INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Ask the Economist Page 3
Vinny the Viking Page 4
Movie Review: “Jack and Jill” Page 6
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Volume 60, Issue 10
Student Found Dead at College Hill Apts.
November 15, 2011
www.thehudsonian.org
HVCC Serves Those Who Served
MARTIN ROBINSON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF TEMBA KNOWLES MANAGING EDITOR KYLE GARRETT STAFF WRITER
An HVCC student committed suicide at the College Hill student apartment complex located by the main campus on Nov. 9. The person identified by apartment residents as Lonnie Martinez had committed suicide, according to the incident report provided by the Troy Police Department. The student was taken to Albany Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead. In an e-mail sent to students and faculty on behalf of the college’s president, Drew Matonak, the campus community was encouraged to take advantage of free support CONTINUED ON PAGE 2.
Veterans and their families enjoy a free meal on Veterans Day courtesy of Hudson Valley Community College. Frank Appio FRANK APPIO STAFF WRITER In honor of those who serve, and who have served in the military, HVCC hosted a free luncheon on Veterans Day in the BTC Meeting Rooms. This marked the first year that college has hosted such an event. Event coordinator Carrie Farley, a founding member of the Armed Forces Club, said, “This year is our biggest event,
4 years ago we started our first flag ceremony on campus… Over the years we have done a lot of collecting and supporting, at Christmas time we did 4 or 5 collections for different soldiers.” Farley and the Armed Forces Club organized a free raffle for vets in attendance, with various prizes including cash and gift certificates. Money and items for the raffle were donated by local businesses.
Congressman Paul Tonko [D NY-21] was in attendance at the luncheon and made a speech about Veterans Day. “It’s a day of tribute to our veterans, as a member of the United States House of Representatives, we work very hard for veterans services and benefits, showing respect and appreciation towards the veterans who have served this nation so very well and it’s a day of reflection, of remembrance,
and of respect.” In an interview with The Hudsonian, Tonko said, “I wanted to come by here because the roots of this campus were to respond to higher education opportunities for our veterans. [The] formulation that they did here of an Armed Forces Club, and the revitalization of programs like flag celebrations are very important, so I think that its important for us to gather
together in spirit for the veterans of this campus be they students, faculty, staff or administration, and respect the veterans community within the greater Hudson Valley community.” Peter Heck, an HVCC Senior majoring in Web Design and a disabled veteran said, “The education and the opportunities are fantastic for people to join and I think it’s a good thing for everybody to celebrate our freedom the way it should be, not to forget that we do have this freedom, [but remember that it comes with] a price.” In every military chow hall, and at Friday’s luncheon, there is a Table for Fallen Soldiers (or Comrades). At the closing of the luncheon, a veteran reminded the audience of the empty table in a position of honor. “Ladies and Gentlemen, please direct your attention to the small table in the rear. Perhaps as you entered the hall tonight, you noticed the small table, set for one, in a place of honor. The military cast is filled with symbolism. This table is our way of acknowledging that members of our proud profession of arms are missing from our CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
Theater Club to Perform The Laramie Project Starting Thursday FATIMA HUSSAIN STAFF WRITER The HVCC Theater Club will be performing The Laramie Project in the Maureen Stapleton Theater on Nov. 17, 18, and 19. The show, which will begin at 7:30 p.m. each night, is free for HVCC students, $3 for other students with ID, and $6 for the general public. The play was written by members of the Tectonic Theater Project, led by Moises Kaufman. It is based on a set of interviews of the people of the town of Laramie after the murder of Matthew Shepard. “The Laramie Project is based on events that happened in Laramie, Wyoming, in 1998, specifically the beating of Matthew Shepard which turns out to be motivated by hate. It was, essentially, a gay-bashing and he ended up dying,” said Mathew Cantore, Theater Club adviser and co-director of this production. Calley Parks, co-director and Theater Arts senior, said, “He was killed because he was gay. It was two guys he met in a bar [that] took him out into the middle of nowhere, beat him half to death, tied him up to a fencepost, and left him in freezing temperatures for 18 hours…to die.” The play consists of a number of short scenes portraying interviews of dozens of characters. Parks said, “Between the interviews that [the Tectonic Theater Project] did, various court transcripts and recordings that surrounded the criminal investigation and a lot of stuff that happened in court, they kind of put it all together into this one fluid show. It very much gives a
voice to the people of Laramie.” “I think in our first readthrough, all of us were crying. It hit a lot of us, even if we’re not gay or lesbian or bisexual,” said Jennifer Edwards, cast member and senior Theater Arts major, in reference to emotional impact of the play on the cast. The Theater Club has been rehearsing the play for more than eight weeks. According to another cast member and Theater Arts student, Keyonn Everett, there are about 13 cast members, some of whom play multiple characters. “They have, like, a potpourri of different characters. I’m playing a 50-year-old cab driver and a 19-year-old University of Wyoming student, just to name a couple,” said Everett. “I’m playing ten different people,” said Edwards. “Who you see on stage are all members of the student Theater Club. They are all students of Hudson Valley Community College,” said Cantore. The Laramie Project was selected for production because of its relevance to the current discussion of gay rights in America. Parks said, “Even though it was written over a decade ago, it’s kind of relevant with the legalization of gay marriage in New York State…that and the repeal of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell.’ We kind of chose this as a way to encourage an open dialogue on how people feel.” The Theater Club’s performance of The Laramie Project will be preceded by the playing of a selection of music. “We’re just doing a little bit of a pre-show, before, during intermission, and then after the show, just to, kind of, give
people something to stroll in and out of,” said Parks. Play rehearsals have been going well, according the directors and cast members. “It’s been a wonderful cast of people. Very rarely do you find a full cast of people who are all willing to really work very hard and willing to, kind of, leave their comfort zone,” said Parks. Edwards said, “We have a very tight knit group. I think we all get along, [and] we are all focused. A lot of people in theater want to be egotistical and stand in the spotlight and talk and goof off, but we don’t have that. We’ve got tons of talent, too.” Everett said, “There’s not one person who fits the stereotypical theater role like, ‘oh, I’m better
than everybody else.’ It’s not like that. It makes me glad that we are varied, but we’re not, like, stereotypical, too.” According to Parks, working with the cast has been an interesting experience because of the diversity of both the cast and the characters. “Some of us are straight, some of us are homosexuals, some of us are transgender, and at the same time, we’re playing straight people, we’re playing gay people, we’re playing transgendered people. Somebody who is homosexual and doesn’t understand homophobia has to play a homophobic person,” she said. Due to the subject matter, the cast members are expecting a mixed response to the show.
Everett said, “I think it’s probably going to be a pretty varied [response] because, of course, the characters in the play, there are people who stand for gay rights and some people that don’t. So, basically, we’re going to have a pretty colorful reaction from both sides.” The HVCC Pride Alliance has been supporting the Theater Club’s production of The Laramie Project. “I think it’s really great that the gay pride group, Pride Alliance, on campus is very supportive,” said Edwards. “[The Pride Alliance] has actually been doing a lot of preparation for the week leading up to [the show]. They’re going to hold information tables in the campus center, and…out in the lobby that are designed to raise
awareness of the struggles and challenges that homosexuals continue to have in the country today,” said Cantore. The Laramie Project is somewhat different from the shows the Theater Club has put on in the past. “They’ve been doing mostly Shakespeare. They did Will last year…they did Henry V, [and] I believe they did Hamlet, so this is basically kind of like a departure for them.” Cantore said, “It’s a great show to keep people thinking about the issues that still continue to surround homosexuals and the struggles they have.” Mat Cantore is currently the co-adviser of the Hudsonian Student Newspaper.
Cast member Keyonn Everett during rehearsals for The Laramie Project. Fatima Hussain
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News
November 15th, 2011
Veterans and their Families Share Their Stories at Veterans Day Event
The Armed Forces Club hosts an exhibit with the theme “Pride of Our Nation... Pride of Our College.” HANNAH BRIGIDA INFANTADO Frank Appio STAFF WRITER With a theme of “Pride from the HVCC family in the year’s celebration. Vice President of Academic be here and am proud of this.” of Our Nation...Pride of Our Marvin Library atrium. Dr. Caroline Curtis, Vice Affairs at the college. Veteran Frederick Monk’s College,” the HVCC’s Armed Accounting professor son works as a Physics professor “We actually started President of Academic Affairs Forces Club hosted an exhibition planning for it in August, said at HVCC, thinks that the Lou Rosamilia said, “This is at HVCC. He said, “I was in on Nov. 10, 2011 to honor the Alice Malavasic, the event photographs displayed really phenomenal. If we look at our the Navy in World War II and veterans of all American wars, coordinator and HVCC faculty tell the story of commitment, freedoms in this world today got discharged. Later on, I was past and present, including member. “It was an idea that bravery, and honor. and you look at what we have hired by the New York telephone those among their own students came off of the flag raising “This event is called Pride in the United States, we would company. I retired in 1985 for and faculty ranks. This marked ceremony that’s held every year.” of Our Nation, as it really not have the freedom of speech, AT&T. I’ve been retired for 26 the opening reception for According to Malasavic more commemorates and keeps alive the freedom of assembly... This years and I’m very fortunate to the college’s Veterans Day veterans and families attended the memory of so many brave is fantastic; we got a lot of be able to get around and enjoy celebration. The event featured the annual flag raising ceremony men and women who have fought pictures up with a lot of people’s my life.” a gallery of pictures of veterans that it would expand into this in wars,” said Caroline Curtis, memories. I am really proud to Carrie Carly joined the
Gold Star Mother in February of this year. She is currently the secretary to the dean of Liberal Arts and Health Sciences Department. “I am an American Gold Star Mother. It’s an organization that no one wants to join,” said Carly. “My son was killed in action on Aug. 17, 2010. Because of that, I have chosen to join. This pin I have is an American Gold Star pin given to me by my government that reflects my son’s death. I wear white to not only to celebrate his life, but to show for the innocence and peace for this country. When you see us in the parade, the women in white are there because their children had given their lives for this country.” Dan Beaudry, HVCC English professor said, “My dad is a veteran of Vietnam… three tours in the United States Air Force, was on a C130 transport plane, but he tells me that he spent more time in the ground than in the air. I guess he got involved in special operations. He was ultimately wounded in combat, was not supposed to walk again, broke his back, his hips and shoulders were shattered and he was filled with shrapnellittle pieces of metal from the explosive,- never supposed to walk again. And he did walk again and they sent him back in to combat because he had some sort of skill that they needed. To this day, my dad is 100 percent disabled. He hasn’t been able to work because of it.” Following the ceremony, HVCC students, faculty and staff took time to thank the veterans present.
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EDITORIAL BOARD
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: MANAGING EDITOR: BUSINESS MANAGER: COPY EDITOR: PHOTO EDITOR: NEWS EDITOR: CREATIVE EDITOR: SPORTS EDITOR: WEB EDITOR: LAYOUT EDITOR:
MARTIN ROBINSON TEMBA “EVERY DAY” KNOWLES SPENCER KUHN JENESSA MATIS ROMANDA MENTOR ZACH HITT MONET THOMPSON DAMIETE MACHARRY DAVID ELLIS GABY ALLEN
ADVISERS
RACHEL BORNN
MAT CANTORE
DAILY GAZETTE ASSOCIATE JIM GRANDY
STAFF WRITERS (THIS ISSUE)
KYLE GARRETT, FATIMA HUSSAIN, RACHEL BRITT-BUSLER, FRANK APPIO
PHOTOGRAPHY STAFF (THIS ISSUE) FATIMA HUSSAIN, FRANK APPIO
Student Found Dead (cont.) services offered by the college’s Center for Counseling and Transfer. The center provides personal counseling services and assistance with transferring to different colleges. “Students may come to see us for any problem [and] we will come and assist them with any issue,” said Kelly Sweener, Director of the Center for Counseling and Transfer. Sweener, who has served as the center’s director for the past 11 years, has helped those on campus cope with issues such as the deaths of students on campus. “Anytime a student dies, it’s a tragedy,” said the director, “and [the center] provides support services to the campus at large.” The Center for Counseling and Transfer provides short term counseling services to those on the campus, according to Sweener. If necessary, the center will provide referrals to outside counselors to provide long term support to those who may need it. “Students who have been impacted by this have definitely
The Hudsonian is the exclusive student newspaper of Hudson Valley Community College. Any unauthorized use of the newspaper’s name and/or articles with-out permission is strictly prohibited. Violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and of Hudson Valley Community College’s penal system. Additional information regarding printed material can be obtained by contacting The Hudsonian office on the second floor of the Siek Campus Center. If you would like to join The Hudsonian, please attend our weekly meeting on Mondays at 2 p.m. in the meeting room next to our office. Or, you can fill out an application during office hours. The Hudsonian does not discriminate against race, gender, age or ethnicity. However, if you join The Hudsonian, please remember we are only students like you and not professionals.
come in to express their grief and their loss,” said Sweener, “and students have definitely taken advantage [of the services provided by the center]. Sweener encouraged those in the campus community who may need support in the aftermath of the incident or other issues to visit the Center for Counseling and Transfer. The center is located in the Siek Campus Center, room 260, and is open on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. “There is no problem too big or too small to see us about,” said Sweener.
The Center for Counseling and Transfer is located in the Campus Center, Rm. 260 and is open weekdays from 8am-5pm.
HVCC Serves (cont.) midst. They are POWs and MIAs. We call them brothers. They are unable to be with us this evening, so we remember them because of their sacrifices. The tablecloth is white, symbolizing the purity of their intentions to respond to their country’s call to arms. The single rose in the vase reminds us of the families and loved ones of our Comrades-inArms who keep faith, awaiting their return. The red ribbon tied so prominently on the vase, is reminiscent of the red ribbon worn upon the lapel and breast of thousands who bear witness to their underlying determination to demand a proper accounting of our missing. A slice of lemon is on the bread plate, to remind us of their bitter fate. The salt is symbolic of the tears, as they wait. The glass is inverted; he cannot toast with us this night. The chair is empty; he is not here. Remember, all of you who served with them and called them comrade, who depended upon their might and aid, and relied upon them, for surely they have not forgotten you.”
The Hudsonian Holds its Weekly Meetings Every Monday at 2pm in the Conference Room next to our Newsroom. Those interested in joining are encouraged to attend. E-mail us at hudsonian@hvcc.edu for more information.
Page 3
Features Do We Need Public Schools? KYLE GARRETT STAFF WRITER Education reform leader, author, teacher and MacArthur Genius Award recipient Deborah Meier came to HVCC last Tuesday to speak at a lecture organized by Voices Committee member Paul Calarco, titled “Democracy at Risk: How and Why Do We Have Public Schools? Can We Do Without Them?” Meier discussed the importance of an educated populace to a truly democratic system. “The idea of a public school system was primarily created not to teach the ABCs or the three Rs, because there were a lot of institutions that could do that. It was created by people who felt that only an educated citizenry could protect and expand democracy, and that’s a very old idea,” said Meier. Meier also discussed that with the additional leisure time of not having to work for a
living, the wealthy and ruling classes had the time on their hands to put their whole focus into governance. “Ruling is timeconsuming... the really elite had enough power and independence to really seek governing as a fulltime occupation, and to some degree we have forgotten that,” said Meier. “We have tried, in this country, to expand the population of citizens, voting citizens, without expanding sufficiently the leisure, the equality and the resources of all people.” The crisis in American public education is very closely tied to the troubles with the American democratic system, according to Meier, along with the increasing shift in the definition of “welleducated.” “The new definition of being well-educated is that you have a good test score and that’s it,” said Meier. “You find out what their test scores are and see what the last diploma they have is and then you anoint them.” Part of education’s purpose,
according to Meier, is to give people, especially as voting citizens in a democracy, the attitude, skills and wisdom to be part of the ruling class and make them able to make the tough decisions leadership requires, which isn’t done by the current school system. “If you sent someone down here from Mars to look at our school system, and then dropped in, to let’s say, 100 schools across the country, I cannot imagine any way they would guess that democracy was high on the list.” Meier pointed out a lack of coverage of the Constitution, Education reform leader, author, teacher and MacArthur Genius Award recipient Deborah Meier came to HVCC last Tuesday to speak at a lecture organized by Voices Committee member Paul Calarco, titled “Democracy at Risk: How and Why Do We Have Public Schools? Can We Do Without Them?” CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
ASK THE ECONOMIST
NANCY ROWLING GUEST CONTRIBUTOR
Some of my professors offer extra credit and some do not. What is the story on extra credit? Is it worth it? - Seeking in Siek Dear SS, Economics is about choice; weighing the pros and cons, then making a decision. It is up to the professor if they want to accept or encourage extra credit. Many professors will explicitly not accept extra credit, and will say so in their syllabus. You should check over the syllabus before you ask and
respect their decision. Some professors encourage extra credit and offer ideas and some do not bring up the subject but when asked will gladly accept the extra work. If you are lucky enough to be able to submit extra credit AND have the time to actually do it without harming the quality of your regular assignments it can be well worth your time. Meet with your professor after class if possible and run your specific idea by him or her before you start. Most professors seem to like it if you go to see one of the many speakers at the
HVCC and write a short paper about the speaker and how it pertains to your course. Why would you want to add to your workload? If you are a good student it will add a buffer so you can maintain that “A” if a test score dips. If you are not doing so well, you may need all the help you can get. Either way, it shows effort made, which can make a difference in your current grade and if you ever need that reference from a professor down the line for a job application or college application. Plus, you may find you learn quite a bit by doing that extra credit project.
When:
Mondays at 2pm
Where:
BTC 216
What we do:
Increase Financial Literacy Compete in the Investment Challenge Contribute to “Ask the Economist” Contribute to “Dollars and $en$e” Humans vs Zombies Dodgeball Tournament at HVCC Guest Speakers from the Financial World Alumni Friendly Organization Psychology Club Partnership Entrepreneur Club Partnership Siena College Partnership Network with great people! Field Trips
Join us for our next meeting! Join us on Facebook! Facebook: hvccinvestors@groups.facebook.com HVCC Investment Club
November 15th, 2011
Writers’ Bloc
JIM LaBATE WRITING SPECIALIST IN THE LEARNING ASSISTANCE CENTER Have you ever been Ronald Mack claimed that pulled over for speeding on the Harrison had essentially recorded highway? If so, you know that Mack’s 1963 hit “He’s So Fine” you can handle that situation in – recorded by the Chiffons – one of two ways: first, you can with different words. When the bow your head humbly, admit claim went to court, Harrison your mistake, and accept your himself admitted that the songs ticket from the officer; or, second, were “strikingly similar,” and he you can try to talk your way out admitted that he had heard the of it. If you choose the second Chiffons sing the song “at least option, however, you should also a few times” (ABKCO Music know that one particular excuse v. Harrisongs Music, 24 Nov. will not work. You cannot claim 1982). Thus, while Harrison did that you “didn’t know the speed not consciously steal Mack’s limit.” If you try that particular song, the court ruled that line, you are definitely going to Harrison had “subconsciously receive a ticket. plagiarized” (ABKCO Music If you’re caught speeding, v. Harrisongs Music, 19 Feb. you can claim that you’re on 1981). the way to the hospital. You can As another example, in an claim that your accelerator got article entitled “Dear Teacher, stuck. You can even claim that Johnny Copied,” teachers and you’re trying to make it to class authors Louise Jackson, Eileen on time to take a critical exam. Tway, and Alan Frager wrote that But you cannot claim ignorance young students often plagiarize of the speed limit. After all, unintentionally for three main claiming that you didn’t know reasons. First, a student “might you were speeding is a lot like internalize a piece of writing so claiming that you didn’t know thoroughly as to be sincerely you were plagiarizing. As a unaware some months later that licensed driver and as a college- it is not his or her own” (Lathrop level writer, you are expected and Foss 170). Second, some to know both the speed limit students lack confidence in their and the rules of documenting own work, so they innocently sources. copy the words of another. So why, then, do you Finally, some students simply do sometimes hear students and not realize that they need to let teachers talk about “unintended others know the source of their plagiarism?” Is it possible information (Lathrop and Foss to steal another’s words or 170-171). ideas without intending to do So do Harrison’s case and so? Probably. Does it happen the circumstances of the young at Hudson Valley Community children parallel the situations College? Most likely. But should that may occur on a college the excuse, “I didn’t know I campus? Yes. Definitely. In fact, was doing anything wrong,” be in all of the situations mentioned, an acceptable explanation for those in authority agree that an academic offense? Before unintentional plagiarism does answering that question, here are occur. However, plagiarism, a few examples to consider. even when it is unintended, In 1970, former Beatle does have consequences. George Harrison wrote and In Harrison’s case, he had to recorded a song entitled “My surrender a substantial portion Sweet Lord,” a song that of his earnings from the song produced earnings of over two (ABKCO Music v. Harrisongs million dollars. Unfortunately Music, 19 Feb. 1981). In the for Harrison, a songwriter named children’s cases, the children
have to be informed that their copying is inappropriate, and they need to be educated about proper documentation. And in the case of college students who plagiarize, they will, most likely, face an academic sanction. These sanctions generally depend on the extent of the plagiarism and range from failing the assignment to failing the course to being suspended from school. The punishment occurs because most colleges expect their students to know about plagiarism and to document sources properly. In fact, the HVCC pamphlet on Plagiarism specifically states “when it comes to plagiarism, ignorance is not an excuse.” So, as a college student, if you’re cruising toward the end of the semester and you’re tempted to speed up the completion of your work by plagiarizing, just remember that if you get pulled over, the excuse about not knowing won’t work. You will be ticketed, and you will face consequences. Works Cited ABKCO Music v. Harrisongs Music, No. 71, Civ. 602. U.S. Dist. Ct. for the Southern Dist. of N.Y. 19 Feb. 1981. LexisNexis. Web. 30 Jan. 2007. ABKCO Music v. Harrisongs Music, Nos. 82-7421, 82-7461, Nos. 505, 600. U.S. Ct. of Appeals for the Second Circuit. 24 Nov. 1982. LexisNexis. Web. 30 Jan. 2007. “Plagiarism Policy – Hudson Valley Community College.” Troy, NY: Hudson Valley Community College, 2005. Print. Lathrop, Ann, and Kathleen Foss. Student Cheating and Plagiarism in the Internet Era. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited, 2000. Print. The Writing Center is located on the upper level of The Marvin Library, and you can go to the Writing Center for individual help during any stage of the writing process.
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Page 4
November 15th, 2011
Commentary Look Out for More Adventures with Vinny the Viking, Exclusively on The Hudsonian!
Do We Need Public Schools? (cont.) CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 Meier discussed the importance of an educated populace to a truly democratic system. “The idea of a public school system was primarily created not to teach the ABCs or the three Rs, because there were a lot of institutions that could do that. It was created by people who felt that only an educated citizenry could protect and expand democracy, and that’s a very old idea,” said Meier. Meier also discussed that with the additional leisure time of not having to work for a living, the wealthy and ruling classes had the time on their hands to put their whole focus into governance. “Ruling is timeconsuming... the really elite had enough power and independence to really seek governing as a full-
time occupation, and to some degree we have forgotten that,” said Meier. “We have tried, in this country, to expand the population of citizens, voting citizens, without expanding sufficiently the leisure, the equality and the resources of all people.” The crisis in American public education is very closely tied to the troubles with the American democratic system, according to Meier, along with the increasing shift in the definition of “welleducated.” “The new definition of being well-educated is that you have a good test score and that’s it,” said Meier. “You find out what their test scores are and see what the last diploma they have is and then you anoint them.” Part of education’s purpose, according to Meier, is to give people, especially as voting
citizens in a democracy, the attitude, skills and wisdom to be part of the ruling class and make them able to make the tough decisions leadership requires, which isn’t done by the current school system. “If you sent someone down here from Mars to look at our school system, and then dropped in, to let’s say, 100 schools across the country, I cannot imagine any way they would guess that democracy was high on the list.” Meier pointed out a lack of coverage of the Constitution, or any real democracy in the school system, mostly focusing on students voting on things like favorite colors or a class president position, and faculty that have a distant relationship, at best, with the school boards of America’s educational system. “The adults who teach us in school have
about the same relationship to the principal and the school board as the average citizen in this country has towards Washington D.C.,” said Meier. “There are occasions when their opinions are asked for, and occasionally especially around Election Day their opinions are even sought, on a certain level to figure out how to change their public relations campaign, and they take surveys not to find out what the people really want, but to find out how they can best get the people to trust them.” Selection of school officials was also mentioned as being too distant, as instead of faculties and families of students picking a school’s principal, they are placed by a far-off school board that often isn’t informed of that school’s specific needs. This tied in to a point Meier made
about the importance of trust in schooling and democracy while sharing anecdotes of her teaching experiences, where she was encouraged to lie to Board of Education members. “It’s the cynicism which all those little lies begins... I thought to myself, I wouldn’t leave my children with a babysitter who I didn’t trust to make the decisions a babysitter has to. I couldn’t imagine writing a script for a babysitter; if I had to write a script for something so complicated as what to do if one of my three children needed X, Y, [or] Z, I’d be better off staying home. I had no business leaving someone in charge who I didn’t trust.” Meier went on to discuss the importance of community involvement in schooling and what habits to cultivate in a student to prepare them to be a ruler, like critical thinking, pattern-seeking and considering alternate possibilities. “If history was what it was destined to
be, there’s no point in being a citizen. If being a citizen means something you chose might make something else more difficult to achieve, that makes alternatives; there are two roads we can take.” A better approach than sticking slavishly to textbooks, to Meier, would be a curriculum designed to encourage questions like “Where is the evidence for that?”; “Is there a pattern here?”; “What if...?”; and “Why does this matter, anyway?” A curriculum that encouraged students to make a habit of asking those questions would leave them better prepared for the task of being a citizen. The current educational system’s failings are one in a long line of problems currently faces, according to Meier and concluded her presentation emphasizing the importance of education in developing a well informed population that will be able to participate effectively in the democratic system in terms of deciding the country’s future.
Business Attire Clothing Drive Sponsored by The Hudsonian
The Hudsonian, the student newspaper of HVCC, is conducting a clothing drive to help support those less fortunate in our community.
DATE: Monday, November 21, between 12-2pm LOCATION: First Floor Siek Campus Center
DiD You Know...
We throw away more than 68 pounds of used clothing and rags each year. Collectively, Americans discard two quadrillion pounds of used clothing and textiles into the landfills each year.
If you have any clothing you have outgrown or no longer wear or need, please support our efforts to make a difference in the lives of those that are less fortunate during this holiday season.
Below is a list of acceptable items to be donated: Pant & Skirt Suits w Dress Shirts w Ties Khakis & Dress Pants w Blouses w Dresses Jackets/Sport Coats w Sweater Sets w Dress Belts All clothing will be donated to Goodwill & the DRESS FOR SUCCESS FOUNDATION. If you cannot make it on the 21st, feel free to bring any items directly to the Hudsonian Newsroom located at 291 on the second floor of the campus center or contact us directly to set up a pickup:
Attention: Temba Knowles Managing Editor (518) 629-7187
Page 5
Sports
November 15th, 2011
This Week’s Sports Breakdown Penn State Scandal Costs Paterno Job COMPILED BY DAMIETE MACHARRY SPORTS EDITOR 11/05 - Hudson Valley Cross Country Teams conclude their season finishing Top ten at Nationals Women 6th, Men 10th. The Region III National Championship were held at Holyoke Community College where Eric Young led the Vikings with a 16th place finish overall and Adam Cooling finished right behind him, coming in at 19th place. Leading the ladies was Hilary Crannage finishing 27th, while Nicole Dootz finished 42nd. Below are all of the results from Saturday’s race: Men 8k Winner: Robert Allen- CC Rhode Island (25:23) 16- Eric Young (27:16) 19- Adam Coolong (27:32) 80- Philip Mastrosimone (30:08) 82- Yousef Zaid (30:11) 96- Jamison Bundy (30:53) 99- Brendan Reilly (30:59) 105- Vincent Otto (31:17) Women 5k Winner: Savannah BoucherMohawk Valley (18:26) 27- Hilary Crannage (21:04) 42- Nicole Dootz (21:41) 47- Amanda Slyer (22:17) 50- Ashleigh Genito (22:31) 59- Allison Farnum (23:08) 61- Megan Crawford (23:13) 11/05 – The Hudson Valley Football team (0-8) ended their winless season falling to Alfred St. (5-4) 48 -26. A win would have granted the Vikings the opportunity to battle for the Region III Championship with a rematch against Erie Community College. But Hudson Valley fell behind early to Alfred St
and never seemed to recover. After trailing by only two at half, The Vikings were outscored 27-0 in the third quarter which ultimately concluded the 48 – 26 defeat. Tailback C.J. Jones ran tough throughout the game with 128 yards and two scores adding 37 receiving yards. Tight end Josh Gross made his return to the field with over 100 yards receiving and two touchdowns that consisted of a highlight reel 75 yard pitch and catch from Quarterback Joe Dana. Defensively, the Linebacker core of Nick Gilbo and Matt Fallico tallied for six tackles a piece and the Brooklyn native defensive end Brandon Young added a sack of his own. 11/06 - The Hudson Valley Community College women’s basketball team (1-1) defeated Corning Community College (0-2) 70-50 on Sunday afternoon, marking first-year head coach Kathleen Smith’s first victory for the Vikings. Second year starter Erica Houle led the team with 20 points, including five three-pointers, while the Troy native Arianna Youngs added 19 points, ten rebounds and five steals. 11/06 – The Hudson Valley Men’s Team (2-1) also defeated Corning (0-2) in a convincing 86-60 victory. Sophomore Forward Conor Maish finished with a double-double contributing 22 points and 11 rebounds. Jeremy Taylor scored 13 of his 16 points in the second half, while point guard Matt Walker added 13 points of his own and seven assists.
11/10 - The Hudson Valley Community College women’s basketball team (1-2) lost to North Country Community College (2-1) 70-65 on Thursday evening. Hudson Valley trailed at halftime, but battled back to take the lead in the second half, but constant foul trouble was to prevalent. Sophomore guard Arianna Youngs led the Vikings with 25 points and nine rebounds. The Center Freshman Angelica Smith recorded her first double-double of the season with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Erica Houle added 14 points in the loss. 11/10 - Hudson Valley men’s basketball team (2-2) lose a close matchup against North Country Community College (1-3) 86-81 on Thursday evening.The Vikings trailed by eight in the first, but three consecutive three-pointers from Conor Maish helped spark an 11-0 run. It was a competitive game heading into halftime tied at 38, behind Jeremy Taylor’s and Maisch’s 14 first-half point efforts. The Vikings pulled within one point with under a minute left in the game after point gaurd Matt Walker converted on a three-point play, but North Country sealed the game with a dunk in the final seconds. Jeremy Taylor led the Vikings with 20 points and Conor Maisch added 19 points and eight rebounds in the loss. 11/11 – The Hudson Valley Hockey team (2-1) are blanked on the road by Monroe Community College(6-0) 8-1. 11/12 – Men’s Hockey game canceled.
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MICHAEL McFERRAN STAFF WRITER Joe Paterno and the Penn State Nittany Lions football program is often looked at as the moral leaders in a corrupt world of College football. Perhaps that title will serve the Penn State head coach’s identity no longer, as the first two weeks of November in 2011 unfold one of the most shocking and irreversible sports scandals in the history of NCAA sports. In recent events, long time Penn State football defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky has faced allegations of sexually abusing numerous children over the course of the past few decades. The scandal has ruined so many of the once praised reputations of not only the Penn State football program and its coaches, but of the University itself as well. The institution came out with a statement Tuesday night reading, “The Board of Trustees of The Pennsylvania State University is outraged by the horrifying details contained in the Grand Jury Report...As parents, alumni and members of the Penn State Community, our hearts go
out to all of those impacted by these terrible events, especially the tragedies involving children and their families,” (ABC News). As the news continues to unfold about this case, more questions and allegations are being made. In a recent statement, Joe Paterno announced that he will no longer coach the Nittany Lions after the conclusion of this year’s football season, after almost half a century of head coaching for the program. However, the school had different plans, shown when Paterno was alerted late Wednesday night by the Penn State Board of Trustees that he was fired from coaching Penn State football. It turns out that Paterno was an integral part in the secret of this scandal. Sources identify that Paterno had knowledge of the situations in which the sexual abuse occured. While Coach Paterno fulfilled his obligation by notifying the Athletic Director, he did not contact the authorities, which put his reputation in question and ultimately cost him his job as the head football coach at Penn State University. The Penn State sex scandal marks the end of an era, and the
start of a time that will go down in the sports history books to come. Joe Paterno is currently the winningest coach in major college and university institution football history. He no longer calls the shots for Penn State, and no longer runs the show behind the Nittany Lions football program. Here is what some students from Hudson Valley Community College thought of the events that have unfolded: Alex Golden, Freshman: “I think it is awful that someone with such substantial power like Joe Paterno could just sit back and let things like this happen. It is horrible to hear stories like these in the news.” Damian Roubidoux, Senior: “It is disgusting to me that anyone could do such a thing, let alone football legends like Joe Paterno and Sandusky. I can’t believe this story wasn’t found out about sooner.” Brendan Duffy, Freshman: “It is really shocking to me that a sporting legend has been fired, but if it is true that he (Paterno) has helped this [unlawful person], then I completely agree with the termination of his job.”
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An Alternative Education: Boxing
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KYLE GARRETT STAFF WRITER The HVCC Physical Education program offers a number of options for students looking to get in shape and add a credit on their record, simply as an elective or for those going into the field. At the Edward F. McDonough Sports Complex, students can participate in weight training, skate in the Conway Ice Rink, enroll in “Adventure” courses, learn physical conditioning and self-defense techniques, or take up a variety of sports, such as basketball, volleyball, racquetball, golf and track and field. For every semester in the past decade, they have also been able to go down to the multipurpose room, strap on gloves and learn the Sweet Science. Physical Education professor and former amateur fighter Kyle Provenzano trains professional boxers at Schott’s Boxing in Albany, alongside HVCC Psychology professor Andrew Schott, and students who take his Aerobic Boxing course train much like his fighters would. “In the fitness classes, we just train like a boxer, except you’re not getting hit,” Provenzano said. “[There was] no sparring... before I got here, they had contact boxing, but they got rid of it [in] like, the late 80’s.” Provenzano’s students might not step into the ring, but they still learn the fundamentals like proper punching and movement, as demonstrated
to them by Provenzano, and develop strength, conditioning and skill level through practice. The one-hour class is split into a series of three minute rounds and one minute rest breaks, and students rotate through exercises like developing strength, control and technique with bag work; working on combinations and movement in mit drills with Provenzano; building muscle with weight lifting; strengthening their cores with situps and other abdominal exercises; and building cardio and lowerbody strength by jumping rope. Provenzano closes the class with situps, as well. The result is a workout that strengthens the entire body, while letting students try something new. “The overwhelming majority of people here will never have an amateur fight in their life, 99% of them won’t. It’s just a really good workout; they learn a sport that they might never have done before... it just gives you a different way to work out instead of just running on the treadmill and lifting weights,” Provenzano said. “It’ll build up stamina, lean muscle, you’ll learn balance, [and] footwork... we do a lot of different stuff depending on the ability of the class.” The class also provides a foundation for those interested in actually going into boxing. “It’s a good way to start. I’ve had a couple [students] over the years that, once the class is done, they’ll come to my gym.
A couple of them eventually got a fight, but the majority of them just do the fitness,” Provenzano said. While some choose to go into boxing after taking his class, it’s a very hard sport, and that isn’t what Provenzano wants for all his students. “If they ask me to do it, I’ll help them, but I don’t ever encourage it.” It isn’t all work in the class, however. Provenzano also teaches students technique and other aspects of the sport by playing videos of fights, or even taking them to professional boxing events. “A couple of us in class went to a fight that he trained, and saw what real boxing’s like,” said Jean Marc Lescault, a freshman Physical Education major. “It definitely opens your eyes to what real boxing is, and the stamina that goes into the sport... this is only like kindergarten-level, what he teaches right here.” Lescault went on to discuss the boxing class’s physical benefits. “We’ve been at it for two months now, and I can definitely see a difference, [and] feel a difference,” Lescault said. “The way [Provenzano] does the class, I didn’t have to take [any other electives] next semester, and I’m taking one of his classes next semester just because he works us out hard. He’s into it, he knows what he’s doing, and it definitely is a good workout... it’s free, and you get in shape while going to school.”
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Movie Reviews
Jack and Jill: Just Another Sandler Bomb KYLE GARRETT STAFF WRITER Has Adam Sandler made a single movie worth watching? The perpetually-smirking ex-SNL comic’s filmography is an unbroken line of mediocrity, at best, and his latest offering feels like a desperate attempt to become relevant again. Had the resultant picture not been written between Sandler, Steve Koren and Robert Smigel, who have similarly never written a good thing in their careers, it would appear to be a very crude, but brilliant, satire of modern “comedies” and their reliance on gross-out humor and pure contempt of their audiences. Unfortunately, that would require a level of wit and selfawareness beyond the grasp of either the three writers or comic actor turned hack director Dennis Dugan, whose style seems to consist of “point the camera at Sandler and hope he does something funny,” so “Jack and Jill” ends up an irredeemable mess of a film. The story, such as it is, is simple. Adam Sandler stars as successful ad executive Jack Sadelstein, who lives in Los Angeles with his beautiful wife Erin (Katie Holmes) and two children, Gary and Sophia (Rohan Chand and Elodie Tougne). Jack seems to have it all, but there’s one event he always dreads: his identical twin sister Jill (also Sandler) visiting every Thanksgiving. Jack very clearly hates Jill, and it’s easy to see why, as her obsessively clingy, passive-aggressive and outright rude demeanor drives him mad at the same time as endears his kids, and his wife bends over backwards to tolerate it despite never being given any reason to like her sister-in-law.
Jack and Jill should go up the hill... and off a cliff. Photo courtesy of rottentomatoes.com This time, however, Jill doesn’t leave after Thanksgiving, choosing to stay for Chanukah, then through to New Year’s, and her latest visit also coincides with an increasingly short deadline for Jack to secure Al Pacino (himself) for a commercial deal with Dunkin’ Donuts. After meeting them at a Lakers game, Pacino instantly and inexplicably, given she never shows herself to be anything more than an ugly, stupid, shrill Jewish caricature with apparent superhuman strength - becomes smitten with Jill, who he sees as essential to him finding a lost part of his soul he needs before
accepting a role as Don Quixote in “Man of La Mancha”. What follows, mixed with plenty of physical gags - usually by, or at the expense of Jill - and a second romance subplot that just seems to be there for the sake of being there and resolves very abruptly at the end, is an overlong attempt at courtship spurred on by Jack, as he realizes the only way he’ll get the commercial is if he gets Pacino and his thoroughly uninterested twin sister together. As an audience, we’re not supposed to see anything wrong with Jack doing whatever he can to essentially prostitute Jill for the purposes of landing
a commercial deal, up to and including impersonation. Even as loathsome as Jill proves to be, there’s something inherently disgusting about that idea, even among everything else that falls flat in this film. “Everything else” really is everything else, as not a single moment of this film manages to be of any value. The direction and cinematography feel amateurish, the acting from most of the cast comes off as uninspired or like TV personalities are suddenly completely out of their element, and even basic special effects fall apart. Sandler in drag is completely unconvincing as a
woman, and when the resultant character is actually seen in motion it’s creepy instead of amusing, especially with Jill’s constant wide-eyed stare. It’s impossible to believe that’s supposed to be the joke. Speaking of jokes, the film seems convinced everyone in the audience is 12 years old, barraging them with toilet humor throughout, especially when Jill tries Mexican food for the first time and becomes the subject of a prolonged flatulence joke that stretches for an entire scene. Bodily functions, people questioning Jill’s gender, occasional sexual harassment
and physical injuries are the orders of the day, along with jabs at poor people, senior citizens and ethnic minorities that come off as just mean-spirited enough to become offensive. There is one exception, however. One of two interesting parts to the whole mess, is Al Pacino’s burlesque of himself, which just makes the nonsensical plot even more bizarre, but at the same time manages to be the only truly funny thing about the film. Pacino is clearly having a blast with this highly-detailed ribbing of himself, shouting lines from “The Godfather” and randomly chewing the scenery, and the role has all the signs of a good parody, with its affectionate tone and deep knowledge. Pacino’s roles, old neighborhoods growing up, love of “Richard III” and training in method acting are all carefully noted, then pushed as far as they’ll go, even working in a dig at the Academy Awards. Pacino, as himself, steals the show just by appearing in the shot, and he does everything he can to save the film through his inexplicably committed performance, but nothing could quite manage that, and it’s such a drastic shift from everything else that his scenes become rather jarring, as if he accidentally walked in from a better film. His self-parody, and the documentary-style interviews with real twins that play over the opening and closing credits, just call attention to the fact the rest of the production is completely and utterly worthless. Pacino even produces a bit of dialogue at the end that seems to refer to the film itself, after watching the commercial Jack made. “Burn it,” he tells Jack. “All copies of this must be destroyed... it’s no good.”
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