Montclarion issue 12/10

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THE MONTCLARION The Student Voice of Montclair State University Since 1928

Vol.

89

Issue 13 December 10, 2009

The Montclarion.org

Montclair Student Runs a Long Way to Make a Difference Nicole Simonetti Staff Writer

“As United States elite marathoner Jeff Galloway said just before the clock started for my first marathon, ‘This is one accomplishment no one can take away from you,’” senior Katie Hoesch said.

During her freshmen year of college, Hoesch became interested in distance running as a way to stay in shape.

Completing a marathon found its way onto her list of things to accomplish in life.

For the third year, Hoesch will be running in the Walt Disney World Marathon in January, attempting to qualitfy for the Boston Marathon.

In order to qualify for it, she has to complete the 26.2 mile run in a personal best time of three hours and forty minutes; her average time is four hours and twelve minutes.

For past marathons, Hoesch has successfully raised $3,300 for the ALS AssoDisney Run Continued on Page 3

Photo courtesy of Kate Hoesch

Senior Katie Hoesch has been participating in the Disney World Marathon for two years, this coming January being her third. Hoesch holds her medals at one of the marathons.

Students Cutting Back for the Holidays

Transfer Students Weigh in on Montclair Experience

Gerald Flores Assistant News Editor

Irina Kuzmich Staff Writer

Final exams, research papers, securing a spring internship — these are all sources of possible stress for the MSU student as the fall semester winds down.

As the national unemployment rate slowly rises to over 10 percent and the peak of the holiday season rapidly approaches, college students have one more stress to add to their plate this semester: holiday shopping on a stiff budget.

“Consumers are cutting

“Send an e-mail to your friends with an inspiring quote or message personalized for them. It's all about the energy you send out into the universe.”

Brittney Dunn Senior

back their holiday spending and using creative ways to fill the gift gap,” says the Consumer Reports’ holiday gift guide. The magazine conducted a national survey in their holiday shopping poll, which found that 65 percent of Americans plan on Holidays Continued on Page 6

INSIDE

WORK ORDERS PILE UP

- Note: the ‘OPEN’ number work orders are subject to change as the orders are still getting completed. All these numbers are parts of the whole number 3171 submitted from Sept.-Nov.

Clove Residents Continue to Experience Delay in Repairs

Each year, 1,700 students transfer to Montclair State University from other schools for different reasons.

Some students choose to transfer to Montclair due to the academic programs offered and the cost.

REASONS WHY STUDENTS TRANSFER TO MONTCLAIR 1. Less expensive 2. Smaller campus 3. Academic programs 4. Reputation

From the first day she moved in until the day before Thanksgiving, junior Michelle Agnone had garbage bags in place of blinds over her bare, first floor bedroom window.

She went online and sent work order after work order form to get blinds in her Clove Road apartment. Being a girl on the first floor, no blinds on her bedroom window made her feel uncomfortable, especially with the construction workers being around all the time.

On move-in day, Residential Education and Services wrote on her Room Condition Report that there were, in fact, no blinds. This is not the only problem she has encountered.

Agnone has also put in a work order for a drain plug that she has been waiting for a very long time for. She also had complaints about her lost packages and how the washers and dryers in the laundry room do not work properly.

“All these problems with the facilities, the mail and

the laundry room almost make me not want to live on campus anymore," Agnone said.

Agnone is not the only one who has encountered problems while residing in Clove Road.

Junior Hillary Heffler talked about how her problem just started off with a roof leak.

Heffler's work order was responded to rather quickly and she was told to reside at La Quinta for five days while maintenance patched up her ceiling.

When she came back, her roof was patched but that didn’t last long. Before she knew it, her ceiling had collapsed.

Luckily for Heffler, her belongings were removed from her room. Heffler and her roommates were put up in La Quinta for another 10 days.

When they returned, their furniture was terribly askew and they were in need of a mover. Heffler called maintenance and asked for a mover, but instead they were sent an electrician.

After three weeks of dealing with water and roof issues, most of her facilities

nightmare is over.

“I just wish they got it done right the first time,” Heffler said.

Junior Jackie Zygadlo placed many work orders, yet only some got fixed. At the beginning of the school year, Zygadlo put in a work order to get her sink unclogged. 10 days after putting the work order in, no one had come.

Zygadlo called the Clove Road Office and was directed to maintenance where she told them over the phone the problem she had, and an hour later someone showed.

“It shouldn't have taken ten days,” she said.

Zygadlo’s toilet has also been clogged — twice. The first time was in September.

“One of my roommates was able to fix it with a plunger after we put the order in.

However, no one ever came to look at it," Zygadlo said.

The second work order she put in for her toilet was recent. Also added to this work order was for someone to come take care of the mold in her bathroom. It took the plumber about a week and a half to get to Zygadlo’s apartWork Orders Continued on Page 67

Transfer Students Continued on Page 4

feature

a&e

opinion

sports

Bebhinn Zimmerman Staff Writer

Top 3 Holiday Gifts

Shakespeare at Montclair State University

pg. 8

pg. 13

Work Orders R Us

"I knew people in the school and they said the film program was new, but very good. I looked into it and I was impressed with what I saw," said junior film major Brittany Holley, who transferred from Union County Community College.

"I like how I'm grouped

“MSU is way more diverse in its student population. There are all kinds of ethnicities and nationalities at MSU.” Konstantin Kadomskiy Senior

with people majoring in what I'm majoring in so I can dis-

MSU Sports Year in Review

pg. 17

pg. 24

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news

The Montclarion • December 10, 2009

The Montclarion

Pelican Police Report

Montclair State University 113 Student Center Annex Montclair, New Jersey 07043 Editor-in-Chief: (973) 655-5230 Managing Editor: (973) 655-5282 News Dept: (973) 655-5169 Main office: (973) 655-5241 Fax: (973) 655-7804

Executive Board Editor-in-Chief Kristie Cattafi Managing Editor Mike Campbell

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Business Manager Sam Gherman

Production Robert Aitken

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4

7 8

Editorial Board

2 10 6

9 35

News Kulsoom Rizvi Feature Amanda Balbi A&E Emily Golloub O p i n io n Katherine Milsop S p orts Nelson DePasquale Chief Copy Lurdes Ruela P h o t o gra p h y Jillian Keats Graphic Design John Pope Editorial Cartoonist Lou Cunningham Webmaster James Carolan

Assistants News Gerald Flores Kelly Ann Jones Feature Dinah Polk Arts Blaine Bridges Sports Jake Del Mauro Mike Monostra Copy Catherine Winters Dinah Polk Rebecca Fontana Graphic Design Mark Banas

Writers and Contributors Scott Buchanan, Erica Marta Anagnos-Chevere, Jesse Cohen, Vanessa Hargreaves, Kris Hunte, Irina Kuzmich, Jade Moskovitz, Jessica Sims, Nicole Simonetti, Dana Sobel, Lori Wieczinek, Luke Weisenbacj, Bebhinn Zimmerman

Advertising Director Kevin Schwoebel

Bookkeeper Peter Junda

Faculty Advisor Marc Rosenweig

contact us Editor-in-Chief monteditor@gmail.com Managing Editor msumanaging@gmail.com Business Manager montclarionbiz@gmail.com

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On Dec. 1: Trevor Kilduff was arrested and charged with the theft of a parking boot immobilizer while in Lot 27.

2 On Dec. 1: 3 On Dec. 1: 4 5 On Dec. 3: 6 On Dec. 4: 7 On Dec. 5: 8 On Dec. 5: 9 On Dec. 6:

An MSU employee reported being harassed by a known suspect while at the Red Hawk Diner. Criminal charges are pending.

A student reported being harassed by a known suspect while in Webster Hall. Criminal charges are pending.

On Dec. 3: A student reported the theft of her laptop computer left unsecured in

10 On Dec. 7: 11 On Dec. 8:

Mallory Hall.

A student reported the theft of his laptop computer from his residence in Bohn Hall.

Eric Dotoli was arrested and charged for a violation of a final restraining order while on campus.

A student reported the theft of her parking hangtag from her vehicle parked in Lot 22.

A non-student reported the theft of his hat left unsecured in Floyd Hall Arena.

A student reported the theft of her mobile phone left unsecured in Blanton Hall.

A student reported the theft of a check and cash left unsecured in the Student Center.

Ryan Lee, Christina Keeney, Kaitlin Rettig, Emily Egbert and Robert Clayton were charged with underage consumption of alcohol while in the Clove Road Apartments.

Anyone who has information regarding these incidents is urged to call the police station from any campus phone at T-I-P-S (8477).

All calls are strictly confidential.

Production Editor msuproduction@gmail.com News Editor msunews@gmail.com Feature Editor msufeature@gmail.com Arts and Entertainment Editor msuarts@gmail.com Opinion Editor msuopinion@gmail.com Sports Editor msusports@gmail.com Photo Editor montphotoeditor@gmail.com Graphics Editor msugraphics@gmail.com Copy Editor: montcopy@gmail.com Webmaster: msuwebmaster@gmail.com Advertising Director: montclarionads@gmail.com

The Montclarion is a publication of Montelican Publishing, Inc. Published weekly, except during examinations, summer and winter sessions, The Montclarion is funded by student fees distributed by Montclair State University and incoming advertising revenue. The views expressed in the Opinion section, with the exception of the Main Editorial, do not necessarily reflect the views of The Montclarion. The first edition of The Montclarion, then named The Pelican, was published on November 28, 1928

SGA Notes - There was no SGA meeting yesterday due to Wednesday being a Monday schedule. The first SGA meeting of the spring semester will be held on Jan. 20.

The Montclarion The Montclarion is a freely distributed newspaper providing one copy per person.

Additional copies are $0.25.

Corrections In the Dec. 3 issue, the article entitled "MSU Campus Will Star in Documentary: Filming Will Begin in January on Campus," should have stated "rational" instead of irrational when referring to the meaning of the metaphor of the film's title.

December 10, 2009 • The Montclarion

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Disney Run Continued From Page 1

Senior Katie Hoesch poses with Pluto at one of her Disney World Marathons in January. The marathon Hoesch will run this coming January will be her third Disney marathon.

Photo courtesy of Katie Hoesch

"What I try and tell people is that a little bit from a lot can go a long way. " ciation and $2,600 for the American Cancer Society. This year, Hoesch is hoping that she can raise more to benefit these foundations.

“What I try and tell people is that a little bit from a lot can go a long way,” Hoesch said.

Hoesch chose to run the Disney World Marathon back in January 2008 to honor her grandfather, whom she lost to ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Since she was choosing to fundraise for such a respectable cause, it gave her much more motivation to keep training.

When she had received positive feedback from people’s donations, her mind was set to accomplish running the Disney World marathon.

The following year, Hoesch ran again in the Disney World marathon, but she chose another charity to help: The American Cancer Society.

For the 2009 marathon, Hoesch fundraised in honor of her uncle. Instead of running one big race, she ran

Senior Katie Hoesch has raised a total of $5,900 for the ALS Assocation and the American Cancer Society.

a marathon and a half, Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge. She ran half a marathon on Saturday morning and then the 26.2 miles on Sunday.

“I am so proud that [Katie] finds such positive and challenging ways to channel her energy to better herself mentally, physically and emotionally and most importantly to help others along the way.”

Jaclyn Hoesch Sister of Katie Hoesch Photo courtesy of Katie Hoesch

Photo courtesy of Katie Hoesch

Senior Katie Hoesch (center) poses with two of her friends at the Disney World Marathon. The senior's family and friends are very supportive of her goals in the marathons.

This year, strength training for Hoesch will be different. She has already completed two and a half marathons. She is confident enough in herself to cross the finish line, but she must keep in shape by training as often as possible.

To help push Hoesch throughout training, she joined a group that trains together and supports the Leukemia Lymphoma Society.

“When you sign up for a Team in Training, you pledge to raise a minimum amount of money for the charity. With that, you get a support system I didn’t have the first two times around,” Hoesch said.

Together, the team is a combination of supportive, encouraging and positive people, which will benefit everyone in the end.

Aside from receiving support from her Team in Training, there is support she receives whole-heartedly from her family.

“Our family is unbelievably proud of Katie and all that she achieves by

running the Walt Disney World marathons every year,” her sister Jaclyn Hoesch, alumni of Montclair State University, stated. “I am so proud that [Katie] finds such positive and challenging ways to channel her energy to better herself mentally, psychically and emotionally and most importantly to help others along the way.”

Hoesch received an e-mail about a year after completing her first marathon from the ALS Association.

The e-mail had breaking news in ALS research that will get them one step closer the finding a cure for the disease.

“That was what got me hooked on charity work,” Hoesch said. “Many runners who run for charities will say ‘We run because we can, for those who can’t,’” Hoesch said.

To find out more information or to place a donation, of any amount, check out her website at http://pages.teamintraining.org/nnj/wdw10/ khoesch.

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The Montclarion • December 10, 2009

A New Leader in the Greek Life Luke Weisenbacj Staff Writer

Montclair State University lost its very popular Greek advisor, Hayden Greene, last year. Greene left MSU to be closer to his family at a school in Brooklyn, New York.

The large and active Greek community, which hosts 75 percent of the events on campus during the course of an academic year, were without a leader.

The Greek system was left to a temporary overseer, Fatima deCarvalho of the Center for Student Involvement.

The task was not an easy one, as there are well over 300 students who participate in various Greek organizations.

After a year's substitution, the decision was made to name Stephanie Wright as the new advisor.

Wright, of Vineland, N.J., was an assistant to Greene in 2007. Wright received her undergraduate degree from Ramapo College and her master's from Montclair State.

She started in 2006 as an intern for CSI, and was able to work with other advisors and organizations from Class I-V. Most importantly for the Greek Community, she is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. “She is a good candidate for the job.

We have had a relationship with her on campus and feel comfortable with her as an authority figure,” Ryan Correll the president of Theta Xi said of Wright. “She was trained by Hayden, who was a big influence on everyone here, so it benefits everyone that policies won’t change that much.”

While many identify Greek organizations with parties and hazing, Wright wants to showcase the benefits of Greek life to the rest of the campus.

“We want our students to live up the Greek standards and what it means to be Greek. We are scholars and leaders on this campus as well as men and women of service and we should strive for that.”

Her responsibilities as the head of

Greek Life on campus are to conduct workshops, such as service workshops, leadership workshops and anti-hazing workshops.

She is responsible for the paperwork of Greek organizations like insurance and programming. She advises Greek Council, the governing body of the Greeks and provides leadership opportunities, event coverage, SGA partnership and executive board training in the summer.

Wright has had her share of situations and allegations this year. Multiple sororities have been allegedly accused of hazing and Wright was forced into action.

“It has not been challenging. I have a very maternal instinct with things like this. I feel bad, I look at it as an opportunity to re-educate our students and have them see the bigger picture, to open their eyes,” Wright said.

Danielle Gonzalez, a member of Sigma Delta Tau said, “It is being handled well, in terms of administration, but within the organizations, it has become a problem between organizations that needs to be solved.”

Correll said, “It is essential that we, as Greeks, represent the school the correct way.

It is our choice how we represent ourselves and we need to be on the same page and have the same goal.”

This year, Greek life has branched out to include others in their activities and events on campus and in the community.

Wright teamed every fraternity and sorority up with the Isaiah House.

Each received a child in the neighboring community this holiday season, in an effort to make sure that every child is provided a gift that they get to open on their special day.

Greek organizations have been a part of American College traditions since the 1770s.

They are derived out of symbolism of structure and service.

At Montclair State the tradition has continued, striving to excel in scholarship, leadership, community service, social life, athletics and alumni involvement.

Transfer Students Continued From Page 1

cuss a lot of things with them," senior Jessica Mulcahy, Chemistry and Anthropology major, said.

Mulcahy, who transferred from Passaic County Community College, said that she chose Montclair over Rutgers because of the tuition difference.

Some students said that they chose Montclair just because of its good name, among other schools.

Sophomore GianPaolo Costanzo, who recently transferred from California State-L.A. said, "In high school, people used to say 'Montclair is a good college.' If you went somewhere else, people would look down on you."

As is to be expected, transfer students find that Montclair differs from other colleges that they have attended. "MSU is way more diverse in its student population. There are all kinds of ethnicities and nationalities at MSU," said Konstantin Kadomskiy, a senior psychology major who transferred from Essex County Community College.

However, some students feel Montclair is lacking in the amount of student activities that occur on campus.

"It's boring," Arielle Elizabeth Giaquinto, a linguistics major who transferred from Raritan Valley Community College, said. "At the community college, there was always something going on and it was so easy to get involved."

Kadomskiy disagreed, and said the amount of clubs offered in MSU does not even compare to her previous school.

"There is a club almost for any interest a person might have," she said.

Some transfer students find the people at Montclair to be different than those at their other school.

Mulcahy finds that people at Montclair are "faster paced and [have] less

“It's boring. At the community college, there was always something going on and it was so easy to get involved.”

Arielle Elizabeth Giaquinto Linguistics Major

patience."

"People here are more stressed out.

People there [in L.A.] are more mellow and calm, less stressed on tests and finals," Constanzo added.

On a positive note, transfer students find Montclair students to be very supportive.

"People are very friendly," says Holley. "They are always ready to lend a hand."

Despite parking being the biggest issue, transfer students are happy with their experience at Montclair.

Kadomskiy said she likes the campus and how everything is within walking distance, unlike other big schools where a shuttle is required to get to classes.

Some of the transfer students offered some advice for students looking to transfer to Montclair. "Definitely know how your classes transfer as credits, " said Costanzo.

Giaquinto stressed the importance of fulfilling prerequisites.

"If you transfer with an associates degree without being able to take the prerequisites needed in the summer, you can fall behind with little options for the first Fall and Spring semester," she explains.

MSU Leads Christie's Educational Transition Team MSU President Susan Cole is heading Gov.-elect Chris Christie’s 21-member educational transition team.

As the subcommittee’s chairwoman, Cole will lead the group of principals, superintendents and representatives of school administrators.

Ada Ben Cutler, MSU’s dean of the college of education and human services, is also a member of the educational transition team.

Five members in the subcommittee represent higher education, three represent civic or advocacy groups, two represent charter schools, three represent legal, testing and teaching.

• Carlos Lejnieks, president and CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Essex Hudson and Union Counties • Stig Leschly, founder and managing partner, Newark Charter School Fund • Pablo Munoz, superintendent of Elizabeth Public Schools • Frank Palatucci, president of the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association • Michael Pallente, principal at Robert Treat Academy Charter School

OTHER MEMBERS OF TEAM

• Patrick Pelosi, interim superintendent of schools, Morris County Vocational School District

• Chris Angelillo, principal at Kittatinny Regional High School

• Mike Ritacco, superintendent of the Toms River School District

• Richard Bozza, executive director of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators

• Bret Schundler, chief operating officer, The King's College

• Ross Danis, associate dean of education at Drew University

• Lawrence Schwartz, managing director of Schwartz Simon Edelstein Celso & Zitomer and a former NJSBA president

• Peter Denton, chairman and founder of Excellent Education for Everyone • Kristen Hennessey, teacher and NJEA Member • Sister Rosemary Jeffries, president of Georgian Court University • Kurt Landgraf, president of Educational Testing Service

• Shelley Skinner, advocacy chair of the New Jersey Charter School Association • Luis Vargas, project director, Perth Amboy Alliance for Community (PAAC) • Brian Zychowski, superintendent of the North Brunswick Township School District

- - Gerald Flores

Blanton: First Dorm to Receive Wireless Services The Department of information Technology announced on Wednesday Dec. 9, that it will extend wireless Internet services to all residence halls on campus, starting with Blanton Hall.

“By tackling Blanton first, we have gained valuable experience that will ensure the remaining residence hall instillations go relatively quickly and smoothly,” the department said in a recent statement.

A three-phase project, the first part of the plan has already begun.

Testing and tuning of the wireless network in Blanton Hall will contin-

ue until it’s declared officially ready for use on Dec. 22.

Officials say that Blanton Hall was chosen as the first location, because it is one of the largest residence halls and is one of the most architecturally challenging buildings to have an effective wireless network. Residents can begin using the wireless network immediately, although Internet services may be unavailable at times due to testing.

- - Gerald Flores

Sigma Delta Phi Suspension Bill Found Unconstitutional Bill Proposal Moved to Next Semester

Sigma Delta Phi was charged with alleged hazing back in November.

MSU officials had suspended the sorority. The Student Government Association had suspended them as well, in order to respect the school’s decision and the statutes of Article 5, Section 1, which states that the sorority has to be in good standing with the school, Sigma Delta Phi’s suspension bill was called unconstitutional by the SGA justices this past week. The bill was taken back on Dec. 8, due to wording which was deemed unconstitutional.

The judicial branch stated that,

“Be it further resolved that the Greek Council holds their place in the Inter-Sorority Council Subhouse.” The bill was found to be a contradiction and was written up and presented at the SGA meeting on Dec. 2.

The sorority received a letter from the SGA on Nov. 23 after an ongoing police investigation. The details of the alleged hazing and whether or not the sorority is charged of the alleged hazing has not been released.

There’s expected to be a new suspension bill proposal next semester.

- - Kelly Jones

SUMMER SESSION

December 10, 2009 • The Montclarion

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Stay on Track May 17-August 26, 2010 Schedule posted online around December 1, 2009 MAY S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 30 31 25 26 27 28 29

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No Classes May 31 and July 5 � No Friday Classes 1st Three-Week Session: May 17- June 3 � 1st Four-Week Session: May 17-June 10 2nd Four-Week Session: June 14-July 8 3rd Four-Week Session: July 12-Aug. 5

1st Six-Week Session: 2nd Six-Week Session: � Eight-Week Session: � Twelve-Week Session: � August Three-Week Session: Aug. 9-26

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Web registration begins: �

April 5 for Montclair State Students � April 14 for Visiting Students Summer Registration may be completed through the first day of the course on a space available basis.

Telephone Directory For additional departmental information, go to: www.montclair.edu click MSU A-Z Index Academic Advising ......................................973-655-7114 Admissions (Undergraduate, transfer, visiting)............4444 Bookstore ..................................................................5460 Bursar (student accounts) ..........................................4105 Dining Services ..........................................................7707 Financial Aid ..............................................................4461 Graduate School..........................................................5147 I-card Office (student ID) ..........................................4147 Library ........................................................................4291 Parking ......................................................................7580 Police..........................................................................5222 Registrar ....................................................................4376 Residential Education & Services (Housing) ..............5188 Summer Sessions ........................................................4352 University IT Help Desk (computer related issues) ....7971 Winter Session ............................................................4352

Summer Sessions

E-mail: summer@montclair.edu � Voice: 973-655-4352 � Fax: 973-655-7851 *The University reserves the right to cancel courses, change faculty and/or room assignments, modify its calendar, make adjustments to the course schedule and the availability of the Web registration system.

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The Montclarion • December 10, 2009

Holidays Continued From Page 1

cutting back their holiday shopping expenses this year.

According to the Monthly Labor Review, the average college student earns $453 a month and has monthly expenses of $200-250. Students at MSU shared their tips for stretching each available dollar this holiday season.

Michael Volpe, a senior English major, says that Amazon.com is an easy way to buy gifts online.

“They offer free shipping on tons of items and you can pretty much

find anything you want,” Volpe said.

“Since Black Friday, they’ve put different items on sale. You basically never have to leave your house.”

Consumer Reports warns that shoppers should be careful of free shipping scams on the Internet, but confirms that Amazon.com offers free shipping on most orders of $25 or more and has a clear-cut shipping policy. Regifting is another way to pinch pennies during this holiday season. According to Regiftable.com, you should only regift new, unopened

gifts that are not handmade or oneof-a-kind. The website also suggests that you should always use new wrapping paper or gift bags and remember to not give the gift to someone who may know the original giver.

“If it’s done tastefully, regifting benefits everyone,” said Irene Hernandez, a BFA Acting major. “The recipient of the gift can enjoy something in a way the [giver] didn’t …

It’s recycling, except a little more generous.” Another alternative is not giving a physical gift at all. Making

the expression “it’s the thought that counts” tangible, senior Brittney Dunn suggests giving the gift of well wishes.

“Send an e-mail to your friends with an inspiring quote or message personalized for them,” Dunn says.

“It’s all about the energy you send out into the universe.”

Dunn says she got this idea from watching an episode of Friends and plans on sending her friends personal messages this year instead of buying gifts.

HOLIDAYS &THE RECESSION HAVE STUDENTS CUT BACK?

Complied by Erica Marta Anagnos-Chevere

Freshman Jenna Wortmann

Sophomore Sarah Steinbach

For a freshman getting used to Montclair State and the entire college experience, having no time to make money is a completely new game. Freshman Jenna Wortmann is seeing the difference already.

As far as her buying presents for loved ones this year, “I never really paid for Christmas presents before,” she laughed.

“Either my parents would give me money, or my dad would [buy] if it was a present for my mom.”

She said that this year she would probably still not be buying any presents because she just had a minor car accident and she had to pay for the repairs herself.

She will be trying to make up some of that money by working extra hours at the pizzeria she works at. Usually, Wortmann works during the day, but the freshman plans on taking night shifts as well. Working nights will be only for winter break until school starts again. Since she and her family are not taking a winter break vacation, she can work as much as possible.

Wortmann and her family usually go on a vacation every summer, yet she said that this year they did not even take their annual family vacation because of how bad the economy is.

For sophomore Sarah Steinbach, Christmas is looking a bit brighter this year. When asked if she would be cutting back on the number of gifts she would be purchasing or on their costs, she simply replied, “No, actually. This is the first time I have a really good job, so I want to splurge on my family since I haven’t in the past.”

Steinbach is putting a limit on some gifts though, such as those between herself and her friends. She mentioned that she and her best friend decided on a limit of $20 for each other and a limit of $50 for another friend.

Steinbach said she is trying to stay positive during the holidays, despite the economy’s status, because she feels that when purchasing gifts for special people in your life, money should not be a thought because the gift should be about love.

“If you base everything on how poorly the economy is doing, you will be depressed and have anxiety and be upset all of the time, instead of staying positive and looking at all the good in your life that doesn’t deal with money because that is what the holidays are all about, family.”

Junior Rebecca Fontana

Junior Christina Nunes

Junior Rebecca Fontana plans on saving money this holiday season and said that she will not be spending as much money on gifts as she has in the past.

She says that coupons are also helping her along the way.

“I went to the mall last week and had a coupon for every store I went to, so that helped a lot,” she said. To also ensure that she will be making more money before next semester begins, she will be working overtime, even though the store’s sales are slightly down from last year.

“Of course I will be working a lot,” she said. “This is the busiest season of the year and I need the hours after working part time all semester.” In addition, Fontana and her family will not be taking a big family vacation this year, because last year they went to California, which was out of the ordinary for them.

They will most likely stay in the N.J./N.Y. area.

“Most of my relatives live around here, so it’s convenient and cheaper too.”

“This holiday season, I am spending just as much as I always do,” junior Christina Nunes said. “I love buying gifts for my loved ones and seeing the happy look on their faces as they open them.”

This season Nunes said she will buy the same amount of presents for her family and friends, but because of the economy, she will be spending less on those gifts.

Nunes has funds saved that she will be using on this year’s Christmas shopping. She expects to start working come mid-December and make back all of the money she will be spending on gifts and more.

As far as her gifts for her friends are concerned, “We always do a secret Santa. So instead of buying 10 gifts, we only have to buy one and then we go out to dinner together,” she said. “It helps save stress and money, since we are all college students and know how fast our money goes!”

Junior Ashley Enste

Senior Lorena Perez

Junior Ashley Enste is one student who is not worried about money this Christmas.

As far as her family is concerned though, they will not be shopping as much as she is. This is because her mother is not working much anymore and her father now has much more to pay for.

The money she will be spending on family and friends is going to be slightly replenished by the amount of work she will be doing over the winter break.

Though she is not worried about spending money on her holiday shopping, the Enste family will be saving some money, since she is taking a winter class and her family will not be taking a winter vacation. But as far as her shopping goes, she will be going all out for the ones that she loves and her list of who to shop for is already set.

“I only do close relatives and only three best friends and a secret Santa for the rest.”

Senior Lorena Perez, loves to shop. Unfortunately for her, this year will not be like years before, as far as shopping for the holidays is concerned.

“I am definitely not doing big shopping this year,” she said. “I have been unemployed since last year and it just hasn’t been the same.”

She said that in order to save some additional money, she and her boyfriend will be splitting the cost of Christmas gifts this year and she says the gifts they purchase will be small ones.

Purchasing as many gifts as she had in the past is not possible this year because she cannot afford it, nor is there the possibility of a big trip this year with her family. Perez is staying positive though, as she and her family are looking forward to what the future will bring.

“We are all looking forward to 2010, in hopes things will get better.”

December 10, 2009 • The Montclarion

Junior Alyssa DeSilva

“I’ve only shopped for one person and that was my best friend, so I didn’t cut back on that because she is my best friend,” junior Alyssa DeSilva said.

DeSilva knows that her budget is not as plentiful as it had been in the past due to today’s economy, so she is making some budget cuts when it comes to this year’s Christmas shopping list.

DeSilva says she will continue to work over the break at the front desk as a Community Assistant (CA) here on campus to make some extra money before the spring semester commences.

“My family doesn’t normally take big vacations over winter break,” she added. “The only thing that will be changing for Alyssa will be how many presents she buys for family and friends. “As far as presents are concerned, I will be buyer fewer gifts because of my budget.”

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Junior Dinah Polk

It seems that many students are feeling the same way in regards to this year’s Christmas season. The lower the funds, the fewer the presents that will be purchased.

Junior Dinah Polk said that her family has decided to do a light Christmas this year, instead of spending too much money.

Polk, who works a heavy schedule normally, says that working over winter break will not be anything new as she is used to working all of the time all year round. The junior has come up with ways in which to cut back on Christmas gifts, without cutting back on the Christmas spirit

“Me and my boyfriend actually decided to do a stocking filled with cute stuffers instead of big expensive gifts to save money,” she said.

As far as taking a winter break vacation is concerned, she added that she and her family do not regularly take vacations during the holiday season, so time will be spent at home with family and friends.

Work Orders Continued From Page 1

ment, in which he “made some slight adjustments” but fixed the problem with the toilet.

“No one has come in to look at the mold in the bathroom, which was also included in the work order,” the junior said.

Zygadlo mentioned that a service assistant came to check up on her work orders to see if they were all completed, but they never mentioned the first work order on her toilet or the mold.

Junior Dinah Polk has had much to complain about. When she first moved in, her apartment had been flooded, with no reason given.

Maintenance came right away and vacuumed up all the water, and left two fans to air out the rugs and the apartment.

However, this left an awful stench in the girls’ apartment and about two work orders were put in before someone came in to shampoo the rugs.

After that, the issue was cleared. It wasn’t until a while ago that Polk realized from a guest that her bathroom ceiling and wall are covered in green mold.

“I have really bad asthma and allergies, but with how long work orders are taking, I don’t even want to bother putting a work order in, because I feel it won’t get done in a timely manner," she said.

Greg Bressler, vice president for university facilities, said that for all

residence halls from Sept. 1 to Nov. 30, there have been 3,171 work orders; 1,732 of those work orders have been completed and closed out.

There are additional work orders that have been completed, but not yet closed out. For the Clove Road Apartments alone, in the past three months, there have been 454 work orders opened up and 255 have been completed. However, there are still 199 work orders that are not yet

process was slower on paper.

The process in which work orders are done is how immediately urgent they are. Gas leaks and mold are examples of incidents that get done immediately. Plumbing or lighting is put in a queue until the next day, if it doesn’t need to be done immediately or isn’t thought of as a priority.

“What we do is look at it and ask ourselves if it is something that has to be dealt with now.”

Ways to submit a work order - TMA iService Desk webpage where you can • Submit work requests • List open and Closed Work Orders • Query for selected work requests and work orders • Check status of work requests and work orders • Submit key requests • http://maintenancesrv.montclair.edu/home.html - Phone: (973) 655-5444 - E-mail: ServiceDesk@mail.montclair.edu - In Person: University Hall 5100 - Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday: 7 a.m.-10:30 p.m., Friday: 7 a.m.8 p.m.

- http://www.montclair.edu/facilities/

closed out. Fifty-three percent of Clove’s work orders have been completed.

Students can now fill out work order forms electronically. Since it is all automated, it is easier for the system and staff to manage the form, and the

Bressler stated that if any students have any problems, they should put in a work order. This makes the order easier to track, because it has its own number.

Bressler also stressed the fact that all students could put in a work order

whether it be through e-mail, phone, in person or on the webpage.

“If the problem is not resolved in several days, e-mail me directly.

That way, I can track the order number and know exactly what is going on and route the work order to the appropriate department.”

When asked if maintenance is understaffed, Bressler replied, “Maintenance is not understaffed. Sometimes we have difficulty understanding what the priority is. But if there’s anything that keeps students from enjoying their rooms, they should inform the department about it immediately.”

It may seem like work orders are slowly getting completed, but they, in fact, are. It may seem slow, but everyone has their own definition of what an emergency or priority is.

When confronted about Agnone’s missing blinds, Bressler stated he was sorry, that no one should have to wait that long and that she should have e-mailed him.

"If she did that," Bressler said, “the blinds would have taken three days to get installed instead of three months.”

If anyone believes their work orders are being ignored, Bressler wants them to e-mail him directly at bresslerg@mail.montclair.edu. Students can also contact Walter Eddy, Director of Maintenance and Engineering, at eddyw@mail.montclair.edu.

When junior Michelle Agnone moved into the Clove Road Apartments, she had to put up garbage bags in place of blinds, since there were none when she arrived. Agnone did not receive any until Thanksgiving.

Greg Bressler, vice president of university facilities, said that if Agnone contacted him directly, the blinds would have been installed within three days instead of three months.

Bebhinn Zimmerman | The Montclarion

8

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Top 3 Holiday Gifts MacBook: lightweight laptop, perfect for the student on your list!

Sony Pocket Reader: gives a new meaning to easy reading. Download books to the palm of your hand and you can take this gift anywhere! Plus, it’s a great way for you to carry your e-texts next semester too!

Playstation3: Just because they’re reducing the price doesn’t mean they’re reducing the need! Plays Blu-ray disks as well as regular movies and other features too numerous to mention.

Shop at Yahoo! for more Holiday Gifts!

He said

Photos courtesy of Yahoo shopping.

She said

Q: What do you get a new girlfriend for Christmas?

Well, h e r e ’ s , probably, the best strategy I can give you for finding the best present for the object of your affection.

First, go to your nearJohn Pope Graphics Editor est retail jeweler.

Then, empty out the contents of your wallet, letting the retail agent count your cash while informing you of the limits of all of your credit cards.

Then, ask for the location to the nearest asylum, because you should probably commit yourself for following my directions to this point.

Two months is relatively nothing in the long run for any kind of relationship. You may be madly in love with this girl.

You might think she’s your soulmate. Hell, you could know everything about her because of that file you stole from the F.B.I. Truthfully, if this girl hasn’t seen your dirty laundry, met all your friends and had dinner with your momma, she’s little more than a friend with benefits. What you really need to do, first and foremost, is spend some more time with the girl. I’m sure she has a birthday coming up anyway.

Secondly, and more importantly, if you’re really asking me this question, you’re up the creek without a paddle.

I mean, you probably asked your mom about this too and she probably said the same exact thing I’m telling you now.

Two months is nothing. Really, what you should be doing is paying more attention to her, because, honestly, if she wants something, she’ll be dropping signs about it left and right.

Go, talk to her about it right now (after you’re done with this article, I mean).

Though, I’m not saying you should run up and just ask her what she wants, because most girls are just going to say nothing. The girl that you’re feeling those fuzzy feelings for probably just wants to see you at this point.

So go out and celebrate this time with that girl, because that nasty, freaky, absolutely crazy fun time is only going to happen once.

Go out and enjoy it, because you need to learn more about her so you can tell what she wants.

Now, onto your actual question: if you like this girl enough to consider buying her a present this early on, don’t ask anyone.

Don’t consider other people’s opinions on the subject. Finally, don’t think.

You’re at a point right now where you’re thinking entirely with your heart (well, not entirely if you catch my drift) and truthfully, you should work with that tool as best you can.

Go out and find something that plucks at your heart strings just the way she does, because if there’s a resonance in the music, you’re probably in harmony.

Sincerely, Dizzy Boyfriend

So the holidays are around the corner and you haven’t the slightest clue what to get your special someone … well first off, breathe.

It’s only been two months, so there Jade Moskovitz is no need Staff Writer to purchase diamonds, but at the same time you don’t want to label yourself as a “cheapo.” So where should you draw the line? Here are some pointers to help with your holiday dilemma: Tip 1: Read between the lines.

Unfortunately, when holiday gift exchange is discussed and your significant other says, “No really, I don’t want anything! Having you is enough!” it does not mean you are off the hook and that no gift is the best gift. Come on, we all know that as nice as it is to give gifts on the holiday, it’s always nice to be surprised with one in return. So considering the fact that dismissing the whole holiday gift exchange ritual would possibly label you as stingy, start brainstorming on what gift you think he/she would like.

Tip 2: Go window shopping.

Granted, you have only known each other for a short period of time and are probably not even sure what

they are interested in. Easy fix, take a trip to the mall. It gives you a chance to spend some quality time together and knock some holiday shopping out of the way.

Plus, girls have a tendency to drop hints, big hints. If a girl’s walking past a store and comments on how much she loves a pair of shoes or a shirt one time, it could be for the sake of starting a conversation, but if she mentions it twice she’s not doing it for her health. So without emptying your wallet, take notice and maybe try getting some ideas as to what she wants for the holiday. Guys tend to be more subtle.

I feel like anything sports or food related is a guaranteed route to a man’s happiness, but I guess it all depends.

Tip 3: Put a limit on your spending. Don’t stress yourselves out, it’s been two months, not two years. I mean, your lover isn’t with you for your money (hopefully), so it shouldn’t be a mind boggling issue.

On the other hand, we all want to make our special someone happy, so place a limit on your spending.

Set a price range that is reasonable for you and your wallet. If you are comfortable enough in your relationship, you may even want to talk about how much to spend. As a college student, it’s ok to be broke.

To be completely honest, homemade gifts go straight to the heart.

Cheesy, I know. But if a guy spends the time to make something for me, I think it goes a lot further than any gift he could ever give me.

Email your questions to msufeature@gmail.com

The Montclarion • December 10, 2009

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10 FEATURE

The Montclarion • December 10, 2009

Exploring Bloomfield Avenue: The Plaza Diner

day-to-day kind of things you expect old men to discuss.

A young family sat Sick of (or from) the food on campus? at the booth behind Take a short ride with me to explore me. A tired-looking the culinary diversity along the historic man sat alone at thoroughfare that is Bloomfield Avenue a booth across the — on a college student’s budget, of course. room wearing a baseball cap and You didn’t think I was going to get drinking coffee. An all the way down Bloomfield Avenue autographed photo without sampling some good old-fashof Joe Pesci was ioned diner food, did you? The Plaza framed on the wall Diner in Bloomfield offers just that. next to a print of the “Coffee?” asked the woman behind the Virgin Madonna. counter immediately upon my sitting The food arrived down, not looking up from her notepad. promptly.

And Though she was old enough to be my diner food it was — grandmother, she did not miss a beat not worthy of the and was tearing efficiently through her pen under normal work of taking and placing orders, runcircumstances, but ning food, cashing checks, making coffamiliar and cerfee and greeting customers. She spoke tainly satisfying in a heavy accent that I couldn’t place. nonetheless. After I asked for a menu and she obliged.

I ordered a coffee to After some quick deliberation, I decidgo, the bill came to ed on French toast, Canadian bacon, $11.00. I thanked coffee and orange juice. There were a my waitress and number of elderly men at the counter walked through the door and out onto eating breakfast and discussing the Bloomfield Avenue. I thought of all the people who have walked through that door in the past.

Plaza Diner Just another road126 Bloomfield Avenue side diner this place is not. It’s something Bloomfield, NJ 07003 much more than 973-748-3646 that; a place where people go for comfort, work, rest and Price per Meal — $7.00+ to be with important people in their Miles from Campus — 8.1 lives. And thus is Scott W. Buchanan STAFF WRITER

Scott W. Buchanon|The Montclarion

the often forgotten, but absolutely irreplaceable, role of food in our lives.

A fitting end to what has been a semester-long exploration of the culinary diversity along a local road that spans community and history. This series of articles has shone only a modest light on what this thoroughfare has to offer.

I didn’t even get into Newark, which has undoubtedly the most to offer in

terms of variety! It would take much more than a semester to sample the true range and abundance of eateries along Bloomfield Avenue with any adequacy.

But, there is no substitute for experience. The best way to learn about food is to taste it. Perhaps, there is no better way to celebrate the end of semester and to be reminded of what’s important in this world than a meal with friends.

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Shakespeare at MSU As You Like It Performed and Interpreted Jesse Cohen Staff Writer

Montclair State’s interpretation of Shakespeare’s As You Like It took place in modern America, with modern gestures and enthusiasm as well as a soundtrack of modern musical numbers.

The audience, therefore, enjoyed Shakespeare and embraced the concept along with the context, chuckling and giving a standing ovation. The diverse cast contributed an enthusiasm all their own.

With the modern allure of American culture and depth, you could see the audience getting into Shakespeare as it was touched in such an effective, interpretive way.

As You like It, a comedy by William Shakespeare based on the novel Rosalynde by Thomas

Lodge, is a pastoral comedy originally set in a forest away from the kingdom. Rosaline, in love with Orlando, is exiled by the Duke and sets on a mission to find her father as she recaptures her love for him through comic circumstance and her overall cunning. Disguised as a boy, Rosaline plots to lay low and reunite with the characters.

Surprises, mainly comic, were passed along the lines of Shakespeare’s plot as the modern sentimentality was conveyed The original language was not lost through the fun, spirited and familiar atmosphere of our country and its characteristics.

Rosaline, played by Rachel Camp, brought a charm the size of a throbbing heart, with her sharp wit and her overall consistent presence on stage as the central conspirator behind the machinations in the play.

Touchstone, played by Phil Corso, was not only witty but vibrant at times, as he made the journey inviting to the audience and kept the flare of Shakespeare’s style authentic.

Jacques was a memorable character played by a firm actor, Sarah Grodsky. The dynamic between Rosaline and her cousin Celia, played by Erin Harris really kept the audience’s attention and made the play extraordinary.

Rosaline’s love, Orlando, played

by Christian Castro, had both a very commanding and spirited presence, and delivered a sensitive power inherent in the character he played.

You could see a remarkably ridiculous, but appropriate, wrestling segment played uproariously by the actor playing Charles, Steven Ginn Jr. Slyvius, Anthony Knotts, as well as his desired

Phebe, Madison Houck, gave merit to the comic array Shakespeare has endowed in this play by adding to the overall conflict and timing of the plot’s design.

Jacque gave the play an explicitly deeper and more thoughtful, melancholy dimension, while the whole company maintained their various layers as well.

The musicians of the forest, or farm in this version, were a nice touch and made the show a full experience. It set the mood for a Americanized folklore, but still portrayed one that was generated off the origins of theatre and performance itself.

Everyone had their moments.

There was an impeccable pace through the whole play. The actors played off and literally played with the audience. Phebe could be seen sitting on an old man’s lap in the audience in a sexually energized moment.

Believable and dramatic fight scenes are thanks to Christopher V. Edwards, the flawless sound was contributed by Christina Verde and the inventive director was Juliette Fain Lawrence.

Not only was the play thoroughly entertaining, but it was moving as well. There was a good direction in the utilization of contrasting straight drama and comedy through the whole thing.

The play thematically touches on role play and love, and of course Shakespeare’s own insight about the importance of language is woven throughout the dialogue.

Jacques says the famous words, “The world is a stage and we are merely players.”

The Howard Fox Theatre had a good feeling within it, housing the audience comfortably, supplying good aucoustics and an overall good heating. The show runs from Dec. 4-11.

Top Ten Movies of the Decade Part II of II: Movies 5-1

Blaine Bridges Arts & Entertainment Assistant

No Country for Old Men 2007 — It’s a hard thing to look back and see the past for what it was or to accept a future made of bad decisions. In the beginning of the film, Sheriff Bell (Tommy Lee Jones) laments the terrible state of things, “Sometimes you have to say ok. I’ll be a part of this world.”

One could argue that No Country for Old Men is nihilistic, but that’s too convenient of an explanation. Its frustrating ending paints a grim portrait, but the choices that led to its conclusion are often overlooked.

There are no easy solutions for the wrongs committed and that’s the point. Most of the time, you have to live with what you’ve done.

All the characters in the film make excuses for their actions or inaction. They hide behind noble illusions; a dim veil of so called better times, a sense of entitlement or even something as simple as a coin toss. It’s a voyage of time and a matter of agency. They’ve been putting it up all their lives and they just didn’t know it. Fate is a matter of choice and once we choose it, we’re responsible.

When Llewellyn Moss (Josh Brolin) stumbles upon a drug trade gone horribly awry, he decides to take the two million dollars left behind, setting off

an unstoppable cycle of violence.

He is stalked by Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem), one of the most memorable and lethal psychopaths to come to the silver screen in recent years.

The film is a brooding masterpiece of cowardliness. It’s ruthless, savage and completely uncompromising. No Country for Old Men has the ambition to tell a story on no one’s terms, except with a cold and methodical logic.

Too often, its relentless theme is mistaken for apathy, but its motivation is simpler than that; once you’ve made your decision, you can’t stop what’s coming.

Adaptation 2002 — “Why can’t there be a movie simply about flowers?” Why can’t a film just exist without being artificially plot driven? Does it have to be crammed with sex and violence? Do characters have to learn profound life lessons and overcome obstacles to succeed in the end? Life just isn’t like that.

There are no rules or even principals in screenwriting.

Writing is a journey into the unknown. It’s not like building model airplanes. Or is it? Is it?

It can’t be that simple. I need a muffin, a banana nut muffin.

That would be good. That would help me think.

Adaptation is in the running for the craziest film about writing ever produced. The film itself is also a cerebral re-imagining of the New York Times bestseller, The Orchid Thief. A product of

Charlie Kaufmen’s writers block, the movie weaves his experiences writing the screenplay, excerpts from the novel and a ludicrous fantasy world in which he has a twin brother (also a screenwriter) and the books author and its real life characters are drug addicts.

What makes this film work is simple; at its heart, it’s a personal examination of our social fears and anxieties. Nicolas Cage (playing Charlie Kaufmen) is not a typical everyman but is nebbish and longing in private ways.

He creates a beautiful foil for reality as both the lonely Charlie and his spirited brother Donald.

It is strange, but heartfelt and honest.

Adaptation presents different world views embodied by several writers and their techniques (including screenwriting guru Robert Mckee). As they peddle their advice and philosophy, they cause Charlie to re-evaluate himself and question his own writing convictions. One thing is clear, if you don’t have a story, you have to make one up.

Let the Right One In, Swedish 2008 — There are few horror films that successfully evoke both malevolence and tenderness. Even typing that sentence sounds like an oxymoron. But Let the Right One In is not a typical scary movie, it’s a gem of childhood angst— understated and bittersweet. It’s also an un-

orthodox and entirely refreshing take on vampires.

In an age where vampires have become generic, Let the Right One In dares to be upfront and violent. Its somber, spooky atmosphere creates an air of authenticity that Hollywood vampire films lack. This movie successfully challenges all the conceptions that American audiences have about the undead.

In the place of a sexually charged and ultimately defanged antihero, the film channels all the loneliness and misunderstanding of being young. The quirky weirdness, the isolation and sense of self discovery associated with growing up makes a fine parallel to timelessness and agelessness.

The movie’s main character, Osker, is bullied and repressed until he meets Eli, his new nextdoor neighbor, a strange little girl who only comes out at night.

The relationship they form is the centerpiece of the movie. Coinciding with her arrival, a series of savage murders and strange disappearances plague Osker’s town.

What makes the movie so great is the simplicity of its storytelling. The film is small, simply a gateway to imply ideas far more personal and sincere than just about all of its contemporaries.

At its heart, Let the Right One In is about the immensity of human nature.

Inglourious Basterds 2009

— Like some mythic western in Nazi-occupied France, Quentin Tarintino’s Inglourious Basterds is rollicking pop apocalypse, the kind of giddy and delirious farce created in your most brutal fantasies. In this case, its audacity is summarized by a giant face cackling maniacally through smoke and gun fire.

Rather than spoil one of the greatest finales in the last decade, just know that this film is exactly why I go to the movies.

In addition to being ridiculously funny and very suspenseful, this film purports what is probably the most subversive and misunderstood last acts in all of cinema.

It’s a joke played against the audience, for the audience and by the audience. Not just brilliant because it incriminates you, but genius as it shows you in a glass and lets you have your cake and eat it too.

The film opens with Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz), the greatest villain of the decade, as he makes a lazy route to a dairy farm perched atop a hill in a remote French countryside. As a cunning officer in the S.S., he is assigned to uncover any missing Jews that slipped through the system. The dairy farmer has been sheltering Jews and Colonel Landa uses his menace and charm to wring him of the truth After a bloody confrontation ensues, a little girl, Shoshana Ten Continued on Page 15

14 A&E

The Montclarion • December 10, 2009

Phish is Back Dana Sobel Staff Writer

The bitter drizzle did not stop Phish “phans” from congregating in front of Madison Square Garden this past Wednesday, for Phish’s opening night. They opened with a classic AC/DC Bag, followed by a standard, “Chalk Dust Torture,” that some fans argue has been overplayed this tour. Next, bassist Mike Gordon teased rifts from “Wolfman’s Brother,” and the crowd went nuts. They played an extremely funky version of this, compliments of Gordon and pianist Paige McConnell, who chimed in with a solo, then reverted back to Gordon’s funk. After a couple of minutes of jamming, Paige thumped on the keys and got the band back into the familiar “Wolfman’s beat,” bringing the song to an end, but starting the beginning of “NICU,” strong and tight. Next, they busted out “Ocelot,” a new tune from their recently released album, Joy, but obviously not a fan favorite just yet. If you went to the Philly shows, then you also heard this last Wednesday night. They turned “Ocelot” into a lengthy jam and the song lasted about 10 minutes long. Cheer up! If you were disappointed by some of these regulars, give the boys time — they always come around.

And come around they did: after “Brian and Robert,” a great “Poor Heart” and “Sample In A Jar,” Phish busted out Frank Zappa’s “Peaches en Regalia.” This was only the 39th time Phish has ever played this song. The last time it was played was Sept. 24, 1999. This tune revved up older fans as they basked in nostalgia and the roaring venue was a testament to that.

“The Divided Sky,” a natural favorite for most Phish phans, was played to perfection, and the middle section where Trey holds out a note got more howls than any song all night. He held out the note for a whole minute, leaving the phans to create their own music — applause and shouting.

As the song came to an end, they busted out “Cavern” to close the set.

Set two opened with “Golgi Apparatus,” and everyone could feel the energy

in the room at this point. They segued into “Light,” another song off their new album Joy, and a song that opens up to much exploration, lasting about 17 minutes. They played right on through “Slave To The Traffic Light,” and then into “Tweezer,” which showcased Phish heads from all generations gyrating to the spacey, dark and funky song. Next came “Joy,” which got much critique coming off of “Tweezer.”

They took a breather before jumping into “Sparkle,” at which time the entire arena was jumping and squealing, “Laughing, Laughing, Fall Apart” with the fab four. It was at this point that the ground started to shift beneath everyone, as it does at Madison Square Garden, since the venue is suspended. This was a great point in the show and the energy was as luminous as Chris Kuroda’s lights had been the entire night.

“Harry Hood,” one of Phish’s oldest songs and a phan favorite, was played next and they showed us just why they have been playing it for the past 26 years.

Next, they dove into “Wading in the Velvet Sea,” a tune usually sung by McConnell, but tonight the four sung the chorus together, with McConnel singing solo only during the verses. A little bit of a disappointment, but a gorgeous song, nonetheless. Next, they smashed into “Suzy Greenberg,” which woke phans up from the previous slow melody and got everyone bumping again.

For many, the last song of the set, “Run Like an Antelope,” was the song that sealed the deal for this show. However, it was not the set list that was so magical this opening night, but the care and precision in which these oldies were played.

They encored with The Beatles’ “A Day in the Life” and then broke out into their infamous “Tweezer Reprise,” a song that always gets everyone going because it’s just so freaking good! If you haven’t had the opportunity to listen to it, I could not suggest anything better. All in all, this was a great first night at the Garden and this set list leaves much to be anticipated for the next two nights here.

“Wonderful Christmas Time” by Paul McCarteny John Pope, Graphics Editor “Mr. Hanky the Christmas Poo” from South Park Blaine Bridges, Assistant Arts & Entertainment Editor “The Hanukkah Song” (1 and 2) by Adam Sandler Emily Golloub, Arts & Entertainment Editor “Last Christmas” from Glee Kulsoom Rivizi, News Editor “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” by Bruce Springsteen Kristie Cattafi, Editor-in-Chief “Santa Baby” by Madonna Dinah Polk, Assistant Feature Editor “Christmas When You Were Mine” by Taylor Swift Rebecca Fontana, Assistant Copy Editor “The Monster Mash” by Bobby “Boris” Pickett Lou Cunningham, Main Editorial Cartoonist

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“Christmas Wrapping” by The Waitresses Katherine Milsop, Opinion Editor “The Twelve Days of Christmas” by Straight No Chaser Katie Winters, Assistant Copy Editor “All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth” by Spike Jones and His City Slickers Nelson DePasquale, Sports Editor “Old City Bar” by Trans Siberian Orcastra James Carolan, Webmaster “The Hanukkah Song” (3) by Adam Sandler Sam Gherman, Business Manager

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“Carol of the Bells” by August Runs Red Robert Aitken, Production Editor “Christmas Don’t Be Late” by Alvin and the Chipmunks Mike Monostra, Assistant Sports Editor “Carol of the Old Ones” by The Arkham Carolers Mike Campbell, Managing Editor “Jingle Bell Rock” by Bobby Helms Amanda Balbi, Feature Editor

December 10, 2009 • The Montclarion

Ten

A&E 15

Continued from Page 13

Dreyfus, escapes his clutches.

The Basterds are the culmination of every war time wet dream, an elite killing squad composed of really angry Hebrews.

They have one purpose, kill Nazis. Led by Aldo Ray (Brad Pitt), the group lands in France and wreaks bloody havoc.

Eventually, they meet up with an older Shoshana (now played with brooding by Melanie Laurent) and hatch a scheme to end the war once and for all. But Landa is behind them every step of the way.

You have to be a bitter, callous individual not to be riled by the intensity and sheer film making extravaganza Inglorious Basterds embodies.

In all of his career, Tarintino has fought accusations of peddling mindless violence.

Here he gives us his answer. It’s just a

movie The Lives of Others German 2006 — One of the greatest films about East Berlin during the cold war; The Lives of Others, is a frightening, honest and stunning examination of government intrusion.

What elevates this film above its often heavy-handed counterparts is its willingness to explore the Stasi’s (Germany’s secret police) own philosophies.

The film is deft in its understanding of human nature, both the coldness and hope that exists simultaneously within desperate places and desperate hours.

Populated with passionate and damaged characters, Florian Henckel Von Donnersmark’s screenplay explores the most humbling and inspiring moments of three individual’s lives.

Georg Dreyman is an acclaimed socialist playwright, one of the few public figures not under scrutiny by a paranoid government. When a corrupt politician falls in lust of his girlfriend, Dreyman comes under the eye of the Stasi. Assigned to dig dirt on Germany’s most acclaimed artist, Christa, a devoted and brilliant policeman, places him under tight surveillance. Meanwhile Dreyman is convinced by his friends to join a movement against the oppressive regime.

The Lives of Others is filled with a chilling and unnerving sense of suspense.

But that suspense comes from the most unlikely of places. In one of the great scenes in film history Christa, spying on Dreyman, is struck with a remarkable revelation that his life has been devoted

to a very dubious cause.

Changed to his core, Christa begins to erase and hide all of Dreyman’s revolutionary activities, despite increasing suspicion against himself.

One of the most beautiful and haunting moments in the film comes near the end, when all of Christa’s tampering finally catches up with him. As he watches a girl die. despite his efforts, he whispers painfull to her, “I was too weak. I can never put it right — what I’ve done.”

But the film is not a tragedy and the end is as powerful and true as any last scene in history. It reminds this reviewer of these words: Because of your diligence and patience and long suffering, you shall reap the rewards of your faith, waiting for the fruit that was promised you.

1. Battle Royale directed by Kinji Fukasaku (2000) 2. The Host directed by Bong Joon-ho (2006) 3. Volver directed by Pedro Almodovar (2006) 4. The Dark Night directed by Christopher Nolan (2008) 5. High Fidelity directed by Stephen Frears (2006) 6. The Devil’s Rejects directed by Rob Zombie (2005) 7. Forgetting Sarah Marshall directed by Nocholas Stoller (2008) 8. Pans Labrinth directed by Guillermo del Toro (2006) 9. Icci the Killer directed by Takagi Miike (2001) 10. Coraline Henry directed by Selick (2009)

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The Montclarion • December 10, 2009

MSU Dining Services

Meal Plans & Red Hawk AS THE FALL SEMESTER WINDS DOWN, START PLANNING FOR SPRING 2010 AVOID THE LINES. REMOVE ONE MORE THING FROM YOUR TO DO LIST. Applications for new Meal Plan or changes to an existing meal plan for the spring semester are being accepted now. No waiting in line. Simply drop off the completed and signed application at the: Meal Plan Office

(Student Center 1st Fl.)

Changes will be made within 24 hours and charged via your WESS account for the upcoming spring semester.

LATE CHANGE REQUESTS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY DECEMBER 18, 2009

RED HAWK DOLLAR ACCOUNTS Get your Red Hawk Dollars for Spring 2010 before the semester begins!

Purchase your school books at the University Bookstore by transferring credit from financial aid to a Red Hawk Dollar account. No need to wait for your WESS account refund.

As soon as your financial aid package is listed on WESS for Spring 2010, send in the completed Account Credit Transfer Form and have your Red Hawk Dollar account ready prior to the start of the semester!

If you have any questions, please e-mail: msudiningser@mail.montclair.edu.

Thank you and we look forward to serving you!

Red Hawk Office & MSU Dining Services

How To add or change a meal plan ????

Go to the MSU web site (www.montclair.edu), select Quick Links Dining Services, Meal Plan, Student Plan and print the appropriate form

Place the completed form in the lock box outside the Meal Plan Office (Student Center1st Fl.) next door to the Computer Lab or you may fax the form to 973 655 3427 Visit the Red Hawk Dollar web site for more information on transferring credit and purchasing Red Hawk Dollars with cash, check or credit card. www.montclair.edu under MSU A-Z—Red Hawk Dollars

For your convenience, students residing at the Hotel, Village or Clove Road Apartments, as well as Commuters, may select any one of the 14 meal plans offered.

MEAL PLAN CHANGE / CANCEL FORM FALL 2009 – SPRING 2010

RED HAWK DOLLAR ACCOUNT

Name (print):___________________________ Phone: _____________________

STUDENT ACCOUNT CREDIT TRANSFER

CWID: ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ (Social Security Numbers Not Permitted) Residence: (check appropriate answer) [ ] BOHN

[ ] BLANTON

[ ] CLOVE

[ ] FREEMAN

[ ] RUSS

[ ] STONE

[ ] VILLAGE

[ ] WEBSTER

[ ] HOTEL

[ ] COMMUTER

__________________________________________________________________ Section 1: Identify your current meal plan then select the change you are requesting: 1st Year Residential Students; or all other students Current Meal Plan (check one): Change Meal Plan To (check one): ____ Constant Pass with $100.00 Flex Dollars (C) $1,560.00 ____ Constant Pass with $100.00 Flex Dollars (C) $1,560.00 ____ Constant Pass with $250.00 Flex Dollars (D) $1,710.00 ____ Constant Pass with $250.00 Flex Dollars (D) $1,710.00 ____ Constant Pass with $400.00 Flex Dollars (E) $1,860.00 ____ Constant Pass with $400.00 Flex Dollars (E) $1,860.00 nd +

2

Year Residential Students; or Clove, Village, Hotel and Commuter students Current Meal Plan (check one): Change Meal Plan To (check one): ____ 125 Block with $250.00 Flex Dollars (4) $1,645.00 ____ 125 Block with $250.00 Flex Dollars (4) $1,645.00 ____ 125 Block with $500.00 Flex Dollars (5) $1,895.00 ____ 125 Block with $500.00 Flex Dollars (5) $1,895.00 ____ 150 Block with $150.00 Flex Dollars (6) $1,600.00 ____ 150 Block with $150.00 Flex Dollars (6) $1,600.00 ____ 150 Block with $300.00 Flex Dollars (7) $1,750.00 ____ 150 Block with $300.00 Flex Dollars (7) $1,750.00 ____ 175 Block with $150.00 Flex Dollars (8) $1,665.00 ____ 175 Block with $150.00 Flex Dollars (8) $1,665.00 ____ 175 Block with $300.00 Flex Dollars (9) $1,815.00 ____ 175 Block with $300.00 Flex Dollars (9) $1,815.00 ____ 225 Block with $150.00 Flex Dollars (A) $1,725.00 ____ 225 Block with $150.00 Flex Dollars (A) $1,725.00 ____ 225 Block with $300.00 Flex Dollars (B) $1,875.00 ____ 225 Block with $300.00 Flex Dollars (B) $1,875.00

Clove, Village, Hotel and Commuter students Current Meal Plan (check one): ____ 50 Block with $100.00 Flex Dollars (1) $ 520.00 ____ 50 Block with $250.00 Flex Dollars (2) $ 670.00 ____ 50 Block with $500.00 Flex Dollars (3) $ 920.00

Change Meal Plan To (check one): ____ 50 Block with $100.00 Flex Dollars (1) $ 520.00 ____ 50 Block with $250.00 Flex Dollars (2) $ 670.00 ____ 50 Block with $500.00 Flex Dollars (3) $ 920.00

IMPORTANT Please review your WESS account to determine the amount of credit that can be transferred to a Red Hawk Dollar account BEFORE submitting form. ______________________________________________________ Student name (Print)

CWID: ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

By signing, I agree to the Dining Service Agreement on the back of this form. (Parent/guardian if student is under 18 years of age) _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ For Office Use: ______________ SIS _____________BB _____________ RMS Meals/Flex Used ______________ MP _____________FLEX _____________DEBIT/CREDIT

Montclair State University st Dining Services, 1 Normal Avenue Student Center 1 Fl. Rm. SC-006 Montclair, NJ 07043 Fax (973) 655-3427 For more info please visit www.montclair.edu/diningservices

(Social Security Numbers Not Permitted)

DOLLAR AMOUNT TO TRANSFER FROM FINANCIAL AID CREDIT TO THE RED HAWK DOLLAR ACCOUNT:

$ ________________________

X

________________________________________________________________________________________ Student’s Signature Date

Funds will be posted to the Red Hawk Dollar account within 24 hours of the form being submitted.

Use the PHIL stations (located in the Student Center 1st Fl., Sprague Library Lobby, College Hall 1st Fl.) to review your Red Hawk Dollar account balance and verify funds have been posted to your account.

Please review your WESS account for an updated billing statement.

Red Hawk Dollars – the University debit card program $1 Red Hawk Dollar equals $1 US Dollar Where can I use Red Hawk Dollars?

_____ Cancel my meal plan Signature: ________________________________Date: ____________________

__________________________ Phone #

MSU Dining facilities MSU Bookstore On campus vending machines Library copiers

Red Hawk Dollars are valid throughout the student’s career at MSU. Refunds are granted upon written request when a student withdraws, or graduates from Montclair State University. This request MUST be submitted in writing. A $15 processing fee will be applied to the refund request.

FAX COMPLETED FORM TO (973) 655-7051 OFFICE USE ONLY

SIS_______

BB______

RMS ______

MPO________

The Montclarion

opinion

MSUOpinion@gmail.com

17

Work Orders R’ Us 0

Lou Cunningham | The Montclarion

O

f all the things students at Montclair State have to deal with — financial aid, unreliable online services, the shuttles, parking, the occasional arsonist, overpriced mediocre food — mold and collapsed ceilings are two we may not have seen coming.

One of the joys that comes along with living away at college is, of course, living in dorms (Or in a hotel if you’re one of the lucky students who live in La Quinta Inn).

Things are bound to break. The buildings on campus are old, and maintenance and renovations are unavoidable. But when students have to wait three months for win-

dow shades or three weeks to have mold in their bedrooms removed, there’s something wrong.

If students need something fixed or replaced in their dorms, they must submit a work order to facilities and residential services. From Sept. 1 to Nov. 30, 3,171 work orders have been placed according to vice president for university facilities, Greg Bressler. Also, 1,732 of the orders have been completed and 1,439 are still waiting for repairs.

You can actually track work orders by the website: maintenancesrv.montclair.edu. Look up “Freeman Hall”, and you’ll see about 60 work orders submitted between Nov. 9

and Dec. 9.

Work orders are completed in order of necessity. Arguably, most of the requests are minor.

Maintenance will respond immediately to urgent requests. If your ceiling collapses or your room floods, rest assured someone will be there within a few hours to help you.

But a majority of the reports shown online are for relatively minor issues students could fix themselves.

Let’s face it, clogged toilets in your dorm are usually not the administration’s fault. And it’s absolutely ridiculous to call in maintenance and waste their time with some-

thing you can take care of yourself.

When work orders are placed for frivolous problems that students can take care of themselves, or at the very least, live with for a few weeks, they overrun the system. Students may end up waiting longer for a serious issue to be taken care of because maintenance is occupied by exaggerated and persistent complaints.

True, there have been reports of students waiting three weeks for hot water, but for the most part, the maintenance staff is pretty prompt when it comes to serious jobs.

The delays, then, are most likely caused by an ineffective system online. Should the procedure for

reporting things as minor as chirpy radiators and clogged toilets really require filling out a work order?

Bressler has asked that students who feel their work orders are being ignored e-mail him directly.

The way maintenance requests are organized and the system for submitting work orders needs to be revised.

So the next time your door knob handle is loose and you’re ready to jump online to file that work order, go ahead and grab a screwdriver.

Give it the ol’ college try.

-KM

Looking Back and to the Future

Lou Cunningham | The Montclarion

M

ontclair State University has had its fair share of ups and downs in 2009, from arsonists to being named the number one top public school in N.J. by Forbes magazine.

While we reflect on this past year at MSU, the staff of The Montclarion had equal questions and concerns about the future. Will there be jobs available? What are we going to do when we graduate in May? Can

we even afford to come back to MSU in 2010?

While it may seem like a dreary future, college is the best place to learn how to prepare for any situation.

The Montclarion has written several articles this past year offering career advice for students, such as always having an updated résumé and making sure there aren’t any pictures of you doing a keg stand from last weekend’s party up on Facebook (We wouldn’t

want any future employees to see us at our worst).

As for good ol’ MSU, in 2009 the campus is also taking special measures to work towards the future. Frank Sinatra Hall, the newest dorm addition to campus, is scheduled to be open to students in September.

Although it was delayed a year due to contaminated soil, the building makes up for it with its name and the idea that 200 students will, hopefully, have a mold-

free room to go to in the fall. More new dorms are also expected to pop up in the next couple years, thanks to Gov. Jon Corzine’s new bill allowing public N.J. colleges to hire private contractors.

Students also might have had a better chance finding parking at Yankee stadium during the World Series than anywhere on campus.

For a commuter school, students were left circling parking lots and turned away from parking decks because there was simply no room

left.

However, MSU is in the process of building a new parking deck that should be completed for fall 2010.

But hey, let’s face it, as MSU students, we have grown to accept that any construction on campus will never be completed on time.

As for the Student Government Association, the Chicken has flown the coop. The SGA was left at the end of 2009 cleaning up the mess that the Ron Chicken administration left behind.

The SGA has recently just cleared up money troubles with the IRS and has been slowly been making improvements to their practices, even adopting Open Public meeting regulations.

Congratulations, SGA, for finally being free from the Chictatorship that once ruled over the students, and moving forward in 2010.

During 2009, we laughed, we cried, but most importantly we learned how to adapt as students and a school.

While the year wraps up and comes to an end, we need to remember and utilize the life lessons we learned here at MSU and look towards moving forward in the future.

And please no more trash can fires or bomb threats; yes, it will get you out of a couple of classes, but it’s not worth ruining your life over.

- KC

18 OPINION

The Montclarion • December 10, 2009

Lame Duck Limps Toward Gay Marriage

Corzine’s Last Ditch Effort to Legalize Gay Marriage: Too Little, Too Late

W

hat is normally called the “lame duck” period, might not be so lame for Gov. Corzine.

A bill to legalize gay marriage in Katie Winters N. J. is trying Assistant Copy to push its way into the Senate Editor and onto the governor’s desk before Jan. 19, when that office is filled by Chris Christie, who has pledged to veto any such bills that come his way.

This could be Corzine’s swan song, his last chance to be remembered for changing N. J., possibly for the better (according to who you ask). It is also a case of the supporters of the bill taking their last chance to get this measure passed into law for another four years. It’s both brilliant and slightly backhanded.

I’d like to ask, why now? This is certainly not a new issue and Corzine has been supportive of same-sex marriage all along. Why is it only now that this measure has become important enough for the representatives to really rally behind this bill?

Perhaps this is the Democratic representatives’ last ditch effort to keep voters in their favor. After this change of power, they have become fearful of losing their legislative seats to Republicans, a common fear after a governor (or president) is elected from the previous minority party.

Either way, this bill would be a large step in a direction that N.J. has been headed for a while.

N. J. allows same-sex couples to have civil unions, the law allowing this having passed in 2007, which provides many of the same legal benefits of marriage. These unions try to provide all the same rights without using the word “marriage,” but they have been

found to be inadequate.

In December 2008, the N.J. Civil Union Review Commission issued a report on civil unions and concluded that they are unequal to marriage. Once more, “separate, but equal,” has been found to be untrue.

The report suggests that couples who have civil unions suffer from legal, medical, economic and social consequences because they cannot obtain a marriage license. This information comes only from the title and their 76 page report goes on to explain why this is the case and makes an argument for allowing gay marriage. It also says that marriage is a strong word and that word alone provides stability and social acceptance, which is often not found with “civil union.”

The N.J. legislature has had this information for roughly a year and they have failed to act until now. It is not that there aren’t more important issues at hand, but that the timing is slightly off. There really was no reason to avoid passing this bill earlier.

Even now, the state may run into a problem if the Republicans attempt a “filibuster” during debate. Debate on a bill normally lasts quite a while, especially with a controversial bill, such as this one, and if the vote were to be delayed long enough, say until after Jan. 19, Christie would veto the measure and it would become much more difficult to pass this law.

Even if the legislature succeeds in passing this law, there has been talk of creating a referendum for the voters to define the word “marriage.”

Even if this law is passed in the assembly and the senate before Christie takes office, that is no guarantee it will continue to be a law, as was seen in California, where a popular vote abolished gay marriage earlier this year. And if that is the case, there may be no chance to try again, since Christie will not be supportive to signing such a law.

So again I ask, why did we wait?

Katie Winters , an English major, is in her first year as assistant copy editor for The Montclarion.

To the Editor: I am writing to respond to the article, “Feminist Foundation Warns Campuses About Deceptive Pregnancy Centers,” which appeared in the Dec. 3 issue.

I was concerned with the overall premise of the article, which depicts the ordeal of a current 24-year-old Montclair student. The student in the article had an abortion when she was 18 and felt deceived by the advice given to her by a crisis pregnancy center.

The center strongly encouraged her to consult her parents and to consider giving the child up for adoption. The woman did, in the end, decide to have an abortion, but expressed serious concerns about the apparent lack of sympathy for her plight as she was counseled by the center.

I must pose the following questions: 1. Why was it wrong for the crisis pregnancy center to advise her to try the adoption route?

2. Why is the feminist foundation attempting to discourage Montclair Students from going to crisis pregnancy centers which offer different options other than abortion?

3. Why is the option of adoption so often villainized by feminists?

There are literally thousands of couples who can’t have children and would love to adopt. I am capable of empathizing with a women’s difficulty in dealing with her unplanned pregnancy, but being in “crisis mode” does not suddenly lessen the moral obligation to carry through with the life that is now inside her womb. The new critical situation that the woman is reluctantly placed in does not give her the moral right to kill her child for the sake of convenience.

Just because abortion is protected by the

Constitution does not mean that it is just.

History has proven this fact time and time again, when unjust laws were protected by the Constitution. For example, slavery was protected by the law, yet it was wrong morally.

A crisis pregnancy center by its very name is going to steer a woman in a direction that permits her to persevere through the pregnancy and give birth.

These centers that are there to provide help and hope, so she doesn’t feel so alone during this daunting process. In the article, I was troubled by the woman’s reasoning for being upset with the center’s advice. She cited not being able to finish school had she listened to their dubious guidance.

That is disturbing on two levels.

One — A pregnant woman and/or new mother may absolutely finish school and it happens constantly. Two — She actually placed her schooling paramount to parenting and was relieved that she terminated the pregnancy (ending the baby’s life) in order to continue her education in an uninterrupted manner. It does seem very selfish at best, and yes, even evil at worst.

There really are rights and wrongs that exist and sometimes we lose sight of moral absolutes. Ultimately, a society with no moral absolutes will crumble from within.

Sincerely, Marco Crincoli ‘10

Students Speak: What do you do to relieve stress during finals weeks?

Sam Donovan Junior Music Therapy

Chris Stout Junior Business Administration

Megan Chester Freshman Family and Child Studies

Melissa Antolovich Freshman Undeclared

“I sleep a lot and catch up on all the TV I missed during the semester.”

“Stone Hall Lounge, ping pong, video games ... There is nothing better!”

“To relieve stress, I text my friends and go on Facebook.

I also take naps. These things break up my work and help me be less tired. “

“I spend time reading for pleasure as well as going for runs in order to relieve extreme stress.

Reading is my escape and running releases my physical stress.”

Students Speak Policy

Responses to Students Speak are the opinions of the students of Montclair State University and are not necessarily those of the staff of The Montclarion and Montelican Publishing, Inc. Once given, responses are the property of The Montclarion and Montelican Publishing, Inc. and is eligible for editing where felt necessary. Responses were given on the campus of Montclair State University on Wednesday Dec. 9, 2009.

December 10, 2009 • The Montclarion

Dear Virginia, How could you ever think that good old St. Nick is a phony? Santa has been working hard for centuries so that kids, like you, get those Barbie dolls and Easy-Bake Ovens they crave. What people tend to forget is that you cannot believe that Santa is not real just because you do not see him. What if you did not believe in air? What would be your reasoning be behind how you are alive? Or, what if people did not believe in love? Would there just be no more new romances and marriage? It’s just nonsense to think such rubbish.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, as said by The Sun. They believe in Santa just as much as I do. He is everlasting, I mean, why do you think they keep coming out with a new Hess model each year? Santa sure works hard to make every person, young or old, excited Christmas morning to wake up to his lovely gifts from the heart.

So what if you do not see him on your rooftop, it does not mean that he is a fake.

Even though the famous children’s poem, ‘Twas the Night before Christmas has him sliding down the chimney, Santa Claus has countless options for spreading Christmas cheer to everyone. I do not have a chimney, so he simply just comes through a window. I leave open a crack purposely for him. Santa Claus can also teleport to the Christmas tree of others’ homes, orphanages, businesses, hotels, anywhere where there are people who believe in his merry mighty power.

If Santa were not real, then why would we have endless songs, television shows and decorations with a jolly man in a red suit riding on a sleigh with his trusty reindeer?

We have been shown these images ever since birth, causing Santa Claus to be in everyone’s heart spiritually, even if you do not want him to be. Everywhere you travel he is there, even just by glancing at the newly fallen snow you feel his presence and know it is winter — there is a Santa Claus.

Love, Vanessa Hargreaves

No Virginia, I’m sorry, but there is no Santa Claus.

Do you really think that this ancient, obese man could squeeze down hundreds of chimneys in the course of one night, lugging thousands of pounds of presents on his back? Santa’s unhealthy diet of cookies and milk, in conjunction with his old bones that are probably suffering from osteoporosis, prevent him from doing this. Considering his reported milk consumption, his cholesterol is probably through the roof. This guy is a heart attack just waiting to happen.

The whole concept of Santa Claus is rather frightening. If he were a real man, do you think that your parents would allow some old white-haired man that they have never

met (except at the mall) to sneak into your house late at night, watch you sleep and then leave you a present? That’s not called Santa Claus, that’s called a pedophile.

It may be hard for you to hear this, Virginia, but no, there is no Santa Claus. On Christmas Eve, when you are asleep all nestled snug in your bed, with visions of sugar plums dancing in your head, your mother is hard at work, wrapping those shiny presents labeled from Santa, while your father effortlessly downs another beer. This tendency toward excessive alcohol consumption is included right on the Barbie Dream House warning label.

The coniving duo plots out the best way to sneak your presents downstairs without waking you up. Your father will take out his pen and write that cherished letter from Santa that he leaves for you each Christmas morning. He’ll place it alongside the freshly baked Christmas cookies. While chewing on the unpeeled carrots that you left for Santa and his reindeer, he’ll be thinking to himself, “Mama don’t look so bad in her provocative little kerchief and cap.”

Don’t despair, Virginia. Be happy; at least now you don’t have to waste your money on postage stamps for sending letters to the North Pole. You don’t even have to stand outside of Macy’s for two hours sweating in a winter coat and hat, just to have your picture taken with an old man who smells faintly of Old Spice and moth balls. Next year, just go in the next room and tell mommy and daddy what you know. You will surely get whatever you ask for. Parental guilt is great like that.

Sincerely, Isley Kasica

Dear Virginia, I would like to start off by commending you on your quest for the truth behind Santa Claus. Yet, your innocent question placed me in a very tough spot. Virginia, I must admit that I was torn between two opposing views. I was stuck wondering whether I should tell you the truth or reinforce the lie.

Before making this decision I had to thoroughly consider your intellectual maturity and basic knowledge. You are eight years old, so this places you in the third grade.

From what I’ve researched, third graders are learning about space, detailed essays and the multiplication of triple digit numbers. From what I can remember about my younger years, space was always a topic of endless fascination for me. In order for me to comprehend the infinite expanse of space I had to understand and utilize my

own imagination. The use of imagination in childhood is very important, but at some point it veers away from obscure imaginary friends to understanding abstract concepts, such as space.

Virginia, you will be happy to know that after taking this understanding into consideration I have decided to tell you the truth behind Santa Claus. Brace yourself.

I regret to inform you that Santa Claus is not, and never was, real. Despite what your parents have told you, he is not a real person, he is an idea. Santa Claus is a tool used by parents across the world to promote good behavior and scare children out of acting ‘naughty.’ As the song goes, “He’s making a list and checking it twice; Gonna find out who’s naughty or nice. Santa Claus is coming to town.”

Think back to how many times your parents have threatened you with the watchful eyes of Santa Claus. But look on the bright side, now you can act naughty and not have to worry about getting coal for Christmas.

Virginia you must understand that the last thing I wanted to do was to destroy your hopes and dreams. I am saving you a fair amount of heartache by telling you the truth now. Eventually, a snotty little kid was going to walk up to you and harshly reveal the truth about Santa Claus. You would have blindly defended Santa’s honor, but your innocent view of Christmas would thus be tarnished forever.

Before you run off to tearfully accuse your parents of lying to you for years, please hear me out.

Despite what you now know about Santa Claus, he was an integral part of your childhood. Santa embodies the Christmas spirit.

He effectively matched a jolly, laughing face with a joyful holiday.

Take into consideration that your brain was not capable of simply understanding intellectually complex ideas, without something material to match with the idea of Christmas you might not have fully grasped what the holiday truly means.

So brighten up, don’t be upset that Santa is not real. Keep in mind that your parents went through all the trouble of feigning his existence. They woke up early to lay out the presents before you ran down the stairs, wrapped them in secrecy and labeled them ‘Santa’ while taking convincing bites out of the cookies you lovingly left in the kitchen.

And you know what Virginia? They did it all for you.

Enjoy your holiday and have a very Merry Christmas!

OPINION 19

Dearest Virginia, The answer is not yes. The answer is not no. The answer is simply to listen to your precious, young and imaginative heart.

Forget and disregard what others say.

Only you can answer if there is a Santa Claus. We all have different beliefs and ideas, but most importantly we all got them by following our hearts. Our hearts are like Santa’s toy sack, full of gifts and hopes to be opened.

Christmas time is magical. In all of us, we believe that there is somehow the idea of Santa Claus. The hope, dream and spirit of Santa are always in us, no matter what age we are.

What does Christmas mean to you?

Christmas time: flashing lights, carefully wrapped presents, memories cherished with friends and family, longtime traditions, timeless songs, special outfits, sparkling decorations … all of this embodies the spirit of the holiday season. What would any of this mean without St. Nick and his elves?

There is something about Christmas time that allows us to believe in all our dreams and feel complete happiness. Even if it is only for a mere moment, we can close our eyes on Christmas Eve and fall asleep believing Santa Claus will soon be shimmying down the chimney ready to leave presents full of love under the tree full of glistening ornaments and lights.

Do you trust in Santa Claus? Do you have faith that there is a North Pole where Santa and his elves come together in a workshop building each toy carefully and diligently to be delivered to you on Christmas Eve? If you are nodding your head up and down and smiling as bright as holiday lights, then you have answered your own question. There is indeed a Santa.

Famous dancer Bob Fosse once said, “Life is just a bowl of cherries, don’t take it serious, life’s too mysterious.”

It is just that — a mystery. Do not dwell on the unknown answer of Santa’s existence.

There is no right or wrong, yes or no, black or white answer as to whether or not Santa Claus exists. It is up to the believer, the dreamer, the idealist.

So, the question is not, “Is there a Santa Claus?” The question is, “Do you believe in Santa Claus?”

Sincerely,

Janelle LoBello

Sincerely, Lori Wieczorek

The Montclarion Mailbag Policy

All letters must be typed via e-mail and be submitted to The Montclarion by Monday at 10 p.m. Comments on themontclarion.org must be submitted by Tuesday at 10 p.m. Letters or comments must not exceed 750 words in order to be considered for publication. Once received, letters and comments are the property of The Montclarion and Montelican Publishing, Inc. and may be edited for length, content, profanity and libel. No submissions will be printed unless they include the author’s name, year and major for students, the author’s name and title for non-students or a username for online comments. Submissions must be written by only one author. Only one letter or comment by an author will be printed each month. Letters and comments must pertain to issues addressed by Montclarion articles that occurred in the previous print issue. Letters or comments that advertise for a business or website will not be printed. Letters must be submitted through e-mail as Microsoft Word documents to msuopinion@gmail.com.

20 PSA

The Montclarion • December 10, 2009

FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE – Fall 2009 DECEMBER 14-20

Day Undergraduate and Graduate Courses

Evening/Weekend/and Off-Campus Undergraduate and Graduate Courses

Monday – December 14

Monday –December 14

For Classes with First or Only Meeting on M or R at 0830am................0800am-1000am For Classes with First or Only Meeting on M or R at 1000am................1015am-1215pm

For Classes with first or only Meeting on Monday at 0530pm.......................0530pm-0730pm For Classes with first or only Meeting on Monday at 0815pm....................…0815pm-1015pm

For Classes with First or Only Meeting on M or R at 1130am................0100pm-0300pm For Classes with First or Only Meeting on M or R at 0100pm...............0315pm-0515pm

Tuesday – December 15

Tuesday – December 15

For Classes with First or Only Meeting on T or F at 0830am.................0800am-1000am For Classes with First or Only Meeting on T or F at 1000am.................1015am-1215pm For Classes with First or Only Meeting on T or F at 1130am.................0100pm-0300pm For Classes with First or Only Meeting on T or F at 0100pm.................0315pm-0515pm

Wednesday – December 16

For Classes with First or Only Meeting on W at 0830am…………...….. 0800am-1000am For Classes with First or Only Meeting on W at 1000am......…………..1015am-1215pm For Classes with First or Only Meeting on W at 1130am......…………..0100pm-0300pm For Classes with First or Only Meeting on W at 0100pm......…………..0315pm-0515pm

Thursday – December 17

For Classes with first or only Meeting on Tuesday at 0530pm.......................0530pm-0730pm For Classes with first or only Meeting on Tuesday at 0815pm……………...…0815pm-1015pm

Wednesday – December 16

For Classes with first or only Meeting on Wednesday at 0530pm..................0530pm-0730pm For Classes with first or only Meeting on Wednesday at 0815pm..................0815pm-1015pm

Thursday – December 17

For Classes with first or only Meeting on Thursday at 0530pm.....................0530pm-0730pm For Classes with first or only Meeting on Thursday at 0815pm.....................0815pm-1015pm

Friday – December 18

For Classes with first or only Meeting on Friday at 0530pm..........................0530pm-0730pm For Classes with first or only Meeting on Friday at 0830pm ........................0815pm-1015pm

Saturday – December 19

For Classes Meeting on MR or TR at 0700am.....................................0700am-0900am For Classes Meeting on MW at 0700am..............................................0915am-1115am

For Classes with first or only Meeting on Saturday at 0800am.......................0800am-1000am For Classes with first or only Meeting on Saturday at 1100am………………...1100am-0100pm For Classes with first or only Meeting on Saturday at 0200pm………………..0200pm-0400pm

For Classes with First or Only Meeting on M or R at 0230pm…………..0100pm-0300pm For Classes with First or Only Meeting on M or R at 0400pm...............0315pm-0515pm

Sunday – December 20

Friday – December 18

For Classes Meeting on TF or WF at 0700am……………………………0700am-0900am For Classes with first or only Meeting on T or F at 0230pm………….….0100pm-0300pm For Classes with First or only Meeting on T or F at 0400pm….……...…0315pm-0515pm

For Classes with first or only Meeting on Sunday at 0800am.........................0800am-1000am For Classes with first or only Meeting on Sunday at 1100am…………….……1100am-0100pm For Classes with first or only Meeting on Sunday at 0200pm………………….0200pm-0400pm

0700pm Courses

For classes with first or only meeting M, T, W or R at 0700pm.......................0745pm-945pm On regularly scheduled meeting day

Examination Notes: 1. “First or Only Meeting” refers to the weekly meeting sequence. For example, “First” = MW, MR, TR, TF, WF. This does not correspond in any way to the first time the course met this semester.

2. All examinations are to be held in the regularly assigned classroom. In courses where more than one room is involved, the location of the exam will be the same as the first room of a series (e.g., a course meeting WF in different rooms will have the exam in the W room).

3. Courses which have a start time other than those listed above should follow the exam schedule for the preceding class start time (e.g. a course beginning at 9:30am will follow the exam period for courses with a first or only meeting at 8:30am; a course beginning at 12:00pm will follow the exam period for courses with a first or only meeting at 11:30am). Faculty involved in teaching courses on a “To Be Arranged” basis and who require an exam room are asked to make arrangements for a specific time and room.

4. Students with a time conflict in their exam schedule should immediately notify each faculty member involved and make arrangements to reschedule one of the exams.

CLASSIFIEDs

The Montclarion

Child Care Wanted Sitters Wanted. $12+ per hour. Babysitting, housesitting, petsitting. Register free for jobs near campus or home and start earning extra cash now! www. student-sitters.com.

Selling an item?

Have a place for rent?

I love smiling.

Smiling is my favorite.

MontclarionAds @gmail.com

Buddy smells.

Like BBQ sauce.

Nelson: YESSSSSS!

Congrats to the cast of As You Like It! you guys did awesome!

You DO know that Virginia has been dead for like forty years now, right?

What’s a Christmas-gram?

I want one!

Record and play, after years or endless reward.

Merry Christmas everyone! Love, Dinah and Mandi

Kelly has an unhealthy obsession with Tinkerbell.

Buddy + Jake = Apocolypse

Kulsoom, thanks for the necklace and earrings. I love you!

RA RA RA AH AH AH, ROMA RO MA MA, GAGA OOH LA LA! Want your bad romance.

My first X-mas with The Montclarion. It’s magical.

“The yellow ones don’t stop.” - Elf Have a safe break!

Mama Katherine has attitude, but I love her.

I miss Laura 13 times.

So nice working with you, Montclarion. I’m off to Deutschland.

Bis bald!

Thank God the semester is finally over with.

NO MORE NEWS! As Nelson would say, YESSSSSSSS!

Thumbs down to One more semester final exams! left!

It was snowing and then it I love Sarah wasn’t! I was so Grodsky and upset.

Allison Andresini!

Kristie’s big toe has healed.

RIP Buddy’s sweatshirt.

I’ll see you all in oh-ten!

I don’t really like Kristie. I mean I’m not IN love with her or anything.

Contact Kevin at:

I love the Magic Circles!!!!

To The Montclarion: It was a great, but hectic, semester. I love you all.

Happy Birthday Koko. Love, Dinah.

Advertise With Us!

21

PERSONALS! BAH HUMBUG!

Need a sitter for your children?

msuproduction@gmail.com

Feliz Navidad, Kristie.

The Law Offices of

Geoffrey T. Mott, P.C. Serving the MSU Community throughout the State of NJ in ALL Municipal and Superior courts.

Representing students and their families in all civil and criminal matters, including immigration, family law, DUI’s, traffic violations, bankruptcy, personal injury, landlord/tenant, debt and credit related issues, and all other legal matters impacting your family and the Community.

Saturday and evening appointments available.

MSU student-friendly rates

Tel: (973) 655-8989 Fax:(973) 655-0077

546 Valley Road Upper Montclair, N.J. 07043

email: gmott@geoffreymottlaw.com web: www.geoffreymottlaw.com

Happy Festivus from all of us at

The Montclarion.

22

sports

The Montclarion • December 10, 2009

Men’s Basketball Loses Heartbreaker Late Comeback Falls Short as Red Hawks Lose First NJAC Game Mike Monostra Assistant Sports Editor

MSU Men’s Basketball looked to exit Tuesday’s meeting against Ramapo atop the NJAC at 3-0. Unfortunately, they fell short, despite a late comeback, losing 75-72. This came after a very convincing 66-44 victory over Kean on Saturday.

For the Red Hawks, it was crucial to perform well this weekend to get a jump start in conference play. They certainly proved to be a contender after a blowout victory over the Kean Cougars. The Cougars kept the game close early in the first half, but a 10-0 run halfway through the period gave the Red Hawks a 26-13 lead. They would keep the lead doubled throughout the first half, going into the break leading 36-18.

Tommy Bonard scored ten points in the first half, shooting a perfect four for four from the field, while Daniel McRae scored nine points, shooting four for five in the opening period. Overall, the Red Hawks shot 59.1 percent from the field in the first half, compared to just 31.8 percent for Kean.

Montclair State continued to dominate in the second half, as Kean failed to cut the deficit to any less than 20 points in the second half. Ali Mix and McRae each scored seven points in the half, as Montclair State cruised to the victory.

Kean’s turnovers and poor shooting hurt them badly. The Cougars had 25 turnovers compared to 13 for the Red Hawks and also shot just 37 percent on that afternoon, compared to a solid 51 percent for MSU. “It all started with our defense,” sophomore guard Paul Siljee said. “After we set the tempo on the defensive end, we sort of took control of the game. We forced them into many turnovers that led to easy transition baskets for us. “ The Red Hawks could not repeat the success Tuesday night against Ramapo, falling by three points. MSU fell behind early against the Ramapo, shooting just 34.3 percent in the first half and never leading in the half. The Roadrunners were led by LaQuan Peterkin, who had 12 points and 10 rebounds in the first half alone. The Roadrunners out rebounded

Mike Zawadzki l The Montclarion

Junior guard Rodney Freeney drives to the hole against a Berkeley defender in a MSU victory earlier this season.

the Red Hawks, 30 to 18, in the half.

The deficit continued to grow in the second half for the Red Hawks as the Roadrunners expanded their lead to as much as 59-39, with just over 14 minutes left in the game. Montclair State would call a timeout at this point and it proved to be a solid move, as the team came storming back at this point. Montclair State got big help from the bench, as David McDaniel put up ten points in

the second half, Chris Vitulano knocked down eight and Tyrone Prewitt scored seven.

A Robert Jackson jumper, with less than a minute left, finally cut the deficit to a one possession game at 74-72.

However, the Red Hawks could not covert on the following offensive possession. A Ramapo free throw made the score 75-72, giving the Red Hawks two seconds to tie the game. However, a Vitulano three

pointer to send the game into overtime fell short and the Red Hawks lost their first game in the conference on the year.

Montclair State is finished with conference play for the next month. They have two games remaining on the 2009 calendar year. They will host Staten Island on Friday at 7 p.m. and Scranton on Tuesday at 8 p.m. For a full schedule of Men’s Basketball games, log on to www.montclair.edu/athletics.

Ice Hockey Falls To William Paterson

Red Hawks Fail to Recover from Early 3-0 Deficit, Fall to Third in SECHL Mike Monostra Assistant Sports Editor

Floyd Hall Arena was rocking with excitement on Saturday night, as archrivals Montclair State and William Paterson squared off in a SECHL battle.

Despite the home ice advantage, Pioneers jumped out in front early and withstood a MSU comeback to win 5-4.

The Red Hawk fans were raucous from the start of the game, but William Paterson did what they could to silence them early, with three quick goals by Matt Gillen, Shaun McTique and John Gomez in the span of 1:04, five minutes in to take a quick 3-0 lead.

“We knew they were going to come out hard against us,” said Montclair State goalie Kevin Fox. “Unfortunately, they caught a few breaks early on and went up 3-0, but I knew we just needed to settle down our play.”

Settle down was exactly what the Red Hawks did, as they looked like a completely different team coming out in the second period. With the Pioneers taking penalties early in the period, Montclair State used the power play to help them get back into the game. Early second period goals from Gerard Baxter and Tyler Timek helped cut the Pioneers’

lead to 3-2. William Paterson would clamp back down with a goal from Steven Orozco to make it a 4-2 Pioneer lead.

However, before the period would end, the Red Hawks would get a goal from Michael Davis to cut the lead to one goal again at the second intermission.

Both squads came out hard in the third period and both scored one goal each, late in the period, to make a 5-4 score with two minutes to go. A late William Paterson penalty gave the Red Hawks a power play with 1:34 left on the clock. After pulling the goalie, Montclair State had a six-on-four advantage for the final minute of the game, but could not sustain pressure on Pioneer goalie Chris Bauer, clinching the victory for William Paterson.

“Even though we’re disappointed with losing by one goal to the number one ranked team in the Northeast, I was proud we battled back as a team,” Fox said.

Montclair State fell to third place in the SECHL standings after the loss, trailing the Pioneers and first place Siena. The Red Hawks will be back home on Friday, when they will host Rowan University at 9:20 p.m. at Floyd Hall Arena. Their next SECHL contest will be on Saturday, when the Red Hawks will travel to visit Central Connecticut State.

Courtesy of Liz Collins

The Montclair State ice hockey team battles in a SECHL playoff game from last season. They fell 5-4 to William Paterson on Saturday.

Remaining Schedule: 12/11

Rowan University

9:20 p.m.

12/12

@ Central Connecticut State

7:30 p.m.

12/19

Monmouth University

9:10 p.m.

1/15

Millersville University

9:20 p.m.

1/17

@ University of New Hampshire

1/22

@ William Paterson University 9:15 p.m.

1/23

@ University of Connecticut 8:45 p.m.

1/29

@ Marist College

9:15 p.m.

1/30

New York University

8:30 p.m.

2/5

The College of New Jersey

2/6

@ Pennsylvania State U.

TBA

9:20 p.m.

10:15 p.m.

2/12

@ Boston College

7:30 p.m.

2/13

@ Siena College

TBA

2/26-27 Playoffs Begin

TBA

Who’s Hot This Year Michael Streaman Pitcher — Baseball Streaman proved to be the most effective arm on the baseball team in 2009. He compiled a 2.91 ERA and a 6-2 record in 65 innings pitched for MSU.

Men’s Basketball

North WPU

NJAC

Overall

2-0

6-1

NJCU

1-0

5-2

2-1

5-3

1 - 1

6-2

1-1

4-3

MSU Ramapo RU-Newark South

Rowan

1-0

4-2

1-1

3-3

0-1

5-2

RU-Camden

0-2

4-2

TCNJ

0 - 2

Kean

Stockton

Adrian Rastocny Pitcher — Softball Rastocny was the softball team’s top freshman pitcher in the 2009 season. She had a 7-5 record with an ERA of just 1.90. Opponents had a batting average of just .140 against her all season.

Women’s Basketball

NJAC

Overall

1-0

7-0

MSU

1-1

4-3

RU-Newark

1-1

5-5

Ramapo

0-1

3-3

0-1

0-6

NJCU

South

Kean

Stockton

Rowan

TCNJ

RU-Camden

Marco Capozzoli Kicker — Football Capozzoli was named the NJAC Special Team Player of the Year after a solid senior year. He made 10 of 15 field goals on the season and also kicked 35 extra points to lead the team in scoring with 65 points.

4-4

This Week 12/11 vs. Staten Island 7 p.m.

12/15 vs. Scranton 8 p.m.

Last Week 12/5 MSU 66 Kean 44 12/8 Ramapo 75 MSU 72

North WPU

Danielle Altersitz Defender — Field Hockey Altersitz kicked off the year by helping Team USA win a silver medal in the Maccabi Games in Israel. She also anchored the MSU defense this season, playing in all 21 games and leading the team with three defensive saves.

23

sports

December 10, 2009 • The Montclarion

2-0

5-1

1-0

5-1

1-0

5-3

0-1

4-4

0 - 2

2-5

This Week 12/12 @ Susquehanna 12/15 vs. Mt. St. Vincent

2 p.m.

6 p.m.

Last Week 12/5 Kean 83 MSU 51 12/7 Manhattanville 66 MSU 63

Swimming & Diving Leah Tepperman Goalie — Women’s Soccer Tepperman won the NJAC Goalkeeper of the Year award after guiding the Red Hawks into the playoffs.

She registered a 0.97 GAA and .872 save percentage.

NJAC

Overall

2-0

4-1

Rowan

2-0

3-2

Ramapo

1-2

2-2

WPU

0 - 1

6-1

0-2

2-4

Men’s TCNJ

MSU

Women’s

Liza Offreda Forward — Women’s Soccer Offreda scored the winning goal for Team USA in the 2009 Deaflympics women’s soccer final. At home, she scored four goals and tallied three assists for MSU.

TCNJ

Rowan

2-0

5-0

2-0

3-2

MSU

1-1

3-3

WPU

0-1

7-1

0 - 3

1-3

Ramapo

This Week N/A Last Week 12/5 Men-MSU 101 Drew 60 Women-MSU 100 Drew 82

Game of the Week Men’s Basketball Dec. 11, 7 p.m.

Panzer Gym vs. CSI MSU hosts the Dolphins of Staten Island, they have a 6-2 record against them since 2000-2001.

12/8 Men-Seton Hall 145 MSU 58 Women-Seton Hall 149 MSU 56

Ice Hockey SECHL

Overall

Siena

5-0-1

9-0-1

MSU

4-2-1

12 - 4 - 2

WPU

4-2-0

14 - 6 - 0

Marist

4-3 -0

10 - 5 - 0

N. H.

3-1-0

8-3-0

CCSU

NYU

3 - 2 - 0

1-5-0

10 - 6 - 0

Holy Cross 0 - 8 - 0

6-7-0 1-8-0

This Week 12/11 vs. Rowan 9:20 p.m.

12/12 @ Central Conn. St. 7:30 p.m.

Last Week 12/5 WPU 5, MSU 4

Men’s Basketball Splits against Kean, Ramapo p. 22

Top MSU Athletes of 2009 p. 23

Ice Hockey Falls to Willy P. p. 22

MSUSports@gmail.com

MSU SPORTS: YEAR IN REVIEW A Look Back at This Semester’s Top Sports Stories

Jake Del Mauro Assistant Sports Editor

Another chapter of MSU sports is in the book and again, the Red Hawks flew high above their competition. Team and individual awards, including both players and coaches, were spread out through every sport.

Football: So much for finishing third in the NJAC. The Red Hawks beat all expectations, except the only ones that mattered, their own, in winning nine straight games after losing their opener to capture the NJAC title. Montclair beat Kean, 14-6, in the regular season finale to earn the conference crown and secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2003.

In the first round, the Red Hawks cruised past Maine Martime 38-22, however the season ended the next week against the number one ranked Mount Union Purple Raiders.

MSU had two players named NJAC Defensive, Offensive and Special Teams Player of the week and two players named to D3Football.com’s “Team of the Week.”

Kicker Mario Capozzoli was NJAC Special Teams Player of the Year. The Red Hawks placed 15 on the All-NJAC team including six first team players. Finally, Head Coach Rick Giancola was named NJAC Coach of the Year for the ninth time. And to top it all off, the late former Red Hawk and NFL Pro Bowler Sam Mills was enshrined into the College Football Hall of Fame in July.

What a way to end the decade for MSU Football.

Men’s Soccer: How else do you follow up one of the finest seasons in your team’s history?

By nearly duplicating it.

After losing three AllAmericans, MSU was picked to finish second in the conference and started the season ranked seventh in the NSCAA Top 25.

Just like a season before, records were broken by this group, as MSU Soccer set the NCAA’s record for consecutive home victories, and continued their winning streak from last season’s regular season. However, in stunning fashion, NJCU defeated MSU in the last game of the regular season, denying MSU of another undefeated regular season.

Luckily for the team, they had wrapped up another regular season conference title. Just like the three years beforehand, MSU captured their fourth straight NJAC title when they defeated Rowan 1-0 on Nov. 7.

MSU hosted the second round game of the NCAA Tournament, but were defeated by last year’s tournament runner-up Stevens 4-0.

The Red Hawks had three Defensive Players of the Week

Photo Illustration by Nelson DePasquale

Whether it was football, soccer, field hockey, volleyball, basketball or track, our Red Hawks turned heads all semester long. for the NJAC along with two Offensive Players of the Week, and seniors Joseph Cullen and William Griffin were named Midfielder and Co-Defensive Player of the Year, respectively.

Mike Cullen was named the David Logar Leadership Award Winner. Coach Brian Sentowski was named NJAC Coach of the Year for the first time since 2006 and the team had six AllNJAC members. There’s no reason that they can’t keep it going for next season.

Field Hockey: Even before the regular season started, MSU Field Hockey was making a name for themselves.

Senior Danielle Altersitz helped Team USA win a silver medal in the 18th Maccabi Games in Israel. She played on an American defense that kept their opponents to 1.9 goals per game.

Chosen to finish third in the NJAC, the Red Hawks started the season 6-3 in the month of September, but their first win of the season was the biggest, as Coach Beth Gottung

won her 100th career game as Head Coach. MSU finished the season as one of the top teams in the NJAC and went on to win the ECAC Mid-Atlantic Championship, by defeating Hartwick in the final 3-0. MSU outscored their opponents 13-0 in the three games they played in the tournament.

MSU had a slew of awards given to them, including Rookie, Offensive and Defensive NJAC Players of the Week. Megan Bosland was named NJAC Rookie of the Year. Including Bosland, seven Red Hawks received honors this season, as the Field Hockey team finished off another successful year on top of the ECAC. Volleyball: Not only are they winning on the court, but off the court as well.

Volleyball was awarded the American Volleyball Coaches Association Team Academic Award for the 2008-2009 year.

Back on the court, the team was chosen by NJAC coaches to finish third in the conference.

After falling to a 1-4 start to

open up the season, it wasn’t looking good for the Hawks.

However, MSU finished off the season going 14-12, including going undefeated in the NJAC (8-0), which earned the team the regular season conference title, the first in school history.

In awards, MSU had two players make All-NJAC First and Second Team and coach Elise Cooper won NJAC Coach of the Year. MSU hopes, next season, they can continue to spike the competition.

Women’s Soccer: It took until the final game of the season, but Women’s Soccer made it to the post season once again.

Picked in the beginning of the season to be fourth in the NJAC, Women’s Soccer started the season 4-1, including winning the Valiant Classic and their first NJAC game against Rowan.

However, the team finished the regular season 4-4-2 and needed a 2-1 win against NJCU in the final game of the season to push them into the final spot in the NJAC Tournament, where William Paterson elimi-

nated them in the first round 2-0.

Six players were named to the All-NJAC team, including senior Goalie Leah Tepperman, who was named NJAC Goalkeeper of the Year and placed on the ECAC Division III Metro All-Star Team. Replacing Tepperman will be big for next season, but MSU looks to be on the right path in inching closer to an NJAC title.

Not only was Liza Offreda a fundamental player for the Hawks, but she made national news of her own. She won Gold in the 2009 Deaflympic games in Taipei, Taiwan. Liza proved to be a major factor for team U.S.A. as she scored the go-ahead and ultimately game winning goal in the 4-0 victory against Germany in the Gold Medal match. She received tons of local press.

What’s in store for this coming season of sports? What players will step up and lead their team to a conference, or even more prestigious title? Stay tuned.