Dave Leach takes a break from baseball this year
Vagina Monologues rouses crowd pg. 7
T he G atepost pg. 10
T he Inde pendent Weekly Student Ne wspa per of Framingham State College Since 1932
find us online at www.thegatepost.com volume
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78 l number 21
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Excessive rain and flooding causes damage on campus Drake McCabe/The Gatepost
Ducks swim on the practice field.
Students turn to online feedback in making course selections
By Ngozi Nwabeke Editorial Staff Course selection can be a stressful time for both students and advisors. But these days, some students are putting more stock in an online rating system than meeting with their advisors. Rate My Professors, the online rating Web site where students can leave feedback and rate professors and courses, is considered essential by many college students when they make decisions about which courses to take. Students are able to rate professors on a scale of one to five in three areas: easiness, helpfulness and clarity. Stephanie Grace, a sophomore English major, said Rate My Professors is a central part of registration for her. “I have the tabs online open to the courses available, the undergraduate catalog and then Rate My Professors. So I look at it a lot and I kind of base my decision on what class I’m going to take using it.” Sophomore nutrition major Meredith
Sheehan also uses the Rate My Professors Web site when putting together her schedule for the next semester. “I try and plan out what classes I want to take in my mind, and then when I [see] they’re going to offer these classes, I pick the four I want, try and make them fit into a nice schedule that I like, and then I’ll go on Rate My Professors to check and see if I have decent teachers,” said Sheehan. Users are required to register with the site in order to post ratings, but site content can be viewed by anyone. Additional site content includes what courses professors teach, books the instructors use and how much they are selling for online. Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs Dr. Christopher Gregory, who advises many of FSC’s undeclared students, advised students to be careful when using Rate My Professors because sometimes they can glance over a rating and make assumptions about an instructor without reading the details.
“If you read some of the reviews commenting that a professor is difficult, you may want to read some of the further comments that say, ‘You know, if you just do what you’re supposed to do and ask questions, have an interest in the class, you’ll be fine - and you might even learn something,’” said Gregory. “So some professors may have a certain reputation but we have to look deeper ... and say, ‘Why is there that reputation and what is it about?’” Grace said, “I do realize that sometimes the only people that go on there are bitter and angry at their teacher, so they go on there and they say that they’re really bad. So I can’t look at it and take it at face value all the time.” Senior communication arts major Casey Lonschein said that she does use the Rate My Professors Web site, “but I don’t let it be the sole source” of information. “I think it is a good resource to take into consideration. However, many
-Continued on page 6
gatepost@framingham.edu
Maple lots, athletic fields under water
By Lauren Byrnes Associate Editor Beavers are now swimming through what used to be the athletic fields and Maple parking lots, where FSC soccer players and student cars have been replaced by ducks and small aquatic animals. Due to the excessive rain fall and the flooding of the Sudbury River this past week, Framingham State’s athletic fields and Maple parking lots were flooded, and there were 61 reports of water leaks in buildings on campus, according to Director of Facilities and Capital Planning Warren Fairbanks. Athletic Director Tom Kelley was disappointed that the flooding of the fields prevented the FSC sports teams from practicing and playing. “It’s done a number on our spring schedule so far. We use our one turf field for just about every sport right now. “Baseball, softball and women’s lacrosse they use it at this time of the year because the natural surfaces aren’t ready. So, that’s kind of wiped out their practice schedule.” Football, Men’s Soccer, Women’s Soccer and field hockey were also affected because they hold off-season practices for the first few weeks of spring. Senior art major Josh Lewis said the flooding was “kind of ridiculous. There was supposed to be a game there [on the turf] for Men’s Rugby and we had to move it to the other team’s field.” Senior psychology major and softball player -Continued on page 3
Fall 2010 Advising Schedule March 29 - April 2nd Honors Program students and seniors April 5 - April 9 Junior advising April 12 - April 16 Sophomore advising April 20 - April 23 Freshman advising
The Gatepost
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GP: What were your most memorable experiences from college?
GP: At what point did you decide you wanted to be an English professor?
Parker: My strongest memories are academic and very human. I still remember the exhilaration and joy of truly learning for its own sake, of taking exams that Parker: I worked as a Research Assistant for a sociology were learning experiences. I left my first set of final professor as an undergraduexams - three in one day ate. Doing research with him - exhilarated because my and learning about the ways economics exam had been “ College, Framingham State in particular, so thought-provoking. I rein which professors are able to combine a love of learning provides a rare opportunity to interact with member some wonderful with teaching pointed me tonon-academic moments, wards becoming a professor. people who truly care about your growth as a as well - traveling with It was frustrating that I felt friends, going to parties and thinker and as a person. ” that I had to decide between concerts - but I will always three fields that I love - Engthink of college as opening lish, mathematics and sociolup intellectual possibilities - Dr. Lynn Parker ogy - but I eventually chose teaching me that it is OK to English literature because it love to learn. really spoke to me. GP: What was the greatest lesson you learned from GP: What is the most challenging part of your job opening yourself up to knowledge? and how do you overcome that challenge? Parker: At this time, I think I began to understand, in a Parker: Learning to balance all of the elements of our very small way, how people harbor experiences that we work here - such as teaching, scholarship, committee could never guess at or comprehend. As a sophomore, work, advising, etc. - has been the hardest for me. I be- I worked for the physics department and was asked lieve in what we do here on all levels, but often, the to pack away some materials that a professor I saw as results are difficult to perceive or at least might not be brilliant and entirely unapproachable had left behind. I quite tangible. When you get a note from a student years came across a letter which seemed to be casually set later who thanks you for the time you took advising, or aside and which was written to defend a very famous who tells you that she now teaches a story that she grew physicist against charges of fascism and anti-Semitism. to love when she was in your class to her own students, The letter explained that this scientist had smuggled him those moments and kind reminders help us all see that out of Germany to prevent him from going to a conour work has sustaining value - even if it takes time and centration camp. The power of that letter still haunts a bit of perspective to see the impact. me, and still reminds me that we know so little of each other’s burdens. GP: Please give a brief summary of your resume. GP: Do you have any advice for your students? Parker: I had a fair amount of teaching experience as a graduate student at Brandeis Parker: Well, I’d suggest University. I worked at that you don’t lose your “When ... a student years later ... tells you focus on academics - even Framingham State College as a visiting lecturer before that she now teaches a story that she grew to as you try to fit in all of the I took a one-year position love when she was in your class to her own other elements of the “colat Cleveland State Univer- students, those moments and kind remind- lege experience.” College, sity. I continued to work at ers help us all see that our work has sustain- Framingham State in parFramingham State College ticular, provides a rare opas a visiting lecturer and a ing value - even if it takes time and a bit of portunity to interact with full-time temporary instrucpeople who truly care about perspective to see the impact. tor when I was hired as an your growth as a thinker and - Dr. Lynn Parker assistant professor. At that as a person. Life is so hectic point, I was appointed direc- now and after you gradutor of the Honors Program, a ate. Take the time to grow position that I held for several years, until it became an intellectually, too. Don’t label your academic work as administrative position. something that you “have to get through” - all cynicism aside, it’s why you’re here. GP: What courses are you teaching this semester? GP: Besides teaching, do you have any other pasParker: I’m teaching Literary Study and The Nine- sions? teenth-Century British Novel. I usually teach a writing course, such as Expository Writing as my third course, Parker: I have two amazing children who challenge me but I earned a course release this semester. I’m also in so many ways. My friendships are some of my most teaching The Victorian Period as a course for graduate cherished gifts. I love the theatre, which is a very nice students and undergraduates through DGCE, which is way to foster those friendships. I love to walk and I am a taught online. knitter. I also bird watch when I can, which pretty much sums up my status as a geek, I’m afraid. I love reading, GP: Are you working on any special projects right of course, and watching television when it is good. Also, now? I inherited a love for science fiction from my father, and my own love of the nineteenth-century novel ensures Parker: I’m revising a manuscript that I have had on that I will always have plenty of reading at hand!
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2009-2010
Parker: I double-majored in English and mathematics and completed the Honors Program, earning a summa cum laude B.A. from Providence College. I earned my master’s and Ph.D. in English and American literature, specializing in Romantic and Victorian literature at Brandeis University.
the back burner for some time. Whenever I have the opportunity to teach my specialty, which is the nineteenthcentury novel, especially authors such as Jane Austen and the Brontes, the classroom energy and scholarly focus fuel one another. It’s a heady feeling, and it can be frustrating to not be able to race home and get to work on the materials that we just covered so passionately in class.
WednesdaY
Editorial Board
GP: What is your educational background?
Tuesday
Wednesday, March 31, 2010 07:50 Attempt to locate - Peirce Hall. Locate to move car due to flood waters.
By Amanda Lefebvre Staff Writer
Monday
Monday, March29, 2010 22:07 Undesirable - State Street. Report of loud yelling/screams coming from the area. Unfounded.
Dr. Lynn Parker English Department
Sunday
Saturday, March 27, 2010 16:00 Suspicious Activity - Service Road. Advise not to walk through neighbors yard.
April 2, 2010
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The Gatepost
April 2, 2010
Page 3
Flooding in athletic fields prevents practice, play
-Continued from page 1
Megan Dumas said the softball team has had to practice indoors all week because of the flooding. “Our first games were postponed and our games vs. UMass Boston were played there instead of in Framingham. … Hopefully, our field will be playable sometime next week. “We are scheduled for very important conference games at home next Saturday. I don’t think anything can be blamed on the school - there is flooding everywhere, not just our field! Although it would definitely help if we had a tarp!” Kelley said the damage to the field is unknown at this time because “it’s still under a couple feet of water. “We had ducks [on the field]. Someone said they saw a beaver swimming around, [but] I don’t know if I believe that,” he said. Fairbanks said the field itself drains within 30 minutes after being flooded, as soon as the water level drops. “But because of the duration of this flood, it’s been flooded for a few days [so] I don’t really know what the condition of the field is going to look like. It’s never been flooded for this long of a period before,” he said. However, Maple Street field is still under warranty, Kelley said. “We need to have a company come in and tell us what we need to do to get it back up and make sure it’s safe for our student athletes and the general public. … We have to make sure it’s safe for everyone.” Fairbanks believes that some of the infill in the synthetic field might have been washed away. After the damage is assessed by the company, the infill will be replaced as needed and the entire field will be sanitized to eliminate bacteria. As a precaution, the Athletics Department will also wipe down the benches and equip-
ment that got wet during the flood. “I’m concerned about the quality of the flood water,” he said. “Even if the water receded today, I don’t think Athletics would let anybody use the field until we
who parks her car in Maple, said it wasn’t a big deal for her to have to move her car to Maynard Lot. “I think the administration handled the flooding in the parking lot really well. I’m glad they aren’t going to
our response has been during the normal working hours, it will probably cost us some overtime because we did keep facilities personnel here a couple of the nights and [they] responded to leaks and things like that in overtime, but we haven’t really bought any materials or done any repairs yet.” Although there were 61 reports of leaks on campus, damage to buildings was minimal. “Just about every building had leaks. “There are damages to ceiling tiles and paint … but we didn’t have any problems with any equipment, and it didn’t really affect the operation. I mean, we still held classes - we didn’t have to close anything,” Fairbanks said. Senior psychology major Kim Selwitz said she saw “the flooding in both the athletic fields and the parking lot. It was amazing to see that much water in one place! I’ve been in awe these past few days about just how much it’s Drake McCabe/The Gatepost rained this month. It’s incredible!” Selwitz said she had to move her car during the flooding. “The overall Flood waters in the Maple practice field lack of parking on campus in general makes it difficult to find spots in overly clean it.” make us trudge through all that water to crowded lots. The Maple parking lots were also get in our cars!” “Maybe … FSC should try and be flooded, and resident students were told to Freshman business major Sean Fitzger- more prepared to deal with floods in the move their cars to Maynard Lot. Students ald said, “I actually had a cop bang on my future, as it typically rains quite a bit this were able to door at 9:00 a.m. time of year and we should have a plan to park their cars and had to go get deal with this.” back in Maple my roommate’s car Fairbanks said the flooding has “caused 1 Lot Thursday “It was amazing to see that much water out of Maple [Lot]. some inconvenience, mostly, I think. I morning. HowI think the whole know some of the students are not pleased in one place! I’ve been in awe these past ever, the Maple thing is a disaster with the fact that they are getting water in 2 Lot is still unas far as parking their residence rooms, but it’s not like I few days about just how much it’s der water. goes.” can walk up there and put my finger in the rained this month. It’s incredible!” Sophomore According to dike and make it stop - if I could, I would.” Melissa ProFairbanks, the cost - Kim Selwitz vost, an early of the flood damage childhood eduis still unknown. cation major “Because most of
SGA plans and allocates funds for co-sponsorships Matt Mikaelian/ The Gatepost
By Sara Mulkeen Assistant News Editor At Tuesday’s meeting, SGA members discussed co-sponsoring events with the FSC Veteran’s Association and SILD, and realigned $500 to the Student Government Diversity Fund. The secretary of the FSC Veteran’s Association, Mike Delsanto, requested and was granted $850 for the club’s mock boot camp, which will take place April 17. Money will be put toward food and medical personnel for the event. SILD Club Coordinator Angel Seto appeared before SGA senators to request volunteers for a commuter car care event, which SILD plans to hold Wednesday, April 7. SGA volunteers would assist in washing car windows and directing traffic to designated parking
spots. Seto said the event will also be “a good way to get commuters involved with voting on election day,” as the event falls on the same day as SGA elections. Seto said the most logical times to hold the event would be when most commuters typically leave campus, between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m., and from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. Treasurer Sara Mills suggested SGA realign $500 from its unallocated funds to the Diversity Fund. Class and Club Treasurer Melissa Bairos said the diversity fund supports SGA’s co-sponsorships, of which there have been many this year. “We only allocated about $3,000 to the diversity fund to begin with, so it’s not surprising we have to realign some of the money,” she said.
See page 4 for SGA election candidates
Matt Mikaelian/ The Gatepost
April 2, 2010
The Gatepost
Page 4
SGA election candidates 2010 Campus-Wide Spring Elections!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. at CC Info Desk You can also vote online through my.framingham in the convenience of your own dorm room! Just sign in and look for “Answer a Survey” and be sure to complete both ballots. • • • •
President Student Trustee Vice President Secretary
• • •
Open SGA Positions:
Student Activity Treasurer Class and Club Treasurer Social Event Coordinator
• •
Senators-At-Large • Classes of 2011, 2012 and 2013 Officer and Senator positions available
Administrator of the Year, Faculty, and Staff member of the Year
Running for President Hello to all students of Framingham State College. I am in my third year at Framingham State College and I’m Edwin Cruz and I am running for the president after two years, I realized that the key to enjoying colof SGA next year. I’ve been in SGA for the past three lege is involvement. I am now Captain of the Men’s years and have held the position of Vice President Rugby Club, a member of SUAB, E-Board Representalast year and an E-board rep the year before that. I tive for the Class of 2011 in SGA, in the upcoming Hillam running for President because I have always been top production “Falling from Trees,” and an intern in the about the concerns for clubs on campus. For instance, SILD office. While being involved in many clubs and last year, I implemented many clubs to co-sponsor to active in both the legislative (SGA) and administrative bring more events and more communication on cam(SILD) branches of club workings, I have seen the many Michael Long Edwin Cruz pus with clubs. This will be a trend that I will be purdifficulties that surround club life. I believe that my re2011 2011 suing next year. Also, I want FSC clubs to be more lationship with the SILD office would make it easy for active around campus - not as themselves, but as a both of these branches to work together and make club life much easier. I hope that everyone votes in this election because every student’s opinion matters. Vote whole. By this I also want SGA to be more interactive and out there like I feel it is supposed to be. Thanks for your support and I hope you all read this and for me, for student body President. go vote on April 7th.
Running for Vice President My name is Almando Mason and I am a junior computer science major. I have been an active member of SGA for the last three years. That’s why this year, I will be running for Vice President of SGA .This year, I want to take greater role in representing our student body and with your help, I can. Please support me, Almando Mason, for Vice President in this year’s Officer Elections. Thank you and have a great day!
My name is Hannah Bruce and I am running for SGA Vice President. Being a junior I’ll learn the ropes, and be there senior year to show others. I’m not afraid to stand up for what I believe in. I hope to create connections between SGA and clubs. Remember, put your vote to good use! Vote Hannah Bruce!
Almando Mason 2011
Hannah Bruce 2012
Running for Student Trustee My name is Julianne Cormio and I am running for the position of Student Trustee. If elected, this would be my third year serving as Student Trustee, and I would be honored to do so. Over the past two years, I feel I have learned so much in this role. This is the type of position where experience is vital, because the first year is spent just understanding everything and creating relationships. This year, I have felt far more comfortable in my role. Beyond the Board of Trustees, I have served on the Academic Affairs Committee, the Vice President Search Committee, the Board of Higher Education, the Julianne Cormio Student Advisory Council, and an assessment commit2011 tee put together by Richard Freeland. I have learned a great deal on each one of these, and would love to be given the chance to continue to be a part of them. Another part of being Student Trustee that I have truly loved is the involvement it has with the SGA. Since I am the liaison between the students and the trustees, I go to the weekly SGA meetings. Though I have no vote, I still consider myself very involved with this club. I have had the chance to put together various community service projects, and would like to consider doing so. If voted Student Trustee for the third year in a row I know I will continue my hard work, and will do what I can to make FSC the best it can be.
Running for Treasurer of Class and Club Hello fellow FSC students, my name is Rachel Keir. I am a junior communication arts major and I am running for SGA’s Class and Club Treasurer in this upcoming spring election. Coming from an experienced background in fundraising, event planning, and leading a student organization, I am confident I will succeed in this position on behalf of Framingham State College’s student body. Whether it be my fundraising abilities as an Alternative Spring Break Attendee for the past two years and a member of GCI, my event and club managing as the Rachel Keir President of the SUAB, or my leadership skills as Presi2011 dent of the Class of 2011 and most importantly, my experience on SGA as the Parliamentarian for the past two years, these positions have provided me with a surplus of knowledge necessary to excel as SGA’s Class and Club Treasurer. I believe there is a big future for SGA and am really looking forward to expanding our communication with our students, our community and especially the clubs we work with. I am eager to start my senior year and hopeful that this position will be a part of my final year here at FSC. So as I begin to take this next step, I urge you all to vote this Wednesday and proudly support me as SGA’s Class and Club Treasurer, Rachel Keir. Thank you! Feel free to contact me with any questions at: rkeir@student.framingham.edu
Dear Fellow Students, Over my last two years at Framingham State, I have noticed that many of my peers have concerns and ideas as to how the college can improve, but feel hopeless in making their vision a reality. Some feel like the college treats them not as children, but not quite as adults. As students, we pay tuition and fees, as well as taxes. We have the right to vote in elections, and can serve in the military. As students, we have rights as consumers and as taxpayers. As your next Student Trustee, I Maxwell will be an active advocate for student rights and issues, Morrongiello, 2012 and make sure that the college respects the will of the students. Unfortunately, I cannot do this without your support and that is why I am asking for your vote on April 7th. I look forward to working with you on any ideas you might have as to how the college can improve. If you have any question about my campaign you can email me at mmorrongiello@student. framingham.edu, call me at 508-3188-MAX or talk to me in person. If you want to learn more as to what I will do as your Trustee, visit my website at bit.ly/votemax. Thank you for your support!
Running for Senator-At-Large
Kim Selwitz 2010
Kim Selwitz is a senior psychology major, running for re-election as a Senator-at-large. She has been a Senator-at-large in SGA for the past two years, and has thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Having one more semester left as an undergraduate, Kim hopes to continue her active role as Senator for the remainder of her college experience. If you vote for Kim, all of your wildest dreams will come true.
The Gatepost
April 2, 2010
Op/Ed
The Gatepost Editorial Rate my advisors
That time of the semester is here yet again - rushing around, filling out forms, going through the advising process and signing up for next semester’s classes, all while trying to prepare for exams and final papers. Students dread this time of year, and considering all the stress that comes along with advising, it is no surprise. The advising system, which is supposed to be the primary means through which students obtain information about what classes they should be taking, is often incredibly flawed. FSC full-time professors have three main professional responsibilities: teaching courses and evaluating students’ performances, making themselves available for office hours and advising. None of these responsibilities should be taken lightly. Unfortunately, however, advisors often become overwhelmed with the advising process, and don’t put nearly as much effort into guiding their advisees as they should. We at The Gatepost have heard all too many horror stories regarding students’ advising experiences, and we are not impressed. Some students have had issues with their advisors pressuring them into taking the advisors’ classes - even if the students don’t need or want them. Advisors cannot look out for their own courses’ interests. Advising is about helping the students build schedules, and ensuring that they can graduate in four years - not about professors recruiting for their lower-enrolled courses. Other students have had issues with advisors who have no idea what courses students are required to take. Students end up taking the wrong classes, which makes graduating on time fairly impossible, considering the strict number of mandatory courses students are required to take. Advisors should know the course listings and requirements for their departments and should be able to answer any questions students have - and if they don’t know, they should be willing to find out. Some advisors meet with their advisees only to give them their PIN numbers, and don’t even attempt to do any advising at all. Just this week, for example, one student went to meet with her advisor only to find her PIN number taped to the door, and the advisor nowhere to be found! The considerable number of fifth-year seniors on this campus can attest to the fact that, unfortunately, there is a lot of inadequate advising at FSC. The administration needs to do more to ensure that faculty members are taking their advising responsibilities seriously. Students’ failure to graduate in four years reflects poorly on the whole FSC community - students, professors and administrators. Students often turn to other sources of advice to help them choose classes when their advisors fail. We at The Gatepost came up with a few suggestions for students who need help figuring out which classes to take. The Gatepost’s front page article this week, “Students turn to online feedback in making course selections,” discusses the Web site www.ratemyprofessors.com. While students should use their discretion regarding how much this site should really be trusted, it can be a helpful tool, allowing students to research various professors and the different classes they teach. Students can read reviews written by their peers about FSC professors on an individual class basis, which can help students decide if that particular class would interest them. Seeking advice from upperclassmen to learn about classes, professors and/or major requirements is also helpful. Students on this campus are always willing to help, and upperclassmen are usually aware of which major classes need to be taken. However, most faculty members at FSC do take advising seriously. Faculty members other than your academic advisor can be a useful source for information when it comes to signing up for classes. The CASA office is extremely helpful - it hosts peer tutors and academic advisors like Chris Gregory and Joe McCaul, who are always willing to help students. We at Framingham State are extremely lucky to have an office with staff members dedicated to helping students find their majors, choose their classes and receive the academic support they need to succeed. If you are unsure of which classes you need to take, and your advisor is being less than helpful, utilize the resources in CASA or talk to an upperclassman or a professor you trust. There are plenty of students and professors at FSC who would be more than happy to help you with the advising and class registration process - all you have to do is ask.
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Crossing to Maple
Between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., students parked in the Maple Lot are unable to take the shuttle to their cars. Also, student athletes who have practice at the football field, and fans going to attend games also walk the same route as students going to the Maple Lot. With all the foot traffic that this path gets, one would think that it would be better equipped for the job. However, there is only a sidewalk on one side of the busy street, and there is no crosswalk leading from the sidewalk to the Maple Lot on the opposite side. As Maple Street can become extremely busy, especially during the day, one would think that Framingham State would take a greater interest in the safety of the students who have to walk to their cars and to practice from day to day. Framingham State should be working with the town of Framingham to ensure that something is done about this potentially dangerous area, as an alternative method of getting to the lot/field is not offered during the daytime hours.
Nenia Corcoran Editorial Staff
The best thing since sliced bread
I want to praise Sodexo for offering vegan nuggets alongside the chicken nugget meal. It is difficult for vegetarians and vegans to have a variety at meals, but the addition of the vegan nuggets deserves a huge thumbs up! If vegan nuggets and other vegan friendly foods were offered at every meal, it would make being a vegan a lot easier. There are many vegans and many more vegetarians on campus, and it is difficult to have satisfying meals with only a few choices during mealtimes. I know that many vegans and vegetarians buy food off campus and make their own meals instead of using their meal plans. However, this is complicated for some with busy schedules. Hopefully, more vegan-friendly foods will be introduced in the future, but the vegan nuggets are a great first step. Tom Higgins Editorial Staff
Letter to the Editor That time of year has come again. Valued colleagues will be retiring or, as is often the practice here at Framingham, going from full professors to part-time “visiting lecturers.” Proof, perhaps, that unlike old soldiers, old professors neither die nor quietly fade away. I wonder, though, what giving that last class is truly like. Do you walk to your office wondering how the accumulation of 30 or so years of books and papers is going to fit into an already cluttered home? Do you think about the thousands of students, at least 0.001 percent of whom keep in touch with you, whom you have helped into graduate school or a career? Do you smile at not having to face the turbulence of department meetings or the enervating hours of committee work, while regretting the cooling of friendships and the companionship of lunches? Will you realize the flimsiness of the truism that “absence makes the heart grow fonder” before the reality that distance strains the bonds of friendship? Taking the unfashionable Romantic view, I would like to think that, as those footsteps echo in the corridor, you think how much you will miss being renewed each September by yet another entering class. You will reflect, for a moment, on the difference your tenure at the College has made to advancing its institutional life and the life of its denizens. You will find much to regret and even more to celebrate. What I know for sure about the conclusion of the last class is that if you could only hear all those “thank yous” which were uttered out of your presence, you would know that the hours of grading, the sacrifices attendant upon getting that “terminal degree” and the troublesome diversions from your domestic responsibilities were all worth it. If students only knew what the professoriate comes to realize, perhaps they would walk that hallway after the last class with their instructor and make the silence blossom with their gratitude. Occasionally, such things do happen in the precincts of academe.
N. Racheotes History Department
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.
Page 6
The Gatepost
April 2, 2010
ARTS & FEATURES The Melegian Quintet perform at the Heineman Ecumenical and Cultural Center.
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ALL THAT JAZZ
By Tom O’Brien Arts & Features Editor he Arts and Humanities department organized a diverse array of cultural programs at FSC this year, as it has done for many years. Offering several different events a month, the series features diverse speakers, performances, art exhibitions and a set of international films. Some of the most respected events in the department’s schedule of programs are the Midday Performances, held once a month in the Heineman Ecumenical and Cultural Center. FSC Chorus, as well as musical acts, from jazz to gaelic or folk, take the stage in the campus chapel before an audience of students, professors, administrators, local community members and alumni. However, this may be the last year that the Midday Performance is featured in the Arts and Humanities Series - Mark Evans, Arts and Humanities program administrator and staff assistant, is planning to retire. This month’s performance marked the second to last event in the year long schedule - a jazz performance by the Melegian Quintet, led by FSC Professor Ed Melegian. The group has been a part of the daytime sets for years, making this last performance a tribute not only to the history of the jazz quintet, but also to the legacy of Evans and his involvement in the Midday Performances. Introduced by Evans as what may be the “Last of midday jazz,” Heinemann was an atmosphere buzzing with anticipation for what the quintet had in store. This excitement was coupled with a deep respect, from audience toward performers, emphasized by the long resounding applause at the beggining of the group’s last set at FSC. The band members took their usual places on stage - Melegian behind the piano and Berklee College of Music professor John Baboian on guitar. Danny Harrington, also a Berklee professor - the solitary horn section, blew baritone saxophone along with a rhythm section consisting of New England Conservatory of Music professor, Tony D’amico on string bass,
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and Berklee professor Jon Hazilla on drums. The set opened with a full sound. While this may have been the last performance, it was much more a celebration than a funeral. Now more than ever, the members of the prolific jazz group had opportunities to “go all out.” Bass was catchy and driving, while sax presented a creamy, toe-tapping melody. Melegian’s piano vamping was spot on as usual, leaving space for Baboian’s guitar play to wander about his fretboard, leaping in and out of key in a brave solo. Hazilla’s drum play was impeccable, and really stood out in the next tune, which Melegian described as “made for drummers.” The song pulsed with quick punchy restarts of the music - two bars of full-band sound followed by quick breaks of silence. Hazilla’s drumming led the song from beginning to end, punctuating it with a great solo near the finish. Melegian’s piano skill was showcased masterfully in a touching solo rendition of the timeless “Over the Rainbow,” the professor shined. Beautiful crescendoes of improv encompassed the easily recognized melody of the classic tune, making the song one to remember. Melegian’s control of the timbre and percussive intensity of the chapel’s baby grand piano gave his performance a deep emotional badge, hidden behind his stoic professionalism. In the next song, “It Don’t Mean A Thing,” Baboian treated the audience to his unique form of scat singing, as well as some smooth guitar playing. The Berklee professor’s lyrical singing was a very nice touch, but his scatting was superb. Mirroring the notes coming out of his amp, Baboian was doo-whopping like a madman, throwing the audience into applause with each subsequent vocal melody. The guitar work showed how flashy the instrument can be. Melegian’s piano improvisation flowed down the keys, eliminating any empty space that might have left listeners to describe the group’s sound as anything but full. Melegian said, “If I had to describe these musicians in three words, it would have to be educated, experienced and excellent.”
Students look to peers for course selection guidance - Continued from page 1
times, Rate My Professors is not reliable, because everyone learns differently, and some students might think one teacher’s methods are awful, while others might love them. It’s kind of like Wikipedia,” she added. Senior liberal studies major Coryn Snyder, said she uses the Rate My Professors Web site every semester, but usually only if she hasn’t heard of the professor before and said that after she reads most of the reviews on a professor’s page, “I try to make the most appropriate decision.” A heavy course load doesn’t deter her from taking a course with a certain professor. Though most college students are no doubt aware of Rate My Professors, each has his or her own reasons why he or she does or doesn’t choose to rely on it as a guide to selecting courses rather than insight from their advisors.
Lonschein said, “I use it to see an example of what I may be getting myself into, so I can be prepared for the worst, just in case.” Though hearing what friends have to say about a professor or a course she may have to take is one option, Sheehan said sometimes what others have to say about a professor can intimidate her. “It deters me. But then if I go on Rate My Professors, sometimes I’m like, ‘Oh, they don’t seem so bad. I can do it.’” Sometimes students simply want to read the comments to see the teaching style and methods of a professor. Sheehan said, “I have teachers this year that [the comments are] dead on, being like, ‘You have two tests’ ... ‘You can use your notes,’” which she said reassured her that the site is reliable. Haleluya Haile, a junior political science major, also said that Rate My Professors was most helpful when comments describing the course load or items
related to the syllabus were included in the reviews. “You can find out if the teacher has midterms or finals, or if they’re hard or easy,” he said. Freshman Rich Ezerins has yet to go through his first registration, as he entered FSC as a student in Jan. 2010, but he has already been made aware of and utilized Rate My Professors. “I used it to look up a professor for a course that I wanted to switch into and looked at the reviews under it to see what type of teacher he was.” Senior math major Rachel Krans said she visits the site simply for fun. “I like to check and see if the reviews are accurate to what I’ve experienced in classes with certain professors.” Senior communication arts major Reggie Jolicoeur doesn’t use the site at all, though he has heard about it from friends. Jolicoeur said he refers to the course catalog for his year and narrows down his choices for courses and then goes to his advisor. “I’ve pretty much taken care of everything on
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Water Country Tom Higgins/The Gatepost
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The FSC campus was engulfed in water after torrential rain fell over the past week. Tom Higgins/The Gatepost
Hilltop Players perform rousing rendition of Vagina Monologues
By Pamela Barberio Assistant Arts & Features Editor
W
e were worried about our vaginas …” No, this is not a line from a bad visit to the gynecologist - this is one of the milder lines from this year’s “The Vagina Monologues,” performed by The Hilltop Players March 4 - 7. “The Vagina Monologues” was written by playwright Eve Ensler. It features a set of monologues from more than 200 women whom Ensler interviewed for this play. The Vagina Monologue’s Web site, www.vday.org, says, “Ensler has devoted her life to stopping violence, envisioning a planet in which women and girls will be free to thrive, rather than merely survive.” The Monologues covered a wide variety of topics from the humorous ones documenting an adolescent girl’s first experience with her menstrual cycle, to the decision of whether to shave or not, to more heartbreaking topics, such as rape. The female cast of the 2010 performance held nothing back, as just about every synonym known for the word vagina was used, including the terms “va-jay-jay” and “cootchie” - and used proudly at that. Nicole Souza used perhaps the most controversial of vagina words over and over again in the monologue titled “Reclaiming Cunt.” Barbara Pierre, who performed “Woman Who Loved to Make Vaginas Happy,” among several other skits, stole the show and received the greatest applause and roars of laughter from the audience with her mock orgasms. This monologue inspired an interview with a lawyer,
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Matt Mikaelian/The Gatepost
Sophomore Suzanne Carroll performs at “The Vagina Monologues.”
who grew tired of her rigid job and decided to make a career change to something a bit more freeing and unconventional - she became an escort for other women. She loved having sex with and pleasing women - so much in fact that she named and defined many different types of orgasms, which Pierre boldly performed. “It wasn’t nerveracking at all,” said Pierre, a junior communication arts major, about her fake orgasms throughout this skit. “The other girls said I had no shame, and I knew it was acting. It was really easy. I had a lot of time to read my lines.” At one point in Pierre’s monologue, she had to pick a random male audience member to grind on while moaning. “I apologized after and now we’re Facebook friends!” she said. Pierre has been a “Vagina Warrior” for three years, and next year, she plans to direct the annual performance. Jessie Rennie, a first time Vagina Warrior, said, “The most difficult performance for me to watch was the ‘My Vagina was my Village,’ because it really speaks to the atrocities committed against women on a daily basis in different parts of the world - atrocities which many people aren’t even aware have happened and continue to happen.” “Often times, if you don’t experience something on a first-hand basis, it isn’t real to you,” said Rennie. “‘My Vagina was my Village’ made issues of rape and abuse a reality.” Audience members left the opening night performance with conflicting sentiments of happiness and sadness. Tracy Wright, a sophomore, said her favorite part was Pierre’s moaning. “The saddest parts were [the skits] about little girls getting raped. ... [but] they all did such a good job
with it.” Suzanne Carroll, a sophomore and first-time Vagina Warrior, said, “I think each monologue is a challenge in itself simply because the topics and things we're talking about are taboo. Vaginas, orgasms, sex - they're things we're not supposed to talk about in public, but here we are telling these women’s stories to an audience full of people - so really every monologue is hard in its own right.” Carroll said she had never even seen a “Vagina Monologues” production and “auditioned … on a whim.” She is already planning which monologues she will perform next year. Jaclyn Duridas, a sophomore, also thought the performance was well done and “thought they were all very open. The ‘Angry Vagina’ was great!” she said. The irrelevant yet humorous questions “The Vagina Monologues” is known for were answered using responses from actual FSC women. “If your vagina could wear anything, what would it be?” Answers included pearls, overalls and three-and-ahalf inch, thigh-high black leather boots. “What would your vagina say if it could talk?” Some of the audience’s favorite answers included, ‘Closed for business,’ and, ‘Put a ring on it!’ Carroll said, “We sent half of the money raised to the V-Day Foundation … and the rest of the money was sent to cancer research.” Be sure to catch The Hilltop Players in “Bare: A Pop Opera,” coming to the Dwight Performing Arts Center April 1 - 3 at 7 p.m.
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Gregory: Students should be prepared for advising - Continued from page 6
my own. I just sort of went to [my advisor] because I had to.” He said he’d “rather be the one taking care of it anyway.” “I sort of plan out everything before I go in and I just sort of let them know, ‘Alright, this is what I’m going to do,’” said Jolicoeur. Lonschein said, “My relationship with my advisor has for the most part been good. I don’t find the advising sessions very helpful though. I usually make a schedule before I go.” Janet Schwartz, chair of the consumer sciences department, advises students to do just this to come prepared and to “do their homework” before an advising appointment. Sometimes students show up to an advising appointment and don’t actually have any classes in mind and haven’t even looked at the course offerings, which can make advising difficult and time consuming for students and advisors. Krans said her advisor is “very knowledgeable about the major. He used to be the chair of the [math] department. So he’s been very helpful and if I have questions about anything, I can always go to him and ask him when he’s there.” Krans said she always goes to advising sessions prepared with pre-made schedules and her advisor “usually has what his idea of a schedule should be in mind and he always checks it to see if it’s the same as mine, and if it is, he signs off right
away and just gives me my PIN. ... Or if he thinks there is some other direction I should go in, he usually gives little hints as to what I should be taking instead of what I make as a schedule.” Haleluya Haile said his friends were probably more helpful than his advisor when he has gone to them for advice in the past because “they’re more honest about what they’re going to tell you, as opposed to advisors who are looking out for your best [interest], but not really going to be completely honest with you.” Haile said he usually shows up to his advising appointment with an idea of what courses he wants to take, but with the hope that his advisor will be able to offer more guidance. Senior art major Kelley Malonson relies heavily on her own knowledge of her course catalog and plans ahead “so that I’m never really caught with not having the class I need.” She urged her peers to “look at your course catalog for the year you came in. Get to know that inside and out ... because your advisor will help you, but you really need to know what’s going on. You need to know how to help yourself out.” Dr. Schwartz believes that one of the reasons students rely on wordof-mouth advice more heavily than on their advisors is because “social networking always has been a very strong factor in your lives and other students know the professors, the classes. “I always say, apart from
requirements, take the professor. Because a good professor could make ... what you would think a very boring subject matter into something wonderful.” Chair of the English department Dr. Elaine Beilin’s advice for students who rely on word-of-mouth from friends when getting input about which classes to take is, “I think it’s also true that what’s good for one student isn’t necessarily good for another student. “One student might say that was the best experience I’ve ever had or that was the worst experience I’ve ever had, and it might be completely different for someone else. So I think you always have to balance things and not simply take one source,” said Beilin. She added, “I think students by and large don’t use their academic advisors enough. … But I think students should really take advantage of the system and feel as if their academic advisors are a really good resource for academic issues.” Snyder voiced concerns that some advisors are not trained to advise students on courses in other fields than their own. “I think the advisors need way more training. The biggest complaint I get from friends is that their advisor … doesn’t know what they need [for courses outside their major].” Dr. Christopher Gregory and the staff at the Center for Academic Support and Advising (CASA) are a resource for students at FSC who
need additional academic advising. Snyder said even though Gregory is not her advisor, she was able to go to him in CASA and ask him questions that other advisors could not answer. “Dr. Gregory is by far the best advisor on campus and everybody should have the information that he does,” she said. She recognized Gregory’s ability to tell her “‘I don’t think this is the right course for you,’ or ‘I don’t think this is the right professor for you.’ That, for me, is more valuable than ‘Take this, this and this.’ To be able to sit down and discuss it is so much better.” Gregory advised students not to get stressed out about course selection, but when meeting with advisors, “Prepare for it when the courses are made available. Always know when your advising time is. But going into that advising appointment, students should have looked at what’s available. They should pick up their degree audit from the registrar’s office or from CASA.” Gregory advises undeclared students when choosing courses to have three Gen Eds and a fourth course, but one of the courses should be in an area in which they are considering majoring or minoring. “If you’re just getting the Gen Eds out of the way, you’re sidestepping the decision to embrace something,” said Gregory. “A major will choose you instead whether you like it or not.”
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Campus Conversations Does RateMyProfessors.com influence the classes you choose to take? “One time, the site said the teacher was easy, but hard to understand. I took it anyway.” “I look for the work load - if Carly Roberts,
they have a lot of papers, if
sophomore
they seem nice or not.” Jillian Donham, sophomore
“I always look for the hottest professors.” “I use it to see if a Glenn Delrossi,
professor sucks, if
junior
they are a good
Toby Rock,
teacher or not.”
freshman
SPORTS The Gatepost
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April 2, 2010
Double dipping
Several athletes participate in multiple sports By Josh Primak Sports Editor
This past fall, FSC junior Jill Johnson laced up her soccer cleats and played her third season for the Women’s Soccer team during a tough year, in which they finished just 5-11-1. For her efforts as an anchor the FSC backfield, Johnson was named Second Team All-MASCAC, a noteable accomplishment for a soccer program that has struggled the past few seasons. But for Johnson, there is never any time to bask in her accomplishments on the pitch. Once the soccer season ends, she trades in her cleats for basketball sneakers, as she is one of the captains of the up-and-coming FSC Women’s Basketball team. Like several other FSC athletes, putting on the black and gold for Johnson is a multi-sport affair, with many rewards and challenges. “I love playing two sports at Framingham. It definitely has its rewards. I have two different groups of friends that have become very close to me, but I also have two different types of competition. It is difficult to balance yourself between the two teams, but overall, I would not change my decision to play two sports in college.” While splitting time between two sports can be a positive experience, it also comes with many hardships for the athlete. Junior Dave Leach has been the heart and soul of the Ram Football team’s offense for the past two seasons - taking over sole possession of the all-time FSC rushing record this past season. During his sophomore season, Leach played both football
and baseball for Framingham, and while he excelled in both - having a monster season at running back for football, and hitting a robust .333 for the baseball team, he struggled to find time for both sports. “It’s definitely hard to play two sports. When I was playing baseball, the football team would be having spring practices and doing their off-season workout. You can’t lift in the weight room for football during baseball season. On the contrary, I couldn’t put in the time getting ready to try out for baseball because I was in football season. “As for when it comes to academics, it is real tough. If you ask any athlete, they’ll tell you trying to excell both on the field and in the classroom is one of the hardest goals to achieve.” After struggling to play both sports last year, Leach decided not to play baseball this spring in order to concentrate on his gridiorn skills. “I currently only play football because I realize in order to be the best you can be, you have to put in all the effort you can. It kills me as a competitor to follow the baseball team as a fan and not a player this spring, but I feel as though devoting my time to football all year will lead to a more successful football season.” Freshman Kia Minor was also a two-sport athlete in her rookie season for the Rams - playing goalkeeper for soccer in the fall, and guard for the basketball this past winter, where she
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Jill Johnson has been a key member of both the soccer and the basketball teams for the past three years.
led the team in scoring. Despite being a three-sport athlete in high school, Minor found the transition to two sports in college even harder than her high school experience. “Playing two sports at FSC was way more challenging than playing three sports in high school longer practices, more strenuous games, and more time devoted off the field and the court. I planned on coming here to play basketball, and the soccer coach heard I played goalie for my high school team and recruited me, so it wasn’t my initial plan, but I knew college wouldn’t be the same if I didn’t play.” A l t h o u g h playing two sports may ultimately detract from the amount of time The Gatepost Archives each athlete may be able to devote to each, positive While Dave Leach chose not to participate in two sports this year, Kia Minor is experiences with managing the transition well in her rookie sesason. coaches and team mates have made
the work worth while. While both Leach and Minor had the support of their fellow players and coaches from the beginning, Johnson had to prove that she could handle both sports to her teammates during her freshman year. “Some of my teammates questioned my commitment to the team, since I was also part of another team. As I proved myself to my teammates, they began to support me. Now, my basketball teammates come to my soccer games, and my soccer teammates come to my basketball games. I feel honored to play with every single one of the girls on the soccer and basketball teams. My coaches also support me in both sports, which makes the decision to play two sports in college a lot easier.” And while playing two sports in college may leave little time for schoolwork, it may even be a plus overall for Minor academically. “Playing two sports had a positive effect on my schoolwork because it forced me to practice and perfect my time-management skills in order to be a successful student athlete. But, because my sports overlap, it gets hard to prepare myself for the change in pace and landscape.” So whether it is Leach tearing through an opposing defense in the fall for a touchdown, or Minor and Johnson scoring big buckets for Women’s Basketball in the winter, FSC athletes are proving to be well rounded athletes.
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Rain forces Rams indoors XXXXXXXX/The Gatepost Drake McCabe/The Gatepost
By Nenia Corcoran Sports Editor
As the rain continues to pelt the Framingham State campus, the FSC spring teams are finding it difficult to carry out their seasons as planned. While the end of March through the beginning of April are typically wet months, the excessive downpours recently have left pools of water on the Framingham State fields, making even practice near impossible. The ducks are getting more use out of the lake-like softball field than the Softball team is. They have found themselves indoors since last Thursday afternoon. Alyssa Shea, one of the Softball co-captains, is hopeful that the rain will not interfere with the remainder of this week’s schedule. “Practicing in the gym really limits what we can work on. It’s so much different than practicing on the field. … It’s just difficult because we haven’t been able to practice outside yet, so our games this week will be our first time on a field since we’ve come back from Florida,” said Shea. The Baseball team has also been kept cooped up inside the gym this
past week. Outfielder Marc Massarotti said “Going from sunny Florida to all this rain back home is not the greatest, but we are not going to use it as an excuse.” The Baseball team is hoping for better weather in the week to come so they can get back out on the field. “The rain really sucks. We can’t get outside to get the fly balls and ground balls that we need to stay sharp. Instead, we get stuck in a little gym,” said infielder Ryan McCarthy. With the turf field - and most of the rest of the Maple area - entirely under several inches of water, the Women’s Lacrosse team has also been forced into the gym. Despite the fact that the weather is expected to clear up for the weekend, games are continuing to be cancelled due to the poor field conditions. All of Friday’s games have been postponed and reschduled for later in the spring season. The Rams are hopeful that the nice weather will stick around long enough for them to get their season underway.
Do you have what it takes? Test yourself against the U.S. military’s physical fitness standards! Saturday April 10th 12 to 4 pm
Mock Boot Camp Physical training test Marching Obstacle course Team building Cookout to follow Meet us at noon by the flagpole in front of Dwight Hall. Brought to you by the Framingham State Veterans Association
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Members of the Baseball team work on batting inside during Wednesday’s downpours.
“Our Daily Words” Bernard Horn Thursday, April 8 7:00 p.m. Ecumenical Center Framingham State College Sponsored by the Arts & Humanities Program Old Seventy Creek Press Poetry Series Bernard Horn’s Our Daily Words is the winner of The 2009 Old Seventy Creek Press Poetry Prize For additional information contact Bernard Horn at bhorn@framingham.edu
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Improv Fills FSC’s Rainy Days with Laughs Matt Mikaelian/The Gatepost Matt Mikaelian/The Gatepost
Improv show entertains students. Top: Rob Mulligan, possibly taking a nap.
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Some students managed to dodge the rain and enjoy some spring activities.
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Heavy rains caused flooding at the Maple Lot and sports fields. Top: Students birdwatching.