Gavel Media's May 2013 Print Issue by The Gavel

Ever to Excel:

Boston College’s Sesquicentennial

page

ST. MARY’S STOP CLASS MACKLEMORE BRAD BATES

Renovation and Jesuit Relocation Pg 22

Segregation

Don’t let your graduating class define your relationships

Pg 30

Takes Over BC Pg 34

The face of BC athletics takes adversity in stride

Pg 40

May 2013 / Volume V / Issue 04

Dear Reader, Dear Reader, Thank you so much for opening up my very last print issue with Gavel Media. I hope you’ll enjoy all of the hard work that has gone into this over the years. I want to take some time to direct you to the reflections. Look for more content on our website, www. bcgavel.com. Finally, thank you all so much for everything. I can’t even imagine what I’m going to do with myself when this is over, but I truly appreciate everything that I’ve learned in the last two years.

Sincerely,

Mason S. Lende Editor-in-Chief

Editoral Board MASON LENDE KATIE LEVINGSTON OLIVIA SIMONE EMILY AKIN JAMES CODY JING XU ALISON RICCIATO KATIE TOLKOWSKY ITZEL AYALA CHRISTIE MERINO SAMEET DHILLON SAMANTHA COSTANZA RACHEL FORRAY MICHAEL NATALIE FRANCESSKA JEAN-PIERRE TIM COOGAN TEDDY KOLVA JAKE MILLER MARION HALFTERMEYER KATELYN CROWLEY SHANNON COGAN KELLY SLATER MARY YUENGERT LESLEY WELLS KARA WEEKS ZOE LOMBARD LISA MELLA DANEY RAMIREZ TAYLOR GARRISON OLIVIA VERA

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Print Manager Online Manager News Editor Assoc. News Editor Assoc. News Editor Features Editor Assoc. Features Editor Assoc. Features Editor Culture Editor Assoc. Culture Editor Assoc. Culture Editor Opinions Editor Assoc. Opinions Editor Assoc. Opinions Editor Sports Editor Assoc. Sports Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Assoc. Copy Editor Assoc. Copy Editor Assoc. Copy Editor Assoc. Copy Editor Photo Editor Assoc. Photo Editor Design Editor Assoc. Design Editor Assoc. Design Editor Assoc. Design Editor

Video Department

MEGHANA KUTHYAR Video Manager LAUREN REVER Ass’t Video Manager

Business and Operations

ANGELA SONG ERIC KOPELSON DAPHNE WANG JEANIE LEE TAYLOR MCELDOWNEY PAT LENEHAN LEAH HUANG ELYN ZHANG AJAY VELLORE TIM OH JENNA LACONTE

Cover art is by Alex Krowia

Executive Director Finance Director Ass’t Marketing Director Ass’t Marketing Director Business Manager Marketing Director Asst. Marketing Director Avertising Acc’t Manager Avertising Acc’t Manager Avertising Acc’t Manager

@bcgavel facebook.com/bcgavel May 2013

May

The Gavel / May 2013 / Volume V, Issue 4

Table of Contents 14 News

Dorm Recipe Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Mug Crispy Treat

As far as the eye can see The future of marijuana laws

Netflix: What’s in your queue Fawlty Towers

Twitter turns 7!

Macklemore Takes Over BC

Ever to Excel BC’s Sesquicentennial

16 18

20Features 20

BC Fossil Free Taking Climate Change One Step at A Time

St. Mary’s Renovation and Jesuit Relocation

Beer Review: Wheat Beer

Overheard At BC

28 Opinions 28 30

32 Culture

Perfecting Balance, not Ourselves Stop Class Segregation Don’t let your graduating class define your relationships

36 38

The Great Gatsby Music Festivals

40 Sports Bates 40 Brad The face of Boston College athletics take adversity in stride

and Losers of the NHL Trade 42 Winners Deadline

44 The Precarious Case for Men’s Lax Death of Baseball 46 The And why I want someone to take me out of the game

from the EDITO I had just returned from a family trip to San Francisco when I got my acceptance letter. Although it wasn’t my first choice, I immediately knew I would be going to Boston College. It wasn’t that I felt some sort of a deep connection to BC— after all, I am from North Dakota and the traditions would’ve meant nothing to me — but I genuinely knew this was the place for me. (Plus, I really liked the idea of getting out of the Midwest and going to Boston!) I was placed on Newton campus, something that I was not particularly thrilled with when it first happened. After a few months of living there, though, I became entranced with the mystery that Newton Campus offers. Everything that they advertised was true: the bus really was like coming home, the community was visibly present, and the people really seemed to like it. Coming in as a pre-med, biology major turned out to be the wrong choice for me. Not only did I not enjoy or excel at my classes, but I also took myself too seriously as a result, preferring to study and read quietly than to make friends and socialize. I realized that I was missing out on something that had nothing to do with my academic studies. After I came to BC, I quickly realized that I didn’t fit the classic “BC Bro” archetype. Coming from a small Midwestern state that is very homogenous by any standard, I was personally surprised by the diversity at BC. However, my classmates and friends were less enthused. They personally despised the homogeneity of the culture, and consequently, they set themselves, and as a result me, apart from the rest of the student body. I spent the rest of freshmen year working to distance myself from the rest of the student body, which for some reason I considered uninspiring and somehow beneath me. I placed myself on an artificially constructed pedestal with a false glass foundation that soon shattered. I spent the summer realizing that I had wasted most of the courses I had taken and had no in-

terest in further pursing any degree in science. I promptly changed my major to psychology, at the great dismay of my parents who discouraged this line of study. (I later added economics as a major as well, which settled their fears about my future joblessness). When sophomore year came, I grew up. I ignored my previously ingrained notions of superiority that I had come to believe and became more sociable. It made a world of difference. I joined Gavel Media for something to do, and I never looked back. Through The Gavel, I became more involved on campus, and as a result, with other people. I had been reluctant to become involved in too many activities considering the workload that I had done in high school, but I dove in headfirst. Via Gavel Media, I learned about so many groups that I never knew existed. The next three years were a blur. I was constantly meeting new people and becoming involved with various different groups and causes. I became the Editor-in-Chief of Gavel Media during the second semester of my sophomore year (for more on this, turn to page 46-47). I also applied to be on the Editorial board of Voices, the academic journal of the Women’s and Gender Studies Program, a staff member at the Women’s Resource Center, and a general board member of Boston College Students for Sexual Health. I spent that summer at Boston College working for the Office of Residential Life. Although it was the furthest thing from a glamorous job that I could imagine, I met and became great friends with a group of people that I, as a still timid and unsure sophomore, would never have approached on my own. Through them, I was exposed to further adventures and experiences at Boston College. I am so grateful for spending that summer with them, and I hope that we will always keep in touch. I enveloped myself in work my junior year.

May 2013

OR IN CHIEF... I served as the Editor-in-Chief of both Gavel Media, Inc. and Voices and was a staff member of the Women’s Resource Center. I had to scale back my involvement in BCSSH because of the time commitment, but I still infrequently attended meetings. As a member of Voices, BCSSH and the WRC, I found myself at the forefront of activist causes on campus, some of which I was honestly uncomfortable with. I never found my footing in these organizations. I often felt as if I spent more time fighting against an invisible enemy (the administration) than we did making any sort of progress. Activist groups have a tendency to take themselves too seriously to accomplish their true mission, and as a result, just become an extension of the harms they seek to prevent. Don’t get me wrong: I thoroughly enjoyed working for both organizations, but I found myself less and less convinced of the respective merits that each supposedly embodied. As “open-minded” as the feminist movement supposedly was, I found both the people and the institutions utterly resistant to change of any sort. For the first and only time at BC, I actually felt marginalized in the groups where I was supposed to be the most accepted. After observing both sides of that movement — often much closer to either side than I wanted to be— I found that I could no longer, in good conscience, call myself a feminist. Furthermore, as Gavel Media grew, I found myself more involved with that organization. I ended up leaving both Voices and the WRC, along with many regrets in both organizations, at the end of that year. I learned something valuable, though it came at an enormous cost: There is a group of accepting people on campus for everyone; it just may not be the one you think. When I looked at the group of people in Gavel Media, I found a collection of people that were totally and completely different, based on their beliefs, their interests, their political institutions, their abilities and their personalities. Somehow though, it worked. www.bcgavel.com

In all of my life, I have never been surrounded by a more accepting group of people than I was with Gavel Media. Even when there was tension, we all gave each other the power to believe in ourselves and in others, despite our differences. As I entered my senior year, I began the noble but fruitless quest to scale back my efforts in organizations and become more involved in the social nature of Boston College. I opened myself up and put myself out there, and for the first time, I felt as if I really adhered to the college scene. This doesn’t mean that I went out and got “white girl wasted” every chance I got; it means that I spent time getting to know the people around me. At the end of the day, I always returned to Gavel Media. I discovered that is was really where I was supposed to be. Today, there are about 85 people that somehow have their hands in the organization. It’s sad to think that I won’t know all of them nearly as well as I want to, but all things must come to an end. At a recent Gavel Media event, I was talking to three freshmen and a sophomore who truly are the future of the organization. I was saddened by the prospect that I will never get to know these people as well as I have the othI have never been surers. I had gotten so used to seeing freshmen and rounded by a more acsophomores grow and cepting group of people change with the organithan I was with Gavel zation that I somehow Media. forgot that I wouldn’t get that opportunity next year. Throughout the process, I learned many valuable insights that have helped make this experience truly the best in my life, yet I only feel the need to share one of them with you. Get involved, and if you have what it takes, get involved with Gavel Media. These people have truly become a part of my BC family, and as long as I live, I will never forget what all of you have done for me. Mason Lende

Editor-in-Chief

Print Manager

Olivia S.

In September 2009, when my parents dropped me off at my freshman quad in Loyola on Upper Campus, I was angry. Just like everyone else arriving that day, I had already been swept up by the flurry of the smiling Welcome Wagon crew, received my complementary BC hand sanitizer, and gotten lost and utterly confused purchasing my premed textbooks in the Mac Bookstore. What else did I need to experience to be reminded that I was a newcomer on campus, not quite a [regular?] undergrad, but an Eagle, albeit awkward and lost, nonetheless? Fortunately, it did not take more than four hours for this attitude to do a 180. I met my three roommates and a few of our neighbors while the rest of our hallmates ate chocolate chip cookies in the hall with our RA, and we bonded together, uninvited. Together, we embraced the Welcome Week activities as best we could—sometimes adding our own flare of shenanigans to the festivities. Strange as it is, This is the best part of our change undergraduate experience at seems to be BC: The chance for all of us t h e to grow up together. name of the game in college. As I forged my own way through the lush BC campus, increasingly it seemed that I was maturing while the things around me evolved constantly; soon, my major changed from pre-med to the terrifying “undecided” zone, until I found my happy place among the down to earth and intuitive English De6

partment. There I befriended professors who would later become my academic guides, and more than that still, my confidants and supporters. As I progressed from freshman year to sophomore year, I found my true friends falling into place while others dissipated into the acquaintance zone. Together we watched as the football team, well, dwindled in strength, yet were invigorated by the steadfast spirit of the BC community who sang our fight song at every single home game; we watched, devastated at first, as the green quad was torn apart into dirt, only to be replaced by the sturdy and ecofriendly Stokes Hall; we nearly cried tears of sadness when some of our traditional concerts were dropped altogether, only to cry tears of joy when they were replaced by an epic free concert during Modstock which everyone on campus could enjoy. Weirdly, none of these changes geek me out today. Growing accustomed to the everevolving life on BC’s campus has helped me understand that BC is not merely changing, but fortifying itself, whether physically or spiritually, in the hearts of its community members. Had I not experienced any of these vicissitudes, the maturation that I’ve undergone today would have been doubtful and what’s worse, I would have missed out on growing into an adult with my best friends and with our BC community. Perhaps, this is the best part of our undergraduate experience at BC: The chance for all of us to grow up together.

Olivia Simone Print Manager May 2013

Copy Editor I’m ready. I ignored that this moment would come. Freshman year, I struggled to find some stability in a world that was constantly moving. Get up, go to practice, go to class, run to the gym, run to meetings, have coffee with friends, do homework, bond with my roommate, do some more homework...3AM hit the floor. Sophomore year, I began to focus on the things that were important around me. I was finally past the core classes and could explore my passion for writing. I became dedicated to the figure skating team and broke my wrist. After a full recovery, we went on to win three gold medals. Kristyn and the figure skating team: I could not have wished for better teammates or a stronger team! I was growing closer to the friends I had retained through all the housing drama of freshman year; a trip to Myrtle Beach for spring break was the icing on the cake. Beach. Sun. Friends and love. Fanta: Meeting you, hands down, is one of the best moments I can remember about BC. Our first conversation made me feel at home, and you helped me figure a large part of who I am and have helped me on my path of self-discovery. I love you, Fanta. I finished the year with a plan to backpack around Europe with my roommate for the summer. And I joined Gavel Media, although little did I know that I had finally found a secure niche.Tracy: Whenever I think of you, I remember the Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris. You dragged me to see Oscar Wilde’s grave so you could put on some lipstick and kiss it. I’ve never been so proud to have a friend who is so adamantly her unique self. Freshman year, I liked you because www.bcgavel.com

Marion H.

you stood out, you were obsessed (and still are) with the Beatles and had a pink streak in your hair. I could not be happier that somehow our lives will be bringing us to the same city post-graduation. Can’t wait to explore a new city with you, Trace. Junior year was mind-blowing: I was no longer an underclassman. Gavel Media was still a baby. I entered as an overzealous copy editor. I tried to help my colleagues churn out the amazing articles I knew they all had the potential to write. I joined a truly talented staff, frontrunners in a growing online news business. Mason: I’ve never met someone who I could be so rawfully truthful to and who would spit it right back into my face. I cannot tell you how happy I am to have met you and that you dragged me on board to build up this crazy organization filled with even crazier yet amazingly talented, innovative and loveable people. our friendship has moved simultaneously with Gavel Media, and it’s grown pretty powerful. Here’s to surviving NYC together—we’re finally breaking out and away from the boondocks! I turned back brunette and decided to fully embrace life—despite missing some friends who were abroad. This gave me the chance to branch out and get closer with Jessika; I’d say we’re even besties. Erica, Kristyn, and Phil, I couldn’t have asked for a better group to shake my booty with in the Bahamas. Beside the fun and games, I also decided to heal myself, so that I could accept myself, love myself, and allow others to love me. I’ve moved around so much I was struck by somewhat of an identity crisis at BC. Running into so many people who have

such strong roots to their hometown has only made me realize how absent mine are. My dearest friends, you were all unknowingly my support system. Thank you for that. And then we got a Mod. @ Notorious_LIV @traacylu @Erica_InAmerica @kristyn_fields @ Laurawhodoesn’thaveaTwitter @mistymarion #seniorlyfe Fast forward to senior year and I am happy. Things got a little too serious a little too quickly. Reality starts hitting you hard as the days evaporate. Senioritis hit us all before we’d even gotten past Halloween #loofahs. I got sick of the Mod by the first time it snowed—the heat sucks, the backyard can’t be used for 75 percent of the year, and people like to think we’re a Publick House. I can definitely say that I’ve grown up. BC has truly explained some things about myself, others, and the world. It has provided me with the opportunities to explore my passions, be compassionate towards others, and to feel love. To my Gaveliers, I hope I’ve been able to pass on some important words of somewhat-wisdom but mostly love and encouragement. Freshmen: you are all doing amazing jobs. Michael Natalie, your attitude, friendliness, concern and professionalism are qualities that I wish everyone would emulate. My fellow copy editors keep kicking butt and be the best Gavel moms you can be. They need you. The truth? I’m scared. #WeAreBC… forever. Real world, here I come.

Marion Halftermeyer Copy Editor 7

in with the new The story of my relationship with Gavel Media begins like that of many other Boston College students and their extracurricular activities. After my freshman year, during which I made the discovery that I never needed to leave Newton Campus besides to go to class and to sneak into the occasional Mod, I came back as a sophomore ready to get a life. Don’t get me wrong — the Newton dweller lifestyle was great, and I have nothing but sympathy for Upper kids who never get the chance to try it out. Still, I needed to get involved before my brain turned into complete and utter mush. Flash forward to Student Activities Day of my sophomore year. I wish I could say that Gavel Media had been in the back of my mind since I entered BC, but like many of my peers, I had never even heard of Gavel Media before this day. (Or, maybe I had and I just assumed it was a Law School publication. It happens to the best of us.) I also wish I could tell you that I had some kind of epiphany at The Gavel’s table that Student Activities Day. I didn’t. I don’t even remember writing my name down for their listserv, but a few days later, I got an email about an upcoming Gavel Media info session. So, that meeting must be where I realized that I was destined to write for The Gavel, right?

Wrong. I skipped it. I may have wanted to get more involved, but I was taking baby steps. By some miracle, The Gavel hosted a second info session a week later and I finally decided to go see what the group had to offer. What I found was a slightly disorganized group of people who had a lot on their plates and genuinely good intentions. I was sold. As much as I can try, it is simply impossible for me to put into words the transformation that The Gavel has undergone in the last two years. What started out as a low-budget newspaper is now a top-notch magazine. We publish so many online articles every day that I can barely keep up, whereas posting one article per day was a struggle when I first joined. During my first couple of months, if 15 people showed up for a meeting, that was a good turnout. The last time I was in a room with everyone from The Gavel, there were about 70 of us squeezed into my living room for our annual Christmas dinner, and the number has continued to grow in my absence. Oh, right, my absence. I should mention that I am currently studying abroad in Parma, Italy. Maybe you already know this because of my blog, Abroad and in a relationship with food. Or maybe you’re familiar with my other blog, The unsolicited celebrity advice column. If either of these

The Gavel may still be young, but thanks to all of these people as well as the handful of individuals who came before them, it is well-nourished. I would even venture to say that, at the age of four, it is somewhat of a prodigy. May 2013

w: Jenna blogs are familiar to you, or if you know me on any level as a person, you are probably aware of my resistance to act serious in most situations. And yet, here I am, announcing myself as the future Editor-in-Chief of Gavel Media. In spite of my love for satire and my need to turn most things into a joke, I can assure you that, above all else, Gavel Media as an organization is my pride and joy. It is my Boston College experience. I could not be more honored or excited to give myself fully to this organization when our current Editor-in-Chief, Mason Lende, graduates. It is always sad when a club has to bid farewell to its seniors, but for The Gavel, this is an especially tough loss. We are saying goodbye to the final group of people that has been with The Gavel since its establishment in 2009. The Gavel is their baby, and they kept it going when barely anyone was reading because they believed it would be worth it. It was worth it. To our senior section editors, thank you for writing articles back when the only viewers would be your parents and your Facebook friends. Thank you for nurturing our continuously growing pool of writers and turning us into a team, not just a staff. To our senior copy editors, Marion Halftermeyer and Shannon Cogan, I do not envy your job. Thank you for being so meticulous and refusing to settle for anything less than our best content. To Rob Rossi and Olivia Simone, thanks for challenging us all to take our online and print articles a step further. Rob, thank you for prioritizing the Gavel over everything —even your coveted position as the wrap guy at Late Night. Olivia, thank you for all of the hours that you’ve put into our print editions. We’ve come a long way since our newspaper days. Mason, I’m actually glad that study abroad put an ocean between us during your last semester as Editor-in-Chief because even from here I can www.bcgavel.com

barely keep it together when I think about you leaving. Thank you for being the Liz Lemon-iest leader since Liz Lemon herself. Thank you for choosing The Gavel over sleep even when it negatively impacted your health. Thank you for not giving up when it would have been the easier thing to do. Thank you for pestering me about The Gavel at all hours of the day, even when you are driving me crazy. Thank you for not getting angry when I tell you that you’re driving me crazy. Mostly, thank you for keeping The Gavel afloat for all current and future Gaveliers whose love for Boston College centers around their love for Gavel Media, as mine does. I would be remiss not to thank our readers, without whom I would still be writing articles for the sole purpose of emailing them to my parents as proof that I am being slightly productive at BC. Thanks for making what we do count. I look forward to working with the entire evergrowing staff of Gavel Media next year, specifically my three future right-hand ladies, Managing Editor Katie Levingston, Online Manager Emily Akin and Print Manager Jillian Timko. Maybe, just maybe, our work relationship will turn into a friendship, but I can’t make any promises. The Gavel may still be young, but thanks to all of these people as well as the handful of individuals who came before them, it is well-nourished. I would even venture to say that, at the age of four, it is somewhat of a prodigy. To our readers, I urge you to stay tuned and see what we have up our sleeves. I have big expectations for The Gavel, but more importantly, I hope that you expect big things from us.

Jenna Laconte Future Editor-in-Chief 9

Farewell to our

Senior Gavel Board Members Graduating Board Members

Th e old an d th e n ew. . .

Mason Lende- Editor in Chief Robert Rossi- Managing Editor Olivia Simone- Print Manager Meghana Kuthyar- Video Manager Marion Halfetmeyer- Copy Editor Lisa Mella- Design Editor Andrew Schofield- Assoc. Sports Editor Daphne Wang-Advertising Director Shannon Cogan- Assoc. Copy Editor Meghan Smith- News Editor Sarah Garcia- Opinions Editor Adam Parshall- Staff Writer Christian Fiedler- Staff Writer Jasmine Uduma- Staff Writer Sally Faulkner- Staff Writer Meidema Sanchez-Staff Writer Lauren Ramshai-Staff Writer Louise Sheehan-Photo Contributor Gillian Freedman-Photo Contributor 10

May 2013

Thanks to everyone for a great year.

Gavel Media Board 2012-2013

www.bcgavel.com

Mason Lende I became Editor-in-Chief of Gavel Me- lution to change that. dia during the second semester of my We started recruiting people via intisophomore year. To say I was unprepared mate information sessions. Because only was an understatement. I was the only cur- four to eight people came, we could give rent sophomore who wasn’t going abroad each person the attention they wanted, the next year, so I was thrust head first into sparking interest and causing them to join the position with minimal interest in hold- the group. They became the first wave of ing it. At the beginning of that year, I had reluctantly accepted the lowest position on the board (Editorial Assistant) because I was cajoled into it, despite not wanting responsibility above that of being a writer. But I took what I was given, and I ran with it. I had never before been part of a community at Boston College, which is probably the most important part of the college experience. As it turned out, by the time I became Editor, there wasn’t much of a community left. So, I decided to build one. It’s true, I didn’t start The Gavel (Tue Tran, A&S 2011, did that – Thanks Tue!), but I have been hereTop: Jillian and Jenna, Borrom: Emily and Katie to witness its transformation. Over the last recruits who transformed the organization. two years, Gavel Media has transformed When we analyzed the community of from a small group of quiet outcasts (with campus media, we knew that something me being their leader) to a group that con- had to change. As a newsprint, tabloidsistently attracts the best people on cam- style newspaper, we couldn’t compete. pus. Regardless of the quality of our articles, At that time, the organization consisted people were disinterested in reading them of about ten people. The only people who in the current format. As a result, we decidread the things we wrote were friends, ed to transition to a glossy-style magazine either of one of us or of the organization as soon as was feasible. and its causes. The only people who joined During my second semester as editor were strangers, people unfamiliar with the (fall of 2011), we recruited people who disorganization. We often talked about the would forever change the organization. By fact that we could never bring our friends the end of the semester, the small organito join because we ourselves didn’t enjoy it zation that I had joined was now about 40 enough to encourage them. I made a reso- people strong and continuing to grow.

We decided that the transition to a magazine had to come in the spring. Putting it off until we were completely ready (both financially and emotionally) would have taken longer than any of us at the time had left at Boston College. The February 2012 issue was the very first Gavel Magazine, and it forever changed how we looked at our group. We never looked back. A new enthusiasm for Gavel Media developed, both on campus and with the people who were working there. For the first time, we knew that we were moving in the right direction. At the end of my third semester as Editor and junior year, 50 people called this organization home. We had the power to update daily online, something that had never happened before. We had a complete board and the problems that the organization once faced did not seem so endless. Unfortunately, this would experience a shift in personnel that I thought would change the face of the organization forever. When the seniors of last year graduated, I didn’t know what I was going to do with the group or myself. Cal Greene and Maggie Lawrence had literally built their sections into what I had imagined all along. They had a magnetism about them that caused their sections to be the benchmark for what we wanted our group to be. They held a perfect balance of fun and professionalism that encouraged the growth of the organization and their sections. The auxiliary editors did similar things with their sections and the group as a whole. Sofia Martinez had taken the opportunity as Photo Editor to add an artistic element to the magazine. Kaylin Walker,

I am really proud of the work that we have done over the past two and a half years. May 2013

My first print issue with The Gavel. October 2010

Design Editor emeritus, had transformed the look of the entire magazine and turned us into a chic production. And last, but certainly not least, Yanira Revan had been a model copy editor and Gavel Mom for all future copy editors. Somehow, we endured. Each position found its worthy replacement, and although I never forgot the work of those who came before them, it became evident to me that Gavel Media would go on no matter who left, including me. And now that time has come. For those seniors who are graduating with me and have made this such an experience, thank you so much. There is no way I could’ve done this as a timid sophomore without your help and reassurances. You’ve been here to see the growth of the organization as much as I have. Meghan Smith, Andrew Schofield and Rob Rossi all served as Managing Editors during their tenure and helped to transform the organization and the position. To the juniors who are currently abroad, I miss you guys every day. You changed the entirety of the experience and brought aboard a different group of people. I have the greatest confidence in you being role models for next year. I can’t wait for Jenna LaConte and Jillian Timko to be upper management next year. www.bcgavel.com

First magazine we ever did. February 2012.

To the sophomores that I have gotten to know, I know that you guys will be the future of this organization. I am excited for Katie Levingston and Emily Akin to be in leadership roles next year. I know both of them will do a great job. To the freshman whom I’ve seen become involved with the organization during this year, I cannot tell you how jealous I am that you have three more years left and that you got involved with Gavel Media as a freshman. And last but certainly not least, to Jenna LaConte. I honestly cannot believe that somebody other than me will be Editor-inChief, but I could not ask for a better person to run the organization next year. I can’t wait to see what you do with Gavel Media. It will be the best experience of your life – even better than going abroad! (There, I said it.) I can’t even imagine my BC experience without Gavel Media. As someone who felt utterly left out prior to joining this organization, I can honestly say that this is the most worthwhile thing I have ever done in my life. Even though it wasn’t always a perfect organization, it was something I could always call my home at BC. I’ve been here long enough to see people from all different walks of life join the Gavel. Miraculously, the group is able to accept and enhance the experience for most of the

people here. The only people that don’t succeed at Gavel Media are people who do this for a notch on their resume. Of course, this will be an excellent notch on your resume, but if that’s the only reason you’re doing this, you won’t survive. You have to love the organization and the team because everyone else around you does. If you ever want to be part of an accepting and supportive group that isn’t built around a specific cause or activity, don’t forget to look into Gavel Media. You can submit an application on the website, and we will contact you to help you get involved. My friends and colleagues often tell me that I should be “so proud” of the work that others and I have done here. When they first told me that, I was a little confused by what they meant. Honestly, this is the first chance I’ve ever had the time to look back at where we were then and where we are now and say, I am really proud of the work that we have done over the past two and a half years. I have the utmost confidence in next year’s leadership team, and I wish them all the best of luck. Remember, I’m only a phone call away.

Mason Lende Editor-in-Chief

News

BC’s

Sesquicentennial Ever to Excel

mass at Fenway Park. A concert at Boston Symphony Hall. A naturalization ceremony hosted on campus for new citizens. These are just a few of the ways that Boston College has celebrated its sesquicentennial anniversary. The University officially turned 150 years old on April 1, and is commemorating this special milestone by celebrating its unique history and influence in Boston and beyond. “The Sesquicentennial Celebration gives us an opportunity to celebrate Boston College’s history and also to emphasize our continued commitment to intellectual excellence and our Jesuit, Catholic heritage,” said University President William P. Leahy, S.J. to the BC Chronicle. “Our 150th anniversary is a time when all members of the Boston

By Meghan Smith News Editor

College community can renew their sense of our progress as a University and our goals for the future,” he said. On Sept. 15, BC kicked off its sesquicentennial celebrations with a mass at Fenway Park, inviting students, family, friends and alumni from both BC and Boston College High School to celebrate the Mass of the Holy Spirit. On a beautiful fall day, approximately 20,000 people filled the stands in the legendary baseball stadium to celebrate the institution’s Jesuit Catholic roots. Fenway Park — sometimes referred to as the “Cathedral of Boston” — was transformed into a place of worship and celebration, where the BC community commemorated BC’s Jesuit ideals in education. Father Leahy presided over the mass, as well as Boston Archbishop Cardinal Sean O’Malley. The mass focused on the importance of Catholic education, with popular

Sesquicentennial mass at Fenway Photo by Meghan Smith/Gavel Media

professor Father Michael Himes, S.J. giving the homily. He said that “education is a holy work,” and that a BC education must be shared in order to be truly worthwhile. “The reason to be educated is to teach someone else; you will never grasp it until you give it away to someone,” Himes said. This is how members of the Jesuit system must measure our success. “It is the gift given to us by BC. Give it away,” he added. As another way to give back, BC invited everyone in the community to participate in 150 minutes of service during the 2012-2013 academic year to honor the university’s sesquicentennial. Eagle Volunteers, a group part of the Volunteer Service and Learning Center, organized community service trips in the city, such as working at a food pantry and tutoring kids at afterschool programs. BC also took its message on the road, organizing service events for alumni in several cities across the country. Through its Helping Hands service project, alumni have already packaged more than 65,000 meals for needy families. An event for the organization in Dublin in May will help BC to stay faithful to its past as a school for Irish immigrants. In March, BC arts groups took the stage at Boston’s Symphony Hall for a student sesquicentennial concert. The University Chorale, the Boston College Symphony Orchestra, BC bOp!, and the University Wind Ensemble celebrated the occasion with performances. The event featured a reading from Chris O’Donnell ‘92, an actor known for his roles in two Batman films, and a

May 2013

A timeline of Boston College

New citizens celebrate in Robsham Theater Photo by Meghan Smith/Gavel Media

starring role in the TV series NCIS: Los Angeles and Grey’s Anatomy. Also in March, BC hosted a naturalization ceremony in Robsham Theater during which 95 people from more than 40 countries became U.S. citizens. The event celebrated BC’s past as well as its future. BC was especially proud to host the ceremony since the University was originally founded in 1863 to serve the sons of immigrants, according to Leahy. “BC is a university that grew out of an immigrant past…We all have roots,” Leahy said. Gasson Hall, BC’s first academic building, also celebrated an important milestone on March 28 this year: its 100th birthday. As another part of the celebration, BC has hosted a Sesquicentennial Speakers Series, where three prominent speakers were invited to address the anniversary themes of scholarship, service and formation, and the intersection of faith and culture. BC’s sports teams have also been in the spirit of the anniversary, with the men’s and women’s basketball and hockey teams, as well as the football team, wearing the sesquicentennial logo during the 2012-2013 seasons. The celebrations will culminate on May 20, when the sesquicentennial class of 2013 will gather in Alumni Stadium to receive their degrees.

1863: The University is founded by the Society of Jesus, originally to serve sons of immigrants in the city. The campus is located in the South End of Boston. Governor John A. Andrew of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts signs the charter for Boston College on April 1. 1909: After outgrowing its South End location, construction begins in the rural Chestnut Hill. 1913: Gasson Hall opens, followed by St. Mary’s Hall, Devlin Hall, and Bapst Library — in 1917, 1924, and 1928, respectively. 1920s: Opening of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the Law School, and the Evening College, today the James A. Woods, S.J., College of Advancing Studies. 1930s: Opening of the Graduate School of Social Work and the College of Business Administration — now the Wallace E. Carroll School of Management. 1947: School of Nursing, named in honor of William F. Connell in 2003, opens. 1952: School of Education — today named for Carolyn A. and Peter S. Lynch, opens. 1970: By this year, all undergraduate programs had become coeducational, with all schools open to both men and women. 1974: BC acquires the Newton campus, which had been home to Newton College of the Sacred Heart. The campus currently houses 800 freshmen and is home to the Law School. 2004: BC acquires the Brighton campus from the Boston Archdiocese. 2008: The School of Theology and Ministry opens on the Brighton campus, after the re-affiliation of the Weston Jesuit School of Theology with Boston College and its Institute of Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry. 2008: The “Light the World: the 150th Anniversary Campaign for Boston College” is launched, aiming to expand the University and make BC the world’s leading Catholic institution. 2013: The university celebrates its 150th anniversary.

Actor Chris O’Donnell at Symphony Hall Photo courtesy of BostonCollegeFlickr

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News

AS FAR AS THE EYE By Erin McGarvey Gavel Media Staff

CAN SEE

The future of marijuana laws in America

any people who smoke marijuana regularly do so openly, and in some states the police are no longer allowed to object. Earlier in 2012, the states of Colorado and Washington legalized the recreational use of marijuana for those over the age of 21, beginning to turn the fight for legal acceptance of the long-recognized social habit. Those marijuana lovers and politicians in favor of legalization point to a wide variety of signs in their favor. For one, forcing the police to turn a blind eye towards pot would allow them to focus on cracking down on the trade of illicit drugs such as heroin and cocaine. The illegal drug trade is booming. It has become a concern so large

that the UN now grapples with it. Yet in New York City, according to a report in The Huffington Post, since the year 2000 marijuana arrests are made more frequently than those for violent crimes. The allocation of resources could be increased for more serious crimes. Hundreds of tons of illicit drugs are being transported worldwide according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. An violation for marijuana possession is usually a relatively minor offense, resulting in only a misdemeanor in the state of Massachusetts providing there is no intent to distribute. However, a mark on your record you may have gotten as a teenager will follow you for the rest of your life, decreasing your chances of getting a job. According to

the National Employment Law Project, 90 percent of employers conduct criminal background checks on their applicants. Although marijuana does not lead to the intense dependency and physical and mental changes from abuse of Class A drugs does, if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re caught holding the substance, you have a mark on your record. This police work is expensive as well. Harvard University economist Jeffrey Miron has estimated that the savings for the federal government for a national legalization of marijuana could be billions of dollars. With all the uproar over Congressâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; inability to work out a plan to reduce the deficit, Miron views this as an easy solution. The savings could be used to strengthen the police so they could focus on the illicit drug

May 2013

trades, especially in inner cities where they are perilously undermanned. Moreover, if marijuana could be sold legally, it could also be taxed, providing further revenue for the states and the federal government. Those in favor of keeping marijuana illegal, such as Governor of Massachusetts Deval Patrick — and its possession and sale is still against federal law — bring valid points to the table as well. First, they discredit the idea that marijuana is as harmless a drug as many other drugs Potency has increased since the halcyon days of the 1960s and 70s. The concentration of THC, the psychoactive ingredient that gets you high, doubled between the years 1993 and 2008. THC stimulates the parts of the brain that control pleasure, memory, and concentration. Some scientists believe that the increased potency causes the THC to linger in and negatively affect these areas of the brain even after the high is gone. Nora Volkow, a doctor of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, argues against one of the biggest arguments for pot. It actually can be addictive, especially for the young teenagers eager to experiment. Approximately one in six users will develop an addiction and will tend to smoke more than those who begin doing so in www.bcgavel.com

their late teenage years, she said to The New York Times. Like with serious drugs, quitting can lead to serious withdrawal symptoms, like “anxiety, trouble sleeping, lack of appetite, mood swings, irritability and depression.” The gateway drug argument also holds weight. A 2012 Yale University study discovered that those who develop addictions to debilitating drugs such as heroin or cocaine often begin with marijuana, then go on to more and more dangerous routes to get a better high. Of course, keeping marijuana illegal has not stopped the worldwide drug trade from flourishing. Staci Gruber, director of the cognitive and clinical neuroimaging core of the imaging center at McLean Hospital in Boston, points to her own studies that suggest that those who begin smoking pot regularly before the age of 16 perform significantly worse on cognitive tests of brain function than those who begin at a later age. Scans found alterations in the frontal cortex of the adolescent smokers, suggesting they have been made to become more impulsive. The brain is still developing into early adulthood, so regular smoking could logically cause changes. Legal or not, people are going to be smoking weed. On any college campus, with no parents present and enough

privacy, it is exceedingly common. Massachusetts allows the use of medicinal marijuana, along with 17 other states and Washington, D.C., according to a boston.com article in November. A voter initiative for legal non-medicinal use is not expected until 2016. Such votes are expected to be much more difficult to get on the East Coast than in the liberal western states, where the stereotypes hold that a stoner can be found wherever you look. For better or worse, politicians like Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky and even President Barack Obama want to make changes so that no one will have to hide their marijuana use. Paul, viewed as a potential presidential candidate for 2016, is actively seeking lightened laws, according to statements he made on Fox News Sunday; he. While the president is not actively promoting legalization, Obama said in a December interview with Barbara Walters that “it would not make sense for [the administration] to see a top priority as going after recreational [marijuana] users in states that have determined that it’s legal.” Should more politicians take their side, Colorado and Washington may quickly be followed by states across the country in the legalization process.

Twitter turns 7! By Christie Merino Assoc. Features Editor

Happy Birthday! #7neverlookedsogood

hen Jack Dorsey, Evan Williams, and Biz Stone first created Twitter more than seven years ago, most people were still hung up on the negative impacts that blogging would have on society. The replacement of books and newspapers by informal page-length postings seemed both insulting and disheartening. Twitter created a world of communication limited to 140 characters. It appeared to lack depth and longevity, providing a disservice to the evolution of how we communicate. Dorsey is largely credited with inventing Twitter himself. As chairman and founder of the company, Dorsey has lived beneath the radar of tech celebrities akin to Mark Zuckerberg even though he created one of the top 10 most visited websites on Earth. Ashton Kutcher, avid Twitter user and friend to Dorsey, said, “When he speaks he makes every syllable count.” The man who changed the world of media as we know it did so by integrating many ideas, a talent that can readily be seen by the S - shaped tattoo on his left forearm. “It symbolizes integrating everything,” he said, “everything” meaning his interests in math, music and anatomy. The creativity that flows through this man comes as no surprise, but his chosen outlets — ranging from ballet to creating Square, a mobile payments company—are another story. It is this conglomeration of precision and chaos that

made Twitter the force that it is today. Twitter now boasts 50 million users all across the world. Its use has grown exponentially from the seemingly useless tweet of a picture of breakfast to live-tweeting of the State of the Union address and the conclave election. Twitter not only has revolutionized communication, but it has forever changed the world of marketing and journalism. The rapid transmission of information could have had the potential to drown out the user before even getting started. But Twitter doesn’t overwhelm users with conversations. It simply leaves the door open for anyone to join in and contribute. Gerald Kane, professor of information systems in the Carroll School of Management, said he sees Twitter as whatever the user wants it to be. It may end up resulting in short attention spans, but “it may also increase our ability to scan an informational environment for valuable information,” he said. A shorter attention span may mean that completing time-consuming tasks becomes a little more difficult, but imagine how much easier life is when finding key information takes half the time. The future of advertising lies in communication. Because of Twitter, “Companies are increasingly being forced to deal with the customer as individuals, rather than just a demographic,” Kane said. Instead of targeted ads popping up on your computer screen based on sites you have visited or television commercials based on where you live,

Twitter not only has revolutionized communication, but it has forever changed the world of marketing and journalism. 18

companies are going to listen to what you have to say. “It could hurt certain consumers, though, if they are not popular on social media,” Kane said. The idea that social media sites like Twitter are just for the young folk could not be farther from the truth if aging demographics want to remain in the conversation, because “companies may begin to favor the most active and engaged social media users and ignore customers who cannot share their positive experience wisely,” Kane said. This not only means engaging yourself via social media, but also conducting yourself in a responsible manner. Future employers and people you barely talk to from high school could be watching. Twitter accounts are not just for the average consumer. They are for the fanatic, the trend setter or trend follower. A great example of this is novelty accounts. “They are set up for the purposes of pure entertainment,” Kane said. This is a prime example of how people can control how information flows on their Twitter account. If you are an avid fashionista, you might follow @BCFashionPolice. If you are looking for a good laugh, you might opt for @BCBananas. Maybe you want to remain updated on the latest bit of sports news like Kevin Ware’s broken leg by following @bcgavelsports. Twitter is the perfect social medium in that it constantly evolves. “Just like we have all types of relationships — friends, acquaintances, colleagues — people will engage in very different types of relationships on Twitter, and different people may engage in very different types,” Kane said. Instead of creating a site with all sorts of rules (hidden or not) like Facebook, Twitter evolved into exactly what the

May 2013

users wanted it to be. The “@” symbol was used to reply to Tweets by a user before it actually resulted in an automatic notification. The hashtag was spontaneously invented by another user, which led to the ability to search live streams of tweets based on the hashtag symbol. This search system was developed by a completely different company called Summize and was only purchased by Twitter in 2008. The ability to expand tweets is largely believed to be one of the greatest innovations of Twitter. Adding links to articles or Instagram photos allows users to go beyond the 140-character limit. Expanding tweets by using photos, text, audio, video and advertisements is already in use around the Twitter-sphere. Innovations such as these from official accounts and outside apps will be what helps Twitter adapt. The creators themselves have simply tuned into what users have added to their humble creation, allowing open communication in its purest form. By letting the people decide its future, Twitter has ensured itself a place in the future.

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Twitter’s Top Users 1. Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) 37,365,638 followers 2. Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) 36,036,706 followers 3. Katy Perry (@katyperry) 34,861,063 followers 4. Barack Obama (@BarackObama) 29,680,948 followers 5. Rihanna (@rihanna) 29,167,635 followers

BC Fossil Free

Features

Taking climate change one step at a time By Katie Levingston Managing Editor

Photo courtesy of BC Fossil Free

s relatively young members of the 21st century, we all want the earth to exist for our lifetime and for our children’s lifetimes. We’ve all been told to do our part to help the environment and, for the most part, we do. We recycle, we use energy-efficient bulbs, we plant trees, we use reusable bags, we use water bottles, we turn off lights. However, for the students involved in Boston College Fossil Free, their mission is to make an environmental difference on a larger scale. The group is devoted to stopping Boston College’s support of fossil fuel companies in any way, shape, or form. Its platform states its mission to get the University to “divest from direct ownership and any commingled funds that include fossil fuel public equities and corporate bonds within five years.” “Fossil fuel companies are abusing finite resources through fracking and deep sea drilling that contribute to climate change,” said Caroline Kelly, a member of BC Fossil Free and LSOE ‘16. Humans play a large role in climate change in the burning of fossil fuels which “releases large amounts of car20

bon dioxide and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere,” according to the Environmental Protection Agency. With more of such gases in the air, the earth’s energy is trapped and causes overall increased heating — more commonly known as the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is necessary for earth’s development, but too much buildup of greenhouse gases can cause adverse changes to our climate, our health, and our ecosystems. BC Fossil Free was founded at the beginning of this semester as a place for anyone who signed the petition from 350.org, an environmental grassroots organization started by environmental author Bill McKibben. Now the group includes a core team of 23 volunteers and a 350.org representative. Thus far, the group has gained the support from more than 100 undergraduate and graduate students, alumni, and faculty. The group realizes its goals are lofty and might require time to complete, so it is starting small through spreading the word about divestment and how it can positively affect anthropogenic climate change. Students in the group hope to start a dialogue with President

of Boston College Father Leahy and the Board of Trustees about how BC can move away from encouraging the use of fossil fuels. The group has made some headway in the Undergraduate Government of Boston College, or UGBC. On March 12, UGBC passed R13.12.13 A Resolution to Call on the President and Board of Trustees of Boston College to Divest the University’s Endowment from Publicly-Traded Fossil Fuel Companies. The resolution was co-sponsored by Matthew Hugo, A&S ’16, andMatthew Alonsozana, A&S ’14 and vice president-elect of UGBC, and passed 17-1. “We are very grateful for UGBC’s support. We think that it signals how important this issue is to BC students,” said Joseph Manning, A&S ‘14 and member of BC Fossil Free. Divestment hits home for Manning in particular. After talking to Samir, a 15-year-old boy from the Maldives at the 2009 UN Climate Change conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, Manning became motivated to do what he could to limit the effects of climate change. “He told me that the sea level was rising outside his home and that he

May 2013

was concerned that by the time his children were 15, his island home would be underwater,” Manning said. “Often times when we think of climate change we think of polar bears, but the sad reality is that the face of climate change is a person, particularly a young person like you and me.” About 150 million people will be displaced by 2050 if climate change continues at its current rate, according to the UN. “Our generation is going to live with climate change, and while the impacts might not be the same as those felt by Samir, we will have to live with the consequences of inaction,” Manning said. BC Fossil Free is part of a larger coalition of about 250 other universities who have started their own divestment movements. In putting out their missions, such groups hope to create a difference together. The group is working with other schools in the Boston area in addition to Jesuit universities, such as Georgetown University and Fordham University. The groups’ Facebook pages promote each other and unite under the same cause — to make a better world for everyone. “If we’re going to address climate change we’re going to need strong national regulations and an international framework that will support countries working together on this global issue,” Manning said. “But to get to this point we will need a strong grassroots movement that will pressure decision makers to take action. And this is why local actions, such as a university divesting its endowment from fossil fuel companies, are so important,” he said.

Photo courtesy of BC Fossil Free

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Features

St. Mary’s By Katie Tolkowsky Features Editor

Renovation & Jesuit relocation

In 2012, the Boston College Board of Trustees came to the conclusion that the primary living residence of our beloved Jesuits for the past 95 years, St. Mary’s Hall, demanded much-needed renovations that would refurbish the building to architectural pristine. “Given its age, St. Mary’s is in need of significant upgrades, including the building envelope and the building systems,” said Mary Nardone, the associate vice president of capital projects management. For the inside of the hall, the overall goal of the project is to maintain the wonderful “feel’” of the St. Mary’s first level, while upgrading the

Photo by Christie Merino/Gavel Media Image

residential floors to improve their functionality and efficiency. As for the building’s exterior, the roof, windows, and cast stone all need to be replaced. Once the makeover is complete, the rehabilitation of the building’s outside “will be just as stunning as it was for Gasson,” according to Nardone. But what does this renovation mean for the Jesuits who call St. Mary’s their home? While a two-year relocation to the luxurious BC-owned 2000 Commonwealth Ave. apartments may seem like the most practical and accommodating move, what is perhaps unintuitive is that this “habitual upgrade” has ramifications on the Jesuits’ spiritual life. The placement of St. Mary’s Hall on campus was no coincidental decision. Unbeknownst to many, the way the building is positioned on our campus tells the Jesuit story. Inside the actual building itself, St. Mary’s Chapel is adjacent to the Jesuits’ living

“Given its age, St. Mary’s is in need of significant upgrades.”

May 2013

quarters, a nod to the Eucharist being central in a Jesuit’s life. In addition, the building’s proximity to the library and academic offices acknowledges the Jesuits’ devotion to education, their most wellknown work, as Jesuits have been teachers since the inception of their order. Upon joining the order, each Jesuit solemnly vows a life of perpetual chastity, poverty, and obedience. The St. Mary’s living quarters had certain particulars that responded to the Jesuits’ issues of simple, religious living. In terms of poverty, each priest lived in an environment reminiscent of army barracks. Each priest had a simple room, about the size of a professor’s office on campus or a natural single dorm room, with one communal bathroom down the hall. However, the move to the more spacious 2000 apartments left the Jesuits in a predicament of whether or not they are directly disobeying their vows of poverty and ways of life, and even required a special trip to Rome for permission. But is this move to 2000 Commonwealth Ave. truly a direct violation of a Jesuit’s vow of poverty? According to associate history professor Fr. Charles Gallagher, “theoretically yes, but not practically.” As Father Ronald Tacelli assessed the predicament, “if St. Ignatius were designing living quarters for us, I doubt he’d have come up with bedroom-living room-kitchenette-bath. But none of us asked for it; so we have to live our vows in that context.” It’s no surprise, however, that the Jesuits were able to make the most of their new living quarters, through the Ignatian ideal of “finding God in all things.” As a building often synonymous with beautiful views, it seems to be no mere coincidence

Photo by Christie Merino/Gavel Media Image

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that some Jesuits found God in the skies. Tacelli is most grateful for 2000’s spectacular view from the upper floors. “At certain times of the day, in a certain light, it’s almost preternaturally beautiful,” he said. Similarly Gallagher took a certain liking for the picturesque views 2000 has to offer. With the Jesuits’

Photo by Christie Merino/Gavel Media Image

proclivity to doing prayer in nature, Father Gallagher found 2000’s bay window-filled chapel to be the ideal location for his daily “coffee with Jesus.” New living situation aside, Father Gallagher feels as though the move in general will impact both the Jesuit and BC community in a positive way. “Any type of move can be a stressful time in anyone’s life, especially those which require one to pack up their entire life, but we saw this as an opportunity to bring our community together by assisting one another,” he said. Beyond the Jesuits, the renovation will also convert much of St. Mary’s south wing into academic space, which will be occupied by the Communication and Computer Science departments along with the Woods College of Advancing Studies.

Features

WheatBeer With the longer days setting in and the sun shining down, Gavel Media felt that wheat beers would be a great pick for May’s brew review. By Christian Fiedler GGavel Media Staff

Malt guessed it, the use of wheat as a fermentable malt. Unlike the more

The defining characteristic for all of the beers in today’s review is, you

typically used barley, wheat malt lacks a husk and is high in protein. What does this mean in the finished product? Very little tannic bitterness, a soft and light flavor, hazy appearance, and a full, well-rounded mouthfeel.

Hops an afterthought. In traditional German and Continental styles, expect Since wheat beers are often driven by yeast flavors, hops are typically

mild bitterness and gentle herbal and floral bitterness. Lately though, as we’ll see, brewers in the United States are breaking with tradition and centering their wheat beers around the intensely citrusy, piney, and resin flavors found in American hop varieties.

Yeasts Traditionally, wheat beers derive a lot of their flavor from the

yeast that turns their sugar into alcohol. In Germany, these flavors range from clove to bubblegum. In Belgium, yeast adds a refreshing tartness and estery character.

Adjuncts

Because of its gentle and soft flavor, wheat serves as a great canvas to showcase other flavors. Fruits, vegetables, and spices like coriander and orange peel are all found in both modern and classic wheat beers.

Photos courtesy of epicbeer, crimsonchain, rappy, jayneandd/Flickr respectively.

May 2013

Sierra Nevada Kellerweis — Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. —Chico, CA — 4.8% ABV We’ve always been fans of Sierra Nevada’s offerings. Kellerweis, their German Hefeweizen, is no different. This classic style pours a pale, cloudy orange color with billows of sticky white foam. In the nose, Kellerweis is reminiscent of spicy cloves, fruity banana bread, bubblegum, and citrus, all derived from the unique German yeast strain used. On the tongue, this beer starts with a light flash of bitterness that quickly yields to sweet banana and warm citrus flavors. Mellow carbonation and the smooth, creamy wheat mouthfeel make Kellerweis an easy drink and a great summer choice.

4.5/5

Photo by Zoe Lombard/Gavel Media Image

All participants in this beer review were 21+. Please drink responsibly.

Dunkelweizen — Blue Hills Brewery — Canton, MA — 6.9% ABV Wheat beers don’t have to be light in color and flavor. “Dunkelweizen,” or dark wheat in German, refers to an amped-up version of hefeweizen that is traditionally enjoyed in the winter months. Blue Hills Brewery, based locally in Massachusetts, has crafted a great example of the style. In the glass, Dunkelweizen is a dirty copper color with plenty of yeast and particulate matter still in suspension—not unusual for a wheat beer. Out of the glass, the aroma is mellow but includes notes of spice and dark berries from the yeast, and earthy and hay notes from the malt profile. Bitterness hits early across the palate and lingers throughout the rest of the drink, which presents notes ranging from a vague spice flavor to ripe fruit to earthy sweetness. Dunkelweizen is surprisingly smooth for its alcohol content, probably owing to the nearly-flat level of carbonation; it’s a great pick for drinkers looking for a one-off wheat beer.

3.5/5 www.bcgavel.com

Photo by Zoe Lombard/Gavel Media Image

Hoegaarden White Ale — Brouwerij de

UFO Raspberry Hefeweizen — Harpoon

Hoegaarden — Belgium — 4.9% ABV

Brewing Co. — Boston, MA — 4.8% ABV

Hoegaarden is the archetypical Belgian “witbier,” meaning white beer, a name rightly derived from its nearly opaque, hazy off-white color. Hoegaarden’s aroma is fresh and bright, revealing a flowery, acidic and citrusy bouquet. Much of the scent is driven by phenols and esters generated by the yeast as a fermentation byproduct; those familiar with other Belgian beer will find this one to be similar. On the tongue, Hoegaarden presents a mildly spicy, zesty orange flavor with a bready, sweet finish and a peppery aftertaste. A light body and prickly level of carbonation makes this beer another great choice for a day in the sun. It’s everything Blue Moon wishes it could be.

Because of their typical mildness, wheat beers are a great way to showcase different fruit flavors. Harpoon’s UFO Raspberry Hefeweizen takes the brewery’s crisp, clean wheat beer and adds a layer of raspberry flavor. This beer pours a hazy, glowing orange color with a soapy pink head. Slightly sour berry notes hang around the rim of the glass and follow through in the taste, which combines the fruit with breadiness, a bit of lemon zest, and a great balance of sweet and tangy. Although it’s not particularly complex, this beer is a straightforward example of how well fruit and beer go together.

4/5

Photo by Zoe Lombard/Gavel Media Image Photo by Zoe Lombard/Gavel Media Image

A Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’ Ale — Lagunitas Brewing Co. — Petaluma, CA — 7.5% ABV

Photo by Zoe Lombard/Gavel Media Image

Note: This is my last beer review. It’s been fun! Huge thanks to the readers out there and to The Gavel’s fantastic editors for putting up with my excessive use of the word “mouthfeel.” Cheers! 26

A Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’ demonstrates some of the unconventional ways that American brewers are employing wheat. Unlike the other beers we’ve tried today, this one pours clear due to filtering, and shines with a fantastic straw color. In terms of aroma, A Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’ is phenomenal; waves of sticky, piney, grapefruity hops crash upon a solid base of clean wheat malt. On the palate, the drinker finds a bitter flash followed by an intensely fruity (almost syrupy) hoppy flavor, complete with mango, honey, and peach. Here, wheat serves as a fantastic delivery vehicle, rounding out the beer with a crisp finish and smooth mouthfeel. Phenomenal.

5/5

May 2013

Overheard at BC

Overheard at BC is a cherished Gavel Media tradition. Read on to get some laughs at the expense of your fellow BC students and be careful what you say — or it might show up here! All statements are 100 percent “overheard” and not fabricated by Gavel Media. “Last night needs to not exist.” --Lower “Remember that time when we were in here and two people were making out and then they awkwardly stopped when we walked in?” --Vandy elevator “I might do homework today but I probably won’t.” --Vandy “If you can’t afford to buy condoms, what the hell are you doing at BC? It costs $50,000 a year to go here.” --Devlin “I’m convinced that this semester is significantly shorter than the last one.” --Lower “Come on dude it’s cold, maybe you shouldn’t wear little girl shorts.” --Outside Robsham “I haven’t been to class in literally two months.” --CTRC “Question: can you feel if you have a camel toe?” --Lower “I couldn’t get my shirt on last night.” --Vandy “I usually feel worthless when I say this isn’t myself at all.” --Eagle’s Nest “Oh my god, I just feel like I’m not living a life right now.” --Lower www.bcgavel.com

Photos by Zoe Lombard/Gavel Media Image

Opinions

Photo courtesy of Winnifredxoxo/Flickr

PERFECTING BALANCE, NOT OURSELVES By Meaghan Healy Gavel Media Staff

Boston College’s reputation as a campus full of overachievers is no secret. As students, we especially are aware of the competition here and the general aspiration to do well in many aspects of our lives. Students discuss the balance of studying, spending time at the Plex, volunteering, and managing sports and other extracurriculars. If you scroll through Facebook’s BC Confessions page, you’ll see posts from people worried about not doing well in school or complaining about the competitive nature of this university. Of course, just like with any stereotype, not every student here is an overachiever. Not everyone gets upset if an assignment doesn’t get finished or if there isn’t enough time to hit the gym one day. But what exactly defines an overachiever? To overachieve means, “to perform better or achieve more success than expected.” So what is expected of us, and how do we know we’re performing better 28

than that? In general, I think as BC students we’re expected to do well academically. After all, that is why we are at this school and why we pay to attend here. One could also say that BC, as a Jesuit school, service is another vital part of campus life that all

Most want to be the full package, which usually means getting good grades, being healthy inside and out, and being involved on campus. students are expected to fulfill. Those are the bare mininimum expectations, but what about the expectations for ourselves? Our own expectations are arguably more im-

portant than those of our peers and families and clearly these are different for every student. However, it seems that most students want to be the full package, which usually means getting good grades, being healthy, and being involved on campus. Of course, these are generalizations, and these are all great things to be. It makes sense that we should want to be this way. After all, BC is a selective school. I’m no admissions expert, but I would think that having the full package (or at least striving for it) and having a determined attitude are important traits to look for in a prospective student. It’s as if the reason we got into this school is because we’re overachievers. Still, this overachieving thing can get scary at times. You can’t go a day without hearing about the high stress level of one of your friends or floormates. I don’t know about you, but I can’t go a day without feeling worried about upcoming work for my classes

May 2013

on top of having a job for 13 hours a week. Bearing this in mind, is it okay or normal for us to feel like we need to overachieve? Or should we be easier on ourselves and try not to feel pressured to go above and beyond expectations? The problem with overachieving is that we try to be awesome at everything — like I said, the full package. This pressure can overwhelm us simply because it’s impossible to be the best at everything. But what can we do? We

It’s about being happy with what you’re doing every day and having a healthy balance of everything you love

Photo courtesy of scui3asteveo/flickr

Photo courtesy of US National Institute of Health Wikimedia Commons

take on responsibilities because that’s what is expected. This can freak us out, though — think about the times you have so much work to do that you end up ignoring all of it and taking a nap. I think we can spin overachieving into something better than this concept of being excellent at everything. I sup-

port overachieving as long as there is a balance and that we’re achieving what we expect of ourselves, not what others expect of us. We can achieve this balance if we take a less extreme approach. (Maybe if we strive to just be a part of these things — school, extracurriculars, etc — and just be okay at them, our lives would be less stressful.) There’s no need to be an expert at everything. In a similar light, there’s no need to focus all of your attention on one area of your life to the point of exhaustion and deprivation. For example, concentrate on school, but don’t let it get to the point of staying in the library all night every night. Work out, but don’t spend three hours at the gym and forget about your other obligations in an attempt to be fitter than everyone else. Participate in campus activities, but don’t take that classic route of signing up for everything at the Student Activities Fair. It’s expected that we should want to be successful, but why does that mean we need to be better than everyone else at everything? Being successful isn’t a competition, it’s about being happy with what you’re doing

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every day and having a healthy balance of everything you love. Why should other people’s goals affect us to the point of needing to become an overachiever, overtaking everyone in all aspects of life? Personally, I’d rather be doing many things that I enjoy, even if I’m not the best at them, over being excellent at one thing. And like I said, it’s impossible to be excellent at everything. Don’t overachieve because you want to be better than everyone else, and don’t overachieve to the extent of being unhealthy. Don’t let competition take over your life. All in all, it depends on your expectations for yourself. Are extracurriculars just as important to you as your schoolwork? Is maintaining your health just as important as hanging out with friends? Decide what’s important to you and balance your time between those things. Remember that you don’t need to be the best; as long as you’re satisfied with your involvement, that’s all that matters.

Opinions

Stop Segregation Class

By Michael Natalie Opinions Editor

Freshman, sophomore, junior, senior. All of these words, especially the first, call up particular associations. Freshmen frequently are associated with naïveté, inflated expectations— be it of the college party scene or of their career prospects—and obnoxious behavior. A senior friend of mine and I recently spotted some property damage in his Mod. What were the first words out of his mouth? “I knew I shouldn’t have let those freshmen in, no respect for other people’s property.” The stereotype is not without some truth— after all, settling into a new environment makes for all kinds of awkward social interactions—but hearing someone immediately make such a negative assumption about one-quarter of our student body was a bit upsetting to say the least. Of course, most freshmen aren’t like this, and Gavel Media has already run articles picking apart those particular stereotypes. But our particular preconceived notions about other classes, the very idea of class labels, can be damaging. They encourage a sense of camaraderie with one’s own class at the expense of potential friendships between classes. Generally, college students’ ages range from eighteen to twenty-two. 30

Don’t let your graduating class define your relationships.

Four years may seem like a long time and college is a time of intense emotional and intellectual development. Yet, when compared to the preceding four years of high school the changes we undergo are relatively small. Furthermore, we all develop in different ways and at different rates. I have

Photo courtesy of Sportskido8/Flickr

seen freshmen with more maturity than seniors. Is it a common occurrence? No, but the point stands. One cannot and should not assume that Boston College’s youngest students are less intelligent, mature, or developed than their older counterparts. I’m guilty of making this assumption too. I have underclassmen friends and I frequently find myself presum-

ing to advise them. Whenever they mention something academically or socially related (read: most college conversations), I find myself tossing in my two cents with the general understanding that it’s valuable advice. I assume that the person in question wouldn’t reach that conclusion themselves, even if it’s something as obvious as “You shouldn’t do that paper in one night” or “freshmen aren’t typically welcome in the Mods.” They mostly smile and nod, but I can’t help but think they wish I’d get off of my high horse. Even here at Gavel Media, as an editor, I find I frequently have to stop myself from talking down to my underclassmen writers. I can only imagine it’s annoying; after all, I was annoyed by it when older students did it to me. I don’t mean to implicate all juniors and seniors in my self-critique, but based on what I’ve observed, this “been there, done that” attitude is quite common. I do not mean to assert that one should never give or accept advice. When I was a freshman, I found myself incensed at one particular piece of advice I got from an older student. He said to get used to the occasional bad grade, because an “A” effort in high school is, for the most part, about a “B” or a “C” effort in college. I was not the valedictorian at my high school,

May 2013

Photo courtesty of Mike Mertz/Flickr

Is there really that much evolution and change between freshmen and seniors? but I was close, so needless to say I was quite accustomed to thinking I was infallible. When he gave me this advice, I thought to myself, “challenge accepted.” And then, of course, my slightly older and wiser friend turned out to be absolutely correct. I found myself humbled at pretty much every possible turn. There does come a time when we can benefit from the experience of older

The very idea of class labels can be damaging. students. There are, after all, some things every student will experience. However, no one should assume that their experiences and those of another will align 100 percent. Alcohol is, somewhat ironically, a major obstacle to interclass relations. There are times I wish this were a dry campus, not because I don’t like to drink (I’m 21) but because of the social strata that rise around alcohol. Our natural preconceived notions www.bcgavel.com

about younger or older students are reinforced by the law, and campus policy. After all, minors are a liability and thus a hindrance at social gatherings, and not because they’re immature or no fun, but rather because of a technicality. On a darker note, if younger students (sometimes) want a commodity older students can (illegally) provide it can create a power dynamic which works to the detriment of an equal relationship. What do I mean by all of this? This dynamic of looking up to older students and down upon younger ones hurts everyone in the long run, even if it’s not outwardly malicious. We all got into BC. Everybody here has something to bring to the table. Viewing younger students as a nuisance or as pupils to be mentored (unless you’re a T.A., of course) obstructs the possibility of a healthy, equal friendship. Conversely, looking to older students as a model for your future undercuts your individuality. Sure, they may have some valuable advice, but the experiences of another student

are no guarantee of anything. My challenge to readers: Look to everyone you meet with a fresh set of eyes. When meeting someone new, don’t even ask about their graduating class. Just let the relationship develop organically.

Alcohol is, somewhat ironically, a major obstacle to inter-class relations.

Photo courtsey of MarkjwuMaurader/Flickr

Culture

DORM : RECIPE That name is a mouthful, huh? Well, after trying a mouthful of this, you’ll be hooked. This singleserve dessert recipe is quick, easy, and extremely dorm-friendly. Feel free to swap out Rice Krispies for another cereal or get creative with your mix-ins! Some ideas include rainbow sprinkles, almonds, shredded coconut, M&M’s, peanuts, Nutella, or white chocolate chips. The possibilities are endless.

INGREDIENTS:

By Katie Carsky / Gavel Media Staff

STEPS: 1. Soften butter in mug for about 10 seconds in the microwave and spread around to coat sides and bottom of mug. 2.Melt mini marshmallows in mug in 15-second intervals, stirring between intervals until completely melted. 3. Add peanut butter to melted marshmallows and stir until smooth. 4. Stir Rice Krispies and chocolate chips into melted marshmallow mixture. 5. Allow to cool and enjoy!

May 2013

Photos by Katie Carsky/ Gavel Media Staff

• 1 tsp. butter • ½ c. mini marshmallows • 1 T. creamy peanut butter • ½ c. Rice Krispies cereal • 1 T. chocolate chips • 1coffee mug

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Mug Crispy Treats

NETFLIX

What’s in your queue?

FAWLTY TOWERS

Screenshots by Sameet Dhillon/Gavel Media When recommending the hilarious British sitcom Fawlty Towers to friends, I usually expect one of the following responses: 1) What the #$*! is that? 2) I think my dad likes that show. 3) Isn’t that mentioned in The Office bloopers or something? (Jim says, “That was like Fawlty Towers funny.”) 4) What the #$*! is that?

and racist comments. I like to think of him as the original, British “Michael Scott” (I promise that’s the last Office reference).

The first time someone recommended Fawlty Towers to me, my response was something along the lines of #3. As someone with an unhealthy obsession with The Office, I had heard of Fawlty Towers and numerous people have compared the humor of the two shows. Thus, I was intrigued and immediately started watching when I found it, conveniently, on Netflix!

However, Basil and Sybil don’t create this wonderfully offensive and humorous environment alone. They have the help of the unusual hotel staff. My personal favorite character is Manuel, the Spanish waiter. His main purpose in the series is aggravating Basil until he erupts into a fit of frustration. I love watching the two interact. Manuel constantly tries to speak English (and usually ends up saying something offensive) while Basil tries to speak Spanish and makes absolutely no sense at all. Their interactions always result in some sort of hysterical confusion.

Fawlty Towers, a British sitcom produced by BBC, first aired in 1975. Yes, it may seem ancient, but the jokes are timeless. The series is set in a fictional hotel called “Fawlty Towers,” run by the neurotic Basil Fawlty and his exceedingly calm and domineering wife, Sybil Fawlty. Most episodes of the show revolve around the misunderstandings and mishaps of the irrational Basil. He continues to offend and harass the guests (and his wife) through his series of ridiculous claims

For example, in one episode Basil tries to tell Manuel that there is “too much butter on those trays.” In response, Manuel tries to give him a Spanish lesson by saying, “No sir, not on, dos, tres. No sir, uno, dos, tres!” Watch it and there’s no way you won’t laugh. Also, if you watch the entire series (which you will) you will notice that, at a certain point, each character tries to explain Manuel’s absurdity with the excuse that, “he is from Barcelona.”

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By Sameet Dhillon / Culture Editor Then there are more minor characters like the hotel receptionist Polly, the senile war veteran Major, and two old ladies who always try to flirt with Basil, much to his disgust. This series consists of solely two seasons, with a total of 12 episodes. Each episode presents something completely unique. And that’s why I think it is crucial for you to watch EVERY single episode. In less than 12 hours, you will experience life-changing amounts of hilarity. But, if you’re being choosy, a mustwatch episode is “The Wedding Party.” Basically, Basil gets into a series of silly misunderstandings while trying to avoid the advances of a wealthy French woman, and observing a flirtatious couple getting physical under his watch. The sexually charged atmosphere of the hotel gets to Basil, and one of the (many) high points in the episode is when he accidentally answers the phone with the greeting, “Fawlty Titties”. Fawlty Towers presents the perfect blend of sarcasm, physical comedy, and that indescribable British wit. You’d be at fawlt if you didn’t start watching immediately. 33

Culture

MACKLEMORE TAKES OVER BC

By Emily Akin / Online Manager

Macklemore will be rocking the Mod lot on May 2nd but his jams will be rocking campus all weekend long as students count down to summer break. With the goo-gobs of Macklemore in our future, chances are you’re going to attend a party that feels like its soundtrack was lifted directly from the “Thrift Shop” Pandora station. Naturally, this begs the question, if “Thrift Shop” were a BC party, which BC party would it be: a Mod rager, an off-campus party or an Iggy sweat-fest? All right, maybe that’s not a natural thought progression. But you’re curious now.

“Can’t Hold Us”

“Thrift Shop”

Dorm: Mods. Where else would the “Thrift Shop” party be? The Mods are sweaty, loud and proud. They are the BC equivalent of thrifting. You could live somewhere prettier or cleaner, but that would take all of the fun out of life. Party Attire: Fur coats. It doesn’t matter if you’re sweating your face off; a fur coat is a must. If you don’t have a fur coat, invest in a fur vest. Or a Hawaiian shirt. Or some sort of gaudy, shiny ensemble that a GoGo dancer would have rocked in the 60s. Tacky is the name of the game. Vibe: You’ve seen the “Thrift Shop” video and you’ve seen the inside of a Mod on any given weekend night. crazy dancing with strangers, little to no conversation and pulsating lights.

II.

Dorm: Rubenstein. It’s fitting, right? Those suites really CAN’T physically hold a party, but oh how they try. The cramped six-mans are just too darn small for a full-blown party, but try telling that to the Mod-rejects who live there. Party Attire: The Rubi/”Can’t Hold Us” party is all about the tight dress. Is it two sizes too small because you borrowed it from your roommate who’s running the marathon? Sure! But has that ever stopped any self-respecting BC biddie? Never. Vibe: While not on the same level of epic proportions as the “Thrift Shop” Mod rager, the “Can’t Hold Us” Rubi party is still crazy enough to be the holy grail for any freshman hoping to get in to a party without answering the question, “WHO DO YOU KNOW HERE?” 34

May 2013

III.

“And We Danced”

Dorm: The Gate. If you haven’t partied in the Sexual Chocolate room in Stayer Hall, you don’t know what’s up. Those boys know how to have a good time and can they dance, or CAN THEY DANCE? Party Attire: Sweatbands, sneakers, and pants you can move in. Don’t bother showing up in anything too tight, this is not the “Can’t Hold Us” blow out. If you can’t get low in your outfit, don’t bother dancing. Macklemore would not approve of any wimpy half-attempts. Vibe: Mayhem. The “Thrift Shop” Mod rager is bigger and the “Can’t Hold Us” Rubi party is more crowded, but the “And We Danced” Gate throwdown is chaotic. The music is so loud that you won’t even notice you’re dancing with four Sexual Chocolate boys at the same time.

IV.

“Wings”

Dorm: 90 STM. 4th Floor. Basketball team’s room. “Wings” may not be a classic party anthem like Macklemore’s other dance jams, but you know those basketball guys are a chiller crowd anyways. Their eight-man suite is merely a vessel to other parties. It exist only in the realm of the pre-games and drinkups. “Wings” is the perfect quiet build up to the Mod-rager to come Party Attire: Get a basketball jersey or get out. The “Wings” pre-game is definitely a themed affair. Jerseys required, sweatbands encouraged, pumped up kicks a must. Vibe: Laid back but anticipatory. Just like “Wings” is Macklemore, so is the 90 pre-game to a weekend at BC: a mere taste of things to come.

“Irish Celebration”

Dorm: Off-campus. “Irish Celebration,” or “Irish Cele” as it is commonly known, absolutely screams ‘Darty at 46 Radnor!’ There is toasting and sing-alongs a plenty at the “Irish Cele” darty, but it’s mostly characterized by the gritty basement or overgrown backyard in which it is hosted. Party Attire: Coats and shades. Any self-respecting “Irish Cele” darty would be held outside in blistering sunlight that makes the Solo cups look out of place. Sunglasses are clearly a must. Vibe: Friendly get-together. The “Irish Cele” darty is the backbone of the BC party experience: friends hanging out and having a good time. All Screenshots by Emily Akin/ Gavel Media

www.bcgavel.com

Culture

By Samantha Costanza / Assoc. Culture Editor

THE GREAT GATSBY Character Web

One of the main catalysts of this whirlwind story is the relationships among the characters. All of the characters are connected, forming a complicated web of relationships – some friendly, some romantic – that ultimately collide, causing lots of exciting drama as some people are brought together and others torn apart.

Daisy Buchanan-Carey Mulligan

A beautiful, insecure young socialite. She has a deep need to be loved and often behaves superficially to mask her true emotions.

Married In Love

Cousins

Tom Buchanan-Joel Edgerton Extremely wealthy, powerfully built man. He is extremely arrogant and often makes sexist and racist remarks. He shamelessly cheats on his wife, and she clearly knows it.

Nick Carraway-Tobey Maguire

Lovers

Myrtle Wilson

Friends

Jay Gatsby-Leonardo DiCaprio

The narrator. A young World War I veteran. People often confide their secrets in him because of his honest and tolerant nature.

A fabulously wealthy, handsome young man. He throws lavish parties, yet beneath the Romantically surface he is deeply flawed, Involved deceitful and dishonest. A young, boyish girl. She is a competitive golfer, representing one of the “new women” of the ’20s. She is very cynical, self-centered, and dishonest.

Jordan Baker-Elizabeth Debicki 36

Married

Beautiful, vivacious young girl. She desperately seeks something more than the life she has, yet ends up putting herself into one bad situation after another.

George WilsonJason Clarke Lifeless, tired owner of a run-down auto shop. He is completely and utterly consumed by his love for his wife.

May 2013

The Great Gatsby is an American classic, dripping with the glitz and glamour of socialite life in New York in the 1920s. Featured on countless high school reading lists across the country, it is timeless, beautifully written, and one of my absolute favorite books. If you haven’t read it yet, I suggest you put down this issue of The Gavel and resume reading this article only after you have devoured that novel from cover to cover. Done reading? Good. Now we can be friends. The newest film adaptation of The Great Gatsby hits theaters on May 10. Now I may be wrong, but I’m guessing the producers obviously picked the day after my birthday to release this film as a birthday present to me. The release date was pushed back from Christmas Day 2012 all the way to May 2013, further heightening the already skyhigh anticipation. Pushing back a film’s release date often causes speculation on whether or not the film is too weak to release. However, the exact opposite may be the case with “Gatsby.” This past December featured many enormous hit movies, including Zero Dark Thirty, The Hobbit, Les Miserables, and even Gatsby star Leonardo DiCaprio’s film Django Unchained. By delaying the Gatsby release until May, the film will be able to stand out instead of blending in to the giant black hole of Oscar contenders that are all released in a mad rush every winter. Following Oscar season, there tends to be a “dry spell” of good movies, leaving theatergoers itching for a smash hit come summer. DiCaprio’s last big summer hit, Inception, grossed a staggering $825 million worldwide, setting an extremely high bar for Gatsby.

Screenshots by Samantha Costanza/ Gavel Media

With films like James Cameron’s Avatar that extra dimension skyrocketed the film to another level, bringing the scenery to life and placing the audience directly into the movie. Sadly, not all 3-D work is as perfectly executed and often becomes distracting and unnecessary, leaving audiences annoyed that they had to wear a piece of uncomfortable plastic on their faces for two hours. The choice to make The Great Gatsby 3-D is a very risky decision. If it is done poorly, it may detract from the audience’s ability to enjoy the actual substance of the film. If done well, it could be a revolutionary decision that

I’m guessing the producers obviously picked the day after my birthday to release this film as a birthday present to me.

3-D stroke of genius or huge mistake? It’s no secret that everyone and their mother is trying to get in on the 3-D movie craze. Unfortunately, making a film in 3-D is extremely “hit or miss.” www.bcgavel.com

will give depth to the movie and allow the audience to immerse themselves in the marvelously extravagant world of Jay Gatsby. Baz Luhrman, a director with a vision The upcoming film adaptation of The Great Gatsby may have a few elements that will surprise viewers and seem a tad unconventional. Just judging by the trailer, it will feature bright colors,

fast-paced editing, and over-the-top elements – all of which are distinct trademarks of director Baz Luhrman. Luhrman is best known for his hit films Moulin Rouge! and the 1996 adaptation of Romeo and Juliet starring Leonardo DiCaprio. These films feature the aforementioned techniques as well as contemporary music, which juxtaposes the pre-20th/21st century settings. Luhrman is definitely keeping his penchant for modern music alive, recruiting Jay-Z as the executive producer for the film’s soundtrack. Trailers for the movie thus far have featured songs by Jay-Z and Kanye West, Florence + the Machine, and Jack White, setting the tone for a soundtrack stacked with contemporary songs. Luhrman crafted a new term for his signature style of filming: red curtain cinema. Gatsby is expected to follow this style, featuring bright colors, unexpected music choices, and most of all, a sense of heightened realism that is interrupted by surreal elements. The intention of red curtain cinema is to tell a story of whichthe audience already knows the ending, and to encourage the audience to “become a part” of the film, all while reminding them that they are in fact watching a work of cinema, and not real life.

MusicFestivals

Culture

By Mary Yuengert / Assoc. Copy Editor

or die-hard music fans, spring and summer are ollapalooza the best seasons of the year: great concerts, new When: Aug. 2-4 tours, and the highly-anticipated lineup anWhere: Grant Park in Chicago, IL nouncements for the summer music festivals. Lineup: The Cure, Mumford & Sons, The They can smell the sweat, picture the inside Killers, Ellie Goulding, Two Door Cinema Club, Band of of a tent, and feel that ache in their ears that Horses, Local Natives, Lana del Ray, Phoenix, Queens of only comes from standing too close to a speaker. What the Stone Age, Kendrick Lamar, Matt & Kim, Ben Howard, better way to spend the summer than camping out, Imagine Dragons, Timeflies, The National and more. uncomfortably brushing up against total strangers, and not showering for a couple days? Alright, now music festivals may not sound appealing irefly Music Festival for those who are a little too protective of their right When: June 21-23 to air-conditioning. But if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re willing to take the Where: The Woodlands of Dover International challenge, you can have the time of your life: an Speedway in Dover, DE overwhelmingg number of bands, well-known and Lineup: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tom Petty & the indie alike, all in the same place, beautiful weather Heartbreakers, Foster the People, Passion Pit, MGMT, (fingers crossed), an excuse to not wear real Alabama Shakes, Dispatch, The Avett Brothers, The White clothing, and a reason to road trip and camp out Panda, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros with friends away from the chaotic and fast-paced and more. nature of daily life. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re currently picturing yourself spending the summer Woodstock-style and want to know how to make it a reality, here are the ultimate music festivals across the country to onnaroo Music and Arts Festival check out this summer: When: June 13-16

asquatch! Festival

When: May 24-27 Where: The Gorge in Quincy, WA Lineup: Mumford & Sons, The Postal Service, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Vampire Weekend, Arctic Monkeys, The Lumineers, Imagine Dragons, Dropkick Murphys, The Tallest Man on Earth, Earl Sweatshirt, ZZ Ward and more.

Where: A 700-acre farm in Manchester, TN Lineup: Paul McCartney, Mumford & Sons, Of Monsters and Men, Wilco, Pretty Lights, Wu-Tang Clan, The XX, Nas, Animal Collective,

May 2013

lectric Zoo

When: Aug. 30-31, Sept. 1 Where: Randallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Island Park in New York, NY Lineup: Above & Beyond, Alesso, Armin van Buuren, Avicii, Bassnectar, Benny Benassi, Bingo Players, Cazzette, Dada Life, David Guetta and more.

oston Calling Music Festival

When: May 25-26 Where: City Hall Plaza in Boston, MA Lineup: Fun., The National, The Shins, Of Monsters and Men, Young the Giant, Marina and the Diamonds, Matt & Kim, Portugal. The Man, Andrew Bird, Dirty Projectors and more.

Screenshots by Mary Yuengert/ Gavel Media

utside Lands Music and Arts Festival

When: Aug. 9-11 Where: Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, CA Lineup: To Be Announced. Last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lineup included Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Foo Fighters, Beck, Metallica, Norah Jones, Passion Pit, Explosions in the Sky, Alabama Shakes, Dispatch, Franz Ferdinand, Jack White, Fun., City and Colour and more.

lectric Daisy Carnival

When: June 21-23 Where: Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, NV Lineup: Tommy Trash, Nero, Will.i.am, Tiesto, Bassnectar, Deadmau5, Dirty South, Skrillex, Pretty Lights, Wolfgang Gartner, Aviici, Datsik, Adventure Club and more.

ayou Country Superfest

When: May 25-26 Where: LSU Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, LA Lineup: Lady Antebellum, Zac Brown Band, Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryan, Darius Rucker, The Band Perry, Thompson Square, Rodney Atkins, Aaron Lewis and Frankie Ballard.

www.bcgavel.com

Brad Bates

Sports

un streamed into the giant windows lining the side of the athletic administration office in Conte Forum. A new season had arrived at Chestnut Hill and the snow gracing campus had finally begun to melt. Boston College Athletic Director Brad Bates surveyed the view from his office suite, a well-organized complex overlooking Alumni Stadium in a booming, domineering fashion. “This can be a pretty nice view,” he said. “The Bubble is finally going down over break.” From this vantage point, Bates can see everything—well, almost everything. And that is exactly what he wants. The “Bubble,” BC’s temporary practice facility during the long winter months, precludes Bates from a panoramic view of Alumni. With the progress made in the past few months, though, it seems likely that the Bubble’s days are long gone.

He insisted that the growth of BC’s student-athletes is paramount to his department’s success, saying, “The needs of our kids are the top priority. If we maximize their development, I have done my job.” With the ever-increasing concern for an improvement of facilities, Bates is fulfilling his mission—serving his students in setting up plans for the construction of new, state-of-theart facilities. Given his track record at Miami (OH), where he remodeled the university’s football field and hockey rink, the prospect of new and improved facilities is looking better than ever.

Building a new culture

Photo by Alex Krowiak/Gavel Media Image

Breaking up the “facilities issue”

A plethora of concerns and problems wait for Bates and his team to conquer every day—among them is the growing issue of lackluster athletic facilities. The cry for practice facilities and other department-wide improvements heightened with the departure of Gene DeFillippo, leaving Bates, the former Miami (OH) athletic director and Michigan football player, with a lot of issues to be resolved. “We must prioritize the athletic facilities that will best fit this institution,” Bates said. “We have to work in conjunction with the University and other resources to serve the greater good of our students.” “Ultimately, we will look at what we need the most and align our resources with it accordingly,” he said. Among the facilities not detailed by Bates but rabidly discussed by the BC community are additional practice fields, an permanent indoor practice facility, and a renovated recreational center. 40

The lengthy list of problems left to be solved does not end at facilities, though. Enhancing the “game day experience” for fans and fostering new traditions are just a few of Bates’ goals. Commanding a superior work ethic and diligence from his colleagues, he is in the process of reviving an athletic department once criticized for being complacent and content with the status

quo. The process of ridding BC athletics of its past image was not easy. The experienced administrator in Bates was tried and challenged as soon as his introductory press conference concluded. Many alums and donors called for the firing of then-head football coach Frank Spaziani before Bates could even settle into his office in Conte Forum. The pressures evident in an environment such as BC could have easily overwhelmed anyone, but Bates kept his composure. “The surrounding department and University staff made the transition incredibly smooth,” he said. “It was exhilarating and engaging at first, but also challenging. I was so well prepared in the interview process, though, that I never encountered anything that was too far out of reach.“ Instead of worrying about minute details, he delved into the matters that were truly important, like the reformation of “game day experiences” and their surrounding culture.

May 2013

The face of BC athletics takes adversity in stride In an effort to improve football tailgating and diversify pre-game activities, Bates created a marketing team in his department focused solely on making football game days more enjoyable. Another concern brought to Bates’ attention was the lack of noticeable traditions in sporting events. Citing the need for something similar to Clemson football’s “touching of the rock” before charging the field, it became apparent that Bates was eager to incite tradition through his work. “Sometimes the greatest traditions are the ones that are spontaneous— the ones that are not forced. But, if there is success and our teams are winning, that certainly increases the likelihood of such tradition to bloom.”

Opening the conversation

As he directs a few hundred employees, Bates’ typical day is flooded with meetings and conferences. Tirelessly striving for new ideas, Bates opened dialogue regarding BC’s issues in the

athletic department to students in an event called “State of the Heights,” held by the Undergraduate Government of Boston College (UGBC). The event gave regular students insight into the athletic department, serving as a means for Bates to express his ideas for the future. Opening up his office to student and alumni input, Bates knows that the best ideas come externally. In just half a year, Bates has gone above and beyond, shattering the status quo and instituting new programs intent on reshaping the image of BC athletics. Spearheading this rebuilding of BC athletics is what Bates calls a strategic plan, “bent on maximizing the growth and potential of Boston College student-athletes.” A well-worded maxim for the man who takes great pride in bettering the scholar-athletes of BC, Bates stresses that the athletic department’s main responsibility is to foster growth in its athletes. He wishes no more than “to provide students with every possible

By Teddy Kolva Sports Editor

resource to make sure that they have an incredible experience.” The plan focuses on three areas: intellectual development of student-athletes, competitive performance measures, and resources to be invested in program development. Bates is not intent on keeping these matters closed to the public either; he has opened his strategic planning for all to critique. “One of the great things about athletics is that it is incredibly transparent. You know whether we win or lose on the field,” he said. “Yet that same level of transparency has not translated into our staff. I am going to change that.” For a department once shrouded in a less inviting atmosphere, Bates’ gestures are a promising sign for BC athletics. He knows that many challenges lie ahead in the future, but that is not confining him from expanding BC sports. “There’s a great foundation here— there are a lot of great people here,” he said. “But we still have a lot of work to do.”

at a glance

BRAD BATES

BOSTON COLLEGE DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

CONTACT HIM

@BCBradBates

“We want our fans to leave saying ‘I can’t HOMETOWN Port Huron, Mich. wait to go back!’ Our EDUCATION Michigan (‘81, M.Ed ‘82); Vanderbilt Ed.D ‘98 ‘You’re No. 1’ theme UNDER HIS REIGN means every single UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI (OHIO) fan is an important Football team played in back-to-back bowl games part of BCFB.” 14 of 18 varsity sports won at least one conference championship 2 NCAA Frozen Fours including one championship

27 Mar 2013

Sports

the

WINNERS & LOSERS By Bill Stoll Assoc. Sports Editor

of the NHL Trade Deadline

The 2013 NHL Trade Deadline came and went, leaving a flurry of deals in its wake. Let’s not waste time and dissect all the major deals that went down, and see if we can pick any early winners and losers. Trade One: Pittsburgh Penguins acquire left wing Brenden Morrow and 2013 third-round pick; Dallas Stars acquire defenseman Joe Morrow and 2013 fifth-round pick. The Pittsburgh Penguins were certainly buyers this season, and this initial move let the league know that the Penguins are thinking “Stanley Cup or Bust.” The Penguins received Brenden Morrow, a gritty LW who can hopefully provide an excellent secondary scoring option, along with a thirdround pick in the upcoming draft. On the surface, it would appear that the Penguins won this trade, however there are certainly some questions as to how much good hockey Brenden Morrow, who has a history of injuries, has left in him. The Stars, meanwhile, were able to gain a future top-four blueliner with much offensive upside. Unless the Penguins are able to capture the Cup this year, they may come to heavily regret swapping Morrow a few years down the line. Winner: Dallas Stars Trade Two: Pittsburgh Penguins acquire right wing Jarome Iginla; Calgary Flames acquire forward Kenneth Agostino, forward Ben Hanowski, and 2013 first-round pick. The Penguins’ signature move 42

allowed them to acquire the most sought-after target in this year’s trade market: longtime captain and leader of the Calgary Flames, RW Jarome Iginla. In exchange, the Flames received two big, two-way forwards with some offensive upside who have both been playing in the NCAA. Agostino was the leading scorer for Yale, and Hanowski was the captain for St. Cloud State. In Iginla, the Penguins received a veteran power forward capable of providing primary scoring and complimenting the skill of Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin on the first or second lines. Iginla will also bring a stable veteran presence and outstanding leadership qualities that could allow the Penguins to thrive come playoff time. Pittsburgh was able to avoid giving up any of its top prospects, and to a team like the Penguins, sacrificing a late first-round pick is inconsequential to a real shot at another Stanley Cup. Winner: Pittsburgh Penguins

quire D Jay Bouwmeester; Calgary Flames acquire conditional 2013 first-round pick, D Mark Cundari, and goalie Reto Berra. The St. Louis Blues made out like bandits in this trade, and the Flames again gave away a high level player for far too little. Bouwmeester gives the Blues an offensive defenseman, good for at least 30 points a year, with an extra year on his contract. The defenseman is only 29 years old and in the prime of his career, and could help immensely should the Blues make the playoffs. In return, the Flames received defensive prospect Cundari, projected to be a third-pairing defenseman at best, and 26-year-old Swiss goaltender Reto Berra, who is currently playing in the Swedish league. The most valuable asset the Flames received may be that first rounder, which will most likely turn out to be a mid-tolate selection. How Flames FM Jay Feaster retains his job is certainly a quandary. Winner: St. Louis Blues

Trade Three: St. Louis Blues ac-

Trade Four: Boston Bruins acquire

May 2013

F Jaromir Jagr; Dallas Stars acquire 2014 conditional second-round pick, F Lane MacDermid, and F Cody Payne. The Bruins, who had missed out on Iginla after coming extremely close to completing a deal, were able to find the top-six scorer they had been missing. The 41-year-old Jagr had picked up 26 points in 34 games with the Stars this year. In return, the Bruins gave up a second-round pick along with two prospects. Payne, a very minor prospect, is projected to be a fourth-line depth player at best, but will most likely end up being an AHL-er and emergency call-up. MacDermid, age 23, is a big body, projected to be a checking-line forward with some offensive upside for the Stars. This deal hinges on how well Jagr will hold up over the rest of the season. Remember, last season Jagr got off to a blazing start for the Philadelphia Flyers before wearing down and seeing a major decrease in production towards the end of the season. Winner: Boston Bruins, for now Trade Five: New York Rangers acquire F Ryan Clowe; San Jose Sharks acquire 2013 second-round pick, 2013 third-round pick, and a 2014 conditional second-round pick. This was the first of two confusing

moves for the New York Rangers, as they dealt for the enigmatic winger Ryan Clowe. Clowe, 30, has been one of the more inconsistent forwards in the NHL for the last few years, as he has averaged 20 goals over a fouryear span but has yet to score a goal this season. In exchange for Clowe, the Rangers paid a hefty price, coughing up their 2nd and 3rd rounders in 2013, and a conditional draft pick in 2014. This is a classic case of overpaying for an underachiever, though I suppose the whole “underachiever” thing is right in line with the rest of the Rangers’ season so far. Winner: San Jose Sharks Trade Six: Tampa Bay Lightning acquire G Ben Bishop; Ottawa Senators acquire C Cory Conacher and 2013 fourth-round pick. This trade boils down to a good old-fashioned hockey move. The Senators, with a bevy of goaltending options and a desperation for scoring to replace the aging Daniel Alfredsson, send a young goaltending prospect to the Lightning, who have had goaltending issues for years and hold a plethora of scoring threats. Winner: Tie Trade Seven: Columbus Blue Jack-

Photos courtesy of flickr/puckdaddyblog

www.bcgavel.com

ets acquire F Marion Gaborik; New York Rangers acquire F Derek Dorsett, D John Moore, F Derick Brassard, and a 2013 sixth-round pick. In a baffling move, the Rangers shipped a three-time 40-goal scorer for a collection of scrap parts. I understand that Gaborik had a spat with Rangers’ head coach John Tortorella, but this trade seems panicked and an overreaction by the Rangers’ top brass. For Gaborik, they should have at least gotten one of the Blue Jackets’ top two prospects, and a very high draft pick. Columbus on the other hand, contending for a playoff spot after last year’s train wreck, may have picked up the piece it needs to push itself to the playoffs either this year or the next. Receiving a perennial scoring threat without having to sell the proverbial farm is what NHL general managers lust after, and they certainly achieved that goal. Winner: Columbus Blue Jackets Trade Eight: Minnesota Wild acquire RW Jason Pominville and 2014 fourth-round pick; Buffalo Sabres acquire G Matt Hackett, F Johan Larsson, 2013 first-round pick, and a 2014 second-round pick. In the last major Deadline Day deal, the Wild were able to pick up a top-line winger to play with Zack Parise and Mikku Koivu as they push for their division title. Pominville has two years left on his contract, and with him the Wild add leadership, scoring, and a defensively responsible forward. However, they had to give up a heck of a lot to get him. Sabres GM Darcy Regier and Buffalo received much value for trading their captain. They received Larsson, 20, a two-way center with much offensive potential, and Hackett, 23, a top goaltending prospect who could represent the future of Buffalo goaltending, meaning that star goaltender Ryan Miller may be on his way out this offseason. 43

Sports

ThePRECARIOUS CASE for men’s lax

By Jake Miller Assoc. Sports Editor

The choice is simple. Actually, it should not even be a choice. Calling it a “choice” would imply that a decision of some difficulty would have to be made and there is no hiding what should be done. Boston College needs a men’s varsity lacrosse team, which may require scrapping the varsity baseball program. Through the first 30 games of the 2013 campaign, BC’s varsity baseball team stood at an unimpressive 5-25 overall record to go along with a 0-14 mark in ACC play. While BC athletics boasts strong fall and winter seasons with its football, basketball, and hockey teams, the one thing it has been lacking is a competitive spring team for men’s athletics. Women’s lacrosse, sailing, and rowing are three especially strong spring programs, but the BC men have struggled to find any sort of rhythm by the time the main quad begins to look green again. Let us first consider the upside to adding a men’s varsity lacrosse team to the realm of sports at BC. People often speak of Canada as being the breeding place for the best hockey players, and of the western and southern United States as the stomping ground of the best baseball players. Ironically, the hub of lacrosse is the Northeast. Most of the top-tier, high school lacrosse recruits come 44

out of the New England, Pennsylvania, Long Island, and Maryland area. This belt along the eastern coast of the US produces a vast amount of premier lacrosse talent, and BC is right in the middle of this hot spot. Geography has given BC the inside track on recruiting for lacrosse; we are not taking advantage of it. Lacrosse has found its roots in the northeastern corridor of the US, with primarily a private, boarding, and preparatory school following. As a result, many of these high school lacrosse players are academically capable of getting into and succeeding at Boston College. These “lax bros” refrain from applying though, because their prospects of playing college lacrosse at BC are, well, subpar with just a club team. If BC were to form a varsity men’s lacrosse program, they would have the privilege of being slotted into the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), which is the most competitive and nationally renowned college lacrosse league in America. BC does not even have to build a new complex to house the addition of a lacrosse team because of Alumni Stadium. Considering the sport’s growing popularity, BC would be able to make some sort of profit by charging admission to home games against some of the best lacrosse programs in the country – which happen to play in the ACC – like Duke, Maryland, and North Carolina.

May 2013

Photos by Alex Krowiak/Gavel Media Image

www.bcgavel.com

whelming and with the exception of freshman Chris Shaw, team leader in home runs and runs batted in, this year’s set of ballplayers does not seem to be righting the ship. If anything, Gambino has done the opposite, and is currently on pace to post the worst record in Boston College baseball history. The team fell one game shy of that dubious statistic last year. The administration has gotten itself into a bit of a bind. On the one hand, it has a struggling baseball team, poor

“

Boston College needs a men’s varsity lacrosse team, and that may require scrapping the varsity baseball program.

“

As of right now, though, lacrosse has not found its way onto BC’s list of men’s varsity sports. Pellegrini Diamond at Shea Field is a stark reminder to those who have forgotten why BC cannot support the scholarship load of another varsity program. The idea of giving up on the sport labeled as “America’s national pastime” does not resonate well with anyone, but it is certainly worth exploring. Boston College has not always been this bad. From 1998 to 2005, Peter Hughes took the reins of the baseball program and led it to unprecedented success. He averaged over 30 wins per season at BC, after 25 seasons of just 13 wins on average, before leaving to coach at Virginia Tech. His replacement, Mik Aoki, continued the winning tradition at BC for the next four years, leading BC to its first NCAA Regional since 1967. Current skipper Mike Gambino was hired when Aoki left in 2010 to coach at Notre Dame, and let us just say that he has not carried on the winning tradition. Gambino entered the 2013 season with a 37-66 record in his first two years at the helm and has done nothing to stop the bleeding. A likable fellow, Gambino reminds us of another, well-liked, Italian coach that took over an athletic program at BC and ran it into the ground. Yes, I am talking about, dare I say it, the Frank Spaziani. The BC athletic department knew enough to replace “Spaz” with Steve Addazio this past winter in order to foster a winning football culture at BC again. It was proven that Spaziani’s recruiting failures destined the Eagles for a few down years, so he was shown the door and the pressure to choreograph a successful rebuilding plan fell on the shoulders of Addazio. Perhaps talk of dismantling the baseball program at BC is premature and maybe Gambino is really the only thing holding BC baseball back. His past two draft classes have been largely under-

coaching, poorer hitting, and the poorest pitching in the ACC - a statistical fact. Pellegrini Diamond at Shea Field is a complete mess, its pitiable condition having already been the cause of multiple game postponements. A new coach and better attention paid to recruiting may do the trick, and two years from now, we may no longer be having this conversation. On the other hand, it has an overachieving lacrosse team to go along with the geographic recruiting advantage, the favorable awaiting league slot and perhaps the in-house players to make the shift from club to varsity successful. Alumni Stadium already supports the women’s varsity lacrosse team, so why not the men’s too? The choice comes down to revamping BC baseball or giving up on it all together. While the former seems the more likely, expect the baseball program to be on a short leash and to be the subject of scrutiny for the next few years, because lacrosse is not going anywhere.

Sports

photo courtsey of paul.hardsall/Flickr

the

DEATH OF baseball

By Hunter Gambino Gavel Media Contributor

Speckles of chipped paint and rusty metal flakes sprinkled on top of my head as I walked underneath the raised MTA 7-train subway track toward Citi Field, the home of the New York Mets. The smell of popcorn and hot dogs filled the air surrounding the stadium. It wasn’t until a familiar musty smell tingled my senses that it felt real. Baseball was back, and I already searched for a ten or twenty dollar bill in my pocket without even stepping through the brick arches and catching a glimpse of the players donning the jerseys I grew up admiring. The “Amazin’s” were finally at it again, this time against fellow fourth place finisher, the San Diego Padres. The Queens stadium buzzed outside with jittery anticipation as the subway cars shakily cascaded away toward NYC. For miles around, traffic crept slowly, with the many sponsor symbols visible from every highway, subway platform, and sidewalk. Hoards of paying fans roamed, converging on the ticket gates from every direction. With tickets in hand and ties around necks, the mass fun46

neled into the stadium for the start of another season of Mets baseball. Walking through the dark creamcolored “Jackie Robinson Rotunda,” just inside the center field gates, spectators get bombarded with sentimental images of former Mets players and a photographic documentation of the life of Brooklyn Dodgers hall of famer, Jackie Robinson. Greasy squadrons of people—stud earrings and all— are gathered in front of the several story escalators leading into the monstrous stadium, awaiting others and snapping dozens of photos of the gaudy atrium. The Mets announced a sell out crowd of 41,053 for their third opening day at Citi Field, but by the third inning, the crowds didn’t look even half of that. Thousands paraded through the tunnels, bouncing from concession stand to concession stand, ignorant of the happenings of the professional baseball game that they paid handsomely to attend. Empty seats and buffoonery were rampant, but no one seemed to care because all needs seemed to be satisfied.

AND WHY I WANTED SOMEONE TO TAKE ME OUT OF THE BALLGAME.

Or so everyone would think. Looking around, I saw more neck ties on adults catering to business clients then baseball mitts on kneehigh fans. I smelled too much cologne. I saw too many iPhones being scrolled through and tapped on. I saw women chatting over a glass of wine. This seemed to me like a far cry from what I remember as a day out at the ball game as a kid, glove under arm and a raggedy old jersey on my back. I felt like I was in the middle of a reptile zoo, and some genius was giving these beasts booze. Waiting for an hour and a half in the line for Shake Shack seemed, at the time, like watching a dog get old, until I pounded two double burgers—dripping with melted magical sauce and cheddar cheese—and had a brief hallucination of billowy clouds surrounding me and beautiful angels singing music that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. That moment at the start of the fifth inning, as the Mets took the field, made me realize that that is exactly what every executive involved with the organization wants me to feel. It was no longer

May 2013 May 2013

Photo courtesy of mturro/Flickr

about the burger, the sweet sauce of unknown ingredients, the players, the team or fifty years of America’s pastime embodied by the boys in white, orange and blue; it became about the experience. My experience. There was a brilliant time, called the 1990’s, when people actually had money and spent it, a whole lot of it. So executives had this idea that they could make a hell of a payday off these people. Thus came the big market stadium. In the span of five years, over ten contracts were signed by major league teams to undertake massive renovations or the construction of an entirely new stadium. For example, both the New York Mets and Yankees simultaneously erected equally grandiose structures. By making the stadiums bigger and jacking up prices on every possible accessory and logo-labeled souvenir, the ball clubs saw exponential growths in revenues. However, the successes were short lived. Likely in response to the economic crisis of the past decade, average attendance has dropped significantly, as ticket prices have continued to soar. Maybe in time the economy will revamp and this lifestyle of mass consumption at exorbitant rates can be sustained. Or there will be, like, an ice age or something. I sat there, in my cushiony seat—in

Photo courtesy of sdettling/Flickr

www.bcgavel.com

front of the four men in full business attire, holding wads of cash and betting and exchanging bills over every next on-field possibility—intently observing the game. Walking anywhere was out of the question; even leaning forward forced excruciating pressure on my expanded gut, which was having trouble digesting. Plus, I couldn’t leave my $9 beer unattended) without the beverage being filled 2 inches deep with pencil-shaving-esque peanut shells. The splinters of once wholesome, salted nuts, sold for $7.50 a bag—no student discount available—were in all likelihood smashed in the meaty palms of an inebriated father pretending his son

“There was a showing of the Mets own “Harlem Shake” video on the sponsor-strewn megatron. I just looked away.” wasn’t watching High School Musical on his smartphone, at the ball game, up in the mezzanine level. There they lay, awaiting the warm winds on the gum-studded floors of concrete to be whisked away to dance amongst the sweet hot dog-smelling air, and directly into my only balancing medium in this, well, place. There was a showing of the Mets own “Harlem Shake” video on the sponsor-strewn megatron. I just

looked away. Something I couldn’t get over was the copious amount of garbage swirling through the air, and taking refuge in the outfield grass amongst the Mets players. Gusts of wind entered the stadium through its open walls in the outfield, picking up Cracker Jack bags, hot dog wraps, and napkins and distributing them in a peppering fashion throughout the expanse of grass and dirt and professional, ball-playing individuals. All this rubbish made me see that no matter the sponsors, the additives, the services—the façade that is projected can never hide what’s really produced at what used to be a place for America’s past time. I’m in the vortex of the American Dream. This is everything we have set up and craved in this country, this assembly line that breaks down the contents of your wallet rather then building a constructive product, all while keeping you helplessly inebriated by the sense of utter entertainment. There are a whole lot of others in the same boat, just as helpless, walking between concession stands selling filet mignon and fine wines, hot dogs and flat beer, ice cream and sugary sodas. The business side does research on us wandering, bovine folk. They know what we want, or maybe don’t want, but will buy anyway. Oh yeah, the Mets won, 11-2 or something. 47