12-04-2009

Filmmaker Reitman reaches new heights with latest movie pg. 7

At the Movies “Up in the Air”

pg. 6

T he G atepost T he Inde pendent Weekly Student Ne wspa per of Framingham State College Since 1932

volume

www.thegatepost.com

78 l number 11

D

e c e m b e r

4 ,

2 0 0 9

FSC expanding honors lounge

By Rakel Hjaltadóttir

Assistant News Editor

Matt Mikaelian/The Gatepost

FSC students at the 80’s dance.

Framingham State College is in the process of expanding its honors lounge, located in the basement of Foster Hall, in order to create a larger space for honors program students to study and work.

FSC has not yet joined the Commonwealth Honors Program, a statewide honors consortium of the honors programs of Mass. public higher education institutions, requires every pariticipating school in the program to have a lounge.

FSC had a lounge, but has now acquired more space to expand it after Disability Services Coordinator Dennis Polselli retired. Polselli lived in the space while he was working at FSC. According to Dr. Carolyn Maibor, director of the honors program, members of the program hoped to have the new and ex-

panded lounge open at the start of the fall ’09 semester. State Information Technology auditors are currently occupying the space, causing the opening of the lounge to be delayed.

Maibor said, “[Now] it’s set up more for a small group for studying and [a] social environment, but not really for conferences or lectures or anything like that. …

I recommended a seminar-style room, where there would be a table and seats around it so we could have meetings there and so we could have classes there, potentially.”

According to Dr. Dale Hamel, vice president of administration, technology and finance, the new lounge will require an expansion rather than an addition. No new construction had to be done, and only minor “fix-ups” were needed.

The only money spent was $2,800 -Continued on page 3

State budget cuts cause funding gap for FSC

By Roya Bahrami

Assistant News Editor Mid-year state budget cuts have reduced the college’s operating budget by $1.6 million for Fiscal Year 2010, and a $7.1 million cut is expected for FY 2011.

The college’s $100 million budget for FY 2010, already $4.1 million below peak funding from FY 2009 due to state funding cuts from last year, was further reduced by the state in October.

According to Dr. Dale Hamel, senior vice president of administration, finance and technology, federal stimulus money is expected to make up for this year’s gap in funding. However, the school will not be receiving federal stimulus money after FY 2010, adding to the significant fiscal shortfall for FY 2011.

During the Nov. 6 All-College Meeting, Hamel said, “When we talk about a ‘funding cliff,’ we can now see how that cliff is quickly approaching, and it’s become rather large.”

Currently, the $100 million FSC budget is funded by a variety of sources. Student

fees contribute $25 million to the budget, the commonwealth of Massachusetts contributes about $20.8 million, and financial aid contributes another $18.6 million.

The rest of the budget is funded through other sources, such as housing fees, which provides the college with approximately $8.9 million, capital support, which contributes $8.2 million, auxiliary services, which contribute $6.3 million and miscellaneous sources such as investments and donations which contributes $2.8 million.

To make up for the “funding cliff,” the administration has been discussing different ways to cut costs and increase revenue. Hamel said, “We are beginning to have discussions internally with the budget resource committee, with our board [on] how to address [the budget issue], and that will be a combination of further expenditure reductions, tolerance relating to fee increases, [and] what additional revenue generation we can explore, possibly through enrollment increases beyond those that we have targeted prior to this point.

-Continued on page 4

Tom Higgins/The Gatepost

FSC Chorus sings carols at the Tree of Hope lighting.

Visit The Gatepost’s new and improved Web site! www.thegatepost.com

On the Sideline with Darius Yarrell

“Make it Real” Frivolous spending at FSC

RAM named Rookie of the Year

pg. 11

pg. 9

pg. 10

The Gatepost

Gatepost Interview

Police Logs

Tuesday, December 1, 2009 13:07 Report of Suspicious activity - Maple Com-

muter Parking Lot. 13:18 Arrest - Maple Commuter Parking Lot - Pris-

oner transported to FPD. Wednesday, December 2, 2009 MVA (Hit and Run) - Maynard Parking Lot. Accident Documented.

Narcotic Investigation - Horace Mann Hall.

Unfounded.

Narcotic Investigation - Corrine Hall Towers.

Unfounded.

Thursday, December 3, 2009 9:22 MVA - Church Street - walking wounded. FPD

& FFD advised. Transported and cleared.

Editorial Board 2009-2010

Rabbi Yakov Lazaros FSC Chaplain

GP: What is the most challenging part of being a rabbi?

By Amy Koski News Editor [Editor’s note: Rabbi Lazaros was born in Germany to two Holocaust survivors. He has been married to his wife for 34 years and has seven children with her. He and his wife recently welcomed their first grandchild, Chaya Moussia. He is the rabbi at the Bais Chabad in Framingham. According to an article in the Nov. 6 issue of The Jewish Advocate, he was ordained in Manhattan in 1974, by Rabbi Moshe Feinstein. Lazaros invites FSC students of all faiths and religious backgrounds to visit him in his office, CC 516, on Tuesdays from 12:004:00.]

Madison Dennis

Associate Editor Lauren Byrnes

News Editor Amy Koski

Assistant News Editors Roya Bahrami, Lindsay Chase, Rakel Hjaltadóttir and Sara Mulkeen

Arts & Features Editor Matthew Bushery

Assistant Arts & Features Editors Pam Barberio, Amanda Lefebvre and Tom O’Brien

Interim Assistant Arts & Features Editor Spencer Buell

SPORTS EDITOR Josh Primak

Assistant Sports Editors Nenia Corcoran, Jeff Mandeau and Chris McCabe

Opinion Editor Leanne Paradiso

PHOTO EDITORS Matt Bennett, Tom Higgins, Josh Kruger, Andrew Martin, Drake McCabe and Matthew Mikaelian

Comics Editor

GP: When and why did you decide to become a rabbi?

Liz Anders and Jen Perrin

Administrative assistant Betty Brault

Lazaros: During the two years after I graduated, I was working as a rabbi and found I liked doing what rabbis do. I found I enjoyed getting up and giving a sermon in front of a crowd, discussing religion.

Lazaros: The opportunity to help people, meet with people and hopefully inspire them to lead a faith-based life.

Advisor Desmond McCarthy

General Staff Ashley Moran Shaeleen Perreault Ariana Shuris Monique Thomas

Precip: 0%

Cloudy

High 44° Low 29° Precip: 20%

Sunday

High 50° Low 33°

Saturday

FRIday

FROM WWW.WEATHER.COM

Forecast

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

Partly Cloudy

High 39° Low 27° Precip: 20%

Partly Cloudy

High 42° Low 30° Precip: 10%

Tuesday

Sunny

GP: What are some of your hobbies?

Lazaros: I read everything. I spend hours reading in my spare time. I like martial arts - I fool around with my kids a little bit with that.

GP: Do you have any advice for students?

Lazaros: Study hard, stay away from drugs and alcohol.

Try to explore new and interesting academic venues that are not necessarily related to your major. I think that college is a time of emotional as well as academic growth. ... [Also,] If you see a guy walking around on campus with a black hat and grey beard, stop and say hello - he’s actually a very friendly man!

Rabbi Lazaros invites all in the FSC community to celebrate Chanukah and the lighting of the Menorah at Framingham Common at Edgell Rd. and Vernon St. There will be a large public celebration Sunday Dec. 13 and every night of Chanukah at 4:30 p.m. On Friday, Dec. 11 and Friday Dec. 18, the lighting will take place at 3:00 p.m.

Monday

Amy Koski/The Gatepost

Rabbi Yakov Lazaros

Staff

ONLINE EDITORs

Lazaros: What I really want to do is create among the Jewish students first and foremost, an awareness that they are Jewish. I want to do this not through religious classes, but through social networking. ... So, I really want to identify the Jewish kids on campus. I want to make interesting and attractive programs that they want. … I hope to be able to explain to young people what it means [to be Jewish] and to put them in touch with their Jewish heritage.

Lazaros: I went to Yeshiva schools, or religious schools, from K-12. ... For college, I went to Yeshiva University [class of 1969] in New York. … I studied [Torah] in the mornings and economics in the afternoons. After that, I got my master’s at Clark University in Worcester.

GP: On a personal level, what do you gain most out of being a rabbi?

Steve Monroe

Advertising Editor

Bryan Dagley Nicole Dygon Sara L. Fortin Kelsey Loverude

GP: What do you hope to accomplish in your new role at FSC as Jewish Chaplain?

GP: What is your educational background?

Editor-in-Chief

Lazaros: I think that a lot of people have put religion on the back burner. They don’t realize that there’s a lot of strength and solace in religion and faith. People should realize that you need to turn to God not just in bad times, but in good times. It gives people meaning in their lives.

Partly Cloudy

High 41° Low 29° Precip: 10%

Showers High 41° Low 31° Precip: 40%

Thursday

9:19

21:20

22:16

December 4, 2009

WednesdaY

Page 2

Rain/Snow Showers High 40° Low 24° Precip: 60%

December 4, 2009 -Continued from page 1

The Gatepost

FSC honors program not yet part of Commonwealth Honors Program

for new furniture.

Hamel said the money for the furniture came out of the school’s annual capital budget and internal staff completed all the renovations. “While it costs money, there isn’t an expense associated with it because it’s already our own staff,” he said.

According to Warren Fairbanks, director of facilities and capital planning, the new lounge will be an area measuring 840 square feet. The existing honors lounge measures 380 square feet, and new space is approximately 460 gross square feet.

Bridgit O’Donnell, a senior math major and president of the honors program student association, said there was no lounge or honors student group when she joined the program as a freshman. “We wanted to create a group to support each other, and to take pride in the program.”

A lounge was provided to the honors program during O’Donnell’s sophomore year, when the honors program student association asked for a space to have meetings, study and “hang out.” O’Donnell said she thinks the seminar-style room is a great idea because currently, there is not much space for students to study.

Senior Ashley Barry, an English major, said when she lived on campus, she loved the honors lounge. “When I really needed to focus - like right before finals or due dates - it was much easier to focus there than in my room.”

Barry said she would use the lounge to study because it was clean, quiet and had better wireless access than any other area on campus.

Amanda Kirdulis, a junior sociology major and Web chair of the honors program student association, said she also uses the lounge to study. “I use the honors lounge to do homework if I don’t want to go to my dorm - my bed likes to tempt me to take naps when I should be working.”

According to Dr. Nicholas Racheotes, “junior founder”

“I feel like it will be a really good experience, both academic and personal” - Ashley Barry, on the honors program thesis at FSC

of the honors program and a history professor, the program was created in 1985 when FSC was trying to assist incoming students with the transition to college, and thought it should be “equally creative in meeting the needs and addressing some of the expectations of our better prepared students.”

The founders of both the honors committee and program wanted to make it unique to FSC. “We thought we would create an honors program that fit into the curriculum by having honors courses be general education courses and they would be courses that would be special for students,” Racheotes said.

He added that the idea was never to create a “student elite” in the program, but rather to “give people a very high level and more intense general education experience … and to show the college at its best, to attract students who were really committed and serious about education and who were committed to excelling.”

Currently, the honors program at FSC is independent and not yet a member of the Commonwealth Honors Program. Maibor said the school “[does not] really have any obstacles to joining,” but the membership has not yet been

Page 3

“My hope is that if the student does that 300- or 400-level class as their last honors course, it’s a way of gearing up for the thesis which requires a lot of independent work,” Maibor said.

Barry said, “The honors classes I’ve taken have really been either hit or miss,” with some being worthwhile and others mostly “busy work.” In either case, she did not think the workload was significantly harder.

“Sometimes, I just have to write a longer, or an extra paper, while other times, I’ve had to read an extra novel.”

Kirdulis said the honors courses she has taken have not been too challenging. “The extra project or paper is generally of the same difficulty as other work required for the course.”

Freshmen and sophomores need a 3.0 QPA overall, and juniors and seniors need a 3.25. Maibor said students are sometimes removed from the program because they do not maintain the required QPA. Students can also be dropped from the program if they go more than one semester without taking an honors course. Maibor Tom Higgins/The Gatepost said, “The reason for that is honors students The Honors Center in Foster Hall. get to register [for classes] before everyone finalized and made official. The program already has the else - which is an enormous benefit and privilege - and we presidential and monetary support it needs. don’t want students taking advantage of that … with no According to Maibor, the statewide program has re- intention of completing the [honors] requirements.” quirements - such as a lounge, a minimum QPA for enTo join the honors program, a student has to fill out an rolled students and a wide variety of course offerings. She application, write a letter of intent and get faculty recomsaid, “The requirements are flexible enough to each col- mendations. Students who want to apply to the program lege to develop its own personal stamp on the program and must do so before Oct. 1 of their sophomore year, in order still meet the Commonwealth requirements.” to have enough time to complete all the required courses There are approximately 140 students enrolled in the as well as the thesis. honors program at FSC, but Maibor said, “[The enrollBased on grades in high school, standardized test scores ment] varies semester to semester. … Students have to and class rank, incoming freshmen are invited by the Ofmaintain their GPA.” Fourteen honors students graduated fice of Admissions into the honors program. Transfer stufrom FSC in spring ’09. dents can also join the program, and if a student transfers She added students sometimes withdraw from the pro- having already been a member of the honors program at gram because they feel it places too much of a demand on them or they cannot complete the program requirements.

“We always have a large number of freshmen and then a much smaller number of students who actually graduate.

“I feel like being a part of the program will help … Students who have the GPA, who’ve taken the classes show prospective employers and graduate along the way, get scared off by the thesis, which is too bad because that’s really the culminating experience.” school admissions that I am motivated to The Commonwealth Honors Program does not offer challenge myself and have risen to the specific guidelines for the honors courses a college needs challenge of our honors program to offer. “What they want, though, is for each institution to have its own guidelines as to what the classes should and succeeded.” have,” Maibor said.

- Amanda Kirdulis To complete the program and graduate with honors, a student has to take five honors courses and write a thesis.

The thesis varies by discipline, said Maibor, and is not always a paper. “It should be a significant body of research and it does take the place of an entire course, so it has to be substantial enough to justify four credits,” she said. “We his or her previous school, he or she is guaranteed admisdo allow flexibility based on discipline.” sion into the FSC honors program, under the CommonBarry said she thinks the most beneficial part of being wealth Honors Program guidelines. in the honors program is the thesis. “I feel like it will be a Barry, O’Donnell and Kirdulis were invited into the really good experience, both academic and personal.” honors program when they were accepted to FSC. KirduIn order to be in the honors program, a student must lis said, “I decided to join because I had participated in the maintain a 3.0 QPA in all his or her honors courses - all honors program at my high school … so I wanted to conof which are general education classes. Maibor said, “The tinue to challenge myself and have the chance to network program is supposed to be interdisciplinary and, in order with other academically motivated students.” for classes to be open to everyone in the program, they Kirdulis added she loves the honors program for its have to be general education classes.” many advantages - such as priority advising and registraStudents are also allowed one upper-level honors class tion, access to the honors lounge and “association with within their majors. For this class to count toward the re- other academically motivated students.” She said, “I feel quired five honors courses, the student and professor must like being a part of the program will help show prospecdecide what kind of extra work or projects need to be com- tive employers and graduate school admissions that I am pleted, in addition to the work non-honors students have motivated to challenge myself and have risen to the chalto complete. lenge of our honors program and succeeded.”

Want to write?

Join The Gatepost!

Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m. in CC410

Page 4

The Gatepost

Hamel: FSC “least expensive” of “sister state colleges”

December 4, 2009

-Continued from page 1 Julie Cormio, the student trustee on the FSC Board of about it, but I think a lot of people are very uneducated … It’s really a combination of those, as well as the use of Trustees, commented on the state’s decision to cut funding about it. They notice that fees go up and they just think of reserves, during this period of trying to build ourselves out for public higher education over other state-funded pro- it as inflation, and not necessarily that we’re in a budget of this ‘cliff’ that we will experience.” crisis, which is unfortunate.”

While the college has not instituted a Sara Mills, the SGA student activimid-year increase in tuition and fees, fees ties treasurer, commented on the way for students have gone up this year. students may react to a rise in fees.

In the spring of 2009, the college opera“Students’ initial knee-jerk reaction [to tions fee for full-time students was $2,135, a rise in tuition and fees] would defiand increased to $2,334 for the fall, 2009 nitely be a negative one - no one wants semester - a $199 increase. In addition, the to pay more money,” said Mills, “[but] cost of living on campus increased $186.50 if they became more educated about it, and each meal plan went up an average of I think they would understand the need $50. Despite the rise in student fees, accordto raise fees.” ing to Hamel, “We’re still the least expenThough a raise in tuition and fees sive out of all the sister state colleges.” may displease many students, Cormio FSC’s capital spending budget has also pointed out the importance of adequate been affected by statewide planned spendfunding for FSC to remain the “premier ing cuts. In the past two years, state fundstate college” of Massachusetts. “It’s ing for capital projects throughout Massahard to support an increase in student chusetts has been reduced by nearly $1.1 fees, but at the same time, it’s a no-win billion. Hamel explained, “The economic situation. If we don’t raise fees, our colsituation has not only impacted the operatlege will suffer, people will lose their ing budget of the state, but the amount of jobs and it won’t be the same college money it planned on borrowing each year to it is today. I feel there’s no choice but fund general obligations on funded capital to raise the fees because you still want projects.” to make sure that we’re getting a good Hamel noted that the state has a “cap,” quality education and that we’re getting or limit, on its capital spending plan to prethe support that we need.”

The Gatepost Archives vent over-spending. “Each year, the comKeir said, “Speaking as the president monwealth identifies a five-year capital of SUAB, it’s difficult to work with a Dr. Dale Hamel, vice president of administration, technology and finance. spending plan that has to stay within annual tight budget, especially [when] talking spending where debt service is not greater grams and institutions. “We used to be a state-funded col- to other schools. As far as the current budget situation, it’s than 8 percent of the total revenue. … Unfortunately, the lege, and then we became state-supported, and now people understandable knowing that the state has budget cuts. … commonwealth is up against that 8 percent cap, and as are pretty much saying that we’re more of a state-located Speaking [from] an SGA standpoint, it’s really difficult for the operating budget is being reduced to stay within [the college. And it’s true. us to give clubs money because we don’t have the money. spending cap], they have to reduce the annual amount they “Each year they keep supporting us less and less, to Unfortunately for some people, a raise in student activcan spend.” the point where there’s very little ity fees H a m e l support from the state, and [now] is going added, “With we’re funding ourselves for the to be difthe reduction most part. It’s unfortunate, but, at ficult. in overall anthe same time, we’re one of the “I think a lot of people are very uneducated … [But] “When we talk about a ‘funding cliff,’ we nual spendonly things the state can cut at I know can now see how that cliff is quickly ap- this time, because you can’t cut about [the budget situation]. They notice that that the ing, projects fees go up and they just think of it as that are pro- proaching, and it’s become rather large.” social services and [other institucollege ceeding as inflation, and not necessarily that we’re in a works retions] like that. For [the state], planned are the easy cut is the colleges.” ally hard budget crisis, which is unfortunate.” really limited The impact of the state budin trying - Dr. Dale Hamel to those that get cuts on FSC has been a “hot to keep are already - Rachel Keir topic” on campus because it afit afunder confects all members of the camfordable struction and pus community. Cormio said, for stuneed to keep “At this point, it’s hard not to be dents.” moving. Other projects [like the Hemenway Hall plans] aware [of the budget crisis], but I don’t know if students Mills said, “I think that when and if cuts will have to that are either under study or design are the ones that are are aware of how much it’s impacting the college. It’s all come into play, things should be cut that obviously affect pushed further off into the planned construction period.” around you - everyone has to be somewhat aware of it. I the students least in their academic environment. ProfesAccording to mass.gov, the commonwealth of Mas- just don’t know if they’re aware of how much it’s impact- sors and staff should not be cut. I would rather pay more sachusetts has allotted $2,478,160 for FSC’s FY 2010 ing them right now at school.” to have the same amount of people in my classes and the capital spending budget. If the current trend in decreasPresident of SUAB and SGA Parliamentarian Rachel same quality and offerings of classes rather than to have ing capital spending plans continues, this could potentially Keir, a junior communication arts major, said, “I know those things cut.” push plans for capital projects, like the renovation of He- that there are some students who are actually very aware menway Hall, out at least one year. of [the budget situation] and are trying to do something

Solution Puzzle on page 5

December 4, 2009

By Shaeleen Perrault

Staff Writer

The Gatepost

SUAB members evaluate trip to the NACA conference

At the Tuesday’s SGA meeting, members amended and approved a new constitution for ISU (International Student Union) and listened to a presentation by the Student Union Activities Board.

SUAB members presented the reasons they believed the NACA (National Association for Campus Activities) conference was a beneficial event for them to attend.

At this conference, members of SUAB were able to evaluate different artists and performers who could potentially provide entertainment on campus. SUAB announced the performers they booked for Framingham State, including Pee Lee, Eric O’Shea, Jay Maitou and We Know Jack-

son.

Members were also able to attend workshops to learn about other schools’ successful campus activities.

One idea SUAB members said they found valuable came from Bridgewater State College, which developed a point system as a way to sustain club membership.

The point system is seen as a way to reward active members of campus clubs as well as penalize others for behavior such as tardiness in an effort to discourage such behavior.

Additionally, the constitution for ISU was amended and approved by SGA. Money was allocated to send holiday cards from students to members of the military overseas during this holi-

day season.

Julie Cormio, student trustee, announced that she was “hoping to get money for postage for soldiers’ cards.”

Cormio was not given a set amount of money but instead was allocated an amount not to exceed the total cost of postage.

Steve Whittemore, president of SGA, announced that there will be a meeting on Dec. 7 in Room 309 at 1:30 to discuss what has been done so far in regards to the Hemenway construction project.

In other news: • Senator of the month is Jen Lynch.

• E-board member of the month is Molly Dougen.

Winter Crossword ANTIFREEZE BOOTS CANCELLATION FROSTY GLOVES HAT ICE IGLOO NOREASTER PARKA SALT SCARF SNOWANGEL SNOWFLAKE SNOWMAN WINTER

Solution on page 4 By: Roya Bahrami

Page 5

The Gatepost

Page 6

December 4, 2009

ARTS & FEATURES

Photo courtesy of AllMoviePhoto.com

At the Movies

UP IN THE AIR

By Matthew Bushery Arts & Features Editor very day, businessmen and women all over the country make their way in and out of airports. Business trips are an American pastime. Many companies believe that by making that personal connection of sending representatives to conduct business, they will prove they are upright, forthright businesses which treat their clients with nothing but the utmost respect.

But what if these companies are simply sending these representatives to make the trip - make that “personal connection” - just to fire someone? Is that respectful? Is that upright? More importantly, how can these people perform the arduous, soul-crushing task of constantly travelling across the country to give people some of the worst news they’ll ever hear?

Some would find it hard to believe this job actually exists, but filmmaker Jason Reitman’s new motion picture, “Up in the Air,” depicts this uncommon profession in a peculiarly humanistic, unbiased fashion, causing viewers truly to sympathize with the film’s focus.

Ryan Bingham is a “career transition counselor” extraordinaire. Played by George Clooney, with his usual suave casualness, Bingham has been laying people off for corporations all over America for nearly two decades. Despite the obvious moral repercussions of his line of work, Bingham relishes gallivanting from city to city - not only for the chance to tour the nation, but also to accrue as many frequent flier miles as he can (he doesn’t divulge the amount right away - suffice to say he has a “number in mind” he hasn’t reached just yet).

Living in a luxurious apartment filled with precious possessions, fine furnishings and dainty décor is not the life Bingham wants or envisions for himself. The only place he truly feels at home is in the air, where he happily makes idle conversation with his fellow travelers, dines on middling airplane cuisine and gazes down at his continuously changing 30,000-foot-views of the infinite landscape below.

Unfortunately for Bingham, the company he works for hires the bright-eyed, freshfaced Natalie (talented youngster Anna Kendrick) for her innovative ideas in handling future firings differently. It turns out Natalie’s acclaimed initiative is for the company to fire people through means of teleconference, which would eradicate the need for Bingham to fly nationwide. This, essentially, takes away his beloved home, so Bingham vehemently objects to this new method.

The story takes off (pun very-much intended) when Bingham’s boss allows him to show Natalie the importance of laying people off in person. While flying cross-country and showing Natalie the ropes, he gradually explains to the rookie that firing people is not a black-and-white affair - there are many shades of grey which must be handled with fragility and sincerity. From Bingham’s perspective, using a camera and a microphone doesn’t give the hard-working people they’re delivering the bad news to the dignity and deference they deserve.

Coming off his breakthrough satire feature “Thank You for Smoking” and his Oscarnominated “Juno,” expectations for filmmaker Jason Reitman are very high - and continue to rise. With “Up in the Air,” Reitman’s unique adaptation of a novel by Walter Kirn, the film auteur has created a hilarious and genuinely intimate dramedy, which has most definitely lived up to the hype of his prior two films.

One of the keys to making “Up in the Air” a soaring success (last corny pun, I promise) was casting the right actors for the right roles. When Reitman wrote the script for the movie (with fellow screenwriter Sheldon Turner), he had very specific acting talents in mind for each role - particularly Clooney as Bingham, who fit the bill perfectly. Clooney’s debonair disposition and quick wit lend themselves impeccably for Bingham - not to say Clooney simply acted as himself in the film, though. A certain emotional disconnect from the rest of the world was needed to mold his character into one of Clooney’s

E

more intricate and involving roles to date.

Kendrick is certainly equal to the task as Bingham’s uptight, straightforward protégé, who doesn’t seem to grasp the point of her associate’s exhaustingly meticulous methods. Having appeared in the teen vampire hit “Twilight” and its recent blockbuster sequel “New Moon,” Kendrick is certainly getting a chance to exhibit her burgeoning big-screen abilities in the limelight. Having said that, though, one would like to think she’ll eventually challenge herself with more demanding, intellectually stimulating roles than those in the near future.

Vera Farmiga, from the 2006 Best Picture winner “The Departed,” plays Clooney’s smart, sharp, sassy and sexy love interest, Alex, whom his character meets at a hotel bar along his travels. The two discover they’re practically clones of one another, as both take an abnormal pleasure in travelling relentlessly for their work. Overall, Farmiga’s Alex uses an amusingly flirtacious rhetoric with Clooney’s Bingham, which adds the perfect amount of witty, romantic comicality to the picture.

While Reitman’s father, Ivan, was a well-established comedy director who flourished in the ‘80s and early ‘90s with hits like “Stripes” and “Ghostbusters,” the younger Reitman seems to be paving the way for his own successful filmmaking career. Though he utilizes what no doubt his father taught him about the art of making great comedies, Jason has created his own brand of cinema - alternative serio-comedies. They’re alternative due to the distinctively atypical subject matter Reitman fearlessly tackles. First, it was scheming tobacco lobbyists, then a pregnant teen and now job layoffs during the worst recession since the beginning of the century - a potential sore topic for many moviegoers.

A great touch Reitman adds to his tale are real-life interviews with recently fired real-life Americans whom he cast to express their distressing feelings about their situations. These mostly heartwrenching, somewhat droll moments are shown at the beginning and end of the movie, and definitely add the emotional depth required to really drive the point home that people aren’t simply statistics who can be eradicated with the erasure of a pencil or the click of a mouse.

With standout performances from all three leads, skillful direction from a continually evolving director and the concise and responsible exhibition of socially pertinent subject matter, “Up in the Air” achieves every fervidly poignant goal it sets out to realize.

Photos courtesy of AllMoviePhoto.com

Left: Anna Kendrick has found her much-deserved breakout role.

Right: Clooney and Farmiga’s chemistry is discernibly delightful.

The Gatepost

December 4, 2009

Filmmaker Reitman reaches new heights with latest movie

By Matthew Bushery Arts & Features Editor

B

Page 7

efore delving into his increasingly successful writing and directing career, Jason Reitman came ever-so-close to becoming an actor. OK, well, not really.

“As a joke, my father (director Ivan Reitman), gave me small [acting] roles during the worst points of my puberty - a method guaranteeing I would never become an actor,” Reitman stated with an oddly nostalgic look on his face. “I clearly know my limitations as an actor.”

Considering what the man has accomplished over the last handful of years, directing two of the most critically and socially acclaimed films of the decade, I think it’s safe to say he made the right career choices. The writer/director of the new film “Up in the Air” recently sat down with student journalists in Boston to discuss these career choices, and why his latest flick is one he’s damn proud to have made.

Reitman’s knowledge that he was born to make movies, just like his successful filmmaker dad, also came with the conviction he would make whatever films came naturally to him, and direct the way he envisioned would best suit his style. In other words, he would never force himself to make pictures the way he didn’t want them.

“I didn’t get into my career thinking I’ll only make one kind of film,” Reitman said. Admittedly having made three tonally and thematically similar movies - now adding “Up in the Air” to his résumé the filmmaker know he seems “to be drawn to tricky characters whom [he likes] to humanize.

“The situations that appeal to me,” he added, “[are the ones] where there are a lot of questions but not a lot of answers. I’ve always enjoyed the movies where you have to think - ones that push me to think, not tell me how to think.”

C

AMPUS By: Spencer Buell

C

Directing is one thing - something Reitman affectionately calls a lot of “manual labor” - but writing? According to the big-screen scribe, the writer’s process greatly differs from the director’s. For the most recent example, Reitman said to look no further than his work on “Up in the Air.” “I consider writing, directing and editing to be parts of one job of storytelling that begins with me getting it on paper and then putting it on screen. …

I wrote eight of the characters in this movie for the actors [who played them] specifically. I find it a lot easier to write once I know the voice for the character.”

While he admits Clooney was the first of these characters he chose to write for as the natural fit for the role of Ryan Bingham, Reitman did mention his excitement in writing a part for - and ultimately casting - one particular actor for the film.

“With Anna [Kendrick], I had seen her in “Rocket Science” and saw a girl so different from every girl of her generation - such an articulate, pointed way of speaking. In her, I also needed a character who wouldn’t judge her character. She’s the girl I’ve fallen in love with my whole life, the smartest girl in the room - a girl frustrated by her own brilliance.”

The missing link to the lead acting trio for the movie was Vera Farmiga, an actress Reitman knew would complement Clooney as his equally attractive, equally charming opposite.

Regarding the chemistry he wanted to exist between Clooney and Farmiga’s characters, Reitman shyly stated he “had to sprinkle some fairy dust.” In truth, though, he credited the charismatic Mr. Clooney for making everything work for the characters’ romance.

ONVERSATIONS

“I stopped ordering food as much.”

“I’m not saving money!”

- Mike Mondelli, freshman

- Daron Carlson, junior

“I went black friday shopping at the Wrentham Outlets!”

- Amanda Carter, junior

Photo courtesy of AllMoviePhoto.com

Reitman hard at work on the set of “Up in the Air.” “Honestly, that’s all George. I think it’s easy to have chemistry with George Clooney at the end of the day.

He makes that happen.”

Getting all three of these actors into the movie was a dream come true for Reitman - not simply for their acting talents, but for their easy-going personalities and total professionalism on the set. Reitman attributed this terrific set atmosphere to not having the actors rehearse beforehand.

“I don’t believe in [actor’s] process - or at least I don’t want to hear about it,” Reitman noted. “I want my actors to be as natural as humanly possible. I try to get actors who share qualities with their characters so that [their performance] always feels like it’s coming from a place of truth. I’m not really interested in working with an actor whose character is the opposite of them.”

Considering the film deals with people getting fired from their jobs, it seemed only natural to end the interview with the most obvious question for Reitman: “Have you ever been fired before?”

“Never been fired,” Reitman immediately responded, with a cheerful grin on his face. “I’ve always been good at what I’ve done. I have had to fire others, though,” he admitted sheepishly.

Based on the exceptionally affecting product Reitman has put on screen once again, I’d say his job security is more than safe.

How are you saving money during the holiday season?

“What is an interesting way to save money? Don’t spend it - suddenly it’s saved!”

- Jonathan Adamson, senior

“I’m making presents for my friends.”

- Emily Bliss, junior

Page 8

The Gatepost

December 4, 2009

Hilltop Players go avant-garde with clever three-act show

Matthew Mikaelian/The Gatepost

By Sara L. Fortin Staff Writer he Hilltop Players struck gold this semester with their fall minor production called “Not Just a One Night Stand,” directed by Anthony Reed and Rob Mulligan, and produced by Kristen Donnelly. On Nov. 19 - 21, a small cast put on a huge show full of sarcasm, witty comebacks and amusing exclamations which left the crowd in tears from laughing so hard.

The show was split into three unrelated acts, in which the eight-member cast played numerous parts - sometimes even within the same skit. The first act, titled “Controlling Interest,” directed by Reed, was about a group of eight-year-old boys holding a meeting concerning the idea of liking girls (to which sophomore Stephen Supernor humorously replied “Poo-head, poo-head, poo-head!”). Supernor and his fellow playground buddies - junior Ryan Smith, freshman Kevin Shinnick and sophomore Josh Graveline - had the audience constantly cracking up, as they perfectly portrayed younger versions of themselves. Graveline opened the scene fabulously with an important phone call in which he warned the person on the other line, “I don’t want to see you eating your own boogers.

We’re eight now. Gross.”

The skit continued with a conference where three older girls demanded the boys’ “undivided attention” and agreement to a contract. Their bribe? An offer to one day allow the boys to see them without their shirts on. “I was laughing through the entire first act,” gushed sophomore English major Jess Rennie. “The show was really funny - really, really funny.”

The second act was titled “Courting 101,” and though directed by Reed, sophomore Alyssa Gough took complete control of the act in her role as the professor of love. Looking very proficient at the podium, with oversized remote in hand, Gough guided the audience through the mistakes, awkward moments and correct ways of dating, while junior Shana Cohen and Shinnick caused giggle after giggle as they froze and unfroze at Gough’s demands. Cohen dazzled in this act with her impressive ability to move from a feminist, to a lesbian, to a stammering shy girl. She continued to win over the crowd as she became an angry date and threw a glass of water - not once, but twice - into Shinnick’s face. Fortunately for the audience, Cohen’s counterpart, Shinnick, did not melt with the splash and delivered side-splitting one-liners that shocked as well as amused. In a moment when he

T

tried to be flattering, he told Cohen, “Those pants look very becoming on you,” only to add, “of course, if I were on you, I’d be ...” Well, you can figure out the rest of that line.

The show ended with a bang in “Opposites Attract,” directed by Mulligan. This skit examined the heartaches and struggles that often come with love. First Cohen, Smith and freshman Liz Piantedosi played a love triangle in which everyone has everything they ever dreamed of, yet they were all unhappy - except for Smith, who seemed only to care about his vintage BMW. Then Junior Hannah Langberg and Graveline couldn’t make up their minds in their relationship in which they only wanted each other when one or the other was unattainable.

Following Langberg and Graveline’s tug-o-war, Cohen and Shinnick proved that even when two people are in sync with each other, there is still a line and Shinnick hilariously crossed it when he told Cohen he knew she’d say yes to having sex with him.

In between these mini-skits within the skit were interludes following Gough portraying a recently single gal who goes on multiple dates but can only talk about her ex.

Gough’s loneliness was heartbreaking, and even though she looked stunning in her black dress and shimmery necklace, her message was painfully clear: no matter how many dates she’d go on, it would be impossible to forget her ex-lover.

Langberg could only praise her castmates and production staff after the curtain closed.

“All of my cast members are so talented. I have loved working with everyone in the cast, and Rob and Anthony are both awesome directors. I really can't say enough good things about them, and Kristen was so unbelievably dedicated [as a producer]. She went to every single one of the rehearsals and put in so much work for this show.”

The Hilltop Players never cease to bring great entertainment to FSC each semester, and with “Not Just a One Night Stand,” they certainly do not disappointment. Chelsea Klein, a junior psychology major, described the acting as “impeccable. It was a fantastic performance by the entire cast.” Cohen happily gushed it “was amazing being up [on stage] - such an adrenaline rush. I made such good friends with all the cast members and we had so much fun.”

“Not Just a One Night Stand” brought much laughter and surprise to the audience. As Shinnick smoothly proposed, “Let’s play Yellow Pages: I’ll say a name and you say a number.” Well, he said “Not Just a One Night Stand” and the audience shouted “5!” - for five stars.

FSC DANCE PRESENTS: Dancing Around the World December 10th and 11th at 7 PM FREE for FSC Students $ $7 for Non-FSC Students

The Gatepost

December 4, 2009

Op/Ed

The Gatepost Editorial “Make it Real”: frivolous spending at FSC Over the past year and a half, FSC’s operating budget has experienced a number of serious cutbacks, and with the current economic state of Massachusetts, it doesn’t appear as though this trend will be changing anytime soon. As state appropriations steadily decline and the governor’s 9C cuts continue to reduce FSC’s budgets mid-year, finding creative ways to supplement the college’s state funding should be a priority.

Administrators have already created a new position, an associate director of grants and sponsored programs, recently filled by Jonathan Lee, who is responsible for assisting faculty and administrators in applying for private grants to increase funding. The administration should be commended for hiring Lee and seeking out ways to obtain funding from outside sources.

As the search for different forms of funding continues, the option of increasing student fees has been brought up numerous times in public meetings, but so far, the fee has only increased modestly.

We at The Gatepost are not opposed to increasing student fees on the condition that doing so will directly benefit the students of Framingham State. If paying more will allow students to be offered more of the classes they need and prevent faculty layoffs, a fee increase would be worth it.

However, not all of the money students pay to attend FSC has been spent wisely.

Last year, $191,000 was taken out of FSC’s budget to build a two-car garage for President Flanagan. The students certainly have not profited from this garage, and unless Flanagan plans on opening his garage for student parking, they never will. That money could have been put toward countless endeavors aimed at benefitting students, from building the new dormitory, renovating academic buildings and turning classrooms in the college center into club space.

Additionally, the administration has spent a significant amount of money on aesthetic upgrades on campus.

The signs, which have slogans like, “Make it real” are prominently displayed on lampposts on State Street and flap just feet apart from each other.

Students do not look out their dorm room windows to appreciate these signs. They’re just another frivolous expense to make the college look more appealing to prospective students.

Although it is important that the college should look nice in order to bring in more students, bright yellow flags do not necessarily scream “small New England college.”

Furthermore, the cost of these “aesthetic” upgrades during an economic downturn is particularly concerning because they are completely unnecessary.

What really matters to prospective students and their parents is an active campus community, a wide range of course offerings and clean dormitories with plenty of room for residents. Signs sporting “Make it fun” slogans will not make or break a prospective student’s decision - they are simply a waste of students’ money.

Framingham State College has a commercial which ran during the “Gossip Girl” time slot on Monday evenings.

FSC is also sponsoring KISS 108’s Jingle Ball this year to promote the college. Although attracting prospective students is important, the cost of advertisements is extremely expensive. There are more inexpensive ways to advertise than sponsoring Jingle Ball, and better ways to spend that money to benefit the students and the college.

FSC paid $350,000 last year toward the State Street construction project. The college paid for “enhancements” which include a brick inlay within platform sidewalks and those black posts, called bollards, which students are constantly bumping into, allegedly installed as safety precautions.

After Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Robert Martin announced his plan to retire, the administration decided to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a national search firm to find a replacement for him. The use of this search firm is completely unnecessary.

First, we are in an economic recession with a national unemployment rate of over 10 percent – FSC does not need a search firm to find worthy applicants.

Second, the position left open after Dr. Martin’s retirement should be filled by promoting a faculty member or administrator already employed by the college. A worthy replacement, Dean of Academic Affairs Ellen Zimmerman, started working with Dr. Martin in his office this year, and according to Dr. Martin, has a had a good response from the college community. Rather than spending more of the college’s tightly limited budget on an expensive search firm, the administration should look to its own payroll for potential applicants.

We at The Gatepost believe that the administration has a duty to students to keep them in mind when making these spending decisions. It seems as though the administration has no qualms about spending generously when it comes to “promoting” the college’s image, but when it comes to spending for the benefit of current students, frugality and penny-pinching are the standard.

The administration has said that its main concern is its dedication to the FSC mission statement - providing a quality education to students. If the administration sticks to supporting this academic mission, we at The Gatepost believe raising student fees would be acceptable, and even supported, by FSC students.

Prioritizing is important in times of economic uncertainty, and the administration should be focusing its attention on spending money on what the college is here for - educating its students.

Page 9

General math is not so general I was under the impression that the purpose of the General Math course here at Framingham State was to provide the basic mathematical background that is necessary for a student to move on to more advanced math courses. I took this to mean that a student enrolled in the general math class would review the basics and brush up on what he or she had learned in high school in order to excel once he or she moved on to a traditional math course.

Unfortunately, this doesn’t seem to be the case. This non-credit class requires hours of work outside the classroom, and is so difficult that a large percentage of students are forced to take the class multiple times before passing.

In an unscientific experiment, I asked many of my friends who managed to test out of general math and who were taking one of the “more advanced” math courses to help me with my general math homework. Not one of them could figure out how to do it. I’m willing to bet if those students who were lucky enough to pass the placement test were required to take general math anyway, they would be doing just as poorly as I currently am.

Shouldn’t Framingham State take notice of the number of students failing the general math course? Doesn’t the college see this is an issue? If more than just one or two students are failing the class each semester, doesn’t that mean there’s a problem with the course, not the student? I think it’s time FSC takes a moment to review the general math curriculum and make it a little more general.

Letter to the editor It has recently been brought to my attention that it is unclear to some why Framingham State is going trayless in the dining rooms. In the FSC Climate Action Plan, one of the goals was to reduce water use campus-wide.

It was determined that dining services was an area where excess water use could be curbed. A study conducted by dining services determined that on average, 500 gallons of water a day are used washing trays. That amounts to 3,500 gallons a week, and close to 10 million gallons of water a year being used for that one purpose alone, at a cost to the college of tens of thousands of dollars. Eliminating this practice not only makes sense from an ecological perspective, but it makes sense economically as well.

When the Climate Action Plan was written, it was anticipated and acknowledged that there would be slight inconveniences in the day-to-day activities of the entire college community. The college, and dining services in particular, will attempt to make this transition easier.

In the case of going trayless, more drop-off areas will be made available for plates as well as other changes.

Once again, we ask for your patience and cooperation in accommodating with these changes.

On a related note, the Re-Psychedelic Dumpster will be operable with accompanying signs and a new psychedelsized look in the near future. The dumpster will be available for all recyclables, with a smaller receptacle next to it for recycling glass.

Thank you, Carl Hakansson Sustainable Policies Coordinator

Nenia Corcoran Editorial Staff

FSC’s hidden talent What a pleasant surprise the attendees of the Class of 2011’s Open Mic Night heard this past Wednesday in McCarthy’s. We all knew that this campus was full of bright, creative and gifted individuals, but I personally was unaware of the amount of talent our students possess.

Being a part of SUAB, I know it’s difficult for student’s to get motivated, but boy, were we wrong!

Not only did students come flooding into McCarthy’s to watch their friends or just enjoy their peers’ performances, but the talent was without a doubt exceptional. The show begun and I was nervous. A student named Andy sat down with all smiles and started - the anxiety immediately disappeared as he played a fabulous cover of Howie Day’s “Collide”.

I looked at Jenn Lynch, the main coordinator of this event, and smiled with relief. The night continued with standout performers. October Grove played a couple classic rock covers and Remember the Grass People played some fantastic originals.

One of the night’s biggest stars was Heather Waxman, singer/songwriter/pianist. She wrote her first song at the age of 16! She then did a cover of A Fine Frenzy’s “Almost Lover.” The audience continued to be treated to acts from Jared Ghioto, Ryan McKeon, Kristie Bezreh, Matt Rocco and Anson Frazier, who all did exceptionally well.

I am so grateful for such a successful event and would like to not just extend a huge thank you to all the performers, but also to Random Jam, who co-sponsored this event with us. FSC really has so much talent, and we look forward to doing more events such as this, so that this talent does not go unrecognized. Thank you all!

Rachel Keir Class of 2011 President

Wireless woes

So I come back from a relaxing weekend at home and try to apply to grad school. However, when I turn on my computer, I am unable to connect to the Internet. ... I think to myself, “Oh, silly wireless,” so I plug in my ethernet cable and still no connection. “Well this is annoying. Oh, well, I will just have to wait until tomorrow.” So the next day, I wake up, go to class and rush back to my room to continue on my grad school search, but still no Internet. Now something seems fishy, but then a few hours later, I am able to connect. “Sweet!” I think to myself - I don’t have to go to IT after all.

Little did I know a few weeks later, after dealing with off and on Internet access I would find myself at the Doyle Center. I brought my Macbook in hoping for a resolution, but all they could tell me was that “Oh you live in Larned?

We are having a problem over there. There aren’t enough IP addresses.” What?! How does this happen, I wonder, but I am too frustrated and pressured with other things to worry about it now. So I get back and find that it is only Macs that have problems. So, apparently, I am only allowed to get on the Internet if someone else who owns a Mac is not using it. How can a technology campus not have enough IP addresses?

So Doyle Center, I guess I am stuck playing musical chairs with the other Mac owners for an Internet connection until we are given the IP address we all paid for to have wireless access.

Theresa Hurt

Class of 2009

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.

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

December 4, 2009

Ram named Rookie of the Year

By Jeff Mandeau Assistant Sports Editor

Framingham State linebacker Carlito Weaver was named the 2009 New England Football Conference (NEFC) Bogan Division Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Weaver said, “At first, I thought the team voted me as rookie of the year for the team. Then Coach MacKay told me to go online and it’s on the school’s Web site and that’s when I realized that I had won rookie of the year for the league. This award means a lot to me and definitely gives me motivation for next year.”

Head Coach Tom Kelley knows the significance of the freshman’s accomplishment. He said, “The NEFC is a very competitive Division III Conference and anytime you get a rookie of the year, that’s high praise. ... He’s being voted on by other coaches and teams. ... Three teams that didn’t see him [play ] knew about him because he was highly recruited throughout the conference, so they know what kind of player he is, and for him to get that award missing three games. ... It means Framingham State is starting to get respected. We’re bringing in good players, and he’s one of a bunch of freshmen that are going to be very good football players.”

Captain Anthony Pappagallo thinks this award will have a big impact, not only for Weaver, but for the whole program. “Carlito provided a spark to the defense when we needed it. If we were dragging along, he always came through with a big hit to wake us all up. He has great natural instincts and knows how to find the ball, but mostly, Carlito is a hitter. If there’s a chance to light someone up on the field, he takes it. This award sets the stage for a bright future for not just Carlito, but for the team as a whole.”

The team’s defensive coordinator, Andrew MacKay, just finished his

second full season with Framingham.

MacKay and Weaver’s relationship goes back to before he was even enrolled at Framingham State.

“Carlito and I met last summer where I worked at a football camp and was selected to coach the allstar team of the camp. ... I selected Carlito as part of that team, and we went to Gillette Stadium and played teams from all over New England. ...

We won that, so the Patriots flew us down to New Orleans and we played at the Saints’ practice facility for the nationals, and we finished 6th. It was a pretty big accomplishment. When you think high school football, you think of Texas or California, but that’s where I met Carlito.”

Weaver said, “When I first met Coach MacKay - I knew there was something special about him. He promised me three things if I came to Framingham State College - I’m going to have fun, play football and get a degree. It sounded good to me, and from there, our relationship took off. Every day, I‘d stop by his office between classes just to say what’s up or if I was having problems with anything, I’d either call or stop by and he was always there for me.”

Being a true freshman makes the rookie of the year award all the more impressive for Weaver, since the move from high school to college isn’t always an easy one.

Weaver said, “There was a huge transition from high school to college.

Other players are bigger, faster and stronger. In high school, I’d hit a kid pretty hard and they were slow getting up, but in college, they bounce right up and say ‘nice hit.’ The game itself is a lot faster and longer. In high school, we play 12 minute quarters compared to 15 in college. Those three minutes per quarter makes a whole quarter per

talk to.”

Pappagallo said, “Carlito and I have a great relationship on the field. We always remind each other that we’re just out there to have fun, and that helps us play more relaxed.”

With such high praise coming from his coaches, teammates and the rest of the league, it’s becoming apparent that the Rams have a special player.

MacKay said, “He’s a good person, which is something I love, especially in guys that play for us. ... Carlito is just a kid who got better every week. ... The best thing about him is the first thing he said [after winning the award] is next year, he wants to win a championship for the team. It’s all that matters to him and that’s what our upperclassmen have instilled in him to believe, which is why you can write it down Photo Courtesy of www.fscrams.com right now - we’re going to win the league next Weaver was named Rookie of the Year for year. As long as we the 2009 season. work hard, everything will fall into place.”

Kelley said, “He’s an outstanding our leaders and just learned how to do things the right way. ... It’s in the football player, but much more than progression - how hard he wants to that, he’s the kind of student athlete work, the sky is the limit for the kid - we’re trying to recruit here. He’s a he can hit, he can cover a little bit. It’s good person with quality character. just a matter of how hard he wants to He’s an excellent athlete with a very work. ... I’m very proud of him. I think good football sense about him. He’s a it’s a pretty big award he’s earned ... very hard hitter, and his best days are Pappagallo did a nice job of making going to be ahead of him.”

Carlito feel comfortable, and if Carlito ever had a problem, he knew he had a coach on the field right next to him to game.”

MacKay said, “Coming out of high school, he didn’t really know how to play football until he got to college. He knew how to run around and hit people, but the best thing he did was line himself up with some of

Ram Round Up Ice Hockey (1-4-1)

Nov. 21 at Worcester State: Win 5-3 Nov. 24 vs. UMass Boston: Loss 8-3

Women’s Basketball (3-0)

Nov. 20 at UMass vs. Southern Vermont: Win 86-63 Nov. 21 vs. UMass: Win 48-43* Dec. 1 vs. Gordon College: Win 63-52

Men’s Basketball (2-4) Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov.

20 21 24 27 28

at Springfield vs. Clark: Loss 78-68# at Springfield vs. W. New England: Win 96-82^ vs. WPI: Loss 76-74 at UMass vs. Embry-Riddle: Loss 77-49 at UMass vs. UMass: Win 70-66

* UMass Boston Women’s Basketball Tip-off Classic # Golden Bears Hoop Classic (WNEC) ^ Golden Bears Hoop Classic (Third-Place Game)

SPORTS The Gatepost

December 4, 2009

Page 11

Women’s basketball takes first home game

By Nenia Corcoran Assistant Sports Editor

On Tuesday night, the Lady Rams took the court for their first home game of the season, taking on Gordon College in the non-conference matchup. The Rams came out on top in the end, after a close battle that saw 10 lead changes throughout the game. The win gives the Rams an undefeated 3-0 start to the season.

The Rams took the first lead, with Emily Clark scoring the first points of the night only seconds into the game. From there, the Rams went on to lead most of the half until Gordon managed to tie the score with a little less than six minutes left in the first.

During the following minutes, FSC and Gordon battled for the lead, as neither team was able to break the tie.

Two minutes, six turnovers and three steals later, Gordon was the first team to score. Their lead didn’t last long, however, and Framingham quickly tied the score again. With just eight seconds left in the half, Clark sunk a jumper to put the Rams up by two. The Rams led Gordon

few more minutes, but it was Framingham which ultimately ran away with the game.

With just six-and-a-half minutes left to play and the score tied, Framingham’s Kia Minor netted a jump shot to set the pace for the rest of the game.

The Rams allowed Gordon to score only four points, while they went on to run up an 11-point lead. The game ended with a final score of 63-52.

Co-captain Toya Chester finished the game with eight points, 11 rebounds, and a career-high 10 assists. When asked how she felt the season would shape up from here, Chester said, “No telling. We won’t be able to truly prove ourselves until the conference games start.”

Nenia Corcoran/The Gatepost Co-captain Jill Johnson is eager for the rest of the season.

The Rams are off to a good start this season with a “I am very excited about the rest three-game winning streak. of the season. We have some great additions to this year’s at half time, 29-27. to give up just yet, and they slowly team. Each day, we grow as a team, The Lady Rams returned from chipped away at the Rams’ lead. the locker room looking to win, and With 14 minutes left in the half, and we expect to get better as we knocked down six quick points to start Gordon was able to tie the score again. progress through the season.” the second half. Gordon wasn’t ready The teams struggled for the lead for a

On The Sideline

By Josh Primak Sports Editor

GP: How did you get involved in basketball? Did you play any other sports growing up?

Yarrell: I got involved with basketball when I was around 10 years old. My mother and my godfather used to always see me play pick-up and street ball and decided to put me in my first recreational league at the YMCA, and it took off from there. I played football for two years when I lived in Philadelphia for a little while, but chose basketball mainly when I moved back to Massachusetts for high school.

GP: Who is your favorite athlete?

Yarrell: My favorite athlete is Devin Harris. He’s the starting point guard for the New Jersey Nets. What I like about Devin Harris is he kind of snuck up on a lot of people even with the great basketball he played in college at Wisconsin, and that’s something I can relate to because I kind of snuck up on people with the position I am in now.

GP: What is your most memorable moment at FSC? Yarrell: My most memorable moments

Men’s Basketball Captain Darius Yarrell so far would definitely be a lot of the big wins we had last year, including at Brandeis, at Salem State and Williams at home with my first collegiate buzzer beater. Hopefully, we can replace those this year with a MASCAC championship and an NCAA tournament berth.

GP: How do you feel the program has progressed?

Yarrell: I think the program has done a great job of creating more diversity with the kinds of players that have been brought in. Every player brings a different aspect to the game that is vital, and the program has also been able to dramatically increase the level of talent from years past.

GP: What are your expectations for the team as well as yourself this season?

Yarrell: For my team, my expectation is to win the MASCAC championship.

At the beginning of the season, I talked with the team and said I believed if we win the MASCAC and make the NCAA’s, we have the ability to win the national championship, and that is what

we are aiming for. As far as myself, I would just like to be the floor general and show leadership on the court. Being the smallest guy, it’s easy to be noticed, and with proper leadership, you gain a lot of trust and respect from your teammates and your program. I’m just trying to help us get to the ultimate goal.

miss being a part of that. The jokes, the intensity in practice when we scrimmage - the bus rides, the games. I love it all, and it’s tough seeing it come to an end.

GP: Is it difficult to balance school and sports?

Yarrell: It is not very difficult to balance both. I think it’s actually worse in the off season because you’re so accustomed to time management.

GP: How do you feel the team has played so far this year?

Yarrell: I feel we have showed flashes of how dangerous a team we are, but the effort has to be there every game 100 percent of the time. If we do that, I think we will become very difficult to defeat.

GP: What will you miss most when the season is over?

Yarrell: I’m going to miss everything.

My teammates, coaches, and I are a very close-knit group, and I’m going to

The Gatepost Archives

Darius Yarrell captains the men’s basketball team for the 2009-2010 season.