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THE MONTCLARION
Vol.
90
Issue 13 Dec. 9, 2010
The Student Voice of Montclair State University Since 1928
On the web at: www.the Montclarion.org
MSU Loses Student to a Hit and Run
Medical Marijuana Causes More Controversies The Montclarion | Mark Banas
Nicole Simonetti News Editor
Governor Chris Christie plans to put restrictions on the medical marijuana bill put in place almost a year ago. Last
January former governor Jon Corzine signed a bill that made New Jersey the 14th state to legalize medical marijuana for individuals with cancer and other serious diseases. The push to make medical marijuana legal stems from
the benefits it provides patients. It has been proven to relieve pain, increase appetite, reduce anxiety and improve sleep. Medical Continued on Page 3
Courtesy of Daisy Waldman
Joseph Wilczewski, 22, passed away Dec. 3. Ratanjot Rekhi Assistant News Editor
Students and faculty mourned the death of 22-year old senior, Joseph Wilczewski, after his tragic death the morning of Dec. 3. Wilczewski was the victim
Facebook Changes Layout
of a hit-and-run accident after he attempted to cross Route 3 West by the Mill Creek Mall on foot. Two subsequent drivers also hit Wilczewski and waited for police to arrive on the scene; however, the driver of the first Student Continued on Page 3 Nicole Simonetti News Editor
As of Sunday night, Facebook users were given the option to change their Facebook layout. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg announced the changes in an interview on 60 Minutes. People have had mixed feelings about the changes. While some users like them, other users feel it is a bit intrusive and messy. Student Peter Butler “hates it.” He said he
"It does not inspire me to visit a person’s page anymore." Peter Butler Student
hates Facebook every time it changes. The motivation behind the new Facebook layout was to essentially highlight users’ personal information. In order to see someone’s information, users previously clicked the “Info” tab, but not anymore. Across the top of the new layout, instead of the individual’s status, there is now Facebook Continued on Page 4
INSIDE
feature
Top 5 Holiday Gifts
pg. 5
opinion
a&e
Wikileaks, Espionage for a New Era
Mark's Best of 2010 Music Roundup
pg. 13
sports pg. 15
Men's Basketball Beats RutgersCamden
Back Page
2
news
The Montclarion • December 9, 2010
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 Nelson DePasquale
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Managing Editor Katherine Milsop Business Manager Justin Handsman
Production Editor Robert Aitken
Editorial Board
3 2
7
News Nicole Simonetti Feature Amanda Balbi
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A&E Mark Gould O p i n io n Lori Wieczorek S p orts Mike Monostra Chief Copy Catherine Winters P h o t o gra p h y Jillian Keats Graphic Design Mark Banas Editorial Cartoonist Hannah Scherba Webmaster James Carolan
Assistants News Ratanjot Rekhi Feature Dinah Polk Vanessa Hargreaves A&E Monica Winston Sports Kris Hunte Deanna Benjamin Copy Jim Blass Kat Kenny Lou Cunningham P h o t o gra p h y Irina Kuzmich Production Carley Hussain Webmaster Ian Elliott
Writers and Contributors Jon Fazio, Ken Macri, Jay Hrina, Kofi Biney, Kendall Zoppa, Jade Moskovitz, Eliza Fayer, Arianny Pilarte, Maxwell Weinstein, Roxanne Neumaier
Operations Manager 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 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 montclarionsports@gmail.com
of Basie Hall reported that a housekeeping employee had 1 On Nov. 29: Residents entered their apartment without their permission. On Nov. 29: An officer responded to Blanton Hall on a report of graffiti that was 2 biased in nature. The graffiti has been removed and this case has been referred to the Bias Incident Response Team as well.
female resident student of Blanton Hall reported being harassed by a 3 On Nov. 30: Aroommate's boyfriend. The victim did not wish to pursue criminal charges. This case has been referred to Residential Education for mediation.
4 On Dec. 2: 5 On Dec. 3:
Three separate Bohn Hall residents reported that someone entered their unlocked rooms while they were sleeping and stole their laptop computers. These cases are under investigation. Resident student Matthew Mancino was charged with underage possession of alcohol while in Bohn Hall. Mancino will appear in Clifton Municipal Court.
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On Dec. 3: Student Meg Carrier was charged with underage possession and con-
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On Dec. 4: Officers responded to Lot 48 to take a criminal mischief report. A resident
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On Dec. 5: Non-student Tony Rose, 19, of Roselle, NJ, was arrested and charged
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On Dec.5: A resident student of Alice Paul Hall reported a simple assault that occurred
sumption of alcohol while in the Student Recreation Center. Carrier will appear in Little Falls Municipal Court.
student reported her side view mirrors were knocked off her vehicle. This case is under investigation.
with underage consumption of alcohol, possession of CDS marijuana under 50 grams and obstructing the administration of law, while in Bohn Hall. He will appear in Clifton Municipal Court.
in her apartment during a party. The suspect was not identified and the victims declined to pursue criminal charges.
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.
The Montclarion The Montclarion is a freely distributed newspaper providing one copy per person. Additional copies are $0.25.
Photo Editor montphotoeditor@gmail.com Graphics Editor msugraphics@gmail.com Copy Editor: montcopy@gmail.com Webmaster: msuwebmaster@gmail.com Operations Manager: 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.
Corrections The Montclarion willingly corrects its factual errors. If you think we've made a mistake in a story, please call Editor-in-Chief Nelson at ext. 5230.
December 9, 2010 • The Montclarion
news
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Medical
Continued From Page 1
While these purposes are allowing patients to smoke cannabis, Christie’s administration worries recreational users could benefit from the legalization as well. That is why the restrictions have been established. Christie’s administration believes that by controlling the potency of the marijuana, they can keep recreational users away. Potency is based on the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that exists in the plant. THC essentially makes a smoker "high." The highest level of potency New Jersey will allow its medical marijuana to be at is 10. This level was chosen based on studies done by McGill University Health Centre in Canada and University of California at San Diego. Within these studies patients reacted positively to THC levels under 10. The THC restrictions may have unintended consequences. Most cannabis that can be found on the streets has a potency level between 15 and 20; knowing they can illegally purchase more potent marijuana off the streets may deter patients from getting a prescription. Additionally, New Jersey will not offer the use of marijuana-laced foods, “weed brownies.” Many of the other states that legalized medical marijuana, like California, have authorized the sale of such foods. By providing marijuana-laced foods, particularly baked goods and ice creams, patients are given another form of ingesting THC. Some patients may not feel comfortable smoking cannabis and would prefer to just eat it. Christie’s administration has denied that option to New Jersey’s patients. Lieutenant Kieran Barrett of Montclair State University police department believes that these restrictions stem from less strict states, such as California. “You could actually buy the stuff in vending machines,” Barrett said. California’s medical marijuana law is relatively unrestrictive. For starters, patients can get prescriptions for it easily on the west coast whereas only critically ill patients can be prescribed marijuana in New Jersey.
Patients suffering from cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, epilepsy and other diseases all fall under the category of being able to obtain medical marijuana. If they are in fact prescribed it, an identification card will be issued that must be on them at all times. While New Jersey is trying to come up with a database that keeps track of patients prescribed cannabis and their progress, Montclair State is also trying to figure out a system for future students who may be using it.
"We will want to know who is prescribed [medical marijuana], allow them their privacy and see if there is anyway we can help." Kieran Barrett Lieutenant of MSUPD
“We’re trying to figure out some kind of system that allows us to know they’re definitely prescribed to it so we can handle the situation the right way,” Barrett said. He also explained that it would have to be a community effort within the campus community if students were to be prescribed medical marijuana. As law enforcers, if the MSUPD smells the distinct odor of marijuana they wil investigate the situation. It would be reassuring to know for sure if that particular student is prescribed marijuana so that “everyone can help,” according to Barrett. It is clear that residence halls could possibly be affected by this new legislation, but the campus is prepared to do what they have to for the students who may be prescribed medical marijuana. “We will want to know who is prescribed, allow them their privacy and see if there is anyway we can help,” Barrett said.
States that have legalized medical marijuana: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington According to procon.org, 32 studies said that marijuana relieved pain and 14 studies said that it had no medical effects. Reasons medical marijuana is used: - relieves pain - increases appetite - provides better sleep - relieves anxiety - curbs nausea caused by chemotherapy treatments
Student Continued From Page 1
vehicle remains unknown. Wilczewski's destination at 4:45 a.m. remains unknown. Authorities are currently investigating the case and details were not available for comment. Friends and family commemorated Wilczewski at his viewing held Monday night at Levandoski Funeral Home. The funeral was on Tuesday morning at Notre Dame Church in Wilczewski's hometown, North Caldwell. Daisy Waldman and Kelly Smith, senior communication studies majors reflected on their past experiences with Joseph Wilczewski. Waldman had many courses with Wilczewski and said that she became closer with him over the summer. “He was kind of quiet, but everyone was
"His sense of humor and his positive attitude are the only things that helped me get through that class." Keith Schweiger Graduate Student
drawn to him,” said Waldman. Smith said, "He was a great person. I was so lucky to have met him. He's made a lasting impression on me." “Dr. Kelshaw and I attended the visitation last night, and the photos of Joe's childhood were especially poignant. He was a good spirit, and I know he will be missed by many people,” said Dr. Harry Haines, chairperson of the department of communication studies. Dr. Todd Kelshaw taught Wilczewski this past summer and had him in a class this semester. “What sticks with me most about him was his terrific, distinctive grin. He brought great humor to the classroom,” he said. Kelshaw noticed among the pictures at the visitation that Wilczewski sported that smile throughout his whole life. Outside of school, Wilczewski had a very vibrant social life. Described by
"He will always be remembered. He made all of us laugh." Daisy Waldman Senior
friends as a bodybuilder with a good sense of humor, Wilczewski was an employee at GNC and Anytime Fitness. "He was always positive and tried to make people laugh. He really tried to get that smile on your face" said Keith Schweiger, resident of West Caldwell and MSU graduate student. Schweiger reflected on dissecting a frog in Biology class with Wilczewski, "His sense of humor and his positive attitude are the only things that helped me get through that class." “He will always be remembered. He made all of us laugh. I wouldn't have chosen anyone else to work [on projects] with,” said Waldman. "The next class was hard. Things were different. I kept waiting for him to walk in the door," Waldman said. Waldman and Smith in the communications department are putting a poster together in memory of Joseph Wilczewski. It will include pictures and notes from friends. Once it is signed and completed, it will be given to his parents. According to his obituary from The Star Ledger, Wilczewski's family “requests donations in lieu of flowers to either Jackson Malia Fund, 759 Bloomfield Ave., Suite 304, West Caldwell, N.J. 07006 or Caron Foundation, 234 North Galen Hall Rd., Wernersville Pa. 19565 in his memory.”
"He was a great person. I was so lucky to have met him." Kelly Smith Senior Courtesy of Nick Barbara
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news
The Montclarion • December 9, 2010
Facebook Continued From Page 1
a short summary that was compiled of personal information. It shows people’s education, relationships, work experience, birthday, etc. Butler disagrees with Facebook’s decision to take people’s statuses off their page. Statuses now only appear on users’ newsfeed. “It does not inspire me to visit a person’s page anymore. I thought that was the whole point behind social networking — go to a person’s page and see what they’re doing,” he said. Many of the items that are within the short summary on top of the page are
linked. If someone’s job or school has a page, it’ll be linked. Users will be able to visit more pages this way. By putting a short profile of users on top of the page, Facebook got rid of the “Wall,” “Info,” “Photo” and “Boxes” tabs on the top. They have now been moved to the left margin of the page. Facebook also added more photograph opportunities to people’s page. Whereas the old Facebook layout only displayed default pictures, there is now a five-picture strip that goes across the top of the page. Unfortunately, users cannot per-
sonalize these five pictures. Recently added pictures of the user will be put on display. Although you cannot personalize the pictures, you can choose to remove them from the strip. Butler disagrees with the fact that users aren’t allowed to choose the pictures in the strip. “Those pictures are not representative of me. Most of the pictures in the feed are from other people. If they are going to feed out pictures of us, those should come from the albums that we have set up ourselves and not other people’s albums,” he said.
The new layout has not been well received in the Facebook world. Many people are uncertain about making the switch. Junior Nicole DeBari has yet to change her Facebook page. “I don’t like the fact that there is a short profile on me across the top of my page. I prefer the way it is now, that people have to pick tabs to see my information,” she said. While people may be hesitant about this change, they should keep in mind that this will not be the last. Facebook has changed multiple times within the last few years and it will continue to.
The short summary of people's information is compiled to look like this. Whereas this information used to be available behind individual tabs, it is now all compiled on the top of users' page.
The picture strip is also located on the top of users' profiles. It allows people to see pictures you were most recently tagged in. You cannot personalize these pictures.
- Pro: The new Facebook profile allows your personal background to be highlighted. - Con: It may be intrusive to people because all of their personal information is exposed at the top of the page.
Spare Rooms Put to Use in The Heights Eliza Fayer Staff Writer
Now that the names have been chosen and tours have been given of The Heights, you might be wondering what else the residence halls will feature. It is anticipated that The Heights will feature several rooms that could possibly be turned into learning communities. It would include a First Year Connections Living Community in addition to that which is already in Bohn Hall. Additionally, it will contain a Sophomore Success Special Interest Living Community, the Honors program and a Women’s Special Interest Living Community. The Heights will also feature what each of the other standard residence halls already contain. Each of the two complexes will house its own laundry
facility along with a community lounge, TV lounge and a multipurpose room. These rooms will be primarily for resident use. However, they could also be utilized for additional purposes. For example, first year seminar classes for various learning communities or even additional recreation classes could be held here. Currently, there is no set purpose yet aside from student use. These rooms will not be used as general classroom purposes. Each of these facilities will all be wireless. Each building of The Heights will have its own community director who will oversee the building. There will be a total of 49 community assistants living throughout the entire complex. As of now the construction continues to move along smoothly and hopefully the project is expected to be completed by fall 2011.
Amenities in The Heights: - Laundry facilities - Community lounges - Television lounges - Multipurpose rooms - First Year Connections Living Community - Sophomore Success Special Interest Living Community
Tabs that used to be on the top are now on the left hand margin. Above a list of your friends.
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FEature
The Montclarion
Top Five Holiday Gifts of 2010 Amanda Balbi Feature Editor Dinah Polk Assistant Feature Editor
With winter around the corner, so are holiday parties. Whatever holiday you might celebrate, you probably need to get a gift for someone. These items are on our staff’s wish list and on websites’ top 10 gift lists. If all else fails, most gift cards don’t expire and don’t accumulate fees if inactive for six months. We’ve found that restaurant gift cards work best, but American Express gift cards are great as well. For any other gift giving ideas, visit our web site: www.themontclarion.org.
Courtesy of kinectxbox360offers.net
The Kinect for Xbox 360 has taken the world by storm with its advanced technology that allows the player to be the controller. The video game addon is a perfect addition to any gamer’s collection.
Courtesy of kindle-reader-review.com
The kindle has been around for a while now, but it’s a student’s best friend. They are also reduced in price on the internet.
Courtesy of media.giantbomb.com Courtesy of mememachine.viralvideochart.com
The iPhone 4 is coming to the Verizon network. This highly anticipated device is expected to be next year’s top seller.
Courtesy of jimmychoooutlets.org
Jimmy Choo has premiered his line of Ugg boots. They are more stylish than regular Uggs, are just as comfortable.
Dead Rising II is G4’s top rated video game this year. Play as an ex-motocross rider while killing zombies and finding money throughout the Las Vegasesque town. Be advised that this video game is rated “M” for violence and gore.
Interfaith Dialogue Unites Montclair Students and Promotes Tolerance Alan Akins Staff Writer
Religion is often viewed in a negative light, and it becomes hard for people of different faiths to understand and tolerate each other. The media portrays religious leaders as angry and intolerant of others, however, in reality there is a small yet peaceful religious movement attempt-
“It’s cool to have an event with different faiths.” Frankie Stern Freshman, Undeclared
ing to reverse negativity. Interfaith Dialogue is an event held every semester, sponsored by Change
Collegian Network, which brings together the Abrahamic religious organizations of the campus and allows them to debate and discuss various topics about religion. Abrahamic religions are “the mono-
“I think it’s a really great event and it shows how Montclair really backs diversity, and it also shows that we can respect and communicate with each other.” Rachel Druker Freshman, History
theistic faiths emphasizing and tracing their common origin to Abraham or recognizing a spiritual tradition identified with Abraham,” according to wikipedia.org. These groups are the Change Collegian Network Christian Fellowship, the Muslim Student Association and Hillel Jewish Student Organization. These organizations come together every semester to debate and foster genuine conversation. This Wednesday, Change Collegian Network sponsored a “Get to Know You Dinner” for the three organizations. The dinner, which consists of Kosher and Halal food, will bring together the three faiths and allows students to meet each other in fun and relaxed way. There were presentations and a fun round of Get-To-Know-You Bingo. The students had an opportunity to explore other religions and share their own.
From left to right: Imran Shah, Kyle Smith, Numair Azmat, Alex Braverman and Shaidul Islam gather for the “Get to Know You” dinner.
Dorothy J. Scott, a senior and secretary of Change Collegian Network commented, “Sometimes religion can be something that divides and discourages relationships. What we want to do is come together, really talk and establish connections that transcend boundaries.”
“I like how there is good diversity and I’m excited to see what people have, to be working towards understanding each other.” Yasmin Essa Graduate
Courtesy of Alan Akins
6 Feature
The Montclarion • December 9, 2010
Mike Monostra Sports Editor
Horoscopes by
Monostradamus!
Aries – This holiday season, feel free to take a risk and shoot for the stars. It may mean going on an adventurous trip, making a drastic life decision or making a big move towards a significant other. In any case, throw caution to the wind, don’t be afraid of what can go wrong, but think about what can go right.
Libra – Good fortunes are going to be coming your way this holiday season, and it’s a good idea to take advantage of that. Feel free to take a chance and ask out that special someone, or maybe ask for that special present that you have been hoping for. Everything is sure to go your way.
Taurus – Beware of family get-togethers this holiday season. You’re going to be thrown into the fire when an argument ensues and you’ll be forced to choose a side. When you choose a side, make sure to think the predicament through carefully. A wrong decision here could prove costly in the future.
Scorpio – Relaxation is the best remedy for you after a tough fall semester. Don’t overwhelm yourself with projects or work over the break, instead, have fun with friends and spend some time with family. It’ll allow you to be refreshed and raring to go once the spring semester kicks off.
Gemini – You’ve been way too busy this semester, so over the holidays, it’s time to get back in touch with friends and to become social again. Have some fun over the break, spend time with loved ones and maybe even throw a New Year’s Eve party. It’ll help you take a break from school and get back in touch with the real world.
Sagittarius – People are going to be pressuring you to make a decision on a very important event over the next few weeks. Make sure you exhibit patience in this situation. You don’t want to rush into a decision and then regret it in the future. It may be best to wait until next semester before making any changes in your life.
Cancer – If you’ve spent a lot of time away from your family lately due to school work, you may have lost base with them a little bit. Spend some quality time with your family over the break, even if it means staying in a few nights a week and spending extra quality time at home. It’s important to remain in close contact with your family. Leo – This holiday season will bode well for your love life. The secret is that your newest love interest may actually be someone that you don’t know yet. Keep your heart open, and when you meet someone new in the next few weeks, don’t be afraid to get to know them better. You never know what may come of your time together. Virgo – Events over the holiday period may make you question your way of life or the way you think about life. Don’t allow this to happen. Remember to stay true to yourself and to fight through any adversity that may come your way. It may not be the best holiday season for you, but if you hang in there, good things will come in the future.
Capricorn – If you’ve been wanting to work on a project outside of school, but haven’t had time to do it, winter break is the perfect time to start. Get a group of solid co-workers together and get a jump start on your project. It’ll keep you motivated going into next semester and will pay off in the future when you finish it. Aquarius – The answer that you have been seeking to a recent predicament will finally come over the holidays. The answer may not be exactly what you were hoping for, but at least it’ll lift a large burden off of your shoulders. Be willing to accept whatever happens in the situation and be willing to move on if the answer isn’t what you hoped for. Pisces – If the holidays haven’t been cheerful in the past because of annoying family members, it’s time to be cheerful because this year, things will change. Everyone will be able to put their differences aside in your family this year and get along. Enjoy the holidays this year, because things may not be so good in the future.
WEBSITE ONLY!!
www.themontclarion.org This week on ‘Nessa.0 ...
‘Nessa analyzes
“The Christmas Tree”
Nessa.0 is based off the television show “Tosh.0” where the host plays random Youtube videos of people and animals doing entertaining things caught on tape and makes fun of them.
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8 Feature
The Montclarion • December 9, 2010
THE WORKOUT STATION: Yoga Vanessa Hargreaves Assistant Feature Editor
Since finals are coming up next week, a great way to distress your mind as well as your body is to do yoga for a few minutes a day. All you need is some comfortable clothes and to be in a Zen state of mind. Here are four basic yoga poses you can try in your dorm room or apartment. Pose 1: Half Lotus- Sit down on the floor with your knees bent and take your left foot and rest it on your right calf. Slide your right foot underneath your left calf. Then rest your arms on top of your thighs and put your fingertips together in a snapping pose. Remember to keep your back straight while gently inhaling and exhaling for two minutes, controlling your body.
Pose 2: Triangle- Stand up with your legs apart and take your left arm and gently tilt it down to the side with your hand touching your left ankle. Stick your right arm straight up so that your arms are at a 180-degree angle. Hold the pose for one minute while controlling your breathing, then switch sides.
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Pose 3: Tree- This one is the trickiest pose since it requires balance, but you will have better balance the more yoga you do. Stand with your feet together and fully extend your arms above your head, while clasping your hands together. Slowly lift your right leg and bend your knee to the side. Then rest your foot on your left thigh, while breathing deeply to hold the pose. Concentrate on your balance and relax your muscles. Hold for one minute, and then switch legs.
Pose 4: Cobra- Lie on your stomach, fully extending your legs outward. Gently lift your torso up by fully extending your arms and opening your chest. Keep your head held high as you inhale and exhale. Hold pose for one minute, then relax by slowly bending your elbows and repeat for another minute.
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Hope you enjoyed this workout session and that you are now more relaxed for final exams. Remember the key to yoga is focusing not only on your body’s movements but on the timing of your breathing mixed with the poses. These are basic poses to get you started with being a Zen MSU student.
Visit the website for videos keep up your workouts during holiday break! www.themontclarion.org
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The Montclarion • December 9, 2010
Feature 9
The Weekly Debate OH MY GOSH!!!! THERE’S ONLY ONE WEEK OF SCHOOL LEFT!!!!!! He Said
Mike Monostra Sports Editor
Don’t you always wish you had more time to do things? It’s weird. In one way, the final two weeks of every semester always feel more like two months, but at the same time, it always seems like you never have enough time to finish all of your assignments. If you are one of those people who have three or four papers to do and three or four exams to study for by next week, then the only way you will be able to finish all your work effectively without killing yourself in the process is by planning out your schedule carefully. The best way to attack a shortage of time is by dividing your work up day by day and setting aside a certain amount of hours to get your work done. You know how long it’ll take for
you to write a five page paper, so plan according to how long it’ll take to complete a particular project or how long you need to study for a test. All of this work combined with the long grind of the semester may have you feeling lethargic and not wanting to finish your work. Especially with the holiday season in full swing, you may be tempted to go out and do things other than your schoolwork. Until you get your work done, it’s probably best to put all of your fun holiday plans aside. True, this is one of the most fun times of year, but school is important and you need to be able to pass your classes in order to graduate. You’ll have an entire month free from school coming up where you can do all the fun stuff that you want, so it’s time to put your head down and get you work done for now. I think the real answer to this predicament is that you DON’T have enough time to do the things you want to do AND need to do Life isn’t always fair like that. But if you’re able to get all your responsibilities out of the way now, there will be plenty of time for fun and games after the semester ends. So you should probably stop reading this right now and get started. What are you waiting for?
She Said
Jade Moskovitz Staff Writer
Time’s a funny thing. When you’re in class, counting down the minutes left until dismissal, 10 minutes can seem like 10 hours, but when you’re at a party and someone says, “10 minutes until we leave,” 10 minutes can feel more like 10 seconds. No matter the case, time doesn’t stop for anyone or anything, but where does time go? It seems like there’s never enough time to do everything that we want or have to do. I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard someone say, “There just aren’t enough hours in the day.” As a college student, I completely agree. Sometimes it’s hard to balance schoolwork and a job, let alone consider the idea of spending time with friends and family. Finals week is a criminal known to steal time. The library becomes your second home as you stress about how you can
possibly cram for all of your exams and possibly manage to make up for a semester’s worth of procrastinated assignments. Living on campus can put you at an advantage or disadvantage during finals week. Sure, you’re closer to the library, which may entice you to make the trip, but you’re also surrounded by the temptation of going out and having fun. The best advice I can give is to try and put things into perspective. Finals are only one week out of the entire semester, which means you only have to dedicate seven more days to your studies. You never know, this one week could fly by, but either way, time isn’t going to slow down so that you can make up for lost study time prior to an exam. Dedicating your time doesn’t mean that you have to fall off the face of the Earth. As important as it is to maintain your focus when studying, it is just as important to allow yourself a break. Take a break every once and a while to call home, or grab a bite to eat with a friend. Sure you may rather go out and party with your friends at night instead of spending the time talking over a slice of pizza, but time doesn’t always allow us to get done everything that we want to do, now does it?
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The Montclarion • December 9, 2010
PSA 11
POLICY ON FINAL EXAMINATIONS 1. All final examinations must be given during the regularly scheduled examination periods. The Schedule of Courses, attached, lists days and times of final examinations for each class period. 2. No final examination may be given during the last week of classes before the examination period. 3. The exam period is integral to the course meeting time in fulfillment of statutory definitions of academic credit. If no formal examination is scheduled, the class must meet for one hour during the scheduled final examination time for a class evaluation session. Thus, all classes are required to meet during the examination period. FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE – FALL 2010 DECEMBER 14-20
Day Undergraduate and Graduate Courses
Evening/Weekend/and Off-Campus Undergraduate and Graduate Courses
Tuesday – Dec 14
Tuesday – Dec 14
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 – Dec 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
Wednesday – Dec 15
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 – Dec 16
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 M or R at 0230pm…………..0100pm-0300pm For Classes with First or Only Meeting on M or R at 0400pm ...............0315pm-0515pm
Friday – Dec 17
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
Monday – Dec 20
For Classes with First or Only Meeting on M or R at 0830am................ 0800am-1000am For Classes with First or Only Meetin g on M or R at 1000am................1015am-1215pm 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
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 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 – Dec 16
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 – Dec 17
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 – Dec 18
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
Sunday – Dec 19
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
Monday –Dec 20
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
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: “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 regu larly 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. 1.
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opinion
The Montclarion
MSUOpinion@gmail.com
WikiLeaks: Espionage for a New Era
Hannah Scherba | The Montclarion
I
n the past, the only “Wiki” that college students have been aware of is Wikipedia. Recent developments have triggered new recognition in the word Wiki, but this time the Internet prefix is not a medium for convenience, it is an avenue of truth. Unbeknownst to
the majority of college students, WikiLeaks first arrived on the digital scene four years ago. The basic purpose of WikiLeaks is to publish information revealing certain truths. This unveiling is usually targeted at information the general public would never receive. Up until recently, WikiLeaks has never generated vast criticism concerning their version of journalism,
for which they coined the phrase “scientific journalism.” Two weeks ago, WikiLeaks published a plethora of cables meant to shed light on the various relations between the United States and foreign nations. Keep in mind that these cables would have never reached the eyes of American citizens without WikiLeak’s publication. With that being said, WikiLeaks
has been on the blunt end of extremely negative backlash. Various governments have condemned the creator of WikiLeaks, Julian Assange, as being treasonous or a “transnational threat.” Sarah Palin has been quoted as saying that he should be, “hunted down like Osama bin Laden.” The publication of these cables contains a wide variety of information concerning American relations with Iran, Afghanistan, China, Canada and Korea — just to name a few. It is vital that we are all aware that absolutely none of the published cables contain information that would compromise the United States military, nor do they endanger the lives of any individual. You may be wondering: So why all the malicious criticism? Doesn’t the public reserve the right to be informed? Naturally, the government is not pleased by WikiLeaks’ publication of their private cables. Gone are the days when important documents were stored in filing cabinets, when the only means of espionage was committed by James Bond as he sweeps through a window. Today, from both a literal and figurative sense of the word, websites are being accosted by digital experts. A group of activist hackers have been conducting cyberattacks on major websites (such as Mastercard and PayPal) that have withdrawn their support of WikiLeaks. Their intention is to avenge WikiLeaks. We can easily comprehend the reason for their anger but we are in no way supporters of sabotage. They are attacking the companies, and in extension, the costumers who have no control of industrial preference. It seems as though this is another version of espionage. We can easily picture James Bond as an overweight loner hovering over his keyboard, grinning
sadistically as he gazes at raw information. One is inclined to wonder why these websites have made such a decision. They claim that they were never under pressure from the government to blacklist WikiLeaks, but the entire situation seems just a bit suspicious. Aside from this activity, Assange has been jailed in Britain on accusations of sexual offences. We are in no position to question the validity of a sexual charge, but there seems to be a distinct correlation between his incarceration and the release of said cables. However, we do believe that it is within WikiLeaks rights to publish these cables. The American public has the right to know what is going on in the government. If our relations with a certain country are unstable then we should be aware of it. As previously stated, no one is being harmed by this newly released information. If WikiLeaks is shut down, then where do we draw the line? Assange pulls an important point to the forefront of public discussion in an article he recently wrote for The Australian. “In its landmark ruling in the Pentagon Papers case, the US Supreme Court said only a free and unrestrained press can effectively expose deception in government. The swirling storm around WikiLeaks today reinforces the need to defend the right of all media to reveal the truth.” Assange claims that he merely wants to uncover the truth, but the government disagrees. He is actively being treated with contempt by Republicans and Democrats alike; he is not spared by either of the parties. Yet, the question remains: Is he a villain or our savior? You be the judge.
-Lori Wieczorek
Forgotten Days of Infamy
T
his past Tuesday may have been the quietest Pearl Harbor Day observance yet. On Dec. 7, 1941, the Japanese military launched an air raid attack on the Pearl Harbor naval base a few miles west of Honolulu. Most of the 2,350 people killed in the attack were military personnel serving on the USS Arizona. On past Pearl Harbor Days, we can recall televised memorial services that would profile veterans and their families. And if you looked for it this week, observances were there. Several documentaries and History Channel specials aired. The attack was recapped in under two minutes on local news networks. The 69th anniversary, however, appeared to pass by largely unrecognized. One staff member on The Montclarion noted that there were more Facebook status updates about the 30th anniversary of John Lennon’s assassination on December 8, than Pearl Harbor Day remembrances. Not that these events are comparable, since they are totally unrelated. And those people who acknowledge Pearl Harbor Day may not choose to do so through Facebook status updates. This is also not to diminish the significance of Lennon’s assassination. He’s remembered for his art and contributions to rock and roll music;
Pearl Harbor is remembered as the attack that pulled the United States into World War II. What does the lack of public attention paid to Pearl Harbor Day suggest about what we value or choose to memorialize? Many of our grandfathers and greatgrandfathers served in World War II. Maybe we no longer feel a personal or social connection to the day. With every passing year, it seems to become another event boiled down to a few paragraphs in United States history books and memorized by indifferent high school students. We can’t argue that Americans aren’t interested in history — just look at the popularity of The Pacific HBO series. President Franklin D. Roosevelt called it “a day that will live in infamy,” never to be forgotten by generations of Americans to come. But perhaps forgetting is inevitable, and these events are meant to become a part of history, cemented in memorial statues. The last known surviving American World War I veteran, Frank Woodruff Buckles, is 109 years old. Few students, other than history majors, can even name the major battles of World War I. According to 2010 information from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, approximately 850 American World War II veterans die
Hannah Scherba | The Montclarion
each day. The average age for a World War II veteran as of 2009 was 86 years. How important is it for our generation to publicly acknowledge Pearl Harbor Day? As the number of surviving veterans decreases, so will our personal connection to the event. To our generation, it’s a part of World War II history. Arguably, we won’t view it with the same significance or reverence that our grandparents did.
We can’t really say, however, that this is a “good” or “bad” thing. Nor does it suggest that our generation has no respect for history or our veterans. Most of the memorials and services may end with our grandparents, but we still have an understanding and quiet respect for Pearl Harbor Day.
-Katherine Milsop
14 OPINION
The Montclarion •December 9, 2010
Is There Life After College?
Anxiety over our future takes precedence over the question of happiness
A
s we near the finale of yet another semester at Montclair S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y, some of us edge closer to the fast approach i ng Travis Lancester date of graduation — a date columnist that marks our release from the safety of the red roofed buildings of Montclair State, and our dispersion into the wonders of the “real world.” In the past this was a date characterized by the promise of occupation and the beginning of a fresh, autonomous life. In these times however, the idea of graduation is met with a distinct sense of fear and uncertainty associated with an individual’s future. It seems that in these tough economic times everyone is now attending college
in pursuit of a college degree — which has long been considered necessary in order to guarantee employment and a future full of success and prosperity. But with so many individuals now obtaining their college degrees, what used to be considered a “competitive edge” has merely become nothing more than a commodity. So the question remains: should those of us who are graduating fairly soon be comforted by our degrees or should we still carry the fear of perpetual unemployment? It does appear that more and more individuals are obtaining college degrees these days; if only because of the increased difficulty of obtaining an occupation. And in turn this is increasing the amount of competition in a time of ever decreasing job opportunities. Because of this there are a rising number of students on the cusp of graduation with a genuine and sickening fear for their future. Of the multitude of individuals I’ve spoken to on this campus alone, an overwhelming majority have little idea what their plans are post-graduation. And with the job market being so miserable, can you blame them for their uncer-
tainty? I mean, we’ve all been taught to believe that college is preparing us for the occupation and the working life that is meant for us. No wonder we’ve been labeled the “instant gratification generation.” We need everything right now, and without it we’re cast into an existence of anxiety and perpetual worry. We are constantly forgetting that there is a whole world out there. And it doesn’t help that the question on everyone’s lips — family members, friends, neighbors — is: “so, what are you doing with your life?” I believe our generation is characterized by such an absolute fear of our own futures that we don’t even take the time to step back and ask ourselves this question. Everyone is so focused on getting a job fresh out of college, starting a family and making money, that they neglect all of the other possibilities that the world has to offer. Think about all of the dreams that we harbored as imaginative high school students.
They have begun to evaporate right along with the job market. Nobody is thinking about taking time off after college to travel or explore. Nobody is thinking about the different ways in which they can enjoy themselves and their lives. No, half of us are concerned primarily with achieving and living a simple, comfortable life, while the other half are concerned with how and where they’re going to obtain money. In neither of these scenarios are we embracing life, nor are attempting to live to the fullest. Throughout my life I’ve been told — many times, and by many different people — to live in the moment. If anything, this article is meant to wake you up, to tell you to stop, take a breath and think about your life for a second. What can you do, at this point in your life that will ensure not the greatest amount of success, nor wealth, but happiness?
Travis Lancester, an English major, is in his first year as a columnist for The Montclarion.
Google’s Innovations Rival its Numeric Value
Alexa Coppola columnist
What defines a generation of instant gratification? It is probably the information and communication superhighway that completely and totally supports that generation. This has a more common
name, the Internet. But for some, it is not just an information source, it’s quite plausibly a business opportunity. Though it would seem that, while other companies have certainly profited from organized search engines, only one has truly made a household name of themselves. Google, the world’s most popular Internet search engine, has certainly heightened the standard for a tool allowing a refined search of the World Wide Web, if it’s even fair to say that there has consistently been competition, and that competitors do still exist. Google first came on the scene in 1998, on par with Internet powers like Yahoo and AOL. It has since surpassed those other search engines, but has yet to be satisfied with its Internet monopolization. Google describes its ambitions as far exceeding that of a simple search engine cartel. It has already moved on to experiment with other uses for the Internet and even various forms of technology. Google
Earth can give a new meaning to the term “world wide,” and as a frequent gmail user, (Google’s email program) I can ensure it’s reliabile. In association with Verizon, Google has begun producing smart phones, which are already a serious competitor of the iPhone. The members of Google see it as their mission to organize all the information of the world and make it accessible to just about everyone. Just like any continuously inflating organization, they have their fair share of enemies and lawsuits. But, also akin to any wealthy and steadily growing company, they have the best and most levelheaded lawyers and advisers working on their side. Those who are not on their team are merely trying to keep knowledge from reaching the public ... for free. While the company will surely continue to experiment and cultivate in this same manner, 90 percent of its revenue still comes from search advertising. Though you can be sure to see new technological advances from Google in the near future, their key advantage is the concept of not having to pay, just having to look at some ads. Who knows, they might even catch your interest. It is a method that the company basically has a monopoly on, after its consistent success since the birth of Google. It is a beautiful thing: all the knowledge of the world compiled and organized, at your fingertips and at no cost to you.
Alexa Coppola, a fine arts major, is in her first year as a columnist for The Montclarion.
A Little Chitchat Wow, it’s hard to believe that it’s the end of the semester already. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I cannot wait to have some time off. Taking 18 credits has been crazy for me and Dinah Polk Assistant Feature I’m sure I’m not the only one. editor Normally as soon as winter break gets here, it’d be party time for me, but I think this year I’m going to actually try to be productive with my time. Don’t get me wrong, I will be doing some partying, safely and responsibly of course, but I also plan on getting some things done. If any of you are heading towards graduation like me, this would be the perfect time to start scoping out some jobs for when school is over. The only way to get things accomplished is to get out there and get the ball rolling. I can be very lazy sometimes, so I know that it can be hard to find that motivation when all really you want to do is spend your break sleeping in, but I just keep telling myself
that it’ll be worth it in the end. Working extra hours is also something that I’ll be doing during the break. Being 21 years old and in college is expensive, so I’m going to try to take this time to fill up my wallet while I have the chance. Aside from the life planning and financial things I want to get done, I can’t wait to spend time with my family and friends, get to the gym a little bit more and really just enjoy this time of year. I used to be all about gifts when December came around, but as I get older I realize that there are so many more important aspects of the holidays to focus on. So, I’m definitely going to try to make this break as special and productive as it can possibly be. But don’t be surprised if you read my column in January and hear that all I did was party, watch TV, eat apple pie and hang out on my couch. I mean, getting stuff accomplished is easier said than done, but we shall see! Until then though, I hope that you all have a safe, happy, and productive holiday break!
Dinah Polk, an English education major, is in her second year as assistant feature editor for The Montclarion.
A Haunting in Montclair: Vanishing Pianos
T
here was a time when an MSU student could find a piano to play at any time of the day. This was not long ago, and many students on campus Katie Winters remember these Chief Copy Editor days fondly. The days before the new music building was completed, before MSU became a Steinway school, before McEachern became a wasteland, before musical freedom was scrapped for higher security and prestige. It was a shock to walk into McEachern in Fall 2009 and discover its rooms, once filled with pianos, had become barren. It was a shock to discover that Chapin locked automatically once its hours, which were never posted, had ended. But the shock of walking into the basement of Life Hall and discovering not only the pianos gone, but all the practice rooms dismantled, with no warning to the campus at large, was much greater. It was one of those moments when all words leave you, and all you can do is stare blankly at a space you once knew and had grown accustomed to, which was now empty and
practically unrecognizable as what it had once been. It’s great that there is a beautiful and upto-date music building on campus. It makes our already acclaimed music program more desirable to students. And being a Steinway school is prestigious; it allows us to be named alongside Julliard and other top notch conservatories. I’m not saying we should trade these feathers in MSU’s cap for the freedom to play at all hours. In fact, I’m saying we shouldn’t have to compromise. We should be able to have both. We used to have a lot of “loved” pianos, pianos that had been played by thousands of students and looked worn, a little beat up, but were at least playable. Maybe you wouldn’t want to perform for an audience on one of those pianos, but if all you wanted to do was play a few songs or teach yourself piano, they more than did the job. Some of them were even old Steinways. Where have these pianos gone? Old worn-out pianos are rarely bought, they’re either donated or tossed into a landfill. Actually, when my family bought a new piano, the store took away our old player piano, which was so old and worn-out that you couldn’t tune it anymore. One day we happened to be by that store and we saw our old piano sitting forlorn outside the store, free to anyone who was will-
ing to haul it away, which might have been smart since the keys were ivory. It was sad to see something from my childhood abandoned in such a way, and I don’t really want to imagine the older pianos from campus abandoned in that way, or worse, tossed unceremoniously into a landfill. So, if the future of the pianos that used to be scattered around campus was less than bright, why were they gotten rid of? Students used them. Maybe not a lot of students, but does that really matter? Keeping the pianos in some otherwise unused space and tuning them perhaps once a year doesn’t cost that much. In fact it seems like it costs more to pay a company to come and move the pianos to their final resting places. We kept them around and tuned them for years without concern for these costs before they suddenly started disappearing. It seems that these costs shouldn’t be that high, especially since the university also pays to have all the pianos in the music building tuned regularly. Obviously we already have some sort of budget for tuning. Furthermore, it seems like the few pianos that are left in freely accessible places, such as the Freeman lounge, are the worst possible pianos, ones that should perhaps be retired. Pianos that cannot be tuned, that have no pedals or on which all the keys do not
work because it is just that broken have been left for students, while other, better pianos were taken away. If we, as a community, can find a few places on campus that are open 24/7 to put pianos, that would be enough. They don’t have to be great pianos and there don’t have to be many, but if we can return, at least partly, to the time when you could find a piano, no matter what time it is, that would be ideal, because creativity doesn’t stop when business hours end. Some people are just too shy to practice in front of others. Heck, I’m too shy to practice in front of others. Other people find the solitude helps them focus. Others just keep odd hours. And others never know when they’ll have a great idea. We shouldn’t squelch the creativity that thrives on this campus, especially that which lives outside the classroom. And if we truly are a community built on trust, then the university should trust the students to use the pianos for music and the students should be able to trust that there will always be a piano somewhere that they can play on. Let the days of free music reign once again.
Katie Winters, an English major, is in her first year as Chief Copy Editor for The Montclarion.
15
MSUArts@gmail.com
Arts & Entertainment
The Montclarion
Mark’s Best of 2010 Music Roundup The Top Five Releases of the Year Mark Gould Arts & Entertainment Editor
Most people will agree that the right song can change your entire day for better or worse. Music has a universal affect on all listeners, and 2010 brought us some great new experiences. At first, this was not the most promising year for music. Other than Motion City Soundtrack’s My Dinosaur Life, I don’t recall being too passionate about any album for the first half of the year. However, once the seasons started to get cooler, I noticed a flurry of new music that brought me right back into a little frenzy of joy.
After listening to a lot more new albums through the year, I was amazed at how many bands that quickly became some of my new favorites. After much internal debate, I’ve realized that there is no logical way I could rank these albums. I’ll admit right now, I don’t listen to all genres. My interests are rooted in alternative/indie/folk/etc. rock. If I sound a little pretentious or musically elitist, well, it’s only because I’m right. Here are my personal favorite albums released this year. I hope you check out some, if not all, of these bands, and enjoy new music.
Margot And The Nuclear So And So’s – Buzzard. This album would have definitely been better if it weren’t for the second half. Margot And The Nuclear So And So’s is another band I discovered this year, and found myself wanting to listen to every album they have ever recorded. Buzzard is the most rock-based out of the collection, incorporating many angst filled songs that are instantly savored, such as “New York City Hotel Blues.” After the first five tracks, the album starts to slow down, but it is still good enough to make Buzzard one of my favorite of the year. Buzzard often sounds like a soft, pleasing album that was given a dose of adrenaline. Photo courtesy of www.music-rapid.com
Jimmy Eat World – Invented. Jimmy Eat World has always been my favorite band, so I was eagerly waiting for this album to be released. To my satisfaction, the band kept making strong pop rock tracks, taking cues from many of their past albums. Although Invented doesn’t rank with the band’s previous albums, that is by no means calling it bad. Certain songs, like “Stop” and “Cut,” sounds like old classics with a more orchestral craft. In typical Jimmy Eat World fashion, the album starts with a catchy, charming song, moves through different tones and emotions, and ends on a strong, somber, yet beautiful note.
Photo courtesy of www.pastemagazine.com
The National – High Violet. I first discovered The National this year, after being persuaded by our opinion editor’s review of their live performance at the Wellmont Theatre. I was instantly drawn to the songs “Bloodbuzz Ohio” and “Terrible Love.” Singer/songwriter Matt Berninger has a distinct voice that pulls you right into his well-crafted lyrical content. The album has a smooth fluidity to it; some songs are slower with a glaze of piano, while the
remaining tracks are typically up-tempo. High Violet ranks number one because it can be listened to constantly without getting boring. Berninger writes about a lot of depressing themes, as shown on songs “Sorrow” and “Lemonworld,” but manages to show a mature separation from any pessimism, an act that most musicians have yet to understand. High Violet is captivating, and stands out as the year’s best.
Photo courtesy of www.theurbanwire.com
Photo courtesy of www.losslessalbum.com
Photo courtesy of www.mbvmusic.com
Arcade Fire – The Suburbs. Arcade Fire was not meant to be a well-kept secret. Their third album is the type of music that comes across to listeners of all genres. The songs are often upbeat, vivacious and catchy. However, The Suburbs still finds a subtle quirk to it, distancing itself from any claims of pop. From the very begin-
ning, songs “The Suburbs” and “Ready To Start” captivatingly persuade the listening to keep going forward. At 16 tracks totaling a little over an hour, The Suburbs is an experience that may seem a bit long. Not to worry, the album is definitely rewarding and keeps delivering with songs like “Month of May” and “We Used To Wait.”
There are a few other albums that made the year more enjoyable. Perhaps the best was Motion City Soundtrack’s My Dinosaur Life is, from start to finish, a fresh take on the pop punk genre that is starting to become hackneyed and unoriginal. It’s one of the few albums in the genre that stays strong from the first track to the last. Assailants EP by the Arizona band Lydia marks their final release as a band, but provides some of their best songs
to date. The EP is hauntingly charming, and creates a great atmosphere for nighttime listening. Belle And Sebastian’s Write About Love is a delightful album that stays fun from beginning to end. The male and female vocals are often bubbly and smooth. John Legend and The Roots teamed up to release Wake Up!, which featured great covers of classic soul and funk songs. The album was a welcomed release for hip hop and R&B, a
Bad Books – Bad Books. Brooklyn singer/songwriter Kevin Devine and the Atlanta based Manchester Orchestra have made many separate successful albums, but now have joined forced to create the band Bad Books. After hearing the questionably short, yet ultimately powerful “You Wouldn’t Have To Ask,” I was hoping for nine more tracks of the same. It turns out that most of the songs on the self-titled album were stripped down acoustic tracks, but I quickly learned not to doubt. Kevin Devine’s tracks are as good as his earlier works, but contain a slightly more instrumental flair to them. Manchester Orchestra’s lead singer/songwriter Andy Hull gives an enjoyably creepy tone to tracks “Please Move” and “Baby Shoes.” Overall, the 10 songs come together nicely, and have a lot more range and replay-ability than you’d realize upon first listen. genre that often can seem repetitive and too radio friendly. Finally, Sufjan Stevens released a full-length album this year, The Age of Adz, but his All Delighted People EP will have you going back for more, returning to the serene and wistful folk style that earned him a die-hard fan-base.
Check back next semester for more new music reviews
16 A&E
The Montclarion • December 9, 2010
The Montclarion • December 9, 2010
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18 A&E
The Montclarion • December 9, 2010
James Franco Plunges Into Darkness and Solitude
F ig ht s for Sur vi v a l in 127 Hour s Ken Macri Staff Writer
127 Hours provides its audience with the gripping tale of Aron Ralston’s (played by James Franco) desperate struggle for survival while trapped under a boulder in the desolate mountains of Moab, Utah. Ralston, a cocky mountain climber who likes to isolate himself from the rest of the world, told no one where he was going. So when he becomes trapped in a deep canyon with his arm pinned under a heavy boulder, he must rely only on himself, resorting to desperate measures to preserve his life. With little water, his handheld video camera and a cheap switchblade, Ralston must depend on his skills and logic to escape. The film moves at its own pace, not fast nor slow, and relies on Ralston’s fear and anxiety to keep the audience involved. Director Danny Boyle uses riveting cinematography done by Enrique Chediak, establishing how small Ralston really is in the immensity of the Utah wilderness. With bloodshed so overly used in many Hollywood films today, Boyle takes exception and uses it to perfection. The bloodshed in this film is not to sicken the audience, but to establish the reality of Ralston’s dreaded situation when he is forced to cut off his own arm. Boyle puts his audience directly beside Ralston in the canyon, and moviegoers will feel his pain when he cuts through his own flesh for survival. Franco is brilliant as Ralston, as the
James Franco fights for survival in 127 Hours.
film revolves exclusively around his world. 127 Hours relies on human emotion and willpower more than any other film I’ve seen this year, so Franco had to be perfect to pull his role off, and he was. As Ralston suffers, his cockiness and boldness turn into regret and despair, and Franco displays these emotions very well through the film. The plot is simple and based on a true story, yet the film becomes more complex as it progresses due to the reality of Ralston’s situation, as his time is running low and his fear is starting to mount. After watching 127 Hours, I view Aron
Photo courtesy of www. screenrant.com
Ralston as a true hero. Despite the fact it was Ralston’s own ignorance that got him into his dire situation, he had
the drive and willpower to get himself out, no matter what the cost may have been.
Ken’s Grade: 4 out of 5 Stars To watch the trailer for 127 Hours visit www.themontclarion.org
My Chemical Romance Gets Glammy Danger Days Deliver s a Funky New Sound Arianny Pilarte Staff Writer
New Jersey’s native sons are back. After four years, My Chemical Romance has crawled out of the dark mourning period that they explored on their last album, The Black Parade, and have returned with a new concept on Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys. The album is a snarling synth-fueled call to action. Along with the new concept comes a new hairstyle for lead singer, Gerard Way. His hair is now dyed a blazing red to match the fiery lyrics and stomping melodies of the new album. This time, the band has adopted the alter egos of the Fabulous Killjoys. They have quirky codenames like Party Poison, Fun Ghoul, Jet Star and the Kobra Kid. They are a group of vigilantes in California fighting against an evil corporation called Better Living Industries in the year 2019. It’s a post-apocalyptic cowboy story not even
Clint Eastwood could make up. The songs are some of the band’s most fun, but also their most commanding. “Planetary (GO!)” could be played in a dance club, but the lyrics obviously show the defiance and contempt for celebrity culture. Way shouts over a heavy beat: “Ladies and gentlemen / Truth is now acceptable / Fame is now injectable.” The lead single, “Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na),” is so upbeat, it’s easy to forget the song is a rallying call for an army, taunting any and all authority. Produced by My Chemical Romance and frequent collaborator Rob Cavallo (Green Day’s American Idiot, Paramore’s Brand New Eyes), Danger Days is also one giant kiss on the lips to glam rock. It is unmistakably from a futuristic concept with David Bowie and Marc Bolan name drops and the introduction of “Vampire Money,” which emulates the opening of Sweet’s “Ballroom Blitz.” However, Danger Days has the grit and fury that is characteristic of Photo courtesy of www.mp3crank.com
the band’s music with all the mysticism of glam rock. Each song has the feel of an anthem, commanding its listeners to “raise your voice / every single time they try and shut your mouth.” The band wants to lead a battle against the oppressors, the powerful and the conformists. It’s not always about winning according to the Killjoys: “This ain’t about all the friends you made / But the graffiti they write on your grave / Who gives a damn if we lose the war?” A lot has changed for the boys since they first blew onto the scene in 2004. For one, they aren’t boys anymore. Most of the band members are in their thirties and already have families. The quintet has also become a quartet with the departure of their longtime drummer, Bob Bryar (who still gets song writing credit for many of the songs in the album). The band managed to pull through and release an album that not only shows a huge departure from their goth/emo image. They show a new level of maturity and growth in their music, without sacrificing any of the hell-raising or inspiration loved by their fans.
My Chemical Romance release Danger Days, their first album in four years.
Photo courtesy of www.billboard.com
The Montclarion • December 9, 2010
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The Walking Dead Brings New Life To TV
Surprisingly Fresh First Season Ian Elliott Assistant Webmaster
The Walking Dead, the explosive hit new television series for American Movie Channel, had it’s season finale this Sunday. And as The Montclarion’s resident dork, I was asked to do a review for it. Which I should have seen coming, seeing as how I did a review of the preview that was shown at New York Comic-Con. First up, if you’re not familiar with The Walking Dead, I’m terribly sorry for your loss. Here’s a quick refresher: The television series by AMC was based off a popular graphic novel by the same title earlier this year. The show focuses on Rick Grimes, a police officer from the deep south, who is thrust into an apocalyptic hell after waking up from a coma in a hospital, alone, after surviving a gunshot wound while on duty. He first learns of the infection when he accidentally stumbles upon the disemboweled remains of a woman who seeks to eat his flesh. Understandably shaken, he travels to his home to find it empty and his neighborhood filled with “walkers,” the term the series uses for the zombies. After being mistaken for a walker and smacked upside the head with a shovel, Rick makes his first contact with someone who doesn’t desire to devour him. With this first human contact, Rick comes to the realization that this isn’t an isolated incident, and it seems that the devil has truly gone down to Georgia. Rick, however, doesn’t seem phased, and decides to head into Atlanta to see if he can find his family.
Unfortunately, the city is overrun with walkers, which Rick (and his horse) discover a little too late (well, at least for the horse). However, he is able to escape the wrath of the undead through the contact with a second, larger group of survivors. With these new-found comrades, Rick finds his wife and child. I won’t discuss the plot much more, because honestly, I can’t do it the justice that the novel and series do. However, what I do love is that The Walking Dead isn’t solely about the zombies. It does have the same feel of a zombie movie, but the focus is more on the human interaction during these dire times. Even though it was a short season of six episodes, it also allowed for depth of character to really show. There are decisions that must be made by the group that are not easy, and at best, divisive. Somehow, the ragtag band of survivors manage to stick together to the finale, which takes place at the Center for Disease Control, where they learn that the disease has gone worldwide. Overall, I am very pleased with how the season ran. I acknowledge that there will always be naysayers (there are some posters on my Facebook telling me all about why the series wasn’t nearly as good as the graphic novel), but I think, given the scale of the plot the cast and crew was working with, they did a darn good job. Granted, it’s not a panel-for-shot remake of the original work, but this is a good thing in my opinion. The original medium presents the story in a different way than television ever could. TV has to deliver an hour of plot at a time, and has to make
Photo courtesy of www.comicsbeat.com
the audience consistently care about the character’s trials and tribulations. So, yes, this means mini-dramas arise per episode, to fully engage the viewers for an hour at a time. However, I think these are where the series shines. For those who watched, I think we can all agree that the fourth episode is a great example of this. For those who didn’t, I would recommend dedicating six hours
of your life and catching up. It’s easy to be dissatisfied with the series finale. However, I’ve come to terms with it. The producers know they have a second season to carry, so there’s no point in answering all the questions just yet. Overall, I’m very pleased with how the series spent its time, and eagerly await the next season.
Natalie Portman Stars in Black Swan A Fascinating Portrait of Obsession Maxwell Weinstein Staff Writer
Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan never once reveals exactly what it is, which is ironic. The film’s wildly unrestrained psychosomatic narrative is devoted to subjectivity, free to romp in artistic grandeur, though it’s crafted around one calculating, rigidly disciplined performer who can’t allow her mind to be free for a second. The young woman is Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman), and her passion and elegance is apparent as we observe her daily routine — her walk from the humble apartment she shares with her loving, if not coddling mother (Barbara Hershey) to her New York City ballet company, run by one formidable director, Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassell). It is here where Nina will thrash out the limbering precision of her dance regiments, in preparing for the company’s production of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, for which swarms of students covet the lead of Swan Queen. Leroy acknowledges that the ballet has been done ad nauseam, but this time it’s going to be “stripped down, raw, visceral.” Black Swan brilliantly encompasses the concise leanness of Leroy’s approach, along with its sinister facets that lie beneath. It is nominally a hybrid adaptation of Dostoyevsky’s novella The Double and Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger’s 1948 balletic opus The Red Shoes, and, yes, how paranoia and competition can dwindle away at the most committed of minds under the portent of pressure. But just as Rosemary’s Baby — a seminal film for Aronofsky which the director publicly cites to be a major influence — was less concerned with the occult than with the perils of invested trust, so too is Black Swan devoted to greater thematic layering. It is a fascinating portrait of obsession, a film that sees the disturbing hum of anxiety in the physical manifest — thus the players in this gorgeously twisted world become slaves to the lifelong audition from which they cannot escape.
A cunning balance of seduction and sweetness with unsettling repulsion, Black Swan works effectively as dynamic melodrama before taking a wicked turn into Cronenbergian horrorfantasy. Natalie Portman anchors this expertly as the fragile, innocent young talent navigating her way down the darkest corridors of sexuality and the looming threat of failure. Nina is suffocated by the expectations of all those around her to embody both the White and Black Swan — the former being her perfect match, the latter evading her grasp — that she is challenged for the dual role by the presence of a more naturally “free” Lily (Mila Kunis) only accelerates the rapid pace of her fears. Empathy for Nina might have been hard to find in a world this insular, but Portman’s fearless performance along with the same knack for minutia and realist grit of Aronofsky’s 2008 The Wrestler allow the material to transcend in a lavish romp that begs us to surrender to its dazzling visual splendor. Hand in hand with Aronofsky’s apt study of the athleticism of the human body, we observe Nina’s identity slowly begin to rear its freakish, other-worldly head — only to snap back with lightning speed to the hallucinatory discovery of her bodily desires. Two minor female roles — Hershey as Erica Sayers and Winona Ryder as womanizing Leroy’s former “little princess” Beth Macintyre — cleverly shape the picture’s lingering tales of the original story’s traditional “dying swan” element without relying too heavily on overt plot points. Both women, in their jealousy and obsession to live vicariously through the ballet that offers Nina the ideal career, underscore the political tensions that come along with any modern backdrop of competition. Sayers listens and supports, but pushes and antagonizes once too far, while McIntyre’s long-gone days as Swan Queen remain all too foreboding of Nina’s hellish descent into madness. As we check in and out, along with Nina’s mind, to the internal, hushed sounds of buzzing audiences, the picture lulls deeper into absurdity, and by
Natalie Portman stars in Black Swan.
the third act the film asks us to check all rationale at the door. Though in this case, the sensationalist flair with which Aronofsky crafts Black Swan’s final choreography sequences (gorgeously staged by Benjamin Millepied) along with frequent collaborator Clint Mansell’s masterful arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s original score, make her stunning rite of feminine passage all the more poignant, never bordering on potentially campy territory.
Photo courtesy of www.i09.com
Black Swan’s ability to polarize audiences will ultimately lie in how its maker’s utter disregard for restraint or conventional form will sit with those on the receiving end. It is a film that refuses to sit still and commit to certainty, but in this case that’s hardly a criticism. The tragedy of Nina’s blind ambition will remind the film’s lovers and detractors that perfection, if it can be reached at all, cannot be reached without a leap of faith.
20 Sports
The Montclarion • December 9, 2010
Fantasy Football Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em: Week 14 Nelson DePasquale Editor-In-Chief
Start ‘Em QB — Eli Manning (NYG) – Both Steve Smith and Hakeem Nicks are questionable for this week against the Vikings, but both participated in practice Wednesday. If one or both of these guys are back on the field Sunday, Manning will put up good numbers. RB — Peyton Hillis (CLE) – Hillis is about to eclipse 1,000 yards on the season and is facing the league’s worst rush defense in the Bills. They give up 170 yards per game, a definite start here. WR — Santonio Holmes (NYJ) – Holmes and the Jets will be looking to bounce back against Miami this week. He had seven receptions for 72 yards but no touchdowns. Holmes should find the end zone at least once this week. Sit ‘Em QB — Matt Schaub (HOU) – The Ravens defense is coming off a very good game against the Steelers even though they lost. This Houston team has a lot more holes in it. The Ravens will hold Schaub to minimal fantasy points. RB — Cedric Benson (CIN) – Even though he has recently been a worthwhile option, Benson is going against a Steelers defense that has allowed rushers only 62 yards per game and four touchdowns all season. Need I say more? WR — Calvin Johnson (DET) – The Packers are fifth in the league in passing defense. Woodson and the Packers’ secondary have been lights out as of late. Don’t expect much from Johnson.
Photo Courtesy of Flickr Account The Brit_2
Matt Schaub is going to have a tough time throwing this week against a very tough Ravens’ defense.
Mike Monostra
Kris Hunte
Nelson DePasquale
Sports Editor
Assistant Sports Editor
Editor-In-Chief
Last Week
11-5
12-4
10-6
Season Record
98-65
97-66
98-65
Upset Record
6-5
3-8
6-5
Colts at Titans
Colts
Colts
Colts
Raiders at Jaguars
Jaguars
Raiders
Raiders
Packers at Lions
Packers
Packers
Packers
Giants at Vikings
Giants
Giants
Giants
Browns at Bills
Browns
Browns
Browns
Bucs at Redskins
Bucs
Bucs
Bucs
Falcons at Panthers
Falcons
Falcons
Falcons
Bengals at Steelers
Steelers
Steelers
Steelers
Seahawks at 49ers
49ers
Seahawks
49ers
Rams at Saints
Saints
Saints
Saints
Chiefs at Chargers
Chiefs
Chargers
Chargers
Dolphins at Jets
Jets
Jets
Jets
Broncos at Cardinals
Broncos
Broncos
Broncos
Patriots at Bears
Patriots
Bears (U)
Bears (U)
Eagles at Cowboys
Cowboys (U)
Eagles
Cowboys
Ravens at Texans
Ravens
Ravens
Ravens
(U) = Upset Pick
December 9, 2010 • The Montclarion
sports
21
MSU Sports Sees Success and Sorrow in 2010 Mike Monostra Sports Editor
With the end of the calendar year approaching, it’s a good time to take a look back at the past year for Montclair State athletics. It was a year of ups and downs, where some teams triumphed, others fell short. It was a year full of individual achievements, but also sorrow. The biggest story of 2010 was the sudden death of men’s lacrosse coach John Greco. A man who had led his team to a Skyline Championship just six months prior died on Nov. 18, shocking the MSU community. Going forward in 2011, the men’s lacrosse team will surely have him on their mind as they look to win their third straight Skyline title. One of the most intriguing on-the-field stories in 2010 was the furious race for the NJAC title in football. MSU, looking to defend their conference championship, engaged in a race with Rowan and Cortland State that would see all three teams ranked in the top 25 and finishing 9-1 on the season. While the three teams would finish as tri-champions of the conference, only Cortland and Montclair would go on to the playoffs. The Red Hawks then proceeded to win a NCAA playoff game for the second straight year, defeating Hampden-Sydney in the first round 16-14 before falling to Wesley the following week. Women’s lacrosse also took home a conference championship in 2010, as they swept through the Skyline Conference to win their fourth conference title in five seasons. Though they would lose a tough game to Stevens College, 15-12, in the first round of the NCAAs, the team showed a lot of firepower behind seniors
Lauren Adams and Morgan MacPhee. With only three seniors lost to graduation, the future is bright for the program. It wasn’t necessarily a good year for all of MSU’s sports teams. Men’s basketball struggled through the season, finishing with a losing record in the NJAC for the first time in four seasons. The softball team also missed the playoffs, falling out of playoff contention on the final day of the regular season in a doubleheader against Rutgers-Camden. A young women’s soccer team started out slow in the NJAC in 2010, losing their first three conference games en route to missing the playoffs for the first time since 1998. The year also featured numerous accomplishments by athletes and coaches alike. The women’s basketball team saw two players join the 1,000 point club. In a game against Rutgers-Newark in February, Catherine Cristino scored her 1,000th point to become the 15th player of all-time to join that list in MSU women’s basketball history. Kisandra Ayanbeku joined the 1,000th point club just last week, scoring the milestone point in a game at William Paterson. The men’s track and field team saw two athletes named All-Americans in 2010. Will Brown, who had been the Division III national champion in the 55m hurdles in 2009, was named an AllAmerican for the third consecutive time in his career. Thrower Eugene Asimou was also named as an All-American for the third time for his success in the shot put and weight throw. Also, in November, football coach Rick Giancola joined an elite list of MSU coaches when he earned his 200th win in football’s 21-8 victory over William Paterson. Giancola became just the sixth
Mike Zawadzki l The Montclarion
MSU women’s basketball player Catherine Cristino scored her 1,000th point in a February game against Rutgers-Newark. coach in the school’s history to win 200 games. This year was certainly a memorable one for Montclair State sports. For the teams who may not have reached cham-
pionship aspirations in 2010, 2011 is a new year to try and achieve that ultimate goal. For those who did achieve 2010 success, 2011 is a chance to do it all over again.
Big Names in Sports Make Big News in 2010 Jay Hrina Staff Writer
2010 has brought us another exciting, drama-filled year in sports. Locally, the Jets are running their mouths as the best team in sports and hold a 9-3 record, yet they have only beaten one team with a record above .500. The Giants were outmatched by a quarterback who hasn’t started since 2006 and has served jail time in between. The Yankees just ended the circus free agency signing with Derek Jeter that was about as exciting as Ben Stein’s voice. The Mets have added a Terry and a Sandy to their front office; and I don’t mean the ladies that appeared in Grease. The Islanders and the Nets seem a little lost, which isn’t a surprise. The Devils sit just above the Islanders, which is a surprise. The only team that hasn’t given us anything to talk about are the New York Rangers … and that’s probably a good thing. This year brought us a lot of positive things as well. The New Orleans ‘Aints helped a city stand on its feet with an unlikely victory over the Indianapolis Colts in the Super Bowl. The San Francisco Giants won their first World Series since they departed New York. The LA Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics in a rematch similar to the days of Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. The Red Bulls came close to winning the MLS championship, but fell in the semifinals to the San Jose Earthquakes. In an attempt to bring some excitement to the MLS the Red Bulls signed international French star Thierry Henry, a contract that cost less and provided a better turnout than the David Beckham signing that happened a few years back. Beckham’s career to Americans can be compared to Carmen San Diego or Waldo; where has it gone? Baseball saw three perfect games in a season. Well, technically, there
Photo Courtesy of Flickr Account Travis LoDolce
Oakland pitcher Dallas Braden and his catcher, Landon Powell, share a hug after Braden’s perfect game in April. It was the first of two perfect games during the 2010 baseball season. were only two: Dallas Braden of the Oakland Athletics and Roy Halladay of the Philadelphia Phillies. Armando Galarraga came close to being the third, but was denied a chance at history by umpire Jim Joyce. It was a game that’s sure to live in infamy with not only the players involved, but fans of the sport as well. It was a game that’s sure to lead to further use of instant replay in baseball, another thing that will be remembered by sports fans for years to come. USC seemed on top of the college football world, but their coach bolted to the NFL and joined the Seattle Seahawks, and their starting player during that era was revoked of his Heisman Trophy. This
led to the likes of Auburn, Oregon and TCU rounding out the top three teams respectively. The only classic powerhouse college team in the top ten is Ohio State. What we didn’t see this year was the implementation of a playoff system for college football. But when every college football team plays in a bowl game there probably isn’t a need for a playoff system. 2010 also saw the rise of MMA, a fiercer form of boxing that lets fighters use every part of their body that isn’t just below the belt. Boxing’s biggest headline is their loss of fans and funds — the people that decided MMA was more exciting to watch. Maybe it’s because the
most exciting thing to happen in boxing this year was the Manny Pacquiao/Floyd Mayweather fight that never happened. 2011 is sure to be as exciting as 2010 and the drama that will ensue will surpass that of all the MTV “reality” shows. Maybe Jimmie Johnson will win his sixth straight NASCAR title, or Tiger Woods will regain his number one ranking. Maybe Roger Federer will retake the number one tennis ranking from Rafael Nadal. At this point, everything is just speculation. There is always uncertainty heading into a new year. Something new and exciting is bound to happen soon after the ball drops. Until then, we still have the rest of 2010.
22 Sports
The Montclarion • December 9, 2010
Hockey Pushes Past CCSU Deanna Benjamin Assistant Sports Editor
Saturday night was another example of the MSU hockey team’s determination to win. They beat Central Connecticut State University with a score of 4-2. The first period was a little slow MSU 4 and the Red Hawks CCSU 2 weren’t playing up to their potential. A play fell apart and CCSU saw an opportunity to take a shot on goal. After 15 minutes of trying to score another goal, Red Hawks fell short ending the first period with a 1-0 score in favor of CCSU. The Red Hawks pushed the first goal behind them and entered the second period fiercely. “We came out strong in the second period and had a goal go in off of a dump in,” junior Tyler Timek said. “It was a lucky goal but it gave us a boost.” After the Red Hawks got their momentum, they scored another goal minutes later. CCSU did not come all the way to Montclair to not put up a fight. Right before the end of the second period Central Connecticut scored, making it tied at two apiece. Going into the third period the Red Hawks knew what they had to do in order to win the game. They used accurate passes and plays they have been practicing. The Red Hawks scored on a 2 on 1. The Red Hawks still didn’t feel accomplished with the score of 3-2, as they were looking for an insurance goal. With only a few minutes left, they scored on a rebound goal during a power play,
Photo Courtesy of Kenny Renae Sr.
MSU goalie Joe Fede set to defend a shot in a game last week against Western Connecticut. and took a two goal lead. Goalie Joe Fede made multiple saves and only let in two goals. “Fede played strong in net to hold
onto the 4-2 lead to win the game,” said Timek. MSU will play back to back games, one home and one away, with Super East
rival Holy Cross this weekend. They will host Holy Cross on Saturday at Floyd Hall Arena at 9:10 p.m. They will then travel to play the Crusaders on Sunday.
NFL Playoff Race Heats Up With four weeks left, teams scramble to make run to the playoffs and have winnable games through the rest of the year, but the Chargers have the best chance to win due to two straight home games, and fairly easy road games to end the year. NFC East: This is a great example of late season division games making all the difference. The Eagles hold the tiebreaker so far, but will have to play two more games against a Dallas Cowboys team that is desperate not to finish the year with a miserable record. The Giants have some tough games down the road, so expect the winner of the Giants/Eagles game in week 15 to settle the score here. The Giants will win the division and the Eagles will take the wildcard, but the Eagles will likely go further in the playoffs because the Giants don’t seem to do well as the favorites. NFC North: Yes, the Bears have won five straight, but the Packers are the real deal in the NFC. Aaron Rodgers is a proven winner, and the Packers have outscored their opponents by over 100 points combined. The Bears have played a lot of weak teams this year, and still haven’t put up a ton of offense. Both teams will have to face the Jets and Patriots, and we will see that the Packers are better at beating good teams.
Photo Courtesy of Flickr Account Uschi1306
Tom Brady and the Patriots’ victory over the New York Jets on Monday night put them in the driver’s seat to beat out the Jets in the race for the AFC East division title. Mark Gould Arts and Entertainment Editor
With the NFL season winding down, each game is crucial. Most of last year’s playoff teams are still doing well, but there are definitely a few surprises this year. Here is a breakdown of each division and the teams who look best suited to make the playoffs this year. AFC East: The Jets and Patriots have the obvious lead here. They are both among the top teams in the entire conference, and should both land playoffs spot. The questions now is which team will win the division. After the Patriots’ Monday Night Football victory, they seem to have the edge. The Jets seem to get into too many close games, and Mark Sanchez
will have to face some difficult December opponents, such as the Steelers and Bears. Expect the Patriots to take the division, with the Jets landing a wildcard spot with the number five seed. AFC North: This will likely be the toughest race for the rest of the year. The Ravens and Steelers both play exceptionally well in the colder months, but the difference here is the final two weeks of the year. The Steelers caught a huge break in their schedule; the Jets are their only tough game in December. The Ravens however, will have a few tough fights in the Texans and Saints. Expect the Steelers to have the slight edge, but the Ravens are too good of a team to miss the playoffs. They will likely seal the second wildcard spot.
AFC South: Surprisingly the Colts don’t have a runaway lead on this division. The Jaguars look impressive, but they have been outscored by opponents, despite a winning record. The Colts have lost three straight games due to poor performances by the normally stellar Peyton Manning. Still, the Colts will win the division because they face the Titans, who can’t seem to muster up any offense lately, twice in the last month. AFC West: The west has been reserved for the Chargers in the past few seasons, but three out of the four teams have a realistic chance. The Raiders have beat every team in the division so far, and if they can somehow pull off another set of upsets, they can be the biggest surprise of the year. The Chiefs are 5-0 at home
NFC South: Perhaps the NFL’s best division features last year’s Super Bowl champions, the New Orleans Saints, desperately trying to hold onto a playoff spot. The Falcons look like the best team in the NFC, and the Buccaneers are playing well under young quarterback Josh Freeman. However, the Falcons face the lowly Panthers two more times, and have shown absolutely no signs of slowing down. They’ll win the division and the Saints will take the wildcard, although the Buccaneers will come dangerously close to stealing it from them. NFC West: In the NFL’s worst division, we may very well find a winner with a below .500 record, which has never happened before. The Seahawks have allowed far too many points this season, and have only won once in the past month. No team in the division will have an easy schedule through December, but chances are that the Rams, led by rookie quarterback Sam Bradford, will sneak into the playoffs after providing a few more upsets in the final month of the regular season.
December 9, 2010 • The Montclarion
Swimming Downed By Seton Hall Jon Fazio Staff Writer
The Montclair State University Men’s and Women’s swimming teams both lost their meets on Monday night against Division I Seton Hall 134-91 and 152-76. The Pirates earned the top three finish times in five individual events at the Arthur E. Imperatore Natatorium. The men’s team is now 4-4 and the women’s team is 3-4. MSU did have some highlights for both teams. In the men’s 50-yard freestyle, sophomore Thomas Long was the first to touch the wall ahead of classmates Zak Westerberg and Blaise Lacca finishing second and third. This gave MSU a 1-2-3 finish and 16 points compared to just three for the Pirates.
On the women’s side, the Red Hawks swept the 100-yard breaststroke with another 1-2-3 finish. They were led by race winner Maria Vira who finished with a time of 1:11.69. In 500-yard freestyle, sophomore Ashley Vallone gained nine points for the team by winning the race with a time of 5:49. Still, MSU couldn’t match the depth of the Pirates. Seton Hall’s women’s team enters their winter break undefeated at 8-0 while the men’s team moves to 7-1. Seton Hall junior diver Brittany Hervey broke the 1-meter board record for the women’s team with a score of 292.35, ousting the previous record of 292.05 held by Ashley Williams set in the 20082009 season. The Red Hawks have one more meet on Saturday, December 11 before their winter break begins. They will host Ramapo College at 1 p.m. at Panzer Pool.
Check out www.themontclarion.org this weekend for an update on swimming’s meet with Ramapo on Saturday. 5 Seymour Street Montclair NJ
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Swimming & Diving
sports
Men’s Basketball
NJAC
Overall
North
NJAC
Overall
TCNJ
2-0
4-0
RU-Newark
2-0
7-0
Rowan
1-0
3-1
MSU
2-0
5-1
WPU
0-1
6-1
Ramapo
1-0
6-1
0-1
3-2
WPU
0-2
4-4
0-1
4-4
NJCU
0-2
2-4
Men’s
Ramapo MSU
Women’s
TCNJ
South
2-0
4-0
Kean
1-0
3-1
Stockton
0-1
7-1
Rowan
Ramapo
0-1
3-2
TCNJ
MSU
0 - 1
3-4
RU-Camden
Rowan
WPU
This Week 12/11 vs. Ramapo
1 p.m.
23
2-0
4-2
2-0
4-2
0-1
3-4
0-2
1-6
0 - 2
0-5
This Week 12/11 vs. CCNY 12/14 va. Vaughn
4 p.m. 7 p.m.
Last Week 11/30 Seton Hall 134, MSU 91 (Men’s) Seton Hall 152, MSU 76 (Women’s)
Last Week 12/4 MSU 81, RU-Camden 56
Ice Hockey
Women’s Basketball
SECHL
Overall
North
NJAC
Overall
WPU
9-1-0
18 - 3 - 0
RU-Newark
2-0
7-0
MSU
6-2-1
9-5-1
WPU
1-0
6-0
MSU
1-1
3-3
0-1
6-1
0-2
1-6
Siena
5-1-2
10 - 4 - 2
CCSU
4-2-1
9-7-2
WCSU
4 - 7 - 0
7 - 10 - 0
N. H.
3-4-2
6-5-2
Marist NYU
3-7-0 1-7-0
7 - 11 - 0
Stockton
6 - 10 - 0
Rowan
Holy Cross
0-8-0
5 - 12 - 0
This Week 12/11 vs. Holy Cross 12/12 @ Holy Cross
9:10 p.m. 7 p.m.
Last Week 12/3 MSU 5, West. Conn. 4
Ramapo
NJCU
South
Kean
2-0
6-0
1-0
5-2
1-0
4-3
RU-Camden
0-1
2-5
TCNJ
0 - 2
2-4
This Week 12/11 vs. Susquehanna 12/13 @ SUNY-New Paltz
2 p.m. 7 p.m.
Last Week 12/4 MSU 54. RU-Camden 43 12/8 Baruch 60, MSU 58
A Look Back at 2010 in MSU Sports p. 21
Check out The Montclarion website Ice Hockey Defeats for an update on the MSU CCSU track and field team p. 22
MontclarionSports@gmail.com
MSU Falls in Final Minute Kofi Biney Staff Writer
Mike Zawadzki l The Montclarion
Kisandra Ayanbeku, seen here in a game against RutgersCamden, led the Red Hawks with 17 points and 11 rebounds in MSU’s loss to Baruch last night.
After a 54-43 victory over Rutgers-Camden last Saturday, the Montclair State women’s basketball team was looking to continue their good form with a win over Baruch College. It did not happen. The Red Hawks lost to the Bearcats of Baruch College 60-58 on Wednesday at Panzer Athletic Center. Despite outrebounding Baruch 52-36 and having the likes of Kisandra Ayanbeku and Jaime Ericson putting up 17 and 16 points respectively, MSU fell to 3-4 on the season while Baruch improved their record to 6-2 and extended their winning streak to three games. Things started off well for the Red Hawks, taking a 7-2 lead early on in the first half. But in what would become an all too familiar sight for MSU, the Bearcats would go on a 10-4 run to take a 12-11 advantage. Both teams would go back and forth for the remainder of the period, with neither team gaining a significant edge in what was a tight, low-scoring opening frame. Two areas of concern for MSU in the first half was their inability to convert on the easiest of shot-making opportunities (with several close chances and lay ups going dry) and their erratic fouling (eight fouls to Baruch’s four). Nor did it help that Ayanbeku, the team’s
leading scorer, was held to two points, which is a credit to Baruch’s stifling defensive play. Moreover, only one MSU player, Jaime Ericson, went to the half in double-digits scoring-wise (10 points), with Colleen Kelley being second in that regard with only five points. The result of this was a 22-21 Baruch lead heading into halftime. The second half did not start out well for MSU before it even began, with sophomore guard Devin Feeney leaving the game with an apparent arm injury as the result of a foul late in the first half by Baruch College guard Jessica Duleba. To further exacerbate ill fortunes for the Red Hawks, Baruch went on a 7-0 run to start the second half, with Jessica Duleba contributing two lay ups and Camille Voitot adding a threepointer. Ayanbeku would break the nearly five minute scoring drought for MSU with a shot of her own to cut the Bearcats lead to 29-23. After going down 35-31 at the 11:36 mark, Sara Kelley made a timely threepointer to cut Baruch’s lead to one at 35-34. In a clear sign of dissatisfaction by Baruch head coach Machli Joseph, he then subbed out all five players currently on the court at the time and put in the entire bench after a timeout. The maneuver paid instant dividends, as the Bearcats then went on a 10-2 run to give themselves a nine point lead at 45-36 with 7:36 remaining in the
game, thus giving them their largest lead of the contest. The lead would then go to 51-43 with 4:22 left via the contributions of Folashade Akinde, who finished the game with 10 points, and Camille Voitot, who along with Megan Bouwens led all Baruch scorers with 13 points. It was at this point where MSU took a badly needed timeout, desperate to close the gap in the final stretch. Despite going down 54-47 with 3:25 left via an unnecessary layup and subsequent free throw by Maria Turner, the Red Hawks went on a furious 9-4 run in a span of 3:04, climaxing with a game-tying layup by Michelle Montagna with .21 seconds left in the game to leave the game at a 58-58 deadlock. Unfortunately for the Red Hawks, it was not enough as Akin made a layup of her own to give the Bearcats a 60-58 lead with .05 seconds remaining. A last-second jumper by Sara Kelley rimmed out, and with it went MSU’s chances of extending the game to overtime. Despite the fact that Montclair State made 86% of their free throws (compared to Baruch’s 72%), and despite ultimately having less fouls than their counterpart (Baruch’s 16 to Montclair’s 13), none of it was enough to propel Montclair to the victory. Montclair State will try to bounce back from this tough loss on Saturday afternoon as they take on Susquehanna University at home.
Red Hawks Blow Past RU-Camden Kendall Zoppa Staff Writer
The Red Hawks won their fifth straight game in a battle against the Rutgers-Camden Raptors as they advance their record to 5-1 (2-0 NJAC). Montclair took on the 0-4 Raptors Saturday afternoon in a blow out, winning by 25 at the final buzzer, 81-56. Montclair’s own Tom Bonard came out ready to win, putting up a three pointer MSU 81 RU-Camden 56 within the first few seconds of play. He went on to score two more from the corner only seven minutes into the half. Bonard, along with guard Rodney Freeney, helped Montclair establish a 10 point lead early on. The Raptors answered with a three pointer from guard Eric Goode, that would put them within seven. This would be the closest they would come to matching the Red Hawks for the remainder of the game. With a large lead building up, the Red Hawks maintained their intensity, working their fast breaks and defensive game as if the Raptors were only trailing by a few. Their consistency on offense and overall chemistry played an intricate role in the
success of this blowout. Never slowing their pace or their hustle for loose balls, they were on their “A” game. “You’re constantly worried that your guys are going to take them too lightly ... and they didn’t,” Coach Ted Fiore said about the effort in Saturday’s game. “We came out strong right from the get go.” Trailing by 21 points at the half, the Raptors posed little threat to the Red Hawks in this cross-state match up. Missed jumpers and key lay-ups set the Raptors back early on. Putting up only 12 points in the paint proved to be detrimental to the team’s outcome. “I thought we came out ready to play and I think we took them out of the game relatively early,” Coach Fiore said. The Red Hawks out hustled the Raptors on every defensive rebound at 36-20. The 25 point blow-out was a team effort led by forward Andrew August who racked up 11 points, three assists and seven rebounds. Guard Rodney Freeney lit up the boards with 15 points in only 18 minutes of play. Freeney attributes his success in this game by, “being in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing.” It wasn’t until the last 10 minutes of regulation when the Red Hawks began to falter, missing eight of their last 14 shots.
Mike Zawadzki l The Montclarion
MSU guard Tom Bonard scored 11 points in the Red Hawks win on Saturday. Nevertheless, they continued to keep alive their enormous lead. “I think what I was really looking for was to be a little more ‘crisp.’ We didn’t always execute and we want to execute 100%,” Coach Fiore reflected. “We just want to continue to progress.” When asked about overall improvements needed, after the
game, the team’s consensus was to reduce to number of turnovers and to step up defensively. These will be key components in winning on the road against 5-0 Staten Island on Wednesday night. After a huge win like this, the question is how they will answer a team of their caliber. Both teams will take the court
on a five-game winning streak. When asked about concerns for the game Coach Fiore added, “My major concern is our ability to defend them, slow them down and stop them.” The Red Hawks will return to the Panzer gym on Saturday, Dec. 11 at 4 p.m. to take on the 2-5 Beavers of the City College of New York.