistant News Editor At Tuesday night’s SGA meeting, funds were allocated to FSC’s Gaming Club and to the Class of 2010. The FSC Hiking Club’s constitution was accepted and a new Web site program, CollegiateLink, was discussed. Jeffrey Brown, president of the Gaming Club, said the club was “designed just for gathering all the separate gaming groups … to get them all together, so they can meet new people, play with each other, play amongst other groups and then try new games out. “Our events specifically are designed to be large social events that showcase and show off other games that people may not have been exposed to before,” he added. Brown said the club is planning an arts and crafts night and a “friendly video game tournament” for the future. The tournament would be for people who would like to play video games rather than board games. “That would be a large, multiplayer game that they’d be able to brag about and have fun with,” he said. SGA allocated $170 to the FSC Gaming Club, which will be transferred to the club pending the approval of a new advisor. Sara Mills, SGA treasurer and president of the Class of 2010, requested that SGA co-sponsor Senior Week. She also asked for $1,357.52 for the class. Mills asked SGA to pay for two of the four buses scheduled for transportation to
Senior Week events. SGA voted to allocate the requested amount, which would decrease the cost for seniors attending events. The Spirit of Boston cruise would usually cost $100 per person, but the cost would go down to $85 with extra SGA funds. Red Sox tickets normally cost $50 for each person and the cost would decrease to about $36, according to Mills. FSC’s Hiking Club’s constitution was amended for the first time and accepted by SGA. Vincent Hayes, of the Hiking Club, said his club offers a “healthy and fun way to experience nature.” Hayes told SGA members that about 45 people have become members of the club’s Facebook group. The possibility of purchasing CollegiateLink, a new Web site program designed for use by FSC clubs and students, was also discussed by SGA members. The program would cost $8,000 per year, and the price could increase over time. SGA President Steve Whittemore said, “[The site] is going to make Blackboard and myFramingham obsolete” for Student Involvement and Leadership Development (SILD) and “completely eliminate paper.” He added that it would “speed up the process” of registering for events and kiosks would be used for students to scan into events. Whittemore said the kiosks would be -Continued on page 5
Editor ’s Note In the Feb. 12, 2010 issue of The Gatepost, in the first article titled “Hemenway renovations, construction postponed to 2015,” Dr. Kristin Chon was misquoted as saying, “I’m actually hoping the Hemenway project isn’t going to do anything for our department.” In reality, Chon said she is disappointed that the plans for updating Hemenway Hall only include the biology and chemistry labs until more funds become available. Chon said that although she understands the biology and chemistry labs are in more urgent need of repair and that there is limited funding, she is disappointed that the Hemenway project will not directly address the problems and limitations faced in the labs of the Physics and Earth Sciences department.
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The Gatepost
February 26, 2010
Survey says more students to commute due to recession
-Continued from page 1 tween January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008 and the year we just completed, we had a 34 percent their education or support themselves financially. increase of students coming into our office - which The majority of students - 121 of those suryou would have expected because the economy veyed - said they work between 11 and 20 hours was getting bad, and you would think, ‘Of course per week, while 106 said they work one to 10 students are going to seek us out,’ but the fact that hours per week. Forty-two work 21-30 hours per we were steady throughout the entire year was posweek, 13 exceed 30 hours per week and 117 do itive.” not work during the school year. Students are also finding time in between work These numbers may have been different in past and school to participate in extracurricular campus years, since 119 students said they have recently activities. Although 109 out of 400 students who picked up more work hours due to financial need. responded to The Gatepost survey answered they Senior Coryn Snyder is experiencing the hardhave refrained from participating in extracurricuship of balancing work and school. “Working full lar activities, clubs or sports in order to work, Altime and going to school is really difficult. It’s lyson Chisholm of Student Union Activities Board hard to choose between paying the bills so they (SUAB) said that student involvement in SUAB don’t shut off my cell phone, and doing homework has actually increased this year. so I can pass classes. I pick up as many hours as I “We’d have about 35-40 regular people that possibly can because I have to pay a lot more bills Tom Higgins/ The Gatepost come to the meetings on Monday nights, and that’s than the average-aged college student,” she said. A student working at the College Center a big increase from the previous years.” Dr. Susanne Conley, vice president for enrollRachel Keir, president of SUAB, suggested that One survey respondent said he or she currently lives on ment and student development, said on-campus job opportunities are the best way for students to balance campus, but is thinking about commuting to save money. the state of the economy may be playing a role in the inOn the same subject, another respondent said, “I’m going crease of students’ involvement on campus. “Honestly, work and school. [the bad economy] hasn’t really affected us much. … “We have been encouraging on-campus employment to [commute] next year!” Stoops said the administration has been working with Maybe it’s because it’s hard to find jobs. It’s kind of been because if you don’t have a commute time, that is a big help. A lot of the desk attendant jobs, in the wee hours, students who have encountered problems paying for tu- the opposite effect for us, because, as Ally said, we have way more members in our club than we did last year, and you can open up a book, as well as other jobs such as the ition, board and other school necessities. “It feels as if, anecdotally, we’ve seen more people are going to events.” receptionists at Angel Seto, the club coordinator of the office of Stumore students coming in for emergency the Welcome dent Involvement and Leadership Development (SILD), loans this semester, and more students Center. With Twenty-two of the 400 students surveyed needing health insurance and being stuck said most students involved with on-campus clubs and campus jobs, it’s indicated that they have sought counseling to in terms of affording that, so obviously activities are looking for the experience, and don’t seem easier to squeeze we’re trying to work with them in terms to be affected by financial issues. “A lot of the people I that reading in deal with monetary stress and/or anxiety of the Dean’s Emergency Loan,” she said. work with are underclassmen … and I think that they just while you’re beStoops acknowledged the trend that want to have a typical college experience, so they’re going paid.” in relation to financial issues. students are commuting The survey rather than living on camfound 26 percent pus for financial reasons. of respondents believe their performance in school has been negatively “I know for some students, they may feel like they can’t afford to live on campus, so affected by financial issues. Dr. Melinda Stoops, dean of students, commented on they’re commuting from home or making the possibility that students’ financial troubles could be alternative arrangements.” However, Stoops noted that Glenn Coaffecting their education. Stoops said, “I think [the economy] has affected stu- chran, associate dean of students and direcdents … in the sense that they may be having to work tor of residence life and housing, has been more to afford to come to school, because their parents working with students to help them find fican’t make up the difference or pay as much as they have nancial aid for on-campus housing expensbefore, [or] they may need to rely on different methods es. Stoops said Cochran works closely with of paying for school - for example, someone who maybe the director of financial aid to re-examine didn’t have to take out loans before has to take out loans students’ financial aid packages if they can now. … I think it comes across in a lot of different ways no longer afford to live in the dorms. Conley believes the best way for upand it’s just hard to afford the cost of education, which, when you look at the price of Framingham State, it’s a coming graduates to prepare themselves for the difficult job market is to complete good deal, but higher education is expensive in general.” Stoops said she believes it is natural that the poor econ- “internships, take a language if you have free electives, because omy would have a we’re becoming a negative effect on Tom Higgins/ The Gatepost The majority of students - 121 of those dual-language society, students’ grades. “I A student employee at the Cyber Cafe surveyed - said they work between 11 and 20 and attend the etiquette would imagine that ing to stay as involved as they were, regardless of how the for some students, hours per week, while 106 said they work one to dinner to polish your manners.” She also said graduates should not economy is doing.” it’s a lot more to 10 hours per week. Forty-two work 21-30 hours Twenty-two of the 400 students surveyed indicated keep up with their per week, 13 exceed 30 hours per week and 117 be wary of accepting a position that they have sought counseling to deal with monetary stress may not be their dream job. grades if they have do not work during the school year. “Don’t look down your nose at en- and/or anxiety in relation to financial issues. to work more or Paul Welch, director of the Counseling Center on camtry-level jobs. Be flexible with what commute and they you accept when you’re first in the pus, said he would expect to see a trend of stress or worry find themselves with less time.” due to money problems. “It’s sort of understandable when She also said students are encountering more financial market.” Richard Davino, director of the office of career ser- you think about how important money is to all of us in distractions between “stress and anxiety, worrying about vices and employer relations, discussed a recent influx of sustaining our lives,” he said. finance and worrying about how your family is doing.” Welch said each individual usually has a different reStoops added, “The college is always looking at ways students utilizing the resources available through career sponse to stress. “[For] some people, it can motivate them of increasing aid to students with grants that don’t have to services. Davino noted that both student usage and job postings to take action, to make appropriate changes.” be repaid.” Welch gave an example of a student whose family had While dorm life is often thought to be a significant part on the College Central Network database have increased of a college experience, some students are opting to com- significantly since 2008. “We’ve had a 253 percent in- recently encountered a significant change in their financmute from home to save on room and board fees, which crease of activity on College Central Network, which is es. He said this student decided to drop a class, so he or our jobs and internships posting database, between this she could work more and send money back home. cost a great deal more than tuition at FSC. “I think the students we see are incredibly resilient, Seventy-two survey takers said they commute to school year and last year.” -Continued on page 5 He added, “Overall, if you look at a calendar year, bewith the specific goal of saving money.
Vice President for Enrollment and Student Development Susanne Conley invites students to visit her office in Dwight Hall to sign the Hemenway Hall petition, which will be sent to Gov. Deval Patrick. The purpose of the petition is to show student support in obtaining funding for the Hemenway laboratory renovations. For more information regarding the Hemenway renovations, read the article “Hemenway renovations, construction postponed to 2015” in our Feb. 12 issue on www.thegatepost.com.
February 26, 2010
The Gatepost
Stoops: “It’s a tough time to be in college.”
-Continued from page 4
and so they are very proactive in wanting to take care of business,” he added. He suggested students should be capable of making appropriate adjustments and asking themselves some important questions after experiencing a change in income or financial status. Welch said students might ask themselves: “‘This is a different picture now, so what do I have in front of me?’ ‘What do I have to work with?’ ‘Do I have to go to the Office of Financial Aid to either apply for assistance, or increase assistance based on a change in status?’” Welch said he recommends any student worrying about finances or other issues visit the Counseling Center. Despite the uncertain economy, college graduates are finding themselves in, almost half the students surveyed said they are confident they will obtain a job in their field of undergraduate study. Conley’s most important advice for students is to “work hard to stay in school.” FSC student Aimee Rivera discussed her time-management struggle with her two classes, internship and 40-hour work week - a situation with which she believes many students can relate. “I think that living the student life, for some, is hard - trying to balance work life, social life and school. I am just
-Continued from page 4
looking forward to what will be next in life and hopefully it will be good, because I have worked hard to be where I am right now,” she said. Davino said students should “do what [they] can and search where [they] can” for jobs and opportunities postgraduation. “My sense is that a lot of students work al-
“I think the students we see are incredibly resilient, and so they are very proactive in wanting to take care of business.” - Paul Welch, director of the Counseling Center ready, and some of them may be just turning those into full-time experiences. Even if that’s not their dream situation, it’s steady income while they look for something perhaps better.” Although most of the survey respondents were optimistic about their future careers, 66 percent believe that in the
next year the economy will not improve. Stoops said, “I think they’re right. It’s not going to be better. It’s a tough time to be in college.” Senior Brunno Goncalves said his work experience has given him hope that the economy and consumer spending are improving. “At my work, a few people had to be sent off, but two of them were called back since things are starting to pick up,” Goncalves said, “People are starting to spend more money now. As an example, I run a soccer school for kids where moms pay $900-$1,200 a year for their kids to play. When we have special clinics, they even pay more.” Maxwell Morrongiello, a sophomore and president of the Political Roundtable Club, commented on the importance of higher education during an economic recession. “Ultimately, it’s all about jobs. In a recession, a lot of people go back to school to get more skills. By getting a better education, the economy, as a whole, benefits.” Junior Dave Freni thinks the poor economy offers those with bachelor’s degrees the opportunity to dedicate more time to education before entering the workforce. “If anyone was thinking about going to graduate school, now is the time to accomplish that and hopefully, by the time you are finished with that, jobs will become readily available,” he said.
Clubs may go paperless with new program
beneficial in determining club budgets, in that event attendance could be referenced by club and SGA members. The Web site would enable club elections to be conducted online and every FSC student would have a personal profile. This would show the clubs with which each student is involved. A bulletin board for flyers would function to advertise campus-wide events. Each club would also have its own profile and there would be a page displaying the club’s budget and any deductions from it. SGA would have access to every club’s finance page by permission. The club’s profile would allow members to reserve rooms for events, and upload documents. The profile would also show a list of members in the club. SILD’s initiative to buy this program has been brought to Dr. Melinda Stoops, dean of students, and Dr. Susanne Conley, vice president for enrollment and student development. Monetarily speaking, the idea is at a “standstill,” according to Whittemore. SGA would pay $7,000 of the $8,000 and SILD would pay the remaining $1,000.
Whittemore said, “SGA would be responsible for the budget every year. … It’s a huge concern that it’s a yearly fee.” Mills said, “It makes sense that we put more money in anyway because [SILD] is one key player in this whole thing, but there’s [40 or 50 clubs] that’ll be using [the site] so it makes sense for [the money] to come out of student activities fees if it’s for a student activities Web site.” He added, “Student Involvement will have control, but we’ll pay for it. … I think it would be better for Student Involvement to control it and us to pay for it.” According to Whittemore, Bridgewater State College, Holy Cross and UMass Amherst are already using the program. Bridgewater has been using the site for at least one year. So far, he said, there has been no negative feedback. Edwin Cruz, a member of SGA, expressed concern over the lack of face-to-face involvement and contact between clubs and SGA. “What’s the point of student involvement if you’re not going to get involved?” Daron Carlson, SGA vice president, said, “Students are still going to get involved. The site just eliminates paper.” Whittemore said, “[Students] would still have to check
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Blackboard, myFramingham, student email and this program if involved [in clubs].” He added that clubs have to make a profile in order to manage and view their budget and finances. SILD will not accept any paper forms if this program is purchased. Regarding the transfer of all clubs to the new program, Whittemore said, “Coming back next semester would be chaotic.” SGA will hold a vote at next Tuesday’s meeting to decide if the Web site program will be purchased. In other news: • Magician Jay Mattioli will be performing in the College Center Forum on Sunday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. The event is sponsored by SUAB. • SUAB will be showing “Twilight: New Moon” in DPAC on Monday, March 1 at 8 p.m. • The Key to Success application deadline has been moved to March 1. • There will be a rally at the Boston State House for the Public Higher Education Network of Mass. (PHENOM) campaign on March 8.
Commencement Speakers Announced It was announced that Gov. Deval Patrick will be the keynote speaker at the undergraduate Commencement Ceremony on May 16 at 2:00 p.m. on the Town Green. Dr. Robert Martin will speak at the graduate Commencement Ceremony, also on May 16 at 9:30 a.m. in the Athletic Center.
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The Gatepost
February 26, 2010
ARTS & FEATURES C RAZY W I THOUT CONNECTION?
Tom Higgins/The Gatepost
E M T "LE K MY C CHE OOK..." EB C A F
BEL "I CAN IEV E I 'T PHO LEF NE I TM NM DUR ING Y ROO Y M CLA SS!"
"I N TO EED HIM TEX SOO T N!"
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By Krysta Davis Assistant Arts & Features Editor
o texts, no missed calls, nothing new on Facebook, but students still keep checking and waiting. They wait, they look and they browse - but still nothing. Everyone feels anxious from time to time, but when it comes to college students and their cell phones, anxiety kicks into full gear when they are out of reach. “I just need it. It’s not like someone will call or text me. I just need it for security reasons. I need it,” said Meaghan Brown, a Quincy college sophomore. Anxiety can be seen in those who have the constant urge to have their phones on them at all times and check them constantly. Students know their fears are unwarranted, but they still feel anxious without their phones. Some students even go as far as sleeping with their cell phones just to feel at ease. “I have to sleep with my phone next to me every night. If I don’t, I get anxious. I always answer texts no matter what time it is,” said Danielle Kelly, an FSC junior. Living in a social-networking world, college students rely on their cell phones to stay connected. “It’s a feeling of connection to the world. If I get a text and don’t answer it, I feel rude,” said junior Maddy Wakelin. “It’s weird not talking to someone twenty-four seven,” said sophomore Benjamin Cavicchi. Many students admitted to using their phones in class to relieve boredom, or to simply make plans with friends. “It’s nice to be able to talk to people at all times,” said junior Kelsey Flanagan. If students are not able to talk with their friends, they feel “out of the loop,” and that’s when their anxiety typically kicks in. “I get nervous that something is gonna happen and I’m not gonna have it, or people are trying to get in touch with me and I can’t get to it,” said Flanagan. Many students start to feel socially anxious or “freak out” without having their phones within sight or not knowing where they are. “If
I lose it, I freak out. I panic and search for it and call it,” said junior Ricky Kiernan. Sometimes, students use their cell phones to cope with social anxiety. “I feel kinda lost without my phone. I feel empty,” said senior Courtney MacNeill. “It’s kinda something I always have with me.” Many students admitted to losing control without their phones. “I freak out, I hate it,” Kelly added. Some even go to extreme measures without their phones. “I frantically search through my bag. I ask my friends where it is, even if they don’t know. I need them to panic with me or for me,” said Brown. Flanagan recalled losing her cell phone in the past. “I had to write down all my close friends’ numbers and call them from my house phone. I also would text people from other friends’ phones just to let them know I had lost my phone. It was an awful experience. I never want to go through it again.” Most students purchase their phones specifically for their texting features, but those like Cavicchi buy them for other reasons such as the Internet. “My phone anxiety got worse when I got internet,” Cavicchi said. “I check Facebook a lot,” said Brown. “It keeps me connected with friends and entertains me while in class or at work.” Texting is popular among college students because it’s a faster way of “staying connected,” but many find themselves texting more often when alone rather than when they are around people because “there is nothing else to do,” Kiernan said. “I text more when I’m alone. I’m usually talking to close friends at different schools,” said Brown. Kelly agreed that being able to text anytime allows her to stay in contact with other friends while away at school. Students know nothing will have changed in the two minutes since they last checked their phones, but they still wait, still look and still browse the same few screens. Still, nothing. “Everyone uses their phone no matter what,” Wakelin said. Brown said, “I’d like to say I’m sorry to people for how I panic in a frenzy. I just need my phone. It has everything.”
The Gatepost
February 26, 2010
Young jazz musicians bring unique sound to Heineman
By Tom O’Brien Arts & Features Editor he Ben Stepner jazz trio performed a midday set at the Heineman Ecumenical and Cultural Center on Monday Feb. 22. Stepner, 21, led the accompaniment on piano, with fellow New England Conservatory of Music students Robin Betton, 22, on upright bass and Charles Burchell, 19, on drums. When it comes to jazz performed by such young, up-and -coming musicians, it can be a real treat to experience each individual’s personal style, shown ever so evidently in the live setting. Similar to the way a pitcher’s curveball is distinctly his or her own, no two jazz players touch their instruments the exact same way. Technique is affected by a player’s background, musical taste, upbringing, physical capabilities, practice routine - you name it, and it can affect the candor with which an instrument is played. Stepner and crew offered up a unique set, composed of alternative versions of well-known jazz standards, comparable to the remixes made of today’s radio hits. At this performance, the group really had the opportunity to show off their unique and stylish renditions of these already popular tunes. The group started off the set with a light, fluffy jazz tune called “Corn Bread,” a Stepner composition that follows the rhythm changes of the song “I Got Rhythm,” by George Gershwin. The group sounded very fluid throughout the song, and took the introduction nice and slow. Bass notes cleverly hopped around the tune’s chord progression, while Stepner kept the piano comping floaty and thin. Burchell’s lightly brushed drum hits complemented the situation nicely, until the drummer picked up actual sticks, and the group got the party started. This smooth escalation of the mood of a piece from sultry and dancing to full and booming really showed the trio’s handle on the performance environment they created with each song. A soft-sounding tune could easily transform into a roaring anthem. Each snare hit a rim shot drawing closer to turning the sleeping jazz dragon into a fire-breathing musical monster. Next, the trio played a song titled “Emptiness,” a tune based off the progression of the classic “All The Things That You Are,” by Jerome Kern. Stepner had some serious piano runs in this number, tickling the ivories with a doleful minor melody that was at times conservative, and others, playfully run amuck. Drums were punchy throughout the song, and even received the first real solo section of the day. Flashy but poi-
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Matt Mikaelian/The Gatepost
Above: Ben Stepner takes a well-placed solo. Below: Charles Burchell and Robin Betton complete the ensemble’s swinging sound.
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Matt Mikaelian/The Gatepost
AMPUS CONVERSATIONS By: Spencer Buell and Tom O’Brien
“Ever since watching ‘Cool Runnings,’ it’s been my dream to be in a bobsled.” - Faraaz Naqvi, junior
“Ice hockey for Team Russia!” - Andrew Nawn, freshman
gnant, and very well done. Next, the jazz standard “Yesterday” opened up with smooth piano vamping, followed by bass and drums kicking up simultaneously. The way this was played from start to finish really showcased the teamwork and musical communication apparent within the Ben Stepner Trio. Not once was a solo garish, and never did it enter or leave in bad fashion. These solos showed off not only the youngsters’ musical chops, but also their “old school” reverence for the way jazz has been played for decades. “Yesterday” was a prime example of how they are keeping the traditions alive. The next song was a John Coltrane tune that started off with explosive, solitary drums. The thunderous clap of the snare and splashy cymbals resonated around the roomy chapel, even causing some audience members to plug their ears. Stepner entered with a quick string of piano notes, feeding off the song’s upbeat tempo. Bass was sturdy as usual, and helped drive Burchell’s drums into a very impressive solo that lasted quite some time. The close of the drum solo was an example of the beauty of a smooth transition from solo back into the song’s normal full-band form. The group rejoined their percussion section with ease. The quick Coltrane piece flowed nicely into the soft “There Will Never Be Another You,” by Harry Warren. This whimsical number was written for the 1942 musical, “Iceland.” Starting off with a happy piano vamp, the song remained bubbly and bright from open to close. While bass solos can normally create tension within a song, Betton’s was light and airy - the Coke Zero of bass solos - very fitting to the mood of the tune. The group followed along with equally floaty melodies. The New England Conservatory students ended their set with a dynamic rendition of the song “Summertime.” Parts of this ditty featured an interesting repetitive drumbeat, more likely to be heard in a hip-hop song than a jazz standard. Burchell’s snare hits fell on the second down beat of each measure, creating a kind of verse section more common in modern western music. But this was no Kanye West or Timbaland sample, as an intricate piano part quickly transitioned the tune into the jazz juggernaut it really is. This song was a good close to the set as everyone in the group got his chance to shine (or show off). The performance turned into a melting pot of hammers, strings, brushes and sticks, all plucking and playing their way into a harmonious and melodic full-band sound, easily enjoyed by the audience of the cool midday performance.
If you could partake in any Winter Olympic event, what would it be?
“I want to do curling because my friend does it and it looks pretty cool.”
“Figure skating. It’s graceful, elegant and it shows true beauty.”
- Shanayta Carmody, freshman
- Ebe Ekhator, junior
“I would snowboard because I wish I could do it, but I can’t.” - Nadalya Dias, sophomore
Page 8
February 26, 2010
Book-inspired d ance unveils
enigmatic
By Amanda Lefebvre Assistant Arts & Features Editor
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The Gatepost
stories o Iranian women
ystical yet emotional, graceful yet ferocious, ceremonious yet personal, Boston’s own Prometheus Dance Company presented “The Devil’s Wedding” last Wednesday, and was able to place the audience in the dancers’ intriguing frame of mind. This performance, co-sponsored by the Arts and Humanities Series, the English Department, Dance Club, Women’s Empowerment, the Gender Interest Group and the Hilltop Players, consisted of three completely different but equally powerful dance routines. Inspired by Azar Nafisi’s memoir, “Reading
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Lolita in Tehran,” the group’s first number immediately took on a violent tone. Before the lights even came on, the sounds of machine gun fire and bullets roared from the speakers. Choreographed by the company’s co-directors Tommy Neblett and Diane Arvanites, this routine featured seven dancers as Iranian women. Neblett and Arvanites wanted to take a deeper look into the sentiments of this emotionally scarred population, as political and religious turmoil continue to make unsteady the paths of tradition and modernity. Draped in black attire, with only their feet, hands and heads visible, the performers made slow, concentrated movements, highlighted by a golden glow, which created the look of an artificial sunset. A bench and two wooden stairs sat at the back of the stage to act as platforms for moments of contemplative poses. The dancers’ moves were not always meant to be in sync with the others. A black veil was handed through the group to contain those who broke off one by one, stretching and kicking their limbs in organic impulses. One of the dancers, Callie Chapman Korn, said that in this show, she is forced to challenge herself to project her own story and persona into her dancing style. “The movement tells you what to do,” Korn said. Sounds of birds and trickling water, drumming instruments and the occasional whispers of an Englishman complimented this piece. Meanwhile, black wool shawls passionately wound their way around the women’s bodies and faces in defiance and sorrow. The piece came to a close
as each dancer repeated the steps which started off the number, but without any musical accompaniment. All they had to guide them through such an emotional strain was each other’s heavy breathing and a cold, chilling submission as they shed their ill-omened shawls. The second number was an untitled work in progress, shorter than the first, but the dancers all appeared to be very comfortable on stage and were able to uphold the same level of intensity that the previous routine demanded. Clad in dark velour wide-legged outfits, they used each other’s bodies and were very fluid when performing primarily in the center of the stage with a few chairs set up as props. There was an emphasis on the violin against a droning breeze as the three performers revealed a narrative that was open to the audience’s interpretation. The third and final piece, called “La Giornata Omicida,” was solely choreographed by Neblett. It starred five identically clad and frustrated women, as the story alternated between the accoutrement of vocals with instruments and that of the stomping of black leather boots. An array of flashy green, red, blue and goldstringed lights hung from the ceiling, inviting the audience into a scene of short red-dressed and black-wigged dancers. The dancers flaunted their undeniable femininity and strong sense of selves. Intending to ignite a sense of revolt and remind the audience of beauty, the five women were not shy about accentuating their plight concerning the demeaning female standard to which Iranian women are held. Arvanites felt that inspiration from their pieces can originate from a variety of sources, including music, movement, as well as what she considers “political, social and psychological ideas.” Neblett agreed, adding that the choreography they create can be downright basic or very complex, alluding to the literary inspiration of “The Devil’s Wedding.” Instilled with such encouragement, dancer Nicole Sell Danizio said, “There is no ‘can’t’ in this company.” Danizio, at first, had her doubts about how possible certain routines were, yet soon realized that if the choreographers saw their possibilities, then they had to try them. “We don’t hold ourselves back,” said Danizio.
February 26, 2010
The Gatepost Editorial Half an education? This semester, the administration and the college governance committees approved a new option for students in terms of class structure. These alternative courses, “hybrid classes,” take place half online and half in the classroom. Hybrid classes offer students the chance to take a course with some of the flexibility of an online class, while also maintaining some of the peer and faculty interaction of the classroom. These classes are a great idea in theory. They allow more classroom space to be open for other courses, provide students with an option other than conventional lecture-style learning and offer those with exceptionally busy schedules more flexibility than traditional classes do. We at The Gatepost can certainly appreciate that. For commuters, these classes can mean the difference between having to drive to campus two extra days or not. Students who can log onto their classes at home wouldn’t have to make the trip to campus, which not only frees up time in their schedules, but also helps reduce the college’s carbon footprint, contributing to the administration’s green goals for FSC. Hybrid classes would even allow more flexibility in schedules for faculty, allowing them to try out online teaching without fully delving into the often-unpredictable world of Web technology. Although hybrid courses are a good addition to the course catalogue, they are most effective in moderation. We are concerned that they might outnumber many of the traditional classes FSC offers. As of now, hybrid classes are offered only under strict conditions. The half-and-half courses, for example, are only available as upper-level classes, and students are only allowed to take one hybrid course per semester. We at The Gatepost would prefer to see these classes only offered at the Gen. Ed level because the subject matter is easier to understand, and classroom discussion is more beneficial in an upper-level course. Many students would find it more difficult to succeed in their most challenging upper-level classes that are half online and half in a traditional classroom setting. What students appreciate most, especially in their upper-level courses, is classroom discussion, which is limited in hybrid courses. The immediacy of in class discussion benefits students by allowing them to brainstorm ideas, and to focus on a particular subject matter at one time. Classroom discussion is continuous because the students are able to share their ideas and opinions at the same time and in the same place. Online courses limit discussion. One student can answer questions or comment on a discussion forum on Blackboard while at home, and not receive a comment for hours, which can often make students frustrated and lose interest in the subject matter. While a traditional class can be supplemented, nothing can replace the value and benefits students get from conventional-style learning. English majors need to be in their 300- and 400-level seminar courses in order to understand and appreciate fully the difficult course material. Communication arts majors need to work together face-to-face on projects in a traditional classroom setting. Biology, chemistry and food science majors need to conduct experiments as a class in a laboratory setting. FSC faculty, administrators and students alike have all always prided themselves on FSC’s small, close-knit interactive classes. The restrictions put on hybrid courses, so far, have been effective in ensuring that students don’t completely miss out on sharing ideas in class. But, as the economy worsens, and state appropriations become harder and harder to attain, the pressure on administrators to raise student enrollment numbers becomes more of a reality. Though hybrid and online courses allow the administration to accommodate more students, we hope this increased pressure won’t result in the alleviation of the restrictions on hybrid courses.
The Gatepost
Op/Ed
Page 9
Go green with green
After reading last week’s Gatepost article regarding FSC’s effort to “go green,” I was shocked to find out how much money the energy reduction contest last November saved the school. I was even more shocked to discover what the winning residence hall received in return: a crummy pizza party. The contest saved the school $8,915 in utility bills during the month it ran. Congratulations are in order to the residence students responsible for this. But is this what we are seeing from FSC? This contest was “sponsored” by the Office of Residence Life and Housing, the Facilities Department, Sodexo and the Green Team, and all they could muster between the four of them was some lousy pizza for one night? Give me a break. I understand that FSC is gung-ho about “going green.” This raises its own concerns in my opinion, but if the school wishes to implement such practices, it needs the backing of the students to achieve its goal. Let’s be honest - most students don’t care about recycling or saving energy on campus. However, providing incentives for a desired behavior produces desirable results. It is critical that the school acknowledges this if it truly wants to curb its carbon footprint. And pizza doesn’t cut it. With nearly $9,000 in savings in a single month, FSC can afford to give a little more back to the students. How about if each month the school offered $20 in RamCash to each student living in the dorm that saved the most energy? The savings in November would have easily covered this for the 366 students living in Larned. And with RamCash, the money would all go back to the school anyway! It would be win-win for everyone, and just imagine the energy savings FSC would see if this incentive were year-round. The bottom line is if FSC is serious about becoming more environmentally friendly, it needs the help - as well as the support - of its students to be successful, not promises of pizza. Chris Kopacko Staff Writer
Warning: roommate selection is risky
When you apply to live in a college dorm, be prepared to live with someone else - whether it’s one other person or multiple people, and whether you know them or not. If you go into the situation thinking everything will work out and that there won’t be any complications, more than likely, you’ll be terribly disappointed by the end of the year (or whenever you get out of the situation if you don’t actually end up making it through the whole year). As a freshman moving onto campus and getting randomly assigned a roommate or roommates, you never know whom you might end up with. You could be assigned someone who is socially awkward, someone who talks nonstop, someone who never sleeps in the room for more than one night in a row, someone who never gets out of bed and congeals to their sheets, someone who disrespects your belongings or you might luck out completely with a perfect roommate who doesn’t do a single bad thing to scar you for life. The next year you get a choice, make sure you make the right one. Be careful about the roommate choices you make or have the college make for you. Don’t just choose your best friend because you think it’ll be fantastic and you’ll be friends forever. Chances are, you’ll end up not being best friends in the end. However, random roommate selection can also be a dangerous alternative. You run the same risks of winding up with a psycho, as listed above. Bottom line, think it all the way through before committing to anything. Weigh the pros and cons of rooming with friends or random strangers. Make sure you’re going to be able to survive your days without violence - either physical or verbal. After all, that’s where you’ll spend the majority of your school year. Lindsay Chase Editorial Staff
Students boycott mac ‘n cheese
As a junior at FSC, I’ve obviously gotten sick of Sodexo’s menu during the three years I’ve been here. Hard grilled cheese, cold french fries, greasy pizza and a variety of fajitas are so unappetizing that I prefer to remain in my dorm room heating up Ramen noodles or making turkey sandwiches, rather than walk to the dining hall only to leave disappointed and hungry. Regardless, during my previous years as an undergraduate I’ve been able to occasionally find something to satisfy my appetite. However, this semester, it seems as though the same meals are offered every week. Besides the usual salads, pizza, sandwiches and pasta, a new “Classic Comforts” option has been added. “Classic Comforts” selections are designed to offer students home-style favorites like they would eat at home. Instead, the new “Classic Comforts” meals are monotonous. Every day this week for lunch or dinner, and sometimes both, macaroni and cheese has been offered. Students have become so irritated with the caf’s mac ‘n cheese that they have formed a Facebook group named “Mac & Cheese Boycott at FSC.” Clearly FSC students do not find mac ‘n cheese very comforting. Although students love the comfort foods of home, offering resident students mac ‘n cheese every day is sickening. As high school students, most kids were able to bring lunch from home to keep from eating the tuna-noodle surprise the caf offered. College students don’t have that option. Unless they want to eat out every night or stock their fridges with t.v. dinners, students are forced to make the trek to the dining hall and risk leaving with empty stomachs. Dining services needs to keep in mind that resident students are forced to eat on campus every day they are here. The cost of a meal plan for a resident student ranges from approximately $1,300 - $1,500. For this price, students should be given menu that offers a variety of foods to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters, not one that offers mac ‘n cheese every day. Lauren Byrnes Associate Editor We at The Gatepost welcome Op/Ed submissions from all members of the FSC community. Please limit opinions to 300 words and letters to the editor to 200 words. E-mail submissions to Gatepost@framingham.edu.
Op/Ed submissions reflect the opinions of their authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of The Gatepost or its staff.
SPORTS The Gatepost
Page 10
Feburary 26, 2010
Women’s basketball season ends with playoff loss
By Nenia Corcoran Sports Editor
consistent by the end of the season,” said Emily Clark, who had nine points in the quarterfinal match-up. The Rams can also boast about something no other MASCAC women’s team can. “The most memorable moment of the season was by far when we handed Bridgewater their first and only loss for the season,” said Minor. Framingham beat Bridgewater State at home on Feb. 2 by a score of 72-63.
“This is the most unified team I have ever played with. We got along great on and off the court and I think that had everything to do with the fact we did so well this season,” Minor said. Junior Jill Johnson is hopeful for next season. “This season was a success in so many different ways, but most importantly, we gained respect from other teams in the league. We can only improve upon that next year, but we have to continue to work hard every day in the offseason.” The Rams will return with nearly their entire roster for the 2010-11 season. They will lose only one senior this year, Toya Chester. She was a major contributor to the Rams’ successful season, and was among the top scorers in nearly all of the Rams’ 10 wins. “We are losing huge part of our team, that part being our senior captain Toya Chester, but because she was such a great leader and player we all have been affected by her positively, and have become better players because of her,” said Minor. “It will be different playing without Toya next season since she was such a leader on the court” Clark said. Chester is proud of her teammates and believes they have a promising future ahead of them. “This year was like no other at Framingham, we really made a statement in the league. This team that I am saying goodbye too is Drake McCabe/The Gatepost going to go far and I wish them the best of luck.”
Tuesday night, the Women’s Basketball team fell to MCLA in the MASCAC quarterfinals, ending their season with a record of 10-13. The Lady Rams posted their best season record since the 2002-03 season, when they finished 13-10. Framingham was seeded fifth in the MASCAC league, and was slotted to play the number-four seeded Trailblazers just 10 days after they lost to them at MCLA on Feb. 13. Prior to Tuesday night, the Rams were 1-1 against MCLA, beating them late in January. Framingham got off to a slow start in the MASCAC tournament game, and after falling behind by 10 points early in the first half, they were never able to close the gap. At no point during the game did Framingham ever hold the advantage. MCLA outrebounded the Rams 53-40, 19 of which were offensive. Despite 12 points from Kia Minor and 10 from Toya Chester, the Rams were outshot by the MCLA Trailblazers and the game ended in a score of 63-47. The loss eliminated the Rams from the MASCAC tournament, and ended their season with five straight defeats. The Rams had no reason to be ashamed, however, as they finished with their best overall record in seven years. “We had the most successful season that the program has had in years. I think we improved every The Rams fell to MCLA in the MASCAC tournament after not qualifying last season. game and became a lot more
Ram Round-Up CONGRATULATIONS Ice Hockey (2-20-2) 2/18 Loss 9-2 vs. Salem State 2/20 Loss 8-5 vs. Plymouth State 2/25 Loss 6-3 at UMass Dartmouth Men’s Basketball (15-9) 2/20 Win 74-66 at Babson 2/25 MASCAC Semifinals Win 78-70 vs. Salem State Women’s Basketball (10-13) 2/23 MASCAC Quarterfinals Loss 63-47 at MCLA
FRAMINGHAM STATE COLLEGE/METROWEST YMCA EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER EARNS NATIONAL NAEYC ACCREDITATION
Helping Hands for Haiti Gift Basket Raffle We can all make a difference and have fun doing it! On Tuesday, Jan. 12, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti just 10 miles from its capital and most populated area, Port-au-Prince. To this end, Helping Hand for Haiti @ FSC is holding a campus-wide gift card/basket raffle.
Program Among the Top in the Nation by Earning NAEYC Accreditation
How can you help? We are seeking support from campus departments, offices, clubs and sports teams to take part by donating a basket. Our goal is to raise $1,200 to support the Red Cross’s rehabilitation efforts in Haiti. The Framingham State College/MetroWest YMCA Early ChildThe raffle tickets will cost $1, or $5 for six tickets. The suggested minimum hood Center located on Church Street on the Framingham State value of your basket should be $50, and there is no limit on contents or College campus has earned accreditation from the National theme for the basket. Use your creativity to come up with basket themes. Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) – the For example: *Movie basket * Game Night basket * Sports basket * Bath nation’s leading organization of early childhood professionals. basket * Summer basket * Gardening basket * Book basket * Restaurant basket * Any theme*
Notable Rams
Forward Josue Almodovar and guard Darius Yarrell of the Men’s Basketball team were named to the All-MASCAC team. It is the third honor for Almodovar, who led the team in scoring and rebounding, and the first for Yarrell, who led the team in assists. Forward Toya Chester of the Women’s Basketball team was named to the All-MASCAC second team. It is her second consecutive season making the team after averaging 11.7 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.
Unable to support an entire gift basket? Our group will accept items/financial assistance to build other baskets - no item is too small! In addition to the raffle, a contest for the most original basket among departments, offices, clubs and teams will be held. The winning group will receive an award and a pizza party. Please submit you ideas by March 1 to SILD at sild@framingham.edu. Baskets must be built by March 22. The drawing for the baskets will take place at the annual Sandbox event on April 30. The week of March 1 raffle ticket sales will begin throughout campus. Please join the fan page (FSC Helping Hands for Haiti Gift Basket Raffle) on facebook for the latest information and photos of completed gift baskets. Once you commit to building a basket additional information will be e-mailed to you. Thank you so much for your dedication to this worthy cause! Please direct any questions to sild@framingham.edu. Helping Hands for Haiti @ Framingham State College
SPORTS The Gatepost
Feburary 26, 2010
Page 11
Rams advance to MASCAC Final in thriller By Josh Primak Sports Editor
a nice put back by Almodovar on a missed Rams’ layup. After a hard foul on the Vikings, players from the two teams began shouting at each other before being separated. The verbal tussle seemed to re-energize the Vikings, as they began another offensive run which would not be extinguished by the Rams. With a little less than five minutes in regulation remaining, a Framingham lead that once looked impossible for Salem to overcome had become a 68-68 tie and a raucous Rams’ crowd had fallen silent - with the only noise in the gym coming from the few Salem State fans that had made the trip to Framingham. With the important element of momentum completely turned in Salem’s favor, the Rams would have to dig deep not to allow the Vikings’ comeback to be completed. With the game tied, Salem gained
Despite losing a 16-point first-half lead, the Men’s Basketball team saved their best basketball for the final two minutes - going on an 8-0 run to end the game and defeat the Salem State Vikings 78-70 in the MASCAC semifinals. The win advances the Rams to the MASCAC championship game this Saturday when they will take on Bridgewater State. The winner will advance to the NCAA tournament. Framingham entered the contest having ended the regular season on a six-game winning streak, their last loss coming by just two points against Bridgewater State on Feb. 2. The strong end to the season earned the Rams the number two seed and a first-round bye in the MASCAC
Darius Yarrell was a force from behind the arc, hitting three three pointers as part of his 21-point performance.
Framingham’s ball movement on offense allowed them to take a huge first-half lead. Drake McCabe/The Gatepost
Drake McCabe/The Gatepost
Drake McCabe/The Gatepost
Rams’ forward Roderick Jackson’s play in the final minutes of the second half was a big reason why the team walked away with a victory.
tournament. Salem came into the game just two days removed from a convincing first-round victory in the MASCAC tournament against MCLA. With a packed house cheering them on, the Rams took to the floor amped up by the home crowd. After winning the tipoff, the two teams exchanged scoreless possessions until Framingham’s top offensive weapon, forward Josue Almodovar, scored the opening basket. This would be the beginning of perhaps the most dominating half of basketball by the Rams all season. After Almodovar’s early bucket, the Rams got offensive contributions from two of their other main contributors when guard Darius Yarrell hit a three-pointer, followed by forward Roderick Jackson getting on the scoresheet. The Rams would score their first 11 points of the game before Salem would get on the scoreboard with a layup from guard Brian Clark. The bucket would do nothing to stop the Framingham momentum as the Rams continued to play nearly flawless basketball - especially on the defensive end. The uptempo Framingham defense led to offensive miscues and turnovers by the Vikings - giving the Rams easy opportunities for points. On the offensive end, the Rams were paced by their floor general Yarrell, who made the most of the team’s
offensive possessions. Whether finding the open man for the easy bucket or taking the shot himself, Yarell’s handling of the Rams’ offense was a big reason for their first-half success. As the first half progressed, it seemed as though Framingham could do no wrong. When a pass from Yarrell was deflected off the fingertips of a Vikings’ defender, the ball still made its way into the hands of Rams’ guard Bill Carey. With his own Vikings’ defender to contend with, Carey stepped into his man and converted a tough three-point shot. This would be one of four three-pointers from Carey in the first half, who seemed to force the Salem defense back on its heels every time he touched the ball. By the 6:35 mark of the first half, the Rams had already made the game a laugher, doubling up the Vikings by a score of 38-19. In the last minutes of the first half, the Vikings were scorched by long-distance shots from Carey and the allaround offensive prowess of Almodovar. By the end of the first half, Framingham held a commanding 47-31 lead. Although the game seemed a foregone conclusion, the Vikings are not a team to be taken lightly, having won four of their previous five games. After a nice inside dish to Almodovar opened up second-half scoring, the Vikings would begin to claw their way back. The 16-point lead would become a 12-point lead before Yarrell would answer with a three-pointer. Salem would again go on a run and cut the lead to 10 before Framingham would get a boost from another Yarrell three-pointer. This would seemingly put the kibosh on Salem’s desperate attempt to get back in the game, as the Rams would build the lead back up to 14 points, which included
possession of the ball with a chance to take the lead for the first time. Driving to the basket, it seemed the Vikings were ready to complete their nearly impossible comeback with an inside basket. But Salem’s seemingly unstoppable momentum was swatted away - literally - by Rams’ forward Roderick Jackson. The Cambridge native, who finished the game just a rebound shy of a double-double with 16 points and 9 rebounds, played his finest basketball at the end of the game starting with his back-to-back blocks of the Vikings’ attempt to take the lead. When Framingham regained possession, they turned back to Almodovar, who took a tough, fall-away shot that landed him on the floor and the ball in the basket, giving the Rams the lead once again. After Salem retied the game, the Rams went back to their defensive efforts and retook the lead when Jackson scored a layup. The Rams’ stifling defense would fuel their 8-0 gameending run. With continued tenacity, the Rams smothered the Vikings’ attempts to finish their comeback. When the second of three Viking turnovers in a row led to an open court for Jackson, he proceeded to take the ball and slam it home with authority, sending the crowd into a frenzy, and the Rams to Bridgewater, where they will have a chance to win the MASCAC championship this Saturday.
Dates and Desserts at FSC
February 26, 2010
The Gatepost
Page 12
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Pie The Larned Staff raised money for Haiti earthquake victims.
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Tuesday night’s date auction was hosted by David Baldwin. Matt Mikaelian/The Gatepost
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Matt Mikaelian/The Gatepost Matt Mikaelian/The Gatepost
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The semi-formal dance was held at the Sheraton hotel in Framingham.
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Matt Mikaelian/The Gatepost
Matt Mikaelian/The Gatepost